Objective To describe and classify endosonographic obstetric sphincter defects at 1 week, 3 months and 1 year after primary repair, and to relate the endosonographic results to anal sphincter pressure and to symptoms of anal incontinence over time. Methods Forty-one women who had suffered a third- or fourth-degree perineal tear at delivery underwent anal endosonography and anal manometry 1 week,

The effect of warmer climate on the depletion of snow-covered area has been evaluated for the Satluj River basin located in the western Himalayan region in India. Snowmelt runoff contributes substantially to the annual streamflow of this river. In order to study the impact of three warming scenarios (T+1, T+2 and T+3degreesC), more than 160 new snow depletion curves were prepared for different ele

Fifty eight enterococcal isolates from wild herbivores were tested for their antibiotic sensitivity pattern and lectin-like binding of extracellular matrix (ECM) and serum proteins. Kanamycin resistance was very frequent; many multiresistant strains were also isolated. All isolates were sensitive to rifampicin. Resistance to gentamicin, novobiocin, and tetracycline was widely distributed in the mi

We examinedfactors that may influence the development of arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment including the specific mode of therapy, patient occupation and life style. Medical record data and a questionnaire were used to collect information after surgery concerning such issues as wound seroma, infection, adjuvant treatment, vessel string (phlebitis), body mass index, smoking habits an

The Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus) lives in resident, territorial family groups outside the breeding season, but does not breed cooperatively. Thereby it offers an opportunity to study the evolution of territorial group living, without confounding effects of reproductive cooperation. During a long-term study in Finland 1974-2000, we observed Siberian Jay group composition in autumn. Using mic

Methyl beta-D-galactoside was converted to the corresponding 3,4-O-stannylene acetal, which was selectively benzylated with 3-iodobenzyl bromide and coupled to a polymer-bound propargylic ether via a Sonogashira reaction. The polymer-bound carbohydrate substrate was cleaved from the resin with different carbon nucleophiles in a cobalt-mediated Nicholas reaction. The product 3-O-alkynylbenzyl galac

The quality of food eaten by larval insects will affect traits such as gamete production, fat reserves, muscle bulk and body size in the adult. Moreover, larvae also depend on high moisture content in the diet for survival. The almond moth (Ephestia cautella) (W.) (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) does not feed as an adult although it continues to drink water. We tested the idea that an almond moth could c

Telephone service in Argentina has since its beginning been characterized as one of the most developed in South America. Regarding its development, two distinct periods can be identified. An initial period of private ownership extended from 1878 to 1946. In 1946, when the largest telephone company was bought by the state, a period of predominant state-ownership began that lasted until 1990 when th

This study examines innate immunity to oral Salmonella during primary infection and after secondary challenge of immune mice. Splenic NK and NKT cells plummeted early after primary infection, while neutrophils and macrophages (M{phi}) increased 10- and 3-fold, respectively. In contrast, immune animals had only a modest reduction in NK cells, no loss of NKT cells, and a slight increase in phagocyte

Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a novel apolipoprotein presented mostly in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in human plasma. Previously we have reported that both leptin and leptin receptor are essential for apoM expression in vivo. The expression of apoM is lower in the leptin deficient (ob/ob) mouse and leptin receptor deficient (db/db) mouse than in the normal mouse. In the present study, however, we

Increased levels of inflammatory mediators such as cystenyl leukotrienes (CysLT) have been found in and around tumors. These data, along with our previous observation that the G-protein-coupled receptor CysLT(1)R, which signals survival and proliferation, is up-regulated in colon cancer, suggest an important role for CysLT(1)R in tumor development. The objective of this study was to examine the ex

Hip fracture is one of the most severe consequences of osteoporosis affecting aged women. However, abnormalities of bone turnover responsible for bone loss in this condition have not been clearly defined. To further evaluate the bone metabolic status of women sustaining hip fracture, we have prospectively measured serum osteocalcin as a marker of bone formation and urinary excretion of pyridinolin