Compartment Syndrome following Intramedullary Nail Fixation in Closed Tibial Shaft Fractures

Introduction

Compartment syndrome complicating intramedullary nailing of closed tibia fractures has been described as early as the 1980s, but currently remains less described in literature compared to compartment syndrome directly following trauma. This study aims to review this potentially disabling complication and highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and management of compartment syndrome following fracture fixation, not just after fracture itself, via a review of three cases.

Material and methods

A retrospective study of a series of three cases was conducted. The type of fracture, wait time to fixation, surgery duration, reaming, size of nail implant used, tourniquet time, and surgical technique were recorded. Time to diagnosis of compartment syndrome, compartment pressure if available, extent of muscle necrosis, reconstructive procedures performed, and post-operative complications were analysed.

Results

The three cases following high-energy trauma from road traffic accidents presented from January to May 2010. Compartment syndrome was diagnosed clinically for all cases, between one to six days post-operatively and supported by elevated compartment pressure measurements in two of the three cases.

Conclusion

This study advocates thorough clinical monitoring and maintaining strong clinical suspicion of compartment syndrome in patients even after intramedullary nail fixation of tibial shaft fractures to achieve timely limb-salvaging intervention. While intercompartmental pressure can be used to aid in diagnosis, we do not advise using it in isolation to diagnose compartment syndrome. Tendon transfer improves functional mobility and provides a good result in patients with severe muscle damage, while skin grafting sufficient in patients with minimal muscle damage.

Efficient Photon Extraction in Top-Emission Organic Light-Emitting Devices Based on Ampicillin Microstructures

The desire to enhance the efficiency of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) has driven to the investigation of advanced materials with fascinating properties. In this work, the efficiency of top-emission OLEDs (TEOLEDs) is enhanced by introducing ampicillin microstructures (Amp-MSs) with dual phases (α-/β-phase) that induce photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL). Moreover, Amp-MSs can adjust the charge balance by Fermi level (E_F ) alignment, thereby decreasing the leakage current. The decrease in the wave-guided modes can enhance the light outcoupling through optical scattering. The resulting TEOLED demonstrates a record-high external quantum efficiency (EQE) (maximum: 68.7% and average: 63.4% at spectroradiometer; maximum: 44.8% and average: 42.6% at integrating sphere) with a wider color gamut (118%) owing to the redshift of the spectrum by J-aggregation. Deconvolution of the EL intensities is performed to clarify the contribution of Amp-MSs to the device EQE enhancement (optical scattering by Amp-MSs: 17.0%, PL by radiative energy transfer: 9.1%, and EL by J-aggregated excitons: 4.6%). The proposed TEOLED outperforms the existing frameworks in terms of device efficiency.

Highly efficient, heat dissipating, stretchable organic light-emitting diodes based on a MoO3/Au/MoO3 electrode with encapsulation

Stretchable organic light-emitting diodes are ubiquitous in the rapidly developing wearable display technology. However, low efficiency and poor mechanical stability inhibit their commercial applications owing to the restrictions generated by strain. Here, we demonstrate the exceptional performance of a transparent (molybdenum-trioxide/gold/molybdenum-trioxide) electrode for buckled, twistable, and geometrically stretchable organic light-emitting diodes under 2-dimensional random area strain with invariant color coordinates. The devices are fabricated on a thin optical-adhesive/elastomer with a small mechanical bending strain and water-proofed by optical-adhesive encapsulation in a sandwiched structure. The heat dissipation mechanism of the thin optical-adhesive substrate, thin elastomer-based devices or silicon dioxide nanoparticles reduces triplet-triplet annihilation, providing consistent performance at high exciton density, compared with thick elastomer and a glass substrate. The performance is enhanced by the nanoparticles in the optical-adhesive for light out-coupling and improved heat dissipation. A high current efficiency of ~82.4 cd/A and an external quantum efficiency of ~22.3% are achieved with minimum efficiency roll-off.

A molecular design towards sulfonyl aza-BODIPY based NIR fluorescent and colorimetric probe for selective cysteine detection

A new fluorescent and colorimetric probe based-on sulfonyl aza-BODIPY (BDP-1–3) are designed and synthesized for selective cysteine detection.

Fractional structured molybdenum oxide catalyst as counter electrodes of all-solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel hierarchical solution-processed fractional structured molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) catalyst is fabricated from tricarbonyltris (propionitrile) molybdenum and used as the counter electrode of all-solid-state fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells (S-FDSSC). The Tafel plot results and electrical impedance spectroscopy suggest that the use of the fractional structured MoO₃ catalyst enhances the efficiency of the reduction of I₃^- to 3I^- at the counter electrode/electrolyte interface. Because of the improvements of the short-current circuit and fill factor, the power conversion efficiency of the MoO₃-modified S-FDSSC improves by 60% compared with that of the reference S-FDSSC. In addition, because of the robust fractional structure of MoO₃, the MoO₃-modified S-FDSSC maintains 90% and 95% of efficiency after 350-fold bending and the incident light angle dependency test, respectively. At 65% humidity and at 65 °C, the power conversion efficiency of the MoO₃-modified device decreases by <20% after 350 h of storage, while that of the reference device drops by more than 70%.

Improvement of High Affinity and Selectivity on Biosensors Using Genetically Engineered Phage by Binding Isotherm Screening

The genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage (M13 phage), developed via directed evolutionary screening process, can improve the sensitivity of sensors because of its selective binding to a target material. Herein, we propose a screening method to develop a selective and sensitive bioreporter for toxic material based on genetically engineered M13 phage. The paraquat (PQ)-binding M13 phage, developed by directed evolution, was used. The binding affinities of the PQ-binding M13 phage to PQ and similar molecules were analyzed using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Based on the isotherms measured by ITC, binding affinities were calculated using the one-site binding model. The binding affinity was 5.161 × 10⁻⁷ for PQ, and 3.043 × 10⁻⁷ for diquat (DQ). The isotherm and raw ITC data show that the PQ-binding M13 phage does not selectively bind to difenzoquat (DIF). The phage biofilter experiment confirmed the ability of PQ-binding M13 bacteriophage to bind PQ. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform based on the bioreporter, PQ-binding M13 phage, exhibited 3.7 times the signal intensity as compared with the wild-type-M13-phage-coated platform.

Self-Assembled Nanoporous Biofilms from Functionalized Nanofibrous M13 Bacteriophage

Highly periodic and uniform nanostructures, based on a genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage, displayed unique properties at the nanoscale that have the potential for a variety of applications. In this work, we report a multilayer biofilm with self-assembled nanoporous surfaces involving a nanofiber-like genetically engineered 4E-type M13 bacteriophage, which was fabricated using a simple pulling method. The nanoporous surfaces were effectively formed by using the networking-like structural layers of the M13 bacteriophage during self-assembly. Therefore, an external template was not required. The actual M13 bacteriophage-based fabricated multilayered biofilm with porous nanostructures agreed well with experimental and simulation results. Pores formed in the final layer had a diameter of about 150–500 nm and a depth of about 15–30 nm. We outline a filter application for this multilayered biofilm that enables selected ions to be extracted from a sodium chloride solution. Here, we describe a simple, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive fabrication approach with large-scale production potential. The technique and the multi-layered biofilms produced may be applied to sensor, filter, plasmonics, and bio-mimetic fields.

A Simple Approach to Fabricate an Efficient Inverted Polymer Solar Cell with a Novel Small Molecular Electrolyte as the Cathode Buffer Layer

A novel small-molecule electrolyte, 1,1'-bis(4-hydroxypropyl)-[4,4'-bipyridine]-1,1'-diium bromide (V-OH), containing a mixture of PTB7:PC₇₁BM has been designed and synthesized as a cathode buffer layer for inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs). The molecular structure of this new compound comprises a viologen skeleton with hydroxyl group terminals. While the viologen unit is responsible for generating a favorable interface dipole, the two terminal hydroxyl groups of V-OH may generate a synergy effect in the magnitude of the interface dipole. Consequently, the devices containing the V-OH interlayer exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.13% (short circuit current = 17.13 mA/cm², open circuit voltage = 0.75 V, fill factor = 71.1%). The PCE of the devices with V-OH exhibited better long-term stability compared to that of the devices without V-OH. Thus, we found that it is possible to enhance the efficiency of PSCs by a simple approach without the need for complicated methods of device fabrication.

Ice-Binding Protein Derived from Glaciozyma Can Improve the Viability of Cryopreserved Mammalian Cells

Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) can inhibit ice recrystallization (IR), a major cause of cell death during cryopreservation. IBPs are hypothesized to improve cell viability after cryopreservation by alleviating the cryoinjury caused by IR. In our previous studies, we showed that supplementation of the freezing medium with the recombinant IBP of the Arctic yeast Glaciozyma sp. (designated as LeIBP) could reduce post-thaw hemolysis of human red blood cells and increase the survival of cryopreserved diatoms. Here, we showed that LeIBP could improve the viability of cryopreserved mammalian cells. Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa), mouse fibroblasts (NIH/3T3), human preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), and human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were evaluated. These mammalian cells were frozen in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/fetal bovine serum (FBS) solution with or without 0.1 mg/ml LeIBP at a cooling rate of -1°C/min in a -80°C freezer overnight. The minimum effective concentration (0.1 mg/ml) of LeIBP was determined, based on the viability of HeLa cells after treatment with LeIBP during cryopreservation and the IR inhibition assay results. The post-thaw viability of mammalian cells was examined. In all cases, cell viability was significantly enhanced by more than 10% by LeIBP supplementation in 5% DMSO/5% FBS: viability increased by 20% for HeLa cells, 28% for NIH/3T3 cells, 21% for MC3T3-E1, 10% for CHO-K1, and 20% for HaCaT. Furthermore, addition of LeIBP reduced the concentrations of toxic DMSO and FBS down to 5%. Therefore, we demonstrated that LeIBP can increase the viability of cryopreserved mammalian cells by inhibiting IR.

Sodium-ion storage properties of nickel sulfide hollow nanospheres/reduced graphene oxide composite powders prepared by a spray drying process and the nanoscale Kirkendall effect

Spray-drying and the nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion process are used to prepare nickel sulfide hollow nanospheres/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite powders with excellent Na-ion storage properties. Metallic Ni nanopowder-decorated rGO powders, formed as intermediate products, are transformed into composite powders of nickel sulfide hollow nanospheres/rGO with mixed crystal structures of Ni3S2 and Ni9S8 phases by the sulfidation process under H2S gas. Nickel sulfide/rGO composite powders with the main crystal structure of Ni3S2 are also prepared as comparison samples by the direct sulfidation of nickel acetate-graphene oxide (GO) composite powders obtained by spray-drying. In electrochemical properties, the discharge capacities at the 150(th) cycle of the nickel sulfide/rGO composite powders prepared by sulfidation of the Ni/rGO composite and nickel acetate/GO composite powders at a current density of 0.3 A g(-1) are 449 and 363 mA h g(-1), respectively; their capacity retentions, calculated from the tenth cycle, are 100 and 87%. The nickel sulfide hollow nanospheres/rGO composite powders possess structural stability over repeated Na-ion insertion and extraction processes, and also show excellent rate performance for Na-ion storage.

Effect of polyelectrolyte electron collection layer counteranion on the properties of polymer solar cells

Polyviologen (PV) derivatives are known materials used for adjusting the work function (WF) of cathodes by reducing the electron injection/collection barrier at the cathode interface. To tune and improve device performance, we introduce different types of counteranions (CAs), such as bromide, tetrafluoroborate, and tetraphenylborate, to a PV derivative. The effective WF of the Al cathode is shown to depend on the size of the CA, indicating that a Schottky barrier can be modulated by the size of the CA. Through the increased size of the CA from bromide to tetraphenylborate, the effective WF of the Al cathode is gradually decreased, indicating a decreased Schottky barrier at the cathode interface. In addition, the change of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the short circuit current (Jsc) value show good correlation with the change of the WF of the cathode, signifying the typical transition from a Schottky to an Ohmic contact. The turn-on electric field of the electron-only device without PV was 0.21 MV/cm, which is dramatically higher than those of devices with PV-X (0.07 MV/cm for PV-Br, 0.06 MV/cm for PV-BF4, and 0.05 MV/cm for PV-BPh4) This is also coincident with a decrease in the Schottky barrier at the cathode interface. The device ITO/PEDOT/P3HT:PCBM/PV/Al, with a thin layer of PV derivative and tetraphenylborate CA as the cathode buffer layer, has the highest PCE of 4.02%, an open circuit voltage of 0.64 V, a Jsc of 11.6 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 53.0%. Our results show that it is possible to improve the performance of polymer solar cells by choosing different types of CAs in PV derivatives without complicated synthesis and to refine the electron injection/collection barrier height at the cathode interface.

Hierarchical MoSe₂ yolk-shell microspheres with superior Na-ion storage properties

Yolk-shell-structured MoSe₂ microspheres were prepared via a simple selenization process of MoO₃ microspheres. The yolk-shell-structured MoSe₂ and MoO₃ microspheres delivered initial discharge capacities of 527 and 465 mA h g(-1) in the voltage range of 0.001-3 V vs. Na/Na(+) at a current density of 0.2 A g(-1), respectively, and their discharge capacities after 50 cycles were 433 and 141 mA h g(-1), respectively. The yolk-shell-structured MoSe₂ microspheres also exhibited outstanding high rate capabilities. The hierarchical yolk-shell structure comprised of wrinkled nanosheets facilitated fast Na-ion and electron kinetics, and buffered the large volume changes encountered during cycling.

Superior electrochemical properties of MoS2 powders with a MoS2@void@MoS2 configuration

Yolk-shell MoS2 powders with a distinct configuration of MoS2@void@MoS2 were prepared for the first time by applying spray pyrolysis. The yolk-shell MoO3 powders prepared by spray pyrolysis were converted into MoS2 powders by a simple sulfidation process at 400 °C without altering the morphology. Dense structured MoS2 powders were also prepared by a similar process. The respective initial discharge capacities of the yolk-shell and dense structured MoS2 powders at a current density of 1000 mA g(-1) were 651 and 490 mA h g(-1), and the corresponding capacity retentions after 100 cycles measured from the second cycle were 100 and 72%.

Preparation of flexible organic solar cells with highly conductive and transparent metal-oxide multilayer electrodes based on silver oxide

We report that significantly more transparent yet comparably conductive AgOx films, when compared to Ag films, are synthesized by the inclusion of a remarkably small amount of oxygen (i.e., 2 or 3 atom %) in thin Ag films. An 8 nm thick AgOx (O/Ag=2.4 atom %) film embedded between 30 nm thick ITO films (ITO/AgOx/ITO) achieves a transmittance improvement of 30% when compared to a conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrode with the same configuration by retaining the sheet resistance in the range of 10-20 Ω sq(-1). The high transmittance provides an excellent opportunity to improve the power-conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs) by successfully matching the transmittance spectral range of the electrode to the optimal absorption region of low band gap photoactive polymers, which is highly limited in OSCs utilizing conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrodes. An improvement of the power-conversion efficiency from 4.72 to 5.88% is achieved from highly flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) fabricated on poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymer substrates by replacing the conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrode with the ITO/AgOx/ITO electrode. This novel transparent electrode can facilitate a cost-effective, high-throughput, room-temperature fabrication solution for producing large-area flexible OSCs on heat-sensitive polymer substrates with excellent power-conversion efficiencies.

Nonconjugated anionic polyelectrolyte as an interfacial layer for the organic optoelectronic devices

A nonconjugated anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS-Na), was applied to the optoelectronic devices as an interfacial layer (IFL) at the semiconducting layer/cathode interface. The ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and the Kelvin probe microscopy studies support the formation of a favorable interface dipole at the organic/cathode interface. For polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), the maximum luminance efficiency (LEmax) and the turn-on voltage (Von) of the device with a layer of PSS-Na spin-coated from the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL were 3.00 cd/A and 5.5 V, which are dramatically improved than those of the device without an IFL (LEmax = 0.316 cd/A, Von = 9.5 V). This suggests that the PSS-Na film at the emissive layer/cathode interface improves the electron injection ability. As for polymer solar cells (PSCs), the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device with a layer of PSS-Na spin-coated from the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL was 2.83%, which is a 16% increase compared to that of the PSC without PSS-Na. The PCE improvement is mainly due to the enhancement of the short-circuit current (12% increase). The results support that the electron collection and transporting increase by the introduction of the PSS-Na film at the photoactive layer/cathode interface. The improvement of the efficiency of the PLED and PSC is due to the reduction of the Schottky barrier by the formation of a favorable interface as well as the better Ohmic contact at the cathode interface.

Investigation of the characteristics of platinum group metal modified alumina nanofibers

Alumina nanofibers containing either platinum or rhodium crystalline nanoparticles have been successfully fabricated by electrospinning a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone mixed with platinum or rhodium chloride and subsequent calcination and hydrogen reduction. Transmission electron microscopy images indicate that the platinum and rhodium nanoparticles are well dispersed on the electrospun alumina nanofibers. X-ray diffraction results demonstrate that the platinum and rhodium nanoparticles are crystalline, while the alumina matrix is amorphous. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate the chemical nature of these nanofibers containing noble metals before and after calcination and hydrogen processing.

Dimethyl methylphosphonate decomposition on Cu surfaces: supported Cu nanoclusters and films on TiO2(110)

The thermal decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), which is a simulant molecule for organophosphorus nerve agents, has been investigated on Cu clusters as well as on Cu films deposited on a TiO(2)(110) surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy studies were conducted to characterize the cluster sizes and surface morphologies of the deposited Cu clusters and films. Temperature-programmed desorption experiments demonstrated that the surface chemistry of DMMP is not sensitive to the size of the Cu clusters over the range studied in this work. DMMP reaction on an annealed 40 monolayer Cu film resulted in the desorption of H(2), methane, methyl, formaldehyde, methanol, and molecular DMMP, and reaction on the small (4.4 +/- 0.9 nm diameter, 1.8 +/- 0.6 nm height) and large (10.7 +/- 1.9 nm diameter, 4.8 +/- 1.0 nm height) Cu clusters generated similar products. Formaldehyde and methane production is believed to occur via a methoxy intermediate on the Cu surface. These products are favored on the higher coverage Cu films that completely cover the TiO(2) surface since competing reaction pathways on TiO(2) are suppressed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed that DMMP begins to decompose on the Cu clusters upon adsorption at room temperature and that atomic carbon, atomic phosphorus, and PO(x) remain on the surface after DMMP decomposition.

Egg production capacity of one-pair worms of Schistosoma japonicum in albino mice

In the present study, a series of procedures of egg count were carried out to determine the egg production capacity in 21 ICR mice each infected with one-pair of Schistosoma japonicum. The egg count began from the first day, they were detected in the feces, which was based on a stool collection over 24 hours, twice a week. Each female S. japonicum produced an average of 2,198 eggs/day during the study period of 99 days after infection (ranged 61-147 days). Fourty-seven percent of the eggs were in the feces and 53% in tissues (45% in large intestine, 31% in small intestine, 23% in liver, 0.4% in pancreas, 0.2% in lungs, 0.1% in spleen, 0.1% in lymph nodes, 0.06% in stomach and 0.05% in heart, kidney, diaphragm and brain).

The effects of topical alpha-hydroxyacids on the normal skin barrier of hairless mice

BACKGROUND

alpha-hydroxyacids (AHA), such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, have recently been used in cosmetic and dermatological formulations. However, the mechanisms of action of these substances have not been well documented.

OBJECTIVES

This study was done to investigate the effects of AHA on the skin barrier of hairless mice and to clarify the contribution of AHA to the formation and secretion of the lamellar bodies (LB), which are known to be the critical structure for barrier function in the epidermis.

METHODS

5% Lactic acid and 5% glycolic acid were applied to normal skin of the mice daily for 14 days.

RESULTS

Changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance and electron microscopic findings of the epidermis of hairless mice were compared with those in which only the vehicle was applied.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences in TEWL, capacitance or epidermal thickness between the epidermis of the mice to which AHA or vehicle only had been applied. On electron micrographs, the normal epidermis to which AHA had been applied showed an increase in the number and secretion of LB and a decrease in the number of stratum corneum (SC) layers in comparison with the epidermis to which the vehicle only had been applied. The lipid layers of the SC intercellular spaces and calcium gradient in both the epidermis with application of AHA and that with vehicle only were normal. These results suggest that AHA, in low concentration (5%), may improve the skin barrier in hairless mice by inducing enhanced desquamation, and by increasing the number and secretion of LB without increasing TEWL.

Morphology and Luminescence of(GdY)(2)O(3):Eu Particles Prepared by Colloidal Seed-Assisted Spray Pyrolysis

(Gd(x)Y(1-x))(2)O(3):Eu [x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0] phosphor particles with 6 at.% Eu dopant of total concentration were prepared using spray pyrolysis. The effects of composition on the morphology, crystallinity, and photoluminescence characteristics of composite particles were investigated. The morphological control of (Gd(x)Y(1-x))(2)O(3):Eu particles in spray pyrolysis was also attempted by using colloidal and aqueous solutions. The particles prepared from colloidal solutions containing small amounts of Gd or Y hydroxy carbonate sol as seed material had spherical and filled morphology after the post-treatment at high temperature. On the other hand, the (Gd(x)Y(1-x))(2)O(3):Eu particles prepared from aqueous solutions were hollow and porous after post-treatment in all compositions. Particles prepared from colloidal solutions had photoluminescence emission intensities higher than those of particles prepared from aqueous solutions. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

The effects of epidural blockade on the acute pain in herpes zoster

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relief of acute pain and possible preventive effects on postherpetic neuralgia through the use of an epidural blockade in the acute stage of herpes zoster.

DESIGN

Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative clinical trial.

SETTING

A dermatologic clinic in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Sixty-five consecutive patients with pain due to acute herpes zoster were treated for a 7-day hospitalization period from July 1, 1996, through June 30, 1997.

INTERVENTION

The consecutive patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A consisted of 30 patients who were seen from July 1, 1996, through December 31, 1996, and who were treated with intravenous acyclovir (5 mg/kg) for 7 days. Group B consisted of 35 patients who were seen from January 1, 1997, through June 30, 1997, and who were treated with intravenous acyclovir (5 mg/kg) and an epidural blockade for 7 days. The changes in the intensity of pain and the total duration of pain in both groups were assessed for 12 to 18 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The number of days required for relief of pain and the total duration of pain.

RESULTS

The mean +/- SD number of days required for relief of pain, which was rated on a scale of 100 (worst pain) to 0 (no pain), was significantly fewer in group B than in group A: it took 2.6 +/- 1.1 days to go from 100 to 50 on the relief-of-pain scale in group B, but 3.8 +/- 1.1 days in group A (P = .03), and 12.5 +/- 6.4 days to go from 100 to 10 in group B, but 20.1 +/- 14.6 days in group A (P = .04). The duration of late residual pain was significantly shorter in group B (5.9 +/- 5.8 days) than in group A (11.9 +/- 7.5 days) (P = .03). The total duration of pain was also significantly shorter in group B (18.5 +/- 9.3 days) than in group A (31.6 +/- 17.6 days) (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that an epidural blockade combined with an antiviral agent is a very effective treatment modality for the pain of acute herpes zoster, and we recommend its use for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia, with a view to shortening the total duration of pain, especially late residual pain.

Acne mechanica due to an orthopedic crutch

Acne mechanica describes local irritation due to the skin being pressured, occluded, rubbed, squeezed, stretched, or heated. Examples of various physical traumas that provoke lesions in acne patients are given. Users of orthopedic crutches are at particular risk for such conditions. A crutch is another extrinsic factor to be added to the list of causes of acne mechanica.

Molecular cloning and expression of bovine kappa-casein in Escherichia coli

A cDNA library was constructed using poly(A) +RNA from bovine mammary gland. This cDNA library of 6000 clones was screened employing colony hybridization using 32P-labelled oligonucleotide probes and restriction endonuclease mapping. The cDNA from the selected plasmid, pKR76, was sequenced using the dideoxy-chain termination method. The cDNA insert of pKR76 carries the full-length sequence, which codes for mature kappa-casein protein. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA sequence fits the published amino acid sequence with three exceptions; the reported pyroglutamic acid at position 1, tyrosine at position 35, and aspartic acid at position 81 are, respectively, a glutamine, a histidine, and an asparagine in the clone containing pKR76. The MspI-, NlaIV-cleaved fragment (630 base pair) from the kappa-casein cDNA insert has been subcloned into expression vectors pUC18 and pKK233-2, which contain a lac promoter and a trc promoter, respectively. Escherichia coli cells carrying the recombinant expression plasmids were shown to produce kappa-casein protein having the expected mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and being recognized by specific antibodies raised against natural bovine kappa-casein.

Cloning and sequence analysis of bovine beta-casein cDNA

A bovine beta-casein cDNA clone was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from mammary gland mRNA. Sequence analysis revealed 25 nucleotides (nt) of the 5' noncoding region, 672 nt of the complete sequence coding and a 3' region of approximately 500 nt. When the nucleotide sequence of bovine beta-casein cDNA is compared to rat beta-casein cDNA (5), a high degree of homology is observed in the first 100 nt corresponding to the signal peptide of the pre-beta-caseins.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the bovine beta-lactoglobulin gene

A clone coding for beta-lactoglobulin A has been isolated from a cDNA bank constructed from poly(A+)mRNA isolated from the bovine mammary gland. Its nucleotide sequence codes for the beta-lactoglobulin A, from amino acid residues Leu-11 to Ile-162, as based on the amino acid sequence reported by Braunitzer et al. [Z. Physiol. Chem. 354 (1973) 867-878]. In addition to the 455-bp coding sequence, our clone pB beta L4-10 contains a 3'-nontranslated region of approx. 270 bp.