A study was conducted in the Piedmont province of Maryland to determine if a relationship exists between stream quality and the extent of watershed urbanization. During the first phase of the study 27 small watersheds, having simila~ characteristics but varied according to land use, were investigated. Using these controlled conditions, eliminating as many interferences as possible, this first phase was intended to determine if a definite relationship did exist between the two factors. Finding that the fust phase was successful the second was initiated which consisted of a comparison of biological sampling data, from other studies, with degree of watershed urbanization. The purpose of this second phase was to ascertain if the relationship between degrees of urbanization and decline in stream quality was linear as watershed area increased and in streams spread throughout the Maryland Piedmont. The principal finding of this study was that stream quality impairment is fust evidenced when watershed imperviousness reaches 12%, but does not become severe until imperviousness reaches 30%. (

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding protein (LBP) is a keyEndogenous lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have been implicated as a cofactor in promoting liver injury in many models of liver injury, including alcoholic hepatitis. 1,2 In the Tsukomoto and French model of rat alcoholic hepatitis, 3 the degree of liver injury is diminished by treatment with either antibiotics, lactobacillus, or polymixin, all of which decrease endogenous LPS. 4,5 In this model, Kupffer cells, when activated by LPS, play a prominent role in promoting liver injury. 6 Despite its potentially critical importance, the molecular mechanism by which Kupffer cells are activated by LPS remains largely unknown.In peripheral blood monocytes, the pathway of LPS activation has been recently delineated. In serum, LPS binds to LPS-binding protein (LBP), which is a 60-kd acute-phase protein produced by hepatocytes. 7,8 This LPS-LBP complex then binds to membrane CD14 resulting in cell activation, nuclear translocation of NF-␤, and production of cytokines such as TNF-␣. 9,10 The critical importance of LBP during in vivo responses to LPS and gram-negative bacteria is clearly shown by the inability of LBP knock-out mice to fight intraperitoneal infections 11 as well as the ability of anti-LBP monoclonal antibodies to prevent lethality in the LPS/ galactosamine model of endotoxemia. 12 Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the mechanisms by which LPS activates Kupffer cells may differ from those found in blood monocytes. Some authors have suggested that LPS activation in Kupffer cells is not mediated via the LBP/CD14 pathway hypothesized for blood monocytes. 13,14 Support for this idea stems from reports showing relatively low levels of CD14 expression in resting Kupffer cells compared with RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophage cell line) and peritoneal macrophages. 15 Furthermore, in some studies, LPS activation of Kupffer cells, unlike that in peripheral blood monocytes, is not augmented by the addition of serum, suggesting that the LBP found in serum may act differently in Kupffer cells. 13,14 Because serum contains multiple factors that may alter LPS activation, we sought to focus on LBP' s role in Kupffer cell activation by performing experiments using recombinant rat LBP. In addition, because Kupffer cells express relatively low levels of CD14 in the resting state, we sought to examine the role of another candidate LPS receptor, the Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr 4), in mediating the effects of LBP on LPS activation of Kupffer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODSReagents. LPS from Escherichia coli (055:B5) was purchased from Sigma (St Louis, MO), and pronase was obtained from Boehringer Mannheim (Indianapolis, IN).Recombinant Rat LBP. Recombinant rat LBP was produced using the baculovirus expression system. Briefly, the full-length rat LBP complementary DNA (cDNA) 16 was cloned in frame into pBluebacHis2c (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and used in conjunction with the linearized defective baculovirus DNA, Bac-N-Blue (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) to cotransfect Sf9 insect cells. Re...

The advantages of endoscopic carpal tunnel release, compared with traditional open techniques, include smaller incisions, less scar tenderness, and faster recoveries. However, endoscopic carpal tunnel release has also been associated with higher complication rates. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and functional outcomes of minimal-incision open carpal tunnel release. In this prospective study involving a 2-year period, 104 patients (149 hands) underwent open carpal tunnel release with a 1-cm incision. Prospective data on complications among 104 patients were recorded, and functional outcomes among 20 patients were assessed by using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and pinch/grip strength testing. Data were collected before the operation and 3 weeks and 6 months after the operation. Complications included three wound infections and one carpal tunnel syndrome recurrence, 18 months after the initial release procedure. Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scores improved significantly between the preoperative and postoperative periods. There were no significant changes in Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test results or pinch/grip strength. Minimal-incision open carpal tunnel release can be performed safely and is associated with good functional outcomes.