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This investigation compared percent fat obtained via underwater weighing using measured and predicted residual lung volume (RLV) in euhydrated and hypehydrated collegiate wrestlers (N = 67). RLV was measured using [O.sub.2] rebreathing or [0.sub.2] dilution and predicted using 3 equations--Equation 1:(0.019 x height [cm]) + (0.0115 x age [years])--2.24; Equation 2: (0.017 x age [years]) + (0.06858 x height [in.])--3.477; and Equation 3: (0.0275 age [years]) + (0.0189 height [cm])--2.6139. Percent fat determined using RLV Equation 2 did not differ from the value obtained using measured RLV in the euhydrated (10.9 (+ or -] 5.1 vs. 11.5 [+ or -] 5.6% fat) or hypohydrated (10.8 [+ or -] 5.1 vs. 12.3 [+ or -] 5.6% fat) trials. All other percent fat values differed (p < 0.05) from the value obtained using measured RLV in euhydrated subjects. The use of RLV Equation 2 may be a practical alternative to measured RLV in determining percent fat in euhydrated and hypohydrated collegiate wrestlers. KEY WORDS. percent fat, hydration status, hydrostatic weighing

Abstract: Objectives: Myofibroblasts (myoFb) are the major cell types that appear at the site of myocardial infarction (MI) in response to injury and play a vital role in tissue repair/remodeling. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in the infarcted/ischemic heart, we hypothesized that activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ by its agonists induces VEGF expression while simultaneously decreasing inflammation (NF-κB). Such an increase in myoFb VEGF expression by PPAR-γ agonists may play a role in angiogenesis. Methods: Rat myoFb were treated with PPAR-γ agonists and VEGF expression was measured by ELISA. The effect of these agonists on VEGF receptors was determined by qRT-PCR and flow-cytometric analysis. VEGF produced by these cells was also used for analysis of in vitro tubule formation (Matrigel assay). Results: The PPAR-γ activators troglitazone (TZ) and 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2 (15J2) induced the expression of VEGF and its receptors (Flt-1 and KDR) in myoFb. TZ and 15J2 elicited a significant increase in the expression of KDR (14.7±1.0% and 9.6±2.1% respectively) and Flt-1 (24.5±2.0%, and 14.0±2.2% respectively) when compared to untreated myoFb. MyoFb treated with PPAR-γ agonists increased extracellular VEGF, augmenting tubule formation on a Matrigel. The PPAR-γ activator 15J2 significantly decreased the NF-κB activity in myoFb. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the induction of the VEGF accompanied by a reduction of NF-κB activity (inflammatory signaling) by PPAR-γ agonists in cardiac myoFb. These results may further the understanding of the beneficial effects of PPAR-γ agonists on infarcted tissue repair and angiogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The importance of the swimbladder in bioacoustic scattering has long been accepted by workers in the field. This paper presents the results of two independent experiments on swimbladder measurements. The first deals with 15 different species in the Chesapeake Bay Region where the measurements were carried out in a manner similar to that of Alexander [R. McN. Alexander, J. Exp. Biol. 36(2), 347-355 (1959)]. The swimbladder volume data from 22 different species of Caribbean reef fishes were taken in the field utilizing calibrated hypodermic needles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The end-stage renal disease population poses a challenge for obtaining venous access required for life-saving invasive cardiac procedures. In this case report, we describe an adult patient with end-stage renal disease in whom the hepatic vein was the only available access to implant a single-lead permanent cardiac pacemaker. A 63-year-old male with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis and permanent atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter presented with symptomatic bradycardia. Imaging studies revealed all traditional central venous access sites to be occluded/non-accessible. With the assistance of vascular interventional radiology, a trans-hepatic venous catheter was placed. This was then used to place a right ventricular pacing lead with close attention to numerous technical aspects. The procedure was completed successfully with placement of a single-lead permanent cardiac pacemaker.