Research Methods and Procedures:Using 52 human adipose tissue expression profiles (HU95), 10 putative reference genes with the lowest variation in expression levels were selected for further studies. Expression stability of these 10 novel and 5 previously established reference genes was evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. For this purpose, 44 adipose tissue biopsies from 27 subjects were chosen to include a wide range of parameters such as sex, age, BMI, depot origin, biopsy procedure, and effects of nutrition. Results: LRP10 was identified as the gene with the least variation in expression levels. The frequently used reference genes RPLP0, 18S rRNA, PPIA, ACTB, and GAPD were ranked as 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10, respectively. Discussion: Our results suggest that LRP10 is a better choice as reference for expression studies of human adipose tissue compared with the most frequently used reference genes.

Delayed hard palate closure as practiced in Goteborg since 1979 has produced the best GOSLON Yardstick ratings in a consecutive series of patients ever recorded worldwide, since the Yardstick was first used in 1983. However, it is noteworthy that a new protocol has been introduced in Goteborg since 1994, in which hard palate closure is done at 3 years due to concerns regarding speech.

ISRCTN29932826.

1. The intramuscular oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in human gastrocnemius muscle was monitored during exercise and compared with metabolite concentrations reflecting the energy and the redox state in the tissue. Ten normal subjects and ten patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease were investigated. 2. In normal subjects the pO2 at the end of exercise was related to the intensity of the exercise, expressed as effect (J/s) per contraction. 3. In both patients and normal subject the pO2 was related to the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio, the [lactate/[pyruvate] ratio and the phosphocreatine concentration in the muscle tissue at rest and during exercise. 4. At each pO2 value, a lower [lactate/[pyruvate] ratio was found in the muscle tissue of the patients compared with that of normal subjects. This was interpreted as a beneficial effect of the higher oxidative-enzyme capacity in the muscle of the patients. 5. The results show the importance of pO2 for the regulation of the energy and the redox state of the tissue. During exercise the changes induced in pO2 and thus the energy state will stimulate the respiratory rate. This might be an important link in triggering the oxidative-enzyme capacity in response to physical training as well as in peripheral vascular occlusive disease.

We wanted to find out if different timing of delayed repair of the hard palate in a two-stage procedure had an impact on the speech of 26 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). The soft palate was closed at the age of 7 months and the hard palate between 38 and 89 months of age. Speech audio recordings at the age of 3 years (baseline, before any repair of the hard palate) and at the ages of 5, 7, and 10 years (the latter obtained at least one year after closure) were analysed. We used standardised speech assessments at routine follow-up and assessment by one external listener. The prevalence of speech errors caused by the cleft was similar to those described in previous reports from our centre in which hard palate repair was delayed. Unexpectedly, the results showed no difference in speech production related to timing of hard palate repair, except for nasal air leakage at the age of 7 years.

Most post-bariatric patients, but women in particular, experience significant problems of excess skin and request body contouring surgery.

ISRCTN29932826.

An in vivo rat hindlimb tourniquet ischemia model was used to study the purine nucleotide metabolism in response to 2, 4, and 6 h of ischemia and to the same ischemia periods followed by 1 h of reperfusion. All purine intermediates from ATP to uric acid were determined in skeletal muscle with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The major metabolic event during ischemia is to temporarily save the nucleotide pool as inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP. On restitution of the circulation as the energy state recovers, the IMP is converted back to AMP via the purine nucleotide cycle. Six hours of ischemia is associated with irreversible damage and no recovery fo the adenine nucleotides on reperfusion. Fast-twitch muscles appear to be more susceptible than slow-twitch muscles in response to ischemia and reperfusion. A severalfold increase of intracellular hypoxanthine occurred during ischemia, whereas uric acid formation is observed only after reperfusion. These findings are discussed in relation to the proposed role of xanthine oxidase, as an enzyme generating tissue-injurious oxygen free radicals.