Monocrotaline pyrrole induces apoptosis in pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Eosinophilic myocarditis followed by fibrosis of the cardiac muscle was observed in addition to peripheral blood eosinophilia in CBA/J mice infected with Toxocara canis. The infected mice were used as an experimental model of eosinophilic endomyocarditis associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome. Effects of in vivo treatment with MoAbs to adhesion molecules on eosinophilic myocarditis were examined using this experimental model. Expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on endothelial cells of capillaries in myocardium were increased 1 and 2 weeks after infection. Infiltration of very late antigen (VLA)-4+ and/or CD11a+ cells into the cardiac muscles was also observed 1 and 2 weeks after infection. Infiltration of eosinophils into the heart was significantly suppressed by anti-CD18 MoAb and anti-VLA-4 MoAb, and focal fibrosis of the cardiac muscle was also significantly suppressed by combined administration of anti-CD18 and anti-ICAM-1 MoAbs. These results indicate that adhesion molecules may play important roles in eosinophilic myocarditis, and that blockade of interaction between adhesion molecules and their ligands may help to control it.     

Glycerol gangliotomy of the second dorsal cervical root in rats: an experimental study to evaluate a minimal invasive approach for the treatment of the chronic cervicogenic headache

The purpose of this integrated literature review (1980-1997) is to describe and summarize specific nursing interventions that have been devised to aid community-dwelling older adults with self-administration of prescribed medications. Interventions that combine patient education with written information or follow-up phone calls produce the most positive results. By using interventions supported by research, nurses will provide more effective and efficient care to older adults managing medications at home.     

Lack of clinical utility of bronchoalveolar lavage cultures for cytomegalovirus in HIV infection

This study assessed the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in three subpopulations of HIV-infected patients and correlated its presence with clinical status during 3 mo of follow-up. Nineteen asymptomatic volunteers, six patients with CMV retinitis, and 46 patients with acute pulmonary symptoms underwent BAL and were assessed for CMV by cytopathology, conventional shell vial cultures, and antigen detection. Transbronchial biopsies were also obtained when possible and evaluated for histopathologic changes of CMV. All patients were followed for approximately 3 mo. Cytomegalovirus was detected in BAL in nine of 19 (47%) asymptomatic volunteers, in all six patients with CMV retinitis, and in 33 of 46 (72%) patients with pulmonary symptoms. Only one symptomatic patient with a positive CMV BAL culture developed clinically significant CMV pulmonary disease; this patient developed disseminated CMV and died. The only other death occurred in a patient with CMV retinitis who developed staphylococcal bacteremia. None of the asymptomatic volunteers or patients with CMV retinitis developed evidence of CMV pneumonia or any other organ disease with CMV. Cytomegalovirus is frequently detected in BAL from HIV-infected patients regardless of their pulmonary symptoms and its presence does not clinically predict significant pulmonary morbidity or mortality in 3 mo of follow-up.     

Mitomycin-C in congenital glaucoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adjunctive use of mitomycin-C (MMC) during trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy for eyes with high-risk congenital glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed to compare the effect of a single, 4-minute intraoperative exposure to 0.2 mg/ml (group 1) or 0.4 mg/ml (group 2) of MMC on trabeculotomy with trabeculectomy in 16 high-risk cases (30 eyes) of congenital glaucoma. RESULTS: The preoperative and final postoperative intraocular pressures (IOPs) of the two groups did not differ significantly. At the final follow-up, IOP control (< 21 mm Hg) without medications was achieved in 60% of the eyes in group 1 and in 86.67% of the eyes in group 2 (P = 21). With medication, IOP control was achieved in 86.7% of the eyes of each group. In both groups, the rate of surgical failure was 13.3%. Avascular, thin, sharply demarcated blebs were noted in 33.3% of the eyes from group 1 and in 66.67% of those from group 2 (P = .14). Intraoperative and postoperative hyphema and postoperative hypotony were the complications encountered in both groups, whereas serous choroidal detachment and wound leakage were seen only in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative MMC applied at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml controlled postoperative IOP as effectively as a 0.4-mg/ml concentration in high-risk cases of congenital glaucoma, but with a lower incidence of complications and thin-walled blebs.