Interleukin-1 beta inhibits the intestinal transport of [14C] 3-O-methylglucose in the rat

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is known to be a hypoglycemic cytokine, but its mechanism of action is still unknown. Since the blood glucose levels depend on the amount of glucose entering and leaving the circulation, this work was conducted to test the hypothesis that the hypoglycemia observed with IL-1beta might result, at least partially, from a reduced intestinal glucose absorption. Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with IL-1beta, and a jejunal segment was perfused with [14C] 3-O-methylglucose for 5, 15, 25 and 40 min. Our results showed that IL-1beta significantly inhibited the mucosal uptake of this hexose and reduced its intestinal retention. The time course and the dose response effect for this cytokine were also determined. Studies on the effect of IL-1beta on the activity of the intestinal Na+-K+ ATPase demonstrated a significant inhibition of the pump. The effect of IL-1beta on the hexose transport across the brush border membrane may thus be attributed to its inhibitory effect on the Na+-K+ ATPase.     

Suppressive effect on Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease by the administration of anti-IL-12 antibody

We examined the role of IL-12, a cytokine critical to the evolution of cellular responses, in the development of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD). Treatment with mAbs to IL-12, especially during the effector phase, resulted in significant suppression of the development of this disease both clinically and histologically. In mice treated with these mAbs, the production of inflammatory and Th1-derived cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the spleen cells was decreased, and that of Th2-derived cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 was increased. The delayed type hypersensitivity and T cell proliferative response specific for TMEV were decreased by this treatment. These data suggest that IL-12 is critically involved in the pathogenesis of TMEV-IDD and that Abs to IL-12 could be a novel therapeutic approach in the clinical treatment of demyelinating diseases such as human multiple sclerosis.     

Stress symposium in Johannesburg: plants versus humans

To explore the involvement of serotonin transporter (5HTT) in mood disorder, we studied two polymorphisms of the 5HTT gene (a variable number of tandem repeats in the second intron (VNTR) and a 44 bp insertion/deletion in the 5HTT linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR)) in a sample of unipolar and bipolar patients and controls. Homozygosity for the short variant of the 5-HTTLPR was significantly more frequent in bipolar patients than in controls (chi2 = 4.68, d.f. = 1, P = 0.03) whereas there was no difference between bipolar patients and controls for allele distribution, suggesting a recessive effect. The interaction between the two markers suggests that the two polymorphisms probably have independent effects to determine the susceptibility to affective disorder. Further studies are required to identify the precise phenotype associated with 5HTT polymorphisms in depressed patients.     

Assessing colposcopic skills: the instructor''s handbook

As part of the National Study of Primary Hip Replacement Outcome, 402 consultant orthopaedic surgeons from three regions were contacted by postal questionnaire which covered all aspects of total hip replacement (THR). There was a 70% response rate of which 71 did not perform hip surgery, a further 33 refused to take part, leaving 181 valid responses. Preoperative assessment clinics were used by 89% of surgeons, but anaesthetists and rehabilitation services were rarely involved at this stage. Of respondents, 99% used routine thromboprophylaxis, with 79% using a combination of mechanical and chemical methods. Of surgeons, 84% routinely used stockings, whereas 95.5% used chemical prophylaxis, 63% employed low molecular weight heparins. Theatre facilities were shared with other surgical specialties by 6% of surgeons and 18% regularly used body exhaust suits for THR. Antibiotic loaded cement was used by 69% of surgeons, the majority (65%) used a single brand of normal viscosity cement with 9% using reduced viscosity formulations. Modern cementing techniques were commonly used at least in part, 87% used a cement gun and 94% a cement restrictor for femoral cementing. On the acetabulum, 47% pressurised the cement. In all, 36 different femoral stems and 35 acetabular cups were in routine use, but the majority of surgeons (55%) used Charnley type prostheses. Of the surgeons, 57% performed only cemented THR, while 3% exclusively used uncemented THR. Of consultants, 21% followed up their patients to 5 years, the majority discharge patients within the first year. Of concern is a large proportion of surgeons using low molecular weight heparins despite a lack of evidence with regard to reducing fatal pulmonary embolism, and also the small number of surgeons using prostheses of unproven value. Third generation cementing techniques have yet to be fully adopted. The introduction of a national hip register could help to resolve some of these issues.     

Opening minds. Values clarification via electronic meetings

Values clarification for nursing practice is one of the most challenging aspects of nursing education. Use of electronic meeting software has been demonstrated to be effective in overcoming typical barriers to student growth. Inhibitions related to fear of censorship are overcome by anonymity of the system. Monopolizing by dominant members is controlled when the ability to speak in parallel exists. Overall, this application of electronic meeting software in the classroom demonstrated involvement of all students in an innovative approach to understand the effect of personal values on health policy development in a graduate nursing course.     

Longitudinal studies of neutralizing antibody responses to rotavirus in stools and sera of children following severe rotavirus gastroenteritis

Rotavirus-neutralizing antibody responses in sera and stools of children hospitalized with rotavirus gastroenteritis and then monitored longitudinally were optimally detected by using local rotavirus strains. Stool responses were highest on days 5 to 8 after the onset of diarrhea. Longitudinal monitoring suggested that serum neutralizing antibody responses were a more useful measure of severely symptomatic rotavirus infection than stool responses but that stool antibody responses may be a useful measure of rotavirus immunity.     

Arsenate resistance as a possible marker in the differentiation of environmental and clinical isolates of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were isolated from clinical, marine and freshwater fish of Calcutta, West Bengal, India. Drug and metal resistance characteristics were compared for differentiation of clinical and environmental strains. Eighteen out of the twenty environmental isolates were resistant to arsenate, unlike the clinical isolates which were all susceptible. All the thirty-five isolates of V. parahaemolyticus were resistant to ampicillin and streptomycin.     

Cryogen spray cooling during Nd:YAG laser treatment of hemangiomas. A preliminary animal model study

BACKGROUND: Successful laser treatment of hemangiomas requires selective photothermal destruction of dilated cutaneous vessels without damaging the overlying epidermis. Delivering a short cryogen spurt, on the order of milliseconds, has been shown to result in localized cooling of the superficial skin structures during laser irradiation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of cryogen spray cooling (CSC) in protecting superficial tissue structures during continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation of an in vivo model hemangioma. METHODS: The highly vascularized chicken comb was selected as the animal model for hemangiomas. The Nd:YAG laser irradiation ranged from 2.6 to 35.1 J/mm2. A feedback system utilizing infrared radiometry monitored the comb surface temperature and controlled delivery time of the cryogen spurt. When comb surface temperature during laser irradiation reached 36-42 degrees C, a 30-100 msec cryogen spurt was delivered. Animals were euthanized 1 hour to 21 days following each experiment. Gross and histologic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Nd:YAG laser irradiation resulted in deep (up to 6.1 mm) tissue photocoagulation, while CSC preserved the overlying epidermis and papillary dermis. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that CSC is effective in protecting the epidermis and papillary dermis, while achieving deep tissue photocoagulation during Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Further pilot studies in humans appear warranted.