"Self" and addiction: the role of imagery in self-regulation

In this paper we discuss the role of self-regulation and self-perception in sustaining addictive behavior. We suggest that self-regulation techniques are unlikely to have a sustained positive effect on changing addictive behavior in the absence of a change in "addict" self-perception. We describe treatment approaches that emphasize the use of guided imagery for facilitating a shift in self-perception that may be more compatible with self-regulation.     

Carisoprodol abuse: a report from India

Carisoprodol, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, has recently been noticed to be abused. A series of 16 cases with carisoprodol abuse or dependence is described. Carisoprodol was started by the majority of patients as a substitute for opiates, although its independent distinct effects, similar to the features of hypomania, were recognized and described by most users. The drug is currently available freely over the counter and is a much cheaper substitute for the legally prohibited "harder" drugs. Unless awareness spreads and cautionary measures are taken, carisoprodol abuse might become a great menace in the near future.     

Novel chemically modified oligonucleotides provide potent inhibition of P-glycoprotein expression

One major form of multiple drug resistance (MDR) to cancer therapeutic agents is mediated by overexpression of P-glycoprotein, a membrane ATPase that serves as a drug efflux pump. In humans, this protein is the product of the MDR1 gene. We have used chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides to reduce expression of P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant fibroblasts and colon carcinoma cells. Although several types of oligonucleotides were tested, compounds having a phosphorothioate backbone and a methoxyethoxy (ME) group at the 2' position of the ribose ring proved to have the greatest potency. Thus, phosphorothioate 2'-ME oligonucleotides directed against either the AUG codon region or the stop codon region of the MDR1 message produced substantial (50-70%) inhibition of P-glycoprotein expression at concentrations of < or = 50 nM. In addition, such treatment resulted in augmented drug uptake as measured by flow cytometry. Unmodified phosphorothioate compounds of the same sequence were active only in the micromolar range. We also tested the ability of several potential delivery agents to enhance the pharmacological effectiveness of anti-MDR1 oligonucleotides. Both commercial Lipofectin, a well known liposomal transfection agent, and a liposomal preparation based on a novel "facial amphiphile" were effective in enhancing their pharmacological effects of antisense oligonucleotides. A Starburst dendrimer, a type of cationic polymer, was also effective in oligonucleotide delivery. This report emphasizes that significant improvements in antisense pharmacology can be made through judicious use of both chemical modifications of oligonucleotides and appropriate delivery systems.     

Chemotherapy accelerates the development of acquired immune responses to Schistosoma haematobium infection

Treatment of 41 Schistosoma haematobium-infected children, 5-16 years old, with the drug praziquantel induced a switch from a predominantly IgA-specific antibody response to a predominantly IgG1 response within 12 weeks. A cross-sectional survey suggests that the same switch occurs naturally, but over several years, as children age (n = 251). The switch may be driven by alterations in cytokine levels in response to the release of antigens by dead or damaged parasites. Adults are more resistant to schistosome infection than children, and the switch to an "adult" response suggests that praziquantel treatment may have an immunizing effect, with benefits extending beyond a transient reduction in levels of infection.     

In vitro culture of hamster ovarian primary interstitial cells: effect of serum

The function of ovarian interstitial cells has been largely addressed using rat theca-interstitial cell culture. However, this preparation is primarily enriched with theca and secondary interstitial cells, which make it difficult to address selectively the function of the primary interstitial cells. We have developed an in vitro culture of hamster ovarian primary interstitial cells. Cells were isolated from postnatal hamster ovaries by collagenase digestion and purified over a Percoll gradient. The preparation contained 90% viable, pure interstitial cells, which anchored to the plastic and glass culture surface in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Cell proliferation was noted in the presence of serum dosages higher than 0.2%; however, reduction of serum concentration to 0.1% or complete serum starvation did not affect cell viability but almost completely abolished cell proliferation as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, labeling index, and DNA content of the culture. All cells exhibited active 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and P450 side chain cleavage immunoreactivity, which corresponded to basal progesterone and androstenedione accumulation. Replacement of serum to starving cells resulted in the induction of the "S" phase and "M" phase specific cyclins, and resumption of cell proliferation. Our results indicate that hamster primary interstitial cells can be cultured in vitro as a monolayer, and the anchorage and proliferation of these cells depend on serum supplement; however, a viable monolayer can be maintained for several days without serum. This model will be useful for addressing the mechanisms of differentiation of ovarian interstitial cells.     

Deep learning techniques for observing the impact of the global warming from satellite images of water-bodies

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Global warming is a threat to modern human civilization. There are different reasons for speed up the global average temperature. The consequences are...     

Structural, morphological and micromechanical studies on fly ash reinforced PMMA composites

This paper is focused on the study of the structural, morphological, mechanical and microhardness studies on Fly ash reinforced PMMA composites. Fly ash reinforced PMMA composites have been prepared with the sol–gel method. Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, microhardness and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies have been done on prepared composite. The AFM images confirm the presence of fly ash particles in nanophase within the PMMA matrix. The crystalline size of the in situ generated nanoparticles was investigated with X-ray diffraction technique and it is found that the crystallinity index increases with increasing the concentration of the fly ash. The structural characterization has been done with FT-IR spectroscopy. The FT-IR spectra of pure PMMA and fly ash based composites has been observed and analyzed. The Vickers microhardness indentation technique has been employed to detect the effect of reinforcement of fly ash in the PMMA matrix. Significant changes were observed in the various properties of the fly ash reinforced PMMA composites.     

Molecular cardiomyoplasty: potential cardiac gene therapy for chronic heart failure

In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of converting cardiac fibroblasts into skeletal muscle cells by forced expression of the MyoD gene, one of the basic helix-loop-helix myogenic factors. Primary cardiac fibroblasts, isolated from newborn rats, were infected with retrovirus-carrying sense or antisense MyoD gene. Ten days after infection, expression of MyoD protein was demonstrated in 95% of cells infected with sense MyoD virus by intense nuclear immunostaining with a MyoD polyclonal antibody. In contrast, none of the cells infected with antisense MyoD virus showed staining. On withdrawal of serum, 95% of MyoD positive cells became elongated and, in the presence of appropriate cell density, fused to form multinucleated myotubes, morphologically similar to striated muscle cell. Expression of downstream myogenic differentiation markers, myosin heavy chain and myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2, in 95% of these myotubes were detected by intense cytoplasmic and nuclear immunostaining, respectively, with specific antibodies. In contrast, no detectable staining was noted in MyoD negative cells. Spontaneous contractile movements were noted in a few clusters of myotubes. In summary, cardiac fibroblasts were able to be converted into bonafide potentially functional skeletal myocytes as shown by definitive morphologic and biochemical changes. Further studies with in vivo models are needed to explore this unique molecular strategy to treat patients with chronic heart failure.     

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 levels are elevated in serum of children with chronic renal failure: a report of the Southwest Pediatric Nephrology Study Group

Previous studies suggest that growth retardation in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) results in part from inhibition of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) action by excess serum IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Excess IGFBPs in CRF serum include IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 and a diffuse approximately 24- to 28-kDa IGFBP band identified by [125I]IGF ligand blot. The present studies characterized this diffuse approximately 24- to 28-kDa band. Initial studies identified this band as IGFBP-6, because it was immunoprecipitated by antiserum raised against a synthetic peptide of human IGFBP-6 (hIGFBP-6). Additional [125I]IGF ligand blots found that the immunoprecipitated band was 1) recognized by [125I]IGF-II but not [125I]IGF-1, 2) more abundant in CRF than in normal serum, and 3) more abundant in serum from dialyzed than nondialyzed prepubertal CRF children. Using the hIGFBP-6 antiserum in a specific and sensitive RIA, we found that serum IGFBP-6 levels were 4.7 +/- 1.7 nmol/L in 10 normal prepubertal children, 21.4 +/- 6.1 nmol/L in 44 nondialyzed prepubertal CRF children, 73.5 +/- 14.4 nmol/L in 7 dialyzed prepubertal CRF children, and 94.6 +/- 26.2 nmol/L in 14 dialyzed pubertal CRF children. IGFBP-6 levels were also elevated in 71 nondialyzed European children with CRF. In nondialyzed CRF children, serum IGFBP-6 levels 1) correlated inversely with the glomerular filtration rate, 2) did not correlate with height SD score, and 3) were not altered by 12 months of daily recombinant hGH treatment. In summary, a specific antiserum and RIA were used to demonstrate elevated levels of intact IGF-II-binding IGFBP-6 in serum of CRF children. We postulate that the excess IGFBP-6 may modulate the action of IGF-II on target tissues.     

Spark Plasma Sintered HA‐Fe3O4‐Based Multifunctional Magnetic Biocomposites

Although HA is highly biocompatible, one of the major disadvantages of HA include the lack of antibacterial property. In an earlier study, we demonstrated the potential role of magnetic field stimulation on bactericidal property in vitro. Following this, it was hypothesized that antibacterial property can be realized if bacteria are grown on magnetic biocomposites in vitro. In addressing this issue, this study demonstrates the development of HA‐Fe₃O₄‐based magnetic substrate with multifunctional properties. For this purpose, HA‐xFe₃O₄ (x: 10, 20 and 40 wt%) powder compositions were sintered using uniquely designed spark plasma sintering conditions (three stage sintering with final holding temperature of 1050°C for 5 min). A saturation magnetization of 24 emu/g is measured with HA‐40%Fe₃O₄. Importantly, all the HA‐Fe₃O₄ composites demonstrated bactericidal property by rupturing the membrane of Escherichia coli bacteria, while supporting cell growth of metabolically active human fetal osteoblast cells over 8 d culture. A systematic decrease in bacterial viability with Fe₃O₄ addition is consistent with a commensurate increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS).