Demethylation of the progesterone receptor CpG island is not required for progesterone receptor gene expression

In a previous study we have shown that an intravenous infusion of pramlintide (an analogue of human amylin) delayed gastric emptying, but the dose of pramlintide was supraphysiological in relation to the amylin response to food in non-diabetic subjects. The purpose of this study was to examine the dose response relationship of subcutaneous injections of pramlintide on gastric emptying and to determine whether administration of the drug before one meal has an impact on the subsequent meal. Eleven men with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied in a double-blind, randomised, four-way crossover design. None had autonomic neuropathy. Euglycaemia was maintained overnight before the study day. At -30 min the patients self-injected their usual morning insulin and at -15 min they injected the study drug (either placebo or 30, 60 or 90 microg pramlintide) subcutaneously. At 0 min they ate a standard meal consisting of a pancake, labelled with 99mTc, and a milkshake containing 3-ortho-methylglucose (3-OMG). Gastric emptying images were obtained for the next 8 h. At 240 min the subjects ate a similar meal, but on this occasion the pancake was labelled with (111)In. All three doses of pramlintide delayed emptying of the solid component of the first meal (p < 0.004) with no significant difference between the drug doses. There were no differences between placebo and pramlintide after the second meal. All three doses of pramlintide resulted in a prolongation in the time to peak plasma 3-OMG level (p < 0.0001) after the first meal but there was no difference after the second meal.     

Status of cerebral circulation in patients with hemiplegia of vascular and traumatic origin treated with decimeter therapy and an alternating magnetic field

Results of treating 181 patients for hemiparesis after a cerebral stroke or a craniocerebral injury by local exposure of the pathological focus to decimeter electromagnetic waves (DW) and alternating magnetic field (AMF) are presented. It is shown that these treatment methods improve the cerebral circulation and contribute to earlier restoration of the motor functions, especially, if used in combination with sulfide baths, therapeutic physical exercises and massage. The therapeutic effectiveness of the DW- and AMF-therapy is confirmed objectively by so informative examination methods, as rheoencephalography, ultrasonic dopplerography, and thermography.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus with a protein-losing enteropathy

Anasarca with pronounced hypoalbuminemia developed in a young woman 15 months after the onset of a mild, arthralgic type of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without evidence of active nephritis. Investigation indicated a gastrointestinal rather than a renal site for protein loss. A full clinical remission was achieved with low-dose corticosteroid therapy.     

Phase diagram and lattice parameter data for the GaAsySb1−y system

Ingots of GaAs_ySb_1−y alloys have been prepared by various directional freezing techniques, the rate of freezing being kept sufficiently small (e.g. ∼ 0.5cm/day) that equilibrium conditions were obtained in cross-sectional slices. Samples from these slices have then been investigated by powder X-ray photographs and an X-ray fluorescence technique to determine the variation of lattice parameter with composition and the range of single phase solid solution. The results show that this system has a solid miscibility gap of maximum range 0.38 < y < 0.61 and that this corresponds to a peritectic reaction. In the range 0 < y < 0.38 the lattice parameter a_o follows the Vegard line, but for 0.61 < y < 1.00 a_o lies below this line. By annealing samples in the liquid-solid two phase fields, data have also been obtained on the solidus curve and the peritectic temperature has been shown to be 745 ± 5C.     

Miscibility gap in the GaAsy Sb1−y system

Measurements have been made to determine accurately the solidus curve of the pseudobinary section GaAs_ySb_1−y, by annealing samples to equilibrium and determining compositions by x-ray powder photography. It is found that the equilibriui diagram shows a peritectic form with a peritectic temperature of 745 ± 1‡C and a miscibility gap at that temperature extending from y = 0.38 to y = 0.68. It is also shown that as the temperature is lowered the miscibility gap widens rapidly, being from y = 0.30 to y = 0.95 at 700‡C. The form of these phase boundaries is important when growth of GaAs_ySb_1−y alloys by liquid phase epitaxy or similar techniques is considered.     

Orchestration of neutrophil movement by intestinal epithelial cells in response to Salmonella typhimurium can be uncoupled from bacterial internalization

Intestinal epithelial cells respond to Salmonella typhimurium by internalizing this pathogen and secreting, in a polarized manner, an array of chemokines which direct polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) movement. Notably, interleukin-8 (IL-8) is secreted basolaterally and directs PMN through the lamina propria, whereas pathogen-elicited epithelial chemoattractant (PEEC) is secreted apically and directs PMN migration across the epithelial monolayer to the intestinal lumen. While most studies of S. typhimurium pathogenicity have focused on the mechanism by which this bacterium invades its host, the enteritis characteristically associated with salmonellosis appears to be more directly attributable to the PMN movement that occurs in response to this pathogen. Therefore, we sought to better understand the relationship between S. typhimurium invasion and epithelial promotion of PMN movement. First, we investigated whether S. typhimurium becoming intracellular was necessary or sufficient to induce epithelial promotion of PMN movement. Blocking S. typhimurium invasion by preventing, with cytochalasin D, the epithelial cytoskeletal rearrangements which mediate internalization did not reduce the epithelial promotion of PMN movement. Conversely, bacterial attainment of an intracellular position was not sufficient to induce model epithelia to direct PMN transmigration, since neither basolateral invasion by S. typhimurium nor apical internalization of an invasion-deficient mutant (achieved by inducing membrane ruffling with epidermal growth factor) induced this epithelial cell response. These results indicate that specific interactions between the apical surface of epithelial cells and S. typhimurium, rather than simply bacterial invasion, mediate the epithelial direction of PMN transmigration. To further investigate the means by which S. typhimurium induces epithelia to direct PMN movement, we investigated whether the same signaling pathways regulate secretion of IL-8 and PEEC. IL-8 secretion, but not PEEC secretion, was activated by phorbol myristate acetate and blocked by an inhibitor (mg-132) of the proteosome which mediates NF-kappabeta activation. Further, secretion of IL-8, but not PEEC, was activated by an entry-deficient (HilDelta) S. typhimurium mutant or by basolateral invasion of a wild-type strain. Together, these results indicate that distinct signaling pathways mediate S. typhimurium invasion, induction of IL-8 secretion, and induction of PEEC secretion in model intestinal epithelia.     

Cloning and functional expression of a human liver organic cation transporter

OBJECTIVE: The triglyceride-lowering effects of omega-3 fats and HDL cholesterol-raising effects of exercise may be appropriate management for dyslipidemia in NIDDM. However, fish oil may impair glycemic control in NIDDM. The present study examined the effects of moderate aerobic exercise and the incorporation of fish into a low-fat (30% total energy) diet on serum lipids and glycemic control in dyslipidemic NIDDM patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a controlled, 8-week intervention, 55 sedentary NIDDM subjects with serum triglycerides > 1.8 mmol/l and/or HDL cholesterol < 1.0 mmol/l were randomly assigned to a low-fat diet (30% daily energy intake) with or without one fish meal daily (3.6 g omega-3/day) and further randomized to a moderate (55-65% VO2max) or light (heart rate < 100 bpm) exercise program. An oral glucose tolerance test (75 g), fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipids, and GHb were measured before and after intervention. Self-monitoring of blood glucose was performed throughout. RESULTS: In the 49 subjects who completed the study, moderate exercise improved aerobic fitness (VO2max) by 12% (from 1.87 to 2.07 l/min, P = 0.0001). Fish consumption reduced triglycerides (0.80 mmol/l, P = 0.03) and HDL3 cholesterol (0.05 mmol/l, P = 0.02) and increased HDL2 cholesterol (0.06 mmol/l, P = 0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, and changes in body weight, fish diets were associated with increases in GHb (0.50%, P = 0.05) and self-monitored glucose (0.57 mmol/l, P = 0.0002), which were prevented by moderate exercise. CONCLUSIONS: A reduced fat diet incorporating one daily fish meal reduces serum triglycerides and increases HDL2 cholesterol in dyslipidemic NIDDM patients. Associated deterioration in glycemic control can be prevented by a concomitant program of moderate exercise.     

It is time to move from the nursing process to critical thinking

As we reflect on the concept of critical thinking in perioperative nursing practice, we should ask ourselves whether we think critically. If not, we must learn the principles of critical thinking and apply them in our clinical practice settings. Our perioperative nurse managers and directors must demonstrate critical thinking in leading other nurses in the delivery of quality, cost-effective, service-oriented patient care. They also must identify peers who use critical thinking skills to support and sustain them in their quest.     

Thin films of liquid crystal fumarates and a related acrylate

Five fumarate esters and one acrylate ester have been synthesized and their properties examined. Four of them can be deposited as multilayers by evaporation in vacuo, and three of this group behave as thermotropic smectic liquid crystals. We have attempted to stabilize the homeotropic smectic phase by polymerizing the film using UV light. In two cases we have been successful and have produced films which are resistant to prolonged heating in THF. We infer that these materials are both polymerized and cross linked. They retain their regular layer structure after polymerization, a behaviour which we have demonstrated by X-ray diffraction. We have also attempted to form Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers with these compounds and in four cases have been successful.     

Symmetric and asymmetric manual materials handling. Part 1: Physiology and psychophysics

To study the physiological and psychophysical costs of symmetric and asymmetric manual materials handling, two tasks were performed by 30 industrial subjects. In both tasks, box weight and handle position were varied. The symmetric task, lifting and lowering between floor and conveyor, showed handles to be beneficial. The asymmetric task was palletizing and depalletizing 36 boxes between a pallet and a conveyor. Both palletizing and depalletizing proved strenuous for females with heart rates exceeding 140b/min. All handle positions were better than No Handles, but the best handle position changed from asymmetric for 9 kg boxes to symmetric for 13 kg boxes. The effect of handles was equivalent to a weight change of 1-2 kg for Heart Rate and Rated Perceived Exertion, but much higher (2-14 kg) for Body Part Discomfort measures.