Activities of novel aryloxyalkylimidazolines on rat 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors

One impact of socioeconomic progress on populations has been to reduce the number of cases due to diseases of undernutrition and microbial contamination of food, which affected mostly infants and young children, and to increase those due to diseases of excessive food consumption, which are affecting adults and a growing number of children. This article reviews the main dietary factors which have an influence on cardiovascular disease and cancer, and discusses the link between economic development and increased rates of chronic diseases. There is evidence that the noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors have risen rapidly in countries of the WHO Western Pacific Region. Data from 29 countries and areas in the region indicate that 70% of them show lifestyle diseases in three or more of the top five causes of death. While public health measures have been implemented by some countries to prevent and control nutrition-related chronic diseases, further action is needed.     

Evaluation and treatment of the infected foot in a community teaching hospital

More inpatient hospital days are used for the care of diabetic foot infection than for any other diabetic sequela. Both the number of lower extremity amputations and the overall treatment cost of treating diabetic infections may be reduced by using a team approach in the care of the infected diabetic pedal wound. The authors propose an evaluation and treatment protocol of infected pedal ulcerations in an urban, community teaching institution when admitted to an established, multidisciplinary diabetic foot care team. The hospital course of 111 patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of infected pedal ulceration are retrospectively reviewed. Results revealed an average-length hospital stay of 7.4 days with a 96% limb-salvage rate. The authors suggest that in the treatment of the infected pedal wound, a diabetic foot care team with a well developed treatment protocol may yield a consistently favorable outcome and a cost-effective hospital course.     

Platelet prostanoid receptors

Prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes are important modulators of platelet activation, and there is strong evidence to support the existence of distinct thromboxane, prostacyclin, PGD2 and PGE2 receptors on the platelet plasma membrane. In this review, each of these platelet prostanoid receptors is discussed in detail, with respect to their receptor pharmacology, molecular biology and signal transduction, and as to any therapeutic implications of the development of specific agonists and/or antagonists. In addition, it considers the possibility that there are separate vascular receptors for 8-epi PGF2 alpha, which are not present on the platelet.     

Gliotoxicity, reverse transcriptase activity and retroviral RNA in monocyte/macrophage culture supernatants from patients with multiple sclerosis

Utilizing cultured lenses from normal and homozygous glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx-1) knockout mice and inhibitors for GSSG Reductase (GSSG Red), 1,3-bis(2-chlorethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and catalase (Cat), 3-aminotriazole (3-AT), the ability to degrade H2O2 was examined at two H2O2 concentrations, 300 microM and 80 microM. It was found that GSHPx-1 contributed about 15% to the H2O2 degradation. The Cat contribution was concentration dependent being about 30% at 300 microM H2O2 and approximately 8% to 15% at 80 microM H2O2. GSH loss measured as nonprotein thiol (NP-SH) was shown to be linked to most of the remaining H2O2 degradation accounting for about 54% to 72% of the H2O2 degradation at 300 microM and 80 microM, respectively. However, based on evaluation of the ability of GSH to nonenzymatically degrade H2O2, it can only account for about 36% at 300 microM and 19% at 80 microM H2O2 of the observed lens H2O2 degradation. It is, therefore, concluded that lens GSH must be involved in other reactions either directly or indirectly related to H2O2 degradation.     

p53 expression in neurofibroma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. An immunohistochemical study of sporadic and NF1-associated tumors

OBJECTIVES--(1) to evaluate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with single photon emission computed tomography and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime in patients with the idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome (IAHS); (2) to examine regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), gait, and psychometric functions before and after CSF removal (CSF tap test); (3) to assess abnormalities in subcortical white matter by MRI. METHODS--Thirty one patients fulfilling the criteria for IAHS (according to history and clinical and neuroradiological examination) were studied. Quantified gait measurements, psychometric testing, and rCBF before and after removal of CSF were obtained. Pressure of CSF and CSF outflow conductance were investigated with a constant pressure infusion method. Brain MRI was used to quantify the severity of white matter lesions and periventricular hyperintensities. In IAHS a widespread rCBF hypoperfusion pattern was depicted, with a caudal frontal and temporal grey matter and subcortical white matter reduction of rCBF as the dominant feature. Removal of CSF was not accompanied by a concomitant increase in rCBF. Significant white matter lesions were detected only in a minority of patients by MRI. An altered CSF hydrodynamic state with a higher CSF pressure and lower conductance was confirmed. IAHS is characterised by an abnormal CSF hydrodynamic state, associated with a widespread rCBF reduction with preference for subcortical white matter and frontal-temporal cortical regions. Furthermore in most patients MRI did not show white matter changes suggestive of a coexistent subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy. At least in the idiopathic group of patients with AHS, measurements of rCBF before and after temporary relief of the CSF hydrodynamic disturbance will not provide additional information that would be helpful in the preoperative evaluation but is suggestive of a preserved autoregulation of rCBF.     

Potato gun ocular injury

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify a dangerous new weapon capable of causing damage to the ocular and periocular regions. METHODS: The authors report two patients who had penetrating ocular injury in the past year because of homemade recreational potato guns. RESULTS: In one 14-year-old boy, projectiles from the firing of a potato gun resulted in orbital and cranial injuries that were life threatening with widespread fractures, marked disruption of facial structures, a cerebrospinal fluid fistula requiring bifrontal surgical repair, and loss of one eye. In a separate accident with a different potato gun, a 14-year-old boy who was wearing glasses at the time of injury had a sight-threatening perforating corneal laceration. CONCLUSION: Practitioners must be aware of the existence of these new, homemade unregulated devices. Information about the use and construction of these guns is widespread on the Internet, but no injuries resulting from these guns currently are documented in the medical literature.