Physiological and subjective responses to thermal transients of exercising subjects dressed in cold-protective clothing

Intercellular adhesion molecules play an important role in the generation of T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses. Here, we describe a novel accessory molecule, DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1), that is constitutively expressed on the majority of peripheral blood T lymphocytes. DNAM-1 is a 65 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein consisting of 318 aa including two immunoglobulin-like domains. Anti-DNAM-1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) inhibits T and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cell targets and blocks cytokine production by alloantigen-specific T cells. In addition, DNAM-1 is a tyrosine-phosphorylated signal-transducing molecule that participates in primary adhesion during cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Retinoic acid increases hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity and mRNA in human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells

Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) plays an important role as the final enzyme in the synthesis of melatonin. Here we present the first evidence that retinoic acid (RA) stereoisomers are potent regulators of HIOMT in the human retinoblastoma-derived Y-79 cell line. Treatment with all-trans-, 13-cis-, and 9-cis-RA induced a gradual 10-fold increase in HIOMT activity and mRNA, without changing the levels of mRNA encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, actin, S-antigen, and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. These findings point to the possibility that RA may play a physiological role in the regulation of human HIOMT.     

Diabetes in urban African Americans. V. Use of discussion groups to identify barriers to dietary therapy among low-income individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The purpose of the present study is the presentation of the available literature on obesity in Greece. The heterogeneity of design, small sample size and limited number of studies conducted, complicates the delineation of definite trends. Nevertheless, the existing literature appears to point at a high prevalence of obesity among Greek children. Childhood obesity, may partly be accounted for by the over-protection and forced feeding by Greek parents. With regard to the incidence of obesity among Greek adolescents, studies have yielded controversial results. On the other hand, the existing evidence appears to indicate a high prevalence of obesity among Greek adults and the elderly, particularly those above 30 years of age. In contrast to the females, males appear to be characterised by central obesity. These observations highlight a need for primary prevention measures.     

Parallel dose-response studies of the voltage-dependent Na+ channel antagonist BW619C89, and the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel antagonist nimodipine, in rat transient focal cerebral ischaemia

We have compared two classes of putative neuroprotectants, the voltage-dependent Na+ channel antagonist BW619C87 [4-amino-2-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl) pyrimidine], and the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel antagonist nimodipine, in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia. BW619C87 (10-50 mg/kg) or nimodipine (10-100 microg/kg) were injected intravenously 5 min before induction of 2 h transient focal cerebral ischaemia via intraluminal thread occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. BW619C87 was a potent neuroprotectant over the range tested, maximally reducing the volume of hemispheric ischaemic damage by 51% at the 50 mg/kg dose. Nimodipine maximally reduced ischaemic damage by 33% at the 50 microg/kg dose, although the maximal level of neuroprotection afforded by BW619C89 and nimodipine was not significantly different. This is the first study to compare these two classes of drug directly in a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion, and it supports the effectiveness of both as neuroprotectants.     

In vitro susceptibilities of Candida dubliniensis isolates tested against the new triazole and echinocandin antifungal agents

Candida dubliniensis is a newly recognized fungal pathogen causing mucosal disease in AIDS patients. Although preliminary studies indicate that most strains of C. dubliniensis are susceptible to established antifungal agents, fluconazole-resistant strains have been detected. Furthermore, fluconazole-resistant strains are easily derived in vitro, and these strains exhibit increased expression of multidrug resistance transporters, especially MDR1. Because of the potential for the development of resistant strains of C. dubliniensis, it is prudent to explore the in vitro activities of several of the newer triazole and echinocandin antifungals against isolates of C. dubliniensis. In this study we tested 71 isolates of C. dubliniensis against the triazoles BMS-207147, Sch 56592, and voriconazole and a representative of the echinocandin class of antifungal agents, MK-0991. We compared the activities of these agents with those of the established antifungal agents fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) by using National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards microdilution reference methods. Our findings indicate that the vast majority of clinical isolates of C. dubliniensis are highly susceptible to both new and established antifungal agents. Strains with decreased susceptibilities to fluconazole remained susceptible to the investigational agents as well as to amphotericin B and 5FC. The increased potencies of the new triazole and echinocandin antifungal agents may provide effective therapeutic options for the treatment of infections due to C. dubliniensis.     

Passive transfer of growth-inhibitory antibodies raised against yeast-expressed recombinant Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1(19)

The effects of a long period of relatively high and nearly constant levels of Somatostatin (SRIF) on the control of food ingestion and body weight gain were investigated; weight gain occurs via concurrent modifications of food and fluid intake and in vitro gut motility. Fluid intake was not influenced by SRIF treatment. Food intake, body weight, body weight gain, and gut motility decreased after SRIF treatment, and, in some cases, these effects were dose-dependent. Food intake increased significantly during light phase of SRIF treatment. Thus, SRIF treatment produces facilitation of food intake in the light and inhibition in the dark. The suppression seen in the dark may be the result of a preferential activation of the inhibitory response. The increase of food intake during the light may be explained by a decreased availability of body fats as fuels for metabolism since SRIF inhibits GH release, which is involved is the breakdown of adipose tissue into fuels; lower fats synthesis during nocturnal feeding; or both. Decreased gastrointestinal motility also may explain the lower food intake and decreased body weight gain following SRIF treatment.     

Activation of the locus coeruleus after amygdaloid kindling

PURPOSE: Substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (LC) neurons are implicated in the propagation and suppression of amygdaloid seizures. Both structures are activated concomitant with amygdaloid seizure discharges. Their mechanisms of activation, however, remain to be elucidated. SN firing is not associated with the induction of Fos immunoreactivity (ir), a marker of excitatory neuronal activation. LC has not been studied. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if amygdala-kindled generalized seizures could induce Fos-ir in the LC. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were killed after generalized seizures induced by amygdala electrical stimulation and stained by using Fos immunocytochemistry. The number of Fos-ir neurons was compared between 15 animals with generalized seizures and four implanted, unstimulated controls. RESULTS: LC-ir neurons were significantly (p < 0.05) more prevalent after seizures than in control animals. Their numbers correlated very highly with Fos-ir in the central nucleus of the amygdala (p < 0.0001). No Fos induction was observed in LC in controls or in the SN in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Amygdala-induced generalized seizures result in Fos-ir in the LC but not in the SN. This is consistent with different mechanisms of activation possibly involving disinhibition in the SN and direct excitation in the LC.     

Path analysis of aptitude, personality, and achievement scores in Brazilian twins

Achievement at school and performance on the Dominoes test, the Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT), and Griéger's Characterological Questionnaire of 45 monozygotic and 46 same-sex dizygotic pairs of twins were analyzed using a new linear model for familial corrrelation. For 14 of the 20 sets of data, the genotype's contribution to the total variance is estimated to be higher than 50%. The effect of common environment seems to be important only for achievement in Arts.     

Estimating the impact of health services in a community

The advantages of clinical and mechanical combination of observations for prediction are mutually reinforced by an application of Bayesian statistics. The technique is shown to be particularly advantageous in a situation which is characterized by a paucity of observations available to suppliment a prior expert judgment. The approach also presents a basis for evaluating relative expertise and tracing the learning experience of experts. Taking the community as the organizational level of analysis, data on the classification of aged persons in Durham County, North Carolina, and data on the changes in classification of these individuals within the population over time are gathered and studied. These data are combined with clinical judgments of changes as a demonstration of the merits of the technique developed in this paper.