An analysis of automatic teller machine usage by older adults: a structured interview approach

Sex differences in the activity of aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) in the rat brain have been reported during pre- and postnatal development. It is unclear, however, whether these differences are reflected by corresponding differences in specific mRNA levels. To address this question, we have examined aromatase mRNA levels in specific regions of male and female rat brains by means of in situ hybridization (ISH). At prenatal stages of development, i.e. at gestational day 18 (GD18) and GD20, aromatase mRNA was detected in several preoptic, hypothalamic and limbic brain regions. Semiquantitative analysis of aromatase mRNA did not reveal sex differences in any of these regions. In contrast, clear-cut sex differences were determined at postnatal day (PN) 2; male animals expressed significantly more aromatase mRNA in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST) and the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN). Smaller but still significant differences (females > males) were obtained in the medial preoptic area (MPO). At PN6, sex differences of aromatase mRNA signals (males > females) were still present in the BST, but were no longer detectable in the SDN and the MPO. At PN15 and in adult animals, aromatase mRNA levels were similar in BST and medical amygdaloid nucleus of male and female rats. Since aromatase mRNA expression decreases during postnatal development, no ISH signals could be detected anymore in MPO, SDN and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Our results are consistent with the concept that differential regulation of aromatase mRNA expression might be important for the establishment of different neuronal circuitry in male and female animals.     

Bronchoscopic evaluation of pulmonary infiltrates following bone marrow transplantation

Mutants of human prothymosin alpha with impaired ability to inhibit yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. cerevisiae cell growth were characterized. Two types of prothymosin alpha-inactivating mutations were observed. Mutations that belong to the first type compromised the nuclear entry of prothymosin alpha by affecting its nuclear localization signal. Analysis of subcellular distribution of GFP-prothymosin alpha fusions revealed a bipartite nuclear localization signal that is both necessary and sufficient for nuclear import of the protein in human cells. Mutations of the second type abrogated the inhibitory action of prothymosin alpha through an unknown mechanism, without influencing the nuclear import of the protein.     

Metrological analysis of measuring systems in testing an anticipatory reaction to the position of a moving object

This study compared the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors captopril versus enalapril on left ventricular (LV) muscle mass and LV systolic and diastolic function in 58 patients with primary glomerulonephritis and moderate chronic renal failure. The design was a 6-8 week titration phase and 6-month maintenance phase. Mean myocardial mass calculated by M-mode echocardiography in the captopril group was 153 +/- 26 g/m2 before, and 130 +/- 14 g/m2 after 6 months of treatment, in enalapril group 147 +/- 22 g/m2 before, and 126 +/- 23 g/m2 after 6 months of treatment (p < 0.05). LV ejection fraction, early and late transmitral flow velocities and early to late LV inflow velocities ratio were not significantly affected by both ACE inhibitors.     

Demonstration of cellular aging and senescence in serially passaged long-term cultures of human trabecular osteoblasts

The proliferative capacity and cellular and biochemical characteristics of human trabecular bone osteoblasts were analysed throughout their replicative lifespan in vitro. Like several other cell types, human osteoblasts demonstrated a typical Hayflick phenomenon of cellular aging comprising a period of rapid proliferation until cumulative population doubling level (CPDL) 22 to 24, followed by a phase of slow growth and the final cessation of cell division at CPDL 32 to 34. Comparing young cells (less than 20% lifespan completed) and old cells (more than 90% lifespan completed) revealed a progressive increase in population doubling (PD) time, a decrease in attachment frequency, a decrease in the number of S-phase positive cells, a decrease in the rates of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, an increase in the protein content per cell and an increased proportion of senescence-specific beta-galactosidase positive cells. While osteoblastic production of collagen type I decreased progressively during aging, alkaline phosphatase activity dropped rapidly after the first few passages and then remained constant during the rest of the proliferative lifespan, Significant morphological changes from thin and spindle-shaped early passage young cells to large, flattened and irregularly shaped late passage old cells full of intracellular debris were observed. In comparison, osteoblasts established from an osteoporotic bone sample showed a maximum CPDL of less than 5, had a longer PD time and exhibited abnormal senescent morphology. Thus, we have demonstrated for the first time that human osteoblasts, like several other diploid cell types, have a limited proliferative capacity in vitro and undergo aging and senescence as measured by various cellular and biochemical markers. In addition, preliminary studies show that cells from osteoporotic bone have a severely reduced proliferative capacity. This model of bone cell aging facilitates study of the molecular mechanisms of osteoblast senescence as well as factors related to osteoblast dysfunction in patients with osteoporosis.     

OH-radical-type reactive oxygen species derived from superoxide and nitric oxide: a sensitive method for their determination and differentiation

Reactive oxygen species are involved in many diseases where the radical species OH, peroxynitrite and the non-radical, hypochlorous acid, play an outstanding role. The formation of OH-type oxidants is essentially confined to a few types of reactions. The most prominent ones are the one-electron reduction of hydrogen peroxide by F2+ or Cu+ -ions (Fenton-type reactions), reaction of hypochlorite with superoxide and finally formation and decay of peroxynitrite (ONOOH), formed from superoxide and NO. In this communication we wish to report on a simple model system allowing to differentiate between these ROS: ethene formation from ACC is only detectable in the presence of hypochlorite (v. Kruedener et al, 1995) and not detectable with Fenton-type oxidants or SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydonimine, a peroxynitrite generator by releasing sequentially superoxide and NO) at 10 microM concentrations. On the other hand, ethene formation from KMB is negligible in the presence of hypochlorite but proceeds rapidly with Fenton-type oxidants (4 microM H2O2; 4 microM Fe2+) as well as with 1 microM SIN-1. Stimulation of Fenton-type oxidants and not of SIN-1 by EDTA and characteristic patterns of inhibition by SOD, catalases, hemoglobin and uric acid allow a differentiation between these two potential precursors of OH-radicals. Synthetic ONOOH shows different reaction kinetics as compared to SIN-1. Inhibition of ONOOH-dependent ethene formation by different compounds occurs more or less "random" indicating an unspecific influence of proteins and also small molecules. Comparison of the individual inhibition types of several selected compounds allows a differential analysis as to the generation pathway of the final oxidants, OH- radical or peroxynitrite.     

A morphofunctional validation of the use of electrostimulation by paired impulses combined with vibromassage for the treatment of patients with trauma to the peripheral nerves of the extremities

The exposure to paired electric impulses and vibromassage promotes completeness of repair in the treatment of injured peripheral nerves of the limb. The effect is achieved due to marked stimulation of myelinization and differentiation of the nerve fibers, regeneration of the nerve system in the denervated muscle.     

A multidistrict audit on the management of Chlamydia trachomatis in genitourinary medicine clinics in Yorkshire

Although there have been recent molecular biological studies for evidence of possible changes in trypanosome biochemistry, such studies are not yet complemented by parallel clinical studies to determine the possible implications to the sleeping sickness patient. The study of the duration of symptoms and the case fatality of T. b. rhodesiense showed that the disease progressed to the stage of central nervous system involvement between three weeks to two months of infection. Most (> 80%) deaths occurred within six months of illness. The case fatality rate of treated sleeping sickness patients was 6% of which the rate in the late-stage of sleeping sickness was more than two and a half times that in the early stage. The incidence of melarsoprol encephalopathy was 2.5% and case fatality due to this condition was 1.0% and similar to previous findings. Thus it appears the virulence of T. b. rhodesiense circulating in south east Uganda has not changed during the past decades.     

Allosteric modulation of Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ion channel activity by noncompetitive agonists

Similar to other neuroreceptors of the vertebrate central nervous system, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is subject to modulatory control by allosterically acting ligands. Of particular interest in this regard are allosteric ligands that enhance the sensitivity of the receptor to its natural agonist acetylcholine (ACh), as such ligands could be useful as drugs in diseases associated with impaired nicotinic neurotransmission. Here we discuss the action of a novel class of nAChR ligands which act as allosterically potentiating ligands (APL) on the nicotinic responses induced by ACh and competitive agonists. In addition, APLs also act as noncompetitive agonists of very low efficacy, and as direct blockers of ACh-activated channels. These actions are observed with nAChRs from brain, muscle and electric tissue, and they depend on the structure of the APL and the concentration range applied. We focus here on Torpedo nAChR because (i) the unusual pharmacology of these ligands was first discovered with this system, and (ii) large quantities of this receptor are readily available for biochemical studies.     

Body mass index and mortality in a general population sample of men and women. The Buffalo Health Study

The objective of this research was to investigate the long-term relation between body mass index (BMI) and mortality from all causes and from specific causes in the general population. A 29-year follow-up study was conducted in a random sample of white men (n = 611) and women (n = 697) aged 20-96 years who were residents of Buffalo, New York, in 1960. At baseline, height and weight were determined by self-report. BMI was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2). During the follow-up period, 295 (48.3 percent) men and 281 (40.3 percent) women died. With the Cox proportional hazards model and adjustment for age, education, and cigarette smoking, a significant linear association was found between BMI and all-cause mortality in men less than age 65 years at baseline (relative risk (RR) = 1.06, 95 percent confidence interval 1.02-1.09), but not in women (RR = 1.02, 95 percent confidence interval 0.99-1.05). In men age 65 years and older, the relation was quadratic in form (p = 0.02), with the lowest risks appearing in the BMI range of 23-27. BMI was most strongly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease mortality in women and younger men. No such associations were observed in older men. BMI was not related to an increased risk of death from non-CVD or cancer in either sex. These findings illustrate the importance of BMI as a risk factor for CVD and coronary heart disease mortality in certain gender-age groups and indicate that the majority of the impact of BMI on overall mortality is due to the strong relation between relative weight and these specific causes of death.