Chronic exposure of cultured bovine endothelial cells to oxidized LDL abolishes prostacyclin release

We investigated the effect of chronic exposure (3 days) with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized (Ox)-LDL on the unstimulated and stimulated formation of prostacyclin (6-keto-prostaglandin [PG]F1 alpha) and total inositol phosphates (IPs) by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. Neither basal nor bradykinin-stimulated (1 to 10 nmol/L) formation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was affected by LDL, except at the highest concentration of bradykinin tested (100 nmol/L). In the presence of the antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 10 mumol/L) or vitamin E (100 mumol/L), basal and bradykinin-stimulated formation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was potentiated by 20 micrograms protein/mL of LDL. Ox-LDL decreased unstimulated formation of the eicosanoid from 3.1 +/- 0.2 pg/micrograms protein in control cells to 1.6 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 pg/microgram protein after 3-day incubation with 5 and 20 micrograms protein/mL of Ox-LDL, respectively (P < .05). As in the basal state, Ox-LDL decreased bradykinin-induced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha formation. NAC or vitamin E did not influence Ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell changes in eicosanoid production. IPs formation by endothelial cells increased to a similar extent in the presence of 20 micrograms protein/mL of either LDL or Ox-LDL. However, no change was apparent in the bradykinin (10 mumol/L)-induced increase in total IPs formation after incubation with the lipoproteins. The data indicate that chronic exposure to Ox-LDL abolishes the production of prostacyclin by cultured endothelial cells. The oxidatively modified lipoprotein seems to more specifically affect the prostacyclin pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Brain HMPAO-SPECT and ocular microangiopathic syndrome in HIV-1-infected patients

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of neurologic and neuropsychologic dysfunction in HIV-1 infection is unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine an association between cerebral perfusion and HIV-1-related ocular microangiopathic syndrome. METHODS: We studied 28 HIV-1-infected patients, seven of whom presented with asymptomatic HIV infection, nine with lymphadenopathy syndrome or AIDS-related complex, and 12 with AIDS. Cerebral perfusion was semi-quantitatively measured by single photon emission computed tomography of the brain using technetium-99 hexamethyl-propylenamine oxime (HMPAO-SPECT). The conjunctival manifestation of HIV-1-related microangiopathic syndrome was measured by a rating scale determining blood-flow sludging and, retinal cotton-wool spots were counted. CD4 count, neopterin, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M), haemoglobin, and age were determined as putative confounding variables. RESULTS: Mean conjunctival sludge in patients with normal HMPAO-SPECT findings was 1.3 +/- 0.5 (mean +/- s.e.m.); no cotton-wool spots were present. In patients with slightly impaired HMPAO-SPECT, it was 2.1 +/- 0.6 and mean cotton-wool spot count was 1.1 +/- 0.4. In patients with severely impaired HMPAO-SPECT, mean conjunctival sludge was 4.5 +/- 0.3 and mean cotton-wool spot count was 4.9 +/- 1.1 HMPAO-SPECT findings were closely associated with conjunctival sludge (r = 0.72; P < 0.001) and number of cotton-wool spots (r = 0.78; P < 0.001), whereas only a slight association with staging of HIV disease was found (P = 0.052). Analysis of covariance controlling for CD4 count neopterin, beta 2M, age, and haemoglobin demonstrated a significant difference between the three HMPAO-SPECT groups for both the number of cotton-wool spots (P < 0.001) and the conjunctival sludge rating (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a close association between severity of HIV-1-related ocular microangiopathic syndrome and severity of cerebral hypoperfusion. Microvascular alterations might contribute to the pathogenesis of neurological and neuropsychological symptoms in patients with HIV-1 disease. Furthermore, the conjunctival sludge rating and the number of cotton-wool spots might be appropriate indicators for severity of microvascular changes of the central nervous system [corrected].     

A comparative study of color measurement lntstrumentation

A multiplant Quality Improvement Team [QIT] was firmed to develop and implement an evaluation program for various color measurement .systems as potential replacements for the then-current aging systems. The emphasis qf this article is the analytical methodology utilized to evaluate the various color systems. The evaluation program consisted cf two phases. Phase I was a general overview/review of several systems, while Phase II was an extensive internal comparative evaluation measurement systems. These were Milton-Roy's ColorMate HDS, HunterLab's Ultrascan, Datacolor's CS-5, and BYK-Gardner's The Color Sphere [TCS]. The main comparison criteria were interinstrument agreement [agreement between two instruments ofthe same system], user-friendly software and computer interface capability, vendor amenability to a long-term logistical and maintenance relationship, and price. All systems were evaluated by duplicate measurements on various color tiles, yarns, and polymer flakes-over 1600 measurements on each system. The systems were compared with an instrument matrix, a decision matrix, and a product matrix. The instrument matrix was a comparison qfinstrument parameters, software/math treatments, and economics. The decision matrix was a forced ranking of each system by each criteria category [1–4 scale, with 1 representing the best and 4 representing the worst]. The product matrix accentuated the relative importance ofone criterion category over another by multiplying the forced ranking by the criticality of the category. The criticality of a given category wus determined by consensus within the QIT. Thr combination qf the three matrices allowed the evaluator[.s] t o select the color rneasuremmt system that best satixfied the color measurement needs and requirements of their facility and their products. For this evaluation, all ofthe evaluated systems were superior to the then-current agingsystems. As a result of this methodology, one instrument emerged as clearly superior. © 1994 John Wrley & Sons, Inc.     

Photography in bite mark and patterned injury documentation--Part 1

A case involving multiple bite marks is presented. The bite marks were photographed over a 31-day period to document the injuries and preserve their evidentiary value. The evidence recovered at each photography session is discussed and photographs are presented for review. Suggestions concerning the need for more research are presented.     

Fuel cycle strategies and plutonium management in Europe

An overview of current nuclear power generation and fuel cycle strategies in Europe is presented, with an emphasis on options for the management of separated plutonium in the medium to long term. Countries which have opted for reprocessing of spent fuel have had to contend with increasing inventories of separated plutonium. Of the various potential options for utilisation or disposition of these stockpiles, only light water reactor (LWR) mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel programmes are sufficiently technologically mature to be fully operational in several European countries at present. Such reprocessing-recycling programmes allow for a stabilisation of the overall separated plutonium stocks, but not for a significant reduction in the stockpile. Moreover, the quality of recycled plutonium decreases at each potential step of re-irradiation. Therefore, optimised or new ways of managing the plutonium stocks in the medium to long term are required. In the present overview we consider the most promising options for reactor utilisation of plutonium in both near-term future reactor and Generation IV systems.     

Management of upper and lower urinary tract infections in pregnant women

Nurse practitioners often manage pregnant women for many health problems. Early recognition, treatment, or timely referral of any infectious process, especially urinary tract infections, is crucial to an optimal pregnancy outcome. Knowledge of urinary tract anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy and bacterial features necessary for infection to occur expands understanding the foundation of urinary tract infection prevention and treatment. This article discusses urinary tract infections, specifically focusing on clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment measures among pregnant women.