Water does not flow across the tight junctions of MDCK cell epithelium

Although it has been known for decades that the tight junctions of fluid-transporting epithelia are leaky to ions, it has not been possible to determine directly whether significant transjunctional water movement also occurs. An optical microscopic technique was developed for the direct visualization of the flow velocity profiles within the lateral intercellular spaces of a fluid-absorptive, cultured renal epithelium (MDCK) and used to determine the velocity of the fluid flow across the tight junction. The flow velocity within the lateral intercellular spaces fell to near zero adjacent to the tight junction, showing that significant transjunctional flow did not occur, even when transepithelial fluid movement was augmented by imposition of osmotic gradients.     

Magnetic resonance imaging correlates of depression in early- and late-onset Alzheimer''s disease

Even today psychotic depression is connected to a lot of unanswered questions. A self-questionnaire (BFD) was developed in order to evaluate cognitions corresponding to mood congruent depressive delusions. They were assumed to indicate psychotic depression and to be related to severity of the depressive syndrome. 42 depressed inpatients were examined by the BFD, the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). BFD scores were found increased in psychotic depression (p = 0.009) and correlated to BDI scores (p = 0.002). 19 re-examined patients showed a significant improvement in HAMD and BDI scores but not concerning the delusion indicating cognitions (BFD), which were significantly correlated to suicidality items of BDI and HAMD (p = 0.005). The results prove the delusion indicating nature of cognitions measured by the BFD and their correlation to severe depression. Differences in treatment response are indicated and persisting or increasing BFD scores seem to be accompanied by more severe suicidal tendency.     

Identification of new nonrandom translocations in multiple myeloma with multicolor spectral karyotyping

Multicolor spectral karyotyping (SKY) was performed on bone marrow samples from 50 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in anticipation of discovering new previously unidentified translocations. All samples showed complex karyotypes with chromosome aberrations which, in most cases, were not fully characterized by G-banding. Patients of special interest were those who showed add(14)(q32), add(8)(q24) and those whose G-banding karyotypes showed poor chromosome morphology. Three new recurring chromosome translocations not previously reported in MM were identified. Two of the translocations involve recurring aberrations at band 14q32.3, the site of the IgH locus, with different exchange partners. The most frequently recurring rearrangement was a subtle translocation at 14q32.3 designated as a t(14;16)(q32;q22 approximately 23), which was identified in six patients. A second and larger translocation at 14q32, identified in two patients, was designated as a t(9;14)(p13;q32), previously associated with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma. A third translocation, identified in two patients, involved a whole-arm t(6;8)(p10;q10) translocation. The SKY technique was able to refine the designations of over 156 aberrations not fully characterized by G-banding in this study and resolved additional chromosome aberrations in every patient studied except two. The t(14;16)(q32;q22 approximately 23) identified by SKY in this study suggests this may be a frequent translocation in MM associated with complex karyotypes and disease progression. Therefore, the SKY technique provides a useful adjunct to routine G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies in the cytogenetic analysis of MM.     

Endometrial adenocarcinoma associated with intrauterine pregnancy. A report of five cases and a review of the literature

Endometrial adenocarcinoma associated with pregnancy is a rare lesion; only 14 acceptable examples have been reported in the literature. This study describes five additional examples with a critical review of the previously published cases. Four of the five women were nulliparous and three had sought medical intervention for infertility. The tumors were all well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinomas; three had a focal to extensive papillary pattern and three had focal to extensive squamous differentiation. Four were diagnosed at the time of dilatation and curettage and one at the time of cesarean section for a 28-week, live infant. Follow-up was available for four of the five women. Two women underwent hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and were alive and well 12 and 48 months after diagnosis. The woman who had the live birth and the remaining woman were treated by repeat curettage with or without progesterone therapy, and each woman has had two subsequent full-term pregnancies with live births. These women are alive and well 57 and 58 months after diagnosis. Women with focal, well-differentiated carcinomas can successfully maintain their fertility if followed by repeat curettage with or without progesterone therapy.     

Gamma-ray mutagen sensitivity and survival in patients with glioma

Despite advances in treatment of brain tumors, cerebral malignant gliomas are rapidly debilitating with poor survival. Patient age and tumor histology are known to influence survival in glioma patients, but these factors do not account for all of the variability in survival time. To identify additional useful predictors, we tested an assay that measures intrinsic gamma-ray mutagen sensitivity. Our hypothesis was that increased sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes to chromatid breaks is associated with tumor aggressiveness and decreased patient survival. The eligible 76 patients were those with histologically confirmed malignant gliomas, seen at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1994 and 1997, for whom we had sufficient blood for the in vitro gamma-radiation assay. After gamma-irradiation of each subject's lymphocytes, the frank chromatid breaks in 50 metaphases were averaged to calculate breaks/cell. On the basis of our patient series, we established a gamma-ray mutagen sensitivity cutoff point of 0.55 breaks/cell that was confirmed by bootstrap resampling techniques. Patients with values >0.55 breaks/cell were considered sensitive. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used for the analysis. The gamma-ray mutagen-sensitive patients had worse survival than the nonsensitive patients, with an unadjusted hazard rate ratio of 1.6 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-2.8; P = 0.15). After adjustment for age, tumor histology, and extent of surgical resection, the hazard rate ratio was 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.6; P = 0.0081). Our data suggest that gamma-ray mutagen sensitivity is a prognostic indicator of survival in glioma patients. The significance of these findings needs to be verified in studies with larger samples of patients with histologically similar gliomas.     

Carbamazepine-induced release of serotonin from rat hippocampus in vitro

PURPOSE: Carbamazepine is one of several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that release the inhibitory neurotransmitter serotonin as part of their pharmacodynamic action on brain neurons. We undertook this study to investigate the cellular processes by which carbamazepine (CBZ) releases serotonin from brain tissue. METHODS: Tissue slices were prepared from hippocampi of Sprague-Dawley rats. These hippocampal slices were preincubated in vitro in a buffer so that neurons within the slice would take up tritium-labeled serotonin. Subsequently the slices were superfused with buffer containing CBZ or other chemicals (or both) that increase the overflow of serotonin radioactivity. RESULTS: Carbamazepine produced a concentration-dependent (50, 125, 250, or 500 microM) increase in basal overflow of serotonin radioactivity from superfused rat hippocampal slices in vitro. In contrast, these concentrations did not alter potassium-stimulated release, suggesting that the CBZ-induced release does not depend on depolarization or exocytosis. Blockade of the neuronal membrane serotonin transporter by fluoxetine (1 microM) or citalopram (2 microM) did not alter overflow of serotonin radioactivity produced by 250 microM CBZ. p-chloramphetamine (10 microM) produced a substantial increase in overflow of serotonin radioactivity, and this effect appears to be antagonized by 250 microM CBZ. Uptake of [3H]-labeled serotonin into hippocampal synaptosomes was inhibited by CBZ with a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 511+/-33 microM and a Hill coefficient of 0.87+/-0.11, suggesting competitive inhibition of uptake by CBZ. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CBZ (a) releases serotonin from hippocampal slices independent of exocytosis and by a mechanism not involving the neuronal membrane serotonin transporter, and (b) at high enough concentration, blocks the neuronal serotonin transporter.     

Alcohol dependence and domestic violence as sequelae of abuse and conduct disorder in childhood

OBJECTIVES: To examine in the Navajo population: (1) the importance of childhood abuse as a risk factor for conduct disorder; (2) the importance of each form of abuse and conduct disorder as risk factors for alcohol dependence; and (3) the relative importance of each form of abuse, conduct disorder, and alcohol dependence as risk factors for being a perpetrator and/or victim of domestic violence. METHOD: The study is based on a case-control design. Cases (204 men and 148 women) between the ages of 21 and 65 were interviewed in alcohol treatment program and matched to community controls. There were two groups of controls: alcohol dependent (374 men, 60 women) and nonalcohol dependent (157 men, 143 women). When adjusted for stratification by age, community of residence, and sex, the combined control groups comprise a representative sample of the Navajo male and female population 21-65 years of age. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before age 15 is within limits observed in other populations. Each form of abuse is a risk factor for conduct disorder. Along with conduct disorder, physical abuse is a risk factor for alcohol dependence. Physical abuse and alcohol dependence are independent risk factors for being involved in domestic violence as both perpetrator and victim. There appears to have been no secular trend in the incidence of childhood abuse over the past several generations, but there is suggestive evidence that domestic violence has become more common. CONCLUSIONS: Physical abuse is a significant risk factor for alcohol dependence as well as for domestic violence independent of the effects of alcohol abuse. The effects of sexual abuse with regard to both domestic violence and alcohol dependence do not appear to be significant.     

A statewide survey of immunization rates in Minnesota school age children: implications for targeted assessment and prevention strategies

BACKGROUND: A retrospective statewide immunization survey of the 69115 Minnesota children who entered kindergarten in 1992 was conducted. METHODS: Information was collected from school immunization records on date of birth, dates of vaccination for each dose of vaccine, address of residence and race/ethnicity (when available). Immunization rates were assessed retrospectively for each month of a child's life from 2 to 48 months of age. Age-appropriate immunization was defined as receipt of all scheduled vaccines within 30 days of the recommended age. RESULTS: Immunization levels varied by vaccine, age of the child and race/ethnicity. For example at 19 months of age, 73% of students had received measles, mumps, rubella vaccine; however, only 39% had received their fourth dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine. White, non-Hispanic students consistently had higher vaccination rates than children of other racial/ ethnic groups. For example 45% of white, non-Hispanic students were age-appropriately vaccinated at 16 months of age compared with 25% of Blacks, 30% of American Indians, 30% of white Hispanics and 28% of Asian-Pacific Islanders (Mantel-Haenzel chi square, P < 0.001 for each comparison). Furthermore coverage rates frequently varied significantly by neighborhood, thereby identifying pockets of underimmunization within communities. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that vaccination rates can vary substantially by age, race/ ethnicity and neighborhood. Detailed immunization assessment is necessary so that effective targeted interventions can be developed.     

Occurrence of male-specific bacteriophage in feral and domestic animal wastes, human feces, and human-associated wastewaters

Male-specific bacteriophage (MSB) densities were determined in animal and human fecal wastes to assess their potential impact on aquatic environments. Fecal samples (1,031) from cattle, chickens, dairy cows, dogs, ducks, geese, goats, hogs, horses, seagulls, sheep, and humans as well as 64 sewerage samples were examined for MSB. All animal species were found to harbor MSB, although the great majority excreted these viruses at very low levels. The results from this study demonstrate that in areas affected by both human and animal wastes, wastewater treatment plants are the principal contributors of MSB to fresh, estuarine, and marine waters.     

Ecologically sound management: aspects of modern sustainable deer farming systems

Modern deer farming systems have become increasingly intensive allowing strategic feeding for production and genetic improvement programmes. Meeting feeding standards that account for changing nutritional demands related to seasonality and reproductive state is critical. As the industry matures there is a growing awareness of the balance between retaining natural behaviour in producing breeding stock on larger extensive holdings and intensification systems for performance in young stock. Stocking rates are critical determinants of success as land use and capability needs are matched with an increasing stratification of stock type and purpose. Food product safety and welfare considerations of farmed deer are being driven by consumer demands. Farm quality assurance and codes of practice are developing to ensure that deer farming meets and exceeds international expectations of land use and deer welfare in modern deer farming systems.