Psychological stress and blood glucose regulation in Type I diabetic patients.

Investigated whether psychological stress (PS) predicted blood glucose levels (BGLs), independent of self-management, in 15 Type I diabetic patients. Ss self-monitored daily mean BGLs, PS, diet, exercise, and insulin injections for 8 wks. Considerable individual variability in findings was evident, with PS predicting BGLs in a statistically significant manner in 7 Ss. PS had a significant effect on BGLs independent of the effects of diet, exercise, and insulin administration for the 7 Ss. Discussion focuses on the problems of measuring the key self-management behaviors influencing BGLs and on the possibility that a subgroup of diabetic patients may be BGL stress responders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A systematic approach to evaluate the modification of lens proteins by glycation-induced crosslinking

Normal gait requires the dynamic integration of central and peripheral nervous systems acting on an intact musculoskeletal framework. A number of specific disease processes, as well as aging, may compromise this interaction. Despite the complexity of human gait, most common gait disorders can be identified by the experienced clinician, using the fundamental tools of history and physical examination.     

Couple relationship education at home: Does skill training enhance relationship assessment and feedback?

To evaluate the effective components of couple relationship education, 59 newlywed couples were randomly assigned to one of two couple relationship programs (CRE): (1) RELATE, which involved receiving feedback on their relationship based on the on-line RELATE assessment; or (2) RELATE + Couple CARE, which was RELATE plus completing the 6 unit Couple CARE relationship skill training program. Relative to RELATE, RELATE + Couple CARE produced more improvement in couple communication, and high relationship satisfaction across the next 12 months in women. Men sustained high and similar relationship satisfaction in either condition. Skill training CRE has additional benefits for couples beyond assessment and feedback. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Olfactory ensheathing cells promote neurite extension from embryonic olfactory receptor cells in vitro

The role of ensheathing cells, a macroglial cell type with a unique presence in the olfactory system, in the outgrowth of olfactory receptor cell neurites was explored in vitro. Glial cell cultures harvested from both the olfactory bulb nerve layer and the hippocampus were established and immunocytochemically characterized. The expression of the p75 low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor by ensheathing cells was used to distinguish them from other macroglial subpopulations. Results indicated that ensheathing cell cultures were approximately 80% pure. Olfactory receptor cells were cocultured with ensheathing or hippocampal glial cells or were seeded on laminin or poly-L-lysine as controls. Olfactory receptor cells extended the longest primary neurites when cocultured with ensheathing cells. Neurite extension on hippocampal glia and laminin was less extensive than that observed on ensheathing cells but higher than that on poly-L-lysine. The neurite outgrowth-promoting effect of ensheathing cells was, at least in part, mediated by diffusible factors, because olfactory receptor cell neurite extension could also be facilitated when receptor cells were cultured in ensheathing cell-conditioned media. In contrast, cortical neurons extended neurites of equivalent lengths on ensheathing and hippocampal glia. The results suggest that ensheathing cells may release factors that support the continuous outgrowth of olfactory receptor cell axons and, therefore, the capacity of this pathway to recover from injury.     

Re-examination of cumulative fatigue damage analysis—an engineering perspective

A method which has evolved in our laboratories for the past 20 years is re-examined with the intent of improving its accuracy and simplicity of application to engineering problems. Several modifications are introduced both to the analytical formulation of the damage curve approach, and to the procedure for modifying this approach to achieve a double-linear damage rule formulation which immensely simplifies the calculation. Improvements are also introduced in the treatment of mean stress for determining fatigue life of the individual events that enter into a complex loading history. While the procedure is completely consistent with the results of numerous two-level tests that have been conducted on many materials, it is still necessary to verify applicability to complex loading histories. Caution is expressed that certain phenomena can also influence the applicability-for example, unusual deformation and fracture modes inherent in complex loading—especially if stresses are multiaxial. Residual stresses at crack tips and metallurgical factors are also important in creating departures from the cumulative damage theories; examples of departures are provided.     

The role of vitamin D derivatives and retinoids in the differentiation of human leukaemia cells

The capabilities of 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and two novel vitamin D analogues, EB1089 and KH1060, to induce the differentiation of two established leukaemia cell lines, U937 and HL-60, were assessed alone or in combination with the retinoid compounds, 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The vitamin D derivatives acted to increase the differentiation of U937 and HL-60 cell cultures in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction, with EB1089 and KH1060 being more effective than the native hormone. As an additional index of leukaemic cell differentiation, induction of expression of the phenotypic cell surface antigen, CD14, and the beta2-integrins, CD11b and CD18 by the vitamin D and retinoid compounds were monitored using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses. Following 96-hr treatment of U937 and HL-60 cells with 5 x 10(-10) M of the vitamin D derivatives, a striking increase in CD14 antigen expression was apparent, indicating the promotion by these compounds of a monocyte/macrophage lineage of cells. CD11b and CD18 antigen expression were also raised above control levels. In contrast, both retinoid compounds used at the higher concentration of 1 x 10(-8) M were not effective inducers of CD14 antigen expression. However, CD11b and CD18 were both readily increased in U937 and HL-60 cell cultures. Treatment of U937 cell cultures with the vitamin D compounds and the retinoids resulted in cooperative effects on induction of differentiation, with correlation by both NBT reduction and FACS analyses of CD14 antigen expression. The presence of 9-cis RA or ATRA appeared to contribute to the further increase of CD14 in these cells. HL-60 cell cotreatment with these compounds also displayed enhanced cooperative effects in phagocytic function by NBT reduction. However, analysis of CD14 revealed a dramatic diminution in HL-60 cells treated with the combinations of the vitamin D derivatives and the retinoids. Assessment of HL-60 cell morphology treated with these combinations demonstrated the presence of a mixed population of monocytes and granulocytes. CD11b and CD18 antigen expression was also enhanced in both cell lines with cotreatment. The ability of EB1089 and KH1060 to induce leukaemic cell differentiation may provide an additional option for therapeutic use alone or together with other differentiation agents such as 9-cis RA or ATRA.