Fasting prevents experimental murine colitis produced by dextran sulfate sodium and decreases interleukin-1 beta and insulin-like growth factor I messenger ribonucleic acid

Cytokines and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are involved in the induction and/or perpetuation of inflammatory bowel disease. The effect of fasting on inflammatory bowel disease was studied in a mouse experimental model of acute colitis caused by adding dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to drinking water. Animals were either fed ad libitum or fasted (water only) for 2 days before death. Inflammation and tissue damage, measured as a colitis activity score, were markedly reduced in fasted (2.4 +/- 0.1) compared to fed (5.3 +/- 0.1) DSS animals (P < 0.0001). Colon interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IGF-I, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were quantified by Northern blot hybridization and expressed as a percentage of mRNA abundance in fed controls. In DSS mice, IL-1 beta mRNA was elevated in the fed group (954 +/- 155%; P < 0.001), but was suppressed in fasted animals (71.1 +/- 11%). IGF-I mRNA also was elevated in fed DSS mice (421 +/- 71%; P < 0.01). This increase was attenuated in fasted DSS mice (202 +/- 17%; P < 0.01 compared to fed DSS mice). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA was increased in fed DSS mice (162 +/- 15%; P < 0.01), but was not significantly lower in fasted animals. By in situ hybridization, IL-1 beta mRNA was localized to the lamina propria of colonic mucosa in fed DSS animals, but was not detectable in other groups. We conclude that fasting has a protective effect on the progression of acute DSS, induced colitis. This is associated with decreased expression of IL-1 beta and IGF-I mRNAs in the colon.     

Attitudes of Dublin accident and emergency department doctors and nurses towards the services offered by local general practitioners

We report a case of a depressed patient who received a full course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 2 weeks post four-vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). ECT was well tolerated, and a full remission was induced. In spite of the lack of information in the literature concerning guidelines for administering ECT to a patient with recent postoperative status, we were encouraged by this patient's response. This case suggests that ECT may be considered a viable treatment option for refractory depression associated with severe medical comorbidity and recent post-operative status such as in CABG.     

Chronic orbital hematic cysts: a case for craniofacial correction

Chronic hematic cysts are rare conditions that usually present to the ophthalmic surgeons with displacement of the globe. There is usually no, or minimal, bone involvement. Two patients with unusual presentations of chronic orbital hematic cysts are reported. These cysts resulted in significant expansion and erosion of the bony orbits. The presentation, operative findings, and reconstruction are reported and discussed.     

Outcome in bulimia nervosa

An antigen-coated cloth segment was placed onto a blotting pad. The cloth was blotted with one drop of an antibody sample, immediately washed with five drops of a washing solution, exposed to one drop of an anti-antibody-peroxidase conjugate, washed, and finally exposed to a peroxidase substrate. The colored peroxidase product was determined either visually or colorimetrically with the color intensity being correlated to the antibody concentration. This rapid assay would facilitate field serodiagnosis of human and animal diseases.     

School-screening for scoliosis. A prospective epidemiological study in northwestern and central Greece

A two-year prospective study was done to assess the prevalence and distribution of various parameters associated with scoliosis in schoolchildren in northwestern and central Greece. A total of 82,901 children (41,939 boys and 40,962 girls) who were nine to fourteen years old were screened for scoliosis. Five thousand eight hundred and three children had clinical signs of scoliosis and, of these, 4185 were referred for posteroanterior radiographs (to be made with the patient standing) because they had a positive result on the forward-bending test (a difference of more than five millimeters between the two sides of the torso as measured in the thoracic or thoracolumbar region with use of a ruler and a level plane) at the time of a second screening. The prevalence of scoliosis (defined as a curve of 10 degrees or more) was 1.7 per cent (1436 of 82,901 children), and most of the curves (1255; prevalence, 1.5 per cent) were small (10 to 19 degrees). The ratio of boys to girls was 1:2.1 over-all but varied according to the magnitude of the curve (1:1.5 for curves of less than 10 degrees, 1:2.7 for curves of 10 to 19 degrees, 1:7.5 for curves of 20 to 29 degrees, 1:5.5 for curves of 30 to 39 degrees, and 1:1.2 for curves of 40 degrees or more). Thoracolumbar curves were the most common type of curve identified, followed by lumbar curves; specifically, of the 1436 children who had a curve of at least 10 degrees, 493 (34.3 per cent) had a thoracolumbar curve, 475 (33.1 per cent) had a lumbar curve, 261 (18.2 per cent) had a thoracic curve, and 207 (14.4 per cent) had a double curve. Although most (753) of these curves were to the left, the left:right ratio varied according to the location of the apex of the curve (1:3.1 for thoracic curves, 2.0:1 for thoracolumbar curves, and 3.2:1 for lumbar curves). The cost of the screening process was negligible (estimated at thirty cents per child); however, the decreased number of operative procedures performed in children from the geographical area of our University Hospital, the identification of a large number of previously undiagnosed curves (eleven of which were treated operatively and 170 of which were treated with a brace), and the identification of children who were at high risk for progression were considered important benefits of the school-screening program.     

Determination of uranium in fertilisers using fission track method

Trace contents of uranium in various commercial fertilizers e.g. ureas, superphosphates, diammonium phosphates have been determined using fission track etch technique. The uranium content in ureas varies from .05 to 1.3 mg kg^–1 whereas in superphosphates it varies linearly with phosphate content.