Nalpha-methyl histamine and histamine stimulate gastrin release from rabbit G-cells via histamine H2-receptors

BACKGROUND: Gastrin release by Helicobacter pylori may be an important step in the pathway leading to duodenal ulceration. A histamine H3-receptor agonist was found to release gastrin from antral mucosal fragments; this was interpreted as being due to suppression of somatostatin release. H. pylori is reported to produce Nalpha-methyl histamine (NalphaMH), which is an agonist of H3 as well as other histamine receptors. H. pylori infection also recruits mast cells, which release histamine. AIM: To determine the direct effects of histamine receptor agonists on isolated gastrin cells. METHODS: Rabbit G-cells were prepared by countercurrent elutriation and cultured on 24-well plates. RESULTS: NalphaMH (10-6-10-4 M) caused a dose-dependent increase in gastrin release from a basal level of 2.3 +/- 0.2% total cell content (TCC; mean +/- S.E.M.) to a maximum of 5.1 +/- 0.7%, an increase of 117% (P < 0. 005) above basal. This was abolished by the H2-antagonist ranitidine (10-5 M), but not by immunoblockade with anti-somatostatin antibody, the H1-antagonist chlorpheniramine (10-5 M) or the H3-antagonist thioperamide (10-4 M). The histamine H2-receptor agonist dimaprit (10-6-10-4 M) increased gastrin release from 2.4 +/- 0.2% to 3.6 +/- 0.2% TCC (P < 0.001). Gastrin release was also stimulated by histamine (10-7-10-4 M) from a basal value of 3.0 +/- 0.3% to 5.4 +/- 0.5% TCC (P < 0.001). This also was inhibited by ranitidine (10-5 M) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: NalphaMH and histamine release gastrin from G-cells via H2-receptors; this might contribute to H. pylori-associated hypergastrinaemia.     

Childhood asthma,behavior problems,and family functioning

BACKGROUND: Studies of families of asthmatic children indicate associations between psychological factors and asthma symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We investigated relations between psychosocial factors and the development of respiratory symptoms within a large prospective cohort study. METHODS: The children were prenatally assigned to high, medium, or low risk for asthma development on the basis of parental atopy and family history of allergic disease. When the children were 3 years of age, parents completed the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI), Family Relationships Index (FRI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). RESULTS: Data from 663 participants were analyzed. ECBI intensity scores were significantly higher for children with parentally reported respiratory symptoms. Symptomatic low-risk children (both parents nonatopic, no family history of allergic disease) were particularly likely to have elevated behavior problem ratings. None of the other family psychosocial variables showed this pattern. Child behavior problems were, however, significantly positively correlated with the other family psychosocial variables. Logistic regression indicated that behavior problem scores were associated with 3 or more attacks of wheeze (P =.03, OR = 1.023), irrespective of risk group. CONCLUSIONS: Children at 3 years of age with symptoms suggestive of asthma are at elevated risk of behavior problems. Children from families without a history of asthma and allergic diseases may be particularly vulnerable to behavioral disturbance. Families may benefit from additional advice on management of their child's behavior, particularly if parents do not have the experience of having the illness themselves.     

Can technology and the media help reduce dysfunctional parenting and increase engagement with preventative parenting interventions?

In an evaluation of the television series "Driving Mum and Dad Mad," 723 families participated and were randomly assigned to either a standard or technology enhanced viewing condition (included additional Web-support). Parents in both conditions reported significant improvements from pre- to postintervention in their child's behavior, dysfunctional parenting, parental anger, depression, and self-efficacy. Short-term improvements were maintained at 6-months follow-up. Regressions identified predictors of program outcomes and level of involvement. Parents who watched the entire series had more severe problems at preintervention and high sociodemographic risk than parents who did not watch the entire series. Few sociodemographic, child, or parent variables assessed at preintervention predicted program outcomes or program engagement, suggesting that a wide range of parents from diverse socioeconomic status benefited from the program. Media interventions depicting evidence-based parenting programs may be a useful means of reaching hard to engage families in population-level child maltreatment prevention programs.     

The effect of a child's disability on mother's mental health.

The prevalence of maternal depression was investigated in the mothers of 96 children: 30 premature infants at risk for the development of cerebral palsy; 35 premature infants considered not to be at risk for the development of cerebral palsy; and 31 healthy fullterm infants. There were equally high levels of depression in all three groups of mothers, regardless of birth status, prediction of disability, or presence of actual disability, throughout the first year of the children''s lives. Depressed mothers were, however, found to have significantly more psychosocial stress. An early physiotherapy intervention had no effect on the prevalence of depression in mothers whose children were at risk for the development of cerebral palsy.