Interleukin-2, its soluble receptor,and soluble T8 antigen in acute ischemic stroke

The treatment of neoplasia with interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be complicated by neurological deficits resembling transient Ischemic attack and stroke. We investigated whether interleukin-2 contributes to the natural course of cerebrovascular ischemia and particularly to the pathogenesis of infection-associated stroke. Plasma levels of interleukin-2 were below the level of detectability in almost all measurements. Patients with and without previous infection (n = 11, 805 ±445 U/ml vs n = 19, 824 ± 501 U/ml) did not have significantly higher levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors than control subjects with (n = 14, 667 ± 229 U/ml) or without vascular risk factors (n = 17, 567 ± 176 U/ml). Receptor levels increased in patients during the first week after stroke (n = 15, 1157 ± 1013, p < 0.02). Levels of soluble T8 antigen (sT8) were higher in patients (n – 26, 320 ± 112 U/ml) than in healthy control subjects (n = 15, 246 ± 92 U/ml; p < 0.05) and sT8 levels increased during the first week after stroke (p < 0.05). These results reflect an immunological response to the cerebral infarct; they do not indicate a general role of the IL-2 system in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke with or without previous infection.     

Flow cytometry analysis of platelet antibodies

We have devised assays to detect both circulating alloantibodies to platelets (indirect assay) and platelet-association IgG and IgM (direct assay) using a flow cytometric technique. A variety of patients with immune thrombocytopenia were studied. Employment of a confocal lens in the flow cytometer increased the discrimination power of the instrument. Patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (idiopathic thrombocytic purpura [ITP], systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lymphoma, leukemia, and drug-induced thrombocytopenia showed a significant increase in platelet-associated antibody. Circulating antibodies to platelets (alloantibodies) were demonstrated in cases of platelet refractoriness and neonatal isoimmune purpura. Day-today precision of the assays ranged from 3% to 6% (coefficient of variation). No interference was shown in the presence of hemoglobin (5 g/L), triglycerides (10 g/L), or polyclonal and monoclonal immunoglobulinemia (50 g/L: IgG, IgA, IgM). The sensitivity of the direct assay was 500 attograms of IgG or IgM platelet.     

An analysis of the deep social structure preventing the development of a national policy for children and families in the United States

The United States is one of the few economically developed nations without a national policy supporting children and their families. This paper suggests that the United States has a unique national ideology, based on the “Calvinistic Ethic,” which results in opposition to not only social programs for children and families, but to all government supported welfare programs. Such an ethic is not found in European countries. Finally, since the United States does not have a national family policy, millions of children and their families go without health care, lack social services, and suffer from inadequate economic supports.     

Muscle growth and myosin isoform transitions during development of a small teleost fish, Poecilia reticulata (Peters) (Atheriniformes, Poeciliidae): a histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric study

The myosin composition of lateral muscle in Poecilia reticulata from birth to adult was studied by ATPase histochemistry and immunostaining with myosin isoform-specific antibodies. At birth the muscle consists of two layers containing developmental isoforms of myosin. In deep layer fibres the developmental myosin is replaced by the adult fast-white isoform soon after birth. In the epaxial and hypaxial monolayer fibres the myosin composition present at birth (J1) is replaced within 3 days by another (J2). In some fibres, this J2 composition is retained in the adult, but in others it is slowly replaced by the adult slow-red muscle isoform. Close to the lateral line, all monolayer fibres are already in transition between the J2 myosin and the adult slow-red form at birth, and rapidly complete the transition to slow-red form. These fibres, together with others generated de novo in an underlying hyperplastic zone, form the red muscle layer of the adult. The pink muscle develops during the first month after birth, and by 31 days it consists of an outer, middle and inner layer. A few middle layer fibres are already present at birth, while the outer layer fibres first appear 3 days after birth. The thin inner layer is probably a transitional form between the middle pink and adult white types, and appears at about 31 days. A morphometric analysis showed that growth of the white muscle occurs principally by hypertrophy. Even at the magnification level of the electron microscope, no satellite cells or myoblasts which could give rise to new fibres were found in the white muscle, except in the far epaxial and hypaxial regions and only in the first 10 days. A zone of hyperplastic growth was also found lying just under the superficial monolayer close to the lateral line, and this presumably contributes fibres to the red and pink muscle layers.     

适应社会主义市场经济 发展妇幼保健机构

本文在分析黑龙江省妇幼保健机构设置现状的基础上,论述了在社会主义市场经济新形势下,妇幼保健机构发展的指导思想、模式与对策。     

Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-5 augments eosinophilic airway inflammation in mice

BACKGROUND: Enhanced expression of the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-5 might be of therapeutic benefit for T-helper type 2 (Th2) dominant diseases, as its expression is reported to result in a reduction of Th2 differentiation in vitro due to the inhibition of IL-4 signalling. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory role of SOCS-5 in vivo, we explored the phenotype of an experimental asthma model developed in SOCS-5 transgenic (Tg) mice. METHODS: The SOCS-5 Tg mice or wild-type (WT) mice were sensitized and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). We examined bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung specimens, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine. RESULTS: The production of IFN-gamma by CD4(+) T cells from unprimed SOCS-5 Tg mice was significantly increased in comparison with unprimed wild-type mice, indicating that SOCS-5 Tg mice have a Th1-polarizing condition under natural conditions. However, in an asthma model, significantly more eosinophils in the airways and higher levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF were observed in the SOCS-5 Tg than the wild-type mice. AHR in the asthma model of SOCS-5 Tg was also more enhanced than that of wild-type mice. OVA-stimulated CD4(+) T cells from the primed SOCS-5 Tg mice produced significantly more IL-5 and IL-13 than CD4(+) T cells from wild-type mice. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the overexpression of SOCS-5 does not inhibit Th2 response, but rather augments the phenotype of the asthma model in vivo. This finding throws into question the therapeutic utility of using enhancement of SOCS-5 expression for Th2-dominant disease.     

FRACTURE OF ABUTMENT SCREW SUPPORTING A CEMENTED IMPLANT-RETAINED PROSTHESIS WITH EXTERNAL HEXAGON CONNECTION: A CASE REPORT WITH SEM EVALUATION

One of the causes of implant failures in cemented implant-retained prostheses is the fracture of abutment screw or UCLA abutment. This article reports a case of simultaneous fracture of two UCLA abutments screws occurring in an implant-supported prosthesis placed in the mandibular molar region. The fractured structures were examined under scanning electron microscopy to investigate the probable causes of the failure, which were not related to failures on materials or fabrication of the screws, but rather were due to shear forces. The misfit in cemented prostheses may be the most likely cause of shear force generation.     

Risk factors for coronary heart disease among inpatients who have mild intellectual disability and mental illness

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK. The aim of this study was to screen inpatients with mild or borderline intellectual disability, many of whom also have mental illness, for risk factors for CHD. Methods Cross sectional survey. Participants were interviewed, measured and had blood samples taken. Results Of the 53 participants, 20 (37.7%) were overweight and 18 (34.0%) obese. The mean body mass index (BMI) of those participants prescribed regular antipsychotics was higher than those who were not. Nine (20.9%) had waist circumference measurements placing them at increased risk of CHD and 21 (48.8%) were at substantially increased risk. Twenty-eight (52.8%) were current smokers. Of the 49 participants who had their blood pressure measured, 3 (6.1%) had readings above the reference range. Of the 19 participants who had random blood tests, one (5.3%) had an elevated cholesterol level. Conclusions In this population there was a high prevalence of two risk factors for CHD (obesity and smoking), requiring ongoing monitoring and long-term measures to reduce risk.     

Are Continuity Clinic Patients Less Satisfied When the Resident Is Postcall?

Due to recent public debate and newly imposed resident work hour restrictions, we decided to investigate the relationship of resident call status to their ambulatory patients' satisfaction. Resident continuity clinic patients were asked to rate their level of satisfaction on a 10-point Likert-type scale. Using multiple regression approaches, these data were then assessed as a function of resident call status. We found that in 646 patient encounters, patient satisfaction scores were significantly less when the resident was postcall, 8.99 ± 1.8, than when not postcall, 9.31 ± 1.3. We herein discuss etiologies and implications of these findings for both patient care and medical education.     

Structured treatment and teaching of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired cognitive function--the DICOF trial.

BACKGROUND: Patient education is integral part of any diabetes therapy in Germany, but elderly patients are not able to follow the variety of topics comprising standard treatment and teaching programmes (TTP), primarily due to impaired neuropsychological function. This leads to deficits in diabetes knowledge and hindered ability for diabetes self-management. AIM: To evaluate structured TTP for geriatric patients with impaired cognitive function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A neuropsychological examination was performed on all patients over 54 years [n=102, age 68.6 +/- 8.7 years, diabetes duration 10.3 (0.03-35.4) years, HbA1c 10.3 +/- 1.7% (HPLC, Diamat, NR 4.5-6.3%), cognitive function 87.7 +/- 12.3 IQ points] who took part in TTP for insulin therapy. Patients with impaired cognitive function participated either in the standard TTP of Berger [n = 35, age 67.6 +/- 8.9 years, diabetes duration 9.9 (0.04-35.4) years, HbA1c 10.3 +/- 2.0%] or in the specialized structured geriatric DICOF-TTP [n=33, age 70.4 +/- 8.2 years, diabetes duration 10.4 (0.03-24.9) years, HbA1c 10.7 +/- 1.8%]. RESULTS: After TTP there were no differences in knowledge and ability for diabetes self-management (standard/DICOF: knowledge 11.0 +/- 2.6 vs. 12.2 +/- 2.7 points, P = 0.11; handling 14.9 +/- 3.3 vs. 15.9 +/- 2.5 points, P = 0.18). However, patients who took part in the DICOF programme showed better scores in satisfaction with the education programme [standard/DICOF 44.7 (31-57) vs. 52.5 (45-59) points, P < 0.001]. Six months later the DICOF participants showed better results regarding diabetes self-management (standard/DICOF: handling 12.5 +/- 4.1 vs. 15.9 +/- 3.1 points, P = 0.001). Both groups showed HbA1c decrease (8.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 8.5 +/- 1.3%, P=0.62) and similar incidence of acute complications. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with impaired cognitive function should take part in specialized structured TTP. This leads to both better satisfaction with the education programme and an improved ability for diabetes self-management.