Prevalence and correlates of sleep paralysis in adults reporting childhood sexual abuse

Sleep paralysis (SP) occurs when rapid eye movement (REM) activity and concomitant paralysis of the skeletal muscles persist as an individual awakens and becomes conscious of his/her surroundings. SP is often accompanied by frightening hallucinations that some researchers suggest may be confounded with memories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA; [McNally, R. J., & Clancy, S. A. (2005). Sleep paralysis in adults reporting repressed, recovered, or continuous memories of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 19, 595-602]). The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships between CSA and SP. Based on self-report, participants (n=263) were categorized into three CSA groups: confirmed, unconfirmed, or no history of CSA. Relative to participants reporting no CSA history, those reporting CSA reported more frequent and more distressing episodes of SP. Post hoc analyses revealed that participants with clinically significant post-traumatic symptoms (irrespective of CSA history) also reported more frequent and more distressing episodes of SP. Significant correlations were found among SP indices and measures of post-traumatic symptoms, depression, dissociation, and absorption. Implications and future research directions are discussed.     

Analogues of acifran: agonists of the high and low affinity niacin receptors, GPR109a and GPR109b

Recently identified GPCRs, GPR109a and GPR109b, the high and low affinity receptors for niacin, may represent good targets for the development of HDL elevating drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Acifran, an agonist of both receptors, has been tested in human subjects, yet until recently very few analogs had been reported. We describe a series of acifran analogs prepared using newly developed synthetic pathways and evaluated as agonists for GPR109a and GPR109b, resulting in identification of compounds with improved activity at these receptors.     

Distribution of mutations in the PEX gene in families with X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (HYP)

Mutations in the PEX gene at Xp22.1 (phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases, on the X-chromosome), are responsible for X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (HYP). Homology of PEX to the M13 family of Zn2+ metallopeptidases which include neprilysin (NEP) as prototype, has raised important questions regarding PEX function at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to analyse 99 HYP families for PEX gene mutations, and to correlate predicted changes in the protein structure with Zn2+ metallopeptidase gene function. Primers flanking 22 characterised exons were used to amplify DNA by PCR, and SSCP was then used to screen for mutations. Deletions, insertions, nonsense mutations, stop codons and splice mutations occurred in 83% of families screened for in all 22 exons, and 51% of a separate set of families screened in 17 PEX gene exons. Missense mutations in four regions of the gene were informative regarding function, with one mutation in the Zn2+-binding site predicted to alter substrate enzyme interaction and catalysis. Computer analysis of the remaining mutations predicted changes in secondary structure, N-glycosylation, protein phosphorylation and catalytic site molecular structure. The wide range of mutations that align with regions required for protease activity in NEP suggests that PEX also functions as a protease, and may act by processing factor(s) involved in bone mineral metabolism.      

Antiangiogenic potential of camptothecin and topotecan

Purpose: To determine the inhibitory nature of sublethal doses of camptothecin (CPT) and topotecan (TPT) treatments on normal human endothelial cells in vitro, as well as the in vivo antiangiogenic activity as compared to another antiangiogenic compound, TNP-470 and to a nonspecific cytotoxic agent, cisplatin. Methods: Growth inhibition was determined by the crystal violet assay to measure relative cell numbers. ³H-thymidine uptake was used to determine the inhibitory effect of CPT and TPT on DNA synthesis in vitro. Cell viability was determined using trypan blue exclusion assays. Cell cycle response to CPT was determined by flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide-stained nuclei. In vivo inhibition of angiogenesis was determined by the disc angiogenesis system (DAS), where surgical sponge discs were placed subcutaneously in the rat dorsum and the ability of systemic treatment with liposomal CPT (LCPT), TPT, TNP-470 or cisplatin to inhibit vascular growth into the discs was evaluated. Quantitation of vascular growth was determined using toluidine blue staining of sectioned discs followed by digital image analysis. Results: Treatment with 50 nM CPT or TPT inhibited human umbilical venular endothelial cell (HUVEC) growth as shown by crystal violet staining, but was not cytotoxic to the cells. This was evidenced by the fact that cell numbers did not increase or decrease with treatment, but remained static while cells were viable for over 96 h posttreatment. ³H-thymidine uptake in HUVEC was inhibited as early as 5 min, reached a maximum inhibition at 24 h and lasted over 96 h posttreatment. Cell cycle analysis of CPT-treated HUVEC showed arrest in S-phase at 12 h with a concurrent decrease in population of cells in G₁. Accumulation of cells at the G₂/M-phase was discernible at 24 h along with the S-phase inhibition. Treatment of rats with 1 mg/kg LCPT or TPT every other day for 14 days resulted in approximately 30% inhibition of vascular growth into the discs. This inhibition was similar to the inhibition seen with TNP-470, an established and potent angiogenic inhibitor. In contrast, cisplatin was not as effective in inhibiting vascular growth into the discs. Conclusions: In this work we showed that CPT and TPT inhibit human endothelial cell growth in vitro in a non-cytotoxic manner and that this inhibition lasts more than 96 h after drug removal. We also showed that LCPT and TPT, unlike a nonspecific cytotoxic agent, cisplatin, are as effective as TNP-470 in inhibiting angiogenic growth in the in vivo disc angiogenesis model. From this observation we propose that in addition to their proven tumoricidal activities, camptothecins may have an indirect in vivo antitumor effect mediated through the inhibition of angiogenesis. Received: 1 October 1998 / Accepted: 8 March 1999     

Evaluation of the efficacy of minocycline therapy for staphylococcal soft-tissue infection

Ten patients with soft-tissue infections due to Staphylococcus aureus were treated with minocycline, a semisynthetic tetracycline with potent in vitro antistaphylococcal effects. Serum concentrations averaged three to five times the concentration of minocycline required to inhibit growth of S. aureus in vitro. Clearing of the infecting organism was slow (less than 50% of lesions were sterile on day 10 of therapy), but clinical improvement was noted in 8 of 10 patients.     

Intratemporal vascular tumors: detection with CT and MR imaging

The diagnostic contributions of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were compared in 12 patients with benign intratemporal vascular tumors (hemangioma or vascular malformation). The tumors included six in the internal acoustic canal and six in the geniculate ganglion region. Clinical and histologic correlations were made. Two of the six patients with tumors in the internal acoustic canal underwent CT, and both required gas cisternography to show the tumor. Five patients in that group underwent MR imaging, and all five studies showed the tumor. All six patients with geniculate ganglion tumors underwent CT. Results in one study were questionable, and five showed the tumor. Five patients in this group underwent MR imaging, but the MR findings were positive in only two cases. MR imaging should therefore be performed before CT in the evaluation of facial nerve dysfunction, as it demonstrated all tumors in the internal acoustic canal and some in the geniculate ganglion region. If MR findings are negative, CT should then be performed to rule out a possible geniculate ganglion lesion.     

长鞭红景天化学成分的研究

长鞭红景天化学成分的研究彭江南，葛永潮，李晓晖（军事医学科学院放射医学研究所，北京１００８５０）红景天是滋补强壮药物，目前正引起人们极大的兴趣，现已有一些产品上市。我们曾对数种红景天的化学成分进行过研究［１～４］。长鞭红景天（Ｒｈｏｄｉｏｌａｆａｓｔ...     

A Literature Review on Distance Knowledge Exchange in Healthcare Groups: What Can We Learn From the ICT Literature?

As healthcare groups continue to communicate and collaborate at a distance on knowledge exchange activities, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has come to play an increasingly important role in supporting such interactions. However, to date, the literature on knowledge exchange appears disconnected from that of ICT. Research on the effects of ICT on knowledge exchange activities is needed. The literature review explores the potential impacts ICTs can have on knowledge exchange groups, and especially, the social interaction process. A discussion of how ICTs could impact the social interaction process of knowledge exchange activities is made.