Famotidine has no effect on cardiac performance and liver blood flow in the rat

Conflicting results have been reported on the effect of famotidine on cardiac performance and visceral hemodynamics, studied by non-invasive techniques. It is for that reason that we used the radioactive microsphere technique to study the effect of famotidine on cardiac performance in the rat. Hepatic blood flow (HBF) and portal blood flow (PBF) were measured during the same experiment. Rats were either given famotidine (2.0 mg/kg per day) or drinking water for 7 days through an orogastric tube. Administration of famotidine had no effect on cardiac output (CO), HBF, PBF, or liver blood flow (LBF), which is the sum of HBF and PBF. In both groups, LBF consisted of a similar fraction of CO, 14.5±3.9% and 15.7±4.38%, in the control and the famotidine groups, respectively. Pulse rate, systolic pressure and left ventricular contractility were not affected by famotidine. It is concluded that in the rat, administration of famotidine for 7 days has no effect on systemic, hepatic or portal hemodynamics.     

The contribution of bibliotherapy to the counseling of aggressive boys

Abstract

This study investigated the contribution of bibliotherapy to the counseling of aggressive boys by novice counselors in Israel. Counseling for all children was provided within an integrative model (Hill, 2005); bibliotherapy was added as adjunct to the counseling process only in 1 group. Boys from 24 classrooms (3 per class) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: integrative counseling (IC), integrative counseling plus bibliotherapy (ICB), or no counseling. Results of the comparison among the 3 conditions indicated reduced aggression and increased empathy in both IC and ICB conditions compared with the control condition. A difference between IC and ICB conditions was found for empathy and therapist satisfaction, with higher gains in ICB. In the ICB condition, boys also demonstrated higher stages of change (Prochaska, 1999) and had higher frequencies of insight and therapeutic change (Hill, 2005) compared with boys in the IC condition.

Zusammenfassung

Der Beitrag von Bibliotherapie zur Beratung von aggressiven Jungen

Diese Studie untersuchte den Beitrag von Bibliotherapie zur Beratung von aggressiven Jungen durch Beratungsanfänger in Israel. Die Beratung aller Kinder wurde innerhalb der Anwendung eines integrativen Models (Hill, 2005) gegeben. Die Bibliotherapie wurde zusätzlich zum Beratungsprozess nur bei der Gruppe 1 angewendet. Jungen von 24 Klassen (3 aus jeder Klasse) wurden dem Zufall nach einer von drei Bedingungen zugewiesen: Integrative Beratungen (integrative counseling [IC]), integrative Beratungen plus Bibliotherapie (ICB), oder keine Beratung. Die Ergebnisse zum Vergleich zwischen den drei Bedingungen wiesen einen Rückgang der Aggressionen und einen Anstieg von Empathie unter der IC und der ICB Bedingung im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe auf. Ein Unterschied zwischen der IC und der ICB Bedingung wurde für Empathie und Therapeutenzufriedenheit gefunden, mit größeren Anstiegswerten für ICB. Unter der ICB Bedingung zeigten die Jungen auch höhere Veränderungsniveaus (Prochaska, 1999). Im Vergleich zu den Jungen unter der IC Bedingung zeigten sie häufiger Einsicht und therapeutische Veränderung (Hill, 2005).

Résumé

La contribution de la bibliothérapie dans le counseling de garçons agressifs

Cette étude a investigué la contribution de la bibliothérapie dans le counseling de garçons agressifs par des conseillers novices en Israël. Le counseling pour tous les enfants était procuré dans le cadre d'un modèle intégratif (Hill, 2005)?; la bibliothérapie était rajoutée comme un supplément au processus de counseling dans un seul groupe. Des garçons de 24 classes (3 par classe) étaient attribués au hasard à 1 de 3 conditions?: counseling intégratif (CI), counseling intégratif plus bibliothérapie (CIB), pas de counseling. Les résultats comparatifs entre les 3 conditions montrent une agression diminuée et une empathie augmentée dans les conditions CI et CIB par rapport à la condition contrôle. Une différence entre CI et CIB se trouvait pour l'empathie et la satisfaction des thérapeutes, avec des gains supérieurs en CIB. Dans la condition CIB,les garçons montraient aussi des niveaux supérieurs de changement (Prochaska, 1999) et ils avaient plus d'insight et de changement thérapeutique (Hill, 2005) en comparaison avec les garçons de la condition CI..

Resumen

Contribución de la biblioterapia al counseling de jóvenes agresivos

Este estudio investigó la contribución de la biblioterapia al counseling de chicos agresivos realizado por consultores novicios en Israel. Se suministró counseling a todos los chicos dentro de un modelo integrativo (Hill, 2005), y se agregó biblioterapia al proceso en un grupo. En 24 aulas, tres chicos por aula se asignaron al azar a 1 de 3 condiciones: counseling integrativo (IC), counseling integrativo más biblioterapia (ICB) o ningún counseling. Los resultados de la comparación entre las tres condiciones fueron: agresión reducida y aumento de empatía tanto en la IC como en la ICB comparadas con la condición control. Se encontró una diferencia entre la IC y la ICB para la empatía y la satisfacción del terapeuta, con mayores mejorías en la ICB. En esta, los chicos demostraron también niveles mayores de cambio (Prochaska, 1999), mayores frecuencias de insight y de cambio terapéutico (Hill, 2005) en comparación con chicos de la condición IC.

Resumo

As contribuições da biblioterapia para o aconselhamento de rapazes agressivos

Este estudo investigou a contribuição da biblioterapia para o aconselhamento de rapazes agressivos por conselheiros principiantes em Israel. O aconselhamento para todas as crianças foi baseado no modelo integrativo (Hill, 2005); tendo-se adicionado a biblioterapia ao processo de aconselhamento apenas num grupo. Os rapazes de 24 salas (3 de cada sala) foram aleatoriamente distribuídos para uma das três condições: aconselhamento integrativo (IC), aconselhamento integrativo mais biblioterapia (ICB), ou nenhum aconselhamento. Os resultados da comparação entre as 3 condições indicaram redução da agressão e aumento da empatia nas condições de IC e ICB quando comparadas com a condição de controlo. Foi encontrada uma diferença entre as condições de IC e ICB em termos da empatia e satisfação do terapeuta, com maiores ganhos na ICB. Na condição ICB, os rapazes demonstraram maiores estádios de mudança (Prochaska, 1999) e tinham maiores frequências de insight e mudança terapêutica (Hill, 2005) comparados com os rapazes da condição de IC.

Sommario

Il contributo della biblioterapia al counseling di ragazzi aggressivi

Questo studio ha indagato il contributo della biblioterapia al counseling dei ragazzi aggressivi effettuato da counselors principianti in Israele.

Il counseling per tutti i bambini è stato fornito all'interno di un modello integrato (Hill, 2005); la biblioterapia è stata fatta come aggiunta al processo di counseling solo in un gruppo.

I ragazzi di 24 classi (3 per classi) sono stati assegnati casualmente ad 1 di 3 condizioni: counseling integrato (IC), counseling integrato più biblioterapia (ICB) o assenza di counseling.

I risultati del confronto tra le 3 condizioni hanno indicato riduzione di aggressività e incremento di empatia sia nella condizione IC che nella ICB, rispetto alla condizione di controllo. Una differenza tra le condizioni IC e ICB è stata trovata nell'empatia e nella soddisfazione dei terapeuti, con migliori risultati nell'ICB. Nella condizione ICB, inoltre, i ragazzi hanno mostrato più alti stati di cambiamento (Prochaska, 1999) ed avevano più alte frequenze di insight e cambiamento terapeutico (Hill, 2005) rispetto ai ragazzi nella condizione IC.

Abstract

     

A transgenic mouse model expressing exclusively human hemoglobin E: indications of a mild oxidative stress

Hemoglobin (Hb) E (β26 Glu→Lys) is the most common abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) variant in the world. Homozygotes for HbE are mildly thalassemic as a result of the alternate splice mutation and present with a benign clinical picture (microcytic and mildly anemic) with rare clinical symptoms. Given that the human red blood cell (RBC) contains both HbE and excess α-chains along with minor hemoglobins, the consequence of HbE alone on RBC pathophysiology has not been elucidated. This becomes critical for the highly morbid β(E)-thalassemia disease. We have generated transgenic mice exclusively expressing human HbE (HbEKO) that exhibit the known aberrant splicing of β(E) globin mRNA, but are essentially non-thalassemic as demonstrated by RBC α/β (human) globin chain synthesis. These mice exhibit hematological characteristics similar to presentations in human EE individuals: microcytic RBC with low MCV and MCH but normal MCHC; target RBC; mild anemia with low Hb, HCT and mildly elevated reticulocyte levels and decreased osmotic fragility, indicating altered RBC surface area to volume ratio. These alterations are correlated with a mild RBC oxidative stress indicated by enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation, elevated zinc protoporphyrin levels, and by small but significant changes in cardiac function. The C57 (background) mouse and full KO mouse models expressing HbE with the presence of HbS or HbA are used as controls. In select cases, the HbA full KO mouse model is compared but found to be limited due to its RBC thalassemic characteristics. Since the HbEKO mouse RBC lacks an abundance of excess α-chains that would approximate a mouse thalassemia (or a human thalassemia), the results indicate that the observed in vivo RBC mild oxidative stress arises, at least in part, from the molecular consequences of the HbE mutation.     

Tyrphostins suppress the growth of psoriatic keratinocytes

Abstract Tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the tyrphostin family which block EGF receptor kinase are reported to arrest the growth of psoriatic keratinocytes in vitro. Three tyrphostins with the potency ratio AG555 >> AG18 >> AG814 were found to arrest growth with no adverse cytotoxic effects. The potency ratio to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation follows their potency to inhibit EGF receptor kinase activity in vitro. These compounds represent novel leads for the therapy of psoriasis.     

Health financing reform in Kenya - assessing the social health insurance proposal.

Kenya has had a history of health financing policy changes since its independence in 1963. Recently, significant preparatory work was done on a new Social Health Insurance Law that, if accepted, would lead to universal health coverage in Kenya after a transition period. Questions of economic feasibility and political acceptability continue to be discussed, with stakeholders voicing concerns on design features of the new proposal submitted to the Kenyan parliament in 2004. For economic, social, political and organisational reasons a transition period will be necessary, which is likely to last more than a decade. However, important objectives such as access to health care and avoiding impoverishment due to direct health care payments should be recognised from the start so that steady progress towards effective universal coverage can be planned and achieved.     

Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein snippet NAP reduces tau hyperphosphorylation and enhances learning in a novel transgenic mouse model

Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) differentially interacts with chromatin to regulate essential genes. Because complete ADNP deficiency is embryonic lethal, the outcome of partial ADNP deficiency was examined. ADNP(+/-) mice exhibited cognitive deficits, significant increases in phosphorylated tau, tangle-like structures, and neurodegeneration compared with ADNP(+/+) mice. Increased tau hyperphosphorylation is known to cause memory impairments in neurodegenerative diseases associated with tauopathies, including the most prevalent Alzheimer's disease. The current results suggest that ADNP is an essential protein for brain function and plays a role in normal cognitive performance. ADNP-deficient mice offer an ideal paradigm for evaluation of cognitive enhancers. NAP (NAPVSIPQ) is a peptide derived from ADNP that interacts with microtubules and provides potent neuroprotection. NAP treatment partially ameliorated cognitive deficits and reduced tau hyperphosphorylation in the ADNP(+/-) mice. NAP is currently in phase II clinical trials assessing effects on mild cognitive impairment.     

Low serum LDL cholesterol levels and the risk of fever, sepsis, and malignancy

Lipid lowering therapy of serum LDL cholesterol (LDL) has proved beneficial in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Lately the recommended target LDL level in very high risk patients was reduced to <70 mg/dl, raising the question of what the price of such a low level will be. To elucidate this concern, we investigated the associations of low serum LDL cholesterol levels (< or = 70 mg/dl) and the incidences of fever, sepsis, and malignancy. Retrospective analysis of 203 patients' charts was carried out. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 79) had serum LDL levels < or = 70 mg/dl, while Group 2 (n = 124) had levels >70 mg/dl. The first group demonstrated increased odds of hematological cancer by more than 15-fold (OR 15.7, 95% CI 1.78-138.4, p = 0.01). Each 1 mg/dl increase in LDL was associated with a relative reduction of 2.4% in the odds of hematological cancer (OR 0.976, 95% CI 0.956-0.997, p = 0.026). Low LDL levels also increased the odds of fever and sepsis between the groups (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.8-15.7, p = 0.02). In summary, low serum LDL cholesterol level was associated with increased risks of hematological cancer, fever, and sepsis.     

Evaluation of a new immunochromatographic test for Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies in elderly symptomatic patients

Aim: To determine the diagnostic value of a new serum and whole blood serological IgG antibody test, FlexPack HP, for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in elderly symptomatic patients. Methods: 94 consecutive symptomatic patients who underwent upper endoscopy were studied (mean age, 62.6 years). On endoscopy, the presence of H. pylori infection was examined by biopsies from gastric antrum and body for rapid urease test and histologic examination. Blood was drawn prior to endoscopy and both blood and serum were immediately analyzed for human IgG antibodies to H. pylori by a new commercially available qualitative immunochromatographic method, FlexPack HP. This test incorporates high-molecular weight cell-associated proteins (HM-CAP), which are highly specific for H. pylori IgG antibodies. Results: Overall agreement for FlexPack HP whole blood vs FlexPack HP serum was 100%, and agreement with biopsy results was 71%. The gold standard (detection of H. pylori by histology or urease test) identified H. pylori in 61 patients (65%). Complete agreement was observed between the gold standard test and the serology kit in 72% (68/94) of sera (51 positive and 17 negative). Disagreement was found in sera of 26 patients; 16 sera were negative by the gold standard and positive by FlexPack HP and 10 patients were found negative by serology. The sensitivity of FlexPack HP was 84% and the specificity 52% when compared with the gold standard. Conclusions: FlexPack HP serum and whole blood test is a simple and reliable method for the detection of H. pylori antibodies, with 100% agreement between the serum and blood results. In the elderly symptomatic patients the sensitivity of FlexPack HP was similar to that of other serologic tests, but the specificity was relatively low, limiting its use in this population. (Received Jan. 7, 1998; accepted Aug. 28, 1998)