Aqueous humor cytokine profile in patients with chronic uveitis

There is increasing evidence that cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of cytokines in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with chronic idiopathic uveitis (CU). Patients with uveitis (n=10) were compared to those undergoing cataract surgery (n=1) for non-inflammatory eye diseases. ELISA's for the detection of cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α) in aqueous humor were developed that allowed the measurement of multiple cytokines present in low concentrations. Interleukin-6 was found to be elevated in the aqueous humor of two patients (20%) with CU, but in none of the controls. Interleukin-1-α, Interleukin-2 and TNF-α were not detected in the AH of patients or controls. TGF-? was detected in the aqueous of all patients and controls, using a bioassay.     

Health effects of chronic high exposure to hexachlorobenzene in a general population sample

Hexachlorobenzene, an organochlorine compound that accumulates in humans, is widespread throughout the environment. In this study, we describe the health status of inhabitants of a rural village that surrounds an electrochemical factory characterized by high levels of hexachlorobenzene in the air. During 1994, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 1 800 inhabitants in the south of Catalonia, Spain, who were older than 14 y of age. We obtained information on lifestyles and occupational and medical histories via questionnaire. Self-reported health outcomes were validated against clinical records and cancer registry data. Serum levels of hexachlorobenzene were very high in males who worked in the electrochemical factory (geometric mean = 54.6 ng/ml in randomized participants). Levels were lower among subjects who had never worked in the electrochemical factory (females, 14.9 ng/ml; males, 9.0 ng/ml). Levels of other organochlorine compounds (i.e., beta-hexachlorocy-clohexane, 2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]-1,1-dichloroethylene) were in the same range found in other communities. Perceived health, prevalence of self-reported common chronic conditions, and porphyria cutanea tarda, thyroid pathology, Parkinson's disease, cancer, and reproductive outcomes were within the ranges observed in other studies. Employment in the plant, however, was associated with having any of the a priori selected health outcomes that were potentially related to exposure to hexachlorobenzene (odds ratio for cancer prevalence = 1.9; 95% confidence interval = 0.5, 7.6). Our population of workers and nonworkers had the highest levels of hexachlorobenzene ever described. The results suggest that exposure to hexachlorobenzene did not affect the general health status of the this population, but it was associated with specific health effects of the most highly exposed subjects.     

Interventional Radiology for Treating Soft Tissue Sarcomas

The role of interventional radiology for soft tissue sarcomas is only occasionally addressed in the literature. However, different techniques such as embolization, selective chemotherapy, chemoembolization, and acrylic cement osteoplasty can be helpful with the primary tumor, recurrences, and metastases. This article discusses these techniques and their complications in treatment of soft tissue sarcomas.     

Unhealthy eating behaviour in adolescents

In recent years, eating disorders (Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa) have increased and are appearing at increasingly younger ages. They affect predominantly adolescent females 12 to 25 years of age. The objective of this study of adolescents is to detect and discuss unhealthy eating behaviour, defined by either of two factors: (1) following a slimming diet not advised or supervised by any person trained in health care; or (2) eating very large quantities at irregular times, not related to anxiety or stress. A transversal study has been undertaken of 630 school children of 14–18 years of age (average: 15.9 years) in Cádiz (Andalucia, Spain), using an anonymous self-reporting questionnaire to collect data on personal and educational situation, on eating habits, on nutritive intake and knowledge of nutrition, and on dieting and physical exercise. The study has considered averages, ratios, statistical significance (x ²) and, as a measure of risk, the Disequality Ratio of Prevalence (DRP). Anomalous eating behaviour was detected in 46.3% (292), with females predominant by a ratio of 2:1. Comparing groups with anomalous and with normal eating habits, significant differences were detected in respect of: perception of body image (p<0.001), frequency of weighing oneself (p<0.05), periods of abstinence from eating (DRP 1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66–2.37), provocation of vomiting (DRP 2.02; 95% CI: 1.13–3.65), use of laxatives (DRP 4.25; 95% CI: 1.08–9.63), and the exclusion of certain meals and types of food, mainly bread and cereals, fats and sugars. Conclusions are drawn on the substantial scale of unhealthy eating behaviour among adolescents in Cadiz. More adequate education on personal health and related social issues should be provided.     

Mutational specificity of aflatoxin B1. Comparison of in vivo host-mediated assay with in vitro S9 metabolic activation

An intrasanguineous host-mediated assay was used to determinethe pattern of mutagenesis induced by the carcinogen aflatoxinBl in the lacl gene of Escherichia coli recovered from rat liver.To investigate the influence of different types of metabolicactivation, the mutation spectrum induced by AFB1 activatedin vitro by a commercially prepared S9 microsomal fraction fromAroclor 1254-treated rats was also obtained. A total of 281forward mutations affecting the N-terminal region of the laclgene were characterized by DNA sequencing analysis. AFB1 inducedsimilar type of mutations with similar site specificity whenactivated by the standard S9 fraction or by employing a rathost-mediated assay. These results indicate the ability of thein vitro S9 fraction to mimic the in vivo metabolism, suggestingthat the same active metabolite, presumably AFB1 8, 9-epoxide,is responsible for generating a similar pattern of DNA damage,as reflected in the similarity of mutational spectra. For bothactivation systems, most mutations (>90%) were base substitutionsthat occurred primarily at G: C pairs. Somewhat over one-halfof G: C targeted substitutions were GC>TA transversions,other mutations being evenly divided between G: C>AT transitionsand GC>CG trans-versions. The mutational specificity exhibitedby activated AFB1 can be explained by incorporation of differentbases opposite a single type of non-instructive lesion duringerror-prone DNA synthesis. To what extent the mutations aredue to the main adduct (AFB1-N7-Gua), its imidazole-ring-openedderivative or an apurinic site remains unknown.     

Measures of body composition. Their relationship to blood pressure and use in epidemiologic research.

The association between "overweight" and increased risk of high blood pressure has long been recognized. The quantification of overweight into various aspects of body composition and the relationships of these aspects to blood pressure remain important areas of current research. The manner in which adipose tissue is distributed over the body is proving to be another important risk factor. Methodologies for assessing body composition include a variety of approaches commonly used in epidemiologic studies, ranging from simple indices (e.g., body mass index) to estimation of total body fat mass from equations based on skinfolds and other anthropometry, to newer approaches incorporating bioelectric impedance. Refined laboratory methods for assessing body composition are important in the study of small groups and in the development of predictive equations. These refined methods include the traditional approaches of hydrostatic weighing and K40 determinations, as well as newer improvements on these techniques incorporating estimates of bone mineral content and total body water. Other new sophisticated methodologies include dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. The approach to assessing body composition may vary among age groups; methodologies applicable to children may not work for the elderly.     

"Gastrin" and "CCK" receptors on histamine- and somatostatin-containing cells from rabbit fundic mucosa-II. Characterization by means of selective antagonists (L-364,718 and L-365,260).

In the preceding paper, by means of selective agonists to gastrin (HG-17) and cholecystokinin (CCK-39), we evidenced the existence of "gastrin-type" receptors that could regulate histamine release and "CCK-type" receptors that could stimulate somatostatin release in isolated rabbit fundic non-parietal cells (F1 cells). Furthermore, these receptors could induce phosphoinositide breakdown. To confirm the involvement of these receptor types in these biological and biochemical processes, we used selective antagonists, L-364,718 (3-(benzoylamino)-benzodiazepine) specific to "CCK-A-type" receptor and L-365,260 (3-(acylamino)-benzodiazepine) specific to "gastrin/CCK-B-type" receptor. Neither L-364,718 nor L-365,260 alone caused any significant stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]InsP) production and release of histamine or somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI). Each analogue inhibited in a dose-dependent manner [125I]HG-17 or [125I]CCK-39 binding to F1 cells, [3H]InsP accumulation and histamine and SLI release stimulated by HG-17 or CCK-39. L-365,260 appeared to be 30-70 times more potent than L-364,718 in inhibiting [125I]HG-17 binding to F1 cells, as well as HG-17-induced [3H]InsP accumulation and HG-17-or CCK-39-enhanced histamine release (IC50 values: approximately 5-20 nM for L-365,260 and approximately 200-1500 nM for L-364,718). In contrast, L-364,718 was 200 to 400 times more potent than L-365,260 in inhibiting [125I]CCK-39 binding to F1 cells, CCK-39-induced [3H]-InsP accumulation and SLI release stimulated by CCK-39 or HG-17 (IC50 values: approximately 0.3-1 nM for L-364,718 and 100-200 nM for L-365,260). These results led to conclude: (i) the existence of a "gastrin-type" receptor related to histamine release: (ii) the existence of a "CCK-A-type" receptor related to somatostatin release; (iii) the existence of "gastrin type" and "CCK-A-type" receptors linked to the phosphoinositide breakdown pathway.     

Spiritual care of the person with AIDS. Literature and art can touch closed hearts

Spiritual ministers, challenged to find meaningful ways to heal the hearts of persons with AIDS, are turning to some untraditional sources for help. Poetry, art, and stories are among the creative instruments for healing that pastoral ministers are bringing to the bedsides of the terminally ill. The story is the primary tool of spiritual care. Spiritual ministers working with persons with AIDS and their families should elicit and listen to their stories, which serve multiple purposes. Telling the stories is therapeutic for the person with AIDS. For the minister, the stories identify areas that need reconciliation, as well as those which call for celebration. Finally, when the time is right, the minister can tell another story, one that offers consolation and hope to the afflicted. Ritual is another tool of spiritual care. Just as the concrete image symbolizes the spiritual reality, so, too, does ritual facilitate or help celebrate spiritual healing. The Bible is a rich source of ideas for creative ritual. Other effective tools are art, drama, poetry, guided meditations, and dreams. In the hands of sensitive care givers, they are instruments of spiritual healing.