Drinking behavior of female nursing students and stress factors related problem drinking]

The survey was done to clarify how the behavior of drinking alcoholic beverages of female nursing students relates to the stress they feel in their school life. The questionnaires were sent to 337 female students of two nursing schools located in metropolitan area. Students were asked to reply the questions of Adolescent Alcohol Involvement Scale (AAIS), and other questions related to their smoking habits and stress felt in their school life. Alcohol misusers who scored 42 points or more on AAIS were 13.7% of the valid respondents and non-drinkers and those who scored 19 and under on the scale were 4.1%. Those who drink more than over per week accounted for 12.0%, and those who have more than 3 drinks at one time accounted for 61.5%. Those who experienced alcohol drinking during childhood replied that this was encouraged by their parents. Those parents were found to be very generous about children's drinking at home later. The analysis of stress factors in students' life in relation to drinking behavior revealed that the students with scores on AAIS above 42 tended to show less eagerness in studying, and that clinical practice and report writing did not give than much stress.     

Albumin thiol oxidation and serum protein carbonyl formation are progressively enhanced with advancing stages of chronic kidney disease

Background  Oxidative stress is enhanced in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and recognized as a main contributor to cardiovascular disease. Carbonyl stress is also known to be enhanced in advanced CKD; however the precise relationship between oxidative stress and carbonyl stress is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate potential relationships between oxidative stress, carbonyl stress, and renal function among predialysis patients with CKD. Methods  A total of 32 predialysis CKD patients (22 male, 10 female) were divided into four groups according to their values for creatinine clearance (Ccr) (group A, ≥60 ml/min; group B, 45–59 ml/min; group C, 30–44 ml/min; group D, ≤29 ml/min). As main markers of oxidative and carbonyl stresses, the redox state of Cys-34 (free thiol group) of human serum albumin [HSA(Cys-34)-redox] and the carbonyl content of serum proteins were employed, respectively. Results  The values for the fraction of both reversibly oxidized HSA [f(HNA-1)] and irreversibly oxidized HSA [f(HNA-2)] significantly increased with a decrease in renal function (group A, 21.0 ± 3.4 and 1.8 ± 0.3%; group D, 31.1 ± 4.1 and 2.7 ± 0.9%, respectively). The value for carbonyl content also significantly increased with a decrease in renal function (group A, 0.7 ± 0.1 nmol/mg protein; group D, 1.1 ± 0.2 nmol/mg protein). There was a significant positive correlation between carbonyl content and the f(HNA-2) value, while such a correlation was not observed between carbonyl content and the f(HNA-1) value, suggesting that there is a close relationship between serum protein carbonylation and irreversible albumin thiol oxidation. Conclusions  There is a close relationship between oxidative stress and carbonyl stress and these are enhanced in correlation with the level of renal dysfunction among predialysis CKD patients.     

Characterization ofcpd-1 andcpd-2 mutants which affect the activity of orthophosphate regulated cyclic phosphodiesterase inNeurospora

Summary Enzymatic and genetic characterization ofcpd-1 andcpd-2, which exhibit rhythmic conidiation in liquid media and on solid media, were described with band (bd) strain as a reference.Cpd-1 andcpd-2 showed reduced growth in orthophosphate-free cyclic 3,5-AMP media, whilebd showed wild-type level of growth in the media. In low-phosphate media,cpd-1 andcpd-2 produced 19.2% and 9.8% of orthophosphate-regulated cyclic phosphodiesterase (cPDase) in culture media, while bd produced 123%. The intracellular levels of cPDase with K_m of 1 × 10^–5 M in high-phosphate media incpd-1, cpd-2 and bd were about 20%, 15%, and 10% of that in wild-type, respectively. In low-phosphate media, roughly equal levels of cPDase with K_m of 1 × 10^–5 M were produced in all strains, whereas the production of cPDase with K_m of 2 × 10^–3 M was reduced incpd-2, and that of cPDase with K_m of 1 × 10^–2 was reduced incpd-1 andcpd-2. The levels of intracellular cyclic 3,5-AMP incpd-1, cpd-2, andbd in high-phosphate media were 13.1%, 10.1%, and 69.6% of that in wild-type. Adenylate cyclase activity incpd-1, cpd-2, bd, andcr-1 was 69.3%, 34.0%, 63.2%, and 20.3% of that of wild-type (74A). The levels of Mg⁺⁺-stimulated cyclic phosphodiesterase incpd-1, cpd-2, bd, andcr-1 at 0.2M cyclic 3,5-AMP were 199%, 137%, 329%, and 293% of that of wild-type. It was suggested thatcpd-1, cpd-2, andbd are the genes controlling the levels of enzymes for cyclic 3,5-AMP.Cpd-I was mapped on LG IVR 19.4% distal topyr-2 andcpd-2 was mapped on LG IL 5.6% proximal toarg-1.     

The locus coeruleus noradrenergic system in the rat brain studied by dual-probe microdialysis

A dual-probe microdialysis technique was applied to the locus coeruleus (LC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the brain of conscious rats. One probe was implanted close to the LC and was used to apply receptor-specific compounds by retrograde microdialysis. The effects of the LC infusions were recorded by a sampling noradrenaline by a second probe that was implanted in the ipsilateral prefrontal cortex. Infusion of sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (1 μM: 90 min) into the LC decreased extracellular noradrenaline in the PFC to ≈ 20% of control values. Infusion of α₂-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (100 μM, infused during 15 or 45 min) near to the LC, decreased extracellular noradrenaline in the PFC to 35 and 20% of controls, respectively. These results indicate that > 80% of the extracellular levels of noradrenaline in the PFC is derived from LC intervation, and confirms the importance of α₂-autoreceptors on noradrenergic neurons in the LC. Infusion of the cholinergic receptor agonist, carbachol (100 μM, 45 min) near to the LC increased extracellular noradrenaline in the PFC to ≈ 150% of controls. Infusions of the excitatory amino-acid agonists NMDA and kainate into the LC caused marked increases in extracellular noradrenaline in the PFC to 240 and 200% of controls, respectively. The experiments with clonidine, carbachol, NMDA and kainate were repeated in anesthetized rats. Clonidine and carbachol were similarly effective as in conscious animals but the effects of NMDA and kainate on extracellular noradrenaline in the PFC were clearly suppressed: 145 and 130% of controls, respectively. These results suggest that increased arousal or behavioural activation might have contributed to the increases in extracellular noradrenaline that was seen after infusion of the glutamate agonists. These results also provide evidence for localization of cholinergic-, NMDA-, non-NMDA-receptor on noradrenergic neurons in the LC. Finally it is concluded that dual-probe microdialysis is a useful method to further investigate the pharmacology of LC-noradrenergic neurons. Carbachol and clonidine are suitable tools for a rapid and reversible stimulation or inhibition, respectively, of noradrenergic LC neurons.     

Effects of psoriatic sera on the generation of oxygen intermediates by normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes

The effects of psoriatic sera were investigated on the generation of oxygen intermediates (OIs) by normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). Although increased superoxide generation was noted, a further respiratory burst of the PMns was significantly suppressed. Since superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities of the sera assayed in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system were comparable to the controls, it still remains obscure why this dissociation occurs. It is suggested that increased generation of superoxide anion from the PMNs may be another facet of PMN activation which plays an important role in the psoriatic process.     

Ethanol Injection for Ablation of an Intractable Digestive Tract Fistula: Report of a Case

We successfully occluded an intractable digestive tract fistula by injecting it with absolute ethanol after all other treatments failed. A 48-year-old man suffered from a complex and relapsing digestive tract fistula after curative surgery for advanced colon cancer invading the pancreas and duodenum. After conservative management by fasting, drainage, and irrigation failed, fibrin glue infusion achieved only transient occlusion. We performed surgical repair and he was discharged from hospital, at which time fistulography showed no fistula. However, 1 month later fistulography showed that the fistula had recurred and involved the transverse colon, stomach, and intrahepatic bile duct via the jejunum. Finally, we gave five injections of absolute ethanol into the fistula, which resulted in complete occlusion within 6 months. Considering its clinical efficacy, safety, and cost efficiency, we think that ethanol sclerotherapy is a feasible treatment for intractable digestive tract fistula when conservative therapy fails.     

Iliac Lymph Node Metastasis of an Unknown Primary Tumor: Report of a Case

Metastasis to the lymph nodes around the iliac vessels from cancer of an unknown primary (CUP) tumor has not yet been reported in either the English or Japanese literature and it is therefore described herein for the first time. The patient was a 70-year-old woman with persistent right leg edema. Computed tomography (CT) displayed a mass around the iliac vessels while physical, laboratory, and other imaging examination did not show any other tumor. Preoperatively diagnosed as a retroperitoneal tumor, the patient underwent a tumor resection, but a histopathological examination revealed the tumor to be poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Only residual lymph nodes in the pelvis were detected by postoperative fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. Neither a primary lesion nor any signs of recurrence were demonstrated for 13 months after radiotherapy for the residual nodes. We herein discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of this less common CUP.     

Evaluation of the Total Design Method in a survey of Japanese dentists

Background  

This study assessed the application of the Total Design Method (TDM) in a mail survey of Japanese dentists. The TDM was chosen because survey response rates in Japan are unacceptably low and the TDM had previously been used in a general population survey.     

Cytokinetically quiescent (G0/G1) human multiple myeloma cells are susceptible to simultaneous inhibition of Chk1 and MEK1/2

Effects of Chk1 and MEK1/2 inhibition were investigated in cytokinetically quiescent multiple myeloma (MM) and primary CD138(+) cells. Coexposure to the Chk1 and MEK1/2 inhibitors AZD7762 and selumetinib (AZD6244) robustly induced apoptosis in various MM cells and CD138(+) primary samples, but spared normal CD138(-) and CD34(+) cells. Furthermore, Chk1/MEK1/2 inhibitor treatment of asynchronized cells induced G(0)/G(1) arrest and increased apoptosis in all cell-cycle phases, including G(0)/G(1). To determine whether this regimen is active against quiescent G(0)/G(1) MM cells, cells were cultured in low-serum medium to enrich the G(0)/G(1) population. G(0)/G(1)-enriched cells exhibited diminished sensitivity to conventional agents (eg, Taxol and VP-16) but significantly increased susceptibility to Chk1 ± MEK1/2 inhibitors or Chk1 shRNA knock-down. These events were associated with increased γH2A.X expression/foci formation and Bim up-regulation, whereas Bim shRNA knock-down markedly attenuated lethality. Immunofluorescent analysis of G(0)/G(1)-enriched or primary MM cells demonstrated colocalization of activated caspase-3 and the quiescent (G(0)) marker statin, a nuclear envelope protein. Finally, Chk1/MEK1/2 inhibition increased cell death in the Hoechst-positive (Hst(+)), low pyronin Y (PY)-staining (2N Hst(+)/PY(-)) G(0) population and in sorted small side-population (SSP) MM cells. These findings provide evidence that cytokinetically quiescent MM cells are highly susceptible to simultaneous Chk1 and MEK1/2 inhibition.     

Association between serum high-molecular-weight adiponectin level and the severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic stem cell transplantation recipients

Recently, a growing body of evidence has suggested that adiponectin, which is secreted by adipose tissues, plays a critical role in obesity-related and autoimmune diseases. We compared the concentrations of adiponectin among 26 normal subjects and 34 allogeneic stem cell transplantation recipients. The concentrations of adiponectin were significantly higher in recipients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) than those in subjects without cGVHD (21.7 ± 11.0 vs 9.1 ± 6.1 μg/mL in females, P < .001; and 10.1 ± 6.8 vs 4.3 ± 2.9 μg/mL in males, P = .003). Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher concentration of adiponectin was associated with female sex (β-coefficient 8.2, P < .0001) and the severity of cGVHD (β-coefficient 6.6, 12.7, and 15.6, P < .01, each for mild, moderate, and severe cGVHD, respectively). In addition, adiponectin levels increased as cGVHD progressed, decreased as cGVHD improved, and did not change with stable cGVHD. In conclusion, adiponectin was associated with the severity of cGVHD and might play a role in the pathophysiology of cGVHD.