An in vitro model for measuring tryptase release from nasal mucosa in response to allergen challenge

A simple in vitro nasal mucosal culture model has been developed to measure release of the mast cell specific enzyme tryptase in response to allergen challenge. Patients who were undergoing inferior turbinectomy were skin-tested for commonly inhaled allergens. The mucosa from the inferior turbinates was kept viable using Minimal Essential Medium. Tryptase release into the medium was measured using the Pharmacia Riact Assay. There was a significant increase in tryptase release in response to allergen challenge from the mucosa harvested from skin-test positive patients. Mucosa from skin-test negative patients failed to demonstrate an increase in tryptase release. This could prove to be a useful research model for the study of nasal type I hypersensitivity and drugs that affect it.     

Observations on Hepato-Protective Drugs in Alcoholic Liver Disease

The need for hepato-protective substances is discussed in thecontext of the natural history of cirrhosis and the likelihoodthat a significant proportion of patients will continue to drink.The mechanisms of liver injury are reviewed as a rational basisfor drug action. The fundamental importance of animal modelsis acknowledged and their relevance to the human situation considered.The numerous drugs which may benefit the alcoholic are brieflyexamined with suggestions for future research. It is stressed that organs other than the liver, notably thebrain, are also subject to damage from alcohol and that dueregard must be paid to the effects of protective drugs on theseorgans.     

Effect of STS-557 (17α-cyanomethyl 17β-hydroxy-estra-4, 9(10)-dien-3-one) on blood hormone levels, the testis, accessory sex organs and fertility of rats

Treatment with STS-557 (17 alpha-cyanomethyl 17 beta-hydroxy-estra-4,9(10)-dien-3-one; 10 mg kg-1 daily s.c.) for 4 weeks induced atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in adult rats with a reduction in tubule diameter and in the number of round spermatids at stage VII. Elongated spermatids were not detected. Leydig cells were atrophied from the second week of treatment with a concomitant decrease in blood levels of testosterone. The blood levels of FSH and LH were reduced from the third week of treatment. The weight of the reproductive organs was reduced after STS-557 treatment. The treatment induced sterility in 50% of rats after 2 weeks of treatment but after 4 weeks none of the treated males mated. Normal fertility and normal levels of testosterone and FSH were restored after 6 weeks and LH after 4 weeks of withdrawal of treatment. All other parameters studied recovered to pretreatment levels 6 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. STS-557 could act on the pituitary-gonadal axis (reducing gonadotrophin secretion) as well as directly affecting the Leydig cells. The consequent reduction in the blood levels of testosterone in combination with reduced gonadotrophins was presumably responsible for the suppression of spermatogenesis.     

Alarmingly high prevalence of obesity in haemophilia in the state of Mississippi

Summary. The state of Mississippi has consistently been ranked as the state with most number of obese people in the United States with prevalence rates of >30%. Our aims in this study were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults diagnosed with haemophilia in Mississippi, and to assess whether race/ethnicity and the severity of haemophilia are important risk factors. A retrospective chart review was performed for all haemophilic patients seen at the Mississippi Hemophilia Treatment Center. Patients were classified into two major age groups: age 2–19.9 years and ≥20 years. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the height and weight in kg m^?2 from the last clinic visit. Out of a total of 132 haemophilic patients, 61% were white and 37% were African American. Overall, 51% of the haemophilic patients were either obese or overweight. The prevalence of obesity in the adult (≥20 years old) haemophilic patients was 36% and an additional 32% were overweight. A significantly greater proportion of patients >20 years old were overweight or obese as compared with the patients in the 2–19.9 year age range (P < 0.002). However, race/ethnicity and severity of haemophilia were not significant risk factors for overweight and obesity. There is a very high prevalence of obesity in the Mississippi haemophilic population, especially in adults. Particular attention at clinic visits should be paid to the BMI in order to identify patients that are overweight or obese to allow for early and appropriate intervention.     

Enhancing students' perspectives of health through non-traditional community experiences

• ? The shift in emphasis to community-based health care necessitates that opportunities be provided for nursing students to acquire an understanding of the complex nature of health.
• ? A qualitative study was used to demonstrate the benefits accrued by junior baccalaureate nursing students in non-traditional community settings.
• ? Key themes that emerged from data analysis included definitions of health and illness as context specific, and environmental factors influencing health.
• ? The study demonstrated that learning experiences with diverse communities can broaden students' perspectives and understanding of health behaviours. Students gained an appreciation of the sociocultural variation in meanings of health and illness as well as of the social and political dimensions of health.

     

EFFICACY OF VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION IN CHRONIC ALCOHOLICS UNDERGOING DETOXIFICATION

Ninety-seven admissions to an alcoholic unit were allocatedto one of three groups receiving either oral vitamin supplements,intravenous vitamin therapy or placebo during a fiveday detoxificationregime. Thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine status was assessedby measurement of erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), glutathionereductase (EGR) and glutamateoxaloacetate transaminasc (EGOT)activities on Days 0, 2 and 5. Vitamin status as assessed bythese parameters improved in most patients by Day 5 irrespectiveof the treatment regime. However, two-thirds of those patientsoriginally thiamine-deficient, as assessed by basal ETK, werestill deficient after fivedays, irrespective of vitamin therapyreceived. Assessment of thiamine status by basal ETK yieldedmore patients rated as deficient than did assessment by theactivation coefficient for transketolase (a-ETK or ‘TPPeffect’). EGOT was elevated in nearly all patients studied,whilst erythrocyte pyridoxal-5-phosphate concentrations werelow, indicating that in alcoholics, EGOT is a poor indicatorof pyridoxine status.