Low dose injectable contraceptive norethisterone enanthate 20mg monthly — II. Metabolic side effects

Metabolic effects of a long-acting low dose injectable contraceptive, norethisterone enanthate 20-mg, monthly injections (Neten-20), was tested in 13 women belonging to the low income groups over a period of 1 year. No change was observed in hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, iron, calcium, or serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase after treatment. Marginal rise in albumin and fall in some globulin fractions was observed. The slight fall seen in serum alkaline phosphatase could be attributed to a change in lactation status. Vitamin A, pyridoxine and riboflavin status were not altered. A peculiar aberration in the tryptophan-niacin pathway as indicated by rise in kynurenic acid excretion after tryptophan load was observed. This could be corrected by multivitamin therapy. These data suggest that the use of Neten-20 for one year does not lead to adverse metabolic effects analogous to those seen with combination type oral contraceptives.     

The effects of dextroamphetamine on kinesthetic figural aftereffects

The effect of dextroamphetamine, primarily a central stimulant, on kinesthetic figural aftereffects (KFAEs) was examined. The subjects were selected after preliminary testing with the Eysenck Personality Inventory and were classified into three groups: extraverts, ambiverts, and introverts. d-Amphetamine was used at three dose levels and a control group was included for purposes of comparison. The 3×4 randomized block design was replicated ten times. KFAEs were measured under two sets of conditions, i.e., before and after the induction experience. The results support the following conclusions: (1) neither personality grouping nor drug treatment during preinduction trials significantly affected KFAE; (2) both types of variables were, however, significantly related to behavior during the postinduction trials; (3) the extraverted subjects showed larger KFAEs than ambiverted and introverted subjects under placebo condition; (4) the extent of KFAE was reduced in extraverted and enhanced in introverted subjects under the influence of the drug; (5) there were significant interactions between the drug treatments and personality variables in effects on KFAE.     

Inhibition of MUC4 expression suppresses pancreatic tumor cell growth and metastasis

The MUC4 mucin is a high molecular weight membrane-bound glycoprotein. It is aberrantly expressed in pancreatic tumors and tumor cell lines with no detectable expression in the normal pancreas. A progressive increase of MUC4 expression has also been observed in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, suggesting its association with disease development. Here, we investigated the consequences of silencing MUC4 expression in an aggressive and highly metastatic pancreatic tumor cell line CD18/HPAF that expresses high levels of MUC4. The expression of MUC4 was down-regulated by the stable integration of a plasmid-construct expressing antisense-MUC4 RNA. A decrease in MUC4 expression, confirmed by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses, resulted in diminished growth and clonogenic ability of antisense-MUC4-transfected (EIAS19) cells compared with parental, empty vector (ZEO) and sense transfected (ES6) control cells. In addition, EIAS19 cells displayed a significant decrease in tumor growth and metastatic properties when transplanted orthotopically into the immunodeficient mice. In vitro biological assays for motility, adhesion, and aggregation demonstrated a 3-fold decrease in motility of EIAS19 cells compared with control cells, whereas these cells adhered more and showed an increase in cellular aggregation. Interestingly, MUC4 down-regulation also correlated with the reduced expression of its putative interacting partner, HER2/neu, in antisense-MUC4-transfected cells. In conclusion, the present work demonstrates, for the first time, a direct association of the MUC4 mucin with the metastatic pancreatic cancer phenotype and provides experimental evidence for a functional role of MUC4 in altered growth and behavioral properties of the tumor cell.     

Neural invasion in the staging of pancreatic cancer

The natural history of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma makes it one of the most malignant human diseases. Unknown etiology, lack of early symptoms, explosive outcome, short survival, and resistance to therapy are hallmarks of this cancer. Although surgery has been shown to be an effective therapeutic approach, the inevitable tendency for recurrence, even after apparently curative operation, has remained a mystery. Ironically, the reasons for this recurrence, which usually leads to the death of the patient within 1 or 2 years after surgery, have not been a focus of research. Several studies highlighting this problem and the possible explanations have been performed by Japanese investigators.     

Congenital airway abnormalities in neonates

Airway malformations such as laryngeal atresia, tracheal agenesis and subglottic stenosis are rare and present at birth with significant respiratory distress with or without stridor. There may be an initial improvement on bag and mask ventilation. Repeated attempts at intubation are met with failure. The related embryology and clinical aspect of airway malformations have been discussed. The prognosis in tracheal agenesis is universally fatal but cases with laryngeal atresia and subglottic stenosis may be saved with prompt tracheostomy and later surgical reconstruction.     

Measuring mental health in a cost-effective manner

Mental health has been found to contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. This has raised the profile of mental health in developing countries. Many countries still do not have mental health policies, nor do they incorporate mental health in their primary care package. Community mental health profiles are needed to inform policy. There is a demand for more studies of mental health and the inclusion of mental health measures in more general, comprehensive, population-based health surveys. This article reviews the use and performance of a World Health Organization-endorsed instrument known as the Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 items (SRQ20). The paper concludes that the high face and criterion validity, ease of use and suitability for administration by lay workers support the use of the SRQ20 as a cost-effective instrument with which to measure community mental health.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Increases with the Stage and Grade in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

Objectives: Experimental models of carcinogenesis show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis and reduce metastases. A linkage between the activity of prostaglandin synthase enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a known mediator of inflammation, and cancer angiogenesis is implicated. We investigated the expression of COX-2 in bladder cancer tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry. Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in bladder cancer was evaluated by scoring the intensity of immunoreactivity from 0 to 3. Further, the degree of COX-2 expression was correlated with the tumor grade and depth of invasion (T stage). Result: Fifty eight percent patients (n=22) had superficial bladder tumors, while 42% (n=16) were invasive bladder cancers. Overall, COX-2 immuno-positivity was seen in 84.2% (32/38) patients. COX-2 expression was positive in 76.4% (13/17) cases with pTa tumors, 100% (5/5) of pT1 tumors, 86.6% (13/15) of pT2 tumors and in 100% (1/1) of pT3 tumor. The higher stage tumors stained more intensely; this correlation wassignificant(p=0.01987; χ2=19.6977). With reference to the grade of tumors, a positive expression was seen in 81.25% (13/16) of the low-grade tumors and 89% (17/19) of the high-grade tumors. The differential COX-2 expression relative to the grade of tumor was found to be statistically significant (p=0.05; χ2=15.8612). Conclusion: The degree of COX-2 expression is significantly increased with advancing grade and T stage of disease (p < 0.05).