Intragastric capsaicin protects against aspirin-induced lesion formation and bleeding in the rat gastric mucosa

Previous work has indicated that capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons are involved in gastric mucosal defense mechanisms. The present study investigated whether stimulation of these neurons by intragastric administration of capsaicin would protect against aspirin-induced mucosal damage in the luminally perfused rat stomach. Capsaicin (25-640 microM), administered together with acidified (pH 1.5) aspirin (25 mM), inhibited macroscopically visible lesion formation and gastric bleeding in a concentration-dependent fashion. Capsaicin (160 microM) also attenuated the aspirin-induced fall in the gastric potential difference. An inhibitory effect of capsaicin (160 microM) on aspirin-induced gastric injury was also seen by light and scanning electron microscopy. Aspirin alone caused a vast ablation of the gastric surface epithelium, resulting in exposure of the lamina propria. In the presence of capsaicin, the depth of mucosal injury, the area totally deprived of surface epithelial cells, and the severity of surface desquamation were diminished. As capsaicin is a selective stimulant of thin afferent neurons, it would appear that these neurons participate in mechanisms of gastric defense against aspirin injury. Prevention of hemorrhagic damage seems to be the primary effect of afferent nerve-mediated gastroprotection, although injury to the surface epithelium is also reduced to some degree.     

Binding of outer membrane preparations of Campylobacter jejuni to INT 457 cell membranes and extracellular matrix proteins

Binding of outer membrane (OM) preparations of the thermophilic Campylobacter species C. jejuni to epithelial cell membranes and extracellular matrix proteins were studied in an in vitro model system using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The OM preparations exhibited significant binding to INT 407 intestinal cell membranes. The process of adhesion was modulated by enzymatic, chemical or immunological pretreatment of the bacteria. Following oxidation of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with sodium meta-periodate, the OM preparations essentially retained their binding properties. After pretreatment with proteinase K, the OM preparations lost their binding capacity and the apparent molecular mass of the major OM protein shifted from 42 to 24 kDa. Preincubation of C. jejuni bacteria with C. jejuni-specific antiserum reduced adhesion significantly; preincubation with LPS-specific monoclonal antibodies only to a minimal extent. The OM preparations also bound significantly to the extracellular matrix proteins collagen and fibronectin; however, they bound virtually no bovine serum albumin or horse serum.     

Nurses' perception of the first hour of the morning shift (6.00–7.00 a.m.) in a German hospital

Morning shifts in Germany usually start at 6 00 a in Apart from the well-known effects of shiftwork on health and family/social life, the early rising tune poses additional problems Part of a study on the first hour of the morning shift is described in this paper Thirteen nurses on a female surgical and on a male medical ward were interviewed using a serru-structured interview guide The findings were obtained through phenomenological analysis Seven themes emerged from the results (a) the impact of rising early on the individual, (b) the detrimental effect of alternating shifts on well-being, (c) disturbances to personal life, (d) the rationale for early start, (e) consequences for patients, (f) suggestions for change, and (g) increased risk of leaving the job The findings suggest that the early start puts nurses under considerable stress Tradition rules the time-oriented and ritualized way of organizing work Further extensive research is recommended     

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. 16. 4,5-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-cycloalkylthioimidazoles with antiphlogistic activity

Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents, XVI: 4,5-Bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(cycloalkylthio)imidazoles with Antiinflammatory Activity Synthesis and antiinflammatory activities of four new 4,5-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(cycloalkylthio)imidazoles (cyclopropyl,-butyl,-pentyl and -hexyl) are described. The cyclopropyl derivative 7 was the most active compound in this series.     

The inhibitory effect of neurotensin on the motor activity of rabbit ileum: dependence on the ionic environment

The possible ionic mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of neurotensin on the spontaneous phasic contractions of the longitudinal muscle of the isolated rabbit ileum were studied by varying the ionic environment. Neurotensin (0.06-60 nM) reduced and abolished the phasic contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of neurotensin was transient, and the phasic contractions began to recover after 1-3 min although neurotensin was not washed out. The response to neurotensin was very sensitive to alterations in the ionic composition of the bath medium. The changes in the effect of neurotensin brought about by changes in [Na+], [K+], [Ca2+], and [Cl-] suggest that neurotensin hyperpolarizes the smooth muscle. In addition, the effect of combined changes in [Ca2+] and [Cl-] points to a specific role of these ions in the action of neurotensin.     

An electron microscopic study of degeneration of nerve terminals after administration of epinephrine

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been used clinically to create a chemical sympathectomy and has been shown to cause acute, selective degeneration of sympathetic nerve terminals. Because epinephrine, an endogenous catecholamine, resembles 6-OHDA structurally, it was reasoned that some doses of epinephrine might cause similar degeneration. Supralethal doses of epinephrine were given to five cats pretreated with phenozybenzamine (an alpha receptor blocker known to protect animals from epinephrine's lethal effects) and the irises and spleen capsules were examined with the electron microscope and compared to control animals. In addition, high doses of epinephrine alone were given to three cats and specimens were taken and compared to controls. It appears systemic epinephrine administration can result in acute degeneration of nerve terminals while leaving other structures intact as has been reported for 6-OHDA.     

Familial Band-shaped Nodular Keratonathy

A family is reported in which two brothers have a bilateral, symmetrical corneal disorder characterized by small yellowish to ambercolored globules arranged in a band-shaped configuration in the central superficial layers of the cornea. The globules have a similar clinical appearance to those found in Bietti's “band-shaped nodular dystrophy,” a keratopathy that is nonfamilial, has an onset later in life, and initially involves the peripheral cornea. Light and electron microscopic studies of corneal tissue obtained from the proband showed that the globular deposits autofluoresce, that they stain black with Verhoeff's elastic stain, and that they correspond to an electron-dense material found within corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes and within the extracellular tissues of the anterior cornea. A third, younger brother appears to have the early corneal signs of the condition. Unlike the condition described by Bietti, the keratopathy we report is unique in its familial nature, early onset in life, and initial, marked central corneal involvement.