Relationship between the gastric myoelectric and mechanical activity in the genesis of ulcers in indomethacin-insulin-treated rats

We have proposed that gastric contractile activity mechanically induces ulcers in the nonsteroid antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-treated rat. This study examines first the relationship between number (dose) of peristaltic contractions applied to the mucosa and the ulcer score. Second, it examines the relative roles of: altered gastric myoelectrical activity (MEA) resulting from indomethacin (Indo) pretreatment, insulin-induced gastric peristalsis, and a combination of the two in the generation of mucosal lesions. Third, it examines the effect of exogenous prostaglandin on the Indo-altered MEA and relates it to ulcerogenesis. Indo pretreatment increased gastric tone and MEA. In such animals, the dose of peristaltic contractions applied to the gastric wall was related to the ulcer score in a dose-dependent manner. Exogenous prostaglandin (PG) reversed the MEA effect of Indo and reduced ulceration. It is postulated that an altered smooth muscle state secondary to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis (PG-S) renders the mucosa vulnerable to injury by peristaltic action.This study was supported by the Fast Foundation.     

A double blind trial of sex drive reducing medication in pedophiles

A sample of 100 men accused of sexual assault on a child and referred to a forensic clinic were approached for assessment and treatment in a double blind study of MPA (Provera). A total of 48 men completed assessment and 18 agreed to participate in the drug trial. Only 11 completed a 3-month course of MPA or placebo therapy. Those refusing treatment were less intelligent and less impaired on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Test Battery but were more impaired on the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery. Dropouts differed only in reporting more frequent sexual fantasies of children. Of a possible 27 side effects for MPA, only two were statistically significant. MPA led to more depression and excess salivation than did the placebo, although the frequency of fatigue was noteworthy. MPA appeared as a useful sex drive reducing medication with few side effects but compliance in taking the drug was seen as a major obstacle in its use with pedophiles.     

Immunogenic and Antigenic Epitopes of Immunoglobulins Binding of Human Monoclonal Anti-D Antibodies to FcRI on the Monocyte-Like U937 Cell Line

Seventeen human monoclonal IgG1- or IgG3 anti-D-secreting clones have been examined for their ability to sensitise O+ red cells for Fc-receptor-mediated rosette formation with U937 cells. IgG3 but not IgG1 anti-D antibodies were able to mediate stable rosette formation with unstimulated U937 cells via interaction with the FcRI receptor. Decreasing FcRI density by incubating U937 cells with di-butyryl cAMP almost completely abolished rosette formation, whilst increasing FcRI density by incubating U937 cells with interferon-gamma increased the percentage of cells forming rosettes with IgG3- and IgG1-sensitised red cells. These data suggest that rosette formation between IgG anti-D-sensitised red cells and FcRI-expressing cells is dependent upon the density of IgG3 on the red cell surface, the density of FcRI on the effector cell, multiple FcRI/IgG interactions are required for stable rosette formation and that more FcRI/IgG1 than FcRI/IgG3 interactions are required.     

Personality and sexual anomalies

Test properties of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) were examined in a sample of 419 sex offenders and controls in three different settings. The offender group included sexual aggressives, pedophiles, incest perpetrators and miscellaneous cases. Nineteen of the 20 scales of the MCMI had alpha reliability over 0.60 and for 13 scales it was over 0.80. The scales showed satisfactory discriminant validity from age but 9 scales showed a moderate influence of intelligence scores and education. Criminal history did not influence scale results. The scales unfortunately did show significant correlations with MMPI validity scales. Although the scales were not susceptible to naive lying, they were influenced by social desirability especially. Four factors were extracted in principal axes factor analysis that accounted for 91.2% of the total variance. The first factor explained 58.2% of the variance and was labeled general psychopathology. The other three factors suggested psychotic tendencies, extraversion and the bipolar dependency-antisocial tendencies. When the groups were compared, almost all scales significantly differentiated them. When the MMPI F-K Scale was forced to enter a stepwise discriminant analysis first, five scales still were significant; Narcissistic, Schizoid-Asocial, Alcohol Abuse, Paranoid, & Dependent-Submissive scales. The MCMI taps important dimensions in sex offenders but suffers from validity problems.     

In situ hybridization of prostate-specific antigen mRNA in human prostate.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization utilizing a 428 base pair [35S]-labelled cDNA probe from the 3' noncoding region of the PSA gene. Thirty six fresh surgical specimens were collected from patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate. Quantitative analysis of the levels of PSA mRNA in both the benign and malignant tissues was performed using an IBAS 2000 Image Analysis System. The results of this study demonstrated that there is a significant decrease in the expression of PSA mRNA in the carcinoma tissue when compared to the benign epithelium. The average binding (number of silver grains/1 x 10(4) microns. 2) for 20 specimens of malignant epithelium was 475 +/- 161 and 586 +/- 140 for 16 specimens of benign epithelium (p less than 0.05). Eleven patients had both benign and malignant tissue from the same surgical specimen available for study. From these paired specimens, the PSA mRNA expression was also significantly reduced in the malignant epithelium when compared to the benign epithelium, 445 +/- 162 and 588 +/- 135 respectively (p less than 0.005). The PSA protein was detected using a monoclonal antibody to PSA with an immunohistochemical staining technique. The PSA protein expression paralleled the expression of the PSA mRNA in the majority of the tissue sections. Many of the tumor specimens showed a heterogeneous expression of PSA, whereas all of the benign epithelium had a uniform high level of PSA expression. In conclusion, PSA mRNA and protein are located only within the glandular epithelial tissue, the expression of PSA protein parallels that of the PSA mRNA, and both the PSA protein and PSA mRNA are significantly decreased in the malignant epithelium when compared to benign prostatic epithelium.     

Sonographic appearance of Krukenberg tumor from gastric carcinoma

Sonographic findings in 16 cases of Krukenberg tumor from gastric carcinoma were analyzed. The patients' ages ranged from 25 to 52 years (mean 42 years). The tumor involved both ovaries in 14 patients with asymmetrical masses in 9 of 14 cases. Ascites was noted in 15 cases. Echogenicity of the tumor varied from solid to predominantly cystic: solid in 8, mixed in 6, and predominantly cystic in 2 cases. Solid masses tended to be smaller than mixed or cystic masses. The primary gastric carcinoma had been diagnosed before emergence of the tumors in only 7 cases. The findings suggest that in relatively young patients with ovarian mass, particularly bilateral tumors, careful evaluation for gastrointestinal tract involvement should be done.     

An unusual case of bilateral auriculotemporal syndrome presenting to an allergist.

BACKGROUND: Auriculotemporal syndrome (AS) is an uncommon disorder that may present with facial erythema with chewing food. METHODS: We report a patient referred to an allergist to rule out allergy as a reason for food-associated bilateral facial flushing. She was subsequently found to have bilateral AS. RESULTS: The symptoms of AS may overlap those associated with food allergy. There are only a few published cases of bilateral AS. CONCLUSIONS: Allergists should be aware of bilateral AS and the clinical spectrum of this disorder as AS patients may be referred to allergists to rule out food allergy.     

Traditional Practices of Women From India: Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Newborn Care

This article describes maternal and child care practices among women from India. As in all cultures, certain beliefs exist surrounding what facilitates a good pregnancy and its outcome, as well as negative sanctions. These practices continue to influence many immigrant women to whom western practices are either unknown or unacceptable. An understanding of the traditional belief system of such women can ease their adaptation into the Canadian and U.S. health care systems.