A light-driven rhythm in neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in the chicken retina

Purpose: To determine if the pattern of release of neurotensin from the enkephalin-, neurotensin- and somatostatin-like immunoreactive amacrine cells in response to light and dark is the same as that of the enkephalins and somatostatin. Methods/Results: Both the enkephalins and somatostatin are released at high rates in the dark and at lower rates in the light, and these rate changes are reflected in increasing intracellular levels of the peptides in vivo in the light and decreasing levels in the dark The levels of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity show a similar diurnal light-driven and non-circadian rhythm in vivo. Conclusion: This implies that the actual release rates of neurotensin follow the same patterns as those demonstrated in vitro for the enkephalins and somatostatin.     

Etched-metal resin-bonded intracoronal cast restorations. Part I: The attachment mechanism

Numerous attempts have been made to increase the adhesive qualities of the luting medium. Investigators have attempted to modify the metal surface, the tooth surface, the luting material, or combinations. Although investigations have achieved limited success, the adhesive cement remains an elusive goal of restorative dentistry. This article described the etched-metal attachment mechanism as an intermediate phase between luting medium and adhesive medium. However the bond of the resin to the etched enamel and etched metal is not adhesion. Nevertheless, the continuity and microscopic dimension of the mechanical bond mimics the adhesion desired. Until that adhesive material is developed, the bonding mechanism will serve as an effective substitute. The attachment mechanism described is the basis for an improved restoration. Resin-bonded retention can compensate for insufficient frictional retention or may completely substitute for frictional retention prescribed in a resin-bonded retainer prosthesis. Etched-metal procedures for intracoronal restorations permits conservative tooth preparation, greater retention, and improved support of remaining cusps.     

AN ATYPICAL CASE OF ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA

SUMMARY A 23-year-old man, previously fit and well, presented with an atypical pneumonia, associated with microangiopathic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, rhabdomyolysis and renal impairment. Despite administration of intravenous fluids and antibiotics, his condition rapidly deteriorated, and the possibility of an aggressive connective tissue disorder was raised. Thus he was treated with high-dose oral steroids and plasma exchange until autoantibodies were shown to be negative. At this stage it transpired that the patient had swallowed water from a stream three weeks earlier, and leptospira antibody titres were subsequently found to be elevated. Antibiotics were continued, and after a protracted course he made a full recovery. Leptospirosis should be remembered as a rare cause of atypical pneumonia, particularly if there is associated hepatic or renal impairment.     

Drug-induced endocytosis of neonatal erythrocytes

The erythrocytes of the newborn infant have many properties that distinguish them from those of adults, and their membranes are also different from those of adult erythrocytes. We compared the ability of adult and neonatal RBCs to undergo endocytosis on exposure to drugs. Using a quantitative method, we showed that neonatal erythrocytes undergo a greater degree of endocytosis than do adult RBCs in response to primaquine, vinblastine, and chlorpromazine, and are sensitive to lower concentrations of the drugs. Some forms of drug-induced endocytosis are red cell age-dependent; when RBCs were separated by density gradient centrifugation, the membranes of the younger, less dense populations of both the neonatal and adult RBCs were capable of more extensive internalization than those of the denser, older RBCs. Neonatal RBCs of a given density undergo more endocytosis than do adult RBCs of the same density, suggesting that the membrane of the neonatal RBC is less stable and capable of more of the reorganization reflected in endocytosis than is the adult RBC membrane.     

Self-reported substance misuse in Greek male prisoners

The aim of this survey was to determine levels and severity of self-reported alcohol and drug misuse and associated physical and mental health problems in Greek male prisoners. The sample consisted of 80 randomly selected convicted and remanded male prisoners in a prison in northern Greece. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to assess psychiatric disorders including substance abuse and dependence. All prisoners who participated completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Those who reported daily use of opiates and stimulants completed the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Information was obtained from medical notes about the prisoners' hepatitis B and HIV status. The MINI identified 27.5% of the prisoners as dependent on opiates, 26.3% on alcohol and 73.8% as cannabis users, while 13.8% were misusing both alcohol and illicit drugs. Severity of dependence was rated, using SDS, as serious for all opiate and stimulant users. In terms of physical health examination of medical records indicated that no prisoner was HIV-positive but 26.5% were hepatitis-B-positive. Of those who had a previous history of substance misuse, 31.2% fulfilled the criteria for depression and 37.5% for antisocial personality disorder. Similarly, 15% of those misusing substances had a previous history of deliberate self-harm and 16% were assessed to have moderate to high suicide risk.     

Seropositivity of Chlamydophila pneumoniae immunoglobulin G antibody of HIV/AIDS patients in Abuja,Nigeria

ObjectiveTo detect IgG antibody to Chlamydophila pneumoniae (CP) in sera of HIV/AIDS patients and provide rationale for inclusion of routine screening for anti-CP antibodies and anti-chlamydial agents in the Nigerian National HIV/AIDS Management Plan.MethodsSerum samples from 34 consenting HIV/AIDS patients attended a Government-approved Antiretroviral Treatment Facility in Abuja were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-CP IgG antibody using ImmunoComb® Chlamydia Bivalent IgG Test kit (Orgenics, Israel).ResultsAnti-CP IgG antibody was detected in 20 (58.8%) of 34 patients tested. The detection rate was higher among the males (8/13; 61.5%) than the females (12/21; 57.1%). Patients of the age group 16-30 years had the highest (7/10; 70%) detection of anti-CP IgG antibody.ConclusionsThe result of the present study suggests the presence of anti-CP antibodies in sera of the HIV/AIDS patients, and reinforces the need for routine screening for anti-CP antibodies as a necessary intervention to reduce the burden of Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infections and to reduce HIV-positive morbidity in Nigeria. The outcome of this study also provides justification for the possible inclusion of anti-chlamydial agents in the National HIV/AIDS Management Plan to provide prophylaxis against or treat active C. pneumoniae infections.     

Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL)--college version: validation and application in a Greek sample

OBJECTIVES: a) To validate the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL)--college version in a Greek population sample and b) To test the hypothesis that students scoring high on the ISEL present stronger resistance to stressful experiences and fewer psychological or physical problems. DESIGN: Rating scale assessment and analytical cross-sectional study. METHOD: The ISEL was translated into Greek and then back-translated into English. A random sample of 145 students of the Faculty of Medicine completed: a) the translated version of the ISEL, b) the Symptom Check List 90-R (SCL-90-R), c) the Scale of Stressful Life Events (SSLE) and d) a questionnaire about physical health problems. Comparisons were conducted between the scores on the ISEL and the scores on the other measures. Correlations were also calculated between the scores on the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the SCL-90-R and SSLE, separately for students with high, fair and low social support, in order to assess the protective role of social support. The test-retest reliability and the internal consistency of the ISEL were also investigated. RESULTS: The students with a lower score in social support reported more psychological and somatic symptoms. The students with a higher score in social support were protected against the harmful effect of stressful events. The ISEL presents good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.452-0.752) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC): 0.631-0.847). CONCLUSIONS: The ISEL is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring social support among Greek students. A higher score on the ISEL is correlated with a significant stress-buffering effect.     

Genes harbouring susceptibility SNPs are differentially expressed in the breast cancer subtypes

Recently, genome-wide association studies of breast cancer revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five genes with novel association to susceptibility. While there is little doubt that the novel susceptibility markers produced from such highly powered studies are true, the mechanisms by which they cause the susceptibility remain undetermined. We have looked at the expression levels of the identified genes in tumours and found that they are highly significantly differentially expressed between the five established breast cancer subtypes. Also, a significant association between SNPs in these genes and their expression in tumours was seen as well as a significantly different frequency of the SNPs between the subtypes. This suggests that the observed genes are associated with different breast cancer subtypes, and may exert their effect through their expression in the tumours. Thus, future studies stratifying patients by their molecular subtypes may give much more power to classic case control studies, and genes of no or borderline significance may appear to be high-penetrant for certain subtypes and, therefore, be identifiable.     

Comparison of monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical modes for restorative dentistry: a review of the literature.

This review of the literature was undertaken as part of a wider investigation of effective hemostasis in vital pulp therapy. Two general types of electrosurgical units are available: monopolar and bipolar. This review compares the features of both systems. An important hazard referred to as channeling, funneling, or current crowding is described and associated with pulp therapy injury for the first time. Important safety features of bipolar electrocoagulation are identified and applied to dental procedures. Articles were selected by means of a search of MEDLINE, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's bibliographic database, for literature published between 1966 and 2001 on the topics of electrosurgery, electrocautery, electrolysis, and lasers. A search also was completed from a pulp therapy perspective to determine the use of electrosurgery on the pulp. Numerous articles and texts published between 1900 and 1965 had been reviewed previously; their bibliographies were explored and cross-referenced for pertinent reports. Laparoscopic applications of electrosurgery were reviewed for general background information and for clarification of safety and hazard issues; no exclusionary criteria or date limitations were imposed. Beyond the literature review, numerous authors and developers in the field of electrosurgery were contacted for clarification of concepts and controversies. More than 120 articles and texts related to electrosurgery were reviewed, and another 100+ articles were reviewed in the area of pulp therapy.