Bombesin improves survival from methotrexate-induced enterocolitis.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined whether bombesin could improve survival from methotrexate (MTX)-induced enterocolitis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Bombesin prevents gut mucosal atrophy, which is produced by feeding rats an elemental diet. Administration of MTX produces a lethal enterocolitis in rats fed an elemental diet. METHODS: On treatment day 0, 60 rats were divided randomly into three groups and fed an elemental diet (Vivonex TEN, Sandoz, Minneapolis, MN) as the only source of nutrition. Groups were subdivided further to receive either saline or bombesin (10 micrograms/kg, subcutaneously, three times a day) beginning either on day 0 or day 14. Methotrexate (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was given to all rats 14 days after the start of an elemental diet. RESULTS: Bombesin prevented the mucosal atrophy in the ileum produced by the elemental diet and significantly decreased mortality in rats given MTX (whether given as a pretreatment or at the time of MTX administration). CONCLUSION: Bombesin significantly improved survival in a lethal model of MTX-induced enterocolitis, possibly by maintaining gut mucosal structure. Administration of bombesin to patients receiving chemotherapy may be clinically useful in preventing the severe enterocolitis induced by various chemotherapeutic agents.     

The impact of AIDS on state and local health departments: issues and a few answers.

Owing to large differences in the incidence of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and in public health resources and priorities, the impact of AIDS on state and local health departments has been variable. Nonetheless, health departments everywhere are being held responsible for surveillance and control of the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) epidemic which we believe requires, at minimum, convenient, free HIV testing and counseling; expanded HIV services in sexually transmitted diseases clinics and substance treatment centers; locally oriented AIDS information/education; notification of persons unknowingly exposed to HIV; restrictive measures for HIV-infected persons who, after counseling, persist in exposing others; regulation or closure of public establishments in which HIV transmission is likely to result; and confidential reporting of all HIV test results to public health departments. In Colorado new legislation was passed to require reporting of HIV test results, to provide the reports with near absolute protections against unauthorized disclosure, and to modify quarantine statues to incorporate rights to due process, appeals, and confidentially. States in which there is a legal basis for discrimination against gay men will need to rectify this problem first. There is no evidence that reporting of HIV infections in Colorado has adversely affected the rate at which persons with HIV risk behaviors volunteer to be tested. For Denver and Colorado Departments of Health, more than 70 per cent of the estimated $2,796,000 expended in AIDS activities during 1987 was federal.     

Two approaches to social support in smoking cessation: Commodity model and nondirective support

The commodity model of social support and features of Nondirective Support may clarify varied results of support interventions for smoking cessation. A commodity model views social support as attractive in and of itself and as an alternative to high-risk choices such as smoking. If such support is easily accessible, a would-be quitter is less likely to choose to smoke. Consistent with the commodity model, social support interventions tend to be effective as long as support remains available, but they lose their effects when support is terminated. From a second approach, Nondirective Support entails accepting recipients' goals, cooperating without taking control, and validating recipients' feelings. In contrast, Directive Support entails taking control and telling recipients what to do and feel. Review of support interventions indicates the value of the continued availability of support suggested by the commodity model and of Nondirective Support's flexibility and responsiveness to the person.     

小鼠不完全性脑缺血、再灌注时脑膜血流量的变化及尼莫地平的作用

目的：观察双侧颈总动脉阻断后脑血流的变化。方法：结扎双侧颈总动脉观察小鼠不完全性脑缺血及其再灌注时脑膜血流量的变化。结果：结扎颈总动脉后小鼠脑膜血流量在几秒钟内骤然下降，血流量较结扎前降低约８５．９％±６．４５％。同时血管中红细胞运动近停滞状态，血管再通时脑血流处于低灌注状态，血流量下降３４．４７％±１１．６９％，此时脑缺血再灌后脑组织实际上处于一种慢性缺血状态。再灌注１０ｄ后，小鼠脑海马ＣＡ１区神经细胞数明显减少。尼莫地平可以解除再灌注时的脑血流低灌状态。并防止由此所引起的脑海马ＣＡ１区神经细胞的缺失。结论：缺血后及时给予尼莫地平具有积极的治疗意义。     

Conditionally replicating luciferase reporter phages: improved sensitivity for rapid detection and assessment of drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

TM4 is a lytic mycobacteriophage which infects mycobacteria of clinical importance. A luciferase reporter phage, phAE40, has been constructed from TM4 and was previously shown to be useful for the rapid detection and drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the lytic nature of the phage results in a loss of detectable light output and limits the sensitivity of detection. We describe several strategies aimed at improving the luciferase activity generated by TM4 luciferase phages, including (i) varying the position of the luciferase gene in the phage genome, (ii) isolating host-range mutants of the phage, and (iii) introducing temperature-sensitive mutations in the phage such that it will not replicate at the infecting temperature. Several new phages generated by these methods show increased intensity of luciferase production compared to the first-generation reporter phage phAE40, and one phage, phAE88, also demonstrates an enhanced duration of luciferase activity. This has allowed the detection of as few as 120 BCG cells and the determination of drug susceptibilities of M. tuberculosis in as little as 1 day.     

Pharmaceutical Marketing: Implications for Medical Residency Training

An educational intervention was developed to improve family practice residents' ability to obtain useful information from pharmaceutical representatives. The curriculum is based on the traditional one-on-one drug detail. The objectives are to develop residents' skills in controlling the interview, promote skills for critically analyzing drug-promotional material, and discuss ethical issues. The contents include an assessment tool, suggested readings, and interview questions with rationale. After 5 years, residents' confidence in all areas of the curriculum improved significantly.