Comparative effects on the immune system of methotrexate and trimetrexate

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite commonly used in the treatment of neoplastic disease, while trimetrexate (TMQ) is an investigational antifolate which is currently advocated as a potential alternative to MTX. The cytotoxic properties of antifolates to rapidly proliferating cells suggests that the immune system would be a significant and undesirable target for these drugs. We examined the comparative effects of these two chemotherapeutic agents on the murine immune system using in vivo and in vitro methods. Both drugs were potent suppressors of T-dependent antibody formation in vitro as well as in vivo. While TMQ appeared to be more immunosuppressive than MTX following in vitro addition of the drugs, the converse appeared to be true when dosing was performed in vivo. The drug induced suppression of T-dependent antibody formation was dose dependent for both antifolates. Lymphoproliferative studies demonstrated marked suppressive effects on LPS and PHA induced 3H-uridine and 3H-deoxyuridine incorporation following addition of both drugs in vitro suggesting effects on both RNA and thymidylate biosynthesis. Timed addition studies demonstrated a particularly susceptible time period (hours 24-48 after addition of the mitogen LPS) in stimulated lymphocytes with respect to inhibition of 3H-uridine incorporation. Following in vivo administration of either antifolate, natural killer cell activity was significantly decreased with no substantial differences between the two drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Geriatrics: a selected up-to-date bibliography

This is the second annual revision of the Geriatrics Bibliography. Approximately two thirds of the old references have been replaced by more current or more detailed articles. The bibliography has been expanded to include several additional topics and over 200 new references. Since the literature pertinent to geriatrics is growing ever more rapidly, it has been necessary to omit many informative articles from the bibliography. Almost all of the references date from the past four years. Preference is given to recent publications, since they provide a list of the important earlier articles. Some articles were selected to highlight current controversies or changes in viewpoint. An occasional review article is cited to amplify geriatric aspects of common diseases. Most of the references deal specifically with an elderly patient population, studies of which, it will be noted, are confounded by questions of "normal" aging as opposed to the concomitants of aging frequent in our society: inactivity, obesity, malnutrition, and psychosocial trauma. A few articles concern diseases remarkably common in the aged but for which no adequate study specifically from a geriatric viewpoint exists; e.g., monoclonal gammopathy, Paget's disease, pulmonary emboli. The references are divided into categories. The first (I) set deals with some possible causes of aging, the second (II) with physiologic decline accompanying aging, the third (III) with the atypical and nonspecific characteristics of illness among geriatric patients, and the fourth (IV) with non-physician services available to the elderly, including ethical quandaries. The remainder of the references are cited by pertinent medical specialty. Within each category, references are divided by disease process. Articles are further subgrouped by aspects of those diseases such as evaluation or therapy.     

ω-123I-Hexadecanoic acid metabolic probe of cardiomypathy

The utility of -¹²³I-hexadecanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy as a metabolic probe of cardiomyopathies was investigated. Sixteen patients with a variety of cardiomyopathies and myopathies that involve cardiac muscle and ten volunteers were imaged in the postabsorptive state in a 40° LAO projection after a standard dose of -¹²³I-hexadecanoic acid. An elimination T_1/2 was calculated from the left ventricular myocardial time-activity curve. An uptake index, corrected for chest wall attenuation, was also computed in 7 of 10 volunteers and 8 of 16 patients.Of the 16 patients, only 2 had distinctly abnormal -¹²³I-hexadecanoic acid myocardial tracer kinetics. The first patient had a metabolic disorder of which cartine deficiency was one component. The second patient had endocardial fibroelastosis, a process which has been linked to disorders which deprive the myocardium of oxygen and energy. Therefore, the cardiomyopathy may have been caused by some abnormality of cardiac metabolism other than carnitine deficiency. Although of limited utility in the overall cardiomyopathic population, -¹²³I-hexadecanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy should be further investigated as a screening test for carnitine deficiency and related metabolic abnormalities in patients at risk.Supported by a Canadian Heart Foundation Research FellowshipSupported by an Australian Heart Foundation Travel Grant     

Extensive surgical excision of large hemispheric “malignant” astrocytoma in a 6-week-old infant

A massive hemispheric high-grade astrocytoma, diagnosed in a 6-week-old infant, was totally excised by means of two craniotomies. The child is still alive and well with minimal neurological dysfunction 1.5 years after operation. This case report illustrates the benefit of aggressive surgical excision (without radiation or chemotherapy) of massive malignant neonatal astrocytomas. While surgical deficits may be minimized by the plasticity of the developing nervous system, extensive excision may yield occasional long-term palliation.     

Triathlete characterization and response to prolonged strenuous competition

The purpose of this study was to characterize triathletes and to assess their responses to prolonged, strenuous competition. Nine triathletes (6 males, 3 females) participated. Mean V0(2)max and percentage of body fat were 72.0 ml X kg-1 X min-1 and 7.1%, respectively, in the four males who finished in the top 15. This compared to values of 58.4 ml X kg-1 X min-1/10.2% and 58.7 ml X kg-1 X min-1/12.6% in the other males and females, respectively. In the 5 wk preceding competition (Hawaii "Ironman Triathlon World Championship") the average daily training of the four top 15 male competitors consisted of swimming 2720 m, running 13.6 km, and biking 84.0 km. This was approximately 1.5 times greater than that of the other athletes. The average training diet was 59% carbohydrate, 21% fat, and 20% protein. Immediately following competition, SGOT, SGPT, and serum LDH were increased 700, 262, and 222% (P less than 0.004), respectively, and still remained marginally elevated 5-6 d later (P less than 0.02). Immediately following competition, serum triglycerides remained unchanged, while serum glucose, glycerol, and nonesterified fatty acids increased 52, 248, and 191% (P less than 0.005), respectively. By 5-6 d post-competition glucose had returned to normal, while triglycerides were elevated 94% (P less than 0.005) and nonsterified fatty acids were decreased 58% (P less than 0.01).     

Use of 5-F-pigtail catheters (Superflow) in transaxillary arteriography of the pelvis and legs

Experiences with the 5-F-"Superflow" Pigtailcatheter for transaxillary arteriography of 24 patients are reported and compared with 24 cases where a 7-F-Fr?hlich-catheter was used. The advantages of the smaller caliber for transaxillary approach are emphasized.     

“Handedness” of spiral fractures of the tibia

Handedness is a basic property of spirals. In many cases it is possible to determine whether spiral fractures are right or left handed by analysis of radiographs. Spiral fractures of the tibia show striking bilateral symmetry, with right-handed spirals predominating on the left side of the body, and left-handed spirals on the right.     

Association of Opioid Use Disorder With 2016 Presidential Voting Patterns: Cross-sectional Study in New York State at Census Tract Level

BackgroundOpioid overdose-related deaths have increased dramatically in recent years. Combating the opioid epidemic requires better understanding of the epidemiology of opioid poisoning (OP) and opioid use disorder (OUD).ObjectiveWe aimed to discover geospatial patterns in nonmedical opioid use and its correlations with demographic features related to despair and economic hardship, most notably the US presidential voting patterns in 2016 at census tract level in New York State.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis used data from New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System claims data and the presidential voting results of 2016 in New York State from the Harvard Election Data Archive. We included 63,958 patients who had at least one OUD diagnosis between 2010 and 2016 and 36,004 patients with at least one OP diagnosis between 2012 and 2016. Geospatial mappings were created to compare areas of New York in OUD rates and presidential voting patterns. A multiple regression model examines the extent that certain factors explain OUD rate variation.ResultsSeveral areas shared similar patterns of OUD rates and Republican vote: census tracts in western New York, central New York, and Suffolk County. The correlation between OUD rates and the Republican vote was .38 (P<.001). The regression model with census tract level of demographic and socioeconomic factors explains 30% of the variance in OUD rates, with disability and Republican vote as the most significant predictors.ConclusionsAt the census tract level, OUD rates were positively correlated with Republican support in the 2016 presidential election, disability, unemployment, and unmarried status. Socioeconomic and demographic despair-related features explain a large portion of the association between the Republican vote and OUD. Together, these findings underscore the importance of socioeconomic interventions in combating the opioid epidemic.     

碘化钾、碘酸钾对缺碘大鼠甲状腺形态与作用的实验研究

目的：研究碘化钾、碘酸钾对大鼠甲状腺形态学结构的影响。方法：将Wistar大鼠随机分为4组,低碘组（LI）、正常组（NI）、碘化钾组（KI）、碘酸钾组（KIO3）,3个月后观察形态学变化,并做体视学分析,获得定量参数后进行统计学处理。结果：LI组滤泡及滤泡腔的平均体积VQ、平均表面积SQ、体积密度VV、表面积密度SV均明显小于NI组,而数密度NV及比表面积S/V均明显高于NI组;经治疗3个月后,KI组和KIO3组的上述指标均有明显恢复,但尚未完全恢复正常。KI组和KIO3组之间无显著性差异。结论：低碘可致大鼠甲状腺形态典型的小滤泡增生性改变,而KI和KIO3在治疗缺碘性甲状腺肿方面均有很好的疗效,且在本实验期间两者的疗效无显著性差异。     

基于证效相关研究清利湿热方中医功效及降血尿酸作用机制

目的：建立湿热内蕴证候大鼠模型,研究具有降血尿酸作用的清利湿热方的中医功效,以证测效揭示清利湿热降血尿酸作用机制。方法：将48只SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、四妙丸组以及清利湿热方低、中、高剂量组,每组8只。采用饲喂高脂高糖饲料,自由饮用蜂蜜水,并隔天灌胃猪油脂或酒,建立湿热内蕴证候大鼠模型,观察清利湿热方对大鼠一般状态的影响。采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清热激蛋白70（HSP70）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）,促胃液素（GAS）、免疫球蛋白G（IgG）、免疫球蛋白M（IgM）含量以及血浆胃动素（MTL）、肝脏组织Na+-K+-ATP酶含量,免疫组织化学法检测胃肠组织水孔蛋白3（AQP3）、水孔蛋白4（AQP4）含量,采用蛋白质印迹法检测结肠组织中TOLL样受体4(TLR4)、核因子κBp65表达量。结果：模型组体质量下降（P<0.05,P<0.01）,HSP70、TNF-α、IL-1β升高（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001）,胃肠组织中AQP3表达量下降（P<0.05）,AQP4表达量上升（P<0.01,P<0.001）,GAS含量下降（P<0.01）,IgM含量升高（P<0.01）,结肠组织TLR4表达量增加（P<0.01）。清利湿热方能增加大鼠体质量,降低HSP70、TNF-α、IL-1β含量（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001）,升高胃肠组织AQP3表达量（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001）,降低AQP4表达量（P<0.05）,升高GAS、Na+-K+-ATP酶含量（P<0.05,P<0.001）,降低IgM含量（P<0.05,P<0.01）。结论：饲喂高脂高糖饲料,自由饮用蜂蜜水,并隔天灌胃油脂/酒,可以成功建立高尿酸血症湿热内蕴证候模型,清利湿热方可以从大鼠一般状态、体质量、热激蛋白以及炎症介质、水孔蛋白、胃肠激素、免疫等多方面改善大鼠湿热状态,发挥清利湿热功效。清利湿热方具有降血尿酸作用,其作用机制可能与下调TLR4,核因子κBp65有关。