Effect of dithranol therapy on membrane, basement membrane and nuclear markers in psoriasis lesions

We investigated the effects of anti-psoriatic therapy with dithranol (1/20-1%) in salicylic acid (0.5%) in white petrolatum on lesional skin. FITC-labeled lectins and pemphigus vulgaris antibodies (PV) served as analytical means to study the glycocalyx. Antibodies of bullous pemphigoid (BP) were used as basal membrane markers. Nuclear antigens were recorded according to the binding of speckled, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) as well as antibodies to dsDNA. With some lectins, dithranol therapy resulted in pronounced fluorescence of the lower parts of the basal cells. ConA was fixed by the basal cell layer. To a lesser degree, ANA were fixed by nuclei of keratinocytes. PV antibodies were not fixed at all.     

Traumatic cervical Brown-Sequard and Brown-Sequard-plus syndromes: the spectrum of presentations and outcomes.

Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) and Brown-Sequard-plus syndrome (BSPS) are characterised by asymmetrical paresis with hypalgesia more marked on the less paretic side. This study examined the clinical features of 38 patients (30 males and 8 females; mean age = 32 years) with traumatic cervical BSS or BSPS who underwent comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation. Twenty two injuries were caused by road traffic accidents, 8 by penetrating injuries, 5 by diving injuries, and 3 by other causes. After an average of 35 days in acute care and 79 days in rehabilitation, 37 patients had increased muscle strength, all 38 patients improved functional abilities, 29 patients walked independently, 34 had spontaneous bladder emptying, 36 were discharged home, and 14 were employed. Statistically significant increases (p less than 0.001) were made in modified Barthel index functional scores between admission and discharge. Patients with BSPS had a better prognosis than did those with 'pure' BSS. Patients with predominant upper limb weakness had more favourable outcomes than did those with predominant lower limb weakness. Few other potentially predictive demographic, injury, or neurological factors were associated with functional outcome. Patients with BSS or BSPS generally have a good prognosis for neurological and functional improvement.     

MRP8 and MRP14, S-100-like proteins associated with myeloid differentiation, are translocated to plasma membrane and intermediate filaments in a calcium-dependent manner

MRP8 and MRP14 are two Ca(2+)-binding proteins of the S-100 family expressed by myelomonocytic cells. Both proteins assemble to noncovalently associated complexes in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Members of the S-100 family are known to play a role in cytoskeletal- membrane interactions; therefore, we investigated the subcellular distribution of MRP8/MRP14 and their complexes in human monocytes. Using differential centrifugation and subsequent Western blot or enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay analysis, we found that MRP8/MRP14 were almost completely translocated from the cytoplasma to membrane and cytoskeletal structures in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Using a cross- linking technique, complexed forms of MRP8/MRP14 were found to be associated with the plasma membrane. Analysis of MRP-transfected L132 cells showed that the MRP8 as well as the MRP14 component of the MRP8/MRP14 complex may independently bind to membrane and cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, immunogold electron microscopy showed a colocalization of MRP8/MRP14 and the intermediate filament type III protein vimentin in A23187-treated monocytes. Our data indicate that, in analogy to other S-100-like proteins, MRP8 and MRP14 play a role in Ca(2+)-dependent cytoskeletal-membrane interactions. Restriction of MRP8/MRP14 expression to distinct stages of myelomonocytic differentiation suggests that these proteins are involved in highly specific pathways of intracellular signaling in phagocytes.     

The influence of stigma on the sexual risk behavior of rural men who have sex with men.

Research investigating predictors of risky sexual behavior of rural MSM is sparse, even though the prevalence of HIV in rural areas has increased. This study explored two sets of predictors of 93 rural MSM's levels of risky sexual behavior: mental health variables and stigma emanating from men's family members, health care professionals, and people in the rural communities in which they live. Over 47% of the men were found to be at modified high to high risk. Logistic regression using a continuation logit model was used to test the relationship of the predictor variables and the four levels of risk. Findings indicate that self-esteem was predictive of the highest sexual risk behavior but not lower levels of risk. Stigma was predictive of modified high sexual risk when compared to low and no risk categories. No variables differentiated men at low risk from men at no risk.     

Psychiatrists' Use of Melatonin with Children

Background:  Melatonin is gaining popularity as a sedative agent with children. This study sought to characterise this practice more precisely as well as examine aspects of its safety and efficacy in order to develop treatment guidelines.
Method:  Postal surveys of two groups of psychiatrists: generic child psychiatrists and psychiatrists who regularly treat learning disabled children.
Results:  Both groups (all of the specialists and 81% of the non-specialists) reported regular but not frequent use of melatonin in their usual practice, mostly for night-settling sleep problems refractory to behavioural modification strategies, commonly in the context of neurodevelopmental disability (especially autism). Treatment was described as being 'usually successful' and side-effects were highly infrequent and mild in nature. Variations in most prescribing practices were identified (dosage, timing).
Conclusions:  Melatonin appears to represent a useful and relatively safe drug when used in specific circumstances; however, the evidence-base underpinning its use, particularly over the long-term, remains modest. Thus caution and clinical audit of practice is required.     

Developmental regulation of 5-HT2 and 5-HT1c mRNA and receptor levels

We investigated the regulation of 5-HT2 and 5-HT1c receptors and their corresponding mRNAs during rat brain development. This study showed that 5-HT2 and 5-HT1c receptors increased markedly during ontogeny. 5-HT2 receptors, measured with [3H]ketanserin or [125I]lysergic acid diethylamide binding, increased 8-fold between embryonic day 17 (E17) and postnatal day 13 (P13). 5-HT2 receptor mRNA levels, quantified by probing Northern blots of total RNA with a synthetic oligonucleotide cDNA probe, multiplied 13-fold between E17 and P5. The developmental pattern of 5-HT2 receptor and mRNA expression appeared to correlate with the serotonergic hyperinnervation of the cortex which occurs between P2 and P17. 5-HT1c receptors, measured with [125I]lysergic acid diethylamide under site-specific conditions, increased 2-fold between E17 and P27, 5-HT1c mRNA increased 5-fold between E17 and P27. Interestingly, the developmentally induced variations in 5-HT1c receptors did not precisely correlate with mRNA alterations. Further study of the factors responsible for these alterations could help to explain the molecular and biochemical mechanisms responsible for modulating receptor levels in vivo.     

Marijuana smoking, pulmonary function, and lung macrophage oxidant release.

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages lavaged from tobacco smokers release increased levels of oxidants and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of emphysema. It is unknown whether lung macrophages recovered from marijuana smokers also liberate excessive levels of oxidants. To evaluate this possibility, pulmonary alveolar macrophages were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from nonsmokers, smokers of marijuana only, smokers of tobacco only, and smokers of tobacco plus marijuana. Spontaneous and stimulated superoxide anion release was measured by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c. These findings were correlated with recent lung function tests. Superoxide anion production by macrophages, studies of small airway integrity (closing volume, closing capacity, and the slope of Phase III of the single-breath nitrogen washout curve), and evaluation of alveolar gas exchange (diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide) were similar in both nonsmokers and marijuana smokers. However, tobacco smoking was associated with both significantly higher levels of superoxide anion release by pulmonary alveolar macrophages and significant abnormalities of small airway function and alveolar diffusing capacity. Based on the results of this study, pulmonary alveolar macrophages of marijuana-only smokers do not produce increased amounts of oxidants when compared to macrophages of non-smoking subjects. This observation may account for the absence of abnormalities in small airway function and alveolar diffusing capacity in marijuana-only smokers, in contrast to the presence of such findings in smokers of tobacco, regardless of marijuana use.     

Physical treatment planning of total body irradiation

The treatment planning of total body irradiations shows partially other problems than conventional treatments. The data refer to long source-skin-distance and large fields, which are even larger than the patient. In most centres, it is aspired to a homogeneous dose distribution. But its importance is not known, at present. The radiobiology has to yield further answers to a lot of questions. This and the clinical results must help to decide, which technique is the best to eliminate leukemic cells and to avoid side effects as interstitial pneumonia.