Spawning and gamete follicle rupture in the cnidarian Renilla koellikeri: effects of putative neurohormones

The neuroendocrine control of spawning (release of intact gamete follicles) and of the ensuing exfoliation (freeing of gametes by follicle epithelium rupture) was investigated in colonies of the sea pansy Renilla koellikeri, an octocorallian of the sea pen family. Polyps of male colonies produce substantially more sperm follicles than female colonies do egg follicles, and significantly more sperm follicles are expelled than egg follicles during the summer spawning season. Spawning is accompanied by strong peristaltic contractions across the colony. Serotonin, a positive modulator of peristalsis in the sea pansy, induced spawning of either sperm or egg follicles, increasing both the proportion of spawning colonies and the number of expelled gamete follicles per colony in a dose-dependent manner. The serotonin antagonist 1-(1)naphthylpiperazine greatly reduced both spontaneous and serotonin-induced spawning. Antho-RFamide, a neuropeptide found in ciliated neurons within follicle epithelia, induced the exfoliation of the follicle epithelium from spawned follicles. Exposure of follicles to light enhanced the potency of Antho-RFamide. The actin-binding toxin phalloidin substantially reduced the incidence of Antho-RFamide-induced exfoliation and phalloidin-FITC staining was localized in the muscle feet of follicle epithelial cells. These results provide the first experimental evidence of neuroendocrine functions involved in cnidarian spawning.     

Systemic exposure, tolerability, and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% in atopic dermatitis patients

Aims: To measure pimecrolimus blood concentrations and to evaluate tolerability and efficacy in children and infants treated topically for atopic dermatitis with pimecrolimus cream 1% for three weeks. Methods: Three open label, non-controlled, multiple topical dose studies were conducted in children aged 8–14 years (study A, ten patients), and in infants aged 8–30 months (study B, eight patients) and 4–11 months (study C, eight patients). Pimecrolimus blood concentrations were determined on days 4 and 22 of treatment, and at end of study. Efficacy was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Results: Pimecrolimus blood concentrations were consistently low, typically (81%) below 1 ng/ml, with more than half of the measurements below the assay limit of quantitation (0.5 ng/ml) in studies A and B. The highest blood concentration measured throughout the three studies was 2.6 ng/ml. The cream was well tolerated, locally and systemically. The most common adverse event suspected to be related to study medication was a transient mild to moderate stinging sensation at the application site in 5/26 patients. There was no indication of any systemic adverse effect. The patients responded well to therapy with a rapid onset of action, usually within four days. Median reductions of EASI from baseline at day 22 were 55% (study A), 63% (study B), and 83% (study C). Conclusion: Three weeks treatment of children and infants with extensive atopic dermatitis, using pimecrolimus cream 1% twice daily, is well tolerated and results in minimal systemic exposure, at which no systemic effect is expected.     

Health status and work burden of Alzheimer patients’ informal caregivers: Comparisons of five different care programs in the European Union

Background: In 1998, a research study was conducted to compare existing programs in the European Union providing both care to people with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, and support to their informal caregiver. Method: Five programs were selected in seven centres. Home social services (Denmark), Day centres (Germany), Expert Centres (Belgium, Spain), Group Living/Cantou (Sweden, France), Respite hospitalization (France). In each centre, 50 patients were randomly selected. The questionnaire addressed informal caregivers (or referents). It included the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the Zarit Scale, and it collected data on age, sex and position (spouse or child) of the informal caregiver, as well as age, level of mental deterioration and disabilities of the patient. Results: (n=322 subjects) Comparatively with caregivers of Respite hospitalization patients chosen as the reference, caregivers of patients cared by Group living/Cantou and Home social services experienced a significantly lower burden. The benefit from the Expert centre program concerned emotional reactions (depression) (odds RATIO=0.32; P=0.02) and work burden (Zarit) (OR=0.32; P=0.04). The main benefit for caregivers who received Day centre help was the important reduction of feelings of social isolation (OR=0.13; P=0.0003). Conclusions: The Group Living/Cantou program appeared as the most efficient way to reduce informal caregiver burden, independently from the country considered.