Impaired Mitogenic Response of Peripheral Blood T Cells in Ulcerative Colitis Is Not Due to Apoptosis

An abnormal immune response may play apathogenic role in ulcerative colitis (UC). Animalmodels suggest that T-cell regulation may be of centralimportance in the inflammatory process. Our aims werethe characterization of the phenotype andfunctional status of circulating T-cells in ulcerativecolitis patients and to determine if activation-inducedcell death in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺lymphocytes in patients differs from healthy controls.Forty-eight patients (24 women and 24 men) fulfillingthe histopathological, clinical, and immunologicalcriteria for UC were studied. T-cell phenotype andfunction were studied in blood lymphocytes from patientswith ulcerative colitis and healthy donors by flowcytometric analysis, as well as [³H]thymidineincorporation. There were no significant differences in the percentage of T-cell subpopulations(CD3, CD4, CD8) and NK cells in the different groups.The percentage of cells in growth phase S+G₂Mat two and three days of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was significantly decreased in UCpatients, but the percentage of CD4⁺ andCD8⁺ cells in UC patients that showedapoptosis was not significantly different than that inthe control group. Proliferative responses to IL-4 also suggested that a reducedresponsiveness to this cytokine may be involved in UC.In conclusion, the impaired proliferative response toPHA of T lymphocytes from UC patients is not associated with an in vitro increase in theapoptotic response in CD4⁺ or CD8⁺cells. A reduced IL-4 response may be involved in thispeculiar mitogenic response. These changes may be pathogenic or a favorable adaptivemechanism.     

Comparison of frequencies of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting with and without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass

This study compared the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in a group of 34 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia with a control group of 747 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass and standard cardioplegia. A trend toward a lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was found in the group that underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 0.06).     

Assessing health-related quality of life in cancer survivors: factors impacting on EORTC QLU-C10D-derived utility values

Quality of Life Research - To investigate the factors influencing EORTC QLQ-C30-derived EORTC QLU-C10D utility values across five cancer types (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, colorectal,...     

“That Should Be Left to Doctors,That’s What They are There For!”—Exploring the Reflexivity and Trust of Young Adults When Seeking Health Information

This paper explores the health information-seeking practices of healthy young adults and how they assess and rank sources of information through a qualitative study. The findings show that participants (a) are strongly committed to searching for information about health and lifestyle, especially via the Internet; (b) healthcare professionals were perceived as the most reliable source of health information and advice; (c) online health information, although frequently accessed and experienced as empowering, is seen as a potentially unreliable source. Findings evidence how becoming better informed about health-related topics plays a pivotal role in individuals’ lives, most notably by using the Internet. Participants were able to reflect about what it means to know about health. The construction of trust regarding health information involved a heuristic process vis-à-vis source reliability and perceived credibility that places doctors as the most trustworthy medium of medical advice and health information. We conclude that participants’ trust toward professionals suggests the preference and need for more personalized care; and it is a response to the ambiguity and uncertainty that permeates the health information landscape, particularly that which is web-based.     

6-Thioguanine: High-dose 2-H infusions in goats

Summary 6-Thioguanine (6TG) is poorly absorbed after oral administration. Bolus injections of 6TG result in high peak concentrations with relatively shortlived plasma concentrations. In vitro studies have shown the importance of prolonged exposure to 6TG. Therefore we administered 6TG by infusion at a dose rate of 2 mg/h over 2 h. In three goats we determined the plasma concentration-time curves of 6TG and its riboside (6TGR).A steady state was reached for 6TG and was almost reached for 6TGR within the 2 h of infusion. In one experiment we obtained several samples of CSF and observed good penetration of 6TG and 6TGR into CSF. Urinary excretion of 6TG and 6TGR was also quantitated. The amount of drug and metabolite excreted later than 4 h after the end of the infusion was negligible. By infusing 6TG, the problems of both erratic absorption after oral administration and acute renal toxicity after bolus injection, can be averted. In our opinion prolonged infusions of 6TG may be of advantage in humans suffering from actively proliferating malignant diseases, and thus should be studied.Supported by the Queen Wilhelmina Fund (Dutch Cancer Society); Grant NUKC KG 81-2