Randomized trial of cognitive behavior therapy versus supportive psychotherapy for HIV-related peripheral neuropathic pain

The feasibility and acceptability of cognitive behavior therapy for HIV-related peripheral neuropathic pain was examined and the potential efficacy of the intervention was compared with that of supportive psychotherapy in reducing pain, pain-related interference with functioning, and distress. Sixty-one patients were randomly assigned to receive six weekly sessions of cognitive behavior therapy or supportive psychotherapy. Thirty-three subjects completed the protocol. Both groups showed significant reductions in pain. The cognitive behavior group improved in most domains of pain-related functional interference and distress; the supportive psychotherapy group showed fewer gains. The high dropout rate suggests that psychotherapeutic treatments for HIV-related pain may have limited feasibility and acceptability.     

Complement fixation for study of placental-type alkaline phosphatase.

Preparations of human placental alkaline phosphatase differing in specific enzyme activities were compared by microcomplement fixation assays using monospecific antisera. While both specific enzyme activity and complement fixation units increased 15,000-fold upon purification, the ratio between these units remained constant. Separation of an alkaline phosphatase preparation into 'A' and 'B' forms by ampholine isoelectric focusing indicated that these forms also possessed the same ratio of immunoreactive enzyme protein to enzyme activity. The correspondence of complement fixation units with specific enzyme activity indicates that complement fixation with monospecific antisera can be used to analyze structural differences among alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes.     

Aspirin-Interleukin-3 Interrelationships in Patients With Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome

PROBLEM: Previously we reported on the generation of experimental anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) in mice. These models were employed to evaluate the efficacy of various novel therapeutic modalities including interleukin-3 (IL-3) and low dose aspirin. The efficacy of the latter was found to be interrelated. Low dose aspirin is capable of inhibiting the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase which is responsible for the metabolism of arachidonic acid towards the production of prostaglandins. This shifts the metabolism of arachidonic acid to the other pathway and leads to an overproduction of leukotrienes. The leukotrienes act as stimulators of IL-3 production, a positive cytokine in pregnancy which enhances placental and fetal development. In the current study we evaluated the IL-3 levels in pregnant women with APS and expanded our knowledge on the interrelationships between aspirin, arachidonic acid metabolites and IL-3 in the human system. METHODS: IL-3 levels were recorded in the serum of pregnant women with APS and compared to a control pregnant group. In addition peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy subjects were incubated with different concentrations of aspirin or with arachidonic acid metabolites (Leukotriene B4, C4 or PGE₂), and IL-3 production in the culture fluids was evaluated. RESULTS: Serum level of IL-3 in pregnant patients with primary APS, APS secondary to SLE and SLE was lower in comparison to the control group. The in vitro studies revealed that only low dose aspirin (10 mg/μl) stimulated IL-3 production while higher doses of the drug failed to induce the cytokine generation. Leukotriene B4 and C4 were stimulatory whereas PGE₂ acted as inhibitor of IL-3 production. CONCLUSIONS: The serum level of IL-3 is decreased to pregnant women with primary or secondary APS. Low dose aspirin is capable of stimulating EL-3 production in vitro most probably through an elevation of leukotriene production, which may explain its beneficial activity in preventing the manifestations of APS.     

Aromatization of androstenedione to estrogen by benign prostatic hyperplasia,prostate cancer and expressed prostatic secretions

Summary Human prostatic tissue and expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) efrom patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer were incubated with (1 ³H) androstenedione. The extent of aromatization was determined by measuring the transfer of ³H from the 1 position into water. The amount of ³H₂O recovered corresponds to the estrogens formed. Tissue from 5 patients with BPH yielded 2.13 (±1.05) pmol/mg protein/h while the EPS from the same patients yielded 727 fmol/mg protein/h. In patients with prostate cancer the mean formation of estrogens was 388 fmol/mg protein/h (±75). 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, an aromatase inhibitor, successfully inhibited aromatization in BPH and prostate cancer 53–98%.Part of this paper was presented at the 5th Congress of the European Society for Urological Oncology and Endocrinology, 18–20 August 1986, Edinburgh, UK     

Towards a Neurotransmitter-Based Retinal Prosthesis Using an Inkjet Print-head

Electronic chips that provide a patterned stimulus to cells in the retina may provide a viable treatment for age-related macular degeneration. A surrogate MEMS device, in the form of a print-head from a desktop printer, has been used to eject a pattern of neurotransmitters (bradykinin) onto living rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Fluorescent calcium imaging was used to measure the patterned stimulation of individual cells. The chemical stimulation of cells by directed microfluidic delivery may have applications in retinal prosthetic devices, and in other prosthetic implants in the nervous system.     

Nuclear medicine Competitors or collaborators?

Here in the USA

Nuclear medicine Competitors or collaborators?