An analysis of the action of an analogue of almitrine bismesylate in the rat model of hypoxic lung disease.

Chronically hypoxic (CH) and normoxic control rats were used to assess the action of S9581, a water-soluble analogue of almitrine bismesylate. S9581 increased ventilation (Ve) by 34% in control and 20% in CH rats. During acute hypoxia Ve was raised and S9581 caused a further increase of 20% in both groups. Low doses of S9581 and almitrine enhanced the hypoxic ventilatory response in CH rats while high doses depressed it in both groups. Effects of S9581 on the pulmonary circulation were assessed in the isolated perfused lung of rats. As with almitrine a complex relationship of dose-dependent vasoconstriction and dilatation was revealed. In low doses, S9581 enhanced the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to 2% O2 whilst this was attenuated by high doses in both control and CH rats. S9581 seemed to act like almitrine bismesylate on both the ventilation (peripheral chemoreceptor) and the pulmonary circulation. For studying almitrine-like activity the water solubility of S9581 provides considerable advantages for the researcher.     

Multiple Correlates of Cigarette Use Among High School Students

A cross-sectional survey research design measured factors related to cigarette use among 2,212 senior high school students. Results showed 14.3% of the sample smoked cigarettes at least occasionally, with 5.3% reporting they were daily smokers. About 12.8% indicated they were ex-smokers. Males and females smoked at almost equal rates, and the percentage of 10th grade student smokers was slightly higher (16.4%) than the percentage of juniors and seniors who smoked. Approximately 22% of Hispanic students, 15% of Caucasian students, and 4.5% of African-American students reported smoking cigarettes at least occasionally. An initial regression analysis used 21 variables to predict cigarette smoking. A more parsimonious regression model (R2 = .28), using variables from the initial regression analysis with significance levels of .01 or less, indicated the most important predictors of cigarette use were ethnic group, attitude toward females who smoke, close friends' use of cigarettes, personal use of marijuana, best friend's use of cigarettes, personal use of alcohol, and school self-esteem. Implications for school health programs are addressed.     

肾移植受者血清巨细胞病毒IgE和IgA抗体检测

采用间接ＥＬＩＳＡ检测２３名肾移植受者血清巨细胞病毒（ＣＭＶ）抗体，共检出１８名（７８％）活动性ＣＭＶ感染，其中１０名（４４％）为原发性感染。结果证实ＣＭＶ－ＩｇＥ和－ＩｇＡ具有较好的血清学诊断价值，优于ＣＭＶ－ＩｇＭ。     

Psychological outcomes of a pulmonary rehabilitation program

This study assessed physiologic, psychological, and cognitive functioning in outpatients with COPD. Sixty-four subjects, 53 to 82 years of age, participated in the 30-day exercise rehabilitation program. The program consisted of exercise, education and psychosocial counselling. Participants were assessed prior to beginning the program and at the end of 30 days. Assessments at both times included physiologic functioning (bicycle ergometry testing, pulmonary function tests, 12-min walk), psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, psychiatric symptoms, perceived well-being) and an abbreviated neuropsychological test battery. Results indicate significant improvement in physical endurance and pulmonary function, significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improvement in measures of general well-being and neuropsychological functioning. The study suggests that exercise rehabilitation of older adults with COPD contributes not only to improvements in physical functioning and endurance, but also to enhanced cognitive functioning and psychological well-being.     

GGA1 acts as a spatial switch altering amyloid precursor protein trafficking and processing

The beta-amyloid (Abeta) precursor protein (APP) is cleaved sequentially by beta-site of APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE) and gamma-secretase to release the Abeta peptides that accumulate in plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). GGA1, a member of the Golgi-localized gamma-ear-containing ARF-binding (GGA) protein family, interacts with BACE and influences its subcellular distribution. We now report that overexpression of GGA1 in cells increased the APP C-terminal fragment resulting from beta-cleavage but surprisingly reduced Abeta. GGA1 confined APP to the Golgi, in which fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses suggest that the proteins come into close proximity. GGA1 blunted only APP but not notch intracellular domain release. These results suggest that GGA1 prevented APP beta-cleavage products from becoming substrates for gamma-secretase. Direct binding of GGA1 to BACE was not required for these effects, but the integrity of the GAT (GGA1 and TOM) domain of GGA1 was. GGA1 may act as a specific spatial switch influencing APP trafficking and processing, so that APP-GGA1 interactions may have pathophysiological relevance in AD.     

Successful treatment of periungual warts using photodynamic therapy: a pilot study

AIM: The aim of this pilot study was an investigation on photodynamic therapy (PDT) whether it is a good alternative for treating periungual and subungual warts of the hands. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients (mean age: 30.5 years) with a total of 40 periungual and subungual warts were treated with PDT. A photosensitizer, 20%delta-aminolevulinic acid was applied on the warts. After a mean incubation time of 4.6 h (SD: 1.2), the warts were irradiated with the VersaLight for 5-30 min (15.2 +/- 4.3 min). RESULTS: After a mean of 4.5 treatments a mean clearance of 100% was achieved in 90% of the patients. One patient (5%) showed a clearance of 50% and another showed no improvement. The subungual or periungual location of the wart had no influence on the number of treatments or end result (P > 0.05). There were two recurrences during the mean follow-up period of 5.9 months (SD: 7.6). Besides mainly pain and hyperpigmentation, most treatments had no side-effects. CONCLUSION: PDT can offer a good alternative for treating periungual warts of the hands. Larger studies are indicated.     

Syringomyelia and Arnold Chiari in scoliosis initially classified as idiopathic: Experience with 25 patients

The authors analysed the clinical and radiological findings and the surgical management of 25 patients admitted for scoliosis classified as idiopathic at first presentation, but in fact associated with spinal cord and/or brain stem anomalies. Twenty patients had syringomyelia, 19 had Chiari malformation. Scoliosis was the only presenting symptom when all these patients were referred to the orthopaedic surgeon. On examination, five patients had normal neurological findings, while the others showed very mild neurological deficits. The diagnosis of syringomyelia and Chiari malformation was established by MRI, which is the best form of neuroradiological examination for discovering spinal abnormalities. Neurosurgical treatment is strongly recommended as the first step in the management of “pseudo” idiopathic scoliosis.