Altered apoptosis in bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes after allergen exposure of atopic asthmatic subjects.

The increased number of lymphocytes in airways during an asthmatic response is believed to be the result of increased recruitment of these cells. However, it is possible that a decreased apoptotic rate could also contribute to the increased number. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether allergen airway provocation influences the apoptotic phenotype of lung and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in subjects with atopic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytes and PBL from 12 asthmatic subjects previously challenged with allergen (n = 7) or saline (n = 5) were exposed to the apoptotic stimulus tributyltin (TBT) in vitro and assayed for apoptosis. Airway allergen provocation resulted in decreased sensitivity of BAL lymphocytes to TBT-induced apoptosis, with 42.2% (range 33.9-62.5%) apoptotic cells before challenge versus 23.5% (range 15.3-42.4%) after challenge, while PBL were unaffected. The increased apoptosis resistance correlated with higher numbers of Bcl-2-expressing lymphocytes. Interestingly, baseline caspase-3-like activity was significantly elevated in viable BAL lymphocytes compared with viable PBL, and was unaltered by allergen exposure. In conclusion, allergen inhalation renders bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes more resistant to apoptosis while peripheral blood lymphocytes were not influenced at all, indicating that the apoptotic phenotype of airway lymphocytes may play a role in asthmatic inflammation.     

Aggressive behavior linked to corticotropin-reactive autoantibodies.

BACKGROUND: Altered stress response is characteristic for subjects with abnormal aggressive and antisocial behavior, but the underlying biological mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that autoantibodies (autoAbs) directed against several stress-related neurohormones may exist in aggressive subjects. METHODS: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we studied whether autoAbs directed against corticotropin (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), oxytocin, and vasopressin are present in serum of male subjects with conduct disorder and prisoners with history of violence. Healthy blood donors served as control subjects. RESULTS: Both conduct disorder and prisoners groups displayed strongly increased levels of ACTH-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) autoAbs compared with control subjects. Levels of oxytocin-reactive IgM autoAbs were slightly increased in both groups of aggressive subjects, whereas levels of vasopressin-reactive IgG and IgM autoAbs were lower only in conduct disorder. No differences in the levels of alpha-MSH-reactive autoAbs were found between aggressive and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of ACTH-reactive autoAbs as well as altered levels of oxytocin- and vasopressin-reactive autoAbs found in aggressive subjects may interfere with the neuroendocrine mechanisms of stress and motivated behavior. Our data suggest a new biological mechanism of human aggressive behavior that involves autoAbs directed against several stress-related neurohormones.     

The Cys allele of the DRD2 Ser311Cys polymorphism has a dominant effect on risk for schizophrenia: evidence from fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses.

Previously we derived independent estimates of the effect of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) Ser311Cys polymorphism on risk for schizophrenia using fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses. Both analyses identified a significant association between the Cys allele and schizophrenia, but neither included all available data. Furthermore, genotype data were not evaluated in either analysis, thus precluding any determination of the mode of inheritance. The present study was conducted to resolve discrepancies between the existing meta-analyses, and provide more comprehensive and accurate estimates of the nature and magnitude of the influence of the Ser311Cys polymorphism on risk for schizophrenia. All discrepancies between the two sets of previously meta-analyzed studies were identified and resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the authors, and the final dataset was analyzed independently by fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses. A total of 27 samples, comprising 3,707 schizophrenia patients and 5,363 control subjects, were included in the analyses of allelic association, while smaller numbers of studies and subjects were included in each of the genotypic association analyses. A significant effect of the Cys allele was observed under both fixed-effects (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4; P = 0.002) and random-effects (OR = 1.4; P = 0.007) models. Cys/Ser heterozygotes were at elevated risk for schizophrenia when compared to Ser/Ser homozygotes (fixed- and random-effects OR = 1.4, p(s) or= 0.948). There was no evidence of heterogeneity, excessive influence of any single study, or publication bias in any of the analyses, suggesting that the effect of this DRD2 polymorphism on schizophrenia risk is reliable and uniform across populations, and our estimates of its magnitude are robust and accurate.     

Avascular osteonecrosis after hyperthermia in children and adolescents with pelvic malignancies: a retrospective analysis of potential risk factors.

PURPOSE: In children with locally advanced or recurrent malignant tumours, prognosis can be improved by regional deep hyperthermia (RHT) in combination with platin-based chemotherapy. However, because of the increasing number of patients that achieve long-time remission with this therapy, it is necessary to evaluate long-term sequelae of thermochemotherapy. During the years 1993-2004 one has observed avascular osteonecrosis (AON) of the femoral head after RHT in seven children with pelvic germ cell tumours or rhabdomyosarcomas. METHODS: Although AON may develop in patients with malignancies treated with chemo- or radiotherapy alone, RHT might nevertheless contribute to the occurrence of AON. In order to determine potential risk factors for AON after RHT, this study analysed the relationship of AON to the patient's age, medical history and treatment parameters such as thermal dose equivalent and power output. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the present study AON was associated with young age as well as intensity of hyperthermia indicated by high power levels that exceed 20 W per kg body weight and/or application of eight or more heat sessions as well as additional radiotherapy. Based on this observation, it was assumed that an optimized three dimensional thermal field modelling may be helpful to avoid hazardous temperatures in the femoral heads during RHT treatment and to reduce AON of the femoral heads.     

Pick’s disease with Pick bodies combined with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft‐shaped astrocytes: A clinical,neuroradiologic and pathological study of an autopsied case

We report clinical, neuroradiologic features, and neuropathologic findings of a 76‐year‐old man with coexistent Pick’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. The patient presented with loss of recent memory, abnormal behavior and change in personality at the age of 60. The symptoms were progressive. Three years later, repetitive or compulsive behavior became prominent. About 9 years after onset, he had difficulty moving and became bed‐ridden because of a fracture of his left leg. His condition gradually deteriorated and he developed mutism and became vegetative. The patient died from pneumonia 16 years after the onset of symptoms. Serial MRI scans showed progressive cortex atrophy, especially in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Macroscopic inspection showed severe atrophy of the whole brain, including cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum. Microscopic observations showed extensive superficial spongiosis and severe neuronal loss with gliosis in the second and third cortical layers in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortex. There were Pick cells and argyrophilic Pick bodies, which were tau‐ and ubiquitin‐positive in neurons of layers II–III of the above‐mentioned cortex. Numerous argyrophilic Pick bodies were observed in the hippocampus, especially in the dentate fascia. In addition, moderate to severe loss of neurons was found with gliosis and a lot of Gallyas/tau‐positive globus neurofibrillary tangles in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, substantia nigra, locus coeruleus and dentate nucleus. Numerous thorned‐astrocytes and coiled bodies but no‐tuft shaped astrocytes were noted in the basal ganglion, brainstem and cerebellar white matter. In conclusion, these histopathological features were compatible with classical Pick’s disease and coexistence with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft‐shaped astrocytes.     

Bifid mandibular canal.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and characteristics of bifid mandibular canals. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using panoramic radiographs of 2012 patients subjected to dental treatment in the Dental Clinic of the Valencia University Dental School (Valencia, Spain) between 1996 and 1999. The goal was to investigate the presence of double mandibular canals. RESULTS: The extraoral panoramic radiographs revealed a total of 7 images suggestive of bifid canals. Mandibular computed tomography revealed the existence of this anatomic variant in 2 of 3 patients. An analysis was performed on the incidence of this type of image in extraoral panoramic radiography, its possible interpretations, and the clinical implications of bifid mandibular canals. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 0.35% of canals were bifid. All cases were in women.     

Predictive factors of stroke in patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting: statins are protective.

BACKGROUND: Despite major improvement in surgical techniques and intensive care management, stroke remains one of the most devastating complications of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to determine factors predicting the occurrence of stroke during CABG. A special interest was focused on preoperative therapies. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 810 consecutive candidates for CABG alone in a specific database, including all pre- and perioperative data (history, clinical, therapeutic, cardiac catheterization, surgical and intensive care data). Univariate tests and then multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine independent predictive factors. RESULTS: During the first postoperative month, stroke occurred in 11 cases and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 4 additive cases (cumulative rate: 1.85%). After the multivariate analysis, the following factors remained significant (p<0.05) in the predictive model, with corresponding odds ratios between brackets: redo cardiac surgery (7.45), unstable cardiac status (4.74), past history of cerebrovascular disease (4.14), past history of peripheral arterial disease (3.55), whereas the presence of preoperative statins was protective (0.24, 95% IC: 0.07-0.78). The addition of perioperative data (aortic calcification, postoperative arrhythmia, on/off-pump surgery) did not change the final predictive model. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first real-world observational report highlighting the interest of statins for the prevention of stroke in the very special situation of CABG. Even though according to randomized trials coronary patients have a benefit from these drugs, a special level of interest should be directed towards those presenting the above-mentioned risk factors.     

Stability of transverse expansion in the mandibular arch.

This was a retrospective, longitudinal cephalometric and cast study of 29 white patients at pretreatment, posttreatment, and an average of 6 years 3 months postretention. The goal was to assess changes with treatment and retention with the expanding mandibular lingual arch appliance in conjunction with fixed edgewise treatment. Seven mandibular cast measurements were assessed, including arch crowding, arch perimeter, arch length, and arch width at the permanent canines, first premolars, second premolars, and first molars. Cephalometric radiographs were digitized, and 16 cephalometric measurements were made. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and 2-sample t tests were used to determine statistically significant changes. It was found that the expanding lingual arch used for less than 6 months with the mandibular fixed edgewise appliance caused an increase in both the transverse and sagittal dimensions of the mandibular dental arch. Transverse expansion was more stable in the posterior region of the mandibular dental arch than in the anterior region. Mandibular intercanine width increase could be maintained only by fixed retention. Although the maxillary and mandibular incisors were advanced and proclined, lip protrusion did not occur.     

邹城市预防艾滋病健康教育效果评价

目的评价预防艾滋病健康教育与行为干预效果。方法采用问卷方式对社区居民进行预防艾滋病信息的可及性及知信行的调查。结果社区居民艾滋病知晓率为97.41%,熟悉艾滋病传播途径的87.78%,62.78%的认为艾滋病病人或感染者和正常人享有一样的入学/就业权,38.70%的人愿意与感染艾滋病的同事继续共事,60.19%的人愿意与感染艾滋病的家人继续共同生活,最近3次性行为100%使用安全套者为26.48%,82.04%的人有医疗用血安全意识,64.81%的人有医疗器械安全意识。最想获取艾滋病预防措施、传播途径、病理知识、症状表现、治疗方法、检测途径及检测方法、疫情信息,新闻、电视公益广告、专题报道、反映艾滋病病人生活的电影或电视剧、科普材料、大型公益演出人们最喜欢。结论政府重视,多部门合作,组织机构健全,宣传教育广泛,干预措施到位,成效显著。