HRCT findings in the lungs of primary care patients with lower respiratory tract infection

Purpose: To survey the prevalence and type of lung patterns detectable at high-resolution CT (HRCT) in a primary care population seeking help for cough and fever.Material and Methods: The HRCT patterns of 103 patients obtained at the primary visit to a municipal health centre for cough and fever were evaluated. Forced expiratory examinations were obtained in 93 patients.Results: Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)-related findings (present at inclusion, healed at follow-up, not explained by any other factor) were seen in 19 patients (18.7%), of whom 11 also showed opacities, even though of lesser extent, at conventional chest radiography. The following patterns were found: ground-glass opacity (58%), discrete consolidations (52%), confluent consolidations (16%; 1 case with an air bronchogram), air space nodules (10%), peribronchovascular thickening (37%), tree-in-bud pattern (26%), free pleural fluid (5%), and septal thickening (5%). An expiratory mosaic pattern was seen in 19 (20%) out of 93 patients. In addition, lymph node enlargement (>1 cm) was recorded in 7 patients out of 103.Conclusion: HRCT is more sensitive than chest radiography in detecting LRTI-related lung lesions in a primary care population. The pattern typically comprises subtle scattered polymorphous opacities with varying attenuation affecting several lung segments. LRTI-related HRCT pattern deserves consideration as a differential diagnostic alternative in patients examined due to any lower respiratory tract symptoms.     

Comparison of hand-to-leg and leg-to-leg bioelectric impedance devices in the assessment of body adiposity in prepubertal children. the STRIP study. Special Turku coronary Risk factor Intervention Project

The body composition of 40 seven-year-old children and of 50 of their parents was measured using two bioelectric impedance devices, the Model 101, RJL Systems, USA (conventional hand-to-leg device) and TANITA body fat analyser, TBF 105, Tanita Co, Tokio, Japan (newer leg-to-leg device). There were strong correlations between impedances obtained by these two devices [r= 0.95, r = 0.93, r= 0.82, r = 0.81 for girls (n = 22), boys (n = 18), mothers (n = 27) and fathers (n = 23), respectively (p < 0.0001 for all)]. However, there was a clear difference in the absolute impedance values due to the fact that the devices measure different segments of the body. Fat percentages based on built-in equations of the two devices correlated in girls, mothers and fathers (r = 0.71, r = 0.94, r = 0.80, respectively; p < 0.001) but not in boys (r = 0.21, p = 0.41). Using the Bland-Altman comparison method, a large intraindividual difference was observed in the fat percentages by the two devices, independent of adiposity level. Both devices detected significant gender differences in fat percentages in 7-y-old girls and boys with similar BMIs. CONCLUSION: When using the Tanita 105 leg-to-leg bioelectric impedance device to assess adiposity in children there is an obvious need for revised equations. For this, comparative studies using more validated methods, i.e. densitometry or DEXA, as part of a multi-compartment model are needed.     

Effects of protein kinase C activators on phorbol ester-sensitive and - resistant EL4 thymoma cells

Phorbol ester-sensitive EL4 murine thymoma cells respond to phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate with activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases, synthesis of interleukin-2, and death, whereas phorbol ester- resistant variants of this cell line do not exhibit these responses. Additional aspects of the resistant phenotype were examined, using a newly-established resistant cell line. Phorbol ester induced morphological changes, ERK activation, calcium-dependent activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), interleukin-2 synthesis, and growth inhibition in sensitive but not resistant cells. A series of protein kinase C activators caused membrane translocation of protein kinase C's (PKCs) alpha, eta, and theta in both cell lines. While PKC eta was expressed at higher levels in sensitive than in resistant cells, overexpression of PKC eta did not restore phorbol ester-induced ERK activation to resistant cells. In sensitive cells, PKC activators had similar effects on cell viability and ERK activation, but differed in their abilities to induce JNK activation and interleukin-2 synthesis. PD 098059, an inhibitor of the mitogen activated protein (MAP)/ERK kinase kinase MEK, partially inhibited ERK activation and completely blocked phorbol ester-induced cell death in sensitive cells. Thus MEK and/or ERK activation, but not JNK activation or interleukin-2 synthesis, appears to be required for phorbol ester-induced toxicity. Alterations in phorbol ester response pathways, rather than altered expression of PKC isoforms, appear to confer phorbol ester resistance to EL4 cells.      

Perinatal stimulation and adaptation of the neonate

The present report describes psychobiological studies of behavior around the time of birth. An adaptive, ecological perspective is presented in which stimulation of the fetus and newborn is purported to instigate adaptive postpartum behavior. Studies describing the perinatal sensory environment are reviewed, with a consideration of emergent sensory function of the fetus. It is asserted that afferent input associated with parturition perturbs the fetus and neonate, producing a general arousal state that facilitates breathing, suckling, and early learning. The view developed herein is that perinatal sensory input induces and canalizes the newborn's behavior, thereby regulating adaptive postpartum function. Deviations in afferent input may alter ontogenetic trajectories and compromise developmental outcome by reducing availability of conditions necessary for adequate postpartum adaptation.