The cardiovascular influence of interleukin-1 beta on the expression of bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors

The cytokine interleukin 1ss (IL-1ss) and the bradykinin receptors 1 (B1R) and 2 (B2R) are known to be upregulated in the ischemic heart. In the present study we investigated whether or not there is a causal link between these entities. Further we investigated whether or not pharmacological inhibition of IL-1ss release affects B1R and B2R regulation as well as left ventricular (LV) function in an in vivo rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). B1R and B2R mRNA levels were determined in cultured rat cardiomyocytes, aortic smooth muscle cells and cardiac fibroblasts (n=6 per group) under basal conditions, and after incubation of IL-1ss (40, 400 and 4000 pg/ml). Also, MI was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by ligation of the left descending coronary artery. Rats were treated with the interleukin converting enzyme inhibitor (ICEI) pralnacasan (50 mg/kg/day), or with a placebo. Three weeks after induction of MI, LV function was assessed using a 1.4 Millar TIP-catheter. Cardiac expressions of B1R and B2R mRNA were measured using ribonuclease-protection assays. Under basal conditions, both B1R and B2R were expressed in cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells, but not in cardiac fibroblasts. IL-1ss cultivation led only in cardiomyocytes to a significant upregulation of B1R mRNA. To a significant upregulation of B2R mRNA, it did not. In addition, ICEI treatment led in vivo to a significant downregulation of cardiac B1R mRNA, but not of B2R mRNA expression three weeks after induction of MI. Our data suggest that a causal link exists between cardiac IL-1ss content and B1R regulation after MI.     

An epidemiologic study of the fungal skin flora among the elderly in Alexandria

The fungal skin flora of a sample of 205 elderly persons in Alexandria, drawn by cluster sampling probability technique, was investigated. Pathogenic yeasts were isolated from 18.6% and 10.3% of skin and nails respectively. Candida albicans (16.1% and 7.3%) was prominent. A low prevalence of dermatophytes grown on agar (2.4% from skin and 2.9% from nails) was observed. In contrast, saprophytic filamentous fungi comprised 45.4 and 50.7% of skin and nails samples respectively. This study showed no statistically significant effect of sociodemographic variables (sex, marital status, crowding index, and income per capita) on the skin flora. There was no statistical significant difference between elderly diabetics and non-diabetics as regards fungal skin flora.     

Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Tobacco Smoking Among Intermediate and Secondary School Students in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the prevalence of and characteristics associated with tobacco smoking; (ii) identify the factors associated with tobacco smoking; and (iii) evaluate the association between tobacco smoking and khat chewing among intermediate and secondary school students in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample (N = 4100) of intermediate and secondary school students in Jazan Region. The data were collected using a pretested modified version of the global youth tobacco survey questionnaire. Results: A total of 3923 students from 72 intermediate and secondary schools for males and females in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia, were included in this study. The ever having smoked prevalence was 17.3%, and the current smoking prevalence was 10.7%. The most important independent predictors of smoking were academic performance (odds ratio [OR]: 5.32), having friends who used khat (OR: 3.23), and having friends who used tobacco (OR: 2.88). Conclusions: Understanding the factors and predictors associated with tobacco use are crucial to identifying high-risk groups to design tobacco prevention and control programs. For the first time, a strong and statistically significant association was identified between tobacco smoking and khat chewing among intermediate and secondary school students in Jazan Region. Because the use of khat is increasingly spreading outside of its traditional areas to Europe and America, this finding may have an important impact on tobacco control efforts internationally.     

Scleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses using fascia lata to cover the knots

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of fascia lata to cover the polypropylene knots of scleral fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fascia lata was used to cover the knots of scleral fixated PCIOL in 5 eyes with significant scleral thinning. Four of the 5 eyes had the PCIOL insertion and the fascia lata patching in the same setting. The fifth eye previously had scleral fixated PCIOL with late suture erosion through a partial thickness scleral flap. RESULTS: There was no suture exposure or graft thinning throughout a follow-up period of 8 to 16 months. The eyes tolerated the fascia lata well with no early or late postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Fascia lata provides an effective means to cover the knots of scleral fixated PCIOL, especially in aphakic patients with significant scleral thinning.     

Heterozygosity for the BLM(Ash) mutation and cancer risk

Bloom syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder whose characteristics include an increased risk for many types of cancers. In contrast to the homozygous mutations of Bloom syndrome, heterozygous carriers of BLM mutations may be at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. We have screened 2,333 Jewish individuals, including 497 individuals with colorectal cancer, 125 with adenomatous polyps, 767 with noncolorectal cancers and 944 controls for the truncating BLM(Ash) founder mutation. The BLM(Ash) mutation was carried by 0.80% of individuals with colorectal neoplasia, 0.87% of those with any type of cancer and 0.85% of controls. In addition to case-control data, we found no evidence to support a significant relationship between increased cancer risk and heterozygous BLM(Ash) mutations with respect to age of cancer diagnosis, tumor multiplicity or family cancer history.     

In Vivo performance of ophthalmic preparations of betamethasone and phenylephrine hydrochloride in the rabbit eye: Effect of polyvinyl alcohol

The effect of different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol 14000 and 72000 (PVA 14 and 72) on the activity of betamethasone and phenylephrine hydrochloride in the rabbit eye was investigated. The polymer of higher molecular weight exerts a more pronounced effect at relatively lower viscosities. Effects on the intraocular pressure are more responsive to changes in viscosity than those on pupillary response.     

Evaluation of a Nurse Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator–Facilitated Program on Pediatric Readiness and Process of Care in Community Emergency Departments After Collaboration With a Pediatric Academic Medical Center

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Corelease of GABA/glycine in lamina-X of the spinal cord of neonatal rats

Spinal-cord slices from neonatal rats were used to record lamina-X neurons using the patch-clamp technique under whole cell recording configuration. Lamina-X surrounds the central canal of the spinal cord and contains sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the central autonomic nucleus. Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin and kynurenic acid to block action potential-dependent transmitter release and glutamatergic transmissions, respectively. We recorded mixed gamma-amino-n-butyric acid/glycine miniature synaptic currents suggesting that gamma-amino-n-butyric acid and glycine can be coreleased from the same single synaptic vesicles, and that this corelease can be detected by the postsynaptic cell. In addition, acetylcholine can induce the release of gamma-amino-n-butyric acid/glycine by acting presynaptically at nicotinic receptors located on the gamma-amino-n-butyric acid ergic/glycinergic terminals.