The nicardipine-isoprenaline interaction in human and guinea-pig isolated airways

Summary— The effects of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nicardipine on the concentration-response curves of relaxant compounds acting through the adenylate-cyclase/cAMP system (isoprenaline, forskolin, adenosine and theophylline) or by the cGMP pathway (sodium nitroprusside) were studied on human isolated bronchus and guinea-pig isolated trachea. These effects were compared with those of nifedipine (a dihydropyridine derivative) and theophylline (a non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor). Nicardipine, in the range of 0.01 to 1 μM, significantly potentiated the relaxant effects of isoprenaline, forskolin, adenosine and theophylline, whereas the effects of sodium nitroprusside were significantly potentiated at 10 μM only. These results suggest that nicardipine behaves as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterases III and IV. One such effect may be involved in the potentiation of the isoprenaline relaxation of human and guinea-pig isolated airways.     

The health of a group of young Australians in a New South Wales juvenile justice detention centre: A pilot study

Objective: To consider the health profile of a sample of young, largely male Australians as assessed on their admission to a New South Wales Juvenile Justice Detention Centre.
Method: A retrospective analysis of primary care nurse health records for 100 sequential admissions.
Results: Of the 97 males and three females (mean age = 15.9 years), 30 were Aboriginal and 39 did not live with either parent at the time of admission. Respiratory illness, such as bronchitis and asthma were common. These diagnoses were overshadowed by histories of significant physical injury. The sample was at high risk of sexually transmitted disease. Forty-six per cent had prior contact with a mental health professional, 26% reported they had thought of suicide and 9% reported having attempted suicide. There was a high prevalence of substance abuse.
Conclusion: The health of these young Australians is at risk from every perspective. Improving the quality of their health assessments is an important issue for the clinicians who attend them as individuals and for policy makers who aim to reduce the considerable social and economic cost of juvenile crime. The discussion of these results from one centre has revealed opportunities to make such improvements. There is a need for a gathering of expertise to address the issue, preferably on a national basis.     

Familial hemolytic-uremic syndrome in three generations

The hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are complex entities characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and variable impairment of renal function, occasionally complicated by neurological symptoms. In both syndromes, rare instances of familial forms have been reported. We present the case of a family in which signs and symptoms of HUS/TTP appeared in three generations. We also briefly review the literature on inherited forms of HUS/TTP and discuss the outcome of renal transplantation in adult patients with this syndrome.     

Stress examination of the cruciate ligaments: a radiologic Lachman test

A commercially available stress device is described for the radiographic examination of the anterior and posterior drawer in patients with suspected injury to the cruciate ligament. The radiologic Lachman test correlates well with its clinical counterpart and with arthroscopy. Its specific advantages are quantitative documentation of the test results and the selective testing of the anterior and posterior ligaments.     

Audit of height measurement at age 3 years: results of a survey of Scottish health boards

Height measurement at about the age of 3 years is accepted as a routine practice by all 15 Scottish health boards and is a recommendation of the Hall report Health for all Children. As part of a Scotland-wide project to assess the feasibility of audit of preschool surveillance programmes using routinely collected data, all boards were asked for information about this procedure. The results show that, while all boards confirmed its usefulness as a screening measure, only one board was realistically able to audit height measurement at this age at all stages using routinely available data. The whole screening process, including programme management, equipment validation, staff training and referral criteria, was examined using the quality standards defined in the Hall report. Results showed a wide variation between boards. For example, fewer than half of the boards provided guidelines for height measurement at age 3 to all professionals involved. The availability of even basic outcome data, such as numbers of children measured at this age was patchy, although this will improve with the introduction of the national computerised preschool surveillance system. Two boards have no plans to record such data routinely. In conclusion, before outcome data can be used and relied on, health boards and trusts need to develop local guidelines including quality standards such as age limits for measurement, programme management, provision of equipment, and review and referral criteria for inclusion into contracts.     

Central 5HT1A-receptor binding in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Central 5HT1A-receptors have been found with a high density in brainstem and are involved in cardiovascular control. The high-affinity binding of [3H]-8-OH-DPAT, a specific 5HT1A-receptor ligand, was measured in medulla oblongata of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The maximal number of [3H]-8-OH-DPAT binding site (Bmax) was significantly increased in SHR when compared to normotensive rats. Whether central 5HT1A-receptors are involved in the etiology of hypertension or are influenced by other neurochemical events remains to be investigated.