Fibroblast growth factor receptor expression reflects cellular differentiation in human oral squamous carcinoma cell lines

This study examined the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR 2) splice variants, IIIb and IIIc, in normal and malignant human oral keratinocytes and in normal oral fibroblasts by RT-PCR using both exon-specific primers and primers common to both FGFR 2 isoforms. Fibroblasts expressed exclusively FGFR 2/IIIc whilst the normal and malignant keratinocytes co-expressed FGFR 2/IIIb and FGFR 2/IIIc. Well- differentiated keratinocytes expressed proportionally more FGFR 2/IIIb than IIIc whereas the poorly-differentiated cells expressed more FGFR 2/IIIc than IIIb. The normal and malignant keratinocytes, but not fibroblasts, expressed an additional amplification product, which consisted of both IIIb and IIIc of FGFR 2 joined by an extra base pair and with the intronic sequence removed. The results indicate that the expression of FGFR 2 isoforms reflects the degree of cellular differentiation in normal and malignant human oral keratinocytes and that receptor complexes of FGFR 2/IIIb and IIIc may regulate ligand- receptor interactions.      

Accuracy of central venous pressure measurements in the inferior vena cava in the ventilated child

Murdoch IA, Rosenthal E, Huggon IC, Coutinho W, Qureshi SA. Accuracy of central venous pressure measurements in the inferior vena cava in the ventilated child. Acta Pædiatr 1994;83:512–14. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5253
We compared central venous pressure measurements from three sites, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava and right atrium, in 12 children undergoing cardiac catheterization whilst on assisted ventilation. There was no significant difference between the mean pressures in the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. Furthermore, there was also no difference between the mean pressures in the inferior vena cava and the right atrium. Because of the greater safety of the placement of pressure monitoring lines in the inferior vena cava via the femoral vein, this approach should be the preferred route for central venous pressure monitoring in children.     

Anorexia nervosa: who sees the patients and who do the patients see?

Two samples of patients with DSM-III-R anorexia nervosa, one identified by screening of a total population cohort and the other a mixed screening and referral group, were contrasted with a comparison group of sex-, age- and school-matched individuals. The rates and types of services consulted and treatment given were analyzed. The groups with anorexia nervosa tended to differ somewhat in these respects, although the numbers were too small for meaningful statistical calculations to be made. Only half of the total population sample had ever received any treatment for the eating disorder, even many years after anorexia nervosa onset in the teenage period. The implications of these findings are discussed both in terms of clinical needs and as they relate to previous research in anorexia nervosa, which has almost exclusively referred to non-population-based groups of patient.     

Research priorities for australian critical care nurses: do we need them?

The development of research priorities for critical care nurses has been previously examined from the perspective of both Australian and international critical care nursing experts. A variety of techniques have been used to determine research priorities for critical care nursing, however, a clear articulation of research priorities for Australian critical care nurses, which are both timely and encompass all aspects of critical care nursing practice, is lacking. Research priorities previously determined in Australia and elsewhere identify similar clinical research priorities such as nutritional support, infection control, supporting respiratory and cardiac function, and follow-up of critically ill patients. However, differences between the few available studies exist, possibly because of the changing nature of critical care nursing practice. Despite the identification of research priorities for critical care nursing in the past, there is little evidence to demonstrate a direct effect on research output in these areas. Future development of research priorities for Australian critical care nurses needs to be carefully considered. It is essential that identification of such research priorities be done within the context of their intended use.     

Central nervous system tuberculosis presenting as branch retinal vein occlusion

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) associated with ocular tuberculosis (TB) is a rare presentation of retinal vasculitis but it can also present in the absence of active uveitis. We present a 39‐year‐old patient with BRVO who slowly developed bilateral papilloedema due to TB in the central nervous system. To our knowledge, this is the first case of systemic central nervous system TB confirmed by biopsy presenting as a branch retinal vein occlusion and shows the importance of extensive causative investigation of BRVO, especially for young patients.     

Functional and phenotypic characterization of peptide-vaccine-induced HCV-specific CD8+ T cells in healthy individuals and chronic hepatitis C patients

Only very limited information on phenotype and function of vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells is available for humans. We investigated hepatitis C virus-specific CD8+ T cells after vaccination with the HCV peptide-vaccine IC41 which includes 5 MHC-class I and 3 MHC class-II-restricted epitopes. In healthy subjects, IC41 induced both HCV-specific central memory as well as effector CD8+ T cells which rapidly expanded upon antigen exposure in vitro. IFNgamma production was dependent on formulation of the synthetic peptides with the adjuvant poly-l-arginine. In chronic HCV patients, the frequency of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells increased after vaccination with a decline of CD45RA-positive effector memory cells in some but not all patients. Thus, this study suggests that HCV-specific memory cells can be induced by peptide vaccination and that a reversion of functional impaired phenotypes by therapeutic vaccination is possible in chronic HCV infection.     

Baroreflex deficit blunts exercise training‐induced cardiovascular and autonomic adaptations in hypertensive rats

1. Baroreceptors regulate moment‐to‐moment blood pressure (BP) variations, but their long‐term effect on the cardiovascular system remains unclear. Baroreceptor deficit accompanying hypertension contributes to increased BP variability (BPV) and sympathetic activity, whereas exercise training has been associated with an improvement in these baroreflex‐mediated changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the autonomic, haemodynamic and cardiac morphofunctional effects of long‐term sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD) in trained and sedentary spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. Rats were subjected to SAD or sham surgery and were then further divided into sedentary and trained groups. Exercise training was performed on a treadmill (five times per week, 50–70% maximal running speed). All groups were studied after 10 weeks. 3. Sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation in SHR had no effect on basal heart rate (HR) or BP, but did augment BPV, impairing the cardiac function associated with increased cardiac hypertrophy and collagen deposition. Exercise training reduced BP and HR, re‐established baroreflex sensitivity and improved both HR variability and BPV. However, SAD in trained SHR blunted all these improvements. Moreover, the systolic and diastolic hypertensive dysfunction, reduced left ventricular chamber diameter and increased cardiac collagen deposition seen in SHR were improved after the training protocol. These benefits were attenuated in trained SAD SHR. 4. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that the arterial baroreflex mediates cardiac disturbances associated with hypertension and is crucial for the beneficial cardiovascular morphofunctional and autonomic adaptations induced by chronic exercise in hypertension.     

Leaking mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm

A case of leaking mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm is reported, with a brief review of the literature. A 58 year old female presented with shoulder and abdominal pain associated with diarrhoea, vomiting and fever with leucocytosis. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed pooling of contrast in the retroperitoneum anterior to a non-dilated abdominal aorta. There was considerable retroperitoneal blood accumulating in a mass-like lesion in the right lower abdomen and pelvis obstructing the right renal collecting system. Laparotomy revealed a 4 cm diameter saccular aneurysm of the abdominal aorta, with a 1 cm diameter neck. Culture of the thrombus grew Streptococcus pyogenes.     

Screening of anti-dengue activity in methanolic extracts of medicinal plants

Background  

Dengue fever regardless of its serotypes has been the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral diseases among the world population. The development of a dengue vaccine is complicated by the antibody-dependent enhancement effect. Thus, the development of a plant-based antiviral preparation promises a more potential alternative in combating dengue disease.