Role of Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide on anti-HSV activity of macrophages from different anatomical sites

It is generally agreed that endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria play a modulatory role on several macrophage functions. The intrinsic activity versus herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 of Kupffer cells, peritoneal and alveolar macrophages, harvested from normal and tumour-bearing rats, was evaluated. Moreover, the effects of different intravenous treatments with S. enteritidis endotoxin were investigated. The antiviral activity of peritoneal, alveolar macrophages and Kupffer cells from tumour-bearing rats is definitely impaired but it appears to be positively modulated by in-vivo administration of S. enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS).     

Combined surgical approach to coexistent carotid and coronary artery disease.

Combined coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy were performed in 52 patients (mean age 61 years) between 1981 and 1990. Of these, 36 (69%) had functional class III-IV angina pectoris, 33 (63%) had triple-vessel disease, 36 (69%) had one, or more, previous myocardial infarctions, and 33 (63%) had an abnormal left ventricular function. In 4 cases, additional cardiac procedures were performed. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis was documented in 29 patients (56%) and the remaining 23 (44%) had experienced cerebrovascular symptoms. All patients had hemodynamically significant stenosis of at least one carotid artery, 17 (33%) had severe bilateral carotid artery stenosis, and 6 (11%) had an additional occlusion of the contralateral internal carotid artery. There were no early deaths. Perioperative morbidity included: myocardial infarction in 4 patients (7.7%) and neurological deficit in 3 (5.7%) but functional impairment was not permanent. Late results have been obtained for all 52 patients at a mean postoperative interval of 35 months. Four patients (7.7%) have died, and the 5 year life-table survival rate was 83%. At five years, actuarial curves showed 67% of patients to be free of all serious events or death. Late mortality and morbidity were related above all to the progression of the coronary artery disease. We concluded that simultaneous endarterectomy of significant carotid artery stenosis in candidates for coronary bypass can be done safely and considered as more practical for the patient.     

Treatment of hirsutism related to micropolycystic ovary syndrome (MPCO) with two low-dose oestrogen oral contraceptives: a comparative randomized evaluation

In order to evaluate the clinical and endocrinological efficacy of two low-dose oral contraceptives (OC) containing 30 micrograms Ethinylestradiol (EE) and 150 micrograms Desogestrel (DG) and 75 micrograms Gestodene (GD), respectively, an open randomized study was carried out in 34 young hirsute women, matched for body mass index and age. All of them met endocrine and ultrasonic criteria for Micropolycystic Ovary Syndrome (MPCO). The participants were randomly assigned to one of two pill groups (each of 17). The serum values for Total Testosterone (TT), Free Testosterone (FT), Androstenedione (A), Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS), 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17Pg), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Ceruloplasmin (CP), as well as Ferriman-Gallwey Index (FGI) and Free Androgen Index (FAI) were evaluated prior to and after EE-DG and EE-GD 6 cycle treatment. A significant decrease in TT, FT, A, 17Pg, DHEA, DHEAS, FGI, FAI was observed, SHRG and CP increased significantly. There were no significant differences between the two OC. Our results seem to indicate that both OC are equipotent as far as their pharmacological profile and residual androgenic activity are concerned. Therefore, these OC may represent a highly effective and suitable alternative to the treatment of hyperandrogenism related to MPCO.     

Perception of social support: a comparative study between men with and without substance-related disorders

The influence of drug abuse on social support has been explored in different studies; however, the social support networks of individuals with substance-related disorders have not been described in comparison with individuals without these diagnoses. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the differences in the perception of men with and without substance-related disorders, specifically with regards to their social support network and the structural characteristics of their personal networks. Data were collected using psychometric scales and analysed through statistical methods that compared the two study groups. One-hundred patients participated in this study; participants were recruited at two public health service centres in an inner city of Brazil. The results showed that individuals with substance-related disorders displayed less satisfaction with their social support network and a lower density in their personal networks compared with the group without substance-related disorders. From these results, it appears that professionals involved in caring for these patients should implement interventions that improve the support networks of this patient population to facilitate both prevention and recovery.     

Characterization of the class I antiarrhythmic activity of cibenzoline succinate in guinea pig papillary muscle

The effects of cibenzoline on transmembrane action potentials were examined in guinea pig papillary muscle. Cibenzoline (1-128 microM) did not alter the action potential durations at 50 and 90% of repolarization, the effective refractory period or the ratio of effective refractory period to action potential duration at 90% of repolarization. Likewise, the maximum diastolic potential was virtually unaffected. Cibenzoline depressed the maximum rate of rise of phase 0 (dV/dtmax). This effect was dependent on the rate of stimulation and occurred at a relatively low concentration (2 microM). The onset of use-dependent depression was monoexponential and dependent on the drug concentration, as well as the rate of stimulation. The rate of recovery from use-dependent depression also followed a single exponential time course but was independent of drug concentration and stimulation rate. When cibenzoline and lidocaine were combined in the tissue bath, dV/dtmax recovered with a double exponential time course. The first and second components of this recovery corresponded to the time course observed with lidocaine (first) and cibenzoline (second) alone. Also, the magnitude of the second component was less with the combination than with cibenzoline alone, indicating an interaction between the two drugs. In addition, cibenzoline shifted the curve relating normalized dV/dtmax to membrane potential in the hyperpolarizing direction. Finally, cibenzoline did not alter slow-response action potentials induced by elevated [K]o and isoproterenol. The authors conclude that cibenzoline acts as a class la antiarrhythmic agent in guinea pig papillary muscle.