The influence of caregiving and bereavement support on adjusting to an older relative's death

This study examines the influence of both caregiving social support to an impaired older relative and bereavement social support to a surviving caregiver on that caregiver's bereavement adjustment. Although past research has considered the link between bereavement support and adjustment to a loved one's death, the influence of support to the care recipient has not been investigated. Analyses of prospective panel data from 73 spouse and adult-child caregivers show caregiving support characteristics to be more important for bereavement adjustment than support provided to the surviving caregiver after their relative's death.     

Small intestinal transections decrease the occurrence of tapeworm-induced myoelectric patterns in the rat

Abstract Luminal infection by the noninvasive tapeworm, H. diminuta, alters rat small intestinal myoelectric activity. The significance of continuity between small intestinal enteric nervous system (ENS) and that of both the stomach/pylorus and colon/caecum regarding the induction of tapeworm-altered myoelectric patterns was evaluated. A total of 32 rats were implanted with four serosal electrodes placed at sites in the duodenum through the mid-jejunum. Sixteen of the 32 rats underwent intestinal transections and anastomoses at both the duodenum and ileum. After recording myoelectrical activity of both normal and transected intestines, eight rats from each group (normal and transected) were infected with H.diminuta. Phase III frequency, duration of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), slow wave frequency, percentage of slow waves associated with spike potentials and the occurrence of the the two tapeworm-initiated myoelectric patterns, repetitive bursts of action potentials (RBAP) and sustained spike potentials (SSP), were measured. In infected rats, the frequency of the RBAP and SSP electric patterns were significantly reduced by the double transection. Intestinal transection did not affect the other changes caused by infection, such as decreased MMC phase III frequency and percentage of slow waves associated with spike potentials. In conclusion, a small intestinal ENS in continuity with other segments of the GI tract is required to generate maximal numbers of tapeworm-induced SSP and RBAP myoelectric activity in the small intestine of the rat.     

Activation of lysosomal acid phosphatase of eosinophil leukocytes

Acid phosphatase (AP) within the specific granules of eosinophils is held in a latent, inactive form prior to degranulation. Eosinophils responded to membrane stimuli with activation of AP throughout the granules of the cell, prior to degranulation. Activation occurred within the time required for fixation of the cells by glutaraldehyde. Whereas resting normal eosinophils demonstrated AP activity in 7.8 +/- 1.2 per cent of the granules, cells stimulated with opsonized staphylococci demonstrated activity in 78.9 +/- 5.0 per cent of the granules, and the amount of lead phosphate reactant deposited per active granule was considerably more intense in the stimulated than in the unstimulated cells. A similar stimulation of AP activity in eosinophils occurred with exposure to the surface-active agent phorbol myristate acetate or the calcium ionophore A23187. Activation was not altered by 5 microgram. per ml. of cytochalasin B or 4 x 10(-6) M colchicine. These aspects of the response closely parallel the stimulation of oxidative metabolism of eosinophils; however, the two were separable. Eosinophils obtained from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease, although unable to activate the normal oxidative metabolic burst, demonstrated a normal activation of AP.     

Long-standing asymptomatic primary sclerosing cholangitis report of three cases

Three patients, two males and one female, with asymptomatic primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are described. The diagnosis was made in each case by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography after investigation of persistent elevation of the serum alkaline phosphatase. All three have remained completely well without any medical or surgical treatment for 3, 7, and 15 years, respectively, despite extensive involvement of the biliary tree. Follow-up liver biopsies in two have shown no histological evidence of progression to secondary biliary cirrhosis. PSC may occur more frequently and may follow a less severe clinical course than previously recognized.     

Can vasectomy reduce the incidence of prostatic tumor?

Results from our laboratory have revealed that seminal plasma concentration of acid phosphatase, maltase, prolactin, citric acid, zinc and magnesium which are the secretory products of the prostate gland, decreased significantly in vasectomized men compared to those in controls namely normal fertile men. Further, it was observed that the decrease in prostatic function was not related to the time since vasectomy. Considering these two facts together, we propose that vasectomy may lead to decrease in the incidence of prostatic tumors — a disease that claims nearly 22,000 lives each year in the United States alone.     

Paracecal hernia: case report and review of the literature.

A case of paracecal hernia successfully treated operatively is described. Review of the literature revealed 145 previously reported cases. Our case is added. Pertinent anatomy predisposing to paracecal hernia is reviewed. Roentgenographic signs of paracecal hernia are presented. Clinical signs and symptoms are discussed.     

Eosinophils versus Neutrophils in Host Defense: KILLING OF NEWBORN LARVAE OF TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS BY HUMAN GRANULOCYTES IN VITRO

Eosinophil leukocytes have been reported to have a major role in host defense against invasive, migratory phases of helminth infestations, yet the relative larvicidal abilities of eosinophils and neutrophils have not been thoroughly examined. This study examined the killing of newborn (migratory phase) larvae of Trichinella spiralis during incubation by human granulocytes in vitro. The assay employed cultue of larvae with cells, sera, and reagents in microtiter wells with direct counting of surviving larvae after incubation. Killed larvae appeared to be lysed. Verification of the microplate assay was obtained by demonstrating complete loss of infectivity of larvae incubated with leukocytes and immune serum. In the presence of optimal immune serum concentrations, purified neutrophils or eosinophils achieved >/=95% killing of larvae at cell:larva ratios of 2,000:1 or greater. Fresh normal serum prompted slight (19%) killing by leukocytes at a cell:larva ratio of 9,000:1. Cells plus heat-inactivated normal serum and all sera preparations in the absence of leukocytes killed <8% of the larvae. The activity of immune serum was opsonic. Cells adhered to larvae that had been preincubated in immune serum, and immunofluorescent studies indicated that such preopsonized larvae were coated with immunoglobulin (Ig)G. However, preopsonized larvae lost opsonic activity and surface IgG during incubation for 3 h in medium lacking immune serum.The rate of killing was dependent on the cell:larva ratio; at high leukocyte concentrations (4,200:1), 99% were killed within 7 h; at lower cell:larva ratios, killing increased steadily during a 20-h incubation period. Killing was inhibited by 20 mug catalase, 5 mug/ml cytochalasin B, or 5muM colchicine, but was unchanged by superoxide dismutase and was enhanced by azide or cyanide. Leukocytes from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease, lacking ability to mount a normal oxidative response, demonstrated a markedly suppressed larvicidal effect.The data indicate that neutrophils are at least as effective as eosinophils in the killing of newborn larvae of T. spiralis. The killing appeared to be mediated by the oxidative metabolic burst with its generation of hydrogen peroxide.