Effects of antimicrobial agents on spontaneous and endotoxin-induced cytokine release of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

 Because the immunomodulatory effects of antibiotics could possibly influence the degree of the systemic and local response to infection, knowledge of their intrinsic influence on the host's inflammatory response appears to be essential. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of frequently used antimicrobial agents (β-lactams, quinolones gentamicin, vancomycin and metronidazole) on the in-vitro tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production of isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC), cultured with or without endotoxin, in comparison with those effects obtained in a whole-blood assay system. In the presence of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and metronidazole, a significant inhibition of the endotoxin-stimulated TNF-α production of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) was found at therapeutic levels. Only ofloxacin showed a significant inhibitory influence on the endotoxin-induced IL-6 production of PBMNC. In the whole-blood assay, significant effects were not detectable. None of the antibiotics showed cytotoxicity. It is concluded that, at present, the direct immunological effects of antibiotics should be interpreted carefully with regard to the experimental conditions, and regardless of the therapeutic implications. To assess the potential direct immunomodulatory effect of antimicrobial agents, different cell culture procedures should be used. Received: October 19, 2001 / Accepted: February 15, 2002     

Reproduktionsmedizin

Since the introduction of in vitro fertilization in 1978, reproductive medicine and its associated scientific fields have developed rapidly. In Germany, progress in this field is impeded by the German Embryo Protection Act. Exemplary are the prohibition of embryo selection and the ban on genetic testing of the pre-implantation embryo. Nevertheless, infertility treatment outcome has to be optimized within the framework of this law, with the aim of making treatment more efficient, lowering the incidence of multiple gestations, making ovarian hyperstimulation safer, as well as reducing the financial costs for the couple.     

Changes in Marijuana Use Over the Transition Into Marriage

Reductions in substance use tend to coincide with marriage, as both may occur during emerging adulthood. During the transition to marriage, it is possible that one's spouse may be the influence that causes the reduction in substance use. Data on participants (N = 471 couples) for this report are taken from a longitudinal study of early marriage. The objective of the current analysis is to determine if having a spouse who uses marijuana is associated with a greater likelihood of one's own use. Additionally, we are interested in spousal influence and cessation. The findings support spousal influence. Husbands are more likely to start using marijuana if their wives use marijuana, but the reverse is not true. Husbands also are more likely to stop using if their spouses do not use. During the transition into marriage, the drug use of one spouse does affect the other. However, this influence appears to be unidirectional, with wives influencing their husbands more often.     

Le syndrome de Lazare: une problématique de la rémission. Réflexions autour de la maladie cancéreuse chez l’adulte

Résumé: La rémission du cancer peut être l’occasion pour certains patients d’une réelle détresse émotionnelle ainsi que d’une désadaptation psychologique appelées: syndrome de Lazare. Nous émettons trois hypothèses explicatives quant à la survenue de tels troubles. La première confronte l’issue du cancer aux concepts psychanalytiques de dette et de masochisme. La deuxième envisage les symptômes sous l’angle d’une réaction de sevrage. Et la dernière évoque le contrecoup traumatique des traitements.Dossier: «Cliniques du cancer»     

Identification and treatment of scurvy: a case report.

Scurvy is a nondiscriminatory disease process resulting from a nutritional deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The severe vitamin deficiency produces a breakdown in the cellular structure of the body. This case report describes a middle-age woman with a history of edema, bruising of the lower extremities, anemia, and severe periodontal disease. Her presentation and medical history are classic for the signs of scurvy. Scurvy is now only uncommonly seen in developed countries, but there are still vulnerable populations whose nutritional status can lead to scurvy. The aim of this report is to help the clinician identify and treat scurvy, a disease that was once feared for its high mortality but is now easily treatable, even in cases that have progressed to multiple organ dysfunction and failure.     

The photoionization-reduced energy in LSC.

The atomic rearrangement cascade that follows the electron-capture decay process in low-Z radionuclides involves X-rays which have high photoelectric interaction probabilities. When the K-shell binding energy of the ionized atom (e.g., hydrogen) is significantly lower than the energy of the X-ray photon, the detector response to a photon-equivalent energy electron and the whole photoionization process are very similar. This is not the case when the scintillator cocktail contains larger atoms (e.g., oxygen and phosphorus in Ultima Gold). For larger Z atoms, the reduced energy of the whole photoionization process is less than the reduced energy of the interacting photon due to the nonlinear effects of ionization quenching. This paper shows the convenience of including a more detailed simulation of the photoionization process in the atomic rearrangement detection model for electron-capture nuclides such as (55)Fe, (51)Cr and (54)Mn. The need for more elaborate atomic rearrangement models is a consequence of the analysis of (125)I data.     

Evidence for frequent divergence impairment in French dyslexic children: deficit of convergence relaxation or of divergence per se?

Aim There is a controversy as to whether dyslexic children present visuo-motor disabilities such as vergence and accommodative problems assessed with orthoptic tests. The purpose of this study is to re-examine this issue in a large population of children. Methods Extensive orthoptic evaluation was made in 57 dyslexic and 46 non-dyslexic (“normal”) age-matched children. Convergence and divergence capacities were evaluated at two distances (30 cm and 400 cm). Results Binocular vision measured with stereo-acuity tests was normal in dyslexics. In contrast, the near point of convergence was significantly more remote in dyslexics; most importantly, divergence at both far and near distance was significantly more reduced in dyslexics (median value 4 pD and 10 pD, respectively, at far and near) than in “normals” (median value 6 pD and 12 pD, at far and near). Conclusion The existence of the divergence deficit at far distance indicates the presence of deficit of divergence per se, independently from convergence and accommodation relaxation. This result is novel and corroborated by physiological studies indicating distinct control of convergence and divergence, both at the cortical and subcortical premotor level. We conclude that vergence deficits are frequently present in dyslexics, and that dyslexics should be re-educated; training should address distinctively convergence and divergence subsystems.     

Lenticulostriate vasculopathy in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Intracranial pathology is a common and important complication in extremely low birth weight babies. Lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV) is an abnormal finding on cranial ultrasounds of sick babies and has been associated with congenital infection, chromosomal aberration and twin-to-twin transfusion. We describe a previously unreported situation of LSV being detected in both donor and recipient twin. This pair of monochorionic, diamniotic twins was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at 28 weeks of gestation. The mother underwent an emergency caesarean section because ultrasound and Doppler studies showed stage III twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The first twin weighed 998 g and second twin weighed 600 g. The first twin had an uneventful stay, whereas the second twin needed prolonged continuous positive airway pressure and indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus. Both of them developed LSV. The clinical significance of this condition on the neuro-developmental outcome of a neonate has not yet been fully determined.