Anti-thyroid drugs decrease mucosal damage in a rat model of experimental colitis

Background : Methimazole, an anti-thyroid drug, was recently found to be useful in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. Moreover, decreased thyroid hormone production is associated with a variety of immunological manifestations, such as reduced activation of CD4⁺ cells, increased CD8⁺ cell activity and reduced soluble IL-2 receptors. In the present study we examined the effects of methimazole and propylthiouracil on a rat model of experimental colitis.
Methods : Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of 30 mg trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNB). Two weeks prior to induction of colitis, rats were treated by either methimaziole (0.04%) or propylthiouracil (0.01%) in drinking water after a week of free access to water. Rats were sacrificed 48 h or 7 days after induction of colitis. The colon was isolated, rinsed with ice-cold water and weighed. Damage was assessed both macroscopically and microscopically and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity determined.
Results : All treated rats were hypothyroid as manifested by a significant elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), by comparison with the control groups (mean -1.82±0.40 versus 0.11±0.02 mmol/L, respectively). The inflammatory response elicited by TNB resulted in severe mucosal damage 48 h after damage induction, which persisted for 7 days. Pre-treatment with either methimazole 0.04% or propylthiouracil 0.01% significantly decreased mucosal damage macroscopically (lesion area, lesion score and segmental weight) microscopically and also significantly decreased MPO level at both time points ( P <0.01).
Conclusions : Methimazole and propylthiouracil significantly reduce mucosal damage and colonic weight in a rat model of colitis. The mode by which they do so remains to be studied.     

Eating to beat breast cancer: Potential role for soy supplements

Background: The study reviews the anticancer properties of naturalisoflavones which occur in especially high concentration in soybeans. Itconsiders the suitability of soybean products for clinical trials aiming toreduce the progression of breast cancer.Methods: Evidence is reviewed that plant isoflavones such asgenistein show cytostatic activity against human mammary cancer cell linesin vitro and can also suppress carcinogen-induced mammary cancer inyoung and mature rats.Results: Plant isoflavones are converted in the bowel to compoundswith potential antioestrogenic and antioxidative properties. These compoundsshow cytostatic activity for both oestrogen receptor-positive and negativehuman mammary cancer cell lines, and also inhibit growth and progress of therat mammary cancer model. The high content of soybean products in the diet ofAsian women has been postulated as one reason for their relatively low breastcancer incidence.Conclusion: Preclinical studies suggest that soybean products begiven priority for clinical trials in breast cancer protection. A pilot studycould test soy protein supplements as long-term adjuvant dietary treatmentafter primary surgery for early breast cancer, looking for a decrease in therisk of recurrence or of second primary tumours.     

Laser-induced fluorescence studies of the biodistribution of carotenoporphyrins in mice.

The biodistribution of two recently developed tumour markers, trimethylated (CP(Me)3) and trimethoxylated (CP(OMe)3) carotenoporphyrin, was investigated by means of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) after i.v. injection into 38 tumour-bearing (MS-2 fibrosarcoma) female Balb/c mice. At 3, 24, 48 or 96 h after administration, the carotenoporphyrin fluorescence was measured in tumoral and peritumoral tissue, as well as in the abdominal, thoracic and cranial cavities. The fluorescence was induced by a nitrogen laser-pumped dye laser, emitting light at 425 nm, and analysed by a polychromator equipped with an image-intensified CCD camera. The fluorescence was evaluated at 490, 655 and 720 nm: the second and third wavelengths represent the carotenoporphyrin (CP)-related peaks, whereas the first one is close to the peak of the tissue autofluorescence. The tumour and the liver were the two tissue types showing the strongest carotenoporphyrin-related fluorescence, whereas the cerebral cortex and muscle consistently exhibited weak substance-related fluorescence. In most tissue types, the fluorescence intensities decreased over time. A few exceptions were observed, notably the liver, in which the intensity remained remarkably constant over the time period investigated.     

Transition theory and its relevance to patients with chronic wounds.

A wound, in the broadest sense, is a disruption of normal anatomic structure and function. Acute wounds progress through a timely and orderly sequence of repair that leads to the restoration of functional integrity. In chronic wounds, this timely and orderly sequence goes awry. As a result, people with chronic wounds often face not only physiological difficulties but emotional ones as well. The study of body image and its damage as a result of a chronic wound fits well with Selder's transition theory. This article describes interviews with seven patients with chronic wounds. The themes that emerged from those interviews were compared with Selder's theory to describe patients' experience with chronic wounds as a transition process that can be identified and better understood by healthcare providers.     

Seasonality of sex ratio in Germany

It was investigated whether there is a seasonal variation in sex ratio at birth in Germany. The analysis was based on records from the German Bureau for Statistics, covering the period from 1946 to 1995. A highly significant (P < or = 0.001), albeit low-amplitude rhythm was found with two peaks in May and December, and two nadirs in March and October. No correlations were found between sex ratios and seasonal birth rates during this period.      

Adverse reactions following pulsed tunable dye laser treatmentof port wine stains in 701 patients

The pulsed tunable dye laser (PTDL) is generally considered to have a very low incidence of adverse effects, allowing it to become the treatment of choice for the majority of port wine stains (PWS). The low incidence of adverse effects has led to difficulties in determining the true incidence and type of adverse effect seen with this laser. We therefore undertook a retrospective study of 701 patients with PWS, who received 3877 full treatments to determine the incidence and type of adverse effects seen following treatment with the PTDL. Blistering and crusting were seen in 5·9% and 0·7% of patients, respectively, but were transient events which usually healed without permanent sequelae. Hyperpigmentation was the most frequently observed adverse effect seen in 9·1% of patients but generally showed gradual resolution over 6–12 months. Hypopigmentation was infrequent, seen in 1.4% of patients. The most significant adverse effects were atrophic and hypertrophic scarring seen in 4·3% and 0·7% of patients, respectively. Our observations show that there is a small but definite risk of atrophic scarring with a predisposition for younger patients. Hypertrophic scarring can occur albeit rarely and there may be a predisposition towards the neck. In most cases test areas were not predictive of scarring. This underlines the need for a full discussion of scarring risk in patients with PWS undergoing treatment with the PTDL.     

Effect of UVB 311 nm irradiation on normal human skin

Ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) on the skin induces erythema, inflammation and modifications of the immune system. These changes have been reported after excessive short-term or long-term exposure to broad spectrum UVB. In this study, we examined the effects of local repetitive UVB irradiation of 311 nm wavelength on the skin of seven young volunteers. Skin biopsies were taken before and after UVB irradiation, and we immunohistochemically analyzed the expression of CD1a and HLA-DR antigens of Langerhans cells (LC), the possible infiltration of dermis/epidermis by CD11b macrophages, the modifications or the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) involved in the binding of leukocytes to the endothelial surface and the development of perivascular infiltrates of LFA-1⁺ mononuclear cells. We also determined the expression of substance P receptors (SPR) using biotinylated substance P (SPB). Exposure of UVB 311 nm induced a drastic reduction of CD1a⁺ cells and a moderate increase of HLA-DR⁺ dendritic cells in the epidermis without infiltration by CD11b macrophages. An increase of the binding of SPB to upper layer epidermal cells was noted in five of seven biopsies. In the dermis, vessel-associated ICAM-1 expression increased and an induction of E-selectin occurred on nearly 20 to 40% of endothelial cells, but VCAM-1 expression remained undetectable. The percentage of LFA-1⁺ cells did not change significantly after irradiation. These observations may be compatible with a selective role of UVB 311 nm on the skin immune response.     

A clinical and radiological two‐year follow‐up study of maxillary overdentures on osseointegrated implants

In order to satisfy the need to restore the aesthetics, phonetics and comfort and to facilitate optimal hygiene procedures, 20 edentulous patients were treated with a new concept of overdenture therapy on implants ad modum Brånemark. After 24±3.5 months the patients were re‐examined. They were asked to answer a questionnaire and use a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to give their opinion on the prosthetic treatment. The results indicate that an implant‐retained overdenture in the maxilla with this design can satisfy the patients needs in aesthetics, phonetics and comfort and can 1 facilitate oral hygiene measures.