Effects of prolactin and LH on the activity of delta5-3beta hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase, dihydro-orotic dehydrogenase, b-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the testis of the dwarf mice.

The activity of delta5-3beta Hydroxysteroid hydro-genase, dihydro orotic dehydrogenase, B-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was studied in the testes of hereditary dwarf mice treated with Prolactin or LH. Two months old dw/dw dwarf mice were injected twice daily, for 14 days, either with 100 mug ovine Prolactin, or 5 mug ovine LH twice a day. Prolactin treatment increased the activity of all the enzymes assessed. Treatment with LH stimulated the activity of all the enzymes as compared to the saline treated animals but less than the Prolactin treated ones. The data bearing that the increased activity of several oxidising enzymes in the testes of hereditary dwarf mice is increased with Prolactin, is consistent with the suggested effect of this hormone on testicular steroidogenesis.     

Early non-invasive diagnosis of cervical cancer: beyond Pap smears and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing

Cervical cancer is a major gynecologic malignancy around the world. However, current diagnostic methods such as Pap smear and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing are insufficient for an early diagnosis of cervical cancer, follow-up on therapy efficacy or to identify the women who might progress to cervical cancer (only about 1-5% of the HPV-positive women will develop cervical cancer). Patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) clearly need a better screening test. Developing a non-invasive method for early diagnosis of cervical cancer is essential. Our in vitro and translational research data support the hypothesis that: 1. Squamous cell cervical cancer is related to specific upregulation of tissue and serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-II levels (IGF-II; 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Serum IGF-I, but not IGF-II levels are elevated in other gynecological, breast, lung and prostate cancers. Serum IGF-II test helps in diagnosing cervical cancer as early as ASC-US or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)-I and in monitoring therapy efficacy (p < 0.001 by Student's 't' test and Chi-square analysis). 2. Concomittant to increased serum IGF-II levels, IGF-Binding Protein 3 (IGF-BP3) levels are significantly decreased in persistent CIN and cervical cancer (p < 0.0001). As IGF-BP3 modulates IGF-II biological activity, significantly decreased serum IGF-BP3 levels (levels normalize after therapy; p < 0.001) may indicate a poor prognosis. Similar to serum IGF-II, serum IGF-BP3 levels help monitoring therapy efficacy in cervical cancer and advanced CIN. Measurement of serum IGF-II levels will help in early diagnosis of cervical cancer and monitoring of therapy outcome. Serum IGF-BP3 in conjunction with IGF-II levels may help in predicting prognosis as well as monitoring therapy efficacy.     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the rhizome oil of Hedychium larsenii

The composition of essential oil from the rhizomes of Hedychium larsenii M. Dan & Sathish was examined by GC-FID and GC-MS techniques. 99% of the oil consisted of monoterpenoids. Sesquiterpenoids were present only in negligible quantities. Linalool and 1,8-cineole were identified as the major components. The oil showed moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

The role of hyperosmolal food in the development of atherosclerosis

Hyperosmolality of ingested food causes excessive thermogenesis in humans. And when this heat does not find a way to dissipate or expelled from body it causes the blood circulatory system to build an insulator wall by depositing fat in aorta resulting in atherosclerosis. The mechanism of excessive thermogenesis is presently unknown. It seems that the hyperosmolal food stimulates intestinal osmoreceptors and raises plasma osmolality. However, the dissipation of this heat is less likely to occur in obese people than skinny people because there is an extra layer of fat in obese people. In addition, the climatic conditions do not affect the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, hyperosmolality of ingested food is the primary factor in the development of atherosclerosis and obesity is only secondary. In addition, the ingestion of fat has practically no effect on the development of atherosclerosis because it does not cause thermogenesis like amino acids, sugars, and NaCl do. Thus, both skinny as well as obese people are at risk of developing atherosclerosis if they habitually consume hyperosmolal foods irrespective of what part of the world they live in.     

Canadian physical therapists' interest in web-based and computer-assisted continuing education

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Distance education via computer-assisted learning (CAL), including Web-based and CD-ROM learning, confers a number of advantages compared with traditional learning methods. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the interest of Canadian physical therapists in participating in continuing education using CAL methods and (2) to determine whether interest in CAL was related to type of employment, area of practice, education, computer skill and access, and other demographic variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A random sample of Canadian physical therapists and all members of cardiopulmonary interest groups were surveyed. RESULTS: Of 1,426 survey questionnaires mailed, 69 were returned (58 were unopened and 11 were duplicates). From the remaining 1,357 potential survey responses, 757 responses were received, for an overall response rate of 56%. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents indicated their interest in participating in CAL. Factors associated with interest in CAL included 2 or more hours of Internet access per week, Internet access at both home and work, computer skill, education level, practice area, and belonging to a cardiopulmonary interest group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a large positive interest in CAL. Increasing CAL continuing education opportunities could increase options for physical therapists to meet professional expectations for continuing competency.