Synapsin-like Molecules in Aplysia punctata and Helix pomatia: Identification and Distribution in the Nervous System and During the Formation of Synaptic Contacts In Vitro

The distribution and biochemical features of the synapsin-like peptides recognized in Aplysia and Helix by various antibodies directed against mammalian synapsins were studied. The peptides can be extracted at low pH and are digested by collagenase; further, they can be phosphorylated by both protein kinase A and Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. In the ganglia of both snails, they are associated with the soma of most neurons and with the neuropil; punctate immunostaining is present along the neurites. Using cocultures of a Helix serotoninergic neuron and of its target cell, we analysed the redistribution of the synapsin-like peptides during the formation of active synaptic contacts. When the presynaptic neuron is plated in isolation, both synapsin and serotonin immunoreactivities are restricted to the distal axonal segments and to the growth cones; in the presence of the target, the formation of a chemical connection is accompanied by redistribution of the synapsin and serotonin immunoreactivities that concentrate in highly fluorescent round spots scattered along the newly grown neurites located close to the target cell. Almost every spot that is stained for serotonin is also positive for synapsin. In the presynaptic cell plated alone, the number of these varicosity-like structures is substantially stable throughout the whole period; by contrast, when the presynaptic cell synapses the target, their number increases progressively parallel to the increase in the mean amplitude of cumulative excitatory postsynaptic potentials recorded at the same times. The data indicate that mollusc synapsin-like peptides to some extent resemble their mammalian homologues, although they are not exclusively localized in nerve terminals and their expression strongly correlates with the formation of active synaptic contacts.     

Toward an Understanding of Addiction

Given the large number of women with drug use and addiction problems, nurses have frequent opportunities to intervene to promote positive changes in drug use behavior. Classifications of drugs commonly used and terms relevant to drug use are presented. A discussion of different perspectives on addiction and a theory of change for addictive behaviors provides a foundation for working with women who have addictions.     

Gingival and periodontal health in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract – This study compared the periodontal health of patients with SLE with that of healthy controls. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had significantly lower periodontal probing depths compared with healthy controls. It is possible that systemic drugs such as corticosteroids and NSAIDS may be responsible for these reduced probing depths but this study did not reveal a statistically significant effect of drugs. There is thus no evidence for a predisposition to increased periodontal disease in SLE.     

Protein Adsorption by Artificial Membrane Materials Under Filtration Conditions

Abstract: Elevated plasma levels of numerous low molecular weight proteins (LMWP) in renal insufficiency are likely to contribute to the uremic syndrome. Dialysis-related amyloidosis, caused by the accumulation of β₂-microglobulin (β₂M), has highlighted the need for a renal replacement therapy that allows the elimination of LMWP in addition to small solutes. Synthetic membrane materials employed under hemofiltration conditions proved to be most effective in lowering elevated β₂M plasma levels. In addition to convection, protein adsorption to artificial membrane materials is an important mechanism for β₂M removal. Using an in vitro setup, 12 commercially available hemofilters representing 11 different membrane materials were perfused with human blood containing ¹²⁵I-labeled plasma proteins. Under filtration conditions, total protein adsorption ranged from 338–2,098 mg/m² of membrane surface, and the fraction of adsorbed LMWP varied between 14–70% of total protein adsorption and was negatively correlated to total protein adsorption. β₂M adsorption showed up to an 8-fold difference between membranes, and was negatively correlated with total protein adsorption and positively correlated with the adsorption of LMWPs.     

Five-Year Maintenance Treatment with Ranitidine: Effects on the Natural History of Duodenal Ulcer Disease

In this study, we assessed the effect of a 5-yr maintenance program with ranitidine on the natural history of duodenal ulcer disease hoth during treatment and after drug withdrawal. Two groups of patients with duodenal ulcer were studied. In group A patients (n = 40), ranitidine (150 mg/day) was given continuously for 5 yr; group B patients (n = 40), received seasonal, 8-wk prophylactic treatment with ranitidine (300 mg/day), in spring and fall. Routine endoscopy was performed every year and whenever ulcer symptoms recurred. After the 5-yr study, the drug was discontinued in hoth groups, and patients underwent endoscopy after 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. The probahility of duodenal ulcer recurrence was significantly lower in patients continuously receiving ranitidine ( p < 0.001), and ulcer complications were significantly lesser in group A patients ( p < 0.03). In the 18 months of follow-up after drug discontinuation, only 15% (4/26) of patients of group A relapsed, whereas ulcer recurrence was diagnosed in 84% (26/32) of group B patients ( p < 0.001). We conclude that low-dose continuous treatment with rani-tidine is preferable to seasonal prophylaxis for its ahil-ity to modify thenatural history of duodenal ulcer disease.     

Reduced ACTH Content in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Children Affected by Cryptogenic Infantile Spasms with Hypsarrhythmia

In view of the therapeutic efficacy of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the treatment of infantile spasms (IS) with hypsarrhythmia, we studied the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of ACTH in 15 children (4-10 months) affected by IS with hypsarrhythmia (eight cryptogenic forms, seven secondary to perinatal distress) and in age-matched controls. Lumbar puncture was performed in all but one case before any kind of treatment. In another case, CSF was collected 3 weeks after a spontaneous remission. Both ACTH and beta-endorphin (beta-EP), the other peptide related to the same precursor (proopiomelanocortin), were measured by specific radioimmunoassay after gel chromatography. While beta-EP levels were unchanged in the two groups of patients, ACTH concentrations of cryptogenic (3.75 +/- 2.40 fmol/ml, Mean +/- SD p less than 0.05) and secondary (6.36 +/- 3.70, NS) forms were lower than in controls (10.90 +/- 5.79). On the other hand, ACTH was higher in the case studied after therapy (9.0) and in the case presenting a spontaneous clinical and EEG remission (15.0). These data indicate that in children affected by IS with hypsarrhythmia (mainly of cryptogenic type), CSF levels of ACTH are lower, while levels of beta-EP remain normal. It would therefore appear that central ACTH content may play a possible role in the pathogenesis of IS with hypsarrhythmia.     

Pectenotoxin-2 in single-cell isolates of Dinophysis caudata and Dinophysis acuta from the Galician Rías (NW Spain).

Dinophysis acuta and Dinophysis caudata are seasonal components of the dinoflagellate community in the Galician Rías Bajas (NW Spain). These species can be the main contributors to the occurrence of Lipophilic Shellfish Toxins (LST) in September-October, leading to prohibition of harvesting in an area of intensive mariculture (250 x 10(3)t of cultured mussels, 60 x 10(3)t of other shellfish in natural banks, per year). Previous analyses of okadaic acid (OA) and related toxins in these two species by HPLC revealed significant amounts of OA and DTX2 in D. acuta, but only trace amounts of OA in D. caudata cells, and led to the erroneous conclusion that the contribution of the latter species to autumn LST events was negligible. Recent analyses by LC-MS/MS of individually picked cells of D. acuta and D. caudata have shown that both species may have high levels of PTX2 (up to 30 pg and 130 pg cell(-1), respectively) and that this toxin can be the dominant toxin during toxic outbreaks associated with Dinophysis spp. Although the quick conversion of PTX2 to PTX-2SA in mussels may reduce the risks for human health, these results have important implications for monitoring programmes. The complex toxin profile of shellfish exposed to Dinophysis spp. populations should be taken into account when making decisions on the toxin control methods to be used as the basis of the programme. Conclusive toxicological studies are required to elucidate the public health relevance of the different PTXs derivatives and to provide the scientific basis for regulations.     

Effective Strategies for Implementing a Multicenter International Clinical Trial

Purpose: International collaboration in research is essential in order to improve worldwide health. The purpose of this paper is to describe strategies used to administer an international multicenter trial to assess the effectiveness of a nursing educational intervention.
Design: The study design was a two-group randomized multicenter international clinical trial conducted to determine whether a brief education and counselling intervention delivered by a nurse could reduce prehospital delay in the event of symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients previously diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Method: A flexible but well-defined project structure showed intervention consistency in five sites among three countries and included experienced project coordinators, multidimensional communication methods, strategies to optimize intervention fidelity, site-specific recruitment and retention techniques, centralized data management, and consideration of ethical and budgetary requirements.
Findings: Staff at five sites enrolled 3,522 participants from three countries and achieved 80% follow-up obtained at both 12 and 24 months.
Conclusion: Multidimensional approaches to maintain consistency across study sites, while allowing flexibility to meet local expectations and needs, contributed to the success of this trial.
Clinical Relevance: In order to support appropriate development of an evidence base for practice, nursing interventions should be tested in multiple settings. A range of strategies is described in this paper that proved effective in conducting a multicenter international trial.     

Hericium erinaceus,a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases

Hericium erinaceus is an edible and medicinal mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Several studies have highlighted its therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, some components of this mushroom appear to possess strong antineoplastic capabilities against gastric and colorectal cancer. This review aims to analyse all available evidence on the digestive therapeutic potential of this fungus ...