Inflammation: the link between insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes

Recent data have revealed that the plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), is increased in the insulin resistant states of obesity and type 2 diabetes, raising questions about the mechanisms underlying inflammation in these two conditions. It is also intriguing that an increase in inflammatory mediators or indices predicts the future development of obesity and diabetes. Two mechanisms might be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation. Firstly, glucose and macronutrient intake causes oxidative stress and inflammatory changes. Chronic overnutrition (obesity) might thus be a proinflammatory state with oxidative stress. Secondly, the increased concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6, associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, might interfere with insulin action by suppressing insulin signal transduction. This might interfere with the anti-inflammatory effect of insulin, which in turn might promote inflammation.     

Alopecia universalis as a single abnormality in an inbred Pakistani kindred

A Pakistani kindred comprising 5 generations contained 9 males and 4 females with alopecia universalis as a single abnormality without any associated defects. The skin biopsy from the scalp showed hair follicles without hair. Analysis of the pedigree is strongly suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance, and consanguineous loops could account for all affected persons being homozygous for the abnormal allele. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of histamine H1-receptor blockade on respiratory and cardiac manifestation of systemic anaphylaxis

Summary In vivo anaphylaxis is associated with respiratory distress and cardiovascular failure. The present investigation was designed to further characterize respiratory and cardiac anaphylactic events. In guinea pigs, sensitization was produced by subcutaneous application of ovalbumin together with Freund's adjuvant. Fourteen days after sensitization, the effects of an intravenous infusion of ovalbumin were tested in the anesthetized artificially ventilated guinea pigs. The renewed application of the antigen induced an initial increase of left ventricular pressure which was followed by a rapid decrease 5 min after antigenic challenge. Enddiastolic left ventricular pressure increased within 3 min, thus indicating left ventricular pump failure. In the same time range, ECG recordings uniformly showed signs of acute myocardial ischemia. In addition, heart rate steadily decreased. All animals died within 15 min. Simultaneously with cardiac anaphylactic malfunction, severe arterial hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention occurred, revealing respiratory distress.Histamine is known as a potent bronchoconstrictor via histamine H₁-receptor stimulation. Administration of H₁-recpetor antagonists to improve respiration may therefore provide further information on the contribution of pulmonary malfunction to anaphylactic cardiovascular shock. Therefore, additional experiments were performed with sensitized guinea pigs pretreated with the histamine H₁-receptor blocker mepyramine. In these experiments the antigenic challenge induced a dissociation of cardiac and respiratory manifestation of anphylaxis. Despite inhibition of hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, left ventricular pump failure and occurrence of myocardial ischemia were delayed but not suppressed.It is concluded that histamine is an important mediator of anaphylactic respiratory distress. However, vasoactive anaphylactic mediators other than histamine are primarily involved in anaphylactic cardiac malfunction occurring during the later phase of systemic anaphylaxis.Supported by grant Fe 250/1-1 from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).     

Anterior uveitis and congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles in a patient with Noonan syndrome

We describe a patient with Noonan syndrome who presented with Human Leukocyte Antigen B27-associated recurrent acute anterior uveitis and manifestations of congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles, which has not been reported before.     

Influence of age on iminodipropionitrile-induced vestibular and neurobehavioral toxicities in rats

A direct association between aging and drug-induced dyskinesia has been reported by several investigators. Iminiodipropionitrile (IDPN), a prototype nitrile compound produces a motor syndrome in rodents, which resembles neuroleptic drug induced dyskinesia. In this investigation attempt has been made to study the effect of age on IDPN induced vestibular hair cell degeneration and resulting dyskinetic syndrome. Male Wistar rats aged 3, 6 and 12 weeks received IDPN in the doses of 0, 200 and 400 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. IDPN-induced dyskinesia was assessed using a behavioral testing battery on days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The rats were sacrificed on day 28; temporal bones were excised for vestibular histopathology and sera were collected for measuring the indices of oxidative stress (glutathione and conjugated dienes). IDPN in the dose of 200 mg/kg produced dyskinesia in 12 weeks old rats, but failed to do so in 3 and 6 weeks old rats. The high dose of IDPN (400 mg/kg) caused dyskinesia in all age groups, however, its onset and severity were age-dependent. Older rats showed an early onset and significantly high incidence of dyskinesia as compared to younger rats. The susceptibility of rats to IDPN-induced behavioral deficits was proportional to oxidative stress and degeneration of sensory hair cells in the crista ampullaris.     

Blue spotted bladder--a manifestation of bladder amyloidosis. A case report

Bladder amyloidosis may represent a life-threatening condition, but may also be associated with milder clinical symptoms. Herein, we report two older males with a different type of apparently mild bladder amyloidosis, presenting as the "blue spotted bladder".     

ASO Visual Abstract: Will It Play in Peoria? A Pilot Study of a Robotic Skills Curriculum for Surgical Oncology Fellows

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Human leukocyte interferon-α in cream,for the treatment of genital warts in asian women a placebo-controlled,double-blind study

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine and compare the clinical efficacy and tolerance of human leukocyte -interferon (incorporated 2 × 10⁶ IU/g) in hydrophilic cream to cure genital warts. Preselected Asian female patients (n=150) aged 18–40 years (mean 22.5), with the clinical and biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of genital warts (mean 2.64), predominantly flat vaginal condylomas, were randomly allocated to 3 parallel groups. Each patient was given a coded tube containing 80 g placebo/active preparation with a graduated applicator. Patients were instructed to inject 6 g of the either alloted placebo/active cream deep into the vagina thrice a day for 3 consecutive days (group A) or 4 consecutive days (group B) per week, and if not cured the same treatment was extended to 3 more weeks (maximum 4 weeks active treatment). To assess the clinical efficacy patients were examined on a week-to-week basis. A total clearance of warts (biopsy-confirmed) was evaluated as a complete cure. Patients cured during the treatment were spared further treatment and were requested to visit us after 16 weeks for relapse control. As for the remaining patients, empty tubes were collected, and similarly coded replacement tubes were given for further treatment (in total 588 tubes were used). By the end of the treatment 57.2% lesions (227/397) were eliminated in all the groups: 48% patients in group A, 90% patients in group B, and 10% patients in placebo groups taken as completely cured. Of the 150 patients 128 (85.3%) did not complain of any drug-related adverse symptoms. Transitory increase in body temperature (mean 38.4°C), accompanied by headache (14.6%) and generalized itching (6.6%) were the most frequently reported side effects; however, treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, and there were no dropouts. Our findings indicate that clinical efficacy is dose dependent, that is, the results of group B were significantly superior to that of group A (P < 0.05). Of the 49.3% cured patients (74/150) followed up for 6 months (monthly basis) seven had a relapse, and none had reinfection. It is concluded that clinical efficacy of leukocyte interferon-a to cure genital warts is dose dependent. These results further support the view that leukocyte interferon-a incorporated in hydrophilic cream can be considered a reliable, safe, and home-based treatment to cure vulvar and vaginal warts.Abbreviation HPV human papillomavirus