West Nile virus preferentially transports along motor neuron axons after sciatic nerve injection of hamsters

Prior findings led us to hypothesize that West Nile virus (WNV) preferentially transports along motor axons instead of sensory axons. WNV is known to undergo axonal transport in cell culture and in infected hamsters to infect motor neurons in the spinal cord. To investigate this hypothesis, WNV was injected directly into the left sciatic nerve of hamsters. WNV envelope-staining in these hamsters was only observed in motor neurons of the ipsilateral ventral horn of the spinal cord, but not in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). To evaluate the consequence of motor neuron infection by WNV, the authors inoculated wheat germ agglutinin—horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) 9 days after WNV sciatic nerve injection, and stained the spinal cord and the DRG for HRP activity 3 days later. The degree of HRP-staining in DRG was the same in WNV- and sham-infected animals, but the HRP-staining in the motor neuron in the ventral horn was considerably less for WNV-infected hamsters. To investigate the mechanism of WNV transport, hamsters were treated with colchicine, an inhibitor of membranous microtubule-mediated transport. The intensity of the WNV-stained area in the spinal cord of colchicine-treated hamsters at 6 days after WNV infection were significantly reduced (P≤.05) compared to the placebo-treated hamsters. These data suggest that WNV is preferentially transported through the motor axons, but not the sensory axons, to subsequently infect motor neurons and cause motor weakness and paralysis.     

Remission and Recovery in the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): Acute and Long-Term Outcomes

ObjectiveWe examine remission rate probabilities, recovery rates, and residual symptoms across 36 weeks in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS).MethodThe TADS, a multisite clinical trial, randomized 439 adolescents with major depressive disorder to 12 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine, cognitive–behavioral therapy, their combination, or pill placebo. The pill placebo group, treated openly after week 12, was not included in the subsequent analyses. Treatment differences in remission rates and probabilities of remission over time are compared. Recovery rates in remitters at weeks 12 (acute phase remitters) and 18 (continuation phase remitters) are summarized. We also examined whether residual symptoms at the end of 12 weeks of acute treatment predicted later remission.ResultsAt week 36, the estimated remission rates for intention-to-treat cases were as follows: combination, 60%; fluoxetine, 55%; cognitive–behavioral therapy, 64%; and overall, 60%. Paired comparisons reveal that, at week 24, all active treatments converge on remission outcomes. The recovery rate at week 36 was 65% for acute phase remitters and 71% for continuation phase remitters, with no significant between-treatment differences in recovery rates. Residual symptoms at the end of acute treatment predicted failure to achieve remission at weeks 18 and 36.ConclusionsMost depressed adolescents in all three treatment modalities achieved remission at the end of 9 months of treatment.     

Color Stability of Dry Earth Pigmented Maxillofacial Silicone A-2186 Subjected to Microwave Energy Exposure

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure spectrophotometrically the color stability of pigmented A-2186 silicone maxillofacial elastomer with 10% by volume of titanium white dry earth opacifier before and after exposure to microwave energy over a simulated 1.5-year period of microwave sterilization. Materials AND METHODS: A-2186 silicone elastomer opacified with titanium white dry earth pigment, pigmented with 5 cosmetic dry earth pigment colors [no pigment (control) group (Pc), red (Pr), yellow ochre (Py), burnt sienna (Po), and a mixture of Pr + Py + Po color group (P3)], was used in this study. Each of the 5 experimental groups consisted of 5 specimens. All specimens were placed in a 250 ml glass beaker filled with 150 ml of water (replenished for each microwave exposure). An exposure of 6 minutes was used 18 times (simulating 1.5 years of microwave sterilization with one 6 minute exposure monthly). Reflectance values were measured by spectrophotometer. Three- and two-way analyses of variance with repeated measures were performed for the color difference (DeltaE*) with the factors of group/color/months, and group/months, respectively. Means were compared by Tukey Honest Significant Difference (HSD) multiple range test calculated at the 0.05 level of significance using SPSS. RESULTS: The trained human eye can detect color changes (DeltaE*) greater than 1.0. Most DeltaE* values of the red pigment group at all intervals and the mixed pigment group at 15- and 18- month intervals increased significantly greater than 1.0 (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. Yellow and burnt sienna groups remained the most color stable over time with DeltaE* values below 0.35. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of color stability of red dry earth pigmented A-2186 silicone maxillofacial elastomers was clinically significant after 12-month exposure to microwave energy as compared with yellow, burnt sienna, and opacified A-2186 dry earth pigments.     

Second Thoughts on Living Wills

Advance directives such as living wills are attractive in that they give us a sense of control over our futures. But they also tend to obscure conflicts between a patient's competent wishes and later, incompetent interests. They allow caregivers to avoid evaluating quality of life in assessing the best interests of incompetent patients.     

Reactive oxygen species: a breath of life or death?

New insights into cancer cell-specific biological pathways are urgently needed to promote development of rationally targeted therapeutics. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their role in cancer cell response to growth factor signaling and hypoxia are emerging as verdant areas of exploration on the road to discovering cancer's Achilles heel. One of the distinguishing and near-universal hallmarks of cancer growth is hypoxia. Unregulated cellular proliferation leads to formation of cellular masses that extend beyond the resting vasculature, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation. The resulting hypoxia triggers a number of critical adaptations that enable cancer cell survival, including apoptosis suppression, altered glucose metabolism, and an angiogenic phenotype. Ironically, recent investigations suggest that oxygen depletion stimulates mitochondria to elaborate increased ROS, with subsequent activation of signaling pathways, such as hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha, that promote cancer cell survival and tumor growth. Because mitochondria are key organelles involved in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis induction, the relationship between mitochondria, ROS signaling, and activation of survival pathways under hypoxic conditions has been the subject of increased study. Insights into mechanisms involved in ROS signaling may offer novel avenues to facilitate discovery of cancer-specific therapies. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of agents that modify ROS signaling in cancer offers a novel avenue for intervention. This review will cover recent work in ROS-mediated signaling in cancer cells and its potential as a target for developmental therapeutics.     

The eye care profile and outcomes of multi-handicapped adults residing in Wayne County, Michigan group homes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multi-handicaps present clinical challenges and are underserved. Central nervous system dysfunction and ocular disorders with this population are prevalent and well-documented. However, vision care outcomes data are limited and specific visual function recommendations to caregivers are rarely cited. METHODS: The charts of 110 multiply handicapped adults residing in 22 group homes in Wayne County. Michigan were retrospectively studied to identify ocular profiles and predictors of visual function. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of the subjects were male and 80% were ages 26 to 55 years. There was no expressive language in 41%, and 37% were non-ambulatory. The median visual impairment level was moderate in both eyes (based on WHO). Significant associations between visual impairment level and subpopulations (such as seizure disorder, mental retardation without specific etiology, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome) were identified. Successful spectacle wear statistically increased with higher refractive errors. Associations between cataract, nystagmus, and strabismus with particular subpopulations were significant (all P values < 0.0182). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians who evaluate patients with multi-handicaps have few known predictors of treatment success. This study indicates that useful predictors of visual function can be made from refractive error, systemic conditions, and ocular diagnoses. No significant relationship was found with cognitive level and either vision impairment or spectacle use. The authors attribute successful implementation of recommendations to communication with group home caregivers.