Mast cell-cholinergic nerve interaction in mouse airways

We addressed the mechanism by which antigen contracts trachea isolated from actively sensitized mice. Trachea were isolated from mice (C57BL/6J) that had been actively sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). OVA (10 μg ml⁻¹) caused histamine release (∼70% total tissue content), and smooth muscle contraction that was rapid in onset and short-lived ( t _1/2 < 1 min), reaching approximately 25% of the maximum tissue response. OVA contraction was mimicked by 5-HT, and responses to both OVA and 5-HT were sensitive to 10 μ m -ketanserin (5-HT₂ receptor antagonist) and strongly inhibited by atropine (1 μ m ). Epithelial denudation had no effect on the OVA-induced contraction. Histological assessment revealed about five mast cells/tracheal section the vast majority of which contained 5-HT. There were virtually no mast cells in the mast cell-deficient ( sash −/−) mouse trachea. OVA failed to elicit histamine release or contractile responses in trachea isolated from sensitized mast cell-deficient ( sash −/−) mice. Intracellular recordings of the membrane potential of parasympathetic neurons in mouse tracheal ganglia revealed a ketanserin-sensitive 5-HT-induced depolarization and similar depolarization in response to OVA challenge. These data support the hypothesis that antigen-induced contraction of mouse trachea is epithelium-independent, and requires mast cell-derived 5-HT to activate 5-HT₂ receptors on parasympathetic cholinergic neurons. This leads to acetylcholine release from nerve terminals, and airway smooth muscle contraction.     

Garnering Partnerships to Bridge Gaps Among Mental Health,Health Care,and Public Health

Integrating mental health and public health chronic disease programs requires partnerships at all government levels. Four examples illustrate this approach: 1) a federal partnership to implement mental health and mental illness modules in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; 2) a state partnership to improve diabetes health outcomes for people with mental illness; 3) a community-level example of a partnership with local aging and disability agencies to modify a home health service to reduce depression and improve quality of life among isolated, chronically ill seniors; and 4) a second community-level example of a partnership to promote depression screening and management and secure coverage in primary care settings. Integration of mental health and chronic disease public health programs is a challenging but essential and achievable task in protecting Americans'' health.     

Incidence and survival rates for female malignant germ cell tumors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 30-year, population-based trends in incidence and survival rates for malignant germ cell tumors originating within the female genital tract. METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data were used to identify malignant germ cell tumors (1973-2002). Overall and 5-year incidence rates, estimated annual percentage change, and survival rates were calculated and compared by age at diagnosis, race, stage, and histology. RESULTS: Of 1,262 cases, there were 414 (32.8%) dysgerminomas, 449 (35.6%) immature teratomas, 37 (2.9%) mature teratomas with malignant degeneration, and 362 (28.7%) mixed germ cell tumors. The 30-year, age-adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 women-years was 0.338, decreasing by 29.4% for dysgerminomas (P = .18) and by 31.5% for mixed germ cell tumors (P = .22). Other nonwhites had higher rates than whites and blacks, but dysgerminoma rates were higher in whites and other nonwhites than in blacks. Using the registries for expanded races, rates were higher for Asian/Pacific Islanders (P = .059) and Hispanics (P = .07). By age at diagnosis, 15-19 year olds had the highest rates and the only significant change in rates (37.5% increase, P = .008). The 5-year relative survival was 83.9%. Survival rates improved significantly over calendar time and varied by histologic subtype, race, stage of disease, and age at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Over the past 30 years, germ cell tumor incidence rates have declined in women and differ from rising trends reported for testicular tumors. Survival rates have improved but were lower for older women and for nondysgerminoma subtypes.     

Sharing information with adults conceived as a result of donor insemination

A growing number of jurisdictions have introduced legislation to give children the right to information about, and identity of, 'their' gamete donor. This has been accompanied by a reduction in the social stigma associated with infertility and building families with the assistance of donated gametes. This changing culture has meant that an increasing number of parents are seeking assistance regarding how to share their family history, including the donor insemination conception story. The literature suggests that the sharing of information is best undertaken when the children are young. There is virtually no literature available for parents who wish to share their family history with adult offspring, or for those professionals whose guidance they may seek. This paper addresses this emerging area of practice. It is suggested that there are three main areas that will be of assistance with any attempt to understand the individual and family dynamics involved: identity and self-image, stigma and power. Strategies and suggestions emerging from each of these areas of knowledge are outlined. This paper aims to generate discussion and to encourage others to share their clinical experiences in this area.     

Pilot Tobacco Treatment Intervention for Women in Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Objective

To test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of Get Fit and Quit (GFAQ), a community-engaged, holistic tobacco treatment program for women of childbearing age in a residential substance use disorder treatment facility.

Effect of complete epithelial debridement before riboflavin-ultraviolet-A corneal collagen crosslinking therapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the importance of complete epithelial removal before riboflavin-ultraviolet-A (UVA) corneal collagen crosslinking therapy. SETTING: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom. METHODS: Riboflavin eyedrops were applied at 5-minute intervals for 35 minutes to the anterior corneal surface of 36 porcine eyes (12 with no epithelial trauma but treated with tetracaine eyedrops, 12 with superficial epithelial trauma but with an intact basal epithelium, and 12 with a fully removed epithelium). The corneal surface of 6 tetracaine-treated eyes, 6 eyes with superficial epithelial trauma, and 6 eyes with a fully removed epithelium was exposed to UVA light for 30 minutes during riboflavin administration. The light transmission spectra of the enucleated corneas were analyzed with a spectrophotometer and compared with those of 9 untreated porcine corneas. RESULTS: Corneas with a fully removed epithelium treated with riboflavin showed an abnormal dip in the transmission spectrum between 400 nm and 510 nm (P<.01). This was attributed to the presence of riboflavin in the corneal stroma. The spectra of riboflavin-treated corneas with no epithelial trauma but tetracaine administration and those with superficial epithelial trauma did not differ from those of the non-riboflavin-treated controls. Exposure to UVA following riboflavin administration did not alter corneal light transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Complete removal of the corneal epithelium is an essential component of riboflavin-UVA crosslinking therapy as superficial epithelial trauma and tetracaine administration alone are not sufficient to permit the penetration of riboflavin into the corneal stroma. Failure to achieve adequate stromal absorption of riboflavin may impair the efficacy of the crosslinking process.