Reduced tumor growth in vivo and increased c-Abl activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells overexpressing the Shb adapter protein

Background  

Induction of apoptosis is one strategy for treatment of prostate cancer. The Shb adapter protein has been found to regulate apoptosis in various cell types and consequently human prostate cancer 3 (PC3) cells were transfected to obtain cells overexpressing Shb in order to increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating PC3 cell apoptosis.     

Bradycardia related to hypoglycaemia.

Alterations in blood glucose levels are known to be involved in electrocardiogram changes. Various types of arrhythmias have been reported. We present here the case of an 81-year-old woman presenting with transient atrial fibrillation while being treated for hypoglycaemia with dextrose infusion, and finally developing a sinus rhythm. The presence of alterations in glucose blood levels should always be considered as a potential cause of transient atrial fibrillation.     

133Granulation Tissue Induction by Lassar Ointment vs. Collagen‐Polyvynilpyrrolidone in Venous Ulcers

Venous leg ulcers derived from tissue destruction is the consequence of a chronic inflammatory process that produces pain and physical disability, diminishing quality of life in patients. In this work, Lassar ointment and lyophilized collagen‐polyvinylpyrrolidone were administered separated each on one half in the same ulcer to 9 patients at the beginning and every 4 days. On day 16, all patients were auto‐grafted with partial thickness skin. Granulation tissue and graft integration were assessed clinically during 3 months. Inflammatory infiltrate, type I and III collagens, elastic fibers, alkaline phosphatase as well as blood vessels were evaluated histologically or histochemically in biopsies taken at the beginning and 16 days after the local treatment. Clinically and morphologically, both treatments demonstrated appropriate granulation tissue promotion and optimal graft integration since the beginning. Nevertheless, in Lassar ointment treated group regionalization of alkaline phosphatase activity was observed, as well as the presence of granuloma in 2 of the 9 patients. In conclusion, Lassar ointment or lyophilized collagen‐polyvinylpyrrolidone are two different promoters of granulation tissue in venous leg ulcers, however Lassar ointment has the capability to produce granuloma and an exacerbated immune response; in consequence, ulcer recidivism could be present, may be due to mineral deposits in the wound.     

Assay of cytomegalovirus susceptibility to ganciclovir in renal and heart transplant recipients

Ganciclovir (GCV) prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy significantly reduce the rate of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and viremia, but increase the potential for emergence of ganciclovir-resistant CMV strains. The inhibitor concentration at 50% (IC(50)) of GCV from 156 CMV isolates from 59 renal or heart transplant recipients was calculated by means of a rapid phenotypic susceptibility assay. Twenty-seven strains were from 14 patients undergoing GCV therapy. The IC(50) was higher in patients under the prophylaxis regimen. One CMV strain, from a heart transplant recipient, became GCV-resistant after 1 month of therapy (IC(50)=13.7 micromol/l). These data, together with clinical and virological markers, suggested that a switch to foscarnet was necessary, and good evolution was observed. Thus, assay of CMV susceptibility to GCV could be helpful in clinical management.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsies of breast masses. An additional experience with 1153 cases (1985 to 1988) and a meta-analysis.

A series of 1153 fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of breast masses obtained during the period 1985 to 1988 in one institution was examined. The following diagnostic accuracy values were found: sensitivity, 93.0%; specificity, 92.4%; predictive positive value, 93.7%; and efficiency, 92.8%. These results were compared with a previously published series for the period 1976 to 1984. The diagnostic accuracy values did not differ significantly between the two series.     

Rupture of a submitral ventricular aneurysm into the left atrium diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.

Submitral ventricular aneurysm is a thoroughly studied pathology but is not well known due to its rarity. Clinically, it is manifested by symptoms and signs of heart failure, mitral regurgitation and/or ventricular arrhythmias, and may be associated with thromboembolic phenomena and myocardial ischemia due to compression of the coronary arteries by the aneurysm. A rare complication of this type of aneurysm is rupture into the left atrium. Transthoracic echocardiography plays an important role in the definitive diagnosis of this pathology, although the role of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of these patients is less known. We report a case of a submitral ventricular aneurysm complicated by rupture into the left atrium, which was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.     

Neurologic Evaluation of Infant and Adult Rats before and after Sciatic Nerve Blockade

Background: Only limited data exist comparing differences in sensory function and responses to neural blockade in infant and adult rats. Therefore, the authors sought (1) to compare baseline thermal, proprioceptive, and postural responses in infant, adolescent, and adult rats; and (2) to compare the effects of sciatic nerve blockade on thermal, proprioceptive, and postural responses in infant, adolescent, and adult rats.

Methods: Infant, adolescent, and adult rats were evaluated for proprioceptive, thermal, and mechanical nociceptive and motor function before and after sciatic blockade using a detailed neurologic examination.

Results: Mechanical and thermal nociception were present in all rats, starting from age 1 day. The withdrawal reflex latency to pinch was rapid at all ages, whereas that reaction to thermal stimulus depended on both age and temperature. In contrast, the tactile placing response and hopping response were absent at birth and developed completely during the first 10 days of life. The extensor postural thrust was absent in the first 2 weeks of life and developed variably during the first 50 days of life. Sciatic blockade duration is shorter in infant rats than in adult rats receiving the same dose per kilogram. A brief halothane general anesthetic at the time of sciatic injection in infant or adult rats does not alter the duration of blockade.     

Evolutionary aspects of “chloroplast-like” trnN and trnH expression in higher-plant mitochondria

Two identical “chloroplast-like” tRNA^Asn genes, trnN1 and trnN2, have been identified in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) mitochondrial genome. The flanking sequences of trnN1 are unrelated to the corresponding authentic potato chloroplast regions, whilst those of trnN2 are very similar to the chloroplast sequences. The trnN1 copy is present in the mitochondrial genome of various plants whereas the second copy, trnN2, is absent from all the other plant genomes studied so far. Interestingly, both trnN copies are expressed in potato mitochondria. Sequences flanking the chloroplast-like tRNA^His gene (trnH), present as a single copy in the potato mitochondrial DNA, are unrelated to the corresponding chloroplast sequences, whereas chloroplast-derived sequences have been maintained in the vicinity of the maize chloroplast-like mitochondrial trnH gene. However, both the potato and the maize trnH are expressed in mitochondria. Received: 10 April / 1 August 1997     

General Practitioners in Public Obstetrics - an Underutilized Resource

Summary: We questioned 229 general practitioners (GPs), 288 women who had recently delivered babies in public hospitals, 26 public hospital doctors, and 33 midwives in South Brisbane. Shared antenatal care was undertaken by 84% of mothers, and recently provided by 88% GPs. Mothers valued having sufficient time with their antenatal clinician, continuity of care, and short waiting and travel times. They preferred a GP to provide antenatal care, and a hospital midwife to deliver them. GPs were interested in providing even more obstetric care - one third in providing intrapartum care - and in gaining continuing education in obstetrics. Hospital doctors and midwives were supportive of women choosing the personnel to deliver them, and of an increased GP and midwife role in public hospital obstetrics, but unenthusiastic about home deliveries. There is widespread support for an increased role for GPs in public obstetrics.     

Effects of low-dose propofol administration on central respiratory drive, gas exchanges and respiratory pattern

The effects of sedative-hypnotic doses of propofol on respiratory drive and pattern have not yet been extensively described. Repeated small boluses of propofol (0.6-0.3 mg.kg-1) were administered to ten ASA I patients undergoing carpal tunnel release using regional anaesthesia. Airway pressure, capnography and pneumotachography were continuously recorded. With respect to basal values, no significant variations of respiratory rate, minute volume, tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory time, total expiratory cycle, Ti/Ttot, TV/Ti, P0.1, EtCO2 and blood gas analysis were observed. Low doses of propofol, to maintain conscious sedation of light sleep, have not been shown to cause respiratory depression.