Aqueous humor cytokine profile in patients with chronic uveitis

There is increasing evidence that cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of cytokines in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with chronic idiopathic uveitis (CU). Patients with uveitis (n=10) were compared to those undergoing cataract surgery (n=1) for non-inflammatory eye diseases. ELISA's for the detection of cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α) in aqueous humor were developed that allowed the measurement of multiple cytokines present in low concentrations. Interleukin-6 was found to be elevated in the aqueous humor of two patients (20%) with CU, but in none of the controls. Interleukin-1-α, Interleukin-2 and TNF-α were not detected in the AH of patients or controls. TGF-? was detected in the aqueous of all patients and controls, using a bioassay.     

Measures of body composition. Their relationship to blood pressure and use in epidemiologic research.

The association between "overweight" and increased risk of high blood pressure has long been recognized. The quantification of overweight into various aspects of body composition and the relationships of these aspects to blood pressure remain important areas of current research. The manner in which adipose tissue is distributed over the body is proving to be another important risk factor. Methodologies for assessing body composition include a variety of approaches commonly used in epidemiologic studies, ranging from simple indices (e.g., body mass index) to estimation of total body fat mass from equations based on skinfolds and other anthropometry, to newer approaches incorporating bioelectric impedance. Refined laboratory methods for assessing body composition are important in the study of small groups and in the development of predictive equations. These refined methods include the traditional approaches of hydrostatic weighing and K40 determinations, as well as newer improvements on these techniques incorporating estimates of bone mineral content and total body water. Other new sophisticated methodologies include dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. The approach to assessing body composition may vary among age groups; methodologies applicable to children may not work for the elderly.     

"Gastrin" and "CCK" receptors on histamine- and somatostatin-containing cells from rabbit fundic mucosa-II. Characterization by means of selective antagonists (L-364,718 and L-365,260).

In the preceding paper, by means of selective agonists to gastrin (HG-17) and cholecystokinin (CCK-39), we evidenced the existence of "gastrin-type" receptors that could regulate histamine release and "CCK-type" receptors that could stimulate somatostatin release in isolated rabbit fundic non-parietal cells (F1 cells). Furthermore, these receptors could induce phosphoinositide breakdown. To confirm the involvement of these receptor types in these biological and biochemical processes, we used selective antagonists, L-364,718 (3-(benzoylamino)-benzodiazepine) specific to "CCK-A-type" receptor and L-365,260 (3-(acylamino)-benzodiazepine) specific to "gastrin/CCK-B-type" receptor. Neither L-364,718 nor L-365,260 alone caused any significant stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]InsP) production and release of histamine or somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI). Each analogue inhibited in a dose-dependent manner [125I]HG-17 or [125I]CCK-39 binding to F1 cells, [3H]InsP accumulation and histamine and SLI release stimulated by HG-17 or CCK-39. L-365,260 appeared to be 30-70 times more potent than L-364,718 in inhibiting [125I]HG-17 binding to F1 cells, as well as HG-17-induced [3H]InsP accumulation and HG-17-or CCK-39-enhanced histamine release (IC50 values: approximately 5-20 nM for L-365,260 and approximately 200-1500 nM for L-364,718). In contrast, L-364,718 was 200 to 400 times more potent than L-365,260 in inhibiting [125I]CCK-39 binding to F1 cells, CCK-39-induced [3H]-InsP accumulation and SLI release stimulated by CCK-39 or HG-17 (IC50 values: approximately 0.3-1 nM for L-364,718 and 100-200 nM for L-365,260). These results led to conclude: (i) the existence of a "gastrin-type" receptor related to histamine release: (ii) the existence of a "CCK-A-type" receptor related to somatostatin release; (iii) the existence of "gastrin type" and "CCK-A-type" receptors linked to the phosphoinositide breakdown pathway.     

Spiritual care of the person with AIDS. Literature and art can touch closed hearts

Spiritual ministers, challenged to find meaningful ways to heal the hearts of persons with AIDS, are turning to some untraditional sources for help. Poetry, art, and stories are among the creative instruments for healing that pastoral ministers are bringing to the bedsides of the terminally ill. The story is the primary tool of spiritual care. Spiritual ministers working with persons with AIDS and their families should elicit and listen to their stories, which serve multiple purposes. Telling the stories is therapeutic for the person with AIDS. For the minister, the stories identify areas that need reconciliation, as well as those which call for celebration. Finally, when the time is right, the minister can tell another story, one that offers consolation and hope to the afflicted. Ritual is another tool of spiritual care. Just as the concrete image symbolizes the spiritual reality, so, too, does ritual facilitate or help celebrate spiritual healing. The Bible is a rich source of ideas for creative ritual. Other effective tools are art, drama, poetry, guided meditations, and dreams. In the hands of sensitive care givers, they are instruments of spiritual healing.