CELL PROLIFERATION RESPONSE TO SULFHYDRYL IN MAMMALS

These experiments establish the fact that the sulfhydryl group is stimulative of cell proliferation in mammals as in lower organisms. The fact that the stimulation is exhibited in such a wide diversity of species including both plants and animals is justification for the belief that it is the expression of a fundamental biological phenomenon. The literature and discussion of the subject are to be found in the papers cited.     

Effect of aortic valve replacement on c-reactive protein in nonrheumatic aortic stenosis

Plasma levels of C-reactive protein were higher in 20 patients with bicuspid or trileaflet degenerative aortic stenosis than in 31 normal controls and in 19 patients with pure aortic regurgitation. C-reactive protein decreased from before to 6 months after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. These observations suggest that aortic stenosis is an inflammatory disease.     

Results of the Expanded HIV Risk Factor Assessment Project (EHRAP)

An objective of EHRAP was to evaluate the HIV risk factor information reported to CDC through routine surveillance. HIV/AIDS surveillance programmes used medical and ancillary records to determine if information on HIV risk factors can be found for surveillance. Surveillance staff from Mississippi, South Carolina, and Virginia collected data on risk factors for HIV infection on a sample of cases diagnosed during 1998 and 1999. Overall percent agreement and Cohen kappa statistics were calculated for initially reported compared to EHRAP-identified risk factors. Of 160 cases reported without an identified risk factor, 86% were reclassified with a known risk factor. A risk factor was identified for 96% of all cases of HIV infection. Overall, agreement was good (kappa = 0.89) between initially reported and verified HIV risk factor. All three states met the national goal of at least 85% of reported cases with a risk factor for HIV infection. The completeness of collection and reporting of HIV risk factors for national HIV/AIDS surveillance can be improved. The current method of risk factor redistribution at the national level should be evaluated.     

Fas and Fas Ligand Expression on Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes

Objectives : Study of Fas and Fas ligand(Fas-L) expression, as well as sFas–L release, by fresh human peripheral blood leukocytes. Methods : Flow cytometry, cytotoxicity, immunofluorescence staining of fresh smears, Western blotting, Results : Granulocytes and monocytes express a low level of Fas receptor, but no Fas–L. These cells, as well as NK cells, contain presynthesized depots of Fas–L which they express following activation by brief storage (60 min) at room temperature or during separation from whole blood. Such activation also leads to Fas receptor upregulation. NK cells do not express Fas receptor. Once expressed on blood leukocytes, fully functional Fas–L can be released from the membrane and can be detected in plasma–free cell supernatants. Conclusion : Human peripheral blood granulocytes, monocytes and NK cells contain intracellular presynthesized Fas–L which they readily express following blood anticoagulation, blood storage or cell separation. Soluble Fas–L is released from those cells and can be detected in protein–free supernatants by immunoblotting.     

Effect of Nifedipine on the Steady-State Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Irbesartan in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, nifedipine has the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics, and therefore possibly the pharmacodynamics and efficacy or safety, of irbesartan. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of concomitant administration of nifedipine on the steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of irbesartan in 12 healthy subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was an open-label, randomized, crossover study. Each subject received irbesartan 300 mg once daily for 4 days in one period and irbesartan 300 mg once daily plus long-acting nifedipine (Procardia XL, Pratt Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY) 30 mg once daily for 4 days in the other period. The order of treatment periods was randomized, and a minimum 7-day washout phase separated the two periods. Steady state was achieved by day 3. On day 4, no significant differences were observed between the two treatments with respect to maximum concentration of irbesartan at the end of the dosing interval (C(max)) or the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve during a dosing interval (AUC(tau)) of irbesartan. Steady-state C(max) and AUC(tau) met the criteria for bioequivalence when irbesartan was administered alone or with nifedipine. On day 4, mean plasma renin activity was somewhat higher at every point but one when irbesartan was administered with nifedipine; however, no significant difference was observed between the two treatments in mean 24-hour AUC values. On day 4, there was a modest overall decrease from baseline in mean blood pressure for both treatments. No significant differences were observed between the two treatments in mean 24-hour AUC values for seated diastolic or systolic blood pressure. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration of nifedipine 30 mg with irbesartan 300 mg for 4 days in healthy subjects (1) does not alter the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of irbesartan, (2) results in C(max) and AUC(tau) values for irbesartan that meet the criteria for bioequivalence, and (3) is well tolerated.     

The burden of infectious disease among inmates of and releasees from US correctional facilities, 1997

OBJECTIVES: This study developed national estimates of the burden of selected infectious diseases among correctional inmates and releases during 1997. METHODS: Data from surveys, surveillance, and other reports were synthesized to develop these estimates. RESULTS: During 1997, 20% to 26% of all people living with HIV in the United States, 29% to 43% of all those infected with the hepatitis C virus, and 40% of all those who had tuberculosis disease in that year passed through a correctional facility. CONCLUSIONS: Correctional facilities are critical settings for the efficient delivery of prevention and treatment interventions for infectious diseases. Such interventions stand to benefit not only inmates, their families, and partners, but also the public health of the communities to which inmates return.     

Pilot Randomized Trial of an Automated Smoking Cessation Intervention via Mobile Phone Text Messages as an Adjunct to Varenicline in Primary Care

Objective: Varenicline is a safe and effective aid to smoking cessation but most trials have involved frequent visits or intensive behavioral support unlike that typically provided in primary care. The current study examined if motivational text messages, sent via cellphone, would increase quit rates in smokers being treated with varenicline and 3 brief sessions in a family practice setting. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled, parallel-group smoking cessation trial. Intervention group participants (n = 74) received daily motivational text messages, additional texted tips in response to keywords, and weekly study questions while control group participants (n = 76) received only weekly study questions. Both groups received individualized counseling. Self-reported non-smoking and exhaled breath CO <10ppm were used to validate smoking abstinence at 3 weeks and 12 weeks. Results: Overall, 30.7% (46/150) of participants were abstinent at the 12 week follow-up and the abstinence rate did not differ between groups (INT 31.1% v. CON 30.3%, p = .91). The only predictor of abstinence at 12 weeks was use of varenicline during a previous quit attempt (p = .01). Intervention group participants were more likely to rate the text messaging program as good or excellent (p < .01), to recommend a similar program to family or friends (p < .01), and to complete positive smoking cessation activities (p = .04), when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Although there were no differences in quit rates between the intervention and control group, intervention group participants rated the text messaging system more favorably, were more likely to recommend the program to others, and were more likely to complete positive smoking cessation activities.     

The response of depressed inpatients to isocarboxazid

Fifty-six inpatients with unipolar depression completed treatment with isocarboxazid. In comparing the differences between responders and nonresponders, it was found that psychomotor retardation, pathological guilt, daily persistence of unremitting symptoms, phobic anxiety, dexamethasone suppression test nonsuppression, and neuroticism were significantly more common among nonresponders. Reactivity of mood, blaming others, and extraversion were more common in responders. Total endogenous depression scores on the Newcastle 1, Newcastle 2, and Michigan scales were also significantly higher in nonresponders. Attained platelet monoamine oxidase inhibition was similar in both groups.