Oral tolerance in EAE: reversal of tolerance by T helper cell cytokines

Oral administration of myelin basic protein (MBP) inhibits clinical and histopathological manifestations of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), but only partially reduces serum anti-MBP antibody titers. We report here that orally administered MBP alters the isotypic distribution of anti-MBP antibody-forming cells (AFC) among various lymphoid tissues, with the most profound differences seen in mucosal tissues. We observed an isotype-selective reduction in anti-MBP IgA but not IgM AFC frequencies in Peyer's patches. The anti-MBP IgA AFC frequencies could be reconstituted by addition of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 5 (IL-5). The cytokines did not appear to generate de novo responses since no increases in anti-MBP IgA AFC frequencies were observed in control cultures. These results indicate that decreased antibody production, as a result of oral antigen administration, can be reversed by exposure to the appropriate cytokines.     

The computer as a stereotactic surgical instrument

We have developed methodology and stereotactic software for an operating room computer and imaging system. Patients undergo preoperative CT, MR and DSA imaging with their heads fixed in a stereotactic headholder. Localization systems attach to the headholder during the studies to create reference marks for computer transformation of points and volumes into three-dimensional stereotactic space. At the operating room computer console, the surgeon selects target points, avascular trajectories and tumour boundaries for volume reconstruction. Surgical approaches are simulated and target coordinates calculated. During surgery, the computer interactively monitors the position of stereotactically directed surgical instruments in relationship to the resident database along any viewing angle and conveniently superimposes the multiple data sources. We have found this system useful to provide rapid data acquisition and retrieval, accurate target point calculations, lesion volume reconstructions, and a convenient ability to reformat data from multiple sources in a manner useful to the surgeon and beneficial to the patient.     

Direct excitatory effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on rat hippocampal neurones in vitro

Intracellular recordings from granule cells of the rat dentate gyrus show neuropeptide Y (NPY) applied by pressure ejection from pipettes containing 1.2-12 microM by pressures of less than 200 kPa for 1-5 s in duration to consistently evoke membrane depolarisations accompanied by a reduction in membrane resistance. The depolarisations were accompanied by an increase in excitability. Since the depolarisations evoked by NPY were not attenuated by either tetrodotoxin or kynurenic acid a direct excitatory action of NPY is postulated.     

Application of the Population Health Approach to Drinking Water System Surveillance

A drinking water supply is a complicated system in its construction,operation,maintenance and need for public health surveillance.     

Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of Epogam in the treatment of atopic eczema. Relationship between plasma essential fatty acid changes and clinical response

Gamma-linolenic acid in the form of a particular variety of evening primrose oil (Epogam) has been reported of value in the treatment of atopic eczema. Nine controlled trials of evening primrose oil were performed in eight centres. Four of the trials were parallel and five cross-over. Doctors and patients assessed the severity of eczema by scoring measures of inflammation, dryness, scaliness, pruritus and overall skin involvement. Individual symptom scores were combined to give a single global score at each assessment point. In the analysis of the parallel studies, both patient and doctor scores showed a highly significant improvement over baseline (P less than 0.0001) due to Epogam: for both scores the effect of Epogam was significantly better than placebo. Similar results were obtained on analysis of the cross-over trials, but in this case the difference between Epogam and placebo in the doctors' global score, although in favour of Epogam, failed to reach significance. The effects on itch were particularly striking. There was no placebo response to this symptom, whereas there was a substantial and highly significant response to Epogam (P less than 0.0001). When the improvements, or otherwise, in clinical condition were related to changes in plasma levels of dihomogammalinolenic and arachidoni acids, it was found that there was a positive correlation between an improvement in clinical score and a rise in the fatty acid levels.     

Social integration, leisure activity, and life satisfaction in older adults: activity theory revisited

The relative contributions of objective integration, subjective integration, and total leisure activity to the life satisfaction of older adults are examined. A random sample of 400 persons ages forty through eighty-nine residing in a demographically typical midwestern city were interviewed by phone. Results show that Objective Integration does not contribute incrementally to Life Satisfaction except among males under age sixty-five. Subjective Integration, on the other hand, contributes significantly to Life Satisfaction of males and females under and over age sixty-five. Even when demographic variables, Objective Integration, and Subjective Integration are taken into account statistically, Total Leisure Activity contributes significantly to Life Satisfaction in all groups examined.     

All-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetic subjects increases significantly with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 10 years' data from the South Tees Diabetes Mortality study.

AIMS: To investigate the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and total and cardiovascular mortality in a population-based cohort of diabetic subjects. METHODS: A longitudinal study using a population-based district diabetes register comprising 3288 subjects in South Tees, UK. The eGFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation. Patients were stratified by baseline eGFR into five stages as per the National Kidney Foundation guidelines: Stage 1, eGFR > 90; Stage 2, eGFR 60-89; Stage 3, eGFR 30-59; Stage 4, eGFR 15-29; and Stage 5, eGFR < 15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Main outcome was all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between 1 January 1994 and 31 July 2004. RESULTS: At baseline, mean age (58.4 years) differed between groups. Persons with lower eGFR were older (P < 0.001). Thirty-six percent (n = 1193, males 56%) had died by 10 years (cardiovascular cause in 60%). Median follow-up was 10.5 years amounting to 28 342 person years. Stages 4 and 5 (eGFR 相似文献