Raised plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations during cluster headache attacks.

To obtain data about peripheral concentrations of arginine vasopressin in head pain syndromes, the plasma arginine vasopressin secretory pattern in 12 adult male patients with cluster headache was evaluated. Blood samples for plasma arginine vasopressin and osmolality determinations were collected before, and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes during a cluster attack. Blood pressure was also monitored. The same sampling was repeated during an asymptomatic period. During cluster attacks, the mean values of plasma arginine vasopressin before an attack (2.3 (0.1) ng/l) significantly increased, reaching their peak at 45 minutes (4.8 (0.5) ng/l; P < 0.01 v baseline). No significant variations were found in mean arterial pressure and plasma osmolality. These data suggested involvement of neurotransmitter mechanisms regulating arginine vasopressin secretion and a possible role of arginine vasopressin in vasomotor phenomena accompanying cluster attacks.     

Body composition in subjects with surgically obtained stable body weight normalization

The body composition of lean control subjects was compared with that of subjects following biliopancreatic diversion for morbid obesity, when their excess weight had been stabilized at under 40 per cent of the ideal body weight value for over two years. Lean body mass, body cell mass and fat were indirectly calculated from total body water and total body sodium, measured by isotope dilution technique. The body composition in the two groups of subjects was essentially normal, as was indicated by the percentage values of the body composition parameters and by the linear correlations between body weight and the lean body compartments size.     

Prolactin secretion in benign prostatic hypertrophy

Prolactin secretion was evaluated in 22 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, before and after thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation. Increased prolactin reserve was found. In 11 patients, in whom the test was performed twice, the prolactin response after surgery was higher than in the pre-surgical test. The possible role of prolactin in the genesis of benign prostatic hypertrophy is discussed.     

Serum alpha-fetoprotein assay in normal pregnant women. Perspectives of clinical use for purposes of diagnosis and prognosis.

Radioimmunological assay of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been performed in the serum of normal women at various stages of pregnancy and at the time of parturition; a total of 208 assay was carried out, AFP values rose until the 33rd week and at the time of childbirth dropped to levels about half of the maximum reached. No correlations were found between AFP values, neonatal weight and parity while the sex of the fetus appearech to have some influence. It is to be hoped that the application of these potential uses can be envisaged in the near future.     

THE USE OF LETTERS IN NHS PSYCHOTHERAPY:A TOOL TO HELP WITH ENGAGEMENT, MISSED SESSIONS AND ENDINGS

ABSTRACT Individual psychodynamic psychotherapy in the NHS has very specific characteristics: the absence of self-referrals, time and resource limitations, a client group very often presenting with complex issues. Engaging the patient initially, maintaining the therapeutic alliance through the process and preparing to 'let go' without leaving the patient with the feeling of being 'let down' can be a difficult task. The use of letters, when carefully thought through, can be an invaluable aid to creatively resolving the problem of impasse at various stages of the therapeutic process.     

Growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in ovarian cancer cells

Standard therapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer is radical surgery followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy using cisplatin and paclitaxel. Unfortunately, some patients relapse after this first line chemotherapy and some patients become platinum-refractory. Therefore, we analyzed two different ovarian carcinoma cell lines for their sensitivity for gamma-irradiation and treatment with cisplatin, irinotecan, paclitaxel and gemcitabine. We found that both cell lines were rather resistant against gamma-irradiation and treatment with cisplatin and irinotecan whereas paclitaxel and gemcitabine resulted in a considerable reduction of the viability of the cancer cells. Both paclitaxel and gemcitabine treatment resulted in the induction of apoptosis. This sensitivity profile might be due to a particular subset of p53, which reacted with monoclonal antibodies DO-1 and PAb1801 but not with PAb1620 and PAb421. Gemcitabine and paclitaxel are highly efficient in the induction of apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, which express a particular subset of the growth suppressor protein p53. Thus, a sensitivity profile for each ovarian carcinoma seems to be highly recommended before starting treatment.     

Binding mode prediction of strand transfer HIV-1 integrase inhibitors using Tn5 transposase as a plausible surrogate model for HIV-1 integrase

The crystal structure of Tn5 transposase-DNA complex was used in docking experiments to predict binding modes of HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). In fact, the identification of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors from an in vitro screen using Tn5 transposase as the target has been recently reported. Our results suggest the utility of this protein as a useful surrogate model for IN and also for in silico screening, in the search for new potential INSTIs.     

Hormonal changes induced by a partial opiate antagonist,nalorphine. Evaluation of PRL,GH, TSH,LH, FSH and cortisol secretion

Summary The effects of nalorphine 5 mg i. m., a partial opiate antagonist, on circulating levels of PRL, GH, TSH, LH, FSH and cortisol were studied in six healthy men. Nalorphine produced a prompt and sharp increase in serum PRL and a small, delayed rise in serum GH. Serum LH and cortisol decreased after drug administration and no change in serum FSH and TSH was observed. These findings are discussed and a possible site of action of nalorphine is suggested.