Recurrent eosinophilic cystitis: a case responsive to steroids.

We report a case of eosinophilic cystitis that was responsive to prednisone but that recurred when the drug was withdrawn. The cause of eosinophilic cystitis remains an enigma but it probably represents a form of allergy. Investigation of etiology and therapeutic options are discussed.     

Optimal management of adults with pharyngitis – a multi-criteria decision analysis

Background  

Current practice guidelines offer different management recommendations for adults presenting with a sore throat. The key issue is the extent to which the clinical likelihood of a Group A streptococcal infection should affect patient management decisions. To help resolve this issue, we conducted a multi-criteria decision analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process.     

Toll-like receptors in Borrelia burgdorferi-induced inflammation

Lyme arthritis, the most common manifestation of late Lyme disease, has been associated with the presence of Borellia burgdorferi in the joint. However, it is still unclear whether the pathogen itself is able to elicit such a sustained inflammatory response, or whether an aberrant immunological reaction of the host is the main driving force. Borrelia antigens, including lipoproteins, flagellin and DNA, are ligands of Toll-like receptors, and can thus elicit a strong stimulation of host cells, such as neutrophils, mononuclear cells and resident tissue cells. Understanding the molecular basis of the signalling events caused by Borrelia lipoproteins will lead to a greater understanding of inflammation in Lyme arthritis and, hopefully, new treatment strategies for chronic antibiotic-resistant disease.     

Cytochrome P450 reductase, antioxidant enzymes and cellular resistance to doxorubicin

Our data suggest that DOX resistance in P388/R-84 cells may result, at least in part, from reduced free radical formation by both suppression of flavin reductase(s) and overexpression of certain antioxidant enzymes such as GSH peroxidase and catalase. In addition, our results, in conjunction with other studies, indicate that flavin reductase(s) and antioxidant enzymes are differentially altered in cancer cells with acquired or de novo resistance to DOX. Further studies are needed, however, to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which the gene expression of these enzymes is regulated in drug-sensitive and -resistant cells.     

Nutritional status of land-based U.S. Navy divers

The nutritional status of 16 male, land-based U.S. Navy divers was assessed to collect baseline information for a cold water dive series. Diet records, blood samples, and 24-h urine collections were obtained and analyzed. The divers were deriving 17 +/- 1%, 40 +/- 2%, 32 +/- 2% of their calories from protein, carbohydrate, and fat, respectively. The remaining calories were furnished by alcohol (11 +/- 2%), an amount within the American Heart Association's guidelines. Crude fiber intake was low (3.7 +/- 0.4 g/d) whereas cholesterol (507 +/- 101 mg/d) and sodium intakes (4462 +/- 599 mg/d) were high. Mean intakes of vitamin B6 and folacin were below the Military Recommended Dietary Allowances. Mean blood concentrations and urinary excretion of minerals were normal but urinary sodium excretion was high. Results indicate that the divers' intakes of sodium and cholesterol were high, whereas intakes of complex carbohydrate and crude fiber were low. Whether these dietary patterns are suitable for extended dives, especially in cold water, remains to be determined.     

Movement of carbofuran (nematicide) in soil columns

Adsorption and movement of carbofuran (a systemic nematicide) were studied using two Indian soils (clay loam and silt loam) of alluvial origin. Equilibrium adsorption coefficient (K) values measured using a batch-slurry technique follows the order clay loam greater than silt loam soil. The distribution coefficients (Kd) for both the soils in batch adsorption as well as in columns were also calculated. Carbofuran movement in soil columns during water infiltration in both air-dried and water-saturated columns was estimated. The order was as anticipated from K and Kd values. A larger amount of water was needed for leaching the carbofuran to 152 cm in clay loam soil than in silt loam soil. Carbofuran appears to increase in drier soils and in finer textured soils.     

Effects of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone on rabbit myocardial beta-adrenoceptors and serum thyroid hormones--absence of relationship to serum and myocardial drug concentrations

The antiadrenergic actions of amiodarone (Am) are well known but its effect and that of its metabolite, desethylamiodarone (DAm), on beta-receptor density (Bmax) and affinity (KD) are poorly defined. Thus, the acute and chronic effects of Am and DAm on myocardial beta-receptors in rabbits were determined relative to changes in thyroid hormones and serum and tissue drug concentrations. Bmax and KD were measured by radio-ligand binding, thyroid hormones by RIA, and drug levels by HPLC. Compared with controls, intravenous Am (20 mg/kg) reduced Bmax by 23% (p less than 0.05) and DAm (20 mg/kg) by 32% (p less than 0.05). After 3 weeks of chronic drug, the corresponding value for Am was 24% (p less than 0.05) versus 45% (p less than 0.05) for DAm. The effect of DAm was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than that of Am, being comparable to that of Am (-44%) after 6 weeks. In the case of Am, doubling the dose (and myocardial level) led to no further decrease in Bmax. DAm also reduced Bmax more following chronic treatment than after acute administration (-45 versus -32%), a difference of borderline significance. Following 3 weeks of p.o. Am, T3 decreased 3% (NS) and reverse T3 (rT3) increased 90% (p less than 0.05); after 6 weeks, the corresponding values were 25% (p less than 0.05) and 181% (p less than 0.01). After 1 week of p.o. DAm, T3 did not change but rT3 increased by 34% (p less than 0.05); after 3 weeks the corresponding values were 21% (p less than 0.01) and 64% (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)