Relationship of AIDS-related attitudes to sexual behavior changes in adolescents.

The impact of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic on a group of adolescents was investigated by surveying 197 sexually active, predominantly African-American, urban high school students. Reported sexual behavior changes were evaluated in relation to AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes. Over 50% of the students decreased their frequency of sexual activity, increased their condom use, and/or decreased their number of partners. These students had significantly higher scores on a measure of worry about vulnerability to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than those whose behavior had not changed. AIDS knowledge, AIDS beliefs, and AIDS-related anxiety interacted with gender to affect sexual behavior change. Male students reporting decreased frequency of sexual activity, for example, had more accurate beliefs about AIDS than males reporting no decrease. Among female students, however, those reporting decreased frequency had less accurate beliefs than those reporting no decrease. These results highlight the importance of considering gender and specific sexual behaviors when designing AIDS education interventions.     

3(S)-hydroxy-leukotriene B4 is a potent granulocyte chemotaxin in the guinea pig dermis

Inflammation Research -     

Antiinflammatory effects of second-generation leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist,SC-53228: Impact upon Leukotriene B4- and 12(R)-HETE- mediated events

Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12(R)-HETE] are proinflammatory products of arachidonic acid metabolism that have been implicated as mediators in a number of inflammatory diseases. When injected intradermally into the guinea pig, LTB₄ and 12(R)-HETE elicit a dose-dependent migration (chemotaxis) of neutrophils (PMNs) into the injection sites as assessed by the presence of a neutrophil marker enzyme myeloperoxidase. SC-41930 {7-[3-(4-acetyl-3-methoxy-2-propylphenoxy)propoxyl]-3,4-dihydro-8-propyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-carboxylic acid}, a first-generation LTB₄ receptor antagonist, inhibited the chemotactic actions of LTB₄ when given orally with an ED₅₀ value of 1.7 mg/kg. The second-generation LTB₄ receptor antagonist, SC-53228 [(+)-(S)-7-(3-{2-(cyclopropylmethyl)-3-methoxy-4-[(methylamino)carbonyl]phenoxy} propoxy)-3,4-dihydro-8-propyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-propanoic acid], inhibited LTB₄-induced chemotaxis when given intragastrically with an ED₅₀ value of 0.07 mg/kg. Furthermore, SC-53228 inhibited 12(R)-HETE-induced granulocyte chemotaxis with an oral ED₅₀ value of 5.8 mg/kg. When dosed orally over a range of 0.03–100 mg/kg, SC-53228 gaveC _max plasma concentrations of 0.015–41.1g/ml. SC-53228 inhibited LTB₄-primed membrane depolarization of human neutrophils with an IC₅₀ value of 34 nM. As a potent LTB₄ receptor antagonist, SC-53228 may well have application in the medical management of disease states such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis, in which LTB₄ and/or 12(R)-HETE are implicated as inflammatory mediators.     

Temporal relationships of cytokine production in mouse non-lethal sepsis: Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors

Inflammation Research -     

Modulation of the chemotactic properties of complement fragments C5a and C3 by the anti-inflammatory agent,SC-41930

Cleavage of the fifth component of complement yields C5a, a potent neutrophil (PMN) and eosinophil chemoattractant, and modulator of microvascular permeability. Similarly, but to a lesser degree, C3 increases vascular permeability and histamine release. SC-41930 (7-[3-(4-acetyl-3-methoxy-2-propylphenoxy)-propoxy]-3,4-dihydro-8-propyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-carboxylic acid), an orally-active antiinflammatory agent was tested in anin vivo model of dermal PMN chemotaxis induced by r-hu-C5a and hu-C3. Intradermal injection of C5a in the guinea pig resulted in a significant dose-dependent influx of PMNs at 4 hours as assessed by the dermal levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO). SC-41930 (20 mg/kg) given orally to guinea pigs with intradermal injections of 1 μg C5a significantly (p<0.001) reduced dermal MPO content. SC-41930 was less potent against C3, requiring 40 mg/kg to significantly reduce dermal MPO levels. Agents such as SC-41930, which nullify complement's proinflammatory properties, may well have therapeutic potential.     

Inflammatory mediators in cotton-top tamarins (CTT) with acute and chronic colitis

Spontaneous colitis in CTT's presents cytological characteristics similar to chronic ulcerative colitis in humans, e.g. inflammatory cell infiltrate and crypt abscesses. To better characterize CTT colitis as a potential model for human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), inflammatory mediators identified in colonic tissue of human IBD patients and/or experimental colitis models were assayed. Inflammatory mediator changes in plasma and colon from tamarins with acute (n=10) and chronic (n=10) colitis (by mucosal biopsy) were assayed by RIAs. Similar inflammatory mediators were found in the CTT's with acute colitis. In the plasma, PAF and PGE₂ levels were lower in acute colitis CTT's, no LTB₄ was detected, and histamine levels were not different from chronic colitic animals. In the colon, myeloperoxidase and interleukin-1 were significantly higher in acute colitis, PGE₂ and LTB₄ were higher but not significantly, and PAF was not different from chronic CTT's. These data suggest that a combination of events are occurring in the pathogenesis of tamarin colitis that involves some of the same mediators that are found in the human disease and in other experimental models. The importance of these findings to human IBD remains for further investigation; however, the spontaneous primate model offers an exciting approximation of the disease development and merits further investigation for understanding the pathogenesis of human IBD as well as to aid in development of targeted therapeutics.     

Eicosanoids and histamine mediate C5a-induced electrolyte secretion in guinea pig ileal mucosa

C5a is a biologically active polypeptide formed during the course of complement activation and is known to possess histamine-releasing and neutrophil chemotactic properties. In the present study, we have demonstrated that C5a can regulate electrolyte transport across guinea pig ileum, and we have investigated its mechanism of action. Segments of ileum stripped of longitudinal muscle were mounted in Ussing chambers (Krebs' buffer, 37°C, 95% O₂/5% CO₂) for monitoring short-circuit current (Isc). Serosal application of C5a evoked a transient increase in Isc with an EC₅₀ value of 5.0 nM indicating a potent effect. The C5a-induced increase in Isc was abolished by elimination of both Cl^– and HCO ₃ ^– from the Krebs' solution. Pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5M), the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (0.5M) and the H₁ receptor antagonist pyrilamine (0.5M) reduced the effect of C5a, but the muscarinic antagonist atropine (0.5M) was without effect. C5a (100 nM) also evoked the release of histamine (measured by radioimmunoassay in the serosal bathing fluid) by 282% of the control value. In conclusion, in the guinea pig ileum C5a stimulates mucosal anion secretion by releasing histamine and cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid. The response is also mediated, in part, via non-chloinergic enteric nerves.     

The Uniqueness of Child and Youth Care: A Personal Perspective

The author draws upon 30 years of experience in the child and youth care field, personally carrying a dual diagnosis as a professional child and youth care worker and a professional social worker for most of that time. A definition of child and youth care is offered, and differences in focus and emphasis within the two disciplines are explored. Two underlying paradigms are suggested as contributing to the tensions apparent between the professions internationally, and the author concludes that the continuing struggle to develop a free-standing profession of child and youth care needs to be vigorously pursued because competent child and youth care workers are good for children and play a unique role in their lives.     

Predicting posttreatment cocaine abstinence for first-time admissions and treatment repeaters

OBJECTIVES: This study examined client and program characteristics that predict posttreatment cocaine abstinence among cocaine abusers with different treatment histories. METHODS: Cocaine abusers (n = 507) treated in 18 residential programs were interviewed at intake and 1-year follow-up as part of the nationwide Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS). Program directors provided the program-level data in a mail survey. We applied the hierarchical linear modeling approach for the analysis. RESULTS: No prior treatment and longer retention in DATOS programs were positive predictors of posttreatment abstinence. The interactive effect of these 2 variables was also significantly positive. Program that offered legal services and included recovering staff increased their clients' likelihood of cocaine abstinence. Crack use at both the client and program level predicted negative impact. None of the program variables assessed differentially affected the outcomes of first-timers and repeaters. CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment repeaters were relatively difficult to treat, their likelihood of achieving abstinence was similar to that of first-timers if they were retained in treatment for a sufficient time. First-timers and repeaters responded similarly to the treatment program characteristics examined. The treatment and policy implications of these findings are discussed.     

Serving alcohol at home: what do most people do? Findings from a 2001 ontario adult survey

In Ontario, some court cases have involved attempts to sue social hosts for damage caused by the behaviour of drunken guests. Such legal actions give rise to the question of risks and responsibilities accruing to social hosts who serve alcohol. Using a sample of 1395 male and female adult residents of Ontario, the authors present self-report survey data concerning frequency of serving alcohol to guests, methods of handling guests who have too much to drink, prevention of drunk driving, service of alcohol to underage persons, and offering food and non-alcoholic drinks when serving alcohol at home. The results show high levels of intended safe practices overall, along with some areas for concern. Notably, about one-third of the total sample had had guests judged to be too drunk to drive home safely. A multivariate analysis confirmed significant differences associated with sex and age. The authors recommend the creation and evaluation of programmes to upgrade home-hosting skills as an adjunct to systemic alcohol control policies.