105Changes in Nitric Oxide Levels After Deep Dermal injury in the Female,Red Duroc Pig (FRDP)

Introduction : Hypertrophic scar is a devastating sequel to burns and other tangential skin injuries. It follows deep dermal injuries and does not occur after superficial injuries. Nitric oxide (NO) plays many important roles in wound healing from inflammation to scar remodeling. Studies have shown that expression of nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production are decreased in human hypertrophic scar. However little is known about NO involvement in the early stages of hypertrophic scarring, because of the lack of an animal model. It was recently reported that the female red Duroc pig (FRDP) makes thick scar, which is similar to human hypertrophic scar. We hypothesized that NO production in wounds on the female, red Duroc pig is similar to that of human hypertrophic scar and that NO involvement in deep wounds is different from that in superficial wounds. Methods : Superficial (0.015” to 0.030”) and deep (0.045” to 0.060”) wounds were created on the backs of four FRDPs. Biopsies were collected at weeks 1.5, 4, 8 and 21 post wounding including samples of uninjured skin. Nitric oxide levels were measured with the Griess reaction assay and normalized with tissue protein level. Results : Superficial wounds healed with an invisible scar whereas the deep wounds healed with scar resembling mild hypertrophic scar. The thickness of the scars from the deep wounds was significantly greater than uninjured skin and healed superficial wounds (p < 0.01). NO levels were increased at 1.5 weeks in deep wounds compared to superficial wounds and uninjured skin (p < 0.05). At 8 weeks, NO levels in deep wounds had returned to the level of uninjured tissue and superficial wounds. By 21 weeks, NO levels had decreased significantly when compared to superficial wounds (p < 0.01). There were no differences in NO levels between uninjured skin and superficial wounds at any time point (p > 0.05). Conclusions : NO production is similar in late, deep wounds on the female, red Duroc pig to that reported in the literature for human hypertrophic scar further validating this animal model. NO production is quite different after deep wounds as compared to superficial wounds in the FRDP. Early elevation in nitric oxide production might account for excessive inflammation in deep wounds that become thick scars in the FRDP. Nitric oxide regulators and effects at early stages of scar formation should be elucidated further and the FRDP appears to be a useful model.     

The development of antibody delivery systems to target cancer with highly potent maytansinoids

Improving the tumour selectivity of cytotoxic drugs through conjugation to tumour-reactive monoclonal antibodies may lead to novel, more potent agents for cancer therapy. The maytansinoid drugs are 100- to 1000-fold more cytotoxic in vitro than current clinical anticancer drugs. We recently demonstrated that conjugation of maytansinoid drugs to monoclonal antibodies renders them highly efficacious against cancers of breast and colon in both in vitro and in in vivo tumour models. Antibody-maytansinoids represent a new generation of immunoconjugates that may yet fulfil the promise of effective cancer therapy through antibody targeting of cytotoxic agents.     

Poverty and resistance to family planning

Nonacceptors of family planning in the area covered by the Government Maternity Hospital, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, were analyzed. Among the 3901 eligible couples in the area, 3314 (85%) were nonacceptors. Among those with fewer than 2 children, more than 93% were nonacceptros; among those with 3, 84%; among those with 4 or 5 children, 71%. Even after 6 children 69% refused contraception. Most were poor, illiterate, and were either ignorant of any method or had doubts about the method. These people dream of 2 meals a day and live in unsanitary conditions. If a child is born, there is no guarantee it will live. In such situations, an extra child makes little difference in living conditions and after 3 or 4 years can actually make a contribution to the family. To get more nonacceptors to increase their interest in smaller families, basic changes must be made in economic conditions, education, health care, and old age insurance and pensions. Until a certain threshold level of social and economic development is reached, there will not be a sustained drop in the birthrate.     

TREATMENT OF PALMOPLANTER HYPERHIDROSIS BY IONTOPHORESIS

Twenty-seven patients with idiopathic palmoplanter hyperhidrosis were treated with Iontotherapy over a one year period. In twenty-four cases there was a good response but maintenance therapy was required every 3-4 weeks.KEY WORDS: Iontophoresis, Palmoplanter hyperhidrosis     

B19 parvovirus replicates in circulating cells of acutely infected patients

B19 parvovirus is the etiologic agent of fifth disease and transient aplastic crisis. In natural infections, B19 antigen and DNA have been detected in sera early in the course of aplastic crisis and only rarely in fifth disease. We have found B19 DNA in circulating cells of infected patients by DNA dot blot with a virus-specific probe: in four of four sickle cell patients with aplastic crisis, in one asymptomatic sibling, and in one normal adult with fifth disease. Only two of the sera showed B19 DNA. High-molecular weight intermediate forms were detected by Southern analysis of DNA extracted from cells, thus indicating active replication of virus in cells rather than passive adsorption to their surface membranes. Separation of cells into high- and low-density fractions resulted in a concentration of the virus DNA in the granulocytic fraction.     

Maternal Physical Activity Is Associated With Improved Blood Pressure Regulation During Late Pregnancy

Background

Cardiovagal baroreflex gain (cBRG) reflects an individual's ability to buffer swings in blood pressure. It is not well understood how this mechanism is influenced by physical activity in pregnancy. Because pregnant women tend to engage in low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and high levels of sedentary behaviour, we sought to determine the influence of MVPA and sedentary behaviour on cBRG and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in pregnancy.