BENEFICENCE,TEMPERANCE AND MEDICAL SCIENCE

John Coakley Lettsom (1744–1815) founded the Medical Society of London and played a key role in the development of the Royal Humane Society. His Quaker background underpinned his interest in social reform. He established dispensaries and soup kitchens for the poor, recognized the need for public health measures in the control of disease, and advocated prison reform and education of the poor.     

Cellular expression of somatostatin in MAM-induced microencephaly in the rat.

Methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) is a mitotic inhibitor that has been used to selectively destroy neuroblasts at specific times during gestation. The administration of MAM results in a dose-dependent microencephaly. Following MAM treatment at 15 days of gestation, we have noted an increase in the level of SS immunoreactivity in the neocortex, as determined by radioimmunoassay. Northern blot analysis for preproSS mRNA revealed an increase in MAM-treated cortex. The cellular distribution of SS has been determined using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. There was a 30% increase in the density of SS-immunoreactive neurons in the cortex of the MAM-treated animals. These data suggest that SS neurons in the cortex are spared following MAM treatment at GD 15.     

Astigmatism and visual recovery after phacoemulsification and conventional extracapsular cataract extraction

In this study we wanted to investigate the post-operative astigmatism and visual acuity after phacoemulsification and conventional extracapsular cataract surgery. Patients operated between April and June 1993 (n=150) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were examined prior to surgery and at day 1, at day 10, and in week 6 post-operatively. The difference between the post-operative log mean visual acuity in the Phaco group and in the CECCE group was significant after 1 and 10 days, however it was not significant (p=0.191) after 6 weeks. The mean astigmatism was significantly less in the Phaco group than in the CECCE group during the whole post-operative check-up period. This study suggests that Phaco results in a lower post-operative astigmatism and an earlier visual rehabilitation compared to the CECCE technique.Abbreviations Phaco Phacoemulsification - CECCE Conventional extracapsular cataract extraction     

Specific antibody responses to three schistosome-related carbohydrate structures in recently exposed immigrants and established residents in an area of Schistosoma mansoni endemicity

By the use of surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass and IgM antibodies against three schistosome-derived carbohydrate structures, FLDN (Fucalpha1-3GalNAcbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galalpha1), LDN-DF [GalNAcbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-2Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1], and LDNF [GalNAcbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galalpha1], were measured in 184 previously unexposed Kenyan immigrants who moved into the Masongaleni area, where Schistosoma mansoni is endemic. They were sampled within their first year of exposure and again 2 years later. A cohort selected out of the original residents of the area, who had been exposed for many years, served as controls. Associations with responses to S. mansoni worm, egg (SEA), and cercarial (CERC) antigens were examined. In addition, we measured responses to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a glycoprotein which carries glycan epitopes that are also expressed by schistosomes. Specific IgG1 responses were most pronounced against FLDN and LDN-DF and strongly associated with those previously measured to SEA and CERC. Similarly to previously published age profiles of IgG1 and IgG2 responses to SEA, levels of IgG1 against LDN-DF decreased with age. In contrast, specific IgM responses against the three schistosome-derived carbohydrate structures were most marked against LDNF. Our results indicate that, of the three glycan structures tested, the acute response against schistosome glycoconjugate antigens in young children is mainly directed against the LDN-DF epitope. The response to LDN-DF in older individuals and the responses to the two other epitopes were similar in the two cohorts, suggesting that these antigens are recognized in the early stages of infection and that the immune response persists. The biological significance of these observations needs further elucidation.     

Human NT2/D1 cells differentiate into functional astrocytes

As the most numerous cell type in the brain, astrocytes are coupled via gap junction channels. It is believed that communication among astrocytes is normally regulated by extracellular ions, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. However, the level of astrocytic coupling is altered in abnormal conditions such as stroke, brain trauma and Alzheimer's disease. A well established human progenitor cell line, NT2/D1, has been previously differentiated into pure neuronal cultures. In the current study, for the first time, we report the differentiation of NT2/D1 cells into astrocytes, which express connexin43 and are coupled via gap junctions. Thus, human NT2/D1 cells are not merely committed neuronal progenitors but, similar to the embryonal stem cells, they can give rise to both lineages.     

The elderly as prophets

An understanding of the biological, psychological, and social factors of aging is just one part of helping older persons to view their own aging as the fulfillment of living, since spiritual growth takes place in the context of these factors but transcends them. Younger persons can facilitate such growth for themselves and their elders by helping the aging to function as "prophets" for the younger.     

Gender Differences in Nonprescribed Psychostimulant Use in Young Adults

Background: In order to better understand the recent rise in nonprescribed use of psychostimulants on college campuses, motives, outcomes, and acceptability of nonprescribed psychostimulants have been evaluated. Despite knowledge that students use nonprescribed medical stimulants for improved academic performance and recreational use, gender differences in these motives have not been examined, despite the fact that the social construction of gender may well affect motives for use. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to examine gender differences in motives, outcomes, and acceptability of nonprescribed psychostimulant use. Methods: 2716 undergraduates (1448 male) between the ages of 17 and 57 years (M = 19.43 years, SD = 1.7 years) completed an online survey examining subjective motives of nonprescribed psychostimulant use, as well as behaviors after use and moral views of nonprescribed use. Results: Consistent with hypotheses and known gender differences in social motivation, results suggested that while females are more likely to use nonprescribed psychostimulants for reasons related to schoolwork, males are typically more likely to use psychostimulants for reasons related to partying and socializing. Additional gender differences were that males are more likely to take part in other risky behaviors after use of psychostimulants, as well as view nonprescribed use as more moral and less physically dangerous than females. Conclusions/Importance: This work suggests that there are striking gender differences in motivation and outcomes of use of nonprescribed psychostimulants, which may have implications for personalized approaches for prevention of nonprescribed psychostimulant use on campuses based on gender.