Hepatoprotective effects of diethylcarbamazine in acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

This research was carried out to determine a potential role of leukotrienes in the acute hepatotoxicity induced by CC14 in rats. An inhibitor of leukotrienes biosynthesis, diethylcarbamazine (DEC, 25 and 50 mg ·kg-1 ip) exerted hepatoprotective effects, decreasing the activity of alanine aminotransfer-ase in serum and the concentration of liver triglycerides. DEC reduced histological damage of liver evidenced by electron microscopy. The hepatoprotective effects of DEC were dose-dependent. The results favor the role of leukotrienes in CC14 hepatotoxicity.     

Cardiac tamponade after intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia

An unusual case of intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia ispresented. Cardiac tamponade occurred in the operating roomsoon after induction of anaesthesia. Surgical removal of theherniated omentum and stomach allowed haemodynamic improvement.The pathophysiology is discussed and patients with cardiac tamponadereviewed.     

Analysis of two methods for occlusal contact registration with the T-Scan system

summary Various authors have studied the reprodcibility of occlusal contact by means of the T-Scan computerized system and obtained contradictory results. In the present work the valve of the T-Scan system as a method for exploring occlusion has been analysed. For this purpose, the same variable, i.e. the number of contacts, was recorded in 31 subjects using the two operation modes enabled by the T-Scan and the respective results were then compared. After an analysis of variance was performed to test the equality of averages of the number of tooth contacts for each patient in the four positions studied (maximum intercuspation, edge to edge protrusion, right laterality and left laterality) in the time and force analysis modes, the results obtained showed that the number of occlusal contacts is significantly different for each patient both in the various mandibular positions and in the force and time analysis modes, being proportionally greater in the latter case.     

HL-A Antigens in Leprosy

HL—A phenotype frequencies were studied in 30 patients with leprosy and in 149 healthy controls. Leprosy patients had a significantly higher frequency of HL—A14. In addition, a majority of the HL—A14 patients gave a negative response to leproma antigen using the Mitsuda test.     

My job impacts my sleep: signs and symptoms of insomnia among healthcare workers

Potential insomnia in healthcare workers is a public health concern as it may degrade the quality of patient care. We examined the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in healthcare workers and their perceived need for a sleep intervention. Participants were 62 nurses working full-time at a U.S. hospital. These nurses were asked about background characteristics, perceived stress, sleep concerns, and need for a sleep intervention. They also participated in 14-d ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and actigraphy sleep study. A qualitative analysis showed that the majority (92%) of participants reported at least one sleep concern with insomnia-related concerns being most prevalent (68%). Quantitative analyses indicated that those with insomnia-related concerns had higher perceived stress overall and lower EMA sleep sufficiency and sleep quality. Moreover, participants with insomnia concerns had shorter actigraphy-measured nap duration prior to non-workdays than those without. Nearly all (95%) expressed interest in participating in a sleep intervention; an online format and mindfulness contents were most preferred. Our results suggest a high prevalence of insomnia symptoms and a high interest in a sleep intervention in nurses. Information obtained from this study could be used to deliver a tailored sleep intervention for nurses whose role in public health is essential.     

CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE II, SUBSTANCE P AND VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL PEPTIDE IN PLASMA AND SYNOVIAL FLUID FROM PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY JOINT DISEASE

Immunoreactive plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of calcitoningene-related peptide II (CGRP II), substance P and vasoactiveintestinal peptide (VIP) were measured in patients with osteoarthritis,gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Significantly higher levels ofCGRP II and substance P and VIP-like immunoreactivity levelsin synovial fluid were found in gout as well as CGRP II, substanceP and VIP-like immunoreactivities in rheumatoid arthritis whencompared to those in osteoarthritis. Plasma CGRP II, substanceP and VIP-like immunoreactivity levels showed no significantdifferences among patients in the three different groups ofarthritis. Our results suggest that these neuropeptides releasedfrom peripheral nerve endings into the synovial cavity probablyplay a pathogenic role in human joint inflammation. KEY WORDS: Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, Calcitonin gene-related peptide II, Substance P, Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Synovial fluid     

Hookworm Anemia: Iron Metabolism and Erythrokinetics

Iron metabolism, balance of red cell production and destruction and ironabsorption from hemoglobin were determined in 11 patients with heavy hookworm infection and severe anemia.

The plasma iron, total iron binding capacity, bone marrow hemosiderinand plasma Fe⁵⁹ clearance are in agreement with the idea that the anemia associated with hookworm infection is of the iron deficiency type.

The rate of red cell production measured by the E/M ratio, absolute reticulocyte count and plasma iron turnover showed an increase to about twicenormal, while the rate of destruction estimated by the T erythrocytesurvival showed a destruction about 5 times normal. This unbalance betweenproduction and destruction could explain the severity of the anemia.

The increase of fecal urobilinogen output to twice normal was interpretedas due to the metabolism of the hemoglobin lost into the intestine rather than toan increase of hemolysis.

The estimation of fecal blood loss in the patients whose red cells weretagged with Cr⁵¹ and Fe⁵⁹, showed that the radioactivity counted with Fe⁵⁹was only about 63 per cent of the radioactivity counted with Cr⁵¹. This difference was interpreted as due to iron absorption from the hemoglobin lostinto the intestine.

The mean daily fecal excretion of iron reaches 4.7 mg. Since the ironmetabolism in these patients is in equilibrium, we have concluded that theiron loss is replaced by the iron from food; this is in addition to the 3 mg.hemoglobin iron which is reabsorbed from the blood lost into the gut.

Submitted on January 9, 1961 Accepted on April 2, 1961