Reciprocity between tissue calmodulin and cAMP levels: modulation by excess zinc

Signal transduction of many intracellular events is initiated by a minute influx of calcium ions into the cells, resulting in the formation of calcium-calmodulin complex and cAMP. Because zinc appears to have an inhibitory effect on a number of tissue reactions, it is postulated that this occurs through modulation of intracellular calcium influx. To test the hypothesis that the inhibitory effects of zinc are mediated through the calcium calmodulin-cAMP pathway, zinc was administered by various routes to five groups of nude mice (control, intragastric, intraperitoneal. intradermal and oral groups), and calmodulin and cAMP concentrations were measured in the cytosol of epidermal cells. Calmodulin levels decreased significantly in the groups given intraperitoneal zinc (P>0.025) and intradermal zinc (P>0.001) injections. Significant elevations of cAMP levels were noted with intradermal zinc (P>0.025). Overall, the relationship between calmodulin and cAMP appeared to be inversely logarithmic, with the lowest calmodulin levels associated with the highest cAMP concentrations. In addition, there was a significant trend towards a smaller calmodulin/cAMP ratio in all zinc-treated groups, except the mice fed dietary zinc. These results appear to correlate with tissue zinc levels obtained with these various forms of zinc administration. Our results therefore indicate that there is a reciprocity between epidermal calmodulin and cAMP levels, which may be modulated by external factors such as zinc.     

短期治疗对于儿童潜伏期肺结核的疗效

1背景 美国儿科学会认为，儿童和青少年的潜伏期肺结核应该实施每天使用异烟肼的9个月的治疗计划。实施长期的治疗时，患者的依从性是比较差的，即使是持续6个月的治疗，患者的依从性也〈60％。这么低的顺应性势必会导致抗结核菌株的产生。然而，有些国家已经有了使用短期治疗成功治愈潜伏期肺结核的先例。例如：英国胸科协会推荐在儿童和青少年中使用异烟肼联合利福平3个月的治疗计划。     

Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume as a second screening test: A prospective study of 248 cases

AIM: This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume (PSATZ), and its availability as a second screening test for prostate cancer detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free PSA was measured in male patients who visited our outpatient department for voiding difficulty or screening for prostate cancer. Patients who had an intermediate PSA level between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL, with an apparently normal prostate on a digital rectal examination, were enrolled. PSATZ, free-to-total PSA ratio (F/T ratio) and PSA density (PSAD) were calculated and statistical comparisons between biopsy-positive (cancer) and biopsy-negative patients (benign) were conducted. RESULTS: Of 248 patients, 51 (20.6%) had prostate cancer and 197 (79.4%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on pathologic examination. Mean PSA, PSAD, F/T ratio and PSATZ were 7.48 +/- 1.77 ng/mL, 0.23 +/- 0.09 ng/mL per mL, 0.14 +/- 0.08 and 0.71 +/- 0.44 ng/mL per mL in patients with prostate cancer and 6.59 +/- 1.60 ng/mL, 0.16 +/- 0.07 ng/mL per mL, 0.21 +/- 0.11 and 0.36 +/- 0.30 ng/mL per mL in patients with benign, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that PSATZ predicted the biopsy outcome better than F/T ratio. With a cut-off value of 0.37 ng/mL per mL, PSATZ had a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 72.6% for predicting prostate cancer. The maximal cut-off value that preserves 100% of sensitivity was 0.2, and at this cut-off value, 16.1% of unnecessary biopsies could be reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume may be more useful than other strategies in detecting prostate cancer in patients with intermediate PSA levels of 4.0-10.0 ng/mL. It can be used as a second screening test to reduce unnecessary biopsy.     

Sexual behavior survey and screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in university students in South Korea

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and status of sexual risk behavior among university students (18-25 years old) in the capital region of South Korea. METHODS: Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire related to sexuality. First-void urine was analyzed for chlamydial and gonococcal infection by strand displacement amplification (BDProbTecET, BD Diagnostic Systems, MD). RESULTS: A total of 622 students from 15 colleges in three universities took part in the study. The median age was 21 and 39.1% of them reported having sexual intercourse at least once. The prevalence of C. trachomatis among sexually active men and women was 8.4% and 10.6%, respectively. Gonococcal infection was noted in one symptomatic male. Factors significantly associated with infection were the number of sexual partners during past year and lifetime and condom use. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in university students in South Korea. Urine-based STI screening was both feasible and acceptable in university students in South Korea. It should be considered a routine part of programs to control STI nationally.     

Client satisfaction and outcomes at Darwin Detoxification Unit

This study investigated detoxification completion rates and client feedback at Darwin Detoxification Unit from February to August 1999. Through client exit questionnaires, 140 clients recorded reason for leaving and rated satisfaction with staff, daily routine/activities, medication and facilities. Half of all admissions completed detoxification. Alcohol admissions were more than twice as likely as other drug admissions to complete detoxification (p < 0.05). Satisfaction levels were high for both alcohol and other drug admissions and no significant association was found between satisfaction with the Unit and completion of detoxification. The study highlights the challenges in retaining other drug admissions and the need to identify additional strategies to encourage detoxification completion.