Manganese induced brain lesions inMacaca fascicularis as revealed by positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

A series of positron emission tomography scans was made on two monkeys during a 16-month period when they received manganese(IV)oxide by subcutaneous injection. The distribution of [¹¹C]-nomifensine uptake, indicating dopamine terminals, was followed in both monkey brains. The brain distributions of [¹¹C]-raclopride, demonstrating D₂ dopamine receptors, and [¹¹C]-l-dopa, as a marker of dopamine turnover, were followed in one monkey each. The monkeys developed signs of poisoning namely unsteady gait and hypoactivity. The [¹¹C]-nomifensine uptake in the striatum was reduced with time and reached a 60% reduction after 16 months exposure. This supports the suggestion that dopaminergic nerve endings degenerate during manganese intoxication. The [¹¹C]-l-dopa decarboxylation was not significantly altered indicating a sparing of [¹¹C]-l-dopa decarboxylation during manganese poisoning. A transient decrease of [¹¹C]-raclopride binding occurred but at the end of the study D₂-receptor binding had returned to starting values. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the manganese accumulated in the globus pallidus, putamen and caudate nucleus. There were also suggestions of gliosis/edema in the posterior limb of the internal capsule. MRI might be useful to follow manganese intoxication in humans as long as the scan is made within a few months of exposure to manganese, i. e. before a reversal of the manganese accumulation.     

Chlamydial antibodies and risk of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the risk of prostate cancer by exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis. METHOD: Seven hundred thirty eight cases of prostate cancer and 2,271 matched controls were identified from three serum sample banks in Finland, Norway, and Sweden by linkage to the population based cancer registries. RESULTS: A statistically significant inverse association (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.94) was found. It was consistent by different serotypes and there was a consistent dose-response relationship. CONCLUSION: C. trachomatis infection is not likely to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Whether the inverse relationship is true or due to difficulties in measuring the true exposure in prostatic tissue by serology, confounders or other sources of error remain open.     

Influence of Humans on Evolution and Mobilization of Environmental Antibiotic Resistome

The clinical failure of antimicrobial drugs that were previously effective in controlling infectious disease is a tragedy of increasing magnitude that gravely affects human health. This resistance by pathogens is often the endpoint of an evolutionary process that began billions of years ago in non–disease-causing microorganisms. This environmental resistome, its mobilization, and the conditions that facilitate its entry into human pathogens are at the heart of the current public health crisis in antibiotic resistance. Understanding the origins, evolution, and mechanisms of transfer of resistance elements is vital to our ability to adequately address this public health issue.     

The microINR portable coagulometer: analytical quality and user-friendliness of a PT (INR) point-of-care instrument

Regular measurement of prothrombin time as an international normalized ratio PT (INR) is mandatory for optimal and safe use of warfarin. Scandinavian evaluation of laboratory equipment for primary health care (SKUP) evaluated the microINR portable coagulometer (microINR^®) (iLine Microsystems S.L., Spain) for measurement of PT (INR). Analytical quality and user-friendliness were evaluated under optimal conditions at an accredited hospital laboratory and at two primary health care centres (PHCCs). Patients were recruited at the outpatient clinic of the Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, St Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway (n?=?98) and from two PHCCs (n?=?88). Venous blood samples were analyzed under optimal conditions on the STA-R^®Evolution with STA-SPA?+?reagent (Stago, France) (Owren method), and the results were compared to capillary measurements on the microINR^®. The imprecision of the microINR^® was 6% (90% CI: 5.3–7.0%) and 6.3% (90% CI: 5.1–8.3) in the outpatient clinic and PHCC2, respectively for INR ≥2.5. The microINR^® did not meet the SKUP quality requirement for imprecision ≤5.0%. For INR <2.5 at PHCC2 and at both levels in PHCC1, CV% was ≤5.0. The accuracy fulfilled the SKUP quality goal in both outpatient clinic and PHCCs. User-friendliness of the operation manual was rated as intermediate, defined by SKUP as neutral ratings assessed as neither good nor bad. Operation facilities was rated unsatisfactory, and time factors satisfactory. In conclusion, quality requirements for imprecision were not met. The SKUP criteria for accuracy was fulfilled both at the hospital and at the PHCCs. The user-friendliness was rated intermediate.     

Two Eyes Are Better Than One—Binocular Summation of Dark Vision in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Chronic Respiratory Disease

We compared monocular and binocular absolute thresholds of dark adaptation in two separate study populations. Eighteen healthy individuals (Group A) and 13 patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency (Group B) were examined three times each by computerised dark adaptometry with simultaneous but separate recordings from each eye and binocularly. The respiratory patients received oxygen supplement at visits 1 and 3. In Group A, at all three visits, binocular dark adaptation was significantly more sensitive (40.5%) than monocular dark adaptation with either eye. In Group B, at visits 1 and 3, binocular dark adaptation was also significantly more sensitive than monocular dark adaptation (40.5% higher than the right and 47% higher than the left eye). However, in Group B, at visit 2 without oxygen treatment, no significant differences were observed between monocular and binocular sensitivities. Binocular dark vision was superior to monocular dark vision in healthy individuals and in patients with respiratory insufficiency that were provided oxygen supplementation. Furthermore, deficit in oxygen seems to affect binocular summation, perhaps by impaired enhancement in the central nervous system.     

Meanings of at‐homeness at end‐of‐life among older people

Maintaining the well‐being of older people who are approaching the end‐of‐life has been recognised as a significant aspect of well‐being in general. However, there are few studies that have explicitly focused on at‐homeness among older people. This study aims to illuminate meanings of at‐homeness among older people with advancing illnesses. Twenty men and women, aged 85 or older, with advancing illnesses and who lived in their own homes, in nursing homes or in short‐term nursing homes in three urban areas of Sweden were strategically sampled in the study. Data were generated in narrative interviews, and the analysis was based on a phenomenological hermeneutical method. After obtaining a naïve understanding and conducting structural analyses, two aspects of the phenomenon were revealed: at‐homeness as being oneself and at‐homeness as being connected. At‐homeness as being oneself meant being able to manage ordinary everyday life as well as being beneficial to one's life. At‐homeness as being connected meant being close to significant others, being in affirming friendships and being in safe dependency. Here, at‐homeness is seen as a twofold phenomenon, where being oneself and being connected are interrelated aspects. Being oneself and being connected are further interpreted by means of the concepts of agency and communion, which have been theorised as two main forces of the human being.     

Role of histamine release in nonspecific vasodilatation during anodal and cathodal iontophoresis

Nonspecific vasodilatation during iontophoresis is an important confounding factor in experimental pharmacology. In this investigation, we studied the involvement of sensory nerves and histamine-related reactions in causing nonspecific vasodilatation in a model of anodal and cathodal iontophoresis of sodium chloride. Firstly, we applied a mixture of local anesthetic (EMLA) cream to confirm its suppressive effect on nonspecific vasodilatation and to measure its efficacy in three different dosages (duration: 1, 2, and 3 h). We then investigated the role of histamine in nonspecific vasodilatation by giving an oral antihistamine drug (cetirizine) to subjects who had and had not been given EMLA. We found substantial suppression of the nonspecific vasodilatation in all EMLA-treated groups (all dosages) compared with untreated controls (with suppression rates of 60-65%). Dosage had no significant effect. A further suppression of nonspecific vasodilatation was seen after oral cetirizine during anodal and cathodal iontophoresis in both EMLA-treated and untreated groups. The antihistamine effect was most pronounced during anodal iontophoresis. These results suggest a histaminergic increase in perfusion that may be independent of neurogenic mechanisms and depend on polarity (anode or cathode). Local nerve blocks (EMLA) together with cetirizine may therefore be used to reduce nonspecific vasodilatation in both anodal and cathodal iontophoresis.