Intestinal absorption of human insulin in pigs using delivery systems based on superporous hydrogel polymers

The interaction of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) with calf thymus DNA was studied in darkness at 25 degrees C and pH 7.4. The enthalpy curve for 8-MOP-DNA interaction was obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry and showed a two-step process for the interaction. According to the spectrophotometric data, it was suggested that some compaction may occur in the DNA structure at higher [8-MOP](t)/[DNA] ratio. Using the fluorescence quenching data, the Scatchard analysis was performed for 8-MOP-DNA interaction at the extended ranges of drug concentration. The results indicated that the first set of binding sites was occupied by 1 mol of drug bound per near eight base pairs of DNA. Also 8-MOP caused the quenching of the fluorescence emission of DNA-ethidium bromide complex. The Scatchard analysis of these data indicated the non-competitive manner for quenching. A non-displacement based quenching mechanism has been suggested for this behavior. The circular dichroism spectra also confirmed the non-intercalative binding of 8-MOP at higher concentrations accompanied by some conformational changes in DNA structure. It has been suggested that at low drug load, 8-MOP binds to DNA as an intercalator, which is an endothermic process, whereas at higher ratios of [8-MOP](t)/[DNA], it binds to the outside of DNA, probably in the minor groove and causes some compaction in DNA, which is the exothermic process.     

The power of communication. Modifying behaviour: effectively influencing nutrition patterns of patients

Every year 7000 people die from obesity and another 13,000 people die by wrong diets in The Netherlands. Part of this problem can be solved when the communication between general practitioners (GPs) and patients about nutrition and diets improves. There are four activities that can contribute greatly to the communication between GPs and their patients. (1) GPs can ask nonjudgemental questions that help to understand their patients' perspective on the illness, its causes and possible treatments. (2) GPs can listen carefully to their patients' replies and try to pick up clues to their understanding as well as their ability to adhere to a recommended treatment. (3) GPs can work with patients and family members to set realistic and achievable goals for behavioural change. (4) GPs can involve their patients in active problem solving. The role that practitioners play in changing patients' behaviour to healthy lifestyles is more similar to a coach. They should be along the sideline, empowering patients, helping them develop their own healthy lifestyles. When GPs apply these principles in daily practice, they will find out that they can effectively influence the nutrition patterns of their patients.     

Public health impact of community-based nutrition and lifestyle interventions

Community-based interventions have increasingly received attention since researchers and public health professionals have come to acknowledge the importance of an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice. All stakeholders including the target community are involved to achieve changes in legislation, in people's social and physical context, and in individual characteristics that support healthy diets and other lifestyles. Some early large-scale community-based heart health interventions showed promising results. The Stanford Five City Project, for example, showed net improvements in knowledge of coronary heart disease risk factors of approximately 12%. Net declines in smoking prevalence (14%), cholesterol (2%), and systolic (3%) and diastolic (5%) blood pressure were also observed. Most later studies did not replicate these findings and it was therefore suggested that community-based interventions, which require substantial commitment and resources, may be less effective than approaches targeting high-risk groups. We present the rationale and theories for community-based interventions, and then elaborate on the methodological challenges in the design and the outcome and process evaluation of community-based interventions. We provide an overview of some of the evidence on the effectiveness of community-based heart health interventions and conclude with the perspectives for community-based interventions in future research and practice.     

Effects of Enrofloxacin on Porcine Phagocytic Function

The interaction between enrofloxacin and porcine phagocytes was studied with clinically relevant concentrations of enrofloxacin. Enrofloxacin accumulated in phagocytes, with cellular concentration/extracellular concentration ratios of 9 for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and 5 for alveolar macrophages (AMs). Cells with accumulated enrofloxacin brought into enrofloxacin-free medium released approximately 80% (AMs) to 90% (PMNs) of their enrofloxacin within the first 10 min, after which no further release was seen. Enrofloxacin affected neither the viability of PMNs and AMs nor the chemotaxis of PMNs at concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 microg/ml. Enrofloxacin (0.5 microg/ml) did not alter the capability of PMNs and AMs to phagocytize fluorescent microparticles or Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, and Staphylococcus aureus. Significant differences in intracellular killing were seen with enrofloxacin at 5x the MIC compared with that for controls not treated with enrofloxacin. PMNs killed all S. aureus isolates in 3 h with or without enrofloxacin. Intracellular S. aureus isolates in AMs were less susceptible than extracellular S. aureus isolates to the bactericidal effect of enrofloxacin. P. multocida was not phagocytosed by PMNs. AMs did not kill P. multocida, and similar intra- and extracellular reductions of P. multocida isolates by enrofloxacin were found. Intraphagocytic killing of A. pleuropneumoniae was significantly enhanced by enrofloxacin at 5x the MIC in both PMNs and AMs. AMs are very susceptible to the A. pleuropneumoniae cytotoxin. This suggests that in serologically naive pigs the enhancing effect of enrofloxacin on the bactericidal action of PMNs may have clinical relevance.     

Health issues in young adults with cerebral palsy: towards a life-span perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain better insight into the health issues of young adults with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: Two data sources were used: 54 adults with cerebral palsy (age range 25-36 years) and 48 physicians (members of the Netherlands Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine). METHODS: Adults with cerebral palsy participated in a physical examination and a semi-structured interview assessing several health issues and utilization of healthcare. Rehabilitation physicians completed a questionnaire on impairments they recognized as being related to cerebral palsy. RESULTS: In the patient sample, pain (59%) and joint deformities (19-57%) were observed most frequently. Evidence of a decrease in the utilization of healthcare services at adult age emerged. Lower gross motor function and cognitive level appeared to be determinants of motor and speech impairments and of the utilization of 3 allied healthcare services. Rehabilitation physicians reported pain (88%), joint deformities (86%) and fatigue (76%) as being cerebral palsy-related health problems in adults. CONCLUSION: Based on the high prevalence of pain and joint deformities and the decrease in the utilization of healthcare services, systematic follow-up in adults with cerebral palsy seems warranted. Cerebral palsy needs to be considered as a life-long condition, requiring a life-span perspective in order to better organize optimal care.