Posttraumatic stress disorder and associated risk factors in Canadian peacekeeping veterans with health-related disabilities.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its associated risk factors in a random, national, Canadian sample of United Nations peacekeeping veterans with service-related disabilities. METHODS: Participants included 1016 male veterans (age < 65 years) who served in the Canadian Forces from 1990 to 1999 and were selected from a larger random sample of 1968 veterans who voluntarily and anonymously completed a general health survey conducted by Veterans Affairs Canada in 1999. Survey instruments included the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and questionnaires regarding life events during the past year, current stressors, sociodemographic characteristics, and military history. RESULTS: We found that rates of probable PTSD (PCL-M score > 50) among veterans were 10.92% for veterans deployed once and 14.84% for those deployed more than once. The rates of probable clinical depression (CES-D score > 16) were 30.35% for veterans deployed once and 32.62% for those deployed more than once. We found that, in multivariate analyses, probable PTSD rates and PTSD severity were associated with younger age, single marital status, and deployment frequency. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD is an important health concern in the veteran population. Understanding such risk factors as younger age and unmarried status can help predict morbidity among trauma-exposed veterans.     

Phase I study of high-dose cytosine arabinoside and etoposide in patients with advanced malignancies

Summary Cytosine arabinsodie (ara-C) and etoposide (VP-16) display synergy in the laboratory. Twenty-six patients participated in a phase I study of high-dose ara-C in combination with VP-16. The dose of VP-16 was held constant at 50 mg/m² as an intermittent infusion over 33 h; escalating doses of ara-C were given as infusions during hours 9–12 and 21–24. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxicity and occurred with doses considerably less than those expected from studies of the two drugs as single agents. The suggested initial doses for phase II trials with this schedule are 750 mg/m²×2 doses of ara-C and 50 mg/m² of VP-16. Nonhematologic toxicity was minimal; therefore, further dose escalation is feasible in patients in whom myelosuppression is acceptable.Supported in part by grants from the National Cancer Institute (CA-12197 and CA-09422) and the American Cancer Society CF-85-182     

Diagnosis goes digital.

Accurate images of the craniofacial region are critical for the development of an orthodontic diagnosis and treatment plan. The NewTom QR 9000 Volume Scanner (QR s.r.l., Verona, Italy) represents a significant advance in imaging capabilities for dentistry and orthodontics. This new-generation scanner uses computed tomography technology to provide a complete 3D view of the maxilla and mandible with relatively high resolution and low radiation exposure to patients. This article discusses some technical aspects of this new scanner and its possible orthodontic uses.     

Chronic vitamin E treatment prevents defective endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic rat aorta

Summary We examined the effect in rats of 2 months of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus on relaxation and contraction of aortas in vitro. A further diabetic group was treated from time of diabetes induction with a 1% dietary supplement of vitamin E. Diabetes caused a 26.5% deficit (p<0.001) in maximum endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in phenylephrine-precontracted aortas. This was 64.3% attenuated (p<0.01) by vitamin E treatment; maximum relaxation was not significantly altered compared to non-diabetic rats. Vitamin E treatment of non-diabetic rats did not significantly affect acetylcholine-induced relaxation. Diabetes or treatment did not significantly alter acetylcholine sensitivity. Endothelium-independent relaxation response to glyceryl trinitrate was not affected by diabetes or vitamin E treatment, indicating that vascular smooth muscle responses to nitric oxide remained unaltered. There was a 35.4% reduction in the maximum contractile response to phenylephrine with diabetes (p<0.05) which was unaffected by vitamin E treatment. The data suggest that the chronic deficit in nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetes depends largely upon excess activity of reactive oxygen species. Treatment with vitamin E to increase free radical scavenging specifically protected vascular endothelium although it had no effect on deficits in vascular smooth muscle contractile responses.Abbreviations NO Nitric oxide - ARI aldose reductase inhibitor - ACH acetylcholine - GTN glyceryl trinitrate - GSH reduced form of glutathione - EC₅₀ effective concentration for 50% of the maximal response     

Different mechanisms by which anti-DNA MoAbs bind to human endothelial cells and glomerular mesangial cells.

The mechanisms by which anti-DNA MoAbs derived from MRL-lpr/lpr mice, bind to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and glomerular mesangial cells were studied using a cellular ELISA. DNAse-treatment of either the MoAb or HUVEC followed by reconstitution with DNA and/or histones was performed to determine whether DNA and histones mediated such binding. It was found that MoAb410 bound to HUVEC and mesangial cells in the form of preformed DNA/anti-DNA immune complex, and such binding was facilitated by histones. In contrast, MoAb 152 bound directly to cell membrane-associated DNA, and adding DNA to MoAb 152 reduced its cellular binding. DNA binds endothelial cell surface and histones enhance the binding of both MoAb 410 and MoAb 152 to HUVEC by increasing cell membrane-associated DNA. Finally, the degree of MoAb binding to HUVEC is critically influenced by the relative concentrations of antibody, DNA, and histones.