Effect of irradiation on transforming growth factor-β secretion by malignant glioma cells

Glioblastoma cells secrete transforming growth factor- (TGF-), whichhas a variety of immunosuppressive properties. We investigatedthe effect of irradiation TGF- secretion by malignantglioma cells. Three malignant glioma cell lines (T98G,A172, KG-1-C) were cultured and irradiated using 10and 50 Gy Linac radiation. After further culturefor 36 hours in serum-free culture medium, thesupernatants were collected. The TGF- activity in theculture supernatants was determined using a specific bioassay.The levels of the active form and totalTGF- in the supernatants from irradiated malignant gliomacells decreased compared to those from un-irradiated cells.However, since irradiation inhibited the growth of tumorcells, the amount of TGF- secretion per cellin irradiated cells tended to increase after irradiation.These results suggest that malignant glioma cells canstill secrete TGF- and activate latent TGF- evenafter large dose irradiation, despite the inhibition oftumor growth.     

The monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184 is neuroprotective and alters glial cell phenotype in the chronic MPTP mouse model

Changes in cannabinoid receptor expression and concentration of endocannabinoids have been described in Parkinson's disease; however, it remains unclear whether they contribute to, or result from, the disease process. To evaluate whether targeting the endocannabinoid system could provide potential benefits in the treatment of the disease, the effect of a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor that prevents degradation of 2-arachidonyl-glycerol was tested in mice treated chronically with probenecid and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTPp). Chronic administration of the compound, JZL184 (8 mg/kg), prevented MPTPp-induced motor impairment and preserved the nigrostriatal pathway. Furthermore, none of the hypokinetic effects associated with cannabinoid receptor agonism were observed. In the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta, MPTPp animals treated with JZL184 exhibited astroglial and microglial phenotypic changes that were accompanied by increases in TGFβ messenger RNA expression and in glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA and protein levels. JZL184 induced an increase in β-catenin translocation to the nucleus, implicating the Wnt/catenin pathway. Together, these results demonstrate a potent neuroprotective effect of JZL184 on the nigrostriatal pathway of parkinsonian animals, likely involving restorative astroglia and microglia activation and the release of neuroprotective and antiinflammatory molecules.     

Human salmonella carriers in a tropical urban environment

Salmonella sp. were isolated from rectal swab specimens from 39 of 464 (8·4%) of apparently healthy adults and children in central Jakarta, Indonesia. A wide variety of species of Salmonella were found with S. oranienburg predominating. Most of the S. oranienburg isolated were resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, probably because of their previous widespread and inappropriate administration. The yield of carriers identified increased significantly with the use of double enrichment procedures. This study emphasizes the importance of high rates of carriage of Salmonella sp. as potential causes of diarrhoeal disease in overcrowded, unhygienic cities in the tropics.     

Engaging the families of substance abusing adolescents in family therapy

This article discusses three major topics: First, the family processes one typically finds in families with a substance abusing adolescent are described. These processes include pseudo-separation and defensive delineation. A case vignette is used to illustrate these processes. Second, an overview of the importance of family therapy in treating substance abusing adolescents is provided. Third, specific principals and techniques for involving families in family therapy are described. This area includes a discussion of such topics as using the initial telephone contact to join with and involve the family, and suggestions for handling some typical problems which the therapist may encounter in the initial interview. These problems or resistances must be handled sensitively if the family is to remain in treatment. This is an important area since involving the families of substance abusing adolescents in treatment can be quite difficult and there is little practical literature available.     

Faecal pollution of surface waters in Jakarta.

Profuse numbers of Enterobacteriaceae were found in samples of surface waters from the Ciliwung River and adjoining canals which criss-cross metropolitan Jakarta and are used widely for domestic purposes by the poorer sections of its population. 15 of the 20 specimens gres E. coli, Klebsiella were isolated from seven and Citrobacter from four. Using enrichment culture procedures, Salmonella sp. were grown from 10 (48%) of 21 water samples examined, and 12 (63%) of aquatic sediments collected at the same sites. Altogether 14 serotypes and 37 Salmonella isolations were recorded. This high degree of faecal contamination of the environment is a major cause of the immense problem of gastro-intestinal infections in that city and probably in many similar cities in developing countries in the tropics.