Effects of various drugs (staurosporine, herbimycin A, ketotifen, theophylline, FK506 and cyclosporin A) on eosinophil viability

Eosinophils are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic diseases. This study demonstrated the effects of various drugs on eosinophil viability in vitro, which might help clinicians and researchers in treating and studying eosinophilic diseases. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, and herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, at 10(-6) M and 10(-7) M significantly lowered eosinophil viability in a dose-dependent fashion (p < 0.002, p < 0.02 and p < 0.001, p < 0.002, respectively). Both staurosporine and herbimycin A reduced eosinophil survival in a time-dependent fashion at 10(-6) M and 10(-7) M. Ketotifen at 10(-4) M and theophylline at 10(-3) M, significantly decreased eosinophil viability (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) in the presence of 100 pg/ml of recombinant human interleukin-5 (rhIL-5). Both FK506 and cyclosporin A at 10(-4) M significantly reduced eosinophil viability (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005, respectively) in the presence of 100 pg/ml of rhIL-5. Our data show that ketotifen, theophylline, FK506, cyclosporin A reduced eosinophil viability at a high concentration. Furthermore, it is suggested that protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase are involved in eosinophil survival.

A longitudinal study of risk factors associated with the formation of pressure ulcers in nursing homes

OBJECTIVE

To determine risk factors associated with the formation of stage II-IV pressure ulcers in nursing homes.

DESIGN

Since the incidence rate for pressure ulcer formation varies among nursing homes, the homes were divided into tertiles based on these rates. Pooled logistic regression was used to model which factors are associated with the formation of pressure ulcers in both high and low incidence homes.

SETTING

78 National HealthCorp nursing homes.

SUBJECTS

We studied 4232 nursing home residents free of pressure ulcers on admission to a nursing facility and at 3-months follow-up. All remained in the home for at least 3 additional months to a maximum of 21 months.

MEASUREMENTS

The effects of age, gender, race, antipsychotic drug use, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, disorientation, ambulation, physical restraints, activities of daily living of bathing, feeding, or transferring, and nursing home bed size on the formation of a stage II-IV pressure ulcer while the subject was a resident in the nursing home were studied.

MAIN RESULTS

Significant factors associated with the formation of pressure ulcers in high incidence homes (21-month incidence = 19.3%) were ambulation difficulty (OR = 3.3; CI = 2.0, 5.3), fecal incontinence (OR = 2.5; CI = 1.6, 4.0), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.7; CI = 1.2, 2.5), and difficulty feeding oneself (OR = 2.2; CI = 1.5, 3.3). In the low incidence homes (21-month incidence = 6.5%), significant factors associated with pressure ulcer incidence were ambulation difficulty (OR = 3.6; CI = 1.7, 7.4), difficulty feeding oneself (OR = 3.5; CI = 2.0, 6.3), and male gender (OR = 1.9; CI = 1.2, 3.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Although low and high incidence homes share similar risk factors, such as ambulation and feeding activities of daily living, the main difference was that diabetes and fecal incontinence played a major role only in high risk homes, while male gender was an important discriminator only in low incidence homes. Yet, it is unclear if these factors explain the three-fold difference in the incidence rates for pressure ulcers in these facilities. Baseline or resident clinical characteristic differences of any one factor between the high and low incidence homes varied by no more than 5%. While we identified certain conditions which are associated with pressure ulcer formation, there may be unknown or unmeasured facility effects in addition to the characteristics of a given resident in a particular home.

New findings and symptomatic treatment for neurolathyrism, a motor neuron disease occurring in north west Bangladesh

Neurolathyrism is a form of spastic paraparesis caused by the neuroexcitatory amino acid 3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (beta-ODAP) present in the seeds and foliage of Lathyrus sativus. The disease is irreversible and usually nonprogressive. Tolperisone HCl, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, has been shown to reduce significantly the spasticity in neurolathyrism patients. Sporadic occurrence of HTLV-1 infection (0.9%) and of osteolathyrism was found among the neurolathyrism patients. Osteolathyrism is linked to the consumption of the green shoots of Lathyrus sativus.

Cytokine production in patients with mite-sensitive bronchial asthma

We examined the eosinophil viability-enhancing activity (EVEA) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) obtained from mite-sensitive bronchial asthma (BA) and normal control subjects. Mite concentrations of 1 and 10 micrograms/ml significantly increased EVEA in BA patients as compared with normal controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). The level of IFN-gamma in PBMNC culture supernatants was higher in BA patients than in normal controls. Dexamethasone, cyclosporin A and FK506 significantly inhibited EVEA in BA patients (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).

High efficiency plant regeneration from petiole explants of Carica papaya L. through organogenesis

Callus cultures were obrained from petiole explants of Carica papaya on MS medium containing 0.5-10.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in combination with 0.5-5 μM benzyladenine (BA). Hard-green calli were transferred to MS medium containing 100 mgl(-1) casein hydrolysate (CH) with specific BA-NAA formulation, where they developed adventitious buds within 2 weeks of culture. Maximum number of adventitious buds were obtained in 2 μM BA and 0.1 μM NAA. Shoot regeneration occurred from these adventitious buds by the end of the 4th week. Regenerated shoots were elongated in hormone-free medium and rooted in half-strength MS fortified with 3 UM NAA and 0.5 μM gibberellic acid (GA3). The regenerants were transferred to soil after acclimatization.

Economic effects of riverbank erosion: some evidence from bangladesh

In this paper I investigate some of the economic effects of riverbank erosion in Bangladesh. The study was conducted in one village over the period 1979-89. Between these dates the village lost almost 20 per cent of its farmland to riverbank erosion. This resulted in a loss of more than 50 per cent of crop income (at 1989 prices). About 45 per cent of households were affected during the period. It appears, however, that there is little understanding among the relevant government agencies and non-governmental organisations of the severity of riverbank erosion in Bangladesh. This article aims to provide, therefore, some basic information on the various economic effects of this natural hazard.

Optical realization of a Clos nonblocking broadcast switching network with constant time network control algorithm

The Clos interconnection network is one of the earliest multistage interconnection networks. Recently, a necessary condition on the number of middle-stage switches required to achieve broadcast capability was presented [Tech. Rep. JHU 90/04 (Computer Science Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md, 1990)]. A linear time control algorithm that determines whether a new input request is feasible or not was also provided. Here, the special characteristics of optics are used to provide a constant time parallel realization of the network control setup. This permits a reconfigurable Clos broadcast network.

The bimodal mortality pattern of acute renal failure in children

A total of 1784 children suffering from acute nonobstructive anuric renal failure requiring dialysis were studied in the Pediatrics Nephrology unit of Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the 10-year period 1981-1990. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I, the majority of the children (94.5%), presented with acute renal failure without evidence of hemolysis and were labeled as acute ischemic renal failure (AIRF), and the remaining 5.5% of the children with acute renal failure (ARF) showing features of severe hemolysis were labeled as hemolytic uremic syndrome (Group II.) The children of group I had mean age 4 (0.5-10) years, mean period of anuria 5 (2-13) days, and had mean serum creatinine 701 +/- 267.98 mumol/L. The overall mortality in this group was 89%. Children in Group II had mean age 2 (0.2-6) years, mean duration of anuria 3 (2-5) days, and mean serum creatinine level 500 +/- 100 mumol/L. The mortality rate in this group was 15%. In spite of some differences between the two groups the difference in the mortality rate between the two groups was significant (p < 0.001). It is concluded that AIRF in children bears a much poorer prognosis compared to that of ARF due to HUS.

Micropropagation of Morus laevigata Wall. from mature trees

Multiple shoots were obtained from nodal explants of 10-year-old tree of Morus laevigata on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.5-5.0 mg.l(-1)) of benzyladenine (BA). Nodal segments taken from in vitro proliferated shoots gave further multiple shoots when cultured on the same basal medium containing 2.5 mg.l(-1) BA. Repeated subculture resulted in rapid shoot multiplication at the average rate of 6-fold per subculture. In vitro raised shoots rooted on MS medium containing 0.1 mg. l(-1) each of 3-indolebutyric acid (ISA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in soil under field conditions after a few days of indoor acclimatization.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the design of controlled-release beads with acetaminophen as model drug

Relationships between pharmacodynamics (drug concentration and effect) and pharmacokinetics were used to develop an oral, controlled-release-bead dosage form. Reported pharmacodynamic data were used with pharmacokinetic curves to identify effective therapeutic drug concentrations for optimum therapy for a drug with a "deep tissue" effective compartment. The commonly used, over-the-counter, non-narcotic, analgesic-antipyretic acetaminophen (APAP) was used as the model drug. Data reported in the literature were used to compare analgesic and antipyretic efficacy. Computer simulations were performed with MAXSIM (version 3.01) to suggest a zero-order drug release useful for a 12-h, oral, sustained-dosage form for antipyretic therapy in children, on the basis of current pediatric dosing of APAP. Coated APAP beads with the desired release rate were then developed with fluid-bed coating technology.

Studies on virulence determinants of Plesiomonas shigelloides

Virulence determinants of nineteen strains of Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from stool samples of diarrhoeal children were studied. Heat-labile toxin was detected in seven strains using rat ileal loop model and in none of the strains using Chinese hamster ovary cell assay system and by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rat ileal loop model was used for the first time to assay toxin in P. shigelloides and is suggested to be a cheap and effective method of detecting labile toxin in the organism. Heat stable toxin, cytotoxin, hemolysin and hemagglutinin were not detected in the strains tested. Invasiveness could not be established by using HEp-2 cell assay system. The results of this study provide some experimental support for an etiological role for P. shigelloides in the production of diarrhoea.

Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on healing of experimental nonunion in rat tibiae

To see the effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on nonunited fracture healing, nonunion was induced in rat tibiae and PEMF was applied on it. Out of five different techniques utilised for inducing nonunion soft tissue interposition was found to be the most suitable and effective method of experimental induction of nonunion. Twenty eight experimental and 15 control rats were finally evaluated for the effect of PEMF applied for up to 8 weeks. After sacrifice of 8 experimental and 4 controls, 6 experimental and 3 controls, again 6 experimental and 3 controls and finally 8 experimental and 5 controls at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively of PEMF application no significant difference as to the quality of healing was observed between the experimental and control animals. It was thus concluded that PEMF appeared to have no beneficial effect on the healing of nonunited fractures in experimental set-up.

Gastrointestinal transit of nondisintegrating, nonerodible oral dosage forms in pigs

Gastrointestinal (GI) transit data necessary as "baseline" or "control" information were collected using pigs as animal models preliminary to bioavailability studies of new sustained action formulations. Density and size effects of nondisintegrating dosage forms on GI transit were investigated. Initially, enteric-coated nondisintegrating magnesium hydroxide caplets (density, 1.5 g/ml; size, 19.6 x 9.5 mm; weight, 1.2 g) were utilized in seven pigs. Prolonged gastric residence (greater than 5 days) occurred in every case for this dosage form. Therefore, nondisintegrating caplets of three densities (1.25, 1.45, and 2.3 g/ml) and three different sizes (large, 20 x 10 mm; medium, 10 x 10 mm; small, 5 x 10 mm) were studied in two more pigs. Roentgenography was used to visualize passage of caplets through the GI tract. Heidelberg pH capsules (size, 8 x 20 mm; density, 1.61 g/ml) were also used in this study. Total GI transit times range from 2 to 33 days for 22 administrations of these nondisintegrating dosage forms. Pigs are found to not be an appropriate model for evaluating bioavailability of nondisintegrating controlled-release dosage forms because total GI transit time (especially gastric transit) is much too long.

Lormetazepam (Loramet) in the elderly: an acceptability study

In an open, single centre, general practice study, the short acting benzodiazepine lormetazepam (Loramet) was administered nightly for a period of 7 nights to fifty-eight geriatric insomniacs. All patients took 0.5 mg on the first night but were allowed to increase their dosage to 1.0 mg and 1.5 mg as required. The patients assessed the efficacy and acceptability of lormetazepam with the aid of a diary card completed on each morning of the study. The results showed that 65.5% of the patients reported an improvement in their sleep pattern and 76.9% were taking the 0.5 mg dosage by the last night of the study. Throughout the study there was a progressive increase in the mean duration of sleep and a similar increase in the number of patients awaking refreshed. The effects were significant after the second and third nights, respectively. Three patients withdrew from the study, two due to lack of efficacy and one dropped out following the occurrence of side-effects. It was concluded that the results confirm the efficacy and acceptability of lormetazepam and may suggest 0.5 mg to be a more suitable dosage than 1.0 and 1.5 mg in elderly patients.

Rice-powder electrolyte solution as oral-therapy in diarrhoea due to Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli

124 patients with acute diarrhoea due to Vibrio cholerae or Escherichia coli were treated with either the standard sucrose-electrolyte solution or a cereal-based electrolyte solution, containing 30 g rice powder per litre and electrolytes as recommended by the World Health Organisation. The treatments were compared by measuring the rate of purging, change in body weight, serum specific gravity, urine output, and post-hydrolysis sugar content in the stool. The proportions of successfully treated patients in the rice-powder group were 80% for cholera patients and 88% for E. coli patients--no different from those in patients receiving the sucrose-electrolyte solution. Failure was due to rates of purging that exceeded the patient's ability to drink enough replacement solution. This study suggests that a rice-powder electrolyte solution is efficient and safe to use as a rehydrating oral fluid in acute diarrhoea.