Recurrent abdominal pain and Helicobacter pylori in a community-based sample of London children

Helicobacter pylori is accepted as an important factor in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. Infection is probably most commonly acquired in early life but there is still limited information on the prevalence or symptomatology of H. pylori infection in childhood. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of H. pylori infection in a large sample of urban school children and to determine its relationship, if any, to a history of recurrent abdominal pain. Using a commercial ELISA significant levels of anti-H. pylori IgG antibody were detected in 107/640 (16.7%) of school children (M, 383; F, 257; mean age 9.15 years, range 4-13). No relationship was demonstrated between H. pylori seropositivity and a personal or family history of recurrent abdominal pain or the nature of the pain.

Different patterns of cytokine induction in cultures of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus-specific human TH cell lines following stimulation with RS virus and RS virus proteins

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferative responses to live respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, formalin-inactivated RS (Fl-RS) virus, RS virus F (fusion) protein, and RS virus G (attachment) protein were assessed. All donors responded to challenge with whole RS virus antigens and F and G proteins. F protein responses elicited higher levels of response than equivalent concentrations of G protein in nine out of ten adult RS-seropositive donors. Stimulation of PBMC induced low levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-4, and IL-10 production. Human RS virus-specific T cell lines were generated from peripheral blood cultures following in vitro stimulation with RS virus antigens. All lines generated were shown to be MHC class II restricted. Characterisation of the lines was carried out by determining the levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 in culture supernatants. T cell lines enriched for RS virus-specific cells provided a more sensitive system than PBMC cultures for the detection of cytokines. The pattern of cytokine production varied for the individual lines, and the detection of TH1 and TH2 cytokines was dependent on the nature of the stimulating RS virus antigen. Live RS virus induced a TH1 pattern of cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma), whereas FI-RS virus induced the production of both TH1 and TH2 cytokines. In addition, TH lines specific for individual RS virus proteins produced different cytokine profiles. F protein-specific lines generated TH1-type cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma), whereas G protein-specific lines generated TH2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10).

Increased expression of IL-1beta converting enzyme in hippocampus after ischemia: selective localization in microglia

Although the interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases has been implicated recently in neuronal cell death in vitro and in ovo, the role of specific genes belonging to this family in cell death in the nervous system remains unknown. To address this question, we examined the in vivo expression of one of these genes, Ice, after global forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Using RT-PCR and Western immunoblot techniques, we detected an increase in the mRNA and protein expression of ICE in hippocampus during a period of 4 d after ischemia. Chromatin condensation was observed in CA1 neurons within 2 d after ischemia. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and apoptotic bodies were observed between 3 and 4 d after ischemia, a period during which CA1 neuronal death is maximal. In nonischemic brains, ICE-like immunoreactivity was relatively low in CA1 pyramidal neurons but high in scattered hippocampal interneurons. After ischemia, ICE-like immunoreactivity was not altered in these neurons. ICE-like immunoreactivity, however, was observed in microglial cells in the regions adjacent to the CA1 layer as early as 2 d after ischemic insult. The increase in ICE-like immunoreactivity was robust at 4 d after ischemia, a period that correlates with the DNA fragmentation observed in hippocampal homogenates of ischemic brains. These results provide the first evidence for the localization and induction of ICE expression in vivo after ischemia and suggest an indirect role for ICE in ischemic damage through mediation of an inflammatory response.

Mental health and adequacy of social support: a four-wave panel study

LISREL analyses with manifest variables were used to examine the causal relationship between mental health and adequacy of social integration and of attachment, measured at four consecutive waves each four months apart, in a representative sample of 225 adult residents in Canberra. Mental health was assessed with the 30-item General Health Questionnaire. The analyses suggest that while there is no temporal relationship between adequacy of attachment and mental health, adequacy of social integration is influenced by earlier mental health. The temporal relationship between adequacy of attachment and adequacy of social integration appears to be reciprocal.

Overexpression of p53 protein and its significance for recurrent progressive bladder tumours

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic value of the overexpression of p53 protein as determined by immunohistochemistry in recurrent progressive transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 222 tumours from 86 patients with recurrent disease, 20 from patients with no evidence of recurrence after resection of initial tumour and 11 normal bladder (controls) were investigated. Using a microwave technique to expose antigens, formalin-fixed sections were immunohistochemically stained for p53 using a polyclonal antiserum. Two independent observers scored the sections for evidence of overexpression of p53.

RESULTS

Of 86 patients with recurrent disease, 51 demonstrated overexpression of p53 protein, as did six of 20 patients with non-recurrent disease. Overexpression was not linked to recurrence (P = 0.5) but was related to worsening histological stage (P < 0.01) and increasing grade (P < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that overexpression of p53 for the primary tumour was not of predictive prognostic value for death from bladder cancer, time to progression or time to recurrence. Tumour grade was the only variable of prognostic value in all the statistical models. Patients with overexpression of p53 showed no reduction in overall survival.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that overexpression of p53, as determined immunohistochemically, appears to have no predictive prognostic value over stage and grade in bladder tumours.

Dynamics of human replication protein A subunit distribution and partitioning in the cell cycle

Human replication protein A (RPA) is a three-sub-unit protein complex involved in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. To gain insight into the dynamics of subunit assembly, we examined the subcellular distribution of RPA subunits (p70, p34, and p11) during the cell cycle. All three subunits colocalized in G1 and S phases, showing a diffuse nuclear distribution in G1 but a dot-like nuclear pattern in S phase. During S phase, the subunits showed a pattern reminiscent of the replication granules/factories described by others as sites of replication machinery. In meta-phase, p70 preferentially associated with the spindle poles, p34 was found on chromosomes, and p11 remained in the cytoplasm. In telophase, p70 and p34 appeared in the forming daughter nuclei; p11 remained in the cytoplasm until G1. Among the three subunits only p34 was associated with the nuclear matrix and this association persisted throughout the cell cycle. We conclude that (i) RPA complex assembly is differentially regulated, (ii) the replication machinery may be anchored to the nuclear matrix, and (iii) RPA subunits partition during mitosis and sort into daughter nuclei by different routes.

Extracorporeal methods of vascular control for difficult IVC procedures

Surgical procedures in the juxtaheptic and intrapericardial inferior vena cava (IVC) are difficult because of the complexity of achieving vascular control in the area. We describe 10 patients with a variety of pathologies in this region who underwent venovenous bypass (VVB) or cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest (CBCA). Renal cell carcinoma with IVC extension was present in three patients (with tumor extension into the right atrium in two), adrenal adenocarcinoma in one, septic IVC thrombus in one, and blunt IVC/hepatic trauma in five. Those patients without atrial involvement underwent VVB with a mean bypass time of 40 minutes (range 12-144). Those patients with tumor extension into the right atrium underwent CBCA with systemic hypothermia to 18(0)C, total body exsanguination for a bloodless field, and removal of the tumor by cavotomy and right atriotomy. The mean bypass, aortic cross-clamp, and circulatory arrest times were 152, 92, and 36 minutes, respectively. Eight of the 10 patients did well and went home within 4 weeks of surgery. Two patients died, one from metabolic sequelae of exsanguinating IVC injury (VVB) and one from sepsis 2 weeks postoperatively (CBCA).

Sensitivity of cell lines to mitomycin C

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of pH on the cytotoxicity of mitomycin C on a wide range of established cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cultures of three human tumour cell lines, including two bladder carcinomas and one renal adenocarcinoma, and two mouse cell lines were treated with mitomycin C (concentration range 320 pM-50 microM) at a range of pH (5.8-7.8) for 2 h. The cytotoxicity of mitomycin C over this range was determined using a tetrazolium-dye-based microtitration assay.

RESULTS

The cytotoxicity of mitomycin C was significantly greater (confidence level > or = 95%) in acidic conditions (pH 5.8-6.0) than in neutral to alkaline pH (7.2-7.8) for three of the five cell lines. The same trend, although less marked, also occurred in the other two cell lines.

CONCLUSION

The cytotoxicity of mitomycin C was greater under acidic conditions for all these cell lines confirming that the activity of mitomycin C depends on pH and suggesting that the pH of the vehicle used for intravesical chemotherapy may be an important factor in the successful treatment of bladder carcinomas. The modification of pH by urine may explain some of the variation in success rates among patients treated intravesically with mitomycin C.

Activity levels and cognitive functioning in an elderly community sample

The influence of self-reported and informant-reported activity levels on Crystallized Intelligence, Fluid Intelligence, Memory and the Mini-Mental State Examination was investigated in a sample of 858 community-dwelling elderly subjects. Both self-reported and informant-reported activity levels explained variance beyond that accounted for by sex, sensory functioning, activities of daily living, medical conditions, current health problems and education. Age accounted for additional variance once activity and the other contextual variables were entered. Interaction effects indicated that inactivity was associated with poorer performance on fluid intelligence in older rather than younger elderly subjects and that inactivity was predictive of poor crystallized intelligence at younger ages. Higher informant-rated activity levels moderated the effects of education, so that higher activity offset effects associated with low education on memory tasks. The mount of variance explained by activity levels was modest.

Modified venovenous bypass technique for resection of renal and adrenal carcinomas with involvement of the inferior vena cava

Peripheric tumours with extension into the inferior vena cava pose difficult management problems. Venovenous bypass using a centrifugal pump to decompress the inferior vena cava may be useful adjunct during vascular isolation of the tumour. We have modified the technique by adding portal decompression to avoid visceral accumulation of toxic metabolites. We have used this technique in two patients who had intracaval extension of tumours, one renal and one adrenal carcinoma.

Televised violence: a Japanese, Spanish, and American comparison

In Japan, Spain, and the USA during one week acts of violence (verbal and nonverbal) were rated on the Index of Television Violence by 3 raters in each country. In all three countries televised violence was more likely depicted in interpersonal conflict than against property. Fewer scenes of physical or fatal injury appeared in Japan than in the other two countries. Other observations were made. Replication is urged.

Detection of new mutations in six out of 10 Swiss HNPCC families by genomic sequencing of the hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes

The cancer predisposition in most HNPCC families is believed to be associated with mutations in the human mismatch repair gene homologues hMSH2 and hMLH1. We searched for mutations in our collection of 10 Swiss HNPCC families by sequencing the exons and exon/intron boundaries of the hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes. In four families we found different mutations which are expected to lead to protein truncations of either the hMSH2 or the hMLH1 proteins owing to premature in frame stop codons or splice defects. In two more families we detected mutations leading to an amino acid deletion and an amino acid substitution in an evolutionary conserved residues respectively. None of these mutations has been reported in other families, which is consistent with the notion that HNPCC associated hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutations are heterogeneous and there is no striking founder effect in the Swiss population. Whenever this could be investigated, the presence of the mutations was confirmed in other family members who showed manifestations of HNPCC. Interestingly, an obligate carrier in one of the families developed a brain tumour at the age of 29, histologically verified as a glioblastoma multiforme, which was recently linked to HNPCC in the context of Turcot's syndrome.

Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

Thirty patients who developed recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty were followed for an average of 27.9 months. The average interval between implantation of the prosthesis and the first bleed was 24.2 months. Nine knees responded to conservative care alone. The remaining 21 knees continued to have recurrent bleeds requiring surgical intervention. Open synovectomy was performed in 15 knees and seemed to be curative in 14 (93%). Forty-three percent of the surgically treated knees were noted to have entrapment of proliferative synovial tissue or the fat pad between prosthetic components as the cause of the recurrent bleeds. Consistent histologic findings included focal synovial hyperplasia and significant hemosiderin deposition. Although similar, these changes should not be confused with those of pigmented villonodular synovitis.

Factors associated with the wish to die in elderly people

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the wish to die in elderly people and investigate the factors associated with it, in particular, whether factors other than depression contribute to the wish to die. Data were obtained from an Australian epidemiological survey of people aged 70 or more. Survey participants were asked whether, in the last two weeks, they had felt that they wanted to die and, if so, if they had had such thoughts repeatedly. Three classes of possible risk factors were investigated: sociodemographic factors (age, sex, marital status), mental health (depression, cognitive impairment), and physical health (poor self-rated health, disability, pain, sensory impairment, and living in a nursing home or hostel). Only 21 of 923 elderly persons reported repeatedly having had a wish to die during the previous two weeks. Although the wish to die was associated with depression, there were several other factors also associated with it independently of depression: not being married, poor self-rated health, disability, pain, hearing impairment, visual impairment, living in a nursing home or hostel. A small minority expressed the wish to die but had a normal mood state. It was concluded that the wish to die is associated with several factors in addition to depression and may be present in individuals with few depressive symptoms. There is a need to investigate whether factors associated with the wish to die are treatable and whether this can restore the desire to live.

Comparison of the T helper cell response induced by respiratory syncytial virus and its fusion protein in BALB/c mice

Specific proliferative T-cell responses were induced in the lymph node cells (LNC) of mice immunised with a sucrose density gradient purified preparation of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus or an immunoaffinity purified preparation of the F glycoprotein. Inhibition studies and flow cytometric analysis showed that the responding cell population were CD4+ T cells. The cytokines produced by virus-specific and F-specific cells were assessed using the CTLL cell line. Peak quantities of cytokine were consistently detected in the supernatants of stimulated cultures 24 h prior to maximum proliferation. The proportion of IL-2 released was determined by blocking IL-2 activity with an anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody. In cultures of RS virus primed LNC challenged with whole virus there was a switch of cytokine production from 70% IL-2 at day 3 to 80% IL-4 by 6 days of culture. In contrast, LNC cultures from mice immunised with F protein secreted 75-100% IL-2 throughout the culture period. These data suggest that after 6 days of challenge with viral antigen, the RS virus-primed LNC response consists of T helper cells which are predominantly of the Th2 subset, secreting IL-4, whilst F protein-primed LNC secrete large quantities of IL-2 and can therefore be classified as predominantly of the Th1 subset.

The association of health management with the health of elderly people

To assess the effect of health management on the health of a community-based sample of people aged 65 years and over, a cross-sectional survey was carried out of 1491 people aged 65 years and over (22.3%) randomly drawn from the computerized age-sex register in Settsu City, Osaka. A total of 1473 people were contacted and complete responses were obtained from 1383 of these (a response rate of 93.9%). The proportion of the sample who had been receiving regular health checks or had been taking care of their health decreased with a decline in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This trend was more pronounced among the younger subjects aged 65-74 years. For disability, those who had been receiving regular health checks had lower overall severity scores in both the 65-74 years and 75 years and over age groups. There were no significant differences in the severity scores for those practising health maintenance (watching diet and exercise) in both age groups, but those practising health maintenance tended to have less disability. The percentage of those who were socially active and thought life worth living also decreased with the decline in ADL for both age groups. These psycho-social factors were also associated with a lower overall severity score. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that health checks, social activity and the presence of aspects of life subjectively evaluated as making it worth living (Ikigai) were shown to have statistically significant negative associations with disability when other factors were controlled for.

Integrating undergraduate and postgraduate education in general practice: experience in Tayside

Several forces have resulted in the creation in Tayside of the first formally integrated unit of undergraduate and postgraduate education in general practice in the United Kingdom. Forces that helped this integration included the desire for change, national developments in education, financial support through funds set aside to cover the additional cost of teaching, and a management structure which concentrates on shared leadership. Forces that hindered the integration included uneasiness about ideas for reforming traditional structures, institutional inertia, the complexity of financial arrangements, and tensions over priorities. The experience of managing institutional changes in Tayside has been invaluable and will lead to a more cohesive approach to undergraduate teaching, postgraduate training, and the provision of services relevant to the development of general practice.

C-erbB-2 gene amplification: a molecular marker in recurrent bladder tumors?

C-erbB-2 gene amplification and protein overexpression have been implicated as prognostic markers for patients with recurrent progressive bladder tumors. This event has been investigated as a potential diagnostic indicator in archival samples of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Two hundred thirty-six bladder tumors from 89 patients with recurrent disease (mean follow-up, 4 years), 20 tumors from patients with no evidence of bladder tumor recurrence (mean follow-up, 7 years) and 10 normal bladder controls (patients with no history of transitional cell carcinoma) were studied. A differential PCR was used to provide a semiquantitative estimate of C-erbB-2 gene amplification. Protein overexpression was assessed immunohistochemically. Sixteen of 89 patients with recurrent disease had evidence of C-erbB-2 gene amplification. No C-erbB-2 gene amplification was seen in the nonrecurrent tumors or normal bladder controls. Of the 89 patients with recurrent bladder tumors, 43 had evidence of progressive disease, and of these, 14 patients exhibited C-erbB-2 gene amplification, indicating a strong association with gene amplification and progressive disease (P < 0.0005). Gene amplification in these patients was seen only after disease progression had occurred. Protein overexpression was seen in 50% of patients with recurrent and 45% of patients with nonrecurrent disease. No protein overexpression was seen in normal controls. Protein overexpression could not be linked to disease progression. C-erbB-2 gene amplification and protein overexpression were of predictive value in multivariate analysis for overall bladder cancer death; however stage and grade remained the most important independent prognostic variables. C-erbB-2 gene amplification and protein overexpression were of no value as independent markers for the prediction of disease recurrence or progression. It appears from these results that the role of C-erbB-2 as a diagnostic marker may far outweigh its usefulness as a prognostic indicator.

An immunohistochemical method for the detection of tumour necrosis factor alpha in cytospins of human bronchoalveolar lavage cells

An immunohistochemical method for assessing the level of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in alveolar macrophages obtained by brochoalveolar lavage is described. Cytospins of mixed populations of lung cells were incubated first with a monoclonal antibody to CD68 and then with a specific peroxidase-labelled second antibody in a two-step reaction for the detection of the macrophage marker CD68. A second similarly based two-step reaction for the detection of tumour necrosis factor-alpha followed. Both reactions were visualized, on completion, using different coloured peroxidase substrates which produced a third colour in the event of dual deposition of the substrates. Dual substrate deposition was indicative of alveolar macrophages positive for tumour necrosis factor-alpha. This method has provided a specific and reproducible semi-quantitative test for the presence of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in human activated alveolar macrophages, which can be performed retrospectively on clinical material. A range of concentrations of the cytokine has been demonstrated in individual samples. This dual detection method has the potential for detection of any cell-associated protein product by minor modification of the described method.

Correct processing of the kiwifruit protease actinidin in transgenic tobacco requires the presence of the C-terminal propeptide

A 355 cauliflower mosaic virus promoter and a tapetum-specific promoter were used to direct the synthesis in tobacco of preproactinidin and a derivative that lacked a C-terminal extension. Preproactinidin was processed into a form that migrated identically on protein gels with mature actinidin extracted from kiwifruit. This protein was proteolytically active in vitro, and high-level accumulation of this protein appeared to be detrimental to plant growth. Plants expressing an actinidin cDNA construct that lacked the sequence encoding the C-terminal propeptide were phenotypically normal but accumulated N-proactinidin, which was proteolytically active in vitro but did not self-cleave to mature actinidin. In transgenic tobacco, the C-terminal extension of actinidin is therefore required for correct processing.

The Psychogeriatric Assessment Scales: a multi-dimensional alternative to categorical diagnoses of dementia and depression in the elderly

The Psychogeriatric Assessment Scales (PAS) provide an assessment of the clinical changes seen in dementia and depression. Principal components analysis and latent trait analysis were used to develop a set of scales to summarize these clinical changes. There are three scales derived from an interview with the subject (Cognitive Impairment, Depression, Stroke) and three from an interview with an informant (Cognitive Decline, Behaviour Change, Stroke). Results are reported on the reliability and validity of these scales using data from clinical samples in Sydney and Geneva and a population sample from Canberra. The scales were found to have excellent validity when judged against clinical diagnoses of dementia and depression and could distinguish Alzheimer's from vascular dementia. Cut-off points were developed to indicate correspondence between scale scores and clinical diagnoses. Percentile rank norms were developed from the Canberra population sample. The PAS is easy to administer and score and can be used by lay interviewers after training. It is intended for application both in research and in services for the elderly.