The human face of elderly care?

Communication and interactions between nurses and patients with dementia of the Alzheimers type is often inadequate. It would be inappropriate to suggest that nursing staff make no effort to communicate with patients who have dementia, but the communication difficulties that confront them require that a conscious effort is made to invest extra energy to provide meaningful communication. A number of interactive approaches are used by staff, traditionally those of reality orientation, behaviour modification, reminiscence therapy, and more recently, music therapy, touch therapy and aromatherapy. This paper overviews one other therapy which specifically addresses the communication needs of patients who suffer from dementia of the Alzheimers type, validation therapy.

Mechanoreception at the cellular level: the detection, interpretation, and diversity of responses to mechanical signals

Cells from diverse tissues detect mechanical load signals by similar mechanisms but respond differently. The diversity of responses reflects the genotype of the cell and the mechanical demands of the resident tissue. We hypothesize that cells maintain a basal equilibrium stress state that is a function of the number and quality of focal adhesions, the polymerization state of the cytoskeleton, and the amount of extrinsic, applied mechanical deformation. A load stimulus detected by a mechano-electrochemical sensory system, including mechanically sensitive ion channels, integrin-cytoskeleton machinery, and (or) a load-conformation sensitive receptor or nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, may activate G proteins, induce second messengers, and activate an RPTK or JAK/STAT kinase cascade to elicit a response. We propose the terms autobaric to describe a self-loading process, whereby a cell increases its stress state by contracting and applying a mechanical load to itself, and parabaric, whereby a cell applies a load to an adjacent cell by direct contact or through the matrix. We predict that the setpoint for maintaining this basal stress state is affected by continuity of incoming mechanical signals as deformations that activate signalling pathways. A displacement of the cytoskeletal machinery may result in a conformational change in a kinase that results in autophosphorylation and cascade initiation. pp60Src is such a kinase and is part of a mechanosensory protein complex linking integrins with the cytoskeleton. Cyclic mechanical load induces rapid Src phosphorylation. Regulation of the extent of kinase activation in the pathway(s) may be controlled by modulators such as G proteins, kinase phosphorylation and activation, and kinase inhibitors or phosphatases. Intervention at the point of ras-raf interaction may be particularly important as a restriction point.

Concomitant sclerosing mesenteritis and inflammatory pseudotumor simulating gastric lymphoma or linitis plastica

Both inflammatory pseudotumors and sclerosing (retractile) mesenteritis are uncommon conditions of unknown origin. A number of authors have reported patients presenting with complaints that were attributed to one or the other of these entities. In our review of the literature, we were unable to find a single case report of mixed abdominal findings that could be explained by the presence of both conditions. We report a case of the patient presenting with abdominal mass that was identified as having features of both sclerosing mesenteritis and inflammatory pseudotumor on pathologic diagnosis.

Progressive pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient who is immunocompetent

Pulmonary cryptococcal disease can have variable clinical and roentgenographic presentations. Symptoms and radiographic abnormalities can resolve prior to therapy, even in a patient who is immunocompromised. Antifungal therapy is generally not recommended for a patient who is immunocompetent with nonprogressive, nondisseminated pulmonary cryptococcosis. We present a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis that progressed despite fluconazole therapy in a patient who was immunocompetent. This appears to be the second reported case of a discrete endobronchial cryptococcoma.

Establishing partnerships with family caregivers. Local and cosmopolitan knowledge

Families now provide most of the care received by older people in the United States. Proposed changes in the health care system will mean that families must take an even greater role in delivering health care. It is crucial that nurses practicing in a variety of settings be prepared to establish partnerships with family caregivers in order to attend to the long-term care needs of older people.

Pontine ischemic rarefaction

To investigate apparently asymptomatic, bilateral symmetrical predominantly pontine hyperintensities (PHI) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in elderly patients, we examined the pons histopathologically in two brains of elderly hypertensives with PHI, and in three without PHI, on postmortem MRI scans. We also reviewed 85 serial in vivo MRI scans of patients over 60 and compared scan findings, vascular risk factors, and clinical symptoms between patients with PHI and a control group. A subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (SAE)-like pathology was present in the pons in only the two autopsy brains with PHI and corresponded with the location of PHI on the postmortem MRI scans and with the most frequent sites of PHI on in vivo scans. SAE also involved the hemispheric white matter in one of the autopsy brains. Five of 16 (31%) patients with, and 4 of 69 (6%) without, PHI on in vivo MRI scans had marked periventricular hyperintensity (PVHI) compatible with SAE (p = 0.01). We conclude that an SAE-like pathology may be seen in the pons in elderly hypertensives and this pathology is probably the cause of PHI seen on MRI scans of patients over 60 years of age.

Clinical correlates of Alzheimer's disease with and without silent radiographic abnormalities

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who do not have historical or clinical evidence of stroke but who do have computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging evidence of noncortical lesions smaller than 2 cm or periventricular "caps" differ from other patients with AD.

METHODS

The computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging scans of 158 patients meeting criteria of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association for probable AD were reviewed by one neuroradiologist. Two measures of disease severity--the Modified Mini-Mental State examination and the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale (Part I)--were subjected to two-way analysis of variance with scan type (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) and lesion number as between-group factors and age and disease duration as covariates.

RESULTS

No relationship was seen between lesion number or periventricular caps and disease severity.

CONCLUSION

In this cross-sectional analysis using these clinical measures, patients with AD who have well-defined radiographic abnormalities cannot be differentiated from patients with AD who do not have them.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplants for multiple myeloma: identification of favorable variables for rapid engraftment in 225 patients

Transfusion of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) of good quality ensures fast hematopoietic engraftment after myeloablative therapy with a decrease in procedure-related morbidity and mortality. We have analyzed variables influencing the kinetics of engraftment, and therefore reflecting the quality of PBSC collections, in 225 patients with newly diagnosed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) who received an autotransplant in support of high dose melphalan (200 mg/m2); 132 of these patients also completed a second transplant. All PBSCs were collected before the first transplant after high-dose cyclophosphamide (6 g/m2) and hematopoietic growth factors, mainly granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. PBSCs were administered either alone (91 patients) or with bone marrow (134 patients). A highly significant correlation was observed between the number of CD34+ cells per kilogram infused and prompt recovery of both granulocytes (P = .0001) and platelets (P = .0001). After correction for the proportion of patients with > or = 2 x 10(6)/kg CD34 PBSCs infused and with < or = 12 months of prior therapy, no difference in engraftment kinetics was seen between patients receiving PBSCs only and those also receiving bone marrow. Exposure to chemotherapy, even to < or = 6 months of alkylating agents, significantly delayed hematopoietic recovery posttransplantation. The threshold dose of CD34 cells necessary for prompt engraftment was > or = 2.0 x 10(6)/kg for patients with < or = 24 months of chemotherapy before the first transplant, whereas greater than 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34 cells were required to assure rapid recovery also in those with longer exposure. Such quantities, easily collected in the large majority of patients with shorter exposure (91%), were obtained in only 28% of patients with more than 24 months of prior chemotherapy. Rapid platelet recovery within a narrow range of time (before day 14) was almost invariably seen (94%) when greater than 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34 cells were infused, irrespective of the duration of prior therapy, whereas the range widened progressively when less CD34 cells were infused. In the absence of CD34 measurements, fast recovery of platelets to greater than 50 x 10(9)/L within 14 days after high-dose cyclophosphamide and < or = 12 months of prior chemotherapy were the best predictors of early engraftment. Prudent use of stem cell-damaging agents, such as melphalan and nitrosoureas, is recommended in MM patients who might be candidates for autotransplantation. Alternatively, PBSCs should be collected early after diagnosis.

Synaptic linkages between red nucleus cells and limb muscles during a multi-joint motor task

The magnocellular red nucleus (RNm) becomes highly active when a monkey reaches to grasp an object. However, the only spike-triggered averaging studies of the RNm to date have been restricted to a simple wrist tracking paradigm and electromyographic (EMG) measurements of muscles of the forearm. We have now measured EMG signals from a large number of muscles throughout the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand during a variety of tasks, including unconstrained reaching and grasping movements. Relations between these EMG signals and single-unit activity were assessed by on-line spike-triggered averaging and revealed significant post-spike effects among muscles of the shoulder and proximal arm, as well as intrinsic hand muscles. Although there remained a strong bias toward the extensor muscles of the forearm, as has been shown earlier, these results reinforce the importance of the RNm in the control of coordinated, whole-limb reaching movements.

Construction of an ordered genomic library of Mycoplasma genitalium

As a first step towards sequencing the chromosome of the suspected human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium, we attempted to clone its entire genome in a set of ordered cosmids. Cosmid libraries were established by partial digestion of M. genitalium genomic DNA with Sau3AI or EcoRI. A chromosome-walking strategy was used to identify 20 overlapping cosmid clones which contained over 99% of the genome. The final 5.1 kb could not be cloned in cosmids, and was eventually obtained from a genomic library established in a lambda vector. Correspondence of cloned and genomic EcoRI fragments indicated no detectable major deletions or rearrangements in the library. The library was oriented on established XhoI and SmaI physical maps of the chromosome with restriction sites present at the expected locations in the library. The genome contained 74 EcoRI fragments which added up to a total genome size of 578 kb. These were arranged in a partial EcoRI physical map, and those containing the MgPa major attachment protein-encoding operon and its repeat sequences were identified. The existence of this ordered genomic library, which accurately and completely encompasses the entire M. genitalium genome, should serve as a valuable tool for many future studies of this organism and facilitate our long-term goal of sequencing its genome.

Molecular characterization of the DNA-binding and dimerization domains of the bZIP transcription factor, EmBP-1

The wheat basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding protein EmBP-1 has been implicated in the mechanisms of abscisic acid (ABA) mediated gene regulation. Sequence and structural homology to the yeast bZIP protein GCN4 has been used to predict the location of the functional domains of EmBP-1. In order to test these predictions, the presumptive DNA-binding and dimerization domains of EmBP-1 were mapped by producing a series of truncated protein fragments and functionally testing them in vitro. Deletion of 5 amino acids of the predicted basic domain resulted in a loss of all DNA-binding activity. A fragment containing all six leucine repeat elements showed strong DNA-binding activity. Sequential deletion of the leucine repeat elements resulted in first an increase in DNA-binding activity (-L6 and -L5) followed by a reduction in binding activity (-L4) and eventually complete elimination of all detectable DNA-binding activity (-L3 and -L2). This demonstrates the importance of an intact leucine zipper domain of at least 4 repeat elements for efficient DNA-binding. The smallest polypeptide that retained DNA-binding activity is a fragment spanning amino acid residues 248-308 (ca. 8.4 kDa) consisting of minimal basic and leucine zipper domains. Dimerization of EmBP-1 was demonstrated by co-translation of fragments of differing molecular weights and identification of a DNA-protein complex with intermediate mobility to that produced by each fragment alone. A unique leucine-proline repeat element found N-terminal to the DNA-binding domain of EmBP-1 does not appear to play a role in DNA-binding or dimerization. These results confirm the locations of the functional domains of EmBP-1 predicted by similarity to GCN4. The high degree of functional conservation of the bZIP proteins spanning organisms from plants to fungi highlights the ancient origin of this class of transcription factors and of the mechanisms of gene regulation in which they participate.

Long-term results in surgically managed esophageal achalasia

The long-term clinical results of surgical treatment for esophageal achalasia were reviewed in 35 patients having a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Group A (n = 22) are those patients whose first procedure (myotomy and Belsey partial fundoplication) was done at our hospital. Group B (n = 13) are those who had undergone one or more previous operations elsewhere. In group A good to excellent results occurred in 21/22 patients (95%) at 1 year, 17/22 (77%) at 5 years, 15/22 (68%) at 10 years, 11/16 (69%) at 15 years, and 6/9 (67%) at 20 or more years. Two patients underwent early reoperation (2 and 5 years) for dysphagia due to incomplete myotomy. Three patients underwent esophagectomy (7, 19, and 23 years) and one patient underwent an antrectomy and Roux-en-Y diversion (23 years) for late-onset complications of reflux. Three of 13 group B patients had had multiple prior operations and had severe reflux damage at presentation and underwent immediate esophagectomy. Ten patients had one or more conservative operations in our hospital, and 4 of these eventually required esophagectomy for disabling reflux. Therefore, there were 10 patients (groups A+B) who underwent esophageal resection, all but 1 of whom had endoscopically documented reflux and 5 of whom had peptic strictures. Six of the 10 esophagectomies were performed more than 10 years (13 to 23 years) after the first operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hypertriglyceridemic serum, very low density lipoprotein, and iron enhance Mycobacterium avium replication in human macrophages

The growth of Mycobacterium avium 7497, serovar 4, in cultured human macrophages is enhanced by Fe3+ and serum lipids over 7 days. Iron (1-80 micrograms/mL) added to macrophages cultured in normal serum resulted in 10-fold increases in growth. If iron-supplemented macrophages were cultured in serum from hypertriglyceridemic donors after infection, M. avium growth increased 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold. Without macrophages, differences in bacterial growth between sera were not seen. Removal of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) eliminated the differences between sera. Isolated VLDL from hyperlipidemic serum resulted in 10(5)-fold increases in growth over that seen with VLDL from normal sera. Accelerated M. avium growth in macrophages cultured with hyperlipidemic serum was partly inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase (1000 IU/mL). Results suggest that iron stimulates O2-induced oxidation of VLDL and its subsequent accumulation in macrophages. The resultant iron- and lipid-laden cells become excellent hosts for mycobacterial growth.

The journey of malaria sporozoites in the mosquito salivary gland

The life cycle of malaria parasites in the mosquito vector is completed when the sporozoites infect the salivary gland and are ready to be injected into the vertebrate host. This paper describes the fine structure of the invasive process of mosquito salivary glands by malaria parasites. Plasmodium gallinaceum sporozoites start the invasion process by attaching to and crossing the basal lamina and then penetrating the host plasma membrane of the salivary cells. The penetration process appears to involve the formation of membrane junctions. Once inside the host cells, the sporozoites are seen within vacuoles attached by their anterior end to the vacuolar membrane. Mitochondria surround, and are closely associated with, the invading sporozoites. After the disruption of the membrane vacuole, the parasites traverse the cytoplasm, attach to, and invade the secretory cavity through the apical plasma membrane of the cells. Inside the secretory cavity, sporozoites are seen again inside vacuoles. Upon escaping from these vacuoles, sporozoites are positioned in parallel arrays forming large bundles attached by multilammelar membrane junctions. Several sporozoites are seen around and inside the secretory duct. Except for the penetration of the chitinous salivary duct, our observations have morphologically characterized the entire process of sporozoite passage through the salivary gland.

A dose intensity study of FLAC (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy and Escherichia coli-derived granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in advanced breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) can ameliorate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The extent to which GM-CSF can increase the actual delivered dose intensity of combination chemotherapy over multiple cycles of therapy to patients with advanced breast cancer has not been well defined. We conducted a phase I/II study of dose-intensive FLAC chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) in combination with GM-CSF in patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer to study the acute and cumulative toxicities, anti-tumor activity and dose-intensity achievable with this regimen.

METHODS

Eighty-one patients with newly diagnosed stages IIB, III and IV breast cancer who were previously untreated with chemotherapy and who had measurable disease received multiple cycles of FLAC chemotherapy plus E. coli-derived GM-CSF administered every three weeks.

RESULTS

FLAC plus GM-CSF as associated with significant cumulative hematologic toxicity. Ninety-eight percent of patients developed grade 4 neutropenia; 29% of all cycles administered required hospitalization for fever and neutropenia; 41% and 22% of cycles required red blood cell and platelet transfusions, respectively. Other significant toxicities with E. coli-derived GM-CSF included mild to moderate first dose effects (hypotension, dyspnea, abdominal cramping) in 30% of patients; late occurring anaphylactoid reactions in 11% of patients; and vascular thromboses. The average delivered dose intensities over all cycles were cyclophosphamide, 210 mg/m2/week; doxorubicin, 14.8 mg/m2/week and 5-fluorouracil, 342 mg/m2/week. The overall clinical response rates were 100% and 83% for LABC and metastatic patients, respectively. There were 23% (6/26) pathologic CR's in the LABC patients given neoadjuvant FLAC and 22% (12/54) clinical CR's in the stage IV patients. The median survival of the LABC patients has not been reached (> 26 months) and is 30 months for the stage IV patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of multiple cycles of FLAC plus E. coli-derived GM-CSF therapy is associated with cumulative, dose-limiting myelosuppression, especially thrombocytopenia, as well as significant clinical toxicity. A modest increase in FLAC dose intensity over the starting doses was achievable with the addition of GM-CSF. FLAC chemotherapy has substantial antitumor activity in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. The potential usefulness of FLAC plus GM-CSF must be balanced by its considerable cost and alteration in patients' quality of life due to toxicity. Combination hematopoietic growth factor strategies may be able to reduce the toxicity of FLAC and to allow further increase dose intensity.

Achalasia in Down's syndrome

Gastrointestinal disorders, including motor disorders of the esophagus, occur more frequently in patients with Down's syndrome than in the general population. We recently diagnosed achalasia in a man with Down's syndrome, an association reported only once before. Of the 643 patients with achalasia treated at our institution over a 30-year period (1962-1992), a total of three had Down's syndrome. We report their clinical, radiological, and manometric findings. Achalasia may be underdiagnosed in patients with Down's syndrome because their intellectual impairment may interfere with their ability to report symptoms adequately. All three patients responded well to conventional treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging of in situ mammary prostheses

A study was conducted at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center to examine the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting rupture or deflation of in situ mammary prostheses. Thirty-three women with 59 prostheses were included in the study. Fifteen of the 33 patients had undergone surgery for removal or replacement of 21 implants. Positive findings for rupture were accurately predicted for 15 implants and confirmed at surgery. Negative findings for rupture were accurately predicted in the remaining 6 implants and confirmed at surgery. Although it is a more costly procedure than either mammography or ultrasonography, we believe that magnetic resonance imaging is also more accurate in detecting damaged implants, particularly when they are contained within an intact capsule or when the implants are stacked. Unlike mammography, magnetic resonance imaging requires no ionizing radiation or breast compression. Magnetic resonance imaging of the in situ breast prosthesis may be a useful adjunct when other modalities yield inconclusive results or when a contained rupture is suspected.