Interaction of prostaglandin E2 with receptors and their effect on adenylate cyclase activity in human thyroid tissue

The investigations have been performed on thyroid tissue excised from patients suffering from euthyroid goiter and thyrotoxicosis. The study of thyroid thyrotoxic tissue has revealed the decrease in the number of free receptors to 3H-PGE2 caused by the enhanced production of receptor-endogenous PGE2 complexes whose level in thyrotoxic tissue was significantly higher than in euthyroid tissue. PGE2 and GppNHp had a pronounced stimulating effect on adenylate cyclaze activity both in euthyroid and thyrotoxic tissues, with enzyme sensitivity to stimulating effects considerably increased in the latter case.     

Identification and biological activity of a novel natural prostaglandin, 5,6-dihydro-prostaglandin E3

A novel natural E-prostaglandin was detected by HPLC among the endogenous prostaglandins extracted from ram seminal vesicles. The corresponding precursor - all-cis-eicosa-8, 11, 14, 17-tetraenoic acid was isolated from bovine liver lipids and the preparative biosynthesis with the microsomal fraction of ram seminal vesicles was performed. The isolated product was purified by HPLC and identified by GC-MS as 5,6-dihydro-PGE3. The results of in vitro tests demonstrate that 5,6-dihydro-PGE3 is 14 times less active uterine stimulant than PGE1, at the same time retaining 75% of the anti-aggregatory potency of PGE1. Thus, 5,6-dihydro-PGE3 meets the requirements of a selective antithrombotic agent more than PGE1.     

Full-thickness grafting of acute eyelid burns should not be considered taboo.

Split-thickness skin grafts are commonly used for the treatment of acute eyelid burns; in fact, this is dogma for the upper lid. Ectropion, corneal exposure, and repeated grafting are common sequelae, almost the rule. It was hypothesized that for acute eyelid burns, the use of full-thickness skin grafts, which contract less than split-thickness skin grafts, would result in a lower incidence of ectropion with less corneal exposure and fewer recurrences. The records of all patients (n = 18) who underwent primary skin grafting of acutely burned eyelids (n = 50) between 1985 and 1995 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 10 patients who received full-thickness skin grafts (12 upper lids, 8 lower lids) and 8 patients who received split-thickness skin grafts (15 upper lids, 15 lower lids). Three of 10 patients (30 percent) who received full-thickness skin grafts and 7 of 8 patients (88 percent) who received split-thickness skin grafts developed ectropion and required reconstruction of the lids (p = 0.02). No articles were found substantiating the concept that only split-thickness grafts be used for acute eyelid burns. The treatment of acute eyelid burns with full-thickness rather than split-thickness skin grafts results in less ectropion and fewer reconstructive procedures. It should no longer be considered taboo and should be carried out whenever possible and appropriate.     

The management of cubital tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of clinical studies

Despite extensive clinical experience in treating cubital tunnel syndrome, optimal surgical management remains controversial. A meta-analysis of 30 studies with accurate preoperative and postoperative staging was undertaken. Patients were staged preoperatively into minimum, moderate, and severe groups on the basis of clinical presentation. Treatment modalities included nonoperative management, surgical decompression, medial epicondylectomy, anterior subcutaneous transposition, and anterior submuscular transposition. Statistical analysis using a standard SAS database with analysis of variance and chi-square tests was used to assess the efficacy of each therapeutic modality. For minimum-staged patients, all modalities produced similar degrees of satisfaction. However, total relief occurred most after medial epicondylectomy and least after anterior subcutaneous transposition. Patients treated nonoperatively had the highest rate of recurrence. For moderate-staged patients, submuscular transposition was most efficacious, whereas patients with nonoperative management fared the worst. Finally, for severe-staged patients, current therapeutic modalities were not consistently effective, with medial epicondylectomy producing the poorest operative result. This article reveals statistically significant differences in outcomes among therapeutic modalities, which may assist in treatment planning; it introduces standardized methods to aid in determining, analyzing, and communicating treatment outcomes.     

Alpha-tocopherol and MRI Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis – Association and Prediction

Objective

Alpha-tocopherol is the main vitamin E compound in humans, and has important antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to study alpha-tocopherol concentrations and their relationship to disease activity in Norwegian multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods

Prospective cohort study in 88 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, originally included in a randomised placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids (the OFAMS study), before and during treatment with interferon beta. The patients were followed for two years with repeated 12 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and nine serum measurements of alpha-tocopherol.

Results

During interferon beta (IFNB) treatment, each 10 µmol/L increase in alpha-tocopherol reduced the odds (CI 95%) for simultaneous new T2 lesions by 36.8 (0.5–59.8) %, p = 0.048, and for combined unique activity by 35.4 (1.6–57.7) %, p = 0.042, in a hierarchical regression model. These associations were not significant prior to IFNB treatment, and were not noticeably changed by gender, age, body mass index, HLA-DRB1*15, treatment group, compliance, or the concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, retinol, neutralising antibodies against IFNB, or the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The corresponding odds for having new T1 gadolinium enhancing lesions two months later was reduced by 65.4 (16.5–85.7) %, p = 0.019, and for new T2 lesions by 61.0 (12.4–82.6) %, p = 0.023.

Conclusion

During treatment with IFNB, increasing serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were associated with reduced odds for simultaneous and subsequent MRI disease activity in RRMS patients.     

Variations in diurnal and nocturnal waking state in air traffic controllers

Physiological variables of 22 air traffic controllers (ATCs), mean age 32, were continuously telemetrically recorded from 08:00 to 17:30 and on the following day from 19:00 to either 00:00 or 0.3:00. EEG (alpha and theta indices, slow delta waves), EOG (palpebral blinks), EMG (from the neck muscles) and EKG (HR) were recorded. Comparison between day and night shows an increase at night of HR and slow waves, particularly after midnight. These results were compared with similar ones obtained from two other populations of the same age having very different professional activities (university personnel and factory workers). The EEG indices and HR are higher in ATCs. The work load imposed by the need in air traffic control to maintain a high level of vigilance, especially difficult after midnight, is in great part responsible for the high values of physiological parameters observed in this study.     

Lipase action on some non-triglyceride substrates

Approaches for improving methodologies of kinetic resolution of enantiomers as well as of regioselective protection of functional groups of complex chiral molecules involving lipase-catalytic reactions are highlighted. Decyclization of hemiacetals by lipase as well as exclusive pathways of lipase-catalyzed derivatization of prostanoids are brought out. Lipase-triggered cascade-reactions are noticed.     

Constitutive hsp70 attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced membrane lipid peroxidation

Thermal pretreatment improves cardiac recovery from subsequent ischemia/reperfusion. Induction of heat shock proteins (hsps) may contribute to this protection. We have demonstrated that augmentation of the constitutive hsp70 (hsc70) in H9c2 heart myoblasts promotes oxidative resistance. We employed a model oxidant to explore potential target(s) of protection by hsc70. Upon exposure to 54 microM of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hsc70-overexpressing cells exhibited a lower lipid peroxidation than the sham-transfected control. Constitutive hsc70 overexpression, however, did not protect against H(2)O(2)-induced depletion of ATP and glutathione (GSH). Lipid protection also occurred in cells preconditioned at 39 degrees C (selectively induces hsc70) during H(2)O(2) exposure. Interestingly, the protection conferred by hsc70 was comparable in magnitude to that provided by alpha-tocopherol, and was followed with a reduced release of lactate dehydrogenase and a unaltered calcium uptake during H(2)O(2) challenge. Collectively, our observations suggest that hsc70 may preserve membrane function via attenuation of lipid peroxidation during oxidative insult.