Effect of nitrofen in the final stages of development of the diaphragm muscle in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the expression of myosin in muscle fibers of the diaphragm in experimental congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: Fetuses of pregnant rats were divided into four groups: External Control (EC), composed of non-manipulated rats; Nitrofen, composed of pregnant rats that received 100 mg of nitrofen (2,4-dichloro-4'nitrodiphenyl ether) diluted in olive oil on gestational day (GD) 9.5, whose fetuses developed CDH (N+) or not (N-), and Olive Oil Placebo (OO), composed of pregnant rats that received the oil on the same GD. The fetuses were collected on GD 18.5, 19.5, 20.5 and 21.5 (term = 22 days). We obtained body weight (BW) and photographed the diaphragm area (DA), hernia area (HA) and subsequent calculated the HA/DA ratio in N+ group. Samples of Diaphragm muscle were processed for histological staining with H/E and immunohistochemistry (IHQ) for myosin.} RESULTS: The fetuses of N- and N+ groups had decreased BW and DA compared to EC and OO groups (p <0.001). HA was decreased on GD 18.5 compared to 21.5 (p <0.001) and the HA/DA ratio showed no difference. IHQ showed decreased expression of myosin in nitrofen groups. CONCLUSION: CDH induced by nitrofen model contributes to the understanding of muscularization in the formation of the diaphragm where the myosin expression is decreased

Are the short-term cost savings and benefits of an early psychosis program maintained at 8-year follow-up?

This study aims to identify correlates of vocational functioning in a first episode psychosis (FEP) sample 7.5 years after presentation at a specialized early psychosis treatment service. The study involved a prospective, naturalistic follow-up of FEP patients commencing treatment with the Early Psychosis Prevention & Intervention Centre (EPPIC) in Melbourne, Australia, between 1995 and 1997. At treatment entry the Royal Park Multidiagnostic Instrument for Psychosis was used to assess duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), age at onset of psychotic disorder, and premorbid work/social functioning. At 7.5-year follow-up measures included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (Thinking Disturbance subscale), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (Alogia subscale), WHO Life Chart Schedule (to assess course of illness, treatment history, and duration of receipt of a disability support pension (DSP)), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (to derive Axis I diagnoses). Analyses involved 180 participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the effects of demographic, clinical and treatment variables on two outcomes: current employment; and durable employment (employment for more than 6 months in the past 2 years). The sample was primarily male (72%), with a mean age at follow-up of 29 years (sd=3.4). 45% reported current participation in competitive employment at 7.5 year follow-up (28% full-time, 17% part-time), and 53% reported recent durable employment. Multivariate analyses showed that, after controlling for other variables (including positive and negative thought disorder, premorbid functioning, and recent psychiatric treatment), current employment was negatively associated with continuous or episodic illness course characterized by worsening trajectory or incomplete remissions, disrupted education, and receiving a DSP for longer than 2 years. Lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia, receipt of a DSP (regardless of duration) and disrupted education were negatively associated with durable employment. Educational attainment appears to be an important predictor of vocational outcome in the Australian labor market, although its relationship with premorbid functioning requires further investigation. The inverse relationship between DSP and employment, after controlling for symptom levels and course of illness, supports evidence from US studies that such payments may act as a disincentive to employment

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation following alemtuzumab therapy in aggressive multiple sclerosis: A report of three cases

The management of multiple sclerosis patients with persistent disease activity under alemtuzumab treatment is not established yet. Concerns have been raised on the safety of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) after alemtuzumab treatment because of the risk of serious infectious adverse events. We report short-term safety and efficacy data from three patients treated with aHSCT following alemtuzumab treatment. Early adverse events were consistent with expected transplant toxicities. All patients were free of disease activity at the last follow-up. Our data suggest that aHSCT can be considered as a rescue treatment strategy for MS patients with persistent disease activity during alemtuzumab treatment

C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels are related to renal function in predialytic chronic renal failure

Background. Several studies have provided convincing evidence that in apparently healthy subjects elevated serum levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an increased risk of experiencing myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. It has been claimed that, in dialytic patients, the hepatic synthesis of this 'acute phase response' plasma protein is primarily induced by the macrophage-derived interleukin 6 (IL-6). Little information is available, however, regarding CRP and IL-6 plasma levels in pre-dialytic renal failure. Methods: Plasma CRP by a modification of the laser nephelometry technique, IL-6 and serum albumin were determined in 103 chronic pre-dialytic patients (mean age 50 +/- 6.3 years; creatinine clearance (Cr.cl.) 36.3 +/- 23.1 ml/min). Results: CRP was >5 mg/l (normal upper range) in 42% of the global population. CRP and IL-6 were significantly related (r = 0.35, p 45 ml/min) (p < 0.0001). A negative correlation between CRP and S-albumin was also found (r = -0.52, p < 0.0001, Spearman correlation coefficient). Conclusions: IL-6 and CRP were increased and were inversely related to creatinine clearance in our population of 103 chronic predialytic patients. The possibility of a decreased renal clearance of CRP and/or cytokines as a cause of an activated acute-phase response is discussed. A negative correlation between CRP and S-albumin was found confirming the link between chronic inflammation and malnutrition in chronic renal patients. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Cooling the earth? The changing priorities of EU - Asia technology cooperation

External crises such as the Bird Flu epidemic, as well as severe environmental problems, are changing overall attitudes towards research in human health and the environment. At present, the EU is putting pressure on developing countries in Asia and elsewhere to increase their environmental capacities and put forward methods of environmental management that support innovation and competitiveness. They are also being encouraged to participate in the Kyoto protocol and Bali processes on climate change. This paper aims to address the current issues faced by the EU in promoting environmentally friendly technologies in Southeast Asia, as well as to examine the opportunities for technological cooperation between Europe and Asia. It will use Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam - some of the EU's chosen recipients of official development assistance in the region - as case studies, in order to examine how these countries implement policies that incorporate environmental technology strategies designed to promote sustainable development. It will also attempt to identify the type of actions that are being pursued by their respective governments, with the support of the EU and its member states. Finally, the paper will suggest which types of environmentally friendly technologies and best practice could be transferred from Europe to Southeast Asia, and to the wider Asian region. © Springer-Verlag 2008