The PPARγ Agonist Rosiglitazone Is Antifibrotic for Scleroderma Lung Fibroblasts: Mechanisms of Action and Differential Racial Effects

We present novel data demonstrating that the expression of PPARγ is reduced in lung fibroblasts from black SSc-ILD patients as compared to white patients. Activating PPARγ with the agonist rosiglitazone increased the expression of MMP-1 and inhibited collagen type I in lung fibroblasts isolated from white, but not black, SSc-ILD patients. Blocking the c-Met receptor abolishes rosiglitazone's effects on collagen and MMP-1 in lung fibroblasts isolated from white SSc-ILD patients, while augmenting the expression of the c-Met receptor in fibroblasts from black SSc-ILD patients replicates the effects of rosiglitazone seen in whites. We conclude that PPARγ agonists warrant consideration as potential antifibrotic drugs in patients with SSc-ILD. Differential therapeutic effects might be anticipated especially relative to racial differences and the functional expression of the c-Met receptor

Administration of a Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Blocker with a Thienopyridine Derivative Does Not Increase the Risk of Thrombocytopenia

Author Institution: Akron Cardiology Consulltants, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Educational Foundations & Leadership, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Summa Health System, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, OHAuthor Institution: Cardiac Rehabilitation Institute, Summa Health Syste, University of Akron, OHThe combination of aspirin, a thienopyridine derivative, and a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor has become standard therapy for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent studies have shown an increased incidence of thrombocytopenia in those patients receiving a high loading dose of clopidogrel (thienopyridine) with abciximab (IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor) prior to coronary intervention. We reviewed the records of 504 patients who underwent PCI at a large tertiary care hospital and noted an incidence of thrombocytopenia of 4.8%, comparable to published historical controls who received abciximab without clopidogrel. In patients undergoing PCI, there was no difference in thrombocytopenia or bleeding complications between patients receiving a high or a low dose of a thienopyridine. We conclude that a high loading dose of a thienopyridine derivative prior to PCI may be administered safely and efficaciously in the setting of concomitant administration of abciximab without an undue risk of thrombocytopenia

Functional immunoglobulin transgenes guide ordered B-cell differentiation in Rag-1-deficient mice

We have examined the regulatory role of the individual components of the immunoglobulin antigen receptor in B-cell development by transgenic complementation of Rag-1 deficient (Rag-1⁻) mice. Complementation with a membrane µ heavy chain (µHC) gene allows progression of developmentally arrested Rag-1⁻ pro-B-cells to the small pre-B cell stage, whereas the introduction of independently integrated µHC and κ light chain (κLC) transgenes promotes the appearance of peripheral lymphocytes which, however, remain unresponsive to external stimuli. Complete reconstitution of the B-cell lineage and the emergence of functionally nature Rag-1⁻ peripheral B cells is achieved by the introduction of cointegrated heavy and light chain transgenes encoding an anti-H-2^k antibody. This experimental system demonstrates the competence of the µHC and κLC to direct and regulate the sequential stages of B-cell differentiation, defines the time at which negative selection of self-reactive B cells occurs, and shows that elimination of these cells occurs equally well in the absence of Rag-1 as in its presence. These data also support the hypothesis that Rag-1 directly participates in the V(D)J recombination process

AIDS-Related Services and Training in Outpatient Mental Health Care Agencies in New York

Directors of 471 outpatient mental health settings in New York State (82.1 percent of 574 settings located in counties with intermediate to high AIDS case rates) completed a survey about HIV and AIDS services, training needs, and barriers to care. Most of the sites served one to ten persons with HIV infection annually and had staff members who were trained in providing at least one HIV-related service. Nonetheless, 84 percent of the respondents reported unmet needs for training. The likelihood of providing certain services was significantly increased in sites that were in urban locations, primarily served clients with comorbid alcohol or other drug use disorders, lacked funds for providing condoms, had staff members who were trained in HIV and AIDS services, identified particular HIV training needs, believed clients needed condoms, and viewed HIV-related services as very important

Fibroblast and Epidermal Cell-Type I Collagen Interactions: Cell Culture and Human Studies

Fibroblast and epidermal cell-type I collagen sponge interactions were studied in cell culture as well as in humans. In cell culture, fibroblasts were observed to migrate and proliferate throughout a type I collagen sponge containing either hyaluronic acid (HA) or fibronectin (FN). Fibroblasts accumulated in the center of the pores in sponges containing HA and appeared to surround themselves with newly synthesized extracellular matrix. In sponges containing FN, fibroblasts attached to and elongated along the collagen fibers of the sponge. In the absence of FN or HA protein synthesis of fibroblasts appeared to be inhibited by the presence of the type I collagen sponge. Epidermal cells grown on plastic or on type I collagen, formed sheets. Epidermal cells grown on a collagen sponge morphologically appeared different than cells grown on plastic. The type I collagen matrix studied in cell culture was applied to dermal wounds of patients with pressure ulcers in order to evaluate its effect on dermal wound healing. The areas of ulcers treated for 6 weeks with a type I collagen sponge decreased by about 40% compared with no change in the areas of untreated controls. Preliminary results suggest that a type I collagen sponge is a biocornpatible substrate with fibroblasts and epidermal cells and may be effective in enhancing healing of chronic skin ulcers

The Ursinus Weekly, November 11, 1971

Founder\u27s Day celebrated; Twelve students graduate • Ursinus College announces Century II Program for Academic Advancement • Government concern over pollution even greater now • Ursinus to present Kenneth E. Boulding • Editorial: Response • Focus: Carol Wasserman • Critic\u27s choice: Partridges, Linda, and physics • Faculty portrait: Dr. George Fago • Letters to the editor • Ursinus eleven wins third • Win number sixhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1112/thumbnail.jp

Very long optical path-length from a compact multi-pass cell

The multiple-pass optical cell is an important tool for laser absorption spectroscopy and its many applications. For most practical applications, such as trace-gas detection, a compact and robust design is essential. Here we report an investigation into a multi-pass cell design based on a pair of cylindrical mirrors, with a particular focus on achieving very long optical paths. We demonstrate a path-length of 50.31 m in a cell with 40 mm diameter mirrors spaced 88.9 mm apart - a 3-fold increase over the previously reported longest path-length obtained with this type of cell configuration. We characterize the mechanical stability of the cell and describe the practical conditions necessary to achieve very long path-lengths

HIV seroprevalence among homeless patients admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HIV-1 antibodies among hospitalized homeless mentally ill patients. METHOD: From December 1989 through May 1991 the authors collected discard blood samples from patients consecutively admitted to a psychiatric unit designated for the care of severely mentally ill persons removed from the streets of New York City. The blood samples were tested for HIV-1 antibodies, and the results were analyzed for associations with age, gender, ethnicity, male homosexual activity, and use of injected drugs. RESULTS: The HIV seroprevalence was 6.4% (13 of 203 samples). Patients between ages 18 and 39 accounted for 51.2% of the admissions and 84.6% of the 13 positive results, a seroprevalence of 10.6% for this subsample. Patients under age 40 were more than six times as likely to test positive for HIV antibodies as those 40 or over. Ethnicity did not predict seropositivity. Women were as likely as men to be infected. Although clinicians had noted high-risk behavior on the charts for only three (23.1%) of the 13 positive cases, a recorded history of use of injected drugs was associated with a 6.5-fold greater risk of HIV seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: One in every 16 patients admitted to the special unit was HIV positive. Age under 40 and use of injected drugs were strongly associated with seropositivity. Because information on high-risk behavior was infrequent, the reasons for younger patients' greater risk are unclear. The homeless mentally ill require outreach efforts to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV