We previously reported a method of intraperitoneal transplantation of liver cells attached to collagen-coated microcarriers, which resulted in prolonged survival and function of the transplanted cells. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of liver cell transplantation in providing metabolic support during acute liver insufficiency induced by 90% partial hepatectomy in rats. Ninety per cent of the liver mass (all lobes except the caudate lobe) was resected, and the rats were provided with 5% dextrose orally ad libitum upon regaining consciousness. This regimen results in severe hypoglycemia and death within 48 hr. When microcarrier-attached liver cells were transplanted into syngeneic and allogeneic recipients 3 days prior to 90% partial hepatectomy, significantly higher blood glucose levels were observed (p less than 0.01), compared to the levels in control rats which received injections of microcarriers, liver cells or medium alone. There was a marked improvement in long-term survival (40% survived longer than 28 days; p less than 0.001) in rats transplanted with microcarriers-attached cells. None of the rats given injections of microcarriers, liver cells or medium alone survived beyond 5 days. When liver cells alone or attached to microcarriers were injected intraperitoneally immediately after 90% partial hepatectomy, all rats became hypoglycemic and died within 48 hr, suggesting that vascularization of the transplant is required for function of the transplanted hepatocytes. The results indicate that intraperitoneal transplantation of microcarrier-attached hepatocytes prior to 90% partial hepatectomy in rats provides acute metabolic support resulting in improved survival.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Perceived accessibility versus actual physical accessibility of healthcare facilities.

This study addressed how healthcare clinics perceive themselves in regard to accessibility for persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI). All 40 of the clinics surveyed reported that they were wheelchair accessible; however, there was significant variability in the number of sites that actually met the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. In general, a person using a wheelchair could enter the building, the examination room, and the bathroom. The majority of sites did not have an examination table that could be lowered to wheelchair level. Most reported limited experience in working with persons with (SCI), yet they claimed to be able to assist with difficult transfers. Only one site knew about autonomic dysreflexia. Problems of accessibility appeared to be seriously compounded by the clinics' perception of how they met physical accessibility guidelines without consideration of the actual needs of persons with SCI. This study addressed the perception of accessibility as reported by clinic managers versus actual accessibility in healthcare clinics in a Midwestern metropolitan area for persons using wheelchairs.

Architectural Accessibility↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of a new NSAID (droxicam) in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics of droxicam, both as a single 10 mg dose and as a multidose regimen of 10 mg/day for 20 consecutive days, have been studied in healthy volunteers. The study was performed in two separate groups of volunteers. Following a single dose the Cmax was 0.82 +/- 0.15 micrograms/ml, the Tmax was achieved at 6.1 +/- 3.5 h, the elimination half life was 65.7 +/- 17.6 h, the Clt/F was 2.04 +/- 0.53 ml/min, the Vd/F was 11.0 +/- 1.7 l and the AUC infinity was 86.9 +/- 24.6 mugh/ml, which was similar to results reported in other study from piroxicam (10 mg). Following multiple doses the Cmed(ss) was 2.06 +/- 0.42 microgram/ml, the Tmax(ss) was 8.2 +/- 6.0 h, the elimination half life was 41.4 +/- 12.4 h, the Clt/F was 3.30 +/- 0.63 ml/min, the Vd/F was 11.8 +/- 4.3 l and the AUC infinity was 52.4 +/- 11.3 mugh/ml. The differences encountered between single and multiple dose administration in elimination kinetics are due to the wide interpersonal variation described for the elimination half life of piroxicam. It may be concluded from these results that absorption, elimination and bioavailability kinetics of droxicam are independent of the administered dose.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cross-over study of the bioavailability of a new NSAID (droxicam) versus piroxicam in healthy volunteers following single and multiple dose administration.

Droxicam is a new anti-inflammatory drug which is a pro-drug of piroxicam and possesses delayed absorption kinetics. In this study, the comparative bioavailability of the two compounds was investigated. The study was performed following a cross-over design with single (20 mg) and multiple (20 mg/day for 30 consecutive days) administration in 25 healthy volunteers. The peak plasma concentrations of piroxicam, obtained following administration of droxicam, were lower than those calculated for administration of piroxicam, and the time taken to reach these peak concentrations was increased by approximately 5-7 h. There was no significant difference in either the elimination kinetics of piroxicam or the AUC values found following administration of the two products. Bioavailability of droxicam is equal to that of piroxicam, with a slower rate of absorption.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Partial molar transformation of the placenta of presumably monozygotic twins.

A pregnancy with one normal female fetus and a placenta that was divided into halves, one normal the other molar, is described. Genetic analysis shows the molar component to be hyperdiploid/tetraploid but having an identical DNA composition as the normal twin. Because there was no trophoblastic proliferation and the hyperdiploid cells were confined to the villous stroma, and because the molar component was still being perfused by diploid vessels from the normal twin, we believe the mole is derived from polyploidization of the mesenchymal epiblast in a monozygotic twin pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nutritional status and the IgE response against Ascaris lumbricoides in children from a tropical slum.

Helminthic infection can stimulate the interleukin-4 (IL-4)-dependent polyclonal synthesis of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children endemically exposed to these parasites. As such children are also frequently at nutritional risk, in this study we considered the possible influence of malnutrition on serum IL-4 levels and the IgE response in helminthic infection. We evaluated 85 Ascaris-infected children living in an urban slum area of Caracas, Venezuela, and found that the serum levels of IL-4 and total IgE were significantly higher in malnourished children than in their well nourished counterparts. In contrast, the specific anti-Ascaris IgE antibody response was significantly lower in the malnourished group. After anthelmintic treatment of the children, the total serum IgE and IL-4 levels decreased significantly in the well nourished group, while the specific anti-Ascaris IgE antibody response increased. No significant change was detected, however, in the malnourished group. Our results suggested that malnutrition potentiates the polyclonal stimulation of IgE synthesis induced by helminths. As specific IgE antibody has been implicated in the resistance to helminthic infection, and the polyclonal stimulus diminishes this response, these factors may increase the susceptibility of malnourished children to such parasites.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Abscessed splenic hydatid cyst: sonographic and CT findings.

Splenic hydatid cyst abscess formation is extremely rare. We present a surgically proved case of abscessed hydatid cyst of the spleen with its appearance on sonography and computed tomography (CT). Although both imaging methods do not confirm a diagnosis of abscessed splenic hydatidosis, they are valuable examinations to support the diagnosis and define the extent of disease. Percutaneous drainage of splenic abscessed lesions must be avoided when hydatid disease is suspected.

Abscess↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recombinant cholera toxin B subunit and gene fusion proteins for oral vaccination.

The B subunit portion of cholera toxin (CTB) is a safe and effective oral immunizing agent in humans, affording protection against both cholera and diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli producing heat-labile toxin (LT) (Clemens et al., 1986; 1988). CTB may also be used as a carrier of various "foreign" antigens suitable for oral administration. To facilitate large-scale production of CTB for vaccine development purposes, we have constructed recombinant overexpression systems for CTB proteins in which the CTB gene is under the control of strong foreign (non-cholera) promoters and in which it is also possible to fuse oligonucleotides to the CTB gene and thereby achieve overexpression of hybrid proteins (Sanchez and Holmgren, 1989; Sanchez et al., 1988). We here expand these findings by describing overexpression of CTB by a constitutive tacP promoter as well as by the T7 RNA-polymerase promoter, and also by describing gene fusions leading to overexpression of several hybrid proteins between heat-stable E. coli enterotoxin (STa)-related peptides to either the amino or carboxy ends of CTB. Each of the hybrid proteins, when tested as immunogens in rabbits, stimulated significant anti-STa as well as anti-CTB antibody formation, although the anti-STa antibody levels attained (c.a. 1-15 micrograms/ml specific anti-STa immunoglobulin) were too low to give more than partial neutralization of STa intestinal challenge in baby mice. The hybrid proteins also had a near-native conformation, as apparent from their oligomeric nature and their strong reactivity with both a neutralizing antibody against the B subunit and a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against STa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fasciola hepatica: identification of molecular markers for resistant and susceptible Pseudosuccinea columella snail hosts.

Protein electrophoresis, RAPD-PCR and nuclear rDNA ITS sequencing were performed to search for genetic differences between Pseudosuccinea columella snails susceptible and resistant to Fasciola hepatica infection. Of the 21 enzymatic loci analyzed in both populations, none of them exhibited neither within- or between-group variation. Such an absence of enzyme polymorphism support the hypothesis of selfing as the "prevalent" mating system for this hermaphroditic species. Conversely, the RAPD profiles displayed clear differences between susceptible and resistant isolates for 17 of the 26 primers tested while no within-group variation was detected. rDNA ITS sequence analysis from snails of each isolates showed only two bases that differed between groups accounting for a 0.17% of variation confirming that susceptible and resistant snails belong to the same species. This is the first time that a genetic variation using RAPD markers is demonstrated between susceptible and resistant lymnaeid snails vis-a-vis of F. hepatica infection in absence of experimental selection.

Animals↗