One of the major biological effects of the endothelium-derived peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) is its receptor-mediated constrictive action on vascular smooth muscle. In this study, we have examined the effects on the ET-1 pathway of 18 h exposure at 37 degrees C of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells to dexamethasone (DEX) and phosphoramidon. ET-1 synthesis was evaluated by radioimmunoassay, ET-1 binding characteristics were determined with [125I]iodo-ET-1, and ET-1-induced intracellular calcium mobilization was measured using fura-2-loaded cells. DEX (100 nM) led to a 2- to 3-fold-increase of ET-1 production, it down-regulated ET-1 receptors and reduced ET-1-stimulated calcium mobilization by 70%. In contrast, phosphoramidon (100 microM) inhibited ET-1 production by 60%, up-regulated ET-1 receptors and potentiated ET-1-induced calcium mobilization by 75%. These results indicate that the regulatory effects of DEX and phosphoramidon on ET-1 receptors are mediated via ET-1 production by the cells. This suggests an autocrine control of ET-1 receptors by endogenous ET-1 synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Differential in vitro anti-HIV activity of natural lignans.

Two naturally occurring lignanolides, isolated from the tropical climbing shrub Ipomoea cairica, (-)-arctigenin and (-)-trachelogenin, were found to inhibit strongly replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1; strain HTLV-III B) in vitro. At a concentration of 0.5 microM, (-)-arctigenin and (-)-trachelogenin inhibited the expression of HIV-1 proteins p17 and p24 by 80-90% and 60-70%, respectively. The reverse transcriptase activity in the culture fluids was reduced by 80-90% when the cells (HTLV-III B/H9) were cultivated in the presence of 0.5 microM (-)-arctigenin or 1 microM (-)-trachelogenin. At the same concentrations, the formation of syncytia in the HTLV-III B/H9-Jurkat cell system was inhibited by the compounds by more than 80%. A series of other lignan type compounds displayed no anti-HIV activity. Studying the molecular mechanism of action of (-)-arctigenin and (-)-trachelogenin we found that both compounds are efficient inhibitors of the nuclear matrix-associated DNA topoisomerase II activity, particularly of the enzyme from HIV-1-infected cells. Our results suggest that both compounds prevent the increase of topoisomerase II activity, involved in virus replication, after infection of cells with HIV-1.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Terminal CTG as an expression of high degree fetal distress--1 case reports].

The cases of two patients, in whom conspicuous CTGs with restricted oscillation and late decelerations were registered in the final trimester of pregnancy, are presented. Following immediate hospitalisation and the rapid execution of a caesarean section, two depressed, severely acidotic neonates were born. Whilst the course of the pregnancy in the first case had been completely inconspicuous up to that point, and the acute occurrence of placental insufficiency must be assumed, the second patient was subject to pregnancy-induced hypertension with discrete foetal growth retardation. It is shown that two almost identical pathological CTG registrations may have different causes but that one must assume a high degree of sub partu risk to the child on the occurrence of a terminal CTG witch is characterised by line-shaped oscillation, possibly in combination with late decelerations.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Creating a substance abuse network in family medicine: lessons learned.

Family practice was one of several primary care specialties awarded federal contracts in 1985 to survey substance abuse training needs. Family medicine has since excelled in creating a viable substance abuse network. Key events were the sponsorship of a fellowship program, the formation of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Substance Abuse Working Group, and the working group's pursuit of externally funded projects. Tangible measures of the network's success include collective funding exceeding $7.3 million, an increase in the number of substance abuse activities at annual STFM conferences, and a nearly four-fold growth in the group's membership and collaborative publications. Key factors underlying the vitality of the network that may be generalizable include: 1) initial emphasis on training family physician faculty; 2) making optimal use of the existing administrative channels within STFM; 3) acquisition of external funding; 4) some continuity of core persons working together; 5) active networking within and outside family medicine; and 6) promotion of individual success.

Faculty, Medical↗

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[Characteristics of therapy in old age].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Logopedic considerations in the diagnosis and therapy of aphasia patients following stroke].

It was observed that one-third of all patients suffer from aphasic disturbances following cerebrovascular insult. Therefore, there is a need for special logopedic diagnostics and treatment in the framework of the complex rehabilitation program. From a practical point of view, the following diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods have proved successful: --the Aachen aphasia test; --stimulation treatment, circuitous methods, and compensatory techniques. It was proven that by a special logopedic therapy an obvious improvement of the different aphasia forms has been achieved.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute therapy of ischemic cerebral infarct].

The ischaemic cerebral attack is a disease prevailingly of older age. Its prognosis is distinguished by a mortality rate as high as ever. From 1975 to 1985, 520 patients with ischaemic cerebral attack have been treated in hospital, with specific acute therapy changing from the so-called vasodilator therapy via osmotherapy into haemodilution therapy with lowmolecular dextrane. Since during vasodilator therapy any early mobilisation nor continuous physiotherapy were carried out and the patients prevailingly died of bronchopneumonia, the significantly lower mortality rate under osmotherapy and haemodilution therapy cannot be attributed to the specific drug therapy. In all probability it is a result of the improvement of care and of the active early mobilisation of the patients.

Acute Disease↗

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[Practical and education-oriented aspects of surgical health care in advanced age].

Besides the advances of physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, operative technique affect above all a well balanced nursing in the unit of care, mobilization and prophylaxis positive on the prognosis after surgical operations in the higher age. The demographic development clearly demonstrate the increasing of geriatric surgery in the following years. These pieces of work represent relevant aspects of the surgical care by elderly people; the medical practice and education must take into consideration in these aspects.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiology, accident anamnesis, symptoms and clinical examination of craniocerebral trauma in elderly patients over 70 years of age].

The increase of older and oldest people explain the growing accident-frequency in household and traffic. From this it follows the priority of craniocerebral trauma. Pathological and normal aging beyond the seventy years show anomalies in symptomatology and clinical course as against young people. This research paper represent important aspects of epidemiology, anamnesis, clinic and examination-algorithm after craniocerebral trauma by senile patients.

Accidents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Therapy with beta-blockers in acute myocardial infarction in the aged].

Starting from the fact that during the first days the mortality is essentially determined by the degree of severity of the infarction and its complications, a particularly critical evaluation of the results is required. Patients with a bad prognosis usually have contra-indications for the application of beta-blockers during that phase. After the early complications have been overcome, the obtained findings are much easier to interpret in the sense of a therapeutical conception, and they have caused us to make the generalization--observing the contra-indications--to use beta-blockers in the framework of a complex therapy of myocardial infarction wherever it is possible. The results obtained require further verification, but justify, however, optimism on their part.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗