The paper describes a chronic (18-month) inhalation study in rats, comparing respiratory tract lesions produced by exposures to cigarettes with different inclusions of Cytrel, a tobacco supplement. Histopathological examinations indicated lower responses in animals exposed to Cytrel-containing cigarettes than in those exposed to all-tobacco cigarettes, despite similar total deliveries of smoke. The decrease in response was approximately proportional to the level of Cytrel inclusion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Protective effects of fluticasone on allergen-induced airway responses and sputum inflammatory markers.

BACKGROUND: A direct comparison of the protective effects of single and regular doses of inhaled glucocorticoid on allergen-induced asthmatic responses and inflammation has not been made. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of pretreatment with fluticasone 250 microg 30 min before allergen inhalation and two weeks of 250 microg twice daily (last dose 24 h before challenge) with single and regular (twice daily) placebo doses on early and late asthmatic responses, induced sputum cell counts and measures of eosinophil activation at 7 h and 24 h, and methacholine airway responsiveness at 24 h. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten mild asthmatic patients were studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study. RESULTS: Regular fluticasone increased the baseline mean provocative concentration of methacholine to cause a 20% fall (PC20) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) from 2.6 to 6.4 mg/mL (P<0.05) and lowered the eosinophil count from 3.1% to 0.4% (P<0.05) compared with regular placebo. Neither single nor regular fluticasone had any effect on the early asthmatic response. Single fluticasone attenuated the late asthmatic response, the mean +/- SEM maximum percentage fall in FEV1 (10.8+/-3.6 compared with single placebo 18. 8+/-3.5, P=0.03), the allergen-induced increase of airway responsiveness (P<0.05), and the eosinophilia (P<0.005) and activated eosinophils at 7 h (P<0.01) but not at 24 h. Regular fluticasone also attenuated the late asthmatic response (11.1+/-2.5) compared with regular placebo (19.6+/-4.5), but this was not statistically significant and did not protect against the induced increase in airway responsiveness or the sputum eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: Two weeks of regular inhaled fluticasone discontinued 24 h before allergen challenge does not offer any additional protection against the early or late asthmatic responses, increased airway responsiveness or sputum eosinophilia compared with a single dose of 250 microg immediately before allergen challenge, despite increasing baseline PC20 and decreasing sputum eosinophilia prechallenge. The significance of the protective effect of a single dose of inhaled steroid before an allergen inhalation and the duration of the protective effect need further investigation.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cadaver imaging proves valuable learning method.

In evaluating the project as a whole, students expressed feeling greater worthwhileness through participation in a special project. They enjoyed working as a team with faculty in an imaging environment and reported having fun and learning simultaneously. Also, students felt a sense of accomplishment in contributing to medical students' learning by participating in this service experience. This helped reinforce their role in health care and the need for cooperative relationships in medical education and practice. Based on student and faculty perceptions, this learning method is considered a valuable alternative to traditional means of performance practice and clinical education. The project's success is the result of: Its organization to meet the needs of both the service commitment and a learning environment. The motivational nature of a special voluntary experience alternative. The highly interactive and dynamic nature of the imaging sessions. The realistic feedback for performance with opportunity for analysis and improvement. While it is evident that a cadaver resource must exist to make such a project a viable option for radiography programs, those with such a resource should consider integrating it with the more traditional learning methods. Many program sponsors may have similar resources available in their environments for projects that provide imaging services as well as unique learning laboratories for radiography students. Close interaction with health educators and researchers along with creative investigation may reveal opportunities for special projects.

Cadaver↗