Functional beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors in the left and right atrium of pre-hypertensive rats

There is a small increase in the functional beta(2)-adrenoceptor response on the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) left atrium in the early stages of hypertension. In the present study, the functional beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors of the left and right atrium in SHR pre-hypertension and age-matched (5-week-old) Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were characterized. Contractility methods with isoprenaline, T-0509 (a selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor agonist) and procaterol (a selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist) were used. At 5 weeks, the SHRs were pre-hypertensive. Isoprenaline was more potent on the left atrium of 5-week-old SHRs than WKY rats. Bisoprolol, a selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, was more potent against isoprenaline and T-0509 on the SHR than WKY rat left atrium. ICI 118,551, a selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, was more potent against procaterol and T-0509 on the SHR than WKY rat left atrium. The results with bisoprolol and ICI 118,551 suggest that there are more functional beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors on the left atrium of 5-week-old SHRs than WKY rats. Isoprenaline, T-0509 and procaterol were equipotent on the right atrium of 5-week-old WKY rats and SHRs. Bisoprolol was more potent against isoprenaline, T-0509 and procaterol on the SHR than WKY rat right atrium. ICI 118,551 was more potent against T-0509, but not isoprenaline and procaterol, on the SHR than WKY rat left atrium. This suggests there are more functional beta(1)-adrenoceptors, and probably more functional beta(2)-adrenoceptors, on the right atrium of 5-week-old SHRs than WKY rats. These functional differences in beta(1)-and beta(2)-adrenoceptor-mediated responses of the left and right atria of pre-hypertensive SHRs cannot be caused by hypertension, and may be associated with the onset of hypertension.

Fas ligand and tumour counter-attack in colorectal cancer stratified according to microsatellite instability status

Expression of membrane-bound Fas ligand (FasL) by colorectal cancer cells may allow the development of an immune-privileged site by eliminating incoming tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in a Fas-mediated counter-attack. Sporadic colorectal cancer can be subdivided into three groups based on the level of DNA microsatellite instability (NISI). High-level NISI (NISI-High) is characterized by the presence of TILs and a favourable prognosis, while microsatellite-stable (MSS) cancers are TIL-deficient and low-level MSI (MSI-Low) is associated with an intermediate TIL density. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between MSI status and FasL expression in primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. Using immunohistochemistry and a selected series of 101 cancers previously classified as 31 MSI-High, 30 NISI-Low, and 40 MISS, the present study sought to confirm the hypothesis that increased TIL density in MSI-High cancers is associated with low or absent membrane-bound FasL expression, while increased FasL in MSS cancers allows the killing of host TILs. TUNEL/CD3 double staining was also used to determine whether MSS cancers contain higher numbers of apoptotic TILs in vivo than MSI-High or MSI-Low cancers. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, it was found that MSI-High cancers were associated with higher FasL expression (p = 0.04) and a stronger intensity of FasL staining (p = 0.007). In addition, mucinous carcinomas were independently characterized by increased FasL expression (p = 0.03) and staining intensity (p = 0.0005). Higher FasL expression and staining intensity did not correlate with reduced TIL density or increased numbers of apoptotic TILs. However, consistent with the hypothesis that curtailment of the host anti-tumour immune response contributes to the poor prognosis in MSS cancers, it was found that apoptotic TILs were most abundant in MSS carcinomas and metastatic Dukes' stage C or D tumours (p = 0.004; p = 0.046 respectively). This study therefore suggests that MSS colorectal cancers are killing incoming TILs in an effective tumour counter-attack, but apparently not via membrane-bound FasL. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

James W. Gerard: His image of imperial Germany, 1913-1918

The subject of this study was a typical, if in some respects well qualified, U.S. ambassadorial appointee for his time, the early twentieth century: an attorney, judge, and politician who served competently in his one diplomatic assignment, in Berlin, before returning to private life.—Ed.

Immunogenicity of recombinant HBsAg/HCV particles in mice pre-immunised with hepatitis B virus-specific vaccine

Due to their spatial structure virus-like particles (VLPs) generally induce effective immune responses. VLPs derived from the small envelope protein (HBsAg-S) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) comprise the HBV vaccine. Modified HBsAs-S VLPs, carrying the immunodominant hypervariable region (HVR1) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2 within the exposed 'a'-determinant region (HBsAg/HVR1-VLPs), elicited HVR1-specific antibodies in mice. A high percentage of the human population is positive for anti-HBsAg antibodies (anti-HBs), either through vaccination or natural infection. We, therefore, determined if pre-existing anti-HBs could influence immunisation with modified VLPs. Mice were immunised with a commercial HBV vaccine, monitored to ensure an anti-HBs response, then immunised with HBsAg/HVR1-VLPs. The resulting anti-HVR1 antibody titre was similar in mice with or without pre-existing anti-HBs. This suggests that HBsAg/HVR1-VLPs induce a primary immune response to HVR1 in anti-HBs positive mice and, hence, they may be used successfully in individuals already immunised with the HBV vaccine. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Are thiazide diuretics preferred as first-line therapy for hypertension? An appraisal of The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT)

No Abstract

Systematic review of the role of pre-oxygenation for tracheal suctioning in ventilated newborn infants

Pre-oxygenation for endotracheal suctioning for mechanically ventilated infants is routine practice in many neonatal intensive care units. In the present systematic review the evidence to support its use is discussed and the authors conclude that no confident recommendations can be made from the results of this review.

Registro de pre??os nacional

Implementa????o de modelo gerencial de compras governamentais por meio do Sistema de Registro de Pre??os (SRP), chamado Registro de Pre??os Nacional (RPN), no qual s??o elaboradas especifica????es de materiais, em atendimento ??s demandas dos alunos do sistema de educa????o b??sica brasileiro (estados e munic??pios), proporcionando adequa????o ??s reais necessidades de seus usu??rios e maior qualidade. A ferramenta ?? baseada em arranjo institucional entre entes p??blicos e privados, visando a padroniza????o, adequa????o e qualidade dos produtos adquiridos. Dessa forma, o governo federal vale-se do conhecimento dos seus diversos ??rg??os e t??cnicos para realizar um ??nico processo de compra para todo o pa??s sem, necessariamente, precisar efetivar qualquer contrato, disponibilizando apenas o registro de pre??os, obtido por meio de preg??o eletr??nico. Assim, o processo de aquisi????o se torna menos burocr??tico e oneroso, primando pelos princ??pios da legalidade, efici??ncia e economicidade

Revis??o de pre??os por meio de indicadores de mercado e par??metros da licita????o

A metodologia de revis??o de pre??os dos contratos de fornecedores, com base em indicadores de mercado e em suporte informatizado, foi desenvolvida e est?? sendo aperfei??oada, de forma a garantir a manuten????o do equil??brio econ??mico-financeiro dos 330 contratos de servi??os de transporte de terceiros. Dessa forma, buscam-se maior agilidade nos processos e informa????es confi??veis, de forma a assegurar justa remunera????o para a execu????o dos servi??os com a qualidade necess??ria e a um menor custo

BPPH: banco de pre??os praticados na ??rea hospitalar

O BPPH foi idealizado pelo Ministro Jos?? Serra no in??cio de sua gest??o em Abril de 1998, visando uma pol??tica de transpar??ncia na utiliza????o dos recursos p??blicos e, tamb??m a busca da disponibilidade de mais um instrumento regulador de mercado. A implanta????o do sistema, abrange atualmente 32 hospitais federais, estaduais, municipais e 5 secretarias estaduais de sa??de que alimentam o BPPH via INTERNET, permitindo contabilizar um benef??cio de R$ 1.373.687,00 (redu????o do custo entre 2 compras consecutivas) somente nos 5 hospitais fundadores do sistema, sendo que 50% desse valor pode-se atribuir ao uso do Banco de Pre??os. Este trabalho foi apresentado no CONIP99 - Congresso de Inform??tica P??blica 1999 - em nome do Minist??rio da Sa??de, com a autoriza????o emitida pelo Senhor Chefe de Gabinete do Ministro, Dr. Ot??vio Azevedo Mercadante. O BPPH foi desenvolvido e implantado no per??odo de Maio de 1998 a Abril de 1999 como um projeto do Grupo Executivo de A????o Estrat??gica na ??rea Hospitalar, grupo este coordenado pelo Dr. Benedito Nicotero Filho, Assessor Especial do Ministro da Sa??de. O BPPH no seu processo de institucionaliza????o foi transferido do Gabinete do Ministro para a Secretaria de Gest??o de Investimentos em Sa??de. As Portarias do Ministro da Sa??de que regulamentam o sistema s??o: Portaria 3.505 publicada em 28 de Agosto de 1998 cria a C??mara T??cnica Consultiva do BPPH; Portaria 74 publicada em 02 de Fevereiro de 1999 institui a obrigatoriedade para hospitais p??blicos de mais de 320 leitos e a Portaria 481 publicada em 19 de Abril de 1999 transfere a subordina????o da C??mara T??cnica e do Sistema para a Secretaria de Gest??o de Investimentos em Sa??de. Este trabalho foi o ganhador do Pr??mio CONIP99 de Excel??ncia em Inform??tica P??blica

M??dulo 1 - a import??ncia e a necessidade da lei de licita????es: curso legisla????o aplicada ?? log??stica de suprimentos lei 8.666/93, preg??o e registro de pre??os

Este documento trata de: aspectos conceituais da lei: finalidade, import??ncia e hierarquia da lei.; no????es gerais da lei de licita????es - Lei n?? 8.666/93; tipos de licita????o:menor pre??o, melhor t??cnica, t??cnica e pre??o e maior lance ou oferta; modalidades de licita????o: concorr??ncia, tomada de pre??os, convite, concurso e leil??o; exce????es ?? obrigatoriedade de licita????o: dispensa e inexigibilidade; regime de execu????o indireta; comiss??o de licita????o; etapas do processo licitat??rio: edital, procedimentos/documentos do certame, registro cadastral, habilita????o dos interessados, julgamento e encerramento; preg??o; registro de pre??os

M??dulo 2 - a lei de licita????es: curso legisla????o aplicada ?? log??stica de suprimentos lei 8.666/93, preg??o e registro de pre??os

Este documento trata de: aspectos conceituais da lei: finalidade, import??ncia e hierarquia da lei.; no????es gerais da lei de licita????es - Lei n?? 8.666/93; tipos de licita????o:menor pre??o, melhor t??cnica, t??cnica e pre??o e maior lance ou oferta; modalidades de licita????o: concorr??ncia, tomada de pre??os, convite, concurso e leil??o; exce????es ?? obrigatoriedade de licita????o: dispensa e inexigibilidade; regime de execu????o indireta; comiss??o de licita????o; etapas do processo licitat??rio: edital, procedimentos/documentos do certame, registro cadastral, habilita????o dos interessados, julgamento e encerramento; preg??o; registro de pre??os

M??dulo 3 - tipos de licita????o: curso legisla????o aplicada ?? log??stica de suprimentos lei 8.666/93, preg??o e registro de pre??os

Este documento trata de: aspectos conceituais da lei: finalidade, import??ncia e hierarquia da lei.; no????es gerais da lei de licita????es - Lei n?? 8.666/93; tipos de licita????o:menor pre??o, melhor t??cnica, t??cnica e pre??o e maior lance ou oferta; modalidades de licita????o: concorr??ncia, tomada de pre??os, convite, concurso e leil??o; exce????es ?? obrigatoriedade de licita????o: dispensa e inexigibilidade; regime de execu????o indireta; comiss??o de licita????o; etapas do processo licitat??rio: edital, procedimentos/documentos do certame, registro cadastral, habilita????o dos interessados, julgamento e encerramento; preg??o; registro de pre??os

M??dulo 4 - modalidades de licita????o: curso legisla????o aplicada ?? log??stica de suprimentos lei 8.666/93, preg??o e registro de pre??os

Este documento trata de: aspectos conceituais da lei: finalidade, import??ncia e hierarquia da lei.; no????es gerais da lei de licita????es - Lei n?? 8.666/93; tipos de licita????o:menor pre??o, melhor t??cnica, t??cnica e pre??o e maior lance ou oferta; modalidades de licita????o: concorr??ncia, tomada de pre??os, convite, concurso e leil??o; exce????es ?? obrigatoriedade de licita????o: dispensa e inexigibilidade; regime de execu????o indireta; comiss??o de licita????o; etapas do processo licitat??rio: edital, procedimentos/documentos do certame, registro cadastral, habilita????o dos interessados, julgamento e encerramento; preg??o; registro de pre??os