Effects of single or repeated amphetamine treatment and withdrawal on lung allergic inflammation in rats

The effects of single or repeated amphetamine (AMPH) treatment and those of AMPH withdrawals on immune-mediated lung inflammatory response were studied in rats. Two experiments were done. In the first, rats egg-albumin (OVA) sensitized were singularly or repeatedly (21 days, once daily) treated with AMPH (1.0 mg/kg) or with a similar number and volume of 0.9% NaCl. The OVA aerosol challenge was performed 12 h after the single or last repeated AMPH treatment and also 72 and 120 h after AMPH withdrawal. In the second experiment, the effects of reserpine (1.0 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) on single AMPH actions on lung allergic response of rats were analyzed. Single and repeated AMPH treatment induced opposite actions on Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) cellularity of allergic rats: single treatment decreased and repeated treatment increased the total number of cells as well as those of macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils. Our data also showed that single but not repeated AMPH treatment decreased the number of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, and increased the total number of bone marrow cells in rats sensitized and challenged with OVA. Furthermore, it was shown that reserpine treatment precluded the effects of single AMPH treatment on cellular migration to the lung of OVA-sensitized and challenged rats. It was concluded that AMPH effects on lung inflammatory response and cell recruitment to the lung in allergic rats rely at least partially on corticosterone serum levels. The possible involvement of vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) with these observed effects was discussed. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Distensibility and diameter of ascending aorta assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in adults with tetralogy of fallot or complete transposition

Structural abnormalities of the medial aorta have been described for conotruncal defects (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot [TOF] and complete transposition of the great arteries (dextrotransposition [d]-TGA). In TOF, progressive aortic dilation is a frequent finding. In patients with d-TGA with an atrial switch, this problem is less often described. The aim of the present study was to compare the extent of dilative aortopathy and aortic distensibility in adults with an atrial switch procedure (n = 39) to that in adults with repaired TOF (n = 39) and controls (n = 39), using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The groups were matched for age and gender. Diameters of the aorta indexed to the body surface area were significantly increased in the patients with d-TGA and TOF compared to that of the controls at the aortic sinus up to the level of the right pulmonary artery. On multivariate testing, the diagnosis of a conotruncal defect (β = 0.260; p = 0.003) and aortic regurgitant fraction (β = 0.405; p <0.001) were independent predictors of an increased aortic sinus diameter. Ascending aorta distensibility was significantly reduced in those with d-TGA and TOF compared to controls: 3.6 (interquartile range 1.5 to 4.4) versus 2.8 (interquartile range 2.0 to 3.7) versus 5.5 (interquartile range 4.8 to 6.9) ×10(-3) mm Hg(-1) (p <0.001). The independent predictors of ascending aorta distensibility were the diagnosis of a conotruncal defect (p <0.001) and age (p = 0.028). In conclusion, intrinsic aortopathy, manifested as increased ascending aortic diameters and reduced ascending aortic distensibility, is not only evident in adults with TOF, but also in adults with d-TGA and an atrial switch procedure. Long-term follow-up is needed to monitor the aortic size in both patient groups.

Effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with either systemic administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole or additional photodynamic therapy on the concentration of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND To evaluate in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with either additional administration of systemic antibiotics (AB) or application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) concentration of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 (MMP-8 and -9). METHODS Thirty-six patients with AgP were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either scaling and root planing (SRP) followed by systemic administration of AB (e.g. Amoxicillin + Metronidazole) or SRP + PDT. The analysis of MMP-8 and -9 GCF concentrations was performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Nonparametric U-Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison between groups. Changes from baseline to 3 and 6 months were analyzed with the Friedman's ANOVA test with Kendall's index of consistency. RESULTS In the AB group, patients showed a statistically significant (p = 0.01) decrease of MMP-8 GCF level at both 3 and 6 months post treatment. In the PDT group, the change of MMP-8 GCF level was not statistically significant. Both groups showed at 3 and 6 months a decrease in MMP-9 levels. However, this change did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of the present study, it may be suggested that in patients with AgP, nonsurgical periodontal therapy in conjunction with adjunctive systemic administration of amoxicilin and metronidazole is more effective in reducing GCF MMP-8 levels compared to the adjunctive use of PDT.

Targeted deletion of alkylpurine-DNA-N-glycosylase in mice eliminates repair of 1,N6-ethenoadenine and hypoxanthine but not of 3,N4-ethenocytosine or 8-oxoguanine

It has previously been reported that 1,N6-ethenoadenine (ɛA), deaminated adenine (hypoxanthine, Hx), and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), but not 3,N4-ethenocytosine (ɛC), are released from DNA in vitro by the DNA repair enzyme alkylpurine-DNA-N-glycosylase (APNG). To assess the potential contribution of APNG to the repair of each of these mutagenic lesions in vivo, we have used cell-free extracts of tissues from APNG-null mutant mice and wild-type controls. The ability of these extracts to cleave defined oligomers containing a single modified base was determined. The results showed that both testes and liver cells of these knockout mice completely lacked activity toward oligonucleotides containing ɛA and Hx, but retained wild-type levels of activity for ɛC and 8-oxoG. These findings indicate that (i) the previously identified ɛA-DNA glycosylase and Hx-DNA glycosylase activities are functions of APNG; (ii) the two structurally closely related mutagenic adducts ɛA and ɛC are repaired by separate gene products; and (iii) APNG does not contribute detectably to the repair of 8-oxoG.

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 or Laci and Conner's Law : hearing before the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, first session on H.R. 1997, July 8, 2003.

"Serial no. 39."

Romantic biography of the age of Elizabeth; or, Sketches of life from the bye-ways of history.

v. 1. Introduction. Margaret of Valois, Queen of Henry IV. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Castelnau, Ambassador from France. La Mothe Fenelon. La Mothe Fenelon and Castelnau. Thomas Howard, fourth duke of Norfolk. Hugh, Earl of Tyrone, and notices of Walter, 1st Earl of Essex. Dr. Dee.--v. 2. Calvin and the church of Geneva. William Whittingham and the Puritans. Archbishop Whitgift and Dr. Cartwright. John Darrel, the exorcist. Loyola and the order of the Jesuits. Robert Parsons, Edmund Campian, and the Jesuits in England. Pope Sixtus V. Charles de Valois, Duc d'Angoulême. Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount Turenne and Duke de Bouillon.

The poetical works of William Alexander; including his Christiad, dramas, and minor poems, with Dissertations on poetry, and a sketch of his life.

Mode of access: Internet.