Interleukin-15 Signaling in HIF-1α Regulation in Natural Killer Cells, Insights Through Mathematical Models.

Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the first line of host defense against infection and cancer. Cytokines, including interleukin-15 (IL-15), critically regulate NK cell activity, resulting in recognition and direct killing of transformed and infected target cells. NK cells have to adapt and respond in inflamed and often hypoxic areas.

Role of norepinephrine in forebrain and brainstem seizures: chemical lesioning of locus ceruleus with DSP4.

The role of norepinephrine in regulating brainstem seizures has been well documented. These seizures are characterized by running/bouncing clonus and tonic extensor convulsions. Evidence for noradrenergic regulation of brainstem seizures comes partially from studies with genetic models of epilepsy which are characterized by innate noradrenergic deficits and from selective lesioning of noradrenergic neurons and/or pathways.

Anticonvulsant effects of intracerebroventricularly administered norepinephrine are potentiated in the presence of monoamine oxidase inhibition in severe seizure genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-9s).

Pharmacological and neurochemical evidence indicates that brain noradrenergic systems play an important role in the determination of audiogenic seizure severity in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs). In earlier studies, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of norepinephrine suppressed convulsions in a now extinct moderate seizure GEPR colony. Also, ICV noradrenergic agonists are known to produce dose-related anticonvulsant effects in the extant moderate seizure GEPRs (GEPR-3s).

Absence of an effect of aspartame on seizures induced by electroshock in epileptic and non-epileptic rats.

Seizure facilitation has been proposed as a possible adverse effect of dietary consumption of aspartame. The conversion of this sweetener to phenylalanine and aspartate in the gastrointestinal tract, and subsequent absorption, elevates plasma levels of these two amino acids. Absorbed phenylalanine competes with other large neutral amino acids, including tyrosine and tryptophan, for transport into brain.

Evidence that carbamazepine and antiepilepsirine may produce a component of their anticonvulsant effects by activating serotonergic neurons in genetically epilepsy-prone rats.

In order to investigate the mechanism of action of anticonvulsant drugs, we examined the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and antiepilepsirine (AE) on convulsions and on brain biogenic amines in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR). AE was an effective anticonvulsant in moderate seizure GEPR (GEPR-3, ED50 = 65.5 mg/kg) and in severe seizure GEPR (GEPR-9, ED50 = 68.

Amino acids, monoamines and audiogenic seizures in genetically epilepsy-prone rats: effects of aspartame.

It has been suggested that aspartame facilitates seizures in man and animals because phenylalanine, one of its major metabolites, interferes with brain transport of neurotransmitter precursors and alters the synthesis of monoamine neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine and/or serotonin. This facilitation is purportedly more likely in subjects predisposed to seizures. One test of this hypothesis would be to administer a wide range of aspartame doses to subjects whose seizure predisposition is dependent on abnormalities in monoaminergic function.

Aspartame fails to facilitate pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in CD-1 mice.

Concentrations of plasma amino acids and brain monoamines as well as pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures were monitored in CD-1 mice treated with aspartame in acute oral doses from 0 to 2500 mg/kg. One hour after administration aspartame produced increases in plasma concentrations of phenylalanine and tyrosine and modest reductions in concentrations of brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid. However, these effects of the sweetener had no influence on the convulsive dose fifty (CD50) of pentylenetetrazol.

[Computer tomography of the TMJ versus clinical and instrumental analysis of function].

Data obtained by computer tomography of the TMJ were compared with those of clinical and instrumental analyses of function. 25 females and 37 males aged between 19 and 47 years (mean age, 24.8 years) were examined.

[Dermatoglyphics of subjects with bronchial cancers].

Every high smokers are not able to make a lung carcinoma, on the over hand nonsmokers can be able to develop a bronchial carcinoma. It is possible that genetic factors can be involved in the occurrence of this carcinoma. Dermatoglyphic studies are one of the technics to appreciate this problem.

[False aneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta after cardiac surgery: one case (author's transl)].

False aneurysms of the ascending thoracic aorta after cardiac surgery are rare. On the basis of one case seen recently, a review is undertaken of the 16 cases reported previously, Whilst there was a septic context in the majority of cases treatment should nevertheless combine medical therapy with a rapid surgical procedure.

[Radiotherapy of localized inoperable bronchial squamous cell carcinoma (author's transl)].

Authors have shown that in some favorable cases radiotherapy of localized bronchial carcinoma could give very good results. The study on the cases from 1960 to 1969 shows that authors have 8% of three years survival upon 105 patients who have been treated by 50 Grays or more in 5 weeks. The survival was better for the small cancers T2 than for the large ones.

[Is long term medical follow up of tuberculous patients possible? (author's transl)].

Tuberculosis still remains a current disease, of difficult eradication as shown by numerous studies and epidemiological surveys. The authors studied 180 newly affected tuberculous patients admitted to Pr. Laval's department at Marseille and tried to discover why only 91 (50.

[Therapeutic survival beyond 5 years in medically treated primary bronchial cancer. Apropos of 9 cases].

The authors report 9 observations of bronchial carcinoma with a surviving time of 5 years or more. They insist on the various factors on which depends the surviving time: --histology: a differentiated epidermoid epithelioma has better results; --localization of the tumour: cancers of the apex or the trachea have a slow evolution but a very bad prognosis; --therapeutical methods: high energy radiotherapy at curative doses is the best medical treatment of bronchial cancer and chemotherapy is only its complement; --prolonged and regular check ups are a major point in this fighting of cancer. Beyond keeping watch on the general health, it enables early detection and treatment of any evolutive recurrence.