High-shear-stress-induced activation of platelets and microparticles enhances expression of cell adhesion molecules in THP-1 and endothelial cells.

Interaction between leukocyte and endothelial cells (ECs) is essential for vascular homeostasis and competent immune-inflammatory responses in vivo. Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are generated by high shear stress and may appear in diseased small arteries and arterioles in various clinical settings. In this study, we used flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy to investigate the effects of high-shear-induced platelet and microparticle activation in adhesion molecules of THP-1 and ECs.

Intraperitoneal blood exacerbates the remote inflammatory response to murine peritonitis.

Background: This study investigated the effects of intra-abdominal blood on the systemic response to peritonitis using a murine model of hemorrhage, peritonitis, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Methods: The model used male ICR mice subjected to hemorrhage and intraperitoneal zymosan. Half of the mice received intraperitoneal blood.

Costs of occupational injuries and illnesses in California.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the annual incidence, the mortality, and the direct and indirect costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses in California in 1992. To achieve this, we performed aggregation and analysis of national and California data sets collected by the U.S.

Physician reports of work-related asthma in California, 1993-1996.

Background: Work-related asthma is a leading cause of occupational respiratory illness.

Methods: Work-related asthma was studied in California over a 36-month period, from March 1, 1993 to February 29, 1996. The surveillance system identified cases from Doctor's First Reports (DFRs), a mandated physician reporting system.

Dual roles of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels in diazoxide-mediated protection in isolated rabbit hearts.

Whether the mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium (mK(ATP)) channel is the trigger or the mediator of cardioprotection is controversial. We investigated the critical time sequences of mK(ATP) channel opening for cardioprotection in isolated rabbit hearts. Pretreatment with diazoxide (100 microM), a selective mK(ATP) channel opener, for 5 min followed by 10 min washout before the 30-min ischemia and 2-h reperfusion significantly reduced infarct size (9 +/- 3 vs.

The role of catastrophizing in the pain and depression of women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Objective: Although 2 recent studies have found associations between catastrophizing and poor medical outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), neither assessed these findings in comparison with a similar group of patients with chronic pain. Our study examined the complex relationships between depression, catastrophizing, and the multidimensional aspects of pain in women with FMS and compared these relationships with those in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Sixty-four FMS patients and 30 RA patients completed the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Inhibition of adenosine uptake and augmentation of ischemia-induced increase of interstitial adenosine by cilostazol, an agent to treat intermittent claudication.

Cilostazol (Pletal), a quinolinone derivative with a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase type 3 (PDE3) inhibitory activity, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of symptoms of intermittent claudication (IC). However, the underlying mechanisms of action are not entirely clear. In this study, we showed that cilostazol inhibited adenosine uptake into cardiac ventricular myocytes, coronary artery smooth muscle, and endothelial cells with a median effective concentration (EC50) approximately 10 microM.

Cytometric analysis of high shear-induced platelet microparticles and effect of cytokines on microparticle generation.

Background: Microparticles released from platelets may play a role in the normal hemostatic response to vascular injury, because they exhibit prothrombinase activity. Microparticles are generated by high shear stress and may be formed in diseased small arteries and arterioles in various clinical settings. However, the surface composition of high shear-induced platelet microparticles is unknown.

Comparison of the effects of cilostazol and milrinone on intracellular cAMP levels and cellular function in platelets and cardiac cells.

Cilostazol is a potent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 3 (PDE3) inhibitor that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of intermittent claudication. Its efficacy is presumed to be due to its vasodilatory and platelet activation inhibitory activities. Compared with those treated with placebo, patients treated with cilostazol showed a minimal increase in cardiac adverse events.

Different techniques to study rumen fermentation characteristics of maturing grass and grass silage.

Grass samples were harvested during the 1993 growing season after a precut on April 27, 1993 and were stored frozen or left to ensile in 30-L buckets. Effects on chemical composition and fermentation kinetics of the maturation of the grass and of ensiling were investigated. Chemical composition and fermentation kinetics were determined using the gas production technique, in vitro techniques, and the nylon bag technique.

Medical surveillance of the lead exposed worker. Current guidelines.

1. The "lead standards" established by OSHA for general industry in 1978 and the construction industry in 1993 require employers and clinicians to follow very specific guidelines for protecting lead exposed workers. Depending on the level of exposure, medical surveillance may be legally required.

Interleukin-10 reduces morbidity and mortality in murine multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

Hypothesis: IL-10 will reduce morbidity and mortality in murine MODS. Introduction. Intraperitoneal (ip) zymosan causes a triphasic inflammatory process leading to MODS.

beta-Sitosterol inhibits growth of HT-29 human colon cancer cells by activating the sphingomyelin cycle.

The present study examined the SM cycle as a mechanism to explain the inhibitory effect of SIT on HT-29 cell growth. SIT was the main phytosterol in the diet. Supplementation of SIT at 16 microM for 5 days in the media inhibited growth by 55% as compared to cholesterol.

Reproductive health outcomes among female flight attendants: an exploratory study.

Recent studies have suggested that female flight attendants may experience increased rates of spontaneous abortion. We conducted a survey of female flight attendants who were pregnant at any time between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1991 (n = 418) using a mailed self-administered interest survey (response rate, 60 %) and follow-up questionnaire regarding reproductive outcomes and potential risk factors for adverse outcomes (response rate, 64%). The cumulative hazard of spontaneous abortion was 17% when maternal age, smoking, alcohol use, and prior spontaneous abortions were control led for, using a Cox life-table regression model.

Manipulation of the inflammatory response to burn injury.

Background: Burn injury is characterized by hypermetabolism and protein catabolism. Endotoxin, derived from either wound or gut, may participate in this response.

Methods: Eleven seriously burned patients were treated with the endotoxin-binding agent polymyxin B and underwent partitional calorimetry and nitrogen balance studies.

Differential infection of CD34+ cell-derived dendritic cells and monocytes with lymphocyte-tropic and monocyte-tropic HIV-1 strains.

Monocytes and dendritic cells are infected by HIV-1 and subsequently produce virions that initiate further rounds of infection. Current methods for the isolation and study of dendritic cells are hampered by the low frequency of these cells and contamination with other cell types. A two-step culture method was devised to generate large numbers of either dendritic cells or monocytes from fetal liver CD34+ progenitors.

Issues on functional analysis in behavioral assessment.

The rebirth of interest in functional analysis is described. Clarification among conflicting terms is offered as a way of facilitating research in the area. Three phases of functional approach to assessment are identified: (a) descriptive, (b) interpretive, and (c) verification.

Prospective study of blunt aortic injury: Multicenter Trial of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Background: Blunt aortic injury is a major cause of death from blunt trauma. Evolution of diagnostic techniques and methods of operative repair have altered the management and posed new questions in recent years.

Methods: This study was a prospectively conducted multi-center trial involving 50 trauma centers in North America under the direction of the Multi-institutional Trial Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Missed injuries in a rural area trauma center.

Background: Missed injuries can lead to delays. In the rural environment, where patients are frequently seen in multiple hospitals prior to reaching the trauma center, different problems arise.

Methods: Level-1 trauma center admissions from January 1993 through June 1995 were reviewed.

Symptom base rates after chemical exposure for white, Hispanic and African-Americans.

The results of a symptom checklist of three matched-pair studies (N = 460) of the following exposed groups are presented: Study 1, a primarily white community (N = 220) environmentally exposed to the pesticide metam sodium; Study 2, a Hispanic group (N = 180) who worked in a microelectronics plant and had extensive past exposure (M = 6.7 yrs) to multiple organic hydrocarbon solvents; and Study 3, an African-American group (N = 168) environmentally exposed to sulfuric acid. Each exposed group was compared to a matched (race, age +/- 3 years, gender, education +/- 2 years and number of children) unexposed reference group, resulting in 90 pairs for the white metam sodium group, 62 pairs for the Hispanic organic solvent group, and 78 pairs for the African-American sulfuric acid group.

Sequential excision and grafting of the burn injuries of 1507 patients treated between 1967 and 1986: end results and the determinants of death.

The development of a more aggressive approach to burn wound management, leading to complete excision within 72 hours after burn, has led some to conclude that total early excision is a major force behind improved survival rates. We have summarized the results of treatment of 1507 patients with burn injuries treated between 1967 and 1986. Wounds were managed with use of standard topical therapy, occlusive dressings, and staged excision and grafting of full-thickness injury or deep dermal injury (not healed by 21 days).

Retrospective evaluation of admission criteria for paediatric electrical injuries.

In the medical community, the practice of admitting all electrical burns for 24-48 h of observation, monitoring and laboratory evaluation is widespread. This retrospective review of paediatric electrical burns was conducted to determine which patients may safely be treated as outpatients. Retrospective analysis of all paediatric burns admitted between 1980 and 1991 identified 35 patients with electrical injuries.

Proximity penetrating extremity trauma: the role of duplex ultrasound in the detection of occult venous injuries.

The diagnosis and management of occult vascular injuries caused by penetrating proximity extremity trauma (PPET) remains controversial. Over 18 months, we prospectively screened 37 patients (43 lower extremities) with PPET for occult arterial and venous injuries using noninvasive studies (physical examination, ankle-brachial indices, color-flow duplex ultrasonography (CFD)) and angiography (arteriography, venography). Eight isolated, occult venous injuries were detected (incidence, 22%).

Severe acidosis alone does not predict mortality in the trauma patient.

Background: Because severe acidosis is an indicator of poor prognosis in trauma patients, medical records of these patients were analyzed to determine whether aggressive resuscitation was appropriate.

Patients And Methods: Data from a level 1 trauma center registry were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with a pH < or = 7.0.