[Acceptance of telemetric care for patients with sICD safety advice : Qualitative interview study in cardiological health services research].

Background: Telemonitoring is used to monitor implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Despite the scientifically proven effectiveness and safety of telemetric care, studies show that the offer is not used and accepted by all patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the attitudes of ICD patients towards telemonitoring, including which aspects influence attitudes and decision-making.

Automatic learning algorithm for the MD-logic artificial pancreas system.

Background: Applying real-time learning into an artificial pancreas system could effectively track the unpredictable behavior of glucose-insulin dynamics and adjust insulin treatment accordingly. We describe a novel learning algorithm and its performance when integrated into the MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas (MDLAP) system developed by the Diabetes Technology Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel.

Methods: The algorithm was designed to establish an initial patient profile using open-loop data (Initial Learning Algorithm component) and then make periodic adjustments during closed-loop operation (Runtime Learning Algorithm component).

MD-logic artificial pancreas system: a pilot study in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: Current state-of-the-art artificial pancreas systems are either based on traditional linear control theory or rely on mathematical models of glucose-insulin dynamics. Blood glucose control using these methods is limited due to the complexity of the biological system. The aim of this study was to describe the principles and clinical performance of the novel MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas (MDLAP) System.

Effects of differentiation inducers on cell phenotypes of cultured nontransformed and immortalized mammary epithelial cells: a comparative immunocytochemical analysis.

We examined the effects of the differentiation-inducing agents 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) alone and in combination with calcitriol on cell growth and differentiation parameters of cultured nontransformed human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) lines, the chemically transformed HMEC line H184 A1N4, and the human mammary carcinoma cell line CAL51. Cell differentiation was phenotyped by semiquantitative immunocytochemistry using a panel of 15 monoclonal antibodies against marker molecules representing epithelial cell differentiation, cell-cell adhesion processes and malignancy. Cell proliferation of HMEC and H184 A1N4, but not of CAL51 cells was reduced by the agents.

Prothymosin alpha1 antagonizes the inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 on the adhesion of peripheral blood lymphocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

We investigated the in vitro effects of both prothymosin alpha1 (Pro alpha1) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) on the adhesion of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and on the expression of the adhesion molecules, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TGF-beta1 moderately but significantly decreased PBL-binding to interleukin-1 (IL-1)- stimulated HUVECs. However, Pro alpha1 in combination with TGF-beta1 completely restored the TGF-beta1 mediated effects.

Preclinical studies with prothymosin alpha1 on mononuclear cells from tumor patients.

The immunomodulating potential of the thymic protein prothymosin alpha1 (Pro alpha1) on the lymphocyte and monocyte directed antitumor reactions of melanoma and colorectal tumor patients in comparison with healthy controls were studied in vitro. On average, tumor patients showed lower NK- and LAK-cell activities than healthy controls, being associated with a lower adhesion capacity to tumor target cells. The NK-cell activity of the tumor patients was inversely related to the tumor stage.

Docetaxel treatment of HT-29 colon carcinoma cells reinforces the adhesion and immunocytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.

In vitro effects of docetaxel on the human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29 were studied with respect to the expression of different adhesion and surface marker molecules, the adhesion and immunocytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Docetaxel, in a low concentration range (1-3x10-9 M), increased the expression of the adhesion molecules LFA-3, ICAM-1, CD44s, CD44v6, CD15, CD13 and VLA-4/5/6 on the tumor cells. Unstimulated and interleukin-2 (IL-2) activated killer (LAK) cells showed a better adherence to docetaxel treated HT-29 cells than to untreated cells.

Prothymosin alpha1 effects on IL-2-induced expression of LFA-1 on lymphocytes and their adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Prothymosin alpha1 (Pro alpha1) is known to stimulate in vitro and in vivo natural killer (NK) and lymphokine (IL-2)-activated killer (LAK) cells against tumor cells. In this process, LAK cells first adhere to endothelial cells in vivo, raising the question whether Pro alpha1 affects this interaction as well. The binding ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was increased by incubation with IL-2 in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching a maximal value at 20U/ml IL-2.

Interleukin-2-activated killer cell activity in colorectal tumor patients: evaluation of in vitro effects by prothymosin alpha1.

The effects of prothymosin alpha1 (Pro alpha1) in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2) on peripheral blood lymphocytes from 50 colorectal tumor patients at different stages were studied with respect to immunocytotoxicity, adhesion to cultured SW620 colon carcinoma cells, secretion of cytokines and expression of adhesion and surface marker molecules. On average, the patients showed lower natural killer (NK) cell activity than healthy donors, which was associated with a lower adhesion capacity to the tumor target cells. The NK cell activity of the patients was inversely related to the tumor stage.

Activity of oral amoxicillin, ampicillin, and oxytetracycline against infection with chlamydia trachomatis in mice.

The effects in mice of oral treatment with amoxicillin, ampicillin, and oxytetracycline against an otherwise lethal intranasal infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (mouse pneumonitis) were studied. When treatment was started 30 min after infection and continued once daily thereafter for a total of seven treatments, the mean protective doses of amoxicillin, ampicillin, and oxytetracycline were 9.5, greater than 50, and 31.

In vivo activity of amoxicillin and ampicillin against gram-positive bacteria: results of prophylactic studies.

In prophylactic treatment of intraperitoneal infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae (types 1 and 2) and Streptococcus pyogenes in mice, amoxicillin had a definite advantage over ampicillin in terms of protective effect. When the infecting agent was given to mice so as to produce an infection in the brain or lung (for example, S. pneumoniae given intracranially or intranasally), amoxicillin was also more effective prophylactically than ampicillin.

Activity of 10-chloro-5-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-7H-indolo [2,3-c]-quinolin-6(5H)-one hydrochloride against experimental tumors in mice and rats.

10-Chloro-5-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-7H-indolo [2,3-c]-quinolin-6(5H)-one hydrochloride (CIQ) was shown to exert significant antitumor activity against the Ehrlich carcinoma and sarcoma 180 transplantable tumors in mice by the intraperitoneal (ip) or oral (po) routes and when incorporated into diet. A solid tumor induced in BALB/c mice by the subcutaneous (sc) implantation of nonproducer murine sarcoma virus-transformed BALB/3T3 cells was also inhibited by CIQ after ip or po treatment but there was no effect against leukemia L1210 ascites or a transplantable murine renal adenocarcinoma. When tested in rats, CIQ significantly reduced the growth of Flexner-Jobling carcinoma, Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma and Walker 256 carcinosarcoma when administered by the ip or po routes.

Studies on the in vitro development of drug resistance of Proteeae to sulfonamides, trimethoprim and combinations of a sulfonamide and trimethoprim.

A strain of Proteus mirabilis repeatedly subcultured in the presence of a combination of sulfisoxazole and 0.4 microgram/ml of trimethoprim and a strain of P. vulgaris subcultured in the presence of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combined in a 5:1 ratio gradually developed resistance to the combinations.

Detection of drugs of abuse by radioimmunoassay: a summary of published data and some new information.

We review the status of radioimmunoassays for detection of abused drugs. Individual assays with use of 125I-labeled antigens are all performed in an identical manner and can be completed in 30 min to 1 h. Combined assays for simultaneous detection of two or more such drugs or assays in which a tritium-labeled antigen is used require 1-2 h for completion.

In vivo synergy between 6 beta-amidinopenicillanic acid derivatives and other antibiotics.

Both an oral and a parenteral form of a 6beta-amidinopenicillanic acid derivative were found to have appreciable activity against gram-negative bacteria and poor activity against gram-positive bacteria in vivo. When administered orally or parenterally, definite synergy was demonstrated between the amidinopenicillins and ampicillin, amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, cefazolin, or carbenicillin in infections with a number of gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Proteus, Salmonella, and Haemophilus species in mice. Synergy was also observed between the parenteral amidinopenicillin and benzylpenicillin in the Staphylococcus aureus infection but not in infections with other gram-positive organisms.

Antiviral activity of 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone.

Intraperitoneal administration of 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone sodium salt (CMA) protected at least 50% of mice tested from otherwise lethal infections with Semliki forest, coxsackie B1, Columbia SK, Western equine encephalitis, herpes simplex, and pseudorabies viruses. The protective effect against influenza A2/Asian/J305 and coxsackie A21 viruses was less but was statistically significant. When administered either subcutaneously or orally, CMA protected at least 50% of mice against Semliki forest and pseudorabies viruses; the effect against coxsackie B1 and herpes simplex viruses was less but was statistically significant.

Simultaneous detection of morphine and barbiturates in urine by radioimmunoassay.

This report describes a radioimmunoassay for the simultaneous detection of morphine and barbiturates. Morphine and barbiturate antibodies, obtained from goats, were mixed with 125l-labeled antigens. By adjusting concentrations of the morphine and barbiturate antibodies and radiolabeled antigens, closely superimposed standard curves for the two drugs would be obtained.

Mersalyl: a diuretic with antiviral properties.

Mersalyl (Salyrgan), an organic mercurial diuretic, was tested against human and animal viruses with in vivo model infections in mice and tissue culture systems. Mersalyl was active against coxsackieviruses A21 and B1 in mice if administered intraperitoneally immediately after infection. No effect was observed if intraperitoneal treatment was delayed 1 or 2 h postinfection, or if treatment was administered either subcutaneously or per os.

Ellipticine derivatives.

Several acyloxy and alkyl derivatives of ellipticine have been prepared. In addition, a modified synthesis leading to the hitherto unobtainable 8,9-dimethoxy- and 8,9-methylenedioxyellipticines is described. Some of the derivatives described herein exhibit antitumor activity.

A simple, rapid 125I radioimmunoassay for the detection of barbiturates in biological fluids.

A simple, rapid radioimmunoassay employing 125-I-labeled secobarbital derivative has been developed and has been shown to be capable of detecting at the nanogram level a variety of barbiturates in urine as well as in plasma.