The endothelial cell ecto-ADPase responsible for inhibition of platelet function is CD39.

We previously demonstrated that when platelets are in motion and in proximity to endothelial cells, they become unresponsive to agonists (Marcus, A.J., L.

BCG vaccination to prevent tuberculosis in health care workers: a decision analysis.

Objective: To perform a decision analysis to determine the optimal strategy to prevent tuberculosis (TB) in health care workers with negative tuberculin skin tests.

Methods: We used a Markov model to study the occurrence of events each year and compared BCG vaccination to annual tuberculin testing plus isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy for those who become skin test positive. The outcome measures studied were the number of cases and deaths from TB and BCG and/or INH adverse reactions over 10 years.

Prothrombotic effects of erythrocytes on platelet reactivity. Reduction by aspirin.

Background: Aspirin effectively reduces the incidence of secondary vascular occlusive events in only 25% of patients. Low-dose aspirin as currently used blocks platelet production of prothrombotic thromboxane A2 and allows endothelial synthesis of antithrombotic prostacyclin. This regimen minimizes gastrointestinal toxicity.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis for the acutely ischaemic leg: experience in a district general hospital.

Intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy (IATT) is a recognized treatment for acute on chronic lower limb ischaemia due to thrombosis when duration of therapy will not compromise limb viability. In this prospective study at a district general hospital, 36 consecutive patients (mean age 73.6 +/- 1.

Rationale for effective treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

The primary objective of treating hypercholesterolemia is to reduce the patient's risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels to achieve National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) goal lipid levels greatly reduces this risk. Treatment of additional risk factors for CAD (high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking) should be addressed and modified as part of appropriate patient management, but a high LDL cholesterol level is a major risk factor.

Maintenance of telomeres in SV40-transformed pre-immortal and immortal human fibroblasts.

Shortening of telomeres has been hypothesized to contribute to cellular senescence and may play a role in carcinogenesis of human cells. Furthermore, activation of telomerase has frequently been demonstrated in tumor-derived and in vitro immortalized cells. In this study, we have assessed these phenomena during the life span of simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed preimmortal and immortal human fibroblasts.

[4 1/2 years later: Mannheim risk children of preschool age].

The present investigation was concerned with the impact of prenatal and perinatal complications (biological risks) and of family adversity (psychosocial risks) on developmental status at age 4 1/2. In a prospective study the developmental course of 362 children (including 210 high-risk children) was followed from birth to age 4 1/2 years. A multilevel approach was used to assess all relevant domains of functioning (i.

Characterization of c-myc-transformed rat fibroblasts resistant to apoptosis induced ny growth factor deprivation.

Under appropriate conditions (e.g., growth factor withdrawal), the deregulated expression of c-myc in rodent fibroblasts leads to substantial cell death due to apoptosis.

AIDS-related attitudes and risk behaviors: a survey of a random sample of California heterosexuals.

Background: This paper describes the results of an AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors survey of a random sample of heterosexual California adults.

Methods: The study was conducted from August 1990 until February 1991 and consisted of telephone interviews conducted in English and Spanish, with a household probability sample of 3,545 California adults, undersampling those age 44 and older.

Results: Approximately one-third of the sample believed that HIV/AIDS is contracted by donating blood, and 20% believed the infection could result from insect bites.

Insulin pump therapy: acceptable alternative to injection therapy.

Initiation of insulin therapy is an exhilarating although anxiety-provoking experience for diabetic patients. It is, in a metaphysical sense, a time of rebirth. Patients are no longer victims of their diabetes but truly masters of it.

Development of the 12-item Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT).

The development of the 12-item Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), based upon items from the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), is described. In developing this test, the authors initially selected UPSIT items that are familiar to most persons from North American, European, South American, and Asian cultures. The CC-SIT was then administered to 198 people ranging in age from 5 to 96 years, and the the test scores were compared to analogous items from UPSITs administered to 198 age-, sex-, race-, and smoking-habit-matched control subjects.

Human mononuclear cells express 12-LX: coordinated mRNA regulation with 5-LX and FLAP genes.

Lipoxygenases (LXs) catalyze formation of leukotrienes and hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), proinflammatory, and spasmogenic autacoids that are critical for host defense systems. We studied the expression and regulation of LX genes (12-LX, 5-LX, and 15-LX) and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) in human mononuclear cells (MNC) and granulocytes using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. We show that 12-LX mRNA is constitutively expressed in resting platelet-free MNC.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy and factitious illness: symptomatology, parent-child interaction, and psychopathology of the parents.

The term Munchausen syndrome by proxy is used to diagnose children presenting symptoms of an organic disorder resulting from manipulations initiated by their caretakers. Even in early infancy it happens that injuries are induced, and that drugs, poisons or medicine are administered in order to provoke and feign clinical symptoms of severe diseases. Exact data on prevalence are not available but it is obvious that Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a rare psychiatric disorder.

The value of antegrade stenting for lower ureteric obstruction.

Eleven kidneys in 10 patients (mean age 80 years) presenting over a period of 1 year with obstruction of the lower ureter secondary to malignant obstruction (8 patients), stone disease (1 patient), and bladder wall hypertrophy (1 patient) underwent nephrostomy with subsequent immediate or delayed antegrade stenting. An antegrade placement of the stent was achieved in 10 of the 11 kidneys (90% success). In three cases a combined procedure was performed with cystoscopic assistance.

Thrombosis and inflammation as multicellular processes: significance of cell-cell interactions.

Platelet activation as a result of vascular injury provokes endothelial cells to respond in a manner which limits or reverses the occlusive consequences of platelet accumulation. If the agonistic forces are strong, platelet accumulation is irreversible. In vitro data from our laboratory have repeatedly demonstrated that platelets become unresponsive to all agonists when in proximity to endothelial cells.

Benzodiazepine administration induces exogenic psychosis: a case of child abuse.

An 11-year-old boy with psychiatric symptoms was brought to the pediatric clinic by his father. The boy exhibited anxiety, sometimes exaggerating to panic reactions, rage, and disorientation. Because of the boy's behavior it was presumed he was having delusions.