Classical and Alternative Activation of Rat Microglia Treated with Ultrapure Lipopolysaccharide In Vitro.

The possible relationship between periodontal disease resulting from the infection of gingival tissue by the Gram-negative bacterium () and the development of neuroinflammation remains under investigation. Recently, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was reported in the human brain, thus suggesting it might activate brain microglia, a cell type participating in neuroinflammation. We tested the hypothesis of whether in vitro exposure to ultrapure LPS may result in classical and alternative activation phenotypes of rat microglia, with the concomitant release of cytokines and chemokines, as well as superoxide anion (O), thromboxane B (TXB), and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9).

Monitoring treatment of central precocious puberty using basal luteinizing hormone levels and practical considerations for dosing with a 3-month leuprolide acetate formulation.

Background: Peak gonadotropin-releasing hormone or agonist (GnRHa) stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) testing with leuprolide acetate (LA) is commonly used to document suppression during therapy for central precocious puberty (CPP). The objective of the study was to investigate suitability of using basal LH levels to monitor GnRHa treatment and to determine optimal transition from 1-month to 3-month LA formulations via a post hoc analysis of a randomized, open-label, 6-month study.

Methods: A total of 42 children with CPP, pretreated with 7.

From the field: a maternal-child health nursing competence validation model.

This group of Vermont community health nurses from different agencies collaborated to develop a competence validation framework for maternal and child health nursing in the practice areas of perinatal client teaching, breastfeeding, and prenatal, postpartum, and newborn nursing care. The framework is based on the work of Benner, using the "competent" level of nursing practice, and delineates three parameters of competence: technical skills, interpersonal skills, and critical thinking skills. Learning resource materials, including newborn and maternal assessment guidelines, were developed for each competence area.