Marijuana use and depression.

The primary goal of this study is to examine the association between marijuana use and adult depressive symptomatology. The key independent variables examined are age of marijuana initiation, frequency of current marijuana use, the use of other licit and illicit drugs, and whether marijuana was used to cope with problems. The relationships among these variables are assessed using data from the Young Men and Drugs Survey (n = 1,941), a nationally representative sample of men from the 1944-1954 birth cohort.

Recognition of local glycoprotein misfolding by the ER folding sensor UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contains a stringent quality control system that ensures the correct folding of newly synthesized proteins to be exported via the secretory pathway. In this system UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (GT) serves as a glycoprotein specific folding sensor by specifically glucosylating N-linked glycans in misfolded glycoproteins thus retaining them in the calnexin/calreticulin chaperone cycle. To investigate how GT senses the folding status of glycoproteins, we generated RNase B heterodimers consisting of a folded and a misfolded domain.

Variability of cyclophosphamide uptake into human bronchial carcinoma: consequences for local bioactivation.

Purpose: The alkylating cytostatic prodrug cyclophosphamide is bioactivated by the human cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Since these enzymes are not only expressed in human liver, but also in extrahepatic tissue, local bioactivation of this drug may play an important role in its antineoplastic effects, e.g.

Evidence for a neuroprotective effect of pyrid-3-yl-sulphonyl-urea in photochemically induced focal ischaemia in rats: magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.

A neuroprotective effect can be obtained with N-[(4-cycloheptylaminopyrid-3-yl)sulphonyl]N'-cycloheptyl urea (BM27), a pyrid-3-yl-sulphonylurea structurally related to torasemide, a loop diuretic. We have investigated the neuroprotective effect of BM27 by magnetic resonance imaging and use of the photothrombotic model of cerebral infarction in the rat. This method enables non-invasive quantification of the extent of the cerebral oedema from T2-weighted spin-echo images.

Determination of tetrahydrothiophene formation as a probe of in vitro busulfan metabolism by human glutathione S-transferase A1-1: use of a highly sensitive gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method.

A method for the sensitive determination of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) in cytosolic incubation mixtures was developed. Busulfan conjugation with glutathione was predominantly catalysed by glutathione S-transferase A1-1 (GST A1-1) and THT was released from the primary metabolite by alkalization. After liquid-liquid extraction using n-pentane separation and quantification of the product was performed by gas chromatography with a mass-selective detector.

Quantitative evaluation of the upper airway during nasopharyngoscopy with the Müller maneuver.

Objective: To quantitatively examine changes in the upper airway caliber of normal subjects at graded negative inspiratory pressures generated during nasopharyngoscopy with a Müller maneuver.

Study Design: Eighteen normal subjects prospectively underwent nasopharyngoscopy with Müller maneuvers. Subjects performed graded and maximal effort Müller maneuvers while sitting upright, and maximal-effort Müller maneuvers in the supine position.

Morbidity and mortality in elderly trauma patients.

Background: Despite an increasing incidence, relatively few studies have examined the factors that predict morbidity and mortality in older patients and several reports have found standard predictors such as the Injury Severity Score to be less useful in this patient population. Similarly, the effect of skeletal injury has not been examined with regard to complications and mortality. The purpose of this study was to review a large multicenter experience with elderly trauma patients to isolate factors that might predict morbidity and mortality.

Decreased calcium-sensing receptor expression in hyperplastic parathyroid glands of uremic rats: role of dietary phosphate.

Background: The abnormal control of parathyroid hormone secretion in chronic renal failure is attributed, in part, to down-regulation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in hyperplastic parathyroid tissue. The cause of this down-regulation is unknown. Here we examined the roles of uremia and parathyroid hyperplasia on parathyroid gland (PTG) CaR expression in the rat model of renal failure.

1Alpha,25-dihydroxy-3-epi-vitamin D3, a natural metabolite of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is a potent suppressor of parathyroid hormone secretion.

1Alpha,25(OH)2D3 is an important negative regulator of parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene transcription. In parathyroid cells, as in other target tissues, 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 is degraded by side chain oxidation by the inducible 24-hydroxylase. We have previously shown that one metabolite of this pathway, 1alpha,23(S),25-(OH)3-24-oxo-D3, potently suppresses PTH synthesis and secretion in cultured bovine parathyroid cells (bPTC).

Cloning and localization of Rab3 isoforms in bovine, rat, and human parathyroid glands.

Rab3 proteins are small GTP-binding proteins known to play a role in regulated exocytosis processes. This study examines the expression of Rab3 mRNA and protein in bovine, rat and human parathyroid glands. mRNAs of several Rab3 isoforms were detected in bovine (Rab3A, Rab3B and Rab3C) and rat (Rab3A, Rab3B and Rab3D) parathyroid glands by RT-PCR and sequencing.

[Laparoscopic versus conventional appendectomy].

From 1/1995 to 8/1997 857 appendectomies were observed in a prospective study. From then on in our clinic has done more laparoscopic then conventional operations, and has developed in the years before a permanent laparoscopic team. For all operations resterilized MIC-instruments are used.

Nitroreduction of nitrated and C-9 oxidized fluorenes in vitro.

Widespread environmental pollution with mutagenic and carcinogenic nitrofluorenes contributes to human health risks. Since nitroreduction leads to activation of many nitro compounds, nitroreduction of the nitrofluorene (NF) derivatives by one- and two-electron reductants was examined. Rates of nitroreduction catalyzed by xanthine oxidase (XO)/hypoxanthine and measured via stimulation of acetylated cytochrome c reduction increased with the number of nitro groups and oxidation at C-9: 9-oxo-2,4,7-triNF > 9-oxo-2,7-diNF > 2,7-diNF > 9-oxo-2-NF = 2,5-diNF > 9-hydroxy-2-NF > 2-NF.

Effects of 19-nor-1,25(OH)2D2, a new analogue of calcitriol, on secondary hyperparathyroidism in uremic rats.

The active metabolite of vitamin D, calcitriol [1,25(OH)2D3] suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene transcription and PTH secretion. Although 1,25(OH)2D3 is effective in suppressing secondary hyperparathyroidism in uremic patients, the mandatory use of large amounts of calcium salts to control serum phosphorus may preclude in some patients the use of ideal therapeutic doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 because of hypercalcemia. We have studied a new analogue of calcitriol,19-nor-1,25(OH)2D2 that possesses low calcemic and phosphatemic activity.

Neurologic and vascular structures at risk during anterior-posterior locking of retrograde femoral nails.

Objective: To evaluate the neurovascular structures at risk with the placement of anterior-posterior locking screws in the proximal femur.

Design: Cadaveric study.

Main Outcome Measure: Anatomic relationships.

Plasma concentrations of leptin in a bulimic patient.

Recently, the obese gene in the ob/ob mouse was cloned, along with its human homologue. The gene product leptin is important in the regulation of body weight. Excessive food intake during a binge might affect leptin synthesis.

Outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy clinical pathways: an evaluative study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine two different dimensions of an outpatient pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) clinical pathway at a tertiary care children's hospital. First, the analysis investigates whether the T&A clinical pathway effectively aids in the decision to discharge a pediatric patient as a day surgery (DS) (less than 12 hours) rather than as an outpatient observation surgery (OPO) (12 to 23 hours). Second, the pathway's impact on quality and financial outcomes is explored.

Marriage, Intimate Support and Depression during Pregnancy: A Study of Inner-City Women.

We examined the influence of stress, intimate support and marital status on postpartum depression among 189 African American and European American, inner-city women. We selected women in three common categories: (1) married, (2) cohabitating with partner, and (3) romantically involved, but not cohabitating. Women were interviewed on two occasions during pregnancy and seven to nine weeks following delivery.

Partners' stress underestimations lead to women's distress: a study of pregnant inner-city women.

The authors examined how men's underestimation of the stress that their pregnant female partners reported influenced women's psychological distress and their sense that they were not supported. Participants included 68 pregnant inner-city women and their partners, among whom African Americans and European Americans were represented. Women who reported a greater number of stressful life events had increased depression if their partners did not report them as encountering these events.

Effect of ovariectomy on the in vitro and in vivo activation of carcinogenic N-2-fluorenylhydroxamic acids by rat mammary gland and liver.

N-Hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide (N-OH-2-FAA) and its benzamide analogue N-OH-2-FBA are mammary gland carcinogens in the female Sprague-Dawley rat. Ovariectomy inhibits tumorigenicity of topically applied N-OH-2-FAA suggesting modulation of carcinogen-activating enzymes in the gland. This study concerned the activation of N-OH-2-FAA and N-OH-2-FBA by the mammary gland and liver, a chief site of metabolism, from 50-day-old female rats and effects on the activation of ovariectomy performed at 22 days of age.

Renal calcitriol synthesis and serum phosphorus in response to dietary phosphorus restriction and anabolic agents.

Calcitriol [1,25-(OH)2D3] synthesis by the renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1alpha-hydroxylase (1alpha-hydroxylase) is induced in rats on a low phosphorus diet, but not in the hypophysectomized (HPX) or diabetic rat. However, the normal response is restored by the administration of growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), or insulin, respectively. To further characterize this in vivo phenomenon, the acute effects of GH, IGF-I, and insulin were studied in the HPX rat.

Weight, self-esteem, ethnicity, and depressive symptomatology during pregnancy among inner-city women.

The relationship of weight and self-esteem to depressive symptomatology was examined among 36 African American and 96 European American pregnant inner-city women. Lower self-esteem and higher deviations from medically ideal weight predicted increased dysphoria during the 3rd trimester for European American women, but only lower self-esteem predicted increased dysphoria for African American women. These results support the hypothesis that African Americans are less likely than European Americans to experience negative psychological repercussions of greater weight.