PBMCs protein expression profile in relapsing IFN-treated multiple sclerosis: A pilot study on relation to clinical findings and brain atrophy.

This cross-sectional study investigated with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI-TOF and MRI the relationship between PBMCs protein expression profile and whole-brain atrophy in 16 unselected RR-MS IFN-treated patients compared with 6 RR IFN-untreated and 12 matched healthy control subjects. Grey/white matter fraction, T1/T2 lesion load and clinical variables were considered too. Twenty six proteins showed significant differential expression among RR IFN-treated patients and control samples. Four of these (IN35, GANAB, PP1B, SEPT2) resulted correlated with clinical and MRI findings in RR IFN-treated MS patients. Future clinical applications remain to be validated by other techniques and confirmed by a larger study.

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr fed genetically modified soybeans and maize: Histological, digestive, metabolic, and immunological investigations.

Physiological and health related responses to dietary inclusion of genetically modified (GM) full-fat soybean meal (Roundup Ready; GM-soy) and maize (MON810 Bt-maize; GM-maize), as well as non-parental, untransformed lines (nGM-soy and nGM-maize D2), were evaluated in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr during the first 8 months of feeding. Significant effects of dietary GM presence were only found in intestinal Na+-dependent d-glucose uptake and SGLT1 protein level in the region pyloric caeca in which the highest values were found in the GM-soy, intermediate in the nGM-soy, and lowest in the standard FM fed groups. Data from this study confirm that GM soybeans (RRS) and maize (MON810) at inclusion levels of about 6% appear to be as safe as commercially available nGM soy and maize in diets for Atlantic salmon parr. Results from studies with higher inclusion levels and with non-modified, isogenic or near-isogenic parental lines as control groups are pending.

Formation and characterization of glutamate dehydrogenase monolayers on silicon supports.

In this paper we have tested two different procedures (the "three-step" and the "four-step" procedures) for the covalent immobilization of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) onto silicon supports. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), fluorescence spectroscopy and an enzymatic assay were used to probe the structure and activity of the immobilized enzyme. Our results demonstrate that coupling through the "three-step" procedure does not significantly affect either the fold pattern or the activity of the enzyme, suggesting that this method could be ideally suited to the development of high quality monolayers for use in enzyme-based planar biosensors.

Characterisation of intestinal peptide transporter of the Antarctic haemoglobinless teleost Chionodraco hamatus.

H(+)/peptide cotransport was studied in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from the intestine of the haemoglobinless Antarctic teleost Chionodraco hamatus by monitoring peptide-dependent intravesicular acidification with the pH-sensitive dye Acridine Orange. Diethylpyrocarbonate-inhibited intravesicular acidification was specifically achieved in the presence of extravesicular glycyl-L-proline (Gly-L-Pro) as well as of glycyl-L-alanine (Gly-L-Ala) and D-phenylalanyl-L-alanine (D-Phe-L-Ala). H(+)/Gly-L-Pro cotransport displayed saturable kinetics, involving a single carrier system with an apparent substrate affinity (K(m,app)) of 0.806+/-0.161 mmol l(-1). Using degenerated primers from eel and human (PepT1) transporter sequence, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) signal was detected in C. hamatus intestine. RT-PCR paralleled kinetic analysis, confirming the hypothesis of the existence of a PepT1-type transport system in the brush-border membranes of icefish intestine. Functional expression of H(+)/peptide cotransport was successfully performed in Xenopus laevis oocytes after injection of poly(A)(+) RNA (mRNA) isolated from icefish intestinal mucosa. Injection of mRNA stimulated D-Phe-L-Ala uptake in a dose-dependent manner and an excess of glycyl-L-glutamine inhibited this transport. H(+)/peptide cotransport in the Antarctic teleost BBMV exhibited a marked difference in temperature optimum with respect to the temperate teleost Anguilla anguilla, the maximal activity rate occurring at approximately 0 degrees C for the former and 25 degrees C for the latter. Temperature dependence of icefish and eel intestinal mRNA-stimulated uptake in the heterologous system (oocytes) was comparable.

Control of cardiovascular function in the icefish Chionodraco hamatus: involvement of serotonin and nitric oxide.

The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the branchial circulation and cardiac performance of the Antarctic hemoglobinless icefish Chionodraco hamatus was investigated using isolated and perfused head and working heart preparations. In the branchial vasculature under basal (i.e. unstimulated conditions), the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NIO (L-N(5)-(1-iminoethyl) ornithine, 10(-5) and 10(-4) M), caused a marked vasoconstriction (20%), indicating a basal nitrergic vasodilator tone, while the dose-response curve of the NO donor SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine) showed a dose-dependent vasodilator effect. Acetylcholine induced a dose-dependent branchial vasoconstriction mediated by muscarinic receptors, since the effects were abolished by pre-treatment with atropine (10(-4) M). Serotonin (5-HT) induced a dose-dependent branchial methysergide-sensitive vasoconstriction which was abolished by pre-treatment with L-NIO, indicating a NO-dependent mechanism. On the isolated heart, the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine) 10(-4) M produced a small, but significant decrease of heart rate and, as a consequence, a decrease of power output, while the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) 10(-4) M elicited increases of stroke volume, stroke work and power output, suggesting an exogenous NO-dependent positive inotropism. Exposure of the bulbus arteriosus to L-NMMA was without any appreciable effect. In contrast, SNP produced a notable relaxation of the bulbus wall with a marked increase of its stiffness, as indicated by the increase of systolic and diastolic dP/dt max (23 and 104%, respectively).

Rape and physical violence: comparison of assault characteristics in older and younger adults in the National Women's Study.

This study compared characteristics of recently occurring assaults against younger adults (age 18-34 years) with those of distant-past assaults against older adults (age 55-89 years) when they were younger. Responses of a subset of participants in the National Women's Study were the source of data for this study. With the exception of perceived life threat during assault (more prevalent in younger women), assault characteristics did not vary greatly by age in terms of proportions reporting that they had seen the perpetrator before; the event was one in a series; they or the perpetrator were under the influence of a substance; they actually experienced injury; and they reported the assault to authorities. Consistent with previous research, younger women reported greater prevalences of assault than older women.

Carbonic anhydrase activity in tissues of the icefish Chionodraco hamatus and of the red-blooded teleosts Trematomus bernacchii and Anguilla anguilla.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was measured in blood, intestine, kidney and gill of two Antarctic teleosts, the haemoglobinless Chionodraco hamatus and the red-blooded Trematomus bernacchii, and of the temperate teleost Anguilla anguilla. In all species, the highest CA activity was in the gills, with the greatest activity in C. hamatus. CA activity in the blood was highest in A. anguilla, but none was detected in the blood of C. hamatus despite the presence of plasma CA inhibitors. The enzyme was present but its activity was low in the intestine and kidney of all three species. The existence of very high CA activity in C. hamatus gills compared with the red-blooded species was investigated further by isolating and characterising the branchial cytosolic CA isoforms. The turnover rate of the C. hamatus isoform was significantly higher than that of T. bernacchii and A. anguilla. The isoforms from both the Antarctic species exhibited lower apparent K(m) (K(m,app)) and heat stability than those from A. anguilla. Sensitivity to sulphonamides was similar in all species and was within the range of the mammalian CA II isoform. The branchial CA isoforms of C. hamatus, T. bernacchii and A. anguilla displayed relative molecular masses of 28.9, 29.9 and 31.2 kDa, respectively. The results suggest that the hemoglobinless teleost possesses a different branchial cytosolic CA isoform from that of red-blooded teleosts.

Predictors of post-rape medical care in a national sample of women.

BACKGROUND: Rape has a negative impact on physical and mental health, health-related behaviors, and health service utilization. Timely medical care is important for preventive services. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from a larger 2-year longitudinal study, the National Women's Study (NWS). A total of 3006 adult women participated in the final data collection wave of the NWS. During a structured telephone interview, women who reported a most-recent or only rape incident during adulthood were asked about rape characteristics, reporting to authorities, medical care, and rape-related concerns. The main outcome measures were receipt and timing of medical care received after an adult rape, and factors influencing whether or not medical care was received. RESULTS: Of the sample, 214 (7.1%) had experienced a most-recent or only rape as an adult (aged >/=18), and 56 (26.2%) received rape-related medical care following that incident. The final model multivariable logistic regression indicated that reporting the crime to police or other authorities (odds ratio [OR], 9.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]=3. 34-26.70) and fear of sexually transmitted diseases (OR, 8.61; 95% CI=3.12-23.72) were significant predictors of receipt of post-rape medical care. CONCLUSIONS: One in five victims reported an adult rape to police or other authorities; these women were nine times more likely to receive medical care than those who did not. Public health efforts are needed to increase the proportion of rape victims who receive immediate post-rape medical care.

Emergency evaluation and intervention with female victims of rape and other violence.

Given the high prevalence of crime within the general population and the increased rates of victimization among those seeking medical care, professionals who work in emergency departments, primary care medical facilities, or mental health settings need to be prepared to address physical and psychological problems related to sexual and physical assault. In this paper, interpersonal violence prevalence studies are reviewed in terms of study design and findings for sexual assault and physical assault. Common injuries following both forms of assault are documented, followed by a review of long-term medical outcomes. In addition to a review of physical health outcomes, primary psychological effects of violence are also reviewed. Strategies with which to screen for interpersonal violence in the medical setting are offered, and issues related to mandatory reporting are summarized. Interventions for assault victims that can be implemented in the medical setting are outlined, and a new hospital-based treatment for victims of rape is described.

Assault, PTSD, family substance use, and depression as risk factors for cigarette use in youth: findings from the National Survey of Adolescents.

A national household probability sample of 4,023 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years was surveyed by telephone via structured clinical interview to determine the impact of familial substance use, sexual and physical assault, witnessed violence, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on risk of smoking. Results indicated that familial substance use increased risk of smoking only for boys and sexual assault or depression increased risk of smoking only for girls. Age, Caucasian ethnicity, and experiencing physical assault or witnessing violence elevated risk of current cigarette use for both genders. By contrast, PTSD per se was not associated with increased risk of smoking, after the effects of other variables were controlled.

Risk factors for adolescent substance abuse and dependence: data from a national sample.

A national household probability sample of 4,023 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years was interviewed by telephone about substance use, victimization experiences, familial substance use, and posttraumatic reactions to identify risk factors for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders--(4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) defined substance abuse/dependence. Age and ethnicity data were available for 3,907 participants. Major findings were (a) adolescents who had been physically assaulted, who had been sexually assaulted, who had witnessed violence, or who had family members with alcohol or drug use problems had increased risk for current substance abuse/dependence; (b) posttraumatic stress disorder independently increased risk of marijuana and hard drug abuse/dependence; and (c) when effects of other variables were controlled, African Americans, but not Hispanics or Native Americans, were at approximately 1/3 the risk of substance abuse/dependence as Caucasians.

Prevention of post-rape psychopathology: preliminary findings of a controlled acute rape treatment study.

Violent sexual assault such as rape typically results in extremely high levels of acute distress. The intensity of these acute psychological reactions may play a role in later recovery, with higher levels of immediate distress associated with poorer outcome. Unfortunately, post-rape forensic evidence collection procedures may serve to increase, rather than reduce initial distress, potentially exacerbating future psychopathology. To address these concerns, an acute time-frame hospital-based video intervention was developed to: (a) minimize anxiety during forensic rape exams, and (b) prevent post-rape posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic, and anxiety. Preliminary data indicated that (1) psychological distress at the time of the exam was strongly related to PTSD symptomatology 6 weeks post-rape, and (2) the video intervention successfully reduced distress during forensic exams.

Risk factors for rape, physical assault, and posttraumatic stress disorder in women: examination of differential multivariate relationships.

The National Women's Study, a 2-year, three-wave longitudinal investigation, employed a national probability sample of 3,006 adult women to: (a) identify separate risk factors for rape and physical assault, and (b) identify separate risk factors associated with post-rape posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-physical assault PTSD. This investigation differed from previous studies in that it prospectively examined risk factors at the multivariate, as opposed to univariate level. Overall, past victimization, young age, and a diagnosis of active PTSD increased women's risk of being raped. By contrast, past victimization, minority ethnic status, active depression, and drug use were associated with increased risk of being physically assaulted. Risk factors for PTSD following rape included a history of depression, alcohol abuse, or experienced injury during the rape. However, risk factors for PTSD following physical assault included only a history of depression and lower education.

A 2-year longitudinal analysis of the relationships between violent assault and substance use in women.

Women experience alarming levels of physical and sexual assault, which may lead to escalation of substance use. Reciprocally, evidence from cross-sectional studies indicates that substance use may increase risk of assault. To date, directionality of this relationship remains unclear. This issue is addressed by the present 3-wave longitudinal study in which a national probability sample of 3,006 women were followed for 2 years. Dependent measures were obtained at each wave of the study and included questions about lifetime and new assault status, alcohol abuse, and drug use. Wave 1 use of drugs, but not abuse of alcohol, increased odds of new assault in the subsequent 2 years. Reciprocally, after a new assault, odds of both alcohol abuse and drug use were significantly increased, even among women with no previous use or assault history. For illicit drug use, findings support a vicious cycle relationship in which substance use increases risk of future assault and assault increases risk of subsequent substance use.

Immunolocalisation of angiotensin II receptors in icefish (Chionodraco hamatus) tissues.

The monoclonal antibody 6313/G2 raised against the mammalian type I (AT1) angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor (Ang II-R) also recognises a component in teleost (eel) tissue preparations that binds radiolabelled Ang II, and has an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.5 and molecular mass of 75 kDa. Immunohistochemical analysis using this antibody showed specific binding sites in eel intestine, kidney, gill and liver sections. The same antibody was used here to evaluate the presence and distribution of Ang II-R in target tissues of the Antarctic teleost icefish (Chionodraco hamatus). Immunocytochemistry of intestine and gill sections showed that the antibody bound to uniformly distributed intracellular sites and cell surface membranes in absorptive cells in the intestine and chloride and pavement cells in the gills. It also stained endothelium and both the longitudinal and circular layers of smooth muscle cells in the intestine. In the kidney, only the tubules in the trunk stained positively while the head (atubular part of the kidney) was negative. In kidney tubules, in contrast with other tissues, the receptor was most concentrated in the cytoplasm underlying the basolateral membranes, with somewhat weaker staining beneath the apical cell membrane. Immunoblotting identified a single component from trunk kidney preparations that focused at pI 5.9 in isoelectric focusing gels and showed a molecular mass of 75 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The data suggest that, as in other teleosts, Ang II has a physiological role in the icefish.

Myoglobin enhances cardiac performance in antarctic icefish species that express the protein.

Channichthyid icefishes of Antarctica are unique among adult vertebrates. All icefish species lack hemoglobin and red blood cells in their circulating blood. All icefishes examined to date also lack the intracellular oxygen-binding protein myoglobin (Mb) in their oxidative skeletal muscles. However, some icefish species do express Mb in their heart ventricles. It is unknown whether Mb in those species in which it is present represents an evolutionary relic or has functional significance. To address this problem, we compared mechanical performance of isolated, perfused hearts from two species of icefish in which Mb is either present (Chionodraco rastrospinosus) or is absent (Chaenocephalus aceratus). Hearts were challenged with increasing afterload (2.5-4.0 kPa) under conditions of defined basal flow (approximately 100 ml.min-1.kg-1), in both the presence and absence of 5 mM sodium nitrite, a Mb poison. Unlike hearts from C. aceratus, which were unable to maintain a constant cardiac output under pressure loading, those from C. rastrospinosus retained a constant flow up to 3.5 kPa afterload. At the upper range of power outputs, hearts of Mb-lacking C. aceratus display greater oxygen utilization than those of Mb-containing C. rastrospinosus. Poisoning of Mb significantly impaired the ability of C. rastrospinosus hearts to face pressure loading without reduction in flow, whereas those of C. aceratus were refractory to the treatment. The results strongly support a functional role for Mb in the former species.

Health impact of interpersonal violence. 1: Prevalence rates, case identification, and risk factors for sexual assault, physical assault, and domestic violence in men and women.

This integrated series of three articles deals with the relationship between interpersonal violence and health. In the first article, the scope of the problem, the prevalence of interpersonal violence, and information on rates of violent crime in specific subgroups of people are outlined. The role of the treating physician and other health professionals in failing to identify cases of assault-related illness is considered, as are the factors that place individuals at increased risk of assault. In the second article, the impact of interpersonal violence on physical and mental health is reviewed, and the results of basic and applied clinical research into acute and chronic emotional and physical sequalae are discussed. The third article includes an outline of implications for research, training, and clinical practice using behavioral techniques in treating victims of interpersonal violence.