AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy attenuates spontaneous autoimmune peripheral polyneuropathy.

The spontaneous autoimmune peripheral polyneuropathy (SAPP) model in B7-2 knockout non-obese diabetic mice shares clinical and histological features with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Secondary axonal loss is prominent in the progressive phase of this neuropathy. Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) is an important autocrine factor supporting Schwann cell survival and differentiation and stimulates neurite outgrowth and myelination. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of NT-3 raised considerations of potential efficacy in the SAPP model that could be applicable to CIDP. For this study, scAAV1.tMCK.NT-3 was delivered to the gastrocnemius muscle of 25-week-old SAPP mice. Measurable NT-3 levels were found in the serum at 7-week postgene delivery. The outcome measures included functional, electrophysiological and histological assessments. At week 32, NT-3-treated mice showed increased hind limb grip strength that correlated with improved compound muscle action potential amplitude. Myelinated fiber density was 1.9 times higher in the NT-3-treated group compared with controls and the number of demyelinated axons was significantly lower. The remyelinated nerve fiber population was significantly increased. These improved histopathological parameters from scAAV1.tMCK.NT-3 treatment occurred in the setting of reduced sciatic nerve inflammation. Collectively, these findings suggest a translational application to CIDP.

Reflections on prevention in dieting-induced disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to reflect on current approaches to the prevention of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. METHOD: The literature on preventing those disorders was examined within the context of the published literatures concerned with preventive interventions for adolescent drug-taking and alcohol-related behaviors. RESULTS: Our review revealed that those involved in preventing eating disorders maintain the traditional distinction between primary and secondary prevention, although the fruitfulness of that categorization is now uncertain. DISCUSSION: It is argued that interventions for dieting-induced disorders ought to be generic, and target the gamut of transitional risk behaviors among adolescents. Programs for dieting, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and safe sex within the health and social development curricula in schools must be sustained by comprehensive efforts within the broader context of societal and systemic change.

Scabies in a Semiurban area of India: an epidemiologic study.

An epidemiologic survey was conducted in a population of 1,727 persons living in 253 households in a semiurban area of Goa, India. The prevalence of scabies was 9.7% by persons, 22.5% by households and 22.8% by families. Prevalence of scabies was highly associated with age. The highest prevalence (23.7%) was in school-age children. Prevalence was higher for females than males age 25 or older, but there was no significant difference in prevalence by sex for all ages. Prevalence rate by persons was approximately the same in Hindus and Christians but prevalence rate between families was higher for Hindus, although prevalence within families was higher for Crhistians. First to contact scabies in the family was generally a school child.

Role of sociocultural and environmental factors in the cause of scabies.

A house-to-house survey for scabies was done in a semiurban area with a population of 1727 from 273 families in 253 households, to study the sociocultural and environmental factors in families with scabies. It was found that sleeping habits, overcrowding for sleeping space and sharing of clothes, towel, etc, were significantly associated with scabies. There was no significant correlation between the size of family and the number of persons infected with scabies per family. The prevalence of scabies within the families was almost the same either with good hygiene, satisfactory hygiene or unsatisfactory hygiene. The factors significantly associated with the disease were observed to be more frequent among Christian families than among Hindus and were thought to be responsible for higher prevalence of the disease within the Christian families.

Lymphocyte: erythrocyte (L.E.) rosettes as indicators of the heterogeneity of lymphocytes in a variety of mammalian species.

Lymphocytes and red cells from various mammalian species have been mixed in vitro in conditions which favor their aggregation in the form of rosettes. The frequencies of rosette formation taken in conjunction with observations on surface bound immunoglobulin on the lymphocytes favor the interpretation that, in many species of animal, rosette formation can be used as an indicator of the thymic (T) or bursal equivalent (B) origin of lymphocytes.