Examination of the interaction of different lighting conditions and chronic mild stress in animal model.

We examined the effects of different shift work schedules and chronic mild stress (CMS) on mood using animal model. The most common international shift work schedules in nursing were applied by three groups of Wistar-rats and a control group with normal light-dark cycle. One subgroup from each group was subjected to CMS. Levels of anxiety and emotional life were evaluated in light-dark box. Differences between the groups according to independent and dependent variables were examined with one- and two-way analysis of variance, with a significance level defined at p < 0.05. Interaction of lighting regimen and CMS was proved to be significant according to time spent in the light compartment and the average number of changes between the light and dark compartments. Results of our examination confirm that the changes of lighting conditions evocate anxiety more prominently than CMS. No significant differences were found between the results of the low rotating group and the control group, supposing that this schedule is the least harmful to health. Our results on the association between the use of lighting regimens and the level of CMS provide evidence that the fast rotating shift work schedule puts the heaviest load on the organism of animals.

Effects of particle uptake, encapsulation, and localization in cancer cells on intracellular applications.

Endocytosis is a normal process in living cells, often used to internalize drug-containing particles and probes for intracellular mechanics. The cell type, and especially malignancy, may affect particle internalization and transport. Specifically, membrane-encapsulation following internalization can affect particle interaction with the cell interior. Hence, particle-tracking measurements that reveal intracellular mechanics and dynamics require determination of effects of encapsulation. Here, we compare closely related, breast-cancer cell lines with high- and low-metastatic potential (MP) and benign, control cells. We evaluate time-dependent particle internalization, localization with endocytotic-pathway organelles, and membrane encapsulation at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after initial cell exposure to particles. High MP cells internalize particles more rapidly and in larger amounts than low MP and benign cells. Moreover, while only cells at the edge of two-dimensional colonies of benign cells internalized particles, all cancer cells uniformly internalize particles. Particles mostly colocalize with late endosomes (>80%), yet surprisingly, overall membrane encapsulation decreases with time, indicating release into the cytoplasm; encapsulation at 48 h is <35% in all three cell types. We discuss implications to drug delivery and show that encapsulation does not significantly affect intracellular particle-tracking experiments, showing the applicability of endocytosis.

A mutation analysis of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene in the Israeli population.

Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is a group of diseases characterized by a persistent elevation of phenylalanine levels in tissues and biological fluids. The most frequent form is phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency, causing phenylketonuria (PKU). Among 159 Israeli patients (Jews, Muslim and Christian Arabs and Druze) with HPA, in whom at least one of the mutations was characterized, a total of 43 different mutations were detected, including seven novel ones. PKU was very rare among Ashkenazi Jews and relatively frequent among Jews from Yemen, the Caucasian Mountains, Bukhara and Tunisia. The mutations responsible for the high frequency were: exon3del (Yemenite Jews), L48S (Tunisian Jews) and E178G, P281L and L48S (Jews from the Caucasian Mountains and Bukhara). Among the non-Jewish Israeli citizens, the disease was relatively frequent in the Negev and in the Nazareth vicinity, and in many localities a unique mutation was detected, often in a single family. While marked genetic heterogeneity was observed in the Arab and Jewish populations, only one mutation A300S, was frequent in all of the communities. Several of the other frequent mutations were shared by the non-Ashkenazi Jews and Arabs; none were mutual to Ashkenazi Jews and Arabs.

[Comparative epidemiologic examination of caries in adolescents]. / Osszehasonlító caries epidemiológiai vizsgálatok serdülókorú fiatalokban.

The aim of the study was to assess the caries prevalence and oral hygiene in groups of adolescents living in two Hungarian towns and to establish correlations with socio-economical factors. Examinations of caries and oral hygiene were performed in 586 14-16-year-old children. The percentage of caries free children was 5.1%, the DMFT and DMFS values were 6.97 +/- 4.67 and 9.95 +/- 7.94 respectively. The VPI index was 41.6 +/- 32.7% (mean +/- S.D.), and showed positive correlation with the caries prevalence. The DMFT and DMFS values, as well as VPI decreased as the educational level of the father had increased. The number of siblings had a worsening effect on DMFT, DMFS and VPI values.

International epidemiological and microbiological study of outbreak of Salmonella agona infection from a ready to eat savoury snack--II: Israel.

OBJECTIVES: To explain an increase in the incidence of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella agona in Israel between October 1994 and January 1995 in the light of an outbreak of S agona phage type 15 infection in England and Wales caused by consumption of a ready to eat savoury snack produced in Israel. DESIGN: Epidemiology of S agona in 1994-5 was analysed and two consecutive, case-control studies of 32 and 26 case-control pairs were performed. Phage typing and molecular methods were used to characterise strains of S agona isolated from cases and samples of the snack in Israel and England and Wales. RESULTS: The increase in the incidence of S agona between October 1994 and January 1995 was countrywide. Cases of infection with group B salmonella increased from 60% to 80% in children under 5 years old. In both case-control studies, cases consumed more of the snack than did controls (4.25 v 2.94 packets per week in the first study (P = 0.086) and 4.04 v 2.37 packets per week in the second study (P = 0.034)). When the two studies were combined there was a significant dose-response relation for the number of packets consumed weekly. Compared with consumption of less than two packets, the odds ratio was 1.43 for between two and six packets and 3.37 for seven or more packets (chi 2 for trend = 5.27, P = 0.02) S agona phage type 15 was isolated from a packet of the snack sold in Israel, and the strain was identical with those isolated from packets and cases in Israel and England and Wales. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak of S agona was caused by the contamination of a snack produced in Israel. Even under modern operating conditions, large, widespread international outbreaks of foodborne disease can occur. The success of this investigation resulted from excellent international collaboration between public health authorities.

Study of the association between waterborne diseases and microbial water quality in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this project was to look for an association between microbial quality of drinking water and those gastrointestinal diseases that are known to be also waterborne. METHODS: For this purpose available databases of the Israeli Ministry of Health were used: (1) Registry of notifiable diseases and (2) microbial quality of drinking water. The association was examined by regressing incidence rates of salmonellosis, shigellosis, and hepatitis on three measures of microbial water quality and calculating the coefficient of determination (r2). Analysis was carried out for the years 1985-1992. RESULTS: Significant dependence of disease incidence on water quality was found for 1988 and, for hepatitis, also for 1989-92. This dependence is shown to be the result of the coincidence of high disease rate with high proportion of polluted water samples in two small subdistricts. CONCLUSIONS: The general lack of dependence of morbidity on water quality suggests that the water route contributes only slightly to these diseases in Israel. For a more meaningful analysis, a higher geographic resolution of morbidity reporting is recommended.

Spinal cord decompression sickness in sport diving.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize 16 years' experience in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord decompression sickness in Israel. DESIGN: The survey data were collected firsthand by physicians trained in underwater diving medicine. SETTING: The Israeli Naval Medical Institute, Israel's national hyperbaric referral center. PATIENTS: Sixty-eight sport divers diagnosed as having spinal cord decompression sickness. INTERVENTIONS: Hydration and 100% oxygen breathing until the patient reached the hyperbaric chamber. All patients received recompression therapy on US Navy treatment tables using oxygen, except for six who were treated by Comex Treatment Table CX-30, which uses helium in addition to oxygen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurological examination after the completion of recompression therapy. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the dives were performed within the decompression limits of the US Navy standard decompression tables. Risk factors were fatigue, circumstances suggesting dehydration, and extreme physical effort. The most common presenting symptoms were paresthesias, weakness of the legs, lower back pain, or abdominal pain. Full recovery was achieved in 79% of the patients. Spinal symptoms appeared immediately on surfacing in six of the eight patients who continued to have multiple neurological sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: United States Navy air decompression tables appear not to be completely safe for sport divers. Even mild spinal symptoms identified on surfacing should be treated vigorously. High-pressure oxygen-helium therapy seems to be a promising alternative in cases of severe spinal cord decompression sickness.

Pitfall in diagnosis of Crohn's disease in a cystic fibrosis patient.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) and Crohn's disease may both present as failure to thrive and recurrent intestinal obstruction. Proper treatment and adequate nutrition may reverse these manifestations and improve the patient's quality of life. We describe a girl with CF who, despite appropriate management, failed to grow and had several episodes of bowel obstruction. After the additional diagnosis of Crohn's disease was reached, the patient improved on antiinflammatory and nutritional therapy. This patient illustrates the pitfall in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease in a CF patient due to the clinical overlap between the two conditions. We suggest that therapeutic failure in a chronic disease justifies additional diagnostic efforts resulting in a completion of diagnosis and significant changes in management.

Psychological late effects of leukemia in children and their prevention.

The psychological and intellectual sequelae of childhood leukemia and its treatment were examined in 48 children with acute leukemia in long remission. Verbal and performance IQ values were determined in addition to full scale IQ. Performance was worse than the verbal IQ in children who were less than six years old at the time of diagnosis. Cranial irradiation even in repeated doses of 2,400 rads had no effect on these children's intellects. Most of the patients, however, showed severe emotional problems when constructing their "world" from given objects. The frequency and severity of these emotional problems could be much alleviated by regular psychological care.