A video feedback-based tobacco cessation counselling course for undergraduates-preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Hungary has one of the highest rates of tobacco use and decayed, missing and filled teeth in Europe, and the number of lung cancer-related deaths per annum is amongst the highest globally. As it is estimated that the rate of smokers who see their dentist or physician annually is about 70%, to involve all healthcare providers in tobacco intervention seems to be a promising strategy to reduce tobacco use in countries like Hungary. Such an intervention should obviously include the dental health team. It has already been suggested by experts on this topic that instruction in tobacco use prevention and cessation counselling for dental professionals and students of dentistry should be included in under- and postgraduate curricula. OBJECTIVES: To present a novel, video feedback-based undergraduate cessation counselling programme, which has recently been introduced to the dental curriculum at the Faculty of Dentistry, Szeged, Hungary. METHODS: Applying a problem-based learning approach, the programme consists of three main activities: a small-group interactive training session led by a faculty member, where students learn about the basic science and clinical aspects of tobacco use, including counselling skills; student interactions with professional actors (i.e. standardised patients) simulating real-life dental situations, which are recorded for post hoc evaluation; and finally an evaluation of the recorded performance of each student, with the participation of the actor, the student and a faculty member. RESULTS: With the help of this new approach, students had the chance to learn about and develop a deeper understanding of tobacco-related professional dental communication in realistic, case-based dental scenarios. Students have reported increased confidence in tobacco counselling after having participated in this programme. Furthermore, this method appears to be an ideal tool for the evaluation of both verbal and non-verbal tobacco counselling skills. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, we are the first to have applied video feedback combined with behavioural modification methods in the teaching of tobacco cessation counselling. We conclude that teaching method can help dentists better understand smokers, gain confidence in tobacco cessation counselling and become more effective promoters of a smoke-free lifestyle. In addition, this method can be easily adapted to other healthcare educational settings, including other oral health training programmes.

Facilitation of spike-wave discharge activity by lipopolysaccharides in Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk rats.

In normal rats the proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, which are induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides, are able to control thalamo-cortical excitability by exerting strong effects on physiological synchronization such as sleep and on pathological synchronization like that in epileptic discharges. To investigate whether proinflammatory cytokines or lipopolysaccharides could modulate absence seizures resulting from a very different generator mechanism than the already investigated bicuculline-, kindling- and kainate-induced seizures, we used a genetically epileptic Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk rat strain, which is spontaneously generating high voltage spike-wave discharges. Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk rats responded with an increase of the number of spike-wave discharges to lipopolysaccharide injection (from 10 microg/kg to 350 microg/kg). Repetitive administration of 350 microg/kg lipopolysaccharides daily for 5 days increased the number of spike-wave discharges on the first, second and third days but the number of spike-wave discharges returned to the control value on day 5, at the 5th injection of lipopolysaccharides, showing a tolerance to lipopolysaccharides. The lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in spike-wave discharges was not directly correlated with the elevation of the core body temperature, as it is in febrile seizures, although lipopolysaccharide induced prostaglandin and is clearly pyrogenic at the doses used. Indomethacin, the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, efficiently blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced enhancement of spike-wave discharge genesis suggesting that the spike-wave discharge facilitating effect of lipopolysaccharides involves induction of cyclooxygenase 2 and subsequent synthesis and actions of prostaglandin E2. Low dose (40 mg/kg, i.p.) of competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, and low dose of lipopolysaccharide (20 microg/kg) showed a synergistic interaction to increase the number of spike-wave discharges, whereas at supramaximal doses of lipopolysaccharide and the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist no synergy was present. The data reveal a functional connection between absence epileptic activity and lipopolysaccharide induction of prostaglandin synthesis and prostaglandin action and suggest some common cellular targets in epilepsy and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation.

Sex differences in oestrogen-induced p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation in the mouse brain in vivo.

In addition to the classical direct genomic mechanisms of action, oestrogen also exerts poorly understood, nonclassical effects on the signalling system in neurones. In the present study, we investigated whether sex differences exist in gonadectomy- and oestrogen-induced effects on p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in specific brain regions of mice. We demonstrate that MAPK immunoreactivity was not altered by gonadectomy or oestrogen treatment in either sex. However, we show that the level of phosphorylated MAPK (pMAPK) within the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) was consistently higher in males than females irrespective of gonadal steroid hormone status. In addition, gonadectomy was found to decrease pMAPK immunoreactivity within the piriform cortex of males. Oestrogen increased pMAPK immunoreactivity in the medial preoptic area and AVPV of females, but failed to have the same effect in male mice. Overall, these results demonstrate a marked sex difference in oestrogen-induced alteration of MAPK phosphorylation in the brain in vivo.

Estrogen receptor-beta immunoreactivity in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone neurons of the rat brain.

Feedback regulation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons by estradiol plays important roles in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. Recently, we found that the majority of LHRH neurons in the rat contain estrogen receptor-beta (ER-beta) mRNA, whereas, they seemed to lack ER-alpha mRNA expression. In addition, we observed nuclear uptake of (125)I-estrogen by a subset of these cells. These data suggest that ER-beta is the chief receptor isoform mediating direct estrogen effects upon LHRH neurons. To verify the translation of ER-beta protein within LHRH cells, the present studies applied dual-label immunocytochemistry (ICC) to free-floating sections obtained from the preoptic area of rats. The improved ICC method using the silver-gold intensification of nickel-diaminobenzidine chromogen, enabled the observation of nuclear ER-beta-immunoreactivity in the majority of LHRH cells. The incidence of ER-beta expression was similarly high in LHRH neurons of ovariectomized female (87.8 +/- 2.3%, mean +/- SEM), estradiol-primed female (74.9 +/- 3.2%) and intact male (85.0 +/- 4.7%) rats. The presence of ER-beta mRNA, ER-beta immunoreactivity and (125)I-estrogen binding sites in LHRH neurons of the rat provide strong support for the notion that these cells are directly regulated by estradiol, through ER-beta. The gene targets and molecular mechanisms of this regulation remain unknown.

GRP-receptor-mediated signal transduction, gene expression and DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line HPAF.

Bombesin-like peptides have been implicated as growth factors in various human cancers. Human adenocarcinoma cell lines (Capan-1, Capan-2, MiaPaCa-2 and HPAF) were tested to determine whether they express the gastrin-releasing peptide-preferring bombesin receptor (GRPR) and neuromedin B-preferring bombesin receptor (NMBR). Using RT-PCR the highest level of GRP receptor mRNA was found in HPAF cells. NMB receptor mRNA expression moderate in all cell lines investigated. We therefore selected the HPAF cell line to investigate whether bombesin treatment affects intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)), cAMP level, DNA synthesis as a measure of cell proliferation, and expression of three transcription factors: c-fos, c-myc and high mobility group protein IY (HMG-I(Y)).Bombesin administration led to an immediate increase in free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) but did not change cAMP levels. The peptide also enhanced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in HPAF cells (but not in the other cell lines), an effect that was concentration dependent, reaching 36 +/- 5% stimulation over control values at 24 h with an EC(50) of 2.27 x 10(-12) M. Furthermore, bombesin stimulated c-fos, c-myc and HMG-I(Y) expression in a time-dependent manner: the c-fos mRNA level increased dramatically in the first 30 min of exposure, then returned to basal level within 2 h, while the c-myc and HMG-I(Y) mRNA levels peaked at 2 h and 4h, respectively. All actions of bombesin were blocked by BME (D-Phe(6)-bombesin-(6-13)-methylester), a selective GRP receptor antagonist, but not by the NMB receptor antagonist BIM-23127 (D-Nal-cyclo[Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Val-Cys]-Nal-NH(2)). We conclude that HPAF cells express mRNA for GRP receptors and that functional receptors are present in the cell membrane. The occupation of these receptors leads to a sequence of intracellular events involving rapid mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+), expression of c-fos, c-myc and HMG-I(Y) mRNA, and stimulation of cell proliferation. Conversely, although NMB receptor mRNA can be detected, its actual translation to functional receptors does not reach a detectable level.

Inhibitory effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue on EGF-stimulated cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells.

Numerous studies have reported diverse effects of gut-derived regulatory peptides on growth of the normal pancreas, pancreatic neoplasms induced experimentally in animals, and pancreatic cancer cell lines, but the results of these investigations are rather controversial. The stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cell proliferation of pancreatic cell lines is well established. Whether this action can be modulated by somatostatin is not clear. Furthermore, it is not certain whether another regulatory peptide, cholecystokinin (CCK), affects the proliferation of these cells. In the present study we investigated the presence of CCK-A and CCK-B, as well as somatostatin-2 (SSTR2) receptors by RT-PCR, and studied the actions of EGF, CCK and octreotide on DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line Capan-2. Octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue was used as somatostatin agonist. Cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. They were incubated in serum free medium containing 0.2% BSA in the absence (control) or the presence of the peptides. [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA was measured after 48 h of incubation. By means of RT-PCR analysis we were able to demonstrate SSTR2 expression, but not CCK-A or CCK-B receptor mRNA in Capan-2 cells. DNA synthesis evaluated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation was found to be increased by 45.2 +/- 5.6% in response to EGF (10(-8) M) and decreased by 11.7 +/- 2.6% to octreotide (10(-8) M) compared to controls (P < 0.01). The increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly lower when EGF treatment was combined with octreotide administration (10.1 +/- 2.5% over control). In the concentration range of 10(-11)-10(-8) M, CCK did not alter significantly the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA in Capan-2 cells. In conclusion, these data support a role for EGF as a growth factor for the human pancreatic cancer cell Capan-2. Somatostatin may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells both under basal, and growth factor-stimulated conditions. Our results suggest, however, that CCK receptors are not expressed, and CCK does not affect cell proliferation in this transformed pancreatic cell line.

Effects of Gramoxone-induced reactive oxygen radicals on eicosanoid synthesis of mouse lung.

1. Studies were made to prove that a shift in the eicosanoid metabolism plays a role in the lung-damaging action of paraquat, the active ingredient of Gramoxone, in mice. 2. An attempt was made to inhibit the eicosanoid metabolism with acetylsalicylic acid (Aspisol). Among others, it was found that the metabolic effect impaired by paraquat is influenced in a favourable direction by Aspisol treatment, including the % of survival, the lipid peroxidation values and the superoxide dismutase activity in the lung. 3. At the same time, as a prostacyclin synthesis activator, paraquat participates in the efforts of the organism to eliminate the toxic material, but it later weakens the defence mechanisms by enhancing thromboxane A2 synthesis, and it initiates pulmonary fibrosis, which cannot then be averted with Aspisol.

Effects of Gramoxone and cooling on the antioxidant enzymes of frog (Rana esculenta).

The effects of paraquat, the active ingredient of Gramoxone, were studied on frogs (Rana esculenta) kept at 4 degrees C or 20 degrees C, to establish its effects on the survival, the antioxidant enzyme system and the lipid peroxidation of the tissues (liver and lung). The lower temperature was found to increase the survival. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes were decreased or not influenced by the LD50 of paraquat at the lower temperature, whereas the LD100 often resulted in a significant enzymatic activity increase. It was an important finding that the lipid peroxidation of the lipid decreased in response to paraquat at 4 degrees C, but increased at 20 degrees C. The lipid peroxidation of the lung increased at both temperatures.

In vivo redox changes in some organs in response to Gramoxone.

The effects of Gramoxone on the redox state potential (E'0) of the liver, heart, skeletal muscle and lung of guinea-pig were examined at different times. The E'0 values were compared with control measurements. Gramoxone was found to cause mainly a significant E'0 increase with time in lung tissues. This lends support to the general experience that the primary target organ for paraquat (PQ) toxicity is the lung. It is suggested as explanation of the observation that the lung is most actively connected with molecular oxygen.

Effects of a herbicide on the peroxide metabolism enzymes and lipid peroxidation in carp fish (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).

A study was made of the peroxide metabolism enzymes in carp fish, and of the effects on these of three different concentrations of the herbicide paraquat. Mainly the changes in the superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidation resembled the changes observed in previous intoxication studies on mammals.

[Epidemiology of psychosomatic symptoms and its effect on the self-evaluation of general health in university students]. / Pszichoszomatikus tünetek epidemiológiája és hatása az egészségi állapot önértékelésére egyetemi hallgatók körében.

This paper reports on the prevalence of some common psychosomatic symptoms as a part of a larger study of health state and health risk behaviour of a medical student population in Szeged. The prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms was considered as a health-related variable. In the study 691 students participated, the investigation was carried out by survey method, using self-completed questionnaire. In both sexes, backache and sleeping disorders were the most frequent symptoms. Furthermore, men reported stomach ache and palpitation in higher occurrence, while in women stress-related headache and chronic fatigue were the most common among the self-reported symptoms. The index of symptoms were significantly higher among women than men (p < 0.0001). Prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms proved an important variable affecting self-perceived health. The literature reviewed by the authors suggests that health state of medical students are significantly better than students of other colleges. Unfortunately, the morbidity and mortality data of physicians show inverse results among other intellectual populations. The authors suggestion is applying standardised method and cooperation among epidemiological teams working on this question.

Health risk behaviour of a medical student population: report on a pilot study.

A pilot study of a cross-sectional nature was carried out to observe and describe the health risk behaviour of a medical student population. The participants (242) were drawn from the students of the University Medical School of Szeged, Hungary. The students were aged 18-31 years (x = 23) and were randomly selected. The response rate was (73%). The project focussed on 4 harmful habits ranked in the following order of prevalence: excessive coffee drinking (35%), smoking (20.9%), regular alcohol use (6.8%) and illicit drug use (5.1%). The non-parametric (Chi-square) test showed significant differences between the higher and lower physical activity groups in terms of psychological well-being (p < 0.05) and health behaviour changes (p < 0.005). Harmful habits, however, were reported more frequently by the higher physical activity group. Significant differences could be detected in terms of women's illicit drug use (p < 0.05). Using the Mann-Whitney U-test, it was detected that those who performed more physical activities rated their health significantly higher (p < 0.001). This study will be pursued in an expanded study with a larger sample and concentrate especially on the relationship of physical activity behaviour to harmful habits. Follow-up methods are also planned to study the medical student population over time, which should yield some greater insight into these relationships.

Mental representations of the new organ and posttransplant patients' anxiety as related to kidney function.

Transplant patients' representations of their illness, body, and emotional state significantly influence their recovery. In this study, our primary aim was to examine the possible connections between emotional factors, body and illness representations, and renal function after 58 kidney transplantations. To measure mental representations of transplanted kidneys, we developed a projective drawing test. Other assessment instruments were the Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger's State and Trait Anxiety Scale, and an in-house questionnaire. We also measured conventional kidney function markers, such as serum creatinine and urea levels. Analysis of our results revealed that patients with higher anxiety levels drew significantly larger kidneys in their projective drawing tests, and displayed significantly higher 10-day creatinine and urea level leading us to consider interrelations of an organ's intrapsychic integration and kidney function. If the graft is not integrated mentally in the body image, the representations of the "foreign body" can be associated with such psycho-neuro-immunologic processes of anxiety, which eventually may lead to adverse physiological effects on kidney function.

Paraneoplastic T cell lymphocytosis associated with a thymoma in a dog.

A four-year-old male neutered Australian shepherd dog was diagnosed with a thymoma and concurrent mature T cell lymphocytosis. The lymphocytosis consisted of a mixed population of T cells expressing either CD4 or CD8 or neither marker, and the result of polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement was negative. The peripheral lymphocytosis resolved within 24 hours following thoracotomy and thymectomy. Similar cases have been reported in man, but the aetiology of the increased circulating lymphocytes remains unclear. Although peripheral lymphocytosis is an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome associated with thymomas, thymoma should be considered as a differential when the increased lymphocytes consist of a mixed population of T cells.

Genistein induces phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein in neonatal hypothalamus in vivo.

We investigated the effect of the phytoestrogen, genistein and 17beta-oestradiol on cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the neonatal female rat hypothalamus in vivo using western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Although CREB expression was insensitive to the compounds we tested, administration of genistein and 17beta-oestradiol induced rapid CREB phosphorylation (< 15 min) in the hypothalamus and its level remained elevated at 4 h. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis showed that genistein and 17beta-oestradiol had no effect on CREB phosphorylation in the magnocellular subdivision of paraventricular nucleus. By contrast, genistein induced a dose-dependent increase in CREB phosphorylation in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Administration of 17beta-oestradiol also caused a rapid, dose-dependent increase in CREB phosphorylation in the hypothalamus, mPOA and AVPV. These results demonstrate that genistein induces oestrogen-like rapid action on CREB phosphorylation in the neonatal central nervous system in vivo.

Cisplatin: a review of toxicities and therapeutic applications.

Cisplatin is a platinum chemotherapeutic used in a variety of malignancies. The antineoplastic activity occurs from DNA cross-links and adducts, in addition to the generation of superoxide radicals. Nephrotoxicity is the most well-known and potentially most clinically significant toxicity. Unfortunately, the mechanism for cisplatin nephrotoxicity has not been completely elucidated; however, many theories have been developed. Other toxicities include gastrointestinal, myelosuppression, ototoxicity and neurotoxicity. Saline diuresis is currently the most accepted way to prevent cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Research has focused on pharmaceuticals and enzyme/molecular alterations as alternatives to long-term diuresis. No agents have currently been identified that can protect from all toxicities. Cisplatin has shown activity against osteosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, mesothelioma, carcinomatosis and germinal cell tumours in the dog. In the cat, cisplatin cannot be utilized because of fulminant pulmonary oedema that occurs at standard doses. Intralesional cisplatin has been utilized in horses for the treatment of SCC and sarcoids.

Control of CFUc proliferation by selective endogenous inhibitors.

The susceptibility of mouse bone marrow colony forming cells (CFUc) to three different types of proliferation inhibitors in capillary semisolid agar gel was studied. GI-3, a target specific peptide containing granulocyte fraction, T4-1, an oligospecific thymic factor of proteid nature, and the alkylating cytostatics dianhydrogalactitol (DAD) inhibit myeloid colony formation as a function of concentration. The respective MED values amount to 8, 10, and 0.002 microgram/ml. When compared with this same parameter 3H-TdR incorporation into DNA of liquid bone marrow cultures showed a single fold charge for the endogenous inhibitors (GI-3, T4-1) for the cytostatic (DAD) a 3 to 4 fold lower difference. It was demonstrated, that in competitive antagonism of GI-3 and colony stimulating factor the inhibitor prevails over CSF.

Lack of correlation between intercalation and plasmid curing ability of some tricyclic compounds.

Some tricyclic psychotropic drugs are known to have plasmid curing activity. The interaction with DNA of three plasmid curing (chlorpromazine, amitriptyline, imipramine) and four ineffective (methylene blue, 7,8-dioxo-chlorpromazine, thiazinamium, chlorpromazine sulphoxide) compounds was studied by fluorescence polarization and circular dichroism methods. Among the seven compounds three, namely chlorpromazine, 7,8-O2-chlorpromazine, and methylene blue showed an intercalation effect. Other phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine sulphoxide and thiazinamium were not able to intercalate into Escherichia coli DNA, neither did the plasmid curing drugs amitryptyline and imipramine. It is concluded that the plasmid curing ability is not necessarily related to the intercalation ability.

Temperature dependence of ATP release from "caged" ATP.

The ATP release from "caged" ATP by laser flash was determined at different temperatures and pH values. We measured the time resolved absorbance changes of the coloured intermediate, which is involved in the photolytic process. The linearity of the Arrhenius curves suppose only one process and the calculated activation enthalpies (around 55 kJ/mole) did not change markedly at the pH values of 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0

Hydrogen evolution by photobleached Anabaena cylindrica.

We have studied the evolution of hydrogen by photobleached filaments of the heterocystous bluegreen alga Anabaena cylindrica. The photobleached cells became orange-yellow due to the heavy accumulation of carotenoids. We found that the yellow filaments produced much larger amounts of hydrogen than the normal, green ones, while the nitrogenase activity responsible for hydrogen evolution increased to a lesser extent. We suggest that a reversible hydrogenase activity induced in photobleached filaments is responsible for the excess amount of hydrogen. 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) inhibits the hydrogen evolution of the yellow filaments which produce much more oxygen and fix less CO2 than the green filaments. Therefore we consider the water to be a possible electron source for this hydrogenase. The low efficiency of light energy conversion (0.3%) in nitrogenase-catalyzed H2 evolution (Laczkó, 1980 Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 100, 241-245) is increased to 1.5-2% by the appearance of the reversible hydrogenase activity.