Investigation of the relationship between serum hormones and pilonidal sinus disease: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether pilonidal sinus is influenced by hormones that stimulate body hair growth. Currently, there are insufficient data on the presence of hormonal abnormalities in pilonidal sinus disease. METHOD: Hormone levels (including those of thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicular-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, progesterone, oestradiol, testosterone, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone) were measured in 39 patients with pilonodal sinus presenting between February 2013 and March 2013. The results were compared with those of 39 volunteers without this disease. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between men with pilonidal sinus disease (P > 0.05). The prolactin levels of women with pilonoidal sinus were significantly higher than those of women in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Raised serum prolactin levels in women may be related to the development of pilonidal sinus disease.

Fatty acid bile acid conjugates inhibit atherosclerosis in the C57BL/6 mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current research was to study whether fatty acid bile acid conjugates (FABACs) have a beneficial effect on atherosclerosis progression and blood lipid levels in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 female mice, fed a high-fat Paigen diet, were administered an oral dose of FABAC or DDH2O daily. Quantification of atherosclerotic fatty-streak lesions at the aortic sinus was performed. RESULTS: The FABAC-treated mice showed a significant reduction in the atherosclerotic lesion areas as compared to the control group (p = 0.019). A significant elevation in total cholesterol levels was observed in both the FABAC and control groups. Higher FABAC levels were measured in the high-density lipoprotein fraction as compared to the very-low-density and low-density lipoprotein fractions. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that FABACs, given orally, reduce the development of atherosclerosis in mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet, despite a lack of effect on plasma lipid levels.

The effects of dimenhydrinate, cinnarizine and transdermal scopolamine on performance.

We assessed the influence of dimenhydrinate, cinnarizine and transdermal scopolamine on the ability to perform simulated naval crew tasks. The effect of single doses of dimenhydrinate, 100 mg, cinnarizine, 50 mg, and one transdermal scopolamine patch on psychomotor performance was evaluated using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover design in three separate studies. A total of 60 young naval crew (20 for dimenhydrinate, 15 for cinnarizine and 25 for transdermal scopolamine) underwent a battery of computerized and paper and pencil performance tests, and filled out a questionnaire on side-effects and well-being self-assessment. Dimenhydrinate significantly impaired decision reaction time and auditory digit span. Most of the subjects who took dimenhydrinate also reported a subjective decrease in well-being and general performance abilities. Cinnarizine and transdermal scopolamine did not affect performance abilities. Cinnarizine was free of significant side-effects. Dry mouth was the only significant side-effect of transdermal scopolamine. These findings could be explained by the well-known sedative properties of dimenhydrinate and not by a specific effect on any particular cognitive or motor function. Our results suggest that dimenhydrinate, 100 mg, adversely affects psychomotor function, whereas single doses of cinnarizine, 50 mg, and transdermal scopolamine appear to be free of side-effects on performance and seem to be a preferable anti-seasickness drug for use by a naval crew.

Tissue-specific gene therapy directed to tumor angiogenesis.

Gene therapy directed specifically to the vascular wall, particularly to angiogenic endothelial cells is a prerequisite in vascular disease treatment. Angiogenesis is a major feature in many pathological conditions including wound healing, solid tumors, developing metastases, ischemic heart diseases and diabetic retinopathy. In the present study we developed a tissue-specific gene therapy to the angiogenic blood vessels of tumor metastasis using an adeno-based vector containing the murine preproendothelin-1 (PPE-1) promoter. Genes activated by the PPE-1 promoter were highly expressed in bovine aortic endothelial cells in vitro. Systemic injection of the adenoviral vectors AdPPE-1-luciferase and AdCMV-luciferase to normal C57BL/6 mice, resulted in higher activity of PPE-1 promoter compared with CMV promoter in the aorta and vascularized tissues such as heart, kidney, lung and pancreas. Systemic administration of the adenoviral vector, in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma, resulted in high and specific activity of PPE-1 in the new vasculature of primary tumors and lung metastasis. Cellular distribution of the delivered gene revealed highest expression of GFP in angiogenic endothelial cells of the metastasis. We expect that this approach of 'vascular-directed' gene therapy will be applicable to both vascular diseases and cancer.

Scopolamine bioavailability in combined oral and transdermal delivery.

Transdermal therapeutic system scopolamine (TTS-S) is effective in preventing motion sickness for 72 h. However, by this route a prophylactic effect is obtained 6 to 8 h postapplication. By the oral route, scopolamine is effective within 0.5 h for a period of 6 h. To achieve safe as well as effective protection against seasickness during the first hours of a voyage until the TTS-S patch takes effect, the pharmacokinetics of scopolamine was investigated after patch application in combination with oral tablets, 0.6 mg, 0. 3 mg, or placebo. Subjects were 25 naval-crew volunteers, randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 9), TTS-S patch + 0.6 mg of scopolamine per os (p.o.); group 2 (n = 8), TTS-S patch + 0.3 mg of scopolamine p.o.; and group 3 (n = 8), TTS-S patch + placebo tablet. Blood samples were collected before treatment and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 6, 8, and 22 h post-treatment, and were analyzed for scopolamine levels using radioreceptor assay. Significantly higher plasma scopolamine levels were found in group 1 at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2.5 h, and in group 2 at 1 and 1.5 h post-treatment, compared with group 3. Thereafter, plasma levels did not differ significantly between the groups. In all subjects of group 1 and seven subjects (88%) of group 2, therapeutic levels (>50 pg/ml) were measured during the first 2.5 h, compared with only two subjects (25%) of group 3 (P < 0.05). Heart rate, blood pressure, visual accommodation, performance test results, and subjective complaints of adverse effects did not differ significantly. The combination of transdermal and oral scopolamine (0.3 or 0.6 mg) provides the required plasma levels to prevent seasickness, starting as early as 0.5 h post-treatment, with no significant adverse effects.

Thermal status of wet-suited divers using closed circuit O2 apparatus in sea water of 17-18.5 degrees C.

A wet suit may not provide adequate thermal protection when diving in moderately cold water (17-18 degrees C), and any resultant mild hypothermia may impair performance during prolonged diving. We studied heat exchange during a dive to a depth of 5 m in sea water (17-18.5 degrees C) in divers wearing a full wet suit and using closed-circuit oxygen breathing apparatus. Eight fin swimmers dived for 3.1 h and six underwater scooter (UWS) divers propelled themselves through the water for 3.7 h. The measurements taken throughout the dive were the oxygen pressure in the cylinder and skin and rectal temperatures (Tre). Each subject also completed a cold score questionnaire. The Tre decreased continuously in all subjects. Oxygen consumption in the fin divers (1.40 l.min-1) was higher than that of the UWS divers (1.05 l.min-1). The mean total insulation was 0.087 degree C.m2.W-1 in both groups. Mean body insulation was 37% of the total insulation (suit insulation was 63%). The reduction in Tre over the 1st hour was related to subcutaneous fat thickness. There was a correlation between cold score and Tre at the end of 1 h, but not after that. A full wet suit does not appear to provide adequate thermal protection when diving in moderately cold water.

Alterations in R-R variability associated with experimental motion sickness.

Motion sickness is a complex integration of responses from multiple physiological systems. Whether the changes that occur during the time course of motion sickness are mediated by the sympathetic or parasympathetic systems is still controversial. The present study evaluates alterations in R-R variability during experimental motion sickness in motion sick and non-motion sick subjects. Ten motion sick subjects and 7 non-motion sick subjects participated in the study. Power spectrum analysis of R-R variation was conducted for all subjects 10 min before a brief vestibular disorientation test (BVDT), for 5-10 min of the test, and 10 min after the test. Subjects were also asked to report their symptoms during the test. The motion sick group showed a significant reduction in the power spectrum density of the R-R interval at the mid and high frequencies during the BVDT test period (BVDT), in comparison with the rest period (Rest). These changes probably indicate a decrease in parasympathetic activity during the time course of motion sickness. The non-motion sick group did not show significant differences at any of the frequencies during BVDT. Power spectrum analysis of the R-R interval provides an objective measure of the autonomic response to experimental motion sickness.

Seasickness susceptibility, personality factors, and salivation.

The present study investigates the possible relationship between motion sickness susceptibility, personality factors and salivation. Personality factors, as evaluated by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and salivary composition and flow were measured in a group of 29 subjects highly susceptible to seasickness and in a group of 25 non-susceptible subjects. The non-susceptible group had significantly higher psychoticism scores and significantly lower salivary amylase levels compared to the highly susceptible group. A significant positive correlation was found between psychoticism scores and the amount of the increase in salivary flow in response to gustatory stimulation. These results provide more data in support of a connection between motion sickness susceptibility, personality, and the autonomic nervous system.

Computerized model for evaluating the kinetics of in vitro release of valpromide from controlled-release tablets under nonsink conditions.

A general mathematical model was developed to describe a dissolution system for tablets that have undergone attrition and maintained their geometric shape as concentration changed, i.e., starting with sink and ending with nonsink conditions. A computer program, designed for the microcomputer, was used to test the goodness of fit of the experimental data to the theoretical data by the chi 2 test. This program is more significant than a previous published program that relates to the more specific kinetic analysis of multidispersed powders undergoing dissolution under sink conditions. Concentration data obtained after dissolution tests of valpromide (2-propylvaleramide) controlled-release tablets performed under changing concentration conditions were checked in the two computerized models, which showed a better fit to the general model.

Cell adhesion and acquisition of detergent resistance by the cytoskeleton of cultured chick fibroblasts.

About 30% of the proteins of adherent cultured chick embryo fibroblasts are not solubilized by the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 and remain firmly attached to the substratum. The insoluble residue contains a considerable part of the cell's cytoskeleton and its major constituents are large external transformation-sensitive (LETS) protein, the heavy chain of myosin, a 52,000 molecular weight protein and actin. Kinetic studies reveal that cytoskeleton insolubility in Triton is acquired either concurrently with cell adhesion or very closely with it. Neither cell adhesion nor binding of the Triton cytoskeleton to the substratum require de novo synthesis of protein. In the attempt to assess the role of LETS protein in cytoskeleton attachment, we find that trypsin-detached cells rapidly acquire Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton although their LETS protein content is about 15--20% of its level in long-term cultures. Removal of the great majority of LETS molecules of adherent cultures by either urea or trypsin treatment does not affect the relative amount or composition of the anchored cytoskeletal proteins. Also, LETS protein of cultures exposed to cycloheximide for extended periods of time, is reduced to 10% of its maximum amount without much affecting the attachment and composition of the cytoskeleton. It is deduced that the great majority of LETS protein is not required for the attachment of the Triton cytoskeleton to the substratum.