Suppressor of cytokine sigaling (SOCS) genes encode a family of protein recently identified as negative feedback inhibitors of signaling by eytokine receptors. We have previously shown that endotoxin markedly stimulates SOCS gene expression in rat liver, that correlates with observed resistance to growth hormone-signaling during endotoxemia. The objective of this study was to determine the expression of SOCS genes in state of fasting that have been shown to cause altered responses in pro-inflammatory cytokines and anzbolic hormones. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (～200g) were fasted for 1, 2 or 3 days, or refed for 3 days following a 3-day period of fasting. Liver and muscle mRNAs were determinedby Northern blotting using specific rat cDNA probes cloned in our laboratory. In liver, after a l-day lag period, there was a progressive 2-fold increase in SOCS-3 and 75% decrease in SOCS-2 mRNA afte 2 and 3 of fasting. Both SOCS mRNAs were normalized by 3 days of refeeding. There was no measurable changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT3, STAT5a or STAT5b, nor activation of MAP kinases including ERK 1/2, p38, and JUNK 1/2 in liver by 3 days of fasting. In muscle, there was a similar 75% decrease in SOCS-2 mRNA, but no change in SOCS-3 mRNA following 3 days of fasting. These data suggest that malnutrition regulates SOCS-2 and SOCS-3 in a different way, and this regulation is tissue specific. The changes of SOCS mRANs are independent of measurable phosphoryiation of multiple STATs and activation of MAP kinasea. The altered SOCS expressions during fasting may explain the changes of biological effects of multiple cytokines and anabolie hormones in malnutrition states.

No abstract available.
Germ Cells* ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Treatment Outcome* ; Biomarkers, Tumor*

OBJECTIVETo assess variables associated with different perceived global health ranks in an older population.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe Blue Mountains Eye Study was a populationbased survey of residents aged >or=49 years in an area west of Sydney, Australia. Questions relating to demographic and socioeconomic indicators, limitations of daily living activities, medical history, hearing problems, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption were asked in a standardised questionnaire at interview. Comprehensive eye examinations were performed. Self-rated health was assessed from a standard question and categorised as excellent, good, fair or poor. Associations were assessed using logistic regression models.

RESULTSAfter exclusions, 714/3589 (19.9%) participants rated their health as excellent, 1969 (54.9%) as good, 766 (21.3%) as fair and 140 (3.9%) as poor. A wide array of study variables assessed showed significant associations with self-rated health. Compared with a self-ranking of good or excellent health, variables significantly associated in a multivariate model with a rank of poor health included: regular use of community support services, more than one hospital admission in the last 12 months, perceived inability to go out alone, difficulty walking, or history of angina, asthma or cancer. Variables significantly associated with a rank of fair health were broader and included socioeconomic status, sensory impairment, tinnitus, many chronic diseases and negative health behaviours, including smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that different sets of variables may influence people to rank their global health at different perceived levels.

Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Attitude to Health ; Australia ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Socioeconomic Factors

Ectopic pregnancy is the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine endometrial cavity. For women presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding, ectopic pregnancy is an important diagnostic consideration. The diagnosis is made based on laboratory values and ultrasound imaging findings. The ultrasound appearance of both normal early pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy are variable and often subtle, presenting diagnostic challenges for radiologists. This pictorial essay describes and illustrates the sonographic findings of ectopic pregnancy and reviews the differential diagnoses that can mimic ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound. With the possibility of medical management, the value of early detection and prompt initiation of treatment has increased in improving clinical outcomes and preventing the complications of ectopic pregnancy.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Zygote

Following extensive bowel resection， the intestinal tract undergoes a variety of adaptive responses to enhance bowel function． The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition on mucosal cellularity and gut function． In addition， enterocyte gene expression of two relevant systems was also characterized and related to the structural and functional changes that occurred．Male Wistar rats underwent a 60％ small bowel resection and jugular vein catheterization and were randomized into two groups． The control group （n＝10） received a standard intravenous nutritional solution and the study group （n＝10） received a similar solution but enriched with alanylglutamine dipeptide． After 7 days blood was taken for amino acid analysis， and bowel was harvested to determine mucosal morphology and expression of mucosal cell glutaminase and IGF-I mRNA． Mesentery lymphnodes were cultured to determine the presence of bacteria and thus access bacteria translocation． Serum glutamine concentration and mucosal architecture were maintained in the study group compared to the controls． Seventy percent of lymphnodes were cultured positive in control vs． only 20％ in the study group （P＜0．05）． Jejunal mucosal glutaminase and ileum mucosal IGF-I mRNA increased twofold and threefold respectively compared to control animals．Parenteral nutrition supplemented with alanyl-glutamine dipeptide supports mucosal cellularity and regional immune function in rodents following intestinal resection， These alterations are associated with enhanced enterocyte expression of glutaminase and IGF-I． These changes may facilitate the structural and functional alterations which were observed in the glutamine treated animals．

The transradial approach (TRA) is an effective and safe alternative to transfemoral access for diagnostic neuroangiography and craniocervical interventions. While the technical aspects of supraclavicular intervention are well-described, there are little data on the TRA for thoracolumbar angiography and intervention. The authors describe the feasibility of the TRA for preoperative thoracic tumor embolization, emphasizing technique, device selection, navigation, and catheterization of thoracolumbar segmental arteries. This approach extends the benefits of TRA to spinal interventional neuroradiology.

Routine and emergency vaccination of small ruminants against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is mandatory in many endemic countries, yet data on the field effectiveness of the vaccines used is scarce. We conducted an investigation of a serotype O FMD outbreak that took place in a sheep and goat pen, and estimated the effectiveness of various routine vaccination statuses. We also evaluated the protection provided by colostrum administration and emergency vaccination. Animals which were routinely vaccinated twice were not clinically affected while disease incidence was observed among animals routinely vaccinated only once (p = 0.004 according to a two-sided Fisher's exact test). In groups vaccinated only once, there was a significant association between the average time that elapsed since last vaccination and the disease incidence (n = 5; Spearman correlation coefficient: r(s) = 1.0, p < 0.01). In addition, non-vaccinated lambs fed colostrum from dams vaccinated more than 2 months before parturition had a mortality rate of 33%. Administration of emergency vaccination 2 days after the occurrence of the index case was the probable reason for the rapid blocking of the FMD spread within 6 days from its onset in the pen.
Animals ; Colostrum ; Disease Outbreaks/veterinary ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease/*prevention & control ; Goat Diseases/*prevention & control ; Goats ; Immunization Schedule ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/*prevention & control ; Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage/*immunology

No abstract available.
Ureter*

No abstract available.
Ureter*