Translating translation into patient benefit for atopic eczema.

This review considers, in the context of British Skin Foundation (BSF)-funded translational research into atopic eczema conducted in Newcastle, the complex interactions between clinical and non-clinical scientists in both academia and industry and how this may have impacted on clinical care. However, research in individual centres does not occur in isolation and clinically relevant outcomes from collaborative research are increasingly supported through regional and national networks. This is illustrated by our trial of azathioprine in adults with atopic eczema conducted across centres in the North East of England that employed pharmacogenetic dosimetry. Correspondingly the formation of a UK Translational Network for Translational Research in Dermatology (UK TREND) has facilitated the development of a UK-wide network to support atopic eczema projects based on an e-Delphi prioritisation exercise.

Assessment of natural radioactivity levels in rocks and their relationships with the geological structure of Johor state, Malaysia.

The distribution of natural radionuclides ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) and their radiological hazard effect in rocks collected from the state of Johor, Malaysia were determined by gamma spectroscopy using a high-purity germanium detector. The highest values of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K activity concentrations (67±6, 85±7 and 722±18 Bg kg(-1), respectively) were observed in the granite rock. The lowest concentrations of (238)U and (232)Th (2±0.1 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U and 2±0.1 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th) were observed in gabbro rock. The lowest concentration of (40)K (45±2 Bq kg(-1)) was detected in sandstone. The radium equivalent activity concentrations for all rock samples investigated were lower than the internationally accepted value of 370 Bq kg(-1). The highest value of radium equivalent in the present study (239±17 Bq kg(-1)) was recorded in the area of granite belonging to an acid intrusive rock geological structure. The absorbed dose rate was found to range from 4 to 112 nGy h(-1). The effective dose ranged from 5 to 138 µSv h(-1). The internal and external hazard index values were given in results lower than unity. The purpose of this study is to provide information related to radioactivity background levels and the effects of radiation on residents in the study area under investigation. Moreover, the relationships between the radioactivity levels in the rocks within the geological structure of the studied area are discussed.

Fructose-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency: a rare cause of prolonged prothrombin time.

A 20-year-old woman presented with severe life-threatening metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia. In addition, her blood tests revealed elevated hepatic enzymes and a prolonged prothrombin time, with a reduction in factor VII activity. After treatment with a glucose and bicarbonate-containing intravenous infusion, there was a dramatic clinical improvement and normalization of the prothrombin time within 2 days. The patient was found to have fructose-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency, a rare metabolic disorder which has not been described previously as causing coagulation defects.

Subacute necrotizing fasciitis caused by gas-producing Staphylococcus aureus.

Presented here is a case of necrotizing fasciitis that developed bilaterally on the thighs of a 54-year-old diabetic woman following subcutaneous insulin injection. Severe localized pain was the presenting symptom; later, soft-tissue gas appeared. Incisional biopsy, performed on day 10 following admission, confirmed the diagnosis. Staphylococcus aureus was the only pathogen isolated. The disease had a slowly progressive course despite appropriate medical treatment, and recovery of the patient was achieved only after fasciotomy, drainage, and debridement of necrotic tissue was undertaken 4 weeks following admission. Staphylococcus aureus may cause subacute necrotizing fasciitis, and infection with this organism should be considered in cases of soft-tissue infection with gas formation in diabetics. The development of soft-tissue infection at the site of insulin injection should alert physicians to the possibility of infection with Staphylococcus aureus.

[Importance of oral health for adolescents from different social levels in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto]. / A importância da saúde bucal para adolescentes de diferentes estratos sociais do município de Ribeirão Preto.

The objective of the present study is to know the importance of buccal health for adolescents of different social strata, identifying the importance of dental aesthetics, and the care that these students take in relation to their buccal health. The methodological process adopted in this investigation is of qualitative nature, using as technique of collection of data the semistructured interview. We know the importance of buccal health in several contexts of their lives, as in their personal appearance, sexuality, employment, and general health. This investigation allows us to know the motivations of adolescents to preserve their buccal health, and we believe to be so valid to develop health promotion through health education.

Industrial pollution and quality of life of workers in Bangladesh.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of industrial pollution on the quality of life of workers in Bangladesh. A total of 110 workers comprising 60 from a polluted industry and 50 from a non-polluted industry were randomly selected for this study. The measuring instruments used were: The Inventory of Subjective Health (Dirken, 1967), The General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg, 1972), The Occupational Stress Index (Srivastava and Singh, 1981), The Life Descriptive Scale (Wright, 1988), and the Interview Schedule on Personal and Health Related Questionnaire (Khaleque, 1988). The results showed that the workers of the polluted industry suffered more from health problems and were less satisfied with their quality of life than those of the non-polluted industry. The results also revealed that the workers' health, well-being and quality of life were also affected by unhygienic home environment, malnutrition, transport problems, and lack of health care facilities. The result supported the view that the workplace pollution and the health and well-being of the workers were negatively related to each other.

[3H]mepyramine binding sites in the optic lobe of the locust: autoradiographic and pharmacological studies.

The presence and distribution of [3H]mepyramine binding sites was examined in the optic lobe of the locust in an attempt to identify the presence of histamine H1 receptors. Studies were carried out using both autoradiographic and ligand binding techniques. Although regions of the optic lobe showed significant binding, it appeared that in the insect nervous system [3H]mepyramine is not specific for the histamine H1 receptor.

Histamine in the insect nervous system: distribution, synthesis and metabolism.

The distribution of histamine in the nervous systems of the locust, the cockroach, and the sphinx moth was mapped and the capacity of locust nervous tissue to synthesise and metabolise histamine was assessed. In all three species the highest levels of histamine were present in the retina and in the lamina neuropil of the optic lobe. Lower levels of histamine were detectable throughout the nervous system. In the locust the retina was shown to synthesise considerable quantities of histamine. The optic lobe and metathoracic ganglion synthesised smaller, though significant, amounts of histamine. Metabolic inactivation of histamine in locust nervous tissue was shown to occur primarily via oxidation to imidazole-4-acetic acid and via N-acetylation to N-acetyl histamine. Whereas the retina and the optic lobe formed the two metabolic products in approximately equal proportions, the metathoracic ganglion produced almost three times as much N-acetyl histamine as imidazole-4-acetic acid.