ABSTRACT
Chemical substrates, central sites and central mechanisms underlying the regulation of breathing in lower vertebrates have not been well characterized. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of pH changes and cholinergic agents on the central control of respiration in the cane toad, Bufo marinus. Adult toads were anesthetized, catheterized and unidirectionally ventilated before exposing the brainstem. An airtight buccal cannula was also inserted through the tympanum to record buccal pressure. The animal was decerebrated, anesthetic removed and the responses to pH changes of solutions bathing the ventral surface of the medulla (VSM) were tested by superfusing the VSM with mock cerebrospinal fluid (mCSF) of pH 7.8-normal, 7.2-acidic and 8.4-basic. The acidic solution increased respiratory activity, the basic solution decreased activity and the normal solution had no effect. In addition, cholinergeric agents (acetylcholine-ACh, physostigmine-Phy, nicotine-Nic, and atropine-Atr) dissolved in mCSF were applied bilaterally onto the VSM using filter paper pledgets. ACh, Phy and Nic increased episodic breathing frequency by 14.3+/-9.7, 9.4+/-5.4 and 29.1+/-11.8 %, respectively, whereas, Atr caused a decrease (-26.6+/-16.6%). These agents had no effect on blood pressure. It is therefore, concluded that the VSM is pH sensitive and a cholinergic mechanism is involved in the central modulation of respiration in Bufo.
Subject(s)
Bufo marinus/physiology , Respiration , Acetylcholine/metabolism , Acetylcholine/pharmacology , Animals , Atropine/metabolism , Atropine/pharmacology , Cholinergic Agents/pharmacology , Decerebrate State , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Medulla Oblongata/drug effects , Medulla Oblongata/physiology , Nicotine/metabolism , Nicotine/pharmacology , Physostigmine/metabolism , Physostigmine/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by persistent elevation in platelet count. It is a rare disorder in children, and children who have symptoms require treatment. We report the successful use of anagrelide, with few toxic effects, in the treatment of three children with ET.
Subject(s)
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Quinazolines/therapeutic use , Thrombocythemia, Essential/drug therapy , Adolescent , Blood Cell Count/drug effects , Bone Marrow Examination , Child , Drug Evaluation , Female , Humans , Male , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/adverse effects , Quinazolines/adverse effects , Thrombocythemia, Essential/blood , Thrombocythemia, Essential/pathologyABSTRACT
To determine the immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide-tetanus protein conjugate vaccine in specific populations at risk, we administered vaccine to children with sickle cell anemia (n = 19; mean age, 18.3 months, malignancies (n = 18; mean age, 43.1 months), or a recent history of systemic H. influenzae type b infection (n = 17; mean age, 11.9 months). After one dose of polyribosylribitol phosphate-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine the geometric mean titers for polyribosylribitol phosphate antibody were 4.8 micrograms/ml (14/19 greater than 1 microgram/ml), 1.4 micrograms/ml (9/18 greater than 1 microgram/ml), and 5.6 micrograms/ml (15/17 greater than 1 microgram/ml) in these three groups, respectively. Children with sickle cell anemia or a recent history of systemic H. influenzae type b infection had polyribosylribitol phosphate antibody levels comparable to those of normal children of similar age after one or two doses of polyribosylribitol phosphate-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine. We conclude that this vaccine is immunogenic in children with underlying conditions associated with an increased risk of H. influenzae type b infection.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Sickle Cell/immunology , Antibodies, Bacterial/biosynthesis , Bacterial Vaccines/immunology , Haemophilus Infections/immunology , Haemophilus Vaccines , Haemophilus influenzae/immunology , Neoplasms/immunology , Tetanus Toxoid/immunology , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Pentosephosphates/immunology , Polysaccharides, Bacterial/immunologyABSTRACT
Current reimbursement trends are forcing a search for less expensive alternatives to hospitalization for the mentally ill. Much of the literature on the treatment of patients with severe borderline personality disorders has focused on inpatient treatment, often on the pros and cons of long-term versus short-term programs. Little has been written about the treatment of patients with borderline disorders in partial hospitalization programs. This paper emphasizes the usefulness of such a setting and describes its staffing, program components, and approaches for intensive reconstructive treatment. Special emphasis is placed on admission and discharge boundaries, careful coordination of treatment, and crisis management.