Trends in cardiovascular management of people with diabetes by primary healthcare nurses in Auckland, New Zealand.

AIMS: The study aim was to re-examine current work practices and evaluate time trends in the cardiovascular management of people with diabetes consulted by primary healthcare nurses in New Zealand. METHODS: Primary healthcare nurses in the Auckland region were surveyed in 2006-2008 and 2016, with about one-third of practice, home care and specialist nurses randomly selected to participate. Nurses completed a self-administered questionnaire about demographic and workplace details, and a telephone interview about clinical care provided for people with diabetes during nursing consultations. Information was collected on a representative sample of people with diabetes consulted on one randomly selected work-day in the previous week. RESULTS: Of all people with diabetes consulted by nurses, practice nurses consulted significantly more in 2016 (83%) compared with 60% in 2006-2008, whereas specialist nurse consultations decreased from 23% to 8% (P = 0.01). In 2016, in people with diabetes, BMI was higher, and total cholesterol lower, yet the proportions of those receiving lifestyle advice (dietary and activity) remained unchanged from 2006-2008 levels. Smoking prevalence in people with diabetes was unchanged between the two surveys, although more people were asked if they wished to stop in 2016 compared with 2006-2008 (98% vs. 73%). In 2016, hours of nurses' diabetes education were associated with increased routine assessments of risk factors in people with diabetes and checking laboratory results. CONCLUSIONS: Practice nurses are undertaking an increasing proportion of diabetes consultations. Although BMI in people with diabetes is increasing, the proportion of nurses offering lifestyle advice remains unchanged. Increasing diabetes education could strengthen the management of people with diabetes by community nurses.

A hematopoietic stromal lesion associated with fractionated radiotherapy (FxRT): time- and dose-effects.

Earlier, we reported that the local exposure of femoral bone marrow to a clinically-relevant course of fractionated radiotherapy [FxRT; 2.0 Gy (q24h x 5) --> 74 Gy] resulted in the delayed appearance of a stromal lesion which temporally appeared after exposures to a threshold dose of 20 Gy FxRT. To further define this threshold dose, the temporal recovery of blood-forming elements ("cobblestone area" forming colonies; CAFC(7-28d)) and the microenvironmental stroma (long-term bone marrow cultures; LTBMC) of the marrow was examined over a 17-week period following 10 and 30 Gy FxRT. After a subthreshold dose of 10 Gy, each of the 4 CAFC subpopulations were significantly dampened, with recovery initiated within a 6-week interval of 10 Gy of FxRT. Above the threshold dose (30 Gy FxRT), the CAFC subpopulations were again reduced to a level similar to that observed with 10 Gy FxRT. However, after exposures to 30 Gy FxRT, CAFC recovery was significantly well beyond the 6-week interval observed with a 10 Gy Dose of FxRT. Similarly, cell production in LTBMC prepared from marrow exposed to either 10 or 30 Gy FxRT was significantly dampened for at least 3 weeks following the FxRT. Moreover, while cell production in LTBMC derived from marrow exposed to 10 Gy was eventually restored to normal, the dampened cell production observed in LTBMC prepared after 30 Gy FxRT persisted for a period in excess of 17 weeks. Collectively, these observations provide additional support to our earlier observation suggesting that FxRT generates two forms of dose-dependent damage in the marrow: the first an early lesion arising in the blood-forming CAFC subpopulations; the second form, a delayed lesion that involves the persistent expression of a dysfunctional microenvironmental phenotype, appearing to disrupt the normal regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) proliferation and differentiation of the HSC during the recovery process.

Cytokine profiles in patients receiving wide-field + prostate boost radiotherapy (xRT) for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

As a result of the association between ionizing irradiation and the induction of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines, circulating levels of IL-1alpha, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and TGFbeta were measured in a group of 37 patients who presented with well-defined adenocarcinoma of the prostate and were treated with wide-field pelvic (WFP) + prostate boost (PB) radiotherapy (xRT) according to RTOG protocols 94-08 and 94-13. First and foremost, patients with prostate cancer (PC) were found to have a significantly (p<0.05) elevated plasma level of the three cytokines prior to treatment. Moreover, during WFP + PB xRT, these circulating cytokine levels were further elevated, the elevation occurring in the form of cyclic waves; the concurrent waves of elevated IL-1alpha and M-CSF preceding that of TGFbeta. In addition to providing support for the existence of a humoral response to xRT in patients receiving WFP + PB xRT, the data demonstrated a significant correlation between the integral radiation dose (ID) and the temporal expression and magnitude of plasma IL-1alpha, M-CSF and TGFbeta levels in patients that had received 1-5 fractions (1.8-9Gy) of WFP + PB xRT. Thereafter, the appearance of elevated waves of cytokine expression in the patient's plasma continued independent of additional fractions of WFP + PB xRT.

Genetic and functional analyses of FH mutations in multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cancer, and fumarate hydratase deficiency.

Germline mutations of the fumarate hydratase (FH, fumarase) gene are found in the recessive FH deficiency syndrome and in dominantly inherited susceptibility to multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis (MCUL). We have previously reported a number of germline FH mutations from MCUL patients. In this study, we report additional FH mutations in MCUL and FH deficiency patients. Mutations can readily be found in about 75% of MCUL cases and most cases of FH deficiency. Some of the more common FH mutations are probably derived from founding individuals. Protein-truncating FH mutations are functionally null alleles. Disease-associated missense FH changes map to highly conserved residues, mostly in or around the enzyme's active site or activation site; we predict that these mutations severely compromise enzyme function. The mutation spectra in FH deficiency and MCUL are similar, although in the latter mutations tend to occur earlier in the gene and, perhaps, are more likely to result in a truncated or absent protein. We have found that not all mutation-carrier parents of FH deficiency children have a strong predisposition to leiomyomata. We have confirmed that renal carcinoma is sometimes part of MCUL, as part of the variant hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cancer (HLRCC) syndrome, and have shown that these cancers may have either type II papillary or collecting duct morphology. We have found no association between the type or site of FH mutation and any aspect of the MCUL phenotype. Biochemical assay for reduced FH functional activity in the germline of MCUL patients can indicate carriers of FH mutations with high sensitivity and specificity, and can detect reduced FH activity in some patients without detectable FH mutations. We conclude that MCUL is probably a genetically homogeneous tumour predisposition syndrome, primarily resulting from absent or severely reduced fumarase activity, with currently unknown functional consequences for the smooth muscle or kidney cell.

Antipruritic action of thalidomide.

The effect of thalidomide on itch was studied in 11 patients with chronic pruritus from psoriasis, eczema, nodular prurigo, senile pruritus and primary biliary cirrhosis. Itch, assessed subjectively by the patients on a 10 cm line and measured objectively as nocturnal scratch movement, was decreased by thalidomide 200 mg on the 2 nights it was given. There was no improvement in the underlying disorders and it is concluded that thalidomide is a primary antipruritic agent. The patients all became drowsy and it seems likely that, as with most other antipruritic agents, the antipruritic action of thalidomide results from a central depressant effect. The primary antipruritic effect of thalidomide should now be assessed therapeutically.

Subsurface oxidation of polyethylene.

Since the 1960s ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene has been a primary bearing material in orthopedic prostheses. Most polyethylene components have been sterilized by exposure to gamma radiation, but in the presence of oxygen this promotes degradation and correlates with component failure in the body. To better understand the mechanism of degradation, we measured oxidation profiles for components shelf aged 5.8 and 10.9 years. Microtomed sections from each component were analyzed for ketones, which are the primary oxidation products, by FTIR spectroscopy. Maximum ketone concentrations in both cases were found several millimeters below the surface. We propose a model to explain the profiles. Alkyl radicals, which are uniformly generated in the polyethylene during irradiation, react with peroxyl radicals, which are produced by alkyl radicals with oxygen to form ketones. At the component surface ketone levels are low because high oxygen concentrations deplete alkyl radicals, creating an excess of peroxyl radicals. In the bulk material ketones are low because low oxygen concentrations limit the formation of peroxyl radicals. However, just below the surface the concentrations of alkyl and peroxyl radicals balance, promoting ketone production. A computer simulation that accounts for the coupling of these reactions with the diffusion of oxygen shows a good agreement with the measured profiles.

Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) accelerate recovery from multiple drug-induced myelosuppression.

Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) interact synergistically to enhance the restoration of stem and progenitor subpopulations in murine marrow and, vis-a-vis, to accelerate hematopoietic recovery in 5FU myelosuppressed mice. Similarly, IL-1 is reported to accelerate recovery following myelosuppressive treatment with doxorubicin (AdR), cis-platinum (DDP) and cyclophosphamide (CTx). Studies were carried out in C57Bl/6 mice in order to determine whether IL-1 (+/- M-CSF) intervention was as effective against the myelosuppression experienced following 5FU-based multiple drug combinations. Maximal-tolerated doses (MTD) of AdR (10 mg/kg), DDP (8 mg/kg) or CTx (250 mg/kg) were administered either alone or in combination with 150 mg/kg 5FU. Cytokine intervention (q24 hours x 2) was initiated 24 hours later. Hematopoietic recovery was assessed by measuring the femoral content of the more primitive [IL-1 + IL-3 + M-CSF-responsive] HPP-CFC and the total granulocyte levels in the animals over a ten-day interval following treatment. MTDs of AdR, DDP and CTx, when compared with 5FU, produced only marginal levels of myelosuppression. As a result, cytokine intervention in animals treated with AdR, DDP or CTx resulted in only a modest, transient increase in the HPP-CFC and total granulocyte subpopulations when compared with their effect on 5FU--treated animals. Neither AdR, DDP nor CTx interacted with 5FU to significantly increase the cytotoxic effects of 5FU on the HPP-CFC or granulocyte subpopulations, and both IL-1 and IL-1 + M-CSF effectively stimulated hematopoietic recovery in all animals that received the 5FU--based drug combinations. However, the significant advantage (p < 0.05) achieved by combining IL-1 + M-CSF (vs. IL-1 alone) was only observed in animals that were treated with 5FU and either AdR or DDP. Furthermore, the initial stimulation of HPP-CFC recovery by IL-1 + M-CSF in animals that received DDP + 5FU, when compared with 5FU alone, was subsequently dampened. Although there were subtle, drug-related differences in the temporal response of the more primitive HPP-CFC and granulocyte populations to cytokine therapy, the data from this study demonstrated that abbreviated cytokine interaction can effectively accelerate hematopoietic recovery after combination drug therapy.

Secondary cytokines interact in sequence with interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) with or without macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) to further accelerate granulopoietic recovery in myelosuppressed animals.

Interleukin-1alpha (IL-1), by itself, accelerates both granulopoietic and thrombopoietic recovery in the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) myelosuppressed mouse (FUM). As a primary cytokine, IL-1 also interacts in concert with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) to synergistically enhance hematopoietic recovery in the FUM. As part of our continuing interest in cytokine sequencing, studies were carried out to determine whether the addition of several secondary cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-6) to IL-1 (+/-M-CSF) would further enhance the stimulatory effects of the primary cytokine(s) on hematopoietic recovery in FUM. Throughout these studies, IL-1 (+/-M-CSF) was administered for 2 days to the FUM, and the secondary cytokines were given either in concert (days 1 and 2) or in sequence (days 3-6) or both with the primary cytokine(s). Based on the magnitude of 7-day post-5-FU granulocyte recovery, the results demonstrated that the synergistic effects of IL-1 + M-CSF treatment on granulopoietic recovery in FUM could not be duplicated by substituting either IL-3, IL-6, or GM-CSF for M-CSF. Nonetheless, the secondary cytokines were observed to enhance the stimulatory effects of IL-1 under the following administration schedules: (1) 2 days of IL-1, followed by a sequential treatment (days 3-6) with either IL-3 or IL-6, (2) 2 days of IL-1 + GM-CSF followed by an additional 4 days of GM-CSF alone, and (3) 2 days of IL-1 + GM-CSF followed by 3-4 days of a combination of GM-CSF and either IL-3 or IL-6. Although these cytokine treatment schedules led to an enhanced granulocyte recovery (vs. IL-1 alone) in FUM, the day 7 granulocyte numbers never exceeded those observed after 2 days of IL-1 + M-CSF. Similarly, granulocyte recovery in FUM receiving 2 days of IL-1 + M-CSF followed by either GM-CSF or IL-3 also was significantly greater than that observed with IL-1 + M-CSF alone. In contrast, however, the sequential administration of IL-6 with IL-1 + M-CSF, unlike IL-1, failed to further enhance granulopoietic recovery, suggesting that there may be an antagonism between IL-6 and M-CSF in the FUM. In summary, therefore, the secondary cytokines were found to interact more effectively when they were administered in sequence, rather than in concert, with both IL-1 and IL-1 + M-CSF.

Antioxidant enzyme activity in murine hematopoietic bone marrow following treatment with interleukin 1 alpha: influence of tumor.

To determine whether non-hematologic tumors influence the bone marrow's antioxidant enzyme response to the radioprotective cytokine interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1), studies were undertaken using BDF1 and Balb/c mice bearing small, medium or large Lewis lung carcinoma (LLCa) or EMT6 mammary carcinoma tumors, respectively. Results demonstrated that, similar to nontumor-bearing mice, treatment of tumor-bearing animals with IL-1 was associated with a significant increase in marrow MnSOD activity. However, the duration of this elevated activity was reduced as tumor burden increased, and this reduction may have an impact on IL-1's ability to radioprotect tumor bearing animals, especially when tumor burden is large. In addition to cytokine-mediated responses, significant tumor-related influences on the marrow's antioxidant enzyme status were seen. Notably, it was observed that the presence of tumor was correlated with a marked suppression of antioxidant enzyme activity. Surprisingly, however, the pattern of enzyme suppression was found to differ between the two tumor models studied both in temporal onset and in the number of enzymes involved. In conclusion, the data obtained from these studies on tumor-bearing animals demonstrate that there are both cytokine-related and tumor-related influences which can effect the antioxidant enzyme status of the hematopoietic marrow-influences which may have the potential to alter the marrow's ability to tolerate free radical-generating events, both endogenous (i.e inflammation, infection) and exogenous (i.e. radiation, certain chemotherapeutic drugs) in origin.

Cyclosporin A in atopic dermatitis: therapeutic response is dissociated from effects on allergic reactions.

Fourteen patients with severe chronic atopic dermatitis were treated with cyclosporin A (CyA, Sandimmun; 5 mg/kg/day) for 7-16 weeks. All showed a marked clinical improvement and half could omit topical corticosteroid treatment during therapy. Adverse effects were minor, but two patients relapsed despite continued treatment. In the others, the disease recurred soon after stopping CyA. Serum IgE levels and prick-test responses were unchanged by CyA. Immediate and late-phase cutaneous responses to intradermal house dust mite antigen (HDM) were significantly increased during treatment; but a delayed response, present at 24 and 48 h, was unaffected. Four of six patients challenged with HDM patch tests to tape-stripped skin during treatment showed eczematous reactions at 48 h. Thus, cyclosporin A has a powerful therapeutic effect in atopic dermatitis but does not reduce allergic responses to inhalant antigens.

[Cyclosporin A in atopic dermatitis: therapeutic effect and effect on allergic reactions are dissociated from each other]. / Cyclosporin A bei atopischer Dermatitis: Therapeutische Wirkung und Wirkung auf allergische Reaktionen sind voneinander abgekoppelt.

Fourteen patients with severe chronic atopic dermatitis were treated with cyclosporin A (CyA, Sandimmun; 5 mg/kg/day) for 7-16 weeks. All showed a marked clinical improvement and half could omit topical corticosteroid treatment during therapy. Adverse effects were minor, but two patients relapsed despite continued treatment. In the others, the disease recurred soon after stopping CyA. Serum IgE levels and prick-test responses were unchanged by CyA. Immediate and late-phase cutaneous responses to intradermal house dust mite antigen (HDM) were significantly increased during treatment; but a delayed response, present at 24 and 48 h, was unaffected. Four of six patients challenged with HDM patch tests to tape-stripped skin during treatment showed eczematous reactions at 48 h. Thus, cyclosporin A has a powerful therapeutic effect in atopic dermatitis but does not reduce allergic responses to inhalant antigens.

Connective tissue naevi in a child with intra-uterine varicella infection.

A child with connective tissue naevi is described. She was exposed in utero to maternal varicella and has evidence of congenital varicella infection. It is proposed that her cutaneous lesions are also a manifestation of this infection.

Effect of aspirin on pruritus.

The effect of 900 mg aspirin on persistent itch from chronic dermatoses other than urticaria (eight patients) and other causes (five patients) was measured subjectively using a 10 cm line and objectively as nocturnal scratch using limb meters. There was no change in itch or scratch and it is concluded that aspirin neither affects itch centrally by a pain related mechanism nor affects itch physiologically by cyclo-oxygenase inhibition in the skin.