Nickel accumulation by the green algae-like Euglena gracilis.

Nickel accumulation and nickel effects on cellular growth, respiration, photosynthesis, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, and levels of thiols, histidine and phosphate-molecules were determined in Euglena gracilis. Cells incubated with 0.5-1mM NiCl2 showed impairment of O2 consumption, photosynthesis, Chl a+b content and APX activity whereas cellular integrity and viability were unaltered. Nickel accumulation was depressed by Mg2+ and Cu2+, while Ca2+, Co2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ were innocuous. The growth half-inhibitory concentrations for Ni2+ in the culture medium supplemented with 2 or 0.2mM Mg2+ were 0.43 or 0.03mM Ni2+, respectively. Maximal nickel accumulation (1362mg nickel/Kg DW) was achieved in cells exposed to 1mM Ni2+ for 24h in the absence of Mg2+ and Cu2+; accumulated nickel was partially released after 72h. GSH polymers content increased or remained unchanged in cells exposed to 0.05-1mM Ni2+; however, GSH, cysteine, γ-glutamylcysteine, and phosphate-molecules all decreased after 72h. Histidine content increased in cells stressed with 0.05 and 0.5mM Ni2+ for 24h but not at longer times. It was concluded that E. gracilis can accumulate high nickel levels depending on the external Mg2+ and Cu2+ concentrations, in a process in which thiols, histidine and phosphate-molecules have a moderate contribution.

Transitioning youth to adult healthcare: new tools from the Illinois Transition Care Project.

PURPOSE: To improve youths' transition to adult healthcare, especially for youth with disabilities, The Illinois Transition Care Project created separate, yet complementary, curricula for pediatric and adult-oriented providers. METHODS: Content from the curricula was tested by practicing physicians. The project created a library of skill worksheets with functional goals for patients. All methods included opportunities to teach life skills to patients to independently manage their conditions. The curricula used Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 4 credit as an incentive for physician participation. RESULTS: Pediatric pilot data indicate improvement across all sites and activities. Adult medicine results indicate increased perceived importance and feasibility of accepting young adult patients with childhood conditions. Patient/parent reviewers indicate the tools are understandable, interesting, and effective. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the curricula, with MOC Part 4 credit for physicians, are effective in improving transition care. Project results provided new information on population management for transitioning youth and on the use of MOC Part 4 credit as an incentive. Findings have implications for primary care and specialty physicians, team-based care, teaching self-management skills to patients and methods for engaging adult-oriented physicians in the transition process.

In vivo efficacies of 5'-methylthioadenosine analogs as trypanocides.

5'-Deoxy-5'-(methylthio)adenosine (MTA), a key by-product of polyamine biosynthesis, is cleaved by MTA phosphorylase and is salvaged as adenine and, through conversion of the ribose moiety, methionine. An analog of MTA, 5'-deoxy-5'-(hydroxyethylthio)adenosine (HETA), is a substrate for trypanosome MTA phosphorylase and is active in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, an agent of bovine trypanosomiasis. In this study, HETA and three O-acylated HETA derivatives were examined for their activities against model infections of T. b. brucei and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the agent of East African sleeping sickness. HETA was curative (>60%) for infections caused by 5 of 11 clinical isolates of T. b. rhodesiense when it was given to mice at 200 mg/kg of body weight for 7 days as a continuous infusion in osmotic pumps. HETA at 150 to 200 mg/kg also extended the life spans of the mice infected with four additional isolates two- to fivefold. Di- and tri-O-acetylated derivatives of HETA also proved curative for the infections, while a tri-O-propionyl derivative, although also curative, was not as effective. This study indicates that substrate analogs of MTA should be given important consideration for development as novel chemotherapies against African trypanosomiasis.

The role of the pediatrician in abolishing corporal punishment in schools. Committee on School Health, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Corporal punishment in school is allowed in 30 states in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics, together with numerous other child-advocacy groups, has reaffirmed its position that corporal punishment in schools should be prohibited by state statute in all states. This article provides background information and recommendations regarding the potential role for pediatricians in attaining this goal.