Electrophysiological evidence is gathered in the search for a dorsal column input(s) into various brainstem nuclear groups involved in pain inhibition. This work appears to give further support to our hypothesis about the existence of a dorsal column-brainstem-spinal loop playing a role in pain modulation. S. J. Jabbur, Atweh, S. F., and Saade, N. E. (Supported by LNCSR.)
The project has recently started and aims to investigate and compare the morphological alterations of the vessel wall and heart in primary and secondary hypertension. It will try to depict the various cell types and subsets populating these vessels, and test the effect of various antihypertensive drugs on such morphology. Such a study may shed further light on the biology of the advancing hypertension and possibly the relationship between the morphological alterations and the pathogenesis of the two types of hypertension, primary and secondary. These studies would also have implications in attempts to prevent coronary artery disease by antihypertensive drugs. Finally, understanding the possible role of immunoeffectors or mediators in the basic mechanism of hypertension will stimulate the development of many new therapeutic approaches for this disease. A. R. Jurjus. (Supported by URB.)
Forty-eight rats were used in the experiements, divided into Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Normal Wistar Kyoto rats. They were either treated with ACEI or calcium channel blockers or left untreated. Monocytes were isolated from the spleens of the animals and tested against latex particles uptake. The results showed a similar dose related effect to that of human monocytes. The next stage involves immunocytochemical detection of the possible cytoskeletal changes using the horseradish peroxidase techniques. Preliminary results have shown selective deposition of certain non-specific anti-cytoskeletal antibodies in the periluminal space. A. R. Jurjus and H. Fallah-Khansa. (Supported by URB; LNCSR.)
The work was completed in 1994. The study culminated in an article whereby we identify and classify the Leishmania strains isolated in our laboratory. N. Nuwayri-Salti and E. Baydoun. (Supported by International Development Research Center, Canada.)
The work so far has involved surveying several areas in Akar, following sentinel cases. Some of the villages in the Akar region have been partly surveyed for vector and reservoir animals. The isolates have been grown and some are injected in mice and hamsters. Biochemical methods have been set up for classifcation of the parasites (determination of antigenic markers and zymodemes). N. Nuwayri-Salti, I. Durr and members of the Biochemistry Department, Z. Shbaklo and members of the Dermatology Department, E. Baydoun, E. Abu-Fakhr, K. Knio and R. Sadek. (Supported by National Institute of Health, USA; LNCSR.)
HLA class I markers were determined on a random sample of the Lebanese population using commercial trays. Our results are all collected in an article submitted for publication. N. Nuwayri-Salti, K. Karam and M. Shayya. (Supported by Ousseimi Foundation, 1992-1993).
The research has been completed and the results were presented on the occasion of the opening of the Chronic Care Center for patients suffering with Diabetes Type I and B Thalassemia. N. Nuwayri-Sali, F. Nasser, M. Shoucair, S. Azar, I. Salti, G. Halabi, and P. H. Torbey. (Supported by URB.)
Self-mutilation behavior in denervated limb of rats (autotomy) can be used as an experimental model for causalgia and phantom limb pain. These pains follow peripheral injuries which later lead to vague central triggering mechanisms. Using the autotomy model, cuts in various ascending or descending spinal paths produce differential effects (in intensity and/or latency) on autotomy behavior. These findings help in understanding better the triggering mechanisms of central pains. N. E. Saade, S. F. Atweh, and S. J. Jabbur. (Supported by URB.)
Using electrophysiological and modern tracing techniques (HRP and WGA-HRP), this study investigates the possible existence of reciprocal projection between the dorsal column and vestibular nuclei and the possible role of this loop in the modulation of sensory-motor behavior. N. E. Saade, N. Bahuth and S. J. Jabbur. (Supported by URB.)
The identification and documentation of the anatomic variations in muscles and vessels help to clarify and expand our incomplete knowledge of the structure of the human body. The ongoing project is a macroscopic study of selected cadaveric material. Previous findings are documented in a compendium published by Urban and Schwarzenberg. F. Saadeh, R. Bergman* and J. Hawi.
A thorough knowledge of the vascular and fascial anatomy in developing new autogenous flaps in reconstructive surgery is extremely important. The ongoing anatomic study evaluates the vascular basis for such flaps, especially vessels that traditionally receive little attention in didactic teaching, but could be invaluable to the surgeon. F. Saadeh and S. Kawas.
The project is a light and electron microscope comparative study of wound healing in the sublingual aspect of the laboratory rat tongue using CO2 laser, thermocautery, and scalpel. T. Zaynoun*, F. Saadeh, and J. Sharbaji. (Supported by LNCSR.)