In vitro synthesis of foot-and-mouth disease virus specific antibodies by porcine leukocytes

Summary We have characterized the in vitro secondary antibody response to FMDV of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from immunized pigs. The results obtained indicated that primed swine leukocytes can support an in vitro T-B cell cooperation which is functional and leads to the production of viral specific antibodies. The response was shown to be independent of viral replication, being induced by both infective and inactivated virus as well as by recombinant polypeptides VP1 and VP3. In all cases, concentration of PBMC supernatants allowed the detection of viral-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. Significant titers of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) specific neutralizing antibodies were detected in concentrated supernatants after stimulation with either infective or inactivated whole virus, whereas no neutralizing activity was found in supernatants from PBMC responding to individual capsid polypeptides. The titers of IgG₁ and IgG₂ were similar for PBMC incubated with viruses, while IgG₂ predominated when VP₁ or VP3 were used as stimulators. In addition, significant titers of IFN- were detected in supernatants of PBMC stimulated with infectious or chemically inactivated FMDV.     

Formation and specification of ventral neuroblasts is controlled by vnd in Drosophila neurogenesis

During Drosophila neural development, neuroblasts delaminate from the neuroectoderm of each hemisegment in a stereotypic orthogonal array of five rows and three columns (ventral, intermediate, and dorsal). Prevailing evidence indicates that the individual neuroblast fate is determined by the domain-specific expression of genes along the dorsoventral and anteroposterior axis. Here, we analyze the role of Vnd, a NK-2 homeodomain protein, expressed initially in the ventral neuroectoderm adjacent to the ventral midline, in the dorsoventral patterning of the neuroectoderm and the neuroblasts. We show that in vnd null mutants most ventral neuroblasts do not form and the few that form do not develop ventral fates, but instead develop intermediate-like fates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Vnd influences the gene expression patterns in the ventral proneural clusters and neuroectoderm, and that its action in neuroblast formation includes, but is not exclusive to the activation of proneural AS-C genes. Through the use of GAL4/UAS gene-expression system we show that ectopic Vnd expression can promote ventral-like fates in intermediate and dorsal neuroblasts and can suppress certain normal characteristics of the intermediate and dorsal neuroectoderm. Our results are discussed in the context of the current evidence in dorsoventral patterning in the Drosophila neuroectoderm.     

Analysis of the renal tissue of a woman chronically exposed to cadmium

Summary In a 61-year-old woman, who had been exposed for 20 years to cadmium in the production of Ni-Cd batteries, nephrectomy of the contracted kidney was performed. The removed kidney was examined histologically and the cadmium concentration was determined in the cortex (44.97 g g^–1) and in the medulla (7.71 g g^–1). The homogenates of the renal cortex and medulla were subjected to gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. In the cortex, as well as the medulla, cadmium was predominantly found in the low-molecular (metallothionein) fraction, but in the cortex, Cd content in this fraction was six times higher than in the medulla. The determination of SH groups and proteins in high- and low-molecular fractions indicates an induction of the metallothionein formation primarily in the renal cortex.     

Peripheral corneal edema after cataract extraction

Twenty-six eyes in 16 patients with aphakic peripheral corneal edema showed most of the signs described in 1969 by Brown and McLean in a syndrome they called "peripheral corneal edema after cataract extraction," consisting mainly of aphakia, marginal corneal edema, and discrete orange punctate pigmentation of the endothelial surface of the edematous areas. The syndrome was observed in 21 eyes after intracapsular cataract extraction, in three eyes after extracapsular surgery, and in two eyes with spontaneous absorption of the lens. In one case the spontaneous absorption of the lens was attributable to trauma, and in the other it was seen in association with congenital rubella syndrome. There was a high incidence of myopia (61%) in the affected eyes in this series.     

Is choledochoduodenostomy in the treatment of stones in the common bile duct an obsolete technique?

The complex pathogenesis of bile duct stones, the anatomical properties of the biliary tree, the patient's age, associated diseases, as well as the technical devices available, may explain the great variety of procedures and preferences of different groups in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. Since no technique is infallible or free of complications, it seems unfair to argue that procedures whose efficacy has been proven by many authors are obsolete. This is the case of choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) in the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones. The complications associated with CDS, (ascending cholangitis, and sump syndrome) have been overemphasized and have led CDS to be rejected by many surgeons. Our experience with this technique is good and concurs with that of Madden and others.Data on 125 patients with CBD stones treated with CDS between 1968 and 1982 are analyzed. Sixty-eight of them were female and the mean age was 61.4 years; 73.6% were more than 50 years old. There were frequent accompanying diseases, especially cardiovascular ones. More than half of the patients had a previous operation on the biliary tree. The duct diameter was always greater than 20 mm and it was frequently associated with stenosis of the distal choledochus. Floercken's technique of CDS was the most frequently used, after Kocher's maneuver had been performed. There was no intraoperative mortality. Postoperative mortality was 3.2% and is analyzed in detail. The incidence of postoperative complications was 42.4%. Most were septic complications or those ascribed to accompanying diseases. Late operative cholangitis was present in 1.6% of patients, comparable with reports of other authors. We encourage the use of CDS in the treatment of CBD stones provided that: (a) careful attention is paid to its clinical indications, considering that the patient may benefit from alternative techniques, for example, duodenoscopic papillotomy; and (b) choledochal dilatation is greater than 20 mm in diameter and the choledochal and duodenal walls are normal. We specifically recommend CDS as the primary operation for patients with choledochal funnel syndrome. The operation is simple, restores normal digestive function, and almost always resolves the problems of CBD stones in high-risk patients.

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Resumen La compleja patogenia de los cálculos del colédoco, las propiedades anatómicas del árbol biliar, la edad del paciente, las patologías asociadas y otros factores, junto con la disponibilidad de diversos elementos técnicos, explican la gran variedad de procedimientos y de preferencias por parte de los cirujanos en el tratamiento y de preferencias por parte de los cirujanos en el tratamiento de la litiasis biliar. Puesto que ninguna técnica operatoria es infalible ni totalmente libre de complicaciones, parece injusto argumentar que procedimientos cuya eficacia ha sido comprobada por muchos autores sean calificados como obsoletos. Tal es el caso de la coledocoduodenostomía (CDS) en el tratamiento de los cálculos del colédoco. Las complicaciones asociadas con la CDS (colangitis ascendente y el sindrome del segmento distal ciego) han sido exageradas, lo cual ha llevado a muchos cirujanos a rechazar la CDS. Nuestra experiencia con esta técnica es buena y está de acuerdo con la de Madden y de otros. Se analizaron los datos en 125 pacientes con cálculos del colédoco tratados con CDS entre 1968 y 1982. Sesenta y ocho eran mujeres y la edad promedio fué de 61.4 años; 73.6% eran mayores de cincuenta años. Otras enfermedades asociadas fueron halladas con frecuencia, especialmente las cardiovasculares. Más de la mitad de los pacientes tenían historia de una operación previa sobre el árbol biliar. El diámetro del colédoco fué superior a 20 mm en todos los casos y con frecuencia se encontró estenosis árbol de la porción distal. La técnica de Floercken fué la más frecuentemente utilizada, una vez realizada la maniobra de Kocher. No hubo mortalidad intraoperatoria. La mortalidad postoperatoria fué de 3.2% y se analiza en detalle. La tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias fué de 42.4%, incluyendo las sistematicas y las locales, leves y severas, habiéndose observado predominancia de las complicaciones sépticas y de aquellas relativas a patologiás asociadas. La colangitis operatoria tardía ocurrió en el 1.6% de los pacientes, tasa comparable a la informada por otros autores. Nosotros preconizamos el uso de la CDS en el tratamiento de los cálculos del colédoco siempre que: (a) se preste atención cuidadosa a sus indicaciones clínicas, considerando que el paciente puede beneficiarse con otras alternativas, por ejemplo la papilotomía duodenoscópica; y (b) la dilatación del colédoco sea de un diámetro superior a 20 mm y que las paredes tanto del colédoco como del duodeno sean normales. Específicamente recomendamos la CDS como la operación primaria para pacientes con el síndrome del embudo coledociano (estenosis distal con dilatación proximal). La operación es sencilla, restaura la función digestiva normal y en forma casi uniforme resuelve los problemas que producen los cálculos del colédoco en pacientes de alto riesgo.

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Résumé La pathogénie complexe de la lithiase biliaire, les caractères anatomiques des voies biliaires ainsi que l'âge des malades, les affections associées et la grande variété des méthodes techniques expliquent la grande diversité des procédés de traitement de la lithiase choledocienne employés par les différentes équipes chirurgicales. Aucune technique n'étant infaillible ou exempte de complications, il paraît inconsidéré d'abandonner toute méthode qui a fait ses preuves. Il en est ainsi de la choledocoduodénostomie. Les complications attribuées à ce type d'intervention comme l'angiocholite ascendante, et le syndrome du moignon sous-anastomotique ont été exagérées conduisant de nombreux chirurgiens à l'écarter de leur pratique. Notre expérience de la choledocoduodénostomie est bonne et coincide avec celle de Madden et d'autres auteurs. Les données recueillies chez 125 malades qui présentaient des calculs de la V.B.P. et qui furent traités par la choledocoduodénostomile de 1968 à 1982 ont été étudiées. Soixante-huit étaient des femmes. La moyenne d'âge était de 61.4 ans, 73.6% étaient âgés de plus de 50 ans. Les affections associées étaient fréquentes en particulier les affections cardiovasculaires. Plus de la moitié de nos opérés avaient déjà subi une intervention sur la voie biliaire. Le diamètre de la voie biliaire a toujours été supérieur à 20 mm et la dilatation se trouvait souvent au dessus d'un rétrécissement du bas cholédoque. La technique de Floercken fut le plus souvent employée après le décollement du bloc duodénopancréatique. Il n'y eu aucun décès peropératoire. La mortalité postopératoire s'est élevée à 3.2% et a été étudiée avec précision. Le taux des complications postopératoires a atteint 42.4%, dont les infections et les désordres secondaires aux affections associées occupent la première place. Le taux de l'angiocholite postopératoire tardive s'est élevé à 1.6%, identique à celui rapporté par d'autres auteurs. Notre expérience nous permet de recommander la choledocoduodénostomie à condition (a) d'apporter une attention particulière aux indications après avoir pris en considération la possibilité de traiter la lithiase par une autre méthode, la sphinctérotomie endoscopique par exemple; et (b) de la réserver aux cas où le diamètre de la V.B.P. est supérieur à 20 et ou les parois de la voie biliaire et du duodénum sont normales. Nous considérons qu'elle est particulièrement indiquée en présence du syndrome du cholédoque en entonnoir. L'intervention est simple, restaure la fonction digestive normale et résoud le problème des calculs de la V.B.P. chez les malades de haut risque.

     

Interaction between α- and β-adrenoceptors in rat pineal adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase activation

Summary The adrenergic regulation of the low-Km pineal cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity was studied in adult female rats. PDE activity showed a transient enhancement (up to 42%) during the process of degeneration of pineal sympathetic nerve terminals that followed superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx), thus confirming the neural modulation of the enzyme. Treatment with isoproterenol (0.3–5.0 mg/Kg) increased significantly PDE activity within 2 hours. Phenylephrine induced a significant increase of pineal PDE only at a 10 mg/Kg dose, while at a lower dose (1 mg/Kg) it potenciated the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol. Treatment of pineal organ cultures with 100 M propranolol inhibited norepinephrine (NE)-induced PDE activity while 100 M phentolamine had no significant effect. Propranolol at doses unable to alter thein vitro NE-induced stimulation of pineal PDE activity (1 M), antagonized such NE effect when used in combination with 1 uM phentolamine. At equimolecular concentrations (1 M) the mixed --adrenergic agonist NE was more effective than the -adrenergic agonist isoproterenol to increase pineal PDEin vitro. These resultsSupported by grant no. 6638, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas de la RepÚblica Argentina (CONICET), Argentina.Established Investigator, CONICET.     

Kindling-like convulsive activities in the isolated ileum of the guinea pig. I. Electrical stimulation

A kindling-like convulsive activity model produced by subthreshold, iterative electrical stimulation of the isolated male guinea pig ileum is described. In this model, the mechanical activity of the longitudinal muscular fibers of the ileum was systematically quantified in terms of the basic frequency, tonus, amplitude, and transient amplitude increments (A, n spikes/20 min) of "normal" contractions and presence of high-amplitude, paroxysmal, "epileptiform" contractures (B, n spikes/20 min). Changes in these parameters were statistically compared through consecutive stages of the same stimulated male ileum (I = initial activation, II = initial inhibition. IIIA = late activation, and IV = late inhibition) and equivalent stages of stimulated female and nonstimulated male ilea where "kindling-like" activities were only occasionally observed. Basic tonus, amplitude, and number of A spikes showed significant changes through consecutive stimulated male ileum "kindling" stages: increased from baseline to stage I, decreased from I to II, increased from II to III and from III to IIIA, and decreased from IIIA to IV. The number of B spikes significantly increased from II to III, III to IIIA, and IIIA to IV. No significant changes in baseline frequency were found through all stages nor in tonus, amplitude, A and B spikes between stage IV and the self-sustained activity observed 120 min after stimulation. In addition, there were significant correlations between B spikes vs. basic tonus and amplitude and A spikes when the stimulated male ileum shifted from stage II to IIIA (positive correlations) and from IIIA to IV (negative correlations). Basic tonus during stage I, basic amplitude during IIIA, A spikes during self-sustained activity and B spikes during III, IIIA, IV, and self-sustained activity were in the stimulated male ileum larger than those in both the stimulated female and the nonstimulated male ilea. Tonus and A spikes during III and IIIA in the stimulated male ileum were larger than in the nonstimulated, whereas tonus during IV and self-sustaining activity and amplitude during II in the stimulated male ileum were smaller than in the female stimulated ileum.     

Neuroelectric correlates of a neuropsychological model of word decoding and semantic processing in reading disabled children

The purpose of this study was to distinguish the characteristics and components of event related potentials (ERPs) correlated with word decoding and semantic processing in a subgroup of children with specific reading disabilities related to visual processing deficiencies. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of normal readers previously studied (Ostrosky et al. in press). Visual ERPs were recorded to four stimuli: three physically different but with the same semantic content: a frequently used noun written in capitals (COCHE), the same noun in handwriting, the pictorial representation of the noun (drawing), and a neutral stimulus consisting of a checkerboard. Four derivations were used: occipital (O1-O2) and parietal (P3-P4) with reference to linked mastoids. Data were analyzed using multivariate procedures. A Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation of the solution was applied. In the normal readers, we found some components in the occipital derivations which identified the words presented in different styles of handwriting and others which seemed to identify these words with the pictorial representation (and not with the neutral stimuli). The first "verbal" components were situated around the 156-256 ms latency range and the second "semantic" components were observed at over 380 ms. In the disabled readers, there was no "verbal" or "semantic" recognition grouping of these physically different stimuli. As opposed to the normal readers, interhemispheric responses were symmetrical. At the left parietal leads in the normal readers, the morphology of the verbal stimuli (capitals and handwriting) were very similar throughout the sweep and both were very different from the nonverbal stimuli. At 376 ms the four stimuli elicited a prominent negative peak in which the verbal stimuli elicited significantly higher amplitude than the nonverbal stimuli. In the disabled group, the morphologies of the four stimuli were very similar and no significant differences were observed. The results are discussed in accordance with a hypothetical model of the neural bases underlying reading. The model takes into account the complexity of the reading process and the various cognitive skills required for its adequate performance, and emphasizes a complex, dynamic interplay between occipital, parietal and temporal areas.     

Tricuspid atresia. Clinical course in 120 children

We describe the clinical course of 120 children with tricuspid atresia (TA) attended in the Hospital de Cardiología y Neumología, "Dr. Luis Méndez", del Centro Médico Nacional. There were 61 males and 59 females. The age of presentation was in 79 newborn babies, seventeen between one and six months old, 20 between six and 24 months old, and four with two or more years old. The clinical picture was hypoxic spells in 89% and congestive heart failure in the others. The chest film showed cardiomegaly in 85%, with diminished pulmonary flow in 48%, increased flow in 27.5%, and normal in 9%. The electrocardiogram with superior left axis deviation in 94%, right atrial hypertrophy in 58%, left atrial hypertrophy in 47.5% and left ventricular hypertrophy in 96%. TA was classified as type I in 103 children, type Ic in 70, Ib in 27 and Ia in six, and type II in seventeen children, with eight IIc, six IIb and three IIa. In 44 the management was medical, 63 underwent systemic-pulmonary anastomosis, 37 of them with Blalock-Taussig shunt and Fontan procedure in thirteen children. There were 21 deaths. This survey is compared with the literature and from this point we make management recommendations.