Stimulation of phagocytic function in mouse macrophages by neurotensin and neuromedin N

The neuropeptides neurotensin and neuromedin N (from 10⁻¹² M to 10⁻⁹ M) have been showed in this study to stimulate significantly in vitro several steps of the phagocytic process: adherence to substrate, chemotaxis, ingestion of inert particles (latex beads) and production of superoxide anion measured by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction in resting peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice. A dose-response relationship was observed, with a maximal stimulation of the phagocytic process at 10⁻¹¹ M. The two neuropeptides induced no change of intracellular cyclic AMP in murine macrophages. Moreover, adherence and chemotaxis decreased significantly in the presence of EGTA (1 mM), a chelator of extracellular Ca²⁺, or ryanodine (0.5 mM), a blocker of a Ca²⁺-gated channel from the endoplasmic reticulum, in both controls and samples with the addition of neurotensin or neuromedin N. These results suggest that there is no relation between the cAMP messenger system and the phagocytic process stimulation in murine peritoneal macrophages by neurotensin or neuromedin N. In addition, the results observed with EGTA and ryanodine could indicate that these two neuropeptides produce their effects through an increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.     

Late postpartum eclampsia. Apropos of a case

We report the case of a 32-year-old multipara who presented preeclampsia on the fourth day after childbirth without receiving proper treatment that progressed to eclampsia 4 days later. Pregnancy and delivery had been uneventful. The patient presented proteinuria (30 mg/dl), serum total proteins 5.3 g/dl and serum albumin 3.3 g/dl. Blood pressure was controlled with methyldopa, 500 mg at six-hour intervals by intravenous route. The patient presented hypoxemia secondary to bilateral pleural effusion and aspirative pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Treatment with cefotaxime, 1 g at six-hour intervals by intravenous route and clindamycin, 600 mg at six-hour intervals by intravenous route was initiated. Sedation was maintained with thiopental sodium, 3 mg/kg/hour in continuous infusion. At dismission, the patient was completely recovered from her clinical picture and needed no antihypertensive therapy. Physiopathologic features and the aforementioned complications are discussed with particular reference to differential diagnosis.     

Formulation and in Vitro-in Vivo Evaluation of Sustained-Release Lithium Carbonate Tablets

The release of lithium carbonate incorporated into polymethylmethacrylate, poly vinyl chloride, hy-drogenated vegetable oil, and carbomer matrix tablets was studied in vitro. The formulation containing 10% carbomer showed a sustained-release profile comparable to that of a standard, commercially available, sustained-release preparation containing 400 mg lithium carbonate embedded in a composite material. In vivo the newly formulated and standard sustained-release lithium carbonate tablets were compared to an oral solution and conventional lithium carbonate tablets in 12 healthy subjects. These crossover studies showed that the sustained-release tablets produced a flatter serum concentration curve than the oral solution and conventional tablet, without loss of total bioavailability.     

Recycling and EH domain proteins at the synapse

In neurons, a network of endocytic proteins accomplishes highly regulated processes such as synaptic vesicle cycling and the timely internalization of intracellular signaling molecules. In this review, we discuss recent advances on molecular networks created through interactions between proteins bearing the Eps15 homology (EH) domain and partner proteins containing the Asn–Pro–Phe (NPF) motif, which participate in important aspects of neuronal function as the synaptic vesicle cycle, the internalization of nerve growth factor (NGF), the determination of neuronal cell fate, the development of synapses and the trafficking of postsynaptic receptors. We discuss novel functional findings on the role of intersectin and synaptojanin and then we focus on the features of an emerging family of EH domain proteins termed EHDs (EH domain proteins), which are important for endocytic recycling of membrane proteins.     

Extraperitoneal endometriosis: a diagnosis to be considered

Summary BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a relatively common pathology in women of childbearing age and of low parity but rarely shows extraperitoneal involvement. The main aim of this paper is to raise the attention of specialists to the necessity of carrying out penetrating diagnosis of nonspecific extraperitoneal masses occurring in women of reproductive age. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of six patients diagnosed with extraperitoneal endometriosis who were treated at the Vega Baja University Hospital (Spain) during the last 5 years. RESULTS: Surgical treatment had positive results in five patients. The preoperative diagnosis was correctly made in only two patients. The accurate aetiology of endometriosis remains unknown and diagnosis is based on clinical and cytopathological findings. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of extraperitoneal endometriosis is recommended. However, postoperative follow-up is obligatory and hormonal suppressive therapy may be necessary. Medical treatment with gestagens, Danazol, or agonists of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone are ineffective in endometriomas which are bigger than 2 cm.      

Implications of postvaccination hepatitis B surface antigenemia in the management of exposures to body fluids.

A neonate vaccinated against HBV was the source of an occupational exposure to blood. She was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and found to be positive, leading to unnecessary treatment, retesting, and concern. Evaluation of the infectious status of HBV should rely on other means if vaccination has recently occurred.