Association of passive smoking with increased coronary heart disease risk is not explained by elevation of leucocyte count

The increased risk of coronary heart disease in cigarette smokersmay be due at least partly to an elevation of the leucocytecount Chronic passive smoking has also been found to be associatedwith an increased risk of coronary heart disease, but its effecton the leucocyte count has not been reported. In this study250 male factory employees aged 20–64 years were interviewedon smoking behaviour and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke,and blood counts were determined. Urinary cotinine was measureby radio-immunoassay and corrected for urinary creatinine concentrations.Mean leucocyte count was significantly higher among smokerscompared with non-smokers (8,666 compared to 6, 900; p<0.001).On the basis of smoking history, passive smokers had leucocytecounts similar to non-smokers. These findings were confirmedwhen leucocyte counts were compared with urine cotinine to creatinineratios. The association of haematocrlt and haemoglobin withsmoking was similar to that of leucocyte count These findingssuggest that any association of passive smoking with coronaryheart disease is not through an elevation of leucocyte count.     

Metalloproteinase activity is present in rat urine and derived from the renal cortex

Summary: Matrix metalloproteinases (MP) are important candidates for the degradation of extracellular matrix, but the role of MP in the diseased kidney remains poorly understood. to examine the significance of urinary MP, we first investigated the characteristics of MP in normal rat urine and renal cortex, and then evaluated the urinary MP activity in anti-thymocyte induced glomerulonephritis (Thy.1 GN). Metalloproteinase activity was measured as the EDTA-inhibitable degradation of [³H] gelatin. the enzyme was purified from urine and the renal cortex homogenate in normal Wistar rats by using several chromatographic and gel filtration methods. Both materials contained the identical molecular weight (Mr 126 kDa by gel permeation method) of gelatin-degrading enzymes, the activity of which was inhibited by metal chelating agents and reactivated by ZnC1₂ but not by other proteinase inhibitors. Thy.1 GN was induced by intravenous injection of rabbit anti-thymocyte serum into rats, and daily urine was collected at sequential time points. Urinary MP activity was markedly reduced soon after the serum injection, and returned to the control level in 9 weeks. Conversely, urinary MP-inhibitor activity (Mr 30 kDa), determined as inhibiting activity against MP derived from renal cortex, showed serial changes strikingly reflected as urinary MP activity. These findings suggested that rat urine contained the MP which seemed to be derived from the renal cortex, and the urinary MP activity was decreased in Thy.1 GN model, probably due to the presence of MP-inhibitor. As urinary MP is likely to reflect intra-renal MP, the evaluation of urinary MP may be useful to search metabolic alteration of extracellular matrix in the diseased kidney.     

EFFECTS OF SARAFOTOXIN S6c ON RENAL HAEMODYNAMICS AND URINE FORMATION IN ANAESTHETIZED DOGS

1. The effects of sarafotoxin S6c (S6c), a selective endothelin ETB receptor agonist, on renal haemodynamics and urine formation were examined in anaesthetized dogs. 2. Intrarenal arterial infusion of S6c at a rate of 1 or 5 ng/kg per min produced a transient increase in renal blood flow (RBF), with no change in systemic blood pressure and heart rate; RBF then decreased gradually to below the basal value. There were significant and dose-dependent increases in urine flow and free water clearance and decreases in urine osmolality during S6c infusion, whereas urinary excretion of sodium and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remained unchanged. Simultaneously, S6c administration elicited a marked increase in urinary excretion of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, N0₂^? and N0₃^? (UNO*V). 3. In dogs simultaneously administered S6c (5 ng/kg per min) and iV^G-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG; 40 (jig/kg per min), a NO synthase inhibitor, the renal vasodilator effect of S6c was abolished and marked reductions in RBF and GFR were observed. The S6c-induced diuretic action was not affected by NOARG. In the presence of NOARG, there was a small amount of UNO_xV at the basal level and the administration of S6c did not increase UNOxV. 4. These results suggest that an intrarenal arterial infusion of S6c enhances the production of NO in the kidney and that this enhancement contributes to the peptide-induced renal vasodilation. In contrast, it is unlikely that S6c-induced water diuresis is related to NO production stimulated by this peptide.     

Nasal septum lesions caused by chromium exposure among chromium electroplating workers

A chromium electroplating worker, suffering from epistaxis during work, was found to have nasal septum perforation. To determine the etiology and prevalence of nasal septum lesions, we conducted a survey of seven chromium electroplating factories and examined 79 workers. Forty workers from three aluminum electroplating factories were also enrolled as the reference group. Subjects were thoroughly examined by an otolaryngologist and each of them provided a blood and urine sample. A questionnaire interview regarding symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, past medical history, life style, and work history was also conducted. Air chromium concentrations were measured by taking area samples for 4–6 hours. Based on field observation and chromium measurements, we divided chromium electroplating into three different exposure zones: workers directly dealing with electroplating tanks (n = 31), other process workers (n = 29), and office workers and drivers (n = 19). Among the 79 chromium electroplating workers, there were 16 cases of nasal septum perforation, and 42 with either scar formation or ulceration; 10 chromium electroplating workers developed skin ulcers after performing chrome plating. No workers from aluminum electroplating factories had any nasal septum or skin abnormalities. There was a consistent trend between the degree of chromium exposure and the signs and symptoms related to the nose, throat, and skin. Immediate improvement of occupational hygiene is warranted.     

应用酶联免疫吸附实验测定流行性出血热早期患者尿内抗原的研究

本文首次报道应用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA),测定流行性出血热(EHF)患者尿中抗原,进行早期诊断,取得满意结果,本法系应用免疫的特异性和酶的高效能催化的敏感性相结合的一种方法,因而特异性强、灵敏度高。研究结果表明,7病日内阳性率较高,为93.89%;2病日内阳性率更高,为100%,故有早期诊断价值,本文用阻断实验证实尿中具有特异性抗原。此外,以正常人和其它疾病患者作对照,结果为阴性,证明本法特异性高。本法标本系用尿液,容易收集,方法简便,结果易判断,易于推广应用。     

尿脱落细胞端粒酶检测在膀胱癌中的诊断价值

目的　利用聚合酶链反应的酶联免疫吸附试验 ,探讨检测自排尿脱落细胞端粒酶活性在膀胱癌早期诊断中的意义。方法　应用 (端粒酶重复序列扩增基础上PCR -ELISA)TRAP -PCR -ELISA方法检测 5 8例膀胱癌患者、 2 5例良性血尿患者及 30例健康体检者尿脱落细胞的端粒酶活性。结果　 (1) 5 8例膀胱癌患者尿脱落细胞阳性率为 81 0 % (4 7/ 5 8) ,2 5例良性血尿患者及健康体检者均无端粒酶活性表达。 (2 )TRAP -PCR -ELISA方法检测膀胱癌患者尿脱落细胞端粒酶活性与常规尿细胞形态学镜检间的差别有非常显著性意义 (P <0 0 1)。结论　尿脱落细胞端粒酶活性的检测法对膀胱癌患者的阳性检出率较常规尿细胞形态学方法高 ,可用于膀胱癌的早期诊断。     

Random dot stereogram E in vision screening of children

The random dot stereogram E (RDE) has been shown to be a simple and effective test for the detection of binocular abnormalities and defective visual acuity in children. We determined the validity of the RDE as a screening test for reduced visual acuity, amblyopia and strabismus in two separate populations of children.
A nonselective group of 100 school children (aged 5 to 15 years) who presented consecutively to the ophthalmology department at Auckland Public Hospital were tested with the RDE. All cases of amblyopia and strabismus were detected by the RDE. Similar screening with the RDE test of 168 preschool children (aged three to four years) in the community resulted in an unacceptably high over-referral rate. The test was unreliable in the preschool age group because of difficulty in distinguishing between test failure and non-cooperation with the test. The low positive predictive value of the test in the younger age group suggests the test to be unsuitable for preschool vision screening.     

The effect of pH and nucleophiles on complement activation by human proximal tubular epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Activation of urinary complement proteins in situ by proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) may contribute to the mediation of tubulointerstitial injury in patients with significant proteinuria. However, the mechanism involved is unclear, and the role of changes in urinary pH and in the concentrations of urea or ammonia requires further clarification. METHODS: The protein fraction of urine samples from nine patients with proteinuria >1.5 g/day was purified. A cell ELISA involving cultured HK-2 PTEC was used to investigate the capacity of urinary protein to promote the deposition of both C3 and C9 on the cell surface. The effect of variations in pH (5.5-8.0) and in the concentration of urea and ammonia was also examined. C3 was purified and used to further investigate the mechanism of complement deposition. RESULTS: Urine samples from the majority of patients induced deposition of C3 and C9 on the surface of HK-2 cells via the alternative pathway. This process was maximal at acidic pH values. Preincubation of urinary complement or serum with urea or ammonia inhibited C3 deposition. Purified C3 incubated with HK-2 cells showed no evidence of activation in the absence of other complement components. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that bicarbonate protects against complement-mediated damage in the lumen by increasing the local pH, rather than by inhibiting the generation of ammonia. PTEC appear to activate complement through provision of a 'protected site' on their surface, rather than by the activation of C3 by convertase-like protease(s).     

The circumferential obstetric fistula: characteristics, management and outcomes

Obstetric vesicovaginal fistula is a tragic injury that is widespread in any country where access to emergency obstetric care is limited. More and more people are now interested in treating and caring for these women, but little is known about surgical management, and most operators have developed their own methods through years of experience. One of the more challenging cases to get a functional repair is in those women who have a circumferential defect in the bladder/urethra. This article analyses a series of 77 consecutive circumferential obstetric fistula cases operated in the Barhirdar Hamlin Fistula Centre by the author.     

Measured attenuation correction methods

Accurate attenuation correction is a prerequisite for the determination of exact local radioactivity concentrations in positron emission tomography. Attenuation correction factors range from 4–5 in brain studies to 50–100 in whole body measurements. This report gives an overview of the different methods of determining the attenuation correction factors by transmission measurements using an external positron emitting source. The long-lived generator nuclide⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga is commonly used for this purpose. The additional patient dose from the transmission source is usually a small fraction of the dose due to the subsequent emission measurement. Ring-shaped transmission sources as well as rotating point or line sources are employed in modern positron tomographs. By masking a rotating line or point source, random and scattered events in the transmission scans can be effectively suppressed. The problems of measured attenuation correction are discussed: transmission/emission mismatch, random and scattered event contamination, counting statistics, transmission/emission scatter compensation, transmission scan after administration of activity to the patient. By using a double masking technique simultaneous emission and transmission scans become feasible.This article was presented at the 1st EEC workshop on accuracy determination in PET, January 19–20th. 1989 Pisa, Italy (COMAC-BME Concerted Project Characterization and Standardization of PET Instrumentation)