Evaluation of the Crithidia assay to distinguish between auto-immune chronic active hepatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to determine if the Crithidia luciliae assay for auto-antibodies to double-stranded DNA, often positive in systemic lupus erythematosus, is always negative in auto-immune chronic active hepatitis (CAH) as has recently been suggested. Twenty-five patients were identified as having auto-immune CAH. Mean duration of follow-up was 10.5 years. Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 92%, smooth muscle antibodies in 76% and antimitochondrial antibodies in 16%. Antibodies to double-stranded DNA were detected by the Crithidia assay in four patients (16%). Two of these patients had positive tests on only one occasion and no features of systemic lupus erythematosus. In the other two the assay was persistently positive. During follow-up both developed arthritis and serositis but the liver lesion remained the dominant clinical feature. It was concluded that there is significant serological overlap between auto-immune CAH and systemic lupus erythematosus making the Crithidia assay unreliable in distinguishing between them.     

Co-localization of SCPB-like and FMRFamide-like immunoreactivities in crustacean nervous systems

A monoclonal antibody to the molluscan small cardioactive peptide SCPB and a polyclonal antibody to FMRFamide were used to localize antigens in the stomatogastric nervous system and brain of two species of Cancer. Both antibodies labeled cell bodies, axons, and neuropilar processes in the brain and in the stomatogastric nervous system. All of the SCPB immunoreactive neurons were co-labeled with antibody to FMRFamide. However, antibody to FMRFamide labeled additional neurons of the commissural ganglion and the brain that were not immunoreactive to the monoclonal SCPB antibody.     

抗氧化剂对糖尿病大鼠肾小球蛋白激酶C的影响

目的　通过大鼠糖尿病模型 ,观察抗氧化剂对糖尿病大鼠肾小球蛋白激酶的影响。方法　将 75只雄性Wistar大鼠分为正常对照组、糖尿病未治疗组、抗氧化剂治疗组各 2 5只 ,共观察 8周 ,分别测定尿白蛋白排泄量(UAE) ,内生肌酣消除率 (Ccr)、血浆及肾脏组织一氧化氮 (NO)、一氧化氮合成酶 (NOS)、内皮素 (ET)和肾小球蛋白激酶C(proteinkinaseC ,PKC)。结果　给予维生素E治疗组 8周时 ,Ccr[(5 .2 8± 0 .5 4)ml/(min·kg) ]及尿白蛋白排泄量 [(14.2 7± 1.16 ) μg/2 4h]显著低于未治疗组 ,肾小球细胞膜PKC[(6 8.2 7± 12 .33) pmol/(min·mgprotein) ],2周时N0 [(34 .2 3± 3.91) μmol/L]及NOS[(32 .0 7± 3.76 )U/L]明显低于未治疗组 ,维生素E治疗组 2周时与 8周时的NO及NOS下降幅度明显小于未治疗组。结论　维生素E具有抑制PKC活性作用。     

羧乙基锗倍半氧化物(Ge-132)在大鼠乙醇中毒过程中的抗氧化作用

目的 探讨羧乙基锗倍半氧化物（Ge-132)在乙醇致体内脂质过氧化过程的抑制作用及机理。方法 用10mg/kg体重的乙醇给大鼠灌胃，同时自由饮用100mg/L的锗－132，饲养3个月。结果 乙醇＋Ge-132组大鼠组织和血清与单给乙醇组比较DMA含量显著降低（P＜0．05），SOD、CAT活力均升高（P＜0．05），但与对照组比较均无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。结论 Ge-132通过清除OH^.和O2^.-自由基，抑制SOD、CAT活力降低，从而抑制过量乙醇对机体的损伤。     

Electrocardiographic Changes in Spontaneous Left Pneumothorax

ABSTRACT. Keller N, Szaff M, Sykulski R (Department of Internal Medicine, Sundby Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark). Electrocardiographic changes in spontaneous left pneumothorax. Acta Med Scand 1987; 221:499–501. A 25-year-old man was admitted with severe chest pain and an electrocardiogram suggestive of anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiogram was normal, but chest X-ray showed left-sided pneumothorax. The electrocardiogram showed increasing R-wave amplitude in the days after correction of pneumothorax. Taken in the supine position the electrocardiogram can be misleading in case of pneumothorax or mediastinal emphysema, but the electrocardiogram should be normal if taken in the erect position.     

高氧液对家兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的：观察高氧液对家兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法：结扎兔冠状动脉左室支段，40min后解除结扎，制成心肌急性缺血再灌注模型。于缺血前10min、再灌注前10min，静滴平衡盐液（对照组）、高氧平衡盐液（高氧液组），观察在急性缺血及再灌注状态下心电图、血浆肌酸磷酸激酶（CK）、丙二醛（MDA）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的变化。结果：高氧平衡盐液能使抬高的心电图S－T段明显下降，缺血再灌注心肌CK活性明显降低；并能保护SOD的活性，降低脂质过氧化反应代谢产物MDA的含量。结论：高氧平衡盐液对家兔在体心肌缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

Intussesception after jejunoileal bypass as diagnosed by ultrasound

Eighty patients who had undergone jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity were examined by ultrasound at their routine follow-up visits to the clinic. Ultrasonographic evidence of intestinal intussusception was found in 15 patients (19%). Two of these patients were asymptomatic. Ultrasonographic findings were confirmed by operation in 6 patients (5 with intussusception, 1 negative).     

Klinefelter's Syndrome: Hypogonadism,abnormal carbohydrate metabolism. Is it a result of biotin deficiency?

The aetiology of Klinefelter's Syndrome is not known. The causative factor(s) must explain the hypogonadism, low androgen levels, the disordered carbohydrate metabolism and the commonly associated psychiatric conditions. A biotin deficient/dependent state can account for the above. A biotin deficient Klinefelter's Syndrome patients with the above is described. The possible role of biotin in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of Klinefelter's Syndrome needs further research.     

Biochemical and ultrastructural alterations produced by miconazole and econazole in Trypanosoma cruzi

Miconazole and econazole, two fungicide imidazole derivatives, completely inhibited growth of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen strain) at concentrations of about 20 muM. Culturing of T. cruzi in the presence of lower doses of imidazole derivatives produced: decrease of 5,7-diene sterol content in epimastigotes (including ergosterol); disappearance of the nuclear chromatin, vacuolization and decrease in the electron density of the cytoplasm; selective surface alterations as revealed by an increased response to wheat-germ- and phytohemagglutinin. At variance with the effect of miconazole on Candida (De Nollin et al. (1977) Antimicrobial. Agents Chemother. 11, 500-513), miconazole and econazole, under the experimental conditions used, did not increase the rate of hydrogen peroxide generation by T. cruzi.