Expression of blood group antigens including HLA markers in human adult liver

The localisation of the principal blood group antigens has been studied in human liver. These blood group antigens included the erythrocyte antigens and the antigen of the major histocompatibility complex. This study was performed by the indirect immunofluorescence technique using polyclonal antibodies of human or animal origin and monoclonal antibodies from hybridomas. This study has shown that the normal hepatocyte is lacking in blood group antigens. On the contrary, the biliary cell was rich in antigenic markers: the main antigens expressed were Lewis, Pr, HLA-A and B antigens. In Kupffer cells, only i and HLA-DR antigens were clearly expressed. The endothelial cells of blood vessels mainly show A, B, H, HLA-A and B antigens; HLA-DR and Pr are slightly expressed. HLA-DR antigens were more strongly expressed on veins than on arteries. Dendritic cells have been identified in the portal space of human liver. They bore i and HLA-DR antigens.     

Estimation of the genetic contribution of presenilin-1 and -2 mutations in a population-based study of presenile Alzheimer disease

Two closely related genes, the presenilins ( PS ), located at chromosomes 14q24.3 and 1q42.1, have been identified for autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (AD) with onset age below 65 years (presenile AD). We performed a systematic mutation analysis of all coding and 5'-non-coding exons of PS -1 and PS -2 in a population-based epidemiological series of 101 unrelated familial and sporadic presenile AD cases. The familial cases included 10 patients of autosomal dominant AD families sampled for linkage analysis studies. In all patients mutations in the amyloid precursor protein gene ( APP ) had previously been excluded. Four different PS -1 missense mutations were identified in six familial cases, two of which where autosomal dominant cases. Three mutations resulted in onset ages above 55 years, with one segregating in an autosomal dominant family with mean onset age 64 years (range 50-78 years). One PS -2 mutation was identified in a sporadic case with onset age 62 years. Our mutation data provided estimates for PS -1 and PS -2 mutation frequencies in presenile AD of 6 and 1% respectively. When family history was accounted for mutation frequencies for PS -1 were 9% in familial cases and 18% in autosomal dominant cases. Further, polymorphisms were detected in the promoter and the 5'-non-coding region of PS -1 and in intronic and exonic sequences of PS -2 that will be useful in genetic association studies.      

Absolute and relative dose-surface and dose-volume histograms of the bladder: which one is the most representative for the actual treatment?

The purpose of this study was to quantify to what extent relative and absolute bladder dose-volume and dose-surface histograms of the planning CT scan were representative for the actual treatment. We used data of 17 patients, who each received 11 repeat CT scans and a planning CT scan. The repeat CT scans were matched on the planning CT scan by the bony anatomy. Clinical treatment plans were used to evaluate the impact of bladder filling changes on the four histogram types. The impact was quantified by calculating for this patient group the correlation coefficient between the planning histogram and the treatment histogram. We found that the absolute dose-surface histogram was the most representative one for the actual treatment.     

Why did persons invited to train in cardiopulmonary resuscitation not do so?

All citizens (N = 22066) aged 16 to 65 of a medium-sized Belgiantown were personally invited to CPR training sessions held intheir neighbourhood. 1152 responded by attending a trainingsession. Those who did not so respond were surveyed (randomsample N=600) for reasons of their not coming. The sample fittedwell with census data for gender, age and suburb location butnot for job, because retired persons and women at home wereover represented. 123 persons did not want to answer the questions. 116 personssaid they were already trained in CPR, 276 said they would accepton a future occasion and 82 said they would not. Three personsdid not answer this question. There was no discrimination for job, gender and suburb locationbetween those who did and did not accept a future training opportunity,nor was the existence of a heart patient among relatives. Theolder the person, the less inclined was that person to participatein CPR training (age effect x² = 17.17, d.f. = 9, P<0.05).The 276 who accepted future training, chose their workplace(221) and/or their social meeting place (club etc.) as the placewhere this future training should be held. We suggest that CPR training is well accepted and that the trainingopportunities should be given at places of work and social gatherings.     

Fusarium endocarditis involving aortic valve following coronary artery surgery

This article describes a case of infective aortic valve endocarditisdue to Fusarium oxysporum occurring 4 years after coronary arterybypass grafting. It is the first reported case of endocarditiscaused by Fusarium.     

USE OF POST-TETANIC COUNT IN ASSESSMENT OF A REPETITIVE VECURONIUM-INDUCED NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCK

In order to evaluate the use of the post-tetanic count (PTC)method during repetitive administration of vecuronium, we studied20 patients allocated randomly to one of two groups: 10 patientsreceived droperidol-fentanyl anaesthesia (control group); 10other patients were given droperidol-fentanyl anaesthesia modifiedsubsequently by addition of 0.5% isoflurane (isoflurane group).Before tracheal intubation, a bolus dose of vecuronium 0.08mg kg^–1 was given i. v. followed by repeated doses of0.03 mg kg^–1. The twitch response of adductor polliciswas recorded after supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerveat the wrist using a Myograph 2000 neuromuscular transmissionanalyser. In the control group, a close correlation was foundbetween PTC and time to first reaction to train-of-four (TOF)nerve stimulation. This relationship was unchanged when comparingthe bolus dose and each of eight consecutive maintenance doses.Further, the degree and the duration of intense block were unchangedafter each of the eight maintenance doses. In the isofluranegroup, the relationship between PTC and time to first reactionto TOF stimulation remained unchanged after addition of isoflurane.However, isoflurane caused a significant prolongation of theduration of intense block and a corresponding lower PTC in allpatients. We conclude that PTC is a reliable method to evaluateintense neuromuscular block caused by vecuronium, even afterrepetitive administration of the drug and in combination with0.5% isoflurane. Presented in part at the annual meeting of the American Societyof Anesthesiologists, San Francisco, October 1988.     

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty-Gastric Bypass with and without the Interposition of Jejunum: Preliminary Report

Background: The complications of the gastric pouch in gastric bypass surgery are well known. Since the first report of this surgery 30 years ago, new technical aspects that make it safer and more effective have been implemented. Methods: As a modification of gastric bypass, the authors have performed 305 vertical banded gastroplasty-gastric bypass procedures. Two groups of patients underwent the procedure: Group I (n = 206) without a limb of jejunum interposed between the gastric pouch and the excluded stomach, and Group II (n = 99) with a limb of jejunum interposed between the pouch and the stomach. The results regarding excess weight loss and complications of the gastric pouch during the first year after surgery were compared. Results: Age, sex, initial weight, body mass index, and percentage of ideal weight were similar in both groups. Excess weight loss was also similar. The complications in Group I were 1 leak, 3 left subphrenic abscesses, 2 erosive gastritis with bleeding, 1 stenosis of the gastrojejunostomy, 1 perforated ulcer, and 4 marginal ulcers with bleeding. Two patients in Group II developed bleeding from the staple-line. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that complications of the gastric pouch can be reduced by interposing a limb of jejunum between the pouch and the excluded stomach. This is an early experience; long-term results are pending.     

Renal immunoblastic sarcoma complicating immunosuppressive therapy for wegener granulomatosis

A renal tumor developing in a patient receiving cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) therapy for Wegener granulomatosis is reported. The tumor was similar histologically to the "immunoblastic" sarcoma that develops in renal allograft recipients as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy. This case report strengthens the cause and effect relationship between immunosuppressive drug usage and the subsequent development of neoplasia.     

Ca2+ dependence of motilide-induced contractions in rabbit duodenal muscle strips in vitro

Summary Recent studies suggested that certain erythromycin A (EM-A) derivatives are motilin receptor agonists. As proposed by Itoh they may be called motilides. We have investigated the Ca²⁺-dependence of contractions induced by two potent motilides, ME-34 [de(N-methyl) 8,9-anhydroeryhtromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal] and EM-523 [de(N-methyl)-N-ethyl-8,9-anhydro-erythromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal], in duodenal tissues and compared the results with those previously obtained with motilin.Isometric and isotonic contractile responses of isolated longitudinal muscle sheets from the rabbit duodenum were tested under normal, Ca²⁺-free and depolarizing conditions. Prior to stimulation with motilides, the maximal response to acetylcholine was recorded and all responses were always expressed as a percentage of this response. Both motilides induced contractions in normally polarized tissue, with an EC₅₀ of 26 ± 5 nM for ME-34 (n = 7), and 27 ± 5 nM for EM-5231 (n = 16) and maximal responses of respectively 88 ± 4% and 80 ± 3%. Like motilin, both compounds induced an extra-contraction in depolarized tissues. The EM-523 response in 140 mM K⁺under isotonic conditions was 84 ± 3% (n = 5) at 10^–5 M, with an EC₅₀ that was shifted to 65 ± 18 nM. Similar figures were obtained for ME-34. When Ca²⁺ was added to Ca²⁺-depleted strips, half-maximal Ca²⁺ values (in mM) were 1.10 ± 0.11 (n = 9) for EM-523 and 1.13 ± 0.12 (n = 3) for ME-34, as compared with 1.12 ± 0.13 (n = 7) for motilin and 2.8 ± 1.1 (n = 9) for K⁺. Both ME-34 and EM-523 also induced a transient contraction in Ca⁺-free solutions under isometric conditions. The response to EM-523 (5 × 10^–6 M) was 49 ± 15% (n = 4) after 3 min. A maximal EM-523 -stimulation reduced a subsequent ACh response by 78 ± 7%, whereas EM-523 and ME-34 could not induce a contraction after ACh.We conclude that motilides depend upon external Ca²⁺ to a similar extent to motilin. Like motilin, they are also able to mobilize intracellular Ca Z + stores. Our results support the hypothesis that motilides act on motilin receptors. Send offprint requests to T. L. Peeters at the above address     

Infants born to narcotic dependent mothers: Physical growth patterns in the first 12 months of life

Objectives: To describe the physical growth patterns of infants born to narcotic dependent mothers (INDM) over a 12 months period and, if possible, to relate the growth to drug taking patterns during pregnancy.
Methodology: The growth of a cohort of 43 INDM was measured during the first 12 months of life. Weight and length measurements were compared with percentile charts and converted to Z scores. Questionnaire data about drug taking practices, demographic variables and the neonatal period (including withdrawal scores) were obtained.
Results: Twenty-four (55.8%) of INDM had evidence of neonatal drug withdrawal requiring treatment with phenobarbitone. At birth, Z scores for weight and length indicated relative intrauterine growth retardation. By 12 months, there had been some catch up growth, but Z scores for weight and length were still below zero. Persistent weight retardation at 12 months was correlated with methadone dosage during pregnancy, but not the need for phenobarbitone therapy.
Conclusions: The growth patterns of INDM in the first 12 months of life indicated that at birth there was evidence of intrauterine growth retardation, but by 12 months the growth was little different from the rest of the community. There appears to be some influence of narcotic agents taken while pregnant on subsequent growth of INDM.