Increased (L+)-lactic acid production in lysozyme-inactivated suspensions of human dental plaque

The effect of lysozyme-inactivation on L(+)-lactic acid (LA) production in dental plaque suspensions was evaluated. From 10 children 24-h plaque was collected and lysozyme activity inhibited by addition of goat antiserum to human lysozyme. Acid production was stimulated by addition of glucose. The results showed significantly increased LA levels (50-150%) in lysozyme-inactivated plaque suspensions from 8 of the subjects compared to untreated controls. The increase in acid production activity was not related to plaque lysozyme levels. The findings indicate that the presence of lysozyme may be limiting on acid production in the early dental plaque.     

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Grenz ray therapy

Grenz rays (ultrasoft X-rays, Bucky rays) have been used in the treatment of benign skin disorders for more than 60 years. The mechanism of action, the clinical effect and the potential carcinogenic effect have remained largely unknown, and many of the reported studies are now obsolete. Recent studies of both the clinical and the basic characteristics of grenz rays have shown that the number of Langerhans' cells decreases in the human epidermis after treatment and that grenz rays can suppress the expression of nickel allergy in sensitive individuals. Also, very good results have been reported in the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp. A large-scale study involving more than 14,000 patients has shown that grenz ray therapy cannot be excluded as a risk factor in the development of non-melanoma skin tumors, but this risk factor is small and can virtually be disregarded when certain therapy recommendations are followed. This article is an attempt to summarize the present knowledge of grenz ray therapy.     

Properties of circulating IgA molecules in Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis with focus on neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen IgA binding (IgA-ANCA): new insight into a debated issue

Background: The presence and the pathogenetic role of circulating IgA reacting with neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (IgA-ANCA) in patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is still debated. This study was aimed to investigate some characteristics of serum IgA and macromolecular IgA in HSP patients, focusing on IgA-ANCA. Methods: Eighty-seven HSP patients with biopsy proved renal involvement (51 adults and 36 children) enrolled in a multicentre study of the Italian Group of Immunopathology were investigated. Results: Significantly high levels of IgA immune complexes were found in both adults (P <0.05) and children (P <0.01), while the binding of IgA to jacalin, was significantly low in children with HSP (P <0.01) only. Two series of ELISA were done for IgA-ANCA, in two different laboratories. Increased binding to PMN crude extracts (P <0.01) without any modification in IgA binding to proteinase 3 was found by either specific ELISA. Conversely, the binding of IgA to myeloperoxidase (MPO) was found to be significantly (P <0.05) increased with positive values in 25% of patients by one assay only. Three of four sera with positive IgA-MPO ANCA exhibited binding in Western-blot studies with the MPO preparation used in ELISA to a 28-kDa species. D-galactose and N-acetyl-glucosamine decreased the binding of serum IgA to MPO more in HSP than in controls (P <0.05). Conclusions: The conflicting reports on IgA-ANCA may reflect some atypical characteristics of the reaction which can be detected only by some ELISAs. We suggest that not an antigen-antibody reaction but a lectinic interaction due to abnormal composition of IgA carbohydrate side chains may account for the IgA-ANCA reaction in patients with HSP nephritis.     

Altered tachykinergic influence on gastric mechanical activity in mdx mice

This study investigated whether alterations in gastric activity in dystrophic mdx mouse can be attributed to dysfunctions of tachykinins. Endoluminal pressure was recorded and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), NK1 and NK2 neurokinin receptors was investigated by immunohistochemistry. SR48968, NK2 receptor antagonist, but not SR140333, NK1 receptor antagonist, decreased the tone only in mdx gastric preparations. In the presence of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), inhibitor of NOS, SR48968 reduced the tone also in normal stomach. [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]-SP, agonist of NK1 receptors, caused tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxations, antagonized by SR140333 or l-NAME, with no difference in the potency or efficacy between normal and mdx preparations. [beta-Ala(8)]-NKA(4-10), an NK2 receptor agonist, induced SR48968-sensitive contractions in both types of preparations, although the maximal response of mdx tissues was significantly lower than normal preparations. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a consistent reduction of nNOS and NK2 receptor expression in mdx stomach smooth muscle cells and no change in nNOS and NK1 receptor expression in neurones. In conclusion, in mdx stomach the activation of NK2 receptors plays a role in the development of the tone, associated with a reduced NO production by muscular nNOS. The hypo-responsiveness to NK2 receptors could depend on the reduced expression of these receptors.     

Distinctive immunoglobulin E anti-house dust allergen-binding specificities in a tropical Australian Aboriginal community

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that the specificity of the IgE binding in allergy tests can vary for different populations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the allergenic specificity of IgE binding in sera from house dust mite (HDM)-atopic subjects in a tropical Australian Aboriginal community. METHODS: Sera shown to contain IgE antibodies to an HDM extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were examined for IgE binding to a panel of nine purified HDM allergens from this mite species by quantitative microtitre assays. IgG antibody binding (IgG1 and IgG4) was also measured. RESULTS: The IgE-binding activity in the sera from the Aboriginal community was not directed to the expected major groups 1 and 2 HDM allergens but instead to the group 4 amylase allergen. There was also little IgE binding to the potentially cross-reactive tropomyosin (Der p 10) or arginine kinase (Der p 20) allergens. The IgG4 antibody was rarely detected and limited to the Der p 4 allergen. IgG1 antibody binding was frequently measured to all the allergens regardless of an individual's atopic status, whereas in urban communities it is restricted to the major allergens and to atopic subjects. CONCLUSION: The high IgE anti-HDM response of Australian Aboriginals predominantly bound Der p 4 and not the Der p 1 and 2 allergens, showing a distinctive allergy that could affect the disease outcome and diagnosis.     

Health-related quality of life under six months' treatment of migraine—an open clinic-based longitudinal study

Health-related quality of life (HQL) assessment in the clinical setting have distinguished subjective perceptions (e.g. well-being), signssymptoms of the disease, and functional capacity as three major components. The impact of short-term treatment for migraine attacks on these variables was evaluated in an open prospective 6-month study at the Gothenburg Migraine Clinic. Socio-economic factors, subjective symptoms, and general well-beingquality of life were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires in 99 patients with migraine with or without aura in accordance with the classification of the International Headache Society. Short-term treatment comprising conventional therapy or subcutaneous sumatriptan reduced number of days per month with migraine and absenteeism from work, migraine-associated symptoms, but did not significantly improve general well-being between attacks. Future assessment of the patients' HQL in accordance with this approach would enable us to consider all the advantages and disadvantages of current therapies of particular interest in the field of migraine.     

Prolactin in patients with major depressive disorder and in healthy subjects. II. Longitudinal study of basal prolactin and post-TRH-stimulated prolactin levels

Longitudinal investigations of basal prolactin (PRL) and prolactin concentrations following thyrotopin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation (delta PRL) were conducted in 17 patients with major depressive disorder and healthy subjects. The patients were being treated with either clomipramine or maprotiline. Both basal and delta PRL increased significantly after clinical response during treatment with both drugs. However, these increases in basal and delta PRL were independent of each other. Surprisingly, elevations of basal PRL were significantly greater in responders than in nonresponders, whereas those in delta PRL showed no corresponding significant difference. These results suggest that the two drugs stimulate basal and delta PRL by different mechanisms. The increases in basal prolactin levels found in responders may possibly be due to weaker inhibition of prolactin due to "down-regulated" beta adrenergic receptors and/or enhanced activity of supersensitive serotonergic receptors. Neither basal PRL nor delta PRL proved to be a predictor of therapy response. The intraindividual retest reliabilities of both basal and delta PRL in healthy subjects was so good that a single blood sample would seem to be sufficient for investigating most issues involving PRL in psychiatric patients.