Studies on somatostatin with time-resolved spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations

Somatostatin was studied by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and by molecular dynamics simulations. The results obtained indicate the existence of mainly one conformation in DMSO, and the existence of several conformations in other solvents. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the most important region for activity (residue 7-9) is also the most flexible region in the peptide.     

PHYSICAL MASS EXAMINATIONS IN THE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE

Abstract. At 7 years of age, all 649 children in a school district underwent a physical examination, a vision screening and an auditory screening. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the value of the routine physical examination within the school health services. In 15% of the children functionally important health problems were found. Visual defects were most common, comprising 7.5%, then came physical health problems such as motor disturbances, obesity, bacteriuria in 6.5%, and hearing defects in 1%. About half of the important health problems were previously known. Most disorders of importance were detected by the nurse's screening examination and rather few by the doctor's physical examination. It seems advisable to introduce screening procedures in the hands of nurses also for the physical examination. The role of the school physician in the general health surveillance would then be mainly to control and verify specific observations or suspicions of disease or handicap noted by the school nurse. His time and attention could instead be directed towards important tasks, which are now often neglected, e.g. health education, and care of sick and handicapped children in the school setting.     

Tumor volume of colon carcinoma is related to the invasive pattern but not to the expression of cell adhesion proteins

Tumor volume increases during growth and due to tumor progression various mutations appear that may cause phenotypic changes. The invasive pattern may thus be affected resulting in a more disorganized growth. This phenomenon might be due to mutations in the genome of the adhesion proteins, which are responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial tissue. Tumor volume was assessed in whole mount sections of 33 colon carcinomas using Cavalieri's principle. Images from the entire invasive border were captured and used for calculating the irregularity of the border (Complexity Index). The expression of the adhesion proteins E‐cadherin, β‐catenin, Claudin 2 and Occludin was assessed after immunohistochemical staining of two randomly selected areas of the invasive front of the tumor. Statistical significance for differences in volume was obtained for tumor Complexity Index, tumor stage (pT) and lymph node status (pN). Expression of adhesion proteins was significantly perturbed in the tumors compared with normal mucosa but only infrequently correlated to tumor differentiation or invasive pattern. The results show that when tumor volume increases the invasive pattern becomes more irregular which is compatible with tumor progression. A direct contribution of adhesion protein derangement to this process appears to be insignificant.     

Kinetics and sensitivity of ELISA IgG pertussis antitoxin after infection and vaccination with Bordetella pertussis in young children

Sera from 96 young children in a vaccine trial were analysed for kinetics of ELISA IgG anti‐pertussis toxin (anti‐PT) after a laboratory‐verified pertussis infection. The antibody decay curves after infection were biphasic and similar in shape to those after vaccination. The change from a rapid to a slower decay after the peak occurred about 4–5 months from the first day of cough. In a group of children given a two‐ or a five‐component acellular pertussis vaccine the proportion of sera above the tentative cut‐off values for anti‐PT of 20, 50 or 100 EU/ml 12 months after onset of the infection were 19%, 0% and 0% respectively. Corresponding figures for a whole‐cell or placebo vaccine group of infected children were significantly higher, 73%, 39% and 30%, i.e. the antibody decay after infection in young children depends on vaccination status as well as on the pertussis vaccine given. In a large group of non‐infected children vaccinated with the same five‐component acellular vaccine 13%, 0% and 0% had sera above 20, 50 and 100 EU/ml at 12 months after the third vaccine dose and all were below the minimum level of detection 2 years after vaccination. In conclusion, knowledge about anti‐PT kinetics is essential for the interpretation of seroepidemiological data but hardly offers the possibility to establish valid cut‐off values for anti‐PT in single sample serology. An option would be to identify a grey zone between the positive and negative ends of the distribution for follow‐up testing by a second serum.     

Hereditary Benign Erythroreticulosis

In the province of Västerbotten, Northern Sweden, we have observed ablood disease formerly unknown in Europe. It is characterized by:

1. A non-hemolytic normochromic anemia with a low or normal reticulocytecount and without indications of reduced or increased activity of eithergranulocytopoiesis or thrombocytopoiesis.

2. A characteristic bone marrow picture corresponding to the di Guglielmodisorder.

3. An abnormal hemoglobin.

4. A favorable clinical course, but refractory to therapy.

5. An hereditary component.

Submitted on May 20, 1960 Accepted on March 23, 1961     

LOCAL PERINEAL ACTINOMYCOSlS

Abstract. Domellöf, L., Eriksson, S., Samuelson, G. and Sonne, B. (Departments of Pathology, Paediatrics and Surgery, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden). Local perineal actinomycosis. Ada Paediatr Scand, 63: 450, 1974.–A case of perineal actinomycosis in a 7-yearsld child is reported. A localized tumour was excised and actinomycetes was demonstrated histologically. The etiology, therapy and prognosis are discussed. The importance of microscopical examination of infections in the ano-rectal area is emphasized.     

C-reactive Protein in Human Colostrum

Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined in colostrum and milk samples from 12 mothers with positive reactions in their sera. CRP could not be demonstrated in any of 63 colostrum or milk specimens, and a transfer of CRP from mother to child by ingestion of colostrum or milk thus is unlikely. This supports the opinion that the infant is capable of producing CRP in early life.