Two different proteoheparan sulfate species are synthesized by bovine corneal endothelial cells

Cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells were labeled with either [35S]sulfate or a combination of [3H]glucosamine and [35S]methionine. The medium proteoheparan sulfate (HS-PG) and cell-associated HS-PG were isolated and identified as heparan sulfate-containing proteoglycans by the susceptibility of their glycosaminoglycan component to specific enzymatic and chemical degradation. The native medium HS-PG has an apparent Mr of about 300,000 and an Mr of its protein core of 64,000, while the native cell-associated HS-PG had a lower molecular weight (approx. 100,000) and an Mr of its protein core of 33,000. The protein core of both HS-PG types consisted of a single polypeptide chain. After beta-elimination reaction of the native HS-PGs the resulting heparan sulfate side chains of medium HS-PG had an Mr of about 60,000, and those of cell-associated HS-PG an Mr of about 30,000. The different molecular parameters of medium HS-PG and cell-associated HS-PG refer to different functional roles. The medium HS-PG secreted by the endothelial cells is regarded as a metabolic precursor of the Descemet's membrane, while the cell-associated HS-PG might represent a cell membrane-integrated proteoglycan.     

Nonsurgical treatment of a massive macrohematuria following kidney biopsy

In the treatment of massive hematuria after renal biopsy, selective percutaneous vaso-occlusion with detachable balloons is an effective alternative to urological surgery, as demonstrated in the case of a 39-year-old man. A review of the literature, which records success rate of more than 90% in nonmalignant renal hemorrhage, confirms the therapeutic value of the various parenchyma-sparing embolization techniques.     

Polyglactin 910 implants in muscle revision surgery for the reconstruction of physiologic limits in Tenon's capsule

Iatrogenic damage to the orbital fascial system during strabismus surgery may lead to adherences with resulting problems of motility. To prevent new adherences in revisional surgery, several materials were tried, with varying degrees of success. The authors tested Polyglactin 910, popular as a suture material in strabismus surgery, in the form of a net. The material is hydrolytically soluble. Since the tissue response is finished before dissolution of the implant, it seemed that Polyglactin would be a suitable barrier to the formation of adhesions in Tenon's capsule. The implant was applied in 11 patients, some of whom had already undergone several strabismus operations and had adhesions at the surgical site. In one case the implant was used in a primary procedure. In one patient revisional surgery was needed four weeks after surgery because of overeffect, and this provided an opportunity to investigate the implanted area histologically.     

Neuroprostheses in the management of incontinence in myelomeningocele patients

A 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl underwent successful closure of the meningomyelocele defect in childhood but they continued to suffer incontinence of stool and urine. After a 5-day trial with percutaneous electrostimulation of the pudendal nerve both patients received permanent neuroprosthetic implants. They became completely continent of stool and exhibited greater than 90% improvement in urinary control. These patients demonstrate that there is a small subset of meningomyelocele patients who, despite absence of spontaneous reflex tonus in the urinary and bowel sphincters, nevertheless have preserved motor capabilities.     

Interleukin-2, its soluble receptor,and soluble T8 antigen in acute ischemic stroke

The treatment of neoplasia with interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be complicated by neurological deficits resembling transient Ischemic attack and stroke. We investigated whether interleukin-2 contributes to the natural course of cerebrovascular ischemia and particularly to the pathogenesis of infection-associated stroke. Plasma levels of interleukin-2 were below the level of detectability in almost all measurements. Patients with and without previous infection (n = 11, 805 ±445 U/ml vs n = 19, 824 ± 501 U/ml) did not have significantly higher levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors than control subjects with (n = 14, 667 ± 229 U/ml) or without vascular risk factors (n = 17, 567 ± 176 U/ml). Receptor levels increased in patients during the first week after stroke (n = 15, 1157 ± 1013, p < 0.02). Levels of soluble T8 antigen (sT8) were higher in patients (n – 26, 320 ± 112 U/ml) than in healthy control subjects (n = 15, 246 ± 92 U/ml; p < 0.05) and sT8 levels increased during the first week after stroke (p < 0.05). These results reflect an immunological response to the cerebral infarct; they do not indicate a general role of the IL-2 system in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke with or without previous infection.