Distinction of human hookworm larvae based on lectin-binding characteristics

A comparative study of lectin binding to ensheathed (EnL3) and exsheathed (ExL3) L3 larvae of Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and Ancylostoma ceylanicum revealed a number of differences between these hookworm species. These differences could provide a novel approach to distinguish infective L3 larvae in field conditions. For example, binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA120) to N. americanus EnL3 distinguished them from those of A. duodenale and A. ceylanicum. Furthermore, UEA and RCA120 negative EnL3 could be separated into the two Ancylostoma sps. tested, as Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and Soybean agglutinin bound to EnL3 of A. ceylanicum but not to those of A. duodenale.     

The Retrogastric Transventricular Approach for Drainage of the "Supragastric" Pancreatic Pseudocyst

The majority of pancreatic pseudocysts develop in a retrogastric situation and are amenable to transgastric cystogastrostomy through the anterior gastric wall. We have encountered two pseudocysts in an unusual situation, in which adherence of the anterior gastric wall to the anterior parietal peritoneum precluded this approach. A retrogastric exposure through the lesser sac allowed for the creation of a cystogastrostomy through the superior aspects of the anterior and posterior gastric walls, adjacent to the lesser curvature of the stomach. This type of drainage is successful despite the theoretical failure to satisfy the dictum of dependent drainage.     

Colovenous Fistula Complicating Diverticulitis

Colonic diverticulitis is frequently complicated by bowel obstruction, abscess, perforation and fistula formation. We report a unique case of colonic diverticulitis complicated by colovenous fistulization with Gastrografin^® enema examination demonstrating thrombus in the inferior mesenteric vein.     

T Lymphocyte Subsets in Parenteral and Non-parenteral Heroin Abusers in Britain

Parenteral drug abusers comprise the second largest group of patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). To determine whether heroin abusers in Britain had immunologic abnormalities similar to those seen in AIDS, we determined T lymphocyte subsets in 14 parenteral heroin abusers and 10 non-parenteral heroin abusers. No significant differences were found in T4/T8 ratios or in the absolute numbers of T3, T4, or T8-positive cells. These results suggest that neither narcotic drugs nor repeated exposure to unsterile injectable substances are responsible for low T4/T8 ratios in parenteral drug abusers with AIDS.     

Comparison of Complete and Incomplete Revascularization by Coronary Angioplasty for Unstable Angina

When a "culprit lesion" can be identified in a patient with unstable angina, it may be possible to achieve clinical improvement with incomplete revascularization. We analyzed actuarial survival free of an event (severe angina, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, or death) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months in 83 patients with multi-vessel disease and unstable angina who had undergone successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA); revascularization was complete in 31 patients and incomplete in 52. Event-free survival in 85 patients with single-vessel disease and unstable angina who had undergone successful PTCA also was analyzed. Event-free survival at 24 months was worse in the multivessel disease patients than in the single-vessel disease patients (62% vs 85%; P = 0.001). Multivessel disease patients with complete revascularization had the same event-free survival as those with incomplete revascularization (63% vs 61%; P NS). Diagnostic angiograms revealed thrombus or an irregular ulcerated lesion in 42 of the multivessel disease patients. The event-free survival of these 42 patients was not different from that of the multivessel disease patients as a whole (64% vs 60%; P NS). We conclude that in patients with multivessel disease and unstable angina the event-free survival after PTCA is poorer than in patients with single-vessel disease and unstable angina. In the former patients, event-free survival does not necessarily depend on the completeness of revascularization. The outcome of patients who have intra-coronary thrombus or an irregular ulcerated lesion resembles the outcome of patients who lack these findings. (J Interven Cardiol: 1988:1:1)     

REDIRECTING T LYMPHOCYTE SPECIFICITY USING T CELL RECEPTOR GENES

Redirecting T cells by transferring T cell receptor (TCR) genes from tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-reactive T cell clones into human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) has therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases, including cancer. T cell specificity can be altered using retroviruses encoding TCR &#102 and TCR &#103 chain genes, or chimeric immunoglobulin (cIg) genes containing signaling domains of CD3 &#145 or Fc &#108 RI- &#110. This review evaluates recent studies using TCRs and cIgs to redirect T cell specificity and discusses some of the technical and biological hurdles that need to be addressed before these approaches can be successfully used to treat patients.     

Quantitative electroencephalography during rapid eye movement (REM) and non‐REM sleep in combat‐exposed veterans with and without post‐traumatic stress disorder

Sleep disturbances are a hallmark feature of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Few studies have examined sleep quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), a technique able to detect subtle differences that polysomnography does not capture. We hypothesized that greater high‐frequency qEEG would reflect ‘hyperarousal’ in combat veterans with PTSD (n = 16) compared to veterans without PTSD (n = 13). EEG power in traditional EEG frequency bands was computed for artifact‐free sleep epochs across an entire night. Correlations were performed between qEEG and ratings of PTSD symptoms and combat exposure. The groups did not differ significantly in whole‐night qEEG measures for either rapid eye movement (REM) or non‐REM (NREM) sleep. Non‐significant medium effect sizes suggest less REM beta (opposite to our hypothesis), less REM and NREM sigma and more NREM gamma in combat veterans with PTSD. Positive correlations were found between combat exposure and NREM beta (PTSD group only), and REM and NREM sigma (non‐PTSD group only). Results did not support global hyperarousal in PTSD as indexed by increased beta qEEG activity. The correlation of sigma activity with combat exposure in those without PTSD and the non‐significant trend towards less sigma activity during both REM and NREM sleep in combat veterans with PTSD suggests that differential information processing during sleep may characterize combat‐exposed military veterans with and without PTSD.