Coralline hydroxyapatite bone graft substitutes: preliminary report of radiographic evaluation

A new bone graft substitute made by conversion of the calcium carbonate exoskeleton of reef-building sea coral into hydroxyapatite has recently become clinically available. The normal radiographic appearance of two forms of this material is described. In the immediate postoperative period, the exoskeletal architecture of these implants is readily appreciated. With graft incorporation over the ensuing months, their intrinsic structure is gradually lost in association with poor marginal definition. Evolving radiographic findings reflect the biocompatible nature of these implants, which provides the potential for ingrowth of native bone with preservation of the coralline scaffold, resulting in enhanced biomechanical properties.     

Birth weight and age at menopause in Australian female twin pairs: exploration of the fetal origin hypothesis

In a twin sample where duration of gestation can be controlled, a specific example of the fetal origins hypothesis concerning association between low birth weight and early age at menopause is explored. The hypothesis is based on the physiologically plausible path from intrauterine growth retardation and reduced numbers of primary follicles to an earlier menopause. The sample comprised 323 Australian female twin pairs where both co-twins had reached menopause naturally and reported on their weight at birth. Regression analysis showed no linear association between the two variables (P = 0.371, r(2) = 0.0009). Intra-pair differences in age at menopause were investigated in the context of relative birth weight of co-twins. In 265 pairs an intra-pair birth weight difference was reported. In monozygotic (MZ) pairs (n = 168) this allowed for control of genetic effects as well as gestation duration. No significant differences dependent on birth weight relative to co-twin were found for age at natural menopause in either MZ or dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, even in pairs whose birth weights differed markedly. There was some indication that twins with premature ovarian failure were heavier at birth than twins with normal or later menopausal age. We conclude that the hypothesis that lower birth weight is associated with earlier menopause is not supported by our data.     

The tyrosine-based YXXØ targeting motif of murine leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein affects pathogenesis

Retroviruses, such as human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV), and murine leukemia viruses (MuLV), harbor a tyrosine-based motif in the intracytoplasmic domain of their envelope glycoprotein. This motif can act as an endocytosis signal or as a targeting signal, restricting viral budding at specific cell surface membrane domains. In the present study, proviral DNA of the ecotropic Cas-Br-E strain of MuLV was modified by substitution or deletion of the critical tyrosine residue. Mutant viruses lost basolateral targeting in polarized MDCK epithelial cells while expression level of the glycoprotein at the cell surface was not affected. This suggests that the tyrosine-based motif in MuLV does not act as an endocytosis signal. Only a small delay in the appearance of disease was observed in inoculated mice. In contrast, a striking change in the pathology was observed with enlarged thymus and lymph nodes in animals inoculated with mutant viruses.     

Comparison of deltaFVC between patients with allergic rhinitis with airway hypersensitivity and patients with mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: In asthmatic individuals, airway sensitivity and maximal airway response are increased. Airway sensitivity is usually evaluated by measuring the provocation concentration of inhaled methacholine or histamine that causes a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 20% (PC20). The percentage decrease in forced vital capacity at the PC20 (deltaFVC) has been proposed as a surrogate marker for maximal airway response. Individuals with allergic rhinitis and no clinical evidence of asthma frequently exhibit airway hypersensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To compare the deltaFVC between patients with allergic rhinitis and mild asthmatic patients with a similar degree of airway hypersensitivity. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of methacholine challenge test data from 72 children with allergic rhinitis and airway hypersensitivity (methacholine PC20 < 16 mg/mL) (rhinitis group) and from 72 children with mild atopic asthma matched to the rhinitis group regarding the methacholine PC20 (asthma group). The deltaFVC was calculated on the concentration-response curve to methacholine. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD deltaFVC was significantly lower in the rhinitis group (15.0% +/- 3.6%) vs the asthma group (17.4% +/- 5.3%) (P = .002). There was no significant correlation between the deltaFVC and PC20 in the rhinitis (r = -0.101; P = .41) and asthma (r = -0.023; P = .85) groups when 2 patients with PC20 less than 1 mg/mL were excluded from each group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with allergic rhinitis and airway hypersensitivity had a significantly lower deltaFVC than methacholine PC20-matched mild asthmatic patients, suggesting that the level of maximal airway response in patients with allergic rhinitis is lower than that in mild asthmatic patients with a similar degree of airway hypersensitivity.     

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemias. V. Studies on the resistance against complement haemolysis of the red cells of patients with chronic cold agglutinin disease

Experiments are described the results of which sustain the hypothesis that resistance against complement haemolysis, which is a characteristic of the red cells of patients with chronic cold agglutinin disease, is due to the following mechanism: when red cells react with cold auto-agglutinins in vivo, they are either haemolysed immediately, or, due to an unknown factor, escape direct haemolysis. In the latter case β₁E and β₁A disappear from the cell membrane. To the sites where these proteins have been attached once, no new β₁E or β₁A molecules can be bound. Full complement activation thus becomes impossible.     

Epidemiologic characteristics of death by poisoning in 1991-2001 in Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of the death by poisoning in Korea. We recoded the Death Certificates Database by injury based on the short version of the International Classification of External Causes of Injuries (ICECI). We evaluated the mortality rate by total injury and poisoning, and analyzed the mortality rate by age, gender, year and month, toxic agent, and intent. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic factors on suicidal poisoning death. The total number of death cases by injury was 346,656. The proportion of death cases by injury decreased from 13.53% of all death cases in 1991 to 11.89% in 2001. However, the mortality rate by poisoning increased rapidly from 1998, and then remained stable. The number of suicidal poisoning deaths has gradually increased, and its mortality rate was 6.41 (per 100,000) in 2001. Major toxic agents were pesticides and herbicides (50.90%) in 2001. Adjusted odds ratios of suicidal poisoning versus other poisonings showed significant differences in education attainment, region, and marital status. In conclusion, the mortality rate by poisoning has increased, and the proportion of suicidal poisoning also has increased compared to that of accidental poisoning.     

Interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphism related with allergic pathogenesis in Iris constitution

Iridological constitution has a strong familial aggregation and is implicated in heredity. The aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease is still unknown. However, from genetic epidemiological studies there is considerable evidence that genetic factors are associated with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We investigated the relationships between Iridological constitution and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) gene polymorphism. IL-1β is a major proinflammatiry cytokine, and the polymorphisms of this gene have been shown to be of importance in a number of diseases. Especially, IL-1 has been suspected of involvement in allergic pathogenesis. Also, IL-1β genotype is one of the genetic markers of gastric cancer. Therefore, we classified 166 individuals according to Iris constitution, and determined IL-1β genotype. The frequencies of Iris constitutions as follows: neurogenic type, 41 (24.7%); abdominal connective tissue weakness type, 53 (31.9%); cardio-renal connective tissue weakness type, 50 (30.1%); the others type, 22 (13.3%). Especially, the frequency of abdominal connective tissue weakness type was higher in C/T genotype than in the remaining constitutions although the statistical power was very weak. Furthermore, we first attempted to explore possible involvement of the IL-1β polymorphism and the Iris constitution.