CONFORMATIONAL CALCULATIONS ON GASTRIN C-TERMINAL TETRAPEPTIDE

Energy optimizations were performed on some typical conformations of the gastrin C-terminal peptide amide NAc-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH₂. Two families of lowest energy conformations were found corresponding to: (a) α-helical structures; (b) conformations having β-structure at the level of Trp residue, and C₇-structure at the level of Asp residue. The two aromatic rings were folded on the peptide backbone and ca. 5 Å distant from each other (centre to centre). The last family, favoured by energy and population probability, can better account for conformational experimental results and biological activity observations.     

The lichen planus-like eruption after bone marrow transplantation

A lichen planus-like eruption was seen in four patients after bone marrow transplantation. The skin and mucous membrane appearance closely mimicked lichen planus. The histopathology was also very similar to lichen planus. The occurrence of a lichen planus-like eruption (LPLE) after an immune basal cell damage related to the graft-versus-host reaction raised the question of the immune nature of this eruption. The correlation found between biological signs of graft-versus-host reaction and the out-break or relapse of the lichen planus-like eruption supports the hypothesis that the skin changes could be a sign of a chronic immune response against recipient epidermis.     

Temporary Atrial Pacing in the Prevention of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Since its prevention with prophylactic drug therapy has limited success, alternative approaches are desirable. This study examined the efficacy of atrial or biatrial pacing, compared with no pacing, on the incidence of AF after isolated CABG.
Methods: From August 2002 to September 2004, 240 patients underwent CABG. After surgery, right and left atrial epicardial pacing wires were implanted for 72 hours of temporary pacing. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: no pacing (control group), right atrial (RA), and biatrial (BiA) pacing. Cardiac rhythm was monitored continuously during intensive care, or daily on the ward. The primary endpoints of this study were an episode of AF occurring up to 72 hours after CABG and the risk factors correlated with this event.
Results: Atrial and BiA pacing significantly lowered the incidence (1.25% vs 25%, P = 0.001) of AF episodes, and were both correlated (odd ratio 0.038; 95% confidence interval 0.005–0.29) with a decrease in rates of postoperative AF. Multivariable analysis identified older age (odd ratio 1.074; 95% confidence interval 1.024–1.12) and no pacing as independent risk factors of postoperative AF.
Conclusions: Temporary right atrial or biatrial pacing after CABG significantly decreased the postoperative incidence of AF. Multivariable analysis identified older age and no pacing as predictors of AF occurrence .     

Human alcohol dehydrogenase ADH1, ADH2 and ADH3 loci in a mixed population of Bahia, Brazil

1. The three structural gene loci of human alcohol dehydrogenase have been studied in liver, jejunum and lung from 300 newborns in a triracially mixed population of Bahia, Brazil. 2. The frequency of the ADH23 allele was 0-1392, suggesting that the ADH23 allele is less frequent in Negroes. 3. A new ADH2 variant was identified. The electrophoretic pattern was interpreted as due to a new allele which is provisionally called ADH2Bahia. 4. By electrophoretic classification the 'atypical' variant was found in 2-8% of the sample. A question is raised regarding the ancestral origin of the 'atypical' variant in the population. Because this variant is common in Japanese it may have reached the present day population of Bahia through their American Indian ancestors. 5. Subjective estimation of the proportions of beta chains by giving scores to the liver isozymes alphaalpha, alphabeta and betabeta showed a clear relationship between the fetal weight and the beta chain activity. 6. The proportion of beta chains in the liver is significantly less when there is no enzyme activity in the lung, indicating some synchronous 'turning on' mechanism for alcohol dehydrogenase synthesis in both tissues.     

Metatarsal growth during the second trimester: a predictor of gestational age?

Metatarsal growth was studied in 780 human fetal metatarsal bones, crown-rump length ranging from 120 to 260 mm and gestational age ranging from 14 to 23 wk postconception. Total length, diaphyseal length and diameter were measured and statistical analysis performed. Means and standard deviations for each measurement were calculated at 1 wk intervals. These data were correlated with crown-rump length and gestational age and an equation was constructed in an attempt to predict gestational age.     

Double-blind comparison of levocabastine eye drops with sodium cromoglycate and placebo in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

The efficacy and tolerance of topical administration (one drop in each eye q.i.d.) of levocabastine (0.5 mg/ml) was compared with that of sodium cromoglycate (20 mg/ml) and placebo in a 4-week double-blind trial in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. The investigator rated the treatment as globally good or excellent in significantly more patients treated with levocabastine (89%) than with cromoglycate (67%, P = 0.03) or placebo (48%, P = 0.007). The patients felt that the treatment was more efficacious in 95% (levocabastine), 35% (cromoglycate) and 36% (placebo) of the cases in which they had taken previous antiallergic medication. Total symptom severity according to the patients' diary data was consistently lower with levocabastine than with cromoglycate or placebo for all ocular symptoms. The difference was mainly apparent at the beginning of treatment. The percentage of symptom-free days was higher in the levocabastine group (53%) than in the cromoglycate (31%, P = 0.02) and the placebo group (34%, P = 0.08). Particularly at high-pollen days, levocabastine was superior to cromoglycate in eliminating moderate or severe symptoms. Adverse effects did not occur more frequently with levocabastine or cromoglycate than with placebo. It is concluded that levocabastine is an efficacious, fast-acting and well-tolerated drug in the management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.