Plasma levels of neuropeptides in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: In the central nervous system, several neuropeptides are believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Indeed, previous studies have documented that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) possesses neurotropic properties and can reduce amyloid-beta peptide levels in the brain in vivo. Moreover, the concentrations of neuropeptide Y (NPY) seem to be altered in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with AD and in subjects with major depression. Finally, among the modifications induced by aging, a dysregulation of the ghrelin-growth hormone (GH) system has been reported. METHODS: We investigated the plasma concentrations of these neuropeptides in 14 subjects with AD. Data obtained from these patients were compared with data from an age- and weight-matched healthy group. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to plasma levels of GLP-1, NPY, ghrelin and GH. Peripheral NPY concentrations were positively correlated with ghrelin levels in both groups, and with plasma GLP-1 concentration only in controls. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, peripheral levels of these neuropeptides seem not to serve as biochemical markers of AD.     

Effects of estradiol alone and combined with norethisterone acetate on pulse-wave velocity in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension and postmenopausal reduction of estrogen levels may be involved in modifications of the stiffness of large arteries. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and indirectly the arterial stiffness in hypertensive postmenopausal women submitted to hormone therapy with estradiol alone or combined with norethisterone acetate. SUBJECTS: Forty-five hypertensive postmenopausal women were double-blindly, randomly assigned to three arms of treatment: placebo (group I); estradiol 2 mg/day (group II); or estradiol 2 mg/day and norethisterone acetate 1 mg/day (group III). METHODS: Arterial stiffness was assessed from PWV measurements of the common carotid and femoral arteries (CF-PWV) and the common carotid and radial arteries (CR-PWV) obtained using the automatic Complior(R) device, taken at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: After the 12-week treatment, values of CF-PWV and CR-PWV were not significantly different (p = 0.910 and p = 0.736, respectively) among the groups. Systolic blood pressure showed a positive correlation with CF-PWV in groups II and III (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PWV and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal hypertensive women did not reduce over a 12-week treatment with estradiol alone compared with the same period of treatment with estradiol combined with norethisterone acetate.     

Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay kit for estrogen receptor measurement--report II

We present evidence to show that monoclonal antibodies to estrogen receptors (ER) in solid phase recognize the secondary estrogen binding sites with moderate to low affinity for estradiol (E2). An excellent quantitative agreement was found in five cytosols between the ER values obtained by the enzyme immunoassay (ER-EIA) and the amount of secondary estrogen binding sites measured by the assay involving dextran-coated charcoal (Clin Chem 1986;32:1496). The immunoreactive protein recognized by the antibody-coated beads, when allowed to react with ER(+) cytosols, is shown to bind [3H]estradiol only when the ligand concentration exceeds 8 nmol/L. Further biochemical and functional characterization of the immunoreactive protein is required to establish similarities/dissimilarities between this protein, high-affinity Type I ER sites, and the secondary sites such as Type II sites.     

Theoretical QSAR study on carcinogenic potency of N-nitrosamines

A mechanistic QSAR study on N-nitrosamines (NA) was performed with the aid of the semiempirical MINDO/3 method. Both the chemical reactivity and the transport in biological medium were taken into account. The parent NA molecules and their first reaction intermediates in the metabolic activation pathway were examined for possible determinants of the relative carcinogenic potency. The correlations found support the previous suggestions concerning the metabolic C alpha radical hydroxylation of NA. The role of transport properties in the early stage of NA biotransformation was also demonstrated.     

Drug-induced bronchial asthma

In any case of acute bronchoconstriction the possibility of an adverse reaction to a drug should be considered. In many of such side reactions no allergic mechanism can be detected. Therefore, they are included into the category of pseudoallergic reactions (PAR). The clinically most important form of drug-induced bronchial asthma, analgesics asthma, belongs to this PAR group. A further risk for asthmatics are intravenous applications of contrast-media for roentgenography which in about 15% induce a severe, sometimes life-threatening pseudo-allergic adverse reaction. In asthmatics, the application of any beta-receptor blocking agents and also the use of parasympathicotonic eye drops for treatment of glaucoma are contraindicated. Paradoxical bronchial constriction following application of antiasthmatics are preponderantly caused by locally irritative actions, less frequently by genuine allergic phenomena or additive intolerance. The most reliable prophylaxis against drug-induced bronchial asthma consists in strong avoidance of all derivatives possibly capable to trigger any intolerance. A respective warning should entered into the emergency passport.     

Prevalence of Candida tropicalis in clinical specimens from patients with variable clinical syndromes over a 5-year period

Summary. In this study, we have examined our records for the isolation of Candida tropicalis from clinical specimens of patients with heterogeneous clinical presentations during the past 5 years. We have found that this species ranks third among all yeasts in frequency of isolation from clinical specimens and that the trend of recovery from the specimens is rising over the years. The isolation rate of C. tropicalis was highest from urine specimens (36%) followed by respiratory specimens (22%). The frequency of isolation of C. tropicalis from vaginal specimens was relatively high (14%), however the trend was declining over the years. In general, the high recovery of Candida tropicalis from clinical specimens of patients with variable disease supports the views of this organism being a major pathogen.
Zusammenfassung. Die Studie basiert auf einer Durchsicht der Patientenarchive der letzten fünf Jahre auf die Isolationshäufigkeit von Candida tropicalis aus klinischen Untersuchungsmaterialien von Patienten mit unterschiedlichen klinischen Krankheitsbildern. Diese Hefeart war die dritthäufigste mit steigender Tendenz über die Jahre. Die Isolierungsrate von C. tropicalis war am höchsten aus Urin (36%), gefolgt von Respirationstrakt-Materialien (22%). Die Isolationshäufigkeit aus dem hinteren Scheidengewölbe war relativ hoch (14%), nahm jedoch mit den jahren ab. Allgemein unterstreicht die hohe Isolationsrate von C. tropicalis aus klinischen Untersuchungsmaterialien die ätiologische Bedeutung dieses Erregers.