Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies monospecific to MMTV LTR orf protein produced in E. coli.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to an open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat were generated using an open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein produced in E. coli. Both antibodies reacted with the open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein but not with beta-galactosidase alone using an immunoblotting technique. It is concluded that these antibodies were specific for the protein encoded by the open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat.     

Lectin histochemistry in mucinous and serous ovarian neoplasms.

The lectin-binding properties of 44 cases of serous and mucinous ovarian cystadenoma, tumor of low malignant potential (LMP), and invasive carcinoma were examined histochemically. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), concanavalin A (con A), Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and Robina pseudoaccacia (RPA) were employed. All the lectins examined were bound to neoplastic epithelial cells of benign and malignant tumors, but none bound exclusively to ovarian tumor cells. Different lectin-binding patterns between serous and mucinous neoplasms were observed, with the exception of RPA. UEA-I, con A, RPA, and PNA in serous neoplasms and UEA-I, RPA, and WGA in mucinous neoplasms demonstrated lectin-binding properties of LMP tumors intermediate between those of cystadenoma and invasive carcinoma. These findings indicate that serous and mucinous ovarian neoplasms contain different glycoconjugates, that malignant transformation of the neoplasms is associated with alteration of these glycoconjugates, and especially that LMP tumors have a different composition of cellular glycoconjugates from that of invasive ovarian carcinoma.     

Safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus type b-tetanus protein conjugate vaccine, mixed in the same syringe with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine in young infants

As new vaccines are developed there is increasing interest in reducing the number of injections given to children by combining vaccines in one syringe. We studied the safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b-tetanus protein conjugate vaccine (PRP-T) administered at ages 2, 4 and 6 months mixed in the same syringe with DTP vaccine and its effects on the seroresponse to DTP vaccine. A group of 112 healthy 2-month-old infants received DTP-PRP-T or DTP-placebo mixed immediately before immunization in the same syringe. The addition of PRP-T to DTP did not increase the rate of local or systemic reactions. After the first, second and third dose, the PRP-T recipients showed a geometric anti-PRP antibody mean of 0.13, 2.31 and 6.40 micrograms/ml vs. 0.07, 0.05 and 0.05 micrograms/ml among the DTP-placebo recipients, respectively. Of the PRP-T recipients, 94 and 98% attained antibody concentration of greater than or equal to 0.15 micrograms/ml protein after the second and third dose, respectively, and 65 and 94% attained a concentration of greater than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/ml after the second and third dose, respectively. At the age of 1 year 94 and 52% of the DTP-PRP-T recipients vs. 12% and 0% of the placebo recipients still maintained titers of greater than or equal to 0.15 and greater than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/ml, respectively. The administration of DTP in the same syringe with PRP-T did not affect significantly the antibody response to diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and to pertussis agglutinins. It is concluded that PRP-T vaccine could be administered in the same syringe as DTP.     

I.v. fentanyl decreases the clearance of midazolam

We have examined the effect of fentanyl on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Thirty patients were allocated randomly to receive fentanyl 200 micrograms and midazolam 0.2 mg kg-1 (fentanyl group, n = 15) or placebo and midazolam 0.2 mg kg-1 (placebo group, n = 15) in a double-blind manner for induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide and isoflurane. Systemic clearance of midazolam was decreased by 30% (P = 0.002) and elimination half-time was prolonged by 50% (P = 0.04) in the fentanyl group compared with the placebo group. There were no differences in the distribution half-time or volume of distribution at steady state between the two groups. These findings indicate that elimination of midazolam was inhibited by fentanyl during general anaesthesia.      

Characterization of freezing of gait subtypes and the response of each to levodopa in Parkinson''s disease

To assess the effect of levodopa on distinct freezing of gait (FOG) subtypes in patients with 'off' FOG. Nineteen patients (12 men, mean age 62.0 +/- 8.4 years) with Parkinson's disease and clinically significant FOG during 'off' states were videotaped whilst walking 130 m during 'off' and 'on' states. Three independent observers characterized the type, duration, and clinical manifestations and quantified FOG by analyzing the videotapes. Their combined mean scores were used for statistical analysis. The intra-class correlation coefficient assessed inter-observer reliability. Wilcoxon and Friedman tests evaluated differences in mean frequencies of FOG characteristics. During 'off' states, FOG was elicited by turns (63%), starts (23%), walking through narrow spaces (12%) and reaching destinations (9%). These respective values were only 14, 4, 2 and 1% during 'on' states (P < 0.011). Moving forward with very small steps and leg trembling in place were the most common manifestations of FOG; total akinesia was rare. Most FOG episodes took <10 s and tended to be shorter during 'on' states. Levodopa significantly decreased FOG frequency (P < 0.0001) and the number of episodes with akinesia (P < 0.001). Distinction amongst FOG subtypes enables evaluation of distinctive therapeutic response. Levodopa helps in reducing the frequency and duration of 'off'-related FOG.     

Alterations in the superoxide dismutase gene of an isoniazid-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Genetic analysis of a set of six Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains differing in virulence for the guinea pig revealed an altered restriction enzyme fragmentation pattern associated with the superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene in a low-virulence, isoniazid-resistant strain. In addition, it was found that the SOD enzyme produced by the isoniazid-resistant strain differed in its electrophoretic mobility from the SOD of other M. tuberculosis strains. Detailed analysis of these strain-specific differences showed that the restriction fragment length polymorphism resulted from the presence of a copy of a repetitive element 552 bp upstream of the SOD gene and that the anomalous electrophoretic mobility arose from a single nucleotide change, resulting in replacement of an aspartic acid residue by histidine in the SOD enzyme of the isoniazid-resistant strain. Possible relationships between genetic changes and strain-dependent differences in virulence are discussed.     

In vitro contracture test for diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia following the protocol of the European MH Group: Results of testing patients surviving fulminant MH and unrelated low-risk subjects

Background: Determination of sensitivity and specificity of the in vitro contracture test (IVCT) for malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility using the European MH Group (EMHG) protocol has been performed in some laboratories but only on a small sample from the combined EMHG. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine combined EMHG sensitivity and specificity of the test. Methods: Results of IVCT of patients with previous fulminant MH and normal, low-risk subjects (controls) were collected from 22 centresof the EMHG. IVCT was performed according to the EMHG protocol. Patients were included inthe study if the clinical crisis had a score of at least 50 points with the Clinical Grading Scale. Low-risk subjects were included provided they did not belong to a family with known MH susceptibility, they had not developed any signs of MH at previous anaesthetics, and they did not suffer from any neuromuscular disease. For inclusion of both MH patientsand low-risk subjects, at least 1 muscle bundle in the IVCT should have twitches of 10 mN(1 g) or more. For evaluation of individual tests, only muscle bundles with twitch heights of 10 mN (1 g) or more were used. Results: A total of 1502 probands had undergone IVCT because of a previous anaesthesia with symptoms and signs suggestive of MH. Of these, 119 had clinical scores of 50 and above. From these 119 MH-suspected patients and from 202 low-risk subjects, IVCT data were collected. Subsequently, 14 MH-suspected patients were excluded from further analysis for thefollowing reasons: In 3 patients, the suspected MH episode could be fully explained by diseases other than MH; in 11 MHS patients, IVCT was incomplete (n=l), data were lost (n=3), or none of the muscle bundles fulfilled twitch criteria (n=7). Of the remaining 105 MH-suspected patients, 89 were MHS, 10 MHEh, 5 MHEc, and one MHN. Thus, we observed a diagnostic sensitivity of the IVCT of 99.0% if the MHE group is considered susceptible(95% confidence interval 94.8–100.0%). Of the 202 low-risk subjects, 3 were MHS, 5 MHEh, 5 MHEc, and 189 MHN. This gives a specificity of the IVCT of 93.6% (95% confidence interval 89.2–96.5%). Conclusion: The IVCT for diagnosis of MH susceptibility in Europe has a high sensitivity and a satisfactory specificity.     

A case of multiple sclerosis with paroxysmal attacks of facial paresthesia, unilateral hand tremor, epigastric pain and urinary incontinence]

A Japanese woman, aged 42, was admitted because of paroxysmal attacks consisting of paresthesia of the left face, tremor in the right hand, epigastric pain and urinary incontinence. A year prior to the admission, she noticed some difficulty in writing, dysarthria and unsteadiness of walking. These symptoms had been persistent since then. At the end of March, 1991, these symptoms rapidly worsened, and she fell down frequently. She also experienced pain behind both eyes, numbness in her left fingers and toe, urinary frequency and the above-mentioned attacks. Neurological examination disclosed bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia and upbeating nystagmus on upward gaze, titubation in the head, scanning speech, dysmetria in all limbs, exaggerated reflexes in jaw and both legs, bilateral extensor plantar reflexes and ankle clonus. SEP showed delayed cortical response with stimulation of the median nerves bilaterally and of the right posterior tibial nerve. P40 was absent with the left posterior tibial nerve stimulation. VEP was normal. T2-weighted image of MRI showed multiple high intensity areas located around the third ventricle, crus cerebri and the right upper part of the pons. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was made. Each paroxysmal attack started with numbness in the left face and burning sensation in the neck. Almost simultaneously tremor in the right hand began. The surface EMG showed the rhythmic contractions in the dorsal hand muscles and wrist extensors at a frequency of 6-7 Hz, and sometimes it revealed synchronized contractions of finger flexors and the dorsal hand muscles. A few seconds later she felt painful sensation in the epigastric region, and the tremor gradually increased in its intensity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)