Identification and quantification of antigens associated with HLA class I molecules on a bladder tumour cell line. Implications for vaccine design

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify antigenic peptides associated with HLA class I molecules on a bladder tumour cell line. HLA-A1 molecules were purified using an immunobead-purification technique and following elution of nonapeptides associated with the complex, their HPLC profile was determined by Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Three peptides were identified namely: (1) P991 (VTDPGNLLY); (2) P1041.5 (LTDLGFLVY), and (3) P1057.7 (LTDPHLLSY); these sequences matched elements of hepatitis B, MAGE1-A1 and herpes simplex viruses. These antigens had half-lives of approximately 120 min which is within the theoretical range of such short peptides. These results indicate that identification of MHC-associated peptides is possible without using an assay for cytotoxic T cells. Although this approach was applied on a relatively small scale, broader applications can be foreseen.     

Federally funded sexually transmitted disease programs and managed care: a review of current and planned partnerships

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested that sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs report their current activities and plans to collaborate with managed care organizations in their 1999 applications for federal funding. GOAL: To review CDC STD program applications for funding to assess the number of activities between STD programs and managed care organizations. METHODS: Narrative data on managed care topics were abstracted from 59 funding applications (50 states, 7 cites or counties, and 2 US territories), using standard qualitative methods. A coding system was applied to categorize each managed care activity into one of nine categories (interrater reliability, 93%). An expert panel ranked activities by complexity, and these scores were used to develop an overall complexity score for each program. RESULTS: All but 9 of the 59 applicants reported managed care organization activities. Altogether, 208 activities were specifically documented, 45% of which were classified as operational in 1999. The most frequently reported activities involved gathering and giving information and promoting STD care through legislation and state Medicaid activities. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable information transfer and policy action between STD programs and managed care organizations are taking place. Further integration of services and policies should be studied and encouraged to promote the effective treatment of STD.     

Ventricular arrhythmias following thermal damage of epicardial tissue: possible causes and clinical implications

Epicardial heating may be used for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation and transmyocardial revascularization. However, the potential risks of thermal epicardial injury, including arrhythmia, have not been fully explored. This study relates the pathologic and arrhythmic sequellae of epicardial heating when applied with a diode laser at varying doses. Acute pathology and dosimetry were determined in a group of normal dogs using 2-3 W over 30-90 seconds. Another group received a similar dose range before undergoing 24-hour monitoring, and electrophysiological testing was done at 4 weeks. In this group, four dogs each received 12 lesions (90-180 J) according to a randomized block design. Another dog received nine lower dose lesions (30-120 J). Acute lesions measured 2.5-8.0-mm wide by 4-8.5-mm deep. Charring and vaporization were common when 3 W were applied over 45 seconds. Within 24 hours, VT with features of abnormal automaticity occurred in all dogs receiving this dose. The dog in whom lower doses induced coagulation only had no VT. Four weeks later, electrophysiological study induced no VT. At this time fibrosis and granulation tissue were organizing the contraction band necrosis seen acutely, and some lesion borders were becoming calcified. No major vessels had been damaged. Abnormal automaticity and VT may occur if thermal damage of the epicardium exceeds coagulation. This could be related to tissue injury caused by sudden water vaporization, and may have clinical relevance given the growing indications for myocardial heating.     

Plasmepsin inhibitors: design,synthesis, inhibitory studies and crystal structure analysis

Abstract: Plasmepsin group of enzymes are key enzymes in the life cycle of malarial parasites. As inhibition of plasmepsins leads to the parasite's death, these enzymes can be utilized as potential drug targets. Although many drugs are available, it has been observed that Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes most of the malarial infections and subsequent death, has developed resistance against most of the drugs. Based on the cleavage sites of hemglobin, the substrate for plasmepsins, we have designed two compounds (p‐nitrobenzoyl‐leucine‐β‐alanine and p‐nitrobenzoyl‐leucine‐isonipecotic acid), synthesized them, solved their crystal structures and studied their inhibitory effect using experimental and theoretical (docking) methods. In this paper, we discuss the synthesis, crystal structures and inhibitory nature of these two compounds which have a potential to inhibit plasmepsins.     

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: An Elusive Disease of the Coronaries

The articles in our Points to Remember column highlight important “need to know” facts about conditions that cardiovascular healthcare professionals may encounter. These may come from any medical specialty, such as nephrology or neurology. The article in this issue is provided by Swaminathan Perinkulam Sathyanarayanan, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota, and Smitha Narayana Gowda, MD, and Alpesh Shah, MD, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist.     

Multiple submandibular duct (wharton’s duct) calculi of unusual size and shape

Salivary gland stones are most common in the ductal system of submandibular glands and are calcified. A rare case of multiple submandibular duct (Wharton’s duct) calculi of unusual size and shape in a 42 year old male patient, who presented with pain and swelling in the region of submandibular gland and hence reported. Sometimes a stone comes out into the mouth on its own or with gentle probing. However in this case a small intra-oral procedure is needed to remove the stone.     

Trocheliophorin: A novel rearranged sesquiterpenoid from the Indian Ocean soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

A novel rearranged sesquiterpenoid, trocheliophorin (1) has been isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum besides the known compounds, sarcophytin, methyl arachidonate, and two polyhydroxy steroids (24S)-24-methylcholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta,25-tetrol-25-monoacetate and (24S)-24-methylcholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta,25-tetrol. The structure of the new sesquiterpenoid was elucidated by a study of its spectral data.     

Technical developments for cerebral thermal treatment: water-cooled diffusing laser fibre tips and temperature-sensitive MRI using intersecting image planes.

The aim was to determine if water-cooled diffusing tips could produce larger and safer (better controlled) thermal lesions than non-cooled diffusing tips at 980 nm. Thermal lesions were induced in beef myocardium in vitro with and without water cooling using a 980 nm diode laser at various power levels. Seven intracerebral treatments were performed in six canines using water-cooled diffusing tips with four animals having intracerebral transmissible venereal tumours grown from inoculate. Magnetic resonance thermal imaging (MRTI)-based feedback software using a fast, radio frequency-spoiled gradient echo acquisition with two intersecting image planes was used for on-line monitoring and control of treatment and for the evaluation of in vivo laser lesion production. In cases where two-plane MRTI was employed, the maximum calculated temperature was compared in each plane. Using water-cooled tips and 400 micro m core diameter laser diffusing fibres in in vitro beef myocardium, power of up to 9.5 W was applied for 8 min without tip failure. Without cooling, tip failure occurred in under 4 min at 6 W, in under 2 min at 7 W and instantaneously at 8 W. Additionally, char accompanied lesions made with uncooled tips while cooled application resulted in only minimal char at only the highest thermal dose. Achieved lesion cross-sectional diameters in in vitro samples were up to 26.5 x 23.3 mm when water cooling was used. In canine brain and transmissible venereal tumours, up to 18.1 x 21.4 mm lesions were achieved. It is concluded that water cooling allows safe application of higher power to small core diameter diffusing tip fibres, which results in larger thermal lesions than can be achieved without cooling. Two-plane MRTI enhances on-line monitoring and feedback of thermal treatment.     

The use of the hairless guinea pig in tattoo research.

The study and optimization of tattoo removal continues to be of importance in the dermatology community. Robust animal models whose skin is physiologically similar to humans and who are easily handled are desirable. To this end, we report on our experience with the hairless guinea pig as a model for tattoo research. This research was conducted as part of a larger study toward increased efficacy of laser tattoo removal. Here we report on procedures for both placement and aftercare of tattoos which result in superior tattoo quality and retention.