Serum and synovial fluid antibodies to collagen in rheumatic diseases: a review

The literature on the occurrence and significance of antibodies to native or denatured collagen in rheumatic diseases is reviewed. Mainly type I and type II collagen have been investigated, both in serum and synovial fluid, with special reference to their possible role in rheumatoid arthritis. Brief results of the analysis of 40 synovial fluid samples, using an ELISA technique are included.     

A model for breast cancer screening

A model for breast cancer screening has been developed. When the appropriate screening policy is specified, the model reproduces the detection rates and the incidence of interval cancers as observed in the recent screening projects in Utrecht and Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The model-predicted mortality rate reduction is in accordance with the results of the Kopparberg/Osterg?tland randomized trial in Sweden. Key parameters of the model are the duration of the preclinical stages and the sensitivity of mammography. The average duration is approximately 2 years at age 40 and increases to approximately 5 years at age 70. The sensitivity is high (approximately 95%) for tumors larger than 1 cm. The model is used in the prospective evaluation of effects and costs of various screening policies.     

Impaired vascular reactivity in pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular function of pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, using a noninvasive method. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study that examined vascular function, which was assessed by flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, in 37 pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in 37 healthy pregnant women at 20 weeks of gestation. The control of diabetes was also assessed by the measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin. Data were analyzed by 2-sided unpaired t test and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: In the pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was significantly lower than in healthy pregnant women (6.43% +/- 3.66% vs 9.43% +/- 3.69%, respectively; P =.0008). This difference was apparent even after an adjustment was made for blood vessel diameter, which was different between the 2 populations (P =.01). Flow-mediated dilatation in diabetic women was significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes (P =.01) but not with the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: Maternal insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with an impaired vasodilatory response to a blood flow stimulus. This vascular dysfunction is associated with the duration of the diabetes.     

Forward motility protein (FMP): localization in hamster epididymal spermatozoa

The presence of FMP was investigated by immunocytochemistry in spermatozoa from the hamster caput and cauda epididymis. Spermatozoa from the caput showed no staining whereas spermatozoa pre-incubated with FMP were stained on the acrosome. Pre-treatment of the same sperm with epididymal plasma induced staining on the principal piece of the flagellum. Spermatozoa from the cauda were stained without previous incubation both on the acrosome and on the principal piece of the flagellum. These results suggest that the action of FMP, which prevents head-to-head agglutination of motile spermatozoa and allows acquisition of forward motility, may be due to at least two proteins. The first localizes to the acrosome during epididymal transit (anti-sticking factor), whilst the second localizes to the principal piece of the flagellum (forward motility initiation factor).     

Adhesion of the probiotic bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis> 299v onto the gut mucosa in critically ill patients: a randomised open trial

Introduction  

To achieve any possible positive effect on the intestinal mucosa cells it is important that probiotics adhere tightly onto the intestinal mucosa. It has been shown in healthy volunteers that Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp 299v) (DSM 9843), a probiotic bacterium, given orally in a fermented oatmeal formula adheres onto the intestinal mucosa, but whether this also occurs in critically ill patients is unknown.