Serum selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxides in a co-twin control study on multiple sclerosis

Serum selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxides were determined in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The series consisted of 13 same-sexed twin pairs derived from the Finnish Twin Cohort of 15,815 pairs. Fourteen subjects had a definite and 1 a probable MS, and their 11 co-twins showed no evidence of central nervous system disease. No statistical differences were observed, but the 3 patients with active progressive MS had a higher mean level of lipid peroxides than the rest of the patients. We suggest that serum lipid peroxidation may be involved in the activity of MS.     

Co-twin control study on cerebral manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus

All available twin pairs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) derived from the Finnish Twin Cohort were studied by clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), anticardiolipin (aCL), and antineurofilament (ANFA) antibodies. One of the five monozygotic and one of the eight dizygotic pairs were concordant for SLE. 10 of the 15 patients showed clinical neurological abnormalities, and 11 had abnormal MRI of the brain. Altogether, 12 patients were considered to have neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). Seven of the 11 patients with long-term corticosteroid treatment had either central or cortical atrophy. High or moderate aCL level was found in eight patients and two co-twins. Of them, six patients had at least two manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome. ANFAs were found in five patients and four co-twins. Five co-twins fulfilled some of the SLE criteria. Of them, three MZ twins and one additional DZ co-twin with no ARA criteria had findings suggesting central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The results indicate that the majority of SLE patients has cerebral abnormalities either as a result of SLE, or concomitant risk factors. The co-twins without clinical SLE often have minor signs of SLE, and even they may have neurological and MRI abnormalities. However, their aCL and ANFA levels seem not to correlate with MRI abnormalities.     

Effect of S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine on the radiologic visualization of the mucosa in double-contrast examination of the stomach

The radiographic pattern of the areae gastricae is produced by barium lying in the intersecting grooves of the gastric mucosal surface. However, if the mucus layer on the gastric mucosa is thick, it interferes with the barium coating of the areae gastricae. As S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine has been shown to be an effective respiratory tract mucolytic when administered by mouth and, may also render the gastric mucus layer thinner, it was tested as a pretreatment agent in a routine double contrast upper-gastrointestinal study to improve the visualization of the areae gastricae. In a double-blind study 53 of 103 patients took S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine in a dosage of 750 mg three times daily for three days before the examination. Results of the present study show that mucolysis induced by the administered doses of S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine did not significantly affect micromucosal visualization during double-contrast barium meal.     

Release of atrial natriuretic peptide from rat myocardium in vitro: effect of minoxidil-induced hypertrophy.

1. Ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by stimulation of ventricular synthesis of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). To examine the role of ventricular ANP levels in the secretion of ANP into the circulation, atrial and ventricular levels of immunoreactive-ANP (IR-ANP) as well as ANP messenger RNA (mRNA), and the release of IR-ANP from isolated perfused hearts, both before and after atrialectomy, were measured simultaneously in control and minoxidil-treated Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. 2. IR-ANP levels in the ventricles of untreated, 12 month-old SHR with severe ventricular hypertrophy were increased when compared to age-matched WKY rats. Minoxidil treatment for 8 weeks in both strains resulted in a decrease in mean arterial pressure and increases in ventricular weight to body weight ratios, plasma IR-ANP concentrations (in WKY from 133 +/- 20 to 281 +/- 34 pg ml-1, P less than 0.01; in SHR from 184 +/- 38 to 339 +/- 61 pg ml-1, P less than 0.05), and in ventricular IR-ANP contents (in WKY: 53%; in SHR: 41%). A highly significant correlation was found between ventricular IR-ANP content and ventricular weight to body weight ratio (r = 0.59, P less than 0.001, n = 26). 3. When studied in vitro, in isolated perfused heart preparations, the hypertrophied ventricular tissue after atrialectomy secreted more ANP into the perfusate than ventricles of the control hearts; ventricles contributed 28%, 22%, 18% and 15% of the total ANP release to perfusate in the minoxidil-treated SHR, control SHR, minoxidil-treated WKY and control WKY, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Serological evidence for Borna disease virus infection in humans, wild rodents and other vertebrates in Finland.

BACKGROUND: Borna disease virus (BDV) can infect many vertebrate species, including humans. BDV infection may lead to meningoencephalomyelitis in animals. An association with human neuropsychiatric diseases has been reported, but the causal relationship between BDV and human disease remains unclear. OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: To find out whether BDV is present in Finland and to look for a potential reservoir, we examined a large panel of blood samples from different vertebrate species with immunofluorescence assay. Samples from horses, cats, dogs, sheep, cattle, large predators, grouse, wild rodents and humans were included. Most positive results were confirmed by other specific methods and in other laboratories. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: BDV-specific antibodies were detected in 10 horses, 2 cats, as well as 2 horses and 1 dog from farms housing a previously detected seropositive horse. Interestingly, BDV-specific antibodies were further detected in three wild rodents. In humans, BDV-specific antibodies were detected in a veterinarian and in two patients suspected to have a Puumala hantavirus infection. Our serological analysis suggests that BDV infects various vertebrates in Finland, including humans. Furthermore, our data indicate for the first time that BDV infects also wild rodents.     

Outbreak of poliomyelitis in Finland in 1984. Description of nine cases with persisting paralysis

Finland has been free of poliomyelitis since 1964 following a high coverage regular immunization programme using the Salk-type trivalent inactivated poliovirus vaccine. In late 1984 an outbreak of poliomyelitis with widespread circulation of poliovirus type 3 throughout the country was found. A thorough surveillance revealed 9 sporadic cases with acute persisting paralysis, all shown to be caused by poliovirus type 3. The preceding 20-year period free from poliomyelitis contributed to some diagnostic problems.     

Pleuropulmonary involvement during bromocriptine treatment

The use of bromocriptine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is increasing. More than 20 cases of suggested drug-induced pleuropulmonary disorders during bromocriptine therapy have been reported. We describe four male parkinsonian patients taking bromocriptine in whom pleuropulmonary abnormalities were discovered in a pulmonary hospital during a one-year period. In only one case were the roentgenographic changes reversible after withdrawal of the drug. Pleural fluid from two patients was analyzed and showed lymphocyte-predominant chronic inflammatory changes. Raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein values decreased after cessation of bromocriptine. Lung function studies demonstrated volume restriction with normal or high CO transfer coefficient. The frequency of pleuropulmonary changes during bromocriptine therapy may be greater than assumed, and such patients may initially present with nonrespiratory symptoms. Follow-up of patients during bromocriptine treatment by ESR, C-reactive protein, and chest roentgenogram is recommended.     

The importance of organizational culture on development activities in a primary health care organization

The aim of this article is to examine, by means of an empirical study, the: a) relationship between formal and cultural structures; b) similarities and differences between professional subcultures (medical, nursing and managerial); and, c) the effects of the social assumptions of the work teams on development activities in one large primary health care organization. The results show that different professional groups have created quite different sets of social values, norms and assumptions, which have significant consequences, both for patients care and organizational performance.     

B cell helper T cells and type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease typically starting in childhood that culminates in the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Although type 1 diabetes is considered to be a primarily T cell–mediated disease, B cells clearly participate in the autoimmune process, as autoantibodies recognizing pancreatic islet antigen commonly appear in circulation before the onset of the disease. T cells providing helper functions to B cells have recently been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of a wide range of antibody-associated immune disorders. These T cells include CXCR5-positive follicular T helper (Tfh) cells, and a recently described closely related CXCR5-negative subset coined peripheral T helper (Tph) cells. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on different B cell helper T cell subsets, focusing on their potential involvement in the development of type 1 diabetes.