SERUM TRYPTOPHAN AND CATARACT

Total serum tryptophan concentrations were measured in 74 cataractous patients and 124 controls No significant diferences were observed in the mean values for the cataractous and normal subjects, 11.4 ± 2.6 and 11.3 ± 2.2 µg/ml respectively, or in the range of values 7.–17.1 and 7.3–17.4 µg/ml respectively These results do not support previous reports that serum tryptophan is elevated in cataractous subjects     

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE PATTERN OF 50 KD CYTOKERATIN IN PSORIASIS

Three biopsies of normal skin and 15 biopsies collected from patients with psoriasis vulgaris were analyzed for the expression of the 50 kd cytokeratin using direct immunofluorescence and ABC technique before and after local treatment with anthralin 0.1% in a petrolatum base, with 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate cream, and finally, after PUVA treatment. Antiserum against the 50 kd anti-cytokeratin reacted with tissue sections of normal skin, staining cells in the basal layer, while the psoriatic skin sections before the various treatments showed a staining concerning the whole thickness of the epidermis. After the various therapies, the 50 kd cytokeratin immunoreactivity was observed only in the basal layer of those psoriatic skin sections that showed complete clinical clearing, while it was observed in the whole thickness of psoriatic patches that did not clear. These data suggest that the normalization of the 50 kd cytokeratin expression pattern can be considered as a marker of clinical remission of psoriasis.     

N-terminal sequence of some ribosome-inactivating proteins

The N-terminal portion of some type 1 ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) isolated from the seeds of Gelonium multifiorum, Momordica charantia, Bryonia dioica, Saponaria oficinalis and from the leaves of Saponaria oficinalis are reported in the present paper. Their relationship with other RIPS is discussed.     

Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing for Termination of Tachyarrhythmias

ALTAMURA, G., ET AL.: Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing for Termination of Tachyarrhythmias. Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) was used for interruption of tachyarrhythmias in 31 patients: 20 with ventricular tachycardia (VT); eight with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) and three had atrioventricular nodal tachycardia (AVNT). The stimulators used (Pace Aid 50/52) allow pacing at programmable rates (50–160 ppm) and output (10–200 mA at 20-msec pulse duration), when possible overdrive pacing was used. Short bursts of stimuli were delivered with increasing current intensity until interruption of the arrhythmia or to the maximum energy tolerated by the patient. VTs were interrupted in eight of the 20 patients: four of the six (67%) treated by overdrive pacing and four of the 14 (29%) were treated by underdrive pacing. Supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) were terminated in eight of the 11 patients: seven out of eight (88%) AVT, and one out of three AVNT (33%). We observed two cases of arrhythmia worsening: a VT acceleration and induction of ventricular fibrillation in a patient with AVNT. TCP was well tolerated by the majority of the patients. We conclude that TCP is an effective method for interruption of ventricular and supraventricular reentrant tachycardias, but the risk of arrhythmia worsening must be considered.     

Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Renal Biopsy

We performed percutaneous ultrasound guided renal biopsy on 27 patients ages 16 to 76 years. A 14 gauge cutting needle was used. Twenty-six patients had medical renal disease; one patient had a renal mass. Patients were followed by sonograms performed immediately post procedure as well the following day. Serum hemoglobin was obtained prior to the procedure as well as one day post biopsy. Complications included five small hematomas and one transient mild hydronephrosis secondary to blood clots. The hematomas were all first noted on the scan one day post biopsy. We conclude that ultrasound guided percutaneous renal biopsy is a safe procedure which is easily performed by the radiologist.     

Decreased Blood Natural Killer Cell Activity and Immunoglobulin Synthesis in vitro in Aplastic Anemia

Abstract. Natural killer (NK) cell numbers and T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood were evaluated in six patients with aplastic anemia (AA). The immunophenotyping results were correlated to in vitro tests of NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 cells and of immunoglobulin (Ig) production after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation. A significant decrease was found both in the percentage of Leu 11 positive cells and in NK cell activity as compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The decrease in NK cell activity could not be entirely compensated by an increase in effector/target cell ratios, thus suggesting not only a quantitative but also a functional defect in NK cells of the AA patients. Three of four AA patients tested showed no major increase of Ig production after PWM stimulation. All these three patients also had fewer “functional T helper” cells (Leu3+/Leu8^–) and increased numbers of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (Leu2+) when compared to controls. No significant differences in numbers of B lymphocytes (B1+) could be found. Our findings suggest a possible linkeage between quantitative and qualitative abnormalities in lymphocyte subsets in aplastic anemia. However, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis of increased NK cell activation behind the hemopoietic depression in this disease.     

Caffeine Stimulates in vivo Platelet Reactivity

ABSTRACT The effect of coffee drinking on platelet reactivity was studied in 12 healthy subjects. Plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration was determined before and one hour after administration of 100 mg of caffeine, corresponding to one cup of coffee. Mean values were 47.0±19.3 and 179.3±85.5 ng/ml before and after caffeine administration respectively. The increase, 298±150%, is highly significant (p<0.001).     

Neuropeptides in temporomandibular joints with rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical study

Abstract— There is evidence that neuropeptides play a role in the development of arthritis. Synovial fluid from arthritic temporomandibular joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was therefore investigated for presence of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, neurokinin A and neuropeptide Y. All four peptides were found in the synovial fluid above plasma level, but calcitonin gene-related peptide showed the highest concentration and substance P the lowest.     

Effects of Maternal Exposure to Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) on F1 Generation Behavior in the Rat

Effects of Maternal Exposure to Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) onFl Generation Behavior in the Rat.PANTALEONI, G., FANINI, D.,SPONNTA, A. M., PALUMBO, G., GIORGI, R., AND ADAMS, 5P. M. (1988).Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 11, 440-449. The effect of Fenclor 42(PCB) exposure of female rats (Fischer 344 strain) was studiedthrough assessment of the behavioral development of their Flprogeny. Female rats were exposed to PCB according to the followingtreatment schedule: (A) (5 days) 2 weeks prior to mating, (B)during gestation (Days 6-15 of pregnancy), (C) during lactation(Days 1-21 after delivery). Behavioral endpoints of motor reflexes,motor coordination, activity (preweaning behaviors), and learning(postweaning behavior) were evaluated for PCB ip dosages of5-10 mg/kg/day for 5 days (preconception exposure), and PCBoral 3 dosages of 2-4 mg/kg/day for 10 days (in mero exposure)and of 1-2 mg/kg/day for 20 days (during lactation exposure).Dosage-dependentdifferences in the evaluated behaviors were found in the offspringof the PCB-exposed females when compared to the offspring ofcorn-oil (vehicle)-exposed females. Significant differencesin the development of cliffavoidance reflexive behavior, swimmingability, and open field activity were particularly evident.Furthermore the PCB exposure of female rats during gestationand lactation resulted in impaired acquisition of the activeavoidance behavior while preconceptional PCB exposure significantlyaffected active avoidance performance as reflected in increasednumber of avoidance responses to reach criterion for extinction.These results show that Fenclor 42 does possess a significantrisk to the offspring of exposed females, and further illustratethe sensitivity of progeny behavioral assessment in detectingsuspected functional teratogenesis.