TRYPTOPHAN METABOLISM IN ALCOHOLISM. TRYPTOPHAN BUT NOT EXCITATORY AMINO ACID AVAILABILITY TO THE BRAIN IS INCREASED BEFORE THE APPEARANCE OF THE ALCOHOL-WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME IN MEN

Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and disposition and excitatory andother amino acid concentrations were determined in alcohol-dependentsubjects in relation to the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome (AWS).Parameters were examined in 12 alcohol-dependent male subjects,undergoing elective upper digestive tract tumour resection,and 12 age-, gender-, and medication-matched controls on threeoccasions: pre-operatively, post-operatively, and immediatelybefore (i.e. within 24 h of) the appearance of the AWS. No significantdifferences were observed between controls and alcoholic subjectson the first or second of these occasions. On the third occasion,within 24 h of the appearance of the AWS, alcoholics showeda dramatic elevation (117%) in free serum Tip concentrationand a consequent increase (111%) in the ratio of [free Trp]/[competingamino acids], which is an accurate predictor of Trp entry intothe brain. Increases were also observed on this third occasionin concentrations of total Trp (49%), cortisol (123%), and norharman(137%). Concentrations of glutamate, glycine, aspartate, serine,and taurine did not differ significantly within or between thecontrol and alcohol-dependent groups of subjects on any of thethree occasions. The possible significance of the Trp and relatedmetabolic changes in relation to the behavioural features ofthe AWS is discussed.     

PUVA-treatment in lymphomatoid papulosis

The effect of PUVA-treatment was studied in five patients with lymphomatoid papulosis of 1–13 years duration. One patient with a 1-year history went into complete remission, while the other four patients had partial remissions. PUVA-treatment may prove useful in controlling this disease and it may also inhibit the development of malignancy.     

The prior probability of autosomal linkage

An expression is derived for the prior probability of linkage between a random trait locus and any one of m random marker loci, and this probability is computed form=1, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100. A similar expression is derived for two trait loci, and computed for m=1, 10, 20 and 30. When one trait locus and 30 marker loci are being studied, a priori there is over a three-quarter probability that the trait locus should be syntenic with at least one of the markers, and about a one-half probability that there should be a linkage mappable from recombination frequencies. If two traits are studied, then the prior probability that at least one should be syntenic with one of the 30 markers is 0-94, and there is a three-quarter probability that such a linkage should be mappable.     

Invasive Fibrous Thyroiditis (Riedel's Struma): A Manifestation of Multifocal Fibrosclerosis? A Case Report with Review of the Literature

A patient is described with Riedel's thyroiditis and invasivefibrous growth in parathyroid, lacrimal glands, and retroperitoneally.It is proposed that Riedel's thyroiditis is not a disease inits own right but a manifestation of a generalized disease offibrous tissues.     

Characterization of benign cutaneous lymphocytic infiltrates by monoclonal antibodies

Skin biopsies from nine patients with a histological and/or clinical diagnosis of cutaneous lymphocytoma, lymphoplasia or Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate were examined by immunoenzymatic labelling with a panel of monoclonal antibodies against lymphocytes and accessory cells. Similar cellular constituents were demonstrated in the biopsies from three patients with lymphocytoma, two with lymphoplasia and two with atypical lymphocytes, but a protracted benign clinical course. The infiltrates from these patients consisted of T cells, Langerhans cells, related HLA-DR positive dendritic dermal cells and clusters of polyclonal B cells. In four patients, the B cell clusters contained B cell accessory follicular dendritic cells, and thereby closely resembled the B cell follicles seen in lymphoid organs. The T cells were predominantly T helper/inducer cells and in all patients the T cells expressed HLA-DR. One patient diagnosed as lymphocytoma cutis differed from the other patients by having no detectable B cells. One patient with Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate differed from the other patients by having a marked relative predominance of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells. These data suggest that cutaneous lymphocytoma and lymphoplasia are basically similar disorders which may be considered to be exaggerated immune responses, whereas Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate may be a separate entity. Immunological analysis may assist in establishing a definite diagnosis in cases of lymphocytoma or lymphoplasia with atypical cytological features.