Evaluation of crude and purified Toxocara canis antigens in serodiagnosis of human toxocariasis

Three serological tests: Immunodiffusion (ID), Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to study the role of crude adult worm antigen (CAWA) of Toxocara canis and each of its purified fractions in the serodiagnosis of human toxocariasis. Sensitivities of the three tests were lower in the ocular than in the visceral group, using different antigens. Purified fraction 1 showed more sensitive and specific reactions in the three tests, compared to CAWA or purified fraction 2 (P-F2) antigen. The other purified fractions (P-F3, P-F4 and P-F5) gave no positive reactions in any of the three tests. Using P-F1 antigen, ELISA was the most sensitive technique for diagnosis of both visceral and ocular toxocariasis followed by CIEP and then ID and the difference was statistically significant. However, CIEP was the most specific test followed by ELISA and lastly ID test. The ELISA test using Excretory-Secretory (E-S) larval antigen of Toxocara canis was less sensitive than the ELISA test using P-F1, although it was 100% specific. Thus, ELISA test using P-F1 is the test of choice for diagnosis of human toxocariasis, but when the specificity of a reaction is in doubt, CIEP test using the same antigen can be of value.     

PREVALENCE OF MICROALBUMINURIA IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS

The prevalence of microalbuminuria was assessed in 50 patients of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The mean age of patients was 52.1 ± 11.6 years and the duration of diabetes was 8.3 ± 6.8 years. Twenty (40%) patients had microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria was more common in patients with a longer duration of diabetes (more than 5 years), a poor glycaemic control, and higher systolic blood pressure.KEY WORDS: Microalbuminuria, Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic nephropathy, Chronic renal failure     

Novelty and Familiarity Activations in PET Studies of Memory Encoding and Retrieval

Nine young right-handed men viewed colored pictures of people,scenes, and landscapes. Then, 24 hr later while undergoing PETscanning, they viewed previously studied (OLD) pictures in onetype of scan, and previously not seen (NEW) pictures in another.The OLD-NEW subtraction of PET images indicates familiarity,and the NEW-OLD indicates novelty. Familiarity activations,signalling aspects of retrieval, were observed in the left andright frontal areas, and posterior regions bilaterally. Noveltyactivations were in the right limbic regions, and bilaterallyin temporal and parietal regions, including area 37. These latteractivations were located similarly to novelty activations inprevious PET studies using visual words and auditory sentences,suggesting the existence of brain regions specializing in transmodalnovelty assessment The effects of novelty are seen both be haviorallyand in replicable patterns of cortical and subcortical activation.We propose a "novelty/encoding hypothesis": (1) novelty assessmentrepresents an early stage of long-term memory encoding; (2)elaborate, meaning-based encoding processes operate on the incoming information to the extent of its novelty, and therefore(3) the probability of long-term storage of information vanesdirectly with the novelty of the information.     

Upper parietal pleurectomy with resection of bullae by thoracoscopy in spontaneous pneumothorax. New perspectives from preliminary results in 20 cases]

In view of the increasing development of laparoscopic surgery and hoping to minimize thoracotomy's risks, we had the idea to perform pleurectomy as a treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax (S.P.) through video thoracoscopy. The operation was performed under general endobronchial anesthesia, the patient placed in the posterolateral thoracotomy position. Three trocars inserted through the 5th, 7th and 9th intercostal space, allowed the introduction of non specific thoracoscopic instruments similar to those used in laparoscopic surgery. The apical pleurectomy was delimited by the 6th rib, the internal thoracic vessels, the costovertebral sulcus and the first rib. Blebs and small bullae are now transected with application of the "EndoGIA 30". Pleural cavity was drained by F28 ans F32 tubes through the lower orifices. This procedure was performed in 18 patients presenting 20.S.P.. Operative indications were: persistent air link (7 cases), recurrence (9 cases), bullae with bridle and or anterior thoracotomy for S.P. (4 cases). One bleeding of 200 ml from a wounded intercostal vessel ligated with a clip was the sole operative hitch. Operative duration decreased from two to one hour. Average drainage duration was 3.5 dys and hospital stay 4.5 days. There was no death nor immediate complications. Post-operative pain was judged in all cases less intensive than that experienced after pleurectomy with thoracotomy. This original procedure is the first described as entirely performed through thoracoscopy with non specific instruments and hence economic impact.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hepatolithiasis associated with anomalous biliary anatomy and a vascular compression. Hepatolithiasis and anomalous anatomy

Biliary tract abnormalities occur in about one of every three people, usually being minor and of no clinical significance. Major abnormalities, however, may present in an unusual manner and provide a major hazard to the unsuspecting surgeon. A patient presenting with cholangitis without jaundice or abnormal liver function tests is reported. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography failed to demonstrate any bile ducts in the right postero-lateral segments of the liver, the "naked segment sign". A percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram demonstrated a stricture obstructing the right posterior segmental hepatic duct with hepatolithiasis above the stricture. At operation an anomalous vessel was found at the site of the stricture. This case highlights the unusual way in which biliary tract anomalies may present and the importance of adequate pre-operative investigation.     

Efficacy of Zoladex LA (goserelin) in the treatment of girls with central precocious or early puberty

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a longer acting preparation of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue goserelin (Zoladex LA, 10.8 mg) in 12 girls with central precocious or early puberty. METHODS: Two girls started treatment de novo; the remainder had been on suppressive treatment for a median duration of 1.5 (range, 0.2-5.6) years. Assessment comprising auxology, pubertal staging, and pelvic ultrasound examination was carried out at weeks 0, 4, 8, 10, and 12 (first cycle) and weeks 8, 10, and 12 (second cycle) to evaluate the required injection frequency. Thereafter, assessment was performed on the day of injection. Zoladex LA was given every 12 weeks unless pubertal progression occurred. RESULTS: Satisfactory control was achieved in eight patients using this regimen, and three patients required more frequent injections. One girl was removed from the study because of clinical progression and extreme mood swings. No serious adverse effects occurred. Mean height velocity during the study period was 4.5 cm/year (range, 3.1-6.6) compared with 6.5 cm/year (range, 3.8-9.6) before treatment in nine patients for whom data were available. CONCLUSIONS: Zoladex LA was effective in controlling precocious puberty in girls when given at intervals of 9-12 weeks and it is recommended that an initial assessment is made eight weeks after beginning treatment.     

Beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 adhesion molecule interactions in cutaneous inflammation and tumor promotion

The beta2 integrin (CD 18/CD 11 a, b, c) family of proteins mediate adherence of leukocytes to vascular endothelium and the associated ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD 54), interacts with beta2 integrin proteins to allow transendothelial migration of leukocytes into sites of inflammation. The present study examines the function of these proteins in a murine model of acute cutaneous inflammation induced following topical application of 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to the dorsal epidermis of SENCAR mice and in a model of skin multistage carcinogenesis. At 24 h following topical application of TPA to the dorsal epidermis of mice, dermal leukocytes expressed higher levels of beta2 integrin protein compared with the lower levels of beta2 integrin protein expression by peripheral blood leukocytes. ICAM-1 protein was localized to epidermal keratinocytes and vascular endothelium in TPA-treated skin and to proliferating papilloma cells. Intravenous (i.v.) injection of either 50 microg anti-beta2 integrin antibody alone or in combination with anti-ICAM-1 antibody significantly inhibited both TPA-stimulated neutrophil infiltration into the dermis (P < 0.001) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (P < 0.03 anti-beta2 integrin antibody; P < 0.01 anti- beta2 integrin + ICAM-1 adhesion molecule antibodies), but had no effect on TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia. In addition, injection of either anti-ICAM-1 adhesion molecule antibody alone (P < 0.004) or in combination with anti-beta2 integrin antibody (P < 0.001) significantly inhibited TPA-induced production of 7,8-dihydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) immunoreactive proteins by epidermal keratinocytes. Beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 adhesion molecules work in concert to regulate migration, retention and functional activation of leukocytes within the dermis during TPA-induced skin inflammation and within stromal tissue of papillomas that form during multi-stage carcinogenesis. Agents that inhibit these receptor/ligand interactions may be useful in defining the roles of specific cell populations in cutaneous inflammation and multistage carcinogenesis and may also have potential as anti-promoting and anti-progression agents.      

Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in spontaneously occurring osteosarcomas of the dog

Inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous human cancers, including osteosarcomas. Appendicular osteosarcomas of the dog appear to be a good model for their human equivalent with regard to biologic behavior, epidemiology and histopathology. We individually screened exons 5-8 of the p53 gene for mutations in 15 canine appendicular osteosarcomas using 'Cold' SSCP to compare the role of this gene in human and canine osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. Seven of the tumors (47%) exhibited point mutations, with one tumor possessing two mutations within different exons. Of these, seven were missense mutations and the eighth was a 'silent' mutation potentially affecting the exon 6-7 splicing region. Five of the missense mutations were located in highly conserved regions IV and V, while another corresponded with the highly conserved codon 220 mutational hotspot located outside the conserved domains. The locations and types of mutations were nearly identical to those reported in human cancer. These findings provide strong evidence of the involvement of p53 mutations in the development of canine appendicular osteosarcomas. Canine osteosarcomas appear to be a promising model for their human equivalent on a clinical, pathologic, and molecular level.