Reduction of lymphocytic β-adrenoceptor level in chronic alcoholics and rapid reversal after ethanol withdrawal

Plasma catecholamine levels, lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptor densities and lymphocytic cAMP production were studied in 10 male subjects attending a withdrawal clinic after prolonged alcohol abuse. On admission the mean beta-adrenoceptor density was 29 +/- 9 fmol mg-1 protein (about 60% of the mean level of healthy control subjects, P less than 0.002). The following day a significant elevation of the beta-adrenoceptor level up to 46 +/- 19 fmol mg-1 protein (P less than 0.05) took place. This was accompanied by a parallel activation of the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated cAMP production of the lymphocytes. No major changes in beta-adrenoceptor levels or cAMP production took place during the next 7 days. Plasma catecholamine levels were elevated at arrival and decreased steadily during the withdrawal period. In conclusion, chronic alcoholism is associated with a reduction of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptor density and functioning, which is followed by a rapid reversal during abrupt ethanol withdrawal. Thus an accelerated responsiveness to catecholamines may occur during the first ethanol-free day of chronic alcoholics.     

Immunoelectron microscopic findings in oral mucosa of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and linear IgA disease

Abstract – Two patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and one with linear IgA disease were examined. Two of the patients had oral lesions and all three showed IgA deposits detected by direct immunofluorescence in apparently normal buccal mucosa. To localize the target structures for IgA deposition, biopsy specimens were taken from normal appearing buccal mucosa for immunoelectron microscopy. The patients with dermatitis herpetiformis had distinct IgA deposits in the upper connective tissue. These were often associated with elastic fibers and occasionally also with capillary walls. In contrast, the patient with linear IgA disease had IgA deposition at the subbasal lamina. Though the clinical expressions may be similar the present immunoelectron microscopic fmdings in oral mucosa clearly differentiate dermatitis herpetiformis from linear IgA disease.     

Acid-base properties of thymopoietin-type tri- and tetrapeptides and their derivatives

The submolecular basicities of 21 immuno-modulating, thymopoietin-type di-, tri-, and tetrapeptides were studied and characterized in terms of group constants and partial microconstants. All compounds were derivatives of the H-Arg-Lys-Asp-OH tripeptide. Modifications within four covalent bonds of the basic site (esterification, acylation, curtailment or addition at C-terminal end, exchange of amino acids) cause significant changes in the scheme of protonation and in the individual basicity of proton binding sites. Configurational changes of the component amino acids, however, do not cause significantly different basicities in the diastereomers.     

Intermittent pneumatic compression treatment for post-thrombotic leg ulcers

In an open clinical, trial three patients suffering from persistent post-thromhotic leg ulcers and five patients suffering from recurrent post-thromhotic leg-ulcers were treated by intermittent pneumatic compression therapy. For this purpose we used a novel device which produces both a sequential and graded pressure wave on the lower leg. Compared with previous conservative treatment only, intermittent compression treatment, together with conservative treatment, was found to shorten the ulcer healing time markedly. All the persistent ulcers which had not healed during the conservative treatment period healed during the intermittent compression treatment period. Skin oxygen tension, measured during the first occasion of compression treatment, was shown to increase. The healing rates seemed to correlate with decreasing leg swelling.     

Proteolytic Enzymes and Plasminogen Activator in Melanoma

Proteolytic activities were measured in extracts of human skin melanoma, lymphatic metastasis and in nonmalignant naevi by using various proteinase substrates as well as plasminogen activator assay. pH-optima for hydrolysis of various proteinase substrates by these tumors were found to be essentially the same as in healthy human skin. Melanoma extracts were found to especially readily hydrolyze N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine beta-naphthylamine (BANA) at pH 5.8 in the presence of 1 mmol/l dithiothreitol and EDTA (cathepsin B1-like enzyme) as well as histones and p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) at pH 7.5, and showed increased capacity to activate plasminogen when compared to nonmalignant naevus. The possible role of proteinases in malignant melanoma is discussed.     

胺碘酮联合稳心颗粒治疗新发心房纤颤的临床体会

目的探讨胺碘酮联合稳心颗粒治疗新发心房纤颤的临床疗效。方法选取2010年4月—2014年3月于本院接受治疗的新发心房纤颤患者46例作为研究对象。将其分成对照组及观察组,各23例。对照组给予盐酸胺碘酮联合维拉帕米治疗;观察组给予胺碘酮及稳心颗粒的联合治疗。比较两组患者的临床疗效。结果观察组临床治疗的总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论胺碘酮联合稳心颗粒治疗新发心房纤颤,不仅临床治疗疗效显著,而且对患者的身体素质以及生存质量具有提升作用。     

Study of growth hormone secretion and action in growth-retarded children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA).

The stimulated and spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion and the response to GH action were assessed in growth-retarded children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), in order to determine the underlying mechanisms of growth retardation in such children. Six children (4 boys and 2 girls aged 10.7-13.8 years) with active JCA of systemic onset were included in the study which involved: (1) anthropometric measurements; (2) assessment of GH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and clonidine stimulation; (3) assessment of the nocturnal pulsatile GH secretion by measuring GH in blood samples obtained every 20 min from 20.00 to 08.00 h; and (4) the IGF-I generation test. As a control, the latter test was also performed in eight aged-matched children with physiological delay in puberty. Biosynthetic hGH (0.1 IU/kg BW) was administered s. c. for 4 days and blood samples were taken at baseline and the morning after the last GH injection for measurement of IGF-I and IGFBP-3.All six children with JCA were prepubertal and their growth velocity was <3 cm/year. The GH responses to both stimulation tests were normal (peak GH >20 mU/l). Analysis of the pulsatile GH secretion during the night revealed three-to-four GH pulses of normal amplitude (>20 mU/l). IGF-I (26.7+/-4.6 nmol/l, mean+/-SD) and IGFBP-3 (2.1+/-0.2 mg/l) levels were lower in the patients compared with the controls (43.0+/-3.7 nmol/l and 2.8+/-0.2 mg/l, respectively, P<0.01). Following stimulation with exogenous hGH, there was a significant increase in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in the control group (85 and 73%, respectively), but only a small increase in the patients (31 and 14%).It appears that stimulated and spontaneous GH secretion is normal in children with active systemic JCA, but the response to endogenous and exogenous GH with regard to IGF-I and IGFBP-3 production is impaired, indicating a degree of GH insensitivity in such children.     

Thyroid autoimmunity is associated with higher urinary iodine concentrations in an iodine-deficient area of Northwestern Greece.

Northwestern Greece was identified in the 1960s for its high prevalence of endemic goiter and iodine deficiency. Although iodized salt has been commercially available since then, a recent epidemiological survey of 3916 schoolchildren found that low-grade goiter is still prevalent in endemic proportions (21%). The aim of this study was to further assess the cause of goiter and the severity of iodine deficiency in children from this endemic area of Greece. Of the 800 children with clinically detectable goiter, 97 children (60 girls and 37 boys, 8-15 years) were recruited for determination of urinary iodine excretion, as well as assessment of thyroid volume and function and detection of antithyroid antibodies. The median urinary iodine concentration was 8.4 microg/dL, indicative of a mild iodine deficiency. Thyroid function was normal in all but 11 children who had subclinical hypothyroidism. Sixteen children (16.5%), including all those with subclinical hypothyroidism, were positive for antithyroid antibodies. Their median urinary iodine concentration (20.6 microg/dL) was higher compared to children who were negative for antibodies (7.4 microg/dL; p<0.001). The mean thyroid volume by ultrasonography (12.2+/-4.1 mL) was above the upper limit of normal for this age group. Thyroid volume was inversely related to the urinary iodine content in the children with negative antithyroid antibodies. Iodine deficiency is still prevalent in northwestern Greece although of mild severity and constitutes the primary cause of goiter among schoolchildren. However, it appears that autoimmune thyroiditis is emerging as a frequent cause of goiter in those children with sufficient iodine intake.