A multicentre assessment of the specificity of ten anti-HBc screening tests

SUMMARY. Samples from 1828 donations were screened for anti-HBc at seven sites in the UK using kits supplied by 10 manufacturers. Only 10 (0.55%) donations were considered to have true anti-HBc reactivity and these were detected by all 10 kits. Additional markers of HBV infection were found in nine of these 10 donations. Additional reactives were found by all kits, the number ranging from 1 to 43.
In the four more specific kits, the 10 true reactives were clearly distinguished from the 'false reactives' by the strength of the reaction. It is concluded that the reliance on a single ELISA test for anti-HBc diagnosis is unwise. The use of a second test known to be more specific than the screening ELISA is recommended.     

The HGAR1 familial hypercholesterolemia pedigree

Data on 232 members of a single pedigree, descended from two pairs of original parents, were made available to the participants of Genetic Analysis Workshop 8 (GAW8). In addition to information concerning age and sex, measurements for 10 quantitative traits and genotypes at 22 polymorphic marker loci were also provided for a subset of 193 of these family members. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Monoclonal antibody analysis of glomerular, tubulo-interstitial infiltrating immune cells in various glomerulonephritis

To investigate the role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in glomerulonephritis (GN), we identified the infiltrating immune cells both within the glomerulus and in the interstitium. Frozen sections from 103 patients with various forms of GN: 10 with minor glomerular abnormality (MGA) as control, 10 with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), 10 with membranous nephropathy (MN), 9 with focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS), 30 with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), 22 with acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), and 2 with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) were examined using monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) by indirect immunoalkaline-phosphatase labelling. In most glomerulonephritis, monocyte/M phi and helper/inducer T cells were predominantly infiltrating in the interstitium, but intraglomerular infiltration was rare, except for APSGN. This interstitial infiltration increased proportionally to the level of serum creatinine, and was most prominent in RPGN. Apparently different distribution was seen in APSGN, that is, prominent increase in total number of intra-glomerular monocyte/M phi infiltration with slightly increased T cells. The change was correlated with time after onset; namely the more leucocytic infiltration was observed when the tissue was taken earlier. These data suggest that in APSGN, monocyte/M phi accumulate in glomeruli via cell mediated immunity in addition to humoral immune mechanism resulting in glomerular hypercellularity, whereas in most chronic glomerulonephritis interstitial leucocyte infiltration, particularly helper T cells and monocyte/M phi may play an important role in the progression of glomerulonephritis.     

Primary extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma of the mediastinum: clinical, pathologic, and radiologic correlation

We have presented a rare case of primary involvement of the anterior mediastinum by osteogenic sarcoma in which CT was useful in demonstrating calcium within the mass, and in distinguishing the mass from surrounding bony structures. Although rare, extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a calcified anterior mediastinal mass.     

Synthesis of antimicrobial agents. 3. Syntheses and antibacterial activities of 7-(4-hydroxypiperazin-1-yl)quinolones

A series of novel pyridone carboxylic acids having a 4-hydroxypiperazinyl group at the 7-position of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin were prepared. The in vivo antibacterial efficacies of these compounds were superior to those of corresponding piperazinyl derivatives. From the results of the studies on the pharmacokinetic profile and toxicity, the 4-hydroxypiperazinyl derivatives were confirmed to be pharmacologically superior to corresponding piperazinyl derivatives. Thus, a 4-hydroxypiperazinyl group was revealed to be a beneficial substituent for potential use in future quinolone antibacterials.     

Free-floating thrombus of the extracranial internal carotid artery

Free-floating clots of the extracranial internal carotid artery are generally considered as surgical emergencies. This retrospective study analyzes six free-floating clots diagnosed by arteriography. Three of these patients had a fixed stroke while the other three had an evolving stroke. Three patients had antecedent ocular or hemispheric transient ischemic attacks. The causes of free-floating clots in the internal carotid artery were atheromatous stenosis in two cases, ulcerated plaque in three cases, and carotid artery dissection in one. All six patients were seen late, approximately 15 hours after their neurologic accident. They were treated with intravenous heparin over a two to five week period. Repeat arteriograms demonstrated complete clot lysis in four instances, while partial lysis was seen in one case. Moderate extension of thrombus occurred in one case only. No further neurologic complications were noted during the treatment by heparin. As indicated by follow-up arteriographic findings, secondary surgery was performed for major carotid lesions and residual clots in five cases. The free-floating thrombus syndrome of the carotid artery should not be considered as a surgical emergency when discovered late in the wake of an acute neurologic accident.     

Ultrastructural reversible changes in fish neuromuscular junctions after chronic exercise

Neuromuscular junctions (NJs) of fin muscles of teleostean fishes, Lebistes reticulatus, were ultrastructurally analyzed during 60 min of chronic exercise and a subsequent period of 90 min of induced recovery. NJs from 30-min-exercised fishes showed an almost complete depletion of synaptic vesicles (SVs), corresponding to 83% of SV consumption; 76% of axon terminals were branched at the end of this period. During the recovery period, it was possible to observe the reversibility of the changes induced by the exercise and the transitory events that lead to the reacquirement of the normal NJ morphology. After 15 min of rest, SV population increased to a value of 54.6 SVs/micron2 and the percentage of branched axons was 66.5%. At 60 min of recovery the number of SVs reached a value of 84.6 SVs/micron2. The SV population was fully reestablished at 80 min of rest, while the percentage of branched axons was found within normal ranges after 90 min of recovery. These results demonstrate that chronic exercise induced physiological depletion of NJ SVs and other axon terminal morphological changes, as well as that postexercise rest induces the reestablishment of the normal NJ morphology.