Polymorphic MHC ancestral haplotypes affect the activity of tumour necrosis factor-alpha.

It remains unclear which MHC loci are involved in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and immune deficiencies. We have chosen to evaluate whether different alleles of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are important, as TNF has been implicated in the etiology of many immunological disorders. We have shown previously that a restriction fragment length polymorphism in the TNF region correlates with MHC ancestral haplotypes. We therefore examined the effect of ancestral haplotype on the activity of TNF-alpha in culture supernatants of lymphoblastoid cell lines. The results demonstrate that TNF-alpha activity in supernatants of 8.1 (A1, B8, DR3) cell lines was higher than that present in the supernatants from cells homozygous for eight different MHC ancestral haplotypes, and indicate that polymorphisms in TNF-alpha, or in other MHC genes that regulate TNF, may be responsible for the 8.1 phenotype.     

Generation of functionally active suppressor cells by haemorrhage and haemorrhagic serum.

Mitogen (PHA)-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was reduced by more than 70% 2 h after the haemorrhage of 30% of blood volume. Experiments using isolated macrophages and lymphocytes showed that post-haemorrhage macrophages were functionally normal and that lymphocytes were responsible for the observed haemorrhage-induced depression of proliferative response. Surface marker determinations showed that at least some, if not all, of the haemorrhage-induced suppressor cells are of the OX8+ phenotype. Exposure of PBMCs to serum from bled animals also brought about activation of OX8+ suppressor T cells. These results suggest that the depressed proliferative response of PBMCs induced by haemorrhage or by exposing the cells to haemorrhagic serum (serum from bled animals) is due to the activation of OX8+ suppressor T cells.     

Correlation of quantitative measures with the modified Ashworth scale in the assessment of plantar flexor spasticity in patients with traumatic brain injury

This study of plantar flexor spasticity describes relationships among a traditional qualitative spasticity scale, three potential quantitative spasticity measures and a measure of voluntary ankle muscle function. Thirty-four volunteer adult patients with traumatic brain injuries participated. There were 28 males and 6 females; the mean age was 30.3 years. A battery of five randomly sequenced tests was performed for each subject on one ankle. Tests were: modified Ashworth scale (MAS) scoring; H-reflex testing with and without Achilles tendon vibration; H-reflex testing with and without dorsiflexor contraction; reflex threshold angle and timed toe tapping (TTT). Twenty-six subjects returned to have the second ankle tested, resulting in 60 ankles for the analyses. Spearman's coefficients for correlation of quantitative spasticity measures with MAS scores ranged from 0.39 to 0.49 with associated probabilities 0.002. Pearson coefficients for correlation of quantitative spasticity measures with TTT scores were lower but also significant (P 0.07). Multiple correlation for the set of quantitative measures yieldedR = 0.614 (P < 0.001) with MAS scores andR = 0.365 (P = 0.045) with TTT scores. These findings reveal statistically significant relationships of low to moderate strength among potential quantitative spasticity measures, a traditional qualitative spasticity scale and a simple measure of voluntary ankle muscle function. Understanding these relationships is an essential part of the ongoing search for quantitative spasticity measures.The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.     

Osteosarcoma of the sella

Primary osteosarcoma of the skull is rare. Osteosarcoma arising from the sellar region is extremely uncommon. The case of a 38-year-old man with osteosarcoma of the sella is described, and the literature is reviewed. The patient was treated with surgery followed by aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Currently he is in remission at 12 months.     

Progression of steroid-associated osteoporosis after heart transplantation

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis has been recognized as an important side effect of long-term and of pulsed steroid application after heart transplantation. METHODS: In June 1989 a prospective clinical trial was started to study bone demineralization by quantitative computed tomographic scan. All patients received vitamin D and calcium. In group I (n = 30) synthetic calcitonin (40 Medical Research Council Standard Units subcutaneously per day was administered in 14-day cycles, whereas group II patients (n = 31) received a placebo preparation. Repeat trabecular and cortical quantitative computed tomographic scans of the thoracic (T12) and lumbar spine (L1, L2, L3) were obtained within 48 weeks after heart transplantation. RESULTS: Expressed as the means of T12, L1, L2, and L3, trabecular bone density decreased significantly from 100+/-24 to 79+/-29 mg/mL within 3 weeks after heart transplantation, followed by a further reduction to 67+/-29 mg/mL after 3 months in the calcitonin group. The values for cortical bone density decreased significantly from 229+/-37 to 202+/-40 mg/mL (calcitonin) 3 weeks after heart transplantation. Comparable results were obtained in the placebo group. In both groups bone density remained stable thereafter. Intergroup differences were not of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In heart transplant recipients progressive trabecular bone demineralization is limited to the first 3 postoperative months. Thereafter, bone density remained stable. A positive effect of synthetic calcitonin in addition to prophylactic calcium and vitamin D application could not be proved by repeat quantitative computed tomography.     

The steroid profile of a virilizing ovarian tumor.

A case report of a 25-year-old female with a sex cord stromal virilizing ovarian tumor is presented. The pathway of ovarian steroid secretion in this tumor is elucidated with the dominant elements being pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone. The tumor primarily made testosterone (T) with lesser elevations of androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Expert pathologic opinions differed whether this neoplasm was a Sertoli-Leydig tumor or a virilizing granulosa tumor; therefore, it was probably a gynandroblastoma. A unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and the patient promptly resumed normal ovarian function with ovulation.     

Zusammenh?nge zwischen Arbeitst?tigkeit und Ruhestandspl?nen

Zusammenfassung Im Rahmen des Nationalfonds-Projekts «Arbeitstätigkeit und Ruhestandspläne» wurden in einer Erkundungsstudie Auswirkungen der langfristig ausgeübten Arbeitstätigkeit auf die Bildung von Plänen für die Zeit nach der Pensionierung untersucht. Dabei wurden 200 Personen im Alter von 64 Jahren aus der unmittelbaren Produktion in verschiedenen Betrieben der metallverarbeitenden Industrie mit Hilfe von halbstandardisierten Interviews befragt. Die Fragen betrafen im wesentlichen die Bereiche Arbeit, Freizeit und Pläne für die Zeit der bevorstehenden Pensionierung. Es bestand die Annahme, dass für die erfolgreiche Bewältigung der Pensionierungssituation Pläne notwendig und unabdingbare Voraussetzung für die Ausbildung von Plänen der Erwerb und die fortwährende Weiterentwicklung sozialer und kognitiver Handlungskompetenz sind. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass der prozentuale Anteil von Personen ohne oder mit nur unspezifischen Plänen mit abnehmender Grösse des Handlungsspielraums in der Arbeit zunimmt. Die Untersuchung ergab weiter, dass Personen, die ihre kognitive Handlungskompetenz in der Arbeit trainieren konnten, mehr Pläne mit kognitivem Inhalt bilden, als Personen mit kleinem kognitivem Handlungsspielraum in der Arbeit; analog verhält es sich mit der sozialen Handlungskompetenz in der Arbeit.

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Work Activities and retirement plans

In the course of the research project Work Activities and Retirement Plans financed by the National Foundation of Research, a study was made to explore the consequences of longterm working activities on planning of the time of retirement. 200 persons at the age of 64 years, working on shop floor of enterprises in the metal industry were asked about their work, leisure and plans about the approaching retirement. It was hypothesized that plans are necessary for the successful coping of the retirement situation. For the setting up of plans it is required that social and cognitive competence can be acquired and constantly trained. It has been shown that the proportion of persons with none or unspecific plans rises with the span of action getting smaller. Furthermore the study showed that persons who could train their cognitive competence at work set up more plans with cognitive content than persons who could not: the analogical result has been found with the social competence.

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Travail et plans de retraite

Résumé L'étude «Travail et Plans de Retraite» faite dans le cadre d'un projet financé par le Fond National, explorait les conséquences du travail longuement effectué sur la formation des plans pour le temps de la retraite. 200 personnes, à l'âge de 64 ans, travaillant dans la production directe des entreprises de l'industrie des métaux, étaient interrogées par la méthode des interviews demi-standardisés. Les questions concernaient les sujets du travail, du loisir et de la retraite proche. Il était supposé que la formation des plans était nécessaire pour survenir avec succès la situation de la retraite. Prémisse indispensable pour la formation des plans est l'acquisition et le développement permanent de la compétence sociale et cognitive. Il s'est montré que la proportion des personnes sans plans ou avec des plans sans contenu spécifique augmente avec la latitude d'action. De plus, le résultat de l'étude était que des personnes qui pouvaient entraÎner leur compétence cognitive en travail forment plus de plans avec un contenu cognitif que des personnes qui n'en avaient pas l'occasion; ainsi se présente le résultat avec la compétence sociale.

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Nationalfonds-Projekt Nr. 1.656-077, durchgeführt am Lehrstuhl für Arbeits- und Betriebspsychologie der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule in Zürich (Prof. Dr. Eberhard Ulich)     

Effects of various exposure levels of 2-phenylethanol on fetal development and survival in Long-Evans rats

Phenylethanol was given at different levels (432, 43, or 4.3 mg/kg) by gavage to pregnant Long-Evans rats during the "critical period" of organogenesis. Examination of offspring revealed adverse reproductive and teratogenic effects in a dose-related manner. Intrauterine growth retardation occurred at levels of 432 and 4.3 mg/kg. Embryolethality was 18% at 43 mg/kg and 10% at 4.3 mg/kg. Malformations occurred in the following sequence: 100% at 432 mg/kg; 93% at 43 mg/kg, and 50% at 4.3 mg/kg. Noteworthy dose-related teratogenic effects of phenylethanol in offspring manifested themselves in increased incidences of malformed eyes, neural-tube defects, hydronephrosis, and limb defects.