Microencapsulated dopamine (DA)-induced restitution of function in 6-OHDA-denervated rat striatum in vivo: comparison between two microsphere excipients.

Biodegradable controlled-release microsphere systems made with the biocompatible biodegradable polyester excipient poly [DL lactide-co-glycolide] constitute an exciting new technology for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). The present study describes functional observations indicating that implantation of dopamine (DA) microspheres encapsulated within two different polymer excipients into denervated-striatal tissue assures a prolonged release of the transmitter in vivo. Moreover, in this regard, the results show that there were clear cut temporal differences in the effect of the two DA microsphere formulations compared in this study, probably reflecting variations in the actual composition (i.e., lactide to glycolide ratio) of the two copolymer excipients examined. This technology has considerable potential for basic research with possible clinical application.     

Quantitative assessment of ALZ-50 immunoreactivity in Alzheimer's disease.

A quantitative assay for ALZ-50 immunoreactivity was evaluated in samples of superior temporal gyrus taken at autopsy from 13 Alzheimer patients and 11 controls. The assayable immunoreactivity appears to be stable for at least 24 hours postmortem but was lost with formalin fixation. The mean value of the Alzheimer patients was tenfold higher than that of the controls (P less than .002). The values of four Alzheimer samples overlapped with the low levels seen in controls, but no controls had elevated levels. In this sample population, therefore, the assay had a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 100%.     

Ameloblastoma after surgical removal of an impacted mandibular molar. A case report

A case of an ameloblastoma diagnosed about 3 1/2 years after removal of an impacted mandibular 3rd molar is presented. The pre-operative radiographs, though poor in quality, showed an ill-defined radiolucency in relation to the tooth. This feature was not apparent to the examiners at the time of first presentation. Despite unfavourable working conditions in developing countries, a high level of suspicion should be maintained to avoid serious sequelae at a later stage.     

Elimination of malignant clonogenic cells from human bone marrow using multiple myeloid cell-specific monoclonal antibodies and complement.

Single or combined monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) Zh53, Zh820, and Zh2-1 have been used to eliminate malignant clonogenic cells from human bone marrow. The test of cytotoxicity showed that all of these McAbs could express high specific cytotoxic action against HL-60 cells and were selectively complement-dependent cytotoxic to various types of fresh leukemic cells. Clonogenic assay detected that single treatment with antibody and rabbit complement (RC) could reduce clonogenic units of HL-60 cells by more than 2 logs and two treatments reduced clonogenic units by more than 4 logs. However, combination of 2 McAbs could reduce clonogenic units by 4-5 logs. The data suggest that multiple treatments with McAbs and RC or a combination of 2 McAbs are more effective than a single treatment in eliminating clonogenic tumor cells. Treatment of normal human bone marrow with Zh53, Zh2-1 and RC did not produce a loss of normal CFU-GM, but treatment with Zh820 reduced the clonic units of normal CFU-GM by 24%.

     

Correlation of functional parameters derived by equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography and left ventricular size in patients with old myocardial infarction

A total of 131 patients with old (over 6 months) myocardial infarction (MI) and 18 normal subjects underwent equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography at rest (rERNA). The following rERNA parameters were assessed: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak ejection rate (PER), peak filling rate (PFR), regional wall motion and a left ventricular size index. The patients with old MI were divided into four groups (I to IV) according to increasing left ventricular (LV) size, and the behaviour of the numerical parameters (LVEF, PER, PFR) was evaluated in each group. LVEF proved to be the most sensitive numerical parameter of overall LV performance. PFR decreased significantly from group I to group III but not from group III to group IV, suggesting that for extreme degrees of left ventricular enlargement some compensatory mechanism acts to prevent a too large fall in LV compliance. The effects of the site of the previous MI on LV performance were also evaluated. Both LV size and performance were least affected by postero-inferior MI. The LVEF was, however, a better predictor of LV size than the site of the MI.     

Accuracy of an anthropometric estimate of the muscle and bone area in a transversal cross-section of the arm

To standardize the maximal static force (Fo) of the arm flexors, the accuracy of an anthropometric method for estimating the mid-arm cross-sectional muscle and bone area (MBA) was investigated. This was done by comparing the anthropometrically determined area (MBA.A) with the area measured by means of computerized tomography (MBA.S). In the same way, the accuracy of Heymsfield's equations (Heymsfield et al., 1982) for predicting MBA (MBA.H) from anthropometric measures was tested. MBA.A was significantly larger than MBA.S, the relative difference increasing with the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer. This difference was attributed to a 27% underestimation of the fat layer thickness as measured with the skinfold caliper. Women being fatter than men, this caused the standardized maximal static force (Fo/MBA) to be lower in women than in men. MBA.H was 12% smaller than MBA.S. This may have been due to a difference in the way of measuring the arm circumference between the present authors and Heymsfield et al.