Immunogold localization of type IV collagen and laminin in the aging human outflow system

Tissue from the outflow system of six surgically enucleated aged eyes was used for an ultrastructural immunocytochemical study of the distribution of laminin and type IV collagen. The immunogold technique provided precise localization of laminin beneath lining endothelial cells of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. Laminin labelling was absent in the trabecular beams. Type IV collagen was found in the basement membranes of the trabecular beams and in fine filamentous basement membrane material in the cribriform layer. Electron dense plaques in the cribriform layer labelled positively for laminin in the outer coarse fibrillar zone but not in the electron dense core. Long-spacing collagen was negative for type IV collagen.     

Effects of alminoprofen on the allergic reactions

The effects of alminoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, on the experimental animal models of allergic reactions were examined and compared with those of ibuprofen. Alminoprofen at 30 mg/kg given intraduodenally significantly suppressed passive anaphylactic bronchoconstrictions, while ibuprofen did not at the same doses. In vitro studies revealed that alminoprofen, in contrast to ibuprofen, exerted an inhibitory effect on arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activity which initiates the bio-synthesis of leukotrienes. Alminoprofen inhibited arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in mice and homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at high doses, while ibuprofen did not at the high doses. From its characteristic feature of inhibitory effects on 5-lipoxygenase activity and the experimental model of type I allergic reaction, it is suggested that alminoprofen is a new type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent.     

Indium-labeled presensitized T cells for diagnosis of graft rejection.

The aim of this experiment was to test a safe, noninvasive method for necessary, accurate diagnosis of early allograft rejection. Heart-lung allograft was performed heterotopically using Brown Norway (BN) rats as the donor and Lewis (LEW) rats as the recipient. T cell suspensions were prepared from lymphnodes of specifically sensitized LEW rats that had acutely rejected full-thickness BN skin graft. Cell count was adjusted 50 x 10(6) cells/ml. The suspension was incubated in vitro with 111I oxide (1 m Ci-ml). An aliquot of labeled cell suspension containing 40 x 10(6) cells and a total radioactivity of 200 mCi was administered intravenously to each animal 3 and 6 days after heart-lung transplant. The traffic of T cells was followed in vivo and in isolated organs under large field view gamma camera. The gamma camera revealed radioactivity on the graft starting Postoperative Day 5 when the heart was actively beating; no radioactivity was revealed at the site of the isografted organs. The histology showed mild to moderate cellular infiltration parallel to the grade of radioimaging intensity. The injection of indium-labeled presensitized T cells was able to detect the rejection process in an early phase when there are no clinical symptoms of rejection and/or the rejection cascade can be reversed. These results suggest that a similar method can be used in human organ transplantation for early diagnosis of rejection.     

A profile of tobacco use among teenage dependents.

This study profiles tobacco use by 2,241 dependent teenagers in grades 6-12 at two Army posts. Data were collected in February 1989 by self-administered questionnaires. Results show 40.9% of dependent teenagers have tried smoking and 16.4% have tried smokeless tobacco. Most youths who tried tobacco did so experimentally. Current use is 10.4% smoking and 2.8% smokeless tobacco. While there is little difference in the proportion of boys and girls who have tried or currently smoke, trial and current use of smokeless tobacco is almost exclusively by males. Whites are more likely to ever use tobacco than other ethnic groups.     

Effects of Nitrite Exposure on Acid–Base Balance, Respiratory Protein, and Ion Concentrations of Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii at Low pH

Macrobrachium rosenbergii that had been exposed individually for 24 h to 0 (control), 2, 5, 10 mg/L nitrite-N (nitrite as nitrogen) at 4.3 and 7.7 pH levels were examined for hemolymph nitrite-N, oxyhemocyanin, protein, acid–base balance, ion concentrations, and ammonia-N (ammonia as nitrogen) excretion. Hemolymph oxyhemocyanin, protein, pH, HCO₃ ⁻ , TCO₂, osmolality, and ion concentrations were inversely related to ambient nitrite-N concentration and were lower at pH 4.3. However, hemolymph nitrite-N, PO₂ and PCO₂ levels, and ammonia-N excretion were directly related to ambient nitrite-N, and were higher at pH 4.3. Ambient nitrite-N and pH level interacted to cause changes in hemolymph nitrite-N, oxyhemocyanin, protein, PO₂, and pH levels. It is concluded that for M. rosenbergii following nitrite exposure, the incorporated nitrite causes a decrease of pH and an increase of PO₂ in the hemolymph where it reduces oxyhemocyanin level; disturbs nitrogen excretion, ion regulation, and respiratory gas exchange; and may lead to a decrease of oxygen-carrying capacity, which are affected more at low pH. Received: 31 August 1996/Accepted: 9 July 1997     

Case report 733

Calcific tendinitis at the site of origin of the rectus femoris muscle is a rare lesion. Presumed to be formed by deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals, this entity may be confused with other lesions such as os acetabuli or posttraumatic abnormalities. The characteristic location and appearance of the calcifications in a symptomatic patient with no history of trauma should allow diagnosis and subsequent symptomatic therapy.     

Cardiomyopathy: a late complication of hemolytic uremic syndrome

This report describes a child who presented with classic hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and 4 months later developed a life-threatening but reversible cardiomyopathy with global cardiac dysfunction and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 14%. There was no evidence of electrolyte abnormalities, anemia, hypertension, severe fluid overload, or viral infection. Endomyocardial biopsies were consistent with a dilated cardiomyopathy. This paper highlights the importance of considering the diagnosis of associated cardiomyopathy when presenting with late-onset edema following HUS. Received February 12, 1996; received in revised form and accepted August 22, 1996