Increased fibronectin production by cell lines from hypertrophic scar and keloid

Primary cell lines of fibroblasts from 8 tissues were established--three from hypertrophic scars (HS), one keloid (K) and four from the normal uninvolved dermis adjacent to each lesion. The objective was to quantify and compare all eight cell lines on the basis of fibronectin (FN) produced per cell and per total protein (PR). Two hypertrophic scars and their adjacent skin cell lines were evaluated by the ELISA method for FN and a micro Lowry assay for PR. The scar lines showed statistically significant increases in the amount of FN/cell compared to the cell lines from their adjacent normal dermis. The third hypertrophic scar and the keloid with their adjacent skin cell lines were assayed for FN and PR by radioimmunoprecipitation. Subconfluent cells were metabolically labeled with 35S-methionine for 20 hours. Harvested media and cell monolayers were assayed for radioactivity incorporated into FN and PR. The percentage of FN/PR was significantly higher in media for HS and K compared to the adjacent normal skin lines in the three passages tested. These results support our previous immunofluorescence studies and demonstrate that a fibroblast-type cell line from a hypertrophic scar or keloid produces more FN/PR over time than the normal fibroblast-type cell line from adjacent uninvolved dermis.     

Female phenotype and multiple abnormalities in sibs with a Y chromosome and partial X chromosome duplication: H--Y antigen and Xg blood group findings.

A mentally retarded female child with multiple congenital abnormalities had an abnormal X chromosome and a Y chromosome; the karyotype was interpreted as 46,dup(X)(p21 leads to pter)Y. Prenatal chromosome studies in a later pregnancy indicated the same chromosomal abnormality in the fetus. The fetus and proband had normal female genitalia and ovarian tissue. H--Y antigen was virtually absent in both sibs, a finding consistent with the view that testis-determining genes of the Y chromosome may be suppressed by regulatory elements of the X. The abnormal X chromosome was present in the mother, the maternal grandmother, and a female sib: all were phenotypically normal and showed the karyotype 46,Xdup(X)(p21 leads to pter) with non-random inactivation of the abnormal X. Anomalous segregation of the Xga allele suggests that the Xg locus was involved in the inactivation process or that crossing-over at meiosis occurred.     

Cutaneous defenses against dermatophytes and yeasts.

Predispositions to the superficial mycoses include warmth and moisture, natural or iatrogenic immunosuppression, and perhaps some degree of inherited susceptibility. Some of these infections elicit a greater inflammatory response than others, and the noninflammatory ones are generally more chronic. The immune system is involved in the defense against these infections, and cell-mediated immunity appears to be particularly important. The mechanisms involved in generating immunologic reactions in the skin are complex, with epidermal Langerhans cells, other dendritic cells, lymphocytes, microvascular endothelial cells, and the keratinocytes themselves all participating in one way or another. A variety of defects in the immunologic response to the superficial mycoses have been described. In some cases the defect may be preexistent, whereas in others the infection itself may interfere with protective cell-mediated immune responses against the organisms. A number of different mechanisms may underlie these immunologic defects and lead to the development of chronic superficial fungal infection in individual patients. Although the immunologic defects appear to be involved in the chronicity of certain types of cutaneous fungal infections, treatment of these defects remains experimental at the present time.     

Inhibition of lens-aldose reductase activity by brazilin and haematoxylin

Brazilin and haematoxylin, plant pigments, were examined for their effects on the Bovine-Lens aldose reductase (LAR)-activity. About 50% inhibition was observed in a concentration of 10 (-4) M-brazilin and 10 (-4) M-haematoxylin, and above 95% inhibition was observed in a concentration of 10 (-3) M-brazilin and 10 (-3)M-haematoxylin. In order to determine the type of inhibition, kinetic studies were also conducted with brazilin and haematoxylin, in which both were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors.     

Inhaltsstoffe und Pharmakologie der Okoubaka aubrevillei-Rinde

From the stembark of OKOUBAKA AUBREVILLEI (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, (+)-gallocatechin, (-)-epicatechingallate, (-)-epigallocatechingallate, gallic and protocatechuic acid have been isolated. The antimicrobial and immunostimulating activity of the drug extract were assigned to the phenolic compounds.     

Monitoring effects of α-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (α-hANP) on left ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension with a cardiac probe

The effects of -hANP on left ventricular function were studied with a cardiac probe in ten patients with essential hypertension. Our data showed that intravenous administration of -hANP significantly elevated left ventricular function. At 5 min, the elevation of EF, RCO, ER, RSV, PFR were 13.23% (P<0.02), 12.7 (P<0.02), 0.618 (P<0.02), 0.133 (P<0.05), 0.283 (P<0.01), respectively. At 10 min, the increase of EF, ER, were 11.07% (P<0.02) and 0.233 (P<0.01), respectively. Atriopeptin significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure from 2 min to 20 min (P<0.001–0.05).Supported by IAEA Grant No. 4062/RI/RB     

Functional anatomy of the knee joint

Detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the knee joint's anatomy is an essential prerequisite for understanding of the joint's function and its pathophysiology, for precise diagnosis, and for satisfactory treatment of lesions of the joint capsule and ligaments. Thus, anatomy represents "the key to the knee".     

Dosage intervals based on mean residence times

It is shown that a suitable dosage interval, tau, can be estimated by a factor times the sum of the mean residence time (MRT) of the central compartment (MRTC) and the MRT of the absorption site (MRTA). This value of tau will provide a ratio, maximum steady-state plasma concentration: minimum steady-state plasma concentration, which averages approximately 2, such that the percent variation of the steady-state drug concentration is +/- 33%. It is shown that this approach produces vastly improved steady-state concentrations compared with those obtained when the tau value is chosen as equal to the apparent elimination half-life, which, classically, has been the approach usually used. When the drug is administered intravenously, the MRT of the absorption site in the above relationship is equal to zero. Suitable values of the "factor" in the above relationship were found to be 0.75 for the two-compartment open models with bolus iv administration, unity for the one-compartment open model with first-order absorption and elimination, and 1.35 for the classical two-compartment open model with first-order absorption.