The uronidic linkages in heparitin sulfate.

Beta-glucuronidase preparations obtained from various sources were shown to liberate free D-glucuronic acid from heparitin sulfate oligosaccharides. Some free L-iduronic acid could also be detected in the hydrolyzates indicating the presence of an iduronidase in the preparations. The data presented indicate that heparitin sulfate contains a substantial amount of beta-D-glucuronidic and some alpha-L-iduronidic linkages.     

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with monosomy 7 in a Hiroshima survivor 37 years after the bomb

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) developed in a 53-year-old survivor of the Hiroshima bomb blast. Chromosomal analysis disclosed a single abnormality, deletion of chromosome 7. This deletion has been reported in patients with radiation exposure, but it is uncommon in adults with ALL. The karyotypic abnormality suggests that our patient's leukemia may be related to prior radiation exposure despite a 37-year hiatus. The findings raise further questions about the persistent risk of leukemia among atomic bomb survivors.     

Analysis of backscattered ultrasound from normal and diseased arterial wall

Intra-arterial ultrasonic imaging has several features which affect the feasibility of clinical tissue characterization when compared with trans-thoracic ultrasound. The short distance from transducer to tissue, fluid path, high frequencies, and special characteristics of the tissues of interest all contribute to making practical tissue characterization by measurement of the backscattered signal more probable in intra-arterial imaging. The properties of backscattered ultrasound, and methods of characterizing such signals, are discussed with special reference to intra-arterial applications.     

Is there a role for neurotrophins in the pathology of multiple sclerosis?

Journal of Neurology - Evidence has emerged over recent years suggesting that trophic factors such as neurotrophic cytokines and neurotrophins may play an important role in multiple sclerosis (MS)...     

Changes in heparan sulfate correlate with increased glomerular permeability

The glomerular capillary wall functions as both a size-selective and charge-selective barrier. Heparan sulfate is known to be an important component of the charge-selective barrier to filtration of polyanions. We studied the alterations in both the charge and size selectivity barriers in a model of experimental membranous nephropathy in the rabbit. The fractional clearance of both charged and uncharged dextrans compared to inulin was measured. Sulfate incorporation into glycosaminoglycans was measured and the glomerular heparan sulfate was isolated and biochemically characterized. Membranous nephropathy in the rabbit was induced with daily injections of cationic bovine serum albumin. After three weeks of injection animals had 735 +/- 196 mg/24 hours of protein excretion. There was no change in [35S] incorporation in 24 hours by experimental animals, 440 +/- 91 DPM/mg dry weight of glomeruli, N = 9 versus 410 +/- 98, N = 11 in controls. The percentage of [35S] incorporated into heparan sulfate versus chondroitin sulfate was decreased, 60% +/- 3 versus 79% +/- 2, P less than 0.001. Heparan sulfate from membranous nephropathy eluted from ion exchange chromatography in a lower molarity salt, indicating a lower effective charge. Fractional clearance of neutral dextrans was significantly increased in membranous nephropathy for dextrans greater than 48 A, while fractional clearance of dextran sulfates was significantly increased compared to controls for dextrans greater than 32 A. Thus, in membranous nephropathy there is loss of both charge selectivity and size selectivity. The loss of charge selectivity correlated with a change in the structure of the glomerular heparan sulfate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fetal gallstones

Routine obstetric ultrasound (US) examinations in a 33-year-old woman revealed a normal fetal gallbladder at 24 menstrual weeks but multiple structures in the gallbladder with findings typical of gallstones at 37 menstrual weeks. No other abnormalities were present. Three days after a term delivery, an abdominal US examination again demonstrated multiple gallstones. When the infant was 6 weeks old, a follow-up abdominal US study showed no evidence of gallstones. This case, as well as one previously reported, demonstrates that findings typical of gallstones may be seen in the fetus, and that these structures may spontaneously resolve.