The fast release of mucin secretion from human colonic cells induced by Entamoeba histolytica is dependent on contact and protein kinase C activation.

The mucus producing colonic cell line, LS174T, was used as a model to study E. histolytica-induced mucin secretion. E. histolytica trophozoites in contact with the mucus layer overlying the LS174T cells and in response to PMA, a protein kinase C activator, and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 which elevates intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca]i), caused a time-dependent (0.25-2.00 h) release of mucin. PKC inhibitors, H7 and staurosporine inhibited E. histolytica (37 and 75%) and PMA (46 and 100%)-induced mucin secretion, whereas in response to Ca2+ ionophore mucin secretion was augmented (56 and 17%). Both PMA and E. histolytica-induced the translocation of the PKC enzyme from the cytoplasm to the membrane fraction with increased enzyme activity. These results suggest that even though mucin secretion can be induced by PKC and Ca(2+)-dependent pathways, E. histolytica evokes the fast release of mucins by a PKC-dependent mechanism.     

The procoagulant response of cytomegalovirus infected endothelial cells.

The report describes the effect of an in vitro infection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with human Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The parameters studied are cellular procoagulant activity, secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), activation and internalization of factor X and Merocyanine 540 staining. The infection does not result in an increase in PAI-1 and u-PA secretion, but it brings about a procoagulant response, which is relatively rapid compared to the tissue factor mediated response induced by inflammatory mediators. The time course and the coagulation factor dependency suggest a facilitated interaction of coagulation factors on the surface of infected cells. Chromogenic activity measurements after the addition of purified factor X and electron microscopic examination of the cells after addition of colloidal gold-factor X conjugates both point to an internalization of factor X and/or Xa after interaction with the endothelial cell surface. Merocyanine 540 staining suggests that CMV infection leads to membrane perturbations.     

Magnum system for routine coronary angioplasty: A randomized study

The Magnum system, initially designed for coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of chronic total occlusion, consists of a balloon catheter and a solid steel 0.021 inch (0.53 mm) steerable and removable wire with a soft and moldable distal portion, tipped with a 1 mm olive. To evaluate its performance in routine PTCA, 200 unselected consecutive patients were randomized to two equal groups, i.e., group Magnum (100 patients, 115 vessels) and group Standard (100 patients, 118 vessels) including 18 and 21 patients with chronic total occlusions, respectively. Randomization was performed by the sealed envelope system in the catheterization laboratory and crossover of system was imposed if it was not possible to place a balloon correctly within 20 min of fluoroscopy time. There were no significant differences between groups concerning clinical and angiographic baseline characteristics, size of initial balloons (3.0±0.3 mm in both groups), fluoroscopy time to cross the lesion with the wire (Magnum: 4±5, Standard: 5±6 min), total fluoroscopy time (Magnum: 11 ± 9, Standard: 12±12 min), and need for crossover (Magnum: 10%, Standard: 16%). Success rates per lesion were comparable with 90% in group Magnum and 84% in group Standard, as were the complications with one inhospital death in group Standard, occurring three weeks after PTCA and stent implantation. There was no emergency operation. Six patients per group had myocardial infarction of whom two in group Magnum and one in group Standard developed a Q-wave. The following variables were significantly in favor of the Magnum system compared with the Standard system: success rate in nontotal lesions (97% versus 90%) crossover success in total occlusions (0 vs. 33%), fluoroscopy time to cross the lesion with the balloon once the wire was in place (1 ± 2 vs. 2 ± 4 min), and use of a single versus 1.2±0.5 wires per lesion. The only advantage of the Standard systems was the more common use of 7 French guiding catheters (Magnum: 40%, Standard: 53%, p = 0.09). The Magnum system compares favorably with standard systems for routine PTCA. The robust design of the Magnum wire does not impair ease of placement and safety but saves material and facilitates balloon advancement across the lesion.     

Seizures with Onset in the Sensorimotor Face Area: Clinical Patterns and Results of Surgical Treatment in 20 Patients

Summary: It is not generally appreciated that intractable seizures involving the face area are amenable to surgical treatment. Twenty patients with onset of sensorimotor seizures in the face area of the pre- and postcentral gyri have been studied and surgically treated since 1948. Seizures started in the face, tongue, or throat, followed by diverse patterns depending on spread of seizure activity. Two patients had epilepsia partialis continua; 6 had either tonic or atonic drop attacks. All patients had pre- and postcentral face area resections, 12 in the dominant hemisphere. In addition, 3 had more extensive postcentral removal, 7 had temporal lobe, and 4 had small separate or contiguous frontal or parietal resection. Because the seizures were not sufficiently reduced by the first operation, 6 required reoperation; 4 of these patients had residual epileptiform activity on electrocorticogram (ECoG) after the first resection. Three patients had new neurologic signs that did not return to the preoperative level, but in 2 of them the deficit related mainly to higher resection in the central area. All but 2 of these 20 patients had at least moderate seizure reduction. Corticectomy can be performed for treatment of seizures arising in the lower central area and usually does not lead to significant permanent neurologic deficit.     

Glucose tolerance in women: the effects of age, body composition, and sex hormones.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the separate and interactive effects of age, phase of the menstrual cycle, menopausal hormone status, body fat mass, and regional fat distribution on glucose tolerance in healthy women. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. PATIENTS: Two hundred sixty healthy women aged 22-89 years. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma levels of estradiol and progesterone, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and plasma glucose values in the fasting state (FPG) as well as 120 minutes after 40 gm/m2 of oral glucose (G120) were measured for each participant. RESULTS: We found a progressive decline in oral glucose tolerance of 0.4 mM (6.7 mg/dL)/decade at G120) in women from early to late adult years, with no relationship to phase of the menstrual cycle and no abrupt change associated with the menopause. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant, independent effects of BMI and WHR on FPG and G120. The influence of age (P less than 0.01) on G120 was stronger than that of the BMI or WHR (P less than 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the levels of endogenous sex hormones and glucose tolerance after adjustments for age, BMI, and WHR. However, women taking oral contraceptives, but not those receiving postmenopausal replacement therapy, did exhibit mildly elevated G120 values. CONCLUSIONS: Age per se, and to a lesser extent BMI and WHR, but not levels of endogenous sex steroids, contribute to the physiological decline in glucose tolerance in older women.