Antigenic and Cytochemical Characterization of Cells Adhering to Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices

ABSTRACT: Eighteen copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), removed after 25 months of use, were examined to evaluate cells adhering to them (IAC). By means of monoclonal antibodies, the antigenic phenotype of IAC was studied, along with some IAC cytochemical properties. Sixty percent of IAC were identified as granulocytes based on morphological, cytochemical, and antigenic characteristics. A small proportion of IAC were shaped like large foreign-body macrophages, with multiple picnotic nuclei, and diffused alpha naphtyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity. Some IAC identified as macrophages from a morphological view point also showed dipeptidil-diaminopeptidase IV (DAPIV) reactivity, previously described only in T-helper lymphocytes. Most IAC identified as macrophages reacted with the monoclonal antibodies OKM1 and HLA-DR, and showed ANAE activity in the form of small multiple granules. The hypothesis that IUD-adhering macrophages with an ANAE +, DAPIV+, OKM1 +, and HLA-DR + phenotype could play a role in the inactivation of spermatozoa can be proposed.     

Moderate alcohol intake and risk of myocardial infarction among non-smokers

We have conducted a hospital-based case-control study on 157patients with newly diagnosed myocardial infarction and 157hospital controls. All were men, 35–69 years old and non-smokersor ex-smokers of at least 6 months. A clearcut inverse dose-responserelationship was found between alcohol intake (chiefly red wine)and risk of Ml (odds ratios were 0.69, 0.43 and 0.42, for thosedrinking 1–30, 30–90 and >90 drinks per month,compared to <1). Adjustment by coronary risk factors in logistic-regressionmodels increased the strength of the association with alcohol.Protection was somewhat stronger than in studies conducted incountries where the consumption of beer or liquors is heavierthan that of wine. The protective effect might be due to theantioxidant properties of phenolic substances contained in redwine.     

Controlled proteolysis of mouse epidermal growth factor An RP-HPLC and 1H-n.m.r. study

Tryptic digestion of the mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) and the chromatographic separation of its proteolytic fragments by RP-HPLC affords the isolation of the pure hormone, of its 1–48 (Des(49–53)mEGF) and 1–45 (Des(46–53)mEGF) derivatives, and of the carboxyl-terminal pentapeptide W49–W50-E51-L52-R53. Kinetics of mEGF proteolytic degradation follows a two-state time-course: native mEGF being converted into Des(49–53)mEGF with an apparent half-time of 10min; and Des(49–53)mEGF subsequently hydrolyzed to Des(46–53)mEGF with an apparent half-time of 7 h. Native mEGF and its proteolytic fragments have been characterized by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. In the aromatic and aliphatic regions, the ¹H-n.m.r. spectrum proved to be a sufficiently sensitive probe for following controlled proteolysis, and for analyzing the influence of the carboxyl-terminal sequence on the hormone conformation and stability.     

Growth Factors: Thrombopoietic Property of the Pineal Hormone Melatonin

The recent advances in the psychoneuroimmunology have suggested that the hematopoiesis may be under a neuroendocrine regulation, mainly exerted by the pineal gland. In particular, melatonin (MLT), which is the main pineal hormone, has appeared to stimulate platelet generation, probably by promoting the megakaryocyte fragmentation and modulating the cytokine network involved in platelet production. On this basis, we have evaluated the effect of pharmacological doses of MLT on platelet number in patients with persistent thrombocytopenia due to different causes. The study included 200 patients, who were randomized to receive supportive care alone or MLT at 20 mg/day orally in the evening, for al least 1 month. No MLT-related toxicity occured. Platelet mean number rapidly and significantly increased in response to MLT, and a normalization of platelet number was achieved on MLT therapy in 71/98 (72%) patients. The least responsive form of thrombocytopenia was DIC. This study shows that the pineal hormone MLT may represent a well tolerable and effective therapy of thrombocytopenia due to different pathogenetic mechanisms.     

A Nonfluoroscopic Technique for Coronary Arteries Three‐Dimensional Mapping during Epicardial Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation

When performing epicardial ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT), caution must be taken not to damage the coronary arteries. We report a case in which a new, nonfluoroscopic technique for incorporating an accurate, real‐time reconstruction of the main coronary vessels into a three‐dimensional electroanatomic map was used for epicardial VT ablation.     

Hand movements at 3 months predict later hemiplegia in term infants with neonatal cerebral infarction

Aim The aim of this study was to explore the predictive value of quantitative assessment of hand movements in 3‐month‐old infants after neonatal stroke. Method Thirteen infants born at term (five females, eight males; mean gestational age 39.4wks, SD 1.19, range 37–41wks; mean birthweight 3240g, SD 203, range 2900–3570g) with neonatal arterial ischaemic cerebral infarction, and 13 healthy infants (mean gestational age 39.1wks, range 37–41wks, SD 1.26; mean birthweight 3190g, SD 259, range 2680–3490g) were enrolled in the study. The absolute frequency and the asymmetry of global hand opening and closing, wrist segmental movements, and independent digit movements were assessed from videotapes recorded at around 12 weeks. Neurological outcome was assessed when the infants were at least 18 months old using Touwen’s neurological examination. Results Five of the 13 infants with neonatal stroke had normal neurological development, and eight had hemiplegia. Asymmetry of wrist segmental movements and the absolute frequency of independent digit movements were significantly different between infants with and without hemiplegia (p=0.006 and p=0.008, respectively). No differences were found in global hand movements. Interpretation We propose that the observed abnormalities of hand movements are the result of two different mechanisms: direct disruption of the corticospinal projection to the spinal cord, and altered modulation of the central pattern generators of general movements.