Uremic Polyneuropathy: Different Effects of Hemodialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

ABSTRACT. Registrations of clinical signs of neuropathy, quantified according to a fixed protocol, and determinations of vibratory perception thresholds and nerve conduction velocities (NCV) were performed in 22 patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) and in 21 patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Measurements were made at the start of dialysis and during a follow-up period of about 30 months. Motor NCV decreased in both groups; vibratory thresholds increased markedly in the CAPD patients, but not in the HD patients; and the clinical signs worsened in the HD patients, but not in the CAPD patients. The difference in outcome of the clinical signs during HD and CAPD was not of such a magnitude that one of these dialysis forms should be preferred before the other as regards neuropathy. We conclude that peripheral neuropathy may deteriorate during both HD and CAPD, but in significantly different ways, indicating that several pathogenetic mechanisms are probably involved in uremic neuropathy.     

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis in Acrylamide Gel

A method for hemoglobin electrophoresis is described, using acrylamide gelas the supporting media. The advantages and characteristics of this gel arementioned. Clear and distinct separations of hemoglobin types obtained after60 minutes electrophoresis in a vertical cell are illustrated. It is felt that theuse of this gel affords a simple and rapid method for the detection and quantitation of hemoglobin abnormalities.

Accepted on December 15, 1961     

An animal model for screening drugs for antipsoriatic properties using hydroxyapatite to isolate DNA rapidly from the epidermis

A new, rapid, simple and accurate procedure for extracting DNA from the epidermis is described involving hydroxyapatite. This compound has an unique property of high affinity for double stranded native DNA, but none for RNA and protein. The technique has been applied to a hairless mouse model for screening systemic and topical agents for cell inhibitory properties in proliferating epidermis for potential use in the therapy of psoriasis. Mitotic counts, autoradiography and a standard chloroform procedure for isolating DNA have confirmed the results obtained using hydroxyapatite column chromatography. In addition, compounds which are known to be effective in psoriasis, have been found to be effective in the system suggesting that it should be a good predictive screen for new therapies. Of several compounds screened for topical activity, cycloheximide has been found to be very effective in the system and preliminary clinical studies confirm its efficacy in psoriasis.     

BILATERAL RUPTURE OF THE LIGAMENTUM PATELLAE: TWO CASE REPORTS AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Rupture of the ligamentum patellae tends to occur within Its substance, in association with oral steroid medication, and/or active collagen disease. By comparison, avulsion of tendon from bone tends to occur in patients who are not taking oral steroid preparations and are not actively affected by one of the collagen diseases. Surgical repair produces excellent results.     

INCREASED MALATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN BLOOD FROM NON-DRINKING ALCOHOLICS

Since cytosolic malate dehydrogenase has been shown to playa role in the regulation of liver cytosolic [NAD⁺]/[NADH] redoxstate during ethanol metabolism, it is possible that differencesin this enzyme could cause differences in response to ethanol.The present study demonstrates that the isozyme pattern of thiscytosolic enzyme in whole blood samples is the same as thatin liver and that the pattern does not differ in alcoholic andcontrol subjects. A marginally significant elevation of activityof malate dehydrogenase in blood from alcoholic subjects isreported. Further studies are needed to confirm this latterfinding and to assess fully its possible significance.     

Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii agglutinins in human saliva

Abstract – The objectives were to determine the degree of Actinomyces agglutinating activity in human saliva and to begin characterizing the agglutination mechanism. Agglutination titres of whole saliva collected from adults and 6-yr-old children were compared. Titres for A. naeslundii were always higher than for A. viscosus. The mean A. naeslundii titre for the adults’ and children's samples were equivalent. The children had a slightly lower mean titre than the adults for A. viscosus. No correlation was found between IgA concentration and agglutination titre. Agglutinating activity was partially impaired by incubation with anti-IgA serum. Activity in submandibular/sublingual saliva was resistant to heat at 56°C but sensitive to boiling. Boiling the bacteria had no effect. In sugar inhibition tests, only galactosides (β-Gal) and glucosamine (for A. viscosus) affected Actinomyces agglutination but impairment was only temporary. Agglutinating activity was diminished by incubating saliva with hydroxyapatite. Thus, Actinomyces agglutinins 1) are probably distinct from IgA but may complex with it; 2) may include both β-Gal and higher affinity sites; and 3) may contribute to salivary pellicle.     

s-cis,s-trans Isomerism about the Ala-Pro peptide bond in Nα-phospho- and Nα-phosphono-l-alanyl-l-prolines by 31P n.m.r.

Nα-(Phenethylphosphono)-l -alanyl-l -proline 1, a potent inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, exhibits two ³¹P n.m.r. resonances (intensity ratio one to one), which exchange with a constant (k₁) of about 1 s^?1 and a free energy of activation ΔG*=～ 20kcal/mol at 23° in deuterated dimethylsulfoxide. Two resonances in exchange are also observed in deuterium oxide at pH 7.5. Thus the exchanging ³¹P resonances report the s-cis, s-trans conformational equilibrium about the alanyl-proline peptide bond. Similar results were observed with Nα-[(O-phenyl)-phenethylphosphono]-l -alanyl-l -proline 2. Nα -(O-phenylphospho)-l -alanyl-l -proline, 3 Nα-(O, O′-diphenylphospho)-l -alanyl-l -proline 4, and Nα-[2-(2-oxo-1, 3, 2-dioxaphosphiranyl)]-l -alanyl-l -proline 5 in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide, deuterium oxide, and deuterochloroform. A ¹³C n.m.r. spectrum of 5 confirmed the presence of s-cis and s-trans resonances for the proline carbons in the same intensity ratio observed by ³¹P n.m.r.