Miliary tuberculosis: A complication of intravesical BCG treatment

A case of miliary tuberculosis following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment is described.     

Gene Probe Analysis in an Informative Family with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2A (MEN 2A). Improvement in Carrier Risk Estimation

Gene probe analysis of the MEN 2A locus on chromosome 10 hasbeen undertaken using the markers TB10.163, RBP 3 and TB14.34in a large kindred with familial medullary thyroid carcinomas,with or without phaeochromocytomas or primary hyperparathyroidism.A maximum LOD score of 2.97 gave strong evidence of close linkagewith zero recombination. For 12 members of the family so far not known to be affectedby any form of the disease the estimated risk of carrying thegene has been considerably decreased in all but one, whose riskhas been greatly increased.     

Studies on DNA damage and induction of SOS repair by novel multifunctional bioreducible compounds. II. A metronidazole adduct of a ruthenium-arene compound.

A new transition metal complex of the 5-nitroimidazole, metronidazole (1-beta-hydroxyethyl-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole), has been prepared and its potential use as a hypoxic cell cytotoxic agent examined. The preparation of the complex [(eta6-C6H6)RuCl2(metronidazole)] is described together with its characterization using standard spectroscopic techniques. Electrochemical investigations showed that coordination to the metal centre had not altered the electron affinity of the metronidazole, but kinetic studies using the cyclic voltametric mode demonstrated that the one-electron addition product, the nitro radical anion, had a decreased lifetime, with a half-life of 7.75 and 11.9 s for the coordinated and free metronidazole ligand respectively. Biological studies employed viscosity measurements, DNA SOS repair capacity and a transfection assay to examine the effect on DNA. Conductance studies were also employed to determine the influence on intact Escherichia coli growth rates. The ruthenium-metronidazole complex showed greater activity than metronidazole aerobically, but a higher differential activity under hypoxic reduction conditions, due to activation of the NO2 group. Results with intact cells suggested a greater selective cytotoxicity with metronidazole coordinated to ruthenium than attained with the free ligand.     

Automatic Sensor Adjustment in a Rate Modulated Pacemaker

A new feature (AutoSlope) has been introduced that can automatically adjust the sensor slope based on the chronic activity level of the patient. The algorithm adjusts the slope once per week so that 99% of the sensor response is maintained between the base rate and 23% of the difference between the programmed Base Rate and the Max Sensor Rate. Offsets are available for fine titration of sensor response in individual patients. The AutoSlope feature was evaluated in 93 patients with DDDR pacemakers (Trilogy DR+, Pacesetter). Patients were seen at 1, 3, and 6 months for a total of 178 evaluations. At each evaluation, the AutoSlope value was recorded. Patients then performed a brisk walk at sensor values equivalent to the AutoSlope value. Desired sensor rate was compared to the rate achieved by AutoSlope for the exercise period. Long-term sensor performance was evaluated by analyzing the sensor histogram. AutoSlope provided the desired sensor rate in most patients. Use of AutoSlope offsets allows fine titration of rate modulation in individual patients. Ongoing changes in sensor performance provided by AutoSlope allow patients to achieve a desired sensor rate from one evaluation to another without changes in permanent programmed settings. Programming a low maximum sensor rate may limit sensor response in some patients.     

Blood preservation. XXXIV. DHA maintains 2,3-DPG and its adverse effect on ATP is reversed with extra phosphate

We have found that the addition of 10 mM inorganic phosphate to DHA in CPD-adenine maintains ATP levels at normal or higher than normal values for six weeks of storage. 2,3-DPG values are slightly lowered by the extra phosphate, but are still maintained at approximately half normal for four weeks by the DHA. The addition of a higher phosphate concentration, 20 mM, to DHA produced lower levels of ATP and 2,3-DPG than those observed with 10 mM phosphate, although both levels were better than in the CPD-adenine control. pH values in this experiment were lowest in the three preservatives containing DHA, probably indicating increased lactate production due to metabolism of this triose sugar, in addition to dextrose present in CPD.     

Minactivin expression in human monocyte and macrophage populations

Adherent monolayer cultures of human blood monocytes, peritoneal macrophages, bone marrow macrophages, and colonic mucosa macrophages were examined for their ability to produce and secrete minactivin, a specific inactivator of urokinase-type plasminogen activator. All except colonic mucosa macrophages produced and secreted appreciable amounts of minactivin, but only blood monocytes were stimulated by muramyl dipeptide (adjuvant peptide) to increase production. The minactivin from each of these populations could be shown to preferentially inhibit urokinase-type plasminogen activator and not trypsin, plasmin, or "tissue"-type plasminogen activator (HPA66). A plasminogen-activating enzyme present in monocyte cultures appeared unaffected by the presence of minactivin and could be shown to be regulated independently by dexamethasone.