SERUM TRYPTOPHAN AND CATARACT

Total serum tryptophan concentrations were measured in 74 cataractous patients and 124 controls No significant diferences were observed in the mean values for the cataractous and normal subjects, 11.4 ± 2.6 and 11.3 ± 2.2 µg/ml respectively, or in the range of values 7.–17.1 and 7.3–17.4 µg/ml respectively These results do not support previous reports that serum tryptophan is elevated in cataractous subjects     

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE PATTERN OF 50 KD CYTOKERATIN IN PSORIASIS

Three biopsies of normal skin and 15 biopsies collected from patients with psoriasis vulgaris were analyzed for the expression of the 50 kd cytokeratin using direct immunofluorescence and ABC technique before and after local treatment with anthralin 0.1% in a petrolatum base, with 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate cream, and finally, after PUVA treatment. Antiserum against the 50 kd anti-cytokeratin reacted with tissue sections of normal skin, staining cells in the basal layer, while the psoriatic skin sections before the various treatments showed a staining concerning the whole thickness of the epidermis. After the various therapies, the 50 kd cytokeratin immunoreactivity was observed only in the basal layer of those psoriatic skin sections that showed complete clinical clearing, while it was observed in the whole thickness of psoriatic patches that did not clear. These data suggest that the normalization of the 50 kd cytokeratin expression pattern can be considered as a marker of clinical remission of psoriasis.     

N-terminal sequence of some ribosome-inactivating proteins

The N-terminal portion of some type 1 ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) isolated from the seeds of Gelonium multifiorum, Momordica charantia, Bryonia dioica, Saponaria oficinalis and from the leaves of Saponaria oficinalis are reported in the present paper. Their relationship with other RIPS is discussed.     

Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Renal Biopsy

We performed percutaneous ultrasound guided renal biopsy on 27 patients ages 16 to 76 years. A 14 gauge cutting needle was used. Twenty-six patients had medical renal disease; one patient had a renal mass. Patients were followed by sonograms performed immediately post procedure as well the following day. Serum hemoglobin was obtained prior to the procedure as well as one day post biopsy. Complications included five small hematomas and one transient mild hydronephrosis secondary to blood clots. The hematomas were all first noted on the scan one day post biopsy. We conclude that ultrasound guided percutaneous renal biopsy is a safe procedure which is easily performed by the radiologist.     

Decreased Blood Natural Killer Cell Activity and Immunoglobulin Synthesis in vitro in Aplastic Anemia

Abstract. Natural killer (NK) cell numbers and T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood were evaluated in six patients with aplastic anemia (AA). The immunophenotyping results were correlated to in vitro tests of NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 cells and of immunoglobulin (Ig) production after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation. A significant decrease was found both in the percentage of Leu 11 positive cells and in NK cell activity as compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The decrease in NK cell activity could not be entirely compensated by an increase in effector/target cell ratios, thus suggesting not only a quantitative but also a functional defect in NK cells of the AA patients. Three of four AA patients tested showed no major increase of Ig production after PWM stimulation. All these three patients also had fewer “functional T helper” cells (Leu3+/Leu8^–) and increased numbers of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (Leu2+) when compared to controls. No significant differences in numbers of B lymphocytes (B1+) could be found. Our findings suggest a possible linkeage between quantitative and qualitative abnormalities in lymphocyte subsets in aplastic anemia. However, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis of increased NK cell activation behind the hemopoietic depression in this disease.     

Caffeine Stimulates in vivo Platelet Reactivity

ABSTRACT The effect of coffee drinking on platelet reactivity was studied in 12 healthy subjects. Plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration was determined before and one hour after administration of 100 mg of caffeine, corresponding to one cup of coffee. Mean values were 47.0±19.3 and 179.3±85.5 ng/ml before and after caffeine administration respectively. The increase, 298±150%, is highly significant (p<0.001).     

Neuropeptides in temporomandibular joints with rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical study

Abstract— There is evidence that neuropeptides play a role in the development of arthritis. Synovial fluid from arthritic temporomandibular joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was therefore investigated for presence of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, neurokinin A and neuropeptide Y. All four peptides were found in the synovial fluid above plasma level, but calcitonin gene-related peptide showed the highest concentration and substance P the lowest.     

Mortality among HIV-infected intravenous drug addicts in Stockholm in relation to methadone treatment

The aim of the study was to estimate the mortality rate and evaluate the causes of death in all diagnosed HIV-positive IDUs in the Stockholm area, 1986–90, and to compare the risk of death of those who received methadone treatment with that of those never admitted to or discharged from the programme. Data were collected from the Swedish National Bacteriological Laboratory, the Methadone Maintenance Programme (MMTP) and the Department of Forensic Medicine, as well as from hospitals in the Stockholm region. In Sweden 90% of all IDUs are HIV-tested. Most deceased IDUs are examined forensically. This examination always includes HIV-testing. During the observation period, 472 HIV-infected IDUs were reported from the Stockholm area. Of these addicts 135 participated in the methadone maintenance programme for a shorter or longer time during the study period. Most of them had received the HIV-diagnosis more than 1 year before first entering the programme. Sixty-nine subjects died during the observation period. A majority, 52 persons, died from violence or poisoning. Seventeen died from somatic complications of drug abuse. Nine of them were diagnosed as suffering from AIDS. Eight of the deceased had participated in the MMTP. The relative risk of death from external violence and poisoning was 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.1–1.0) when participants in the MMTP were compared with HIV-infected IDUs never attending the programme. When all causes of death are compared the relative risk was 0.8. Those patients discharged from the programme have a higher mortality rate than those who never participated. It is concluded that the programme probably contributes to a higher survival rate than for patients outside the MMTP by offering them social support, medical care and control of their drug abuse.