Changes in EEG activity and hypothalamic temperature as indices for non-REM sleep to REM sleep transitions

A shift of physiological regulations from a homeostatic to a non-homeostatic modality characterizes the passage from non-NREM sleep (NREMS) to REM sleep (REMS). In the rat, an EEG index which allows the automatic scoring of transitions from NREMS to REMS has been proposed: the NREMS to REMS transition indicator value, NIV [J.H. Benington et al., Sleep 17 (1994) 28-36]. However, such transitions are not always followed by a REMS episode, but are often followed by an awakening. In the present study, the relationship between changes in EEG activity and hypothalamic temperature (Thy), taken as an index of autonomic activity, was studied within a window consisting of the 60s which precedes a state change from a consolidated NREMS episode. Furthermore, the probability that a transition would lead to REMS or wake was analysed. The results showed that, within this time window, both a modified NIV (NIV(60)) and the difference between Thy at the limits of the window (Thy(D)) were related to the probability of REMS onset. Both the relationship between the indices and the probability of REMS onset was sigmoid, the latter of which saturated at a probability level around 50-60%. The efficacy for the prediction of successful transitions from NREMS to REMS found using Thy(D) as an index supports the view that such a transition is a dynamic process where the physiological risk to enter REMS is weighted at a central level.     

Child with oral,facial, digital,and skeletal anomalies and psychomotor delay: A new ofds form?

We report on a male infant with oral, facial, digital, and skeletal anomalies in association with severe psychomotor delay. This may represent a new oral-facial-digital syndrome. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Neutropenia induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) released from neutrophils: The inhibitory effect of prostacyclin (PGI2)

Soluble and phagocytic stimuli released PAF-acether from PMN leucocytes, as determined by chromatography and bioassay by platelet aggregation. The same material caused aggregation of human and rabbit PMN leucocytesin vitro which was inhibited by ETYA and PGI₂. PGI₂ also inhibited PAF-acether release by PMN leucocytes and,in vivo, PGI₂ abolished not only PAF-acether-induced, but also immune complex or C5a-induced thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in rabbits. These data suggest that PAF-acether may be involved in activation of both platelets and PMN leucocytesin vivo.     

Inhibition of diamine oxidase by antihistaminic agents and related drugs

Various drugs were tested as inhibitors of diamine oxidase on the basis of chemical relationships to the enzyme substrates.It was found that serotonine tryptamine and phenformin are good competitive inhibitors while cimetidine and pheniprazine are non-competitive inhibitors. Other antihistaminic drugs like promethazine are less powerful inhibitors.     

Good Safety Profile and Efficacy of Leucocyte Interferon-α in Combination with Oral Ribavirin in Treatment-Naive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: The differential tolerability profile of various interferon (IFN)-α preparations used in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C needs to be elucidated. Approximately 8% of patients receiving recombinant IFNα-2b plus ribavirin discontinue treatment because of adverse events. Human leucocyte IFNα is deemed to have a better safety profile than recombinant IFNα. We therefore compared the safety profile and efficacy of ribavirin combined with leucocyte IFNα or with recombinant IFNα-2b in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C. Study design: We randomised 423 patients to either leucocyte IFNα 3MU three times weekly plus ribavirin (210 patients) or the same dose of recombinant IFNα-2b plus ribavirin (213 patients). Patients were treated for 24 weeks and followed-up for a further 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the safety profile of the two therapies; the secondary endpoint was the rate of sustained response. Results: In patients receiving leucocyte IFNα, the total number of adverse events was lower than in the group receiving recombinant IFNα (259 vs 441 patients), and the percentage of patients discontinuing treatment because of adverse events or laboratory abnormalities was significantly reduced (4% vs 11%; p = 0.013). Sustained response was observed in 47% of patients receiving leucocyte IFNα plus ribavirin and in 44% of patients receiving IFNα-2b plus ribavirin. Conclusions: Both therapeutic regimens were effective in inducing a sustained response in naive patients. However, the safety profile of leucocyte IFNα plus ribavirin was more favourable than that observed with the administration of recombinant IFNα-2b plus ribavirin, suggesting that leucocyte IFNα may be an alternative option in patients with reduced tolerability to other IFNs.     

Atrial amyloid deposits in the failing human heart display both atrial and brain natriuretic peptide-like immunoreactivity

Atrial amyloid deposits are common in the ageing human heart and contain alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP99-126) immunoreactivity. However, atrial myocytes secrete both amino and carboxy terminal fragments of the ANP prohormone (proANP1-126) and also express an homologous, but separate brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Characteristic amyloid deposits were identified in the atria of 9/22 patients (26-63 years of age) with end-stage heart failure. Amyloid fibrils displayed immunoreactivity for both amino and carboxy terminal fragments of proANP1-126 and for the distinct BNP sequence. As in other endocrine organs, both mature and precursor peptide sequences appear to be constituents of amyloid fibrils. Whilst immunoreactivity for cardiac peptide hormones is co-localized in atrial amyloid deposits, it is uncertain whether the increase in natriuretic peptide expression which accompanies cardiac failure contributes to the incidence of isolated atrial amyloidosis.     

Impaired H-2 expression in B16 melanoma variants

We studied the expression of H-2b alloantigens in three different B16 melanoma lines cultures in vitro. Cell lines were B16-F1 and two cell cultures (named B16-A and B16-B) newly derived from two different in vivo sublines of B16 melanoma. The assays used were in vivo tumour growth in allogeneic (BALB/c and B10.BR) as compared to syngeneic mice, in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity by anti-H-2b immune lymphocytes and absorption of anti-H-2b antisera activity. The B16-F1 line was able to efficiently kill allogeneic hosts, could not be lysed by anti-H-2b cytotoxic effectors and did not express any serologically detectable amount of H-2b alloantigens. The B16-A line was H-2 positive during the early in vitro passages, then, at the 8th-10th passages, it acquired the capacity to kill allogeneic hosts, lost the sensitivity to anti-H-2b cytotoxic effectors and the H-2Kb antigens became undetectable The expression of H-2Db was reduced, although at a lower degree. Similar data were obtained with B16-B cells, which after 10 in vitro passages grew and killed allogeneic hosts, showed a decreased sensitivity to cytotoxic anti-H-2b effectors and a very low expression of the K region antigens. The results indicate that H-2 expression is altered in B16 melanoma lines and this may influence the different metastatic capacity of such cells.     

Synthesis and characterization of some poly[nitrilo-bis(phenylamino)phosphoranetriyl]s

Poly[nitrilo-bis(phenylamino)phosphoranetriyl]s ( 3a–d ) were synthesized and characterized in dilute solution and in the solid state. The synthesis was accomplished by thermal polymerization of of 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloro--triazatriphosphorane ( 1 ) at 240°C, followed by the reaction of the soluble product, poly(nitrilodichlorophosphoranetriyl) ( 2 ), with aniline or its derivatives. Elemental analyses show the presence of some residual chlorine, which, according to the IR spectra, does not seem to be ascribed to an incomplete substitution. All the polymers have intrinsic viscosities in tetrahydrofuran higher than 100ml g^?1, and high weight average molecular weights (M _w ≥ 7 · 10⁵). The molecular weight distribution is very broad (M _w/M _n ≥ 13,4) which could suggest either a branched structure or a complex mechanism of polymerization. From DSC measurements the glass transition temperatures are found to be between 70 and 98°C and the related values of specific heat increments, ΔC_,p, are between 0,13 J g^?1 K^?1 and 0,27 J g^?1 K^?1; the densities are in the order of 1,3 g ml^?1.     

Probiotic lactobacilli: an innovative tool to correct the malabsorption syndrome of vegetarians?

Vegetarians may have subtle nutritional deficiencies which have been related to the occurrence of an unrecognized malabsorption syndrome. The excess phytate content in cereals, nuts, legumes and oilseeds which represent the mainstay of their food intake, seems to play a central role in the pathogenesis of this malabsorption syndrome as an inverse relationship has been shown to link the phytate content of the diet with the intestinal absorption of trace minerals and proteins. We postulate that manipulating the endogenous digestive microflora of subjects on a vegetarian diet through administering probiotic lactic bacteria would represent an innovative tool to counteract the occurrence of the malabsorption syndrome dependent on the high phytate content of their diet. Even though there are no data about the composition of endogenous digestive microflora in subjects on a vegetarian diet, we expect that probiotic lactobacilli can interact with or affect distinct yet interrelated components within the intestinal milieu, such as epithelial cells, enteric flora, and/or mucosal immune cells. This would ultimately translate into the correction of the unregulated mechanisms implicated in the altered intestinal absorption of trace metals and proteins commonly seen in vegetarians. Clinical experience with probiotic therapy of patients with inflammatory bowel disease fully agrees with this view. One additional point of interest is that probiotic lactobacilli, and other species of the endogenous digestive microflora as well, are an important source of the enzyme phytase which catalyses the release of phosphate from phytate and hydrolyses the complexes formed by phytate and metal ions or other cations, rendering them more soluble ultimately improving and facilitating their intestinal absorption. The regular intake of probiotic preparation, may represent a cheap and safe tool in order to convert a diet with a low potential for bioavailability of trace minerals and proteins, such as the vegetarian diet, into a diet with a high bioavailability potential. The benefit of such an approach would not be restricted to vegetarians.