Beta-adrenoceptors in the pregnant and non-pregnant myometrium of the goat and cow.

The muscle relaxing effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists was examined without and with the presence of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in strips from the pregnant and non-pregnant myometrium of the goat and from the pregnant myometrium of the cow. Isoprenaline, salbutamol and ritodrine caused a dose-dependent reduction of the spontaneous contractions of the pregnant myometrium and a dose-related and parallel shift to the right of the isoprenaline dose-response curve was obtained with butoxamine but not with practolol. Isoprenaline but neither salbutamol nor ritodrine caused a dose-related reduction of the spontaneous contractions in the non-pregnant myometrium and a dose-related and parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve of isoprenaline was brought about with propranolol but not with either butoxamine or practolol. The muscle relaxing effect of ritodrine on the pregnant myometrium of the goat and cow shown in vitro was also demonstrated in vivo in the same species within eight hours of delivery. It is concluded that the beta-adrenoceptors in the pregnant myometrium of the goat and cow belong to the beta2-group whereas those in the non-pregnant myometrium cannot be classified as either beta1- or beta2-adrenoceptors.     

Revelation of specificity of 64K autoantibodies in IDDM serums by high-resolution 2-D gel electrophoresis. Unambiguous identification of 64K target antigen

Antibodies in serums from newly diagnosed insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and individuals experiencing early phases of beta-cell destruction specifically immunoprecipitate a minor pancreatic islet cell membrane protein of 64,000 Mr (64K). In this report, we demonstrate the use of two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis to unambiguously identify the 64K antigen. By nonequilibrium pH-gradient gel electrophoresis in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension, the 64K protein separates into two components, designated alpha and beta, that differ in size but display identical charge heterogeneity. The high resolution of the 2-D method efficiently separates the 64K components from background proteins in immunoprecipitates from crude detergent lysates of islets. The background proteins were identified as major cellular proteins carried nonspecifically through the immunoprecipitation procedure. The high affinity and specificity of the 64K autoantibodies were demonstrated by the exclusive and greater than 1000-fold purification of this minor protein by immunoprecipitation with IDDM serums. The 2-D analyses did not reveal additional proteins specifically immunoprecipitated by IDDM serums, suggesting that the 64K protein is the only protein antigen specifically and consistently recognized by IDDM autoantibodies in the relatively stringent conditions of immunoprecipitation. Moreover, the 2-D analyses demonstrate that purification of membrane protein fractions from both human and rat islets before the immunoprecipitation efficiently removes background proteins and substantially increases the specificity of 64K autoantibody measurements by traditional methods.     

Oral findings in glassblowers

Oral changes related to the occupation of glassblowing have been examined in 74 Danish glassblowers, consisting of 44 active glassblowers (Group 1) and 30 past glassblowers (Group 2). In addition, 15 non-glassblowers (Group 3) were examined. All three groups worked in the same department of mouth-blown glassware in Holmegaard's Glassworks. White patches of the buccal mucosa occurred in 23 % of active glassblowers, but did not occur among past or non-glassblowers. Histologically, the white lesions revealed morsicatio buccarum-Like changes. The lesions are reversible and should be distinguished from leukoplakias. The term “glassblower's white patch” is suggested. Furthermore black discolorations of vermilion border and front teeth occurred in 30% and 62%, respectively, of active glassblowers. Tooth fractures, mostly enamel fractures, caused by the blowpipe were found in 43% of active glassblowers and 19% of past glassblowers.     

Monoclonal antibodies to human platelet glycoprotein IIb beta that initiate distinct platelet responses

Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to human platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) were prepared by fusing cells of a mouse myeloma line to spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with purified GPIIb. Six of the hybridomas secreted MoAbs that recognized epitopes on the 23,000-dalton, disulfide-linked subunit of GPIIb, GPIIb beta. All six of these MoAbs agglutinated platelets in the absence of calcium. The agglutination titers of three of the MoAbs, however, were enhanced between 2 and 6 log2 dilutions when titrated in the presence of mmol/L of calcium. The enhancement in titer was the result of MoAb- induced platelet activation followed by platelet aggregation, a reaction that could also be initiated by the monovalent Fab fragments prepared from one of the MoAbs. The MoAbs did not significantly agglutinate platelets from patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, confirming biochemical evidence that there is a paucity of GPIIb beta in the membranes of these cells. Our results show that MoAbs to epitopes on GPIIb beta initiate distinct platelet responses; therefore, they should be useful for studying the ways in which regions of surface glycoproteins are involved in platelet-platelet interactions. In addition, these reagents may prove of value in diagnosing and typing patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia.     

Estradiol, estriol and human placental lactogen in serum in threatened abortion

In 64 pregnant women admitted to hospital because of threatened abortion the prognostic value of estradiol-17-beta, estriol and human placental lactogen (HPL) in serum was examined. The hormones were determined by radioimmunoassay. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals during admission to hospital and subsequently until delivery. For each hormone a reference range was based on the hormone values obtained from the pregnancies that continued to viability. The study shows that the three hormones examined gave a good indication of the prognosis in threatened abortion, both separately and in combination. The best predictive values were achieved with estradiol and HPL after serial samples. Of these two hormones estradiol is to be preferred because of its fetoplacental origin.     

Uremic polyneuropathy,clinical and pathological aspects

Summary 25 patients with prolonged uremia, who were under treatment by means of peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis, were followed by frequent neurological examinations over a period of 5–34 months, to decide whether it was possible by this means alone to reveal the commencement of uremic neuropathy. 4 patients had polyneuropathy at the commencement of the investigation, and 5 patients developed this condition. With one exception, loss of reflexes was found to be the first symptom of neuropathy. The condition deteriorated in 3 patients, 4 remained unchanged, and 2 improved. 16 patients died. In 8 cases, a pathoanatomical investigation was made of the n. ischiadicus. In 4 cases it was found to be normal, while in the other 4 cases there was found to be degeneration of the myelin sheath. The evaluation showed agreement between clinical and pathological findings in 7 cases, also with respect to the degree of the changes. The clinical condition in these cases was unknown to the pathologist.An examination was made for possible relationships between the presence of neuropathy and the blood chemistry (serum concentration of creatinine, potassium, sodium, bicarbonate and haemoglobin). No statistically significant correlations were found.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden 25 Patienten mit langdauernder Urämie, welche durch Peritonealdialyse oder Hämodialyse behandelt wurden, während 5–34 Monaten neurologisch kontrolliert. Es war Zweck dieser Untersuchungen festzustellen, ob mit klinisch-neurologischen Kontrollen allein der Beginn einer urämischen Neuropathie erfaßt werden konnte. 4 Patienten hatten zu Beginn der Untersuchung Zeichen einer Polyneuropathie, und bei 5 entwickelten sich dieselben während der Beobachtungszeit. Mit einer Ausnahme war der Ausfall von Reflexen das erste Zeichen der Polyneuropathie. Bei 3 Patienten trat Verschlechterung ein, 4 blieben unverändert, und bei 2 trat Besserung ein. 16 Patienten verstarben, bei 8 Fällen konnte eine pathologisch-anatomische Untersuchung des N. ischiadicus durchgeführt werden. In 4 Fällen war derselbe normal, in weiteren 4 Fällen fanden sich degenerative Veränderungen der Myelinscheiden. In 7 Fällen fand sich Übereinstimmung zwischen dem Grad des klinischen Befalles und den pathologisch-anatomischen Veränderungen, wobei dem Pathologen der klinische Zustand der Patienten nicht bekannt war.Die möglichen Beziehungen zwischen der Polyneuropathie und der Kreatininkonzentration, dem Kalium, Natrium, Bicarbonat und Hämoglobinwert im Blut wurde untersucht. Es fand sich keine Korrelation dieser Werte mit der Polyneuropathie.