TCR V alpha chain expression influences reactivity to the hapten TNP

We have recently demonstrated a remarkable selection of in vitro cultivated, TNP-specific polyclonal T cell lines for the expression of a TCR beta chain encoded by the V beta 8.2 gene. The goal of the present study was to analyse V alpha usage in V beta 8.2 T cells responsive to TNP, using TNP-specific T cell lines derived from three common strains of mice, as well as from V beta 8.2 transgenic mice. Results indicate that in vitro TNP stimulation of T cells from TNP- immune mice results in significant skewing of V alpha usage among responding V beta 8.2+ T cells, with overexpression observed for V alpha 3.2 and V alpha 8. These results indicate that V alpha expression influences recognition of TNP by T cells, and suggest that the hapten TNP might be recognized like typical peptide antigens by combinatorial TCR alpha and beta contact sites.      

The use of evoked electromyographic responses in diagnosing lesions of the cauda equina.

An electrophysiologic technique to evaluate the anatomic integrity of the peripheral pathways to the bladder and sphincters is described. Evoked electromyographic responses of the anal sphincter are produced by stimulating the bladder wall and urethra. Impulses travel via the pelvic nerves and cauda equina to the conus medullaris, activating the pudendal nerve nucleus and resulting in contraction of the external anal sphincter. Lesions along this pathway produce either prolonged latencies and depressed responses or complete loss of response. Correlation of the results of this technique in 110 patients with clinical myelographic and operative findings indicates that the technique is a useful clinical tool.     

Adrenal glands in patients with congenital renal anomalies: CT appearance

The CT appearance of the adrenal glands was investigated in 30 patients with congenital renal anomalies (17 cases of unilateral renal agenesis, 11 of inferior ectopy, and 2 of crossed fused ectopy). The ipsilateral adrenal was clearly identified in 83% of these patients; in all of them, the adrenal was a paraspinal disk-shaped organ, which appeared linear on CT. Conversely, the adrenals retained their normal shape in a control group of 20 patients with acquired renal atrophy or prior simple nephrectomy.