Growth hormone specific stimulation of mitosis by size-fractionated serum from patients with growth hormone insufficiency: a study on the rat lymphoma cell line, Nb2

The aim was to investigate the bioactivity of a high-molecular weight human growth hormone, identified following molecular sieve chromatography of serum. Nine patients with pituitary disease and GH insufficiency were studied. All patients had non-detectable levels of immunoreactive GH, less than 0.2 micrograms/l, in diurnal serum profiles. GH bioactivity was determined before and after size-fractionation of serum. The bioassay is based on the finding that a rat lymphoma cell line, Nb2, proliferates in the presence of lactogens. GH and PRL immunoreactivities were measured by radioimmunoassays. Pronounced GH immunoreactivity was found in fractions of sera from 7 out of the 9 patients and of 2 of 4 control sera, particularly in fractions corresponding to the elution volume of high-molecular weight proteins (greater than 160 kD). PRL immunoreactivity was only detected in fractions corresponding to the elution volume of monomeric PRL. Unfractionated serum had a dose-dependent mitogenic effect on the Nb2 cells. GH-antibodies could not inhibit this effect. Fractions of serum obtained from the patients stimulated Nb2 cell division as well. The mitogenic effect of serum fractions could be inhibited by GH-antibodies. Thus, high-molecular weight GH circulating in patients with GH insufficiency were shown to exert a GH-specific bioactivity in vitro after size-fractionation.     

Toxicological investigations in the semiconductor industry: I. Studies on the acute oral toxicity of a complex mixture of waste products from the aluminium plasma etching process.

In dry etching processes--one of the sources of potential exposure to toxic wastes in the semiconductor industry--complex mixtures of inorganic and organic compounds arise from reactions between feed stock gases (BCl3/Cl2), top layers (aluminium photoresist), and the carrier gas (N2). Two different fractions of the complex mixture--one an ethanolic solution (ES) and the other an insoluble liquid residue (LR)--were examined for acute oral toxicity in rats. Analytical data showed that the ethanol soluble fraction contained mainly inorganic compounds, whereas the residue contained various halogenated hydrocarbons. Neither death nor behavioral changes occurred after oral administration and observation up to 23 days. ES caused a lower mean arterial blood pressure in both sexes, increased P-R-intervals in male rats, and caused some mild biochemical and hematological alterations and changes in relative organ weights compared to the control groups. Exposure to LR influenced food and water intake, and caused a significant decrease in body weights, signs of polyurie, as well as changes in various relative organ weights and biochemical and hematological parameters. The blood pressure of the male animals fell and the heart rates of both sexes decreased.     

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a differential diagnosis of otogenic facial paralysis

Of all the neoplastic conditions of the lymphatic system, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) represents a heterogenous group. As well as lymph nodes NHL can involve extranodal sites, including regions in head and neck. The mouth and oropharynx are typical extranodal sites, and the ENT surgeon should be aware of this possibility of the swift diagnosis of NHL is to be made. We report two patients with rare invasion of the middle ear, facial nerve paresis, and asymptomatic cerebral involvement by Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.     

Thoraskopische Koronarchirurgie

Thorascopic coronary surgery has achieved great progress in the past few years. After computer-directed instrument systems were introduced, which enabled high precision and expanded mobility in close quarters, the limitations of conventional endoscopic instruments were largely overcome. Employing modern surgical telemanipulators and endoscopic stabilizers, entirely endoscopic myocardial revascularization of the anterior wall is being successfully performed during off-pump surgery. Longer operating times and conversion rates in about one-fifth of the patients due to technical and anatomical limitations still restrict the use of these new surgical techniques compared to conventional surgery. Development of further technologies and integration of video-assisted navigation systems will broaden the application of computer-assisted instrument systems in the near future.     

医疗的经济辐射作用

挪威是一个实行市场经济的国家,我们选择了这样的体系是因为它能够有效地解决很多——但不是全部——生产、货物流通以及服务的竞争问题。在发展一个国际化的市场体系的同时,挪威也发展了强大的公共机构和公共服务。一个有效的市场并不意味着我们就不需要公共部门,或者像有些流行观念所认为的,任何公共服务都应该私有化。其实,一个市场是需要严格的监管,需要与公共组织相配合才能良好地运转,而且需要一个广泛覆盖并且有效的公共部门,来补充提供那些市场无法有效而让人满意地提供的服务,比如教育、医疗和环境保护等。但是,这些公共服务不能由…     

Extent of ictal origin in mesial temporal sclerosis patients monitored with subdural intracranial electrodes predicts outcome.

In patients with mesiotemporal sclerosis, posterior hippocampal involvement at the ictal onset is not associated with an excellent outcome. A study confirmed that ictal onset in the posterior parahippocampal gyrus is associated with a less favorable outcome compared with ictal onset in the anterior parahippocampal gyrus in patients with mesiobasal temporal lobe epilepsy who are undergoing foramen ovale recording. The authors hypothesized that involvement of the two medial contact points of posterior basal temporal subdural (SD) strip at the ictal onset, representing ictal onset in the posterior parahippocampal gyrus, may also adversely influence the surgical outcome. With this objective, the authors assessed the incidence of posterior basal temporal SD strip (the two medial contact points) involvement at the ictal onset in patients with mesiotemporal sclerosis and determined whether presence of this finding influenced surgical outcome. Thirty-six patients with mesiotemporal sclerosis underwent a single SD grid (lateral frontotemporal) and strips (three basal temporal and one orbitosubfrontal) monitoring. Based on the earliest involvement of basal temporal strips (the two medial contact points) during the seizure, patients were classified into (1) anterior and/or middle basal temporal, or (2) posterior basal temporal (with or without involvement of anterior and/or middle basal temporal) ictal onset groups. A temporal lobectomy with adequate resection of the ictal onset zone was performed in all patients. Surgical outcome was based on Engel's classification. Six of 36 (17%) patients were classified into the posterior basal temporal ictal onset group. Only two patients from the posterior basal temporal ictal onset group experienced a good outcome compared with 26 of 30 patients from anterior and/or middle basal temporal ictal onset group (P = 0.01). In patients with mesiotemporal sclerosis who were monitored with SD electrodes, involvement of the two medial contact points of posterior basal temporal strip at the ictal onset (representing ictal onset in the posterior parahippocampal gyrus) occurred in 17% of the patients. These patients might not experience an excellent surgical outcome despite including the ictal onset zone in resection. These findings may be useful in presurgical counseling of patients with mesiotemporal sclerosis who undergo intracranial SD monitoring.     

HIV-1 Nef protein exhibits structural and functional similarity to scorpion peptides interacting with K+ channels.

The persistent infection of human glial cells with HIV-1 is characterized by prominent expression of the Nef protein. In order to evaluate the possible role of Nef in the development of HIV-1-associated neurological disorders, we compared Nef with known neuroactive proteins. We found that HIV Nef shares sequence and structural features with scorpion peptides known to interact with K+ channels. Sequence similarity encompasses two distinct regions of scorpion peptides. Based on crystallography data, both regions in scorpion peptides cooperate in forming a common domain stabilized by ion pairs between charged amino-acid residues. Recombinant Nef protein, as well as a synthetic part of a scorpion channel active peptide (M10), reversibly increased the total K+ current of chick dorsal root ganglions in patch-clamp experiments without killing the cells. These results indicate that a region conserved in HIV Nef and scorpion peptides concurs in both structure and electrophysiological activity and suggest that Nef, like scorpion peptides, may affect neuronal cell function.     

Addition von Nucleophilen an 5-Desazaflavine,Teil 1

Addition of Nucleophiles to 5-Deazaflavins, Part 1 The reactivity of 5-deazaflavins and 5-deazaflaviniumsalts againts nucleophiles such as hydride-, dithionite-, sulfite- and cyanide ions as well as carbanions is described. The addition takes place in the 5-position and is in much cases reversible with acid. The title-compounds behave, as shown in photoreactions⁵), as “flavin-shaped nicotinamide models”. Side reactions and reoxidation of the adducts are discussed.