Specific identification of fibrin polymers, fibrinogen degradation products, and crosslinked fibrin degradation products in plasma and serum with a new sensitive technique

A new method is described for identifying low concentrations of circulating derivatives of fibrinogen and fibrin, even when present in heterogeneous mixtures. This technique is applicable to plasma and serum and uses electrophoresis in 2% agarose in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) followed by immunological identification of separated derivatives, using radiolabeled antifibrinogen antiserum and autoradiography. Unique electrophoretic patterns distinguish plasmic derivatives of crosslinked fibrin from those of fibrinogen and also identify crosslinked fibrin polymers produced by the combined action of thrombin and factor XIII on fibrinogen. The assay is sensitive to a concentration of 0.1 micrograms/mL of fibrinogen in serum or plasma. Fibrin polymers, plasmic degradation products of fibrinogen, and plasmic degradation products of crosslinked fibrin were detected in the plasma or serum of a patient with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Plasmic derivatives of both fibrinogen and crosslinked fibrin appeared in serum in the course of fibrinolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism, whereas during acute myocardial infarction a marked increase in the proportion of fibrin polymers in plasma was found in comparison with normal controls. Thus, the procedure can distinguish between the simultaneous processes of fibrin polymer formation, fibrinogenolysis, and fibrinolysis, and is sufficiently sensitive to detect relevant quantities of derivatives in pathologic conditions.     

The frequency of fungal infection in biopsies of oral mucosal lesions

To determine the frequency of fungal infection in biopsies of oral mucosal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histopathology reports issued between 1991–1995 inclusive were reviewed. During this period, a single section of each mucosal biopsy had been stained using the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique. RESULTS: A total of 223 (4.7%) biopsies contained PAS-positive fungi: 191 individuals were affected, 124 (64.9%) of whom were male. There was a significant (P < 0.01) positive association of fungal infection with moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia, median rhomboid glossitis and squamous papillomas. Where a subsequent biopsy was available, 21.9% dysplasias which were infected with fungi worsened in histological severity, as compared with 7.6% of dysplasias which were not infected at any stage. There was a significant negative association of fungal infection with benign fibrous overgrowths (P < 0.01), benign hyperkeratoses, lichenoid reactions and pyogenic granulomas (P < 0.05). The difference in frequency of infection between the tongue and other sites was also significantly higher (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant association between histologically-determined fungal infection and epithelial dysplasia, and we recommend that a PAS stain be performed whenever oral epithelial dysplasia is diagnosed, especially in male patients. On histological confirmation of dysplasia, anti-fungal therapy should be considered in the management of these lesions.     

Nutritive value of protein from sea urchin,and its effects on intestinal leucine aminopeptidase and intestinal and hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase

Seafoods are a rich source of easily digestible protein that also provides polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals for human nutrition. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritive value of diets high in protein from two species of sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus and Echinus esculentus) as compared to a high-quality reference protein such as casein, as well as the effects of these diets on leucine aminopeptidase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, intestinal and hepatic enzymes. The test was carried out on three groups of male rats fed these diets for 23 days. The result of the nutritive parameters indicated that sea urchin, Echinus esculentus, were significantly lower than the casein protein except for food intake, and the nutritive parameters of sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, were similar to the values obtained for casein protein except for digestibility and net protein utilization. Intestinal leucine aminopeptidase activity was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the group fed Paracentrotus lividus as compared to the group fed casein. Intestinal gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase showed a significantly higher activity in the group fed E. esculentus than in the two other groups and the hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in the groups fed the two species of sea urchin were lower. Nutritive values suggested that these marine species are a good protein source and similar to casein. The activity of the enzymes under study must have been affected by the amino acid composition of the protein.