Autoantibodies and immunoglobulin allotypes in healthy North American Blacks of different age groups

A population of 291 healthy North American Black subjects of different ages was studied for immunoglobulin (Ig) allotypes and the prevalence of autoantibodies, to determine possible associations between Ig allotypes and age, autoantibodies and age, and Ig allotypes and autoantibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to detect anti-gastric parietal cell, anti-smooth muscle, anti-thyroid microsomal, anti-nuclear, and anti-mitochondrial antibodies. The sera were typed for the Ig allotypes Gm(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 13, 14, 17, and 21) and Km(1) with a hemagglutination-inhibition assay. A significant association between advanced age and an increased prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies was observed in females. There was no significant association between Ig allotypes and the autoantibodies tested. The results suggest that Ig allotypes are not involved in the development of autoantibodies in healthy Blacks.     

Acetylcarbocholine and acetylsilicocholine: Directly or indirectly acting cholinergic spasmogens?

The cholinergic and anticholinergic actions of nitrogen-free isosteres of acetylcholine and benzilylcholine are described. Esters of two kinds of choline analogues, carbocholine and silicocholine, were used. The spasmogenic activity of acetylcarbocholine and acetylsilicocholine on the guinea-pig ileum was identified as an indirect cholinergic action, in contrast to the direct cholinergic action of furtrethonium and the mainly non-cholinergic action of barium ions. In addition to this indirect cholinergic action, both esters show a weak anticholinergic and a weak noncompetitive “papaverine-like” spasmolytic activity. The corresponding benzilyl esters, although without an onium group, are relatively potent anticholinergic compounds.     

SYSTEMIC ALLERGIC REACTION TO INITIAL INSULIN THERAPY IN A JUVENILE DIABETIC

ABSTRACT: Dacou-Voutetakis, C. Thomaidis, Th., Roma, E., Katpini-Mavrou, A. and Economou-Mavrou, C. (First Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Greece). Systemic allergic reaction to initial insulin therapy in a juvenile diabetic. Enhanced blast transformation to insulin. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64: 773, 1975–A 14-year-old girl with recent onset of diabetes developed a severe systemic allergic reaction to beef-pork insulin on the third day of insulin therapy. The same reaction developed following the injection of pork insulin and monocomponent insulin. The patient was induced to tolerate pork insulin by systemic de-sensitization to this insulin over an interval of 6 days. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from the patient cultured in the presence of insulin responded by increased blast cell transformation, as compared with controls, who either had previously presented local allergic reactions to insulin or never had manifested insulin allergy.     

Taguchi S/N and TOPSIS Based Optimization of Fused Deposition Modelling and Vapor Finishing Process for Manufacturing of ABS Plastic Parts

Despite several additive manufacturing techniques are commercially available in market, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is increasingly used by researchers and engineers for new product development. FDM is an established process with a plethora of advantages, but the visible surface roughness (SR), being an intrinsic limitation, is major barrier against utilization of fabricated parts for practical applications. In the present study, the chemical finishing method, using vapour of acetone mixed with heated air, is being used. The combined impact of orientation angle, finishing temperature and finishing time has been studied using Taguchi and ANOVA, whereas multi-criteria optimization is performed using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The surface finish was highly responsive to increase in temperature while orientation angle of 0° yielded maximum strength; increase in finishing time led to weight gain of FDM parts. As the temperature increases, the percentage change in surface roughness increases as higher temperature assists the melt down process. On the other hand, anisotropic behaviour plays a major role during tensile testing. The Signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio plots, and ANOVA results indicated that surface finish is directly proportionate to finishing time because a longer exposure results in complete layer reflowing and settlement.     

The 18- to 23-kb deletion of the Macedonian delta beta-thalassemia includes the entire delta and beta globin genes

Restriction endonuclease mapping analyses were made of DNA from a few members of a Macedonian family with hematological characteristics of delta beta-thalassemia, ie, microcytosis, normal HbA2 levels, and elevated levels of HbF (7% to 14%) with G gamma (average 40.5%) and A gamma T chains (average 59.5%). A large deletion of 18 to 23 kb was present with a 5' breakpoint within a 670-bp segment of DNA between the HpaI and NcoI restriction sites 5' to the delta globin gene, and a 3' breakpoint between the BamHI and HpaI restriction sites located some 9 to 13 kb 3' to the beta globin gene. This deletion is different from those present in other types of G gamma A gamma(delta beta)zero- thalassemia. The similarity of the hematological expression of these delta beta-thalassemic conditions which have somewhat comparable 5' breakpoints supports the idea that an important fetal hemoglobin- controlling region lies between the psi beta and delta globin genes.     

HUMAN PANCREATIC GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE FAILS TO STIMULATE HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE BOTH IN CUSHING''S DISEASE AND IN CUSHING''S SYNDROME DUE TO ADRENOCORTICAL ADENOMA

An absent or severely blunted hGH response to an i.v. bolus injection (100 micrograms) of human pancreatic growth hormone releasing hormone (hpGRF 1-44) was found in seven female patients with Cushing's syndrome (five with pituitary dependent Cushing's disease and two due to an adrenal adenoma) and four men with pituitary dependent Cushing's disease. Three of the female and three of the male patients had an adequate hypoglycaemia after insulin administration. All these patients showed an absent or blunted hGH response after insulin induced hypoglycaemia. The GHRH data in these patients are in agreement with those in older literature on hGH responsiveness to stimuli such as L-dopa, arginine and insulin induced hypoglycaemia. It is concluded that hypercortisolism inhibits hGH release to various stimuli at the pituitary level.