Hypercalcaemia and pancreatic ultrastructure in cats.

OBJECTIVE--To study the effects of local and systemic infusions of calcium on the ultrastructure of the pancreas in cats. DESIGN--Controlled study. INTERVENTIONS--Three groups of four cats each had local infusions (into the splenic artery) of calcium gluconate 0.6 mmol/kg.hour or potassium chloride 1.1 mmol/kg.hour, or sodium chloride 0.9%, for three hours. Two groups of eight cats each had systemic infusions (into the jugular vein) of either calcium gluconate 0.6 mmol/kg.hour or sodium chloride 0.9%, for twelve hours. In the group that was given calcium, the infusion rate was reduced after three hours to 0.3 mmol/kg.hour to maintain the hypercalcaemic state for a further nine hours. RESULTS--Local infusion of calcium caused destruction of acinar cells with hydropic degeneration of nuclei, discharge of cell organelles into the interstitial spaces, and extravasation of red blood cells but no apparent damage to the capillaries. There were no ultrastructural changes of any importance in the groups that received potassium or sodium chloride. Systemic infusion of calcium resulted in a 1.8 fold increase in the ionised calcium concentration in the serum, progressive signs of overstimulation of the Golgi apparatus with hypertrophy, fusion of condensing vacuoles, and disruption of the acinar cell polarization. This was followed by clumping of nuclear chromatin and destruction of acinar cells. CONCLUSION--Acute pancreatitis in cats can result from stimulation and destruction of acinar cells by hypercalcaemia.     

Localized pleural mesotheliomas. Clinicopathological considerations on a case report]

Pleural mesotheliomas are rare, and their diagnosis and treatment not clear. The case observed in our Department leads us to an analysis of the literature. This showed that differential diagnosis with pulmonary carcinoma is very difficult, even in cases of parietal mesothelioma; however local treatment may be performed even in malignant mesothelioma.     

Update on managing hypercholesterolemia. The new NCEP guidelines.

1. The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATPIII) will significantly increase the number of Americans treated for hypercholesterolemia. 2. The ATPIII focuses on lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol as a primary initiative and using exercise, diet, and pharmacotherapy as a means for lowering coronary heart disease and risks. 3. The new guidelines list low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of less than 100 mg/dL as optimal for all clients. 4. The ATPIII places increased attention on high triglyceride levels (> 200 mg/dL) and on early detection and appropriate aggressive treatment for clients at risk for coronary heart disease and events.     

Human xenoreactive natural antibodies of the IgM isotype activate pig endothelial cells

Abstract: Preformed, xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNA) and complement (C) are involved in the initiation of vascular rejection of organs transplanted between discordant species, presumably by stimulating donor organ endothelial cells (EC). Although C is known to play a role in the activation of EC, it has not been clear whether the antibodies serve only to anchor the initial components of C, and thus permit the C cascade to proceed, or whether the antibodies themselves deliver a signal to the EC. We have tested affinity-purified human IgM containing XNA (IgM-XNA) for its ability to stimulate in vitro the up-regulation of genes in pig EC. Northern blot analysis shows that IgM, which contains XNA, stimulates mRNA accumulation for certain genes (including IL-8, PAI-1, and ECI-7, a new gene that we have found is associated with EC activation), but not others known to be up-regulated in response to TNF, IL-1 or LPS. Our results show that XNA provide a signal to EC, and thus may themselves participate in activation of EC and consequent vascular rejection.     

Return to work of professional drivers after cardiac rehabilitation]

This study analysed the possibilities of returning to work of professional drivers after a cardiac event and rehabilitation. The population comprised 94 consecutive patients, all men, average age 48.8 years (range 30 to 63 years) referred after coronary bypass surgery (N = 39), myocardial infarction (N = 38), angina (N = 4) or valve replacement surgery (N = 13). Advice on professional reinsertion was given after the rehabilitation program, authorization to drive being given in the absence of cardiac symptoms, residual myocardial ischaemia, severe left ventricular dysfunction and serious ventricular arrhythmias. After 35 months, 4 patients were lost to follow-up; of the 90 remaining patients, the frequency of return to work (maximal at the 9th month) was 65.6% with 84.7% obtaining a renewal of their driving licence. In this series, 81% of patients were asymptomatic, 2 died, 16.7% had further cardiovascular complications. The morbidity and mortality were significantly greater in the group who had to stop driving (N = 40) (32.5% vs 8%, p < 0.001). Non complications occurred during work in those who resumed driving. This study confirms the safety of allowing low risk professional drivers, identified during cardiac rehabilitation by simple, reliable clinical and paraclinical criteria, to return to work.     

Gangliosides and sialoglycoproteins in hypothalamus of normal, postnatal, and pre- and postnatal protein undernourished rats.

Total ganglioside and sialoglycoprotein concentrations were determined in the hypothalamus of normal (diet: 25% casein), postnatal undernourished (diet: 8% casein since birth), and pre- and postnatal undernourished rats (diet: 8% casein since pregnancy). Hypothalamic weights for the two low protein diet groups were lower than for the normal diet groups at all ages studied. Total hypothalamic ganglioside and sialoglycoproteins (mumol NANA) of postnatal undernourished rats were lower than control at day 10, while in pre- and postnatal undernourished rats this difference occurred at day 7. The reduction in gangliosides and sialoglycoprotein contents was not solely a consequence of the decrease in hypothalamic weight since, when the data were expressed as nmol NANA/mg tissue, similar reductions were observed principally in the pre- and postnatal protein undernutrition group. These results suggest that the effects of pre- and postnatal undernutrition on hypothalamic gangliosides and sialoglycoproteins are more pronounced than those that occur as a result of postnatal undernutrition.     

Southern blot detection of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) DNA sequences in gingival tissues.

The highly sensitive and specific methods of molecular biology emphasize the frequency of subclinical infections in the genital tract tissues by the human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The purpose of this work was to investigate occult viral infections by the HPV type 6, 11, 16, and 18 in the gingival tissues. The Southern blot method with 32P-radiolabeled DNA probes applied under stringent conditions to 20 interproximal gingival papilla specimens revealed homologous viral sequences in 1 of 6 cases of adult periodontitis (HPV 16), 1 of 2 cases of rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) (HPV 6/HPV 11), 2 of 2 cases of acute gingivitis in psychiatric institutionalized patients (HPV 6; HPV 6/HPV 11), and 2 of 10 cases of acute gingivitis in AIDS patients (HPV 6/HPV 11/HPV 16; HPV 6). No periodontal or extra-periodontal specimen hybridized with the HPV 18 probe. Simultaneous hybridization with two or three HPV types was common (3/6 cases). The present detection of HPV 6, 11, 16 DNAs or related-DNAs in periodontal tissues without obvious clinical signs of viral infection suggests that the gingival epithelium may act as a reservoir.