Cell transplantation to improve ventricular function in the failing heart

Current therapies for congestive heart failure are limited in efficacy or in applicability. Cardiac cell transplantation offers a novel therapeutic approach to improve heart function. Although significant progress has been made over the past decade in the development of cell transplantation, only recently have investigators studied the changes in ventricular function following cell transplantation. This review article describes the latest research developments, evaluates recent studies of ventricular function after cell transplantation, and discusses the future directions of cell transplantation as a new therapy to ‘repair broken hearts’.     

Production of a human monoclonal anti-epithelial cell surface antibody derived from a patient with pemphigus vulgaris.

The production of monoclonal autoantibodies derived from individuals with autoimmune diseases constitutes a powerful tool to analyse an autoimmune process at both the antigen and antibody levels. We established a human anti-epithelial cell surface monoclonal antibody by applying hybridoma technology using peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient with pemphigus vulgaris using a heteromyeloma as the fusion partner. The F12 monoclonal antibody displays four major characteristics: (1) it belongs to the IgM, kappa class; (2) it binds to the cell surface of stratified squamous and simple epithelia; (3) it recognizes an antigenic determinant associated with the desmosomal complex as demonstrated by indirect immunoelectron microscopy; (4) by immunoblotting analysis, it reacts with a 185 kDa polypeptide which was also recognized by a few pemphigus vulgaris sera. Although the F12 monoclonal antibody does not have the immunochemical properties of classical pemphigus vulgaris autoantibodies, several arguments suggest its relevance to the pemphigus vulgaris autoimmune response and, therefore, the heterogeneity of the antigen/antibody systems involved in this autoimmune disorder.     

Measuring the wellbeing of family caregivers using the time trade-off technique

In the absence of a quality of life instrument which is applicable to the caregivers of elderly relatives and amenable to a cost-utility analyses, the Caregiver Quality of Life Instrument (CQLI) was developed using Torrance's time trade-off technique. The CQLI was administered to 30 family caregivers and 10 relatives of well elderly. Utility scores were obtained for three standardized caregiver situations and the subject's own state. The CQLI could be completed by almost all subjects. Good test-retest reliability was established. The subjects were able to discriminate between degrees of caregiver wellbeing using standardized states and the CQLI scores discriminated among groups of subjects. The CQLI detected within-subject change in caregivers whose relatives received institutional respite care. The CQLI appears to be feasible, reliable, valid, and responsive to change. Further CQLI applications and research are recommended.     

Ibuprofen-induced meningitis in an elderly patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

The use of ibuprofen by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus poses a major threat of aseptic meningitis. Although previously reported cases have all been in young adults, our case of ibuprofen-induced meningitis occurred in a 73-year-old woman. This report greatly expands the age population that may suffer meningitis from this analgesic, now available over the counter, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing this causative relationship in patients with headache.     

Calcium antagonists and blood glucose in normal rabbits

The effects of the calcium antagonists verapamil and nifedipine on blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, insulin secretion during glucose tolerance and hypoglycaemic effect of tolbutamide were studied in normal nondiabetic rabbits. Daily dosage of 40 mg/kg verapamil and 5 mg/kg nifedipine given orally up to 7 days did not affect blood glucose level, glucose tolerance, insulin secretion during glucose tolerance and hypoglycaemic activity of tolbutamide 250 mg/kg p.o.     

Auricular complication of acupuncture

Auricular chondritis occurred in a patient following a course of auricular acupuncture administered to help the patient give up smoking. Despite immediate treatment the condition pursued a long course resulting in considerable morbidity and some deformity of the ear. Twenty months after presentation the ear is not completely stable. Acupuncture should be considered a form of penetrating trauma which may induce perichondritis or chondritis in the auricle.