A LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE MECHANISM OF DFP-INDUCED ACUTE AND SUBACUTE MYOPATHY

Tóth L., Karcsú S., Poberai M. & Sávay Gy. (1981) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 7, 399–410
A light and electron microscopic histochemical study on the mechanism of DFP-induced acute and subacute myopathy
The histochemical changes occuring in association with the development of acute and subacute myopathy have been studied in the rat diaphragm 30 min-48 h after a single i.p. injection of 1–82 mg/kg of the irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor organophosphate, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). In addition to a considerable inhibition of the AChE activity of the motor end-plates, accumulation of ionic Ca²⁺ and an increase in neutral protease activity in the subjunctional sarcoplasm have been demonstrated. A temporal and causal relationship has been established between the histochemical changes and the development of the ultrastructural signs of myopathy.     

Treatment of Alcoholic Patients in a Psychiatric Hospital

This study was undertaken on 50 male patients chosen at random among the 188 who came in the last 6 months.     

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.     

Rotational Atherectomy for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease in Octogenarians: Transradial Approach in a Tertiary Center and Literature Review

Objectives

The aim of this study was to appreciate the safety and effectiveness of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with rotational atherectomy for highly calcified left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease in octogenarians.

Background

Conventional surgery is still considered the preferred management for LMCA disease; but, when the lesion is severely calcified, and the patient is unsuitable for surgery, the interventional cardiologist faces a complex PCI traditionally approached by femoral access.

Methods

Between June 2004 and December 2010, octogenarians with calcified LMCA disease who were primary denied for surgical revascularization were enrolled. Procedural success and major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), or stroke during long‐term follow‐up were evaluated.

Results

Forty‐two consecutive patients≥80 years had undergone stenting for calcified LMCA disease (13 with rotational atherectomy, the “Rota” group, and 29 without rotational atherectomy, the “without Rota” group). Procedural success was good (92.3% vs. 96.6%, respectively, p = NS). Mean follow‐up time was 25.7 ± 21.4 and 28 ± 32.3 months, respectively. There was a TLR in 25% and 11.1%, respectively; p = NS. No difference was detected in terms of overall in‐hospital or long‐term mortality or MACCE.

Conclusion

Rotational atherectomy followed by stent implantation by transradial approach, when applied to heavily calcified lesions, appeared to be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of LMCA disease in octogenarians who were refused for surgery. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:173–182)