Prospective study of antigenemia,plasma viremia and lymphocytic viremia in HIV-infected hemophiliacs

A total of 186 blood samples from 24 HIV-1 seropositive hemophiliac patients, monitored every four months for 29 months, were investigated for the presence of viral antigen in plasma. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured for HIV-1, using normal PBMC as a target for replication. Antigenemia was detected in 51 % of the patients and from PBMC in 87.5 % of the patients. The incidence of HIV isolation in asymptomatic patients (42.8 %) was similar to that found in symptomatic patients (51.4 %). Patients with opportunistic infections had a higher incidence of lymphocytic viremia (p<0.05). Plasma viremia was closely associated (p<0.05) with low CD4+ counts and infection progression. The persistence of antigenemia was also a marker of a poor clinical course. In treated patients, plasma viremia was the marker that better correlated with the clinical course, and it did not appear during the first nine months of therapy. Zidovudine doses of >500 mg/day significantly lowered the appearance of antigenemia and lymphocytic viremia (p<0.05).     

A rapid and sensitive method for measuring monooxygenase activities in hepatocytes cultured in 96-well plates

Summary Measurement of biotransformation activities in cells is of great importance for drug metabolism and toxicologic studies. It is currently done by measuring the enzymatic activities in partially purified microsomes. In the present work we report on a rapid, easy, sensitive, and reproducible fluorimetric assay for quantifying cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase activities (P450IA1, P450IIB1) in hepatocytes cultured in 96-well plates. The procedure involves the direct determination of enzymatic activities in intact hepatocytes while avoiding cell homogenization, thereby permitting use of a the reduced number of cells and allowing cultured cells to be used in later experiments. Substrates (7-ethoxyresorufin, 7-pentoxyresorufin) are added to culture medium and metabolized by hepatocytes. After enzymatic deconjugation, the fluorescent resorufin present in culture medium is quantified by means of a microplate fluorimetric reader. Major advantages of this technique, as compared to other available methods, are: a) no cell disruption is required; b) activity can be measured with a very small number of cells; c) rapid processing time; and d) possibility of performing repeated assays with the same cell monolayer.     

Autoregulation of beat frequency in respiratory ciliated cells. Demonstration by viscous loading

As opposed to the virtually constant load exerted by water on the cilia of ciliated protozoa, the hydrodynamic load on respiratory cilia can undergo broad variations because of changes in the rheologic properties of mucus. When water-rowing ciliated cells are exposed to increased viscosity (1 to 50 cP), their beat frequency decreases exponentially. According to Newton's fluid dynamic theory, this outcome is expected for an engine that generates constant force. However, the findings reported here indicate that when mucus-propelling respiratory ciliated cells are exposed to high viscous loads, ranging from 12 to 150 cP, the frequency of ciliary beat decreases only slightly, whereas the beat amplitude remains virtually constant. These observations suggest that ciliated cells of the respiratory tract have a functional reserve that allows them to autoregulate their mechanical output in response to the changes in viscosity to which they are normally exposed in the airway.     

A new method for the termination of cervical pregnancy]

The authors described a 7 weeks old cervical pregnant case, whome was administered 250 mg methotrexate in infusion to eliminate the throphoblastic tissue. 3 days later the HCG was negative in the urine. After the dilatation of cervix by laminaria, the collapsed amniotic sac came from the cervix with minimal hemorrhage. They suggest the method is suitable to prevent the serious complications of cervical pregnancy.     

Intralbugineous testicular prosthesis a new technique summary of 30 implants

A study of 16 patients who underwent intralbugineous testicular implants during the practice of orchiectomy is presented. In 14 cases of prostatic carcinoma, after bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy intralbugineous prostheses were implanted and in 2 other cases of testicular torsion unilateral prosthesis was implanted. With this new, easily executed technique the size, mobility and testicular sensibility are maintained.     

Significance of the diagnosis and treatment of arterial injuries of the wrist

Authors report on arterial injuries in a 2-year material of hand injured. The combination of injuries observed and the methods of treatment are described. Attention is called to the fact, that because of anatomical characteristics of these regions, the diagnosis of arterial injuries is not always easy. Four cases of their own are briefly described in whom the arterial injury could be stated only at the development of complications (pulsating haematoma, false aneurysm, later bleeding). The importance of the primary careful treatment and the significance of the examination of the circulation (Allen's test, Doppler) are stressed.