Poly(D,L-lactide/epsilon-caprolactone)/hydroxyapatite composites as bone filler: an in vivo study in rats

In this study, a novel composite bone substitute was implanted in animal models (rats) and their in vivo characteristics were examined. A D,L-lactide and E-caprolactone copolymer (Mw: 80,000; Mn:40,000, and PI:2.00) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of the respective dimers using stannous octoate as the catalyst. The final ratio of D,L-lactide to epsilon-caprolactone obtained by 1NMR was 60/40. Hydroxyapatite (HA) powder was loaded in the copolymer. The HA/copolymer ratio was 60/40 (w/w). These composites were easily shaped by hand. Animal tests were performed on mature wistar rats (n=30). Defects were created on the proximal, the thickest part of the femur. The bone defects of the first group were filled with polymer/HA composite, the second group filled with only HA and the third group was left empty. Histologic examination of bone tissues showed new bone formation around the yellow-green polymer/HA composite material in the first group of animals whereas no evidence of new bone growth was observed in other groups.     

Differential long-term subcellular responses in heart and liver to adriamycin stress. Exogenous L-carnitine cardiac and hepatic protection

In order to evaluate the heart and liver responses after adriamycin (ADR) toxic aggression, with and without exogenous L-carnitine (CAR) protection, female Sprague-Dawley rats, body weight 40-60 g, were randomized into four groups: CON, ADR, CAR and CAR-ADR. ADR was injected i.v. at a dose of 15-18 mg/kg body wt (0.1 ml). CAR was administered i.v. at a dose of 20 mg (0.1 ml) before each subdose of ADR, and then orally at 180 mg/kg body wt daily for 12 weeks. Long-term cardiac and hepatic subcellular damage were determined by transmission electron microscopic analysis of ultrathin sections. The ADR-induced long-term cardiac subcellular pathology included loss, disruption and disassembly of myofibrils, and mitochondrial swelling and condensation. On the other hand, the ADR-induced subcellular hepatic alterations consisted of polymorphic mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuolization and accumulation of lipid droplets. Apparently, cardiac tissue was more affected by ADR toxic aggression than hepatic tissue. However, these alterations were of less severity in protected groups, in both heart and liver, suggesting CAR as a possible hepatoprotector agent against ADR toxicity. Because of the liver-L-carnitine-heart relationship, studying ADR-hepatotoxicity could be helpful in the further understanding of severe ADR-cardiotoxicity.     

Autosomal recessive acrorenal syndrome

We describe two sibs with tetraectrodactyly and oligomeganephronic renal hypoplasia. The parents were unaffected. This syndrome of apparently autosomal recessive origin appears to be the first Mendelian form of the acrorenal developmental field defect identified so far. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructural diagnosis in the immotile cilia syndrome

This article reports on the experience with 38 biopsies from nasal mucosa, submitted with the question of immotile cilia syndrome. Fixation in glutaraldehyde with MgSO4 is preferable. At least 50 cilia should be scrutinized in the electron microscope, and dynein arms, radial spokes, sheaths, nexin links and orientation should be tabulated. Six cases displayed virtual absence of inner and outer dynein arms. The orientation of these cilia was random. Two of the patients had situs inversus. In biopsies considered not to represent the immotile cilia syndrome, about four inner and seven outer dynein arms were found per cilium.     

Hypothermia and infection in Wernicke's encephalopathy

Two cases of acute Wernicke's encephalopathy with severe hypothermia as the major presenting feature are reported. Treatment with thiamine was rapidly introduced, but hypothermia nevertheless persisted for several weeks, at times masked by intercurrent infections.     

Peptides derived from the whole sequence of BCR-ABL bind to several class I molecules allowing specific induction of human cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized cytogenetically by a t(9;22) translocation which generates a hybrid bcr-abl gene, encoding a p210^bcr-abl fusion protein. The induction in vitro of leukemia-specific T cells reactive with p210^bcr-abl is a strategy developed for an immunological therapeutic approach in CML. Peptides from the junction region of this chimeric protein have been considered as potential targets for a cytotoxic response against leukemic cells. However, only a few peptides encompassing the two p210^bcr-abl breakpoints have been shown to bind to the most common HLA class I molecules, which limits the number of patients who could benefit from this approach. We assume that the presence of chimeric BCR-ABL protein in leukemic cells may affect processing and delivery of peptides, possibly giving rise to new epitopes at the cell surface. We selected 162 peptides from the whole sequence of this protein, including 14 peptides of the b2a2 and b3a2 junctions, which had an anchor motif for a common HLA class I molecule. We tested their ability to bind to eight HLA class I molecules (HLA-A1, -A2, -A3, -A11, -B7, -B8, -B27, -B44). We identified 48 peptides from outside the junction region, with intermediate or strong binding capacities to these HLA class I molecules contrasting with only six junction peptides with a moderate binding capacity to HLA-A3/A11, -B8, or -B44 molecules. Moreover, cytotoxic T lymphocyte lines specific for various peptides outside the junction were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HLA-A2 or -B7 healthy donors and from one CML patient. These results contribute to evaluation of immunity to the BCR-ABL chimeric protein. Further studies are required to investigate whether such epitopes are correctly processed and presented by leukemic cells.     

Autonomic and peripheral nerve function in early diabetic neuropathy. Possible influence of a novel aldose reductase inhibitor on autonomic function

Autonomic and peripheral nerve functions as well as the possible short-term effect of a novel aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) on neuropathy were evaluated in 30 male type I diabetics (age 25-44 years, mean 34; duration of diabetes 10-20 years, mean 34) with neurographic signs of peripheral neuropathy (PN). Autonomic neuropathy (AN) was established by the heart rate reactions to deep breathing (E/I ratio = vagal function) and to tilt (acceleration index = sympathetic and vagal functions; the brake index = vagal function). Twenty-nine patients, 13 with AN, completed the study. Among neurographic variables, only sural nerve function tests correlated with autonomic functions. Patients with AN showed significantly lower mean sensory action potential amplitudes (SAPA) sural, indicating axonal losses, than patients without AN (3.58 +/- 0.79 microV v. 7.34 +/- 1.12 microV; p less than 0.01). PN as measured by neurography did not improve during ARI treatment. On the other hand, vagal function (brake indices) improved (p less than 0.05) during ARI in AN patients.     

Application of antigens fromTaenia hydatigena cyst fluid for the immunodiagnosis of human hydatidosis

Fluid was collected from cysts ofTaenia hydatigena in 60 adult sheep and fluid from each animal pooled separately. By double diffusion antigen 5 was demonstrated in all pools but one. The criteria are described for selection and standardization of these preparations for use as antigens for the immunodiagnosis of human hydatid disease. Sera from 50 persons harbouring hydatid cysts and from 50 patients with other disease conditions were examined by the arc-5 double-diffusion test, using two antigens prepared fromEchinococcus granulosus andT. hydatigena cyst fluids, respectively. The results showed that a higher diagnostic sensitivity was obtained with the hydatid antigen. The significance of the findings is discussed in terms of their application to human immunodiagnosis in areas where hydatidosis, but not cysticercosis, is rare in livestock.