Induction of antimyelin and antioligodendrocyte antibodies by vaccinia virus An experimental study in the mouse

The appearance of serum antibodies binding to specific brain antigens was monitored in mice inoculated intracerebrally with a dermotropic or a neurotropic strain of vaccinia virus. Antibodies were measured with a binding assay using [¹²⁵I]protein A. Inoculation with the neurotropic strain caused an induction of serum antibodies binding to the myelin membrane, the myelin basic protein and oligodendrocytes while no induction of binding antibodies to neurons was observed. The dermotropic strain failed to elicit the formation of binding antibodies to brain antigens.     

Effect of short-term Psychiatric Intervention in Cancer Patients

A total of 50 patients undergoing cancer treatment at Malignant Disease Treatment Centre were included in the present study aimed at evaluating the psychological status of cancer patients. All patients filled a specially designed proforma and the following psychological questionnaires : General Health Questionnaire, Carroll Rating Scale for Depression, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, PGI General Well-being Scale and Quality of Life Scale. Analysis of the results showed that 22 (44%) of the cancer patients had psychiatric disorders and this number had reduced to 12 (24%) after therapy. The difference was statistically significant. Psychiatric treatment also resulted in a statistically significant reduction in level of depression as measured by Carroll Rating Scale for depression. Short term psychiatric treatment was found to be very useful in treating psychiatric morbidity and depression in cancer patients.Key Words: Cancer, Depression, Psychiatric morbidity     

Rituximab stabilizes multifocal motor neuropathy increasingly less responsive to IVIg

The authors report a patient with anti-GM(1) antibody-negative multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) who was increasingly less responsive to IV immunoglobulins (IVIgs). Five yearly courses of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab were well tolerated and extended the interval of IVIg administration from 7 to 12 days (corresponding to 42% reduction of IVIg) during this period. Rituximab may be a benefit for patients with MMN.     

Impact of three-dimensionally measured endometrial volume on the pregnancy rate after intrauterine insemination

OBJECTIVE: The success of artificial reproductive techniques not only depends on the quality of oocytes and spermatozoa but also on the receptivity of the endometrium. The aim of this study was to assess the role of endometrial volume measurement by three-dimensional ultrasound in predicting the pregnancy rate (PR) in women receiving controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by intrauterine insemination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 104 patients having intrauterine insemination (IUI) were included in this prospective trial. Ovarian hyperstimulation was performed with gonadotropins in 73 % of patients and with clomiphene citrate (CC) in 27 % of patients. Endometrial thickness, pattern and three-dimensional volume were measured immediately before insemination. RESULTS: In 104 IUI cycles a total of 14 clinical pregnancies were recorded (PR=13.5 %). The endometrial volume was 3.5 ml and was not significantly different in pregnant (4.0 +/- 1.5 ml) from non-pregnant women (3.4 +/- 1.9 ml). In the subgroup of women with an endometrial volume > or = 2 ml and trilaminar endometrium the pregnancy rate was 22 %, significantly higher than that in women without these two criteria (PR 6 %, p < 0.05). The negative predictive value of an endometrial volume < 2 ml for a clinical pregnancy after IUI was 96 %. Endometrial volume and thickness were significantly higher after ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotropins (3.7 ml and 11.0 mm) than with CC (2.8 ml and 9.5 mm; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An endometrial volume < 2 ml at the day of insemination is associated with a poor likelihood of pregnancy. Endometrial volume measured by 3D ultrasound is a new objective parameter to predict endometrial receptivity.     

An outbreak of food poisoning in a military establishment

Background: An outbreak of food poisoning in a military establishment mess was investigated and remedial measures suggested.     

TRACHEOSTOMY COMPLICATIONS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

The word tracheostomy derived from two greek words meaning ‘I cut the trachea’ has been known for about 3500 yrs. The process has evolved over the years and has undergone revolutionary changes in the methodology, instrumentation and indications. Although tracheostomy is now commonly used the complication rate remains high. In our series it was 48% which is comparable with other series. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the complications of tracheostomy with special attention to their management and prevention.KEY WORDS: Complications, Tracheostomy     

Inhibition of platelet function by contrast media: iopamidol and ioxaglate versus iothalamate. Work in progress

The effects of an ionic contrast agent, meglumine iothalamate (Conray-60), and two newer low-osmolality radiographic contrast media, sodium meglumine ioxaglate (Hexabrix) and iopamidol (B-15,000), on platelet aggregation and secretion responses were studied. All three agents inhibited platelet responses during stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, and collagen. Platelet function was inhibited by iothalamate at concentrations of 11 mg iodine/ml and above, and by the newer agents at concentrations above 30 mg iodine/ml. Addition of exogenous calcium decreased the iothalamate-induced inhibition of aggregation but did not improve dense granule secretion. There was no consistent effect of exogenous calcium on platelet inhibition by iopamidol and ioxaglate. These studies indicate that the newer agents inhibit platelet function less than iothalamate does, and that chelation of Ca2+ may not be the major mechanism of platelet inhibition by contrast agents.     

The pronase resistance of cholesterol-nucleating glycoproteins in human bile

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Many putative pronucleating proteins have been isolated from the biliary concanavalin A (con A)-binding fraction. The pronase resistance of the overall nucleating-promoting activity was almost never taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to identify the major pronase-resistant con A-binding glycoproteins. METHODS: Pronase-treated and -untreated con A-binding glycoproteins were separated on a Superose 12 gel permeation column (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) and tested in a crystal growth assay. Proteins were identified by amino-terminal sequencing. RESULTS: Con A-binding pronucleating activity eluted in two peaks on the Superose column. This activity was unaltered after pronase treatment. Activity peak I contained too little protein to allow amino-terminal sequencing. In activity peak II, the major pronase-resistant con A-binding glycoproteins were identified as alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1- antichymotrypsin. The 130-kilodalton nucleation promoter was identified as aminopeptidase N, but the full pronase resistance of this protein, reported earlier, was not confirmed. Immunoabsorptive removal of alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and immunopurification showed that only alpha 1-antichymotrypsin had pronucleating activity. CONCLUSIONS: The pronase resistance of the nucleating-promoting activity of the con A-binding glycoprotein fraction was confirmed. An important part of this activity could be attributed to alpha 1- antichymotrypsin. It is an acute-phase protein, as are many other pronucleating proteins, which might indicate a general mechanism of action in gallstone formation. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jun;110(6):1926-35)