Revelation of specificity of 64K autoantibodies in IDDM serums by high-resolution 2-D gel electrophoresis. Unambiguous identification of 64K target antigen

Antibodies in serums from newly diagnosed insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and individuals experiencing early phases of beta-cell destruction specifically immunoprecipitate a minor pancreatic islet cell membrane protein of 64,000 Mr (64K). In this report, we demonstrate the use of two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis to unambiguously identify the 64K antigen. By nonequilibrium pH-gradient gel electrophoresis in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension, the 64K protein separates into two components, designated alpha and beta, that differ in size but display identical charge heterogeneity. The high resolution of the 2-D method efficiently separates the 64K components from background proteins in immunoprecipitates from crude detergent lysates of islets. The background proteins were identified as major cellular proteins carried nonspecifically through the immunoprecipitation procedure. The high affinity and specificity of the 64K autoantibodies were demonstrated by the exclusive and greater than 1000-fold purification of this minor protein by immunoprecipitation with IDDM serums. The 2-D analyses did not reveal additional proteins specifically immunoprecipitated by IDDM serums, suggesting that the 64K protein is the only protein antigen specifically and consistently recognized by IDDM autoantibodies in the relatively stringent conditions of immunoprecipitation. Moreover, the 2-D analyses demonstrate that purification of membrane protein fractions from both human and rat islets before the immunoprecipitation efficiently removes background proteins and substantially increases the specificity of 64K autoantibody measurements by traditional methods.     

Oral findings in glassblowers

Oral changes related to the occupation of glassblowing have been examined in 74 Danish glassblowers, consisting of 44 active glassblowers (Group 1) and 30 past glassblowers (Group 2). In addition, 15 non-glassblowers (Group 3) were examined. All three groups worked in the same department of mouth-blown glassware in Holmegaard's Glassworks. White patches of the buccal mucosa occurred in 23 % of active glassblowers, but did not occur among past or non-glassblowers. Histologically, the white lesions revealed morsicatio buccarum-Like changes. The lesions are reversible and should be distinguished from leukoplakias. The term “glassblower's white patch” is suggested. Furthermore black discolorations of vermilion border and front teeth occurred in 30% and 62%, respectively, of active glassblowers. Tooth fractures, mostly enamel fractures, caused by the blowpipe were found in 43% of active glassblowers and 19% of past glassblowers.     

Radiographic identification of simulated carious lesions in relation to fillings with Adaptic Radiopaque®

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the possible significance of the radiopacity of a composite restorative material for the radiographic identification of filling deficiencies. Class III cavities of varied size and shape were prepared at 28 proximal surfaces of 14 extracted human canines. All cavities were filled with Adaptic Radiopaque®. Simulated secondary or recurrent carious lesions were produced in 16 of the cavities by insertion of small amounts of radiolucent wax prior to filling. Each tooth was radiographed under standardized conditions using 15 different angulations. The 210 radiographs were interpreted by three observers without knowledge of the distribution of the deficiencies. They made 78.7% correct diagnoses, 18.7% false positive and 2.6% false negative diagnoses. The sensitivity of the method was 95.4, but the specificity was only 56.5. The results indicate that radiopacity of a composite resin is of a certain, although limited, value in detecting secondary and recurrent carious lesions. Regarding the high number of false positive diagnoses the radiographic findings should as far as possible be verified by a clinical examination. A majority of the false positive diagnoses could be explained by an inhomogeneous structure of the fillings.     

Estradiol, estriol and human placental lactogen in serum in threatened abortion

In 64 pregnant women admitted to hospital because of threatened abortion the prognostic value of estradiol-17-beta, estriol and human placental lactogen (HPL) in serum was examined. The hormones were determined by radioimmunoassay. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals during admission to hospital and subsequently until delivery. For each hormone a reference range was based on the hormone values obtained from the pregnancies that continued to viability. The study shows that the three hormones examined gave a good indication of the prognosis in threatened abortion, both separately and in combination. The best predictive values were achieved with estradiol and HPL after serial samples. Of these two hormones estradiol is to be preferred because of its fetoplacental origin.     

Uremic polyneuropathy,clinical and pathological aspects

Summary 25 patients with prolonged uremia, who were under treatment by means of peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis, were followed by frequent neurological examinations over a period of 5–34 months, to decide whether it was possible by this means alone to reveal the commencement of uremic neuropathy. 4 patients had polyneuropathy at the commencement of the investigation, and 5 patients developed this condition. With one exception, loss of reflexes was found to be the first symptom of neuropathy. The condition deteriorated in 3 patients, 4 remained unchanged, and 2 improved. 16 patients died. In 8 cases, a pathoanatomical investigation was made of the n. ischiadicus. In 4 cases it was found to be normal, while in the other 4 cases there was found to be degeneration of the myelin sheath. The evaluation showed agreement between clinical and pathological findings in 7 cases, also with respect to the degree of the changes. The clinical condition in these cases was unknown to the pathologist.An examination was made for possible relationships between the presence of neuropathy and the blood chemistry (serum concentration of creatinine, potassium, sodium, bicarbonate and haemoglobin). No statistically significant correlations were found.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden 25 Patienten mit langdauernder Urämie, welche durch Peritonealdialyse oder Hämodialyse behandelt wurden, während 5–34 Monaten neurologisch kontrolliert. Es war Zweck dieser Untersuchungen festzustellen, ob mit klinisch-neurologischen Kontrollen allein der Beginn einer urämischen Neuropathie erfaßt werden konnte. 4 Patienten hatten zu Beginn der Untersuchung Zeichen einer Polyneuropathie, und bei 5 entwickelten sich dieselben während der Beobachtungszeit. Mit einer Ausnahme war der Ausfall von Reflexen das erste Zeichen der Polyneuropathie. Bei 3 Patienten trat Verschlechterung ein, 4 blieben unverändert, und bei 2 trat Besserung ein. 16 Patienten verstarben, bei 8 Fällen konnte eine pathologisch-anatomische Untersuchung des N. ischiadicus durchgeführt werden. In 4 Fällen war derselbe normal, in weiteren 4 Fällen fanden sich degenerative Veränderungen der Myelinscheiden. In 7 Fällen fand sich Übereinstimmung zwischen dem Grad des klinischen Befalles und den pathologisch-anatomischen Veränderungen, wobei dem Pathologen der klinische Zustand der Patienten nicht bekannt war.Die möglichen Beziehungen zwischen der Polyneuropathie und der Kreatininkonzentration, dem Kalium, Natrium, Bicarbonat und Hämoglobinwert im Blut wurde untersucht. Es fand sich keine Korrelation dieser Werte mit der Polyneuropathie.

     

Human aqueous humor catecholamines

Timolol of 0.5% was applied in 6 eyes prior to cataract extraction, while 7 eyes were not treated. Aqueous humor was drawn after retrobulbar analgesia with 2% lidocaine and analyzed for epinephrine and norepinephrine using a radioenzymatic assay. Epinephrine levels averaged 15.8 +/- 16.2 and 19.3 +/- 27.5 pg/ml in the timolol treated group and controls respectively. The corresponding values for norepinephrine were 1.59 +/- 0.55 and 1.87 +/- 0.90 ng/ml. These differences were not statistically significant. Norepinephrine levels in this study were somewhat higher than in previous reports of catecholamine levels in human aqueous humor and considerably higher than plasma levels of norepinephrine. There was no significant correlation between aqueous humor norepinephrine levels and age in the two groups combined. The mean norepinephrine levels for men and women in the two groups combined were 1.73 +/- 0.89 and 1.76 +/- 0.56 ng/ml. The difference was not statistically significant. Timolol resulted in a decrease in the intraocular pressure.