Plasmodium vivax and P. chabaudi: inter-species cross-reacting antigens

A monoclonal antibody raised by immunization of BALB/c mice with erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium vivax was shown to react with asexual erythrocytic stages of P. chabaudi. The cross-reactivity molecules are antigens of 200 and 148 kDa in P. vivax and of 190 and 70 kDa in P. chabaudi. Immunofluorescence studies of the erythrocytic stages of P. vivax and P. chabaudi indicated that expression of these antigens increased as the parasites' developed from the ring stage to the schizont stage. In the mature trophozoites of P. chabaudi, immunoelectron microscopy revealed clusters of antigen distributed in the cytoplasm of the parasitized erythrocyte. In the schizont, packets of antigen were found associated with the parasitophorous vacuole and the cytoplasm of the infected host cell. Received: 19 March 1996 / Accepted: 28 August 1996     

The effects of external beam radiotherapy on endocrine function in patients with carcinoma of the prostate

Serum levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones were determined prospectively in 59 patients with carcinoma of the prostate treated curatively with external beam radiotherapy. Hormone levels were determined before the initiation of therapy and up to 2 years following completion of therapy. Testosterone levels remained unchanged but dihydrotestosterone levels decreased slightly. Follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone levels increased significantly during therapy and remained elevated for up to 2 years after therapy. These findings are consistent with low dose irradiation of the testis.     

The prognostic significance of acute renal failure after renal transplantation in patients treated with cyclosporin

We studied 733 cadaveric renal transplant patients (747 transplants) under cyclosporin immunosuppression, to: (i) establish the risk profile for acute renal failure (ARF) after renal transplantation in a unit using many sub-optimal donors; (ii) assess the long-term prognostic relevance of ARF; and (iii) explore the synergistic prognostic significance of delayed graft function and acute rejection during the early post-transplant period. Transplanting from a non-heart-beating or elderly donor, protracted cold ischaemia, haemodialysis immediately before transplant surgery, poor HLA matching, and grafting to a hypersensitized recipient without residual renal function, all independently predicted delayed graft function. This delay had no detrimental effect on patient or graft survival, but prolonged ARF was associated with increased mortality from infection. Late markers of graft dysfunction (poor graft function, proteinuria, hypertension) were highly prevalent among grafts affected by ARF, specially in prolonged ARF. Delayed graft function and early acute rejection showed a definite, albeit not strong, additive impact on late graft survival, and also on the prevalence of late markers of graft dysfunction.      

Determination of sertaconazole nitrate, a new imidazole antifungal, by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the determination of bulk sertaconazole nitrate and related compounds (potential impurities and degradation products) as well as a sertaconazole nitrate cream formulation. A 10-microns Spherisorb CN column is used along with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and aqueous 0.01 M sodium phosphate (37:63, v/v). The sertaconazole nitrate peak is monitored at a wavelength of 260 nm; the retention time being 19.3 min. The detector response for sertaconazole nitrate is linear over the concentration range from 64 to 96 micrograms ml-1. The method is found to be sufficiently selective for the reliable determination of related compounds, FI-7001, FI-7009 and FI-7011, as indicated by same-day and between-day relative standard deviations (RSD) for replicate assays of 1.72% (n = 9) and 2.17% (n = 24), respectively. The application of this method to a cream formulation of sertaconazole nitrate is found to give a mean percentage recovery of 99.4% with RSD of 1.14% (n = 9); none of the cream vehicle peaks are found to interfere with the determination of sertaconazole nitrate.     

Adverse outcomes of planned and unplanned pregnancies among users of natural family planning: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine prospectively whether unplanned pregnancies are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes among users of natural family planning. METHODS: Women who became pregnant while using natural family planning were identified in five centers worldwide: there were 373 unplanned and 367 planned pregnancies in this cohort. The subjects were followed up at 16 and 32 weeks' gestation and after delivery. The risks of spontaneous abortion, low birth-weight, and preterm birth were estimated after adjustment by logistic regression. RESULTS: The women with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to be at the extremes of age, to report more medical problems before and during the index pregnancy, and to seek antenatal care later in gestation than the women with planned pregnancies. However, women with planned pregnancies reported a higher rate of spontaneous abortion in previous pregnancies (28.8%) than did women with unplanned pregnancies (12.9%). There were no significant differences in the rates of spontaneous abortion, low birthweight, or preterm birth between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: No increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes was observed among women who experienced an unplanned pregnancy while using natural family planning.     

Effect of tumor size on the prognosis of carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with irradiation alone.

The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 1178 patients with histologically proven invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with irradiation alone. The minimum follow-up time was 3 years. The 10-year actuarial pelvic failure rate in Stage IB was 6% for tumors less than 3 cm, 15% for tumors 3 to 5 cm, and 30% for tumors more than 5 cm (P = 0.0018). The 10-year actuarial pelvic failure rate in Stage IIA was 10% for tumors less than 3 cm, 28% for tumors 3 to 5 cm, and 20% for tumors more than 5 cm (P = 0.09). Stage IIB unilateral nonbulky tumors (less than 5 cm) had a 20% pelvic failure rate compared with 28% for bilateral lesions and 35% for unilateral bulky tumors (more than 5 cm) (P = 0.35). In Stage IIB, pelvic failures were greater when disease extended into the lateral parametrium (30%) compared with medial parametrial involvement only (17%) (P = 0.01). In Stage III unilateral nonbulky tumors, the pelvic failure rate was 28% compared with 45% to 50% for unilateral bulky lesions (P = 0.002). Bilateral parametrial disease in Stage IIB did not increase the pelvic failure rate (21% in both subgroups) (P = 0.83), whereas in Stage III, bilateral parametrial involvement was associated with a 48% pelvic failure rate versus 28% for unilateral extension (P less than or equal to 0.01). Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for IB tumors less than or equal to 3 cm was 90% versus 67% for tumors more than 3 cm (P = 0.01). In Stage IIA tumors less than or equal to 3 cm, 5-year DFS was 70% versus 45% for tumors more than 3 cm. Patients with Stage IIB nonbulky tumors (less than or equal to 5 cm in diameter) had better 10-year DFS (65% to 70%) compared with those with bilateral bulky tumors (45% to 55%) (P = 0.10). Stage III patients with unilateral nonbulky tumors had a 55% 10-year DFS compared with 35% to 40% for bulky tumors or bilateral parametrial involvement (P = 0.002). The authors concluded that clinical stage and size of tumor are critical factors in the prognosis, therapy selection, and evaluation of results in carcinoma of the uterine cervix.     

Absorption rates and free radical scavenging values of vitamin C-lipid metabolites in human lymphoblastic cells.

BACKGROUND: In this study we investigated the cellular absorption rates, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of vitamin C-lipid metabolites. The absorption was measured in a human lymphoblastic cell line using a spectrophotometric technique. MATERIAL/METHODS: Cellular vitamin C levels in the human lymphoblastic H9 cell line were measured using the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine spectrophotometric technique. Free radical scavenging activity of vitamin C-lipid metabolites was measured by the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine. Vitamin C-lipid metabolite scavenging of peroxyl radical oxygen reactive species (ORAC) was determined by fluorescence spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared to ascorbic acid (AA), calcium ascorbate (CaA), and calcium ascorbate-calcium threonate-dehydroascorbate (Ester-C), vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C) were more rapidly absorbed by the H9 human T-lymphocytes. The vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C) also reduced pesticide-induced T-lymphocyte aggregation by 84%, while calcium ascorbate-calcium threonate-dehydroascorbate (Ester-C) reduced aggregation by only 34%. The vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C) demonstrated free radical scavenging activity of nearly 100% reduction of DPPH at 20 microg/ml and oxygen radical scavenging of over 1200 micro Trolox equivalents per gram. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C) are more rapidly taken-up and absorbed by cells than other forms of vitamin C, including Ester-C. This increased rate of absorption correlates with an increased protection of the T-lymphocytes from pesticide toxicities. Further, vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C) are a potent antioxidant and have significant free radical scavenging capabilities.     

A colorimetric assay for the determination of 5'-nucleotidase activity

A rapid, simple, quantitative and sensitive assay for the determination of 5'-nucleotidase has been developed. The method can be applied to both soluble and membrane bound forms of the leukocyte enzyme. Enzyme activity is determined by colorimetric estimation of NH3 released from adenosine, the product of 5'-nucleotidase activity in the presence of adenosine deaminase. The assay may be performed in microtitre plates and read with an automatic multiscan spectrophotometer. Thus it can be applied to a large number of samples for routine medical and research purposes.     

Family therapy with spinal cord injured substance abusers

To incorporate family therapy into an inpatient treatment program for spinal cord injured substance abusers required overcoming both staff and patient resistance. Since it became an integral part of the program, family therapy has shown itself to be helpful in dealing with this population's tendency to adapt to their injury either by overdependency or overachievement. Its usefulness to patients with other chronic disabilities appears to warrant consideration.