Evidence of fibrinogen degradation in rat anaphylaxis.

In active anaphylactic shock of rats pretreated with Bordetella pertussis vaccine, both plasma thrombin clotting time and the amount of antigenically active fibrinogen degradation products in the serum were increased. The formation of clottable fibrinogen fragments was shown by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of thrombin-induced clots. When plasma of rats pretreated with 125I rat fibrinogen and then subjected to anaphylaxis was submitted to SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, fibrinogen-split products were also detected. Fibrinogen degradation results from the proteolytic effect of an activated fibrinolytic enzyme.     

Morphological correlates of electrotonic coupling in the magnocellular mesencephalic nucleus of the weakly electric fish Gymnotus carapo.

The magnocellular mesencephalic nucleus (MMN) of Gymnotus carapo was studied by electron microscopy. This particular nucleus, characteristic of weakly electric fish, contains two principal classes of neuron. (1) Large neurons (25-35 mum): these are rounded unipolar cells, with the perikaryon partially covered by a sheath of compact myelin. The axon leaves the neuron as a short thick unmyelinated process not resembling the initial segment of multipolar neurons. The axon branches profusely and becomes myelinated very close to its origin. The perikaryal surface not covered by the myelin sheath receives abundant club endings. The synaptic interface between club endings and large neurons is characterized by alternating gap junctions and attachment plaques. In addition, at the periphery of the club endings, "active" zones are generally present, and this synapse is therefore a "mixed" synapse. (2) Small neurons (5-12 mum): these are uni- or bipolar cells, scattered throughout the nucleus, and occasionally, grouped in small clusters. Gap junctions were not observed between neuronal perikarya in such clusters. The synaptic investment of small neurons is formed by long cup endings which almost completely encircle the perikarya. The synaptic interface between cup endings and the perikarya of small neurons is characterized by large areas of gap junctions. A single cup ending establishing gap junctions with two small neurons within the plane of the section was frequently observed and this arrangement provides a morphological basis for electrotonic coupling between small neurons by way of presynaptic fibres. In the neuropil of the MMN, there are abundant synaptic islands constituted by a large axon terminal in synaptic contact with small unidentified profiles; both synaptic elements are surrounded by numerous thin glial lamellae. At the synaptic interface, in the islands, both gap junctions and "active" zones are present. The synaptic islands must also be considered as "mixed" synapses. The morphological results presented here correlate with electrophysiological data (Szabo et al., 1975). The very short delay (0.8-1.3 ms) of the MMS response to the fish's own electric organ discharge can only be explained by the existence of electrotonic transmission along the neuronal chain of the electrosensory pathway. The presence of gap junctions between club endings and large neurons provides a morphological basis for electrotonic transmission at the mesencephalic level of the electrosensory pathway.     

Tryptophan hydroxylase gene polymorphism (A218C) and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of a polymorphism in intron 7 of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene among women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and healthy controls. METHODS: In a case control study, we studied 125 women with a history of three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks' gestation and 137 healthy controls with at least two live births and no history of pregnancy loss. Peripheral venous puncture, DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used to genotype women for the presence of the A218C polymorphism in intron 7 of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene. RESULTS: Allele frequencies among women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and controls were 32.4% and 38.7%, respectively, for allele A (wild type) and 67.6% and 61.3%, respectively, for allele C (mutant). No association between the presence of allele C and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage was found (P = .3; odds ratio 1.31; 95% confidence interval 0.93, 1.87). Genotype frequencies also were not significantly different between the study group (C/C: 44.8%; A/C: 45.6%; A/A: 9.6%) and the control group (C/C: 37.2%; A/C: 48.2%; A/A: 14.6%; P = .2). Between women with primary and women with secondary idiopathic recurrent miscarriage, no statistically significant differences with respect to allele frequencies were observed (63% vs 62% for allele C and 31% vs 38% for allele A; P = .3). CONCLUSION: The A218C polymorphism in intron 7 of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene is not associated with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.     

Prognostic influence of delays between exploratory and definitive laparotomy in the treatment of malignant ovarian tumors

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether a delay between a preliminary exploratory laparotomy and a definitive staging laparotomy and interval chemotherapy between the two operations affected the prognosis of ovarian cancer. Methods: Of 504 patients with malignant tumors of the ovary who were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 1980 and 1993, there were 24 who had a delayed definitive staging laparotomy. Results: Sixteen patients did not have chemotherapy between their two operations. After definitive laparotomy, 13 patients (54.2%) were free of disease and 11 patients had residual disease (45.8%). Conclusions: The value of chemotherapy between preliminary and definitive laparotomy in halting tumor growth was not demonstrated by the results of our analysis. Received: 5 May 2000 / Accepted: 10 August 2000     

Recurrent ingrown toenails secondary to indinavir/ritonavir combination therapy

OBJECTIVE: To report five cases of ingrown toenails (IGTN) associated with indinavir/ritonavir (IDV/RTV) combination therapy. CASE SUMMARY: The median onset of IGTN from initiation of IDV/RTV therapy was 18.4 weeks. Four patients previously received IDV, with one of these experiencing prior IGTN. All patients required surgical management of IGTN. All patients received virologic benefit from ongoing antiretroviral therapy, and the majority of patients elected to maintain IDV/RTV combination therapy. Two patients experienced recurrent IGTN while receiving ongoing IDV/RTV combination therapy. DISCUSSION: IGTN and paronychia have previously been reported with IDV and lamivudine. IGTN in patients with HIV infection is more likely to present acutely, involve more digits, and require surgical management IDV increases retinoic acid signaling and, based on elevated IDV concentrations from concomitant RTV therapy, the risk of IGTN may be increased in patients receiving IDV/RTV combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS: With the increasing popularity of IDV/RTV combination therapy, clinicians should be aware of the potential increase in frequency of dose-related toxicities including IGTN. Evaluation of hands and feet on physical examination should be recommended for all patients being treated with lamivudine and IDV, especially when used in combination with RTV.     

Quantitative serum levels of pregnancy associated alpha2-globulin in patients with benign and malignant tumours.

Pregnancy associated alpha2-globulin estimations were made in the serum of 100 tumour-cases. This characteristically pregnancy protein could be found in 63 p.c. of the tumour cases. The number of positive sera was higher, than in normal controls. The serum level of pregnancy associated alpha 2-globulin was between 1 and 10 mg p.c. in 34 cases, between 11 and 20 mg p.c. in 19 cases and value above 20 mg p.c. could only be found in 10 patients. This alpha2-globulin positivity could be seen more frequently in female than in male patients. Role and significance of alpha2-globulin is discussed.     

Serum level of pregnancy associated alpha2-globulin in patients with spontaneous abortions.

Pregnancy associated alpha2-globulin serum levels have been measured in abortion-cases. In cases of incomplete abortion with placental destruction and missed abortion this alpha2-globulin level significantly decreased, but no changes could be found when the placenta remained intact. The prognostic value of this pregnancy protein is discussed.