Changes in axonally transported proteins in the mature and developing rat nervous system during early stages of methyl mercury exposure

It was established by means of SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that direct injections of methyl mercury (10 micrograms Hg) into the mature rat vitreous body of the eye decrease protein synthesis in the retina and optic nerve at 4 hours after injection. Although the global spectrum of polypeptides did not change, a specific decrease in the volume of polypeptides of 20-23 K daltons molecular weight was evident. Conversely, systemic exposure to methyl mercury resulted in increased protein synthesis of polypeptides of 20-23 K molecular weight both in adult (8 mgHg/kg/day for 8 days) and neonatal rats (2 mgHg/kg/day for 10 days). In addition, specific changes in the volume of polypeptides 75-90 K molecular weight were noted in sciatic nerves of neonatal rats. These data are consistent with a bimodal response in protein synthesis following MeHg treatment. Local presence of MeHg following direct injection into the eye causes a reduction in protein synthesis, while chronic systemic exposure results in increased synthesis and transport of proteins in both mature and developing optic nerves and neonatal sciatic nerves. Thus, these systems possess the capacity to attempt regenerative processes through induction of a small subset of proteins known as GAPs (Growth-Associated Proteins) during the early stages of systemic methyl mercury exposure. These wide spread and system-specific changes are consistent with growth-specific functions during the early stages of methyl mercury exposure.     

The mechanism of action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on tumor vascularity--study using a transparent chamber

Effects of human recombinant TNF on the tumor blood vessels and on the thrombus formation were investigated in relation to its mode of antitumor action against Meth-A sarcoma transplanted in BALB/c mice. The extent of the blood vessel lesion was evaluated by using transparent chamber placed in the mouse skin. Bleeding, hyperemia and congestion were observed at 1-2h, 4-6h and 24h after TNF (1 X 10(4)U/mouse) administration, respectively. In contrast, no histological changes in the normal blood vessels were observed microscopically following TNF injection. Thrombus formation was evoked in the tumor vessels 4h after TNF injection. However, when thrombus formation was prevented by heparin, no difference was observed among antitumor action of TNF against Meth-A fibrosarcoma necrotic response and the rate of complete cure. These results suggest that the direct effects of TNF causing lesions in the tumor blood vessels plays an important role in its antitumor action.     

Prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a retrospective multicentric study from the GIMEMA group

Clinical and biological data were evaluated using Desu univariate analyses or Cox multivariate analyses in a series of 1,777 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients from an Italian Cooperative Group. In univariate analyses, age and sex of patients, presence of bone marrow (BM; greater than or equal to 50%), and peripheral blood (PB; greater than or equal to 60,000/microL) lymphocytosis, anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] less than 11 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000/microL), direct Coombs' test positivity, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and extent of lymph node involvement were shown to be of significant prognostic value. Multivariate analyses, through a stepwise procedure, showed that the most important prognostic variables are Hb, hepatomegaly, lymph node involvement, PB lymphocytosis, and age and sex of patients. Further covariates would produce an improvement having a nonsignificant P value. Based on the results of multivariate analyses, a four-step staging using the significant variables of the Cox model is proposed.     

Conservative open anterior acromioplasty

The records of 29 consecutive patients treated by a pure, open, anterior acromioplasty were reviewed retrospectively. Excluded from consideration were patients with the following pathologic diagnoses or histories: (1) previously attempted acromioplasty on the same shoulder; (2) intraoperatively confirmed rotator cuff tear; (3) any surgically treatable biceps tendon or acromioclavicular abnormality; (4) lost to follow-up study. Three different techniques were employed to perform the acromioplasties. The first technique required partial deltoid origin detachment with an osteotome. The second technique spared the deltoid origin, while again using an osteotome to perform the acromioplasty. The third technique also spared the deltoid origin but used a high-speed burr to perform the acromioplasty. Evaluated in terms of patient satisfaction, residual pain, length of convalescence, suboptimal results, and complications, the first technique proved to be the least effective. The second technique produced early, excellent results. The third technique, in which a burr was employed through an intact deltoid origin, was most effective; technically, the method was also relatively simple and reliable.     

Goldenhar’s Syndrome associated with congenital cyanotic heart disease

A case of Goldenhar’s Syndrome in a 10 year old girl is reported. The unusual features are the absence of epibulbar dermoid which is one of the major hallmarks of the Syndrome and the presence of an associated Cyanotic Heart disease.     

Mental health in the population approaching retirement age. Preliminary findings of the TURVA project

The present paper deals with a Finnish long-term prospective study, the objective of which is to shed light on adjustment to retirement and old age. In this phase, only the preliminary findings of the initial survey carried out in 1982 are available. For the purposes of the study, a random sample of 200 individuals was drawn from among Turku inhabitants born in 1920. Another sample, consisting of 189 persons of the same age, was drawn from rural municipalities in the neighborhood of Turku. An extensive structured psychosocial interview could be conducted with a total of 339 subjects. The research methods used included e.g. the 36-item version of Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Relatively little mental disturbance was revealed in the interview, and no major differences occurred between the urban and the rural sample. Somewhat over one-third of both samples were probable psychiatric cases as defined according to the GHQ.     

Fine structure of surviving heart muscle cells in ventricular aneurysms

Surgically-obtained tissue specimens from 41 patients with ventricular aneurysm were studied electron microscopically. The tissue from the resected aneurysms showed substantially varied morphological differences. In some, there were extensive regions of scar containing increased fibrotic material and few cells, in others there were also larger contiguous regions of myocardium with an essentially normal appearance. In the preserved myocardial regions, the cardiac cells showed moderate hypertrophy. There was an increase in contractile substance in parallel with an increase in mitochondria and enlargement of the nucleus with frequent waves and invaginations in the cell membrane. The cells at the marginal regions between fibrous tissue and preserved myocardium were frequently isolated from adjacent cells. In particular, when the isolated cells were completely surrounded by fibrous tissue, clear degeneration was apparent. These cells showed mainly a fibrillolysis with dissolution of the cross-bands and loss of the entire contractile apparatus. In compensation, occasionally there was proliferation of other cell structures, especially the free sarcoplasmatic reticulum. The hypertrophy of the still intact myocardial cells is considered compensatory for the infarct-incurred loss of tissue. The degenerative appearance is mainly attributable to fibrous tissue invasion. The diminished oxygen supply, compromised or abolished impulse conduction, loss of function and passive stretch during systole may be regarded as causes of the degeneration.