Immunocytometric characteristics of a monoclonal antibody (Bra55) recognizing the leukocyte common antigen (LCA)

The immunofluorescence cytofluorometric reactivity pattern of monoclonal antibody Bra55 (IgG1) elicited with a non-T, non-B ALL cell line (REH), with a panel of human neoplastic hemopoietic cell lines (including non-T, non-B, T and myeloid leukemia cell lines) and with isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes from healthy donors corresponded to the previously described microscopic immunofluorescence, ELISA, immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemic data indicating that this monoclonal antibody recognizes a 170-220 kDa cell surface glycoprotein (leukocyte common antigen) expressed selectively on hemopoietic cells. The purified, FITC-conjugated Bra55 monoclonal antibody was effectively inhibited in its binding to the surface of LCA-positive cells by reference anti-LCA monoclonal antibodies; no inhibition of this activity by LCA-unrelated monoclonal antibodies (such as anti-MHC class I and class II antibodies) was observed. These data confirm the previously reported hemopoietic cell specificity (anti-LCA, CD45) of the Bra55 monoclonal antibody.     

Antiepileptic drugs in schizophrenia: a review.

The first choice group of psychotropic agents in schizophrenia is neuroleptics. However, this treatment is not effective in all patients and with every symptom. We summarize papers published on the role of antiepileptic drugs in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. We have searched the computer database system MEDLINE for relevant articles including reviews, reports of drug studies and case histories. Antiepileptic drugs can change symptoms of schizophrenia by their action on GABA-ergic neurotransmission or via anti-glutamatergic mechanisms. High doses of adjunctive benzodiazepines reduce positive symptoms, anxiety, and agitation. Carbamazepine is effective in affective symptoms of schizophrenia and influences violent behavior in psychotic patients. Its anti-kindling action may represent a promising treatment strategy for some patients with chronic course of schizophrenia. Valproate treatment leads to a decrease in positive symptoms as well as hostility. Lamotrigine is expected to influence the positive, negative, affective, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. New antiepileptics (e.g., gabapentin, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, vigabatrin) present a promise as potential adjuncts to neuroleptic treatment in resistant symptoms of schizophrenia.     

Cytogenetic studies in polycythemia vera

A group of 54 patients with the original diagnosis of polycythemia vera were subjected to cytogenetic examination. Six (17.6%) of the 34 cases examined in the period of the advanced phase of the polycythemia vera had a chromosomal change. Thirteen (65%) of the 20 patients undergoing the cytogenetic examination in the period when the polycythemia vera turned into another myeloproliferative disease showed chromosomal aberration. This suggests a relationship between the number of chromosomal changes and the transformation of the disease. No connection between the cytogenetic changes and myelosuppressive cures could be confirmed in our material. The chromosomal change 20q- considered to be the most frequent kind in the polycythemia vera was not discovered until in patients with the polycythemia vera transformed into a different myeloproliferative disease.     

Autolyzed antigen-extracted allogeneic bone for bridging segmented diaphyseal bone defects in rabbits

The autolyzed antigen-extracted allogeneic (AAA) bone implant was placed into a 17-mm long diaphyseal periosteum-free defect in the radius in 27 rabbits. The animals were observed physically and roentgenologically every week. The continuity of the radius was evaluated macroscopically and histologically. Maximum length of the follow-up period was 114 days. The AAA implants were progressively resorbed and replaced by the recipient's bone growing from fragments of radius, restoring the continuity of diaphysis. Osteoinductive activity of the implant was transferred across a tube of a polyamide vascular prosthesis. There were no appreciable histologic signs or immune of foreign-body reaction.     

Analgesic nephropathy in Hungary: the HANS study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of analgesic nephropathy has improved significantly with modern imaging techniques. We reviewed a large portion of the Hungarian dialysis population to obtain additional insight into the problem. METHODS: Twenty-two participating dialysis units enrolled 1400 patients on renal replacement therapy between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 1998. Patients with no known aetiology (n = 284) were interviewed and studied with renal imaging. We assessed the presence of decreased renal mass combined with either bumpy contours, papillary calcification, or both. The subjects studied were interrogated extensively. RESULTS: Our survey suggested analgesic nephropathy in 47 of 1400 patients (3.3%), 3-fold higher than the EDTA database estimate for Hungary. The analgesics most commonly abused were phenacetin-containing mixtures. The driving symptoms were mainly headache and joint pain. Cardiovascular complications were more common than in the rest of the dialysis population, independent of smoking and lipid values (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Phenacetin should be banned. Our study results support the need for longitudinal cohort and case-control studies in Hungary.     

Reaching behavior in the rat: absence of forelimb peripheral input.

In order to test whether peripheral input from a moving forelimb is essential for reaching in rats, the effects of dorsal rhizotomy C5-Th2 were examined. Rats were trained to reach for a food pellet in the horizontal tube or on a tray. Reaching attempts before and after bilateral forelimb deafferentation were monitored by continual recording using magnetic induction. Deafferented animals were able to initiate and generate the motor program of reaching, but modulation of its ongoing execution was lost. Peripheral input from moving forelimb was necessary for the effective performance of grasping; the duration of the manipulative part of reaching was significantly prolonged and the success of grasping was markedly decreased. Also, the aiming of forelimb was impaired, probably by disturbing of body forelimb postural coordination. No significant changes were found in the execution of forelimb protraction. It is concluded that somesthetic feedback is not required for execution of forelimb protraction, but it is necessary for grasping.     

Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in blood donors 1980-1990]

In 1980-1990 in the Strakonice district parallel serological examinations, using the Sabin-Feldman test (SFT) and complement fixation test (CFT), were made in 2,758 blood donors for the presence of antibodies against toxoplasmosis. The total number of examinations was 8,245. In the course of the mentioned time interval no significant increase or decrease of the serological prevalence occurred. During the first examination of blood donors the SFR antibodies (titre > or = 4) were detected in 45.4%, CFT (titre > or = 10) in 24.6% donors. 651 blood donors were examined four times or more frequently after 6-month intervals. 22.9% donors lacked antibodies (SFT and CFT) permanently, a rarely present low titre was recorded in another 22.9% donors, a repeated low titre in 43.6% and a repeatedly encountered medium or high titre in 10.6% of blood donors.     

Ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy for hydroceles and spermatoceles: a survey of 158 patients with ultrasound followup.

Sclerotherapy with 5% ethanolamine oleate was used to treat 102 hydroceles in 100 patients and 63 spermatoceles in 58 patients. Scrotal ultrasound examination was performed before the sclerotherapy and at each followup visit. Of the hydroceles 98% were cured completely and 68% were cured after only 1 sclerosant instillation, while 60% of the spermatoceles resolved completely and 33% partially, with 7% failures. No hydroceles recurred during an average followup of 43 months, whereas spermatocele recurred in 4 patients more than 1 year after successful treatment, with a mean followup of 46 months. Approximately half of the patients experienced pain after treatment, 3 had infection and 2 had hematoma. No changes in the structure or size of the testicles were found by ultrasound during followup. Ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy is a safe, effective and economical form of outpatient therapy that can be recommended as primary treatment for hydroceles in adults and as an alternative to surgery for spermatoceles with 1 to 3 cysts in elderly men in whom fertility is not important.