HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF RANITIDINE IN PLASMA AND URINE

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of ranitidine in plasma and urine is described. Plasma samples were extracted with dichloromethane while urine samples were injected directly after dilution. The mobile phase consisted of: 0.05 M ammonium acetate buffer containing 0.01 M octane sulphonate, 5.3%; methanol, 31.6%; and acetonitrile, 63.1%. Detection was carried out at 330 nm. Metoclopramide was used as the internal standard. Peak height ratios were measured. Absolute recovery from plasma was 83-85%. Within and between day coefficients of variation ranged from 0.79 to 2.42% and 1.09-2.95% respectively. Plasma and urine samples from a healthy volunteer were analysed.     

Immunology: High fecundity rates following in- vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in antiphospholipid antibody seropositive women treated with heparin and aspirin

This study was undertaken to explore whether intervention withheparin and aspirin (H/A) in selected patients undergoing in-vitrofertilization (TVF) and embryo transfer could improve fecundityrates. Specifically, it explored the possibility that womendiagnosed with organic pelvic disease who demonstrated antiphospholipidantibodies (APA) could benefit from H/A administration in asimilar manner to that used in patients with recurrent pregnancyloss. We used an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay forsix different phospholipids to identify patients who expressedAPA before they underwent IVF/embryo transfer. This study wasconfined to the first IVF/embryo transfer cycle that followedassessment of APA status and accordingly, the number of IVF/embryotransfer cycles corresponds with the number of patients treated.APA seropositive patients were treated with aspirin, 81 mg orallyq.d., and heparin 5000 IU s.c. b.i.d., beginning on day 1 ofcontrolled ovarian stimulation. The endpoint for success wasa live birth or an ultrasound confirming fetal cardiac activity(a viable pregnancy). The prevalence of APA in patients diagnosedwith organic pelvic disease (53%) was much higher than in thosewithout female pathology (14%). The administration of H/A toAPA seropositive patients significantly (P < 0.05) improvedthe viable pregnancy rate (49%) compared to the untreated APAseropositive group (16%). The viable pregnancy rate for APAseropositive women treated with H/A was also significantly (P< 0.001) higher than for untreated APA seronegative patients(27%). We conclude that all women undergoing IVF/embryo transfershould be tested for APA prior to initiating ovarian stimulation,and those with APA seropositivity should be treated with H/A.     

Laminin expression in colorectal carcinomas varying in degree of differentiation

We are studying the ability of colorectal carcinomas, which vary in degree of differentiation, to assemble a basement membrane and the relationship between differences in this ability and perturbations in laminin expression. For these studies, we are using human colorectal carcinoma cells grown both in vitro and in nude mice as well as tumors obtained at surgery. Immunoperoxidase staining of human tumors indicates that laminin is present in a defined basement membrane in moderately to well-differentiated tumors. This staining pattern is absent in poorly differentiated tumors. In these tumors, staining is discontinuous and sometimes observed intracellularly. The laminin synthesized by in vitro cells was immunoprecipitated and analyzed by acrylamide electrophoresis. Neither poorly nor well-differentiated carcinoma cells exhibit marked differences in the rate of synthesis of laminin. Differences are present in the rate at which newly synthesized laminin is secreted. These differences may result from alterations in posttranslational processing. Such alterations may contribute, along with other factors, to the inability of poorly differentiated tumors to make a basement membrane.     

Amyloidosis in familial Mediterranean fever patients: correlation with MEFV genotype and SAA1 and MICA polymorphisms effects

Background

Hemihyperplasia (hemihypertrophy) is defined as asymmetric body overgrowth of one or more body parts. Hemihyperplasia can be isolated or be part of well-defined syndromes such as in the case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). Isolated hemihyperplasia is usually sporadic, but a number of familial occurrences have been described.

Case presentation

We describe a Tunisian family in which three maternal cousins and their maternal grandfather present with isolated hemihyperplasia.

Conclusions

The etiology of isolated hemihyperplasia is unknown although in BWS, genomic imprinting has been shown to play a role in the asymmetric overgrowth. Given the similarity between these two conditions, it is possible that both may share a common pathogenesis. We also discuss the possible genetic mechanisms leading to the production of hemihyperplasia in this family.     

Infective endocarditis due to Salmonella typhi--a case report

Endocarditis is a rare complication of typhoid fever. We report a case in which Salmonella enterica serotype typhi was isolated from a case of endocarditis. The isolate was resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin but sensitive to ceftriaxone, amikacin and gentamicin.     

Adrenal cortical carcinoma: a case of late pulmonary metastasis

A 71 year-old woman with a large tumor of the upper lobe of the left lung was diagnosed as having metastatic adrenal cortical carcinoma nine years after the initial adrenalo-nephrectomy. The patient was well with no recurrence for six years following resection of the single lung metastasis.     

Hereditary sideroblastic anemia: a rare diagnosis

Hereditary sideroblastic anemia is a very rare disease recessive and X-linked that affect heme biosynthesis by deficit or decreased of delta aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) activity. We report a case of a six-month-old boy, admitted in the hospital for anemic syndrome. The hemogram showed anemia (hemoglobin: 4.5 g/dL), frankly hypochronic microcytic and a regenerated (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration: 26 g/dL, mean cell volume: 53 fl, reticulocytes: 10 x 10(9)/L) with red cells morphologic disorders in smears (anisopoikylocytosis) without attack of the other lineages; white blood cells: 11 x 10(9)/L (neutrophils: 64% and lymphocytes: 35%); platelets: 350 x 10(9)/L. Examination of bone marrow showed an important erythroid hyperplasia (about 69%) with dyserythropoiesis. Perls stain revealed intense siderosis with 90% of ringed sideroblasts and a large number of siderocytes. Exploration of ALAS2 and ABC7 genes on the DNA of the infant was not found abnormalities. Treatment with pyridoxine corrects moderately the anemia. By the way, we proposed to remind that iron deficiency, inflammatory syndrome and thalassemia are the common microcytic anemia. However, it's mandatory to explore other causes if diagnosis is not solved.     

Formation of unique vacuoles in tenotomized rat soleus muscle fibers

The formation of unique vacuoles in tenotomized rat soleus muscle fibers was examined by light and electron microscopy. After tenotomy at both proximal and distal tendons, virtually all muscle fibers underwent characteristic degenerative changes with a disorganization of myofibrils called the central core lesion, but eventually recovered. At 3 days after tenotomy, some muscle fibers showed small vacuoles in the sarcoplasm of the end segments, which were larger in diameter and paler in staining than those of the control fibers in light microscopy. At 5 days, more fibers formed larger vacuoles together with the extensive disorganization of myofibrils. Such vacuole formation was more conspicuous in the distal end than in the proximal end. At 1 week the myofibrillar disorganization was most extensive in the central areas, and vacuoles were considerably enlarged in some fibers to occupy most of the sarcoplasm near the fiber ends. Vacuoles decreased in number and size with time and could rarely be seen at 4 weeks postoperative. In thin-section electron microscopy, the early forms of vacuoles were often connected with the T-system tubules. The limiting membrane of such vacuoles possessed many caveolae, some of which appeared to be continuous with the T-system networks. The vacuole membrane was closely associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum to form dyadic connections. In later stages, the vacuole membrane was lined in part with the basal lamina. From these findings, it can be concluded that the vacuoles are sarcolemmal in nature and derived from the T-system. The significances of the vacuole formation are discussed with special reference to the mechanism and fate of the vacuoles and their clinical implications.