Functional and morphologic endothelial damage in rabbit external jugular veins stored in heparinized normal saline.

Previous studies have demonstrated that vein storage in normal saline leads to significant mechanical morphological, and biochemical aberrations. However, little information is available regarding the functional damage that occurs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of saline storage on venous smooth muscle and endothelial function. Segments of ten external jugular veins from male New Zealand White rabbits were placed nondistended in either modified Krebs solution at 37 degrees C (Krebs-stored, KS) or heparinized normal saline at room temperature (saline-stored, SS) for 1 h. Segments 4 mm in length were then simultaneously studied in vitro under isometric tension. There was no difference in maximum tension or sensitivity to either bradykinin or histamine. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation in KS segments was not significantly different from relaxation in a historical cohort of nonstored segments (nonstored 87.4 +/- 1.0% vs. KS 84.5 +/- 2.0%; p = NS). However, there were significant attenuations in SS segment endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to both acetylcholine (KS 84.5 +/- 2.0% vs. SS 76.4 +/- 2.7%, p less than 0.02) and adenosine diphosphate (KS 47.9 +/- 2.9% vs. SS 40.6 +/- 3.7%, p less than 0.002). Relaxant responses to sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent) were not significantly different in the two groups (KS 94.6 +/- 1.6% vs. SS 95.7 +/- 2.2%; p = NS). Electron microscopic evaluation of SS segments revealed endothelial cell disruption with cellular edema and loss of intact junctions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of occupational noxae in the tobacco industry on pulmonary function in exposed workers]

A study was carried out to determine respiratory hazards to workers in tobacco manufacture. The investigations at the workplace included analysis of the work technology and measurements of chemical pollutants and dust concentrations in the work rooms. Ventilatory lung function tests were performed in 95 workers exposed to tobacco dust and in 129 control workers. Results of workplace analysis showed the presence of tobacco dust levels exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations. The values of some lung function tests for exposed workers non-smokers were significantly lower than for control workers non-smokers. They could be attributed to the effect of occupational noxae on the respiratory system.     

Peripheral neuropathy and myonecrosis following hyperthermia and radiation therapy for recurrent prostatic cancer: correlation of damage with predicted SAR pattern.

During the past 10 years, numerous phase I-II studies were conducted and provided clinical experience with combined radiation therapy and hyperthermia treatments. Among the rare complications reported in these combined radiation therapy-hyperthermia trials were myonecrosis and peripheral neuropathy which were felt, mainly on a clinical basis, to be caused by local heat damage. Recently, such complications were noted in two patients with recurrent prostatic cancer treated in our department with radiation therapy combined with deep regional hyperthermia delivered by the Sigma-60 applicator of the BSD 2000 hyperthermia system (Salt Lake City, UT, USA). Analysis of the results of three-dimensional modelling of the SAR (specific absorption rate, W/kg) pattern in these patients indicated high SAR at the sites of the complications. Pretreatment three-dimensional modelling or other methods of predicting potential areas of high power deposition may have a role for future hyperthermia treatment planning aiding in the prevention of possible local heat damage and providing improved delivery of heat to the target volume.     

Immunopathology of subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules.

Nodules obtained from five patients with classical seropositive rheumatoid arthritis were studied by an immunofluorescence technique using polyclonal antibodies to IgG, IgA, IgM, C3c, and fibrin, and monoclonal antibodies to the terminal (C5b-9) complement complex (reaction with a neoantigen in C9 revealed during activation), DR antigens, T cells, macrophages, and interdigitating cells. In all instances the central necrotic areas stained strongly for fibrin and more weakly for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and terminal complement complex. The surrounding palisading cells reacted with antibodies to DR and macrophages. In the peripheral granulomatous tissue most of the lymphocytes reacted with the antibodies to T cells, whereas various amounts of the larger mononuclear cells were stained by antibodies to DR antigens, macrophages, and interdigitating cells. In all instances the walls of some of the smaller vessels in the granulomatous tissue stained for fibrin, C3, and terminal complement complex. Plasma cells were not seen except for scattered IgM cells in one nodule. These results support the view that the palisading cells are derived from macrophages, and indicate that there is vasculitis with activation of C3 and the terminal complement pathway in the granulomatous tissue.