Cell surface phenotype of in vitro proliferating lymphocytes in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP)

The in vitro proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) without any mitogenic stimulation is one of the hallmarks of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection. Recent evidence suggests a difference in the degree of the phenomenon between HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers (AC). In this article, we demonstrated several alterations in the features of the in vitro transformed lymphocytes between patients with HAM/TSP (n = 16) and AC (n = 8). The percentages of total CD8+ and CD8+CD28+ cells were significantly increased in the in vitro proliferating T lymphocytes derived from the patients with HAM/TSP when compared to those from AC. HAM/TSP was segregated from AC by the high degree of the proliferation of CD8+CD28+ cells. The expression of HTLV-I-specific antigens on the cultured PBLs was detected only in the subjects which showed low CD8+CD28+/CD4+ ratio of the in vitro proliferating lymphocytes. These findings suggest that this phenomenon distinguishes HAM/TSP from AC, not only in quantity but also in quality.     

Nutritional Anemias

Prevention of nutritional deficiencies should be attained by the consumption of a good diet. Unfortunately, in the case of iron, this is not always possible, and it is advantageous to fortify food with iron. Milk-based formulas and cereals are the most commonly used iron-fortified products in infancy and early childhood. Bioavailability of iron from cereals is low and more clinical studies on the field are necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of iron-fortified cereals in infants and children of developing countries. Infections and excessive blood loss in infancy related to the use of fresh, pasteurized or powdered cow milk result in much of the anemia we currently see in industrialized countries. Vitamin A deficiency interacts with iron metabolism and recent intervention studies have shown that anemia in Vitamin A deficient children can be successfully treated with oral supplements.     

VEGETARIAN DIET COMPONENTS,PROTEIN AND BLOOD PRESSURE: WHICH NUTRIENTS ARE IMPORTANT?

1. Evidence that vegetarian dietary patterns lower blood pressure (BP) comes from both population studies and randomized controlled trials in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. 2. The effect has been shown most clearly in those who keep to a strict lacto-ovo vegetarian diet characterized by a relatively low intake of saturated fat, a high polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio, and a high intake of fruit, vegetables and other fibre containing products. Randomized controlled dietary trials suggest the effects are independent of dietary sodium, additive to that of calorie restriction, and not due to the absence of meat protein per se. Indeed, recent population studies suggest an inverse relationship between dietary protein and BP. 4. Dietary fats, fibre, potassium, magnesium and calcium do not independently seem to account for the effects. A possible role for complex carbohydrate in conjunction with the other dietary factors has yet to be fully explored.     

Localization of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary System in Rats: Light and Electron Microscopic Immunocytochemical Studies

The localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the hypothalamus-pituitary system in rats was examined in light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using a specific antiserum to synthetic PACAP 1–38 (R0831). In light microscopic study, intensely PACAP-immunostained perikarya were observed in the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus in the hypothalamus. In the median eminence, many immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the internal layer, but a few immunoreactive terminals were noticed in the external layer. In the pituitary gland, numerous immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the posterior lobe. In the intermediate lobe, moderately immunostained cells were observed, but in the anterior lobe no immunostained cells were noticed. In electron microscopic study, PACAP-immunoreactivity was examined by avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. In the perikarya of the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus, DAB-reaction products were distributed diffusely in the cytoplasmic matrix, frequently attaching to the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In the nerve terminals of the posterior lobe, reaction products were observed among the secretory granules, but sometimes upon them. In the cells of the intermediate lobe, reaction products were also distributed in the cytoplasmic matrix.     

High-grade T-cell lymphoma following treatment with cyclosporin A

A 47-year-old man with persistent severe oropharyngeal ulceration developed a high-grade T-cell lymphoma soon after commencing treatment with cyclosporin A. Using Southern blotting to identify T-cell beta-chain gene rearrangements, evidence of clonal restriction was found both in blood and lymph node DNA samples. Two BamH1 rearranged bands were demonstrated in both samples. In the blood a 16 Kb band predominated, with a weaker 28 kb band. In the lymph node sample this pattern was reversed. The findings suggest that a bi-clonal population of T-lymphocytes or clonal evolution of an existing T-cell monoclone had developed, and that cyclosporin contributed to the emergence of a high-grade T-cell lymphoma.     

Diet and phenylketonuria: time for change?

This article is a report of a meeting of dietitians held on 15 September 1992 in Birmingham to discuss the recommendations of a 'Medical Research Council Working Party on the Dietary Management of Phenylketonuria'. (Contributions on the day of the meeting came from Judith Houghton, Eleanor Weetch, Isabel Smith, Sheena Laing, Ruth Watling, John Walter, Rodney Pollitt.)