Membrane flow within the myelin sheath in IDPN neuropathy

This report describes some aspects of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) neuropathy in rats as observed by ultrastructural methods and X-ray diffraction. Light microscopy shows gross swelling of the axons in proximal lumbar spinal roots 8 days after intraperitoneal injection of IDPN. Mean axon cross-sectional area and mean axon perimeter increased to 280% and 160% of their control values, respectively. At the same time, myelin membrane packing was not visibly disturbed. In addition, X-ray diffraction patterns, recorded under physiological conditions, demonstrate that the myelin lipid bilayer thickness and widths of the aqueous spaces between bilayers did not change. Related observations are made on posterior tibial nerve (PNS myelin) and ventral spinal cord (CNS myelin). The various observations together are interpreted in terms of a fluid myelin membrane. It is proposed that the myelin membrane flows during axon swelling even though normal membrane-membrane contacts are maintained within the sheath. Membrane flow and slippage between membranes are explained in terms of a molecular model of the myelin multilayer.     

高压氧治疗尺桡神经损伤疗效观察

应用高压氧治疗尺桡神经损伤修复术后１１例，与同期单纯手术修复１４例相比，优良率明显提高，二组间有显著差异。Ｐ＜０．０５，提示高压氧对尺桡神经损伤的修复有促进作用     

紫外线照射充氧自血回输疗法治疗多形性红斑临床及甲皱微循环观察

采用紫外线充氧自血回输治疗多形性红斑的治疗组总有效率为１００％，对照组为４０％；甲皱微循环改善率治疗组为１００％，对照组为７５％，组间差异均有非常显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１）．观察证明，紫外线照射充氧自血回输疗法是治疗多形性红斑的一种好方法．     

The spermatozoal volume as indicative of the plasma membrane integrity (modification of the hypoosmotic swelling test). I. Methods

Summary. The aim of the present study was to establish a more differentiating indicator of plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa than the classic version of the hypoosmotic swelling test according to Jeyendraan. Spermatozoa were prepared by density gradient centrifugation (90% Percoll) to select 'fertilization competent' spermatozoa only. After a second washing procedure sufficiently pure sperm cell suspensions were obtained. The volume distributions of these sperm cells were measured with a Coulter Counter at 25 °C after adaptation in 300 mosmolar NaCl solution resp. 150 mosmolar NaCl solution for 5 min. These volume distributions showed significantly different patterns for the isotonic and hypotonic stress situation in the simple salt solution. Moreover, the comparison of the response to hypoosmotic stress showed more than four reproducible characteristic patterns, promising well differentiated results for different sperm populations. The new method for the detection of hypoosmotic swelling effect might be a real and valuable functional parameter.     

Effect of “Re Du Qing” on the activation,proliferation and membrane fluidity of lymphocytes

Summary Effects of Chinese Medicinal Preparation “Re Du Qing” (RDQ) on the activation, proliferation and membrane fluidity of T lymphocytes from human peripheral blood Were studied by means of³H-TdR incorporation and DPH fluorescence polarization. The results showed that “RDQ” can:1) significantly inhibit the activation of T lymphocytes; 2) restrain the proliferation of activated T lymphoblasts in the presence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2); and 3) increase the membrane fluidity of T lymphocytes and antagonize the decreased fluidity of lymphocyte membrane mediated by Con A or PHA. The functional abnormalities of T lymphocytes in some autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and the usefulness of RDQ in the treatment of these diseases were also discussed.     

Familial Juvenile Nephronophthisis in Two Siblings — Histological Findings at an Early Stage —

We present two female siblings with familial juvenile nephronophthisis (FJN) which was diagnosed at the early stage of renal failure. Diagnosis was made during the investigation of anemia in case 1 and by a subsequent family survey in case 2. Most patients with FJN are not identified until the terminal stage of renal failure and such cases have rarely been reported in Japan. Case 2 had a reduction in the maximum urinary concentration ability but no azotemia, and among the FJN patients reported in Japan so far she has the least advanced renal disease. Histological examination of the renal biopsy in case 1 showed typical findings of FJN, such as thickening and lamination of the tubular basement membrane (TBM), interstitial fibrosis, and round cell infiltration of the interstitium. In case 2, renal biopsy revealed an irregular marked thickening of the TBM with trivial interstitial changes and a normal glomerular appearance. The histology of these two cases suggests that the TBM may be the primary site affected in FJN.     

Extracorporeal Septoplasty Combined with Open Rhinoplasty

Extracorporeal septoplasty is a radical solution for the severely deviated nose. The major problems associated with this procedure are fixation of the septal cartilage graft and dorsal irregularities. Extracorporeal septoplasty was performed in combination with open rhinoplasty in 17 patients with severe nasal deformities. In this technique septum was totally removed through the columellar incision of open rhinoplasty, corrected outside, and replaced as a free ``L' shaped cartilage graft. The cartilage graft was fixated to the upper lateral cartilages to restore the natural relations of the anatomical structures. Additional rhinoplastic manipulations were also performed. The follow-up period was up to 18 months. The overall result was successful in all patients. Nasal deviation did not recur and secondary revisions were not needed for any patient during follow-up.     

Efficient RT-PCR on platelet mRNA after long-term storage

We have developed a procedure permitting RT-PCR from mRNA even after a long-term storage (1 year) of platelet samples in ethanol (EtOH-platelets) at −80°C. To validate our method, we have analysed the human platelet alloantigen system (HPA-1) which is coded by β₃ mRNA. We have also demonstrated the efficiency of amplification of part of the coding region for (i) α_IIb subunit mRNA, (ii) α_v subunit mRNA, and (iii) the seven transmembrane domain thrombin receptor mRNA.