Morphological variability, lectin binding and Na+,K+-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity of isolated Müller (glial) cells from the rabbit retina

Rabbit retinal Müller cells were isolated by means of papaine and mechanical dissociation. These cells were shown to have a well preserved morphology and to preserve viability for many hours. Intense wheat germ agglutinin binding occurs on the photoreceptor side of Müller cells, especially in the microvillous region. Rabbit retinal Müller cells have a Na+,K+-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity in the same order of magnitude as brain astroglial cells.     

Ultrastructural studies on the localization of IgG in the aortic endothelium and subendothelial intima of atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic rabbits

Immunoelectron microscopy with peroxidase-conjugated Fab fragments of anti-IgG was used for studying the localization of IgG in the aortic endothelium and subendothelial intima of atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic rabbits. Small amounts of IgG were found in the cell coat, in caveolae and vesicles, and also in intercellular clefts of endothelial cells from normocholesterolemic rabbits. Injured endothelial cells exhibited prominent accumulations of IgG in the cytoplasmic matrix, possibly due to leakage through plasma membrane defects. In atherosclerotic lesions from hypercholesterolemic rabbits, there was a striking increase in the amount of IgG-reactive material in the cell coat and vesicles of intact endothelial cells. Also in these animals, injured endothelial cells were characterized by a cytoplasmic IgG accumulation. There were prominent IgG depositions in the subendothelial zone of the lesions. IgG was adhering to collagen fibers, and also coating the surfaces of subendothelial foam cells. The pathophysiological significance of an interaction between such intimal IgG and phagocytes is discussed.     

Asparate and/or glutamate may be transmitters in hippocampal efferents to septum and hypothalamus

The high affinity uptakes of asparate (Asp) and glutamate (Glu) were heavily and selectively reduced in the lateral septum (?67%) and mammillary body (?52%) by surgical interruption of their connections with the hippocampal formation in rats. There was no reduction in the medial septum. GABA uptake, glutamate decarboxylase, choline acetyltransferase and carnitine acetyltransferase were not reduced. Choline acetyltransferase was increased (+51%) in the lateral septum. The normal activities of these parameters showed characteristic distribution patterns between medial and lateral septum, mammillary body and hippocampus. The ratio of Glu and Asp uptakes was not changed by lesions and vaired only little between the regions sampled.     

Soluble Antiapoptotic Molecules and Immune Activation in Chronic Heart Failure and Unstable Angina Pectoris

Programmed myocyte cell death and activation of the immune system have been shown to occur in patients with congestive heart failure. Besides, unstable angina episodes are likely to be associated with immune activation. Our aim was to evaluate the role of changes in circulating levels of soluble Fas (sFas), suggestive of an enhanced inhibitory response to ongoing apoptosis, and soluble IL2 receptor (sIL2-R), indicative of T-lymphocyte activation, in chronic heart failure and unstable angina pectoris. Thirty patients affected by chronic heart failure (20 idiopathic and 10 ischemic cardiomyopathy) and 13 patients with unstable angina were evaluated. Twenty healthy individuals matched for age and gender were used as controls. A complete biochemical determination of indexes of myocardial damage including cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase (MB/CK) was performed. The results demonstrated that mean levels of sFas and sIL2-R were significantly increased in patients affected by chronic heart failure and unstable angina and were not associated with changes in renal function or with serum levels of cTnI. Highest values of sFas were found in NYHA class IV patients (IV NYHA class = 7.39 ± 0.52 vs. controls = 1.34 ± 0.12 ng/ml; P < 0.01) and more elevated in idiopathic than in ischemic cardiomyopathy (3.64 ± 0.40 vs. 1.82 ± 0.37 ng/ml; P < 0.01). Moreover, in chronic heart failure patients sFas and ejection fraction were negatively correlated (P = 0.01), whereas sFas and sIL2-R were positively correlated (P < 0.01). In unstable angina patients too, sFas and sIL2-R appeared to be correlated (P = 0.03); whereas sFas (angina group = 3.18 ± 0.39 vs. controls = 1.34 ± 0.12 ng/ml; P < 0.01) and sIL2-R (angina group = 0.46 ± 0.11 vs. controls = 0.00 UI/ml; P < 0.01) were higher in angina group than in controls. In most of the cases, the increase of sFas was associated with comparable changes in sIL2-R serum levels, indicating that the activation of Fas system is strictly associated with autoimmune–inflammatory reactions. This phenomenon, both in chronic heart failure and in unstable angina, occurs in the absence of biochemical evidences of myocardial damage and seems to parallel the activation of T cell. Soluble Fas could have a role in sustaining inflammatory response and in prolonging the detrimental effects correlated with it in chronic heart failure and angina pectoris.     

Skinfold thickness versus isotope dilution for body fat assessment during simulated microgravity: results from three bed-rest campaigns in men and women with and without countermeasures

Because body composition is altered during head-down bed rest (HDBR), body mass can not be used as an index of energy balance. Consequently diet allowances should not be based on body mass evolution but on fat mass changes. Though criticized, skinfold thickness (ST) is the costless, easiest and fastest method to use for such an objective. The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of body fat (%BF) estimated by ST with the isotope dilution of H₂¹⁸O. We compiled data from three HDBR campaigns, one on women (n=8) in November 1998 and two on the same men (n=8) in December 1997 (without countermeasure) and January 1998 (with thigh-cuffs countermeasure), according to a crossover design. Body composition was assessed before and after 6 days of HDBR. %BF was derived from the biceps, triceps, sub-scapular and sup-iliac ST according to Durnin and Wormersly (1974). Fat-free mass was measured on the same day by H₂¹⁸O dilution and fat mass was calculated by the difference with body mass and expressed as a percentage. Based on precision tests, the minimum measurable change by ST was 1.1%BF for single measurement point. Both intercepts (F _4,30=0.89, P=0.45) and slopes (F _4,30=0.74; P=0.57) of the ST versus dilution relationships were not affected by the periods (December vs January), experimental conditions (control vs HDBR vs HDBR + thigh cuffs) or sex allowing the derivation of a common relationship %BF_st=0.94 × %BF_dil (F _1,47=97.9, P<0.0001; non-significant intercept excluded) with a bias between methods of −1.7±2.0 %BF (95% CI: −5.8, 2.4 %BF). ST can be used to measure %BF during HDBR provided great care is placed on training and changes are higher than 1.1 %BF. If the method can be applied for in-flight energy balance monitoring given the high observed energy deficit, a tight monitoring of the individual nutritional status as needed during simulation appears, however, dubious based on this solely method.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among women at reproductive age at a German university hospital

BACKGROUND: Mother to infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents a major factor in maintaining chronic infection and depends on the degree of maternal infectivity status. OBJECTIVES: To examine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in women at reproductive age admitted to the Department of Gynaecology at a German university hospital. STUDY DESIGN: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 5518 women at reproductive age was examined, HBsAg-positive samples were tested for additional HBV markers to verify the infection status. RESULTS: Out of 5518 samples from women at reproductive age, 88 women (1.59%) were positive for HBsAg and 7 of these HBV-positive women (7.95%) were additionally positive for HBeAg. The majority of the study population were German citizens, however most HBV infected persons originated from countries with a high HBV prevalence. The HBV seroprevalence in our study group is about two times higher compared to the average seroprevalence in the German citizen adult population, thus probably resulting in an underestimation of the infection rate in a multinational setting. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for HBsAg during pregnancy is still necessary and important for reduction of perinatal HBV transmission even in countries with low HBV prevalence.     

γ射线低温辐照对胶原膜体外稳定性和细胞相容性的影响

低温下,胶原膜经γ射线辐照改性,采用剂量率为22 KG y/h,辐照剂量分别为15、25、35 KG y。测定辐照前后胶原膜抗胶原酶酶解能力,对胶原膜的体外稳定性进行了初步评价,结合红外光谱分析对辐照改性机理进行了探讨。结果表明,在实验所设计的条件下,辐照改性后胶原膜的交联度及稳定性均增加。采用M TT法结合扫描电镜观察,对辐照后胶原膜的细胞相容性进行了研究,表明在一定的辐照剂量范围内(<25 KG y),辐照对胶原膜的细胞相容性没有明显的影响。当超过一定剂量后,辐照改性将在一定程度上影响胶原膜的细胞相容性。     

Size distribution and In vitro translation of the RNAs isolated from turnip yellow mosaic virus nucleoproteins

Purified preparations of TYMV contain a number of minor nucleoprotein components distinguishable on the basis of their density in CsCl gradients (R. E. F. Matthews, Virology12, 521–539, 1960). When analysed by polyacrylamide-gel eletrophoresis, the RNA from each of these various components was found to consist of a characteristic set of molecular-weight species. Full-size RNA (2 × 10⁶ daltons) was present only in nucleoproteins B₁ and B₂. Nucleoproteins B₀, B₀₀, and B₀₀₀ contained RNAs ranging in size from approx 1.3 to 0.28 × 10⁶ daltons. The 0.28 × 10⁶-dalton RNA species was detectable in all nucleoprotein fractions, but was a significant proportion of the RNAs of B₀₀₀ and B₀₀. Translation of the RNA from each of the nucleoproteins in the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesizing system yielded essentially similar patterns of polypeptides which ranged in size from 5000 to 70,000 daltons. The major radioactive product migrated on SDS-polyacrylamide gels to the same position as TYMV coat protein. The data suggest that the 0.28 × 10⁶-dalton RNA component is the cistron for coat protein, and that it and other RNAs associated with TYMV infection are encapsidated.     

基于真实头模型的EEG参考电极标准化技术

目的 :研究基于真实头模型的参考电极标准化技术并验证它的有效性。方法 :基于真实头模型的等效源技术 ,建立了由以头表某点或平均电位为参考点的实际记录近似得到以无穷远点为参考的记录的方法。由于无穷远点的电位可假设为常数零 ,因此可称该方法为真实头模型的参考电极标准化技术 (REST)。对真实头模型全空间内任意位置的源的实际头表记录进行REST处理 ,然后计算经REST处理后的近似记录与以无穷远点为参考的记录之间的相对误差 ,以此检验该技术的有效性。结果 :对于真实头模型REST是有效的 ,尤其对重要的表层皮质区域更为有效 ,它的应用可以降低因非零的参考电位而引入头表记录的干扰。结论 :采用参考电极标准化技术能得到更真实的脑电 (EEG)记录 ,从而可能对脑电的应用产生重要的影响。     

Angled aorta ("sigmoid septum") as a cause of hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

Review of the hearts of seven patients in whom hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy had been diagnosed by the usual clinical and morphologic criteria revealed diminished angles between the interventricular septa and ascending aortas in three cases. The angles in these three hearts were 90 to 110 degrees, as compared with a mean value of 145 degrees in the other four hearts with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and 140 +/- 14 degrees in 55 control hearts. None of the patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenoses and angled aortic roots died of the heart disease, and none had either asymmetric ventricular hypertrophy or evidence of familial cardiomyopathy. It is proposed that in patients with angled aortic roots and left ventricular hypertrophy, subaortic obstruction may develop due to narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract, resulting in clinical and morphologic findings of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. In hearts with angled aortic roots the top of the ventricular septum is tipped toward the mitral valve, rather than tapered toward the aorta, as in normal hearts. This configuration narrows the outflow tract of the left ventricle and can result in systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, the illusion of asymmetric septal hypertrophy when studied by M-mode echocardiography, a subaortic pressure gradient, and a subaortic endocardial plaque. This less serious form of hypertrophic subaortic stenosis should be distinguished from other forms of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.