IgA antiendomysium antibodies in human umbilical cord sections as a screening test in relatives of patients with celiac disease

We performed the serum IgA antiendomysium antibody (EmA) assay by indirect immunofluorescence on human umbilical cord sections in 86 subjects with celiac disease, in 187 first-degree relatives of such patients, and in a control group of 68 unrelated subjects, to investigate the suitability of the method in the screening of populations at risk of gluten sensitivity. Conventional EmA assay using monkey esophagus sections was performed in parallel experiments. The results obtained showed a perfpect correlation between the two methods. All the celiac patients and none of the controls were positive for EmA. EmA positivity was also observed in 11 apparently healthy relatives: intestinal biopsy performed in five of them invariably showed villous atrophy and increase of mucosal lymphocytes. Taking into account the low cost of EmA assay on human umbilical cord, especially when compared to monkey esophagus sections, the method is probably suitable and effective in identifying latent, asymptomatic gluten sensitivity in at-risk populations.     

Early onset Alzheimer's disease in a South American pedigree from Argentina

We report the clinical, SPET, immunohistochemical and DNA features of an early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) in an Argentine pedigree of South American indian ethnic background. Pedigree spans 5 generations comprising more than 110 biological relatives. Clinical data supported the diagnosis of early onset FAD (mean age at onset 38.9 years) in 10 family members, including 3 with pathological confirmation (mean age at death 48.5). The pattern of transmission suggested autosomal dominant inheritance. Prominent features were mood changes, early language impairment, myoclonus, seizures and cerebellar signs. SPET displayed bilateral frontal, temporo-parietal and cerebellar hypoperfusion in early stages and in an asymptomatic member at risk, suggesting that SPET may have predictive value in this family. Immunohistochemistry showed β amyloid deposits within neuritic plaques and vessel walls and no anti-PrP immunoreactivity. DNA analysis showed no abnormalities in the β amyloid precursor protein gene. The identification of additional genetic defects in well characterized independent FAD pedigrees will contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.     

Giving up driving in Alzheimer's disease—an integrative therapeutic approach

For patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), a recommendation to stop operating a motor vehicle can be a serious event complicated by a loss of self-esteem and personal dignity. Patients are often reluctant to give up an activity so essential, both practically and symbolically, to independent living. We describe here a patient with moderately progressed AD who lacked insight of his need to cease driving. Through an integrative treatment approach, combining behavioral and psychodynamic modalities, we helped him to formulate effective ways of coping with his loss of access to independent transportation. We favor a psychotherapeutic strategy that combines behavioral and managerial measures with dynamic patient interaction, thereby developing the patient's insight of the need to give up driving while fostering his sense of autonomy.     

胸部高分辨率CT检查技术的临床应用

笔者对５０例肺部疾病胸部常规ＣＴ和高分辨率ＣＴ（ＨＲＣＴ）图像进行了对照分析。其中特发性肺间质纤维化（ＩＦＰ）８例，肺转移癌５例，支气管扩张１５例，慢性阻塞性肺气肿１５例，周围型肺癌７例，结果表明：ＨＲＣＴ在ＩＦＰ、支气管扩张和肺气肿的显示明显优于常规ＣＴ（Ｐ＜０．００１），在对肺部原发或转移性肿瘤的显示能提供更多的诊断信息。笔者还讨论了ＨＲＣＴ的检查技术和图像后处理，分析了影响ＨＲＣＴ的若干因素，指出通过缩小视野（ＦＯＶ），减少象素做图像的重建放大显示肺部局部结构更为清楚方便，应灵活运用。     

贫血患者血清红细胞生成素浓度的测定及临床意义

用小鼠胎肝细胞体外血浆凝块培养红系集落(Erythroid colong formig unit inculturc,E-CFUc)方法,以红细胞生成素(Erythropoietin,EPO)850323为标准试剂,测定正常人、贫血病人血清EPO浓度。实验用妊娠13～15d小鼠胎肝细胞。血清均经透析处理,培养液中加量最大不超过10％。EPO(850323)在培养液中浓度为2.5～100mU/ml。血清EPO(mU/ml)测定结果:28例正常人为48.O±17.7,12例再生障碍性贫血病人为946～>10000,1例巨幼细胞性贫血病人为500,1例缺铁性贫血病人为400和18例慢性肾功能衰竭病人则为94.2±87.6。结果表明:贫血病因对血清EPO浓度有影响。     

左心室舒张(充盈)功能的影响因素

本文用X线电影摄影方法评价了49例左室舒张(充盈)功能的影响因素。冠心病(CAD)组23例,高血压病组12例,正常对照组14例。左室充盈功能或顺应性主要受冠脉病变严重程度的影响。冠脉狭窄程度越重,并有陈旧性心肌梗塞、室壁运动异常、EF下降,则充盈功能受损愈明显。血压、年龄因素对舒张充盈功能的影响较小。在CAD组中,心率与1/3充盈分数呈负相关,与正常化高峰充盈率(NPFR)不相关,而EF则与NPFR相关良好。     

Symptomatic liver cyst: Special reference to surgical management

We conducted a retrospective study of 14 patients with symptomatic liver cysts to evaluate current therapeutic interventions for this condition. Abdominal pain (n = 7) or abdominal mass (n = 5) were the most frequent presentations. Three patients also had renal cyst. Percutaneous aspiration with ethanol sclerotheraphy was carried out in 4 patients and all cysts so treated diminished in size, with relief of the symptoms. One patient was treated by aspiration only and re-retension occurred. Cystectomy was performed in 2 patients, unroofing in 5, and fenestration in 2 patients. All patients gained relief of symptoms, with no recurrence of symptoms. Computed tomography revealed that the cysts were diminished or were no longer observable after all the treatments. Our experience indicates that unroofing, fenestration, and cystectomy are safe and suitable procedures for treatment of the condition. Ethanol sclerotherapy may be a feasible alternative to surgical intervention in selected patients. Received for publication on July 23, 1997; accepted on Dec. 25, 1997     

实验性尘细胞灶与胸片细网状阴影形成的关系

本文从21只实验性矽肺家兔中筛选出5只胸片有细网状阴影者,用病理与 X 线对照观察的方法,探讨了实验性矽肺尘细胞灶与死后胸片细网状阴影形成的关系。证明,分布在肺细叶内直径约1mm 的尘细胞灶,其分布密度为113个/cm~2以上时,可构成胸片细网状阴影。实验排除了弥漫性肺间质纤维化的结论。并对胸片细网状阴影的形成从肺细叶解剖与 X 线投影进行了讨论。     

甲基强的松龙对低温保存大鼠肝脏的保护作用

应用Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠肝脏离体灌流模型，用ＣＭＵ—１号液，含有甲基强的松龙的ＣＭＵ—１号液，以及缺血前预用甲基强的松龙后再用ＣＭＵ—１号液分别对肝脏进行灌洗保存。检测ＬＤＨ、ＡＬＴ、肝组织匀浆ＳＯＤ活性和ＭＤＡ含量，并观察肝组织结构。结果表明：甲基强的松龙对低温保存的离体大鼠肝脏具有保护作用     

Research review: DNA polymerases as molecular markers of the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes

Hepatocyte regeneration has been widely investigated, with the mitotic index and the incorporation of [³H]thymidine being used as regeneration markers. We focused on the induction of DNA replication enzymes, particularly DNA polymerases (pol) α, δ, and ε. Using rat models, we have shown that the activity of pol α in crude liver extract well represents the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes. Using pol α as an indicator, we analyzed liver regeneration in rat models under various conditions: obstructive jaundice, external or internal biliary drainage, and the obstruction of portal vein branches. It has been revealed that the ligation of the common bile duct alone induces a certain amount of hepatocyte proliferation. It was striking that external biliary drainage suppressed regeneration capacity in cholestatic rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The strong regeneration in nonligated lobes induced by portal branch ligation was similar to the liver regeneration seen after partial hepatectomy with respect to the induction of DNA polymerases. Taken together, the aspects of DNA replication, particularly the induction of DNA polymerases, may contribute to shedding new light on the regeneration of human liver. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research and for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan, and by grants from the Uehara Memorial Foundation