Differential generation of class I H-2D- versus H-2K-restricted cytotoxicity against a demyelinating virus following central nervous system infection

Despite the fact that both H-2K and D molecules are up-regulated in the central nervous system (CNS) following Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection, resistance in this virus model of multiple sclerosis maps exclusively to D. To address this paradox, we examined the ability of the K and D molecules to present viral antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Whereas no virus-specific CTL were detected in the CNS of susceptible B10.Q and B10.S mice 7 days post-infection, D-restricted CTL were identified readily in the CNS of resistant B10 animals. There was no evidence of K-restricted CTL in the CNS of B10 mice at day 7 post-infection. The presence of both K- and D-restricted virus-specific CTL in the spleen of immunized B10 mice demonstrates that the exclusive use of D molecules by CTL in the CNS of mice 7 days post-infection is not due to the inability of the K molecules to present viral peptides to lymphocytes. We conclude that the prominent role of the D locus in determining resistance or susceptibility to TMEV-induced demyelination is determined by factors governing the regulation of the immune response, and not by the presence or absence of CTL precursors capable of recognizing viral peptides presented by the K and D antigen-presenting molecules, or by differences in the ability of the K and D molecules to present viral peptides.     

Recurrent cerebral venous infarcts and superior vena cava obstruction: case report

Abstract We report a patient with repeated venous infarcts in the occipital lobe and occlusion of the superior vena cava. The pathogenetic relationships between the superior vena cava occlusion and the brain infarcts are discussed. High pressure in the superior venous territory and incomplete patency of the transverse sinus are probably responsible for the venous infarcts. Received: 12 July 1996 Accepted: 27 August 1996     

Decreased [H]hemicholinium binding to high-affinity choline uptake sites in aged rat brain

The binding of [³H]hemicholinium ([³H]HCh-3) to sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake sites provides a useful neuroanatomical and functional marker of the cholinergic system. We examined the autoradiographic distribution of [³H]HCh-3 binding sites in the forebrain of young (4–6 months) and old (32 months) rats. There was a widespread reduction of [³H]HCh-3 binding site density in the aged rat brain. This loss presented regional differences with maximal reduction in the medial and posterior striatum (55%) and in the dentate gyrus (47%), in limbic areas such as basolateral amygdala, tubercle olfactorium and piriform cortex the autoradiographic signal was about 25–30% lower. In aged hippocampus and cerebral cortex the density of [³H]HCh-3 binding sites was about 40% lower, the difference between young and senescent animals being less evident in the medial septum and basal nucleus. No significant alterations were observed in interpeduncular nucleus from old rats. These data are in agreement with the functional results obtained by measuring other cholinergic parameters in the aged rat and confirm the vulnerability of cholinergic system during aging     

Management of Patients After Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia

The management of patients after catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia is not well defined. In this article we summarize recently published results and report our own experience. Factors influencing the clinical outcome of these patients and methods to identify patients with an increased risk of recurrence of ventricular tachycardia are discussed. Furthermore, a review is given on current concomitant therapeutic tools including antiarrhythmic drugs and the implantation of an automatic cardioverter defibrillator.     

Use of an Implantable Catheter System for Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract: To check the efficiency of intraperitoneal chemotherapy of ovarian carcinomas, 15 patients were treated with instillations of mitoxantrone or cisplatinum. An implantable catheter system was used to access the abdominal cavity. Local therapy proved to be without any effect when large tumor masses were treated. Patients with small tumor residues after surgery did not benefit either, partly because of extraperitoneal progress of the disease. Patients without evidence of disease proved to be stable. Side effects of the therapy were usually mild compared with those of systemic chemotherapy. Access to the peritoneal cavity with the implantable catheter proved to be safe and reliable.     

In vitro evaluation of ablation parameters of normal and fibrous aorta using smooth excimer laser coronary angioplasty

A modified exeimer laser energy delivery system was used to irradiate 100 segments of normal and fibrous aorta in vitro. The laser beam was scanned into 8 fiber bundles consisting of 50 fibers each resulting in a reduction of the applied pulse energy. The total repetition rate was increased to 150 Hz in order to keep the repetition rate per fiber bundle close to 20 Hz and to minimize thermal injury. The results demonstrate that effective ablation (etch rate per 8 pulses > 2.0 μm) occurred at an energy fluency of 50 mJ/mm² in both normal and fibrous aorta. Tissue damage (carbonization, tissue separation, fissures, cracks, and vacuolization) was in a range of 100 ± 28 to 152 ± 30 μm for normal aorta and in a range of 57 ± 35 to 110 ± 39 μm for fibrous aorta. We conclude that effective ablation of normal and fibrous human aorta can be achieved by the application of smooth excimer laser coronary angioplasty. This improvement of excimer laser technology may result in a reduction of shock wave- and cavitation-induced damage leading to a reduction of tissue injury. However, this awaits further in vitro and in vivo confirmation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

国产Fogarty气囊导管对犬腹主动脉壁损伤的超微结构观察

为探讨国产Fogany导管的气囊直径大小及导管通过血管腔次数多少与动脉管壁急性损伤的关系,本文以14条犬为对象,研究了当Fogany导管气囊直径分别等于血管直径的1、1.5及2倍、导管通过血管腔1、2及3次时,该导管对犬腹主动脉壁所致的超微结构损伤改变。结果显示:气囊直径愈大,导管通过血管腔次数愈多,气囊对动脉内膜及肌层的损伤愈重;从轻微的内皮细胞损伤至内皮及内皮下组织的全部剥脱,以及中膜层平滑肌细胞受损,但大多数损伤局限于内膜层。本研究为此种国产Fogany气囊导管应用于临床提供了实验依据。     

Epidemiology and clinical manifestation of HIV infection in Northern Zaire

1275 patients were evaluated for HIV-1+2 seroprevalence and its association with clinical symptoms of HIV infection. Of 667 apparently healthy subjects, 8.2% had anti-HIV-1 antibodies. In 465 patients with clinical signs of AIDS, 39.4% were seropositive. 143 patients with miscellaneous symptoms had positive predictive values for HIV infection between 67% (vaginal ulcerations) and 20% (profound pyogenic abscesses). The WHO definition for AIDS had a specificity of 78.3%, a sensitivity of 72.2% and a predictive value of 61.6%.