Identification of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) secreting cells and other cell types using antibody to HCG and a new monoclonal antibody (mABlu-5) in cultures of human placental villi

Summary We have identified cells which secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) of cultures if first trimester placental villi. As a first step, we identified epithelial cells using a new monoclonal antibody. We then added HCG antibodies to the cultured cells. We found that syncytiotrophoblast (and not cytotrophoblast), Hofbauer cells and some mesenchymal cells stained with HCG antibodies.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori on ectopic gastric mucosa of Meckel's diverticulum in children after meckelectomy

Ninety-two children underwent meckelectomy in our department over the 10-year period 1981–1990. All histologic speciments of Meckel's diverticula were studied, most of them retrospectively, for evidence of active inflammation or ulceration in any ectopic gastric mucosa present and specifically searching for Helicobacter pylori (HP). Thirty-eight (group A) were excised as being responsible for the main clinical symptoms while 54 (group B) were resected incidentally. Ectopic gastric mucosa was found in 19 cases, 18 in the symptomatic group and 1 in the incidental group. In the 18 cases belonging to group A histologic findings indicating gastritis due to HP were present. Combined operative and laboratory findings in all 92 cases indicated that HP colonizes gastric mucosa electively and leads to infection, which seems to be responsible for the clinical symptoms of meckelitis.Presented at the 15th Annual International Meeting of Greek Association of Pediatric Surgeons, Porto Hydra, Greece, 27–30 September 1990     

The combination oral and nutritional treatment of late-onset diabetes mellitus (CONTROL DM) trial results.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of short-term improvements in glycaemic control on brachial artery endothelial function as a marker of cardiovascular health. METHODS: Persons with Type 2 diabetes who were poorly controlled on oral therapy were randomly assigned to monotherapy with repaglinide or combination therapy with repaglinide plus metformin. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation was assessed by ultrasonography at randomization and following 16 weeks of therapy. The primary outcome was change in brachial artery endothelial function from baseline. Comparison of randomized groups was a secondary aim. RESULTS: Eighty-six participants were randomized, and 83 were followed to study completion. Post occlusion brachial artery vasodilation was 3.74% at baseline and 3.82% following 16 weeks of therapy (P = 0.77). The treatment effect was 0.08% (95% CI: -0.48%, 0.64%). No difference was seen between treatment groups (P = 0.69). Overall, A1C was reduced from 8.3% to 7.0%, with a greater reduction in the combination therapy group (from 8.4% to 6.7%) than in the monotherapy group (from 8.3% to 7.3%, p for difference between groups = 0.01). Statistically significant reductions were observed in fasting glucose, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Statistically significant increases were observed for fasting insulin, uric acid, weight and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Brachial artery endothelial function was not influenced by short-term improvements in glycaemic control. The CONTROL DM group was successful in lowering A1C. Future research should explore more intensive and longer-lasting improvements in glycaemic control on endothelial function. Some data previously published in abstract form (Diabetes 2001; 50 (Suppl. 2): A217).     

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia due to laparoscopic gastric banding

A patient developed a huge diaphragmatic hernia following laparoscopic gastric banding. Almost the entire stomach was incarcerated within the left chest. Segmental necrosis of the greater curvature of the stomach necessitated partial gastrectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. The etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this previously undescribed complication of laparoscopic gastric banding are addressed in relation to the present case.     

TH胶胃冠状静脉栓塞术治疗门脉高压症

11例TH胶胃冠状静脉栓塞术临床治疗结果表明:(1)11例中的4例急性上消化道大出血患者均在12h左右出血基本停止,随访近一年未再发生出血现象。(2)10例半年后复查肝功能均有不同程度改善。(3)一年后复查食道钡餐透视X线平片发现8例患者食道静脉曲张有不同程度减轻。(4)11例中1例因术中急性肝功能衰竭死亡。因此我们认为此术式操作简便,手术创伤小、较易推广,是治疗门脉高压症合并食管胃底静脉曲张出血的一种有效方法。     

Structural and ultrastructural characteristics of human pineal gland,and pineal parenchymal tumors

We have studied 20 pineal parenchymal tumors (PPT) and 4 normal or cystic pineal glands both by light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry with antibodies against glial markers [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and protein S-100] or neural/neuroendocrine markers [neurofilaments (NF), synaptophysin and chromogranin A]. Light microscopy revealed the cellular organization of pinealocytes in the normal gland and in different morphological types of pineal tumors (typical pineocytomas, PPT with intermediate differentiation, mixed PPT exhibiting elements of both pineocytoma and pineoblastoma and pineoblastomas). Immunohistochemistry showed the presence of GFAP and protein S-100 in interstitial cells in nonneoplastic pineal gland. Cell processes were labeled with anti-synaptophysin and anti-NF antibodies. No immunoreactivity was found for chromogranin A in non-neoplastic pineal gland. In pineocytomas, GFAP and protein S-100 were observed in interstitial cells. Synaptophysin and NF were present in the large rosettes of pineocytomas. Synaptophysin, NF and chromogranin A were present in pineocytomas with a lobular arrangement of cells. Anti-chromogranin A immuno-reactivity was also seen in lobular areas of some PPT with intermediate differentiation. Analysis of normal human pineal gland by electron microscopy showed the presence of vesicle-crowned rodlets (VCR or synaptic ribbons), fibrous filaments (F), paired twisted filaments but few dense-core vesicles (DCV) in normal pinealocytes. Tumoral pineal cells appeared to differentiate either towards a neurosensory pathway characterized by the presence of sensory cells elements (VCR and F), or towards a neuroendocrine pathway, with the occurrence of many DCV. Immunogold labeling demonstrated the presence of chromogranin A in neurosecretory granules.Supported by grants from the Région Rhône Alpes and from INSERM (CJF 90-10)     

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric emptying of solids in humans

Helicobacter pylori has been implicated in a number of upper gastrointestinal illnesses. In a controlled study, we have investigated the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric emptying of solids in two groups of patients with chronic symptoms of dyspepsia. In the first group, 19 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and H. pylori infection underwent a standard test of gastric emptying after ingestion of 500 μCi of Tc-labelled chicken liver. The results were compared to a control group of 16 uninfected volunteers. We also studied a second group of 20 patients with previously diagnosed idiopathic gastroparesis for the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its relationship to symptom severity and rates of gastric emptying. In the first group of patients, the half-time of gastric emptying was significantly less among the infected patients compared to the uninfected volunteers (108 ± 9 vs. 142 ± 14 min, P < 0.05). In the second group of patients with gastroparesis, the prevalence of H. pylori was not significantly different among these patients than among 21 age and sex matched controls (20% vs. 38%, P = 0.32). Gastric emptying was markedly slow in all 20 patients in the second group but less so among the four with H. pylori infection. Symptom scores were no different between infected and uninfected patients. We conclude that H. pylori infection is not associated with abnormally slow gastric emptying. On the contrary, gastric H. pylori infection appears to be associated with mildly accelerated emptying of solids compared to normal controls. Idiopathic gastroparesis and dyspepsia related H. pylori infection are separate but sometimes overlapping disorders.     

Dual origin of the left circumflex coronary artery: A case report

We describe a patient with two separate vessels having different origins supplying the circumflex coronary artery distribution. This represents a previously undescribed coronary artery anomaly.     

Human spumaretrovirus antibody reactivity in multiple sclerosis

The role of human spumaretrovirus (HSRV) infections in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was investigated with recombinant HSRV env-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The presence of HSRV antibodies was determined in pairs of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 60 MS patients. In 7 of these patients serial serum and CSF samples were obtained in relation to the clinical activity of the disease during a period of 2 years. No increased antibody reactivity was demonstrable in the MS population compared with 14 aseptic meningitis patients, 50 blood donors and 16 healthy controls. Slightly elevated levels of antibodies were demonstrable in serum and/or CSF in 4 MS patients but also in 1 patient with aseptic meningitis, 1 blood donor and 1 child. No marked serum or CSF HSRV antibody fluctuation was observed in the MS patients followed longitudinally. Thus, this study does not support the involvement of HSRV in the pathogenesis of MS.     

Acute volaemic changes modify the gastroduodenal resistance to the flow of saline in anaesthetized dogs

The effect of acute and sequential volaemic changes on the gastroduodenal flow of saline was assessed in 23 anaesthetized dogs following two different experimental protocols. Hypervolaemia, by i. v. infusion of saline, induced a gradual decrease on gastroduodenal flow which amounted to 76% below control values (P < 0.001) when volaemic expansion attained 5% of body weight. This effect was volume dependent (17% increase on gastroduodenal flow per volume of infused saline equivalent to 0.5% of body weight, P < 0.001), lasted for at least 90 minutes after infusion was completed and was also obtained by expanding previously bled animals. Hypovolaemia due to bleeding was followed by an increase on gastroduodenal flow of about 88% above control values (P < 0.05) when haemorrhage was equal to 3% of body weight. This effect was also volume dependent (23 % increase on gastroduodenal flow per volume of blood shed equivalent to a 0.5% of body weight, P < 0.01) and was reversed after blood volume was restored. These modifications in the resistance of the gastroduodenal segment to the flow of liquid due to acute volaemic changes suggest that the extracellular fluid volume modulates the contractile activity of the gastroduodenal portion of the gut possibly to set a gastroduodenal handling of liquid adequate to cope with volaemic imbalances.