Immune response to immunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) prepared from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) or the HIV-1 external envelope glycoprotein (gp120)

In mice, immunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) prepared from HIV-1 B external envelope glycoprotein (gp120) induced 10-fold higher antibody titres than gp120 emulsified in depot adjuvant, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rhesus monkeys immunized with gp120 ISCOMs produced precipitating and virus neutralizing antibody titres equivalent to those seen in HIV-infected chimpanzees and humans. After multiple immunizations with HIV-1 B gp120 ISCOMs, a rhesus monkey developed a neutralizing response to the HIV-1 isolates RF and MN, but not to the CC isolate. Antisera from ISCOM-immunized rhesus monkeys recognized gp120 on the membranes of HIV-1 B-infected H9 cells, indicating the preservation of epitope structure in the ISCOMs matrix.     

POTASSIUM ACCELERATES URINARY SODIUM EXCRETION DURING SALT LOADING WITHOUT STIMULATING ATRIAL NATRIURETIC POLYPEPTIDE SECRETION

1. Effects of potassium (K) supplementation (100 mEq/day) on urinary sodium (Na) excretion and on the secretion of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) during salt loading (350 mEq/day) were studied in 12 healthy salt-resistant normotensives under strictly controlled metabolic ward conditions. 2. Urinary volume and Na excretion on the first day of the high salt period (HSP) were significantly greater in the K-supplemented group (KG) than in the control group (CG). 3. There was a significant gain in bodyweight after salt loading in both groups, with a significantly greater gain in CG on the second day of HSP. Haematocrit decreased significantly during salt loading in both groups, the degree of which was significantly greater in CG. 4. Plasma norepinephrine decreased significantly during salt loading in both groups, the degree of which was significantly less in KG than in CG. A significant increase in plasma ANP was observed in CG on and after the second day of HSP, while a significant increase in plasma ANP was observed on the fifth day of HSP in KG. 5. These findings indicate that K supplementation accelerates diuresis and natriuresis, resulting in moderate suppression of volume expansion induced by salt loading and that this accelerated diuresis and natriuresis is not a result of the action of ANP.     

Geometric analysis of the anterior mitral leaflet and mitral valve orifice in cadaveric hearts.

BACKGROUND: To establish the criteria for selecting a mitral annuloplasty ring of the correct size, the dimensions of the mitral valve orifice were analyzed in cadaveric hearts. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: From December 2000 to July 2006, the mitral valve diameter [DM (Obs)] and Z-values [DM (Z); standardized value based on Rowlatt's criteria], the angles of the trigones (theta Tg) and commissures (theta Com) and the intertrigonal distance [L (T)] were measured in 82 fresh cadaveric hearts from cases with variable causes of death (mean age 64.8+/-15.7 years; body surface area [BSA] 1.51+/-0.21 m2). DM (Obs), DM (Z) and L (T) were 2.8+/-0.5 cm, 1.16+/-0.98, and 1.8+/-0.2 cm, respectively. Theta Tg and theta Com averaged 76+/-13 and 121+/-11 degrees, respectively. There was a significant inverse linear relationship between DM (Z) and theta Tg [theta Tg =-10x DM (Z) +88] and a significant logarithmic correlation between L (T) and BSA [L (T) =0.54xLn (BSA) +1.55]. The anterior annular length and L (T) remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: In non-dilated cadaveric hearts, the trigones were located at one-quarter of the mitral annulus, so the appropriate length of the posterior annuloplasty band should be adjusted to L (T) x3.33.     

Clinical evaluation of cefmenoxime in internal medicine, with special reference to infection associated with hematological disorders

Clinical evaluation of cefmenoxime (CMX, Bestcall) was performed against infections associated with hematological, respiratory tract and other disorders. Clinical effectiveness of CMX against severe infections with hematological disorders including sepsis, pneumonia, pyelitis and so on was 74.4% for good responses and against the respiratory tract infections, 96.2% for good responses was obtained. Neither objective or subjective side effects nor extreme abnormalities in laboratory tests were observed in these patients. It can be concluded, therefore, that CMX is one of the most useful drugs against infectious diseases associated with hematological disorders, respiratory tract and other disorders.     

Duplication of part of 9q due to maternal 12;9 inverted insertion associated with pyloric stenosis

We report on a 9-month-old boy who had duplication of the long arm of chromosome 9 [46,XY, -12, +der(12) inv ins (12;9)(p13;q32q13)mat.]. The clinical manifestations of the patient were different from those seen in distal 9q duplication. Pyloric stenosis appears to be common in cases with proximal 9q duplications.     

Childhood multiple sclerosis and allied demyelinative diseases

We report five cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) and three cases of allied demyelinative diseases starting during childhood. Three of the MS patients presented with atypical initial symptoms, such as acute encephalitis or myelitis, making an early clinical diagnosis difficult. Ophthalmologic symptoms were noted in four of MS children, and in two with allied demyelinative diseases. Therefore, if a child shows ophthalmologic symptoms (i.e. optic neuritis, ophthalmoplegia), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be conducted for the differential diagnosis of MS and other demyelinative diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is not useful for the initial diagnosis of MS, because pleocytosis and increase of oligoclonal IgG band in cerebrospinal fluid are seen in both MS and other demyelinative disorders. However, neuron specific enolase (NSE) is slightly higher in the latter than in the former. T2-weighted MRI of multiple sclerosis showed multiple high intensity areas in the white matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum, capsula interna, and crus cerebri etc. Most of these lesions were clinically silent, being characteristic of MS. In two MS cases, however, initial MRI revealed no abnormal findings. Thus, the diagnosis of MS can not be made by initial MRI only.     

Protective effect of nitric oxide against iron-induced neuronal damage

We investigated the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on iron-induced neuronal damage. Incubation of PC12 cells after the addition of FeCl2 induced rapid increases (within 1 hr) in lipid peroxidation and a concentration (0.1-2 mM)-dependent decrease in cell viability at 48 hr, both of which were blocked by deferoxamine and 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-3-o ne hydrochloride (MCLA) (a superoxide scavenger) but not by mannitol (a hydroxyl radical scavenger). Iron-induced cytotoxicity was also antagonized by superoxide dismutase with catalase. On the other hand, the NO donors S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), 3-?(+/-)-(E)-ethyl-2'-[(E)-hydroxylamino]-5-nitro-3-hexenecarbo moyl?-pyridine (NOR-4), and 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bis-ethanamine (NOC-18) decreased cell viability 48 hr after addition without increasing lipid peroxidation. However, when added with 1 mM FeCl2, NO donors including NOC-18, SNAP and NOR-4 (0.1-1 mM) inhibited lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner and suppressed cell death at lower concentrations. Addition of MCLA and NOC-18 also suppressed decreases in iron-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation. In rat brain homogenate, NOC-18 and SNAP both suppressed iron-induced lipid peroxidation. These findings suggest that NO has a dual effect on neuronal viability and can act as an antioxidant which protects neurons from iron-induced damage.