Epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis in Sardinia, Italy (1958–1986)

From 1.1.1958 to 31.12.1986, 110 cases of MG were observed in Sardinia, with a mean annual incidence of 2.5 x 1,000,000 inhabitants and prevalence rates of 7.5, 17.6, 31.4 and 45.0 x 1,000,000 inhabitants respectively (prevalence days: 15.10.1961, 24.10.1971, 25.10.1981 and 31.12.1986). The disease was found to be more frequent in women. There were no differences in the distribution of MG in various areas of the island. The muscle group more frequently involved at onset was the ocular. In 6.4% of patients an association with thyroid disorders was observed. The mortality of MG patients was significantly higher than expected. Removal of the thymus, carried out in 58 patients, was shown to be useful in the treatment of the disease, particularly in patients without thymomas. No familial cases were observed.     

Fahr's disease in postthyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. A case report

The onset of Fahr's disease in a patient with postoperative hypoparathyroidism is described. The genesis of this rare pathological occurrence could be ascribed, in our opinion, to the combined action of "local" (precedent encephalic circulation disorders) and "general" factors (Ca and P metabolism disorders following postoperative hypoparathyroidism).     

Patient and partner perceptions about preventing genital herpes transmission

Research over the past decade has provided a new understanding of genital herpes transmission and measures that can reduce transmission risk. It is unclear, however, how those affected by genital herpes access and interpret this information to make decisions about risk behaviours. This study measured how people with genital herpes and their partners perceived prevention methods, barriers and facilitating factors, and information sources. Formative evaluation was conducted, and survey data were collected from visitors to four websites (n=1849). Results suggest that the prevention messages of refraining from sex during disease outbreaks and condom use have had the greatest reach. Misconceptions about the potential role of suppressive antiviral therapy for genital herpes prevention persist among a substantial percentage of respondents. Accurate information concerning transmission between outbreaks, the effectiveness of condoms and the role of antiviral medication is critical in preventing the spread of genital herpes.     

In vitro effects of drugs on production of mucins in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells expressing mucin gene

Rabbit tracheal epithelial cells, cultured on collagen-coated dishes in serumfree and hormone-supplemented medium, were found to incorporate [³H]glucosamine into high-molecular-weight components that were secreted in the medium. The chemical analysis of the secreted products resulted in a profile that resembled that of mucous glycoproteins (mucins). When examined by dot blot analysis, the total RNA isolated from these cells hybridized to an antisense 30-mer oligonucleotide corresponding to a rat intestine mucin peptide sequence, indicating that mucin gene was expressed in these cell lines. Lung and liver tissues of rabbit did not express this gene. Transmission electron microscopy exhibited secretory granules in these cells. The incorporation of [³H]glucosamine into mucins was inhibited by three aryl-N-acetyl-galactosaminides and a chemical carcinogen,N-nitroso-N-ethyl urea, whereas 5-azacytidine enhanced the proliferation of cells as well as the radiolabeling of mucins. Parasympathetic agent (pilocarpine), cholinergic antagonist (atropine), and-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol) alone have little effect on the secretion of mucins. The cholinergic agonist, methacholine, was found to increase the production of mucins and addition of atropine to the medium before methacholine blocked this stimulation. Histamine was found to stimulate mucin production in these cells.The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.     

Characterization of chimpanzee-hamster hybrids by chromosome painting

A panel of chimpanzee-human somatic cell hybrids was characterized by dual Alu-PCR of the chimpanzee DNA in the hybrid and subsequent hybridization of the labeled PCR products to human and chimpanzee chromosomes. In addition to the identification of the intact chimpanzee chromosomes retained in each hybrid, chromosome fragments were identified that will be useful in regional mapping. This technique also revealed the presence of centric inversions.     

Cryptosporidium parvum-specific CD4 Th1 cells from sensitized donors responding to both fractionated and recombinant antigenic proteins

T-cell-mediated immunity plays a central role in the host response to Cryptosporidium parvum. Human T-cell clones (TCC) were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of five healthy donors with prior cryptosporidiosis by use of a C. parvum crude extract, two antigen fractions obtained by ion-exchange chromatography (IEC1 and IEC2), and two recombinant peptides (SA35 and SA40) from C. parvum sporozoites. The T-cell lines derived from the one recently infected donor had a higher proportion (26 to 38%) of T cells exhibiting the gamma/delta T-cell receptor (gamma/delta-TCR) than those from donors who had recovered from cryptosporidiosis several years earlier, suggesting that the gamma/delta T-cell population is involved in the early stage of the infection. The specific TCC had the alpha/beta-TCR, had the phenotype CD45RO(+) CD4(+) CD8(-), and were characterized by either hyperproduction of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) alone, with a Th1 profile, or IFN-gamma hyperproduction together with interleukin-4 (IL-4) or IL-5 production, with a Th0 profile. SA35, SA40, IEC1, and IEC2 may be considered good targets of the cellular response against C. parvum and may play a role in maintaining the T-cell-mediated memory response to this parasite. Furthermore, the SA35 and SA40 peptides may be regarded as immunodominant antigens involved in the maintenance of the T-cell response in healthy C. parvum-sensitized persons.     

Enzyme- and immunohistochemical study of a case of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis

Summary A combined morphological, immunohistological, and enzyme histochemical analysis was performed on frozen and fixed lymph node tissue in a case of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL) using conventional histology, a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and a series of common haematological enzyme reactions. Histology showed multiple paracortical necrotizing foci which, in a prominently necrobiotic background devoid of granulocytes, contained large numbers of foamy histiocytes and macrophages intermingled with cells resembling degenerating plasmacytoid T-cells. Most of the histiocytes were alpha₁-antichymotrypsin positive and foamy cells were also distinctly Leu-M1 positive. Strong granular acid phosphatase (AP) positivity was present in the cytoplasm of the macrophages and histiocytes. The cells with plasmacytoid features showed weaker and homogeneously diffuse AP staining. Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity was much less striking than AP in the necrotizing foci and most of the ANAE negative cells corresponded to those with plasmacytoid features. No cells with B-cell lineage markers were present within the necrotizing foci; most of the occasional T-cells (Leu-1⁺, Leu-4⁺) present in the foci were Leu-2a⁺ (OKT8⁺) whereas OKT10⁺ lymphoid cells were abundant and appeared to correspond with the cells with plasmacytoid features. Our combined data confirm that the special type of necrosis found in HNL develops within foci of plasmacytoid T-cells undergoing regressive changes and apparently exhibiting distinct immunohistological and enzyme histochemical features.This study was supported in part by Grant n. 84.00525.44 from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Progetto Finalizzato Oncologia, Roma and by the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Milano