Simultaneous flow cytometric detection of antibodies against platelets, granulocytes and lymphocytes

We present a time-saving and objective flow cytometric immunofluorescence assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against platelets, granulocytes or lymphocytes using a reconstituted mixture of these cell populations. Platelets, granulocytes and lymphocytes could be distinguished on the basis of their forward (FSC) and sideways (SSC) light scattering properties plotted on scales of 4 log orders. After setting FSC/SSC gates around the platelets, granulocytes and lymphocytes, the reactivity of the sera with the cell populations was determined by histogram analyses of immunofluorescence for each gate. The flow cytometric assay of reconstituted cell mixtures showed a strong, positive correlation with a reference microscopic immunofluorescence assay of separate cell suspensions. The reproducible procedures for the isolation and staining of the cells and the electronic stability of the flow cytometer permitted the use of the same gate and marker settings throughout the experiments. Consequently, the entire analysis of data stored in list mode could be performed using a keystroke, so that time consuming and subjective manual analyses were avoided.     

Blood volume and body fluid compartments in lambs with aortopulmonary left-to-right shunts.

A left-to-right shunt is accompanied by an increased plasma and blood volume. Since this is likely realized through renin/aldosterone-mediated salt and water retention, other body fluid compartments may be changed too. Therefore, we studied blood volume and body fluid compartments by a single-injection, triple-indicator dilution technique in nine 8-wk-old lambs with an aortopulmonary left-to-right shunt (55 +/- 3% of left ventricular output; mean +/- SEM) and in 11 control lambs, 2.5 wk after surgery. Systemic blood flow was maintained at the same level as in control lambs, but the aortic pressure of the shunt lambs was lower. Blood volume in shunt lambs was larger than in control lambs (110 +/- 6 vs. 84 +/- 7 ml/kg, P < 0.001) through an increase in plasma volume, which correlated significantly with the magnitude of the left-to-right shunt (r = 0.81, P < 0.01). Red blood cell volume was equal to that of control lambs. Evidence was obtained that the increase in plasma volume was induced by a transient increase in renin (8.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.2 nmol.l-1.h-1; P < 0.02) and aldosterone (0.51 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.09 nmol/liter) concentrations. Interstitial water volume, however, was not significantly different from that in control lambs. The amount of intravascular protein was significantly higher than in control lambs (5.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.2 g/kg body mass, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in intracellular and total body water volumes between the two groups. We conclude that the increased amount of intravascular protein confines the fluid retained by the kidneys to the vascular compartment.     

Short-Ti inversion-recovery pulse sequence: analysis and initial experience in cancer imaging

Inversion recovery (IR), commonly considered a pulse sequence capable of producing T1-weighted images with excellent display of normal anatomy, is versatile: The null point and peak time provide a useful, succinct summary of the properties of IR and its capacity for producing both T1- and T2-weighted images. Shortening of the inversion time (TI) and creation of a short-TI inversion-recovery (STIR) pulse sequence increases sensitivity to malignancy and other abnormalities by making the effects of prolonged T1 and T2 on signal intensity additive and by nulling the signal from fat. The authors examined over 300 patients with various malignancies and compared STIR images with T1- and T2-weighted images obtained at 0.5 T. In 43 cases, signal-difference-to-noise ratios (SD/Ns) were calculated between tumor, fat, and muscle. In general, STIR images demonstrated tumor as a conspicuously high-intensity area in a background of muted, discernible anatomic detail. The good contrast achieved with STIR sequences between tumor and fat (SD/N = 18.1) and tumor and muscle (SD/N = 12.9) consolidated into a single image the information contained separately on T1- and T2-weighted images, which facilitates efficient detection and localization of malignancy.     

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: findings at barium enema study and defecography

Sixteen cases of histopathologically proved solitary rectal ulcer syndrome were encountered. Fifteen patients underwent barium enema study; in nine cases the findings--including rectal stricture, granularity of the mucosa, and thickened rectal folds-were nonspecific. In six cases the study was normal. All patients had a long history of defecation disorders, and defecography was performed in all. In seven cases, intussusception of the rectal wall was seen; in another case the intussusception was accompanied by a rectocele. One case showed rectal prolapse. In four cases, failed relaxation of the puborectalis occurred and prevented the passage of the bolus; in another case there was abnormal perineal descent. In two patients studies were normal. In patients with defecation disorders, the possibility of this syndrome should be considered. Defecography is the method of choice for establishing the diagnosis.