In situ saphenous vein bypass grafts: angiographic evaluation and interventional repair of complications

In situ saphenous vein grafts are being used with increasing frequency for bypass procedures involving the femoral and popliteal arteries. Complications of these procedures include anastomotic stenoses and persistent arteriovenous fistulae that may result in failure of the graft. Balloon angioplasty and embolotherapy with detachable balloons were employed successfully in three or four recent cases of patients with complications from in situ grafts. Tailored angiography is essential for evaluating in situ grafts, and interventional techniques are extremely useful for managing complications.     

Identification of the skin basement-membrane autoantigen in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an acquired chronic blistering disease of the skin, in which separation of the skin occurs in the basement-membrane zone between the epidermis and the dermis. There is evidence that blistering is initiated by an immune process. Using serum samples from nine patients as a source of antibodies, we have identified a major protein of the basement membrane of human skin that serves as the antigen (or target) for autoantibodies in this disorder. This previously unrecognized protein, which consists of two components of 290,000 and 145,000 daltons, is distinct from other known components of the basement membrane. These studies provide evidence that epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a specific disease that is different from other primary bullous diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris, and suggest that the basement-membrane component that has been identified may have a role in normal epidermal-dermal adherence.     

The effects of antioxidant supplementation during Percoll preparation on human sperm DNA integrity

The integrity of sperm DNA is crucial for the maintenance of genetic health. A major source of damage is reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; therefore, antioxidants may afford protection to sperm DNA. The objectives of the study were, first, to measure the effects of antioxidant supplementation in vitro on endogenous DNA damage in spermatozoa using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay and, second, to assess the effect of antioxidant supplementation given prior to X-ray irradiation on induced DNA damage. Spermatozoa from 150 patients were prepared by Percoll centrifugation in the presence of ascorbic acid (300, 600 microM), alpha tocopherol (30, 60 microM), urate (200, 400 microM), or acetyl cysteine (5, 10 microM). DNA damage was induced by 30 Gy X-irradiation. DNA strand breakage was measured using the comet assay. Sperm DNA was protected from DNA damage by ascorbic acid (600 microM), alpha tocopherol (30 and 60 microM) and urate (400 microM). These antioxidants provided protection from subsequent DNA damage by X-ray irradiation. In contrast, acetyl cysteine or ascorbate and alpha tocopherol together induced further DNA damage. Supplementation in vitro with the antioxidants ascorbate, urate and alpha tocopherol separately has beneficial effects for sperm DNA integrity.