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.     

Use of a Novel Pulse Dye Laser for Rapid Single-Pass Purpura-Free Treatment of Telangiectases

BACKGROUND Purpura-free elimination of telangiectases with a single pass of a pulsed dye laser with a large spot has proved difficult.
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this report was to define parameters that achieve single-pass purpura-free telangiectasia reduction.
MATERIALS Thirty patients between the ages of 23 and 78 years were treated with a pulsed dye laser with a 10-mm spot and fluences ranging from 9 to 10 J/cm². The macropulse width was 20 ms. Each macropulse was composed of eight pulselets. Treatments were carried out over facial areas with discrete telangiectases.
RESULTS Smaller telangiectases (<600 μm) showed transient bluing followed by stenosis. Larger vessels (600–10,000 μm) showed bluing but inconsistent closure. A second pass typically resulted in closure.
CONCLUSION A modified pulsed dye laser was capable of single-pass purpura-free reduction with a 10-mm spot size.     

Mechanisms whereby Lytic Granules from Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Damage Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

During immunological rejection of the transplanted heart, cytoloxic T lymphocytes (CTL) infiltrate the myocardium and by damaging the myocytes contribute to loss of function. To address one important aspect of heart transplant rejection, we investigated in guinea pig ventricular myocytes how CTL-derived lytic granules containing the pore-forming protein perform reduce the membrane potential ( V m) and cause cell damage. The reduction in V_M was biphasic; within 8.4 × 1.9 min V _M was reduced from a control value of -78.4 × 1.9 mV to -69.9 × 3.5 mV. Subsequently, within 6.7 × 2.1 min V _M declined to - 3.4 × 1.2 mV. associated with a progressive contracture. Under whole cell voltage clamp, in myocytes held at their resting potential (V_M= -76.2 × 0.9 mV), granules induced discrete inward current steps (resembling "single channel'activity), with a mean amplitude of - 86.8 × 1.4 pA and open times lasting from seconds up to several minutes. The mean conductance and reversal potential calculated from the linear regression analysis of the I-V relations were 1390 pS and - 6.8 mV. respectively. The probable non-selectivity of these "channels" and the resultant loss of membrane K⁺ selectivity can account for the reduction in V _M. At the same time, opening of these pores leads to Ca-⁺ overload, resulting in contracture and cell damage.     

Expression of BCL-2 in the developing human fetal and infant breast

The expression of BCL-2 protein was analysed in 10 fetal and 45 infant breast specimens by immunocytochemical staining of methacarn-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. In the developing fetal breast bud, BCL-2 was expressed in the basal cell layer and in the surrounding mesenchyme. Basal cells of epithelial buds destined to become hair follicles also expressed BCL-2 while the basal cell layer of the epidermis was negative. In infant breasts studied (aged 0–2 years), there was heterogeneous staining of the luminal epithelial cells of the ducts and lobules and no staining of myoepithelial cells or fibroblasts. The intensity of staining had a strong positive correlation with the age of the infant. Although the function of the bcl -2 gene in epithelial cells is unknown, these findings suggest that bcl -2 has a role in the morphogenesis of the human breast, and may help to sustain active epithelial-mesenchymal interaction by inducing longevity of certain cells.     

Inhibition of 3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorobiphenyl-Induced Chicken Embryotoxicity by 2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl

3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (pentaCB) caused a dose-dependentinduction of chicken embryolethality, malformations, edema,and liver lesions at doses ranging from 0.5 to 12.0 µg/kg.In contrast, no embryotoxicity was observed after treatmentwith 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB. In eggs cotreatedwith 2.0 µ/kg, 3,3',4,4',5-pentaCB plus 10, 25, or 50mg/kg 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB, there was significant protectionfrom 3,3',4,4',5-pentaCB-induced embryo malformations, edema,and liver lesions, whereas no inhibition of embryolethalitywas observed. These results further extend the response-specificnonadditive interactions of binary mixtures of polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs) and should be considered in the developmentof approaches for hazard assessment of PCB mixtures and relatedcompounds.     

Studies of the rate of production and life span of erythrocytes in acute leukemia

The rate of red cell formation and the red cell life span were determinedin six adult patients with acute myelogenous leukemia by the use of Fe⁵⁹,Cr⁵¹ and glycine-2-C¹⁴. One patient with acute monocytic leukemia wasstudied with Fe⁵⁹ alone.

Erythropoiesis was normal or increased in two patients, deficient in fourpatients and absent in one. The data indicate that in the cases of deficienterythropoiesis a decreased number of red cells were produced in the marrow, but that they were released at a rapid rate.

The red cell life span appeared to be normal in one patient, short but finitein four patients, and short owing to random destruction in one patient. Onestudy did not include the measurement of red cell life span.

The liver removed an abnormally large proportion of the plasma iron whenmarrow erythropoiesis was deficient.

The bone marrow examination may be an unreliable indicator of the rateof erythropoiesis.

Submitted on August 7, 1958 Accepted on February 21, 1959     

Studies of the production and life span of erythrocytes in myeloid metaplasia

1. Four patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and one patient withpolycythemia vera and myeloid metaplasia were studied with Fe⁵⁹, Cr⁵¹ andglycine-2-C¹⁴.

2. Three of the patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia had activesplenic, hepatic or renal erythropoiesis. One had deficient erythropoiesis.

3. The red cell life span was short in all of the patients with agnogenicmyeloid metaplasia, definite splenic sequestration occurring in two patients.The red cell life span was normal in the patient with polycythemia vera andmyeloid metaplasia.

4. The possible indications for splenectomy were discussed.

Submitted on July 25, 1958 Accepted on October 12, 1958     

Attachment in African American and European American older adults: The roles of early life socialization and religiosity

The significance of attachment relationships in later life has recently emerged as an important topic of study. Yet little attention has focused on attachment dynamics among older minority adults. This paper extends the literatures on ethnicity, attachment, and later life by examining attachment patterns in two large community-dwelling samples of older (65 + years) African American (n=671) and European American (n=447) adults. Data gathered during face-to-face interviews included demographic information, adult attachment, early rearing experiences, and current religiosity. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that adult attachment dimensions were differentially predicted by childhood socialization patterns and current religiosity. Significant ethnic differences in relations between adult attachment and childhood socialization practices also were found. The results highlight the importance of examining contextual differences in attachment in later life.