Pleural abrasion via axillary thoracotomy in the era of video assisted thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND--Recurrent episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax can be managed medically or surgically by various methods, video assisted thoracoscopy being the latest and most attractive. METHODS--A retrospective analysis was made of 43 pleural abrasions performed in 39 patients through a 4-6 cm axillary thoracotomy incision. RESULTS--There were no deaths and complications were few. At a mean follow up of 33 months there were two recurrences, neither of which required drainage. CONCLUSIONS--Compared with results achieved with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, open pleural abrasion via a small thoracotomy may be the treatment of choice in most hospitals.     

The CCK-A receptor antagonist, devazepide, blocks the anorectic action of CCK but not peripheral serotonin in rats.

A role has been proposed for cholecystokinin (CCK)-A-type receptors in mediating the anorectic action produced by serotonergic stimulation in rats. We examined the effect of pretreatment with the CCK-A antagonist devazepide (DVZ) on anorexia produced by peripheral administration of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] or CCK-8 in 3-h food-deprived rats consuming a 30-min test meal of sweetened mash. The anorectic effect of CCK-8 (4.0 nmol/kg, IP) was antagonized in a dose-dependent manner by DVZ (0.03, 0.10, and 0.30 mumol/kg, IP), with even the lowest dose producing a significant reversal. Under identical testing conditions, a supramaximal dose of DVZ (.75 mumol/kg) did not attenuate the reductions in food intake produced by either a moderate (4.0 mumol/kg) or a high dose (10.0 mumol/kg) of 5-HT. These data confirm established findings that the anorectic action of peripheral CCK depends upon CCK-A receptors. However, peripherally administered 5-HT reduces food intake independently of CCKergic function.     

Tumor vascular signals in renal masses: detection with Doppler US

The vascularity of 49 renal masses (26 malignant and 23 benign lesions) was investigated with duplex Doppler ultrasound. Doppler signals obtained at the margins of renal masses were defined as "tumor signals" when the Doppler-shifted frequency of the lesion exceeded the frequency shift in the ipsilateral main renal artery. These exceeded 2.5 kHz with a 3-MHz insonating frequency. Among the 26 renal masses that subsequently proved to be malignant, tumor signals were obtained in 15 of 18 (83%) untreated renal cell carcinomas, in three of four Wilms tumors, and in two patients with metastases to the kidney, but not in the one patient with lymphoma. None of the 23 benign renal masses demonstrated tumor signals. Tumor vascularity in malignant lesions gives rise to abnormal, high-velocity, Doppler-shifted signals that can help in the differential diagnosis of renal masses.     

Detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in human fragmented embryos

In human in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer, the in-vitro culture environment differs from in-vivo conditions in that the oxygen concentration is higher, and in such conditions the mouse embryos show a higher concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in simple culture media. ROS are believed to cause damage to cell membranes and DNA fragmentation in somatic cells. This study was conducted to ascertain the level of H2O2 concentration within embryos and the morphological features of cell damage induced by H2O2. A total of 62 human oocytes and embryos (31 fragmented, 15 non-fragmented embryos, 16 unfertilized oocytes) was obtained from the IVF-embryo transfer programme. The relative intensity of H2O2 concentrations within embryos was measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate by Quanti cell 500 fluorescence imaging and DNA fragmentation was observed with transmission electron microscopy and an in-situ apoptosis detection kit. The H2O2 concentrations were significantly higher in fragmented embryos (72.21 +/- 9.62, mean +/- SEM) compared to non-fragmented embryos (31.30 +/- 3.50, P < 0.05) and unfertilized oocytes (30.75 +/- 2.67, P < 0.05). Apoptosis was observed only in fragmented embryos, and was absent in non-fragmented embryos. Electron microscopic findings confirmed apoptotic bodies and cytoplasmic condensation in the fragmented blastomeres. We conclude that there is a direct relationship between increased H2O2 concentration and apoptosis, and that further studies should be undertaken to confirm these findings.      

A Hodgkin cell-specific antigen is expressed on a subset of auto- and alloactivated T (helper) lymphoblasts

A Hodgkin cell-specific antigen detected by the monoclonal antibody Ki- 1 was found on T helper lymphocytes after activation by autologous and allogeneic stimulator cells. About 50% of lymphoblasts generated by auto- and alloactivation reacted with the antibody. In contrast, only less than 6% of lymphoblasts stimulated with Con-A, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), or protein A, and none of lymphoblasts activated by oxidative mitogenesis, expressed this antigen. Among several permanent cell lines tested, the K562, MOLT-4, HL-60, and EBV transformed B lymphoblastoid cells reacted with the Ki-1 antibody. The results may indicate possible relationships between the autoreactive subset of T lymphocytes and the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease.