Connective tissue of the livers of newborn and adult marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Immunofluorescence microscopic and electron microscopic investigations revealed components of the matrix and of the basal lamina (collagen type I, III, IV and V, BL-heparan sulfate and fibronectin) in the sinus wall (Disse's space) of the livers of newborn and adult marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Collagen type I was missing in both the two age groups. Small amounts of laminin were present in the livers of newborn and absent in those of adult animals, whereas collagen type III occurred in the form of delicate fibres. Light microscopic inspection showed a continuous distribution of all other components in the sinus wall. The amount of collagen type III and V increased depending on the age. Electron microscopic investigations revealed single or bundled fibrils (20-30 nm) and filaments (10-12 nm). After addition of tannic acid, plaques of a fine-filamentous network and incorporated granules were observed. After addition of resting Ruthenium Red, electron-dense granules (20-60 nm) were irregularly distributed in the structureless space, resting on collagenous fibrils and cell membranes. The fibrils were allocated to collagen type III, the filaments to collagen type V. The plaques were supposed to contain heparan sulfate, collagen type IV and fibronectin. The absence of a Lamina densa of the basal lamina was attributed to the absence of laminin which probably plays an important role in the formation of this layer. Differences in the distribution pattern of the matrix components and thus a functional mosaic of the permeability of Disse's space were assumed. The complete absence of collagen type I and laminin in the lobules makes the adult marmoset liver especially suited for studies on the importance of this collagen type under pathological conditions, since both components are expressed in this way.

[The distribution, characteristics and effects of ir-BNP in central and peripheral tissues in rat]

The present study first investigated the distribution, biochemical characteristics, receptor binding and biological effects of immunoreactive brain natriuretic peptide (ir-BNP), in the central nervous system and some peripheral tissues in rats, using highly specific radioimmunoassay, radioreceptor assay and immunohistochemical method. The results suggest that BNP may be a novel neurotransmitter or circulatory hormone, which is widely distributed in various tissues and involved in the regulation of water electrolyte balance and cardiovascular activity.

[Calcitonin gene-related peptide in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats]

Using specific radioimmunoassay, radioimmunoreceptor analysis and gel filtration, we found that calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) were distributed in various tissues of normotensive rat (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), the highest content was in the lumbar spinal cord (1197 +/- 94.8 pg/mg tissue), the lowest in the auricle (15.0 +/- 2.1 pg/mg tissue). Compared with WKY, the plasma CGRP concentration decreased and the CGRP content in abdominal aorta and hypothalamus increased in SHR. By gel filtration, it showed that only one major molecular form of CGRP was present in the tissues. The CGRP specific binding sites were present both in SHR and WKY hearts, but the number of CGRP binding sites in SHR heart was higher and the binding affinity lower than those in WKY heart. Besides, CGRP can reduce the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the SHR in a dose-dependent way. The above data indicated that CGRP may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and exert possibly a therapeutic effect on hypertension.

Ficoll-Hypaque leukocyte preparations from burned patients contain activated nonlymphoid cell populations that take up thymidine

Previously, we reported that Ficoll-Hypaque-purified leukocytes from burned patients were activated in vivo, even when the mitogen response of these cells was depressed. In these patients, the SBT (endogenous blastogenesis), but not the mitogen response predicted sepsis. The current experiments were performed to clarify why the SBT is increased even when mitogen-stimulated blastogenesis is impaired. We found that neither selective lymphocyte subpopulation (OKT3, T4, T8), nor macrophage depletion returned the increased SBT to normal and that by phenotype and flow cytometric morphology, the Ficoll-Hypaque-purified leukocyte preparations of the burned patients contained fewer lymphocytes than controls (p less than 0.001). Discontinuous Percoll gradients and sheep-RBC rosetting were used to determine the relative contribution of T cells and non-T cells to the increased SBT. These studies indicated that both T cells and non-T cells were activated; however, the non-T cells were primarily responsible for the increased SBT. Thus the peripheral blood of burned patients contains a large fraction of metabolically active non-mononuclear cells that cosediment with mature lymphocytes and could result in artifactual alterations in the assessment of lymphocyte function by in vitro tests.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

With the techniques of specific radioimmunoassay and gel filtration it was found that CGRP was distributed in various tissues of normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with the highest concentration in the lumbar spinal cord (1197 +/- 94.8 pg/mg tissue) and the lowest in the auricle (15.0 +/- 2.1 pg/mg tissue). In comparison with WKY, CGRP concentration in the plasma was decreased and in the abdominal aorta and hypothalamus was increased in SHR. Gel filtration revealed only one major CGRP molecular form in the tissues. In addition, CGRP reduced the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in SHR in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that CGRP may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and its possible therapy.

[Atrial natriuretic polypeptide in the human and rat spinal cord]

The widespread distribution of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) immunoreactive material was demonstrated in the human and rat spinal cord, using specific immunogold-silver staining technique and radioimmunoassay. Immunogold-silver staining studies showed that ANP immunoreactive neurons were quite prevalent in the human spinal cord. ANP immunoreactive neurons were largely found in the ventral horn and less in the dorsal and lateral horns. ANP immunoreactive material was absent with anti-ANP serum preabsorbed with ANP. In rats, radioimmunoassay demonstrated that ANP immunoreactive material was present in whole spinal cord. The highest concentration was found in the sacral spinal cord (21.9 +/- 4.48 ng/g tissue), the moderate in the lumbar (3.78 +/- 0.74 ng/g tissue) and the lowest in the cervical and thoracic (0.58 +/- 0.14 and 0.46 +/- 0.21 ng/g tissue, respectively). Gel chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC revealed multiple molecular forms in the rat spinal cord, but the main molecular form was the 28 amino acid rANP. In vivo study showed that ANP was released from the rat spinal cord by depolarizing concentration of potassium.

Opioids modulate human neutrophil and lymphocyte function: thermal injury alters plasma beta-endorphin levels

To investigate the role of opioids in the acquired immune dysfunctional state that occurs after burns or trauma, plasma beta-endorphin levels were measured serially in nine severely burned patients, and the effect of four different opioids on normal neutrophil and lymphocyte function was quantitated. The rationale for these studies is that the neuroendocrine system appears capable of interacting with and modulating immune function. The plasma levels of beta-endorphin increased to higher than normal during the first 36 hours after burn (15 versus 3.4 pmol/L, p less than 0.05) but quickly returned toward normal. Morphine had the most profound effect on in vitro neutrophil function; it decreased neutrophil chemotaxis but increased neutrophil bactericidal activity for Staphylococcus aureus, as well as resting and zymosan-stimulated oxygen consumption. Other opioids (naloxone, met-enkephalin, and beta-endorphin) had no direct effect on neutrophil chemotaxis or bactericidal activity. Both naloxone and met-enkephalin increased neutrophil oxygen consumption in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas beta-endorphin impaired neutrophil oxygen consumption. None of the opioids altered resting lymphocyte blastogenesis. The only opioid that impaired the ability of normal lymphocytes to respond to mitogen stimulation at physiologically relevant doses was beta-endorphin. These results, documenting that beta-endorphin levels are altered after thermal injury and that opioids can modulate normal neutrophil and lymphocyte function in vitro, support the concept that changes in neuroendocrine activity may occur and potentially alter immune function.

Anatomical analysis of the cause of skin necrosis of the great toe after transplantation of the great toe nail flap

Necrosis of skin on the medial side of the great toe has been a significant complication of the great toe nail flap. To investigate the reason for this, a study of the blood supply of the medial side of the great toe was carried out on 55 feet with the injection of red latex into the arteries and on 13 vascular cast specimens. It was found that, after the blood vessels from the plantar and dorsal sides of the great toe are severed during the operation, the skin of the medial side of the great toe is mainly supplied by the medial vascular network at the head of the first metatarsal bone. It is clear that the blood supply from this network may sometimes be insufficient to nourish the skin. It is suggested that the operative incision should be changed so as to increase the blood supply to the medial vascular network which may decrease the incidence of skin necrosis.

Diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine adhesions

Intrauterine adhesions develop as a result of intrauterine trauma. The degree of adhesion formation and the impact of the adhesions on the contour of uterine cavity vary greatly. It has been reported that intra abdominal adhesions occur in 60–90% of women who have undergone major gynecological procedures. Hysteroscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of severe intrauterine adhesions. Effective methods for preventing adhesions, a variety of surgical techniques and agents have been advocated for the prevention of intrauterine adhesion formation. The present review indicates that there is still no single modality proven to be unequivocally effective in preventing post-operative adhesion formation either for laparoscopic or for hysteroscopic use. Hopefully, the increasing understanding of the future emphasis will probably be on a multimodality therapy, including the use of pharmacologic adjutants in conjunction with a barrier material tailored to the specific operative procedure and a precise surgical technique. Key words: Intrauterine adhesion; hysteroscopy; Pharmacologic adjutants. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i2.7801 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.10 No.2 Apr’11 pp.72-82