Electrophysiologic follow-up in Whipple's disease

Neurologic and electrophysiologic findings in a 57-year-old man with Whipple's disease are reported. The patient had severe proximal weakness and weight loss of more than 20 kg. Conventional electromyography and nerve conduction studies suggested mild neuropathy in distal segments of lower limbs and myopathy in proximal muscles. Automatic analysis of the electromyogram in proximal muscles was consistent with myopathy. Conduction velocity of muscle fibers in situ showed low propagation velocity of the impulse. Weakness, weight loss, and all the electrophysiologic parameters improved after treatment, including a compression of the peroneal nerve at the knee, perhaps related to weight loss (slimmer's paralysis).

Blood biochemical polymorphism in Spanish goat breeds

1. The structure of the Pirenaica, Verata, Guadarrama, Zamorana, Berciana, Granadina, Blanca Andaluza, Blanca Celtibérica, Murciana, Negra Serrana, Malagueña, Canaria, Palmera and Retinta goat breeds have been analysed. 2. Fourteen blood genetic systems were analysed: reduced glutathione (GSH), red cell potassium (Ke), haemoglobin (Hb), diaphorase (Dia), catalase (Ct), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), carbonic anhydrase (CA), X-protein (X), nucleoside phosphorylase (NP), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), amylase (Am), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (Tf) and albumin (Al). 3. Of the fourteen genetic systems studied, six were monomorphic (GSH, Ct, MDH, CA, NP and Cp) and eight polymorphic (Ke, Hb, Dia, X, Alp, Am, Tf and Al). Phenotypic and gene frequencies of the eight polymorphic genetic markers are reported.

Localization of structural proteins in African swine fever virus particles by immunoelectron microscopy

Seven African swine fever virus structural proteins were localized in the virion by immunoelectron microscopy. African swine fever virus-infected cells were incubated, before or after embedding and thin sectioning, with monoclonal antibodies specific for different structural proteins, and after labeling with protein A-gold complexes, the samples were examined in the electron microscope. Proteins p14 and p24 were found in the external region of the virion, proteins p12, p72, p17, and p37 were found in the intermediate layers, and protein p150 was found in the nucleoid and in one vertex. A monoclonal antibody that recognized protein p150 as well as p220, a virus-induced, nonstructural protein, could also bind to a component present in the nucleus of both uninfected and virus-infected cells.

Sex differences in uric acid metabolism in adults: evidence for a lack of influence of estradiol-17 beta (E2) on the renal handling of urate

The serum urate concentration of adult women, which is lower than in men of a similar age, is thought to be related to a higher renal clearance of urate in women, possibly due to their higher plasma estrogen levels. Intersexual differences in the renal handling of uric acid was assessed in 9 normal adult women and 9 normal age-matched men. Women showed a significantly lower serum urate concentration as compared to men (3.5 +/- 0.3 v 4.9 +/- 0.7 mg/dL, P less than 0.001), higher fractional excretion of urate (9.8 +/- 1.0 v 7.3 +/- 0.8%, P less than 0.001), and significantly lower tubular urate postsecretory reabsorption (67.2 +/- 1.6 v 76.6 +/- 1.4% of secreted urate, P less than 0.01). To test whether plasma E2 has a uricosuric effect we administered estradiol valerate and estradiol benzoate to either oophorectomized or adult women. Plasma E2 levels and urinary total estrogen excretion increased significantly in both groups but the treatment failed to significantly modify serum urate or the fractional excretion of uric acid. Furthermore, in 4 normal adult women, the tubular phases that modulate the renal excretion of urate were not significantly influenced by increased plasma E2 levels. We conclude that in comparison to men of a similar age, the lower tubular urate postsecretory reabsorption of adult women is in accordance with the intersexual differences in uric acid metabolism. Plasma E2 does not influence renal handling of uric acid or serum urate levels.

Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm detected by radionuclide studies

A patient with gastroduodenal artery aneurysm detected with Tc-99m scintiangiography is described. Liver and hepatobiliary imaging were also performed on the patient. Ultrasound examination, arteriography, and surgical exploration were carried out. The value of radionuclide studies in leading to the proper diagnosis is emphasized.

High density lipoprotein cholesterol in insulin-dependent diabetic children

Thirty-one insulin-dependent diabetic children were studied (11 boys and 20 girls; 22 whites, 6 mulattoes and 3 Negroes; age-range: 8-14 years; mean age 11.7 years). According to the quality of their metabolic control the children were divided into 3 groups: Group 1, children in good metabolic control; Group 2, children in poor metabolic control but without ketosis; Group 3, children in severe ketoacidosis; 15 normal children (Group 4) served as controls. No hypercholesterolemia was found. As to blood sugar and serum triglyceride levels, significant differences were found between the control group and the diabetic groups as well as between the diabetic groups. When evaluating the result of HDL-cholesterol determinations we found a significant difference between the control group and Groups 2 and 3, as well as between diabetics in good control (Group 1) compared to Groups 2 and 3. We also found a correlation in diabetics in good control between blood sugar values and high HDL-cholesterol levels, and in diabetics in poor control between high blood sugar values and low HDL-cholesterol levels. No correlation was found between HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetes in poor metabolic control. In view of these findings the importance of reaching an optimal metabolic control in insulin-dependent children is emphasized, and the role of normoglycemia in the prevention of atherosclerosis is stressed.