Ciclosporin in Goodpasture's syndrome

We report the case of a 39-year-old male patient with Goodpasture's syndrome. Despite therapy with prednisone, cyclophosphamide and plasma exchanges, serum creatinine (Scr) progressively increased up to 10.3 mg/dl (936 mumol/l) and hemoptysis recurred 3 months after initiation of treatment. Ciclosporin (CS) starting at 6 mg/kg/day was given. Scr began to decrease 2 weeks later and eventually stabilized at approximately 2.0 mg% (182 mumol/l). This case illustrates one of the potential uses of CS in human glomerular disease.

Immunologic thrombocytopenia followed by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in two HIV1 patients

Two homosexual HIV1-positive male patients with thrombotic thrombopenic purpura (TTP) were found to have past history of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The first patient had ITP 10 months prior to TTP and was successfully treated by splenectomy. The second patient had ITP 32 months before TTP. No specific treatment was given for his asymptomatic ITP. Association of HIV infection to TTP seems to be frequent. These two types of purpura have different pathogenic mechanisms but share a common altered immune response to antigenic challenge. The occurrence of ITP and TTP in HIV-positive patients may lead to errors in diagnosis and therapy.

Expression of ventricular myosin subunits in the atria of children with congenital heart malformations

The presence of ventricular myosin light chains in the atria of children with congenital heart disease was demonstrated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and Western blot analysis. Ventricular myosin light chains were present in 27% of biopsies from 91 children with different forms of congenital heart disease. Perimembranous ventricular septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot were associated with the presence of ventricular myosin light chains in 50% of patients. The presence of ventricular myosin light chains in these atria did not correlate with pressure or volume overload. Analysis of myosin heavy chain isotype in the same biopsies by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and Western blot analysis indicated that there was no detectable expression of ventricular myosin heavy chain (beta-subunit), suggesting that the genes for the myosin heavy chains and light chains are not expressed coordinately.

Diffraction efficiency of reflection gratings with a parabolic section profile

Diffraction properties of reflection gratings with a parabolic groove profile are analyzed. It is shown that these structures produce a large number of diffracted waves with similar intensities. Theoretical and experimental results at the wavelength of 780 nm are shown. These gratings are made from holographic diffraction gratings recorded in a photoresist.

Acute and delayed emesis after cisplatin-based regimen: description and prevention

Lorazepam, dexamethasone and high-dose metoclopramide were given to 54 patients to prevent emesis induced by cisplatin (50-120 mg/m2) on day 1, while prochlorperazine and dexamethasone were administered on days 2 and 3 for control of delayed emesis. Nausea and emesis were recorded from day 1 to day 8. This combination was well tolerated. Prevention on day 1 was complete for 72% of patients and satisfactory (less than or equal to 2 emeses on day 1) in 85%. From days 2 to 8, no emesis, less than or equal to 2 and greater than 2 episodes occurred in 70, 11 and 19%, respectively. Overall control (days 1-8) was complete in 55.5% and satisfactory (less than or equal to 2 emeses on day 1 and/or less than or equal to 2 emeses from days 2 to 8) in 74%. Delayed emesis started on days 2-5. Mean duration was 2.6 days. Delayed nausea or emesis were more frequent when emesis occurred on day 1. Based on data previously reported and on these observations, better ways to prevent delayed events are discussed. Further trials must record systematically delayed side effects.

Phase relief gratings with conic section profile used in the production of multiple beams

We analysed the diffraction properties of phase relief gratings with conic and quasiconic section profiles and showed their interesting properties as efficient multiple beam splitters. Optimization of their characteristics was studied for seven and thirteen beams. We compared theoretical calculations with experimental results using quasiconic section profile gratings produced on photoresist.

5-azacytidine and 5-azadeoxycytidine inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in vitro

Chemotherapeutic agents which affect the integration, stability, or inducibility of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) provirus would have considerable value in treating acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Two nucleoside analogs of cytosine, 5-azacytidine and 5-azadeoxycytidine, which seem to have such value because of their capabilities to affect both the stability and the methylation patterns of the nucleic acids into which they are incorporated, were tested for their ability to inhibit the replication of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in human CEM T cells in vitro. 5-Azadeoxycytidine (1 microM) completely inhibited HIV replication in CEM cells, by the criteria of reduced viral antigen expression and decreased supernatant reverse transcriptase activity, with little toxicity for the treated cells. 5-azacytidine (1 microM) also inhibited HIV replication, but less effectively. When added 2 or more h after CEM cells were infected with HIV-1, both 5-azacytosine derivatives were less effective than they were when added at the time of infection. Even 2 h of exposure to 5-azadeoxycytidine was sufficient for inhibition of HIV replication. Although long exposure to either analog at concentrations of 1 microM would result in pronounced cellular cytotoxicity, the the fact that short exposures to the same dose of drug inhibit HIV replication but are not toxic for the cells implies that cellular toxicity itself is not an important mechanism of the antiviral action of the analogs.

Value of plasma NH2-terminal fragment of pro-opiomelanocortin in marking human lung cancer in various clinical settings

Plasma concentration of amino-terminal segment of pro-opiomelanocortin (N-POMC) was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 144 patients with various forms of lung cancer during pneumonectomy, at different times of the day after being newly diagnosed and serially, throughout their treatment (surgery or chemotherapy) in order to assess its value as a biomarker in this disease. Normal volunteers, coal miners smoking but without known lung diseases, and the patients with diverse pulmonary disorders served as comparison groups. A significant transtumoral gradient of N-POMC was found at surgery in 15 of 57 (26%) patients. Subjects without lung afflictions had significantly lower N-POMC levels than patients with pulmonary diseases (benign or malignant) only when the blood was drawn before breakfast. Furthermore, fasting levels in all subgroups of patients were higher at any time of the day than nonfasting ones. Finally, N-POMC levels did not decrease significantly after successful treatment of lung cancer (by surgery or chemotherapy) but were markedly higher after relapse. These results suggest that N-POMC, despite the fact that it cannot be used to discriminate lung cancer patients from controls, is a biomarker which may predict relapse in patients successfully treated by chemotherapy for their pulmonary neoplasm.

Efficacy of sequential cyclical hormonal therapy in endometrial cancer and its correlation with steroid hormone receptor status

Forty-six eligible women with metastatic endometrial cancer were randomly allocated to receive monthly cycles of either CAF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil) or CAF plus Provera 200 mg daily for 3 weeks followed cyclically by Tamoxifen 20 mg daily for 3 weeks. Overall response rates of 15 and 43% were seen with CAF and CAF plus hormonal therapy. Using a multivariate analysis of the results, this difference is significant (P value 0.05). In 8 patients with operable endometrial cancer, negative estrogen receptor concentration (ER less than 15 fmole/mg protein) and Grade 3 disease, the clinical course was aggressive in 4 patients with systemic and local relapse. In 10 other similar patients (negative ER and Grade 3) who received adjuvant cyclical hormonal therapy only 1 relapsed and the other 9 are disease-free for an average of more than 31 months. Sequential cyclical hormonal therapy with ER and progesterone receptor analysis has a place in the management of endometrial carcinoma.

Plasma levels of retinol in cancer patients supplemented with retinol

Previous studies have indicated that plasma levels of retinol are decreased in some cancer patients and that lower levels of retinol could be associated with a poor response to chemotherapy. This pilot study was conducted to determine whether it is possible to increase plasma levels of retinol in cancer patients by supplementation with retinol. Plasma levels of retinol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in 46 patients treated with chemotherapy for various malignancies and in 43 control individuals; cancer patients were supplemented orally either with 25,000 or 50,000 IU of retinol daily during up to 3 months. Initial levels of retinol were lower in cancer patients than in the control group; the decrease was significant in women with liver metastases but not in men. Women supplemented with 25,000 IU had a significant increase of their retinol levels after 1 month but this effect was not maintained during continued supplementation; in women receiving 50,000 IU daily, a sustained increase in retinol level was maintained during the 3 months of supplementation. In men, a similar trend was produced by the supplementation but the increases were not significant. Retinol levels decreased to initial levels within 1 month of discontinuation of supplementation, indicating the need for continuous supplementation.

AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is a new illness that occurs in previously healthy individuals. It is characterized by immunodeficiency, opportunistic infections and unusual malignant diseases. Life-threatening single or multiple infections with viruses, mycobacteria, fungi or protozoa are common. A rare neoplasm, Kaposi's sarcoma, has developed in approximately one third of patients with AIDS. More than 800 cases of AIDS have been reported in North America, over 24 of them in Canada. The majority of patients are male homosexuals, although AIDS has also developed in abusers of intravenously administered drugs, Haitian immigrants, individuals with hemophilia, recipients of blood transfusions, prostitutes, and infants, spouses and partners of patients with AIDS. The cause of AIDS is unknown, but the features are consistent with an infectious process. Early diagnosis can be difficult owing to the nonspecific symptoms and signs of the infections and malignant diseases. Therefore, vigilance by physicians is of utmost importance.

Inhibition of lymphocyte growth by Ulex seed extracts (USE)

Extracts produced from the seeds of Ulex europeus (European gorse) were found to contain an inhibitor of human and murine lymphocyte growth. Interference with lymphocyte growth was demonstrated in three test systems. (1) Ulex seed extracts (USE) prevented the uptake of tritiated thymidine by stimulated human T and B lymphocytes. (2) The numbers of sensitized murine lymphocytes releasing antibody were diminished after incubation with USE. (3) Murine lymphoid tumour cells cultured in the presence of USE had a reduced growth potential. Growth inhibition occurred independently of the mode of lymphocyte stimulation. Increased metabolic activity induced by plant seed mitogens, alloantigens and direct immunization, as well as that endogenously present in rapidly growing tumour cells, was similarly restricted. The inhibition of lymphocyte growth was not the result of cytotoxicity and was easily reversible by washing lymphocytes free of USE. The USE growth inhibitor was found not to be anti-H and appeared to function as an antithesis of stimulators found in other plant seed extracts.

Pulsed ir holography on Takiwax films

Phase holograms have been recorded on Takiwax films with pulsed TEA CO(2) laser light. The reconstruction from these phase holograms is accomplished by transmission at a wavelength of 0.633 microm. Holographic characteristics of the recording medium, such as diffraction efficiency vs film thickness, exposure, and spatial frequency, are presented. The capability of Takiwax films to record ir holograms of plane objects and double-exposure holographic interferograms is demonstrated.

Holographie en infrarouge sur de minces couches d'huile

Oil films of approximately 1-microm thickness on glass plates are used as a holographic recording medium at a 10.6-microm wavelength. This dynamic recording medium (on which the recording is not permanent) shows diffraction efficiencies up to 20% when reconstructing at 632.8 nm, the spatial frequency at the recording being as high as ~50 cycles/mm. Furthermore, the response time of these oil films when recording ir can be as small as 2 msec so that ir holography of moving objects is possible in real time.

Plastic recording media for holography at 10.6 microm

A search for recording media suitable for holography at wavelengths comparable to the 10.6 microm of a CO(2) laser has led to the successful use of Saran Wrap plastic films and of thick acrylic plates. Holographic phase recording has been made with a 1-W single mode cw CO(2) laser yielding incident intensities up to 3.5 W/cm(2). Holographic reconstruction at a wavelength of 632.8 nm has given a diffraction efficiency up to 20%. At a wavelength of 10.6 microm, reconstruction by reflection on the silver-coated surface of an acrylic plate had a diffraction efficiency of 0.5%. It was observed that the recording is less linear on acrylic plates than on Saran Wrap films.