Production of endothelial cell stimulating angiogenesis factor (ESAF) by chondrocytes during in vitro cartilage calcification

The aim of this study was to identify the stimulus for production of the latent collagenase and angiogenic activator ESAF by growth plate chondrocytes. Stimulation correlated most closely with matrix calcification. Alkaline phosphatase was necessary for calcification (and so stimulation of ESAF production) but we could find no evidence for a direct link with ESAF production. ESAF production was also stimulated by addition of preformed mineral to non-calcified cultures but was inhibited by dexamethasone. Protein synthesis was necessary for the stimulation of ESAF production by calcification, though ESAF is not itself a protein. Based on these findings we suggest that chondrocytes, at a suitable stage of maturation in the growth plate, are stimulated to produce ESAF by the proximity of crystals in the matrix. Stimulation, which may consist of the induction of an enzyme or transport protein, leads to the release of this potent activator of collagenolysis as part of the angiogenic cascade.

Determinants of upper esophageal sphincter pressure in dogs

Chronic experiments were done on six dogs fitted with EMG electrodes on pharyngeal and esophageal musculature. Electromyographic activity of the cricopharyngeus was recorded in awake and sedated animals with and without manometric recordings as well as during esophageal distension. Intraluminal upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure had two distinct components; active contraction accompanied by cricopharyngeal EMG activity and passive elasticity that persisted in the absence of EMG activity. Between swallows, the cricopharyngeal EMG activity patterns observed were of either tonic activity, no activity, or phasic activity with inspiratory bursts. The activity level was markedly affected by anesthesia, phonating, whining, panting, level of alertness, or changes in head posture. A brisk UES contraction was elicited in response to passage of the manometric assembly and to intraesophageal balloon distension. Persistent EMG augmentation after stationing of the manometric sensor suggested that intraluminal manometry tends to exaggerate resting sphincter pressure. We conclude that electrical activity of the cricopharyngeus, and by inference UES pressure, is markedly affected by many variables that are difficult to control during clinical or experimental determinations of UES pressure.

Late onset adrenal hyperplasia in a group of Irish females who presented with hirsutism, irregular menses and/or cystic acne

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of late-onset adrenal hyperplasia due specifically to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in a group of Irish women who presented at a Dublin Clinic with symptoms of hyperandrogenism, including hirsutism, menstrual irregularities and/or cystic acne, and to determine if those with 21-hydroxylase deficiency showed particular HLA associations. 119 women had blood samples taken basally and 1 h after an injection of 0.25 mg synacthen with the following hormones profiled: 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, DHEAS and cortisol. Blood sampling was carried out between 0900 and 1000 h during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (when applicable). Ninety-six subjects were new referrals to the Clinic for investigation of hyperandrogenism and 23 were acting as controls. In this study, 6% of patients showed evidence of partial 21-hydroxylase deficiency. In addition, 3 of the 6 with partial 21-hydroxylase deficiency had normal baseline levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, with the biochemical abnormality becoming manifest only on synacthen stimulation. Late-onset adrenal hyperplasia due to partial deficiency of this enzyme should always be considered as a possible diagnosis in women who present with symptoms of hyperandrogenism. Synacthen stimulation is an important diagnostic tool in elucidating partial enzyme deficiency as baseline 17-hydroxyprogesterone may be normal in such patients.

The impact of ambulatory glycemic control on the insulin-dependent diabetic gravida

The pursuit of maternal euglycemia is the cornerstone of contemporary perinatal management of the insulin-requiring diabetic gravida and its achievement has been associated with reduced perinatal morbidity and mortality. The maternal and perinatal results of a pregnancy management protocol for insulin-requiring diabetic gravidas which emphasizes rigorous glucose control via ambulatory patient utilization of reflectance meter determinations of fasting and two-hour postprandial blood glucose is summarized in this report. The authors describe the excellent maternal and neonatal outcomes achieved with this protocol, and emphasize the efficacy of this ambulatory approach to the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies.

Laboratory diagnosis of the first cases of HIV-2 infection in Canada

Until recently the geographic distribution of infection due to human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) had excluded North America. We report the first two cases of such infection in Canada. Both people came from endemic areas of western Africa and were asymptomatic. The results of a commercial enzyme immunoassay specific for HIV-1 antibody were positive in both cases, but those of the Western blot technique were indeterminate. The Western blot technique specific for HIV-2 antibody and the indirect fluorescent antibody test were used to verify the presence of HIV-2 antibody.

Bovine and human pineal glands contain substantial quantities of endothelial cell stimulating angiogenic factor

Using a quantitative assay the amount of a low Mr endothelial cell stimulating angiogenesis factor (ESAF) has been determined in human pineal glands and bovine brain, retina, pineal gland, liver and kidney. Pineal glands contain approximately ten times as much ESAF as the retina or grey and white matter from the cerebral cortex and a hundred times as much as highly vascular tissues such as liver and kidney. The relevance of these findings to the highly vascular nature of the pineal gland is discussed.

Increased procollagenase activating angiogenic factor in the vitreous humour of oxygen treated kittens

Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in a low molecular weight angiogenic factor (ESAF) present in the retinae of kittens with oxygen induced retinopathy. The present paper describes differences in the quantity of ESAF extracted from the vitreous humour of control and oxygen treated animals and proposes a mechanism for the induction of intravitreal neovascularisation.

Epiphyseal growth plate cartilage and chondrocytes in mineralising cultures produce a low molecular mass angiogenic procollagenase activator

We have investigated one aspect of the biochemical control of angiogenesis in the mammalian growth plate. This is the first report of an angiogenic compound from normal growing skeletal tissue. The active agent was indistinguishable from ESAF (endothelial cell-stimulating angiogenic factor), previously identified from tumour, retina and synovial fluid. 1. Using a procollagenase activation assay, ESAF was detected in low molecular weight extracts of growth plate cartilage from two species (foetal calf and young rabbit). ESAF content declined with increasing age of the foetal calf growth plate cartilage. 2. Rabbit growth plate chondrocytes in high density culture also produced ESAF 24-48 h after calcification of the culture. Inhibition of alkaline phosphatase in these cultures reduced the stimulation of ESAF production. These findings suggest that ESAF production occurs as a stage in chondrocyte differentiation which is linked with the onset of matrix calcification. A model is proposed for the control of angiogenesis in the growth plate.

Treatment of nongonococcal urethritis with ciprofloxacin

A randomized, double-blind study was performed in 225 men with nongonococcal urethritis or postgonococcal urethritis, in which the efficacy of ciprofloxacin (750 mg twice daily for seven days) was compared with that of doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for seven days). Of the 145 evaluable patients completing three weeks or more of follow-up or reaching an end point, 74 patients received doxycycline and 71 received ciprofloxacin. Chlamydia trachomatis and mixed infections with Ureaplasma urealyticum were more frequent in the cip, ofloxacin group, but the differences were not significant. The overall cure rates were similar for the two regimens (52.1 percent for ciprofloxacin and 60.8 percent for doxycycline; p greater than 0.3). However, in patients with chlamydial infections alone, ciprofloxacin was significantly less effective than doxycycline (45.5 percent versus 75 percent; p = 0.04). In patients with U. urealyticum infections alone, there was a more favorable trend in the ciprofloxacin group (69.2 percent versus 45 percent; p = 0.12). In patients whose culture results were negative, the responses were very similar (60.9 percent for ciprofloxacin and 64.3 percent for doxycycline). Both drugs were well tolerated; side effects, which were mostly gastrointestinal in nature, were mild.

Assessment of serologic markers for Epstein-Barr virus

Antibody responses to early antigen (EA) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) were analyzed in 48 proven cases of Epstein-Barr Virus infection and in 48 age- and sex-matched healthy controls to establish optimal cutoff values for diagnosing EBV infection. Predictive values were determined for individual EA and VCA antibody titers and for EA to VCA antibody ratios and the optimal dilution cutoff values for positivity of EA (1:20), VCA (1:640), and EA to VCA (0:031) were selected. When evaluated on a subset of 10 VCA IgM positive cases and 35 negative controls, the three selected cutoff values identified as infections nine of 10, four of 10, and 10 of 10 of the cases and one of 35, none of 35, and one of 35 of the controls, respectively. When evaluated individually on 22 cases of suspected EBV infection who were heterophile antibody-negative and presented with symptoms compatible with EBV infection, an equal number of VCA IgM-positive and negative cases were identified as EBV infections. Overall, the cutoffs EA, VCA, and ratio identified 19 of 22 (86.4%), 14 of 22 (63.6%), and 18 of 22 (81.8%), respectively, and all cases could be identified using combinations of these values. Although these serologic values may be used with some accuracy, until more definitive markers are described a combination of heterophile responses, lymphocyte analysis, clinical symptoms, and serologic cutoff values should be used to assess the role of EBV in patient evaluation.

Age-related differences in granulocyte chemotaxis and degranulation

In the present study we have demonstrated that human peripheral blood granulocytes from elderly subjects exhibit reduced chemotaxis and degranulation in response to stimulation with fMet-Leu-Phe. Cyclic AMP levels in non-stimulated cells were not significantly different (mean +/- SEM): 4.8 +/- 0.6 and 3.9 +/- 0.4 pmol/10(7) cells for young and elderly respectively. Stimulation with fMet-Leu-Phe (5 X 10(-7) mol/l) for 30s induced the production of cyclic AMP: 8.4 +/- 0.5 and 6.7 +/- 0.3 pmol/10(7) cells for young and elderly. These findings, together with those previously published by us, suggest that cyclic AMP production and cellular functions which this molecule participates in are reduced in cells from elderly individuals.

Isolation and characteristics of small intestinal lamina propria cells from normal and nematode (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis)-infected rats

Intestinal lamina propria (LP) cells were isolated from normal or nematode (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis)-infected rats. At certain times after infection (days 11-17), viable cell recoveries from infected rats were lower, whereas at other times (days 20-50), they were significantly greater than those from normal rats. The frequencies of lymphocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils, mast cells and macrophages from LP differed between normal and infected rats, and the histamine content did also. However, spontaneous 3H-uridine and 3H-thymidine incorporation and the number of cells with cytoplasmic immunoglobulin were similar. LP cells from normal rats were unresponsive to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed. 125I-deoxyuridine-radiolabeled LP lymphoblasts from normal rats were widely distributed in recipients 22-24 h after transfer and showed no selective predilection to return to the intestine. The isolation procedure can be used to study intestinal LP cells from normal or diseased animals.

Potentiating effect of heparin in the activation of procollagenase by a low-Mr angiogenesis factor

A low-Mr freely dialysable endothelial cell-stimulating angiogenesis factor (ESAF) from conditioned medium of a mouse lymphoma cell line has previously been shown to activate latent skin fibroblast procollagenase. Activation comparable with the maximum that can be achieved with trypsin is obtained with chemically undetectable amounts of the factor. We now show that when even smaller amounts of ESAF are used heparin is able to potentiate its action in this system. The relationship between this activity and the mechanism of angiogenesis, which is itself potentiated by heparin, is discussed.