Distribution of lymphocytic subpopulations infiltrated in thyroid glands of Graves' disease

We studied ninety cases of thyroid glands both histopathologically and by immunohistochemical methods in patients with Graves' disease using B and T cell markers to evaluate the role of lymphocytic subpopulation. Females were affected more frequently than males with a ratio of 6.5:1, and usually the females were younger than the males at the time of surgery. The heavier the lymphocytic infiltration, the higher was the percentage of germinal center formation or fibrosis. The degree of lymphocytic infiltration was also related to the titers of antithyroglobulin or antimicrosomal antibodies. T cells were mostly scattered individually or in small groups between the follicles; however, in the severely infiltrated group, the major pattern was in clusters. T8 positive cells were more abundant than T4 positive cells, and their distribution pattern was accordant with T11 positive cells. Immunoglobulin synthesizing B cells were positively stained in 47 of 94 cases tested and IgG was the most predominant. In the mild and moderate lymphocytic infiltration groups, IgM was mostly stained at the mantle zone or in the lymphoid cluster of the interfollicular stroma, whereas IgM positive cells were present exclusively in the germinal center of the severely infiltrated group. The results of our study indicate that the major lymphocyte subpopulation in Graves' disease is B lymphocytes, and the degree of T lymphocytic infiltration correlated better with titers of antimicrosomal antibody than antithyroglobulin.

Bronchial challenge responses in asthmatic patients sensitized to Artemisia spp. pollen

To characterize the patients whose asthma may be caused by Artemisia pollen extracts, we studied the bronchoprovocation test with Korean Artemisia pollen extracts (1:20 w/v), methacholine bronchial challenge test and wormwood-RAST in 32 asthmatic patients sensitized to Artemisia pollen. Twenty-six(81%) developed a 15% or greater decrease in FEVI after the inhalation of Artemisia pollen extracts and 13 patients showed early responses, 8 dual, and 5 late only. Thirteen(50%) out of 26 positive responders complained of seasonal aggravation of their asthmatic symptoms. Seven(53.8%) of the 13 seasonal type patients, 10(76.9%) of the 13 perennial type and 5(100%) of the 5 negative responders showed concurrent positive responses in the house dust bronchoprovocation test. The bronchial responsiveness to allergen(PD15) was more dependent upon the specific IgE level(bound radioactivity on wormwood-RAST) and multiple regression analysis revealed that the specific IgE level and methacholine PC20 may be contributory to allergen PD15. These results suggested that specific IgE to Artemisia pollen appears to be the major contributor to susceptibility to Artemisia bronchial challenges and this pollen may be considered as one of the important allergenic etiologies of atopic asthma in this country.

Characterisation of a high affinity Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase in the rat parotid plasma membrane

Two Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activities have been identified in the plasma membrane of rat parotid: (a) a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase with high affinity for free Ca2+ (apparent Km = 208 nM, Vmax = 188 nmol/min per mg) and requiring micromolar concentration of Mg2+ and (b) a (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase with relatively low affinity for free Ca2+ (K0.5 = 23 microM) or free Mg2+ (K0.5 = 26 microM). The low-affinity (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase can be maximally stimulated by Ca2+ alone or Mg2+ alone. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase exhibits sigmoidal kinetics with respect to ATP concentration with K0.5 = 0.4 mM and a Hill coefficient of 1.91. It displays low substrate specificity with respect to nucleotide triphosphates. Although trifluoperazine inhibits the activity of the high affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase only slightly, it inhibits the activity of the low-affinity (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase quite potently with 22 microM trifluoperazine inhibiting the enzymic activity by 50%. Vanadate, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, Na+,K+ and ouabain had no effect on the activities of both ATPases. Calmodulin added to the plasma membranes does not stimulate the activities of both ATPases. The properties of the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase are distinctly different from those of the previously reported Ca2+-pump activity of the rat parotid plasma membrane.

Melioidosis, the great mimicker: a report of 10 cases from Malaysia

Between 1981 and 1986, 10 consecutive cases of melioidosis were seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They illustrate the amazing guises of melioidosis presenting as: abscesses of the supraspinatus muscle, psoas muscle, brain and liver; three different pulmonary forms; an acute suppurative dermal lesion; an acute septicaemia; and chronic lymphadenitis. The majority had underlying diseases: diabetes mellitus, the commonest, was present in six, out of whom three had previous pulmonary tuberculosis; other predisposing conditions were renal failure, corticosteroid therapy and malnutrition. Three patients who died had pre-existing renal impairment and developed renal failure later, suggesting that the former is a bad prognostic sign. Clinical diagnosis was difficult: all cases were diagnosed bacteriologically. A high level of clinical awareness is necessary, especially when presentation simulates pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis in patients with diabetes or other compromised states.

Memory enhancement with posttraining intraventricular glucose injections in rats

Recent findings suggest that peripheral epinephrine enhancement of memory storage may be mediated in part by an increase in circulating glucose levels subsequent to epinephrine release or injection. Because glucose, unlike epinephrine, has ready access to the central nervous system, it is possible that glucose acts directly on central processes to enhance memory. To test this possibility, rats were trained on a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task and received immediate or delayed injections of glucose in artificial cerebrospinal fluid. On retention tests 24 hr after training, animals that received 3 or 5 micrograms glucose (in 1 microl cerebrospinal fluid over 3 min) had significantly enhanced performance of the learned response. These findings are consistent with the view that glucose can regulate the storage of new information by acting on central processes. Whether there are additional peripheral contributions to glucose effects on memory remains to be determined.

Memory enhancement with posttraining intraventricular glucose injections in rats

Recent findings suggest that peripheral epinephrine enhancement of memory storage may be mediated in part by an increase in circulating glucose levels subsequent to epinephrine release or injection. Because glucose, unlike epinephrine, has ready access to the central nervous system, it is possible that glucose acts directly on central processes to enhance memory. To test this possibility, rats were trained on a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task and received immediate or delayed injections of glucose in artificial cerebrospinal fluid. On retention tests 24 hr after training, animals that received 3 or 5 micrograms glucose (in 1 microl cerebrospinal fluid over 3 min) had significantly enhanced performance of the learned response. These findings are consistent with the view that glucose can regulate the storage of new information by acting on central processes. Whether there are additional peripheral contributions to glucose effects on memory remains to be determined.

Assay for dopamine beta-hydroxylase in human plasma and rat serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A highly sensitive assay for dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in human plasma and rat serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection is described. Norepinephrine, formed enzymatically from the substrate dopamine, and epinephrine (internal standard), after clean-up with a cation-exchange cartridge (Toyopak IC-SP M), are converted into the corresponding fluorescent compounds by reaction with 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine. The derivatives are separated by reversed-phase chromatography on TSK gel ODS-80TM. The detection limit for norepinephrine formed enzymatically is 5 pmol per assay tube.

Activation of rat parotid low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase by isoproterenol

Approximately 94% of rat parotid cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity measured at a substrate concentration of 0.1 microM cyclic AMP was found in the 100,000 X g supernatant while the remaining enzyme activity was in the particulate fraction. Incubation of parotid slices with 10 microM isoproterenol resulted in approximately 40% activation of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity of the 100,000 X g supernatant. The enzyme activity in the particulate fraction was unaffected. The activation resulted from an increase in the value of the Vmax while the apparent Km (0.51 microM) was unaffected. The concentration of isoproterenol required to give half-maximal activation was 0.34 microM. The activation was rapid, became significant after 2 min and reached maximum after 30 min incubation of the parotid slices with isoproterenol. The activation of the enzyme activity by isoproterenol could be blocked by propanolol but was unaffected by cycloheximide. Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP was also effective while phenylephrine and carbamylcholine were ineffective in increasing the activity of the enzyme.

Early rheumatoid arthritis. Approach to diagnosis and treatment

Early rheumatoid arthritis is a diagnosis most often made by history and physical examination and is frequently a diagnosis of exclusion. Differential diagnosis can be difficult because of the wide variation in age, sex, constitutional symptoms, physical findings, and joint distribution. Early, aggressive therapy should include patient education, rest, graded exercise, counseling, and appropriate medication. Absence of subcutaneous nodules and joint erosion may indicate a better prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Presence of rheumatoid factor, eosinophilia, thrombocytosis, and/or vasculitis suggests a less favorable course.

Brain abscess due to Pseudomonas pseudomallei

A brain abscess due to Pseudomonas pseudomallei is presented. Central nervous system involvement in melioidosis is rare and generally occurs in association with disseminated infection. The importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment with prolonged antibiotic therapy is emphasised.

Data acquisition using a scintillation detector interfaced to a personal microcomputer

A method is described for interfacing a cadmium telluride semiconductor nonimaging detector to a personal microcomputer in order to store and display nuclear medicine data. There was virtual identity between the count rates stored in the computer and those recorded from the detector's display, demonstrating that the computer accurately acquired data from the probe without erroneous loss or addition of data. Interfacing a nonimaging detector to a microcomputer may provide an extremely versatile method of acquiring, storing, and displaying nuclear medicine data.

Inhibition of intestinal secretion without reduction of cyclic AMP levels

Net water transport by the jejunum of anaesthetized rats was measured together with jejunal cyclic AMP content. Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulated secretion and elevated the cyclic AMP level. Morphine (10 mg/kg s.c.) inhibited the stimulated secretion but failed to depress the cyclic AMP accumulation. It is suggested that cyclic AMP may not be the mediator of intestinal fluid secretion. Alternatively, morphine may block the secretory effect of cyclic AMP elevated by vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Metabolic N-hydroxylation. Use of substituent variation to modulate the in vitro bioactivation of 4-acetamidostilbenes

N-Hydroxylation is an obligate step in the bioactivation of carcinogenic aryl amides. Previous reports from this laboratory demonstrated that variation of the 4' substituent of trans-4-acetamidostilbene (1) has a marked effect on the rate of its in vitro microsomal N-hydroxylation. In order to further investigate the effects of electronegative and aliphatic substituents, the 4'-CN, 4'-CH3, 4'-C(CH3)3, and 4'-CF3 analogues of 1 were synthesized and subjected to metabolic transformation by hamster hepatic microsomes. Each compound was synthesized in radiolabeled form, and the metabolites were identified and quantified by TLC, mass spectrometry, and liquid scintillation counting. The Vmax for N-hydroxylation of the 4'-CN analogue was 24% and the Km was 11% of that of 1. The glycolamide was a minor metabolite of the 4'-CN compound. The principal metabolite of the 4'-CH3 compound was the 4'-CH2OH derivative, the N-hydroxylated product being formed in small quantities. Similarly, the 4'-C(CH3)3 analogue was metabolized to yield trans-4'-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-propyl]-4-acetamidostilbene (26) along with trace quantities of the hydroxamic acid. The 4'-CF3 substrate yielded small amounts of the N-hydroxylated material as the only detectable metabolite. Thus, introduction of a 4' substituent into 1 resulted in a decreased rate of N-hydroxylation for all compounds studied. The reduction in N-hydroxylation depends on both the physicochemical properties of the 4' substituent and upon the susceptibility of the substituent to metabolic oxidation.

Moderate sucrose ingestion and blood pressure in the rat

Four related hypotheses were tested: 1) substitution of sucrose for starch at moderate levels will significantly elevate blood pressure; 2) most urinary sucrose is endogenous; 3) a change in endogenous sucrose production will alter sodium excretion and blood pressure, and 4) dietary sucrose inhibits endogenous sucrose production. The systolic blood pressures of 25 male rats, 100 days of age, and 25 female rats, 1 year of age, were measured weekly for 8 months. In four experiments, they consumed diets in which 38% of energy came from fat, 15% from protein, 7% from lactose and the remaining 40% from five different sucrose/starch ratios. In experiment 4, a 10% maltose/30% starch diet was fed to one-half the rats fed sucrose in experiment 3. All rats were fed similar amounts of each diet so that there were no significant body weight differences between groups at the end of the 8 months. At periodic intervals all rats were injected with 1 micro c of [U-14C]glucose and placed in metabolism cages where a 24 hour urine sample was obtained. Urine was analyzed for sodium, sucrose and sucrose-14C content. Endogenous sucrose production was estimated from the percent of [U-14C]glucose recovered as urine sucrose-14C in 24 hours. All four hypotheses were confirmed.

DDT and DDE in the blood and diet of eskimo children from Hooper Bay, Alaska

An analysis of the levels of DDT and DDE in the blood of some Alaskan Eskimo children and in the fat of some local marine mammals taken for food suggests that the children's pesticide burdin is only modestly lower than that of other American children. Authors suggest that some other food source, perhaps packaged food, supplies a portion of the dietary chlorohydrocarbon pesticide.