Conditions for isolation and regeneration of viable protoplasts of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Protoplasts were isolated from cell cultures of oil palm (Elaeis Guineensis). The protoplasts were cultured on a "nurse" medium containing oil palm cells in the presence of which protoplasts formed cell walls and divided to form cell cultures.

Peripheral nerve section as palliation for severe ischemic foot pain

Multisensory peripheral nerve divisions were performed in 17 elderly patients with severe ischemia, forefoot pain and non-healing lesions or localised gangrene. They were unsuitable for a vascular reconstructive operation, or for localised foot amputation. The mean age of the patients was 73 years; 13 were males and 10 had diabetes mellitus. All were faced with a major amputation. Considerable pain relief was achieved in all patients but only five patients retained a functional lower extremity for more than 6 months. Of these five one was a diabetic and four were non diabetic. Peripheral nerve section is a useful procedure, but should be applied very selectively and only rarely in diabetic patients.

Hemorrhagic complications encountered on a surgical service. A 7 year survey

An analysis of 205 episodes of bleeding encountered during a 7 year period by the staff of a surgical service has been described. Of 168 postoperative bleeding episodes, 80 were associated with anticoagulant or antiaggregant treatment, 51 were caused by technical error, and 37 were associated with sepsis. Of 18 hemorrhages after invasive procedures, 12 were associated with anticoagulants. In the whole series, in 33 of 111 episodes in patients receiving antithrombotic drugs, there was some deviation from standard accepted protocols. Bleeding occurred in the surgical wound or at the site of operation or puncture in 154 instances. Some of the bleeding episodes, especially at other sites, presented in an unusual manner and posed a diagnostic problem. Bleeding was responsible for death or contributed to death in 11 patients, and in 32 patients, it caused operation or reoperation. Other short- and long-term morbidity was also caused. As in many complications, prevention is of the essence.

The T4 surface antigen is involved in the induction of helper function

The OKT4 monoclonal antibody reacts with a 62K m.w. glycoprotein present on a subset of human T cells with the capacity to help or induce B cell differentiation. The present studies were undertaken to determine whether the T4 molecule itself plays any role in the helper function mediated by T4+ cells. Using a series of monoclonal antibodies (OKT4, OKT4A-E), which react with distinct noncompeting epitopes of the T4 molecule, we found that OKT4A and OKT4E, but not OKT4, antibodies inhibited the induction of B cell differentiation by T4+ cells. This inhibition was apparent when using nonirradiated or irradiated T4+ cells, and was noted over a wide range of concentrations. Importantly, inhibition occurred only if the antibody was present during the first 24 hr of cell culture, and the presence of antibody did not alter the kinetics of induction of B cell differentiation. Thus, these data suggest that the T4 molecule plays an early, critical role in cellular interactions required for helper cell function.

Lysosomal and energy enzyme activities in hypertrophied rat soleus muscle after denervation

Muscle hypertrophy was induced in the soleus muscle of young rats by tenotomy of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles. Three and 7 days afterwards the sciatic nerve was sectioned. The loss of weight of muscles subjected to this combined procedure three days after denervation was 30-40%. Lysosomal enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, alpha-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase) and energy enzyme activities (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH, triose-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, TPDH , D-hexokinase, HK and citrate synthase, CS) were determined 3 days after denervation, 3, 7 and 10 days after hypertrophy had been induced and 3 days after denervation of hypertrophying muscles on day 3 and 7. Normal non-operated rats of corresponding body weight served as controls and their enzyme activities were estimated on the same day. In the course of muscle hypertrophy, the 4 lysosomal enzyme activities increased progressively. Although 3 days' denervation of control muscles did not alter lysosomal enzyme activities, denervation of hypertrophying muscles greatly enhanced the activity of these enzymes. Enzymes of energy metabolism were affected to a lesser degree. The results suggest that denervation of hypertrophying muscles causes more extreme changes in muscle weight and lysosomal enzyme activities than denervation alone. The possible implications of this finding are discussed in relation to the rapid atrophy.

The T4 surface antigen is involved in the induction of helper function

The OKT4 monoclonal antibody reacts with a 62K m.w. glycoprotein present on a subset of human T cells with the capacity to help or induce B cell differentiation. The present studies were undertaken to determine whether the T4 molecule itself plays any role in the helper function mediated by T4+ cells. Using a series of monoclonal antibodies (OKT4, OKT4A-E), which react with distinct noncompeting epitopes of the T4 molecule, we found that OKT4A and OKT4E, but not OKT4, antibodies inhibited the induction of B cell differentiation by T4+ cells. This inhibition was apparent when using nonirradiated or irradiated T4+ cells, and was noted over a wide range of concentrations. Importantly, inhibition occurred only if the antibody was present during the first 24 hr of cell culture, and the presence of antibody did not alter the kinetics of induction of B cell differentiation. Thus, these data suggest that the T4 molecule plays an early, critical role in cellular interactions required for helper cell function.

Aortic false aneurysm following blunt trauma of the abdomen

A post-traumatic false aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was diagnosed 8 years after blunt abdominal trauma with blast, sustained during combat. Severe persistent backache with erosion of D12 and L1 vertebrae were the presenting symptoms. The aneurysm was repaired by tube graft replacement.

Phosphoenolpyruvate shuttle--transport of energy from mitochondria to cytosol

Brown-adipose tissue mitochondria of hamster and rat contain phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32). In the presence of ketoglutarate and malate, phosphoenolpyruvate is formed and exported from mitochondria. Phosphoenolpyruvate formation is inhibited by 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylate. It is proposed that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase together with pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate kinase forms a phosphoenolpyruvate shuttle through which energy produced by the Krebs cycle in mitochondria may be exported to cytosol.

The effect of five days' fasting on skeletal muscle enzymes in obese men

The effect of 120 hours' (five days) fasting on the activity of some enzymes of energy metabolism in skeletal muscles was investigated in six obese young men. The results revealed a significant decline in the activity of the following enzymes: triosophosphate dehydrogenase (by 20%), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (by 24%), lactate dehydrogenase (by 13%), citrate synthase (by 20%), hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (by 40%), while the hexokinase and malate dehydrogenase activities were not significantly altered. Contrary to muscles of non-obese healthy men (Vondra, Bass, Brodan, Kuhn, Andĕl, Veselková and Vítek 1982), a smaller decline of activities of the investigated enzymes occurred together with a paradoxical change of the enzyme pattern, namely a predominance of carbohydrate catabolism and a decline of the role of fatty acids in muscle energy metabolism.

Upper dorsal sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis

The treatment results in 133 patients who underwent bilateral upper dorsal sympathectomy (BUDS) for palmar hyperhidrosis (HH) are reported. Group 1 (67 patients) was followed for 5 to 10 yr (mean 7) and Group 2 (66 patients) was followed for 1 to 4 yr (mean 2). Early results and complications, early and late sequelae, late recurrence and patient satisfaction with the results of the operation were analyzed. The immediate success rate was 98%, and late recurrence of HH was noted in 5.3% of the patients. The incidence of technical complications was lower in Group 2 than in Group 1, otherwise both groups were similar. Persistent, severe Horner's syndrome was present in only one patient at late follow-up. Troublesome compensatory HH persisted in one-third of the patients. Overall patient satisfaction was good, and only 10 patients regretted having undergone the operation. BUDS appears to be the best solution for severe palmar HH in properly selected patients.

Cardiac complications in vascular procedures: comparison of percutaneous angioplasty and surgery

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is currently recommended to high risk cardiac patients as a relatively safer procedure compared to reconstructive peripheral vascular surgery (RPVS). In order to evaluate this approach we studied the incidence of cardiac complications in 86 consecutive patients undergoing peripheral vascular procedures. 45 patients (Group I) underwent RPVS and 41 (Group II) PTA. The two groups were comparable regarding age, sex, the location of vascular lesions, the incidence of previous MI (Group I--40%, Group II--46%), and the incidence of angina pectoris (I--25%, II-29%). No special treatment or monitoring was used for patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the PTA group. Successful revascularization was achieved in 36 (80%) of the surgical patients and 25 (61%) of the patients who underwent PTA. There were two anginal attacks, two MIs, and one cardiac death in group I compared to six anginas, three MIs, and one death in Group II. These differences are not statistically significant. It is concluded that PTA carries a definite risk of cardiac complications in patients with known IHD.

Iatrogenic complications in surgery. Five years' experience in general and vascular surgery in a University Hospital

Advances in medicine that have led to more sophisticated methods of diagnosing, treating and monitoring patients take an ever increasing toll in iatrogenic complications. It may be argued that the net effect is an improvement in care, but it is self-evident that minimizing iatrogenic complications will increase the benefit to the patients of the ever increasing complex methods of treatment. Iatrogenic complications tend to be sporadic and varied in nature, and are difficult to study as a group. Psychological and medicolegal problems add to this difficulty. However, if the incidence of iatrogenic complications is to be decreased, a concerted effort has to be made to study them. Them report deals with an effort.

Enzyme activity patterns of energy metabolism in skiers of different performance levels (M. quadriceps femoris)

Changes in the activity of muscle enzymes of energy metabolism were studied in two groups of skiers (A, B) with a different sports performance (triosephosphate dehydrogenase-TPDH, lactate dehydrogenase-LDH, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-GPDH, hexokinase-HK, malate dehydrogenase-MDH, citrate synthase-CS, hydroxyacyl,CoA dehydrogenase-HOADH). 1. In a group of ski-runners (A) significantly higher activities of CS, MDH, HOADH in the preparatory period (October) and also at the end of the competition period (March) were found in athletes with higher sports performance. 2. Significantly lower activities of LDH, GPDH, MDH, CS, HOADH were found in downhill skiers (group B). 3. Some significant correlations were established, both between the activities of individual enzymes (TPDH, GPDH, HK, CS, HOADH) and between the enzymes and indicators of functional capacity (MDH, CS, HOADH, VO2max, HRmax, O2-pulse max, body fat, laboratory performance).

Effects of sleep deprivation on the activity of selected metabolic enzymes in skeletal muscle

The effect of 120-h sleep deprivation on the activity of selected enzymes of energy metabolism in skeletal muscle was studied in seven healthy volunteers. The results showed a significant decrease in the activity of malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. Triosephosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, and hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase activities showed an insignificant decrease. The findings are indicative of (1) decreased aerobic oxidation capacity; (2) reduced function of reducing-equivalent carriers from cytosol across the mitochondrial membrane; (3) relative accentuation of the non-aerobic glycolytic pathway; (4) a prediabetic type of muscle metabolism.

Initial experience with mesocaval H grafts: comparison with other portosystemic shunts

Two policies concerning portosystemic shunt for bleeding esophageal varices were compared. In 18 patients, splenorenal or portocaval shunts were performed according to anatomic and hematologic considerations. In 13 patients, only mesocaval H grafts were performed. In the latter group, more patients had poor liver reserve and required urgent surgery. Accordingly, early and late mortality and morbidity were higher in these patients. the technical ease of performance of the mesocaval H graft did not cancel out increased risk in poorer candidates for surgery.

Effects of ischaemia on enzyme-activities in the soleus muscle of the rat

1. The changes with the time of the activities of some energy-supplying enzymes and of the hydrolytic enzyme, acid phosphatase, were studied over 2 weeks of complete ischaemia, produced in the rat soleus muscle by section of the abdominal aorta and terminal devascularization, leaving nerve and tendon intact. 2. Activities of glycolytic enzymes, oxidative enzymes, hexokinase and acid phosphatase are affected in a different manner. Activities of the glycolytic enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate dehydrogenase and glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase, are lowest on the 1st day and increase thereafter. The first two reach the control values again on the 4th and 14th day, respectively, while glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase reaches about 50% of the control value on the 14th day. The maximum decrease in activity of the oxidative enzymes, citrate synthase, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase occurs later (4th day); thereafter their activity returns slowly to control values, but does not reach them even on the 14th day. Hexokinase activity is slightly decreased on the 1st day; then it increased and reached on the 7th day twice the control value. Thus on the 1st day the activity of the enzymes of aerobic metabolism prevail, and on the 4th day those of anaerobic carbohydrate (glucose) metabolism; the recovery of enzyme activity of aerobic oxidation occurs later. 3. Acid phosphatase activity increased from the 2nd day onwards, reaching up to 3 times the control value on the 4th day and still twice that value on the 14th day. This agrees well with the histochemical picture of acid phosphatase. 4. Histochemical changes of alkaline phosphatase activity reveal destruction of capillary endothelial cells during the first few days after operation and their later proliferation from the periphery, correlating with the loss and recovery of oxidative enzyme activity.

The effect of mazindol on metabolic and regulatory changes in obese women during weight reduction

The effect of mazindol (1 mg/day) on some metabolic and regulatory values was investigated in ten adult obese women and compared with the same number of controls during weight reduction in hospital (a five-times repeated cycle of 5 days complete starvation and 3 days on a 500 kcal(2.1MJ/day diet.) Mazindol caused a rise of hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase in striated muscle by 70 per cent and a marked decline in malic dehydrogenase. Mazindol also produced higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids--significantly higher during the fifth starvation period; a small decrease in blood glucose, IRI and glucose/IRI ratio being unaffected, a significantly two-fold greater decrease of serum cholesterol; a significant increase of the noradrenaline elimination compared with a decrease in controls and in increase in triiodothyronine binding globulin towards the upper range of normal.

Obesity and thyroid function. 3. Relationship between some indicators of thyroid function and the energy metabolism of striated muscle in obese women

1. In a group of 23 obese women the relations between some indicators of thyroid function (thyroxine-binding globuline--T4BG, triiodothyronine-binding globuline--T3BG, Achilles tendon reflex--ART) on the one hand and activities of enzymes of the energy metabolism (hexokinase--HK, triose phosphate dehydrogenase--TPDH, lactate dehydrogenase--LDH, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase--GPDH, citrate synthease--CS, malate dehydrogenase--MDH, hydroxyacyl--COA dehydrogenase) in the quadriceps femoris muscle on the other hand were investigated. 2. Correlations were found between T4BG and TPDH, LDH and GPDH activities, between T3BG and TPDH and GPDH activities and between the value of the Achilles tendon reflex and TPDH activity. Functionally these enzymes activities are associated with glycolysis and hydrogen transport from cytoplasmatic NADH2. No correlations were found between enzymes of the aerobic metabolism incl. enzymes of fatty acid oxidation and indicators of thyroid function. 3. The results indicate a relationship between thyroid function and enzymes involved in glycolysis and hydrogen transport from cytoplasmatic NADH2. They do not suggest, however, the unequivocal conclusion that in obese women with reduced thyroid function there is a generally reduced energy supplying metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Pulmonary functional abnormalities after upper dorsal sympathectomy

Pulmonary function tests were performed in a group of 15 patients before and 1 to 3 months after upper dorsal sympathectomy. Significant decreases in all compartments of lung volume and maximal expiratory flows were found. Serial studies in 3 patients showed improvement after 6 to 8 months.

Enzyme activities in quadriceps femoris muscle of obese diabetic male patients

In biopsy samples of the lateral part of the quadriceps femoris muscle of 6 obese diabetic male patients and of 11 obese males with a normal glucose tolerance, the activities of 7 enzymes of energy metabolism were estimated: hexokinase, cytoplasmic glycerol-3-phosphate: NAD dehydrogenase, triosephosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The obese diabetic male patients exhibited decreased activities of enzymes of carbohydrate breakdown and cytoplasmic NAD regeneration. Enzymes connected functionally with aerobic metabolism were less affected. The unchanged activity of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase points to an increased role of fatty acid catabolism in the muscle.