Demonstration and partial characterization of ecto-ATPase in Balamuthia mandrillaris and its possible role in the host-cell interactions

AIMS

To investigate the presence and partial characterization of ecto-ATPase in Balamuthia mandrillaris.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In vitro assays were used to demonstrate that live B. mandrillaris hydrolyses extracellular AtP. Using nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, B. mandrillaris exhibited a single ecto-ATPase band of molecular mass of more than 545 kDa. This ecto-ATPase was insensitive to ouabain, levamisole, sodium azide and sodium orthovanadate but stimulated by MgCl2. The ecto-ATPase was heat stable, but labile to detergent, sodium dodecyl sulphate. Suramin, an antagonist of P2 purinoreceptors and an inhibitor of some ecto-ATPases, inhibited B. mandrillaris binding to and cytotoxicity of HBMEC (human brain microvascular endothelial cello), in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we describe that live B. mandrillaris hydrolyses extracellular ATP and exhibits a > 545kDa ecto-ATPase.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This surface enzyme may play a role in the salvage of purines from the extracellular medium and may be important for the pathogenesis of B. mandrillaris.

Staged revascularization in critically ill patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients undergoing bypass surgery experience a higher mortality and morbidity.

HYPOTHESIS

The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and value of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as a bridge to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in high-risk patients with refractory unstable angina or cardiogenic shock.

METHODS

We present 11 seriously unstable patients with severe multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing culprit vessel PTCA. Angioplasty was performed not as a definitive procedure but rather as a bridge to surgical revascularization. All the patients had sustained at least one myocardial infarction prior to catheterization, all had refractory unstable angina, eight patients had only a single patent coronary artery, and five patients were in cardiogenic shock.

RESULTS

Following PTCA, all patients enjoyed a stable in-hospital period. One patient died 12 weeks after successful PTCA while awaiting second CABG. Seven patients subsequently underwent CABG and are doing well. The remaining three patients were also advised to undergo CABG, but elected to continue medical management.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary angioplasty of the culprit vessel may play a role as a bridge to surgery in critically ill patients.

The application of ethephon (an ethylene releaser) increases growth, photosynthesis and nitrogen accumulation in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under high nitrogen levels

Ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid), an ethylene-releasing compound, influences growth and photosynthesis of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.). We show the effect of nitrogen availability on ethylene evolution and how this affects growth, photosynthesis and nitrogen accumulation. Ethylene evolution in the control with low N (100 mg N kg(-1) soil) was two-times higher than with high N (200 mg N kg(-1) soil). The application of 100-400 microl x l(-1) ethephon post-flowering, i.e. 60 days after sowing, on plants receiving low or high N further increased ethylene evolution. Leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR), photosynthesis, leaf nitrate reductase (NR) activity and leaf N reached a maximum with application of 200 microl x l(-1) ethephon and high N. The results suggest that the application of ethephon influences growth, photosynthesis and N accumulation, depending on the amount of nitrogen in the soil.

Human papillomavirus detected in female breast carcinomas in Japan

To investigate the aetiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer, we examined the presence, genotype, viral load, and physical status of HPV in 124 Japanese female patients with breast carcinoma. Human papillomavirus presence was examined by PCR using SPF10 primers, and primer sets targeting the E6 region of HPV-16, -18, and -33. The INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping kit was used to determine genotype. Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 26 (21%) breast carcinomas. The most frequently detected HPV genotype was HPV-16 (92%), followed by HPV-6 (46%), HPV-18 (12%), and HPV-33 (4%). In 11 normal epithelium specimens adjacent to 11 HPV-16-positive carcinomas, 7 were HPV-16-positive. However, none of the normal breast tissue specimens adjacent to HPV-negative breast carcinomas were HPV-positive. The real-time PCR analysis suggested the presence of integrated form of viral DNA in all HPV-16-positive samples, and estimated viral load was low with a geometric mean of 5.4 copies per 10(4) cells. In conclusion, although HPV DNA was detected in 26 (21%) breast carcinomas and, in all HPV-16-positive cases, the HPV genome was considered integrated into the host genome, their low viral loads suggest it is unlikely that integrated HPV is aetiologically involved in the development of Japanese breast carcinomas that we examined.

Serum lipoprotein composition, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase and tissue lipase activities in pregnant diabetic rats and their offspring receiving enriched n-3 PUFA diet

The effects of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipoprotein concentrations and on lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activities were studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats during pregnancy and in their macrosomic offspring from birth to adulthood. Pregnant diabetic and control rats were fed Isio-4 diet (vegetable oil) or EPAX diet (concentrated marine omega-3 EPA/DHA oil), the same diets were consumed by pups at weaning. Compared with control rats, diabetic rats showed, during pregnancy, a significant elevation in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low and high density lipoprotein (LDL-HDL(1))-triglyceride, cholesterol and apoprotein B100 concentrations and a reduction in apoprotein A-I levels. HTGL activity was high while LPL and LCAT activities were low in these rats. The macrosomic pups of Isio-4-fed diabetic rats showed a significant enhancement in triglyceride and cholesterol levels at birth and during adulthood with a concomitant increase in lipase and LCAT activities. EPAX diet induces a significant diminution of VLDL and LDL-HDL(1) in mothers and in their macrosomic pups, accompanied by an increase in cholesterol and apoprotein A-I levels in HDL(2-3) fraction. It also restores LPL, HTGL and LCAT activities to normal range. EPAX diet ameliorates considerably lipoprotein disorders in diabetic mothers and in their macrosomic offspring.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after mastoid surgery in a child

We present a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after mastoid surgery in an 11-year-old child. The aim of this paper is to increase awareness about a previously unreported and an unusual neurological complication of cholesteatoma and mastoid surgery.

The role of HIV infection and drug and alcohol dependence in hospital mortality among critically ill patients

PURPOSE

Critical care outcomes among HIV-infected patients have improved because of advances in HIV therapy and general improvements in intensive care unit (ICU) management. There is a high co-occurrence of drug and alcohol dependence among HIV-infected patients, and the independent role of drug and alcohol dependence among patients with and without HIV infection in outcomes of critical illness is unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed a prospectively collected database of 7015 index ICU admissions at 2 teaching hospitals between January 1999 and January 2006. The ICU diagnoses were determined from prospective chart review and classified according to the dictionary of diagnoses developed by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Council. We used logistic regression to determine the independent association of drug and alcohol dependence as well as HIV infection with in-hospital mortality. Covariates that were adjusted for included acute drug overdose, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, age, sex, hospital site, and socioeconomic variables.

RESULTS

Of all patients, 4.4% (309 of 7015) were HIV infected; and of these, 56% (173 of 309) had a history of drug and alcohol dependence, whereas only 7.4% (502 of 6706) of the HIV-negative group had a history of drug and alcohol dependence. Drug and alcohol dependence was not independently associated with hospital mortality in either the model including all admissions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-1.03) or the model including pneumonia and sepsis admissions only (AOR 0.92; 95% CI 0.59-1.41). Infection with HIV was independently associated with hospital mortality (AOR 2.16; 95% CI 1.60-2.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Although HIV infection is associated with increased hospital mortality, drug and alcohol dependence is not associated with an increased hospital mortality independent of HIV infection.

Comparative study of coronary collaterals in diabetic and nondiabetic patients by angiography

Myocardial ischaemia is known to be significantly related to the development of coronary collaterals, but there are considerable variations in their formation. The nature of this variability is not well understood. Likewise it remains unclear whether diabetes mellitus. DM has any effect on coronary collaterals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus on coronary collaterals. This prospective case- control study was done from January to December 2000 in patients undergoing coronary angiography in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of having < or = 75% stenosis in at least one coronary artery. The patients with diabetes having CAD without other modifiable major risk factors (hypertension, smoking, dyslipidaemia) were constituted case study group (n=36) and nondiabetic patients having CAD with those risk factors were constituted control group (n=50). Coronary collaterals were graded according to Rentrope scoring system and the collateral score was calculated by summing the Rentrope number of every patient. There was no statistical difference between patients with and without diabetes in clinical characteristics. The mean number of diseased vessel in DM group 2.6+/-0.6 was higher than that in nondiabetic patients (2.1+/-0.8, P>.05). The mean collateral score was 0.5+/-0.6 in DM group and 1.2+/-1.0 in nondiabetic group. These findings suggest that coronary collateral development is significantly poorer in diabetic than on diabetic patients.

Modulation of adipokines and cytokines in gestational diabetes and macrosomia

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE

Not much is known about the implication of adipokines and different cytokines in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and macrosomia. The purpose of this study was to assess the profile of these hormones and cytokines in macrosomic babies, born to gestational diabetic women.

DESIGN/SUBJECTS

A total of 59 women (age, 19-42 yr) suffering from GDM with their macrosomic babies (4.35 +/- 0.06 kg) and 60 healthy age-matched pregnant women and their newborns (3.22 +/- 0.08 kg) were selected.

METHODS

Serum adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) were quantified using an obesity-related multiple ELISA microarray kit. The concentrations of serum cytokines were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

Serum adiponectin levels were decreased, whereas the concentrations of leptin, inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha, were significantly increased in gestational diabetic mothers compared with control women. The levels of these adipocytokines were diminished in macrosomic babies in comparison with their age-matched control newborns. Serum concentrations of T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines (IL-2 and interferon-gamma) were decreased, whereas IL-10 levels were significantly enhanced in gestational diabetic mothers compared with control women. Macrosomic children exhibited high levels of Th1 cytokines and low levels of IL-10 compared with control infants. Serum IL-4 levels were not altered between gestational diabetic mothers and control mothers or the macrosomic babies and newborn control babies.

CONCLUSIONS

GDM is linked to the down-regulation of adiponectin along with Th1 cytokines and up-regulation of leptin and inflammatory cytokines. Macrosomia was associated with the up-regulation of Th1 cytokines and the down-regulation of the obesity-related agents (IL-6 and TNF-alpha, leptin, and adiponectin).

Profile of lung cancer in Kashmir, India: a five-year study

AIM

To study the clinico-pathological aspects of lung cancer, and the outcome of various treatment modalities.

METHODS

A retrospective review of histopathologically confirmed lung cancer patients who were registered and treated at our institution over a period of five years was carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 321 patients were studied. There was a preponderance of males (91.9%) as compared to females (8.1%). Smoking history was present in 88% of the male patients. Cough was the main presenting feature in 71.6% of patients. Diagnosis was established by bronchoscopy in 94% of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma was observed in 77.3%, while 17.1% had small cell carcinoma. Radiotherapy formed the main treatment modality alone (22.4%) and in combination (27%). Out of the 321 patients, 206 were evaluable on follow-up. Local failure and distant metastasis were seen in 9.2% and 19.9% of cases, respectively. The overall survival rate of 2, 3 and 5 years was 19.9%, 13.59% and 6.79%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

. The outcome of lung cancer is poor. Increased survival is possible if the disease is detected early, treated adequately with multi modality approach.

N-3 Fatty acids modulate antioxidant status in diabetic rats and their macrosomic offspring

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the role of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in the modulation of total antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and their macrosomic offspring.

DESIGN

Female wistar rats, fed on control diet or n-3 PUFA diet, were rendered diabetic by administration of five mild doses of STZ on day 5 and were killed on days 12 and 21 of gestation. The macrosomic (MAC) pups were killed at the age of 60 and 90 days.

MEASUREMENTS

Lipid peroxidation was measured as the concentrations of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and the total antioxidant status was determined by measuring (i) plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), (ii) plasma vitamin A, E and C concentrations, and (iii) antioxidant enzymes activities in erythrocytes. The plasma lipid concentrations and fatty acid composition were also determined.

RESULTS

Diabetes increased plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, whereas macrosomia was associated with enhanced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which diminished by feeding n-3 PUFA diet. N-3 PUFA diet also reduced increased plasma TBARS and corrected the decreased ORAC values in diabetic rats and their macrosomic offspring. EPAX diet increased the diminished vitamin A levels in diabetic mothers and vitamin C concentrations in macrosomic pups. Also, this diet improved the decreased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in diabetic and macrosomic animals.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes and macrosomia were associated with altered lipid metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activities and vitamin concentrations. N-3 PUFA diet improved hyperlipidemia and restored antioxidant status in diabetic dams and MAC offspring.

Antioxidant status in alcohol-related diabetes mellitus in Beninese subjects

In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant status in diabetes mellitus, related or not to alcohol consumption. A total of 38 type 1, 48 type 2 and 42 alcohol-related diabetic patients were selected. Total antioxidant status was assessed through the oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the plasma and the determination of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were determined and the lipid peroxydation was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Plasma total antioxidant capacity was more decreased in alcohol-related diabetes than that in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, regardless of the complications (retinopathy and renal failure). Plasma vitamin E concentrations were significantly decreased whereas those of vitamin C increased in all of the diabetic patients compared to the controls, irrespective to the complications. In addition, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were reduced in all the patients (type 1, type 2 and alcohol-related), irrespective to the complications. Glutathione reductase activity was diminished in type 1 and alcohol-related, but not in type 2, diabetic patients. Glutathione (GSH) concentrations significantly decreased in all diabetic patients with a significant decrease in alcohol-related diabetic patients. Excessive alcohol consumption appears as an oxidative aggravating factor in diabetes mellitus. Besides, alcohol-related diabetes highly resembles to type 1 diabetes as far as the antioxidant parameters are concerned.

Effect of Aralia cachemirica Decne root extracts on blood glucose level in normal and glucose loaded rats

An aqueous and alcoholic extract of the roots of Aralia cachemirica (Araliaceae) were evaluated for hypoglycemic activity in normal fasted and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts at a dose of 250 mg/kg showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) hypoglycemic activity in glucose loaded animals however no effect was observed in normal fasted rats.

Dissection of Systems, Cell Populations and Molecules

This paper summarizes studies on antibody formation in the bone marrow and the suppressive effects of intravenous immunization with allogeneic blood cells on T-cell function in mice. The latter studies were extended by employing the limiting dilution culture system developed in Ivan Lefkovits' laboratory and implemented in collaboration with Lucien Aarden. Thereby, the functional data were complemented with frequencies of alloantigen-activated helper (Th) and suppressor T cells after intravenous alloimmunization. These results led the Rotterdam group to studies on the prevention of rejection of the foetal 'allograft'. Th cells are central in foetal allograft rejection and pregnancy success. Characteristic for human pregnancy is the production of the glycoprotein chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. The in vivo liberated peptide fragments originating from nicking of the sequence MTRVLQGVLPALPQ in the beta-chain of hCG were considered for their immunoregulating capacity related to pregnancy success. These peptides - prepared synthetically - (MTR, MTRV, LQG, LQGV, VLPALP and others) indeed showed a remarkable spectrum of biological effects (e.g. modulation of angiogenesis, inhibition of septic shock syndrome, prevention of diabetes and reduction of ischaemia-reperfusion damage). The paper interprets and generalizes these findings and projects them into various research directions, especially towards the proteomics framework studies built up in Ivan Lefkovits' laboratory in the nineties. During the time period, when Ivan spent a mini-sabbatical in Rotterdam (months after closing down the BII) more detailed discussions were intiated. This paper is meant to keep the discussions between the involved research groups going on.

Ultrasonographic determination of amniotic fluid volume in normal pregnancy

Ultrasonographic assessment of amniotic fluid has important implications because documentation of abnormalities of amniotic fluid volume may provide valuable information to enhance fetal health assessment. But in our country no study was conducted to establish normal values of amniotic fluid volume. So, this study was designed to find out normal values of amniotic fluid volume at various stages of gestation. The study was conducted in the department of Radiology and Imaging, BIRDEM in collaboration with the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BIRDEM from 1(st) July, 2001 to 30(th) June, 2002. One hundred and twenty patients of normal pregnancy between 15 to 38 weeks' gestation were scanned by ultrasonography and their amniotic fluid volume was measured. For each gestational age between 15 and 38 weeks, 5 patients were recruited, and only one examination was done per pregnancy. Currently, the three semi-quantitative methods of assessing amniotic fluid volume include the amniotic fluid index (AFI), single deepest pocket (SDP) and two diameter pocket (TDP). Amniotic fluid volume of the study population was measured by the three methods. The values were plotted against each week in tabulated form. Thus the normal range of amniotic fluid volume in three methods (AFI, SDP, TDP) across gestational age in normal pregnancies was established. The mean value of amniotic fluid volume in AFI, SDP and TDP were 13.224 cm, 4.679 cm and 19.252 cm(2) respectively. AFI and SDP showed amniotic fluid volume increased with increasing gestational age up to early third trimester, but volume decreased thereafter. The prevalence of false positive result for oligohydramnios was 0.83% for AFI, 0% for SDP and 23% for TDP. The prevalence of false positive result for hydramnios was 1.66% for AFI, 0.83% for SDP and 0% for TDP. Thus the normal values of amniotic fluid volume for each of the three ultrasonographic techniques in the perspective of our country were obtained from the study. As the study was conducted with a limited number of patients, further study may be carried out with a large number of observations to reevaluate the results of the study.

An evaluation of the effects of exogenous ethephon, an ethylene releasing compound, on photosynthesis of mustard (Brassica juncea) cultivars that differ in photosynthetic capacity

BACKGROUND

The stimulatory effect of CO2 on ethylene evolution in plants is known, but the extent to which ethylene controls photosynthesis is not clear. Studies on the effects of ethylene on CO2 metabolism have shown conflicting results. Increase or inhibition of photosynthesis by ethylene has been reported. To understand the physiological processes responsible for ethylene-mediated changes in photosynthesis, stomatal and mesophyll effects on photosynthesis and ethylene biosynthesis in response to ethephon treatment in mustard (Brassica juncea) cultivars differing in photosynthetic capacity were studied.

RESULTS

The effects of ethephon on photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gS), carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) activity and ethylene evolution were similar in both the cultivars. Increasing ethephon concentration up to 1.5 mM increased PN, gS and CA maximally, whereas 3.0 mM ethephon proved inhibitory. ACS activity and ethylene evolution increased with increasing concentrations of ethephon. The corresponding changes in gs and CA activity suggest that the changes in photosynthesis in response to ethephon were triggered by altered stomatal and mesophyll processes. Stomatal conductance changed in parallel with changes in mesophyll photosynthetic properties. In both the cultivars ACS activity and ethylene increased up to 3.0 mM ethephon, but 1.5 mM ethephon caused maximum effects on photosynthetic parameters.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that ethephon affects foliar gas exchange responses. The changes in photosynthesis in response to ethephon were due to stomatal and mesophyll effects. The changes in gS were a response maintaining stable intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) under the given treatment in both the cultivars. Also, the high photosynthetic capacity cultivar, Varuna responded less to ethephon than the low photosynthetic capacity cultivar, RH30. The photosynthetic capacity of RH30 increased with the increase in ethylene evolution due to 1.5 mM ethephon application.

Impaired oxidant/antioxidant status and LDL-fatty acid composition are associated with increased susceptibility to peroxidation of LDL in diabetic patients

This study was carried out to determine the relationships between oxidant/antioxidant status, in vitro LDL oxidizability and LDL-fatty acid composition in diabetes mellitus. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC) and LDL-cholesteryl ester fatty acids were investigated in type 1 and type 2 diabetic subjects with and without complications. The degree of LDL oxidation was determined by the measurement of hydroperoxide levels before and after in vitro peroxidative stress with CuSO4. ORAC values were decreased in diabetic subjects who showed high basal hydroperoxide levels. Oxidizability of LDL in these subjects was higher than in control subjects and it was unrelated to LDL-fatty acid composition. However, in type 2 diabetic subjects with complications, alterations in LDL-fatty acid composition were associated with their enhanced oxidative susceptibility. LDL-fatty acid alterations might be an additional factor that influences LDL oxidizability especially in type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, diabetes mellitus is associated with enhanced oxidative stress and defective antioxidant/oxidant balance regardless the type of diabetes and presence of complications.

Further delineation of Hennekam syndrome

We report four children from four inbred Arab families with varying manifestations of Hennekam syndrome and additional features that have not been previously reported. These include abnormalities of the middle ear, anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, interrupted inferior vena cava, polysplenia, crossed renal ectopia, median position of the liver and multiple cavernous haemangiomas. In addition, in one case lymphoedema was absent and oedema due to hypoproteinaemia appeared at 6 years of age. Since anomalies of the veins and the consequent developmental abnormalities of the lymphatics might lead to alterations in the fluid balance of the embryo, we hypothesize that altered fluid dynamics due to defective vascular and lymphatic development might disrupt critical events in craniofacial morphogenesis resulting in Hennekam syndrome.

Diuretic and nephroprotective effect of Jawarish Zarooni Sada--a polyherbal unani formulation

A number of drugs, both single and compound preparations are used widely in Tibb-e-Unani (Unani medicine) in the management of renal diseases. But such drugs mostly, have not been investigated for their described effects. Jawarish Zarooni Sada (JZS) is one such polyherbal preparation containing 15 ingredients, mainly described to be diuretic and nephroprotective. Therefore, in the present study ethanol and water extracts of JZS (300 mg each) were investigated for diuretic activity by measuring the total urine output over a period of 6h. Sodium and potassium level in urine sample was also estimated. Nephroprotective activity of JZS against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated by administering JZS along with high dose of gentamicin (40 mg/kg) and elevation of serum urea and serum creatinine was taken as the index of nephrotoxicity. JZS showed significant diuretic and nephroprotective effect.

Kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of silymarin in pharmaceutical formulations using potassium permanganate as oxidant

A new simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of silymarin in pure form and in pharmaceutical formulations is described. The method is based on the oxidation of the drug with potassium permanganate at pH 7.0 +/- 0.2. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance at 530 nm. The calibration graph is linear in the range of 18-50 microg x m(-1). The method has been successfully applied to the determination of silymarin in pharmaceutical formulations. Statistical comparison of the results with the reference method shows excellent agreement and indicates no significant difference in accuracy and precision.

An unusual cause of vesical stone: a migrant intrauterine device

Intrauterine contraceptives devices have been in use for many years. Although perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine device is not uncommon, intravesical migration with secondary stone formation is a rare complication. We report on a 32-year-old woman in whom an intrauterine contraceptive device (Copper T) migrated from her uterus into the bladder. She had lower urinary tract symptoms for nearly 2 years but sought no treatment. The onset of hematuria and fear of cancer prompted her to seek treatment. On investigation, a vesical stone was discovered that had formed on a copper T contraceptive device. It was removed via suprapubic cystostomy. In any woman in whom an intrauterine device is fitted and who presents with lower urinary tract symptoms, the possibility of intravesical migration of the device should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Antioxidant status and levels of different vitamins determined by high performance liquid chromatography in diabetic subjects with multiple complications

Plasma vitamin A, C and E levels and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated in type I and type II diabetic subjects with and without complications, i.e., hypertension, coronary artery disease and renal failure. Reverse phase HPLC was used to quantify vitamin A and E levels. We observed that the vitamin C levels were not significantly different between control and diabetic subjects. However, vitamin A and E levels were significantly lower in type I and type II diabetic subjects compared to controls. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in type II, but not in type I, diabetic patients compared to controls. Interestingly, glutathione reductase and peroxidase activities were diminished in type I, but not in type II, diabetic subjects as compared to controls. Catalase activity was lower in both types of diabetic patients in comparison with their respective controls. Altogether these results suggest that diabetes mellitus may be associated with altered antioxidant status regardless to various complications.

Inhibition of diabetes in NOD mice by human pregnancy factor

Clinical symptoms of Th1 mediated autoimmune diseases regress in many patients during pregnancy. A prominent feature of pregnancy is the presence of human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone (hCG) in blood and urine. In this report we tested the effect of clinical grade hCG (c-hCG) on the development of diabetes, a Th1 mediated autoimmune disease, in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. We show that treatment of NOD mice with c-hCG before the onset of clinical symptoms lowered the increased blood glucose levels, reversed the established inflammatory infiltrate of pancreatic tissue, and profoundly inhibited the development of diabetes for prolonged time. c-hCG also induced profound inhibition of the functional activity (i.e. production of IFN-gamma) of Th1 cells. Transfer of spleen cells from c-hCG-treated NOD mice into immunocompromised NOD.SCID mice inhibited the development of diabetes in these otherwise nontreated mice. This shows that the treatment of the donor NOD mice induced persistent changes in the immune system. The antidiabetic activity of c-hCG was not caused by heterodimeric hCG or its subunits. Instead, this antidiabetic activity resided in a fraction of c-hCG preparation that contains a 400-2000 Dalton natural (immuno) modulatory pregnancy factor (NMPF).

Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid modulate MAP kinase (ERK1/ERK2) signaling in human T cells

This study was conducted on human Jurkat T cell lines to elucidate the role of EPA and DHA, n-3 PUFA, in the modulation of two mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, that is, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1 and ERK2). The n-3 PUFA alone failed to induce phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2. We stimulated the MAP kinase pathway with anti-CD3 antibodies and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which act upstream of the MAP kinase (MAPK)/ERK kinase (MEK) as U0126, an MEK inhibitor, abolished the actions of these two agents on MAP kinase activation. EPA and DHA diminished the PMA- and anti-CD3-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2 in Jurkat T cells. In the present study, PMA acts mainly via protein kinase C (PKC) whereas anti-CD3 antibodies act via PKC-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Furthermore, DHA and EPA inhibited PMA-stimulated PKC enzyme activity. EPA and DHA also significantly curtailed PMA- and ionomycin-stimulated T cell blastogenesis. Together these results suggest that EPA and DHA modulate ERK1/ERK2 activation upstream of MEK via PKC-dependent and -independent pathways and that these actions may be implicated in n-3 PUFA-induced immunosuppression.

Implication of acyl chain of diacylglycerols in activation of different isoforms of protein kinase C

We synthesized diacylglycerols (DAGs) containing omega-6 or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [i.e., 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (SAG), 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycerol (SDG), and 1-stearoyl-2-eicosapentaenoyl-sn-glycerol (SEG)] and assessed their efficiency on activation of conventional (alpha, beta I, gamma) and novel (epsilon, delta) protein kinase C (PKC). SAG exerted significantly higher stimulatory effects than SDG and SEG on activation of PKC alpha and PKC delta. Activation of PKC beta I by SEG and SDG was higher than that by SAG. Activation of PKC gamma did not differ significantly among DAG molecular species. Addition of SAG to assays containing SEG and SDG exerted additive effects on activation of alpha and epsilon, but not on beta I and gamma, isoforms of PKC. SDG- and SEG-induced activation of PKC delta was significantly curtailed by the addition of SAG. Three DAG species significantly curtailed the PMA-induced activation of beta Iota, gamma, and delta, but not of alpha and epsilon, isoforms of PKC. Our study demonstrates for the first time that in vitro activation of different PKC isoenzymes vary in response to different DAG species, and one can envisage that this differential regulation may be responsible for their in vivo effects on target organs.