Lipoprotein lipase activator deficiency in very low density lipoproteins in rat nephrotic syndrome

Marked urinary loss of lipoprotein lipase activator in experimental rat nephrotic syndrome may be partly responsible for its deficiency in plasma very low density lipoproteins.

Minor physical anomalies in young psychotic children

The authors examined three groups of children for minor physical anomalies: 52 autistic children, 34 nonautistic siblings of these patients, and 29 normal controls. The total number of anomalies and the weighted score were significantly higher in the autistic children. The formation of these anomalies in the first three months of fetal life may concur with the developmental deviation of the central nervous system in some of these individuals.

Specificities of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors

Antisera to acetylcholine receptor purified from the electric organs of Torpedo and Electrophorus were highly species specific, but showed limited cross-reaction with receptors from all mammalian species tested. Antisera to receptor purified from rat muscle cross-reacted extensively with receptor from the muscles of other mammals. Antibodies to receptor from Electrophorus cross-reacting with receptor from Torpedo were affinity purified. Subsequently these showed increased cross-reaction with receptor from mammalian muscle. Sera from patients with myasthenia gravis reacted best with receptor from human muscle, but such sera also cross-reacted with receptor from other mammals, especially squirrel monkeys. These sera cross-reacted slightly with receptor from Torpedo, but not detectably with receptor from Electrophorus,

The significance of urinary melanoma antigen excretion and the ability of thymosin to raise the level of depleted lymphocytes in vitro in malignant melanoma

One hundred and fifty-six patients were screened for the presence of urinary melanoma antigen and serum cytoplasmic antibody. It was found that 44% of symptomless Stage 1 patients tested five to 15 years after operation had detectable antigen (Ag) in their urine; the urines of 67% of Stage 2A (local recurrence) patients were positive for Ag; while in only 38% of those patients graded 2B (lymph-node involvement) were these tests positive. Urines of 83% of patients with generalized metastases (Stage 3) were positive. A sequential study was made of 23 patients seen and treated in 1976. Of this group, 14 reverted from a positive state to a negative one following excision of their tumour, while six were negative on first postoperative testing and subsequently became positive. Three out of the 23 remained persistently negative. T lymphocyte levels were assessed in 71 melanoma patients, and a stage-related fall was noticed. Thymosin (Hoffman LaRoche) on in vitro incubation significantly raised the levels of T lymphocytes.

Monozygotic twins concordant for infantile autism: follow-up

This paper presents a well-documented case of monozygotic male twins concordant for infantile autism, with a twelve-year follow-up. Assessments include birth records, laboratory studies, physical measurements, psychometrics and quantifiable behavioural ratings by independent raters using multiple scales. Possible aetiological factors of infantile autism, as well as outcome are discussed.

Inhibition or enhancement of rat mammary tumors dependent on dose BCG

The effect of BCG on the growth of transplantable rat mammary tumors in W/Fu rats was studied. Admixture of mycobacteria to tumor cells in vitro prior to their injection in vivo either had no effect on or resulted in inhibition of or enhancement of the growth of the tumor transplants. Inhibition occurred at high and enhancement at low mycobacteria:tumor cell ratios. However, following suppression of local tumor growth with high doses of BCG, the growth of a second tumor graft was enhanced. Pretreatment of rats with BCG alone also enhanced the growth of a subsequent tumor graft. These results suggest an inverse relationship between the optimal dose of BCG for suppression of local tumor and that required to induced systemic immunity.

Radioimmunoassay of human apolipoprotein CII. A study in normal and hypertriglyceridemic subjects

A specific, precise, and sensitive double-antibody radioimmunoassay for the measurement of human apolipoprotein CII (apoCII) was developed. ApoCII was labeled with (125)I (chloramine-T) and monospecific antibody was raised in rabbits. No appreciable cross-reactivity with apolipoproteins CI, CIII, AI, AII, low density lipoproteins, and lipoprotein-free plasma was observed. Lipoproteins containing apoCII displaced the standard curve in parallel. ApoCII measurement was not affected by pretreatment of plasma with tetramethylurea, ethanol-diethyl ether, or heating. Mean (+/-SE) plasma-immunoreactive apoCII in 47 normotriglyceridemic subjects was 51.8+/-3.2 mug/ml, generally comparable with previous estimates of its concentration by other methods. ApoCII levels in 9 subjects with type IIB lipoprotein pattern, 14 with the type IV lipoprotein pattern, and 5 with type V lipoprotein pattern were respectively, 89.9+/-4.6, 85.4+/-6.9, 132.8+/-21.0 mug/ml, all higher than normals (P < 0.001). Plasma apoCII and triglyceride concentrations correlated in normo- and hypertriglyceridemics (r = 0.36 and 0.58, P < 0.05). Plasma triglycerides correlated inversely with the fraction of total apoCII in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-free plasma (r = -0.75, P < 0.01). There was no correlation between plasma apoCII and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. In normotriglyceridemics, VLDL apoCII levels correlated with in vitro lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activator activities (r = 0.89, P < 0.01). In hypertriglyceridemic subjects the mean concentrations of apoCII per milligrams VLDL protein, LPL activator activity per milligrams VLDL protein, and LPL activator activity per micrograms VLDL apoCII were all lower than in normotriglyceridemics, P < 0.05. As plasma triglycerides and apoCII increase, apoCII is redistributed from high density lipoprotein to VLDL. However, the amount of apoCII per milligram VLDL protein and its LPL activator potency per milligram VLDL protein are reduced. These factors may contribute to impaired VLDL catabolism.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography as an aid to the identification of Aspergillus species

Using pyrolysis gas chromatography it was possible to identify each of nine Aspergillus species. The effects of hyphal age and the non-differentiation with spores are discussed.

Attitudes to malocclusion amongst the parents of 10-12 year old children in Glasgow

Attitudes to malocclusion amongst the parents of 10–12 year old children in Glasgow have been assessed by means of a simple questionnaire distributed via schoolteachers. Parental attitudes have been compared with observations recorded at an examination of 731 children. Although 98 per cent of parents considered orthodontic treatment important and 71 per cent said that they were keen to receive treatment, only 8 per cent were already actually receiving it. Only about 50 per cent of parents recognized severe malocclusion in the mouths of their own children.

Blood platelet monoamine oxidase activity in schizophrenic children and their families. A preliminary study

In this study monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was measured in blood platelets of 21 individuals (age 2 6/12-19 years) who were diagnosed at preschool age as schizophrenics; MAO activity was not significantly different from that found in normals. An insignificant correlation was found between MAO activity in patients and age; a similar correlation for normals was also insignificant. In a sample of 15 families, no significant correlation between MAO activity of patients and their parents was obtained.

Pharmacotherapy in early infantile autism

An up-to-date review of drug treatment in psychoses of early childhood is presented. At the present time, of all biological interventions in these developmental disorders, drug treatment alone remains a valuable addition or an essential treatment modality of the total treatment. Experience has shown that a therapeutically effective potent drug can make the autistic child more amenable to other therapies, including special education. However, knowledge is lacking about the effect of various psychoactive agents on cognition in this patient population as well as their influence on growth, weight, endocrine systems, and organs. Drugs currently in use treat symptoms, not diseases. A great need for classification in this area persists. The same symptoms may be caused by a variety of etiologic factors, and autism may or may not be the earliest expression of childhood schizophrenia. It is suggested that clinical distinctions be correlated or even improved by certain biochemical, neuroendocrine, and physiological criteria; this also may be of considerable value in predicting whether a child can benefit from a specific drug.

Imipramine and seizures

The authors report the case of a psychotic preschool child who manifested a seizure disorder while on imipramine treatment. They note that according to his history and physical exam, the child fell within a group which seems predisposed to this side effect. Although tricyclic antidepressant compounds can be used judiciously with seizure-prone individuals, the authors recommend that alternative modalities be given first consideration.

Blood serotonin in schizophrenic children. A preliminary study

Blood serotonin levels were measured in schizophrenic children, all of whom showed manifestations of illness in the first 2 years of life, and controls. Serotonin levels were higher in patients (mean = 0.267 mug/ml) than in controls (mean = 0.218 mug/ml), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Serotonin levels were significantly higher in patients with florid psychosis and those with lower IQs than in patients in remission or partial remission or higher IQs.