The contribution of increased collagen synthesis to human glomerulosclerosis: a quantitative analysis of alpha 2IV collagen mRNA expression by competitive polymerase chain reaction

We previously reported that one of the main components of the sclerotic material in human glomerular diseases was type IV collagen. In this study we examined the contribution of increased synthesis to this process at the gene expression level. Sufficient material has not been available to study type IV collagen synthesis by normal or sclerotic glomeruli in humans. We took advantage of the availability of nephrectomy specimens from patients with renal carcinoma, and of the observation that approximately 50% of these patients develop varying degrees of glomerulosclerosis. We microdissected glomeruli from 10 patients and analyzed them using in situ reverse transcription coupled with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses (in situ RT-PCR). alpha 2IV collagen mRNA, after reverse transcription into cDNA, was detected in all patients and appeared to be increased in those with glomerulosclerosis (n = 5). A competitive PCR assay was developed to quantitate this change. There was an average 3.7-fold increase in glomerular type IV collagen cDNA in patients with significant sclerosis. This change was not due to an increased number of glomerular cells. Thus, glomerulosclerosis in humans is associated with an elevation of glomerular type IV collagen gene expression, suggesting that increased synthesis of type IV collagen may represent one component of this process.

Spinal muscular atrophy: MR evaluation

The neurogenic myopathy of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is degeneration of anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and associated muscle weakness. In three patients with the severe type, according to Dubowitz's classification, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower extremity showed severe atrophy of the entire muscle bundles of the thigh and the calf. Nine intermediate type patients had ragged atrophy of muscle bundles of the thigh and the calf with selective preservation of adductor longus muscle. Five patients with the mild type had fatty infiltration of muscle bundles and increased intermuscular fat planes. MRI was insufficient for the evaluation of cervical cord abnormalities. MRI of the lower extremity was a reliable complementary modality for the diagnosis and follow-up of SMA patients.

Magnetic-field-induced birefringence in a homeotropic ferronematic liquid-crystal wedge

The magnetic-field-induced birefringence in wedged homeotropic ferronematic liquid crystals is studied. Theoretical results for small distortions are obtained in terms of the elastic continuum theory of liquid crystals. The results of birefringence measurements are in good agreement with the predictions of the theory.

Goodpasture's syndrome--a case report

Goodpasture's syndrome is a disease characterized by diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis with circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody (anti-GBM antibody). Although it is reported in the western world, it is rarely diagnosed in Taiwan. We report a 26-year-old male admitted due to pulmonary hemorrhage and rapid progressive glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsy showed diffuse glomerular proliferation and 90% crescent formation, and immunofluorescence stain showed diffuse linear staining of IgG, C3, IgA, IgM along glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membranes. He was treated with immunosuppressive agents. Pulmonary hemorrhage improved rapidly, but his renal function was severely impaired and he remained dialysis dependent.

Automatic design of optical systems using a set of general skew ray tracing formulas

A general equation of high-order surfaces is given. If its second term is equal to zero, this equation will automatically reduce to the conic surfaces. By adding two parameters g and k into the conic equation, we are able to use only one euqation to describe the planar, cylindrical, and conic surfaces. A set of skew ray tracing formulas for these surfaces, including tilted and decentered elements, is derived. The formulas analytical and easy to use. Based on the tracing of skew rays, a merit function of the optical system is defined and an analytical formula for determining the narrowest cross-sectional position of skew rays is given. A program of skew ray tracing is edited for the Sharp-1500 pocket computer. An example for a 2-D infrared scanner is given. Based on the skew ray tracing formulas and by using the damped least-squares method, some examples for automatic design of optical systems are also shown on the IBM PC/XT personal computer.

Absence of cytokeratin in human hepatoma cell lines

The immunofluorescence study revealed that both our established human hepatoma cell lines, HA22T/VGH and HA47T/VGH, were absent of cytokeratin. This observation was further confirmed by a western blot study. However, they as well as the other human hepatoma cells, Hep G2, Hep 3B, and SK-Hep-1 expressed vimentin.