Benign mitochondrial myopathy with decreased succinate cytochrome C reductase activity

In most of the cases previously described, the defect on complex II was suggested by low activity of succinate cytochrome C reductase (SCCR). The clinical pattern of the previous 10 cases is heterogeneous and may be limited to one particular tissue or be of a more general nature. We report a 22-year-old-woman, daughter of consanguineous parents, with generalized muscle weakness, easy fatigability and benign course, who showed a decrease of SCCR activity in mitochondria of muscle fibers. Free carnitine (FC) concentration was decreased in muscle as well. The muscle biopsy showed a mild variation in fiber size, with fiber type I predominance, subsarcolemmal oxidative DPNH accumulations, excess of neutral lipids and abnormally large mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusions. A possible inheritance pattern is discussed. Coenzyme Q10 therapy in this patient induced a significant increase of global MRC index score and a decrease of the turns-mean amplitude ratio in the automatic analysis of the EMG.

Serum sickness due to bovine serum albumin sensitization during in vitro fertilization

Of 32 women included in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program in our hospital in 1987, in whom a medium containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Menezo's medium) was employed for rinsing follicles, 5 (15%) developed a symptom complex compatible with serum sickness within 8-12 days after oocyte retrieval by echographic puncture. All the patients had specific IgG antibodies against BSA, and intradermal skin testing with BSA and Menezo's medium were positive. We could not demonstrate the presence of specific IgE against BSA in serum by RAST, probably due to the presence of high levels of specific IgG antibodies, which can interfere in the RAST procedure. Statistical analysis showed that the volume of Menezo's medium was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in patients developing the disease. The risk of disease development is directly related to the amount of heterologous protein administrated.

[Laryngeal reinnervation: transposition of neuromuscular pedicles]

Following Tucker's technique, a muscle-nerve pedicle implantation in the denervated posterior cricoarytenoid muscle was performed in five dogs. Results were evaluated after six months by videolaryngoscopy, evoked muscle action potentials and histomorphometric studies. Partial motion recovery of the reinnervated side was observed endoscopically in three dogs. Histomorphometric evaluation showed evidence of muscle reinnervation in all of the five dogs. However, no muscle action potentials were obtained in the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles after stimulation of the ansa hypoglossi branch. These data suggest that the ansa hypoglossi neuromuscular pedicle does not result in reinnervation, and that reinnervation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle may occur via other neuromuscular pathways.

Megalocornea-mental retardation syndrome: an additional case

In 1975, Neuhaüser (Z Kinderheilk 120:1-8) reported on a recessively inherited entity comprising mental retardation, megalocornea, and seizures. The megalocornea-mental retardation (MMR) syndrome (MIM 249310) is a rare entity. There have been 19 previously published cases and the clinical differences observed between reported patients have raised questions regarding the nosology of the syndrome and the issue of heterogeneity versus variability. We report on a new case: a 2 6/12-year-old boy, first child of nonconsanguineous healthy parents with megalocornea (corneal diameter > or = 13 mm), delayed psychomotor development and hypotonia, plus minor facial anomalies.

Effects of growth hormone and prolactin on testicular macrophages in long-term hypophysectomized rats

Long-term hypophysectomized (LTHX) rats were treated for 1 week with growth hormone (rGH, 600 micrograms/kg body wt.), prolactin (rPRL, 600 micrograms/kg body wt.), combined rGH/rPRL or vehicle, to study the effects of these hormones on testicular macrophages. Growth hormone and, to a lesser extent, prolactin significantly increased the number and size of testicular macrophages. The in vivo phagocytic capacity of testicular macrophages was tested by their ability to clear the testicular interstitium of dead Leydig cells after treatment with the specific cytotoxic reagent ethylene dimethane sulphonate (EDS). In vehicle- or rPRL-treated rats, abundant EDS-killed Leydig cells (about 50% of the pre-existent population) remained in the testicular interstitium 72 h after EDS treatment, whereas clearance of the testicular interstitium of dead Leydig cells was largely achieved in rGH- or rGH/rPRL-treated rats. These results indicate that growth hormone and prolactin have stimulatory effects on testicular macrophages in LTHX rats.

Primary degeneration of the granular layer of the cerebellum. A study of 14 patients and review of the literature

Primary degeneration of the granular layer of the cerebellum is an autosomal recessive disorder exhibiting characteristic clinical features: hypotonia, strabismus, delayed motor development, nonprogressive ataxia, delayed language development with dysarthria and mental retardation. We studied fourteen children, seven of each gender. Neuroimaging tests including pneumoencephalography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe cerebellar atrophy in all. MRI best demonstrated the cerebellar lesion, revealing great uniformity amongst the cases. Vertebrobasilar angiography was performed in two cases and showed marked hypoplasia of the cerebellar arteries, predominantly the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and its branches. Necropsy was performed in three cases; cerebellar atrophy with loss of granular cells and diverse abnormalities of the Purkinje cells was found in two. The third, the sister of one of the other two cases, had a similar but shorter clinical course and died at three months of age. Her sister, who died at 5 years of age, presented a severe cerebellar atrophy with typical changes in the granular cell layer and Purkinje cells. In the third patient, who lived three months, only focal cerebellar folial atrophy with no microscopic changes in the granular cell layers was present. Though this case cannot objectively be included in the cerebellar atrophy syndrome with granular cell loss, her family history and clinical picture suggest the same disease. The findings observed in our series and the study of cases described in the literature, suggest that there are several forms of this disease which differ mainly in severity and neurological evolution. The cerebellar lesion seems to be a progressive atrophic process with the most severe changes during the early years of life.

Aluminium allergy in patients hyposensitized with aluminium-precipitated antigen extracts

During hyposensitization therapy with aluminium-precipitated antigen solutions, a small % of patients develop persistent subcutaneous nodules at the injection site; the existence of delayed sensitivity to aluminium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these nodules. We studied the prevalence of aluminium sensitivity (using patch, prick and intradermal tests) and common contact allergens (TRUE Test) in 20 healthy subjects, and in 40 patients treated with aluminium-containing extracts, 20 of whom had persistent subcutaneous nodules that remained for more than 2 months, the other half having no nodular reactions or nodules that remained for less than 2 months. Aluminium sensitivity was found only in those patients of the treated group who had persistent nodular reactions, 4 cases of positivity to an aluminium chloride patch test being found. All 4 cases were women, nodules remained for more than 6 months, and intracutaneous tests were negative. 3 of them also had contact sensitivity to nickel. In 2 cases, nodules were removed for histological and histochemical examination, showing non-specific inflammatory granulomas, and aluminium crystals being found in only 1 case. It is concluded that delayed sensitivity to aluminium appears to be implicated in the pathogenesis of persistent nodular reactions, but sensitivity to aluminium was not found in patients treated with aluminium-precipitated extracts without persistent nodular reactions.

Influence of the postnatal administration of tumor necrosis factor plus interferon-alpha 2b on the development of ethyl-nitrosourea-induced brain tumors in rats

Using the experimental model of brain tumors induced by ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU), interferon-alpha 2b and human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) have been administered to Wistar rats between 100 and 130 days of life (one injection each week, by intraperitoneal route, of 100 micrograms of TNF and 10(4) IU of interferon-alpha 2b, in a total volume of 1 ml per injection). The results obtained suggest, that at this time, this association achieves a reduction in the number of so-called 'malignant schwannomas', but it does not influence the time of appearance nor the number of so-called 'malignant schwannomas', but it does not influence the time of appearance nor the number of so-called 'oligodendroglioma-like tumors'. On the basis of previous observations about cytokine modulation of these ENU-induced neoplasms, a different course of time for obtaining a postnatal biomodulation of both type of tumors is suggested.

Serpentine aneurysm: regrowth after a superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass and internal carotid artery ligation: case report

Giant serpentine aneurysms (GSAs) are infrequent. We present a 37-year-old patient with a giant serpentine aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery that was treated with a superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass and ligature of the left internal carotid artery. After 2 years, the patient presented new symptoms of neurological deterioration and the computed tomographic scan and arteriography showed regrowth of the aneurysm, which was excised. Enlargement of a giant serpentine aneurysm once it has been treated with ipsilateral carotid ligation and/or bypass anastomosis is rare, and only two cases have been described previously.

Selective depletion of testicular macrophages and prevention of Leydig cell repopulation after treatment with ethylene dimethane sulfonate in rats

Testicular macrophages were selectively eliminated with dichloromethylene diphosphonate-containing liposomes (Cl2MDP-lp) to study the role of these cells in the repopulation of Leydig cells after treatment with ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS). Right testes were injected with Cl2MDP-lp to deplete macrophages and left testes were injected with sodium chloride and served as controls. Injection of Cl2MDP-lp produced a 97% reduction in the number of macrophages 10 days after treatment. Twenty-one days after destruction of the existing Leydig cells with EDS, abundant differentiating Leydig cells were present in the left (macrophage-containing) testes. On the contrary, in the right (macrophage-depleted) testes, differentiating Leydig cells were scarce, and was 3% of that found in the control testes. The inhibition of Leydig cell repopulation in macrophage-depleted testes was more evident at 30 days after EDS treatment, when the number of Leydig cells in the right testes was 1% of that found in control testes. The lack of Leydig cell development was also indirectly shown by the lower mass and more atrophic seminiferous epithelium of the right testes, as well as the decreased weight of the ipsilateral epididymis compared with the left testes. These results indicate that testicular macrophages are central to the proliferation and differentiation of new Leydig cells after EDS treatment, and point out the significance of paracrine regulatory mechanisms in rat testes.

Gangliosides modulate the development of ethyl-nitrosourea induced brain tumors in rats

The possible effect of gangliosides as biological modifiers of the ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU) model of neurocarcinogenesis in rats is studied. Wistar rats that were exposed to ENU during fetal life, were treated with gangliosides at a postnatal age corresponding to a stage of pretumor or microtumor development. The results obtained suggest that postnatal administration of gangliosides can influence the development of ENU-induced brain tumors, delaying the appearance of symptomatic neoplasms and improving survival with respect to controls. This finding suggests the potential usefulness of gangliosides in the control of neuroectodermal tumors.

Decreased number and size and the defective function of testicular macrophages in long-term hypophysectomized rats are reversed by treatment with human gonadotrophins

Macrophages are a common cell type in the testicular interstitium of the rat and are morphologically and functionally related to Leydig cells. We investigated the number of macrophages and Leydig cells in long-term (24 weeks) hypophysectomized (LTHX) or sham-operated rats. LTHX rats showed a 76% decrease in the number of macrophages, whereas the number of Leydig cells was only slightly decreased (by 18%). The profile areas of both macrophages and Leydig cells were very much decreased (46% and 66% respectively). Sham-operated and LTHX rats were treated with vehicle or human FSH and LH (hFSH/hLH; 75 IU/kg body weight per day) for 1 week. This treatment induced a 286% increase in the number of macrophages and a 32% increase in the number of Leydig cells in LTHX rats. The profile areas of macrophages and Leydig cells were also increased (212% and 184% respectively). About 80% of macrophages showed vacuolization of the cytoplasm. Gonadotrophin treatment did not induce changes in cell numbers in sham-operated animals but about 30% of macrophages showed large cytoplasmic vacuoles. Vehicle- or hormone-treated LTHX rats were given a single injection of ethylene dimethane sulphonate (EDS) and killed 72 h later. Leydig cells were absent from the testicular interstitium of sham-operated rats but there were large numbers of dead Leydig cells (about 40% of the pre-existing population) in the testicular interstitium of LTHX rats 3 days after EDS treatment. Complete clearance of the testicular interstitium from EDS-killed Leydig cells was found in LTHX rats treated with hFSH/hLH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

New pattern of hyperechogenicity in thalamus and basal ganglia studied by color Doppler flow imaging

Thirty-seven infants whose cerebral real-time B-mode ultrasound (CUS) documented hyperechogenic areas in the thalamus and basal ganglia (HTBG) either of linear or fine punctate pattern, were studied prospectively by color Doppler imaging (CDI). This study aimed to establish a relationship between these areas and the regional vasculature, to analyze associated disorders to establish pathogenesis, and to determine clinical significance. HTBG were diagnosed in the first 4 days of life in all but 7 infants. Different patterns of HTBG were observed: punctate in 11 infants, linear in 12, and mixed in 14. The basal ganglia were affected in all patients, 9 also had involvement of the thalamus. CDI confirmed that HTBG were allocated along the gangliothalamic vessels. Blood flow velocity waves were obtained at this level in all patients. Real-time spectral analyses were performed in 35 patients and compared with a control group of 20 healthy neonates. Differences were not significant. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging failed to indicate this abnormality. Necropsy revealed basophilic deposits in the walls of involved arteries. Congenital infections manifested in 5 patients, chromosomal abnormality in 1, dysmorphic syndromes in 9 (3 unidentified), isolated congenital defects in 5, and diverse congenital disorders in 3. In the remaining 14, no congenital disorders nor infections were found. This CDI study demonstrates the vascular location of these HTBG. Supported by early CUS diagnosis, it is speculated that vascular injury in that region has a prenatal origin. This abnormality does not appear to alter regional blood flow. HTBG are associated with very heterogeneous disorders and in most patients the etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear.

Hyaline globules in uterine malignant mixed müllerian tumours. A diagnostic aid?

In order to evaluate the presence of hyaline globules (HGs) in uterine malignant mixed müllerian tumours (MMMT), and its possible diagnostic value in haematoxylin & eosin stained sections, a retrospective microscopic study of 38 cases (13 homologous and 25 heterologous) was carried out. Intra- and extracellular HGs were found in 31 MMMT (81.6%), 8 homologous (61.5%) and 23 heterologous (92%). In addition, strong alpha-1-antitrypsin immunoreactivity was also noted in the HGs of 10 cases out of 13 investigated. In initial diagnostic curettage material, HGs were observed in 18 of 22 cases (81.8%), 6 of 9 homologous (66.7%) and 12 of 13 heterologous (92.3%). In view of the high incidence of HGs in curettage specimens, their finding in haematoxylin & eosin stained sections could orientate a histopathologic preoperative diagnosis of MMMT, specially of heterologous type, and may be considered a diagnostic tool in order to indicate an early, planned therapy and staging in these neoplasms of poor prognosis.

Identifying opportunities to ask patients about their treatment wishes

Here is a challenging ethical case study about a women who when faced with multiple complications wondered if she could go on. Without specific information on her wishes, an ethical situation ensued when she became unresponsive with combined cardiac, renal, respiratory, and infective complications from cardiac bypass surgery and chronic COPD. Part I describes this case submitted by DCCN readers and Part 2 provides a case analysis by an ethical consultant with suggestions for nurses in similar situations.

Postoperative wound care: nursing assessment and management

The management of a surgical wound requires basic knowledge and understanding of the wound healing process. Wound healing is a systemic process that begins with an injury and continues with a series of physiological responses that will ultimately impact the ability of the wound to heal. Certain systemic factors have been identified that impact this series of events. Through a continual holistic assessment of the patient, and the many factors influencing wound healing, interventions can be altered for a more positive outcome.

Type I familial amyloid polyneuropathy and pontine haemorrhage

A Portuguese female, aged 47 years, who had emigrated to Spain, was admitted to the hospital in 1991 for pontine haematoma. The patient, four siblings and her father were affected by a peripheral neuropathy, indicating autosomal dominant inheritance. The patient presented in the 2nd decade with sensory and motor neuropathy beginning in the lower extremities. Alternating constipation and diarrhoea, and urinary incontinence became uncontrollable. She had to be colostomised, and, eventually, confined to a wheelchair from the age of 43. Neurological examination showed bilateral facial involvement, and severe signs of sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy, and later right hemiplegia. There were abnormalities of atrial rhythm and left bundle branch block. Computerised axial tomography and magnetic resonance images demonstrated left-sided pontine haemorrhage. Nerve conduction studies revealed severe diminution of motor conduction velocity and absence or reduction of amplitude of sensory and motor action potentials. Inanition and a respiratory infection led to her death. Clinical diagnosis was type I familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Postmortem examination demonstrated amyloid deposits in peripheral nerves, including spinal roots and cranial nerves, leptomeninges, thyroid, breasts, heart, adrenal glands, kidneys, intestines, pancreas, and meningeal and some pontine vascular structures. Advanced pontine haematoma was verified. Cerebral haemorrhage usually occurs with cerebrovascular amyloidosis, but exceptionally with FAP. A minority of patients presenting with CNS haemorrhage showed arteriovenous malformation or embolism [Da Silva Horta and Dias Coelho (1960) Arch 'de Vecchi' Anal Patol Med Clin 31 = 163-172].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Scleromyxedema associated with arthritis and myopathy: a case report

Herein we report a patient with scleromyxedema associated with seronegative polyarthritis and proximal myopathy. The histopathologic and electron microscopic features are described and compared with previously reported patients with documented scleromyxedema and myopathy.

Encapsulated intracerebral hematomas: a defined entity. Case report

Encapsulated intracerebral hematoma is an interesting and not widely appreciated entity. It can be defined as an intraparenchymal hematoma found in normotensive patients, usually caused by histologically confirmed vascular malformations, characterized by a gradual clinical onset, and presenting a well-defined capsule at operation. One case is presented and 25 previously reported cases are reviewed, all reflecting the above-mentioned characteristics. The hematomas reviewed here occurred in relatively young patients with a mean age of 35 years and a clear male predominance (19 males, seven females). A ring of contrast enhancement around a lesion of variable density, usually with mass effect and perifocal edema, is the most relevant feature on computerized tomography. Findings on magnetic resonance images are described for the first time in the reported case. A vascular malformation was the most frequent cause found on histological examination (12 of the 26 total cases). No proven cause was found in the remaining 14 cases, although a small vascular malformation, destroyed or thrombosed after rupturing and bleeding, is the most likely etiology in these patients.

Spinal epidural hemangiomas

Two patients with epidural cavernous hemangiomas located at the lumbar and cervical spine are reported. The first case presented clinically as progressive paraparesis, and the second began with sudden tetraparesis after a strong physical exercise. Myelography and MRI were the diagnostic tools. Surgical decompression improved the signs and symptoms in both cases. Spinal epidural cavernous hemangiomas are rare lesions that are usually regarded as vascular hamartomas. Symptom onset may be insidious or acute and the prognosis after timely surgery is better when compared with that of intrathecal cavernous hemangiomas. The histology and treatment of these processes are discussed.

Experimental neurocytomas

Four ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced oligodendroglioma-like tumors of the rat showing large rosettes on haematoxylin-eosin stain were studied by means of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, and their features compared with six human intraventricular neurocytomas. The similarities between the experimental and human tumors studied support the hypothesis that most of the so-called ENU-induced oligodendrogliomas in the rat are primitive neuroectodermal tumors with the tendency to differentiate toward a neuronal phenotype, and also suggest that the ENU-model of neurocarcinogenesis is useful for the induction of experimental neurocytomas.

Early infantile epileptic encephalopathy: a case associated with hemimegalencephaly

The authors report a case of early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) associated with hemimegalencephaly. The etiological factors in previously published cases of EIEE are reviewed and attention is focused on the high proportion of cases associated with neuronal migration disorders. We suggest that idiopathic cases of EIEE would be due to such disorders.

Synaptophysin expression in "ependymal tumors" induced by ethyl-nitrosourea in rats

Synaptophysin expression was studied in seven "ependymomas" induced by transplacental administration of ethyl-nitrosourea in rats. In all the cases, strong positivity for synaptophysin was found on tumor cells. This finding supports previous studies suggesting that ENU-induced brain tumors considered to be ependymal neoplasms, are, in fact, primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

Expression of neuronal and glial markers in so-called oligodendroglial tumors induced by transplacental administration of ethyl-nitrosourea in the rat

A series of 18 tumors with histological features of oligodendrogliomas, induced in the rat by means of transplacental ethyl-nitrosourea administration were studied for immunohistochemical demonstration of neuronal (synaptophysin and neurofilament protein) and glial (gliofibrillar acidic protein and vimentin) markers. Most of the tumors showed cells with strong positivity to synaptophysin and to a lesser degree, to neurofilament protein, suggesting the neuronal character of these neoplasms. In 10 tumors, cells with strong positivity to vimentin were found, and in three cases, tumoral cells expressed gliofibrillar acidic protein. The observation that ENU-induced oligodendroglial tumors express neuronal and, to a minor degree, glial markers, suggests their interpretation as primitive neuroectodermal tumors with clear neuronal differentiation.

Oral gentamicin is not effective treatment for persistent diarrhea

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of oral gentamicin (10 milligrams/kilogram body weight/day for five days) in treatment of unselected cases of persistent diarrhea (duration 14-18 days at initiation of treatment) among 3-36-month-old children in a rural Guatemalan community. Following random assignment of each child to a treatment group, the appropriate dose of gentamicin or placebo was administered to the child three times daily by a study nurse; this nurse also identified the presence or absence of diarrhea on each day of treatment and for the next two days. Cure was defined as cessation of diarrhea during the five-day treatment period, sustained through at least the two days after completion of treatment. Among 92 evaluable cases who entered the clinical trial, there was essentially no difference in cure rate between gentamicin and placebo treatment groups (42% versus 43%). Enteroadherent strains of Escherichia coli were identified in 46% of children tested in this trial; no significant difference existed between treatment groups in frequency of isolation of this or any other enteropathogen. Among 40 children having successful duodenal cultures immediately prior to beginning treatment, > or = 10(4) aerobic organisms per milliliter of fluid were identified in 12 (30%); treatment groups did not differ substantially with respect to proportion of children identified with this level of duodenal microbial colonization. Failure of gentamicin treatment did not appear to be explained by emergence of resistance, although a small number of resistant enteropathogens were identified near the end of the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of neuronal markers in the so-called ENU-induced schwannomas

The present data show that the so-called ENU-induced malignant schwannomas express neuronal markers. This finding supports the hypothesis that a population of tumor cells in these neoplasms are neuroblastic in nature, and suggests the classification of ENU-induced schwannomas as primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

Immunocytochemical localization of sulfated glycoprotein-1 (SGP-1) and identification of its transcripts in epithelial cells of the extratesticular duct system of the rat

The localization of sulfated glycoprotein-1 (SGP-1) in the extratesticular duct system was analyzed using an affinity purified antibody raised against the protein in conjunction with light (LM) and electron (EM) microscope immunocytochemistry. In the LM an intense immunoperoxidase reaction product was observed over the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells as well as over the tails of late spermatids. The rete epithelial cells and nonciliated cells of the efferent ducts also showed an intense uniform reaction over their entire cytoplasm. In the EM, immunogold labeling was noted over the entire endocytic apparatus of these cells including coated pits, endosomes, multivesicular bodies, and secondary lysosomes. Since there was no labeling of the luminal contents including sperm along the epididymis, it was concluded that the Sertoli-derived SGP-1 must dissociate from the sperm and be taken up by epithelial cells at the level of the rete testis and efferent ducts. In all regions of the epididymis, except the cauda, the principal cells showed, in the LM, an intense reaction over bodies of various shapes and sizes in their supranuclear region; this corresponded in the EM to a strong immunogold labeling of secondary lysosomes. No labeling was noted, however, over coated pits, endosomes, or pale multivesicular bodies, suggesting that SGP-1 was not being endocytosed from the lumen. Similar observations were noted for the epithelial clear cells along the entire epididymis. In the cauda epididymidis, principal cells presented a weak immunolabeling of their secondary lysosomes. Northern blot analysis revealed a strong 2.6 Kb band corresponding to the mRNA of SGP-1 in the efferent ducts and all regions of the epididymis with the exception of the cauda. Coincident with the mRNA expression of SGP-1 it was found that small clusters of gold particles representing anti SGP-1, presumably membrane bound, were associated with the Golgi apparatus as well as in close proximity to secondary lysosomes. There was, however, no evidence for the secretion of SGP-1 into the lumen. These results suggest that SGP-1 is synthesized by the epithelial cells of the male duct system and ferried by small vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus to secondary lysosomes. Because SGP-1 has recently been shown to have substantial sequence similarity to prosaposin, it may be speculated that SGP-1 is instrumental in the degradation of membrane glycolipids present within secondary lysosomes of epithelial cells of the extratesticular duct system.

Localization of sulfated glycoprotein-2 (clusterin) on spermatozoa and in the reproductive tract of the male rat

Sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2) is one of the major proteins secreted by rat Sertoli cells and epididymal cells in culture. The disulfide-linked dimeric protein secreted by Sertoli cells and found in seminiferous tubule fluid is composed of monomers of Mr 47 000 and 34 000 whereas the epididymal protein exhibits monomers of Mr 40 000 and 29 000. When both forms were chemically or enzymatically deglycosylated, they yielded proteins of similar molecular weight. No modification of the higher molecular weight testicular form by epididymal cells or fluids could be detected in incubation media. SGP-2 mRNA was localized in epididymal epithelium by in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis indicated the testicular and epididymal mRNAs were of similar size. These findings suggest that the two forms of the protein occur because of tissue-specific post-translational modifications. The detergent-extracted protein from washed testicular spermatozoa is of the higher molecular weight form while epididymal sperm carry the lower molecular weight form. Immunohistochemical evidence suggests that the testicular form is removed prior to the initial segment of the epididymis and the epididymal form is applied in the proximal caput epididymidis. SGP-2 was immunolocalized to the sperm membrane at the ultrastructural level and was distinctly different from the immunolocalization of outer dense fiber proteins and fibrous sheath proteins.

[Our experience with Kufs disease: familial form and sporadic case]

Our experience on Kufs' disease includes a familiar, neurovisceral form and a sporadic case. The familiar form shows an autosomal, dominant inheritance, and belongs to Berkovic's type B. A variability on the age of onset was observed, being more protracted in women. The sporadic case belongs to Berkovic's type A. Her EEG showed a periodic, short-interval, activity for a long period of illness. NMR findings were nonspecific for the diagnosis. All cases showed granular osmiophilic deposits, but not storage characterized by fingerprint profiles. Visceral storage in many cases on Kufs' disease suggests the utility of visceral biopsy evaluation for the diagnosis during life.

[Phenotypic characteristics of 100 strains belonging to the mesophilic aeromonas group isolated from feces]

Phenotypic characteristics of 100 strains pertaining to the group of mesophilic aeromonas isolated in feces of patients with diarrhea (23 A. hydrophila, 34 A. sobria, 19 A. caviae, and 24 considered atypical because produced a the negative esculin reaction and a positive gas formation from glucose [TSI]). The percentages obtained in the different biochemical tests support the hypothesis that in this group there is a taxonomic complexity. We observed variations in the following tests: LDC, arabinose, Voges-Proskauser, lactose, and motility and hemolytic activity. We compared manual and automatic procedures in detecting esculinase and beta-galactosidase activity (ONPG). The study of constitutional enzymatic activity by means of API ZYM system can not be used to differentiate the distinct species although the enzyme beta-glucosidase is detected preferentially in A. hydrophila.

Cerebral abnormalities in congenital myotonic dystrophy

The brain structure of 14 infants born with congenital myotonic dystrophy at 2 hospitals was evaluated by cranial ultrasonography, and the findings were correlated with clinical and neuropathologic data. Ventricular dilation was diagnosed in 11 infants (78%). Seven infants died during the neonatal period; all had ventricular dilation which remained essentially static. In the ultrasound scans of the 5 infants with ventricular dilation. Of the 7 survivors, 4 had ventricular dilation born at 1 hospital, 4 had widening of the interhemispheric fissure. Macrocephaly, a previously unrecognized finding in congenital myotonic dystrophy, was present in 10 infants (71%), 8 of whom presented with ventricular dilation. None had clinical evidence of increased intracranial pressure. There was no ventricular obstruction in the 4 brains examined pathologically. Histologic examination revealed minor expression of neuronal migrational disturbances in each patient. Macrocephaly together with the ultrasonographic and neuropathologic findings in our patients suggest that these abnormalities may originate in an external hydrocephalus.

Trisomy 13 syndrome and neural tube defects

Abnormalities of the CNS, such as arhinencephaly or holoprosencephaly, are common findings in trisomy 13 syndrome. However, neural tube defects (NTDs) are rarely reported. A review of 267 patients in the literature on reported CNS developmental defects in trisomy 13 syndrome showed only 6 patients with lumbosacral NTDs. No case of encephalocele or anencephaly was found. We report on 3 patients with spina bifida from the records of 34 necropsies of karyotyped trisomy 13 syndrome, which were found among 403,710 births.

[Clinical significance of cervical arthropathy in patients with vertigo]

We performed a thorough neuro-otological evaluation and a radiological study of the cervical spine in 102 patients with vestibular symptoms. A group of 20 asymptomatic subjects served as control. Some degree of cervical spondylosis was found in 121 of 122 patients but also in the majority of control subjects. No relationship was observed between the degree of cervical spondylosis and vestibular abnormalities. Instead, the latter were strongly related to age. Thus, an age dependent microvascular damage may be more likely as an etiological factor for vestibular symptoms in the elderly.

A procedure for enrichment and isolation of mutants of the salt-tolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii having altered glycerol metabolism

The salt-tolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii produces and accumulates glycerol when subjected to salt stress, whereby the buoyant density of the cells is changed. This property allows for enrichment of mutants with altered glycerol metabolism by density gradient centrifugation. Colonies derived from cells with rapidly changing density following an osmotic shock were screened for increased glycerol production by observing their ability to support growth of a glycerol-requiring strain of Escherichia coli. The glycerol overproducting phenotype of two isolates was confirmed by chemical analysis.

Role of spermatogonia in the stage-synchronization of the seminiferous epithelium in vitamin-A-deficient rats

After 20-day-old rats are placed on a vitamin-A-deficient diet (VAD) for a period of 10 weeks, the seminiferous tubules are found to contain only Sertoli cells and a small number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Retinol administration to VAD rats reinitiates spermatogenesis, but a stage-synchronization of the seminiferous epithelium throughout the testis of these rats is observed. In order to determine which cell type is responsible for this synchronization, the germ cell population has been analyzed in whole mounts of seminiferous tubules dissected from the testes of rats submitted to the following treatments. Twenty-day-old rats received a VAD diet for 10 weeks and then were divided into three groups of six rats. In group 1, all animals were sacrificed immediately; in group 2, the rats were injected once with retinol and sacrificed 3 hr later; in group 3, the rats were injected once with retinol, placed on a retinol-containing diet for 7 days and 3 hr, and then sacrificed. Three rats from each group had one testis injected with 3H-thymidine 3 hr (groups 1 and 2) or 7 days and 3 hr (group 3) before sacrifice. Three normal adult rats (approximately 100 days old) served as controls. Labeled and unlabeled germinal cells were mapped and scored in isolated seminiferous tubules. In group 1, type A1 and type A0 spermatogonia as well as some preleptotene spermatocytes were present; type A2, A3, A4, In, and B spermatogonia were completely eliminated from the testis. Neither type A1 mitotic figures nor 3H-thymidine-labeled-type A1 nuclei were seen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Osmoregulation of the salt-tolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii grown in a chemostat at different salinities

The intracellular solute composition of the salt-tolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii was studied in glucose-limited chemostat cultures at different concentrations of NaCl (4 mM, 0.68 M, and 1.35 M). A strong positive correlation between the total intracellular polyol concentration (glycerol and arabinitol) and medium salinity was demonstrated. The intracellular polyol concentration was sufficient to balance about 75% of the osmotic pressure of the medium in cultures with 0.68 and 1.35 M NaCl. The intracellular concentration of K+ and Na+, which at low external salinity gave a considerable contribution to the intracellular water potential, was only slightly enhanced with raised medium salinity. However, the ratio of intracellular K+ to Na+ decreased; but this decrease was less drastic in the cells than in the surrounding medium, i.e., the cells were able to select for K+ in favor of Na+. The turgor pressure, which was estimated on the basis of intracellular solute concentrations, was 2,200 kPa in cultures with 4 mM NaCl and decreased when the external salinity was raised, resulting in a value of about 500 kPa in cultures with 1.35 M NaCl. The maintenance of a positive turgor pressure at high salinity was mainly due to an increased production and accumulation of glycerol.

Sulfated glycoprotein-1 (saposin precursor) in the reproductive tract of the male rat

Sulfated glycoprotein-1 is one of the major protein secretion products of rat Sertoli cells in culture. This 70,000 Mr protein shares substantial sequence similarity with human prosaposin, the precursor of lysosomal saposins. Saposins are known to enhance the activity of lipid modifying enzymes presumably by solubilizing the lipids. We report here the immunolocalization of sulfated glycoprotein-1 in the cells and fluid of the male reproductive tract. The protein is present in secondary lysosomes of Sertoli cells and also in the luminal fluid of seminiferous tubules and epididymis. The highest concentrations of the protein are in seminiferous tubule fluid and rete testis fluid, while relatively low amounts are found in cauda epididymal fluid and serum. Sulfated glycoprotein-1 is believed to be involved in degradation of lipids in residual bodies and may also assist in modification of membrane lipids during sperm maturation.

Function of vitamin A in normal and synchronized seminiferous tubules

Vitamin A is clearly an important factor in spermatogenesis. Some of the new data on metabolism of retinoids in the testis has contributed to our understanding of the mechanism(s) involved in the action of vitamin A. It is probable that the requirement of the testis of vitamin A deficient rats for retinol but not retinoic acid involves access of the retinoids to various testicular compartments. Retinol may be required by germinal cells because of a requirement for esterification in order to be successfully transported by the Sertoli cells. Existing evidence suggests that both the Sertoli cells and the germinal cells have specific requirements for retinoids. In the vitamin A deficient rat there appears to be a developmental block at preleptotene spermatocyte and type Al spermatogonia stages. This block is removed by retinol and germinal cell development reinitiates in a synchronous manner. The synchronous testis model offers a number of advantages for the study of molecular events associated with the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and the development of germinal cells as well as for investigations into the mechanism of action of the retinoids.

Anaphylaxis produced by rubber glove contact. Case reports and immunological identification of the antigens involved

A study was carried out on six subjects suffering from anaphylactic reactions including asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, contact urticaria and hypotension following contact with rubber gloves. All of them showed skin sensitivity and serum specific IgE to various preparations of natural latex, and not to other chemicals used in glove manufacturing. Immunoblotting techniques demonstrated that at least four soluble polypeptides from natural latex had the ability to bind specific human IgE. The results suggested that natural latex proteins present in rubber gloves can cause severe specific hypersensitivity reactions.