A case of parietal atrophy: etiopathogenetic evaluation

We report on the case of a patient presenting a muscle atrophy of the right hand and a left parietal neoplastic lesion rapidly progressing. EMG findings showed no signs of denervation nor sensory-motor conduction impairments. Parietal lesions might interrupt sensory control mechanisms of motor activity.

Myelin basic protein purification in non denaturing conditions

The utilization of denaturing methods for protein purification causes the irreversible loss of quaternary and tertiary structure together with consistent changes in the secondary structure. These modifications reflect on protein antigenicity. MBP is a myelin protein which is bound to membrane-phospholipids. Its tertiary structure is specific for this kind of interaction which determines its native conformation. MBP was obtained in two forms: denatured and non denatured. The latter has been purified using the non-ionic detergent beta-octil-D-glucopyranoside which is able to preserve protein tertiary structure separating it from the bilayer phospholipids. Non denaturated MBP could be useful in antibody and/or lymphocyte activity detection studies in various human pathological processes.

[Post-irradiation lesions of the brachial plexus]

A series of 60 cases in which a departure was made from the usual chronological distribution of preoperative radiation doses for breast cancer is presented. Tardive lesions were noted in the brachial plexus in 33 cases. Their incidence was higher in patients who had received larger dose fractions over a shorter total period. The progress of these lesions was barely influenced by medical and physical management. The underlying pathogenetic problems are examined, with particular reference to the radiotherapeutic technique and dose fractionation. Agreement is expressed with the opinion of other workers that the risk of such lesions can be kept down by employing a scrupulously careful technique, and employing total doses of 4.500-5.500 rads in 5-6 weeks. The conventional pattern of 5 weekly sessions should not be too widely departed from.