Decreased inhibition of immune precipitation by sera with the C2 B allotype

Complement-mediated precipitation inhibiting (CMPI) activity of sera of 5 individuals homozygous for C2 B was compared to that of sera of 20 individuals carrying the common C2 C allotype. Sera with the rare C2 B allotype had a depressed CMPI capacity in both the early (5 min) and the late (60 min) stages of the reaction. We have also compared the CMPI activity of seven homozygous C4A deficient (C4A*Q0) and eight C4B deficient (C4B*Q0) serum samples and did not find significant differences from the controls (no C4 null alleles) in any stage of the reaction. These results indicate that C2 is the critical component in the CMPI reaction of the two constituents of the classical pathway C3 convertase and that C2 B is less active than C2 C.

Differences in the complement activation induced by preformed and nascent immune complexes

While preformed BSA-anti-BSA immune complexes (PIC) bind efficiently to human RBC after their interaction with human complement, nascent BSA-anti-BSA immune complexes (NIC) formed in the presence of complement do not bind to autologous RBC. The same results were obtained with tetanus toxoid-anti-tetanus toxoid PIC and NIC. In order to elucidate the causes of this marked difference between the RBC-binding properties of PIC and NIC, the profile of complement activation induced by them was compared using haemolytic assays and sensitive ELISA tests. BSA-anti-BSA NIC activated C1 more efficiently than PIC. This was reflected in a higher C4 content of the isolated NIC and higher C1 INH-C1s and lower C1q-fibronectin complex level in the NIC-treated serum as compared to the PIC-treated ones. Although isolated NIC contained more C3 than isolated PIC did, there was no significant difference in the AP activation. These findings suggest that the failure of NIC to bind to RBC is not due to a lack of C4-binding, or C3-binding and/or activation, but rather to the special structure of this type of complex.

[Epidemiologic study of primary liver cancer in Vas County]

The incidence of primary liver carcinoma in the last twelve years was investigated retrospectively in the county Vas. A continuously increasing tumor frequency was found, by the end of the period the value had doubled. The phenomenon attained nearly exclusively the male population while no change could be seen in females. For further clarification comparative investigations into the association between chronic HBV infection and chronic alcohol abuse as well and hepatic carcinoma were performed. Changes in these factors cannot fully explain the gross increase in hepatic tumor incidence, the effect of other risk factors has to be suspected.

[Nicolau syndrome after ketazon injection]

Nicolau syndrome is a rare complication, which occurs after intramuscular injections of various drugs, particularly antirheumatic drugs. During one year, the authors observed this syndrome in three patients, who had received intramuscular injections of Ketazon. The aetiology of the syndrome is not yet known, but it is often caused by accidental intraarterial injections of the drug. Since there is no specific therapy for the syndrome, the authors insist on the possibility of preventing it.

Different motor actions of dynorphins and nonpeptide kappa opioid receptor agonists in the isolated rat colon

Dynorphin 1-17 has been suggested to be the endogenous ligand for kappa opioid receptors. In this study motor effects of dynorphin 1-17, its N-terminal fragments d-Pen2,d-Pen5-enkephalin (DPDPE) and d-Ser2-[Leu5]enkephalin-Thr (DSLET) without or with pretreatment with naloxone, (-)-2-(furylmethyl)-noretacocine (Mr 2266) or tetrodotoxin (TTX) on the isolated rat colon were compared with those of nonpeptide kappa opioid receptor agonists. Intraluminal pressure changes were measured by perfusion manometry in preparations maintained in a standard organ bath. Dynorphin 1-17, 1-9, 1-8, 1-6, [Leu5]enkephalin, DPDPE and DSLET dose dependently stimulated the tone in the proximal, middle and distal colon with the maximum response at 10(-6) to 10(-5) M. The stimulation produced by Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe and Tyr-Gly-Gly was 60 and 600 times less potent, respectively. Concentrations of 10(-10) to 10(-6) M des-Tyr1-[Leu5]enkephalin, dynorphin 3-13, 6-17, 1-methyl-2-(3-thienylcarbonyl)-amino-ethyl-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-H-2,3 dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepine, trans-(+/-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl)-benzene- acetamide-methane sulfonate and (5a,7a,8B)-(-)-N-methyl-(7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro(4,5)-dec-8- yl) benzeneacet-amide produced no changes in motor activity of the rat colon. Only doses exceeding 10(-6) M of the latter three substances stimulated colonic tone. This action was inhibited neither by naloxone nor by Mr 2266. In contrast, the stimulation by dynorphin 1-17 and 1-6 was inhibited to a greater extent by naloxone than by Mr 2266.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Giardia lamblia infestation at child day care centers. Nutritional impact in infested children]

Seventy-five children attending a day care center (42 girls and 33 boys, aged from 6 to 65 months) were surveyed for excretion of Giardia lamblia cysts. Cyst excretion was found in 17 (23%) of the children, 9 of whom were still positive 6 months later. Weight, height and arm skinfold thickness of each subject were obtained and compared to normal values in the Québec population; a questionnaire concerning gastrointestinal symptoms was filled out for each child. No difference in weight, height, skinfold thickness or in frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms was found when comparing cyst excretors to children with a negative stool examination. This study suggests that G. lamblia infestation has little or no nutritional impact. This should be confirmed by a larger study.

Smoking and pH response to H2-receptor antagonists

Smoking has been shown to impair the therapeutic effect of H2-receptor antagonists. To evaluate the acid-reducing capacity of H2-receptor antagonists in relation to smoking habits, we tested the effect of ranitidine (Ran) and famotidine (Fam) under physiologic conditions, using ambulatory pH-metry. Intragastric pH was measured over 20 h. Each of 18 healthy volunteers, 9 smokers and 9 nonsmokers, received 40 mg Fam, 300 mg Ran, or placebo in a double-blind, randomized study as a single evening dose. With both drugs 20-h acidity was markedly suppressed. After Fam treatment mean inhibition was 61% in smokers and 76% in nonsmokers and after Ran 51% and 67%, respectively. When areas under the pH curves for each individual were calculated and treatment compared with placebo (= 100%), the response was smaller in smokers than in nonsmokers with either drug (Fam, 153 +/- 21% versus 214 +/- 19%, p less than 0.01; Ran, 176 +/- 21% versus 232 +/- 29%, p less than 0.05) during the first 4 h after drug intake. A similar effect was observed in the morning period from 0600 to 1000 h (Fam, 118 +/- 19% versus 206 +/- 19%, p less than 0.001; Ran, 133 +/- 21% versus 207 +/- 31%, p less than 0.02). During the nighttime there were no significant differences. These findings indicate that smoking impairs the response to both drugs tested.

[Has Campylobacter pylori infection any clinical relevance? Methodologic, epidemiologic and clinical studies]

The occurrence of Campylobacter pylori (CP) was studied in 180 patients referred for endoscopy. The bacterium was detected by culture, histology (Warthin-Starry staining) and urease test of antral biopsy samples. Patient groups were formed according to endoscopic diagnoses, clinical symptoms and antral mucosal histology. 50 CP positive patients with chronic antral gastritis were treated by bismuth subsalicylate (2,4 g/day) for 3 weeks. Positivity by culture and/or silver-stained histology proved to be the most reliable way for detecting CP. CP was proved in about 30% in patients with normal gastroduodenum (13/42) or with stump gastritis (4/15), in 75% with endoscopic antral gastritis (51/68) and in 89% with duodenal ulcer (49/55). A close relationship between CP and histological chronic antral gastritis could be demonstrated. No causal link between CP positive chronic active antral gastritis and non-ulcer dyspepsia could be verified. The decrease in histological activity of chronic gastritis and in dyspeptic complaints after bismuth salt therapy was found to be independent of CP elimination. The results of control investigations following a therapy-free interval of 7-10 days speak in favour of CP recolonialisation within a relativelly short period. It can be concluded that, despite the undeniable relationship between CP and chronic antral gastritis and duodenal ulcer, further studies are necessary to clarify the clinical relevance of the CP infection.

[Onset of Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myeloid leukemia with symptoms of intrahepatic cholestasis]

The case of a chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) starting in an unusual form in a young woman is reported. Rapidly progressing icterus was the first and leading symptom of the disease. Simultaneously with the exclusion of the possibility of hepatitis and extrahepatic obstruction of the bile duct the qualitative blood picture roused the suspicion of a myeloproliferative disease. Detailed hematological examinations confirmed Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) negative CML. Besides the histologically diffuse leukemic infiltration intrahepatic cholostasis could be demonstrated in the background of the icterus. In the chronic and accelerated phase clinical symptoms developing as a consequence of hepatic organic manifestation were dominating. In the authors's case the moderate leukocytosis, initial thrombocytopenia, absence of splenomegaly, early blast-phase and short survival were atypical, characteristic of Ph1 negative CML. The diagnosis and the absence of other associated hepatopathies was supported also by the post-mortem examination. CML beginning with icteric symptoms due to intrahepatic cholostasis is considered as rarity in the literature.

Enprostil reduces the increase of gastric corpus mucosal mass induced by the hydrogen-potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor BY 831-78 in the rat

We studied whether enprostil, a synthetic prostaglandin E2 derivative, might inhibit gastrin release and the trophic effects on gastric oxyntic mucosa induced by prolonged treatment with an inhibitor of hydrogen-potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase, the substituted benzimidazole BY 831-78. Rats were treated intragastrically with enprostil (1 or 15 micrograms/kg b.i.d.), BY 831-78 (15 mumol/kg once daily), the combination of enprostil and BY 831-78, ranitidine (300 mumol/kg b.i.d.), and placebo. Plasma gastrin and somatostatin levels and gastric acid secretion were measured during a 1-day treatment in animals fitted with chronic gastric fistulas and repeatedly during 9 wk of treatment in intact rats. Despite inhibiting acid secretion, enprostil did not increase plasma gastrin. When combined with BY 831-78, enprostil transiently reduced the BY 831-78-induced increase of integrated plasma gastrin (1375 +/- 206 vs. 2137 +/- 256 pmol/L.12 h, p less than 0.05) in fasted rats with fistulas, but failed to prevent the marked hypergastrinemia following 9 wk of treatment with BY 831-78 (717 +/- 80 vs. 731 +/- 56 pmol/L) in intact rats. However, enprostil reduced the BY 831-78-induced increase of oxyntic mucosal volume (458 +/- 31 vs. 567 +/- 33 mm3, p less than 0.01), whereas BY 831-78 prevented the enprostil-induced increase of antral mucosal volume (42 +/- 3 vs. 56 +/- 3 mm3, p less than 0.01). These results demonstrate that some of the trophic effects induced by a hydrogen-potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor are not exclusively governed by gastrin.

[Prognosis of stomach cancer patients in the age of complex diagnostic methods]

A retrospective study was done in 1986-87 on the survival of patients with stomach cancer. Their disease was established with complete diagnostic methods between 1975-87. In 244 patients diagnosis had been set up more than five years before. The survival of these patients was 19.4%, i.e. 47 of them were alive five years after the diagnosis. Both operability and resectability improved when compared to the earlier results (between 1965-74.). The most favourable 5-year survival and resectability were found in patients with intestinal type cancer. Early cancer was 8.3% of total, however, when only those patients were taken into consideration who had been treated either surgically or underwent surgical or endoscopic polypectomy, the percentage markedly increased 22.7%. The survival of patients with early stomach cancer was excellent: 34/37 (91.9%). A significant decrease of the incidence of stomach cancer in the region so far could not be observed.

BSA-anti-BSA immune complexes formed in the presence of human complement do not bind to autologous red blood cells

The binding of 125I-BSA-anti-BSA immune complexes (IC) formed in the presence of complement (nascent IC) and those that reacted with complement after their formation (preformed IC) to human erythrocytes was studied. The effect of antigen-antibody ratios and serum dilutions on IC binding to red blood cells (RBC) were also investigated. A dramatic difference was found between the behaviour of the two types of complexes: while preformed IC bound effectively to human RBC after their interaction with complement, no efficient RBC-binding was observed with nascent BSA-anti-BSA complexes formed in the presence of complement. Changing the antigen-antibody ratio or dilution of serum did not affect markedly the extent of difference between the binding of preformed and nascent IC. Our findings do not support the essential role of red blood cells in the elimination of each type of IC.

Patients with CLL and hypocomplementaemia have an impaired serum bactericidal activity against the Salmonella minnesota Re mutant

The bactericidal effect of 25 serum samples from 23 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) against the Salmonella minnesota S form and Re mutant has been studied. No killing of the S form was observed in any of the sera tested, whereas a normal bactericidal effect was found against the Re mutant (group 1) in 17/25 sera of CLL patients. By contrast, in 8 serum samples from 6 CLL patients no killing or a markedly delayed killing of the Re strain was observed (group 2). Significant differences in the complement levels were found between the sera of group 1 and group 2. In group 1 mostly normal or elevated complement levels were observed, while in group 2 levels of C4 and C2 were found to be strongly decreased. A significant correlation was found between the bactericidal effect on the one hand and the C4 and C2 levels on the other.

Prenatal fate of parthenogenetic cells in mouse aggregation chimaeras

Parthenogenetically activated BCF1 and fertilized BALB/c embryos were aggregated to form chimaeras. The fate of the parthenogenetic component was followed in the conceptus during the second half of gestation. The results indicate an early strong selection against parthenogenetic cells in the extra-embryonal part, which is presumably complete by term, and a weaker selective process in the embryo. During early development, parthenogenetic cells have nearly normal developmental potency in the embryo, which allows their balanced contribution in the chimaeras on day 12. Later, this contribution declines significantly resulting in an unbalanced relation to the advantage of the fertilized counterpart. From the results, we suggest that gametic imprinting may play a role not only in the key steps of preimplantation and early postimplantation development, but later in cell and tissue differentiation.

Prenatal fate of parthenogenetic cells in mouse aggregation chimaeras

Parthenogenetically activated BCF1 and fertilized BALB/c embryos were aggregated to form chimaeras. The fate of the parthenogenetic component was followed in the conceptus during the second half of gestation. The results indicate an early strong selection against parthenogenetic cells in the extra-embryonal part, which is presumably complete by term, and a weaker selective process in the embryo. During early development, parthenogenetic cells have nearly normal developmental potency in the embryo, which allows their balanced contribution in the chimaeras on day 12. Later, this contribution declines significantly resulting in an unbalanced relation to the advantage of the fertilized counterpart. From the results, we suggest that gametic imprinting may play a role not only in the key steps of preimplantation and early postimplantation development, but later in cell and tissue differentiation.

Synthesis and biological activity of some glucose-enkephalin conjugates

Two O-glucopeptides, H-Tyr(beta-D-Glc)-Gly-Gly-Phe-OH(10) and H-Tyr(beta-D-Glc)-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH (11), having the amino acid sequence of enkephalin, were synthesized to determine the influence of the carbohydrate molecule on the biological activity and conformation of these opioid peptides. The synthesis were carried out in a stepwise and/or direct manner by fusing the activated O-glucosylpseudourea intermediate with suitably protected amino acid or peptide derivatives, followed by hydrogenolytic removal of protecting groups. The pure compounds were tested for opiate-like activity by using the guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) preparations.

C1 and C4 abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and their significance

Clinical and laboratory correlations of low C1 and C4 levels previously found to be a characteristic feature of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) were analysed. Abnormalities of C4 were restricted to stage 1, 2 and 3 of CLL, whereas in the more advanced disease (stage 4) only low C1 levels were found. It was demonstrated that the observed disorders were associated with an increased susceptibility of the patients for infections and impair the immune complex precipitation inhibiting capacity of the patients' sera as well.

Effects of secretin antibody on gastric acid inhibition and pancreatic bicarbonate stimulation by acidified liver extract meal in dogs

Duodenal acidification is known to inhibit gastric H+ secretion while stimulating pancreatic HCO-3 secretion, but the mechanisms of these effects have not been fully explained. This study was designed to determine the role of endogenous and exogenous secretin in gastric inhibition and pancreatic stimulation by an acidified liver extract (LE) meal in conscious dogs prepared with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas pretreated with normal serum (control) or anti-secretin serum. In control tests, plasma gastrin and gastric H+ secretion showed a marked rise with LE meals at pH ranging from 7.0 to 4.0, but significantly declined at pH 3.0 and 2.0. Plasma secretin and pancreatic secretion started to rise with LE meals at pHs below 4.5, and both reached peaks at pH 2.0. Exogenous secretin infused at graded doses suppressed plasma gastrin and gastric H+ responses to LE meals at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 U/kg-h, but increased, dose-dependently, plasma secretin and pancreatic HCO-3 starting with a dose of 0.03 U/kg-h. Following the administration of anti-secretin serum, the effects of exogenous secretin on plasma gastrin and secretin levels as well as on gastric and pancreatic secretion were almost completely abolished. The increase in plasma secretin and pancreatic HCO-3 responses to LE meals at pH below 4.5 were also abolished by anti-secretin serum, but the suppression of plasma gastrin level and the inhibition of gastric H+ responses to LE meals at lower pH (3.0 and 2.0) remained virtually unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rabbit plasma pretransferrin system: evidence for three new alleles

Three additional pretransferrin types have been identified by one-dimensional PAGE technique in New Zealand White and Californian rabbits. The six alleles are designated PrtA, PrtB, PrtC, PrtD, PrtE and PrtF. It is likely that three of these six alleles are identical to those reported previously.

Effect of acid inhibition on the growth of parietal cells

Studies in the rat have shown that prolonged inhibition of acid secretion by high doses of a histamine H2 antagonist is followed by a 20-30% increase in the number of parietal cells, and that this is paralleled by an augmentation of the maximum acid output. A similar effect has been shown after prolonged acid neutralization with high doses of an antacid. These trophic effects are not unexpected. An increase in gastric pH is followed by gastrin release, and the parietal cell mass may be augmented by repeated exogenous administration of gastrin or by endogenous hypergastrinaemia following surgery. To further evaluate whether a direct correlation exists between the magnitude of drug-induced hypergastrinaemia and parietal cell hyperplasia, rats were treated for 24 days with two acid inhibitors which differ markedly in the degree of acid inhibition and acute or chronic gastrin release. Six animals each were treated with either omeprazole (40 mumol/kg once daily), or atropine (3 mg/kg twice daily), or omeprazole combined with atropine or with placebo. On day 24, plasma gastrin was elevated more than 10-fold in both groups of rats treated with omeprazole but not in animals given atropine alone. As compared to placebo treatment, total parietal cell volume was significantly higher in animals treated with atropine (102 +/- 9 mm3 versus 140 +/- 18 mm3), but was unchanged in the other two groups. These studies demonstrate that marked prolonged drug-induced hypergastrinaemia does not necessarily exert trophic effects on parietal cells. Furthermore, the finding that omeprazole abolishes the effect of atropine suggests that omeprazole interferes with trophic actions on parietal cells.