Management of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract

The use of flexible endoscopes had made removal of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract easier and safer. We describe our experience of 49 cases of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Majority (67%) of the patients were children and only 4 patients (8%) were above 45 years of age. The most common foreign bodies encountered were coins (25), fruit stones (4) and dentures (3). In 29 patients foreign bodies were lodged in the oesophagus and in 15 cases in the stomach. Forty one patients were considered for endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies and 40 could be managed successfully. There were no procedure related complications. We conclude that endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract is a safe and effective technique.

Multiple divisions of macaque precentral motor cortex identified with neurofilament antibody SMI-32

In brain sections stained with monoclonal antibody SMI-32, which recognizes non-phosphorylated neurofilament protein, we distinguished separate caudal, intermediate, and rostral subdivisions of gigantocellular precentral cortex (areas 4c, 4i, and 4r) in macaque monkeys. The divisions form bands extending mediolaterally across the major body-region representations of the primary motor cortex (M1). These observations provide additional evidence that primary motor cortex is not a single, structurally homogeneous cortical area.

Deactivation and reactivation of somatosensory cortex after dorsal spinal cord injury

Sensory stimuli to the body are conveyed by the spinal cord to the primary somatosensory cortex. It has long been thought that dorsal column afferents of the spinal cord represent the main pathway for these signals, but the physiological and behavioural consequences of cutting the dorsal column have been reported to range from mild and transitory to marked. We have re-examined this issue by sectioning the dorsal columns in the cervical region and recording the responses to hand stimulation in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex (area 3b). Following a complete section of the dorsal columns, neurons in area 3b become immediately and perhaps permanently unresponsive to hand stimulation. Following a partial section, the remaining dorsal column afferents continue to activate neurons within their normal cortical target territories, but after five or more weeks the area of activation is greatly expanded. After prolonged recovery periods of six months or more, the deprived hand territory becomes responsive to inputs from the face (which are unaffected by spinal cord section). Thus, area 3b of somatosensory cortex is highly dependent on dorsal spinal column inputs, and other spinal pathways do not substitute for the dorsal columns even after injury.

Fetal Ebstein anomaly--a rare cause of non-immune hydrops

A rare case of fetal Ebstein anomaly presenting as non-immune hydrops fetalis at 28 weeks of gestation is reported along with its review of literature.

Radiobiological effects of low doses of tritiated water on developing mouse cerebellum from 17th day post-coitum

Pregnant Swiss albino mice were maintain on tritiated drinking water of the activity of 111 and 11.1 kBq/ml after a priming injection of 74 and 7.4 kBq/ml body water respectively from 17th day of gestation till parturition. Animals were autopsied on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks postpartum and studied for cerebellar vulnerability. Cerebellum suffered from radiopathological changes in 1, 2 and 3 weeks age groups of mice in terms of degeneration and loss of Purkinje cells leading to formation of empty basquets, vacuolation in molecular layer and interfoliar connective tissue and pycnosis in granule cells of granular cell layer at 11.1 kBq dose level. Mice of 4, 5 and 6 weeks age groups, being relatively radioresistant, showed lesser changes in comparison with 1 to 3 week old mice. Though, the nature of the damage remained the same, it tended to intensify at 111 kBq dose thereby reflecting a dose dependent variation.

The photoperiodic clock is blackheaded buntings (Emberiza melanocephala) is mediated by a self-sustaining circadian system

Three experimental protocols were employed to clarify whether the circadian system is involved in photoperiodic time-measurement in the blackheaded bunting, Emberiza melanocephala. In a single-pulse paradigm, one 8-h light pulse was delivered at different times to groups of birds across three days of constant darkness (DD). Photoperiodic induction, as measured by a rise in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), showed clear circadian rhythmicity. The second experiment examined the LH responses in birds exposed to lighting cycles using a Nanda-Hamner type of protocol and confirmed full photostimulation under 6L:30D. The third experiment measured the time of the first photoinduced rise in LH in birds subjected to 30 h of continuous light following entrainment under short days (6L:18D). This experiment aimed to identify the position of the photoinducible phase (phi i). LH first rose at hour 18 following dawn indicating that phi i lies in the middle of the day. Plasma concentrations of melatonin were also measured under 6L:18D and 6L:30D light cycles as another physiological marker of the circadian systems in buntings. The pattern of melatonin secretion with the driving oscillator being circadian in nature. It is concluded that the circadian pacemaker driving the photoinducible rhythm in blackheaded bunting is strongly self-sustaining and free-runs under constant conditions.

Casein kinase II associates with Egr-1 and acts as a negative modulator of its DNA binding and transcription activities in NIH 3T3 cells

Although the activation domains within early growth response gene protein 1 (Egr-1) have been mapped, little is known of the kinases which phosphorylate Egr-1 and how phosphorylation correlates with the transcriptional activity of Egr-1. In this study we report that casein kinase II (CKII) co-immunoprecipitates with Egr-1 from NIH 3T3 cell lysates. The association of Egr-1 and CKII requires the C terminus of Egr-1 and CKII phosphorylates Egr-1 in vitro. The in vitro phosphorylation of Egr-1 by CKII and that induced by serum in vivo was compared by examining the CNBr-digested fragments of the phosphorylated Egr-1. CKII strongly phosphorylates fragments 7 and 10 which cover part of the activation/nuclear localization and DNA binding domains of Egr-1. CKII also phosphorylates, albeit weakly, fragments 5 and 8 which cover part of activation domain and the entire repression domain of Egr-1, respectively. Strong phosphorylation on fragment 10 as well as fragment 5 was also observed in Egr-1 immunoprecipitated from serum-induced, 32P-labeled cells. CKII phosphorylation of Egr-1 resulted in a decrease of its DNA binding as well as its transcriptional activities.

Central reorganization of sensory pathways following peripheral nerve regeneration in fetal monkeys

Transection of a sensory nerve in adults results in profound abnormalities in sensory perception, even if the severed nerve is surgically repaired to facilitate accurate nerve regeneration. In marked contrast, fewer perceptual errors follow nerve transection and surgical repair in children. The basis for this superior recovery in children was unknown. Here we show that there is little or no topographic order in the median nerve to the hand after median nerve section and surgical repair in immature macaque monkeys. Remarkably, however, in the same animals the representation of the reinnervated hand in primary somatosensory cortex area (area 3b) is quite orderly. This indicates that there are mechanisms in the developing brain that can create cortical topography, despite disordered sensory inputs. Presumably the superior recovery of perceptual abilities after peripheral nerve transection in children depends on this restoration of somatotopy in the central sensory maps.

Mechanisms of resistance of human small cell lung cancer lines selected in VP-16 and cisplatin

BACKGROUND

The combination of VP-16 and cisplatin is one of the most active regimens available for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), however, most tumors eventually become resistant to these drugs.

METHODS

To investigate the problem of resistance to VP-16 and cisplatin in patients with SCLC, we established two resistant sublines from the drug sensitive human SCLC line, NCI-H209, by in vitro selection in VP-16 and cisplatin.

RESULTS

The VP-16-selected cell line, H209/VP, was more than 100-fold resistant to VP-16, and displayed cross-resistance to VM-26 and other topoisomerase II interactive drugs, but not to vinca alkaloids. There was no difference in accumulation of VP-16 in H209/VP compared with its parent cell line. The level of topoisomerase II-alpha was reduced to 8% of that in the parent cell line, and there was an altered form of this enzyme with a molecular weight of 160 kilodaltons (kDa), in addition to the normal 170 kDa protein. The cisplatin-selected cell line, H209/CP, was 11.5-fold resistant to cisplatin, with only a low level of cross-resistance to other platinum compounds including carboplatin, tetraplatin, iproplatin, and lobaplatin. This line was highly cross-resistant to vinca alkaloids, but not to anthracyclines or epipodophyllotoxins. The H209/CP cell line was not resistant to cadium chloride, suggesting that alterations in metallothionein are unlikely to be a cause of resistance. Although glutathione (GSH) levels were increased nearly 2-fold in H209/CP, there was no difference in levels of the GSH-related enzymes glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, compared with the parent line. The H209/CP line had a 1.4-fold elevation of topoisomerase II-alpha. The accumulation of cisplatin was reduced in this cell line, and there were fewer DNA-interstrand cross links formed in the presence of cisplatin in H209/CP, compared with the parent line. Neither H209/VP nor H209/CP expressed MDR1, the gene for P-glycoprotein. The MRP gene was expressed at a slightly higher level in the H209/VP cell line, but there was no significant increase in expression of this gene in the H209/CP cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

The resistance of the H209/VP cell line is associated with an alteration of topoisomerase II-alpha, whereas the resistance in the H209/CP line is associated with reduced drug accumulation.

GAP-43 expression in the medulla of macaque monkeys: changes during postnatal development and the effects of early median nerve repair

Expression of GAP-43, a neuronal specific growth associated phosphoprotein, has been highly correlated with the growth and remodeling of the nervous system during development and regeneration. As part of an effort to understand mechanisms of developmental plasticity in the somatosensory system, we determined how the expression of GAP-43 is affected by prenatal and early postnatal nerve cut and repair in macaque monkeys. We also observed normal developmental changes in the expression of GAP-43 during early postnatal life in macaque monkeys. The normal cuneate nucleus, as well as other nuclei of the ascending somatosensory pathways, had low levels of GAP-43 at birth that increased by 3 months and declined thereafter to reach adult levels between 8 and 15 months of age. Fiber tracts expressed low levels of GAP-43 at all postnatal ages, except the pyramidal tract which demonstrated high levels a birth that decreased over the first year. These observations suggest a gradual but differential synaptic maturation in lower brain stem nuclei as macaque monkeys mature. Greatly increased levels of GAP-43 were observed at the time of birth in the cuneate nucleus of two macaque monkeys with prenatal (E94 and El 14) nerve repair. Such an increase was not found after prenatal nerve repair with a postnatal survival time of 15 months, or after early postnatal nerve repair with short (80 days) or long (20 months) survivals. The results suggest that reorganization mechanisms at central terminals of peripheral nerves are very different following prenatal than postnatal nerve damage.

Anxiolytic activity of adenosine receptor activation in mice

1. Purine analogues have been examined for anxiolytic- and anxiogenic-like activity in mice, by use of the elevated plus-maze. 2. The selective A1 receptor agonist, N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) had marked anxiolytic-like activity at 10 and 50 microg kg(-1), with no effect on locomotor performance at these doses. 3. The A1 selective adenosine receptor antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (CPX) had no significant effect on anxiety-related measures or locomotor behaviour, but blocked the anxiolytic-like activity of CPA. The hydrophilic xanthine, 8-(p-sulphophenyl) theophylline did not prevent anxiolysis by CPA. 4. Caffeine had anxiogenic-like activity at 30 mg kg(-1) which was prevented by CPA at 50 micro kg(-1). 5. The A2 receptor agonist, N6-[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2(2-methylphenyl)-ethyl]adenosine (DPMA) had no effect on anxiety behaviour but depressed locomotor activity at the highest dose tested of 1 mg kg(-1). The A2 receptor antagonist, 1,3-dimethyl-l-propargylxanthine (DMPX) had no effect on anxiety-related measures or locomotion and did not modify the anxiolytic-like activity of CPA. 6. Administration of DPMA in combination with anxiolytic doses of CPA prevented the anxiolytic-like activity of the latter. 7. The results suggest that the selective activation of central A1 adenosine receptors induces anxiolytic-like behaviour, while the activation of A2 sites causes locomotor depression and reduces the effects of A1 receptor activation. The absence of any effect of CPX alone suggests that the receptors involved in modulating behaviour in the elevated plus-maze in mice are not activated tonically by endogenous adenosine.

A ten years analysis of 500 intertrochantric fractures of the femur with impression to residual deformity and shortening

A study of 500, cases with follow up period of 1 to 10 years were treated by conservative and operative means. The result of conservative treatment in type III and IV fractures were comparatively favourable with result of operative treatment in same grade of fractures. It can be concluded that if an anatomical reduction was achieved by proportioned vertical and horizontal traction forces and the reduction was monitored by periodic skiagram till sound clinical and reasonable radiological union, good functional end result could be obtained.

Cell free ascitic fluid prevents loss of cell surface sialic acid from Zajdela Ascitic Hepatoma cells in culture

In the Zajdela Ascitic Hepatoma (ZAH), a rat tumor, high levels of cell surface sialic acid residues are present which masked the immunogenicity of the cells. We have shown here that cell surface sialic acid level goes down rapidly when ZAH cells are put in culture. The reduction in surface sialic acid levels is due to a decrease in sialic acid residues on the major sialylated glycoprotein, gp 120, as well as a decrease in gp 120 polypeptide. The loss of sialic acid from the cultured cells is reduced if the cells are cultured in the presence of cell free ascitic fluid from ZAH tumor.

Limits on plasticity in somatosensory cortex of adult rats: hindlimb cortex is not reactivated after dorsal column section

1. To better understand the limits and extents of plasticity in sensory systems of adult mammals, we unilaterally sectioned the dorsal funiculus at thoracic levels in nine adult rats to deactivate ascending afferents from the hindpaw and lower body. After postsurgical recovery periods of 3 h to 3 mo, the region of primary somatosensory cortex (S1) representing the limbs and trunk was extensively mapped with microelectrodes. 2. Recording sites were later identified as being within the hindlimb representation and other parts of S1 by relating locations of microlesions to the cytochrome oxidase pattern in sections of cortex cut tangential to the pial surface. The extent and effectiveness of spinal cord lesions were evaluated by injecting cholera toxin B subunit conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (B-HRP) at various sites in the deafferented hindpaw. 3. In five animals with complete section of the dorsal funiculus, we failed to detect any response to cutaneous stimulation of any part of the body in the deafferented hindlimb cortex. In four other animals with incomplete lesions, neurons in some penetrations could be activated by hindlimb stimulation, but not by stimulating other body parts. In those cases without activation of hindlimb cortex, B-HRP was detected in the spinal cord only caudal to the lesion, and it was not transported to the nucleus gracilis. Limited transport past the lesion to nucleus gracilis was detected in cases with incomplete lesions. 4. The results indicate that forelimb inputs do not substitute for missing hindlimb inputs in primary somatosensory cortex in rats and that the potential for somatotopic reorganization is more limited than previously thought.

Interaction of procollagen I and other collagens with colligin

Colligin is a collagen-binding glycoprotein of molecular mass 46000 Da localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of diverse kinds of cells that produce collagen I. In order to help define its role in collagen biosynthesis and to study the interaction of colligin with procollagen I in detail, the binding characteristics of colligin purified from L6 myoblasts have been studied. A total of 3 mol were found to bind/mol of procollagen I, with a Kd of about 25 nM. Both pure and separated pro alpha 1(I) and procollagen alpha 2 (I) chains were able to compete with procollagen I for binding to colligin. However, colligin binds to pro alpha 2 (I) with higher affinity than to pro alpha 1 (I). To find if the binding activity of colligin was altered during purification, an assay to measure colligin binding to procollagen in crude myoblast cell extracts was developed. This procedure gave the same binding parameters as did the highly purified colligin. Among different collagen types, colligin was found to bind to collagen I and collagen IV, but not to collagen III. In order to examine whether glycosylation or phosphorylation of colligin were required for the binding of colligin to procollagen I and to obtain enough colligin for further studies, recombinant protein was produced in Escherichia coli. An immunoaffinity purification scheme was used to get virtually pure protein in milligram yields. Comparison of the recombinant colligin with that isolated from L6 myoblasts showed that both types existed in solution as monomers and dimers. In addition, both types of colligins showed identical properties with regard to their binding to procollagen I and the isolated pro alpha 1(I) and pro alpha 2(I) chains. Post-translational modifications of colligin were thus not essential for binding to procollagen I.

Inhibition of procollagen I degradation by colligin: a collagen-binding serpin

Colligin is a collagen-binding glycoprotein localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and has been proposed to play a role in collagen biosynthesis. Its membership in the serpin family prompted us to examine its effect on procollagen degradation. We first showed that procollagen degradation can take place in the ER of L6 myoblasts by using brefeldin A to block transit from the ER. This degradation could be prevented by the serine protease inhibitors N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) and N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK). To examine procollagen degradation in vitro, isolated liver microsomes were incubated with procollagen. Intact microsomes were unable to degrade labeled procollagen I, fibronectin, or the cytoplasmic proteins, phosphorylase b and the RI subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. However, when the microsomes were permeabilized by treatment with detergent, they became capable of degrading procollagen and fibronectin, but not the cytoplasmic proteins. The degrading activity was not due to cross-contamination by lysosomal or cytoplasmic, multicatalytic proteases. The proteolysis of procollagen chains in the treated microsomes was partially inhibited by TPCK, TLCK, and leupeptin. The most effective inhibitor was, however, colligin. In its presence, the breakdown of procollagen I, but not of fibronectin, was specifically inhibited. Colligin itself was not degraded by the microsomal preparations. The protein degrading activity was localized to the microsomal membranes, and showed a pH optimum of about 8.0. From these studies it is inferred that one of the roles of colligin may be to protect the procollagen I chains in the ER from degradation prior to their transport to the cis-Golgi compartment.

Subdivisions of the visual system labeled with the Cat-301 antibody in tree shrews

The monoclonal antibody Cat-301 was used to stain neurons and neuropil in the visual thalamus and cortex of tree shrews--small, highly visual mammals that are closely related to primates. Previously, this antibody has been found to label neurons associated with the Y-cell stream of processing in cats and the magnocellular or M-cell stream in macaque monkeys. In tree shrews, the antibody selectively labeled layers 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, layers that are likely to contain neurons previously classified as Y-cells. Of the two layers that contain W-cells, layer 3 was unlabeled and layer 6 was lightly labeled. In area 17, layer 3c was densely stained, as in cats and macaque monkeys. The external half of layer 5 was also densely stained, in contrast to cats where the internal half of layer 5 is stained and macaques where layer 5 is sparsely stained. Area 18 was characterized by dense, uniform staining of inner layer 3 and outer layer 5, but no pattern of alternating light and dense bands crossed the width of area 18 as in macaques. Dense labeling of these same sublayers occurred in cortical areas TA and TD just lateral to area 18. Area TD may be the homologue of area MT of primates, which also stains densely with Cat-301 in macaques. These results indicate that Cat-301 differentially labels layers and areas in the visual system of tree shrews, and raise intriguing issues of comparison among tree shrews, primates, and cats.

Evaluation of false positive blood cultures: guidelines for early detection of contaminated cultures in febrile children

Young, febrile children are at risk for occult bacteremia. However, some positive blood cultures are contaminants. This study assesses the ability of preliminary blood culture results to distinguish between pathogens and contaminants. Positive blood cultures were obtained and evaluated from 210 otherwise well febrile children, at risk for occult bacteremia, three months to three years of age, who were without invasive bacterial disease. These children had entered a pediatric emergency department between 1983 and 1989 and were not admitted to the hospital. Blood cultures of true pathogens became positive more rapidly than contaminants, 13.8 +/- 7.0 hours versus 37.6 +/- 29.9 hours, respectively (P < 0.0001). Gram stain results were used as a diagnostic test for pathogenicity with a sensitivity of 98.1% and specificity of 54.5% for the entire population, and 100% and 77.3% respectively, for those cultures becoming positive after 24 hours. Time to positivity and initial gram stain results are valuable diagnostic tests in distinguishing between pathogens and contaminants for blood cultures obtained from children at risk for occult bacteremia.

Immature thymocytes become sensitive to calcium-mediated apoptosis with the onset of CD8, CD4, and the T cell receptor expression: a role for bcl-2?

During intrathymic negative selection by clonal deletion, crosslinking of the T cell receptor (TCR) induces cell death by delivering an apoptotic signal(s) to the nucleus along a calcium-dependent pathway. We investigated the reactivity of early precursor-containing thymocytes to Ca(2+)-induced signals, and discovered a breakpoint in their sensitivity to calcium-mediated cell death (CMCD). CD25+CD8-4- TCR- (triple negative [TN]) thymocytes stimulated with a calcium ionophore maintain their viability and precursor activity. By contrast, their immediate progeny, CD25-CD8lo4loTCR alpha beta lo (triple low [TL]) cells react to calcium elevation by abrogation of precursor activity and apoptotic cell death. This developmental difference is specific for CMCD, since both CD25+TN and CD25-TL cells are susceptible to steroid-induced apoptosis. The presence of bcl-2 mRNA correlates directly to the resistance to CMCD-CD25+ TN cells express it and CD25-TL cells do not. These experiments show that thymocytes become sensitive to Ca(2+)-induced apoptosis as soon as they begin to express molecules that mediate thymic selection, and suggest that a concomitant downregulation of bcl-2 may mediate this phenomenon.

Ontogeny of fetal CD8lo4lo thymocytes: expression of CD44, CD25 and early expression of TcR alpha mRNA

CD8lo4lo cells are the immediate precursors of immature CD8hi4loTcRlo, CD8lo4hiTcRlo and CD8hi4hiTcRlo double-positive (DP) thymocytes in the adult murine thymus. These cells are the first subset in the adult thymus to express accessory CD8 and CD4 molecules, to rearrange the T cell receptor (TcR) alpha chain genes and to express the TcR alpha beta heterodimer at low levels at the surface. Here, we investigate the fetal ontogeny of CD8lo4lo cells. We detect these cells on day 15 of fetal development. They dominate the thymus on day 15.5, to become progressively less prominent thereafter. An important characteristic of fetal CD8lo4lo cells is the early expression of TcR alpha mRNA (on fetal day 15, 36-48 h earlier than reported previously). Our results also suggest, but do not prove, that the receptor may be expressed on the surface as early as day 15.5. Fetal CD8lo4lo cells, like their adult counterparts, become DP in vitro. However, early fetal CD8lo4lo thymocytes express both CD44 and CD25--unlike the adult subset--and that links them to their putative precursors, fetal CD44+CD25+ double-negative cells. This finding underscores the difference between adult and fetal thymocytes in turnover of membrane molecules and/or the kinetics of progression through phenotypic stages.

The influence of rearranged T cell receptor alpha beta transgenes on early thymocyte development

Most murine thymocytes and mature T cells originate from a numerically minor population of CD8-4- (double-negative, DN) thymocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of rearranged T cell receptor (TcR) alpha and beta transgenes on early T cell development. We analyzed the precursor potential, the expression of CD25 and TcR at mRNA and/or protein level in DN thymocyte subsets in TcR transgenic (Tg) mice. We report the following observations: (i) despite a large overrepresentation of total DN cells in TcR Tg mice, precursor-containing CD25+ DN and CD8lo4lo thymocytes are reduced to a third of the nontransgenic control numbers; (ii) like in the normal mice, CD25+ DN and CD8lo4lo can, and TcR+ DN cells cannot generate other thymic subsets; (iii) TcR alpha mRNA and TcR alpha/beta protein levels are quantitatively increased, but their developmental expression is similar to that in normal mice; and (iv) surface TcR alpha beta expression becomes detectable as the thymocytes down-regulate CD25, paralleling the situation in normal mice. Our findings implicate stringent transcriptional control, rather than TcR gene rearrangement, as a decisive regulator of TcR alpha beta expression in early ontogeny.

The protein CD63 is in platelet dense granules, is deficient in a patient with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, and appears identical to granulophysin

The levels and expression of the proteins CD63 and granulophysin in platelets from control and from a Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome subject (a condition characterized by dense granule and lysosomal deficiencies and the accumulation of ceroid-like material in reticuloendothelial cells) were examined. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that anti-CD63 and anti-granulophysin antibodies recognized similar numbers of granules; coapplication of antibodies did not identify more granules than the individual antibodies. Significantly fewer granules were recognized in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome platelets than in control using either antibody. Immunoblotting studies demonstrated that anti-CD63 and anti-granulophysin antibodies apparently recognize the same protein, which was deficient in Hermansky-Pudlak platelets. Analysis by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) showed biphasic expression of CD63 and granulophysin after thrombin stimulation of control but not Hermansky-Pudlak platelets. Anti-CD63 effectively blocked detection of the protein by anti-granulophysin using immunofluorescence, ELISA, immunoblotting, and FACS analysis. Amino-terminal sequencing over the first 37 amino acids revealed that granulophysin was homologous to CD63, melanoma antigen ME491, and pltgp40. These results suggest that granulophysin and CD63 are possibly identical proteins. This is the first report of a protein present in platelet dense granules, lysosomes, and melanocytes, but deficient in a patient with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.

Parallel regulation of procollagen I and colligin, a collagen-binding protein and a member of the serine protease inhibitor family

A potential regulatory linkage between the biosynthesis of colligin, a collagen-binding protein of the ER, and procollagen I was examined under a variety of experimental conditions. Cell lines which did not produce a significant amount of procollagen I mRNA also lacked the capacity to produce colligin mRNA. Anchorage-dependent cell lines like L6 myoblasts and normal rat kidney fibroblasts produced both colligin and procollagen I mRNA, but the level of both was concurrently reduced considerably in their ras-transformed counterparts. Similarly, during the differentiation of L6 myoblasts, levels of both colligin and procollagen declined together. Treatment of myoblasts by dexamethasone or EGF led to a decrease in the steady-state levels of procollagen I mRNA, and this was, again, accompanied by a decrease in colligin mRNA synthesis. On the other hand, when the rate of procollagen I synthesis was stimulated by treatment of myoblasts with TGF beta, it led to the concurrent augmentation of both the mRNA and protein levels of colligin. A linkage between the regulation of synthesis of procollagen I and colligin thus seems to exist. The only exception to this generalization is provided by the heat induction behavior of the two proteins. Treatment of myoblasts for a very short period leads to an increase in the synthesis of both the mRNA and protein levels of colligin. This, however, is not accompanied by a change in the mRNA levels of procollagen I. These studies establish that colligin and procollagen are generally tightly co-regulated except after heat shock, suggesting an important functional linkage.

Regulation of expression of beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase in a rat tumor, Zajdela ascitic hepatoma

Tumor cell surface sialic acid levels determine a number of important properties governing cellular interactions and cell-cell communication. Towards understanding the mechanism of regulation of sialic acid levels upon cellular transformation, we have studied the regulation of expression of beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase in a rat tumor, the Zajdela ascitic hepatoma. We demonstrate distinct differences in the regulation of expression of the enzyme in the tumor cells as compared to normal liver cells. The expression of sialyltransferase is regulated both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level in a tissue-specific manner.

Gastric acid secretion in typhoid fever

Gastric acid secretion was studied in 20 patients with typhoid fever (Group A), ten patients with fever other than typhoid (Group B), and ten healthy adults of matched age and sex (Group C). Patients with typhoid showed reduced acid secretion at the time of fever and one week after subsidence of fever as compared to Group C. In uncomplicated patients (Group A1), these values rose thereafter but in complicated patients (Group A2) they remained low even 12 weeks after subsidence of fever. This suggests that these patients had pre-existing hypochlorhydria which predisposed them to a severe form of disease. There may be many factors playing a significant role in making typhoid patients more prone to develop complications but the importance of gastric acid levels has also to be considered.

Chloramphenicol resistant enteric fever

In recent times there have been several reports of chloramphenicol resistant enteric fever necessitating the use of other antimicrobial agents. Clinical profile of 15 chloramphenicol resistant patients of enteric fever was studied. Three such patients (20%) responded to chloramphenicol despite in vitro resistance to the drug. Hence chloramphenicol still remains the drug of first choice in enteric fever as a majority (68.4%--26 out of 38) of our bacteriologically proven enteric fever patients were cured by the drug. The remaining 12 cases responded satisfactorily to ciprofloxacin (46.7%), gentamicin (20%), and ofloxacin (13.3%). There was an increased incidence of complications among the 15 drug resistant cases as compared to 23 cases of chloramphenicol sensitive enteric fever observed during the same period.

Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone in intact and castrated photosensitive blackheaded buntings (Emberiza melanocephala) exposed to stimulatory and nonstimulatory photoperiods

Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of castration and/or photostimulation on plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) in photosensitive blackhead buntings. Castration evoked a significant rise in plasma LH in birds held under 8 h light: 16 h darkness (8L:16D). On exposure to 18L:6D for 24 d, both the intact birds and the castrates exhibited a significant rise in plasma LH, although the change in LH levels in the castrates was approximately 8 times greater than in the intact birds. When control birds under 8L:16D which showed no change in plasma LH up to d 13 were transferred to a 36-h resonance cycle (8L:28D), plasma LH rose significantly within 4 cycles of the treatment. Furthermore, the intact buntings showed rapid increase and decrease in the plasma LH levels during a 16-wk exposure to long (16L:8D) but not to short (8L:16D) photoperiods. These results suggest that: i) the photoperiodic drive on LH secretion is inhibited by the testes; ii) the blackheaded bunting has a strong photoresponsive system; and iii) a circadian rhythm of photosensitivity is involved in the photoperiodic time measurement in this species.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: report of seven cases

We describe seven patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a disorder, mostly in young women, characterized by papilledema, elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, normal CSF composition, and normal neuroradiologic studies. Obesity, the most consistent etiologic association, was present in two of our patients. Hypothalamic compression in IIH may induce increased appetite and result in weight gain. Use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole has been reported to be associated with IIH and was seen in one of our patients. IIH is an important diagnostic consideration in the differential diagnosis for a patient with headache, visual disturbances, and papilledema.

Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and DNA binding studies of diamminediethyldithiocarbamato-platinum(II) nitrate

A new complex [Pt(NH3)2(ddtc)]NO3.2H2O as a 1:1 electrolyte has been prepared. This was characterized by spectroscopic methods. The electronic absorption spectrum of this complex in water suggests that it has a square planar geometry. The infrared, 1H NMR and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies suggest the bonding of ammonia molecules and diethyldithiocarbamate as bidentate ligand to platinum(II) in this complex. The 50% inhibition value of this complex against P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells is comparable with cisplatin. This complex interacts with calf thymus DNA by coordinate covalent bond.

Psychosocial aspects of deformed leprosy patients undergoing surgical correction

A psychosocial study was conducted on 25 randomly selected leprosy patients undergoing corrective surgical procedures for their deformities. High anxiety and depression levels found preoperatively, reduced significantly after operation. Psychiatric assistance is needed for these patients in order to clear their psychic aberrations, create awareness, boost morale and to give self-confidence. Only 50-75% of preoperative expectations were satisfied but that was only in 40% of patients. This calls for a preoperative counselling session with the patients to help them reach the realistic goals that they can achieve. They should be told what benefits surgery can offer them and be made aware of the problems which will persist after operation, such as anaesthesia and analgesia.

Cellular composition including lymphocyte subsets in preterm and full term human colostrum and milk

The cellular composition of colostrum (within 72 hours post partum) and mature milk samples (5th-7th day post partum) from 20 mothers delivering preterm babies and 20 mothers delivering full term babies was examined. Lymphocyte subsets including T cells, B cells, T4 and T8 cells were quantitated by indirect immunoperoxidase staining using specific monoclonal antibodies. The mean total cell count in preterm colostrum (9,338/mm3) was significantly higher than in full term colostrum (5,594/mm3). Similarly, counts for macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly higher in preterm colostrum and milk as compared to full term colostrum and milk. B and T lymphocytes including T4 and T8 cells were identified in both preterm and full term breast milk. The absolute count of T, B, T4 and T8 cells was significantly higher in preterm colostrum compared to term colostrum, though the relative percentage distribution of lymphocyte subsets showed no significant difference between the two groups. T and B cells constituted about 74% and 26% of total lymphocytes, respectively in preterm as well as full term colostrum and about 69% and 31% in preterm and full term milk. The mean T4/T8 ratio was higher in preterm colostrum than term colostrum, being 1.82 and 1.60 respectively. However, this difference was not significant statistically and did not change statistically in the milk sample.

Anti-infective factors in preterm human colostrum

Feeding of the infection prone preterm neonate with concentrated immunologically active ingredients in the form of colostrum may have even more significant clinical implications than in the full term infants. The scarcity of knowledge on anti-infective factors in colostrum of mothers delivering prematurely prompted us to carry out this study. Colostrum was collected and analysed from 25 mothers delivering prematurely (Study group) and 10 delivering at term (Control group). Major anti-infective factors namely IgA, IgG, IgM, lactoferrin and lysozyme were quantitated and total cell, macrophage, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts were performed. The mean concentrations of IgA, lysozyme and lactoferrin of preterm colostrum were significantly higher than in full term colostrum (p less than 0.001). IgG and IgM were found to be similar in both groups. The absolute counts of total cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils were found to be significantly higher in the preterm colostrum as compared to the full term colostrum (p less than 0.001). Though in both the groups IgA was the predominant immunoglobulin, the mean percentage of IgA in the study group was significantly higher as compared to the control group. Degree of prematurity did not have any influence on the anti-infective protein levels in colostrum. However total cells and macrophages were significantly higher in colostrum of mothers delivering severely preterm babies.

Transport protocol processing at GBPS rates

This paper proposes an architecture for accomplishing transport protocol processing at Gbps rates. The limitations of currently used transport protocols have been analyzed extensively in recent literature. Several benchmark studies have established the achievable throughput of ISO TP4 and TCP to be in the low Mbps range; several new protocols and implementation techniques have been proposed to achieve 100 Mbps and higher throughput rates. We briefly review some of these protocols and establish the need for a radically different approach to meet our objective. An estimate of the aggregate processing power required for Gbps throughput is developed. It is proposed that a cost effective and practical solution to the processing requirements could be based on a multi-processor system. The opportunities for parallel processing in a typical transport protocol are examined. Several alternate parallel processing approaches are examined and arguments are advanced for selecting a favored approach. A corresponding parallel processing architecture is described. Data structures used to preserve packet ordering and techniques for reducing contention in a multi-processing environment are discussed. An implementation methodology for conventional transport protocols (e.g. TP4) is outlined. Some suggestions are made for improving efficiency by making modifications to the protocol that do not compromise functionality. The performance achievable with this modified architecture is analyzed and some suggestions for further work are presented.

Tropical myositis with pleuropericardial effusion and anterior uveitis

An unusual patient of tropical pyomyositis, who developed pleuropericardial effusion and anterior uveitis, is described. Such complications of this disease have not been reported in the literature reviewed.

Fibrosing mediastinitis--a rare cause of superior vena caval obstruction

A rare case of fibrosing mediastinitis, possibly of tuberculous etiology, causing superior vena caval obstruction is presented. The diagnosis was based on clinical features of superior vena caval obstruction, chest radiography, phlebography and mediastinal calcification in absence of definite mass lesion on CT-scan of thorax. The disease followed a relatively benign non-progressive course over next nineteen months of follow-up.

Cardiac tamponade--an unusual presentation of lymphoma

A rare instance of lymphoma in an adult presenting as cardiac tamponade is presented. Relevant literature is briefly reviewed.