Influences of protamine on the na+, K+-dependent ATPase and on the active transport processes of potassium and of L-DOPA into brain slices

The influences of protamine on Na+, K+-dependent ATPase and active transport processes of potassium and L-dopa into brain cortex slices of guinea pig were examined. Addition of protamine to the soluble ATPase preparation extracted from brain microsomes resulted in the formation of a precipitate. Protamine slightly stimulated the activity of the Na+, K+-dependent ATPase in the soluble and microsomal preparations from the guinea pig brain. However, pretreatment of the ATPase preparations with protamine at 37 °C or 45 °C resulted in a loss of Na+, K+-dependent ATPase activity, though the activity of Mg++-ATPase was not influenced. These effects of protamine on the Na+, K+-dependent ATPase were antagonized by the presence of cations.Active transport of potassium and of L-dopa into the slices was decreased by pretreatment of the slices with protamine in sucrose medium at 37 °C. However, at a low temperature or in Ringer solution there was no remarkable effect. The role of Na+, K+-dependent ATPase in the active transport of potassium and of L-dopa is discussed on the basis of these results.

Immunohistochemical studies on dust mite antigen in positive reaction site of patch test

We demonstrated that eczematous reactions could be induced by patch testing with mite antigens in the majority of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). By using immuno-double labelling technique, many mite antigen-bearing Langerhans cells were seen in the epidermis in the early stage of the patch testing. Twenty-four hours later, these cells were observed only in the deep dermis. Immunoelectron microscopically, it was found that the mite antigens were trapped by macrophages, which were apposing lymphocytes. On the other hand, we observed that Langerhans cells and Leu 3a positive cells in the AD lesions carried IgE molecules. Furthermore, many IgE-positive dendritic cells bearing mite antigen were seen in the positive patch testing sites. Taken together, IgE-mediated contact hypersensitivity to mite antigen may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Subjective complaints in orthopedists and general surgeons

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of subjective complaints among two groups of health care personnel. Using a mail questionnaire, 63 male orthopedists and 78 male general surgeons were asked to respond to questions on their subjective musculoskeletal complaints as well as their age, occupational career, and daily working time. In the final analysis, 54 orthopedists and 63 general surgeons who were aged < or = 59 years and had worked for at least 5 years in clinical practice were considered. The mean age was 43.3 (SD 7.6) years for the orthopedists and 41.8 (SD 9.5) years for the general surgeons. Their mean employment time was 18.1 (SD 8.9) years and 16.6 (SD 9.5) years, respectively. The average working time per day was 9.5 h. In general, the orthopedists had a higher prevalence of subjective complaints than the general surgeons. Problems in the shoulders and lower back were the most frequently reported complaints, followed by neck problems. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two groups regarding stiffness in the shoulders, stiffness in the lower back, pain in the neck, and numbness in the fingers. When subjective complaints were compared between the junior (employment time: < 20 years) and senior (employment time: > or = 20 years) staff, the junior orthopedists had significantly higher prevalence rates for stiffness in the shoulders, pain in the neck, and stiffness in the lower back.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)