Fluorescence spectroscopy: a diagnostic tool for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

A spectroscopic system incorporating a pulsed nitrogen laser, an optical fiber probe, and an optical multichannel analyzer was utilized to record fluorescence spectra of the intact cervix at colposcopy. Spectra were obtained from 66 colposcopically normal areas and 49 histologically abnormal areas (5 pathologic inflammation, 21 HPV infection, 9 CIN I, 10 CIN II, and 4 CIN III) in 28 patients. The resulting spectra could be used to differentiate histologically abnormal tissues from colposcopically normal tissues with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 92, 90, and 88%. Furthermore, CIN could be differentiated from nonneoplastic abnormal tissues with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 87, 73, and 74%. These results suggest that laser-induced fluorescence can be used in the recognition and differential diagnosis of CIN at colposcopy.

Photoreactions of riboflavin with spermine and their role in tryptophan photoconsumption induced by riboflavin

The influence of spermine (Spr) on riboflavin (Rb) and riboflavin-tryptophan (Rb-Trp) solutions irradiated at 450 nm under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was studied. In both systems, it is shown that Spr interacts with 3Rb probably giving spermine-derived and flavin-derived radicals. In the presence of oxygen, modified Rb is regenerated with the simultaneous production of the active oxygen species O2.- and/or HO2.. The addition of Spr to the Rb-Trp system under aerobic conditions leads to a small protection of Trp consumption, although oxygen consumption is increased. This small protection arises as a consequence of competitive interaction of Trp and Spr with 3Rb. The competition of Spr and oxygen for 3Rb could also explain the autocatalytic oxygen consumption observed in the presence of the amine. Under anaerobic conditions Spr produces a larger protection of Trp consumption, which is compatible with the larger Rb triplet lifetime expected under these conditions.

Traumatic rupture of the stomach secondary to Heimlich maneuver

The case of a 93-year-old man who received a Heimlich maneuver while choking is reported. After the procedure, the patient presented with abdominal pain and ultimately was found to have developed a gastric rupture. He was hospitalized for 66 days. Review of the literature showed that only four gastric perforations related to the Heimlich maneuver have been documented. Other complications have occurred. It is reasonable to perform the procedure as an alternative to asphyxiation, but emergency physicians must be aware of the fact that life-threatening complications may ensue.

Absence of hepatitis C virus in British patients with type 1 autoimmune chronic active hepatitis--a polymerase chain reaction and serological study

Despite several studies from continental Europe reporting a high prevalence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), there has been little evidence of such infection in patients from the United Kingdom. The use of the polymerase chain reaction combined with two separate second generation anti-HCV assays is reported here in 58 UK patients with well-documented autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. All patients were in corticosteroid induced remission. All sera were collected prospectively for the specific purpose of this study. HCV-RNA was not detected by use of the polymerase chain reaction in any of the patients and antibodies to HCV were only detected in one patient. No evidence was found for the involvement of the hepatitis C virus in UK patients with classical, corticosteroid sensitive autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.

[Intraoperative echography in biliary tract surgery. A comparative study of intraoperative echography/cholangiography in the detection of calculi in the common bile duct]

We report 3 years of experience with operative ultrasonography on 200 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for biliary lithiasis. Intraoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative cholangiography were performed on all of these patients and compared with the operative findings. The diagnostic accuracy of sonography was 98% and that of cholangiography 96% in the whole patient group. The predictive value of a positive ultrasonography was 92.5% while that of a positive cholangiogram was lower at 81.5%. In 32 patients who underwent surgical exploration of the common duct the use of these two intraoperative screening tests together led to a positive common duct exploration in 75% of the patients. Overall morbidity in this series was 4.8% against 12.8% (common duct exploration) and retained stones following duct exploration were present in 1 patient in intra-hepatic situation. The overall mortality rate of the entire patient group was 0%. Operative ultrasonography of the biliary tract as a screening procedure is a reliable method, a possible substitute for operative cholangiography, but perhaps in reality both methods are complementary.

Relationships between c-Ki-ras mutations, HPV types, and prognostic indicators in invasive endocervical adenocarcinomas

OBJECTIVE

Ras gene mutations have been identified in squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix and are associated with advanced-stage tumors. The current study was designed to determine the prevalence of c-Ki-ras mutations in invasive endocervical adenocarcinomas and associations between mutations, HPV status, and known prognostic indicators.

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 32 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma of the endocervix were analyzed for the presence of c-Ki-ras mutations by amplification of DNA extracted from paraffin blocks using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent restriction enzyme digestion of the amplimers. This method allows detection of aspartic acid mutations of the c-Ki-ras gene at codons 12 and 13. Samples were also analyzed for the presence of HPV DNA using PCR and either "consensus sequence" primers or "type-specific" primers for HPVs 16 and 18. Patients' charts were reviewed for clinical information and correlations between clinical outcome and known prognostic indicators and the presence of c-Ki-ras mutations was assessed.

RESULTS

c-Ki-ras codon 12 mutations were detected in only 4 of the 32 cases (12.5%) of invasive endocervical adenocarcinomas examined. No codon 13 mutations were detected. Fifty-nine percent of the cases were HPV 16 or HPV 18 DNA positive and only 1 of the 4 cases with a codon 12 mutation was associated with HPV 16 or HPV 18. There were no significant associations between stage or grade of tumor or outcome and the presence of codon 12 mutations. However, using the observed survival as computed by the Berkson Gage Method at 12 months, the estimated median survival for patients with c-Ki-ras codon 12 mutations is 29 months compared to 68 months for patients lacking codon 12 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that c-Ki-ras codons 12 and 13 mutations are uncommon in invasive endocervical adenocarcinomas.

Study of the fluorescence properties of normal and neoplastic human cervical tissue

Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) were obtained in vitro for 18 cervical biopsies from 10 patients. At all excitation emission maxima, but especially at 330 nm excitation, 385 nm emission, the average normalized fluorescence intensity of histologically normal tissue is greater statistically than that of histologically abnormal tissue. A diagnostic algorithm based on the relative intensity at 330 nm excitation, 385 nm emission can differentiate histologically normal and abnormal biopsies with a higher sensitivity (89%), but a lower positive predictive value (67%) and specificity (44%) than colposcopy (78%, 88%, 89%, respectively). However, paired comparison of histologically normal and abnormal biopsies from the same patient results in a sensitivity of 75%, positive predictive value of 86% and specificity of 88% for spectroscopic identification of histologic abnormality similar to that of colposcopy. This pilot study indicates that fluorescence spectroscopy may be useful in differentiating normal and abnormal tissue; based on these results, a strategy for in vivo studies is discussed.

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) treated with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (PAC)

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is an aggressive malignancy that accounts for a disproportionate number of intraabdominal failures among endometrial carcinoma patients. The histologic appearance and tendency toward intraabdominal spread resemble those of papillary serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Because approximately 70% of untreated ovarian carcinoma patients respond to platinum-based chemotherapy, it has been suggested that UPSC patients might respond to similar treatment regimens. Twenty patients with UPSC were treated with cisplatin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide (PAC) chemotherapy between January 1982 and December 1989. They included 9 patients with advanced primary disease, 5 with recurrence, and 6 who received PAC as adjuvant therapy. Patients received a mean of five cycles of PAC. Only 2 of 11 patients with measurable disease greater than 2 cm achieved complete clinical responses of 12 and 31 months duration; there were no partial responses. Actuarial 5-year survival for all patients was 23%. The mean progression-free interval was 9 months. Patients with clinical stages I or II disease had a higher survival rate than those with stage III or IV disease (P = 0.003). Survival did not correlate with depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.81) or size of residual tumor following initial surgery (P = 0.16). Estrogen or progesterone receptors were detected in 10 of 11 tumors tested. Seven of 9 patients tested had elevated serum levels of CA-125 (greater than 35 U/ml). Correlation between CA-125 value and clinical course was demonstrated in 3 of 5 patients who had serial measurements. Of all patients, 3 are currently alive; 1 has documented disease. Moderate to severe toxicity was seen in 14 patients (70%). There was one possible treatment-related death from cardiomyopathy. UPSC, despite its histologic and clinical similarities to ovarian carcinoma, was relatively resistant to PAC chemotherapy in this mixed group of patients.

Riboflavin-photosensitized anaerobic modification of rat lens proteins. A correlation with age-related changes

When rat lens homogenate or its soluble protein fractions are irradiated in the presence of riboflavin, a photo-adduct is obtained between this vitamin and the lens proteins. Irradiation of these proteins in the presence of riboflavin also leads to a modification in the chromatographic elution pattern with an increase in the high-molecular-weight fraction. In an aging study with rats, it was shown that the proportion of the high-molecular-weight protein fraction significantly increased with age, whereas the proportion of the low-molecular-weight protein fraction concomitantly decreased. It is postulated that aging produces an increase in the accessibility of the tryptophan residues of the lens proteins, as established by iodide fluorescence quenching experiments.

Pertussis outbreaks in groups claiming religious exemptions to vaccinations

Four recent outbreaks of pertussis in Massachusetts illustrate some features that contribute to the increased incidence of the disease. The outbreaks involved unimmunized groups of children with philosophical or religious exemptions from school or day-care immunization requirements and children and adults who were reluctant to undergo antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy. Parents and physicians should be aware that failure to immunize and to cooperate in follow-up preventive measures can have public health and potential medicolegal repercussions.

Effects of pH and ionic micelles on the riboflavin-sensitized photoprocesses of tryptophan in aqueous solution

The effects of pH and ionic micelles on the rates of product formation following irradiation of riboflavin in the presence of tryptophan were investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Under anaerobic conditions, formation of riboflavin-tryptophan adducts was inhibited in acid solutions and by the addition of anionic (sodium dodecylsulphate) and cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) micelles. The oxidation of tryptophan photoinduced by riboflavin was considerable faster in basic solutions.

Prognostic indicators for invasive carcinoma of the vulva

Three hundred sixty-five patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva have been treated at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1944 and 1990. We undertook a rigorous review of the medical records, and a Cox proportional hazards model was applied to examine predictors of both failure to survive and recurrence. Significant predictors of both failure to survive and recurrence included tumor size, clinical stage, therapy aim, pelvic or inguinal nodal metastases, and positive margins. We then undertook an analysis of Stage I and II lesions treated with a curative aim to see if there was a difference in survival or in disease-free interval between those patients treated with radical vulvectomy and those treated with radical wide local excision. There was no survival advantage from the radical vulvectomy procedure. We conclude that careful selection may allow us to choose some patients for less radical procedures.

Fatty infiltration of the liver: quantification with phase-contrast MR imaging at 1.5 T vs biopsy

Quantification of hepatic fat content by application of MR phase-contrast imaging (Dixon method) at 1.5 T was compared with results of biopsy in 16 patients with a variety of liver abnormalities. Motion artifact was suppressed by employing six or eight averages of short TR in-phase (echo offset, 0 msec), out-of-phase (echo offset, 1.1 msec), and in-phase (echo offset, 2.2 msec) spin-echo pulse sequences. The 360 degree out-of-phase sequence was used to assess the impact of T2* decay on this method of estimating fat fraction. A standard two-echo long TR sequence also was obtained in all patients. Histologic preparations from the biopsy specimens were examined by a pathologist who had no knowledge of the MR results and were graded according to overall visual assessment as belonging to one of four categories of fat fraction. Results of the MR-calculated apparent fat fraction were compared directly with biopsy category and were also placed in MR fat fraction categories, allowing estimation of the statistical correlation between the biopsy and MR grading systems. Eight of eight patients with biopsy categories indicating a fat fraction of less than 0.25 were computed by MR to have a fat fraction of less than 0.1. Seven of eight patients with biopsy categories indicating a fat fraction of greater than 0.25 were computed by MR to have a fat fraction of at least 0.24. The MR-calculated apparent fat fraction category correlated significantly with the histologic biopsy category (r = .86, p less than .01). When compared with the in-phase image, decreased signal from liver was visually apparent on the 180 degree out-of-phase images in all cases in which the fat fraction was at least 0.24, but there was no indication of fatty liver on the standard T1- or T2-weighted images. Calculated T2 also showed no correlation with degree of fatty deposition. Correction for T2* decay by using the 360 degree out-of-phase acquisition in addition to the standard 0 degree and 180 degree out-of-phase images had little effect on fat fraction computation. Phase-contrast MR is a promising noninvasive method for quantitative assessment of fatty deposition in the liver.

A light-induced tryptophan-riboflavin binding: biological implications

We review here the covalent photo-binding induced by visible light between the essential amino acid tryptophan and the vitamin riboflavin. We discuss the biological implications of this photoadduct in relation to the hepatotoxic and cytotoxic effect associated to parenteral nutrients and to culture media exposed to the action of light, respectively. We also analyze the formation of a photo-binding between riboflavin and the residues of tryptophan present in the proteins of the eye lens, a tissue which is permanently exposed to visible light.

Calcium oxalate crystals in breast biopsies. The missing microcalcifications

Most calcifications detected by mammography and specimen radiography are readily identified by histologic sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or the von Kossa stain. However, calcifications composed of calcium oxalate crystals are not always seen in sections stained with H&E or with von Kossa. To study the incidence of calcium oxalate crystals in breast biopsies, we used polarized light microscopy to review 153 needle-localization breast biopsies. Birefringent crystals were observed in 19 cases (17 benign and 2 malignant), but typical calcium phosphate microcalcifications were revealed by H&E in only 16 of these 19 cases. Multiple H&E sections through the blocks of the remaining three cases did not reveal typical microcalcifications. These crystals did stain with silver nitrate/rubeanic acid with 5% acetic acid pretreatment but failed to stain with von Kossa and alizarin red at pH 4.2. This suggested that they were composed of calcium oxalate. Analytical electron microscopy performed in one of the three cases without typical microcalcifications demonstrated only a calcium peak of energy-dispersive x-ray analysis and an electron-diffraction pattern compatible with calcium oxalate monohydrate. We conclude that discrepancies between the amount of microcalcifications seen on the mammogram or on the x-ray film of the specimen or the paraffin blocks and the amount of microcalcifications seen on the H&E slides may be explained by the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals are detected with specimen radiography but are not easily seen on H&E slides unless polarized light microscopy is used. Polarized light microscopy and silver nitrate/rubeanic acid with 5% acetic acid pretreatment should be used for breast biopsy specimens when typical microcalcifications are not seen on H&E-stained sections.

[Blood sugar response to administration of bran or guar added to pasta in children with type I diabetes]

Blood sugar profiles after administration of pasta with (PG) and without (P) guar have been evaluated in 30 young type I diabetic children. Maximum increase of blood sugar was observed at 30' (mean = 21 mg/dl) after P and at 90' (mean = 6 mg/dl) after PG. Maximum decrease in blood sugar levels was reached at 180' in both groups (50 mg/dl after P and 25 mg/dl after PG). Blood sugar level was significantly different only at 180'. No significant difference was observed analyzing rates of increase.

Enzymatic generation of triplet acetone by deglycosylated horseradish peroxidase

A study of the effects of deglycosylation of horseradish peroxidase on protein conformation, as well as on its catalytic activity of oxidation of isobutyraldehyde or its enol form to triplet acetone and formic acid, was performed. The loss of carbohydrates leads to structural modifications of this enzyme. This is confirmed by a change in the circular dichroism spectrum, an increase in tryptophan's environment polarity, and a loss of the chiral specificity toward D- and L-tryptophan. Deglycosylation does not destroy either the peptide backbone or the amino acid residues and does not affect the heme group content of the protein. The rates of oxygen uptake and light emission observed when horseradish peroxidase oxidizes isobutyraldehyde or the trimethylsilyl enol ether form of the latter are reduced when the enzyme is 70% deglycosylated. Concomitantly, the acting deglycosylated enzyme becomes inactivated during the course of the reaction. It appears that the carbohydrate moiety plays an important role in the protection of the peroxidase from damaging effects induced by triplet acetone and in the stabilization of the three-dimensional structure of this enzyme.

Amplification and rearrangement of c-erb B proto-oncogenes in cancer of human female genital tract

There are two genes related to the v-erb B oncogene in the human genome. The c-erb B-1 gene encodes the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-r), and the c-erb B-2/neu gene encodes a receptor-like protein very similar to, but distinct from the EGF-r. Southern blot analysis of DNAs from 15 fresh human ovarian carcinomas showed that the c-erb B-2/neu gene was amplified in 3 tumors. The c-erb B-1/EGF-r gene was not amplified. However, in one case of adenocarcinoma of uterine endometrium, the c-erb B-1/EGF-r was found to be rearranged in the 5' region of this gene. The genomic structure of the rearranged c-erb B-1/EGF-r gene is similar to those found in the chicken v-erb B oncogene, which produces a truncated form of the EGF-r. The results suggest that amplification of the c-erb B-2/neu gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma. Further, the human c-erb B-1/EGF-r gene in adenocarcinoma of uterine endometrium may be activated by a similar mechanism as that in the chicken v-erb B oncogene.

Goldthioglucose causes brain norepinephrine and serotonin depletion correlated with increased body weight

Goldthioglucose (GTG) injected i.p. in mice is known to cause hyperphagia and obesity which is related to ventromedial hypothalamic damage and norepinephrine (NE) depletion in females. In the present experiment 6 doses of GTG were tested in males. After 160 days the monoamine content of whole brain was measured. Norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (SER) were depleted without changes in dopamine content. Brain NE and SER were both negatively correlated with body weight. These experiments extend earlier studies by suggesting that GTG obesity in mice may be caused by NE depletion in males as well as females and by suggesting that the obesity is also a function of serotonin depletion.

Randomized comparison of viral oncolysate plus radiation and radiation alone in uterine cervix carcinoma

A randomized, controlled study was performed in patients with high-risk, untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix to evaluate the adjunctive use of viral oncolysate (VO) prepared from the SW756 cell line. Seventy-five patients were stratified by tumor volume and randomized to receive radiation therapy (RT) alone or RT plus intradermal immunization with VO. Fifty-one (68%) patients relapsed with a median survival (MS) of 29.1 months and a median progression-free interval (MPFI) of 18.0 months. No differences in MS or median PFI were observed by treatment arm or site of relapse, although a trend toward improved MS and median PFI in patients with small-volume primary lesions was suggested. Serum surface-binding antibody activity (greater than or equal to 1:8) to the SW756 cell line was detected in 14 of 41 unselected patients prior to therapy. Virus hemagglutination inhibitory activity (greater than or equal to 1:8) was detected in 37 of 41 patients before treatment. four-fold increases in titer were observed to the SW756 cell line in 83% and to influenza in 74% of patients tested after immunization. Preirradiation measurements of phytohemagglutinin-induced blastogenesis by the relative proliferation index (RPI) method in 39 patients revealed RPI values less than 0.58 in nine patients, eight of whom relapsed. At 3-6 months after the initiation of irradiation, 32 of 39 patients had values less than 0.58. Patients in the RT group with values less than 0.58 had significantly more relapses than those who received RT plus VO.

Development and strategies of the Colombian vaccination program

Experience in Colombia demonstrates that short-term dramatic increases in coverage can be obtained through campaigns, but these gains can only be sustained through the improvement of routine immunization services. "Channeling" of immunization-eligible infants and children to facilities has been shown to be effective, but its long-term impact is dependent on substantial, and continuing, community participation.

Photointeraction of benzophenone triplet with lysozyme

The quenching of the benzophenone triplet by lysozyme and its constituent amino acids in aqueous solutions have been studied. Native lysozyme quenches the benzophenone triplet with a high rate constant, 4 x 10(9) M-1 s-1. The quenching process takes place with production of significant amounts of free ketyl radicals, phi ketyl = 0.56, but with a very low benzophenone consumption yield (0.022). The consumption yield is considerably smaller than that observed for the free amino acids. This difference can be explained in terms of a dominant back hydrogen transfer to the protein in the disproportionation of the free radicals produced. Reduced and carboxymethylated lysozyme shows a higher quenching rate (7.8 x 10(9) M-1 s-1) and a larger benzophenone consumption yield (0.07). The deactivation of the benzophenone triplet by the native protein leads to its inactivation, with a quantum yield of 0.01. Tryptophan and arginine residues are destroyed with a quantum yield of 0.01. In the modified enzyme tyrosine and methionine groups are also consumed.

Postexercise electrocardiographic and clinical changes in patients with sick sinus syndrome

Forty patients with sick sinus syndrome, 15 women and 25 men with a mean age of 53.83 +/- 13.34 years, were studied using a maximal graded bicycle stress test. None of the patients were using a pacemaker or being treated with drugs that would interfere with the sinus node function; one patient had family myocardiopathy and eight suffered from essential hypertension. All patients, including those suffering from very marked bradycardia (less than 40 beats/min) responded to the increased effort with increased heart rate. The exercise test was stopped in 22 patients (55%) after the appearance of clinical signs and in 4 (10%) after ST-segment depression greater than 1 mm. Eight (20%) finished the stress test after reaching the maximal heart rate according to age, due to an increase in sinus rate. The exercise produced or increased extrasystoles in five patients (12.5%), but only one was forced to suspend the test. The Q-T interval, corrected for heart rate according to Bazett's formula (QTc), was measured on the resting ECG before the start of the test and on the ECG recorded immediately following the end of the exercise in all patients, except one with atrial fibrillation. In 24 patients (60%), a QTc mean increase of 0.040 +/- 0.022 sec was observed at the end of the stress test. Fourteen (35%) had the usual shortening due to the increase in heart rate. One patient showed no variation of the QTc. A lengthening of the QTc at the end of the exercise in more than half of the patients was the most intriguing electrocardiographic change.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Merkel cell carcinoma (endocrine carcinoma of the skin) of the head and neck

Merkel cell carcinoma, also known as endocrine carcinoma of the skin, is a recently recognized and particularly aggressive form of skin cancer that exhibits histologic features similar to those of endocrine malignant neoplasms arising from other tissues. Forty-one patients with Merkel cell carcinoma arising from the cutaneous surfaces of the head and neck were seen at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital, Houston, between 1966 and 1983. Regional lymph node metastasis occur early and frequently, with a 79% overall incidence observed during the course of the disease. Treatment should consist of a wide resection of the primary tumor. A regional lymphadenectomy, when feasible, is successful in controlling nodal metastases. Postoperative radiation is recommended as an important adjuvant.

Competitive inhibition by the D-isomer in racemic mixtures used as substrate in kinetic studies: a simple method for data treatment

A set of equations was applied that allows the use of racemic mixtures for the estimation of kinetic parameters in systems where the L-isomer is substrate and the D-isomer a competitive inhibitor, displaying data as double reciprocal plots. A statistical treatment was introduced that renders compatible the output of presently available programs with the specific model requirements, with few additional calculations. An example is shown with beta-trypsin and its inhibition of benzozyl-D-arginine p-nitroanilide (Ki = 1.12 mM, pH 8,0, 37 degrees C).

Alpha- and beta- rat urinary kallikreins: chemical and physicochemical properties

Alpha- and beta- urinary kallikreins were isolated by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-L-Arg-OMe (E. Silva, C.R. Diniz and M. Mares-Guia, Biochemistry, 13: 4304-4310, 1974). Both enzymes lowered rat arterial blood pressure and contracted the rat uterus. Alpha- and beta-kallikreins consist of single polypeptide chains of 27900 and 24900 daltons and have sedimentation coefficients of 2.49 S and 2.55 S, respectively. The alpha enzyme has 18 amino acid residues more than the beta enzyme and their carbohydrate content is 11.9% and 7.75%, respectively. Neuraminidase treatment removed all sialic acid residues from both forms and this improved their stability in aqueous solution at pH 7.0, 37 degrees C. After electrophoresis on 12% polyacrylamide gels at pH 8.3, followed by activity measurements of gel slices with H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-pNA, two active bands each were detected for alpha and beta-kallikrein, but in different proportions and with different specific activity. On the basis of the rat uterus assay, alpha-kallikrein was three times more active than beta-kallikrein. The amino acid composition of alpha-kallikrein is strikingly similar to that of pig kallikrein B and human urinary kallikrein.

Association of Streptococcus bovis bacteremia with bowel disease

We reviewed the medical records of 19 patients who had Streptococcus bovis bacteremia. Eight patients had diverticulosis, four had benign adenomatous colonic polyps, and three had adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Laboratory workers and clinicians should be aware of the association of S. bovis bacteremia and gastrointestinal disease.

Residual paralytic poliomyelitis in a tropical region of Brazil, 1969-1977: prevalence surveys in different age groups as indicators of changing incidence

The magnitude of the problem of paralytic poliomyelitis in recent years in the tropical Federal District of Brazil was estimated in 1980 by determining the prevalence of residual paralytic poliomyelitis in 10,007 schoolchildren born in 1969-1970 and in 10,794 schoolchildren born in 1973-1974. About 98% of these children attended school in the Federal District. The rate of residual paralytic poliomyelitis of 5.4 per 1000 children born in 1969-1970 was 2.3 times higher than the rate of 2.3 per 1000 born in 1973-1974, which may be related to increasing vaccination of children under one year of age. Paralysis appeared before four years of age in 96.5% of these children. These prevalence rates indicate a minimal average annual incidence of acute persisting paralytic poliomyelitis of 187 cases per million total population during the period 1969-1973 and of 80 per million total population during the period 1973-1977 compared with an average annual incidence of 135 reported persisting and non-persisting paralytic cases per million total population in the United States in the prevaccine era and of four persisting cases per 100 million during 1973-1978.

Efeito do calor na atividade da polifenol oxidase e peroxidase em algumas frutas e hortaliças

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito de tratamentos térmicos na atividade da polifenol oxidase e da paroxidade em algumas frutas e hortaliças, bem como estudar a possível regeneração dessas enzimas após apertização. Em termos gerais, nas frutas a polifenol oxidase apresentou maior resistência à inativação pelo calor que a peroxidase e no caso das hortaliças ocorreu o inverso. Quanto à regeneração das enzimas após apertização, o fenômeno foi constatado somente no caso da peroxidase que mostrou assim grande estabilidade às condições adversas durante aquele tratamento térmico. A polifenol oxidase por sua vez, demonstrou ser uma enzima muito sensível, não se regenerando durante o tempo em que os produtos ficaram armazenados.