HLA class-I and class-II antigen association in rheumatoid arthritis at Varanasi, India

We examined the localization of phosphotyrosine (p-Tyr)-modified proteins in the normal corneal epithelium using affinity-purified rabbit anti-p-Tyr antibody. Normal rat cornea was fixed and semi-thin and ultra-thin frozen sections were prepared. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that p-Tyr was distributed along the cell membrane of the corneal epithelium. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the labeling is exclusively localized in the desmosomes and hemidesmosomes. A fraction enriched with desmosomes was extracted from the bovine corneal epithelium and examined by Western blotting. Immunoblotting for p-Tyr showed eight prominent bands (290, 200, 190, 115, 85, 62, 50, and 47 kD) in the desmosomal fraction. The enrichment of p-Tyr in desmosomes and hemidesmosomes of the corneal epithelium suggests that these cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate junctions are involved in signal transduction.     

Associations between ADHD and psychoactive substance use disorders. Findings from a longitudinal study of high-risk siblings of ADHD children

This article investigates the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUD) in siblings of ADHD and normal-control probands and addresses issues of psychiatric comorbidity and gender. Using DSM-III-R structured diagnostic interviews and blind raters, the authors conducted a 4-year follow-up of siblings. ADHD and male gender predicted higher rates and an earlier onset of PSUD after adjusting for high-risk status, other psychiatric disorders, and age. Risk was particularly high if the siblings had ADHD plus conduct disorder. This study's findings confirms the authors' prior report high-lighting the importance of drug and alcohol prevention and cessation programs aimed at ADHD youth and their siblings, particularly those with comorbid conduct disorder.     

Oxidant mechanisms in toxic acute renal failure

Setting up a puppy training program is one of the most important services veterinarians can offer. Puppy socialization classes aim not only to socialize the puppies so that they learn to interact well with children, adults, and other dogs, but also to teach basic obedience exercises. The classes build a strong bond between puppy, owner, and veterinary clinic. This article covers the techniques used, the structure of the classes, and outlines benefits for the dog, owner, veterinarian, and community.     

The electrophysiological characteristics of the plasma membrane of rat macrophages at rest and under exposure to ATP]

The application of ATP in micromolar concentrations to the macrophages results in a biphasic response in the form of the short-time depolarization followed by a rather long hyperpolarization, the corresponding inward and outward macroscopic currents being observed. The ATP-induced hyperpolarization is accompanied by changes in current kinetics, I/V-curves pattern and shifting in the reversal potential. Such changes may be explained by a supposition that ATP activates an additional fraction of potassium channels with characteristics other than those in cells with initially low value of membrane potential. The data available are suggestive that in resting cells the inward rectification potassium conductance may dominate, whereas during ATP-induced hyperpolarization a certain type of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium conductance prevails. A rather high membrane potential in some part of macrophages, not treated with ATP, may be attributed to the latter type of conductance.     

Activity of oxidation-reduction enzymes in endotheliocytes of the intestinal hemomicrocirculatory bed under normal conditions and in portal hypertension

An original quantitative examination of oxidation-reduction enzymes activity in endotheliocytes of hemomicroclrculatory vessels of jejunum and rectum submucosal base in normal state and in portal hypertension was performed by the authors. Comparative analysis of the activity of the enzymes studied revealed different metabolic processes intensity in these organs, dependent on current hemodynamic conditions. Cytochemical changes in hemomicrocirculatory bed are consistent with structural reorganizations that arise in the wall of vessels studied, consist of several phases and may be used as an assessment criterion for defining the portal hypertension stage.