Influence of lead on metabolism of vitamins B group in alimentary iron deficient rats

Gamma delta T-Cells represent a minor subpopulation of T-lymphocytes in man and their role in normal and diseased human skin is unknown. This article is a comprehensive review of T-lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T-cell receptor in normal and pathological human skin. Firstly, we have documented the occurrence of gamma delta T-cells in normal skin and in a range of reactive and malignant skin conditions. We have then discussed the experimental findings regarding the repertoire used by gamma delta T-cells in normal human skin and in cutaneous disorders with an increased percentage of gamma delta T-cells.     

Mediastinal pseudotumor

A case of mediastinum vascular abnormality is presented consisting in the right side location of the aortic crutch and descending aorta. Besides an abnormality of brachiocephalic trunk issue and position is described. The possible diagnosis errors are discussed.     

Protective effects of green tea extracts (polyphenon E and EGCG) on human cervical lesions

We investigated clinical efficacy of green tea extracts (polyphenon E; poly E and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG]) delivered in a form of ointment or capsule in patients with human papilloma virus (HPV) infected cervical lesions. Fifty-one patients with cervical lesions (chronic cervicitis, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia) were divided into four groups, as compared with 39 untreated patients as a control. Poly E ointment was applied locally to 27 patients twice a week. For oral delivery, a 200 mg of poly E or EGCG capsule was taken orally every day for eight to 12 weeks. In the study, 20 out of 27 patients (74%) under poly E ointment therapy showed a response. Six out of eight patients under poly E ointment plus poly E capsule therapy (75%) showed a response, and three out of six patients (50%) under poly E capsule therapy showed a response. Six out of 10 patients (60%) under EGCG capsule therapy showed a response. Overall, a 69% response rate (35/51) was noted for treatment with green tea extracts, as compared with a 10% response rate (4/39) in untreated controls (P<0.05). Thus, the data collected here demonstrated that green tea extracts in a form of ointment and capsule are effective for treating cervical lesions, suggesting that green tea extracts can be a potential therapy regimen for patients with HPV infected cervical lesions.     

Artefacts due to static electricity in a dental school

The diagnostic usefulness of radiographs is diminished by errors of film handling, and retakes mean increased radiation doses. Avoiding artefacts due to static electricity is part of a quality assurance programme. The number of types of artefacts originating from static electricity in the Department of Radiology, School of Dentistry, Copenhagen, were recorded over a five-week period with low temperatures and low air humidity. During the period 3137 intra-oral and 638 extra-oral films were processed by seven assistants and a number of trainees. A total of 48 artefacts on 47 extra-oral films was observed. The artefacts were classified into four types. Only one case of classical 'lightning' was found, while nine were of a hitherto undescribed type ('animals' or 'cactus flowers'). The most common type appeared as dots arranged in straight lines; their origin was obscure, but it was suspected that they were caused by the processing machine. The one typical 'lightning' case occurred on a Status-X film, consistent with the theory that friction may be a causative factor. Although individual frequencies varied, all the radiography assistants and trainees were associated with the artefacts recorded.     

The effects of phosphorylation of cardiac troponin-I on its interactions with actin and cardiac troponin-C

It is known that the phosphorylation of two serine residues on the NH2-terminal extension specific to cardiac troponin-I (Tn-I) modulates the calcium-dependent activation of the myofilaments. The process by which this occurs remains an unsolved puzzle. We have applied a dissective approach to study the effect of this phosphorylation on the interactions between Tn-I and its partner proteins, actin and troponin-C (Tn-C). Using N-[14C]ethylmaleimide-labelled Tn-I in sedimentation assays with F-actin, we found that the dephosphorylated Tn-I binds to F-actin with pronounced positive cooperativity, both in the absence and the presence of tropomyosin. Phosphorylation of the protein slightly weakens the interaction in the absence of tropomyosin, but the cooperativity remained. In the presence of tropomyosin, phosphorylation of the Tn-I also appeared to slightly weaken the interaction as well but, more significantly, the cooperativity was eliminated. These data can only be explained simply by a cooperative interaction between the monomer units in the actin filament. The interactions between cardiac Tn-I and Tn-C were studied by labelling the Tn-C with the fluorescent probe dansyl aziridine. As expected, the binding of the dephosphorylated Tn-I to Tn-C was strengthened by over 20-fold upon the addition of calcium to the assay. Phosphorylation of the protein, however, had a dramatic effect on the interaction in that it appeared to desensitise the complex to the effect of calcium: the Ka values obtained for both interactions (+/- Ca2+) were almost identical. These results clearly indicate that the phosphorylation of Tn-I in the cardiac system has dramatic effects on the isolated inter-protein interactions. We also discuss the possible significance of such an effect on the interactions of the isolated proteins in their roles within the intact cardiac regulatory complex.     

Outcome of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis following autologous stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancy

Based on successful results in animal models, it has been proposed that high-dose myeloablative therapy followed by autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation (ABMT/ASCT) may cure autoimmune disease. The coexistence of autoimmune disease and hematologic malignancy provides an opportunity to examine the response of autoimmune disease to ABMT or ASCT. We describe 4 patients with autoimmune disease (3 with psoriasis and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis) and hematologic malignancy. In each patient, the autoimmune disease remitted posttransplantation, but, in 4 patients with long-term followup, it recurred at 8-24 months. The earliest relapse occurred in a patient treated with interferon-alpha. Our experience suggests that a single autograft with unpurged stem cells is unlikely to cure autoimmune disease, but that other strategies building on this approach are worthy of investigation.     

Fundamental reproducibility of Raman band positions and strain measurements of high-modulus carbon fibre — the effect of laser-induced heating

We have shown that the E_2g, A_1g and second-order ( 2700 cm^–1) Raman band positions of Hercules HMS4 carbon fibres shift as a function of incident laser power. These shifts arise as a result of changes in the local fibre temperature. The sensitivity of band position to varying laser power is different from fibre to fibre within the same tow — thus equally strained fibres subjected to the same laser power can show widely different band positions and so different apparent strains. The same effect can be observed from point to point on individual fibres. If laser power is not carefully controlled (both in magnitude and stability), errors in the accuracy of the measured strain can be greater than the measured strain itself, and have been shown to approach 70% of the breaking strain. These results mean that strain measurements obtained from composite materials containing this fibre must be interpreted with caution unless the laser beam intensity at the fibre is precisely controlled. This effect will also be important with other types of carbon fibre, since in previous work we have observed that laser-induced sample heating occurs with a wide range of materials from cokes to pitch-based fibres.