Sarcocystis spp in Western Australian sheep

The Jamaican Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey (1986-1987) revealed nine cases of a previously unreported form of birth-related injury in the English-speaking Caribbean--occipital osteodiastasis. Aspects of the clinical and pathological features of this form of occipital bone injury are presented and discussed. Our findings suggest that this lesion might occur more often than is currently accepted.     

Multiple Z plasty as an adjunct procedure for the correction of contracted fifth digit

This article describes the technique of the Z and multiple Z plasty. The plasty is used to lengthen skin. It is especially useful when used as an additional procedure in the surgical treatment of the contracted fifth digit.     

Bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary peliosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: clinical characteristics in a case-control study

Clinical characteristics associated with bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary peliosis (BAP) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were evaluated in a case-control study; 42 case-patients and 84 controls were matched by clinical care institution. Case-patients presented with fever (temperature, > 37.8 degrees C; 93%), a median CD4 lymphocyte count of 21/mm3, cutaneous or subcutaneous vascular lesions (55%), lymphadenopathy (21%), and/or abdominal symptoms (24%). Many case-patients experienced long delays between medical evaluation and diagnosis of BAP (median, 4 weeks; range, 1 day to 24 months). Case-patients were more likely than controls to have fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, a low CD4 lymphocyte count, anemia, or an elevated serum level of alkaline phosphatase (AP) (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, a CD4 lymphocyte count of < 200/mm3 (matched odds ratio [OR], 9.9; P < .09), anemia reflected by a hematocrit value of < 0.36 (OR, 19.7; P < .04), and an elevated AP level of > or = 2.6 mukat/L (OR, 23.9; P < .05) remained associated with disease after therapy with zidovudine was controlled for. BAP should be considered an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection and should be included in the differential diagnosis for febrile, HIV-infected patients with cutaneous or osteolytic lesions, lymphadenopathy, abdominal symptoms, anemia, or an elevated serum level of AP.     

The kappa opioid receptor expressed on the mouse R1.1 thymoma cell line down-regulates without desensitizing during chronic opioid exposure

The R1.1 mouse thymoma cell line expresses a single class of kappa opioid receptors that is negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase through a Bordetella pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein. The aim of the present study was to determine whether chronic opioid treatment of R1.1 cells altered either the binding properties or the functional response associated with the kappa opioid receptor. Culturing of R1.1 cells with the kappa-selective agonist (trans)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl] benzeneacetamide methane-sulfonate hydrate (U50,488) for 3 hr and longer, followed by extensive washing of R1.1 cell membranes, produced a concentration- and time-dependent reduction in the binding of the kappa-selective ligand (5 alpha,7 alpha,8 beta)-(-)-N-methyl-N-(7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1- oxaspiro(4,5)dec-8-yl) benzeneacetamide ([3H]U69,593). Culturing of R1.1 cells with 100 nM U50,488 for 24 hr produced approximately a 50% reduction in the Bmax value for [3H]U69,593 and [3H]naloxone binding. In contrast to the reduction in binding, there was no change in the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity by (-)-U50,488. To determine whether kappa opioid receptor function was maintained by spare receptors after agonist-induced down-regulation, membranes from untreated R1.1 cells were incubated with 400 nM of the irreversible opioid antagonist beta-chlornaltrexamine (beta-CNA) followed by extensive washing. beta-CNA produced a 50% reduction in the [3H]U69,593 binding and a 6-fold increase in the IC50 value for (-)-U50,488 inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity, with no change in the maximal inhibition of cyclic AMP levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of an ovarian cancer activating factor in ascites from ovarian cancer patients

Ascites from ovarian cancer patients contain potent growth-promoting activity toward human ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. This activity is associated with rapid increases in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) as a consequence of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. In this study, we describe the purification, characterization, and identification of an ovarian cancer activating factor (OCAF) from ascites of ovarian cancer patients. We have isolated OCAF by a combination of solvent extraction, silica gel chromatography, and TLC. Mass spectral analysis, phospholipase sensitivity, and gas chromatographic behavior of purified OCAF indicate that OCAF is composed of various species of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), including LPAs with polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains (linoleic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids). However, OCAF is more potent than sn-1 palmitoyl, oleoyl, or stearoyl LPA in increasing [Ca2+]i in ovarian cancer cells. The ability of OCAF to alter [Ca2+]i is sensitive to the effects of lipoxidase, whereas the activity of sn-1 oleoyl, stearoyl, or palmitoyl LPA is not, suggesting that polyunsaturated bonds in the fatty acyl chain of OCAF may account for its increased ability to activate ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, a sn-2 linoleoyl LPA generated by phospholipase A1 treatment of synthetic phosphatidic acid is much more active than are sn-1 palmitoyl, stearoyl, or oleoyl LPA in increasing [Ca2+]i in ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the ability of OCAF to increase cellular calcium may reside in the structure and/or location of the fatty acyl chain of LPA. Purified OCAF, at concentrations similar to those present in ascites from ovarian cancer patients, was sufficient to induce proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, as indicated by thymidine incorporation, reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, or colony formation. However, even at optimal concentrations of OCAF, proliferation was lower than that induced by FCS or ascites from ovarian cancer patients, indicating that, although OCAF may be a major regulator of ovarian cancer cells in vivo, it is not the sole mediator present in ascites, and it likely functions in concert with other growth factor activities.