Enzymatic amplification of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus

To improve the detection of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV), we developed a PCR assay. Primers were selected from ORF7, encoding nucleocapsid protein VP1. No specific amplification was observed with any other common murine virus or with RNAs from the closely related Lelystad virus and equine arteritis virus. In experimentally infected mice, LDV could be detected in plasma in both the acute and the persistent phases. LDV was also detected by the PCR in contaminated pools of Plasmodium berghei parasites which were maintained in mice, both by a direct analysis of the samples and by testing of plasma from mice inoculated with these pools. There was a complete agreement between the results of the PCR assay and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme assay of plasma from the inoculated mice. In contrast to the results of the LDH enzyme assay, no false-positive reactions were obtained in the PCR assay with negative control samples showing visible hemolysis. Storage of plasma samples at room temperature and at 4, -20, and -80 degrees C for up to 8 days did not influence the results of the PCR. These results show that the PCR is a valuable technique which may replace the LDH test as a diagnostic tool.     

High iron intake depresses hepatic copper content in goats

Earlier studies with ruminants point to a depressant effect of dietary iron on the copper status. To verify this we determined hepatic copper concentrations in dry, non-pregnant goats subjected to a 56 x 56-days cross-over trial with adequate copper rations containing either 269 or 2380 mg iron/kg dry matter. High iron intake reduced the group mean plasma copper (by 18%) and caeruloplasmin activity (by 13%) and produced a significant decrease (27%) in hepatic copper concentrations. Hepatic iron concentrations were raised (by 56%) after feeding the high iron ration. It is concluded that high dietary levels of iron, within the range of their fluctuation in silage and forage, can impair the copper status of ruminants, especially when concurrent intakes of copper are low.     

Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and of insulin treatment on homocysteine metabolism in the rat

An elevation in the concentration of total plasma homocysteine is known to be an independent risk factor for the development of vascular disease. Alterations in homocysteine metabolism have also been observed clinically in diabetic patients. Patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have signs of renal dysfunction tend to exhibit elevated total plasma homocysteine levels, whereas type 1 diabetic patients who have no clinical signs of renal dysfunction have lower than normal plasma homocysteine levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate homocysteine metabolism in a type 1 diabetic animal model and to examine whether insulin plays a role in its regulation. Diabetes was induced by intravenous administration of 100 mg/kg streptozotocin to Sprague-Dawley rats. We observed a 30% reduction in plasma homocysteine in the untreated diabetic rat. This decrease in homocysteine was prevented when diabetic rats received insulin. Transsulfuration and remethylation enzymes were measured in both the liver and the kidney. We observed an increase in the activities of the hepatic transsulfuration enzymes (cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase) in the untreated diabetic rat. Insulin treatment normalized the activities of these enzymes. The renal activities of these enzymes were unchanged. These results suggest that insulin is involved in the regulation of plasma homocysteine concentrations by affecting the hepatic transsulfuration pathway, which is involved in the catabolism of homocysteine.     

Improved biochemical variables, nutrient intake, and hormonal factors in slow nocturnal hemodialysis: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether slow nocturnal hemodialysis (SNHD) can be safely performed in patients with end-stage renal disease to improve the biochemical and clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an 8-week pilot study in nondiabetic adult patients, who underwent dialysis 6 nights per week for 8 hours each night. A dialysate flow rate of 300 mL/min and a blood flow rate of 250 mL/min, through an internal jugular dual-lumen venous catheter, were used. The equipment used was a COBE Centry System 3 dialysis machine and Fresenius F-80 (1.8 m2) or Baxter CT 190 (1.9 m2) dialyzers. Five patients were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Two patients did not complete the study because of catheter-related infections--one at day 7 and one after 4 weeks of SNHD. All patients had improved blood pressure control, and no intradialytic adverse events occurred. Dietary intake improved, urea and creatinine levels significantly decreased, and weekly delivery of dialysate increased on SNHD. Potassium, chloride, beta 2-microglobulin, phosphorus, calcium, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol all improved on SNHD. Serum testosterone increased in the three men on SNHD, but parathyroid hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone remained unchanged. Erythropoietin levels increased on SNHD, despite no change in exogenous erythropoietin doses in three patients and discontinuation of administration of erythropoietin in one. The following biochemical factors did not change significantly: serum sodium, bicarbonate, vitamin B12, folate, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and albumin. CONCLUSION: Higher doses of hemodialysis benefit nutrition, improve biochemical variables, and may improve many hormonal systems.     

Serum endothelin and atrial natriuretic peptide in cirrhotic patients with ascites and hepatorenal syndrome

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of cirrhotic ascites and hepatorenal syndrome remains unresolved. The involvement of both endothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide have recently been suggested. This study investigated the concentrations of serum endothelin and atrial natriuretic peptide in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Seven healthy subjects and 31 cirrhotic patients were studied. Cirrhotic patients were divided into three groups: Group I, 16 cirrhotic patients without ascites; Group II, 10 cirrhotic patients with ascites, but without hepatorenal syndrome; and Group III, five cirrhotic patients with hepatorenal syndrome and ascites. Their sera were analyzed for endothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations. RESULTS: Cirrhotic patients with ascites, Group II and Group III, had higher plasma endothelin-1 concentrations (15.9 +/- 2.3 pg/ml and 24 +/- 2.1 pg/ml, respectively) than normal subjects and compensated cirrhotics (3.8 +/- 0.7 pg/ml and 6.4 +/- 1.1 pg/ml, respectively); p < 0.001). Atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations were also significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in normal subjects (p < 0.025). Plasma endothelin-1 concentration had a negative correlation with creatinine clearance (r = -0.65, p < 0.001), as did atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations (r = -0.44, p = 0.012). Plasma endothelin-1 correlated significantly with atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations (r = 0.38, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Both endothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations were elevated in cirrhotic patients with ascites and hepatorenal syndrome. Endothelin-1 may have a negative impact on renal function. Our data also suggested that impaired responsiveness rather than impaired secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide is responsible for sodium retention in cirrhotic patients with ascites.     

Delayed protection by MK-801 and tetrodotoxin in a rat organotypic hippocampal culture model of ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The hippocampus demonstrates a regional pattern of vulnerability to ischemic injury that depends on its characteristic differentiation and intrinsic connections. We now describe a model of ischemic injury using organotypic hippocampal culture, which preserves the anatomic differentiation of the hippocampus in long-term tissue culture. METHODS: Ischemic conditions were modeled by metabolic inhibition. Cultures were briefly exposed to potassium cyanide to block oxidative phosphorylation and 2-deoxyglucose to block glycolysis. The fluorescent dye propidium iodide was used to observe membrane damage in living cultures during recovery. RESULTS: 2-Deoxyglucose/potassium cyanide incubation resulted in dose-dependent, regionally selective neuronal injury in CA1 and the dentate hilus, which began slowly after 2 to 6 hours of recovery. Subsequent histological examination of cultures after 1 to 7 days of recovery demonstrated neuronal pyknosis that was correlated with the early, direct observation of membrane damage with propidium. Both propidium staining and histological degeneration were prevented by the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 when administered 30 minutes after the end of the exposure to 2-deoxyglucose and potassium cyanide. Tetrodotoxin, which blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, had protective effects that were greatest during the period of 2-deoxyglucose and potassium cyanide incubation but also produced protection against the mildest conditions of metabolic inhibition when administered after 30 minutes of recovery. CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro model reproduced elements of the time course, regional vulnerability, and pharmacologic sensitivities of in vivo ischemic hippocampal injury. Inhibition of metabolism in organotypic culture provides a rapid, easily controlled injury and reproduces the in vitro pattern of hippocampal regional vulnerability to ischemia. It is the first in vitro model of ischemia to exhibit complete protection by delayed administration of an NMDA receptor antagonist during recovery from a brief insult. The protective effects of tetrodotoxin suggest that an early period of sodium entry into cells during and after ATP depletion may be responsible for the more prolonged period of toxic NMDA receptor activation.     

Virtual colonoscopy: imaging features with colonoscopic correlation

BACKGROUND: We determined whether activation of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) protects hearts subjected to cardioplegic arrest and prolonged hypothermic storage. METHODS: Isolated rat hearts arrested with St. Thomas' II cardioplegia and stored at 3 degrees +/- 1 degree C for 8 hours were reperfused at 37 degrees C in Langendorff (10 minutes) and working (60 minutes) modes. RESULTS: During reperfusion, left ventricular work was depressed in stored hearts relative to fresh hearts. When present during arrest, storage, and both reperfusion phases, SNP (200 mumol/L) improved work to values close to those in fresh hearts. When added only during the 10-minute period of Langendorff reperfusion, SNP also improved the subsequent recovery of work. This effect was antagonized by the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). Poststorage coronary perfusion was not increased by SNP. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of SNP to enhance recovery independent of changes in coronary perfusion and in an ODQ-sensitive manner suggests that SNP-induced protection is due to activation of the myocardial nitric oxide/cyclic guanisine monophosphate pathway. These results suggest that supplementing cardioplegic solutions with SNP, administering SNP during early reperfusion, or both may offer additional means to improve donor heart preservation.     

Teaching smoking-cessation counseling to medical students using simulated patients

The controversy continues over the appropriate use of vaginal hysterectomy for many indications that were previously treated only with abdominal or laparoscopic methods. Current outcomes data have pointed up the need for established guidelines to ensure that patients receive appropriate surgical treatment that is most cost-effective and that meets the standard of quality care. Dr Kovac reviews recent data regarding the various surgical options for hysterectomy and offers guidelines based on objective pathologic criteria.