Intracellular location of inapparently infecting Chlamydia in synovial tissue from patients with Reiter's syndrome

Culture of Chlamydia trachomatis from synovial tissues/fluids from Reiter's syndrome (RS) patients frequently yields negative results. However, we have identified chlamydial RNA at that site in such patients, suggesting that viable organisms may be present. Here we define the cellular location of chlamydia within the synovium via in situ hybridization. Using a chlamydial ribosomal RNA-directed probe, we show that synovial tissue from culture-negative RS patients gives strong hybridization which is often localized to a subsynovial cell layer, rather than to the synovial lining; in some cases, hybridizing cells are dispersed through the synovium. All hybridization signal is located within host cells, indicating that infectious extracellular elementary bodies are rare or absent. These data confirm the extensive intracellular presence of inapparent chlamydia in the synovia of RS patients and provide some insight into the usual culture negativity of synovial tissues for the organism.     

The psychophysiological specificity problem in panic attacks

Traumatic intrusion of permanent teeth is a relatively infrequent but serious type of dental injury, due to the complicated picture it involves. Various treatment approaches have been suggested, so far, regarding management of intrusive luxation. Techniques aiming to reposition the intruded tooth include observation for spontaneous reeruption, surgical as well as orthodontic repositioning. However, development of complications such as pulp necrosis, inflammatory root resorption, replacement resorption and ankylosis and loss of marginal bone support makes selection of the most favorable technique controversial. In this paper, a critical review of the existing treatment modalities is attempted and treatment approaches based on diagnostic parameters that are indicative of the severity of an intrusive injury are presented. Recommendations are made after taking into consideration experimental and clinical study findings and observations from other author's and our own clinical experience. Two cases of intrusive luxation in children are presented and management of the dental injuries as well as the complications which occurred are being discussed.     

Pharmacological characterization of a specific binding site for angiotensin IV in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells

This study demonstrated the existence of a specific binding site for angiotensin IV in porcine aortic endothelial cells. Non-equilibrium kinetic analyses at 37 degrees C allowed the calculation of a kinetic Kd of 0.44 nM. Pseudo-equilibrium saturation binding studies at 37 degrees C for 90 min indicated the presence of a single high-affinity site (Kd = 3.87 +/- 0.60 nM), saturable and abundant (Bmax = 9.64 +/- 1.44 pmol/mg protein). Competitive binding studies demonstrated the following rank order of effectiveness: angiotensin IV > angiotensin III > angiotensin II > angiotensin I > angiotensin II-(1-7), while 2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1 [(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl) methyl] imidazol (DuP 753: losartan), 1-(4-amino-3-methyl-phenyl) methyl-5-diphenylisoethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo [4,5-C] pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (PD 123177) or nicotinic acid-Tyr-(N alpha -benzyl-oxycarbonyl-Arg) Lys-His-Pro-Ile-OH (CGP 42112A) were inactive at the concentration of 100 microM. This binding site is, therefore, distinct from angiotensin II receptors, AT1 and AT2. Addition of the divalent cations Mg2+, Mn2+ or Ca2+ to the incubation buffer resulted in 90-95% inhibition of the [125I]angiotensin IV-specific binding to porcine aortic endothelial cells. Furthermore, the chelator, EGTA, at 5 mM increased the number of binding sites (Bmax = 17.8 +/- 2.5 pmol/mg protein), with no change in affinity (Kd = 5.7 +/- 1.3 nM). Exposure of porcine aortic endothelial cell membranes to the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog, GTP gamma S, had no effect on [125I]angiotensin IV binding. The presence of a high concentration of binding sites for angiotensin IV in porcine aortic endothelial cells suggests that this peptide may play an important role in the modulation of the cardiovascular system.     

Evaluation of the paraskeletal clamp system (Mennen plate) in treatment of mandibular fractures

In this study, we used the relatively recent Paraskeletal clamp system (Mennen plate) to evaluate its effectiveness in the treatment of mandibular fractures. This study was conducted on eight patients with mandibular fractures selected from the out patient clinic, Oral Surgery Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University. Patient sample consisted of six males and two females, four patients were children below the age of 11 years, while the other four were edentulous above the age of 58. Each patient was thoroughly examined both clinically and radiographically. Data collected from each patient were recorded in a special examination chart. Under general anesthesia, the fracture was exposed using a submandibular approach. The fractured segments were reduced and fixed using micro-5 Mennen plates. All patients were followed up both clinically and radiographically for six months postoperatively. Results obtained from this study showed uneventful healing of all patients with no cases of non-union, bony infection or osteomyelitis as proven both clinically and radiographically. All the patients presented normal functioning occlusion and facial symmetry. No bony step deformities were detected.     

No effects of DC and 60-Hz AC magnetic fields on the first mitosis of two species of sea urchin embryos

The early divisions of sea urchin eggs was used as a model to study the effects of static and of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields. Two species were used (Sphaerechinus granularis and Paracentrotus lividus). Eggs were fertilized and exposed in two separate coils to the fields (up to 8 mT). Great care was taken to control the temperature of each sample. No difference was found in the time of the first division that could not be attributed to a temperature difference between samples. Comparison is made with other published data on various species.     

Dietary deficiency of cystine and methionine in rats alters thiol homeostasis required for cyanide detoxification

Nutritional status is an important factor in modulating the metabolic fate of xenobiotics. Sulfur amino acid (SAA) deficiency has been proposed as a risk factor for human neurological diseases among protein-poor populations subsisting on the cyanophoric plant cassava. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used to develop and define a model of SAA deficiency for use in future studies examining cassava-related neurotoxicity. Rats were kept in metabolic cages for 7-21 d and fed a balanced diet (BD) of known composition or a comparable diet selectively deficient in methionine and cystine (SAA-free diet). Animals fed the SAA-free diet failed to thrive, lost body weight, excreted porphyrinic materials, and showed a steep and persistent reduction of urinary inorganic sulfate. In contrast, animals on the BD gained body weight and maintained baseline output of urinary inorganic sulfate. Urinary thiocyanate excretion did not differ between groups, but plasma thiocyanate concentrations reached double that in SAA-deficient rats. Increased plasma thiocyanate suggests mobilization of sulfur amino acids from endogenous sources. Liver glutathione and blood cyanide concentrations were similar in animals on the BD and the SAA-deficient diet. In summary, a diet free of methionine and cystine results in increased retention of inorganic sulfur as thiocyanate and a near absence of inorganic sulfur excretion in urine.     

The morphogenic characteristics of human transitional-cell bladder tumors in Ukraine after the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]

Ten 13-17-year-old boys with pathocharacterologic peculiarities in premorbid period were examined. Syndrome of affective excitability was observed in pure form in 5 juveniles, while it was combined with hysteric features in 3 patients and with affective instability in 2 ones. These peculiarities of personality resulted in behavioral deviations which promoted the development of alcoholism and exaggerated of disorders conditioned by this disease. Course of alcoholism in the studied cases was unfavourable (binges, intake of large doses of alcohol and of the substitutes, etc) with pronounced disorders of behaviour up to aggression and delinquency. It was established that psychologic motivation (search of psychologic comfort, satisfaction of the need of actualization of personality, etc) played an important role both in development of the disease and in forming its clinical peculiarities.     

Cytotoxic activity of platelets and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from oncology patients and healthy donors

Testicular germ cell tumour is said to be a model for curable neoplasm. However, the prognosis of primary extragonadal germ cell tumour does not appear to be as promising. Though similar in histology, the biology of primary extragonadal germ cell tumour is different as exemplified by the patients in this review. Eight patients with primary mediastinal germ cell tumours were treated with intensive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. All, except one, had non-seminomatous components. The poor prognosis of mediastinal germ cell tumour is due to a combination of poor treatment results with the cisplatin-based regimen and the development of non-germ cell and haematological malignancies.     

Normal growth hormone secretion in growth hormone insufficient children retested after completion of linear growth

Tuberculosis of the cervical spine is rare, comprising 3-5% of cases of tuberculosis of the spine. Eight patients with tuberculosis of the cervical spine seen during 1989-1992 were reviewed. They all presented with neck pain. The 4 children presented with a kyphotic deformity. In all the children the disease was extensive, with a large prevertebral abscess formation, while in the adults it was localised to one or two motion segments. Cord compression was present in 4 of the 8 patients. All the patients were treated with antituberculosis drugs and 6 underwent surgery. There was full neurological recovery in all patients. The kyphosis was improved though not fully corrected. There was a problem in stabilisation of severe involvement of the body and dens of C2. Surgery seems to play a major role in the treatment of tuberculosis of the cervical spine.