Epidemiological, viral and serological studies concerning the evolution of some acute respiratory diseases between November 1992 and March 1993 in nine districts of the south-east area of Romania

Alterations in core lipid composition of lipoproteins in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients have suggested that the heteroexchange of neutral lipids between HDL and the apo B-containing lipoproteins may be enhanced. For this reason, we studied cholesteryl ester transfer (CET) in ten sulfonylurea-treated patients with stable NIDDM. CET measured in all NIDDM subjects with an assay of mass transfer was significantly greater than that of controls at 1 and 2 h (P < 0.001); the transfer of radiolabeled CE also was increased in a subset of four of the NIDDM group (NIDDM k = 0.21 +/- 0.04 vs. control k = 0.10 +/- 0.05; P < 0.05). A weak correlation was demonstrable between the mass of CE transferred at 1 h and diabetic control expressed as plasma fructosamine (r = 0.58, P < 0.09). To characterize this disturbance in CET further, the donor (HDL + VHDL) and acceptor (VLDL + LDL) lipoprotein fractions were isolated by ultracentrifugation at d 1.063 g/ml from NIDDM and control plasma and a series of recombination experiments were performed. Combining NIDDM acceptor with control donor fractions that contained HDL and CETP and not the combination of NIDDM donor and control acceptor lipoproteins resulted in an accelerated CET response identical to that observed in NIDDM whole plasma. This observation indicated that the abnormality in CET in NIDDM was associated with the VLDL + LDL fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Total intraventricular migration of unisystem ventriculo-peritoneal shunt

This is a report of an hydrocephalic adult, in whom a unishunt system migrated upwards into the ventricle despite using the appropriate clips (lock and slip). The shunt migration discovered 3 months following its insertion. Several mechanisms contributed to the migration; negative sucking intra-ventricular pressure, positive pushing intra-abdominal pressure, tortuous subcutaneous track and neck movements. It seams that lock and slip clips are not enough fixation. The best way of preventing such shunt migration is interposing a reservoir between the ventricular and peritoneal catheters.     

Differential regional hemodynamic effects of corticotropin in conscious sheep

The regional hemodynamic effects of 5 days of intravenous infusion of corticotropin (ACTH) (5 micrograms/kg per day) were examined in conscious sheep (n = 8). Mean arterial pressure increased from 81 +/- 2 to 93 +/- 3 mm Hg (P < .001) on day 2 of ACTH and remained at this level during the infusion. Cardiac output increased from 5.13 +/- 0.19 to 6.06 +/- 0.33 L/min (P < .01) because of an increase in stroke volume from 65 +/- 4 to 79 +/- 8 mL per beat (P < .01); heart rate remained unchanged. ACTH did not alter total peripheral conductance but had differential effects on regional conductances. Mesenteric conductance fell from 5.8 +/- 0.2 to a minimum of 4.9 +/- 0.3 (mL/min)/mm Hg (P < .05), and renal conductance increased from 3.5 +/- 0.3 to 4.6 +/- 0.3 (mL/min)/mm Hg (P < .001). There was a small increase in iliac conductance (P < .05) and no change in coronary conductance. Mesenteric and iliac conductances fell progressively over 24 to 48 hours, whereas renal conductance increased rapidly after 3 hours of ACTH, reaching a maximum after 6 hours. Renal blood flow was increased during ACTH infusion from 278 +/- 18 to 403 +/- 23 mL/min (P < .001); mesenteric blood flow was unchanged; there was a small increase in iliac blood flow (P < .01); and coronary blood flow increased (P < .05), paralleling the change in cardiac output.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The small heat shock protein hsp27 is correlated with growth and drug resistance in human breast cancer cell lines

An emerging body of evidence suggests that the heat shock proteins (hsp) may be involved in drug resistance. When hsp are induced by elevated temperatures, resistance to doxorubicin (Dox), but not to other commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, is induced in breast cancer cells. To evaluate the role of hsp27 in this phenomenon, we have transfected MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which normally express low levels of hsp27, with a full-length hsp27 construct. These hsp27-overexpressing cells now display a 3-fold elevated resistance to Dox. Anchorage-dependent proliferation and anchorage-independent growth were also increased 2-4-fold in these transfectants. We have also derived a MCF-7 breast cancer cell line with amplified endogenous hsp27 which is highly resistant to Dox. When these cells are transfected with an antisense hsp27 construct, they are rendered sensitive to Dox (3-fold) with anchorage-dependent as well as anchorage-independent growth, similarly decreased. These results suggest that hsp27 specifically confers Dox resistance in human breast cancer cells and, furthermore, that hsp27 may be involved in the regulation of cell growth.     

Preparation and characterization of wear debris of orthopedic materials for biocompatibility studies

In order to test the biocompatibility of wear debris of orthopedic materials, a method has been developed to produce artificial debris of stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloy, and high-density polyethylene. In this process, called the accelerated rubbing process, two cylindrical blocks of the same alloy were held under normal pressure in triply distilled water. One block remained stationary while the other rotated at approximately 4000 rpm. The water with the metal debris was recirculated between the rubbing surfaces. To prepare debris from polyethylene, a stainless steel block was rubbed over a polyethylene block submersed in liquid nitrogen. The shape of the metal debris was granular, whereas the polyethylene debris had a shred-like shape. The size distributions were determined from scanning electron micrographs, and it was found that the particles of the metal debris (stainless steel or cobalt-chrome alloy) ranged in sizes from 0.1-10 mu with 75% of all particles less than 2 mu in diameter. The size of polyethylene debris, expressed as the volume of an ellipsoid, ranged from 10-20,000 mu3 with 45% of all particles in the range of 400-2500 mu3. The x-ray diffraction pattern revealed that the debris of stainless steel consisted primarily of the face-centered cubic (fcc) alloy with small amounts of body-centered cubic (bcc) alloy and Fe3O4, whereas the cobalt-chrome debris consisted of the fcc alloy with a small amount of Cr2O3. The structure of the polyethylene debris was quite similar to that of the solid sample used in its preparation. The percent crystallinity Pc and the size of the crystalline regions D were slightly smaller in the debris than in the solid sample, i.e., Pc = 52 and 55%, D = 90 and 130 A, in the debris and the solid, respectively. To test the suitability of the artificial debris for biocompatibility studies, stainless steel debris was implanted into knees of adult female New Zealand rabbits. Bacterial challenge studies indicated prolongation, but not increased susceptibility to infection.     

Fistula of the sinus of Valsalva

Operative repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms and fistulas was performed in 10 patients between 1960 and 1976. Associated cardiac defects were corrected in 6 patients. There were no postoperative deaths, and the 8 patients observed to date are still alive and well. Only 2 patients required a second operation. The employment of a transchanber or a transaortic approach or both continues to be a matter of individual preference.     

Composition of the tectal and posterior commissures of the chick (Gallus domesticus)

In chick, the tectal and posterior commissures form a continuous band of axons lying in the dorsal aspect of the meso-diencephalon. In midline sagittal sections, two zones can be clearly defined. The rostral zone (RZ) contains about 290,000 axons of which 32% are myelinated. The caudal zone (CZ) contains about 911,000 fibers of which 12% are myelinated. The majority of unmyelinated fibers in RZ and CZ are between 0.15 and 0.40 micrometers in diameter. The majority of myelinated fibers in both RZ and CZ are less than 1 micrometer in diameter. It is likely that RZ corresponds to the posterior commissure while CZ corresponds to the tectal commissure.