Immediate sexual rehabilitation by simultaneous placement of penile prosthesis in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: initial results in 50 patients

Hypotonicity-induced anion permeability changes were investigated but not detected in immortalised (RBE4) rat brain endothelial cells using iodide efflux measurements. Large, rapid increases were however observed in primary cultured cells. Both cell types were reinvestigated following culture in a common growth factor-depleted medium. Responses were still undetectable in the immortalised RBE4 cells. Reduced responses were observed in the primary cultured cells that also showed altered morphology and decreased activity of another transporter, P-glycoprotein. Thus both immortalisation and different culture conditions may alter functional expression in these cells of transporters involved in hypotonicity-induced anion permeability changes.     

Combined treatment of acute EAE in Lewis rats with TNF-binding protein and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a term given to describe a collection of animal models representing the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Although not fully understood, the involvement of cytokines and the immune system in either EAE or human MS is well established. Past efforts have shown that inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1 (IL-1) result in amelioration of acute EAE in Lewis rats. The present study examined this model for the effect of concomitant inhibition of both TNF-alpha and IL-1, which resulted in a modest but significant therapeutic effect that was superior to inhibition of either single agent alone with respect to four of the five variables used to follow the progression of disease in this model, i.e., clinical severity, frequency of disease, loss of body weight, and day of onset. These results are in accordance with the idea that combination treatments are likely to prove superior to single agent therapy in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory disease.     

Cable properties of dendrites in hippocampal neurons of the rat mapped by a voltage-sensitive dye

Dendrites of pyramidal neurons from embryonic rat hippocampus are investigated in culture using a voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye. The electrical response to somatic stimulation is observed as a time-resolved map with a resolution of 0.9 microm at a time constant of 0.4 ms without signal averaging. The data are interpreted in terms of a tapering cable with Hodgkin-Huxley parametrization. The spread of short hyperpolarizing transients is damped by capacitive shunting. The invasion of an action potential is boosted by voltage-gated conductances of a low density. No irregularity is observed at a bifurcation. The passive cable parameters of internal resistance and membrane resistance at resting voltage are Ri = 300 omega cm and Rm = 40 (k)omega cm2 respectively, at a maximum sodium conductance of approximately 4.4 mS/cm2. The electrotonic length constant and the dynamic length constant at 1 kHz are 580 and 90 microm respectively. These results are compatible with electrophysiological data of dendrites in slices of adult hippocampus and with optical data of narrow processes of leech neurons in culture. The functional implications of boosting an action potential by voltage-gated channels of low density are considered.     

Traumatic rupture of duodenal diverticulum. Report of a case and literature review

Duodenal diverticulum is a common anatomic abnormality. Its inflammatory perforation is a rare complication, with less than 100 cases reported in the available literature. Traumatic perforation is exceedingly rare (only 3 cases reported). In this report one more case of traumatic perforation is presented, and the literature is reviewed focusing on the pathogenic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this severe disease.     

Production of type II collagen specific monoclonal antibodies

Immunoassays are used for the specific measurement of type II collagen, a major cartilage protein, which is lost in osteoarthritic joints. Poor immunogenicity and species dependent immune response to type II collagen make it difficult to obtain specific antibodies required for immunoassay development. In addition, type II collagen antibodies exhibit reactivity to structurally dissimilar antigens such as actin, myoglobin, thyroglobulin and ssDNA, complicating the isolation of specific antibodies. It is therefore necessary to characterize the antibody reactivity against both noncollagenous antigens and different collagen types. In this study, immune response to type II collagen was improved by conjugation to carrier proteins, KLH and BSA. Hybridomas were generated by fusions of lymphocytes derived from lymph nodes or spleens with X63-653-Ag8 myeloma cells. Compared to spleens, the utilization of lymph nodes as a source of lymphocytes resulted in a 23% higher number of hybridomas secreting type II collagen antibodies. Hybridomas secreting polyreactive antibodies were identified based on their reactivity to thyroglobulin and eliminated. Extensive testing of the remaining monoclonal antibodies with other structurally dissimilar antigens and various types of collagen for reactivity, allowed us to isolate specific monoclonal antibodies to type II collagen. We emphasize the importance of characterization of the reactivity of type II collagen monoclonal antibodies before employing them for immunoassays.