NMR spectroscopy of human post mortem cerebrospinal fluid: distinction of Alzheimer''s disease from control using pattern recognition and statistics

Mutations of ras oncogenes in 37 human stomach cancers and 13 adenomas were investigated with regard to the histological phenotypes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization and/or direct sequencing of the PCR products. The ras mutation was found only in one case (2.7%), the histology of which was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. We found no mutation in stomach adenomas. The mutation consisted of a guanine-to-adenine transition in the first base of codon 13 of c-Ki-ras which replaced wild-type glycine with serine, indicating that a putative glycine-to-aspartic acid change is not necessarily the critical event for c-Ki-ras gene activation in codon 13. These results further confirm the infrequency of ras mutation in stomach tumors and also suggest that ras mutations are not specific to the differentiated type of stomach cancer.     

Measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle direct puncture in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive cirrhotic patients: the effect of vasopressin

A trp E fusion protein containing a C-terminal portion of the rat substance P receptor (SPR) was expressed in bacteria and used to produce an antibody. The antibody specifically reacted with SPR expressed in a mammalian cell line and rat striatum. Light and electron microscope analyses of the rat striatum revealed intense SPR-like immunoreactivity in neuronal somata and dendrites. These immunoreactive neurons constituted approximately 3% of the total population of striatal neurons; they were putative interneurons of large and medium-sized aspiny type.     

Distortions in infant electrocardiograms caused by inadequate high-frequency response

Frank lead ECG's from infants were studied for frequency content by introducing low-pass filters of 50, 75, 100, and 150 150 Hz bandwidths before obtaining computer measurements. Results indicated that a minimum bandwidth of 100 Hz is required to avoid amplitude error of 10 per cent or greater. This bandwidth requierement is essentially the same as that required for adult ECG's despite the fact that infant QRS durations are usually about half those of adults. Although the average infant ECG spectrum is likely to contain higher frequencies than the average adult ECG spectrum, duration values for Q, R, and S waves overlap in these populations to such an extent that bandwidth requirements are practically identical.     

Hypodontia of primary and permanent teeth in a sample of Saudi children

Hypodontia, congenitally missing teeth is more common in permanent than primary dentition. The present investigation reports the prevalence and pattern of hypodontia in the primary and permanent dentitions, excluding third molars in a sample of Saudi children. The sample consists of 1,300 children, aged 5 to 10 years of age. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed. The prevalence of children with hypodontia was found to be 2.6 percent. The mandibular second premolar was the tooth most frequently absent and account for 45 percent of the total missing teeth. In primary dentition, the maxillary lateral incisor was the tooth most frequently absent (9%). A peg-shaped permanent maxillary lateral incisor was present in 0.7 percent of the sample. Congenitally missing teeth were almost equally distributed between maxillary (52%) and mandibular (48%) arches.     

Histomorphometric study in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

There is agreement on the clinical diagnostic criteria for acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP/GBS) however, there is lack of consensus for detection of demyelination. In order to critically evaluate the prevailing criteria, sixty-six patients who fulfilled NINCDS criteria and had typical features of GBS were studied for electrophysiological abnormalities of peripheral nerves by using standard methods (median, common peroneal, sural and ulnar) between 1 to 12 weeks after the onset of symptoms. The commonest abnormality on motor nerve conduction study was prolonged distal latency (75%-83%) followed by reduction in CMAP amplitude (63%-82%), decreased velocity (48%-62%), conduction block (17%-39%) and f-wave abnormalities (37.8%-59%). Sensory conduction abnormalities were detected in over 20% of median, 25% of ulnar and 33% of sural nerves. All the patients had abnormality of at least two motor conduction parameters in one nerve when values beyond 2 SD of the mean were considered abnormal and over 70% of patients had three abnormalities in two nerves or two abnormalities in three nerves. Comparison with the prevailing criteria for demyelination revealed that the number of patients fulfilling them varied widely: Albers et al. (1985): 74.2%, Albers et al. (1989): 40.9% and Cornblath: 30.3%. We believe that the current criteria for detection of demyelination in acute neuropathy are too strict, underestimate the underlying pathology in GBS and need reassessment.     

Predictive value of HemoCue capillary whole blood glucose measurements in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: We determined the ability of capillary whole blood glucose concentrations to predict venous plasma and whole blood glucose levels. METHODS: During a standard oral glucose tolerance test in 29 pregnant women, paired capillary and venous blood samples were collected for analysis of glucose concentrations by the HemoCue photometer and by central laboratory methods. RESULTS: Glucose concentrations determined serially in a single blood sample by the HemoCue method were highly reproducible, with a coefficient of variation of 2.3%. However, glucose levels in blood from two different fingersticks from the same patient varied on average by 3 mg/dL, with a maximum difference of 14 mg/dL. Although capillary whole blood glucose results obtained by the HemoCue method correlated well with venous plasma or whole blood glucose measurements (r = 0.98 and r = 0.97, respectively) over the range investigated (60-250 mg/dL), individual capillary whole blood glucose measurements were only a fair predictor of venous values, with 95% of measured venous levels within +/- 26 mg/dL and +/- 20 mg/dL for concentrations predicted for plasma and whole blood, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sampling factors rather than measurement accuracy limit the ability of capillary whole blood glucose measurements to predict venous concentrations.     

Effect of EGb 761, a ginkgo biloba extract, on early arrhythmia induced by coronary occlusion and reperfusion in dogs

EGb 761 is a preparation of Ginkgo biloba extract, which has complex biologic actions including free radical scavenging activity. To examine the anti-arrhythmic effect of EGb 761, a canine preparation of coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion was tested. Under intravenous anesthesia and open chest conditions, 32 dogs were subjected to 30 min of coronary occlusion, followed by reperfusion. Twelve received EGb 761 by intravenous injection, 1 mg/kg five minutes before coronary occlusion, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 mg/kg/min until five minutes after reperfusion. Immediately prior to reperfusion, an additional bolus dose of EGb 761 (1 mg/kg) was again injected (group A). The remaining 20 dogs received saline injection, and served as the control (group B). The electrocardiographic changes were recorded during the whole experimental course. The results showed that, during coronary occlusion, group A dogs had a lower count of ventricular premature beats than group B dogs. However, there was no difference in the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) between the two groups. The duration of VT of the treated dogs was similar to that of the control dogs. The incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) was also similar. Upon reperfusion, the treated dogs were shown to be protected from VF. The duration of VT was also shorter in the treated group, although the incidence of VT was not different between the two groups. EGb 761 is effective in preventing early VF induced by coronary reperfusion while ineffective in protecting the ischemic VT and VF.     

Septic arthritis following Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice lacking inducible nitric oxide synthase

Nitric oxide (NO), produced in large amounts by inducible NO synthase (iNOS), has emerged recently as an important microbicidal and immunomodulatory mediator. We have investigated its role in bacterial septic arthritis caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection using iNOS-deficient mice. The incidence, rate of development, and severity of arthritis were greater in iNOS-deficient than in heterozygous or wild-type control mice. Similarly, the incidence and severity of septicemia and mortality were significantly higher in iNOS-deficient mice compared with controls. Increased TNF-alpha synthesis in vivo and in vitro and enhanced IFN-gamma compared with IL-4 production in vitro in iNOS-mutant mice demonstrated exaggerated Th1 polarization of the host response. These data indicate that high output NO production is not a prerequisite for severe articular destruction and imply that NO is of importance in synovial defense against staphylococcal infection.     

Traumatic tricuspid regurgitation complicating endocarditis and right-to-left intracardiac shunt. A case report of successful operation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of cystinuria and cystine stone disease among families of patients with cystine stones, and to determine their distribution by age, sex and associated morbidity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 180 relatives (87 males and 93 females, mean age 43 years) descended from two brothers over four generations who live in two areas in northern Jordan. Data were collected using a questionnaire and home visits, by urinary cystine testing and radiology to detect stone, and assessing hypertension and renal impairment. RESULTS: Of the 180 subjects, 104 (58%) had a positive reaction for cystine in urine; 33 (32%) of these were younger than 15 years. Twenty members (11%) of the families had evidence of renal cystine stone disease. Hypertension and renal impairment were detected in a significant proportion of individuals with cystine stone disease. CONCLUSION: Cystinuria is a major risk factor for cystine stone formation. Family screening is valuable in detecting the cystinuric population and in assessing individuals with stones. Early recognition, treatment and counselling result in better management and prevention. The establishment of a cystine study group in our region is essential.