Analysis of solid renal dysplasia by flow cytometry: malignant potential?

The iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine now finds extensive use in the treatment and diagnosis of aluminum-related diseases in renal patients. We review the chemistry and pharmacokinetics of desferrioxamine in chelation therapy for patients on hemodialysis.     

Cervical spinal cord compression caused by ossification of the posterior vertebral ligament. Apropos of a case

In eight Japanese patients, three different laparoscopic procedures were used to excise an early gastric carcinoma; partial resection in four, intragastric resection of the gastric mucosa in two, and laparoscopic-assisted distal partial gastrectomy with the abdominal wall-elevating method in two patients. Histological examinations revealed that the lesions were completely resected, and there was no evidence of lymphatic metastasis. The operation time ranged from 2 to 4 h. These forms of laparoscopic gastric surgery for patients with early gastric carcinomas may be useful from the standpoint of minimal access, rapid recovery, less pain, and good cosmesis.     

Serum HIV-1 RNA levels and time to development of AIDS in the Multicenter Hemophilia Cohort Study

Normal women produce small amounts of active androgens. When androgen levels are elevated, such as for example in the polycystic ovary syndrome, this is followed by the development of male physical characteristics and muscle mass, structure and function as well as android adipose tissue distribution and function. Psychological features and stress reactions also seem similar to those of men. Such women have an increased risk of developing hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Recent data have shown that these physical, and psychological characteristics, as well as risk of ill health, are also found in the population of women selected at random. Women in the lowest quintiles of levels of sex-hormone-binding globulin--an indicator inversely related to active androgens--are at risk of developing hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular mortality. The mechanism probably includes muscular insulin resistance, following a relative androgen excess. It is thus apparent that androgens, even within the highest levels of the nonselected population of women, are powerful predictors of serious disease development. The population at risk might be as large as about 20% of middle-aged women. This is an area of female disease risk which requires more attention in screening and intervention procedures.     

Albumin exchange and polymorphonuclear vascular transit in hyperoxic pulmonary oedema in awake rats

Vascular inflammatory response to hyperoxia (FIO2 greater than 0.98) was studied in awake jugular and carotid catheterized rats. Simultaneous i.v. injection of 125I albumin (125I A), 99mTc polymorphonuclear cells (99mTc PMN) and 51Cr red blood cells (51Cr RBC) allowed to study both the macromolecule exchange through vascular endothelium and the leukocyte uptake by several organs (liver, lungs, spleen) with respect to radiolabelled red blood cells, as an intravascular reference. Rats were exposed to O2 for 24, 38 and 45 h. They were anesthetized and killed by exanguination 15 to 120 min following the tracer injection. After 45 h exposure, the plasmatic 125I A half-life decreased significantly (158 +/- 42 min for the control; 106 +/- 34 min for the exposed animals). The ratio 125I A/51Cr RBC varied significantly in the lung. The iodinated albumin exchange through lung vascular endothelium was altered at the 24th h, with a significant difference reached by the 45th h. At the same time, the pulmonary decreasing curve of 99mTc/51Cr RBC ratio versus time was not not modified. In our experimental conditions, there was no detectable variation in the lung uptake and vascular transit of PMN cells. The discussion of the results must be related with the technics used in the present work when the albumin exchange increased.     

Influence of antibody binding on oxygen binding behavior of Panulirus interruptus hemocyanin

Evidence linking paclitaxel to cardiotoxicity arose from early Phase I trials in which continuous cardiac monitoring was performed because of the high incidence of major hypersensitivity reactions. A variety of cardiac manifestations have been reported, ranging from asymptomatic sinus bradycardia to fatal myocardial infarction. The following case report describes an acute myocardial infarction occurring shortly after paclitaxel therapy.     

The influence of physical fitness training on the manual material handling capability of women

This study examined the influence of a generalized physical fitness training program on manual material handling (MMH) capability. Thirteen healthy women trained for 14 weeks, performing progressive resistance training three days per week and running with interval training two days per week. Subjects attended 85 +/- 6% of the sessions. Compared to values obtained before training, subjects increased the maximum mass they could lift from floor to knuckle height by 19% (68-81 kg, p < 0.001) and from floor to chest height by 16% (49-57 kg, p < 0.001). They improved by 17% their ability to lift 15 kg as many times as possible in 10 min(167-195 lifts, p < 0.001), while perception of effort (measured with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion) did not change. Total body mass did not change, but body fat mass was reduced by 9% (18.8-17.2 kg, p = 0.036) and fat-free mass increased by 6% (48.2-51.0 kg, p < 0.001). A short-term physical fitness program, conducted about 1 h per day, five days per week, can substantially improve women's MMH capability and provide favorable changes in body composition (increased fat-free mass and decreased body fat.