Renal cell tumours in mice: electron microscopy versus immunohistochemistry

15 renal cell tumours induced in CBA male mice by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine were studied electronmicroscopically (EM). All these tumours earlier were investigated histochemically and immunohistochemically with the use of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) as a marker of the proximal tubules and antigen A6 as a marker of distal tubules and/or collecting ducts. One of the tumours was GGT-positive and antigen A6-negative and ultrastructurally well developed brush border was found. This correlation between immunohistochemistry and EM data allowed to conclude that the site of origin of this tumour were the cells of the proximal tubules. All other tumours were GGT-negative and antigen A6-positive, i.e. the development of these tumours from the distal tubules (and not from the proximal tubules) could be suspected. However in 5 of these neoplasms reduced brush border was found. Microvilli were of a smaller size than in normal proximal tubules and were frequently located not on the apical cell surface but in the narrow spaces between two cells. Invaginations and apical vesicles typical for the normal proximal tubules were also found in some tumour cells. EM and immunohistochemical data combined allow to suggest the origin of these tumours from the common precursor cell capable of differentiation, in the course of tumour progression, into the cells with properties of proximal and/or distal tubules.     

The experience of a clinical trial of bioceramic-based materials in dentistry

Bioceramics-based materials manufactured in Russia were experimentally and clinically tried with the aim of optimizing repair osteogenesis of the jaws. Powder, granules, and porous blocks of hydroxyapatite alone and mixed with tricalcium phosphate may be effectively used for plastic repair of osseous pouches and post-operative defects of the jaws in surgical treatment of periodontitis, periradicular cysts of the jaws, and for filling the wells after removal of teeth.     

Complex assessment of inhacort effectiveness in bronchial asthma

AIM: To investigate efficiency of inhacort in long-term (6 months to 2 years) treatment of bronchial asthma (BA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 67 inpatients and 65 outpatients with moderate BA were divided into two groups. 96 patients of group 1 had received standard combined treatment without glucocorticosteroids (GCS), 36 patients of group 2 had received GCS. Inpatients were given inhacort in a dose 1000 micrograms/day, outpatients took inhacort in a daily dose 500 micrograms/day. The examination scheme included assessment of external respiration function (ERF), blood hydrocortisone, sputum rheology and diagnosis of candidosis. RESULTS: Inhacort treatment has reduced frequency of asphyxia attacks 2.5-fold 30 and 25% of the patients stopped taking sympathomimetics and GCS, respectively. None of the patients had asphyxia as a status. ERF, sputum viscosity improved, hydrocortisone secretion was unchanged. Only 3.8% of the patients developed oral candidosis. CONCLUSION: Inhacort in a dose 1 mg controls BA. 73% of the patients treated outpatiently had no need in hospitalization.     

A nomogram to predict exercise capacity from a specific activity questionnaire and clinical data

Recent investigations suggested that clinical exercise testing can be optimized by individualizing the protocol, depending on the purpose of the test and the subject tested. This requires some knowledge of a patient's exercise capacity before beginning the test. The accuracy of a simple physical activity questionnaire and readily available clinical data in predicting subsequent treadmill performance was examined. A brief, self-administered questionnaire (VSAQ) was developed for veterans who were referred to exercise testing for clinical reasons. The VSAQ was designed to determine which specific daily activities were associated with symptoms of cardiovascular disease (fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath). Two hundred twelve consecutive patients (mean age 62 +/- 8 years) referred for maximal exercise testing were studied. Clinical and demographic variables were added to VSAQ responses in a stepwise regression model to determine their ability to predict treadmill performance. Only metabolic equivalents by VSAQ, and age were significant predictors of treadmill performance; these 2 variables yielded R = 0.82 (SEE 1.43; p < 0.001), and explained 67% of the variance in exercise capacity. The regression equation reflecting the relation between age, VSAQ and exercise capacity was: achieved metabolic equivalents = 4.7 + 0.97 (VSAQ) - 0.06 (age). Using this equation, a nomogram was developed. Incorporating the VSAQ with the nomogram requires only a few minutes, and yields a reasonably accurate estimate of a patient's exercise capacity. Although the present equation is population-specific, a similar approach in different populations may be useful for individualizing protocols for clinical exercise testing.     

A new method of infant monitoring: for use at home and hospital

AIM: To test a New Zealand originated, designed and funded remote infant heart rate monitor in the home and hospital settings (temporarily named the King Monitor) for accuracy and reliability. METHODS: The units were pretested using ECG simulators and on infants already being monitored in the neonatal unit. Longer term trials on hospital infants and infants being simultaneously monitored at home were then conducted. RESULTS: Interference and electrode problems were corrected during the pretesting phase. The unit worked accurately when compared with the standard neonatal heart and respiratory rate monitor in hospital and appeared in some infants to give earlier warning of problems than the standard home apnoea monitor. CONCLUSION: This simple to use monitor worked reliably and accurately under a wide variety of settings and with varying sized infants. In addition, the lack of direct connection between the infant and the control unit allowed freedom of movement of normal infants around the cot or bassinet. The monitor will require to be adapted for portable use at home and during travel.     

Interaction of short nucleotide derivatives with nucleic acids. IV. Modification of DNA by an alkylating tetranucleotide reagents in the presence of effectors in perfect and imperfect complexes

It was demonstrated that any mismatches in a complex formed by an ssDNA target and a tetranucleotide at 25 or 37 degrees C can be discriminated by alkylating the DNA with a tetranucleotide carrying a 4-[N-methyl-N-(2-chloroethyl)]aminobenzylethylamine residue at the 5'-terminal phosphate in the presence of a pair of flanking effectors, octanucleotide di-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenazinium derivatives. The discrimination factor (ratio of the extent of the target modification in the perfect and mismatch-containing complexes) for a single mismatch in the tetranucleotide binding site at 25 degrees C varied between 4 and 500 depending on the type of mismatch and its location in the complex and exceeded 400 at 37 degrees C for all the investigated mismatches. The DNA target modification by the alkylating derivative of the 3'-estrone ester of tetranucleotide pCAGX (mean = C, T, A or G) was selective in the presence of a pair of hydrophobic effectors, octanucleotide 5'-cholesteryl-3'-phenazinium derivatives. The discrimination factors for 3'-terminal mismatches T.G, A.G, and G.G were 1,8,400, and 400, respectively.     

The status of the gastric and duodenal mucosa, biopsied from those who worked in the cleanup of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station, in an organotypic tissue culture

Biopsies of stomach and duodenum different regions mucosa obtained from patients with gastroduodenitis (liquidators of consequences of accident in Chernobyl nuclear station--LCA CNS-- and control patients) were studied cultured in vitro. The following are the differences found. Mononuclear cells, differentiating into macrophages were exposed from control biopsies. Mononuclear cells exposed from LCA CNS biopsies formed rosette-like accumulations after mitotic dividing on a distance from the explant. Part of cells within the rosettes acquired processes and formed syncytial structure.