Identification of pentosidine as a native structure for advanced glycation end products in beta-2-microglobulin-containing amyloid fibrils in patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis

beta-2-Microglobulin (beta-2m) is a major constituent of amyloid fibrils in patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA). Recently, we found that the pigmented and fluorescent adducts formed nonenzymatically between sugar and protein, known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), were present in beta-2m-containing amyloid fibrils, suggesting the possible involvement of AGE-modified beta-2m in bone and joint destruction in DRA. As an extension of our search for the native structure of AGEs in beta-2m of patients with DRA, the present study focused on pentosidine, a fluorescent cross-linked glycoxidation product. Determination by both HPLC assay and competitive ELISA demonstrated a significant amount of pentosidine in amyloid-fibril beta-2m from long-term hemodialysis patients with DRA, and the acidic isoform of beta-2m in the serum and urine of hemodialysis patients. A further immunohistochemical study revealed the positive immunostaining for pentosidine and immunoreactive AGEs and beta-2m in macrophage-infiltrated amyloid deposits of long-term hemodialysis patients with DRA. These findings implicate a potential link of glycoxidation products in long-lived beta-2m-containing amyloid fibrils to the pathogenesis of DRA.     

Comparison of benign and malignant follicular thyroid tumours by comparative genomic hybridization

DNA copy number changes were compared in 29 histologically benign follicular adenomas, of which five were atypical, and 13 follicular carcinomas of the thyroid by comparative genomic hybridization. DNA copy number changes were frequent in adenomas (14 out of 29, 48%). Most changes were gains, and they always involved a gain of the entire chromosome 7 (10 out of 29, 34%); other common gains involved chromosomes 5 (28%), 9 (10%), 12 (24%), 14 (21%), 17 (17%), 18 (14%) and X (17%). Losses were found only in four (14%) adenomas. Two of the five atypical adenomas had DNA copy number losses, and none had gains. Unlike adenomas, gains were rare and losses were frequent in carcinomas. A loss of chromosome 22 or 22q was particularly common in carcinomas (6 out of 13, 46%), whereas a loss of chromosome 22 was found in only two (7%) adenomas, one of which was atypical (P = 0.002). A loss of 1p was also frequent in carcinomas (31%), but gains of chromosomes 5, 7, 12, 14 or X that were common in adenomas were not found. Loss of chromosome 22 or 22q was present in six of the eight widely invasive follicular carcinomas, but in only one of the five minimally invasive carcinomas. We conclude that large DNA copy number changes are common in thyroid adenomas. These changes are strikingly different from those found in follicular carcinomas consisting of few losses and frequent gains, especially those of chromosome 7. A loss of chromosome 22 is common in widely invasive follicular carcinoma.     

Asthmatic exacerbations and environmental pollen concentration in La Comarca Lagunera (Mexico)

In order to determine the correlation between the concentration of environmental pollen and the frequency of asthmatic exacerbations in La Comarca Lagunera (México), a study in a cohort of a 104 diagnosed patients suffering allergic asthma was carried out monitoring monthly from July '93 to July '95 in order to register the existence of asthmatic exacerbations. Environmental samples were taken weekly during the same period of time through a PST high volume collector (Andersen Samplers Inc). The above mentioned samples were processed under acetolysis technics and the pollen grain count under light microscopy. Linear correlation measures were made between the rates of asthmatic exacerbations and the concentration of pollen grain in m3 of air by means of a statistical computer program SAS. There was a 1469 persons/month follow up ('X 15.5) and the correlation between the rates of asthmatic exacerbations and the concentration of environmental pollen was relevant (r = 0.63, r2 = 0.39, p < 0.01). The correlation increased (r = 0.70, r2 = 0.49 and p < 0.01) when the asthmatic exacerbations associated to infectious disease in the upper respiratory system were restricted. The conclusion reached is that the concentration of environment pollen has influence in the development of asthmatic exacerbations in patients with allergic asthma.     

Bcmd governs recruitment of new B cells into the stable peripheral B cell pool in the A/WySnJ mouse

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nitric oxide is synthesized from L-arginine and is metabolized to nitrate and nitrite. This study evaluates the effects of a pharmacological blockade of NO synthesis on fluid transport by the inflamed gallbladder mucosa. METHODS: Experiments were performed in cats with cholecystitis and in control animals. NO synthase activity was measured in gallbladder tissue; the enzyme was characterized by immunoblotting techniques and localized by immunofluorescence. Fluid transport and release of nitrate and nitrite by the gallbladder mucosa and bile and bile salt secretion from the liver were registered simultaneously in vivo. RESULTS: Fluid secretion in inflamed gallbladders was reversed to a net absorption in response to the NO synthase blockers N omega-nitro-L-arginine and aminoguanidine, and formation of nitrate was reduced. The effects were reversed by L-arginine. Increased levels of inducible NO synthase in inflamed gallbladders were shown by immunoblotting, by immunofluorescence (mainly in macrophages), and by Ca(2+)-independent [3H]citrulline formation from [3H]arginine. The NO synthase blockers had no effect on gallbladder fluid transport in normal gallbladders. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of inducible NO synthase activity are shown in inflamed gallbladders, and a pharmacological blockade of this enzyme blocks fluid secretion and decreases nitrate release from the mucosa.     

Face preference at birth

Four experiments are reported that were aimed at elucidating some of the controversial issues concerning the preference for facelike patterns in newborns. The experiments were devised to contrast the original and the revised versions of the sensory hypothesis and the structural hypothesis as accounts of face preference in newborns. Experiments 1A and 1B supported the structural hypothesis by showing a visual preference for the stimulus for which components were located in the correct arrangement for a human face. Experiment 2 supported the sensory hypothesis by showing a visual preference for stimuli that were designed to have the optimal spatial frequency components for the newborn visual system. Experiment 3 showed that babies directed attention to a facelike pattern also when it was presented simultaneously with a nonfacelike stimulus with optimal spatial frequency for the newborn visual system.     

Coronary artery spasm complicating anaphylaxis secondary to skin disinfectant

We report a patient in whom presumed vasospasm of an angiographically normal coronary artery led to severe transmural myocardial ischemia. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which an allergic reaction to locally applied chlorhexidine caused such a severe reaction.