Hepatitis G virus infection in hemodialysis patients and the effects of interferon treatment

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the nature of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infections in hemodialysis patients and to determine the responsiveness of HGV to antiviral therapy in these patients. METHODS: HGV, a recently identified flavivirus, is associated with non-A-E viral hepatitis infections. We studied HGV infections in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected hemodialysis patients over a 1-yr period, using two independent PCR assays and nucleic acid sequencing. Thirty-four of 63 study patients were treated with interferon. RESULTS: We observed a 27% prevalence (17/63 patients) and a 4% annual incidence of HGV infections in the study population. HGV was not detected in any of the 10 HGV-infected patients immediately after interferon therapy. Although seven of these 10 patients developed HGV relapses, three had long-term responses. The interferon responsiveness of HGV and HCV appeared to be unrelated. In contrast, all seven untreated HGV-infected patients remained viremic. Sequence analyses of the different HGV isolates revealed only very limited genetic variability in the polymerase chain reaction-amplified regions of HGV during 1 yr of observation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that HCV-infected hemodialysis patients are at substantial risk of acquiring HGV infection and that HGV infections are prevalent in this population. In addition, HGV infections become chronic but are responsive to interferon treatment.     

Metallothionein and Fas (CD95) are expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Metallothionein (MT) is a chelator present in myoepithelial cells, whilst the Fas-receptor (APO-1, CD95) has been described primarily in human T Jurkat cells. 20 cases of carcinoma of the tongue were investigated immunocytochemically with regard to MT, Fas and Bcl-2. In normal oral squamous epithelium, MT is located in the basal/parabasal dividing cells only. In well-differentiated nests of carcinomas, MT is observed almost entirely in peripherally located cells. In situ end-labelling indicates apoptosis in the centre of these nests, but not in the peripheral areas. Less-differentiated areas show more general MT-positivity, but little apoptosis. All 24 tumours are Fas-positive, but normal epithelia are mainly negative (P < 0.0001). Bcl-2 protein was sparse in the tumours compared with MT and Fas (P < 0.0001). We thus suggest that MT, possibly due to its chelating properties, may contribute to delaying cells entering apoptosis, both in normal epithelium near the base and in less-differentiated regions of carcinoma. Moreover, Fas may be present in cells of human malignancies, as well as those of established malignant cell lines.     

Pattern and process of growth of the abnormal human fetus

Identifying patterns of fetal growth alteration benefits both the clinician and the researcher. Twenty-four measurements in three variable sets (anthropometric measures, organ weights, and long-bone measures from radiographs) were taken on fetuses both with and without pathological conditions that are suspected to result in growth alteration. In addition, radiographs of each case were examined for the presence or absence of ossification centers. Based on least-squares regressions of the normal group, we calculated standardized residuals for the affected group to identify patterns of growth alteration. A large sample of fetuses between 15 and 42 weeks of gestational age with a variety of pathological conditions is described and evaluated for growth alterations. Symmetric and asymmetric growth alteration was detected in a small part of the sample and was predominantly isolated to fetuses in the late third trimester. Although patterns of growth alteration have been suggested as a means for noninvasive diagnoses of syndromes (such as trisomy 21), no consistent patterns are discernible in the current group. The sample provides a unique opportunity to evaluate fetal growth in terms of the interaction between genetic and environmental influences.     

The influence of firing profile and additives on the PTCR effect and microstructure of BaTiO3 ceramics

Nonstoichiometric BaTiO₃ PTCR type materials are investigated with various amounts of MnO₂, Sb₂O₃ and MgO dopants. Specimens fired with a nonisothermal rate-controlled sintering profile exhibit a rather fine and uniform microstructure as compared to those processed by conventional sintering techniques. The temperature at which the resistivity anomaly begins is observed to decrease with Sb₂O₃ and MgO contents. The Curie point of BaTiO₃-based ceramics can be altered by addition of Sb₂O₃, and the dielectric peak is maintained by the presence of MgO additive. Magnesium ions act as acceptors in the BaTiO₂ lattice, while antimony ions as donors. The presence of magnesium compensates some of the antimony, hence the doped-BaTiO₃ seminonductive region is pushed to higher contents.     

Nano‐to‐Microdesign of Marimo‐Like Carbon Nanotubes Supported Frameworks via In‐spaced Polymerization for High Performance Silicon Lithium Ion Battery Anodes

Silicon (Si) has been perceived as a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries for decades due to its superior theoretical capacity, environmental benignity, and earth abundance. To accommodate the drastic volume expansion during lithiation, which is the primary drawback leading to poor cycling life, a novel structural design via fabricating the Marimo‐like carbon nanotubes frameworks with silicon nanoparticle (SiNP) filling in internal space has been developed. This facile fabrication procedure involves an in‐spaced polymerization process through ex situ polymerization, using pyrrole monomers with a soft organic template in which well‐dispersed SiNPs are present. Carbonization post‐treatment is then performed to construct rigid conductive networks. The thus‐fabricated 3D Marimo‐like hybrid structure exhibits a remarkably improved electrochemical performance compared with that of the simple ball‐milling method, which mainly originates from their structural advantages, including the built‐in buffer spaces and the robust line‐to‐line contact mode between the components. The state‐of‐the‐art structure exhibits an optimal high‐rate capability (422 mAh g^?1 at a current rate of 2 A g^?1) and long cycling stability (916 mAh g^?1 for 200th cycles at a current rate of 0.2 A g^?1) and achieves the requirements for industrial production with the facile and cost‐effective synthetic approach.     

A new technique for laparoscopic splenectomy with massively enlarged spleens

Splenectomy is indicated in several hematological disorders and it can be particularly challenging in children with sickle cell disease, splenomegaly, and recurrent sequestration. Over the last 6 months, we have developed a new technique for laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for hypersplenism and splenomegaly in five children with sickle cell disease. The average age of our patients was 6 years (range, 2-11), and the average weight was 18.7 kg (range, 13.2-30.1). On preoperative ultrasound, spleen size index ranged from 0.42 to 0.76. For the LS, four trochars were placed. One patient, who also underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, had six trochars placed, two of which were used for both cholecystectomy and splenectomy. After laparoscopic mobilization of the spleen and hilar vascular stapling, a Steiner electromechanical morcellator was inserted through the 12-mm port to extract cores of splenic tissue until complete splenectomy was achieved. No patient required conversion to an open procedure or creation of a larger incision to remove the massively enlarged spleen. Operative time averaged 190 minutes; the combined LS and cholecystectomy took 245 minutes. Postoperative length of stay was <2 days for all patients. There were no complications, and no patient required postoperative transfusion. Based on these early findings, we conclude that intracorporeal coring of splenic tissue allows for safe and complete laparoscopic removal of very large spleens in small children. It provides expedient recovery and minimal postoperative pain and scarring. This new technique should enable surgeons to perform LS even in patients with massive splenomegaly, eliminating the need for large and cumbersome intracorporeal bags or the creation of additional incisions to remove the spleen.     

Apolipoprotein E allele frequencies in argyrophilic grain disease

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a rare inherited hematological disorder defined by deficiency or abnormality of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex. Presenting symptoms are hemorrhagic events, mainly epistaxis, purpura, or menorrhagia. We describe the clinical course and management of a 14-year-old girl with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and severe menorrhagia. Following treatment with 20 U of packed red blood cells, 37 U of platelets, 7 U of fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, intravenous estrogens, and methylergotrine maleate with no improvement, the uterine cavity was packed for 48 hr. This unusual procedure halted the bleeding and avoided the necessity for a hysterectomy. When treating acute menorrhagia in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, the physician should be familiar with the characteristics and all treatment modalities for this disorder.     

Targeting acetylcholinesterase molecules to the neuromuscular synapse

The functional integrity of the neuromuscular synapse requires that sufficient numbers of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) molecules be localized on the specialized extracellular matrix between the nerve terminal and the post-synaptic membrane. Multiple interrelated levels of regulation are necessary to accomplish this complex task including the spatial and temporal restriction of AChE mRNA expression within the muscle fiber, local translation and assembly of AChE polypeptides, and focused accumulation of AChE molecules on the extracellular matrix. This is accomplished in part through the organization of other extracellular matrix molecules into a complex which further associates with acetylcholine receptors and their accompanying molecules. Finally, the mature neuromuscular junction contains molecules which can act as receptors for the attachment of AChE which in turn may allow for the turnover of this enzyme at the synapse. This brief review will focus mainly on contributions from our laboratory towards understanding the mechanisms involved in organizing AChE molecules at the neuromuscular synapse.