Galipea officinalis Hancock, a Venezuelan shrubby tree which is acclaimed in folk medicine for its many healing properties, is the only species of the genus to contain tetrahydroquinoline alkaloids. A GC-MS method has been developed in order to analyse the essential oil, hexane and chloroform extracts of the trunk bark of this plant, without prior derivatisation of the alkaloidal components. A study of the MS fragmentation patterns of the components permitted the identification of five new minor quinoline alkaloids together with the known alkaloids. In addition, the method could also be used for the characterisation of alkaloids within the genus Galipea.

Alkaloids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo spatio-temporal visualization of the human skin by real-time confocal microscopy.

A modified tandem scanning confocal microscope is used to obtain in vivo images of the human skin in real time. Three-dimensional and temporal visualizations are demonstrated with volume reconstruction and blood flow images. Two image processing methods based on Fourier transform and logarithmic processing are presented. Their applications in noise removal of the scanning disk lines and of the heterogeneity of light are illustrated.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epithelial modulation of thromboxane A2 and PAF involvement in IgE- and IgG-mediated guinea pig anaphylaxis.

The role of prostanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF) was studied in the in vitro response of guinea pig trachea to immunochallenge according to the presence or the absence of the epithelial layer and to the sensitization procedure leading to the preferential synthesis of immunoglobulin E (IgE) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, potentiated the antigen-induced contractions both in IgE and IgG models, suggesting the involvement of relaxant prostaglandins (PGs), independently of the presence of the airway epithelium. UK-38485, a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, did not modify the tracheal response to antigen in the IgE model. However, this compound enhanced the maximum contractile response to antigen of the intact tracheal strips of IgG-sensitized guinea pig, but reduced the contractile response of the epithelium-free tracheal strips. Two potent non-structurally related PAF antagonists, Ro 19-3704 and BN 52021, reduced antigen-induced contraction of the epithelium-free tracheal strips in the IgE model. In contrast, these compounds did not affect the contractile responses of the preparations in the IgG model. These results suggest the selective implication of thromboxane A2 and PAF, in IgG- and IgE-mediated guinea pig anaphylaxis respectively. Finally, these results indicate that thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and PAF are potent inducers of epithelium-derived mediators.

Anaphylaxis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Survival of rectal cancer patients in Belgium 1997-98 and the potential benefit of a national project.

BACKGROUND: PROCARE, a Belgian multidisciplinary project on rectal cancer (RC), will be launched in 2006. Guidelines have been developed, but remain to be implemented. AIM: A population-based study on RC treatment and outcome in Belgium and comparison with recent international benchmarks in order to better define targets that should be reached. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anonymous data of 3079 patients with rectal cancer registered in the National Cancer Registry in 1997 and 1998 were analysed. Observed (OS) and relative survival (RS) were compared with figures from nationwide projects and multi-centre studies. RESULTS: The 5-yr OS and RS were 46.6% and 58.5%, respectively. For patients with stage I-III tumours 5-yr OS was 57.1% and 5-yr RS 70.1%. Adjuvant or neo-adjuvant treatment was given in 54.8% stage II-III patients who were < 70 years old. There were marked differences between the provinces in the use of radiotherapy for stage II-III patients and in 5-yr RS for all stages. In stage IV, the median OS was 13 months and the 2-yr OS was 28%. Comparison with recent multi-centre trials indicates significant potential benefits from the PROCARE project: an absolute increase of the 5-yr OS by 10 to 20% after chemoradiotherapy and TME in stage II-III patients 75 years old or less, a 7-month increase of the median OS and an absolute 15% increase of the 2-yr OS in unresectable stage IV patients with combined chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Significant improvement seems to be achievable. Implementation of the PROCARE guidelines with quality assurance through prospective registration in a specific database, however, is a crucial prerequisite for credible audit of performance and feedback to individual teams.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Demonstration of the therapeutic potential of non-anaphylactogenic anti-IgE antibodies in murine models of skin reaction, lung function and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Allergies and allergic asthma are believed to be mediated by allergen-specific IgE antibodies. We have investigated the therapeutic potential of inhibiting endogenous IgE by a non-anaphylactogenic anti-mouse IgE antibody 1-5 with respect to its effects on antigen-induced skin reaction, lung function changes and lung inflammation in mice. METHODS: Mice were immunized with benzylpenicillinoyl-KLH or ovalbumin, and antigen-mediated skin reaction, bronchoconstriction, bronchopulmonary hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and lung eosinophilic inflammation determined in anti-IgE 1-5-treated versus untreated animals. RESULTS: Application of anti-IgE 1-5 inhibited (by 90%) the serum IgE and, 3-4 days after onset of treatment, blocked the antigen-induced skin reaction. Furthermore, the antibody also inhibited (by 90%) the antigen-induced infiltration of eosinophils into the lung. This latter effect seems to be mediated by blocking the IgE-CD23 interaction and indicates that lung eosinophilic inflammation also depends on IgE. Moreover, when applied to rats passively sensitized with mouse IgE, antibody 1-5 inhibited the antigen-induced bronchoconstriction. A similar effect could be seen in actively immunized mice, where antibody 1-5 was able to inhibit (by 70%) the ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction as well as BHR. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, non-anaphylactogenic anti-IgE antibodies can markedly inhibit IgE levels and IgE-mediated allergic reactions. Since bronchoconstriction, BHR and lung eosinophilic inflammation can be suppressed, such antibodies may be attractive principles for the treatment of allergic asthma.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

NK1 receptor antagonist CP-99,994 inhibits cigarette smoke-induced neutrophil and eosinophil adhesion in rat tracheal venules.

The involvement of neurokinin NK1 receptors in cigarette-induced adhesion of neutrophils and eosinophils to venules of the airway mucosa was investigated. Rats were pretreated with the NK1 receptor antagonist CP-99,994 (4 mg/kg IV), its vehicle, or its inactive enantiomer CP-100,263 before exposure to cigarette smoke. Adherent neutrophils and eosinophils were stained histochemically for endogenous peroxidase activity and were counted in tracheal whole mounts. Plasma leakage was quantified be stereological measurements of the extravasation of Monastral blue. Cigarette smoke induced the adhesion of 104 + 17 neutrophils and 10.4 +/- 1.7 eosinophils per square millimeter of mucosa. CP-99,994 reduced neutrophil and eosinophil adhesion by 66 and 61%, respectively, and reduced plasma extravasation by 61% (p < .05), but CP-100,263 had no significant effect. The inhibitory effects of CP-99,994 appeared to be specific because CP-99,994 had no effect on neutrophil and eosinophil adhesion, or on plasma extravasation induced by platelet activating factor, an inflammatory stimulus acting independently of NK1 receptors. These results suggest that NK1 receptors are involved in cigarette smoke-induced adhesion of neutrophils and eosinophils to the endothelium of venules in the rat tracheal mucosa.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hereditary hypertension in Recklinghausen's disease during pregnancy. A family].

We report the case of a pregnant woman who presented with neurofibromatosis and hypertension the latter revealed by abruptio placentae. Severe hereditary hypertension was noted in the family during pregnancies that were sometimes complicated by intrauterine growth retardation, abruptio placentae and intrauterine foetal death. Thus, neurofibromatosis in a pregnant woman has a poor obstetrical outcome when it is associated with a personal or family history of hypertension. Such women must be treated with extreme care and hospitalized at the end of the third trimester. The advisability of prevention with low-dose aspirin during the first trimester is discussed.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Mesenchymoma of the mediastinum (a case report)].

A 44-year-old male affected by mesenchymoma of the mediastinum was treated surgically. The neoplasm, localized in the postero-inferior mediastinum with prevalent development to the left, was found to consist of adipose, leiomuscular and myxoid tissue. The patient was asymptomatic. Complete removal of the neoplasm proved possible, and one year after surgery no signs of recurrence were present. Few cases of mediastinal mesenchymoma have been reported.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Erythrocyte aggregation in vivo and diabetic microangiopathy. Physiopathologic determinants and clinical correlations].

Conjunctival angioscopy is a non invasive way for visualization and quantitative evaluation of the microcirculation. Grading red blood cell aggregation is possible in vivo using Ditzel's four grades score. The two-dimensional organization of conjunctival microvessels allows morphometric quantification of microvascular density. The aim of our study was to evaluate the determinant factors of erythrocyte aggregation and the place of conjunctival angioscopy in the early detection of diabetic microangiopathy. Conjunctival parameters were red blood cell aggregation (Ditzel's score) and morphometric evaluation of capillary, venular and arteriolar density. Criteria of diabetic microangiopathy were microalbuminuria and retinal fluorescein angiogram. Both conjunctival angioscopy and retinal angiogram were scored independently. Results obtained in 30 type 1 diabetic patients, with multifactorial statistical analysis, show that red blood cell aggregation in vivo is an essential discriminant factor for diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. This rheological phenomenon depends more on duration of diabetes (analysis of variance p = .0005, r = .65) and metabolic control than on albuminemia or fibrinogenemia such as in non-diabetic patients. Manual morphometric data confirmed vascular rarefaction associated with excessive red blood cell aggregation (beta = .50). These results suggest that grading red blood cell aggregation in vivo is an interesting tool for physiopathological and clinical studies of diabetic microangiopathy.

Analysis of Variance↗