The HBeAg/anti-HBe system was studied as a marker of infectivity and chronic progressive liver disease in 460 hemodialysis patients. The importance of HBeAg as an index of infectivity was confirmed in that it was present simultaneously with specific DNA polymerase (31 patients) and by the presence of widely diffuse core particles in the hepatocyte nuclei (revealed by biopsy in six patients). In contrast, HBeAg showed no useful correlation with progressive liver disease, the absence of which was confirmed in all cases by biochemical and histological studies.

Biopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of bromocriptine administration on gastric acid and gastrin secretion in man.

The effects of acute oral administration of the dopaminergic drug, bromocriptin (5 mg), on basal and submaximal (1 and 3 microgram per kg bw given sc) and maximal (6 mug per kg bw) pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and on basal and meal-induced gastrin release have been evaluated in healthy volunteers. Although basal and maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid output did not change, the response to submaximal pentagastrin doses was significantly increased. Basal and stimulated serum gastrin concentrations were not modified, nor was fasting serum gastrin during chronic bromocriptine treatment (10 mg per day for 90 days) in acromegalic patients. As dopamine infusion is known to reduce basal and pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion, the presently reported effect of bromocriptine is not dependent on dopamine receptor stimulation. It is suggested that it might be due to alpha-adrenergic and/or serotoninergic antagonism, both actions being properties of bromocriptine. Alternatively, since bromocriptine, at variance with iv infused dopamine, crosses the blood-brain barrier, the effect of this drug on gastric function might depend on interference by centrally mediated actions on those directly exerted at the gastric level.

Acromegaly↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stimulation of prolactin release by intravenous cimetidine: a dose-response study.

The PRL response to iv cimetidine was tested in 8 healthy males and 8 females at 4 different dose levels (0.75, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg bw). Serum PRL levels were significantly increased in comparison with a placebo study by the second cimetidine dose in both sexes. The PRL response was significantly higher in females than in males at all but the lowest dose tested. A significant correlation between the cimetidine dose and the PRL response was observed. There was no significant modifications in serum GH, LH, FSH, IRI and glucose. Present findings demonstrate that the stimulation of PRL release by iv cimetidine is quite specific and dose-dependent.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Endocrine and metabolic effects of labetalol in man.

The effects of intravenous infusion of the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug labetalol (100 mg over 10 min) on heart rate, blood pressure, and several endocrine and metabolic variables have been evaluated in 12 hypertensive patients (6 men and 6 women). Drug administration was associated with significant lowering of heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in comparison with a control study performed with saline infusion. Plasma glucose was significantly increased, while no changes were observed in serum-free fatty acids, insulin, C-peptide, and growth hormone levels. Serum prolactin concentration was significantly increased in the whole group, a marked rise occurred in females, while only a trend upward was observed in males. The acute lowering of blood pressure suggests a predominant activity on alpha-adrenoceptors following intravenous labetalol infusion, although the reduction in heart rate is consistent with the beta-adrenoceptor blocking effect of the drug. Although the reason for the increase in plasma glucose is not apparent, it might depend on the rise in norepinephrine levels observed after labetalol. Stimulation of prolactin release by intravenous labetalol is not easily attributable to interference with adrenergic receptors. The mechanism of this action of the drug is presently obscure, although a possible antidopaminergic activity of labetalol might be involved.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bone hemangioendothelioma: an immunohistochemical study related to histological malignancy and proliferative activity (NORs).

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Forty-four bone hemangioendotheliomas (HEs) of different histological grades were studied to evaluate the expression and distribution of laminin, type IV collagen, cathepsin G and cathepsin D in cell differentiation and malignancy. RESULTS: In poorly-differentiated HEs the discontinuous distribution of laminin and type IV collagen around angioblastic cords, tubes and cavities revealed an irregular and disorganized basement membrane (BM) architecture corresponding to an increased cell proliferation and secretion of cathepsin D and cathepsin G by tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: The mean nucleolar organizer region (NOR) area, as a measure of cell proliferation, was significantly higher in grade 4 malignancies than in lower grades, revealing novel prognostic parameters.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased c-myc oncogene expression in Ewing's sarcoma: correlation with Ki67 proliferation index.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Ewing's sarcoma is a highly malignant musculoskeletal tumor composed of small round cells. Although important results have been achieved with surgery associated with chemotherapy, recurrent disease is still a major problem. In order to define new prognostic factors useful for therapeutic decision-making, we conducted a study on 38 Ewing's sarcoma samples in which c-myc oncogene expression and Ki67 proliferation index were correlated with clinical outcome. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen patients developed metastases during follow-up and 10 of these patients died. C-myc and Ki67 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry performed on 5 microm formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections, while the c-myc mRNA transcript was localized using in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A statistically positive correlation was found between c-myc protein and Ki67 (P = 0.001) and c-myc mRNA and Ki67 expression (P = 0.047). The 38 patients were divided into two groups using as the cutoff 50% of Ki67-positive cells. The disease-free survival and overall survival estimates were 68% and 90%, respectively, in the group of patients with a percentage of Ki67-positive cells <50%, and 25% and 50%, respectively, in the group with a percentage of Ki67-positive cells > or = 50%. The difference between the survival curves was statistically significant (P <0.05 and P <0.01). Furthermore, relapsed patients had a high and uniform expression of c-myc protein and mRNA compared to disease-free patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a possible role of the c-myc oncogene and Ki67 antigen in the malignant progression of Ewing's sarcoma.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Postoperative renal insufficiency].

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Acute Kidney Injury↗