Although it has been experimentally proved that thyroid hormones stimulate beta 2 receptor activity and tissue responsiveness to catecholamines, previous studies have established that asthma and nonspecific bronchial reactivity (NSBR) can worsen if complicated by hyperthyroidism. Our study is an effort toward the analysis of this contradiction. In 20 congenitally hypothyroid children, substitutive opotherapy was completely withdrawn for 1 month, resumed in the original dosage for 2 months, and then increased by 20% from day 91 to day 110. Mean NSBR, expressed in carbachol-related PD20-FEV1 and PD25-V25, was significantly increased by day 30, remained significantly elevated by day 90, and returned to initial values by day 110. These results suggest that thyroid hormones per se in nonasthmatic subjects decrease bronchial reactivity. This observation should be taken into consideration when attempting to explain the worsening condition of asthmatics who became affected with hypothyroidism. Bronchial reactivity appears to be under the control of many factors (including thyroid hormone levels). Once it is altered, a period of time seems necessary to restore the original bronchomotor tone (2 months in our study).

Bronchi↗

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The ade6 gene of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has the same chromatin structure in the chromosome and in plasmids.

We have analysed the chromatin structure of the ade6 gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and its flanking regions both in the chromosome and in plasmids. The chromatin structure is independent of the chromosomal or extrachromosomal location. The ade6 gene contains eight precisely positioned nucleosomes on the 5' half, 'not positioned' nucleosomes around the 3' end and a nuclease-sensitive promoter region. Precisely positioned nucleosomes, but no nuclease-sensitive region were also detected on the ura4 gene in the chromosome and on a plasmid. The results show that S. pombe chromosomal and extrachromosomal genes have chromatin structures similar to those of S. cerevisiae and higher eukaryotes.

Chromatin↗

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Australia antigen in diabetic subjects.

The sera of 766 diabetics and 730 blood donors have been tested for Australia surface antigen (HBsAg). Subjects with a history of an episode of jaundice were excluded from both groups. The two groups did not differ as to the frequency with which HBsAg was found 1.64% in blood donors, 1.56% in diabetics.

Aged↗

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Effect of acute corticotropin releasing factor on pituitary-adrenocortical responsiveness in elderly women and men.

Aging is related to critical changes of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function. A decline in serum DHEA levels has been demonstrated in healthy elderly subjects, while ACTH and cortisol concentrations remain at normal values. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aging on pituitary-adrenal responsiveness to hCRF in subjects of both sexes. A group of 12 physically and mentally healthy elderly subjects and a group of 12 young controls of both sexes have been selected. Blood samples were collected before and after i.v. bolus injection of hCRF; ACTH, cortisol and DHEA levels were then determined by RIA. Basal ACTH and cortisol levels did not result statistically different between controls and elderly subjects, while DHEA showed a clear and significant age-related decrease (p < 0.01). Following the hCRF injection, the responses of ACTH, cortisol and DHEA in aged subjects were higher than in young controls; ACTH (p < 0.03) and cortisol (p < 0.01) were higher in aged women than in men. The present study demonstrated that aging is associated with an increased responsiveness of ACTH, cortisol and DHEA to exogenous hCRF supply. A hyperactivation of the pituitary-adrenal secretory activity may explain the age-related of the same axis. Gender probably has a significant influence on basal and stimulated hormonal secretion. In conclusion, hCRF test may become a useful clinical tool in establishing a neuroendocrine correlation with central disturbances associated to aging.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

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Site-specific deletions in the recombinant plasmid pSC101 containing the redB-ori region of phage lambda.

Large deletions occur in the hybrid plasmid formed by pSC101 and the EcoRI fragment f2 of phage lambda (redB-ori region) under well defined growth conditions (Bernardi and Bernardi, 1980). We have sequenced the novel joints of the four deletions so obtained and shown that they have one endpoint in pSC101, identical in all four cases, the other endpoint being located in four different lambda sequences. Furthermore, the nucleotide sequences of the novel joints show homologies between the conserved pSC101 sequence and the lambda sequences both conserved and deleted. The presence of an IS-type element in pSC101 is postulated; however, this element is unrelated to the 200 bp element already described in pSC101 (Ravetch et al., 1976).

Bacteriophage lambda↗

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A double-blind study of minaprine versus amitriptyline in major depression.

This study was designed to compare the antidepressant effects of minaprine and amitriptyline in a group of 60 outpatients suffering from a major depressive episode as defined by the DSM III. The 6-week study was double-blind with a random allocation of treatment. Patients were treated with flexible daily doses of 200-300 mg of minaprine and 50-75 mg of amitriptyline. Both drugs showed significant global antidepressant efficacy with no significant difference between the two treatment groups. The Hamilton item 'psychomotor retardation' improved earlier with minaprine than amitriptyline. The incidence of anticholinergic adverse effects was significantly higher in the amitriptyline treatment group.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of a booster-dose of rabies vaccine on the duration of virus neutralizing antibody titers in bovines.

Humoral immune response using inactivated rabies vaccine was studied in 35 nelore cross-bred bovines of western region of São Paulo state. Ninety days after vaccination, 13 (92.8%) animals presented titers > or = 0.5 IU/ml, through mouse neutralization test. After 180 days, 9 (64.3%) sera showed titers > or = 0.5 IU/ml, after 270 days, only one (7.1%) showed a titer of 0.51 IU/ml, and after 360 days, all animals showed titers < 0.5 IU/ml. Group of animals receiving booster dose 30 days after vaccination presented, two months after, all with titers > 0.5 IU/ml. At 180 days, 17 (80.9%) sera presented titers > 0.5 IU/ml; at 270 days, 15 (71.4%), with titers > or = 0.5 IU/ml and at 360 days, 4 (19.0%), with titers > or = 0.5 IU/ml. Booster-dose ensured high levels of neutralizing antibodies for at least three months, and 240 days after revaccination, 71.4% of animals were found with titers > or = 0.5 IU/ml.

Analysis of Variance↗

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Influence of canine brain decomposition on laboratory diagnosis of rabies.

Canine brains infected with rabies virus were submitted to decomposition by being left at room temperature of 25 to 29 degrees C for up to 168 h. At 24 h intervals, brain fragments were analyzed by immunofluorescence (IF) and by the mouse intracerebral inoculation (MI) test to confirm the diagnosis of rabies and to measure the putrefaction effect on the accuracy of the diagnosis. Forty eight h after the beginning of the experiment, the MI test showed signs of impairment with four negative results, while after 72 h, 100% of the results were negative to the MI test and only one result was negative to the IF test, indicating that the threshold period for accurate diagnosis is 24 to 48 h before putrefaction. The authors recommend the shipment of suspected cases of rabies to the laboratory for confirmation, but the use of putrid materials for diagnosis is meaningless because of false-negative results.

Animals↗

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Treatment of large cell lymphoma with the Fi2 regimen (doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin and prednisone): 25-year experience.

The CHOP protocol is the reference treatment for large cell lymphomas, but several other schemes of different intensity have recently been studied with controversial clinical findings. We report here the results obtained at our institution with a CHOP-like regimen called Firenze 2 (Fi2), which is characterised by an original scheduling of chemotherapy administration. A total of 225 patients, who were diagnosed from 1974 to 1996, were included in this retrospective study. All patients received the Fi2 regimen as a first-line intervention. One-hundred and sixty-two (72%) achieved complete remission; the overall survival at 120 months was 51% with a disease-free survival of 67% (median follow-up = 78 months). The survival curve showed a stable plateau of 42% after 16 years, which remained stable for further 4 years. In a multivariate survival analysis, achievement of complete remission (p<0.001) and IPI index of 0 or 1 (p=0.05) were significantly associated with a better survival. Overall, the outcome of our patients was similar to that reported by others, but the distinguishing feature of our study is the very long follow-up of the patients. Our study confirms that first generation regimens are effective and can cure a substantial proportion of patients. The long-term results of our study are helpful to retrospectively identify high-risk patients whose prognosis is poor and who can be candidates for more aggressive schemes of chemotherapy.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Extralobar pulmonary sequestration in children: presentation of a case].

The pulmonary sequestration is an anatomical condition with as isle of pulmonary tissue independent from tracheobronchial tree. This tissue has an independent artery originated from aorta. Anatomically we can have two types of sequestration. The first is the condition of an isle of pulmonary tissue included without any separation in the lobe; this condition in named intra-lobar sequestration. On the other hand we have a second condition with an isle of independent pulmonary tissue surrounded with independent pleura; the last one is named extra-lobar sequestration. In the present article the authors describe a case of extralobar sequestration in a two years old girl. The symptoms presented by the girl were hyperpyrexia, tough and recurrent bronchopulmonary infections. The girl underwent surgery removal of sequestration. The authors describe their experience, the importance of symptomatology and the anatomo-pathologic characteristics of this lesions.

Age Factors↗

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[Extrauterine pregnancy. Critical review of the clinical diagnosis and early echography].

A case of extrauterine pregnancy is reported. After a short review of the literature on the subject, personal experience of early diagnosis is reported and importance is attributed in IUD carriers to menstrual dysrhythmia and pelvic pain. For correct early diagnosis, such symptomatology must be integrated with laboratory tests and pelvic echography.

Adult↗