Serum complement components in HIV-infected individuals with and without fat redistribution (lipodystrophy).
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Body Composition↗
Biomedical subjects
G Ionescu
Publications and source records attributed to G Ionescu.
Expression of p53 and PCNA in cholangiocarcinoma and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
The aim of this study was to identify the pattern and significance of expression of p53 and PCNA in cholangiocarcinoma and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Histological sections from 18 patients with cholangiocarcinoma (3 of the cases were associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis), 10 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis without cholangiocarcinoma, and 7 patients with cirrhosis without cholangiocarcinoma or primary sclerosing cholangitis were stained immunohistochemically for p53 and PCNA. Samples from 17 patients with cholangiocarcinoma (94%) stained positively for p53. Among these 17 cases, nontumorous bile duct epithelium was positive in 7 (including 3 cases with primary sclerosing cholangitis and 2 with carcinoma in situ), and were positive proliferating bile ductules in 4 cases. The single p53-negative cholangiocarcinoma did not show p53 positivity in either the bile duct epithelium or the proliferating bile ductules. Bile ductal and ductular cells in all 10 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis without cholangiocarcinoma and in the 7 controls were not reactive for p53. All 18 samples from patients with cholangiocarcinoma (100%) were positive for PCNA protein. Bile duct epithelium was positive for PCNA in nine cases (90%) of primary sclerosing cholangitis without cholangiocarcinoma and in six (85%) controls. Our study showed a high rate of p53 expression (94%) in cholangiocarcinoma. The adjacent uninvolved bile duct epithelium was also immunoreactive for p53 in 7 of 17 patients (41%). These findings suggest an early p53 mutation in bile ductal cells in cholangiocarcinogenesis. Expression of p53 may potentially be used to identify or screen, by bile duct brushings, cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis suspected of harboring cholangiocarcinoma. Expression of PCNA was a universal feature in cholangiocarcinoma.
Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
31P-NMR and 13C-NMR studies of mannose metabolism in Plesiomonas shigelloides. Toxic effect of mannose on growth.
The metabolism of mannose was examined in resting cells in vivo using 13C-NMR and 31P-NMR spectroscopy, in cell-free extracts in vitro using 31P-NMR spectroscopy, and by enzyme assays. Plesiomonas shigelloides was shown to transport mannose by a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system producing mannose 6-phosphate. However, a toxic effect was observed when P. shigelloides was grown in the presence of mannose. Investigation of mannose metabolism using in vivo 13C NMR showed mannose 6-phosphate accumulation without further metabolism. In contrast, glucose was quickly metabolized under the same conditions to lactate, ethanol, acetate and succinate. Extracts of P. shigelloides exhibited no mannose-6-phosphate isomerase activity whereas the key enzyme of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway (6-phosphofructokinase) was found. This result explains the mannose 6-phosphate accumulation observed in cells grown on mannose. The levels of phosphoenolpyruvate and Pi were estimated by in vivo 31P-NMR spectroscopy. The intracellular concentrations of phosphoenolpyruvate and Pi were relatively constant in both starved cells and mannose-metabolizing cells. In glucose-metabolizing cells, the phosphoenolpyruvate concentration was lower, and about 80% of the Pi was used during the first 10 min. It thus appears that the toxic effect of mannose on growth is not due to energy depletion but probably to a toxic effect of mannose 6-phosphate.
Carbon Isotopes↗
Simple chemiluminescence assays for free radicals in venous blood and serum samples: results in atopic, psoriasis, MCS and cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum and venous blood as well as the serum antioxidative activity (AOA) in patients and healthy controls by means of a simplified chemiluminescence (CL) methodology. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: 48 Atopic eczema, 23 psoriasis, 15 multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and 35 cancer patients together with 22 healthy volunteers. METHODS: ROS generation/photon emission in blood and serum samples under basal conditions and after light exposure as well as the AOA of the serum samples was investigated at room temperature (22 degrees C) in all 143 fasted subjects. The 3-step methodology resumes in adding a constant amount of blood or serum to a constant amount of CL substrate (or to an ROS-generating mixture for the AOA test), followed by a short preincubation and registration of the photon counts over a 600-second time interval. RESULTS: In the basal and light exposure tests significantly higher photon counts (> 14, 000 counts/600 s) were registered in venous blood in all patient groups when compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001), suggesting increased amounts of activated leukocytes and light-sensitizing compounds, respectively. By contrast, most patient sera showed in all three CL tests a strongly inhibited light emission (p < 0.005), suggesting an adaptive antioxidative response to oxidant stress factors. CONCLUSIONS: Atopic, psoriasis, MCS and cancer patients are exhibiting significantly changed blood and serum CL patterns when compared to healthy controls. The described assays are simple, well reproducible and enable a fast assessment of ROS generation and AOA in biological samples at low operational costs.
Calibration↗
A complication of mesenteric lymphangioma: case report and brief review of literature.
Mesenteric lymphangioma (ML) has only rarely been reported in the literature. These cases are rare enough to arouse interest when encountered. Usually, the cases are asymptomatic but may present with acute or chronic intestinal obstruction. We report an additional case of ML associated with intermittent intestinal volvulus in a 5 years old boy.
Child, Preschool↗
A defective purine nucleotide synthesis pathway in psoriatic patients.
Purine nucleotide concentrations in skin- and blood-cells of psoriatic patients are abnormal: The increase in the steady state level of cGMP and the decrease in the cAMP concentrations are associated with an enhanced rate of cellular proliferation. Concomitantly we found in the present study decreased ADP and ATP concentrations in blood cells (p less than 0.0001). The change in nucleotide concentrations suggests a defective purine nucleotide synthesis pathway. Stimulation of the Krebs cycle with fumaric acid raises ATP (p less than 0.0001) and most probably cAMP levels and at the same time slows down the purine nucleotide synthesis through end-product inhibition. Both effects can inhibit DNA and protein synthesis activity, which results in inhibition of cellular proliferation. Fumaric acid seems therefore a useful treatment for psoriatic lesions if liver and kidney functions (purine nucleotide and urea cycle) are controlled during treatment.
Adenosine Diphosphate↗
Increased plasma norepinephrine in psoriasis.
Free plasma catecholamines were measured by means of a standardized HPLC method in 50 adult patients with psoriasis and in 18 healthy volunteers. The concentrations of circulating norepinephrine were significantly higher in the psoriasis group (p less than 0.005); by contrast only slight differences were found in the epinephrine and dopamine concentrations. The possible mechanisms leading to these changes are discussed.
Adolescent↗
Abnormal plasma catecholamines in hyperkinetic children.
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Adolescent↗
Abnormal plasma catecholamine levels in severe atopic eczema (AE)
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Catecholamines↗
[Histamine degrading enzymes in atopic eczema].
Increased plasma histamine levels were associated with significantly lowered diamine and type B monoamine oxidase activities in platelet rich plasma of atopic eczema (AE) patients. The diamine oxidase has almost normal cofactor levels (pyridoxal phosphate and Cu2+) but the cofactor levels for type B monoamine oxidase (flavin adenine dinucleotide and Fe2+) are lowered.
Adolescent↗
[Increased plasma noradrenaline values in severe atopic eczema].
By means of a standardized HPLC method, we determined free plasma catecholamines both in 41 adult patients with severe atopic dermatitis and in 18 healthy volunteers. The levels of circulating noradrenaline were significantly higher in the atopic group (p less than 0.005), whereas the concentrations of adrenaline and dopamine, in contrast, were only slightly elevated. We discuss the possible mechanisms leading to these changes in spite of normal activities of DBH.
Adolescent↗
Cofactor levels of mono- and diamine oxidase in atopic eczema.
We have recently shown that increased plasma histamine levels were associated with significantly lowered diamine and type B monoamine oxidase activities in platelet rich plasma of atopic eczema patients. We now report almost normal cofactor (pyridoxal phosphate and Cu2+) levels for diamine oxidase but lowered cofactor (flavin adenine dinucleotide and Fe2+) levels for type B monoamine oxidase.
Adolescent↗
Monoamine- and diamine oxidase activities in psoriasis.
Monoamine- and diamine oxidase activities were measured by a sensitive photometric assay in 25 psoriasis vulgaris patients. Results were compared with plasma histamine values determined fluorimetrically. Increased plasma histamine levels were associated with significantly lowered diamine--and type B monoamine oxidase activities in platelet-rich plasma of the psoriasis patients. Our data suggest that cofactor levels and/or inhibiting factors are responsible for the observed monoamine- and diamine oxidase activities.
Adolescent↗
Monoamine and diamine oxidase activities in atopic eczema.
Increased plasma histamine levels were associated with significantly lowered diamine and type B monoamine oxidase activities in platelet rich plasma of atopic eczema patients.
Adolescent↗
Plasma catecholamine levels in severe atopic eczema.
Free plasma catecholamines were measured by means of a standardized HPLC method in 41 adult patients with severe atopic eczema and in 18 healthy volunteers. The circulating norepinephrine levels were significantly higher in the atopic group (P less than 0.005), by contrast only slight differences were found in the epinephrine and dopamine concentrations. The possible mechanisms leading to these changes at concomitant normal DBH activities are discussed.
Adult↗
[Ultrasound-controlled percutaneous puncture of pancreatic pseudocysts].
The puncture of pancreatic pseudocysts with the help of ultrasound is an attempt of treatment without putting too much strain on the patient. In a number of cases a definitive emptying of cysts is successful so that a surgical intervention with application of an interior drainage can be avoided. Of 4 male patients of medium age treated 2 were successfully to be treated. The casuistics of one of the patients is reported. Under the point of view that a sonographically assisted intervention increases the security of the puncture therapy the complex of problems is outlined.
Drainage↗
[Circulating immune complexes, specific IgE against food and inhalation allergens, serum histamine levels and disorders of intestinal permeability in atopic patients before and after test meals].
Specific IgE antibodies against 25 food and 3 respiratory allergens were investigated in 35 AD patients and 26 healthy controls before and after challenge meals (CM). The frequency of positive results showed a significant increase after CM (+ 58%) with no influence on reaction specificity. Increased serum CIC levels with IgG, IgE and IgM were recorded in 34, 47 and 54% of the 35 AD patients respectively, whereby only the IgE-CIC demonstrated an increase of frequency and mean levels after CM. In 4 out of 5 atopic patients, significant higher histamine values were registered half an hour after CM, furthermore 23 out of 61 fasted patients demonstrated increased serum histamine levels. However, no direct correlation could be noticed between the increased intestinal permeability of the investigated patients on the one hand and the serum histamine levels or the presence of IgE-CIC on the other hand. The relations between single parameters as well as their clinical significance in AD patients after CM administrations are discussed.
Adolescent↗