Imbalance between IL-1 and IL-1 receptor antagonist in the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-infected patients.

Inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]) have specific inhibitors (IL-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1Ra] and TNF-soluble receptors), the concentration of which can indicate activation and regulation of this system. We measured IL-1 and IL-1Ra in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of HIV-infected patients and seronegative controls. High IL-1Ra concentrations were found in samples from patients with opportunistic meningoencephalitis, even in the presence of normal cell count and protein content, not in samples from patients with leucoencephalopathies or controls.

Tumor necrosis factor production capacity as a potentially useful parameter to monitor disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to develop a test allowing to monitor disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A simple, fast and reliable test was used to assess the cytokine production capacity of blood leucocytes. The whole blood test (WBT) involved in vitro stimulation of a whole blood sample with either the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), or specific antigens.

Changes in bronchial responsiveness, circulating leucocytes and ex vivo cytokine production by blood monocytes after PAF inhalation in allergic asthmatics.

We investigated the effects of inhaled platelet-activating factor (PAF) on methacholine bronchial responsiveness, circulating leucocyte counts, and ex vivo tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production from blood monocytes in eight allergic asthmatics. Bronchial responsiveness was defined as the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20). Circulating leucocytes were counted by means of an automatic haemocytometer, and cytokines were measured with specific immunoassays.

Immunoradiometric assay of parathyrin with polyclonal and monoclonal region-specific antibodies.

In this immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) of parathyrin (PTH) a polyclonal anti-amino-PTH(1-34) is the capture antibody and a radiolabeled monoclonal anti-hPTH(44-68) is the second antibody. Gel filtration of serum from a hyperparathyroid patient yielded only a single peak of PTH, corresponding to the elution position of synthetic PTH(1-84). Healthy elderly individuals (ages 78 +/- 5 y, mean +/- SD, n = 45) had PTH concentrations (21 +/- 13 ng/L) not significantly higher than those from healthy younger (38 +/- 11 y) adults (20 +/- 8 ng/L, n = 94).

Acute airway obstruction following tooth extraction in hereditary angioedema.

Life threatening airway obstruction occurred following a single tooth extraction in a patient who had hereditary angioedema, despite preoperative administration of FFP and danazol. Emergency intubation was performed in the operating room, and assisted respiration was required during the acute attack. The clinician should be aware that an acute attack of HAE may occur even though recommended medical management regimens are followed and should be prepared for emergency airway control.

[Pitfalls of mechanical circular anastomoses].

To the list of pitfalls of circular mechanical anastomoses the authors add another type of incident involving catching of an intestinal fold. While the pitfalls recently published by M. Adloff include occlusive stapling, those encountered by the authors make mechanical stapling impossible.

[Current aspects of the complications of acute appendicitis in children].

One thousand four hundred and ninety-one cases of acute appendicitis during infancy and childhood are reviewed, 137 were revealed by peritonitis. Complications following appendicitis with perforation (15%) are higher than acute appendicitis (2%). Many complications are reported, but the most serious of them are the 5th day syndrome after appendectomy.

[Barotraumatic rupture of the thoracic esophagus in children. Apropos of a case].

Presenting symptoms in an 8-year-old child, subjected to high pressure in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts following bursting of a truck inner tube, were initially only pleuropulmonary in nature. A secondary diagnosis of rupture of the thoracic esophagus was established by radiological follow-through examination using a water soluble medium. The presence of an esophagopleural fistula led to repair of the esophageal tear on the 5th day.

Photosynthesis In Elodea canadensis Michx: Four-Carbon Acid Synthesis.

Experiments to determine the early labeled photosynthetic products in Elodea canadensis show that after 2 seconds of exposure to NaH(14)CO(3), 45% of the (14)C incorporated is located in malate and aspartate. Phosphoglyceric acid and sugars account for 27% of the label during similar exposures. Equivalent amounts of organic acids and C(3) cycle products are present after 8 seconds.