The effect of systemic lupus erythematosus and long-term steroid therapy on bone mass in pre-menopausal women.

The aim of our study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD) in pre-menopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the influence of disease activity and use of corticosteroids. Lumbar and femoral BMD were measured in 43 patients with SLE (28 on regular steroid therapy, 15 with recent onset, non-treated) and compared with 43 healthy women matched for age. In addition, 21 SLE patients treated with corticosteroids were followed-up with a mean of 36.

Effect of endothelin-1 on neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells and perfused heart.

Background: Based on recent evidence showing that endothelin-1 stimulates several activation mechanisms on neutrophils, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of endothelin-1 on neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells and neutrophil accumulation in the heart.

Methods And Results: The experiments included (1) adhesion of 51Cr-labeled human neutrophils to bovine endothelial cells in culture both in the presence and absence of monoclonal antibodies against the alpha- and beta-subunits of integrins; (2) surface expression of the alpha- and beta-integrin antigens; (3) accumulation of 51Cr-labeled neutrophils on the isolated perfused rabbit heart; (4) in vivo accumulation of autologous neutrophils in the heart, as assessed by myeloperoxidase activity. Endothelin-1 stimulated neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells (increase of 1 x 10(5) +/- 1 x 10(4) neutrophils per well).

Renal and systemic effects of aminoacids administered separately: comparison between L-arginine and non-nitric oxide donor aminoacids.

The present study examined the mechanisms of the renal effect of the NO-donor aminoacid, L-Arg and different non-NO-donor aminoacids, namely L-Asn, L-Ala, L-Gly L-Gln administered separately. In conscious, unrestricted Wistar rats, a bolus of L-Arg produced a short-lasting decrease in mean arterial pressure. No variations in mean arterial pressure were found with either L-Gly, L-Asn, L-Ala or L-Gln.

Synchronous cecal and sigmoid volvulus. Report of a case.

Volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in the U.S. Sigmoid colon volvulus is the most frequent, followed by cecal volvulus.

Isolation and identification of xochitloldione and isoxochitlolone from Cnidosculus urens.

Major components of MeOH extracts from the plant roots of Cnidosculus urens purified by cc and tlc and crystallization were lupeol acetate and the previously unreported compounds isoxochitlolone [1] and xochitloldione [2], which were identified through mass, ir, nmr, and uv spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In preliminary testing, isoxochitlolone has been found to be active against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

In vitro antibiotic susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in the Philippines.

Antibiotic susceptibility surveillance testing was performed on clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae collected in September 1989 in the Philippines. beta-Lactamase was produced by 77 (55%) of 140 isolates. In vitro MIC testing revealed significant resistance to penicillin (MIC for 90% of isolates [MIC90], greater than 64 micrograms/ml), tetracycline (MIC90, 4 micrograms/ml), and cefmetazole (MIC90, 8 micrograms/ml).

Isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients of phosphoglucomutase and esterases from the spiny lobster.

A method is described for detecting polymorphisms of cephalothorax and tail homogenates of 25 puerulus staged Panulirus argus in phosphoglucomutase (PGM) and esterases. Isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients was used. In the pH 6.

Sexual behavior of Filipino female prostitutes after diagnosis of HIV infection.

A study of female prostitutes in Manila who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody ascertained demographic and sexual behavior information following diagnosis. Counselling alone did not appear to have a major impact on the sexual behavior of the HIV positive women since most continued to work as prostitutes. Switching from high risk to low risk jobs in bars is not effective in preventing HIV positive women from engaging in prostitution.

Epidemiology of HIV infection among prostitutes in the Philippines.

Between 1985 and 1987, examinations for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) antibody were done on 25,392 prostitutes working in 64 cities throughout the Philippines. The country-wide seropositivity rate among prostitutes based on this sample was 0.8/1,000.

Experimental reproduction of cysticercoids from Anoplocephala perfoliata Blanchard, 1848 in Scheloribates sp. Berlese, 1908 (Acarina-Oribatulidae).

For the first time in America, a potential intermediate host for Anoplocephala perfoliata has been reported, obtaining cysticercoids in mites of the genus Scheloribates. Epidemiological aspects of anoplocephalides in horses related to other cestodiasis from domestic herbivores in Argentina are discussed.