Phototoxicity of some bromine-substituted rhodamine dyes: synthesis, photophysical properties and application as photosensitizers.

The synthesis of some bromine-substituted rhodamine derivatives viz., 4,5-dibromorhodamine methyl ester (dye 2) and 4,5-dibromorhodamine n-butyl ester (dye 3) are reported. These dyes were synthesized to promote a more efficient cancer cell photosensitizer for potential use in in vitro bone marrow purging in preparation for autologous bone marrow transplantation.

[Comparison of hemodynamic and ventilatory effects of pneumoperitoneum using carbon dioxide or abdominal suspension during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

This study compares the cardio-respiratory effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum to those of abdominal suspension (or laparolift) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Between september 1993 et may 1995, 31 patients participated in this non-randomized prospective trial. They consisted of 9 males et 22 females, with a mean age of 47.

A novel anti-microfilament antibody, anti-135 kD, is associated with Raynaud's disease, undifferentiated connective tissue disease and systemic autoimmune diseases.

We report herein the characterization of a human IgG antibody reactive with a nonmuscle 135 kD microfilament-associated protein, anti-135 kD. Using nonmuscle epithelial PtK2 cells as substrate in indirect immunofluorescence, we identified a distinctive pattern of reactivity with microfilaments in sera from 12 of 165 (7.3%) patients investigated for systemic autoimmune diseases and in only 2 of 171 (1.

Haemodynamic interaction of high-dose fentanyl and increasing doses of vecuronium in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization.

Background: Bradyarrhythmia has been reported with vecuronium when given with high dose narcotics. We hypothesized that if the bradycardic response is dependent on a vagal reaction mediated by narcotics, it should be independent of the vecuronium dose. A dose-related response of vecuronium on heart rate (HR) would be in favour of a chronotropic action of this agent.

Antithrombotic activity of argatroban in experimental thrombosis in the rabbit.

Argatroban was evaluated in three models of thrombosis in the rabbit: the Wessler model (thromboplastin plus stasis of the left jugular vein), an arteriovenous shunt model, and a model of arterial thrombosis induced by endothelial and intimal damage of the left femoral artery. Calcium heparin was used as a comparator. Both substances inhibited thrombus formation in the Wessler model with ID50 values of 0.

Detection of gas embolism by transesophageal echocardiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), 16 patients (ASA physical status I-III), undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were assessed for the occurrence of episodes of gas embolism and cardiovascular changes related to those emboli. The long-axis four-chamber view was monitored continuously, except for predetermined intervals where the transgastric short-axis view was obtained to derive the end-diastolic area (EDA), the end-systolic area (ESA), and the ejection fraction (EF). In one patient, we monitored the longitudinal view of the superior and the inferior vena cava.

Cross-sectional assessment of workers with repeated exposure to chlorine over a three year period.

Airflow obstruction has been described in workers who experienced symptoms after acute exposure to chlorine. Persistent bronchial hyperresponsiveness has also been assessed, but mainly in case studies. In this cross-sectional study, we have assessed the relationship between inhalational accidents ("puffs") involving chlorine and persistent symptoms as well as hyperresponsiveness in 239 out of 255 at-risk workers (94%).

Characterization of a novel human antibody xenoreactive with fibronectin.

Recent reports have used bovine fibronectin (Fn) as source of antigen to study human anti-Fn autoantibodies. We have characterized a novel human antibody (Ab) reactive with bovine and marsupial Fn, but not with human Fn. Indirect immunofluorescence, wet cleaving and protein adherence assays, immunoblotting, blot-affinity purification, a cell adhesion inhibition assay, and competitive experiments with synthetic peptides were used to characterize the anti-Fn Ab in serum from a patient with an undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

In vivo efficacy of trovafloxacin (CP-99,219), a new quinolone with extended activities against gram-positive pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacteroides fragilis.

The interesting in vitro antimicrobial activity and pharmacokinetics of the new quinolone trovafloxacin (CP-99,219) warranted further studies to determine its in vivo efficacy in models of infectious disease. The significance of the pharmacokinetic and in vitro antimicrobial profiles of trovafloxacin was shown through efficacy in a series of animal infection models by employing primarily oral therapy. Against acute infections, trovafloxacin was consistently more effective than temafloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae and other gram-positive pathogens while maintaining activity comparable to that of ciprofloxacin against gram-negative organisms.

Separation of overlapping spectra from evolving systems using factor analysis. 4. Fluorescence spectra of hematoporphyrin IX.

Fluorescence spectra of hematoporphyrin IX (Hp) in water and in aqueous SDS solutions are obtained in the pH range 0.1 to 13 to determine the ionisation state of the molecule as a function of pH. In water, the spectra are complicated by aggregation which is quite severe near pH 4.

Effects of interleukin-2 on gene expression in human neutrophils.

Recently, the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was shown to be present on human neutrophils, and IL-2-neutrophil interactions are believed to be important in both tumor rejection and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. Furthermore, neutrophils have been shown to synthesize host defense proteins, such as cytokines. In this study, we analyzed the effects of IL-2 on the induction of de novo RNA and protein synthesis in this cell type.

Ex vivo expansion of CD4 lymphocytes from human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected persons in the presence of combination antiretroviral agents.

Expansion of CD4 lymphocytes from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected persons ex vivo has been limited by enhanced virus replication and cell death. The successful expansion of functional CD4 lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected persons has now been accomplished using a bispecific monoclonal antibody to CD3 and CD8 in combination with three antiretroviral agents. CD4 lymphocytes were polyclonally expanded by a factor of 10(3)-10(7) during 4-8 weeks in culture.

Immunotoxicity of aminocarb. III. Exposure route-dependent immunomodulation by aminocarb in mice.

Aminocarb, a phenylsubstituted methylcarbamate pesticide (4-dimethylamino-3-methyl-N-carbamate; matacil), previously suspected of a relatively low immunotoxic potential, was administered by four different exposure routes to C57BL/6 mice. A single sublethal exposure by oral and dermal routes stimulated humoral immune response at a relatively low dose; 1/256 LD50 of aminocarb. Intraperitoneal (i.

Separation of overlapping spectra from evolving systems using factor analysis. 3. Fluorescence spectra of hematoporphyrin IX di-n-propylether diethanolamide.

Fluorescence spectroscopy of hematoporphyrin IX di-n-propylether diethanolamide (HPPEEA) in aqueous solutions, with and without SDS, was obtained in the pH range from 0.1 to 13. At pH greater than 3, HPPEEA in water solutions gives spectra complicated by aggregation whereas in aqueous SDS solutions, the aggregation is greatly reduced.

Anti-microfilament IgG antibodies in normal adults and in patients with autoimmune diseases: immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analysis of 201 subjects reveals polyreactivity with microfilament-associated proteins.

We have investigated IgG antibodies to microfilament-associated proteins in sera from 29 normal controls and from 172 patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (n = 45), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 43), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (n = 36), systemic sclerosis (n = 35), and autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH, n = 13). We observed, by indirect immunofluorescence, a staining pattern in which the fluorescence was continuously distributed along microfilaments by using several animal and human cell lines as substrate. Because no reactivity with individual bands or specific combinations of bands was observed by immunoblotting using different cell lines, we further characterized our sera by immunoblotting using a panel of the purified microfilament-associated proteins filamin, myosin, alpha-actinin, actin, tropomyosin, and myosin light chain.

Characterization of a novel human IgG antibody reactive with a Ca(2+)-sensitive cell-cell adhesion epitope of PtK2 epithelial cells.

We have characterized a human IgG antibody present in the serum of a patient with an autoimmune undifferentiated connective tissue disease and reactive with PtK2 epithelial cell-cell adhesions. The fluorescent staining pattern is observed only at cell-cell contacts whether cells are permeabilized or not. The serum reacts with polypeptides of 90, 48 and 45 kD by immunoblotting.

Antithrombotic actions of argatroban in rat models of venous, 'mixed' and arterial thrombosis, and its effects on the tail transection bleeding time.

1. The antithrombotic action of argatroban, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor, was studied in three models of thrombosis in the rat, and in the tail transection bleeding time test. Heparin was studied as a reference anticoagulant.

Venous carbon dioxide embolism in pigs: an evaluation of end-tidal carbon dioxide, transesophageal echocardiography, pulmonary artery pressure, and precordial auscultation as monitoring modalities.

We evaluated the effects of CO2 embolism on end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and compared four methods for detection of gas embolism. Fourteen pigs were monitored for CO2 embolism with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), changes in ETCO2, changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), and precordial auscultation (AUSC). Serial injections of CO2 (ranging from 0.

Long-term effects on reproductive parameters in female rats after translactational exposure to PCBs.

In an integrated series of experiments, we assessed effects of translactational exposure to Aroclor 1254 at three different ages: as young adults (2-4.5 months), as mature adults (5-8 months), and as older adults (8.5-13 months).

[Prevalence of antimitochondrial antibodies in women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis].

Objectives: Thyroid antibodies are present in more than 15% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Inversely, the prevalence of antimitochondrial antibodies in patients with thyroid antibodies is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of antimitochondrial antibodies in women positive for thyroid microsomal antibodies.