Increasing plasma homocysteine during follow-up in heart transplant recipients: effects of folate and renal function.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a common finding in heart transplant recipients and may represent a risk factor for graft failure. However, the time-course, determinants and effects of medical therapy on total homocysteine plasma levels after heart transplantation remain undetermined. The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze 1) the time-course of total homocysteine in heart transplant recipients; 2) the effects of folate supplements and cyclosporine A on total homocysteine; 3) the relation among renal function, serum vitamin levels, and total homocysteine.

Sudden death in mitral regurgitation due to flail leaflet.

Objectives: We sought to assess the incidence and determinants of sudden death (SUD) in mitral regurgitation due to flail leaflet (MR-FL).

Background: Sudden death is a catastrophic complication of MR-FL. Its incidence and predictability are undefined.

Allergic cross-reactions between cat and pig serum albumin. Study at the protein and DNA levels.

After observing a patient allergic to cat dander and pork but devoid of other allergies, we prospectively screened patients known to be allergic to cat for a second sensitization to pork. After collecting the sera of 10 young patients found to contain specific IgE to cat dander and pork, we undertook this study to detect the possible cross-reactive allergen, define its molecular characteristics, and evaluate its clinical relevance. Through immunoblotting techniques, cat and porcine serum albumin were found to be jointly recognized molecules.

Sequence of the gene encoding cat (Felis domesticus) serum albumin.

The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the gene encoding cat serum albumin has been determined. The nt and deduced amino-acid sequences were compared to those of other known mammalian serum albumins (SA).

[Quality control at the Istituto di Anatomia e Istologia patologica at the Università di Bologna].

The growing importance in medical practice of a standardized diagnosis in cyto- and histopathology and the recent recommendations for the adoption of standardized schemes for quality control in anatomic pathology by International Committees stimulated the medical staff of the Institute of Anatomic Pathology of the University of Bologna to adopt a pertinent method. The method used by the Department of Pathology of the Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut, USA) was chosen. A Committee for the quality control was appointed and two kinds of controls were set up: an External Quality Assessment (review of the difficult cases by external experts, slide seminars) and an Internal Quality Assessment performed by the members of the Committee on the diagnostic and laboratory routine of the Institute.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against high and low molecular weight kininogens.

HMWK and LMWK were purified from human plasma by ion exchange and affinity chromatography and used to raise anti-kininogen monoclonal antibodies. The Ig class and affinity of these Mab's that are directed at the heavy chain of the kininogens, were determined. Plasma samples of two patients, one with acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency and angioedema and one with idiopathic angioedema were analized by immunoblotting with these Mab's.

Comparison between the monoclonal antibodies Ki-67 and PC10 in 125 malignant lymphomas.

The monoclonal antibody (MAb) Ki-67 detects a nuclear proliferation-associated antigen which corresponds to a non-histone protein with a molecular weight of 395 and 345 kD. Its prognostic relevance has been assessed in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid tumours. The MAb PC10 picks up the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which is a 36 kD nuclear protein associated with the cell cycle.

Reactivity of monoclonal antibody (mAb) GD9 with a cytoplasmic antigen preserved in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastrointestinal tumors.

In order to develop monoclonal antibodies to tumor associated antigens which are preserved in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, BALB/c mice were immunized with a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded melanoma lesion. One of the resulting monoclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibody (mAb) GD9, stained formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded melanoma lesions. When tested with a large panel of normal tissues from adults and from two fetuses of 4 and 16 week gestation and of benign and malignant tumors of different embryological origin, the mAb GD9 stained normal small bowel mucosa, areas of gastric intestinal metaplasia, the 6 pancreatic carcinoid tumors tested and a high percentage of gastrointestinal tumors.

Incidence of intratubular germ cell neoplasia in androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Gonadal histology was investigated by means of conventional microscopy in 6 patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, in 11 with incomplete androgen insensitivity syndrome, and in 3 with 5 alpha-reductase syndrome. Twelve subjects were prepubertal and 8 pubertal. In all patients gonadal tissue was removed as a prophylactic measure and no patients gave rise to any clinical suspicion of a tumour.

Sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary. A hormonal, histochemical and ultrastructural study.

Three new cases of sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary have been studied by hormonal, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analysis. The results confirm that this tumor may have hormonal activity. Ultrastructural study shows findings different from those previously reported.