Anaemia in National Service Registrants in Singapore.

This study describes the occurrence of anaemia (haemoglobin level below 12.5 g/dl) amongst National Service (NS) Registrants in Singapore. A total of 32,320 subjects were screened and the prevalence of anaemia was 0.

Immunohistochemical detection of proliferating lipocytes in regenerating rat liver.

For the detection of proliferating lipocytes in regenerating liver, partially hepatectomized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd, 50 mg/kg body weight) and killed 1 h later. Acetone-fixed frozen liver sections were used for the simultaneous detection of cytoplasmic desmin and BrdUrd-labelled nuclei of lipocytes using double immunohistochemical procedures. The best results were obtained with the sequences: rabbit anti-desmin----biotinylated anti-rabbit IgG----avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex----3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride, followed by DNA denaturation----mouse anti-BrdUrd----anti-mouse IgG----peroxidase-anti-peroxidase complex----4-chloro-1-naphthol.

Dual function of monocytes on the regulation of granulopoiesis.

The intrinsic balance of monocyte-derived mediators in the regulation of granulopoiesis was studied. Both the granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSFs) and the colony inhibitory factor (prostaglandin E2; PGE2), were found to be elaborated by cultured monocytes, and most of these mediators were secreted during the first 4 days after monocyte cultivation. The concentration of monocytes in culture had a direct effect on the amount of mediator production.

Lipocytes and transitional cells in alcoholic liver disease: a morphometric study.

Lipocytes and transitional cells in alcoholic liver disease were analyzed by quantitative morphometry in liver biopsy specimens of 17 alcoholic patients. In fatty livers, 93% of the perisinusoidal cells were lipocytes with a volume of lipid droplets occupying more than 20% of the individual cell volume. In fatty livers with perivenular fibrosis, 83% of the cells were lipocytes and 17% were transitional cells with lipid droplets of less than 20% of the cell volume.

Effects of nicotine on platelet function.

In non-smokers, only high concentrations of nicotine (10 mM) caused platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Both responses to ADP and 5-HT were enhanced at 1 and 10 mM nicotine while they were inhibited to collagen, ristocetin, adrenaline and arachidonic acid. Lower concentrations of nicotine had no effect with any agent other than 5-HT, with which a variable enhancement of 5-HT-induced aggregation was observed.

Potentiation by ethanol consumption of tracheal squamous metaplasia caused by vitamin A deficiency in rats.

The effect of ethanol (CAS: 64-17-5) consumption on the development of squamous metaplasia of the trachea caused by vitamin A deficiency was assessed in rats. To that effect, weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 8-12 weeks either a nutritionally adequate liquid diet containing a standard amount of vitamin A or a diet lacking vitamin A. Littermates were pair-fed the same diets with ethanol (36% of total calories) isocalorically replacing part of the carbohydrates.

Effect of ethanol and vitamin A deficiency on epithelial cell proliferation and structure in the rat esophagus.

An increased risk of cancer of the esophagus has been reported in alcoholics and in populations with low dietary vitamin A consumption. As cancer is a disorder of cell proliferation and differentiation, we have assessed the combined effects of ethanol and vitamin A deficiency on cell proliferation and structure of the esophagus. Weanling male rats were fed liquid diets with either a standard amount of vitamin A or lacking vitamin A for 8 wk.

Portal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in baboons after long-term alcohol consumption.

The relative abundance of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the portal tracts was assessed in liver biopsy specimens of baboons that developed fatty liver and perivenular fibrosis after alcohol (ethanol) consumption. Fourteen baboons pair-fed with diets containing alcohol, or isocaloric carbohydrate, for up to four years were studied. No fibrosis was observed in the portal tracts of these baboons.

Characterization of thromboxane A2 receptors in the human fetal placental vessels and umbilical vein.

An in vitro examination has been made of the thromboxane A2 receptors in human fetal placental villous vessels and umbilical veins utilizing the TxA2 agonist U46619 and its competitive antagonist AH22921. U46619 was a potent constrictor of both preparations. The EC50 were 25.

Isolation and culture of myofibroblasts from rat liver.

Successful isolation and culture of myofibroblasts from rat liver is described for the first time. After collagenase digestion of livers, obtained from rats fed regular laboratory chow diet as well as control and vitamin A-supplemented liquid diets, cells were separated on a Percoll density gradient. Cells characterized as myofibroblasts by electron microscopy were cultured in a Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, a report of 2 cases in Chinese.

Two Chinese patients with sinus histiocytosis and massive lymphadenopathy are reported. The results of enzyme and immunohistochemical studies are presented.

Postmenopausal uterine bleeding of nonorganic cause.

Eighty-nine patients with postmenopausal uterine bleeding were studied focusing on the nonorganic causes of bleeding. Atrophic endometrium was found in 82%, proliferative endometrium in 7%, and secretory endometrium in 1% of patients. Carcinoma was uncommon, found in only 7% of patients.

Choline fails to prevent liver fibrosis in ethanol-fed baboons but causes toxicity.

To determine how choline supplementation affects the liver and whether it can protect against ethanol-induced liver injury, baboons were fed either normal or choline-supplemented diets, each with or without ethanol. Eighteen baboons were pair-fed for 3 to 4 years liquid diets with 50% of total energy as ethanol or isocaloric carbohydrate; ten animals were given our regular diets, whereas in eight the choline content was increased 5-fold. Six additional animals were fed individually with the control diets (with or without additional choline).

Chronic ethanol consumption alters rat liver plasma membranes and potentiates release of alkaline phosphatase.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible mechanisms involved in the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity in alcoholics. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pair-fed nutritionally adequate liquid diets containing ethanol as 36% of energy or an isocaloric amount of carbohydrate for 4-5 wk. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was increased moderately but significantly.

Ankle fracture treated with the AO principle--an experience with 116 cases.

One hundred and sixteen cases of ankle fractures were classified by the AO system and treated by open reduction and internal fixation in accordance with the AO principles. The stabilization of the lateral malleolus was emphasized. Ninety-six cases were available for functional assessment with an average follow-up of 39 months.

Alcoholic liver injury in baboons: transformation of lipocytes to transitional cells.

Ultrastructure of the lipocytes (the main perisinusoidal cells) and their alterations in the progression of hepatic fibrosis were studied in liver biopsy specimens of baboons pair-fed with diets containing alcohol, or isocaloric carbohydrate, for up to 112 mo. In control baboons, 97% of the cells in the Disse space were lipocytes characterized by a volume density of lipid droplets occupying greater than 20% of the cell volume and by the presence of microfilament bundles with associated dense bodies and pinocytic vesicles. Intercellular junctions of the adherens type were present between lipocytes and hepatocytes.

Alterations in endothelial fenestrations in liver sinusoids of baboons fed alcohol: a scanning electron microscopic study.

The effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the ultrastructure of endothelial fenestrations in liver sinusoids were studied by scanning electron microscopy in surgical liver biopsies of 16 baboons pair-fed with nutritionally adequate diets containing alcohol or isocaloric carbohydrate for up to 112 months. Alcohol consumption for 4 to 24 months resulted in a decreased number of fenestrations (1.4 per micron 2 of the endothelial surface vs.