B cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4) is sufficient for the proliferation and differentiation of lectin-stimulated cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors.

In this report, we demonstrate that IL-4 is sufficient to stimulate both the proliferation and differentiation of Lyt-2+, Ia- splenic CTL precursors stimulated with the mitogenic lectin Con A. The response to IL-4 and Con A was not dependent on a putative endogenous production of IL-2 within the cultures, as demonstrated by an absence of an inhibitory effect by an anti-IL-2-R blocking mAb. Our results indicate that IL-2 and IL-4 can support an equivalent proliferative response by lectin-stimulated Lyt-2+ T lymphocytes, while IL-4 is more efficacious in stimulating their differentiation into mature cytolytically active cells.

[The question of IgE activity in the mucosa of the large intestine].

The importance of the IgE mediated inflammatory process of the large bowel mucosa was investigated by examining rectal biopsies using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method in 172 patients to demonstrate IgE cells in the inflammatory infiltrate. IgE-positive cells could be demonstrated in small numbers in all specimens. The numeration of the plasma cells in the inflammatory infiltrate showed in most cases between 1 and 3% positive cells, only in four specimens between 5 and 6% and in two over 10%.

[Computerized tomography study in carpal tunnel syndrome].

A comprehensive study shows that the computer tomogram in proven carpal tunnel syndrome displays changes in the structures in the carpal tunnel like edema or fibrous modifications of the synovium in a clear form. Tumors and bone constrictions are also demonstrated by the help of the tomogram. In the same way, thickening of the flexor retinaculum or its displacement causing compression of the median nerve can be seen.

Partial purification and characterization of a factor from a cloned thymic epithelium cell line.

The culture supernatant from a cloned line of thymic epithelium (TEPI) is shown to enhance the response of thymocytes to alloantigen as measured by cell-mediated lympholysis. The supernatant has no effect on the spleen cell response to alloantigen as measured by cell-mediated lysis and does not contain interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin 3, or interferon-gamma activity. The activity is shown to have an apparent m.

Structure and variation of the influenza C glycoprotein.

The amino acid sequence of the influenza C/JHB/1/66 glycoprotein was predicted from sequence analysis of cloned DNA. The glycoprotein exhibited several similarities to the haemagglutinin (HA) glycoproteins of influenza A and B viruses, although its overall homology to these glycoproteins was low. A comparison between the sequences of C/JHB/1/66 and C/Cal/78 strains revealed 96% homology.

Structure of the influenza C glycoprotein gene as determined from cloned DNA.

The complete nucleotide sequence of RNA segment 4 of influenza C/JHB/1/66 virus has been determined, utilizing cloned cDNA derived from the viral RNA segment. The gene is 2073 nucleotides in length, and can code for a polypeptide of 655 amino acids, which corresponds to the viral glycoprotein. The predicted polypeptide has a molecular weight of 72 063, not including oligosaccharides linked to eight predicted glycosylation sites.

Improvement of bone scintigraphy by quantitative evaluation compared with X-ray studies and iliac crest biopsy in malignant disease.

Bone marrow biopsy of the iliac crest was performed on 268 patients (124 males; 144 females). Of these patients 206 had haematological systemic disorders (HSD) or carcinoma and suspected bone involvement, which was confirmed by biopsy on 66 patients. Bone biopsy was performed not longer than 3 weeks after X-ray examination and bone scintigraphy which, combined, had already raised the suspicion of skeletal involvement in 55% of the 66 patients with skeletal involvement diagnosed by biopsy.

Nicotinamide restores phosphaturic effect of PTH and calcitonin in phosphate deprivation.

Results of previous studies suggest a potentially important role for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in the cellular regulation of phosphate transport by the renal proximal tubules. The present clearance studies were performed to evaluate whether intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide, a precursor of NAD and inhibitor of NAD catabolism, would not only increase phosphate excretion but also restore the phosphaturic response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in rats fed a low phosphate diet. Rats fed a low phosphate diet were resistant to the phosphaturic effect of PTH, calcitonin, and dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP) in spite of the fact that all three agents elicited an increase in the urinary excretion of cAMP.

[Value of the "region of interest" technique in the scintigraphic diagnosis of primary bone tumors (author's transl)].

Employing ROI-technique, a ratio Q was obtained from relating accumulation of 99mTc-MDP at the site of the bone lesion (n = 150) with that of contralateral non-involved osseous areas. Values of Q were correlated with histologic tumor diagnosis, its dignity and frequency. Values of Q of greater than 3.

Evaluation of right atrial-pulmonary artery conduits for tricuspid atresia. Experimental study.

Blood flow through right atrial-pulmonary artery (RA-PA) conduits was investigated. Experiments were designed to evaluate the pumping function of the right atrium, effects of the atrial versus ventricular pacing site, the necessity of a valve within the conduit, and the effect of positive-pressure ventilation on conduit flow. Twenty foxhounds were subjected to silicone patch closure of 90 percent of the tricuspid valve orifices to create stenosis.

[Functional scintigraphy in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux (author's transl)].

The accepted diagnostical procedures to prove a gastroesophageal reflux by direct or indirect methods do not allow any quantification and are of limited sensitivity. A quantification is possible by use of a gamma-camera with a computer-system after application of a small amount of 99m Tc-DPTA (reflux scintiscan). The high accuracy of this method could be proven by evaluation of 51 patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis or after total gastrectomy.

Dangers of left main coronary artery lesions: angiographic technique and evaluation.

Five hundred consecutive coronary arteriograms were reviewed to evaluate left main coronary artery lesions. This entity has been associated with a high incidence of angiographic deaths. Clinical signs claimed to be diagnostic were analyzed together with the value of various projections for making the diagnosis.

A computer assisted comparison of 99Tcm-methylene-diphosphonate and 99Tcm-pyrophosphate bone imaging.

A total of 350 patient studies were carried out using clinical trials' batches of the Technetium (MDP) agent for bone scintigraphy (The Radiochemical Centre), and a commercially available Technetium pyrophosphate agent (CIS). The bone seeking properties of 99Tcm Sn-methylene-diphosphonate (MDP) and 99Tcm Sn-pyrophosphate (PYP) were evaluated by their comparative uptake in compact bone, cancellous bone and soft tissue using a region-of-interest technique. From these data uptake ratios were computed in order to correlate the values with (a) the amount of 99Tcm-MDP injected, (b) the time after injection and (c) the age of patients examined.

Acute myocardial infarction and ischemic injury during surgery for coronary artery disease.

The incidence of myocardial infarction, acute ischemic injury, and associated serum enzyme abnormalities has been evaluated in four operations involving the coronary circulation. The highest incidence of infarction was associated with internal mammary implantation (Vineberg procedure). There was no significant difference in the incidence of infarction, ischemic injury, or abnormal enzyme levels between patients with stable angina and those with unstable angina who had vein bypass surgery.

Bone-to-bone, joint-to-bone and joint-to-joint ratios in normal and diseased skeletal states using region-of-interest technique and bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals.

Bone-to-bone, iliosacral joint-to-os sacrum and joint-to-joint ratios were computed using the region-of-interest technique 2 to 3 hrs. after injection of 99mTc Sn-methylene-diphosphonate or 99mTc Sn-pyrophosphate in 139 patients with skeletal diseases (bone tumours, degenerative changes of the spine and joints, inflammatory changes of joints) as well as in 123 patients with normal skeletal states. In the latter group, iliosacral joint-to-os sacrum ratios decreased with increasing age of the patients.

Unstable angina: comparison of medical and surgical management.

Medical versus surgical treatment of unstable angina was compared in a prospective nonrandomized study of 118 patients. Acute transient ST-T wave changes were present during chest pain in all patients. Acute infarction was excluded by serial electrocardiograms and enzyme studies.

The effect of coronary bypass surgery on exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias.

Ninety-one patients with angiographically proved coronary artery disease and stable angina were randomly assigned into surgical and medical therapy. Graded exercise tests were performed on entry into the study and repeated in 1 year. Ventricular arrhythmias during exercise and 8 minutes of recovery were studied.