Prognostic value of adenosine deaminase compared to other markers for progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among intravenous drug users.

This study was designed to determine the prognostic value of erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) as a possible indicator of progression to AIDS, and compare this with other known cellular and serological markers. At the end of a 3-year study, a cohort of 114 human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) seropositive intravenous drug users (IVDUs) from the five different Center for Disease Control (CDC) groups was examined in order to estimate the prognostic relevance with respect to the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) of each of the following markers at baseline value: number and percentage of CD4+ T cells, number of CD8+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, IgA and beta 2 microglobulin and ADA levels, and the presence of HIV antigens. Moreover, 57 IVDUs belonging to II and III CDC groups were analyzed in a follow-up study at 6-month intervals, in order to evaluate and compare the behavior of each marker over time.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization, and biological activity of aquachloro (pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone) copper(II) chloride.

The synthesis, spectroscopic studies, x-ray crystal structure, and biological properties of the complex [Cu(H2L)(OH2)Cl]Cl (1) (H2L = pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone) are reported. The compound crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, a = 12.128(2), b = 9.

Contractile effect of endothelin-2 on the isolated human saphenous vein.

The contractile effect of endothelin-2 was investigated in isolated human saphenous vein preparations. Spare segments taken from revascularized patients were set up in isolated organ chambers and mechanical activity was recorded under isometric conditions. Endothelin-2 (10(-11)-10(-7) M) evoked a dose-dependent contractile response, having the same efficacy as noradrenaline and 100 times its potency.

Positive inotropic effect of endothelin-2 on human atrium preparations in vitro.

The inotropic effect of endothelin-2 was investigated on isolated preparations of human atrium taken from patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Pectinate muscle fragments were set up in isolated organ chambers under isometric conditions and electrically stimulated through two ring platinum electrodes. Endothelin-2 (10(-11)-10(-8) M) increased both the force and velocity of contraction in a concentration-dependent manner, giving a maximum response of about 70% of that attainable with histamine or epinephrine.

Discordant expression of terminal transferase and T cell receptor beta chain in fetal and pediatric thymocytes.

Human thymuses at different ages of development were analyzed for TdT+/beta F1+ double-stained cells. beta F1 is a mAb which recognizes a "hidden" framework determinant on the beta chain of the T cell receptor (TCR). We have found that TCR beta chains appear early during thymic ontogenesis and are detectable by 15 weeks of gestation in cells that are TdT-.

Prognostic significance of adenosine deaminase determinations in subjects with the lymphoadenopathy syndrome.

The association between human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) infection and high levels of erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been suggested by Cowan et al [1986]. We have analyzed the specific activities of the same enzyme during different stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including asymptomatic subjects at high risk and patients with lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), full-blown AIDS, and AIDS encephalopathy (AIDS enc). The ADA activities were significantly higher (P less than .

Different distribution of DNA polymerases alpha and beta in bone marrow and peripheral blood from human leukemia.

An activity gel method was used to analyze the catalytic polypeptides of polymerases alpha and beta in human acute myeloblastic and lymphoblastic leukemia. A 175 kDa alpha-polymerase was found in 85% of bone marrow and in 57% of peripheral blood samples. At variance, a 40 kDa beta-polymerase was found in 94% of peripheral blood and only in 12% of bone marrow samples.

Progression of a myelodysplastic syndrome to pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with unusual phenotype.

This study shows the progression of a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with an unusual phenotype. On diagnosis of leukaemia bone-marrow mononuclear cells were labelled with murine monoclonal antibodies HLA-DR, VIL-A1 (CALLA), 3813, VIM-D5 and with a rabbit antiserum to TdT using a double colour indirect immunofluorescence technique. In addition simultaneous detection of cytoplasmic mu chains (Cy mu) and of TdT was carried out and a direct immunofluorescence analysis for surface membrane immunoglobulins (SmIg) was performed.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in human fetal tissues.

The authors have investigated terminal deoxynucleotidil transferase (TdT) activity in the spleen, liver and thymus of a human foetus of 23 weeks. TdT significant levels have been found and two different molecular forms were defined in each tissue.

Effect of acute and chronic cimetidine administration on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in man.

The effect of acute and chronic cimetidine administration on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion was studied in healthy male volunteers. Cimetidine was administered intravenously (4 mg X kg-1 followed by 0.7 mg X kg-1 X h-1) in acute studies and by oral route (1 g/die for 4 weeks) in long-term studies.