Processing and intracellular localization of the herpes simplex virus type 1 proteinase.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) capsid protein VP24 (encoded by UL26) was expressed as a GST-fusion protein and used to prepare a group of monoclonal antibodies. These were used to characterize the protein in capsids and virus infected cells and demonstrated that it exists as two polypeptide species. The nature of the relationship between these two species was investigated and found to be associated with disulphide bonding.

Antibodies to collagen IV in the serum of workers exposed to hydrocarbons and volatile organic chemicals.

Significant numbers of workers (14%) chronically exposed to volatile organic chemicals commonly found in spray paints had elevated levels of uncharacterized antibodies to collagen IV, a basement membrane protein. No increased frequency of subjects with positive results for anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (anti-GBM) was found in this group. These anti-GBM antibodies are directed against a specific epitope on the non-collagenous domain (NC1) of the α3 chain of collagen IV.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) and cytoskeletal modulation of cellular radiosensitivity.

Modulation of radiosensitivity by components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cytoskeletal elements has not been adequately studied. Although differences in the radiosensitivities of cells grown as monolayers, as spheroids, or grown in vitro in animal models are known, explanations have in the past neglected possible influences by the ECM and cytoskeleton. Using collagen gel cultures, it is shown that the fibrillar component of the ECM (which is responsible for cell anchorage) induces shifts in radiosensitivity.

Microvascular anastomotic thrombosis in experimental diabetes mellitus.

An experimental model was developed to investigate the effects of glycemic control and pentoxifylline administration on microvascular anastomotic patency rates in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was confirmed by blood glucose levels of more than 300 mg/dl prior to administering insulin and/or pentoxifylline. Microvascular anastomoses of the femoral artery and vein were performed 4 weeks after induction of diabetes.

5-amino salicylic acid absorption and metabolism in ulcerative colitis patients receiving maintenance sulphasalazine, olsalazine or mesalazine.

Background: All 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) preparations are potentially nephrotoxic, but there has been concern that newer delivery systems may increase this risk, either because of altered absorption or altered metabolism. Previous studies of 5-ASA absorption and excretion have usually either been performed in healthy controls or have only examined short-term therapy. 5-ASA and N-acetyl-5-ASA have therefore been measured in blood samples, and N-acetyl-5-ASA in urine samples, from patients with ulcerative colitis on long-term maintenance with different 5-ASA preparations and compared with sensitive markers of renal damage.

Pulmonary nodules: effect on detection of spiral CT pitch.

Purpose: To compare spiral computed tomography (CT) performed at increased pitch with spiral CT performed at standard pitch in the detection of pulmonary nodules.

Materials And Methods: Spiral CT scanning of the thorax was performed with a pitch of 1.0 in 109 patients with pulmonary nodules due to metastases.

External phase-modulation interferometry.

We analyze and test a laboratory benchtop version of a compound interferometric phase sensor, a Michelson interferometer whose output is combined coherently with a phase-modulated local oscillator beam tapped off the Michelson input beam. This configuration models a whole class of external-modulation interferometers designed to shift signals, obscured by low-frequency intensity noise of the light source, into a shot-noise-limited region of the photocurrent spectrum. We find analytically that the shot-noise-limited sensitivity achievable with this system is comparable with that obtained by using internal phase modulation, with both schemes suffering (for different reasons) approximately a 22% sensitivity penalty compared with ideal shot-noise-limited direct detection.

beta-Carboline gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor inverse agonists modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid via the loreclezole binding site as well as the benzodiazepine site.

The benzodiazepine site on the gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABAA) receptor is the principle site of action for a number of structurally diverse compounds, including the beta-carbolines, many of which bind with high affinity. The apparent reversal of inhibition and potentiation by high concentrations of methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline (DMCM) and other beta-carbolines has been reported by several groups and is insensitive to the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788. By using alpha 6-containing receptors, which have low affinity for benzodiazepines, we observed robust potentiation of GABAA responses by micromolar concentrations of DMCM and other beta-carbolines that is dependent on the beta subunit variant.

An improved reagent for chemomechanical caries removal in permanent and deciduous teeth: an in vitro study.

Objectives And Methods: An in vitro study has been carried out on the chemomechanical removal of caries in deciduous and permanent teeth. The aims of the study were to compare the efficacy of caries removal by various chemical agents including N-monochloro-DL-2-aminobutyrate (NMAB) and NMAB containing urea (NMAB-urea), to compare the efficacy on permanent and deciduous teeth and to study the dentinal surfaces produced.

Results: The addition of urea to NMAB resulted in an improvement in the efficacy of caries removal.

A cure for xerostomia? Free jejunal patch graft in oral reconstruction.

A case of oral carcinoma associated with extensive leukoplakia and severe xerostomia is presented. The advantage of using a free jejunal patch graft to restore large intra-oral mucosal defects and concurrently eradicate xerostomia is demonstrated. Further, it is recommended that a tracheostomy be used routinely in such cases to avoid postoperative aspiration of the graft secretions.

Tubular damage in microalbuminuric patients with primary glomerulonephritis and diabetic nephropathy.

Tubular damage as suggested by enzymuria and tubular proteinuria is a recognized feature of glomerulonephritis (GN) with clinical proteinuria and both incipient and overt diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, little is known about the presence of tubulopathy in patients with primary GN, microalbuminuria [albumin excretion (AER) 30-300 mg/d] and microhematuria. Three groups were studied.

Mineral content of the dentine remaining after chemomechanical caries removal.

Although the dentine remaining after chemomechanical caries removal appears sound by normal clinical criteria, no definitive evidence has yet been obtained to confirm that the dentine surface is in fact mineralised. The aim of this study was to use backscattered electron (BSE) imaging and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) to ascertain the level of mineralisation of the dentine remaining in cavities prepared by this technique. Carious dentine was removed from carious lesions by means of N-monochloro-DL-2-aminobutyric acid (NMAB) or NMAB containing 2 mol/l urea.

Biochemical markers of basement membrane disturbances and occupational exposure to hydrocarbons and mixed solvents.

To investigate possible mechanisms of hydrocarbon or solvent-induced renal damage, we studied three groups of healthy men employed in a UK manufacturing plant. Group 1 (n = 111) were occupationally exposed to hydrocarbon-based paints, Group 2 (n = 100) were occupationally exposed to petroleum-based mineral oils, and Group 3 (n = 92) had low background occupational exposure to hydrocarbons. Occupational atmospheric exposure levels for toluene, xylene, butanol and oil mist around the time of this study were within UK permissible limits.

Tubulopathy with macroalbuminuria due to diabetic nephropathy and primary glomerulonephritis.

Tubular damage is a recognized feature of both overt diabetic nephropathy and glomerulonephritis. However, the pattern and mechanism of tubular damage in the two clinical settings remain unclear. Two groups of patients with macroalbuminuria (albuminuria > 300 mg/day) were studied.

Evidence of oxidant injury and tubular damage in early diabetic nephropathy.

Two groups of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus of > 10 years duration and either persistent normoalbuminuria (group 1, n = 49; albumin excretion < 30 mg/day) or microalbuminuria (group 2, n = 33; albumin excretion 30-300 mg/day) were investigated for evidence of free oxygen radical activity (erythrocytic superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and oxidant injury (serum malondialdehyde). Glomerular proteinuria (albuminuria, transferrinuria), tubular proteinuria (retinol-binding protein) and tubular enzymuria (N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and leucine aminopeptidase) were also measured. Healthy controls (n = 38) were matched for age and sex.

Occupational hydrocarbon exposure and diabetic nephropathy.

Exposure to hydrocarbons has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis but its role in the development of diabetic nephropathy remains unknown. Three groups of patients with Type 1 diabetes of over 10 years duration were studied. Group 1 comprised 45 patients (23 F) with no diabetic nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion (AER) < 30 mg 24 h-1), group 2 comprised 37 patients (17 F) with incipient diabetic nephropathy (AER between 30-300 mg 24 h-1), and group 3 comprised 31 patients (15 F) with overt diabetic nephropathy (AER > 300 mg 24 h-1).

Fundamentals of bone marrow examination.

Bone marrow evaluation is an important and effective way of diagnosing and evaluating primary hematologic and metastatic neoplasms as well as nonhematologic disorders. Many variations exist for obtaining marrow samples (sites, instruments, techniques); however, the method outlined in this article has proven reliable. Complete evaluation of bone marrow samples should include a brief patient history, pertinent laboratory data, peripheral blood films, bone marrow aspirate smears and sections, and biopsy imprints and sections.

The specificity of caries detector dyes in cavity preparation.

The specificity of two caries detector dyes (0.5% basic fuchsin and 1.0% acid red) was investigated in vitro using extracted human permanent and deciduous teeth.

Monitoring furosemide in racehorses participating in an EIPH program.

Analytical procedures were developed to monitor furosemide concentrations in post-race serum and urine samples obtained from horses participating in an exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) program. High performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light detection proved a reliable, sensitive method for measuring urinary furosemide concentrations up to 12 h after administration of either 150 or 250 mg of the drug to race horses. However, this method was unreliable for determination of serum furosemide concentration.

Comparison of spiral-acquisition computed tomography and conventional computed tomography in the assessment of pulmonary metastatic disease.

In a prospective study, spiral-acquisition computed tomography (SACT) of the thorax was evaluated in 104 patients with extrathoracic malignancy and suspected pulmonary metastases, and was directly compared with conventional computed tomography (CCT) in 23 patients. The following parameters were assessed: lesion detectability; the effect on lesion detectability of reconstruction of scans at 5 mm and 10 mm slice increments; breathing artefact and slice misregistration. The radiation dose of the two techniques was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters placed within an anthropomorphic chest phantom, and the visibility of simulated metastases inserted into the phantom was also compared using CCT, standard SACT and SACT with pitch greater than 1.