Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 is increased in human vascular restenosis lesions.

Human atheromata obtained in vivo were used to test the hypothesis that transforming growth factor-beta 1 plays a role in the development of vascular restenosis. We analyzed 28 specimens from patients with primary atherosclerotic or restenotic lesions; 26 of these were obtained by directional atherectomy and 2 at the time of coronary bypass surgery. Seven control tissues included operatively excised segments of human internal mammary artery, myocardium, and unused portions of vein graft obtained intraoperatively.

Band 3 Memphis: a widespread polymorphism with abnormal electrophoretic mobility of erythrocyte band 3 protein caused by substitution AAG----GAG (Lys----Glu) in codon 56.

Band 3 Memphis (b3M) is a variant of the erythrocyte band 3 protein detected in individuals of virtually all ethnic groups and characterized by a reduced mobility of proteolytic fragments derived from the N-terminus of the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 (cdb3). We have sequenced band 3 cDNA corresponding to cdb3 in 12 heterozygotes for the b3M polymorphism including one white, one black, one Chinese, one Philippino, one Malay, and seven Melanesian subjects. In all individuals, we found a single-base substitution in codon 56 of one band 3 allele changing lysine to glutamic acid (AAG----GAG) which, in some of them, was linked with an additional mutation in cdb3.

Endometriosis causing colon obstruction in two postmenopausal women.

Colonic endometriosis is an uncommon lesion usually found in premenopausal women. We describe two postmenopausal women with colonic endometriosis that resulted in colonic obstruction. One of the women was receiving estrogen-replacement therapy.

Percutaneous arterial gene transfer in a rabbit model. Efficiency in normal and balloon-dilated atherosclerotic arteries.

The possibility of using an exclusively percutaneous strategy to deliver foreign DNA to normal and balloon-dilated atherosclerotic arteries was studied by analysis of transfection efficiency in a rabbit model. A total of 22 external iliac arteries from 22 rabbits (10 normal and 12 atherosclerotic) were transfected with a solution of luciferase expression vector plasmid and liposome, using a dual balloon-catheter system. Analysis of the transfected segments revealed luciferase activity in 10 of the 22 arteries (4/10 normal vs 6/12 balloon-injured atherosclerotic, P = NS); no activity could be detected in the contralateral limb arterial segments used as controls.

Early Guillain-Barré syndrome without inflammation.

A patient with typical acute Guillain-Barré syndrome died 72 hours after his first symptoms occurred, and an autopsy was performed 8 hours after his death. Extensive sampling of cranial and peripheral nerves, sensory ganglia, and autonomic nerves showed only minimal inflammatory lymphocytic and macrophage infiltrates. This case, one of the earliest studied extensively, represents an extreme example of a noninflammatory mechanism that has been proposed in some cases of Gullain-Barré syndrome.

Maturation of murine erythroleukemia cells committed to differentiation requires protein kinase C.

Treatment of murine erythroleukemia cells (MELC) attached to fibronectin-coated dishes with dimethyl sulfoxide causes the cells to become committed to the erythroid differentiation pathway. These cells mature extensively and acquire the characteristics of erythroid cells. The cells lose their cell-surface fibronectin receptors and accumulate red cell-specific membrane proteins, such as band 3, in amounts comparable to those in erythrocytes.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of human carotid arteries from images obtained during noninvasive B-mode ultrasound examination.

Previous investigators have demonstrated that B-mode ultrasonography can provide high resolution images of the carotid arteries. When combined with Doppler flow measurements, quantitative estimates of luminal narrowing may also be obtained. B-mode imaging is limited, however, in its ability to provide a composite view of the vessel wall, lumen and plaque.

The expression and synthesis of the band 3 protein initiates the formation of a stable membrane skeleton in murine Rauscher-transformed erythroid cells.

While the temporal sequences of the synthesis and assembly of membrane skeletal proteins has been studied during erythroid maturation, relatively little is known about the events which initiate the assembly of membrane skeleton at the early stages of mammalian erythroid commitment. To investigate the early events that initiate the assembly of the membrane skeleton in mammalian erythroid cells, we have studied the synthesis and assembly of membrane skeletal proteins in murine Rauscher erythroleukemia virus-transformed cells. These cells are blocked in differentiation at around the early progenitor (burst forming unit-erythroid, BFUe) cell stage but can be induced to differentiate in vitro.

Asynchronous synthesis of membrane skeletal proteins during terminal maturation of murine erythroblasts.

To study the changes in the synthesis of the major membrane skeletal proteins, their assembly on the membrane, and their turnover during terminal red blood cell maturation in vivo, we have compared early proerythroblasts and late erythroblasts obtained from the spleens of mice at different times after infection with the anemia-inducing strain of Friend virus (FVA). Metabolic labeling of these cells indicates striking differences between early and late erythroblasts. In early erythroblasts, spectrin and ankyrin are synthesized in large amounts in the cytosol with proportionately high levels of spectrin and ankyrin messenger RNA (mRNA).

Band 3 Tuscaloosa: Pro327----Arg327 substitution in the cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte band 3 protein associated with spherocytic hemolytic anemia and partial deficiency of protein 4.2.

Protein 4.2 is a major red blood cell (RBC) protein that interacts with the band 3 protein and with ankyrin. Inherited deficiencies of this protein are associated with spherocytic hemolytic anemia, but the molecular basis of this defect is unknown.

Anesthesia rebreathing bags: physical characteristics and use as portable oxygen reservoirs.

Study Objective: To examine the physical characteristics of 3-liter anesthesia rebreathing bags and assess their use for oxygen (O2) storage and delivery during transport of patients from the operating room (OR) to the recovery area.

Setting: Anesthesia laboratory and pulmonary function laboratory.

Interventions: Five anesthesia rebreathing bags were inflated in 2-liter increments with 50 liters of air and then deflated in 2-liter increments.

In vivo assessment of vascular pathology resulting from laser irradiation. Analysis of 23 patients studied by directional atherectomy immediately after laser angioplasty.

Background: The pathological consequences of cardiovascular laser irradiation have been studied extensively in vitro. Previous in vivo studies of laser-induced injury have included analyses of acute and/or chronic findings in experimental animals. Little information, however, is available regarding the acute effects of laser irradiation of human vascular tissues in vivo.

Vasodepressor carotid sinus syncope associated with a neck mass.

We present the hemodynamic and autonomic features of recurrent purely vasodepressor syncope episodes in a patient with left-sided malignant cervical adenopathy involving the carotid sinus. Extreme hypotension lasting 10 to 30 minutes, without change in heart rate, occurred spontaneously and 20 seconds after head-turning. The baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia, heart rate response to standing and Valsalva's maneuver, and cold-induced blood pressure elevation were normal, indicating normal baroreceptor function between episodes.

Urinoma masquerading as pancreatic pseudocyst.

In this article, we report on a patient with recurrent pancreatitis who had received multiple celiac plexus injections for control of pain, and then developed a cystic mass adjacent to the body and tail of the pancreas suggestive of a pancreatic pseudocyst. The cystic mass proved to be a urinoma. The distinction between pancreatic pseudocyst and urinoma was made by CT scan with intravenous contrast utilizing delayed films, which demonstrated leakage of contrast into the cystic structure.

Factors influencing urinary tract retention after elective open cholecystectomy.

We studied a retrospective cohort of 360 consecutive patients who had undergone elective cholecystectomy using general endotracheal anesthesia to determine risk factors associated with postoperative retention of the urinary tract. Male gender, increased age, a longer operating time and higher total doses of analgesic agents given postoperatively were each significantly associated with an increase in urinary tract retention. The use of postoperative intravenous patient controlled analgesia was associated with increased retention after controlling for other risk factors.

Failure of angiography to accurately depict the extent of coronary artery narrowing in three fatal cases of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

The angiographic and pathologic findings are described in three patients who died less than 24 h after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In two of the three patients, coronary angiography performed before angioplasty disclosed apparently focal lesions in the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. In these two patients quantitative angiographic analysis disclosed a minimal lumen cross-sectional area of 1.

Preoperative cardiac evaluation.

A thorough history and a complete physical examination will detect most cardiac problems that can affect perioperative management or outcome. Further diagnostic tests, including an electrocardiogram, a chest radiograph and more sophisticated studies, should be performed if indicated by the history and physical examination. Congestive heart failure and a myocardial infarction within the six months before surgery are the most important risk factors for postoperative cardiac events, but almost all cardiovascular diseases have some impact on perioperative management and risk stratification.

Human erythrocyte protein 4.2, a high copy number membrane protein, is N-myristylated.

Band 4.2 is a major protein of the erythrocyte membrane which has been immunologically detected in a variety of cell types and is apparently essential for normal erythrocyte membrane function. Since band 4.

Lipreading in patients with schizophrenia.

This study was designed to explore whether schizophrenic patients who are able to maintain their gaze with adequate persistence could competently lip-read. Four lipreading tests, designed to assess recognition of syllables, words, and overlearned sentences, were administered to 15 schizophrenic and 15 normal subjects matched for age, sex, and educational level. The patients proved to be competent lip-readers susceptible to the blend illusion and were inferior only in lipreading of overlearned sentences.