Eruption times of third molars in young rural Nigerians

The mechanical stability of proximal femoral osteotomies fixed by the tension band wire technique was studied in flexion-compression and torsion tests. The fixation consisted in crossing the section with two Kirschner wires and with a wire cerclage applied to the tension surface. The study was conducted in three steps. First, cyclinders of wood were cut either transversely or at 30 degrees of inclination in relation to the long axis of the specimen, and fixed with two Kirschner wires and a wire cerclage. We concluded that the inclination of the plane of section significantly increased the stability of fixation. No significant difference was observed when oblique sections were made in the reverse orientation. Second, 30 degrees subtrochanteric varus osteotomies were performed in dog femurs, so that the section plane was transverse in one group and oblique in another, after closing the osteotomy. In both groups the fixation was achieved by two Kirschner wires that crossed the osteotomy and a wire cerclage placed on the lateral cortex (tension surface). We concluded that inclination of the osteotomy plane increased the stability of osteosynthesis in bone specimens, as already seen with the wood pieces. Third, the stability of tension band wire fixation was compared with that provided by the AO/ASIF paediatric angled plate. Varus osteotomies (30 degrees) were created at the subtrochanteric level of paired dog femurs. On one side, the femur was fixed with Kirschner wires and a wire cerclage as described previously. For the other femur, the osteotomy was fixed with the angled plate. We found that both types of fixation presented the same stability in flexion-compression tests. However, under torsion the tension band wire fixation was 30%-50% less stable than the plate fixation.     

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor in endothelial cells colocalizes with glycolipid microdomains/caveolae. Regulatory mechanism(s) of the anticoagulant properties of the endothelium

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), the main downregulator of the procoagulant activity of tissue factor.factor VIIa complex, locates in human endothelial cells (EC) in culture as well-defined clusters uniformly distributed both on the cell surface and intracellularly. We here demonstrate by immunofluorescence that TFPI colocalizes in EC with caveolin, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, and glycosphingolipids. The localization of TFPI in caveolae in resting endothelium is proved by double immunogold electron microscopy for TFPI and caveolin. After ultracentrifugation of rat lung or EC homogenates through density gradients of Nycodenz, TFPI was highly enriched at densities of 1.05 to 1.08 g/mL, together with caveolin and alkaline phosphatase. By ELISA, more than half of the cellular TFPI was detected in Triton X-100-insoluble extracts of EC. TFPI incorporates [1-3H]ethanolamine and is cleaved from the cell surface by phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C, indicating a specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchorage mechanism for TFPI in the plasma membrane. Clustering of TFPI and its localization in caveolae are dependent on the presence of cholesterol in the membrane. Agonist-induced stimulation of EC caused marked changes of distribution for both TFPI and caveolin at subcellular level, with subsequent increase of the cell surface-associated inhibitory activity toward tissue factor.factor VIIa. Our findings suggest that, beside their function in transcytosis, potocytosis, cell surface proteolysis, and regulation of signal transduction, caveolae also play a direct role in the regulation of EC anticoagulant properties.     

A human homologue of the Drosophila Toll protein signals activation of adaptive immunity

Induction of the adaptive immune response depends on the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines by antigen-presenting cells. The mechanisms that control the initial induction of these signals upon infection are poorly understood. It has been proposed that their expression is controlled by the non-clonal, or innate, component of immunity that preceded in evolution the development of an adaptive immune system in vertebrates. We report here the cloning and characterization of a human homologue of the Drosophila toll protein (Toll) which has been shown to induce the innate immune response in adult Drosophila. Like Drosophila Toll, human Toll is a type I transmembrane protein with an extracellular domain consisting of a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain, and a cytoplasmic domain homologous to the cytoplasmic domain of the human interleukin (IL)-1 receptor. Both Drosophila Toll and the IL-1 receptor are known to signal through the NF-kappaB pathway. We show that a constitutively active mutant of human Toll transfected into human cell lines can induce the activation of NF-kappaB and the expression of NF-kappaB-controlled genes for the inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as the expression of the co-stimulatory molecule B7.1, which is required for the activation of naive T cells.     

Stabilised p53 facilitates aneuploid clonal divergence in colorectal cancer

Mutations in the p53 tumour suppressor gene are amongst the most frequent genetic abnormalities acquired in tumours. Recent studies in vitro suggest that mutant p53 destabilises the genome and facilitates development of aneuploidy. Here, in a study of 83 colorectal carcinomas, we demonstrate that alterations in p53 (detected by immunocytochemical stabilisation) precede and apparently facilitate divergence of aneuploid sub-clones. Aneuploidy in these tumours (but not those with normal p53) is predominantly in the subtetraploid range, suggesting that endoreduplication is important in its origin. This association with a specific phase of carcinoma progression is not shared by other commonly acquired genetic abnormalities in these tumours. These observations highlight the critical role of p53 in the regulation of abnormal chromosome replication and afford an explanation for the association between p53 abnormalities, aneuploidy and biological aggression in cancer.     

Respiratory symptoms and bronchial responsiveness are related to dietary salt intake and urinary potassium excretion in male children

Six men were accidentally exposed to NO2 when they were changing a propeller using a gas burner in the poorly ventilated hold of a ship. All of them were admitted to hospital with shortness of breath and cough. Chest X-ray on admission revealed diffuse, patchy and infiltrative shadows, leading to the diagnosis of pulmonary edema in all five patients. Steroid therapy was effective and followed by a quick recovery in all patients. None developed third phase manifestations characterized pathologically by bronchiolitis obliterans.     

US-guided pseudoaneurysm repair with a compression device

A simple commercially available compression device allowed intermittent ultrasound scanning of the compression site during compression repair of a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in six patients. All six of the pseudoaneurysms (five superficial femoral and one common femoral) were compressed without compression of the underlying vessels. The procedure was successful in four of the six patients, without complications. Use of this device may decrease operator fatigue during compression repair of pseudoaneurysm.     

Human cholesterol synthesis measurement using deuterated water. Theoretical and procedural considerations

Creation of a dynamic levator aponeurosis fold or double eye adds to the beauty of the East Asian. The eyes are larger and less puffy, and the eyelashes appear longer and curve up and out instead of down. The distance from the ciliary border to the eyebrow is decreased and more in proportion. The Mongolian trait is preserved.     

Detection by a solid phase independent enzyme immunoassay of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies against monoclonal antibodies neutralizing Semliki Forest virus and encephalomyocarditis virus

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.1.34) is the rate limiting step in the mevalonate pathway that produces isoprenoids and cholesterol. Inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase are teratogenic in vivo and induce neural tube defects in rat embryo culture, effects which appear unrelated to cholesterol deficiency. This study is the first to localize HMG-CoA reductase mRNA by in situ hybridization (ISH). Expression of reductase mRNA was examined in post-implantation rat embryos, and for control purposes in rat liver and UT-1 cells, using a digoxigenin-11 (dig-11) labelled cRNA probe. Eighteen-day fetal liver showed heavy but patchy hybridization, and adult rat liver showed strong hybridization only on some periportal hepatocytes, which was absent in livers of fasted animals. UT-1 cells stimulated to overexpress HMG-CoA reductase mRNA were strongly positive with the same probe. Control hybridizations with sense strand RNA probe, or with cRNA probe on pre-RNased tissue were negative. Strong hybridization signal for HMG-CoA reductase mRNA was observed in all tissues of the post-implantation rat embryo, from egg cylinder to 30 somite stages (7 to 12 days). Heavy signal was noted in primitive ectoderm and neural tube. The wide embryonic and extraembryonic distribution and abundance of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA may reflect developmental requirements for products of the mevalonate pathway, e.g., isoprenoids for post-translational farnesylation of p21ras.     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland in a six-year-old girl

A 6-year-old white female was found to have an adenoid cystic carcinoma originating in a lacrimal gland. Eighteen months following diagnosis, the tumor recurred. Conservative surgery has been the sole mode of therapy. To date, after four operations and quadrimenstral imaging surveillance, there is no sign of disease progression. Our purpose is to record the unusual occurrence of an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland in a child. An interim report, 32 months after diagnosis, is presented.