Dynorphin-containing pilomotor neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of guinea pigs

Retrograde axonal tracing and double-labelling immunofluorescence have been combined to determine the neuropeptide content of identified pilomotor neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of guinea pigs. These neurons lacked immunoreactivity to neuropeptide Y (NPY) but they generally contained low levels of immunoreactivity to prodynorphin-derived peptides, including dynorphin A(1-8), dynorphin A(1-17), and alpha-neo-endorphin. Thus pilomotor neurons are neurochemically distinct from superior cervical ganglion cells which contain immunoreactivity to NPY and prodynorphin-derived peptides and which innervate the iris and most of the vasculature in the head of guinea pigs. They are also distinct from sympathetic secretomotor neurons which lack both NPY and prodynorphin-derived peptides.     

Chronic myopathy with a partial deficiency of the carnitine palmityltransferase enzyme

To date, chronic myopathy has not been reported (to our knowledge) to occur in carnitine palmityltransferase (CPT) deficiency, a disorder of muscle lipid metabolism. We describe two patients with CPT deficiency: a mother, who had a partial CPT deficiency associated with fixed proximal weakness but without rhabdomyolysis, and her son, who had a complete CPT deficiency (95% reduction in enzyme activity) and who suffered from classic attacks of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis but had normal strength on recovery. Careful examination of family members of patients with complete CPT deficiency is suggested in order to identify clinically affected heterozygotes.     

Experience in treating psoriasis patients with the preparation Ditrastic

The results of clinical trials of ditrastic, an agent manufactured by Orion, Finland, are analyzed. The drug contains 1.5 or 3% of ditranol. Of the 59 patients treated with this drug complete resolution of clinical eruptions was achieved in 43, the condition of 10 patients considerably improved, a partial effect was observed in 4, and no effect in 2 patients. Therefore ditrastic has proved to be a highly effective agent for the treatment of psoriasis, convenient for outpatient therapy.     

A patient with right and left atrial membranes: the role of transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis

A patient who had right and left atrial membranes was examined. The diagnosis and the hemodynamic significance of both membranes were detailed by transesophageal echocardiography and were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Transesophageal imaging was found to be superior to routine echocardiography in visualization of these atrial structures.     

Preparation of leukocyte-poor platelets by filtration

There is evidence that leukocyte contaminating red blood cells and platelet concentrates are responsible for refractoriness to platelet transfusions. The efficacy of a cotton-wool filter to remove leukocytes from red blood cells has been documented previously. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the cotton-wool filters can effectively remove leukocytes from platelet concentrates. Sixty pools of random-donor platelets and single-donor plateletpheresis products were filtered through a cotton-wool filter. The efficacy of filtration was determined by measuring the absolute numbers of leukocytes and platelets and subpopulations of mononuclear cells. The average platelet loss was 8% per pool of random platelets and 10% per plateletpheresis product. The average leukocyte removal was 99% from a pool of random platelets and plateletpheresis concentrates collected by CS-3000 and 90% from plateletpheresis concentrates harvested by single-stage COBE/IBM-2997. The filtration removed 100% of granulocytes, 95% of monocytes, 90% of B-lymphocytes, and 85% of T-lymphocytes. We conclude that filtration through a cotton-wool filter is an efficient and cost-effective method for preparation of leukocyte-poor platelets.