Androgen regulation of the androgen receptor of the quail uropygial gland: application of a [3H]mibolerone exchange assay.

An exchange assay for androgen receptors in the quail uropygial gland using [3H]mibolerone was established. The most efficient exchange conditions were 3 days of incubation at 15 degrees C. Under these conditions, androgen receptors were stable in the presence of sodium molybdate, and the exchange of [3H]mibolerone with endogenous testosterone bound to cytosolic or nuclear androgen receptors was maximal. Less than 5% of [3H]mibolerone-binding sites occurred in the extracted nuclear pellets. Using this exchange technique, it was shown that androgen receptors in the uropygial gland of photostimulated male quail or castrated quail treated with testosterone were activated and that their concentrations in both cytosolic and nuclear fractions were increased. These results confirm the androgen dependency of the quail uropygial gland, and show that it is an organ which can be used as a model for the study of androgen action in sebaceous glands.

Plasma levels of amyloid beta 40 and 42 are independent from ApoE genotype and mental retardation in Down syndrome.

In Down syndrome (DS) brain an early, selective accumulation of amyloid beta (Abeta) peptides ending at residue 42 (Abeta42) occurs. Whether this event depends on an altered processing of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) or on defective clearance is uncertain. To investigate this issue, we measured Abeta species 40 and 42 in plasma from 61 patients with DS, 77 age-matched normal controls, and 55 mentally retarded subjects without chromosomal abnormalities. The Abeta 40 and 42 plasma levels were then correlated with apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotypes in all groups of cases, and with I. Q. and Mini Mental Status Examination values in DS subjects. Both Abeta species were significantly elevated in DS compared to control groups, and the extent of their increase reflects that expected from APP gene overexpression. Plasma levels of Abeta 40 and 42 did not correlate with apoE genotypes in DS and control cases, and with the extent of mental retardation in DS subjects. The results indicate that accumulation and clearance of plasma and cerebral Abeta are regulated by different and independent factors.

Intracardiac thrombi after orthotopic heart transplantation: clinical significance and etiologic factors.

The frequency and clinical significance of intracardiac thrombi after orthotopic heart transplantation are still not fully understood. The aim of this article is to present five patients with heart transplants with intracardiac thrombi and to subject the possible cause, methods of diagnosis, and treatment of this phenomenon to scrutiny. The frequency of intracardiac thrombi may well be higher than anticipated, with emboli occurring only in a small proportion of cases. Hematologic, anatomic, and hemodynamic factors seem to have a bearing on thrombogenesis. Further multicenter studies are required to gain a better understanding of this disorder.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of Pseudomonas testosteroni gene encoding 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

We describe the cloning, sequencing and expression of the 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) gene of Pseudomonas testosteroni. A genomic library of P. testosteroni total DNA constructed from SauIIIA digests ligated to an lambda gt11 vector was probed with a polyclonal antibody raised against purified enzyme. Subclones derived from a recombinant phage containing a 1746 bp insert were sequenced and found to contain an open reading frame of 696 bp that corresponds to a protein of 231 amino acid residues. A search for homologous proteins was performed. No similarity was observed when comparing 3 alpha-HSD with known members of the short-chain dehydrogenase family. However a small proteic fragment (80 amino acids) shows homology with the N-terminal sequence of bacterial L7/L12 ribosomal proteins.

Cloning, DNA sequencing and expression of (3-17)beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni.

We describe the cloning, sequencing and overexpression of the (3-17)beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene of Pseudomonas testosteroni. A genomic library of Ps. testosteroni total DNA constructed from SauIIIA digests ligated to a lambda gt11 vector was probed with polyclonal antibody raised against purified enzyme. Subclones derived from a recombinant phage containing a 2661-base-pair insert were sequenced and found to contain an open reading frame of 765 base pairs that corresponds to a protein of 254 amino acid residues. A 1492-base-pair fragment was inserted into pBR322 plasmid vector and used to construct a strain of E. coli HB101 that overexpressed the steroid dehydrogenase gene.

Purification of testosterone 5 alpha-reductase from human prostate by a four-step chromatographic procedure.

Nuclear membrane bound testosterone 5 alpha-reductase solubilized in active form from human prostatic tissue by 0.5% n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside was purified by a four-step chromatographic procedure including DEAE-Trisacryl ion exchange, hydroxylapatite adsorption, testosterone-Sepharose affinity and Sepharose 4B gel filtration. A purification of approximately 30-fold was achieved judging from the increase in the specific enzymatic activity. We have purified the acidic pH-optimum 5 alpha-reductase type 2 isoenzyme. The apparent molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated as 42,000 by SDS-PAGE. At the same time we isolated a 38 kDa protein characterized by a real affinity for testosterone and by a possible association to the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme.

Unusually high rates of metabolism of DHT in cytosols of the quail uropygial gland.

The metabolism of DHT in the cytosol of the quail uropygial gland was found to be so high that the steroid was almost completely inactivated within 2 hours of incubation at 0 C. In these conditions, DHT cannot be used for the characterization of androgen receptors. By contrast, R 1881 and mibolerone, which are not metabolized, can be used as alternative ligands. Moreover, the extremely high metabolism of DHT questions the physiologic role of this steroid in the quail uropygial gland.

Apoptotic cell death and genetic control in graft coronary artery disease in heart transplant.

AIM: Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death whereby, immunologic, genetic and biochemical mechanisms are involved in its control. On the other hand, graft coronary artery disease is the most important restrictive factor for the long-term survival of heart transplantation. The purpose of this study is to analyse both apoptotic cell lesions in transplanted patients that present coronary artery disease. METHODS: From August 1984 until December 1996, 148 heart transplants were carried out in the Clínica Universitaria de Navarra. In 102 patients, annual coronary angiography was performed, reaching a diagnosis of coronary artery disease in 30 patients. Study of apoptotic cell death was done in the tissue of endomyocardial biopsies on all patients by means of the TUNEL technique. Procedures of immunohistochemistry with antibodies antic-myc, p53 and bcl-2 were carried out and results were compared with a control group of 30 patients with homogeneous characteristics. RESULTS: All patients with coronary artery disease showed apoptotic cardiomyocytes, 13 patients to a mild degree, 14 to a moderate degree and 3 to a severe degree, while in the control group apoptosis was found only to a mild degree in 8 patients, obtaining a very significant statistical difference (p<0.0001). The expression of analysed oncoproteins was null in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Myocardial apoptosis is a constant finding in transplanted patients with coronary artery disease. We have not seen any correlation between the apoptotic process and genetic mechanisms.

An unusual vascular graft infection by Aspergillus--a case report and literature review.

Vascular graft infection due to Aspergillus is a rare event. Only 11 previous case reports have been documented. All of these infections were in the aortic position, and infrainguinal arterial prosthetic graft involvement has been uncommon. The usual clinical presentation was back pain. Fever and systemic complaints were usually present. An unusual case that began with bilateral groin pain is reported and a review of the clinical presentation and the management of the other cases described in the literature is presented.

Cognitive and affective assessment and multiple pathologies in institutionalized elderly.

Studies were carried out using the mini mental state examination (MMSE) and the geriatric depression scale (GDS) in 71 elderly patients, in order to establish eventual correlations between cognitive deficit, depression and multiple pathologies. This examination was part of a multidimensional evaluation involving patients over 65 years of age hospitalized in the Department of Clinical Medicine. The patients were divided into 5 grades on the basis of the extent ot functional impairments (from Grade 0 to Grade IV) (British Columbia Classification). Mean MMSE and GDS scores, as well as the mean of the multiple pathologies were calculated in each group. As all the MMSE items could not always be applied, we used a score obtained by dividing the maximum score accomplished by the maximum score applicable. No MMSb impairment was present in 94.11% of the Grade 0 patients, in 57.14% of the Grade I, in 37.5% of the Grade II, and in 40% of the Grade III patients. However, impairment was present in all the Grade IV patients. GDS analysis revealed no depression in 82.35% of Grade 0 patients, in 21.43% Grade I, in 50% Grade II, in 16% Grade III patients. However, some degree of depression was present in all Grade IV patients. The occurrence of patients affected by multiple pathologies was as follows: 1-2 pathologies were recorded in 47.06% of Grade 0 patients, in 57.14% Grade I, in 37.5% Grade II, in 36% Grade III, and in 57.14% of Grade IV patients.

Multiple pathologies and drug consumption in a group of centenarians from Eastern Sicily.

Multiple pathologies are characteristic for the elderly. We evaluated the prevalence of multiple pathologies in 28 randomly selected centenarians living in Eastern Sicily and compared the data with those obtained in another random group of 28 control subjects over 80 years of age. It has been revealed that 25% of the centenarians suffered from 0-3 pathologies, while the remaining 75% displayed more than 3 pathologies. The control subjects had 0-3 pathologies in 50% of over 80 years, while 50% were affected by more than 3 pathologies. In centenarians the most prevalent pathologies involved the sensorial apparatus (sight and hearing), followed by the digestive, urogenital and cardiovascular systems. In the control group the rank of occurrence was as follows: cardiovascular system, osteoarticular and respiratory apparatuses, and sensorium. We compared drug consumption in the two age groups. In the centenarians, 71.43% took 0-3 drugs, while 28.57% took more than 3 drugs. In the control group, 53.57% took 0-3 drugs, whereas 46.43% took more than 3 drugs.

Functional evaluation of a group of centenarians in Eastern Sicily by means of the activity of daily living scale.

A random sample of 28 centenarians was studied (32.56% of all centenarians in Eastern Sicily) within the framework of the Italian Multicenter Study on Centenarians. The activity of daily living (ADL) scale was applied to evaluate their capacity to perform everyday tasks autonomously. The study sample consisted of 8 males (28.57%) and 20 females (71.43%), overall mean age was 102.57 +/- 2.1 years. The patients fell into 3 groups according to their ADL scores independent group (with score A) 5 persons, 17.86% (2 males and 3 females); partially independent group (with scores B and C) 5 persons, 17.86% (1 male and 4 females); dependent group (with scores D-E-F-G and other) 18 persons, 64.29% (5 males and 13 females). We compared the results with a control study sample of 28 elderly patients (8 males, 20 females) over 85 years of age resident in a small village in Eastern Sicily (Graniti) and observed that the centenarians presented greater independence, especially the women.

Laboratory blood parameters in a group of centenarians.

Several laboratory blood parameters in a group of healthy centenarians (7 males and 15 females) living in Eastern Sicily were studied and compared with those recorded in a group of healthy elderly subjects (5 males and 12 females) from 80 to 87 years of age. Almost all the laboratory test parameters analyzed were within the range considered to be normal for adult subjects. The exceptions were some renal function markers such as azotemia and creatinine, which were higher in the centenarians, and total cholesterol levels, which were significantly lower in the male centenarians as compared to the elderly male subjects. The conclusion is drawn, therefore, that laboratory tests reflect the health conditions rather than the age of an individual.

Sense of smell in centenarians from Eastern Sicily.

The sense of smell was studied in a group of centenarians from Eastern Sicily, displaying a mini mental state examination score larger than 19. Analysis of the data demonstrated that centenarians retain the capacity to perceive olfactory stimuli. However, as compared to the results obtained in groups of young and elderly subjects, a statistically significant quantitative reduction (p < 0.001) in the sense of smell was revealed in the centenarians.

Life conditions of Sicilian centenarians.

Aim of the study was at furnishing a description of the socio-economic reality of Sicilian centenarians. Informations were taken from the records of Italian Multicentric Study on Centenarians. Randomly selected 28 centenarians (8 males, 20 females), in the age range 100-108 years from Eastern Sicily were examined. The following average socioeconomic profile of the centenarians was established: they are widows or widowers with 4 children; have primary education, mediocre socioeconomic conditions, have worked in the fields or had been housewives; their hobbies were before gardening or embroidering and sewing and now is watching TV; they live in their own salubrious 4 roomed house in small center in the hills. These observations reveal that the social and intellectual quality of life is better in cases of centenarian subjects living at home, in their family environment, surrounded by their children and grandchildren as they receive greater affection and physical care than those living in old peoples' homes.

[Occult stromal tumour of the small intestine: a cause of chronic intestinal blood loss in a 70 year-old woman]. / Tumore stromale occulto del tenue causa di sanguinamento intestinale cronico in 70enne.

The case of a 70 year-old woman with a chronic gastrointestinal blood loss due to a stromal tumor located in the middle third of the small intestine is reported. The peculiarities of the case are the characteristic immunohistochemistry of the neoplasm and, particularly, the mimetic clinical presentation, a kind of ''phantom tumor'' confirmed only with celiotomy and surgical excision.

[Current diagnosis of venous diseases of the lower limbs]. / Diagnostica attuale della patologia venosa degli arti inferiori.

The haemodynamic of venous circulation of lower limbs seems to be not yet fully understood and different methods are available to study clinical patterns of venous insufficiency, deep venous incompetence or venous occlusion. Simple and common methods as venography, venous doppler and plethysmography are frequently used but other method as impedance plethysmography, ambulatory venous pressure, photoplethysmography, isotopes and thermography can be used for research or clinical investigation. The techniques and the indications of these tests are reviewed and critically analyzed to evaluate the best approach to the patients with venous pathology.

[Pericardial hematoma 2 years after coronary surgery]. / Hematoma pericárdico dos años después de cirugía coronaria.

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening complication after cardiac surgery which may develop in the early or late postoperative period. The latest have been defined arbitrarily as the ones occurring after the 7th postoperative day. They are less common than the early ones and most of the cases have been reported up to six months after the operation. They usually determine diagnostic difficulties that can negatively influence the prognosis. Because of its atypical late appearance, a case of a 65 year old man is presented who developed a postpericardiotomy syndrome and subsequently a pericardial clot nearly two years after aortocoronary bypass grafting.