[Muscle regeneration following glycerol injection mimic that of mdx-mice degenerative-regenerative groups]. / La regeneración tras inyección intramuscular de glicerol remeda la de los grupos degenerativos-regenerativos del ratón mdx.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years several authors have proposed that muscle pathological changes in humans with dystrophin disorders and in mdx-mice are the result of regeneration attempts of this tissue subjected to constantly repeated bouts of necrosis. AIM: We compared morphological aspects of degenerative-regenerative groups observed in the mdx-mice with the regenerative phases that follow an intramuscular injection of 30 mL glycerol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastrocnemius samples from mdx-mice, 1 to 5 months old and from glycerol injected C57Bl10/ScSn mice, 4 to 8 months old, were processed and analyzed in parallel. RESULTS: We were able to recognize degenerative-regenerative group stages in the mdx-mice that closely matched the anomalies found 1, 2, 3, 4-5, 7 and 21-28 days following the injection with glycerol. CONCLUSION. This study reinforces the hypothesis that muscle pathologic abnormalities of mdx-mice are the result of chronic muscle necrosis-regeneration. Morphologic mdx-mice degenerative-regenerative group staging will be a helpful tool for future investigation of muscle regeneration.

The Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale: a simple instrument to measure the diversity of symptoms present in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and validation of the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH) scale, designed to assess positive, negative, depressive and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. METHOD: The CGI-SCH scale was adapted from the CGI scale. Concurrent validity and sensitivity to change were assessed by comparison with the Positive and Negative Symptom Severity (PANSS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scales. To evaluate inter-rater reliability, all patients were assessed by two clinicians. RESULTS: Symptoms were assessed in 114 patients. Correlation coefficients between the CGI-SCH and the GAF and PANSS scores were high (most above 0.75), and were highest for positive and negative symptoms. Reliability was substantial (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC > 0.70) in all but one dimension (depressive dimension, ICC = 0.64). CONCLUSION: The CGI-SCH scale is a valid, reliable instrument to evaluate severity and treatment response in schizophrenia. Given its simplicity, brevity and clinical face validity, the scale is appropriate for use in observational studies and routine clinical practice.

[Muscle regeneration: the effect of the basal lamina, size of the lesion and inflammatory response in C57BL10/ScSn mice]. / Regeneración muscular: influencia de la lámina basal, del tamaño de la lesión y de la respuesta inflamatoria en el ratón C57Bl10/ScSn.

INTRODUCTION: The process of muscle regeneration is influenced by many factors. There is little data in the literature regarding the influence of the size of the lesion and inflammatory response on this process. Also, the concept of the integrity of the basal lamina as an essential factor for correct regeneration has recently been questioned. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the participation of these three variables in the process of muscle regeneration and its possible interactions. METHODS: 54 B57BL10/ScSn mice had their gastrocnemius muscle groups injected with glycerol, collagenase glycerol and Chinese ink. The mice were killed at different times following injection. Serial sections 10 mm thick were analyzed using histological and immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: By 28 days post injection no difference was observed between mice with intact and altered basement membranes. The lesions with a large number of contiguous necrotic fibres regenerated more slowly. Regeneration was centripetal in these lesions. The inflammatory response depended basically on the type of substance injected. The intensity of the inflammatory response was not positively correlated with increased rate of regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Alteration or fragmentation of the basal lamina and the size of the lesions seen in this study did not impede complete repair in C57BL10/ScSn mice. Further studies are necessary to establish the basic role played by the inflammatory response in muscular regeneration.

Comparison of the Binax Legionella urinary antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with the Biotest Legionella Urin antigen EIA for detection of Legionella antigen in both concentrated and nonconcentrated urine samples.

We evaluated a newly commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Biotest Legionella Urin Antigen EIA; Biotest AG, Dreieich, Germany) for detection of antigens of all Legionella pneumophila serogroups with a relatively wide spectrum of cross-reactivity as well as antigens of other Legionella spp. by comparing its sensitivity and specificity with those of an EIA for detection of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen (Legionella urinary antigen EIA; Binax, Portland, Maine). Both tests were performed with both concentrated and nonconcentrated urine samples. We also evaluated the capabilities of both EIAs to detect extracted soluble antigens of American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) Legionella strains (L. pneumophila serogroups 1 to 14, L. bozemanii, and L. longbeachae). The sensitivity of the Biotest EIA was 66.66% in nonconcentrated urine and 86.66% in concentrated urine. The sensitivity of the Binax EIA was 63.76% and 88.88% in nonconcentrated and concentrated urine, respectively. The specificity was 100% in nonconcentrated and concentrated urine for both assays. The Binax EIA and Biotest EIA detected extracted soluble antigens of L. pneumophila serogroups 1 to 14 and L. bozemanii ATCC strains. The cross-reactions observed with the Binax EIA were probably due to common epitopes directly related to lipopolysaccharide. Further studies are required to determine the usefulness of the Binax EIA for detection of urinary antigens from Legionella species and serogroups other than L. pneumophila serogroup 1. The Biotest EIA proved to be as rapid, sensitive, and specific as the Binax EIA for the diagnosis of legionellosis. Concentration of antigen present in urine increased the sensitivities of both techniques with no reduction in specificity.

[Role of the extracellular matrix in X-chromosome-linked muscular dystrophy: immunohistochemical study]. / Papel de la matriz extracelular en la distrofia muscular ligada al cromosoma X: estudio inmunohistoquímico.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of the extracellular matrix in the pathogenesis of the X-linked muscular dystrophy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Muscle specimens from 8 normal controls with ages ranging from 4 to 14 years of age and those of 14 X-linked muscular dystrophy patients were studied by means of polyclonal antibodies able to recognize extracellular matrix molecules. The findings of each of the controls and patients were evaluated systematically using a semiquantitative morphological method. On the other hand, with the help of an automatic interactive image analyzer, the following structures were measured: a) area occupied by the perimysium; b) area of the endomysium, and c) transverse fibre area. RESULTS: The deposition of the extracellular matrix components of patients with X-linked muscular dystrophy is a selective phenomenon which is mostly related to groups of fibers undergoing necrosis-regeneration. X-linked muscular dystrophy patients have an heterogeneous clinical and pathological picture. At one end of the spectrum there are patients with the most severe phenotype, in which reduction of fiber size, early deposition of connective tissue and distortion of the capillary bed are the most conspicuous pathological changes. At the other end muscle fiber hypertrophy and splitting, lesser connective tissue deposition and a milder clinical course predominate. Selective deposition of extracellular matrix components occurs at each point of the spectrum. The distribution of the extracellular matrix components does not appear to accomplish a substitutive function designed to replace the loss of number or volume of the muscle fibers.

Brainstem involvement in a child with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia syndrome.

The anatomic location and pathogenesis of the ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia syndrome, which includes both the Miller-Fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis, continues to be a matter for debate. A patient with this syndrome is reported, and the brainstem location of the lesion and elevated titers of anti-GM1 antibodies in serum are demonstrated.