A molecular-based magnet test for malaria.

The molecular-based magnet test for malaria is shown to be more sensitive than the thin blood film test. The globally used thin blood film test is less sensitive because it uses preparation steps that result in the reduction of the absolute number of diagnostically pertinent erythrocytes. Several reports of diagnostic error with the thin film test and the thick film test have appeared in the literature. In marked contrast to the commonly accepted tests, the magnet test concurrently partitions and concentrates the infected erythrocytes present in the initial sample. The magnetic test permits a brief and sensitive microscopic-based enumeration of the malaria-infected erythrocytes in the enriched sample. Diagnostically pertinent hemozoin is simply identified through two of its specific molecular properties: paramagnetism and birefringence. The former property mediates the capture and enrichment of malaria-infected erythrocytes within the magnetic flux and the latter property manifests the characteristic birefringence demonstrated by polarized light.

Enchondromatosis and hemangioma (Maffucci's syndrome) with orbital involvement.

Maffucci's syndrome is a rare, congenital disease of unknown cause characterized by the development of multiple enchondromas and soft-tissue hemangiomas. We treated a 34-year-old man with Maffucci's syndrome, bilateral proptosis secondary to multiple intraorbital hemangiomas, corneal exposure secondary to a left facial nerve palsy, and multiple intra-abdominal tumors. The skeletal manifestations were not clinically apparent and were only discovered after a careful radiologic survey. Simultaneous bilateral orbital cavernous hemangiomas should alert the physician to the possibility of Maffucci's syndrome.

Epithelial downgrowth following wound dehiscence after extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation: surgical management.

Epithelial downgrowth occurred along a fistulous (nonfiltering) tract containing an incarcerated anterior capsular flap after extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation complicated by wound dehiscence. Months later, a YAG posterior capsulotomy was performed before it was realized that posterior capsule opacification was associated with epithelial downgrowth involving the posterior capsule. Surgical management of epithelial downgrowth after extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation is discussed, with emphasis on the role of combined cryotherapy, dissection of the retrocorneal membrane, and complete removal of the capsular bag. Histopathologically, we found it difficult to differentiate lens epithelial cells from corneal epithelial downgrowth within the capsular bag, but monoclonal antibody for keratin may help identify corneal epithelial cells.

Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis--rational diagnosis and treatment predicated and disordered prostaglandin metabolism.

We suggest that polymyalgia rheumatica with giant cell arteritis (PR-GCA) is an arachidonic acid metabolites mediated disease which can be diagnosed more accurately and monitored more precisely for therapeutic benefits by the serial determinations of the major urinary prostaglandin F, serum urinary lysozymes, serum acid phosphatase, and serum angiotensin converting enzyme rather than by the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and, when necessary by temporal artery biopsy. The pathogenetic role proposed for prostaglandins (PG) and, even more precisely perhaps, the leukotrienes in this disease is consistent with the several published clinical observations that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment produces in some cases a therapeutic paradox of symptomatic relief with concurrent, if clinically silent, progression of the arteritis, even to blindness. Furthermore, the impressive response of PR-GCA to low maintenance dose steroid therapy, a clinical conundrum for decades, is rationally explained on the basis of depressed or obstructed PG metabolism early on in the metabolic cascade. These views warrant clinical evaluation, confirmation or correction in whole or in part, and may increase our understanding of PR-GCA.

Erythrocyte - endothelial cell adherence in sickle cell disease, diabetes mellitus, and falciparum malaria: adverse effects reversed with piracetam.

The erythrocytes of patients with sickle hemoglobin, diabetes, and Falciparum malaria adhere disproportionately to endothelial cells. Such pathophysiological activity compromises the microcirculation and results in clinical disease. Since Piracetam (2-oxo-1 pyrrolidine acetamide) has been shown to have a number of clinically beneficial actions on the formed elements of the blood including disengagement of adherent diabetic and sickle erythrocytes there is a rational basis for the trial of Piracetam as an adjuvant drug in SS disease and in diabetes mellitus to improve function of the microcirculation. For similar but somewhat more complex reasons Piracetam may potentiate the efficacy of anti-malarial drugs at any given dosage. Piracetam, a drug known to be safe in a decade of clinical usage, merits serious study in the 3 cited diseases.

[Acid and alkaline denaturation of superoxide dismutase]. / Kislotnaia i shchelochnaia denaturatsiia superoksiddismutazy

Optical and ESR spectra of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase denaturated with acid and alkali are described. Sharp changes in activity and spectra were found. "Residual" activity of alkaline denaturated protein was higher than of acidic denaturated sample. It is suggested that covalent bonding copper-nitrogen is essential for superoxide dismutase activity of the protein or synthetic copper complexes.

[Copper-containing amine oxidases of blood vessels (review of the literature)]. / Med'soderzhashchie aminoksidazy krovenosnykh sosudov (obzor).

Modern data on types, physico-chemical properties, physiological role of copper-containing amine oxidase of blood vessels are reviewed. Properties of lysyl oxidase--specific copper-containing amine oxidase--are described. Importance of the enzyme for normal functions of connective tissue as well as alterations in the enzymatic activity under various pathological conditions are discussed. At the same time, properties and physiological functions of another copper-containing amine oxidase of blood vessels, which uses polyamines as substrate, are considered. Effect of the copper levels on content of polyamines in body is discussed.