The predictive value of transcranial duplex sonography for the clinical diagnosis in undiagnosed parkinsonian syndromes: comparison with SPECT scans

Background  

Transcranial duplex sonography (TCD) of the substantia nigra has emerged as a promising, non-invasive tool to diagnose idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). However, its diagnostic accuracy in patients with undefined parkinsonism remains to be determined.     

Glutamate is a positive autocrine signal for glucagon release

An important feature of glucose homeostasis is the effective release of glucagon from the pancreatic alpha cell. The molecular mechanisms regulating glucagon secretion are still poorly understood. We now demonstrate that human alpha cells express ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) that are essential for glucagon release. A lowering in glucose concentration results in the release of glutamate from the alpha cell. Glutamate then acts on iGluRs of the AMPA/kainate type, resulting in membrane depolarization, opening of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, increase in cytoplasmic free Ca(2+) concentration, and enhanced glucagon release. In vivo blockade of iGluRs reduces glucagon secretion and exacerbates insulin-induced hypoglycemia in mice. Hence, the glutamate autocrine feedback loop endows the alpha cell with the ability to effectively potentiate its own secretory activity. This is a prerequisite to guarantee adequate glucagon release despite relatively modest changes in blood glucose concentration under physiological conditions.     

Purification of galectin-3 from ovine placenta: developmentally regulated expression and immunological relevance

Galectins, beta-galactoside-binding lectins, are extensively distributed in the animal kingdom and share some basic molecular properties. Galectin-3, a member of this family, is generally associated with differentiation, morphogenesis, and metastasis. In this study, galectin-3 was isolated from ovine placental cotyledons round the middle of the gestation period by lactose extraction followed by affinity chromatography on lactosyl-agarose, and separated from galectin-1 by size exclusion chromatography on a Superose 12 column. Under native conditions this lectin behaved as a monomer with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 29,000 and an isoelectric point of 9.0. The partial amino acid sequence of the peptides obtained by tryptic digestion of this protein followed by HPLC separation showed striking homology with other members of the galectin-3 subfamily. Furthermore, ovine placental galectin-3 exhibited specific mitogenic activity toward rat spleen mononuclear cells. Besides, this protein strongly reacted with a rabbit antiserum raised against a chicken galectin. Results obtained by Western blot analysis showed that its expression was greatly decreased in term placenta with respect to the middle of the gestation period, suggesting a regulated expression throughout development.      

Chromatographic patterns of prostaglandins using different lots of silicic acid

The chromatographic patterns of prostaglandin E₂ chromatographed on various lots of silicic acid are presented. Two lots of Mallinckrodt silicic acid tested give totally unsatisfactory separation of PGE₂. Sigma silicic acid SIL-R gives better separation than any of the Mallinckrodt lots tested. Increasing the size of the “E” fraction of solvent can give satisfactory separation on Mallinckrodt silicic acid.     

Decreased CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript>T cell response to Epstein-Barr virus infected B cells in multiple sclerosis is not due to decreased HLA class I expression on B cells or monocytes

Background  

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a decreased frequency of CD8⁺ T cells reactive to their own Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected B cells. We have proposed that this might predispose to the development of MS by allowing EBV-infected autoreactive B cells to accumulate in the central nervous system. The decreased CD8⁺ T cell response to EBV results from a general CD8⁺ T cell deficiency and also a decreased proportion of EBV-specific T cells within the total CD8⁺ T cell population. Because decreased HLA class I expression on monocytes and B cells has been reported in MS and could influence the generation and effector function of EBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells, the present study was undertaken to measure the expression of HLA molecules on B cells and monocytes in patients with MS.     

Laminin SIKVAV peptide-induced angiogenesis in vivo is potentiated by neutrophils

Angiogenesis has been investigated in vivo using subcutaneously injected reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) supplemented with angiogenic factors. Previously we found that the laminin-derived synthetic peptide containing SIKVAV (ser-ile-lys-val-ala-val) promoted angiogenesis in vivo. In parallel studies, it was observed that new vessel formation in response to this peptide occurred several days after basic fibroblast growth factor-induced angiogenesis. Since this delay suggested that SIKVAV-induced angiogenesis may be secondary to other events, we investigated here earlier time points to determine if both indirect and direct mechanisms of angiogenesis are involved. We found that neutrophils are continuously recruited to the SIKVAV-containing plugs between 4 hours to 3 days following the initial injection. By day 7, columns of endothelial cells begin to migrate into the plug and form small blood vessels. In contrast, neutropenic mice had a 62% reduction in SIKVAV-induced angiogenesis when compared to control mice. Freshly isolated neutrophils also degraded laminin, the major component of the basement membrane Matrigel. These cells also produced factors in response to SIKVAV peptide which induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells relative to a control peptide. In vitro experiments utilizing human neutrophils demonstrated that these cells migrate to the SIKVAV peptide and possess a specific cell surface SIKVAV binding protein of ～56 kD. These data suggest that neutrophils are induced to migrate to the Matrigel plugs, at least in part, by SIKVAV peptide, where they may release their own angiogenic factors and degrade the matrix, thus physically facilitating cell migration and liberating additional angiogenic matrix fragments and/or cytokines. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America