HIV testing in patients with end stage renal disease.

One hundred and twenty eight British and Irish nephrologists were questioned about their policy for HIV testing of patients with end stage renal failure being considered for renal replacement therapy. A total of 101 (79%) replied. In the case of candidates for dialysis roughly one third of respondents tested only people they considered at risk of infection with HIV and nearly one fifth considered testing unnecessary. In the case of candidates for transplantation routine HIV testing was carried out by 68 of 100 nephrologists; 22 tested only patients "at risk" and 10 did not test. A positive HIV test result was considered by most but not all respondents (63/86) to exclude patients from transplantation. Twenty four of 88 nephrologists considered that HIV positivity should exclude patients from haemodialysis, but only seven of 87 would exclude such patients from peritoneal dialysis. Similar attitudes pertained for patients with end stage renal failure who refused HIV testing. Testing with the patient''s knowledge and consent was the policy of two thirds of nephrologists, but a patient''s signature was obtained by only 24 of 88. There should be a consensus on practice for HIV testing of patients with end stage renal failure.     

Arguing from potential

Buckle's article is one of three discussing the potentiality of the human embryo in this issue of Bioethics devoted to the subject of embryo research. (See also Michael Lockwood's "Warnock v. Powell (and Harradine): when does potentiality count?" and Richard M. Hare's "When does potentiality count? A comment on Lockwood.") In his essay, Buckle analyzes some of the distinct ways of arguing about potential, and the different senses of potential on which these arguments rely. He also examines some of the criticisms of the argument from the potential and replies to them, and shows why the argument's protagonists and critics are often at cross-purposes.     

The role of protein kinases and protein phosphatases in the regulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum function

Summary Canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is phosphorylated by adenosine 3,5-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent and by calcium · calmodulin-dependent protein kinases on a 27 000 proteolipid, called phospholamban. Both types of phosphorylation are associated with an increase in the initial rates of Ca²⁺ transport by SR vesicles which reflects an increased turnover of elementary steps of the calcium ATPase reaction sequence. The stimulatory effects of the protein kinases on the calcium pump may be reversed by an endogenous protein phosphatase, which can dephosphorylate both the CAMP-dependent and the calcium · calmodulin-dependent sites on phospholamban. Thus, the calcium pump in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum appears to be under reversible regulation mediated by protein kinases and protein phosphatases.     

Lack of a relationship between immune function and chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in B6C3F1 mice

Summary The relationship between immune function and chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis was studied employing an in vivo murine model. Neonatal B6C3F₁ mice were given a single carcinogenic dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and the time-response kinetics for the early (foci of alteration) and late (adenomas/carcinomas) phases of hepatocellular carcinogenesis were compared to changes in hematopoiesis and immune functions associated with immune surveillance and natural resistance. Increases in hematopoiesis occurred just prior to or concurrent with the appearance of hepatocellular carcinomas, while increased macrophage and natural killer cell cytotoxicity and suppression of cell-mediated immunity occurred following tumor appearance and progressed with increasing tumor burden. Neither immunological nor hematopoietic changes were associated with early phases of hepatocarcinogenesis, as monitored by the appearance of altered hepatocellular foci. Although changes in hematopoiesis may represent an early indicator for hepatocarcinogenesis in the mouse tumor model, the data suggest that altered immune surveillance and natural resistance are not factors in the development of chemically induced hepatocellular tumors, and the changes in immune function are probably secondary to tumor development.     

Mutations for the autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant forms of polycystic kidney disease are not allelic

Summary The autosomal dominant form of polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has been linked to the -globin gene locus on 16p. Linkage studies between the autosomal recessive type (ARPKD) and the 3 HVR of the -globin gene cluster showed that the ARPKD and ADPKD are not allelic.     

XY sex reversal syndrome in the mare: clinical and behavioral studies,H-Y phenotype

Summary An inherited genetic disorder causes XY embryos of the horse to develop as mares. On the basis of our study of 38 such mares, we have identified four grades or classes of XY sex reversal according to this scheme: class I, nearly normal female, of which some are fertile; class II, female with gonadal dysgenesis, normal mullerian development; calss III, intersex mare with gonadal dysgenesis, abnormal mullerian development, enlarged clitoris; class IV, virilized intersex characterized by high levels of testosterone. In general, class I and calss II mares were typed H-Y antigen-negative whereas class III and class IV mares were typed H-Y antigen-positive.