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Notes: Abstract We have previously reported the preparation of monoclonal antibodies specific for antigens localized in the rat renal papilla. Three of the monoclonal antibodies reacting with antigens localized in papillary and cortical collecting duct epithelia were selected for the development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-type assays. The papillary antigens (`PapA') determined in these tests were designated PapA1 (applying the monoclonal antibody PapX 5C10), PapA2 (applying the monoclonal antibody PapX 12F6), and PapA3 (applying the monoclonal antibody PapXI 3C7). Using these assays antigen excretion was determined in the urine of rats. Depending on the test compound used, the application route, and the dose, the observed antigen release patterns differed. Whereas after a single intraperitoneal application of 2-bromoethanamine or of propyleneimine an increased release of PapA1 but not of the two other antigens was observed oral application of bromoethanamine had minor effects. In contrast, both a single intraperitoneal application or repeated oral applications of indomethacin resulted in an increased release of all the three antigens. Daily application of ipsapirone in the diet or in drinking water resulted in significantly elevated urinary release of PapA1 which increased incrementally for the duration of the application. Release of PapA2 and PapA3 was not affected and remained in the normal range. These results show that with the tests developed changes in the rat renal papilla caused by xenobiotics can be detected early by urinary analysis and monitored during follow-up studies. Moreover, the different antigen release patterns obtained after application of the different compounds suggest a possible differing mode of action.

Notes: Abstract Chondrotoxicity is a rare toxicological finding which is observed in dogs after administration of quinolone antibacterials. To study this effect chondrocytes from articular cartilage of dogs were isolated, and incubated with quinolone derivatives. The effects on cell viability, mitochondrial dehydrogenase, and proteoglycan synthesis were determined. These results were compared with in vivo findings in dogs treated with these quinolones. It was concluded that inhibition of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity and of proteoglycan synthesis are major reasons for cartilage damage. Therefore this in vitro model is capable of identifying strongly arthropathogenic quinolones without the need of performing animal studies.

Notes: Background Intranasal budesonide is an efficacious treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis. Long-term effects on safety, particularly in children, need further investigation.Objective To investigate the long-term safety of intranasal budesonide in children.Methods In an open trial, 78 children (5–15 years) with perennial rhinitis were treated with intranasal budesonide pressurized metered dose inhaler 200 µg twice daily (delivered daily dose 256 µg) for 12 months; 43 children stayed in the study for 12 additional months and were switched to aqueous suspension (400 µg delivered daily dose) for 6 months. Statural growth, bone age, ophthalmologic and rhinoscopic status, cortisol and biochemical analyses in blood and urine were monitored during the first and second years, and adverse events (AEs) were continuously recorded.Results No significant effects on statural growth and bone age, compared with reference values, were observed. Morning plasma cortisol and 24-h urinary cortisol were not changed during treatment. Patients reported 195 AEs, most commonly nasal dryness (30%), blood-tinged secretions (21%) and, among non-nasal AEs, headache (13%). Rhinoscopy revealed no signs of mucosal atrophy, ulceration, or candidiasis but some nasal dryness. No treatment-related ophthalmological or biochemical aberrations were found. Reduction of blood eosinophils and nasal symptom scores, compared with pre-treatment values, indicated the efficacy of budesonide treatment.Conclusion Long-term treatment for 1–2 years with intranasal budesonide 256–400 µg daily in children with perennial rhinitis revealed no negative effects on growth or endogenous cortisol production. Local side-effects were mild and patient symptoms decreased.

Notes: La morphologie de la grégarine Didymophyes gigantea, au cours de la croissance et de l'évolution du trophozoïte et de la syzygie, est étudiée en microscopie photonique et en microscopie électronique à balayage. Certaines observations sont également illustrées par quelques micrographies en microscopie électronique à transmission.Les premiers stades de développement de cette grégarine polycystidée ne possèdant cependant pas de septum; celui-ci n'apparaîtra qu'au cours de la croissance du jeune trophozoïte. Plus tard, les trophozoïte se détachent de la cellule-hôte pour s'as-socier en syzygies généralement constituées de 2 gamontes. Des syzygies multiples, c'est-à-dire à plus de 2 individus sont fréquemment observées. Immédiatement après l'association de 2 trophozoïtes, le satellite, dont le septum se résorbe, semble pénétrer quelque peu dans l'extrémité postérieure du primite, tandis que le protomérite de ce dernier va voir son apex se transformer en une sorte de coiffe sillonnée radialement. L'epicyte de cette grégarine est différencié en un système régulier de plis longitudinaux. Au niveau du deutomérite les plis sont animés de mouvements ondulatoires permettant des mouvements de glissement du parasite. Les plis du protomérite, qui ne semblent pas intervenir dans le déplacement par translation du parasite, sont rectilignes. Lorsque le septum proto-deutoméritique du satellite disparaît, les plis initialement rectilignes du protomérite deviennent également ondulatoires. Des excroissances des plis épicytaires apparaissent au niveau de l'etranglement marquant la limite proto-deutomérite et de la cloison primite-satellite. Plus tard, en fin d'évolution, il s'en forme également sur tout le deutomérite. Aucun noyau n'a jamais été observé, in vivo, dans la grégarine adulte, le jeune trophozoïte, ou même les 2 gamontes d'une syzygie. Cependant sur coupes fines en microscopie électronique à transmission, une grande quantité de très petits noyaux ont été découverts.La motilité de cette grégarine semble donc être due à 3 systèmes différents: (a) les plis ondulatoires de l'épicyte; (b) les myonèmes annulaires ectoplasmiques; (c) l'important flux cytoplasmique.Les relations entre les cycles de l'hôte et du parasite, les divisions nucléaires progamiques, l'origine du déplacement par translation de la grégarine et des contractions péristaltiques, font également l'objet d'une discussion.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉SYNOPSISStructure of the gregarine Didymophyes gigantea during syzygy and growth and development of the trophozoite, was studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Some observations are illustrated also by a few micrographs obtained by transmission electron microscopy.The first developmental stages of this cephaline gregarine do not have a septum, which appears only during growth of the young trophozoite. Later, the trophozoites detach themselves from the host cell to become associated in syzygy which usually involves 2 gamonts. Multiple syzygies, i.e. those involving more than 2 animals are frequently observed. Immediately after association of 2 trophozoites the satellite, whose septum is resorbed, appears to penetrate the posterior extremity of the primite for some distance, while the latter's protomerite has its apex transformed into a kind of radially furrowed cap. The epicyte (surface) of this gregarine is differentiated into a system of regular longitudinal folds. At the level of the deutomerite the folds exhibit undulatory movements which allow gliding movements of the parasite. The folds of the protomerite, which does not participate in the movement of the parasite, are rectilinear. When the proto-deutomeritic septum of the satellite disappears, the initially rectilinear folds of the protomerite also become undulatory. Excrescences of the epicytic folds appear at the level of the narrowed areas marking the proto-deutomerite junction and the primite-satellite septum. Toward the end of development they form over the entire deutomerite. No nucleus has ever been observed in living mature gregarines, young trophozoites, or in 2 gamonts in syzygy. A large number of very small nuclei was discovered, however, in thin sections examined by transmission electron microscopy.Motility of the gregarine appears to depend upon 3 different systems: (a) the undulating epicytic folds; (b) the ectoplasmic annular myonemes; (c) the cytoplasmic streaming.The relationships between the host and parasite cycles, the “progamic” nuclear divisions, and the origin of movement and peristaltic contractions of the gregarine are also discussed.

Notes: A search for IgE antibodies was performed in 224 children, aged 0–15 yr, with symptoms compatible with IgE-mediated allergy, employing total IgE. RAST with up to 17 allergens and the Phadiatop® test. Fiftysix of 113 children (50%), aged 0–3 yr, and 80 of 111 children (72%) aged 4–15 yr had specific IgE antibodies. The most common allergens during the first 4 yr were egg white, a mixture of nuts (hazel nut, peanut, almond, coconut and Brazil nut) and milk. During the 2nd yr of life inhalant allergens became more important. From the 3rd yr they became more common than food allergens as sensitizers. Among the children aged 4–15 yr timothy, cat and nut mix were the most common allergens. Among the children with specific IgE antibodies Phadiatop was positive in 58% of the children younger than 4 yr, and in 91% of the children over that age. Fifty-three of the children with IgE antibodies against nut mix were further investigated for antibodies against hazel nut, peanut and almond, and 48 (91%) were positive against at least one of them. The parents of 41 of these patients answered a questionnaire about adverse symptoms against nuts, and 26 (63%) were aware of clinical sensitivity. In conclusion, IgE antibodies against food allergens dominated in children under 2 yr, and thereafter antibodies against inhalants became more important. An unexpectedly high prevalence of IgE antibodies against nut mixture was found. Phadiatop was a good screening method for identification of children 4 yr or older with IgE antibodies against inhalants.

Notes: : Two patients with clear-cell acanthoma with multiple lesions are reported; histologic and histochemical findings are similar to previous descriptions. The ultrastructural study confirms the overload of glycogen in keratinocytes, associated with an increase of mitochondria and nuclear deformations. The abundance of Langerhans’ cells is emphasized. Extrusion of glycogen by keratinocytes and its phagocytosis by Langerhans’ cells is suggested.