Basal, cAMP‐ and cGMP‐dependent protein kinases in human brain tumorsFrattola, Lodovico; Tonini, Clara; Villani, Roberto; Trabucchi, Marco
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1979.tb07660.xpmid: 232964
Since the effects of cyclic nucleotides are mediated via protein kinases activation, we have studied the properties and regulation of these enzymes in cytosol and particulate fraction of normal cerebral tissues and of some human brain tumors. We found that distribution and activity of cyclic nucleotide‐dependent protein kinases are regulated differently among various brain tumors and in comparison to normal gray and white matter. Pathological tissues show an higher cGMP‐dependent protein kinase and this biochemical pattern is particularly evident in tumors with more pronounced malignancy. These data further confirm the hypothesis of a correlation between the increase of cGMP function and cellular growth and malignancy.
Neurological, electroencephalographic and neuropsychological examination of 53 former amateur boxersThomassen, Anne; Juul‐Jensen, Palle; Olivarius, Bent De Fine; Briemer, Jørgen; Christensen, Anne‐Lise
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1979.tb07661.xpmid: 549443
The purpose of the present study was to reveal possible neurological sequelae of amateur boxing after the introduction of modern medical supervision and safety precautions. Neurological, electroencephalographic and neuropsychological examinations were performed in a total of 53 former champion amateur boxers together with a control group consisting of 53 former football players. The football players were, on an average, better educated than the boxers, but otherwise the two groups were comparable. Complaints, neurological findings and electroencephalographic changes were identical in the boxers and control group. Only minor neuropsychological disturbances were found in the boxers, most pronounced in impaired motor function of the left hand. This was further demonstrated by comparing 19 pairs, each consisting of one boxer and one football player, matched according to age, education and vocabulary. No relation between abnormal findings and “occupational exposure” during the boxing career could be demonstrated, not even by comparing three pairs of identical twins, although in each twin of the pairs there was a great difference in the number of fights. This study provides no basis for legislation against amateur boxing at the present time, as it indicates that the existing safety precautions protect the boxers against serious and permanent brain damage.
Meningeal involvement in leukemias and malignant lymphomas of adults: Incidence, course of disease, and treatment for preventionWeizsaecker, Michael; Koelmel, Hans Wolfgang
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1979.tb07662.xpmid: 297427
As prognosis has improved over the last several years, an increasing incidence of meningeal involvement has been recognized in adult patients with acute leukemias and malignant lymphomas. In 210 patients evaluated retrospectively, the incidence of meningeal disease was 33 % for patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 20 % for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 22 % for patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas with an unfavorable histology (NHL), 3 % for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and 1 % for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In most patients, meningeal involvement appeared several months after diagnosis of acute leukemia, often preceding systemic relapse if bone marrow remission had been achieved before. Prophylactic treatment of the CNS was begun in eight patients with ALL or AML after bone marrow remission was achieved. Of these patients, three with ALL and one with AML were free of disease up to 2 years after diagnosis. Methods, benefits, and risks of prophylactic treatment of the CNS for adult patients are discussed in detail.
Pathogenesis of early phase experimental allergic neuritis: DAILY MONITORING OF HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSE TO PERIPHERAL NERVE ANTIGENMolnár, G. K.; Viljanen, M. K.; Riekkinen, P. J.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1979.tb07664.xpmid: 549444
The role of humoral factors in the mechanism of demyelination has been the object of continuous interest. In the present study the role of the antibodies against a peripheral nerve antigenic protein fraction (PN‐APF) was studied in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic neuritis (EAN). Blood samples were taken daily starting on the third day after the inoculation of the rabbits and control animals. The titers of anti‐PN‐APF antibodies were determined by the ELISA method from each sample. The stimulation response of the lymphocytes in a whole blood microculture to the same antigenic protein was also studied and the results are correlated to each other and to the severity of the clinical signs of the disease. At the time of the manifestation of the disease all of the 11 rabbits had measurable levels of antibodies against PN‐APF. The stimulation response of the lymphocytes declined at the same time. However, the level of antibody titers and the rate of lymphocyte stimulation response during observation showed no correlation with the severity of the clinical signs. On the basis of the results obtained it seems probable that the antibodies against myelin antigens and lymphocyte stimulation constitute only two of the factors involved in demyelination in EAN.
Booksdoi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1979.tb07666.xpmid: N/A
Book reviewed in this article: The neurophysialogical aspects of human mental activity. 2nd ed. N. P. Bechtereva (ed.) Recent akvances in neuropathology. Ed. by W. Thomas Smith & J. B. Cavanagh. S. Sunderland: Nerves and nerve injuries. 2nd ed. Pamela F. Prour: Monitoring Cerebral Function.