Increased MIF levels are associated with asthma symptoms and one of the cellular sources of MIF in the airways are eosinophils.

No abstract

We review three patients who developed chronic radiodermatitis subsequent to undergoing multiple percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCAs). All patients had had chronic ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and had undergone lengthy PTCA on several occasions. The skin eruption was characterized by an atrophic rectangular plaque on the left upper back, presenting as mottled hyper- and hypopigmentation with reticulate telangiectasia. Histologically, the eruption demonstrated epidermal atrophy, hyalinized and irregularly stained collagen, and telangiectasia of superficial vessels in the dermis. Although the risk of radiation injury in most patients undergoing cardiac catheterization is low, this danger should not be ignored. In particular, patients with long-standing IHD and numerous repeated catheterizations to only one or two occluded coronary arteries should be considered at high risk.

Eight beagles with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were treated by subcutaneous implantation of pellets containing 10 mg/kg chlormadinone acetate (CMA), a synthetic anti-androgen, plus daily oral administration of CMA at 2 mg/kg per day for 7 days as a therapy for BPH. Prostatic and testicular size were measured and prostatic and testicular biopsies were performed by laparotomy before and after CMA treatment. Plasma levels of luteininzing hormone (LH), testosterone and oestradiol were also measured. The clinical signs of BPH, for example haematuria and dysuria, resolved within 1 week of treatment. Mean prostatic volume decreased to 56% of the pretreatment value. At 40 weeks after treatment, prostatic volume had decreased by 36%. Histological examination of the prostate 1 week after treatment revealed reduction in diameter of the alveoli and in height of the glandular epithelium. Degeneration and atrophy of the glands were marked 4-12 weeks after treatment. In the testis, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules had decreased markedly at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. Although plasma LH concentrations did not undergo any marked fluctuations after CMA treatment, levels of testosterone and oestradiol were lower than before treatment. The results indicate that implantation of 10 mg/kg CMA, plus 7-day oral administration of 2 mg/kg CMA, bring about resolution of the clinical signs and marked reduction in prostatic volume within 1 week of treatment.

Power line communication modem for networked appliances was developed. To realize robust communication by reducing inference from noise and channel distortion, the PLC modem utilizes High Frequency Band for data transmission. Performance of communication and compatibility with radio communication were evaluated.