Nuclear charge radii of 7,9,10Be and the one-neutron halo nucleus 11Be.

Nuclear charge radii of ;{7,9,10,11}Be have been determined by high-precision laser spectroscopy. On-line measurements were performed with collinear laser spectroscopy in the 2s_{1/2}-->2p_{1/2} transition on a beam of Be+ ions. Collinear and anticollinear laser beams were used simultaneously, and the absolute frequency determination using a frequency comb yielded an accuracy in the isotope-shift measurements of about 1 MHz. Combining this with accurate calculations of the mass-dependent isotope shifts yields nuclear charge radii. The charge radius decreases from 7Be to 10Be and then increases for the halo nucleus 11Be. When comparing our results with predictions of ab initio nuclear-structure calculations we find good agreement. Additionally, the nuclear magnetic moment of 7Be was determined to be -1.3995(5)micro_{N} and that of 11Be was confirmed with an accuracy similar to previous beta-NMR measurements.

[Systemic manifestations of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies--part one]. / Sistemske manifestacije idiopatskih inflamatornih miopatija--prvi deo.

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis are the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies of autoimmune origin. Apart from muscle weakness, general symptoms such as the affection of visceral organs and altered indicators of humeral immunity occur in a minority of patients. The aim of the study was to establish whether the systemic manifestations of the disease, altered immunoserologic parameters and findings of muscle vasculitis occurred more frequently in patients with dermatomyositis or polymyositis. The frequency of clinic, serologic and histopathologic alterations in the groups of patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis was determined. In order to determine the degree and importance of the frequency, the following parameters were calculated: the relative rations of frequencies and the importance of the difference in frequencies of particular alterations between the groups of patients. It was found that extramuscular manifestations of the disease such as arthritis, pulmonary, cardiac and renal changes, the increased activity of C3 and C4 complement components as well as vasculitis of muscle and skin tissue occurred more frequently in patients with dermatomyositis. This finding indicates that patients with DM, regardless of the degree of muscular affection, may have a more severe clinical course of the disease and a poor prognosis.

[Systemic manifestations of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies--part two]. / Sistemske manifestacije idiopatskih inflamatornih miopatija--drugi deo.

The aim of the investigation was to establish if the finding of immunoserologic and pathohistologic parameters of the altered humoral immune response in patients with dermatopolymyositis was associated with the occurrence of more severe clinical patterns of the diseases followed by general symptoms and the affection of visceral organs. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative prediction of immunologic parameters of the disease were determined compared to the occurrence of certain systemic manifestations of the disease. Significant (80-100%) correlation of systemic manifestations with the altered immunoserologic and histopathologic parameters of the disease was confirmed, so that it could be assumed that pathologic humoral response had a significant role in the onset of systemic manifestations during dermatopolymyositis. Predictive value of indicators was of the utmost importance. If the increased values of immune complexes, vasculitis in the muscle and the other cited indicators of the altered humoral response were confirmed in a patient, more severe course of the disease could be expected, which was of practical value for the planning of therapeutic approach, estimation of the disease course and its prognosis.

Disease modifying and immunomodulatory effects of high dose 1 alpha (OH) D3 in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D analogues such as 1 alpha (OH) D3 (alphacalcidiol) have a possible physiological paracrine effect on cell proliferation and differentiation. Experimentally established possibilities to prevent autoimmune diseases suggest that alphacalcidiol may have therapeutic value as an immunomodulatory agent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We organized a 3-month open-label trial on 19 patients being treated with standard DMARD therapy for acute RA. They were divided into 2 subgroups, those with highly active RA and those with moderately active RA. Their regular drug regimen was maintained during the trial and oral alphacalcidiol 2 micrograms/day was added. Therapy results were evaluated by ESR, CRP, morning stiffness, the Richie index, and the Lee index. Immunomodulatory effects were investigated by measuring lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis both in the patients and in vitro in 10 nM alphacalcidiol-supplemented culture medium. RESULTS: After 3 months, high dose oral alphacalcidiol therapy showed a positive effect on disease activity in 89% of the patients (45% or 9 pts. with complete remission and 44% or 8 pts. with a satisfactory effect). Only two patients (11%) showed no improvement, but no new symptoms occurred. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that alphacalcidiol is a powerful immunomodulatory agent with fairly low hypercalcemic activity. Clinical improvement was strongly correlated with the immunomodulating potential of this agent. We noticed dual effects on lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis according to the prior cell activation state. Alphacalcidiol could therefore possibly be used as an adjunct therapy with DMARDs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

[Dermatopolymyositis and overlap syndromes]. / Dermatopolimiozitis y overlap sindromima.

Clinical characteristics and immunoserological features of patients with overlap myositis treated in Clinic for Rheumatology of Military Medical Academy in the period 1978-1996 are presented in the study. Retrospective and partially prospective study included 16 patients with the diagnosis of dermatopolymyositis associated with some other systemic disease of connective tissue (SDCT) in overlap syndrome. There were 12-females of average age 37.33 years and 4 males of average age 52.25 years. Complete laboratory investigation included the determination of muscular enzymes values. Immunoserological analyses were also performed (RF, Le cells, ANA, ICs, immunoglobulins, cryoglobulins and complement), EMNG examination of pelvis and shoulder and pH examination of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles. The combination of the diseases was found in 11 patients, 7 were with PSS, 2 with SLE, 1 with RA and one with PAN. Three diseases were associated in 4 patients, SLE and RA in 2, PSS and RA in 1, thyroiditis and sicca complex in 1. Five-fold combination of disease was found in 1 patient. More frequent occurrence of fever, polyarthritis, skin manifestations, Raynoud's phenomenon, the involvement of serosas, lungs and heart, histological finding of skin and/or muscle vasculitis and larger presence of ANA, ICs, hypergammaglobulinemia and hypocomplementemia pointed out the dominant disorder of humoral immunity which was most probably connected with associated SDCT.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with radionuclide combination.

Radiation synovectomy (RSIN) with radionuclide combination (N) was performed in 135 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or 417 joints: 155 knee joints (90Y), 230 MCF or PIF joints (169Er), 17 ankle, 7 wrist, 6 elbow and 2 shoulder joints (186Re). Therapeutic effect was followed up during 8 year period. After 3 years positive effect of the treatment was achieved in 70-80% of cases and complete treatment in 50-60% of cases, while 8 years later the same effects were maintained in 55-60%, i.e. 35-40% of the treated joints. The best effect was achieved in the treatment of the knee and the worst in the treatment of the wrist joint. At simultaneous application of one or several different RN, the total dose for one patient did not exceed 259 MBq while the maximum dose was 695 MBq during the long-term treatment.