Soluble HLA class I and HLA-DR plasma levels in patients with anterior uveitis.

Anterior uveitis (AU) is an autoimmune disease frequently associated with HLA-B27 antigen. Because of the immune regulatory properties of soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA) molecules, we quantified sHLA class I (sHLA-I) and sHLA-DR plasma levels in HLA-typed AU patients (n = 60). Randomly selected healthy individuals (n = 128) and HLA-B27 antigen-positive individuals (n = 24) with HLA phenotype frequencies similar to the HLA-B27 antigen-positive AU patients served as control panels. As expected, HLA-B27 phenotype was significantly increased in AU patients (n = 60), compared to healthy controls. Mean sHLA-I levels in AU patients were slightly higher than in randomly selected healthy controls. Regarding AU subgroups, elevated sHLA-I levels were only found in HLA-B27 antigen-negative patients. Compared to controls, sHLA-DR levels were significantly increased in AU patients and the subgroups of HLA-B27 antigen-negative and -positive patients but not Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis (FHC). AU patients negative for HLA-B27 antigen with a chronic course had higher sHLA-DR levels than those with an acute course. The presence of associated systemic diseases in AU patients was related to elevated sHLA-DR levels. Secretion of sHLA-DR in blood differs among the various forms of AU. Systemic immune activation was present in AU but not in FHC.

Microcephaly, seizures, genital hypoplasia, and abnormalities of the hands and feet in a 4-year-old boy with possible Wiedemann syndrome.

We report on a 4-year-old boy with short stature, microcephaly, BNS (Blitz-Nick-Salaam) seizures, and global developmental delay. In addition, small and fleshy hands and feet as well as hypoplastic scrotum and testes were observed. The clinical features of the patient are compared with the patients previously described by Wiedemann et al. and Nevin et al. They reported three patients with a syndrome characterized by short stature, microcephaly, global developmental delay, abnormalities of hands and feet, seizures, large anterior fontanelle, scrotal hypoplasia, micropenis, cryptorchism, urinary tract abnormalities, and inguinal hernia (Wiedemann syndrome).

Filterability of human erythrocytes--drug induced prevention of aging in vitro.

Using a computer assisted filtration system, 6 drugs (bencyclane, moxaverine, naftidrofuryl, pentoxyfylline, vincamine, vinpocetine) were tested (versus placebo) to improve filterability of in vitro aged red blood cells (RBC). Up to a concentration of 1 x 10(-7) mol/l all drugs significantly inhibit in vitro aging, indicating an improved of action is still present in RBC incubated with 10 x 10(-8) mol/l naftidrofuryl and pentoxifylline but, comparison in between the compounds reveals no significant difference of action. The data presented confirm the results on the beneficial action of these drugs presented by others. However, direct comparison shows only minor differences in drug potency.