Mapping the human proteome for non-redundant peptide islands

We describe immune-proteome structures using libraries of protein fragments that define a structural immunological alphabet. We propose and validate such an alphabet as i) composed of letters of five consecutive amino acids, pentapeptide units being sufficient minimal antigenic determinants in a protein, and ii) characterized by low-similarity to human proteins, so representing structures unknown to the host and potentially able to evoke an immune response. In this context, we have thoroughly sifted through the entire human proteome searching for non-redundant protein motifs. Here, for the first time, a complete sequence redundancy dissection of the human proteome has been conducted. The non-redundant peptide islands in the human proteome have been quantified and catalogued according to the amino acid length. The library of uniquely occurring n-peptide sequences that was obtained is characterized by a logarithmic decrease of the number of non-redundant peptides as a function of the peptide length. This library represents a highly specific catalogue of molecular protein signatures, the possible use of which in cancer/autoimmunity research is discussed, with a major focus on non-redundant dodecamer sequences.

Neuronal changes induced by chronic toluene exposure in the cat

Chronic toluene inhalation provokes significant deleterious neurological effects in young glue sniffers and exposed workers. We have developed a chronic toluene inhalation model in the cat to address this issue. Neuronal changes using Loyez and acid fuchsinegallocianine stainings were studied at prefrontal cortex, cerebellun and hippocampus. All this structures showed varying degrees of neuronal degeneration to necrosis. Even if injury signs were widespread, the neuronal layers weren't equally affected and there were clear differences in injury severity. In the prefrontal cortex, injured neurons were observed in layers II, III and V/VI extending over several gyri. Lesions were time related, as was more clearly observed in Purkinje cells. In dorsal hippocampus alterations were particulary severe in CA1 and CA3. In ventral hippocampus damaged neurons were scarce and located mainly in CA2. The possible relation of this findings with behavioral changes observed during chronic toluene inhalation are noted.

[Clinical significance of cervical arthropathy in patients with vertigo]

We performed a thorough neuro-otological evaluation and a radiological study of the cervical spine in 102 patients with vestibular symptoms. A group of 20 asymptomatic subjects served as control. Some degree of cervical spondylosis was found in 121 of 122 patients but also in the majority of control subjects. No relationship was observed between the degree of cervical spondylosis and vestibular abnormalities. Instead, the latter were strongly related to age. Thus, an age dependent microvascular damage may be more likely as an etiological factor for vestibular symptoms in the elderly.

Ftorafur, adriamycin and mitomycin C (FAM II) for extensive bronchogenic adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma

Twenty-six patients with advanced bronchogenic adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma were treated by combination chemotherapy consisting of Ftorafur, adriamycin and mitomycin C (FAM II). The patients had not received prior chemotherapy and were not eligible for radiotherapy and surgery. The overall response rate was 25% (5 of 20 patients). One patient with adenocarcinoma achieved a complete response, four achieved a partial response and three a minor response. In four patients the disease was stable. The response did not vary strictly with initial performance status as patients with a Karnofsky score of less than 70% also showed a median survival of 7.5+ months. The FAM II combination was very well tolerated, particularly regarding nausea and vomiting; the latter occurred in only one patient. No patient required a reduction in the drug dose because of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia.

[An epidemiological study of cardiac emergency cases in the province of Florence and the Southeast Florence Hospital area]

The national data provided by ANMCO in 1978 show a total of 2.5 m heart cases in Italy, including 1.5 m instances of ischaemic cardiopathy, and an annual incidence of 105,000 new cases of myocardial infarct. An assessment was made of the 1976 and 1977 pattern of "cardiological emergency cases" (ISTAT codes 402, 410-14, 427-29, 441, 450, 519, 997) in the province of Florence and two of its social and health consortia: 39 (municipalities of Dicomano, Londa, Pelago, Pontassieve, Rufina, S. Godenzo), and 51 (municipalities of Borgata Ripoli, Greve, Impruneta, S. Casciano, Tavarnelle). The records of the S. Maria Nuova, Florence Hospital were used for in-patient data, since this is the only hospital in the province with automatic filing by discharge diagnosis according to the ISTAT code. Mortality in emergency cases in the two consortia m and the province fell from 14.68% and 17.17% to 11.20% and 18.11% respectively in the two years. In both populations, the highest incidence was between 70 and 74 yr of age in 1976, and between 65 and 69 yr in 1977. In the case of infarct, mortality moved from 18.75 to 7.58% (consortia) and from 22.40% to 20.93% (province), with maximum incidences in 1976 between 70 and 74 yr (consortia and province), and in 1977 between 65 and 69 yr (province) and between 55 and 59 yr (consortia). Admissions were greatest in number on Mondays (peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) whereas no difference was noted between one month and another. The Hospital Resuscitation Centre, which serves the two consortia, received 45 emergency cases in 1977, including 25 infarct patients. Total mortality was 13.33% (infarct 20%). The slight numeric discrepancy between in the latter data and those held in the computer suggests that the ISTAT code may not be easy to use and not always employed by physicians in a rational manner.