bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myoeptihelial cells in salivary gland neoplasms
Authors: GUSTAFSSON HANS , BERGMAN FRANK , VIRTANEN ISMO , THORNELL LARS‐ERIC
Published: August 2009

Archival paraffin sections from normal salivary gland tissue and salivary gland neoplasms were stained by immunoperoxidase tehcnique with a well characterized cytokeratin antibody (PKK1). In normal parotid tissue, myoepithelial cells and peripheral cells of larger ducts were selectively stained. In pleomorhic adenomas, most cells were stained, the staining being somewhat stronger towards the duct lumina. In basal cell adenomas, only cells adjacent to the duct lumina were stained where a differentiation of cells into peripheral and ductal was seen. In adenolymphomas basal cells were stained, and in oncocytomas small elongated cells reacted with the PKK1 antibody. Only a few duct cells in an acinic cell carcinoma were reactive and in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, peripheral epidermoid cells were strongly stained. In adenoid cystic carcinoma, mostly duct cells were stained whereas the peripheral ones remained unstained. Although the intermediate filament protein expression is very stable during tumourgenesis, the staining with the presently used monoclonal antibody in salivary gland neoplasms differed markedly from what could be expected according to current views on the participation of this cell type. This supports our view that cells in tumours should be characterized on the basis of their staining, i.e. state of differentiation and not on their presumed histogenesis.
Influence of prostanoids on gastrointestinal mucosal injury in experimental septic shock
Authors: SVARTHOLM ERIK , ARVIDSSON STEFAN , FÄLT KAJ , HAGLUND ULF
Published: August 2009

Capillary stasis and mucosal injury in the stomach and small intestine were studied in septic shocked pigs. Septicemia was induced by liveE. colii.v. in 28 animals. Additionally, five animals were infused with Ringer's solution and served as sham controls. The 28E. coli‐infused animals were pretreated with either a cyclooxygenase inhibitor –indomethacin, n = 6, a thromboxane (TxA2)‐synthetase inhibitor –UK 38 485 alone, n = 6, or combined with a serotonin‐antagonist – ketanserin, n = 9. SevenE. coli‐infused animals were left untreated and served as septic controls. The sham controls were hemodynamically stable and had normal histological findings. All bacteria‐infused animals exhibited signs of septic shock with pronounced hemodynamic reactions. Attenuation of the bacteria‐induced increase in pulmonary arterial blood pressure was found in all pretreated animals but most pronounced in the indomethacin‐pretreated group which also showed protection against gastric mucosal injury and capillary stasis. TxA2‐inhibited animals had aggravated capillary stasis and mucosal injuries. It is concluded that gastric mucosal damage could be modified by drugs influencing the prostanoid system. The “cytoprotective” effect of prostaglandins seem to be of minor importance for the prevention of the gastro‐intestinal mucosal injury seen in some series.
Detection of Chlamydia in postmortal formalin‐fixed tissue
Authors: LUNDEMOSE ANKER G. , LUNDEMOSE JYTTE BANNER , BIRKELUND SVEND , CHRISTIANSEN GUNNA
Published: August 2009

A procedure to detect Chlamydia in postmortal formalin‐fixed tissue is described. Monoclonal antibodies against a genus specific chlamydia epitope were used in immunofluorescence to detect chlamydia inclusions in formalin‐fixed tissue sections. Lung sections from chlamydia‐infected mice were examined and the effect of autolysis and tetracycline treatment was evaluated. Furthermore, lung tissue from two patients who died of ornithosis was examined. Inclusions detected in lung sections showed a bright apple‐green fluorescence, and had a characteristic and easily recognizable morphology. Background and non‐specific fluorescence were reduced by treating the tissue sections with trypsin, rabbit serum and Evans blue counterstain. Besides giving an exact diagnosis at autopsy, the method provides the possibility of determining the occurrence of chlamydia infections in various tissues, based on retrospective investigations in formalin‐fixed tissues.
Cell association of HIV in AIDS‐related encephalopathy and dementia
Authors: PORWIT ANNA , PARRAVICINI CARLO , PETREN ANNA‐LENA , BARKHEM TOMAS , COSTANZI GULIO , JOSEPHS STEVEN , BIBERFELD PETER
Published: August 2009

The presence of HIV gag and env proteins (HIV Ag) and virus replicating cells was studied by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively, in brain specimens from five HIV infected patients. HIV antigens were detected in 3 of 5 brains in micronodular areas characterized by increased cellularity and the presence of multinuclear giant cells. By double immunostaining, HIV Ag positive cells were shown to express markers common to macrophages and microglia i.e. Leu M5+, My4+, HLA‐Dr+, RCA‐1+. and to a lesser extent CD4+ (Leu3+). Another macrophage specific marker, KiM6, was found only on HIV+ cells in HIV infected specimens and not in uninfected, control brains. Medium‐sized, virus replicating cells were found exclusively in micronodular areas, but in much smaller quantities than HIV Ag+ cells. Our observations provide further evidence to support the hypothesis that macrophages play an important role in CNS infection by HIV and additionally support the concept that reactive microglia originate from activated macrophages infiltrating the brain. Both direct effects of viral components and cell mediated reactions can be implicated from our findings as mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the CNS lesions.
Evaluation of a rapid test for detection of antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Authors: JOSEFSEN DAG , MYRMEL HELGE
Published: August 2009

A new test for rapid detection of HIV andibodies (HIVCHEK) was evaluated. A total of 107 sera were examined. Of these, 60 were from healthy blood donors and the rest from a serum panel containing HIV positives and samples with false positive reactions in ELISA and unspecific bands in the western blot (WB). There was close agreement (100%) between the methods. The specificity of the HIVCHEK was 100% in this study. The sensitivity was acceptably high based on testing of consecutive serum samples from two seroconversion patients. The test was rapid and easy to perform, and no extra equipment was needed.
Qualitative assessment and morphometry in the study of the ileal reservoir after restorative proctocolectomy
Authors: REINHOLT FINN P. , VERESS BÉLA , LINDQUIST KERSTIN , LILJEQVIST LARS
Published: August 2009

Little is known about the long‐term effects on the reservoir mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis coli who undergo proctocolectomy with subsequent construction of ileal reservoir/pouch and ileoanal anastomosis. In these patients, questions regarding adaptation towards a more colon‐like mucosa and/or development of (pre)malignant changes are of particular importance. With the aim of designing a method for reliable evaluation of the mucosa in the ileal pouch, biopsies from 10 patients were studied by semiquantitative assessment and morphometry. The findings were compared with those obtained from normal jejunum, ileum, and colon. The following parameters were found to be important: Villous surface density, quantity of goblet cells, number of mitoses, and the presence/absence of predominantly sulphated mucin+ goblet cells. The number of Paneth cells did not show significant changes. The villous surface density was determined by a cycloid test system applied to vertical sections. Semiquantitative assessment was a sufficiently precise method for the evaluation of the quantity of goblet cells. The counting of sulphated mucin+ goblet cells was not reproducible, instead a simple statement about the presence or absence of these cells was judged to be adequate. The number of mitoses and of Paneth cells were counted directly. During the first year of function the ileal pouch showed signs of adaptation towards a colon‐like mucosa: Reduction of villous surface density, increased mitotic activity, and appearance of sulphated mucin+ goblet cells. The number of Paneth cells did not show significant changes. The amount of goblet cells was generally not increased, rather reduced in some patients.
Engulfment of the Philadelphia strain of Legionella pneumophila within pseudopod coils in human phagocytes
Authors: RECHNITZER C. , BLOM J.
Published: August 2009

In this paper we report our ultrastructural studies of the early phagocytosis of two different strains of L. pneumophila serogroup (SG) 1 (Philadelphia 1 and Knoxville 1) and of L. micdadei. These bacteria replicate, in vivo as well as in vitro, in eukaryotic cells e.g. in monocytes and macrophages. Whether or not the mode of entry of these organisms in phagocytes contributes to their intracellular survival is presently unknown. Whilst internalization of bacteria of the Philadelphia 1 strain occurred within a pseudopod coil, organisms of the Knoxville 1 strain and L. micdadei were phagocytized in the classical manner, i.e. between pseudopods. No ultrastructural differences were observed between the two strains of L. pneumophila SG 1 whereas L. micdadei appeared as shorter rods with an extracellular layer of relatively low electron density. The phenomenon of coiling phagocytosis was not affected by heat‐killing the bacteria or preopsonization with specific antibody. Formation of phagolysosomes was seen when cells of the Knoxville strain and L. micdadei were used but not with the Philadelphia strain. In our experiments, the occurrence of coiling phagocytosis was specific for the Philadelphia 1 strain of L. pneumophila and independent of bacterial virulence. Thus, it seems most unlikely that the coiling phenomenon plays any important role in the resistance of Legionella to the killing abilities of phagocytic cells.
Effects of N‐acetylcysteine on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: PAULSEN OTTO , FORSGREN ARNE
Published: August 2009

N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) at concentrations from 0.39 μg/ml to 100 μg/ml did not affect chemotaxis under agarose of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs). No reduction of phagocytic or bactericidal capacity was found in PMNLs exposed to NAC at the same concentrations. At high concentrations of NAC (25–100 μg/ml) a distinct inhibition of the chemiluminescent response to formylmetionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP) known to be associated with mainly extracellular metabolic processes, was observed, consistent with the well known scavenger effects of the drug. The response to opsonized zymosan, which reflects mainly intracellular metabolic activity, was less marked. At a still higher concentration of NAC (500 μg/ml), a distinct effect on both intra‐ and extracellularly generated chemiluminescence could be demonstrated. The lack of inhibitory effects on phagocytosis and intracellular killing in spite of the effects on chemiluminescence indicates that NAC has no negative influence on the antimicrobial activity of PMNLs.
Type I reactions directed against Pneumocystis carinii in AIDS patients
Authors: PEDERSEN MICHAEL , NIELSEN PEDER BO , PERMIN HENRIK , NORN SVEND , MOJON MADELEINE , SKOV PER STAHL , FABER VIGGO
Published: August 2009

Type I allergy directed against Pneumocystis carinii (PC) has been investigated in 14 patients with AIDS. The Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia often shows a rapid and severe course, and type I allergy against the parasite might be a pathogenic co‐factor in the interstitial lung inflammation. In twelve of the AIDS patients the clinical symptoms and course of illness indicated a PC penumonia. The basophil histamine release test was used as a sensitive test to detect type I allergy against PC. Eight of the patients showed significant histamine release when stimulated with PC. In contrast, only two patients in the group of 12 HIV antibody‐positive homosexual men and none in the control group of 13 heterosexual men released histamine. The histamine release was mediated by an immunological reaction, since the release was abolished and regained by removal from and refixation to the cell surface of the cell‐bound immunoglobulins before the antigen challenge. The results suggest an involvement of type I allergy as a pathogenic co‐factor in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Cortical bone cross‐sectional osteon size in chronic pulmonary insufficiency and regional ischemic states
Authors: KRISTENSEN INGRID BAYER , MELSEN FLEMMING , MOSEKILDE LEIF
Published: August 2009

Cross sectional osteon diameter (D) and Haversian canal diameter (d) were measured in undecalcified, unstained sections from the mid‐diaphysis of femoral bones from 13 patients with long lasting chronic pulmonary insufficiency, 10 patients with unilateral thrombosis of the femoral artery and from sex‐ and age‐matched normal controls. The cross sectional osteon radius (R = the distance travelled by osteoclats), the mean wall thickness (MWT = (D–d)/2 = distance travelled by osteoblasts) and the structural unit balance (B = R/MWT) were calculated. No significant differences were found in R, MWT og B between chronic pulmonary insufficiency patients and normal controls. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between thrombotic or non‐thrombotic legs or between thrombotic legs and their normal controls. This part of the study does not support the concept that the distance travelled by the osteoclasts (R) depends on local supply of nutrients and/or removal of waste products. However, in all patients and controls R was larger in the inner zone than in the outer zone (p <0.01). This could be explained by the anatomy of the arterial supply to cortical bone supporting the above hypothesis.
Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of lung tumors: Description of a convenient technique for use with fine needle biopsy
Authors: NORDGREN HANS , NILSSON STEN , RUNN ANN‐CHARLOTTE , PONTEN JAN , BERGH JONAS
Published: August 2009

In this paper we describe a convenient procedure for use with fine‐needle biopsy in the diagnosis of lung and medistinal tumors. Cells obtained from a fine‐needle aspiration are suspended in a formaldehyde solution and allowed to sediment onto a polycarbonate filter, using a filtering device specially designed for this purpose. The filter with the aspirated cells is then embedded in paraffin and thereafter sectioned and stained in a routine manner. The main advantages with this technique, instead of cytology, are: 1. the cells are kept mainly intact, mostly in undisrupted clusters, and this increases the possibility of obtaining a specific diagnosis, a prerequisite for the diversified clinical management of malignant tumors; 2. possibilities exist, when necessary, of further immunohistochemical characterization of tumor cells in order to obtain a specific diagnosis without thoractomy. This could be of major importance when the management of certain tumors and infiltrates (i.e. those preferably treated by radio‐ and chemotherapy) does not require surgical intervention.
Follicular involution in HIV lymphadenopathy
Authors: PORWIT ANNA , BÖTTIGER BLENDA , PALLESEN GORM , BODNER ANNE , BIBERFELD PETER
Published: August 2009

Lymph node biopsies from 75 HIV infected patients (71 homo‐ and bisexual men, 3 hemophiliacs and 1 woman) were studied using immunohistochemical methods with monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against B lymphocytes, subsets of T lymphocytes, follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and HIV gag proteins p24 and p18. Histopathological changes were classified as follicular hyperplasia (FH), fragmentation (FF), atrophy (FA) and depletion (FD). Immunohistochemical stainings were quantified with the help of an Image Quantifier (IQ) and the reactivity for respective Mab‐defined antigen was related quantitatively to other antigens and histopathological changes. Such measurements showed an increase in FDC in biopsies with FH and FF histology and a decrease in FA and FD cases in comparison with cases with non‐HIV related lymphadenopathy. In addition it was found that the decrease in FDC was correlated with an increase in CD8+ within the follicles. Double immunostainings for p24 and various cellular markers showed that p24 was predominantly associated with follicular dendritic cells. Essentially the same findings were observed in the lymph nodes irrespective of risk group. Possible mechanisms involved in follicular involution in HIV‐related lymphadenopathy are discussed.
Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus thermonuclease
Authors: BRAKSTAD ODD G. , MÆLAND JOHAN A.
Published: August 2009

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Staphylococcus aureus thermonuclease (TN) were raised by immunizing BALB/c mice with a commercial TN preparation. Six monoclones were generated producing MAbs specific for S. aureus TN as tested in Western blots and ELISA. They all combined with a 17 kD and a 21 kD protein, respectively, both of which showed DNase activity. All MAbs were of IgG1 isotype with kappa light chain. Competition ELISA showed that five of the MAbs recognized a total of three different binding sites of TN, designated I, II and III, respectively. Only the anti‐site II MAbs inhibited the DNase activity. A MAb‐based sandwich ELISA showed a lower detection limit for TN of approximately 0.5 ng/ml protein. Only S. aureus strains (culture supernatants) showed positive ELISA (31 positive/31 tested), although other tested gram positive cocci produced thermostable nucleases. The MAbs have potentials as reagents for rapid and specific detection of S. aureus.
Antikeratin antibodies in synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: KIRSTEIN H. , HJARVARD K. , HANSEN T. MØRK
Published: August 2009

Serum and synovial fluid of 20 patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were tested for antikeratin antibodies (AKA) by indirect immunofluorescence using rat esophagus as antigen. AKA were found in 80% of the RA patients, in serum as well as in synovial fluid. None of the 54 serum control patients were AKA positive in serum. None of the 17 synovial fluid control patients were AKA positive in synovial fluid. F(ab)'2 fragments prepared from AKA positive RA serum retained antibody activity. AKA belonged to the IgG class of immunoglobulins. Corrected for the lower IgG content in synovial fluid, AKA constituted a higher percentage of the IgG in synovial fluid than in serum. This could imply a possibility of local production of AKA in the joint.
Activated lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers
Authors: RAPTOPOULOU‐GIGI MARIA
Published: August 2009

Proportions of T lymphocyte subsets and activated cells bearing receptors for transferrin, Il‐2 and HLA‐DR antigens were studied in 15 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 10 subjects with negative markers of hepatitis B virus infection. T lymphocyte subsets ranged within normal values in HBsAg carriers whereas a significant increase in activated cells was noted (P <0.001). These data suggest that abberations of T cell subsets are not responsible for the failure of HBV clearance. Furthermore, the increased levels of activated lymphocytes support the view that other factors, possibly in the serum, are modulating the immune response to HBV thus playing an important role in the pathogenesis of the carrier state.
Interleukin 2 and interferon‐γ affect human B cells at different stages of activation
Authors: PUNNONEN JUHA , VILJANEN MATTI K.
Published: August 2009

We studied the effects of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL 2), interferon‐α (rIFN‐α) and interferon‐γ (rIFN‐γ) on proliferation and IgM synthesis of highly purified tonsillar B cells either without in vitro preactivation or after activation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC). Only rIL 2 affected tonsillar B cells not preactivated in vitro. It induced both proliferation and differentiation of B cells in a dose‐dependent manner. rIL 2 induced proliferation of even Tac‐negative B cells, but statistically significant responses were obtained only at high concentrations. The response was found also when no serum supplement was used in the culture medium. The finding suggests that tonsillar B cells express IL 2 receptors distinct from Tac antigen. When the cells were activated with SAC, significant proliferation was also found in response to rIFN‐γ. However, rIFN‐γ induced no IgM synthesis even after activation with SAC. rIFN‐α affected neither B cell proliferation nor differentiation regardless of whether the cells were activated with SAC or not. Our results suggest that IL 2 can induce proliferation of activated B cells, but IFN‐γ only enhances proliferation of actively cycling B cells.
In vitro activity of dicloxacillin against methicillin‐susceptible and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus‐aureus
Authors: FRIMODT‐MØLLER NIELS , ROSDAHL VIBEKE THAMDRUP , GAHRN‐HANSEN BENTE
Published: August 2009

A total of 54 strains of Staphyloccus aureus, 37 methicillin‐susceptible (MSSA) and 17 methicillin‐resistant (MRSA), were investigated for their susceptibility to dicloxacillin as compared to methicillin and oxacillin by agar plate dilution at two different temperatures of incubation (30 °C and 37 °C). Against MSSA strains we found a slight but significant increase (0–2 dilution steps) in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for all three antibiotics with decrease in incubation temperature. Against MRSA strains methicillin and oxacillin showed a 3–6 fold increase in median MIC with decrease in incubation temperature. For dicloxacillin, in contrast, there were no significant differences in median MICs (i.e. 0.4 mg/l) against MSSA strains at 30 °C or MRSA strains at either incubation temperature. Population‐analysis of the MRSA strains revealed, however, that a highly dicloxacillin‐resistant subpopulation appeared with a frequency of 10‐6 to 10‐7. Such heterogenous resistance of MRSA strains to dicloxacillin probably prohibits the use of dicloxacillin against serious infections caused by these pathogens.
Campylobacter strains from Swedish patients with diarrhoea
Authors: SJÖGREN E. , ALESTIG K. , KAIJSER B.
Published: August 2009

Serotyping, HS antigen and HL antigen, was performed on 105 Campylobacter jejuni/coli isolates from the same number of consequtive patients seeking medical attention for diarrhoea. The results were compared to a similar study performed five years earlier. It was found that there were only minor differences in frequency of the serotypes commonly isolated during the two different periods.
Structural variations and growth potential of Yersinia enterocolitica under different culture conditions
Authors: GRÖNBERG ANDERS , KIHLSTRÖM ERIK
Published: August 2009

The growth potential and the polypeptide composition of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:3 isolated from patients with uncomplicated diarrhoea, reactive arthritis or septicemia were evaluated under different culture conditions. The expression of polypeptides varied with presence of the virulence‐associated 40–48 Mdal plasmid, growth medium, growth temperature and gas composition of the culture (air, carbon dioxide, oxygen). Also the initial growth medium at 26 °C, before temperature shift to 37 °C, influenced the subsequent growth potential and expression of polypeptides. The plasmid encoded at least 7 polypeptides. This plasmid also inhibited the multiplication of bacteria under defined culture conditions. The dominating plasmid‐encoded polypeptides were optimally expressed in air or oxygen‐supplemented growth medium. The majority of the chromosomally encoded polypeptides were expressed independently of presence of the plasmid, whereas the expression of at least 8 were repressed by the plasmid. Five chromosomally encoded polypeptides were expressed only in carbon dioxide and five only in oxygen environment. These results indicate that Y. enterocolitica may express different molecules in different environments in vivo. This may be of importance for host‐parasite relationship and immune response.
Rhabdomyosarcoma in middle‐aged and elderly individuals
Authors: SEIDAL TOMAS , KINDBLOM LARS‐GUNNAR , ANGERVALL LENNART
Published: August 2009

In a review of a national series of malignant tumors in middle‐aged and elderly individuals (over 40 years of age), in all 107 cases primarily diagnosed and reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry as rhabdomyosarcomas during the period 1972–1981, 4 cases were accepted as botryoid, embryonal or alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, using light‐microscopic criteria for the diagnosis. An electron‐microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the 4 cases along with 7 cases of botryoid, embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in patients of over 40 years of age obtained from our own files. Rhabdomyoblastic differentiation was established ultrastructurally by the presence of myofilaments and Z‐like densities in 10 of these 11 cases. There were tumor cells in the formaldehyde‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded material which were positively stained for desmin in all cases, for myoglobin in 7/11 cases, for vimentin in 5/11 cases and for actin in all cases, using monoclonal antibodies. The demonstration of desmin by the monoclonal antibody which was used on the formaldehyde‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded material is of particular value in the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Another tumor, located in the minor pelvis, lacked the light‐microscopic features of botryoid, embryonal or alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, but presented ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evidence of a rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. This tumor was epithelioid in appearance and shared features with alveolar soft part sarcoma. The label epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma is proposed for this tumor. Nine pleomorphic sarcomas were selected from the national series as possible pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas because of the presence of ribbon‐shaped tumor cells with an eosiniphilic cytoplasm. There was no electron‐microscopic or immunohistochemical evidence of a myogenic differentiation in any of these 9 tumors. The present investigation indicates that a pleomorphic type of rhabdomyosarcoma, indistinguishable from embryonal, botryoid and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, is extremely rare or non‐existent.
Serological analysis of the heat‐stable antigens involved in serotyping Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
Authors: MORAN ANTHONY P. , KOSUNEN TIMO U.
Published: August 2009

Analysis with serotyping antisera showed that carbohydrate determinants were the dominant heat‐stable antigens of Campylobacter jenuni/coli involved, whereas proteins did not contribute to the serological reactions. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) along with a polysaccharide extract from whole bacteria (PS(WB)) conferred strain serospecificity. In general, analysis with monoclonal antibodies in passive haemagglutination and co‐agglutination tests showed the existence of similar antigenic determinants in LPS and PS(WB) of the same strain. However, in some strains determinants were detectable in LPS but not in PS(WB) using monoclonal antibodies, in other strains the situation was reversed. All of these monoclonal antibodies reacted with LPS in the more sensitive immunoblotting technique. The presence of 2‐keto‐3‐deoxyoctonic acid in PS(WB) preparations, in the absence of endotoxin, supported the conclusion that PS(WB) was derived from LPS during extraction. The lack of detection of a reaction by monoclonal antibodies with LPS in passive haemagglutination, in contrast to immunoblotting, was suggested due to the presence of low concentrations of the relevant epitopes because of the procedure used to prepare the LPS tested.
Production of polyclonal antisera against cytomegalovirus and varicella‐zoster virus by use of affinity‐purified viral antigens
Authors: UKKONEN PENTTI
Published: August 2009

Specific animal antisera to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and varicella‐zoster virus (VZV), devoid of antibodies to host cell components, have been difficult to prepare because of the cell‐associated nature of these viruses. A simple method for the purification of CMV and VZV antigens is described in this paper. The viral antigens were purified from commercially available crude antigens by affinity chromatography with human antibodies against CMV and VZV. Rabbits were immunized with the purified antigens. The produced antisera were specific for the respective viruses and did not contain antibodies to host cell components, as determined by immunofluorescence microscopy and enzyme‐immunoassay. The antisera have been used for direct detection of viral antigens in clinical specimens and for identification of cytopathic effect in cell cultures by immunofluorescence microscopy. The CMV antiserum could also be used for the early detection of CMV in cell cultures inoculated with patient specimens, but it was less sensitive than a monoclonal antibody to the early antigen of CMV.
Radiography in post‐mortem examinations of fetuses and neonates
Authors: GRØNVALL JOHN , GRÆM NIELS
Published: August 2009

During the last decade there has been an increasing interest in radiological investigation of stillborns and neonates as a supplement to autopsy. A consecutive series of 137 fetuses and neonates is presented. Prior to autopsy plain X‐ray films were taken, and in 50% arteriography was performed by injecting contrast medium into an umbilical or femoral artery. On the plain films only 41% were normal. The major part of the abnormal radiographs exhibited minor abnormalities such as transverse lines or “stress‐lines” of the bones, cercival ribs or an abnormal numbers of ribs. Major abnormalities were seen in 9%. Most of these were abnormalities of the spine. The arteriographs were very detailed and were abnormal in 29% of the cases. The technique was not suitable for demonstration of heart malformations. It is concluded that plain film X‐ray of soft tissues and bones is recommendable as a routine procedure, whereas arteriography should be limited to cases suspected of vascular malformations or if an autopsy cannot be performed.
Mucosal cysts in Barrett's mucosa with dysplasia
Authors: RUBIO C. A. , RIDDELL R. H.
Published: August 2009

The frequency of glandular cysts occurring in the Barrett's mucosa was investigated in areas adjacent to invasive adenocarcinoma in 32 resected esophagi. Cysts in the metaplastic glands of the Barrett mucosa were present in areas with and without dysplasia in 31 of the 32 specimens. The mean cyst index (i.e. the number of glandular cysts divided by the length – in mm – of mucosa analyzed) was 2.3 in the non‐dysplastic Barrett mucosa, and 2.5 in the Barrett mucosa with dysplasia. Significantly lower indices (p<0.001) were found in areas with metaplastic glands covered by “healing” squamous epithelium (0.47) and in the gastric mucosa of the same patients (0.15) as well as in 10 control esophagi underneath normal squamous epithelium (0.11). The outlet of the dilated glands was often obstructed by clusters of dysplastic cells or papillary formations with atypical cells, substantiating an obstructive‐causal mechanism in these cysts. Other cysts were partially or totally replaced by dysplastic epithelium. The present findings may be of importance for the histological differential diagnosis between dysplasia and highly differentiated adenocarcinomas in biopsy specimens from the Barrett Mucosa.
Histomorphometric analysis of bone in idiopathic hypercalciuria before and after treatment with thiazide
Authors: STEINICHE T. , MOSEKILDE L. , CHRISTENSEN M. S. , MELSEN F.
Published: August 2009

Twenty‐seven normocalcemic patients aged 11–69 yrs with recurrent renal stone formation and idiopathic hypercalciuria were studied before and after treatment with hydrochlorthiazide (TD) 50 mg twice a day for 6 months. Hypercalciuria was defined as a 24 h renal calcium excretion of more than 7.5 mmol for males and 6.3 mmol for females. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis of illiac crest bone biopsies were performed before and after treatment. TD treatment increased the adjusted serum calcium level (p < 0.01), whereas no significant effects on the serum levels of phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase or iPTH were found. The urinary calcium/creatinine ratio decreased (p < 0.01) during TD treatment, whereas no change in the urinary phosphorous/creatinine ratio was found. The histomorphometric analysis revealed a reduction in the extent of eroded surfaces (p < 0.05) and bone formation rate (p < 0.05) as well as a decrease in the osteoid thickness (p < 0.05) during TD treatment. No effect on the trabuceluar bone volume was found. A reduction in the activation frequency of new remodeling sites and thereby a reduced bone turnover during TD treatment can explain the observed histomorphometric changes. The decrease in osteoid thickness may be related to the increased serum calcium concentration leading to better conditions for mineralization.
Pathology of brain and eye in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A comparison of lesions in a consecutive autopsy material
Authors: JENSEN O. A. , KLINKEN L.
Published: August 2009

During the years 1984–1987, a consecutive Danish autopsy material of 43 AIDS cases was analysed in order to investigate a possible coincidence of pathological changes in brain and eye. In the brain, nodular gliosis/encephalitis was most frequent, followed by cytomegalovirus infection, which occurred twice as frequently as toxoplasmic infection and four times as frequently as fungal infection. In the eye, cytomegalovirus infection was most frequent and the only opportunistic infection, followed by retinal gliosis and cytoid body lesion. Malignant lymphoma was present in the brain in three patients, and in the choroid in two of these. In 11 patients, no changes of the brain were found. In eight of these the eye was also without pathological findings, while three had minor changes. In 22 patients the eye was normal, but in only eight of these was the brain without changes. Eight had nodular gliosis, and four a specific infection, while multifocal leucoencephalopathy and unspecified abscess each occurred in one patient. Comparison of the three opportunistic infections – CMV, toxoplasmosis and mycosis – in the three‐year period showed an overall decreasing frequency, attributed to better medical care. It is concluded that concomitance of identical pathological lesions in brain and eye is less frequent than was expected.
Pyrimidine 5‘‐nucleosidase in Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: JYSSUM SIDSEL
Published: August 2009

A previously unknown pyrimidine 5′‐nucleosidase (pyrimidine 5′‐nucleotide phosphoribo hydrolase) specific for uridine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐UMP) was present in crude extract from Neisseria meningitidis. Of seven strains, six were found to degrade the N‐glycosidic linkage of 5′‐UMP. One strain showed negligible activity. The substrate was quantitatively converted to uracil and ribose 5′‐phosphate (R5P). Cytidine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐CMP) or the 2‐deoxy 5′‐monophosphates of the pyrimidine nucleosides (5′‐dUMP, 5′‐dCMP, 5′‐dTMP) were found not to be degraded. Neither was uridine 3′‐monophosphate (3′‐UMP) degraded by extracts from the three strains selected for this test.
The in vitro activity of norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics in current use against Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: MELBY KJETIL , FÆGRI AGNETE
Published: August 2009

One hundred non‐beta‐lactamase‐producing and 50 beta‐lactamase‐producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae serogroup WI and WII/III were tested in vitro by an agar dilution method against a panel of antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and norfloxacin. All strains irrespective of beta‐lactamase production and serogroup allocation, were inhibited by 0.125 mg/l of all quinolones. Ciprofloxacin turned out to be most active followed by ofloxacin and norfloxacin. All strains were also inhibited by low concentrations of cefotaxime (MIC <0.25 mg/l). Many strains mostly among the beta‐lactamase‐producing strains were resistant (MIC > 4 mg/l) to doxycycline. Ampicillin is still active against the majority of non‐beta‐lactamase‐producing strains. The majority of the strains belonged to serogroup WII/III which are known to be less sensitive to penicillin G and ampicillin.
Immunohistochemical investigation of inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitor in the urinary tract
Authors: ØDUM LARS
Published: August 2009

The presence of inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitor in the urinary tract was investigated by immunohistochemistry. A positive reaction for inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitor was found in the proximal convoluted tubules of human kidney, probably representing the reabsorbed protein. In addition, inter‐α‐trypsin‐inhibitor immunoreactivity was also demonstrated in human and rat mast cells.
Dialysis membrane interference in human T‐lymphocyte proliferation assays
Authors: BLIGAARD NIELS , REMVIG LARS
Published: August 2009

Dialysis with cellulose acetate membranes is frequently performed in the laboratory in order to remove possible interfering substances from various biological fluids. However, retentates from dialysis, compared to undialysed samples, inhibited the sub‐maximal phytohaemagglutinin‐induced proliferation of human T‐lymphocytes. This inhibition was accentuated when the samples to be dialysed contained normal human serum. Four different membranes all produced similar degrees of inhibition when samples of varied composition were dialysed. It is unlikely that the inhibitory effect on the MNC/MØ‐DC proliferations is due to glycerol, heavy metals or sulphuric compounds in the retentate. The most likely explanation of the inhibition is liberation of a substance from the membrane to the retentate during dialysis. Our experiments suggested two solutions. Simply boiling the dialysis tubing – internal as well as external – solved the problem. Another way to circumvent the problem is to use a commercially available dialysis membrane which is completely devoid of this inhibitory effect.
Lectinohistochemistry of human bladder cancer: Loss of lectin binding structures in invasive carcinomas
Authors: LANGKILDE NIELS C. , WOLF HANS , ØRNTOFT TORBEN F.
Published: August 2009

With the purpose of studying changes in the expression of glycoconjugate structures in urothelium, nine different lectins (PNA, WGA, VFA, GSA II, STA, UEA I, LCA, DBA and HPA) with specificity for mono‐or oligo‐saccharides were used on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections from 47 patients who had undergone surgical resection for bladder tumors and on normal urothelial biopsies from 10 patients. The tumors were graded and a lectinohistochemical method using biotinylated lectins and avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex was used to demonstrate the lectin binding. Positive staining reactions of cells in cytoplasm and on membranes were evaluated in the basal, the intermediate, and the luminal cell layers, respectively. In both normal and atypical urothelium lectin binding predominated in the luminal cell layer and decreased towards the basal cell layer. In normal urothelium all lectins stained > 66% of the cells in the luminal cell layer in cytoplasm and between 5 and 100% of the cells on membranes depending on the lectin used. A gradual loss of lectin‐binding structures was seen with increasing grade of atypia. The range of this decrease varied considerably from one lectin to another, but it was consistently found that the percentage of cells stained in cytoplasm and on membranes decreased. A significantly lower percentage of cells stained in cytoplasm was found in invasive tumor cell‐islands compared to normal urothelium. In invasive tumor cell‐islands staining of cells on membranes was completely absent, except for HPA lectin that stained less than 10% of the cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate a dramatic decrease in lectin‐binding carbohydrate structures associated with urothelial malignant progression.
Enhanced binding of immune complexes processed by erythrocyte CR1 (CD 35) receptors to purified CR2 (CD 21) receptors from tonsillar mononuclear cells
Authors: RASK R. , RASMUSSEN J. M. , JEPSEN H. H. , SVEHAG S. E.
Published: August 2009

The binding of immune complexes (IC) opsonized by serum complement (C) and IC processed by CR1 (CD 35) receptors on human erythrocytes (E) to purified CR2 (CD 21) receptors was compared. Soluble CR2 was prepared from tonsillar mononuclear cells and purified by antibody affinity chromatography. Solid phase CR2 as well as CR2 subjected to PAGE and blotted onto nitro‐cellulose membranes bound 125I‐labelled BSA anti‐BSA IC which had been opsonized by C and processed by CR1 up to ten times more efficiently than IC reacted with serum only. Radiolabelled monomeric C3d also bound to solid phase CR2. The binding of IC to purified and solid phase bound CR2 could be inhibited by anti‐CR2 antibodies or by preincubation of the IC with polyclonal antibodies reacting with C3d or C3b/iC3b. Thus, both C3dg and iC3b appeared to mediate binding of IC to CR2. Preincubation of solid phase CR2 with purified monomeric C3d did not inhibit the subsequent binding of E‐CR1 processed IC.

The data indicate that E‐CR1 have an important role in generating IC which bind effectively to CR2 receptors on B lymphocytes.
Rheumatoid arthritis cells and biochemical changes in turpentine‐induced pleuritis in rabbits
Authors: FAURSCHOU P. , GRUNNET N. , WINDING O. , DIRKSEN A. , FAARUP P.
Published: August 2009

When turpentine was instilled into the right pleural cavity in rabbits a pleural effusion developed in half of the animals, with a low pH, low glucose concentration, high lactic dehydrogenase activity and the constant presence of rheumatoid arthritis cells in the affected pleural cavity. The biochemical values in the pleural fluid were significantly different from the values for normal pleural fluid obtained by a special microtechnique. These changes resulting from the experimentally induced, simple, irritative turpentine pleuritis are similar to the findings in the pleural effusion in human rheumatoid pleuritis; this implies that such changes are probably non‐specific and without evidence of an immunological background.
The antibacterial activity of a siderophore
Authors: HARTZEN SUSANNE HARTVIG , FRIMODT‐MØLLER NIELS , THOMSEN VILLY FRØLUND
Published: August 2009

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the siderophore, deferoxamine, alone and in combination with ascorbic acid, was investigated against 10 clinical isolates of S. aureus employing the broth dilution test and the time‐kill method. By the broth dilution test neither activity of deferoxamine and ascorbic acid was demonstrated. In the time‐kill study the combination of deferoxamine and ascorbic acid showed a growth inhibiting effect of 3 – 6 log units at 6 hours. The growth inhibition demonstrated at 6 hours was overcome at 24 hours but could either partially or completely be maintained when repeated addition of the combination of deferoxamine and ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid alone was performed. The antimicrobial effect of deferoxamine could be abolished by adding ferric citrate in ample amounts to saturate deferoxamine with iron.
Sulfonamide resistance in Neisseria meningitidis isolates of clones of the ET‐5 complex
Authors: CAUGANT DOMINIQUE A. , FRØHOLM L. ODDVAR , SELANDER ROBERT K. , BØVRE KJELL
Published: August 2009

A distinctive group of genetically closely related clones, as determined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, the ET‐5 complex, has been responsible for an epidemic of meningococcal disease in Norway since the mid‐1970′s. Most isolates of the ET‐5 complex from Norway are sulfonamide‐resistant, serogroup B, and serotype 15:P1.16. Clones of the ET‐5 complex that have been identified as the causative agents of recent outbreaks and epidemics in many other parts of the world show, outside Northern Europe, different associations of serotype protein antigens. We here report the analysis of sulfonamide susceptibility of isolates of the ET‐5 complex from various geographic sources. There was no difference in resistance according to geographic source, serogroup, or serotype of the isolates, demonstrating that, in contrast to serotype and serogroup, sulfonamide resistance is an essentially invariant property of clones of the ET‐5 complex.
Endotoxin liberation studied by biological and chemical methods
Authors: BRYN KLAUS , SOLBERG OTTO , ANDERSEN BJØRG MARIT
Published: August 2009

Release of endotoxin (or lipopolysaccharides, LPS) from four meningococcal strains was studied with a chemical and a biological technique. Two strains were endotoxin‐liberating (E+; 270E+ and 840E+) and two had no or low endotoxin release E‐; 270E‐ and 840E‐). LPS was quantitated by gas chromatography (GC) of LPS‐specific hydroxy fatty acids, in parallel with assay of endotoxin by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), in cell suspensions of equal O.D. and in filtered samples. The GC and LAL methods showed a reasonably good agreement in the determination of LPS in filtrates, which had distinctly higher levels (approx. 10–100 times) for the E+ strains than the E‐ strains, in accordance with earlier LAL studies. This difference was not due to overproduction of LPS in the E+ strains, since all four strains had the same level of LPS (by GC) in cell suspensions of equal O.D. Here the agreement between the GC and LAL methods was substantially less, with lower values by LAL for the two E‐ strains. The chemical composition of purified LPS was determined by methanolysis and GC for the four strains and for two additional strains 247 and 714 with a high degree of genetic similarity with strains 270E‐ and 840E‐, respectively. Amounts of unphosphorylated L‐glycero‐D‐manno heptose and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxyoctonic acid were the same in all 6 LPS. Otherwise distinct differences were found between LPS of the 6 strains. LPS of the two E+ strains formed one group with about 2.4 mol of galactose (gal), 1.4 mol of glucose (glc) and 2.8 mol of glucosamine (glcN) in the carbohydrate chain. Another group, LPS of all the E‐ strains except 270E‐, had 1.1 mol of gal, 2.8 mol of glc and 1.3 mol of glcN in the LPS chain. LPS 270E‐ also had 1.3 mol of glcN but deviated strongly form all other LPS by a complete lack of gal and glc. On the basis of genetic evidence strain 270E‐ is regarded as a “rough” LPS mutant of strain 247. The atypical chemistry of LPS 270E‐ may explain an observed hydrophobicity of this LPS, and it may be related to the previously described sulfonamide sensitivity. Whether the chemical difference observed for LPS of the E+ and E‐ strains is a mere coincidence remains to be elucidated by detailed studies of more strains of known tendency of endotoxin liberation.
Mechanism of spontaneous loss of heat‐stable toxin (STa) production in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: SOMMERFELT HALVOR , HAUKANES BJØRN‐IVAR , KALLAND KARL HENNING , SVENNERHOLM ANN‐MARI , SANCHÉZ JOAQUIN , BJORVATN BJARNE
Published: August 2009

Five strains of enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) showing spontaneous loss of heat‐stable enterotoxin (STa) production were studied to elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms. Southern blot analysis revealed that loss of STa production, and the corresponding lack of hybridization with the STa gene probes, were associated with deletions of DNA fragments harboring the relevant toxin genes rather than with loss of plasmids.