bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori infection in children: population‐based age‐specific prevalence and risk factors in a developing country
Authors: Jafri W , Yakoob J , Abid S , Siddiqui S , Awan S , Nizami SQ
Published: October 2009

Aim:  We estimated the prevalence, age of acquisition and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) seroprevalence in children aged 1–15 years.

Methods:  Exposure was assessed using ELISA. Parents responded to a questionnaire regarding number of individuals sharing house, rooms, water source, latrines, housing and assessment of socioeconomic status (SES) by Hollingshead Index.

Results:  Serum of 1976 children was tested. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in children aged 11–15 years was 53.5% (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.58–2.5). It increased with moderate crowding index (CRI) of 2–4 to 45.9% (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.92–1.63) and to 51.2% with CRI >4 (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.12–2.06). In middle SES, seropositivity was 50.5% (331/655) (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.29–2.35), whereas in lower SES, it was 47.1% (500/1062) (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.0). Multivariate analysis showed that Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence was high in children aged 6–10 and 11–15 years (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–1.9 and OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.56–2.47 respectively), in lower‐middle SES (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2–2.1 and OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.10–2.0 respectively) and in uneducated fathers (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.27–1.95).

Conclusion:  Helicobacter pylori seropositivity increases with age, in low‐middle SES and is related to father’s educational status. Reducing H. pylori seroprevalence will require improvement in sanitary conditions and educational status of the population.
Heart transplantation in Norway
Authors: FOERSTER ARNOLD , SIMONSEN SVEIN , FRØYSAKER TOR
Published: October 2009

A brief description is given of the most important morphological changes in endomyocardial biopsy specimens taken from cyclosporin A (CyA)‐treated cardiac allograft recipients. The National Hospital of Norway was, in 1983, the first Scandinavian hospital to perform a heart transplantation, an event facilitated by the new immunosuppressive drug CyA. Up to now (February 1987), 38 allogeneic orthotopic transplants have been carried out on a total of 37 patients, of whom 32 are alive and clinically well. There was no operative mortality, but 5 patients died of other causes: Two early rejections, one arrhythmia due to moderate rejection, one Toxoplasma myocarditis and one early graft failure due to donor heart coronary artery disease. The observation time ranges from six weeks to 39 months. The first 9 patients received CyA and prednisolene; all subsequent recipients were treated with Azathioprine additionally. Thirty six grafts were controlled by 557 sequential biopsy prosedures which yielded 2783 endomyocardial specimens for histopathological examinition. A histological diagnosis of rejection was made 99 times in 32 grafts (mean 2,6). Twenty four biopsies were obtained on clinical indication in 15 patients, and rejection was diagnosed in 11 biopsies. Evaluation of endomyocardial biopsies is important in monitoring cardiac recipients and provides a morphological index of acute rejection. Serial biopsies with adequate endomyocardial sampling from different areas of the right ventricle make it possible to diagnose acute cellular rejection at an early stage and are essential to control immunosuppressive treatment. Endomyocardial biopsy is a safe and reliable procedure and plays an important role in the management of cardiac allograft rejection.
DNA flow cytometric values in bladder carcinoma biopsies obtained from fresh and paraffin‐embedded material
Authors: JACOBSEN A. B. , FOSSÅ S. D. , THORUD E. , LUNDE S. , MELVIK J. E. , PETTERSEN E. O.
Published: October 2009

DNA‐histograms were obtained by flow cytometry (FCM) of nuclei prepared from fresh bladder carcinoma biopsies and from 100 μm sections of paraffin‐embedded material from the same biopsies. Linear regression analysis of ploidy values from fresh material versus those from paraffin blocks showed excellent correlation (R2=0.957). Owing to the high background, the paraffin‐embedded material was less suited for analysis of S‐phase fraction. It is concluded that DNA FCM of nuclei obtained from paraffin‐embedded bladder carcinoma biopsies yields reliable results concerning ploidy, but does not permit evaluation of the S‐phase fraction.
A rapid assay for protein‐A inStaph, aureusstrains, using immunomagnetic monosized polymer particles
Authors: JOHNE BERIT , JARP JORUN
Published: October 2009

Monosized magnetic polystyrene beads, Dynabeads M‐450, coated with sheep IgG were used in an agglutination test for the detection of cell‐surface protein‐A, based on Fc‐protein‐A binding. Ninety‐three per cent of the bovineStaphylococcus aureusstrains isolated from clinical mastitis expressed surface protein‐A. The agglutination test was rapid compared to FITC‐labelled IgG binding or dog‐serum agar precipitation test for protein‐A, and was significantly correlated with these methods. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated binding of protein‐A positive bacteria to the particle surface, thus bridging the beads and forming the agglutination lattice. The microsphere agglutination assay described is a quick, simple and reproducible method for detecting surface protein‐A in staphylococci.
Polycystic kidney disease
Authors: RAPOLA JUHANI , KÄÄRIÄINEN HELENA
Published: October 2009

Histological findings in 75 children with polycystic kidney disease were analysed. The patients had been divided into recessive (RPKD), dominant (DPKD), and sporadic cases on the basis of family investigations. The histological findings in the patients with RPKD and DPKD were compared with each other in order to define criteria for classificastion of the sporadic patients. The kidneys of the neonatally‐deceased patients with RPKD (26 patients) and DPKD (4 patients) were macroscopically very similar. On histological investigation, all patients with RPKD (32 patients) showed cysts derived from the collecting ducts. In DPKD, the cyst epithelium was more variable, and the presence of glomerular cysts served as a useful histologial marker of this disorder. In RPKD there was diffuse biliary dysgenesis, in contrast to the normal liver in the neonatally‐deceased DPKD patients. However, one DPKD patient who survived also had biliary dysgenesis. Using the observed differences between RPKD and DPKD as criteria, all sporadic patients with satisfactory histological material could be classified as RPKD. We conclude that the differential diagnosis between RPKD and DPKD can be based on kidney and liver histology.
Serum from diabetic patients enhances synthesis of arterial basement membrane‐like material in cultured smooth muscle cells
Authors: RASMUSSEN L. M. , LEDET T.
Published: October 2009

The effect of serum from both type I and type II diabetic subjects on the metabolism of arterial basement membrane (BM)‐like material was studied in cultures of rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells. The basement membrane‐like material was isolated from the cell‐layer by a combined sonication and centrifugation technique. Serum from type I diabetic persons added to the incubation medium increased statistically significantly the incorporation of L‐[4,5]‐3H‐leucine into the basement membrane‐like material as compared to serum from non‐diabetic subjects (2P < 0.05). The same effect was seen with serum from type II diabetic patients as compared to serum from nondiabetic subjects (2P < 0.05). No effect of serum from type I diabetic persons was seen in degradation experiments. Incubation medium supplemented with normal serum and extra glucose neither changed the production of basement membrane‐like material nor the disappearence rate of radioactive leucine from the basement membrane‐like material in degradation experiments. The present study indicates that serum from diabetic subjects enhances the production of arterial basement membrane‐like material from arterial smooth muscle cells in culture. The obtained data may be relevant for the understanding of the development of macroangiopathy among diabetic patients.
Human peritoneal macrophages
Authors: HETLAND G. , BUNGUM L.
Published: October 2009

Endotoxin‐stimulated human peritoneal macrophages were cultured in serum‐free medium with agarose beads. Monospecific antibodies to human C3c, C3g, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9 and to C9‐neoantigen bound to the beads. This shows that activated C3 and the terminal complement complex (TCC), made from complement components C5 to C9, were generated on the beads. De novo synthesis was confirmed by agarose binding of tritium‐labelled protein. Moreover, C3‐derivatives and C9‐neoantigen were detected on normal serum‐treated agarose beads but not on beads kept in factor B‐depleted or heat‐inactivated sera, implying that an intact alternative complement pathway was required for our findings. The macrophages thus synthesize the active complement components of the alternative and terminal pathways in vitro.
Lipopolysaccharide as a tool to reveal autoreactive B cells
Authors: MÖLLER GÖRAN
Published: October 2009

It has been found in several different test systems that LPS is competent to induce autoantibodies of different specificities. As a rule only IgM autoantibodies have been found. The presence of autoreactive B cells in healthy individuals indicate that autoreactive B cells have not been not eliminated by the induction of immunological tolerance. This result is to expected according to the concept of the one non‐specific signal hypothesis for B cell activation, which only ascribes a passive focussing role to the immunoglobulin receptors, whereas activation and tolerogenic signals are delivered via non‐clonally distributed receptors for polyclonal B cell activators and T cell interleukins. The induction of autoantibodies by LPS in mice does not result in detectable disease or symptoms. Therefore, the ability of LPS to induce IgM autoantibodies does not constitute a model for induction of autoimmune diseases. The main importance of these findings is that the self‐non‐self distinction is not carried out by B cells. Presumably T cells alone are responsible for the self‐non‐self distinction.
Influence of antihypertensive treatment on basal cerebral arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: NORDBORG CLAES
Published: October 2009

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were treated with a combination of a beta1‐blocker (metoprolol) and a calcium antagonist (felodipine) from 1 to 4 or from 4 to 6 months of age. Basal cerebral arteries were fixed by immersion and embedded in plastic. The ratio between media thickness and luminal radius was determined in cross‐sectioned arteries for a standardized condition, assuming a smooth and circular internal elastic membrane. The treatment caused a significant decrease in blood pressure and a normalization of m/r ratios in basal cerebral arteries when initiated in young as well as in adult SHR and SHRSP, i.e. the therapy efficiently prevents as well as reverses hypertensive arterial changes. Even though 4‐month‐old treated rats were still significantly hypertensive, their m/r ratios did not differ from those of normotensive controls. The latter results may indicate that the treatment affects the vessel walls also through other mechanisms than by decreasing the pressure load.
Peritoneal, benign, cystic mesothelioma with free‐floating cysts, re‐examined by new methods
Authors: IVERSEN OLAV HILMAR , HOVIG TORSTEIN , BRANDTZAEG PER
Published: October 2009

A histologically‐confirmed, multicystic, benign mesothelioma, with free‐floating, thin‐walled cysts, in the abdominal cavity of a 27‐year‐old woman was reported in 1954. After removal of all visible cysts by laparotomy, the patient was healthy and well for 29 years, when she was surgically treated for cholecystitis and gall bladder stones in 1982. The whole peritoneum was found covered with small cysts lined by mesothelial cells. The patient is (April 1987) well, with no complaints. Sections from the old paraffin blocks were studied by means of scanning, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. These methods confirmed the histological diagnosis. The authors discuss whether such a lesion really is a benign tumor or should rather be otherwise classified.
Campylobacter pylori in Swedish patients referred for gastroscopy
Authors: GNARPE H. , UNGE P. , BLOMQVIST C. , MÄKITALO S.
Published: October 2009

Campylobacter pylori was isolated more often from patient with peptic ulcers and in an age‐related manner in a material of 395 consecutive patients referred for gastroscopy. Direct microscopy was done with Gram and Acridine Orange stain and found too insensitive for practical use. All patients were investigated serologically with an enzyme immunoassay which showed excellent correlation with positive cultures for C. pylori. The findings were discussed, and the enzyme immunoassay, with a negative predictive value of 0.99, was found to be a valuable tool for primary screening of patients suspected of being carriers of C. pylori.
Studies on clinical isolates of coagulase‐negative staphylococci resistant to methicillin
Authors: HANSEN‐NORD MICHAEL , GAHRN‐HANSEN BENTE , SIBONI KNUD
Published: October 2009

The in vitro susceptibility to cephalothin and cefuroxime of 195 isolates of methicillin‐resistant coagulase‐negative staphylococci was determined by the agar‐diffusion test, using 7.5% NaCl‐supplemented agar. The distribution of the inhibition zone diameters for isolates of S. epidermidis (S. biotype 1) as well as for S. haemolyticus (S. biotype 4) was trimodal. While 4% of the isolates were found susceptible to cefuroxime, 39% of the S. epidermidis/S. hominis (S. biotype 1) isolates and 34% of the S. haemolyticus (S. biotype 4) isolates were found susceptible to cephalothin by this method. Eight of these isolates (six S. epidermidis, two S. haemolyticus) were selected for susceptibility testing by the tube‐dilution method, together with four isolates (three S. haemolyticus, one S. epidermidis) found resistant to cephalothin by the agar‐diffusion test. The first‐mentioned isolates were all found susceptible to cephalothin with MICs ≤ 2 μg/1, while the last‐named all were resistant with MICs ≥ 16 μg/ml. Population analyses revealed sub‐populations of highly resistant bacteria in all methicillin‐resistant isolates of S. epidermidis (S. biotype 1), as well as in all isolates of S. haemolyticus (S. biotype 4). We thus concluded that methicillin‐resistance in isolates of coagulase‐negative staphylococci implies resistance to cephalosporins and that the difference between S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus as regards cephalosporin‐susceptibility is quantitative and not qualitative. Eighty‐nine per cent of the 195 methicillin‐resistant isolates in this study were resistant to penicillin and at least one more antibiotic. We therefore think that resistance to penicillin and one or more non‐beta‐lactam antibiotics strongly suggests methicillin‐resistance and that such isolates should be further tested on hypertonic media.
Isolation ofCampylobacterspp. andYersinia enterocoliticafrom domestic animals and human patients in Kenya
Authors: TURKSON PAA KOBINA , LINDQVIST KAARE J. , KAPPERUD GEORG
Published: October 2009

Rectal swabs or faecal samples from 992 domestic animals and 97 human patients in the Nairobi region were cultured for thermophilicCampylobacterspecies andYersinia enterocolitica.The highest isolation rate of campylobacters was obtained from diarrhoeic pigs (55.1%), followed by healthy chicken (51.5%), diarrhoeic dogs (47.2%), healthy pigs (44.0%), healthy ducks (29.4%), healthy goats (6.3%), healthy cattle (5.8%), diarrhoeic humans (3.1%), and healthy sheep (2.0%). Only one strain ofY. enterocoliticawas obtained. This isolate, which conformed to Nilehn's biotype 1, was recovered from one (0.7%) of the 150 healthy pigs examined. Out of 317 thermophilic Campylobacters isolated, 163 (51.4%) were classified asC. jejuni, whereas 127 (40.1%) belonged toC. coli.The remaining 27 strains fell into three categories which did not conform to any defined species. Of the total number of isolates, 74.1% were resistant to metronidazole, 90.9% were resistant to triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), and 50.2% reduced selenite. The results indicate that domestic animals may play a significant role in the epidemiology of human campylobacteriosis in the Nairobi region by serving as reservoirs.Y. enterocoliticaseems to be rare among man and animals in this area.
Blood group antigen staining pattern during experimental carcinogenesis in rat palate
Authors: REIBEL JESPER , WALLENIUS KJELL , DABELSTEEN ERIK
Published: October 2009

During 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide‐induced carcinogenesis in the rat palate, animals were sacrificed at various intervals and stained for blood group antigens B and H (Type 2 chain) by an immunofluorescent method. In rats without signs of epithelial dysplasia, the staining pattern was identical with that in the normal control rats. In rats with definite or questionable (borderline cases) dysplasias, marked changes in blood group antigen staining pattern were seen. Thus, changes in cell‐surface carbohydrates during malignant development in the rat palate seem to follow closely the histomorphological changes. As there is good evidence that carcinomas would eventually develop in all rats if they were not sacrificed, it seems that the blood group antigen staining pattern does not predict malignant development in the absence of histological suspicion.
The E. coli immunosorbent as used in serodiagnosis of Legionella infections studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis
Authors: BANGSBORG J. M. , RECHNITZER C. , HØIBY N. , FRIIS‐MØLLER A. , LIND K.
Published: October 2009

In this study we investigated an immunosorbent, E. coli blocking fluid (BF), proposed for use in the Legionella Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFA). With crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) of clinically relevant Legionella species, only one heat‐stable antigen (no. 1) cross‐reacted with the BF preparation. Patients' sera with elevated Legionella IFA titres did not react with this antigen in CIE. Out of 23 IFA positive patients' sera, six had titres lowered significantly to negative, when BF was applied as serum diluent for the titration (IFA BF negative sera). All six sera were negative in the micro agglutination test (MA). None of the IFA BF negative sera contained any Legionella precipitins in CIE, whereas nine out of the remaining 17 IFA BF positive sera unchanged by BF contained one or more precipitins. CIE results could not explain the effect of BF in Legionella IFA, and further studies are needed to sufficiently define the use of immunosorbents in diagnostic Legionella serology.
Studies on ampicillin resistance in Achromobacter xylosoxidans
Authors: GAHRN‐HANSEN BENTE , SIBONI KNUD
Published: October 2009

Population analyses of susceptibility to ampicillin in ampicillin‐susceptible and ampicillin‐resistant strains of Achromobacter xylosoxidans revealed the existence of ampicillin‐resistant subpopulations in ampicillin‐susceptible isolates. Bacteria resistant to a concentration four times the one that inhibited the majority population had a frequency of 10‐3 to 10‐4. Strains isolated from aqueous environments are often found susceptible to ampicillin, while sporadic cases of infections with A. xylosoxidans are often caused by ampicillin‐resistant strains. We suggest that the isolation from clinical specimens of ampicillin‐susceptible strains, therefore, may be an indication of nosocomial infections due to recently contaminated aqueous solutions or medical equipment.
Nasopharyngeal secretory immunoglobulins in children with recurrent acute otitis media and secretory otitis media.
Authors: SÖRENSEN C. H. , NIELSEN L. K.
Published: October 2009

Secretory IgA (SIgA) and secretory IgM (SIgM), total IgA and total IgM were measured in plasma and nasopharyngeal secretions (NPS) from young children with different degrees of otitis proneness. Significantly higher levels of plasma IgM and lower levels of NPS‐SIgM were found in children with recurrent episodes of acute otitis media (rAOM) compared with children suffering from secretory otitis media (SOM) and healthy controls. Both plasma IgA and NPS‐SIgA were evenly distributed in the three groups of children investigated, and in most children the levels of NPS‐SIgA exceeded plasma IgA levels. Plasma SIgA was significantly increased in children with rAOM and SOM, probably resulting from frequent occurrence of inflammatory events at the nasopharyngeal level. No correlation could be demonstrated between NPS‐SIgA and plasma IgA, or between NPS‐SIgM and plasma IgM. Also, for both NPS‐SIgA and NPS‐SIgM, there was no correlation with age. A negative correlation was observed between the transudation index of albumin to the nasopharynx and the ratio of NPS‐SIgA to total NPS‐IgA. A ratio of 1 (100%) corresponded to a transudation index of 8%. The ratios of NPS‐SIgA to total NPS‐IgA varied considerably and a range of 39%–88% could only to some extent be explained by transudation of plasma IgA to NPS. The results of the present study show that the children with rAOM and SOM are well furnished with locally produced SIgA antibodies at the nasopharyngeal level. In children with SOM, the nasopharyngeal hypofunction in the case of low NPS‐SIgM seems to be less pronounced compared with that of otitis‐prone children.
Characteristics of two malignant lymphomas in C57B1/6J mice
Authors: HAGMAR B. , RYD W. , STENMAN G.
Published: October 2009

Two T‐cell lymphomas induced by a combination of antigen stimulation and immunosuppresion in inbred C57B1/6J mice, BWLl and BWL2 (Ryd et al. 1985), were further characterized. Cytogenetically they have the same trisomy 15 abnormality as chemically, virally and radiation induced T‐cell lymphomas. Analyses of early and late tumour generations indicate that both tumours are chromosomally stable. After i.v. transplantation, the two tumors grew in a similar manner and preferentially in spleen and liver. Proteolytic treatment of the tumor cells changed the distribution of both lymphomas from the lungs to other organs. Neuraminidase treatment had no such effect on BWL2, but a similar but weaker effect than pronase on BWL1. Our findings support the notion that the distribution of lymphomas are, at least in part, governed by cell‐surface characteristics.
Tumours in Iceland 10. Malignant tumours of the female breast
Authors: TULINIUS HRAFN , BJARNASON OLAFUR , SIGVALDASON HELGI , BJARNADOTTIR GUDRUN , OLAFSDOTTIR GUDRIDUR
Published: October 2009

The Icelandic Cancer Registry has records of 1,720 cases of malignant tumours of the female breast diagnosed in 1,659 patients in the 30‐year period 1955 — 1984. Of these, 1,658 tumours were invasive. Sufficient histological material existed for 1,666 malignant tumours to make it possible to classify them according to the criteria published by the WHO. The most frequent histological type was Ductal carcinoma: 1,064 neoplasms, or 64%. Second in frequency was Lobular carcinoma: 175 neoplasms, or 10%; third was Mucinous carcinoma: 115 neoplasms, or 7%; and fourth in frequency was Medullary carcinoma: 69 neoplasms, or 4%. The incidence of carcinoma of the breast increased by 74% from 37.0 per 100,000 per annum in 1955 — 59 to 64.4 per 100,000 in 1980 — 84. This increase in incidence affected all morphological types, but Lobular and Muci IOUS more than Ductal and Medullary. The survival times have improved with time. Unilateral tumours were 710 in the right and 837 in the left breast. Both breasts were involved 167 times (106 patients), and in 6 patients the side was not recorded. A second primary was more likely to develop when the first one was in the right breast. This study of malignant tumours of the breast is the tenth in a series of investigations into histological classification of tumours occurring in Iceland.
Blood‐monocyte functions in acute bacterial meningitis
Authors: NIELSEN H. , RØNNE‐RASMUSSEN J. O. , WILLUMSEN L.
Published: October 2009

The blood‐monocyte chemotactic, phagocytic and microbicidal activities were studied in 20 patients with acute bacterial meningitis. The cell functions were measured on admission, during treatment and after clinical recovery. In general, monocyte functions were within normal range on admission. However, in 2/2 patients with Neisseria meningitidis meningitis, complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation, defective chemotaxis was observed. Other patients had normal or enhanced monocyte chemotaxis. Two patients died: one had normal monocyte functions, one had initially defective chemotaxis and microbicidal activity. During treatment, cell functions normalized and after recovery all but one patient had a normal blood‐monocyte function profile. In conclusion, acute bacterial meningitis is not due to, or followed by, abnormal nonspecific functions of blood monocytes. However, development of disseminated intravascular coagulation is associated with depressed chemotactic responsiveness.
Bacteriophages in sputum of cystic fibrosis patients as a possible cause of in vivo changes in serotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: OJENIYI BENTE
Published: October 2009

Twenty sputum samples from cystic fibrosis patients were examined for contents of free bacteriophages. Thirty‐nine Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from twenty‐seven sputum samples were examined for spontaneously‐released phages and mitomycin‐induced phages. All of these phages were tested for their ability to change serotype, phage type and resistance pattern of the clinical Pseudomonas strains. Nine of the phages were able to cause change of serotype but not change in phage type or resistance pattern. The mitomycin‐induced phages lysed more strains than the spontaneously released phages, while the free phages lysed the highest number of Pseudomonas strains.
Cross‐reactions between Yersinia enterocolitica serogroup 0:3 and other serogroups of the same species, as well as thirty‐four other bacterial species
Authors: PÆRREGAARD A. , ESPERSEN F. , HØIBY N.
Published: October 2009

Cross‐reactions between antigens from Yersinia enterocolitica serogroup 0:3 and 5 other members of the same species as well as 34 other bacterial species were studied by means of quantitative immunoelec‐trophoretic methods. A sonicated Y. enterocolitica antigen preparation and corresponding purified rabbit antibodies were used in a reference system that presented 58 regularly visible immunoprecipitates. One antigen was identified as specific for the Y. enterocolitica 0:3 serogroup and two antigens for the species Y. enterocolitica. Y. enterocolitica antigens cross‐reacted widely with antigens from other Enterobacteriaceae, but only a few cross‐reactions were registered with Gram‐negative bacteria outside the Enterobacteriaceae. A partial cross‐reaction between all Gram‐positive bacteria included in our study and two Y. enterocolitica antigens was demonstrated.
Antigen expression of the pancreatic beta‐cells is dependent on their functional state, as shown by a specific, BB rat monoclonal autoantibody IC2
Authors: BUSCHARD K. , BROGREN C.‐H. , RÖPKE C. , RYGAARD J.
Published: October 2009

Antigen expression is studied corresponding to a monoclonal autoantibody (IC2) derived from a hybridoma of rat myeloma Y3 cells and splenocytes of the diabetic BB rat. The selective reactivity of IC2 with islet cells has earlier been proven. We studied the possible specificity for beta islet cells, and the possible variation in autoantigen expression. Islet cells were isolated by cautious collagenase and dispase treatment. The cells were labelled with IC2 alone or together with anti‐insulin immunoglobulin in double‐labelling experiments. Extensive series of cells were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy, and some samples also by flow cytometry. In double‐labelling examinations we found that only anti‐insulin positive cells could bind the IC2 antibody, thus showing beta‐cell selectivity. On the other hand, not all anti‐insulin positive cells were IC2‐positive. Since insulin treatment has been shown to decrease the incidence of diabetes in the BB rat, islet cells were examined after reduced beta‐cell strain. Islet cells from Lewis and Wistar Furth rats display 21.4 ± 1.4% IC2‐positive cells, while islet cells from 24‐hour fasting animals showed 7.0 ± 1.4% (p < 0.0001). Similar results were seen for BALB/c mice (25.0 ± 1.8% vs. 13.7 ± 2.3%, p < 0.002). Also, after a week of insulin treatment, autoantigen expression was significantly decreased. Thus, the IC2 antibody is beta‐cell‐specific, and expression of the corresponding cell surface antigen depends on the functional state of the beta‐cells.
Tumoral calcinosis
Authors: KINDBLOM LARS‐GUNNAR , GUNTERBERG BJÖRN
Published: October 2009

The clinical presentation and radiographic findings including computed tomography is described in a case of tumoral calcinosis along with a detailed light‐ and electronmicroscopic analysis. Five main cell types surrounding the calcified masses were identified: fat cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, osteoclast‐like giant cells and osteoblast‐like cells. The light microscopic and ultrastructural findings suggest an initial tissue damage with fat necrosis and the secondary calcification process seems to be of the mitochondrial type and possibly also of the matrix vesicel type.
Synergistic effect of ampicillin or vancomycin in combination with decreasing concentrations of streptomycin against enterococci
Authors: FUURSTED K.
Published: October 2009

The extent of synergistic killing and duration of the post‐antibiotic effect (PAE) was evaluated in streptomycin‐susceptible strains of Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium with 20 mcg/ml of ampicillin or 10 mcg/ml of vancomycin in combination with decreasing concentrations of streptomycin (20, 10, 5, 2, 1, 0.5 mcg/ml). The bactericidal activity or duration in recovery period declined progressively in a linear pattern with decreasing concentrations of streptomycin. One log10 or greater reduction in viable counts was seen with streptomycin concentrations of 2 mcg/ml or higher with both ampicillin and vancomycin. A synergistic increase in revocery period (PAE ≥ 0.5h) of ampicillin or vancomycin was observed with concentrations of streptomycin in excess of 2 mcg/ml and 1 mcg/ml, respectively. These results suggest that lower dosage of streptomycin in the therapy of enterococcal infections will probably result in a higher relapse rate.
Human milk fat globule antigen III D 5, steroid receptors and histopathologic parameters in breast cancer
Authors: HELLE MARKKU , HELIN HEIKKI , ANTONEN JAAKKO , KROHN KAI
Published: October 2009

Immunohistochemical reactivity of mammary carcinomas with the monoclonal human milk fat globule (HMFG) antibody III D 5, and the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status were compared with the histopathology of primary breast cancer. The reactivity with HI D 5 has earlier been shown to be associated with the estrogen receptor status of tumours and with a favourable prognisis. The reactivity of tumours with III D 5, as well as the presence of ER and PR correlated significantly with the histological features of differentiation; histological grade, nuclear grade, tumour necrosis and lymphoid infiltration. Reactivity with III D 5 correlated with all these parameters, while the presence of ER did not correlate with the nuclear grade and that of PR correlated only with the nuclear grade and the lymphoid infiltration of tumours. Reactivity of III D 5 may thus have prognostic and therapeutic implications in the management of breast cancer.
Bacterial adherence to endothelial cells from rat heart, with special regard to alpha‐hemolytic streptococci
Authors: SCHOLLIN JENS , DANIELSSON DAN
Published: October 2009

Endothelial cells were prepared from rat heart, and the ability of various bacterial species to adhere to these cells was investigated, with special regard to alpha‐hemolytic streptococci. The endothelial cells were identified by morphology and by the presence of F VIII antigen. Seventeen bacterial strains representing various species were used in the in vitro adherence tests; 10 strains represented various strains of alpha‐hemolytic streptococci, 5 of which were isolated from patients with infective endocarditis and 5 from the throats of healthy individuals; 2 were Neisseria meningitidis, 2 N. gonorrhoeae, 2 S. aureus and 1 E. coli. The highest adherence rate was found for alpha‐hemolytic streptococci isolated from patients with infective endocarditis. The difference compared to carrier strains of alpha‐hemolytic streptococci and to the other tested strains was statistically highly significant.
Extracellular matrices in multicellular spheroids of human glioma origin: Increased incorporation of proteoglycans and flbronectin as compared to monolayer cultures
Authors: GLIMELIUS BENGT , NORLING BÖRJE , NEDERMAN THORE , CARLSSON JÖRGEN
Published: October 2009

Tumor spheroids were cultured from five human glioma cell lines which differed considerably in their relative amount and composition of glycosaminoglycans (GAG), flbronectin and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components when grown as mololayer cultures. These differences were also evident when the cells were grown as spheroids. Under the 3‐dimensional geometry of the spheroid system, there was, however, generally a more extensive ECM. Especially noteworthy was the presence of a small proteoglycan, probably a dermatan sulphate proteoglycan, in the ECM of the spheroids, but not in the monolayers. Noteworthy was also the appearance of flbronectin in spheroids which did not show any staining for flbronectin when grown as monolayer. The two spheroid types (U‐87MG, U‐105MG) with the most extensive matrix, and with the lowest proportion of hyalucronic acid (HA), had a low proliferation rate, whereas the three other spheroid types (U‐118MG, U‐138MG, U‐251MG) with a less extensive ECM, and a relatively high production of HA had a much higher proliferation rate. These data provide further evidence for the usefulness of culturing cell lines as spheroids in the process of understanding important cell biological phenomena.
Comparative analysis of two blood culture systems (Isolator® and a 12‐tube system) by cumulative differences in detection power at different times during incubation
Authors: ARPI MAGNUS , PRAG JØRGEN , SCHRØDER STEEN S. , FREDERIKSEN WILHELM , BENTZON MICHAEL WEIS
Published: October 2009

A lysis‐centrifugation blood culture system (Isolator®) and a conventional system (4 tubes of nutrient broth, 4 tubes of semisolid agar, and 4 tubes of thioglycollate agar) were compared after different lengths of incubation by cumulative scoring of differences in detection power. After the first half day of incubation, the Isolator® system was already significantly faster in detecting isolates of clinical significance (15 vs. 4, P = 0.02). Maximum difference in first or only detection system was seen after two days of incubation and was based on an overall superior detection of Staphylococcus aureus (11 vs. 0, P = 0.001), and an earlier detection of Enterobacteriaceae (30 vs. 13, P = 0.01) in the Isolator® system. On the contrary, the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae was significantly inferior in the Isolator® system (0 vs. 10, P = 0.002). The earlier finding of clinically significant microorganisms in the Isolator® system certainly contributes to good patient‐care. A drawback of the Isolator® system was the finding of clinically insignificant coagulase‐negative staphylococci in 11%, compared with 1% in the conventional system. This led to a considerable waste of time and materials in the laboratory. The comparison of the two blood culture systems, based on statistical analysis of cumulative differences in detection power, expressed as the earliest or only findings, gives the optimal information, and is in our opinion the clinically most relevant comparison.
Characterization of clinical isolates ofMycobacterium paratuberculosisby DNA‐DNA hybridization and cellular fatty acid analysis
Authors: SAXEGAARD FINN , BAESS INGA , JANTZEN ERIK
Published: October 2009

The DNA‐DNA homologies obtained were more than 90 per cent for all strains examined, including the reference strains ofMycobacterium paratuberculosisandMycobacterium avium.Consequently, in a genetic sense,M. paratuberculosiswith its variants belong to a single species which should be considered a subspecies ofM. avium.The same reference strains ofM. paratuberculosisandM. aviumshowed small but distinct differences in the cellular fatty acid patterns. The Norwegian goat isolate proved to beM. paratuberculosis, while the three sheep isolates from Iceland and the Faroe Islands showed a typicalM. aviumpattern.
Distribution of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in normal mucosa, in colitis ulcerosa, in adenomas and in carcinomas of the human colorectum
Authors: NATHRATH WALTER B. J. , SCHÜPPEL REINHARD H. , WIEBECKE BALDUR , BJØRKLUND BERTIL
Published: October 2009

65 carcinomas with their normal resection margins, 30 adenomas of the colorectum, and also ulcerative colitis biopsies from 10 cases were analysed immunohistochemically for pattern and intensity of expression of Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA). In normal colon, and in well‐ and moderately‐differentiated carcinomas, a cell membrane type staining pattern was predominant. In ulcerative colitis, in carcinoma cell groups within mucus of mucinous carcinomas or in single cells at the invasion front of all grades of carcinomas, a strong cytoplasmic type staining pattern was found. The cytoplasmic pattern was also found in poorly differentiated carcinomas, but with weaker staining intensity. The relationship between staining intensity and pattern and cacinoma grade was significant, whereas a similar relationship with the Dukes stages was not significant.
Mitogenesis in wound‐healing cells in diabetic rats
Authors: FRANZÉN LENNART , NORRBY KLAS
Published: October 2009

The healing of perforated mesenterial window is delayed in insulin‐deficient rats after 4 weeks of streptozoticin‐induced diabetes (25). In the present study we investigated the mitogenic capacity of the two predominating cell types in the healing mesenterial window in such rats. The labelling index (LI) in fibroblasts and mesothelial cells, normally constituting approximately 96% of all tissue‐bound cells, was estimated in early and later phases of healing within (a) a 1 mm‐wide zone surrounding the perforation and (b) centrally in wounds after healing by closure. The mitotic index (MI) of these cells was estimated at various distances from the perforation. Adjacent unperforated control mesenteric windows served as internal controls. Proliferation increased on days 1 and 2 post‐perforation, whereafter it gradually diminished, fibroblasts showing a higher LI than mesothelial cells days 3–7 after closure. On day 1 post‐perforation the relative increase of LI was greatest in diabetic mesenteries. During the period just preceding healing by closure, LI of both fibroblasts and mesothelial cells was, however, significantly reduced in diabetic animals. The impaired mitogenesis in these wound‐healing cells in diabetic rats may thus be of pathogenic significance in the delayed healing in such animals.
Effect of PGE2 and LTB4 on vicia villosa binding lymphocytes
Authors: GUALDE NORBERT , COOK JEANNE‐MARIE , GUIBERT FABIENNE
Published: October 2009

Since there is a good deal of evidence that vicia villosa lectin (VVA) binds to contrasuppressor cells, mouse splenocytes and thymocytes were sorted by binding to VVA‐coated Petri dishes. It was observed that vicia villosa adherent cells (VVA(+)) did not proliferate when mitogens were added to cultures, but they did enhance the thymidine uptake of PHA or ConA stimulated vicia villosa non‐adherent (VVA(‐)) splenocytes. PGE, treatment of VVA(+) splenocytes or VVA(+) immature thymocytes did not very much affect the VVA(+) cell behavior. On the other hand, LTB4 increased the enhancing capability of VVA(+) splenocytes. Therefore, investigations dealing with the effects of LTB4 on lymphocyte subsets which may include VVA(+) cells should take into consideration the possible presence of contrasuppressor cells.
Glucagon and glucagon‐like immunoreactive cells in mid‐ and hindgut carcinoids
Authors: EL‐SALHY M. , WILANDER E. , LUNDQVIST M. , NILSSON G. , GRIMELIUS L. , MOODY A. J. , IMAGAWA K.
Published: October 2009

The occurrence of glucagon/glucagon‐like immunoreactivity in 31 small intestinal, 34 rectal and 18 appendiceal carcinoids were investigated immunocytochemically using, sequence specific antisera. Glucagon/GLI immunoreactive cells were found in five small‐intestinal and five rectal carcinoids, but none were observed in any of the appendiceal carcinoids examined. Glucagon/GLI immunoreactive cells constituted a minor cell population, except in one rectal carcinoid, where most of the tumour cells were of this type. Glucagon/GLI immunoreactive cells were detected with only some sequence‐specific antisera, and not with antisera directed against the rest of the glucagon/glicentin molecule. This might indicate that these cells contain a molecule which shares some antigenic binding sites with glucagon/glicentin rather than genuine glucagon/glicentin. it is concluded that this finding contributes to explain why hindgut carcinoids rarely give rise to symptoms related to neuro‐endocrine product(s).
An experimental model system for leishmaniasis
Authors: ABOK KISIA , CADENAS ENRIQUE , BRUNK ULF
Published: October 2009

In order to facilitate studies on the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on the host‐parasite interactions in leishmaniasis, we have developed an experimental model for infecting human monocyte‐derived‐ and mouse peritoneal macrophages in culture with recently‐isolatedLeishmania donovanipromastigots (LDP). The chemotherapeutic agents studied were protoporphyrin, hematoporphyrin, menadione, and combinations of hematoporphyrin plus menadione. Since theLeishmania donovaniamastigotes survived poorly in mouse macrophages and protoporphyrin was quite toxic to the latter, our investigations were focused on the effects of hematoporphyrin and menadione on amastigotes engulfed by human macrophages. Treatment ofLeishmaia donovaniamastigotes‐infested human macrophages with either 50 μM hematoporphyrin or 10 μM menadione did not influence significantly the survival of eitherLeishmania donovaniamastigotes or the macrophages themselves. Larger individual doses of hematoporphyrin and menadione were toxic to both parasites and macrophages. The combination of 50 μM hematoporphyrin and 10 μM menadione, however, caused the destruction of the parasites without affecting the host macrophage. The enhanced deleterious effect from combined low doses of hematoporphyrin and menadione is discussed in terms of the production of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide, originating from cellular redox cycling of menadione, and followed by decompostion of the formed hydrogen peroxide by hematoporphyrin to produce the more reactive hydroxyl radical.
Thomsen‐Friedenreich‐related antigen in human endometrium
Authors: RAVN VIBEKE , JENSEN HELLE
Published: October 2009

The Thomsen‐Friedenreich antigen (T‐antigen) Ga1β1‐3Ga1NAc, is a cryptic disaccharide structure on human erythrocytes. It is masked by sialic acid and uncovered by sialidases as neuraminidase. T‐antigen is a tumor‐associated antigen in epithelial tissues. This study reports preliminary immunohistochemical findings on the expression of the blood group related T‐antigen in human endometrium. Dewaxed sections of 10 proliferative‐, 6 interval‐, 14 secretory endometrium, and 16 endometrial carcinomas, either untreated or pretreated with neuraminidase, were subjected to an indirect immunoperoxidase technique using the monoclonal antibody 49H.8. The monoclonal antibody 49H.8 did not bind to normal cyclic endometrium, unless pretreated with neuraminidase. Neuraminidase treatment revealed staining of apical membranes of glandular‐ and surface epithelium in early or manifest secretory endometrium only. Thirteen of sixteen carcinomas stained without neuraminidase treatment, while all carcinomas stained after pretreatment with neuraminidase. Staining was more widespread than in untreated carcinomas, resembling that of secretory endometrium. Our results suggest: 1) That the sialylated 49H.8 antigen seems to be a marker of cellular differentation in the endometrium, 2) that the antigen defined by the monoclonal antibody 49H.8 might be a tumor‐associated antigen in endometrial epithelial tissue.
Campylobacter pylori detected by indirect immunohistochemical technique
Authors: ANDERSEN L. P. , HOLCK S. , POVLSEN C. O.
Published: October 2009

An immunohistochemical assay for staining C. pylori is described. The method is compared with cultivation of C. pylori and observation of campylobacter‐like organisms (CLOs) in hematoxyline‐eosine (HE) stained sections. Eighteen biopsies from which C. pylori was cultivated but not seen in HE stained sections and three culture negative biopsies with CLOs seen in HE stained sections were selected from 331 biopsies including 113 culture positive biopsies. There were agreements between cultivation of C. pylori and CLOs seen in HE stained sections in the remaining 310 biopsies. Fourteen of the 18 and one of the three biopsies were found positive by the immunohistochemical assay. In addition 21 culture‐positive control biopsies and one of 18 culture‐negative control biopsies were also found positive. When the immunohistochemical assay was compared with cultivation the predictive value of positive result is 93% and of negative result 89%. By this method we were able to detect single organisms and no cross‐reactions to other curved bacteria on the gastric epithelium were observed.
We All Want a Revolution: Neustadt, New Institutionalism, and the Future of Presidency Research
Authors: DICKINSON MATTHEW J.
Published: October 2009

The publication of Richard E. Neustadt's “Presidential Power” in 1960 revolutionized presidential studies—a revolution that continues today. Contrary to claims that his book “personalized” presidential studies, thus delaying research progress, scholars' efforts to grapple with Neustadt's teachings inspired some of the subfield's most significant and enduring research agendas. Many of Neustadt's most important insights, however, such as the link between information, institutions, and presidential decision making, have yet to receive the scrutiny they deserve. To take full advantage of the revolution that Neustadt started, scholars will need to avoid methodological parochialism and finger pointing and instead concentrate their efforts on putting the rest of Neustadt's claims to the test.
Pontificating About Moe's Pontifications
Authors: WOOD B. DAN
Published: October 2009

This commentary on Terry Moe's review essay discusses the advantages and limitations of rational choice as an explanatory theory of presidential behavior. It also cautions against the view that rational choice is, or should be, the dominant paradigm for presidential studies.
The 2008‐2009 Presidential Transition Through the Voices of Its Participants
Authors: KUMAR MARTHA JOYNT
Published: October 2009

When Barack Obama assumed the presidency on January 20, he had in place a White House decision‐making system of his choice, a policy agenda in order and a plan of his priorities, and a personnel process well under way. Several factors contributed to the orderly transition into the presidency. First, Congress, the president, and the executive branch over the years had made decisions that affected the transition, especially in the national security area. Second, members of the incoming administration worked with records of White House office structures, administration operations, and personnel processes and with former government officials experienced in past transitions. Third, unprecedented early transition planning and actions by the George W. Bush administration led to a new level of cooperation between the outgoing and incoming administrations. Finally, the early attention of Senator and then President‐Elect Barack Obama to the need for transition planning and his assignment of experienced and knowledgeable people to handle studies of White House staff structure, agency operations, policy development, and staff selection eased the move from campaigning to governing.