bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS IN CULTURED HUMAN PLEOMORPHIC ADENOMAS
Authors: ROZELL B. , STENMAN G. , HANSSON H.‐A. , DAHL D. , HANSSON G. K. , MARK J.
Published: August 2010

Primary cultures of 9 benign human pleomorphic adenomas were analyzed by immunofluorescence and antibodies against the different intermediate filaments and microfilaments. The cultured cells were also cytogenetically characterized by G‐ and C‐banding techniques. The adenoma cells expressed at least three different classes of intermediate filaments, viz. prekeratin, vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA). No correlation between chromosomal pattern and intermediate filament expression was found. The frequency of cells stained for each of the different antibodies varied considerably among the tumours. Prolonged culturing appeared to induce a reduction of cells positive for prekeratin. This was probably a true loss of antigens and not an effect of overgrowth of stromal cells. It is concluded that the cells studied, on the basis of several criteria, are of neoplastic origin. This in vitro system appears to be well suited for further histogenetic studies on pleomorphic adenomas.
STRINGS CONTAINING LEFT BUNDLE BRANCH CONDUCTIVE TISSUE IN THE LEFT VENTRICLE
Authors: ASMUSSEN INGER , ØRNVOLD KIM
Published: August 2010

Several reports have demonstrated the presence of strings within the heart chambers e.g.: on the basis of autopsy materials (Goforth 1926, Knoblich et al. 1962, Hudson 1965, Gould 1968, Roberts 1969, Franck 1970, Olsen & Valentine 1972) or by echocardiography (Nishimura et al. 1981, Choo et al. 1982, Lindvall et al. 1982, Asmussen submitted for publication). Prompted by the echocardiographic observations by Asmussen (Asmussen submitted for publication) we tested the hypothesis that left ventricular strings may contain left bundle branch conductive tissue. During a six months' survey period at the Laboratory of Pediatric Pathology we found two such cases. It is suggested that left bundle branch block and/or hemiblock may be a consequence of this abnormality in the event of stretching or rupture of such strings.
NEUTROPHIL AGGREGATION — FACTORS MODULATING STIMULUS‐SPECIFIC RESPONSES
Authors: Ringertz BO
Published: August 2010

After stimulation with various soluble stimuli, e.g. fMLP and LTB4, human neutrophils aggregated in a characteristic and stimulus‐specific way. They formed clumps of cells, mainly pairs and triplets. Their calculated total light‐obscuring cell area corresponded well with the recorded aggregation response assessed as light transmittance, when not only neutrophil clumping but also cell swelling and shape changes were taken into account. Changes of neutrophil concentrations had only marginal effects on maximal responses and their kinetics. Lowering cell temperature to 26 C decreased the responses to fMLP, whereas LTB4 responses were more inhibited by increasing temperatures to 42 C. At 26 C, both LTB4 and fMLP induced biphasic aggregation waves with two peaks. Cytochalasin B enhanced the response both to LTB4 and fMLP, and LTB4 responses became biphasic with an early peak preceding the major response. The presence of high concentrations of platelets potentiated aggregation responses, a phenomenon that could not be ascribed to generation of cyclo‐oxygenase products. Thus, the formation of neutrophil aggregates and the subsequent change in light transmission can be modulated by several experimental factors which influence the stimulus‐specific responses, and the effects on fMLP‐induced aggregation under some experimental conditions are different from those on LTB4.
TOPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF INFLAMMATORY LEUKOCYTE SUBSETS IN ACUTE CELLULAR REJECTION OF A KIDNEY ALLOGRAFT
Authors: Leskinen RITVA , HÄYry PEKKA
Published: August 2010

The topographical distribution of different mononuclear inflammatory cell subsets in acute cellular rejection of human renal allograft was analyzed. Marker antibodies to T cells (OKT11), T helper cells (T4), T suppressor/killer cells (OKT8), B cells (B‐1), monocytes (OKM1) and mononuclear phagocytes at different stages (FMC17, FMC33) and the indirect immunoperoxidase method were employed. At early stages of rejection, T lymphocytes were mostly confined to the perivascular areas and there was a T helper (Th) cell predominance over T suppressor/killer (Tsk) cells in the inflammatory infiltrate. Very few T cells and monocytes were found to infiltrate the arterial wall. Mononuclear phagocytes dominated over T lymphoid cells in the intertubular areas. Later during rejection, the Th/Tsk ratio became inverted, inflammatory T cells invaded also the intertubular areas, and infiltration of the arterial wall by T cells and mononuclear phagocytes became evident. Granulocytes were associated with the late events in the graft, and their appearance coincided with beginning necrosis. These non‐random features in the distribution of the inflammatory cells were most pronounced during early stages of acute cellular rejection;
THE MITOGENIC PROPERTIES OF LIPOTEICHOIC ACID FROM STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Authors: Aasjord PER , Nyland HARALD , Matre ROALD
Published: August 2010

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) isolated from Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I induced an in vitro blastogenic response in isolated mononuclear cells (MNC). Seventeen of 20 normal donors responded strongly, with peak response after 3 — 5 days of incubation. Significant stimulation was also obtained with human cord blood MNC from 3 donors, further indicating that the stimulation was due to a general mitogenic effect. The mitogenicity of deacylated LTA (dLTA) was similar to that of LTA. Binding of LTA to isolated MNC was demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescent technique staining with specific rabbit anti‐LTA antibodies and by rosette inhibition experiments. Results obtained in cell fraction experiments indicated that LTA had a monocyte dependent mitogenic effect on T lymphocytes.
INTRATHECAL SYNTHESIS OF ANTIBODIES TO STAPHYLOCOCCAL ANTIGENS IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS
Authors: Aasjord PER , Nyland HARALD , Haaheim LARS R.
Published: August 2010

Human serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) antibodies against three staphylococcal antigens were measured using the ELISA technique. Antibody levels in sera from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were lower than those found in sera from patients with other neurological diseases (OND) and from healthy individuals (N). The CSF antibody mean titres for patients with relapsing remittent MS were about twofold higher than those found for the other groups. Both serum and CSF antibodies were of the IgG class while IgM could only be detected in serum samples. Elevated IgG‐indexes, indicating intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis, were found only among individuals in the MS patient groups. Some of the patients also had elevated indexes of specific antibodies to the staphylococcal antigens used, i.e. lipoteichoic acid (LTA), peptidoglycan (PG) and β‐ribitol teichoic acid (β‐RTA). This indicates that some MS patients have synthesized staphylococcal antibodies intrathecally.
OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR THE OPSONOPHAGOCYTOSIS TEST WITH STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE SEROTYPES 3, 6A, 7F AND 19F AND HUMAN GRANULOCYTES
Authors: Silvennoinen‐Kassinen SYLVI , Koskela MARKKU
Published: August 2010

There are great variations in test systems used to measure pneumococcal opsonophagocytosis; therefore, in the present study, a detailed analysis of the human granulocyte opsonophagocytosis test with pneumococci was made. Variables affecting the test were evaluated, These were the amount of bacteria, the amount of antipneumococcal antibody and complement in the test. Correlation between phagocytosis percentage (percentage of cells taking part in the phagocytosis) and phagocytosis index (mean amount of bacteria phagocytosed per cell) was shown. The conclusion is that, after precise test‐adjustment, weak phagocytosis is better detected by phagocytosis percentage and high phagocytosis activity is best shown by phagocytosis index.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEVELS OF RHEUMATOID FACTOR ISOTYPES AND COMPLEMENT COMPONENT C3 CONVERSION IN BLOOD FROM PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors: Kemp M. , Holmskov‐Nielsen U. , Teisner B. , Husby S. , Svehag S.‐E.
Published: August 2010

Conversion of complement component C3 in plasma from rheumatoid arthritis patients was measured by two different methods. One of the methods gives an estimation of C3 conversion by ELISA measurement of neodeterminants present on the C3d moiety; the other method measures C3 split products expressing D, but not C, epitopes by rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE) with intermediate anti‐C3c gel. Results from 20 RA patients obtained by the two methods did not correlate significantly (R = 0.52, 0.02 < p < 0.05). The results were compared to the level of rheumatoid factors (RFs) of IgG, IgM, and IgA class in serum. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of C3d measured by RIE and level of IgG RFs, whereas neither IgM nor IgA RFs showed correlation to complement activation. The results of the ELISA estimation of C3 activation showed no correlation with the RF level.
EXPRESSION OF MHC CLASS II ANTIGEN, INTERLEUKIN‐2 RECEPTOR, TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR AND GP 40/80 GLYCOPROTEIN DURING DIFFERENT PHASES OF A NORMAL PHA‐DRIVEN LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION IN VITRO
Authors: Konttinen Y. T. , Bergroth V. , NordstrÖM D. , Segerberg‐Konttinen M. , Tolvanen E.
Published: August 2010

This study characterizes the temporal profile of MHC class II antigen, interleukin‐2 receptor, transferrin receptor and gp 40/80 glycoprotein lymphocyte activation markers in relation to each other during different phases of PHA‐dependent cellular activation in vitro. Binding of these monoclonal lymphocyte activation‐probes was visualized by the avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex method. Maximum PHA‐dependent MHC class II antigen expression of 27 ± 3% was observed on culture day 1, but later no significant differences were observed in MHC class II antigen expression between PHA‐driven or culture media‐containing control cultures. On the contrary, interleukin‐2 receptor (78 ± 6%) and transferrin receptor (75 ± 5%) expression reached a maximum on culture day 3, coinciding with a maximum proliferative response. On culture day 5, when 3H‐thymidine incorporation was already on the decline, gp 40/80 glycoprotein reached a maximum PHA‐dependent expression of 78 ± 2%, which differed significantly from interleukin‐2 receptor (60 ± 8%, p<0.05) and transferrin receptor (51 ± 8%, p<0.01) expression. This study suggests that MHC class II antigen, interleukin‐2 receptor, transferrin receptor and gp 40/80 glycoprotein, although all of them are lymphocyte‐activation markers, differ as to the chronological sequence of their appearance and disappearance. Their combined use in lymphocyte‐activation marker profile assay therefore gives valuable information about the lymphocyte activation state.
EFFECT OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURE ON HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULIN SYNTHESIS, LYMPHOKINE PRODUCTION AND LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION IN VITRO
Authors: NÄRvÄNen OUTI , Jokinen ILMARI , Poikonen KARI , RÄSÄNen LIISA , Arvilommi HEIKKI
Published: August 2010

Fever in infections is mediated by endogenous pyrogen, a protein inseparable from interleukin 1 (IL‐1). It remains unclear what the role of fever in host defence is. We studied the effect of elevated temperature on mitogen‐induced human lymphocyte stimulation in vitro. Lymphocyte proliferation, elaboration of leukocyte migration inhibiting factor (LIF) and immunoglobulin production were measured at normal and elevated temperatures. Pokeweed mitogen‐(PWM) driven responses were quantitated with a plaque‐forming cell assay and by measuring secreted immunoglobulins in culture medium. The responses at 38, 39 or 40°C were, if anything, lower than those at 37°C. The production of LIF after stimulation with PWM was not augmented at elevated temperatures. In contrast, the proliferative responses to PWM, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and convanavalin A (ConA) were increased at 38°C. These results indicate that elevated temperature has diverse effects on mitogen‐induced lymphocyte functions in vitro.
MAMMARY CARCINOMA: DNA ANALYSIS IN AREAS SHOWING DIFFERENT HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES IN THE SAME TUMOR
Authors: Erhardt KERSTIN , Auer GERT
Published: August 2010

Specimens from 17 invasive primary breast adenocarcinomas that showed distinct areas of different histologic appearance were examined with respects to nuclear DNA content of the tumor cells. DNA in individual tumor cells was measured in sections from the original paraffin‐embedded specimens. DNA distribution patterns obtained from the histologically different areas in the same tumor were compared. In 15 cases these patterns were very similar, whereas in two cases the patterns were found to be different. The results suggest that, in spite of histological variations, breast carcinoma often show similar nuclear DNA content throughout the entire tumor. Since nuclear DNA content in breast tumors has been shown to be correlated to prognosis, our observations suggest that the differences in structural pattern occasionally seen in mammary adenocarcinoma do not necessarily reflect a dedifferentiation towards more malignant tumor populations.
CHARACTERISTIC AND SPECIFIC HISTOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN RHEUMATOID PLEURISY
Authors: Aru ANTONIO , Engel ULLA , Francis DORTHE
Published: August 2010

The histological findings in rheumatoid pleuritis (RP), as seen in thoracoscopical biopsies, are found to be: A slightly inflamed stroma with a wave‐like surface due to vessel‐containing flattened papillae. The surface is covered by layers of pseudostratified epithelioid cells and scattered multinucleated giant cells, layers that easily detach as membranes, leaving the stroma surface “naked”. These findings, in combination with the absence of mesothelial cell covering, are viewed as characteristic and specific, as based on a blind review of 17 pleural biopsies from RP patients and 14 biopsies from a control group.
AUTOPSY FINDINGS IN THREE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A PRESUMABLY ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY
Authors: Lindboe C. F. , FrØLand S. S. , Wefring K. W. , Linnestad P. J. , BØHmer T. , Foerster A. , LØKen Aa. C.
Published: August 2010

This paper presents clinical, immunological and post‐mortem findings in three family members (husband, wife and daughter) who all died in 1976 after having had chronic and recurrent opportunistic infections for many years. In all of them a progressive, presumably acquired T‐lymphocyte defect associated with B‐lymphocyte dysfunction had been diagnosed several years before death. The clinical and immunological findings are compatible with those seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by HTLV‐III/LAV infection, but examinations of stored blood samples from the three patients were negative with regard to the presence of HTLV‐III/LAV antibodies. This immunodeficiency may therefore have been caused by an infectious agent of unknown nature. The most remarkable finding on post‐mortem examination was the presence of a granulomatous encephalomyelitis with multinucleated giant cells in the husband and his wife. In addition, the wife's CNS revealed scattered microglial nodules. No infectious agents could be demonstrated, and the etiology of this peculiar CNS affection therefore remains obscure.
HAEMATOLOGICAL REMISSION OF LEUKAEMIC POLYMORPHIC IMMUNOCYTOMA FOLLOWING SPLENECTOMY
Authors: Juliusson GUNNAR , ÖSt AKE , Biberfeld PETER , RobÈRt KARL‐HENRIK
Published: August 2010

A 56‐year old man with a Rai stage IV B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (polymorphic immunocytoma according to the Kiel classification) of μk‐phenotype with a clonal chromosomal abnormality in cells from peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen is reported on. Following splenectomy (without further therapy) the blood lymphocytosis gradually decreased to normal and the patient entered a remission, assigned 42 months after splenectomy by immunological and cytogenetic studies that revealed no cells of clonal origin in blood or bone marrow. Utilizing cellular markers of clonality, we thus confirm that haematological remissions may follow splenectomy. A subsequently developed orbital lymphoma (without leukaemia) consisted of tumor cells derived from the initial leukaemia cell clone as indicated by their immune and cytogenetic phenotype. The case report is discussed in relation to previous reports on “spontaneous” remissions of lymphoid leukaemias.
DISSOCIATION BETWEEN HISTOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL SIGNS OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTO‐IMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
Authors: KÄLlen BENGT , Nilsson OLLE
Published: August 2010

Lewis rats show a rough correlation between clinical score and histological score of auto‐immune encephalomyelitis (EAE). When animals with strong and comparable clinical EAE but with different genetic backgrounds are studied four weeks after immunization, they reveal histological changes that vary markedly according to the genetic set‐up. When studied at the height of the EAE attack, also rats with a very low histological score at day 28 have marked histological changes. The results indicate that routine evaluation of EAE strength by histology at a time when the rats have recovered from paralysis may give quite misleading results in some rat strains or crosses, even though the method is good for the Lewis rat. It is suggested that the late histological score is more related to the presence of a relapsing EAE than to the disease activity in the first attack.
SELECTIVE DAMAGE TO S3‐SEGMENTS IN POST‐ISCHEMIC KIDNEY AS DEMONSTRATED BY A SIMPLE HISTOCHEMICAL METHOD
Authors: Jennische Eva , Andersson GÖran
Published: August 2010

A histochemical method combining an intravital dye‐exclusion test and a staining for calcium, Alizarin red S, was used for the evaluation of irreversible ischemic injury in rat kidney. The method was found to allow an easy and rapid evaluation of the extent of irreversible post‐ischemic injury, and selective damage to the S3‐segments of proximal tubules could be demonstrated.
PRIMARY PARATHYROID HYPERPLASIA OF WATER‐CLEAR CELL TYPE. TRANSFORMATION OF WATER ‐ CLEAR CELLS INTO CHIEF CELLS
Authors: Persson S. , Hansson G. , Hedman I. , Tisell L.‐E. , WidE̊Ehn S.
Published: August 2010

An exceptional case of water‐clear cell hyperplasia (WCCH) of the parathyroid glands is presented. Parathyroid tissue was excised at three operations during a period of twenty years before the patient eventually became normocalcemic. Microscopic evaluation of the parathyroids from the first operation showed typical WCCH‐findings. However, the parathyroid tissue excised at the last operation was composed of chief cells. There were calcifications and even bone formation. A pigment with the staining and electron‐microscopic characteristics of lipofuscin was found in abundance. There were also a few oxyphils. This case shows that clear cells, originally derived from chief cells, can transform into chief cells again.
ADULT POLYCYSTIC LIVER DISEASE AND BILIARY MICROHAMARTOMAS (VON MEYENBURG'S COMPLEXES)
Authors: Karhunen PEKKA J.
Published: August 2010

The relationship between adult polycystic liver disease (PLD) and biliary microhamartomas (von Meyenburg's complexes) was studied in a series of ten autopsy cases in which the size of the cysts varied from microscopic to 10 cm. Biliary microhamartomas, found in every case, were the most abundant (p <0.001) in livers with cyst size of 1 cm or less and had almost disappeared in cases with the largest cysts. The number of microhamartomas had no significant correlation with age or liver weight. The results indicate that biliary microhamartoma (von Meyenburg's complex) is coupled with adult‐type polycystic liver disease, and, probably, is the histopathological lesion that transforms into cysts. The number of microhamartomas is the highest in the early phase of the disease.
COUMERMYCIN: IN VITRO ACTIVITY AGAINST 251 CLINICAL ISOLATES OF BACTERIA COMPARED WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF EIGHT OTHER ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTS
Authors: Digranes ASBJØRN , Salveson AUD , Dibb WILLIAM L.
Published: August 2010

The in vitro activity of coumermycin has been compared with those of ampicillin, clindamycin, cloxacillin, doxycycline, erythromycin, netilmicin, penicillin G and vancomycin. A total of 251 clinical isolates of Gram‐positive cocci were examined. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by an agar dilution method. Clindamycin, coumermycin and erythromycin were the most active drugs against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis on a weight‐for‐weight basis. All the staphylococcal isolates were inhibited by coumermycin at a concentration of 0.12 mg/l or less. Netilmicin seemed to be somewhat more active against S. epidermidis than against S. aureus. The MICs of vancomycin for the staphylococcal isolates were clustered around 1 mg/l. Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and S. agalactiae were highly susceptible to penicillin G and erythromycin; most isolates were inhibited by 0.03 mg/l or less of either drug. Coumermycin showed poor activity against S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae and enterococci. Most of the S. pneumoniae isolates had also high MICs, although a wide range of sensitivities was found.
THE ANTIBIOTIC EFFECT OF THE ANTI‐DEPRESSIVE DRUG FEMOXETINE AND ITS STEREO‐ISOMERIC ANALOGS ON DIARRHOEA PRODUCING ENTEROBACTERIACEAE
Authors: Kristiansen JETTE E. , Mortensen IDA , Gaarslev K.
Published: August 2010

The present investigation has been undertaken to illustrate the antibacterial effect on 20 diarrhoea producing enterobacteriaceae of an anti‐depressive drug available as femoxetine and its three analogs. It has been shown that the stereo‐isomeric trans forms of femoxetine are more than twice as active as the cis forms and inhibited all the strains below 400 μg/ml (1.2 mM). The two cis compounds only inhibited 11 and 9 of the 20 strains respectively in the investigated area 100 μg/ml – 800 μg/ml (0.3 mM – 2.4 mM). Our investigations point out that the bacterial cell has a target for psychopharmacologically active agents. Thus the known psychopharmaca and their stereo‐isomeric analogs may represent a pool of potentially new antimicrobial drugs. Furthermore the bacterial model may be useful as a model system in the study of the interaction of neuropharmacological agents and other membrane active compounds with biological membranes.
COMPARATIVE THERMORESISTANCE OF TWO BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS FOR MONITORING STEAM AUTOCLAVES
Authors: Skaug N. , Kalager T.
Published: August 2010

According to Pharmocopoea Nordica, steam autoclaves should be'regularly monitored by a specific Swedish preparation of Bacillus stearothermophilus spores. If another biological indicator (BI) is used for such a control, it should first be calibrated against the Swedish BI (SBI) and the two BIs should be equally thermoresistant. Attest® No. 1262 BI (ABI) has previously been shown to be more thermoresistant than the SBI at 134 °C, saturated steam. The purpose of the present study was to compare the thermoresistance of the SBI and the ABI at 121 °C, saturated steam and prevacuum. Seven hundred and twenty units of each BI were heat‐exposed in an Emmer 760 litre prevacuum, pressure‐pulsing steam autoclave. After prevacuum with steam injection (manual or automatic preconditioning), the following incremental heat exposure times were used in triplicate (20 simultaneously tested units of each BI in each cycle) according to a randomized scheme: 5, 6 1/2, 8, 9 1/2, 11, 12 1/2, 14 and 15 min. The intra‐chamber pressure and temperature were continuously monitored throughout the test and equilibration cycles. The heat‐exposed BI units were cultivated and read as recommended by the manufacturers. SBI and ABI showed a survival‐time of 8 min and 11 min respectively, and a kill‐time between 14 min and 15 min for both BIs. Thus, the ABI had the narrower survival‐kill window. Probit analysis testing of the results showed that the difference in thermoresistance, at 121 °C, saturated steam and prevacuum between Attest No, 1262 BI and the Swedish BI mentioned in Pharmacopea Nordica was not statistically significant.
EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE UPON THE IN VITRO ACTIVITY OF ERYTHROMYCIN
Authors: Dibb WILLIAM LAND , Digranes ASBJØRN , Bottolfsen KIRSTEN LILAND
Published: August 2010

The in vitro activity of erythromycin against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae was examined by agar dilution and agar diffusion methods. The plates were incubated in air alone or in 8% CO2 and air. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) measured in air alone were lower for most of the isolates, compared to those found in 8% CO2. The greatest differences in MIC values were found for H. influenzae; the MIC 50% was 0.5 mg/l in air and 4 mg/l in 8% CO2. Sensitivity testing by the agar diffusion method (ICS) showed considerable differences between results obtained in air and in 8% CO2; the inhibition zones were generally smaller in CO2. The most marked reduction in zone sizes after incubation in 8% CO2 was seen with the H. influenzae isolates; 15 out of 43 isolates moved from the “sensitive” to “moderately sensitive” group. Sensitivity determination of aerobic bacteria for erythromycin should be performed in air alone in the routine laboratory.
SAME‐DAY CONFIRMATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS BACTERAEMIA BY A THERMONUCLEASE TEST
Authors: Bergh Kåre , MæLand Johan A.
Published: August 2010

A test to detect thermostable DNase activity (TDNase test) was evaluated for rapid confirmation of S. aureus bacteraemia, using toluidine blue O DNA agar plates for the testing. A total of 226 blood cultures which grew bacteria were examined. S. aureus was identified in 76 of the cultures. All of the S. aureus isolates showed positive TDNase test after 2 h of incubation of the test plates. The remaining isolates examined, most of them coagulase‐negative staphylococci, showed a negative test. The TDNase test enables reliable same‐day confirmation of S. aureus bacteraemia.
TWO ISOLATIONS OF ENTERIC GROUP 69 FROM HUMAN CLINICAL SPECIMENS
Authors: SØGaard Per , Kjaeldgaard Poul
Published: August 2010

Enteric Group 69 has previously only been isolated from beef muscle. Two cases of isolations from human clinical speciments are reported on here: One from a throat swab and one from an abscess. In both cases, only EG 69 was cultured. This group has biochemical reactions similar to Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter sakazakii. EG 69 produces yellow pigment as E. sakazakii but only the former ferments sorbitol and dulcitol. EG 69 utilizes malonate and usually ferments sucrose slowly (3–4 days). EG 69 is distinguished from E. Cloacae by production of yellow pigment, fermentation of dulcitol and usually late fermentation of sucrose. EG 69 was found resistant to ampicillin and carbenicillin and susceptible to cephalothin. The pathogenic potential for man is still questionable, but EG 69 is shown to occur in human clinical specimens.
A THIN‐LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR SEPARATING METHYL ESTERS OF MYCOBACTERIAL MYCOLIC ACIDS
Authors: Valero‐GuillÉN P. , Martin‐Luengo F. , Jimenez J. , Larsson L.
Published: August 2010

A two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatographic method was developed which allowed separation of the different mycobacterial mycolic acids as methyl esters. Dichloromethane (once) and petroleum ether:acetone (95:5, v/v twice or three times) were used as solvents. Alkaline saponification of freeze‐dried cells followed by methylation of the mycolic acids using iodomethane gave satisfactory results, whereas methylation using boron trichloride‐methanol complex or trans‐esterification through direct acid methanolysis was found to degrade epoxy‐mycolates. The chromatographic method developed here is rapid and informative, and should prove valuable in routine mycobacterial differentiation.
NON‐IMMUNE F(ab‘)2‐ AND Fc‐MEDIATED INTERACTIONS OF MAMMALIAN IMMUNOGLOBULINS WITH S. AUREUS AND GROUP C AND G STREPTOCOCCI
Authors: Erntell MATS , Myhre ERLING B. , Kronvall GÖRAN
Published: August 2010

The distribution among mammalian species of non‐immune F(ab')2‐ and Fc‐mediated immunoglobulin interactions with surface proteins of S. aureus (protein A) and of group C and G streptococci was studied. Serum samples from 48 mammalian species representing 15 orders were first tested for their capacity to inhibit streptococcal F(ab')2‐mediated binding; 26 of these sera were also tested for streptococcal IgG Fc‐mediated binding. Analogous inhibition experiments were then carried out with staphylococci. All mammalian species studied inhibited both types of immunoglobulin binding to streptococci, viz the serum samples contained both F(ab')2‐ and Fc‐reactive immunoglobulins. The reactivity was equal to that of human serum in 26 out of 47 mammalian sera. Seven sera showed a low degree of inhibition compared to human serum. The inhibiting capacities of the two streptococcal non‐immune interactions showed a direct correlation (r=0.91, p < 0.0001 for the r‐value) for individual species. The inhibition patterns observed with S. aureus differed from the profiles recorded with the streptococcal strains, suggesting that these organisms interact with separate sites on the immunoglobulin molecules. Isolated F(ab')2‐binding was recorded in 5 out of 24 sera, and Fc‐binding alone was noted in 7 sera. Taken together, the present studies demonstrate that mammalian immunoglobulins possess F(ab')2‐ and Fc‐binding sites for protein A and for receptors on group C and G streptococci. The F(ab')2‐mediated binding to streptococci is associated with Fc‐reactivity, in contrast to protein A which may interact exclusively with a complementary structure in either the F(ab')2‐ or the Fc‐portion of the immunoglobulins.
THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF SELECTED PHENOTHIAZINES AND THIOXANTHENES ON SLOW‐GROWING MYCOBACTERIA
Authors: Kristiansen JETTE E. , Vergmann BODIL
Published: August 2010

The aim of the present investigation was to illustrate the antibacterial effect of various phenothiazine and thioxanthene derivatives on mycobacteria in vitro. It was demonstrated that clopenthixol is about twice as potent as chlorpromazine (CPZ) and levomepromazine‐maleate is about half as potent as CPZ, measured by the inhibitory effect on the growth of the mycobacterial strains. Measured in the same way the stereo‐isomeric compounds of flupenthixol are shown to be more potent than the stereo‐isomeric compounds of clopenthixol and chlorprothixen. The two last‐named compounds are equal in potency. The stereo‐isomeric analogs of the thioxanthene derivatives are equal in antibacterial potency against the slow‐growing mycobacteria. The mycobacterial strains investigated show no difference in sensitivity between the cis (Z) ‐ and trans (E) ‐ compounds of the thioxanthenes. It seems particularly promising that also the more resistant mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, e.g. M. avium and M. intracellulare, are sensitive in the concentration range investigated. Considered as a whole, these results might be a stimulus to investigate the antimicrobial effect of the thioxanthenes in vivo.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CYTOGENETIC FINDINGS AND HISTOPATHOLOGY IN NON‐HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Authors: KRISTOFFERSSON ULF , HEIM SVERRE , OLSSON HÅKAN , ÅKERMAN MÅNS , MITELMAN FELIX
Published: August 2010

The cytogenetic findings in 70 patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma have been correlated with tumor histopathology according to the Kiel classification. Certain chromosome aberrations displayed a nonrandom association with the grade of malignancy: 4 lymphomas out of 6 with 1p+, 5 out of 7 with del(6)(q15), 7 out of 11 with 14q+, and 5 out of 8 with +18 belonged to the high grade malignancy group, whereas 9 lymphomas out of 10 with t(14;18) were low grade malignant. Two aberration types were closely associated with specific histopathologic subtypes: t(14; 18) occurred in 7 cases out of 10 in centroblastic/ centrocytic (cb/cc) follicular lymphomas, and 5 cases out of 6 with i(17q) were cb or cb/cc. Although less striking, there was a tendency for del(6)(q15) to occur in cb or cb/cc lymphomas (4 cases out of 7), in contrast to only 1 case out of 5 with the more distal deletion del(6)(q21).
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE SMALL INTESTINAL MUCOSA IN PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS (PSS)
Authors: HENDEL L. , KOBAYASI T. , PETRI M.
Published: August 2010

The present study deals with ultrastructural changes of jejunal absorptive epithelium in mucosal biopsy specimens from eleven patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Epithelial cells showed cytoplasmic condensations with cholesterol clefts and fat droplets. Intercellular spaces of the epithelium were dilated with deposits of fat droplets, while tight junctions and villi preserved their normal structures. Goblet cells and entero‐endocrine cells showed no changes. In the lamina propria, fat droplets were observed as well. Vessels were strongly dilated and in 2 patients contained conglomerates of thrombocytes. Perivascular cell infiltrates consisted of lymphocytes, macrophages and mast cells, while plasma cells were scarcely seen; in 2 patients, plasma cells were abundant. Collagen fibrils, elastic fibres, and nerves showed no definite changes. The findings of epithelial cell degeneration and fat droplet deposits indicate dysfunction of jejunal absorptive epithelial cells in PSS.
Y‐BODY DETECTION IN FORMALIN‐FIXED LYMPH NODES, USING PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES AND OXIDATIVE DEAMINATION
Authors: THOMSEN JØRGEN L. , LISSE IDA M. , HOLLAENDER NIELS H.
Published: August 2010

The effect of proteolytic enzymes (Protease and Trypsin) and oxidative deamination (Chloramine‐T and Sodiumhypochlorite) on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded lymph nodes with regard to detection of fluorescent Y‐bodies was examined. Protease was found to be more suitable than the others; acid hydrolysis was found to be unsuitable. The results of Y‐body detection were further improved by adding fixation of 30 minutes in Carnoy's solution.
PROSTATIC CALCULI
Authors: SØNDERGAARD GORM , VETNER MAX , CHRISTENSEN PREBEN OVERGAARD
Published: August 2010

The presence of calculi in 300 whole prostates from consecutive autopsies were investigated by the Faxitron imaging technique. Calculi were found in 99% of the prostates, their number and size increasing with age. They were mainly localized in the ducts in the borderzone between the middle lobes and the periferal prostate posterolaterally, but often some were also found anteriorly in the centreline. Calculi were never seen in the middle Iobes. We found no statistically significant relation between the number, size or localization of calculi and other morphological or pathological parameters. Prostatic calculi seem to be a part of the normal process of aging, and do in only exceedingly rare cases assume any clinical importance.
THE MUMPS‐SPECIFIC T CELL RESPONSE IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND INSULIN‐DEPENDENT DIABETICS: PREFERENTIAL RESTRICTION BY DR4‐ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS
Authors: Bruserud øYstein , Paulsen Gunnar , Thorsby Erik
Published: August 2010

An increased frequency of mumps‐specific T lymphocytes restricted by DR4‐associated elements has previously been described in DR4 heterozygotes. Here we report that the preferential restriction elements may be present on DR4 molecules expressing either Dw4 or Dw14. No particular genomic DQ‐β polymorphism was associated with the preferential restriction elements.
CIRCULATING IgG FROM PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME DEPOSITED IN THE EPIDERMIS OF NORMAL HUMAN SKIN TRANSPLANTED TO ATHYMIC NUDE MICE
Authors: OXHOLM P. , GRAEM N. , OXHOLM A. , MANTHORPE R. , MANSA B.
Published: August 2010

Sera from 7 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and from two control persons were administered intraperitoneally to athymic nude mice transplanted with normal human skin. Seven days after transfer of serum from 5 of the patients, intra‐epidermal IgG1 and IgG3 deposits were demonstrated in the skin grafts by immunofluorescence. The deposits closely resembled in vivo deposits found in the skin of these patients. No correlation was found between the presence of epidermal deposits and levels of IgG1 and IgG3 in serum. No IgG deposits were found in skin grafts on animals given control serum, and neither could human IgG be detected in mouse skin adjacent to the grafts. Epidermal deposits of human‐IgM, ‐IgA, ‐fibrinogen, ‐C3c and mouse‐Ig were not demonstrated in biopsies from grafts or mouse skin. The results support the hypothesis that epidermal in vivo deposits of IgG in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome are the result of Fc‐receptor‐mediated binding to epidermal cells.
EFFECT OF LEUKOCYTE AND OTHER TISSUE DIALYSATES ON NBT REDUCTION AND PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION IN MICE
Authors: KarhumäKi Eliisa
Published: August 2010

The effects of human leukocyte, porcine spleen and bovine liver dialysate fractions on Listeria resistance were measured by survival studies and by assessing the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to produce superoxide anion (O2‐) and prostaglandins. Leukocyte (DLE) and other tissue dialysates were fractionated on a Sephadex G‐10 column. Thereafter the significant activities were found in fraction III of DLE, fraction II of porcine spleen and fraction II + III of bovine liver dialysate. The treatment with active porcine spleen dialysate fraction increased the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to generate superoxide anion. On the other hand, this fraction significantly decreased the production of prostaglandin PGE2 and thromboxan B2. These results may indicate that all dialysates can be a source of a non‐specifically‐acting immunomodulatory preparation and that the infection‐resistance‐increasing substances seem to operate via the monocyte/macrophage activation.
THE VALIDITY OF IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION: A THREE‐YEAR FOLLOW‐UP OF 235 HOMO‐ OR BISEXUAL PERSONS
Authors: Antonen Jaakko , Ranki Annamari , Valle Sirkka‐Liisa , SeppäLä Erkki , Vapaatalo Heikki , Suni Jukka , Krohn Kai
Published: August 2010

During a three‐year follow‐up study of 235 risk‐group people living in Finland, we found a slow increase in the proportion of HIV seropositives (from 9.8% to 14.0%) and a slow but continuous advance in symptoms typical of HIV infection among them. The first immunological changes after HIV seroconversion were an increase in Ts‐cells and a decline in antigen‐induced T‐cell functions (proliferation, IL‐2 production). A further decline in antigen‐induced responses was seen before early clinical symptoms and signs of HIV infection developed. During later phases of HIV infection the decrease of Th‐cells and the elevation of serum Beta‐2 microglobulin correlated most strongly with the progression of HIV infection. The mitogen‐induced lymphocyte functions of the HIV‐infected correlated to Th‐cell levels, while the antigen‐induced proliferation and IL‐2 production showed correlation neither to Th‐cells nor to Ts‐cells. The poor antigen‐induced T‐cell responses might be caused by abnormally functioning monocytes, known to be infected by HIV. Our results suggest that in HIV infection there is a continuous but slow disease progression, although individual variation may be great. The immunological parameter best predicting the prognosis of an infected person in the early phases of infection was the antigen‐induced lymphocyte functions, and later the amount of Th‐cells.
ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF FLAVOBACTERIUM MENINGOSEPTICUM STRAINS IDENTIFIED BY DNA‐DNA HYBRIDIZATION
Authors: Bruun BRITA
Published: August 2010

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of 52 strains of Flavobacterium meningosepticum were determined by an agar plate dilution technique and by a tablet diffusion method. No useful susceptibility differences between the two main DNA relatedness groups within F. meningosepticum were found. All strains produced beta‐lactamase and were resistant to most beta‐lactam antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and clindamycin appear to be the most promising for treating infections caused by F. meningosepticum.
INFLUENCE OF CARBON‐DIOXIDE TENSION AND MEDIUM BUFFER CONCENTRATION ON MEDIUM pH AND MIC VALUES OF ERYTHROMYCIN FOR ESCHERICHIA COLI ATCC 25922 AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ATCC 25923 IN A MICRO‐AEROBIC ATMOSPHERE
Authors: Andreasen Jan Jesper , Nissen Bent , Hartzen Susanne Hartvig
Published: August 2010

The effect of an elevated carbon‐dioxide tension on medium pH and MIC determination with erythromycin for Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) was investigated in a micro‐aerobic atmosphere, using an agar dilution method. During 30 h of incubation in an atmosphere containing approximately 6% CO2, 5% O2 and 89% N2, pH of uninoculated, as well as of seeded, blood agar plates decreased from 7.4 to 6.8. MIC values of erythromycin were two dilution steps higher after micro‐aerobic incubation than after aerobic incubation. A decrease in agar pH during micro‐aerobic incubation was eliminated by increasing the phosphate buffer concentration in the medium. However, MIC values of erythromycin remained high.
Humanitarianism with a Sovereign Face: UNHCR in the Global Undertow
Authors: Barnett Michael
Published: August 2010

This article examines the global forces that are responsible for the transformation of the meaning and practice of UNHCR's humanitarianism, and asks whether a transformation that enables the organization to become more deeply involved in the internal affairs of states is welcome or worrisome. I open by reviewing the changing relationship between multilateralism, sovereignty, and humanitarianism, and link that conceptual discussion to the international refugee regime. I then argue that the combination of state pressures and the normative principle of popular sovereignty enabled a more political and pragmatic UNHCR to widen its activities under the humanitarian banner and to become more deeply involved in the circumstances in the refugee-producing country. This expanding humanitarian umbrella, I suggest, might be a stealth agent for a policy of containment and a threat to refugee rights. This possibility is suggested by recent debates over the category of internally displaced peoples; the decided preference for repatriation; and UNHCR's involvement in reintegration activities. These developments generate the worrisome possibility that a more pragmatic UNHCR is potentially (though unwittingly) implicated in a system of containment. I conclude by reflecting on UNHCR's role in global politics and the dangers of a sovereignty-led humanitarianism.
The Economic Adjustment of Recently Arrived Bosnian, Afghan and Iraqi Refugees in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Waxman Peter
Published: August 2010

Research on the early settlement experience of refugees from Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan is absent, both in Australia and overseas. The current study, based on questionnaire results and the application of SPSS results, explores the impact that pre-migration and post-arrival experiences have on the initial post-arrival economic adjustment in Sydney, Australia of recently arrived refugees from these three countries. Guided by a summary of previous findings and surveyed results of key service providers in Sydney, two propositions based on pre-migration and post-migration background variables have been developed and tested with mixed results. As expected, there was a significant relationship between English language competency and the likelihood of being gainfully employed. However, there was, for example, no significant association between current employment status and the time spent in detention camp or the extent of negative exit conditions experienced, and there were no significant differences in employment outcomes for those with or without qualifications. This study concludes with a number of recommendations, in particular, the need for early intervention with adequate English language tuition, employment skills training and career counseling which could greatly assist humanitarian entrants in finding employment and reducing welfare dependence.
A Critical Examination of Acculturation: The Impact of Health Behaviors, Social Support and Economic Resources on Birth Weight among Women of Mexican Descent
Authors: Weigers Margaret E. , Sherraden Margaret S.
Published: August 2010

Although recent theoretical work points to the multidimensional character of acculturation, empirical studies often fail to operationalize the concept in ways that capture the complexity. This study uses data from in-depth interviews with 58 pregnant and recently postpartum women of Mexican descent to demonstrate that prior studies examining acculturation and low birth weight have focused too much on negative health behaviors and too little on social support and access to resources. The analysis also demonstrates the importance of examining social change in sending and receiving communities by addressing the starting point for acculturation and the forces for acculturation in immigrants' lives.
Immigration and the Structure of Demand: Do Immigrants Alter the Labor Market Composition of U.S. Cities?
Authors: Linton April
Published: August 2010

Does the presence of immigrants help determine the types of jobs that exist in American cities and the size of various sectors of these cities' economies? This study explores the relationship between immigration and labor market demand in U.S. metropolitan areas. I employ information about the occupational distribution of recent immigrants as compared to natives to analyze the circumstances under which the two groups are more likely to compete with or complement each other. The findings lend qualified support to Light and Rosenstein's (1995) specific demand hypothesis: many immigrants fill occupational niches that would not exist in their absence. The strength of this conclusion is contingent on city size and immigrants' level of education.
Transnationalism and American Exports in an English-Speaking World
Authors: Light Ivan , Zhou Min , Kim Rebecca
Published: August 2010

Investigating the relationship between immigration, middleman minority status, transnationalism, and U.S. foreign trade, the authors assembled a census-based data file that contains aggregate-level variables for 88 foreign-born groups by national origin between 1980 and 1990. They regressed immigrant characteristics and immigration volume upon time-lagged import/export statistics from the same 88 nations between 1985 and 1995. Results show the independent influence on exports of immigrant entrepreneurship, transnationalism, and middleman minority status. But these variables, exhaustively derived from the existing literature, had no effect on U.S. imports; they only affected exports. The authors propose that the discrepancy between imports and exports arises because of the dominance of English as a world business language. In this situation, foreigners need no help from immigrants when they export to the United States; but native-born, monolingual Americans need the help of bicultural immigrants when they export. The empirical results suggest that immigrant entrepreneurs enhance the United States' exports and thus reduce the United States' balance of payments deficit.
The Other Side of the Paradox: The Risk of Low Birth Weight among Infants of Migrant and Nonmigrant Households within Mexico
Authors: Frank Reanne , Hummer Robert A.
Published: August 2010

The main aim of this study is to understand how the international migration process affects the risk of low birth weight among Mexican-born infants using the ENADID 1997 (Encuesta Nacional de la Dinámica Demográfica), a nationally representative survey of the Mexican population. The total sample includes 23,607 infants. We employ logistic regression to estimate models in which migration status is included as a risk factor for low birth weight. The analysis demonstrates that membership in a migrant household provides protection from the risk of low birth weight largely through the receipt of remittances. In light of this evidence, it is particularly important that international migration be recognized as one of the processes that has a positive and significant effect on perinatal outcomes in both countries of origin and in countries of destination.