bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of thalidomide on DMBA‐induced oral carcinogenesis in hamster with respect to angiogenesis
Authors: Yang Y. , Ge J.‐P. , Zhou Z.‐T.
Published: August 2010

Background: Thalidomide has been shown to have anti‐angiogenic effects in pre‐clinical models as well as a significant antitumor effect in hematologic tumors. However, the effects of thalidomide on oral pre‐malignant lesions and oral carcinogenesis remain unexplored. The authors aimed to investigate the chemopreventive effect of thalidomide on 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)‐induced oral carcinogenesis in hamsters with respect to angiogenesis.

Methods: Seventy male Syrian golden hamsters were randomly divided into five groups, with two of 20 and three of 10. DMBA solution (0.5% in acetone) was applied topically to the left cheek pouch of male Syrian golden hamsters in group A and B, while animals in group C were painted with acetone, three times a week for 6 weeks. For the next 18 weeks, animals in group B and D received thalidomide daily (40 mg/kg body weight/day) by gavage, animals in group A and C received same volume of saline. Animals in group E received no treatment and served as blank control. At the end of the experiment, animals were killed and tissue samples were collected for examinations.

Results: Thalidomide significantly decreased the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) incidence from 57.9 to 11.8%; angiogenesis was inhibited in dysplasia and SCC. The gene expression of vascular endothelium growth factor and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α was downregulated.

Conclusions: Thalidomide has inhibitory effect against the malignant transformation of oral pre‐cancerous lesion and angiogenesis during oral carcinogenesis. Such inhibition is related to its modulation of TNF‐α.
Influence of borneol on primary mice oral fibroblasts: a penetration enhancer may be used in oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Dai Jian‐Ping , Chen Jun , Bei Yu‐Fei , Han Bang‐Xing , Wang Sheng
Published: August 2010

Background:  Borneol, a widely used food and cosmetics additive, has analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial and penetration enhancing effects. We try to use it as a penetration enhancer for a formula which we have used to treat oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). To assess its safety, we investigate its effects on primary mice oral fibroblasts.

Methods:  Primary mice oral fibroblasts were cultured, the effects of borneol on fibroblasts proliferation, cytotoxicity, collagen production, matrix metalloproteinases‐2,9 (MMP‐2,9) activities and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) production were tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, lactic dehydrogenase activity assay, chloramine T method, gelatin zymography and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

Results:  Borneol, from 18.75 to 300 μg/ml, could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease the growth of fibroblasts and very significantly (P < 0.01) inhibit collagen production in a concentration dependant manner. From 18.75 to 150 μg/ml, borneol had no cytotoxicity on mice oral fibroblasts. Moreover borneol could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease MMP‐2 activity, and very significantly (P < 0.01) inhibit TIMP‐1 production.

Conclusions:  This study indicates that borneol has anti‐fibrosis activity and the mechanism may partly be relevant to its inhibiting effects on fibroblasts mitosis, collagen and TIMP‐1 production. It can be safely used as a penetration enhancer for our formula to treat OSF.
Clinical, histological and immunohistochemical findings in oral Kaposi's sarcoma in a series of Mexican AIDS patients. Comparative study
Authors: Ramírez‐Amador V. , Martínez‐Mata G. , González‐Ramírez I. , Anaya‐Saavedra G. , De Almeida O. P.
Published: August 2010

Background:  The origin of spindle cells (SC) in oral Kaposi’s sarcoma (OKS) is still an intriguing aspect. Thus the aim of the present study was to compare the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of OKS and oral pyogenic granuloma (OPG), in order to contribute to the knowledge of the cells involved in Kaposi′s sarcoma pathogenesis.

Methods:  In this retrospective, observational and comparative study, 39 OKS and 30 OPG cases were included. Immunohistochemical studies were performed for vimentin, αSMA, desmin, C‐kit, CD34, D2‐40 and LANA‐1 [human herpesvirus‐8(HHV‐8)]. Statistical comparisons were done using the chi‐square and Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney rank sum tests.

Results:  Fourteen (35.9%) OKS cases also affected the skin, and 83.8% involved the palate. All OKS and OPG were positive for vimentin and CD34. OKS samples were positive for αSMA, and 25.6% expressed C‐kit. All OKS cases were positive for HHV‐8, and the number of positive cells increased significantly from early / intermediate to late histological stage. D2‐40 was expressed in the cellular component and vascular walls of all OKS cases, but it was negative in OPG. HHV‐8 expression was increased in late histological stages of OKS lesions.

Conclusions:  The expression of D2‐40 marker in the vascular walls and SC supports the view of a lymphatic differentiation in neoplastic cells of OKS. Desmin, αSMA, D2‐40, C‐kit and HHV‐8 were the main markers differently expressed in OKS and OPG.
Toll‐like receptor activity in Recurrent Aphthous Ulceration
Authors: Borra Ricardo Carneiro , De Mesquita Barros Fabiana , De Andrade Lotufo Mônica , Villanova Fabiolla Elizabeth , Andrade Priscila Maria
Published: August 2010

Background:  Toll‐like receptors (TLR) are membrane proteins that recognize conserved molecules derived from bacterial, virus, fungal or host tissues. Activation of TLRs causes the production of cytokines that mediate inflammatory responses and drive T helper (Th) 1 and 2 cell development. As an exaggerated Th1 immune response is supposed to be involved in pathogenesis of Recurrent Aphthous Ulceration (RAU), we suggest that RAU patients may have an imbalance in TLR pathways.

Methods:  To study the function of TLR activation ex vivo, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RAU patients (n = 17) and controls (n = 17) were exposed to TLR2 [lipoteichoic acid (LTA), heat‐killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKLM) and PamC3CSK4], TLR3 [Poly(I:C)], TLR4 [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], TLR5 (flagellin) and TLR7 (imiquimod) ligands, and the time course of supernatant tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels was quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, serological and salivary TNF‐α and soluble CD14 levels were quantified. The TNF‐α produced by PBMCs in contact with each TLR ligand and autologous serum or saliva at the same time was also investigated. The data were analyzed by statistical multivariate tests.

Results:  The control group had a higher response to LTA, whereas RAU had a higher response to HKLM. LTA and LPS interfered with the salivary stimulation of the RAU PBMC and HKLM with the stimulation of the control. Autologous serum was capable of inhibiting TLR2 responsiveness to LTA and enhancing LPS stimulation. Salivary and serological levels of sCD14 and TNF‐α were not significantly different.

Conclusion:  Recurrent Aphthous Ulceration patients have an anomalous activity of the TLR2 pathway that probably influences the stimulation of an abnormal Th1 immune response.
Matrix metalloproteinase 7 and perlecan in oral epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma in situ: an aid for histopathologic recognition of their cell proliferation centers
Authors: Tilakaratne W. M. , Kobayashi T. , Ida‐Yonemochi H. , Swelam W. , Yamazaki M. , Mikami T. , Alvarado C. G. , Shahidul A. Md. , Maruyama S. , Cheng J. , Saku T.
Published: August 2010

Background:  As one of the valuable tools for differential diagnoses of oral epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we have proposed the immunohistochemistry for perlecan, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG). As HSPGs have been shown to be extracellular docking molecules for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 7, our aim was to determine the expression mode of MMP‐7 in these lesions for its possible diagnostic aid for oral borderline malignancies.

Methods:  Twenty cases each of moderate dysplasia, CIS, SCC, and normal/hyperplastic/mild dysplastic epithelia of the tongue and buccal mucosa were immunohistochemically examined for MMP‐1, ‐2 and ‐7 in reference to their perlecan immunolocalization.

Results:  The expression of all three MMPs in the normal mucosal epithelium was restricted mainly to the parabasal layers. The most striking finding was strong expression of MMP‐7 in epithelial dysplasia with a two‐phase appearance: a clear demarcation of MMP‐7‐immunopositive (+) lower dysplastic/basaloid cells from non‐positive upper keratinized cells. MMP‐7+ cells were spread over the whole epithelial layer of CIS. In SCC, MMP‐7 positivity was reduced from carcinoma cells but instead appeared in stromal cells. These expression profiles of MMP‐7 resembled those of perlecan. MMP‐1 and MMP‐2 exhibited a similar but much weaker staining than MMP‐7.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that the enhanced metabolism of perlecan associated with MMP‐7 plays an important role in the cell proliferation of oral epithelia in their malignant transformation process, and that MMP‐7 immunohistochemistry may be a valuable aid for identification of the cell proliferation center in oral CIS and dysplasia.
Treatment with levamisole and colchicine can result in a significant reduction of IL‐6, IL‐8 or TNF‐α level in patients with mucocutaneous type of Behcet’s disease
Authors: Sun Andy , Wang Yi‐Ping , Chia Jean‐San , Liu Bu‐Yuan , Chiang Chun‐Pin
Published: August 2010

Background:  Mucocutaneous type of Behcet’s disease (MCBD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease with oral and genital ulcers with or without skin lesions.

Methods:  A solid phase, two‐site sequential chemiluminescent immunometric assay was used to measure serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in 54 normal control subjects and in 64 MCBD patients before and after treatment with levamisole plus colchicine.

Results:  We found that 67%, 83% or 67% of MCBD patients had a serum IL‐6, IL‐8 or TNF‐α level greater than the upper normal limit of 4.7, 8.7 or 7.4 pg/ml, respectively. The mean serum level of IL‐6 (9.9 ± 2.4 pg/ml, P < 0.005), IL‐8 (107.5 ± 21.4 pg/ml, P < 0.001) or TNF‐α (22.5 ± 4.1 pg/ml, P < 0.001) in 64 MCBD patients was significantly higher than that (2.1 ± 0.2, 5.7 ± 0.2 or 3.8 ± 0.2 pg/ml for IL‐6, IL‐8 or TNF‐α level, respectively) in normal control subjects. In 43 MCBD patients with all the serum IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNF‐α levels higher than their upper normal limits, treatment with levamisole plus colchicine for a period of 0.5–11.5 (mean, 3.2 ± 2.4) months could significantly reduce the mean serum IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNF‐α levels from 9.0 ± 1.7 to 1.6 ± 0.2 pg/ml (P < 0.001), 134.6 ± 28.2–6.0 ± 0.4 pg/ml (P < 0.001) and 25.7 ± 5.6–3.5 ± 0.4 pg/ml (P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions:  Treatment with levamisole and colchicine can result in a significant reduction of serum IL‐6, IL‐8 or TNF‐α level in MCBD patients.
DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY TO STAPHYLOCOCCAL PROTEIN A DETECTED BY LEUCOCYTE MIGRATION INHIBITION
Authors: Helgeland Svein M. , æss Ragnar R. N. , Grov Arne
Published: August 2010

Helgeland, S. M., Nsess, R. R. & Grov, A. Delayed hypersensitivity to staphylococcal protein A detected by leucocyte migration inhibition. Acta path, microbiol. scand. Sect. C, 83: 15–18, 1975.

Delayed hypersensitivity to staphylococcal protein A was indicated by the migration inhibition reaction (MIR), using peritoneal cells from protein A sensitized guinea pigs. No cross‐reactivity between protein A, polysaccharide A and peptidoglycan was found. Peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan 1 inhibited almost completely the migration of cells from both sensitized and unsensitized cells.
AGGLUTINABILITY OF SOME SELECTED STREPTOCOCCI BY IMMUNE COMPLEXES
Authors: Christensen Poul
Published: August 2010

It is shown that some selected streptococci are agglutinable by soluble antigen‐rabbit antibody complexes owing to the interaction between the streptococci and immunoglobulins, irrespective of the antibody combining sites. Increased agglutination titer of rabbit anti‐egg albumin serum for the streptococci was obtained by addition of egg albumin, but not bovine or human albumin. The agglutination of the streptococci was diminished by addition of preimmune serum or by trypsin treatment of the streptococci; trypsin treatment diminishes the capacity of the streptococci to take up 125′I labelled IgG myeloma protein. The effect of variation of the egg albumin concentration and the effect of the ratio between antibody N and egg albumin N was shown. The possible mechanism of the agglutination of the streptococci by immune complexes is suggested.
T‐LYMPHOCYTE DEPLETED MICE WITH A NORMAL B‐LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSE SHOW NORMAL AMYLOID DEVELOPMENT AFTER CASEINATION
Authors: Ebbesen P. , Bergh M. , Leuchars E. , Doenhoff M.
Published: August 2010

Adult thymectomized, irradiated, bone marrow reconstituted CBA/Lac mice had a much reduced pool of PHA reactive (T)‐lymphocytes and a normal pool of bacterial lipopolysaccharide reactive (B)‐lymphocytes. After caseination the spleens of such mice showed the same degree of amyloid development as with caseinated, but otherwise untreated mice. The result is consistent with an involvement of B but not of T‐spleen lymphocytes in amyloidogenesis.
OCCURRENCE OF HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN (HBs Ag) IN BLOOD DONORS AND PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TRANSFUSION HEPATITIS
Authors: Hansson B. G. , Sundstrom G. , Johnsson T.
Published: August 2010

A survey of the stock of registered blood donors in Malmö revealed 0.07 per cent carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) if tested with immunoelectroosmophoresis (IEOP). In the group of prospective donors, the IEOP technique detected HBsAg at a frequency of 0.5 per cent, while a more sensitive solid‐phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) detected a further 0.1 per cent. The RIA technique used in this investigation showed an incidence of false positives of 0.5 per cent. Most of the falsely positive sera probably contained antibodies against guinea pig globulin thus interfering with the test. The incidence of suspected transfusion hepatitis decreased after the screening for HBsAg among the blood donors was introduced. The justification of using RIA as screening method for HBs Ag is discussed.
PHAGOCYTOSIS AND MICROBICIDAL CAPACITY OF MOUSE MACROPHAGES NON‐SPECIFICALLY ACTIVATED IN VITRO
Authors: Reikvam Å. , Høiby E. A.
Published: August 2010

Mouse macrophages cultured in a medium containing 50 per cent newborn calf serum (NBCS) were shown to undergo a characteristic development. Their size as well as their content of phase‐lucent and phase‐dense granules increased. The cell content of the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase was increased. In contrast, macrophages from the same source and cultured in a medium containing 50 per cent foetal calf serum (FCS) were not activated in this way. NBCS‐activated macrophages had a markedly enhanced capacity to phagocytose Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria monocytogenes, as compared with macrophages cultured in FCS. However, their ability to restrict the intracellular multiplication of these micro‐organisms was not markedly increased.
IMMUNE DEFICIENCY IN SEX‐LINKED HEREDITARY THROMBOCYTOPENIA
Authors: Andersen Vagn , Thomsen Mogens , Cohn Jørgen
Published: August 2010

Eleven thrombocytopenic members of a large family with sex‐linked hereditary thrombocyto‐penia were studied. Routine immunological investigation revealed little evidence of immune deficiency, but abnormal results were obtained in studies of the in vitro blast transformation response of the patients lymphocytes. Impaired responses to microbial antigens were observed in all patients thus studied, whereas a decreased response to mitogens was observed in only one patient. Of the non‐thrombocytopenic family members, approximately half showed subnormal responses to one microbial extract. These results, taken together with the increased incidence of infections in the thrombocytopenic patients, indicate the necessity for immunological scrutiny of patients with hereditary thrombocytopenia, in particular when splenectomy is considered.
INFLUENCE OF ENDOTOXIN AND COMPLEX BACTERIAL ANTIGENS IN THE PRESENCE OF SERUM FACTORS UPON THE FUNCTION OF HUMAN NEUTROPHILS IN VITRO
Authors: Koch Christian
Published: August 2010

Endotoxin, added to normal human neutrophils in the presence of serum, simultaneously with the addition of Staphylococcus aureus, caused stimulation of ingestion as well as intracellular killing of the bacteria in doses ranging from 0.1 to 1000 μg endotoxin per ml. Stimulation of ingestion was also induced by simultaneous addition of complex microbial antigens, heat‐killed bacteria, and precipitating as well as soluble human serum albumin (HSA)/anti‐HSA complexes. On the other hand, inhibition of intracellular killing could be induced when the leucocytes were pre‐incubated with endotoxin or precipitating HSA/anti‐HSA complexes. High doses of complex microbial antigens, particularly in the presence of immune serum containing multiple specific precipitating antibodies, resulted in inhibition of intracellular killing after pre‐incubation as well as by simultaneous addition to the neutrophils with the bacteria. It is suggested that the functional changes, induced by endotoxin and by microbial antigens, are secondary to ingestion of immune complexes. These changes are, however, not as pronounced as those previously demonstrated in circulating neutrophils from patients with severe bacterial infection. Direct interaction of endotoxin or microbial antigens with the neutrophils in vivo, is not solely responsible for the functional changes seen in patients with severe bacterial infection, but prolonged exposure of the neutrophils to such agents in vivo, may add to the killing defect observed in vitro.
INFLUENCE OF METHYLPREDNISOLONE AND AZATHIOPRINE ON POLYMORPHONUCLEAR NEUTROPHILS (PMN) AND LYMPHOCYTES IN GERMFREE, MONOCONTAMINATED AND CONVENTIONAL RATS
Authors: Baardsen A. , Midtvedt T. , Trippestad A.
Published: August 2010

In rats, protracted administration of methylprednisolone at high dose levels 1) increased the number of circulating PMN in germfree, monocontaminated (withEscherichia coli) and conventional rats. This drug‐induced increase was more than doubled in the presence of microorganisms, as compared to germfree rats. 2) reduced the number of circulating lymphocytes more strongly in germfree rats than in monocontaminated and conventional rats. Protracted administration of azathioprine at high dose levels 1) reduced the number of circulating PMN in conventional rats, but not in germfree and monocontaminated rats. 2) did not affect the lymphocyte count at the dose level 40 mg per kg per day in any of the three groups of animals investigated.
QUANTITATIVE PRECIPITATION IN MICROTITER PLATES
Authors: Aasted Bent
Published: August 2010

A quantitative precipitation micro‐technique has been developed using the plastic microtiter plates. Amounts as small as 80–160 μl of antiserum were sufficient for the determination of the precipitin, curve. The microprocedure was shown to correlate both with the normal quantitative precipitation technique and the single radial immunodiffusion test.
AGGLUTININS TO RABBIT ERYTHROCYTES IN FLUID FROM NON‐KERATINIZING JAW CYSTS
Authors: Skaug Nils
Published: August 2010

Cyst fluid obtained from 21 patients agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes to titres ranging from 16 to 512 (mode titre 128). The agglutinins behaved as specific antibodies and were mainly of the IgM class though IgG agglutinins were also demonstrated. The agglutination titres of cyst fluid showed a positive correlation with the titres of autologous serum, indicating a serum origin of the cystic agglutinins. Thus agglutinins to rabbit red cells, being the first antibody demonstrated in cyst fluid, seem to be useful markers for serum derived Ig occurring in cyst fluid.
COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION IN MENINGOCOCCAL SEPTICEMIA
Authors: Johnson Ulf , Laurell Anna‐Brita
Published: August 2010

Analyses of complement components in plasma from a patient with meningococcal septicemia showed abnormally low levels of C3 and properdin. C4 remained within the normal level. Activation of C3 proactivator and conversion of C3 was shown. Except these findings, which are in agreement with activation of complement by endotoxin by the alternate pathway, a marked decrease in Clq was observed.
ROSETTE FORMATION TESTS FOR T AND B LYMPHOCYTES USING FROZEN‐STORED CELLS
Authors: Birkeland S. A.
Published: August 2010

The purpose of this study was to establish whether rosette formation tests could be used on frozen‐stored lymphocytes and whether the measured ratio of T and B lymphocytes was affected by frozen storage. The number of B cells was evaluated by testing for HEAC‐rosettes using human A‐group erythrocytes, rabbit anti‐A and mouse complement. The number of T cells was found by forming E rosettes using sheep red blood cells and absorbed human AB serum. Fresh lymphocytes, frozen‐stored lymphocytes and lymphocytes stored for 24 hours in medium TC‐199 were tested for rosette formation. For B rosette formation, there was no significant difference between frozen‐stored and fresh cells, whereas medium‐stored and fresh cells were significantly different. For T rosette formation there were no significant differences between any of the methods used. Thus it seems reasonable to conclude that 1) the differentiation of a lymphocyte population into T and B lymphocytes is possible in samples which have been frozen‐stored and 2) the method used for frozen‐storage does not affect the ratio of T and B lymphocytes.
IMMOBILIZING AND CYTOTOXIC SPERM ANTIBODIES IN SERUM AND SEMINAL PLASMA AND THEIR RELATION TO OTHER SPERM ANTIBODIES
Authors: Husted S.
Published: August 2010

The relation between immobilizing and cytotoxic sperm antibodies and other sperm antibodies (agglutinins and IF‐antibodies) in serum and seminal plasma was studied in men belonging in a group of infertile couples. In serum, correlation between the agglutinin titre and the titres of immobilization and cytotoxicity was found to be close, but the titre level of the complement‐dependent activities was considerably lower than that of the agglutinins. In seminal plasma, immobilization and cytotoxicity were rarely observed and only in low titres. Absorption of IgG (IgGl, IgG2, IgG4) with protein‐A‐producing Staphylococcus aureus suggested that immobilizing, cytotoxic, and agglutinating antibodies in serum belonged to the IgG class. In seminal plasma, agglutinins. seemed mainly to be “non‐IgG”—probably IgA. Correlation between occurrence of agglutinating, immobilizing and cytotoxic antibodies in serum on the one hand and low spermcounts or high spermimmotility rate in the ejaculate on the other, was not found.
COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF IMMOBILIZING AND CYTOTOXIC SPERM ANTIBODIES
Authors: Husted S. , Ingerslev H. J.
Published: August 2010

A sperm‐immobilization test, a sperm‐cytotoxicity test and a microtechnique for simultaneous detection of immobilizing and cytotoxic sperm antibodies have been compared. The immobilization test and the microtechnique were easy to use. In order to ensure reliable results of the cytotoxicity test, the evaluation of a serum had to be based on the mean spermotoxic index (STI) of three experiments. The cytotoxicity test was therefore found to be more time‐consuming and less suitable for large‐scale examinations. Among 30 sera from men with sperm agglu‐tinins, all sera with titres >64 yielded positive results by all three techniques, whereas minor differences were found in sera with lower agglutinin titres. A comparison of the tests showed that, except for one case, cytotoxic activity was observed only in sera which also had immobilizing activity and, using the microtechnique, this was observed without exception. A total of 103 sera without agglutinins revealed negative results by the three techniques. Titration of positive sera in the immobilization test and in the microtechnique using guinea‐pig and human serum, respectively, as the source of complement, showed identical results if the actual dilution of test serum in the test mixture was taken into account.
CIRCULATING IMMUNE COMPLEXES INVOLVING GRANULOCYTE‐SPECIFIC ANTINUCLEAR FACTORS IN FELTY'S SYNDROME AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors: Wiik Allan
Published: August 2010

This study was designed to look for participation of granulocyte‐specific antinuclear factors in circulating immune complexes in rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions. Sera from 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 13 of whom displayed the classical Felty's syndrome and 3 showed neutropenia, were fractionated on a Sephadex G‐200 column at neutral pH. Two sera from patients with neutropenia, probably of an auto‐immune type, were included as well as 3 osteo‐arthrosis sera and 5 normal control sera. Each fraction was analysed for presence of immuno‐g'lobulihs G, M and A, antiglobulins, granulocyte‐specific and organ‐nonspecific antinuclear factors and heterophilic antibodies to rabbit red cells. At neutral pH, macromolecular and intermediate size IgG aggregates were found in most rheumatoid sera but in none of the control sera. The aggregates comprised granulocyte‐specific and sometimes organ‐nonspecific antinuclear factors of the IgG and often of the IgA classes. Felty patient sera were extraordinarily rich in aggregates containing considerable amounts of IgG granulocyte‐specific antinuclear factors. The aggregates usually were dissociated at pH 4.5. IgG and IgA rabbit red cell antibodies mostly appeared in unaggregated form only. Macromolecular IgM antinuclear factors were found in all patient and control sera, but in addition, 80 per cent of the rheumatoid sera contained low molecular size IgM antinuclear factors, probably representing products of local inflammatory processes. The low molecular size IgM antibody activity frequently disappeared after fractiona‐tion at acid pH, possibly indicating pronounced sensitivity of these molecules to low pH. Complement‐fixing properties of the granulocyte‐specific antinuclear factors seemed to be linked to IgG antibodies. IgM rabbit red cell antibodies were solely of the 19S variety except in two cases of Felty's syndrome. Besides macromolecular antiglobulins, many rheumatoid sera contained low molecular size antiglobulins. The data indicate that granulocyte‐specific antinuclear factors are regularly involved in circulating immune complexes in rheumatoid arthritis and thus may contribute to the systemic manifestations which are assumed to be caused by such complexes. In cases of neutropenic rheumatoid arthritis, granulocyte‐specific antinuclear factors possessing complement‐fixing abilities, may augment the phlogogenic effect of the immune complexes.
THE MECHANISM OF THE L‐AGGLUTINATION OF STREPTOCOCCI BY SERA FROM PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors: Christensen Poul , Oxelius Vivi‐Anne , Hoier‐Madsen Mimi
Published: August 2010

The L‐agglutination of streptococci group A, strain S.F. 130, type T 1 by sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was investigated. The IgG fraction of these sera alone could agglutinate the streptococci. Absorption of the sera with the streptococci turned the L‐agglutination test negative. On addition of pooled human IgG the test was again positive while IgG myeloma protein had no such effect. These findings indicated participation of IgG antibodies to strepto‐coccal antigens and that these antibodies were present also in serum from healthy individuals. If IgG of subclass 1, 2 and 4 was eliminated from the rheumatoid arthritis sera by absorption with Cowan I staphylococci, the L‐agglutination could not be restored by addition of pooled human IgG. Together with findings of other authors, this result indicated participation of anti‐IgG of IgG class in the L‐agglutination. Furthermore, removal of the broth in which the streptococci were cultured also turned the L‐agglutination test with rheumatoid arthritis sera negative, but on replacement with sterile filtered supernatant from gramnegative rods the test again turned positive. The interaction of these factors in the L‐agglutination—i.e. normally occurring antibodies to streptococcal antigens, anti‐IgG of IgG class present in rheumatoid arthritis sera and‐soluble antigens in the culture supernatant—is discussed.
HETEROGENEITY OF PHAGOCYTIC MALFUNCTION IN MYELOID LEUKAEMIA
Authors: Koch Christian
Published: August 2010

The capabilities of circulating leucocytes from 7 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and 3 patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) to ingest and to kill Staphylococcus aureus in vitro were investigated. Defects in both of these two functions could be detected isolated or in combination. If these functional alterations were correlated with the morphology of the myeloid cell population, the most prominent finding was a highly significant correlation between decreased intracellular killing and degree of admixture of myelocytes and metamyelocytes to the mature cells. The data suggest that the main qualitative functional defect in CML as well as in AML is the inefficient intracellular killing capacity displayed by myelocytes and metamyelocytes. All, but one patient, were without signs of bacterial infection at the time of testing. The data thus add to the phenomena, previously observed in this laboratory concerning the killing defect, in severely infected patients, a defect which was found to be correlated in part with the degree of “shift to the left” of the myeloid cell population.
THE CELLULAR RESPONSE IN REGIONAL LYMPH NODES AND THYMUS TO REPEATED APPLICATION OF OXAZOLONE TO THE SKIN
Authors: Myking Andreas O.
Published: August 2010

The response of draining lymph nodes, thymus and skin to the repeated application of oxazolone was studied in mice by autoradiography, histology and the recording of organ weights. Transient paracortical hyperplasia was seen in the lymph nodes accompanied by rapid weight loss and depletion of cortical cells in the thymus. With regression of the paracortical hyperplasia, long‐lasting hyperplasia of germinal centres and medullary cords developed, while the thymus increased in weight with repopulation of the cortex. The findings suggest some kind of active control or inhibition of the paracortical reaction as the decline was observed during continuous oxazolone application.
ANTIBODIES TO ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS. CHARACTERIZATION OF A HAEMAGGLUTINOGEN
Authors: Rodsaether Marianne , Tönder O.
Published: August 2010

Rabbit antiserum to A. fumigatus and sera from patients with and without aspergiilosis were tested for anti‐haemolysins, CFT antibodies, precipitins and haemagglutinins using extracts of homogenized, disrupted fungi as antigen preparations. The rabbit serum reacted in all 4 tests, while the human sera gave significant reactions in precipitation and tanned cell indirect haemagglutination (IHA) only. Of 9 human sera which gave precipitation in double diffusion in agar, only the 5 which were positive in IHA were from patients with definite aspergiilosis. Some sera precipitated extracts of fungi of other species, and even of other genera. IHA was the most sensitive and specific test. Results of phenol/water extraction of the lyophilized A. fumigatus extracts, of gel filtration, and of preparative ultracentrifugation indicated that the sensitizing antigen in IHA was a precipitinogen of protein nature with a m.w. of approximately 150,000. The haemolysins in the extracts were probably phospholipases.
MITOGENIC RESPONSES OF MOUSE THYMUS AND SPLEEN CELLS EFFECT OF IMMUNOADSORBENT PROCEDURES
Authors: Høier‐Madsen M. , Rubin Bent
Published: August 2010

The in vitro proliferative responses of mouse thymus‐ and spleen cells against the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were determined after either 1) anti‐θ antiserum and complement, or 2) immunoadsorbent column fractionation. The responses before and after 1) and 2) were compared with the reduction or enhancement in the number of θ positive cells, EA:RFC or EAC: RFC:s. It was found that the PHA response both of thymus‐ and spleen cells was equal to or higher after Ig:anti‐Ig column fractionation, whereas it was very sensitive to treatment with anti‐θ antiserum and complement. The LPS response both of thymus‐ and spleen cells was very significantly reduced after Ig:anti‐Ig column fractionation, but on the other hand, the LPS response of spleen cells was somewhat reduced after anti‐θ antiserum and complement treatment. The Con A response of thymus‐ and spleen cells was very sensitive to anti‐9 antiserum and complement treatment, but in addition it was very significantly reduced after passage through Ig:anti‐Ig columns, even though the number of θ positive cells increased at least twice and the PHA response was increased. Possible reasons for the latter findings including 1) PHA and Con A stimulate different subpopulations of T cells or 2) a different requirement of adherent cells for the two T cell mitogen in vitro responses will be discussed.
AMYLOID OF HUMAN ISLETS OF LANGERHANS
Authors: Westermark Per
Published: August 2010

Islet amyloid concentrates containing a maximum of 50 per cent of amyloid fibrils as estimated by light microscopy were obtained from pancreases of patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus. When centrifuged, the amyloid did not form a top layer as do most other amyloids, but was found in the bottom layer. This phenomenon and the difficulty in dissolving islet amyloid seemed to be due to inability to separate the amyloid fibrils from each other. In SDS electrophoresis, one or two weak bands corresponding to a molecular weight of about 3000–4000 daltons were observed, but most of the material did not enter the poly‐acrylamide gels. Spectrophotometrically, no tryptophane and almost no tyrosine were demonstrated. It is concluded that the major islet amyloid protein differs fundamentally from other characterized amyloid proteins and, probably together with amyloid of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, forms a new class of amyloid proteins.
DETERMINATION OF HUMAN ANTIBODIES TO STAPHYLOCOCCAL α‐TOXIN (ANTISTAPHYLOLYSIN) BY A REVERSED SINGLE RADIAL IMMUNODIFFUSION METHOD
Authors: Johnson Ulf , Svantesson Biroitta
Published: August 2010

A method for the routine determination of human antibodies to staphylococcal α‐toxin (antistaphylolysin, ASTA), performed as a reversed single radial immunodiffusion, is presented. The sera to be tested are allowed to diffuse into a staphylolysin‐containing gel. A second gel containing rabbit erythrocytes is poured on top of the first gel and, after diffusion of free staphylolysin, the zones of inhibited hemolysis are measured. The method was compared with the conventional tube‐dilution method and the correlation coefficient (r) was found to be 0.95.
PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA INFECTION IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Authors: Hoiby Niels , Andersen Vagn , Bendixen Gunnar
Published: August 2010

Ten patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) chronically infected with mucoid P. aeruginosa, twelve CF patients without P. aeruginosa infection, and ten normal controls have been examined for humoral and cellular immune responses against P. aeruginosa by means of crossed immuno‐electrophoresis, the lymphocyte blast transformation test, the leucocyte migration agarose test and an intracutaneous test. In addition to P. aeruginosa antigens, the cellular immune response to plant mitogens, E. coli, C. albicans and tuberculin was examined. Compared with the other two groups, CF patients chronically infected with mucoid P. aeruginosa presented significantly changed laboratory parameters indicating inflammatory reactions and humoral hyperimmuniza‐tion. The results show that neither of the two groups of CF patients suffered from severe generalized immunodeficiency. However, in contrast to the pronounced humoral immune response against P. aeruginosa in chronically infected CF patients, the cellular immune response against P. aeruginosa was not significantly changed as compared with the two other groups of patients. The intracutaneous test with P. aeruginosa showed a marked difference between the groups of patients: In all chronically infected CF patients, a typical weal and flare reaction occurred, but such a reaction was not observed in the other groups of patients. No humoral or cellular immune response against mucoid substance from P. aeruginosa was found.
INTERACTION OF STREPTOCOCCI WITH THE Fc FRAGMENT OF IgG
Authors: CHRISTENSEN POUL , JOHANSSON BENGT G. , KRONVALL GORAN
Published: August 2010

The capacity of human IgG to interact with β‐haemolytic streptococci was studied in order to localize the site of interaction on the IgG molecule. The reactivity of different proteolytic fragments of IgG with streptococci group A, type M 1 and type M 56, group C and group G, was investigated by measuring their inhibitory effect on the uptake of 125I labelled IgG myeloma protein by the streptococci. Equivalent molar amounts of Fc fragment and undigested IgG inhibited the uptake of 125I labelled IgG myeloma protein equally well while only slight inhibition was obtained by F(ab')2 preparations. No reactivity was found with IgM, Fab orchymotrypsin produced fragment Fc', of IgG. The reactivity of IgG with the streptococci was localized to the Fc fragment. Since the Fc' fragment was non‐reactive, the CH2 domain was probably carrying the IgG structures involved in the interaction with streptococci.
RAT INTESTINAL GLYCOPROTEIN LOWERING BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY OF SERUM ON 32P‐LABELLED E. COLI
Authors: WINSNES RANDI , MIDTVEDT TORE , TRIPPESTAD ARNE
Published: August 2010

A glycoprotein fraction, by which the 32P‐releasing activity of serum on labelled E. coli is lowered, was isolated from caecum content of germfree rats. The glycoprotein contained 83.1 per cent carbohydrate, 0.8 per cent sulphate, and 16.1 per cent protein. The moleculai weight ranged from 3.2 × 105 to 2.4 times 106, and the iso‐electric point from pH 0.9 to 3.0. Physiologically, it may play a role in the interaction(s) between the host and its intestinal flora.
ELIMINATION OF INGESTED 32P‐LABELLED E. COLI FROM RAT POLYMORPHONUCLEAR NEUTROPHILS (PMN)
Authors: MIDTVEDT TORE , BAARDSEN ARNE
Published: August 2010

A method to be used for in vitro assay of the elimination of ingested 32P‐labelled E. coli from rat PMN monolayers has been evaluated. The rate of expulsion of bacterial label from phagocytes into the extracellular medium was found to range between 40 and 50 per cent of the total uptake 180 min after termination of ingestion. Serum enhanced the cellular uptake of bacteria, but did not affect the rate of elimination. Disintegration of the phagocytes was not found to be a problem.
INFLUENCE OF ANTIBODIES AND THERMOLABILE SERUM FACTORS ON THE BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN NEUTROPHIL GRANULOCYTES
Authors: SOLBERG CLAUS O. , CHRISTIE KAREN ELINA , LARSEN BODIL , TÖNDER OLAV
Published: August 2010

The influence of serum antibodies and thermolabile serum factors on the intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophil granulocytes has been examined using a method which facilitates a precise in vitro evaluation of the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The bactericidal activity of the granulocytes was significantly less pronounced in the presence of serum absorbed with Staph. aureus or inactivated at 56°C for 30 minutes than in the presence of untreated serum. Specific antibodies seemed to stimulate the intracellular killing of bacteria more than thermolabile serum factors.
INFLUENCE OF IgG, F(ab')2 AND IgM ON THE PHAGOCYTIC AND BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF HUMAN NEUTROPHIL GRANULOCYTES
Authors: CHRISTIE KAREN ELINA , SOLBERG CLAUS O. , LARSEN BODIL , GROV ARNE , TÖNDER OLAV
Published: August 2010

The phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human granulocytes in the presence of immunoglobulin preparations have been examined. Isolated IgG from pooled human serum induced phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria. F(ab')2 fragments had no significant effect, indicating that the Fc piece of the IgG molecule is of importance not only for the phagocytosis but also for the intracellular killing of bacteria. Isolated IgM stimulated the phagocytosis to a minor extent, with no enhancement of the bactericidal activity.
STUDIES ON THE TREPONEMA PALLIDUM IMMOBILIZING ACTIVITY IN NORMAL HUMAN SERUM
Authors: HEDERSTEDT BENGT
Published: August 2010

The T. pallidum immobilization reaction to be achieved by unheated normal serum was found to be complement dependent and the results presented suggested that complement was activated via the classical pathway. Besides complement, an immobilizing antibody of the IgM class was necessary for the immobilization reaction to occur. Lysozyme exerted an enhancing effect on the normal serum immobilization reaction.
STUDIES ON THE TREPONEMA PALLIDUM IMMOBILIZING ACTIVITY IN NORMAL HUMAN SERUM
Authors: HEDERSTEDT BENGT
Published: August 2010

The influence of immobilizing antibody, complement and lysozyme, on the T. pallidum immobilization reactions of normal and immune sera was studied. Lysozyme shortened the lag periods and increased the reaction rates of the reactions of normal and immune sera. At high concentrations of added lysozyme, variations in the concentrations of immobilizing antibody and complement, within a wide range, did not further influence the kinetics of the two reactions. Preincubation with lysozyme did not influence the treponemes in the following immune serum immobiliation reaction provided the lysozyme was removed before the addition of antibody and complement. Normal serum was found to immobilize T. pallidum more rapidly than immune serum. This was seen also if the reaction mixtures were almost identical, the only difference being the immobilizing IgM antibody involved in the normal and the IgG antibody involved in the immune serum reaction.
STUDIES ON THE TREPONEMA PALLIDUM IMMOBILIZING ACTIVITY IN NORMAL HUMAN SERUM
Authors: HEDERSTEDT BENGT
Published: August 2010

T. pallidum immobilizing activity was demonstrated in the majority (84 per cent) of samples of unheated sera obtained from healthy adult subjects. A similar activity was found in unheated sera obtained from some animal species such as monkey and white rat, but not in sera from rabbit or guinea pig. The results of serological studies of acquired, early syphilis in man suggested that the determination of the activity of the naturally occurring IgM immobilisins was not influenced by coexisting TPI antibodies of the IgG class. The immobilizing activity of human normal sera occurred in low titres only, rarely in dilutions of >1:32. Moreover, sera from guinea pig and rabbit were found to inhibit this activity in normal sera from man. These findings were supposed to explain why the immobilizing activity of the naturally occurring IgM antibodies did not interfere with the outcome of the conventional TPI test.
EVALUATION OF AN IMMUNODIFFUSION TEST FOR SCREENING OF RUBELLA IMMUNITY
Authors: GRANDIEN MONICA , ESPMARK ÅKE , NORRBY ERLING
Published: August 2010

Rubella antigen obtained by treatment with a mild neutral detergent (Brij‐58) of rubella virus infected SIRC cells gave two lines of precipitate in a modified Ouchterlony test (ID), using sera collected during convalescence after rubella. One strong line was obtained with positive sera and sometimes one thin line as well. The presence of at least one line was taken as indicator of rubella immunity. The pattern in which reagents were arranged allowed all positive serum samples to give precipitates showing antibody identity with a rubella control precipitate. Among women in the fertile age screened for immunity, 75 per cent gave precipitates by the ID test and thus were considered to be immune. This should be compared with the 85 per cent positivity found by means of the haemagglutination‐inhibition (HI) test. As the HI test occasionally gives false results due to non‐removable, non‐specific inhibitors, the ID test on basis of the specificity seems to be well suited to be used as a method for the selection of individuals to be vaccinated against rubella.
ENZYME‐LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY (ELISA) FOR TITRATION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST BRUCELLA ABORTUS AND YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA
Authors: CARLSSON H. E. , HURVELL B. , LINDBERG A. A.
Published: August 2010

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using phenolwater extracted lipopolysac‐charides as antigen was used for detection and quantitation of antibodies against Brucella and Yersinia bacteria in rabbit antisera. ELISA was found to be from ten to hundred‐fold more sensitive than the commonly used tube agglutination assay (Widal). In addition, both direct and inhibition assays using ELISA revealed antigenic differences between Brucella abortus and Yersinia enterocolitica O‐group V, previously undetected in tube agglutination and complement fixation studies. These data raise the possibility of a sensitive and specific assay for detection of anti‐Brucella antibodies in human sera.
VISUALIZATION OF THE BINDING OF IgG MYELOMA PROTEINS TO SOME GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI
Authors: CHRISTENSEN POUL , SOLTESZ L. VASILE , OXELIUS VIVI‐ANNE
Published: August 2010

The interaction between streptococci and human IgG, which does not involve the antibody combining sites, was visualized in the electron microscope by the use of human IgG myeloma proteins and ferritin labelled rabbit anti‐human IgG antibodies. The streptococci were allowed to react with human IgG myeloma proteins and the human IgG was then marked by addition of ferritin labelled rabbit anti‐human IgG antibodies; sections of streptococci studied in electron microscopy showed localization of the ferritin on the surface of the cell wall of all the streptococci of type M1, M 3, M 12 and M 56 studied. Similar results were obtained if the ferritin‐labelled rabbit anti‐human IgG antibodies alone were allowed to react with the streptococci. The uptake of ferritin labelled rabbit anti‐human IgG antibodies could be inhibited by addition of normal rabbit serum.
ANTINUCLEAR FACTORS IN SERA FROM HEALTHY BLOOD DONORS
Authors: WIIK ALLAN
Published: August 2010

Sera obtained from 466 healthy blood donors were investigated for presence of granulocyte‐specific and organ‐nonspecific antinuclear factors of the IgM, IgA and IgG classes, 110 sera also for complement‐fixing and IgD class antinuclear factors. When undiluted sera were studied, most sera were found to contain antinuclear factors of one or more immunoglobulin classes (77 per cent). IgM, IgA and IgG antinuclear factors were found in 53, 44 and 14 per cent, respectively. At dilution 1:16, antinuclear factors of the IgM class were still detected in 16 per cent of the sera, while IgA and IgG antinuclear factors were demonstrated in 6 and 2 per cent, respectively. Organ‐nonspecific antinuclear factors were clearly more common than granulocyte‐specific antinuclear factors. No serum contained complement‐fixing or IgD class antinuclear factors. This study indicates the importance of using qualitative as well as quantitative techniques to distinguish between antinuclear factors in health and disease.
DECREASED DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY TO TUBERCULIN DEMONSTRATED IN EXPERIMENTAL LEPTOSPIROSIS IN GUINEA PIGS
Authors: COLDING HANNE , JOHANSEN KIRSTEN STVEHR , BENTZON M. WEIS
Published: August 2010

Skin reactivity to tuberculin has been studied during the course of experimental leptospirosis in guinea pigs. A depression of the delayed hypersensitivity to tuberculin was demonstrated in the infected animals. The depression was most pronounced when icterus had developed. The depression was not correlated with the amount of infectious units administered or with the demonstration of live leptospirae in the peritoneal cavity. In the infected animals there was no correlation between the initial and the final skin tests which is in contrast to findings in the control group.