bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collagen induced arthritis as an experimental model for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: HOLMDAHL RIKARD , ANDERSSON MIKAEL E. , GOLDSCHMIDT TOM J. , JANSSON LISELOTTE , KARLSSON MIKAEL , MALMSTROM VIVIANNE , MO JOHN
Published: August 2009

The type II collagen (CII) induced arthritis animal model (CIA) provides opportunities to study the nature of autoimmune reactions leading to arthritis and may be used as a model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thus, in similarity with RA, the CIA model, when induced with autologous CII, shows a chronic and progressive disease course. The susceptibility to both RA and CIA are correlated to the expression of certain MHC class II allotype genes. In both diseases are autoantibodies to CII and rheumatoid factors produced. Immunohistopathology of affected joints show in both diseases a dominance of activated macrophages/fibroblasts with a significant infiltration of activated T cells and an infiltration of granulocytes. We do here suggest that both RA and CIA are dependent on a synergy between delayed type hypersensitivity and immune complex mediated inflammarory mechanisems and that CIA provides opportunities for studies of immunspecific reactions leading to arthritis.
Clinical strains of Acinetobacter classified by DNA‐DNA hybridization
Authors: TJERNBERG INGELA , URSING JAN
Published: August 2009

A collection of Acinetobacter strains consisting of 168 consecutive clinical strains and 30 type and reference strains was studied by DNA‐DNA hybridization and a few phenotypic tests. The field strains could be allotted to 13 DNA groups. By means of reference strains ten of these could be identified with groups described by Bouvet & Grimont (1986), while three groups were new; they were given the numbers 13‐15. The type strain of A. radioresistens‐ recently described by Nishimura et al. (1988) ‐ was shown to be a member of DNA group 12, which comprised 31 clinical isolates. Of the 19 strains of A. junii, eight showed hemolytic activity on sheep and human blood agar and an additional four strains on human blood agar only. Strains of this species have previously been regarded as non‐hemolytic. Reciprocal DNA pairing data for the reference strains of the DNA groups were treated by UPGMA clustering. The reference strains for A. calcoaceticus, A. baumannii and for DNA groups 3 and 13 formed a cluster with about 70% relatedness within the cluster. Other DNA groups joined at levels below 60%.
Histological and cytological fine needle biopsies from focal liver lesions
Authors: GLENTHØJ A. , SEHESTED M.
Published: August 2009

In 175 consecutive cases of ultrasonically detected focal liver lesions both cytological (CFNB) and histological (HFNB) fine needle biopsies were performed with two different 0.6 mm needles and evaluated twice and blindly by two examiners. The intra‐ and interobserver kappa values for reproducibility concerning a malignant diagnosis were higher for CFNB (0.94‐0.96) than for HFNB (0.89‐0.93). At re‐evaluation most inconsistent diagnoses could be related to biopsies of poor quality (CFNB 4 cases, HFNB 13 cases). In three cases (CFNB 2, HFNB 1) false interpretation of the biopsies could have been the cause of inconsistent diagnoses. CFNB resulted in significantly more consistent, malignant diagnoses than HFNB, and CFNB is therefore recommended as the method of choice in cases of a known primary tumour. A morphological diagnosis of a breast carcinoma and of a colonic carcinoma as the primary tumour was better reproduced by HFNB than by CFNB. A diagnosis of a primary liver tumour and of a small cell carcinoma of the lung had a reasonable reproducibility with both methods (kappas > 0.60). Other diagnoses were poorly reproduced or occurred infrequently. Both methods are recommended for use in cases of an unknown primary tumour.
Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic resistant Haemophilus influenzae isolated in Denmark 1981‐87
Authors: JØRGENSEN SIGRID TUE , LESTER ANNE , HANSEN JETTE WITTEN , JØRGENSEN ANITA
Published: August 2009

The molecular basis of antibiotic resistance was studied in 32 epidemiologically unrelated Danish clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae. Both non‐encapsulated and capsulated type b strains were represented as well as four different biotypes. Plasmid DNA was found in 11 strains, all of which were antibiotic resistant. Antibiotic resistance was transferred to an Rd Haemophilus influenzae recipient from 5 of 6 prospective donors. Ampicillin and chloramphenicol resistance were linked markers while tetracycline resistance ‐ when unselected ‐ was lost in 18% of the transconjugants. Loss of Tcr was associated with loss of a plasmid DNA segment. Restriction enzyme profiles of plasmid DNA lead to the conclusion that the drug resistance plasmids are derivatives of a common, not too distant, ancestor. There is evidence of both clonal spread and horizontal transmission of related drug resistance plasmids in H. influenzae in Denmark.
Intermediate and fine filaments of vascular leiomyomas (angiomyoma), leiomyoma and leiomyosarcomas of large veins
Authors: LUNDGREN LARS , SEIDAL TOMAS , KINDBLOM LARS‐GUNNAR , ANGERVALL LENNART
Published: August 2009

The expression of fine and intermediate filaments in 10 cases of leiomyosarcoma originating from a large vein. 9 cases of vascular leiomyoma (angiomyoma) and one case of a leiomyoma originating from the wall of the saphena magna vein was studied immunohistochemically by using 6 different anti‐desmin antibodies, one anti‐vimentin antibody and 2 antibodies to muscle‐specific isoforms of actin. All the benign tumors and all the leiomyosarcomas of a large vein as well as the vein of origin were positively stained for desmin. The staining results obtained using the different anti‐desmin antibodies varied considerably, however, and formaldehyde‐fixed tissues were apparently inappropriate for some of them. No single anti‐desmin antibody produced a positivity in all cases, and the extent and distribution of the positivity varied by being irregular and patchy in the leiomyosarcomas and in the muscle walls of the veins, while the benign tumors generally revealed a more uniform and strong positivity. Antibodies to muscle‐specific and smooth muscle‐specific actin produced a positive staining in all the benign tumors, as well as all the leiomyosarcomas and the veins from which they originated. A strong and uniform positivity was observed in the benign tumors and muscle walls of the veins, while the positivity in the leiomyosarcomas was more irregular, as it was for desmin. Vimentin was constantly expressed in the benign tumors and in the veins of origin, but only in 5/10 of the leiomyosarcomas. It is concluded from this study that the immunohistochemical demonstration of desmin, utilizing a monoclonal antibody appropriate to the type of fixation used, and muscle specific isoforms of actin, provide strong support to the light‐microscopic diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of venous origin.
Adhesiveness and invasiveness of staphylococcal species in a cell culture model
Authors: SCHMIDT HEIDRUN , BUKHOLM GEIR , HOLBERG‐PETERSEN MONA
Published: August 2009

A model was established for the study of adhesiveness and invasiveness of staphylococcal species. Five collection strains from each of the species Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus and 26 fresh isolates from patients with urinary tract infections were tested for adhesiveness and invasiveness in HEp‐2 cell cultures. All the strains of S. saprophyticus were able to invade the cells and localize intracellularly in the cultures, whereas the invasive potential among the strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis was lower. The number of adhesive bacteria was also highest among the S. saprophyticus strains, whereas S. epidermidis was the least adhesive. The model may be suitable for further study of urinary tract infection strains.
New stereological method for obtaining unbiased and efficient estimates of total nerve cell number in human brain areas
Authors: PAKKENBERG B. , GUNDERSEN H. J. G.
Published: August 2009

Using a new stereological technique, the total number of nerve and glia cells can be estimated in selected brain regions. The method is completely independent of precise knowledge of nerve cell size, section thickness and of dimensional changes in brain tissue induced by histological procedures. It therefore provides an unbiased estimate of total nerve cell number. As an example, the total neuron number from the mediodorsal nucleus of thalamus in brains from schizophrenic patients is compared to control cases. The total neuron number was reduced by 40% in the brains from chronic schizophrenic patients.
Effects of selective oral antimicrobial prophylaxis and systemic antibiotics on the fecal flora and fecal beta‐aspartylglycine concentration in patients with acute leukemia
Authors: BÄR W. , WELLING G. W. , KURRLE E.
Published: August 2009

The influence of selective oral antimicrobial prophylaxis (SOAP) and systemic antibiotic treatment (SAT) on the intestinal flora of fourteen granulocytopenic patients was investigated. For SOAP, patients received Cotrimoxazole, Polymyxin and Nystatin; Gentamicin, Ticarcillin and Cefuroxim were administered for SAT. Under SOAP, a complete elimination of Enterobacteriaceae and a marked reduction of yeasts and staphylococci was found. A reduction in the number of anaerobic species was also observed; however, the concentration of anaerobic bacteria remained constant. In contrast, additional systemic antibiotic treatment caused a significant reduction of aerobic as well as anaerobic bacteria, except for microorganisms pathogenic to neutropenic patients (i.e. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cancida sp.). The fecal concentration of β‐aspartylglycine was inversely correlated with the presence of anaerobic bacteria.
Granulomatous gastritis associated with Campylobacter pylori
Authors: DHILLON A. P. , SAWYERR A.
Published: August 2009

Three cases of granulomatous inflammation in gastric biopsies showing Campylobacter pylori infestation are described. This type of reaction to Campylobacter pylori has not previously been described, and occurred in 1.1% of gastric biopsies containing Campylobacter‐like organisms (CLO), in this series of all gastric biopsies submitted for histological examination during one year. Two other cases each showed a mucosal granuloma: one was a patient with Crohn's disease and the other had foreign body giant cells in a biopsy of the edge of a healing gastric ulcer. Each of our three CLO‐positive cases with granulomas showed scanty CLO's only. Thus, although granulomatous inflammation associated with CLO's is uncommon as a proportion of all CLO‐positive gastric biopsies, these currently represent the commonest condition associated with granulomas in gastric biopsies, in our experience.
The effect of immunomodulating treatment on cutaneous delayed‐type hypersensitivity in MRL lpr/lpr mice
Authors: CARLSTEN H. , TARKOWSKI A. , NILSSON L.‐Å.
Published: August 2009

An autoimmune disease in MRL lpr/lpr (MRL/1) mice is associated with a plethora of T‐cell abnormalities. one of them being impaired delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH). Three immunomodulating drugs, cyclophosphamide (Cy), cyclosporin A (CsA) and LS 2616, all with beneficial effects on autoimmune diseases, have been examined with regard to their potential effects on DTH in female MRL/1 mice and in healthy control mice. All three drugs, given as a single dose at the time of sensitization, increased DTH reactivity to oxazolone in healthy control mice, while only two of them, Cy and LS 2616, significantly augmented the defective DTH response in MRL/1 mice.
Neoplasms of the central nervous system in Norway
Authors: HELSETH ARE , MØRK SVERRE J. , GLATTRE EYSTEIN
Published: August 2009

The association between meningioma and a primary malignant neoplasm at another site was studied. The data from the population‐based Norwegian Cancer Registry were analysed according to whether the meningioma occurred before or after the malignant neoplasm. Male patients with meningioma showed a raised risk for developing a subsequent renal cancer. A significant association was found between meningioma and subsequent breast cancer in females 50–64 years old at time of meningioma diagnosis and between breast cancer and subsequent occurrence of meningioma. Breast cancer patients with symptoms of an intracranial neoplasm may therefore have a potentially curable meningioma and female meningioma patients over 50 years should be considered for breast cancer screening programmes.
Leishmania interaction with human monocytes and neutrophils: Modulation of the chemotactic response
Authors: SØRENSEN ANNE LUND , KHARAZMI ARSALAN , NIELSEN HENRIK
Published: August 2009

Infection of host cells with Leishmania, which are obligate parasites of mononuclear phagocytes, most probably involved chemotaxis of host cells towards the parasite. We have examined the chemotactic properties of a sonicate derived from L. mexicana amazonensis promastigotes for normal human peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils. L. m. amazonensis sonicate exhibited chemotactic activity for monocytes and neutrophils. Treatment at 65°C for 30 min, enhanced the activity for neutrophils but not for monocytes, while treatment at 100 °C for 60 min abolished the activity. Additional studies showed that the sonicate generated chemotactic activity in serum, presumably by activating the alternative complement pathway to produce C5a, for monocytes and neutrophils. Incubation of monocytes and neutrophils with the sonicate inhibited the chemotactic activity of these cells towards various chemoattractants. When the sonicate was heat‐treated the inhibitory effect was lost, except when sonicate was used as a chemoattractant. These results indicate the presence of specific receptors for factor(s) from L. m. amazonensis promastigotes on human monocytes and neutrophils.
Development of the peripheral immune function in the chicken
Authors: NAUKKARINEN ANITA , HIPPELÄINEN MIKKO
Published: August 2009

The bursa of Fabricius was surgically separated from the rest of the gut‐associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The antigens, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and killedBrucella abortusorganisms, were introduced into the bursal lumen, into the gut only, or allowed to get in contact with both (controls). The antibody titres in serum, the development of the bursal weight and the bursal histology were studied at various ages. The control birds responded vigorously to both antigens at between 2 and 8 weeks of age. At that age, the isolated bursa was capable of producing full anti‐Brucellaresponse, but not the anti‐SRBC response, suggesting that SRBC need collaboration between both bursal and intestinal T and B cells. After 8 weeks, the cells in the gut alone were as potent as those in the gut and the bursa together at producing antibodies to SRBC. The bursal weight was significantly higher in theper bursamimmunized chickens, indicating that continuous presence of antigens in the bursa may postpone its involution.
Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content of deparaffinized nuclei in urinary bladder carcinomas
Authors: MALMSTRÖM PER‐UNO , VASKO JANOS , WESTER KENNETH , NORLÉN BO JOHAN , BUSCH CHRISTER
Published: August 2009

A consecutive series of 230 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder was analyzed with respect to the DNA content of the primary tumor, as determined by flow cytometry on material obtained from paraffin blocks. A new method for this analysis was elaborated, based on proteolytic digestion with protease (type VII, Sigma) and density separation of the nuclei by Percoll centrifugation. The method provided DNA flow histograms with less baseline debris and a smaller coefficient of variation in the peaks than published techniques. In eight of 70 cases tested (11%) the method revealed aneuploid peaks that were not distinguished with the original technique and in 197/230 case (86%) interpretable DNA histograms were obtained. The distribution of diploid and aneuploid tumors in different grades and T categories was assessed. None of the grade 1 tumors was aneuploid; 11% of grade 2A, 63% of grade 2B and 83% of grade 3–4, respectively, were aneuploid. The corresponding figures for categories Ta, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 16, 55, 72, 65 and 100%, respectively.
Myxofibrosarcoma in the left atrium originally presented as a cardiac myxoma with chondroid differentiation
Authors: JOHANSSON LEIF , KUGELBERG JAN , THULIN LARS
Published: August 2009

Malignant cardiac tumours located on heart valves are very rare. We report on a myxofibrosarcoma originally presented as a cardiac myxoma (CM), partly with chondroid differentiation, located on the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The tumor recurred twice, the first time disguised as a CM with only minor components of myxofibrosarcoma, and finally metastazised as a myxofibrosarcoma. Patient survival (40 months from first surgery) was surprisingly long and this may well reflect both the effectiveness of the combined radiation and cytostatic treatment and the histopathological features of the tumor.
Streptococcal cell wall‐induced polyarthritis in the rat
Authors: VAN DEN BROEK MARIES F.
Published: August 2009

Streptococcal cell wall (SCW)‐induced arthritis is a chronic, erosive polyarthritis that can be induced in euthymic, susceptible Lewis rats by a single i.p. injection of a sterile, aqueous suspension of SCW. Nude Lewis rats and most other rats strains, including histocompatible F344 rats, are resistant to chronic disease. To study the mechanisms of chronicity and susceptibility to bacterium‐induced arthritis, we compared immunological parameters in Lewis and F344 rats. A first observation was that Lewis rats mounted T‐cell proliferative responses to SCW after immunisation with SCW or arthritis induction, while F344 rats were completely unable to do so. Depletion of OX8′ cells partially restored this defective response in F344 rats; it did not make them susceptible to polyarthritis, however. As SCW are present throughtout the body and the disease manifests itself mainly, and sometimes uniquely as a joint inflammation, a reason for localisation had to be found. One explanation is the crossreactivity of SCW‐primed T cells to cartilage components which can be demonstrated in Lewis but not in F344 rats, in vitro and in vivo. We considered this T‐cell unresponsiveness in F344 rats as tolerance to threatening antigens or epitopes, so we changed the state of tolerance in both Lewis and F344 rats followed by induction of arthritis. Tolerance to bacteria was prevented in F344 rats by using them as germfree (GF) animals and was induced in Lewis rats by pretreatment with a bacterial common antigen, the 65 kD mycobacterial heat shock protein. The changed state of tolerance coincided with a reversal of the susceptibility to SCW‐induced arthritis in both strains. We suggest that in arthritis‐prone individuals (Lewis) tolerance to arthritogenic epitopes is defective, while in normal individuals (F344) tolerance and thus arthritis‐resistance is induced and/or maintained by exogenous bacteria or gut flora. Another point to be considered is the involvement of T cells in the chronicity of joint inflammation. We demonstrated that a subsiding arthritis can be reactivated by systemic administration of a small amount of bacteria. This so called flare up is dependent on specific T cells and can therefore be induced in Lewis, but not in F344 rats. Of importance is the observation that even unrelated bacteria are able to reactivate and thus to maintain arthritis induced by streptococci. We would suggest the following mechanism underlying chronic, bacterium‐induced arthritis: Rats are primed by bacteria ((subclinical) infection) resulting in a systemic, acute inflammation that among other things damages the joint. Bacterium‐specific T cells become activated and, if the supply of bacteria is continuous, the arthritis is maintained by exacerbations, while the crossreactive nature of these T cells might direct the inflammation to the joints. Susceptibility to bacterium‐induced arthritis might be due to a lack of immunological tolerance to bacteria or certain bacterial epitopes.
Immunomicroscopic localization of the 10 000 molecular weight calcium‐binding protein in the human enterocyte
Authors: STAUN MICHAEL , FRIIS STEFFEN , DABELSTEEN ERIK , HANSEN GERT H.
Published: August 2009

The cellular localization of the 10 000 molecular weight calcium‐binding protein (CaBP or Calbindin‐D) in the small intestinal epithelium of man was investigated by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy (immunogold staining). Indirect immunofluorescence on frozen sections showed intracellular staining in the enterocyte. The fluorescence was evenly distributed and no significant differences were observed between crypt and villus cells. No staining was found in goblet cells or in the submucosa. Correspondingly, immunogold labeled antibodies were scattered over the cytoplasm of the enterocyte. The terminal region appeared to be the most intensely decorated and the brush border region showed labeling above the background level. No labeling was associated with intracellular membranes or the basolateral membrane.
Light and electronmicroscopy of the bowel in an unusual form of Hirschsprung's Disease
Authors: DASTUR DARAB K. , VEVAINA SHIRIN C. , MANGHANI DAYA K. , TALWALKAR VASANT C. , SWAMINATHAN KALPANA L.
Published: August 2009

In a histological and histochemical study of multiple biopsies of unaffected segments of the bowel from 15 patients with Hirschsprung's Disease (H.D.). the AChE or non‐specific esterase and the NADPH tetrazolium reductase enzyme reactions proved to be useful in identification of myenteric plexus islands; and acid phosphatase for the delineation of individual neurones. In the affected segment (usually aganglionic), this myenteric plexus tissue was not reactive for esterase, but individual nerve fibres among muscle fibres of the two muscle coats showed the enzyme product in a third of the cases. Fine structural study of biopsies from a typical case of H.D., showed normal looking axons and Schwann cytoplasm with terminals bearing both andrenergic and cholinergic vesicles in the unaffected colon, smooth muscle fibres with normal fine structure in all parts of the bowel, and loss of neurones with myenteric plexus replaced by nerve fibre groups in the affected rectosigmoid. One patient clinically presenting as a case of severe H.D., with histologically and histochemically normal myenteric and submucous ganglion cells, and not responding to resection of the bowel, showed degeneration of the unmyelinated axons with prominent Schwann cytoplasm, depleted cholinergic but persistent adrenergic vesicles, and markedly thinned and degenerating smooth muscle fibres and myofilaments, suggesting either a primary disorder of muscle tissue of the colon or, less likely, a denervation atrophy with secondary degeneration of the smooth muscle fibres.
In vitro culture of human thymic epithelial cells in serum‐free media
Authors: CHRISTENSSON BIRGER , BIBERFELD PETER , GRAFSTRÖM ROLAND , MATELL GEORG
Published: August 2009

Epithelial cells from human thymus were cultured in vitro at various serum concentrations and under defined serum‐free conditions. A total of 238 cultures from 46 thymuses (MG and normal) were analyzed. Cells from fresh thymic tissue were explanted either as fragments or single cells after enzyme treatment. Serum‐free as well as fetal calf serum (FCS) containing media based on Dulbecco's minimal essential medium and Ham's F‐12 (DMEM/F‐12) were found to be superior to MCDB 151 based serum‐free media combinations, for the selective growth of thymic epithelial cells. In contrast, cultures based on RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 1% FCS or more showed less epithelial cell selectivity and also supplement Ultroser G gave less fibroblast contamination. In serum‐free media containing less than 0.1 mM ionic Ca. the cells had a smaller surface area and appeared more angular and also contained less keratin as compared to culture media with higher calcium contents. The development of serum‐free conditions for in vitro growth of human thymic epithelial cells free of fibroblast contamination will facilitate studies of growth and maturation of the epithelial cells as well as investigations of their possible role in the development of myasthenia gravis.
Effects of extracellular products from Staphylococcus saprophyticus on human lymphocytes
Authors: HJELM E. , LUNDELL‐ETHERDEN I.
Published: August 2009

Extracellular products from Staphylococcus saprophyticus were isolated and tested for their effect on the lymphoproliferative activity of con A and LPS and on the growth of human lymphocytes. The stimulatory effects of con A or LPS were not affected but a T‐cell mitogenic activity was noted after 5 days of incubation. The extracellular material was separated by gel chromatography and the mitogenic activity was shown to be located to the protein fraction.
Epidemiology of Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their associations with genital squamous cell cancer
Authors: SYRJÄNEN KARI J.
Published: August 2009

Reliable assessment of the epidemiology of genital HPV infections is hamphered by a number of technical problems. Because of the lack of tissue‐culture systems, methods based on morphological approaches (colposcopy, cytology and histopathology) play a central role in HPV diagnosis. Even DNA‐hybridization techniques and the recently introduced DNA amplification with PCR are extremely difficult to standardize, and are thus subject to major interlaboratory variation. Further confusion in the field is created by the complex biological behaviour of HPV infections. As established by the long‐term prospective follow‐up study of over 500 women which has been running in Kuopio since 1981, clinical progression and regression are significantly related to the grade of the lesion at the time of diagnosis (p < 0.00001, and p = 0.0005, respectively), as well as to the type of HPV (p = 0.0012). Most importantly, however, genital HPV infections seem to run an extremely fluctuating course, passage from manifest to subclinical or latent infection being frequently encountered in individual patients when examined at 6‐month intervals over prolonged periods. This explains the significantly divergent prevalence figures reported in different series (ranging from 2% to 80%), which are completely dependent on the technique used to analyse the presence of HPV, i.e. whether a) PAP smear, b) biopsy, c) DNA hybridization, or d) PCR amplification. The first two are capable of disclosing only manifest (clinical) infections, the latter two also the latent ones. In an unselected population of 22‐year‐old Finnish females, the prevalence of clinical HPV infections was about 3 per cent, and the adjusted annual incidence was 8.0 per cent. According to estimates of the life‐time risk, up to 79% of Finnish females will contract at least one HPV infection between the ages 20 to 79 years. When related to the long‐term trends in invasive cervical cancer in Finland, it is evident that this 79% life‐time risk of becoming HPV‐infected or even the observed 15% clinical progression rate for HPV infections in the prospective follow‐up study by no means signifies an identical risk of developing cervical cancer (i.e. 0.79 times 0.15 = 11%). It seems likely that in countries where mass‐screening programmes exist (and precancer lesions are traced), the high prevalence of HPV infections is not necessarily reflected as an increased prevalence of invasive cervical carcinomas. The distinction of lesions at risk for malignant transformation from those regressing spontaneously will have major implications in therapeutic considerations of genital HPV infections.
Stereological estimation of nuclear volume and other quantitative histopathological parameters in the prognostic evaluation of supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: SØRENSEN FLEMMING BRANDT , BENNEDBÆK OLAV , PILGAARD JESS , SPAUN EVA
Published: August 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate various approaches to the grading of malignancy in pre‐treatment biopsies from patients with supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The prospects of objective malignancy grading based on stereological estimation of the volume‐weighted mean nuclear volume, nuclear v̄v, and nuclear volume fraction, Vv(nuc/tis), along with morphometrical 2‐dimensional estimation of nuclear density index, NI, and mitotic activity index, MI, were investigated and compared with the current morphological, multifactorial grading system. The reproducibility among two observers of the latter was poor in the material which consisted of 35 biopsy specimens. Unbiased estimates of nuclear v̄v were on the average 385 μm3 (CV = 0.44), with more than 90% of the associated variance attributable to differences in nuclear v̄v among individual lesions. Nuclear v̄v was positively correlated with MI, negatively with NI, whereas no correlation with Vv(nuc/tis) was found. No relationship between nuclear vv and the morphologically interpreted degree of nuclear dedifferentiation was demonstrated. Nuclear v̄v showed no differences between lesions in different clinical T‐stage of disease. None of the investigated categorical and quantitative parameters (cutoff points = means) reached the level of significance with respect to prognostic value. However, nuclear v̄v showed the best information concerning survival (2p = 0.08), and this estimator offers optimal features for objective malignancy grading. Further analyses of larger series of patients are needed to establish the prognostic value of nuclear v̄v for objective malignancy grading of supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Mitogenic properties of two distinct forms of toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 separated on hydroxyapatite by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: NAIDU A. S. , ERIKSSON K.‐O. , HALLBERG T. , LINDEBERG J. , LIAO J.‐L. , YAO K. , WADSTRÖM T. , HJERTEN S.
Published: August 2009

The homogeneity of a purified staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) was tested by high‐performance methods. This preparation was homogeneous in ion‐exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing (pI = 7.4), but was resolved into two distinct peaks by high‐performance hydroxyapatite chromatography. Both components, TSST‐1hAand TSST‐1hBhad similar molecular weights (22 kD) and amino acid compositions. TSST‐1 did not dimerize or polymerize upon heating at 60 °C for 30 min or in solutions with pH varying from 4.0 to 8.5. TSST‐1hAand TSST‐1hBshowed similar immunological reactivity to native TSST‐1 goat polyclonal antibodies. TSST‐1hAand TSST‐1hBas well as staphylococcal enterotoxin A and staphylococcal exfoliative toxin were potent mitogens in lymphocyte proliferation assays. The lymphocyte proliferative response to 10 pg of TSST‐1hBwas comparable to a response elicited by 10 ng of TSST‐1hA, suggesting that the former component is a more potent mitogen. Rabbit or goat polyclonal antibodies to native TSST‐1 efficiently neutralized both TSST‐1 components. Heat treatment at 80 °C for 15 min had minimal or no effect on the mitogenic properties of TSST‐1hAand TSST‐1hB.
Plasmids and serogroups in Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: LIND LENA , SJÓGREN EVA , WELINDER‐OLSSON CHRISTINA , KAIJSER BERTIL
Published: August 2009

For epidemiological purposes identification of Campylobacter strains is usually based on surface antigen characteristics. Two different systems, one for heat‐stable (HS) and one for heat‐labile (HL) antigen have dominated. In earlier studies we found a great variability in the two antigen systems. The aim of the present investigation was to analyse the frequency of plasmids in Campylobacter strains in the light of their possible use as an epidemiological tool as well as the relation between the presence of plasmids and surface antigens (HS and HL). Two hundred and forty‐two strains from the same number of patients with diarrhea were analysed. In 70 (28.9%) palsmid(s) were found, in general one or two. Most of the plasmids were found in the molecular weight interval between 21‐40 Md. There was no relation between the presence or size of plasmids and serogroup. We conclude that plasmid determination can be used as a complement to serotyping in epidemiological studies.
Erythromycin resistance in Danish Staphylococcus aureus hospital strains with emphasis on Erythromycin consumption
Authors: WESTH HENRIK , ROSDAHL VIBEKE THAMDRUP , FRIIS HENRIK
Published: August 2009

Erythromycin resistance was analyzed in 280, 415 Danish Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from hospitalized patients and phage‐typed in the period 1967 to 1987. Multiresistant, erythromycin‐resistant strains decreased during the whole period, while strains resistant only to penicillin and erythromycin increased after 1972. This increase coincided with an increase in erythromycin consumption in Denmark from 0.4 DDD/1000 persons/day in 1978 to 1.9. in 1987. Erythromycin consumption in nine large Danish hospitals was significantly associated with the level of erythromycin‐resistant S. aureus at the hospitals.
Inhibition by acetylsalicylate of the hyperglycemic response induced in mice by sodium nitroprusside
Authors: BOQUIST LENNART
Published: August 2009

The injection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) into mice induced a hyperglycemic response which was reduced by pretreatment with acetylsalicylate (ASA). The activity of glutamate dehydrogenase was significantly increased in islets from pancreases removed after SNP injection. This effect was prevented by pretreatment with ASA. Isolated mouse islets incubated with SNP exhibited stimulated activity of glutamate dehydrogenase both in the presence of low and high glucose concentrations, whereas the release of insulin was stimulated at low but inhibited at high glucose concentrations. These changes were abolished in the additional presence of ASA. The findings indicate that the hyperglycemic action of SNP may be related to changes in the generation of cyclooxygenase products.
Interstitial nephritis and glomerulonephritis in visceral leishmaniasis in a dog
Authors: MARCUSSEN NIELS , VETNER MAX , KRISTENSEN HANS MOLLER
Published: August 2009

Renal involvement characterized by interstitial nephritis and glomerulonephritis is reported in a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a dog. Focal interstitial inflammatory infiltrates including lymphocytes and plasma cells together with collections of histiocytes containing Leishmania donovani organisms were found in the renal cortex. The glomeruli showed diffuse mesangial cell proliferation, thickening of the capillary wall and focal, segmental glomerulosclerosis. By electron microscopy, finely granular electron dense deposits were shown in subendothelial, intramembranous as well as subepithelial locations. It is suggested that the interstitial nephritis was caused by the presence of parasitic elements in the renal interstitium, whereas the glomerular involvement may have been due to deposition of antigen–antibody complexes.
The whole–mount method as a technique for measuring experimental changes in airway goblet cell number
Authors: LARSEN PER L. , LUNDGREN JENS D. , EGEBERG JORN
Published: August 2009

The whole–mount staining method for mucous membranes was introduced as an experimental technique for measuring goblet cell density and for estimating the degree of goblet cell hyperplasia in the trachea of experimental animals. By this technique it was demonstrated that a single intratracheal instillation of lysed extract from human neutrophilic granulocytes in rats after 3 weeks caused a three–fold increase in the density of tracheal goblet cells as compared to control animals receiving saline. The increase is of 3–6 times greater magnitude than previously reported in similar experiments where the number of goblet cells was calculated from cross sections in a traditional manner. It was further shown that the increase in goblet cell density could be prevented if prednisone was given to the animals prior to and during the experiment. It is concluded that the whole–mount preparation method is a useful tool in the quantitation of airway goblet cells in experimental settings, and that it appears to be a more sensitive method than the traditionally used cross section techniques.
Increased levels of IgG subclasses specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa exoenzyme and polysaccharide antigens in chronically infected patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: ALBUS ANNE , SAALMANN MANFRED , TESCH HANS , PEDERSEN SVEND S. , DÖRING GERD
Published: August 2009

IgG subclass levels to Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate, alkaline proteinase, elastase and exotoxin A in sera of healthy adults, non‐infected and infected cystic fibrosis patients were investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Whereas healthy adults and non‐infected cystic fibrosis patients revealed mostly negative IgG subclass levels to the four antigens, infected cystic fibrosis patients had significantly elevated IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 levels to both the protein antigens as well as the polysaccharide antigen. The study does not support previous findings of an impaired natural IgG2 response to polysaccharide antigen. The study does not support previous findings of an impaired natural IgG2 response to polysaccharide in chronically infected cystic fibrosis patients.
Is Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection of mice an autoimmune disease?
Authors: FUJINAMI ROBERT S. , ZURBRIGGEN ANDREAS
Published: August 2009

Viruses can initiate disease by many different means. Direct viral, immune mediated and host factors all play important parts. Molecular mimicry or having cross‐reacting determinants that result in immune responses which have the potential to cause damage can be incorporated into this framework. Here, autoimmune responses generated by virus infection have been presented in relation to these other parameters. The cross‐reacting immune response originally generated by virus would have to be directed toward or involve a disease inducing site such as an EAE (encephalitogenic), thyroiditis, or diabetogenic site. If the cross‐reaction took place at a nondisease inducing site, the ensuring immune response may result in the production of autoantibodies, however no disease would occur. In other systems autoantibodies can potentiate an ongoing inflammatory response. This may be the case that is described here with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection. Lastly, viruses having common determinants with MHC determinants may modify immune responses leading to immunosuppression and allowing virus to persist. In addition, similar determinants may lead to disease by an alternative route. For example, we have described a region of human cytomegalovirus that has a common determinant with HLA DR beta chain. This region is associated with diabetes in humans (Todd et al. 1988). Thus, many factors are involved in the outcome of disease induction by viruses of which autoimmunity is one.
Cloning and expression of the Legionella micdadei“common antigen” in Escherichia coli
Authors: BANGSBORG J. M. , COLLINS M. T. , HØIBY N. , HINDERSSON P.
Published: August 2009

To study individual Legionella antigens, a Legionella micdadei genomic library in Escherichia coli SC181 was established. Partially Sau3A digested L. micdadei DNA fragments (15–25 kilobase pairs (kb)) were cloned into the tetracycline resistance gene of the cosmid vector pHC79. Four thousand ampicillin resistant recombinants were obtained; seven hundred were screened for expression of Legionella antigens in Western blot analysis with a polyspecific E. coli ‐absorbed anti‐L. micdadei rabbit antibody. One of the positive clones expressed a 60 kilodalton (K) antigen, which reacted strongly with a monospecific rabbit antiserum raised against L. micdadei“common antigen” (CA), and an additional 13 K L. micdadei protein. The region encoding these two proteins from the 17 kb recombinant plasmid (pBA 2) was subcloned in pBGS 18+. The DNA sequence of the CA encoding region in the 2.7 kb subcloned fragment will provide important information with respect to genetic vs. antigenic relatedness among Legionellae and other Gram‐negative species, as well as to CA structure and possible function.
Further studies on post‐antibiotic effect and synergism in two strains of Streptococcus faecalis
Authors: FUURSTED K.
Published: August 2009

The differences in the synergistic potential for either killing effect or increase in duration of post‐antibiotic effect (PAE) seen with various beta‐lactam‐aminoglycoside combinations in two strains of Streptococcus faecalis were further studied to examine this relationship in more detail. It was seen that a strain which produced a synergistic increase in recovery period (PAE ≥ 0.5 h), comparing the beta‐lactam antibiotics alone and when combined with streptomycin, showed increased sensitivity (≥ 1 log10 reduction in viable counts) to a subinhibitory concentration of streptomycin added to a culture recovering from the PAE; this was not demonstrated with a strain showing no increase in PAE when briefly exposed to a combination therapy, although its corresponding killing curve was clearly synergistic. Moreover, it was seen that the differences in the synergistic prolongation of recovery period when combining various aminoglycosides at 1/4 × MIC with ampicillin were consistent with the different duration of PAE with the particular aminoglycoside alone at the MIC.
Phenotypic complexity in Mobiluncus
Authors: GARLIND ANITA , PÅHLSSON CARL , FORSUM URBAN
Published: August 2009

A total of 74 Mobiluncus strains were collected from various laboratories and examined morphologically, biochemically and serologically. Repeated Gram‐staining showed a greater variety of cell morphology than hitherto reported with some strains changing their appearance between long and short. All strains except two were motile. Sixty‐five of 74 strains were designated M. curtisii and M. mulieris in contrast to atypical strains. In spite of this several of them reacted aberrantly in one or more tests. Biochemical tests and antigenic characterization by monoclonal antimobiluncus antibodies placed most but not all strains in their species groups. One atypical strain had the cellmorphology and biochemical profile of a M. mulieris but reacted only with anticurtisii antibodies. One M. mulieris had the cellmorphology and biochemical profile of a M. curtisii but reacted with an antimulieris antibody. We conclude that there is a greater variance in Mobiluncus' phenotypic appearance than has so far been appreciated.
Detection of antibody responses in rabbits hyperimmunized with Campylobacter pylori
Authors: HÖÖK JOHANNA , BLOMBERG BJÖRN , DANIELSSON DAN , KOSUNEN TIMO U.
Published: August 2009

Acid glycine extracts from four Campylobacter pylori strains and one GCLO strain were used as antigens in enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Immune responses of rabbits immunized with C. pylori strains, the GCLO‐strain and other campylobacter strains were studied. All 14 rabbit antisera against C. pylori reacted with all four C. pylori extracts and there were extensive cross‐reactions between these extracts. Antisera against C. jejuni and C. coli strains did not react with a C. pylori extract but reacted with the GCLO antigen. Acid glycine extracts proved to be very satisfactory in C. pylori serology and the use of an extract prepared from only one strain instead of a combination of strains seems justified.
A case of granulomatous sialadenitis of the submandibular gland
Authors: THERKILDSEN MARIANNE HAMILTON , NIELSEN BENGT AGATHON , KROGDAHL ANNELISE
Published: August 2009

Granulomatous inflammation of the major salivary glands is very rare and may be due to obstruction. Little attention has been paid to this condition. The reaction is caused by extravasation of mucus, as seen in the common mucocele of the minor salivary glands. A case of granulomatous inflammation of the submandibular gland caused by obstruction is presented. The etiology of granulomatous sialadenitis is reviewed.
Oligonucleotide gene probes may detect enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli directly in fecal smears
Authors: SOMMERFELT H. , BHAN M. K. , BRAHMADATTAN K. N. , SRIVASTAVA R. , SURESH M. , BJORVATN B.
Published: August 2009

Diarrhoeal stools from 86 Indian children were examined for the presence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) by DNA hybridization on bacterial colonies as well as directly on fecal smears. Colony hybridization showed that 8 of the samples contained ETEC. Only in three of these specimens were all the colonies tested positive for ETEC. These samples were correctly identified by the stool smear hybridization assay. The remaining 5 specimens produced enterotoxigenic as well as nonenterotoxigenic colonies. These samples were all negative by the stool smear hybridization technique. Methodological improvements of the stool smear assay may provide a substantially simplified method for the otherwise cumbersome identification of ETEC.
Increased relative frequency of suppressor monocytes in peripheral blood in early pregnancy
Authors: BJERCKE S. , BERTHEUSSEN K. , MALTAU J. M.
Published: August 2009

The adherent cell fraction (AdC) of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) contains two cell types of opposing function in vitro. Dendritic cells (DC) act as antigen presenting cells (APC) in vitro, while monocytes (Mo) have a suppressive effect on antigen activation of T cells. In this report we show that pregnant women (PW) during the first trimester have a significantly increased relative frequency of suppressor Mo compared with nonpregnant healthy controls. The T cell response to PPD (purified protein derivative of tuberculin) was significantly lower in the PW, but after removal of Mo by adherence the T cell response was about the same in the two groups. These observations indicate the PW during the first trimester have the same number of T cells reactive to PPD and normal functioning DC. The relative suppression expressed on a per Mo basis was the same in both groups, which indicates that the increased suppression in the PW was caused by an increased number of Mo, and not by changes in their activation state.
Similar chromosomal evolution in a uterine stromomyosarcoma and in one of two leiomyomas from the same patient
Authors: HAVEL GUILLAUME , DAHLENFORS RIGMOR , WEDELL BARBRO , MARK JOACHIM
Published: August 2009

The chromosomes from three uterine tumours found in the same patient, two benign leiomyomas (L22 and L23) and a low‐grade stroma cell sarcoma with leiomyomatous differentiation (L24), were studied by banding technique. L23 had an abnormal stemline distinguished by triosomy 12. The sarcoma showed a stemline with the same 7q‐marker as L23 plus a marker del (12)(q13‐24). A comparison with cytogenetically studied myomas collected from the litterature showed (1) that there are at least three different recurrent, primary, gross chromosomal changes, viz. t(12;14)(q14‐15; q23‐24), t(1;2)(p36;p24) and del (7)(q22‐31) and that there exist at least five further types of primary chromosomal deviations. The sarcoma showed aberrations identical or closely related to the recurrent structural deviations in myomas. These observations indicate a similar evolutionary pattern in benign and malignant leiomyomatous tumours.