bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binding of bacteria to carbohydrates immobilized on beads to demonstrate the presence of cell‐associated hemagglutinins in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Sanchez J. , Jonson G.
Published: August 2009

We describe a phase constrast microscopy method for direct observation of adhesion of classical and El Tor vibrios to agarose beads containing covalently attached L‐fucose or D‐mannose. Binding of the vibrios to L‐fucose beads was found to correlate with fucose‐sensitive agglutination of human O erythrocytes, while binding of bacteria to beads with D‐mannose was consistent with mannose‐sensitive agglutination of chicken erythrocytes. Furthermore, vibrios expressing both fucose and mannose‐sensitive hemagglutinins adhered equally to L‐fucose and D‐mannose‐containing beads. Because this procedure is neither subject to biological variations in different populations of erythrocytes nor affected by other factors known to interfere with hemagglutination tests, it offers a suitable, more robust and specific alternative to detect functional adhesins in Vibrio cholerae and other bacteria.
Ornithine decarboxylating strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated by DNA‐DNA hybridization
Authors: Lindh ELISABET , Frederiksen WILHELM
Published: August 2009

Genotypic relatedness was assessed to clarify the taxonomic position of strains phenotypically behaving like K. pneumoniae, but for the ornithine reaction. Using DNA‐DNA hybridization it could be shown that 25 non‐motile ornithine decarboxylating strains showed high genotypic relatedness to the type strain of K. pneumoniae. Thus, it is proposed that they be considered as ornithine decarboxylating strains of the species K. pneumoniae. The API 20E system was used for phenotypic characterization, but the API code obtained by these strains was not registered in the API Profile Index. However, except for the ornithine reaction the isolates behaved as typical K. pneumoniae. Three ornithine negative strains of E. aerogenes were identified as K. pneumoniae by the API 20E System, but they showed high genotypic relatedness to the type strain of E. aerogenes.
Effect of physical exercise on cytokines and lymphocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood
Authors: Espersen G. T. , ElbæK A. , Ernst E. , Toft E. , Kaalund S. , Jersild C. , Grunnet N.
Published: August 2009

To examine the effect of intensive physical exercise on interleukin 2 (IL‐2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and lymphocyte subsets, eleven elite and well‐conditioned runners were tested in relation to a five‐kilometer race. IL‐2 was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) immediately after the exercise and significantly increased after 24 hours (p < 0.05), compared to the pre‐exercise values taken at steady state. TNFα was significantly increased after 2 hours (p < 0.05), and returned to habitual values after 24 hours. In the steady state at rest, elevation of HLA‐DR+ cells was observed in all runners compared with control subjects (p < 0.05), indicating a persistent activation of lymphoid cells. In connection with exercise a significant increase in NK cells (CD 16+) was observed (p < 0.01). The T‐helper/T‐suppressor (CD4+/CD8+) ratio was significantly reduced in connection with physical activity (p < 0.01). In seven runners the ratio was reduced to a value of less than one. This decrease was observed immediately after the exercise, followed by increased ratios 2 hours later (p < 0.01), due to oppositely directed quantitative changes of the CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations. After 24 hours the ratios returned to habitual levels. Furthermore, we confirmed an increase in the total number of granulocytes in connection with exercise (p < 0.01), and observed a decrease in absolute numbers of lymphocytes two hours after exercise (p < 0.01). We emphasize the importance of obtaining information about physical activity within the previous 24 hours before measuring white blood cell parameters.
Comparison of alveolar macrophage and blood monocyte oxidative burst response in pulmonary sarcoidosis
Authors: Nielsen HENRIK , Frederiksen JENS , Sherson DAVID , Milman NILS
Published: August 2009

The alveolitis of sarcoidosis is dominated by lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes and chronic macrophage activation may play a role in the pulmonary interstitial fibrosis of sarcoidosis. We measured superoxide anion release of alveolar macrophages from sarcoidosis patients after in vitro stimulation, as toxic oxygen radicals have been proposed as mediators of chronic tissue damage. In untreated patients alveolar macrophage acitivity was normal, but significantly lower than in blood monocytes. However, a negative correlation between lymphocytosis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and macrophage oxidative metabolism was observed, showing that only patients with high intensity alveolitis have a decreased oxidative burst response after in vitro stimulation. This may reflect in vivo activation of the cells with subsequent reduced ability to respond after additional stimulation in vitro. Patients with radiological stage I had lower alveolar macrophage response than patients in stage II or III. There was no correlation with SACE levels, lung function tests or smoking habits. Nine patients were reinvestigated after treatment with prednisolone. Although the lymphocytosis of lavage fluid was only insignificantly changed, all but one patient showed improved macrophage release of superoxide anion. Blood monocyte oxidative burst response was normal in all patients before and after treatment. In conclusion, only mononuclear phagocytes of the target organ (lung) showed an altered function and the most pronounced decrease was observed in sarcoid patients with active alveolitis. Chronic low grade toxic oxygen radical release of alveolar macrophages may be involved in the pathology of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Antichlamydial activity of saliva
Authors: Genc M. , Bergman S. , FrÖMan G. , Elbagir A. N. , MÅRdh P.‐A.
Published: August 2009

Saliva collected from adults with no antichlamydial antibodies in their serum or saliva, was tested for its capacity to inhibit the formation of inclusions of Chlamydia trachomatis in McCoy cell cultures. Pooled saliva, diluted in tissue culture medium and sterilized by filtration, was found to reduce the inclusion count by up to about 40%. However, the pretreatment of the chlamydial organisms for 2 hours with diluted saliva caused a 75% decrease in the number of inclusions. The inhibitory activity, which was concentration‐dependent, seems to affect the attachment of the chlamydial elementary body to the host cell by acting on both the chlamydiae and the McCoy cells. Saliva did not seem to affect the intracellular development of the chlamydiae. The inhibitory activity was not affected by trypsin treatment, while absorbtion with a gel of a chelating agent caused total loss of the antichlamydial effect. The purpose of our study was to test saliva for its possible antichlamydial activity and to partially characterize the active principle.
Coxsackie B1 virus infection enhances the bacterial invasiveness, the phagocytosis and the membrane permeability in HEp‐2 cells
Authors: Modalsli KRISTIN , Bukholm GEIR , DegrÉ MIKLOS
Published: August 2009

To analyze the effect of coxsackie B1 virus infection on bacterial in vasiveness, phagocytosis and cytoplasma membrane permeability, we have studied invasiveness of Shigella flexneri, unspecific phagocytosis of latex particles and release of the non‐metabolizible amino acid, α‐aminoisobutyric acid (AIB). Virus infection enhanced invasiveness of S. flexneri and phagocytosis of latex beads and increased plasma membrane permeability as measured by release of AIB. The effect on all three functions increased with virus concentration, but the kinetics were different. During the early phase of virus infection there was no difference between the effect on invasiveness, phagocytosis and permeability in cell cultures pretreated with viable or with UV‐inactivated virus. However, after 6 h, 5 h and 2 h respectively, there was an increased response in cell cultures pretreated with viable virus compared to cells inoculated with UV‐inactivated virus. The results indicate that the virus effect on bacterial invasiveness is a function of several parameters, including phagocytosis and membrane function changes.
Culture, ELISA and immunofluorescence tests for the diagnosis of conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in neonates and adults
Authors: Stenberg KRISTINA , Herrmann BJÖRN , Dannevig LISE , Elbagir ADIL NOREIN , MÅRdh PER‐ANDERS
Published: August 2009

The relative value of culture, direct specimen antigen detection tests, i.e., enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence (IF) tests in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection was studied in 125 newborns and 121 adults with signs of conjunctivitis. Eye and nasopharyngeal samples were tested by culture using cycloheximide‐treated or irradiated McCoy cells, ELISA (i.e., ChlamydiazymeTM, Abbott) and IF tests (i.e., ChlamysetTM, Orion and Micro TrakTM, Syva). Of the neonates, 70 (35 boys and 35 girls) and 54 (33 males and 21 females) of the adults were positive in one or both eyes in one or more tests: 191 (39%) in cultures, 173 (35%) in ELISA and 160 (33%), 176 (36%) in each of the IF tests. Using culture as standard reference, the sensitivities of ELISA and the IF tests were 88%, 81% and 87%, while the corresponding specificities were 99%, 98% and 97%, respectively. The predictive values for a negative test (PVN) were 93%, 89% and 92% and for a positive test (PVP) 98%, 96% and 94%. Of the 124 cases chlamydia‐positive in the eyes, 67 (54%), 76 (61%), 64 (52%) and 70 (57%) were positive in nasopharyngeal samples in one or more of culture, ELISA and the two IF tests, respectively. The sensitivities of ELISA and the IF tests in nasopharyngeal samples were 87%, 78% and 81%, while the corresponding specificities were 90%, 93% and 91%, respectively. The predictive values for a negative (PVN) test were 95%, 92% and 93%, and for a positive test (PVP) 76%, 81%, and 77%. Nasopharyngeal swabs were more often positive in cases with 2 or more weeks' duration of symptoms than in those with shorter duration.
Incidence of thyroid cancer in Norway 1970–1985
Authors: Akslen LARS A. , Haldorsen TOR , Thoresen STEINAR Ø. , Glattre EYSTEIN
Published: August 2009

In the Norwegian population, a total of 1977 females and 648 males had a diagnosis of thyroid cancer and were reported to the Cancer Registry during 1970‐85. Most of the cases (98%) were histologically or cytologically confirmed, and 141 cases were diagnosed at autopsy (5.4%). Of the patients with information available, 13% had not been subjected to radical surgery. The actual number and annual incidence rate of thyroid cancer increased during the period, especially among females, although a possible levelling off was observed at the end. The frequency of papillary carcinoma clearly increased with time, and tumours were more often localized at presentation in later years. Improved detection of smaller tumours and differences in histopathological judgement may in part explain these results, but our findings are so notable that etiological factors must also be accounted for and researched. Associations between sex, age, histology and stage were further studied in a multivariate log‐linear model. The results confirm the importance of sex and age when exploring the observed incidence pattern and also show that various histological types are unique with respect to metastatic patterns, when confounding factors have been adjusted for.
Toxicity of, and histological lesions caused by, ribosome‐inactivating proteins, their IgG‐conjugates, and their homopolymers
Authors: Battelli MARIA GIULIA , Barbieri LUIGI , Stirpe FIORENZO
Published: August 2009

The toxicity of, and the lesions brought about by, several ribosome‐inactivating proteins (bryodin, gelonin, momordin, pokeweed antiviral protein from seeds, saporin 6, trichokirin and momorcochin‐S), either native, or conjugated to bovine IgG, or polymerized, were studied in the mouse. Severe necrotic liver damage was the main lesion present in animals receiving lethal doses of the proteins. The toxicity of ribosome‐inactivating proteins increased after conjugation to IgG or homopolymerization. The toxicity of conjugates to mouse was not predictable from the inhibitory activity on cell‐free protein synthesis.
Immune complex binding to erythrocyte‐CR1 (CD 35), CR1 expression and levels of erythrocyte‐fixed C3 fragments in SLE outpatients
Authors: Jepsen HANS HENRIK , Rasmussen JENS MØLLER , Teisner BØRGE , SchrØDer LISE , Holmskov UFFE , JarlbæK LENE , Isager HENRIK , Svehag SVEN‐ERIK
Published: August 2009

Erythrocytes (E) from a cross‐sectional group of 22 outpatients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), the majority without active disease (n = 14), were analyzed for CR1 antigen expression and capacity to bind complement opsonized, radiolabeled immune complexes (IC). Furthermore, E‐bound C3 fragments and the plasma C3d concentration were determined. E‐bound C3b/iC3b fragments were not elevated in patients with SLE, whereas E from 11 out of 22 SLE patients had increased C3d levels which correlated with the plasma C3d concentration (Rs 0.73, p < 0.001). E‐fixed C3d fragments did not affect the binding of Mab or preopsonized IC to E‐CR1 and were not correlated with disease activity or medical treatment. Antigen expression of E‐CR1 measured by ELISA or agglutination showed positive correlation with the IC binding capacity of E‐CR1 (Rs 0.92 and 0.72 respectively, p < 001). The IC binding capacity of E‐CR1 from SLE patients was significantly reduced (p > 0.005), whereas the antigen expression of CR1 (ELISA) on E from the patients did not differ from that of E from healthy donors (p > 0.1). E‐CR1 antigen was measured by Mab reacting with an epitope outside the IC‐binding site of E‐CR1. E‐CR1 antigen expression or IC binding showed no correlation either with disease activity or prednisolone treatment. However, 4 og 5 patients with MCTD and 4 of 5 patients receiving Imurel® were found to have low E‐CR1 expression and capacity to bind IC. Thus, measurement of antigenic E‐CR1 in a cross‐sectional group of SLE outpatients by use of Mab reacting with an epitope outside the ligand‐binding region of CR1 did not reveal a significantly reduced CR1 expression. However, an assay for CR 1 ‐mediated IC binding showed a clearly reduced E‐CR1 function.
Comparison between Bactec Nr. 660® and a conventional 12‐tube blood culture system
Authors: Nir M. , Prag J. , Jensen J. , Arpi M.
Published: August 2009

The detection power of the automated blood culture system Bactec NR 660®, based on infrared detection of carbon dioxide in an agitated aerobic medium and a non‐agitated anaerobic medium, was compared with that of our conventional 12‐tube blood culture system. Of 1685 paired blood cultures, 258 (15.3%) were positive in one or both systems. Clinically relevant isolates were found in 11.5%. The dominating species were Escherichia coli (41%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (14%) and Klebsiella spp. (8%). The Bactec® system detected 178 (10.6%) and the 12‐tube system 157 (9.3%) clinically relevant microorganisms after seven days' incubation. Significantly more clinically relevant isolates were detected by the Bactec® system alone as compared with the conventional system alone (40 versus 19, p < 0.01). The detection time was significantly shorter in the Bactec® system for all isolates and for E. coli and S. aureus separately (p < 0.01). 1.8% of the isolates in the Bactec® system and 2.1% in the 12‐tube system were considered clinically non‐relevant contaminants.
Screening for autoantibodies in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome and a matched control group
Authors: Jacobsen SØREN , HØYer‐Madsen MIMI , Danneskiold‐SamsØE BENTE , Wiik ALLAN
Published: August 2009

Primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFS) is a non‐articular rheumatic condition characterized by chronic muscular pain. We have performed screening for autoantobodies in 20 women with PFS and in 19 age‐matched healthy women. Fifty‐five percent of the PFS patients had anti‐smooth muscle antibodies and 40% had anti‐striated muscle antibodies. None of the control subjects had any muscle antibodies. There was no significant difference in frequency of the remaining autoantibodies between the groups investigated. The present study indicates autoimmune responses in PFS against antigens of the diseased tissue itself, a finding which may be secondary to the disease or have relevance to the still obscure pathogenesis of the syndrome.
Human‐human hybridoma producing monoclonal antibodies against colorectal cancer‐associated antigens
Authors: Borup‐Christensen PER , Erb KARIN , Ditzel HENRIK , Nielsen BJARNE , Larsen JØRGEN K. , Svehag SVEN‐ERIK , Jensenius JENS CHRISTIAN
Published: August 2009

Lymphocytes from lymph nodes draining the tumor region in patients with colorectal cancer were fused with two different human B‐lymphoblastoid cell lines, LICR‐LON‐HMy‐2 (HMy‐2) and WI‐L2–729‐HF2 (729‐HF2), to generate hybridomas synthesizing antibodies reacting with tumor‐associated antigens. In this way 220 hybridomas were obtained which produce antibody reacting with colon cancer cells. All established clones produced IgM. Four human monoclonal antibodies have been furhter analyzed. The cell lines producing these antibodies are all hybrids based on DNA analysis. Three of the antibodies (G4146, B9165 and D4213) showed binding to differentiation antigens by immunocytochemical analysis on different cancer cell lines and normal human leucocytes and by immunohistochemical analysis on sections of frozen malignant and normal tissues, while the fourth (F11348) showed a reaction with all cells and tissues tested. Western blots of tumor extracts showed binding of G4146 to two components from colon cancer cells with Mr of 59 K. and 61 K, while B9165 bound to a 43 K component and F11348 to several components with Mr from 30 to 200K. D4213 showd no binding in this analysis. The results obtained demonstrate the successful application of hybridoma technology to produce human monoclonals with reactivity to differentiation antigens.
Morphometric evaluation of dark and clear epidermal basal cells during early 2‐stage chemical skin carcinogenesis in the hairless mouse using two different fixation methods
Authors: GlasØ MORTEN , Wetteland PER
Published: August 2009

Ultrastructural morphometric characteristics of basal keratinocytes in hairless mouse epidermis were analyzed statistically. The following variables were assessed: (i) low versus physiologicl osmolality during fixation, (ii) alterations induced by a 2‐stage carcinogenesis regimen using DMBA and TPA, (iii) criteria for a cell being dark versus being clear, (iv) inter‐observer variation. The results show that with low fixation osmolality most basal cells swell and become electron lucent. The few cells which apparently do not swell stand out as shrunken electron dense dark cells. Morphometrically they are more differentiated than clear cells, but do share many features with the basal cell type which appears after fixation in a buffer of physiological osmolality. Iso‐osmolality during fixation seems to induce a homogeneous basal cell population of relatively electron dense cells without typical dark and clear elements. Treatment with DMBA/TPA induces not only intercellular edema and reduced desmosomal contacts, but causes injury to the plasma membrane leading to hydropic changes in the cells. This general intra‐ and intercellular DMBA/TPA induced hydration might induce secondary compression of some of the cells, leading to an increased number of compressed dark cells. It is, however, only after fixation in low buffer osmolality that these effects of DMBA/TPA are statistically significant and clearly observable. The inter‐person variation was, apart from a few instances, either not statistically significant or did not interfere with the other effects. We did not find clear arguments in favor of the view that dark cells are primitive epidermal stem cells. They seem only to reflect non‐specific toxic effects of tumor promoters, which appear only under certain fixation conditions, that have been used by most authors. The results suggest that dark and clear cells are mainly a consequence of the degree of cellular hydration.
Melanotic Schwannoma of the orbit
Authors: Jensen O. A. , Bretlau P.
Published: August 2009

Light microscopical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of a case of melanotic (pigmented) schwannoma in the left orbit of a 22‐year‐old man is presented. The tumour caused exophthalmus for three months and was located under the eyeball. Partial removal resulted in recurrence after three years. The recurrent tumour with extension to the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus was extirpated without loss of vision, and a year later the patient was without symptoms. The tumour tissue was Fontana positive, could be bleached, and showed immunoreactivity for S‐100, vimentin and HMB 45. Ultrastructurally, the tumour cells, particularly the pigment loaded cells, showed a varying amount of basal lamina at the surface, melanosomes in varying stages of melanization, fine cytoplasmic filaments and micropinocytotic vesicles. Survey of the literature and discussion of the melanogenesis in Schwann's cells are presented.
Immunohistochemical examination of 25 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma: A comparison with small cell carcinoma of the lung and oesophagus, and a review of the literature
Authors: Johansson LEIF , Tennvall JAN , ÅKerman MÅNS
Published: August 2009

Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC) were compared to small cell carcinomas of the lung (SCCL) and oesophagus (SCCO). Most MCC were of the intermediate cell type while SCCL and SCCO were usually of the small cell type. Only MCC of trabecular type could be separated from SCCL and SCCO by means of histopathological examination alone. All MCC (25) stained with cytokeratin CAM 5.2, 20 of which in a “paranuclear globular” or combined “paranuclear globular”/diffuse pattern while 17 MCC stained with cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Cytokeratin CAM 5.2 reacted with 60 percent of the SCCL and 86 percent of the SCCO, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 with 33 and 28 percent respectively. Neurofilament stained 17 MCC in a “paranucelar globular” pattern but none of the SCCL and SCCO. All MCC with a diffuse staining pattern for cytokeratin CAM 5.2 were negative for neurofilament. The results of this study and review of the literature indicate that in most instances Merkel cell carcinoma can be separated from other SCC, pulmonary as well as extrapulmonary, by means of histopathological and, above all, immunohistochemical examinations.
In vitro activity of 9 antimicrobial agents against 177 strains of Haemophilus influenzae isolated from hospitalized patients
Authors: Teigen KJELL , Lingaas EGIL
Published: August 2009

In vitro activity of 4 commonly used and 5 new antibiotics was examined against 177 strains of Haemophilus influenzae. All strains were collected from various sites in patients with clinical infections. The study confirms that several newer antibiotics are useful alternatives to older drugs, as measured by in vitro activity. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were the most active agents, (MIC90 0.012 μg/ml and 0.05 μg/ml respectively), followed by aztrreonam (MIC90 0.1 μg/ml) and cefuroxime (MIC90 0.8 μg/ml). A new macrolide, azithromycin (CP 62,993), was more active than erythromycin, MIC901.6 μg/ml vs 6.4 μg/ml. Beta‐lacta‐mase production was detected in 4.5% (8/177) of the strains. In vitro activity was the same against strains collected in 1985 and 1988. No increase in beta‐lactamase production was recorded.
The autopsy and epidemiology ‐ Olmsted County, Minnesota and Malmo, Sweden
Authors: Nemetz PETER N. , Tangalos ERIC G. , Kurland LEONARD T.
Published: August 2009

The existence of high quality, population‐based, medical data facilitates the practice of modern epidemiology with its concomitant benefits for clinical practice and public health policy. Two exceptional examples of such databases are provided by Malmo, Sweden, and Olmsted County, Minnesota. This paper outlines briefly the similarities between these two geographic entities, and focuses, in particular, on the central role of the autopsy in Olmsted County. Changing temporal and spatial patterns of autopsy are reviewed as well as two important related issues: the role of consent and the medico‐legal autopsy. The paper concludes with a summary of some of the more noteworthy contributions of autopsy‐based epidemiological research in Olmsted County, and offers several recommendations for the establishment of a select network of special population‐based study areas. These epidemiological “laboratories”, through the interchange of data and tissue specimens, could make significant contributions to the study of diseases both nationally and internationally. Their interactive efforts and high quality data bases would help to increase the efficiency of the expenditure of scarce societal resources in epidemiology and health care.
Quartz‐induced production of reactive oxygen metabolites by activated human monocyte‐derived macrophages
Authors: Nyberg PETER , Klockars MATTI
Published: August 2009

Quartz but not titanium dioxide (TiO2) induced the production of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) by human monocyte‐derived macrophages, as measured by lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence. Activation of the macrophages with BCG, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and macrophage‐activating factor (MAF) caused a prominent increase of quartz‐induced ROM production, MAF having the strongest effect. The activation did not affect the TiO2 responses to the same extent. Assuming that ROM have a role in the pathogenesis of silica‐induced disease in man, we suggest that enhancement of quartz‐induced production of ROM by activated pulmonary macrophages may at least partly explain the experimental and epidemiological data indicating that activation of the immune system during infection promotes the development of silicosis.
Serum sensitivity of a diversity of Escherichia coli antigenic reference strains
Authors: Stawski GITTE , Nielsen LENE , ØRskov FRITS , ØRskov IDA
Published: August 2009

One hundred and ninety‐four E. coli O, K and H antigen reference strains and some strains of certain O:K types were examined for resistance to the bactericidal effect of normal human serum by the method of Olling. A strain was defined as serum‐resistant when < 50% and serum‐sensitive when > 90% bacteria were killed. Fifty‐seven reference strains were serum‐sensitive, 21 of them produced K antigens which apparently had no protective role. Thirty‐seven reference strains were serum‐resistant, and 13 of these produced no K antigen; thus the O antigens might by themselves be protective in these cases. K‐ mutants of the serum‐resistant 08:K87 strains were serum‐sensitive, and the 09:K9 strain changed from being serum resistant to being partly resistant when the K antigen was lost; mutants of the 06:K13 strain with no or a small amount of K13 were less resistant than the original K+ strain; similar mutants of the 022:K13 reference strain did not show any decrease in serum resistance. Strongly related to 022 is 083, and results with several 083 strains pointed to the importance of this O antigen for serum resistance. In an 083:K14 strain a spontaneous variation occurred in LPS from a few to many repeating units; this variation was accompanied by a change from serum sensitivity to serum resistance.
The antigenic relationship between Salmonella cholerae suis (211) and Salmonella aberdeen, Escherichia coli (075,0163) 0 antigens
Authors: Aksoycan NAMIK , Erdem BIRSEL , Saganak ILKNUR
Published: August 2009

The authors describe the antigenic relationship between Salmonella cholerae suis (211) and Salmonella aberdeen, Escherichia coli (0 75, 0 163) 0 antigens.
Laminin in testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: Jacobsen GRETE KRAG
Published: August 2009

Thirty‐five testicular germ cell tumours comprising 16 yolk sac tumours, 15 embryonal carcinomas and 13 seminomas were examined for the presence and distribution of laminin using an indirect immunoperoxi‐dase technique. In addition, nine normal yolk sacs and 23 carcinomas of the lung were studied. All the yolk sac tumours were positively stained for laminin. Both extra‐ and intracellular staining were found. Hyaline, eosinophilic material present within the tumours was positively stained, although with varying intensity. In 12 out of 15 embryonal carcinomas, laminin was found as a membrane staining but cytoplasmic staining also occurred. In 10 out of 13 classical seminomas, a membrane staining of many tumour cells was found, while cytoplasmic staining occurred in only a few seminomas. In all but one of the yolk sacs, laminin was present in the membrane beneath both the mesoblastic outer cell layer and the visceral endoderm. Intracellular staining was seen in some of the cells in both cell layers. In nine out of 23 carcinomas of the lung, laminin occurred extra‐ as well as intracellularly. Thus, this study showed that in normal yolk sacs the presence of laminin was not found to be particularly associated with any of the cell layers. Likewise, demonstration of laminin within yolk sac tumours did not define different patterns or subtypes of the yolk sac tumour. In addition, demonstration of laminin was not found to be useful in differentiating either between yolk sac tumours and embryonal carcinomas or between seminomas and non‐seminomatous germ cell tumours. The findings add, however, interesting knowledge to histogenesis and embryogenesis.
The influence of properties encoded by the Yersinia virulence plasmid on adhesion of Yersinia enterocolitica to ileal brush border membrane vesicles
Authors: RæRregaard ANDERS , Espersen FRANK , Baker NEIL
Published: August 2009

The influence of plasmid‐associated cell surface structures on the ability of Yersinia enterocolitica to bind to ileal brush border membrane vesicles (BBVs) was investigated. Rabbit or human BBVs were immobilized on polystyrene microtiter plates and adhesion of radiolabeled cells of Y. enterocolitica was determined. Strains of pathogenic serotypes carrying the Yersinia virulence plasmid (pYV+), as well as their isogenic plasmid cured derivatives (pYV), adhered to immobilized BBVs, but adhesion of pYV+ organisms was markedly greater than that of pYVplus; ones. Strains belonging to non‐pathogenic serotypes did not adhere significantly. The pYV+ strain Ye0301P+ did not express specific adhesion to glycolipids, nor was adhesion to BBVs reduced in the presence of various monosaccharides. Proteolytic digestion of surface structures on strain Ye0301P+ markedly reduced adhesion. pYV+ strains also demonstrated greater adhesion to a non‐biological surface (polystyrene) and showed a higher degree of hydrophobicity than pYV” organisms as evaluated in a two‐phase partitioning system. It is therefore likely that the plasmid‐associated adhesion of Y. enterocolitica is promoted by one or more outer membrane proteins, that confer hydrophobicity to the bacterial surface.
Role of bacterial debris in inflammatory diseases of the joint and eye
Authors: Fox ALVIN
Published: August 2009

Several distinct rheumatic conditions (including Lyme arthritis, Reiter's syndrome and rheumatic fever) as well as certain forms of the blinding disease, uveitis, may share a common etiology. In each instance specific bacterial pathogens may infect a distant site, which on interaction with the immune system, leads to a sterile inflammation in the joint or eye. These “reactive” conditions may result, in some cases, from prior localization of non‐viable bacterial remnants (including the cell wall or peptidoglycan) or alternatively “dormant” fastidious bacteria in the affected joint or eye where they act as persisting antigens. Classical culture techniques, would not detect the presence of these putative microbial antigens. Alternative approaches for detection of ubiquitous components of bacteria in the host (using appropriate chemical, molecular and immunological techniques) are discussed.
Two cell kinetic methods studied on the rat corneal epithelium
Authors: HÅSkjold ERLING , Refsum SIGVALD B. , Bjerknes ROLF
Published: August 2009

A stathmokinetic method (using Colcemid) and the [3H]thymidine technique (pulse labelling with tritiated thymidine, [3H]TdR) have been evaluated in the rat corneal epithelium. The dose is not of critical importance for the Colcemid method, thus indicating an all or nothing effect within the dose range studied. A one point estimate is sufficient to calculate the mitotic rate (MR), and in the rat cornel epithelium a 4 h accumulation period is recommended. After administration of [3H]TdR there is an increasing response with increasing dose, followed by a levelling off at higher doses. It seems reasonable to use the lowest maximal effective dose. The labellinhg index (LI) can be reliably registered 1 h after administration of the drug. For each of the drugs we found corresponding results after topical application and intraperitoneal injection. Hence, topical application of small doses of both Colcemid and [3H]TdR makes interesting in vivo experiments on larger animals and even on human beings possible. Due to the extreme regularity of the corneal epithelium this part of the eye is an interesting organ for cell kinetic studies and provides an excellent tool for evaluating cell kinetic methods.
Isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatases in seminomas
Authors: Brehmer‐Andersson E. , Ljungdahl‐StÅHle E. , Koshida K. , Yamamoto H. , Stigbrand T. , Wahren B.
Published: August 2009

Placental alkaline phosphatase (the PLAP‐like isoenzyme) and liver alkaline phosphatase (LAP) were demonstrated immunohistochemically by use of monoclonal antibodies in the tumor cells of twelve seminomas and one seminoma metastasis. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) was not found. The PLAP‐like and LAP enzymes showed high catalytic activities compared to normal testis. This is the first occasion that LAP has been demonstrated by immunochemistry in seminoma cells. The results suggest that demonstration of these tumor enzymes may be useful markers for seminomas in histopathological specimens.
Polysomy of chromosome 7 is associated with amplification and overexpression of the EGF‐receptor gene in a human carcinoma cell line derived from a brain metastasis
Authors: Helseth EIRIK , BrØGger ANTON , Dalen ARE , Fure HILDE , Johansen SIDSEL GREFF , Lier METTE EKNÆS , Skandsen TORIL , Unsgaard GEIRMUND , Vik RANDI
Published: August 2009

Overexpression of the EGF‐receptor gene is associated with the malignant nature of some tumors. We have recently reported the establishment of a human carcinoma cell line (T‐CAR1), derived from a brain metastasis, that had 7 million EGF receptors per cell and was growth inhibited by EGF. The present study was carried out in order to furhter characterize the EGF‐receptor protein in T‐CAR1 cells, and to see if the overexpression of the EGF‐receptor gene in these cells was associated with abnormalities at the genomic level. We have compared the T‐CAR1 cells with the human glioblastoma cell line T‐MG1, which has 135,000 EGF‐receptors and is growth stimulated by EGF. The MW of the EGF receptors in T‐CAR1 cells and T‐MG1 cells was estimated to be 170 kDa, equal to the normal EGF‐receptor. However, in T‐CAR1 cells an additional protein reacted with the monoclonal antibody directed against the internal domain of the EGF receptor. The levels of EGF receptor‐related RNAs in T‐CAR1 cells and T‐MG1 cells reflected the number of EGF receptors in these cell lines. The EGF‐receptor gene was amplified ten‐fold in T‐CAR1 cells, while it was not amplified in T‐MG1 cells. No restriction fragment length polymorphism of DNA digested with various restriction enzymes was seen in either of the cell lines. Chromosomal analysis of T‐CAR1 cells showed polysomy of chromosome 7 and marker chromosomes derived partly from chromosome 7. Thus, in the T‐CAR1 cell line it was an association between polysomy of chromosome 7 and EGF‐receptor gene amplification.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver
Authors: Lopez JOSE I. , Eizaguirre BEATRIZ , Nevado MANUEL , Ruiz‐Jaureguizuria JUAN C.
Published: August 2009

The radiologic and histologic features of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver in a 62‐year‐old man are presented. The lesion was coincidentally discovered during clinical work‐up of an acute pancreatitis caused by choledocholithiasis. Malignancy was suspected in the light of the radiologic presentation. To our knowledge, only 23 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver have appeared in the international literature. Its etiology remains unknown, although reactive‐inflammatory or infectious mechanisms have been suggested. The present case seemed to be associated with bile flow obstruction, as the mass partially regressed following cholecystectomy and Vaterian sphincterotomy. Therefore, a hypothetical obstructive pathogenetic mechanism is considered. We conclude that this tumor‐like condition must be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid masses in the liver.
Bacterial adherence as a virulence factor in urinary tract infection
Authors: DE Man PETER , Jodal ULF , VAN Kooten CEES , Svanborg CATHARINA
Published: August 2009

Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes >90% of urinary tract infections, UTI, in childhood. The capacity to adhere to urinary tract epithelial cells characterizes E. coli strains that cause acute pyelonephritis. Adherence of uropathogenic E. coli is the result of a specific interaction between bacterial adhesins and glycolipid receptors on the host cells, especially the globoseries of glycolipids which share the Galactose α 1 ‐>4Galactoseβ disaccharide (Galα 1 ‐>4Galβ). In childhood UTI, Galα 1 ‐>4Galβ‐binding bacteria caused significantly higher body temperature, C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and pyuria, and lower renal concentrating capacity, than E. coli lacking this specificity. The Galα1‐>4Galβ‐binding bacteria thus appeared to be more potent inducers of inflammation than other strains. Since inflammation may lead to tissue damage we examined the relationship of infection with Galα1‐>4Galβ‐positive bacteria to renal scarring. The frequency of renal scarring was 5% in boys with Galα1‐>4Galβ‐positive and 40% in boys with Galα1‐>4Galβ‐negative E. coli. Bacterial binding to Galα1‐>4Galβ can be detected with a commercially available test reagent. This reagent can thus be used as an effective predictor of risk for renal scarring. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a pyrogen and inducer of the acute phase reactants. It was shown to be produced locally in the urinary tract, in response to UTI, and to spread systemically. Mucosal challenge with dead bacteria was sufficient to induce the IL‐6 response. Circulating IL‐6, and/or IL‐1 and tumor necrosis factor could explain the fever, as well as increased ESR and CRP found in association with acute symptomatic UTI.
IgG subclass antibodies to serogroup B meningococcal outer membrane antigens following infection and vaccination
Authors: Sjursen HAAKON , Wedege ELISABETH , Rosenqvist EINAR , NæSs ARE , Halstensen ALFRED , Matre ROALD , Solberg CLAUS OLA
Published: August 2009

IgG and IgG subclass antibodies to the outer membrane antigens from Neisseria meningitidis (serogroup B., serotype 15:P1.16) were quantitated by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 40 patients with group B:15:P1.16 meningococcal disease and 24 volunteers immunized with a serotype 15:P1.16 outer membrane vesicle vaccine. A second injection was given 6 weeks after the first immunization. Patient sera obtained two and six weeks after onset of the disease had significantly higher levels of total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies to the outer membrane antigens than acute sera, convalescent sera from patients with systemic non‐meningococcal bacterial infections and sera from healthy controls. The levels of total IgG and IgG 1 remained high one and three years later. Sera from the vaccinees showed high levels of total IgG and IgG 1 6, 12 and 26 weeks after the first immunization and high levels of IgG3 6 weeks after the second immunization. No increase of IgG2 or IgG4 levels was observed in the postimmunization sera. Immunoblotting of three convalescent sera demonstrated individual patterns of IgG subclass binding to various outer membrane antigens with most distinct binding of IgG 1 and IgG3 antibodies to the class 1 protein, the H.8 lipoprotein and the lipopolysaccharide. Since IgGl and IgG3 are the most effective antibodies for complement activation and phagocytosis, group B meningococcal disease and immunization with the serotype 15:P1.16 outer membrane vesicle vaccine stimulate production of those IgG subclasses which have the strongest opsonic and bactericidal activity.
The role of the microbiology laboratory in the diagnosis of the infection
Authors: Haukenes GUNNAR , Roller ODDMUND
Published: August 2009

A case of mumps with an exanthema is described. However, the parotid swelling was mistaken for enlarged lymph nodes, and the case was described as one of “typical rubella”. As the patient was pregnant in her first trimester, an induced abortion was considered. Serum specimens for rubella antibody testing had been taken, but the information given by the consulting physician was incorrect and led to testing for past infection and immunity. After re‐examination of the patient by a gynaecologist, mumps was suspected and the diagnosis verified serologically. The present case shows that in certain situations adequate information must be given to the laboratory in order to ensure a meaningful interpretation of the results of the serological examination.
Expression of muscle‐specific actins and myosin in light microscopically undifferentiated small and dark cell malignancies of soft tissues
Authors: Seidal TOMAS , Angervall LENNART , Kindblom LARS‐GUNNAR
Published: August 2009

Eighteen light microscopically undifferentiated small and dark cell malignancies, previously studied ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically in terms of desmin, vimentin and myoglobin expression, were analyzed using mono‐ and polyclonal antibodies to muscle‐specific isoforms of myosin and actin. For comparison, 10 characteristic rhabdomyosarcomas, 5 alveolar and 5 embryonal, were included in the study. A polyclonal antibody to skeletal myosin produced an indistinct staining in all the alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas. The staining was most prominent in well‐differentiated rhabdomyoblastic tumor cells. In the analysis of the small and dark cell malignancies, this antibody produced a weak and indistinct positivity which can not be interpreted with certainty as an expression of muscle‐specific properties. An antibody directed at the alpha and gamma isoforms of actin, which are present in smooth and striated muscle, produced a distinct positive staining in all the alveolar and embryonal rhabdomysarcomas and in 8/18 small and dark cell malignancies, 7 of which were also shown to express desmin. An antibody directed at the alfa‐smooth muscle isoform of actin did not produce any positive staining in any of the tumors. The present study indicates that both muscle‐specific actin and desmin can be expressed in tumors lacking ultrastructural evidence of a rhabdomyoblastic differentiation and that the combined use of monoclonal antibodies to desmin and muscle‐specific actin is of value when it comes to recognizing rhabdomyosarcomas within the group of undifferentiated small and dark cell malignancies of soft tissue tumors.
Magnesium supplement in pregnancy‐induced hypertension
Authors: Rudnicki MARTIN , Junge JETTE , FrØLich ANNE , ØRnvold KIM , Fischer‐Rasmussen WIGGO
Published: August 2009

The placenta and the umbilical cord obtained from 18 women with pregnancy‐induced hypertension were investigated by light microscopy. The umbilical artery was studied by electron microscopy. 10 placentae and umbilical cords from normal pregnancies served as controls. The study was performed as a double‐blind randomized controlled study in which 11 women were allocated to magnesium and 7 to placebo treatment. The treatment comprised a 48‐hour intravenous magnesium/placebo infusion followed by daily oral magnesium/placebo intake until one day after delivery. Magnesium supplement increased birth weight and placental weight significantly. Light microscopic study of the placentae and the umbilical cord arteries showed no difference between the three groups concerning the occurrence of infarctions, cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia, vasculo‐syncytial membranes, basement membrane thickening, stromal fibrosis or intervillous fibrin. Ultrastructurally, the endothelial cells of the umbilical arteries from women with pregnancy‐induced hypertension showed a significant increase in the amount of dilated endoplasmatic reticulum and basal laminae thickness when all 18 cases were compared with the controls. There was no significant difference when the magnesium group, the placebo group and the control group were compared separately. The present study suggests that magnesium supplement has a benefical effect on fetal growth in pregnancy‐induced hypertension. With regard to the light and electron microscopic changes we were unable to demonstrate any significant difference between the magnesium, placebo and control groups.
Placental‐like alkaline phosphatase as a marker of carcinoma‐in‐situ of the testis. Comparison with monoclonal antibodies M2A and 43–9F
Authors: Giwercman ALEKSANDER , Cantell LISBETH , Marks ALEXANDER
Published: August 2009

In an immunohistochemical study of 59 routinely processed tissue specimens from 48 adult testes with isolated carcinoma‐in‐situ (CIS) changes and of 66 specimens from adult testes without neoplasia, placental‐like alkaline phosphatase (PIAP) was shown to be a reliable marker of CIS cells preceding the development of a testicular tumour. Thus, a positive reaction was encountered in all 36 biopsies treated with formaldehyde, or Bouin's or Stieve's fluid. However, only 11 of 23 specimens fixed with Cleland's fluid were immunoreactive for PIAP. None of the non‐malignant components of seminiferous tubules, including the large abnormal spermatogonia, reacted with the antibody against PIAP. Besides the antibody against PIAP, monoclonal antibodies M2A and 43–9F were tested on CIS specimens fixed with the above‐mentioned fixatives. In the 17 specimens fixed with Stieve's or Bouin's fluid, a positive reaction was obtained in all sections with all three antibodies tested. However, for each antibody at least two specimens gave a weak staining reaction. When all three immunostainings were performed, in each case at least one of them gave a moderate or strong reaction, thus making CIS cells easily detectable. In the samples fixed with Cleland's fluid, a negative reaction was found in one to three specimens, depending on the antibody used. However, at least one of the three antibodies gave a positive reaction if all three immunostainings were applied. In only one of the formaldehyde‐fixed paraffin specimens did CIS cells react with the monoclonal antibody 43–9F, whereas M2A gave no positive reaction at all if this method of fixation was used. Thus, the sensitivity of the immunohistochemical staining procedure in the detection of CIS is dependent on the fixative used and increases when immunostainings with all three markers are performed simultaneously.