Alteration in membrane protein band 3 associated with accelerated erythrocyte aging.

We report a human band 3 alteration that is associated with anemia as determined by a reticulocyte count of 20%. Erythrocyte defects included increased IgG binding, increased breakdown products of band 3, and altered anion- and glucose-transport activity in middle-aged cells. These changes were observed during normal erythrocyte aging in situ. Binding of ankyrin to band 3 was normal. Serum/cell crossover studies indicated that a neoantigen appears on the propositus' erythrocytes to which IgG from both propositus and control serum binds as measured with a protein A binding assay. IgG eluted from the propositus' erythrocytes appeared to have a specificity for senescent cell antigen as determined by a phagocytosis inhibition assay. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that antibodies to band 3, which do not normally bind to intact erythrocytes, bound to the propositus' erythrocytes. Antibody 980 binds to normal old cells but not young or middle-aged cells. It also binds to a distinct region of band 3 in immunoblots of membranes from the propositus' middle-aged cells. Cells from both of the propositus' parents exhibited increased IgG binding and altered anion and glucose transport. The results of these studies suggest that (i) band 3 is aging prematurely in erythrocytes from the propositus, (ii) senescent cell antigen appears on the propositus' middle-aged red cells, and (iii) band 3 alterations observed in the propositus may have a genetic component.     

Interleukin-10 administration decreases survival in murine recipients of major histocompatibility complex disparate donor bone marrow grafts

Studies in mice and humans have indicated that the predominance of interleukin-4 (IL-4)- and IL-10-producing T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells may serve to downregulate acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) reactions, whereas IL-2-producing Th1 cells have been implicated in facilitating acute GVHD. We explored the possibility that the in vivo infusion of IL-10 would inhibit acute GVHD induced by fully allogeneic donor grafts. Unexpectedly, IL-10 infusions resulted in a dose- dependent increase in GVHD-induced mortality. The acceleration of lethal GVHD by IL-10 occurred in irradiated recipients of T-cell- depleted bone marrow (BM) plus 5, 15, or 25 x 10(6) splenocytes but did not influence the post-BM transplantation (post-BMT) survival rate of recipients of BM without splenocytes, suggesting that the IL-10 effects were not due to toxicity. Antimurine IL-10-neutralizing monoclonal antibody injections, administered to diminish endogenous IL-10, reduced GVHD-associated mortality and improved the clinical appearance of the recipients. For BM graft rejection studies, IL-10 was infused into sublethally irradiated recipients of anti-Thy 1.2 + C' T-cell-depleted, fully allogeneic BM grafts. In a short-term (day 7) in vivo assay, IL- 10 infusions significantly inhibited allogeneic (but not syngeneic) BM proliferation in vivo, indicative of increased graft rejection. In long- term chimerism experiments, IL-10 infusions caused a significant increase in early post-BMT mortality caused by a profound anemia typically associated with graft rejection and aplasia. A slightly higher irradiation dose (650 cGy v 600 cGy) eliminated the anemia but did not reverse the graft rejection process associated with IL-10 administration. We conclude that the in vivo infusion of exogenous IL- 10 in recipients of fully allogeneic donor grafts results in accelerated GVHD and graft rejection in the strain combinations tested to date.     

低浓度二甲基亚砜冻存外周血造血干细胞的效果

目的:观察外周血造血干细胞(PBSC)用低浓度二甲基亚砜(DMSO)和羟乙基淀粉(HES)在-80℃条件下冷冻保存的效果。方法:49例次患者的PBSC在冻存后3、6个月及1年进行复苏,分别取样进行有核细胞(NC)计数、锥虫蓝拒染率测定、CD34 细胞阳性率分析和粒-巨噬细胞集落生成单位(CFU-GM)检测。结果:PB-SC在-80℃冰箱中冻存3个月和6个月的NC、CD34 细胞、CFU-GM回收率的差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05),NC活细胞比率差异也无统计学意义(P>0.05)。PBSC冻存1年NC、CD34 细胞、CFU-GM集落回收率及活细胞比率均有显著性下降(均P<0.01)。结论:应用低浓度DMSO在-80℃冻存PBSC3个月和6个月的细胞能得到较好保存,1年后的冻存效果显著下降。     

Serologic characterization of a monkey antiserum to human leukemic myeloblasts

We have raised a monkey antiserum that is selectively reactive with human leukemic myeloblasts by immunization with a glycoprotein antigen (AMLSGA) released from myeloblasts in short-term culture. Antimyeloblast activity can be demonstrated using complement-dependent cytotoxicity or indirect immunofluorescence. Selective antimyeloblast activity is retained following absorption with leukemic lymphoblasts or lymphocytes, nonleukemic lymphocytes, neutrophils, or mononuclear cells from nonleukemic bone marrow. Anti-AMLSGA antisera are not reactive with B-cell-enriched cell populations, and antaimyeloblast activity is not reduced by absorption with Ia-positive cells. Anti-AMLSGA is a useful reagent for identification of human leukemic myeloblasts.     

An outbreak of Norwalk like virus gastroenteritis in a nursing home in Rotterdam

Sixty-two per cent of elderly and disabled residents of a Dutch nursing home (74/120) and 32% of staff (33/102) became ill in an outbreak of Norwalk-like viral gastroenteritis. The outbreak spread from person to person was supported by temporal clustering     

Establishment and development of the National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the establishment and development of the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) of Vietnam. METHODS: Data were obtained from the surveillance system established by the new NTP in 1986 and based on the principles now described as the WHO DOTS strategy. RESULTS: The proportion of districts covered by the NTP increased from 40% in 1986 to almost 100% in 2000. The proportion of communes applying NTP guidelines increased from 18% in 1986 to 99.8% in 2000. The total number of tuberculosis cases notified increased from 8737 in 1986 to 89 792 in 2000. Most of these are new smear-positive cases. Based on WHO estimations of the incidence rate, the proportion of new smear-positive cases detected and put on short-course treatment has been over 70% since 1996. Reported cure rates with short-course chemotherapy are consistently over 85%. CONCLUSIONS: DOTS is feasible in a low-income, high-burden country. The main reasons for success were political commitment, a well-functioning health network, integration of tuberculosis control into the general health service at district level, a continuous supply of drugs and effective external support. Major challenges are long-term financial support, expansion to remote areas and vulnerable groups, definition of the role of the private sector, and future developments of the HIV epidemic and multidrug resistance.     

Descriptive epidemiology of exanthems in the Rotterdam region January 1997 to June 1998

The European Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended that measles should be eliminated from Europe by the year 2007, a target accepted by National Immunisation Programme Managers for the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region countries. I     

Core2 beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase enzyme activity is critical for P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 binding to P-selectin

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is a high-affinity counterreceptor for P-selectin on myeloid cells and activated T-cells. In addition, PSGL-1 can serve, both in vitro and in vivo, as an E- selectin ligand. Appropriate glycosylation of PSGL-1 is crucial for binding to P-selectin. Functional PSGL-1 is known to bear sialyl lewis X (SLex) or a closely related oligosaccharide. In this study, we show that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing PSGL-1 and fucosyltransferase show a dramatic increase in binding to P-selectin when transfected with "core2" transferase, the enzyme that initiates branching of O-linked glycans. Moreover, only PSGL-1 from core2 transfectant CHO cells can be affinity-captured with P-selectin, suggesting that branched O-linked glycans are required for high- affinity binding to P-selectin. Analysis of PSGL-1-derived O-linked oligosaccharides produced in core2 transfected cells shows the presence of more elaborated glycans. Interestingly, transfection of core2 in these cells does not alter binding to E-selectin.     

低剂量内毒素损伤对肝细胞有机阳离子转运器表达的影响

目的 探讨低剂量内毒素(endotoxin,ET)损伤时大鼠肝细胞有机阳离子转运器(organic cat-ion transporter,OCT1)表达改变及地塞米松预处理ET损伤后OCT1表达的影响。方法 采用原位杂交技术观察ET损伤后肝细胞OCT1表达变化及用地塞米松干预ET损伤大鼠后OCT1的变化。结果 低剂量ET损伤后大鼠肝细胞超微结构出现不同程度的损伤,以16h时最低(0.5745±0.012,P<0.01);低剂量ET 地塞米松损伤后肝细胞OCT1的表达逐渐下降,在损伤后16h时降至最低(0.6327±0.007,P<0.01),其后各时相点肝细胞中OCT1 mRNA的表达又逐渐有所回升,但均较正常水平低(0.6607±0.005);地塞米松干预后,ET损伤的大鼠肝细胞中OCT1的表达在各时相点都有不同程度增加。结论 低剂量ET在没有导致肝细胞结构明显破坏之前就可以抑制肝细胞中OCT1 mRNA的转录;糖皮质激素不能使正常肝细胞OCT1 mRNA转录增加,但是可以减弱ET损伤后肝细胞OCT1 mRNA转录的抑制。     

西藏自治区国家突发急性传染病防控队装备的研制

目的：研制一套用于西藏特殊地域突发急性传染病防控的机动卫生装备。方法：整套系统采用车辆与帐篷的技术形式,综合集成疾病预防控制与功效保障技术。结果：构建了一套机动、快速、安全、高效的突发急性传染病防控平台。结论：该套装备整体设计合理,达到了设计技术指标的要求,有助于提升西藏自治区国家突发急性传染病防控保障能力．