The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application in transfusion medicine and hematology]

The new technique, polymerase chain reaction, used for in vitro DNA fragments amplification is described. The conditions of the reaction and methods of data analysis are discussed as well as the usefulness of this technique in research and medical practice.     

Immunologic phenotype of lymphocytes in chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia. I. B- and T-lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

This article contains the review and the critical discussion of studies of T and B lymphocytes in chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia. It is not explicitly known now, which stage of differentiation of lympho-haemopoietic cells undergoes malignant transformation in CLL-B. Basing on VDJ recombination activity it is supposed that some cases derive from the stem cell, others--from B lineage cells.     

Subtypes of the Gc gene (vitamin D binding protein) in the Polish population

Gc subtypes were analyzed by isoelectric focusing on thin-layer polyacrylamide gel. In the sample of the Polish population including 278 persons, six Gc phenotypes were encountered: 1S, 1F-1S, 1F, 2-1S, 2-1F, 2 with the following frequencies: 0.342, 0.151, 0.014, 0.360, 0.072 and 0.061. Frequency of Gc1S was 0.597, Gc1F - 0.126 and Gc2 - 0.277. It was shown that a group system of the Gc protein in the Polish population was in good agreement with Hardy Weinberg equilibrium.     

Sensitivity of human pulmonary mast cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage to immunological and nonimmunological histamine releasers

We have studied the sensitivity of human pulmonary mast cells to some immunological and nonimmunological histamine releasers. The pulmonary mast cells were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of nonasthmatic patients. Mast cells constituted about 1% of total cell population and were morphologically intact. These cells were highly sensitive to the challenge with anti-human IgE. They responded to calcium ionophore A23187, polymyxin B and concanavalin A, however the magnitude of histamine release was low. BAL mast cells were unresponsive to the compound 48/80.     

Studies on the mechanism of the toxic action of sodium nitrite on intestinal absorption in rats

The biochemical parameters Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, oxygen consumption, and lactic acid level were evaluated in the small intestine mucosa of male Wistar rats duringin situ perfusion of the rat with sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite was poorly absorbed (10% of the administered dose), but it inhibited the activity of Na⁺/ K⁺-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase. It had no effect on the lactic acid level, pointing to normal oxygen in the intestine, evidently reducing the utilization of oxygen by this tissue. Using metabolism inhibitors added to the perfusion fluid in the concentrations: ouabaine 0.1 mM, NaN₃ (sodium azide) 1 mM, L-phenylalanine 50 mM and during functional ischaemia of the intestine produced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for the time of the perfusion, it was possible to find the site of action and the direction of the toxic influence of sodium nitrite.     

ACTH in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis

In 1984 and at the beginning of 1985 the authors carried out radioimmunoassays (SORIN-CIS kit) the plasma levels of ACTH in 116 multiple sclerosis patients (m-52, f-64) and in 10 cases this radioimmunoassay was done in the cerebrospinal fluid (m-5, f-5). The control group comprised 90 patients with ischialgia and neuroses. The normal value in the plasma was from 0 to 80.86 pg/ml, and in the fluid it was from 0 to 77.08 pg/ml. In multiple sclerosis patients the plasma ACTH level was from 0 to 286.9 pg/ml, in the cerebrospinal fluid from 0 to 89 pg/ml. The values of ACTH were significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients, mainly in males. In the fluid the level of ACTH was significantly higher in the studied patients. No significant differences in ACTH levels were found between males and females with multiple sclerosis, and in the control group this level was higher in females. Raised ACTH level was found mainly in multiple sclerosis with lung duration of the disease (10 years) at the time of exacerbations. The authors continue studies on the axis hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenals, on various hormones, prostaglandins, beta-endorphin, biochemical markers, cAMP, cCMP, arylosulphatase A and B MBC etc.     

Synergistic effect of organic solvents and tobacco smoke on the indicators of humoral immunity in humans

Medical examinations were performed among 49 non-smokers, 47 workers who had been smoking for more than 10 years, 19 non-smokers exposed to organic solvents and 41 smoking persons occupationally exposed to organic solvents. Both cigarette smoking and the action of organic solvents. decreased the levels of IgA, AgG, IgM and that of lysozyme. In persons exposed to the actions of both cigarette smoking and benzol and its homologues, more significant decreases of IgA, AgG, IgM and lysozyme concentrations were revealed as compared to those affected by one of the factors. The same concerned the IgD level. The contributors proposed that cigarette smoking should be taken into account when evaluating the immunotoxic properties of industrial factors.