Clinical outcomes following DAA therapy in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis depend on disease severity

1. Download : Download high-res image (109KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

A human-human hybridoma antibody (TrB12) defining subgroups of HLA-DQw1 and -DQw3

We have constructed an IgG, kappa human--human hybridoma Ab(TrB12), which precipitates a molecule consisting of two polypeptides of about 33 and 27 kD in size. TrB12 reacted with; (1) 7 out of 10 DQw1-positive cell lines in IIF, and all 10 in a rosette-assay; (2) 5 out of 12 DQw3-positive cells, both in IIF and the rosette-assay; (3) none of 4 DQw2 homozygous cells. Detergent cell lysate of DQw1 homozygous cell lines contained antigens that cross-linked the mouse monoclonal antibody Genox 353 G2a-5 (anti-DQw1) and TrB12. TrB12 competed with the mouse DQw3-specific monoclonal antibody IVD-12 for binding to DQw3 homozygous cells. The data imply that the TrB12 epitope is associated with molecules that carry DQw1 and DQw3 serological specificities. By radioimmunoassay, TrB12 and the mouse monoclonal antibody IIB3 divided both DQw1- and DQw3- bearing cell lines into three phenotypic groups: (1) TrB12+IIB3hi, (2) TrB12-IIB3lo, and (3) TrB12-IIB3-. For DQw1 the results suggest that the first two groups represent structural variants but the third group may reflect low expression of DQw1. For DQw3 the evidence suggests that all three phenotypes represent structural variants. DQw3 has previously been divided into two serologically defined alleles, TA10+IIB3- and TA10-IIB3+. The TrB12+IIB3hi and TrB12-IIB3lo variants of DQw3 described in this study probably represent novel subgroups of the TA10-IIB3+ allele.     

An immunohistochemical quantification of fibrous astrocytes in the aging human cerebral cortex

In order to determine whether cortical fibrous astrocytes increase with age, we studied 25 patients ranging in age from 24 to 100 years with no clinical or pathological evidence of dementia or other cerebral disorder. Paraffin sections of mid-frontal cortex were obtained and stained with the avidin-biotin immunolabeling procedure for glial intermediate filament protein. The resulting immunolabeled fibrous astrocytes were then counted in the molecular and cellular (cortical laminae 2-6) layers. Populations of fibrous astrocytes in both layers varied widely among individuals, and in the molecular layer their numbers were not significantly correlated with advancing age. In the cellular layer, however, despite widely ranging cell counts among individuals within the same decades of life, there was a significant linear increase with age. Our data suggest that the increase occurs or accelerates significantly after age 70, but the case numbers preclude reaching such a conclusion with statistical confidence. However, when the patients are divided into those less than 70 and those older, fibrous astrocytes in the cellular layer are shown to be significantly increased in the latter group compared to the former.     

Development of ELISAs for the measurement of the dietary phytoestrogens daidzein and equol in human plasma

Microtitration plate ELISAs were developed for the isoflavone daidzein, a phytoestrogen found mainly in soya and the mammalian metabolite of daidzein, equol. The detection limits in assay buffer were 21 pg per well for daidzein and 70 pg per well for equol. The assays were both highly specific. Human plasma was extracted with an organic solvent and standard curves for daidzein and equol were obtained in the presence of the extract. Applications of the assays are discussed.     

ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC SUB-CLASSIFICATION OF SMALL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG

An electron microscopic study of 28 small cell carcinomas of the lung is presented. Cytoplasmic secretory granules, characteristic of endocrine cells of the human foetal lung were observed in a variable number of tumor cells. Two groups of tumors could be distinguished based on the morphology of the cytoplasmic secretory granules. Twenty-three tumors showed cells with granules resembling type 1 or P₁ cells of the human fetal lung, and 5 tumors with granules resembling type 3 cells of the human fetal lung. No relationship was found between the light microscopic WHO classification of small cell carcinoma of the lung and the results obtained by electron microscopy. Increased serum calcitonin as well as inappropriate ADH secretion may be correlated with one of the two types of small cell carcinoma, but further investigations are needed.     

Combined nevi of the oral mucosa

Pigmented nevi are uncommon oral lesions. We report the clinical and microscopic features of three cases of combined nevus, characterized by the association of an intramucosal nevus and a common blue nevus. Two cases were clinically suspected to be melanoma. The lesions were located on the maxillary gingiva, the mandibular gingiva, and the mucosa of the left posterior portion of the hard palate. Combined nevi of the skin vary considerably in histologic appearance. The microscopic findings demonstrated by oral combined nevi also appear to exhibit substantial histologic variation. The oral combined nevus should be differentiated from malignant melanoma by histopathologic means for, as in the skin, it appears to be clinically benign.     

The segmented framework removable partial denture

The segmented framework removable partial denture is made of two cast metal individual segments joined with a resin major connector. The small individual framework segments can be made to fit well and the design permits ready correction of the tissue surface of the major connector through relining or an altered cast procedure. The dentist is offered a valuable alternative treatment approach in selected patients.     

Workplace empowerment and magnet hospital characteristics: making the link

OBJECTIVE: To test a theoretical model linking nurses' perceptions of workplace empowerment, magnet hospital characteristics, and job satisfaction in 3 independent studies of nurses in different work settings. BACKGROUND: Strategies proposed in Kanter's structural empowerment theory have the potential to result in work environments that are described in terms of magnet hospital characteristics. Identifying factors that contribute to work conditions that attract and retain highly qualified committed nurses, such as those found in magnet hospitals, that can be put in place by nursing administrators is extremely important for work redesign to promote professional nursing practice. METHODS: Secondary analyses of data from 3 studies were conducted--2 of staff nurses and 1 with acute care nurse practitioners working in Ontario, Canada. The Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II, the NWI-R, and measures of job satisfaction were used to measure the major study variables.RESULTS The results of all 3 studies support the hypothesized relationships between structural empowerment and the magnet hospital characteristics of autonomy, control over practice environment, and positive nurse-physician relationships. The combination of access to empowering work conditions and magnet hospital characteristics was significantly predictive of nurses' satisfaction with their jobs. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that nursing leaders' efforts to create empowering work environments can influence nurses' ability to practice in a professional manner, ensuring excellent patient care quality and positive organizational outcomes.