A new virtual reality approach for planning of cardiac interventions

A novel approach to three-dimensional (3D) visualization of high quality, respiratory compensated cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) data is presented with the purpose of assisting the cardiovascular surgeon and the invasive cardiologist in the pre-operative planning. Developments included: (1) optimization of 3D, MR scan protocols; (2) dedicated segmentation software; (3) optimization of model generation algorithms; (4) interactive, virtual reality visualization.The approach is based on a tool for interactive, real-time visualization of 3D cardiac MR datasets in the form of 3D heart models displayed on virtual reality equipment. This allows the cardiac surgeon and the cardiologist to examine the model as if they were actually holding it in their hands. To secure relevant examination of all details related to cardiac morphology, the model can be re-scaled and the viewpoint can be set to any point inside the heart. Finally, the original, raw MR images can be examined on line as textures in cut-planes through the heart models.     

Lipopolysaccharide contamination of beta-lactoglobulin affects the immune response against intraperitoneally and orally administered antigen

BACKGROUND: Microbial components in the environment are potent activators of the immune system with capacity to shift the active immune response towards priming of Th1 and/or Th2 cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell-wall component of Gram-negative bacteria, is extensively present in food products like cow's milk. It is not well established, however, how this presence of LPS affects oral tolerance induction. METHODS: We studied the effect of LPS contamination in a commercial preparation of the cow milk protein beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) on antigen-specific immune responses. IgG1/IgG2a production upon intraperitoneal immunization without adjuvant was measured, and oral tolerance induction against beta-LG after administration of either an aqueous solution or water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion of beta-LG was evaluated. RESULTS: LPS contamination of beta-LG provoked a beta-LG-specific IgG2a response, as well as an enhanced beta-LG-specific IgG1 response upon intraperitoneal immunization. Oral tolerance induction to beta-LG was induced by aqueous solutions of beta-LG with and without LPS administration. Conversely, oral administration of w/o-emulsified beta-LG prevented oral tolerance to beta-LG only when the beta-LG was contaminated with LPS. CONCLUSIONS: LPS contamination of an aqueous protein solution does not affect oral tolerance induction, whereas LPS present in emulsion prevents oral tolerance induction towards the food protein.     

Genome profiles of bilateral dysgerminomas, a unilateral gonadoblastoma, and a metastasis from a 46, XY phenotypic female

We present a case report of a 16-year-old, phenotypic female with bilateral dysgerminomas, a unilateral gonadoblastoma, and a peritoneal metastasis. The patient's constitutional karyotype was 46,XY. The chromosomal copy number, examined by the comparative genomic hybridization technique, showed 3 gains in the dysgerminoma of the right ovary, 6 gains in the dysgerminoma of the left ovary, and 2 gains and 1 loss in the gonadoblastoma of the left ovary. The metastasis showed 5 gains of which 4 were also observed in the dysgerminoma of the left ovary. The DNA ploidy classifications of the gonadoblastoma and the dysgerminoma in the right ovary were tetraploid, whereas the dysgerminoma in the left ovary and the metastasis were aneuploid. We therefore propose that the metastasis most probably developed from the dysgerminoma of the left ovary.     

Assay for the specificity of monoclonal antibodies in crossed immunoelectrophoresis

A method is described based on crossed immunoelectrophoresis of a complex antigen mixture in agarose gel followed by incubation of the gel with the monoclonal antibody. The bound monoclonal antibody is detected by the use of a secondary enzyme-labelled antibody.Using this technique we have been able to identify the precipitate arc in crossed immunoelectrophoresis of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules in a mixture of all detergent solubilized cell membrane molecules by means of a monoclonal antibody, the specificity of which was known independently to be against MHC class I molecules. In other experiments using the same technique we demonstrated the reaction of a monoclonal antibody specific for chicken Ig light chains.     

Geographical and temporal conservation of antibody recognition of Plasmodium falciparum variant surface antigens

The slow acquisition of protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria probably reflects the extensive diversity of important antigens. The variant surface antigens (VSA) that mediate parasite adhesion to a range of host molecules are regarded as important targets of acquired protective immunity, but their diversity makes them questionable vaccine candidates. We determined levels of VSA-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in human plasma collected at four geographically distant and epidemiologically distinct localities with specificity for VSA expressed by P. falciparum isolates from three African countries. Plasma levels of VSA-specific IgG recognizing individual parasite isolates depended on the transmission intensity at the site of plasma collection but were largely independent of the geographical origin of the parasites. The total repertoire of immunologically distinct VSA thus appears to be finite and geographically conserved, most likely due to functional constraints. Furthermore, plasma samples frequently had high IgG reactivity to VSA expressed by parasites isolated more than 10 years later, showing that the repertoire is also temporally stable. Parasites from patients with severe malaria expressed VSA (VSASM) that were better recognized by plasma IgG than VSA expressed by other parasites, but importantly, VSASM-type antigens also appeared to show substantial antigenic homogeneity. Our finding that the repertoire of immunologically distinct VSA in general, and in particular that of VSASM, is geographically and temporally conserved raises hopes for the feasibility of developing VSA-based vaccines specifically designed to accelerate naturally acquired immunity, thereby enhancing protection against severe and life-threatening P. falciparum malaria.     

Expression of CD44 in effusions of patients diagnosed with serous ovarian carcinoma – diagnostic and prognostic implications

CD44 is a family of cell adhesion molecules involved in a variety of cellular functions. The present study analysed the expression of two CD44 isoforms in serous effusions of patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma and corresponding primary and metastatic lesions. Fifty-eight effusions, 23 primary ovarian tumours, and 44 metastatic lesions were studied for protein expression of CD44s and v3-10 using immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with clinical parameters. CD44v3-10 was seen in carcinoma cells in the majority of cases at all sites. Malignant effusions showed an up-regulation of CD44s compared to both primary tumours and metastatic solid lesions. Mesothelial cells frequently expressed CD44s, but were rarely immunoreactive for v3-10. CD44s immunoreactivity in cancer cells in effusions was significantly more often observed in patients with FIGO stage 3 than in stage 4 patients (P = 0.045). Staining results did not correlate with age, effusion site, metastatic site, tumour grade or residual tumour mass after initial surgery. Likewise, comparison of overall and disease-free survival with expression of the CD44 isoforms studied did not reveal any statistically significant associations. The up-regulation in CD44 levels in effusions, primarily in stage 3 disease, suggests that adhesion of ovarian carcinoma cells to mesothelium may be regulated at the level of CD44s expression, and provides further evidence of phenotypic alteration in the transition from primary tumour cell clones to effusions. The similar expression profile of CD44 in carcinoma cells in peritoneal and pleural effusions supports our previous observations and the hypothesis that carcinoma cells in peritoneal effusions are truly metastatic. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of IgG subclass antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane proteins in cystic fibrosis lung infection using immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

IgG subclass antibodies to Pseudomonas aemginosa outer membrane proteins (OMP) were investigated in serum from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fifteen patients (eight in good and seven in poor clinical condition) have been followed for an average of 13 years with multiple serum samples covering the preinfection, and early and late stages of chronic infection. Laser-scanning densitometry of photographs taken from immunoblots was used to quantify antibody level and compare with ELISA titres. The earliest anti-OMP antibodies to appear were of the IgG1 subclass. There was no significant difference in IgG subclass antibody levels to OMPs between patients in relatively good and poor clinical condition. Data presented indicate a high positive correlation among measurements of IgG subclass antibodies to P. aeruginosa OMPs using ELISA and immunoblotting.