Eosinophil autofluorescence and its use in isolation and analysis of human eosinophils using flow microfluorometry

Unstained human eosinophils exhibit unusually bright autofluorescence, which allows them to be distinguished from other leukocytes using fluorescence microscopy. Eosinophil fluorescence is associated with the cytoplasmic granules of the cells. Eosinophil granule extracts, containing an as-yet-undefined eosinophil fluorescence factor, exhibited excitation maxima at 370 nm and 450 nm, with maximum emission at 520 nm. Eosinophils adhering to opsonized parasites in vitro deposit fluorescent material onto the parasite surface. Eosinophil fluorescence was of sufficient intensity to allow the preparation of viable, highly enriched (greater than or equal to 98%), eosinophil suspensions from peripheral blood of normal and eosinophilic donors using a fluorescence- activated cell sorter. Quantitative studies of eosinophil autofluorescence were performed using flow microfluorometry. Fluorescence intensity of blood eosinophils from normal volunteers and eosinophilic patients varied inversely with the log of the donor's absolute eosinophil count regardless of clinical diagnosis.     

Clinical Validation of Canadian WAIS-III Index Short Forms in Inpatient Neuropsychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry

Recent research has provided some support for the concurrent validity of two-subtest short forms for estimating Canadian WAIS-III Index scores in the standardization sample (Lange & Iverson, in press). The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of using various two-subtest short forms to estimate Canadian WAIS-III Index scores in a clinical population. Participants were 100 inpatients from two large psychiatric hospitals in British Columbia, Canada. Using all possible two-subtest combinations, estimated VCI, POI, and WMI scores were generated by prorating subtest scaled scores and using the Canadian normative data (Wechsler, 2001 Wechsler , D. ( 2001 ). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition: Canadian technical manual . Toronto , ON : Harcourt Canada . [Google Scholar]). The agreement rate between full form and short form index scores was very high for all subtest combinations (range = 90–98%). Two-subtest short forms were useful for estimating VCI, POI, and WMI scores in this population.     

Renal cell carcinoma metastases to gallbladder

A 74-year old man underwent a radical cholecystectomy for presumed gallbladder cancer. The histology of the resected specimen in fact revealed the lesion to be metastatic renal cell carcinoma from his resected right nephrectomy performed 14 years previously.     

Alternative grafts in anterior cervical fusion

Objective

The present retrospective study was conducted to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) cages, or allograft.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed cases of ACDF using allograft in 20 patients, and CFRP in 19 who had sequential radiographs before and after surgery, and at 1 year.

Results

There were no apparent significant differences between the 2 groups in age (p = 0.057), gender (p = 0.635), or complications (p = 0.648). At 12 months, there were no cases of construct failure, and fusion appeared to have been achieved in patients of both groups. Lordosis was increased significantly in both groups after surgery (p < 0.001 in allograft and p = 0.025 in CFRP), and was maintained up until 1 year (p < 0.018 in allograft and p = 0.05 in CFRP) without a difference between groups (p = 0.721). Anterior interbody height was significantly increased (p < 0.001 in both groups at each time points) after surgery, without a significant difference between groups (p > 0.21). This increase in height was greatest in magnitude immediately after surgery, and declined with the passage of time. There was no detectable health-related quality of life difference between allograft and CFRP group after surgery (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that CFRP cages appear to have comparable fusion rates, restoration of lordosis and disc space height, and complication rates to patients who undergo ACDF with allograft.     

Improved method for the generation and selection of homogeneous lumpy skin disease virus (SA-Neethling) recombinants

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is being developed as a vector for recombinant vaccines against diseases of veterinary importance. A strategy for generating viral thymidine kinase (TK) gene-disrupted recombinants which are stable and homogeneous using the South African Neethling vaccine strain of LSDV as vector has been developed. To assist with the selection process, the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) visual marker gene was incorporated into the constructs. However, the use of lacZ has certain limitations. An improved strategy was then devised substituting lacZ with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under control of the vaccinia virus (VV) P11K late promoter. The EGFP marker was found to enhance the selection process, and with the inclusion of additional sonication and filtration steps the number of passages required to select recombinants to homogeneity has been reduced. In support of the improved method for generation and selection of recombinants described, three different LSDV recombinants expressing the glycoprotein genes of bovine ephemeral fever virus, Rift Valley fever virus and rabies virus were prepared and characterised.     

Pharmacological treatment options for severe hypertriglyceridemia and familial chylomicronemia syndrome

Introduction: A spectrum of disorders, ranging from rare severe cases of homozygous null lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD)–familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) to heterozygous missense LPLD or polygenic causes, result in hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis. The effects of mutations are exacerbated by environmental factors such as diet, pregnancy, and insulin resistance.

Areas covered: In this review, authors discuss chronic treatment of FCS by ultra-low fat diets allied with the use of fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, statins, and insulin-sensitizing therapies depending on the extent of residual lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity; novel therapies in development target triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein particle clearance. Previously, a gene therapy approach to LPL-alipogene tiparvovec showed that direct targeting of LPL function reduced pancreatitis events. An antisense oligonucleotide to apolipoprotein-C3, volanesorsen has been shown to decrease TGs by 70–80% and possibly to reduce rates of pancreatitis admissions. Studies are underway to validate its long-term efficacy and safety. Other approaches investigating the role of LPL modulating proteins such as angiopoietin-like petide-3 (ANGPTL3) are under consideration.

Expert opinion: Current therapeutic options are not sufficient for management of many cases of FCS. The availability of antisense anti-apoC3 therapies and, in the future, ANGPTL3 therapies may remedy this.