Variations of lymphocyte sub-populations in vulvar condylomata during therapy with beta-interferon.

Several experiences induced us to consider genital HPV infection as an expression of a local immunodeficiency. The aim of our study was to research the effect of immunotherapy on the lymphocyte subpopulations and Langerhans cells in vulvar condyloma. Twenty women with persistent vulvar condylomata, treated with 2,000,000 IU/die of beta-interferon for 15 days, were submitted to vulvar biopsy before and 2-5 months after medical treatment. The frozen sections obtained were assayed with the following monoclonal antibodies: OKT 4 (T helper lymphocytes), OKT 8 (T suppressor lymphocytes), OKB 7 (B lymphocytes) and S-100 protein (Langerhans cells). Using a morphometric evaluation, the average number of both intraepithelial and stromal lymphocyte subsets and of the intraepithelial Langerhans cells was assessed. In all the biopsies preceeding the medical treatment we found a low number of T helper lymphocytes both in the epithelium and stroma, with inversion of T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio and rare presence of Langerhans cells. In patients with a good therapeutic response (50-100% of condyloma reduction) we observed an increase in intraepithelial T4 lymphocytes and a decrease in both intraepithelial and stromal T8 lymphocytes. In cases with persistent disease after therapy, the histological pattern was similar to that observed in the first biopsy, with the exception of a significant increase in the average number of Langerhans cells. Our data correlate the clinical response to the immunotherapy with the histology of lymphocyte subsets in the vulvar condylomata. The increase in Langerhans cells observed in patients with negative response may be interpreted with a probable inability of these cells to promote the immune reaction.     

CD24 expression on human keratinocytes

Abstract: CD24 or Nectadrin is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed in pre-B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, neurons, muscle cells and carcinoma cells. Its function is not completely known, but it has been suggested that it is involved in cell adhesion and signalling. CD24 has recently been identified as the human molecule homologous to the murine heat-stable antigen (HSA). HSA is expressed by murine keratinocytes and delivers costimulatory signals in T-cell activation. Long-term cultures of normal human keratinocytes (HKC) were obtained from skin of human female breast sections and either left untreated or were treated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) at 10–100 ng/ml, calcium 0.5–2 mM or IFN-γ 100–1000 U/ml, for 24–48 h. Using RT-PCR and flow cytometry we showed that HKC express low levels of CD24 even under basal conditions, and the treatment with calcium, PMA or IFN-γ increased levels of CD24 mRNA and protein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to measure CD24 expression and production by cultured HKC in basal conditions and after stimulation. Further studies are needed to determine biological and therapeutical relevance of these findings.     

Design of a fast neutron coincidence counter

Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to simulate the response of a boron-loaded plastic scintillator array. These detectors offer potential advantages compared to moderated ³He systems because of their fast response and high efficiency. Tallies were made of neutron capture probability as a function of time and the results were coupled to assay variance estimates to evaluate detector performance. Orders-of-magnitude reductions in count time relative to a 50% efficient thermal counter are possible, in principle, for high (α,n) samples.     

Alcohol recidivism impairs long-term patient survival after orthotopic liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of alcohol recidivism after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and its influence on the allograft and patient survival, as well as the development of comorbidities and de novo cancers. The study was performed on 54 subjects previously analyzed and transplanted in our center for ALD, whose follow-up was prolonged to a mean of 99.2 (SD 31.7) months (range, 14-155). Medical records were reviewed, and data on alcohol consumption, therapeutic compliance, graft evolution, rejection, infections, comorbidities, rates of de novo malignancies and other clinical events, and survival were collected. Comparisons between groups were performed by the Fisher's exact test, and survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the Mantel-Cox statistic. The risk of death resulting from alcohol recidivism was analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards model. Fourteen patients who underwent transplantation for ALD (25.9%) returned to alcohol use between 5.0 and 86.9 months after OLT (median, 47.5). There was no significant association between the presence or absence of alcohol recidivism and the occurrence of graft rejection, infections, associated comorbidities after OLT, or compliance. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients with alcohol recidivism were 92.9% and 45.1%, respectively, compared with 92.4% and 85.5%, respectively, for patients without alcohol recidivism. These figures show significantly lower survival rates in recidivistic patients after 10 years (P < 0.01, Mantel-Cox). The fact that patients who resumed alcohol consumption have a worse 10-year survival rate might be attributed to a higher frequency of deaths, primarily from cancer and cardiovascular events.     

Randomised prospective study on renal effects of two different contrast media in humans: protective role of a calcium channel blocker

Contrast media affect renal hemodynamics. Hyperosmolality is regarded as the major factor responsible for renal hemodynamic changes. In this study, the role of osmolality was evaluated in 30 hospitalized patients without risk factors during intravenous pyelography. Contrast media with low and high osmolality were used. In addition, nifedipine was administered before infusion of high-osmolality contrast to evaluate the role of calcium ions in radiocontrast-induced changes of renal hemodynamics. Hyperosmolar contrast reduced renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. Calcium channel blocker prevented changes of renal hemodynamics. Hyperosmolality appears the most likely factor affecting renal hemodynamics during hyperosmolar radiocontrast infusion. Calcium channel blocker may prevent renal changes due to hyperosmolar medium.     

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: When and how to treat

Summary In the 4th International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL), staging and response criteria were proposed to help physicians make decisions on when and how to treat patients with CLL. The most important factor is prolonging survival. There are several promising new treatment approaches under investigation, and the criteria proposed should facilitate future therapy trials.Supported in part by grants 89-0353 (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social), PA 85-0234 and PB 86-0593 (Dirreción General de Investigación Científica y Técnica), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia