Human interleukin 7 is a B cell growth factor for activated B cells

We investigated the capacity of human interleukin (IL) 7 to induce proliferation of B cells. Purified tonsillar B cells were cultured in the presence of IL7 with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) or anti-μ beads as co-mitogens. IL 7 supported a dose-dependent proliferation of anti-μ-activated B cells but did not significantly support proliferation of SAC-activated B cells. When B cells were separated on Percoll gradient into small (60%-80%) and large (50%–60%) B cells and then cultured with anti-μ beads, IL7 acted on both cell populations equally well. IL7 and BCGF (low molecular weight) were synergistic in their proliferative action on anti-μ-activated B cells in a 5-day culture. On the other hand, synergistic effect of IL 7 on activated B cells was not evident in the presence of any other factor recombinant [(r)IL 1β, rIL2, rIL3, rIL4, rIL5, rIL6, recombinant tumor necrosis factor-α, recombinant lymphotoxin, recombinant granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and recombinant interferon-γ] we tested. IL7 did not induce IgG secretion by activated B cells.     

Large deformation three-dimensional image registration in image-guided radiation therapy

In this paper, we present and validate a framework, based on deformable image registration, for automatic processing of serial three-dimensional CT images used in image-guided radiation therapy. A major assumption in deformable image registration has been that, if two images are being registered, every point of one image corresponds appropriately to some point in the other. For intra-treatment images of the prostate, however, this assumption is violated by the variable presence of bowel gas. The framework presented here explicitly extends previous deformable image registration algorithms to accommodate such regions in the image for which no correspondence exists. We show how to use our registration technique as a tool for organ segmentation, and present a statistical analysis of this segmentation method, validating it by comparison with multiple human raters. We also show how the deformable registration technique can be used to determine the dosimetric effect of a given plan in the presence of non-rigid tissue motion. In addition to dose accumulation, we describe a method for estimating the biological effects of tissue motion using a linear-quadratic model. This work is described in the context of a prostate treatment protocol, but it is of general applicability.     

Serum adenosine deaminase activity in bacillary or paucibacillary pulmonary tuberculosis.

Serum Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) enzyme levels were estimated in 61 patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and correlated with "Gold standards" such as smear positivity of sputum for Acid Fast bacilli, Tuberculin skin testing and Radiological evidence. The mean ADA levels in smear and Tuberculin negative patients was 13.13 +/- 5.97 u/L, while in those with smear and/or strongly positive Tuberculin reaction, the mean levels of ADA were 33.52 +/- 15.22 u/L. The mean serum ADA levels in 25 healthy voluntary donors with no evidence of active or old Tuberculous lesion, were found to be 16.5 +/- 3.18 u/L. The specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the test was found to be 87%, 71%, 90% and 66.5% respectively. The results conclude that the serum ADA value is sufficiently useful in identifying those patients in whom the diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis should be actively considered.     

Cervical squamous intra-epithelial changes and human papillomavirus infection in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Pune, India

In view of the dual burden of HIV infection and cervical cancers in India, this study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of Pap smear abnormalities and human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected women. Consecutive HIV-infected women attending voluntary counseling testing clinics were enrolled. Written informed consent, demographic information, Pap smears, cervical swabs for HPV typing and a blood sample for CD4+ cell count were collected. Treatment for opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections was provided. Women with Pap smear abnormality were referred for further intervention. Between January 2003 and May 2004, 287 HIV-infected women were enrolled. Pap smear abnormalities were seen in 6.3% women and were more common among women aged 30 and above (P=0.042) and those who had suffered from opportunistic infections (P=0.004). In multivariate analysis, Pap smear abnormalities were associated independently with opportunistic infections (P=0.02, AOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2--11.5). Of the 100 random cervical specimens screened for HPV 16 and 18 genotypes, 33% (95 CI 23.9--43.1) were positive for HPV 16/18. Of the 122 patients who returned for a follow-up visit, 5 patients (4.1%) who did not have Pap smear abnormality at baseline, had developed Pap smear abnormality. The incidence of Pap smear abnormalities was 5.5 per 100 person year of follow-up. In order to prevent thousands of deaths due to cervical cancer in India, there is a need for strengthening the Pap smear screening program and HPV vaccine development.     

Development and Measurement of the Treatment Perceptions Survey (TPS) for Clients with Substance Use Disorders

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research - Statistical reliability of the Treatment Perceptions Survey (TPS) questionnaire was examined using data from 19 California counties. The...     

Migraine-like headaches associated with nickel allergy requiring removal of atrial septal defect closure device

There is a deficit of literature regarding the association between nickel allergy–induced symptoms and implanted devices. This report describes a case of nickel allergy causing debilitating migraine-like symptoms, failing to resolve with medical therapy, requiring surgical removal of the device and repair of the defect.     

Metagenomics Combined with Stable Isotope Probe (SIP) for the Discovery of Novel Dehalogenases Producing Bacteria

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - Halogenated compounds are one of the largest groups of environmental-hazardous chemicals. The removal of the halogen atom from the substrate...