Inhibition of interleukin-2 production by adherent cell factors from lepromatous leprosy patients.

Twenty-four hour supernatants (MoF) were obtained from monocyte rich 2 h adherent cells of 19 leprosy patients and four healthy contacts. MoF from borderline and lepromatous patients produced 52-61% inhibition of human interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by a PHA conditioned T cell line (Jurkat). Non-adherent cell supernatants and MoF from tuberculoid and healthy individuals had little effect on IL-2 production. The suppression effected by MoF was in the first 12 h of initiation of PHA stimulated Jurkat cell cultures. Suppressive MoF did not interfere with (1) IL-2 release, (2) IL-2 utilization by Con A-induced T cell blasts or (3) constitutive proliferation of Jurkat cells. Such MoF were released spontaneously from adherent cells of bacilliferous leprosy patients but required in vitro antigen triggering in long term treated lepromatous patients. It is possible that the unresponsiveness associated with lepromatous leprosy is related to the inhibition of IL-2 production by suppressive factors, thereby, preventing the further expansion of antigen reactive T cells.     

Effect of cetirizine on histamine- and leukotriene D4-induced bronchoconstriction in patients with atopic asthma.

Cetirizine, a derivative of hydroxyzine, is a new compound with potent antihistaminic property without antiserotonin and anticholinergic activities. The effect of both a single dose (15 mg) and 7 days of treatment (15 mg twice daily) with cetirizine, a potent H1 antagonist on bronchoconstriction induced by histamine and leukotriene D4 (LTD4) has been examined in 10 patients with mild atopic asthma in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Cetirizine, after a single dose and 7 days of treatment with placebo, the geometric mean values of the provocative concentration of histamine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (millimolars) were 1.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 3.11) and 1.67 (0.77 to 3.65), compared with 118.07 (77.22 to 180.54) (p less than 0.0001) and 53.16 (20.50 to 137.84) after cetirizine administration (p less than 0.0002). The mean inhibition after a single dose was twofold higher than after 1 week of treatment (p less than 0.05). After a single dose and 7 days of treatment with placebo, the geometric mean values of the provocative concentration of LTD4 causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (micromolars) were 2.26 (1.74 to 2.94) and 2.37 (1.77 to 3.17), compared with 3.90 (2.60 to 5.86) (p less than 0.05) and 3.21 (2.28 to 4.52) after cetirizine administration. This result suggests that cetirizine is a potent H1 antagonist in the human airways. Diminished activity after 1 week of treatment suggests subsensitivity of H1 receptors developing in human airways. The small protective effect after a single dose against LTD4-induced bronchoconstriction indicates a nonspecific rather than a specific receptor antagonism.     

Interaction of polystyryl radical with copper(II) complexes

The polymerization of styrene initiated by 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was studied in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at 60°C in the presence of tetrakis(N,N-dimethylformamide)copper(II) perchlorate, and also in the presence of its monoazido copper(II) complex [Cu(DMF)₃N₃]⁺. The monoazido complex in DMF was prepared in situ by mixing solid sodium azide with tetrakis(N,N-dimethylformamide)copper(II) perchlorate in a mole ratio of 1:1. The nature of the complex was established by Job's method. The equilibrium constant K for the reaction [Cu(DMF)₄]²⁺ + N ? [Cu(DMF)₃N₃]⁺ + DMF determined by the limiting logarithmic method was found to be 1,25 · 10⁴l · mol^?1. The presence of [Cu(DMF)₄]²⁺ ions in the polymerization systems caused retardation, but [Cu(DMF)₃N₃]⁺ ions produced well defined induction periods. The rate constants at 60°C for the interaction of polystyryl radical towards [Cu(DMF)₄]²⁺ and [Cu(DMF)₃N₃]⁺ ions were calculated to be 6,6 · 10² and 5,74 · 10⁴ l · mol^?1 · s^?1, respectively.     

A new small temperate DNA phage BcP15 isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia cepacia</Emphasis> DR11

Summary. A Burkholderia cepacia DR11 strain was isolated during the survey of microorganisms from coastal water of deltaic Sunderbans. This strain always released temperate phage BcP15 into culture supernatant. UV irradiation of the strain also induced phage induction. The phage titer was 2.3 × 10⁸. New temperate phage BcP15 has unusual structure. It has a hexagonal head, 65 nm in diameter and a tail 200 nm long, attached with single thick wavy tail fiber (424–705 nm). Phage DNA is double stranded 11.9 kb long. Southern hybridization result indicated that the phage DNA was in lysogenic state into the B. cepacia DR11 genome. SDS-PAGE of phage protein showed two major bands of molecular weight 20 kDa and 40 kDa.     

Inhibition of synovial fluid lysosomal glycosidases by anti-Arthritic gold preparations

The ability of currently available anti-arthritic gold preparations to inhibit lysosomal glycosidases from rheumatoid synovial fluid and normal human serum was studied in vitro.It was shown that these preparations differ markedly in their ability to inhibit the enzymes. Gold thioglucose (Solganal) did not inhibit -glucuronidase (-GLUC), -N-acetylglucosaminidase (-NAG) or hyaluronidase (HASE). Chloro(triethylphosphine)gold (SK&F 36914) was a potent inhibitor of -NAG only. Sodium aurothiomalate (Myochrysine and sodium 3-aurothio-2-propanol-1-sulphonate (Allyochrisine) were inhibitors of all three enzymes, notably -GLUC.Kinetic analysis of inhibition by aurothiomalate demonstrated apparent competitive inhibition with -GLUC, but non-competitive inhibition with HASE and -NAG -GLUC was also strongly inhibited by silver and copper thiomalates.The concentrations of these drugs required for effective inhibition of lysosomal glycosidases probably exceed those attained in serum and therefore preclude this action extracellularly. It is suggested that durg sequestration and retention within phagocytic cells facilitates inhibition of glycosaminoglycan catabolism that mediates cleavage of glucuronidic linkages of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphates.The hypothesis that gold dompounds act in vivo by attenuating the activity of lysosomal enzymes is discussed in relation to these and previous findings.     

Effect of lymphocyte mediators on macrophages in vitro. A correlation of morphological and cytochemical changes

Sephadex purified PPD and Con A induced mediator rich fractions (MRF) were applied to guinea-pig macrophages cultured in vitro. At varying times after the addition of the MRF, cells were removed from culture for morphological study and for cytochemical tests. Respiratory enzyme activity and lysosomal acid phos-phatase activity were estimated and the former was quantitated using an integrating microdensitometer. Early changes, 1 hr after MRF contact, were observed and subsequent alterations in activity up to 48 hr after the addition of MRF were also seen. These changes have been related to the inhibition of migration and subsequent `activation' of the macrophages which has been observed morphologically at times up to 3 weeks after MRF addition.

It is suggested that alterations in the cytochemistry of the macrophages after MRF contact could help explain changes in the behaviour of the cells under these experimental conditions.

     

The newer unconventional indications of permanent pacemakers

In recent years, the indications for permanent pacemakers have expanded. The interest has focussed on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy and a new entity called hypertensive hypertrophy with cavity obliteration (HHCO). Pacemaker therapy is establishing itself for the prevention of atrial fibrillation. Pacing for neurocardiogenic syncope with newer pacing mode has encouraging datas. Pacemaker for long QT syndrome, after cardiac transplant and for haemodynamic improvement in occasional cases of first degree atrio-ventricular block is getting attention. The AHA and ACC guidelines updated in 1998 for implantation of cardiac pacemakers, now include several of these newer indications.     

Water-clear cell adenoma of the parathyroid gland: a rare entity

Water-clear cell hyperplasia is a rare but well-documented cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid adenomas of water-clear cell type are exceptionally rare, and only five case reports are available at present in the medical literature. We report an additional case of water-clear cell adenoma of the parathyroid gland, and the differential diagnoses are discussed.