Inhibition of interleukin-17 prevents the development of arthritis in vaccinated mice challenged with Borrelia burgdorferi

We showed that Borrelia burgdorferi-vaccinated interferon gamma-deficient (IFN-gamma(0)) mice challenged with the Lyme spirochete developed a prominent chronic severe destructive osteoarthropathy. The immune response underlying the development of the severe destructive arthritis involves interleukin-17 (IL-17). Treatment of vaccinated IFN-gamma(0) mice challenged with B. burgdorferi with anti-IL-17 antibody delayed the onset of swelling of the hind paws but, more importantly, inhibited the development of arthritis. Histopathologic examination confirmed that treatment with anti-IL-17 antibody prevented the destructive arthropathy seen in vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice. Similar preventive results were obtained when vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice were treated with anti-IL-17 receptor antibody or sequentially with anti-IL-17 antibody followed by anti-IL-17 receptor antibody. By contrast, treatment of vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice with recombinant IL-17 (rIL-17) did not alter the development and progression of arthritis found in vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice without treatment with rIL-17. Therapeutic intervention may be a realistic approach to prevent arthritis, especially if IL-17 is involved in the perpetuation of chronic or intermittent arthritis.     

Two-dimensional dose distribution of 125I seeds

Two-dimensional dose distribution has been measured for the new (model 6711) 125I seeds used in interstitial implants. Two independent methods, using a silicon diode or thermoluminescent dosimeters, yielded identical results. At any given distance r from the seed center, the dose varies with theta, the angle relative to the seed's axis. Similarly, the r dependence of the dose distribution is different at various theta values. These observations can be qualitatively understood in terms of several factors, namely, source encapsulation, geometrical relationship, and attenuation and scatter. Empirical expressions which approximate the measured results have been developed to facilitate clinical dose distribution calculations.     

Neonatal size of low socio-economic status Black and White term births in Albany County, NYS

Birth weight has long been a focus of study by epidemiologists and human biologists, because it reflects the quality of the intrauterine environment and may be used as a predictor of future growth and development. Comparisons of Black and White neonates in the USA have consistently shown differences in birth weight. Confounding variables are a major problem in any such investigation, especially socio-economic status which is highly correlated with race in the USA. This study was distinctive in the sampling of one socio-economic stratum (low income), and the use of five anthropometric measures in addition to birth weight. The goals of this study were as follows: to determine if there were differences in body size and body composition at birth in Black and White neonates of low socio-economic status (SES), and to investigate what variables might account for any observed variability. The sample consisted of full term Black and White neonates of low SES (n = 323) born in Albany, NY (1986-1997). Birth weight, length, head and arm circumference, and subscapular and triceps skinfolds were compared. Race was determined through maternal self-identification. White neonates were significantly larger than Black neonates in birth weight, length and head circumference. Among female neonates none of the anthropometric dimensions differed between Blacks and Whites. Among male neonates, Whites were significantly larger than Blacks in birth weight, length, head and arm circumferences. Principal components analysis reduced the six anthropometric dimensions to two summary measures: body size and composition. When controlling for social and biological variables, race and sex were significant predictors of body composition, but not body size. Interpretation of results and possible causal relationships are discussed.     

A nucleotide insertion in exon 4 is responsible for the absence of expression of an HLA-A*01 allele

HLA class I typing performed in parallel by molecular biology and serology has revealed cases where an HLA class I allele was identified whereas the corresponding antigen was not detected on the cell surface. In the present report, we describe four members of a family in whom an HLA-A 1 allele identified at the molecular level was typed as A "blank" by lymphocytotoxicity. This serologically blank antigen was undetectable by isoelectric focusing (IEF). Sequencing of the HLA-A*01 allele from the promoter region to the eighth exonic region revealed insertion of a "C" nucleotide at the beginning of the fourth exon as compared to the common HLA-A*0101 allele. This mutation causes a frame shift, giving rise to an early stop codon in the fourth exon.     

Psychophysiological Correlates of Electrodermal Lability

This study of 75 college student subjects investigated the psychophysiological correlates of electrodermal lability. Resting-stabile and resting-labile subjects were defined as those who were respectively below and above the median of all same-sex subjects in frequency of nonspecific skin conductance responses during rest, whereas stimulus-stabile and stimulus-labile subjects were those respectively below and above the median in trials to habituation of the skin conductance orienting response. These two classification systems were found to be highly correlated with one another, but not entirely equivalent. With both lability measures, labiles had higher resting skin conductance levels than stabiles and also exhibited larger skin conductance orienting responses to both signal and nonsignal tones. Labiles produced orienting responses with shorter latencies, rise times, and half recovery-times. Resting-labiles also differed from resting-stabiles in the components of the triphasic heart rate response to the tones, having larger decelerative responses. The data are consistent with the view that labiles are better able than stabiles to allocate attentional capacity to environmental events and to respond to changing demands in an attentional situation.     

The Relationship Between Cardiac Activity and Sensory Acuity

The relationship between cardiac activity and sensory acuity suggested by Lacey and Lacey was tested by recording heart rates of Ss attempting to detect a threshold-level visual stimulus. Heart rate decelerations during a warning tone preceding the threshold stimulus were found in be greater on hit trials than on miss trials, supporting the suggested relationship.     

Autonomic Correlates of Depression and Clinical Improvement Following Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy

Electrodermal responses (EDRs) and heart rate (HR) were recorded during a variety of tasks from 20 hospitalized depressed patients before and after a series of electroconvulsive shock treatments (ECTs). The depressed patients, compared to nondepressed controls during the pre-ECT test, exhibited lower skin conductance levels, smaller phasic skin conductance responses with longer latencies, higher tonic HR, and smaller HR changes to stimuli. This response pattern suggests a complex state of “environmental rejection” coupled with “low arousal” in the depressed patients. Certain EDR measures were related to the severity of depressive symptomatology while tonic HR was related to the agitation/retardation symptoms. Patients who subsequently responded well following ECT were more like the controls on certain pre-treatment measures than those who failed to respond favorably. There were little EDR or HR changes following ECT and what changes did occur were unrelated to differences in clinical improvement. It was suggested that, despite temporary clinical improvement following ECT, depressed patients have a chronic affective disorder which is reflected in the EDR and HR measures.     

Changes in population density and distribution of Ixodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae) in Wisconsin during the 1980s.

Changes in the density and distribution of Ixodes dammini, Spielman Clifford, Piesman & Corwin were assessed in Wisconsin by examining hunter-killed deer for ticks in 1981 and 1989. Deer examination sites were distributed widely across the state and included 23 sites in 1981 and 15 sites in 1989; 10 sites were visited both years. Between 1981 and 1989, I. dammini became more abundant throughout its range, and I. dammini range expanded into the southwestern portion of Wisconsin. I. dammini was not found in the eastern one-third of the state. When compared with 1981, the 1989 survey revealed significant increases in the proportion of infested deer in the southwest (Arena), higher levels of infestation of individual deer (number of ticks per individual deer) in the central west (Bangor-W. Salem), and significantly less disparity between the proportions of infested male deer and infested female deer in the north (Spooner) compared with sites farther south. These results are consistent with a pattern of I. dammini range expansion from north to south, followed by an increase in population density in the colonized areas. Dermacentor albipictus Packard was present throughout the range of I. dammini and at sites in the northeastern quadrant of Wisconsin where I. dammini was not found. The range of D. albipictus did not change between the survey years, but its population density increased significantly at sites in the north. There is no evidence for interaction between the two tick species that might affect tick distribution or population density, nor can the greater number of I. dammini found in 1989 be attributed to increased tick activity because of warmer weather; temperatures were cooler in 1989 than 1981.     

Evaluation of two commercial procedures for rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae using a reference panel of antigenically diverse gonococci.

Two commercial tests for the rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were evaluated. Two hundred seventy-nine organisms were tested, including 202 strains of N. gonorrhoeae. The Syva MicroTrak test results were less subjective but required a fluorescence microscope. The Phadebact Monoclonal GC OMNI Test required modification of the manufacturer's interpretive instructions in order to avoid cross-reactions, but it was a practical test. Specificities of both tests were 100%. Sensitivities of the Phadebact Monoclonal GC OMNI and Syva MicroTrak tests were 100% and approximately 100%, respectively.