Induction of macrophage tumoricidal activity, major histocompatibility complex class II antigen (Iak) expression, and interleukin-1 production by swainsonine

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that the reported antitumor activity of systemically administered swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid, is due at least in part to immune modulation involving effector cells (Humphries, M.J.; Matsumoto, K; White, S.L.; Olden, K. Cancer Res. 48:1410-1415; 1988 and White, S. L.; Schweitzer, K.; Humphries, M.J.; Olden, K. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 150:615-625; 1988). In this report, studies are presented to show that swainsonine was effective in activating peritoneal macrophages to cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Stimulation of tumoricidal activity of macrophages was associated with increased secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and expression of the Iak major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen on the cell surface. The 3-fold stimulation of cytotoxicity observed in these in vivo studies was comparable to that obtained with Corynebacterium parvum, a commonly used in vivo activating agent. The in vitro incubation of thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages with swainsonine consistently resulted in levels of activation (6- to 8-fold) comparable to that obtained by treatment with known in vitro macrophage activating agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or recombinant gamma-interferon (rIFN-gamma). The stimulation observed by using swainsonine in combination with LPS was additive, suggesting different mechanisms of action. These studies have important implications not only for treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and immune suppressive disorders, but also for elucidation of the mechanism of macrophage activation.     

Multivariate discriminate analysis of the relationship between the hypo-osmotic swelling test and the in-vitro fertilizing capacity of human sperm

Multivariate discriminant analysis was used to evaluate the usefulness of routine semen parameters and the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) as predictors of the in-vitro fertilizing capacity of human sperm as assessed by the zona-free hamster egg penetration assay (HEPA). Eighty-eight semen samples from untreated patients attending an infertility clinic were analysed. Semen samples were classified into the following three groups before statistical analysis: group 1--positive sperm penetration (greater than or equal to 10%, n = 39); group 2--borderline penetration rates for HEPA (greater than 0% but less than 10%, n = 39) and group 3--negative sperm penetration (0%, n = 10). The percentage of sperm with normal morphology and sperm count were found to be significant in discriminating between semen samples exhibiting different in-vitro fertilizing capacity. These two discriminating variables in combination gave an overall correct classification rate of 45.5%. The multivariate discriminant analysis was also performed after excluding the data of group 2 semen samples (n = 39), which exhibited borderline sperm penetration rates. As a result, three discriminating variables including semen volume, sperm count and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology were selected. These three variables in combination could accurately predict whether a semen sample would exhibit positive sperm penetration (group 1) or negative sperm penetration (group 3) with an overall accuracy of 75.5%. The percentage of swollen sperm after hypo-osmotic treatment was not related to the HEPA result, as determined by linear correlation and multiple regression analyses, and did not give additional information about the in-vitro fertilizing capacity of sperm as evaluated by multivariate discriminant analysis.     

The presence of a common idiotype in anti-H-2 immune sera as detected by anti-idiotype to a monoclonal anti-H-2 antibody

To study the idiotypes (Id) of the humoral response to H-2L^d antigens, xenogeneic antisera were produced to three independent monoclonal antibodies, recognizing L^d determinants H-2.64 or 65. The reactivity of each of these anti-Id was specific for the immunizing antibody, no cross-reactions among the three anti-L hybridomas being detectable. Antisera produced in BALB/c H-2^dm2 mice hyperimmunized with BALB/c tissue were examined for the presence of cross-reactive Id (Id^CR). When the ability of these anti-Id to inhibit the binding of alloantibodies to L^d splenic antigens was tested, a broadly shared Id was detected by one anti-Id (anti-23-10-1S). The shared Id represented between one-fourth and one-half of the total anti-L^d humoral response and was found in every BALB/c H-2^dm2 anti-BALB/c serum tested. The Id^CR was limited to those alloantibodies reacting with the determinant H-2.65 which corresponds with the serologic reactivity of monoclonal antibody 23-10-1S. The other two anti-Id did not detect components of the anti-L^d humoral response, even though one of these was made against monoclonal antibody 30-5-7S which also detects serologic specificity H-2.65. The detection of a Id^CR in anti-L^d responses stands in contrast to our previous failure to detect Id^CR in anti-H-2K^k responses. Among the possible reasons for this contrast are (a) the fact that 23-10-1S is an IgM antibody, whereas the anti-H-2K^k antibodies studies were IgG; (b) the chance occurrence of anti-H-2 hybridomas with dominant Id and (c) the possibility that the anti-L^d antibody repertoire may be less heterogeneous than that directed to K^k antigens.     

Sodium cromoglycate delivered by pressurized aerosol in the treatment of asthma

Sodium cromoglycate (SCG) powder often clumps in the presence of high humidity, making inhalation ineffective. A pressurized aerosol containing 1 mg SCG per actuation was made; and a double-blind cross-over trial in twenty-four young patients with perennial extrinsic asthma over 8 weeks showed that 2 mg of SCG aerosol was as effective as 20 mg of the powder, and almost all patients preferred using the aerosol.     

山南市乃东区居民结核病核心知识知晓率调查

目的了解山南市乃东区居民结核病核心知识的知晓率情况,为后续开展结核病宣传促进工作提供依据。方法通过整群随机抽样方法,对600名16岁以上的居民进行问卷调查,对调查对象的基本情况、知晓率等进行统计分析。结果山南市乃东区居民结核病防治的核心知识总知晓率为82.91%(3327/4013),不同性别间总知晓率差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=0.759,P=0.384);不同户籍居民知晓率间差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=12.887,P=0.002);不同年龄组之间知晓率差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=186.177,P<0.001);不同民族间知晓率差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=16.673,P<0.001);文化程度越高,知晓率越高,不同文化程度之间知晓率差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=23.957,P<0.001);不同职业分布人群的知晓率之间差异有统计学意(χ^(2)=27.047,P<0.001);接受过宣传教育的知晓率比未接受过的高,两者间差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=6.102,P=0.014)。7条核心知识中,调查对象对结核病的传播途径及临床症状知晓率较低,分别为64.83%、59.33%。结论山南市乃东区居民结核病知识知晓率较内地许多城市高,但仍未达到国家要求,需要对重点人群及重要知识点进行精准宣传教育。