A comparison of the humoral and cellular immune responses at different immunological sites after split influenza virus vaccination of mice

The spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes are all known to be important organs for the initiation and maintenance of an immune response after vaccination. To investigate the differences and similarities in the humoral and cellular immune responses between these tissues, we vaccinated mice once or twice with the conventional human dose (15 microg HA) of influenza A (H3N2) split virus vaccine and analysed the sera and lymphocytes collected from the different sites. We found that the response of antibody secreting cells (ASC) in the lymph nodes appeared to be more transient than in the spleen, possibly because the influenza-specific IgM ASC in particular might have migrated from the lymph nodes immediately after activation. The serum antibody response was found to initially correspond with the ASC response elicited in the spleen and the lymph nodes, whereas the later serum IgG reflected the ASC response in the bone marrow. Proliferation of influenza-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells was predominantly observed in the spleen and was associated with higher concentrations of cytokines than in the lymph nodes. The finding of influenza-specific CD8(+) cell proliferation in the spleen indicates that a split influenza virus vaccine may stimulate a cytotoxic T-cell response. Our results also showed that the primary response elicited a mixed Th1/Th2 profile, whereas the secondary response was skewed towards a Th2 type. Each of the three tissues had a different immunological pattern, suggesting that in preclinical vaccine studies, there is a case for investigating a range of immunological sites.     

Aortic Baroreceptor Activity During Administration of Halothane

Die Wirkung von Halothan (1.5-4 % in O₂/N₂) auf die aortalen Barorezeptoren und den Aortendurchmesser nahe dem Rezeptorgebiet wurde an 3 Katzen und 6 Kaninchen untersucht. Die Rezeptoraktivität wurde durch Integration der Aktivität im ganzen Aortennervensystem quantitativ erfasst und der Aortendurchmesser mittels Ultraschalltechnik im uneröffneten Thorax gemessen. Basisanaesthesie wurde mit Chloralhydrat und Urethan oder mit Pentobarbital erzielt. Nach Feststellung der Kontrollwerte bei verschieden hohen Blutdruckniveaus wurde die Aktivität des Aortennervensystems und der Aortendurchmesser bei Halothanverabreichung bis zu 33 Minuten gemessen. Halothan führte zu Bradykardie und Hypotonie, hatte aber keine sichere Wirkung auf das Verhältnis zwischen Aktivität des Aortennervensystems und dem arteriellen Druck, oder dem Aortendurchmesser und Druck.     

Identification of a novel centrosome/microtubule-associated coiled-coil protein involved in cell-cycle progression and spindle organization

Here we describe the identification of a novel vertebrate-specific centrosome/spindle pole-associated protein (CSPP) involved in cell-cycle regulation. The protein is predicted to have a tripartite domain structure, where the N- and C-terminal domains are linked through a coiled-coil mid-domain. Experimental analysis of the identified domains revealed that spindle association is dependent on the N-terminal and the coiled-coil mid domain. The expression of CSPP at the mRNA level was detected in all tested cell lines and in testis tissue. Ectopic expression of CSPP in HEK293T cells blocked cell-cycle progression in early G1 phase and in mitosis in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, mitosis-arrested cells contained aberrant spindles and showed impairment of chromosome congression. Inhibition of CSPP gene expression by small interfering RNAs induced cell-cycle arrest/delay in S phase. This phenotype was characterized by elevated levels of cyclin A, decreased levels of cyclin E and hyperphosphorylation of the S-phase checkpoint kinase Chk1. The activation of Chk1 may indicate a replication stress response due to an inappropriate G1/S-phase transition. Taken together, we demonstrate that CSPP is associated with centrosomes and microtubules and may play a role in the regulation of G(1)/S-phase progression and spindle assembly.     

Medical students' perceptions of resident teaching: have duty hours regulations had an impact?

OBJECTIVE: This study describes medical students' perceptions about resident teaching on a surgery clerkship and examines student perceptions before and after the implementation of duty hours regulations (DHR). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There has been much discussion about the impact of DHR on surgical education. One area that merits evaluation is the effect that DHR have had on student education. Learners perceive the clinical teacher role as comprised of 4 roles: teacher, person, physician, and supervisor. This model served as the basis for examining resident teaching before and after DHR. METHODS: Students completed end-of-rotation evaluations about residents' teaching effectiveness, amount of feedback, and quality of interactions. Student comments were compiled into individual resident reports, and reports were collected from pre- (2002-2003) and post- (2003-2004) DHR. A coding scheme was developed to describe resident performance in 4 roles: teacher, person, physician, and supervisor. Three coders independently reviewed 124 resident reports maintaining an interrater agreement of 80%. Analyses of variance were conducted to compare data from pre- and post-DHR. RESULTS: After implementation of DHR, there were significantly more negative comments (P = 0.005), including comments about residents as supervisor (P = 0.001), teacher (P = 0.027), and teaching activities (P = 0.001). Positive comments about bedside teaching decreased (P = 0.007). Although total positive comments about resident as person increased (P = 0.01), total negative comments about resident as person also increased (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study indicate that DHR have had a negative impact on medical students' perceptions of resident teaching. Surgical educators must develop programs that address resident teaching skills in a different environment.     

Alcohol consumption and its relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the north-west of Russia: the Arkhangelsk study

BACKGROUND: To explore indicators and levels of alcohol consumption in a Russian population, and to elaborate these in relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A total of 1963 men and 1734 women, aged 18-75 years, consecutively recruited at their compulsory annual medical check-up at the Semashko outpatient clinic, Arkhangelsk, participated in a cross-sectional health survey. The survey comprised a physical examination, a six-page questionnaire on health and lifestyle, and blood tests. RESULTS: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels in both sexes were more than twice as high as found in comparable studies. Elevated GGT-levels were 4-5 times more frequent than found in Norwegian studies. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) identified up to 75% of male workers and 47% of female workers as hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers. The traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease were significantly higher in subjects with a high level of GGT. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate an extremely high level of alcohol consumption in this population. Elevation in GGT was significantly associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.