Differential induction of apoptosis in lymphoid tissues during sepsis: variation in onset, frequency, and the nature of the mediators

Apoptosis (Ao), is a process by which cells undergo a form of nonnecrotic cellular suicide. Although for most cells this is a constitutive process, it can be induced in immature and differentiating immune cell populations by stress mediators associated with inflammation. This inducible form of A(o) is referred to as programmed cell death. However, it is not clear whether hematopoietic cell populations such as the thymus and bone marrow are induced to undergo A(o) during polymicrobial sepsis. To assess this, thymocytes, bone marrow cells, or splenocytes (as a source of comparative nonhematopoietic cells) were harvested from C3H/HeN mice at 1, 4, or 24 hours after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP; to induce polymicrobial sepsis) or sham-CLP (Sham). The results showed that mixed bone marrow cells ex vivo, although not to the same extent as thymus, showed a marked increase in the percentage of cells in A(o), increased endonuclease activity, and a significant decrease in cell yield at 24 hours but not at 4 hours after CLP. Similar changes were not evident in splenocytes. Phenotypic, as well as morphologic assessment, indicated that most of the increase in apoptotic cells in the thymus was associated with the immature T cells (CD4+CD8+) and CD8-CD4- cells. In contrast, the increase in bone marrow cell A(o) was associated with only the B220+ cells, with no significant contribution from myeloid cells. Treatment of CLP mice in vivo with either RU-38486 or PEG-(rsTNF- R1)2 was unable to reverse the increased A(o) in the bone marrow of these animals. Taken together, these findings indicate that A(o) as a process induced by polymicrobial sepsis is not limited to the thymus, but can also be detected in the bone marrow. However, unlike thymic A(o), bone marrow is not affected directly/indirectly by glucocorticoids or tumor necrosis factor released during sepsis.     

Increased adhesion of erythrocytes to components of the extracellular matrix: isolation and characterization of a red blood cell lipid that binds thrombospondin and laminin

Red blood cell (RBC) adhesion to the vascular endothelium is increased in several pathologic conditions, including sickle cell disease and malaria. However, RBC interactions with components of the subendothelial matrix are not well-characterized. Under in vitro flow conditions of 1 dyne/cm2, washed RBCs bound to the purified adhesive molecules thrombospondin (TSP) and laminin. Sickle RBCs had the greatest adhesion of all tested RBCs. The adhesion of sickle RBCs to immobilized TSP was inhibited by the anionic polysaccharides high molecular weight (MW) dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate A, but not other anionic polysaccharides of similar structure and/or charge density. These data were consistent with the RBC adhesive molecule being a sulfated glycolipid. Therefore, TSP-binding lipids from normal and sickle RBCs were isolated and characterized. The TSP-binding lipid was purified by alkaline methanolysis, anion exchange chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC). A homogeneous band on TLC was identified using a specific overlay TSP-binding assay. TSP binding to the purified lipid was stable to bass and neuraminidase treatment, labile to acid treatment, and was inhibited by high MW dextran sulfate, similar to that seen with intact RBCs binding to immobilized TSP under conditions of flow. In addition, soluble laminin bound to the purified RBC lipid. This acidic TSP- and laminin-binding lipid(s) isolated from both sickle and normal RBC membranes may contribute to erythrocyte interactions with the subendothelial matrix, hereby participating in the pathogenesis of vaso-occlusive diseases.     

3种玻璃离子水门汀氟释放能力的体外研究

目的：对比研究3种玻璃离子水门汀在人工唾液中的氟释放能力。方法：选择FujiCem、FujiPlus和FujiI水门汀,分别制备10个直径4mm,高8mm的试样,每个试样浸入1ml人工唾液中,恒温37℃。采用离子选择电极分别于第1d、2d、3d、7d、14d、30d、90d测定3种材料的氟释放量。采用SPSS13．0软件进行统计分析。结果：3种材料均在第1d的氟释放量最高。第2d急剧下降,随后氟离子释放趋于平稳。在各个测量时间点,FujiCem的氟释放累积量最高,除了第1d外,FujiPlus释放量最低,且3种材料在90d测定的氟累积释放量总体均数间、组间两两比较均存在显著差异,P〈0．05,有统计学意义。结论：3种材料均能在一定时间内持续缓慢地向周围环境中释放氟离子,而FujiCem显示出更好的氟离子释放能力,在预防继发龋的发生方面具有一定的优势。     

激光共聚焦显微镜研究clpP基因缺失对变形链球菌生物膜耐酸陛的影响

目的：应用激光共聚焦显微镜观察clpP基因对变形链球菌生物膜耐酸性的影响。方法：将变形链球菌标准株UAl59和它的clpP基因缺陷株分别做成预酸化和致死酸化处理的菌液,接种于刻有宽500txm深500μm沟的羟基磷灰石圆片上厌氧培养12h。培养后取出圆片,所有圆片均在处理后立刻进行荧光死、活菌斑染色并行共聚焦观察。测算活菌厚度、面积及荧光强度占总菌斑的百分比,应用SPSS15．0统计软件,采用方差分析及均数两两比较分析clpP基因缺失对细菌生长及耐酸能力的变化。结果：共聚焦显微镜下,clpP基因缺失菌株所形成的生物膜菌斑厚度略薄于标准菌株（P〈0．05）,经过预酸化处理和致死酸处理后clpP基因缺失菌株所形成的生物膜菌斑厚度显著薄于标准菌株（P〈O．01）,而且活菌百分比显著低于标准株（P〈0．01）。结论：共聚焦显微镜下clpP基因可以显著地降低变形链球菌的耐酸能力,并一定程度地降低变形链球菌的生长能力。     

The acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease: incidence and risk factors. The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease

The acute chest syndrome (ACS), a pneumonia-like illness in sickle cell patients, is one of the most frequent causes of their morbidity and hospitalizations. Repeated ACS events may predict the development of chronic lung disease. ACS is reported as a frequent cause of death in these patients. We examine here the incidence and risk factors of ACS in 3,751 patients with sickle cell disease who were observed prospectively for at least 2 years (19,867 patient-years [pt-yrs]) as part of a multicenter national study group. The ACS, defined by a new pulmonary infiltrate on x-ray, occurred at least once in 1,085 patients (2,100 events). ACS incidence was higher in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SS; 12.8/100 pt-yrs) and in patients with sickle cell-beta(0) -thalassemic (9.4/100 pt-yrs), and lower in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) SC disease (5.2/100 pt-yrs) and patients with sickle cell-beta(+) thalassemia (3.9/100 pt-yrs). alpha-Thalassemia did not affect the rate of ACS incidence in SS patients. Within each Hb type the incidence was strongly but inversely related to age, being highest in children 2 to 4 years of age (25.3/100 pt-yrs in SS) and decreasing gradually to its lowest value in adults (8.8/100 pt-yrs in SS). In SS children (< 10 years of age), we documented an age-related within- person reduction in ACS attack rates. Adults with a higher ACS rate had a higher rate of mortality (from all causes) than those with low ACS rates. This increased rate of mortality might also have contributed to the decline in ACS rate with age. In multivariate analysis, other factors affecting incidence in SS patients were degree of anemia (lower ACS rates in patients with lower steady-state Hb levels) and fetal Hb (lower rates in patients with high fetal Hb). There was also a positive association between ACS rate and steady-state leukocyte count. The relationship of ACS rate to higher steady-state Hb levels in SS patients is unexplained but might be caused by increased blood viscosity.     

Analysis of intron 22 inversions of the factor VIII gene in severe hemophilia A: implications for genetic counseling

Intrachromosomal recombinations involving F8A, in intron 22 of the factor VIII gene, and one of two homologous regions 500 kb 5' of the factor VIII gene result in large inversions of DNA at the tip of the X chromosome. The gene is disrupted, causing severe hemophilia A. Two inversions are possible, distal and proximal, depending on which homologous region is involved in the recombination event. A simple Southern blotting technique was used to identify patients and carriers of these inversions. In a group of 85 severe hemophilia A patients, 47% had an inversion, of which 80% were of the distal type. There was no association with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) haplotypes. The technique has identified a definitive genetic marker in families previously uninformative on RFLP analysis and provided valuable information for genetic counselling information may now be provided for carriers without the need to study intervening family members and the diagnosis of severe hemophilia A made in families with only a nonspecific history of bleeding. Analysis of intron 22 inversion should now be the first-line test for carrier diagnosis and genetic counselling for severe hemophilia A and may be particularly useful when there is no affected male family member or when intervening family members are unavailable for testing.     

Herpesvirus type 6 in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: serologic features and detection by polymerase chain reaction

To evaluate the potential role of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) infection in patients after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) we sequentially analyzed buffy coat leukocytes, oral lavage fluid, and urine from 57 patients for the presence of HHV-6 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) before and after 60 BMTs. Twenty-four patients undergoing autologous BMT and 36 with allogeneic BMT were studied. Thirty-six patients (60%) were PCR positive in one or more tests. The majority of PCR-positive patients had positive results only sporadically, in 1 (n = 23) or 2 weeks (n = 5). Six patients were positive in 3 to 5 weeks. In 2 patients, we found a high frequency of positive tests, in 7 of 7 and 10 of 10 weeks analyzed. Twenty-four patients (40%) remained PCR negative throughout the post-BMT period. There was a significant correlation between the results of HHV-6 PCR and the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). In grade II-IV, 6 of 8 (75%) patients had 2 or more positive PCR tests, compared with 5 of 25 (20%) patients without or with grade I aGVHD (P = .01). There was no difference in the outcome of PCR tests with respect to the type of BMT or pre-BMT HHV-6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers. Restriction enzyme analysis of PCR amplificates from 18 patients showed HHV-6 variant B in 16 (88.9%) and variant A in 2 cases (11.1%). We conclude that HHV-6 DNA can be detected in 60% of the patients after BMT. HHV-6 DNA can be detected more frequently in patients with moderate and severe aGVHD than in patients without aGVHD or with mild aGVHD.     

Graft failure after T-cell-depleted human leukocyte antigen identical marrow transplants for leukemia: II. In vitro analyses of host effector mechanisms

To identify mechanisms potentially contributing to graft failure, 19 leukemic recipients of T-cell-depleted marrow transplants who failed to engraft following a transplant of HLA identical sibling marrow depleted of T cells by soybean agglutinin (SBA) and sheep erythrocytes (E) were evaluated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated at the time of failure were consistently of host origin, bearing the phenotype of suppressor T cells (CD3+, CD8+, Leu 7+). A direct cytolytic effect on 51Cr-labeled donor-derived target cells was not detected, a finding that contrasts with the donor-specific cytotoxic host T lymphocytes that have been regularly observed in patients rejecting HLA nonidentical SBA -E- BMTs. However, these host T cells did exhibit a strong and specific suppressive activity against the donor marrow CFU- GM in vitro. Furthermore, in contrast to prior findings in durably engrafted recipients of SBA -E- BMTs, the lymphocytes isolated prior to or at the time of graft failure lacked natural killer surface antigen expression and effector function.     

高气压暴露对大鼠血浆内皮素-1含量、血清一氧化氮含量、一氧化氮合酶活性的影响

目的 探讨高气压暴露对大鼠血浆内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)含量、血清一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)含量、一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)活性的影响.方法 40只SD大鼠随机分为5组.A组为对照组,B组0.7 MPa空气暴露后缓慢减压,C组0.7 MPa空气暴露后快速减压,D组0.147 MPa纯氧暴露后减压,E组0.250 MPa纯氧暴露后减压.各组暴露时间均为60 min.采用放射免疫方法测定血浆ET-1含量,硝酸还原酶法测定血清NO含量,比色法测定血清NOS活性.结果 与对照组相比,安全减压组和高压氧组的血浆ET-1含量明显升高(P<0.05),原因可能与高分压氧有关(PO2=0.147 MPa/0.250 MPa);快速减压组血清NO含量、NOS活性明显升高(P<0.05),与血浆ET-1含量升高的3个组相比,血清NO、NOS升高得更为显著(P<0.01).结论 NO与ET-1在机体对高气压暴露的反应中呈拮抗关系.高气压与高压氧暴露导致血浆ET-1的释放增加,但快速减压刺激血管内皮细胞产生更多的NO,这种机制可能是通过提高血浆中的NOS活性实现的,这个现象可能是血管内皮系统对血管内气泡产生的应激性反应之一.     

Measurement of vitamin B12-binding proteins of plasma. II. Interpretation of patterns in disease

The technique described in the preceding paper was applied to 12 abnormal sera selected for their increase in one or more B12-binding proteins. Even in the presence of large amounts of R-type binder, the ammonium sulfate technique gave a reliable separation of R binding proteins from TC II. Measurement of the TC II in abnormal sera gave results identical to those obtained by the more standard gel filtration. The R binders of four subjects with myeloproliferative disease were further separated into alpha2-R and alpha1-R. The pattern of B12 binding of polycythemia vera (PV) was an exaggeration of the normal pattern. Binding to alpha2-R was three to four times that to alpha1-R, although the total amounts bound to both were increased. In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), both alpha2-R and alpha1-R were also increased, but in contrast to binding in normal sera, alpha1-R predominated. In order to interpret the findings, either whole serum R or alpha1-R and alpha2-R from patients with myeloproliferative disease were subject to isoelectric focusing. Alpha2-R consisted pricipally of components isoelectric at pH 2.9, 3.0, and 3.1. These components were present in only minor amounts in normal serum and were somewhat increased in the serum of PV. These components were very much increased in the serum of CML and predominated. Alpha2-R consisted of those components isoelectric at pH 3.4,3.6, and 4.0. These components predominated in the unsaturated binding capacity of normal sera and that of PV. It was concluded that the division of plasma R binders into alpha1-R and alpha1-R by the technique described provided information useful in the study of myeloproliferative diseases.