A trial of densitometry in the objective assessment of the x-ray image of the apices of the interdental membranes in periodontal lesions

The authors suggest a method to assess the quality of filling dental contact surfaces, based on determination of the relative contrast index (RCI) of the x-ray image of interdental septal apexes at the site of filled and intact teeth on the same image. Analysis of their own findings has lead the authors to a conclusion that assessment of the tooth filling with the use of periodontal and hygienic indexes is not strictly consistent because it is subjective, whereas the RCI permits a follow-up of changes in the mineral content of the bone in the examined site over time.     

In vivo hematologic effects of recombinant interleukin-6 on hematopoiesis and circulating numbers of RBCs and WBCs

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) administered as a single intravenous (IV) injection caused the following changes in the peripheral circulation of rats: (a) a biphasic neutrophilia with an initial peak at 1.5 hours and a second sustained wave of neutrophilia between four and 12 hours, (b) a mild lymphocytosis at 0.5 hours and a mild lymphopenia between 1.5 and four hours, and (c) a reticulocytosis between 12 and 24 hours. The bone marrow showed no significant changes at 1.5 hours, suggesting that the peripheral neutrophilia at that time is caused by demargination of intravascular neutrophils and not by release of marrow neutrophils. The bone marrow at 12 hours showed a mild left-shifted myeloid hyperplasia of myeloblasts and promyelocytes and a tremendous erythroid hyperplasia of intermediate and late normoblasts. The bone marrow at 24 hours showed a continued mild myeloid hyperplasia and striking erythroid hyperplasia. In conclusion, IL-6 in vivo acts as a stimulus for myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis and causes accompanying peripheral changes in the number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and RBCs.     

Isolation and characterization of chicken liver and hepatoma Mc-29 endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus membranes and biosynthesis of their glycoconjugates

Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and trans-Golgi apparatus (GA) fraction, intermediate GA fraction, and cis-GA fraction from White Leghorn chicken liver and hepatoma Mc-29 were isolated. Their purity was checked by electron microscopy and by determination of the activity of the marker enzymes. Rough and smooth membranes were also identified by calculation of the ratio between the content of RNA and the total phospholipids. It was found that the membrane fractions were pure enough. The tumor exhibited a decreased amount of ER and a small GA when compared when the ER and GA in the liver. The biogenesis of membrane glycoconjugates was followed by in vivo experiments either with [14C]glucosamine or by double labeling with [14C]N-acetylmannosamine and [3H]leucine. The radioisotope studies indicated that the synthesis rate of protein in liver and hepatoma rough ER was nearly the same, but in the tumor cells the glycosylation of the nascent polypeptide chain and the formation of glycolipids were significantly decreased.     

The synthetic peptide from HIV increases functional activity of granulocytes in healthy subjects

The influence of HIV lysate and eight synthetic peptides which are fragments of HIV proteins on the functional activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was tested in 12 healthy subjects. PMN activity in nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (NBT test) and PMN chemiluminescence (CL) was studied. Only one peptide was found to result in a significant increase in NBT test on the whole blood. This was the oligopeptide (G-97) from the CD4-binding site of HIV-1 gp120. The increase of CL response of PMN in the presence of G-97 was revealed after only 15 min preincubation. The same effect in the presence of sera from healthy or infected patients at the persistent generalized lymphadenopathy stage was achieved by increasing the time of preincubation to 30 min. G-97 did not influence the proliferative activity of lymphocytes.     

Lassa virus glycoproteins: antigenic and immunogenic properties of synthetic peptides to GP1

Summary Synthetic peptides corresponding to predicted Lassa virus GP1 glycoprotein B-epitopes were used to study the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the protein. ELISA results showed that guinea pig polyclonal anti-Lassa virus serum bound effectively to peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 119–133 and 164–176 of the GP1 protein. Essentially it did not react to a peptide corresponding to GP1 amino acid residues 234–256. Sera obtained against peptides representing amino acid residues 119–133 and 164–176 reacted with inactivated purified Lassa virus.     

Experience in the use of standard perfusion packings for hemosorption

A fixture for locking the perfusion packing to all types of the standard bottles with non-threaded neck is proposed. It consists of a metal ring, a yoke and two stop screws. The fixture has been clinically tested in the course of 45 hemosorption procedures.