Effect of blood transfusion on survival in a mouse bacterial peritonitis model

Allogeneic blood transfusions can result in alloimmunization or immunosuppression. A previous study demonstrated a deleterious effect of allogeneic blood transfusion on tumor growth in mice that was dependent, in part, on the dose of tumor cells with which the host animal was inoculated. The current study examined the effect of a similar allogeneic blood transfusion protocol on survival in a mouse bacterial peritonitis model. C57Bl/6J mice were transfused with 0.2 mL of heparinized fresh whole blood from C57Bl/6J (syngeneic) or Balb/c (allogeneic) mice. Transfusions were given on Days -10 and -7. On Day 0, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 10(7) Escherichia coli. Survival at Day 7 was 61 percent in the allogeneic blood transfusion group and 55 percent in the syngeneic blood transfusion group (p = 0.52). Experiments using different strains of mice, different transfusion protocols, and different doses of bacteria also failed to demonstrate an effect of allogeneic blood transfusion on survival. The results demonstrate that blood transfusion does not influence survival after a septic challenge with bacteria. The data obtained in the present study, together with those obtained in the tumor model, suggest that the mechanisms by which the allogeneic blood transfusion impedes host defense against bacterial infections is different from the mechanisms involved in tumor growth.     

MANAGEMENT OF CONCURRENT GLAUCOMA AND CATARACT BY PHACOTRABECULECTOMY TECHNIQUE: AN EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

30 cases of open angle glaucoma with cataract who underwent phacoemulsification, PMMA phaco profile IOL implantation and trabeculectomy through same incision were critically evaluated. The mean controlled, preoperative intra ocular pressure was 20 mm of Hg (range 18 to 35 mm of Hg) by aplanation method. Mean post operative pressure after 12 months was 13 mm of Hg (range 11 to 22 mm of Hg) intra operative hyphaema, post operative uveitis were noted problems. Periodic, post operative optic disc and field evaluation remained static in 66% cases. Visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 60% cases. Failure to restore glaucoma control without medication was seen in 13.3% cases after 9–12 months. The combined phacotrabeculectomy is an effective single step technique of managing concurrent glaucoma with cataract.Key words: Single incision, Phacotrabeculectomy     

Detection of precursor Th cells in mesenteric lymph nodes after oral immunization with protein antigen and cholera toxin

We have characterized the earliest antigen-specific Th cells in murine mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), following oral immunization with the hen egg lysozyme (HEL) as antigen and cholera toxin (CT) as adjuvant. We did this by analyzing in vitro proliferation and cytokine production in response to HEL by the MLN T cells. MLN cells taken 5 days after a single oral immunization with HEL and CT provided the earliest source of proliferating HEL-specific T cells. This proliferation was completely inhibited by anti-IL-2, but not inhibited by anti-IL-4 antibody. IL-2 protein was detected in culture supernatants but not IL- 4 using ELISA or bioassays. IL-4 mRNA was not found in responding cells using RT-PCR. Some of the day 5 MLN cultures produced IFN-gamma in response to HEL, but isolated T cells from the same MLN did not. Exogenous IL-4 alone did not stimulate day 5 MLN T cells, but IL-4 did synergize with HEL to induce a large proliferative response. The data indicate that the HEL-specific CD4 T cell pool in MLN 5 days after oral immunization is composed of undifferentiated precursor Th cells. These cells have the potential for IL-2 production and IL-4R expression upon re-stimulation in vitro.      

Physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements indicated for atraumatic restorative treatment

Background:  This study evaluated mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for atraumatic restorative treatment. Wear resistance, Knoop hardness (Kh), flexural (F_s) and compressive strength (C_s) were evaluated. The GICs used were Riva Self Cure (RVA), Fuji IX (FIX), Hi Dense (HD), Vitro Molar (VM), Maxxion R (MXR) and Ketac Molar Easymix (KME).
Methods:  Wear was evaluated after 1, 4, 63 and 365 days. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (P = 0.05) analysed differences in wear of the GICs and the time effect. F_s, C_s, and Kh were analysed with one-way ANOVA.
Results:  The type of cement (p < 0.001) and the time (p < 0.001) had a significant effect on wear. In early-term wear and Kh, KME and FIX presented the best performance. In long-term wear, F _s and C_s, KME, FIX and HD had the best performance. Strong explanatory power between F_s and the Kh (r² = 0.85), C_s and the Kh (r² = 0.82), long-term wear and F_s of 24 h (r² = 0.79) were observed.
Conclusions:  The data suggested that KME and FIX presented the best in vitro performance. HD showed good results except for early-term wear.