Post-transfusion hepatitis: antigen/antibody systems correlated with non-A, non-B hepatitis

In seven patients post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) was due to non-A, non-B virus(es) (38.9% of all PTH, while 61.1% were due to hepatitis B virus (HBV). No clinical or biochemical differences were observed in non-A, non-B PTH when compared with PTH due to HBV, while incubation period was very ample, from 15 days to nine months (generally 45 days to two months). An antigen/antibody system was shared by five of our patients (their sera showed precipitin lines when assayed by immunodiffusion with known sources of antigen or antibody), while in one patient an antigen/antibody system was detected when onset serum was assayed with self-recovery serum but not when assayed with known sources of antigen and antibodies, nor with sera of the other five patients. Antigen was detected during the first weeks of illness, antibody at recovery, for both systems. The results suggest that there may be at least two antigen/antibody systems correlated to non-A, non-B hepatitis not necessarily linked to incubation period.     

Analysis of the role of interferon-gamma, interleukin 2 and a third factor distinct from interferon-gamma and interleukin 2 in human B cell proliferation. Evidence that they act at different times after B cell activation

Recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) was able to induce proliferation of human tonsillar B cells activated with suboptimal concentrations of anti-mu antibody. The B cell growth factor (BCGF) activity of rIFN-gamma was not due to substances contaminating the IFN-gamma preparation, nor was it mediated by factors released by T cells or large granular lymphocytes following activation by rIFN-gamma. The response of B cells to rIFN-gamma peaked on day 3 of culture and rapidly declined thereafter, whereas the response of parallel anti-mu-activated B cell cultures to recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL2) appeared on day 3, but continued at least until day 5. In addition, B cells responsive to rIFN-gamma could be at least in part separated from those responsive to rIL2, the former being primarily contained in B cell fractions enriched for high-density small B lymphocytes. Finally, the addition to anti-mu-stimulated B cell cultures of very low concentrations of rIFN-gamma potentiated the B cell proliferation promoted by rIL2. The simultaneous addition of monoclonal antibodies against IFN-gamma and T cell activation antigen to anti-mu-stimulated B cell cultures strongly reduced the B cell proliferative response promoted by three different crude BCGF preparations obtained by polyclonal T cell activation in mixed lymphocyte culture. However, the supernatant from a T cell clone (DP5/11) apparently free of IL2, which manifested a BCGF activity similar to that of rIFN-gamma, still maintained its ability to promote proliferation of anti-mu-activated B cells after complete removal of IFN-gamma. Taken together, our data indicate that although some T cell clones are able to produce a BCGF distinct from both IFN-gamma and IL2, these lymphokines account for most of the BCGF activity of supernatants obtained from polyclonal T cell populations. They also suggest that IFN-gamma and the BCGF distinct from IFN-gamma and IL2 act primarily in the earlier phases of B cell activation and potentiate the proliferative response of activated B cells to IL2.     

Lack of activity of transferring towards Streptococcus spp.

Clinically relevant Streptococcus spp. were tested for their susceptibility towards human serum transferrin (TR) and lactoferrin (LF). Neither clinical isolates or type strains were inhibited by transferrins (5 mg/ml). All species tested were shown to be able to grow under iron-limiting conditions (<0.1 M) and this might account for the lack of TR or LF activity towards streptococci. Even if not sensitive to LF and TR, some species were shown to bind LF in the apo-form.     

In vivo activated cytotoxic T cells in the thyroid infiltrate of patients with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis.

High proportions of T8+ cells with inverted T4/T8 ratio were found in freshly isolated thyroid lymphocytes from patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, about one third of thyroid infiltrating cells expressed the TAC antigen, whereas in patient peripheral blood (PB) or normal lymphocytes from PB or lymphoid organs the percentage of TAC-positive cells was consistently lower than 10%. Following negative selection with OKT4 or OKT8 monoclonal antibodies and complement, TAC+ T cells were enriched in the T8+ cell population. Thyroid infiltrating T cells from two patients underwent two different cloning procedures. In the first, single T cells were initially activated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and interleukin 2 (IL-2), in the other with recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) alone. The majority of T cell clones obtained by initial PHA-stimulation (55-65%) had the T8+ phenotype, but the frequency of T8+ clones obtained by stimulating T cells with rIL-2 alone was even higher (78 & 71%, respectively). The majority of T8+ clones elicited by PHA (35/37 & 36/38) and all the T8+ clones (36/36 & 22/22) obtained from thyroid infiltrates with initial stimulation by rIL-2 displayed cytolytic activity. Most of cytolytic T8+ clones obtained from thyroid infiltrates with both cloning procedures, displayed NK activity against human K562 and MOLT-4 target cells, but not against a NK-resistant target, such as Raji cells. These data suggest that in Hashimoto's disease a considerable proportion of thyroid infiltrating T cells are in vivo activated T8+ cytolytic T cells with NK activity, which may be of importance in determining or maintaining the tissue damage of the target gland.     

Pericardial agenesis and focal aplasia cutis in tetrasomy 12p (Pallister-Killian syndrome)

We report a stillborn female infant with multiple internal and external anatomic abnormalities and mosaicism for isochromosome 12p. These abnormalities included webbed neck, low-set ears, lower jaw tooth bud, left simian crease, shield chest, focal aplasia cutis, diaphragmatic hernia, hypoplastic lungs, agenesis of pericardium, and Meckel's diverticulum. Karyotypic analysis on cord blood lymphocytes showed 10% mosaicism of 46, XX/47, XX, + i(12p), and analysis of skin fibroblasts showed 50% mosaicism for the same karyotype. The parental karyotypes were normal. There are many reported cases describing the anomalies seen in isochromosome 12p. None of these cases, however, have displayed pericardial agenesis or aplasia cutis. The clinical and cytogenetic features of Pallister-Killian syndrome are reviewed.     

Quantitative clinical anatomy of the pancreatic arteries studied by selective celiac angiography

Summary The angiographic visualization of the pancreatic arteries, their numerical variations, origins, course and anastomoses, as well as their mean diameter by age-group (20–40, 41–60, >60 years) have been quantitatively investigated by selective celiac angiography in 72 patients without pancreatic disease. Visualization of the various arteries was achieved in a high percentage of cases except for the inferior pancreaticoduodenal arches, due to undervaluation of this vessel by celiac angiography. Confirmation of the great variability of the origin and anastomoses of the dorsal and transverse pancreatic arteries was obtained and possible embryologic reasons and clinical implications of this fact are discussed. Furthermore, a high percentage of multiple (quadruple or more) pancreatica magna and caudae pancreatis arteries has been observed and a functional role of this peculiar arrangement is suggested, Finally, no statistically significant differences were found in the diameter of any artery due to increasing age probably reflecting maintained neural perivascular control of the pancreatic vessels in the elderly. Satisfactory sensitivity of the angiographic method has been found with respect to the evaluation of visualization and anastomoses of the pancreatic arteries in vivo.

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Anatomie clinique quantitative des artères du pancréas étudiées par angiographie cliaque sélective

Résumé Une étude angiographique a permis d'étudier les variations du nombre, de l'origine, du trajet et des anastomoses des artères du pancréas ainsi que leur diamètre moyen en fonction des groupes d'âges (20–40, 40–60 et plus de 60 ans); cette étude quantitative a été effectuée par artériographie cliaque sélective chez 72 patients ne présentant aucune lésion pancréatique. Les différentes artères du pancréas ont bien été visualisées dans la majorité des cas, excepté l'arcade pancréatico-duodénale inférieure qui est mal explorée par l'angiographie cliaque. Ce travail confirme les grandes variations d'origine et d'anastomoses des artères pancréatiques transverse (artère pancréatique inférieure) et dorsale et permet de proposer des explications embryologiques et des applications cliniques. De plus, un pourcentage important d'artères multiples (4 ou plus) et d'artères de la queue du pancréas a été noté, permettant d'évoquer le rôle fonctionnel de cette distribution particulière. Enfin il n'a pas été trouvé de différence significative du diamètre des artères en fonction de l'âge, ce qui est probablement dû au maintien d'un contrôle nerveux périvasculaire réflexe des vaisseaux pancréatiques chez les sujets âgés. La méthode angiographique a une sensibilité satisfaisante qui permet une bonne visualisation des artères du pancréas et de leurs anastomoses in vivo.

     

Serotonin type-1A receptors modulate adolescent, cocaine-induced offensive aggression in hamsters

Hamsters repeatedly exposed to cocaine throughout adolescence display highly escalated offensive aggression compared to saline-treated littermates. Recently, we have shown that serotonin neural signaling and development play an important role in adolescent cocaine-induced offensive aggression. This study examined whether the adolescent cocaine-induced aggressive response was modulated by serotonin type 1A (5HT1A) receptors. To test this, adolescent male Syrian hamsters were administered cocaine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) throughout adolescent development (P27-57) and then tested for offensive aggression after the administration of the 5HT(1A) receptor agonist R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 1.25 mg/kg, i.p.). R(+)-8-OH-DPAT dose-dependently reduced cocaine-induced offensive aggression, with a significant reduction observed at 0.3 mg/kg for most of the offensive responses measured. Animals treated with higher doses of R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (0.6-1.25 mg/kg) prior to testing showed significant reductions in all measures of offensive aggression and social interest towards intruders (i.e., contact time), indicating more general behavioral inhibition. Adolescent cocaine-treated animals did not differ in body weight from controls, suggesting that the increased aggression was not due to increased body mass. These data support a role for 5HT1A signaling in adolescent cocaine-induced aggression.     

Localization of 5-hydroxytryptamine-like immunoreactive cells and nerve fibers in the rat female reproductive system

The presence of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-like immunoreactivity (IR) was studied in the rat female reproductive system using polyclonal antibodies directed against 5-HT. Moreover, 5-HT levels in the ovary, Oviduct, uterus, and cervix were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The highest 5-HT concentrations were found in the oviduct, followed in descending order by the cervix, the ovary, and the uterus. Most 5-HT-like IR was observed in the cytoplasm of mast cells. These cells were found in the connective tissue around the fimbria, in the oviduct, in the uterus, and in the ovary. Mast cells are clustered in the proximity of the parenchymal blood vessels. Moreover, a few 5-HT-like nerve fibers were found distributed mainly perivascularily in the uterine cervix and in the uterine horns as well as in the oviduct. IR nerve fibers were rarely seen within the ovary. The present data provide direct evidence that 5-HT in the female reproductive system not only is associated with mast cells but is located in nerve fibre-like structures as well. The functional significance of this probable 5-HT-ergic innervation of the female reproductive tract discovered in the present study should be clarified in future investigations. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The peripheral dopaminergic system: morphological analysis,functional and clinical applications

In vivo administration or in vitro application of dopamine or of dopamine receptor agonists induce vasodilatation in the cerebral, coronary, renal and mesenteric vascular beds and cause hypotension. Moreover, dopamine stimulates cardiac contractility and induces diuresis and natriuresis. Peripheral (cardiovascular and renal) dopamine receptors belong to the D1-like and D2-like receptor superfamilies, thought to be located post-junctionally and pre-junctionally respectively. Stimulation of vascular D1-like receptors causes direct vasodilatation and reduction of vascular resistance. Stimulation of vascular D2-like receptors causes indirect vasodilatation, resulting from inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone. Combined radioligand binding assay and light microscope autoradiography have investigated the anatomical localization of cardiovascular and renal dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors in different animal species including humans. The application of molecular biology techniques to dopamine receptor research has shown that the picture of dopamine receptor subtypes is more complicated than it was suggested in the past, with at least 5 subtypes belonging to the dopamine D1-like (D1 and D5 receptors) and D2-like (D2, D3 and D4 receptors) superfamilies. The development of antibodies raised against selected sequences of dopamine receptor subtypes has allowed a more detailed characterization of the density and pattern of peripheral dopamine receptors. Dopamine receptor protein immunohistochemistry confirmed the localization of dopamine D1 and D5 receptors in the tunica media of systemic arteries and of prejunctional dopamine D2-D4 receptors closely associated with sympathetic neuroeffector junctions. The distribution and the density of prejunctional dopamine D2-like receptors was different in various vascular beds investigated. The kidney expresses the 5 different subtypes of dopamine receptors, displaying a not homogeneous vascular and tubular localization. Dopamine acting as autocrine or paracrine substance is probably involved in the regulation of immune activity. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes contain dopamine and express plasma membrane and vesicular dopamine transporters as well as dopamine D3, D4 and D5 receptors. Another recently characterized peripheral dopaminergic system is located in the lung. Dopamine D1-like receptor immunoreactive structures were found in a small percentage of nerve fibres contained in pulmonary nerve trunks. D1-immunoreactive nerve fibres were approximately 2-3% of total fibres, whereas D5-immunoreactive fibres accounted approximately for 5-6% of total fibres. Also dopamine D2-like receptor immunoreactive fibres were found in pulmonary trunks. D2-immunoreactive fibres accounted for approximately 3-5% of total nerve fibres, D3 receptor-immnunoreactive fibres accounted for about 8-10% of total nerve fibres, whereas only rare profiles of D4 receptor protein-immunoreactive fibres were observed. Dopamine recepetor protein immunostaining was also found in neurons of nodose ganglion, that display immunoreactivity for different neuropeptides. Based on the correspondence between the number of dopamine receptor immunoreactive pulmonary nerve fibres and of vagal ganglionic neurons immunoreactive for dopamine receptors it is possible to hypothesize that these receptors are located on pulmonary afferents. In spite of the heterogeneity of peripheral systems expressing dopamine receptors, analysis of their localization with appropriate microanatomical techniques may contribute to investigate their role in health and disease.