Neutrophil interaction with influenza-infected epithelial cells

An in vitro model system was used to study the early neutrophil response to influenza-infected epithelia. In the absence of serum, neutrophil adherence to influenza-infected confluent monolayers of Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK) was approximately 590 times greater than neutrophil binding to control cultures. The leukocytes bound specifically to virus-infected cells. Neutrophil adherence to influenza-infected MDCK cells was monitored during the course of one replication cycle, and binding began at a time (4.5 hours) that coincided with viral protein insertion in the apical cell membrane. Ultrastructural examination at 4.5 hours showed that greater than 90% of the neutrophils adhered to the epithelial cell membrane in the absence of budding virus and, at 6.5 hours, 100% of the neutrophils adhered to the epithelium with emerging virions. The number of neutrophils bound to influenza-infected MDCK cells was not affected by the presence or absence of calcium or magnesium but did depend on the amount of viral inoculum and on the temperature of the culture. In direct contrast to hemadsorption of RBCs, neutrophil binding to influenza-infected MDCK cells was 100% greater at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. The neutrophil surface molecules that bound influenza virus appeared to become functionally polarized because the adherence of neutrophils to budding influenza virus or to a virus-coated surface inhibited the neutrophils from binding additional influenza virus to their nonadherent surface.     

Gleason score and tumor laterality in radical prostatectomy and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: a comparative study

We aimed to compare Gleason score and tumor laterality between transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate (TRUSBX) and radical prostatectomy (RP). Some factors that could cause a discrepancy in results between these two procedures were also evaluated. Among the 318 cases reviewed, 191 cases were selected for inclusion in this comparative study. We divided the patients into two groups using the Gleason score: an intermediate/high-grade group (≥7) and a low-grade group (<6). Exploratory analyses were conducted for comparisons between groups. We also performed comparisons between TRUSBX and RP for tumor laterality. TRUSBX overestimated 6% and underestimated 24% cases in comparison with RP for Gleason score, and overestimated 2.6% and underestimated 46% cases compared with RP for tumor laterality. Biopsy specimens were slightly smaller in TRUSBX cases with underestimated tumor laterality (P < 0.05), and no relationship between the biopsy specimen size and underestimated Gleason score in TRUSBX was found. Prostatic volume showed no statistical correlation with the likelihood of under or overestimation (P > 0.05). Thus, our study showed that TRUSBX has a high likelihood of underestimating both the Gleason score and tumor laterality in prostate cancer (PCa). The size of the fragment appears to be an important factor influencing the likelihood of laterality underestimation and Gleason score overestimation via TRUSBX. Due to the high likelihood of underestimation of the Gleason score and tumor laterality by 12-core prostate biopsy, we conclude that this type of biopsy should not be used alone to guide therapy in PCa.     

Eyelid discoid lupus erythematosus and contact dermatitis: a case report

We report a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and associated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the eyelids. In women, ACD caused by nail varnish is frequent and often seen in the eyelids. ACD caused by drugs (e.g. neomycin) is also frequent in this region. However, DLE with periorbital presentation without evidence of systemic or other cutaneous involvement is rare.     

Symposium: reproduction in baboons. The baboon oviduct: characteristics of an oestradiol-dependent oviduct-specific glycoprotein

The baboon oviductal epithelium differentiates into a tall columnarepithelium consisting of ciliated and secretory cells duringthe follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in response to risingoestradiol levels. The apical tips of these secretory cellsare filled with membrane-bound secretory granules. During theluteal phase when progesterone levels are elevated, the epitheliumregresses and deciliation occurs. Analysis of secretory proteinsobtained from explant culture media by SDS-PAGE followed byfluorography or Western Blots has revealed that the baboon oviductsynthesizes and secretes a high molecular weight glycoproteinduring the follicular phase of the cycle. Immunocytochemistrydemonstrated that the oviductal glycoprotein is localized tothe secretory granules of epithelial secretory cells, is oviductspecific, and that following secretion the oviductal glycoproteinbinds to the zona pellucida and periviteline space of ovulatedoocytes and embryos within the oviduct. Similar proteins havebeen characterized in other mammalian species. cDNA data showthat the complete coding sequence is 2228 bp for a protein of623 amino acids. A Genbank search showed that baboon oviductalglycoprotein has high homology to other oviductal glycoproteinsequences at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels. Studiesconducted to date probing the biological function of oviductalglycoprotein indicate that this protein plays a role in prefertilizationreproductive events (sperm capacitation; sperm-zona binding;zona penetration). Additional experiments are needed to reveala specific function and mechanism for this molecule.     

Effects of the calcium antagonist felodipine on renal haemodynamics, tubular sodium handling, and blood pressure in cyclosporin-treated dermatological patients

BACKGROUND: Deterioration of renal function and rise in blood pressure are clinically important side-effects of cyclosporin (CsA) treatment. Calcium antagonists may have a renoprotective effect against CsA nephrotoxicity. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker felodipine on renal haemodynamics, tubular sodium handling, and blood pressure in CsA- treated patients with no primary renal disease, 18 patients with various CsA-treated dermatological diseases were allocated to receive either felodipine 5 mg (extended release tablets) once daily for 4 weeks followed by placebo for 4 weeks, or vice versa, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The patients were investigated before treatment and at the end of each treatment period. RESULTS: After felodipine, both glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were significantly higher compared to placebo (89.4 +/- 17.5 (mean +/- SD) vs 79.0 +/- 15.9 ml/min and 412.0 +/- 107.6 vs 326.1 +/- 78.0 ml/min respectively, P < 0.001 for both), and filtration fraction (FF) was lower (0.22 +/- 0.03 vs 0.25 +/- 0.03, P < 0.001). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower after felodipine compared to placebo (116 +/- 11/71 +/- 7 vs 133 +/- 18/83 +/- 10 mmHg, P < 0.001 for both). Furthermore, proximal output of sodium, i.e. fractional excretion of lithium, was higher after felodipine (26.9 +/- 7.3% vs 20.4 +/- 5.5%, P < 0.001) as well as total sodium excretion (0.33 +/- 0.19 vs 0.19 +/- 0.08 mmol/min, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded, that felodipine 5 mg once daily for 4 weeks increased GFR, RPF, and sodium excretion in cyclosporin-treated dermatological patients with no primary renal disease. Furthermore, felodipine lowers blood pressure in these patients. The effects of felodipine may be due to an antagonizing effect against CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.      

Heart-lung transplantation: the postoperative chest radiograph

The postoperative chest radiographs of 10 patients who had undergone heart-lung transplantation at Stanford University Medical Center were evaluated and compared with those of 10 consecutive cardiac transplantation patients and 10 consecutive coronary artery bypass graft patients. In the second week after surgery, we observed an interstitial radiographic pattern in the heart-lung transplantation patients but not in the other two patient populations. This pattern, which did not correspond with any clinical evidence of infection, rejection, fluid overload, or oxygen toxicity, may represent the reimplantation response described in dogs and primates following transplantation of a single lung. This response may be related to the interruption of bronchial circulation, the denervation of both lungs, and the lymphatic interruption that occur during transplantation. It may also be related to the obligatory period of ischemia that is incurred during implantation.     

Radiographic parenchymal opacity, matching perfusion defect, and normal ventilation: a sign of pulmonary embolism? Work in progress

By conventional criteria, perfusion defects that correspond to radiographic parenchymal opacities of similar size have less diagnostic significance for pulmonary embolism (PE) than perfusion defects in areas that are radiographically clear, regardless of the findings on ventilation scan. It was proposed that the demonstration of normal ventilation in areas with matched radiographic opacity and perfusion defects does support the diagnosis of PE. To test this hypothesis, a retrospective review was done of selected cases from a consecutive series of 85 pulmonary angiography studies. Cases were reviewed if the following criteria were met: chest radiography, ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy, and angiography of the relevant regions had all been performed within 24 hours of one another, and there was a radiographic opacity corresponding to the perfusion defect. Sixteen cases fulfilled these criteria. Six patients had normal ventilation in the regions of the radiographic infiltrate and perfusion defect, and all had PE. No patient had an area of opacity and perfusion defect and normal ventilation without PE.