The collaboration of T-cell subsets in the mitogenic stimulation of purified B-cell subpopulations.

A highly purified preparation of mouse B cells showed greatly decreased incorporation of [6-3H]-thymidine when stimulated with pokeweed Pa-1 mitogen or bacterial lipopolysaccharide compared with mouse splenic lymphocytes. This decreased stimulation was restored by the addition of purified T cells, but not macrophages. Nylon-adherent T cells exerted this helper activity only toward complement receptor-positive B cells (CR+B cells). whereas the helper activity of nylon-non-adherent T cells was effective only on complement receptor-negative B cells (CR-B cells). Since the helper activity of nylon-adherent T cells was completely abolished by the treatment with anti-Ia antiserum and complement but that of nylon-non-adherent T cells was not, it was assumed that Ia+T cells were helper cells for CR+B cells and Ia-T cells helper cells for CR-B cells. Moreover, these helper activities of both T-cell subsets were mediated by soluble factors, which were effective just before the onset of DNA synthesis of the corresponding B-cell subpopulations.     

Nephrotic syndrome associated with interferon-β-1b therapy for multiple sclerosis

A 43-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) had nephrotic syndrome 21 months after starting treatment with interferon (IFN)-β-1b (subcutaneous administration). She had taken no drug except for the IFN-β-1b. Because nephrotic syndrome may be induced by IFN therapy, the IFN was stopped. Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed that she had minimal change nephrotic syndrome. As nephrotic-range proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and general edema were worsening even 2 weeks after cessation of the drug, oral corticosteroid therapy (prednisolone 40 mg/day) was started. The nephrotic syndrome was treated successfully with prednisolone. The dosage of prednisolone was tapered, without a relapse, and then the corticosteroid therapy was stopped. IFN-β-1b therapy was then resumed, and the patient is in remission for both nephrotic syndrome and MS. Though proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome is a rare adverse effect of IFN-β-1b therapy, physicians treating MS patients with this agent should pay careful attention to new clinical symptoms and laboratory findings.     

High bone turnover of type I collagen depends on fetal growth

The bone metabolic processes of proliferation and differentiation in preterm and term newborns have yet to be fully elucidated. Seventy-four umbilical cord blood samples were collected from preterm and term newborns delivered at 27 to 42 gestational weeks (GWs). Carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were measured. Calcitonin (CT), estrogen (E2), intact parathyroid hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were also examined in 20 or 23 randomly selected samples. We conducted cross-sectional regression analyses for bone metabolic markers, fetal growth markers including GWs, birth weight (BW), height (BH) and head circumference (HC), and bone related hormones. PICP and ICTP activities were very high, but decreased significantly with fetal growth based on GWs, BW, BH, and HC changes (GWs, BW, and BH to both PICP and ICTP, P < 0.0001; HC to ICTP, P < 0.0001; HC to PICP, P < 0.05), while BAP and ALP did not change significantly. E2 and CT both showed a significant positive correlation with Ca (P < 0.05), but neither hormone had any apparent correlation with PICP, ALP, BAP, or ICTP. These results suggest very active bone formation and resorption of type I collagen to be dependent on fetal growth and that fetal osteoblasts dominate the proliferation phase of development rather than the maturation phase. However, factors contributing to high bone turnover in the fetus remain to be elucidated.     

Development of multi-dimensional action checklist for promoting new approaches in participatory occupational safety and health in small and medium-sized enterprises

To meet diversified health needs in workplaces, especially in developed countries, occupational safety and health (OSH) activities should be extended. The objective of this study is to develop a new multi-dimensional action checklist that can support employers and workers in understanding a wide range of OSH activities and to promote participation in OSH in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The general structure of and specific items in the new action checklist were discussed in a focus group meeting with OSH specialists based upon the results of a literature review and our previous interviews with company employers and workers. To assure practicality and validity, several sessions were held to elicit the opinions of company members and, as a result, modifications were made. The new multi-dimensional action checklist was finally formulated consisting of 6 core areas, 9 technical areas, and 61 essential items. Each item was linked to a suitable section in the information guidebook that we developed concomitantly with the action checklist. Combined usage of the action checklist with the information guidebook would provide easily comprehended information and practical support. Intervention studies using this newly developed action checklist will clarify the effectiveness of the new approach to OSH in SMEs.     

Clinical significance of serum LpA-I levels measured by immunoturbidimetric assay in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Previously, we developed an immunoturbidimetric assay method for lipoprotein A-I(LpA-I) on sera pre-absorbed with anti-apolipoprotein A-II. In the present study, correlations between serum lipoprotein A-I and other serum parameters levels were examined and LpA-I levels were studied in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The serum levels of LpA-I did not correlate with those of diabetic markers such as fasted blood glucose, glycohemoglobin(HbA1c) and fructosamine, but correlated well with the levels of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, phospholipids, apolipoprotein A-I and seemed to correlate inversely with arteriosclerosis index. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, LpA-I levels were significantly lower than those in normal subjects. Especially, LpA-I levels of patients with diabetic complications were significantly lower than those in normal subjects and non-complicated diabetic patients. Then, the measurement of LpA-I levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was considered to be useful for prevention and management of arteriosclerosis.     

Comparative Analysis of Colonization of Helicobacter pylori and Glycolipids Receptor Density in Mongolian Gerbils and Mice

The Mongolian gerbil has been used as an excellent experimental animal model for studying Helicobacter pylori infection because it can stably colonize and induce severe chronic gastritis, ulceration, and cancer-simulating human diseases in this animal. In contrast, H. pylori can only induce mild inflammation in many mouse models. The aim in this study is to clarify the difference of induction of pathological lesions in the two animal models. SPF ICR mice and Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with a clinically isolated strain of H. pylori. Six weeks after inoculation, bacteria colonizing the stomach were counted. Immunohistochemical staining and biochemical analyses of three putative receptor glycolipids were performed with monoclonal antibodies to the respective glycolipids. Significantly higher numbers of H. pylori were recovered from the stomachs of Mongolian gerbils than mice (5.77 ± 0.46 log CFU vs 4.17 ± 0.55 log CFU, P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical studies showed that sulfatide expression in the gastric mucosa of Mongolian gerbils was much stronger than that in mice, whereas the expression of Lewis^b glycolipid and GM3 were almost equal. Quantitative analysis of each glycolipid by thin-layer chromatography confirmed the results of immunohistochemical study, showing 4.1 times higher sulfatide content in the Mongolian gerbil stomach. The content of both Lewis^b and GM3 was almost equivalent in these two animals. In conclusions, higher levels of sulfatide expression, a putative adhesion receptor, in the gastric mucosa of Mongolian gerbils may allow abundant colonization by H. pylori, resulting in the development of gastric lesions in this animal model.