Constitutive Expression of a Bacterial Pattern Recognition Receptor, CD14, in Human Salivary Glands and Secretion as a Soluble Form in Saliva

Saliva contains a number of proteins and glycoproteins that protect oral tissues, but little is known about the role of human saliva in innate immunity. Here we showed that human major salivary gland cells constitutively expressed a bacterial pattern recognition receptor, CD14, by immunohistochemistry. Human salivary gland cells in culture express CD14 mRNA and a 55-kDa CD14 protein in, but not on the cells, and secrete a soluble form with the same molecular mass. Human whole saliva contains a 55-kDa CD14, and the concentration of parotid saliva was 10-fold higher than whole saliva, which is comparable to that of serum CD14. Levels of CD14 in unstimulated whole and parotid saliva were unchanged before and after a meal and between unstimulated and stimulated saliva, indicating that saliva CD14 is constitutively secreted into the oral cavity. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein was below the detectable level. The saliva CD14 is functionally active in that it mediated the activation of CD14-lacking intestinal epithelial cells by LPS in a Toll-like receptor 4-dependent manner. These results suggested that saliva CD14 is important for the maintenance of oral health and possibly intestinal homeostasis.     

Detection of the putative E2 protein of hepatitis C virus in human liver

The question was asked whether a predicted envelope protein, considered to be processed from the polyprotein precursor encoded by the putative E2/NS1 region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, may be observed in HCV-infected humans. Two polyclonal antibodies against recombinant E2/NS1 proteins were prepared and their reactivity tested against liver extracts from HCV-infected patients by immunoblotting analysis. A band corresponding to a size of 44 kDa was detected in liver extracts from patients who were positive for the HCV-specific antibody anti-C100-3 but not in liver extracts from patients who did not have anti-C100-3 antibody. Additionally, no band was detected using preimmune sera or antisera which had been preabsorbed with recombinant E2/NS1 proteins. Deglycosylation studies demonstrated that the 44 kDa protein was a glycosylated form of a 38 kDa protein which corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of the putative E2/NS1 protein. These results suggest that the 44 kDa protein is a product of the E2/NS1 region. Frequent observation of the 44 kDa band in cases of chronic active hepatitis C suggests a correlation between the expression of this protein and the progression of hepatitis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Preparation of Asialofetuin-Labeled Liposomes with Encapsulated Human Interferon-γ and Their Uptake by Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

The selective delivery of human recombinant interferon (IFN)- to isolated rat hepatocytes was studied with asialofetuin (AF)-labeled liposomes. AF-liposomes containing buffer solution were initially prepared by the detergent removal method, and IFN- was subsequently encapsulated by the freeze-thawing method without loss of activity. Virtually no free [³²P]IFN- was internalized into isolated rat hepatocytes, whereas AF-liposomes containing [³²P]IFN- were taken up to a significant degree. Liposomal binding to the hepatocytes (estimated at 4°C) was one-fifth of the uptake (estimated at 37°C). Since the uptake was inhibited by the addition of free AF, AF-liposomes may be taken up by the action of galactose-binding protein on the hepatocytic cell surface. The liposome preparation method reported in this paper provides a useful means for the encapsulation of unstable macromolecules into AF-liposomes. AF-liposomes were found effectively to carry IFN- into hepatocytes in vitro.     

Circulatory disturbances during the first postnatal 24 hours in extremely premature infants 25 weeks or less of gestation with histological fetal inflammation

AIM: To investigate the effect of pre-existing fetal inflammation on hemodynamics during the first postnatal 24 h in extremely premature infants or= 3 than infants with no fetal inflammation (49% vs 17%) (P=0.04). Infants with fetal inflammation had significantly higher heart rate (P=0.005), catecholamine index (P=0.019) and volume load (P=0.021). CONCLUSION: Histological evidence of fetal inflammation in extremely premature infants is associated with circulatory disturbances over the first 24 h of life and increases in the incidence of IVH >or= 3.     

Secondary arteriovenous malformation due to subclavian vein occlusion

An 80-year-old man underwent rectal resection and insertion of a central venous catheter through the left subclavian vein 16 years earlier. Following surgery, he developed edema of his left upper limb that became exacerbated and infected. Computed tomography showed occlusion of the subclavian vein and multiple arteriovenous shunts from the branches of the axillary artery to the venous sac of the axillary vein. Angiography confirmed numerous shunts between the branches of the axillary artery and vein and dilated collateral veins. Embolization of the venous sac was performed using coils, alcohol, and glue. Postprocedural angiography showed complete eradication of the nidus.     

Long-Term Safety of Living Kidney Donors Aged 60 and Older

In Japan, kidney transplantation procedures are usually dependent upon live donors. As the recipient ages have been increasing, so has there been a corollary increase in the age of the live donors. Despite this being controversial, the use of older donors is becoming increasingly common. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the long-term safety of accepting older living kidney donors and graft survival rates. We retrospectively analyzed long-term donor outcomes for consecutive patients at our institution between January 1990 and December 2011. Older live kidney donors were defined as ≥60 years and younger live kidney donors were defined as <60 years old. Thirty-three were ≥60 years and 55 donors were <60 years. The mean follow-up term was 7 years and 4 months. Predonation, older donors had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level (77.1 ± 9.5 mL/min/1.73 m²) than younger donors (85.8 ± 14.6 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < .01). More older donors had a history of hypertension (42.4% vs 9.1%; P < .01). In both groups, eGFR levels decreased about 40% immediately after nephrectomy. Residual renal function though was stable on long-term follow-up. The incidence of de novo hypertension and proteinuria after nephrectomy was not different between the 2 groups. In older donors, there were no perioperative complications that required extended hospital stays. Graft survival over a period of 10 years was similar in both groups. In our study, donor age had no influence on the deterioration of renal function after nephrectomy. Regardless of age, careful evaluation and follow-up are important for the donor's long-term safety after donation.     

Gliding Distance of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon with Respect to Wrist Positioning: Observation in the Hands of Healthy Volunteers Using High-Resolution Ultrasonography

Study DesignCross-sectional experimental bench.IntroductionOptimal tendon gliding is necessary for normal thumb function.Purpose of the StudyMeasure the gliding distance of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendons during passive thumb flexion from high-resolution echo images at four wrist positions.MethodsGliding distance of the EPL tendon in zone 4 of the thumb was measured during passive flexion in four different wrist positions in 25 healthy female volunteers. Tendon gliding was evaluated from high-resolution ultrasonography in a frame-by-frame cross-correlation analysis.ResultsMean gliding distance of the EPL tendon was 1.79, 2.45, 1.09, and 1.36 mm with the wrist positioned in neutral, 30 degrees of extension, 30 degrees of flexion, and 20 degrees of ulnar deviation, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the gliding distance of the EPL tendon among all of four wrist positions except for that between the wrist flexion and wrist ulnar deviation conditions.ConclusionsWrist extension induces the greatest magnitude EPL tendon gliding.     

A case of scleroderma spectrum disorder with anticentriole antibody and pulmonary hypertension

We describe the case of a patient with anticentriole antibody-positive scleroderma spectrum disorder (SSD) who developed pulmonary hypertension. A 54-year-old woman had noticed Raynauds phenomenon and digital ulcers during the winter for the past 10 years. Although sclerodactyly was not present, digital ulcers, swelling of her hands, and phalangeal contracture were observed. An indirect immunofluorescence test revealed anticentriole antibody. Other SSc-specific antoantibodies were negative. An echocardiogram demonstrated that the estimated right ventricular systolic pressure was increased to 51 mmHg. She was diagnosed as SSD with pulmonary hypertension. This is the first case of SSD with anticentriole antibody to develop pulmonary hypertension.Abbreviations SSD Scleroderma spectrum disorder - SSc Systemic sclerosis