A novel molecular interaction for the adhesion of follicular CD4 T cells to follicular DC

Nectins and Nectin‐like molecules (Necl) play a critical role in cell polarity within epithelia and in the nervous and reproductive systems. Recently, immune receptors specific for Nectins/Necl have been described. Since the expression and distribution of Nectins/Necl is often subverted during tumorigenesis, it has been suggested that the immune system may use these receptors to recognize and eliminate tumors. Here we describe a novel immunoreceptor, Washington University Cell Adhesion Molecule, which is expressed on human follicular B helper T cells (TFH) and binds a Nectin/Necl family member, the poliovirus receptor (PVR), under both static and flow conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PVR is abundantly expressed by follicular DC (FDC) within the germinal center. These results reveal a novel molecular interaction that mediates adhesion of TFH to FDC and provide the first evidence that immune receptors for Nectins/Necl may be involved the generation of T cell‐dependent antibody responses.     

Intranasal glucocorticosteroids – Not only in allergic rhinitis In the 40th anniversary of intranasal glucocorticosteroids’ introduction

It has been 40 years since Niels Mygind's publication in British Medical Journal on intranasal application of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in allergic rhinitis (AR). Since then a new era in treatment of allergic and nonallergic upper airway diseases began.     

Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin is associated with rejuvenation of CD8+ T cell compartment in chronic renal failure patients.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests an impact of rHuEpo on the immune system. METHODS: We assessed the impact of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) on the immunity of 11 chronic renal failure patients who did not require haemodialysis. Na?ve (Tn), central (Tcm) and effectory memory (Tcm, Tem, TemRA) subsets of CD8+ T cells, memory-CMV-specific CD8+ T cells, titres of anti-CMV antibodies and activity of NK cells were evaluated during the first year of rHuEpo administration. RESULTS: While the number of CD8 T cells did not change, significant change was found in their proportions. Percentage of Tn cells increased at the expense of Tcm cells. Appearing Tn cells were CD28+ increasing the total pool of CD28+ T cells. Together with decreasing number, Tcm cells changed to mainly CD28- Tcm cells. A 'move' towards the na?ve compartment was also confirmed as the level of memory-CMV-specific CD8+ T cells decreased. Humoral immunity analysed as titres of anti-CMV antibodies as well as innate immunity measured as cytotoxicity of NK cells did not change during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the administration of rHuEpo caused rejuvenation of cellular CD8+ T-dependent immunity in our patients.     

Decreased lung function associated with perinatal exposure to Dutch background levels of dioxins

Perinatal exposure to Dutch background dioxin levels is rather high. Studies of calamities have shown that dioxins negatively influence the respiratory system. It was hypothesized that perinatal exposure to background dioxin levels leads to lung suboptimality, probably through developmental interference. This study aimed to assess lung function in relation to perinatal dioxin exposure. Spirometry was performed in 41 healthy children (aged 7-12 y, mean 8.2 y) with known perinatal dioxin exposure. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV 1 /FVC ratio) was determined. A complete medical history was taken. The prenatal exposure ranged from 8.74 to 88.8 (mean 34.6) ng TEQ dioxin kg fat -1 , measured in breast milk. The postnatal exposure ranged from 4.34 to 384.51 (mean 75.4) ng TEQ dioxin. Twelve children had to be excluded. significant decrease in lung function in relation to both prenatal ( p = 0.045) and postnatal ( p = 0.0002) dioxin exposure was seen in the 29 non-excluded children. A clinical association between chest congestion and perinatal dioxin exposure was seen.

Conclusion: Perinatal background dioxin exposure may be inversely associated with the FEV 1 /FVC ratio.     

Bioelectrical impedance analysis before versus after a hemodialysis session in evaluation of nutritional status.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate whether bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) performed 15 minutes after a hemodialysis (HD) session is clinically useful in nutrition status assessment in comparison with BIA performed before HD. Because of better reliability, it is postulated in the literature that BIA measurements should be performed 1 to 5 hours after HD sessions. However, the measurements 1 to 5 hours after HD sessions are inconvenient in clinical practice. Furthermore, the currently published BIA reference values for the HD population are based on the measurements taken before HD sessions. METHODS: The study group consisted of 29 HD patients who were in a stable clinical condition. BIA measurements were performed by means of BIA 101 System (Akern RJL Systems, Florence, Italy). The correlation coefficients were surveyed between traditional indices of nutritional status, such as body mass index (BMI) and plasma concentrations of protein, albumin, and nonprotein nitrogen blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (measured before HD) on one hand, and BIA parameters (taken before and 15 minutes after HD) on the other hand. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations occurred between such BIA parameters as (1) phase angle and BMI or albumin, or total protein or BUN and (2) body cell mass and BMI or BUN. The differences between correlation coefficients achieved either before or after HD were statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: BIA measurements in the studied group of patients did correlate with traditional indices of nutritional status. The correlation coefficients were not significantly influenced by the time of performing BIA measurements. The obtained correlations confirm that BIA performed 15 minutes after an HD session may be a useful tool in evaluation of nutritional status of stable HD patients in clinical practice.     

An Innovative, Effective and Cost Effective Survey Method Using a Survey-Check Response Format

Maximizing the response rate to surveys involves thoughtful choices about survey design, sampling and collection methods. This paper describes an innovative survey method, to provide immediate reinforcement for responding and to minimize the response cost. This method involves using a questionnaire printed as checks on security (anti-fraud) paper with questions and responses separated using a perforated tear off section. Once a participant completes the survey, the response area is detached from the questions, thus protecting the confidentiality of the subject, and the check is returned via the banking system. This report describes the survey-check methodology, the survey flow process, and the results from four research studies which have used this method. These studies include (1) a technology accessibility survey of parents with children enrolled in a low-income preschool program; (2) a parent report of their child's behavior used as screening criteria for inclusion in a computer-mediated parent education project; (3) a follow-up questionnaire as part of a longitudinal study of child behavior, covering home and classroom interventions, and service utilization, and; (4) a survey of dentists in support of efforts to recruit them to participate in a randomized control trial of tobacco cessation in dental offices. The results of using this method show great improvement in response rates over traditionally administered surveys for three of the four reported studies. Results are discussed in terms of future applications of this method, limitations, and potential cost savings.