A new assay for rapid measurement of MIF levels by 3H-labelled cells in liquid scintillation counting vials: Statistical implications for the measurement of migration inhibition

A new quantitative assay for migration inhibitory factor (MIF) employs ³H-labelled cultured mouse or human lymphoid cells migrating from capillary tubes. Capillaries filled with labelled cells are placed in liquid scintillation counting vials, along with the MIF- containing sample and are removed at the end of a five-hour incubation period. The residual, labelled cells which have migrated out of the tubes are solubilized and counted in a liquid scintillation counter. While cultured lymphoblast cells are routinely used in the assay, the method was checked against mouse and guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells in both the labelled cell technique and the conventional chamber assay. The assay is technically simple to perform and a useful tool for laboratory research purposes because of the short span of time needed to obtain the results. These advantages indicate a potential for automation and use of this assay in a clinical immunology laboratory. Statistical analysis of data from both assays demonstrated that the relative variation among replicates is lower in the labelled cell assay. The new assay also measured a significant difference between controls and MIF-containing samples when the migration index (MI) was greater than 80%. Criteria for significant inhibition of migration are discussed in regard to the use of analysis variance (ANOVA) and other statistical procedures, and the inadequacy of a single measure, such as the MI, is discussed.     

Age-related autoantibody production in a nonhuman primate model

Autoantibody production increases with ageing. However, the pathological significance of this increase as well as the corresponding underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To further our understanding of the role that ageing plays in the development of autoantibody responses, we used a novel nonhuman primate model consisting of healthy baboons of ages representing the entire lifespan of this animal species. Results from this study indicate that production of antinuclear antibodies, anticell extract antibodies and natural autoantibodies gradually and significantly increases from young age to old age without a corresponding increase in neither serum immunoglobulin concentration nor in levels of selected markers of immune dysregulation (sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, IL-2 sR alpha and IFN-gamma). Therefore, in the baboon model, autoantibodies may be produced in absence of recognizable pathological conditions of the ageing immune system.     

Bronchial epithelial cells produce lung fibroblast chemotactic factor: fibronectin

The interaction between the epithelial cells and the subjacent mesenchymal cells in the airway is thought to play a major role during tissue repair after airway injury and lung morphogenesis. To evaluate this interaction, we cultured human lung fibroblasts, and bovine and human bronchial epithelial cells, and determined that bronchial epithelial cell-conditioned medium has a chemotactic activity for lung fibroblasts. This activity had the characteristics of protein: it was nondialyzable, heat-labile, pepsin-labile, acid-stable, and lipid-inextractable. Molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-150 and affinity chromatography on gelatin-Sepharose revealed that there was one peak of chemotactic activity in high molecular weight range, which bound to gelatin, thus suggesting that the chemotactic factor might be fibronectin. Production and secretion of fibronectin into the culture media were demonstrated by biosynthetic incorporation of radioactive amino acid into fibronectin followed by immunoprecipitation on SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Release into the culture medium was confirmed by ELISA. The identity of fibronectin as the chemotactic activity was confirmed by the addition of antifibronectin antibody to the conditioned medium, which inhibited chemotaxis in dose-dependent manner. Thus, bronchial epithelial cells produce fibronectin which can function as a chemotactic factor for lung fibroblasts. This production of fibronectin by bronchial epithelial cells may play an important role in regulating interaction between the bronchial epithelial cells that line the lumenal surface of the bronchial epithelial wall and the mesenchymal fibroblasts that underlie the bronchial epithelial basement membrane.     

Patients' attitudes about rapid oral HIV screening in an urban, free dental clinic

The 2006 Centers for Disease Control recommendations for routine HIV screening in all health care settings could include dental clinics an important testing venue. However, little is known about patients' attitudes regarding the routine use of rapid oral HIV screening at an urban free dental clinic. This pilot study seeks to evaluate the patient perspective on rapid HIV screening in this setting. In June 2007, patients at a free dental clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, were provided an attitude assessment survey prior to their dental visit. This dental clinic serves a diverse patient population consisting of approximately 37% white, 47% black, 6% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 1% Native American uninsured patients. Results were analyzed for acceptance of testing and potential barriers. Of the 150 respondents, 73% reported they would be willing to take a free rapid HIV screening test during their dental visit. Overall, 91% of Hispanics, 79% of Caucasians, and 73% of African American patients reported they would be willing to be screened. Patients with a history of multiple prior screening tests for HIV were more likely to agree to oral rapid HIV screening in the dental clinic. The majority (62%) reported that it did not matter who provided them with the screening result, although some (37%) preferred their dentist above any other provider. Low self-perception of risk (37%) and having already received screening elsewhere (24%) were the main reasons for not accepting a free, rapid HIV screening. Overall, dental clinic patients widely accepted the offer of rapid oral HIV screening. Rapid HIV screening in the dental clinic setting is a viable option to increase the number of individuals who know their HIV status.     

The multiple sources of women's aging anxiety and their relationship with psychological distress

OBJECTIVE: The authors examine associations of three sources of women's aging anxiety--declining attractiveness, health, and fertility--with social contexts of their lives, including locations in systems of inequality, connections to institutions, relationships, and health. They also explore links between aging anxieties and distress. METHOD: Employing data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States conducted in 1995-1996, the authors use logistic and OLS regression. RESULTS: Anxiety about attractiveness is higher among women who are younger, White, heterosexual, employed, separated/divorced, less financially independent, and have worse relationships. Anxiety about health is greater among women who are younger, White, less financially independent, and have worse relationships and health. Anxiety about fertility is higher among younger, more educated, heterosexual, more financially independent, and childless women. Anxiety about health and attractiveness predicts greater distress. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that correlates and mental health consequences of aging anxiety differ across sources of concern.