The human cardiac mast cell: localization, isolation, phenotype, and functional characterization

We have isolated and characterized the human cardiac mast cell (CMC) and compared this novel mast cell (MC type with MC obtained from uterus, skin, and lung. Heart tissue was obtained from 14 patients with cardiomyopathy (CMP, heart transplantation). CMC were isolated by enzymatic digestion using collagenase, pronase-E, hyaluronidase, and DNAse. Substantial amounts of CMC (0.5% to 1.5% of isolated cells) were found in the atrial appendages but not in ventricular digests or other sites of the heart (< 0.1%). In situ staining of atrial tissue revealed the presence of CMC in the myocardium (2.16 +/- 0.7 MC/mm2), endocardium (2.24 +/- 0.9 MC/mm2), and epicardium. As assessed by combined toluidine blue/immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), isolated CMC expressed surface IgE, the receptor for stem cell factor (c-kit receptor/CD117), the p24 antigen (CD9), the Pgp-1 homing receptor (CD44), the pan leukocyte antigen (CD45), and the ICAM-1 antigen (CD54). CMC were not recognized by MoAbs to lymphocyte function associated antigen 2 (LFA-2; CD2), T-cell receptor (TcR; CD3), T4 antigen (CD4), LFA-1 alpha-chain (CD11a), C3biR alpha-chain (CD11b), CR4 alpha-chain (CD11c), LPS-R related Ag (CD14), 3-FAL/x-hapten (CD15), Fc gamma RIII (CD16), lactosylceramid (CDw17), the B-cell antigen CD19, or CR1 (CD35). In situ expression of leukocyte antigens on CMC was demonstrable by indirect immunoperoxidase staining technique and double-labeling immunohistochemistry. Almost all CMC (90%) reacted with MoAbs against tryptase and chymase and thus were MCTC. Cardiac mast cells were also stained by the heparin-binding dye Berberine sulfate and expressed measurable amounts of histamine (4.6 +/- 1.4 pg per cell). Cross linking of either IgE receptor or SCF receptor (c-kit) on CMC resulted in histamine secretion (non-specific release: < 6% of total histamine, alpha IgE induced: 12% to 52%; SCF-induced release: 9% to 18%), whereas neither substance P (a skin MC agonist) nor the basophil agonist FMLP showed an effect on CMC. Together, the CMC is an MCTC primarily located in the appendage of the atrium. This novel type of MC exhibits surface membrane antigen and functional properties similar to those of lung and uterus MC.     

Improvement of platelet storage conditions by using new polyolefin containers

BACKGROUND : Storage of pooled platelet concentrates (PCs) with yields above 3.0 × 10¹¹ platelets per unit in a 1-L PL-732 polyolefin container for 5 days often results in a drop in pH to below 6.0. Recently, new oxygen-permeable platelet containers (1-L PL-2410, 1-L and 1.5-L Compoflex) have been developed. The maximal platelet storage capacities of the new containers and the PL-732 were compared. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : Large platelet pools (n = 27) with platelet concentrations between 1.2 and 1.4 × 10¹¹ per L were made from 3 to 5 PCs prepared from buffy coats. The pools were divided in equal volumes among the PL-732 and the three new platelet containers. Platelet counts in the PCs ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 × 10¹¹ per unit. All PCs were stored on a flatbed shaker at 22 ± 2°C and evaluated on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7 by measuring platelet count, pH, pO₂, pCO₂, HCO₃-, glucose, lactate, platelet swirling, and soluble p-selectin. RESULTS : Day 7 storage of PCs (n = 6) with yields between 3.0 and 4.0 × 10¹¹ platelets in PL-732 showed mean ± SD pH values of 5.93 ± 0.05 and lactate values of 32.3 ± 7.9 mmol per L; in 4 of these 6 PCs, pH was below 6.0. In contrast, storage of these PCs in 1-L PL-2410 and 1.5-L Compoflex containers and of 2 of these 6 PCs in 1-L Compoflex containers showed pH values above 6.8. Lactate values were 15.5 ± 1.3, 15.3 ± 1.8, and 19.5 ± 4.7 mmol per L, respectively (p < 0.001 vs. PL-732). The platelet storage capacity of the new containers with platelet yields between 4.0 and 5.0 × 10¹¹ per unit (n = 6) was evaluated. Day 7 storage of these PCs in the 1.5-L Compoflex showed an average pH value of 6.74 ± 0.20; in 2 of 6 PCs, pH was below 6.8. The average pH value in the PL-2410 was 6.38 ± 0.31, and in all PCs, pH was below 6.8. Average lactate values were 17.8 ± 5.7 and 25.8 ± 5.6 mmol per L (p < 0.05), respectively. Soluble p-selectin values on Day 7 of storage increased approximately twofold in all PCs. CONCLUSION : The new oxygen-permeable containers showed platelet quality comparable to that with the PL-732 and for longer storage periods and at higher platelet counts.     

Effects of stimulation frequency,amplitude, and impulse width on muscle fatigue

Introduction: We investigated the effect of stimulation intensity (in percent of maximal tolerated stimulation current, mTSC), frequency, and impulse width on muscle fatigue. Methods: Using a randomized crossover design, 6 parameter combinations (80% mTSC, 80 Hz , 400 μs; 60% mTSC, 80 Hz , 400 μs; 80% mTSC, 20 Hz , 400 μs; 60% mTSC, 20 Hz , 400 μs; 80% mTSC, 80 Hz , 150 μs; 60% mTSC, 80 Hz , 150 μs) were tested in both legs of 13 athletic men (age 26 ± 2.3). The slope of the linear regression line over all tetani (FIS) and the number of tetani whose force was above 50% of the initial tetanus (FIN) were used to quantify fatigue. Results: FIS and FIN were significantly lower in high‐frequency protocols. No effects on FIS and FIN were found for intensity and impulse width. Conclusions: Stimulation frequency, but not impulse width or intensity, affected fatigue kinetics. Muscle Nerve 53 : 608–616, 2016     

抗肿瘤药物的研究:N′,N″-二螺三哌嗪类化合物的合成

In order to search for new antitumor drugs, sixteen N′, N″-dispirotripiperazine derivatives were synthesized from N′, N″-dispirotripiperazinium dichloride dihydrochloride by substitution, acylation and Mannich reaction. Six compounds were selected for preliminary pharmacological test. The result showed that five compounds possess inhibitory action against carcinoma S₃₇ in rats. The inhibitory activity of compounds Ⅵ and Ⅹ was 55.0% and. 41.9% respectively.