Sjögren's Syndrome with Chronic Pancreatitis, Sclerosing Cholangitis, and Pulmonary Infiltrations

We report a patient with Sjögren's syndrome and multiple gastrointestinal manifestations who successfully responded to therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid. Our patient had sialoadenitis with dry mouth, dry eyes, arthralgia, chronic pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and pulmonary inflitrations. The first signs of disease were the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis followed by icterus, caused by extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed by liver biopsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Sialoadenitis, causing dry mouth, was verified by buccal biopsy. Pulmonary infiltrations were seen on standard chest x-ray, and also shown by high-resolution computed tomography examination. Obstructive icterus and even pulmonary infiltration responded successfully to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid.     

A T-helper cell epitope overlaps a major B-cell epitope in human papillomavirus type 18 E2 protein.

Cultivated CD4+ T-helper cells from two patients with cervical adenocarcinoma showed responses to a peptide EKTGILTVTYHSETQRTK derived from an E2 protein of human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV 18), but not to a corresponding HPV 16 peptide (HKSAIVTLTYDSEWQRDQ). Serum antibodies in the HPV 18 peptide were also demonstrated in these patients. The GILT motif resembles a common pattern present in many T-cell epitopes, and is located at the beginning of an 11-amino acid-long A-helix structure close to the carboxyterminal end of HPV 18 E2. We conclude that two epitopes (a T-helper cell epitope and a B-cell epitope) overlap in the HPV 18 E2.     

Application of markers of collagen metabolism in serum and synovial fluid for assessment of disease process in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the potential of markers of collagen metabolism to reflect disease processes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS--Serum (S) and synovial fluid (SF) from 59 patients with RA, and a knee joint effusion and serum from 90 control subjects were studied with radioimmunoassays for the aminoterminal propeptides of type I and type III procollagens (PINP and PIIINP, respectively). The breakdown of type I collagen was quantified with a radioimmunoassay for the cross linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP). RESULTS--About 50% of the patients had increased S-ICTP and S-PIIINP values, whereas S-PINP was increased in only 20% of the patients. The mean SF:S ratios of these markers varied between 4 (for ICTP) and 340 (for PIIINP), indicating that markers of collagen metabolism are formed locally and then released into the circulation. SF-PINP and SF-PIIINP correlated with each other (rs = 0.86, p < 0.001) and with SF-ICTP (rs = 0.69, p < 0.001, and rs = 0.65, p < 0.001, respectively). SF-ICTP was clearly related to radiographic findings in the corresponding knee joint, patients with gross bone deformation having the greatest SF-ICTP concentrations. S-ICTP and S-PIIINP also correlated with conventional markers of disease activity, such as C reactive protein and joint swelling score. CONCLUSION--Markers of collagen metabolism both in serum and synovial fluid can be measured to provide an assessment of disease process in patients with RA. ICTP and PIIINP are the most informative.     

Interactions between synthesis of platelet-activating factor and leukotriene B4 in isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The aim of the present work was to study interactions between the synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in vitro. PAF, at nanomolar concentrations, stimulated calcium ionophore A23187-activated PMNs to release LTB₄ and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE). This seems to be a receptor-mediated process as it was blocked by a PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 (IC₅₀ 6.6±3.9M). Moreover, LTB₄ stimulated the formation of PAF in activated PMNs. WEB 2086 did not, however, alter PMN migration towards either LTB₄ or the chemotactic peptide FMLP. This suggests that the enhancement of PAF synthesis in response to LTB₄ is a concomitant event rather than a mediating process in LTB₄-induced chemotactic movement of PMNs. These effects are implicated in the complex network of interactions between inflammatory mediators that results accumulation and activation of PMNs in the exacerbation of inflammatory processes.     

Use of AffiProbe HPV test kit for detection of human papillomavirus DNA in genital scrapes.

The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical and vaginal scrapes was analyzed by the AffiProbe HPV test kit (Orion Corp., Orion Pharmaceutica, Helsinki, Finland), which is a 1-day solution hybridization test for HPV type 6/11, 16, or 18. The AffiProbe test was compared with a commercially available dot blot test (ViraPap and ViraType tests; Life Technologies Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.). The study group consisted of 178 patients seen in a gynecological outpatient clinic. Altogether, 64 specimens (36 cervical and 28 vaginal scrapes) from 49 patients were positive by the AffiProbe test. Concurrently collected cervical scrapes from 174 patients were available for the reference test, which yielded 27 positive results for HPV type 6/11 or 16/18 and 25 positive results for HPV type 31/33/35. Agreement as to the presence of HPV type 6/11, 16, or 18 by the two tests was reached in 85% of the specimens. Eleven cervical specimens were positive by the AffiProbe test only, and nine cervical specimens were positive by the ViraType test only. Independent evidence obtained by the polymerase chain reaction, repeat examination, or the concurrent presence of HPV DNA in vaginal or vulval epithelium supported the AffiProbe and the ViraType test results for 6 of the 11 and 6 of the 9 specimens with discrepant results, respectively. Thus, the DNA tests had similar sensitivities for HPV type 6/11, 16, and 18 DNAs, but the results were obtained within 1 day by the AffiProbe test, whereas results for the ViraPap and ViraType analyses required from 4 days to 2 weeks.     

Function-blocking antibodies to human vascular adhesion protein-1: a potential anti-inflammatory therapy

Human vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a homodimeric 170-kDa sialoglycoprotein that is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells and functions as a semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase and as an adhesion molecule. Blockade of VAP-1 has been shown to reduce leukocyte adhesion and transmigration in in vivo and in vitro models, suggesting that VAP-1 is a potential target for anti-inflammatory therapy. In this study we have constructed mouse-human chimeric antibodies by genetic engineering in order to circumvent the potential problems involved in using murine antibodies in man. Our chimeric anti-VAP-1 antibodies, which were designed to lack Fc-dependent effector functions, bound specifically to cell surface-expressed recombinant human VAP-1 and recognized VAP-1 in different cell types in tonsil. Furthermore, the chimeric antibodies prevented leukocyte adhesion and transmigration in vitro and in vivo. Hence, these chimeric antibodies have the potential to be used as a new anti-inflammatory therapy.     

European seroepidemiology network 2: Standardisation of assays for seroepidemiology of varicella zoster virus.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network (ESEN2) is to harmonise the serological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Europe. OBJECTIVE: To allow comparison of antibody prevalence in different countries by standardising results into common units. STUDY DESIGN: For varicella zoster virus (VZV), a reference laboratory established a panel of 148 samples, characterised by indirect enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence, and complement fixation test. Fifty-seven samples were also studied by the fluorescence antibody to membrane antigen test. The geometric mean of the antibody activity (GMAA) obtained from four ELISA determinations was used to characterise each sample of the panel as positive (GMAA: >100 mIU/ml), equivocal (GMAA: 50-100 mIU/ml) or negative (GMAA: <50 mIU/ml) for antibody to VZV (anti-VZV). Thirteen laboratories, using five different ELISA tests, tested the panel. RESULTS: Agreement with the reference laboratory was above 85% in all cases, and the R(2) values obtained from regression analysis of the quantitative results were always higher than 0.87. Finally, the regression equations could be used to convert national values into a common unitage. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that results for anti-VZV obtained by different ELISA methods can be converted into common units, enabling the comparison of the seroprevalence profiles obtained in the participant countries.     

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA by AffiProbe HPV-DNA test kit in cervical scrapes or biopsies-histopathologic correlates

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of punch biopsies and cervical scrapes in the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA from the cervix and compare the results with the histopathologic diagnosis.Methods: The specimens were collected simultaneously, and HPV DNA was detected using a liquid hybridization test.Results: Biopsies and scrapes were equally efficient, but each detected only two-thirds of all HPV-DNA-positive patients. Thus, the positivity rate increased when both tests were used. Overall, 13% of patients with normal histopathology, 38% of patients with benign atypia, and 66% of patients with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) were HPV-DNA positive. HPV-DNA 16 was found in 54% of HPV-DNA-positive patients with SIL, in 20% of HPV-DNA-positive patients with atypia, and in none of patients with normal histopathology.Conclusions: The liquid hybridization test used in this study detects HPV DNA equally efficiently from both biopsies and scrapes. The test can be performed in 1 working day. However, the sensitivity of the test is low, and it only detects a limited number of HPV types.     

A novel cytotoxicity screening assay using a multiwell fluorescence scanner.

A new assay using a multiwell fluorescence scanner was developed for screening cytotoxicity to cells cultured in 96-well microtiter plates. The assay is based on binding of propidium iodide to nuclei of cells whose plasma membranes have become permeable due to cell death. Fluorescence of propidium iodide measured with a multiwell fluorescence scanner increased in proportion to the number of permeabilized cells. After ATP depletion of hepatocytes and neonatal cardiac myocytes with metabolic inhibitors ("chemical hypoxia"), and exposure of Madine Darby canine kidney cells to the toxic chemical, HgCl2, propidium iodide fluorescence progressively increased. Increases of fluorescence were linearly proportional with release of lactate dehydrogenase into the culture medium. Employing this cytotoxicity screening assay, protection by various agents against lethal injury was evaluated in cultured hepatocytes during chemical hypoxia. Inhibitors of cysteine proteases (i.e., antipain, leupeptin, E-64), serine proteases (i.e., PMSF), and aspartic acid proteases (i.e., pepstatin A) did not protect against chemical hypoxia. In contrast, 1,10-phenanthroline, an inhibitor of metalloprotease, markedly protected against the onset of cell death during chemical hypoxia. Half-maximal protection after 60 min occurred at 0.5 microM. Phospholipase inhibitors, chlorpromazine (50 microM) and mepacrine (50 microM), also substantially retarded cell killing. U74006F, an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, slowed cell killing to a lesser extent during chemical hypoxia and after oxidative stress with t-butyl hydroperoxide. Calciphor, a dimer of prostaglandin B1, did not protect against cell killing during chemical hypoxia or t-butyl hydroperoxide toxicity. In conclusion, this high capacity cytotoxicity assay for cells cultured in 96-well microtiter plates is suitable for rapid screening of potential cytoprotective agents in a variety of cell types.     

Human papillomavirus infection of the female genital tract: correlation of HPV DNA with cytologic, colposcopic, and natural history findings.

Although molecular biology evidence suggests a strong link between HPVs and anogenital neoplasias, evidence from clinical studies is still less convincing. Thus, the recognition of both overt and subclinical HPV infection has become increasingly important. We studied the correlation between HPV DNA and cytologic, colposcopic and natural history findings in a defined group of women. The study population consisted of 150 HPV DNA positive cases (mean age 25.7 years, SD 7.4) and 69 randomly selected HPV DNA negative controls (mean age 27.3 years, SD 7.9) enrolled in an ongoing study of the natural history of genital HPV infections. All cases and controls had normal cervicovaginal cytology at the enrollment. A commercial dot-blot technique hybridization test (Virapap and Viratype, Digene Diagnostics, USA) was used for HPV DNA testing of cervicovaginal scrapes. Five percent of the patients had HPV 16/18, 31% had HPV 31/33/35, 15% had more than one of the three HPV DNA groups ("mixed"), and 15% had untypable HPV DNA. Cases and controls were followed by repeat examinations every 4th month. The mean follow-up time was 12.2 months (SD 8.7) for the cases, and 12.8 months (SD 6.9) for the controls. The study endpoint was defined as the presence of cytologic changes consistent with CIN. The overall prevalence of atypical transformation zone (ATZ) findings was 45% in the controls and 56% in the cases, with no significant differences between the specific HPV DNA groups. Although vulvar or vaginal abnormalities (acetowhite epithelium, squamous papillomatosis, filaments, satellite lesions, fissures, papules or exophytic condylomas) were more commonly seen in the cases than in the controls, the difference was significant only for condylomas and fissures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)