Nonspecific induction of immunoglobulin M antibodies to periodontal disease-associated microorganisms after polyclonal human B-lymphocyte activation by Fusobacterium nucleatum.

The production of antibodies to oral bacteria was determined in lymphocyte cultures stimulated with sonicated Fusobacterium nucleatum, a potent inducer of polyclonal B-cell activation. After 9 days the cultures were examined by a microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to F. nucleatum, Bacteroides gingivalis, Actinomyces viscosus, and Streptococcus sanguis. Antibodies to these four bacteria were detected in cultures stimulated with polyclonal B-cell activation-inducing concentrations of F. nucleatum. However, significant concentrations of antibodies to F. nucleatum, but not to the other three microorganisms, were produced in cultures that received suboptimal polyclonal B-cell activation-inducing doses of F. nucleatum. Absorption studies indicated the specificity of the antibodies to each of the bacteria tested. IgM antibody production induced by F. nucleatum was enhanced by the addition of T cells. The production of IgM antibodies to the bacteria was reproducible in cultures from a single person tested on 3 consecutive days. The concentration of antibodies in replicate cultures, however, fluctuated greatly. To obtain consistent responses on successive days, multiple replicate cultures were required. These results suggest that F. nucleatum, which is frequently present in subgingival plaque, could induce the production of antibodies not only to F. nucleatum, but also to other microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases.     

Comparison of the benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) test, DNA probes, and immunological reagents for ability to detect anaerobic periodontal infections due to Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Bacteroides forsythus.

Most forms of periodontal disease are associated with the presence or overgrowth of anaerobic species that could include Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Bacteroides forsythus among others. These three organisms are among the few cultivable plaque species that can hydrolyze the synthetic trypsin substrate benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA). In turn, BANA hydrolysis by the plaque can be associated with periodontal morbidity and with the presence of these three BANA-positive organisms in the plaque. In this investigation, the results of the BANA test, which simultaneously detects one or more of these organisms, were compared with the detection of these organisms by (i) highly specific antibodies to P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and B. forsythus; (ii) whole genomic DNA probes to P. gingivalis and T. denticola; and (iii) culturing or microscopic procedures. The BANA test, the DNA probes, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or an indirect immunofluorescence assay procedure exhibited high sensitivities, i.e., 90 ot 96%, and high accuracies, i.e., 83 to 92%, in their ability to detect combinations of these organisms in over 200 subgingival plaque samples taken from the most periodontally diseased sites in 67 patients. This indicated that if P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and B. forsythus are appropriate marker organisms for an anaerobic periodontal infection, then the three detection methods are equally accurate in their ability to diagnose this infection. The same statement could not be made for the culturing approach, where accuracies of 50 to 62% were observed.     

Simultaneous recording of the transpulmonary pressure and electromyogram of the diaphragm

To record the hysteresis loop and electromyogram of the diaphragm simultaneously it is recommended that a standard probe of the sort used to record the intraesophageal pressure, on which silver electrodes are mounted, be used. This method provides fuller information on the work of the respiratory muscles.Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. G. Baranov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 1, pp. 95–96, January, 1978.     

Microbe-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis enhancement after preculture.

The in vitro blastogenic response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to Fusobacterium nucleatum and other oral microorganisms was enhanced if the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 24 h at 37 degrees C prior to the addition of stimulant. The enhancement which occurred at optimal and supraoptimal concentrations of F. nucleatum (10 to 100 micrograms/ml) was detected after a preculture period of as little as 2 h. The blastogenic response was a result of T-cell proliferation, and enhancement occurred independently of monocytes. Suppressor activity was induced by culturing fresh lymphocytes for 24 h in the presence of supraoptimal concentrations of F. nucleatum. The enhancement phenomenon occurred independently of the prostaglandin effects on lymphocyte blastogenesis and was not abrogated by treatment with indomethacin.     

Application of pattern-recognition techniques in wavelength selection for instrumentally read reagent strips

Pattern recognition techniques--discriminant analysis and principal component analysis--are utilized in selecting the wavelengths for monitoring, by reflectance spectroscopy, color-generating reactions involving uric acid and cholesterol in serum. The data base we used was accumulated by a rapid-scanning reflectance spectrophotometer that measured reflectance at 16 wavelengths every 5 s after the reaction was initiated. The data were then analyzed in multidimensional space mainframe computer with commercial statistical software packages. The most appropriate wavelengths were those that yielded the largest generalized distance between analyte concentration by discriminant analysis and the largest weighting coefficient by principal component analysis. For uric acid, taking the ratio of reflectance measured at two wavelengths instead of at a single wavelength much better separates the clinically significant concentrations. For cholesterol, the initiated. The data were then analyzed in multidimensional space hemoglobin, can be clearly demonstrated y the "pattern" generated with principal component analysis. generalized distance between analyte generalized distance between analyte concentration by discriminant     

Do laws of biomechanics work in reconstruction of the cartilaginous nasal septum?

Biomechanical techniques can be used for correcting C-shaped or S-shaped nasal septum cartilage deformities. These include mucoperichondrium elevation on the concave side, trimming cartilage to its necessary size, incisions to release cartilaginous bends and strip resections. Resection and reimplantation of cartilage are preferable when correcting a difficult post-traumatic septum. While biomechanical principles are applicable to nasal septum surgery, further clinical studies must be devised to provide proper correction of the nasal septum with minimal sacrifice of cartilage.     

Quality of life and control of allergic rhinitis in patients from regions beyond western Europe and the United States

There is comparatively little information on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR/C) in countries beyond western Europe and North America. The primary aim of this investigation was therefore to review and assess the information in the public domain on HRQoL in AR/C patients from diverse regions of the world, represented by different countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey. Second, in view of the absence of a standardized definition for ‘AR control’, the review aimed to determine whether a working definition of AR/C can be inferred from validated tests or other instruments documented to date. Despite the comparatively low number of studies, this review demonstrated that overall the symptoms of AR/C impair the HRQoL of patients in these regions by adversely impacting sleep, daily activities, physical and mental status and social functioning, similar to that demonstrated in much larger numbers of studies of AR/C patients in Europe and the United States. Furthermore, the findings of the review suggest that ‘overall’ control of the disease should encompass reduction of nasal and ocular symptoms, as well as improvements in HRQoL, comorbid conditions and cognition. Although some instruments are currently available for measuring control of AR, none are capable of assessing all these aspects, emphasizing the need to develop appropriate new instruments.     

Effect of fixed low dose combination of perindopril and indapamide on processes of cardiovascular remodeling in previously untreated patients with hypertension

AIM: To assess changes of blood pressure (BP) and processes of cardiovascular remodeling during treatment of previously untreated patients with hypertension with fixed low dose combination of perindopril and indapamide. MATERIAL: Patients with untreated hypertension (n=30, mean age 46.7+/-1.8 years, 16 men, 14 women) received low-dose perindopril (2 mg) - indapamide (0.625 mg) combination for 6 months. METHODS: Twenty four-hour BP monitoring, measurement of left ventricular (LV) mass index and wall and interventricular septal thickness, carotid artery intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity and cerebral blood flow velocity. RESULTS: Target BP level was reached in 83.3% of patients. BP monitoring revealed significant lowering of daytime and nocturnal systolic BP (-13.2%, p<0.0001 and -14.5%, p<0.0001, respectively), daytime and nocturnal diastolic BP (- 14.3%, p<0.0001 and -15.3%, p<0.0001, respectively). Significant reduction of LV mass index (-12%, p=0.0002) was also observed. Both LV posterior wall and interventricular septal thicknesses were reduced as well (-5.1%, p<0,01). This was accompanied by decreases of intima-media thickness of right and left carotid arteries (-5,4%, p=0.04 and -5,3%, p=0.01, respectively), reduction of stiffness of elastic arteries (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity decreased by 8%, p=0.003), and increase of cerebral blood flow velocity. CONCLUSION: The use of perindopril/indapamide combination in hypertensive patients was associated BP lowering and positive effects on remodeling both of the heart and large and medium arteries.     

Potential possibilities of using adrenergic beta blockers in chronic heart failure]

The study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of beta-adrenoblockers used in 26 patients with chronic heart failure which had been caused by coronary heart disease in 12 patients, by rheumatic heart disease in 8 patients, by dilated cardiomyopathy in 5 patients, and by chronic myocarditis in 1 patient. beta-Blockers such as oxprenolol, propranolol, and metoprolol were supplemented to the therapy of the patients with chronic heart failure who were resistant to cardiac glycosides, diuretics, and vasodilators. This resulted in functional class improvement by the New York Heart Association from 3.67 +/- 0.1 to 2.29 +/- 0.1. The authors defined the following predictors of the efficacy of beta-blockers in chronic heart failure: duration of the disease, diastolic pressure, cardiac rhythm, and left ventricular ejection fraction and discussed the mechanisms responsible for their positive effect in chronic heart failure.