T cells of the human intestinal lamina propria are high producers of interleukin-10

Background and aim—Some of therecently observed functional features characteristic of immunocompetentcells residing in the human intestinal lamina propria could be mediatedby interleukin- 10 (IL-10). To investigate the role of IL-10 in thehuman intestinal mucosa, the regulation of IL-10 production by laminapropria T lymphocytes (LPL-T) was determined and compared with that ofperipheral blood T lymphocytes (PBL-T).
Methods—Following activation by usingdifferent stimuli, IL-10 release by LPL-T and PBL-T into thesupernatant was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).In parallel, cell growth was determined by [³H]-thymidine incorporation.
Results—Neither LPL-T nor PBL-Trelease IL-10 constitutively. Triggering through CD2 or the T cellreceptor (TCR)/CD3 complex in the presence of autologous monocytesinduces significantly greater IL-10 secretion by LPL-T than by PBL-T.Engagement of the CD45 receptor enhances IL-10 release andproliferation of CD2 triggered CD45RO+ PBL-T. In contrast, it reducesCD2 induced IL-10 production by LPL-T without altering cellgrowth significantly.
Conclusions—Activated LPL-T release relativelyhigh amounts of IL-10. Enhanced IL-10 production by activatedLPL-T, in comparison with activated PBL-T, is not only related to thepresence of a higher proportion of CD45RO+ T cells in theintestinal lamina propria, but is also caused by increased sensitivityof LPL-T to CD2 co-stimulation. The differential responsiveness ofLPL-T, compared with PBL-T, to CD45 engagement demonstrates that CD45 could be involved in the altered CD2 reactivity of LPL-T.

Keywords:CD2; CD45; interleukin 10; lamina propria; T cellsubsets; T lymphocytes

     

The popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: presentation, morphology and surgical treatment of 13 cases

The morphology, clinical parameters and treatment of the popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) are presented on the basis of 13 of our own cases and from the literature. PAES is based on a segmental vascular compression due to an anatomical anomaly of the popliteal region and a new classification is presented distinguishing three variants according to the different anatomical conditions. PAES is mostly found in young sportsmen with well-developed muscles. Clinical symptoms are acute or chronic, and the diagnosis is made by physical examination, angiography and Doppler ultrasound, both in neutral position and in plantar flexion. Although thromboendarterectomy in some cases leads to good results, the preferred surgical therapy is decompression of the entrapped artery and reconstruction of the arterial pathway by vein graft interposition. The results were excellent in nine of 13 cases. In two patients, a recurrent thrombosis necessitated a femoro-crural bypass and in two others the entrapment was only diagnosed during reoperation for aneurysms of the venous graft.     

What works in family planning interventions: a systematic review

This study presents findings from a systematic review of evaluations of family planning interventions published between 1995 and 2008. Studies that used an experimental or quasi-experimental design or used another approach to attribute program exposure to observed changes in fertility or family planning outcomes at the individual or population levels were included and ranked by strength of evidence. A total of 63 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings from this review are summarized in tabular format by the type of intervention (classified as supply-side or demand-side). About two-thirds of the studies found were evaluations of programs focusing on demand generation. Findings from all programs revealed significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, discussion, and intentions. Program impacts on use of contraceptives and use of family planning services were less consistently found, and fewer than half of the studies that measured fertility or pregnancy-related outcomes found an impact. Based on the review findings, we identify promising programmatic approaches and propose directions for future evaluation research of family planning interventions.     

Alcohol intake and risk of acute coronary syndrome and mortality in men and women with and without hypertension

Although a light to moderate alcohol intake is associated with a lower risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), alcohol is also associated with risk of hypertension, which in turn is a strong risk factor of ACS. We examined whether middle-aged men and women with hypertension also benefit from a light to moderate alcohol intake in relation to risk of ACS and overall mortality. We used data from 57,053 men and women, aged 50-64, who participated in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study. Information on alcohol intake (amount and frequency) was reported by the participants. Hypertension status was assessed at baseline by combining blood pressure measurements and self-reports. During follow-up, 860 and 271 ACS events occurred among men and women. Irrespective of alcohol intake, participants with hypertension had a higher risk than participants with normal blood pressure. Alcohol intake was associated with a lower risk of ACS among participants both with and without hypertension and there was no evidence of interaction between alcohol intake and hypertension. Those who drank moderately had a lower mortality than abstainers and those who drank heavily; and for all levels of alcohol intake, participants with hypertension had a higher risk than participants with normal blood pressure. Results were similar for men and women. These findings indicate that a light to moderate alcohol intake has similar effects on the risk of ACS in men and women with and without hypertension.