Assessment of selected B cells populations in the workers of X-ray departments

Objectives

Workers of X-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation (LLIR), which may affect their humoral immunity. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of LLIR on the number and proportion of B cells (CD19+), B1 cells (CD5+CD19+) and memory B cells (CD27+CD19+) in peripheral blood of such workers.

Materials and Methods

In the study group of 47 X-ray departments workers and the control group consisting of 38 persons, the number and percentage of CD19+, CD5+CD19+, CD27+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were assessed using flow cytometry. Additionally, the study group was divided into 2 groups by the length of employment below and over 15 years and analysis adjusted for age and smoking habit was performed.

Results

The total number of CD19+ cells showed significant increase in the group of workers in comparison with the persons from the control group, whereas the percentage of CD5+CD19+ cells as well as CD27+CD19+/CD19+ and CD5+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were lower. Percentage, number of CD5+CD19+ cells and CD5+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratio were significantly lower in the workers with length of employment longer than 15 years in comparison with those employed below 15 years. Moreover, we found positive associations between the number of CD19+ cells and employment as well as smoking habit, whereas the number of CD5+CD19+ cells was positively associated with cigarette smoking alone. Percentage of CD5+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were negatively correlated with employment.

Conclusions

The study suggests association between the suppressive influence of low level ionizing radiation on circulating in peripheral blood, especially of B1 cells as well as of memory B cells, in workers of X-ray units, which is adverse in relation to microbiological threat.     

Correction of alloxan diabetes in rats using xenotransplantation of passaged cultures of human embryonic pancreatic beta cells

The authors present experimental data on the antidiabetic effect of passaged human embryonic pancreatic beta-cells in their xenotransplantation to rats with alloxan diabetes. Intra-abdominal xenotransplantation of such cultures results in a stable compensation of glycemia in rats with experimental diabetes. These data are important in terms of a possibility to use passaged human embryonic pancreatic beta-cells for transplantation to patients with diabetes mellitus.     

Blood cells and their sensitivity to calcium antagonists in patients with cerebrovascular disorders

Patients with ischemic-type cerebral dyshematopoiesis have disturbances of blood cell function (their enhanced aggregation and reduction of leucocyte and erythrocyte deformation). Calcium antagonist nifedipine can neutralize these disturbances but it reduces blood cell sensitivity to it. The effectiveness of nifedipine can be increased by giving it in combination with prostacyclin. Blood cell sensitivity to this combination of agents changes insignificantly. It is recommended that nifedipine and medicinal agents which increase blood prostacyclin concentration be used in combination.     

One-year outcomes of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) mid-urethral slings in overweight and obese women

Introduction  The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) success rates, patient satisfaction, and complications 1 year following surgery. Methods  Baseline and 1-year postsurgery outcomes were abstracted, including Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scores, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) scores, and patient satisfaction ratings. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between outcomes and BMI. Results  Subjects (N = 195) with a mean age of 59.3 ± 12.6 were included. There was significant improvement within each group (all p values <0.01) in total UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores from baseline to 1 year postsurgery; all groups had high patient satisfaction. No differences in improvement or complications rates were observed among the BMI cohorts (all p values >0.05). Conclusion  Differential counseling of overweight or obese women regarding outcomes of the TVT procedure is not supported by these results; longer follow-up is warranted. Poster presentation Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, April 2009. Partially supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases DK068389 to HER.     

FAIR true-FISP perfusion imaging of the thyroid gland

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of quantitative perfusion MRI of the thyroid gland using an arterial spin labeling (ASL) method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ASL technique with flow-sensitive alternating inversion-recovery (FAIR) spin preparation and a true fast imaging in the steady state (TrueFISP) signal readout strategy was implemented on a 1.5T whole-body unit. Anatomical and perfusion imaging of the thyroid gland was performed in eight healthy volunteers and one patient with functioning adenoma. Quantitative perfusion maps were calculated using the extended Bloch equations. RESULTS: In all subjects the perfusion images showed diagnostic image quality. The mean examination time was 24 minutes for multiplanar perfusion imaging of the entire thyroid gland. Individual perfusion values ranged between 341 +/- 91 and 640 +/- 90 mL/100 g/minute, with a mean perfusion of 461 +/- 90 mL/100 g/minute. The functioning adenoma showed markedly reduced perfusion compared to normal thyroidal parenchyma. No perfusion was noticeable inside four detected thyroid cysts. CONCLUSION: Quantitative ASL perfusion imaging of the thyroid gland using a FAIR-TrueFISP sequence leads to perfusion maps that may provide important information for assessing thyroid gland pathologies and monitoring therapeutic treatment.