Effect of interferon alpha,interferon beta,and interferon gamma on the in vitro growth of human renal adenocarcinoma cells

Interferon-, interferon-, and interferon- differ in their antiproliferative effects for several cell lines. Interferons were thus assessed for their activity in inhibiting proliferation of three renal cell carcinoma cell lines. The malignant epithelial phenotype of each of these cell lines was confirmed by electron microscopy, histology, karyotype and tumorigenicity. When compared on an anti-viral unit basis, naturally produced interferon- was more effective than natural interferon- for all cell lines and clones. Proliferation of each of the cell lines was inhibited by interferon-. In all cases, removal of interferons from culture media resulted in resumption of the rate of cell growth after a variable delay of 6–10 days. If the antiproliferative effects of interferons predominate in mediating tumor regression, clinical response may depend upon the type of interferon to which the tumor is exposed.     

Monoclonal antibody against angiotensin-converting enzyme: its use as a marker for murine, bovine, and human endothelial cells.

A monoclonal antibody has been prepared against rat angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). By selection for antibody binding to endothelial cells of bovine rather than rat origin we have obtained a reagent that has broad cross-species binding properties and that can at the same time serve as a useful marker for the surface of endothelial cells. The IgM-producing clone that we have established, alpha-ACE 3.1.1, has been grown in ascites form to yield ascites fluid that binds selectively to immobilized ACE at a greater than 1:10,000 dilution. By use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, immunofluorescence histology, and flow cytometry, we have demonstrated the presence of ACE on endothelial cells of murine, bovine, and human origin. By means of a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS-IV) we have been able to selectively isolate viable endothelial cells from a mixture of endothelial cells and fibroblasts. We believe the antibody will be useful not only for the selection and in vitro cultivation of endothelial cells but also as a tool for the identification and pharmacological study of ACE.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia trachomatis</Emphasis>infection among women in a Middle Eastern community

Background  

Common vaginal infections that manifest in women are usually easily diagnosed. However, Chlamydia infection is often asymptomatic, leading to infertility before it is detected. If it occurs in pregnancy, it could lead to significant neonatal morbidity. It may also play a role with other viral infections for e.g. Human Papilloma Virus in the development of cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia infection in women undergoing screening for cervical abnormalities as a part of a research project in primary and secondary care institutions in the United Arab Emirates.     

Hardware removal after tibial fracture has healed

Background

Tibial fractures are the most common long bone fracture. The standard of care for the treatment of diaphyseal tibial fractures is an intramedullary nail (IMN). Implant removal is one of the most common procedures in bone and joint surgery, and criteria for implant removal are typically left to the treating surgeon. Currently, no clear criteria exist to guide a surgeon''s decision to remove implanted tibial IMNs after healing.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective chart review of a single surgeon''s practice from January 1996 to February 2005. We identified patients aged 16–70 years with a tibial fracture treated with an IMN. Patients were followed until fracture union and/or request for IMN removal. The following parameters were recorded: reason for implant removal, age, sex, mechanism of fracture, location of fracture, diameter of IMN, Workers'' Compensation Board (WCB) status, activity level, litigation status, insurance involvement, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Factors influencing the likelihood of removal were sex and litigation. Factors not influencing the likelihood of removal were age, weight, height, BMI, diameter of IMN, patients'' level of activity, insurance claim involvement and WCB involvement. Overall, 72.2% of patients had an improvement in their symptoms after IMN removal.

Conclusion

Sex and litigation are positive predictive factors for patient requests to have tibial IMNs removed after healing.     

Immunosuppression in vitru by Brown Fat

Inhibition of in vitro antibody production was observed with chloroform extracts of the brown fat of the hibernating ground squirrel, the nonhibernating, winter ground squirrel, the brown bat, the cold-acclimated deer mouse, and the newborn rabbit. Effective inhibition was reproducible and dependent on the concentration of brown fat extract in the culture medium. The brown fat of the nonhibernating, summer ground squirrel, the deer mouse maintained at room temperature, and the nonhibernating winter hamster were poor sources of inhibitory activity. The animals which were good sources are known, in contrast to those which were poor sources, to be capable of intensive thermogenic utilization of their brown fat. Of the animals which donated highly potent brown fat, the hibernating ground squirrel, the winter, nonhibernating ground squirrel, and the newborn rabbit are known to be incapable of normal, mature levels of antibody production. It is suggested that the immune incompetence of these animals may be due to the accumulation of such an immunosuppressant.     

Broncho-oesophageal fistula: a late complication of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy

A case is reported of delayed broncho-oesophageal fistula presenting several weeks after fibreoptic injection sclerotherapy for oesophageal varices in a patient with chronic active hepatitis who eventually died from bronchopneumonia. Such serious complications of injection sclerotherapy should be kept in mind with the increasing popularity of this method of early treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices.