Changes in Cell-Mediated Immunity (IFN-γ and Granzyme B) Following Influenza Vaccination

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is considered a key moderator of cell-mediated immunity. However, little is known about its association with granzyme B, which plays an important role in the effector function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In the present study, we collected blood samples from 32 healthy adults before and after vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine in 2017/18 to measure the levels of IFN-γ and granzyme B, which play roles in cell-mediated immunity, and hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody, which plays a role in humoral immunity. The levels of IFN-γ and granzyme B were significantly correlated both before and after vaccination. Furthermore, the post-vaccine fold increases in the IFN-γ and granzyme B levels were significantly correlated. The levels of IFN-γ and granzyme B decreased five months after vaccination in more than half of the subjects who exhibited an increase in IFN-γ and granzyme B at two weeks post-vaccination. This is the first study to investigate the correlation between IFN-γ and granzyme B levels following influenza vaccination. Our study suggests that both IFN-γ and granzyme B can be used as markers of cell-mediated immunity.     

Multiple calcifying lesions in the maxilla and mandible of a 4-year-old girl: report of a rare case and literature review

Calcifying lesions in the jaws are usually solitary and can be diagnosed by intraoral, panoramic, and conventional extraoral radiographs. It is extremely rare for these calcifying lesions to be multiple, unless they are associated with certain systematic diseases. Herein, we report a rare case of multiple odontomas in a 4-year-old girl. The lesions were scattered throughout both jaws on the panoramic image. The reconstructed CT image showed lesions in the left maxilla that occupied the sinus and affected the floor of the left orbit. The lesions in the mandible were widespread and extended to the tooth-bearing area. Enucleations of the maxillary parts were performed, and the pathological diagnosis was a mixture of complex and compound odontomas. The 3-year postoperative follow-up by panoramic imaging was uneventful. Preoperative CT was useful for the differential diagnosis by depicting the internal calcifying lesions and revealing the extent and complex relationships among the lesions.     

Infection of undifferentiated and differentiated promyelocytic cells (HL-60) with varicella-zoster virus

HL-60 cells can be induced to differentiate into macrophage-like cells by treatment with 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The relationship between virus replication and cell differentiation was investigated using HL-60 cells that had been induced to differentiate by TPA (dHL-60 cells) and undifferentiated cells (udHL-60 cells). On infection of these cells with cell-free varicella-zoster virus (VZV), virus antigens were detected in dHL-60 cells but not in udHL-60 cells, and the percentage of antigen-positive dHL-60 cells increased during incubation. Similar results were obtained by infectious center assay, and the percentage of antigen-positive cells correlated with the stage of cell differentiation. No significant difference was found in the binding of VZV to dHL-60 cells and udHL-60 cells. Furthermore, trypsin treatment after adsorption suggested that VZV penetrated into udHL-60 cells. These findings indicate that VZV may be able to replicate in mature monocytes but may be harbored in immature monocytes in vivo.     

A rare case of achalasia coexistent with sigmoid megacolon and associated with epilepsy

A case of achalasia coexistent with sigmoid megacolon in a 38-year-old man with known epilepsy is described. The patient was referred to the Ryukyu University Hospital with a 4-year history of dysphagia and heartburn and a 1-year history of abnormal bowel movement. On admission, upper gastrointestinal (GI) series demonstrated a dilated, tortuous thoracic esophagus with a flask-type configuration. Barium enema studies showed a dilated sigmoid colon from the rectosigmoid junction to the descending colon. Myotomy (modified Jekler-Lhotka's procedure) for achalasia and simple sigmoidectomy for sigmoid megacolon were carried out. The biopsied wall of the narrowed esophageal segment at operation showed decreased numbers of ganglion cells in Auerbach's plexus and atrophy of the muscle fibers. The resected dilated sigmoid colon revealed degeneration and markedly decreased numbers of ganglion cells in Auerbach's and Meissner's plexuses. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and he has been doing well since surgery. The present case is very interesting and to our knowledge, such a case is rare in the literature. We believe that the abnormalities of the ganglion cells may be due to the same etiologic factor as the sigmoid megacolon. The association of the two pathologic processes is discussed, together with a brief review of the literature.     

Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma in a non-cirrhotic liver

Combined hepatocellular (HCC) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) (mixed carcinoma) is a rare subtype of primary hepatic carcinoma. We report a case of mixed carcinoma that developed in a non-cirrhotic liver, in a patient who was serologically negative for both hepatitis B and C viruses. A 65-year-old Japanese woman with a 25-year history of chronic rheumatoid arthritis had been treated with steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs, and was diagnosed by ultrasonography with an asymptomatic solitary tumor in the right lobe of the liver. On computed tomography scan and hepatic arteriography, the tumor was well enhanced by contrast medium in the early phase. Based on the findings of elevated serum alpha-feto protein (AFP, 245 ng/ml) and normal carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA, 2.6 ng/ml) levels, a preoperative diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was made. Right lobectomy of the liver was performed on January 7, 1997. Histological examination showed that the resected tumor consisted of combined CCC cells and HCC cells in an intermingled form, with CCC being far more dominant than HCC. The tumor was therefore determined to be a combined carcinoma, subclassified as intermingled type. This case appears to indicate that mixed type carcinoma developed in a non-cirrhotic liver, with CCC being dominant; such a finding is extremely unusual, based on previously published reports. (Received Sept. 1, 1997; accepted Jan. 23, 1998)     

Inhibition of HSV-1 by chemoattracted neutrophils: supernatants of corneal epithelial cells (HCE) and macrophages (THP-1) treated with virus components chemoattract neutrophils (PMN), and supernatants of PMN treated with these conditioned media inhibit viral growth

The role of PMNs (neutrophils) in corneal herpes was studied using an in vitro system. Human corneal cells (HCE) and macrophages (THP-1) infected with HSV-1 or treated with virus components (DNA or virus immune complexes) released chemokines, which attracted PMNs. Highly reactive oxygen species were detected in PMNs. PMNs inhibited HSV when overlaid onto infected HCE cells (50:1). PMNs incubated with the supernatants of HCE cells treated with virus components released H(2)O(2) and myeloperoxidase. These inhibited virus growth. PMNs released NO and MIG, which may differentiate CD4 T cells to Th1. PMNs participate in innate immune responses, limit virus growth, and initiate immunopathology.     

Evaluation of a new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody detection method based on time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay

We have developed a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for the detection of anti-HIV antibody using purified virus, recombinant gp120 or a synthetic peptide derived from gp41. The results of time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay correlated well with those obtained by enzyme immunoassay and with the results of immunoblotting. This time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay has sufficient sensitivity and specificity for clinical use.     

Cross-cultural comparison of the attitudes of dental students in three countries

The aim of this study was to identify and compare the attitudes of dental students toward their career choice and dental education in three different countries. Three hundred thirty-six dental students from the University of British Columbia, Canada; Mahidol University and Chiang Mai University, Thailand; and Nippon Dental University, Japan, participated in this study. Information was derived from a questionnaire consisting of career choice items and dental education items. Significant differences in the responses of the participants from each of the three countries were detected for each of the questionnaire items (P<0.001). Regarding factors that may have served as motivations for career choice, the majority of dental students from each country indicated positive reasons such as interpersonal motives, caring for other people, and academic interest. For future career options, the majority of Japanese and Canadian students planned to work as general dentists. Thai students were more likely than Japanese or Canadian to prefer specialization than practicing general dentistry. Nearly three-quarters of the Canadian and Thai students were satisfied with the teaching faculty of their schools, while only a quarter of the Japanese students indicated satisfaction. The findings from this study enhance our understanding of differences and/or similarities among dental students in three nations; this information may help to define strategies to improve the quality of international student exchange programs.