Spontaneous generation of functional osteoclasts from synovial fluid mononuclear cells as a model of inflammatory osteoclastogenesis

In osteoimmunology, osteoclastogenesis is understood in the context of the immune system. Today, the in vitro model for osteoclastogenesis necessitates the addition of recombinant human receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). The peripheral joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) are characterized by an immune‐mediated inflammation that can lead to bone destruction. Here, we evaluate spontaneous in vitro osteoclastogenesis in cultures of synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) activated only in vivo. SFMCs were isolated and cultured for 21 days at 0.5–1.0 × 10⁶ cells/mL in culture medium. SFMCs and healthy control peripheral blood monocytes were cultured with RANKL and M‐CSF as controls. Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive multinucleated cells were found in the SFMC cultures after 21 days. These cells expressed the osteoclast genes calcitonin receptor, cathepsin K, and integrin β3, formed lacunae on dentin plates and secreted matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and TRAP. Adding RANKL and M‐CSF potentiated this secretion. In conclusion, we show that SFMCs from inflamed peripheral joints can spontaneously develop into functionally active osteoclasts ex vivo. Our study provides a simple in vitro model for studying inflammatory osteoclastogenesis.     

Variability of antigenicity/allergenicity in different strains of Alternaria alternata

Biochemical and immunological properties were studied in crude mould extracts from 10 different strains of Alternaria alternata. The mould strains were grown on completely synthetic medium and harvested under identical conditions. The biochemical and immunological analyses (protein content, carbohydrate content, IEF, RAST-inhibition, CIE/CRIE and the content of a major allergen) showed significant variations between the individual strains of A. alternata. 32 antigens were identified in the CIE pattern of A. alternata and 19 different allergens were identified in CRIE analysis (1 major, 7 intermediate and 6 minor allergens). There was a significant variation in the content of the major A. alternata allergen (Ag-8, partially identical to Alt-I) between the different individual strains. Furthermore, a considerable variation in the content of Ag-8 was observed for a specific strain cultivated at different occasions under identical cultivation conditions during a time period of 3 years.     

Influence of rate of administration of raclopride on akathisia and prolactin response

The D₂-dopamine receptor antagonist raclopride was administered to eight healthy male subjects, who had previously experienced akathisia following antipsychotic drugs. The influence of administration rate on onset, severity and duration of akathisia and on prolactin response was studied. Raclopride 3,5 or 9 mg or placebo (P) was administered as single IV infusions during 10 min (R10 min/3 mg), 1 h (R1h/5 mg) or 4 h (R4h/9 mg) according to a randomized double-blind design. Despite a 24-fold difference in administration rate a similar peak raclopride concentration of about 350 nmol/l was obtained after all three infusions. Three of the eight subjects experienced akathisia following R10 min/3 mg and R1h/5 mg, respectively. After R4h/9 mg seven subjects experienced akathisia of longer duration but not more severe than after the short infusions. The incidence and duration of akathisia seem to be mainly related to the plasma raclopride concentrations over time, whereas the rate of administration might be more important for the severity. A maximal prolactin response was induced which was not markedly affected by the rate of administration.     

Electron Microscopy and Computed Microtomography Studies of in Vivo Implanted Mini-Tl Dosimeters

The need for direct methods of measuring the absorbed dose in vivo increases for systemic radiation therapy, and in more sophisticated methodologies developed for radioimmunotherapy. One method suggested is the use of mini-thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Recent reports indicate a marked loss of signal when the dosimeters are used in vivo. We investigated the exterior surface of the dosimeters with scanning electron microscopy and the interior dosimeter volume with computed microtomography. The results show that the dosimeters initially have crystals uniformly embedded in the teflon matrix, with some of them directly exposed to the environment. After incubation in gel, holes appear in the dosimeter matrix where the crystals should have been. The computed microtomographic images show that crystals remain in the interior of the matrix, producing the remaining signal. We conclude that these dosimeters should be very carefully handled, and for practical use of mini-TLDs in vivo the dosimeters should be calibrated in equivalent milieus. An alternative solution to the problem of decreased TL efficiency, would be to coat the dosimeters with a thin layer, of Teflon, or other suitable material.     

Logics and Logistics of Community Intervention Against Osteoporosis: An Evidence Basis

Under designations like small areas action research and intervention, directed ‘ground-up’ health promotion and prevention in the population form an important part of the ongoing medical systems development. There is recent evidence of the success of community intervention against cardiovascular disease. In osteoporosis, however, there is still a lack of conclusive data on both the logics and logistics of such an approach. Since 1988, a county health policy program has been formulated and implemented in Östergötland, Sweden, following the principles and guidelines of the WHO HFA 2000 declaration. Vadstena (n ? 7,600) was chosen for a local and generalizable osteoporosis prevention project mediated by the primary care organization by means of health promotion and education in the community. In the present report we emphasize that community intervention is an important new advancement of the medical systems, where the basic research questions include operational and management aspects as equally vital and measurable requisites and results as other performance and outcome variables. We found that a community intervention trial against osteoporosis is both motivated and feasible and in this report wish to provide evidence on these crucial issues of logics and logistics.     

Rate and predictability of pulp revascularization in therapeutically reimplanted permanent incisors

Abstract The aim of the present investigation was to study the frequency of pulp revascularization in therapeutically reimplanted incisors as well; is its relationship with the following factors: width of apical foramen, duration of extra-alveolar lime, storage conditions and postoperative administration of antibiotics. Out of 72 immature teeth (width of apical foramen 1.1–5.0 mm) the pulp was revascularized in 13 (18%), while in 88 mature teeth (width of apical foramen 1.0 mm or less) no revascularization occurred. Among parameters tested statistically in immature teeth, a significantly increased frequency of revascularization (p < 0.05) was only found in teeth reimplanted within 45 minutes after avulsion, when compared with teeth reimplanted after a longer extra-alveolar time, and in mandibular incisors when compared with maxillary incisors (p < 0.01). All teeth in which revascularization did not occur exhibited a periapical radiolucency and/or external inflammatory root resorption.     

Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and hemostatic changes in patients with type I diabetes mellitus with and without microvascular complications.

We investigated thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and its influence on fibrinolysis by measuring pro-TAFI activity and total TAFI antigen in 38 patients with type I diabetes mellitus (18 with and 20 without microvascular complications), as well as in 20 healthy controls. The pro-TAFI levels in the two groups of patients did not differ from those in the control group. Total TAFI antigen [i.e. pro-TAFI, TAFI and inactive carboxypeptidase U (TAFIi)] tended to decrease in both the patient groups (59.7 +/- 7.2 and 73.4 +/- 8.9% with and without microvascular complications, respectively) compared with controls (91.9 +/- 12.2%) (P = 0.12). We also assessed the overall hemostatic potential (OHP) in plasma, the clot lysis time and the overall fibrinolytic potential. The OHP was significantly higher in patients with complications compared with controls (8.9 +/- 0.9 versus 6.7 +/- 0.4; P < 0.05) and also higher in the diabetics without complications (7.8 +/- 0.6), although the latter difference did not reach statistical significance. Levels of clot lysis time and overall fibrinolytic potential were similar in the two groups of patients and the controls. The increased OHP in plasma from diabetic patients with microvascular complications indicates an imbalance of the hemostatic system towards a prothrombotic state. No signs of impaired fibrinolysis were observed in patients with diabetes. Using the OHP method for estimation of overall hemostasis, it seems that TAFI does not influence either fibrinolysis or the increased thrombotic potential observed in patients with type I diabetes mellitus.     

The influence of cytochrome P-450 induction on the disposition of carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene 7, 8-dihydrodiol 9, 10-epoxide in isolated cells

The disposition of the carcinogenic (+)-7ß, 8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE]has been studied in isolated hepatocytes obtained from 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreatedrats. In these cells different routes are acting in concertand contribute to diol-epoxide elimination. Conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDEwith glutathione (GSH) and cytochrome P-450c-mediated metabolismof the diol-epoxide to 1- and 3-hydroxy-anti-BPDE (triol-epoxides)appears to be equally important. The reactive triol-epoxidesundergo a number of secondary reactions, including covalentbinding to cellular constituents, e.g. protein and GSH, andhydrolysis to pentahydroxyderivatives. The effective intracellularlifetime of (+)-anti-BPDE is 1 min and comparable to that previouslyobserved in hepatocytes obtained from uninduced animals.     

Currently used nucleic acid amplification tests for the detection of viruses and atypicals in acute respiratory infections

For the detection of respiratory viruses conventional culture techniques are still considered as the gold standard. However, results are mostly available too late to have an impact on patient management. The latest developments include appropriate DNA- and RNA-based amplification techniques (both NASBA and PCR) for the detection of an extended number of agents responsible for LRTI. Real time amplification, the latest technical progress, produces, within a considerable shorter time, results with a lower risk of false positives. As results can be obtained within the same day, patient management with appropriate therapy or reduction of unnecessary antibiotic therapy in LRTI will be possible. A number of technical aspects of these amplification assays, and their advantages are discussed.The availability and use of these new diagnostic tools in virology has contributed to a better understanding of the role of respiratory viruses in LRTI. The increasing importance of the viral agents, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in ARI is illustrated. A great proportion of ARI are caused by viruses, but their relative importance depends on the spectrum of agents covered by the diagnostic techniques and on the populations studied, the geographical location and the season. The discovery of new viruses is ongoing; examples are the hMPV and the increasing number of coronaviruses. Indications for the use of these rapid techniques in different clinical situations are discussed. Depending on the possibilities, the laboratory could optimize its diagnostic strategy by applying a combination of immunofluorescence for the detection of RSV an IFL, and a combination of real-time amplification tests for other respiratory viruses and the atypical agents. When implementing a strategy, a compromise between sensitivity, clinical utility, turn around time and cost will have to be found.