Poor association between allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E levels, skin sensitivity and basophil degranulation: a study with recombinant birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and an immunoglobulin E detection system measuring immunoglobulin E capable of binding to FcɛRI

BACKGROUND: Results from several studies indicate that the magnitude of immediate symptoms of type I allergy caused by allergen-induced cross-linking of high-affinity Fc epsilon receptors on effector cells (mast cells and basophils) is not always associated with allergen-specific IgE levels. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of results from intradermal skin testing, basophil histamine release and allergen-specific IgE, IgG1-4, IgA and IgM antibody levels in a clinical study performed in birch pollen-allergic patients (n = 18). METHODS: rBet v 1-specific IgEs were measured by quantitative CAP measurements and by using purified Fc epsilon RI-derived alpha-chain to quantify IgE capable of binding to effector cells. Bet v 1-specific IgG subclasses, IgA and IgM levels were measured by ELISA, and basophil histamine release was determined in whole blood samples. Intradermal skin testing was performed with the end-point titration method. RESULTS: Our study demonstrates on the molecular level that the concentrations of allergen-specific IgE antibodies capable of binding to Fc epsilon RI and biological sensitivities are not necessarily associated. A moderate association was found between cutaneous and basophil sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the quantitative discrepancies and limitations of the present diagnostic tools in allergy, even when using a single allergenic molecule. The quantity of allergen-specific serum IgE is only one component of far more complex cellular systems (i.e. basophil-based tests, skin tests) used as indirect diagnostic tests for IgE-mediated allergic sensitivity.     

原发性胆囊癌CD44v6和bcl-2的表达及其与临床病理的关系

目的　探讨CD44v6和bcl 2蛋白在原发性胆囊癌组织中的表达及其与癌组织类型、病理分级和转移状况的关系 ,以及CD44v6表达与bcl 2表达的相关性。方法　应用免疫组织化学方法检测 50例原发性胆囊癌、2 0例胆囊腺瘤和 1 0例慢性胆囊炎组织中CD44v6和bcl 2蛋白的表达。结果　胆囊癌组织中CD44v6和bcl 2表达阳性率分别为82 .0 %和 60 .0 % ,均明显高于胆囊腺瘤 (分别为 45 .0 %和 30 .0 % ,P<0 .0 5) ,并随着胆囊癌细胞分化程度的减低、病理分级的增高和转移而明显增高 (P<0 .0 5)。同时 ,CD44v6的表达与bcl 2表达呈正相关 (r =0 .36 ,P<0 .0 5)。结论　CD44v6和bcl 2均是胆囊癌高度恶性和预后不良的重要指标。胆囊癌CD44v6表达与bcl 2蛋白表达可能具有相互协同作用。     

原发性胆囊癌CD44v5、CD44v6表达及其临床病理意义的研究

目的 检测胆囊癌组织中CD44v5、CD44v6的表达,并探讨其在胆囊癌发生发展过程中的临床病理意义.方法 采用SP免疫组织化学方法,检测49例胆囊癌、10例胆囊结石伴慢性胆囊炎组织和10例正常胆囊组织中CD44v5、CD44v6蛋白表达情况.结果 CD44v5、CD44v6阳性表达率在胆囊癌组织明显高于良性组织.在胆囊癌中,CD44v5基因表达阳性率与组织学分级无关,CD4 4v6基因表达阳性率与组织学分级有关.有淋巴结转移的胆囊癌组织中,CD44v5、CD44v6阳性表达率明显高于无淋巴结转移者.结论 CD44v5、CD44v6可能在胆囊癌的淋巴结转移中起着重要的作用,CD44v5、CD4 4v6可能是了解胆囊癌病变发生发展生物学行为,淋巴结转移的重要生物学指标.     

肝动脉化疗栓塞对肝癌细胞黏附分子CD44v6和ICAM-1表达的影响

目的:研究肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞(transcatheter arterial chemoemboli-zation,TACE)后残癌组织细胞黏附分子CD44v6和ICAM-1(intercelluar adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1)的表达情况。方法:经病理证实的HCC 50例,包括单纯手术切除30例(对照组),TACE术后行Ⅱ期手术切除20例(TACE组)。TACE组患者术前接受1~2次不等的TACE治疗,均按统一规范标准给予化疗药物灌注+栓塞治疗。对标本行免疫组织化学PV-9000染色,其中TACE组取病灶边缘残存肿瘤部分,检测肿瘤组织CD44v6和ICAM-1的表达,将两组结果进行对照分析。结果:对照组和TACE组CD44v6和ICAM-1均有不同程度的表达。对照组CD44v6表达阳性22例(22/30,73.33%),TACE组CD44v6表达阳性13例(13/20,65%),两者间无显著性差异(P>0.05);对照组ICAM-1表达阳性19例(19/30,63.33%),TACE组ICAM-1表达阳性12例(12/20,60%),两者间亦无显著性差异(P>0.05)。对照组和TACE组中CD44v6和ICAM-1表达间均呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论:TACE术后残癌组织CD44v6和ICAM-1仍有较高的表达,TACE并不能有效降低肝癌组织CD44v6和ICAM-1的表达;两者表达呈正相关。     

CD44v6和组织蛋白酶D表达与食管癌预后的关系

目的　研究CD4 4v6和组织蛋白酶D(cathepsinD ,CD)表达与食管癌生物学行为的关系。方法　应用免疫组化法 ,检测 6 5例食管鳞状细胞癌组织中CD4 4v6和CD表达水平。结果　在食管癌中CD4 4v6和CD表达阳性率分别为 5 8.5 %和 6 4 .6 %。CD4 4v6和CD表达均与肿瘤分级、浸润、淋巴结转移和预后相关。结论　CD4 4v6和CD异常表达与食管癌的病理生物学行为密切相关 ,可作为是预测食管癌转移潜能和评估食管癌预后的客观指标     

Microalbuminuria and nerve conduction velocity in type-I diabetics during conventional therapy and during continuous I.V. insulin infusion

Summary The objective of this study was to follow the development of microalbuminuria and nerve conduction velocity under continuous i.v. insulin therapy over a limited period of 4 months. For this purpose, 8 labile type I diabetics were selected (age 33±8 years, duration of diabetes 16±9 years) and treated conventionally with two insulin injections daily over 4 months. Afterwards, the same patients were treated with continuous i.v. insulin infusion and finally again with two injections daily over 4 months each. This procedure allowed each diabetic to serve as his own control. HbA₁, microalbuminuria, nerve conduction velocity and relative refractory period of the ulnar nerve were checked at montly intervals. During the continuous i.v. infusion over 4 months, blood sugar values were significantly lower, glucosuria had disappeared almost completely and the glycosylated hemoglobin had fallen to near normal values. The mean rate of albumin excretion was 16±5 μg/min at rest and 76±26 μg/min during exercise (normal: 3.9±0.4 and 4.8±1.2 μg/min, respectively) and did not change significantly. Nerve conduction velocity in the ulnar nerve rose significantly under i.v. insulin therapy from 47.9±0.6 m/sec to 52±0.6 m/sec. Similarly, the relative refractory period of the same nerve fell significantly from 3.7±0.2 to 1.9±0.1 msec (i.e. to within normal range). It is concluded that functional disturbances of peripheral nerve can regress by improved blood sugar control with continuous i.v. insulin infusion over 4 months. On the other hand, incipient microangiopathy measured as microalbuminuria remains unchanged over the same period of time. If an improvement is at all possible, considerably longer periods of euglycemia are likely to be necessary. Supported by Grant No. 3.964-0.80 from the Swiss National Science Foundation.     

Monoamine oxidase-B inhibition: a comparison of in vivo and ex vivo measures of reversible effects

Summary A behavioural test involving potentiation of the effects of an acute injection of v77j5/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-phenylethylamine (10 mg kg^–1 i.p.) was used to assess the time-course of type-B MAO inhibition after administration of (–)deprenyl (5 mg kg^–1 i.p.) and of MD 240928 (20 mg kg^–1 i.p.) respectively. Potentiation of the effects of v77j5/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-phenylethylamine was observed 1 h after injection of (–)deprenyl or MD 240928. This effect was still evident 120 h after administration of (–)deprenyl but not 24 h after administration of MD 240928. Comparisons of ex vivo estimates of MAO activity yielded a corresponding time-course for the recovery of this enzyme. The extent of MAO inhibition required for potentiation of the effects of v77j5/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-phenylethylamine was inferred from a comparison of the behavioural test results and the ex vivo MAO activity observed after (–)deprenyl administration. These comparisons indicate a significant underestimation of MD 240928-induced MAO inhibition using ex vivo measures. This underestimation is interpreted as evidence fordilution effects in the ex vivo assay of MAO inhibition. The potentiation of effects of v77j5/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-phenylethylamine under the present conditions is proposed as a useful and simple test for effects of reversible type-B MAO inhibitors.     

A Biotin–Avidin-Based Enzyme Immunoassay for βh-Endorphin

An avidin–biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described for v517777n768x1l/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">_h-endorphin (v517777n768x1l/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">_h-EP). Microtiter plates coated with commercially available antibodies were used together with v517777n768x1l/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">_h-EP tracer derivatives that were biotinylated in positions 24, 28, and 29 via a C₆ spacer arm. Nonspecific binding of biotinylated derivatives to the microtiter plates was blocked with a mixture of 1% casein and 10% ethanolamine in 0.1 M NaHCO₃. A sequential saturation procedure using a high-affinity antiserum in combination with an avidin–alkaline phosphatase complex matched the sensitivity of reported radioimmunoassays (RIAs), with a detection limit of 0.5 fmol/assay. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 5 and 12%, respectively. Results obtained by ELISA and RIA showed good correlations (r = 0.95). The v517777n768x1l/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-EP concentration in extracted rat plasma after high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) fractionation was determined by this method to be 1600 fmol/ml.     

Histochemical study of pituitary adenomas with Ki-67 and anti-DNA polymerase α monoclonal antibodies,bromodeoxyuridine labeling,and nucleolar organizer region counts

Summary The growth potential of 65 pituitary adenomas was determined by histochemical analysis with Ki-67 and anti-DNA polymerase v5240658vrn8m001/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0"> monoclonal antibodies, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUdR) labeling, and counts of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs). The mean proliferating cell indices (PCIs) determined by Ki-67 and anti-DNA polymerase v5240658vrn8m001/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0"> and the BrdUdR labeling index (LI) were generally very low [1.0±0.2%, 1.1±0.2%, and 0.5±0.1% (±SE), respectively]. Apart from adrenocorticotropic hormone-positive adenomas, which had significantly higher indices, there were no statistically significant differences in the indices among the other subtypes of pituitary adenomas. Recurrent tumors had higher Ki-67 and DNA polymerase v5240658vrn8m001/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0"> PCIs and BrdUdR LIs (3.6%, 4.2%, 1.4%) than primary tumors (0.8%, 0.8%, 0.3%; P<0.005). The number of Ag-NORs did not correlated significantly with any of the three indices. The mean number of Ag-NORs was higher in nonfunctioning adenomas than in functioning adenomas (2.04 vs 1.66, P<0.005); among prolactin-positive adenomas, those treated preoperatively with bromocriptine had more Ag-NORs than untreated tumors (1.75 vs 1.57, P<0.005). These results suggest that the Ki-67 and DNA polymerase v5240658vrn8m001/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0"> PCIs and the BrdUdR LI predict the growth potential of individual pituitary adenomas, whereas the number of Ag-NORs appears to correlate with hormone production rather than with the proliferative potential.Supported by grants CA-13525 and CA-50210 from the National Cancer Institute, by a grant from the Phi Beta Psi Sorority, and by Grant-in-Aid A 63771083 from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan     

“Occult” hydrocephalus in children

The authors describe 32 children between 2 and 15 years of age who had hydrocephalus that was only clinically manifest late in life. The clinical picture of these children did not suggest an obvious increase in intracranial pressure; instead, the presenting signs were rather nonspecific and included macrocrania, mild psychomotor retardation, unsteady gait, increased muscle tone and deep tendon reflexes in the lower limbs, impaired ocular movement, epilepsy, and endocrine dysfunction. Their histories suggest the possible causes of the ventricular dilation in about one third of the cases were: perinatal hemorrhage, leptomeningitis, neurofibromatosis, and untreated aneurysm of the great vein of Galen. In 20 patients, however, no positive anamnestic findings were reported. CT scan revealed triventricular dilation in more than half of the cases; tetraventricular dilation was present in 6 patients, and biventricular dilation in the remaining subjects. All children underwent CSF shunting, which resulted in complete recovery in all but 2 cases. The most frequently recorded surgical complication was postoperative subdural effusion (7 subjects), which required surgical treatment in only 2 cases.Presented at the 15th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, New York, 1987