Imaging Inflammation in Asthma: Real Time, Differential Tracking of Human Neutrophil and Eosinophil Migration in Allergen Challenged, Atopic Asthmatics in Vivo.

Background: It is important to study differential inflammatory cellular migration, particularly of eosinophils and neutrophils, in asthma and how this is influenced by environmental stimuli such as allergen exposure and the effects of anti asthma therapy.

Methods: We isolated blood neutrophils and eosinophils from 12 atopic asthmatic human volunteers (Group 1 - four Early Allergic Responders unchallenged (EAR); Group 2 - four Early and Late Allergic Responders (LAR) challenged; Group 3 - four EAR and LAR challenged and treated with systemic corticosteroids) using cGMP CD16 CliniMACS. Cells were isolated prior to allergen challenge where applicable, labelled with (99m)Tc-HMPAO and then re-infused intravenously.

Real-time differential tracking of human neutrophil and eosinophil migration in vivo.

Background: Hitherto, in vivo studies of human granulocyte migration have been based on indiscriminate labeling of total granulocyte populations. We hypothesized that the kinetics of isolated human neutrophil and eosinophil migration through major organs in vivo are fundamentally different, with the corollary that studying unseparated populations distorts measurement of both.

Methods: Blood neutrophils and eosinophils were isolated on 2 separate occasions from human volunteers by using Current Good Manufacturing Practice CD16 CliniMACS isolation, labeled with technetium 99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime, and then reinfused intravenously.

Causes of historically low abstract submissions for the ASCLS annual meeting.

The Abstract Review Committee (ARC) has an ongoing objective of encouraging abstract submissions for the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science's (ASCLS) Annual Meeting. The purpose of this research study was to survey ASCLS members to determine the cause of historically low abstract submissions and how submissions could be increased. An electronic survey was developed and sent to ASCLS members via electronic mail blast.

Molecular characterization of dermal lymphatic endothelial cells from primary lymphedema skin.

Background: Lymphatic endothelial cells from primary lymphedema skin have never been cultured nor characterized. A subgroup of patients with primary lymphedema undergo surgery to bring about an improvement in their quality of life. The aim of this study was to culture and characterize LECs from the skin of these patients.

Immunohistochemical and histological study of human uncovertebral joints: a preliminary investigation.

Study Design: A descriptive cadaveric study.

Objective: To investigate the anatomy and innervation of the uncovertebral joint to determine if it is synovial in nature and capable of generating pain.

Summary Of Background Data: There is controversy with regard to the anatomic and histological makeup of the uncovertebral interface with some authors considering it a joint and others disc tissue.

Introducing clinical laboratory science: CLS students help shape the future.

Objectives: The profession of clinical laboratory science (CLS) is in dire need of increased exposure to young people. By introducing the clinical laboratory sciences to students at a critical point in their science education and by making it relevant to their lives, more choices are made available to them when considering future career options. With this in mind, the CLS faculty at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) redesigned a recruitment program and developed it into one making use of CLS student knowledge, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

Clinical laboratory science: A profession with honors.

Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) supports a strong undergraduate honors program. Students are required to enter the Honors College as freshmen and enroll in at least 24 hours of honors-designated classes. Some of the clinical core courses in the clinical laboratory science (CLS) program are designated as honors courses so students can continue their contract agreement with the Honors College to enroll in at least six hours of honors credit at the junior and senior level.

Monocyte recruitment in venous thrombus resolution.

Objective: To investigate the importance of monocyte recruitment in thrombus resolution and the role of cysteine-cysteine (CC) chemokines and the CC chemokine receptor, CCR2, in this process.

Methods: Peritoneal macrophages, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), or carrier solutions were injected into thrombi induced in the vena cava of rats. Caval thrombi were also formed in CCR2-/- and MCP1-/- mice and in wild-type mice transfected with an adenoviral construct expressing a broad-spectrum CC receptor antagonist.