A comparison of hyaluronan and fibronectin in the healing of tympanic membrane perforations.

Fibronectin and 1% hyaluronan, two extracellular matrix components, were applied to tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, using the laboratory rat as an animal model. The perforations occupied the upper, posterior quadrant of the TM. Saline-treated and untreated perforations of equal size served as controls.

Decreased fibronectin in rat liver altered foci and adenomas induced by N-2-fluorenylacetamide.

The disposition of fibronectin in N-2-fluorenylacetamide-induced rat liver lesions was studied by immunohistochemical staining. Male rats were fed the carcinogen for 7 weeks to induce hepatocellular altered foci and then given no chemical or phenobarbital in the diet for 24 weeks until adenomas developed. Regardless of the exposure conditions, the amount of extracellular fibronectin was unchanged in about 60% of the liver altered foci and decreased in about 40%.

Long-term carcinogenicity study in Syrian golden hamster of particulate emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

Male Syrian golden hamsters were given 15 weekly intratracheal instillations with suspensions of coal fly ash or oil fly ash. Controls were instilled with saline containing gelatine (0.5 g/100 mL) or to check particle effects with suspensions of hematite (Fe2O3).

Effects of partial hepatectomy on plasma fibronectin concentrations in the rat.

Rats were subjected to 60% partial hepatectomy. In the immediate postoperative period, there was a small decline in plasma fibronectin concentrations, which was normalized already 12 h post-operatively. Metabolic labelling of fibronectin with 35S-methionine showed that the rate of incorporation of label was unchanged after partial hepatectomy.

Fibronectin concentrations in lung lavage fluid after inhalation exposure to low levels of metals.

Groups of rabbits were exposed by inhalation to chlorides of cobalt, nickel, and manganese as well as to tri- and hexavalent chromium at metal concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 3.9 mg/m3 for 1-4 months (5 days/week, 6 hr/day).

Plasma fibronectin levels during daily plasmapheresis.

Plasma fibronectin concentrations were studied in 10 patients with multiple myeloma. After plasma exchange for 3 d (2.5-3 l plasma daily) the plasma fibronectin decreased to about 50% of the initial level.

Plasma fibronectin is initially decreased during septicemia.

Plasma fibronectin (PFN) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 24 normals and serially in 24 septic patients without underlying major trauma. All patients responded promptly to antibiotic therapy and none developed signs of shock or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). After an initial decrease in PFN registered in most of the septic patients, the levels were normalized within 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment.

Exogenous hyaluronic acid (Healon) accelerates the healing of experimental myringotomies.

Topical application of hyaluronic acid (Healon) onto the borders of rat tympanic membrane perforations accelerated the rate of wound healing. The closure time was roughly 60% of that of the untreated perforations. Epithelial cells fused with opposing cells slightly in advance of supporting connective tissue and thus bridged the remaining gap.

Effects of long-term combination chemotherapy on the reticuloendothelial system.

The phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were studied in 20 postoperative cancer patients undergoing long-term combination chemotherapy. Each course included vincristine, methyl-CCNU (day 1) and 5-fluorouracil (days 1-5) every sixth week. The RES-test was performed prior to each course, using 125I-labeled microaggregated human serum albumin.

Ultrastructural localization of fibronectin in duct cells of human minor salivary glands and its immunochemical detection in minor salivary gland secretion.

Fibronectin (Fn) was localized in duct cells by means of a light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical technique. The subcellular localization demonstrated that Fn is synthesized in these cells and thus not exclusively produced by cells with a mesodermal background. Fn concentration, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was higher in saliva from the minor salivary glands than in unstimulated whole saliva, whereas Fn was undetectable in stimulated parotid saliva.

Chemical and biological characterization of emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

Emission samples were obtained from two medium-sized power plants, one fired with oil and the other with pulverized coal. Particles obtained by a miniscale plume stack gas sampler (MIPSGAS), simulating the dilution process in the plume, were subjected to detailed physical, chemical and biological characterization. Studies by scanning electron microscopy and by Coulter counter demonstrated that the particles from the oil-fired boiler were considerably larger than the particles from the coal-fired boiler.

Effect of 137Cs gamma radiation on the fibronectin content in basement membrane of mouse small intestine.

The distribution of fibronectin in the small intestine of the mouse was investigated using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Tissue fibronectin was preferentially located in the basement membrane and in the muscularis layer. Semiquantitative immunofluorescence determination of tissue fibronectin in the basement membrane showed only minor changes at 24 or 48 hours after 10 or 20 Gy of 137Cs gamma irradiation.

Fibronectin increases the motility, phagocytosis and NBT (nitroblue tetrazolium)-reduction of granulocytes.

Neutrophilic granulocytes preincubated in vitro with human plasma fibronectin (0-1.25 mg/ml) for 30 minutes showed increased spontaneous and chemotactic migration, increased uptake of fluorescein labelled yeast particles as well as higher NBT-reduction both with and without E. coli stimulation.

Influence of low-dose sodium and calcium heparin on the reticuloendothelial system and granulocyte function in man. An in vivo and in vitro study.

The phagocytic and catabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were determined in ten healthy men after subcutaneous injection of low-dose sodium- or calcium-heparin. The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reducing and the bactericidal capacity of granulocytes isolated from the men after heparin administration were also measured. No statistically significant difference was found for the two salts of heparin in any of the mentioned respects as compared with control injections of physiologic saline solution.

Reticuloendothelial function in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

The phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were tested in seven patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver due to excessive ingestion of ethanol. 125I-labelled microaggregated human serum albumin was used as a test substance. A group of 13 volunteers served as controls.

Plasma atropine concentrations determined by radioimmunoassay after single-dose i.v. and i.m. administration.

The plasma concentrations of atropine following i.v. or i.

Influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on some host defence functions in man.

Four different functions of the immune defence were studied in six men undergoing open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Pre-operatively, a few hours after and three days after surgery the following tests were performed: (I) in vivo phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), (II) haemolytic activity of blood monocytes, (III) nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction by granulocytes, and (IV) bactericidal capacity of granulocytes. Compared to the pre-operative values, the RES functions were unchanged postoperatively, whereas there was a significant increase in the haemolytic activity of monocytes and in the NBT reduction of granulocytes.

Influence of cancer chemotherapy treatment on the reticuloendothelial system in the rat.

The phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in the rat has been studied after the administration of cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil or a combination of these drugs and vincristine. No impairment in the elimination of 125I-labelled microaggregated human serum albumin was found. A significant reduction in relative and total spleen weight was not paralleled by a decreased splenic uptake of the RES test substance per gram tissue.

The effect of immunosuppressive therapy on the phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system in renal transplant recipients.

The object of this study was to examine the bearing that immunosuppressive therapy may have on the phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The phagocytic and metabolic activities of the RES were determined in renal graft recipients before transplantation and at intervals afterwards. The activities were measured as the plasma clearance rate of 125I-labelled microaggregated human serum albumin and the increase in the plasma metabolites of this test substance.

Reticuloendothelial function in human renal allograft recipients.

The phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were determined, by measuring the plasma clearance rate of 125I-labelled microaggregated human serum albumin and the increase in plasma metabolites of this test substance, in patients with chronic renal failure and in renal transplant recipients at different times after transplantation. All transplant recipients received triple immunosuppressive therapy consisting of azathioprine, corticosteroids, and antilymphocyte globulin. The intravascular clearance of microaggregated albumin was significantly depressed in patients when tested at 1 to 12 days (P less than 0.

Role of phagocytic cells in host defence in relation to trauma--a brief review.

Present evidence available support a relationship between phagocytic cell function and survival from various types of trauma, e.g. burn, traumatic shock, and haemorrhage.

Human granulocyte function during dextran infusion.

The granulocyte function was determined in healthy persons before and immediately after the infusion of 500 ml of dextran for 4 hours. The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction reflecting the metabolic activity of these cells was measured both in cells at rest and after stimulation with E. coli, as well as with and without the addition of plasma.

Effect of dextran infusion on the phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system in man.

The reticuloendothelial system (RES) is part of the host defence and consequently plays an important role in shock and trauma, conditions often requiring volume replacement. Experimental studies have shown that the functions of the RES are hampered by plasma substitutes such as gelatin, starch and dextran. In this study six patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were given 500 ml dextran just before the operation.

Immunoassay of macrophage stimulating alpha 2 SB (surface binding) glycoprotein in pig plasma following missile trauma.

Pigs were subjected to a standardized missile trauma in the thigh and plasma samples were collected at various times after trauma. The plasma level of an opsonic alpha 2 SB (surface binding) glycoprotein related to macrophage phagocytosis was determined by an agglutination assay using 125I-labelled gelatin particles. The results indicated a transient but significance decrease (p less than 0.

Human granulocyte and reticuloendothelial system function during intralipid infusion.

In six patients, the phagocytic and catabolic functions of the RES (reticuloendothelial system), as measured by using 125I-microaggregated human serum albumin as a test substance, were not affected by Intralipid infusion. The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction of granulocytes, the NBT reduction and the bacplasma, was significantly lower in eight patients during Intralipid infusion than before this treatment. When heat-killed E.