Microdialysis delivery of morphine to the hypoglossal nucleus of Wistar rat increases hypoglossal acetylcholine release.

Study Objectives: The medullary hypoglossal nucleus (XII) innervates the genioglossal muscles of the tongue, and opioid-induced alterations in tongue muscle tone contribute to airway obstruction. Previous studies have shown that morphine causes a significant decrease in acetylcholine (ACh) release in some brain regions, but the effects of morphine on ACh release in XII have not been quantified.

Design: A within-subjects design was used to test the hypothesis that morphine alters ACh release in XII of anesthetized Wistar rat.

Exposure to increased pressure or hyperbaric oxygen suppresses interferon-gamma secretion in whole blood cultures of healthy humans.

This study examines the effects of hyperoxia, increased atmospheric pressure, and hyperbaric oxygen on cytokine synthesis. Five healthy volunteers were exposed to 90 min of room air, 100% oxygen, 10.5% oxygen at 2 atm abs, or 100% oxygen at 2 atm abs (HBO2).

Direct evidence for new T-cell generation by patients after either T-cell-depleted or unmodified allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations.

Successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires reconstitution of normal T-cell immunity. Recipient thymic activity, biologic features of the allograft, and preparative regimens all contribute to immune reconstitution. We evaluated circulating T-cell phenotypes and T-cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TRECs) in 331 blood samples from 158 patients who had undergone allogeneic HSCTs.

Age-dependent changes in T cell homeostasis and SIV load in sooty mangabeys.

Sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) showed age-dependent changes in T cell regeneration. Younger animals had a high percentage of CD4+ CD45RA + T cells and a high concentration of T cell receptor excisional circles (TRECs) in peripheral blood, which indicated active thymopoiesis. In contrast, older animals had an increased T cell turnover, which suggested that most T cell production occurred in the periphery.