Adhesion and invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae to primary and secondary respiratory epithelial cells.

The interaction between Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and the mucosal epithelial cells of its host is a prerequisite for pneumococcal disease development, yet the specificity of this interaction between different respiratory cells is not fully understood. In the present study, three areas were examined: i) The capability of the encapsulated S.

Fluorescence spectroscopy of H-ras transfected murine fibroblasts: a comparison with Monte Carlo simulations.

Autofluorescence properties of tissues have been widely used to diagnose various types of malignancies. In this study, we measured the autofluorescence properties of H-ras transfected murine fibroblasts and the counterpart control cells. The pair of cells is genetically identical except for the transfected H-ras gene.

Combined ultrasonic and enzymatic debridement of necrotic eschars in an animal model.

Several methods are used to debride burn eschars, however, most are ineffective for ischemic eschars. We investigated a novel combination of enzymatic and ultrasonic debridement for ischemic eschars. A previously described ischemic flap model in rats was used to compare the time to flap debridement or perforation of enzymatic (Debrase, a derivative of bromelain), ultrasonic, or combined debridement (Hybrid Debridement Technology).

Multiple drug allergy in patients with cutaneous adverse drug reactions diagnosed by in vitro drug-induced interferon-gamma release.

Background: Multiple drug allergy syndrome is a rarely reported clinical condition characterized by an adverse reaction to more than one different class of pharmacologically and structurally unrelated drugs. The pathogenesis may involve immediate-type or delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Objectives: To further characterize patients with MDA in terms of the type of CADR, drug intake and clinical drug suspicion.

Bubble growth within the skin by rectified diffusion might play a significant role in sonophoresis.

Low frequency ultrasound has successfully been used for enhancing transdermal transport of a variety of different molecules. This phenomenon is referred to as sonophoresis. Several attempts have been made to investigate the enhancing mechanism in order to modulate the overall process.

The nature of ultrasound-SLS synergism during enhanced transdermal transport.

Ultrasound and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) exhibit a synergistic effect on transdermal transport, when applied simultaneously on the skin. The synergistic mechanism is not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that application of ultrasound simultaneously with SLS, results in enhanced mass transfer and improved penetration and dispersion of the surfactant.

Clinical implications of in vitro drug-induced interferon gamma release from peripheral blood lymphocytes in cutaneous adverse drug reactions.

Background: Drug-specific T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs).

Objective: We sought to evaluate the diagnostic role of in vitro drug-induced release of interferon gamma in CADRs.

Methods: The study group consisted of 36 patients with CADRs after intake of 106 drugs that were classified into 3 categories of drug suspicion: high, possible, and low.

Effect of rat salivary glands extracts on the proliferation of cultured skin cells--a wound healing model.

Objective: Salivary gland secretions play an important role in promotion of wound healing. The healing of intra- or extra-oral wounds is delayed in desalivated rats. However, the specific role of each salivary gland in promoting wound healing is unknown.

Skin Donors Positive for HBV Core Antibodies - to Bank or Not to Bank? An Overview from a Regional Tissue Bank.

A prompt transplantation of skin allografts on patients with severe, large body area burns is a preferred treatment, but depends on a suitable supply of tissue donors. Limiting factors include donors' identification, families consent, and following the standards - exclusion due to assessed transmissible diseases. To increase the current rate of skin donations to our regional skin bank, we reviewed the data of all potential organ donors, identified at Soroka University Medical Center from October 1997 to December 2000 and evaluated the causes for exclusion, especially due to HBV serological profile.

Application of Banked Autologous Mucosal Cells to Graft Large Intraoral Mucosal Defects.

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the conditions that affect the generation of autologous cultured mucosal grafts (CMG) to promote their clinical application for large intraoral defects, following surgical excision of mucosal pathology. Specific parameters studied were the effect of patient's age and cell banking on the in vitro development of CMG, and on their clinical performance in vivo.Patients and methods: Twelve patients (10 M, 2F; mean age of 50.

Multiple effects of arginine vasopressin on prostaglandin E2 synthesis in fibroblasts.

Recent evidence supports the viewpoint that vasopressin, a neurohypophyseal peptide, should be also considered as a neuroendocrine modulator of immune and inflammatory responses. In this work we investigated the role of vasopressin in the regulation of prostaglandin E(2) synthesis by human dermal fibroblasts. Recombinant human interleukin-1 beta increased prostaglandin E(2) synthesis in fibroblasts about sixfold.

Effect of donor age on cultivation of human oral mucosal keratinocytes.

Cultured mucosal grafts (CMG) are among recently developed biological grafting materials to cover large oral mucosal defects following resection of mucosal pathology. This study evaluates the effect of donor's age on the cultivation process of oral mucosal keratinocytes for grafting. Human mucosal epithelial cells were utilized and classified into three donor age groups: 3-30 years (14 patients); 31-60 years (9 patients); and >60 years (6 patients) (11 males and 18 females).

Autologous cultured mucosal graft to cover large intraoral mucosal defects: a clinical study.

Purpose: The study evaluated the performance of cultured mucosal grafts (CMG) for large intraoral mucosal defects caused by surgical excision of mucosal pathology.

Patients And Methods: Eleven patients (10 men and 1 woman; mean age, 52.4 +/- 14.

Mutation of TBCE causes hypoparathyroidism-retardation-dysmorphism and autosomal recessive Kenny-Caffey syndrome.

The syndrome of congenital hypoparathyroidism, mental retardation, facial dysmorphism and extreme growth failure (HRD or Sanjad-Sakati syndrome; OMIM 241410) is an autosomal recessive disorder reported almost exclusively in Middle Eastern populations. A similar syndrome with the additional features of osteosclerosis and recurrent bacterial infections has been classified as autosomal recessive Kenny-Caffey syndrome (AR-KCS; OMIM 244460). Both traits have previously been mapped to chromosome 1q43-44 (refs 5,6) and, despite the observed clinical variability, share an ancestral haplotype, suggesting a common founder mutation.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis manifested as erythema annulare centrifugum: Confirmation of progesterone sensitivity by in vitro interferon-gamma release.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis was manifested as deep-type erythema annulare centrifugum. Sensitivity to progesterone was studied in vivo by means of intradermal and patch tests, which revealed immediate-type and delayed-type hypersensitivity, respectively. Sensitivity to progesterone was further confirmed in vitro by results of an interferon-gamma release test, which imply a possible role for T(H)1-type cytokines in autoimmune progesterone dermatitis.

Accreditation of skin from a methanol-poisoned victim for banking and grafting.

Background: Acute poisoning is a contraindication for organ and tissue donation. In this study the suitability of skin from a methanol-poisoned (MP) donor for future grafting and keratinocytes culturing was investigated.

Methods: A patient was admitted with a methanol blood level of 2.