Positive selection of T lymphocytes on fibroblasts.

Thymocytes are selected for expression of alpha beta T-cell antigen receptors (TCR) which recognize antigen in conjunction with self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In the thymus the restriction element is imprinted on radioresistant stromal elements and on cells of haematopoietic origin. In mice negative for beta 2-microglobulin that are devoid of mature cytotoxic T lymphocytes, we find that intrathymic injection of different fibroblasts causes the maturation of CD4-CD8+TCRhigh thymocytes with distinct patterns of TCR V beta distribution.

[Effect of aorto-coronary bypass on function of cardiac ventricles as evaluated by non-invasive techniques during a two year observation].

In 1989-1990, 892 patients with ischemic heart disease were treated at the III Department of Cardiology in Katowice-Ochojec. Aortocoronary bypass was performed in 51 (5.7%) of these patients.

Different capabilities of monocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis to induce glycosylation alterations of acute phase proteins in vitro.

The effect of conditioned medium on the biosynthesis and glycosylation profile of acute phase proteins secreted by the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2 was studied. Conditioned medium was prepared from nonactivated [CM-LPS(-)] and ex vivo lipopolysaccharide activated [CM-LPS(+)] monocytes from eight patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), five patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and seven healthy subjects. The biosynthesis of albumin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and the profile of glycosylation of proteinase inhibitor were analysed.

[Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases].

In recent years, the investigation of acute-phase proteins with the aid of affinity electrophoresis employing lectins as carrier substance, has become ever more important, in particular in the diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. In order to investigate the usefulness of a determination of alpha-1 glycoprotein microheterogeneity in the sera as a diagnostic parameter, we evaluated, on a prospective basis, the sera of 85 consecutive patients presenting at our department with various inflammatory rheumatic diseases (chronic rheumatoid arthritis [RA] [n = 22], seronegative spondarthropathies [SpA] [n = 15], polymyalgia rheumatica [PMR] [n = 10], polymyositis dermatomyositis [PM/DM] [n = 8], osteoarthritis [n = 18], and infectious diseases [n = 12]). The results were expressed as reactivity coefficient of the alpha-1 acid glycoproteins (AGP/RC).

Toxoplasmosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Comparative serological studies.

There are still controversial views as to the relation between SLE and toxoplasmosis. Therefore, we looked for serological markers in both diseases. In patients with SLE (17), toxoplasmosis (28), and in normal controls (28) anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, anti-nuclear antibodies of different specificities, anti-histone and anti-cardiolipine antibodies, as well as antibodies against most common public idiotypes were measured.

Binding of C-reactive protein (CRP) by human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vivo.

Antigenicity of C-reactive protein (CRP) on the surface of human lymphocytes was investigated by use of indirect immunofluorescence technique with anti-CRP antibodies. CRP on the lymphocyte surface (sd-CRP) belongs to two different categories: i) CRP produced by lymphocytes and inserted into cell membrane (s-CRP), ii) CRP produced primarily by the liver and bound by the lymphocytes (sb-CRP) in calcium-dependent manner. In human peripheral blood of healthy donors approximately 2.

Reciprocal expression of NF-IL6 and C/EBP in hepatocytes: possible involvement of NF-IL6 in acute phase protein gene expression.

The initial phase of inflammation is accompanied by dramatic changes in the concentrations of certain plasma proteins. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important inducer of these acute phase proteins at the transcriptional level. The recently cloned nuclear factor NF-IL6, a potent trans-acting regulator of IL-6 gene expression, has a region that is highly homologous to the liver-specific transcriptional factor C/EBP.

[The heteroglycan profile of acute phase proteins in the differentiation of inflammatory processes].

In the last few years, several studied concerning an alternation in pattern of glycosylation of acute phase protein (APP) have been carried out in human sera, using especially affinity electrophoresis with lectins. Significant differences in the profile of glycosylation of APP in sera of patients with "acute" (e.g.

Microheterogeneity of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in the detection of intercurrent infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We evaluated the clinical usefulness of determinations of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) microheterogeneity in distinguishing patients who have active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from those who have RA and an intercurrent infection. AGP microheterogeneity was studied by affinity electrophoresis with concanavalin A as the ligand, and the results were expressed as reactivity coefficients (RC). Significant differences were found between the mean RC (+/- SD) in healthy individuals (1.

Some aspects of the copper(II)-DNA interaction.

The Cu(II) ion interaction with calf-thymus DNA was studied by means of differential pulse polarography and sweep voltammetry as well as chromatography and viscosimetry. Most of the complexes formed at high ionic strength (0.2 M) and lower Cu(II) concentrations are of a nondenaturing nature.

Antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis react specifically with the glycine alanine repeat sequence of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1.

Antibodies to rheumatoid arthritis nuclear antigen (RANA) are four- to sixfold increased in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), whereas levels of antibodies to other EBV encoded antigens are slightly elevated or normal. We have demonstrated that the major epitopes recognised by anti-RANA antibodies are represented by a synthetic peptide, P62, corresponding to part of the internal repeat sequence which contains only the amino acids glycine and alanine. In an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, anti-P62 antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis sera were four fold higher than healthy and disease controls.

Reaction of antibodies to rheumatoid arthritis nuclear antigen with a synthetic peptide corresponding to part of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1.

Antibodies to rheumatoid arthritis nuclear antigen (RANA) are detected by immunodiffusion (ID) and immunofluorescence (IF), though reports of the identity of the antigen(s) have been conflicting. In this study it is shown conclusively that ID and IF anti-RANA react with epitopes on Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and that the major epitope detected by immunofluorescence is represented by a synthetic peptide, P62, corresponding to part of EBNA-1. In an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti-P62 antibodies in 35 rheumatoid arthritis sera were threefold higher than those of 35 age and sex matched controls, with the highest levels occurring in young patients with active joint disease.

The influence of subcutaneously administered lead(II) acetate on the concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc in the blood, kidney, liver, and spleen of rats.

The concentrations of copper, iron, lead, and zinc in the blood, kidney, liver and spleen were determined before and after subcutaneous administration of lead(II) acetate (100 mg Pb kg-1 body weight) to male albino Wistar rats. The control rats had the following concentrations (microgram g-1 dry weight) of Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn: blood, 4.5, 3200, 2.

Microheterogeneity forms of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein as indicators of rheumatoid arthritis activity.

The microheterogeneity of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) has been studied in the sera of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and of 12 healthy individuals. For each rheumatoid patient the disease activity has been assessed and each patient has been assigned to one of four activity grades: I, inactive; II, mildly active; III, moderately active; and IV, severe. Concanavalin A-affinity electrophoresis revealed three microheterogeneity variants of AGP: non-reactive with Con A, weakly reactive with Con A and strongly reactive with Con A.

C-reactive protein in management of children's burns.

Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in 48 children with scald burns were measured at 24-hour intervals. It was found that CRP levels were proportional to the area and depth of skin involved. In longitudinal studies the CRP levels were normal and admission, reached their peak at 48 hours and by 6 days had begun to fall.

[Angio-ultrasonography--a method of examining the extracranial arteries].

The authors describe a method of investigations of the extracranial cerebral arteries--angioultrasonography based on the Doppler effect. The study was done with a Polish apparatus designed and produced by the Experimental Laboratory of the Institute of Basic Technical Problems, Polish Academy of Sciences. The study confirmed the usefulness of this method in the diagnosis of arterial diseases involving the extracranial arteries supplying the brain.

Studies on microheterogeneity of acute-phase proteins in rheumatoid arthritis by using crossed affinoimmuno-electrophoresis with free concanavalin A.

Microheterogeneity of two acute-phase proteins: orosomucoid (alpha1-acid glycoprotein, AGP) and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACHT) were studied in the sera of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 12 healthy individuals. Each rheumatoid patient was assigned to one of four activity grades. Cross affinoimmunoelectrophoresis (aff-EP) with free Concanavalin A (Con A) revealed three microheterogeneity variants of AGP and four microheterogeneity forms of ACHT.

The modified method for isolation and culture of highly homogeneous Leydig cell population from rat testes.

A modified method for isolation and culture of a pure population of rat Leydig cells is described. For obtaining crude interstitial cell suspension, decapsulated testes were dispersed in 0.02% collagenase solution in Ca2+, Mg2+--free Hanks medium for 1 hour.