Purification and level of expression in bronchoalveolar lavage of a human polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-binding protein: evidence for a structural and functional kinship to the multihormonally regulated protein uteroglobin.

A human lung polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-binding protein was purified by sequential chromatography of lavage fluid incubated with the tritium-labeled, high-affinity ligand, 4,4'-bis(methylsulfonyl)-2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl. From sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gradient gels, it was evident that a single band with an approximate molecular weight of 13 kD was present in the eluate from the final chromatographic step. Antibodies raised against the human lung PCB-binding protein detected a single band of corresponding size in lavage fluid in immunoblotting experiments.

Glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in pulmonary alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis.

The presence of the glucocorticoid receptor was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry in pulmonary alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. Also, GR mRNA content was determined by solution hybridization in PAM from 12 healthy volunteers and in 6 patients with sarcoidosis. No significant differences with regard to GR mRNA expression was detected between the two groups examined.

The use of a vasodilator, felodipine, as an adjuvant to long-term oxygen treatment in COLD patients.

Eight patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and pulmonary hypertension were given an infusion of a calcium antagonist, felodipine, during ongoing, long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT). The effects on central haemodynamics and ventilation-perfusion matching were studied. At rest pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (PVR and SVR) were reduced by 18% (NS) and 26% (p less than 0.

Stimulation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood lymphocytes by Kveim antigen, tuberculin and concanavalin A in sarcoidosis.

BAL and blood mononuclear cells and their reactivity to Kveim antigen, tuberculin and concanavalin A (Con A) were studied in nine patients with different clinical stages of sarcoidosis. After separation by plastic adherence, non-adherent cells (mainly lymphocytes) were admixed with 10% autologous adherent cells (monocytes/macrophages). After 3 and 6 days' culture with Kveim antigen (1, 10, 100 micrograms/ml), PPD tuberculin (2.

Cardiac function and central haemodynamics in severe chronic obstructive lung disease. Acute and long-term effects of felodipine.

Eleven patients, with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), received an infusion of the calcium antagonist felodipine at a rate of 0.9 mg/h. Pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (PVR and SVR) at rest were reduced by 18% (p less than 0.

Mutagenicity studies by co-cultivation of bronchoalveolar cells and blood lymphocytes with V79 Chinese hamster cells.

Human bronchoalveolar cells, consisting of approximately 85% pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs), and peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from healthy volunteers were investigated for their ability to metabolize 7,8-diol of benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P). The mutagenicity of reactive metabolites was analyzed by employing a co-cultivation system using V79 Chinese hamster cells for the detection of mutations. The metabolic activity of the human cells was compared to PAMs isolated from rabbits.

Theophylline in maintenance treatment of chronic asthma: concentration-dependent additional effect to beta 2-agonist therapy.

The effect of long-term treatment with theophylline was studied in 20 chronic asthmatic patients receiving oral and inhaled beta 2-agonists. In a double-blind, randomized cross-over fashion during three consecutive 6-week periods, the patients received theophylline in individually adjusted dosages or placebo to obtain plasma concentrations of 25-45 mumol/l, 50-85 mumol/l and 0, respectively. PEF, beta 2-aerosol consumption, symptom scores and side-effects were recorded daily.

Long-term treatment with a new calcium antagonist, felodipine, in chronic obstructive lung disease.

Nine patients with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) were treated with a calcium antagonist, felodipine, for 3-5 months and their central haemodynamics and pulmonary gas exchange were then studied. The systemic vascular resistance was reduced by 19% (p less than 0.05) at rest and by 30% during ergometer bicycle exercise (p = 0.

Characterization of a binding protein for the PCB metabolite 4,4'-bis(methylsulfonyl)-2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl present in bronchoalveolar lavage from healthy smokers and non-smokers.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in a group of healthy subjects (10 smokers and 10 non-smokers) and the recovered fluid was shown to contain specific binding sites for a metabolite of a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), 4,4'-bis ([3H]methylsulfonyl)-2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl [(3H-MeSO2)2TCB]. The sites seem to reside within a protein-like component and the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) for the binding was approximately 2 X 10(-7) M regardless of the smoking status of the subject. However, the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) was significantly lower for the smokers (p less than 0.

Nasal hypersensitivity in wood furniture workers.

Occupational nasal allergies were studied in six wood furniture factories. The concentration of moulds, wood dust and endotoxins was registered and occasionally high values were found. Paecilomyces spec.

The effect of a new calcium antagonist, felodipine, on pulmonary hypertension and gas exchange in chronic obstructive lung disease.

In 10 patients with advanced chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension central haemodynamics and pulmonary gas exchange were studied at rest and during exercise, before and during continuous infusion of the calcium antagonist felodipine, which lowers vascular resistance by selective action on vascular smooth muscle. Pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance were reduced by 20% and 35% respectively. Cardiac output was increased by 28% and pulmonary vascular pressures remained essentially unaltered.

Nasal hypersensitivity in wood furniture workers. An allergological and immunological investigation with special reference to mould and wood.

Occupational nasal allergies caused by moulds and wood dust were extensively studied in six wood furniture factories. The concentration of moulds, wood dust and endotoxins was registered and occasionally high values were found. Paecilomyces spec.

Simultaneous treatment with terbutaline and theophylline.

The bronchodilating effect and side-effects of theophylline and a beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulating drug (terbutaline) alone and in combination were studied in 10 adult asthmatic patients. Initially, each individual's pharmacokinetic parameters for theophylline were determined. On 3 separate days, theophylline was infused to defined steady-state concentrations (0, 7.

Oral administration of terbutaline in asthmatic patients.

The absorption and excretion profiles of orally administered terbutaline were investigated in 10 asthmatic patients who received a solution containing 5 mg of [3H]terbutaline sulphate. Bronchodilating effect and side-effects were followed. The mean serum concentration curve reached its maximum of 3.

Separate and combined use of terbutaline and theophylline in asthmatics. Effects related to plasma levels.

The bronchodilating properties and side effects of theophylline and a beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulating drug (terbutaline) alone and in combination were studied in 10 adult asthmatic patients. Initially, each individual's pharmacokinetic parameters for theophylline were determined. On 3 separate days theophylline was infused to defined steady-state concentrations (0, 7.

Muscular hyperplasia of the lung: a clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic study.

The clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic characteristics of pulmonary muscular hyperplasia were analyzed in 13 patients who were seen over a 13 year period. The average follow-up period was 7.2 years (range, 1-13).

In vitro culture of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells in patients with sarcoidosis with and without special preparations of Kveim antigen.

Colony-forming cells (CFC) and colony-forming ability in peripheral blood and bone marrow were studied in 22 patients with different stages of sarcoidosis, with or without the addition of different Kveim preparations. The study showed no statistical differences between the colony growth in healthy persons compared to patients with sarcoidosis in stages I and II. The counts in these groups were, however, lower than in patients with sarcoidosis in stage III (P < 0.

Acute phase of sarcoidosis with splenomegaly and hypercalcemia. Description of a case, including a report about splenectomy and the preparation and testing of a Kveim antigen from the spleen.

A young man had a mild, slightly progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis. After 4 years he developed an acute disease with splenomegaly, anemia, marked elevation of ESR, hypercalcemia and mild renal insufficiency. The anemia and ESR elevation disappeared after splenectomy, whereas the hypercalcemia still needs corticosteroid treatment.

Hexoprenaline and terbutaline administered by inhalation. A comparison between two beta2-adrenoreceptor agonists with respect to effect on bronchial obstruction, heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tremor.

In a controlled double-blind cross-over study in 15 patients with reversible bronchial obstruction hexoprenaline (Ipradol, 0.20 mg/puff) and terbutaline (Bricanyl, 0.25 mg/puff) when administered as metered aerosol in a dosage of one puff followed by two puffs 30 min later produced the same maximum improvement of ventilatory function.