The polysaccharide fucoidin inhibits the antibiotic-induced inflammatory cascade in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

There is evidence that the treatment of bacterial meningitis with antibiotics liberates harmful bacterial products in the subarachnoid space (SAS). This enhances meningeal inflammation and in particular the recruitment of leukocytes into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which has been shown to be more harmful than beneficial in this disease. In this study, we used a rabbit meningitis model based on intracisternal injection of live Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Expression of MHC class I and beta2-microglobulin in rat spinal motoneurons: regulatory influences by IFN-gamma and axotomy.

The low expression of MHC antigens is believed to be one factor of importance contributing to the immune-privileged status of CNS neurons. We here describe that motoneurons, in contrast to other nerve cells in the lumbar spinal cord of the adult rat, express both MHC class I and beta2-microglobulin mRNA. The motoneurons also display in situ hybridization signal for IFN-gamma receptor mRNA.

Hyperlipidemia in renal transplant recipients treated with sirolimus (rapamycin).

Background: Sirolimus is an interesting immunosuppressive drug that does not seem to cause nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, or diabetogenicity, as commonly seen in patients treated with cyclosporine or tacrolimus. In this report, we describe a possible association between sirolimus and observed hyperlipidemia.

Methods: Serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were analyzed in 11 patients who participated in a pilot study evaluating the effect of oral sirolimus or placebo combined with cyclosporine and corticosteroids on the occurrence of acute renal transplant rejection.

Pronounced anti-HIV-1 activity of foscarnet in patients without cytomegalovirus infection.

Combined therapy using reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease inhibitors is the current established treatment for HIV-1 infection. Foscarnet is an RT inhibitor that is a product analogue, in contrast to the widely used nucleoside analogues. In this study, the anti-HIV-1 effect of foscarnet, 50 mg three times per day administered intravenously for 4 weeks, was evaluated in 10 patients with minor or no symptoms.

Determination of low levels of total mercury in blood and plasma by cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

A sensitive and semi-automated analytical method allowing determination of low and normal levels of total mercury in human blood and plasma using cold vapour atomic fluorescence is described. Samples are digested overnight, or at an elevated temperature for 4 h, followed by bromination at room temperature. After reduction with tin (II), analysis is performed using automated continuous flow vapour generation coupled to a fluorescence detector, allowing 20 samples to be analysed per hour.

Long-term effects of a change from a mixed diet to a lacto-vegetarian diet on human urinary and faecal mutagenic activity.

This is an investigation of the long-term effects of a shift from a mixed diet to a lacto-vegetarian diet and of a return to a mixed diet on the mutagenic activity in urine and faeces. The participants were 20 normal weight, non-smoking subjects. Dietary surveys and urinary and faecal samples were collected before and 3, 6 and 12 months after the dietary shift as well as 3 years after termination of the lacto-vegetarian diet period.

Prognostic factors in very old demented adults: a seven-year follow-up from a population-based survey in Stockholm.

Objective: To detect prognostic factors in very old demented subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and other types of dementia (OD).

Design: Follow-up clinical examinations of dementia patients from a population-based study after 3- and 7-year intervals.

Setting And Participants: In an established population aged 75 years and older in Stockholm, Sweden, there were 133 cases of AD, 52 of VaD, and 38 of OD.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor stimulates chemotaxis and growth of malignant mesothelioma cells through c-met receptor.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-met are present in several human tissues but their expression in mesothelial cells has not been examined. In this study, we have investigated the expression of HGF and c-met in normal human mesothelial cells and 11 human malignant mesothelioma cell lines. Using RT-PCR and Western blotting we found that HGF is produced by 3/11 mesothelioma cell lines whereas c-met is expressed in 11/11 mesothelioma cell lines.

Ultrastructural immunolocalization of bone sialoprotein in guinea-pig osteoarthritis.

In diarthrodial joints, bone and cartilage are structurally and functionally inseparable as shown in osteoarthritis (OA), where subchondral bone changes are integral in the disease process. By ultrastructural immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibodies against guinea-pig bone sialoprotein (BSP), we investigated the distribution of this matrix protein at the osteocartilaginous interface in Hartley guinea-pig knees at different stages of primary osteoarthritis. Between 6 and 12 months they developed moderate osteoarthritic changes predominantly in the medial condyle, progressing to severe OA at 30 months.

Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pyogenes group A challenge induce a Th1 type of cytokine response in cells obtained from tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis.

We have previously shown that tonsil tissue both from children with tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis is colonized and invaded by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pyogenes group A. In order to evaluate if these bacteria are involved in the immunopathogenesis of these two conditions, tonsillar cells from both groups were stimulated in vitro with intact, heat-inactivated H. influenzae or S.

Intraosseous compared to intravenous infusion of allogeneic bone marrow.

Thirty-eight patients (> or = 18 years) receiving marrow transplants from HLA-identical or one antigen-mismatched related donors were randomized to intraosseous (i.o.) + intravenous (i.

Quantification of HIV-1 proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a high throughput four-competitor competitive PCR.

A multiple competitor PCR (mcPCR) was developed to quantify HIV-1 proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). DNA extracted from a mixture of HIV infected PBMC and four size-mutated DNA competitors were co-amplified. The Cy5-fluorescence labelled PCR products were denatured by heating, separated using an automated DNA sequencer and quantified by a fragment analysis computer software.

Early stages in the development of goblet cells in the paranasal sinuses: a multimethodological study in the rabbit.

To evaluate the pattern of goblet cell differentiation in sinus mucosa in response to external stimuli, New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to either experimental sinusitis or topical capsalcin application. Sinus mucosa was examined by light microscopy after serial sectioning, whole-mount preparation or immunohistochemistry. The mucosa was also examined by electron microscopy after perfusion fixation or high-pressure freezing.

Hyperacute rejections of two consecutive renal allografts and early loss of the third transplant caused by non-HLA antibodies specific for endothelial cells.

The immunological rejection of HLA-identical kidney transplants indicates that non-HLA antigens may also be targets for transplant rejection. Interest in the possible role of endothelial specific antigens has grown steadily over the years. Most of the studies published, regarding the association of such antibodies with rejection, have demonstrated the reactivity of endothelial antibodies also with monocytes and keratinocytes, but not with lymphocytes.

Intravenous nitroglycerin reduces ischaemia in unstable angina pectoris: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To study whether intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) reduces the incidence of ischaemic events and leucocyte activation, as well as inhibiting platelet aggregation in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Design: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Subjects: One hundred and sixty-two patients with a history and electrocardiographic changes suggesting unstable angina pectoris.

Effects of surgery on mucosal pathologic changes following experimental sinusitis in rabbit.

In the present investigation, the regenerative capacity of the infected maxillary sinus mucosa following surgical procedures was studied in a rabbit model. Sinusitis was induced by occluding the ostium with and without the addition of Staphylococcus aureus or Bacteroides fragilis, or by provoking a prolonged bacterial infection with both pathogens. The surgical procedures performed were 1) widening of the natural sinus ostium (middle meatal antrostomy; MMA) and 2) removal of sinus mucosa without ostial interference (modified radical operation; MRO).

Cadaveric bone marrow and spleen cells for transplantation.

Cadaveric bone marrow was harvested from 20 brain-dead donors to determine optimal conditions for procurement for transplantation. The number of nucleated cells obtained from 1 ml of bone marrow was significantly higher in vertebrae (87+/-20 x 10(6), mean +/- s.e.

Transplantation with unrelated bone marrow in leukaemic patients above 40 years of age.

Twenty-seven patients above 40 years of age (range 40-55) with leukaemia underwent transplantation with haematopoietic stem cells from HLA-A, -B and -DR identical unrelated donors. They were compared to 69 younger patients, median age 23. In the older group, the diagnoses were acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) five, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) three and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) 19.

Population pharmacokinetics of clozapine evaluated with the nonparametric maximum likelihood method.

Aims: To evaluate the distribution of population kinetic parameters for clozapine and their relationship to age and gender in patients on continuous treatment with the drug.

Methods: Retrospective therapeutic drug monitoring data (391 samples from 241 patients) were evaluated using the nonparametric maximum likelihood method. Patients treated concomitantly with drugs known to interact with clozapine were not included.

Structural elucidation of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18B.

The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 18B has been determined using NMR spectroscopy and methylation analysis as the principal methods. It is concluded that the polysaccharide is composed of pentasaccharide repeating units with a glycerol phosphate substituting the 3-position of the branch point residue. The carbohydrate backbone in type 18B is identical to that in S.

Increased frequency of chromosome abnormalities in fibroblasts from hairy cell leukemia patients.

A hereditary component is implicated in many different cancers, including hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and may involve an instability of the genome. We have previously documented recurrent clonal and non-clonal chromosomal abnormalities in hairy cells. To ascertain whether this instability of the genome is restricted to the malignant cells or if it might also include normal cells we performed cytogenetic investigations on skin fibroblasts and hairy cells from eight HCL patients and skin fibroblasts from eight referents.