Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis before and after immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) exists in soluble form in sera, and the rate of release of the soluble form of IL-2R (soluble IL-2R) reflects T cell activation in vivo. Since T lymphocytes play a central role in respiratory allergic disorders, the measurement of serum levels of soluble IL-2R may be useful in analyzing the disease state of allergic disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the serum concentrations of soluble IL-2R in 48 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 14 nonatopic healthy controls, with special reference to the possible changes following long-term immunotherapy.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 48 patients who had had variable periods of long-term immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides farinae extracts. The duration of immunotherapy ranged from 5 to 15 years. Serum samples were collected twice from each patient, before the initiation of immunotherapy and at the time of clinical assessment of immunotherapy. All the serum samples were simultaneously used for determination of soluble IL-2R concentrations, by the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To serve as controls, 14 nonallergic subjects of the same age range and sex were chosen.

RESULTS

Patients with allergic rhinitis before immunotherapy had significantly higher serum levels of soluble IL-2R than nonatopic subjects. Elevated serum levels of soluble IL-2R decreased significantly following immunotherapy and the serum levels of soluble IL-2R in patients with allergic rhinitis after immunotherapy were not statistically different from those of nonatopic subjects. In addition, the percent decrease in serum soluble IL-2R correlated significantly with the duration of immunotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperactivity of helper T cells of atopic patients is altered after long-term immunotherapy, and such immunoregulatory changes could be theoretically involved in the mechanisms of immunotherapy.

Solution conformations of KNI-272, a tripeptide HIV protease inhibitor designed on the basis of substrate transition state: determined by NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations

KNI-272, a highly selective and potent HIV protease inhibitor containing allophenylnorstatine [(2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid], named Apns, has been studied in dimethylsulfoxide-d6 by NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations. 1H and 13C spectra showed the presence of two conformers characterized by the configuration of the imide bond between the Apns and Thz residues, i.e., trans and cis forms, respectively. Rotating frame Overhauser effect spectra revealed that the trans conformer is dominant. The solution structure calculated from the distance information resulting from nuclear Overhauser effects experiments is similar overall to those observed in the solid states, either as a single crystal or as complex with the protease. The results from both molecular dynamics simulations and experimental 13C longitudinal relaxation times indicate that the backbone of KNI-272 has a fairly rigid conformation.

Epidemiology of diseases of unknown etiology, specified as "intractable diseases"

In Japan, epidemiological studies on intractable diseases have been undertaken and greatly promoted for more than 20 years by the Research Committee on Epidemiology of Intractable Diseases, with the financial supports from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. In this paper, chronological history of development of the Research Committee and some scientific accomplishments by the recent Research Committee (1993-1995) were summarized, mainly focusing on descriptive, analytical and other epidemiological studies. Hoped is that the readers are to be acquainted with the recent research activities by the Research Committee and seek for possible international collaborations in epidemiological studies on intractable diseases.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells for autologous and allogeneic transplantation. Fukuoka Bone Marrow Transplantation Group

Peripheral blood stem and progenitor cells (PBSC and PBPC), which circulate at very low levels during steady-state hematopoiesis, show a transient but marked increase during hematologic recovery from marrow-suppressive chemotherapy. To ensure rapid and sustained hematologic engraftment after autologous PBSC transplantation, sufficient PBSC or PBPC must be infused. To confirm the utility of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in chemotherapy-induced PBSC mobilization, we investigated the effect of G-CSF on PBSC mobilization in leukemia and lymphoma patients. The study design was such that PBSC mobilization with and without G-CSF was assessed in the same patients. The results indicate that PBSC mobilization can be enhanced significantly when G-CSF is given during the recovery phase postchemotherapy. Interestingly, progenitor cells of different lineages could be mobilized by G-CSF. We subsequently investigated the effect of increasing G-CSF dose on PBSC mobilization during steady-state hematopoiesis in healthy adult donors. The results indicate that not only committed but also primitive progenitor cells are mobilized into the circulation in a dose-and time-dependent manner when G-CSF at 5, 10, or 15 micrograms/kg was given on each of 5 days and leukapheresis was performed on day 6. From our data we estimate that sufficient PBSC for engraftment after allogeneic PBSC transplantation can be collected on day 5 of administration of G-CSF at 10 micrograms/kg and by 10-1 leukapheresis on days 5 and 6. Furthermore, we found that some G-CSF-mobilized PBSC retained their self-renewal capability. These observations suggest that hematopoietic stem cells for allogeneic PBSC transplantation can be mobilized by short-term administration of relatively high-dose G-CSF.

Sodium balance and hypertension in obese and fatty rats

To investigate the role of sodium in obesity induced hypertension, Wistar fatty rats (WFR) were employed. This rat has the following characteristics: (1) hyperglycemia, (2) hyperinsulinemia, and (3) hypertriglycemia. Four percent sodium chloride with constant amount of food intake was administered to these rats from 8 to 16 weeks. During this period, body wt, food intake, water consumption, urine volume, systolic blood pressure, urinary excretion of sodium and potassium, urinary albumin excretion, plasma sodium and potassium, and plasma glucose and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were measured before, and twice more during eight weeks. No remarkable changes were observed in plasma glucose level during these periods between the two groups. On the other hand, in group 1 IRI significantly increased compared with group 2. Mean blood pressure was increased from 110 +/- 5 to 130 +/- 8 mm Hg (P < 0.01). To ascertain whether this salt sensitivity relates to the abnormalities in pressure-natriuresis responses, the pressure-natriuresis (P-N) was characterized. The P-N curve in WFR was shifted to the right and its slope was flattened compared to its control Wistar lean rats. In conclusion, an excess of dietary sodium intake may contribute to an elevation of blood pressure in Wistar fatty rat with hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. This salt sensitivity may change the abnormal pressure-natriuresis responses.

Management of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children

Eight children with pancreatic injuries after blunt abdominal trauma are presented. One patient with pancreatitis without complications was treated successfully with medication; seven (87.5%) developed pseudocysts, which resolved spontaneously with conservative treatment in four cases (57.1%). Non-resolving pseudocysts in 3 patients finally required surgical intervention. Pseudocysts that resolve spontaneously and those that require surgical intervention can be distinguished. The two groups showed different time sequences in both serum amylase values and pseudocyst size. Analyses of these clinical data revealed three factors with significant predictive value. On the basis of these findings, a new management strategy for traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children is proposed. The cyst is likely to resolve spontaneously in cases showing any two or more of the following factors: (1) cyst presentation after day 6; (2) maximum serum amylase below 1,600 IU/l; and (3) serum amylase below 600 IU/l on day 20. However, early surgical intervention is required in the presence of two or more of the following: (1) cyst presentation before day 4; (2) maximum serum amylase above 1,900 IU/l; or (3) serum amylase above 1,200 IU/l on day 20.

Serum level of interleukin-4 in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis during allergen-specific immunotherapy

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) may play a central role in the IgE synthesis system, the development of Th-2-like cells, and co-ordination as well as the persistence of airway inflammatory process in allergic disorders. Therefore, IL-4 plays a key role in airway allergic disorders. This study aimed at investigating the serum concentrations of IL-4 in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, with special reference to the possible changes and the clinical relevance following long-term immunotherapy. The study has demonstrated that the serum level of IL-4 in allergic rhinitis patients before immunotherapy is significantly higher than that in non-atopic individuals. However, the serum IL-4 level in allergic rhinitis patients did not decrease following anti-allergic medications but significantly decreased following immunotherapy. The percentage decrease in IL-4 was correlated significantly with the percentage decrease in specific IgE antibodies following long-term immunotherapy. Immunotherapy also significantly decreased specific IgE anti-bodies, but this reduction in specific IgE antibodies was not significantly correlated with the clinical improvement. In contrast, the percentage decrease in serum IL-4 was significantly correlated with the percentage decrease in symptomatic scores. The authors interpret these data to mean that immunotherapy alters T-cell cytokine profiles in the long-term, and a decline of IL-4 following immunotherapy could modulate not only production of specific IgE antibodies but also inflammatory cellular events, leading to symptomatic relief in allergic rhinitis.

Contrasting effects of SM-9018, a potential atypical antipsychotic, and haloperidol on c-fos mRNA expression in the rat striatum

SM-9018 (cis-2-(4-(4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl)butyl) hexahydro-1 H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione HCl) is a potential atypical antipsychotic with high affinity for 5-HT2, dopamine D2 and 5-HT1A receptors. Northern blot analysis was performed to compare the effects of SM-9018 and of haloperidol on the striatal c-fos mRNA expression in rats. Haloperidol (0.3-30 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly increased the striatal c-fos mRNA levels (about eight-fold at 30 mg/kg), the increase being abolished by lesioning of dopamine neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine. In contrast, SM-9018 produced only a slight increase (about two-fold) in c-fos mRNA expression at doses up to 30 mg/kg (p.o.). The 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ritanserin (0.1-3 mg/kg, i.p.), dose-dependently attenuated the haloperiodol-induced c-fos expression, but the putative 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, NAN-190 (1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-(2-phethalimmido)butyl)piperazine HBr; 1-10 mg/kg, i.p.), did not. These findings suggest that SM-9018 is weaker than haloperidol for induction of striatal c-fos mRNA expression, to which the 5-HT2 receptor blocking activity of SM-9018 seems to contribute.

Lifestyle determinants for social activity levels among the Japanese elderly

We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey to a total of 5239 elderly persons in four areas in Japan in 1993, which inquired about past lifestyles and present social activities. Based on the survey data, we first developed social activity measures, and then examined associations of the present total social activity measure with past lifestyles and physical conditions. The lifestyles significantly associated with high social activity after 65 years of age were 'high educational attainment'; having been 'healthy', 'plump', 'physically active' and 'having had hobbies' at about 50 years of age; and having 'frequent intake of many kinds of foods' during 30-50 years of age. Intake during 30-50 years of age of Japanese-style foods (rice, soybean paste soup, bean curd, pickles), noodles, beans, plant roots and potatoes was not significantly linked with the social activity levels at old age in either males or females. The same was true for smoking and drinking habits at about 50 years of age. Our findings essentially suggest the importance of a positive attitude at middle age to maintain and promote health status and improve lifestyles in order to attain high social activity at old age.

Newly developed ST-T abnormalities on the electrocardiogram and chronologic changes in cardiovascular risk factors

An ST-T abnormality on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is known to independently predict subsequent morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. But how ST-T abnormality develops in relation to chronologic changes in cardiovascular risk factors has not been fully discussed. Sixty-eight men whose ECG had been initially normal but who exhibited ST-T abnormality later (ST-T subjects) were identified among 21,579 apparently healthy adults who had undergone comprehensive health examinations for > 10 years. Echocardiography proved that 26 of 29 examinees among ST-T subjects had left ventricular hypertrophy. Antihypertensive drugs were given to 26 of the ST-T subjects. Their cardiovascular risk factors were chronologically reviewed from 10 years before the onset of definite ST-T abnormality, and were compared with those of 68 men whose ECG had remained consistently normal for 10 years (controls). Mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure gradually increased over 10 years (from 127/78 to 144/84 mm Hg) among ST-T subjects, but showed little change (from 122/76 to 124/77 mm Hg) during the same period in controls. The time course of blood pressure over 10 years was similar in ST-T subjects, irrespective of final blood pressure level. Mean serum cholesterol and glucose increased over 10 years in both ST-T and control subjects. Uric acid decreased over 10 years (from 6.1 to 5.6 mg/dl) only in ST-T subjects. Multivariate analysis revealed that blood pressure and uric acid before onset of ST-T abnormality were chronologically changed independent of other risk factors. The time course of risk factors may be of great importance in the development of cardiovascular disorders.

The NIST Detector-Based Luminous Intensity Scale

The Système International des Unités (SI) base unit for photometry, the candela, has been realized by using absolute detectors rather than absolute sources. This change in method permits luminous intensity calibrations of standard lamps to be carried out with a relative expanded uncertainty (coverage factor k = 2, and thus a 2 standard deviation estimate) of 0.46 %, almost a factor-of-two improvement. A group of eight reference photometers has been constructed with silicon photodiodes, matched with filters to mimic the spectral luminous efficiency function for photopic vision. The wide dynamic range of the photometers aid in their calibration. The components of the photometers were carefully measured and selected to reduce the sources of error and to provide baseline data for aging studies. Periodic remeasurement of the photometers indicate that a yearly recalibration is required. The design, characterization, calibration, evaluation, and application of the photometers are discussed.

Generation of human natural killer cells from peripheral blood CD34+ cells mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

We studied the generation of human natural killer (NK) cells from CD34+ cells that were isolated from peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (g-CSF). The isolated CD34+ cells were cultured in the presence of a combination of interleukin-1 (IL-1alpha), IL-2, and stem cell factor for 5 weeks without marrow stroma. We found that the CD34+ cells isolated from G-CSF-mobilized PBSC (G-CSF/PBSC) could differentiate into a population of NK cells which were CD56+(bright)/CD3- and showed morphologic characteristics of large granular lymphocytes. Immunophenotypic analysis of the NK cells thus generated showed that a small proportion of them expressed CD2, CD8 and CD16 surface markers and approximately half of them coexpressed CD7. This NK population exhibited cytotoxic activity against a NK-sensitive cell line, K562. These observations suggest that CD34+ cells from G-CSF/PBSC contain precursors of NK cells that can differentiate into functional NK cells.

Genotypes of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase II gene in substrains of spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE

To search for a genetic marker of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase (SERCA) II gene in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and to investigate differences in blood pressure and intracellular Ca2+ among some substrains of SHRs and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats related to their SERCA II genotypes.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The coding region of the SERCA II gene was sequenced in SHRs. Blood pressure and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in platelets were measured in substrains of SHRs and WKY rats with different SERCA II genotypes.

RESULTS

A point mutation that provided restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) by HindIII or Saul was found in the SERCA II gene. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested by HindIII in SHR substrains and WKY-Kyoto rats, whereas they were digested by Saul in normotensive strains and SHR-Toho. Among SHR-Kyoto, SHR-Toho, WKY-Kyoto and WKY-Charles River, the substrains with the HindIII-digested SERCA II genotype showed slightly but significantly higher systolic blood pressure and augmented agonist-stimulated [Ca2+]i than those with the Saul-digested genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

RFLPs were found in the SERCA II gene. In the substrain analysis of SHRs and WKY rats, higher blood pressure and increased [Ca2+]i were associated with the SERCA II genotype digested by HindIII. The SERCA II gene locus has the potential to contribute to the development of hypertension and abnormal intracellular Ca2+ metabolism in SHRs. These RFLPs in the SERCA II gene should be a useful genetic marker.

G-CSF-induced mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells from healthy adults for allogeneic transplantation

We investigated a dose-escalation effect of G-CSF (5, 10, and 15 micrograms/kg) on mobilization of committed and primitive hemopoietic progenitor cells, including CFU-GM, BFU-E, and long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) in addition to CD34+ cells and yields of progenitor cells in PBSC harvests obtained by leukapheresis of healthy adult donors. Results indicate that the mobilization of these progenitor cells is both dose and time dependent. Despite the very small number of healthy donors studied, it is estimated from our data that a sufficient number of CD34+ cells for allogeneic PBSC transplant (PBSCT) could be collected using a 5 day administration of 10 micrograms/kg of G-CSF to normal adult donors. Adverse effects include general fatigue and bone pain in most of the donors and fever and headache in some. These symptoms were well tolerated in most instances. Laboratory test abnormalities, including transient thrombocytopenia, increased platelet aggregation, and increased serum levels of some liver enzymes, were induced by G-CSF administration, but all were reversible within a short time. These observations suggest that hemopoietic stem cells for allogeneic PBSCT can be mobilized by short-term administration of a relatively high-dose G-CSF.

Dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine selectively potentiate neuronal type ATP receptor channels

Dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine have been shown to facilitate a cationic current activated by extracellular ATP in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Effects of these and other modulators were examined by expressing ATP receptor channels in Xenopus oocytes using cDNAs from rat vas deferens ('P2x1-purinoceptor channels') and PC12 cells ('P2x2-purinoceptor channels'). Dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (10 and 100 mu M) facilitated the ATP-activated current mediated through P2x2-purinoceptor channels, but not the current through P2x1-purinoceptor channels. Adenosine (1 mu M) facilitated the current through both P2x1- and P2x2-purinoceptor channels. Cd2+ (1 mM) as well as Zn2+ (10 mu M) selectively potentiated the current through P2x2-purinoceptor channels. The results suggest that (1) the facilitation by dopamine and other modulators also occurs in recombinant ATP-receptor channels, and (2) the selective facilitation by dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and divalent cations of P2x2-purinoceptor channels is attributed to some structural difference of the channels from P2x1-purinoceptor channels.

Teratogenic effects of selenium compounds on cultured postimplantation rat embryos

Embryonic susceptibility to selenium (Se) teratogenicity was examined in rats using postimplantation embryo culture. Rat embryos at day 9.5 of gestation were cultured by the roller bottle method for 48 hr in the presence of Se compounds. Sodium selenite, sodium selenate, seleno-DL-methionine, and seleno-DL-cystine were embryolethal at 20, 300, 1,000, and 1,000 microM Se, respectively. All of these compounds caused abnormalities such as deformed optic vesicle and swollen rhombencephalon in the viable embryos. These abnormalities were considered to correspond to in vivo malformations caused by Se in hamster fetuses or in bird embryos. These results indicate that rat embryos are susceptible to Se teratogenicity. It seems that there are differences in potency ranking of Se compounds between rat and bird embryos.

[Teratogenicity study of magnesium chloride hexahydrate in rats]

Teratogenicity of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2.6H2O) was examined in rats. Magnesium chloride hexahydrate dissolved in distilled water was given to pregnant Wistar rats by gavage once a day from day 6 through 15 of pregnancy at doses of 0, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day. The pregnant rats were sacrificed on day 20 of pregnancy and their fetuses were examined for malformation. Magnesium chloride hexahydrate caused no increased incidences of fetal malformation, and no toxic signs in the pregnant rats and the fetuses. It was concluded that magnesium chloride hexahydrate has no teratogenicity in rats when given by gavage. The no observed adverse effect level was estimated to be over 800 mg/kg/day for both pregnant rats and rat fetuses.

Comparative study of fetal behaviour in a case of monozygotic twins, one being anencephalic

Fetal behavior in monozygotic twins, one being anencephalic, was serially recorded from 20 to 35 weeks of gestation and analyzed. The commencement of breathing movement was concluded to reflect the development of the medulla oblongata of the fetus.

Complete disruption of the main pancreatic duct: a case successfully managed by percutaneous drainage

The authors report on a 7-year-old boy who sustained blunt abdominal trauma on a bicycle handlebar. A large traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst developed, for which percutaneous external drainage under ultrasound guidance was performed. Both the catheter fistulogram and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram showed complete disruption of the main pancreatic duct. During continuous external drainage, the pseudocyst disappeared. The drainage flow decreased gradually and ceased. The patient is well, with normal endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions, 2 years after discharge.