Irreversible electroporation of the lumbar vertebrae in a porcine model: is there clinical-pathologic evidence of neural toxicity?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in the porcine spine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Twenty computed tomographically guided IRE ablations in either a transpedicular location or directly over the posterior cortex were performed in the lumbar vertebrae of 10 pigs by a single operator. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed with and without contrast material 2 or 7 days after ablation. Mathematical modeling was performed to estimate the extent of ablation. Clinical, radiologic, pathologic, and simulation findings were analyzed. The Miller low-bias back transformation was used to construct 95% confidence intervals for the mean absolute percentage difference between the maximum length and width of the ablation zone on MR images and pathologic measurements by using square-root-transformed data.

RESULTS

Bipolar IRE electrode placement and ablation were successful in all cases. The mean distances from the IRE electrode to the posterior wall of the vertebral body or the exiting nerve root were 2.93 mm ± 0.77 (standard deviation) and 7.87 mm ± 1.99, respectively. None of the animals had neurologic deficits. Well-delineated areas of necrosis of bone, bone marrow, and skeletal muscle adjacent to the vertebral body were present. Histopathologic changes showed outcomes that matched with simulation-estimated ablation zones. The percentage absolute differences in the ablation measurements between MR imaging and histopathologic examination showed the following average errors: 24.2% for length and 28.8% for width measurements on T2-weighted images, and 26.1% for length and 33.3% for width measurements on T1-weighted contrast material-enhanced images.

CONCLUSION

IRE ablation in the porcine spine is feasible and safe and produces localized necrosis with minimal neural toxicity. Signal intensity changes on images acquired with standard MR imaging sequences demonstrate the ablation zone to be larger than that at histopathologic examination.

Advantages of a P-element construct containing MtnA sequences for the identification of patterning and cell determination genes in Drosophila melanogaster

The P[MTW] transposon carries a functional MtnA (metallothionein) gene and a miniwhite reporter gene. When P[MTW] was transformed into Drosophila, many lines were found to show position-dependent expression patterns of the miniwhite or the MtnA transgene. Identification of several of the target genes indicated that this construct behaves as an enhancer or silencer trap. For instance, expression of at least one reporter transgene was shown to correlate with that of the endogenous gene in the case of insertions in Ultrabithorax, four-jointed, and the iroquois complex. The frequency of patterns recovered with P[MTW] is higher than that reported for P[LacW], suggesting that P[MTW] has unusual properties. The possibility of biased insertion of P[MTW] was assayed by screening a sample of 66 MTW lines for modifiers of the extra sex comb phenotype caused by a hypomorphic allele of polyhomeotic. Seven modifiers were recovered, which could be ranked in two classes: genes involved in leg morphogenesis (including four-jointed and spitz), and genes of the Polycomb- or trithorax-Group, including trithorax and batman, a new gene which encodes a product with a BTB/POZ domain. Taken together, these results indicate that P[MTW] allows the tagging of patterning and cell determination genes, and thus provides a useful tool for identifying new developmental functions.

3D prostate histology reconstruction: an evaluation of image-based and fiducial-based algorithms

PURPOSE

Evaluation of in vivo prostate imaging modalities for determining the spatial distribution and aggressiveness of prostate cancer ideally requires accurate registration of images to an accepted reference standard, such as histopathological examination of radical prostatectomy specimens. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of prostate histology facilitates these registration-based evaluations by reintroducing 3D spatial information lost during histology processing. Because the reconstruction accuracy may constrain the clinical questions that can be answered with these data, it is important to assess the tradeoffs between minimally disruptive methods based on intrinsic image information and potentially more robust methods based on extrinsic fiducial markers.

METHODS

Ex vivo magnetic resonance (MR) images and digitized whole-mount histology images from 12 radical prostatectomy specimens were used to evaluate four 3D histology reconstruction algorithms. 3D reconstructions were computed by registering each histology image to the corresponding ex vivo MR image using one of two similarity metrics (mutual information or fiducial registration error) and one of two search domains (affine transformations or a constrained subset thereof). The algorithms were evaluated for accuracy using the mean target registration error (TRE) computed from homologous intrinsic point landmarks (3-16 per histology section; 232 total) identified on histology and MR images, and for the sensitivity of TRE to rotational, translational, and scaling initialization errors.

RESULTS

The algorithms using fiducial registration error and mutual information had mean ± standard deviation TREs of 0.7 ± 0.4 and 1.2 ± 0.7 mm, respectively, and one algorithm using fiducial registration error and affine transforms had negligible sensitivities to initialization errors. The postoptimization values of the mutual information-based metric showed evidence of errors due to both the optimizer and the similarity metric, and variation of parameters of the mutual information-based metric did not improve its performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The extrinsic fiducial-based algorithm had lower mean TRE and lower sensitivity to initialization than the intrinsic intensity-based algorithm using mutual information. A model relating statistical power to registration error for certain imaging validation study designs estimated that a reconstruction algorithm with a mean TRE of 0.7 mm would require 27% fewer subjects than the method used to initialize the algorithms (mean TRE 1.3 ± 0.7 mm), suggesting the choice of reconstruction technique can have a substantial impact on the design of imaging validation studies, and on their overall cost.

Irreversible electroporation: treatment effect is susceptible to local environment and tissue properties

PURPOSE

To study the effects of the surrounding electrical microenvironment and local tissue parameters on the electrical parameters and outcome of irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation in porcine muscle, kidney, and liver tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animal Care and Use Committee approval was obtained, and National Institutes of Health guidelines were followed. IRE ablation (n = 90) was applied in muscle (n = 44), kidney (n = 28), and liver (n = 18) tissue in 18 pigs. Two electrodes with tip exposure of 1.5-2 cm were used at varying voltages (1500-3000 V), pulse repetitions (n = 70-100), pulse length (70-100 µsec), and electrode spacing (1.5-2 cm). In muscle tissue, electrodes were placed exactly parallel, in plane, or perpendicular to paraspinal muscle fibers; in kidney tissue, in the cortex or adjacent to the renal medulla; and in liver tissue, with and without metallic or plastic plates placed 1-2 cm from electrodes. Ablation zones were determined at gross pathologic (90-120 minutes after IRE) and immunohistopathologic examination (6 hours after) for apoptosis and heat-shock protein markers. Multivariate analysis of variance with multiple comparisons and/or paired t tests and regression analysis were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Mean (± standard deviation) ablation zones in muscle were 6.2 cm ± 0.3 × 4.2 cm ± 0.3 for parallel electrodes and 4.2 cm ± 0.8 × 3.0 cm ± 0.5 for in-plane application. Perpendicular orientation resulted in a cross-shaped zone. Orientation significantly affected IRE current applied (28.5-31.7A for parallel, 29.5-39.7A for perpendicular; P = .003). For kidney cortex, ovoid zones of 1.5 cm ± 0.1 × 0.5 cm ± 0.0 to 2.5 cm ± 0.1 × 1.3 cm ± 0.1 were seen. Placement of electrodes less than 5 mm from the medullary pyramids resulted in treatment effect arcing into the collecting system. For liver tissue, symmetric 2.7 cm ± 0.2 × 1.4 cm ± 0.3 coagulation areas were seen without the metallic plate but asymmetric coagulation was seen with the metallic plate.

CONCLUSION

IRE treatment zones are sensitive to varying electrical conductivity in tissues. Electrode location, orientation, and heterogeneities in local environment must be considered in planning ablation treatment. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Adjuvant liposomal doxorubicin markedly affects radiofrequency ablation-induced effects on periablational microvasculature

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of radiofrequency (RF) ablation without and with adjuvant intravenous (IV) liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) on microvessel morphology and patency and intratumoral drug delivery and retention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were 133 tumors/animals used in this experiment. First, single subcutaneous tumors (R3230 in Fischer rats and 786-0 in nude mice) were randomly assigned to receive RF ablation alone or no treatment and sacrificed 0-72 hours after treatment. Next, combined RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin (1 mg given 15 min after RF ablation) was studied in R3230 tumors at 0-72 hours after treatment. Histopathologic assessment, including immunohistochemical staining for cleaved caspase-3, heat-shock protein 70, and CD34, was performed to assess morphologic vessel appearance, vessel diameter, and microvascular density. Subsequently, tumors were randomly assigned to receive RF ablation alone, RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin, or no treatment (control tumors), followed by IV fluorescent-labeled liposomes (a surrogate marker) given 0-24 hours after RF ablation to permit qualitative assessment.

RESULTS

RF ablation alone resulted in enlarged and dysmorphic vessels from 0-4 hours, peaking at 12-24 hours after RF ablation, occurring preferentially closer to the electrode. The addition of doxorubicin resulted in earlier vessel contraction (mean vessel area, 47,539 μm(2)±9,544 vs 1,854 μm(2)±458 for RF ablation alone at 15 min; P<.05). Combined RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin produced similar fluorescence 1 hour after treatment (40.88 AU/μm(2)±33.53 vs 22.1 AU/μm(2)±13.19; P = .14) but significantly less fluorescence at 4 hours (24.3 AU/μm(2)±3.65 vs 2.8 AU/μm(2)±3.14; P<.002) compared with RF ablation alone denoting earlier reduction in microvascular patency.

CONCLUSIONS

RF ablation induces morphologic changes to vessels within the ablation zone lasting 12-24 hours after treatment. The addition of liposomal doxorubicin causes early vessel contraction and a reduction in periablational microvascular patency. Such changes would likely need to be considered when determining optimal drug administration and imaging paradigms.

Irreversible electroporation ablation: is all the damage nonthermal?

PURPOSE

To determine whether high-dose irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation induces thermal effects in normal liver tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animal care and use committee approval was obtained prior to the experiments. IRE ablation (n = 78) was performed by a single four-person team in vivo in 22 porcine livers by applying electric current to two 1.3-cm-diameter circular flat-plate electrodes spaced 1 cm apart. Cardiac-gated IRE pulses (n = 40-360) were systematically applied at varying voltages (1500-2900 V). End temperatures at the ablation zone center were measured and were correlated with ablation time, energy parameters, and resultant treatment effect as determined at gross pathologic and histopathologic examination. Temperatures were then monitored at the center and periphery of four ablations created by using a four-electrode IRE array (3000 V, 90 pulses per electrode pair). Data were analyzed by using multivariate analysis of variance with multiple comparisons and/or paired t tests and regression analysis, as appropriate.

RESULTS

Temperature rose above the 34°C baseline after IRE in all flat-plate experiments and correlated linearly (R(2) = 0.39) with IRE "energy dose" (product of voltage and number of pulses) and more tightly in univariate analysis with both voltage and number of pulses. Thus, mean temperatures as high as 86°C ± 3 (standard deviation) were seen for 2500 V and 270 pulses. Ablations of 90 pulses or more at 2500 V produced temperatures of 50°C or greater and classic gross and histopathologic findings of thermal coagulation (pyknotic nuclei and streaming cytoplasm). For lower IRE doses (ie, 2100 V, 90 pulses), temperatures remained below 45°C, and only IRE-associated pathologic findings (ie, swollen sinusoids, dehydrated cells, and hemorrhagic infiltrate) were seen. For the four-electrode arrays, temperatures measured 54.2°C ± 6.1 at the electrode surfaces and 38.6°C ± 3.2 at the ablation zone margin.

CONCLUSION

In some conditions of high intensity, IRE can produce sufficient heating to induce "white zone" thermal coagulation. While this can be useful in some settings to increase tumor destruction, further characterization of the thermal profile created with clinical electrodes and energy parameters is therefore needed to better understand the best ways to avoid unintended damage when ablating near thermally sensitive critical structures.

Synergy in cancer treatment between liposomal chemotherapeutics and thermal ablation

Minimally invasive image-guided tumor ablation using short duration heating via needle-like applicators using energies such as radiofrequency or microwave has seen increasing clinical use to treat focal liver, renal, breast, bone, and lung tumors. Potential benefits of this thermal therapy include reduced morbidity and mortality compared to standard surgical resection and ability to treat non-surgical patients. However, improvements to this technique are required as achieving complete ablation in many cases can be challenging particularly at margins of tumors>3 cm in diameter and adjacent to blood vessels. Thus, one very promising strategy has been to combine thermal tumor ablation with adjuvant nanoparticle-based chemotherapy agents to improve efficiency. Here, we will primarily review principles of thermal ablation to provide a framework for understanding the mechanisms of combination therapy, and review the studies on combination therapy, including presenting preliminary data on the role of such variables as nanoparticle size and thermal dose on improving combination therapy outcome. We will discuss how thermal ablation can also be used to improve overall intratumoral drug accumulation and nanoparticle content release. Finally, in this article we will further describe the appealing off-shoot approach of utilizing thermal ablation techniques not as the primary treatment, but rather, as a means to improve efficiency of intratumoral nanoparticle drug delivery.

Hydatid cyst open in biliary tract: therapeutic approaches. Report of 22 cases

GOAL

Discuss the different therapeutic options based on results of a series of patients undergoing operation for hydatid cyst ruptured into the biliary tract.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 22 patients operated on between 2001 and 2007 for hydatid cyst ruptured into the biliary tract.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 37 years old. There were 14 men and eight women. Cholangitis was present in 59% of patients and isolated pain in the right upper quadrant was found in 20% of patients. Procedures performed included internal fistula drainage through the sphincter of Oddi (37.3%), cystobiliary disconnection by percutaneous transhepatic cystocholedochostomy (27.3%), bipolar drainage (27.3%), direct suture closure of the fistula (9.1%). The postoperative course was uneventful in 15 patients. Specific morbidity concerned four patients. An external biliary fistula and suppuration of the residual cavity was observed in two patients each. One patient died. Median survival was 24 months. No recurrence or late complications were seen in this series.

CONCLUSION

The management of hydatid cyst ruptured into the biliary tract is not consensual. Radical treatment is best because it provides definitive treatment of both the fistula and the cyst at the same time. However, conservative treatment is the preferred treatment in endemic countries. The choice of the technique depends of the experience of the surgeon, as well as local and topographic conditions. The best treatment remains preventive by eradication of echinococcosis.

Comparison between familial and sporadic systemic lupus erythematosus in Kuwaiti patients

To validate the use of multiplex case families in studying the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we investigated the pattern of familial SLE in relation to sporadic SLE in the highly consanguineous Kuwaiti population. We sought to determine whether familial and sporadic SLEs have the same clinical and serological features. We compared 21 cases of familial SLE in 21 families with 42 non-familial SLE controls matched for age, sex and duration of disease. Twenty-one families, in which the diagnosis of SLE was verified in at least two relatives, were included in the study. The diagnosis was made according to the revised 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria. There were no significant differences in clinical features or serological manifestations between familial SLE cases and their matched controls. However, our results showed that the frequency of La/SSB antibodies was higher in the sporadic group (P = 0.048), although this was not significant after application of Bonferroni's correction for the number of comparisons. Familial cases of SLE were more likely to present at younger age of 20 years and sporadic cases at 26 years (P = 0.006). The prevalence of familial SLE was 27.4%. We have found that familial and sporadic cases of SLE are broadly similar, and it is justified to include multiple case families in genetic studies.

Randomized trial comparing cryoablation and external beam radiotherapy for T2C-T3B prostate cancer

The objective was to evaluate the relative efficacy of cryoablation (CRYO) versus external beam radiation (EBRT) for clinically locally advanced prostate cancer in a randomized clinical trial. Patients with histologically proven, clinically staged as T2C, T3A or T3B disease were randomized with 6 months of perioperative hormone therapy to one of the two procedures. Owing largely to a shift in practice to longer term adjuvant hormonal therapy and higher doses of radiation for T3 disease, only 64 out of the planned 150 patients were accrued. Twenty-one of 33 (64%) in the CRYO group and 14 of 31 (45%) in the EBRT-treated group who had met the ASTRO definition of failure were also classified as treatment failure. The mean biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) was 41 months for the EBRT group compared to 28 months for the CRYO group. The 4-year bDFS for EBRT and CRYO groups were 47 and 13%, respectively. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) for both groups were very similar. Serious complications were uncommon in either group. EBRT patients exhibited gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects more frequently. Taking into account the relative deficiency in numbers and the original trial design, this prospective randomized trial indicated that the results of CRYO were less favorable compared to those of EBRT, and was suboptimal primary therapy in locally advanced prostate cancer.

[Surveillance of falciparum malaria susceptibility to antimalarial drugs and policy change in the Comoros]

Between May and June 2001, efficacy of chloroquine was assessed in 5 sentinel sites in the 3 Comoro islands. Among the 183 children, age range between 6 and 59 months, followed up for 14 days, clinical failure rates ranged between 31.2 and 73.1% and the total failure rate (clinical and parasitological) between 50 and 88.5%. Failures were mainly early treatment failures. The Ministry of health, during a consensus meeting decided to change the first line drug and to gather baseline information on the efficacy and the tolerance of the combination artemether-lumefantrine. Between June and September 2004, among the 164 children, age range between 6 and 59 months included, the success rate of the combination was 99.4% in the 3 sites with a follow-up of 28 days. No serious drug related adverse event was reported.

Comparison of cell proliferation index in equine and caprine embryos using a modified BrdU incorporation assay

The measurement of cell proliferation and cell viability using 5'bromo-2'deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labelling has been described in several cell types and species. The aim of this study was to adapt this technique to equine embryos and to compare the index of DNA replication (S-phase) between equine and caprine embryos. Seventeen equine embryos were recovered at day 6.5 post-ovulation and 20 caprine embryos were recovered at day 7 after the onset of estrus. Equine embryos were incubated during 1h at 39 degrees C in PBS containing 1mM of BrdU. Embryos were then treated in 0.05% trypsin during 15 min at 39 degrees C to permeabilise the capsule, and then embryos were rinsed in PBS containing 10% of foetal calf serum. After washing, embryos were immediately fixed in 2.5% paraformaldehyde with 0.3M NaOH during 15 min at ambient temperature. The S-phase was detected by immunocytochemistry technique. In caprine embryos, BrdU was visualised by the same technique but without the trypsin treatment. The percentage of cells (+/-S.E.M.) with BrdU incorporated into newly synthesised DNA strands was significantly higher in equine embryos (74+/-1) than in caprine (38+/-2). Our results demonstrated that BrdU incorporation assay can be used in equine embryos. This assay allows the determination of the proliferation index of live cells and could be used as an additional tool for evaluating the viability of embryos. The high percentage of cells incorporating BrdU during 1h of incubation with BrdU suggests that in comparison with the caprine embryos the cellular activity of proliferation is more intense in equine embryos and suggests that the cellular cycle is shorter in equine embryos.

Kyste anévrysmal de la base du crâne

STUDY DESIGN

First published report of a cranial aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) treated successfully with intralesional injection of calcitonin.

OBJECTIVES

To describe a safe and effective treatment method for ABCs of the cranial base.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

ABC is a rare form of dystrophic pseudotumor. Less than 100 cases involving the skull have been reported in the literature, most of them localised in the cranial vault. Cranial base locations are rare and difficult to treat. We selected this treatment after a very rapid recurrence of the lesion following a partial resection. Method. - After a partial resection of a 10 cm petro-occipital ABC that encased the vertebral artery and the lower cranial nerves, an Ommaya reservoir was implanted with a catheter tip inside the ABC. Repeated intralesional injections of calcitonin were performed through the reservoir.

RESULTS

Shrinkage of the cyst occurred with disappearance of its heterogeneous cystic content and ossification of its walls. There was no complication and the lesion remains quiescent at a 3 year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We reviewed the pertinent literature concerning percutaneous treatment of ABC. The percutaneous intralesionnal injection of calcitonin was reported in the literature only in 3 publications reporting 9 cases that did not involve the skull. This treatment seems safe and effective, worthy in cranial base ABCs that are difficult to resect completely.

In vitro comparisons of two cryopreservation techniques for equine embryos: Slow-cooling and open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification

Vitrification using open pulled straw (OPS) has provided encouraging results with embryos from other species. The aim of this study was to compare the survival of 6.5- and 6.75-day-old equine embryos after OPS vitrification and slow-cooling. Eighteen embryos were frozen using a slow-cooling method. Embryos were placed in modified PBS with increasing glycerol concentration (2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (v/v) 5 min each). Embryos were loaded into 0.25 ml straws then placed in a programmable freezer and subsequently plunged into liquid nitrogen. After thawing, cryoprotectant was removed by five steps with decreasing glycerol and sucrose concentrations. Twenty embryos were vitrified using the OPS method. Embryos were exposed to 7.5% dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO)+7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) for 3 min and in 18% DMSO+18% EG+0.4M sucrose for 1 min, loaded in OPS and plunged into liquid nitrogen. After warming, embryos were placed in decreasing sucrose concentrations. All embryos were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) medium for 3h and evaluated using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The percentage of cells entering in S-phase (%SC) was evaluated by incorporation of BrdU. No significant differences were observed for mean diameter, morphological grade and percentage of degenerate embryos after 3h of culture for slow-cooling and OPS methods. The percentage of dead cells per embryo was similar for the two procedures (42+/-6 versus 46+/-9). The percentage of cells entering in S-phase did not differ significantly between the two procedures (27+/-5 versus 26+/-6). OPS vitrification may be as efficient as slow-cooling for the cryopreservation of equine embryos. However, these results should be confirmed by the transfer of OPS vitrified embryos to recipient mares.

La lagune de Ghar El Melh : Diagnostic écologique et perspectives d'aménagement hydraulique

La lagune de Ghar El Melh, située au Nord de la Tunisie (dans le Golfe de Tunis), est caractérisée par une superficie de 28,5 km2, une faible profondeur et une faible communication avec la mer. Actuellement, sous l'effet des actions anthropiques (les rejets terrestres), elle connaît une dégradation progressive de la qualité de ses eaux et sédiments dont les conséquences sont la chute de la richesse biologique et la réduction des ressources halieutiques de la lagune.

Dans ce travail, nous présentons les résultats de l'analyse des caractéristiques physico-chimiques et biologiques des eaux de la lagune. Ces analyses montent bien l'hyper-eutrophisation du milieu caractérisé par de fortes concentrations des eaux en azote total et en phosphore total. Les résultats de simulation du fonctionnement hydrodynamique, que nous avons réalisée à l'aide d'un modèle à 2 dimensions intégré sur la hauteur, montrent une stagnation des eaux dans environ 80% de surface de la lagune qui a fortement amplifié la dégradation de la qualité de l'écosystème. Parmi plusieurs scénarios d'aménagements simulés, nous proposons la création d'une nouvelle communication avec la mer dont la simulation hydrodynamique montre une nette augmentation des échanges d'eau mer-lagune. Nous présentons ensuite un modèle écologique homogène de la lagune de Ghar El Melh qui a été mis au point et calibré en s'appuyant sur les mesures de terrain. Les simulations, avec ce modèle, montrent que l'arrêt total des rejets terrestres et la création d'un nouveau grau réduisent considérablement l'eutrophisation du milieu ce qui conduiraient certainement à une nette amélioration de la production halieutique dans la lagune.

Evaluation of viability and apoptosis in horse embryos stored under different conditions at 5 degrees C

The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability (percentage of dead cells) and the incidence of DNA fragmentation of horse embryos after storage in three different media at 5 degrees C for 6 and 24 h. Forty embryos were stored in Emcare Holding Solution for 6 and 24 h, in Hams'F10 or Vigro Holding Plus for 24 h at 5 degrees C (n = 9-10 per group) and 10 embryos were evaluated immediately after collection. First, embryos were stained, immediately after collection or following storage, to detect dead cells (DAPI) and, subsequently, DAPI-stained embryos were fixed and stained to detect DNA fragmentation (TUNEL). Finally, all the fixed embryos were re-stained with DAPI to determine the total number of cells. The percentage of cells stained with both TUNEL and DAPI or TUNEL-only or DAPI-only were determined. The percent of dead cells (DAPI-labelled) per embryo increased with duration of storage, but no differences were detected between the storage media. The percentage of early apoptotic cells (TUNEL+/DAPI-) in fresh and stored embryo for 6 h or 24 h did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the percentage of cells labelled by TUNEL and DAPI (R = 0.87) (P < 0.001). These results suggest that cooled storage increases cell death but this does not appear to occur by induction of apoptosis and that DAPI staining proves to be a quick and reliable method for assessing embryo viability.

Musculoskeletal pain, disability and health-seeking behavior in adult Kuwaitis using a validated Arabic version of the WHO-ILAR COPCORD Core Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

The WHO-ILAR Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) primarily aims to estimate the burden of musculoskeletal symptoms/disorders. We investigated data on musculoskeletal pain, disability and health-seeking behavior in the first community-based COPCORD study in Kuwait.

METHODS

The validated Arabic version of the WHO-ILAR COPCORD Core Questionnaire was used in 2,500 randomly selected Kuwaiti households. The target population comprised Kuwaiti nationals aged 15 years and older. Twenty-four trained field workers completed the survey in 8 weeks. Those subjects reporting musculoskeletal pain were identified (Phase 1), and were asked to complete a self-evaluation questionnaire (Phase 2) prior to rheumatological examination (Phase 3). Phase 2 included questions on the site and severity of pain, traumatic events, functional disability, and treatment. Patients marked their pain sites on a mannequin during their interviews. "Sufferers" were defined as those with musculoskeletal pain and no history of trauma.

RESULTS

A total of 7,670 adults were interviewed (response rate 88%), of whom 2,057 had musculoskeletal pain not related to trauma. Knees, back, and shoulders were the common sites of pain. Most of the sufferers reported the severity of pain as being moderate to severe. Functional disability was reported in 39.1% of the sufferers. The age-sex population adjusted prevalence rate for musculoskeletal pain was 35.7% in females and 20.2% in males. The most common sources for advice on treatment were physicians in hospitals (68.8%) and general practitioners (30.4%). 82% had prescriptions for their medications, while 19.4% had self prescribed tablets.

CONCLUSION

Musculoskeletal pain is a major health problem among Kuwaitis and deserves intense government attention.

The seasonal variation in allergic rhinitis and its correlation with outdoor allergens in Kuwait

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic problem in Kuwait. Most of the patients who have either AR or asthma are referred to the Al-Rashed Allergy Center.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there is a seasonal variation in AR in Kuwait and to correlate it with the daily pollen count.

METHODS

Information about the new patients referred to the center over a 5-year study period (1996-2000) was extracted from the center's records. The daily pollen count in Kuwait city was obtained from the Air Biology Laboratory.

RESULTS

There was a significant seasonal variation with a bimodal increase in the number of patients with AR referred to the center. The main peak in the number of patients occurred in September-October, and there was a smaller peak in April-May. The mean number +/- SD of new patients per month over the 5-year period varied from 87 +/- 32 for December to 367 +/- 104 for September. Similarly, the average daily pollen count varied from 3.7 +/- 1.0 pollens per mm3 in January to 124 +/- 92 in October. There was high correlation between the number of new AR patients and the average total pollen count (Pearson correlation, r=0.77, p<0.001), as well as with Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae (weed) pollens (r=0.75, p<0.001), while there was no correlation between the number of new patients and either tree or grass pollens.

CONCLUSION

Seasonal AR occurs during two periods in Kuwait, i.e. September-October and April-May, with September-October being the main season. The rise in AR during late summer in Kuwait is mainly associated with the pollination of Chenopodiaceae species.

Involvement of cytokines in eating disorders: a critical review of the human literature

A number of findings from clinical and animal studies indicate that pro-inflammatory cytokines may play roles in eating disorders. The measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNFalpha), which are known to decrease food intake, provides highly variable data from which firm conclusions cannot be drawn. In most of the longitudinal studies where pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to be impaired in anorexia or bulimia nervosa, a return to normal values was observed after renutrition. However these findings do not exclude the possibility that pro-inflammatory cytokines might be overproduced in specific brain areas and act locally without concomitantly increased serum or immune production. It was also pointed out that the production of the major type-1 cytokines (especially IL-2) was depressed in anorexia nervosa. It remains unclear whether this is due to undernutrition or to a specific underlying cause common to eating disorders. The impaired cytokine profile observed in eating disorders could be related to several factors including impaired nutrition, psychopathological and neuroendocrine factors. More particular attention should be devoted to the deregulation of the anti/pro-inflammatory balance. Deregulation of the cytokine network may be responsible for medical complications in eating disorder patients who are afflicted with chronic underweight.

In vitro and in vivo comparison of Ham's F-10, Emcare holding solution and ViGro holding plus for the cooled storage of equine embryos

Equine embryos have been successfully transferred after 24h cooled storage in Ham's F-10. The aim of this study was to compare the viability of equine embryos in vitro and in vivo after 6 and 24h cooled storage using three media and to examine the relationship between embryo size and viability after 24h cooled storage. In Experiment 1, the viability of embryos was evaluated using DAPI-staining after 0, 6 or 24h in Ham's F-10, 24h in Emcare embryo holding solution (EHS) or 24h in ViGro holding plus (VHP) (n=10/group). The mean number of dead cells was similar for embryos stored in Ham's F-10, EHS and VHP for 24h. Larger Day 7 embryos appear to withstand 24h cold storage better than small Day 7 embryos. The embryo quality for 24h cold storage was negatively correlated with size. In Experiment 2, 40 embryos were stored (n=20/group) either in Ham's F-10 or in EHS then transferred as pairs in recipient mares. Fifteen of the 20 recipient mares (75%) were pregnant. Out of 17 surviving embryos, 9 embryos (53%) were stored in Ham's F-10 and 8 (47%) in EHS. These results suggest that EHS and VHP offer a good alternative to Ham's F-10 for 24h cooled storage of equine embryos and that larger embryos may have a better viability after 24h of cooled storage than smaller embryos.

Prostate targeting: PSP94 gene promoter/enhancer region directed prostate tissue-specific expression in a transgenic mouse prostate cancer model

To date, only a few prostate-specific vector genes have been tested for prostate targeting in gene therapy of prostate cancer (CaP). Current clinical trials of gene therapy of CaP utilize the only two available vector genes with a combination of a rat probasin promoter and a human PSA promoter sequence in an adenovirus vector to target CaP. There is an urgent need to establish additional vector gene systems to sustain and propagate the current research. Since PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) is one of the three most abundant proteins secreted from the human prostate and is generally considered to be prostate tissue-specific in both human and rodents, we performed a transgenic experiment to assess the promoter/enhancer region of PSP94 gene-directed prostate targeting. Firstly, a series of progressive deletion mutants of a 3.84 kb PSP94 gene promoter/enhancer region (including parts of the intron 1 sequence) linked with a reporter LacZ gene was constructed and assessed in vitro in cell culture. Next, transgenic mice were generated with two transgene constructs using the SV40 early region (Tag oncogene) as a selection marker. PSP94 gene promoter/enhancer region-directed SV40 Tag expression specifically in the mouse was demonstrated in three breeding lines (A, B, C, n = 374) by immunohistochemistry staining of Tag expression. Specific targeting to the prostate in the PSP94 gene-directed transgenic CaP model was characterized histologically by correlation of SV40 Tag-induced tumorigenesis (tumor grading) with puberty and age (10-32 weeks). Prostatic hyperplasia was observed as early as 10 weeks of age, with subsequent emergence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and eventually high grade carcinoma in the prostate. The PSP94 transgenic mouse CaP model was further characterized by its tumor progression and metastatic tendency at 20 weeks of age and also by its responsiveness and refractoriness to androgen manipulation. This study indicates that the PSP94 gene promoter/enhancer has the potential for prostate specific targeting and may ultimately be of use in gene therapy of CaP.

Low density lipoproteins extracted from hen egg yolk by an easy method: cryoprotective effect on frozen-thawed bull semen

Hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extenders in order to protect the spermatozoa against cold shock. The protective action of yolk is largely presumed to be due to low density lipoproteins (LDL). In recent years, arguments concerning the presence of cryoprotective antagonists in egg yolk, have reinforced interest in the use of only the LDL extracted from egg yolk in the extenders. However, current methods of LDL purification do not support the use of LDL in commercial extenders because they offer a poor recovery rate. Consequently, we have developed an easy method to extract LDL from egg yolk. Several concentrations of purified LDL (between 2.5 and 20%, w/v) were tested in freezing extenders for bull semen, and compared with commercial extenders. Our extraction method reached 97% purity and about 67% yield, and is easily reproducible on an industrial scale. Analysis of sperm motility showed that the motility and characteristics of spermatozoa movement were improved with LDL in the extender, as compared to a commercial extender containing egg yolk. The optimum LDL concentration in the extender was 8%. In conclusion, we propose that an extender containing LDL extracted from egg yolk could be used as cryoprotective media with a better efficiency than present commercial extenders.

Expression of Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3, an interleukin-12 p40-related molecule, throughout human pregnancy: involvement of syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts

In human pregnancy, trophoblasts are the only cells of fetal origin in direct contact with the maternal immune system: syncytiotrophoblasts are in contact with maternal blood, whereas extravillous trophoblasts are in contact with numerous maternal uterine natural killer (NK) cells. Therefore, trophoblasts are thought to play a key role in maternal tolerance to the semiallogeneic fetus, in part through cytokine production and NK cell interaction. Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) encodes a soluble hematopoietin receptor related to the p40 subunit of interleukin-12. Previous studies indicated that EBI3 is expressed in the spleen and tonsils, and at high levels in full-term placenta. To investigate further EBI3 expression throughout human pregnancy, we generated monoclonal antibodies specific for EBI3 and developed an EBI3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemical experiments with EBI3 monoclonal antibody on first-, second-, and third-trimester placental tissues demonstrated that EBI3 was expressed throughout pregnancy by syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts (cytotrophoblast cell columns, interstitial trophoblasts, multinucleated giant cells, and trophoblasts of the chorion laeve). EBI3 expression was also induced during in vitro differentiation of trophoblast cell lines. In addition, large amounts of secreted EBI3 were detected in explant cultures from first-trimester and term placentae. Consistent with these data, EBI3 levels were strongly up-regulated in sera from pregnant women and gradually increased with gestational age. These data, together with the finding that EBI3 peptide is presented by HLA-G, suggest that EBI3 is an important immunomodulator in the fetal-maternal relationship, possibly involved in NK cell regulation.

Bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip: asymmetric outcome in the older child

Fifteen patients who were 2 years of age or older and had bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip were reviewed. Thirty hips had required open reduction combined with osteotomy on the pelvic or femoral side or both as necessary. The results were assessed according to McKay and Severin classifications, and complications including asymmetric outcome were recorded. An asymmetric outcome existed if the clinical or radiologic result for the contralateral hip was more than one unit difference or a leg length discrepancy of more than 1 cm was observed. Before surgery, there was no significant difference clinically and radiologically between the right and left hips for all patients. Surgical procedures required for both hips also were symmetric in 14 (93%) patients. However, asymmetric outcome occurred in four (27%) patients, three of whom were older than 5 years. An asymmetric outcome as defined is a potential risk after surgical treatment of bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip in children who are older than 5 years.

Expression of beta chemokines in explants and trophoblasts from early and term human placentae

PROBLEM

Implantation of human embryo requires expression of inflammatory cytokines and local attraction of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Chemokines are chemoattractants for these cells in classical inflammation. We speculated that they could also be involved in implantation.

METHOD OF STUDY

We assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry the presence of three classical beta chemokines Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1 (MIP1)alpha, MIP1beta and Regulated upon activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) in cultures of placental villi or isolated trophoblasts derived from human first trimester and term placenta.

RESULTS

Explant culture assays were positive for these three chemokines, with important quantitative variations between individuals. Half of the highly purified trophoblasts cultures were found by ELISA and RT-PCR to secrete in vitro MIP1alpha and MIP1beta. RANTES was never detected by ELISA in trophoblasts cultures, albeit we could detect a low amount of messenger RNA. Immunohistochemistry experiments show that Hofbauer cells and the trophoblast layer are a secretion site of MIP1beta in term placenta, and that cytotrophoblasts are able to secrete this chemokine in early placenta.

CONCLUSION

Human placenta is a site of secretion of chemokines that could be involved in establishment of pregnancy.

An empirical malaria distribution map for West Africa

The objective of this study was to produce a malaria distribution map that would constitute a useful tool for development and health planners in West Africa. The recently created continental database of malaria survey results (MARA/ARMA 1998) provides the opportunity for producing empirical models and maps of malaria distribution at a regional and eventually at a continental level. This paper reports on the mapping of malaria distribution for sub-Saharan West Africa based on these data. The strategy was to undertake a spatial statistical analysis of malaria parasite prevalence in relation to those potential bio-physical environmental factors involved in the distribution of malaria transmission intensity which are readily available at any map location. The resulting model was then used to predict parasite prevalence for the whole of West Africa. We also produced estimates of the proportion of population of each country in the region exposed to various categories of risk to show the impact that malaria is having on individual countries. The data represent a very large sample of children in West Africa. It constitutes a first attempt to produce a malaria risk map of the West African region, based entirely on malariometric data. We anticipate that it will provide useful additional guidance to control programme managers, and that it can be refined once sufficient additional data become available.

Placental cytokine and chemokine production in HIV-1-infected women: trophoblast cells show a different pattern compared to cells from HIV-negative women

In utero transmission of HIV-1 has been demonstrated and may account for around 10-20% of all materno-fetal HIV-1 transmission. The possible routes for such transmission are transannexial or transplacental. In both cases, the microenvironment (cytokines and chemokines) at the placental interface could be an important regulatory factor in viral transmission. We therefore performed explant cultures of placental villi, and isolated purified trophoblasts, from term placentae obtained from HIV-1-seropositive and HIV-1-seronegative women in order to assess and compare the cytokine and chemokine secretion profiles using ELISA and semiquantitative RT-PCR. No major differences could be seen in the secretions of cytokines and chemokines at the level of whole placental tissue in HIV-1-positive and HIV-1-negative women. However, variations were observed in the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from trophoblastic cells, depending on the status of HIV-1 infection of the mothers but not the babies, all of which remained uninfected. The significance of these data is discussed.

Plasmodium falciparum induces a Th1/Th2 disequilibrium, favoring the Th1-type pathway, in the human placenta

During pregnancy, a local and systemic Th2 bias of maternal immunity favors Th1-dependent infections such as malaria. This study measured cytokines secreted in cultures of chorionic villi, placental blood cells (PBC), and serum in term placentas from 88 malaria-infected and -noninfected Cameroon women. Interleukin (IL)--2 and --4 were consistently low; IL-1 beta, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and transforming growth factor (TGF)--beta 2 were highest in villi cultures. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)--alpha, interferon (IFN)--gamma, and IL-10 were highest in PBC cultures. Malaria placental infection increased Th1-type cytokines, whereas Th2-type cytokines and TGF-beta 2 were unchanged. Addition of lipopolysaccharide or infected erythrocytes to cultures increased TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 secretions but not those of IFN-gamma and IL-4. Overall, Plasmodium falciparum induced a placental immune response involving both Th1- and Th2-type cell activation. Although the Th1 pathway was favored, IL-10 secretion was also increased, and this increase should be effective in protecting the placenta by controlling the negative effects of Th1 cytokines on pregnancy.

Rodent PSP94 gene expression is more specific to the dorsolateral prostate and less sensitive to androgen ablation than probasin

To date, the rodent ventral prostate (VP) has been the focus of many studies on androgen action, less attention has been directed to the lateral prostate (LP) and the dorsal prostate (DP). The rodent VP has no clear homologous counterpart in the human prostate. The rodent LP and DP is the only prostate lobe comparable to the peripheral zone of the human prostate, where hormone-induced prostate cancer mainly occurs. To explore its utility for prostate targeting, we have studied the gene expression of PSP94 with rat probasin (rPB), a gene commonly used for prostate targeting in prostate cancer research and a gene typically responsive to androgen regulation. Firstly, we demonstrated PSP94 gene transcription being more specific to the LP and DP lobes than rPB, where rPB RNA was detected in the LP and DP and other lobes at different levels. Secondly, we found that PSP94 gene transcription decreased relatively slowly in response to androgen deprivation but recovered rapidly in response to testosterone replacement after complete ablation of PSP94 transcription. In the VP, gene transcripts of rPB were specifically responsive to androgen deprivation; however, they responded relatively slowly in the LP and DP. RNase protection experiments indicated that the slow response was not due to abnormal persistence of PSP94 messenger RNA specifically in the DP and LP lobes in comparison with rPB. Thirdly, Western blot analysis revealed that both PSP94 and rPB expression is specific to the LP and DP at the protein level, exhibiting slow responses to testosterone replacement after castration. We conclude that PSP94 gene expression at the transcriptional level is more specific to the LP and DP than rPB and thus less sensitive to androgen ablation. This may have clinical implications for strategies to target the prostate in cancer therapy.

Cytokines and anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have indicated that the inflammatory cytokines could be implicated in anorexia nervosa and in its complications. To determinate the potential role of interleukins (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), interferon (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and transforming growth factor (TGF-beta2) in anorexia nervosa, serum concentrations of these cytokines were measured in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa in comparison to healthy subjects.

METHOD

Twenty-nine anorexic women according to DSM-IV criteria participated in the study. The control group consisted of 20 healthy women without eating disorders, mood disorders, and immunological disorders.

RESULTS

We find that serum IL-2 and TGF-beta2 concentrations were both significantly decreased in anorexic patients, although the other cytokines did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that in patients with anorexia nervosa, there are lower levels of specific cytokines (especially IL-2 and TGF-beta2). These levels may reflect the combination of impaired nutrition and weight loss, therefore, the dysregulation of these cytokines may contribute in anorexia's complications. Follow-up studies should examine the effects of parameters such as starvation, psychopathologic factors, and psychoneuroendocrinological perturbation which could affect interplay between cytokines, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters.

Evaluation of caudal anaesthesia performed in conscious ex-premature infants for inguinal herniotomies

Ex-premature infants, before 45 weeks postconceptional age, are at high-risk of apnoea after surgery. General anaesthesia increases the risk of apnoea. We evaluated the tolerance and the efficiency of caudal anaesthesia performed in 25 consecutive conscious ex-premature infants for inguinal herniotomies. N2O/O2 and EMLA cream are used to facilitate caudal puncture. Anaesthesia procedure, patient comfort and complications following the 24 postoperative hours were studied. We report good anaesthesia conditions without compromising the baby's comfort and few perioperative complications. Only two infants with a prior history of apnoea or bronchopulmonary dysplasia had apnoea during and after surgery. A total spinal anaesthesia was the major complication in one infant and prolonged surgery requiring general anaesthesia was the main limitation of this technique in another child. The principal advantage of the procedure is to facilitate and simplify the postoperative management of the babies. The anaesthetic technique does not alter surgical conditions. Caudal epidural anaesthesia performed in awake high-risk preterm infants is beneficial for these infants but requires experienced operators.

PSP94 expression after androgen deprivation therapy: a comparative study with prostate specific antigen in benign prostate and prostate cancer

PURPOSE

To examine the clinical use of PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) as an androgen independent marker, we conducted a comparative study of prostate samples including benign tissue and cancers which did and did not have androgen deprivation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 163 radical prostatectomy cases 75 had androgen deprivation before operation, while surgery was performed in the remainder without prior hormone treatment. Considering the pathological up grading following hormone therapy, contiguous sections from radical prostatectomy samples were stained for PSP94 and prostate specific antigen (PSA) by immunohistochemistry, and equivalent tumor foci were evaluated by assessing the intensity and extent of the staining.

RESULTS

In untreated benign prostate tissue PSP94 and PSA staining was positive and identical in all sections in the no pretreatment group. However, PSP94 expression in the androgen deprivation group was significantly higher than PSA in intensity (p = 0.0005) and extent (p = 0.034). In untreated cancer cases PSP94 intensity and extent demonstrated strong inverse association with Gleason grade (p <0.0001). In contrast, PSA expression was high in every grade, resulting in no statistical association with tumor grade. In the androgen deprivation group PSA staining was decreased in every grade compared to the no pretreatment group. On the other hand, PSP94 expression was decreased in grade 3 tumor foci but increased in grades 4 and 5 tumor foci compared with samples of the corresponding grade in the no pretreatment group (p = 0.0034).

CONCLUSIONS

PSP94 expression in benign prostate persists under androgen deprivation compared to PSA. PSP94 synthesis in high grade tumor appears to be activated in the absence of androgen stimulation, indicating the possible alternative pathways in the regulation of PSP94.

High frequency oscillatory ventilation during repair of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia

We evaluated the use of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) during congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair. After preoperative stabilization, 22 newborn infants were ventilated with HFOV during surgery. Ventilatory settings, blood gas values and oxygenation index were recorded before, during and after surgical repair. No differences were noted for these variables. No complications related to ventilation were recorded. According to the surgeon, diaphragmatic repair during HFOV is facilitated. This study confirms that CDH can be safely repaired using HFOV during anaesthesia.

Relation of serum total sialic acid concentrations with diabetic complications and cardiovascular risk factors in Kuwaiti Type 2 diabetic patients

Serum total sialic acid is a marker of the acute phase response. Elevated levels have also been associated with cardiovascular disease in the general Caucasian population and especially in Type 2 diabetic subjects. The purpose of this study was to estimate serum total sialic acid concentrations among Kuwaiti Type 2 diabetic subjects and to investigate its association with macro and microvascular diabetes-related complications in that population. Serum total sialic acid levels were estimated by an enzymatic spectro-photometric assay in two groups of subjects: (i) 358 Kuwaiti Type 2 diabetics (156 men and 202 women) referred for their annual evaluation to the specialised diabetic clinic at the main university teaching hospital in Kuwait, and (ii) 47 healthy age and sex matched non-diabetic Kuwaiti control population (13 men and 34 women). Serum sialic acid levels were significantly higher (P<0.001) among the diabetic patients (mean+/-S.D.) (81.2+/-13.2 mg/dl) compared to the non-diabetic controls (66.9+/-11.0 mg/dl). Kuwaiti diabetic women had significantly higher concentrations compared to diabetic men (85.2+/-12.1 vs. 75.9+/-13.0 mg/dl, P<0.001). Among the controls there was no significant gender difference in sialic acid levels of women, (68.3+/-11.6 mg/dl) versus men (63.2+/-8.2 mg/dl). The gender difference in the diabetic patients was unrelated to the degree of obesity. Significant correlations were found between serum total sialic acid concentrations and such cardiovascular risk factors as plasma levels of apolipoprotein B, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid in the diabetic subjects. Furthermore, there was a significant elevation in serum total sialic acid concentrations with increasing urinary albumin excretion, P<0.001, but not with retinopathy or neuropathy.

Comparative reactivity of different HLA-G monoclonal antibodies to soluble HLA-G molecules

Different HLA-G monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were first evaluated for their capability to identify soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in ELISA. Three of them, namely 87G, BFL.1 and MEM-G/9, when used as coating mAbs together with W6/32 capture mAb, identified beta2-microglobulin (beta2m)-associated-sHLA-G but not soluble HLA-B7 (sHLA-B7) in cell culture supernatants from transfected cells. By comparison, the anti-HLA class I mAb 90 did recognize both sHLA-G and sHLA-B7. By using these HLA-G mAbs, sHLA-G was identified in amniotic fluids as well as in culture supernatants of first trimester and term placental explants but not in cord blood. Intron 4-retaining sHLA-G isoforms were identified in some amniotic fluids by the use of an intron 4-specific mAb (16G1). Reactivity of these different HLA-G mAbs was then compared to determine their respective binding sites on soluble and membrane-bound HLA-G. Using both ELISA and flow cytometry analysis, we showed that they did not compete with each other, which suggested that they did not recognize the same determinants. Finally, we report that two mAbs directed against the alpha1 domain of HLA class I heavy chain (mAb 90 and YTH 862) did compete with 87G, therefore demonstrating that this latter mAb recognized an epitope localized on this external domain of HLA-G.

Relationship between the fatty acid composition of rat lymphocytes and immune functions

The effects of dietary lipids on the fatty acid composition, activation and proliferation of lymphocytes were investigated. Weanling male Wistar rats were fed for 8 weeks on one of two low-fat diets which contained 50 g lipid/kg, or one of two high-fat diets containing 200 g lipid/kg, from either coconut oil or soyabean oil. The fatty acid composition of phospholipids from splenocyte membranes was affected by dietary lipid manipulation, and these differences influenced lymphocyte functions. Increased levels of linoleic acid in spleen lymphocytes correlated negatively with interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain expression determined either by measuring the mean fluorescence or by the proportion of cells staining positive for CD25, and with the cell proliferation index. However, we found a positive correlation between interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain expression determined by measuring the mean fluorescence and the cell proliferation index with the oleic acid concentration of spleen lymphocytes. Since phospholipid hydrolysis occurs early in lymphocyte activation, immunosuppressive effects induced by polyunsaturated fatty acids, described in the literature, could be due to an increase of linoleic acid or a decrease of oleic acid affecting many components of plasma-membrane-associated events involved in lymphocyte activation.

HIV-1 co-receptor expression on trophoblastic cells from early placentas and permissivity to infection by several HIV-1 primary isolates

We examined CD4 and major HIV-1 co-receptor expression by trophoblast cells (TC) from early placentas, and the permissiveness of TC for infection by several natural HIV-1 isolates in vitro. Ten early placentas (4-6 weeks of gestation) from HIV- women were obtained after elective abortion. CD4 and HIV-1 co-receptor expression by TC was examined in terms of both mRNA and protein. The same TC were then challenged with three clinical HIV isolates of known phenotype, two originating from mothers who transmitted the virus to their child and one from a vertically infected newborn. TC infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction. CD4 expression was detected in five of the 10 placentas, while membrane protein expression of CCR3, CXCR4 and CCR5 was detected in every case, despite quantitative differences among individuals. Bonzo, GPR1 and ChemR23 mRNAs were detected in all TC preparations. TC from seven out of eight placentas were permissive to HIV entry, but no productive viral replication was detected (reverse transcriptase activity in culture supernatants). Interestingly, the addition of chemokine(s) or a CD4-blocking antibody to the cultures failed to inhibit TC virus entry. These data point to marked interindividual variability in HIV co-receptor expression by trophoblast cells and show that TC from early placentas can be infected in vitro by clinical HIV-1 isolates. They also suggest that viral entry in vitro might occur through a mechanism independent of both CD4 and chemokine receptors.

In vivo effects of olive oil-based lipid emulsion on lymphocyte activation in rats

Numerous studies suggest that immune function may be compromised by lipid emulsions rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. In our study, we compared the effect of a new olive oil-based lipid emulsion (ClinOleic(R)) containing 18% linoleic acid, and an emulsion based on soybean oil (Ivelip(R); 52% linoleic acid) on lymphocyte functions. Weaning Wistar rats (n= 24) were fed for 4 weeks on an oral diet that contained 12% of total energy as lipids from soybean oil. Then they received, during 6 days, a total parenteral nutrition (260 kcal/kg/d) in which 12% of total energy was brought by one of the two lipid emulsions. The fatty acid profile of spleen lymphocyte phospholipids reflected lipid intakes, with a higher content of oleic acid in ClinOleic(R) group and linoleic acid in Ivelip(R) group. A greater proportion of cells expressed the interleukin-2 receptor a-chain (CD25) after administration of ClinOleic(R) when compared to Ivelip(R) (55.43 +/- 3.47 vs 45.48 +/- 3.26%, P<< 0.05). Moreover, the CD25 expression was positively correlated with oleic acid content of spleen lymphocyte phospholipids (r= 0.500, P<< 0.018). These results show that ClinOleic(R) is able to induce, in vivo, a greater proportion of cells expressing CD25, and suggest that oleic acid could have a role in the observed effects.

Impact of the 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria on classification of glucose intolerance among Kuwaitis below 50 years of age

Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes is emerging as a leading chronic non-communicable disease among the adult Kuwaiti population. Based on the World Health Organization and similar reports the projected estimates for subjects suffering from type 2 diabetes by the years 2000 and 2010 show a striking tendency to high rates of the disease in our area. We report the prevalence rates of glucose intolerance among a relatively young adult Kuwaiti population below 50 years of age and the effect of implementing the recent 1997 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria on the frequency of type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose among this group. The overall prevalence rate for the three categories of glucose intolerance reached as high as 15.8% (95% CI, 14.2 to 17.4). Age, though all subjects were below 50 years, parental history of type 2 diabetes, diastolic blood pressure and serum triglycerides were found to be significant associated risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesity was an apparent significant factor associated with the three forms of glucose intolerance (p < 0.001). Obesity and physical inactivity were documented in both non-diabetic and more so in diabetic Kuwaiti adults, which should form the basis of any immediate intervention programme. An integrated approach to the prevention of the described critical risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes is highly recommended in Kuwait. Research, focused on genetics of type 2 diabetes in the highly susceptible Kuwaiti population, should be planned.