Assignment of the 49-kDa (PRIM1) and 58-kDa (PRIM2A and PRIM2B) subunit genes of the human DNA primase to chromosome bands 1q44 and 6p11.1-p12

DNA primase is an essential replication protein that catalyzes the synthesis of oligoribonucleotide primers. DNA primase, consisting of two subunits (p49 and p58), plays a key role in both the initiation of DNA replication and the synthesis of Okazaki fragments for lagging strand synthesis. We mapped the locations of human chromosomes of the genes coding for both subunits [p49 (PRIM1) and p58 (PRIM2)] by PCR amplification using DNAs of a panel of somatic hybrids, to chromosomes 1 and 6, respectively. The PRIM1 gene was mapped to 1q44, and two PRIM2 loci (PRIM2A and PRIM2B) were detected at 6p11.1-p12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization using several genomic DNA probes.

Mechanism for species-specific induction of Leydig cell tumors in rats by lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which inhibits gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium ATPase (proton pump) in the parietal cell. The finding of Leydig cell hyperplasia and Leydig cell tumors in 2-year oral studies in Sprague-Dawley rats but not in CD-1 mice prompted investigative studies to determine the mechanism for the Leydig cell changes. hCG challenge studies in Sprague-Dawley rats revealed decreased testosterone responsiveness in rats treated orally for 1 or 2 weeks with lansoprazole. After 4 weeks of daily oral treatment increases in serum LH and decreases in serum testosterone were detected within a few hours after dosing. In a study where 9-month-old male F344 rats were given testosterone supplementation via Silastic implants and then treated with lansoprazole for 6 months, a high incidence of Leydig cell tumors was seen in lansoprazole-treated, unsupplemented rats, whereas no Leydig cell tumors were seen in testosterone supplemented rats. This implied that reduction of the normal feedback inhibition at the level of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary due to reduced testosterone levels, thus giving rise to elevated levels of LH, was involved in the induction of Leydig cell tumors by lansoprazole. In vitro studies with Leydig cells from rats using various stimulators and precursors of testosterone biosynthesis demonstrated that the most sensitive site for inhibition of testosterone synthesis by lansoprazole is the transport of cholesterol to the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme. The IC50s for inhibition of LH or hCG-stimulated testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells from rats, mice, and monkeys were 11-12, 8, and 24.7 micrograms/ml, respectively. In vitro studies with metabolites of lansoprazole revealed that three metabolites were more potent inhibitors of testosterone synthesis than the parent drug, two of them being at least 10 times more potent. These metabolites are present in rats at substantial levels but are undetectable in humans. The lack of induction of Leydig cell tumors in mice, lower sensitivity of primate Leydig cells, and the absence of testosterone synthesis-inhibiting metabolites in man suggest that Leydig cell tumors found in rats represent a species-specific sensitivity and does not imply a risk for clinical use in man.

A novel non-xanthine adenosine A1 receptor antagonist

FK453, (+)-(R)-[(E)-3-(2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-alpha]pyridin-3-yl) acryloyl]-2-piperidine ethanol, was examined for adenosine receptor antagonistic activity using isolated guinea-pig atria and aorta and for affinity for adenosine receptors in the rat cerebral cortex and striatum in comparison with FR113452 (S enantiomer of FK453), PD116948 (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine), theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) and CGS15943 ([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]quinazolone). FK453 showed potent inhibition of the negative inotropic activity elicited by 10 microM adenosine with an IC50 of 560 pM in guinea-pig atria. However, FK453 was less potent in inhibiting the relaxation induced by 3.2 microM adenosine and had an IC50 of 1.18 microM in guinea-pig aorta. The IC50 values for FR113452, PD116948, theophylline and CGS15943 were 1.18 microM, 1.31 nM, 20.2 microM and 74.2 nM in atria and > 100 microM, 656 nM, 239 microM, 127 nM in aorta respectively. In the binding study, FK453 antagonized [3H]N6-cyclohexyladenosine binding to the rat cortical adenosine A1 receptor with an IC50 of 17.2 nM. The IC50 values for FR113452, PD116948, theophylline and CGS15943 were 10.1 microM, 4.7 nM, 67.7 microM and 241 nM respectively. FK453 inhibited [3H]5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine binding to rat striatum adenosine A2 receptor with an IC50 of 11.3 microM. FK453 had no adenosine A1 receptor agonistic activity, since it had no negative inotropic activity up to 100 microM in isolated guinea-pig atria. These results demonstrate that FK453 is a novel non-xanthine adenosine receptor antagonist and is potent and selective for the adenosine A1 receptor subtype.

Characterization of the hog cholera virus 5' terminus

Hog cholera virus (HoCV) 5' terminus of the ALD and GPE(-) strains were analyzed by using rapid amplification of cDNA end method (5'RACE). An additional nine nucleotides were found at the 5' termini of genomic RNA in the ALD and GPE(-) strains of HoCV. These nine nucleotides were also conserved in BVDV and were suggested to form a hairpin structure at the 5' terminus by computer-assisted analysis. It seems possible that the secondary structure and/or the 5' terminus sequence has a significant role in the HoCV virus genome.

Leuprolide acetate prevents toxic effects of cisplatin on the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract

We examined the protective effects of medical castration by means of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHA) on the toxic effects of cisplatin in rats. Twelve days after a s.c. injection of a slowly-releasable form of leuprolide acetate (GnRHASR), rats were injected i.p. with cisplatin daily (3 mg/kg body weight (BW) for males and 4 mg/kg BW for females) for four days and sacrificed 24 h after the last injection. The doses caused acute tubular necrosis and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, i.e., diarrhea and fluid retention and bleeding in GI tract. GnRHASR pretreatment reduced serum urea nitrogen (SUN) and serum creatinine (SCre) increase and the incidence of GI symptoms. Histological analysis showed that rats pretreated with GnRHASR had noticeably less kidney damage. GnRHA thus demonstrated its ability to protect the kidneys and GI tract against cisplatin toxicity in both male and female rats. This finding suggests a potential clinical application of GnRHA in antineoplastic chemotherapy.

A multistate outbreak of oyster-associated gastroenteritis: implications for interstate tracing of contaminated shellfish

In November 1993, clusters of gastroenteritis in six states following oyster consumption were investigated to identify common features, and stool samples were obtained to identify a pathogen. Efforts were made to account for all potentially contaminated oysters using harvest tags and the interstate recall system. Consumption of oysters was associated with illness in 10 clusters; no other food was implicated. A Norwalk-like virus was detected by electron microscopy in 9 of 18 samples and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 20 of 26 samples from 6 clusters. Nucleotide sequences of a 123-bp fragment from all specimens were identical, consistent with a common source outbreak. Implicated oysters were harvested from the Louisiana coast between 9 and 12 November. Although some were recalled and destroyed, most oysters harvested from the area during this time remain unaccounted for. Current regulations and commercial practices need to be revised to permit thorough tracing and recall of contaminated oysters and to improve control of future epidemics.

[A case report of Cabrol procedure with zero-porosity graft in a patient of annulo-aortic ectasia with severe aortic regurgitation]

A 63-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for the treatment of annulo-aortic ectasia with severe aortic regurgitation. The aortogram revealed dilatation of the aortic root and severe aortic regurgitation. LVEDVI was 207 ml/m2 but the patient was asymptomatic. Aortic root reconstruction was performed with Cabrol procedure using zero-porosity graft. There was no evidence of bleeding due to this graft and the percent dilatation of this graft was 33%. This zero-porosity graft of knitted Dacron coated with gelatin seems to offer some advantages to the operation. The patient is in stable health today, but perioperative occurrence of VPCs may have owed to diminished LV function caused by severe aortic regurgitation.

Biochemical and antigenical characterization of tannin-protein complex degrading enterobacteria isolated from koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus

Biochemical and antigenical characteristics of tannin-protein complex degrading enterobacteria (T-PCDE) isolated from Koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus, were investigated. T-PCDE had a specific profile of characteristics, and T-PCDE was distinguished from those of 12 type strains of Enterobacteriaceae used.

Oral high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment for recurrent breast cancer

Oral high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment (600, 800, 1200 mg/day or changed dosage) was given to 49 patients with recurrent breast cancer from January 1979 to December 1992. The overall response rate to MPA was 38.8% (19/49). The response rate in the soft tissue was significantly higher compared with that in bone metastases or in visceral metastases. MPA was effective on patients both with or without previous treatment. Several side effects were recognized, but they were mild and tolerable. These results demonstrate that MPA is effective when used as first line or second line treatment.

Thermophysiological effects of two different types of clothing under warm temperatures

This paper is aimed to investigate which part of the body should be uncovered by clothing for the heat stress to be lessened under the influence of an ambient temperature increase from 32 degrees C to 40 degrees C. Two types of clothing were used as experimental garments: one was turtle necklined sports jacket with short sleeves and short pants (HALF) and the other was open round necklined sports jackets with long sleeves and short pants (OPEN). Both types of clothing were made of 100% vinyl. Uncovered area was same between HALF and OPEN. Five males volunteered as subjects. The subjects wearing either HALF or OPEN sat quietly in a bioclimatic chamber for 160 min, where ambient temperature (Ta) was gradually increased from 32 degrees C to 40 degrees C by 2 degrees C every 30 min with a relative humidity of 40%. Thermophysiological parameters such as esophageal temperature (Tes), tympanic temperature (Tty), local sweat rate, skin temperatures at 11 sites and evaporation were continuously measured. Main findings are as follows: 1) Tty was kept lower significantly in HALF than in OPEN during warm exposure. 2) An increase of local sweat rate was significantly lower in HALF. 3) Skin temperature at abdomen region was kept lower significantly in HALF, reflecting lower core temperature in HALF. It is concluded that HALF seems more beneficial than OPEN in reducing heat strain during warm exposure, due to more effective cooling by evaporation from the uncovered forearms (HALF) than from the uncovered upper trunk (OPEN).

Heat shock proteins in the human periodontal disease process

The production of HSP by periodontopathic Gram-negative bacteria was examined by SDS-PAGE, two dimensional gel electrophoresis, and Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies against HSPs. Strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella melaninogenica, and Treponema socranskii species produced HSP which reacted with anti-Yersinia enterocolitica HSP 60 and/or mycobacterial 65-kDA HSP monoclonal antibodies. It found that gingival homogenate samples from patients with adult periodontitis reacted with anti-human HSP were also found in a serum sample from a periodontitis patient. The present study suggests that HSPs are implicated in human periodontal disease process.

Elevation of interleukin-6 in inflammatory bowel disease is macrophage- and epithelial cell-dependent

Local interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity was studied using colonic mucosal tissues in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and inflammatory control patients. Active IBD specimens exhibited significantly higher IL-6 activity than control specimens in both cultures of isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) and mucosal tissues with an increased number of IL-6-producing cells. However, the activity in inactive IBD or inflammatory controls did not differ from controls. Northern blot analysis demonstrated IL-6 messenger RNA in LPMC and colonic epithelial cells isolated from active IBD specimens but not in control cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescent microscopic study of active IBD specimens showed more conspicuous staining of IL-6 in infiltrating LPMC (mostly CD68+ cells) and colonic epithelial cells. These results suggest that elevation of local IL-6 activity may be a characteristic feature of active IBD and both macrophages and colonic epithelial cells are the major cell types responsible for this phenomenon.

[Clinical statistics at the urological clinic of Sanjukai Hospital--statistics on new outpatients during the last five years]

We report the clinical statistics of new outpatients for five years since 1989 at our hospital. The average total number of new outpatients in a year was 8309.8 (8122-8691) and new outpatients tended to show little change. The male to female ratio was 1.57:1, and 24.3% of the outpatients were referred to us by others sources. The representative operations on outpatients were circumcision, vasectomy, resection of condyloma and resection of caruncle. A statistical study was made on new outpatients according to the international classification of disease. There were 140.6 (1.97%) malignant urogenital tumors per year. Sexually transmitted diseases showed a tendency to increase for the last five years. In males the major disease was upper urinary tract stone (21-24%), prostatistis (21-24%) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (17-20%) and in females they were cystitis (58-61%), upper urinary tract stone (15-17%) and pyelonephritis (3-4%). We conclude that our hospital plays a major role as a private urological hospital.

Effect of saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to on the stress-induced increase of serum corticosterone in mice

The effect of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (SRBT) on the stress-induced enhancement of serum corticosterone in various stress models was investigated in mice. The serum corticosterone was elevated significantly by immobilized stress, forced-swim stress, electric-shock stress, psychological stress and conditioned-fear stress, respectively. The concentration in the last two models was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by pre-administration of SRBT (10, 60, 100, 600 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.). Therefore, this action seems to be effective in stress involving emotional factors but ineffective in physical stress models. These results indicate that the anti-stress effect of SRBT is dependent strongly on the degree of psychological change compared with physical change in mice.

[Production of a monoclonal antibody against Cry j 2]

The peptide possessing N-terminal 10 amino acid sequence of Cry j 2 was chemically synthesized and conjugated to KLH-carrier protein. Rabbits were immunized with this haptenized protein and the antibody (N-10 antibody) was obtained. Cross-blot analysis revealed that N-10 antibody recognized the hapten moiety. Purification of Cry j 2 was carried out with monitoring its reactivity with N-10 antibody. The substance reactive to N-10 antibody existed in the DEAE-Sephadex unadsorbed fraction. The substance reactive to N-10 antibody was subjected to CM-Sephadex equilibrated with 10 mM acetate buffer (pH 5.0). In contrast to the previous report on Cry j 2, the substance reactive to N-10 antibody existed in the CM-Sephadex unadsorbed fraction. The CM-Sephadex unadsorbed fraction was concentrated with 80% saturated ammonium sulfate, and applied to a Superdex pg 200 column. The major peak of protein was regarded as the final preparation and was subjected to SDS-PAGE. The substance reactive to N-10 antibody had a MW of 40 kDa under reducing and 37 kDa under non-reducing conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the substance reactive to N-10 antibody showed potent allergenic activity. These data completely agreed with the previous data on Cry j 2 and strongly suggested that the final preparation contained a large amount of Cry j 2. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with the final preparation to produce a monoclonal antibody against Cry j 2. Eleven clones reacting to the final preparation were obtained, and the antibodies produced from these clones did not react with purified Cry j 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical and neuroradiological studies of eclampsia--cerebral vasospasm and relation to the brain edema]

Clinical and neuroradiological studies involving cerebral angiography were conducted in four patients with eclampsia. In three cases (case 1, 2 and 4), neurological focal signs, abnormal low density areas on cranial CT and T2 high intensity areas on cranial MRI disappeared within a month. But in one case (case 3), cerebral infarction occurred and right hemiparesis and aphasia persisted. Cerebral angiography in the acute phase demonstrated vasospasm in all cases and arterial occlusion in the middle cerebral artery due to vasospasm in case 3. Angiography demonstrated several types of spasms, including diffuse, peripheral and multi local. Furthermore, in some cases, diffuse vasospasms were recognized at the siphon and extracranial portions of the internal carotid artery. In one case (Case 4), segmental vasospasms were detected in the bilateral vertebral arteries. Three to four weeks later, follow-up cerebral angiography was performed in three cases. Cerebral vasospasms had partially or completely recovered. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was excluded by lumbar puncture and neuroradiological findings in all cases. We concluded that eclampsia itself causes cerebral vasospasm and that the mechanism of vasospasm is different from that of SAH, since cerebral vasospasm occurred in the extracranial cerebral arteries. We suspected that cerebral vasospasm in eclampsia causes cerebral ischemia, which leads to cytotoxic edema and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral autoregulation. With this background, brain edema, especially vasogenic edema, may easily occur and clinical symptoms of eclampsia may appear when the blood pressure rapidly increases.

Localization of transforming growth factor-beta and latent transforming growth factor-beta binding protein in rat kidney

TGF-beta plays an important role in maintaining the renal histological structure, and glomerular and tubular function. TGF-beta is usually secreted in a biologically inactive or latent form with high molecular weight by normal cells. The latent form of TGF-beta is composed of three distinct components: (a) mature TGF-beta (b) TGF-beta latency associated peptide (LAP) (c) latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP). LTBP plays a central role in the assembly, secretion and activation of TGF-beta 1. Most cells secrete a large latent TGF-beta with LTBP, while the other cells secrete a small latent TGF-beta without LTBP. However, the precise localization of TGF-beta and LTBP in the kidney is still not known. In the present study, we used the reverse transcription in combination with polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to investigate the precise localization of TGF-beta 1 and LTBP in the microdissected glomeruli, renal tubules and arterioles. Our findings showed that TGF-beta 1 mRNA was detected in all nephron segments, glomeruli, and arterioles. On the other hand, LTBP mRNA was present in the glomeruli and arterioles, while it was absent in every segment of the renal tubules. Moreover, the immunohistochemical study of LTBP showed that the LTBP protein was localized on the glomeruli and arterioles but not on the renal tubules at the same localization as LTBP mRNA. These results indicate that the tubular epithelial cells secrete the small latent TGF-beta 1, while glomerular cells secrete the large latent TGF-beta 1, suggesting that they both have different structures and thus potentially different biological functions.

An outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis associated with eating raw oysters. Implications for maintaining safe oyster beds

OBJECTIVE

To determine the characteristics and the cause of an outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with eating raw oysters.

DESIGN

Survey of groups of persons reporting illness to the health department after eating oysters; survey of convenience sample of oyster harvesters; and tracing of implicated oysters.

SETTING

General community.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Relative risk for illness after oyster consumption, source bed of contaminated oysters, presence of antibodies to Norwalk virus in serum, presence of a Norwalk virus in stool by direct electron microscopy and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and DNA sequences of RT-PCR products.

RESULTS

Seventy (83%) of 84 persons who ate raw oysters became ill vs three (7%) of 43 people who did not eat raw oysters (relative risk, 11.9; 95% confidence interval, 4.0 to 34.2). Eleven (79%) of 14 serum pairs had at least a fourfold increase in antibody to Norwalk virus. All 12 stool samples tested were positive by electron microscopy and/or RT-PCR for Norwalk virus. The RT-PCR products from all seven stool samples tested had identical DNA sequences. Implicated oysters were harvested November 9 through 13, 1993, from a remote oyster bed. Crews from 22 (85%) of 26 oyster harvesting boats working in this area reported routine overboard disposal of sewage. One harvester with a high level of antibodies to Norwalk virus reported having gastroenteritis November 7 through 10 and overboard disposal of feces into the oyster bed.

CONCLUSIONS

This outbreak was caused by contamination of oysters in the oyster bed, probably by stool from one or more ill harvesters. Education of oyster harvesters and enforcement of regulations governing waste disposal by oyster harvesting boats might prevent similar outbreaks.

Spinal cord morphology and pathology in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

We analysed nine autopsy cases of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) to elucidate the relationship between morphology and pathology of the spinal cord. The cross-sectional shape of the spinal cord at the most severely affected segment was classified into two categories: boomerang (convex lateral surfaces and concave anterior surface) and triangular (angular lateral surfaces and flat anterior surface). In the cases with a boomerang shape, even when the compression was severe, major pathological changes were restricted to the grey matter and the white matter was relatively well preserved. No secondary descending degeneration of the lateral columns was seen, and ascending degeneration of the posterior column was restricted to the fasciculus cuneatus whose fibres were derived from the affected segments. In the cases with a triangular shape, pathological changes were more severe, both white matter and grey matter were involved, and only the anterior columns were free of pathological changes. There were severe pathological changes over more than one segment, and both descending degeneration of the lateral pyramidal tracts and ascending degeneration of the posterior column, including the fasciculus gracilis, were observed. The transverse area of the spinal cord was > 60% of normal in most of the cases with a boomerang shape, but it was reduced to < 60% of normal in more than one segment in the cases with a triangular shape. The compression ratio of the spinal cord (sagittal diameter/transverse diameter x 100%) was not related to pathological changes. In conclusion, a triangular-shaped spinal cord with transverse area of < 60% of normal in more than one segment appeared to be associated with severe and irreversible pathological changes in cases of OPLL.

Use of solid-phase immune electron microscopy for classification of Norwalk-like viruses into six antigenic groups from 10 outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the United States

Norwalk-like viruses observed in fecal specimens from 10 outbreaks of gastroenteritis investigated in the United States between 1987 and 1992 were analyzed by solid-phase immune electron microscopy. Outbreak virus strains were classified into six antigenic groups: the four types (UK1 to UK4) previously defined in the United Kingdom, Norwalk virus, and the Oklahoma agent that was newly defined in this study. The diversity of antigenic types demonstrated in these outbreaks was greater than previously recognized and will serve as a basis for characterization of these strains at the molecular level.

Detection and differentiation of antigenically distinct small round-structured viruses (Norwalk-like viruses) by reverse transcription-PCR and southern hybridization

Application of reverse transcription (RT)-PCR to detect small round-structured viruses (SRSVs) from fecal specimens of patients with gastroenteritis has been insensitive because of the tremendous sequence heterogeneity between strains. We have designed two RT-PCR primer sets (G-1 and G-2) based on the nucleotide sequence diversity in the RNA polymerase gene of SRSVs belonging to two distinct genogroups represented by Norwalk virus (primers G-1) and Snow Mountain agent (primers G-2). All 22 SRSV strains examined that had been classified previously by solid-phase immune electron microscopy into four antigenic types (UK1, UK2, UK3, and UK4) could be detected by RT-PCR with these two primer sets. The G-1 primer set detected 6 UK2 strains, and the G-2 primers detected 16 strains, including 7 UK1, 5 UK3, and 4 UK4 strains. On the basis of nucleotide sequences of 81-bp fragments of the RT-PCR products from 13 strains determined in this study, together with those previously reported for 17 SRSV strains, we designed four sets of internal oligonucleotide probes (P1-A, P1-B, P2-A, and P2-B) for Southern hybridization, using chemiluminescent detection. The P1-A probe hybridized with PCR products from the UK2 strains; the P1-B probe, with products from two of the seven UK1 strains; the P2-A probe, with four of the remaining five UK1 strains; and the P2-B probe, with products from both UK3 and UK4 strains, as well as with one strain originally typed as UK1 which showed cross-reactivity with UK4 upon retesting by solid-phase immune electron microscopy. RT-PCR with both the G-1 and the G-2 primer sets can increase the detection rate of the many antigenically distinct SRSVs and, when combined with Southern hybridization, may predict the antigenic type of the SRSV associated with infection.

Cellular immunity in hemodialysis patients: a quantitative analysis of immune cell subsets by flow cytometry

Immune cell subsets, when measured by two-color flow cytometry in a population of 129 hemodialysis patients, showed significant variance from normal values. Lymphopenia, decreased absolute counts, and altered percentage values of immune cells were found. Increased proportions of CD3+, T cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta + cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes were present. An abnormally high percentage of a subset of activated TCR alpha beta + cells (alpha beta + DR+) was also seen in hemodialysis patients. The proportion of B lymphocytes was found to be significantly lower as compared with controls. Relative values for TCR gamma delta+cells, both for activated (gamma delta + DR+) and nonactivated (gamma delta + DR-) subsets, as well as for CD8+ lymphocytes and natural killer cells did not vary from those of normal controls. Also, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio showed no significant change. Analysis of absolute counts of the investigated immune cell populations revealed significantly decreased numbers for the majority of subsets, as a result of the preexisting lymphocytopenia, characteristic of end-stage renal disease. We conclude that profound quantitative alterations of immune cells, including TCR+T cells subsets, exist in hemodialysis patients. These account, at least in part, for the immune dysregulation associated with chronic renal failure.