RANTES augments eosinophil lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence

BACKGROUND

RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted) has been shown to possess chemotactic activity for eosinophils. Eosinophils have been considered to play a key role in the allergic inflammation through the release of inflammatory molecules such as radical oxygen products. Thus, in this study, we examined the effect of RANTES on radical oxygen products from eosinophils.

METHODS

Eosinophils were isolated from heparinized venous blood of patients with bronchial asthma by the modified CD16-negative depletion method. Radical oxygen products were examined in terms of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. To a mixture of 50 microl of eosinophils (2x10(6)/ml) and 50 microl of lucigenin (5x10(-4)M), 50 microl of calcium ionophore A23187 (final concentration 10(-5)M) was added, and radical oxygen products were determined for 600 s.

RESULTS

RANTES treatment resulted in the enhancement of peak value (0.64+/-0.23 RLU) and integrated value (119.08+/-20.52 RLU) as compared to untreated cells (0.15+/-0.03 RLU, 29.48+/-8.92 RLU, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We could conclude that RANTES might play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation through involvement in selective eosinophil infiltration and eosinophil activation by augmentation of eosinophil oxidative metabolism.

Involvement of beta1 and beta2 integrin stimulation in RNA synthesis in an eosinophilic cell line (EoL-1)

In allergic inflammatory disease, especially in bronchial asthma, eosinophils play important roles as essential inflammatory cells. In the accumulation of eosinophils in airway inflammation, eosinophils receive very diverse stimuli. In this study, we investigated the influences of the signal between beta2 integrin/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) or beta1 integrin/fibronectin (FN) and RNA synthesis on proteins in eosinophilic cell line-1 (EoL-1), using recombinant soluble ICAM-1 (r-sICAM-1) as a global response of eosinophils. 3H-thymidine incorporation and 3H-uridine incorporation were used as indices for DNA synthesis and RNA synthesis, respectively. In a comparison of the RNA/DNA ratio with various durations of stimulation of 1 microg/ml of r-sICAM-1 and 100 microg/ml of FN, a time-dependent increase was observed, but the increase induced by FN rose slower than that induced by r-sICAM-1. From this result, a beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 signal induced an increase in the RNA/DNA ratio in EoL-1, implying that the signal promotes RNA synthesis, which suggests that various types of protein synthesis, such as the synthesis of various cytokines, are induced by the beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 signal. Similar results were obtained with a beta1 integrin signal using FN, but there was a difference in the time course between beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 and beta1 integrin/FN signals. This experimental method may be useful for understanding these manifestations as a global response of eosinophils.

Whole-blood flow-cytometric analysis of eosinophil EG2 expression as a marker of the pathological conditions of asthma

Using a simple technique detecting the eosinophil fraction in whole-blood flow cytometry, we measured intracellular antigen EG2 (a monoclonal antibody to eosinophil cationic protein) in 56 asthmatic patients (26 during an attack and 30 during an asymptomatic period) and 22 healthy subjects to determine whether EG2 reflects the pathological stages of allergy.

METHODS

In brief, preparations of the sample included the following procedures: (1) hemolyzation of heparinized or EDTA-mixed whole blood; (2) fixation of white blood cells with 0.4% parabenzoquinone (PBQ) or paraformaldehyde (PFA); (3) permeabilizing the cell membrane with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and (4) staining of intracellular EG2 antigen with monoclonal EG2 antibody and FITC-labeled secondary antibody.

RESULTS

In PBQ-fixed samples, there was a clearer boundary of the eosinophil fraction with a higher yield and purity than in those fixed with PFA. The number of EG2-positive eosinophils was significantly greater in subjects during attacks than in asymptomatic patients. In addition, when compared with normal controls, asthmatic subjects had significantly greater numbers of EG2-positive eosinophils regardless of their current condition.

CONCLUSION

Eosinophil intracellular EG2 may indicate the pathological stage of asthma. This simple technique for analysing the properties of eosinophils using whole-blood flow cytometry would save time and labor in laboratories.

Saliva level of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in psychiatric outpatients with anxiety

As a measurement of the level of anxiety in psychiatric outpatients with anxiety, we determined the saliva level of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyleglycol (MHPG) using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry and scored the levels of anxiety with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) in patients, before and after drug treatment with alprazolam for 1 week. The saliva level of free-MHPG at first visit to hospital was significantly higher than that of control individuals and disease control individuals and was reduced by alprazolam treatment for 1 week. There was no correlation between MHPG level and the HAS score at the first hospital visit. The MHPG levels after treatment correlated with the HAS scores. The reduction of the anxiety level as scored by the HAS correlated with the reduction of MHPG level. These results indicate that the free saliva MHPG level may be a useful indicator for assessing not only the level of anxiety, but also the response to drug treatment for anxiety in these patients.

Steroidal muscle relaxants attenuate the contractile and phosphatidylinositol responses of rat trachea

Interaction of the steroidal muscle relaxants, pancuronium, vecuronium and rocuronium with airway muscarinic receptors of rat trachea was investigated in vitro concerning the contractile and phosphatidylinositol (PI) responses. Pancuronium and vecuronium attenuated, while rocuronium did not affect carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction and CCh-induced IP1 accumulation. Pancuronium could inhibit completely CCh-induced contraction at a dose of 30 microM, while it could not inhibit completely CCh-induced IP1 accumulation at the same dose. These drugs attenuated KCl-induced contraction. These results suggest that pancuronium and vecuronium would attenuate airway smooth muscle contraction through the inhibition of muscarinic receptor-mediated PI response, and that the inhibition of voltage-operated Ca++ channel might be involved, in part, in the attenuation by pancuronium of the contraction.

The relationship between amniotic fluid interleukin-6 concentration and histologic evidence of chorioamnionitis

BACKGROUND

Chorioamnionitis is considered to be one of the important causes of preterm labor. To investigate the relationship between inflammatory cytokines in amniotic fluid and the histologic evidence of chorioamnionitis, we studied amniotic fluid interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in patients with preterm labor.

METHODS

Between 1993 and 1996, we obtained amniotic fluid by amniocentesis from 110 patients before 32 weeks of gestation who had preterm labor on admission. We measured IL-6 levels in the amniotic fluid with an ELISA method. Histologic examination of placentae and fetal membranes after delivery was evaluated. As controls, we measured IL-6 levels in the amniotic fluid of 37 patients without preterm labor. Seventy-eight patients delivered after 35 weeks of gestation, and 32 patients delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. Analysis was conducted using Mann-Whitney U test and Scheffe's multiple comparison test.

RESULTS

Amniotic fluid IL-6 levels in patients delivering before 34 weeks were significantly higher than those in patients delivering after 35 weeks (p<0.01). IL-6 levels in the amniotic fluid were significantly different among control patients, patients without chorioamnionitis and those with histologic stages I, II and III which means subchorionic intervillositis, chorionitis and amnionitis, respectively (controls vs patients with stage I, II, III: p<0.001, patients without chorioamnionitis vs those with stage II, III, stage I vs II, stage II vs III: p<0.01). The IL-6 concentration in the amniotic fluid associated with histologic stages II or III was above 3500 pg/ml (sensitivity: 87.5%, specificity: 89.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that amniotic fluid IL-6 may have a sensitive diagnostic and prognostic value in the management of preterm labor and is an index of the severity of chorioamnionitis during pregnancy.

Recovery from activity-stress ulcer by ad lib feeding in rats

In order to investigate the recovery from activity-stress ulcers by ad lib-feeding and/or cessation of running, male Wistar rats were exposed to the activity-stress paradigm, and the rats that revealed hypothermia (their rectal temperature fell below 36 degrees C) were sacrificed either immediately or after several 24 h periods of healing. Rats that were sacrificed immediately after the appearance of hypothermia and those that were exposed to restricted feeding plus cessation of running revealed severe activity-stress ulcers, whereas few ulcers were observed in rats given ad lib-feeding and those that were given ad lib-feeding plus cessation of running. Although no significant differences in relative weights of spleen and thymus were obtained among the different recovery conditions, the relative weights of the adrenal glands were highest in the restricted feeding plus cessation of running group, whereas, the other animals exposed to the activity-stress paradigm showed no differences. These results indicate that activity-stress ulcers recover under conditions of ad lib-feeding within 24 h, but they are not influenced by cessation of running. These data also suggest that organ weights are not affected by any manipulations employed in the present study.

[Case performed: simultaneous surgery for left coronary ostial stenosis and gastric cancer]

This report describes a case in which a 68-year-old male underwent two operations simultaneously for left coronary ostial stenosis and gastric cancer. Successfully performed procedures were a single coronary artery grafting with the saphenous vein to the left anterior descending artery, and a subtotal gastrectomy using the Billroth II method. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition after 42 days. At present, one-year postoperative, the patient has been visiting the outpatient clinic in healthy condition.

Elevation of the plasma level of RANTES during asthma attacks

BACKGROUND

RANTES is considered to play an important role in various immune and allergic disorders since it is a potent chemoattractant for inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, memory T cells, and monocytes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible role of RANTES in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

METHODS

The plasma level of RANTES was measured in 12 asthma patients and 15 normal controls by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

In the patients with asthma, the plasma RANTES level was significantly elevated during acute attacks compared to that in the controls. In addition, it was higher than that during the asymptomatic state in the same patients. Plasma beta-thromboglobulin levels were also elevated in asthma patients during acute attacks and showed a correlation with the RANTES level.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a role for RANTES in the pathogenesis of asthma and a possible role for platelets in RANTES release in asthma.

Expression of mRNA for RANTES in human eosinophils

RANTES has been considered to play an important role in various immune and allergic disorders since RANTES is a potent chemoattractant for various important inflammatory cells such as eosinophils. Eosinophils, on the other hand, are considered to be the major inflammatory cells in bronchial asthma since eosinophil-specific granule proteins can damage bronchial mucosal cells. The recent demonstration that eosinophils themselves could synthesize some cytokines such as IL-5 indicates the role of these cytokines not only in paracrine but also in autocrine regulation of eosinophil production, differentiation and activation. Therefore, in this study, we examined mRNA for RANTES and release of RANTES by human eosinophils. The present findings revealed that eosinophils obtained from asthmatic patients could express and release RANTES. Taken together, these findings suggest that eosinophils play a crucial role in the pathogenesis, particularly in eosinophil and T lymphocyte recruitment into the inflamed sites in asthma through RANTES production.

Effect of convective stretching and folding on aerosol mixing deep in the lung, assessed by approximate entropy

There is a surprisingly substantial amount of aerosol mixing and deposition deep in the lung, which cannot be explained by classic transport mechanisms such as streamline crossing, inertial impaction, or gravitational sedimentation with reversible acinar flow. Mixing associated with "stretch and fold" convective flow patterns can, however, be a potent source of transport. We show such patterns in experimental preparations using rat lungs and in the theoretical Baker Transform. In both cases, mixing is associated with the temporal evolution of two length scales. The first is the slowly increasing diffusive length scale. The second is the rapidly decreasing lateral length scale, due to "stretching and folding," over which diffusion must take place. This interaction leads to aerosol mixing in much shorter times than previously appreciated. Finally, we propose a new method by which to quantify the state of mixing, using an approximation to the entropy of the aerosol concentration distribution. The results of the analysis suggest that stretching and folding may be a key feature underlying peripheral aerosol transport.

A novel method for induction and detection of anaphylactic reaction using the mouse abdominal wall (AW method)

We found that an antigen-specific anaphylaxis was induced by antigen challenge to the abdominal wall, ear auricle, or subcutaneous tissue in mice sensitized 9 days previously with antigen and adjuvant. The anaphylactic reaction was detected by vascular permeability at the injected site 7 minutes after challenge, which was the best time for estimation. A novel method (AW method) for induction and detection of the anaphylactic reaction in mice was established using the abdominal wall as the challenge site. This method could detect the anaphylactic response in mice 1 to 3 weeks after sensitization. The increase in vascular permeability was completely inhibited by administration of diphenhydramine.

A case of pregnancy with adult T-cell leukemia

The incidence of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) arising in women of childbearing age is documented infrequently. This report is the second in the world's literature of a case of ATL that occurred during pregnancy. A 43-year-old woman developed ATL during pregnancy and died of widespread disease 4 weeks after cesarean delivery.

Cigarette smoking and psychophysiological stress responsiveness: effects of recent smoking and temporary abstinence

Studies comparing the cardiovascular function and stress responsiveness of regular smokers and non-smokers have produced mixed results, possibly because of variable intervals between stress tests and recency of smoking. This experiment compared the cardiovascular, cortisol and affective responses to a problem solving task of non-smoking young men (n = 16) and regular smokers randomised to overnight abstinence (n = 14) and smoking 30 min prior to testing (n = 19). Smoking status was validated biochemically. Overnight abstinence was associated with reduced diastolic blood pressure at rest and with enhanced diastolic pressure and emotional responses to the task compared with other conditions. Recent smokers showed elevated heart rates, suppressed cardiac baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and reduced cortisol responsiveness, but did not differ from non-smokers in blood pressure responses. The behavioral performance of the abstinent group was impaired, and their craving was greater than that of recent smokers. Both groups of smokers reported more dysphoric mood than non-smokers, and showed only limited recovery of emotional equilibrium following tests. The results are discussed in relation to mechanisms linking smoking, stress responsiveness and cardiovascular disease risk. The methodological implications for including regular smokers in psychophysiological studies are also considered.

Involvement of the endogenous opioid system in the drinking behavior of schizophrenic patients displaying self-induced water intoxication: a double-blind controlled study with naloxone

Previously we found significant suppression of polydipsia in a schizophrenic patient with PIP syndrome (psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia). Suppression was obtained with a small dose of naloxone injected once every 2 weeks in long-term repeated studies. We attempted to confirm the effect of naloxone on PIP syndrome by using a double-blind controlled study. The body weights of eight schizophrenic inpatients with PIP syndrome were checked five times daily, and the maximum weight gain during 1 day was chosen as an index of their polydipsia. Naloxone (0.6 mg in three divided doses) or placebo (saline) injection was given once every 2 weeks three times. Assignment to either the naloxone or placebo series was done randomly in a double-blind, crossover design. Naloxone decreased the maximum weight gain per day significantly in five cases. However, naloxone also increased weight gain significantly in three cases. There was no correlation of the weight-increasing effect of naloxone with the duration and intensity of excessive drinking. Our findings showed that the endogenous opioid system might be related to compulsive drinking behavior in the PIP syndrome and that opioid antagonists such as naloxone or naltrexone could be useful in the therapy of PIP syndrome.

[Total cavopulmonary connection using a knitted dacron prosthesis impregnated with gelatin (GELSEAL) as an intracardiac conduit]

It is important to find a suitable vascular prosthesis as an intracardiac conduit for a total cavopulmonary connection because of the need for long-term patency. A 7-year-old girl with a double outlet of right ventricle, hypoplastic left ventricle, pulmonary atresia and single atrium with azygos connection underwent a total cavopulmonary connection using a knitted dacron prosthesis impregnated with gelatin (GELSEAL) as an intracardiac conduit. Her postoperative course was uneventful. GELSEAL is soft, easy to hand and effective at preventing blood loss. The conduit is also expected to have long-term patency because of good healing with thin and uniform pseudointimal formation. However, long-term patency especially in the right side of the heart is still unknown. She should be followed with close anticoagulant therapy and careful observation.

Neuronal organization of the optic tectum in the hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri: a Golgi study

The neuronal organization of the optic tectum (OT) was studied in the hagfish using the rapid Golgi method. The OT shows laminar structure. Beginning from the ventricular surface, the following four concentric strata are discernible: the stratum ependymale, stratum periventriculare, stratum cellulare et fibrosum, and stratum marginale. The stratum ependymale consists of several rows of ependymal cells and neuroblasts lining the mesencephalic ventricle. The stratum periventriculare contains medium-sized and small neurons whose dendrites extend mainly superficially. The stratum cellulare et fibrosum occupies a wide area and consists of densely packed neurons and fibers. Fibers in this stratum are derived mainly from the bulbar lemniscus and run ventrodorsally in several bundles, among which numerous neurons are embedded. Neurons in the stratum cellulare et fibrosum are divided into large, medium-sized and small neurons whose dendrites are arranged in a network rather than being oriented in any particular direction. Some of these dendrites extend contralaterally through the commissure of the OT. The neurons in the stratum marginale are divided into medium-sized and small neurons whose dendrites extend mainly tangentially. The axons of neurons in the stratum periventriculare and those of a few neurons in the stratum cellulare et fibrosum extend rostromedially and can be traced into the stratum periventriculare. On the other hand, the axons of neurons in the stratum marginale and stratum cellulare et fibrosum run rostrally, turn ventrally and join fiber bundles running dorsoventrally.

Eosinophil cationic protein induces insulin-like growth factor I receptor expression on bronchial epithelial cells

Although the biologic activity of eosinophil-specific granule proteins, e.g. eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been attributed to cytotoxic properties, it has also been shown to be attributable to non-cytotoxic activation of various inflammatory cells. In addition, airway epithelial cells have been reported to express insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor and proliferate in response to IGF-I. The present study examined the regulation of expression of IGF-I receptor on bronchial epithelial cells by eosinophil granule proteins was examined. ECP significantly induced IGF-I receptor expression on bronchial epithelial cells compared with unstimulated cells. These findings suggest that eosinophils participate in the repair process of injured bronchial epithelial cells in the inflamed focus through augmentation of IGF-I receptor expression by suboptimal degranulation of eosinophil granule proteins, e.g. ECP.

Doppler echocardiographic findings of indomethacin-induced occlusion of the fetal ductus arteriosus

We present an unusual case of indomethacin-induced occlusion of the fetal ductus arteriosus, which occurred in one of twins. In fetal echocardiography, the characteristic findings, a to and fro regurgitation pattern at pulmonary valve and postvalvular dilation of the main pulmonary artery, were obtained in addition to right ventricular dilation and hypertrophy, tricuspid regurgitation, right atrium dilation, and pericardial effusion. This fetus developed fetal distress and was delivered by an emergency cesarean section at 35 weeks' gestation. We suggest that these fetal echocardiographic findings may be the end-stage signs of the fetal ductal occlusion as well as the signs for emergent delivery.

Aerosol transport and deposition in the rhythmically expanding pulmonary acinus

Little is known about factors controlling the dynamics of aerosol dispersion and deposition in the lung periphery, though this knowledge becomes increasingly important in many fields such as environmental and occupational exposure, diagnostic applications, and therapeutic deliver of drugs via aerosols. For the last several years, we have been studying aerosol behavior in the pulmonary acinus, where the airway structure and the associated fluid mechanics are distinctly different from those in the conducting airways. Our major research efforts have been focused on the basic physics underlying acinar fluid mechanics and particle dynamics, which are likely to be conditioned by the two key geometric factors of acinar airways: structural alveolation and rhythmic expansion and contraction of the alveolar walls. A combination of computational and experimental analyses revealed that due to these unique geometric features acinar flow can be extremely complex despite the low Reynolds number, and can have substantial effects on particle dynamics. In particular, chaotic mixing can occur in the lung periphery. In the course of such a mixing process, the inhaled aerosol particles quickly mix with the residual alveolar gas in a manner that is radically different from the previously considered classical diffusion process. The objective of this paper is to briefly review our current understanding of these processes, to discuss existing deposition models, and to describe our ongoing research efforts toward a basic understanding of aerosol behavior in the pulmonary acinus.

Chaotic mixing of alveolated duct flow in rhythmically expanding pulmonary acinus

We examined the effects of rhythmic expansion of alveolar walls on fluid mechanics in the pulmonary acinus. We generated a realistic geometric model of an alveolated duct that expanded and contracted in a geometrically similar fashion to simulate tidal breathing. Time-dependent volumetric flow was generated by adjusting the proximal and distal boundary conditions. The low Reynolds number velocity field was solved numerically over the physiological range. We found that for a given geometry, the ratio of the alveolar flow (QA) to the ductal flow (QD) played a major role in determining the flow pattern. For larger QA/QD (as in the distal region in the acinus), the flow in the alveolus was largely radial. For small QA/QD (as in the proximal region in the acinus), the flow in the alveolus was slowly rotating and the velocity field near the alveolar opening was complex with a stagnation saddle point typical of chaotic flow structures. Performing Lagrangian fluid particle tracking, we demonstrated that in such a flow structure the motion of fluid could be highly complex, irreversible, and unpredictable even though it was governed by simple deterministic equations. These are the characteristics of chaotic flow behavior. We conclude that because of the unique geometry of alveolated duct and its time-dependent motion associated with tidal breathing, chaotic flow and chaotic mixing can occur in the lung periphery. Based on these novel observations, we suggest a new approach for studying acinar fluid mechanics and aerosol kinetics.

Evaluation of cerebral blood flow in patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension using Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT during postural testing

To determine whether regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) would change on standing in patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (IOH), Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT studies were performed during postural testing in five patients with IOH. After 10 minutes of quiet rest on a bed, the patients arose quickly and, at the same time, the radiotracer was injected intravenously. SPECT data were obtained with a ring-type SPECT scanner. Another dose of Tc-99m HMPAO was injected with the subjects in the supine position, and SPECT was performed again. Image subtraction was used to evaluate the change in rCBF caused by postural testing. In all patients, the authors observed a decrease of rCBF ni the frontal cortex and basal ganglia. This preliminary study suggests that changes in rCBF occur in patients with IOH on standing, and Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT performed during postural testing may have an important role in evaluating these changes.

A Golgi study on the nucleus sphericus of the striated snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata

The intrinsic organization of the nucleus sphericus (NS) was studied in the striated snake using the rapid Golgi method. The NS is a large aggregation of cells located in the posterior portion of the telencephalon and is, as a whole, cup-shaped with its hilus oriented in the rostral direction. From the periphery inward, the following three concentric layers were discernible: a marginal layer, mural layer and hilar layer. The marginal layer consists of scattered cells extending dendrites internally toward the hilar layer and externally into the anterior commissure (AC). The mural layer contains densely packed polygonal neurons with dendrites extending internally into the hilar layer and externally toward the marginal layer. The hilar layer consists of scattered cells whose dendrites extend in a transverse direction, distributing mainly in the hilar layer. The axons of the neurons in the marginal and mural layers travel rostromedially, and some axons can be traced into the AC, while those of the neurons in the hilar layer run rostrally, and some are lost among fibers of the accessory olfactory tract (AOT). The afferents to the NS are derived mainly from the AOT and AC. The AOT fibers travel caudally in a thick bundle through the hilus and are distributed totally within the hilar layer, forming a dense fiber plexus. The AC fibers enter the nucleus from the rostromedial aspect and run in an arched course, emitting numerous fine short collaterals.