The dynamic in vivo distribution of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells after infusion

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to differentiate along different mesenchymal lineages including those forming bone, cartilage, tendon, fat, muscle and marrow stroma that supports hematopoiesis. This differentiation potential makes MSCs candidates for cell-based therapeutic strategies for mesenchymal tissue injuries and for hematopoietic disorders by both local and systemic application. In the present study, rat marrow-derived MSCs were ex vivo culture-expanded, labeled with (111)In-oxine, and infused into syngeneic rats via intra-artery (i.a.), intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal cavity (i.p.) infusions. In addition, for i.a. and i.v. infusions, a vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside, was administered prior to the cell infusion and examined for its effect on MSC circulation. The dynamic distribution of infused MSCs was monitored by real-time imaging using a gamma camera immediately after infusion and at 48 h postinfusion. After 48 h, radioactivity in excised organs, including liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen and long bones, was measured in a gamma well counter and expressed as a percentage of injected doses. After both i.a. and i.v. infusion, radioactivity associated with MSCs was detected primarily in the lungs and then secondarily in the liver and other organs. When sodium nitroprusside was used, more labeled MSCs cleared the lungs resulting in a larger proportion detected in the liver. Most importantly, the homing of labeled MSCs to the marrow of long bones was significantly increased by the pretreatment with vasodilator. These results indicate multiple homing sites for injected MSCs and that the distribution of MSCs can be influenced by administration of vasodilator.

Allergenic cross-reactivity between the nematode Anisakis simplex and the dust mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus

BACKGROUND

The nematode Anisakis simplex is a common parasite on fish and other seafood. It is considered to be a food allergen and to induce IgE-mediated reactions. Allergenic cross-reactivity between A. simplex and other nematodes has been reported, as has cross-reactivity with arthropods: red mosquito larvae and German cockroach. We have here studied the allergenic relationship between A. simplex and four different dust-mite species.

METHODS

Serum samples collected from 69 farmers allergic to dust mites were analyzed for IgE to A. simplex by CAP FEIA. Allergenic cross-reactivity between A. simplex and dust mites was studied in two of the sera by CAP FEIA and immunoblotting inhibition.

RESULTS

We found that 14/69 farmers had detectable levels of IgE antibodies to A. simplex. The IgE response in CAP FEIA to A. simplex was inhibited to various degrees in the two studied sera by extracts of the dust mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. In the reverse inhibition experiment, extract of A. simplex inhibited the response in both sera to A. siro and T. putrescentiae, but not to L. destructor. The IgE binding to D. pteronyssinus was inhibited in one of the two sera. In blotting inhibition experiments, the IgE binding to several allergens in A. simplex was inhibited by each of the four mite extracts, especially by A. siro and T. putrescentiae, which completely inhibited the IgE binding to several allergens.

CONCLUSION

The results show allergenic cross-reactivity between several allergens in A. simplex and four dust-mite species. The clinical significance of this cross-reactivity remains to be evaluated.

Thiols decrease cytokine levels and down-regulate the expression of CD30 on human allergen-specific T helper (Th) 0 and Th2 cells

The thiol antioxidant N-acetyl- L-cysteine (NAC), known as a precursor of glutathione (GSH), is used in AIDS treatment trials, as a chemoprotectant in cancer chemotherapy and in treatment of chronic bronchitis. In vitro, GSH and NAC are known to enhance T cell proliferation, production of IL-2 and up-regulation of the IL-2 receptor. The 120-kD CD30 surface antigen belongs to the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. It is expressed by activated T helper (Th) cells and its expression is sustained in Th2 cells. We have analysed the effect of GSH and NAC on the cytokine profile and CD30 expression on human allergen-specific T cell clones (TCC). TCC were stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies in the presence of different concentrations of GSH and NAC. Both thiols caused a dose dependent down-regulation of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels in Th0 and Th2 clones, with the most pronounced decrease of IL-4. Furthermore, they down-regulated the surface expression of CD30, and the levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30) in the culture supernatants were decreased. In contrast, the surface expression of CD28 or CD40 ligand (CD40L) was not significantly changed after treatment with 20 m M NAC. These results indicate that GSH and NAC favour a Th1 response by a preferential down-regulation of IL-4. In addition, the expression of CD30 was down regulated by GSH and NAC, suggesting that CD30 expression is dependent on IL-4, or modified by NAC. In the likely event that CD30 and its soluble counterpart prove to contribute to the pathogenesis in Th2 related diseases such as allergy, NAC may be considered as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of these diseases.

The expression of glutaredoxin is increased in the human cervix in term pregnancy and immediately post-partum, particularly after prostaglandin-induced delivery

Glutaredoxins are glutathione disulphide oxidoreductases catalysing disulphide reductions via a redox active disulphide. We have examined the presence of glutaredoxin in the human cervix, and its differential expression during cervical remodelling in term pregnancy and immediately post-partum as compared to the non-pregnant state. Cervical biopsies were obtained from 24 term-pregnant and 24 post-partal women, of which 10 were taken after spontaneous delivery, 10 after prostaglandin-induced delivery and four after mifepristone-induced delivery, all obtained within 15 min after delivery. Six non-pregnant women served as controls. The tissues were analysed for the glutaredoxin mRNA levels using a solution hybridization method. Glutaredoxin mRNA was expressed in the human cervix, the level increased > or =2-fold at term pregnancy and immediately post-partum. The level of cervical glutaredoxin mRNA from prostaglandin E(2)-treated women was 3-fold higher than after spontaneous ripening and delivery. Localization of glutaredoxin was visualized with immunohistochemistry in cervices from two post-partal women, and was compared to that of thioredoxin. We conclude that glutaredoxin may be involved in the regulation of cervical ripening in humans, particularly in the inflammatory reaction seen during this process. Glutaredoxin mRNA levels are up-regulated after prostaglandin treatment, which is effective and the most commonly used substance for cervical priming and induction of labour.

Assessment of dysfunctional working models of self and others in schizophrenic patients: a summary of data collected in nine nations. International Research Group

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cross-cultural feasibility of a new scale for assessing dysfunctional working models of self and others, and to evaluate its discriminative power.

METHOD

Schizophrenic patients (N=351), non-psychotic patients (N= 86) and non-clinical subjects (N= 511) collected in 10 centres completed the DWM-S. Current psychopathology was assessed by means of the BPRS.

RESULTS

Alpha coefficients were high in all samples. Mean scores on the DWM-S appeared to be comparable in all countries, suggesting cross-national generalizability. No significant correlation was found with sex, age, levels of psychopathology and duration of illness. Discriminant analyses showed that more than 70% of the schizophrenic patients are correctly classified.

CONCLUSION

The DWM-S is an easily administered self-report instrument which allows to pinpoint internal dysfunctional working models of self and others in various types of patients. It is a useful tool for case conceptualization, especially when psychotherapeutic interventions are part of the treatment programme.

Hyaluronan-based polymers in the treatment of osteochondral defects

Articular cartilage in adults has limited ability for self-repair. Some methods devised to augment the natural healing response stimulate some regeneration, but the repair is often incomplete and lacks durability. Hyaluronan-based polymers were tested for their ability to enhance the natural healing response. It is hypothesized that hyaluronan-based polymers recreate an embryonic-like milieu where host progenitor cells can regenerate the damaged articular surface and underlying bone. Osteochondral defects were made on the femoral condyles of 4-month-old rabbits and were left empty or filled with hyaluronan-based polymers. The polymers tested were ACP sponge, made of crosslinked hyaluronan, and HYAFF-11 sponge, made of benzylated hyaluronan. The rabbits were killed 4 and 12 weeks after surgery, and the condyles were processed for histology. All 12-week defects were scored with a 29-point scale, and the scores were compared with a Kruskall-Wallis analysis of variance on ranks. Untreated defects filled with bone tissue up to or beyond the tidemark, and the noncalcified surface layer varied from fibrous to hyaline-like tissue. Four weeks after surgery, defects treated with ACP exhibited bone filling to the level of the tidemark and the surface layer was composed of hyaline-like cartilage well integrated with the adjacent cartilage. At 12 weeks, the specimens had bone beyond the tidemark that was covered with a thin layer of hyaline cartilage. Four weeks after surgery, defects treated with HYAFF-11 contained a rim of chondrogenic cells at the interface of the implant and the host tissue. In general, the 12-week defects exhibited good bone fill and the surface was mainly hyaline cartilage. Treated defects received significantly higher scores than untreated defects (p < 0.05), and ACP-treated defects scored significantly higher than HYAFF-11-treated defects (p < 0.05). The introduction of these hyaluronan-based polymers into defects provides an appropriate scaffolding and favorable microenvironment for the reparative process. Further work is required to fully assess the long-term outcome of defects treated with these polymers.

Recombinant Hev b 1: large-scale production and immunological characterization

BACKGROUND

Hev b 1 represents one of the most important allergens in Hevea brasiliensis latex. It is difficult to get an appropriate amount of native Hev b 1 (nHev b 1) for research purposes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to produce sufficient amounts of Hev b 1 by recombinant methods to prove its suitability for latex allergy diagnostics.

METHODS

We isolated total RNA of Hevea brasiliensis leaves and synthesized cDNA by RT PCR. Recombinant Hev b 1 (rHev b 1) as well as three fragments (amino acid residues 29-137, 48-137, 78-137) were subcloned and expressed as fusion proteins with Maltose-binding protein (MBP) in Escherichia coli. The MBP-rHev b 1 fusion protein was examined by RAST with the CAP method, histamine release test and immunoblots with human sera from spina bifida patients as well as from health care workers with latex allergy and monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTS

Histamine release test and immunoblots revealed the high allergenicity of the MBP-rHev b 1 construct. By the CAP method, 54 out of 58 serum samples (93%) from latex-sensitized spina bifida patients previously showing immunoglobulin (Ig) E to nHev b 1 exhibited IgE-binding to rHev b 1. Among 71 latex-allergic health care workers tested, 16 (22.5%) had IgE antibodies to rHev b 1. The analysis of the fusion proteins carrying rHev b 1 fragments revealed that the loss of the N-terminal 28 amino acid residues did not affect IgE-binding. In contrast, the lack of the first 47 amino acid residues led to decreased IgE-binding reactivity in two out of four sera tested, whereas the absence of the N-terminal 77 residues abolished IgE-binding in these two sera.

CONCLUSION

The MBP-rHev b 1 fusion protein exhibits a corresponding IgE-binding reactivity to nHev b 1 and may therefore substitute natural Hev b 1 for both in vitro diagnostics and research purposes.

Asthma, skin symptoms, and allergy in a condom factory

BACKGROUND

Cases of occupational asthma have been reported in condom factories in the UK and France, but there has been no epidemiologic study of groups of workers in such factories. This investigation aimed to study the prevalence of symptoms in a Swedish condom factory, to determine groups at special risk, and to suggest preventive measures.

METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to 35 employees, 29 women and six men with mean ages of 37 and 32 years, respectively. All subjects were interviewed by a physician and underwent skin prick test with latex and epicutaneous testing with 39 substances, and blood samples were taken for allergy testing.

RESULTS

Phadiatop was positive in 23%, RAST against Lycopodium in 31%, and RAST against latex in one of these 11. Ten subjects (29%) had work-related nose/eye symptoms; of these, eight had positive RAST to Lycopodium; three also had symptoms of occupational asthma and contact urticaria. Only one had positive RAST to latex. Five of the nine subjects with positive Phadiatop also had positive RAST to Lycopodium. All those with RAST positive to Lycopodium had worked in packaging, the area of the factory with the greatest exposure. The results of the patch tests did not correlate with the work-related symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

In a Swedish condom factory, there were a high prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis and a small number of cases of asthma and contact urticaria caused by allergy to Lycopodium.

PCR-based cloning, isolation, and IgE-binding properties of recombinant latex profilin (rHev b 8)

BACKGROUND

Profilin (Hev b 8) in natural rubber latex (NRL) has been assumed to be an important allergen. Since latex profilin has a molecular mass similar to two other latex allergens (Hev b 1 and Hev b 6.03) in the 14-kDa range, it is difficult to obtain sufficient amounts of purified native profilin for investigations and diagnostics. The present study aimed to produce recombinant latex profilin (rHev b 8) and study its IgE-binding reactivity.

METHODS

A profilin-specific cDNA encoding the latex profilin from Hevea brasiliensis leaves was synthesized and subcloned, and the rHev b 8 was overexpressed in fusion with the maltose-binding protein (MBP) in E. coli. The IgE-binding reactivity of rHev b 8 was studied by immunoblotting, immunoblot inhibition experiments, and the Pharmacia CAP method, with 25 sera from health-care workers with latex allergy and 17 sera from latex-sensitive spina bifida patients.

RESULTS

rHev b 8 was found to have 131 amino acids and a sequence identity of 75% with birch profilin (Bet v 2). Analysis by the CAP system revealed the presence of rHev b 8-specific IgE antibodies in two out of 17 sera from spina bifida patients and in five out of 25 sera (20%) from health-care workers. Two subjects of the latter group with rHev b 8-specific IgE showed negative results in the skin prick tests with tree-pollen extracts and had no IgE to rBet v 2, indicating the presence of IgE-binding epitopes on the Hev b 8-molecule which do not cross-react with birch profilin. Immunoblot inhibition assays using MBP-rHev b 8 as inhibitor confirmed the presence of latex profilin in the NRL extract. IgE binding to the native latex profilin could be completely inhibited by the MBP-rHev b 8.

CONCLUSIONS

Latex profilin represents a minor allergen in NRL and may have IgE-binding epitopes different from Bet v 2.

A case of allergy to cow's milk hydrolysate

We here report a girl, now 3 years old, who has suffered from severe food allergy since her first year of life. She was strongly allergic to cow's milk, and had high levels of IgE antibody (AB) to casein (210 kU/I), beta-lactoglobulin (43 kU/I), and alpha-lactalbumin (23 kU/l) at 12 months of age. In addition, at the same age, she showed positive (2-4+) skin prick reactions to both unboiled and boiled formulas (Profylac, Nutramigen, and Neocate), besides being positive in RAST to Nutramigen (0.6 kU/l). During the first 3 years, IgE Ab levels against casein and Nutramigen increased to 310 and 1.6 kU/l, respectively. Furthermore, at 3 years of age, she had positive RAST to 14 of 15 tested food allergens, being negative only to codfish. Assessment of eosinophil-related markers revealed high total eosinophil count, increased eosinophil activity, and a low ratio of interferon (IFN)-gamma:IL-5, indicating enhanced IL-5 production. The food allergy was correlated to poor weight gain and increasing problems with atopic allergy in the airways.

Extrication of entrapped victims from motor vehicle accidents: the crew concept

During the extrication process the trauma victim is at high risk for additional injuries or aggravation of existing lesions. Improper handling during extrication with poor concern and knowledge of the ongoing resuscitation process may increase the time spent at the scene and expose the patient to unnecessary risks. Earlier studies report a significant number of neurological injuries that appear to be a result of the extrication process, or of inadequate immobilization during transport. Recent work also underlines the need for appropriate and situation adapted Advanced Life Support (ALS) procedures to improve outcome after prehospital trauma resuscitation. In this paper we present a method for training advanced extrication of trauma victims and the results obtained after five consecutive courses. The training focuses on enhanced liaison between medical and technical team members to optimize synchronization of operations. The course consists of both theoretical lectures and practical training in different crash scenarios. The complexity of the scenarios increases throughout the course and different extrication techniques and strategies are practised. Both the times to extrication and on-scene times were reduced during the 3-day course. Therapeutic interventions and handling of the patient were also improved, in terms of early recognition of medical and technical risks and reduction of the time of no therapy.

Transhistorical variations in personality and their association with experiences of parental rearing

A population sample comprised of 765 subjects (367 males and 398 females), in the age range of 15-81 years, completed the EMBU, a reliable questionnaire aimed at assessing experiences of parental rearing, and the TCI, a self-report questionnaire aimed at assessing dimensions of temperament and character. The study had three main aims: 1) to verify, on a larger scale, previous findings suggesting the occurrence of significant associations between experiences of parental rearing and aspects of temperament and character, 2) to assess possible variations in temperament and character in cohorts of subjects who have grown up in different historical epochs, and 3) to investigate to what extent transgenerational differences in parental rearing are detectable in different associations with various dimensions of personality. Several, albeit small, significant and meaningful associations between experiences of parental rearing and both temperament and character dimensions have been found, adding support to the robustness of previously reported results obtained in an independent smaller series. Also, several significant differences among subjects in different age groups have been found, both concerning temperament variables and character dimensions. Finally, the results show that associations between experiences of parental rearing and dimensions of temperament and character are most pronounced in subjects belonging to the youngest cohort and almost nil in the cohort comprising the oldest subjects.

Exposure-dependent misclassification of exposure in interaction analyses

The objectives of this paper are to analyze the consequences of exposure misclassification on effect estimates in interaction analysis, and to develop a mathematical equation for the potentially biased estimate. The main point is to identify situations in which misclassification of the first exposure, dependent on the second exposure but independent on outcome status, leads to overestimation or underestimation of the interaction effect. We show that misclassification theoretically can cause overestimation of the interaction effect. Nevertheless, because the categories that yield overestimation due to misclassification are fewer than the categories that yield underestimation, and misclassification in reality mostly is multidimensional (more than one category are biased simultaneously), it is more likely that the effect of misclassification is underestimation rather than overestimation. Misclassification in the categories that lead to overestimation is compensated by misclassification in the categories that lead to underestimation. The magnitude of the biased estimate depends on the prevalences of the misclassified exposure, stratified for the second exposure and the outcome-the lower the prevalence, the smaller the bias.

Immunologic characterization of natural and recombinant Mal f 1 yeast allergen

BACKGROUND

Individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) often have IgE antibodies against protein components of Malassezia furfur. The cDNA encoding one of these proteins (Mal f 1) has recently been cloned and sequenced.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to express recombinant Mal f 1 (rMal f 1) allergen in large quantities by using different expression systems. The primary aim was to characterize the IgE-binding properties of rMal f 1 in comparison with its natural counterpart in M furfur extract.

METHODS

We have expressed and purified Mal f 1 from prokaryotic (Escherichia coli) and eukaryotic cells (baculovirus-infected insect cells). The rMal f 1 produced in both systems has been tested for the ability to be recognized by IgE from patients with specific serum IgE to M furfur by using immunoblotting and the Pharmacia CAP System RAST FEIA.

RESULTS

Sixty-one percent of sera from 95 patients showed positive RAST responses to the rMal f 1 produced in the baculovirus expression system and 43% to the E coli -produced rMal f 1. Both the E coli - and baculovirus-produced proteins can specifically inhibit IgE binding to a 36-kd protein band (Mal f 1) in immunoblotting, indicating that the recombinant proteins contain the majority, if not all, the IgE-binding epitopes of Mal f 1. Recombinant Mal f 1 is able to release histamine from basophils of an atopic individual.

CONCLUSION

We have expressed and purified rMal f 1, which can bind IgE in a way resembling natural Mal f 1. The ability to produce recombinant allergens with similar properties to their native counterparts has many potential uses, such as accurately diagnosing causes of IgE-mediated allergy.

Socioeconomic differences in risk of myocardial infarction 1971-1994 in Sweden: time trends, relative risks and population attributable risks

BACKGROUND

The general trend in incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) in the Stockholm area changed from increasing to decreasing around 1980. The objective of this study is to examine time trends in incidence in major socioeconomic strata, relative risk between socioeconomic groups and population risk attributable to socioeconomic differences during this period.

METHODS

All cases of MI from 1971 to 1986 were identified from hospital discharge and cause-of-death registers. Person-years for each year of follow-up were calculated from the population register in the Stockholm region 1971-1986. Census registers were used for information on socioeconomic status. Register information was individually linked through the Swedish personal identification number. Supplementary information for 1992-1994 was taken from the case-control study SHEEP (Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program).

RESULTS

The decline in MI risk among male high- and middle-level employees started in 1976 and in male manual workers in 1981. For women incidence increased from 1971 to 1986 among manual workers and decreased among high- and middle-level employees. The increase over time of the relative risk from low socioeconomic position continued into the 1990s. Despite the reduction of the category of manual workers, the population attributable risk from socioeconomic differences also increased over time. The process of social change influencing the size of the socioeconomic groups contributes to the change in time trends of MI morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase over time of relative and population attributable risks of MI from low socioeconomic status add to the public health importance of social inequity.

Swedish normative data on personality using the Temperament and Character Inventory

The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is a self-report personality questionnaire based on Cloninger's psychobiological model of personality, which accounts for both normal and abnormal variation in the two major components of personality, temperament and character. Normative data for the Swedish TCI based on a representative Swedish sample of 1,300 adults are presented, and the psychometric properties of the questionnaire are discussed. The structure of the Swedish version replicates the American version well for the means, distribution of scores, and relationships within the between scales and subscales. Further, the Swedish inventory had a reliable factor structure and test-retest performance. The results of this study confirm the theory of temperament and character as a seven-factor model of personality.

Latex allergy from glove powder--an unintended risk with the switch from talc to cornstarch?

The present study aimed to investigate to what extent glove powders of different origins and brands bind and release latex allergens. One mineral talc and five cornstarch powders were used. The allergenic material was sap of Hevea brasiliensis. The powders were incubated together with the natural rubber latex sap, and four series of experiments were performed. The talc showed the highest tendency to bind isotope-labeled proteins. When incubated with a latex allergen solution, it reduced free allergen from 100 to 2 units/ml compared to a reduction to 70-98 units/ml for the cornstarch powders. In contrast to the nonstable binding of allergen to cornstarch, the binding to talc was irreversible. The allergen bound to talc was allergenically intact and, when incubated with serum, reduced the concentration of free IgE antibody to latex to 10% of the initial level. Mineral talc had a high capacity to bind latex allergens firmly. In contrast, cornstarch captured the latex allergen, but the binding seemed less pronounced and was unstable. The replacement of talc by cornstarch as glove-donning powder has coincided with the rapid increase in latex allergy. Mineral talc is heavy and only transiently airborne. Could this difference between talc and cornstarch in latex-allergen-binding pattern and the tendency of the latter to be airborne play an important role in the bioavailability of latex allergen and thus in the epidemic of latex sensitization.