Cyclosporin increases granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) activity and gene expression in murine keratinocytes

Keratinocytes produce multiple cytokines in response to a variety of stimuli. The release of interleukin 1 (IL-1) from keratinocytes may be significant in initiation of cutaneous inflammation, and the presence of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is thought to be important in the regulation of antigen-presenting function by epidermal Langerhans cells. Because cyclosporin inhibits interleukin 2 release from T cells, it has been suggested that cyclosporin may function as an anti-inflammatory agent within the epidermis through inhibition of keratinocyte cytokine release. This investigation examined the direct effect of cyclosporin on the production of GM-CSF by murine keratinocytes and the keratinocyte cell line PAM 212. GM-CSF bioactivity increased in cell supernatants from keratinocytes exposed in vitro to 1 microgram/ml cyclosporin for up to 24 h. GM-CSF and IL-1 mRNA levels in keratinocytes cultured under similar conditions or in the presence of lipopolysaccharide also increased. The lack of inhibition of GM-CSF expression following cyclosporin treatment is consistent with recent observations in T cells and is opposite to the effect of cyclosporin on interleukin 2.

Eversion endarterectomy of the cadaver donor renal artery: a method to increase the use of elderly donor kidney allografts

Eversion endarterectomy was used to treat severe arteriosclerosis of the renal artery in 34 cadaver kidneys from elderly donors that have been considered unsuitable by other transplant centers. All kidneys were transplanted after biopsy confirmed normal histology. Graft survival and mean serum creatinine level at 4 years were 76.4% and 2.3 mg./dl., respectively. Use of these kidneys increased the number of cadaver kidney transplants at our center by 18%.

Ti:LiNbO(3) polarization splitters using an asymmetric branching waveguide

Polarization splitters that use an asymmetric branching waveguide and can be fabricated along the Z axis as well as the X axis of LiNbO(3) are proposed and demonstrated. In these devices, two polarization states are converted to two different spatial modes, and these modes are split by the asymmetric branching waveguide. The extinction ratios of the two polarization splitters are shown to be less than -12 dB.

Observation of a topological phase in a noncyclic case by use of a half-sturn optical fiber

We describe direct observation of a geometrical phase in a noncyclic case as the rotation of the plane of polarization of a linearly polarized beam of light. The beam travels down uniformly wound half-turn single-mode optical fibers with various pitch angles.

Different outcomes of chronic hepatitis delta virus infection in woodchucks

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) superinfection of woodchuck chronic carriers of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) results in acute and chronic disease. The different courses of disease mimicked the outcome of human HDV superinfection, making woodchucks valuable models for clinical studies of HDV. Ten of 11 woodchuck chronic carriers of WHV superinfected with HDV developed acute HDV infection with markers of viral replication in the serum and liver. One animal (DW128) had no serological markers of acute HDV infection. Nine of 11 (82%) superinfected animals developed chronic HDV infection. An unusual course of chronic HDV infection occurred in one woodchuck (DW128): no serum markers of acute or chronic HDV infection appeared but HDV RNA was detected in the liver, indicating that chronic HDV infection can occur without serological markers.

Proliferative myositis of the mylohyoid muscle

Proliferative myositis (PM) is a head and neck mass of rare etiology. In a review of the literature, 57 cases of PM were found. Of these, only 12 occurred in the head and neck region. Proliferative myositis is most rare in children, with only three reported cases, none of which involved the head and neck region. A case of a 9-year-old girl with PM of the mylohyoid muscle, presenting as a neck mass, is reported.

Surgical management of voice disorders

Voice disorders are frequently seen in the pediatric population. They can have significant impact on the patient. Voice disorders may result from aberrations in the speech mechanism. The salient features of four common voice disorders and their clinical relevance are discussed.

Inhibition of hepatitis delta virus RNA replication in primary woodchuck hepatocytes

Cell cultures of primary woodchuck hepatocytes can be infected with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) as demonstrated by the appearance of genomic HDV RNA 7 days after inoculation. This tissue culture system was used to study the effect of antiviral substances. Ribavirin inhibited HDV replication at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, if added up to three days post infection. Suramin had an inhibitory effect only when added simultaneously with the virus, at a concentration of 200 micrograms/ml. This concentration had no toxic effect on primary woodchuck hepatocytes. alpha-Amanitin showed a weak inhibitory effect only at the highest nontoxic concentration of 0.1 microgram/ml. Acyclovir had no effect.

Propagation of woodchuck hepatitis delta virus in primary woodchuck hepatocytes

Monolayer cell cultures of primary woodchuck hepatocytes, prepared by perfusing the liver in situ with collagenase type I, yielded hepatocytes with a viability of greater than 90% which could be held in culture for up to 3 months. Cultures of primary woodchuck hepatocytes were infected one day after plating with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) which had been passaged five times in woodchucks and was therefore identified as woodchuck hepatitis delta virus (WHDV). Replication of WHDV was demonstrated by the appearance of genomic WHDV RNA of ca. 1.7 kb beginning 7 days after infection, with an increase of copy numbers up to 2 weeks after inoculation. Synthesis of hepatitis delta virus-associated antigen (HDAg) in hepatocytes was detected by immunofluorescence staining of hepatocytes. Preincubation of the inoculum with rabbit sera containing antibodies against woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen (anti-WHs) reduced the infectivity of WHDV to an undetectable level compared with inocula which were treated with anti-WHs negative sera.

Analysis and measurement of birefringence in single-mode fibers using the backscattering method

The local parameters of linear, circular, and elliptical birefringence of backscattered light along a single-mode fiber are analyzed, and the twist-bending-induced elliptical birefringence in an extremely low birefringent single-mode fiber is measured using the backscattering method. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations. For a 130-microm-diameter fiber, twisted by 133 degrees /m and wound around a drum of 15-cm radius, the induced elliptical birefringence is |?| = 18 degrees /m at lambda = 904 nm.