Involvement of mast cells in inflammation induced by Trichomonas vaginalis via crosstalk with vaginal epithelial cells

Vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) are thought to function as immune-responsive cells in trichomoniasis, and mast cells have been detected in vaginal smears and the vaginal wall in trichomoniasis. It therefore seemed possible that the VEC-trichomonad reaction might affect the activity of mast cells present in the lamina propria of the vaginal mucosa. In this study, we tested whether culture supernatants of VEC incubated with Trichomonas vaginalis (TCM) could stimulate mast cells. When VECs (MS74) were incubated with live trichomonads, IL-8, IL-6 and MCP-1 expressions increased in the TCM, and mast cells (HMC-1) and human neutrophils migrated more actively towards the TCM. Also, when the TCM was added to mast cells, β-hexosaminidase and cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) expressions were increased. Moreover, the culture supernatant of mast cells incubated with TCM (M-TCM) had more increased chemotactic activity for neutrophils than that of TCM. We conclude that inflammatory mediators made by VECs in response to activation by T. vaginalis activate and attract mast cells and then stimulate them to induce neutrophil migration. Our results indicate, for the first time, that VECs play a role in the infiltration of mast cells and neutrophils early in T. vaginalis infection.

Total nodal radiation in progressive sarcoidosis. Case report

The subject of this article is a patient with sarcoidosis with neurological involvement, who failed to respond to high dose steroid therapy and cyclophosphamide. Low doses (20 Gy) of total nodal and craniospinal irradiation resulted in an excellent response, the patient being alive and in good health 3 years after irradiation without any further steroid therapy.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of sarcomas metastatic to the lung

A review was made of the morphologic features of cells aspirated from 17 sarcomas (5 malignant fibrous histiocytomas, 3 fibrosarcomas, 3 leiomyosarcomas, 3 endometrial stromal sarcomas, 1 osteosarcoma and 2 poorly differentiated sarcomas) metastatic to the lung, paying particular attention to the morphologic differences between the cells of sarcoma and carcinoma and between the cells of the different types of sarcoma. In general, sarcomas were characterized by loosely cohesive, rather flat, cellular aggregates and isolated cells. Three-dimensional cell balls or clusters were not present in any case. Cellular pleomorphism was a common, though not invariable, feature. Each type of sarcoma showed some morphologic distinctiveness; however, certain morphologic features were common to more than one type of sarcoma. By comparing the cytologic features of metastatic sarcomas in aspirates with the histologic features of the primary neoplasms, it should usually be possible to decide if a pulmonary lesion is a metastatic sarcoma.

Adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube

Carcinoma of the fallopian tube is the least frequent tumor of the female genital tract. During a 27 year period, 34 patients with adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube were treated at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Eight of 34 of the patients were found to have early second primary tumors during the work-up. The over-all two year and five year survival rates were 52 and 20 per cent, respectively. Results of our review of this group of patients would indicate that postoperative irradiation of the pelvis with more than 50 Grey in five weeks increased the five year survival rate of patients with disease confined to the fallopian tube.

Arm wrestler's injury: report of seven cases

Seven cases of fractures of the humerus from arm wrestling included 2 types of fractures. Two were spiral fractures of the humeral shaft with large butterfly fragments at the junction of the middle and distal one third caused by a violent uncoordinated muscular action. Five were fractures of the medial epicondyle of the humerus as a result of a sudden blow to the elbow. In all 7 cases, the fractures healed and arm function returned to normal.

Regulation of the immune system by synthetic polynucleotides. VI. Amplification of the immune response in young and aging mice

Model systems for study of the action of adjuvants in immunodeficient states were developed in 10- to 14-day-old BALB/aj mice and aging BALB/aj mice (12 to 16 months). With sheep red blood cells as antigen polyadenylicpolyuridylic acid complexes (poly A:U) were found to be stimulatory in both the neonatal and aging mice. The effect of poly A:U was similar to that seen when 5 X 10(6) thymocytes from immunologically mature mice were given with antigen. Cell-free supernatant fluids induced by incubation of poly A:U with thymocytes likewise were capable of restoring the number of antibody-forming cells to normalcy in aging mice.

The mitogenic activity of polyadenylic-polyuridyclic acid complexes

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid complexes (poly A:U) at the 1-5 mu g level, were mitogenic for spleen cells when given intravenously to normal Balb or cortisone-treated mice. Similarly, mitogenicity was evident when poly A:U was added to tissue culture fluids containing spleen cells from normal or cortisone-treated mice, or bone marrow cells from normal mice. Under these conditions, this adjuvant was not mitogenic for thymus cells or mesenteric lymph node cells, either in vivo or in vitro.