Antimyeloperoxidase antibody in Chinese patients in Hong Kong: a five-year review

An analysis was made of 51 Chinese patients who tested positive for antimyeloperoxidase antibody (anti-MPO) in the five-year period from 1989 to 1993 in Hong Kong. Nineteen could be clearly classified as having an identifiable vasculitic illness, while the features of the remainder were suggestive of vasculitic syndromes in most cases. Renal disease was present in 84% of all cases and was the commonest manifestation, followed by pulmonary diseases. Acute or acute-on-chronic renal failure developed in 20 patients (39%). Of those who had renal biopsy performed, over half had histologic evidence of crescentic glomerulonephritis. Anti-MPO associated disease carried a grave prognosis with significant morbidity and mortality. Steroid and immunosuppressive therapy was given to most of the patients and in those who responded to immunosuppressive therapy, anti-MPO was a useful marker for monitoring disease activity. Twenty patients died, either of complications or as a result of disease activity.published_or_final_versio

The use of anti-ribosomal P antibodies in the diagnosis of cerebral lupus: superiority of western blotting over enzyme-linnked immunosorbent assay

This study investigated the use of anti-ribosomal P antibodies in the diagnosis of cerebral complications of systemic lupus erythematosus using two different methodsԸ?western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-ribosomal P antibodies in patient serum were detected in both methods using a purified ribosomal P antigen substrate. Western blotting detected anti-ribosomal P antibodies with a 90% specificity for systemic lupus erythematosus in 56% of patients with the disease. The detection of anti-ribosomal P antibodies by western blotting in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was significantly associated with psychosis and/or seizures; detection was positive in 90% of patients with these cerebral complications and in 41% of those without. Elevation of the level of anti-ribosomal P antibody, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was 99% specific for systemic lupus erythematosus in 44% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus that was not associated with cerebral involvement. We conclude that the measurement of anti-ribosomal P antibodies by western blotting is helpful in the diagnosis of cerebral lupus in selected patients.published_or_final_versio

Use of anti-ribosomal P antibody in diagnosis of cerebral lupus: superiority of western blotting over elisa

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Animal Behavior Frozen in Time: Gregarious Behavior of Early Jurassic Lobsters within an Ammonoid Body Chamber

Direct animal behavior can be inferred from the fossil record only in exceptional circumstances. The exceptional mode of preservation of ammonoid shells in the Posidonia Shale (Lower Jurassic, lower Toarcian) of Dotternhausen in southern Germany, with only the organic periostracum preserved, provides an excellent opportunity to observe the contents of the ammonoid body chamber because this periostracum is translucent. Here, we report upon three delicate lobsters preserved within a compressed ammonoid specimen of Harpoceras falciferum. We attempt to explain this gregarious behavior. The three lobsters were studied using standard microscopy under low angle light. The lobsters belong to the extinct family of the Eryonidae; further identification was not possible. The organic material of the three small lobsters is preserved more than halfway into the ammonoid body chamber. The lobsters are closely spaced and are positioned with their tails oriented toward each other. The specimens are interpreted to represent corpses rather than molts. The lobsters probably sought shelter in preparation for molting or against predators such as fish that were present in Dotternhausen. Alternatively, the soft tissue of the ammonoid may have been a source of food that attracted the lobsters, or it may have served as a long-term residency for the lobsters (inquilinism). The lobsters represent the oldest known example of gregariousness amongst lobsters and decapods in the fossil record. Gregarious behavior in lobsters, also known for extant lobsters, thus developed earlier in earth's history than previously known. Moreover, this is one of the oldest known examples of decapod crustaceans preserved within cephalopod shells

Human colostral cells: Phagocytosis and killing of E. coli and C. albicans

Cells from human colostrum, collected from mothers within 48 hrs of delivery, were examined for their capacity to phagocytose and kill E. coli and Candida albicans. The phagocytic power of colostral cells was comparable to that of blood leukocytes from the same individuals. In contrast, the capacity of colostral cells to kill microorganisms was significantly less than that of blood leukocytes. Preincubation of blood leukocytes with colostrum supernatant did not reduce phagocytic indices, but reduced E. coli killing by 40% and C. albicans killing by 66%. The role of colostral cells in protecting the neonate from infection is discussed in the light of these findings.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulins in patients with premature ovarian failure before and after oestrogen replacement

We have previously demonstrated that in patients with oestrogen deficiency, there was a significant reduction in the ratio of CD4 + to CD8 + lymphocytes. To test our hypothesis that oestrogen deficiency was the cause of the changes in lymphocyte subsets, we have studied the lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulin levels in 35 patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure before and after oestrogen replacement therapy. Before oestrogen replacement the lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were enumerated with indirect immunofluorescence techniques using monoclonal antibodies. The serum immunoglobulins (Ig) G, A and M were measured with nephelometry. After oestrogen replacement therapy, the tests were repeated around day 7-11 of the 2nd, 4th and 24th month. There was no significant change in any of these parameters by the 2nd or 4th months. After 2 years of oestrogen replacement, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of CD8 + cells, a significant increase in the CD4:CD8 ratio and a significant increase in the mean serum IgG concentration. There was no significant change in the other parameters. Our results support the hypothesis that oestrogen deficiency is the cause for the changes in the lymphocyte subsets.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Lymphocyte subsets in patients with oestrogen deficiency

We have previously shown that in patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure there were significant changes in lymphocyte subsets. To test our hypothesis that these changes were due to oestrogen deficiency we studied lymphocyte subsets in patients with oestrogen deficiency due to other causes. Blood was taken for serum oestradiol, lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte subset counts (CD2+, CD4+, CD8+ and B cells) before oestrogen replacement in 19 patients with gonadal dysgenesis, 22 patients with hypothalamic-pituitary failure and 24 healthy female control subjects. The CD4:CD8 ratio in both groups of patients was significantly lower than that in the normal control subjects while the percentages and counts of lymphocytes and CD8+ cells were significantly higher. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum oestradiol level and the CD4:CD8 ratio. These findings support the hypothesis that the changes in lymphocyte subsets are due to oestrogen deficiency.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A histopathological study of pulmonary infection of mice with Mycobacterium lepraemurium

Intranasal instillation of Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) into mice produced pulmonary infection. MLM multiplied rapidly in the lung tissue during the first few weeks without involvement of other organs. The increase in number, size and confluence of lung granulomas paralleled the multiplication of MLM which could be found both intracellularly and extracellularly. It is postulated that extracellular bacteria may find their way to the bloodstream and thus spread to other visceral organs. Extensive destruction of alveoli and occupation of airspaces by lepra-like cells invariably occurred as the disease progressed.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Autoantibody formation after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: Correlation with the reconstitution of CD5+ B cells and occurrence of graft-versus-host disease

Manifestations of autoimmune diseases are common in patients who have received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Autoantibodies have been reported in these patients but the source and clinical significance of these autoantibodies are still obscure. In the present study the kinetics of autoantibody formation and the reconstitution of CD5 + B cells was followed in 21 patients who were submitted to allogeneic BMT. Anti-nuclear, anti-smooth muscle, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, anti-reticulin and rheumatoid factor were found at a frequency of 25%, 17%, 24%, 22% and 10% respectively after BMT. Anti-double stranded DNA levels were mildly elevated in 15% of samples. The screening for anti-extractable nuclear antigen, anti-mitochondrial, anti-gastric parietal cell, anti-proteinase III, anti-myeloperoxidase, anti-lactoferrin antibodies was negative. The percentage and absolute count of CD5 + B cells increased with time after allogeneic BMT. Those patients with anti-nuclear or anti-smooth muscle antibodies had significantly higher CD5 + B cell counts than those without these two antibodies. Correlations of CD5 + B cell counts with other autoantibodies were negative. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in eight of the patients and chronic GVHD in four patients, but the frequency of autoantibodies had no relationship with the occurrence of acute or chronic GVHD.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A controlled trial of Bestatin in hydatidiform mole

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to study whether Bestatin, an immunomodifier, can reduce the incidence of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease in patients with hydatidiform mole. A group of 21 patients (Bestatin group) received 30 mg Bestatin daily after evacuation of the hydatidiform mole. A second group of 23 patients (control group) did not receive any drug. Blood was taken for white cell counts, differential counts, lymphocyte subset counts (CD2+, CD4+, CD8+ and B cells) and natural killer cell activity before evacuation of the hydatidiform moles. The tests were repeated every 4 weeks after evacuation until the serum β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) had returned to normal or until the patient had to receive chemotherapy because of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. There was no significant difference in the age of the patients, the pre-evacuation serum βhCG, or the gestational age between the two groups. Chemotherapy was needed by 6 patients in the Bestatin group (28.6%) and 3 patients in the control group (13%) because of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. There was no significant difference in any of the immunological parameters between the two groups before or after evacuation. We conclude that Bestatin at this dosage does not improve the immunological functions or clinical outcome in patients with hydatidiform mole.link_to_subscribed_fulltex