T-cell subpopulations αβ and γδ in cord blood of very preterm infants : The influence of intrauterine infection

Open Access: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are creditedPreterm infants are very susceptible to infections. Immune response mechanisms in this group of patients and factors that influence cord blood mononuclear cell populations remain poorly understood and are considered insufficient. However, competent immune functions of the cord blood mononuclear cells are also described. The aim of this work was to evaluate the T-cell population (CD3+) with its subpopulations bearing T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ or TCR γδ in the cord blood of preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation by mothers with or without an intrauterine infection. Being a pilot study, it also aimed at feasibility check and assessment of an expected effect size. The cord blood samples of 46 infants age were subjected to direct immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies and then analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentage of CD3+ cells in neonates born by mothers with diagnosis of intrauterine infection was significantly lower than in neonates born by mothers without infection (p = 0.005; Mann-Whitney U test). The number of cells did not differ between groups. Infection present in the mother did not have an influence on the TCR αβ or TCR γδ subpopulations. Our study contributes to a better understanding of preterm infants' immune mechanisms, and sets the stage for further investigations.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Both Stereoselective (R)- and (S)-1-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Enantiomers Protect Striatal Terminals Against Rotenone-Induced Suppression of Dopamine Release

1-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ) is present in the human and rodent brain as a mixture of stereospecific (R)- and (S)-1MeTIQ enantiomers. The racemate, (R,S)-1MeTIQ, exhibits neuroprotective activity as shown in the earlier study by the authors, and In addition, it was suggested to play a crucial physiological role in the mammalian brain as an endogenous regulator of dopaminergic activity. In this article, we investigated the influence of stereospecific enantiomers of 1MeTIQ, (R)- and (S)-1MeTIQ (50 mg/kg i.p.) on rotenone-induced (3 mg/kg s.c.) behavioral and neurochemical changes in the rat. In behavioral study, in order to record dynamic motor function of rats, we measured locomotor activity using automated locomotor activity boxes. In biochemical studies, we analyzed in rat striatum the concentration of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites: intraneuronal DOPAC, extraneuronal 3-MT, and final HVA using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Otherwise, DA release was estimated by in vivo microdialysis study. The behavioral study has demonstrated that both acute and repeated (3 times) rotenone administration unimportantly depressed a basic locomotor activity in rat. (R)- and (S)-1MeTIQ stereoisomers (50 mg/kg i.p.) produced a modest behavioral activation both in naïve and rotenone-treated rats. The data from ex vivo neurochemical experiments have shown stereospecificity of 1MeTIQ enantiomers in respect of their effects on DA catabolism. (R)-1MeTIQ significantly increased both the level of the final DA metabolite, HVA (by about 70%), and the rate of DA metabolism (by 50%). In contrast to that, (S)-1MeTIQ significantly depressed DOPAC, HVA levels (by 60 and 40%, respectively), and attenuated the rate of DA metabolism (by about 60%). On the other hand, both the enantiomers increased the concentrations of DA and its extraneuronal metabolite, 3-MT in rat striatum. In vivo microdialysis study has shown that repeated but not acute administration of rotenone produced a deep and significant functional impairment of striatal DA release. Both (R)- and (S)- stereospecific enantiomers of 1MeTIQ antagonized rotenone-induced suppression of DA release; however, the effect of (R)-1MeTIQ was more strongly expressed in microdialysis study. In conclusion, we suggest that both chiral isomers of 1MeTIQ offer neuroprotection against rotenone-induced disturbances in the function of dopaminergic neurons and (R,S)-1MeTIQ will be useful as a drug with marked neuroprotective activity in the brain

Identification, frequency, activation and function of CD4+ CD25highFoxP3+ regulatory T cells in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

The aim of the study was to test the frequency of CD4+ CD25highFoxP3 regulatory T cells in JIA patients and to assess their activation status and functional activity. The study involved 12 children with JIA and 35 healthy control subjects. PBMC were stained with monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD25, anti-CD4, anti-CD127, anti-CD69, anti-CD71, and anti-FoxP3). The samples were evaluated using flow cytometer. CD4+ CD25− and CD4+ CD25+ cells were isolated by negative and positive selection with magnetic microbeads. CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ CD25− cells were cultured separately and co-cultured (1:1) with or without PHA. The percentage of Tregs in JIA patients was significantly decreased in comparison with controls (median, 3.2 vs. 4.6; P = 0.042). Relative fluorescence intensities of FoxP3 were higher in JIA patients than in controls (median, 9.1 vs. 6.8). The percentage of activated Tregs (CD71+) was significantly higher in JIA patients in comparison with controls (median, 6.5 vs. 2.8; P = 0.00043). CD4+ CD25+ cells derived from JIA patients and controls were anergic upon PHA stimulation, while CD4+ CD25− cells showed intensive proliferative response. The proliferation rate of CD4+ CD25− cells stimulated by PHA was decreased in co-cultures. In JIA patients, the inhibition of proliferation of CD4+ CD25− cells by CD4+ CD25+ cells was 37.9%, whereas in controls it was significantly lower (55.7%, P = 0.046). JIA patients had statistically lower percentage of Tregs in peripheral blood compared to controls. CD4+ CD25+ cells sorted from peripheral blood of JIA patients had statistically lower ability to suppress CD4+ CD25− cell proliferation in comparison with cells obtained from controls

Potentiation of the anti-tumour effects of Photofrin®-based photodynamic therapy by localized treatment with G-CSF

Photofrin®-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently been approved for palliative and curative purposes in cancer patients. It has been demonstrated that neutrophils are indispensable for its anti-tumour effectiveness. We decided to evaluate the extent of the anti-tumour effectiveness of PDT combined with administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as well as the influence of Photofrin®and G-CSF on the myelopoiesis and functional activity of neutrophils in mice. An intensive treatment with G-CSF significantly potentiated anti-tumour effectiveness of Photofrin®-based PDT resulting in a reduction of tumour growth and prolongation of the survival time of mice bearing two different tumours: colon-26 and Lewis lung carcinoma. Moreover, 33% of C-26-bearing mice were completely cured of their tumours after combined therapy and developed a specific and long-lasting immunity. The tumours treated with both agents contained more infiltrating neutrophils and apoptotic cells then tumours treated with either G-CSF or PDT only. Importantly, simultaneous administration of Photofrin®and G-CSF stimulated bone marrow and spleen myelopoiesis that resulted in an increased number of neutrophils demonstrating functional characteristics of activation. Potentiated anti-tumour effects of Photofrin®-based PDT combined with G-CSF observed in two murine tumour models suggest that clinical trials using this tumour therapy protocol would be worth pursuing. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Relationships between selected crown parameters and the macrostructure properties and density of Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii var. viridis Franco] wood

The paper presents an analysis of interactions between the selected tree crown parameters and the macrostructure properties and density of wood of Douglas fir growing in the territory of Poland. The correlation coefficients between crown parameters and wood properties were calculated and difference significance tests were performed for the selected properties

Analiza obrazu w badaniach drewna - wybrane przykłady

This paper is a review article which presents examples of application of the image analysis in wood testing. The objective of the paper was to present selected research methods with the use of image analysis used in the research on anatomy and macro-structure of wood carried out in the Department of Forest and Wood Utilization of the Institute of Forest Utilization and Forest Technology of the University of Agriculture in Krakow. In the part concerning research on wood anatomy the following areas of application of the image analysis were indicated: identification of wood species and variability of the selected parameters of the anatomic structure with special attention to coniferous trees. In the part concerning the research on macro-structure of wood, methodology of collection and preparation of wood samples and measurement of the most important properties of the macrostructure was described with the use of the image analysis program. Moreover, the selected areas of practical application of the results of such analysis were indicated.Niniejsza praca jest artykułem przeglądowym, prezentującym przykłady zastosowania analizy obrazu w badaniach drewna. Celem pracy było przedstawienie wybranych metod badawczych z zastosowaniem analizy obrazu, wykorzystywanych w badaniach anatomii i makrostruktury drewna, prowadzonych w Zakładzie Użytkowania Lasu i Drewna, Instytutu Użytkowania Lasu i Techniki Leśnej Uniwersytetu Rolniczego im. Hugona Kołłątaja w Krakowie. W części dotyczącej badań anatomii drewna wskazano na takie obszary zastosowania analizy obrazu jak: identyfikacja gatunku drewna oraz zmienność wybranych parametrów jego budowy anatomicznej, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem gatunków iglastych. W części dotyczącej badań cech makrostruktury drewna opisano metodykę pobrania i przygotowania próbek drewna oraz pomiaru najważniejszych cech makrostruktury przy pomocy programu do analizy obrazu. Wskazano także wybrane obszary praktycznego zastosowania wyników takiej analizy

Variability of selected macrostructural features and the wood density of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) from south-eastern Poland

The aim of the paper was to determine the variability of selected macrostructural features and wood density for northern red oak growing in south−eastern Poland. On 4 study plots, we sampled each tree, taking an increment core from the northern side of the trunk, from the height of 1.3 m. The number of tree rings, width and the share of sapwood was measured. The cores were scanned and then tree ring and latewood widths were measured. The latewood proportion in each ring was calculated. Next, starting from the bark, the cores were divided into sections containing 10 annual rings. The relative wood density was determined for each section, then the density was calculated for entire stem cross−section. The mean sapwood width was 1.5 cm. It included 7 annual rings on average, and its share in the trunk cross−sectional area reached 17%. Younger red oaks (II and III age classes) had a significantly higher share of sapwood compared to older trees (IV and V age classes). The investigated red oaks formed narrow−ring wood with an average width of 2.16 mm. The trees growing on deciduous forest habitat had a more equal tree ring width compared to trees from coniferous forest habitats, where this feature showed also higher variability. The latewood proportion in the studied red oaks was 60% on average. The mean relative wood density was 0.578 g/cm3 and it was slightly higher than the value given for red oaks growing in North America. The calculated absolute density (with an assumed volumetric shrinkage from 12.9 to 13.7%) varied from 0.664 to 0.670 g/cm3. It classifies the investigated wood as moderately heavy. Similar density values are given for native oaks, which allows to assume that the technical quality of the wood of red oaks growing in Poland is similar to native oak species. The wood of trees from deciduous forest habitat showed a significantly higher density and a more equal distribution compared to the trees from coniferous forest sites. The raw material of red oaks obtained from deciduous forest habitats should characterize by a better technical quality of wood in comparison with that obtained from coniferous forest sites