An overview of the synergy and crosstalk between pentraxins and collectins/ficolins: their functional relevance in complement activation

The complement system is an innate immune defense machinery comprising components that deploy rapid immune responses and provide efficient protection against foreign invaders and unwanted host elements. The complement system is activated upon recognition of pathogenic microorganisms or altered self-cells by exclusive pattern recognition molecules (PRMs), such as collectins, ficolins and pentraxins. Recent accumulating evidence shows that the different classes of effector PRMs build up a co-operative network and exert synergistic effects on complement activation. In this review, we describe our updated view of the crosstalk between previously unlinked PRMs in complement activation and the potential pathogenic effects during infection and inflammation.

Evaluation of a New Diagnostic Test for Invasive Fungal Infections Using Prophenoloxydase System to Measure (1->3)-beta-D-glucan Concentration / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of invasive fungal infection is supposed to be better when diagnosed earlier. (1->3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG) test is considered useful in early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections among high-risk patients. A new diagnostic test using prophenoloxydase system to measure BDG level is developed. A study was performed to evaluate clinical usefulness of this new diagnostic test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients of confirmed invasive fungal infections and 38 healthy normal volunteers were enrolled. Plasma or serum BDG concentrations were measured using prophenoloxydase system. Assays for intra-run variability and inter-run variability were performed. A cut-off value was determined and sensitivity and specificity of the test were evaluated. RESULTS: A cut-off value of 94.90 pg/mL was determined. Sensitivity and specificity of the test were 86.7% and 52.6%, respectively. Statistical analyses of inter-run variability and intra-run variability revealed the test is reliable (P< or =0.001). CONCLUSION: BDG test using prophenoloxydase system is a sensitive and reliable test in non-invasive detection of invasive fungal infection.

Evaluation of a New Diagnostic Test for Invasive Fungal Infections Using Prophenoloxydase System to Measure (1->3)-beta-D-glucan Concentration / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of invasive fungal infection is supposed to be better when diagnosed earlier. (1->3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG) test is considered useful in early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections among high-risk patients. A new diagnostic test using prophenoloxydase system to measure BDG level is developed. A study was performed to evaluate clinical usefulness of this new diagnostic test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients of confirmed invasive fungal infections and 38 healthy normal volunteers were enrolled. Plasma or serum BDG concentrations were measured using prophenoloxydase system. Assays for intra-run variability and inter-run variability were performed. A cut-off value was determined and sensitivity and specificity of the test were evaluated. RESULTS: A cut-off value of 94.90 pg/mL was determined. Sensitivity and specificity of the test were 86.7% and 52.6%, respectively. Statistical analyses of inter-run variability and intra-run variability revealed the test is reliable (P< or =0.001). CONCLUSION: BDG test using prophenoloxydase system is a sensitive and reliable test in non-invasive detection of invasive fungal infection.

The Relationship between Change of Cardiac Function and Systemic Oxygen Consumption according to the Dose of Dopamine in the Rabbit

PURPOSE: We'd like to know the relationship between the changes of cardiac function and systemic O2 consumption according to the increasing dose of dopamine. METHODS: Ten rabbits(from 2kg to 2.8kg) were used in this experiment. Anesthesia was induced with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium(35mg/kg) and tracheostomy was done. It was maintained by ventilation with a mixture of 1-3% halothane and 67-69% oxygen. Polyvinyl catheters were inserted into the femoral artery and vein and to check blood pressure and arterial blood gas analysis during the surgical procedure. Two other catheters were inserted into the internal carotid artery and external jugular vein and advanced into left ventricle and right atrium to check the pressure of each chamber, LV maximal dP/dt and to obtain blood samples of each chamber. Thoracotomy was done to expose aorta and coronary artery to check the cardiac output and coronary blood flow. We injected dopamine every 10 minutes according to the scheduled dose through external jugular vein and recorded heart rate, cardiac output, aortic pressure, maximal dP/dt, coronary blood flow by computer. Systemic O2 consumption was calculated by Fick method RESULTS: The heart rate and mean aortic pressure increased slowly according to the dose of dopamine from 20 microgram/kg/min. The cardiac otuput the maximal dP/dt and coronary blood flow was not changed until 5 microgram/kg/min, but from 7.5microgram/kg/min, it increased according to the dose of dopamine. CONCLUSION: Dopamine was a powerful inotrophic agent without increasing the systemic O2 consumption until 20microgram/kg/min, but systemic O2 consumption increased markedly at more than 20 microgram/kg/min of dopamine.