The brain lesion influences the numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes in the rat.

The mutual relationship between the central nervous and immune system are intensively studied. The lesion of distinct structures of the rat brain such as septum influence the model immune response such as lymphocyte proliferation and delayed skin hypersensitivity. Employing the model of the damage of septum in the rat brain by electrolesion we demonstrated the decrease of the number of peripheral blood leukocytes, mainly cells exhibiting CD25 and CD45RA antigens in the rat. The striatum destruction has much lower influence on the studied parameters, which suggests a specific effect of the septum on these hematological parameters.

Expression of the LFA-1 beta molecule on peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with early-onset periodontitis: effects of dental plaque microbes.

The effect of dental plaque bacteria on LFA-1 beta expression on peripheral blood leukocytes was studied in 20 patients with early-onset periodontitis and in 10 healthy controls. Stimulation of PMN with selected dental plaque bacteria which play a role in the pathogeny of periodontitis significantly increased the expression of LFA-1 beta in the group of patients as compared with the controls.

A morphometric analysis of bipolar and multipolar TH-IR neurons treated with the neurotoxin MPP+ in co-cultures from mesencephalon and striatum of embryonic C57BL/6 mice.

Mesencephalic cultures contain two morphologically different tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (IR) neurons, fusiform bipolar, and pyramidal multipolar, which project to different anatomical structures (ventral striatum and neostriatum). The possibility of functional difference of these cells in Parkinson's disease led us study the effect of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) on them. Survival and morphology of the two groups was studied in dissociated co-cultures from mesencephalon and striatum of embryonic C57BL/6 mice. Cells were grown at first in serum containing medium and then in serum free medium supplemented with hormones. Cultures were exposed to different concentrations of MPP+ on day 9 and 13 for 24 hr. They were fixed and stained with an anti-TH antibody. 0.1-1.0 microM MPP+ caused a dramatic reduction of the total area of TH-IR neurons. At 0.1 microM MPP+ some area was reduced, at 0.5 microM it appeared similar to controls, and decreased further at 1.0 microM. The relation of soma to total area showed that the decrease of the neuronal size was mainly due to the degeneration of the neuronal processes. The length of neuronal tree as well as the number of terminal segments were reduced dose dependently when cells were treated with the toxin. Similar results were obtained for bipolar and multipolar neurons. A significant difference in the decrease in total area was observed between the two age groups when cells were treated with MPP+, as older cells appeared to be more sensitive. When other parameters were checked no apparent difference was present.

[The fluorescence flow cytometry technique in the diagnosis of hereditary platelet disorders--a case of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia]. / Technika prutokové fluorescencní cytometrie v diagnostice dedicných destickových onemocnení--prípad Glanzmannovy trombastenie.

The authors describe a method for the diagnosis of heredital platelet membranopathies by means of monoclonal antibodies against the main membrane glycoproteins of thrombocytes, glycoprotein Ib and IIIa. The platelets are differentiated in the flow fluorocytometer from other blood cells by the typical optic profile caused by their size and granular character. Monoclonal antibodies are bound to the appropriate membrane glycoprotein and their amount is then detected by means of a secondary antibody labelled with fluorescein. The intensity of fluorescence of individual platelets is proportional to the number of molecules of the appropriate glycoprotein on their surface. By the above technique a case of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia was diagnosed, a rare hereditary haemorrhagic disease, characterized by the absence or abnormal function of glycoprotein complex IIb/IIIa the platelet receptor for fibrinogen.

[Lymphocyte subpopulations determined by flow cytometry in chronic type B lymphatic leukemia]. / Zastoupení lymfocytárních subpopulací u chronické lymfatické leukémie typu B pri vysetrení prutokovou cytometrií.

BACKGROUND: For examination of surface characteristics of lymphocytes automatic analyzers of flow cytometry are used which make it possible to assess labelling with 2-3 monoclonal antibodies on one examined cell and provide thus more accurate data on the immunophenotype of proliferating cells. The objective of the present work was-using the method of flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies-to detect surface signs on lymphocytes in the peripheral blood stream of patients with lymphatic leukaemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 29 patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia type B (B-CLL) CD signs were examined, using flow cytometry and the findings were compared with those obtained in a control group of 63 healthy subjects. Evidence of CD 19+ CD5+ lymphocytes (B1 cells) in B-CLL (83.4 +/- 15% vs. 3.5 +/- 1.9% in controls) was of diagnostic importance. These CD5+ B cells are polyreactive, "memory B" lymphocytes which contrary to "conventional" lymphocytes B2 (CD5-B) do not differentiate further to plasma cells. Accumulation of B1 (CD5+ B) lymphocytes was, on the other hand, associated in patients with B-CLL with a decrease of B2 (CD5-B) lymphocytes (2.8 +/- 4.0% vs 9.0 +/- 4.2%) (p < 0.01). This finding can in case of excess of B1 (CD5+ B) lymphocytes explain the tendency of patients with B-CLL to develop autoimmune complications (e.g. AIHA); and conversely a decrease of B2 (CD5-B) lymphocytes can lead to hypogammaglobulinaemia which is also associated with B-CLL. A tendency towards autoimmunity may be also promoted by a decline of so-called inductors of suppressor cells (CD 4+ CD45RA); in patients with B-CLL among CD4 T lymphocytes 32.5 +/- 15% CD 45RA+ cells were found, as compared to 43.0 +/- 14.8% in controls (p < 0.011) and a lower ratio of true suppressor T cells (CD8+ CD11b+) in patients with B-CLL: 47.0 +/- 17.6% CD11b+ from CD8+ cells, as compared with controls 80.4 +/- 13.3 CD11b from CD 8+ cells (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The method of flow cytometry with double fluorescence thus contributes to the accurate diagnosis of B-CLL, to monitoring of the therapeutic effect but also to knowledge of the immunopathology of the disease.

Iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium in postmortem brain tissue from schizophrenic patients.

The regional distribution of iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium in postmortem brain of schizophrenic patients was compared with that of matched controls. In none of the brain regions investigated (caudate nucleus, hippocampus, amygdala, cortex, corpus mamillare, gyrus cinguli, and hypothalamus) were significant differences observed between these two groups. In the total group, region-specific differences were found for iron, copper, zinc, and calcium, but not for magnesium. Gender differences were observed only for zinc. There was no correlation between a neuroleptic-free period before death and the content of any of the metals investigated, except for a positive correlation between copper in the hippocampus and a neuroleptic-free period. The results of the present study suggest that there are no profound differences in the content of iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium in postmortem brains between controls and schizophrenic patients.

[Ratios of surface markers (CD) on peripheral blood lymphocytes in the working-age Czech population]. / Zastoupení povrchových znaku (CD) na lymfocytech periferní krve zdravých osob produktivního veku v Ceské populaci.

The authors present an account of lymphocytic CD signs in adult men (mean age 34 years) and women (mean age 29 years) of the Czech population. Mean values and standard deviations (s.d.) are given for men/women: CD2: 79.6% (6.6)/86.4% (5.3), CD 3: 71.5% (7.4)/81.1% (7.4), CD4: 42.4% (6.3)/48.4% (8.5), %CD45RA+ v CD4+: 41.7% (14.1)/47.3% (13.9), CD5: 69.5% (7.0)/76.00% (6.5), CD8: 33.9% (9.3)/29.8% (6.8). CD10: 1.9% (1.3)/2.5% (1.6), CD11c: 8.3% (4.7)/10.9% (4.4), CD16: 8.3% (3.8)/4.4% (2.3), CD19: 11.5% (4.0)/8.8% (3.2), CD20: 14.7% (4.7)/11.3%, CD22: 10.6% (9.2)/8.9% (3.5), CD45RA: 56.7% (7.6)/61.7% (7.8), CD56: 15.1% (5.7)/16.0% (6.5), CD57: 13.7% (7.9)/8.5% (6.3), CD71: 1.9% (1.3)/3.5% (1.7) a HLA DR: 22.1% (6.4)/19.6% (7.1), DP: 16.3% (7.1)/13.5% (4.9), DQ: 10.9% (5.8)/7.2% (3.2), BJK: 2.6% (2.2)/2.1% (1.1), BJL: 1.8% (1.2)/2.1% (1.3), ratio CD4/CD8 1.35 (0.49)/1.75 (0.69). The examination were made on an apparatus FACScan (Becton Dickinson).

Peripheral membrane molecules of leukocytes and NK cytotoxicity.

Some leukocyte effector cell-surface molecules movement toward the adjoining target cells takes place during the reaction of NK cytotoxicity (NK R). The majority of the moving molecules are usually anchored via a divalent-ion-dependent interaction (PMM-M2+). The released PMM-M2+ can interact also with the secreted tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-alpha). In agreement with PMM-M2+ movement, the number of TNF-alpha binding sites on the target cell surface increases during NK R. In addition, antibodies against PMM-M2+, as well as D-mannose- or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-terminated oligosaccharides of PMM-M2+ inhibit NK R. A more detailed analysis of PMM-M2+ with monoclonal antibodies used flow cytometry and cell-surface biotinylation. Only 3 of 31 tested CD antigens (CD2, LAK-1 and CD45) were passed through this first strongly restricted experimental screening. The EDTA-released LAK-1 antigen, but not CD2 and CD45, interact with TNF-alpha and cell surface via a mannose-inhibitable interaction dependent on the presence of Ca2+ ions. The mechanism of possible participation of PMM-M2+ in cytotoxic events is discussed in relation to Ca2+ influx and subsequent cytolysin secretion.

[Iodine deficiency in childhood despite prevention. Current data from the Vienna area]. / Jodmangel im Kindesalter trotz Prophylaxe. Aktuelle Daten aus dem Wiener Raum.

Since 1963 iodized table salt prophylaxis (10 mg KI/kg table salt) in Austria has led to a decrease in endemic goitre in children. Nevertheless, goitre frequency is rising again after the first two decades of life and iodine deficiency is found in 50% of the patients. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the iodine supply in childhood in the Vienna area the urinary iodine excretion was determined in 124 healthy non-goiterous children from 4 weeks to 16 years of age. Our investigation demonstrates a decrease in urinary iodine excretion in the older children (iodine excretion 400 micrograms/per g creatinine in the first year of life versus 96 micrograms I/per g creatinine after the age of 10, p less than 0.001). At the same time the number of children showing grade I iodine deficiency (according to WHO criteria) increases with age, so that more than 50% of children older than 10 years in the Vienna area have an insufficient iodine supply (p less than 0.0001). Thus, the iodine supply should be improved by increasing the level of iodization of table salt to 20 mg KI/kg and by the more frequent intake of food naturally containing a higher iodine concentration.

Biochemical aspects of dysphoria: case study for hypothesis generation.

Comparing the pattern of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid and homovanillic acid in five brain areas of one dysphoric patient to those of 3 depressed patients it seems that dysphoria biochemically is a state between depression and mania. Dynamically, dysphoria may possibly be seen as a behavioral correlate of a switch process between high and low turnover of neurotransmitters (rather high frequency in comparison to bipolar disorder with very low frequency). However, the biochemical data are obviously in agreement with psychiatric findings, i.e. that dysphoria in any case is an extremely labile state.

Neurochemical aspects of the Rett syndrome.

Preliminary biochemical analyses on plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and post mortem brain areas in the rare Rett syndrome indicate no gross disturbance of neurotransmitter function in the periphery. The amino acid pattern, the plasma catecholamines, dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline, serotonin in plasma and platelets, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) B-activity in platelets were not different from controls. Urinary metabolites of biogenic amines tended to be increased in the Rett syndrome. Amino acid and noradrenaline concentrations were not changed in lumbar CSF. In a single case of the Rett syndrome, lower values for most amino acids were notable in post-mortem human brain areas and this finding was accompanied by a severe reduction of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, while the metabolite, DOPAC, most times is increased, and HVA and 5-HIAA are decreased. MAO activities, determined in four brain areas, showed no major abnormalities. 3H-spiroperidol binding was significantly below normal in the putamen and 3H tryptamine binding sites in the occipital cortex showed increased binding numbers with no changes in Hill-coefficients. In conclusion, our preliminary data indicate no severe changes in the peripheral neurotransmitter synthesis and turnover, while first post-mortem data indicate severe reduction of biogenic amine synthesis with enhanced turnover and reduced dopaminergic D-2 receptor activity in the advanced stage of a single case of the Rett syndrome.

Excretion of biogenic amine metabolites in anorexia nervosa.

Urinary metabolites of catecholamines and indoleamines have been investigated in 16 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 13 controls using a HPLC-method. Vanillic mandelic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and indoleacetic acid were significantly decreased in the pre-treatment phase. In four patients long-term treatment including parenteral and enteral nutrition together with psychological methods resulted in an increase in the levels of these substances and this correlated with increased weight gain and urinary creatinine. It is concluded that both central and peripheral disturbances are involved in AN, particularly with regard to biogenic amine metabolism.

Scanning electron microscopic study of hyperacute rejection in the inbred rat.

Twenty skin-presensitised Lewis rats received kidney transplants from (Lewis X BN)f1 rats. Two grafts each were withdrawn at intervals from 1--120 min and examined using a scanning electron microscopic (SEM). A series of Lewis to Lewis isografts served as control. In hyperacute rejection at just 1 min spider-like fibrin fibres and platelets could be observed in small arteries, where the endothelium was severely altered. In these regions at 2 and particularly 5 min a fibrin network often contained platelet aggregates, mechanically altered erythrocytes as well as different kinds of leucocytes. This coagulation process progressed with time and resulted in a complete vascular occlusion at 30--60 min.