Characterization of a cytotoxic CD57+ T cell subset from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

We investigated the proportion, phenotype, and cytotoxicity of CD8+CD57+ and CD57- T cells in peripheral blood from 20 tuberculosis (TB)-patients and 20 healthy tuberculin skin test-positive donors. Our results showed an increase in CD8+CD57+ T cells from TB-patients as compared with those from age-matched healthy donors (p<0.0001). CD8+CD57+ T cells from TB-patients expressed CD69, perforin, granzyme-A, and a CD28-CD62L-CD161- phenotype without recognition for the alpha-galactosylceramide-CD1d complex. This cell subset also expressed TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, under phorbol-myristate-acetate/ionomycin stimulation. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity against autologous monocytes was higher in CD57- cells from TB-patients and donors than their CD57+ counterparts, in the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv culture filtrate. However, only CD8+CD57+ T cells from TB-patients exhibited spontaneous cytotoxicity against monocytes in the absence of antigen. Our results suggest that CD8+CD57+ T cells are a subset of effector cells that could be helpful to evaluate the cell-mediated immune response to M. tuberculosis.

[Effect of naproxen on serum concentrations of IL-I, IL-6, and TNF in patients with osteoarthritis]. / Efecto del naproxeno en las concentraciones séricas de IL-I, IL-6 y TNF en pacientes con osteoartritis.

AIMS: Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit bone loss and preserve bone mineral density in in vitro models by inhibiting prostaglandins and inflammatory cytokines. Naproxen inhibits prostaglandin and cytokine biosynthesis. Our objective was to assess the effect of naproxen on the serum levels of IL-I, IL-6 and TNF in 18 patients with osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two groups of nine patients each were formed randomly. One of them received naproxen 10 mg/kg BW bid for 2 weeks, and the other received placebo and paracetamol as needed. Cytokines were measured before and 2 weeks after naproxen administration by ELISA test. RESULTS: Serum IL-I and IL-6 levels were reduced in the group receiving naproxen, suggesting a reduction of the degenerative changes in the patients with osteoarthritis, that may prevent the progression of the disease.

Chemical characterization of the lectin from Amaranthus leucocarpus syn. hypocondriacus by 2-D proteome analysis.

In this work, we characterized chemically the N-acetyl-D-galactosamine specific lectin from Amaranthus leucocarpus syn hypocondriacus lectin (ALL). It is a dimeric glycoprotein composed by three isoforms with pl at 4.8, 4.9, and 5.2. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the secondary structure of ALL contains 45% of \bibeta-sheet and 5% of \bialpha-helix. Amino acid sequence of the purified lectin and its isoforms was determined from peptides obtained after trypsin digestion by MALDI-TOF (Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight). The tryptic peptides prepared from the purified lectin and the three isoforms showed different degrees (80 to 83%) of identity with the amino acid sequence belonging to a previously described high nutritional value protein from A. hypocondriacus not shown at the time to be a lectin. Furthermore, analysis of tryptic peptides obtained from ALL previously treated with peptide N-glycosidase, revealed a 93% identity with the aforementioned protein. Presence of N-glycosidically linked glycans of the oligomannosidic type and, in minor proportion, of the N-acetyllactosaminic type glycans was determined by affinity chromatography on immobilized Con A.

Identification of lectin isoforms in juvenile freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DeMan, 1879).

From the serum of juvenile freshwater prawns, we isolated by affinity chromatography on glutaraldehyde-fixed rat erythrocytes stroma, immobilized in Sephadex G-25, a sialic acid specific lectin of 9.6 kDa per subunit. Comparative analysis against adult organisms purified lectin, by chromatofocusing, showed that the lectin from juvenile specimens is composed by four main isoforms with a pI of 4.2, 4.6, 5.1, and 5.6, whereas the lectin from adults is eluted at pH 4.2. The amino acid composition of the lectin obtained from adult and juvenile stages suggest identity, but the compositions are not identical since a higher content of carbohydrates was found in the lectin from younger organisms. The freshwater prawn lectin showed specificity toward N-acetylated amino sugar residues such as GlcNAc, GalNAc, Neu5Ac and Neu5,9Ac; but in juvenile organisms the lectin showed three times less hemagglutinating activity than the lectin from adults. Both lectins agglutinated rat, rabbit and chicken erythrocytes, indicating that Neu5,9Ac in specific O-glycosydically linked glycans seems to be relevant for the interaction of M. rosenbergii lectins with their specific cellular receptor. Our results suggest that the physicochemical characteristics of the lectin from the freshwater prawn are regulated through maturation.

[Effect of naproxen sodium on serum concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF in patients with acute, purulent pharyngo-tonsillitis]. / Efecto del naproxeno sódico en las concentraciones séricas de IL-1, IL-6 y TFN en pacientes con faringoamigdalitis aguda purulenta.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines produced by macrophages and neutrophils participate in the host's defense mechanism; in infectious processes. Interleukins such as LI-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) also have a role in these acute phase mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of sodium naproxen on the serum concentration of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF in acute infectious process. MATERIAL A METHODS: Eighteen patients with clinical diagnosis of acute purulent pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis were randomly assigned to one of two groups of 9 patients each. RESULTS: The patients in the first group received sodium naproxen and those in the other group received placebo. Patients of both groups received procaine G penicillin. Patients in the group receiving sodium naproxen showed improvement of the infectious and febrile syndromes within 72 hours. Patients receiving placebo showed signs and symptoms; of the infections and febrile syndromes for more than three days. DISCUSSION: Patients receiving treatment with sodium naproxen had a statistically significant reduction of the serum concentration of IL-1b as compared to basal and 72 h measurements; there were also statistically significant differences with respect to patients receiving placebo. IL-6 and TNF did not change in any of the groups. These results show that serum IL-1b levels dropped in both groups with a more striking reduction in the group receiving sodium naproxen , that also showed a faster improvement of the symptoms.

Relevance of sialoglycoconjugates in murine thymocytes during maturation and selection in the thymus.

Differentiation of most T lymphocytes is characterized not only by the variable expression of CD4/CD8 coreceptor molecules and increased surface density of the T cell antigen receptor, but also by changes in the glycosylation pattern of cell surface glycolipids or glycoproteins. In this work we evaluated the changes in the sialylation pattern in thymus sections from normal and dexamethasone treated mice. We used sialic acid specific lectins, such as Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA, NeuAcalpha2,6-Gal specific) and Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA, NeuAcalpha2,3-Gal specific). Our results indicate that the sialylation pattern was modified during the maturation process of thymic cells. The immature CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ cortical thymocytes were recognized by SNA, whereas the mature single positive (CD4+ or CD8+) medullary cells, preferentially bound MAA lectin. However, in the corticomedullary region we found not only SNA+ cells, but also MAA+ cells. In the thymus of dexamethasone treated mice, the clusters of thymocytes undergoing apoptosis in the cortex were characteristically stained by SNA. These results suggest that in the initial stages of the differentiation pathway, a great number of thymocytes express an alpha2,6 linked sialic acid on their surface and as they progress to more mature stages there is a change in the sialylation pattern to alpha2,3 linked sialic acids probably due to a regulated expression of different sialyltransferases, which could be modulated by the thymic microenvironment.

[Effect of levamisole on microbicidal activity and chemotaxis in polymorphonuclear cells]. / Efecto del levamisol en la actividad microbicida y quimiotaxis en células polimorfonucleares.

AIMS: Neonatal septicemia may have a mortality of 20% in newborns small for their-gestational age. This susceptibility for infections has been explained by immunological disorders. The aim of this study to know the effect of levamisole on the functions of chemotaxis and bacterial activity of PMN cells in newborns small for their-gestational age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty full-term newborns were studied. Ten of them were small for their-gestational age, and the other 10 had body weight within the normal range. Microbicidal activity and chemotaxis were measured, and comparisons between groups were made with non-parametric statistical tests. RESULTS: In the group of newborns small for their-gestational age. Microbicidal activity was similar to control group, but chemotactic activity was reduced (p < 0.05).

Amaranthus leucocarpus lectin recognizes human naive T cell subpopulations.

Amaranthus leucocarpus lectin (ALL) is specific for GalNAc residue found in the inner core of Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha 1,O-Ser/Thr disaccharide (T-antigen) or GalNAc alpha 1,O-Ser/Thr (Tn-antigen). Flow cytometric analysis using fluorescein-labeled lectin and monoclonal antibodies against human cell surface markers indicated that 5.7% of mononuclear cells from human healthy donors are recognized by ALL. These cells have the phenotype CD2+CD4+CD19- and most of the lymphocytes recognized are also CD27+, CD45RA+ and CD43+. ALL possesses mitogenic activity on lymphocytes after neuraminidase treatment. Our results indicate that the receptors recognized by ALL could be considered surface markers for naive human T lymphocyte subsets.

[Aeroallergens, skin tests and allergic diseases in 1091 patients]. / Aeroalergenos, pruebas cutáneas y enfermedad alérgica en 1091 pacientes.

To know the frequency of positively of several skin tests, data cards from patients, of the Allergy and Clinic Immunology Service of the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI (Mexico City), between January, 1989 and March, 1995, were reviewed. Aqueous extracts manufactures by our laboratory were applied, in a dilution of 1:1000 weight-volume. 1091 from 5,651 skin tests patients were positive. Asthma and rhinitis were diagnosed in 492, allergic rhinitis in 289, allergic asthma in 111, and other diagnosis in 199 cases. The most frequent inhalable aeroallergens were house dust and perennial Dermatophagoides p and f1 with predominance in the rainy season, followed by pollens from Fraxinus a. Quercus a and Capriola, with predominance in the rainy season. The most frequent fungi were Candida and Fusarium, with predominance in the dry season.

In vitro effect of complete Staphylococcus aureus extract on chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear cells in children with bronchial asthma and chronic relapsing upper airways infections.

UNLABELLED: Chemokinesis and chemotaxis were measured in polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) from 51 children aged 1 to 8 years old, of either sex. Case group--41 non-allergic asthmatic children with chronic relapsing upper airways infections, diagnostic criteria were history of wheezing associated to an upper airways infection episode and negative skin tests. CONTROL GROUP: 10 healthy children. A sample of 10 ml of peripheral venous blood was drawn. PMN were incubated with Hank's solution to measure chemokinesis and with C5a and Staphylococcus aureus extract to measure chemotaxis. Chemokinesis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 46.0 +/- 7.1 vs 23.8 +/- 6.1 microns (p < 0.01). C5a-stimulated chemotaxis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 91.0 +/- 21.3 vs 92.3 +/- 21.0 microns (ns), and Staphylococcus aureus extract-stimulated chemotaxis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 97.0 +/- 22.4 vs 92.0 +/- 23.0 microns (ns). These results suggest that PMN from children with non-atopic asthma have reduced chemokinesis. After a chemotactic stimulus with C5a and bacterial extract, leukocyte motility is corrected and reach similar values to that present in healthy children.

[Effect on FEV1 induced by the administration of salbutamol with aerochamber and metered dose inhaler]. / Efecto en el VEF1 al administrar salbutamol con la cámara de retención, espaciador e inhalador de dosis medida.

There are several devices known as spacers and aerochambers designed to help in the administration of drugs in spray into pulmonary airways in asthmatic patients. This study was done to determine the effect on FEV1 of salbutamol given through an aerochamber compared with metered dose inhaler and spacer. Thirteen asthmatic patients who met all selection criteria proposed, were included. Spirometry was operformed before and after salbutamol application by means of one of the aforementioned devices, assigned at random. The effect on FEV1 with metered dose inhaler was 22.76%, with spacer it was of 23.35% and with aerochamber it was of 23.94%. Statistical analysis did not show significant differences among groups. These data suggest that each of the three devices tested have the same effectiveness for administration of salbutamol in spray. This is, however, a preliminary study.

[Meta-analysis: an alternative method in clinical research]. / Meta-análisis: un método alternativo de investigación clínica.

Meta-analysis is a research method which allows for the grouping of results from different studies relating to the same topic. Its main objective is to increase the precision surrounding the original research problem and provide a possibility to answer to different questions. This method has been developed in the areas of physics and the social sciences and has been widely accepted within the medical field. Its main use in medicine is in relation to the evaluation of therapeutic measures, yet its application has extended to the evaluation of diagnostic tests, etiological and prognostic factors. In spite of its development, there are still persisting problems in research difficult to solve because of the heterogeneity of the grouped studies, the identification of the size of the relevant effect and of the application of the results in clinical practice. The growing use of this research method within the medical field calls for its comprehension, as well as the recognition of its advantages and limitations in order for its users to be capable of judging the validity of individual meta-analysis.

Factor timico serico en dermatomiositis activa. / Serum thymic factor in active dermatomyositis

Se informa la actividad del factor timico serico (FTS) en cuatro pacientes con dermatomiositis inactiva. En todos ellos los valores de actividad se encontraron por abajo de los del grupo testigo. Estos resultados pueden explicar la depresion de la inmunidad celular previamente informada en estos pacientes. De manera similar, sugieren un mecanismo de disfucion timica que participa en la patogenia de esta enfermedad

Reactividad linfoblastica y actividad quimiotactica y fagocitica en pacientes de fiebre tifoidea. / Lymphoblastic reactivity and chemotactic and phagocytic activity in patients with typhoid fever

Se estudiaron 15 pacientes con fiebre tifoidea durante las fases aguda y de recuperacion de la enfermedad, para analizar algunos aspectos inmunologicos durante el desarrollo de esta enfermedad en el hombre. Los pacientes con fiebre tifoidea cursaron con depresion de la reactividad linfoblastica con antigeno de S. typhi y PHA (p < 0.005) y activacion de las celulas PMN en las funciones de quimiotaxis y fagocitosis durante las fases aguda y de recuperacion

Cromoglicato disodico para la conjuntivitis primaveral. / Disodium cromoglycate for vernal conjunctivitis

Se hizo un estudio doble ciego en veinticuatro pacientes con diagnostico de conjuntivitis primaveral. Se separaron en forma oleatoria en dos grupos. A los de un grupo se administro solucion oftalmica de cromoglicato disodico al cuatro por ciento en los dos ojos durante catorce dias, y a los del otro se les administro placebo durante el mismo tiempo. Todos los pacientes presentaban actividad del proceso inflamatorio conjuntival al iniciarse el estudio.En los casos del grupo tratado con cromoglicato hubo una clara mejoria clinica en comparacion con los del grupo testigo, asi como disminucion de la IgE serica y desaparicion de los eosinofilos conjuntivales.Se concluye que para el tratamiento de la conjuntivitis primaveral el cromoglicato disodico debe emplearse en aplicacion local para prevenir las recaidas. Lo anterior hace posible evitar el uso frecuente y prolongado de corticoesteroides, agentes tradicionales de tratamiento de este padecimiento, con todos sus inconvenientes

[Comparative effect of terbutaline and adrenaline in the treatment of bronchial asthma]. / Efecto comparativo entre el sulfato de terbutalina y la adrenalina en el tratamiento del asma bronquial infantil.

The bronchodilating effect of terbutaline and of adrenaline were compared in 15 patients with ages from 6 to 17 years, having a clinical and functional diagnosis of bronchial asthma, but without signs of infection. The results showed an evident bronchodilating effect, similar in both drugs, with minimal cardiovascular effects following administration of terbutaline (p < 0.005).

[T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood during acute infections]. / Estudio de linfocitos T y B en sangre periférica durante infecciones agudas.

A longitudinal study was carried out in 40 patients with typhoid fever, 21 with infectious hepatitis and 15 with amebic liver abscess in order to determine percentual values of lymphocytes T and B in relation with age and nutritional state as compared to a normal control group. In patients with typhoid fever, a decrease of percentual values of lymphocytes T was observed starting on the second week of evolution with intensification on the third week, predominating in patients less than seven years of age and in malnourished cases (p less than 0.001) and late recovery in the group of patients less than seven years old. In patients with acute infectious hepatitis, there was depression of lymphocytes T that persisted to the eighth week and was independent of age, but more severe in the malnourished (p less than 0.001). In cases with amebic liver abscess, depression of lymphocytes T was observed during the first six weeks of evolution without relation with age or the state of nutrition, but with increased slowliness in recovery in patients under seven years. There were no disturbances in lymphocytes B nor in cutaneous response to dinitrofluorobencene (DNFB) in the three groups of patients.