Reactivity patterns of antiphospholipid antibodies and endothelial cells: effect of antiendothelial antibodies on cell migration.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by the presence of a heterogeneous class of antibodies directed against phospholipids and associated with high occurrence of thrombotic complications. Antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECAs) have been identified in various autoimmune disorders including APS, but their reactivity patterns remain unclear. We used eluted endothelial membrane-bound antibodies (EC eluates) to investigate possible cross-reactivity of AECAs and their pathogenic effects on endothelial cell integrity. The heterogeneous and nonspecific nature of AECAs was confirmed by our finding that they cross-react with fibroblasts and platelets and bind to cardiolipin. In addition, platelet-bound antibodies from sera of patients with APS reacted with endothelial cells. A dose-dependent binding of human monoclonal anticardiolipin antibody was demonstrated, but this antibody did not compete with AECAs in EC eluates, indicating that only small portion of AECAs are directed against cardiolipin. Although sera from APS patients prolonged coagulation tests, EC eluates did not affect coagulation, suggesting that AECAs may belong to antiphospholipid antibodies subsets that does not interfere with coagulation. Vascular damage is a common feature of autoimmune disorders associated with AECAs. Possible effects of AECAs on vascular perturbance were investigated by cytotoxicity, attachment, and migration assays. Although AECAs were not shown to be cytotoxic or to affect cell attachment, sera from APS patients caused reduced cellular migration (by 30%), and EC eluates caused even more significant inhibition (by 50%). These findings suggest possible interference of AECAs in vascular repair mechanisms and provide an explanation for the thrombotic complications frequently seen in APS patients.

Prevalence of smoking among Israeli male athletes.

A survey of smoking habits was carried out on 2447 males age 14-40 years. The subjects were athletes trained in a wide variety of sports. Overall 15.5% of the athlete population were smokers. When broken down into training groups, the highest smoking prevalence was reported by subjects not engaged in specific training, while the lowest prevalence was reported by endurance trained athletes. When divided into specific sports, the highest percent of group smoking was found in soccer players. Smoking prevalence increased with increasing age. No significant differences in smoking prevalence existed between groups of varying ethnic origin. This study provides data on groups of athletes to target in smoking intervention programs.

[Physical activity program during working hours among industrial workers in Israel].

During 1984-1985, 540 employees of 2 pharmaceutical factories of the Teva concern participated in a physical activity program. To evaluate its effects on employees' health, the participants were randomly divided into 2 groups of equal size. The test group participated in regular physical exercise before lunch for 15 minutes, 5 days a week. The controls played social games for the same time periods while seated. The physical activity program included stretching, relaxing, and aerobic exercises. The program was carried out by employees who had been trained to be instructors by the researchers and were supervised by a professional teacher. During the 7 months of the study, adherence was about 90%. The results in test and control groups were determined by questionnaires. After 7 months, the test group clearly showed increased interest in sports activities, increased job satisfaction and work efficiency, and decreased fatigue during work.