Immunolocalization of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in radicular cysts

To investigate the mechanisms involved in expansion of radicular cysts, monoclonal antibodies against interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were used to localize the sites of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 expression in 30 radicular cysts. Positive MMP-1 staining was detected in the lining epithelium and subepithelial fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells and osteoblasts/osteocytes in all specimens. Positive TIMP-1 staining was identified in osteoblasts/osteocytes and endothelial cells of all specimens, and in the lining epithelium and subepithelial fibrous connective tissue wall of five radicular cysts with an intense inflammatory cell infiltrate. The number and distribution of positive cells for MMP-1 or TIMP-1 varied widely among individual specimens, but strong immunostaining was constantly detected at sites with prominent subepithelial inflammation. Results here support the hypothesis that MMP-1 may play an important role in the expansion of radicular cysts. The absence of TIMP-1 expression in lining epithelium and subepithelial fibroblasts and macrophages in most cases studied indicated that an imbalance between MMP-1 and TIMP-1 production may lead to radicular cyst expansion.     

p53 antibodies in patients with various types of cancer: assay, identification, and characterization

Alteration of the p53 gene is the most frequent genetic alteration in human cancer and leads to the accumulation of mutant p53 in the nucleus of tumor cells. In addition, it has been shown that patients with various types of neoplasia have p53 antibodies in their sera which could be used as an indirect diagnostic procedure for p53 alteration. Using a new ELISA, we have analyzed the sera from more than 1000 patients with various types of cancer and from healthy blood donors. We demonstrate that p53 antibodies are detected mainly in cancer patients and are strictly proportional to the occurrence of p53 mutations. Using various immunological approaches, these antibodies were unambiguously demonstrated to be directed toward the human p53 protein. Isotyping analysis of these antibodies strongly suggested that they correspond to a humoral response to the p53 protein which accumulates in the tumor cell. This finding suggests that serological analysis, combined with histochemistry, is suitable for assessing the integrity of the p53 gene in cancer patients.     

Comparison of an extraconal block with a retrobulbar-facial block combination for ocular surgery. A safe alternative technique to the combination of retrobulbar block and facial nerve block

Four hundred and eight consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery under local anaesthesia were randomly allocated to one of two types of regional anaesthesia. One group was given the standard retrobulbar block combined with a facial nerve block of the O'Brien type, and the second group was given a modified peribulbar block. Results indicate that it is possible to achieve a high degree of reliability, within a relatively short time, from the modified peribulbar block without the major complications associated with retrobulbar block.     

Maternal immunization to Gov system alloantigens on human platelets

BACKGROUND: Immunization to platelet alloantigens can occur during pregnancy or after the transfusion of blood components. Platelet alloantibodies can cause neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and posttransfusion purpura. Transfusion-induced alloimmunization to a novel platelet alloantigen system, Gov, expressed on the 175-kDa glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored platelet glycoprotein, CD109, was previously described. This report describes three unrelated patients who were alloimmunized to Gov(a) or Gov(b) during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Platelets were typed by using radioimmunoprecipitation for HPA-1a, -3a, -5a, -5b, Gov(a), and Gov(b) and by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for HPA-1a, -1b, -3a, and -3b. Maternal sera were screened for platelet antibodies by using radioimmunoprecipitation and the antigen capture assay. RESULTS: Patients 1 and 2 were investigated after the diagnosis of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia in their children, and alloantibodies specific for Gov(b) and Gov(a), respectively, were detected in maternal serum. Serum from patient 3, who had mild idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura with no detectable autoantibody, was found to contain alloantibodies to Gov(b) and to HPA-5b, presumably as a result of immunization during pregnancy. Platelet typings confirmed that the patients were at risk for alloimmunization to the respective antigen. CONCLUSION: This report of three cases of maternal alloimmunization to antigens in the Gov system indicates that immunization can occur via placental transfer of antigen and that Gov system alloantibodies may be associated with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.     

Optimised immobilisation of microbial lipase on hydrous niobium oxide

The aim of this work was to establish appropriate conditions for immobilising Candida rugosa lipase on a low‐cost inorganic matrix, hydrous niobium oxide, using a multivariate statistical approach. A 2³ full factorial design was employed to determine the effects of support activation with glutaraldehyde (concentration 2.5–4.5%, pH 7–10) and lipase loading (200‐700 U g^?1 matrix) on the hydrolytic and synthetic activities of the immobilised derivatives. From the results the following conditions were established: lipase loading of 450 U g^?1 matrix and niobium oxide activation with glutaraldehyde at a concentration of 2.5% and pH 8. Under these conditions, high activity recovery (47.21%) and esterification yield (86.90%) were attained. The results also show that hydrous niobium oxide can be a valid alternative to replace high‐cost, commercially available inorganic matrices such as controlled pore silica. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry