Cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders: expression of bcl-2 and proteins of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily

The spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders is characterized by the histology of a high-grade lymphoma but frequent clinical regression of skin lesions in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and occasional regression in CD30+ large cell lymphomas (LCLs). A recent study shows that apoptosis may be a significant mechanism of regression of LyP (Arch Dermatol 133:828-833, 1997). Therefore, we studied expression of proteins that induce apoptosis, including CD27, CD40, CD95, and nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R), as well as anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 in skin lesions from 25 patients within the spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma. Our results show consistent expression of CD95 (APO-1/Fas), but rare or absent expression of CD27, CD40, and NGF-R on tumor cells from both regressing LyP lesions and nonregressing CD30+ lymphomas. Bcl-2 was expressed at low levels in LyP and at high levels in pleomorphic CD30+ lymphomas. These results indicate that, in addition to CD30, CD95 expression is preferentially expressed at high levels in all cutaneous CD30+ lymphomas and suggest that CD95 may play a role in the regression of CD30+ skin lesions. Expression of bcl-2 appears to protect tumor cells from apoptosis in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Factors limiting the domestic density of Triatoma infestans in north-west Argentina: a longitudinal study

Reported are the environmental and demographic risk factors associated with the domestic infestation and density of Triatoma infestans in three heavily infested rural villages in Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina. In a one-factor unadjusted analysis, the number of T. infestans captured per person-hour was associated significantly and negatively with the use of domestic insecticides by householders, type of thatch used in the roofs and the age of the house; and positively with the following: degree of cracking of the indoor walls and presence of hens nesting indoors. In one model, using multiple linear regression and a backward stepwise elimination procedure, most of the variation in the overall abundance of T. infestans was explained by insecticide use and the presence of hens nesting indoors; in another model using the same procedure it was explained by insecticide use, bug density in 1988 and previous spraying with deltamethrin in 1985. Variations in bug density per capture stratum (household goods, beds, walls and roof) were explained by the bug density in other strata and by one or two of the following risk factors: hens nesting indoors, type of roof, presence of cracks in the walls and number of people living in the house. Bug density might be locally controlled by the availability of refuges in the roofs and walls, by the presence of hens nesting indoors and by the use of domestic insecticides. Certain local materials, such as a grass known as simbol, could be successfully used in rural housing improvement programmes aimed at reducing the availability of refuges for insects in the roof.     

The novel cuticular collagen Ovcol-1 of Onchocerca volvulus is preferentially recognized by immunoglobulin G3 from putatively immune individuals

The concentration and affinity to concanavalin A (ConA) of plasma alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and AGP levels in extracts of liver tissues were investigated in specific-pathogen-free chickens infected with the highly virulent HPS-2 strain or virulent reference GBF-1 strain of infectious bursal disease virus. The plasma AGP value in uninfected control 3- to 7-wk-old chickens was 161.8 +/- 25.8 micrograms/ml (mean +/- SD), and ConA-unreactive and ConA-reactive AGP comprised 47% and 63% of total AGP. Increases in AGP levels in plasma and liver extracts were observed in both the HPS-2 and the GBF-1 groups, although albumin levels decreased. The plasma AGP values were higher in the HPS-2 group than in the GBF-1 group through the experimental period. In the HPS-2 group, ConA-reactive AGP reached levels 6.8-fold greater than control values and comprised 80% of total AGP at 4 days post-inoculation. In the lipopolysaccharide group, a great increase in ConA-reactive AGP was observed.     

Boundary layer drug delivery using a helical catheter

BACKGROUND: A catheter-based approach for local endovascular drug delivery has been developed. The catheter is deployed percutaneously, while the end of the catheter is in the form of a helix that is placed just proximal to the vascular site to be treated. The helices are in contact with the vessel wall. A number of small holes is drilled in the coils of the catheter through which drug is infused, so that the infused drug remains within the blood fluid 'boundary layer' adjacent to the vessel wall. This approach is expected to be highly efficient for administration of antithrombotic and antiproliferative agents that target processes leading to vascular occlusion, heart attacks, and strokes. METHODS: The helical catheter was qualitatively evaluated using optical dye density measurements of Evans blue dye infused using an in vitro steady flow system under a physiologic range of conditions. To further demonstrate the efficiency of the technique, its capacity to inhibit thrombosis was evaluated in a baboon thrombosis model. The catheter was inserted into a femoral arteriovenous shunt (blood flow rate = 100 ml/min) and placed proximal to a segment of highly thrombogenic Dacron vascular graft (4.0 mm i.d.). Integrelin (an inhibitor of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa; doses: 0.25-1.0 microg/min) and hirudin (an antithrombin; doses: 10-100 microg/min) were used to inhibit thrombus formation. RESULTS: Experimental flow visualization studies demonstrated that high concentrations of the infused Evans blue dye were retained near the vessel wall. In the animal experiments, platelet deposition on the Dacron graft surface was reduced by 82-97% (Integrelin) and 68-92% (hirudin) over 1-2 h of blood exposure. The local antithrombotic effects produced were found to be 200-fold and 30-fold more efficient than systemic administration of the same agents. CONCLUSIONS: Local drug infusion using the helical catheter approach can achieve high drug concentration levels at target sites, may avoid systemic effects, and can reduce cost of therapy by reducing total drug requirements.     

An approach to integrating intelligentdiagnostics and supervision of machine tools

Arguments are presented for the necessity of integrating diagnostics and supervision in technological machines. An example of integrated diagnostics and supervision of the machine tool main drive, based on an expert system and neural network, is shown. Problems of intelligent thermal displacement supervision and questions related to practical supervision of machining centres are presented.