Studies on the mechanisms involved in antigen-evoked pleural inflammation in rats: contribution of IgE and complement

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been shown to play a critical role in the allergic late-phase reaction, which is marked by intense leukocyte infiltration and edema. In this study we assessed the allergic pleural inflammation triggered by intrapleural (i.pl.) challenge in sensitized rats. We examined pleural effluent from actively sensitized rats following anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (mAb) (MARE-1) provocation for protein exudation, neutrophil as well as eosinophil accumulation. Inflammatory changes triggered by antigen after passive sensitization with IgE mAb was also assessed for comparison. Total serum level of IgE was found to be about threefold increased 7-8 days post-active sensitization, remaining augmented for at least 30 days. Increased levels of peritoneal leukocyte-bound IgE and serum IgE with specificity to ovalbumin were also detected. Nevertheless, the anti-IgE challenge in 14-day actively sensitized was shown to be a weak stimulus of neutrophil and eosinophil accumulation, despite being able to cause intense protein extravasation. Similarly, antigen challenge of IgE-passively sensitized rats caused protein leakage that was comparable to that induced by anti-IgE mAb in actively sensitized rats but led to a much lower neutrophil/eosinophil infiltration. Also, blockade of complement with recombinant human soluble C receptor-1 (sCR1) treatment prevented actively sensitized rats from reacting to antigen with neutrophil and eosinophil recruitment without modifying protein extravasation. These data suggest that IgE and complement-mediated mechanisms probably account for the exudation and leukocyte infiltration that is characteristic of the pleural inflammatory response observed in actively sensitized rats.     

Formation, therapy and prevention of false aneurysm of the femoral artery following diagnostic and interventional heart catheterization

OBJECTIVE: As pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery after catheter introduction is a frequent complication, its causes and therapeutic options were investigated in a large patient collective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study with colour-Doppler duplex sonography of 6928 patients after diagnostic and of 3764 after interventional cardiac catheterisation, pseudoaneurysms were diagnosed in 80 patients (0.75%), 46 after diagnostic (0.66%) and 34 after interventional (0.9%) catheterisation. RESULTS: The incidence was higher in women than men (1.33% vs 0.58%; P < 0.05). Anticoagulation after sheath removal was the leading risk factor (n = 55, 68.8%), especially after interventional coronary intervention 85.3 vs 56.5%, P < 0.05). Local compression under duplex sonography monitoring was undertaken in 69 patients (86.3%), achieving aneurysmal obliteration in 53 (76.8%). Spontaneous thrombosis occurred in 15 of the remaining 27 patients, and surgical closure became necessary in 12. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate a risk profile for the occurrence of pseudoaneurysm after cardiac catheterisation which can be dealt with by preventive measures. Local compression under duplex sonographic monitoring was the treatment of choice with a high success rate and low incidence of complications.     

Sensitive patient-doctor communications relating to the breasts and prostate

The authors show case of lateral cervical cyst and carcinoma of the tonsil in woman 50 years, paying attention to large diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. After operation of the lateral cervical cyst on the left side, metastasis of tumor followed, which was operated (after negative result of the thin-needle biopsy method) and histopathological examination of the tumor didn't prove atypical cells. In a few month after operation there followed tumorous infiltration in region angle of mandibula and in tonsillar region on the side and performed the thin-needle biopsy method showed planoepithelial carcinoma of the tonsil with transitional cells, which infiltrated the lingua, fundus of the oris and lymphonodes of the neck. Next the patient was sent to further treatment in the Oncological Hospital in Lodz. In connexion with advanced of the carcinoma, the using treatment (radiotherapy Co--60 and chemotherapy) was only the palliative treatment and prolongated life of the patient about 3 years.     

Domain structure analysis of elongation factor-3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by limited proteolysis and differential scanning calorimetry

Elongation-factor-3 (EF-3) is an essential factor of the fungal protein synthesis machinery. In this communication the structure of EF-3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultracentrifugation, and limited tryptic digestion. DSC shows a major transition at a relatively low temperature of 39 degrees C, and a minor transition at 58 degrees C. Ultracentrifugation shows that EF-3 is a monomer; thus, these transitions could not reflect the unfolding or dissociation of a multimeric structure. EF-3 forms small aggregates, however, when incubated at room temperature for an extended period of time. Limited proteolysis of EF-3 with trypsin produced the first cleavage at the N-side of Gln775, generating a 90-kDa N-terminal fragment and a 33-kDa C-terminal fragment. The N-terminal fragment slowly undergoes further digestion generating two major bands, one at approximately 75 kDa and the other at approximately 55 kDa. The latter was unusually resistant to further tryptic digestion. The 33-kDa C-terminal fragment was highly sensitive to tryptic digestion. A 30-min tryptic digest showed that the N-terminal 60% of EF-3 was relatively inaccessible to trypsin, whereas the C-terminal 40% was readily digested. These results suggest a tight structure of the N-terminus, which may give rise to the 58 degrees C transition, and a loose structure of the C-terminus, giving rise to the 39 degrees C transition. Three potentially functional domains of the protein were relatively resistant to proteolysis: the supposed S5-homologous domain (Lys102-Ile368), the N-terminal ATP-binding cassette (Gly463-Lys622), and the aminoacyl-tRNA-synthase homologous domain (Glu820-Gly865). Both the basal and ribosome-stimulated ATPase activities were inactivated by trypsin, but the ribosome-stimulated activity was inactivated faster.     

An iatrogenic arterial foreign body

The creation, possible complications and retrieval of an unusual, perhaps unique, arterial foreign body are described.     

Free nor-adrenaline and adrenaline excretion in relation to complications in acute myocardial infarction

The authors report on the clinical data, operating technique, postoperative complications, and late results in a series of 31 epidermoid and 21 dermoid cysts of the central nervous system.     

风景园林的未来

<正>当习近平主席指点"美丽中国"之时,他也表达出了一套由全球风景园林专业所秉承的价值观念,那就是——设计和审美的重要性、对环境的关爱、审慎的改造。中国风景园林行业的快速发展也揭示了这个国家已经与这个职业的宗旨紧密相连。不幸的是,并不是每个国家的风景园林行业都有像中国这样的发展速度和作为。2008年以来的经济衰退导致了很多国家的风景园林事务所裁员。现在美国和世界其它国家的经济已经回暖,枕戈待旦,风景园林人也必须在技术上吐故纳新,为公共健康谋福利。1新的技术用于风景园林实践的技术进步包括一系