A circannual rhythm in rubella antibody titers

Abstract

Rubella antibody titers were assayed from 191 blood samples taken during seven years (1973–1979) from a human female who had contracted German measles in 1965. The antibody dilutions, transformed to integers, fit a first‐order harmonic function with an assumed period of 365 days. The levels about which the titers oscillated decreased from 1973 to 1975 and remained stable thereafter. Amplitudes averaged 31% on either side of the level of oscillation. At certain times of the years 1977–1979 at the trough of the rhythm the subject would have been considered to be lacking in immunity against rubella despite history to the contrary. This example of a long‐term, circannual rhythm in an immunologic assay supports previous suggestions that immunity cycles over the seasons.     

Antimicrobial and immunoregulatory effects mediated by human lung cells: role of IFN-γ-induced tryptophan degradation

Pneumonia caused by bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens is one of the most common clinical problems facing primary and secondary care physicians. Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of lung abscesses in humans and, in immunocompromised patients, herpes simplex virus type I and Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe life-threatening pneumonia. The authors focused their interest in the antimicrobial effects mediated by human lung cells against these pathogens. It was found that IFN-γ-stimulated lung cells are capable of inhibiting T cell proliferation and restrict the replication of microorganisms such as T. gondii , S. aureus and herpes simplex virus. This immunoregulatory and antimicrobial effect was enhanced in the presence of IL-1 or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, the IFN-γ-dependent antimicrobial effects of HBE4-E6/E7 (human lung bronchus epithelial cells) and A549 (human type II alveolar cells) correlated with the activation of the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). It was found that both the abrogation of IDO activity by the specific IDO-inhibitor 1- l -methyltryptophan and the supplementation of cultures with tryptophan result in an inhibition of IFN-γ-induced antimicrobial effects mediated by lung cells. Therefore it is suggested that tryptophan depletion via IFN-γ-mediated IDO induction is a major antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral and immunoregulatory mechanism in human lung cells.     

Antimicrobial and immunoregulatory effects mediated by human lung cells: role of IFN-gamma-induced tryptophan degradation

Pneumonia caused by bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens is one of the most common clinical problems facing primary and secondary care physicians. Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of lung abscesses in humans and, in immunocompromised patients, herpes simplex virus type I and Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe life-threatening pneumonia. The authors focused their interest in the antimicrobial effects mediated by human lung cells against these pathogens. It was found that IFN-gamma-stimulated lung cells are capable of inhibiting T cell proliferation and restrict the replication of microorganisms such as T. gondii, S. aureus and herpes simplex virus. This immunoregulatory and antimicrobial effect was enhanced in the presence of IL-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Furthermore, the IFN-gamma-dependent antimicrobial effects of HBE4-E6/E7 (human lung bronchus epithelial cells) and A549 (human type II alveolar cells) correlated with the activation of the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). It was found that both the abrogation of IDO activity by the specific IDO-inhibitor 1-L-methyltryptophan and the supplementation of cultures with tryptophan result in an inhibition of IFN-gamma-induced antimicrobial effects mediated by lung cells. Therefore it is suggested that tryptophan depletion via IFN-gamma-mediated IDO induction is a major antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral and immunoregulatory mechanism in human lung cells.     

Considerations in determination of residual moisture in lyophilized demineralized bone matrix: the role of residual moisture analyzers

The objective of this study is to determine whether a residual moisture analyzer (RMA) can be an acceptable instrument for measuring the residual moisture in lyophilized demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Instruments from two different manufacturers with differing configurations and controls were compared: the Ohaus MB45 and Arizona Instrument MAX4000XL. The effects of various factors such as test temperature, drying profile, end point criteria, lift compensation, chamber configuration, and rehydration on residual moisture (RM) are examined. The performance of the RMAs is based on their ability to reproduce RM results obtained by the current standard gravimetric method. RMAs provide reliable, accurate and reproducible results in a number of industries that rely on the determination of RM. We hypothesize that RMAs are suitable for measuring RM in DBM and provide validation study data with optimized settings for these two instruments. Potentially, such studies will provide justification for allowance of this methodology as an acceptable alternative to the current gravimetric method allowed by American Association of Tissue Banks Standards.     

Amine oxidase histochemistry of the human uterus during the menstrual cycle

Summary The enzymes monoamine oxidase A (MAO A), monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) and benzylamine oxidase (BzAO) have been localized histochemically in the human uterus during various phases of the menstrual cycle. The results show a large increase in MAO A activity in the endometrial gland cells in the secretory phase of the cycle. MAO B activity was found in both endometrium and myometrium but did not show a cyclical variation in activity. BzAO was localized primarily in the tunica media of the myometrial blood vessels. These observations have been supported by parallel biochemical assays.This research was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CN Pq), Brazil and The Wellcome Trust, U.K., who defrayed the salary of Rachel Lewinsohn     

Contagious ecthyma in lambs and laboratory personnel

Contagious ecthyma, diagnosed in three lambs, was transmitted to two researchers having direct contact with oral secretions from these lambs. Intracytoplasmic viral particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy in gingival biopsies from one lamb. Lamb to lamb transmission was most likely caused by use of a contaminated gavage feeding tube. Concern for the effects of this disease and Q fever on patients having contact with contaminated medical researchers prompted the formulation of safety guidelines to prevent potentially disastrous zoonotic disease.