Secondary response of in vitro-primed human lymphocytes to allogeneic cells

In vitro-primed human lymphocytes proliferate in a secondary mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) under the control of MLR-S specificities. HL-A antigens are unable to induce a secondary Proliferation. In familial haploidentical combinations, the secondary proliferation is specific for the priming MLR-S specificity, i.e., as early as 24 to 48 hours after the re-stimulation, a clearcut response is observed toward the sensitizing MLR-S specificity. The secondary response is reflected in acceleration of the reaction rather than in the peak of (³H) TdR uptake. However, when either haploidentical familial primed responding cells or unrelated cells primed toward MLR-S homozygous cells were used, no early typing response was observed against unrelated cells. The level of (³H) TdR incorporation toward cells which possessed and those which did not possess the priming specificity was identical until day 3–4. Noneless, the peak response toward cells possessing the priming MLR-S specificity occurs regularly 24 to 48 hours prior to the peak response toward the cells negative for the priming specificity (day 3–4 as opposed to day 5). Technical improvements are therefore needed before such a technique will provide a clearcut MLR-S typing methodology.     

Effect of dietary fats on hepatic lipid metabolism in the growing turkey

The influence of dietary fatty acids on hepatic capacity of lipid synthesis and secretion was investigated in 7-week-old male turkeys. They were fed 10% of either lard (rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids) or linseed oil (rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially 18:3n-3). Fattening was identical with both diets (0.15-0.20% of abdominal adipose tissue), but the proportion of muscle Pectoralis major was lower with linseed oil (6.6 vs. 7.4%). Specific activities of lipogenic enzymes (ME, G6PDH, ACX, and Delta9-desaturase) were not influenced by the diet, however, FAS activity was lower with linseed oil (14.3 vs. 25.4 nM NADPH fixed/min). Fasting concentrations of lipoproteins synthesized and secreted by the liver, VLDL and HDL, were also lower with linseed oil, as well as plasma concentrations of phospholipids and cholesteryl esters. However, when VLDL catabolism was inhibited by injection of an antiserum against LPL, VLDL concentration was identical in both groups (100-120 mg/l), whereas that of phospholipids and cholesteryl esters, that are transported by HDL mainly, remained lower with linseed oil. Thus, in the growing turkeys, and contrary to mammals and the chicken, feeding n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids did not decrease hepatic triglyceride synthesis and secretion, nor fattening. By contrast, in this species, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to influence mostly HDL metabolism, with a negative impact on muscular growth.     

Low Resistance to First and Second Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs among Treatment Naive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Southwestern Uganda

BackgroundThere are limited data on region-specific drug susceptibility of tuberculosis (TB) in Uganda. We performed resistance testing on specimens collected from treatment-naive patients with pulmonary TB in Southwestern Uganda for first and second line anti-TB drugs. We sought to provide data to guide regional recommendations for empiric TB therapy.MethodsArchived isolates, obtained from patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital from February 2009 to February 2013, were tested for resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin using the MTBDRplus and Xpert MTB/RIF assays. A subset of randomly selected isolates was tested for second line agents, including fluoroquinolones (FQs), aminoglycosides, cyclic peptides, and ethambutol using the MTBDRsl assay. We performed confirmatory testing for FQ resistance using repeated MTBDRsl, the Mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) assay, and sequencing of the gyrA and gyrB genes.ResultsWe tested isolates from 190 patients. The cohort had a median age of 33 years (IQR 26-43), 69% (131/190) were male, and the HIV prevalence was 42% (80/190). No isolates (0/190) were rifampicin-resistant and only 1/190 (0.5%) was isoniazid-resistant. Among 92 isolates tested for second-line drug resistance, 71 (77%) had interpretable results, of which none were resistant to aminoglycosides, cyclic peptides or ethambutol. Although 7 (10%) initially tested as resistant to FQs by the MTBDRsl assay, they were confirmed as susceptible by repeat MTBDRsl testing as well as by MGIT and gyrase gene sequencingConclusionWe found no MDR-TB and no resistance to ethambutol, FQs, or injectable anti-TB drugs in treatment naïve patients with pulmonary TB in Southwestern Uganda. Standard treatment guidelines for susceptible TB should be adequate for most patients with TB in this population. Where possible, molecular susceptibility testing methods should be routinely validated by culture methods.