Lowered angiogeneic capability of peripheral blood lymphocytes in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

Peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from 19 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (7 with diffuse scleroderma and 12 with CREST syndrome) and from 19 healthy control individuals were tested in a lymphocyte-induced angiogenesis assay. The cells were injected intradermally into x-ray-immunosuppressed mice and their capability to induce new blood vessel formation was assessed by morphologic criteria. The lymphocytes derived from patients with systemic scleroderma showed a significant decrease in angiogeneic capability compared with controls. No significant difference in this capability was found between patients with diffuse scleroderma and those with CREST syndrome. The decrease in the angiogeneic capability of lymphocytes reflects a depression in cell-mediated immunity and might be relevant to the capillary loss observed in systemic scleroderma.

Dermal toxicity of 8-methoxypsoralen administered (by gavage) to hairless mice irradiated with long-wave ultraviolet light.

Hairless mice were administered various amounts of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) by gavage, followed by irradiation with ultraviolet light (UVA) two or more times per week for periods ranging from 1 to 12 months. The minimum phototoxic dose was 20 mg/kg body weight by this route of administration and potential for serious organ toxicity in long-term exposures was investigated. No histologic features of cutaneous malignancy were encountered under test conditions which produced prolonged phototoxicity, deep ulceration, cicatrization, and other deformities. Repeated daily gavaged doses of 20 mg psoralen/kg body weight in conjunction with twice weekly irradiation for 10 min with UVA elicited an erythematous phototoxic reaction, but did not give rise to subsequent skin lesions. 8-MOP in repeated daily gavage doses of 30 mg and 40 mg/kg body weight combined with twice weekly UVA irradiation for 10 min caused severe burning with subsequent scarring, but did not induce malignant tumors in experiments lasting lasting 8 months. No organ toxicity was seen except for toxic liver changes when severe cutaneous burn and pronounced ulcerations were produced. Limited immunologic studies disclosed no abnormalities in this system.

Theophylline-resistant and theophylline-sensitive "early" and "late" E rosette-forming cells in young and aged humans.

The percentage of cells with high-affinity sheep red blood cell (SRBC) receptors, "active" or "early" rosette-forming cells, (ARFC) in theophylline-resistant peripheral blood T lymphocytes achieve higher values in aged subjects and, in particular, in the group with clinically manifested atherosclerosis. A diminished OKT-4/OKT-8 ratio in theophylline-resistant ARFC was noticed in this group. On the contrary, the proportion of the theophylline-resistant cells with low-affinity receptors, cold or late rosette-forming cells (CRFC) attained lower values in aged subjects than in young subjects. No statistical difference in the proportion of theophylline-sensitive T cells was evident between old and young people, both in ARFC and CRFC fractions. This is indicative of the elevation of activated (or less differentiated) cytotoxic T cells in the peripheral blood of aged subjects with clinically manifested atherosclerosis. The clinical aspect is still to be considered.

Angiogenic capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in psoriasis.

The angiogenic capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) from patients with psoriasis was tested by lymphocyte-induced angiogenesis assay. The study was performed in 36 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, six with generalized pustular psoriasis of the von Zumbusch type, and five with palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis. When patients with psoriasis vulgaris were considered as a whole, no significant differences in the angiogenic capability of their MNCs could be detected, as compared with controls. However, when cases of psoriasis were classified into various types, the differences in angiogenic capability of MNCs became evident. This capability was found to be markedly increased in the active form of psoriasis vulgaris and decreased in the stationary stage of the disease. It was increased in palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis but markedly decreased in generalized pustular psoriasis of the von Zumbusch type.

Increased natural killer cell activity in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

Six patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) were studied for natural killer cell (NKC) cytotoxic response of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells against K-562 target cells in an 18-hour chromium 51-release assay. Four patients displayed higher cytotoxic responses than controls did, whereas two others did not differ from controls. Patients with EV who had increased NKC activity were found to be infected with potentially oncogenic human papillomaviruses (types 5, 8, 9, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, and others), and they have had multiple skin carcinomas and/or Bowen's precancerous dermatosis. Two patients with EV who had normal cytotoxic response were free of skin malignancies.

The effect of TPP, theophylline and theobromine on the angiogenic activity of mononuclear leucocytes obtained from diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy.

Tolpa Peat Preparation (TPP) administered in various doses does not influence the ability of mononuclear cells (MNC) obtained from diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy to induce neovascularization response in H-LIA test. Methylxanthines (theophylline, theobromine) significantly decrease the angiogenic activity of these cells. The therapeutic value of these drugs in proliferative retinopathy should be evaluated.

[Influence of nitrates on red blood cell deformability and clinical parameters in patients with silent ischemia]. / Wplyw azotanów na odksztalcalnosc krwinek czerwonych i parametry kliniczne chorych z niemym niedokrwieniem.

In 30 patients after myocardial infarctum with actual silent ischemia (no pain during last 12 months) mononitrate (Olicard 40) was administered and red blood cell deformability was determined. Clinical improvement and decrease of aforementioned deformability were observed after mononitrate therapy.

[Angiogenic activity of mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood of patients with ischemic heart disease]. / Aktywnosc angiogenna komórek jednojadrzastych krwi obwodowej pacjentów z choroba niedokrwienna serca (ChNS).

In the paper the cell-mediated phase of the immune response was assessed in ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The assessment was based on the angiogenesis test in which new capillaries are formed from the already existing vascularization. The process is mediated by mononuclear cells from peripheral blood, and is induced by degradation products appearing as a result of ischaemic injury to the tissues. The test was carried out in 71 patients with IHD and in 65 clinically healthy subjects. A significant fall was demonstrated of the angiogenic activity of mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood of IHD patients as compared with controls (p less than 0.001). No effect was method of disease duration, its form or treatment on angiogenesis. The obtained results may suggest a failure of the immune system competent in this process in IHD. Perhaps this is related to a special form of IHD.

[Clinical effect of nitrates (Olicard 40) and their influence on deforming of erythrocytes against the background of 24-hour catecholaminuria]. / Kliniczne efekty nitratów (Olicard 40) i ich wplyw na odksztalcalnosc krwinek czerwonych na tle dobowej katecholaminurii.

Progress in the investigations upon factors influencing the course of the ischemic heart disease focused our attention on the deformability of erythrocytes. That attribute of the red blood cells (RBC) is described by their susceptibility to changes in shape without changing volume. Because of that feature, RBC can reach the smallest capillaries of the circulatory system. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of mononitrates (Olicard Ret.) on the deformability of RBC (EDI) in correlation to the clinical course of the ischemic heart disease and to evaluate the role of catecholamines in the course of the disease and their influence upon EDI. 30 patients (pts) treated with mononitrates for 4 weeks were enrolled into the study. In 27 pts clinical improvement was recorded, as evaluated by the results of repeated exercise tests and changes in the number of anginal attacks. Mean weekly number of anginal attacks decreased from 6.2 to 2.1 (p < 0.05), and parameters of exercise tests improved: DP/Wmac decreased from 0.694 to 0.479 (p < 0.001) and maximal workload attained increased from 6.8 to 9.0 METS (p < 0.001). Correspondingly to the clinical improvement, beneficial changes in RBC deformability were seen: 0.033 vs 0.040 (p < 0.01). Correlation factor for changes in EDI (r = 0.628) was higher than that for the number of anginal attacks (r = 0.589), but lower than the correlation factor for exercise test parameters (r = 0.969 for DP/Wmax and r = 0.858 for METS). There were no significant changes in the urinary output of catecholamines and no correlations were seen between urinary output of adrenaline, noradrenaline and EDI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytotoxicity evaluation of three light-cured dentin adhesive materials on human gingival fibroblasts, ex vivo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of three current light-cured dentin adhesives, in both uncured and post-cured conditions, on human gingival fibroblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The materials tested were Heliobond, Adper Single Bond 2 and Xeno V, which are characterized by various compositions and application procedures. Each agent, in volumes of 5 and 10 µL, was tested after polymerization, and those unpolymerized were diluted in DMEM to 10-3 and 10-5. The cytotoxicity of the adhesives was assessed on the basis of a test of cell viability in a culture of human gingival fibroblasts, with the use of tetrazolic salt (MTT assay). RESULTS: The results showed that, among the adhesive/bonding systems tested, Xeno V was the least cytotoxic. There were statistically significant differences in cell survival between polymerized Xeno V, Adper Single Bond 2 and Heliobond in the amount of 5 µL as well as between the Xeno V and Adper Single Bond 2 in 10-5 dilutions. The tested adhesives were more toxic in the polymerized form than in the dilutions. Samples of 10 µL resulted in a lower survival percentage of fibroblasts compared to 5 µL. CONCLUSION: All the tested adhesives demonstrated cytopathic effects towards human gingival fibroblasts, but varied in their cytotoxicity. This has clinical implications. Dentists should follow the rules of adhesive application, precisely dose them and not allow direct contact with the gums as, even after polymerization, adhesive agents exhibit potential cytotoxic activity.

New endodontic obturation systems and their interfacial bond strength with intraradicular dentine - ex vivo studies.

PURPOSE: To comparatively evaluate adhesive properties of selected root canal fillings through the measurement of the material-dentine interfacial bond strength. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty extracted single-rooted human teeth with one canal each were prepared using Hero instruments to size 30.04. Teeth were divided into four subgroups depending on the root canal filling material and the method of obturation: Resilon/Epiphany - a thermoplastic method (IA), Resilon/Epiphany - a matching single-point method (IB), gutta-percha/Roeko Seal Automix - a thermoplastic method (IIA) and gutta-percha/Roeko Seal Automix - a matching single-point method (IIB). The obturated roots were cut perpendicular to the long axis to create 1.7 mm thick slices. The bond strength was measured for each test slice with push -out testing machine. RESULTS: The highest push-out bond strength was registered in subgroup IB (3.98 ± 1.33 MPa). Significantly lower bond strength was observed in subgroups IA (0.50 ± 0.24 MPa), IIA (0.33 ± 0.18 MPa) and IIB (0.08 ± 0.03 MPa) (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences in material-dentine interfacial bond strength values were observed between IA and IIA, IA and IIB, IIA and IIB subgroups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The push-out bond strength of the material-dentine interface was dependent on the type of material used and the root canal filling technique. The R/E system exhibited better adhesion ability to intraradicular dentine than G/RSA. The highest bond strength was observed for Resilon/Epiphany introduced with the single-cone technique.