Evaluation of plasma canine C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with otitis media, healthy dogs and dogs with chronic otitis externa.

BACKGROUND: Otitis is characterised by inflammation of one or more of the structures of the ear. At present, to confirm or exclude otitis media (OM), it is most often necessary to perform a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Inflammation is an immune defence response found in many conditions that can be detected and tracked by measuring biological markers of inflammation as the Canine C-reactive protein (CRP). OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine whether CRP measurement is useful as an adjunctive diagnostic tool in dogs with otitis and whether elevated concentrations correlated with disease severity/presence of OM. ANIMALS: Twenty-four client-owned dogs were recruited over 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dogs were divided into three groups: chronic or recurrent otitis externa (CO), otitis media (OM) and H (healthy). The dogs with otitis underwent a CT scan of the head, measurement of the plasma CRP concentration and evaluation of a 0-3 Otitis Index Score 3 (OTIS3 score). RESULTS: No dog (0%) in group H had an increased CRP value, compared to 20% in the CO group (one of five dogs) and 23% in the OM group (3 of 13 dogs). Plasma CRP concentrations show a statistically significant positive relationship with the OTIS3 score (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Plasma CRP concentration is not reliable as a discriminatory tool in cases of otitis, although there is a trend for elevation in cases with more severe disease. However, a larger study may provide a statistically more reliable correlation between the severity of OM and CRP concentrations.

Molecular mimicry among human proteinase 3 and bacterial antigens: implications for development of c-ANCA associated vasculitis.

Wegener's granulomatosis is an autoimmune disease where autoantibodies target human autoantigen PR3, a serine protease locates on the neutrophil membrane. This disease affects blood small vessels and could be deadly. The origin of these autoantibodies is unknown, but infections have been implicated with autoimmune disease. In this study, we explored potential molecular mimicry between human PR3 and homologous pathogens through in silico analysis. Thirteen serine proteases from human pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella sp., Streptococcus suis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacteroides fragilis, Enterobacter ludwigii, Vibrio alginolyticus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) shared structural homology and amino acid sequence identity with human PR3. Epitope prediction found an only conserved epitope IVGG, located between residues 59-74. However, multiple alignments showed conserved regions that could be involved in cross-reactivity between human and pathogens serine proteases (90-98, 101-108, 162-169, 267 and 262 residues positions). In conclusion, this is the first report providing in silico evidence about the existence of molecular mimicry between human and pathogens serine proteases, that could explain the origins of autoantibodies found in patients suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis.

Jastrow correlated and quantum Monte Carlo calculations for the low-lying states of the carbon atom.

Different computational methods are employed to calculate excitation energies of the carbon atom. Explicitly correlated wave functions have been obtained in a Variational Monte Carlo calculation. Fixed node Diffusion Monte Carlo calculations for the lowest energy excited states of a given symmetry are reported. A systematic and quantitative analysis of the performance of the different schemes in the calculation of the excitation energy of up to 27 excited states of the carbon atom is carried out. The quality of the different methods have been studied in terms of the deviation with respect to the experimental excitation energies. A good agreement with the experimental values has been reached.

Quantum Monte Carlo ground state energies for the singly charged ions from Li through Ar.

Nonrelativistic frozen nucleus all-electron Quantum Monte Carlo ground state energies of positive and negative ions Li(+) to Ar(+) and Li(-) to Cl(-), respectively, are reported. Explicitly correlated wave functions with a single configuration model function times a Jastrow factor are employed for all of the systems studied. The accuracy obtained for the ions in the third period is similar to that reached for the ions in the second one. For those ions with a stronger multiconfiguration nature a restricted multiconfiguration expansion has been employed. The ground state energy here obtained for the charged species shows a similar quality to that reached for neutral atoms. Starting from those results, ionization potentials and electron affinities are calculated.

Near degeneracy effects on the low-lying spectrum of the iron atom.

The ground state and the LS terms coming from the ground-state configuration, [Ar]-3d(6)4s(2), of the iron atom are studied by carrying out an all electron Variational Monte Carlo calculation. Explicitly correlated trial functions including near degeneracy effects are used. The effect of electronic correlations and the importance of near degeneracy effects are systematically analyzed for the states here considered and compared with the experimental values. Correlations are important to reproduce, even qualitatively, the low-lying spectrum of this atom. A significant quantitative improvement when comparing with the experimental values is achieved when near degeneracy is considered along with dynamic correlations in the variational trial wave function. Finally, the effect of relativity on the results here reported is discussed.

Quantum Monte Carlo ground state energies for the atoms Li through Ar.

All-electron quantum Monte Carlo energies are reported for the ground state of the atoms Li to Ar. The present work is mainly focused on the atoms Na to Ar as well as in those that have a stronger multiconfiguration nature, i.e., Be, B, and C and Mg, Al, and Si. Explicitly correlated wave functions with a single configuration model function times a Jastrow factor are employed for all of the atoms studied. The accuracy obtained for the atoms Na to Ar is similar to that reached for the atoms Li to Ne. In addition, a restricted multiconfiguration expansion has been employed for the atoms Be, B, and C and Mg, Al, and Si obtaining accurate results. Near degeneracy and the effect of other configurations are systematically analyzed for these systems, at both variational and diffusion Monte Carlo levels.

Quantum Monte Carlo for 3d transition-metal atoms.

The domain Green's function Monte Carlo method has been used to calculate the ground-state energy of the atoms Sc through Zn. The fixed node approximation with single-configuration explicitly correlated wave functions is used. A comparison with variational Monte Carlo energies is carried out. The quality of the ground-state energies reported here is similar to that achieved for few-electron atoms using similar techniques.

Correlated wave functions for the ground and some excited states of the iron atom.

We study the states arising from the [Ar]4s(2)3d6 and [Ar]4s(1)3d7 configurations of iron atom with explicitly correlated wave functions. The variational wave function is the product of the Jastrow correlation factor times a model function obtained within the parametrized optimized effective potential framework. A systematic analysis of the dependence of both the effective potential and the correlation factor on the configuration and on the term is carried out. The ground state of both, the cation, Fe+, and anion, Fe-, are calculated with correlated wave functions and the ionization potential and the electron affinity are obtained.

One- and two-body densities of carbon isoelectronic series in their low-lying multiplet states from explicitly correlated wave functions.

The (3)P ground state and both the (1)D and (1)S excited states arising from the low-lying 1s(2)2s(2)2p(2) configuration of the carbon isoelectronic series are studied starting from explicitly correlated multiconfigurational wave functions. One- and two-body densities in position space have been calculated and different one- and two-body expectation values have been obtained. The effects of electronic correlations have been systematically studied. All the calculations have been done by means of variational Monte Carlo.

1s22p3 and 1s22s23l, l = s,p,d, excited states of boron isoelectronic series from explicitly correlated wave functions.

For some members of the boron isoelectronic series and starting from explicitly correlated wave functions, six low-lying excited states have been studied. Three of them arise from the 1s(2)2p(3) configuration, and the other three from the 1s(2)2s(2)3l, l = s,p,d, configurations. This work follows a previous one on both the 1s(2)2s(2)2p-(2)P ground state and the four excited states coming from the 1s(2)2s2p(2) configuration. Energies, one- and two-body densities in position space and some other two-body properties in position and momentum spaces have been obtained. A systematic analysis of the energetic ordering of the states as a function of the total orbital angular momentum and spin is performed in terms of the electron-nucleus and electron-electron potential energies and the role of the angular correlation is discussed. All calculations have been carried out by using the Monte Carlo algorithm.

Excited states of boron isoelectronic series from explicitly correlated wave functions.

The ground state and some low-lying excited states arising from the 1s2 2s2p2 configuration of the boron isoelectronic series are studied starting from explicitly correlated multideterminant wave functions. One- and two-body densities in position space have been calculated and different expectation values such as , , , , , and , where r, r12, and R stand for the electron-nucleus, interelectronic, and two electron center of mass coordinates, respectively, have been obtained. The energetic ordering of the excited states and the fulfillment of the Hund's rules is analyzed systematically along the isoelectronic series in terms of the electron-electron and electron-nucleus potential energies. The effects of electronic correlations have been systematically studied by comparing the correlated results with the corresponding noncorrelated ones. All the calculations have been done by using the variational Monte Carlo method.

B-lymphocytes and co-stimulatory molecules in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

SETTING: The immunological mechanisms that lead to the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are not well known. OBJECTIVE: To study the role of lymphocyte subsets and co-stimulatory molecules in M. tuberculosis infection. DESIGN: In 35 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and their contacts, 29 persons with tuberculin skin test conversion (TSTC) and 20 healthy individuals with negative tuberculin skin test (NTST), we studied T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, alphabetaTCR and gammadeltaTCR), B-cells, monocytes and co-stimulatory molecules CD28 and CD86 in peripheral blood. The results were analysed at univariate and multivariate level through discriminant analysis. RESULTS: At univariate level, compared with TSTC and NTST, PTB patients presented a decrease in CD4+ T-cells (P = 0.002), and B-cells (P = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively). With regard to NTST subjects, PTB patients also showed a decrease in the percentage of CD86+ monocytes (P = 0.02) and an increase in the percentage of CD86+ B-lymphocytes (P = 0.02). At multivariate level, CD4+ T-lymphocytes showed statistical differences between PTB and TSTC subjects (P = 0.001). B-lymphocytes were discriminant between PTB and NTST (P < 0.001) and between TSTC and NTST individuals (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The number of total CD4+ T-cells is the best discriminant parameter for distinguishing between disease and infection, whereas the B-cell count is the best between healthy and infected individuals.

Efficacy and safety of a phytoestrogen preparation derived from Glycine max (L.) Merr in climacteric symptomatology: a multicentric, open, prospective and non-randomized trial.

A multicentric, open, prospective, observational and no-randomized clinical trial was carried out in Spain with 190 postmenopausal women receiving a soy preparation rich in isoflavones (PHYTO SOYA, capsules containing 17.5 mg isoflavones). The main object of the present study was to investigate its efficacy in alleviating the symptomatology derived from the lack of estrogen, mainly hot flushes, but also other symptoms such as sleep disorder, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and bone pain. Each patient received 35 mg isoflavones per day in two doses. During the four months' treatment, a statistically significant decrease in the number of hot flushes with PHYTO SOYA was experienced by 80.82% women; only 5,48% patients did not improve with the treatment. The average reduction was 47.8%, which is equivalent to 4 hot flushes. All the other studied parameters also showed a statistically significant decrease. No severe side-effects were reported and tolerance was excellent. Treatment with PHYTO SOYA resulted in a significant improvement of the symptomatology that accompanies the lack of estrogen during menopause.

Lymphocyte populations in Parkinson's disease and in rat models of parkinsonism.

To assess the involvement of the immune system in Parkinson's disease we studied the phenotype of circulating lymphocytes in 30 untreated and 34 treated patients. We found a numeric decrease in helper T cells (higher in CD4(+)CD45RA(+) than in CD4(+)CD29(+)) and B cells, and a rise in activated, CD4(+)CD25(+) lymphocytes that was correlated with lymphocyte depletion. All these alterations were independent of levodopa treatment. In addition, we performed striatal dopamine depletion in rats with either MPP(+) or 6-OHDA, showing that MPP(+) but not 6-OHDA can increase CD4(+)CD25(+) lymphocytes. Thus, mechanisms other than dopamine deficit may explain the immune activation in Parkinson's disease.

Predictors of atopy in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported an increase of atopy in HIV-infected (HIV+) patients, but the cause still remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of atopy in HIV+ patients and to investigate its predictors. METHODS: Seventy-four HIV+ hospitalized patients (46 of them with AIDS) were studied prospectively for the presence of atopy, based on immediate hypersensitivity to common allergens by prick test. Serum immunoglobulins, specific IgE, lymphocyte subsets, and the expression of low affinity IgE receptor (CD23) on B cells were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of patients presented IgE values greater than 150 ku/L (39% of patients without AIDS and 26% of AIDS patients; P = .23) and 47% showed an increase (> or = 2%) in the percentage of CD23+ B cells. Non-AIDS patients had higher IgE values than AIDS patients (346 +/- 605 versus 175 +/- 276; P = .16). Atopy prevalence was higher in non-AIDS than in AIDS patients (28% versus 11%; P = .06). Specific IgE agreed with positive prick test in 58% of cases. Multivariate analysis showed that a personal history suggestive of allergic disease and IgE > 150 ku/L were predictors of atopy, while gender, risk group, CD4+ T cells, CD23 expression on B cells, and AIDS were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: HIV+ patients present a higher prevalence of atopy in early stages of HIV infection than general population. Since allergic reactions could accelerate HIV-infection by increasing type 2 cytokines, it is important to evaluate the atopic state in HIV+ patients with IgE > 150 ku/L or with suggestive allergic history in order to prevent it.

Distinct modulation by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) of CD23 expression on B and T lymphocytes of atopic subjects.

The low-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRII/CD23) plays a role in IgE production. Cytokines participating in IgE synthesis also modulate CD23 expression on lymphocytes, but whether this modulation is different in atopic subjects remains unclear. We studied CD23 expression on B and T lymphocytes in 10 asthmatic patients with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus hypersensitivity and 10 healthy non-atopic subjects. Studies were performed by flow cytometry, in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or IL-4-stimulated mononuclear cell cultures, alone or in the presence of IFN-gamma. Soluble CD23 (sCD23) released in the culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Both PHA and IL-4 induced the expression of CD23 on lymphocytes of atopic and non-atopic subjects. Whereas PHA increased both the percentage and mean fluorescence intensity of CD23+ B and T cells, IL-4 alone did not increase the percentage of CD23+ T cells. The effects of IFN-gamma were different in both groups, since it was able to reduce the percentage of PHA-stimulated CD23+ T cells only in non-atopic individuals. In non-atopic subjects more than atopic, levels of sCD23 were increased in the supernatants of PHA and IL-4 cultures. These results show that the modulation of CD23 expression is different on B and T cells, and that IFN-gamma acts differently in atopic and non-atopic individuals.

Peripheral blood lymphoid subsets and long-term clinical course of kidney recipients: a longitudinal study.

A longitudinal study of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets was performed in 23 renal allograft recipients treated with prophylactic antilymphocyte antibodies, CsA, and steroids. At day 0 samples were obtained before transplantation (Tx), and afterwards at months +1, +3, +6, +9, +12, +24, +36, and +48. In all patients, after the depletion of lymphoid subsets during antilymphocyte antibody treatment, CD8+ lymphocytes recovered and reached higher values than those observed prior to Tx. This was mainly due to an increase in CD8+CD45RA+ lymphocytes; in contrast, the levels of "memory" CD4+ T cells and the CD4+CD62L+ subset remained low during all the follow-up period. In patients with preserved graft function (n=14) (with creatinine levels below 200 micromol/mL), the initial, relative decrease in CD4+ T cells was never reversed and the recovery of CD8+ lymphocytes started early. They also presented a peak of HLA-DR antigen expression at 1 month, not observed in those patients displaying a suboptimal graft function. At 1 month, the patients with suboptimal graft function (n=9) (with creatinine levels above 200 micromol/mL) showed higher number of CD4+ T cells, delayed recovery of CD8+ lymphocytes, and higher percentage of activated lymphocytes from month +3 on than well-functioning kidney recipients. Both CD8+ lymphocytes and HLA-DR+ T cells, found at month + 1 post-Tx, were negatively correlated with the concentration of creatinine along the follow-up. Interestingly, the mean percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells found 36 and 48 months after Tx were positively correlated with creatinine concentration at these times. These findings indicate that variations in the distribution of lymphocyte subsets are related with a long-term graft outcome. Within the first month after Tx, a rapid recovery of CD8+ lymphocytes, but not of CD4+ T cells, and a peak of HLA-DR expression, are associated with a good graft function. In contrast, long-term expression of activation markers is related with renal dysfunction.