Flow cytometry assessment of graft-infiltrating lymphocytes can accurately identify acute rejection in kidney transplants.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we have reported that flow cytometry analysis of fine-needle aspirates can accurately predict rejection in kidney transplants treated with cyclosporine-azathioprine-prednisolone. In this study, we examined this technique's accuracy using current immunosuppression. METHODS: Kidney transplant recipients were treated with calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone: 92 remained rejection-free - Group I - and 37 developed acute rejection - Group II. An allograft aspiration specimen and peripheral blood were collected from Group I on post-transplant day 7 and from Group II on the day of clinical rejection. RESULTS: Significant changes were seen in both aspiration and peripheral blood samples in several T cell subsets when comparing Groups I and II. A sensitivity of 94.6%, specificity of 85%, and AUC = 0.966 were observed through combining CD8DR with CD3CD69 values from aspiration specimen; the corresponding AUC in peripheral blood was 0.847. Irreversible rejections displayed a significantly higher activation score (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometry analysis of aspiration specimen achieved high diagnostic performance in renal transplants through studying CD8DR and CD3CD69 under current immunosuppressive therapy. Peripheral blood analysis, although not significant, showed the same trend. The activation score anticipated the irreversibility of rejection. The data suggest this test, through an easily tolerated technique, merits further diagnostic use.

Intra- and inter-specific variability in total and methylmercury bioaccumulation by eight marine fish species from the Azores.

We relate fish biological and ecological characteristics to total and organic mercury concentrations to determine whether accumulation is influenced by trophic level, Hg concentration in the diet, and vertical distribution. Levels of total mercury and methylmercury were determined in the muscle tissue of eight species of fish: Pagellus acarne, Trachurus picturatus, Phycis phycis, P. blennoides, Polyprion americanus, Conger conger, Lepidopus caudatus and Mora moro, caught in the Azores. All such fishes are commercially valuable and were selected to include species from a wide range of vertical distributions from epipelagic (<200 m) to mesopelagic (>300 m) environments. Methylmercury was the major form accumulated in all species, comprising an average of 88.1% of total mercury. Concentrations of mercury (total and methylmercury) increased with age, length and weight. Based on data from other studies, mercury concentrations in fish diet were estimated. Mercury levels in food ranged from 0.08 to 0.32 ppm, dry weight. Hg concentrations in the food and in muscle tissue from different species were positively correlated. Total Hg levels in the muscles were approximately nine times those estimated in food. Total mercury concentrations in muscle were positively correlated with both trophic level and median depth. Such enhanced mercury bioaccumulation in relation to depth appears to be determined primarily by concentrations in food and ultimately by water chemistry, which controls mercury speciation and uptake at the base of the food chain.

Discovery of novel plant peptides as strong inhibitors of metalloproteinases.

Five novel metalloproteinase protein inhibitors (MPIs) with molecular mass between 5.6 and 8.9 kDa and acid/neutral pI were detected in lupin seeds and exhibited strong inhibitory activities against thermolysin and/or gelatinase B. These novel peptides constitute not only the first MPIs described in plants but also the first plant peptides with inhibitory activity against a matrixin.