The novel differentiation of human blood mononuclear cells into CD1a-negative dendritic cells is stimulated in the absence of exogenous cytokines by an extract prepared from pinecones.

The production of dendritic cells, both in-vivo and in-vitro, has become the intense focus of research activities. Common to many of these production protocols is the use of cytokines, typically granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor and either interleukin 4 or tumor necrosis factor alpha or a combination of all three. Herein, we report our findings that a proprietary pinecone extract is capable of in a dose-dependent manner, and in the absence of exogenous cytokines, the rapid differentiation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of mature CD1a-negative dendritic cells.

Does allergy play a role in fibrositis?

Twenty patients with active fibrositis and no underlying disease (and with normal electromyographic findings) were evaluated for the possible role of an active allergic process in their conditions. A definite atopic history was obtained in just fewer than 50% of the patients, and an allergic diathesis in slightly more than 50% of the patients' families. Serum immunoglobulin E levels and eosinophil counts for all 20 patients fell within the normal range. Thus the traditional allergic reaction (type I hypersensitivity) would seem unlikely as a mediator of fibrositis.

Heat of combustion of cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Based upon 161 determinations, the heat of combustion of cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens averaged 5.32 kcal/g on an ash-free dry-weight basis. The standard deviation was 0.39 kcal.