[Response of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocyte to nickel stimulation in patients with systemic and contact allergy to nickel]. / Odpowiedz jednojadrzastych leukocytów krwi obwodowej na stymulacje siarczanem niklu u pacjentów z systemowa i kontaktowa alergia na nikiel.

UNLABELLED: Nickel is knows as the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, as well as diffuse eczema, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. The mechanism of contact allergy to nickel is well known. In spite of numerous investigations, the mechanism of systemic allergy to nickel is still not clear. 22 patients with positive patch tests to nickel were analyzed. On basis of clinical symptoms the patients were divided into two groups: 1. with contact allergy dermatitis to nickel--8 patients 2. with systemic allergy to nickel (allergic rhinitis and/or diffuse eczema--14 patients. The control group included non-atopic patients with negative patch test to nickel--6 patients. 10 ml of blood were taken from each patient and peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBC) were isolated. In PBMC culture, NiSO4 and PHA were stimulated. The control group was non-stimulated cells. The supernatants were collected after 3 and 6 days of culture and the levels of cytokines IL-5, 4 and IFNgamma were measured (ELISA). The concentration of IFNgamma in supernatants from stimulated as well as non-stimulated cells from patients with contact allergy to nickel was higher in comparison to the control group. The concentration of IL-5 in this group was low. There was an increase in the production of IFNgamma and IL-5 after NiSO4 stimulation in patients with systemic allergy to nickel. The higher concentration of IFNgamma in the same groups of patients investigated was in supernatants from the third day of PBMC culture were compared to the sixth day. After 3 and 6 days of culture, the concentration of IL-4 (ELISA) was below detection level in all supernatants analyzed. SUMMARY: IFNgamma plays an essential role in the mechanism of developing of contact allergy to nickel; and IFNgamma as well as IL-5 play a role in the mechanism of developing systemic allergy to nickel. The third day of PBMC culture is more reliable for IFNgamma estimation.

SEB-induced T cell apoptosis in atopic patients--correlation to clinical status and skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus.

INTRODUCTION: We asked whether in atopic dermatitis (AD) increased T cell apoptosis in staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-activated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is characteristic of the exacerbation of the disease or connected with skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus. MATERIAL/METHODS: The clinical status of the patients was evaluated using the SCORAD index. The number of bacteria colonizing patients' skin lesions was determined by the cfu method. Mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood were stimulated by SEB and the apoptosis of CD3+ cells in culture was determined by flow cytometry using the monoclonal antibody APO2.7. The cytokine production in the culture supernatants was determined by ELISA and Cytometric Bead Array kits. RESULTS: T cell apoptosis was increased, while the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma was reduced in cultures of PBMCs of AD patients during exacerbation. The proportion of CD3+ APO2.7+ cells positively correlated with the density of S. aureus recovered from skin lesions, but not with SCORAD index. By contrast, SCORAD index, but not S. aureus density, negatively correlated with IFN- gamma production. Furthermore it was found that the presence of S. aureus on uninvolved skin distinguishes a group of severe cases with high serum IgE level, increased T cell apoptosis, and reduced production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in SEB- -stimulated cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Among AD patients the increased activation-induced T cell apoptosis observed in SEB- -stimulated cultures is related to skin colonization by S. aureus. The presence of bacteria on uninvolved skin is a feature of a distinct group of AD patients.

[Cytological changes in bronchial lavage in silica exposure rats]. / Ocena cytologiczna popluczyn oskrzelowych w eksperymentalnej pylicy krzemowej u szczurów.

Exposure to inorganic dust containing silica particles leads to severe lung dysfunction. In order to evaluate the development of the early changes in pneumoconiosis the studies in rats were performed. Rats were instilled with silica and especially prepared coal dust by tracheal insuflation. After 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 weeks bronchial lavage was performed and the cells obtained were examined. The lung tissue samples were taken for histological evaluation. To assess the macrophages activity the nitro blue tetrazolium test (NBT-test) was performed. In the groups studied the differences in cell count and populations were found, especially in the monocytes and macrophages group of cells.

Screening for prostate cancer in a population of South Poland--studies 2000.

According to the frequency of appearance, prostatic carcinoma is said to be the fourth new growth tumour in men in Poland. Course of prostatic cancer in early period is symptomless therefore the number of death because of the prostatic cancer is still being increased. The improvement of this situation in our country might be done by introducing the mass, screening studies. Since 1.09.2000 to 31.12.2000 a preventive programme of diagnosis prostatic gland diseases has been performed by the Department of Pathophysiology Medical College Jagiellonian University in Cracow. 8089 men 50-69 years old (mean 60.2 +/- 5.83) were investigated. In the first step, digital per rectum examination (DRE), serum PSA level determination, urine test and IPSS questionnaire were carried out. The abnormal results (an increase of PSA above 4 ng/ml and/or or a palpable nodule in the per rectum examination) allowed to select 284 patients, who in the second stage underwent transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and the biopsy. Presence of early prostatic carcinoma has been diagnosed and confirmed in 28 patients. The possibly tentative diagnosis of cancer was considered in 1383 patients. In the light of our results we must underline that these screening procedures seems to be important, especially respecting to the fact of possibility early diagnosis of prostatic cancer.