Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid E1-antigen test for chikungunya virus infection in a reference setting.

OBJECTIVES: Rapid diagnostic tests targeting virus-specific antigen could significantly enhance the diagnostic capacity for chikungunya virus infections. We evaluated the accuracy of an immunochromatographic antigen test for diagnosis of chikungunya in a reference laboratory for arboviruses. METHODS: An immunochromatographic rapid test that uses mouse monoclonal antibodies as a tracer against the E1-envelope protein of chikungunya (ARKRAY, Inc. Kyoto, Japan) was evaluated. Sensitivity was tested in sera from travellers with RT-PCR confirmed chikungunya virus infection (Eastern/Central/Southern African (ECSA) genotype) (n=9) and from patients diagnosed during the 2014-2015 chikungunya outbreak on Aruba (Asian genotype, n=30). Samples from patients with other febrile and non-febrile illnesses (n=26), sera spiked with Flavivirus and Alphavirus reference strains (n=13, including non-spiked serum), and samples containing other selected pathogens (n=20) were used to test specificity of the E1-antigen test. RESULTS: Sensitivity of the E1-antigen test was 8/9 (88.9%, 95% CI 56.5-98.0) for the ECSA genotype, but only 10/30 (33.3%, 95% CI 19.2-51.2) for the Asian genotype. Overall diagnostic specificity was 49/59 (83.1%, 95% CI 71.5-90.5). CONCLUSIONS: The E1-antigen test we evaluated had fair diagnostic sensitivity for ECSA genotype chikungunya, but low sensitivity for Asian genotype, and poor overall specificity. Antibodies that react across genotypes will be required for further development of a rapid test for chikungunya. Performance of new tests should be evaluated against different chikungunya genotypes.

Predictive Factors Associated with Oral Intake Ability in Gastrostomy Patients Under Long-Term Care.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the physical indicators associated with oral intake status and swallowing function in gastrostomy patients under long-term care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Thirty-one hospitals that perform gastrostomy insertion, replacement and management. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 117 respondents from 31 hospitals in Japan underwent gastrostomy tube replacement and management between September 2012 and January 2014. Each participant underwent a gastrostomy at least 6 months prior to the study, and received long-term care either at home, a care facility, or a hospital. MEASUREMENTS: We conducted a questionnaire survey at Japanese hospitals and used the data obtained from 117 respondents for analysis. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire form that collected information about the following items: oral intake status, sex, age, disease history, number of days elapsed since gastrostomy, residence status, modified Rankin Scale score, consciousness, oral hygiene status, articulation and phonation, voluntary saliva swallow, Modified Water Swallow Test, and Food Test. RESULTS: Results revealed significant differences in modified Rankin Scale scores, sputum production, articulation and phonation, and voluntary saliva swallowing between patients who were orally fed and those who were not. Moreover, sputum production and voluntary saliva swallowing were strongly associated with oral intake status. Finally, sputum production, articulation and phonation, and voluntary saliva swallowing were strongly associated with swallowing function test results. CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggested that sputum production, articulation and phonation, and voluntary saliva swallowing could be used as indicators for estimating oral intake status and swallowing function in gastrostomy patients under long-term care.

Generation of virtual models for planning orthognathic surgery using a modified multimodal image fusion technique.

Streak artefacts caused by dental metals deteriorate the quality of computed tomography (CT) images. We developed and evaluated a method for generating three-dimensional virtual models to plan orthognathic surgery in patients with multiple dental materials, to avoid the adverse effects of metal artefacts in image fusion. The method basically consists of four procedures: (1) fabrication of a splint in the open-mouth position with fiducial markers, (2) reconstruction of a virtual skull model in the open-mouth position from CT scanning, (3) reconstruction of two virtual dental models in the open-mouth position and either the intercuspal position (ICP) or centric relation (CR) from surface scanning, and (4) three serial steps of image registration and subsequent repositioning of the mandible to the ICP or CR. This method allows for the registration of skull and dental models under artefact-free conditions. To validate the method, CT and dental cast data from 30 patients were used. The registration accuracy was 0.080 mm for the initial registration, 0.033 mm for the second registration, and 0.028 mm for the third registration. The present method can be used to determine the occlusal relationships and craniofacial morphology of patients with dental metals and can be applied to computer-assisted diagnosis and surgery.

The effects of ADL on recovery of swallowing function in stroke patients after acute phase.

This study aimed to examine the association between the degree of recovery from dysphagia and changes in functional independence measure (FIM) items in stroke patients after acute phase by conducting a historical cohort study, because none explains the effects of activities of daily living (ADL) on recovery of swallowing function. Study patients included hospitalised stroke patients after acute phase in whom dysphagia was confirmed (n = 72). Change in nutritional intake method score was examined for association with age, days from stroke onset to admission, length of hospital stay and change in FIM score. Moreover, to examine characteristics of patients who were removed from tube feeding, all patients who required tube feeding at the time of admission were divided into two groups comprising those who required tube feeding at discharge and those who did not. A significant and positive association was observed between change in nutritional intake method and FIM for all items other than self-care of bathing, locomotion of stairs and problem solving. Patients who were removed from tube feeding were significantly younger than those who required tube feeding at the time of discharge (P < 0.041) and also showed significantly higher FIM scores for transfer and all cognitive FIM items at the time of admission (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that nutritional intake methods improve in conjunction with FIM improvements in patients with dysphagia following the acute phase of stroke. Our results suggest that the age and cognitive function may influence the recovery of patient ability of oral intake.

Genetic variants of immunoglobulin γ and κ chains influence humoral immunity to the cancer-testis antigen XAGE-1b (GAGED2a) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

GM (γ marker) allotypes, genetic variants of immunoglobulin γ chains, have been reported to be associated strongly with susceptibility to lung cancer, but the mechanism(s) underlying this association is not known. One mechanism could involve their contribution to humoral immunity to lung tumour-associated antigens. In this study, we aimed to determine whether particular GM and KM (κ marker) allotypes were associated with antibody responsiveness to XAGE-1b, a highly immunogenic lung tumour-associated cancer-testis antigen. Sera from 89 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were allotyped for eight GM and two KM determinants and characterized for antibodies to a synthetic XAGE-1b protein. The distribution of various GM phenotypes was significantly different between XAGE-1b antibody-positive and -negative patients (P = 0·023), as well as in the subgroup of XAGE-1b antigen-positive advanced NSCLC (P = 0·007). None of the patients with the GM 1,17 21 phenotype was positive for the XAGE-1b antibody. In patients with antigen-positive advanced disease, the prevalence of GM 1,2,17 21 was significantly higher in the antibody-positive group than in those who lacked the XAGE-1b antibody (P = 0·026). This phenotype also interacted with a particular KM phenotype: subjects with GM 1,2,17 21 and KM 3,3 phenotypes were almost four times (odds ratio = 3·8) as likely to be positive for the XAGE-1b antibody as the subjects who lacked these phenotypes. This is the first report presenting evidence for the involvement of immunoglobulin allotypes in immunity to a cancer-testis antigen, which has important implications for XAGE-1b-based immunotherapeutic interventions in lung adenocarcinoma.

Effects of reclining posture on velopharyngeal closing pressure during swallowing and phonation.

Velopharyngeal closure plays an important role in preventing air pressure leakage during swallowing and phonation from oropharynx to nasopharynx. Levator veli palatini muscle activity is influenced by oral and nasal air pressure, volume of the swallow bolus and postural changes. However, it is unclear how velopharyngeal closing pressure is affected by reclining posture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reclining posture on velopharyngeal closing pressure during swallowing and phonation. Nine healthy male volunteers (age range, 27-34 years) participated in this study. Velopharyngeal closing pressure during a dry swallow, a 5-mL liquid swallow, a 5-mL honey-thick liquid swallow and phonations of /P∧/ and /K∧/ were evaluated in an upright posture and at reclining postures of 60° and 30°. A manometer catheter was inserted transnasally onto the soft palate, and each trial was repeated three times. A solid-state manometer catheter with an intra-luminal transducer was used to evaluate the amplitude and duration of each trial, and data were statistically analysed. Average amplitudes during dry and liquid swallows were significantly lower in reclining postures compared with the upright posture, but the amplitude was not significantly different during the thick liquid swallow. Average durations were not affected by postural changes. The amplitudes during phonations were lower in reclining postures, but the differences were not significant. Velopharyngeal closure is significantly affected by reclining posture. This suggests that velopharyngeal closing pressure may be adjusted according to afferent inputs, such as reclining posture and bolus viscosity.

NY-ESO-1 antibody as a novel tumour marker of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: NY-ESO-1 antibodies are specifically observed in patients with NY-ESO-1-expressing tumours. We analysed whether the NY-ESO-1 humoral immune response is a useful tumour marker of gastric cancer. METHODS: Sera from 363 gastric cancer patients were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect NY-ESO-1 antibodies. Serial serum samples were obtained from 25 NY-ESO-1 antibody-positive patients, including 16 patients with curative resection and 9 patients who received chemotherapy alone. RESULTS: NY-ESO-1 antibodies were detected in 3.4% of stage I, 4.4% of stage II, 25.3% of stage III, and 20.0% of stage IV patients. The frequency of antibody positivity increased with disease progression. When the NY-ESO-1 antibody was used in combination with carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9 to detect gastric cancer, information gains of 11.2% in stages III and IV, and 5.8% in all patients were observed. The NY-ESO-1 immune response levels of the patients without recurrence fell below the cutoff level after surgery. Two of the patients with recurrence displayed incomplete decreases. The nine patients who received chemotherapy alone continued to display NY-ESO-1 immune responses. CONCLUSION: When combined with conventional tumour markers, the NY-ESO-1 humoral immune response could be a useful tumour marker for detecting advanced gastric cancer and inferring the post-treatment tumour load in seropositive patients.

Downregulation of Ral GTPase-activating protein promotes tumor invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer.

The small GTPase Ral is known to be highly activated in several human cancers, such as bladder, colon and pancreas cancers. It is reported that activated Ral is involved in cell proliferation, migration and metastasis of bladder cancer. This protein is activated by Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RalGEFs) and inactivated by Ral GTPase-activating proteins (RalGAPs), the latter of which consist of heterodimers containing a catalytic α1 or α2 subunit and a common ß subunit. In Ras-driven cancers, such as pancreas and colon cancers, constitutively active Ras mutant activates Ral through interaction with RalGEFs, which contain the Ras association domain. However, little is known with regard to the mechanism that governs aberrant activation of Ral in bladder cancer, in which Ras mutations are relatively infrequent. Here, we show that Ral was highly activated in invasive bladder cancer cells due to reduced expression of RalGAPα2, the dominant catalytic subunit in bladder, rather than increased expression of RalGEFs. Exogenous expression of wild-type RalGAPα2 in KU7 bladder cancer cells with invasive phenotype, but not mutant RalGAPα2-N1742K lacking RalGAP activity, resulted in attenuated cell migration in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, genetic ablation of Ralgapa2 promoted tumor invasion in a chemically-induced murine bladder cancer model. Importantly, immunohistochemical analysis of human bladder cancer specimens revealed that lower expression of RalGAPα2 was associated with advanced clinical stage and poor survival of patients. Collectively, these results are highly indicative that attenuated expression of RalGAPα2 leads to disease progression of bladder cancer through enhancement of Ral activity.

Imaging findings of neurogenic tumours in the head and neck region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the CT, MRI and ultrasonography findings of five cases of neurogenic tumours in the head and neck region. METHODS: Five neurogenic tumours were analysed with respect to their CT value, the presence of cystic change, target sign, lobulation, connection to the nerve and vascularity. RESULTS: The contrast-enhanced CT (ECT) of the schwannomas demonstrated either a mass with low enhancement (two out of three cases), which reflected the predominant Antoni B components, or a mass with cystic changes, which was an Antoni A-based schwannoma displaying cystic changes (one out of three cases). On MRI, all tumours showed homogeneous and isointense signals for muscle on T1 weighted images (T1 WIs). T2 weighted images (T2 WIs) and gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced T1 WIs demonstrated target sign in both schwannomas. Ultrasound examination showed a well-defined, ovoid or round hypoechoic mass. The direct connection to the nerve was demonstrated in two of the five cases. Lobulation was observed in only one of the five cases and cystic changes were observed in one of the five cases. In all of the cases, no vascularity was seen in power Doppler images (PDIs) obtained percutaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Low-enhanced areas on ECTs can be specific for schwannomas, which suggests the predominance of Antoni B components. The target sign on T2 WIs and Gd-enhanced T1 WIs can be specific, which can be used to differentiate the two different components (Antoni A and Antoni B). The direct connection to the nerve can be a specific finding for neurogenic tumours; however, at present the sensitivity is 40%.

Comparison of extracellular-type-Kyoto solution and Perfadex as a preservation solution in a pig ex vivo lung perfusion model: impact of potassium level.

BACKGROUND: The ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) system has been used successfully to assess donor lungs. Perfadex (PX) is usually the flush and preservation solution in EVLP systems. We have used the extracellular-type-Kyoto (ET-K) solution containing 44 mEq/L potassium for clinical lung transplantation, investigating whether it rather than PX affects the EVLP system. METHODS: We used domestic slaughterhouse pigs to analyze the EVLP system. After 20-minute warm ischemia and 6-hour cold ischemia, EVLP was performed for 2 hours. Pig heart-lung blocks were divided into the PX (n = 5) and ET-K (n = 5) groups depending on the flush/cold preservation solution. At the beginning, we discarded the first 100 mL of effluent in the PX group and the first 200 mL in the ET-K group. We measured pulmonary physiological data and potassium levels. RESULTS: In both groups, perfusion for 2 hours showed no differences between the 2 groups with respect to the final flow, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, PaO(2)/FiO(2), and shunt fraction. The potassium level in the perfusate was 4.4 mEq/L for the PX and 5.4 mEq/L for the ET-K group. CONCLUSION: The pig EVLP system was not affected when ET-K was used instead of PX as the flush/preservation solution. The initial 200 mL of effluent should be discarded when using the ET-K to ensure that the potassium level does not increase.

Establishment of an ex vivo lung perfusion model using non-heart-beating large pigs.

BACKGROUND: Functional evaluation of potentially damaged lungs donated after cardiac death is crucial for widespread clinical transplantation. To date, the mean weight of animals used in studies of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has been 60 kg; however, in the clinical setting, donor weight may be greater. OBJECTIVE: To investigate EVLP using lungs from large pigs (mean weight, 115 kg) to simulate human adult lungs donated after cardiac death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five heart-lung blocks were obtained at 20 minutes after death at the slaughterhouse. The lungs were flushed and preserved on ice for 6 hours before being connected to an ex vivo lung circuit, and were perfused for at least 2 hours. RESULTS: In all cases, perfusion was sustained for at least 2 hours. Mean (SEM) final flow rate was 4.9 (0.1) L/min, pulmonary artery pressure was 14.8 (1.7) mm Hg, and oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen was 518.0 (18.0) mm Hg. The shunt fraction was 20.5% (4.0%). Histologic analysis demonstrated no significant pulmonary edema at the end of perfusion. CONCLUSION: We successfully completed EVLP using lungs from large pigs.

Hepatitis C virus NS4 protein impairs the Th1 polarization of immature dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) in chronic hepatitis C patients display impaired function, although the details remain unclear. To investigate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein that has the most impact on DC function, we compared five recombinant proteins and seven HCV protein genes in modulating DC phenotype and function. Immature DCs (iDCs) were established from healthy donor peripheral blood monocytes with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-4. Lipopolysaccharide was used to establish mature DCs (mDCs). Cells were then pulsed with HCV recombinant proteins or transfected with HCV plasmids and subsequently assayed for cell surface marker expression by flow cytometry. For cytokine and proliferative T-cell response analysis, DCs were cultured with autologous CD4 T cells and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD). Mean fluorescent intensity of CD86 was reduced in HCV protein-pulsed iDCs. Proliferative T-cell responses and Th1 cytokine concentrations were reduced with HCV nonstructural proteins (NS), particularly with HCV NS4. HCV nonstructural proteins, particularly NS4, change the iDC phenotype and reduce antigen-specific T-cell stimulatory function with Th1 cytokine reductions.

Polymorphisms in CCR5 chemokine receptor gene in Japan.

Mutations in the human CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene may alter the expression or function of the protein product, thereby altering chemokine binding/signalling or human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of the cells that normally express CCR5 protein. We performed a systematic survey of natural sequence variations in an 8.1-kb region of the entire CCR5 gene as well as CCR2V64I in 50 Japanese subjects and evaluated the effects of those variations on CCR5 promoter activity. We also analysed CCR5 promoters and CCR2V64I in 80 more Japanese and 186 Thais. There was no 32-bp deletion observed in Caucasians, but two types of non-synonymous substitutions were found in CCR5 genes of Japanese. Our results showed several novel characteristics of the CCR2-CCR5 haplotype structure that were not reported from studies on Caucasians and African-Americans. Specifically, we were able to show that the G allele at position -2852 from the CCR5 open reading frame in Japanese and Thais is the representative of the CCR5 promoter haplotype that was reported to be associated with rapid progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in HIV-1-infected individuals. Furthermore, nearly all non-synonymous polymorphisms in Japanese CCR5 occurred in haplotypes with elevated promoter activity. We thus hypothesized that there was a certain selective pressure favouring low levels of CCR5 expression during human evolution.

A three-base-deletion polymorphism in the upstream non-coding region of human interleukin 7 (IL-7) gene could enhance levels of IL-7 expression.

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is a key factor in the survival, development and proliferation of B and T lymphocytes. Elevation of plasma IL-7 has been reported in several lymphopenia cases such as HIV-1 patients. After patients started to receive antiretroviral drugs and their CD4(+) cell counts had recovered, IL-7 in plasma decreased to normal levels. There are considerable variations in the levels of plasma IL-7 as well as the rate of CD4(+) T-cell restoration. Although pre-treatment plasma IL-7 levels have been shown to be prognostic for the rate of post-treatment CD4(+) T-cell restoration, the mechanisms responsible for the variations in plasma IL-7 and rate of CD4(+) T-cell restoration are still completely unknown. In the study here, we searched for genetic polymorphisms that might affect levels of IL-7 gene expression. For this purpose, we used 1658-bp PCR-amplified fragments of the IL-7 gene containing 1470 bp of the upstream non-coding region obtained from 151 Japanese and 234 Thai subjects. We found two novel human genetic polymorphisms in the upstream non-coding region of the IL-7 gene. The luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that one of those polymorphisms could increase the gene expression of IL-7. We speculate that this polymorphism, a three base ATC deletion just upstream of an out-of-frame ATG codon in the upstream non-coding region of the IL-7 gene, reduces the efficiency of translation from the upstream, out-of-frame ATG, resulting in increased translation efficiency from the authentic ATG of IL-7. Although the frequency of this allele is very low, it would be interesting to analyse this polymorphism in HIV-1-infected individuals with different rates of immune reconstitution after treatment with a highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Correlation between diagnostic accuracy and perceptibility.

OBJECTIVES: To correlate diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries with perceptibility of low contrast image details using regression analysis. The other purpose was to determine the attenuation range required for proximal caries diagnosis. METHODS: The results of the two types of observer performance tests described above were retrieved from previous studies. Recording media included in those studies were the Compuray and the Dixel, direct digital radiographic systems, and Ektaspeed Plus film. The average numbers of perceptibility of image details from five observers were calculated for each step and for every combination of contiguous steps of the aluminium test phantom from the perceptibility test. The average diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries from the same five observers was correlated with the total number of perceptible details from the phantom using regression analysis. Finally, attenuation range required for proximal caries diagnosis was calculated from the attenuation range of the phantom where the maximum correlation coefficient was obtained. RESULTS: Maximum correlation (r=0.68) was obtained at the combination of five contiguous steps of the aluminium test phantom. Attenuation range required for proximal caries diagnosis corresponded to the 2 mm to 6 mm thickness of aluminium with acrylic block of 12 mm thickness. CONCLUSIONS: There is a correlation between perceptibility of low contrast image details and diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries. There may be a possibility to simplify observer performance tests for proximal caries diagnosis by using the standardized phantom simulating its attenuation range.

Effects of the automatic exposure compensation on the proximal caries diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of automatic exposure compensation (AEC) on the diagnostic accuracy of proximal caries by comparing several digital intraoral imaging systems with a film. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven extracted teeth served as proximal caries samples. Three digital radiographic systems; the Compuray, the Dixel, and the Sens-A-Ray without scintillator layer, and Kodak Ekta-speed Plus films were used as recording media. Radiographs of the teeth samples were obtained with each recording medium under seven to eight different exposures including the optimum level. Six oral radiologists evaluated the possibility of proximal caries with the five-grade-confidence-scale. On digital radiographs, image manipulations were allowed after the initial assessment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained at each exposure in each recording medium. The area under the ROC curve (Az) was used as the representative value of diagnostic accuracy. Diagnostic accuracy (DA) curves were obtained by plotting averaged Az values from all observers as a function of incident exposure in each system. RESULTS: The effect of exposure variation on the DA was slight in the film while it was significantly larger in the digital systems without AEC. Among digital systems, the effect of exposure variation was smaller in the system with AEC than those without AEC. There was no significant effect on the diagnostic accuracy even if digital image manipulation was employed. CONCLUSION: AEC minimizes the decrease of DA due to inadequate exposures. Since it compensates for the narrow exposure range in the digital intraoral sensor systems, the system with AEC may be preferable for the clinical diagnostic tasks.

The clinical and diagnostic imaging findings of osteosarcoma of the jaw.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the valuable clinical features and diagnostic imaging findings regarding the diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw (OSJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The initial symptoms and diagnostic imaging findings of 10 patients with OSJ were analysed. The points analysed on the diagnostic images were as follows: any widening of the periodontal ligament space of the teeth on the periphery of the OSJ; the presence of radial spicules and Codman's triangle; any signs of bone destruction; and the patterns of osteogenesis. RESULTS: All patients had pain and/or swelling of the affected site, and all OSJs, except for one edentulous case, showed a widening of the periodontal ligament space of the teeth on the periphery of the OSJ. Radial spicules or Codman's triangle were observed in only three cases (30%). Four out of five mandibular OSJs were osteolytic or osteolytic dominant with bone destruction, while, in contrast, four out of five maxillary OSJs were osteogenic or osteogenic dominant, and three out of the four maxillary OSJs did not show bone destruction. The osteogenic OSJ without bone destruction was similar to some benign cemento-osseous lesions of the jaw and thus was difficult to diagnose as OSJ based on the diagnostic imaging findings alone. CONCLUSION: Even though some OSJ showed features similar to the benign tumours of the jaw bone based on the diagnostic imaging findings, the pain and swelling of the affected site, and the widening of the periodontal ligament space of the teeth on the periphery of OSJ were considered to be common findings, which may help in making an accurate diagnosis of OSJ in this limited series.

Comparison of the psychophysical properties of various intraoral film and digital systems by means of the perceptibility curve test.

OBJECTIVES: To compare psychophysical properties of two intraoral films and three digital systems using the perceptibility curve (PC) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A test object was used to determine the exposures and exposure differences between the total thickness of the test object and details consisting of holes of increasing depth. The PCs for the two intraoral films, UltraSpeed and EktaSpeed Plus, were constructed employing exposure and exposure differences from dose response functions. Integrals of the PCs were calculated to obtain the psychophysical properties of the two films. Psychophysical properties of the two films were compared with those of the three digital systems published previously (CDR, Dixel and Digora). RESULTS: The PC for the EktaSpeed Plus showed a slightly higher peak than that for the UltraSpeed. Available exposure ranges were comparable. The PC for the EktaSpeed Plus was shifted to the left of the exposure axis indicating its higher sensitivity as compared with UltraSpeed. All three digital systems had narrower but higher peaks compared with the films. The integrals for the digital systems were considerably larger than those for the two film types. CONCLUSIONS: All the three digital systems have superior psychophysical properties compared with the two tested films.

Differential role of CD80 and CD86 molecules in the induction and the effector phases of allergic rhinitis in mice.

Selective involvement of CD80 and/or CD86 in the differentiation of T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 was seen in several diseases. In this study, we sought to determine the differential roles of CD80 and CD86 in the induction and effector phase of allergic rhinitis using Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen (SEA) as a specific Ag. Intranasal sensitization with SEA in BALB/c mice elicited a strong Th2 response including SEA-specific IgE production, nasal eosinophilia, and IL-4 and IL-5 production by nasal lymphocytes after Ag challenge. Blockade of CD80 at the induction phase significantly inhibited these manifestations, whereas no effect was observed by CD86 blockade. In contrast, the simultaneous blockade of both CD80 and CD86 during the effector phase partially inhibited IgE and IgG(1) production and nasal eosinophilia, although either blockade of CD80 or CD86 during the phase failed to inhibit these responses. Flow cytometric analysis on nasal mononuclear cells showed that CD80 but not CD86 was preferentially expressed on non-B cells by in vitro SEA stimulation in unsensitized mice. However, both CD80 and CD86 expression were significantly augmented by in vitro SEA stimulation in sensitized mice. Our results suggest the differential roles and expression of CD80 and CD86 in the development of allergic rhinitis.

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against autologous lung cancer cells resistant to apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is resistant to conventional treatment; so the development of a new therapy is urgent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients with NSCLC and malignant effusion were enrolled in this study. Seventeen autologous lung cancer cell lines were established. Peripheral lymphocytes and irradiated autologous tumor cell lines were co-cultured to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Expression of apoptosis-related molecules were analysed by RT-PCR or FACS. RESULTS: CTL lines were established in 2 patients. Both CTL lines were CD3+, CD8+ and MHC class I-restricted T cells and showed cytotoxic activities not only against autologous tumor cell lines but against allogenic cancer cell lines. Two lung cancer cell lines were established from one patient before and after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The tumor cell line established after chemotherapy was apoptosis-resistant, but was sensitive to cytotoxicity of CTL. CONCLUSION: CTL-based immunotherapy may be one of the candidates for future therapies against NSCLC.