[Multidisciplinary unit specialized in the treatment of diabetic foot: Evaluation and results]. / Unidad multidisciplinar especializada en el tratamiento del pie diabético: evaluación y resultados.

INTRODUCTION: In this study the evaluation of the care process of the diabetic foot will be carried out after the implementation of an intra-hospital clinical pathway and a multidisciplinary consultation. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the influence on factors related to the care, amputations, and rehabilitation of the amputee patient. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study, in which the comparison of three periods has been made. First (3years): Before the implantation of the pathway. Second (5years): After the implementation of the pathway. Third (10years): After the implementation of the consultation. RESULTS: A specialized consultation in diabetic foot care contributes to a reduction in femoral and minor amputations. The assessment and treatment by rehabilitation of patients undergoing major amputation has been optimized. CONCLUSION: The implantation of the pathway and consultation contributes to the preservation of the lower limb. However, the incidence remains high, suggesting that diabetic foot care remains suboptimal.

Nuclear factor kappa B plays a pivotal role in polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-induced expression of human ß-defensin 2 in intestinal epithelial cells.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play an important role in protecting the intestinal surface from invading pathogens by producing effector molecules. IECs are one of the major sources of human beta-defensin 2 (hBD-2), and can produce it in response to a variety of stimuli. Although IECs express Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3) and can respond to its ligand, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), hBD-2 expression in response to dsRNA has not been elucidated. In the present study, using an artificial analogue of dsRNA, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), we investigated whether the human IEC line, HT-29, can produce hBD-2 in response to poly I:C. HT-29 cells can express hBD-2 mRNA only when stimulated with poly I:C. The induction of hBD-2 mRNA expression was observed at 3 h after stimulation and peaked at 12 h of post-stimulation. Pre-incubation of the cells with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-specific inhibitor, l-1-4'-tosylamino-phenylethyl-chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and isohelenine abolished the expression of hBD-2. Detection of the poly I:C signal by TLR-3 on the surface of HT-29 cells was revealed by pre-incubating the cells with anti-TLR-3 antibody. The 5'-regulatory region of the hBD-2 gene contains two NF-κB binding sites. A luciferase assay revealed the importance of the proximal NF-κB binding site for poly I:C-induced expression of hBD-2. Among NF-κB subunits, p65 and p50 were activated by poly I:C stimulation and accumulated in the nucleus. Activation of the p65 subunit was investigated further by determining its phosphorylation status, which revealed that poly I:C stimulation resulted in prolonged phosphorylation of p65. These results indicate clearly that NF-κB plays an indispensable role in poly I:C induced hBD-2 expression in HT-29 cells.

HCMV seroprevalence and associated risk factors in pregnant women, Havana City, 2007 to 2008.

OBJECTIVE: To prenatally identify pregnant women at risk of developing congenital infection due to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). METHODS: One thousand one hundred and thirty-one pregnant women from three municipalities from Havana City were serologically screened for HCMV infection (IgM/IgG, IgG avidity) from January 2007 to January 2008. Demographical, epidemiological, and clinical variables were correlated to serologic status to identify predictors of seroconversion in pregnancy. RESULTS: The majority of women were seropositive to HCMV (92.6%); 27 women (2.4%) developed HCMV active infection during pregnancy, defined by the detection of IgG+ and IgM+ (7 women), IgM+ and IgG- (2 women), and IgG seroconversion (18 women). Susceptibility of active HCMV infection during pregnancy was associated with maternal age < 20 years and nulligravidity. Primary infection was detected in 20 pregnant women (1.8%), whereas 7 patients (0.6%) had active non-primary infection. CONCLUSION: Although pregnant women in Cuba have high seroprevalence rates for HCMV, those younger than 20 years and nulligravidae are at risk of acquiring infection during pregnancy.

Poly I:C-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in intestinal epithelial cells.

Intercellular adhesion molecul-1 (ICAM-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesion molecules and plays perdominant roles in recruitment and trafficking of leucocytes to sites of inflammation. ICAM-1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is enhanced by several stimuli, such as proinflammatory cytokines, bacterial infections or pathogen-associated molecular patterns. One of these stimuli, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), is a by-product of viral replication and can be recognized by its cognate receptor Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3). In spite of expression of both TLR-3 and ICAM-1 in IECs, correlation between TLR-3-signalling and ICAM-1 expression has never been examined in IECs. In the present study, we investigated whether poly I:C, an analogue of dsRNA, can stimulate the expression of ICAM-1 in IEC line, HT-29. Poly I:C-stimulation up-regulated the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Enhanced expression of ICAM-1 was confirmed in protein level by immunofluoresense cell staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by measuring the released soluble ICAM-1 in culture supernatant. As the stimulation effect was reduced by pre-treatment of the cells with anti-TLR-3 antibody, poly I:C-binding signal was thought to be sensed by TLR-3 on the surface of HT-29. The results of luciferase assay and nuclear factor kappa-b (NF-kappaB) inhibitor treatment experiments indicated that the downstream signal was mainly transduced by transcription factor, NF-kappaB. All these results demonstrated the connection between TLR-3 signalling and ICAM-1 expression in HT-29 cells and indicated the importance of coordinated function of both innate and adaptive immunity against viral infections.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha-mediated human polymeric immunoglobulin receptor expression is regulated by both mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in HT-29 cell line.

Human polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) is present on the surface of glandular epithelium, and it plays a crucial role in the mucosal immune defence. pIgR expression in HT-29 cells is up-regulated by one of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. However, the mechanism used by the TNF-alpha-mediated signalling pathway has not been examined exclusively. To elucidate this mechanism in detail, HT-29 cells were cotreated with TNF-alpha and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK, also called MEK1) inhibitor, PD98059, and the amount of free secretory component (SC) secreted into the culture medium was measured. The amount of free SC stimulated by TNF-alpha was increased by addition of PD98059. This up-regulation occurred at the transcriptional level. The amount of SC was also up-regulated by addition of TNF-alpha with U0126, an inhibitor of MEK1 and MEK2. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activity and NF-kappaB binding to the kappaB2 site localized upstream of the pIgR gene did not change after coincubation of HT-29 cells with TNF-alpha and PD98059. The expression level of pIgR by TNF-alpha was decreased by LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), at the transcriptional level. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB binding to the kappaB2 site were not affected by LY294002 treatment. These data suggest that TNF-alpha-mediated pIgR expression is negatively regulated by ERK pathway, which is independent of NF-kappaB. In addition, decrease of SC production by Ly294002 suggests that the presence of PI3K mediated regulation of SC production.

Characterization of human dental pulp-derived cell lines.

AIM: To establish and characterize different types of fibroblastic cell lines derived from dental pulp tissue. METHODOLOGY: Human dental pulp tissue-derived cells were transfected with SV40 large T antigen by Lipofectamine transfection method. Geneticin (G418)-resistant cells were selected and different cell lines were established by a limiting dilution method. To characterize the lineages of cells, each clone was immunofluorescently stained by anti-fibroblast, anti-vimentin, anti-collagen type I and type III antibodies. Total RNA was extracted from each clone and subjected to a differential display experiment. RESULTS: By transfecting SV40 large T antigen, nine different cell clones were obtained. All these cell clones were positively stained by anti-fibroblast, anti-vimentin, anti-collagen type I and type III antibodies. With differential display experiment, eight different genes, the expression levels of these genes were varied amongst each cell clone, were detected. After sequencing and database search, one gene was revealed to be identical to T-cell marker, Thy-1. Thy-1 expression in dental pulp tissue was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSION: Fibroblastic cell lines derived from human dental pulp tissue possessed different gene expression profiles suggesting the existence of subpopulations.

Efectos en la calidad de vida de pacientes con fibromialgia tras un tratamiento integrado de fisioterapia y atención plena: un estudio cuasiexperimental pre-postintervención / Effects on the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients after an integrated physiotherapy and mindfulness treatment: a quasi-experimental pre-post-intervention study

Introducción: El dolor físico es la característica por excelencia de la fibromialgia, pero tan importantes son en esta enfermedad los síntomas físicos como psicológicos, además ambos contribuyen a disminuir la calidad de vida de los pacientes; el dolor corporal no debería ser el único componente a estudiar ni a tratar. Objetivo: Analizar el impacto en la calidad de vida que se produce en una muestra de pacientes con fibromialgia antes y después de un tratamiento integrado de fisioterapia y atención plena. Materiales y métodos: Se ha realizado una evaluación de la calidad de vida y de dolor a 33 mujeres con fibromialgia, utilizando como instrumento de medida el Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire y la Escala Visual Analógica, antes y después de un tratamiento de 8 sesiones de ejercicios de fisioterapia integrada con atención plena. Resultados: Se han obtenido puntuaciones de mejora significativa después del tratamiento de fisioterapia integrada con atención plena. El dolor ha disminuido un punto y medio (p<0,01) y la función física, la sensación de bienestar, la ansiedad y la depresión, también han mejorado significativamente (p<0,01). Conclusión: La introducción de la atención plena al tratamiento fisioterápico consigue disminuir el impacto de la enfermedad, mejorando la salud física y psicológica, y en consecuencia, la calidad de vida.

Introduction: Physical pain is the characteristic par excellence of fibromyalgia, but the physical and psychological symptoms are just as important in this disease, and both can reduce the quality of life of these patients. Therefore bodily pain should not be the only component to study or treat. Objective: To analyse the impact on quality of life in a sample of patients with fibromyalgia before and after a physiotherapy treatment, integrated with mindfulness. Materials and methods: An evaluation of quality of life and pain was carried out in 33 women with fibromyalgia, using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale as a measurement instrument, before and after an integrated physiotherapy treatment with mindfulness. Results: Significant improvement scores were obtained after the mindfulness-integrated physical therapy treatment. Pain decreased by one and a half points (p<.01) and physical function, feeling of well-being, anxiety, and depression also improved significantly (p<.01). Conclusion: The introduction of mindfulness to physiotherapy treatment reduces the impact of the disease, improving physical and psychological health, and consequently, quality of life.

Unidad multidisciplinar especializada en el tratamiento del pie diabético: evaluación y resultados / Multidisciplinary unit specialized in the treatment of diabetic foot: Evaluation and results

Introducción: En este estudio se realiza la evaluación del proceso asistencial del pie diabético tras la implantación de una vía clínica intrahospitalaria y una consulta multidisciplinar. Objetivos: Evaluar la influencia en factores relacionados con la asistencia, amputaciones y rehabilitación del paciente amputado. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo en el que se realiza la comparación de tres períodos. Primero (3años): antes de la implantación de la vía. Segundo (5años): posterior a la implantación de la vía. Tercero (10años): posterior a la implantación de la consulta. Resultados: Una consulta especializada en la atención del pie diabético contribuye a una reducción de las amputaciones femorales y menores. Se han optimizado la valoración y el tratamiento por parte de rehabilitación de los pacientes sometidos a amputación mayor. Conclusión: La implantación de vía y consulta contribuye a aumentar la preservación del miembro inferior. Sin embargo, la incidencia sigue siendo alta, sugiriendo que los cuidados del pie diabético permanecen subóptimos.(AU)

Introduction: In this study the evaluation of the care process of the diabetic foot will be carried out after the implementation of an intra-hospital clinical pathway and a multidisciplinary consultation. Objectives: Evaluate the influence on factors related to the care, amputations, and rehabilitation of the amputee patient. Methodology: Retrospective study, in which the comparison of three periods has been made. First (3years): Before the implantation of the pathway. Second (5years): After the implementation of the pathway. Third (10years): After the implementation of the consultation. Results: A specialized consultation in diabetic foot care contributes to a reduction in femoral and minor amputations. The assessment and treatment by rehabilitation of patients undergoing major amputation has been optimized. Conclusion: The implantation of the pathway and consultation contributes to the preservation of the lower limb. However, the incidence remains high, suggesting that diabetic foot care remains suboptimal.(AU)

Molecular maturation and functional expression of mouse polymeric immunoglobulin receptor.

Mouse polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) cDNA was stably introduced into a hamster-derived fibroblastic cell line, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell, by the calcium phosphate method. Surface expression of pIgR was detected by immunostaining and FACS analysis. The immunoprecipitated products of cell lysates revealed that the molecular mass of the most mature form of pIgR was approximately 120 kDa. Western blotting and metabolic labeling experiments followed by immunoprecipitation with an anti-mouse secretory component (SC) Ab demonstrated the existence of a 110 kDa immature form of pIgR. The reason for the existence of two forms of pIgR molecule was examined by conducting pulse-chase experiments which revealed the pIgR underwent molecular maturation. During this process, the 110 kDa form of pIgR was converted into a 120 kDa form by glycosylation. Moreover, tunicamycin treatment revealed the core form of pIgR had a molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa. The pIgR expressed on the surface of the transfectant could specifically bind and take up mouse polymeric IgA (MOPC 315), suggesting that, at least in this mouse system, cell type-specific molecules are not necessary for surface pIgR expression and polymeric immunoglobulin (pIg) binding and uptake.

Evaluation of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for human IgA, IgA subclasses and allotypes and secretory component. Results of an IUIS/WHO collaborative study.

51 monoclonal antibodies (McAb) with putative specificity for human IgA, the IgA subclasses, Am allotypes or secretory component (SC) were evaluated for immunoreactivity and specificity by nine laboratories employing immunodiffusion, agglutination, immunohistological assays, immunoblotting and direct binding and competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassays. McAbs specific for IgA PAN (n = 24), IgA1 (n = 7), IgA2 (n = 3), IgA2m(2) (n = 2), non-IgA2m(2) (n = 4) and SC or secretory IgA (n = 5) were identified that were immunoreactive and specific in the assays employed. The McAbs identified as IgA- or SC-reactive were shown to be non-reactive to human IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE, kappa and lambda by direct binding and competitive inhibition immunoassays. Interestingly, no McAbs with restricted specificity for IgA2m(1) were identified. Some McAbs displayed higher affinity and/or better performance in one or several of the assay groups. The IgA- and SC-specific McAbs identified in this international collaborative study have potential as immunochemical reference reagents to identify and quantitate monomeric and polymeric IgA in human serum and secretions.

Genetic typing methods applied to the differentiation of clonal lines among Salmonella enterica serogroup G strains causing human salmonellosis.

In Spain, in November 1995, an epidemiological alert recommended the surveillance of Salmonella serogroup G. The nine clinical isolates collected after and the four collected before the alert in Asturias were differentiated into six clonal lines by the combination of results from HincII ribotyping, PCR ribotyping, and RAPD typing using primers named A and S. The seven Gumpensis isolates showed identical DNA fingerprinting with the four typing procedures falling into a line. Six of these were collected during May-August from people living in a single health area suggesting that they could be associated with a community outbreak. The four Worthington isolates fell into three other lines, one Poona isolate into another line and one Havana isolate into another. 100% typeability was shown with all methods. The reproducibility of HincII ribotyping was better than that of PCR-based methods, although these were less time-consuming. The highest discriminatory power was obtained with HincII ribotyping and RAPD typing using primer A.

Ultrastructure of extracellular polysaccharides produced by serotype c Streptococcus mutans.

The ultrastructure of extracellular polysaccharides produced in colonies by two clinical isolates and that of a nitrosoguanidine-induced mutant of serotype c Streptococcus mutans with different polysaccharide-synthesizing abilities were compared electron-microscopically. A large amount of polysaccharide was produced from sucrose by colonies of typical serotype c strain MT8148R and a clinical variant MT6801R with an enhanced fructan-synthesizing ability. Transmission electron-microscopy (TEM) revealed that the polysaccharides consisted of three structural components, i.e., globular, single-stranded filamentous, and double-stranded fibrillar structures. These structures were ascribed to production of fructan, water-soluble glucan, and water-insoluble glucan, respectively. On the other hand, two kinds of structures, a globular body and an amorphous substance, were observed by scanning electron-microscopy (SEM). The former was composed of fructan, while the latter contained a mixture of water-soluble and water-insoluble glucans which formed filamentous and double-stranded fibrillar structures under TEM. Very small quantities of polysaccharides were formed in colonies of mutant NG7183, which was derived from S. mutans MT6801R. This strain was found to possess low glucan- and no fructan-synthesizing abilities. The polysaccharides produced in colonies of mutant NG7183 were composed only of filamentous and double-stranded fibrils under TEM. A small amount of amorphous substance was observed by SEM in colonies of NG7183.

Cytokine profiles of T-lymphocytes from gingival tissues with pathological pocketing.

Periodontal disease is an infection in which destruction occurs at sites remote from the infection, resulting in pathological pocketing. Intervening between the infection and the destruction is a dense mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. It has been suggested that this infiltrate might have characteristics and the destructive potential of Th1-type T lymphocytes. To ascertain the nature of the infiltrates we investigated the expression of mRNA for IL-2, IL-5, and IFN-gamma by gingival mononuclear cells (GMC) from healthy (n = 8) or adult periodontitis (AP) patients (n = 25) by using cytokine-specific reverse-transcription/polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR). GMC, as obtained from patients' tissues, expressed IL-2, IFN-gamma, or IL-5 mRNA. Significantly higher proportions of GMC from AP patients expressed IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA than did those from healthy subjects. IFN-gamma was the most consistent cytokine message detected. In other experiments, gingival T-lymphocytes (n = 12) and CD4+ and CD8+ gingival T-lymphocytes (n = 16) were isolated from gingival tissues removed surgically from AP patients. AP gingival T-lymphocytes expressed mRNA for IL-2, IFN-gamma, or IL-6 prior to stimulation. After stimulation with Con A, the cells significantly up-regulated IL-5 and IL-6 message expression. Both CD4+ and CD8+ gingival T-lymphocytes expressed IFN-gamma, IL-5, and some IL-2. This cumulative cytokine profile observed in these experiments is consistent with the predominance of Th1-type cells in pathological tissues and with Th2-type cells, which can also be present, being up-regulated under appropriate stimulation. Importantly, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were shown to express T1- and T2-type cytokine message, emphasizing the potential for CD8+ T-lymphocytes to participate in periodontal disease pathology.

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characterization of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from gingival crevice in man.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from the gingival crevicular fluid (CF-PMNs) of patients with generalized severe periodontitis were examined using electron microscopy and immunocytochemical techniques. CF-PMNs were found to contain numerous phagocytic vacuoles. This suggests that CF-PMNs actively phagocytized various substances from the environment. Immunocytochemical staining with FITC-conjugated IgG, IgM, and IgA reagents and TRITC-conjugated C3 reagent was applied to CF-PMNs as well as peripheral blood PMNs incubated with cell-free crevicular fluid. The cytoplasm of PMNs exhibited numerous granular foci of immunofluorescence. This finding suggests that these proteins were acquired from the environment by PMNs. The coincidental appearances of immunoglobulins and C3 in a single cell were considered to be immune complexes phagocytized by CF-PMNs in generalized severe periodontitis.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus type 6 in saliva from patients with lymphoproliferative diseases by the polymerase chain reaction.

Direct detection of these viruses was made by using the PCR for amplifying viral DNA. In virtually all adults low levels of the herpesvirus can be detected. Therefore it is necessary to quantitate the amount of viral DNA, and a method to compare the plasmid containing the cloned target gene was used here. After 35 cycles of amplification, 10 copies of the viral DNA per 100 microliters saliva were detected. The PCR was used to detect increased levels of EBV and HHV-6 in saliva from patients with lymphoproliferative diseases, suggesting that these viruses may play a part in their pathogenesis. Viral detection by such highly sensitive methods as PCR may allow better monitoring of medication, as well as early detection of EBV- and HHV-6 related diseases that may arise in these patients. The great sensitivity of PCR and its ability to analyse very small samples make this technique most suitable for clinical diagnosis.

Epidemiologic study of an outbreak of clenbuterol poisoning in Catalonia, Spain.

In an investigation of 113 cases of clenbuterol poisoning in Catalonia, Spain, in 1992, more than 50 percent of those affected were found to have had symptoms of nervousness, tachycardia, muscle tremors, myalgia, and headache. There was no significant difference in the distribution of symptoms according to sex (P = 0.97). The period of incubation varied between 15 minutes and 6 hours and the duration of symptoms between 90 minutes and 6 days. Clenbuterol was detected in 47 urine samples in amounts ranging from 11 to 486 parts per billion. No traces of clenbuterol were found in serum samples. Intoxication occurred in association with the ingestion of veal liver, irrespective of the way in which the liver had been cooked. The association between consuming liver and falling ill was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). In one family, the suspected source of intoxication was meat (veal tongue) and in another canneloni. None of the patients died as a result of the intoxication. The findings reinforce the need to uphold the prohibition of the use of clenbuterol in cattle farming in those countries and communities where it already exists and to contemplate a stricter regulation of its therapeutic use.

Periapical cemental dysplasia with multiple lesions.

3 cases of periapical cemental dysplasia with multiple lesions in both maxilla and mandible are reported. All 3 patients are middle-aged females with an average age of 47 years; histological examination of excised tissue revealed that the lesions were composed of fibrous connective tissue and cementum-like hard tissue. The location of the teeth affected were mainly in the premolar-molar regions. A subsequent literature survey of previously described Japanese cases of periapical cemental dysplasia disclosed a similar distribution pattern for the location of PCD lesions. This evidence indicates that the occurrence sites of lesions of periapical cemental dysplasia is predominantly in premolar-molar regions in Japan, contrary to the location of PCD in other ethnic groups.

Evidence for perforin-like activity associated with earthworm leukocytes.

Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) coelomic fluid contains several leukocytes (coelomocytes): basophils, acidophils and neutrophils as well as chloragocytes. Small coelomocytes and coelomocyte lysate are cytotoxic for the tumor cell target K562. The expression of a lytic factor was investigated by immunocytochemistry using light and transmission electron microscopy. A rat-anti-mouse-perforin-mAb labeled mainly small coelomocytes (nearly 20%) as visualized by light microscopy. TEM analysis using immunogold showed a homogenous labeling in the cytoplasm of small coelomocytes. The highest number of immunogold particles was estimated in coelomocytes with many small cytoplasmic granules. Coelomocytes with large lysosomal granules were also labeled but less intensely. No antibody binding was observed for chloragocytes either in light or electron microscopy. This suggests that the perforin-like activity is associated with only one cell type and that chloragocytes are responsible for other lytic activities. MALDI-MS revealed calreticulin usually associated with perforin in mammalian cells that mediate lysis (e.g. NK, CTL). Together, results strongly suggest the presence of putative perforin in earthworms. This in turn supports the hypothesis that perforin is a conserved component important in immune defense during evolution.

A histochemical study of inflammatory lesions of the maxillary sinus mucosa using biotinylated lectins.

The distribution of glycoconjugates in normal maxillary sinus tissues, in cases of maxillary sinusitis and in postoperative maxillary cysts (POMC), was examined using seven different lectins as probes. The results showed that wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1), Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 (RCA-1), and concanavalin A (ConA) strongly react with the cilia and goblet cells. The binding of WGA, PNA, UEA-1, and RCA-1 was increased in maxillary sinusitis and POMC compared with normal maxillary sinus epithelium, whereas that of ConA was decreased. The decreased binding of ConA suggested that there were fewer mannoside residues in the maxillary sinus epithelium in the inflammatory lesion. The PNA bound to the cilia, goblet cells and mucous glandular cells in maxillary sinusitis and POMC, but not in normal, uninflamed cells, indicating that D-galactose was produced by the inflammatory condition. Similar binding patterns of PNA and RCA-1 were found in the cilia and on the surface of the epithelium and in the goblet cells. It is assumed that the carbohydrate moiety in the sinus mucosa is altered in inflammatory conditions.

Histopathological and immunohistological analyses in IgA deficient lymphoplasia (aly/aly) mouse.

The aly/aly mouse has a severe immunodeficiency, because it lacks peripheral lymph nodes as well as IgA and IgG immunoglobulin synthesis. In the present study, we performed histopathological and immunohistological examinations to clarify histological disorders of various immune organs in these mice. Carbon CH40 injections into the apex of the tongue confirmed the absence of submandibular lymph nodes in aly/aly mice. The thymus had a poorly constructed cortex and medulla, and the number of lymphoid follicles was clearly decreased in the spleen. No IgG- or IgA- producing cells were found in any immune organs, including the mucosal immune sites, though several IgM -producing cells were identified. Other characteristic findings included perivascular lymphocytes accumulation in the salivary glands, lungs, liver and pancreas, which caused tissues damage. These results demonstrated that the various lymphoid tissues disorders and organ-specific lymphocyte infiltration cause immuno-deficiency in the aly/aly mouse.