[PROGNOSIS OF INFECTIVE COMPLICATIONS OF THE GUN-SHOT WOUNDS OF SOFT TISSUES].

The method of prognostication of infectious complications in a gun-shot wound was elaborated, using the methods of logistic regression analysis.

[APPLICATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES IN COMPLEX OF TREATMENT OF A SHOT-GUN WOUNDS OF SOFT TISSUES IN THE PATIENTS, SUFFERING MULTIPLE ALLERGY FOR ANTIBIOTICS].

The results of complex therapy of the injured persons, suffering shot-gun wound of soft tissues in multiple allergy to antibiotics, using local bacteriophagotherapy, were analyzed.

Polymethylsiloxane alone and in composition with nanosilica under various conditions.

Disperse polymethylsiloxane (PMS) alone and in a mixture with highly disperse nanosilica A-300 was studied as a dry powder and a hydrogel located in various dispersion media (air, chloroform alone and with addition of trifluoroacetic acid) using low-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy, cryoporometry, thermogravimetry, nitrogen adsorption, microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry. The powders of dried PMS and PMS/A-300 can be easily rehydrated upon strong stirring with added water. The slurry properties depend on mechanical treatment features due to stronger compaction of the secondary structures with increasing mechanical loading. The organization of bound water (at a constant hydration degree h = 1 g/g) depends strongly on the dispersion media (because chloroform can displace water from narrow interparticle voids into broader ones or into pores inaccessible for larger CDCl3 molecules) and mechanical loading reorganizing aggregates of PMS and A-300 nanoparticles (<1 µm in size) and agglomerates (>1 µm) of aggregates. The PMS/nanosilica blends could be of interest from a practical point of view due to additional control of the textural and structural characteristics determining efficiency of sorbents with respect to low- and high-molecular weight compounds depending on the dispersion media that is of importance, e.g., for medical applications.

Turtle lymphocyte surface antigens in chelydra serpentina as characterized by rabbit anti-turtle thymocyte sera.

Spleen and thymus suspensions from the turtle, Chelydra serpentina were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with a rabbit anti-turtle thymocyte serum (RATT). After the species-specific antibodies had been absorbed out, the antisera labeled all lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen. The specificity of RATT for thymocytes was greater than the specificity for splenic lymphocytes. The presence of two antigens, one thymus specific, TS, and another shared by both thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes, LS, is suggested. The TS antigen was absent from a minor subpopulation of turtle thymocytes and may represent a mature population of T-like cells in the thymus.

Surface immunoglobulin on granular and agranular leukocytes in the thymus and spleen of the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

Spleen and thymus suspensions from the turtle, Chelydra serpentina were examined by indirect immunofluorescence and found to contain both agranulocytes and granulocytes positive for surface Ig. Among the splenic agranulocytes , 50% of the lymphocyte and monocyte population was positive for surface Ig. In the thymus only 7% of the thymocytes were positive. Ninety-two percent of the granulocytes, composed primarily of basophils and eosinophils, were positive for surface Ig in both the thymus and spleen. The presence of surface immunoglobulins on turtle splenic leukocytes was confirmed by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) immunization studies. Basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes from immunized turtles formed SRBC rosettes, while eosinophils from immunized turtles were found to specifically phagocytose SRBC. Splenic leukocytes from control turtles did not phagocytose or rosette with SRBC. This study demonstrates that indirect immunofluorescent techniques can be used to identify surface immunoglobulin on turtle granulocytes as well as agranulocytes .

Anti-immunoglobulin induced histamine release from naturally abundant basophils in the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

The dose response, temperature sensitivity, time course and calcium dependency of histamine release from snapping turtle basophils treated with rabbit anti-turtle immunoglobulin (RATIg) sera was explored. This investigation indicated that the level of histamine release induced by RATIg was dependent upon the concentration of RATIg with concentrations of 350 mcg/ml inducing optimal release. In addition, release was temperature dependent with release increasing over a temperature range of 10 degrees C to maximal at 27 degrees C. Release was also dependent on the length of exposure to RATIg. Release increased steadily over a time period of 0 to 30 minutes with the higher concentrations of RATIg inducing the most rapid release. Basophil-histamine release was also found to be calcium dependent. This study indicates that the snapping turtle basophil possesses similar characteristics to that of its mammalian counterparts. It is proposed that the very wide temperature range over which turtle basophils release histamine is an important feature in he immune resistance of this ectothermic animal.

Development and histogenesis of the thymus in dog. A light and electron microscopical study.

The development of the thymus was studied with histological, transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and histochemical methods in 100 dog fetuses (beagle), between day 19 of gestation and day 21 after birth. Thymus development could be divided in three stages: 1/Formation of epithelial palisades; 2/Initiation of lymphopoiesis; 3/Differentiation of the medulla and Hassall's bodies (HB). The epithelial anlagen were seen at day 23 of gestation showing the characteristic palisade structure of the endodermally derived epithelium. Ten days later the beginning of lymphoiesis and the reticularization of the epithelial cells could be seen. The first HB could be found at day 38 when cortical-medullary differentiation is recognized. The histochemical observation demonstrated a rich content of PAS positive coarse granules in the cytoplasm of reticulo-epithelial (RE) cells. On the other hand, the HB showed a diffuse PAS positive reaction. The ultrastructural investigations demonstrated the presence of desmosomes connecting RE cells to one another. Desmosomes were not found between RE and lymphocytes. The growth of the developing thymus into the mesenchymal matrix resulted in the lobulation of the organ by connective tissue cells and fibers. The first mast cells were seen at day 35 of gestation, most abundantly in the interlobular connective tissue (ICT) although a few were present in the cortex and somewhat more in the medulla, near the HB. At the end of development small groups of neutrophil cell precursors appeared in the ICT and the cortex. Cysts were not present up to day 21 after birth.

Decline of natural killer cell target binding and lytic activity in mice exposed to rotation stress.

We examined the effect of rotation-induced stress on the percentage distribution of NK-YAC-1 target-binding cells and natural killer (NK) cell activity from splenic lymphocytes of C3H/HeJ mice. Following a 6-day stress regimen, we observed a marked decline in both the percentage of target-binding cells and in NK cell activity. This decline was first evident 13 days after initiation of stress and persisted for 2 weeks. Our data indicate that intermittent rotation stress over a 6-day period results in a delayed but persistent deleterious effect on NK-YAC-1 target binding and NK cell activity.

Effect of delta 9-THC on brain and plasma catecholamine levels as measured by HPLC.

The effects of chronic administration of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) on the plasma and brain catecholamine (CA) levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (LC-EC) system. Intact male rats were injected daily with vehicle (50 microliter oil) or with delta 9-THC (3 mg/kg body wt) over a period of 25 days. Trunk plasma and tissue from preoptic area (POA) and mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) were collected and catecholamine levels were detected by LC-EC system coupled to an electronic integrator. Alumina extract of tissue and plasma samples, spiked with the internal standard (dihydroxybenzylamine), were injected into the LC-EC system; the CA were chromatographed and eluted within 12 minutes using sodium phosphate buffer as the mobile phase. delta 9-THC treatment resulted in a significant decrease in plasma and MBH levels of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), POA levels of NE; and significant increases in MBH levels of dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). Our study indicates for the first time that delta 9-THC treatment significantly alters not only the POA and MBH CA levels, but also the plasma CA levels.

Stress, behavior, and immunity: animal models and mediating mechanisms.

Research with animal model systems demonstrates a causal relation between stress and disease susceptibility. The physiological sequelae of stressful stimulation vary with type of stressor, chronicity, and perceived control. Different patterns of endocrine secretion are thus associated with specific behavioral parameters. The immune system is regulated at several levels: genetic, cellular, hormonal, and neuronal. Stress and behavioral factors can modulate both cell-mediated and humoral immunity by impacting on the latter three levels of regulation. Both corticosteroids and catecholamines, released as part of the response to aversive stimulation, profoundly inhibit immune responsivity by binding directly to the lymphocyte surface or by releasing secondary mediators that increase the function of suppressor lymphocytes. In addition, there are direct neuroanatomical connections between the hypothalamus and lymphoid organs. Subtle changes in experimental design have yielded significant differences in results that have increased understanding of intermediary mechanisms. Such research complements psychoneuroimmunological and behavioral epidemiological studies in humans.

Changes in spleen histology in response to antigenic stimulation in the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

Proliferative and migratory changes of lymphoid cells in the spleen were observed in turtles stimulated with KLH and maintained at 30 degrees C. Small foci of pyroninophilic lymphoblasts were first seen in the white pulp at about day 5. Progressive enlargement of these centers continued and peaked by days 8-12. By days 15-20 the white pulp returned to a normal (unimmunized) state, while the number of pyroninophilic cells, primarily plasma cells, increased markedly in the red pulp. At days 22-25, the number of plasma cells returned to normal levels and the spleen appeared normal for the remainder of the 60 day observation period. These events suggest that at 30 degrees C, the turtle is capable of a strong and prompt proliferative response in the white pulp sheaths, followed by migration and differentiation of lymphoblasts into plasma cells, in the red pulp. Observations of pyroninophilic cells in sinuses, venules and veins of the spleen and a concomitant depletion of cells in red pulp, further suggest a migration from the spleen to other sites. Following a second antigenic challenge, at day 60, no significant histological changes were observed at 30 degrees C. Nor were any changes observed following primary or secondary antigenic challenge, in animals maintained at 10 degrees C. These findings are discussed with regard to immunological memory and low temperature immunosuppression in ectothermic vertebrates.

Ultrastructural analysis of normal and immunized spleen of the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

In the ultrastructural comparison of normal, unimmunized spleens with immunized spleens at key intervals after antigenic stimulation with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), we noted cellular and cytological features which reflect the cellular kinetics of the primary immune response, particularly with respect to plasma cell production. Although lymphoblasts and mature plasma cells are present in the white and red pulp, respectively, intermediate stages of the plasma cell line are rarely found in normal spleen. Following antigenic challenge, we found a marked increase in lymphoblasts in the white pulp, most of them containing short segments of rough endoplasmic reticulum suggesting initial differentiation toward plasma cells. Following an apparent migration of cells from the white to the red pulp, we found plasma cells in various stages of maturation in the red pulp cords and sinuses. The ultrastructural features of these cells reflect the differentiation of lymphoblasts into mature plasma cells. Both immature and mature plasma cells usually possess dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that they are capable of producing and storing a secretory product, presumably antibody. We also noted a large number of immature macrophages and monocytes in immunized spleens. These cellular events and their cytological characteristics are compared to those described in other vertebrate classes.

Interaction of poly(ethylene oxide) with fumed silica.

Interaction of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO, 600 kDa) with fumed silica A-300 (SBET = 316 m2/g) was investigated under different conditions using adsorption, infrared (IR), thermal analysis (TG-DTA), AFM, and quantum chemical methods. The studied dried silica/PEO samples were also carbonized in a flow reactor at 773 K. The structural characteristics of fumed silica, PEO/silica, and pyrocarbon/fumed silica were investigated using nitrogen adsorption-desorption at 77.4 K. PEO adsorption isotherm depicts a high affinity of PEO to the fumed silica surface in aqueous medium. PEO adsorbed in the amount of 50 mg per gram of silica (PEO monolayer corresponds to CPEO approximately 190 mg/g) can disturb approximately 70% of isolated surface silanols. However, at the monolayer coverage, only 20% of oxygen atoms of PEO molecules take part in the hydrogen bonding with the surface silanols. An increase in the PEO amount adsorbed on fumed silica leads to a diminution of the specific surface area and contributions of micro- (pore radius R < 1 nm) and mesopores (1 < R < 25 nm) to the pore volume but contribution of macropores (R > 25 nm) increases with CPEO. Quantum chemical calculations of a complex of a PEO fragment with a tripple bond SiOH group of a silica cluster in the gas phase and with consideration for the solvent (water) effect show a reduction of interaction energy in the aqueous medium. However, the complex remains strong enough to provide durability of the PEO adsorption complexes on fumed silica; i.e., PEO/fumed silica nanocomposites could be stable in both gaseous and liquid media.

Synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites.

Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites based on fumed silica A-300 (S(BET)=337 m2/g) with iron oxide deposits at different content were synthesized using Fe(III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)3) dissolved in isopropyl alcohol or carbon tetrachloride for impregnation of the nanosilica powder at different amounts of Fe(acac)3 then oxidized in air at 400-900 degrees C. Samples with Fe(acac)3 adsorbed onto nanosilica and samples with Fe2O3/SiO2 including 6-17 wt% of Fe2O3 were investigated using XRD, XPS, TG/DTA, TPD MS, FTIR, AFM, nitrogen adsorption, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry methods. The structural characteristics and phase composition of Fe2O3 deposits depend on reaction conditions, solvent type, content of grafted iron oxide, and post-reaction treatments. The iron oxide deposits on A-300 (impregnated by the Fe(acac)3 solution in isopropanol) treated at 500-600 degrees C include several phases characterized by different nanoparticle size distributions; however, in the case of impregnation of A-300 by the Fe(acac)3 solution in carbon tetrachloride only alpha-Fe2O3 phase is formed in addition to amorphous Fe2O3. The Fe2O3/SiO2 materials remain loose (similar to the A-300 matrix) at the bulk density of 0.12-0.15 g/cm3 and S(BET)=265-310 m2/g.