Zinc, magnesium, copper, and protein concentrations in human saliva: age- and sex-related differences.

Normal concentrations of trace elements in parotid saliva, supernatant- and sediment-mixed saliva, plasma, and hair were determined in 278 healthy adults grouped as young (18-29 y), middle-aged (30-64 y), and elderly (65-93 y). Age-related increases (p less than 0.05) were observed in concentrations of zinc in the supernatant of mixed saliva and parotid saliva, copper in plasma, and protein in all fractions of saliva studied. Concentrations of zinc in salivary sediment and plasma did not vary with age. Age-related decreases (p less than 0.05) were found in concentrations of magnesium in mixed-saliva supernatant, copper in salivary sediment, and zinc and copper in hair. Males had higher concentrations of zinc in plasma (p less than 0.05) and of copper in sediment (p less than 0.01) than did females but lower amounts of copper in plasma and of protein in parotid saliva (p less than 0.05). Concentrations of zinc in saliva were not correlated with those in plasma or hair. Copper in mixed-saliva supernatant was positively associated with concentrations in plasma but negatively related to concentrations in hair.

Monoclonal antibodies directed at human T lymphocyte activation antigens cross react with concanavalin A-stimulated canine and baboon peripheral blood lymphocytes.

A panel of 10 monoclonal antibodies directed at activation antigens on human T lymphocytes were tested for cross reactivity with canine and baboon resting and ConA stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Monoclonal antibodies anti-OKT19, anti-OKT-21, and anti-OKT22 labeled a high percentage of both resting and stimulated canine and baboon cells. Anti-OKT24 labeled activated but not resting baboon lymphocytes and did not label canine lymphocytes. Anti-HLA-DR labeled a small percentage of resting baboon lymphocytes (presumably B cells) and a high percentage of activated baboon and resting and activated canine lymphocytes. Anti-OKT14, anti-OKT20, and anti-OKT23 did not label canine or baboon lymphocytes. Anti-OKT9 did not label baboon lymphocytes, but labeled a low percentage of lymphocytes in one dog. Anti-TAC labeled activated but not resting canine and baboon cells.

Successful modification of medical students' cardiovascular risk factors.

Modifying identified risk factors for cardiovascular disease should change an individual's risk. Educational interventions might change behavior to modify some risk factors. To evaluate this possibility, we evaluated the health and fitness status of freshman medical students at the University of Utah (n = 89) in 1983 and determined their cardiovascular risk factors. During a preventive cardiology course later that year, students received their results. We reevaluated the students during their senior year using the same method. For both years, we obtained complete data on 77 (87%) of the eligible students. As freshmen 83% of these students had at least one modifiable risk factor, compared with 62% with a risk as seniors. The number of reevaluated students with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low estimations of aerobic capacity, or both, decreased significantly (P = .009 and P = .0008, respectively). The preventive cardiology educational intervention may have changed behavior and improved cardiovascular risk factors.

Investigation of cross-reactivity between commercially available antibodies directed against human, mouse, and rat lymphocyte surface antigens and surface markers on canine cells.

Using automated flow cytometry, 23 commercially available antibodies (all but one of them monoclonal) raised against surface antigens of specific populations of human, rat, and mouse lymphocytes were tested for cross-reactivity to peripheral blood lymphocytes from five clinically healthy adult dogs. Of all the antibodies tested, only the polyclonal anti-asialo GM1 directed against mouse NK cells, and the monoclonal antibodies anti-HLA-DR directed against the human class II antigen and anti-B1, a human pan B cell marker, consistently labeled subpopulations of canine lymphocytes.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed to canine T lymphocyte markers expressed during development.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which recognize cell surface antigens of canine T lymphocytes are described. mAb RQ1 (of IgG1 subclass) binds a 34 kDa peptide under non-reducing conditions which is expressed, on average, by 27 +/- 9% (n = 11 dogs) of thymocytes, with preferential binding for medullary, but not cortical thymocytes. RQ1 adheres to splenic periarteriolar lymphoid sheath cells. In adult dogs (n = 7) RQ1 binds on average 86 +/- 7% of unstimulated canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (CPBMC), 69 +/- 13% (n = 11) of lymph node cells, and < or = 19% (n = 2) of bone marrow cells. RQ1 does not bind canine granulocytes, erythrocytes, fibroblasts or kidney epithelial cells. The relative density of RQ1-binding antigen (expressed as fluorescence intensity per cell) was up to 83% greater in lymph node cells than in thymocytes. Thus RQ1 appears to preferentially bind mature T cells. In contrast, mAb LQ1 (of IgG3 subclass, which binds a 32 kDa sialic acid containing glycoprotein) recognizes both cortical and medullary canine thymocytes as well as 75 +/- 6% CPBMC. This profile is characteristic of a pan-T cell marker. The simultaneous utilization of these two markers allows for the characterization of canine T lymphocyte development: early lymphocyte (e.g. LQ1+, RQ1- thymocytes), common lymphocyte (e.g. LQ1+, RQ1+ [dim fluorescence] thymocytes), and mature lymphocyte (e.g. LQ1+, RQ1 + [bright fluorescence]).

Clinical, biochemical, acid-base, and electrolyte abnormalities in cats after hypertonic sodium phosphate enema administration.

Ten clinically healthy cats were allotted into 2 groups. Group A was given the low (60 ml), and group B was given the high (120 ml) recommended dose of a commercial hypertonic sodium phosphate enema. Enema retention was enforced. All cats developed clinical and/or laboratory abnormalities, with group B cats being more severely affected. Clinical signs that occurred rapidly included depression, ataxia, vomition, bloody diarrhea, mucous membrane pallor, and stupor; tetany was not seen. One cat in group B died. Laboratory abnormalities included hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia, calculated hyperosmolality, and metabolic acidosis with high anion gap probably due to hyperlacticacidemia. There were no significant gross or microscopic lesions associated with enema administration. Therefore, the use of hypertonic sodium phosphate enema at recommended doses is potentially dangerous to cats.

Differential diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, distemper, and suppurative meningoencephalitis in the dog.

Clinical differences were determined between granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, distemper, and suppurative meningoencephalitis in the dog. Dogs with granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis had "head" signs on examination, which progressed to profound caudal fossa abnormalities, changes in mental status, and tetraparesis. Dogs with distemper had a gradual onset of posterior paresis; tetraparesis and occasional vestibular signs developed later in the course of disease. Dogs with suppurative meningoencephalitis had lethargy and anorexia at the time of examination, which progressed to nuchal rigidity, mental depression, tetraparesis, and profound alterations in consciousness. Analysis of cerebral spinal fluid was useful in distinguishing suppurative meningoencephalitis from the other 2 diseases. Twenty-seven cases of inflammatory disease of the CNS in dogs were reviewed. Comparisons of history, results of physical and neurologic examinations, ancillary data, and response to treatment were made. It appeared that certain clinical and neurologic features contributed to the diagnosis of these diseases.

Cutaneous lesion caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a dog.

A 5-month-old female mixed-breed dog was examined because of nonhealing wounds in the right submandibular region. Treatment with antibiotics and surgical excision was ineffective. Specimens of the right mandibular lymph node and surrounding tissues were submitted for bacteriologic culturing, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated. The dog was euthanatized. The risk of infection of human beings who associate with dogs that have cutaneous wounds caused by mycobacteria is unknown.

Canine ovarian neoplasms: a clinicopathologic study of 71 cases, including histology of 12 granulosa cell tumors.

In a retrospective study of 71 primary ovarian tumors in the dog, epithelial tumors (46%) were more common than sex cord stromal (34%) and germ cell tumors (20%). There were more adenocarcinomas (64%) than adenomas. Sex cord stromal tumors were equally divided into Sertoli-Leydig (12/24) and granulosa cell tumors (12/24). There were equal numbers (7/14) of dysgerminomas and teratomas among the germ cell tumors. Most teratomas (6/7) were malignant. Most granulosa cell tumors were solid; two were mostly cystic. Patterns included sheets of round and ovoid to spindle-shaped cells separated by thin, fibrovascular stroma; neoplastic cells formed rosettes or Call-Exner bodies. In some areas, neoplastic cells were in cords or columns and formed cyst-like structures. Four granulosa cell tumors were macrofollicular, having cysts lined with granulosa cells. Median ages of dogs with different ovarian neoplasms were similar; all were more than 10 years old, except the dogs with teratoma (mean age, 4 years). Most neoplasms were unilateral (84%), except the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, many of which were bilateral (36%). Size of ovarian neoplasms varied (2 cm3 to 15,000 cm3). Twenty-nine percent of neoplasms metastasized; adenocarcinomas (48%) and malignant teratomas (50%) had the highest rates, and distant metastasis was more common in malignant teratoma. Endometrial hyperplasia was in 67% of the dogs; it was most common in dogs with sex cord stromal tumors (95%). Uterine malignancy was not seen in dogs with granulosa cell tumors, although hyperplasia endometrium was in all dogs with this tumor. Cysts in the contralateral ovaries were most common in dogs with sex cord stromal tumors.

Canine ovarian tumors of germ cell origin.

Fourteen ovarian germ cell tumors were diagnosed in the dog--seven dysgerminomas and seven teratomas. Six of the teratomas had immature components and were judged malignant; three had metastasized. One dysgerminoma had metastasized. The dysgerminomas developed in dogs ten years of age and older, and the teratomas developed in dogs nine years old and younger.

Feline bronchial cytology: histologic/cytologic correlation in 22 cats.

Trichrome-stained bronchial washings were obtained from 22 cats at necropsy and compared to lung tissue sections obtained at the same time. In three of the 22 cats, antemortem bronchial washings also were obtained. Sixteen of the cats were clinically ill and six were clinically normal and served as controls. On the basis of comparison of histologic sections and bronchial washings, patterns were detected in the washings indicative of general processes such as alveolar edema, chronic passive congestion, mucous metaplasia, and inflammation. Two specific etiologic agents, Histoplasma capsulatum and Toxoplasma gondii, each were seen in one washing.

Medication reporting in the workplace.

Impairment from medication use in hazardous work environments has not been well studied. We analyzed incident events in an explosive manufacturing facility using a retrospective case control study to determine whether medication use was related to safety incidents. Medication use between the incident group and the controls was not significantly different. However, 23% of the incident group had been employed by the facility for less than 1 year compared with 2% of controls. Only 19% of restricted medication use was self-reported. In this study, being employed less than 1 year was a greater predictor of safety incidents than was medication use, and self-reporting did not reflect actual medication use. We conclude that medication use is not directly related to safety events and that a self-reporting program is difficult to justify in the corporate setting.

Basics in standardization and practical applications of immunofluorescent microscopy: standardization of antinuclear antibody tests.

ANA tests are, at present, the primary example of the diagnostic use of an indirect IF method. Appropriately standardized and interpreted ANA tests afford the primary sero-diagnostic screening test for certain connective tissue diseases. In the present state of the art of ANA testing, it appears possible to achieve appropriate standardization in up to 70% of laboratories, however, further work remains to be done to achieve a 90% or higher frequency of reliable testing among clinical laboratories for a given antigenic substrate. The present indications for the preparation and use of this and other IF methods assay systems for clinical laboratory studies are as follows: a. For each antigen substrate used for ANA tests, the manufacturers of kits or the laboratories which prepare their own ANA test reagents, should take responsibility for assuring that the sensitivity of their test systems as measured by ANA titers falls in the range expected for that particular antigenic substrate. b. If adequate assurance of the appropriate sensitivity level of a given ANA test system is provided both by their manufacturers and users, then physicians should be supplied with data on the frequencies of biologic false positives for different age groups of males and females as well as frequencies of biologic false negatives for at least the major diseases for which ANA are of diagnostic significance. Part II of this report (Chorzelski et al., in press) presents data on this point. c. Since ANA tests detect a heterogeneous population of antibody specificities, several of which are now recognized as having distinct clinical significance (Tan, 1981), appropriately standardized tests for each of these diagnostically relevant antibodies to identified nuclear antigens needs to be made available to physicians by clinical laboratories. They need to be provided with data on the frequencies of false negatives, biologic false positives and, importantly, with data on the kinetics or dynamics of the relationships between demonstrable immune responses and the clinical manifestation of the diseases. Much of this remains to be done. d. Steps need to be taken toward standardization and evaluation of other immunofluorescent microscopic methods used in clinical laboratories, notably the tests for anti-smooth muscle antibodies (Doniack and Roitt, 1968), the anti-mitochondrial antibodies (Paronetto and Popper, 1976), antithyroid antibodies (Johnson et al., 1965), antibodies to epithelial antigens (Beutner et al., 1979; Beutner et al., 1970) and others, (Hekman, Rumke, 1976; Kaplan, 1976; Rose and Witebsky, 1968; Rule and Genkins, 1976).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Morphology of canine ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell neoplasms. A report of 12 cases.

Of 71 dogs with primary ovarian neoplasms, 12 (17%) had Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. Five dogs had Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, four had pure Sertoli cell tumors, and three had Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors with a retiform pattern. Variously differentiated Sertoli cells were seen in the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, and one of these metastasized to the peritoneum. The pure Sertoli cell tumors were similar to these tumors in male dogs. The retiform pattern in the third group of tumors was characterized by tubuloalveolar structures resembling rete testes. Heterologous elements were seen in seven tumors (58%)--enteric glands in three Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors and one Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with retiform pattern, and neuroendocrine carcinoma in one pure Sertoli cell tumor and two Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors with retiform pattern. The uterus was examined in seven dogs, and six (87%) had endometrial hyperplasia.

Granulocyte contamination of Ficoll-Hypaque preparations of mononuclear cells following thermal injury may lead to substantial overestimation of lymphocyte recovery.

During ongoing flow cytometric studies of burned patient blood leukocytes, it was noted frequently that large numbers of granulocytes were present along with the mononuclear cells at the plasma/Ficoll-Hypaque (F-H) interface following centrifugation over F-H. Since differential WBC counts are not routinely performed on F-H interface cells, it is possible that many previous immunologic studies of burned patients have greatly overestimated numbers of lymphocytes recovered. The present study sought to quantify the extent to which granulocyte contamination of F-H separated cells occurs following burn injury. Blood from 15 thermally injured patients (7-55% total body surface area burn) was studied serially at 24 hr, 48 hr, and weekly thereafter through 6 weeks postburn (PB). Controls were age-matched normals (No. of control bloods = 59). Three-part differential cell counts (lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes) were performed on both F-H interface cells and RBC-lysed whole blood. Counts were performed by light scatter analysis on a flow cytometer. Except at 48 hr, at every time studied through 4 weeks PB, there was significant contamination of F-H interface cells with granulocytes. At 24 hr PB, 41 +/- 9% of the interface cells were granulocytes while at 4 weeks, PB 24 +/- 8% of the interface cells were granulocytes. The data did not support the interpretation that this increase in F-H interface granulocytes was simply reflective of the granulocytosis commonly observed after burn. Thus artificial generation of granulocytosis by addition of extra normal leukocytes to normal blood resulted in complete separation of granulocytes from mononuclear cells following centrifugation over F-H.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Familial automaticity-conduction disorder with associated cardiomyopathy.

An unusually large family of European descent was afflicted over four generations by an automaticity and conduction disorder with an associated dilated cardiomyopathy of variable expression. Ten living members affected with the disorder and three presumed affected but dead members were identified. Typically, the disorder presented as a sinoatrial bradyarrhythmia/tachyarrhythmia syndrome, followed by atrial enlargement and, variably, ventricular enlargement and dysfunction. Three family members required pacemaker implantation. Longevity did not seem to be greatly affected, but the demonstrated potential for embolic cerebrovascular events stresses an associated morbidity. The familial incidence was best explained by autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance (greater in males and usually occurring first in adolescence) and variable expressivity. The large size of the family, frequency and profile of disease manifestations and disease tracking through at least four generations are unusual features of the familial disease described.

The effect of Acemannan Immunostimulant in combination with surgery and radiation therapy on spontaneous canine and feline fibrosarcomas.

Eight dogs and five cats with histopathologically confirmed fibrosarcomas were treated with Acemannan Immunostimulanta in combination with surgery and radiation therapy. These animals had recurring disease that had failed previous treatment, a poor prognosis for survival, or both. Following four to seven weekly acemannan treatments, tumor shrinkage occurred in four (greater than 50%; n = 2) of 12 animals, with tumors accessible to measurement. A notable increase in necrosis and inflammation was observed. Complete surgical excision was performed on all animals between the fourth and seventh week following initiation of acemannan therapy. Radiation therapy was instituted immediately after surgery. Acemannan treatments were continued monthly for one year. Seven of the 13 animals remain alive and tumor-free (range, 440+ to 603+ days) with a median survival time of 372 days. The data suggests that Acemannan Immunostimulant may be an effective adjunct to surgery and radiation therapy in the treatment of canine and feline fibrosarcomas.

Lymphomas in dogs. A morphologic, immunologic, and clinical study.

One hundred seventy-six canine lymphomas were classified morphologically using four of the major human lymphoma classification schemes (Rappaport, Lukes-Collins, Kiel, and the Working Formulation). All 176 dogs received the same chemotherapeutic protocol. Sixty-two of these lymphomas had their immunophenotypes established by examination of cell surface markers by automated cytofluorography. Several different morphologic types of canine lymphoma were identified and these were comparable to morphologic categories in human classification schemes. Follicular and low grade lymphomas were rare. The two most common morphologic types were diffuse large cell (centroblastic) and immunoblastic. The Kiel classification appeared to be the most useful human scheme for classifying the canine lymphomas. Cytofluorographic analysis was generally straightforward, and 60 of the 62 lymphomas were placed into one of three immunophenotypic categories: 27 pan-T(LQ1)+SIg+, 21 pan-T(LQ1)-SIg+, and 12 pan-T(LQ1)+SIg-. Two of the lymphomas could not be characterized immunologically because a pre-existing or reactive non-neoplastic population of lymphocytes made interpretation of single cell suspension analysis difficult. The authors identified correlations between morphology and survival and disease-free remission; dogs with high-grade tumors generally survived the longest and had the longest remissions. No correlations were identified between high concentrations of serum lactate dehydrogenase, age, sex, or stage of disease, and morphology, immunophenotype, remission, or survival times. A significant correlation between clinical illness and survival time was documented. The median age of the dogs was nine years, no significant effect of sex on prevalence was observed, and some breeds were significantly overrepresented. Significant morphologic-immunophenotypic correlations included shorter remission and survival times for T-cell tumors than B-cell tumors, and a highly significant correlation between the pan-T(LQ1)+SIg-"T cell" phenotype and hypercalcemia.