No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: B cell subset has been divided into B-1 cells and B-2 cells. B-1 cells are found most prominently in the peritoneal cavity, as well as constituting a small proportion of splenic B cells and they are larger and less dense than B-2 cells in morphology. This study was designed to compare the differences in their proliferation and differentiation between B-1 and B-2 cell. METHODS: We obtained sorted B-1 cells from peritoneal fluid and B-2 cells from spleens of mice. Secreted IgM was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Entering of S phase in response to LPS-stimuli was measured by proliferative assay. Cell cycle analysis by propidium iodide was performed. p21 expression was assessed by real time PCR. RESULTS: Cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in B-1 and B-2 cells, which did not occur in the absence of LPS, required LPS stimulation. After LPS stimulation, B-1 and B-2 cells were shifted to S and G2/M phases. p21 expression by resting B-1 cells was higher than that of resting B-2 cells. CONCLUSION: B-1 cells differ from conventional B-2 cells in proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle.
Allergy and Immunology ; Animals ; Ascitic Fluid ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin M ; Mice ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Propidium ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; S Phase ; Spleen

BACKGROUND: B cell subset has been divided into B-1 cells and B-2 cells. B-1 cells are found most prominently in the peritoneal cavity, as well as constituting a small proportion of splenic B cells and they are larger and less dense than B-2 cells in morphology. This study was designed to compare the differences in their proliferation and differentiation between B-1 and B-2 cell. METHODS: We obtained sorted B-1 cells from peritoneal fluid and B-2 cells from spleens of mice. Secreted IgM was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Entering of S phase in response to LPS-stimuli was measured by proliferative assay. Cell cycle analysis by propidium iodide was performed. p21 expression was assessed by real time PCR. RESULTS: Cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in B-1 and B-2 cells, which did not occur in the absence of LPS, required LPS stimulation. After LPS stimulation, B-1 and B-2 cells were shifted to S and G2/M phases. p21 expression by resting B-1 cells was higher than that of resting B-2 cells. CONCLUSION: B-1 cells differ from conventional B-2 cells in proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle.
Allergy and Immunology ; Animals ; Ascitic Fluid ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin M ; Mice ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Propidium ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; S Phase ; Spleen

The etiologies of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) include idiopathic, viral infections, vascular occlusion, abnormal cellular stress responses within the cochlea, and a variety of immune-mediated mechanisms. Although idiopathic cause is most common, many studies have proposed a possible association between SSNHL and viral infections, including herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), rubella, mumps, and so on. Particularly, various mechanisms underlying auditory dysfunction in the HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome have been proposed. Herein, we present the case of a 35-year-old male diagnosed with sudden hearing loss on both sides and left acute otitis media, presenting first in the left ear, in which subsequent serological examination revealed HIV infection. It is a case of HIV infection diagnosed after identifying the involvement of the 8th cranial nerve as the first symptom in the absence of any other HIV infection-associated symptoms.

Ossicular chain disruption is a typical consequence of temporal bone trauma. However, it can also occur as a result of direct trauma to the ossicular chain due to penetrating injuries. Hearing loss, dizziness, and facial nerve damage could also occur after penetrating middle ear injuries. Multiple ossicular chain disruption is a rare traumatic ossicular complication caused by direct penetrating lesions in the external auditory canal. We present two cases of multiple ossicular disruptions (dislocation of the incudostapedial and malleoincudal joints) after ear-pick injuries, both of which resulted in conductive hearing loss. The condition improved after delayed surgical intervention (ossiculoplasty).

Although some reports have been published on the protective effect of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii surface membrane proteins, few address the inhibitory activity of antibodies to dense granular proteins (GRA proteins). Therefore, we performed a series of experiments to evaluate the inhibitory effects of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to GRA proteins (GRA2, 28 kDa; GRA6, 32 kDa) and surface membrane protein (SAG1, 30 kDa) on the invasion of T. gondii tachyzoites. Passive immunization of mice with one of three mAbs following challenge with a lethal dose of tachyzoites significantly increased survival compared with results for mice treated with control ascites. The survival times of mice challenged with tachyzoites pretreated with anti-GRA6 or anti-SAG1 mAb were significantly increased. Mice that received tachyzoites pretreated with both mAb and complement had longer survival times than those that received tachyzoites pretreated with mAb alone. Invasion of tachyzoites into fibroblasts and macrophages was significantly inhibited in the anti-GRA2, anti-GRA6 or anti-SAG1 mAb pretreated group. Pretreatment with mAb and complement inhibited invasion of tachyzoites in both fibroblasts and macrophages. These results suggest that specific antibodies to dense-granule molecules may be useful for controlling infection with T. gondii.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Antigens, Protozoan ; Female ; Fibroblasts/parasitology ; Host-Parasite Relations ; Immunization, Passive ; Macrophages/parasitology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Protozoan Proteins/*immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toxoplasma/*pathogenicity ; Toxoplasmosis/parasitology/*therapy

PURPOSE: Deterioration of local immunity in the adenoids may make them vulnerable to infection by microorganisms, resulting in otitis media with effusion. To determine the factors associated with this condition, we evaluated adenoid size, mucosal barrier, squamous changes of ciliated epithelium, IgA secretion, and BCL-6 expression in adenoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen children diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME group) and 20 children without any history of OME (control group) were enrolled. Their adenoids were sized by lateral view X-ray and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to detect squamous metaplasia. The adenoids were also stained with cytokeratin to evaluate mucosal barriers, and with anti- IgA antibody and anti- BCL-6 antibody to determine expression of IgA and BCL-6. RESULTS: The OME group showed greater incidence of squamous metaplasia, fewer ciliated cells, and lower expression of BCL-6 (p < 0.05 each). Deterioration of the mucosal barrier was detected in the OME group (p > 0.05). IgA secretion and adenoid size were the same for the OME and the control groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that increased squamous metaplasia and lower BCL-6 expression in adenoids may be associated with increased susceptibility to OME.
Adenoids/chemistry/*pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/analysis ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Mucous Membrane/chemistry/pathology ; Otitis Media with Effusion/metabolism/*pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/*analysis

BACKGROUND: There are at least two different subsets of B cells, B-1 and B-2. The characteristic features and function of B-2 cells in addition to the effect of steroids on B-2 cells are well-known. Although B-1 cells have different features and functions from B-2 cells, the effect of steroids on B-1 cells is not completely understood. Therefore, this study examined the effects of dexamethasone on peritoneal (or B-1 cells) and splenic B cells (or B-2 cells). METHODS: Purified B cells were obtained from the peritoneal fluid and the spleens of mice. The isolated B cells were cultured in a medium and after adding different concentrations of dexamaethasone. The cell survival rate was measured by flow cytometry using propidium iodide. The expression level of the B cell surface marker was analyzed by flow cytometry. During the culture of these cells, immunoglobulin secreted into the culture supernatants was evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The survival rate of peritoneal and splenic B cells decreased with increasing dexamethasone concentration. However, the rate of peritoneal B cell apoptosis was lower than that of splenic B cells. CD5 and B7.1 expression in peritoneal B cells and CD23 and sIgM expression in splenic B cells after the dexamethasone treatment were reduced. When B cells were treated with dexamethasone, the spontaneous IgM secretion decreased with increasing dexamethasone concentration. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone induces apoptosis in peritoneal and splenic B cells. However, peritoneal B cells are less sensitive to dexamethasone. The dexamethasone suppressed expression of the surface markers in peritoneal B cells is different from those in splenic B cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Ascitic Fluid ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Cell Survival ; Dexamethasone* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Mice ; Propidium ; Spleen ; Steroids ; Survival Rate

Vocal polyps are benign laryngeal lesions which arise from the Reinke's space abd hoarseness is the most common symptom. However, airway compromised is rarely presented in the vocal polyp. A rare case of large subglottic polyp causing dyspnea is reported. Tracheostomy was performed under local anesthesia and then the mass was resected under general anesthesia using a laryngofissure approach. The dyspnea and hoarseness disappeared after surgery immediately. The histopathological findings indicated a diagnosis of vocal cord polyp with chronic inflammatiuon. We consider that tracheostomy is the safest and most useful procedure to guarantee the upper airway in cases of large vocal polyp showing dyspnea. We hereby report a case of huge subglottic polyp in which a tracheostomy and laryngofissure was required for removing the subglottic mass successfully.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Hoarseness ; Polyps* ; Tracheostomy ; Tracheotomy* ; Vocal Cords