BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) has multiple regulatory effects on cells of the immune system, and it has been suggested that differentiation of lymphoid cells is influenced by low concentra tions of this cytokine. OBJECTIVES: The aim or this study was to investigate the role of TGF-beta in regulation of T cell growth and differentiation, and to compare this effect with that of other cell signals known to be important in T cell ontogeny. METHODS: We used the CTLL-2 cell line in the presence of IL-2. Surface phenotype expression was analysed to see whether these cells could be switched to the other subtype of cells. RESULT: Treatment of CTLL-2 cells with TGF-beta resulted in dose dependent growth inhibition and morphological changes. Curing routine passage, less than 5% of cells were CD8alpha positive, whereas 38% of cells expressed CD8alpha when treated with IL-2 plus TGF-beta. However, TPA plus calcium ionophore, IFN-gamma, or TNF-alpha caused no significant changes in the proportion of CD8 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results show that this experiment can be a useful model for investigating CD8 precursor potentials in populations of CD4-CD8-(double negative) cells, and such a model may offer a way to study the molecular regulation of CD8 gene expression.
Calcium ; Cell Line* ; Gene Expression ; Immune System ; Interleukin-2 ; Lymphocytes ; Phenotype ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Characteristic dermatoglyphic patterns are found on the volar aspect of the skin of the primates including, man, apes, monkeys and some kinds of marsupiaIs. It is the delieate continuous or discontinuous and sometimes interrupted or branched, variable shaped configuration of ridged skin patterns, which is composed of the unit pattern of arch, loop and whorl. It is characteristically unique for any individuals so it has been used popularly as a convenient method of personal ideatification or for use in studies of inheritance epecially i the field of Iegal medicine. Besides that, there are statistieal differences between left and right finger, males and femals and different races. Of particular interest is the fct the distortion of the dermatoglypbic patterns occur in relation to cbromosomal aberrations, for exarnple, in mongolism,Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner'e syndrome. In addition to that, dermatoglyphic features may prove and aid to diagnree in dermatology, such as, in alopecia areata, psoriasis and leprosy. Thus, authors studied on the dermatoglyphic pattern types in the 234 cases of healthy normal males, 44 male psoriatic patients and 58 male alopecia areata patients during the period of 10 months from Novernber, 1977 to August, 1978, The resulta are as follows: A. Psoriasis 1. In the analysis of the total fingertip ridges, there are significant differences (p<0.01) between the alopecia areata (141.66+/-8.36) and the control group (152.93+/-9.50). 2. A significant statistical difference between the psoriasis and the control group does not exist with respect to the pattern intensity. 3. In the incidence of simian lines, the psoriatic patients (15.91%) showed more incidence rate than those of control group (8.98%). 4. With respect to the proportional distance (mm.) between the distal flexion crease of the wrist to the base of the middle finger with the distance (mm.) of the same point of the wrist to the axial triradius, a significant statistical difference (p<0.05) between the left hands of the control gorup (15.24+/-0.37%) and, those of psoriasis (17.35+/-1.01%) was existed. 5. As for the and angle, there is no significant differences between the control and psoriasis group. 6. There is no statistical differences in view point the pattern types between the psoriasis and the control group, however in psoriasis group, double whorls are decreased than those of control gorup (6.8%). B. Alopecia areata 1. In the analysis of the total fingertip ridges, there is significant difference (P<0.01) between the Alopecia areata (138.40+/-5.03) and the control group (152.93+/-9.50). 2. A significant statistical differences (P<0.005) between the alopecia areata (14.193+/-0.487) and the control group (14.728+/-0.182) exist with respect to the pattern intensity. 3. In the incidence of simian lines, the alopecia areata patients (3.44%) showed lower incidence rate than those of control group (8.98%). 4. With respect to the proportional distance (mm.) between the distal flexion crease of the wrist to the base of the middle finger with the distance (mm.) of the same point of the wrist to tbe axial triradius, a significant statistical difference(p<0.05) between the left hands of the control group (15.24+/-0.37%) and those of alopecia areata (16.66+/-0.70%) was existed. 5. As for the and angle, it is increased significantly (P<0.01) in both hands of alopecia areata, especially in the right hands of alopecia areata, it is increased about twice that of control group. 6. There is no statistical differences in the pattern types between alopecia areata and control group, however in alopecia areata patients, whorls in the right index finger are decreased (39.66%) than those of control gorup (50.16%), Whereas loops in the right index finger are more freguently found (50%) than those of control group (37.44%).
Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Continental Population Groups ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Dermatology ; Fingers ; Hand ; Haplorhini ; Hominidae ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leprosy ; Male ; Primates ; Psoriasis* ; Skin ; Wills ; Wrist

No abstract available.
Nephrotic Syndrome*

Hydrocephalus is a common malformation of the central nervous system and its cause may be either congenital or acquired. The imbalance between CSF formation and absorption, obstruction of CSF pathways, impaired venous absorption, and over secretion of CSF results in excessive accumulation of the fluid in the ventricles, leading to hydrocephalus. Although ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is regarded as the main and definitive therapy for rapidly progressive hydrocephalus, shunts in newborns have a high failure rate and thus there have been a search for alternative non-invasive techniques. Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhy- drase inhibitor, which acts by reducing production of CSF in the choroid plexus. Admini- stration of acetazolamide will decrease the rate of CSF production, preventing progressive ventricular enlargement. We experienced three cases of neonatal hydrocephalus successfully treated by long-term administration of acetazolamide. Brief review and related literatures were also presented.
Absorption ; Acetazolamide* ; Carbon ; Central Nervous System ; Choroid Plexus ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Infant, Newborn ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

No abstract available.
Basement Membrane*

No abstract available.
Glomerulonephritis*

No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Nephrotic Syndrome*

No abstract available.

Stasis eczema is one of the important skin manifestations caused by venous stasia. dueto vascular disturbances. Until now a few casses of stasis eczema accornpanied with inferior vena cava obstruction were reported in the literatures. The patient, 31-year old barber, has been suffered from right upper guadrant abdominal pain and tenderness for 6 years, and had dark brownish mottled scaly eczematoid patches of both lower extremitiea for 6 yrs. Inferiorvenacavogram through the right fernoral vein showed complete obstruction of inferior vena cava above the level of T10, and well developed several collateraI veins. Findings of skin biopsy on the right ankle joint area revealed moderate acanthosis, increased pigrnentation of the basal cell layer in the epidermis, capillary proliferation and hemosiderin granules in the dermis, that is consistent with stasis eczema. Possible etiological factor of inferior vena cava obstruction waa discussed and also reviewed with literatvre.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Ankle Joint ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Dermis ; Eczema* ; Epidermis ; Hemosiderin ; Humans ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior

No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Child* ; Humans