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Abstract: Purpose: Group autogenic training (AT) programs are conducted in medical institutions in Japan. An additional interview with patients was conducted before the group AT session to inform patients of details regarding the program. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of this interview. Methods: Outpatients, mostly suffering from anxiety and psychosomatic diseases, were assigned to a control (n =27) or an experimental group (n =22). In the experimental group, a pretreatment interview was conducted before starting the AT program. Four patients were excluded after the interview due to severe symptoms and time limitations for participating in all sessions. At the first and the last AT sessions, the participants completed the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiological Study of Depression scale. They also reported the perceived controllability of their symptoms by using the Visual Analogue scale. At the last session, the participants and physicians rated the achievement of treatment goals. Results: Patients who completed the program were significantly increased in the experimental group (95%) compared with the control group (63%). Emotional level improved equally in both groups. Participants'' self-rating of controllability, as well as participant''s and physician''s rating achieving treatment goals were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusions: This study indicates the important role of pretreatment interviews. As a result of the interview, appropriate patients could be selected and more patients could complete the program. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

New strains of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV), designated MNSV-YS and MNSV-KS, caused much more severe growth retardation on melon plants than MNSV-NH, which was previously reported as the most severe strain of MNSV in Japan. MNSV-YS spread much more quickly than MNSV-NH in infected plants, and induced more severe growth retardation, even though the appearance of necrotic lesions on inoculated cotyledons was much slower. MNSV-KS had properties intermediate between those of the other two strains. The results suggest that faster-spreading strains can multiply more rapidly as a result of lower levels of activity in inducing necrotic lesions in melon plants. The complete sequences of MNSV-YS and MNSV-KS were determined, and an RT–PCR–RFLP method based on these sequences was successfully developed to detect and discriminate between the three strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gomes APM, Kubo CH, Santos RAB, Santos DR, Padilha RQ. The influence of ultrasound on the retention of cast posts cemented with different agents. International Endodontic Journal , 34 , 93–99, 2001. --> Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasound during the removal of posts cemented with either zinc phosphate cement, glass ionomer cement or resin cement. Methodology: Eighty‐four single‐rooted teeth were prepared and after cementation of cast posts, they were randomly divided into six groups of 14. Groups 1, 2 and 3 did not receive ultrasonic vibration, whilst groups 4, 5 and 6 received ultrasonic vibration for 10 min. The force necessary for post removal was determined using a universal testing machine. Results were statistically analysed using anova and Tukey tests (5%). Results: The application of ultrasonic vibration reduced the retention provided by zinc phosphate and glass ionomer cements by 39% and 33%, respectively. Conclusions: A statistically significant reduction in the force necessary to remove posts cemented with zinc phosphate and glass ionomer cements occurred following application of ultrasound. The application of ultrasonic vibration did not influence the retention of cast posts cemented with resin cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to 600 rad of X-irradiation 3 h after primary immunization with chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) abolished the production of antibodies and the generation of killer T cells, but scarcely affected the induction of delayed footpad reactions. Exposure to irradiation 3 h after secondary immunization reduced only slightly the generation of killer T cells and reduced slightly or substantially the production of antibodies. Delayed reactions persisted for long periods after elicitation in irradiated, boosted mice. Cross-reactivity between CRBC and quail erythrocytes (QRBC) was very weak with respect to the tyrotoxicity, antibody and delayed reaction raised after primary immunization. Those raised after secondary immunization with the homologous antigen showed some degrees of cross-reactivity to another antigen. The booster with QRBC in CRBC-primed mice augmented the response to CRBC with respect to the induction of cytotoxicity and delayed footpad reaction, but only weakly affected the response with respect to the production of antibody. Therefore, effector cells of cytotoxicity and delayed footpad reaction showed greater degrees of cross-reactivity than antibody-producing cells during an anamnestic response. The cross-reactive response raised after secondary immunization was radioresistant with respect to cytotoxicity and delayed footpad reaction but radiosensitive with respect to antibody production. Cytotoxicity to immunizing antigen was inhibited by the unlabelled homologous antigen. Cytotoxicity to a cross-reacting antigen was inhibited by the same cross-reacting antigen and also by an immunizing antigen. There may exist heterogeneous populations of cytotoxic lymphocytes with different abilities to recognize antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct cytotoxicity raised at an early interval after immunization with chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) has been ascribed to θ-positive, immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity of such effector cells was not affected by trypsinization. Cytotoxity was reduced by the treatment of effector cells with anti-IgG serum and complement or by the addition of anti-IgG serum to culture medium for cytotoxicity test. When the effector cells were treated with trypsin before cytotoxicity test, such procedures with anti-IgG serum did not affect their cytotoxicity, Ig molecules on cytotoxic T lymphocytes may not be an essential element for antigen recognition. This explanation may he supported by the fact that cytotoxicity against CRBC could be raised in 600 tad irradiated, thymus-cell transferred mice in the absence of antibody production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune responses were examined after immunization with chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) in mice, Cytotoxicity of spleen cells was assessed by the release of 51Cr from labelled target cells. (1) At early stages (day 4–7) after primary intraperitoneal immunization, direct cytotoxicity of spleen cells was raised efficiently in C57BL/6 and AKR mice, but not in C3H,/He, SL and DDD mice. Delayed hypersensitivity and antibody production were raised to almost the same extent in all the strains at such periods. (2) Effector cells in direct cytotoxicity were θ-positive and IgG-positive, and glass-nonadherent and Nylon wool column-adherent. Effector cells in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in the presence of antibody to CRBC were eliminated by treatment with anti-IgG serum, but not by treatment with anti-θ serum. (3) Cytotoxicity and antibody production were raised efficiently after intraperitoneal or intravenous immunization, but not after footpad immunization. On the other hand, delayed hypersensitivity developed most efficiently after footpad immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Interleukin (IL)-15 is a member of the IL-2 family, stimulating dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells and memory CD8+ T cells. IL-15 levels were elevated in the intestinal mucosa of inflammatory bowel diseases. Here we investigated the involvement of IL-15 in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induced colitis. Methods: IL-15 knockout (KO) mice and control C57BL/6 mice were used to induce colitis with DSS in their drinking water. Survival rate, clinical activity of diseases, extent of tissue damage, leucocyte population, and cytokine production of lamina propria (LP) cells of the large intestines were assessed. Results: IL-15 KO mice exhibited resistance to DSS induced acute colitis, as reflected by lower lethality, weight loss, clinical scores, and histological scores compared with those in control mice (p

The effect of neonatal thymectomy at various times after birth (Tx-1, Tx-7) on effector and suppressor I cells responsible for cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) for allogeneic antigens was deter- mined. Following in-vitro primary mixed lymphocyte cultures, in the absence of T-cell growth factor (TCGF), alloreactive CMC was not detected in spleen cells of Tx-1 mice, but was detected in spleen cells of Tx-7 mice at as high levels as in those of sham-operated mice. However, in the presence of TCGF, as much alloreactive CMC was detected in spleen cells of Tx-1 mice as in those of Tx-7 mice. Furthermore, TCGF production was not detected in spleen cells of Tx-1 mice but was detected in those of Tx-7 mice. In in-vivo experiments, inhibition of allogeneic tumour growth and CMC in spleen cells showed the same pattern as in in-vitro experiments. These results sup- port the concept that the reduction of CMC in Tx-I mice might be due to a defect in helper function (TCGF-producing capacity) rather than to a defect in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and/or cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors. Alloreactive suppressor T cells could not be induced in spleen cells of Tx-1 mice but were induced in spleen cells of Tx-7 mice. Therefore, it was suggested that alloreactive suppressor T cells require the presence of the thymus for 7 days after birth in their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of thymectomy at various times after birth on cytotoxicity, delayed footpad reaction and antibody production were examined in 6 week old mice immunized intraperitoneally with chicken erythrocytes. Cytotoxicity and antibody production were abolished by thymectomy within 3 days after birth. Mice thymectomized at 5 days of age or later showed appreciable degrees of cytotoxicity and antibody production. On the other hand, a delayed footpad reaction could be elicited even in mice thymectomized within 24 h after birth, although the degree of the reaction was reduced by such a treatment. Therefore, T cells responsible for delayed hypersensitivity were less thymus-dependent and required the presence of the thymus for a shorter period in their development that those responsible for cytotoxicity or antibody production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of whole body irradiation with 600 rad on delayed hypersensitivity, direct cytotoxicity and antibody production were examined in mice immunized with chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) or sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) in saline. Delayed footpad reactions to CRBC were not affected by the exposure to irradiation 3 h before or after antigenic stimulation. On the other hand, direct cytotoxic activities in spleen cells and antibody titres to CRBC were reduced by such exposures. Additionally, delayed footpad reactions to SRBC were not affected by the exposure to irradiation. Generation of effector cells responsible for delayed footpad reactions proved to be resistant to irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of whole body irradiation with 600 rad on delayed hypersensitivity, direct cytotoxicity and antibody production were examined in mice immunized with chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) or sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) in saline. Delayed footpad reactions to CRBC were not affected by the exposure to irradiation 3 h before or after antigenic stimulation. On the other hand, direct cytotoxic activities in spleen cells and antibody titres to CRBC were reduced by such exposures. Additionally, delayed footpad reactions to SRBC were not affected by the exposure to irradiation. Generation of effector cells responsible for delayed footpad reactions proved to be resistant to irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenesis of intestinal dysfunction induced by stress has not been established. We tried to clarify possible causal mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome. Methods: An experimental model of intestinal dysfunction was designed using loading restraint stress in rats. A cannula was inserted into the origin of the duodenum or colon, with the other end leading to the skin. To provide intestinal content, a semi-solid colored marker was used for monitoring intestinal transit. After 1 week the marker was injected into the intestine through the cannula under unanesthetized wakefulness. Results: Under restraint stress, transit in the small intestine was suppressed, but actual suppression took place only in the upper half, where the contents normally moved fast. Transit time in the colon was reduced by restraint stress. This reduction was attributed to the disappearance of the stagnant region, which was present under normal conditions. Conclusions: These results suggested that restraint stress affects the function of the pacemaker site of the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Phagocyte function is critical for host defense against infections. Defects in phagocytic function lead to several primary immunodeficiencies characterized by early onset of recurrent and severe infections. In this work, we further investigated the effects of BAY 41-2272, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) agonist, on the activation of human peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) and THP-1 cells.Experimental Approach: THP-1 cells and PBM viability was evaluated by methylthiazoletetrazolium assay; reactive oxygen species production by lucigenin chemiluminescence; gene and protein expression of NAPDH oxidase components by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively; phagocytosis and microbicidal activity by co-incubation, respectively, with zymosan and Escherichia coli; and cytokine release by elisa.Key Results: BAY 41-2272, compared with the untreated group, increased spreading of monocytes by at least 35%, superoxide production by at least 50%, and gp91(PHOX) and p67(PHOX) gene expression 20 to 40 times, in both PBM and THP-1 cells. BAY 41-2272 also augmented phagocytosis of zymosan particles threefold compared with control, doubled microbicidal activity against E. coli and enhanced the release of TNF-α and IL-12p70 by both PBM and THP-1 cells. Finally, by inhibiting sGC with ODQ, we showed that BAY 41-2272-induced superoxide production and phagocytosis is not dependent exclusively on sGC activation.Conclusions and Implications: In addition to its ability to induce vasorelaxation and its potential application for therapy of vascular diseases, BAY 41-2272 was shown to activate human mononuclear phagocytes. Hence, it is a novel pro-inflammatory drug that may be useful for controlling infections in the immunocompromised host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Fluvoxamine (FVX) is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and CYP1A2 and inhibits CYP3A4. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors responsible for interindividual variability in the extent of interaction between FVX and alprazolam (ALP). METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 49 depressive patients to determine plasma concentration of FVX, ALP or both. Twenty-four samples were taken during the FVX-alone period, 21 samples during the ALP-alone period and 30 samples during the FVX-ALP period. Subjects were also genotyped for CYP2D6. RESULTS: The concentration-to-dose (C/D) ratio of ALP during the FVX-treatment period was significantly higher than that during the ALP-alone period. The CYP2D6 genotype affected neither the C/D ratios of FVX nor the extent of interaction. The mean C/D ratio of FVX in smokers was reduced by more than 30% in comparison with that in non-smokers. The mean C/D ratio of ALP in non-smokers was increased by FVX, while that in smokers was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of interaction between FVX and ALP may be affected by smoking, which alters the C/D ratio of FVX. Therefore, when FVX and ALP are concomitantly administered, it should be noted that non-smokers may exhibit greater drug interaction than smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although previous studies have shown that the hepatic sympathetic nerve controls various physiological functions in the liver, the role of this nerve in liver injury has yet to be clarified. Aims: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of this nerve, based on our newly developed technique for selectively removing the activities of the hepatic sympathetic nerve. Subjects and methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were operated on for hepatic sympathetic denervation. Thereafter, mice were intravenously administered 0.25 or 0.35 μg/g weight of the Fas agonist antibody, Jo-2, after which mortality by fulminant hepatitis was evaluated. Apoptosis in the liver was also examined by both terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling and caspase-3 assay. Results: Mortality in sympathectomised mice was significantly higher than that in sham operated mice following administration of Jo-2. This result was also supported by apoptosis data in which sympathectomised livers exhibited a significant elevation in the number of apoptotic hepatocytes and caspase-3 activity after Jo-2 treatment compared with sham operated livers. Moreover, pretreatment with norepinephrine dose dependently inhibited the hepatic sympathectomy induced increase in mortality after Jo-2 injection. Antiapoptotic protein levels of FLICE inhibitory protein, Bcl-xL, and Bcl-2 in the liver were significantly lower in sympathectomised mice at one and two hours following Jo-2 treatment than in sham operated animals. In addition, interleukin 6 supplementation dose dependently suppressed the hepatic sympathectomy induced increase in mortality after Jo-2 treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that norepinephrine released from the hepatic sympathetic nerve plays a critical role in protecting the liver from Fas mediated fulminant hepatitis, possibly via mechanisms including antiapoptotic proteins and interleukin 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the safety and effectiveness of tandospirone in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and mixed anxiety-depression. Symptoms to cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning in GAD; Monitoring of withdrawl symptoms in the patients; Anxiety symptoms to be rated on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) before the start of treatment; Determination of plasma concentration and efficacy; Use of the Mann-Whitney U-test to compare percentage improvement; Suggestion from the results that a comparatively high dose of tandospirone has excellent anxiolytic efficacy that is comparable to that of the benzodiazepines BZDs, without having serious adverse effects.

Emotions and the neuroendocrine system are known to affect leukocyte distribution. However, there have so far been few reports on the relationship between hypothalamically induced emotional behavior and the endocrine–immune response. We previously reported changes in the leukocyte distribution and adhesion molecules induced by anteromedial hypothalamus stimulation (AH stimulation), which elicits restlessness behaviors in the cat. In this study, we examined ventromedial hypothalamus stimulation (VMH stimulation), which elicits threat behaviors. In addition, the endocrine responses after VMH stimulation were evaluated. VMH stimulation as well as AH stimulation induced elevations of plasma cortisol and epinephrine levels and granulocytosis and lymphopenia. In contrast, VMH stimulation induced only an elevation of plasma norepinephrine and elicited an opposite pattern of CD62L expression on the leukocyte subpopulations. The different endocrine–immunological reactions between VMH stimulation and AH stimulation were thus associated with different types of behavioral responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the effects of nucleic acids on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Shift of the balance toward Th1-dominant immunity; Serum antibody levels; Splenocyte cytokine production; Pathogenesis of allergic reaction.

While immunization with allogeneic spleen cells did not generate positive cytotoxic activity, it produced accelerated rejection of subsequent turnout grafts carrying the same H-2 antigen. No augmented generation of cytotoxicity was dctectable by 51Cr-release assay in the host spleen cells, even in the presence of accelerated rejection of turnout allografts. However, augmented cytotoxicity was generated in mixed lymphocyte culture and in peritoneal lymphocytes after an intraperitoneal boost. These results indicate that while immunization with allogeneic spleen ceils does not generate mature cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) detectable by the present assay, it may produce premature CTL that rapidly differentiate into mature CTT, after direct contact with antigen at the site of graft rejection. The inability to generate a high degree of cytotoxicity in the spleen cells may be ascribed to the early development or CTL at the rejection site. The relationship between accelerated rejection of allogeneic tumour grafts and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding serous cystic neoplasms' pancreatic juice cytology with pancreatic duct communication.

Summary Background Recent epidemiological studies indicate that antibiotic use in infancy may be associated with an increased risk of developing atopy. Our previous work on animals demonstrated that kanamycin use during infancy promotes a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance towards a Th2-dominant immunity. Objective The first purpose of this study is to clarify whether or not the supplementation of intestinal bacteria can reverse such a Th2-skewed response induced by neonatal antibiotic use. The second objective is to elucidate the contribution of genetic factors to antibiotic-induced immune-deviation. Methods BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice at 3 weeks of age were orally administered 600 µg/day of kanamycin sulphate for seven consecutive days. Thereafter, the mice were inoculated with one type of intestinal bacterial species: Enterococcus faecalis , Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bacteroides vulgatus . Blood samples were collected 10 weeks after the cessation of kanamycin treatment, and the effect of the kanamycin treatment on Th1/Th2 balance was evaluated based on in vivo antibody levels. Results A kanamycin-induced elevation of the serum IgE levels was reversed by the supplementation with Enterococcus faecalis , and to a lesser extent by that with Lactobacillus acidophilus . The IgE/IgG2a ratio in the mice supplemented with Enterococcus faecalis significantly decreased in comparison with that in the kanamycin-treated mice without any bacterial supplementation, while such a ratio was enhanced in the mice inoculated with Bacteroides vulgatus . No antibiotic-induced Th2-skewed response was seen in C57BL/6 mice that are genetically biased towards Th1-dominant immunity. Conclusion These results suggest that adequate probiotic intervention after antibiotic treatment may improve the intestinal ecosystem, and thereby prevent the Th2-shifted immunity induced by neonatal antibiotic use. In addition, the difference of genetic backgrounds also contributes to such an antibiotic-induced... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]