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Objectives: To compare the rates of schizophrenia among 1st and 2nd generation immigrants from two distinct backgrounds and across sequential periods of immigration., Methods: A 30-years retrospective cohort study (187,184 individuals) of 1st and 2nd generation East-African immigrants (EAIs) and former Soviet-Union immigrants (FSUIs) who migrated to Israel between 1980 and 2012. EAIs were further divided according to waves of immigration. Period prevalence was calculated between the years 2002-2012. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between immigration-related factors and prevalence of schizophrenia (Native-Born Israelis serving as reference group)., Results: The prevalence of schizophrenia in 1st generation EAIs and FSUIs was 1.8% and 1.2%, respectively, compared to 1.0% among NBIs (p<0.001). The prevalence of schizophrenia among 2nd generation EAIs and FSUIs was 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively, compared to 0.6% among NBIs (p<0.001). Adjusted odds ratios for developing schizophrenia compared to NBIs were 1.6 (95%CI:1.4-1.8) and 2.1 (95%CI:1.6-2.7), among 1st and 2nd generation EAIs and 1.1 (95%CI:0.9-1.2) and 1.3 (95%CI:1.0-1.8) among 1st and 2nd generation FSUIs respectively. Among EAIs, we observed the highest rate of schizophrenia in the pioneer wave of immigrants with gradual decline across subsequent waves: 2.4%, 1.9% and 1.0% for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd waves of immigration, respectively (p<0.001)., Conclusions: The increased risk for developing schizophrenia among 2nd generation immigrants and among pioneer groups of immigrants emphasizes the importance of persistent investment in acculturation. Further studies elucidating the impact of country of origin and ethnic density on the risk for developing schizophrenia are warranted., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mood disorders are the most prevalent mental conditions encountered in psychiatric practice. Numerous patients suffering from mood disorders present with treatment-resistant forms of depression, co-morbid anxiety, other psychiatric disorders and bipolar disorders. Standardized essential oils (such as that of Lavender officinalis) have been shown to exert clinical efficacy in treating anxiety disorders. As endocannabinoids are suggested to play an important role in major depression, generalized anxiety and bipolar disorders, Cannabis sativa was suggested for their treatment. The endocannabinoid system is widely distributed throughout the body including the brain, modulating many functions. It is involved in mood and related disorders, and its activity may be modified by exogenous cannabinoids. CB1 and CB2 receptors primarily serve as the binding sites for endocannabinoids as well as for phytocannabinoids, produced by cannabis inflorescences. However, 'cannabis' is not a single compound product but is known for its complicated molecular profile, producing a plethora of phytocannabinoids alongside a vast array of terpenes. Thus, the "entourage effect" is the suggested positive contribution derived from the addition of terpenes to cannabinoids. Here, we review the literature on the effects of cannabinoids and discuss the possibility of enhancing cannabinoid activity on psychiatric symptoms by the addition of terpenes and terpenoids. Possible underlying mechanisms for the anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects are reviewed. These natural products may be an important potential source for new medications for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Dual specificity phosphatase (DUSP) 4 has been described as a negative regulator of MAP kinase signaling, in particular for the ERK1/2 and JNK pathways. We found that DUSP4 expression was upregulated in response to prolonged platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB stimulation. The PDGF-BB-induced DUSP4 expression was dependent on ERK1/2, STAT3 and p53. We found that inhibition of ERK1/2 effectively reduced DUSP4 mRNA levels, whereas STAT3 was necessary for maintaining p53 expression. p53 has binding sites in the DUSP4 promoter and was found to promote DUSP4 expression., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The study aimed to examine two constructs: general mentalizing processes and the specific component of affective mentalizing regarding self and others alongside the construct of affect regulation patterns in female adolescent and young adult inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 41), depression ( n = 20) and controls ( n = 53). We further examined the predictive ability of affect regulation to eating-disorder (ED) symptoms beyond that of the mentalizing variables, and their potential role in mediating between mentalizing, depression and ED symptoms. We used tools assessing reflective functioning (RF), complex emotion recognition and theory of mind (ToM), alexithymia, affect regulation, depression, and ED symptoms. The AN and depression groups exhibited lower general mentalizing and higher alexithymia, emotional reactivity, and emotional cutoff patterns than controls, but showed no greater disturbance in ToM. The two clinical groups did not differ on any of these variables. Elevated mentalizing and adequate affect regulation patterns separately predicted lower severity of ED symptoms. Nonetheless, affect regulation did not add to the predictive value of mentalizing variables. Specifically, elevated alexithymia, and depressive symptomatology, but not RF, predicted greater ED symptomatology. Moreover, alexithymia directly accounted for elevated ED symptoms and also indirectly connected with ED symptoms via emotional hyperactivation and elevated depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that deficiencies in mentalization and affect regulation are not unique to AN, but may rather associated with psychopathology in general. Nonetheless, alexithymia and depression may increase ED-related symptomatology. Affect regulation deficiencies are mainly related with depressive symptoms and emotional hyperactivation is indirectly related with AN via the depressive symptoms., (Copyright © 2019 Rothschild-Yakar, Stein, Goshen, Shoval, Yacobi, Eger, Kartin and Gur.)

Background: Depression and anxiety are common in cancer and antidepressants (AD) are efficacious treatment. The relationship between AD adherence and mortality in cancer is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to AD and all-cause mortality in a population-based cohort of patients with cancer., Materials and Methods: We conducted a 4-year historical prospective cohort study including 42,075 patients with cancer who purchased AD at least once during the study period. Adherence to AD was modeled as nonadherence (<20%), poor (20-50%), moderate (50-80%), and good (>80%) adherence. We conducted multivariable survival analyses adjusted for demographic and clinical variables that may affect mortality., Results: During 1,051,489 person-years at risk follow-up, the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for mortality were 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-0.95), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66-0.72), and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76-0.85) for the poor, moderate, and good adherence groups, respectively, compared to the nonadherent group. Analysis of the entire sample and a subgroup with depression, for cancer subtypes, revealed similar patterns for breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers, but not for melanoma patients. Multivariate predictors of premature mortality included male gender (HR 1.48 [95% CI: 1.42-1.55]), current/past smoking status (HR 1.1, [95% CI: 1.04-1.15]; P < .0001), low socioeconomic status (HR 1.1, [95% CI: 1.03-1.17]; P < .0001) and more physical comorbidities., Conclusions: The present study is the first to demonstrate that higher adherence to AD is associated with a decrease of all-cause mortality in a large nationwide cohort of cancer patients. Our data add to the pressing need to encourage adherence to AD among cancer patients., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been found to be associated with poor emotion regulation. Aims: The goal of this study was to examine the association of multidimensional cognitive emotion regulation strategies with NSSI among adolescents and compare the different patterns of NSSI. Method: A sample of 594 high-school students (54.4% boys; mean age = 14.96 years), from five regional schools across Israel, were assessed for five facets of cognitive emotion regulation strategies (acceptance, refocus on planning, positive refocusing, putting into perspective, and positive reappraisal) and NSSI behaviors using validated scales. Participants were allocated into three groups: repetitive NSSI (more than six occasions of NSSI; 7.1%), occasional NSSI (at least one incident but less than six; 8.3%), and no NSSI (84.6%). Results: Analysis of covariance, controlling for gender and depression symptoms, revealed that students with NSSI reported higher levels of acceptance, but lower levels of refocus on planning and putting into perspective. Limitations: The study used a cross-sectional design, which was a limitation. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that particular cognitive emotion regulation strategies differ substantially in their relationship with NSSI. Adolescents who focus on planning and putting stressful situations into perspective may have increased resilience, whereas adolescents who are accepting of negative events that have happened may be more prone to maladaptive coping behaviors.

Pregnancy related carpal tunnel syndrome (PRCTS) is the most frequent mononeuropathy during pregnancy. The reported incidence of PRCTS varies widely and ranges from 0.8% to 70% depending on the diagnostic method and the physician. The etiology for PRCTS is related to hormonal fluctuations, fluid accumulation, glucose level fluctuations, median nerve hypersensitivity etc. The diagnosis of PRCS is the same as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the gereral population and includes a thorough history, typical symptoms and physical examination. Electrodiagnostic studies such as EMG are valuable tools for the ratification of the diagnosis of CTS in the general population. But in light of the fact that the EMG examination is painful and can cause discomfort to the patient, its routine use during pregnancy is controversial and is not required for determining the diagnosis. Generally, the syndrome tends to pass after birth, on the other hand, according to the literature, it might not pass in lactating women until they stop breastfeeding and even afterwards. Treatment of PRCS is mostly conservative, and if there is lack of improvement local intracarpal injection of a steroid is indicated. Intracarpal injections have demonstrated a significant decrease in symptoms and low recurrence in comparison to the general population, and do not put the fetus or his mother at risk. A surgical intervention is rarely indicated during pregnancy.

The fibroblast mitogen platelet-derived growth factor -BB (PDGF-BB) induces a transient expression of the orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 (also named Nur77, TR3 or NGFIB). The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathways through which NR4A1 is induced by PDGF-BB and its functional role. We demonstrate that in PDGF-BB stimulated NIH3T3 cells, the MEK1/2 inhibitor CI-1040 strongly represses NR4A1 expression, whereas Erk5 downregulation delays the expression, but does not block it. Moreover, we report that treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 suppresses NR4A1 mRNA and protein expression. The majority of NR4A1 in NIH3T3 was found to be localized in the cytoplasm and only a fraction was translocated to the nucleus after continued PDGF-BB treatment. Silencing NR4A1 slightly increased the proliferation rate of NIH3T3 cells; however, it did not affect the chemotactic or survival abilities conferred by PDGF-BB. Moreover, overexpression of NR4A1 promoted anchorage-independent growth of NIH3T3 cells and the glioblastoma cell lines U-105MG and U-251MG. Thus, whereas NR4A1, induced by PDGF-BB, suppresses cell growth on a solid surface, it increases anchorage-independent growth.

The frequency of positive cone margins and its significance in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia are under controversy. The purpose of the current study was to identify factors associated with positive cone margin status and to evaluate its clinical significance in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Medical records of women who underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure at the Soroka Medical Center (January 2001-July 2011) were reviewed retrospectively. Patient age, extent of dysplasia, endocervical glands involvement, positive margin status, type of margin involved, degree of margin involvement, and postcone endocervical curettage results were evaluated as possible factors associated with persistent/recurrent disease. A total of 376 women were included in the study. Cone margin involvement was observed in 33% (endocervical-22%, ectocervical-8%, both margins-3%). Factors significantly associated with cone margin involvement were older age (older than 35 y), widespread dysplasia in the cone specimen (≥4 sections) (P<0.001 for each), and endocervical glands involvement (P=0.003). Fifty patients (13%) had persistent/recurrent disease. Involvement of the cone margins (focal: hazard ratio=17, P<0.001; extensive: hazard ratio=28, P<0.001) and older age (hazard ratio=1.18 for every 5 additional years, P=0.03) were associated with persistent/recurrent disease. We conclude that women older than 35 yr with widespread high-grade dysplasia in the cone specimen and involvement of endocervical glands are more likely to have positive cone margins. Positive cone margins, particularly when extensively involved, and increased patient age are associated with persistent/recurrent disease. These factors should be considered while planning for further management.

Objective: To evaluate the association between post-cone endocervical curettage (ECC) results, either alone or with cone margin status, and persistent/recurrent high-grade dysplasia after conization., Methods: The medical records of 250 women who underwent a loop electrosurgical excision procedure with post-cone ECC at Soroka Medical Center, Be'er Sheva, Israel, between January 2001 and July 2011 were reviewed retrospectively., Results: Thirty-one women (12.4%) had evidence of high-grade dysplasia in the ECC sample. Factors associated with positive ECC were being older than 35 years (P=0.004) and positive margin status (P=0.001). Twenty-nine patients (11.6%) had persistent/recurrent high-grade dysplasia. Both high-grade dysplasia in the ECC sample (hazard ratio, 2.31; P=0.032) and positive cone margins (hazard ratio, 23.4; P<0.001) were associated with persistent/recurrent disease., Conclusion: High-grade dysplasia in the ECC sample was associated with positive cone margin status. These 2 factors were both associated with persistent/recurrent disease. Among patients with positive cone margins, a combination of margin status and ECC was superior to margin status alone for estimating the probability of persistent/recurrent disease. For women with negative cone margins, ECC was less useful. Because ECC is valuable for assessing the risk of persistent/recurrent high-grade dysplasia in many cases, post-cone ECC should be performed routinely with conization., (Copyright © 2012 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

MAP kinase phosphatase-3 (MKP3), also known as DUSP6 or Pyst1, is a dual specificity phosphatase considered to selectively dephosphorylate extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Here, we report that in NIH3T3 cells, MKP3 is induced in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB treatment in an Erk1/2- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent manner, but independently of Erk5 expression. Silencing of MKP3 expression did not affect PDGF-BB-induced Erk1/2 or p38 phosphorylation; however, their basal level of phosphorylation was elevated. Furthermore, we found that PDGF-BB-mediated activation of Erk5 and Akt was enhanced when the MKP3 expression was reduced. Interfering with Mek1/2 or PI3K using the inhibitors CI-1040 and LY-294002, respectively, inhibited PDGF-BB-induced MKP3 expression. Functionally, we found that MKP3 silencing did not affect cell proliferation, but enhanced the chemotactic response toward PDGF-BB. Although both Akt and Erk5 have been linked to increased cell survival, downregulation of MKP3 did not alter the ability of PDGF-BB to protect NIH3T3 cells from starvation-induced apoptosis. However, we observed an increased apoptosis in untreated cells with reduced MKP3 expression. In summary, our data indicate that there is negative cross-talk between Erk1/2 and Erk5 that involves regulation of MKP3 expression, and that PI3K in addition to promoting Akt phosphorylation also negatively modulates Akt, through MKP3 expression., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of children with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) in comparison with adult patients., Materials and Methods: A systematic literature analysis was performed in the Medline database up to November 2007 and in rheumatology and pulmonology meeting scientific abstracts 2003-2007. Articles with reported childhood CSS cases were retrieved; clinical data were recorded. Descriptive statistical analyses and a comparison with 2 published adult CSS cohorts were performed., Results: Thirty-three cases of childhood CSS were identified. The mean age was 12 years and the male-to-female ratio was 0.74. All patients had significant eosinophilia and asthma. Histological evidence of eosinophilia and/or vasculitis was present in virtually all patients. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were found in 25% of children with CSS. Initial treatment was corticosteroid monotherapy in 76% of childhood CSS patients, while 24% received additional immunosuppressive therapy. Another 18% required further immunosuppression at follow-up due to frequent relapses. Six deaths (18%), all related to the underlying disease, occurred after a mean disease duration of 14 months. As compared with adult CSS patients, children had a predominance of cardiopulmonary disease manifestations, a lower rate of peripheral nerve involvement, and higher mortality., Conclusions: Many aspects of CSS are similar in childhood and adult patients. However, pulmonary and cardiac involvement is predominant in pediatric CSS and mortality is substantial.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the presence of a nasogastric tube (NGT) for feeding has an impact on the nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus. Three groups of frail elderly were examined: 76 patients fed by NGTs and 52 orally fed patients in skilled nursing wards, and 33 orally fed patients in regular nursing wards. Samples from the nasal and oral cavities were cultured for S. aureus and susceptibility testing for oxacillin was performed. The prevalence of S. aureus (either oxacillin-susceptible or oxacillin-resistant) in the NGT-fed group was not significantly different to that in the two orally fed groups nor the nostril in which the NGT was placed. A significant correlation in colonization was found between the two nares and between the nares and oral cavity in the same patient (r > 0.45, P < 0.005) for both oxacillin-susceptible and oxacillin-resistant S. aureus. The presence of NGTs for feeding in elderly frail patients is not associated with higher rates of S. aureus colonization in the nares or oral cavity.

Objective: Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) is characterized by excessive eosinophil accumulation in peripheral blood and affected tissues with development of granulomatous vasculitic organ damage. The contribution of eosinophil-chemotactic cytokines (eotaxin family) to eosinophilia and disease activity in CSS is unknown. Thus, we compared serum levels of the eotaxin family members in CSS patients with healthy and disease controls., Methods: Forty patients with CSS diagnosed according to ACR 1990 criteria, 30 healthy controls (HC) and 57 disease controls (28 asthma, 20 small vessel vasculitis, 9 hypereosinophilic syndrome) were studied. Clinical data were collected and serum levels of eotaxin-1, -2 and -3 were determined by ELISA. Further, immunohistochemistry was applied to identify eotaxin-3 expression in tissue biopsies from patients with CSS., Results: In contrast to eotaxin-1 and -2, eotaxin-3 was highly elevated in serum samples of active CSS patients and correlated highly significantly with eosinophil counts, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and acute-phase parameters. Moreover, eotaxin-3 was not elevated in other eosinophilic and vasculitic diseases. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong expression of eotaxin-3 in endothelial and inflammatory cells in affected tissues of active CSS patients., Conclusions: This study reveals the specific association of elevated eotaxin-3 expression with high disease activity and eosinophilia in CSS patients. Eotaxin-3 might thus be a pathogenic player, biomarker and potential therapeutic target in CSS.

Background: Specific immunotherapy for hymenoptera venom allergy (venom immunotherapy [VIT]) is safe and effective. The duration of treatment is still open for discussion because there is no reliable routine test to determine the real risk of serious anaphylactic reactions. This prospective study, which spans more than 25 years, was conducted to ensure unlimited protection through continuous VIT. To reduce workload and cost, the maintenance interval was increased to 6 months without increasing the rate of adverse events. Only patients with continuous follow-up by our service were included in this study., Patients and Methods: VIT was conducted in 176 patients (125 allergic to wasp venom, 20 to bee venom, 31 to both) over a mean of 7.14 years (1.16-25.49). Total and specific IgE were determined on a regular basis., Results: A total of 162 re-stings were reported. Of these, 154 produced a strictly local reaction, seven produced non-serious reactions and one produced a systemic reaction similar to that produced by the initial sting before VIT. Total and specific IgE diminished during VIT. Substantial adverse effects were rare and never life-threatening. The effects occurred during observation in the ward and were controlled according to the treatment protocol recommended by a German expert consensus meeting on the treatment of anaphylactoid reactions. VIT was terminated in only one patient due to recurrent adverse effects., Conclusion: Continuous VIT at 6-monthly maintenance intervals conferred permanent protection in patients allergic to bee and wasp venoms and was found to be a safe and effective alternative to current standard protocols.

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the triad of oral and genital ulcers and ocular lesions. One of the most life-threatening manifestations results from involvement of the central nervous system, presenting as necrotising meningo-encephalitis, most typically affecting the brain stem, internal capsula and basal brain ganglia. We report on a young Caucasian mate with Behçet's disease (HLA B 51+) and recurrent uveitis, who presented with acute neurologic involvement under CyA therapy 5 years after first diagnosis. At the time of admission MRI showed two high intensity lesions in the brain stem on T1 weighted images enhanced with Gd-DTPA, reflecting active inflammation. Shortly after admission the CyA treatment was stopped and a therapy with high dose steroids and chlorambucil, starting with a dose of 2 mg daily was initiated. This led to improvement of neurologic symptoms, also documented by brain stem evoked potentials and investigations of cerebrospinal fluid, as well as of ophtalmologic symptoms within few days of treatment. Steroids were reduced to a maintenance dose of 12 mg Prednyliden daily. The brain MRI taken 8 weeks after onset of chlorambucil treatment showed the same lesions in the brain stem, with low intensity in the T1 weighted images an no longer enhanced Gd-DTPA uptake. Chlorambucil dose was reduced to 2 mg every second day after 8 months. There was no exacerbation in the follow-up of 12 months. We conclude that a 6-week Chlorambucil therapy consisting of 2 mg/p.o./d led to remission of neurologic involvement firstly evolving under CyA-medication which suggests superiority of chlorambucil as a treatment modality in neurologic as well as ophtalmologic features of the disease.

During remission induction chemotherapy, a 41-kDa cleavage product of alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT41) can be found in the urine of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. By using immunoblotting with antibodies against this protein, 27 patients with acute myeloid leukemia were screened for the excretion of this fragment and the amount of alpha1-AT41 compared with treatment response assessed by therapy-induced cytoreduction in the bone marrow and time to reach remission. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, malignant lymphomas, and solid tumors receiving chemotherapy, patients with nonmalignant diseases like sepsis and kidney dysfunction, and healthy subjects were probed to evaluate the specificity of this phenomenon. In 74% of the acute myeloid leukemia patients, the truncated inhibitor was detected. Mean concentration of peak excretion was found to be 6.7 microgram/mg creatinine (range, 1.1-41 microgram/mg). Among the patients treated with induction chemotherapy, those who responded completely (<5% residual marrow blast cells) exhibited significantly higher alpha1-AT41 concentrations than the nonresponders (P < 0.03). Patients who showed a partial response (6-25% residual blasts) excreted intermediate values of the protein. The probability of median time to reach remission was 40 days in patients excreting the truncated inhibitor in measurable amounts compared to 100 days in patients negative for alpha1-AT41 (P < 0.02). The 41-kDa fragment was also found in one of 10 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in 3 of 18 lymphoma patients but not in those with solid tumors, infections, or kidney disease or in healthy individuals.

Pustulotic arthroosteitis is characterized by the association of inflammatory and hyperostotic skeletal changes, primarily of the anterior chest wall, and chronic recurrent skin lesions of the palms and soles known as pustulosis palmaris et plantaris. Since its first description by Sonozaki in 1981 in Japan, it has also been reported by several European authors and become widely accepted as a separate entity within the spectrum of the seronegative spondylarthropathies. In this report, we describe 11 cases seen in our clinic in the years 1985 to 1992. Course and severity of the disease varied greatly among individual patients. In four of them a difference of up to 6 years between the onset of skin and skeletal symptoms were noted. Besides chronic recurrent nonspecific osteomyelitis in two cases, neither an association to other rheumatic or dermatologic diseases nor to HLA-B27 could be found. Corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive agents, and antibiotics were all used with uncertain therapeutic success. Based on these data, we suppose that pustulotic arthroosteitis is more common in Germany than previously thought, and has to be considered as an important differential diagnosis of sternoclavicular arthritis. In a review of the available literature, the current opinions on nomenclature, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment are discussed.

A novel cell aggregation-inducing characteristic of the leukocyte common antigen, CD45, is described and its underlying molecular mechanisms investigated. Formation of strong cell clusters was consistently observed in human PBMCs after crosslinking CD45 molecules with antibodies, directed to epitopes common for all CD45 isoforms (e.g., mAb ROS220 or NIH45-2) or the CD45RA (e.g., mAb Alb11) or the CD45RO isoform (e.g., mAb UCHL1). This phenomenon was not seen after PBMC treatment with CD45RA mAb HB11 or CD2 mAb 39C1.5. Identical to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced clustering, CD45-mediated aggregation was also suppressed by EDTA, by cytochalasin B, and by incubation at 4 degrees C, all characteristics of adhesion mediated by integrins. The involvement of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 in CD45-mediated adhesion was supported by the observation that CD11a (LFA-1 alpha) mAb R7.1, CD18 (LFA-1 beta) mAb R3.3, and CD54 (ICAM-1) mAb R6.1 or RR/l all strongly inhibited CD45- and PMA-induced aggregation. Interestingly, highly pure T lymphocytes did not aggregate in response to CD45 mAb, but did after PMA treatment. These results indicate that triggering human PBMCs via CD45 can cause strong cell aggregation, largely through LFA-1/ICAM-1 interactions. Our findings support an important role of the CD45 antigen in signal transduction and intercellular interaction in human PBMCs.

During the search for a therapy response parameter in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, we observed the appearance of a 41 kDa glycoprotein band in the urines of these patients under therapy. To investigate the nature of this molecule and to develop a specific detection system, the protein was isolated and antibodies were raised. Urines and sera of patients and healthy subjects were screened for crossreacting proteins by immunoblotting. Only the leukemia patients showed the urinary 41 kDa protein plus a 53 kDa band. In all sera, including those from healthy donors, a 53 kDa protein was intensely stained. Isolation of the plasma protein and sequence analysis of the urinary protein revealed that alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is the crossreacting plasma protein and that the 41 kDa molecule is proteolytically modified alpha 1-PI, which has lost its antitryptic activity. Cleavage occurred in the N-terminal part as well as in the reactive site loop of the inhibitor. The 41 kDa truncated inhibitor was also found in the leukemic blast cells. A densitometric method is described for the quantitation of the molecule in the nanomolar range.

Two new monoclonal antibodies, EBU-65 and EBU-141, were raised by immunization with plasma cell line U-266. Both antibodies strongly react with B lymphocytes in immunofluorescent staining as well as on paraffin-embedded sections. More than 200 leukemias and lymphomas were tested, and for both antibodies reactivity was found only with "mature" B-cell tumors but not with precursor B-cell leukemias. None of the non-B-lineage hematolymphatic tumors tested was stained by EBU-141 or EBU-65. A subpopulation of T lymphocytes particularly present in nonmalignant pleural effusions was detected by EBU-65 additionally. Although EBU-141 was clustered as CDw75 and EBU-65 as "unique," a close relationship of the staining pattern was found and both antibodies react with a sialyltransferase. In particular, CDw75 antibody EBU-141 was demonstrated to be very useful for immunophenotyping of B-cell neoplasias, while EBU-65 reacted with most multiple myelomas and a subgroup of "activated"-appearing T cells.

The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic relationship between the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency. Thirty-five young active patients with an untreated complete tear of the ACL took part in the study. Using a KINCOM isokinetic dynamometer, the dynamic capacity of each muscle group at 30° in concentric and eccentric exertion in both the deficient and sound knee was measured. Findings demonstrated a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the torque produced by the deficient-side quadriceps compared to the sound side but no significant variations in the hamstring torque. Discussion of the findings considers a possible involvement of neurophysiological inhibition of the quadriceps as a cause for the observed weakness., (Copyright © 1989. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Two isolates of Pleurotus ostreatus from North America and one from Germany are interbreedable. Under identical conditions at low temperatures, their fruiting bodies are hard to distinguish. However, shape and colour and several other characters vary with culture conditions. The American stocks fruit well at temperatures from 4 to 24 °C, the German ones only below 15 °C. Four types of hybrids between German and American Pleupotus were obtained: i) The whole fruiting process is temperature sensitive as in German Pleurotus. ii) It proceeds at 4-24 °C as in American stocks, iii) Fruiting initiation is insensitive but sporophore development is sensitive to elevated temperatures, iv) Primordia formation and initial sporophore development depend on temperatures below 15 °C, but pileus expansion and spore discharge continue above 20 °. The involvement of separate genes for the single developmental steps and the use of temperature sensitivity for commercial varieties are discussed. One sporeless strain, "F42x11", with considerable fruiting bodies has been obtained. In intrastock di-mon-matings this character was dominant.

A parturient patient with imminent gangrene of the extremity caused by oxytocin-induced arteriospasm is described. The appliance of conventional measures such as anticoagulation and vasodilatation produced an immediate and sustained reversal of the arteriospasm together with dramatic relief of symptoms and signs.

Extracts from fruit bodies ofPleurolus orAgaricus promoted fructification ofPleurotus mycelium. This was visible in regular primordia formation 7-10 days after application of extract to the mycelium and in higher sporophore weights.After fractionating the extracts by ultra- and gel-filtration a marked stimulation of sporophore weights was detectable only in fractions of lower molecular weight. The number of primordia, however, was also increased by compounds of high molecular weight, but not by protein alone.With increasing dilution of the extracts the weight of fruit bodies decreased more rapidly than the number of primordia.40 mg of L-asparagine or equimolar amounts of urea showed an effect similar to that of the extract from 1 g fruit body. Suggars gave no reaction.Sporophore initiation and fruit body growth are supposed to be two different processes inPleurotus as well as inAgaricus bisporus.Methods for detecting a hypothetical sporophore inducer and an inhibitor are discussed.