A study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against pathogens, a defense mechanism of the normal flora against bacterial infection, in the nasopharynx and tonsils of 37 children with otitis media with effusion (OME). In the patients with OME, the detection rates of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and group A streptococci in the nasopharynx were significantly lower than those of alpha-streptococci isolated from the tonsils. Furthermore, the detection rates of nasopharyngeal alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in OME patients were lower than those in patients with tonsillitis. In conclusion, low nasopharyngeal levels of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against pathogens appear to render children susceptible to attacks of OME. We suggest that it is important to investigate the relationships between the prevalence of pathogens and the inhibitory activity of alpha-streptococci against them in the nasopharynx.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Promotive effect of lysozyme on the ciliary activity of the human nasal mucosa.

Lysozyme is an important resistance factor in the respiratory defence mechanism. Few reports exist concerning its effects on the ciliary activity of the human nasal mucosa. To clarify the biological activity of lysozyme in ciliary movement, a quantitative study was undertaken using a photo-electrical method to measure ciliary beats in vitro under conditions of constant temperature. Egg-white lysozyme in a 0.01 M sodium phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.4, dose-dependently accelerated the ciliary beats in the human nasal mucosa, removing overlying mucus continuously for at least 60 min. The buffer alone, however, failed to affect ciliary beats. These results indicate that egg-white lysozyme directly promotes the ciliary beats in the human nasal mucosa.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mucosal dysfunction and damage induced by platelet activating factor (PAF).

The effect of PAF on human nasal mucosa was investigated in vitro. Normal paranasal sinus mucosa was obtained from the ethmoid sinuses by surgical procedure and incubated in the form of tissue culture. Ciliary movement was viewed under an inverted microscope and recorded on video tapes, and its activity was measured photoelectrically. Morphological alterations were examined by light and electron microscopy. PAF inhibited ciliary activity of human nasal mucosa, in a time and a dose dependent manner, at concentrations from 10(-6)M to 10(-10)M, while no significant change was observed at 10(-11) M. Lyso-PAF exhibited minimal effect on the mucosa at a concentration of 10(-6) M. Morphological alterations of the epithelial layer of the mucosa such as edema, cell exfoliation and desquamation were found to increase across time. Ultrastructural alterations were observed prior to inhibition of ciliary activity. These data indicate the cytotoxic effect of PAF on human paranasal sinus mucosa.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Steroid hormone receptors and response to high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in advanced breast cancer.

Forty-six patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with oral high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) as a second line endocrine treatment, with a 28% 13/46) response rate. There was a significant difference in response to MPA between patients with estrogen (ER)- or progesterone (PgR)-receptors and those with negative receptors assayed just before the treatment (ER+, 7/10, ER-, 0/9 of response rates, p = 0.007, PgR+, 4/4: PgR-, 3/15, p = 0.02). The combination of ER and PgR was observed to be best in predicting the response (p = 0.02). The ER status as well as the combination of ER and PgR, but not PgR alone detected in the primary tumors, correlated well with the response (ER+, 10/23: ER-, 0/15, p = 0.0094, PgR+: PgR-, p = 0.13, ER+PgR+, ER+PgR-, ER-PgR-:p = 0.024). The correlation between steroid hormone receptors and response to MPA in advanced breast cancer was established from the literature. Response rate to MPA was shown to be 42% (69/169) in ER+ cancer patients, and 10% (9/90) in ER- cancer patients (p = 0.00004). There was no correlation between PgR status and the response. Changes of receptors were studied in relation to the response. When ER+ or PgR+ tumors retained their positivity until MPA treatment, a good response was obtained, while there were almost no responders if one or both receptors changed from positive to negative, or remained negative. In conclusion, the response to MPA can be predicted by the steroid hormone receptors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MR imaging of pleural and peritoneal effusion.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of MR imaging in predicting the quality of ascites and pleural effusion. MR examinations of 20 patients with different benign or malignant diseases accompanied with ascites or pleural effusion were retrospectively studied. Results were compared with histopathological findings. On T1- and T2-weighted images, the MR intensity of the effusion depended mainly on the concentration of protein, whereas on gradient echo images, it depended mainly on the concentration of blood. MR examination was useful in non-invasively differentiating exudative or hemorrhagic effusion from serous effusion. Knowledge or inference of the quality of effusion can direct MR interpretation and may improve diagnostic accuracy.

Ascitic Fluid↗