Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

O Vainio

Publications and source records attributed to O Vainio.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Contact allergy to gold in dental patients.

Gold sodium thiosulphate (GSTS) in patch test series commonly yields positive reactions. In this study of dental patients, the clinical relevance of these positive reactions, the suitability of gold compounds as patch test materials, and value of the lymphocyte proliferation test in gold contact allergy, were evaluated. The frequency of positive patch test reactions to GSTS was 12.4% in the dental series. Fifty-two patients, only two of whom were male, were studied. Thirteen (25%) had had symptoms from jewellery or dental restorations. However, in most cases gold allergy was subclinical. A 10% aqueous solution of gold sodium thiomalate (GSTM) was almost as good as 0.5% GSTS in petrolatum as a marker of gold contact allergy, but 0.001% potassium dicyanoaurate (PDCA) yielded a high percentage of false-negative results. Seventy-three per cent of the subjects with positive patch tests to GSTS responded to gold compounds in vitro in the lymphocyte proliferation test, whereas 13 controls without gold contact sensitivity were negative. Consistent results in skin and lymphocyte proliferation tests provide support for the concept that gold salt-induced 'allergic-like' reactions are truly allergic in nature.

Adolescent↗

Functional abnormalities in granulocytes predict susceptibility to bacterial infections in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Leukocyte functions were studied in 22 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and were related to the patients' susceptibility to infections. In CLL patients with a history of infections, compared with CLL patients without infections or healthy controls, there were significant impairments of most granulocyte functions; random migration, N-formyl-methionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP) and C5a stimulated chemotaxis and chemiluminescence response were decreased. No differences in these functions between CLL patients without infections and healthy controls were observed. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of granulocytes were intact in all patients with CLL. By univariate analysis, neutrophil count and serum IgG level also predicted susceptibility to infections. By multivariate analyses, granulocyte chemotaxis and chemiluminescence remained as statistically significant predictors of infections. The lymphocyte functions (mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and immunoglobulin production in vitro) were equally impaired in all patients with CLL and differed significantly from the respective functions in healthy control subjects. We conclude that impairments in granulocyte functions contribute to susceptibility to infections in CLL.

Aged↗

Comparative responses to propofol anaesthesia alone and with alpha 2-adrenergic medications in a canine model.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of propofol, a relatively new nonbarbiturate intravenous anaesthetic, were assessed and compared in 22 male and female dogs. Dogs in group 1 did not receive any premedication prior to 6.6 mg/kg IV propofol, group 2 was premedicated with atropine (0.02 mg/kg IM) and the alpha 2-agonist medetomidine (10 micrograms/kg IM), and group 3 received the same premedication agents as group 2, but the medetomidine effects were reversed by the alpha 2-antagonist atipamezole (30 micrograms/kg IV) after 30 min of anaesthesia. Each dog in groups 2 and 3 received a propofol induction dose of 2.2 mg/kg IV. The anaesthetic duration was shortest with propofol alone and prolonged with medetomidine as a premedication which was reversible with atipamezole. In group 1, the most prominent effects were a temporary drop in diastolic arterial blood pressure (26% and 24%) at 2 and 5 min post-propofol, respectively and a drop in respiratory frequency (41%) 2 min after propofol induction. Similar respiratory depression was observed in groups 2 and 3 (20% and 48%, respectively) at the same time. Apnea was not observed. An increase in systemic arterial blood pressure was observed throughout the trial in groups 2 and 3 until dogs recovered or were reversed with atipamezole. Medetomidine significantly reduces propofol dosage requirements. Safe and effective injectable anaesthesia was produced by propofol in this group of dogs. The frequency of respiratory depression would suggest in clinical usage, the practitioner should be aware oxygen supplementation is the treatment of choice should apnea occur.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Atipamezole increases medetomidine clearance in the dog: an agonist-antagonist interaction.

Medetomidine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, is a potent sedative and analgesic agent in the dog. When necessary, its action can be effectively antagonized by atipamezole. The present work was designed to study the effects of these drugs on each others' pharmacokinetics when a single intramuscular dose of medetomidine (50 micrograms kg-1) was followed by a dose of atipamezole (250 micrograms kg-1). Three different treatments were used: medetomidine alone, atipamezole alone, and atipamezole after medetomidine. Drug concentrations in plasma were measured by GC-MS. Statistical analysis of the results (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between treatments in the kinetic parameters of medetomidine. Atipamezole decreased the AUC of medetomidine from 41.3 to 28.6 ng h ml-1 (P = 0.005), t1/2 from 1.44 to 0.87 h (P = 0.015), and increased Cl from 21 to 31 ml min-1 kg-1 (P = 0.017). Differences in Vz did not reach statistical significance. The only statistically significant effects of medetomidine on the pharmacokinetics of atipamezole in this study were the slight decrease of Cl and Cmax as well as the increase of AUC. It is suggested that the large dose of medetomidine used caused haemodynamic changes, resulting in decreased hepatic circulation and slower drug metabolism. Antagonism by atipamezole restored the hepatic blood flow and, consequently, increased the elimination of medetomidine by biotransformation.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Characterization of chicken CD8-specific monoclonal antibodies recognizing novel epitopes.

CD8 is a heterodimeric cell surface glycoprotein expressed primarily on thymocytes and a subpopulation of mature T lymphocytes. It binds to the invariant part of the major histocompatibility complex class I molecule and participates in antigen recognition by the major histocompatibility complex class I restricted T cells. As in mammalian species, the majority of chicken thymocytes express both CD4 and CD8, whereas peripheral T cells are either CD4- or CD8-positive. We have created a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies detecting different cell surface epitopes on chicken CD8. The antibodies precipitate a 32-34 kDa dimeric protein from surface labelled thymocytes under reducing conditions. The identical N-deglycosylation pattern confirms that these MoAb precipitate the same heterodimeric molecule from chicken thymocyte lysates. Binding of 11-38 and 11-39 MoAb to peripheral blood T cells is totally inhibited by 11-39 and previously characterized CT8 and EP72 MoAb, further confirming their CD8 specificity. CD8 alpha-chain specificity of MoAb 11-39, 11-38, 11-30 and 11-13 is conclusively proven by staining COS-cells transfected with a plasmid containing CD8 alpha cDNA. However, MoAb 11-13, 11-30 and 11-38 do not compete with MoAb 11-39 in binding to CD8. These results demonstrate recognition of different epitopes by these MoAb. Monoclonal antibodies detecting novel epitopes on chicken CD8 provide a valuable tool for further studies on T cell development.

Animals↗

Adhesion molecules in the nickel allergic reaction.

Nickel is the major cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and to increase our understanding of this immune reaction we studied changes in the expression of adhesion molecules on mononuclear cells during nickel stimulation in vivo and in vitro. Nickel-induced lymphocyte cultures were used in vitro, the cells being examined with monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) and by flow cytometry. Mononuclear cells from skin biopsies of in vivo cutaneous nickel reactions were studied with Mabs and immunohistochemistry. The expression of adhesion molecules in vitro was differential: the number of cells carrying CD11c, CD29, CDw49b, CDw49d, CDw49e, CDw49f, CD54, CD56 and ELAM-1 being significantly overrepresented among the nickel-induced lymphoblasts whereas the number of blasts carrying CD44 was underrepresented and those of CD11a, CD18, CD58 and LAM-1 remained unchanged. CD4+ cells gained adhesion molecules during nickel-induced blast transformation whereas CD8+ cells lost most of their adhesion molecules. The in vivo results were in agreement with the in vitro ones except that CDw49b, CDw49f, CD56 and ELAM-1 could not be detected in a 96-hour nickel reaction in vivo. In conclusion, the nickel allergic reaction favors the expression of certain adhesion molecules, and this expression is induced on CD4+ cells while CD8+ cells tend to lose such molecules. The changes were more sensitively detected with the in vitro method.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Monomeric homologue of mammalian CD28 is expressed on chicken T cells.

A mAb recognizing a 40- to 44-kDa monomeric molecule on the surface of chicken T cells was used to screen a cDNA expression library made from Con A-stimulated chicken spleen cells. The sequence of the cDNA obtained encoded a molecule having 50% amino acid sequence identity with mammalian CD28, but the cysteine residue involved in the inter-chain bridge of the mammalian CD28 homodimer was not conserved in the chicken sequence. The molecule produced in transfected COS-7 cells was also recognized by another mAb that had previously been thought to recognize an avian homologue of CD2. The sequence data establish that this molecule is a homologue of mammalian CD28 in the strict evolutionary sense.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on lymphocytes and their subset counts with or without use of autotransfusion devices.

Lymphocytes and their subset counts were determined in 30 cardiac surgery patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with or without use of an autotransfusion device. In the autotransfusion group, centrifuged and washed autologous red blood cells (median 400 mL [range 200-770 mL]) and in the control group corresponding amounts of homologous packed red blood cells (median 500 mL [range 250-750 mL]) were transfused after declamping the aorta. The percentages of T lymphocytes (CD3) and T cytotoxic cells (CD8) increased in both groups (CD3 up to 5%, P < 0.05 and CD8 up to 35%, P < 0.01), but the percentage of T helper cells (CD4) did not change. The ratio of CD4/CD8 cells decreased (up to 34%, P < 0.01). The percentage of naive resting T cells (CD45RA) increased slightly (up to 8%, P < 0.05) whereas the percentages of memory T cells (CD45RO), T cells with IL-2 receptor (CD25), and natural killer cells (CD16) remained unaltered. The percentage of HLA-DR positive lymphocytes increased during CPB (up to 18%, P < 0.05), but it was decreased thereafter (up to 16%, P < 0.05). The percentage of monocytes (CD14) decreased first during CPB in both groups (up to 32%, P < 0.01), but it was higher in the autotransfusion device group (decreased 29% from initial value) than in the control group (decreased 65% from initial value) at the end of CPB (P < 0.05). This study shows that extracorporeal circulation has an effect on lymphocytes and their subset counts. The changes were slightly immunosuppressive. By contrast, use of autotransfusion devices had only minor effects.

Blood Transfusion↗

Propofol infusion anaesthesia and immune response in minor surgery.

This study was set up to evaluate the effects of propofol infusion anaesthesia on immunological function in minor surgery. Twenty-seven patients (median age 51 years, ASA 1-2) scheduled for minor breast surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. Anaesthesia was induced in group 1 with propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 and maintained with propofol 12 mg.kg-1 x h-1 and 30% O2 in air, whereas in group 2 anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 4 mg.kg-1 and maintained with 70% N2O in O2. Fentanyl and vecuronium were used in both groups. The percentages of T cells (p < 0.001), B cells (p < 0.01) and memory T cells increased (p < 0.01) in both groups. T helper cell percentages increased in the propofol but not in the thiopentone group (p < 0.05). The percentages of natural killer cells decreased from pre-induction values in both groups (p < 0.001). No changes were seen in lymphocyte proliferative responses. Minor breast surgery under propofol or conventional combined anaesthesia had only minor effects on the immune response. The higher percentage of T helper cells after propofol anaesthesia compared to conventional combined anaesthesia is beneficial, but its clinical importance remains to be determined.

Adult↗

Gamma delta and alpha beta T cells are equally susceptible to apoptosis.

Little is known about the role of apoptosis in the regulation of gamma delta T cell development and function. We have used chicken as a model to study apoptosis of gamma delta T cells at different stages of their development. Apoptosis was measured with electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric determination of DNA content combined with immunofluorescence staining of cell surface molecules. In vitro culture, dexamethasone, and gamma-irradiation induced apoptosis of both gamma delta TCR+ thymocytes and peripheral gamma delta T cells. Apoptosis could be induced even in the earliest thymic gamma delta thymocytes on embryonic day 13. Resting peripheral blood gamma delta T cells were more resistant to apoptosis than thymocytes and spleen cells. Following polyclonal activation of splenic gamma delta T cells by Con A, the proportion of the CD8+ gamma delta T cell blasts decreased significantly when recultured without further stimulation. These results indicate that gamma delta T cells are susceptible to apoptosis in a manner similar to alpha beta T cells, and suggest that apoptosis plays an important role in the regulation of the development and function of both thymic and peripheral gamma delta T cells.

Animals↗

Evolutionarily conserved function of CD28 in alpha beta T cell activation.

The functional role of the chicken homologue of CD28 was studied. It is expressed on all thymocytes, and both V beta 1- and V beta 2-family expressing peripheral alpha beta T cells. Peripheral gamma delta T cells are CD28-negative. Monoclonal antibody against CD28 had a costimulatory effect on T cells stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), concanavalin A or MoAb against TCR. V beta 1 and V beta 2 expressing cells responded equally well to stimulation with anti-CD28 in combination with PMA. These responses were resistant to cyclosporin A, but inhibited by herbimycin A, suggesting that CD28 employs a signalling pathway at least partly distinct from that triggered by TCR/CD3. These data indicate a striking conservation of the costimulatory function of CD28 and emphasize the importance of this costimulatory pathway.

Animals↗

Medetomidine, an alpha 2-agonist, alleviates post-thoracotomy pain in dogs.

Twelve laboratory beagles underwent a routine left thoracotomy to insert permanent instrumentation. Every second dog was given 10 micrograms/kg of medetomidine, an alpha 2-agonist sedative. The rest of the animals were treated with 20 micrograms/kg of buprenorphine, an opioid agonist-antagonist, which is regularly used to treat postoperative pain in laboratory animals. The drugs were given at the end of operation (0) and 4, 8, 20, and 24 h postoperatively. Blood samples for catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) and blood gases (pCO2 and pO2) and pH were drawn immediately before any drug administration, and 30 min later. At the same time points, the pain level was subjectively evaluated using a pain score, and heart rate and rectal temperature were measured. Adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were lower in the medetomidine group than in the buprenorphine group. Accordingly, it was concluded that medetomidine had better analgesic effect than buprenorphine in the treated animals. This result was supported by subjective evaluation of the severity of pain, even though subjective evaluation is not considered very reliable in the present kind of open studies. pO2 was lower in the buprenorphine group than in the medetomidine group after the first injection of the analgesics. pCO2 and pH were similar in both of the groups. Medetomidine decreased heart rate after every injection, this fall and subsequent rise might be avoided by a lower dose regime. Buprenorphine did not effect heart rate. Rectal temperature did not differ in either group. It was concluded that medetomidine, and other alpha 2-agonists, possess some potential in postoperative pain alleviation.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Central role of CD4+ T cells in avian immune response.

Chicken alpha beta T cells express either CD4 or CD8 accessory molecules, whereas most of the gamma delta T cells do not. The functional significance of the alpha beta T cells is relatively well understood. The CD4+ alpha beta T cells function as coordinators of the immune response, and CD8+ alpha beta T cells are the effector cells in cytotoxic responses, killing infected target cells. In comparison, the role of gamma delta T cells is so far poorly known. In chicken, the gamma delta T cells comprise a large lymphocyte subset. They can be induced to proliferate by various stimuli, but the proliferative response is dependent on CD4+ alpha beta T cells. The CD4+ T cells are also essential for the generation of antibody responses by providing help for the B cells and can influence cytotoxic responses as well. Thus, the CD4+ alpha beta T cells have a central role in the avian immune system, and their activation is a prerequisite for responses by other types of cells, including gamma delta T cells.

Animals↗

Analysis of chicken CD4 by monoclonal antibodies indicates evolutionary conservation between avian and mammalian species.

We have created a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies detecting different epitopes on avian CD4 molecule. Two-color immunofluorescence analysis shows that chicken peripheral alpha beta T cells are either CD4 or CD8 single positive whereas most gamma delta T cells are CD4-negative both in the thymus and peripheral tissues. Unlabeled antibody competition analysis by flow cytometry demonstrates that several different epitopes on chicken CD4 are recognized by these antibodies. Antibodies precipitate a monomeric glycoprotein from surface-labeled chicken thymocytes and T cells with relative molecular mass (M(r) of 64 kd as analyzed by SDS gel electrophoresis. Removal of N-linked carbohydrates by endoglycosidase-F increases the electrophoretic mobility and reveals the core protein size with M(r) of 45 kd. The anti-CD4 antibodies inhibit antigen-induced cellular proliferation of a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) -specific T cell line. They synergize in the blocking of T cell proliferation with anti-class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-specific antibodies indicating that chicken CD4 is involved in antigen recognition process by CD4+ T cells. We also show that chicken CD4 is down-modulated in a similar manner as its mammalian equivalent when thymocytes are stimulated in vitro with phorbol esters. Altogether these findings suggest functional and biochemical conservation of the CD4 molecule in evolution.

Animals↗

Frequency of chicken CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Genetic control and effect of Rous sarcoma virus infection.

In chickens from congenic inbred lines CB and CC that differ only in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), we observed significantly different percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and spleen. Positive cells were detected by indirect immunofluorescence test as analysed by flow cytometry. In both PBL and spleen cell suspensions, the number of CD4+ cells was significantly higher in CB than in CC chickens, whereas in CC birds there was a higher percentage of CD8+ cells than in CB. These statistically significant differences were under the MHC control. We found no statistically significant influence of regressions or progression of Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumours on the percentage of peripheral T cells and on the interleukin-2 production in vitro.

Animals↗