Library

Notes: The expression of I-Ak antigens in normal C3H/FeJ adult and 15-day embryonic mice has been investigated by indirect immunofluorescence staining of tissue cryostat sections with the anti I-Ak antigen monoclonal antibody 10–2.16. In adult mice I-Ak antigens were expressed in Langerhans-like cells in the skin, epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, endometrium, thymic reticuloepithelial cells, and several capillary endothelia. On the other hand. these antigens were not detected in Kupffer ceils, alveolar macrophages, brain or mammary gland. In 15-day-old embryos the expression of Ia-like antigens was restricted to thymic reticuloepithelial cells, isolated spleen cells, and capillaries of the gastrointestinal tract.

Notes: 2G-3 is an anti-anti-idiotypic MoAb (Ab3) obtained upon immunization wiih a monoclonal Ab2 (A3B10), which behaves as the “internal image” of CaMBrl. a saccharidic epitope defined by MoAb MBrl (Abl), CaMBrI is expressed on glycoconjugates of the human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7 und on normal and neoplastic mammary gland epithelial cells, Abl and Ab3. although exhibiting, in many respects, superimposable paratopic and idiotopic specificities, show a non-identical fine immunoreactivity, since 2G-3 has a preferential reactivity with the saccharidic epitope mounted on glycoproteins. while MBrl reacts with both glycoproteins and glycolipids, V-region sequence analysis has shown that: (i) the VK genes employed belong to different families(VK 1 and VK 10); (ii) the J K2 segment is shared by the two L chains(thus a high degree of homology is observed between VK CDR3s): (iii) the VH genes employed derive from the same family VHIIBJ55K (but show CDR homology only in CDR2): (iv) different JM region genes are employed. These data together with the comparison of deduced secondary structure parameters give further evidence fur the possible production of similar combining sites using different VH and VL germ-line genes.

Notes: The CCGG and GCGC sites of the human HLA-DRα gene are hypermethylated in human tissues (including B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, muscle, brain, sperm, skin, kidney, suprarenal and mammary glands) and three B-lymphoid cell lines. Therefore, the HLA-DRα gene can be transcribed even though extensively methylated. The only exception to the hypermethylated state of the HLA-DRα gene is represented by one or both of the two HhaI sites (H1 and H2) localized in the 5’portion of the gene. Analysis of the computer-generated secondary structure of the HLA-DRα mRNA suggests that the H1 and H2 sites belong to a region (5′-GAGCGCCCA-3′/5′-UGAGCGCUC-3′) exhibiting extensive base pairing. Therefore, unmethylation of these CG sites can contribute in preventing mCG→TG/CA changes in this region, which would lead to extensive alterations of the secondary structure of the 5’portion of the HLA-DRα MRNA.On the other hand, the selective pressure to maintain unaltered the methylated CG dinucleotides in the coding regions of the HLA-DRα gene could be due to codon restrictions, since the majority of the methylation-related CG→TG or CG→CA variations would generate aminoacid changes.Accordingly, the analysis of different HLA-DRα genomic sequences indicates that variations of the CpG dinucleotides occur only in the non-coding portions of the HLA-DRα gene.

Notes: The immunohistochemical expression of HER-2/neu and cytofluorimetric data were retrospectively analyzed in a group of primary advanced ovarian cancers. Thirty-three out of 94 (35%) cases showed a specific p185/neu immunoreaction. No correlation between p185/neu expression and any of the clinico-pathologic parameters examined was observed. As far as cytofluorimetric data are concerned, 38 out of 69 (55%) of the tumors were diploid (DNA index = 1) while 31 (45%) were aneuploid (DNA index from 1.10 to 2.50 with a median value of 1.50). Ovarian tumors were defined as of low and high S-phase fraction in 68% and 32% of the cases, respectively. Tumor ploidy and S-phase fraction did not correlate with the clinico-pathologic characteristics or p185/neu oncoprotein expression. Aneuploid tumors had a higher S-phase fraction (mean: 15.81 ± 13.44) than diploid tumors (mean: 8.89 ± 7.98) (P 〈 0.01). p185/neu expression failed to affect significantly both overall and progression free survival. On the other hand tumor ploidy was found to be related to the prognosis of advanced ovarian cancer patients although the difference was not statistically significant. As far as progression free survival is concerned, the median time to recurrence was not reached for diploid cases whereas it was 21 months for aneuploid cases (P 〈 0.05). The 5-year survival for patients with a low S-phase fraction (58%) was significantly higher than for patients with high S-phase fraction tumors (28%) (P 〈 0.01). Median time to recurrence was 48 and 17 months for low and high S-phase fraction tumor patients, respectively (P 〈 0.05). However, in a multivariate analysis both tumor ploidy and S-phase fraction did not retain their prognostic value. The assessment of the role of the parameters examined in improving the prognostic characterization of ovarian cancer patients should be investigated in large multicenter clinical trials.

Notes: mAb KUL/05, a novel murine monoclonal antibody, reacts with molecules displaying the typical tissue distribution and molecular profile of class II MHC antigens. An extensive scrutiny employing serological and immunochemical assays on DR homozygous and DRα- mutant cell lines has shown that this reagent displays some additional, interesting features, namely mAb KUL/05 (a) binds in a broadly monomorphic fashion to cells of DR1 through seven specifities, (b) recognizes a determinant shared by a large proportion of DR, DQ and DPβ chains from most haplotypes, in both their monomeric and α chain-associated forms, and (c) reacts with frozen, acetone-fixed, as well as conventional, formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues. Thus, mAb KUL/05 is likely to represent a useful adjunct for the study of the expression of class II MHC products in normal and pathological tissue specimens.

Notes: Background:  Alternaria tenuis (Alt) is one of the main allergens in pediatric age. In temperate climates, airborne Alt spores are detectable from May to November with peaks in late summer and autumn. Sensitized children display symptoms even in the absence of airborne Alt spores. Alt spore concentration, as well as pollen, is usually detected by fixed devices located on the roof of a building at a height of 10–20 m. The aim of the current study is to find out whether ground-level (50 cm) Alt spore concentrations are different from those at roof-top level, even during low-concentration periods.Methods:  Alt samples were taken simultaneously using a Hirst fixed volumetric collector (FVC) placed on a 15 m-high roof and by a portable volumetric collector (PVC). Firstly, the results of FVC and PVC, both placed on the roof-top, were compared to verify the correlation coefficient of the two samplers. Subsequently, the PVC was placed 50 cm above the ground in a courtyard (30 samplings) and in private green areas (50 samplings). The results were compared by statistical analysis (Student's t-test or K–S test).Results:  The values of the 20 samples taken jointly in summer time (FVC 195 ± 134 spores/m3; PVC = 134 ± 131 spores/m3) showed a good correlation between the two samplers (r = 0.850; P 〈 0.01), with a correction factor equal to 1.177.〈list xml:id="l1" style="custom"〉1Thirty samples obtained in summer and winter when the PVC was positioned in an enclosed courtyard directly below the FVC showed no significant difference (PVC, 181 ± 194 spores/m3; FVC, 152 ± 145 spores/m3; P = 0.221).2Fifty samples taken by PVC placed in private green areas in a low-concentration period, showed significantly higher concentrations than by FVC: PVC, 531 ± 925 spores/m3; FVC, 25 ± 51 spores/m3 (K–S test: P 〈 0.0001). In particular, 33 samples taken in winter when Alt counts by FVC were 〈10 spores/m3 still demonstrated highly significant differences: PVC, 398 ± 961 spores/m3; FVC, 2.0 ± 2 spores/m3 (K–S test: P 〈 0.0001).Conclusion:  Our results lead to the conclusion that Alt spore concentration is significantly higher at ground level in the presence of vegetation, even when the spore concentration is very low (〈10 spores/m3). These results further suggest that the individual's exposure to Alt, especially in the case of children, is underestimated by samples taken at roof-top level by FVC.

Notes: Summary The estradiol 17β-synthesis by Δ4 pathway has been studied in homogenous cultures of Sertoli cells isolated from adult rat testes. The data reported clearly demonstrate that progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and estrone induce an increase of the estradiol 17β-production.

Notes: Summary The following light microscopy staining techniques were applied to plastic embedded tissues: Toluidine Blue, Sudan III, Sudan Black and Nile Blue sulphate. All these procedures stain the lipid bodies; however the Sudan III appears to be the most suitable. The ultramicroscopic appearance of lipid bodies of tissues embedded in Epon, Araldite and Vestopal W is presented. The effects of dehydration as well as of different electron microscopic staining techniques is also investigated.