Release of cytokines by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in chronic periodontitis

Objective: The emergence of periodontal medicine increased interest in defining the behaviour of peripheral blood cells in periodontitis subjects in comparison with healthy group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6 and IL-10 released by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the peripheral blood of chronic periodontitis subjects. Design: PBMC samples were isolated from 19 systemically healthy donors, divided into generalized chronic periodontitis (n = 10) and healthy (n = 9) subjects. Cells were incubated for 24-48 h in 500 mu L wells containing RPM! 1640 and stimulated with 1.0 ng/mL of E. coli LPS. Supernatants were used to quantify the amounts of IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 released using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: PBMC cells from periodontitis subjects released higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 than those from healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Conversely, the supernatants of the stimulated PBMC cells obtained from healthy subjects presented higher amounts of IL-8 than those from periodontitis (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the levels of IL-10 (P > 0.05) between groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that E. coli LPS-stimulated PBMC from subjects with periodontitis present a different pattern of cytokine release when compared to PBMC from healthy subjects. This phenomenon could have implications locally, in periodontitis, as well as in systemic diseases. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peripheral nervous system and grounds for the neural insult in leprosy

The mechanism of interaction between Mycobacterium leprae and neural cells has not been elucidated so far. No satisfactory interpretation exists as to the bacterium tropism to the peripheral nervous system in particular. The present study is a review of the micro-physiology of the extracellular apparatus attached to Schwann cells, as well as on the description of morphological units probably involved in the process of the binding to the bacterial wall.

Recurrent bilateral gingival peripheral calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (Pindborg tumor): A case report

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is an extremely rare, benign neoplasm, accounting for approximately 1% of all odontogenic tumors. Peripheral CEOTs commonly resemble oral hyperplastic or reactive lesions and are histologically similar to their intraosseous counterparts. We report an unusual case of multifocal peripheral CEOT. A 40-year-old female presented with bilateral soft, painful, erythematous, gingival swellings localized in premolar areas of the mandibular gingiva. The presumptive diagnosis was bilateral pyogenic granuloma. The masses were surgically excised under local anesthesia without bone curettage and both recurred 12 months later. Morphologic features, and histochemical and immunohistochemical tests revealed bilateral peripheral calcifying odontogenic epithelial tumor. There is no clinical or radiographic evidence of recurrence 3.5 years after excision. This multifocal phenomenon has been reported previously only for intraosseous CEOT. Gingival masses must be carefully evaluated for clinical and histologic evidence of neoplasia. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: e66-e71)

Immunohistochemical study of GLUT-1 in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors

AIM: To investigate the immunoexpression and diagnostic applicability of human erythrocyte-type glucose transporter protein (GLUT-1) in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens diagnosed as oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors archived in the Oral Pathology Service of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais from 1966 to 2006 were evaluated. Thirty-four lesions were included: 15 traumatic neuromas, 11 neurofibromas, four neurilemmomas, and four malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). One case of neurofibroma was associated with neurofibromatosis type I. Immunohistochemistry for S-100 and GLUT-1 was performed. S-100 was immunopositive in all lesions. RESULTS: Benign lesions were immunopositive for GLUT-1 except in two (18.2%) cases of neurofibromas. In the traumatic neuroma, the perineuriums were immunopositive for GLUT-1. In the neurofibroma, the immunoreactivity was heterogeneous. Immunopositivity was observed at levels of 54.5% in the periphery of the lesion, 9.1% in the center, and 18.2% in both. The neurilemmoma demonstrated immunopositivity in the capsule. One case (25%) of MPNST presented GLUT-1 positive stain in occasional cells distributed homogeneously in all the tumor area. CONCLUSION: GLUT-1 is a useful marker for perineurial cells and should be included in the oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors immunophenotyping thus aiding in the correct diagnosis of these lesions.

Recurrent peripheral odontogenic keratocyst: a case report

A case of peripheral odontogenic keratocyst arising in it 57-year-old white female patient involving the posterior mandibular gingiva that recurred after 12 months of fellow-up is presented. This reported case reinforces that patients presenting peripheral odontogenic keratocyst should be carefully followed up after conservative surgical treatment.

Cell-surface proteoglycan expression by lymphocytes from peripheral blood and Gingiva in health and periodontal disease

Cell-surface proteoglycans are involved in lymphocyte migration and activation. This study investigated the expression of syndecan-1, syndecan-4, and glypican in peripheral blood lymphocytes and by lymphocytes in variously inflamed periodontal tissues. Gingival specimens from healthy, gingivitis, or chronic periodontitis sites were stained by means of antibodies against B- and T-lymphocytes and also syndecan-1, syndecan-4, and glypican. Syndecan-1 expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis subjects was assessed by flow cytometry. Syndecan-1 was expressed by B-cells/plasma cells but not T-cells in both gingivitis and chronic periodontitis lesions, Both B-cells/plasma cells and T-cells in gingivitis and chronic periodontitis expressed syndecan-4. Glypican was expressed only by macrophages. Stimulation of PBMC with mitogens and growth factors modulated syndecan-1 expression in both the T- and B-cells. Thus, cell-surface proteoglycan expression by lymphocytes in periodontal inflammation is cell-type-specific and may be modulated by inflammation.

Serotonergic neurons in the nucleus raphe obscurus contribute to interaction between central and peripheral ventilatory responses to hypercapnia

Serotonergic (5-HT) neurons in the nucleus raphe obscurus (ROb) are involved in the respiratory control network. However, it is not known whether ROb 5-HT neurons play a role in the functional interdependence between central and peripheral chemoreceptors. Therefore, we investigated the role of ROb 5-HT neurons in the ventilatory responses to CO(2) and their putative involvement in the central-peripheral CO(2) chemoreceptor interaction in unanaesthetised rats. We used a chemical lesion specific for 5-HT neurons (anti-SERT-SAP) of the ROb in animals with the carotid body (CB) intact or removed (CBR). Pulmonary ventilation (V (E)), body temperature and the arterial blood gases were measured before, during and after a hypercapnic challenge (7% CO(2)). The lesion of ROb 5-HT neurons alone (CB intact) or the lesion of 5-HT neurons of ROb+CBR did not affect baseline V (E) during normocapnic condition. Killing ROb 5-HT neurons (CB intact) significantly decreased the ventilatory response to hypercapnia (p < 0.05). The reduction in CO(2) sensitivity was approximately 15%. When ROb 5-HT neurons lesion was combined with CBR (anti-SERT-SAP+CBR), the V (E) response to hypercapnia was further decreased (-31.2%) compared to the control group. The attenuation of CO(2) sensitivity was approximately 30%, and it was more pronounced than the sum of the individual effects of central (ROb lesion; -12.3%) or peripheral (CBR; -5.5%) treatments. Our data indicate that ROb 5-HT neurons play an important role in the CO(2) drive to breathing and may act as an important element in the central-peripheral chemoreception interaction to CO(2) responsiveness.

Peripheral withdrawal recruits distinct central nuclei in morphine-dependent rats

This study examined if brain pathways in morphine-dependent rats are activated by opioid withdrawal precipitated outside the central nervous system. Withdrawal precipitated with a peripherally acting quaternary opioid antagonist (naloxone methiodide) increased Fos expression but caused a more restricted pattern of neuronal activation than systemic withdrawal (precipitated with naloxone which enters the brain). There was no effect on locus coeruleus and significantly smaller increases in Fos neurons were produced in most other areas. However in the ventrolateral medulla (A1/C1 catecholamine neurons), nucleus of the solitary tract (A2/C2 catecholamine neurons), lateral parabrachial nucleus, supramamillary nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. accumbens core and medial prefrontal cortex no differences in the withdrawal treatments were detected. We have shown that peripheral opioid withdrawal can affect central nervous system pathways. Crown Copyright (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Generalized quasi mode theory of macroscopic canonical quantization in cavity quantum electrodynamics and quantum optics II. Application to reflection and refraction at a dielectric interface

The generalization of the quasi mode theory of macroscopic quantization in quantum optics and cavity QED presented in the previous paper, is applied to provide a fully quantum theoretic derivation of the laws of reflection and refraction at a boundary. The quasi mode picture of this process involves the annihilation of a photon travelling in the incident region quasi mode, and the subsequent creation of a photon in either the incident region or transmitted region quasi modes. The derivation of the laws of reflection and refraction is achieved through the dual application of the quasi mode theory and a quantum scattering theory based on the Heisenberg picture. Formal expressions from scattering theory are given for the reflection and transmission coefficients. The behaviour of the intensity for a localized one photon wave packet coming in at time minus infinity from the incident direction is examined and it is shown that at time plus infinity, the light intensity is only significant where the classical laws of reflection and refraction predict. The occurrence of both refraction and reflection is dependent upon the quasi mode theory coupling constants between incident and transmitted region quasi modes being nonzero, and it is seen that the contributions to such coupling constants come from the overlap of the mode functions in the boundary layer region, as might be expected from a microscopic theory.

Light guiding light: Nonlinear refraction in rubidium vapor

Recently there has been experimental and theoretical interest in cross-dispersion effects in rubidium vapor, which allows one beam of light to be guided by another. We present theoretical results which account for the complications created by the D line hyperfine structure of rubidium as well as the presence of the two major isotopes of rubidium. This allows the complex frequency dependence of the effects observed in our experiments to be understood and lays the foundation for future studies of nonlinear propagation.

Immune-derived opioids and peripheral antinociception

1. Recent findings have suggested a significant involvement of the immune system in the control of pain. Immune cells contain opioid peptides that are released within inflamed tissue and act at opioid receptors on peripheral sensory nerve endings. It is also apparent that different types of lymphocytes contain P-endorphin, memory T cells containing more beta -endorphin than naive cells. 2. These findings highlight an integral link between immune cell migration and inflammatory pain, The present review highlights immune system involvement in the site-directed control of inflammatory pain. 3. Full-length mRNA transcripts for opioid precursor proteins are expressed in immune cells. Increased expression of pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA and beta -endorphin has been demonstrated in stimulated lymphocytes and lymphocytes from animals with inflammation. 4. Cytokines and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) release opioids from immune cells, Potent peripheral analgesia due to direct injection of CRF can be blocked by antagonists to CRF, antibodies to opioid peptides, antisense to CRF and opioid receptor-specific antagonists. The release of opioid peptides from lymphocytes is calcium dependent and opioid receptor specific. Furthermore, endogenous sources of opioid peptides produce potent analgesia when implanted into the spinal cord. 5. Activated immune cells migrate directly to inflamed tissue using cell adhesion molecules to adhere to the epithelial surface of the vasculature in inflamed tissue. Lymphocytes that have been activated can express opioid peptides, Memory type T cells that contain opioid peptides are present within inflamed tissue; naive cells are not present in inflamed tissue and do not contain opioid peptides, Inhibiting the migration of memory type T cells into inflamed tissue by blocking selectins results in reduced numbers of beta -endorphin containing cells, a reduced quantity of beta -endorphin in inflamed paws and reduced stress- and CRF-induced peripheral analgesia. 6. Immunosuppression is associated with increased pain in patients. Moreover, immunosuppression results in decreased lymphocyte numbers as well as decreased analgesia in animal models.

A generalised dynamic model for char particle gasification with structure evolution and peripheral fragmentation

A generalised model for the prediction of single char particle gasification dynamics, accounting for multi-component mass transfer with chemical reaction, heat transfer, as well as structure evolution and peripheral fragmentation is developed in this paper. Maxwell-Stefan analysis is uniquely applied to both micro and macropores within the framework of the dusty-gas model to account for the bidisperse nature of the char, which differs significantly from the conventional models that are based on a single pore type. The peripheral fragmentation and random-pore correlation incorporated into the model enable prediction of structure/reactivity relationships. The occurrence of chemical reaction within the boundary layer reported by Biggs and Agarwal (Chem. Eng. Sci. 52 (1997) 941) has been confirmed through an analysis of CO/CO2 product ratio obtained from model simulations. However, it is also quantitatively observed that the significance of boundary layer reaction reduces notably with the reduction of oxygen concentration in the flue gas, operational pressure and film thickness. Computations have also shown that in the presence of diffusional gradients peripheral fragmentation occurs in the early stages on the surface, after which conversion quickens significantly due to small particle size. Results of the early commencement of peripheral fragmentation at relatively low overall conversion obtained from a large number of simulations agree well with experimental observations reported by Feng and Bhatia (Energy & Fuels 14 (2000) 297). Comprehensive analysis of simulation results is carried out based on well accepted physical principles to rationalise model prediction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. AH rights reserved.

Peripheral T-Cell tolerance defined through transgenic mouse studies

Selection in the thymus restricted by MHC and self-peptide shapes the diverse reactivities of the T-cell population which subsequently seeds into the peripheral tissues, in anticipation of the universe of pathogen antigens to which the organism may be exposed. A necessary corollary is the potential for T-cell self-reactivity (autoimmunity) in the periphery. Transgenic mouse models in which transgene expression in the thymus is prevented or excluded, have been particularly useful for determining the immunological outcome when T-cells encounter transgene-encoded 'self' antigen in peripheral tissues. Data suggest that non-mutually exclusive mechanisms of T-cells 'ignoring' self-antigen, T-cell deletion, T-cell anergy and T-cell immunoregulation have evolved to prevent self-reactivity while maintaining T-cell diversity. The peripheral T-cell repertoire, far from being static following maturation through the thymus, is in a dynamic stated determined by these peripheral selective and immunoregulatory influences. This article reviews the evidence with particular reference to CD8+ive T-cells.

Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-primed allogeneic bone marrow: significantly less graft-versus-host disease and comparable engraftment to G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells

Prospective studies have shown rapid engraftment using granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (G-PBSCs) for allogeneic transplantation, though the risks for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may be increased. It was hypothesized that the use of G-CSF to prime bone marrow (GBM) would allow rapid engraftment without increased risk for GVHD compared with G-PBSC. Patients were randomized to receive G-BM or G-PBSCs for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The study was designed (beta < .8) to detect a difference in the incidence of chronic GVHD of 33% ( < .05). The plan was to recruit 100 patients and to conduct an interim analysis when the 6-month follow-up point was reached for the first 50 patients. Fifty-seven consecutive patients were recruited (G-BM, n = 28; G-PBSC, n = 29). Patients in the G-PBSC group received 3-fold more CD34(+) and 9-fold more CD3(+) cells. Median times to neutrophil (G-BM, 16 days; G-PBSC, 14 days; P < .1) and platelet engraftment (G-BM, 14 days; G-PBSC, 12 days; P < .1) were similar. The use of G-PBSC was associated with steroid refractory acute GVHD (G-BM, 0%; G-PBSC, 32%; P < .001), chronic GVHD (G-BM, 22%; G-PBSC, 80%; P < .02), and prolonged requirement for immunosuppressive therapy (G-BM, 173 days; G-PBSC, 680 days; P < .009). Survival was similar for the 2 groups. Compared with G-PBSC the use of G-BM resulted in comparable engraftment, reduced severity of acute GVHD, and less subsequent chronic GVHD. (Blood. 2001;98:3186-3191) (C) 2001 by The American Society of Hematology.