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Biomedical subjects

V Barak

Publications and source records attributed to V Barak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level is a predictor of the severity of postoperative capillary leak syndrome in neonates undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS), characterized by extravascular fluid accumulation and significant organ dysfunction, is a serious complication in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We examined the relationship between plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and severity of CLS. The kinetics of VEGF in the plasma of 11 neonates and 7 older children undergoing CPB were investigated, correlating plasma VEGF levels and CLS clinical presentation. The degree of postoperative CLS was quantified by measuring parameters of extracellular volume and end-organ dysfunction. A chest-wall soft-tissue-width index (CSTWI) was designed in order to standardize the extracellular fluid accumulation. Most CLS parameters were significantly more prominent in the neonatal patients. Low plasma VEFG levels (>35 pg/ml) were found in 3 neonatal control patients and all but, sample from the older group patient. The neonates had significantly higher preoperative VEGF plasma levels (684.4 +/- 559.1 pg/ml, P = 0.02), which decreased during the operation to levels below 35 pg/ml and increased again 24 h postoperatively to levels significantly higher than in the older patients (484 +/- 270.3 pg/ml, P = 0.001). Multilinear regression analysis found preoperative VEGF levels to independently correlate with CLS as represented by CSTWI (P < 0.01, r = 0.726). Both the occurrence of post-CPB CLS and plasma VEGF levels pre- and postoperatively were thus higher in neonates than in children. Plasma VEGF level is a predictor of the severity of postoperative CLS.

Capillary Leak Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

The kinetics of leptin in Meigs' syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the kinetics and possible role of leptin in the pathophysiology of Meigs' syndrome. METHODS: We report on a 62-year-old patient admitted for a large ovarian tumor, hydrothorax, and ascites. The patient underwent abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy revealing a benign ovarian fibroma and no evidence of malignant cells in the pleural or peritoneal fluids. Analysis of serum, peritoneal, and pleural fluids from this patient was performed before, during, and after the operation. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the patient had low levels of leptin in the serum, peritoneal, and pleural fluids. Serum levels increased after removal of the ovarian tumor along with the resolution of ascites and hydrothorax. CONCLUSION: Leptin levels inversely correlate to tumor burden, third space fluid accumulation, and clinical status in Meigs' syndrome. These findings suggest the involvement of leptin in the pathophysiology of this syndrome.

Ascitic Fluid↗
PubMed2001

Soluble ICAM-1 and E-selectin levels correlate with clinical and biological aspects of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential involvement of the soluble endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecules E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the pathophysiology of capillary hyperpermeability in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: Women hospitalized for severe OHSS after ovulation induction for IVF at two tertiary medical centers. PATIENT(S): Eleven patients with severe OHSS undergoing IVF and 20 controls who had received a similar ovulation induction regimen and did not develop OHSS. INTERVENTION(S): Serial serum samples were obtained from all patients with OHSS from admission until discharge. Ascitic fluid was obtained from all patients by therapeutic paracentesis. Serum was obtained from all controls 4-8 days after ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Samples were assayed for soluble E-selectin and soluble ICAM-1 by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and results were correlated with clinical and biological aspects of OHSS. RESULT(S): Compared with controls, patients with severe OHSS had higher levels of soluble ICAM-1 and lower levels of soluble E-selectin detected in serum and ascites. Serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 decreased, while soluble E-selectin levels increased along with clinical and biological improvement. Serum soluble ICAM-1 showed significant positive correlation and serum soluble E-selectin showed significant negative correlation with clinical and biological aspects of severe OHSS. CONCLUSION(S): Soluble ICAM-1 and soluble E-selectin seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of capillary hyperpermeability in severe OHSS.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Ex vivo expansion of CD56+ cytotoxic cells from human umbilical cord blood.

The immune-mediated effect of natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T cells against residual tumor cells previously was shown to prevent relapse and reinduce remission after bone marrow transplantation. Human umbilical cord blood is a rich source of cytotoxic CD56+ cells including fetal NK cells (CD16(-)CD56+1) with high lytic capabilities upon activation with interleukin-2 (IL-2). Cord blood transplantations are reported to be associated with lower risk of graft-vs-host disease, which may jeopardize the graft-vs-leukemia effect. Therefore, our goal was to expand and amplify, ex vivo, cord blood-derived CD56+ cell-mediated cytotoxic activity. Cord blood-derived CD56+ cells were separated using anti-CD56 monoclonal antibody and immunomagnetic beads. The cells were expanded in the presence of irradiated feeder cells and various concentrations of IL-2. Maximal fold expansion (152 +/- 29) was achieved on day 22 by culturing the cells in the presence of irradiated autologous lymphocytes. Irradiated murine stromal cells yielded 42 +/- fourfold expansion (p < 0.05). FACS analysis at the peak of expansion revealed that the cells were 96% +/- 1% CD56+. Interferon-gamma levels significantly decreased throughout the culture period (from 1,034 +/- 34 pg/mL to 21 +/- 8 pg/mL) as did IL-6 levels (from 11,535 +/- 1,452 pg/mL to 323 +/- 161 pg/mL) whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels did not change. The expanded cells manifested potent lytic capabilities against K562 and Colo-205 cell lines (70.9% +/- 2.0% and 48.2% +/- 4.0%, respectively) (n = 5) (effector-to-target ratio 25:1). Coculturing the expanded NK cells with fresh ALL blasts resulted in 85% +/- 1% inhibition of colony growth in methylcellulose (n = 2). In addition, the CD56+ expanded cells induced 44% +/- 7.5% apoptosis of K562 target cells (n = 3). It is possible to effectively expand cord blood-derived CD56+ cells, ex vivo, while maintaining their antileukemic capablilities.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Bone marrow stromal dysfunction in mice administered cytosine arabinoside.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate ex-vivo the bone marrow (BM) stroma of mice under conditions of low- and high-dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), a cycle-specific drug (S-phase) and to assess possible stromal damage, apart from the killing of hematopoietic cells. Stroma consists of mesenchymal elements generally not in the cell cycle; therefore it could not be a target for the killing effect of Ara- C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The stromal function was studied by the following: the incidence of stromal stem cells, i.e. CFU-F; formation of stromal layers under growth conditions of long-term culture (LTC) followed by irradiation and overlayering of test cells in contact and non-contact co-cultures; subsequent culture of the test cells in a semi-solid medium to assay the incidence of hyperproliferative potential cells (HPPC); production of GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6 and IFNgamma in the conditioned medium (CM) of confluent stromal layers. All tests and assays were carried out on BM specimens, 1-4 d after Ara-C administration and on controls. RESULTS: Low-dose Ara-C induces a marked decrease of CFU-F, compensated by cycle induction of pre-CFU-F, young-type stromal stem cells. High-dose Ara-C causes a CFU-F decrease to almost zero level. The time length to layer confluency is normal after low-dose Ara-C ( approximately 10 d) and prolonged after a high dose ( approximately 30 d). The confluent layers from mice receiving low- or high-dose Ara-C support hematopoiesis adequately. Among the growth factors and cytokines assayed, only IL-6 is detected in CM layers. IL-6 decreases after a low dose of Ara-C and increases after a high dose. The cause of IL-6 fluctuations is yet to be investigated. It is, however, evident that IL-6 is not an essential factor in support of hematopoiesis. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the current study in mice indicates that Ara-C administration, in particular a high dose, induces bone marrow stromal damage and/or disfunction. The long period of time to reach layer confluency after a high Ara-C dose might reflect the in-vivo situation of slow stromal regeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Markedly elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin 6 in Meigs syndrome.

Analysis of serum and peritoneal and pleural fluid from a patient with Meigs' syndrome revealed high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin 6. Serum levels declined after removal of the ovarian tumor, along with resolution of ascites and hydrothorax. These findings suggest the involvement of these vasoactive factors in ascites and pleural fluid formation in Meigs' syndrome.

Ascites↗
PubMed2001

Interleukin-18 binding protein in acute graft versus host disease and engraftment following allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplants.

Dysregulation of the cytokine network plays an important role in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an obligatory cytokine for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and IFN-gamma and sIFN-gammaR are elevated in patients with GVHD. Because IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is an inhibitor of IL-18-mediated IFN-gamma production, we evaluated IL-18BP levels in patients undergoing allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). IL-18BP levels were assessed in 14 patients on day -10 (before conditioning), on the day of transplant, on the day of engraftment, and during transplant-related complications. A comparison of the kinetics of IL-18BP and soluble(s) IL-6R, sIFN-gammaR, IL-18 serum levels was performed. IL-18BP levels were assessed by specific monoclonal antibodies in a double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In all patients IL-18BP levels decreased during conditioning and increased in parallel with engraftment (p < 0.05). Accordingly, during rejection, IL-18BP serum levels remained low and similar to pretransplant levels. The mean elevation of IL-18BP detected in association to acute GVHD was significantly higher in comparison to normal engraftment (p < 0.05). A correlation between IL-18BP, sIFNgammaR, and sIL-6R serum levels was found in all patients. No correlation between IL-18 and IL-18BP serum levels was found in patients undergoing uneventful PBSCT and rejection, whereas a marked increase in both IL-18 and IL-18BP levels was detected during acute GVHD (p < 0.01). Our data suggest that the dysregulation of IL-18 and IL-18BP may be important in the pathophysiology of transplant-related complications. Furthermore, because preliminary data from our group show that IL-18 blockage ameliorates GVHD in murine models, it is inferred that these cytokines may represent potential targets in the development of new therapeutic strategies in acute GVHD.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Perception of ill spouse and dyadic relationship in couples with affective disorder and those without.

BACKGROUND: This study compares the perception of spouses and the quality of the dyadic relationship of patients with severe affective disorders in remission with healthy couples. METHOD: The sample included spouses of patients between the ages of 20 and 65 who had been hospitalized with severe affective illness and who were currently in remission (depressive, n=23; bipolar, n=11) and a control group matched by socioeconomic status. Both groups completed three instruments measuring the quality of the dyadic relationship, attributed characteristics of the spouse and non-formal social support. RESULTS: The spouses of patients, as compared to spouses of controls, scored lower on consensus, unity and expressions of affection in their marital relationship, ranked their ill spouses lower on the positive qualities and higher on the negative qualities and reported receiving less emotional and practical support. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of the study are the small sample size and cross sectional design. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that severe affective disorders are associated with marital dysfunction, even during periods of symptom remission.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Repeat bacterial challenge in a subcutaneous chamber model results in augmented tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma response, and suppression of interleukin-10.

The present study compared the effect of a single or a repeat challenge with the Gram-negative pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis on the local inflammatory response within subcutaneous chamber model in mice. Subcutaneous chambers were implanted 2 weeks prior to the final challenge. The repeat-challenge (REP) group received two intrachamber bacterial injections 14 days apart, while the single-injection group (SIN) received only a single bacterial challenge. Injection of saline was used as the control. The cellular contents of the chamber exudates were used for differential cell counts, and the supernatants were analysed for tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin (IL)-10 levels. Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2a levels to P. gingivalis in the exudates were also determined. The results showed that the leucocyte counts increased significantly post-challenge, and the REP group showed the highest number of lymphocytes and neutrophils. Both P. gingivalis-challenged groups exhibited significant increase in TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels at day 1 post-challenge. TNF-alpha levels in the chamber exudate were threefold higher in the REP group compared with the SIN group on day 1 post-challenge (P < 0.05). In contrast, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the REP group 1 day post-challenge compared with the SIN group. The REP group had significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma at baseline, and this difference remained significant 1 day post-challenge. Analysis of antibody levels to P. gingivalis showed that while the control and the SIN groups had no anti-P. gingivalis IgG in the chamber exudate during the 7-day study period, the REP group showed high anti-P. gingivalis IgG levels. In addition, the titres of IgG2a were fivefold higher than the IgG1 titres. The results showed that a repeat local challenge with P. gingivalis augmented the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, while inhibiting the accumulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This shift towards a T helper 1 (Th1)-dominant response was reflected in the relatively high anti-P. gingivalis IgG2a titres in the local inflammatory environment 7 days post-challenge.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

High oxygen concentration exacerbates cardiopulmonary bypass-induced lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ventilation with 100% oxygen on lung injury associated with surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN: A prospective randomized study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with CPB. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive 100% oxygen (Oxygen group) or 50% oxygen (Air group) throughout surgery. During CPB, patients' lungs in the Air group were flushed with air and in the Oxygen group with 100% oxygen. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Lung injury was evaluated by arterial oxygen tension-inspired oxygen concentration (PaO2-FIO2) ratio and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-8) in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid measured before and after CPB. The lowest PaO2-FIO2 value was observed after 40 minutes following the completion of CPB in both groups. PaO2-FIO2 values 6 hours after CPB were not different from baseline in the Air group but remained lower (359+/-63 mmHg and 298+/-78 mmHg; p = 0.013) in the Oxygen group. Blood cytokine levels rose during surgery in both groups. Bronchoalveolar lavage levels of interleukin-8 did not change, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha increased only in the Oxygen group (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease of oxygenation was observed in the early post-CPB period in both groups of patients, with delay in recovery in patients treated with 100% oxygen. A larger increase of the proinflammatory cytokines was found in patients treated with 100% oxygen. High oxygen concentrations during surgery with CPB should be used only when specifically required.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of the attitudes of Israeli therapists and lay persons to ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy.

The issues of confidentiality and boundaries cause ethical dilemmas for psychotherapists. We investigated whether therapists have ethical attitudes to confidentiality and boundaries that are unique to their professional group compared with lay persons and whether gender or professional characteristics are associated with these attitudes. Clinical vignettes capturing ethical dilemmas regarding confidentiality and boundaries were presented to 93 psychotherapists of different professional backgrounds (professional group) and 55 staff and students from the fields of law and the humanities (lay group). In general, the lay group showed a greater tendency to maintain confidentiality than the professional group. Regarding boundaries, the majority of psychotherapists were against initiating any sexual relationship with current patients, former patients, students, or supervisees; the differences between the groups in this area were statistically significant. The vast majority of therapists (96.7%) disapproved of accepting money in advance compared with only 54.4% of the lay group. Analysis of the psychotherapists by professional background revealed that for the majority of the vignettes, there was no difference in attitude to confidentiality and boundaries between psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. The present study shows that therapists have different ethical codes from nontherapists regarding the issues of boundaries and the treatment contract. Therapists are stricter than nontherapists regarding issues of boundaries but less strict regarding issues of confidentiality, and there are some minor differences in the attitudes to these issues among different types of therapists.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Neoplastic cell activation and proliferative response to CD40-ligand characterize recurrent leukemic bouts in an unusual case of low grade lymphoma.

Spontaneous fluctuations in activity of low-grade B cell lymphomas are common but not understood. An explanation may be offered by studying an atypical SLL/CLL case characterized by recurrent cycles of leukemic phase alternating with spontaneous remission (1). During remissions, residual IgMkappa+ leukemic cells exhibited resting phenotype, low proliferative response to CD4O-ligand and delayed apoptosis. In contrast, the acute phase counterparts were phenotypically activated, underwent rapid apoptosis in culture and proliferated extensively in response to membrane-anchored CD40-ligand. Transient bursts of serum TNFalpha and IL-10 preceded the acute phases, which were characterized by the co-existence of CD40-ligand+ T lymphocytes and lymphoma cells in the bone marrow. Based on ex-vivo and in-vitro data, we suggest that changes in the lymphoma milieu affect the neoplastic cell activation status, rate of proliferation in response to activated T cells and rate of apoptosis. These responses may underlie both the induction and spontaneous regression of the acute phases in this unique lymphoma. Our findings raise the possibility that part of this mechanism may have evolved during transformation of indolent common CLL to its more aggressive form.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2000

Increased levels of basic fibroblast growth factor are found in the cross-clamped heart during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are found in the heart. Even higher levels are measured during ischemia. Exogenous administration of FGF to ischemic myocardium promotes synthesis of collateral coronary circulation and induces local myocardial hypertrophy. The kinetics and the contribution of the heart and lungs to circulating basic FGF (bFGF) levels during cardiac surgery were characterized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Plasma bFGF levels were measured in seven adults undergoing coronary artery bypass operations and 11 neonates undergoing congenital cardiac anomaly repair during cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: In both the adult and the neonatal groups, bFGF plasma levels increased significantly immediately after removal of the aortic cross-clamp (adult group 15.43+/-6.3 aorta cross-clamped versus 29+/-4.1 after release, P=0.011; neonatal group 17.09+/-9.43 aorta cross-clamped versus 43.55+/-14.25 after release, P=0.004) and declined thereafter. In the adult group, higher levels of bFGF were recorded in blood recovered from the coronary sinus than in the aortic root during aortic cross-clamping (63.14+/-14.42 versus 43.86+/-12.05, P=0.011), and in both, levels were significantly higher than the peripheral measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma bFGF levels increase during cardiopulmonary bypass. The source of this elevation is the lungs and heart.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Antitumor and immunotherapeutic effects of activated invasive T lymphoma cells that display short-term interleukin 1alpha expression.

Expression of cytokines in malignant cells represents a novel approach for therapeutic treatment of tumors. Previously, we demonstrated the immunostimulatory effectiveness of interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha) gene transfer in experimental fibrosarcoma tumors. Here, we report the antitumor and immunotherapeutic effects of short-term expression of IL-1alpha by malignant T lymphoma cells. Activation in culture of T lymphoma cells with lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages induces the expression of IL-1alpha. The short-term expression of IL-1alpha persists in the malignant T cells for a few days (approximately 3-6 days) after termination of the in vitro activation procedure and, thus, has the potential to stimulate antitumor immune responses in vivo. As an experimental tumor model, we used the RO1 invasive T lymphoma cell line. Upon i.v. inoculation, these cells invade the vertebral column and compress the spinal cord, resulting in hind leg paralysis and death of the mice. Activated RO1 cells, induced to express IL-1alpha in a short-term manner, manifested reduced tumorigenicity: approximately 75% of the mice injected with activated RO1 cells remained tumor free. IL-1 was shown to be essential for the eradication of activated T lymphoma cells because injection of activated RO1 cells together with IL-1-specific inhibitors, i.e., the IL-1 receptor antagonist or the M 20 IL-1 inhibitor, reversed reduced tumorigenicity patterns and led to progressive tumor growth and death of the mice. Furthermore, activated RO1 cells could serve as a treatment by intervening in the growth of violent RO1 cells after tumor take. Thus, when activated RO1 cells were injected 6 or 9 days after the inoculation of violent cells, mortality was significantly reduced. IL-1alpha, in its unique membrane-associated form, in addition to its cytosolic and secreted forms, may represent a focused adjuvant for potentiating antitumor immune responses at low levels of expression, below those that are toxic to the host. Further assessment of the immunotherapeutic potential of short-term expression of IL-1alpha in activated tumor cells may allow its improved application in the treatment of malignancies.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are diseases characterized by cutaneous infiltrates of malignant clonally expanded T cells. CTCL cells exhibit a cytokine profile consistent with T helper-2 type (TH2) cells. Eosinophilic pneumonias are individual syndromes characterized by eosinophilic pulmonary infiltrates and commonly peripheral blood eosinophilia. CTCL and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia are rare clinical entities. We report a patient with the association of CTCL and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. To understand the mechanism leading to the eosinophilia, we examined the patient's cytokine profile. This was consistent with a high TH2 activity. Her interleukin (IL) 5, 6, and 10 levels were extremely high, while her IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels (TH1 profile) were low. We believe that eosinophilic pneumonia in this patient is probably secondary to high TH2 cytokine levels induced by tumor cells. We suggest that eosinophilic pneumonia should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with CTCL who have respiratory complaints.

Cytokines↗
PubMed1999

Monoclonal anti-endothelial cell antibodies from a patient with Takayasu arteritis activate endothelial cells from large vessels.

OBJECTIVE: To create monoclonal anti-endothelial cell antibodies (mAECA) from a patient with Takayasu arteritis to evaluate their ability to activate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and to characterize the mechanism of EC activation. METHODS: A panel of mAECA was generated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with Takayasu arteritis, using Epstein-Barr virus transformation. Activity against macrovascular EC (HUVEC) and microvascular EC (human bone marrow EC immortalized by SV40) antigens was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inhibition studies were used to select the monoclonal antibodies (mAECA) which share the same EC epitope binding specificity as the total IgG-AECA from the Takayasu arteritis patient. The binding of the mAECA to human aortic EC was studied by immunohistochemistry. The secretion levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were determined, to serve as markers for EC activation. The activated EC were examined for the adherence of a monocytic cell line (U937), as well as for expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and E-selectin. In addition, nuclear extracts of the mAECA-treated EC were analyzed for the induction of translocation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), using a specific NF-kappaB oligoprobe in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Six mAECA were selected, the mixture of which produced 100% inhibition of binding of the original IgG (from the patient with Takayasu arteritis) to HUVEC. All mAECA possessed high activity against macrovascular EC, but none had significant antimicrovascular EC activity. The mAECA, but not normal human IgG, had anti-human aortic EC activity. Four of the 6 mAECA activated EC, manifested by increased IL-6 and vWF secretion. The 4 mAECA induced EC expression of adhesion molecules and increased adhesion of U937 monocytic cells to EC. In addition, these mAECA stimulated the nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that AECA may directly stimulate EC in Takayasu arteritis through elevation of adhesion molecule expression associated with NF-kappaB activation and adhesion of monocytes, and may therefore play a pathogenic role in the development of the vasculopathy in Takayasu arteritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Low CSF soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels in acute depression. Short communication.

Thirteen patients with DSM-III-R diagnosis of either major depression or bipolar I depression participated in the study. The control group consisted of 10 subjects evaluated for headache or suspected meningitis, none of whom were found to suffer from any organic disease. CSF was withdrawn from all subjects for the measurement of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R). CSF sIL-2R levels were found to be lower in patients as compared to controls (df = 1, 20; F = 84; p<0.000001).

Adult↗