Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants and chemically a class of structurally similar chemical compounds characterized by the presence of fused aromatic rings. This research was undertaken to find out immunotoxic effects produced by pyrene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene. These chemicals were injected into developing chicks at three dose levels (0.2, 2 and 20 mg per kg) through allantioc route to rule out possible mechanisms involved in immunotoxicity. DNA adduct produced by PAHs in immune organs were analyzed by DNA adduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and DNA damage was assessed by comet assay. A significant increase in the DNA adduct levels was found in thymus and bursa in 2 mg and 20 mg dose levels of pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene treated groups, whereas those in spleen simulated the value of controls. Comet assay indicated that PAHs especially pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene were capable of inducing increased level of comet parameters in thymus at all the dose levels. Bursa of Fabricius and spleen also showed a gradual rise in comet parameters corresponding to all dose levels, but the increase was more marked as in thymus. Thus, it can be concluded that DNA adducts produced by PAHs lead to single-strand breaks and reduced DNA repair, which ultimately begin a carcinogenic process. Hence, this experiment can be considered as a strong evidence of genotoxic potential of PAHs like pyrene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene in developing chicks.
Cage-cultured sutchi catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878), a favourite food fish in Southeast Asia, proved to be infected by 6 myxozoan species. Three species belonged to the genus Hennegoides (H. berlandi, H. malayensis, and H. pangasii), 1 to Henneguya (H. shariffi) and 2 to Myxobolus (M. baskai, and M. pangasii). Five myxozoans infected the gills and 1 was found on the spleen. Myxozoans infecting the gills were characterised by a specific site selection. H. shariffi sp. n. and H. berlandi sp. n. formed plasmodia in the multi-layered epithelium of the gill filaments. Of the 2 vascular species H. pangasii sp. n. developed in the gill arteries, while M. baskai sp. n. infected the capillary network of the gill lamellae. Plasmodia of H. malayensis sp. n. were found inside the cartilaginous gill rays of the filaments. Large plasmodia of M. pangasii sp. n. were located in a groove of the spleen but they affected only the serosa layer covering the spleen.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of betulinic acid (BetA) on the expression and distribution pattern of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH‑d), an indirect indicator of nitric oxide (NO) synthase in the thymus and spleen of mice. Mice were randomly assigned to four main groups (n=48 per group): Experimental group (BetA), positive control group (goniothalamin), vehicle control group (dimethyl sulfoxide) and control group (without vehicle). Each group was further divided into three equal subgroups according to the treatment length (4, 8 and 12 days). BetA treatment induced the expression of NADPH‑d activity in the thymus and spleen without any significant changes in the morphology of the organs. Furthermore, the expression pattern of NADPH‑d in BetA‑treated animals was significantly increased compared with that in the control animals. NADPH‑d expression in the thymus and spleen suggests that NO signaling may be a potential mechanism underlying the BetA‑induced immunomodulation in these organs. These findings are of direct clinical relevance and may contribute to the further development of BetA as a therapeutic drug.
The first stage in Peyer's patch development in the fetal lamb is characterized by the colonization of the rudimentary Peyer's patches by precursor cells expressing the IgM surface receptor. In the fetal lamb, the spleen has been implicated as the source of gene-rearranged IgM(+) B lymphocytes. This study was intended to quantitate IgM(+) lymphocytes in the spleen, lymph nodes and liver of fetal lambs at various gestational ages between 63 and 110 days using flow cytometry. Flow-cytometric analysis revealed that IgM(+) lymphocytes were rare in the liver being consistently less than 1% at every gestational age examined. IgM(+) lymphocytes were detected in the spleen (mean 9.18%) and prescapular lymph nodes (mean 11.89%) as early as 63 days. In both spleen and lymph nodes, the highest representation of IgM(+) lymphocytes occurred between 70 and 86 days gestation. The highest mean percentage of IgM(+) lymphocytes was observed in the spleen (22.63%) and lymph nodes (17.02%) at 75 days gestation. From 98 days onwards, B-lymphocyte density gradually decreased in both spleen and prescapular lymph nodes. This study indicates that substantial populations of IgM(+) lymphocytes were present in both the spleen and prescapular lymph nodes from 70 days gestation and implies that both of these locations could be potential sources for the normal colonization of the ileal Peyer's patches.
A 62 year-old woman who presented with an atraumatic acute abdomen was discovered to have haemoperitoneum with splenic rupture on urgent computed tomography and was immediately referred for life-saving emergency splenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed secondary splenic amyloidosis. The patient was later found to be suffering from infective endocarditis secondary to her permanent cardiac pacemaker. This report describes a patient who could have suffered from a long-standing infected vegetation on a permanent cardiac pacemaker, which led to splenic amyloidosis and spontaneous splenic rupture.
Diabetes mellitus is a predisposing factor of melioidosis, contributing to higher mortality rates in diabetics infected with Burkholderia pseudomallei. To investigate how diabetes alters the inflammatory response, we established a streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic murine acute-phase melioidosis model. Viable B. pseudomallei cells were consistently detected in the blood, liver and spleen during the 42-hr course of infection but the hyperglycaemic environment did not increase the bacterial burden. However, after 24 hr, granulocyte counts increased in response to infection, whereas blood glucose concentrations decreased over the course of infection. A genome-wide expression analysis of the STZ-diabetic murine acute melioidosis liver identified ~1000 genes whose expression was altered in the STZ-diabetic mice. The STZ-diabetic host transcriptional response was compared with the normoglycaemic host transcriptional response recently reported by our group. The microarray data suggest that the presence of elevated glucose levels impairs the host innate immune system by delaying the identification and recognition of B. pseudomallei surface structures. Consequently, the host is unable to activate the appropriate innate immune response over time, which may explain the increased susceptibility to melioidosis in the STZ-diabetic host. Nevertheless, a general 'alarm signal' of infection as well as defence programmes are still triggered by the STZ-diabetic host, although only 24 hr after infection. In summary, this study demonstrates that in the face of a B. pseudomallei acute infection, poor glycaemic control impaired innate responses during the early stages of B. pseudomallei infection, contributing to the increased susceptibility of STZ-induced diabetics to this fatal disease.
The aim of the present study was to determine whether Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) may stimulate nitric oxide (NO) production by murine spleen cells. Spleen cells derived from Balb/c mice were cultured in the presence of Pg-LPS or LPS from Salmonella Typhosa. The cell were also cultured in the presence of Pg-LPS with or without L-arginine, L-arginine plus NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), or IFN-gamma. Furthermore, the plastic non-adherent spleen cells were stimulated with Pg-LPS and L-arginine. The results showed that Pg-LPS failed to stimulate splenic NO production by themselves. Exogenous L-arginine or IFN-gamma up-regulated the NO production of Pg-LPS-stimulated spleen cells, but the stimulatory effects of L-arginine were completely blocked by NMMA. It was also demonstrated that in the presence of Pg-LPS and L-arginine, splenic macrophages were the cellular source of NO. These results suggest, therefore, that P. gingivalis-LPS may induce murine splenic macrophages to produce NO in a L-arginine and an IFN-gamma-dependent mechanism.
Gastro-peritoneal fistula is a rare but serious complication of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity and presented later with a history of chronic epigastric pain and severe reflux. Upper gastrointestinal series showed the presence of a communicating fistula between the stomach and the left hemi-diaphragm and peri-splenic area.
Introduction: Splenic pseudo-aneurysm is an uncommon complication following splenic injury caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Pseudo-aneurysm is usually treated with splenic arterial embolisation. Spontaneous thrombosis of a splenic pseudo-aneurysm can occur but it is rare. Method: We report a case of spontaneous thrombosis in a post-traumatic splenic pseudo-aneurysm. The patient was managed conservatively as he was haemodynamically stable with a repeat CT scan on the 7th day showing a tubular enhancing structure in the upper pole of the spleen demonstrating the same attenuation value .
Conclusion: This case illustrates a spontaneous resolution of splenic pseudo-aneurysm, which is a rare outcome of the condition.
1. 1. The results of various studies by other workers on the spleen and parasite rates in Indians, Malays and Bantu are summarized. 2. 2. The results of our own observations on Khonds in India, and on Masai and Bantu in East Africa are also summarized and compared with the foregoing and with one another. 3. 3. It is pointed out that wide differences may be found in the malarial status of communities in the same country and, in the case of the Bantu, of the same race; while close similarities occur in different countries. 4. 4. The results of experimental infections in birds and monkeys are cited and interpreted in terms of the two states of allergy and immunity. The probable significance of these is illustrated by reference to the role of the two states in tuberculosis. 5. 5. It is suggested that the observed contrasts in the spleen and parasite rates in diverse communities may also be explained in terms of immunity and hypersensitivity. 6. 6. It is concluded that the immune status is dependent not on race but on the frequency of infection; and that the most accurate index of endemicity is the frequency of infections in the non-immune, that is the rate in early infancy. 7. 7. While a consideration of the Spleen Rate and Endemic Index may be of value in forming an estimate of endemicity and immunity when similar communities are being compared, these indices may be misleading when the epidemiological surroundings are dissimilar. 8. 8. A consideration of the variation with age in the spleen and parasite rates throws more light on endemicity and immunity and on such variation a rough classification may be made into immune and sub-immune communities. 9. 9. But it is suggested that by far the most sensitive index at present available for field studies is the average parasite count, and its variation with age. c 1937.
The present research has been designed to understand the histomorphological development of lymphatic tissues of Cobb 500 strains of postnatal broiler chickens, aged between day old and D14 of Kelantan, Malaysia by gross and histological study. In the present study, it was found that the gross weight, length and width of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen were increased with the advancement of ages of the broiler chickens and was found higher from D14 to D28. Fine septa of connective tissue divide the thymus into lobes and lobules. The cortex of lobule is densely populated with lymphocytes. The bursal follicles were composed of a peripheral cortex which was rich in bursal cells and centrally depopulated medulla. The mucosal folds of the bursa were lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The spleen has two compartments, the red and white pulp. The red pulp consisted principally of red blood cells, while the majority of the populations of white pulp were the lymphocytes. The histological mean length and width of the thymic lobules, bursal follicles and white pulp of the spleen were grown faster with the advancement of ages at D14 and D28. In conclusion, the increment of gross and histological parameters of lymphoid organs of broilers in the present study was due to aging of broilers.
Introduction: Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is known for its health and therapeutic benefits. However, the immunomodulatory effects of VCO have not been extensively investigated. Objective: The present study was devoted to examining the effects of VCO on cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced toxicity of lymphoid tissues. Methods: Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were sorted into 5 groups of 6 animals. The first control (NC) group was given distilled water via gavage at 5 ml/kg once daily. The second (CY) group received CY orally at 10 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Rats in the other three groups (CV5, CV10, and CV15) were given 10 mg/kg/day CY for 4 weeks, 5 m/kg/day, 10 ml/kg/day and 15 ml/kg/day VCO for 6 weeks, respectively. Rats were sacrificed at the end of 6th week; blood sample from the animals was collected for full blood count and biochemical analysis. The thymus and spleen of each animal was processed for histological examination. Results: The thymus and spleen showed marked reduction in lymphoid cellularity following daily administration of CY. The thymus also showed a marked reduction in the size of the medulla, and the white pulp areas of spleen had reduction in the follicle number and size. Supplementation with 10 ml/kg and 15 ml/kg VCO showed evidence of restoration of both the thymus and splenic lymphoid architecture. The total white cell counts, absolute lymphocyte counts and plasma globulin levels of the VCO groups were significantly increased compared to CY group. Conclusion: VCO displayed potential protective effects on CYinduced histological changes in lymphoid tissues.
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, with resistance to antimalarial drugs, including artemisinin-based combination therapies(ACTs), posing a significant threat. CD4+ naive cells expressing CCR7 are known to play a protective role, as they readily migrate to secondary lymphoid tissues activated by CCL19 chemokines. In an effort to address this challenge, we investigated the impact of Annona muricata, an herbaceous and immunomodulatory plant, on CCL19 concentration. We conducted experiments on 24 mice, dividing them into four groups: one control group and three treatment groups. Groups 1 and 3 received a daily dose of 4.68 mg of Annona muricata leaf water extract (AM) for seven days before CM infection. After seven days of treatment, all groups were infected with CM. Groups 1 and 3 continued with a 9.36 mg AM dosage for an additional seven days, while groups 2 and 3 received a 0.819 mg ACTs dosage on the fourth day post-infection. We analyzed the CCL19 content in the mice's spleens and evaluated the data using Bonferroni post hoc, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Our results demonstrated that the CCL19 levels in the AM-ACTs group significantly surpassed those in both the control group (p = 0.009) and the ACTs group (p = 0.002). This suggests that the combination of AM and ACTs led to a notable increase in CCL19 levels in Swiss mice afflicted with CM. While further research is necessary to validate and expand upon these findings, our study highlights the potential of AM to enhance CCL19 production, potentially facilitating the migration of naive T cells and reinforcing the immune response.
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a member of the Paramyxoviridae that has caused severe economic losses in poultry industry worldwide. Several strains of NDV were reported to induce cytolysis to cancerous cell lines. It has prompted much interest as anticancer agent because it can replicate up to 10,000 times better in human cancer cells than in most normal cells. In this study, two NDV strains, viserotropic-velogenic strain AF2240 and lentogenic strain V4-UPM, showed cytolytic activity and apoptosis induction against Mouse myelomoncytic leukemia (WEHI 3B). The cytolytic effects of NDV strains were determined using microtetrazolium (MTT) assay. The cytolytic dose - fifty percent (CD(50)) were 2 and 8HAU for AF2240 and V4-UPM strains, respectively. Cells treated with NDV strains showed apoptotic features compared to the untreated cells under fluorescence microscope. NDV induced activation of caspase-3 and DNA laddering in agarose gel electrophoresis which confirmed the apoptosis. The anti-leukemic activity of both strains was evaluated on myelomoncytic leukemia BALB/c mice. The results indicated that both NDV strains significantly decreased liver and spleen weights. It also decreased blasts cell percentage in blood, bone marrow and spleen smears of treated mice (p<0.05). Histopathological studies for spleen and liver confirmed the hematological results of blood and bone marrow. From the results obtained, the exposure to both NDV stains AF2240 and V4-UPM showed similar results for Ara-c. In conclusion NDV strains AF2240 and V4-UPM can affect WEHI 3B leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo.
A case is presented of a fatal environmental accidental injuries of lightning. A pedestrian was struck by lightning. The macroscopic and microscopic lightning injuries are reviewed.
Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) have been generated. These MAbs are highly specific and have an affinity of 7-12 x 10(7) M(1). The hybridomas were obtained by fusion of spleen cells from immunized mice with mouse myeloma P3X63 Ag8.653 cells. The antigen used for immunization was 17OHP conjugated to bovine serum albumin (17OHP:BSA). Fused cells were plated and cloned in 96-well microtiter plates. Wells containing hybridomas were screened simultaneously for specific gamma globulin (IgG) and anti-17OHP activity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method, which is faster than the conventional radioimmunoassay (RIA) screening procedure. Limiting dilution methods were used to obtain single hybridoma clones producing MAb. The stable hybridomas secreting anti-17OHP MAbs were expanded into bioreactors or ascites fluid for large-scale production of the required antibodies. These MAbs will be used in the formulation of a 17OHP assay kit to screen for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in local newborn human population.
A 27-year-old Indian woman at 23 weeks' gestation presented with decompensated liver cirrhosis, coagulopathy, restrictive lung disease with cor pulmonale and preeclampsia. She was diagnosed to have sea-blue histiocyte syndrome (SBHS) at the age of 13 years and was treated conservatively. There was worsening liver, respiratory and bone marrow function as the pregnancy progressed. She underwent a successful pregnancy despite her poor medical condition and advanced disease state. We described the first case of familial SBHS in a pregnant patient from Asia.