It has been suggested that proteinase enzymes could play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic bronchial infections including bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis (CF). Because Pseudomonas aeruginosa frequently colonizes respiratory tract CF, we examined vitro effects human neutrophil elastase (HNE) produced by P. (elastase: PE; alkaline proteinase: PAP) on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) ultrastructure nasal ciliated epithelium.HNE (500 µg/ml) progressively reduced CBF caused marked...

In September 1982, a prospective randomized trial comparing shunt surgery and endoscopic sclerotherapy for the elective management of variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis was initiated. Twenty-seven have received shunts (distal splenorenal = 23, nonselective 4) 30 had chronic sclerotherapy. Eighty-six per cent alcoholic 33% were Child's class C. After mean follow-up 25 months, 19% 57% rebleeding (p 0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis reveals similar 2-year rates (65%) (61%)...

Apoptosis of neutrophils at sites inflammation in vivo is thought to lead their recognition and safe elimination by macrophages. Little known, however, about the regulation apoptosis myeloid cells. We report here that human promonocytic leukemic cell line, U937, mature can be induced become apoptotic when cultured with interleukin-6. U937 cells, assessed morphologically presence DNA fragmentation, was increased significantly a dose-dependent fashion concentrations 0.5-100 ng/ml cells evident...

In addition to its activities as a growth factor, recent studies suggest an immunoregulatory role for transforming factor-beta (TGF-beta). this context we have demonstrated that TGF-beta is potent chemotactic factor in vitro human T lymphocytes at concentration of 40 fM and monocytes 0.4 but it has no activity neutrophils. Furthermore, using assay lymphocyte subset chemotaxis been able show can induce migration both CD4+ CD8+ vitro. This study provides further evidence acts cytokine, being...

ADAMTS proteinases, belonging to the adamalysin subfamily of metalloproteinases, have been implicated in a variety cellular events such as morphogenesis, cell migration, angiogenesis, ovulation and extracellular matrix breakdown. Aggrecanase‐1 (ADAMTS‐4) aggrecanase‐2 (ADAMTS‐5) identified cartilage are largely responsible for aggrecan We shown previously that synovium, membrane lining diarthrodial joints, generates soluble aggrecanase activity. report here expression, localization activity...

1. The anti-elastase composition of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from (α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1PI) deficient and bronchitic patients was determined by immunological functional assays, together with the cell profile BAL fluid. 2. α1PI, anti-leucoprotease α2-macroglobuin were present in all samples. α1PI concentrations significantly lower group serum deficiency. 3. Lavage subjects inhibited less porcine pancreatic elastase than (P < 0.005). However, only about 50% active as an...

The effect of three amoxycillin treatment regimens on purulent secretions patients with bronchiectasis has been studied. On the basis information recorded a diary card were divided into groups, according to usual nature their secretions: seven who produced mucoid sputum, which occasionally became purulent; whose usually mucopurulent but and 19 persistently purulent. Treatment capsules in dosage 250 mg times day resulted clearance group when they treated for clinical exacerbation. sputum...

AbstractSputum samples from 25 patients with bronchiectasis were assayed enzymatically for myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase and cathepsin B, immunologically cystatin A, C, S kininogen. High myeloperoxidase levels found in those sputum that assessed visually to be purulent. These also contain high of B activity but low the most effective inhibitor, C. In contrast, activities had C levels. It is concluded positively correlated degree inflammation recruitment. Although this may due part...

Leukocyte elastase and alpha 1-antitrypsin have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. The relationship between these proteins has studied sputum both qualitatively quantitatively bronchitic patients with without chest infections. was found 75% noninfected samples but enzymatically inactive, suggesting complete inhibition. During infection, leukocyte concentrations increased, although enzyme only partially inactivated. proportion present as "complex" smaller presence...

We have studied the sputum/serum protein concentration ratios from 23 patients with bronchitis both in stable clinical state and during acute chest infections. During there was a significant negative correlation (2 P less than 0.005) between ratio size. The of IgG, IgA, C3, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin were significantly displaced this relation suggesting local production lung. IgM found all samples 2-macroglobulin 55% non-infected which may be result rather transudation serum, because their...

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> IgG subclass deficiency is often associated with recurrent pulmonary infections. The prevalence of in a large well characterised group patients bronchiectasis has not previously been established. <h3>METHODS</h3> Serum concentrations 89 were compared those obtained from 82 age and sex matched normal healthy controls. Sputum also assessed 44 the patients. Albumin was measured as marker protein transudation plasma to determine degree local production. <h3>RESULTS</h3> serum...

Background Females have worse outcome than do males after coronary artery bypass grafting; however, gender effects on length of stay (LOS) outcomes, such as duration intubation or intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, not been evaluated previously. The authors hypothesized that adjustment for pertinent preoperative covariates would eliminate any significant effect intubation, LOS in the ICU extubation, total postoperative (exclusive ICU) LOS. Methods Patients undergoing elective urgent primary...

A specific radioimmunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen was used to investigate aspects of its measurement in lung disease. The results confirm that serum concentrations are higher healthy smokers and patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis than non (p less 0.01). Corticosteroid treatment reduced the concentration nine 0.05). Other inflammatory diseases (bronchiectasis, pneumonia, fibrosing alveolitis) not associated a raised concentration. sputum were about 100 times those found there...