Percentage Of T4 Research Articles

Salivary gland tumours in a northern Chinese population: a 50-year retrospective study of 7190 cases

The aims of this study were to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of epithelial salivary gland tumours in a northern Chinese population and to evaluate the current TNM classification system. A demographic and descriptive analysis of 7190 epithelial salivary gland tumours was performed. There were 4654 benign tumours and 2536 malignant tumours. The percentage of tumours located in the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glands was 62.66%, 9.92%, 2.57%, and 24.85%, respectively; 22.26%, 35.76%, 92.97%, and 61.89% of the tumours, respectively, were malignant. Over 90% in the tongue and maxillary sinus were malignant. Warthin tumour, salivary duct carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma were predominant in males, while basal cell adenoma, myoepithelioma, and pleomorphic adenoma were predominant in females. Further, 2.55% of the tumours were in children and adolescents: 44.81% of the tumours were malignant, as opposed to 35.02% in adults. According to the 7th TNM classification, the percentages of T3 and stage III tumours were approximately 10%. Salivary gland tumours show distribution patterns according to histological type, location, and patient age and sex. The limitations of the current TNM classification of salivary gland carcinoma should be considered and revisions made.

Tumor size as a prognostic indicator in colon cancer (CCa) patients undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) versus conventional surgery (CS) in National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).

411 Background: Unlike other solid tumors, tumor size (TS) is not included in TNM staging for CCa. We correlated TS with TNM staging and 5-year overall survival (5yrOS) for patients (pts) who underwent SLNM vs CS in NCDB. Methods: A retrospectively review of 312 CCa pts undergoing SLNM compared to 298,021 CCa pts from NCDB undergoing CS between 1996 and 2010 was done. The maximum diameter of the primary tumor as TS, T and Nodal status were reviewed. Pts in each group was subdivided into 4 groups: (<2cm; 2-4cm; 4-6cm; >6cm). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rho correlation and Kaplan-Meier for 5yrOS. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using a Cox model adjusting for age, sex, grade, T, N-status, and TNM stage. Results: Pts with TS <2 cm were mainly T1&T2 (80.7%, 74.8%), whereas for tumors >6cm, majority of pts were T3&T4 (93.2%, 88.8%). T1&T2 percentage consistently decreased as TS increased and T3&T4 percentage consistently increased with TS (Table). Nodal positivity according to tumor size for SLNM were 17%, 49%, 56%, 46% and for CS were 18%, 38%, 48%, 51%, respectively. In both groups, nodal positivity increased as TS increased. The overall nodal positivity in both groups was 46% and 42%. For SLNM and CS, overall survival decreased as TS increased. Overall SLNM pts had better OS when compared to CS pts (65%, 54%). Conclusions: Nodal +vity and overall survival where slightly better in SLMN pts. Vs CS pts. TS had +ve correlation with T staging and N status in 5 yr OS. Hence, TS may be considered a prognostic factor in CCa pts. [Table: see text]

Tumor size as a prognostic factor for patients with colon cancer undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping and conventional surgery.

546 Background: Unlike other solid tumors, tumor size (TS) is not a part of the TNM staging for colon cancer (CC). Our goal is to correlate TS with TNM staging, nodal positivity(NP), and 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients (pts) with invasive CC undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) vs. conventional surgery (CS). Methods: A retrospective review of 681 pts with invasive CC were reviewed and divided into two groups of pts (SLNM and CS). The pts in these two groups were subdivided according to the TS in four groups (0-2, 2-4, 4-6 and more than 6 cm). 461 pts underwent SLNM between 1996-2010 compared to 220 pts who underwent CS between 1996-2006. The pathology reports reviewed for TS (the maximum diameter of the primary tumor), T staging, and NP. The OS was calculated from the social security database and our hospital cancer registry. Then all data was compared between both groups. Results: Pts with TS <2cm were mainly T1+T2 (72%, 70%), whereas tumors >6 cm, majority of pts wereT3+T4 (94%, 85%). T1+T2 percentage consistently decreased as TS increased, and T3+T4 percentage was increasing consistently with increased TS (Table 1A). NP according to TS for SLNM pts were (16%, 53%, 56%, 48%) NP and for CS pts were (15%, 32%, 34%, 39%). In both groups, NP increased as TS increased compared to 0-2 cm group. The overall NP in both groups was 47% and 31% (Table 1B). OS for SLNM and CS pts were calculated in each group according to TS. Overall SLNM pts had better OS when compared to CS pts (65 %, 54%). Conclusions: Increasing TS was consistent with increasing T staging for both SLNM and CS pts. NP and OS were worse with increased TS for SLNM and CS pts. SLNM pts had higher NP and better outcome in OS when compared to CS pts, hence TS should be considered as a prognostic factor in pts with adenocarcinoma of the colon. [Table: see text]

Tumor size as a prognostic factor for colon cancer patients undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping and conventional surgery.

e14046 Background: Unlike other solid tumors, tumor size (TS) is not a part of the TNM staging system for colon cancer. Our goal is to correlate TS with TNM staging, nodal positivity (NP), and 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients (pts) with invasive colon cancer undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) vs. conventional surgery (CS). Methods: A retrospective review of 681 pts with invasive adenocarcinoma of the colon were reviewed and divided into two groups of pts (SLNM and CS). These groups were subdivided according to the size of the tumor in four groups (0-2, 2-4, 4-6 and more than 6 cm). 461 pts underwent SLNM between 1996-2010 compared to 220 pts who underwent CS between 1996-2006. The pathology reports reviewed for TS (the maximum diameter of the primary tumor), T staging, and NP. The OS was calculated from the social security database. Then all data was compared between both groups. Results: Pts with tumors <2cm were mainly T1+T2 (72%, 70%), whereas tumors >6 cm, majority of pts wereT3+T4 (94%, 85%). T1+T2 percentage consistently decreased as TS increased, and T3+T4 percentage was increasing consistently with increased TS (Table 1A). NP according to TS for SLNM pts were (16%, 53%, 56%, 48%) NP and for CS pts were (15%, 32%, 34%, 39%). In both groups, NP increased as TS increased compared to 0-2 cm group. The overall NP in both groups was 47% and 31% (Table 1B). OS for SLNM and CS pts were calculated in each group according to TS. Overall SLNM pts had better OS when compared to CS pts (65 %, 54%). Conclusions: Increasing TS was consistent with increasing T staging for both SLNM and CS pts. NP and OS were worse with increased TS for SLNM and CS pts. SLNM pts had higher NP and better outcome in OS when compared to CS pts, hence TS should be considered as a prognostic factor in pts with adenocarcinoma of the colon. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

Direct measurement of the contributions of type I and type II 5'-deiodinases to whole body steady state 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine production from thyroxine in the rat.

Production of T3 from T4 in tissues is catalyzed by two 5'-deiodinases, type I (D1) and type II (D2), but the quantitative contribution of each pathway to whole body T3 production is not well established. In the presence of propylthiouracil (PTU), D1, but not D2, can be effectively blocked, providing an experimental probe for addressing this problem. Decades ago, this approach provided indirect estimates ranging from 23-44% contribution by D2, based on plasma T3 appearance rate comparisons (PAR3 = PCR3 [T3]p) in periodically T4-injected athyreotic rats vs. controls. Two, more recent studies, using constant infusions of T4 for replacement, achieved 22% and 65% estimates, respectively, from PAR3 comparisons. We have revisited this problem more directly and precisely, with two major differences in experiment design. We used direct whole body steady state measurements of T3 production, instead of indirect plasma-only data (PAR3). We also used (euthyroid) physiological doses of both T4 (0.9 microg/day x 100 g BW) and T3 (0.15 microg/day x 100 g BW) for replacement in two thyroidectomized rat groups, instead of T4 only, in a 7-day constant steady state, dual tracer infusion protocol. The first group also had chronically implanted 150-mg PTU pellets (TXR-PTU); the other had implanted 0.1 N NaOH placebo pellets (TXR-EU); each delivered their product at constant rates. A third euthyroid intact group was used as the controls. The completeness of D1 inhibition was ascertained in a fourth group, identically treated with 150-mg PTU pellets, in which negligible D1 activity was found in liver and kidney using labeled rT3 as substrate for the 5'-D assays and minimal (1 mM) dithiothreitol as cofactor. In the TXR-PTU group, the percentage of T4 converted to T3 was 11.8%, compared with 23.4% (P < 0.0005) in the TXR-EU group, and 22.7% (P = NS) in controls. Thus, in euthyroid steady state, D2 contributes about half of the T3 produced from T4.

The effect of trichosanthin on immunoregulatory T lymphocytes

The effect of trichosanthin (TCS) on immune system has drawn attentions of the investigators both at home and abroad. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prospects of TCS on autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency diseases by detecting the immunoregulatory T lymphocytes (T8, 2H4, 4B4) count and cellular DNA content under the influence of TCS with flow cytometer using indirect immunofluorescence technique and lymphocyte culture in normal subjects and systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The results showed that the percentage of T8+ cells decreased, 4B4+ cells increased, 2H4+ cells did not markedly change after adding TCS. The raise of DNA content in S stage was dose-dependent to TCS, especially in large doses. It is concluded that TCS could selectively inhibit T8+ cells and could obviously increase the number of 4B4+ cells. It is suggested that TCS could enhance humoral immunity through the ratio of immunoregulatory T cells. So TCS might help immunodeficiency patients such as AIDS to reestablish their immune system.

Immune dysfunction in children after corrective surgery for congenital heart disease

To study the effect of open- and closed-heart surgery on the immune status of infants and children. Prospective study. Data collected before anesthesia and surgery and 2 and 24 hrs after surgery. Operating room and pediatric ICU in a children's hospital. Children undergoing surgery for correction of congenital heart disease (age 3 months to 12 yrs). A total of 31 patients were studied (open-heart surgery, n = 25; closed-heart surgery, n = 6). Increased neutrophil counts and lymphopenia were observed after both open- and closed-heart surgery. Serum levels of the complement components C3 and C4 were depressed after open-heart surgery, but not after closed procedures. The percentage of T3+ and T4+ lymphocytes, proliferative responses of the lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM were decreased from preoperative levels after open-heart surgery. The percentage of T8+ lymphocytes and serum IgA levels did not change. Intraoperative variables and postoperative severity of illness (Pediatric Risk of Mortality score) did not correlate with immune suppression. The immune system is affected after pediatric cardiac surgery, particularly after open-heart surgery.

Anti-human lung giant cell cancer (PG) effect of human LAK cellsin vitro and in nude mice

Human LAK cells were prepared by culturing normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with or without rIL-2 and assayed for T cell surface markers as well as anti-tumor activity against PGin vitro and in nude mice. Although the percentages of T3, T4 and T8 positive cells in rIL-2-activated cells did not differ significantly from those of control cellsin vitro, the former showed stronger cytotoxicity than control cells to PG tumor cellsin vitro. In vivo, LAK cells completely inhibited the growth of PG tumor in nude mice, whereas PBMC control cells were to be of no effect. The anti-tumor effect of human LAK cells in nude mice may offer a useful model to study the role of human LAK cells against human tumorin vivo.

Plasma levels of free and bound thyroid hormones during parr–smolt transformation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

To determine if the marked spring surges that occur in plasma L-thyroxine (T4) concentrations during parr–smolt transformation are due to changes in the properties or levels of thyroid hormone binding plasma proteins, plasma levels of total T4 (TT4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (TT3), indices of the percentage of T4 or T3 in the free form (%FT4 or %FT3), and indices of free T4 (FT4) and free T3 (FT3) levels were measured on a population of Atlantic salmon undergoing parr–smolt transformation under a natural temperature and photoperiod regime in Brittany, France. Gill Na+–K+ ATPase increased to a peak in mid-May, whereas TT4 exhibited two major peaks in late April and mid-June, with small seasonal change in TT3. Indices of the %FT4 and %FT3 changed negligibly, resulting in high correlations between TT4 and FT4 (r = 0.97) and TT3 and FT3 (r = 0.96). Thus the high TT4 peaks encountered during smoltification are not due to changes in properties of plasma T4 binding proteins and reflect approximately proportionate changes in the putative physiologically relevant FT4 level. The TT4 and FT4 peaks coincided with basal levels of TT3 and FT3, implying no systemic increase in T4 to T3 conversion and reinforcing the concept that T4 may exert a local tissue-specific role during parr–smolt transformation.

Studies on lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell activities in epileptic patients

The subpopulations of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and macrophages of the peripheral blood in 58 cases of epilepsia were studied with McAb by IFA method. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells of peripheric blood monocyte was investigated by 51Cr-releasing method. 22 healthy donors of about the same age served as controls. The results showed that the percentage of T3 and T4 lymphocytes in epileptic patients was decreased, and the ratio of T4/T8 was markedly reduced as compared to control group. The percentage of T8 lymphocytes was increased. There were no significant changes in B lymphocytes and macrophages. The NK cell activity also showed decrease. The results suggested abnormality in cellular immunity in epilepsia, which may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanism of the disease.

Phenotypes of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Findings in patients with varying disease activity and clinical subgroups.

The percentage of T4 and T8 positive cells in peripheral blood of 78 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 26 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) was determined using a rosette technique. The T4/T8 ratio +/- SEM (standard error of the mean) in the RA patients was increased, 2.02 +/- 0.09, as compared with normal blood donors, 1.71 +/- 0.06 (p less than 0.02). The subgroups of RA patients who had a significantly increased T4/T8 ratio were ANA positive patients (p less than 0.02) and patients on no medication (p less than 0.05). In the total group of JRA patients the T4/T8 ratio was 2.01 +/- 0.12 versus 1.75 +/- 0.08 in controls (p = 0.061). Polyarticular JRA patients had an increased T4/T8 ratio as compared with controls (p less than 0.05) while patients with the pauciarticular form had a normal ratio (p greater than 0.10). No correlation between the T4/T8 ratio and a disease outcome index, a laboratory activity index, ESR, WBC, platelet count, hemoglobin, serum albumin, age and disease duration was found (K less than +/- 0.20, p greater than 0.10).

The relationship of circulating IgA to cellular immunity in head and neck cancer patients.

The relationship of circulating IgA titers and multiple parameters of cell-mediated immunity was examined in 97 patients with head and neck cancer. In 26% of the patients, IgA titers were above one standard deviation of controls, with highest levels noted in patients with advanced disease. In 40 patients for whom multiple immune parameters were tested in vitro, increasing concentrations of IgA were associated with an enhanced immunologic helper state defined by a generalized hypergammaglobulinemia, increased percentage of T4+ lymphocytes, higher T4/T8 ratio, and an increased lymphocyte blastogenesis response to mitogens. IgA concentrations were inversely related to percentages and absolute number of Leu 11+ natural killer cell subsets, and also to disease-free survival (p less than 0.005 by Cox proportional hazards model). The immune correlations identified here are similar to those noted in many autoimmune diseases. Head and neck cancer patients are an immunologically heterogeneous population, among whom elevated IgA blood levels may reflect the autoimmune nature of cancer, an immunologic state defined by its tumor-promoting capacity.

Neonatal T4 + lymphocytes: Analysis of the expression of 4B4 and 2H4 antigens

Using monoclonal antibodies anti-2H4 and anti-4B4 we investigated by double immunofluorescence and immunorosette technique the presence of cells displaying the helper-inducer and the inducer of suppression phenotype among T4 + cord blood cells. The analysis of the estimated frequencies of subpopulations of T4 + cells shows that a high percentage of T4 + cord blood cells can coexpress both antigens in comparison to adult. Furthermore the percentage of T4 + cells with helper-inducer phenotype (2H4 −4B4 +) is significantly lower than that in the adult, while the percentage of T4 + cells with suppressor-inducer phenotype (2H4 +4B4 −) although higher, is not significantly different. These findings suggest that the relative immunoincompetence observed in the newborn may result from a variety of mechanisms including a low percentage of helper-inducer (4B4 +2H4 −) T4 + lymphocytes possibly also associated to an increased number of suppressor-inducer T4 + cells (2H4 +4B4 −).

Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Sjögren's Syndrome: Evidence for an Expansion of Cytotoxic/Suppressor Subset in Patients with Alveolar Neutrophilia

We initiated this study to determine the cellular composition and T-lymphocyte subpopulations of fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage from 15 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (1SS), six patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (2SS-PBC), eight patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome associated with collagen-vascular diseases (2SS-CVD), and 12 normal subjects. All were nonsmokers who were free of clinical pulmonary symptoms and had normal findings on chest roentgenograms. Lymphocyte subsets were identified by mouse monoclonal antibodies that were specific for T-cells, helper/inducer, and suppressor/cytotoxic (namely, OKT3, OKT4, and OKT8). Patients with 1SS, patients with 2SS-PBC, and patients with 2SS-CVD had a significantly increased percentage of lymphocytes in fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage (respectively, 21.6 +/- 3.7 percent, 24.3 +/- 6.1 percent, and 25.6 +/- 3.9 percent) compared with the normal value of control subjects (9.9 +/- 1.5 percent). In addition, two of the 15 patients with 1SS and five of the eight patients with 2SS-CVD demonstrated an increased percentage of alveolar neutrophils. The predominant T-cell subset in patients with 1SS was T4+, and the mean T4:T8 ratio was normal. The percentage of T4+ cells was increased in patients with 2 SS-PBC, resulting in an increased T4:T8 ratio. In contrast, patients with 2 SS-CVD demonstrated a markedly increased percentage of T8+ cells, reflected by a shift in the T4:T8 ratio which was inverted. Patients with Sjögren's syndrome and with neutrophilia on bronchoalveolar lavage had a marked expansion of the T8+ lymphocyte subpopulation, where as patients with Sjögren's syndrome and with pure lymphocytosis on bronchoalveolar lavage showed predominantly T4+ cells. In addition, we found a strong positive correlation between the number of neutrophils and the number of T8+ cells in bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with Sjögren's syndrome (r = 0.74; p less than 0.05). Until the functional activities of OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells are better defined, the role that these cells play in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease in Sjögren's syndrome remains unclear.

Pyridoxine supplementation: effect on lymphocyte responses in elderly persons

The effect of pyridoxine supplementation on lymphocyte responsiveness was investigated in 15 persons aged 65–81 y. Eleven subjects received 50 mg/d pyridoxine HCl (PN). Four subjects received a placebo. Lymphocyte proliferation to T and B cell mitogens, lymphocyte subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies, and plasma pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) were measured before and after 1 and 2 mo of supplementation. After 1 and 2 mo plasma PLP levels increased by 195 +/- 88 nM and 201 +/- 84 nM, respectively, in subjects receiving PN. With PN supplementation, lymphocyte proliferation increased significantly in response to phytohemagglutinin (p less than 0.01), pokeweed mitogen (p less than 0.01), and Staphylococcus aureus (Cowain I) (p less than 0.05). For PN-treated subjects with low presupplement plasma PLP levels, lymphocyte blastogenesis also increased significantly (p less than 0.01) in response to concanavalin A. Percentages of T3+ and T4+ but not T8+ cells increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in PN-treated subjects. These results suggest that improving vitamin B-6 status is important in stimulating immunocompetence in the elderly.

IMMUNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS WITH THALASSEMIA MAJOR AT RISK FOR AIDS

Immunological analysis of 29 patients with thalassemia major has been undertaken to determine factors that might influence development of AIDS in cases of blood transfusion acquired Human Immunodefiency Virus, HIV, disease. Natural Killer, NK, activity against the K562 tumor target was very reduced in 72% (21 of 29) of cases initially and in 7 of 9 patients studied repeatedly. Augmentation in vitro with interferon α (800 I.U.) could be achieved in 11, or 52% of cases in contrast to 100% of controls. Of these 11, 8 showed boosting into low normal range. In addition some patients with normal endogenous NK could not be boosted in vitro. Of 25 patients studied for mononuclear proliferation in vitro 14 (56%) had reduced activation to mitogen. Study of Tymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry showed that few patients had percentages of T3+, T4+, or T8+ lymphocytes outside normal range although low normal T8+% was seen. However, 4 patients had reduced T4+/T8+ ratios with proportionately increased T8+% and borderline T4+%. All of these patients had serum antibodies to HIV. All 4 had very low endogenous NK that could not be augmented into normal range in vitro and 3 of 4 had poor proliferative response. Three patients with normal T4+/T8+ but poor function (1 had low T3+%) also had HIV antibodies. These data indicate probable high risk of AIDS in thalassemia patients with HIV disease and suggest that altered NK associated with thalassemia may potentiate this process since low NK and absence of interferon are found in both HIV antibody negative and positive patients.

Clinical and immunologic sequelae of AIDS retrovirus infection.

The Sydney AIDS Project is a prospective immunoepidemiological study of 911 homosexual and bisexual men enrolled between February 1984 and January 1985. Clinical, immunological, and serological studies are performed on these subjects every six months. At enrollment, 39.9% of subjects were seropositive for antibodies to AIDS retrovirus (ARV). Of these 352 seropositive subjects, 28.1% were symptomless with normal immune profiles, 23.6% were symptomless with an immunodeficiency, 18.8% had a clinical illness but normal immune profile, and 29.6% had a clinical illness and immunodeficiency. Of the symptomless subjects, 27.8% were seropositive for antibodies to ARV. Clinically, seropositivity was significantly associated with enlargement of three or more non-inguinal lymph node groups, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly. Immunologically, seropositivity was significantly associated with lower absolute numbers of lymphocytes and T4+ lymphocytes and a lower T4+ : T8+ ratio, compared with seronegative subjects. Seropositive subjects with a clinical illness had a significantly lower percentage of T4+ lymphocytes and lower T4+ : T8+ ratio than did those who were symptomless. However, the absolute number of T4+ cells was not significantly different between subjects with a clinical illness and those who were symptomless. Subjects whose sera were positive by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay but were negative by radioimmune precipitation assay had a lower number and percentage of T4+ lymphocytes than subjects who were positive by all three tests. These results demonstrate a wide variety of clinical and immunological responses to ARV infection. Prospective study of these subjects will enable us to define further the natural history of ARV infection and factors associated with progression.

Effects of frequent and sustained plateletapheresis on peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations and lymphocyte functions of normal volunteer donors.

Per procedure, plateletapheresis may remove 2 X 10(9) to 3 X 10(9) white cells from the peripheral blood of a normal donor. To investigate the effects of frequent and sustained plateletapheresis, multiple peripheral blood tests were performed on 25 volunteer donors undergoing plateletapheresis an average of 72 times over periods of up to 8 years, and results were compared with 25 age- and sex-matched controls who had not undergone apheresis. In donors, significant decreases were observed in: 1) both absolute number and percentage of T4+ cells; 2) absolute number of both T8+ cells and Leu-7+ cells; 3) T4/T8 ratio; 4) responses to both pokeweed mitogen and alloantigens; and 5) IgG levels. Significant increases were observed in percentages of both B cells and monocytes, and responses to both phytohemagglutinin and Concanavalin A. Plateletapheresis removes a large number of T4 and T8 cells, a moderate number of B cells, and a smaller number of monocytes and Leu-7 cells. The results suggest that during vigorous plateletapheresis the replenishment to peripheral blood per month was less than 1.83 X 10(9) and 0.93 X 10(9) for T4 cells and T8 cells, respectively, greater than 0.27 X 10(9) and 0.62 X 10(9) for B cells and monocytes, respectively, and approximately 0.39 X 10(9) for Leu-7 cells. Although no clinical effect was noted, these data suggest that frequent and sustained non-lymphocyte sparing plateletapheresis is associated with changes in laboratory findings related to the immune system.

Transmissible Lymphoma and Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Rhesus Monkeys&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;

Four rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were inoculated with a homogenate of a cutaneous lepromatous leprosy lesion from a mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys). One died of B-cell lymphoma, and another died of an immunodeficiency syndrome. Cell suspensions prepared from the tumor and spleen of the monkey with lymphoma induced lymphoma or an immunodeficiency syndrome when inoculated into additional young rhesus monkeys. The immunodeficiency syndrome was similar to simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and consisted of opportunistic infections, lymphoid hyperplasia or atrophy, wasting, and syncytial cell formation. Mitogen responses and percentages of T4- and T8-positive lymphocytes were normal until the animals were moribund. Lymphoblastoid cell lines became established in vitro from tumor cell suspensions. These cells were infected with a herpesvirus related to Epstein-Barr virus. In addition, a retrovirus morphologically similar to human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type III (HTLV-III) and simian T-lymphotrophic virus type III (STLV-III) was isolated from one of the lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Type D retroviruses could not be demonstrated in the monkeys in the transmission study; however, a retrovirus similar to that in the LCL was isolated from 4 animals by coculture of peripheral blood lymphocytes with the human cell line H9. These results suggest that this retrovirus, STLV-III/Delta, may be associated with the immunodeficiency syndrome in these macaques and may be of mangabey origin.

Activated alveolar macrophage and lymphocyte alveolitis in extrathoracic sarcoidosis without radiological mediastinopulmonary involvement.

Cellular characteristics of BAL were investigated in 18 patients with proved extrathoracic sarcoidosis (that is, sarcoidosis that affected the skin, eyes, parotid glands, stomach, nose, kidneys, or meninges) without clinical or radiological mediastinopulmonary involvement. Computed tomography of the thorax was performed on five patients: four patients were normal, and one had enlarged lymph nodes (these enlargements were not detectable on the patient's chest roentgenogram). The results of pulmonary function tests were normal in all patients. The total BAL cell count did not differ significantly between controls and patients. Abnormal percentages of alveolar lymphocytes (from 18 to 87%) were noted in 15 out of 18 patients. SACE levels were normal in 15 patients. No pulmonary gallium uptake was detected. The chemiluminescence of AM's, whether spontaneous or PMA induced, was increased in five out of seven patients. The percentages of T3+ lymphocytes in sarcoidosis patients did not significantly differ from those in controls. The T4+:T8+ ratio was normal in four patients and slightly increased in one. Follow-up of patients showed that alveolar lymphocytosis is as lasting as extrathoracic involvement. Our data demonstrate increased percentages of lymphocytes and activated AM's in the BAL of patients with extrathoracic sarcoidosis. This may be due to the initial involvement of the respiratory tract in extrathoracic sarcoidosis or to the diffusion of activated macrophages and lymphocytes from an extrathoracic site into the lung.