Dry eye patients present with instability of the precorneal tear film which breaks up much earlier than normally. The instability of the precorneal tear film leads to dry eye symptoms such as the sensation of sand in the eye, recurrent blurred vision, itching, smartness, and the sensation of dryness. The stability of the precorneal tear film can be evaluated by the break-up-time test (BUT). The aim of treatment of dry eye is to increase the precorneal tear film stability. Tear substitutes are the most frequent medication for dry eye patients, who request life-long treatment. Therefore, we estimated the influence of tear substitutes on the precorneal tear film stability. The influence of unpreserved artificial tear substitute containing 0.1% sodium hyaluronate (Healon 0.1%) was compared with that of 7 different available tear substitute preparations containing preservatives. The results of the present study show that Healon 0.1% has the best influence on the precorneal tear film stability. These data were found to be independent of the viscosity property of Healon 0.1%.

PROBLEM:The increased reactivity of maternal lymphocytes in reciprocal mixed-maternal-paternal lymphocyte cultures (MMPLC), observed in the presence of control serum after immunotherapy, suggests that immunization with paternal lymphocytes may induce a highly significant cell mediated immune response in specifically alloactivated maternal lymphocytes.METHOD:Reciprocal one-way MMPLC were set up with responding maternal or paternal lymphocytes and mitomycin C-treated stimulating lymphocytes. Cultures were set up for 6 days in the presence of 15% maternal or control serum. The degree of lymphocyte stimulation was measured by tritiated thymidine uptake.RESULTS:In maternal serum, after immunotherapy, a highly significant blocking effect on MMPLC was observed in both directions. The extent of the blocking effect in maternal serum and the stimulation in control serum was much higher, after immunotherapy, in two cases of abortions, as compared to cases with normal pregnancy outcome.CONCLUSIONS:Although the number of cases is very small, it may be that in abortions, in the presence of maternal serum, disturbances in the balance of cytokines or/and specific antibodies could have cytotoxic effects on MMPLC and down regulate, or "block" the specific response. For a possibly better utilization of the MMPLC test in the prediction of pregnancy outcome after immunotherapy, it may be important to examine specific antibodies in maternal serum, to investigate specifically induced cytokines in MMPLC and to evaluate T cell subsets in MMPLC in the presence of maternal and control serum.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether bromhexine (Solvex) affects the rate of tear secretion or the concentration of lysosyme in the tear fluid in healthy subjects. The rate of tear secretion and lysosyme concentration in tear fluid were estimated in 56 healthy volunteers before and after 3 weeks of oral administration of placebo (tablets of vitamin C, 200 mg per day) followed by bromhexine tablets, 32 mg per day. Shirmer's test I was performed to evaluate the tear secretion, and the lysosyme plate method was used to detect lysosyme concentration. Shirmer's test showed similar results before and after placebo and bromhexine administration. In conclusion, oral bromhexine was found to have no effect on the rate of tear secretion, nor on the concentration of lysosyme in the tear fluid of healthy subjects.

Objectives - To examine whether sperm motility and morphology correlate with ability to undergo the acrosome reaction in vitro. Methods - Sixty-one seminal specimens were separated on a discontinuous Percoll gradient (70%, 40%). Percentages of motile and morphologically normal sperm, their motility grade, and percentages of acrosome-reacted sperm before and following acrosome reaction inducing treatment were estimated. Results - Percentage of motile sperm from normozoospermic specimens increased from whole semen (47.6 +/- 5.6) to sediments (59.6 +/- 13.0). Motility grade exhibited a similar trend (2.1 +/- 0.5 and 3.6 +/- 0.5 scale of 1-4}. Percentage of morphologically normal sperm increased from semen (27.3 +/- 10.9) to sediment (53.8 +/- 14.8). Ah differences were statistically significant, (P < 0.00). In abnormal semen the motility grade and percentage of morphologically normal sperm also increased from semen to sediment (1.9 +/- 0.4 to 3.2 +/- 0.8 and 17.7 +/- 7.8 to 37.1 +/- 15.4 respectively, (P < 0.001). Percentages of motile sperm were similar. In normozoospermic sediments, both non-treated or treated to induce the acrosome reaction, proportions of acrosome-reacted sperm were significantly higher than in semen (18.3 +/- 6.9% and 20.0 +/- 6.5% vs. 6.8 +/- 4.2% respectively, P < 0.001). A similar trend was obtained using abnormal aliquots; however, the acrosome-reacted sperm accounted for only 9.0 +/- 5.1% and 10.8 +/- 4.3% versus 5.4 +/- 2.8% (P < 0.025). Conclusions - Morphology and motility of sperm were correlated with the proportion of acrosome-reacted sperm.

Interferon alpha IIb was injected to adult male rats at doses ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 units. Animals were dissected at intervals of 12 h, 24 h, and 5 days. The activity of the enzyme sialyltransferase in testis homogenates was estimated. In the majority of experiments enzyme activity decreased in comparison to controls.

Sperm surface glycoproteins are modified during passage through the epididymis, a process believed to be important in the production of functionally mature spermatozoa. The effect of various cytokines on reproductive events has recently been investigated, with conflicting results. In the present investigation, the effect of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN alpha 2b) on sialyltransferase (ST) activity and beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase (Gal 2,6-ST) mRNA expression was studied in rat testicular tissue. The results revealed the presence of Gal 2,6-ST mRNA in rat testicular tissue, similar in molecular size to that found previously in rat spleen, lung, ovary, kidney, heart, and brain. In addition, we observed that IFN alpha 2b reduced Gal 2,6-ST mRNA and ST activity in rat testes by a comparable magnitude. These findings provide insight into an additional mechanism by which cytokines may affect the reproductive system.

The exact cause of liver failure occurring after long standing biliary obstruction is not known. Impairment of hepatic mitochondrial respiration was postulated in some studies. Sodium thiosulphate (STS) is known to have a protective effect on liver function during administration of hepatotoxic chemotherapy. In the present experimental study the effect of treatment with STS in the presence of obstructive jaundice was studied by determination of the survival rate of rats subjected to biliary obstruction and by polarographic determination of the hepatic mitochondrial function. Treatment with STS was found to result in a significant improvement in rats' survival rate (p < 0.05). Polarography demonstrated significant preservation of mitochondrial respiratory capacity after treatment with STS. The results of the present study show that the deterioration in liver function in the presence of biliary obstruction is probably caused by impairment of mitochondrial respiration. This may be preserved by treatment with STS. The exact explanation of its effect is not yet clear.

A routine blood analysis, using the Hitachi 717 analyser, of an asymptomatic patient with multiple myeloma revealed a phosphate concentration of 6.2 mmol/l (reference range 0.8-1.4 mmol/l). There was no clinical or biochemical evidence for secondary hyperphosphataemia. Two additional myeloma patients with a normal renal function were found to have serum phosphate concentrations of 5 and 4.7 mmol/l. Globulin-depleted sera of these patients were found to have phosphate levels within the normal range as assayed by a Hitachi 717. All these patients were found to have normal inorganic phosphate levels when a SMAC autoanalyser was used, thus indicating spurious readings by the Hitachi 717. The incidence of pseudohyperphosphataemia in 298 patients with normal renal function and hyperglobulinaemia was 8%. To test the direct effect of globulin on phosphate analysis by the Hitachi 717, globulin was precipitated from serum of myeloma and non-myeloma patients by ammonium sulphate. The analysed data showed a positive correlation between globulin concentration and the spurious phosphate levels. Furthermore, even when inorganic phosphate was completely removed from the tested samples, spurious phosphate readings were detected in the presence of globulins from either myeloma or non-myeloma patients by Hitachi 717. It can be concluded that the ammonium molybdate method for determining inorganic phosphate in the Hitachi 717 gives spuriously high phosphate levels in the presence of a high serum globulin concentration.

In a double-blind placebo-control study the immunomodulating effect of cimetidine treatment for one week and placebo was investigated for cell-mediated immune reactions of 22 patients with herpes zoster (HZ). The mitogen induced leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) and the in vitro proliferation of the patients' lymphocytes to exogenous IL-2 were used. Before any treatment, the mitogen induced leukocyte migration inhibition capacity (LMIC) of HZ patients was found to be significantly reduced (p < 0.02) as compared to healthy blood bank donors (controls). After one week, within the same treatment, the LMIC was significantly improved (p < 0.01). The patients' lymphoproliferative response to IL-2, before any treatment, was not significantly different from that of controls (p < 0.05). However, significantly higher values (p < 0.001) were found in patients tested 7 days after the disease onset as compared to those tested after 12 days. One-week cimetidine treatment significantly improved (p < 0.05) the lymphoproliferative response to IL-2 of initially low responders and had no effect on higher responder patients. In contrast to this, after one week of placebo treatment, a significant decrease in the patients' lymphoproliferative response to IL-2 could be observed as compared to patients' initial responses (p < 0.05) or to those of controls (p < 0.05). Although the number of cases is very small. The data suggest that after cimetidine treatment, as compared to placebo, healing from skin rash and pain was achieved in a significantly shorter time (p < 0.01).

A routine blood analysis, using the Hitachi 717 analyser, of an asymptomatic patient with multiple myeloma revealed a phosphate concentration of 6.2 mmol/l (reference range 0.8-1.4 mmol/l). There was no clinical or biochemical evidence for secondary hyperphosphataemia. Two additional myeloma patients with a normal renal function were found to have serum phosphate concentrations of 5 and 4.7 mmol/l. Globulin-depleted sera of these patients were found to have phosphate levels within the normal range as assayed by a Hitachi 717. All these patients were found to have normal inorganic phosphate levels when a SMAC autoanalyser was used, thus indicating spurious readings by the Hitachi 717. The incidence of pseudohyperphosphataemia in 298 patients with normal renal function and hyperglobulinaemia was 8%. To test the direct effect of globulin on phosphate analysis by the Hitachi 717, globulin was precipitated from serum of myeloma and non-myeloma patients by ammonium sulphate. The analysed data showed a positive correlation between globulin concentration and the spurious phosphate levels. Furthermore, even when inorganic phosphate was completely removed from the tested samples, spurious phosphate readings were detected in the presence of globulins from either myeloma or non-myeloma patients by Hitachi 717. It can be concluded that the ammonium molybdate method for determining inorganic phosphate in the Hitachi 717 gives spuriously high phosphate levels in the presence of a high serum globulin concentration.

METHOD:Forty-eight parents and 172 children were typed for class I HLA antigens, locus A,B.RESULTS:Although the number of cases is small, we observed: (1) a significantly decreased number of sons born after a first delivery of a son, as compared to a first delivery of a daughter; (2) significantly increased sharing of maternal class I HLA antigens between the firstborn son and his brothers from higher birth orders, as compared to his sisters; and (3) HLA-A2 antigen, which is known to be involved in HLA restricted cytotoxic reactions in the recognition of minor histocompatibility antigens, was inherited in subsequent deliveries of sons as compared to daughters in a significantly higher frequency from the paternal than from maternal HLA haplotype. The results suggest that sharing of identical maternal HLA haplotypes between brothers may aid to decrease the degree of maternal sensitization to fetal antigens, and lack of HLA-2 antigen in maternal cells from sons as compared to daughters may avoid maternal HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic reactions toward the male fetus.

OBJECTIVES:To compare spermatozoa from normal and subnormal seminal specimens in their ability to undergo the acrosome reaction, as defined by the triple-staining method.METHODS:Normal (39) and abnormal (23) specimens were examined by staining promptly after liquefaction. In a total of 32 specimens, the reaction was examined before and after acrosome-reaction-inducing treatment, which was essentially incubation of isolated sperm in BWW containing 0.3% BSA and 4 mM calcium chloride.RESULTS:Percentage of vital acrosome-reacted sperm (true acrosome reaction) of untreated specimens: normal, 10.0 +/- 4.9%, abnormal, 5.3 +/- 3.6% (P < .001). After treatment: increase in reacted sperm from normal specimens, 9.0 +/- 7.1% to 22.7 +/- 14.0% (P = .005); abnormal specimens, 5.4 +/- 2.9% to 7.3 +/- 4.2% (NS).CONCLUSIONS:Low capability of sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction might be a decisive factor in the low fertility potential characterizing the majority of abnormal semen. Effort in infertility treatment should be directed to increasing the proportion of acrosome-reacted sperm.

Interferon-α and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone are used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. The effect of 48 h exposure to recombinant interferon-α 2b (100 to 10,000 U/ml) and dexamethasone (1 μM to 1 mM) was studied in AF10, an IgE-secreting myeloma cell line. Interferon-α and dexamethasone at 10,000 U/ml and 1 mM respectiviely had a synergistic inhibitory effect on IgB concentration. Interferon-a and dexamethasone had an additive inhibitory effect on myeloma cell concentration. Interferon-α at 10,000 U/ml caused a twofold increase in sialyltransferase activity. Dexamethasone decreased sialyltransferase activity and attenuated the stimulatory effect of interferon-α. These data suggest that combined interferon-α and dexamethasone therapy might have a synergistic effect on monoclonal protein production and a diverse effect on sialyltransferase activity.

The influence of chemotherapy agents, doxorubicin (adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, and dexamethasone on the activity of sialyltransferase in human semen has been examined. Aliquots of 25 mcL semen were incubated for 2 hours with the above substances at concentrations ranging from 10 to 800 mcg/incubation mixture. The measurement of sialyltransferase activity was based on the incorporation of radioactive sialic acid from CMP (14) C sialic acid) into asialofetuin. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, at the maximal concentration of 800 mcg/incubation mixture exhibited an inhibiting effect on sialyltransferase activity which accounted for 15.7 +or- 16% and 12.2 +or- 16%, respectively. The rate of inhibition following incubation with maximal doses of dexamethasone (400 mcg) was 25.3 +or- 13%, respectively. The rate of inhibition following incubation with maximal doses of dexamethasone (400 mcg) was 25.3 +or- 12%. Inhibition caused by procarbazine did not exceed 5%. Inhibition of sialyltransferase in human semen by the materials examined in this study can diminish the transfer of sialic acid, thus interfering with normal glycoprotein's and glycolipid's syntheses in semen and possibly also in other fluids and tissues.

Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) was determined 1 h after normal term deliveries on peripheral blood lymphocytes from 42 mother-neonate pairs and in 29 maternal and neonatal sera. Results were evaluated according to maternal parity and sex of the neonate. The cases were divided into two groups: primiparae, and secundi- and multiparae. In primiparae the sialic acid level on lymphocytes from male neonates and from their mothers was by 23-30% decreased as compared to female neonatal and maternal cells. In the higher parity group, a significantly increased sialic acid level was found on lymphocytes from male as compared to female neonates, and maternal serum sialic acid concentration, unrelated to the newborns' sex, was by 17-20% increased as compared to primiparae. The results suggest that with increasing parity higher levels of sialic acid on male neonatal cells may possibly contribute to mask fetal male-specific histocompatibility antigens. Increased sialic acid levels in maternal sera from secundi- and multiparae suggest its possible contribution to an increased serum blocking effect.