The hematopoietic stimulatory activities of human recombinant IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were directly compared using highly enriched human bone marrow progenitor target cells. IL-3 supported a larger number of erythroid and megakaryocytic progenitor cells than did GM-CSF, while GM-CSF supported more myeloid progenitors. IL-3 directly stimulated the divis...

Microorganisms that have been identified in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) are of concern because they can cause infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to assess the incidence of microbial contamination in DUWLs before and after intervention to reduce contamination, and to investigate the presence of coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Water s...

The fungal population and distribution of aflatoxin-producing fungi in 30 samples of imported almond powder products purchased from retail markets were examined in this study. Total counts of fungi ranged from under 1.0 x 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/g to 8.5 x 10(3) CFU/g as determined with the dilution plating technique. The predominant fungi in the mould-contaminated almond samples were Asp...

Platelet factor 4 (PF4) is a multifunctional protein specific to platelets, synthesized in megakaryocytes and stored in alpha granules. This report of our work shows that PF4 potently inhibits human megakaryocyte colony formation in vitro. Colony formation by megakaryocyte progenitor cells from normal bone marrows was studied using the plasma clot culture system and indirect immunoperoxidase st...

PURPOSE We previously reported that the c-myb and Vav proto-oncogenes are amenable to silencing with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and that inhibition of either impairs leukemic cell growth. Because the expression of these genes is not known to be linked, we sought to determine the therapeutic value of silencing both genes simultaneously in K562 and primary patient (n = 9) chronic myelogenous...

Further in vitro studies of hematopoietic regulation were carried out in two patients with polycythemia vera who were also heterozygotes (Gd(B)/Gd(A)) for glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G-6-PD). While only G-6-PD type A was detectable in circulating erythrocytes, granulocytes and platelets, cultures of peripheral blood and marrow from one patient revealed a substantial number of G-6-PD type...

Recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF) is homologous with recombinant rat SCF (rrSCF) and is a ligand for c-kit. We determined the influence of SCF on hematopoiesis in vitro and in vivo in baboons. In vitro, SCF alone stimulated little growth of hematopoietic colony-forming cells from baboon marrow, but did increase the number of colonies formed in response to erythropoietin (Epo), interleuki...

Bacterial colony counting is a significant technical hurdle for vaccine studies as well as various microbiological studies. We now show that an automated colony counter can process images obtained with a digital camera or document scanner and that any laboratory can efficiently have bacterial colonies enumerated by sending the images to a laboratory with a colony counter via internet.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) may attenuate the response to vascular injury by maintaining endothelial integrity and function. Our aim was to determine whether circulating HPC number and function correlate with restenosis after carotid endarterectomy. METHODS HPC number (CD34(+)/CD133(+) cells), early colony-forming units, migratory capacity, and senescence were...