Two major populations of dendritic cells (DCs), myeloid and plasmacytoid, can be isolated from human peripheral blood, and are distinguished by differential expression of the cell surface markers CD11c and CD123. These two populations of DCs also are different in their expression of Toll-like receptor (TLRs), which are involved in their activation. To investigate the early events during activation of peripheral DCs, the cells were stimulated in vitro with ligands for TLR-4 (as in lipopolysaccharides [LPS]) or TLR-9 (CpG-containing oligonucleotide [CpG]). The earliest change in protein expression detected after stimulating peripheral DCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or CpG was increased production of the chemokine interleukin (IL)-8. Enhanced production of IL-8 occurred already within 2 hours of stimulation in both myeloid dendritic cells (M-DCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (P-DCs), and preceded expression of the well established activation marker CD40. Although both populations of DCs secreted IL-8 upon activation, the levels of IL-8 produced was several times higher within the M-DCs compared with the P-DCs population. Before activation, both subsets of DCs expressed the IL-8 receptor type B (CD128b); but after stimulation the IL-8 receptor was down-regulated in both populations of DCs. Increased expression of MHC class II molecules is generally regarded as an early activation marker of DCs. However, only the P-DCs showed a significant up-regulation of MHC class II after stimulation. The M-DC population up-regulated MHC class II without any prior activation; thus care should be taken using increased expression of MHC class II molecules as an early activation marker of peripheral M-DCs after activation in vitro.In conclusion, we propose that during activation of human DCs the production of IL-8 and loss of CD128b are the earliest signs of activation preceding both MHC class II, CD40, CD80, and CD86 expression. Human Immunology 68, 324 -333 (2007).

Background Although pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls are common among older persons, causing deteriorated health status, they have not been studied altogether among older persons receiving different types of municipal health care. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of risk for pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls among older persons aged ≥65 years receiving municipal health care in southern Sweden. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 12,518 persons aged ≥65 years) using data from the national quality registry Senior Alert was conducted. The prevalence of risk for pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls was calculated based on categorical data from the instruments available in Senior Alert. T-tests, chi-square test, the Mantel- Haenszel test and logistic regression models were performed. Results The prevalence of risk for pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls was 27.9, 56.3, 34.2 and 74.5% respectively. Almost 90% of the older persons had at least one health risk. The prevalence of risk for pressure ulcers, poor oral health and falls was significantly higher in dementia care units compared to short term nursing care, home health care and nursing homes. The prevalence of risk for malnutrition was significantly higher among older persons staying in short term nursing care compared to other types of housing. The odds of having a risk for malnutrition were higher in short term nursing care compared to other types of housing. The oldest age group of 95–106 years had the highest odds of having a risk for falls. The presence of multiple health risks in one subject were more common in dementia homes compared to nursing homes and home health care but not compared to short term nursing care. Conclusion The prevalence of risk for pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls was high, implying that these health risks are a great concern for older persons receiving municipal health care. A comprehensive supporting preventive process to prevent all the investigated health risks among older persons receiving municipal health care is recommended.

SYNOPSIS The prophylactic anti‐migraine effect of atenolol was compared to placebo in a multicentre study on 63 patients with classical and/or common migraine. The study design was double‐blind cross‐over and patients were given atenolol 100 mg o.d. or matching placebo during a study treatment period of 24 weeks. The effect of atenolol was significantly better than that of placebo: integrated headache values were reduced in 70% of the patients (p = 0.004) and the proportion of days with headache was reduced in 59% of the patients (p = 0.010). Few side effects were reported with both atenolol and placebo. This study shows atenolol to be safe and effective in the prophylactic treatment of migraine.

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a b s t r a c tHuman dendritic cells (DCs) constitute a heterogeneous population of antigen-presenting cells characterized by a unique capacity to stimulate naïve T cells. The functions of DCs depend on the particular subset and in this study we compare two types of myeloid DCs: freshly isolated blood mDCs and in vitro generated monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs), in their ability to accomplish endocytosis.In our hands, these two DC subtypes showed similarities in the expression of surface markers, but displayed clear differences in endocytic capacity. Freshly isolated blood mDCs showed a high propensity to capture and endocytose particles compared to in vitro generated MoDCs. The blood mDCs also showed a clear receptor-enhanced endocytosis when zeolite particles were co-adsorbed with IgG. On the other hand, the MoDCs differed remarkably compared to blood mDCs in the capture of ovalbumin and immune complexes. Interestingly, the MoDCs showed low endocytosis of IgG-coated particles but an efficient capture of immune complexes. The MoDCs also showed a high capacity to capture ovalbumin although with a relatively low degree of internalization. These data indicate distinct differences in the early process of endocytosis featured by mDCs and MoDCs, which is important to consider when choosing DC populations for future functional or clinical applications. Ó