Similarity of Bovine Rotavirus Receptor and Human Rotavirus Receptor

Rotavirusesaretheleadingcauseofviralgastroenteritis worldwide.Theseviruses,includinghumanrotavirus (HRV)andbovinerotavirus(BRV),whichprimarilyin fectchildrenandyounganimals,cancauseseveredehy dratingdiarrhearesultinginsignificantmorbidity,mortali tyand…     

Can Fecal Calprotectin Level Be Used as a Markers of Inflammation in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Cow's Milk Protein Allergy?

Purpose

Calprotectin is a cytosolic protein with immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative actions. The concentration of calprotectin increases in infection, inflammation, and malignancy. We determined if calprotectin can be used as a marker for the diagnosis and follow-up of bowel inflammation in cow''s milk protein allergy (CMPA).

Methods

In total, 32 patients newly diagnosed with CMPA were included (24 IgE-mediated, 8 non-IgE-mediated). In all subjects, a complete blood count, total IgE, cow''s milk-specific IgE, and fecal calprotectin (FC) were assessed before and after a cow''s milk protein (CMP) elimination diet was started. The results were compared with those of 39 healthy children.

Results

The mean FC value before the CMP elimination diet was 516±311 µg/g in the 32 patients with CMPA and 296±94 µg/g in the control group (P=0.011). The mean FC value after the diet in these patients was 254±169 µg/g, which was significantly different from the mean value before the CMP elimination diet (P<0.001). When we compared FC levels before the CMP elimination diet in the IgE-mediated group with the control group, we found no significant statistical difference (P=0.142). The mean FC value before the CMP elimination diet was 886±278 µg/g in the non-IgE-mediated group and 296±94 µg/g in the control group; this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). In the IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated groups, FC values after CMP elimination diet were 218±90 µg/g and 359±288 µg/g, respectively, and FC values before CMP elimination diet were 392±209 µg/g and 886±278 µg/g, respectively; these differences were statistically significant (P=0.001 and P=0.025, respectively).

Conclusions

FC levels may be a useful marker for follow-up treatment and recurrence determination in CMPA.     

Rhythmic Photostimulation and the Number of α-Rhythm Dipoles in the Human Brain

The numbers of -rhythm equivalent current dipoles (ECD) arising in the human brain before and during rhythmic photostimulation at the -rhythm frequency was studied in six healthy adult subjects. Dipoles were calculated using a single-dipole model for the whole of the -range and three subranges by solution of inverse equations in a three-layer model of the head obtained by simultaneous use of EEG data and MRI tomograms of the subjects' heads. The number of apparent ECD was significantly associated with rhythmic photostimulation and depended on the phase of the -rhythm wave at which stimulation started and on the type of visual illusion (circle, spiral, grid) appearing during this time. The relationship between these data and the hypothetical wave process scanning the human visual cortex at the frequency of the -rhythm is discussed.     

Immunological aspects of the binding of substrate analogues and polypeptide inhibitors to α-chymotrypsin

The effects of substate analogues and various polypeptide inhibitors on the immunological behavior of α-chymotrupsin have been observed by means of quantitative complement fixation. The interaction of α-chymotrypsin with substrate analogues produced a slight increase of the complement fixed over that fixed by α-chymotrypsin alone. The immunological effects of the interaction of α-chymotrypsin with polypeptide inhibitors were not uniform. Soybean and basic pancreatic inhibitors showed very little, in any, effect on complement fixation. An inhibitor isolated from the navy bean (phaseolus vulgaris) produced a shift of the complement fixation curve to the left with nearly double the maximum amount of complement fixed.Complement fixation by chymotrypsinogen with rabbit anti-α-chymotrypsin sera, was much greater than that produced by α-chymotrypsin itself. It is possible that some chymotrypsinogen was present in the α-chymotrypsin used for immunization.Both the substrate and the polypeptide inhibitors were per se without any effect either on the anti-α-chymotrypsin antibodies or on the lytic activity of the complement, or on the complement fixation produced by nonrelated immunological systems. A conformational change of the enzyme upon the interaction with substrate analogues and the navy bean inhibitor may explain this immunochemical behavior of α-chymotrypsin.     

Interaction Between Proteoglycans and α-Elastin in Construction of Extracellular Matrix of Human Yellow Ligament

One type of large proteoglycan and three types of small proteoglycans (decorin, decorin-subtype, and biglycan) were purified by chromatography, and α-elastin was isolated by alkali treatment from human yellow ligaments taken at the time of operation. The interaction of the proteoglycans with immobilized α-elastin on a sensor was analyzed by surface plasmon resonance, and we confirmed that each of the small proteoglycans exhibited a specific binding to α-elastin. The binding sites of small proteoglycans were contained in the protein cores. In addition, the differences in the interaction of the small proteoglycans with α-elastin of normal and ossified ligaments were compared. The interactions of the small proteoglycans with α-elastin of the ossified ligaments were lower than those with α-elastin of the normal ligaments. In the ossified ligaments, neodesmosine, one of the cross-linking amino acids, was significantly less than in the normal ligaments (p < .05).     

Pharmacokinetics,Biodistribution and Elimination of Recombinant Human Homoserine Thymosin α1 in Rats and Mice

Objective: To study the pharmacokinetic, distribution and elimination properties of rhTα 1 after intravenous(i.v.) and subcutaneous(s.c.)injection in mice and rats. Methods: Competition ELISA was used for testing drug concentration in serum, urine, bile and tissue after administration of rhTα 1 in mice(0.16, 0.5, 2.5 mg/kg) and rats(0.32, 1, 5 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by Win Nolin software. Results: Absorption of rh Tαl is rapid in both mice and rats after s.c. administration. The pharmacokinetics in mice are characterized by linear, T_(1/2) showed a prolongation with increasing dose, 1.10, 1.35, and 1.50 h corresponding to 0.32, 1 and 5 mg/kg respectively, but in rats T_(1/2) showed no difference among doses. AUC0-∞ showed a clear increase with increasing doses in mice(904.18, 2998.83, and 19001.82 h*ng/m L) and in rats(1327.56 ±237.00,2924.53 ±685.14, and 35286.26 ±5999.58 h*ng/m L). After i.v. administration of 1 mg/kg rhTα 1 in mice, the drug is seen distributed in most organs, the thymus/serum exposure ratio was higher than others at the 1 and 2 h, the accumulative urinary excretion of primary drug was 32.97% ±15.85% within 6 h. Conclusion: The results indicate that rapid absorption, extensive distribution and quick renal excretion were the basic kinetic characteristics of rh Tαl after s.c. and i.v. administration.     

The Thomsen-Friedenreich Antigen and αGal-specific Human IgG Glycoforms: Concanavalin A Reactivity and Relation to Survival of Cancer Patients

Glycan structures of IgG strongly influence the affinity for Fcγ receptors and antibody effector functions. However, no particular attention has been paid yet to the glycosylation of tumor antigen-specific IgG. The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the concanavalin A lectin (ConA) reactivity of human anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) and anti-αGal specific IgG in gastric cancer patients and healthy controls and (ii) to evaluate whether the ConA-reactivity of anti-TF and anti-αGal specific IgG is associated with the survival rate of patients with cancer. Total IgG was purified from the sera of patients with gastric cancer and healthy blood donors. The anti-TF and anti-αGal glycotope specific IgG were detected with ELISA using synthetic saccharide-polyacrylamide conjugates as antigen. In parallel plate, the ConA reactivity of the anti-TF or anti-αGal IgG was determined and the ConA index was calculated. Results show that serum anti-TF specific IgG antibodies of patients with cancer contain significantly higher content of ConA positive IgG glycoform compared to IgG of controls. No correlation between the ConA reactivity of anti-TF IgG and anti-αGal IgG was observed. High level of anti-TF IgG ConA reactivity was associated with a significantly lower survival rate of patients with gastric cancer.     

MicroRNAs: Potential Biomarkers and Targets of Therapy in Allergic Diseases?

Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that are 18–22 nucleotides long and highly conserved throughout evolution. Currently,...     

Effect of α1-Acidic Glycoprotein in the Ascitic Fluid of Cancer Patients on Human NK Cells: Selective Suppression of Interferon-Induced NK Activation

The in vitro effect of C-AGP (pure 1-acid glycoprotein from the ascitic fluid of cancer patients) on NK cell cytotoxicity was tested using normal healthy human PBMC. C-AGP had no inhibitory effect on basal NK cell activity. C-AGP selectively suppressed the augmentation of NK cell activity by rIFNA and rIFN, but C-AGP did not prevent the NK activation by rIL-2. NK cells in PBMC treated with C-AGP for 12 h and then washed just once, to remove the C-AGP, fully recovered the ability to respond to rIFNA. However, after the treatment of PBMC with C-AGP for 5 or 6 days, NK cells failed to respond to rIFNA, in spite of washing to remove C-AGP from the cultures. Monocytes were necessary for the suppressive effect of C-AGP on rIFNA activation of NK cells. Indomethacin restored the ability of NK cells to respond to rIFNA in C-AGP-treated PBMC. These results suggest that monocytes are able to selectively suppress the response of NK cells to IFNs in the presence of, or following treatment with C-AGP.     

Characteristics of Radioimmunoassays for the α- and β-Subunits of Human Luteinizing Hormone

Abstract

The binding characteristics and specificities of the National Hormone and Pituitary Program (NHPP) kits for the radioimmunoassay of the alpha- and beta-subunits of human luteinizing hormone (hLH-α and hLH-β) were studied, as well as the specificities of the anti-hLH and anti-human follicle stimulating hormone (anti-hFSH) antisera distributed by the same organization. The affinity constants of the anti-hLH-α and anti-hLH-β antisera were calculated at 157 ± 8.4 nM^?1 and 109 ± 7.4 nM^?1, respectively. Both antisera were highly specific with regard to the other subunit. However, in the homologous hLH-α RIA, native hLH cross-reacted at 21.9%, hFSH at 17.5% and hTSH at 7.9%. The alpha-subunit of the human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG-α, was equipotent with the hLH-α standard in this assay. In the homologous hLH-β RIA, hLH showed a cross-reactivity of 14.7% while the cross-reactivities of hCG-β, hFSH and hTSH were 3.5%, 1.2% and 0.6%, respectively. The anti-hFSH antiserum was highly specific, while the anti-hLH antiserum showed non parallel competition curves. With this knowledge of the specificity of each antiserum, corrections can be properly made for the assays of hLH, hLH-α and hLH-β while the hFSH RIA can be used without correction for the presence of the three other components.     

Analysis of Serum Activities of Matrix Metalloproteinases and α1-Proteinase Inhibitor in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Activities of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 7 and α1-proteinase inhibitor were measured in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Correlations between enzyme activity and the main parameters of carbohydrate metabolism were studied. In patients, significant reduction of matrix metalloproteinase activity in the serum was noted, which correlated with the decrease in blood concentration of C-peptide (r = 0.8). At the same time, serum activity of α1-proteinase inhibitor increased. No significant relationships between patient’s age, glucose concentration, fructosamine concentration, and matrix metalloproteinase activity were observed.     

Blocking of Histamine Release and IgE Binding to FcεRI on Human Basophils by Antibodies Produced in Camels

Purpose

The production of camel heavy-chain antihuman IgE (huIgE) that has the potential to block IgE-FcεRI interaction and histamine release by basophils.

Methods

Camels were immunized with a synthetic loop peptide (SLP) designed in a multiple antigen peptide system (MAPS) forming SLP-MAPS immunogen. Camel polyclonal antibodies (PCAs) were produced, purified, characterized using Protein A & G, ELISA, and SDS-PAGE, and tested for their potency to block passive sensitization and histamine release of human basophils using flow cytometry (FCM) and ELISA, respectively.

Results

FCM data indicated that camel conventional (IgG1) and heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs; IgG2, and IgG3) had blocking activities of 43.9%, 72%, and 96.6%, respectively. Moreover, both IgG2 and IgG3 achieved remarkable inhibition rates of 93.98% and 97.05% in histamine release, respectively, whereas the IgG1inhibiting activity was 60.05%.

Conclusions

Camel PCAs produced against SLP-MAPS were capable of blocking the IgE-receptor interaction and the release of histamine by basophils with superiority to HCAbs. These findings may pave the way toward the possible use of camel anti-huIgE HCAbs as blocking antibodies in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergy and asthma.     

Expression and regulation of αB-crystallin in the kidney in vivo and in vitro

αB-crystallin, a major component of the mammalian eye lens, is a small heat shock protein and molecular chaperone that is also abundant in the mammalian kidney. The present study aimed to characterize more closely the intrarenal expression and regulation of αB-crystallin in vivo and in vitro. In normal rat kidney, the expression of αB-crystallin mRNA and protein were both close to the detection limit in cortex, but increased steeply from the outer to the inner medulla where αB-crystallin constitutes approximately 2% of total tissue protein. Immunohistochemistry disclosed papillary collecting duct cells and thin limbs as the major sites for intrapapillary αB-crystallin immunoreactivity. In rats subjected to sucrose diuresis for 3 days, αB-crystallin mRNA expression was reduced by 27 and 46% in outer and inner medulla, respectively. In agreement with the results obtained in vivo, in Madine–Darby canine kidney cells, αB-crystallin mRNA and protein were induced significantly by elevating the medium osmolality to 500 mosm/kg H₂O by the addition of NaCl and raffinose, and also by urea. The NaCl-induced increase in αB-crystallin expression was concentration-dependently blunted by SP600125, a specific JNK inhibitor. Overexpression of αB-crystallin in 293 cells resulted in increased tolerance to acute osmotic stress. These results indicate that αB-crystallin may be regulated by papillary interstitial tonicity in a JNK-dependent process. Moreover, the high abundance of αB-crystallin in the renal medulla may be important for cell survival in an environment characterized by extreme interstitial solute concentrations as present during antidiuresis.     

Psychosocial and Clinical Correlates of Fatigue in Haemodialysis Patients: the Importance of Patients’ Illness Cognitions and Behaviours

Purpose

Fatigue is commonly experienced in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and is associated with poor outcomes. Currently, little research has examined the psychosocial correlates of fatigue severity and its impact on renal disease patients. We predicted that psychological factors (distress, cognitions and behaviours) would be associated with fatigue severity and impairment in ESKD patients even when controlling for clinical and disease factors.

Method

One hundred seventy-four haemodialysis patients completed the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (fatigue severity) and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (fatigue-related impairment) in addition to measures evaluating distress, fatigue perceptions, symptom beliefs and behaviours. Demographic and clinical data were also collected.

Results

Fatigue severity was not related to haemoglobin levels, serum albumin or dialysis vintage. In hierarchical regression models, demographic and clinical factors explained 20 % of the variance in fatigue (ethnicity, body mass index, exercise, log C-reactive protein and multimorbidity). Psychological distress (beta?=?0.21, p?<?0.01), negative beliefs about fatigue (beta?=?0.10, p?=?0.01) and unhelpful behaviours (all-or-nothing behaviour [beta?=?0.28, p?<?0.01] and avoidance [beta?=?0.16, p?<?0.01]) explained an additional 36.4 % of the variance. Fatigue-related impairment was associated with psychological distress, perceptions that symptoms indicate damage, avoidance behaviour and the level of fatigue severity.

Conclusion

Patients’ mood, beliefs and behaviours are associated with fatigue in dialysis patients. Psychological interventions to alter these factors may reduce fatigue severity and fatigue-related disability in ESKD patients.