Epitope mapping of PR81 anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody following PEPSCAN and phage display techniques

PR81 is an anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) which was generated against human MUC1 mucin that reacted with breast cancerous tissue, MUC1 positive cell line (MCF-7, BT-20, and T-4 7 D), and synthetic peptide, including the tandem repeat sequence of MUC1. Here we characterized the binding properties of PR81 against the tandem repeat of MUC1 by two different epitope mapping techniques, namely, PEPSCAN and phage display. Epitope mapping of PR81 MAb by PEPSCAN revealed a minimal consensus binding sequence, PDTRP, which is found on MUC1 peptide as the most important epitope. Using the phage display peptide library, we identified the motif PD(T/S/G)RP as an epitope and the motif AVGLSPDGSRGV as a mimotope recognized by PR81. Results of these two methods showed that the two residues, arginine and aspartic acid, have important roles in antibody binding and threonine can be substituted by either glycine or serine. These results may be of importance in tailor making antigens used in immunoassay.     

Up-regulation of platelet-derived growth factor by peripheral-blood leukocytes during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

In multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), clinical disease is associated with infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS) by immune cells. Subsequent remission with remyelination has been linked to an increased occurrence of oligodendrocyte progenitor (O2A) cells. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) are key growth factors for O2A cells, yet little is known about their relevance in EAE and MS. We analyzed the expression of PDGF, FGF-2, and their receptors by peripheral-blood leukocytes (PBLs) and lymphocyte subsets during MBP-induced EAE. Strong up-regulation of PDGF, but not FGF-2, was observed in PBLs, with the highest expression after the disease maximum. T, NK, and NKT cells expressed PDGF, which is a novel observation because thus far only monocytes/macrophages have been reported to express PDGF. These results extend the idea that growth factors may contribute to improved CNS tissue repair, including PDGF, which is secreted by lesion-homing immune cells. The production of PDGF by lymphocytes may have potential therapeutic value when activating or modulating T-cell responses in demyelinating diseases.     

The role of nitric oxide in diabetes-induced changes of morphine tolerance in rats

Several neuroendocrine complications including diabetes change the morphine antinociception and the development of tolerance to the drug. Morphine antinociception was reduced significantly in morphine tolerant diabetic rats compared to the non-diabetic animals. The exact mechanism of this effect is not known. This study was performed to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) on morphine tolerance in diabetic state. Nociceptive responses in alloxan-induced diabetic morphine tolerated rats were measured by the hot-plate test. The urinary nitric oxide level was measured spectrophotometrically with Griess reagent. For the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, vanadium chloride was used. The results showed that experimental diabetes increased morphine analgesia. Conversely, degree of tolerance to morphine was diminished in diabetic state. The urinary nitrite content in diabetic morphine tolerated rats was higher than non-diabetic groups. L-arginine significantly increased the NO production in diabetic morphine tolerated animals, whereas aminoguanidine decreased it. Appropriately, L-arginine increased the latency time of reaction to noxious stimuli in diabetic compared to non-diabetic rats. L-arginine-treated animals also showed more tolerance to morphine analgesia. As expected, aminoguanidine deducted the level of morphine tolerance in diabetic animals. It is suggested that NO has a modulatory role in the effects of diabetes on morphine analgesia and tolerance.     

Opium poisoning following self‐medication of radiation‐induced dermatitis with topical use of opium latex traditional extract; a teaching case

Despite Radiation‐induced dermatitis is a self‐limiting complication, it can be complicated if inappropriate self‐medications have been used such as opium latex traditional extract.     

Efficacy of corrective spinal orthoses on gait and energy consumption in scoliosis subjects: a literature review

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive growth disease that affects spinal anatomy, mobility, and left-right trunk symmetry. As a consequence, AIS can modify human gait. Spinal orthoses are a commonly used conservative method for the treatment of AIS.

Objective: This review evaluated the AIS spinal orthosis literature that involved gait and energy consumption evaluations.

Study design: Literature review.

Method: According to the population intervention comparison outcome measure methods and based on selected keywords, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Results: People with AIS who wore a spinal orthosis, compared with able-bodied participants, walked slower with decreased hip and pelvic movements, decreased hip mediolateral forces, ground reaction force asymmetry, and excessive energy cost. Pelvis and hip frontal plane motion decreased when wearing an orthosis. Hip and pelvis movement symmetry improved when using an orthosis. Ankle and foot kinematics did not change with orthotic intervention. People with AIS continued to have excessive energy expenditure with an orthosis.

Conclusion: Spinal orthoses may be considered for improving the walking style, although energy cost does not decline following the orthotic intervention.

• Implications for Rehabilitations

• Problems related to scoliosis include reduced quality of life, disability, pain, postural alterations, sensory perturbations, standing instability and gait modifications.

• Wearing corrective spinal orthoses in AIS subjects produce a reduction in walking speed and cadence, increase in stride length and reduction of gait load asymmetry compared to without brace condition.

• Spinal orthoses do not decline excessive energy expenditure to walk versus without it.

     

Electrical impedance tomography of human brain function using reconstruction algorithms based on the finite element method

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a recently developed technique which enables the internal conductivity of an object to be imaged using rings of external electrodes. In a recent study, EIT during cortical evoked responses showed encouraging changes in the raw impedance measurements, but reconstructed images were noisy. A simplified reconstruction algorithm was used which modelled the head as a homogeneous sphere. In the current study, the development and validation of an improved reconstruction algorithm are described in which realistic geometry and conductivity distributions have been incorporated using the finite element method. Data from computer simulations and spherical or head-shaped saline-filled tank phantoms, in which the skull was represented by a concentric shell of plaster of Paris or a real human skull, have been reconstructed into images. There were significant improvements in image quality as a result of the incorporation of accurate geometry and extracerebral layers in the reconstruction algorithm. Image quality, assessed by blinded subjective expert observers, also improved significantly when data from the previous evoked response study were reanalysed with the new algorithm. In preliminary images collected during epileptic seizures, the new algorithm generated EIT conductivity changes which were consistent with the electrographic ictal activity. Incorporation of realistic geometry and conductivity into the reconstruction algorithm significantly improves the quality of EIT images and lends encouragement to the belief that EIT may provide a low-cost, portable functional neuroimaging system in the foreseeable future.     

Decision for disclosure: The experiences of Iranian infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive donation procedures

Controversy surrounding disclosure among the recipients of assisted reproductive donation procedures is escalating worldwide, but little research has been conducted in this topic. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive donation procedures. In this exploratory qualitative study, 32 patients (nine couples and 14 women) who were candidates to use donor eggs, donor embryos or surrogacy, and 5 members of infertility treatment team including gynaecologists, midwives and psychologist (total 37) were purposively selected from the Montaserieh Infertility Research Centre at Mashhad, Iran in 2012 and interviewed using a semi-structured in-depth method. Data were analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis with MAXqda software. One overarching theme, entitled ‘experiencing uncertainty surrounding the disclosure to others’ was identified from the data. This theme contained two subthemes including ‘Couples’ decisions to not disclose to others’ and ‘Couples’ decisions to disclose to others’. Five categories formed the first subtheme, and the second subtheme emerged from four categories which are discussed in this paper. The main reason for secrecy was concern over societal negative views about assisted reproductive donation procedures. This worry deprived the couples from support from family and friends and as a result requires them to tolerate psychological pressure when using such procedures.     

Nanocomposite of hydrophobic cellulose aerogel/graphene quantum dot/Pd: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application

Novel hydrophobic cellulose aerogel (CA) supported graphene quantum dots (GQD)/Pd were synthesized with high lipophilicity, superior porosity as well as high catalytic activity. The nanocomposite aerogel was obtained in four steps, including transformation of cotton to CA, a silanization reaction of CA in the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles to give polysiloxane/TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on CA (ST@CA), a modification of ST@CA with GQD to yield polysiloxane/TiO₂ nanoparticles/graphene quantum dots supported on CA (STG@CA), and finally a deposition of Pd nanoparticles on STG@CA. The synthesized aerogel demonstrated hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 136.2°. It also exhibited excellent oil/water selective absorption capacity with an oil absorption of up to 79 g g⁻¹ with 134 g g⁻¹ selectivity. Finally, the nanocomposite was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the oxidation reaction of alcohols, ethylbenzene, and alkenes. High yields, excellent selectivities, green and mild reaction conditions, recyclability and biocompatibility of the catalyst were important features of the reactions.

Novel hydrophobic cellulose aerogel (CA) supported graphene quantum dots (GQD)/Pd were synthesized with high lipophilicity, superior porosity as well as high catalytic activity.