Morphologic and Functional Characteristics of Long-Term Cultures of Murine Myeloma Cells

Although permeation of capillary endothelia by horseradish peroxidase has been related to the presence of narrow channels between cells, junctions between endothelial cells in the aorta contain extensive regions that are occluded by apposition or fusion of the adjacent plasma membranes. Despite this, intravenously infused horseradish peroxidase rapidly appears within both the endothelial cell junctions and the microvesicles and caveoli. This suggests that the enzyme may arrive in the junctional space by some route other than passage between the endothelial cells. One possibility is vesicular transport from the lumen to the junctional cell surface. Alternatively, the occluded regions may represent only a partial permeability barrier, which either incompletely surrounds each cell in the manner of the maculae occludentes of epithelia, or leaves passages open between some cells while completely closing the perimeter of others. The aortic intima also differs from other vessel linings in having a reticular form of basement membrane. The structural role of this reticulum in supporting the endothelium remains undetermined as does its effect on premeability of the intima.     

DADOS-Survey: an open-source application for CHERRIES-compliant Web surveys

Background  

The Internet has been increasingly utilized in biomedical research. From online searching for literature to data sharing, the Internet has emerged as a primary means of research for many physicians and scientists. As a result, Web-based surveys have been employed as an alternative to traditional, paper-based surveys. We describe DADOS-Survey, an open-source Web-survey application developed at our institution that, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to be compliant with the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). DADOS-Survey was designed with usability as a priority, allowing investigators to design and execute their own studies with minimal technical difficulties in doing so.     

Molecular identification of pathogenetic IdLNF+1 autoantibody idiotypes derived from the NZBxSWR F1 model for systemic lupus erythematosus

The acceleration of nephritis in SNF(1) mice by CD4(+) T-cell clones reactive with a nephritogenic idiotype, Id(LN)F(1) [1], as well as the ability of anti-Id(LN)F(1) antisera to down-regulate the production of Id(LN)F(+)(1) immunoglobulin (Ig) in vivo and delay nephritis [2], suggests that dysregulation of this idiotype may contribute to the development of SNF(1) nephritis. Herein, we show that a monoclonal Id(LN)F(1)-expressing antibody, 540, significantly (P< or = 0.01) stimulated Id(LN)F(1)-reactive T-cell clones B6 and D2 to proliferate, while other Id(LN)F+1 antibodies did not. Further, injection of 540-producing hybridoma cells into nonautoimmune (SWRxBalb/c)F(1) mice resulted in the deposition of Id(LN)F(+)(1) Ig in the kidneys, in a pattern indicative of early nephritis. To identify the pathogenetic Id(LN)F(1) epitope(s) at the molecular level, we compared the deduced amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions of pathogenetic and non-pathogenetic Id(LN)F(1)-expressing Igs 540, 317, and 533. Two overlapping peptides derived from the V(H) sequence of 540 (aa 54-66 and 62-73), which both contain the triple basic amino acid motif K(X)K(X)K, stimulated SNF(1) T cells and T-cell clones B6 and D2. These results further support the involvement of a subset of Id(LN)F(1)-expressing Ig in SNF(1) nephritis.     

Factors associated with BMI, weight perceptions and trying to lose weight in African-American smokers

This study examined sociodemographic, behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with BMI, weight perceptions and trying to lose weight among African-American smokers (N=600, M=44.2 years, 70% female). Sixty-eight percent of the sample were overweight or obese (sample BMI M=28.0, SD=6.7). Three separate, simultaneous multivariable regression models were used to determine which factors were associated with BMI, weight perceptions and trying to lose weight. Poorer health, female gender and high-school education or higher were significantly associated with higher BMIs (p<0.05). Being female (OR=5.8, 95% CI=3.6-9.3) and having a higher BMI (OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.5-0.6) was associated with perception of overweight and smoking more cigarettes per day (OR=1.0, 95% CI=1.0-1.1), and perceiving oneself as overweight (OR=14.1, 95% CI=8.2-24.2) was associated with trying to lose weight. Participants somewhat underestimated their BMI in their weight perceptions. Those who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely to be trying to lose weight; therefore, increasing participant awareness of actual BMI status may lead to improved weight-control efforts in African-American smokers. Several expected associations with outcomes were not found, suggesting that BMI and weight constructs are not well-understood in this population.     

Inhibition of interleukin-17 prevents the development of arthritis in vaccinated mice challenged with Borrelia burgdorferi

We showed that Borrelia burgdorferi-vaccinated interferon gamma-deficient (IFN-gamma(0)) mice challenged with the Lyme spirochete developed a prominent chronic severe destructive osteoarthropathy. The immune response underlying the development of the severe destructive arthritis involves interleukin-17 (IL-17). Treatment of vaccinated IFN-gamma(0) mice challenged with B. burgdorferi with anti-IL-17 antibody delayed the onset of swelling of the hind paws but, more importantly, inhibited the development of arthritis. Histopathologic examination confirmed that treatment with anti-IL-17 antibody prevented the destructive arthropathy seen in vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice. Similar preventive results were obtained when vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice were treated with anti-IL-17 receptor antibody or sequentially with anti-IL-17 antibody followed by anti-IL-17 receptor antibody. By contrast, treatment of vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice with recombinant IL-17 (rIL-17) did not alter the development and progression of arthritis found in vaccinated and challenged IFN-gamma(0) mice without treatment with rIL-17. Therapeutic intervention may be a realistic approach to prevent arthritis, especially if IL-17 is involved in the perpetuation of chronic or intermittent arthritis.     

Client choice of treatment and client outcomes

Participants in this study suffered from severe mental illness and were homeless at baseline. They were given their choice of five different treatment programs. The current study investigated two major questions: (1) what is the impact of positive expectancies about the efficacy of the chosen program on number of contacts with the chosen program and client outcomes; and (2) what is the impact of positive views about nonchosen programs (alternative choice variables) on contact with the chosen program and client outcomes. Client outcomes assessed were psychotic symptoms, days homeless, and client satisfaction. Positive expectancy variables were the number of reasons for choosing a program and confidence that the program would help. Alternative choice variables were the number of nonchosen programs visited and the attractiveness of a nonchosen program. Only the number of reasons for choosing the program was significantly related to program contact with the chosen program. Both of the positive expectancy variables and program contact were significantly correlated with consumer satisfaction. In general, neither the positive expectancy variables nor the alternative choice variables predicted changes in psychotic symptoms nor days homeless. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 339–348, 2003.     

T cell stimulation in the absence of exogenous antigen: a T cell signal is induced by both MHC-dependent and -independent mechanisms

Mature T cells residing in peripheral lymphoid organs have frequent contact with antigen presenting cells (APC). Such contact may be required for T cell survival, but the degree to which signals in mature T cells are induced by TCR recognition of self peptide/MHC complexes is unclear. We have used induction of the early growth response gene 1 (Egr1) as an indicator of signal transduction in 3.L2 (I-Ek-restricted) T cells interacting with APC in the absence of exogenous antigen. The data show that Egr1 can be induced in 3.L2 T cells by TCR recognition of self peptides presented by I-Ek. However, a more transient induction of Egr1 can be induced in 3.L2 T cells interacting with dendritic cells derived from class II/beta2m double-deficient mice. Egr1 induction after T cell-APC contact was also observed in a freshly isolated polyclonal CD4 T cell population. The data suggest that self peptide/MHC recognition by the TCR induces a signal in T cells and that dendritic cells can also induce a more transient T cell signal by an MHC-independent mechanism.     

Quantitative measurement of IgE antibodies to purified allergens using streptavidin linked to a high-capacity solid phase

BACKGROUND: Commercially available assays for IgE antibody provide results in international units per milliliter for many allergen extracts, but this is not easily achieved with purified or novel allergens. OBJECTIVE: To develop assays for IgE antibody suitable for purified or novel allergens by using a commercially available immunosorbent. METHODS: Streptavidin coupled to a high-capacity immunosorbent (CAP) was used to bind biotinylated purified allergens from mite (Der p 1 and Der p 2), cat (Fel d 1), and dog (Can f 1). Assays for IgE antibody to these allergens were performed on sera from children (asthma and control) as well as adults with atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: The results were validated by serial dilution of sera with high and low levels of IgE antibody and were quantitated in international units per milliliter by using a standard curve. Values for IgE antibody to Der p 1, Der p 2, and Fel d 1 correlated with values obtained with the allergen extracts (r2 = 0.80, 0.84, and 0.95, respectively; P < .001 in each case). Furthermore, the values for IgE antibody in sera from children with high exposure to mite and cat allergens demonstrated 10-fold higher levels of IgE antibody to Der p 1 and Der p 2 than to Fel d 1 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The streptavidin immunosorbent technique provides a new method for quantifying IgE antibody to purified proteins. The results provide evidence about the high quantities of IgE antibody to purified inhalant allergens in patients with atopic dermatitis. In addition, the results demonstrate major differences in IgE antibodies specific for mite and cat allergens among children with high exposure to both allergens.