Can a part of an inducer become incorporated into interferon?

Highly purified and concentrated interferons obtained from L cells or from mouse peritoneal leukocytes (MPL) after induction with³H-uridin labeled double-stranded RNA of f₂ phageE. coli (phage ds-RNA) were analysed by poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A coincidence of the discrete radioactivity peak with one of the interferon activity peaks was demonstrated.     

Solid-phase radioimmunoassay in antibody-coated tubes for the quantitative determination of tetanus antibodies

A technique using antibody-coated tubes allows the radioimmunological determination of tetanus antibodies in a simple and rapid way. The procedure is based on the competition for¹²⁵I-tetanus toxin between the insolubilized antibodies and the antibodies present in the unknown sample. When antibodies and¹²⁵I labeled tetanus toxin are incubated in the antibody-coated polyethylene vessel the detection limit is about 0.016 IU/ml. When tetanus toxin is preincubated together with its antibody in uncoated vessels before the mixture is transferred to antibody-coated vessels, the sensitivity can be raised about tenfold. The method is especially useful for screening multiple samples.     

Solid phase C1q microassay for the rapid detection of circulating immune complexes

A C1q solid phase microassay was designed for the rapid detection of circulating immune complexes. Its level of sensitivity is comparable to that of the Raji cell and greater than the C1q binding assay; furthermore, it is faster and low in cost. These conditions make it more practical and applicable in the clinical setting.     

Chicks from a high and low feather pecking line of laying hens differ in apomorphine sensitivity

Proactive rodents show a larger behavioral response to apomorphine (APO) than reactive copers, suggesting a more sensitive DA system in proactive individuals. Previously, chicks from a high feather pecking (HFP) and low feather pecking line (LFP) have been suggested to display a proactive and reactive coping strategy, respectively. Therefore, at approximately 4 weeks of age, the behavior of 48 LFP and 48 HFP chicks in response to an APO injection was studied using an open field. Another objective of the present study was to determine whether behavioral variation (in an open field) between HFP and LFP birds, after APO injection, is also reflected by variation of D(1) and D(2) receptor densities in the brain. Receptor binding capacities were assessed by measuring specific binding of tritiated D(1) and D(2) receptor ligands in different regions of the brain of control HFP and LFP chicks. In the present study, it is shown that indeed HFP chicks display a more enhanced behavioral response to acute APO treatment (0.5 mg/kg BW) than LFP birds in an open field. This difference was not reflected by variation of D(1) and D(2) receptor densities in the brain between both lines.     

Use of two parallel oxygenators in a very large patient (2.76 m2) for an acute "A" dissecting aortic aneurysm repair

The very large patient (weight 142 kg, height 197 cm, body surface 2.76 m2) was referred to acute operation with dissecting type A ascending aortic aneurysm. The calculated blood flow was 6.63 l/min. To anticipate potential difficulties with perfusion and oxygenation two oxygenators connected in parallel were incorporated into the circuit. Bentall procedure with ACB to the RCA was performed. The perfusion was uneventful. Bypass time was 259 minutes, cross clamp time 141 minutes, circulatory arrest 7 minutes. The highest oxygenators gas flow was 2.6 l/min with maximum FiO2 0.42. The use of two in parallel connected oxygenators is a very effective, easy and safe method in such extreme perfusions, offering to the perfusionist a great reserve of oxygenator output.     

Diurnal rhythms of leptin and ghrelin in the systemic circulation and in the gastric mucosa are related to food intake in rats

We investigated diurnal changes in leptin and ghrelin levels in the stomach and in the systemic circulation and their relation to food intake rhythms in Wistar rats housed at 22 °C with a 12-h light/dark cycle and free access to food and water. Animals were sacrificed every 3 h over a 24-h period. Leptin and ghrelin levels in serum and in the gastric mucosa were analysed by immunoassay. Leptin mRNA levels were determined in the gastric mucosa by RT-PCR and in different adipose tissue depots (epididymal, retroperitoneal and mesenteric) by Northern blot. Ghrelin mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot. Gastric and serum leptin levels displayed similar diurnal rhythms, rising during the dark phase and decreasing gradually during the light phase. Leptin expression in the different adipose tissue depots correlated positively with circulating leptin levels (P<0.05), although there were some depot-associated differences. Leptin mRNA levels in the mesenteric depot correlated positively with food intake (P<0.05). In blood, ghrelin levels rose sharply just before the onset of the dark phase and dropped suddenly just after. In the stomach, ghrelin levels were high during the fasting period of light and low during the night, and correlated inversely with food intake, gastric contents and serum leptin levels (P<0.05). Leptin and ghrelin in the stomach and in the systemic circulation thus show diurnal variations that are influenced by food intake rhythms. The results agree with a role for ghrelin as a stimulant of meal initiation.     

In vitro bioactivity of laser ablation pseudowollastonite coating

Pseudowollastonite (psW) coatings on titanium alloys substrates were prepared by laser ablation and immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for different periods in order to investigate the nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite (HA)-like formation on their surface. The structure of the coatings before soaking was analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The interfacial reactions product was examined by thin-film XRD, SEM and transmission electron microscopy at low and high resolution level, both fitted with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Additional changes in ionic concentration, using inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, were determined as well as pH right at the psW-coatings/SBF interface using an ion-sensitive field effect transistor. The solution composition changes, increasing the Ca(2+) and Si(4+) concentration and pH as a function of the soaking time while HPO(4)(2-) decreased.The results obtained showed that the coating surfaces were covered by HA-like, which indicated that the psW-coating possesses good bioactivity and also suggested that the mechanism of HA-like layer formation in SBF was similar to that showed in in vitro test by other silica-based materials.     

Immunity in HIV-1-Infected Adults with a Previous State of Moderate-Severe Immune-Suppression and More Than 500 CD4+ T Cell After Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

We evaluated phenotypic and functional parameters of immune restoration of 27 HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (HIV-cases) with HIV-RNA levels below detectable limits at least during 18 months, and CD4+ cell per microliter higher than 500 at the moment of the study and lower than 300 anytime before. These patients were compared with 11 HIV-controls that never had less than 500 CD4+ cell per microliter and 20 healthy-controls (HIV seronegative subjects) in a cross-sectional study. HIV-cases had lower counts of naïve CD4+ than HIV-controls and healthy-controls. HIV-patients (both HIV-cases and HIV-controls) showed higher values of naïve and memory CD8+ counts than healthy-controls. TREC-bearing cell levels were significantly lower in HIV-cases than in healthy-controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures, HIV-cases had lower values in proliferation to streptokinase (SK) and tetanus toxin (TT) than in healthy-controls. HIV-cases had lower IFN-γ and higher IL-5 production with pokeweed than healthy-controls (P < 0.01). However, IL-5 production of HIV-cases after TT stimulation was lower than in HIV-controls and healthy-controls. Total IgG and IgG1 levels were significantly higher in HIV-cases than in HIV-controls and healthy-controls. Also, IgM levels were significantly higher in HIV-cases than in healthy-controls. Nevertheless, IgG2 levels were significantly lower in HIV-cases and HIV-controls than in healthy-controls. The levels of specific Igs antipneumococcal capsular polysaccharide and TT were significantly lower in HIV-cases than in healthy-controls. HIV-patients with a previous state of severe-moderate immunosuppression normalizing their CD4+ counts have a incomplete immune reconstitution after HAART. Long-term consequences of this subclinical immune deficiency remain to be determined.     

A severe form of amyloidotic polyneuropathy in a Costa Rican family with a rare transthyretin mutation (Glu54Lys)

Four affected siblings in a Costa Rican family presented an aggressive polyneuropathy with widespread involvement of many visceral organs and onset during the third decade of life with rapid loss of muscle mass in the lower limbs and severe dysautonomy. The medical histories include vitreous opacity, cardiac enlargement, dermal and gastrointestinal infiltration, and autonomic dysfunction including circulatory compromise and gastrointestinal disturbances. Histological studies using Congo red stain and immunohistochemical assays with antibodies against the transthyretin (TTR) protein showed widespread deposition of amyloid in extracellular areas, including dermis and gastrointestinal lamina propia, endo- and perineural spaces, and vascular walls. A mutation search in the transthyretin (ttr) gene was performed seeking the cause of this severe form of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). We applied single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP)-analyses followed by sequencing of the four exons of the ttr gene, revealing a point mutation in exon 3, a G to A transition that causes a Glu54Lys codon change. Western blots of plasma proteins incubated with anti-transthyretin antibodies after gel electrophoresis provided separation of wild-type and mutant TTR protein in affected family members.