Expression of the structural proteins of dengue 2 virus and yellow fever virus by recombinant vaccinia viruses

Summary Vaccinia virus recombinants were constructed which contained cDNA sequences encoding the structural region of dengue 2 virus (PR159/S1 strain) or yellow fever virus (17D strain). The flavivirus cDNA sequences were expressed under the control of the vaccinia 7.5k early/late promotor. Cultured cells infected with these recombinants expressed immunologically reactive flavivirus structural proteins, precursor prM and E. These proteins appeared to be cleaved and glycosylated properly since they comigrated with the authentic proteins from dengue 2 virus- and yellow fever virus-infected cells. Mice immunized with the dengue/vaccinia recombinant showed a dengue-specific immune response that included low levels of neutralizing antibodies. Immunization of mice with the yellow fever/vaccinia recombinant was less effective at inducing an immune response to yellow fever virus and in only some of the mice were low titers of neutralizing antibodies produced.     

Mycoplasmacidal Activity of Peroxidase-H2O2-Halide Systems

A mycoplasmacidal system consisting of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-containing granules, H(2)O(2), and a halide is described. In all parameters measured, it appears to be identical to the MPO-H(2)O(2)-halide bactericidal system previously reported. It has a pH optimum of approximately 5.5 and an optimal MPO:H(2)O(2) ratio of 1:25. The halide requirement can be satisfied by either chloride or iodide. Through the use of taurine or horseradish peroxidase substitution, chloride-mediated killing can be distinguished from iodide-mediated killing. The relationship of this mycoplasmacidal system to other mycoplasmacidal systems and to host surveillance of mycoplasma is discussed.     

Quantification of isoforms of plasma MM creatine kinase (CK) with an immunoblot procedure

The MM isoenzyme of creatine kinase, a dimer composed of two M ("muscle type") subunits, is found in myocardium, where it constitutes 85% of tissue CK, and in skeletal muscle, where it constitutes virtually 100%, as well as in other tissues. The tissue form is designated MMA. When MMA circulates in plasma, it undergoes stepwise, post-translational modification, mediated by proteolytic enzymes in plasma and giving rise to isoforms called MMB and MMC, which lack carboxy terminal lysine on one or two subunits, respectively. We have shown previously that changes with time in plasma profiles of MM creatine kinase (CK) isoforms in dogs reflect myocardial infarction within 1 hour after the onset of coronary occlusion and permit noninvasive detection of reperfusion within 30 minutes after release of an occlusive coronary arterial ligature. However, analysis of MM CK isoforms in plasma from patients has been hampered by the lack of availability of quantitative as opposed to qualitative methods. This study was performed to develop and validate an assay with the sensitivity and specificity needed for accurate quantification of MM CK isoforms in samples of plasma from patients. A rapid assay procedure will be required ultimately for prospective, clinical use. However, as a first step and for use in development and standardization of rapid assays, a procedure is needed for accurate qualification of isoforms even if its implementation is laborious and slow. The isoform composition of normal plasma was found to comprise 32.0% MMA, 34.9% MMB, and 32.7% MMC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A Three-Year Longitudinal Study Comparing Bone Mass,Density, and Geometry Measured by DXA,pQCT, and Bone Turnover Markers in Children with PKU Taking L-Amino Acid or Glycomacropeptide Protein Substitutes

In patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), treated by diet therapy only, evidence suggests that areal bone mineral density (BMDa) is within the normal clinical reference range but is below the population norm. Aims: To study longitudinal bone density, mass, and geometry over 36 months in children with PKU taking either amino acid (L-AA) or casein glycomacropeptide substitutes (CGMP-AA) as their main protein source. Methodology: A total of 48 subjects completed the study, 19 subjects in the L-AA group (median age 11.1, range 5–16 years) and 29 subjects in the CGMP-AA group (median age 8.3, range 5–16 years). The CGMP-AA was further divided into two groups, CGMP100 (median age 9.2, range 5–16 years) (n = 13), children taking CGMP-AA only and CGMP50 (median age 7.3, range 5–15 years) (n = 16), children taking a combination of CGMP-AA and L-AA. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was measured at enrolment and 36 months, peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT) at 36 months only, and serum blood and urine bone turnover markers (BTM) and blood bone biochemistry at enrolment, 6, 12, and 36 months. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups for DXA outcome parameters, i.e., BMDa (L2–L4 BMDa g/cm²), bone mineral apparent density (L2–L4 BMAD g/cm³) and total body less head BMDa (TBLH g/cm²). All blood biochemistry markers were within the reference ranges, and BTM showed active bone turnover with a trend for BTM to decrease with increasing age. Conclusions: Bone density was clinically normal, although the median z scores were below the population mean. BTM showed active bone turnover and blood biochemistry was within the reference ranges. There appeared to be no advantage to bone density, mass, or geometry from taking a macropeptide-based protein substitute as compared with L-AAs.     

School refusal in anxiety-disordered children and adolescents

The characteristics of anxiety-based school refusal were examined in 63 school refusing children and adolescents referred to an outpatient anxiety disorder clinic. Patients were assessed on sociodemographic, diagnostic, and personality variables, as well as familial history of school refusal. Results suggest that there are two primary diagnostic "subgroups" of school refusers--separation anxious and phobic. Phobic school refusers had a later age of onset and showed more pervasive (severe) school refusal than separation anxious school refusers. By contrast, separation anxious school refusers were more likely than phobic school refusers to have mothers who had a history of school refusal problems. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

急性髓细胞白血病血型变异1例

1　临床资料　患者 ,女 ,6 1岁 ,1999- 0 6 - 0 3日确诊为急性红白血病 (M6 ) .先后 4次住院 ,鉴定血型均为 O型 . 2 0 0 0 - 0 1- 2 2日复诊 ,正反鉴定表明 ,患者红细胞与抗 - B不凝集 ,与抗 - A凝集 ,血清中有抗 - B抗体 (表 1) ,吸收释放试验证实为 A型 (表2 ) .输 A型浓缩红细胞 2 μ,无不良反应 .表 1　血型正反鉴定试剂血清试剂红细胞标本抗 A 抗 B 抗 A+ B Ac Bc Oc被检红细胞 2 + -3+ ---自身血清 -3+ -表 2　吸收、放散试验被检 RBC吸收抗血清后上清被检 RBC吸收抗血清后释放液试剂细胞抗 A修正液抗 B修正液抗 A修正液抗…