Infrared spectra and sequence length distribution in free radical styrene/methacrolein copolymers

The method of azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN)-initiated bulk copolymerization of styrene (S) and methacrolein (M) was employed to determine the monomer reactivity ratios r_S = 0.15 and r_M = 0.55 (Q_M = 1.50, e_M = 0.78). Quantitative IR spectroscopy in the region of 4000–450 cm^?1 was used to elucidate the structure of copolymers. In addition to methacrolein units containing aldehyde groups, the copolymers may also contain cyclic hemiacetal structures formed by the reaction of the carbonyls of the neighboring methacrolein units. The carbonyl absorption at 1722 cm^?1 showed that, up to 30 mole-% methacrolein in the copolymer, almost all methacrolein units have free aldehyde groups. The number of cyclic structures increases with the concentration of methacrolein in the copolymer. The experimental data are in agreement with the statistical theory on the sequence length distribution. The shift of the styrene band at 540 cm^?1 to higher wavenumber was investigated and related to the shortening of sequence length of the styrene units. The intensity of the styrene band at 760 cm^?1 was related with the distribution of the MSM triads and the copolymer structure.     

Multiple exostoses,mental retardation,hypertrichosis, and brain abnormalities in a boy with a de novo 8q24 submicroscopic interstitial deletion

Multiple exostoses represent a genetically heterogeneous disorder that may occur isolated or as part of a complex contiguous gene syndrome such as Langer-Giedion syndrome on chromosome 8 and the proximal 11p deletion syndrome on chromosome 11. Here we describe a boy with multiple exostoses, hypertrichosis, mental retardation, and epilepsy due to a de novo deletion on chromosome 8q24. Molecular analysis revealed that the deletion interval overlaps with the Langer-Giedion syndrome and involves the EXT1 gene and additional genes located distal to EXT1, but probably not encompassing the TRPS1 gene located proximal to EXT1.     

Competition-based cellular peptide binding assays for 13 prevalent HLA class I alleles using fluorescein-labeled synthetic peptides

We report the development, validation, and application of competition-based peptide binding assays for 13 prevalent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles. The assays are based on peptide binding to HLA molecules on living cells carrying the particular allele. Competition for binding between the test peptide of interest and a fluorescein-labeled HLA class I binding peptide is used as read out. The use of cell membrane-bound HLA class I molecules circumvents the need for laborious biochemical purification of these molecules in soluble form. Previously, we have applied this principle for HLA-A2 and HLA-A3. We now describe the assays for HLA-A1, HLA-A11, HLA-A24, HLA-A68, HLA-B7, HLA-B8, HLA-B14, HLA-B35, HLA-B60, HLA-B61, and HLA-B62. Together with HLA-A2 and HLA-A3, these alleles cover more than 95% of the Caucasian population. Several allele-specific parameters were determined for each assay. Using these assays, we identified novel HLA class I high-affinity binding peptides from HIVpol, p53, PRAME, and minor histocompatibility antigen HA-1. Thus these convenient and accurate peptide-binding assays will be useful for the identification of putative cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes presented on a diverse array of HLA class I molecules.     

Does disclosure of emotions facilitate recovery from bereavement? Evidence from two prospective studies

Two longitudinal studies assessed whether disclosure of emotions facilitates recovery from bereavement. Study 1 tested prospectively over a 2-year period whether the extent to which bereaved persons talked about their loss to others and disclosed their emotions was associated with better adjustment to the loss of a marital partner. There was no evidence that disclosure facilitated adjustment. Study 2 randomly assigned recently bereaved individuals either to the Pennebaker writing task (J. W. Pennebaker & S. K. Beall, 1986) or to no-essay control conditions. The writing task did not result in a reduction of distress or of doctors visits either immediately after the bereavement or at a 6-month follow-up. Beneficial effects were not demonstrated for bereaved persons who had suffered an unexpected loss or who at the time of the study still expressed a high need for emotional disclosure.     

Lipopolysaccharide augments IgG and IgE responses of mice to the latex allergen Hev b 5

Background: LPS is a common contaminant in the health care environment and in latex examination gloves. Objective: We sought to investigate the role of LPS in enhancing the immune responses of mice to inhaled latex allergen. Methods: As our model allergen, we used a fusion protein containing the potent latex allergen Hev b 5. BALB/c mice were lightly anesthetized and given repeated intranasal doses of saline, LPS, and/or Hev b 5. The doses were given in 2 courses separated by a 6-week period, with the first course consisting of 6 doses and the second consisting of 3 doses. Results: After the first set of immunizations, mice given Hev b 5 alone had no detectable IgG1 or IgE responses to Hev b 5, whereas mice given the antigen along with LPS had significant responses (IgG1, 0.73 U ± 0.05; IgE, 0.88 U ± 0.2). No enhancement of specific IgG2a was observed. A stimulatory effect of LPS on all 3 immunoglobulin types was apparent after the second course. Lymphocytes from mice immunized with LPS and Hev b 5 had increased proliferation to Hev b 5 and its fusion partner. Conclusions: LPS may be an important immunoadjuvant for the development of allergic reactions to latex protein allergens. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 199;102:977-83.)     

Differential histochemical peanut agglutinin stain in benign and malignant human prostate tumors: Relationship with prostatic specific antigen immunostain and nuclear DNA content

The histochemical binding pattern of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) lectin (PNA) was quantitatively described by means of computer-assisted microscope analysis in 28 benign prostatic hyperplasias (BPH), 15 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PIN), and 119 prostatic adenocarcinomas. PNA exhibits noninunune but selective binding to glycoproteins with β-D-galactosyl(1,3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues. We also investigated whether a relationship existed between the number of histochemical-related PNA acceptors and the histochemical prostate-specific antigen (PSA) stain intensity, and between the number of PNA receptors and DNA ploidy level. The results show that neoplastic prostate tissues and high-grade intraepithelial prostatic neoplasias (PIN2_3) exhibit a significantly higher number of PNA acceptors than benign prostatic hyperplasias and low (PIN1) grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasias. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the number of histochemically related PNA acceptors and PSA immunostain intensity. Lastly, diploid prostatic tumors, whether benign or malignant, exhibited a significantly higher number of PNA acceptors than aneuploid ones. These results suggest that PNA acceptors play an important role in the biology of prostate tumors.     

Human circulating specific antibody-forming cells after systemic and mucosal immunizations: differential homing commitments and cell surface differentiation markers

Circulating spontaneous antibody-secreting cells (ASC) induced by mucosal and systemic immunizations in human volunteers have been characterized with respect to differentiation stage and homing commitments. Irrespective of the immunization route, the large majority of ASC co-expressed CD19 and HLA-DR, which are normally lost during the transition of plasmablasts to plasmocytes, as well as CD38, a marker of activated B cell blasts, expressed also by plasmocytes. However, these cells expressed neither CD28, a molecule acquired by plasmocytes, nor CD22 and CD37, which are lost during the transition of plasmablasts to plasmocytes. Therefore, the large majority of ASC found in peripheral blood after oral and parenteral immunizations are terminally differentiated B cells, but not fully differentiated plasmocytes. As a whole, the mucosally derived ASC population seemed to be more homogenously differentiated. CD25 was detected on few ASC, whereas ASC expressing CD71 were more numerous, especially among systemically derived ASC. Almost all ASC expressed the adhesion molecules CD44 and α4-integrins, irrespective of immunization route. However, virtually all systemically derived ASC expressed L-selectin, recognizing the peripheral lymph node addressin, whereas only a minority of mucosally induced blood ASC expressed L-selectin. These studies are the first to demonstrate in humans that circulating precursors of mucosal B cell immunoblasts utilize organ-specific recognition mechanisms distinct from those of corresponding systemic B cells and appear to be more advanced in the B lineage maturation pathway. Specialization of receptor expression could explain both the unification of immune responses in diverse mucosal sites and the physiologic segregation of mucosal from non-mucosal immune mechanisms in humans.     

Chitosan hydrogel as a drug delivery carrier to control angiogenesis

An aqueous solution of photocrosslinkable chitosan containing azide groups and lactose moieties (Az-CH-LA) incorporating paclitaxel formed an insoluble hydrogel within 30 s of ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation. The chitosan hydrogel showed strong potential for use as a new tissue adhesive in surgical applications and wound dressing. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 molecules retained in the chitosan hydrogel and in an injectable chitosan/IO₄-heparin hydrogel remain biologically active, and were gradually released from the hydrogels as they biodegraded in vivo. The controlled release of biologically active FGF-2 molecules from the hydrogels caused induction of angiogenesis and collateral circulation occurred in healing-impaired diabetic (db/db) mice and in the ischemic limbs of rats. Paclitaxel, which is an antitumor reagent, was also retained in the chitosan hydrogel and remained biologically active as it was released on degradation of the hydrogel in vivo. The chitosan hydrogels incorporating paclitaxel effectively inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in mice. The purpose of this review is to describe the effectiveness of chitosan hydrogel as a local drug delivery carrier for agents (e.g., FGF-2 and paclitaxel) to control angiogenesis. It is thus proposed that chitosan hydrogel may be a promising new local carrier for drugs such as FGF-2 and paclitaxel to control vascularization.     

Absence of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA in lymphoma samples from Tasmania, Australia

AIMS: It has been postulated that the recent world-wide increase in the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) may have been caused by human infection with simian virus 40 (SV40) (a lymphotropic monkey virus that was introduced to man from contaminated poliovirus vaccines between 1955 and 1963); therefore, we set out to determine the incidence of SV40 DNA positivity in lymphoma samples from patients in Tasmania, Australia. METHODS: One hundred lymph node samples, 50 from patients with lymphomas and 50 from controls, were tested using PCR amplification of three SV40-specific primer pairs followed by dot-blot hybridisation. RESULTS: All of the samples tested contained amplifiable DNA, but none contained amplifiable SV40 sequences with any of the primer sets used. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate absence of SV40 in the lymphoid tissues of our study population in Tasmania, Australia. SV40 does not explain the increasing incidence of NHL in our population.