Eimeria maxima: ELISA and Western blot analyses of protective sera

Infection of chickens with Eimeria maxima induces the production of parasite-specific antisera which can be used passively to protect naïve chickens against infection. Globulin fractions of these antisera can also be used passively to protect chickens. Similarly, intramuscular injection of soybean lectin affinity purified gametocyte antigens of E. maxima in Freund's Complete Adjuvant induces production of antibodies which are maternally transferred and thereby protect hatchlings against E. maxima. ELISA analyses of serum pools having varying protective capacities revealed good correlations between passive protection and levels of anti-unsporulated oocyst, anti-sporulated oocyst, anti-merozoite and anti-gametocyte antibodies. Western blotting demonstrated that the sera mainly recognized a number of high molecular weight antigens in all developmental stages and that the intensity of the reactions reflected the degree of protection induced by the sera. Sera from birds immunized with gametocyte antigens also recognized high molecular weight antigens from all the developmental stages, with banding patterns remarkably similar to those observed for sera from infected birds. Taken together, these results indicate that antibodies can protect against infection with E. maxima and these antibodies may recognize and act against asexual and/or sexual stages of the parasite.     

Diagnostic Strategy in Suspected Duodenal Ulcer Disease

Abstract. In a questionnaire study of 89 Danish gastroenterologists the current diagnostic strategy in patients suspected of having duodenal ulcer disease was elucidated. A case summary concerning a patient with upper abdominal pain was presented. It was assumed that the patient had had a double-contrast barium meal examination or an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed. If the X-ray had revealed a deformity of the duodenal bulb, 30% of the gastroenterologists would offer the patient specific medical treatment (H₂-blocking agent etc.), but a significantly higher number of gastroenterologists, 45%, (p<0.05) would offer specific medical treatment if a deformity was revealed at endoscopy. There was also a significant difference (p<0.01) between those who would offer specific treatment if X-ray (84%) or if endoscopy (100%) had revealed an ulcer. Considerable variation was found among experts in their decisions on the basis of X-ray and endoscopy in patients with suspected duodenal ulcer disease. Gastroenterologists generally rely more on endoscopic than on radiographic findings.     

Preparation of oligomer-free Nα-Fmoc and Nα-urethane amino acids

A variety of N^α-urethane blocked amino acids, in particular 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) derivatives, have been synthesized by utilizing intermediate O,N-bis-trimethylsilyl-amino acids, formed in situ by treating an amino acid with trimethylsilylchloride and a base in an aprotic solvent. The intermediate is then reacted with an acylating agent. A general procedure is given which eliminates the oligomerization side reactions normally observed in Schotten-Baumann type methods. Protected amino acids obtained from this procedure are of high purity as judged by t.l.c, HPLC, ion exchange chromatography, and other physical parameters.     

Reflex activation of the sympatho-adrenal system inhibits the gastrin release caused by electrical vagal stimulation in cats

The present study on anesthetized cats was performed to investigate how vagally induced gastrin release is influenced by simultaneous activation of the sympatho-adrenal system. The gastrin concentration in portal blood and in antral perfusates was measured with radioimmunoassay. The vagi were activated electrically and the sympatho-adrenal system by bilateral clamping of the carotid arteries. It was found that the vagally induced release of gastrin both into the circulation and into the antral lumen, was markedly inhibited (30% of control values) by simultaneous sympathetic activation, both at neutral and at acid intraan-tral pH. Infusions of adrenaline or noradrenaline did not mimick the effect on gastrin release induced by clamping of the carotid arteries. It is possible that the inhibitory effect of sympathetic activation on stimulated gastrin secretion is mediated via release of an inhibitory peptide. e.g. somatostatin, from the splanchnic nerves.     

Epicardial and Nonthoracotomy Defibrillation Lead Systems Combined with a Cardioverter Defibrillator

The intraoperative and long-term results were reviewed in 67 patients who underwent implantation of the Ventritex Cadence defibrillator with either epicardial patch (EPI, 25 patients) or nonthoracotomy CPI Endotak (ENDO, 42 patients) defibrillation lead systems. In the ENDO group, 35 patients (83 %) had a defibrillation threshold (DFT) of ≤ 20 joules and did not require a subcutaneous patch. Intraoperatively, the DFT was 13 ± 9 joules (mean ± SD) for EPI and 15 ± 8 joules for ENDO (P = NS). There was no perioperative death in either group. During a mean follow-up of 12 ± 8 months, there was no sudden death, and four patients died from congestive heart failure (3 EPI, 1 ENDO). During follow-up, 875 spontaneous arrhythmia episodes (AE) occurred in 15 of 25 EPI patients (60%). versus 652 in 28 of 42 ENDO patients (67%; P = NS). Ventricular tachycardia at a rate ≥ 222 beats/min or ventricular fibrillation represented 167 AE for EPI (19%) and 182 AE for ENDO (28%), and was terminated by the first shock in 76% and 75% of attempts, respectively. Ventricular tachycardia at a rate ≥ 222 beats/min represented a total of 1,178 AE and antitachycardia pacing was successful in 660 of 708 AE (93%) with EPI and 414 of 470 AE (88%) with ENDO lead systems (P= NS). Therefore, a nonthoracotomy approach using the Cadence V-100 is safe and effective and has clinical results that are not significantly different from epicardial defibrillation lead systems.