Cytotoxic T-cell response to ectromelia virus-infected cells. Different H-2 requirements for triggering precursor T-cell induction or lysis by effector T cells defined by the BALB/c-H-2(db) mutation

The T(c)-cell response to ectromelia virus infection was studied in BALB/c-H-2(db) mice which carry a loss mutation in the H-2D region that results in the absence from cell surfaces of a molecule (D’) bearing certain public H-2 specificities. When infected, these mice showed a poor response of T(c) cells that recognize H-2D(d) plus virus-specific determinants on infected macrophage targets, but gave a normal response to H-2K d plus virus-specific antigens. However, their own infected macrophages do display wild-type antigenic patterns involving virus and H-2D(d) since they were killed as efficiently as wild-type (BALB/c,H- 2(d))-infected cells by T(c) cells specific only for H-2D(d) plus viral antigens. When tested in vitro, infected BALB/c-H-2(db) cells stimulated a poor T(c)-cell response to H-2D plus virus-specific antigens, but stimulated a normal response (in comparison with infected BALB/c macrophages) to H-2K(d) plus viral antigens. Uninfected BALB/c-H-2(db) cells stimulated a normal T(c)-cell response to minor H antigens or trinitrophenyl in association with H-2D(d), thus suggesting that the defective response to infection may reside in a failure of the relevant H-2D(d) antigens of mutant cells to physically associate with viral antigens. Close association of viral and H-2D-coded molecules was also suggested by ability of specific anti-H-2K or -H-2D to partially block T(c)-cell-mediated lysis of infected targets. These results were interpreted to mean that H-2Dd-dependent, virus- immune T(c) cells recognized an antigenic pattern consisting of virus- specific and H-2D(d) determinants with the latter borne on an H-2D molecule carrying serologically-defined H-2D(d) private specificities. A second H-2D(d)-coded molecule (D’) was not required for recognition and lysis by activated T(c) cells, but was apparently necessary for efficient stimulation of precursor T(c) cells, perhaps by promoting appropriate physical association of viral and H-2D(d) molecules.     

Combined multiphoton imaging-pixel analysis for semiquantitation of skin penetration of gold nanoparticles

Interaction of nanoparticles with the skin barrier is a recent area of research that draws a lot of attention from the researchers. However, monitoring nanoparticles in or through the skin is mainly based on qualitative microscopical techniques. Yet, a quantitative approach is required for a better basic understanding. In response, a combined "multiphoton-pixel analysis" method was developed in this study for semiquantitation of gold nanoparticles penetration into different skin layers. The developed approach provides a useful tool for future studies focusing on skin penetration of nanoparticles for the aim of health risk assessment or for the design of topical and transdermal drug delivery systems.     

Type IIB Tampa: a variant of von Willebrand disease with chronic thrombocytopenia, circulating platelet aggregates, and spontaneous platelet aggregation

Type IIB von Willebrand disease is characterized by enhanced ristocetin- induced platelet aggregation and absence of large von Willebrand factor multimers from plasma. An alteration of the von Willebrand factor molecule resulting in increased reactivity with platelets appears to be the basis for these abnormalities. We have now identified a new variant of type IIB von Willebrand disease in a family in which the four affected members also have chronic thrombocytopenia, in vivo platelet aggregate formation, and spontaneous platelet aggregation in vitro. In spite of repeatedly prolonged bleeding times and persistent thrombocytopenia, their bleeding diathesis is only moderate.     

Corpus callosum and limbic system: neuroanatomic MR evaluation of developmental anomalies

Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a complex malformation of the brain that has been associated with varying degrees of limbic system maldevelopment. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients with callosal agenesis (seven total, four partial) who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with particular attention to the associated malformations of the limbic system. Comparison was made with selected images from MR examinations of healthy volunteers and with necropsy specimens from other patients with callosal agenesis. Ten of 11 patients demonstrated limbic anomalies (severe motion artifact precluded evaluation of these structures in one patient). MR depicted not only the abnormalities intrinsic to callosal agenesis but also the frequently associated malformations of the limbic system.     

Hydroxy- and amino-substituted piperidinecarboxylic acids as gamma-aminobutyric acid agonists and uptake inhibitors

The syntheses of (3RS,4RS)-4-hydroxypiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (4), (3RS,5SR)-5-hydroxypiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (20), (3RS,4SR)-4-acetamidopiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (10), and (3RS,5SR)-5-acetamidopiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (18), related to the specific gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake inhibitors (RS)-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid (nipecotic acid) and (3RS,4SR)-4-hydroxypiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (21), are described. Furthermore, (3RS,4SR)-3-hydroxypiperidine-4-carboxylic acid (14), related to the specific GABA agonist piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (isonipecotic acid), has been synthesized. The structures of 4, 10, 14, 18, and 20 have been established by 270-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopic analyses. The affinity of the compounds for the GABA receptors and for the neuronal (synaptosomal) GABA uptake system in vitro has been measured. Compound 14 interacts selectively with the GABA receptors but less effectively than isonipecotic acid and the cis-isomer 22. Compounds 4, 18, and 20 are inhibitors of the GABA uptake system, although much weaker than nipecotic acid and (3RS,4SR)-4-hydroxypiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (21). Compound 10 is inactive in both test systems.     

Potential antineoplastics I: substituted 3,5-dioxo-and 3-thioxo-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines.

The synthesis of some 6-substituted 3,5-dioxo- and 3-thioxo-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines for possible antineoplastic activity is reported. The assigned structures were substantiated by IR, NMR, and mass spectral studies of representative members of the series. Four compounds were tested against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia and were inactive.