Synthetic peptides from a conserved region of gp120 induce broadly reactive anti-HIV responses.

In our efforts to identify products that might be used for active immunotherapy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, we have studied synthetic peptides derived from the CD4 attachment site of gp120. Two peptides have emerged with particularly interesting properties. The first (B138) is linear and spans the envelope residues 421-438; the second (1005/45) encompasses amino acids 418-445 and is cyclized by way of a disulphide bond joining its terminal cysteines. Both species have been shown to inhibit syncytial formation in a conventional bioassay, B138 being the most efficient. Both peptides elicit high titres of anti-peptide antibodies in immunized mice, rabbits and goats, with titres exceeding 1:10(5) in many cases. A substantial portion of this response is directed against gp120 as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis by flow cytometry has demonstrated that the antisera are broadly reactive with multiple diverse strains of HIV. The anti-gp120 activity of the anti-peptide antiserum was further confirmed by radioimmuno-precipitation (RIP) assays. Furthermore, RIP analysis and inhibition experiments in a GD4-gp120 binding assay have revealed that anti-peptide sera contain antibodies directed against the CD4 attachment site on gp120 and interfere with this receptor-ligand interaction.     

Synaptic actions of the ventral root afferents on cat hindlimb motoneurons

Postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) with long latencies were evoked in cat hindlimb motoneurons by stimulation of the distal stump of a cut ventral root. Measurements of their latency and the threshold in the responsible afferent fibers showed that they were produced mainly by the activity of the unmyelinated fibers in the ventral root that enter the spinal cord through the dorsal root. Patterns of PSPs evoked in flexor and extensor motoneurons by ventral root stimulation were similar to those observed in the flexion reflex.     

Controlled elimination of intracellular H(2)O(2): regulation of peroxiredoxin, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase via post-translational modification

The predominant enzymes responsible for elimination of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in cells are peroxiredoxins (Prxs), catalase, and glutathione peroxidases (GPxs). Evidence suggests that catalytic activities of certain isoforms of these H(2)O(2)-eliminating enzymes are extensively regulated via posttranslational modification. Prx I and Prx II become inactivated when phosphorylated on Thr(90) by cyclin B-dependent kinase Cdc2. In addition, the active-site cysteine of Prx I-IV undergoes a reversible sulfinylation (oxidation to cysteine sulfinic acid) in cells. Desulfinylation (reduction to cysteine) is achieved by a novel enzyme named sulfiredoxin. c-Abl and Arg nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases associate with catalase in cells treated with H(2)O(2) by mechanisms involving the SH3 domains of the kinases and the Pro(293)PheAsnPro motif of catalase and activate catalase by phosphorylating it on Tyr(231) and Tyr(386). Similarily, GPx1 is activated by c-Abl- and Arg-mediated phosphorylation. The tyrosine phosphorylation is critical for ubiquitination-dependent degradation of catalase.     

Molecular epidemiology of rotaviral infection in South Indian children with acute diarrhea from 1995-1996 to 1998-1999

The distribution of VP7 (G-) and VP4 (P-) genotypes among 126 rotavirus strains from South Indian children, < 5 years of age and with acute diarrhoea, presenting to a single hospital during the months to November and December, from 1995 to 1998, was studied. Multiplex hemi-nested G- and P-typing polymerase chain reactions determined 101 (80%) G types and 78 (61%) P types, respectively. In order of frequency, the commonest G types were G1, G4, G2, G9, G3, and G8, and P types were P1B[4], P1A[8], and P2A[6] and the most common G:P combinations were G1:P1A[8], G1:P1B[4], G2P1B[4] and G4:P1A[8]. G1, G2, and G4 types were seen in all years. The single G3 isolate was seen in 1998. The single G8 isolate and the 5 G9 isolates were seen in 1997, after a period of heavy rain. Sequence analysis showed that the G8 isolate was related most closely to the bovine strain A5, and the G9 strains were distinct from the nonpathogenic Indian isolate 116E and similar to G9s isolated in Mysore and the United Kingdom described previously.     

Evidence that productive rearrangements of TCR γ genes influence the commitment of progenitor cells to differentiate into αβ or γδ T cells

Two models have been considered to account for the differentiation of γδ and αβ T cells from a common hematopoietic progenitor cell. In one model, progenitor cells commit to a lineage before T cell receptor (TCR) rearrangement occurs. In the other model, progenitor cells first undergo rearrangement of TCRγ, δ, or both genes, and cells that succeed in generating a functional receptor commit to the γδ lineage, while those that do not proceed to attempt complete β and subsequently α gene rearrangements. A prediction of the latter model is that TCRγ rearrangements present in αβ T cells will be nonproductive. We tested this hypothesis by examining Vγ2-Jγ1Cγ1 rearrangements, which are commonly found in αβ T cells. The results indicate that Vγ2-Jγ1Cγ1 rearrangements in purified αβ T cell populations are almost all nonproductive. The low frequency of productive rearrangements of Vγ2 in αβ T cells is apparently not due to a property of the rearrangement machinery, because a transgenic rearrangement substrate, in which the Vγ2 gene harbored a frame-shift mutation that prevents expression at the protein level, was often rearranged in a productive configuration in αβ T cells. The results suggest that progenitor cells which undergo productive rearrangement of their endogenous Vγ2 gene are selectively excluded from the αβ T cell lineage.     

Malignant granular cell tumor at the retrotracheal space

We report a case of an extremely rare neoplasm, malignant granular cell tumor (MGCT). The patient was a 21-year-old woman, who was 5 months pregnant. The tumor occurred in the retrotracheal space, extending from the level of the larynx to the thoracic inlet. In addition, there were multiple, variable-sized tumor nodules within both lung fields on chest CT scan. Histologically, tissue biopsied from the periphery of the tumor consisted of solid sheets of large ovoid cells with ample, eosinophilic cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. Each cell showed slight atypism of the nuclei. There was a focal necrosis at the periphery of the lesion. These cells stained strongly for S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and CD68. On electron microscopy, the tumor cells contained autophagic vacuoles. The patient refused further treatment and died 7 months later. The exact cause of death was not known. Until now, the diagnosis of MGCTs has been made only when metastasis and an aggressive clinical course are identified, although some observers advocate that some histologic features such as nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis, and the presence of any mitotic activity are indicative of malignancy. These histologic findings are not easily detectable in every case of MGCT, as in our case. So the diagnosis of a MGCT should be considered in cases with aggressive clinical findings and some histologic features, such as necrosis, nuclear atypism, and mitotic activities, which could suggest the malignant behavior of this neoplasm.     

Predominance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the residents and environments of long-term care facilities in Taiwan

Background/purpose

This study investigated the distribution and persistence of multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) in six long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

大鼠三叉神经脊束间质核内内脏神经初级传入终末与NOS阳性投射神经元的联系

目的　探查间质核 (INV)内内脏传入终末与向臂旁核 (PBN)投射的NOS阳性神经元之间的联系。　方法　逆行、跨神经节追踪以及免疫荧光组织化学方法 ,结合激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察。　结果　PBN内注射四甲基罗丹明 (TMR)后 ,逆行标记细胞主要位于注射侧的INV ,大多属 2 0 μm以下的中、小型细胞。NOS阳性细胞与TMR逆行标记细胞分布区域重叠。NOS TMR双标记细胞分别占NOS阳性细胞总数的 5 4 8% (17 31)和TMR逆行标记细胞总数的 34% (17 4 9)。舌咽和迷走神经内注射生物素化葡聚糖胺 (BDA)跨神经节标记的内脏神经初级传入终末点状膨体贴近双标记细胞胞体 ,呈紧密接触状。　结论　可能存在经INV向PBN投射的内脏伤害性信息传导通路 ,作为神经递质和神经信息分子的NO可能参与其内脏伤害性信息的传递和调控     

Noninfectious Virus-Like Particle Antigen for Detection of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus Antibodies in Pigs by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

An inactivated SVDV antigen is used in current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV). To develop a noninfectious recombinant alternative, we produced SVDV-like particles (VLPs) morphologically and antigenically resembling authentic SVDV particles by using a dual baculovirus recombinant, which expresses simultaneously the P1 and 3CD protein genes of SVDV under different promoters. Antigenic differences between recombinant VLPs and SVDV particles were not statistically significant in results obtained with a 5B7-ELISA kit, indicating that the VLPs could be used in the place of SVDV antigen in ELISA kits. We developed a blocking ELISA using the VLPs and SVDV-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody 3H10 (VLP-ELISA) for detection of SVDV serum antibodies in pigs. The VLP-ELISA showed a high specificity of 99.9% when tested with pig sera that are negative for SVDV neutralization (n = 1,041). When tested using sera (n = 186) collected periodically from pigs (n = 19) with experimental infection with each of three different strains of SVDV, the VLP-ELISA detected SVDV serum antibodies as early as 3 days postinfection and continued to detect the antibodies from all infected pigs until termination of the experiments (up to 121 days postinfection). This test performance was similar to that of the gold standard virus neutralization test and indicates that the VLP-ELISA is a highly specific and sensitive method for the detection of SVDV serum antibodies in pigs. This is the first report of the production and diagnostic application of recombinant VLPs of SVDV. Further potential uses of the VLPs are discussed.     

类金刚石薄膜蛋白吸附与碳相成分关系的定量分析研究

运用灰色系统理论中的 T型关联度分析方法 ,对类金刚石 (DL C)薄膜、富石墨相 DL C薄膜和富金刚石相 DL C薄膜三种 DL C薄膜进行了碳相成分对其白蛋白 (HSA)、纤维蛋白原 (HFG)、免疫球蛋白 (Ig G)三种血浆蛋白吸附量影响的定量分析研究。合理地解释了三种材料蛋白吸附量随碳相成分变化的实验结果 ,并得出如下重要的分析结论 :(1)石墨和 C- H相对 HSA的吸附影响较大 ,随着二者的增加 ,HSA的吸附量下降 ;(2 )与 HFG吸附有较强关联的碳相成分是 DL C相和 C- O相 ,前者呈负相关 ,后者为正相关 ;(3)各碳相成分对 Ig G的吸附均有性质不尽相同的影响 ,但程度有限 ,且彼此间相差不大 ;(4 ) DL C碳相具有增强 HSA吸附、抑制 HFG、Ig G吸附的双重功效 ,其对 DL C薄膜血液相容性的影响远较其它碳相成分更为重要。