Performance comparison of a flow cytometry immunoassay for intracellular cytokine staining and the QuantiFERON® SARS-CoV-2 test for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2-Spike-reactive-IFN-γ-producing T cells after COVID-19 vaccination

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - We compared the performance of an in-house-developed flow cytometry assay for intracellular cytokine staining (FC-ICS) and a...     

Molecular electrostatic potential-anthelmintic activity relationships of 5H-mebendazole and some related heterocyclic carbamates

5H-Mebendazole and some related heterocyclic methyl carbamates were synthesized and their anthelmintic activity against Caenorhabditis elegans was determined. In order to study the influence of the heteroaromatic region with regard to the carbamate moiety on biological activity, the molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) of all structures were calculated and a structure-activity relationship (SAR) was established. The electrostatic pattern of activity includes two minima of the carbamate moiety, a third heterocyclic minimum, and a pi-electronic region.     

Molecular Analysis of Myophosphorylase Deficiency in Dutch Patients with McArdle's Disease

We report on 8 Dutch patients with McArdle's disease from 6 unrelated families. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of four previously described mutations: the common R49X mutation, the IVS14+1G>A mutation and the recently reported R269X and Y84X nonsense mutations; and two new molecular defects: a missense mutation R138W in the homozygous state in two siblings, and a frameshift mutation c.1797delT. This first genetic study of patients from The Netherlands with McArdle's disease confirms that the R49X mutation is also the most common in Dutch patients, and that there is genetic heterogeneity within this population. Moreover, our data support the hypothesis that the Y84X mutation is a relatively frequent mutation in McArdle's patients with a Central European background, and expand the already crowded map of mutations within the PYGM gene responsible for McArdle's disease.     

Interaction of HPV-18 and nitrosomethylurea in the induction of squamous cell carcinoma

A strong correlation exists between the presence of specifictypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the development of anogenitalcancer, as well as significant epidemiologic evidence suggestingsmokers are at increased risk of developing cervical, vulvarand/or anal carcinomas. Primary and human papillomavirus type18 (HPV-8)-immortalized human keratinocytes were used to addressthe co-carcinogenic potential of HPV and nitrosomethylurea (NMU)in tumorigenesis. Only cells containing HPV-18 and treated withNMU and the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, TPA, were transformedto a malignant phenotype. An in vitro system is described whichinitiates studies involving the mechanisms of HPV and chemicalcarcinogen co-operation in the etiology of squamous cell carcinomas.     

Arylsulfatase A in urine of patients with urothelial tumors

A significant increase in urine arylsulfatase A activity (p less than 0.01) was found in patients with urothelial tumors. Arylsulfatase A activity was 1.36 +/- 1.10 U/24-h urine in control specimens, 1.90 +/- 1.66 U/24-h urine in various genitourinary tract disorders, and 3.90 +/- 1.98 U/24-h urine in transitional cell carcinoma specimens. Surgical treatment of the neoplastic patients lowered the arylsulfatase A activity found in urine to within reference values. The arylsulfatase A excreted by patients with these tumors was highly sensitive to thermal inactivation while the enzyme activity in the control urines was less affected by the heat treatment. The time course of the arylsulfatase A reaction with 4-nitrocatechol sulfate was not linear in normal individuals, while it was linear in 90% of patients with urothelial tumors. This difference in the kinetic pattern of the enzyme could be used to increase the diagnostic specificity of the determination.     

Structure-activity relationships among di- and tetramine disulfides related to benextramine

The synthesis and irreversible alpha-blocking activity in the rat vas deferens of a series of tetra- and diamine disulfides 2-38, structural analogues of benextramine (BHC), are described. All compounds containing a central cystamine moiety displayed an irreversible alpha-adrenergic blockade at concentrations ranging from 10(-4) to 6 X 10(-6)M. Potency was increased in cystamines N,N'-disubstituted with 6-aminohexyl groups, especially when the outer nitrogen atoms bear arylalkyl substituents or are enclosed in a ring. However, N,N,N',N'-tetrasubstituted cystamines were poor blockers. Structural specificity in the outer portion of the tetramine disulfide is low, since many types of substituents gave rise to potent alpha-blockers. Even replacement of the outer amines with nonbasic ethers or amides was observed to maintain irreversible alpha-blockade.     

Comparative, Clinico-Epidemiologic Study of Schistosoma mansoni Infections in Travellers and Immigrants in Spain

The study presented here aimed to contrast the marked clinical differences in the presentation of Schistosoma mansoni-induced infection between immigrants and travellers entering Spain from endemic regions, and to elucidate the therapeutic implications of these infections. A total of 200 African immigrants and 80 travellers with schistosomiasis were included in the study. Among the immigrants, 25 patients were diagnosed with Schistosoma mansoni infection; 15 presented with nonspecific symptoms, and 10 were asymptomatic. Hepatosplenomegaly was observed in nine. Among the travellers, 14 were diagnosed with Schistosoma mansoni infection; four were asymptomatic, four had Katayama syndrome, four had diarrhoea, and two had prostatitis. All of the patients were treated with praziquantel. Patients diagnosed with Katayama syndrome received praziquantel and dexamethasone for 3 days, with the praziquantel treatment being repeated at 3–4 weeks. The significant differences observed in the clinical presentation of Schistosoma mansoni-induced infection, indicate that a well-differentiated therapeutic strategy is required when this infection is diagnosed in a non-immune (traveller) or a semi-immune (immigrant) patient. Electronic Publication