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[Application of correspondance factor analysis to function testing of the thyroid].
|
Biological data concerning 249 thyroid patients have been treated by using correspondance factor analysis. This statistical treatment has enabled us to compare 2 types of associated tests (in vitro, in vivo) and to evaluate their respective contribution to the diagnosis of different thyroid diseases. There appeared also certain possibilities for the use of such a method in the future: determination of a biological profile for thyroid disease and for Grave's disease patients in course of treatment.
| 53,803
|
[Value of separation on ion exchange resins of plasma iodine fractions. Comparison with Werner's suppression test].
|
This was a study of 71 patients suspected of hyperthyroidism who had undergone a tri-iodothyronine suppression test. A study of circulating protein-bound iodine after separation on ion-exchange resins had been carried out before triiodothyronine administration, on the same patients. The results showed that the radioactive hormonal fraction has a better diagnostic value than radioactive serum protein-bound iodine. In 60% of cases, a study of the radioactive hormonal fraction could have permitted to avoid the use of the suppression test.
| 53,805
|
Contamination of anti-immunoglobulin reagents with antibodies to beta 2-microglobulin and other unrelated antigens. Effects on immunofluorescence staining of human lymphocytes.
|
IgG fractions from three of four rabbit antisera to Bence Jones proteins of chi-type were found to contain antibodies to beta 2-microglobulin and to stain 80%-100% of human blood lymphocytes by indirect immunofluorescence. Antibody fractions from these sera, which contained anti-beta 2-microglobulin but not anti-Ig, stained all lymphocytes, whereas the isolated anti-Ig antibodies (anti-chi) stained only a minor cell population. In both instances, the specificity of the staining was confirmed by absorption experiments. One antiserum to the constant half of lambda-type Bence Jones protein also contained antibiodies to beta 2-microglobulin and stained all lymphocytes. Four other anti-lambda reagents contained no antibodies to beta 2-microglobulin and stained at most about half of the lymphocytes. The antigen responsible for this staining is unknown. The isolated anti-immunoglobulin antibodies (anti-lambda) stained only 5%-10% of the lymphocytes. Antisera to serum IgG or its fragments were free of antibodies to beta 2-microglobulin and stained only 10%-25% of the lymphocytes. This staining was in all instances due to antibodies to human immunoglobulin. Five of eight undiluted sera from normal rabbits with no detectable antibodies to human immunoglobulin or beta 2-microglobulin stained 25%-60% of the lymphocytes. This staining rapidly disappeared on dilution.
| 53,879
|
Identification of tissue-specific antigens and concanavalin A receptors on rat epidermal cells using a radio-immunoprecipitation method.
|
Iodination with lactoperoxidase - 125I- - H2O2 was used to label surface components of rat epidermal cells. Lysis of the cells in non-idet P40 resulted in the solubilization of tissue-specific antigens and of concanavalin A receptors. These specificities were demonstrated using a radio-immunoprecipitation method. The tissue-specific antigens were recognized using absorbed rabbit anti-rat epidermal cell sera (Lloyd & Darnule 1974); they reacted with two low molecular weight components in the lysate (9,000 and 12,000 daltons). Concanavalin A reacted with three major components. Two had high molecular weights (75,000 and 95,000 daltons). The possibility that one of these components was radioiodinated lactooperoxidase, which would have reacted with concanavalin A, was disproved. Another component (which occasionally appeared as two peaks) was similar in size to the species detected by the tissue-specific antisera. Their non-identity was, however, demonstrated by the finding that the two specificities could be precipitated independently of each other.
| 53,900
|
Rhesus lymphocyte alloantigens. III. Identification of new antigens.
|
Rhesus monkey lymphocytotoxic alloantisera were tested in 437 random unrelated monkeys and in members of 19 pedigreed families. Groups of sera or individual sera identified 11 specificities. Genetic analysis of the associations of these antigens revealed behavior consistent with the current concept of the major histocompatibility complex of several mammalian species including man in that the antigens could be grouped into two series of closely linked co-dominantly expressed alleles.
| 53,903
|
Short-term and long-term effects of plasmapheresis on serum proteins and immunoglobulins.
|
In order to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of plasmaapheresis on serum proteins and immunoglobulins, the levels of alpha1, alpha2, beta, and gamma globulins, and IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured and statistically evaluated in 41 active plasmapheresis donors donating 500 to 1,000 ml of plasma weekly for up to three years. During the initial four months of plasmapheresis, the percentage of alpha1 and alpha2 globulins manifested a statistically significant rise and the IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations declined. By the end of ten months, only the IgM continued to be depressed. Although the concentration of IgM continued to show a statistically significant decline for three years, it remained well within the normal range of values for our laboratory. Although no statistically significant difference existed between the baseline value of albumin and the level reached at the end of the third year, a gradual rise was followed by a decline in this interval. Most of the statistically significant alterations of serum protein and immunoglobulins occurring in plasmapheresis donors are seen in the initial six months of plasmapheresis. A falling serum protein in this time period is most likely an indication of declining immunoglobulins. It is feasible and appropriate to measure the donor's total serum protein at the time of each plasmapheresis. Any untoward reduction in this value necessitates quantification of the serum immunoglobulins. Routine measurement of the immunoglobulins in the face of normal total serum protein can be performed on a less frequent basis as is presently recommended by accrediting agencies, although this study should be performed more often during the first six months of a serial plasmapheresis program.
| 53,919
|
[Effect of passive immunity on subsequent vaccination against swine fever].
|
Studied was the effect of a serum paratyph and Aujeszky gammaglobulin injected 10, 15, and 20 days prior to the crystal-violet and the lapinized vaccine. If the animals were infected with a pathogenic swine fever virus 10 to 15 days after their treatment with serum at the rate of 0.5 cu. cm per kg, part of them died, and the remaining contracted the disease showing a protracted course. The control vaccination on the 20th day after the animals were injected with serum led to the death of all of them showing the signs of acute swine fever. Most of the pigs injected with 5 cu. cm gamma-globulin each and 10--15 days later being infected with a swine fever virus manifested the disease, however, none of them died of the disease. If, however, after treatment with gamma-globulin they were challenged on the 20th day all of them died of acute swine fever. In the immunization of pigs with a crystal-violet vaccine on the 14th day of their treatment with Aujeszky gamma-globulin, part of them developed an atypical form of the disease, while most of them did not show symptoms whatever of swine fever. Of the immunized with a lapinized vaccine some died, and the remaining part did not contract the disease at all. All this pointed to the fact that the residual antibodies against swine fever contained in the specific Aujeszky gamma-globulin could still be in a position to inhibit the vaccinal virus, and more specifically that of the lapinized K vaccine. The vaccination against swine fever should be performed 14 days after the injection of the serum paratyph and about 20 days after the injection of the Aujeszky gammaglobulin.
| 53,938
|
[The spontaneous NBT-test in granulocytes of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis].
|
30 patients with definite seronegative juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and 3 patients with tendosynovitis and unclear arthralgia respectively were examined by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test (46 tests). A positive result could be obtained in 72 per cent of the examinations. Patients with a joint manifestation of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis showed relatively more positive results than patients with Morbus Wissler and the transition forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Tendosynovitis and unclear arthralgia were negative in the NBT test. The NBT test is not useful for the differentiation of bacterial-septic and rheumatoid-inflammatory joint diseases.
| 53,963
|
The adaptation of fluorescence microscopy for Nocardia asteroides: a preliminary report.
|
The Fluorescence Microscope is extremely effective in revealing the presence and morphology of Nocardia asteroides. This has been effectively demonstrated when the Auramine Fluorochrome was decolourized with 1% H2SO4 and the interval of decolourization was limited to two minutes and thirty seconds. When Nocardia asteroids was seeded in sputum found to be negative for acid-fast organisms and in greatly diluted quantities after one hour intervals, its presence was still revealed with the Flourescence Microscope. The normally employed Kinyoun technique of acid-fastness was seen to be less effective under the same conditions.
| 53,968
|
[Cultivation of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A on semisynthetic liquid nutrient media].
|
In cultivation of meningococcus of serological group A in fluid semisynthetic medium of simple composition prepared on the basis of purified acid casein hydrolysate with profound splitting there were obtained microbial cultures with a density of 4-5 x 10(9) microbial cells per 1 ml after 20-24 hours of cultivation with shaking. Alkalinity of the medium increased (to pH 8.0-8.2 during the stationary phase) with increase of the microbial cell concentration. A study of the accumulation of group-specific thermostable polysaccharide antigen in dynamics of meningococcus cultivation on semisynthetic medium tested showed the preparations obtained by alcoholic precipitation to be colourless and to contain much antigen (by inhibition of indirect hemagglutination), particularly at the phasees of negative growth acceleration and at the stationary phase. The suggested fluid semisynthetic medium of simple composition could be used for production of diagnostic and prophylactic meningococcus preparations belonging to the serological group A.
| 53,974
|
A comparison of the unlabeled enzyme method with immunofluorescence for the evaluation of human immunologic renal disease.
|
The application of the unlabeled enzyme method to immunostaining of human renal biopsy material is described. The specificity and sensitivity of this technic were compared with those of standard immunofluorescent staining procedures. The unlabeled enzyme method, although a lengthier procedure, has proven to be as specific and at least as sensitive as conventional fluorescent staining. The advantages of the procedure are its permanence, its compatibility with conventional staining procedures, and the avoidance of fluorescent microscopy for evaluation.
| 53,996
|
Nuclear diagnosis of disseminated cancer of the breast. Results of liver-, brain-, and tumor-directed imaging studies.
|
Radionuclide imaging technics to identify metastases in liver and brain have preductive values that show the expected variation depending upon the prevalence of metastatic disease in the population studied. Liver scanning combined with peritoneoscopy may prove more accurate than either study alone for routine use in staging. Brain scanning is most useful when reserved for patients selected because of suspicious neurologic findings or in following the response to therapy of established metastatic disease. "Tumor-directed" scanning agents are useful in certain cases where soft-tissue metastases are suspected but cannot be identified with more conventional procedures.
| 53,998
|
The prevention, inhibition, palliation, and treatment of endometriosis.
|
Endometriosis is a variable and enigmatic disease. In this article an attempt has been made to describe principles of management for different groups of patients who have varying manifestations of pelvic endometriosis. Different methods are described for prevention, inhibition, palliation, and treatment of endometriosis.
| 54,001
|
Drusen of the iris: in advanced malignant choroidal melanoma.
|
Drusen were found in the iris between the layers of the pigment epithelium and the dilator muscle in an eye of a 52 year old patient that contained a large malignant choroidal melanoma. The significance of this unusual observation in comparison to the common drusen of Bruch's membrane of the choroid is discussed.
| 54,006
|
Immunological and chemical correlation between alpha-fetoproteins from human and several mammalian species.
|
Alpha-Fetoproteins of several animals were purified and their molecular weights, amino acid compositions and peptide maps were compared, demonstrating the close similarities. These data indicated that the alpha-fetoproteins of mammalian species have closely related antigenical and chemical structures. Rabbits and horses were immunized with human alpha-fetoprotein, and it was observed that the animals produced antibodies reaction not only with human alpha-fetoprotein but with their homologous alpha-fetoproteins. The results were interpreted as the breakdown of the tolerance to their own alpha-fetoprotein.
| 54,014
|
Clinical significance of alpha2H-globulin.
|
Incidences of alpha2H were investigated in sera from patients with various malignant and nonmalignant diseases. With counterimmunoelectrophoresis, alpha2H was detected in a wide variety of neoplastic diseases, and also in nonmalignant hematological disorders. Diagnostic significance was described regarding primary hepatoma and acute myelogenous leukemia. Factors affecting alpha2H levels in sera were also discussed in relation to the neoplastic and nonneoplastic disease process.
| 54,036
|
Alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) and lactic dehydrogenase activities in the skeletal muscles of two insects.
|
The flight muscle preparations of the dragonfly Pantala flavescens and the aquatic beetle Cybister confusus showed extremely low levels of lactic dehydrogenase activity and high levels of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) activity. The activities of these two enzymes in the leg muscle of the beetle were approximately the same (1:1), but lactic dehydrogenase activity was several times higher than that in the flight muscles of both Insects. These results have been interpreted as indicating the high energy-yielding demands of the flight muscles during continuous sustained activity, while the leg muscles of the beetle which are involved in swimming activity derive their energy predominantly through anaerobic glycolysis.
| 54,055
|
Effect of thermal stress and dehydration on plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids and growth hormone in the pigeon.
|
Pigeons were subjected to high ambient temperature and water deprivation for 3 days (28 degrees C, 31 degrees C and 36.5 degrees C respectively). After 3 days of heat stress and dehydration, the plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) and growth hormone (GH) were measured. Although the level of plasma glucose was not significantly altered, FFA and GH were found to be significantly increased. The possible mediation of the neurohypophysial hormone, vasotocin, in the syndhronous rise in plasma GH and FFA, is suggested.
| 54,065
|
[Hypothalamo-hypophysial-thymic axis in the rat].
|
Thymic extracts, with proved immunologic properties, decrease, in vitro, RNA and DNA synthesis of hypothalamic fragments of adult rat and have no effect on hypophysis culture; we found a similar action in vivo. Growth hormone inhibits the nucleic acids synthesis of thymic fragments; no action is found with hypothalamic extracts. Hypothesis, that thymic activity is dependent on hypophysis with retroaction on hypothalamus, is discussed.
| 54,122
|
Changes in metabolite concentration in the plasma, liver and muscle of feed restricted Japanese quail exposed to cold.
|
Quail fed ad libitum and 50% ad libitum were cold exposed for several weeks, during time control quail remained at 21 degrees C. The concentration of plasma glucose, FFA, and uric acid, tissue glycogen and carcass fat content was measured at the end of the cold exposure period. Quail fed ad libitum showed no significant change in the levels of plasma and tissue metabolites, or the carcass fat content, following cold exposure. The feed consumption by the cold exposed quail increased, and the mean body weight showed little variation from that of the controls. Feed restricted quail which were cold exposed lost significantly more weight, and had a lower ranked fat content than their controls. Whereas feed restriction caused a lowering of the liver glycogen concentration in both treatment groups, muscle glycogen levels were higher than in quail fed ad libitum. However, cold exposure was not accompanied by a change in muscle and liver glycogen levels in feed restricted quail. Feed restricted quail at 21 degrees C were hypoglycaemic and hyperlipaemic compared to quail fed ad libitum, but cold exposed feed restricted quail had a much higher plasma glucose concentration than the controls. The ranked carcass fat content was inversely related to plasma FFA level in both control and cold exposed feed restricted quail. It is suggested that both a glycolytic and lipid mobilizing response to cold is obtained in quail whose body reserves are not spared from catabolism by adequate dietary nutrient absorption, and the possibility of gluconeogenesis from precursors produced by proteolysis is indicated.
| 54,130
|
[Thymus changes in chicks following treatment with small doses of insecticides].
|
Effects of small doses of insecticides (Fenclorfos and Heptaclor) upon the thymus of chickens were followed. Treatment began at the age of 3 weeks and continued during 4 or 8 weeks. Doses used were: 1 ppm for Heptaclor and 1 ppm and 0.5 ppm for Fenclorfos. Total nucleic acid, total protein, RNA, DNA, and amino acid nitrogen contents were determined, as well as GOT and GPT activities and weight of the organ. Results are interpreted as being due to the action of insecticides on the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenals axis. They depend on the nature and dosis of insecticide, as well as on the duration of the treatment.
| 54,154
|
[Improvement of the method of staining cationic proteins of the lysosomes of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in laboratory animals and man].
|
Some methodological drawbacks of the previously offered by the author method for speedy staining of lysosomal cation proteins have been eliminated. The method is shown to be applicable for histochemical staining of lysosome cation proteins of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Staining is carried out on blood smears and preparations-impressions from the surface of incision on the organ under study. The improved method for staining of cation proteins can be used in determining the fate of cytophagous bacteria, in cytochemistry of cation proteins of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, in detecting vital and perished bacteria in inflammation foci in bacterial infectious processes.
| 54,156
|
Percutaneous absorption of 14C-9alpha-fluoro-11beta,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregna-1,4-dieno (17alpha,16alpha-d)-2'-methyloxazolidine-21-acetate (L 6400) in rats, pigs and humans. Comparison with 3H-triamcinolone acetonide.
|
1. The percutaneous absorption of a novel oxazolino corticosteroid, 14C-9alpha-fluoro-11beta,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregna-1,4-dieno[17alpha,16alpha-d]-2'-methyloxazolidine-21-acetate (L 6400) and 3H-triamcinolone acetonide (TA) was compared in rats, pigs and humans after application of a cream formulation to the skin and occlusion. 2. Within 96 h, up to 4.0% of the applied dose of L 6400 (permeability constant Kp 0.28) and up to 8.7% of TA (Kp 0.42) were percutaneously absorbed in rats. 3. Microhistoautoradiography showed that most of the applied radioactivity remained on the skin of rats. Radioactivity in the skin was mainly associated with the epidermis. 4. Within 120 h, up to 1.5% of the applied dose of L 6400 (Kp 0.16) and up to 0.5% of TA (Kp 0.07) were percutaneously absorbed in pigs. Plasma concentrations of radioactivity were maximal 48 h after application of 3H-TA whereas they were undetected after application of 14C-L 6400, because of the relatively lower specific activity of this 14C-steroid. 5. Both corticosteroids were allowed to remain in contact with human skin for 5 h and during that time, up to 1.1% of the applied dose of L 6400 (Kp 0.82) and up to 0.9% of TA (Kp 0.94) were absorbed. Results in four human subjects varied twenty-eightfold for L 6400 and fivefold for TA. Plasma concentrations of radioactivity were undetected after application of L 6400. In one subject treated with 3H-TA they were maximal after 2 h but were undetected in another subject and were found only in early samples from two others. 6. The results suggested that both corticosteroids were poorly absorbed through normal skin in rats, pigs and humans.
| 54,172
|
The immunological properties of pyruvate kinase. II. The relationship of the human erythrocyte isozyme to the human liver isozymes.
|
We have examined the hypothesis that the human erythrocyte isozyme of pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) is a hybrid of the two isozymes present in liver. Rabbit antiserum against purified human erythrocyte pyruvate kinase inactivates the erythrocyte isozyme and the major liver isozyme from human tissue but does not inactivate the minor liver isozyme. The electrophoretic mobilities of the erythrocyte and major liver isozymes are altered by anti-erythrocyte enzyme antibody while the mobility of the minor liver isozyme is unaffected. Gel diffusion analysis indicates cross-reactivity between the erythrocyte and major liver isozyme but no cross-reactivity with the minor liver isozyme. The hybrid hypothesis would predict cross-reactivity including changes in activity and mobility of all isozymes and we conclude, therefore that the hypothesis is incorrect.
| 54,192
|
Bacterial blocking activity of specific IgG in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
|
A factor has been demonstrated in the serum of some patients with chronic Gram-negative infections which specifically blocks bactericidal activity against the infecting organism. Sera with this factor, that had been obtained from patients suffering from chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, were fractionated by Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. Blocking activity was detected in the Sephadex G-200 '7S' peak and eluted from the DEAE column along with the serum IgG. Immunoelectrophoresis studies of this material along with pure IgG showed that the bactericidal blocking factor in these patients was IgG. The blocking factor was specific in its ability to protect bacteria, and could be absorbed from the serum by the particular bacterial strain isolated from the patient. Possible clinical importance of blocking activity by IgG is suggested by the persistent nature of the Ps. aeruginosa infections in these patients.
| 54,231
|
Sex-dependent differences in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides in rat liver after repeated administration of alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane.
|
Utilization of [2-14C]orotic acid for the synthesis of the pyrimidine components of the free nucleotide pool and RNA from isolated cytoplasmic ribosomes was investigated in the liver of female and male rats. In females, labeled orotic acid is incorporated relatively more into uridine than into cytidine nucleotides; the opposite is true for males. The administration of alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) decreases the specific radioactivity of rRNA cytidylic acid more in males than in females. Simultaneously, the level of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 is increased after the administration of alpha-HCH more in males than in females. After four days of treatment with alpha-HCH, the concentrations of the uridine and cytidine components of the acid-soluble pool are slightly depressed. Following repeated administration of alpha-HCH, the utilization of labeled uridine for the synthesis of cytidine nucleotides of the acid-soluble pool and RNA is depressed, whereas that of labeled cytidine is enhanced. Repeated administration of alpha-HCH decreases the utilization of [2-14C]orotic acid for the synthesis of cytidine nucleotides of DNA; the specific radioactivity of thymidylic acid is increased. The administration of beta-diethylaminoethyl diallylacetate (CFT-1201) to animals that have repeatedly received alpha-HCH decreases the specific radioactivity of DNA thymine.
| 54,245
|
RNA-dependent DNA polymerase from a cell line derived from the bone marrow of a patient with polycythemia vera.
|
A RNA-dependent DNA polymerase was isolated from a human cell line derived from the bone marrow of a patient with polycythemia vera. The purification procedure included chromatography on phosphocellulose and oligo(dT)-cellulose, and glycerol gradient centrifugation. The enzyme could be distinguished from polymerase A by salt elution from phosphocellulose, utilization of poly(rC) - oligo(dG) and its molecular size of about 70000, as determined by centrifugation. Throughout the purification procedure ribonuclease H activity was co-purified. Upon dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis on microgradient gels two main bands with molecular weights of 68000 and 66000 and three minor bands were detected. The enzyme preferentially used poly(rA) - oligo(dT) as template-primer compared with poly(dA) - oligo(dT). It incorporated dGMP into polymer on poly(rC) - oligo(dG).
| 54,257
|
[Staining of blood smears with rivanol in patients suffering from bronchogenic neoplasms].
|
Blood smears of patients suffering from bronchiogenic lung cancer were stained with Rivanol and observed by means of the fluorescence microscope. The results were compared with those obtained by FEULGEN's method. It was found that a single intravenous infusion of cyclophosphamide 30 mg/kg did not change the picture of Rivanol-coloured nuclei which is not always true of the results obtained by FEULGEN's method.
| 54,278
|
[Cytochemical studies in megakaryocytes in hematologic diseases].
|
Bone marrow smears of 48 patients consisting of 12 normal cases, 36 patients with different haematological diseases-among them 9 cases of idiopathic thrombopenia, 4 cases of polycythaemia, and 9 cases of Hodgkin's disease - were examined cytochemically. Acid phosphatase, unspecific esterases, naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase, peroxydase, and leucin-aminopeptidase were represented; in addition the PAS reaction, fastgreen staining at pH 1.1, methyl-green pyronin staining and the lipid representation with Sudan black B were carried out. Besides those responses known from literature the different behaviour of acid megacaryocyte phosphatase in different haematological diseases must be particularly emphasized from all reactions.
| 54,299
|
[Cytochemical tests on sediment cells of malignant and benign exudates].
|
In exsudate cells separated from serous body cavities of 29 tumour patients and 30 patients with inflammatory and congestive effusion in cardiac failure or liver cirrhosis respectively the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase were determined. In addition to sudanophilia the cell content of glycogen and that of ribonucleinic acid were evaluated. By means of cytochemical findings it could be found that an increase of unspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and ribonucleic acid in atypical cells points to a malignous ethiology of the exudate.
| 54,303
|
[Studies on the lipid composition in serum and lymphocytes in chronic leukemia].
|
In 33 patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) the lipids were examined quantitatively and qualitatively in the serum and in the lymphocytes. Besides the 5 main categories of lipids, lysolecithin, sphingomyelin, lecithin and cephalin as well as cholesterol ester subfractions were determined according to their degree of saturation of their fatty acids. Patients suffering from CLL were found to have a moderately raise of serum triglycerides and an increase of cholesterol esters with simple unsaturated fatty acids. Simultaneously the fraction of ester with poly-unsaturated fatty acids is lowered. Leukaemic lymphocytes reveal in general a lowered total lipid content. It mainly consists of phosphatides and free cholesterol. Moreover, the leukaemic lymphocytes contrary to normal ones reveal a lowered content of cholesterol esters, diglycerides and triglycerides.
| 54,305
|
Species specificity of thromboplastin. A phylogenetic study.
|
Having studied the influence of thromboplastin preparations derived from cold and warm-blooded species on the plasma of 12 vertebrates (carp, frog, turtle, hen, rabbit, rat, mouse, guinea-pig, ground squirrel, dog, sheep and man) we have established that among the species far from each other phylogenetically, the phenomenon of species specificity could be demonstrated in general. It was found that the extrinsic coagulation system measured by Quick times can well be activated in every examined species. Simultaneously, in plasmas of turtle and hen the intrinsic clotting system proved to be deficient.
| 54,309
|
The preparation of the factors IX, II, and X concentrate by means of DEAE cellulos and its therapeutic effectiveness.
|
Starting from a plasma used for producing cryoprecipitate a concentrate was gained by means of adsorption on DEAE cellulose, the factor IX activity of which was six to thirteen times higher than that of the original plasma. Even the factors X and II are enriched to the same extent approximately. In patients with haemophilia B the concentrate proved to be very efficient and compatible during surgical operations.
| 54,310
|
[The effect of heating and drugs on HL-A antigens and their reactions with cytotoxins].
|
In some instances the heating of lymphocytes for 2 to 3 minutes at 56 degrees C enhances HL-A antigens or makes it possible to detect these antigens by a twostage microlymphocytotoxic test on preheated lymphocytes only. Similar phenomenons are observed in some tannin (1: 40 000) or 0.1% phenol-treated lymphocytes and after the addition of these solutions during the first stage of the lymphocytotoxic test. Prolonged heating at 56 degrees C leads to nonspecific polyreactivity of lymphocytes, giving false results with all sera. For similar reasons also higher concentrations of tannin and phenol solutions were found dissatisfactory for the pretreatment of lymphocytes. The pretreatment of lymphocytes with 36-0.5% formaline induces full inhibition of specific cytotoxic reactivity of HL-A antigens and their absorption ability with regards to respective HL-A sera. The addition of formaline at 0.06-0.3% concentration during the first and second stages of the test and at the end of the second stage (or simultaneously with eosine) gives also negative results of the cytotoxic test owing to the inhibitory effect of formaline on rabbit complement and HL-A antigens.
| 54,317
|
Antigens of Streptococcus mutans: characterization of a polysaccharide antigen from walls of strain GS-5.
|
A cell wall-associated polysaccharide antigen was isolated from Streptococcus mutans GS-5 and appeared to determine serotype c specificity. Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis of crude formamide extracts derived from purified cell walls of two serotype c strains (GS-5 and JC-2) showed complete identify when reacted with anti-GS-5 sera. Immunoelectrophoresis of this extract demonstrated the typical mobility for this serotype as described by others. Column chromatography on BioGel P-100 of the crude formamide extracts derived from GS-5 walls resulted in a single antigenic peak being resolved. This material, when loaded onto a diethylaminoethylcellulose column and eluted with a linear gradient of ammonium carbonate (0.0 to 0.2 M), was resolved further into two serologically reactive peaks (I and II). Only two consituents, rhamnose and glucose, were detected in the purified column fractions. Peak 1 had a rhamnoseto-glucose molar ratio of 0.9:1.0, and peak II, the major resolvable fraction, had a molar ratio of 1.7:1.0, The peak II ratio was very similar to that found in the formamide extract residue pellet (1.6:1.0)9 Ouchterlony analysis of the crude formamide extract and the purified fractions revealed only partial identify between peaks I and II but complete identify between peak II and the crude extract. Likewise, immunoelectrophoresis showed no differences in mobility of peak II and the crude extract, whereas peak I moved towards the cathode. Possible structural relationships between the two antigenic fractions are discussed below. Hapten inhibition studies suggested that an alpha-glucosyl group is at the immunodeterminant site of the antigen.
| 54,338
|
Preparation of carbon-14-labelled whole short ragweed pollen antigens.
|
A new method of labelling short ragweed pollen antigens with carbon-14 is described. The known ragweed antigens AgE, Ra3, Ra5 and several other antigens are radiolabelled. These components are biologically active, have a high specific radioactivity and a long half-life.
| 54,344
|
Flagellar hook protein from Salmonella SJ25.
|
From acid-disintegrated flagellar hooks of Salmonella SJ25 an immunochemically pure preparation of hook protein was obtained by column chromatography. The molecular weight of the protein determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis was 43,000, whereas that of SJ25 flagellin was 56,000. The amino-terminal residue of the hook protein was determined to be seryl. The amino acid composition of the protein was determined, the results being very similar to that for an Escheria coli hook protein reported by Silverman and Simon (1972). Within a wavelength range of 200 to 250 nm, our purified preparation of hook protein gave a circular dichroism spectrum with unusually small amplitudes, suggesting that the alpha-helix content of the protein was very low.
| 54,355
|
Mitotic chromosome condensation in the sperm nucleus during postfertilization maturation division in Urechis eggs.
|
Changes in the morphology of the sperm nucleus in the egg cytoplasm are mong the immediate events in nucleocytoplasmic interactions during early embryogenesis. Soon after its entrance into the egg cytoplasm, the sperm nucleus of various organisms increases in size with the transformation of condensed chromatin to a diffuse state, resembling the chromatin of an interphase nucleus (2, 13, 15, 16). This is followed by a close association or fusion of male and female pronuclei (2, 13, 15, 16). Cytoplasmic influences on nuclear morphology have also been demonstrated clearly in nuclear transplantation and cell fusion studies (10, 11). Reactivation of the nucleus, such as the transplanted brain nucleus in Xenopus egg cytoplasm or the hen erythrocyte nucleus in interphase cytoplasm of HeLa cells, is accompanied by nuclear enlargement and chromatin dispersion (10, 11). However, premature mitotic-like chromosome condensation takes place in the nuclei of sperm or interphase cells fused with mitotic cells (9, 12). Thus, chromosome dispersion and condensation seem to depend on the state of the cytoplasm in which the nucleus is present. These observations imply that the initial morphological changes in the sperm nucleus after fertilization may very well be dependent on the state of maturation of eggs at the time of sperm entry. Unfertilized eggs of Urechis caupo, a marine echiuroid worm, are stored at the diakinesis stage. These eggs complete maturation division after insemination and this is followed by fusion of male and female pronuclei (5, 8). Therefore, Urechis caupo is a suitable organism in which to study the response of the sperm nucleus to the changing state of the egg cytoplasm during and after postfertilization maturation division.
| 54,357
|
Transformation of cells by rous sarcoma virus: cytoplasmic vacuolization.
|
Chick embryo cells transformed by the Bryan "high titer" strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV-BH) are heavily vacuolated. A variety of microscopic techniques have been used demonstrating that the vacuoles are cytoplasmic, bounded by membrane, and are composed largely of water. Proteins, lipids, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosaminoglycans, glycogen, and nucleic acids were undetectable in the vacuoles. Physiological requirements for development of the vacuoles, and reversal of vacuolization, were examined in cells infected with a virus mutant, RSV-BH-Ta, which induces reversible temperature-dependent transformation. Na+ was the only component of the cell culture medium found essential for both the development and reversal of vacuoles. Glucose depletion or dinitrophenol treatment inhibited vacuolization, suggesting a possible energy requirement in the vacuolization process. Ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+-K+ ATPase, enhanced vacuolization, but a variety of other substances affecting cell surface components were in active. Two sugars, glucosamine and mannosamine, prevented the disappearance of vacuoles. The observations suggest that cellular vacuolization may be a normal physiological response to an increase in water and Na+, and, in the specific case of transformation by RSV-BH, may be relevant to the physiological basis for malignancy.
| 54,359
|
Effect of Bacteroides fragilis on the human erythrocyte membrane: pathogenesis of Tk polyagglutination.
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Incubation of normal human erythrocytes with the supernatant of centrifuged culture of some strains of Bacteroides fragilis results in the exposure of Tk polyagglutination determinants on the erythrocyte membrane. These determinants are present on non papain-labile structures and are probably exposed by an enzyme mechanism. Other strains of B. fragilis were found to produce neuraminidase, haemolysins, and protease. It is suggested that early recognition of Tk determinants may be an aid to the diagnosis of B. fragilis infection.
| 54,368
|
Prenatal development of central optic pathways in albino rats.
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The development of the central optic projections in albino rat fetuses has been studied using light and electron microscopic degeneration techniques and the horseradish peroxidase method for demonstrating axonal projections of neurons. The first optic axons to reach the region of the optic chiasm arrive at day 15. By day 16, a substantial optic chiasm is seen and the optic tract can be traced into the epithalamus, having first passed through the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and a thin lamina of cells which is thought to correspond to part of the future dorsal geniculate nucleus. A growth rate of 80-100 mum per hour is estimated for the fastest growing axons. By day 16-1/3 the first axons have entered the anterior border of the superior colliculus and in the next day have grown across the entire rostrocaudal extent with the exception of the medial and lateral edges. The optic axons are recognized at day 17 as bundles lying just below the surface, but in older animals they come to lie deeper, as the whole layer of optic innervation broadens. The first synapses to be formed in the superior colliculus (some of them of optic origin) appear on day 17. Subsequently, there is a gradual increase in the number of contacts, the great majority being formed by optic axons. Compared with previous studies on Xenopus and chick, one of the most striking features of the development of the central visual connections in the rat is the relatively long time before the first optic axons reach the brain and the speed with which they innervate the central structures once they have arrived.
| 54,370
|
Conjugation methods in immunofluorescence.
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We have described methods of labeling antibody preparations with FITC, TMRI, and RBI. The degree of labeling with FITC can be precisely controlled by using well-defined conjugation procedures and FITC of a known degree of purity. Our experience shows that relatively high F/P ratios of the order of 20 to 25 mug/mg are desirable for antibacterial conjugates. Many commercial preparations of rhodamine isothiocyanate are of very poor quality and are unsatisfactory for use in conjugate preparation. Therefore, one should analyze the rhodamine isothiocyanate product before preparing immune conjugates. Our experience indicates that very satisfactory conjugates of immune IgG or pure antibody can be prepared with TMRI of about 60% purity by using a dye-protein ratio of 20 mug/mg. The optimal dye-IgG ratio for labeling with RBI appears to be about two times that for labeling with TMRI because of the lower specific absorbance and fluorescence emission of RBI. Rhodamine conjugates may be preferred to FITC conjugates in certain situations where tissue autofluorescence interferes with the observation of the yellow-green emission of FITC. Furthermore, mixed rhodamine and FITC conjugates of different specificity can be used to great advantage in double-staining techniques that allow simultaneous screening for two antigenically different organisms on a single microscope slide.
| 54,374
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Application of fluorescent antibody methods in the analysis of plaque samples.
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Direct FA staining for S mutans serotypes may be performed on smears made from plaque or strain isolates and on colonies attached to agar plates of black membrane filters. Staining with single conjugates directed to S mutans serotypes (a to e) as well as with polyvalent a-, b-, d-, f-fluorescein label and c-, e-rhodamine label conjugates indicate that serotype c is the most common. This is in agreement with many reports by other investigators. Cross-reactions with many S mutans conjugates occurred with organisms resembling Lancefield groups C and G streptococci.
| 54,380
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Allergy to insect stings. II. Phospholipase A: the major allergen in honeybee venom.
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In order to determine the proteins of major allergenic importance in honeybee venom (Apis mellifera) it was chromatographed on G-50 Sephadex. The four major protein peaks eluted were identified as hyaluronidase, phospholipase, melittin, and apamin. Testing these preparations on the leukocytes of 6 honeybee-sensitive patients, with the in vitro method of histamine release, revealed that all individuals were most sensitive to phospholipase A. IgE antibodies against phospholipase A (RAST) were found in the sera of honeybee-sensitive patients and IgG antibodies to this venom component were found in the sera from beekeepers and venom-treated patients. Melittin appeared to be allergenic in several patients, but the results were variable and were possibly due to contamination with phospholipase. All patients were insensitive to the hyaluronidase and apamin preparations. We conclude that phospholipase A is the major allergen of honeybee venom and, since this protein is readily available, it should be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic studies as well as for the standardization of materials used in the management of honeybee-sensitive patients.
| 54,382
|
Antigenic determinants of adenovirus capsids. II. Homogeneity of hexons, and accessibility of their determinants, in the virion.
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We have tested the two principal theories which explain the previous finding that small amounts of type-specific antibody to the adenovirus hexon can neutralize infectivity, whereas even large amounts of cross-reactive antibody do not. a) It has been suggested that the type-specific determinants are especially prominent in the virion. We have therefore measured the capacity of whole virus to bind appropriate antibodies, using a sensitive radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) system. In fact, virions bound type-specific and cross-reactive antibodies impartially. Moreover, they bound both much less effectively than did free hexon or disrupted virus, suggesting that many of each kind of determinant are inaccessible in virions. b) It has been suggested that the type-specific determinants are confined to those hexons located next to the pentons, and that they are the targets for neutralizing antibody. We have therefore studied the antigenicity of peripentonal and nonamer hexons isolated from virions, and found that each possessed both kinds of determinants. Furthermore, these were present in the same proportion as in hexons purified from the soluble antigens in infected cells ("free hexons"). We concluded that the mechanism of neutralization by antibody is complicated, and that the type-specific determinants exposed on the virion must play a crucial role.
| 54,389
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Comparative pharmacokinetics of coumarin anticoagulants XV: relationship between pharmacokinetics of dicumarol and warfarin in rats.
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The distribution, elimination, and anticoagulant effect of dicumarol and warfarin were determined in adult males rats following intravenous injection of single doses of these drugs in crossover experiments. The biological half-life of dicumarol ranged from 5 to 28 hr; that of warfarin ranged from 9 to 30 hr. There was a statistically significant correlation between the following pharmacokinetic characteristics of dicumarol and warfarin in individual animals: biological half-life, apparent volume of distribution, total plasma clearance, and concentration in plasma eliciting one-half the maximum anticoagulant effect (effective concentration). The mean ratio of the respective biological half-lives (warfarin/dicumarol) was 1.42, and that of the apparent volumes of distribution was 1.50. The ratio of the effective plasma concentrations (dicumarol/warfarin) was correlated negatively with the half-life of dicumarol and positively with the ratio of the half-life values (warfarin/dicumarol) in individual animals. Additional studies with serum samples from other rats showed pronounced interindividual differences in the serum protein binding of both dicumarol and warfarin and a strong correlation between the protein binding of these two drugs in serum of individual animals. The results of this study, together with the results of previous studies in this series, indicate that serum protein binding is the major determinant of interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of dicumarol and warfarin in rats under these experimental conditions.
| 54,415
|
Assay in the mouse for delayed-type hypersensitivity to murine leukemia virus.
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Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), assayed by footpad swelling, was induced in 6- to 8-week-old BALB/cCr mice immunized with formalin-inactivated, sucrose-banded murine type-C viruses. The DTH response was inducible with as little as 11.25 mug sensitizing antigen, was greatest after sc sensitization as compared to im and ip sensitization, and was optimally elicited with a 7-day challenge. A statistical evaluation of the DTH assay revealed that the test was consistently reproducible and limited only by biologic variability of the mouse and the standardization of the antigen preparation. The DTH response was specific for type-C virus subtypes because it could distinguish the Rauscher strain of murine leukemia virus from AKR leukemia virus when the challenge antigen was extracted with Tween 80-ether. Immunized mice that gave DTH responses were resistant to challenge with exogenous, live murine leukemia viruses.
| 54,434
|
Apparatus for patient-controlled administration of intravenous narcotics during labour.
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The intermittent intravenous administration of narcotic analgesics had advantages over intramuscular administration, but is often impracticable. The design of a prototype apparatus is described, from which analgesic, pethidine, can be self-administered intravenously during labour. The apparatus consists of a syringe pump and control system from which the patient can demand an increment of analgesic. The minimum interval between increments and the dose of the increment are preset. A demand for analgesia is only successful when the patient passes a reaction-time test, subsequently modified. The apparatus has been used by forty-two mothers in labour. The mean total dose self-administered (2.2 mg/kg) was well within the prescribed limits, suggesting that mothers regulated their demand. The apparatus appears acceptable and safe in labour. The apparatus will probably be of value in comparative studies of analgesics.
| 54,518
|
Mycoplasma T strains and perinatal death.
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In 23 out of 290 perinatal deaths in Addis Ababa, mycoplasma T strains were the only organisms responsible for congenital pneumonia and death. All but 2 of the infants were stillborn, 16 dying during the last six weeks of gestation. Infections apparently occurred through intact fetal membranes.
| 54,632
|
T and B lymphocytes in breast cancer stage relationship and abrogation of T-lymphocyte depression by enzyme treatment in vitro.
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B and T lymphocytes have been measured in 100 women--71 patients with breast cancer and 29 controls--using sheep-erythrocyte rosetting techniques. Compared with controls (healthy women or patients with benign breast disease), there is a highly significant depression of T-cell percentage in all stages of breast cancer except locally advanced (stage 3) disease. These stage-3 cases seem to constitute a biologically distinct group. T-cell percentages in early (stage 1) patients overlap with those seen in stages 3 and 4, raising the possibility that there are in stage 1 two subpopulations of T-cell values that are associated with differences in subsequent tumour progression. B-lymphocyte levels are similar in all groups. Low T-cell levels return to normal after incubation with papain in virto but fall again after resuspending the treated lymphocytes in autologous (cancer) serum. The results suggest that T-cell depression is due to a masking factor on the surface of some T lymphocytes which is also present in the serum of cancer patients, and removable by enzyme digestion.
| 54,739
|
Healing of gastric ulcer during treatment with cimetidine.
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10 patients with benign gastric ulcer were treated with cimetidine 0-8 to 1-6 g/day for six weeks. Relief of symptoms was rapid. Endoscopy at the end of treatment showed that all the ulcers had healed. Healing was not associated with an improvement of acute atrophic gastritis nor with any change of gastric mucosal potential difference. No untoward clinical or laboratory effects were observed.
| 54,742
|
[Blood picture changes following single and prolonged oral application of ALG in the dog].
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Mongrel dogs were orally treated with 20 mg/kg ALG or NHG respectively. A significant decrease of the peripheral lymphocyte count was observed not only during 6 hours after the application of ALG but also during longtime observation. This lymphocytopenia was found to be between 30% and 50%. The effect of ALG after oral administration is smaller than after i. v. application. All other blood cells remained essentially unaffected by ALG as well as NHG. Whereas the efficacy of i. v. applied ALG is reduced by antibody formation, this cannot be expected to the same degree during oral administration, because the antibody formation is markedly reduced by the oral route of application.
| 54,847
|
[Carcinoma of the pancreas: palliative surgery (author's transl)].
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Among 1146 patients with diseases of the pancreas observed over a 15-year period, there were 234 cases of malignant duodeno-pancreatic tumors. This report concerns the intraoperative diagnostic methods and the various palliative operations available. There was a ratio of 13 males to 10 females, and the average age was 63 years. In 24.3 percent of the patients attempts to establish the diagnosis intraoperatively by puncture or excision were unsuccessful. The cardinal symptom in 71 percent of these cases was icterus. Duodenopancreatectomy was possible only in 21 cases (= 8.9%). In 173 cases (= 75.2% of all patients) a palliative operation was performed.
| 54,854
|
A rapid and simplified staining of juxtaglomerular granules with aqueous crystal violet.
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The method described allows staining of juxtaglomerular granules in a deep purple colour against faint purple background and deep purple erythrocytes. Paraffin sections of mouse kidney fixed in 10% formalin buffered with phosphate are brought to water, stained 3 min in 0.01% crystal violet, rinsed in tap water (or stained 3 min in 0.1% crystal violet in NaHCO3, rinsed in 1% NaHCO3), blotted, differentiated in a 1 : 1 aniline-xylene mixture, cleared in xylene and mounted in a resin.
| 54,861
|
Studies on bacteriophage T7 DNA synthesis in vitro. II. Reconstitution of the T7 replication system using purified proteins.
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DNA synthesis in vitro using intact duplex T7 DNA as template is dependent on a novel group of three phage T7-induced proteins: DNA-priming protein (activity which complements a cell extract lacking the T7 gene 4-protein), T7 DNA polymerase (gene 5-protein plus host factor), and T7 DNA-binding protein. The reaction requires, in addition to the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, all four ribonucleoside triphosphates and is inhibited by low concentrations of actinomycin D. Evidence is presented that the priming protein serves as a novel RNA polymerase to form a priming segment which is subsequently extended by T7 DNA polymerase. T7 RNA polymerase (gene 1-protein) can only partially substitute for the DNA-priming protein. At 30 degrees C, deoxyribonucleotide incorporation proceeds for more than 2 hours and the amount of newly synthesized DNA can exceed the amount of template DNA by 10-fold. The products of synthesis are not covalently attached to the template and sediment as short (12S) DNA chains in alkaline sucrose gradients. Sealing of these fragments into DNA of higher molecular weight requires the presence of E.coli DNA polymerase I and T7 ligase. Examination of the products in the electron microscope reveals many large, forked molecules and a few "eye"-shaped structures resembling the early replicative intermediates normally observed in vivo.
| 54,868
|
Genetic activity of niridazole in yeast.
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Niridazole, one of several drugs presently known to be of value in the treatment of human schistosomiasis, was tested for its activity in inducing mitotic recombination in yeast. It was found that niridazole is genetically active when the treatment of yeast cells is performed in a rich medium (YPG-medium) under growing conditions, but not when treatment is carried out in a non-nutrient suspension (phosphate buffer). The data suggest that niridazole might be converted to an active compound by yeast metabolism. The results of the experiments with niridazole in the non-nutrient medium were compared with those of AF-2 and SQ18, 506, two agents which have been shown to be genetically active in the present assay system.
| 54,875
|
Partial purification of a serum factor that causes necrosis of tumors.
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Tumor necrosis can be induced in transplanted mouse methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma by a tumor necrosis factor in the serum of mice infected with bacillus Calmette-Guérin and given bacterial endotoxin. Sera from normal mice, endotoxin-treated mice, and mice infected with bacillus Calmette-Guérin do not contain this factor. A 20- to 30-fold purification of the serum factor has been achieved by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, Sephadex G-100 and G-200 gel filtration, and preparative polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Tumor necrosis factor is not bacterial endotoxin. It migrates with alpha-globulins, is made up of at least four subunits, and has a molecular weight of about 150,000. The active factor is a glycoprotein that contains sialic acid and galactosamine.
| 54,919
|
On the chemical basis of chromosome banding patterns.
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A comparative study of the staining characteristics of four reagents for human chromosomes has been carried out. The four reagents are: (I) quinacrine mustard, as an alkylating agent, (II) the dihydroxy derivative of quinacrine mustard, (III) quinacrine, and (IV) 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine. The last reagent does not possess the amino substituted side chain even though it has the same intercalating nucleus. Comparison of the first three compounds in their staining and banding behavior suggested the initial step leading to banding may be the displacement of the nucleoprotein sites in hcromosomes. The Q and G banding could be blocked experimentally by treating the chromosome preparation with dimethylamine solution. This result may suggest that these sites have weaker basic proteins (nonhistone proteins?). The use of compound IV, which does not have the side chain in the molecule but does have the same intercalating chromophore, did not lead to banding and gives indirect support to this hypothesis. A combined use of compound IV and quinacrine may be useful for the determination of total DNA vs. banding DNA.
| 54,951
|
Influence of light and mounting medium on the fading of Feulgen stain.
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Serial microspectrophotometric estimations of the absorbance of Feulgen-stained interphase nuclei of human fibroblasts were made on slides mounted in a variety of mounting media and stored in light or in darkness. All preparations showed some fading, at rates which varied with different mountants, were greater in the light than in the dark, and were greater in the monochromatic illumination of the microspectrophotometer under working conditions than in normal laboratory light conditions. Fading was minimised by using XAM improved white neutral mounting medium (G.T. Gurr), storing slides in darkenss, and by reading samples as quickly as possible.
| 54,953
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Primary antibody response against K and D regions of the H-2a and H-2d haplotypes.
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The capacity of D and K antigens of the H-2d and H-2a haplotypes to induce primary IgM response was evaluated in host-donor combinations using congenic recombinant strains of mice. Host animals were immunized with an i.p. injection of 2 X 10(7) allogeneic spleen cells. Direct plaque-forming cells appearing in immune spleens were assayed with cells of lymphomas L2 of strain A and L5178Y of strain DBA/2, and mastocytoma P815 of strain DBA/2, as targets. Serum antibodies were titrated for cytolytic activity with the same targets as above, and with spleen cells of strain A mice. Titration of serum hemagglutinins was performed using A erythrocytes. The following results were obtained: (1) H-2Dd antigens were shown to be more potent in stimulating primary IgM antibody response than were H-2Kk and H-2Kd antigens, as measured by both plaque assay and serum antibody titration. (2) The observed dominance of D antigens of the haplotypes under study did not seem to be dependent on the number of antigenic specificities involved. (3) Comparable results were obtained with both lymphoid and nonlymphoid target cells of either normal or malignant origin.
| 54,966
|
[Age profile of the antihemagglutinins and antineuraminidase antibodies in type A influenza (author's transl)].
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Antineuraminidase and antihemagglutinating antibody studies were carried out in parallel in sera from subjects born in Bulgaria in 1968-1972, 1956-1960, 1946-1950, 1925-1935 and 1917-1920. It was found that the amount of both antineuraminidase and antihemagglutinating antibody in sera from normal subjects could vary depending upon the year of birth and the strain used for the test. The antibody spectrum was most narrow in children under 4 and wider in subjects born before 1925. Serograms of the age distribution of antineuraminidase antibody were different in 4 out of 5 strains used which confirmed the hypothesis of Francis and Davenport of the more solid immunological response to the first exposure to virus. Parallel examinations of the antibody spectrum in human sera confirmed differences in the antigenic specificity of the "active center" of neuraminidases of A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) and A/Singapore/1/57 (H2N2) viruses and for the first time provided evidence attesting to the existence of similar strain differences in neuraminidases belonging to the N1 group. Examinations for antineuraminidase antibody in addition to antihemagglutinins increase the effectiveness of evaluation of the immunological structure of the population.
| 54,996
|
[Urocytogram in the treatment with bleomycin].
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Even though Bleomycin is excreted in the urine in high concentrations, side effects in the urinary tract due to the chemical nature of this compound are seldom observed. With respect to treatment of gynecological carcinomas, it is, therefore, important to examine the effect that Bleomycin when treatment involves the use of Endoxan. Cytologically, one finds an increase in desquanmation of the transitional epithelium and an increase in degenerate cell forms. The homogenous eosinophilic cellular inclusions which are observed, are specific for neither Endoxan nor for Bleomycin treatment. The antibiotic effect of Bleomycin results in an aseptic cystitis. The urocytogramm is suitable for examining the epithelial changes of the urinary tract in context with the gynecological carcinoma treatment and also for determing tumor breakthough into the bladder.
| 55,014
|
[Use of the oblique illumination method for characterizing N. meningitidis cultures].
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The authors used the method of oblique illumination for detection of the state of the population of meningococcus cultures. In studying 48 strains there were revealed three types of fluorescence of the colonies: bright orange with a transition into greenish-light blue along the lower margin (the I type), bright light blue with a narrow orange or green upper margin (the II type) and greyish-light blue colonies (the III type). The type of fluorescence was not associated with the sero-group specificity. Populations of meningococcus cultures, depending on conditions and duration of growth on the nutrient medium could consist both of the colonies with the same type of fluorescence, and also represent a combination of colonies with a different type of fluorescence. The colonies of the I and II types of fluorescence had marked group specificity, but mutation occurred during passage and the III type of fluorescence formed with a loss of serological specificity. Continuous selection of the colonies of the I and the II types of fluorescence permitted to preserve the population with specific properties necessary for production of diagnostic and vaccine preparations for a long time.
| 55,019
|
[The role of microsocial and psychological factors in the development of stable psychological changes in children].
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The author conducted a clinical study of 305 children with epilepsy, the results of which were correlated with stable psychic changes, microsocial, psychological factors and identical heredity. It was established that pathological personality traits in the parents, a situation of conflicts in the family and a wrong rearing were significantly higher in mentally changed epileptic children. An identical hereditary loading does not form significant correlations with stable mental changes. The conclusion is being made that an unfavourable situation may exert a certain impact on the formation of a character in children with eilepsy.
| 55,024
|
Embryology of the epidermis: ultrastructural aspects. III. Maturation and primary appearance of dendritic cells in the mouse with mammalian comparisons.
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The epidermis of mice ranging in age from prenatal day 17 through postnatal day 4 and, in addition, postnatal day 18, was studied with the electron microscope. In the 17 day fetus, the periderm may or may not be present and a stratum corneum is developing in the latter case. The cells of the strata spinosum and granulosum contain much glycogen and many keratinosomes and homogeneous keratohyalin granules which appear to line up in a row near the distal cell membranes, fuse and form keratinized cells which contain material similar in density to that of the individual keratohyalin granules. In the 18 to 20 day fetuses, no periderm is present. The stratum corneum becomes well-developed. The quantity of glycogen decreases but the number of keratinosomes and keratohyalin granules increases. Some cells in the basal region contain necrotic phagocytosed cells. Few changes occur in the epidermis of the neonate, although the stratum corneum increases in thickness. In the early postnatal period, the mouse epidermis is mature in appearance and resembles that of man. By postnatal day 18, the whole epidermis is much thinner, although all classical strata can usually be identified. The primary appearance and subsequent maturation of epidermal dendritic cells was also studied in the mouse during the embryonic, fetal, early postnatal and 18 day postnatal periods. Melanocytes which lacked cell processes were first identified in the 15 day fetus. Melanocyte cell processes and an increasing number of melanosomes, as well as melanocytes, are present between prenatal day 18 and postnatal day 3. On postnatal day 4, fewer melanocytes are present and they contain vacuoles. Phagocytosed melanocytes are also present within basal keratinocytes. Undifferentiated dendritic cells or indeterminate cells are observed beginning on prenatal day 16. These cells do not appear to increase significantly in number subsequently. On postnatal day 18, Langerhans cells and indeterminate cells are present but no melanocytes can be identified. No Merkel cells were observed. Mitotic dendritic cells or dendritic cells traversing the basal lamina were not observed.
| 55,035
|
Plasma cell granulomas in non-lipemic xanthomatosis: apparent induction by indomethacin.
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A 71-year-old man with non-lipemic, generalized, plane xanthomas developed nodules and tumors within one month of starting indomethacin therapy. These enlarged and spread during 5 months of daily indomethacin but promptly and spontaneously involuted when the indomethacin was discontinued. Within 4 months, the nodules and tumors were completely gone. The process is viewed as an "indoderma", i.e. a granulomatous drug reaction, analogous to an iododerma.
| 55,044
|
Localization of hepatitis B surface antigen in conventional paraffin sections of the liver. Comparison of immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase, and orcein staining methods with regard to their specificity and reliability as antigen marker.
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Hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) has been demonstrated in conventional formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver tissue by peroxidase and fluorescent immunostaining as well as by orcein. Complete locational and morphologic identity is seen between material stained by specific immunologic methods and by orcein. The antigen is restricted to the cytoplasm and is generally observed in the hepatocyte; it is present in three morphologic forms. Certain morphologic forms can even be identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue. Results of immunostaining procedures indicate that the antigen demonstrated in this study consists entirely of surface coat of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg). This seems to be the only component revealed by orcein staining. The latter is considered to be a good marker of the surface antigen and to have certain advantages over immunostaining. It is suggested that suitability of conventional paraffin sections for the detection of HBAg has wide and important implications.
| 55,076
|
[Do immunization of rabbits by N-acetylgalactosamine and a disaccharide linked to a protein produce anti-microbial antibodies (author's transl)].
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Rabbits were immunized with N-acetylgalactosamine linked to bovalbumine. They produced antibodies which precipitated this same sugar linked to human gamma-globulins but did not agglutinate Salmonella johannesburg which carry a side chain of N-acetylgalactosamine. The same immunization enhanced the titre of "natural" antibodies agglutinating human A red cells (which carry a terminal N-acetylgalactosamine) but they did not evoke such antibodies in rabbits with no "natural" hemagglutinins. These negative results, when compared to the positive one obtained with 0-acetyl-3,6-dideoxygalactose suggest that rabbit antibody-sites limited to one sugar may exist but that they can be detected only under certain conditions. Another group of 8 rabbits was immunized with a disaccharide alpha-Glc-(1 leads to 6)-GalNAc linked to a protein. All produced antibodies agglutinating S. johannesburg (1,40) which carry this disaccharide and S. senftenberg which carry the disaccharide alpha-Glc-(1 leads to 6)-Gal. The titres of these antibodies decreased after a second course of immunization.
| 55,093
|
[Effect of gramicidin C on the formation and germination of Bacillus brevis var. GB (P+-variant) spores].
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The effect of gramicidin C added to the medium at various periods of cultivation in concentrations of 20, 40 and 100 gamma/ml on sporulation of P+-variant of Bac. brevis var. GB was studied. The most effective increase in the sporulation rate and percentage of the cells germinating into the spores was observed on addition of the antibiotic to the medium in amounts of 20 and 40 gamma/ml in 13 hours of the culture development. The amount of gramicidin C during sporulation decreased and partially passed into the spores which did not differ after germination from those of P+-variant grown on the synthetic medium with glucose and without preliminary addition of the antibiotic. Addition of gramicidin C in an amount of 100 gamma/ml at the end of the lag phase, i.e. 4 hours after the culture inoculation suppressed sporulation and had no effect on growth of the cells of its own producing organism.
| 55,097
|
Cross-reactive antigens and lectin as determinants of symbiotic specificity in the Rhizobium-clover association.
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Cross-reactive antigens of clover roots and Rhizobium trifolii were detected on their cell surfaces by tube agglutination, immunofluorescent, and radioimmunoassay techniques. Anti-clover root antiserum had a higher agglutinating titer with infective strains of R. trifolii than with noninfective strains. The root antiserum previously adsorbed with noninfective R. trifolii cells remained reactive only with infective cells, including infective revertants. When adsorbed with infective cells, the root antiserum was reactive with neither infective nor noninfective cells. Other Rhizobium species incapable of infecting clover did not demonstrate surface antigens cross-reactive with clover. Radioimmunoassay indicated twice as much antigenic cross-reactivity of clover roots and R. trifolii 403 (infective) than R. trifolii Bart A (noninfective). Immunofluorescence with anti-R. trifolii (infective) antiserum was detected on the exposed surface of the root epidermal cells and diminished at the root meristem. The immunofluorescent crossreaction on clover roots was totally removed by adsorption of anti-R. trifolii (infective) antiserum with encapsulated infective cells but not with noninfective cells. The cross-reactive capsular antigens from R. trifolii strains were extracted and purified. The ability of these antigens to induce clover root hair deformation was much greater when they were obtained from the infective than noninfective strains. The cross-reactive capsular antigen of R. trifolii 403 was characterized as a high-molecular-weight (greater than 4.6 times 10(6) daltons), beta-linked, acidic heteropolysaccharide containing 2-deoxyglucose, galactose, glucose, and glucuronic acid. A soluble, nondialyzable, substance (clover lectin) capable of binding to the cross-reactive antigen and agglutinating only infective cells of R. trifolii was extracted from white clover seeds. This lectin was sensitive to heat, Pronase, and trypsin. inhibition studies indicated that 2-deoxyglucose was the most probable haptenic determinant of the cross-reactive capsular antigen capable of binding to the root antiserum and the clover lectin. A model is proposed suggesting the preferential adsorption of infective versus noninfective cells of R. trifolii on the surface of clover roots by a cross-bridging of their common surface antigens with a multivalent clover lectin.
| 55,100
|
Endodontic education.
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Undergraduate endodontology is taught in Australian Universitiies in Restorative or Conservative departments. Courses generally consist of twelve lectures, three seminars and technique courses. Average clinical experience is six to eight endodontic treatments in anterior and posterior teeth. Comparison with American and Scandinavian teaching, staff and facilities indicates that this subject is receiving considerably less emphasis in Australia. As endodontic therapy is eseential in any dental health programme based on preventive dentistry there is a considerable need to upgrade undergraduate endodontic teaching in Australia.
| 55,118
|
[Isolation of the pregnancy specific beta-glycoprotein (SP1) and antigen-related proteins by means of immunoadsorption].
|
Purification of human pregnancy-specific beta1-glycoprotein (SP1) and antigenically related proteins of sub-human primates (chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, cynomolgus and baboon) was achieved by means of an immunoadsorbent technique. The immunoglobulins of a rabbit antiserum to human SP1 were isolated on DEAE-cellulose and coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose. This immunoadsorbent was used to bind human SP1, respectively monkey proteins immunochemically related to SP1 from placental extract fractions. After extensive washing the proteins were eluted by an acidic glycine buffer. Contaminating serum proteins could be removed by chromatography on hydroxyapatite columns. With this method it was possible to obtain SP1 and the antigenically related proteins of monkeys in good yield and in highly purified form. The proteins thus isolated from human and sub-human primate placentae were compared in their physicochemical and immunochemical properties. The amino acid and carbohydrate compositions of human SP1 and rhesus SP1 have been determined. In a biological test certain inhibitory effect of human SP1 on the mixed leukozyte culture (MLC) could be demonstrated.
| 55,283
|
[Electronmicroscopic and immunohistochemical studies on human lymphocytes].
|
Lymphocytes from the blood of healthy individuals and of patients suffering from CLL were investigated by electron microscopy and peroxidase-immunohistochemistry. B-lymphocytes were labelled by heterologous, peroxidase-conjugated antisera directed against the Id-determinants of their membranes. T-lymphocytes were labelled by an indirect method: specific incubation with a specific anti-T-cell-globulin from the rabbit; labelling-incubation with a peroxidase-conjugated anti-rabbit-IgG-globulin from the sheep. In addition, T-lymphocytes were identified by their ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes spontaneously. The quantitative results were: about 80% T-lymphocytes and about 24% B-lymphocytes in normal persons, the opposite results in CLL. T- and B-lymphocytes were photographed electron microscopically; the number of organelles in the single cells was evaluated: lysosomes in the average are more numerous in T-lymphocytes, ergastoplasm in B-lymphocytes, mitochondria are equally distributed in both groups of cells. There is so much overlapping, however, that the single cell only with the aid of immunochemistry or rosette formation can be identified as a B- or T-cell. In both, the T- and the B-cell-series, different forms of lymphocytes can be distinguished according to the degree of cell differentiation. Some further problems, as specificity of the antisera and labelling of the cells by means of their Fc-receptor are discussed.
| 55,285
|
Blood group MN precursors as human breast carcinoma-associated antigens and "naturally" occurring human cytotoxins against them.
|
Blood groups MN active substances were found in benign and malignant human mammary glands. However, the precursor T (Thomsen-Friedenreich) antigen, as determined with human sera, occurred in all cancerous breast tissues tested but not in the benign mammary glands. Anti-T antibody, which is present in all human sera, was severely depressed in 21.16% of 189 breast carcinoma patients, compared with 3.62% of 470 persons of similar age without cancer. Of 720 persons tested approximately 85% of those with severely depressed anti-T had carcinoma; their IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations were of normal range. A greater than 25%-90% increase in anti-T titer score was found in 65.6% of 32 patients bled 1-14 months after mastectomy for carcinoma as compared with 3.1% of 32 patients with breast biopsy who had no carcinoma. All differences in anti-T titer score changes reported are statistically highly significant. Injection of T antigen from human erythrocytes increased anti-T titer scores.
| 55,297
|
Immunologic approaches to the diagnosis of cancer.
|
A variety of immunologic approaches can be applied to the diagnosis of human cancer, and these have the potential advantages of specificity and sensitivity. Many tumor distinctive markers have been detected in the circulation of cancer patients. Cancer patients frequently have detectably depressed immune competence, but also have cell-mediated and humoral immune reactivity against tumor-associated antigens. Radiolabeling of specific antibodies may allow localization in vivo of tumors. With each of these potential immunodiagnostic approaches, it is necessary to systematically evaluate the assays and determine their value for specific clinical applications.
| 55,303
|
Characterization of a new antigen-antibody system associated with hepatitis B.
|
The occurrence of a new antigen-antibody system was recently described in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive sera with different specificities, one of which was designated e. These specificities are related as demonstrated by the presently utilized e reagents not discriminating between them in immunodiffusion tests. Hence, they are collectively referred to as e in this report. The occurrence of e antibodies in sera containing antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) is reported. The e antibodies were found to move as 7S globulin on rate zonal centrifugation. The e precipitate was demonstrated on the cathode side of the HBsAg precipitate on immunoelectrophoresis consistent with e antigen migrating in the gamma-globulin region. The e antigen is reported to have an S value of 11-6 +/- 0-6 (s.d.) and a buoyant density of 1-291 +/- 0-003 (s.d.), hence differing from HBsAg in all respects studied thus far.
| 55,324
|
Method for the determination of mean densitometric profiles of chromosomes: application to human chromosomes stained by quinacrine mustard, ethidium bromide or by the Feulgen reaction.
|
When comparing the densitometric profiles of corresponding chromosomes registered from different metaphases or homologous pairs, one is always faced with the variability of their length and overall height. This makes difficult the quantitative comparison of a given chromosome treated by various staining procedures.--A simple and rapid method has been developed for normalizing the densitometric profiles and averaging them in order to obtain a "mean density pattern" of each chromosome. The analysis involves: photographic images, digitalization of the densitometric profiles and processing of the data by a mini-computer.--The method, based on a linear relationship between the area of the densitometric profiles and their length, has been applied to five human chromosomes (1, 2, 6, 12 and 16) stained by ethidium bromide, quinacrine mustard (with or without acidic hydrolysis), pararosaniline and bisaminophenyl-oxadiazole (Feulgen reaction).
| 55,336
|
The scalp topography of potentials associated with missing visual or auditory stimuli.
|
Averaged potentials time-locked to regularly presented visual and auditory stimuli and to the occasional random deletion of a stimulus were recorded from a scalp electrode array overlying the left hemicranium. The major components of visual and auditory evoked potentials and of the potentials associated with missing stimuli (MSP) were measured and their amplitude distributions depicted in the form of isopotential maps. The N1 components of the VEP and AEP had distributions compatible with sources in and near the respective primary cortical projection areas. The P2 components were more widely distributed and could be attributed in part to generators within modality specific association areas. The MSP comprised two main components, an initial negativity (NMSP) and a later positive wave (PMSP). The NMSP distributions were different in the visual and auditory modalities, and were similar to the respective EP topographies. The NMSP appeared to reflect a more powerful contribution of association areas than did the evoked responses. The PMSP topography was modality unspecific with distributions which were maximal over the parietal region. The possible functional significance of the NMSP and PMSP was considered in the light of their timing and topography.
| 55,346
|
Maturation of the somatosensory evoked potentials in normal infants and children, with special reference to the early N1 component.
|
The early components of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were analysed in 39 normal newborns in REM sleep, 35 normal awake children between 1 month and 9 years and 16 normal awake adults. Electrical pulses were delivered at random intervals to fingers of the contralateral hand. The SEP were averaged from several electrodes in the parietal scalp focus and several runs were compared to estimate precise latencies and durations (Fig. 5, 6, 7). The system bandpass extended to 3 kc and many precautions were taken to exclude interference. The limb temperature was carefully maintained at normal value in order to avoid undue slowing of peripheral conduction velocity. The SEP presented markedly increased latencies for near-threshold stimuli (Fig. 3) while becoming even more focalised (Fig. 1). Background data were obtained in order to standardize the parameters for the maturation study (Fig. 2, 3, 4). In the children, the early negative component was found to undergo progressive changes. It was only at the age of about 8 years that the adult pattern was approached (Fig. 8, 9, 10, 11). The duration of the early negative N1 component decreased quite progressively. The latencies to onset and to peak were also shown to follow a highly consistent pattern when the body length of the subjects was taken into account (Fig. 9, 10). By dividing the data by the body length, functions were obtained which could be said to apply to a "standard" individual whose body length did not change from birth to adulthood and remained at one meter. Such plots made it possible to appreciate the true extent of the SEP maturational changes from birth. The quantitative data thus provided should serve as a useful reference for subsequent studies on developmental changes of the brain and for clinical applications to diseased children.
| 55,347
|
Spatio-temporal organization of EEG in premature infants and full-term new-borns.
|
Inter- and intrahemispheric EEG relationships were studied as a function of maturation in new-born infants. The spatio-temporal organization of EEG activity obtained during the two stages of sleep described in new-born infants - quiet sleep and active sleep - was analysed in 9 full-term new-born infants and 5 prematures (6 records). EEGs were recorded through transverse parietal montage made up of six bipolar derivations. Two epochs of 1.5 min each - successively obtained in both stages of sleep - were digitized, filtered in three frequency bands (beta, theta and delta) and computer-processed according to two methods, factor analysis and rhythms averaging. 1. The following EEG characteristics were found in both groups: (a) Instability of frequency within each frequency band (beta, theta and delta). However, theta activity was the most stable of the three, especially in quiet sleep. (b) Variability of topographical organization (i.e., localization of maxima of potentials) from one moment to another in both stages of sleep and in the three frequency bands. In spite of this intra-individual variability some sort of "average structure" was found in all infants; it was characterized by usually lateral and often symmetrical positions of the maxima of potential on the two hemispheres. For the same infant this structure was the same in the three frequency bands. (c) Poor interhemispheric relationships under all conditions, as well as poor interregional links in one hemisphere. 2. Some EEG characteristics differentiated the two groups and thus seemed to be related to maturation. Compared to full-term newborns the premature group showed: better stability for all three activities, especially for beta activity; higher frequency and larger amplitude of beta activity; better inter- and intrahemispheric relationships; fewer differences related to sleep stages. These results are discussed in terms of organization of the underlying cortical generators. The authors suggest that the active areas would increase in number and in surface with maturation, whereas the links between these different separate areas would remain very poor in the human full-term new-borns as well on one hemisphere as across hemispheres. This last finding would argue against the hypothesis that the corpus callosum which, as is well known, matures early, plays an important role in the establishment of interhemispheric links.
| 55,356
|
Detection of cyclic sleep phenomena using instantaneous heart rate.
|
The development of the Heart Beat Domain and the Fourier transform of the Heart Beat Domain (which we call the Beatquency Domain) has provided new and useful tools for the quantitative analysis of sleep level patterns. This method of analysis has produced remarkable intersubject as well as intra-subject consistency and the only physiologic parameter required in the analysis is beat-by-beat heart rate. This analytical tool was designed to aid in the detection of sleep cycles, or more specifically, the rhythmic transitions from REM+ (awake Stages 1 and REM combined) to NREM (Stage 2, 3 and 4 combined) over a normal night of sleep. Employing this method on minute-by minute sleep recordings from 9 normal sleep subjects, 2 complete nights each, we were able to distinguish between the REM+ and NREM stages with an average accuracy of approximately 80%. Considering that beat-by-beat heart rate was our only criteria, we felt that the algorithm performed with significant success.
| 55,357
|
Levels of beta-trace protein and lysozyme in human amniotic fluids.
|
The levels of beta-trace protein and lysozyme were estimated in amniotic fluids from normal fetuses and from fetuses with neuraltube defects. The values of these proteins in normal amniotic fluids were found to be similar to those detected in fetuses with anencephaly and spina bifida. The levels of lysozyme were shown to be correlated with gestational age.
| 55,367
|
Cytochemical study of pseudoisocyanine stained human chromosomes.
|
Human meiotic and mitotic chromosomes were studied with N-N' diethyl pseudoisocyanine stain. Following methylation and oxydation, the staining allowed microscopic observation of slides with both monochromatic light and fluorescence. In addition, stained preparations can be permanently conserved. Preceeded by diverse methods of chromosome denaturation or 5-BUDR incorporation, PIC lends itself to a large number of banding techniques. Cytochemical study of stained chromosomes demonstrated a certain PIC affinity for DNA although tests performed do not exclude the possibility of PIC reaction with certain proteins.
| 55,377
|
Inhibition of allergic reactions by chromoglycate and by a new anti-allergic drug (10-chloro-1,4,6,9-tetrahydro-4,6-dioxopyrido (3,2-g) quinoline-2,8-dicardoxylic acid). I. Activity in rats.
|
A new inhibitor of IgE-mediated allergic reactions has been studied in rats. This new inhibitor is chemically quite different from cromoglycate and shows qualitative and quantitative advantages over it. This new inhibitor possesses no bronchodilator or end-organ antagonism activity, but as cromoglycate acts by inhibition of mediator release. Multiple doses in rats lead to tachyphylaxis. This effect is reversed both by decreasing the first dose and increasing the time between doses.
| 55,394
|
EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA)-positive cells in the peripheral blood of infectious mononucleosis patients.
|
After removal of SRBC rosette-forming T-cells from the peripheral blood, the residual, largely B-lymphocyte fraction of five infectious mononucleosis patients was found to contain 0.5-2% blast cells, positive for the EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA). There was a rough parallelism between the presence of large lymphoblasts in the hematological smear, EBNS-positive large blasts in the B-cell fraction and the ability of the T-cell fraction to exert an EBV-specific lymphocytotoxicity on established cell lines in vitro. EBNA-positive B-cells and EBV-specific killer T-cells disappeared after the acute phase of the disease.
| 55,396
|
Glycoproteins in membranes of secretory granules of the anterior pituitary gland.
|
Rat anterior pituitary glands were examined by electron microscopy after staining with five different histochemical stains. Histochemical reactions were observed in the cell coat, cell membrane and the membrane surrounding the secretory granules in all anterior pituitary cells following staining with phosphotungstic acid (PTA), chromic acid and PTA, the periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver protein method (PA-TSC-SP) of Thiéry, ruthenium red and concanavalin A. The staining was abolished when the sections were preincubated with pronase, neuraminidase or trypsin and subsequently exposed to PTA, chromic acid and PTA or PA-TSC-SP. The possible functional role of the glycoproteins present in the membrane surrounding the secretory granules is considered.
| 55,405
|
Light microscopic demonstration of myoid material in nuclei.
|
During the development of configurational staining methods for proteins of the myosin-fibrin group, nuclei showed staining properties similar to those of myofibrils. This dye binding could be attributed to nuclear alpha-helical proteins. More recent chemical and electron microscopic studies demonstrated actomyosins in nuclei of various species. Possible roles of nuclear actomyosin in chromosome movements and condensation and in cell proliferation have been suggested. It seems therefore permissible to assume that the tannic acid-phosphomolybdic acid (TP)-Levanol Fast Cyanine 5RN method and similar technics visualize myosin in nuclei. Comparative studies of actomyosins from various sites indicated significant chemical an histochemical differences. It is therefore suggested that, in analogy to the different classes of collagens, there may be several subgroups of myosin which differ in their physico-chemical properties and sensitivity to fixation procedures and pathological conditions.
| 55,409
|
Fractionation of cells on a discontinuous Ficoll gradient. Study of subpopulations of human T cells using anti-T-cell antibodies from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
|
Patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a decrease in a subpopulation of cells (fraction D) when peripheral blood lymphocytes were separated on a discontinuous Ficoll gradient. Preincubation of SLE cells at 37 degrees C for 30 min led to a marked decrease in this fraction, composed primarily of thymus-derived (T) cells. Supernates of such preincubations were found to cause a reduction in fraction D cells from normal humans. The active factor in the supernate was found to be an IgG antibody. Similarly, serum from patients with active SLE produced a reduction in fraction D cells from normal donors. This activity was also found in the IgG fraction, and could be absorbed with a pure T-cell population. Depletion of macrophages and complement did not reduce the SLE anti-T-cell antibody-mediated loss of cells from fraction D; however, heat-aggregated human gamma globulin led to impairment of the reaction. These findings suggest that antibody-dependent direct lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity may play a role in T-cell lymphopenia of SLE. It was further noted that the SLE anti-T-cell antibodies, in contrast to rabbit antihuman thymocyte serum, recognized fraction D cells but not fraction E cells from normals. Since both fractions are largely T cells, it appeared that the SLE serum was directed against cell-membrane antigenic determinants present on fraction D T cells, which were absent or reduced in quantity on fraction E T cells. Thus, evidence was presented indicating the presence of at least two subpopulations of cells in man. This was supported by differential absorption of the anti-T-cell sera with fractions D and E.
| 55,418
|
Polymerized ragweed antigen E. IV. The analysis of the stability of molecular size and antigenic reactivity of the polymer.
|
Ragweed antigen E polymerized by treatment with glutaraldehyde offers a potentially improved method for immunotherapy of human IgE-mediated pollinosis because studies have demonstrated that the polymer retains antigenic reactivity but has decreased ability to release histamine when these functions are compared on a weight basis. The potential clinical usefulness of the polymer is dependent both on stability of the polymer and on retention of antigenic reactivity. The method used for the analysis of the stability of the polymer under conditions of storage was the comparison of gel filtration fractionation profiles. No depolymerization was demonstrated during storage conditions for 2 mo, and only minimal evidence of additional polymerization (less than 8%) or depolymerization (less than 7%) was observed after 6 mo of storage. There was no difference in the per cent of polymerized antigen E precipitated by rabbit antiserum after storage as compared with control samples.
| 55,428
|
T cell memory for the cytotoxic response to hapten-modified target cells.
|
This study describes the development of memory and cytotoxic murine T cells against syngeneic haptne N equals[N-(3-nitro-4-hydroxy-5-iodophenyl-acetyl)-Beta-alanylglycylglycyl] associated antigen. Memory activity in this system had the following characteristics. a) In vitro challenged cells primed in vivo resulted in an augmented cytotoxic response compared to cells primed in vitro. b) The augmented cytotoxic response in vitro was antigen-specific for both target cells in the lytic reaction and stimulator cells in the secondary response. c) Memory activity was long lasting (at least 2 months). d) Memory cells were not cytotoxic. e) Memory activity as well as the cytotoxic cells generated in a secondary response in vitro were T cell dependent, These findings are consistent with the results of others who have investigated T cell dependent memory in other cell-mediated reactions.
| 55,441
|
Immunochemical analysis of water-soluble antigens of chick retina in the course of embryogenesis.
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Water-soluble antigens of chick retina were investigated using rabbit antisera to total extract and to individual electrophoretic fractions of retinal extract by methods of immunoelectrophoresis and Ouchterlony precipitation test. In the retina of the adult chick six serum and eleven tissue antigens were demonstrated. The tissue antigens of the retina comprised one organ-specific antigen and ten inter-organ antigens which were characterized by nonuniform distribution in tissues and organs of adult chick. Three antigens out of these were found only in tissues of the eye (retina, iris) and in the brain--inter-organ antigens of 'narrow' specificity. The ohter seven inter-organ antigens were found in tissues of brain and eye, as well as in various tissues and organs of hens--inter-organ antigens of 'broad' specificity. A high degree of antigen similarity between retina and iris was observed. Anti-retina sera in chick lens could detect only inter-organ antigens of 'broad' specificity. In the course of embryogenesis the first to appear in the developing retina were inter-organ antigens of 'broad' specificity (on 3rd day of incubation). Formation of antigens of this group was completed by the 9th day of incubation. On the contrary, inter-organ antigens of 'narrow' specificity appeared later, in the period of histogenesis of retina (from 5 to 18 days of incubation). The organ-specific antigen of retina was found by 7th day of incubation. One of the inter-organ retinal antigens of'narrow' specificity (retina-iris-brain) appeared in the developing chick brain at the same time as in retina--on 10th-11th day of incubation. Using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody technique this antigen was identified in the cytoplasm of retinal cells and brain neurones, but was not detected in the nerve fibres.
| 55,449
|
Modulation of regulatory mechanisms operative in the cyclical production of antibody.
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Modulation of the cyclical response in rabbits to aggregated human gamma globulin (AHuIgG) was investigated in order to study some of the parameters involved in self-regulation of the immune response. Several mitogens (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], phytohemagglutinin [PHA], and concanavalin A [Con A]), when injected simultaneously with antigen, have been shown to modulate the normal splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in rabbits to a single intravenous injection of AHuIgG. This response to AHuIgG has previously been characterized by the initial appearance of PFC in the spleen 3 days later, with a peak of PFC at 5 days after injection. The number of PFC in the spleen then decreases and remains at a low level until a second increase begins on day 10, peaking on day 13. The 8-day cycle between peak PFC repeats, with a third peak appearing on day 21. In the present studies, injection of LPS with AHuIgG was shown to affect the PFC response by enhancing only the initial peak of PFC, PHA was shown to enhance both the initial and secondary peaks of PFC, while injection of Con A with AHuIgG resulted in a prolonged increase in PFC with no apparent cycling. Irradiation 24 h after injection of antigen resulted in PFC kinetics similar to those observed with PHA, although the increase in PFC was more marked with irradiation. Thus, although LPS, PHA, Con A, and irradiation markedly affected the immune response to AHuIgG, Con A was the only substance which altered the cyclical appearance of PFC to HuIgG. The cyclical nature of the PFC kinetics was shown to occur with either intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of antigen and in both primary and secondary responses, provided that the rabbits were primed with a low dose of antigen. Data were obtained that suggest that the response in distal lymph nodes may be regulated by immunological events occurring in the spleen. Cycling of PFC was not observed in the draining node after subcutaneous injection of AHuIgG in the hind foot. However, if the antigen was also injected intravenously at the same time as the subcutaneous injection, the response in the node became cyclical.
| 55,457
|
3H-thymidine autoradiography of the CSF cells in cases of non-neoplastic disease.
|
Human CSF cells in cases of non-neoplastic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) were examined in vitro by 3H-thymidine autoradiography. Immediately after withdrawl by lumbar or ventricular puncture, the CSF was incubated in a sedimentation chamber at 37 degrees C for 1 hr with an admixture of 3H-thymidine at a concentration of 1-2 muCi/ml CSF. In a few cases the CSF withdrawn was incubated in a glass tube in the same condition as in a sedimentation chamber, and the CSF cells were collected by centrifugation. The CSF cells collected were fixed in methanol and the microautoradiographic procedure was performed. Labeled CSF cells were found in 21 cases out of 22. The average labeling index of the total nucleated cells was 0.22% with the highest labeling of 0.74%. Almost all the labeled cells were thought to be medium to large sized lymphocytes and monocytoids. Peripheral blood was examined by a similar method and the results were compared with those of the CSF. It may be noteworthy that thre exist DNA synthesizing cells in the CSF even in a non-neoplastic state of the CNS, although the number is not large.
| 55,487
|
Neuropsychiatric symptomatology with chronic renal insufficiency in the stage of compensated and decompensated retention. II. Peripheral nerve disturbances.
|
80 strictly selected patients with chronic renal insufficiency with plasma creatinine values of 1.4-14.5 mg% were examined for clinical and electrophysiological signs of nephrogenic polyneuropathy. The motor symptoms complained of were cramps in 43.8% of the patients, "restless leggs" in 18.7%, muscular twitchings in 12.5%. It was emphasized that the first two symptoms do not always indicate the presence of polyneuropathy. 30% complained of paresthesias, 5% of "burning feet". The most frequent clinical finding was the impairment of vibration sense in the feet in 37.5% followed by diminshed appreciation of passive movement of the toes in 30%, weakening or absence of the ankle jerk in 23.8% and finally, weakening of the patellar reflex in 5%...
| 55,492
|
[The EEG after frontal and frontobasal skull and brain injury (author's transl)].
|
Eighty-eight patients with confirmed frontal and frontobasal lesions were examined. The EEG changes were investigated according to type and frequency both after recent trauma and in the later stages (Fig. 1). The general changes showed mainly slight (Fig. 2B) and only rarely severe, dysrhythmias (Fig. 3A) which, however, were frequently associated with paroxysmal outbursts. Focal findings were largely temporal and frontal in the second place (Fig. 2A). All pathological EEG changes showed a tendency to improvement, so that in the late phase they occurred rarely and less severe (Fig. 4). They showed no essential difference from the EEG of uncomplicated craniocerebral traumata. The relations between the EEG and the clinical form of craniocerebral trauma were examined. In contusions of the head the normal EEG was predominant. The pathological EEG was prominent with cerebral concussion and even more so with cerebral contusion. On the other hand, there was no relationship between the EEG and the type of fracture. A significant predominance of pathological EEG was found only in frontobasal fractures with rhinorrhoea. The EEG changes, classified as focal and dysrhythmic, show no statistically significant relationship either to the form of craniocerebral trauma or to the type of fracture. The effect of force coming form in front has apparently been used up chiefly in producing the frontal or frontobasal fractures, and leads to relatively slight cerebral damage. The clinical significance of the EEG does not actually lie in the diagnosis of these injuries, but, as always, in the establishment of the severity and extent of the cerebral lesion and the detection of complications.
| 55,493
|
Failure of somatostatin to correct manifest diabetic ketoacidosis.
|
Juvenile diabetic patients were studied 60-72 hours after insulin withdrawal when moderate ketoacidosis had developed. Somatostatin infusion for 4 hours in five patients resulted in almost complete suppression of plasma pancreatic glucagon and growth hormone, a fall in plasma-cyclic-adenosine-monophosphate (A.M.P.) concentrations, and a large fall in plasma-glucose concentration. After infusion plasma concentrations of these substances rose again. Blood-ketone-bodies, plasma-free-fatty-acids (F.F.A.), and plasma glycerol concentrations, however, did not decrease appreciably with somatostatin administration. In three patients 2 to 3 h somatostatin infusions were twice superimposed upon a continuous 9-5 h insulin infusion (1 unit/h). An insulin effect was noticeable within 30 minutes, with pronounced falls in the concentrations of plasma glucose, pancreatic glucagon, F.F.A., and blood-ketone-bodies. There was no significant change in these patterns when somatostatin was administered or withdrawn. These results do not indicate that somatostatin infusion would be useful in the treatment of manifest diabetic ketoacidosis.
| 55,530
|
Autoantibodies to Tamm-Horsfall protein, a tool for diagnosing the level of urinary-tract infection.
|
In sera from ten girls with acute pyelonephritis, antibodies of the IgG-class to Tamm-Horsfall protein were found in significantly increased titres; in contrast, titres in sera from six girls with acute cystitis did not differ from those of healthy controls. The results suggest that determination of Tamm-Horsfall antibodies may prove useful for differentiating between upper and lower urinary-tract infection.
| 55,534
|
Hyperprolactinaemia and luteal insufficiency.
|
Prolactin interferes with the function of the corpus luteum, as was demonstrated by repeatedly finding a short luteal phase in the ovulatory cycles of two hyperprolactinaemic women after prolactin supression by bromocriptine had been discontinued. In hyperprolactinaemic ovulatory cycles excretion of pregnanediol in urine was less and plasma-progesterone concentrations were lower than in normo-prolactinaemic cycles. When the amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea syndrome recurred the symptoms appeared in the following order: (1) serum-prolactin increased and the luteal phase became shorter; (2) galactorrhoea appeared; (3) ovulation was missed; (4) menstruation was missed. All these abnormalities may be treated by prolactin suppression, but the effect of treatment does not persist for long after bromocriptine administration ceases.
| 55,535
|
Anticonvulsants and parental epilepsy in the development of birth defects.
|
The results of two studies, one in Finland and one in the U.S.A., raise the possibility that fetal damage previously attributed to phenytoin and other anticonvulsant drugs, principally phenobarbitone, may be due to epilepsy itself. In the U.S.A., drug-exposure information was collected before delivery in a cohort of 50 282 mother/child pairs. The total malformation rate in 305 children born to epileptic mothers was 10.5%, as against 6.4% in the remainder (p less than 0.01); corresponding rates for major malformations were 6.6% and 2.7%. When the fathers had epilepsy, the malformation-rates in their children were intermediate. The rates did not vary significantly according to maternal anticonvulsants therapy. Mental and motor scores as 8 months of age, and intelligence quotient scores at 4 years were lower in children of epileptic mothers, but not in children of epileptic fathers. The scores showed only random variation according to maternal anticonvulsant therapy. In Finland, 2784 children with craniofacial anomalies were compared with an equal number of normal children; 8 and 2 mothers, respectively, received anticonvulsants, while pregnant, for epilepsy. In that study, the separate effects of the disease and its treatmet could not be evaluated. Both studies did not find evidence of fetal damage when phenobarbitone was taken for indications other than epilepsy.
| 55,587
|
Menstrual blood-loss with intrauterine devices.
|
The effect of three intrauterine contraceptive devices (I.U.D.)-Lippes D, Dalkon Shield, and Copper 7-on menstrual blood-loss has been studied serially by objective methods in 279 women. All the women had a minimum of two cycles following delivery, abortion, cessation of lactation, or previous pill or I.U.D. use. All pads and tampons used for two further menstrual cycles before and for 12 cycles after I.U.D. insertion were collected, and the blood-loss was measured by extracting the haemoglobin by conversion to alkaline haematin. Mean menstrual blood-loss increased with all three devices. The amount of loss, the percentage of women losing more than 80 ml, the decline in haemoglobin concentration, and the incidence of anaemia during the 12 cycles following insertion were all greater among users of the Lippes Loop than of the Copper 7 with generally intermediate values for Dalkon Shield users. The mean increases in blood-loss were: for parous women fitted with the Lippes Loop, 48 ml, with the Dalkon Shield, 34 ml, and with the Copper 7, 18 ml; for nulliparae fitted with the small size of Dalkon Shield, 27 ml, and, with the Copper 7, 19 ml.
| 55,650
|
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