Soluble interleukin-2 receptors in serum and bile of liver transplant recipients

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors (IL2R) were measured as markers of lymphocyte activation in serum and bile of liver transplant recipients. Serum and biliary levels were significantly higher in patients with acute rejection than in those with other complications (serum p less than 0.0025, bile p less than 0.001) or stable grafts (both p less than 0.0001). Levels rose 24 h before rejection could be detected by conventional liver tests. Biliary levels were more specific and sensitive than serum levels for rejection. Local production of IL2R accounted for the high levels in bile; the bile to serum ratio of IL2R was greater than that of albumin in 16 of 18 patients with acute rejection. Serum levels were high early in the course of chronic rejection but fell as it progressed to end-stage. Measurement of soluble IL2R may have a role in the early diagnosis of acute rejection and in identifying patients with chronic rejection in whom further immunosuppression will provide no benefit.

Fast Fourier transform convolution calculations of x-ray isodose distributions in homogeneous media

Convolution concepts were implemented using the discrete fast Fourier transform (FFT) to model the three-dimensional dose distribution due to x-rays produced by a medical linear accelerator. Convolution kernels were employed that had been calculated by Mackie using the EGS4 Monte Carlo code. The EGS4 code was also used to estimate initially the spectrum by simulating the production, filtering, and flattening of the beam in the collimator of the linear accelerator. The continuous bremsstrahlung spectrum was modeled using five discrete energies. The more subtle field-size effects of collimator scattering on the spectrum were obtained by calculating corrections to the spectral components using a least-squares search technique. Dose distributions were obtained using FFT convolutions of the kernels for each energy with the spectrally weighted fluence distributions for that energy. The dose distributions were compared with isodose distributions measured in a water phantom. The agreement was generally found to be better than 1% on the central axis. The calculation time for a single three-dimensional beam was approximately 20 min using a VAX/750 without an array processor. Methods were explored to reduce the calculation time using similar hardware, and estimates were made of how to reduce the calculation time using a more sophisticated computer system.

[In vitro culture of premature seeds of Dendrobium huoshanense Tang et Cheng]

The premature seeds of D. huoshanense collected in September or October can develop normally in MS or Kundson media with BAI and NAA 0.5 mg/L and form complete plantlets. The premature seeds cultured in dark for 22 days and then in low light intensity give the highest germination percent age(91%). The suitable temperature for the germination of D. huoshanense premature seeds is 25-27 degrees C.

[Tissue culturing and ultrastructural observation of human trabecular cells]

Two trabecular cell lines were established by means of tissue culturing. The growth patterns of the trabecular cell culture were studied under phase-contrast microscope for 5 generations. The morphological features and the ultrastructure of the trabecular cells were investigated by light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cultured cells were identified as trabecular cells by their specific characteristics quite different from the possible contaminating cells, e.g. fibrocytes, corneal endothelium, etc., and they may be used in pathogenetical and pharmacological researches of glaucoma.

Hepatic endothelial cells. Targets in liver allograft rejection?

Hepatic endothelial cell damage was evaluated in patients following liver transplantation using 2 serum markers: hyaluronic acid (HA), which measures hepatic endothelial cell function, and factor VIII related antigen (VIIIRAg), an indicator of generalized endothelial damage. HA was elevated in rejection (median 22.3 x control) when compared with stable patients (3.7 x control; P less than 0.00001) and those with posttransplant complications not related to rejection (6.8 x control; P less than 0.0005). The highest levels were seen in patients with chronic rejection (28.7 x control). Levels were also elevated in acute rejection (21.3 x control), and the highest levels in this group were seen in patients who subsequently developed chronic rejection (25.2 x control). Serial studies demonstrated that HA increased 24 hr before serum bilirubin in patients developing acute rejection. VIIIRAg was elevated in all posttransplant patients with no significant difference between rejection and other complications. These results show that hepatic endothelial dysfunction occurs during acute and particularly chronic rejection of liver allografts suggesting that VECs may be an important target of the immune response. Measurement of HA may allow for the early diagnosis of acute rejection and the identification of patients at risk of developing chronic rejection.

Double-blind crossover controlled study on antiepilepsirine

Antiepilepsirine (AES) is one of the derivatives of a Chinese folk prescription. It is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) synthesized in cooperation by Chinese medical and pharmaceutical workers. Pharmacological experiments on animal models prove that its antiepileptic action is marked, but there has been little evaluation of its clinical effects. We used the double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study which is generally acceptable as a proper method for new drug study. This study covered 58 epileptic children treated with classical AEDs and observed 6.5 months. Every patient took AES and placebo for 3 months each by random crossover on the basis of add-on therapy. The blood levels of AES and other antiepileptic drugs were determined regularly. The results show that there are no significant differences in clinical effects between AES and placebo in pediatric epilepsies as a whole, but AES is effective in tonic-clonic seizures (P less than 0.05), the most common type of seizure in the series. There are no significant differences in AED blood levels between the AES effective and ineffective groups. AES has no effect on the blood levels of other AEDs. AES is very safe, children given large doses (10 mg/kg/day) demonstrate no serious side-effects. It is suggested that there is potential improvement in patient psychological and cognitive status. This article also discusses the evaluation of new drugs for clinical effects, subject sampling, the criteria for efficacy evaluation and relationship between animal information and human outcome. The AES chemical structure is different from other well-known AEDs, this is a unique advantage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Diagnosis and treatment of the spinal type of multiple sclerosis: report of 23 cases]

23 cases of multiple sclerosis of the spinal type are reported, including 11 males and 12 females. Their ages ranged from 11 to 66 years The onset of this type of the disease was usually acute or subacute. Remissions and relapses were observed in 16 cases of them, having 2 to 4 times in a period of 1 month up to 6 years. The clinical feature was mainly the involvement of the spinal cord. It affected the cervical and thoracic spinal cord in 12 cases, the thoracic in 6 cases, and the lumbar in 1 case. The lesions appeared to be diffuse in 4 cases, corticosteroid therapy was used in all these cases with marked improvement in 82.6% of them.

Purification of human transcription factor IIIA and its interaction with a chemically synthesized gene encoding human 5 S rRNA

Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) was purified from cytoplasmic extracts of HeLa cells by developing a simple and efficient procedure employing phosphocellulose under widely differing ionic conditions followed by affinity chromatography on immobilized human 5 S genes. This procedure yielded a fraction containing human TFIIIA activity and a protein of 35 kDa as its major component. Moreover, we succeeded in renaturing the activity of human transcription factor IIIA (hTFIIIA) isolated after preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in identifying a polypeptide of 35 kDa with the transcription activity. This value differs from that reported for Xenopus TFIIIA. It could be demonstrated by footprinting analyses that hTFIIIA specifically binds to the internal control region of the human 5 S rRNA gene. The limits of protection slightly differ at the 3' border of the internal control region from those imprinted by Xenopus TFIIIA on the same gene. Comparative footprint analyses of hTFIIIA on the human and frog somatic 5 S rRNA gene, measured in titration, competition, and salt-stability experiments, demonstrated a higher affinity of the human factor to the homologous gene. These results, together with the difference in molecular mass of these functionally analogous proteins, reemphasize the importance of homologous systems for the analysis of mechanisms involved in gene regulation.

Comparisons of the structural proteins of avian infectious bronchitis virus as determined by western blot analysis

The antigenic diversity of ten strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was examined by Western blot analyses using polyclonal antisera specific for the Massachusetts 41 (M41), Gray, Arkansas DPI (Ark DPI), Connecticut (Conn) and Australian T (Aust T) serotypes. Although antigenic variation was found in all three structural viral proteins, the matrix protein appeared to be antigenically the most highly variable. Four distinct antigenic groups, which did not correspond to virulence or pathotype, could be defined according to the variations observed in the matrix protein. Somewhat less variation was seen in the spike polypeptide. The only variation in the nucleocapsid protein was indicated by the lack of a detectable reaction between the Aust T antiserum and the Ark DPI nucleocapsid protein. Antisera made against M41 had the broadest reactivity while antisera against Aust T, the only strain tested which was exotic to the U.S.A., had the greatest specificity.

High-resolution electron microscopic investigation of supported platinum particles reduced at high temperatures

High-resolution electron microscopy has been used to characterize the platinum particles supported on TiO2 or ZnO. After reduction at elevated temperatures, the metallic particles display a regular, faceted shape, and several superstructures, Pt3 Ti(C), Pt3 Ti(H), PtTi, and PtZn, have been found. These results, which may involve strong metal-support interaction, have been confirmed by optical diffraction and image simulation.

Averaged F-wave conduction velocity of peroneal nerve

Averaged F-wave conduction velocities (a-FWCV) of peroneal nerve were measured on 38 healthy volunteers and 22 patients with clinical and electromyographic evidence of unilateral L5 or L5 + S1 radiculopathy. The peroneal nerve was stimulated supramaximally at the fibular head and the compound muscle action potential was recorded from the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Averaged tracings from 32 consecutive stimuli were obtained. The averaged F-wave latency (Fp) and M-wave latency (Mp) were measured from the stimulating artifact to the peak of the waves. The distance (D) between the stimulating point and the T12 spinous process was measured. The value of a-FWCV was calculated as 2D/(Fp-Mp-1) m/second. In normal subjects, the average value of a-FWCV was 56 +/- 4, and there was no significant difference between males and females, nor between the right and left sides. The differences among the tests administered at different times on the same subject were also statistically insignificant. Of the 22 patients, 17 had subnormal value of a-FWCV if the lower normal limits were defined as mean minus 2.5 SD (i.e., 46 m/second) calculated from the normal control value. However, only one of them had subnormal value of FWCV calculated by the conventional method (without averaging technique). All the patients with two root (L5 + S1) involvement had subnormal a-FWCV. It is concluded that the a-FWCV is a more sensitive measure than the conventional FWCV in the assessment of L5 radiculopathy.

Interference filters as nonlinear decision-making elements for three-spot pattern recognition and associative memories

Simple patterns consisting of three spots (V and Gamma) have been recognized by dividing, shifting, and recombining beams onto bistable ZnS interference filters. This experiment demonstrates AND-gate operation, cascading, and a moderate amount of parallelism, but a laser power of several watts was required and the response times were several milliseconds. An associative memory for fingerprint identification has been constructed using a VanderLugt correlator and an interference filter as a reflective thresholding device.

Tissue tropism and target cells of bluetongue virus in the chicken embryo

In situ cytohybridization was used to determine the tissue tropism and target cells for replication of bluetongue virus (BTV) in the developing chicken embryo. Hybridization with a biotinylated probe specific for segment 3 of BTV serotype 17 detected viral replication in embryos inoculated with U.S. serotypes 2, 10, 11, 13, and 17 or sheep blood containing a BTV field strain. At the final stages of infection, when the embryos were hemorrhagic, viral infection could consistently be detected in the brain, kidney, spinal cord, heart, lung, and liver, with the brain and kidney most severely affected. Other tissues, such as the retina, skin, tongue, and intestinal villi, also supported viral replication in some embryos. Greater concentrations of virus tended to be localized within epithelial cells, such as those lining the kidney tubules and tertiary bronchi of the lungs. Kinetics studies with BTV serotypes 11 and 17 and a field strain indicated that within 24 h after inoculation, viral replication occurred initially in the brain and kidney. By 48 h, viral replication was also detected in the lungs, heart, and spinal cord, with the liver being severely infected by 72 h. Low levels of hybridization could be detected in embryos infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, which is antigenically related to BTV.

Non-invasive estimation of afferent inputs for postural stability under low levels of alcohol

The maintenance of human equilibrium is a complex process. Several physiological systems provide afferent information for postural stabilization. This study describes a noninvasive methodology to estimate the relative roles of interacting afferent inputs relevant for postural control. A multiaxis force platform in conjunction with specially designed test procedure provided semi-quantitative insight into the roles of vision, proprioceptors and vestibular apparatus in controlling postural sway when it was perturbed by a central nervous system perturbator such as alcohol. Experiments were conducted on 10 male and 10 female subjects. The males did not show statistically significant increases in body sway at these low levels of alcohol. For the females, the present methodology could detect subtle changes in postural sway at low blood alcohol levels ranging between 0.015% and 0.03%. At these low levels of alcohol, the results from females show that when the vision was excluded and the proprioception was modified, the postural sway was most affected. The postural instability experienced in this condition is probably due to inappropriate responses to proprioceptive inputs and lack of vision. Both male and female subjects showed a strong "eyes by standing surface" interaction. The proprioceptor manipulation alone did not affect the postural stability.

An affinity chromatography-gel filtration device for preparing thyroid microsomal antigen

On the basis of conventional differential centrifugation for preparing crude thyroid microsomal antigen (TMAg), we have employed Sepharose 4B gel filtration and affinity chromatography separately to study the elution pattern in terms of absorbance and antigenic activity. The result indicates that thyroglobulin (TG) exists in two forms in crude TMAg, i.e., 'free TG' and 'membrane-bound TG'. TMAg is present in two forms in the eluate: (1) the TM fragment or TMAg polymer, which is produced at a higher rate and has greater antigenic activity, but which is less pure; (2) soluble TMAg, which is produced at a lower rate and has less antigenic activity, but which is more pure. We have developed an affinity chromatography-gel filtration (AC-GF) device which is a combination of affinity chromatography and a Sepharose 4B column. Sephadex G-50 is placed between the rubber stopper and Sepharose 4B in the GF column to ensure intactness of the entire system. With such a device, the AC removes the contaminated TG from TM homogenate, and allows the latter to pass directly from AC to GF for rechromatography. This device extracts the full advantages of both methods and each compensates for any deficiency of the other. Using this one-step procedure, one has the greatest chance of removing TG and obtaining TM fragments of TMAg polymers of higher antigenic activity, as well as separating small amounts of more purified soluble TMAg. Thus, the newly developed method meets the need of large quantities of TMAg for practical application, and at the same time the more purified preparations can be used for analytical purposes.

The biphasic effects of some opiates and opioid peptides on the rat vas deferens

It has been found that the effects of opiates and opioid peptides on RVD are of two types. Compounds of the first type such as Etor, Eton, fentanyl and prodine derivatives, Met- and Leu-Enk and DADL are biphasic in nature. At lower concentrations (10(-8)-10(-5) M) they have inhibitory effects and at higher concentrations (10(-5)-10(-4) M) they are excitatory. Compounds of the second type, such as Mor, benzomorphan derivates, Cyc and SKF and the antagonist Nx have virtually no or only weakly inhibitory effects but may antagonize the inhibitory effect produced by the first group of compounds at lower concentrations. MC belongs to the second type, but it cannot antagonize the inhibitory effect of beta-End. The results are discussed in terms of multiple receptors, the high and low affinity binding sites, and the interrelationship between receptors.

Chronic measurement, using a Doppler probe, of uterine artery flow in the gravid guinea-pig

A chronic animal model is described which permits for the first time the continuous measurement of uterine artery blood flow velocity in the pregnant guinea-pig by using a miniaturized Doppler flow probe. Preliminary validation revealed that alterations in actual blood flow are directly and proportionally related to the change in the Doppler shift (r = 0.984) from 0 to 100 ml/h. The velocity signal baseline was as stable as that of systemic blood pressure. Depending upon the individual animal's flow velocity, a deviation of 2-5% from baseline was statistically significant. With experience, greater than 90% of preparations were successful and a 30-day interval was often available for study. Uterine artery flow velocity increased steadily between 45 and 55 days of gestation. Instrumentation did not result in fetal growth retardation. A reduction in flow velocity occurred during general anaesthesia using ketamine and the antianxietal xylazine. In agreement with the reports of other investigators using a different model, both hydralazine and angiotensin II increased uterine blood velocity and adrenaline reduced it.

Functional domains of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a multisubunit, membrane-spanning protein that contains a gated, cation-conducting channel. Our approach to the understanding of the function of this receptor in molecular terms has been to locate its functionally significant sites in the sequences of its subunits and in its three-dimensional structure. In addition, we have tried to correlate transitions in the properties of these sites with functional transitions of the receptor. On binding acetylcholine, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor enters at least two transient states, the open state and the rapid-onset desensitized state, and, in the continued presence of agonist, finally subsides into the slow-onset desensitized state. The transitions of the receptor between these various states are susceptible to regulation by acetylcholine and its congeners acting at one type of site and by a broad class of noncompetitive inhibitors (NCIs), including local anesthetics, acting at other sites. The chain composition of the receptor is alpha 2 beta gamma delta. The two acetylcholine binding sites are on the alpha chains, and two residues contributing to these sites, Cys-192 and Cys-193, have been identified. Furthermore, these adjacent Cys residues are cross-linked by a disulfide bond. In the quaternary structure of the receptor, the chains appear to be arranged in the order alpha gamma alpha beta delta around a central channel. Both the alpha and beta chains contribute to functionally significant NCI binding sites. The addition to receptor-rich membrane from Torpedo electric tissue of agonists (but not competitive antagonists) renders these NCI sites susceptible to photolabeling by the NCI quinacrine azide (QA). Furthermore, this susceptibility is transient, arising in milliseconds and subsiding in hundreds of milliseconds. These transiently susceptible sites are protected by other NCIs against photolabeling by QA. The time-course of the susceptibility and its dependence on agonist-concentration suggest that it might be the transient, rapid-onset desensitized state of the receptor that is most susceptible to photolabeling by QA.

Stereospecific antibodies to propranolol

The beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol was activated through its side chain, coupled to bovine serum albumin, and injected into BALB/c mice. After fusion of the splenocytes from these immunized mice with the NS-1 myeloma cell line, two hybridomas, producing monoclonal anti-propranolol antibodies, were isolated. Clone P-49 was monospecific for propranolol, with a significant preference for the 1-stereoisomer, as compared to the d form. On the other hand, clone P-28 cross-reacted with alprenolol as well as some other beta-antagonists. Both classes of antibodies competed with A431 epidermoid carcinoma beta 2-adrenoceptors for the binding of [3H]propranolol. When ascites cells from clone P-28 were fixed with glutaraldehyde, the anti-propranolol monoclonal antibody became cell bound. These cell-bound P-28 antibodies bind propranolol and other beta-adrenergic ligands with a similar ranking order to the soluble monoclonal antibody. The cell-bound antibody displayed a 5-fold higher affinity towards 1-propranolol than the soluble monoclonal antibody. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.