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Impact of cholecystectomy on the gut-liver axis and metabolic disorders. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024:102370. [PMID: 38729564 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2024.102370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Cholecystectomy is considered as a safe procedure to treat patients with gallstones. However, epidemiological studies highlighted an association between cholecystectomy and metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), independently of the gallstone disease. Following cholecystectomy, bile acids flow directly from the liver into the intestine, leading to changes in the entero-hepatic circulation of bile acids and their metabolism. The changes in bile acids metabolism impact the gut microbiota. Therefore, cholecystectomized patients display gut dysbiosis characterized by a reduced diversity, a loss of bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids and an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria. Alterations of both bile acids metabolism and gut microbiota occurring after cholecystectomy can promote the development of metabolic disorders. In this review, we discuss the impact of cholecystectomy on bile acids and gut microbiota and its consequences on metabolic functions.
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Erratum: Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 031802 (2023)]. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:159903. [PMID: 37897794 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.159903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.031802.
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Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:031802. [PMID: 36763398 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.031802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We report a search for cosmic-ray boosted dark matter with protons using the 0.37 megaton×years data collected at Super-Kamiokande experiment during the 1996-2018 period (SKI-IV phase). We searched for an excess of proton recoils above the atmospheric neutrino background from the vicinity of the Galactic Center. No such excess is observed, and limits are calculated for two reference models of dark matter with either a constant interaction cross section or through a scalar mediator. This is the first experimental search for boosted dark matter with hadrons using directional information. The results present the most stringent limits on cosmic-ray boosted dark matter and exclude the dark matter-nucleon elastic scattering cross section between 10^{-33}cm^{2} and 10^{-27}cm^{2} for dark matter mass from 1 MeV/c^{2} to 300 MeV/c^{2}.
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Paraprobiotics obtained by six different inactivation processes: impacts on the biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota of Wistar male rats. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2021; 72:1057-1070. [PMID: 33820498 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2021.1906211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of feeding paraprobiotics obtained by six processes [heat, ultrasound, high pH, low pH, irradiation and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2)] on biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota of Wistar male rats. Daily administration of paraprobiotics did not affect (p ≥ 0.05) the food intake, body weight, glucose and triglycerides levels, expression of antioxidant enzymes or thermal shock proteins in comparison to the control. Bifidobacterium lactis inactivated by irradiation and supercritical CO2 decreased the total cholesterol levels in serum (p < 0.05). Bifidobacterium lactis inactivated by supercritical CO2 increased the albumin and creatinine levels, while decreased the HDL-cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Clostridiales (45.6-56%), Bacteroidales (31.9-44.2%) and Lactobacillales (3.9-7.8%) corresponded to the major orders in paraprobiotic groups. The properties of paraprobiotics are dependent on the method of inactivation, the intensity of the method employed and on the strain used.
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Orange Juice and Yogurt Carrying Probiotic Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086: Impact of Intake on Wistar Male Rats Health Parameters and Gut Bacterial Diversity. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:623951. [PMID: 34135869 PMCID: PMC8202523 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.623951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the impact of the food matrix (orange juice and yogurt) on the effects of the spore-forming probiotic microorganism Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086 in health parameters and gastrointestinal tract (gut) bacterial diversity in Wistar male rats. Rats (n = 48) were randomly distributed into six groups. The groups were the Control (which received sterile distilled water), Juice (which received orange juice), Yogurt (which received yogurt), Probiotic Bacillus (which received B. coagulans GBI-30 6086 in distilled water), Probiotic Juice (which received orange juice with B. coagulans GBI-30 6086), and Probiotic Yogurt (which received yogurt with B. coagulans GBI-30 6086). Each animal belonging to the different groups was treated for 21 days. The daily administration of probiotic juice or probiotic yogurt did not affect the rats’ food or body weight. Rats fed with Probiotic Yogurt showed lower glucose and triglycerides levels (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05), while no changes in these parameters were observed in the rats fed with Probiotic Juice. Rats fed with Probiotic Yogurt showed a higher gut bacterial diversity than the control group (p < 0.05), and higher abundance (p < 0.05) of Vibrionales, Enterobacteriales, Burkholderiales, Erysipelotrichales, and Bifidobacteriales compared to all other groups. No changes were observed in the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes or heat shock protein 70 of rats fed with probiotic yogurt or probiotic juice. Results reveal that the consumption of yogurt containing B. coagulans GBI-30 6086 decreases triglycerides and glucose levels and positively impacts the gut bacterial ecology in healthy rats. These animal model findings indicate that the matrix also impacts the functionality of foods carrying spore-forming probiotics. Besides, this research indicates that yogurt is also a suitable food carrier of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086.
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Wheat-durum pasta added of inactivated Bifidobacterium animalis decreases glucose and total cholesterol levels and modulates gut microbiota in healthy rats. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2021; 72:781-793. [PMID: 33487082 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2021.1877261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of consumption of wheat-durum pasta added of Bifidobacterium animalis inactivated by gamma-irradiation (paraprobiotic) on health and gut microbiota of rats. Twenty-one male rats were divided into three groups as follow: control (Control) receiving standard diet; pasta control (PC) receiving diet containing pasta, and paraprobiotic pasta Bifidobacterium-irradiated (PPBI), receiving paraprobiotic pasta. The serum levels of glucose and total cholesterol were reduced (p < 0.05) in PPBI when compared to the Control (p < 0.05). PPBI showed high abundance (p ˂ 0.05) of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and a lower abundance of Bacteriodes compared to Control and PC. Besides, the PPBI showed high abundance (p ˂ 0.05) of Clostridiales, Lactobacillales; Bifidobacteriales, Bacillales, and Coriobacteriales in comparison to Control. Specific genera such as Bifibacterium, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, Allobaculum, and Blautia were more related to PPBI. Findings reveal wheat-durum pasta as a potential vehicle for delivering paraprobiotics B. animalis.
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Colonic neuronal loss and delayed motility induced by high-fat diet occur independently of changes in the major groups of microbiota in Swiss mice. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2020; 32:e13745. [PMID: 31721393 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity has been linked to gastrointestinal disorders, and the loss of myenteric neurons in the intestine caused by high-fat diets (HFD) has been attributed to changes in microbiota and lipotoxicity. We investigated whether the prebiotic inulin modulates bacterial populations and alleviates neuronal loss in mice fed HFD. METHODS Swiss mice were fed purified rodent diet or HFD (59% kcal fat), or both diets supplemented with inulin for 17 weeks. Intestinal motility was assessed and a metagenome analysis of the colonic microbiota was performed. The gene expression of inflammatory markers was evaluated, and immunofluorescence was performed for different types of myenteric neurons and glial cells in the distal colon. KEY RESULTS The HFD caused obesity and delayed colonic motility. The loss of myenteric neurons and glial cells in obese mice affected all of the studied neuronal populations, including neurons positive for myosin-V, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and calretinin. Although obese mice supplemented with inulin exhibited improvements in colonic motility, neuronal, and glial cell loss persisted. The HFD did not altered the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in the intestine or the prevalence of the major groups in microbiota, but inulin increased the proportion of the genus Akkermansia in the obese mice. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES In Swiss mice, the HFD-induced neuronal loss but did not change the major groups in microbiota. This suggests that, despite the increase in the beneficial bacteria, other factors that are directly linked to excess dietary lipid intake affect the enteric nervous system.
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Biocompatibility and degradation of gold-covered magneto-elastic biosensors exposed to cell culture. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2016; 143:111-117. [PMID: 26998872 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Magneto-elastic materials (ME) have important advantages when applied as biosensors due to the possibility of wireless monitoring. Commercial Metglas 2826MB3™ (FeNiMoB) is widely used, however sensor stabilization is an important factor for biosensor performance. This study compared the effects of biocompatibility and degradation of the Metglas 2826MB3™ alloy, covered or not with a gold layer, when in contact with cell culture medium. Strips of amorphous Metglas 2826MB3™ were cut and coated with thin layers of Cr and Au, as verified by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS). Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), the presence of metals in the culture medium was quantitatively determined for up to seven days after alloy exposure. Biocompatibility of fibroblast Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cultures was tested and cytotoxicity parameters were investigated by indirect means of reduction of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) at 1, 2 and 7 days. Cell death was further evaluated through in situ analysis using Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) staining and images were processed with ImageJ software. Ions from Metglas(®) 2826MB3™ induced a degradation process in living organisms. The cytotoxicity assay showed a decrease in the percentage of live cells compared to control for the ME strip not coated with gold. AO/EB in situ staining revealed that most of the cells grown on top of the gold-covered sensor presented a normal morphology (85.46%). Covering ME sensors with a gold coating improved their effectiveness by generating protection of the transducer by reducing the release of ions and promoting a significant cell survival.
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BCR-ABL1 Transcript Levels at 3 and 6 Months Are Better for Identifying Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients with Poor Outcome in Response to Second-Line Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors after Imatinib Failure: A Report from a Single Institution. Acta Haematol 2016; 134:248-54. [PMID: 26159458 DOI: 10.1159/000430835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Early reduction of BCR-ABL1 transcript levels has been associated with improved outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. We evaluated 54 chronic-phase CML patients treated with imatinib who switched therapy to dasatinib (n = 33) or nilotinib (n = 21). BCR-ABL1 transcript levels were measured in peripheral blood using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) every 3 months from the start of second-line treatment. Patients with BCR-ABL transcript levels >10% at 3 months and >1% at 6 months had significantly inferior progression-free (PFS) and event-free survival (EFS) than patients with RQ-PCR <10% at 3 months and <1% at 6 months (66 vs. 100%, p = 0.01, and 33 vs. 73%, p = 0.02, respectively). Patients with RQ-PCR <10% at 3 months and >1% at 6 months also had inferior PFS and EFS than patients with RQ-PCR <10% at 3 months and <1% at 6 months (48 vs. 100%, p = 0.002, and 25 vs. 73%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Two measurements of BCR-ABL levels were better than a single one to stratify chronic-phase CML patients as failure after second-line therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Female
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/blood
- Humans
- Imatinib Mesylate/administration & dosage
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/blood
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Male
- Middle Aged
- RNA, Messenger/blood
- RNA, Neoplasm/blood
- Treatment Failure
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Green propolis modulates gut microbiota, reduces endotoxemia and expression of TLR4 pathway in mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Res Int 2015; 76:796-803. [PMID: 28455065 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2015.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to the various beneficial effects attributed to propolis, which include anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial infection properties, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of propolis supplementation on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and its anti-inflammatory action. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a standard diet (control), a high-fat (HF) diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.2% crude propolis (HFP) for 2 or 5weeks prior to sacrifice. Blood samples were collected for the determination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and classical biochemical parameters. Expression of the TLR4 pathway in muscle, and DNA sequencing for the 16S rRNA of the gut microbiota were performed. The HF diet increased the proportion of the phylum Firmicutes and inflammatory biomarkers, while supplementation with propolis for five weeks rendered the microbiota profile nearly normal. Consistently with the above, the supplementation reduced levels of circulating LPS and down-regulated the TLR4 pathway and inflammatory cytokine expressions in muscle. Moreover, propolis improved such biochemical parameters as serum triacylglycerols and glucose levels. The data suggest that propolis supplementation reduces inflammatory response and endotoxemia by preventing dysbiosis in mice challenged with a high-fat diet.
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High density flux of Co nanoparticles produced by a simple gas aggregation apparatus. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2010; 81:033908. [PMID: 20370193 DOI: 10.1063/1.3355075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Gas aggregation is a well known method used to produce clusters of different materials with good size control, reduced dispersion, and precise stoichiometry. The cost of these systems is relatively high and they are generally dedicated apparatuses. Furthermore, the usual sample production speed of these systems is not as fast as physical vapor deposition devices posing a problem when thick samples are needed. In this paper we describe the development of a multipurpose gas aggregation system constructed as an adaptation to a magnetron sputtering system. The cost of this adaptation is negligible and its installation and operation are both remarkably simple. The gas flow for flux in the range of 60-130 SCCM (SCCM denotes cubic centimeter per minute at STP) is able to completely collimate all the sputtered material, producing spherical nanoparticles. Co nanoparticles were produced and characterized using electron microscopy techniques and Rutherford back-scattering analysis. The size of the particles is around 10 nm with around 75 nm/min of deposition rate at the center of a Gaussian profile nanoparticle beam.
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Transitions in the orientational order of liquid crystals induced by periodic patterned substrates. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2006; 74:021714. [PMID: 17025459 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.74.021714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The orientational order of liquid crystals (LCs) induced by periodic patterned substrates has been investigated with cells coated by azopolymer films that could be photoaligned in a controlled way. Two regimes were observed depending on the period of the patterns: (i) above 3.0 microm the LC follows the direction imposed by the patterned substrate since the energy stored in the surface potential minimizes the elastic energy of the LC medium. (ii) For periods smaller than 1.0 microm a homogeneous in-plane state was induced and the LC did not follow the orientation imposed by the surface. This in-plane transition could be explained qualitatively by a theoretical model based on the competition between the Frank-Oseen elastic energy and the phenomenological surface potential. The results also suggest an out-of-plane transition for the LC director as the period was reduced. These results agree with data in the literature for patterned substrates with completely distinct architectures. This indicates that for a particular LC sample the overall behavior depends basically on the texture period instead of the texture architecture. The textures were characterized with a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM), which allowed simultaneous morphological and optical images in the submicrometer range.
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Abstract
AIM To evaluate the release of calcium ions, pH and conductivity of a new experimental dental cement (EC) and to compare them with those of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-Angelus). METHODOLOGY Five samples of each cement were prepared using plastic tubes 1 mm in diameter and 10 mm long. Each sample was sealed in a test tube containing 10 mL deionized water which was analysed after 24, 48, 72, 96, 192, 240 and 360 h for pH, electrical conductivity and calcium release. The concentration of calcium ions was obtained through atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. The data were analysed statistically using the analysis of variance (anova) and the Student's test (t-test). RESULTS The pH of the storage solutions was not affected by the material and the interaction of material with time (P > 0.05). However, the time of immersion was significant (P < 0.01) for both materials. For the electric conductivity and calcium release, the interaction of material with time was statistically significant (P < 0.01), indicating that EC and MTA-Angelus did not behave in a similar manner. CONCLUSIONS The experimental cement released calcium and increased the pH of the storage solutions in a similar manner to MTA-Angelus. However, EC showed significantly higher calcium release than commercial MTA-Angelus after 24 h.
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Abstract
This paper reports on the development of a magneto-optical scanning near-field optical microscope and the experimental near-field study of the domain structure for a model magnetic particle of 16 x 16 micro m(2) of a Co(70.4)Fe(4.6)Si(15)B(10) amorphous thin film, deposited on a silicon substrate. We present the topographic, optical and magneto-optical differential susceptibility (MODS) images of the particle. Imaging by using the local MODS reveals the domain structure. These images are also used for positioning the tip in order to acquire local hysteresis loops, with submicrometre spatial resolution.
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Abstract
The venoms of predatory cone snails represent a rich combinatorial-like library of evolutionarily selected, neuropharmacologically active peptides. A major fraction of the venom components are conotoxins--small, disulfide-rich peptides that potently and specifically target components of the neuromuscular system, particularly ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels. This review focuses on Conus peptides, which act at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These nicotinic antagonist peptides from Conus are broadly divided into two groups: those that act at the neuromuscular junction and those that act at subtypes of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The latter include peptides specific for the alpha 7, alpha 3 beta 2, and alpha 3 beta 4 nicotinic receptor subtypes. The degree of specificity exhibited by these peptides is remarkable, particularly given their relatively small size. As a group the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-targeted Conus peptides represent an increasingly well-defined set of tools for probing the structure, function, and physiological role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
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Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare genetic disease characterized by widespread soft tissue ossification and congenital stigmata of the extremities. We report on a male child followed for ten years since the age of 3 years and 9 months, when the diagnosis was made. He was born with bilateral hypoplasic hallux valgus and ventricular septal defect, corrected by trans-sternal approach when 32 months old. Restriction of neck mobility followed and foci of ectopic ossification appeared. Four crises of disease exacerbation were treated with oral prednisone and/or other antiinflammatory drugs. Sodium etidronate 5 to 10 mg/kg/day was prescribed intermittently during about six years but was discontinued due to osteopenia. The disease course has been relentless, with severe movement restriction including the chest wall. A review showed few similar case reports in the Brazilian literature. We revisit the criteria for diagnosis and the essentials of management and treatment.
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Does mRNA translation starting from an alternative initiation site contribute to the pathology of Huntington's disease? Med Hypotheses 2000; 54:689-90. [PMID: 10859666 DOI: 10.1054/mehy.1998.0815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is associated with an expanded and unstable trinucleotide repeat (CAG)(n). Various possibilities have been suggested to explain the significance of poly-(CAG) length in HD, including changes in the structure of the product (huntingtin) which result in the protein acquiring deleterious properties. We have looked at the nucleotide sequence coding for huntingtin and find that another possibility may exist for the correlation between the occurrence of HD and poly-CAG length. We have noted an alternative reading frame that includes the trinucleotide repeat, now read as (GCA)(n). Upon close examination of this alternative gene product, we observe features that suggest it can likewise have deleterious properties.
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Generation and characterization of a single gene-encoded single-chain-tetravalent antitumor antibody. Clin Cancer Res 1999; 5:3118s-3123s. [PMID: 10541352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) CC49, a murine IgG1, reacts with the tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 expressed on a variety of carcinomas. In clinical trials, radiolabeled CC49 has shown excellent tumor localization to a variety of carcinomas. To minimize the immunogenicity of CC49 mAb in patients, a humanized CC49 (HuCC49) was generated by complementarity-determining region (CDR) grafting. The relative affinity of HuCC49 was 2-3-fold less than that of the murine mAb. With the aim of improving tumor targeting, attempts have been made to enhance the avidity of the HuCC49 mAb. Previous research has yielded a single gene-encoded immunoglobulin, SCIgcCC49deltaCH1, which is a dimer of a single chain consisting of CC49 single-chain Fv linked to the NH2 terminus of the human gamma1 Fc through the hinge region. This molecule is comparable to the mouse-human chimeric CC49 in terms of in vitro antigen binding properties, cytolytic activity, and rate of plasma clearance in athymic mice bearing human tumor xenografts. Recently, a single gene encoding a single-chain immunoglobulin consisting of a HuCC49 diabody attached to human gamma1 Fc via the hinge region was constructed. The diabody, a bivalent antigen-binding structure, is made up of variable heavy (V(H))/variable light (V(L)) domains and V(L)/V(H) domains. In each of the variable domain pairs, the V(H) and V(L) domains are linked through a short linker peptide. Meanwhile, the two pairs are linked via a 30-residue Gly-Ser linker peptide to yield two antigen-binding sites by lateral and noncovalent association of the V(L) of one pair with the V(H) of the other. Transfectomas expressing the single-gene immunoglobulin secrete a homodimer of about Mr 160,000 that reacts to tumor-associated glycoprotein-72. This tetravalent humanized antitumor immunoglobulin molecule may potentially be an efficacious therapeutic and diagnostic reagent against a wide range of human carcinomas.
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Speciation of cone snails and interspecific hyperdivergence of their venom peptides. Potential evolutionary significance of introns. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1999; 870:223-37. [PMID: 10415486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1999.tb08883.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
All 500 species of cone snails (Conus) are venomous predators. From a biochemical/genetic perspective, differences among Conus species may be based on the 50-200 different peptides in the venom of each species. Venom is used for prey capture as well as for interactions with predators and competitors. The venom of every species has its own distinct complement of peptides. Some of the interspecific divergence observed in venom peptides can be explained by differential expression of venom peptide superfamilies in different species and of peptide superfamily branching in various Conus lineages into pharmacologic groups with different targeting specificity. However, the striking interspecific divergence of peptide sequences is the dominant factor in the differences observed between venoms. The small venom peptides (typically 10-35 amino acids in length) are processed from larger prepropeptide precursors (ca. 100 amino acids). If interspecific comparisons are made between homologous prepropeptides, the three different regions of a Conus peptide precursor (signal sequence, pro-region, mature peptide) are found to have diverged at remarkably different rates. Analysis of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution rates for the different segments of a prepropeptide suggests that mutation frequency varies by over an order of magnitude across the segments, with the mature toxin region undergoing the highest rate. The three sections of the prepropeptide which exhibit apparently different mutation rates are separated by introns. This striking segment-specific rate of divergence of Conus prepropeptides suggests a role for introns in evolution: exons separated by introns have the potential to evolve very different mutation rates. Plausible mechanisms that could underlie differing mutational frequency in the different exons of a gene are discussed.
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Abstract
We purified and characterized a novel peptide from the venom of the fish-hunting cone snail Conus striatus that inhibits voltage-gated K+ channels. The peptide, kappaA-conotoxin SIVA, causes characteristic spastic paralytic symptoms when injected into fish, and in frog nerve-muscle preparations exposed to the toxin, repetitive action potentials are seen in response to a single stimulus applied to the motor nerve. Other electrophysiological tests on diverse preparations provide evidence that is consistent with the peptide blocking K+ channels. The peptide has three disulfide bonds; the locations of Cys residues indicate that the spastic peptide may be the first and defining member of a new family of Conus peptides, the kappaA-conotoxins, which are structurally related to, but pharmacologically distinct from, the alphaA-conotoxins. This 30 AA tricyclic toxin has several characteristics not previously observed in Conus peptides. In addition to the distinctive biological and physiological activity, a novel biochemical feature is the unusually long linear N-terminal tail (11 residues) which contains one O-glycosylated serine at position 7. This is the first evidence for O-glycosylation as a posttranslational modification in a biologically active Conus peptide.
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Development of more efficacious antibodies for medical therapy and diagnosis. PROGRESS IN NUCLEIC ACID RESEARCH AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 1998; 60:169-94. [PMID: 9594575 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6603(08)60893-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Two procedures for improving the efficacy of medically important antibodies are described. The first procedure is designed to reduce the immunogenicity of nonhuman antibodies to the barest minimum--the "humanization" is accomplished by transplanting only the specificity-determining residues of the nonhuman antibody onto a human antibody template. The second procedure is designed to permit the easy production of multispecific/multivalent antibodies via heterodimer formation of electrostatically complementary Fc regions.
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Abstract
A 6-week-old girl developed bilateral auricular swelling in the absence of trauma. Clinical and histologic findings were consistent with pseudocyst of the auricle. This case is unusual given the age and sex of the patient and the bilateral presentation of the pseudocysts.
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Frequency-domain interferometer for measuring the phase and amplitude of a femtosecond pulse probing a laser-produced plasma. OPTICS LETTERS 1994; 19:1997-1999. [PMID: 19855721 DOI: 10.1364/ol.19.001997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A frequency-domain interferometer for probing the variations of the dielectric constant of a plasma with sub-100- fs temporal resolution and lambda/2000 phase resolution is described. Imaging the plasma on the entrance slit of a spectrograph provides spatial resolution along a diameter of the focal spot. The technique is used to map out the expansion of the critical density surface of a femtosecond laser-produced plasma with subnanometer spatial resolution along the laser axis.
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Heterodimeric structure of the spider toxin omega-agatoxin IA revealed by precursor analysis and mass spectrometry. J Biol Chem 1992; 267:20701-5. [PMID: 1383207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the first molecular characterization of a precursor sequence for a small, Ca2+ channel blocking, peptide spider toxin, omega-agatoxin IA. By integrating information generated from a molecular genetic approach using agatoxin cDNAs with data provided from mass spectrometry of the mature toxin, we were able to deduce the likely mechanisms by which the toxin precursor peptide is processed to its mature heterodimeric form. A particularly interesting feature of the prepropeptide is the occurrence of two glutamate-rich sequences interposed between the signal sequences, the major peptide toxin, and the minor toxin peptide. Excision of the more distal glutamate-rich region appears to be signaled by flanking arginine residues but likely occurs only after a disulfide linkage has formed between the major and minor chains of the mature toxin. Our molecular genetic approach toward characterizing this toxin will allow us to quickly generate a series of spider sequences from which mature toxin structures can be deduced and eventually expressed. Additionally, this approach will provide insights into the evolutionary divergence observed among spider peptide toxins.
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Amyloid heart disease: a cause of resistant congestive heart failure in the elderly. THE JOURNAL OF THE FLORIDA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 1983; 70:422-6. [PMID: 6875498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Correction of esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1983; 85:229-36. [PMID: 6823140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Correction of the full spectrum of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) remains controversial. Circular myotomy and other lengthening procedures have shown promise to reduce tension when a relatively wide gap exists between esophageal segments; nevertheless a relatively high complication rate persists. We believe anastomotic tension is commonly found with repair of this anomaly. Therefore, the construction of the anastomosis will be a primary determinant of success. Twenty-four infants with TEF were admitted, 12 (50%) weighing 2.5 kg, nine (37%) 1.8 to 2.5 kg, and three (13%) 1.8 kg. All underwent gastrostomy and end-to-end single-layer anastomosis. Gaps of up to 4.5 cm were encountered, and in one case a cervical incision was necessary for mobilization of the upper pouch. For eight patients (33%) the gap was at least 2.5 cm and significant anastomotic tension was generated. For the series, there were no anastomotic leaks (all confirmed by barium swallow), reoperations, or surgical complications (there were two late, unrelated deaths). Prophylactic dilation was routinely performed 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Subsequently, seven of the 24 (29%) required additional (one to five) dilatations but are now asymptomatic at least 2 years later. Follow-up for the entire series is 5 months to 5 years. Three infants (13%) required fundoplication for reflux without stricture and two infants (8%) an aortopexy. For successful esophageal anastomosis we consider the following technical points important: (1) no-touch technique to minimize tissue damage, (2) generous (5 to 7 mm) full-thickness suture depth, (3) fine (6/0) monofilament suture to reduce tissue reactivity, and (4) in cases of significant tension, the sutures are preplaced and used to provide traction to eliminate tension during tying. Tension is often unavoidable in TEF, yet a carefully constructed anastomosis will withstand this stress. This approach provides results at least as satisfactory as the reported experience with a variety of techniques.
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Abstract
To test the hypothesis that orthostatic hypotension could represent an alternative mechanism contributing to the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse, the systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures were measured in the supine and standing positions in 86 patients with the diagnosis confirmed by echocardiography. Orthostatic hypotension was demonstrated in 12 patients. Ten of them presented with a history of recurrent lightheadedness, dizziness or syncope and constitute 59 percent of the total number of patients with such symptoms in this series. Although nine of these 10 patients reported transient lightheadedness or dizziness during periods of ambulatory electrocardiographic recording, in only one were the symptoms chronologically related to cardiac arrhythmias. On the other hand, eight of them described lightheadedness and two experienced near-syncope during the postural test in association with the orthostatic drop in blood pressure. Improvement in symptoms and correction of the orthostatic hypotension were demonstrated in seven patients after beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. Before therapy, the mean systolic blood pressure dropped from 114 +/- 3 mm Hg in the supine position to 78 +/- 1 mm Hg upon standing (p less than 0.001). In repeated postural tests performed after four weeks of treatment, the systolic blood pressure changed from 120 +/- 3 mm Hg supine to 115 +/- 1 mm Hg upon standing (p greater than 0.01). We conclude that orthostatic hypotension is a commonly unrecognized mechanism responsible for some of the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse, particularly in patients affected by recurrent lightheadedness, dizziness or syncope.
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Abstract
Nineteen patients with untreated hypothyroidism were evaluated by M-mode echocardiography. Asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), defined as a ratio of interventricular septal thickness to left ventricular posterior wall thickness (IVS/LVPW) equal to or greater than 1.3, was identified in 17 cases. Additional abnormalities recognized by echocardiography included reduced amplitude of systolic septal excursion (SSex) [13 patients], reduced per cent of systolic septal thickening (%SST)[19 patients], reduced left ventricular outflow tract dimension (LVOT)[five patients] and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM)[five patients]. These findings are similar to some of the echocardiographic features of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS). In 10 patients who returned to euthyroid state with L-thyroxine therapy, these abnormalities resolved. We conclude that long-standing hypothyroidism leads to a reversible cardiomyopathy, manifested by asymmetric septal hypertrophy with or without other echocardiographic features of a hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. This previously unrecognized features of hypothyroidism has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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Effects of coronary artery bypass surgery on hemodynamic parameters and derived indices of myocardial function. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1977; 73:231-6. [PMID: 299903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pre- and postoperative hemodynamic indices were compared in 116 patients subjected to aorto-coronary bypass after an average interval of 128 days. The patients were separated into three different groups according to graft status: Group 1 (n = 77), all grafts patent; Group 2 (n = 27), one occluded graft out of two or three implanted; Group 3 (n = 12), all grafts occluded. There were no significant major changes of values so obtained in the three groups. Those subjects with initially depressed cardiac indices or elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressures manifested a significant trend toward improvement when at least one bypass graft was patent. A reduction of cardiac index was noted in patients with occluded left anterior descending coronary grafts only in association with closure of other grafts. Deterioration of cardiac index or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure into the abnormal range was unusual in the study group, even when all grafts were occluded. It is concluded that data relating to the influence of aorto-coronary bypass on standard indices of left ventricular function can be properly interpreted only when certain subsets of patients are studied.
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