bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of respiratory syncytial virus antigen due to buffer treatment for direct detection in nasopharyngeal specimens with enzyme immunoassay
Authors: Döller G. , Schuy W.
Published: March 2007

We developed an enzyme immunoassay (direct EIA; Enzygnost®RSV[Ag]) for the direct detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen in nasopharyngeal specimens (NPS). The test procedure is the same as our recently described direct EIA for detection of influenza A and B virus antigens in NPS. For practical purposes it is of advantage to differentiate respiratory viruses on the same microtitration plate in the same run. The test shows no limitations by sample consistency, and results are obtained within 4 hr. In contrast to other test systems, sonification is not necessary. This is due to the sample buffer STD. We studied the influence of sample buffer STD on the stability of RSV (strain Long) antigen at different temperatures over a period of 7 days. PBS‐BSA‐buffer served as control. The treatment and storage of RSV (strain Long) with sample buffer STD at room temperature or at 4ˆC showed no decrease of antigen detectability. The antigen is very stable in contrast to the storage of RSV (strain Long) in PBS‐BSA buffer during the observation period of 7 days. Consequently, when NPS are stored in sample buffer STD, results of direct EIA are independent from the time of transport and temperature within 7 days.

Thirty‐eight NPS from infants with confirmed RSV infection were investigated. Confirmation was performed by virus isolation (n = 29) or with commercially available enzyme immunoassays or immunofluorescence test (n = 9). The direct EIA showed a specificity of 99.3% (n= 140) and a sensitivity of 95% (n = 38). © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of the extracellular domain of c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein in sera from patients with various carcinomas: Correlation with tumor markers
Authors: Wu James T. , Astill Mark E. , Zhang Ping
Published: March 2007

Using a serum enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit from Triton diagnostics we detected c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein activity in random sera containing highly elevated tumor markers and also in serial specimens from cancer patients expressing elevated oncoprotein activities. Elevated oncoprotein activity was found not only in sera of breast and ovarian carcinomas but also in sera from colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate carcinomas and even from primary hepatoma. Whenever oncoprotein was overexpressed in an individual patient, there was usually an excellent correlation between the oncoprotein activity and the level of dominant tumor marker in serial serum specimens. Based on the size exclusion S‐200 column chromatography, we found only a single molecule containing c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein activity in pooled sera from cancer patients whereas two oncoproteins slightly different in size were detected in breast tumor tissue cytosol. Using HPLC on a Superose 12 HR column, the serum portion of the oncoprotein was eluted at a position near IgG, suggesting that the extracellular domain of the oncoprotein exists as a dimer in the serum. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of human sera for filarial IgM antibody using antigen fractions isolated from immune complexes
Authors: Prasad G. B. K. S. , Harinath B. C.
Published: March 2007

Filarial IgM antibody response to various antigenic fractions isolated from immune complexes by SDS‐PAGE viz., IC‐2, IC‐4, IC‐7, and IC‐9, was studied by ELISA. The IgM antibody response to almost all antigenic fractions was seen more in microfilaraemic group compared to the clinical filariasis group. The antibody response to IC‐9 antigen fraction as compared to other fractions was found significantly higher in microfilaraemic patients than in patients with clinical manifestations. Ninety percent of microfilariae carriers and 75% of clinical filarial patients have shown IgM isotype to IC‐9 antigen. Studies with various lectins have revealed the Con A binding nature of IC‐9 antigen. This study suggests that IC‐9 antigen could be another candidate antigen in the immunodiagnosis of lymphatic filariasis. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Marking characteristics of anti‐nuclear matrix protein NM200.4 in human breast carcinomas and normal human tissues
Authors: Wisecarver James L. , Synovec Mark S. , Pirrucello Sam , Linder James
Published: March 2007

Nuclear matrix proteins are a group of recently described proteins that are thought to be cell‐type specific. Using a monoclonal antibody (NM 200.4; Matritech, Cambridge, MA) generated against nuclear matrix proteins isolated from a human breast carcinoma cell line, we examined frozen tissue sections from 30 breast carcinomas, and a variety of normal tissues to determine the antibody specificity, and to assess the relationship with the staining pattern and tumor type and hormone receptor status. Most breast carcinomas marked with the antibody, but stromal and vascular endothelial cells in the tissues surrounding these lesions also marked focally. Marking of vascular endothelium in a variety of benign tissues, renal tubular epithelium, and occasionally uterine smooth muscle cells was also observed. Normal breast tissue from 4 patients without breast cancer did not react. Studies on breast tumors revealed that 15/20 invasive ductal, 3/4 in situ ductal, 3/3 medullary, 2/2 invasive lobular, and 1/1 colloid carcinomas marked with this antibody. Image analysis revealed that the staining intensity of medullary carcinoma was twice that found in invasive ductal carcinoma (avg pixel density 76.6 vs. 30.1; P <0.05). Invasive lobular and in situ ductal carcinoma also expressed higher staining intensities than invasive ductal carcinoma, but these differences were not significant. Invasive ductal carcinomas had heterogeneity in staining intensity (avg. pixel intensity range: 0‐94 units). Tumors with multiple aneuploid populations had significantly higher stain intensity values than either diploid lesions or lesions containing a single aneuploid population (P <0.05). Nuclear grade did not correlate with staining intensity. No significant correlation was found between the image analysis values and either the estrogen or progesterone receptor content of the lesions as determined by charcoal‐ligand binding bioassay. Our studies indicate that a monoclonal antibody to such a protein may be useful in defining a subset of breast carcinomas. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In situ hybridization for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) external domain transcripts in prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Montone Kathleen T. , Tomaszewski John E.
Published: March 2007

We examined prostatic adenocarcinomas from 19 formalin fixed radical prostatectomy specimens for EGFR by in situ hybridization employing a 24 base synthetic biotin‐labeled oligonucleotide probe complementary to the 5' end of EGFR mRNA. All slides were examined by light microscopy using a 25 × objective. Each field was given three values: 1) Gleason grade (1‐5), 2) Nuclear grade [small (<5.0 μ), intermediate (5‐10 μ), large (>10 μ)], and 3) EGFR staining intensity score (0, absent; 1, weak; 2 +, moderate to strong). A total 851 25 × fields of prostatic adenocarcinoma were studied. All cancers demonstrated at least some degree of cytoplasmic EGFR message. The EGFR intensity score correlated best with tumor nuclear size. No correlation with Gleason grade was observed. Cytoplasmic staining was also identified in the basal cell layer of benign glands, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, stromal nodules, transitional epithelium, periurethral glands, and ganglion cells. Competitive hybridization experiments using an unlabeled EGFR probe showed markedly diminished hybridization signal, while in situ hybridization with a biotin‐labeled EGFR sense probe was negative. Immunohistochemistry on 13 of the tumors with 2 monoclonal antibodies against EGFR showed staining in only 1/13 and 10/13 tumors. EGFR expression appears to be most prominent in tumors of high nuclear grade. Further studies will be necessary to explore this growth factor as a prognostic variable in this tumor. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prostate‐specific antigen and prostate volume: A meta‐analysis of prostate cancer screening criteria
Authors: Aziz Douglas C. , Barathur Raj B.
Published: March 2007

Objective: To establish the value of serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and prostatespecific antigen per unit volume of prostate gland (PSAD) in detecting prostate carcinoma (CaP) in a hypothetical screening algorithm, a meta‐analysis of the sensitivities, specificities, predictive values and likelihood ratios were combined from the published data.

Data Sources: Journal articles identified by a MEDLINE database search from 1988 to October 1992, using prostate‐specific antigen as a key word were used to calculate the distribution of PSA in healthy men, men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and men with prostate carcinoma (CaP)

Study Selection: Only studies that contained the specified serum PSA values and patient outcomes were included.

Data Extraction: The distributions of the serum PSA were plotted versus serum PSA for healthy men (2567), men with BPH (798) and men with CaP (835) from the abstracted data. Prostate volume distributions were estimated from the published transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) calculations.

Data Synthesis: Hypothetical cohorts of 1,000 men between the ages of 60 and 70 years were screened using three different screening decision algorithms. Using a serum PSA cutoff of 3.0 ng/ml for referral for transrectal biopsy, 59 of 80 (74%) CaP would be detected and 21 (26%) would be missed. 209 transrectal biopsies would be performed, and 150 (72%) of them would be negative for CaP. Using a serum PSA cutoff of 4.0 ng/ml, 52 of 80 (65%) CaP would be detected and 28 (35%) would be missed. 146 transrectal biopsies would be performed, and 94 (64%) of them would be unnecessary. Using a cutoff of 2.0 ng/ml for serum PSA and 0.1 ng/ml/cc for PSAD, 55 of 80 (69%) of the cancers would be detected and 25 (31%) would be missed. Only 84 transrectal biopsies would be performed, and 29 (35%) of them would be negative for cancer.

Conclusion: This algorithm maximizes the number of cancers detected (true‐positive cases) and at the same time reduces the number of false‐positive cases, minimizing the number of patients who would have to receive an unnecessary transrectal biopsy, compared to using a serum PSA cutoff of 3.0 or 4.0 ng/ml. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid measurement of serum pancreatic amylase
Authors: Landt Michael , Hortin Glen L. , Smith Carl H. , Pashos Gail , Vaidya Hemant C. , Rosenblum Jerry L.
Published: March 2007

A simple, rapid assay for the pancreatic isoenzyme of human serum amylase was developed. The assay utilized an immunoabsorbent prepared by coating latex beads with a monoclonal antibody specific for pancreatic amylase. Treatment of patient serum with immunoabsorbent removed pancreatic amylase, and measurement of residual amylase activity with standard total amylase methodology allowed estimation of the pancreatic amylase content. Extraction efficiency of pancreaticamylase was consistent at amylase concentrations up to 1,000 U/L (y = 0.97 × + 16.7 U/L; r = 0.9995). The assay was standardized with purified pancreatic amylase added to neonatal serum (low endogenous activity). A comparison of patient specimen results with the results of a standard technique (cellulose acetate electrophoresis) yielded an excellent correlation (immunoabsorption result = 0.96 electrophoresis result + 1.2 U/L; r = 0.987). Salivary amylase did not interfere with the assay until levels exceeded 1,000 U/L. Daily analysis of a frozen serum pool yielded a coefficient of variation of 9.2% at mean pancreatic amylase value of 54 U/L (±5 U/L). A normal range study found a strong influence of age, with pancreatic amylase levels increasing dramatically in the first 3 years of life, to stabilize at a range of 0–66 U/L thereafter. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new immunoassay for the measurement of myoglobin in serum
Authors: Carraro P. , Plebani M. , Varagnolo M. C. , Zaninotto M. , Rossetti M. , Burlina A.
Published: March 2007

Because the concentration of serum myoglobin (Mb) increases within 2 to 4 hours after the first sign of acute myocardial infarction, it has been proposed as an early marker of the condition. Our aim was to evaluate a new assay that provides a rapid, quantitative determination of Mb (Baxter Stratus Myoglobin) based on the radial partition technique. We compared the results obtained by this technique with those from nephelometric and radioimmunoassay methods. A significant agreement was observed, the correlation coefficients (r) being 0.999 and 0.996, respectively. The method evaluated provided good reproducibility with CVs between 3.14% and 4.87%, and its linearity and analytical sensitivity were satisfactory. The clinical evaluation of this assay demonstrates that Mb increases in serum of patients with acute myocardial infarction before total creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme. Mb concentration shows an early peak and earlier return to normal values after the necrosis compared to enzymatic activities. Moreover the assay is rapid and fully automated. The method is therefore considered appropriate for contributing to the early diagnosis of AMI in clinical laboratories. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alteration of aldolase isozymes in serum and tissues of patients with cancer and other diseases
Authors: Asaka Masahiro , Kimura Toshio , Meguro Takashi , Kato Mototsugu , Kudo Mineo , Miyazaki Tamotsu , Alpert Elliot
Published: March 2007

We studied the alteration of aldolase isozymes in the serum and tissues of patients with cancer and other diseases using radioimmunoassays specific for aldolaseA, B, and C subunits. Aldolase B was predominantly found in adult liver, where aldolase A and C were distinctly low. Aldolase A and B showed almost the same concentration in fetal liver, while in neonatal liver aldolase B protein concentrations were much higher than aldolase A. In contrast, aldolase A was the predominant isozyme found in hepatoma and gastric cancer tissues, whereas aldolase B was distinctly low in hepatoma tissues, and extremely low in gastric cancer tissues. These results suggest that the aldolase A is a more fetal type of liver isozyme than the aldolase B and C, and aldolase B is a more differentiated type of liver isozyme than aldolase A and C. Serum FDP aldolase activities were elevated in half of patients with liver diseases, all patients with muscle diseases and a few patients with cancer. Serum aldolase A levels were elevated in patients with muscle diseases and cancer, but not elevated in patients with liver diseases. In contrast, serum aldolase B levels were elevated in patients with liver disease, but not elevated in patients with muscle diseases and other diseases without liver injury. Serum aldolase B levels showed a trend to decrease in cancer patients with normal GPT levels. Serum aldolase A/B ratios were significantly increased in cancer patients with normal GPT levels, whereas they showed the decreased levels in patients with liver diseases. These results suggest that measurement of aldolase isozymes by subunit specific radioimmunoassays may be useful in the diagnosis of certain cancers, myopathies and liver diseases. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotype‐phenotype pitfalls in Gaucher disease
Authors: Strasberg Paula M. , Triggs‐Raine Barbara L. , Warren Irene B. , Skomorowski Marie‐Anne , McInnes Beth , Becker Laurence E. , Callahan John W. , Clarke Joe T. R.
Published: March 2007

Gaucher disease (GD), caused by inherited deficiency of β‐glucocerebrosidase (β‐Glc, EC 3.1.2.45), is classified type I if the CNS is not involved (non‐neuronopathic), type II if CNS involvement is early and rapidly progressive (acute neuronopathic), and type III if CNS involvement occurs later and is slowly progressive (subacute neuronopathic). The clinical course is not predictable by measurement of residual β‐Glc activity. Patient classification by identification of specific mutations is more promosing: homozygosity for the common A5841 ‐>(N370S) mutation invariably predicts type I; homozygosity for the T6433 ‐>C (L444P) mutation usually indicates type III (Norbottnian). Type II disease patients often carry the T6433 ‐>C allele together with a complex allele derived in part from the downstream pseudogene by crossover or gene conversion, producing a T6433 ‐>C substitution, plus 2 or 3 additional single base substitutions (fusion gene). Employing selective PCR amplification of the structural gene, we detected homozygous T6433C (L444P) point mutations in a Caucasian boy, initially classified as having GD type I, who succumbed to severe visceral GD before age 3 years. A second novel PCR procedure for discriminating between the normal gene and the fusion gene confirmed the homozygous point mutation results. Post mortem neuropathological findings showed neuronal complex lipid accumulation consistent with late‐onset type III disease. Although in Norbottnian patients it is generally accepted that onset of neurological findings is delayed, patients with the L444P/L444P genotype can only be initially classified as type Ill with this ancestry. Other patients described sporadically elsewhere are invariably considered type I until neurological findings arise. This is the first actual demonstration of a transition from type I to type Ill based on medical findings, not geography. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation of serum concentrations of psa‐act complex with total psa in random and serial specimens from patients with bph and prostate cancer
Authors: Wu James T. , Wilson Lorraine , Zhang Ping , Wayne Meikle A. , Stephenson Robert
Published: March 2007

The current assays for serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) have failed to produce the same PSA values on the same specimens because of problems with antibody specificity and calibrator preparation. To eliminate these problems, we proposed to replace the current serum PSA assay with an assay specific for the PSA‐ACT (PSA‐α1‐antichymotrypsin) complex in the serum. An assay specific for the PSA‐ACT complex was established using the anti‐PSA antibody to coat the microplate for capturing the PSA complex and anti‐ACT polyclonal antibodies for quantification. There was an excellent correlation between serum concentrations of PSA‐ACT and total PSA, using either the Hybritech calibrator (γ = 0.996) or a serum calibrator prepared in house (γ = 0.993), in random as well as in serial specimens from 14 individual patients. Even though we did not find a gradual increase in the percentage of PSA‐ACT with the increase of total PSA in cancer patients, a slightly higher percentage of free PSA was measured in pooled normal sera (18%) and in pooled sera containing only 12 ng/ml of total PSA (12%), compared to serum pools containing elevated PSA (>100 ng/ml) level, in which most PSA was in the complex form (95%). Therefore, using an assay that specifically measures the PSA‐ACT complex in the serum not only simplifies the preparation of calibrator but eliminates the difficulty of antibody selection, it also allows various assay kits to produce identical PSA values and also improve the test specificity for prostate cancer.©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel magnetic particle agglutination in microtiter plates for rapid detection of human t‐lymphotropic virus type i antibody
Authors: Sohma K. , Kinoshita Y. , Morishita S. , Fujino R. , Saito T.
Published: March 2007

We have developed a novel magnetic particle agglutination (MPA) method for rapid detection of antibody to human T‐lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I). This method is suitable for screening determination. The assay uses purified viral antigen coated on magnetic particles, which are novel artificial particles made of gelatin, arabic gum, and ferrite. MPA uses a special magnet and inclined plate holder. In MPA, the specimen is incubated with magnetic particles in the well; magnetic particles are then magnetically attracted to the bottom of the well. Then the plate is inclined and read by the naked eye. In a positive specimen, agglutination particles stay at the bottom of the well. On the other hand, non‐agglutination particles with negative sample run down the side of the well. The total assay time of MPA was estimated at 8 min/microtiter‐plate. The results obtained by correlating MPA for the detection of HTLV‐I antibody with other method emphasized the precision of MPA.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Comparison of monoclonal and polyclonal enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent (elisa) assays for serum lp(a) and differences in reactivities to lp(a) phenotypes
Authors: Morikawa Wataru , Iki Rie , Terano Tsuyoshi , Funatsu Akinobu , Sugiuchi Hiroyuki , Uji Yoshinori , Okabe Hiroaki
Published: March 2007

We have prepared a monoclonal antibody to Lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] and have used it to develop an ELISA test for assaying Lp(a) in serum. The monoclonal antibody employed in the assay system reacts uniformly with S1,S2,S3 and B phenotypes of isoforms, and no cross‐reaction with plasminogen at a concentration of 100 mg/dL was observed. Results of the monoclonal ELISA assay were similar to those obtained with a polyclonal antibody ELISA method and demonstrated a correlation coefficient, r=0.99 with the equation for the regression line: Y(proposed)= 1.06 X (polyclonal antibody reference ELISA test) = 0.36(N = 51). Inter‐ and intra‐assay precision(CVs) of the monoclonal ELISA assay were between 2.2–3.6% at a mean Lp(a) concentration range of 19.1–68.2 mg/dL,(N = 12). Assay results of various standards were compared by both monoclonal and polyclonal antibody ELISA tests. We observed some discrepancies between expected concentrations and the polyclonal antibody ELISA assay results, which is thought to be more uniformly reactive to the various Lp(a) phenotypes. The monoclonal antibody employed in our proposed method reacts uniformly with Lp(a) phenotypes, and the assay exhibits excellent sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy and is well suited for clinical use.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Improved method for measuring C1rC1s‐(c1 inh)2 complexes by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Mathews Kenneth P. , Herschbach Jack H. , Chambers Sandra L. , Zuraw Bruce L.
Published: March 2007

Measurement of C1rC1s‐(C1 inh)2 complexes in serum or plasma by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been proposed as a relatively convenient and sensitive means for assessing C1 activation. However, interference by unactivated C1 q (r‐s)2 at low serum or plasma dilutions has resulted in estimates that vary widely with the degree of serum or plasma dilution. Precipitating the interfering C1q (r‐s)2 with 6% polyethylene glycol has been proposed to resolve this problem, but here it is shown that this procedure also precipitates or coprecipitates some of the C1rC1s‐C1rC1s‐(C1 inh)2 complexes. Satisfactory results have been achieved without PEG precipitation by testing high plasma dilutions under conditions where there is a sufficient excess of anti‐C1s coating the microtitration plate wells that removal of C1q (r‐s)2 is not necessary. Optimizing conditions for quantitating these complexes at high dilution have been investigated. The mean normal EDTA plasma C1rC1s‐C1rC1s‐(C1 inh)2 complex measurement was 36.6±7.0 (S.D.) ELISA units with a 95% confidence interval of 19.5–47.6u. Besides providing a sensitive assay for C1 activation, measuring C1rC1s‐C1rC1s‐(C1 inh)2 complexes may help to clarify the pathophysiologic mechanisms resulting from C1 inh deficiency under various conditions.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Myelin‐ and microbe‐specific antibodies in guillain‐barré syndrome
Authors: Terryberry Jeff , Sutjita Made , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Gilburd Boris , Tanne David , Lorber Margalit , Alosachie Iyad , Barka Noori , Lin Hun‐Chi , Youinou Pierre , Peter James B.
Published: March 2007

We surveyed the frequency of reported infections and target autoantigens in 56 Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) patients by detecting antibodies to myelin and microbes. Sulfatide (43%), cardiolipin (48%), GD1a (15%), SGPG (11%), and GM3 (11%) antibodies were the most frequently detected heterogenous autoantibodies. A wide spectrum of antimicrobial IgG and IgM antibodies were also detected; mumps‐specific IgG (66%), adenovirus‐specific IgG (52%), varicella‐zoster virus‐specific IgG (46%), and S. pneumoniae serotype 7‐specific IgG (45%) were the most prevalent. Our results indicate that polyclonal expansion of physiologic and pathologic antibodies and/or molecular mimicry likely occurs following infection and is related to other autoimmune factors in the etiology of GBS. Although no single definitive myelin‐specific autoantibody was identified, our results suggest a unique pattern of reactivity against autoantigens.
Effects of antiplatelet drug dilazep dihydrochloride on anionic sites and extracellular matrix (ecm) components in glomerular basement membrane of stz‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Yamamoto Masatoshi , Fukui Mitsumine , Kuramoto Takao , Kabuki Keiichiro , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: March 2007

A study of anionic sites in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats with or without treatment by an antiplatelet drug, dilazep dihydrochloride, is described. Expression of glomerular extracellular matrix (ECM) components was examined by immunofluorescence. Renal specimens were immersed in polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a cationic probe and then examined by electron microscopy. Renal specimens were also incubated with rabbit antirat type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin antisera and then stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled goat antirabbit IgG antiserum. Mean values of proteinuria in the dilazep‐treated diabetic rats were significantly decreased compared with those in nontreated diabetic rats. There was no significant correlation between the levels of proteinuria and those of creatinine clearance (CCr). Number of anionic sites on the GBM in the dilazep‐treated diabetic rats were greater than those in diabetic rats. There was no significant difference in the staining of such ECM components between both rat groups. The authors concluded that the dilazep dihydrochloride might prevent anionic charges on the GBM and decrease the urinary excretion of proteins in STZ‐induced diabetic rats.
Magnetic resonance colonography with limited bowel preparation: A comparison of three strategies
Authors: Florie Jasper , van Gelder Rogier E. , Haberkorn Brigitte , Birnie Erwin , Lavini Cristina , Reitsma Johannes B. , Stoker Jaap
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To prospectively compare three strategies of magnetic resonance colonography (MRC) with fecal tagging.

Materials and Methods

Three strategies were compared: (S1) gadolinium as oral tagging agent and a gadolinium‐water mixture for rectal filling (bright lumen), (S2) oral barium and water rectally, and (S3) oral barium and air rectally. In S2 and S3 (both dark lumen) gadolinium was injected intravenously. Three‐dimensional (3D) T1‐weighted and two‐dimensional (2D) T2‐weighted sequences were used. Two observers scored diagnostic confidence and image quality (contrast, homogeneity, artifacts), analyzed by chi‐squared and Fisher's exact test. Patient experience and preference were determined by questionnaire (Mann‐Whitney test).

Results

A total of 45 patients were included, 15 were randomly assigned per strategy. Diagnostic confidence of S1 and S3 is significantly better than for S2. S1 has the additional advantage of showing significantly better contrast between bowel wall and lumen, and showing significantly better homogeneity on both T1‐ and T2‐weighted sequences, but with significantly more artifacts on the T1‐weighted sequences. S3 showed significantly better contrast and homogeneity than S2 on the T2‐weighted sequences. Bowel preparation of S1 was rated significantly better. Patient preference was comparable.

Conclusion

Image quality was best using the bright lumen strategy or the dark lumen strategy using air for rectal filling. Although bowel preparation was rated best using the bright lumen strategy, patient preference was comparable. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plexiform‐like neurofibromas develop in the mouse by intraneural xenograft of an NF1 tumor‐derived Schwann cell line
Authors: Perrin George Q. , Fishbein Lauren , Thomson Susanne A. , Thomas Stacey L. , Stephens Karen , Garbern James Y. , DeVries George H. , Yachnis Anthony T. , Wallace Margaret R. , Muir David
Published: March 2007

Plexiform neurofibromas are peripheral nerve sheath tumors that arise frequently in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and have a risk of malignant progression. Past efforts to establish xenograft models for neurofibroma involved the implantation of tumor fragments or heterogeneous primary cultures, which rarely achieved significant tumor growth. We report a practical and reproducible animal model of plexiform‐like neurofibroma by xenograft of an immortal human NF1 tumor‐derived Schwann cell line into the peripheral nerve of scid mice. The S100 and p75 positive sNF94.3 cell line was shown to possess a normal karyotype and have apparent full‐length neurofibromin by Western blot. These cells were shown to have a constitutional NF1 microdeletion and elevated Ras‐GTP activity, however, suggesting loss of normal neurofibromin function. Localized intraneural injection of the cell line sNF94.3 produced consistent and slow growing tumors that infiltrated and disrupted the host nerve. The xenograft tumors resembled plexiform neurofibromas with a low rate of proliferation, abundant extracellular matrix (hypocellularity), basal laminae, high vascularity, and mast cell infiltration. The histologic features of the developed tumors were particularly consistent with those of human plexiform neurofibroma as well. Intraneural xenograft of sNF94.3 cells enables the precise initiation of intraneural, plexiform‐like tumors and provides a highly reproducible model for the study of plexiform neurofibroma tumorigenesis. This model facilitates testing of potential therapeutic interventions, including angiogenesis inhibitors, in a relevant cellular environment. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anterograde axonal transport of chicken cellular prion protein (PrPc) in vivo requires its N‐terminal part
Authors: Butowt Rafal , Davies Paul , Brown David R.
Published: March 2007

The cellular isoform of prion protein (PrPc) can exist in membrane‐bound and secreted forms. Both forms of PrPc can be transported by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons along the optic nerve in the anterograde direction. In this study we determined which part of chicken PrPc is required for its anterograde axonal transport within the optic nerve of embryonic chicken. We intraocularly injected radio‐iodinated fragments of recombinant chicken PrPc and then examined their anterograde axonal transport from retina into optic tectum. Using gamma‐counting and different autoradiographic techniques we quantified anterograde axonal transport of the N‐terminal part of chicken PrPc (amino acid residues 1–116) in this model system. The transport of the N‐terminal part has similar properties as the anterograde transport of full‐length chicken PrPc (Butowt et al., 2006) described previously (e.g., has similar efficiency, is microtubule‐dependent, and is saturable). Moreover, the pattern of ultrastructural distribution of the N‐terminal fragment within RGCs is similar to the distribution of full‐length PrPc. The C‐terminal fragment of chicken PrPc (residues 118–246) and different PrP‐derived peptides were not transported. Moreover, PrPc‐derived peptides were sorted into different endocytotic pathways in neurons, indicating that they cannot substitute for full‐length PrPc to study its internalization and trafficking. These data indicate that the N‐terminal half of chicken PrPc contains the necessary information to drive the internalization and subsequent sorting of extracellular PrPc in RGCs soma into the anterograde axonal transport pathway. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
β‐amyloid precursor protein can be transported independent of any sorting signal to the axonal and dendritic compartment
Authors: Back Simone , Haas Petra , Tschäpe Jakob‐A. , Gruebl Tomas , Kirsch Joachim , Müller Ulrike , Beyreuther Konrad , Kins Stefan
Published: March 2007

In neurons, amyloid precursor protein (APP) is localized to the dendritic and axonal compartment. Changes in subcellular localization affect secretase cleavage of APP, altering the generation of Aβ, and presumably also its pathogenic features. It was reported that APP is sorted initially to the axon and transcytosed subsequently to the somatodendritic compartment. This may be carried out by a recessive dendritic sorting signal in the cytoplasmic C‐terminus, possibly the tyrosine based basolateral sorting signal (BaSS), and an axonal sorting motif within the extracellular juxtamembraneous domain. We investigated whether the C‐ or N‐terminal domain of APP contains an independent dendritic or axonal sorting signal. We generated different APP deletion mutants, and produced chimeric proteins of APP and a non‐related Type I transmembrane protein. Quantitative immunocytochemical analyses of transfected primary neurons showed that similar amounts of all APP mutants, lacking either the N‐ or C‐terminus, were transported to the axonal and dendritic compartment. Investigations of the chimeric proteins showed that neither the N‐ nor the C‐terminus of APP functions as independent sorting signal, whereas another tyrosine based dendritic sorting signal was sufficient to prevent axonal entry of APP. This data shows that, under steady state conditions, Heterologously expressed APP is transported equally to axons and dendrites irrespective of any putative sorting signal in its N‐ or C‐terminus. This shows that APP can enter the axon in absence of the initial axonal sorting motif, indicating the existence of an alternative pathway allowing axonal entry of APP. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical changes at different stages of seed development in vegetable pigeonpeas (Cajanus cajan).
Authors: Singh Umaid , Rao Paleti Venkateswara , Saxena Kulbhusan , Singh Laxman
Published: March 2007

Developing green seeds of two vegetable pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L Millsp) cultivars that differ in their morphological characteristics were sampled at 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 days after flowering (dates that are relevant to vegetable harvest). An increase in seed size was noticed between 24 and 26 days after flowering, although it continued up to 32 days after flowering. The dry matter accumulation as the seed matured was greater in ICP 7035 than in T 15–15. Analysis of freeze‐dried samples showed that soluble sugars, and proteins, decreased and starch content increased between 24 and 32 days after flowering. Calcium and magnesium contents were considerably higher in T 15–15 than in ICP 7035, but there was little difference in zinc, iron and copper contents. ICP 7035 contained significantly higher amounts of soluble sugars than T 15–15 at all stages of seed development: this indicates that it had sweet seeds, a requisite of vegetable pigeonpea cultivars.
Kinetic compensation relations for ascorbic acid degradation and pectinesterase inactivation during orange juice pasteurisations
Authors: Ülgen Neşe , Özilgen Mustafa
Published: March 2007

The thermal degradation kinetics of ascorbic acid and the inactivation kinetics of pectinesterase were studied experimentally with pH‐adjusted orange juice. No simple trends were observed in variation of the kinetic parameters with pH, but both kinetic functions agreed with kinetic compensation relations. An isokinetic temperature was observed for ascorbic acid degradation at pH 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 implying that the same degradation mechanism was valid at these pH values. A large deviation at pH 4.0 from this isokinetic reaction rate implied that the degradation mechanism was different at this pH. There was no isokinetic temperature for pectinesterase inactivation reactions, indicating that pectinesterase was inactivated by different mechanisms at different pH values. The variation of the inactivation mechanism of pectinesterase with pH was attributed to its more complex molecular structure.
Effect of processing methods on quality and acceptability of fufu from low cyanide cassava
Authors: Akingbala J O , Oguntimein G B , Abass A B
Published: March 2007

The effects of steeping whole and grated tubers and of periodic change of water during steeping on the quality and acceptability of fufu from low‐cyanide cassava were evaluated. Steeping increased the acidity and reduced the pH and cyanide content of cassava. Grating the tuber before steeping improved aroma, and periodical change of water during steeping improved taste, colour and texture of fufu over that produced by the traditional method. Fufu from low‐cyanide cassava had an acceptability similar to that of fufu from high‐cyanide cassava. However, oven drying of the flour significantly reduced acceptability of fufu.
Application of NMR to evaluate the oxidative deterioration of brown fish meal
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Udagawa Miho
Published: March 2007

Peroxide value (PV) and acid value (AV) are generally used as indices of deterioration in edible oil. However, they are not always useful for evaluation of oil deterioration in fish meal because the PV rises at the initial stage of oxidative deterioration, reaches a peak and then declines during long term storage of the meal; the AV hardly changes during long term storage.

The use of NMR to evaluate oxidative deterioration of the oil in brown fish meal was examined. The ratio of olefinic protons to aliphatic protons (Ro) in brown fish meal oil determined by NMR decreased steadily with increasing storage time. By comparison with data from measurements of PV and AV, the Ro was considered to be useful as an index of oxidative deterioration in the oil in brown meal, especially in oil where the PV is peaking.
Do ruminant trans fatty acids impact coronary heart disease risk?
Authors: Huth Peter J.
Published: March 2007

Unlike TFAs produced industrially in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (primarily elaidic acid, 18:1, trans‐9), evidence suggests that trans fatty acids from ruminant food sources (e. g. 18:1, trans‐11; i. e. trans‐vaccenic acid and 18:2, cis‐9, trans‐11; i. e. rumenic acid) do not increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The amount of trans fatty acids in ruminant milk fat varies from 1% to 6% by weight depending on the composition of the ruminants diet. In the U.S., milk fat trans fat levels averages 3.56 wt% (range of 3.20–4.47 wt%). In general, ruminant trans fat accounts for about 20% of the total trans fatty acids intake in the U.S. and consists of approximately 86% from milk fat and 12% from ruminant meat sources.
Evaluation of corrosion non toxic inhibitor adsorption for steel in near neutral solution: L(+) ascorbic acid
Authors: Akrout H. , Maximovitch S. , Bousselmi L. , Triki E. , Dalard F.
Published: March 2007

The force of adsorption of a non‐toxic inhibitor on iron surface was studied by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The value of standard free energy of adsorption, as calculated from Freundlich‐Langmuir (LF) adsorption, indicates that L(+)ascorbic acid physisorbes on the iron surface at corrosion potential. At cathodic potential, the quantity of energy is more important. So, there is a slightly stronger interaction between inhibitor and iron surface. This behaviour can be explained by that this inhibitor occupies better the cathodic sites. The inhibition efficiency of ascorbic acid was carried out by the fact electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data (EIS). The film adsorbed on the surface is less protective for a long time of immersion.
Experimental model for local administration of nerve growth factor in microsurgical nerve reconnections
Authors: Santos F. Xavier , Bilbao Gonzalo , Rodrigo Jose , Fernandez Jorge , Martinez David , Mayoral Edgard , Rodriguez Julian
Published: March 2007

An experimental model for local administration of neuronotrophic substances at the site of peripheral nerve lesion is presented. The model consists of a subcutaneously located silicone reservoir and a connecting tube with its distal end fixed in the proximity of the severed and repaired nerve. The results of the preliminary tests of the model are presented. Sixty Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control (saline‐treated) (n=30) and NGF‐treated (n=30). After axotomy of the sciatic nerve, an epineurial repair is performed. NGF or saline is injected daily into the subcutaneous reservoir during the first 3 weeks after axotomy and a single dose in the fourth week. The regenerated nerve observed in the NGF‐treated group after four weeks of treatment presents a greater percentage of myelinated axons, thicker myeline sheaths, and more mature endoneurial layers. This experimental model provides a reliable and quantitative way to deliver neuronotrophic substances in site and at different administration rates. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Topical GM1 ganglioside to promote crushed rat sciatic nerve regeneration
Authors: Wang Min‐Sheng , Chen Zhong‐Wei , Zhang Guang‐Jian , Chen Zheng‐Rong
Published: March 2007

The effects of topical GM1 ganglioside on crushed rat sciatic nerve regeneration were studied in this presentation. Thirty‐four rats, with 68 bilateral sciatic nerves, were divided into seven groups: one group of four rats for measurement of normal motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), three as controls, and another three in the GM1‐treated groups. Sciatic nerves were exposed and crushed at a site 6 mm distal to the sciatic notch by the standard technique. In this manner, 3 mm wide crush injuries were created. Then 2.1 μl of normal saline was injected into the crush site in the control groups and an equal volume of GM1 solution (containing 10 μg GM1) was injected into the GM1‐treated groups. Electrophysiological, histological, and morphometric evaluations were carried out at 12, 28, and 56 days. A significantly higher muscle action potential (MAP) rate was found in the GM1‐treated group (70%) vs. the controls (none) at 12 days (P<0.005), and increased MNCV was found in the GM1‐treated groups at both 28 and 56 days, especially at 56 days, when it was 39.59 ± 9.23 m/sec vs. 31.42 ± 4.07 m/sec in controls (P<0.05). Morphometrically, there were more regenerated myelinated fibers (RMFs) at 12 days, and larger diameter of RMFs were observed at 12, 28, and 56 days in the GM1‐treated groups. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of thermoregulation associated with cold intolerance after digital replantation
Authors: Isogai Noritaka , Fukunishi Kennji , Kamiishi Hiroshi
Published: March 2007

Twelve patients with complete thumb amputations were analyzed to determine the interrelations between thermoregulation for pain and cold intolerance and sensory nerve recovery. Patients were examined at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and after 2 years following replantation. Medical thermography was introduced to assess postoperative circulation following digital replantation, while vasomotor tone was assessed by cold‐stress plethysmography testing. Postoperative circulation was divided into two different patterns based upon skin temperature, the transition of which over time correlated well with sensory nerve recovery. Patients with cold intolerance showed a persistent vasoconstriction pattern, the cold change of which was objectively detected by thermography. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural abundance 13C NMR spectra of human muscle, normal and diseased
Authors: Bárány Michael , Doyle Donald D. , Graff Gustav , Westler William M. , Markley John L.
Published: March 2007

13C NMR spectra of human surgical muscle samples have been obtained at 50 and 118 MHz. Numerous sharp peaks in the 13C spectrum have been assigned to carbon atoms of soluble metabolites and fatty acyl chains of neutral fats and membrane‐bound phospholipids. Comparisons have been made of 13C NMR spectra of normal and diseased muscles after removal of neutral fat by extraction with isopentane. Creatine, lactic acid, and phosholipids are not removed from muscles by isopentane. The most striking difference between 13C NMR spectra of isopentane‐extracted normal and diseased muscle samples was the size of the residual 30.5 ppm methylene carbon resonance, that is, small in normal muscles and in nonspecific muscle diseases, but large in myogenic and neurogenic muscle diseases. In addition, differences were also found between normal and diseased muscles in their creatine content and their ability to produce lactic acid. By deoxycholate treatment of isopentane‐extracted diseased muscle it is estimated that about one‐fifth of the total phospholipids are highly mobile. T1 and NOE measurements indicated that the differences in peak height for the 30.5 ppm resonance between normal and diseased muscle are due only to difference in the amount of highly mobile fatty acyl chains in the muscle and not due to differences in relaxation parameters. 13C NMR of isopentane‐extracted muscle appears to permit differentiation of normal from diseased muscle and, within diseased muscle, grading of the severity of the disease.
Depth pulse sequences for surface coils: spatial localization and T1 measurements
Authors: Ng Thian C. , Glickson Jerry D. , Bendall M. Robin
Published: March 2007

The depth pulse sequences θ;[2θ(±x,±y)]2 and 2θ;θ(±x);[2θ(±x,±y)]2 have been implemented with a 20 mm diameter two‐turn surface coil operating at 31P resonance (89.96 MHz). In these sequences θ refers to the π/2 rf pulse at the center of the sensitive region of the coil, ±x and ±y denote the four orthogonal phases of the rf pulses, and “;” represents an optional brief delay (e.g., 4 m̈sec) between pulses to facilitate switching between different phases. Localization of the sensitive region was demonstrated with phantom samples by in vivomonitoring of rat livers and detection of necrotic regions of subcutaneously implanted tumors. The inversion‐recovery pulse sequence, 2θ−τ−θ(±x);[2θ(±x,±y)]2, where τ is a variable delay, was employed to measure the spin‐lattice relaxation time of a selected region. which could be varied by changing the pulse width and the size of the surface coil.
Driven‐equilibrium radiofrequency pulses in NMR imaging
Authors: Van Uijen C. M. J. , Den Boef J. H.
Published: March 2007

Driven‐equilibrium pulse techniques are applied to NMR imaging to extend the possibilities of manipulating image contrasts in pulse sequences with a high repetition rate. In many cases the data acquisition time can be much shorter than in more conventional pulse techniques. Both calculations and experiments reveal that the intensity of tissue with slowly relaxing nuclear magnetizations can significantly be enhanced, thus facilitating the detection of a number of pathologies.
Characterization of normal and malignant mouse tissue by NMR lineshape‐relaxation correlations in the rotating frame
Authors: Sridharan K. R. , Schreiner L. J. , Kydon D. W. , Pintar M. M. , Inch W. R.
Published: March 2007

With the NMR lineshape‐relaxation correlation technique the relaxation times and the relative magnitudes of the proton spin ‐groups characterized by these respective relaxation times are obtained. In most tissues the spin‐lattice relaxation in the rotating frame is nonexponential. The magnetization evolution can be represented as the sum of three exponential decays characterized by three T1p relaxation times. The short T1p component, corresponding to the rigid network protons, gives the most interesting information on the tissue. Results at 38 MHz are given for muscle, spleen, lung, and tumor EMT6 fibrosarcoma grown in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of BALB/c mice. The absence of the magnetization component with short T1p and short T2 in spleen tissue of tumorous mice demonstrates that the spleen is swollen to at least 5 times its original size so that the relative magnitude of the magnetization corresponding to collagen network is proportionally reduced. The NMR correlation technique is thus shown to be appropriate for such quantitative analysis.