bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoenzymatic assay that measures the expression of murine histocompatibility antigens in macrophages and lymphocytes
Authors: Fragoso G. , Valdez F. , Rosenstein Y. , Govezensky T. , Larralde C. , Sciutto E. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA convenient—simple, sensitive, rapid and reproducible—enzyme immunoassay to measure H‐2 particulated and solubilized cellular antigens is described. Cellular antigens were measured by ELISA through the binding of specific biotinylated antibodies and streptoavidin‐peroxidase conjugate to cells in suspension. Endogenous peroxidase activity of activated cells was inhibited by addition of sodium azide and H2O2 in acid conditions. The assay proved capable of distinguishing between two cell lines (EL–4/H–2b and P815/H–2d) and even between the cells of three congenic mouse strains (BALB/B, H–2b, BALB/c, H–2d, and BALB/K, H‐2k) and was sensitive to as few as 2.5 × 104 cells/well. Results were comparable to those obtained with FACS. An inhibition version of this assay was found to be very useful for the detection of H–2 antigens present in whole antigen cells extracts. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Breaking the asymptomatic phase of HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Tomar Russell H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAIDS typically consists of three phases: (1) an acute, infectious mononucleosis‐like syndrome followed by (2) a prolonged asymptomatic stage ending in (3) the appearance of frank AIDS. The asymptomatic phase may last for years and its presence suggests a persistent conflagration between the virus and the host's immune response. There is considerable evidence that an immune response develops but the response is ultimately inadequate. From the work of others as well as our own, we have constructed a hypothesis which attempts to explain some aspects of the immune response. We propose that HIV‐1 preferentially infects a subset of CD4+ lymphocytes which are then either destroyed or altered in their biological functions. Further, we suggest that this subset represents the CD4+ TH1 lymphocyte population. By decreasing the quantity of IL‐2 and interferon‐gamma produced by TH1 lymphocytes, the production of cytokines by TH2 cells is increased. One of the cytokines produced by TH2 lymphocytes is IL‐10, a polypeptide with significant inhibitory properties towards lymphocytes. Sera from patients with frank AIDS have significant lymphocyte inhibitory activities some of which operate through IL‐10. Thus, a gradual shift to a TH2‐type response and release of increasing amounts of inhibitors eventually prevents the host from replacing destroyed cells or mounting new and appropriate immune responses. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Purification of psa‐act complex: Characterization of psa‐act complex by various chromatographic procedures
Authors: Wu James T. , Zhang Ping , Bandhauer Michael E. , Wilson Lorraine , Astill Mark E. , Colemere Jeffrey T. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe have explored various chromatographic procedures with the intention of establishing an isolation procedure that would allow us to isolate a large quantity of PSA‐ACT (prostate specific antigen‐α1‐antichymotrypsin) complex either from patients' sera or from incubation mixtures of free PSA and protease inhibitors. We found that at pH 7.2, both free PSA and PSA‐ACT molecules are negatively charged and bind to the DEAE‐Sepharose column. However, they could be separated from each other using a linear gradient of NaCl at pH 7.2. Both free PSA and PSA‐ACT molecules were also found to be retained by the Con A Sepharose column because of the carbohydrate moiety of the PSA molecule. These two molecules were not separable by Con A chromatography. These two molecules apparently differ in their isoelectric points and were well separated by chromatofocusing using a pH gradient from pH 9 to 6. It appears that chromatofocusing can also be used to identify the isoforms of free PSA because of its high resolving power. The large difference in molecular size between free PSA and PSA‐ACT complex allowed their separation by gel filtration chromatography on a column containing either S‐100, S‐200, or S‐300 gel. S‐200 gel appeared to be the best for the separation of free PSA from PSA‐ACT and for the removal of other contaminating serum proteins. We believe that the combined use of these chromatographic procedures would permit the isolation of a large quantity of pure PSA‐ACT complex that should facilitate the preparation of more specific antibodies as well as a calibrator for the establishment of a new generation of PSA assay.©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nh2‐Terminal sequence of novel pancreatic stone protein‐related protein in human urine
Authors: Kato Masanori , Tatemichi Noriyuki , Hayakawa Shinobu , Hayakawa Tetsuo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn a previous report, we detected the novel PSP‐related protein in urine from a patient with diabetic nephropathy. This protein was different from PSP S1 and PSP S2‐5 on the elution points of Mono S chromatography. To investigate the NH2‐terminal sequence, we purified this protein by reverse phase chromatography and performed amino acid analysis. The results showed that the NH2‐terminal sequence of this protein was one residue (arginine) longer than that of PSP.©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. S1.
Platelet indices in athletes performing a race in altitude environment
Authors: Banfi Giuseppe , Marinelli Marcello , Roi Giulio Sergio , Giacometti Marino 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPhysical activity could modify platelet count and platelet indices. Previous reports showed modifications after exercise linked to type and duration of sports performances. The shortage of studies in this field stems from the crucial methodological problem of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)‐dependent, mean platelet volume modifications: the published data on platelets count and indices were obtained by using a light‐scattering system without standardization of the period elapsed from drawing to measurement. We present a study of platelet indices performed in athletes participating in an extreme' performance, a race of 30 km in altitude (6,700 m of ascents and descents), using standardized measurement by an aperture‐impedance instrument transferred in the field. The platelet count and mean platelet volume significantly increased in athletes, whereas platelet distribution width decreased. The mean initial values were 240.6*109/L for platelet count, 8.79 fL for mean platelet volume, and 15.79% for platelet distribution width. The correspondent mean final values were 288.4*109/L, 9.14 fL, and 15.48%. The modifications of platelet count and indices were always in the physiological reference range. The entity and the rapidity of platelet count and indices modifications suggest that the more probable source of variation is the recruitment of noncirculating pools of mature platelets. Strenuous exercise does not show abnormal changes of platelet parameters.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Evaluation of recombinant ro/ssa, la/ssb, sm, and u1 rnp autoantigens in clinical diagnosis
Authors: Lerma José Gerardo García , Ramos María Jesús , Sequí Julia , Mendoza Antonio Zea 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis study comprises an analysis of the diagnostic usefulness of Ro/SSA, La/SSB, Sm and U1 RNP autoantigens obtained by DNA recombinant technology. We studied the presence of these autoantibodies in 33 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 30 normal individuals by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant autoantigens and by Western immunoblot with these same antigens obtained from natural sources (rabbit thymus and human spleen). The strength of agreement between results found with these two techniques was moderate in the case of anti‐Ro/SSA (κ = 0.474, P < 0.001) and anti‐U1 RNP (κ = 0.566. P < 0.001) antibodies and almost perfect in the case of anti‐La/SSB (κ = 0871, P < 0.001) and anti‐Sm (κ = 0.833, P < 0.001). Furthermore, analysis of the disagreement between the two techniques evidenced a measurement bias for anti‐Ro/SSA and anti‐U1 RNP antibodies (Mc NEMAR'S statistic 13 and 11, respectively) whose direction, though difficult to define in the absence of a gold standard for such determinations, could be accounted for by the ELISA technique's greater tendency to produce positive results. Our conclusion is that the diagnostic usefulness of recombinant La/SSB and Sm autoantigens has been satisfactorily proven, whereas the case of the Ro/SSA and U1 RNP systems should be subject to further in‐depth study of the autoepitopes recognised and the possible modifications which the latter might undergo as a result of their obtension from procariotic sources.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Thyroid function testing evaluated on three immunoassay systems
Authors: Christenson Robert H. , Duh Show‐Hong , Clarisse Diana E. , Zorn Nancy 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTotal thyroxine (TT4), tracer uptake, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), and free T4 (FT4) testing was examined in the ACS 180, Abbott IMx, and Stratus II systems. TSH sensitivity studies demonstrated that the ACS and IMx are second‐generation assays; the Stratus showed between first‐ and second‐generation performance. Except for one control below the detection limit, TSH imprecision was 3–10%. TSH accuracy was adequate for all systems. TT4 imprecision was 4–7%, except for the lowest control with the Stratus (18%). TT4 method agreement showed bias of about 20% between the systems. TT4 accuracy was compromised at the low end for the Stratus II, but was satisfactory otherwise. FT4 imprecision was 20% for the Stratus, <5% for the IMx and 6% for the ACS. Uptake assays showed imprecision of 5–10%. The laboratory diagnosis indicated by each system's FT4 and calculated FT4 Index results were compared to determine diagnostic accuracy. In routine specimens, different clinical classifications were observed for 25% of specimens with the ACS, 19% with the Stratus, and 7% with the IMx; in the altered protein group, the Stratus showed 9% discordant results, the ACS showed 3%, and the IMx 0%. Of the three systems examined here, the Abbott IMx system showed the best overall performance.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Novel homogeneous enzyme immunoassay: Chitinase activity enhancement immunoassay (caeia)
Authors: Sekine Sakari , Watanabe Takeshi , Tanaka Hirosato 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA novel homogeneous enzyme immunoassay has been developed that takes advantage of the observation that the activity of a bacterial chitinase could be enhanced by the binding of a ligand conjugate of a monoclonal antibody to the enzyme (L‐MAbchi). The enhancement was suppressed by an antiligand antibody (AbL). Free ligand molecules competed for AbL combining with L‐MAbchi, and the suppression of the enhancement was reduced. Thus the concentration of free ligand could be estimated. Biotin was used as a ligand in this model experiment. When this monoclonal antibody was conjugated with a ligand (e.g., biotin), we furthermore found that the enhancement could be suppressed by an antiligand antibody (AbL). When free ligand molecules are added to the system, competition with L‐MAbchi results to reduce the suppression of enhancement.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Evaluation of an automated urine chemistry reagent‐strip analyzer
Authors: Lott John A. , Johnson William R. , Luke Karl E. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe evaluated the Miles Inc., Clinitek Atlas Automated Urine Chemistry Analyzer for 11 tests: bilirubin, color, glucose, ketones, leukocyte esterase, nitrite, occult blood, pH, protein, specific gravity, and urobilinogen. The instrument uses a roll of reagent strips affixed to a clear plastic support; urine specimens are automatically pipetted onto these strips. The instrument measures the pads' color using reflectance colorimetry. Specific gravity is measured using a fiberoptic refractive index method. Four hospitals participated in the evaluation, and tests were performed only on fresh urine samples. We found the instrument easy to use; it has walk‐away capability with up to 40‐specimen loading capacity plus spaces for STATs, calibrators and controls. We found good comparability with chemical tests and other nonreagent strip procedures, as well as good agreement with the Miles Inc. Clinitek 200+ urine chemistry analyzer and visual reading of the Miles Inc. Multistix Reagent Strips. The Clinitek Atlas is rugged and reliable, and is suitable for a high‐volume urinalysis laboratory.©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Generation, purification, and characterization of a recombinant source of human prostate‐specific antigen
Authors: Bei Roberto , Paranavitana Chrysanthi , Milenic Diane , Kashmiri S. V. S. , Schlom Jeffrey 
Published: March 2007

AbstractHuman prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), a 33‐ to 34‐kDa serine proteinase with extensive homology to glandular kallikrein, is a single‐chain glycoprotein that contains 7% carbohydrate. The presence of PSA in the serum of patients with prostatic cancer is widely employed as a marker of disease status. PSA has also been thought of as a possible target for use in active specific immunotherapy protocols. To date, the source of PSA employed has been seminal fluid from different individuals; this has raised concerns about differences among PSA batches for standardization of assays. This report is the first description of the production and the purification of a recombinant source of PSA using a baculovirus expression system. A baculovirus recombinant of the cDNA encoding the full length PSA was expressed in insect cells yielding two major immunoreactive products of 31 and 29 kDa. The latter size conforms to the molecular weight of a core preprotein deduced from the sequence of the cDNA insert. The larger protein represents the N‐linked glycosylated form of the preprotein. Western blot analysis showed that both the glycosylated and aglycosylated forms of PSA reacted with a polyclonal and two different monoclonal antibodies specific for PSA. bV‐PSA, like commercially available PSA, showed also low‐molecular‐weight immunoreactive products when culture supernatants were concentrated or taken through steps of purification. bV‐PSA was purified to a final product consisting of a major 29‐kDa protein and a minor 31‐kDa protein. This recombinant source of PSA will make it possible to further evaluate the biological, serological, and functional properties of the antigen and may serve as a more standardized source for serum assays to detect PSA. bV‐PSA may also serve as a potential source for immunogen in active specific immunotherapy protocols.
Dna extraction and amplification from giemsa‐stained blood smears
Authors: Yokota Masaharu , Tatsumi Noriyuki , Tsuda Izumi , Yano Ikuya 
Published: March 2007

AbstractDNA extraction was attempted from Giemsa‐stained blood smears on glass slides that had been stored for several years. High molecular weight DNA bands were clearly visible after electrophoresis when DNA was extracted from specimens stored up to 2 years. Specimens more than 4 years old demonstrated a smeared pattern, suggesting degeneration of the DNA, but they could be rescued by PCR amplification using primers of HLA‐DQA1 genes. The recovery could be pursued even in 11‐year‐old specimens.
Induction of transforming growth factor‐β1 by basic fibroblast growth factor in rat C6 glioma cells and astrocytes is mediated by MEK/ERK signaling and AP‐1 activation
Authors: Dhandapani Krishnan M. , Khan Mohammad M. , Wade F. Marlene , Wakade Chandramohan , Mahesh Virendra B. , Brann Darrell W. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) play an important role in proliferation, differentiation, and survival of malignant gliomas and in normal glial cell biology. Because of these critical roles, potential interactions between these key growth factors were investigated. We previously demonstrated that bFGF potently stimulates TGF‐β1 release from rat glioma cells. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism(s) of this regulatory effect, establish its functional importance, and examine whether it extends to nontransformed rat hypothalamic astrocytes (RHA). The results revealed that RHA express the high‐affinity FGF(1–4) receptors, and similarly to glioma cells, bFGF stimulated TGF‐β1 release in an isoform‐specific manner. A mediatory role for ERK signaling in bFGF‐induced TGF‐β release was suggested by the fact that MEK1 inhibition prevented this effect. Additionally, bFGF enhanced MEK1/2 phosphorylation and ERK activation/nuclear translocation, which culminated in increased activity of AP‐1‐mediated gene transcription. bFGF markedly induced TGF‐β1 mRNA levels in an isoform‐specific manner, an effect that was dependent on MEK/ERK/AP‐1 signaling. Functionally, bFGF‐induced proliferation of glioma cells was attenuated by MEK/ERK inhibition or immunoneutralization of TGF‐β1, suggesting that this pathway may have important implications for brain tumor progression. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unilateral hippocampal blockade reveals that one hippocampus is sufficient for learning a passive avoidance task
Authors: Cimadevilla J.M. , Mendez M. , Mendez‐Lopez M. , Arias J.L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUnderstanding hippocampal participation in memory processes is one of the goals in neuroscience research. By blocking the hippocampus unilaterally in Wistar rats, we assessed the contribution of this brain structure to memory in a passive avoidance task. Subjects were distributed into four groups. Group 1 received tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the right hippocampus during acquisition and retrieval phases. Group 2 had the same procedure as group 1, except that the contralateral hippocampus was blocked during retrieval. Subjects from group 3 acquired the task with saline (both hippocampi intact) and retrieved with the right hippocampus inactivated. Finally, group 4 received TTX unilaterally 2 min after acquisition to determine the hippocampal role in consolidation. Results showed that group 2 was impaired, compared with the other groups, during retrieval. These findings reveal that the hippocampal contribution to this task differs from that in other tasks considered to be hippocampus dependent. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A role for minerals in the development of superficial scald of apples
Authors: Wills Ronald B. H. , Scott Kevin J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe addition of EDTA to Granny Smith apples reduced the incidence of superficial scald at concentrations of <0.5 μmol/fruit but increased the disorder at higher concentrations. It is suggested that EDTA initially inactivates a mineral that is catalysing the development of scald but at higher concentrations it also inactivates a mineral which is inhibiting scald. The addition of copper and cobalt were found to increase scald while barium and strontium reduced the disorder.
Influence of supranutritional vitamin E supplementation in the feed on swine growth performance and deposition in different tissues
Authors: Asghar Ali , Gray J Ian , Miller Elwyn R , Ku Pao‐Kwen , Booren Alden M , Buckley D Joseph 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe effects of supranutritional vitamin E supplementation in the diet on the growth performance of pigs, the deposition of α‐tocopherol in different tissues and the activity of certain blood enzymes were investigated. Pigs receiving diets supplemented with 100 and 200 IU vitamin E kg−1 feed exhibited significant improvement in daily body gain and feed conversion efficiency in the early growth phase (P < 0.05). With advance in age. the growth curves of pigs fed the higher levels of vitamin E tended to become parallel to that of the control group (10 IU vitamin E kg−1 feed), suggesting that the advantage gained in body weight in the early growth period actually persisted in subsequent phases.The concentrations of α‐tocopherol in blood plasma and different tissues (heart, kidney, lung and liver) significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of dietary vitamin E. However, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase in blood plasma was not influenced by the levels of vitamin E supplementation.
Evaluation of the isotope dilution technique for determining ileal endogenous nitrogen excretion in the rat
Authors: Moughan Paul J , Buttery Peter J , Essex Christine P , Soar John B 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThree body amino acid pools (plasma free, plasma bound and small intestinal tissue) were evaluated as precursors to allow measurement using the isotope dilution technique of endogenous excretion at the terminal ileum of animals. Eighteen 150‐g bodyweight rats were given either a protein‐free, an enzyme‐hydrolysed casein based or a synthetic amino acid based diet, and digesta were collected from the terminal ileum. The animals had been subjected to a constant 8‐day infusion of tritiated leucine via subcutaneously implanted osmotic mini pumps. Specific activities (dpm nM−1 leucine) of the ileal digesta and the plasma free, plasma bound and small intestinal tissue pools were determined and the specific activity for the ileal digesta was expressed as a proportion of the respective precursor pool value to give dilution factors for each dietary treatment. For the protein‐free diet, where the ileal nitrogenous flow is endogenous by definition, the dilution factor for an appropriate precursor pool would be unity.For the hydrolysed casein and synthetic amino acid diets, in which the peptides and amino acids are expected to be virtually completely absorbed anterior to the ileum, high dilution factors (close to unity) would be expected. The mean dilution factors based on the plasma free amino acid pool were untenably low (0‐2 to 0‐3). For the plasma bound amino acid pool mean dilution factors of 1‐3 were found for animals given the protein‐free and synthetic amino acid diets, while a lower value (0‐7) was obtained for the hydrolysed casein treatment. Untenably high factors (1‐5) were found with the small intestinal tissue for the protein‐free and synthetic amino acid treatments, while the corresponding value for the hydrolysed caseinfed rats was unity. The dilution factor data within treatments were highly variable, and none of the pools examined gave consistently reliable results and could thus be accepted as a valid precursor pool for the endogenous proteins.
Changes in the activities of carbohydrate‐degrading enzymes with ripening in Musa paradisiaca
Authors: Iyare Osarose A , Ekwukoma Blessing O 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe activities of phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1), amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) and invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) were monitored in the pulp and peel of post‐harvest plantain (Musa paradisiaca L) stored at 26 °C and at 14° respectively. There was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the activities of the three enzymes in both the pulp and peel of plantain fingers stored at 26 °C as ripening progressed as assessed by the unpaired t‐test. The increase in amylase activity was more dramatic, thus suggesting a greater hydrolytic rather than phosphorolytic cleavage of starch. The enzyme activities in the plantain stored at 14 °C also increased with the post‐harvest storage period (P < 0.01) although the absolute values were less than those from the corresponding plantain fingers stored at 26 °C. The possible importance of these observations in the light of reducing the large wastage of M paradisiaca due to poor storage facilities, and thereby enhancing its shelf life and usefulness in the tropics, is discussed.