bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Newborn screening in the Asia Pacific region
Authors: Padilla Carmencita D. , Therrell Bradford L. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe success of blood spot newborn screening in the USA led to early screening efforts in parts of the Asia Pacific Region in the mid‐1960s. While there were early screening leaders in the region, many of the countries with depressed and developing economies are only now beginning organized screening efforts. Four periods of screening growth in the Asia Pacific region were identified. Beginning in the 1960s, blood spot screening began in New Zealand and Australia, followed by Japan and a cord blood screening programme for G6PD deficiency in Singapore. In the 1980s, established programmes added congenital hypothyroidism and new programmes developed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China (Shanghai), India and Malaysia. Programmes developing in the 1990s built on the experience of others developing more rapidly in Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. In the 2000s, with limited funding support from the International Atomic Energy Agency, there has been screening programme development around detection of congenital hypothyroidism in Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Pakistan. Palau has recently contracted with the Philippine newborn screening programme. There is little information available on newborn screening activities in Nepal, Cambodia, Laos and the other Pacific Island nations, with no organized screening efforts apparent. Since approximately half of the births in the world occur in the Asia Pacific Region, it is important to continue the ongoing implementation and expansion efforts so that these children can attain the same health status as children in more developed parts of the world and their full potential can be realized.
Reduction of the false‐positive rate in newborn screening by implementation of MS/MS‐based second‐tier tests: The Mayo Clinic experience (2004–2007)
Authors: Matern D. , Tortorelli S. , Oglesbee D. , Gavrilov D. , Rinaldo P. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe continued expansion of newborn screening programmes to include additional conditions increases the responsibility of newborn screening laboratories to provide testing with the highest sensitivity and specificity to allow for identification of affected patients while minimizing the false‐positive rate. Some assays and analytes are particularly problematic. Over recent years, our laboratory tried to improve this situation by developing second‐tier tests to reduce false‐positive results in the screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), tyrosinaemia type I, methylmalonic acidaemias, homocystinuria, and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). Beginning in 2004, this approach was applied to Mayo's newborn screening programme and resulted in a false‐positive rate of 0.09%, a positive predictive value of 41%, and a positive detection rate of 1 affected case in 1672 babies screened.
COMT Val158Met moderation of stress-induced psychosis
Authors: STEFANIS NICHOLAS C. , HENQUET CÉCILE , AVRAMOPOULOS DIMITRIOS , SMYRNIS NIKOLAOS , EVDOKIMIDIS IOANNIS , MYIN-GERMEYS INEZ , STEFANIS COSTAS N. , VAN OS JIM 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTBackgroundExposure to stressful life events increases the risk of developing a psychotic disorder. Moreover, increased reactivity to stress seems to represent part of the vulnerability for psychosis. This study aimed to investigate whether a functional polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT Val158Met) gene moderates the psychosis-inducing effects of stress.MethodA semi-experimental stress exposure paradigm was used in a sample of 306 genotyped young men (aged 19–24 years), in whom measures of psychotic symptoms were obtained at recruitment in the Greek army (exposed condition) and again after 18 months of military training (unexposed condition).ResultsStress exposure at army induction was associated with an increased level of psychotic symptoms. In addition, carriers of the COMT Val158Met Val allele were more susceptible to the effect of stress on the psychosis outcome than those with the Met/Met genotype (test for interaction: χ2=5·02, df=1, p=0·025).ConclusionThe COMT Val158Met genotype may moderate the effect of stress on psychotic symptoms.
Elicitation of protective immunity to Entamoeba histolytica — an experimental study
Authors: Nain Purnima CK , Vinayak VK 
Published: July 2007

SummaryImmunization of hamsters with plasma membrane (PM) antigens of virulent subline of axenic Entamoeba histolytica (NIH: 200 V) entrapped in multilamellar phosphatidyl choline liposomes conferred 100% protection to a subsequent intrahepatic amoebic challenge. In contrast, vaccination of hamsters with live amoebic trophozoites injected intradermally failed to protect any of the animals. The protected animals had significantly high levels of anti‐PM anti‐amoebic antibodies, cellular sensitization and macrophage‐mediated antibody‐dependent cytotoxicity against amoebic trophozoites. However, none of the intradermally immunized animals had anti‐PM anti‐amoebic antibodies at the time of challenge. Such animals also had significantly low macrophage‐mediated antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The data indicate the potential prophylactic use of PM antigens against hepatic amoebic infection.
Antigenic analysis of Strongyloides ratti infective larvae and adult worms
Authors: Northern Carolyn , Grove David I 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe protein composition of Strongyloides ratti infective larvae and adult worms extracted sequentially in water, sodium deoxycholate and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and their excretory/secretory products were analysed by both one‐ and two‐dimensional SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. While many bands common to all preparations and both stages of the worm were seen, a number of bands unique to each stage and preparation were identified. Western blot analysis of these larval and adult preparations for reaction with IgG and IgM antibodies in hyperimmune mouse sera revealed a large number of antigens. These data provide a framework for analysis of protective and diagnostically useful antigens.
Antigen expression during early human granulocyte development studied with immuno‐electron microscopy
Authors: Hogg RJ , Hodgson AJ , Henderson DW , Williams KA , Jureidini KF , Zola H 
Published: July 2007

SummaryExpression of the hapten fucosyl‐N‐acetyllactosamine was correlated with ultrastructural development in human granulocyie precursors using the monoclonal antibody FMC 10 with immunogold techniques. The antigen was detectable from the myeloblast/early neutrophilic promyelocyte stage onwards and was associated with striking development of the rough endoplasmic reticular system. In addition, low levels of labelling were seen on monocytes, eosinophils and some basophil precursors. Contraction and alignment of the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum during the promyelocyte stage of neutrophilic differentiation gave the appearance of a plasma cell. However, on closer examination it was apparent that true plasma cells did not react with this antibody.
The cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of chlorambucil‐monoclonal autibody conjugates
Authors: Smyth Mark J , Pietersz Geoffrey A , McKenzie Ian FC 
Published: July 2007

SummaryTo investigate the mode of entry and action of the alkylating agent chlorambucil (CBL), conjugated to monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), CBL was coupled with three different MoAbs — to the transferrin receptor, to L3T4 and to Ly‐2 molecules — and the activity of these conjugates was compared with free CBL. It was clear that CBL and CBL‐MoAb conjugates enter cells and are transported differently within the cell prior to their cytotoxic action. Evidence favouring a separate entry point of CBL and CBL‐MoAb conjugates is the differential effect of temperature and metabolic inhibitors (2‐deoxyglucose and sodium azide) on the processing of both moieties. In addition, the likely sites of cleavage of CBL‐MoAb complexes, the lysosomes, were effected by NH4Cl and chloroquine, which inhibited the activity of CBL‐MoAb but not free CBL. Thus, it is likely that CBL‐MoAb conjugates enter via the antibody binding sites and the CBL is internalised and transported as a passenger.
The secondary in vitro murine cytotoxic T cell response to the flavivirus, West Nile
Authors: Kesson Alison M , Blanden Robert V , Mullbacher Arno 
Published: July 2007

SummaryA secondary in vitro murine cytotoxic response to the flavivirus. West Nile (WNV) is described. Cytotoxic activity was obtained from spleen cells of mice primed 7 days previously with 106 p.f.u. WNV and boosted in vitro for a further 5 days with WNV‐infected stimulator spleen cells. The cells responsible for lysis of WNV‐infected target cells were restricted by class 1 H‐2 antigens. The K region of the H‐2k haplotype and both the K and D regions of the H‐2d haplotype were permissive. The cytotoxic cells were virus‐specific with respect to WNV and Influenza. The phenotype of the cells which mediated cytotoxicity was Thy 1+ Lyt 2+ and L3T4−; however an L3T4+ helper population was required for the optimal generation of the cytotoxic response in vitro.
Production of monoclonal antibodies against surface antigenic determinants of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Uchiyama J , Fujikura Y , Kuniki H , Fukumoto T , Koshiro A 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe production of four murine monoclonal antibodies (Kp26, Kp53, Kp62 and Kp71) to Klebsiella pneumoniae surface antigen(s) is described. The binding of all four monoclonal antibodies to K. pneumoniae was inhibited by F(ab′)2 fragments of normal human serum IgG, suggesting that the antigenic determinants of K. pneumoniae detected by the four monoclonal antibodies may be similar to those recognized by human serum IgG. The antigen identified by Kp62 was purified from a deoxycholate‐solubilized bacterial fraction using immunoaffinity chromatography. The molecular weight of the antigen was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 50 000–70 000.
A portion of the Pf155/RESA antigen of Plasmodium falciparum is accessible on the surface of infected erythrocytes
Authors: Saul Allan , Lee Maloy W , Rock Edwin P , Howard Russell J 
Published: July 2007

SummaryAn investigation of antigens accessible to lactoperoxidase‐catalysed cell surface iodination on intact Plasmodium falciparum‐infected red blood cells (RBC) has identified a 125I‐labelled antigen with an apparent size of about 155 kD. This labelled protein was specifically immunoprecipitated by the following antibodies: a rabbit antiserum and a mouse monoclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide comprising the 3′,8‐mer repeat EENVEHDA of the Pf155/RESA protein; a rabbit antiserum raised against a synthetic octapeptide comprising two copies of the 3′,4‐mer repeat EENV of the Pf155/RESA protein; and rabbit antisera against another synthetic peptide C(MYSNNNVED)2. The last antibody shows a strong reaction in asexual blood stage parasites with the Pf155/RESA antigen. While this antigen has been described previously as a submembrane component of the outer membrane of infected RBC, this report shows that at least part of it is accessible to the surface of both ring and late trophozoite‐infected erythrocytes.
A human complement‐fixing monoclonal anti‐human lymphocyte antibody of rat origin
Authors: Georgiou G , Roberton D , Pereira A , Scaletti B , Kannourakis G , Hosking C , Fowler K 
Published: July 2007

SummaryMARCH 1E11 is an IgM monoclonal anti‐human lymphocyte antibody of rat origin with the capacity to utilise both human and rabbit complement. The antibody reacts with all thymocytes and with all peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes. The treatment of human bone marrow or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with MARCH 1E11 and either pooled human serum or autologous serum as a complement source resulted in cytolysis of greater than 99% of OKT3‐positive lymphocytes. Under these conditions, progenitor cell recovery (colony‐forming unit (CFU‐c), burst forming unit—erythroid (BFU‐e) and colony‐forming unit—mixed (CFU‐mix)) was greater than 90% of that of untreated cells. The response of treated marrow or PBMC to phytohaemagglutinin stimulation and in mixed leucocyte reactions demonstrated a reduction in thymidine incorporation to values similar to those obtained for unstimulated cells. The antibody does not cause modulation of the cell surface antigen and does not react significantly with non‐lymphoid tissues.This monoclonal antibody may be useful for in vitro elimination of T lymphocytes from allogeneic bone marrow used for transplantation. The antibody may also be useful for treatment protocols requiring lymphoid depletion or immunosuppression as in organ transplantation.
The adjuvanticity of gamma inulin
Authors: Cooper Peter D , Steele Edward J 
Published: July 2007

SummaryGamma‐inulin (g‐IN) is a polymorph identified as the active component of inulin preparations that specifically activates the alternative pathway of complement (APC). The APC is central to many leucocyte functions, including B cell activation. We show here that g‐IN, when formulated as a pure, endotoxin‐free, fine suspension insoluble at 37°C and given at 50–100 μg per mouse, is a potent adjuvant for both humoral and cell‐mediated responses to a variety of antigens. g‐IN increased secondary IgG responses five‐ to 28‐fold (P <0·001), using as antigen phosphorylcholine coupled to keyhole limpet haemocyanin; subclasses IgG 2a, 2b, and 3 were boosted several hundred‐fold, IgG 1 10‐fold. IgM and IgA were increased four‐to six‐fold. Delayed hypersensitivity, by footpad swelling after secondary challenge with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), was increased more than two‐fold (P <0·001) if g‐IN was included with the primary SRBC, equivalent to increasing primary doses 10‐fold, g‐IN was equally active if given 5 days before the primary SRBC. Thus it is an immune stimulant rather than a depot or vehicle for antigen. Mice primed subcutaneously with 30–300 HA units of H2N2 influenza virus (strain A/JAP) and challenged intranasally with a lethal dose of HIN1 virus (strain A/WSN) all died, but if g‐IN was given with the primary antigen 50% of the mice survived(P < 0·001), a deduced but not proven boost to cytotoxic T cell‐mediated immunity. Unpublished work has shown that g‐IN has no adverse effects at adjuvant‐active doses. g‐IN is thus a promising new vaccine adjuvant. It also has a potential for antitumour therapy, and is a specific reagent for expioring the role of complement in vivo.
In vivo studies of whole ricin monoclonal antibody immunoconjugates for the treatment of murine tumours
Authors: Kanellos Jerry , MacKenzie Ian FC , Pietersz Geoffrey A 
Published: July 2007

SummaryRicin is a highly potent toxin which binds to cells via galactose binding sites on the B chain; the toxicity is manifest by the A chain and most studies with immunotoxins have used ricin A chain‐antibody conjugates. We have previously described a method for the coupling of whole ricin to monoclonal antibody (MoAb) so that the galactose binding sites on the B chain are blocked; these conjugates are not non‐specifically toxic. Whole ricin‐MoAb conjugates were examined in vivo for their stability, clearance rates and toxicity, and these were compared with modified ricin‐MoAb conjugates produced by periodate treatment of ricin. First, the biological half‐life of whole ricin or modified ricin was determined and indicated that while ricin was rapidly cleared from the circulation (t1/2 = 4·5 ± 0·5 min) compared with modified ricin (t1/2 = 17 ± 1 min), covalent linkage of native ricin to MoAb increased the blood circulation time of the toxin (t1/2 = 22 ± 1 min). Immunotoxins synthesized with the Ly‐2·1 MoAb using native or modified (deglycosylated) ricin were compared in vivo. In two different models anti‐Ly‐2·1 immunotoxins could be shown to be effective in vivo: (i) intraperitoneal tumours, thymomas grown in the peritoneal cavity could be completely eradicated by ricin‐MoAb; (ii) subcutaneous tumours, mice with tumours approximately 0·75 cm in diameter received intravenous doses of the whole ricin–MoAb and a substantial reduction in tumour size was achieved. Thus whole ricin–antibody conjugates made with the galactose binding site blocked combine the advantage of high potency with high specificity (which was previously lacking in intact ricin conjugates) and can be successfully used in vivo to treat tumours.
The in vitro proliferative response of lymphoid cells of mice infected with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX
Authors: Kotlarski I , Pope M , Doherty K , Attridge SR 
Published: July 2007

SummaryIntraperitoneal injection of (BALB/c × C57BL/6) F1 mice with live, but not killed Salmonella enteritidis 11RX (11RX) induced T cells in the spleen and peritoneal cavity which were able to proliferate in vitro in response to two different forms of 11RX antigens. The majority of cells which proliferated were L3T4+ T cells and most of the response was restricted by the I‐A locus of the H‐2 major histocompatibility complex, although a smaller K region restricted response was also detected. T cells able to respond to 11RX antigens could only be demonstrated when non‐adherent lymphoid cell suspensions from immunized mice were used, and usually a limited response was obtained unless small numbers of adherent cells present in normal peritoneal cell suspensions were added. Cells cultured in vitro for 3 days were able to mediate local transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity and secondary immunization did not enhance the reactivity of responding cells to 11RX antigens.
Natural cell‐mediated cytotoxicity against syngeneic rat chondrocytes originating from different types of cartilage
Authors: Radomska DM , Osiecka A , Malejczyk J 
Published: July 2007

SummaryNatural anti‐chondrocyte cytotoxicity of normal rat splenocytes, peritoneal cells and thymocytes was tested by means of 51Cr‐release assay. Chondrocytes derived from epiphyseal, costal, nasal, and auricular cartilages were used as target cells. In some experiments, erythroleukaemic K‐562 cells, known as typical natural killer cell targets, were also used. All types of chondrocytes were lysed equally well by splenocytes. Peritoneal cells exerted a low cytotoxic effect, whilst very low, almost negligible, cytotoxicity was noted with thymocytes. Negative selection with antibodies and complement showed that spleen‐derived anti‐chondrocyte effector cells are endowed with surface ganglioside asialo‐GM1. A similar result was obtained in parallel experiments with K‐562 cells. Moreover, ‘cold’ target experiments demonstrated that the release of 51Cr from the labeled chondrocytes could be inhibited by addition of unlabelled chondrocytes and K‐562 cells.
Role of prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis due to transient common bile duct obstruction
Authors: Teoh Anthony Y B , Poon Michael C M , Leong Heng Tat 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The role of prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with transient common bile duct obstruction is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the value of performing prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients suffering from acute biliary pancreatitis and absent common bile duct stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods:  Hospital notes of patients admitted to our unit with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis from January 2000 to January 2005 were reviewed. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed when patients were deemed unfit for cholecystectomy, suffering from a severe attack of acute pancreatitis and/or showing evidence of transient common bile duct obstruction. The outcomes of patients with and without endoscopic sphincterotomy were compared.Results:  A total of 427 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis during the study period. Eighty‐eight patients with absent common bile duct stones on ERCP were identified. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 71 patients and not performed in 17 patients. There was no significant difference in recurrent pancreatitis rates (1.4% vs 5.8%, P = 0.35), recurrent biliary complication rates (5.6% vs 5.9%, P = 1) or mortality rates (5.8% vs 1.5%, P = 0.35). The time to recurrent complications (38.4 days vs 41.0 days, P = 0.38) was not significantly different between the two groups. There was no ERCP‐related morbidity or mortality.Conclusion:  Prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy is not recommended in patients with transient common bile duct obstruction or as an option to cholecystectomy in elderly patients. Early cholecystectomy should be performed.
Extracolonic findings in an asymptomatic screening population undergoing intravenous contrast‐enhanced computed tomography colonography
Authors: Kim Young Sun , Kim Nayoung , Kim Soo Young , Cho Kyoung Soo , Park Min Jung , Choi Seung Ho , Lim Seon Hee , Yim Jeong Yoon , Cho Kyung Ran , Kim Chung Hyeon , Kim Dong Hee , Kim Sun Sin , Kim Jeong Hoon , Choi Byung Inhn , Jung Hyun Chae , Song In Sung , Shin Chan Soo , Cho Sang‐Heon , Oh Byung‐Hee 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate extracolonic findings that could be encountered with computed tomography colonography (CTC) using intravenous (IV) contrast material in an asymptomatic screening population.Methods:  Intravenous contrast medium‐enhanced CTC was performed in 2230 asymptomatic adults (mean age, 57.5 years). Axial images were prospectively examined for extracolonic lesions. These findings were classified into three categories: potentially important findings, likely unimportant findings, and clinically unimportant findings. Potentially important extracolonic findings were defined as those which required immediate further diagnostic studies and treatment. Clinical and radiologic follow up, missed lesions and clinical outcomes were assessed using medical records (mean duration of follow up, 1.6 years).Results:  A total of 115 new potentially important findings in 5.2% of subjects (115/2230) were found. Subsequent medical or surgical intervention was performed in 2.0% (45/2230). New extracolonic cancer was detected in 0.5% (12/2230), and the majority of them (83.3%) were not metastasized. Computed tomography colonography missed eight potentially important extracolonic findings in eight subjects (0.4%, 8/2230): 0.8‐cm early‐stage prostatic cancer, six adrenal mass and one intraductal papillary mucinous tumor. There were no severe life‐threatening complications related to contrast medium.Conclusion:  Intravenous contrast‐enhanced CTC could safely detect asymptomatic early‐stage extracolonic malignant diseases without an unreasonable number of additional work‐ups, thus reducing their morbidity or mortality.