Cholera toxin B subunit as transmucosal carrier-delivery and immunomodulating system for induction of antiinfectious and antipathological immunity.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Administration, Oral↗
Biomedical subjects
B L Li
Publications and source records attributed to B L Li.
Cytokine production during hemodialysis: effects of dialytic membrane and complement activation.
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are closely associated with acute and chronic inflammatory processes in hemodialytic patients. However, the mechanisms concerning cytokine production by monocytes during hemodialysis are still conflicting. With the use of the more specific monoclonal antibody ELISA method, contamination detection and crossover protocol of complement-activating and noncomplement-activating hollow fibers, we were able to confirm augmented II-1 beta production by zymosan-stimulated monocytes with complement-activating hollow fiber as compared to noncomplement-activating hollow fiber before (1,411.9 +/- 865.7 +/- 149.9 pg/ ml/2 x 10(6) monocytes, p < 0.01). at the 15th minute (530.6 +/- 89.1 vs. 247.3 +/- 45.2 pg/ml/2 x 10(6) monocytes, p < 0.01) and at the end of dialysis (1,201.8 +/- 135.1 vs. 707.4 +/- 109.3 pg/ml/2 x 10(6) monocytes, p < 0.01). Similar results were observed with TNF-alpha production. IL-1 beta as well as TNF-alpha production decreased significantly at the 15th min of dialysis, thereafter they increased and approached the baseline levels towards the end of hemodialysis with both hollow fibers. Plasma C3a at the 15th minute correlated positively with postdialysis IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha production, while plasma C3a did not change in patients dialyzed with noncomplement-activating hollow fiber. Complement activation with complement-activating hollow fiber as well as monocyte-membrane interaction with complement-activating and noncomplement-activating hollow fiber might be involved in the pathogenesis of cytokine production during hemodialysis. Uremic toxin removal as well as stimulation of cytokine production inhibitor might contribute to the decreased cytokine production at the 15th minute of hemodialysis and monocyte-membrane interaction with or without complement activation resulted in augmented cytokine production toward the end of hemodialysis with both hollow fibers. We thus concluded that hollow fiber of bioincompatibility triggered much more cytokine production throughout the dialysis procedure.
Cellulose↗
[Application of linear programming in optimizing nursing staff allocation in hospital].
After analysing the nurse work load of all departments in a certain hospital by comprehensive evaluation, the nursing staffs were allocated inappropriately was found. According to the work load of all departments, the optimal allocation of nursing staff was obtained with linear programming, so that the work load of all departments would be as identical as possible, and the disadvantages of differing in work load would be overcomed.
Humans↗
Sequences flanking the pentanucleotide T-antigen binding sites in the polyomavirus core origin help determine selectivity of DNA replication.
Replication of the genomes of the polyomaviruses requires two virus-specified elements, the cis-acting origin of DNA replication, with its auxiliary DNA elements, and the trans-acting viral large tumor antigen (T antigen). Appropriate interactions between them initiate the assembly of a replication complex which, together with cellular proteins, is responsible for primer synthesis and DNA chain elongation. The organization of cis-acting elements within the origins of the polyomaviruses which replicate in mammalian cells is conserved; however, these origins are sufficiently distinct that the T antigen of one virus may function inefficiently or not at all to initiate replication at the origin of another virus. We have studied the basis for such replication selectivity between the murine polyomavirus T antigen and the primate lymphotropic polyomavirus origin. The murine polyomavirus T antigen is capable of carrying out the early steps of the assembly of an initiation complex at the lymphotropic papovavirus origin, including binding to and deformation of origin sequences in vitro. However, the T antigen inefficiently unwinds the origin, and unwinding is influenced by sequences flanking the T antigen pentanucleotide binding sites on the late side of the viral core origin. These same sequences contribute to the replication selectivity observed in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that the inefficient unwinding is the cause of the replication defect. These observations suggest a mechanism by which origins of DNA replication can evolve replication selectivity and by which the function of diverse cellular origins might be temporally activated during the S phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
Animals↗
Rapid correction of metabolic acidosis in chronic renal failure: effect on parathyroid hormone activity.
To investigate the effect of rapid correction of chronic metabolic acidosis on circulating intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) activity by free calcium clamp in chronic renal failure, 18 patients were enrolled in this study. Metabolic acidosis was corrected by continuous bicarbonate infusion while plasma ionized calcium was clamped at the preinfusion level throughout the entire procedure. The plasma pH, bicarbonate, total CO2, sodium, serum total calcium and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 levels increased significantly while serum concentrations of I-PTH, alkaline phosphatase and albumin showed significant decreases after bicarbonate infusion. The plasma ionized calcium, potassium, serum magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels showed no significant difference before and after bicarbonate infusion. These results demonstrate that rapid correction of metabolic acidosis attenuates circulating PTH activity in chronic renal failure and may underline the importance of maintaining normal acid-base homeostasis particularly in the presence of secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
Hyperparathyroidism, glucose tolerance and platelet intracellular free calcium in chronic renal failure.
Disturbance in the vitamin D/parathyroid hormone (PTH) axis may be important in the pathogenesis of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in uraemia. To investigate possible relationships between hyperparathyroidism, intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), and glucose tolerance in chronic renal failure, we measured serum intact PTH (I-PTH) by two-site immunometric assay, platelet [Ca2+]i using the fluorescent indicator fura-2, and plasma glucose and insulin after 14 h overnight fast and at 30, 60 and 120 min following a 75 g oral glucose load, in 18 chronic haemodialysis patients with elevated serum I-PTH. Calcitriol (1 microgram) was administered parenterally at the end of each dialysis session for four weeks. This significantly decreased serum I-PTH (p < 0.001) and platelet [Ca2+]i (p < 0.01). Uraemic patients initially showed marked glucose intolerance, with increased area below the glucose curve compared to healthy controls, but after 4 weeks of calcitriol treatment, this effect was significantly decreased, and there was a significant rise in the area under the insulin curve after glucose load. The insulinogenic index also increased significantly after calcitriol treatment. These data suggest that calcitriol treatment of haemodialysis patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with increased insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge, and that this change is linked to the decrease in intracellular free calcium.
Adult↗
Cord blood contains high numbers of autoimmune T cells recognizing multiple myelin proteins and acetylcholine receptor.
To analyze Ag-specific T cell autoimmunity in the newborn, umbilical cord blood cells of newborns were investigated by an immunospot assay for occurrence and numbers of cells secreting IFN-gamma after short-term culture in presence of myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein, myelin associated glycoprotein, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the synthetic MBP amino acid sequences 1-20, 63-88, and 110-128. These Ag were chosen because they represent putative targets for autoimmune attack in multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. Surprisingly, numbers of T cells recognizing MBP, proteolipid protein, MBP peptides, and acetylcholine receptor were high in cord blood of newborns compared to peripheral blood of patients with neurologic diseases. No immunodominant T cell epitope could be discerned among the Ag included. The responses to purified protein derivate and PHA were lower among cord blood cells than peripheral blood cells of adults. Parallel enumeration of autoimmune T cells in cord blood and peripheral blood obtained from corresponding mothers at delivery, revealed that the high cell numbers in newborns were not a result of contamination from the mothers blood. The high numbers of T cells recognizing nervous system myelin proteins and acetylcholine receptor in cord blood could have importance for the mechanism and timing of tolerance induction, and also reflect excessive myelination and receptor maturation at birth.
Adult↗
T cells recognizing multiple peptides of myelin basic protein are found in blood and enriched in cerebrospinal fluid in optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.
The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Recently reported abnormal T-cell responses to several myelin proteins and myelin basic protein (MBP) peptides in peripheral blood constitute one line of evidence that autoimmune mechanisms could be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Monosymptomatic unilateral optic neuritis (ON) is a common first manifestation of MS and important to examine for a possible restriction of the T-cell repertoire early in the disease. T-cell activities to MBP and the MBP amino acid sequences 63-88, 110-128 and 148-165 were examined by short-term cultures of mononuclear cells from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood in the presence of these antigens, and subsequent detection and counting of antigen-specific T cells that responded by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion. Most patients with MS and ON had MBP and MBP peptide-reactive T cells in CSF, amounting to mean values of between about 1 per 2000 and 1 per 7000 CSF cells and without immunodominance for any of the peptides. Numbers were 10-fold to 100-fold lower in the patients' blood. Values were similar in ON and MS, and no evidence was obtained for a more restricted T-cell repertoire in ON. The MBP peptide-recognizing T-cell repertoire was different in CSF than in blood in individual patients with ON and MS, thereby giving further evidence for an autonomy of the autoimmune T-cell response in the CSF compartment. No relations were observed between numbers of autoreactive T cells and presence of oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF or abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in ON or clinical variables of MS. The high numbers of MBP and MBP peptide-reactive T cells could play a role in the pathogenesis of ON via secretion of effector molecules, one of them being IFN-gamma, as well as in the transfer of ON to MS.
Adult↗
Serum osteocalcin and vitamin D in postmenopausal diabetic azotemics.
To clarify the role of serum vitamin D and bone remodeling markers in postmenopausal diabetic azotemics, we designed a study involving 3 different postmenopausal patient groups. Group I consisted of 20 diabetic women with renal insufficiency who were not yet on dialysis therapy. Group II consisted of 15 age-matched nondiabetic women with comparable degrees of renal insufficiency. Group III consisted of 20 age-matched women with normal renal function. We investigated the overnight fasting serum 25 (OH) vit-D, 1,25(OH)2 vit-D3, osteocalcin (OC), bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (ALK-PB) and intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) levels in these cases. The serum I-PTH and OC levels were statistically significantly higher, whereas 1,25(OH)2vit-D3 were significantly lower in Group I and Group II patients than in Group III patients. We found no significant correlation between elevation of I-PTH and reduced 1,25(OH)2 vit-D3 levels in Group I and Group II patients. I-PTH levels correlated positively with OC in Group I and Group II patients. There was no significant difference in serum 25(OH) vit-D among these 3 groups of patients. We conclude that (1) serum OC level may serve as a good parameter in evaluating secondary hyperparathyroidism in postmenopausal azotemics with or without diabetes, (2) even in the presence of menopause, renal failure per se is the main factor in determining serum 1,25(OH)2 vit-D3 levels in diabetic azotemics.
Aged↗
Engineered disulfide bond greatly increases specific activity of recombinant murine interferon-beta.
Unlike other species of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) mouse (Mu) IFN-beta has no naturally occurring intramolecular disulfide bond. When expressed in Escherichia coli, MuIFN-beta appears to exhibit instability and low activity. To increase its activity, we engineered a pair of cysteines into recombinant MuIFN-beta to test whether this change would improve its antiviral activity. In the absence of detailed structural data, the optimal placement of cysteines was determined by sequence comparison with other species of IFN-beta. While MuIFN-beta has only a single cysteine (at position 17), other species of IFN-beta have three cysteines, at positions 17, 31, and 141 (numbering based on consensus sequence), a disulfide bond being formed between the latter two residues. Thus, we introduced cysteines into MuIFN-beta at positions 29 and 136, which correspond to positions 31 and 141 of the consensus sequence. When the variant form of MuIFN-beta was expressed in bacteria and purified, we found that the additional cysteines greatly increased the antiviral activity. Further improvement was obtained by replacement of the Cys-17 with a serine. In this manner a specific activity approximately 15-fold that of the wild-type recombinant molecule was achieved.
Animals↗
Role of creatine phosphokinase in predicting acute renal failure in hypocalcemic exertional heat stroke.
Recruits frequently develop hypocalcemia in exertional heat stroke (ExHS) with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure (ARF) from intensive training. It usually indicated severe skeletal muscle damage. However, the relative risk of ARF in ExHS patients complicated with hypocalcemia was unknown. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the value of peak serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level in predicting ARF in ExHS patients with hypocalcemia. Sixty-eight army recruits with ExHS were hospitalized at the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan: 17 with ARF and hypocalcemia (group A); 7 with ARF but without hypocalcemia (group B); 20 without ARF but with hypocalcemia (group C); and 24 without ARF or hypocalcemia (group D). In the 24 patients with ARF (groups A and B) the serum phosphate and peak CPK levels were significantly higher than in patients without ARF (groups C and D; p < 0.001), serum calcium levels were also significantly lower in the former (p < 0.001). In the 37 patients with hypocalcemia (groups A and C), the peak serum CPK levels were significantly higher than in those without hypocalcemia (groups B and D; p < 0.001). There was a higher proportion of hypocalcemic patients with peak serum CPK levels greater than 10,000 U/l among ARF compared with patients without ARF (chi 2 = 12.48, p < 0.001). In 24 patients with ARF, there was a negative correlation between serum Ca and peak CPK levels (t = 3.37, r = -0.58, p < 0.01). However, a positive correlation was found between serum creatinine and peak serum CPK levels in 37 patients with hypocalcemia (t = 2.47, r = 0.39, p < 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acute Kidney Injury↗
Cross-cultural differences in rating hyperactive-disruptive behaviors in children.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the reported variations across countries in the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are due to cultural differences among raters, the authors examined the degree to which mental health professionals in four countries differed in their ratings of hyperactive-disruptive behaviors in children. METHOD: Mental health professionals from China (N = 8), Indonesia (N = 12), Japan (N = 9), and the United States (N = 8) rated the presence and degree of hyperactive-disruptive behaviors in standardized videotape vignettes of four 8-year-old boys participating in individual and group activities. RESULTS: Chinese and Indonesian clinicians gave significantly higher scores for hyperactive-disruptive behaviors than did their Japanese and American colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that perceptions of hyperactivity vary significantly across countries even if uniform rating criteria are applied. Without correction for these perceptual differences, cross-cultural prevalence rates of hyperactivity may not be comparable.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
[The application of alpha-globin-3'HVR probe for DNA fingerprinting in forensic science].
Using alpha-globin-3'HVR as the molecular hybridization probe, A clear and readable DNA fingerprint has been obtained. Based on the DNA fingerprint analysis of 200 unrelated individuals living in Beijing area, the probability of chance association of two random individuals was 4.0 x 10(-12). The study of 32 related individuals of 6 families showed that the inheritance of DNA fingerprint bands conformed to the Mendelian law. The method is reliable for the individual identification and paternity test. It provides a scientific basis for solving cases such as rape, homicide etc. and it has been used in our actual case work.
DNA Fingerprinting↗
Alpha-interferon structure and natural killer cell stimulatory activity.
Expression vectors for human alpha-interferon (Hu-IFN-alpha) J1, a site-specific mutant [Ser116]Hu-IFN-alpha J1, and Hu-IFN-alpha J/C or Hu-IFN-alpha C/J hybrids were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. These interferons and others were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody against human alpha-interferon. Their antiviral activity and ability to stimulate natural killer cell activity were determined in comparison to several other human interferons. These results provide some insight into structure-activity relationships for stimulating natural killer cells and confirm our previous conclusions that antiviral activity cannot be used to predict other activities for an individual IFN-alpha species. The observations suggest that the tertiary structure rather than any specific linear sequence of amino acids regulates the ability of the interferons to stimulate natural killer cell activity.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Prognostic significance of general immune competence in acute leukemia.
The prognostic significance of lymphocyte transformation rate, E-RFC%, 29 degrees C E-RFC%, serum IgG, IgA, IgM and C3 levels were studied in 286 patients with acute leukemia. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the pretreatment immunological parameters were not related to whether the patients could achieve complete remission (CR), but the patients with E-RFC% greater than 30% before treatment or E-RFC% restored to normal after treatment had a significantly longer survival time. In acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), pretreatment LTR and E-RFC% were significantly higher in patients who could achieve CR subsequently, the patients with higher pretreatment levels of LTR, E-RFC% or 29 degrees C E-RFC% survived significantly longer than patients with lower levels of these parameters, and the patients whose LTR could return to normal after treatment had a significantly higher CR rate and longer survival times. Except that the pretreatment IgM level was related to the survival of ANLL patients, serum levels of immunoglobulins and C3 had no prognostic value for both ALL and ANLL. In both ALL and ANLL, the immunological parameters changed significantly when relapse occurred.
Adolescent↗
Construction and phosphorylation of a fusion protein Hu-IFN-alpha A/gamma.
A protein consisting of human (Hu)-IFN-alpha A to which the COOH-terminal 16 amino acids of Hu-IFN-gamma were fused was prepared by constructing an expression vector by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The hybrid protein Hu-IFN-alpha A/gamma was expressed under the control of phage lambda PL promoter. The protein was purified with the use of a monoclonal antibody against Hu-IFN-alpha or the COOH-terminal amino acid sequence of Hu-IFN-gamma. The purified protein exhibited a single major band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and has antiviral activity on human and bovine cells. Unlike Hu-IFN-alpha A, but similar to Hu-IFN-gamma, the hybrid Hu-IFN-alpha A/gamma can be phosphorylated by [gamma 32P]ATP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The phosphorylated molecule binds to the IFN-alpha/beta receptor. The introduction of a phosphorylation site into Hu-IFN-alpha A by fusion of the region of Hu-IFN-gamma which contains the phosphorylation site provides a new reagent for studies of receptor binding, pharmacokinetics, and other studies where labeled interferons are useful. Furthermore, the introduction of phosphorylation sites into proteins provides a new principle for the preparation of a wide variety of reagents for many purposes.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Creation of phosphorylation sites in proteins: construction of a phosphorylatable human interferon alpha.
A phosphorylation site was introduced into human interferon alpha A (IFN-alpha A) by site-specific mutation of the coding sequence. Three slightly different phosphorylation sites were created by using the predicted amino acid consensus sequences for phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The resultant modified interferons (IFN-alpha A-P) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The purified proteins exhibit antiviral activity on bovine and human cells similar to that of the unmodified IFN-alpha A. The IFN-alpha A-P proteins can be phosphorylated by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase with [gamma-32P]ATP to high specific activity (2000-5000 Ci/mmol; 1 Ci = 37 GBq) with retention of biological activity. The 32P-labeled IFN-alpha A-P proteins bind to cells and can be covalently bound to the IFN-alpha/beta receptor with a bifunctional reagent as can human IFN-alpha A. The introduction of phosphorylation sites into proteins provides a procedure to prepare a large variety of radioactive proteins for research and clinical use.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
[Distributions and gene frequencies of PGM1 subtype, EsD, GLO1, AK, ADAand 6-PGD in 20 races of China].
The distributions and gene frequencies of PGM1, subtype EsD, GLO1, AK, ADA and 6-PGD of 4171 healthy donors in 20 races of China were detected using gel electrophoresis. Some isoenzymes such as PGM1, PGM1 subtype, EsD and GLO1 have better distribution and higher discriminating power than the others. Sixty-eight samples with PGM1(6) gene were observed in 12 races. The frequency in zhuang population is the highest among 20 races. The phenotype of PGM1 6-1 is up to 4.15%. The band of PGM1(6) of all 68 samples is in the same position in the gel. In general speaking, the gene frequencies of EsD in most races of southern part of China are higher than those of northern part. Phenotype EsD 2 in Hani, Lisu, Dai, Naxi, She, Zhuang, Dong, Miao are over 15%, Hani is up to 32.4%. The gene frequency of GLO1 in Tajik and Uygur are 0.297 and 0.2112 respectively. The others range from 0.0714 to 0.1527. In Qiang it is 0.0583. The gene frequencies of AK1. ADA1 and 6-PGDA are very high in 20 races, and with very low discriminating power.
Adenosine Deaminase↗