Production of monoclonal antibodies (MABs) to a 17 alpha-ethynyl-1,3,5 (10)-estratriene-3,17 beta-diol (ethynylestradiol, EE2) hapten is described. Culture antibodies generated by hybridized cells tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) bound the 6-oxoethynyl-estradiol-6-(0-carboxymethyl) oxime-bovine serum albumin conjugate (EE2-6-0 CMO-BSA) but not BSA. On radioimmunoassay (RIA) with tritiated ethynylestradiol (3H-EE2), some of the antibodies demonstrated high binding affinity (Ka = 2.8 X 10(10) M-1) to EE2. Estradiol-17 beta, estrone and estriol did not show any displacement of 3H-EE2 from the MABs even at high concentration (1 X 10(4) ng/mL). Among the widely used progestins, norethynodrel and norethisterone exhibited considerable cross-reactivity (25.7-100% and 0.3-54.1%, respectively) but not levonor-gestrel with the MABs. The high affinity demonstrated by the MABs to EE2 3-sulfate but not to EE2 17-sulfate and EE2 3,17-disulfate suggests the dominant role of the 17 beta-hydroxyl group in immunogenicity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measurement of Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin production by surface plasmon resonance immunoassay.

A rapid and sensitive assay using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassay has been developed for the detection of Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin. The SPR immunoassay was conducted off-line by passing fermentation broth by a sensor chip coated with a monoclonal antibody specific for C. perfringens beta-toxin. Quantitation of toxin using SPR immunoassay was achieved by mass transport analysis; results were obtained within 20 min. The SPR immunoassay was compared with an ELISA and the traditional bioassay for C. perfringens beta-toxin. The SPR immunoassay and ELISA detected at least twofold differences in toxin levels at 95% confidence over a broad range of toxin concentrations. The traditional bioassay did not produce the resolution observed with the immunoassays. The SPR immunoassay allows for real-time monitoring of beta-toxin accumulation during production and permits the bioengineer to harvest C. perfringens fermentations when toxin is most concentrated. The SPR methodology may be applied to other fermentations to enhance and optimize toxin yields.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Colloid cyst of the third ventricle: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

We describe a patient with a large colloid cyst of the third ventricle and resultant hydrocephalus. An unenhanced brain CT demonstrated the central portion of the mass to be of increased density relative to the peripheral portion. On T1-weighted images, the central portion of the mass was of increased signal intensity relative to brain, whereas the periphery was isointense. On T2-weighted images, the central portion was markedly hypointense to brain, while the peripheral portion was isointense. These imaging findings corresponded to an actual pathological difference between the central and peripheral portions of the mass. The central portion was solid, whereas the periphery was liquid. Since no histological difference was identified between the central and peripheral portions of the mass, we hypothesize that the differences in densities on CT and signal characteristics on MR were related to the state of hydration in the mass where the central portion possibly had a higher protein concentration than the periphery.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

New diagnosis: caregiver role strain.

Caregiver role strain is a new diagnosis accepted by NANDA in 1992. The diagnosis is a well-described family phenomenon that can be measured and predicted. Sources of variance for the various defining characteristics have been identified. The diagnosis is also important to society. Nurses can play a significant part in reducing the role strain caregivers feel or preventing its occurrence.

Caregivers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The international asthma video questionnaire for measuring asthma prevalence in different populations.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hypolipidemic effect of beta, beta'-tetramethyl hexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16) in hyperlipidemic JCR:LA-corpulent rats.

Short-term treatment of male and female obese JCR:LA-corpulent rats with beta,beta'-tetramethyl hexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16) resulted in a marked decrease (as much as 80%) in plasma triglyceride values, with a concomitant decrease in the highly elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels of the corpulent rat. There were modest decreases in cholesterol levels and increases in low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein lipids. The concentrations of apolipoproteins C-II and C-III were decreased in both the whole-serum and the VLDL fractions. Food consumption, rate of weight gain, fasting insulin levels, and the integrated insulin response to an intravenous glucose load remained unaffected. The decrease in plasma VLDL may be accounted for by inhibition of liver long-chain fatty acid synthesis at the level of ATP citrate lyase, with a concomitant reduction of VLDL triglyceride production by the liver. This decrease in plasma VLDL production was accompanied by a twofold to threefold increase in the triglyceride and cholesterol components of the low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein fractions, together with a twofold to fourfold decrease in plasma apolipoprotein, indicating that activation of plasma VLDL catabolism may further account for the overall hypolipidemic effect induced by MEDICA 16. The overall hypolipidemic effect of MEDICA 16 may be expected to inhibit the spontaneous atherogenic sequelae induced in the corpulent rat by severe VLDL hyperlipidemia.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Overlooked, tired and very angry.

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Diet↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A staff development workshop on cultural diversity.

In a multicultural society, nurses work with clients from diverse cultural groups. The beliefs, values, and customs of these groups greatly influence the client's response to health care. Nurses need to understand the culture of the client in order to provide competent care. This article describes a process for developing a cultural diversity workshop that allows nurses to develop skills in dealing with clients from diverse backgrounds. Guidelines for identifying workshop content, educational group leaders, and suggestions for workshop evaluation are included.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nurse education. New domains in nursing.

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Clinical Competence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B prevention: practices and attitudes of physicians and dentists.

A survey of community-based physicians and dentists from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area was conducted to assess the practices and attitudes of these health professionals relative to hepatitis B prevention. Mail questionnaires were sent to 200 physicians and 200 dentists. An overall response rate of 50 percent was obtained with one follow-up to all nonrespondents. The preventive practices adopted by the physicians were found to differ significantly from those of the dentists, including risk factors, history taking, using gloves and/or masks, and routinely screening for serologic markers. The physicians were significantly more likely than the dentists to be unwilling to take a safe, effective, hepatitis vaccine (p less than .01). Concerns about long-term safety and side effects were the most frequently mentioned reasons for this attitude. Though most survey respondents believed that if they were to become a hepatitis B chronic carrier, it would be better to know about it. Twenty six percent of the physicians and 14 percent of the dentists believed that not knowing about being a chronic carrier would be protective in a legal action against them. A majority of all of the health professionals surveyed felt that knowing their carrier status could jeopardize their career.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗