Biomedical subjects

C Shen

Publications and source records attributed to C Shen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis lung infection in IL-18 and IL-12 knockout mice: IL-12 is dominant over IL-18 for protective immunity.

BACKGROUND: Interferon (IFN)-gamma is a key to protective immunity against a variety of intracellular bacterial infections, including Chlamydia trachomatis. Interleukin (IL)-18, a recently identified Th1 cytokine, together with IL-12 is a strong stimulator for IFN-gamma production. We investigated the relative roles of IL-18 and IL- 12 in protective immunity to C. trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (MoPn) infection using gene knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were intranasally infected with C. trachomatis MoPn and protective immunity was assessed among groups of mice by daily body weight changes, lung growth of MoPn, and histopathological appearances at day 10 postinfection. The corresponding immune responses for each group of mice at the same postinfection time point were evaluated by measuring antigen-specific antibody isotype responses and cytokine profiles. RESULTS: Our results showed that IL-18 deficiency had little or no influence on clearance of MoPn from the lung, although KO mice exhibited slightly more severe inflammatory reactions in lung tissues, as well as reduced systemic and local IFN-gamma production, compared with WT mice. Results with IL-18 KO mice were in sharp contrast to those observed with IL-12 KO mice that showed substantially reduced clearance of MoPn from the lungs, substantial reductions of antigen-specific systemic and lung IFN-gamma production, decreased ratio of MoPn-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG)2a/IgG1, and severe pathological changes in the lung with extensive polymorphonuclear, instead of mononuclear, cell infiltration. Exogenous IL-12 or IL-18 was able to increase IFN-gamma production in IL-18 KO mice; whereas, only exogenous IL-12, but not IL-18, enhanced IFN-gamma production in IL-12 KO mice. Caspase-1 is the key protease for activation of IL-18 precursor into the bioactive form, and caspase-1 KO mice also displayed similar bacterial clearance and body weight loss to that in WT mice at early stages of MoPn infection. This further confirmed that IL-18 was not essential for host defense against chlamydia infection. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IL-12, rather than IL-18, plays the dominant role in the development of protective immunity against chlamydia lung infection, although both cytokines are involved in the in vivo regulation of IFN-gamma production.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Microtensile strength of composite bonded to hot-pressed ceramics.

PURPOSE: The objective of this in vitro study employing the microtensile test was to test the hypothesis that the tensile bond strength of hot-pressed ceramics to composite is controlled by the ceramic microstructure and the ceramic surface treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hot-pressed IPS Empress (E1) and IPS Empress 2 (E2) ceramic blocks were polished with 1-micron alumina abrasive and treated as follows: group 1: 9.6% hydrofluoric acid (HF) on E1; group 2: 4% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) on E1; group 3: silane (S) on E1; group 4: HF + S on E1; group 5: APF + S on E1; group 6: HF on E2; group 7: APF on E2; group 8: S on E2; group 9: HF + S on E2; group 10: APF + S on E2. The surfaces as described above were then treated with Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus and covered with composite (Z-100). From the blocks obtained in this manner, specimens for microtensile testing were created by sectioning. Twenty bar specimens for each group were loaded to failure under tension using an Instron testing machine. RESULTS: Mean tensile bond strength (MPa) and standard deviation values are as follows: (1) 9.9 +/- 1.2; (2) 0; (3) 27.2 +/- 4.8; (4) 20.6 +/- 3.0; (5) 13.6 +/- 4.5; (6) 41.7 +/- 6.7; (7) 19.1 +/- 2.6; (8) 30.1 +/- 5.3; (9) 56.1 +/- 4.1; (10) 36.9 +/- 3.9. All fractures occurred within the adhesion zone. SEM images of chemically etched specimens revealed that HF produced greater surface degradation and greater bond strength than APF for both E1 and E2 ceramics. The mean bond strength of groups 6 through 10 (E2) was significantly greater than that of groups 1 through 5 (E1) for each treatment condition. CONCLUSION: The tensile fracture resistance of the composite-ceramic adhesion zones is controlled primarily by ceramic microstructure and ceramic surface treatment.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

PubMed2000

Lung autotransplantation technique for treating central lung cancer of upper lobe.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of applying lung autotransplantation technique in the treatment of central lung cancer of the upper lobe. METHODS: Two patients underwent double-sleeve right upper and middle bilobectomy. Because the length of resected bronchus or pulmonary artery involved by tumor was too long to perform tension-free anastomosis, we had to transplant the lower lobar vein into the proximal stump of the upper lobar vein. Another two patients underwent pneumonectomy firstly, because we could not perform sleeve lobectomy in suit as the tumor extended through the oblique fissure to the margin of the lower lobe. Subsequently, we resected the tumor parts at a separate table, and replanted the preservable part of the lung into the chest. RESULTS: Being followed up to December 1999, the patient 1, 3 and 4 had been alive with tumor free for 31, 18 and 13 months. The patient 1 and 3 had a good living quality but the patient 4 had a very poor activity. The patient 4 received resection of the replanted lung for pulmonary artery bronchus pleural fistula on the 42nd day after operation. The second patient died of tension pneumothorax associated with bronchopleural fistula on the 19th day after operation. CONCLUSION: Lung autotransplantation is an alternative technique for pulmonary preservation in patients with stage III central lung cancer of the upper lobe whose cardiopulmonary function is too poor to undergo pneumonectomy.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Prevention and treatment of MODS in severely burned patients: an institute based retrospective study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the preventive and treatment measures developed from basic and clinical research work have any effects on the incidence and outcome of MODS in severely burned patients. METHODS: 657 extensively burned patients (burn size exceeding 30% TBSA) admitted to the clinical department from January 1970 through October 1999 were studied. The morbidity and mortality rates were compared in patient groups hospitalized before and after January 1990 when major preventive and treatment measures began to be extensively executed. These measures consisted of prompt, rapid and adequate fluid resuscitation, restoration of bowel blood supply with anisodamine (654 - 2), use of oxygen free radical scavengers (e.g. mannitol, vitamin C and E), extensive escharectomy during shock stage, early tube feeding, support of organ function, etc. RESULTS: Before 1990 when very few preventive and treatment measures were applied, the incidence of MODS, 17.3% (64 out of 369), and the death rate 87.5% (56 out of 64). After 1990, with the application of various preventive measures and treatment, the morbidity and mortality rates were reduced to 6.9% (20/288) and 40.0% (8/20), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that measures which mitigate or eliminate the predisposing and causative factors of MODS may be salutary in the prevention and treatment of MODS after extensive burn injury.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Anisodamine in prevention and treatment of sepsis of severely burned patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the preventive effect of anisodamine on possible sepsis of patients with major burns and the effect of anisodamine on patients with sepsis. METHODS: Forty-two patients with extensive burn admitted to our burn institute from April 1998 to November 1999 were divided randomly into two groups: treatment group (T group) and control group (C group). In the T group, all 20 patients received fluid resuscitation regimen with anisodamine, and in the C group, 22 patients received the regimen with no anisodamine. A tonometry catheter was positioned in the stomach, connecting with the automatic gas analysis machine (Datex-Engstrom Corporation, Dutch) for determining gastric intramucosal pH (pHi). The plasma concentrations of diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin were measured. Correlation analysis between pHi, DAO and endotoxin were made respectively during early stage of postburn. All the parameters in 7 patients with sepsis before and after administration of anisodamine were compared with those in 6 patients with sepsis without use of anisodamine. RESULTS: The incidence of sepsis in the T group was lower (20.0%) than that in C group (40.9%). The gastric pHi value in the early period of postburn was significantly higher in the T group than in the C group (P < 0.05). Concurrently, the plasma concentrations of DAO and endotoxin were significantly lower in the T group than in the C group (P < 0.05 or 0.01). A significant negative correlation was seen between the gastric pHi and respective values of DAO, endotoxin (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There were a decrease in gastric pHi, and an increase in plasma DAO and endotoxin level in patients with septic episode; however all the parameters after administration of anisodamine were improved compared with those in septic patients without use of anisodamine. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal ischemic injury plays an important role in provoking sepsis during early postburn period. Anisodamine is effective in restoring intestinal circulation both in the shock phase and after the development of sepsis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[The molecular spectra and existence state of sulfonated phthalimidomethyl phthalocyanine hydroxyl aluminum as amphiphilic photosensitizer in aqueous alcoholic solutions and water].

The sulfonated phthalimidomethyl phthalocyanine hydroxyl aluminum (Al(OH)PcSP) is an amphiphilic photosensitizer which was proved to have the photodynamic activities against cancer. The electronic absorption spectra and aggregation state of the Al(OH)PcSP in aqueous alcoholic solutions and water were investigated. The results showed that the Al(OH)PcSP existed in the form of monomer in aqueous alcoholic solutions. The increase in the carbon chain and hydroxy of alcohol in solutions had no significant effects on the absorption spectra behaviors of Al(OH)PcSP. But in water, the Al(OH)PcSP existed in the equilibrium between monomer and dimer. The dimerization constant was 5.7307 x 10(4) mol-1.L. The characteristic absorption peak of the Q band of the Al(OH)PcSP dimer was red shifted to 740.5 nm from that of the monomer (676.5 nm), which contrast with those of other metal phthalocyanines dimer. The study on the fluorescence spectra of Al(OH)PcSP in aqueous alcoholic solutions suggested that the fluorescence of the dimer was weak.

Electron Probe Microanalysis↗

PubMed1999

Feasibility of external beam radiation for prevention of restenosis following balloon angioplasty.

PURPOSE: Brachytherapy has been shown to inhibit neointima formation after vascular balloon injury. This study was done to test the feasibility of low dose external radiation for prevention of restenosis in a non-stented balloon injury model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve red Duroc swine underwent balloon overdilation injury of both iliac arteries. Twelve Gy was delivered to one side using a Theratron T-1000 Cobalt unit with the other side used as the control. Twelve weeks post injury arteriograms were performed. The animals were then sacrificed and iliac arteries explanted. Histomorphometric analysis of arterial cross sections was performed. RESULTS: Neointima formation was observed in all arteries. Unilateral thrombosis was noted in two animals. The mean neointimal thickness in the radiated and control arteries was 0.63 +/- 0.17 mm and 0.72 +/- 0.31 mm, respectively. The differences in minimal luminal diameter and the neointimal thickness between the two groups were not statistically significant. Complications included superficial hair loss in the radiation port in 4 animals, and 2 deaths prior to the completion date (1 of hemorrhagic enteritis possibly related to the radiation, and 1 of iliac rupture). CONCLUSION: External radiation at this low dose is not effective in preventing vascular restenosis following balloon injury in this animal model.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed1999

Increased interleukin-10 in the the endocervical secretions of women with non-ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases: a mechanism for enhanced HIV-1 transmission?

OBJECTIVE: Although non-ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and bacterial vaginosis are implicated as cofactors in heterosexual HIV-1 transmission, the mechanisms have not been defined. Recent in vitro data suggest that interleukin (IL)-10 may increase susceptibility of macrophages to HIV-1 infection. Therefore, we performed this study to assess whether non-ulcerative STD are associated with detection of IL-10 in the female genital tract. METHODS: Women with clinical pelvic inflammatory disease with or without cervicovaginal discharge were recruited from an STD clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Endocervical and endometrial specimens were obtained for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis DNA detection, Trichonomas vaginalis culture, and CD4 and CD8 T-cell enumeration. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed by Gram stain. IL-10 was detected in endocervical specimens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood was obtained for HIV-1 serology. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-two women were studied. N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, bacterial vaginosis, and T. vaginalis were detected in 38 (21%), 17 (9%), 71 (43%), and 22 (12%) women, respectively. Cervical IL-10 was detected more often in women with N. gonorrhoeae [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-8.4], C. trachomatis (AOR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2-15.6), and bacterial vaginosis (AOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4-6.9) than in women without these infections. CONCLUSIONS: The association of non-ulcerative STD and bacterial vaginosis with increased frequency of IL-10 detection in endocervical secretions suggests a potential mechanism through which these infections may alter susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in women.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Risk of needle stick and sharp object injuries among medical students.

BACKGROUND: Much is known about sharp object and needle stick injuries among employee health care workers, but relatively little attention has been directed to exposures among medical students. METHOD: The frequency and mechanisms of needle stick and sharp object injuries were determined retrospectively by surveying students in their fourth year of medical school. Students were questioned about the number of percutaneous injuries that they had sustained during their clinical years. Descriptive information was collected on their most recent injury. RESULTS: Of 137 students in the class, 106 (77%) responded. Thirty-five (33%) of the students who responded sustained one or more injuries; 24 (69%) were injured while on a surgical service, and 60% of the injuries occurred in an operating room. Suturing was the procedure most frequently associated with injury. In 34% of cases, the injury was caused by a needle or device being used by another person. The most frequent site of injury was the hand (97%). Ninety-four percent of students were wearing gloves at the time of the injury. None of the injuries was associated with recapping needles. Only 43% of students reported their injuries to proper authorities. CONCLUSION: Medical students frequently sustain needle stick and sharp object injuries during their clinical training. Concerted efforts are needed to protect them.

Gloves, Protective↗

PubMed1999

Maternal mortality, women's status, and economic dependency in less developed countries: a cross-national analysis.

While much has been written about the medical, economic, and social causes of cross-national differences in some mortality related phenomena such as in life expectancy and infant mortality, much less attention has been given to maternal mortality, the focus of the present study. In the studies of maternal mortality that have been done, there has been very little effort to assess the potential relevance of the gender stratification and dependency theory perspectives. Using lagged cross-sectional and path analysis with a sample of 79 less developed countries, this article focuses on the impact of predictors linked to three theoretical perspectives - modernization, economic dependency, and gender stratification. We find that women's status, as measured by indicators such as level of education relative to men, age at first marriage, and reproductive autonomy, is a strong predictor of maternal mortality. We find that economic dependency, especially multinational corporate investment, has a detrimental effect on maternal mortality that is mediated by its harmful impacts on economic growth and the status of women. We also find support for developmental theory, a variant of modernization theory.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

A mathematical model for the analysis of cross-sectional brain glucose metabolism data in children.

1. The authors present here a 5-parameter developmental function designed to describe quantitatively the time-course of changes in glucose metabolism with age. This function consists of a plateau phase which is described by the rate of increase with age and the height of the plateau, followed by a decline phase characterized by the rate of decrease to adult levels. These two phases are separated by a distinct point in time, at which the transition between the two phases occurs. 2. The model is designed to fit published data showing that glucose metabolic rate in frontal cortex at birth is about 60% of adult values (mean adult value is 24 mumol/100 g/min) and increases to slightly less than triple adult value by age 3. The metabolic rate remains at this level until the age of approximately 8 years when it starts the decline to adult values. 3. A procedure is presented which allows the approximate computation of the 98% confidence contours in data space for the developmental function. The computation is based on the joint probability function obtained from the model covariance matrix. 4. The newly designed 5-parameter developmental function is well suited to describe maturational changes of glucose metabolism. Due to its excellent model identifiability and the interpretability of individual parameters, this function is better suited for description of maturational changes than the gamma-function. Furthermore, this function may provide a useful framework for interpretation of other data sets during development.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Characterization of immune responses following intramuscular DNA immunization with the MOMP gene of Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis strain.

Studies were carried out to characterize the cellular and humoral immune responses evoked by intramuscular DNA vaccination with the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene of Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis strain. The data demonstrate that DNA vaccinated mice develop antigen-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity, lymphocyte proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production. Serum antibody responses (mainly immunoglobulin G2a; IgG2a) were evoked in two-thirds of the mice. We conclude that intramuscular DNA immunization with the MOMP gene evokes cellular and humoral immune responses suggestive of a T helper 1 (Th1) bias.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Enhancement of protein S anticoagulant function by beta2-glycoprotein I, a major target antigen of antiphospholipid antibodies: beta2-glycoprotein I interferes with binding of protein S to its plasma inhibitor, C4b-binding protein.

Thrombosis in the antiphospholipid syndrome has been associated with acquired deficiency of the anticoagulant protein S. We sought evidence that beta2-glycoprotein I, a major target antigen for antiphospholipid antibodies, is involved in regulation of protein S activity. Incubation of purified protein S or plasma with beta2-glycoprotein I reversed functional modulation of protein S by its plasma inhibitor, the C4b-binding protein. In a plasma-free ELISA, beta2-glycoprotein I prevented the binding of protein S and C4b-binding protein when preincubated with immobilized protein S but not when similarly preincubated with C4b-binding protein. beta2-glycoprotein I in fluid phase interfered with precipitation of protein S by sepharose-bound C4b-binding protein. Effects of beta2-glycoprotein I on protein S function were inhibited by one of four monoclonal anti-beta2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies. These data suggest that beta2-glycoprotein I helps maintain adequate plasma levels of circulating free, active protein S. Antiphospholipid (anti-beta2-glycoprotein I) antibodies might cause sporadic thrombosis, at least in part, by impairing this novel regulatory mechanism.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid↗

PubMed1999

[11C]flumazenil PET: activity images versus parametric images for the detection of neocortical epileptic foci.

UNLABELLED: [11C]flumazenil (FMZ) imaged with PET allows the computation of parametric images of both tracer influx (K1) and volume of distribution (VD). The VD images, which allow visualization of a quantitative measure of benzodiazepine receptor binding, are reported to have high sensitivity and specificity for the delineation of epileptic foci. However, the clinical feasibility of this method is compromised by the necessity of arterial blood sampling. We therefore compared the performance of parametric VD images against simple FMZ activity images for the detection of neocortical epileptic foci. METHODS: FMZ PET data from 7 children with extratemporal lobe epilepsy (mean age [+/- SD] 9.8+/-4.4 y) and 6 healthy adult volunteers (mean age [+/- SD] 40+/-8 y) were analyzed using a semiautomated analysis algorithm. FMZ activity images and parametric VD images were analyzed for asymmetry with cutoff thresholds of 8%, 10% and 12%. RESULTS: The time frame between 10 and 20 min after injection represented overall the best agreement between FMZ activity and VD images independent of the threshold. The normal asymmetry in VD images was determined as 6.4%+/-1.4% and was significantly higher in the FMZ activity images (7.6%+/-1.4%, P = 0.001). Increasing the cutoff threshold resulted in a significant decrease in the area defined as abnormal in both the VD and the FMZ activity images. Abnormalities defined in FMZ activity images identified additional brain regions as abnormal at the 8% threshold, but there was good agreement with VD images at the 10% asymmetry threshold. In those regions where abnormalities in VD and FMZ activity images were not matched, the asymmetry indices obtained from K1 images were significantly higher than those derived from the VD images (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Differences between VD and activity images above the 8% threshold are mainly due to K1. Abnormalities defined in FMZ activity images using a threshold of 10% agree well with those obtained from parametric VD images, indicating that activity images obtained from the time frame of 10-20 min are essentially equivalent to VD images with regard to detection of regions of abnormality for seizure focus localization.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Limited pleuro-pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma associated with cancerous pleural effusion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of limited pleuro-pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma associated with cancerous pleural effusion. METHODS: From January. 1994 to December 1997 we performed limited pulmonary lobectomy wedge resection of lung, resection of the metastases of the parietal pleura, visceral pleura, diaphragmatic pleura and pericardiac pleura, and electro incision of the micormetastases of the above position as well as cleaning the mediastinal lymph nodes in 14 cases. RESULTS: The 14 cases were followed-up to December 1998. Eight patients of them died, the other 6 patients survived with a survival period of 7 - 30 months (median survival period 16.5 months). No pleural effusions recurrence was seen. The longest survival period was 30 months. There were no operative mortality and no severe postoperative complication. Chest distress, dyspnea and pain of chest or abdomen were relieved. CONCLUSIONS: This simple method has such advantages as, less traumatic, rapid rehabilitation and effective control of pleural effusion. The postoperative survival period is longer than that of palliative operation and medical therapy. The pain caused by parietal pleural metastasis can be relieved.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

2-Substituted aminopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones. structure-activity relationships against selected tyrosine kinases and in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity.

While engaged in therapeutic intervention against a number of proliferative diseases, we have discovered the 2-aminopyrido[2, 3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones as a novel class of potent, broadly active tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors. An efficient route was developed that enabled the synthesis of a wide variety of analogues with substitution on several positions of the template. From the lead structure 2, a series of analogues bearing variable substituents at the C-2 position and methyl or ethyl at N-8 was made. Compounds of this series were competitive with ATP and displayed submicromolar to low nanomolar potency against a panel of TKs, including receptor (platelet-derived growth factor, PDGFr; fibroblast growth factor, FGFr; epidermal growth factor, EGFr) and nonreceptor (c-Src) classes. One of the more thoroughly evaluated members was 63 with IC50 values of 0.079 microM (PDGFr), 0.043 microM (bFGFr), 0.044 microM (EGFr), and 0.009 microM (c-Src). In cellular studies, 63 inhibited PDGF-mediated receptor autophosphorylation in a number of cell lines at IC50 values of 0.026-0.002 microM and proliferation of two PDGF-dependent lines at 0.3 microM. It also caused inhibition of soft agar colony formation in three cell lines that overexpress the c-Src TK, with IC50 values of 0.33-1.8 microM. In in vivo studies against a panel of seven xenograft tumor models with known and/or inferred dependence on the EGFr, PDGFr, and c-Src TKs, compound 63 produced a tumor growth delay of 10.6 days against the relatively refractory SK-OV-3 ovarian xenograft and also displayed activity against the HT-29 tumor. In rat oral bioavailability studies, compound 63 plasma concentrations declined in a biexponential manner, and systemic plasma clearance was high relative to liver blood flow. Finally, in rat metabolism studies, HPLC chromatography identified two metabolites of 63, which were proved by mass spectrometry and synthesis to be the primary amine (58) and N-oxide (66). Because of the excellent potency of 63 against selected TKs, in vitro and in vivo studies are underway for this compound in additional tumor models dependent upon PDGFr, FGFr, and c-Src to assess its potential for advancement to clinical trials.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1998

Objective method for localization of cortical asymmetries using positron emission tomography to aid surgical resection of epileptic foci.

We designed a semiautomated method for the objective detection of abnormal regions of tracer accumulation in the brain. The purpose of the present study was to examine the diagnostic performance of this method by applying it to patients with clinically intractable epilepsy of unilateral origin; they underwent [F-18] deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) prior to surgical resection of epileptic foci. A semiautomated method for assessment of asymmetries in the brain cortex was developed that compares activity concentrations in homotopic cortical areas. When these differences exceeded a predefined threshold, the areas with lower activity were marked and 3-dimensional surface rendered images were created to guide placement of intracranial electrodes (ECoG) followed by surgical resection. The normal amount of asymmetry between small (0.5-0.7 cm2) homotopic cortical regions was determined as 5.9 +/- 4.0% (mean +/- SD). The false-positive fraction was determined for cutoff thresholds of 1 SD (10%), 1.5 SD (12%), and 2 SD (15%) outside the mean and was found to be 89, 44, and 0%, respectively. The obtained sensitivity-specificity pairs for correct localization of epileptogenic lobes based on the ECoG results were best for the 15% threshold (80/94%, accuracy 0.90). This objective PET method allows the accurate determination of cortical asymmetries, and it proved to be highly efficient in guiding epilepsy surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Frequency of antibodies to the cholesterol transport protein apolipoprotein A1 in patients with SLE.

In examining reasons for premature atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we previously reported low levels of the cholesterol transport protein apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) in these patients, and specific antibodies to purified apoA1 were identified in the sera of 5 out of 30 lupus patients. The current study was initiated to determine whether these antibodies are common in lupus patients. 520 serum samples from 175 patients with SLE or primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) were tested for antibodies to purified apoA1. Positive sera were retested for binding to apolipoprotein incorporated into reconstructed nascent or mature high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Autoantibodies to apoA1 were found in 32.5% of patients with SLE and 22.9% of patients with PAPS, associated with the presence of aPL (anti-beta2 glycoprotein-1, anti-beta2 GP1) antibodies. When reconstructed, nascent and mature HDL molecules were compared as antigen-containing environments, positive sera reacted best to apoA1 embedded in mature HDL molecules. This report confirms the high prevalence of antibodies to apoA1 in patients with systemic lupus and suggests a high affinity of these antibodies for mature HDL.

Adolescent↗