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Biomedical subjects

G J Calton

Publications and source records attributed to G J Calton.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Isolation and partial characterization of a lethal sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) mesenteric toxin.

A protein lethal to mice was isolated from the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) mesenteric tentacle nematocysts by immunochromatography. The partially purified protein was also toxic to spontaneously beating cultural chick cardiocytes but was not hemolytic to rat erythrocytes. On sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels, the mesenteric protein consisted of three bands with apparent molecular weights of 175,000, 160,000 and 108,000. The three protein bands yielded similar peptide maps when subjected to limited proteolysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Immunochromatographic purification of a nematocyst toxin from the cnidarian Chironex fleckeri (sea wasp).

A cardiotoxin from "milked venom" of the sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri) was purified by immunochromatography on an immobilized mouse monoclonal anti-Portuguese man-o'war (Physalia physalis) venom antibody column. The 20,000 molecular weight toxin caused bradycardia followed by cell lysis when applied to cultured chick embryonic cardiocytes at concentrations higher than 1.7 micrograms protein per ml and was lethal to mice at 0.04 micrograms protein per g. The toxin affected ion permeability in lipid bilayer membranes by forming monovalent cation channels.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Biotechnology and medicine.

Genetic engineering, monoclonal antibody production, and techniques improving the attachment of proteins to inert support materials will allow clinical science to advance rapidly over the next few years. The future of basic and applied clinical research will be changed because of these techniques. Newer treatments for hemophilia, wound healing, cancer and infectious diseases will be developed to make the practice of medicine an exciting new frontier.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

Response of the box-jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) cardiotoxin to intravenous administration of verapamil.

Verapamil, a calcium antagonist, has been shown to be effective in delaying death in mice after intravenous challenge with box-jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) venom. Death from a challenge of up to three mouse-lethal doses of venom was significantly delayed after the prior intravenous administration of verapamil (P = 0.003). A smaller dose of verapamil could "rescue" mice previously envenomed with 1.25 mouse-lethal doses (P = 0.0001). These data suggest that verapamil injections should be added to the first-aid procedures performed on the beach for victims of box-jellyfish stings.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Immunosorbent chromatography of sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) venom and characterization of toxins.

A lethal toxic fraction from nematocysts of the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) fishing tentacle was partially purified by immunochromatography using an immobilized monoclonal antibody column. Elution from the immunosorbent was accomplished under mild conditions which conserved the biological activity of the toxin. The isolated fraction, which contained two purified protein bands with molecular weights of 100,000 and 190,000 daltons on SDS polyacrylamide gels, was both cardiotoxic and neurotoxic and exhibited an intravenous lethal activity (LD50) of 0.37 microgram/g in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Detection of common antigenic sites in lethal proteins of non-related animal venoms.

Monoclonal antibodies neutralizing specific coelenterate lethal toxins were used to determine the presence of homologous antigenic sites on toxin proteins of a rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus), a hornet (Vespa orientalis) and the sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri). An anti-Portuguese man-o'war toxin antibody was found useful for isolating a C. d. terrificus toxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The relationship of the possible allergic response to jellyfish envenomation and serum antibody titers.

The sera of patients envenomated by the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) or the Portuguese man-o'war (Physalia physalis) were investigated for immune specific and cross-reacting antibodies. Crude or partially purified (SP-Sephadex column chromatography) nematocyst venom was used as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed to detect IgG and IgE antibodies. The sera of 66 patients who exhibited strictly cutaneous, extracutaneous or anaphylactoid reactions to envenomation were studied. Most of the subjects developed an IgG antibody and many developed an IgE antibody to the venom of the offending animal. The titer of both immunoglobulins correlated directly with the severity of symptoms. Cross-reacting antibodies to these two jellyfish were apparent in a significant number of patients, but detectable cross-reacting IgE antibodies were rare in patients severely stung by the sea nettle. The titer of specific IgG antibody was higher against the partially purified lethal sea nettle venom than fractions lacking lethal activity. These results may support the hypothesis that some of the visible response to jellyfish envenomation may be allergic in nature and that cross-reactivity to these venoms may be clinically important.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Studies on the serologic response to jellyfish envenomation.

The case histories of three patients with unusual reactions to jellyfish envenomations or increased amounts of anti-jellyfish serum antibodies are presented. These cases demonstrated the following facts: (1) Allergic reactions may play a significant pathophysiologic role in jellyfish envenomation of humans. (2) Elevated specific anti-jellyfish immunoglobulins may persist for several years. (3) Recurrence of the clinical cutaneous reaction to jellyfish stings may occur within a few weeks without additional contact with the tentacles. (4) It is apparent that serologic cross-reactivity between the sea nettle and the man-of-war occur, as do false-positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serologic tests to either jellyfish venom.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

First aid for jellyfish envenomation.

To determine a reliable first aid topical remedy for jellyfish stings, we investigated several commonly available preparations to determine their ability to prevent nematocyst rupture from sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) tentacles. The application of a baking soda slurry was a good inhibitor of nematocyst discharge for the nettle and vinegar was a good inhibitor for the man-of-war.

Acetates↗
PubMed1982

Isolation of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against Physalia physalis (Portuguese man-o'war) nematocyst venom.

Balb/C mice were immunized with crude Portuguese Man-O'War (Physalia physalis) nematocyst venom and their spleen immunocytes were fused with plasmacytoma cells. Nine hybridomas which produced IgG specific for Man-O'War venom were identified using a specific ELISA technique. Ammonium sulfate and DEAE cellulose-purified monoclonal anti-venom antibody had an ELISA titer of 1:4000 and an ability to neutralize the lethal activity (4 LD50/0.6 ml ascites fluid) of an i.v. challenge of crude venom. Indirect immunofluorescence testing demonstrated that the monoclonal antibody isolated in these experiments reacted against a venom component located in the nematocyst wall and thread.

Animals↗