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Biomedical subjects

J E Schweinle

Publications and source records attributed to J E Schweinle.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Three-month efficacy and safety of acetaminophen extended-release for osteoarthritis pain of the hip or knee: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of two doses of long-acting acetaminophen in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen extended-release (ER) 650 mg and 1300 mg given three times daily for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe OA of the hip or knee. Primary efficacy end points were mean change from baseline through 12 weeks in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain and physical function subscale scores and mean patient global assessment of response to therapy at week 12. Safety assessments included monitoring vital signs, adverse events, study joint assessments, and clinical laboratory results at each study visit. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-three patients were randomized to treatment and included in the intent-to-treat analysis. All groups were similar with respect to baseline demographics except for gender, weight, and body mass index. Acetaminophen ER 3900 mg was significantly superior to placebo for all three primary end points; acetaminophen ER 1950 mg was significantly superior to placebo only with respect to patient assessment of response to therapy. Study treatments were generally well tolerated, and there was no significant difference among the groups in the overall number of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Acetaminophen ER 3900 mg/d administered for up to 12 weeks was effective in treating moderate to moderately severe chronic OA pain of the hip or knee and was generally well tolerated.

Acetaminophen↗

Cost associated with the treatment of influenza in a managed care setting.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the costs and treatments associated with influenza patients with and without secondary viral or bacterial infections in a managed care setting. METHODS: Patients with influenza diagnoses (ICD-9 = 487) were identified in the PharMetrics database between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 1998. Patients were placed into 3 cohorts: influenza only (INF), influenza plus a secondary bacterial respiratory infection (BRI), and influenza plus a secondary viral respiratory infection (VRI). The index date was defined as the date of the first occurrence of an influenza diagnosis during the study period. Medical claims were assessed from the index date to the end of the influenza episode, which was defined as the date of the last claim for influenza followed by a 90-day "clean period" during which no influenza-related charges occurred. RESULTS: A total of 18,000 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 29 years, and 54% were female. Approximately 93% of patients were placed in the INF cohort, and 3% each in the BRI and VRI groups. The BRI cohort had the highest mean total cost ($5593* SD = 10,939), compared with the VRI cohort ($847 SD = 1782) and INF cohort ($602 SD = 2813) (P less than.0001 vs INF; P less than.0001 vs VRI). This total cost disparity was primarily driven by differences in inpatient costs: BRI ($3509, SD = 9474); VRI ($208, SD = 1327); INF ($138, SD = 2145). Patients in the BRI cohort averaged 0.5 hospitalizations per patient vs 0.06 in the VRI cohort and 0.03 in the INF cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects in the BRI cohort were significantly more costly and had an increased risk of hospitalization as compared with subjects in the VRI or INF cohorts. Early intervention with antiviral agents and/or antibiotics, where appropriate, could result in significant cost savings for managed care organizations.

Adult↗

Truncated forms of mannose-binding protein multimerize and bind to mannose-rich Salmonella montevideo but fail to activate complement in vitro.

Human serum (MBP) and human recombinant (rMBP) mannose-binding protein bind to mannose-rich, serum-resistant Salmonella montevideo (SH5770), enhance C3 deposition, and render the organisms serum-sensitive. We investigated structural features of MBP necessary for this effect. MBP has a cysteine-rich amino-terminal region, a collagen-like region, and a carboxyl-terminal carbohydrate-recognition domain. We prepared carbohydrate-recognition domains lacking the other two domains either by deletion mutagenesis (delta MBP, 16 kDa) or by collagenase digestion of whole rMBP (cdMBP, 16-18 kDa). Whole and truncated MBP were detected on immunoblot by specific monoclonal antibodies that recognize both bound and free MBP. rMBP enhanced C3 deposition on SH5770 8-fold, while cdMBP and delta MBP did not increase C3 deposition over control levels. All forms of MBP bound to SH5770 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by measuring binding of radiolabeled whole and truncated MBP. Binding by 125I-delta MBP was inhibited by mannan and by MBP. Thus failure of truncated MBPs to enhance C3 deposition was not due to failure to specifically bind carbohydrate residues. To determine the molecular form of truncated MBP in nondenaturing conditions, 125I-delta MBP was centrifuged through a 5-20% sucrose-density gradient. The peak of 125I-delta MBP sedimented to estimated S20,w 2.01, but larger multimers also were present. Multimers bound SH5770 with higher affinity than monomers. We conclude that carbohydrate-recognition regions of MBP produced by collagenase digestion or by deletion mutagenesis are sufficient for ligand binding. However, the collagen-like region is necessary for MBP enhancement of C3 deposition on SH5770.

Base Sequence↗

Distinct and overlapping functions of allelic forms of human mannose binding protein.

Human mannose binding protein (MBP) is a C-type serum lectin involved in first-line host defense against a variety of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. Recently an association was found between low levels of serum MBP and an increased frequency of recurrent infections in infants. A particular genotype, in which glycine is substituted by aspartic acid at codon 54 of MBP in the fifth collagen repeat, shows apparent concordance with the clinical phenotype. We report, however, that this genotype occurs in 5% of the population and encodes a functional protein. Our results indicate that the Gly54Asp allele does not account for a deficiency state, but instead suggest that MBP may have two predominant allelic forms that have overlapping function and differ only in their ability to activate the classical pathway of complement.

Alleles↗

Sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations of cefmetazole enhance serum bactericidal activity in vitro by amplifying poly-C9 deposition.

Serum-resistant organisms grown in sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations (subMICs) of antibiotics in vitro may be rendered sensitive to complement-mediated, serum bactericidal activity. We measured 125I-C3 and 125I-C9 deposition on genetically serum resistant Salmonella montevideo SH5770 (SH5770) that was rendered serum sensitive by growth in sub-MICs of cefmetazole (CMZ), a parenteral, second generation, cephamycin-group antibiotic. Three times as much C3 and over six times as much C9 bound to SH5770 grown in one-fourth the MIC of CMZ compared to broth-grown bacteria. SDS-PAGE analysis and autoradiography showed that neither the ratio of C3b:iC3b (approximately 1:2.5) nor the nature of the C3-bacterial bond was changed by growing the organisms in CMZ. Large amounts of complement membrane attack complexes containing poly-C9 were seen only on CMZ-grown SH5770 by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Poly-C9 was also detected only on CMZ-grown bacteria by indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA using a murine monoclonal antibody directed against a neoantigen of poly-C9. Bacterial hydrophobicity increased after growth in CMZ, and transmission electron micrographs of CMZ-grown SH5770 showed cell wall disruption and blebbing. These results indicate that growth in subMICs of CMZ increases bacterial hydrophobic domains available for interacting with the membrane attack complex, C5b-9, allowing formation and stable insertion of bactericidal complexes containing poly-C9.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗

Modulation of mouse complement receptors 1 and 2 suppresses antibody responses in vivo.

A mAb, 7G6, that binds to mouse CR1 and CR2 and down-modulates their expression on splenic B cells in vivo, was used to determine whether a decrease in CR1 and CR2 expression affects antibody responses to different T-dependent and T-independent Ag. Injection of mice with the mAb 7G6 prior to immunization with FITC haptenated Salmonella typhimurium (SH5771), Salmonella montevideo (SH5770), SRBC, or Ficoll dramatically decreased subsequent antibody responses to FITC. Although both IgM and IgG primary antibody responses were affected similarly, the antibody levels were most inhibited during early phases of the response. In contrast, down-modulation of the CR did not affect memory antibody responses, because injection of mice with 7G6 before a second immunization with FITC-SH5771 had no effect on subsequent anti-FITC antibody production. Moreover, polyclonal in vivo activation of the mouse immune system by anti-mouse IgD antibodies was not affected by previous administration of 7G6, because anti-IgD-induced increases in Ia expression and serum IgG1 levels were not affected. Taken together, these observations suggest that CR1 and CR2 may play an important role in enhancing primary antibody responses to many T-dependent and T-independent Ag and may contribute to a host's response to naturally occurring antigens such as bacteria.

Animals↗

Glycosphingolipid-binding specificity of the mannose-binding protein from human sera.

Mannose-binding protein was purified from human serum to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography on mannose-Sepharose, followed by affinity chromatography on underivatized Sepharose. Approximately 0.4 mg protein was obtained from 1 liter serum. The glycosphingolipid-binding specificity of the purified protein was examined by chromatogram overlay and solid phase assays. It binds with high affinity to Lc-3Cer (GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1ceramide) and n-Lc5Cer (GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1ceramide). It does not bind to many other glycosphingolipids without terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues that were tested. Thus, these data suggest that N-acetylglucosamine-terminated glycosphingolipids may serve as cell-surface attachment sites for mannose-binding protein in vivo. In addition, the binding specificity of the protein can be used as a sensitive probe for determining the levels of Lc3Cer and nLc5Cer in tissues, as it exhibits half-maximal binding to about 10 pmol of these lipids in solid phase assays, and detects less than 20 pmol of Lc3Cer in chromatogram overlay assays. This technique was utilized to demonstrate that one sample of chronic myeloid leukemia cells contains both Lc3Cer and nLc5Cer.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Multimeric C9 within C5b-9 deposits in unique locations in the cell wall of Salmonella typhimurium.

We have shown previously that multimeric C9 within C5b-9 (C9:C5b-8 greater than 3:1) is needed for killing of a rough strain of Escherichia coli. We now extend these studies using serum sensitive, rough (R) and serum resistant, wild type (WT) strains of Salmonella typhimurium as well as a mutant S. typhimurium strain (TS) with a temperature sensitive mutation in synthesis of keto-deoxy-octulosonate, a constituent within the deep core structure of Salmonella LPS. Both R and TS required multimeric C9 within C5b-9 to be killed. Addition at 37 degrees C of increasing inputs of C9 to TS or R bearing C5b-9 led to a dose-related increase in C9 binding and killing. In contrast, addition of high inputs of C9 to the same strains at 4 degrees C, a procedure that limits the C9:C5b-8 ratio to 1:1, resulted in low C9 binding and minimal killing. Bactericidal C5b-9 formed at 37 degrees C on R and TS with high inputs of C9 co-sedimented with the bacterial outer membrane on sucrose density gradient analysis. Non-bactericidal C5b-9 on R, WT, and TS co-sedimented near the inner membrane, despite the presumed lack of association between these constituents. Whereas 125I C9 within the non-bactericidal pools immunoprecipitate with anti-C5, 125I C9 within bactericidal pools did not immunoprecipitate with anti-C5, anti-C7, or anti-C9. These findings suggest that bactericidal C5b-9 may be deposited in a unique location or configuration within the bacterial cell wall.

Cell Wall↗

Halogenation and proteolysis of complement component C3 on Salmonella typhimurium during phagocytosis by human neutrophils.

We examined the fate of C component C3 on the surface of Salmonella typhimurium during ingestion by human neutrophils. Initial experiments showed that C3 fragments and C3-acceptor complexes were the major serum ligands which were surface iodinated by canine myeloperoxidase on serum-incubated rough and smooth isolates of S. typhimurium. In contrast, labeled C3 was not identified when the same organisms were ingested by neutrophils in the presence of 125I-Na, a situation previously shown to iodinate particulate targets via the neutrophil myeloperoxidase-halide-H2O2 system. Pretreatment of neutrophils before phagocytosis with the lipid-soluble protease inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), but not with other protease inhibitors (p-nitrophenylguanidinobenzoate, leupeptin, pepstatin), substantially blocked proteolysis of 125I-C3 on S. typhimurium strain RG108 during ingestion by neutrophils. Purification of neutrophil phagosomes containing S. typhimurium-bearing 125I-C3 showed that DFP but no other protease inhibitors blocked proteolysis of 125I-C3 within phagosomes. Iodinated C3-acceptor complexes were identified by immunoprecipitation from the detergent-insoluble fraction of phagosomes prepared from DFP-treated cells ingesting S. typhimurium in the presence of 125I-Na. These results show that C3 fragments on the surface of S. typhimurium are the major serum ligands which are halogenated and degraded by proteolysis during phagocytosis by human neutrophils, and suggest that the majority of proteolysis on the ingested target occurs within the neutrophil phagosome.

Adsorption↗

Interaction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with classical complement components, C1-inhibitor, and a monoclonal antibody directed against the Neisserial H.8 antigen.

Strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were used to evaluate bactericidal and opsonic properties of McAb 10 directed against the Neisserial outer membrane antigen, H.8. Gonococci were either serum resistant in the absence but serum sensitive in the presence, of McAb 10, or serum sensitive or serum resistant regardless of the presence of McAb 10. Strain JS3, which fell in the former category, was used in subsequent studies. C1 zymogen formed by reassociation of isolated C1 subunits was not directly activated by JS3 in the presence or absence of C1-inhibitor. JS3 thus was unable to directly activate the classical pathway independently of antibody. When purified classical pathway components were used to deposit C3 on JS3 in the absence of serum regulatory proteins or antibodies, added C1-inhibitor reduced C3 binding to background levels. When McAb 10 was present, C3 binding was unaffected by C1-inhibitor. Covalently bound, large molecular weight C3 alpha-chain-gonococcal complexes were disbanded by methylamine release of ester linkages. Released 125I-C3 migrated as C3b without degradation by gonococcal proteases. Purified classical components alone or McAb 10 alone facilitated JS3 killing by neutrophils; when combined, the two provided maximal killing. Levels of McAb 10 that only slightly increase C3 deposition on JS3 are bactericidal in serum and maximally opsonic in combination with purified classical pathway components.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human mannose-binding protein activates the alternative complement pathway and enhances serum bactericidal activity on a mannose-rich isolate of Salmonella.

The human mannose-binding protein (MBP) is a multimeric serum protein that is divided into three domains, a cysteine-rich NH2-terminal domain that stabilizes the collagen alpha helix of the second domain and a third COOH-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain. Previous studies have shown that both native and recombinant human MBP bind to wild-type virulent Salmonella montevideo that expresses a mannose-rich lipopolysaccharide. Interaction with MBP results in opsonization and killing by phagocytes. In this report we show that low concentration of MBP (less than 10 micrograms/ml) markedly enhance complement deposition via the alternative complement pathway on S. montevideo. Despite structural similarities between MBP and the C1q subcomponent of the first complement component, MBP did not restore classical pathway activity to C1q-deficient serum, nor did it activate C1s when added to a mixture of C1r and C1s. In the presence of MBP the C3 bound to S. montevideo during incubation in serum was in the form of C3b and iC3b at a ratio of 1:2. Presensitization of S. montevideo with MBP rendered this normally serum resistant organism susceptible to complement-mediated killing. These results emphasize that MBP and complement cooperate in first line defense of the nonimmune host.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of humoral and phagocytic defenses against Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1 and 3.

To better define relationships among pneumococcal anticapsular antibodies, opsonophagocytosis, and in vivo mouse protection, we measured these functions in sera from healthy individuals who had not received pneumococcal vaccine. For serotype 1 pneumococci, the level of antibody measured by radioimmunoassay did not predict mouse protection, as has been noted by others. For some sera, opsonic requirements for antibody and complement could be clearly demonstrated and a strong correlation obtained between concentration of antibody and degree of phagocytic killing. However, for most sera, antibody concentration did not correlate with opsonic activity, as measured by phagocytic bactericidal assay or uptake of radiolabeled bacteria. Sera with high concentrations of anticapsular antibody did not always support in vitro bacterial killing by leukocytes. Conversely, highly opsonic sera did not necessarily have substantial levels of measurable antibody. Moreover, in vitro opsonophagocytic activity failed to predict in vivo protection; sera could be opsonic in vitro but not protective in vivo and vice versa. For serotype 3 pneumococci, antibody concentrations correlated strongly with mouse protective titers, as has been noted by others for type 3. Opsonophagocytosis, as measured by leukocyte bactericidal activity, required both complement and heat-stable substance(s) present in high-antibody sera, presumably antibody. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of serum enhanced phagocytic killing in a fashion that could be correlated with anticapsular antibody content. However, correlation with opsonophagocytosis was not so strong as with mouse protection, and there was no correlation between antibody concentration and opsonization as measured by uptake of radiolabeled bacteria. These observations suggest that opsonophagocytosis (with the definitive end point of bacterial killing) cannot be the standard against which to measure antibody concentrations. Furthermore, host protective mechanisms against pneumococci remain to be clearly defined. Even if opsonization by anticapsular antibody is the primary mechanism, there is need for development of improved functional assays of protection.

Animals↗

Pneumococcal intracellular killing is abolished by polysaccharide despite serum complement activity.

Normal human serum absorbed at 0 degrees C with pneumococcal serotype 1, 12, or 25 lost the ability to support polymorphonuclear leukocyte intracellular killing of some pneumococcal serotypes even if immunoglobulin was provided. The absorbed serum contained no organisms but had residual polysaccharide when measured by counterimmunoelectrophoresis against type-specific antisera. The influence of pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPS) on serum support of intracellular polymorphonuclear leukocyte killing was evaluated. Normal human serum was mixed with PPS serotype 1, 12, or 25 at 0 degrees C for up to 120 min and then used as the opsonic source in standard phagocytic killing assays with serotype 1, 12, or 25. Immediately after mixing, each serum combined with PPS serotype 1, 12, or 25 supported killing of all serotypes tested. With increasing time at 0 degrees C with serotype 1 PPS, serum exhibited a marked progressive decline in killing of serotype 25, a similar but less marked impairment in killing of serotype 12, and essentially no impairment for serotype 1. Serum treated with type 25 PPS did not support killing of type 25, but allowed normal killing of types 1 and 12. Incubation with type 12 PPS impaired opsonization of types 12 and 25, but not 1. Addition of PPS-specific antisera did not restore killing. Residual serum hemolytic activity of classic and alternative complement pathways was not reduced below opsonizing levels after 120 min at 0 degrees C. Furthermore, PPS treatment of normal human serum did not alter the attachment or ingestion of 14C-labeled pneumococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Some serotypes of PPS reacted slowly with serum at 0 degrees C, diminishing its ability to support intracellular killing of pneumococci despite serum hemolytic complement activity. Phagocytosis was not inhibited. Specific antibody did not overcome inactivation. Different requirements for the inactivated factor among serotypes may be a characteristic related to organism virulence.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗

Central nervous system recurrence ten years after remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Therapy with vincristine and prednisone achieved a complete remission in a 10-year-old Caucasian girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Maintenance therapy with 6-mercaptopurine was then administered for seven years, but prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy and central nervous system (CNS) radiation were never given the patient. Ten years from the time of diagnosis, she presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure and a diagnosis of CNS leukemia was confirmed. At this time, however, no leukemia was detected on examination of her blood and bone marrow. She was successfully treated with intrathecal methotrexate and radiation therapy. After a careful search of the literature it has been concluded that this is the first reported case of such a long remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with subsequent relapse.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Evolving concepts of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Tuberculosis in the United States is evolving in nearly all respects--epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis. Today a relatively larger segment of the population has predisposing factors to infection with tuberculosis. There is a greater percentage of people who are elderly, who have immigrated from countries endemic for tuberculosis, or who are immunosuppressed due to medications necessary for other conditions, because of malignancies, or because of infection with HIV. Skin test classifications have been revised to give different meanings to different-sized areas of induration at the injection site for defined populations. More sensitive, more specific, and faster diagnostic laboratory tests for tuberculosis are being developed. Short-course chemotherapy of from six to nine months is now accepted as standard treatment, regardless of exactly which of the proven regimens of antibiotics or accepted lengths of therapy is used. Patient compliance is improved with the shorter courses both for treatment and for prophylaxis. Better compliance with therapy results in better treatment outcomes of infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Antitubercular Agents↗