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Biomedical subjects

M Bailey

Publications and source records attributed to M Bailey.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Genetic exchange in Trypanosoma brucei: evidence for meiosis from analysis of a cross between drug-resistant transformants.

Genetic exchange in Trypanosoma brucei spp. can occur when two strains are cotransmitted through the tsetse fly vector, but it is non-obligatory and a comparatively rare event. To increase recovery of hybrids, we crossed drug resistant parental strains and selected hybrids by double drug resistance [15]. Analysis of 29 hybrid clones from five separate genetic exchange events shows independent segregation of marker genes and a high frequency of triploidy, both of which phenomena have been observed previously for other trypanosome crosses. However, in addition we provide evidence of genetic recombination involving the tubulin locus. These three observations strongly support the hypothesis that genetic exchange starts with a meiotic division in T. brucei.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Altered immune response to proteins fed after neonatal exposure of piglets to the antigen.

The weaning of piglets onto soya proteins at 3 weeks old normally results in an active response to the fed protein, as determined by the appearance of serum IgG antisoya antibody. This system thus allows the effects of manipulation on the response to a fed protein to be studied. In animals previously given 1 g of soya protein at birth, the magnitude of the antibody response to soya fed at 3 weeks was decreased, although similar amounts of the fed protein could be detected in serum. In addition, the relative affinity of the dominant interaction between antigen and antibody was reduced in these piglets by almost an order of magnitude. By comparison, the ability of piglets given soya at birth to respond to injected soya was not significantly reduced. These results indicate that the regulation of responses to fed and systemic antigens is largely separate. Very early oral exposure to antigen may affect the ability of neonatal animals to mount immune responses to, specifically, fed proteins while leaving the response to systemic antigen largely intact.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Production of cytokines by lymphocytes from spleen, mesenteric lymph node and intestinal lamina propria of pigs.

Large numbers of cells can be recovered from pig intestine with phenotypes suggesting lamina propria rather than intraepithelial origin. Following activation with concanavalin A these cells produced a T-cell growth factor (TCGF) activity which was not inhibited in the presence of a monoclonal antibody recognizing pig interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R). In contrast, the activity of recombinant human IL-2 and of supernatants from activated spleen cells was almost entirely inhibited by anti-IL-2R. The failure of anti-IL-2R to inhibit the activity of lamina propria-derived TCGF was not apparently owing to interference by soluble receptor with binding of monoclonal to target blast cells as no effect of supernatants on binding was observed. The results suggest that cells derived from the pig intestinal lamina propria fail to produce IL-2 following polyclonal activation in vitro. Consistent with this finding, IL-2 transcripts could be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following reverse transcription of mRNA derived from spleen and from mesenteric lymph node but not lamina propria lymphocytes, while IL-4 cDNA could be detected from all three sources.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies on the core proteins of cellobiohydrolase I and endoglucanase I from Trichoderma reesei.

The catalytic core domains of cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI) and endoglucanase I (EGI) from Trichoderma reesei have been crystallized using the hanging drop vapour diffusion method. In the case of CBHI, use of polyethylene glycol 20,000, and calcium chloride at low pH produced good quality single crystals suitable for X-ray studies. The crystals belong to a primitive orthorhombic space group with unit cell dimensions a = 84.0 A, b = 86.2 A, c = 111.8 A, and diffract beyond 2.0 A resolution. Bipyramidal crystals of EGI core were grown from ammonium sulphate at pH 7.5. The crystals are tetragonal, either P4(1)22 or the enantiomorph P4(3)22, with cell dimensions a = b = 101.8 A and c = 198.0 A, and at best diffract to a resolution of 2.5 A.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMed1993

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase by substituted tetrapeptide derivatives.

It is known that peptides corresponding to the C-terminus of the small subunit of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 ribonucleotide reductase can inhibit enzymatic activity by preventing the association of the enzyme's two subunits. In a quest for smaller, more potent inhibitors, we have conducted a structure activity investigation based on the pentapeptide H-Val-Val-Asn-Asp-Leu-OH. Potency increases of up to 4000 times (IC50 0.18 microM) have been achieved in an enzymatic assay by a combination of modifying the N-terminal valine to a diethylacetyl group, adding a methyl group to the beta-carbon of the adjacent valine, dialkylating the asparagine side-chain nitrogen and dimethylating the beta-carbon of the aspartic acid residue. In addition the relative contribution of various inhibitor functionalities to inhibitor potency has been investigated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of porcine interleukin 4 cDNA derived from lamina propria lymphocytes.

Total RNA was isolated from in vitro activated lamina propria lymphocytes and used to direct the synthesis of cDNA. Interleukin 4 transcripts were then specifically amplified by PCR. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence with its human homologue demonstrates deletion within the coding region of pig interleukin 4 centred around amino acid residue 70 in the mature human protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Ear-nose-throat abnormalities in the CHARGE association.

A comprehensive evaluation of the otolaryngological abnormalities in 50 patients with colobomata, heart defect, atresia of the choanae, retarded growth or development, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies or deafness (CHARGE) was performed. All the patients had ear abnormalities; 96% (48/50) had malformed pinnae, and 54% (27/50) had facial nerve palsies. Only 8% (4/50) had normal hearing, the commonest hearing defect being severe conductive or mixed loss. Eighty-four percent (42/50) of computed tomographic scans of the temporal bone were abnormal, the characteristic abnormality being the combination of a hypoplastic incus and absent semicircular canals. Eighty-six percent (43/50) of patients had upper airway abnormalities. Posterior choanal abnormalities occurred in 56% (28/50), and 42% (21/50) had retrognathia leading to intubation difficulties. Laryngotracheal abnormalities occurred in 38% (19/50), and 14% (7/50) required tracheostomies. Careful upper airway assessment is essential to avoid potentially lethal complications such as aspiration.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1993

Immune cell distribution in the small intestine of the pig: immunohistological evidence for an organized compartmentalization in the lamina propria.

Using monoclonal antibodies in immunohistochemistry, the distribution of the cells with the following surface antigens was studied in samples of proximal and distal small intestine of five 6-month-old pigs: CD2, CD4 (helper/inducer T-cells), CD8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells), accessory cell marker (monocyte/granulocyte), MHC Class II (DRw), and interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor. CD2+ cells were found in high numbers in both the epithelium and the lamina propria. More cells were demonstrated in villis than in crypts (proportion approximately 4:1). At least two subpopulations of intraepithelial lymphocytes were identified: apically in the epithelium there were CD2+CD4-CD8- (double negative) cells, whereas cells expressing CD8 marker were concentrated around the basement membrane. CD4+ cells were localized in the lamina propria towards the villus core. Accessory cells were distributed in crypts and the villus base and more cells were found in ileum than in duodenum. In contrast, MHC Class II+ cells were located predominantly in villi, just underneath the basement membrane, forming a sheath of cells between the CD8+ and the CD4+ cells. Cells expressing IL-2 receptor were sparse but widely distributed in both the lamina propria and the epithelium. This organized cell distribution may be related to the physiology of the mucosal immune system in the gut.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Specific immunological unresponsiveness following active primary responses to proteins in the weaning diet of piglets.

Young piglets weaned onto soya diets frequently develop diarrhoea which may have a dietary and/or immunological component. Piglets abruptly weaned onto soya at 3 weeks of age developed levels of serum IgG anti-soya antibodies almost comparable to those induced by injection with soya protein in adjuvant at 7 weeks. In the piglets primed by feeding, no significant further increase in antibody occurred after subsequent systemic injection. In contrast, secondary responses were observed in age-matched animals, previously primed by injection, and primary responses were obtained in previously naive piglets. The results demonstrate the development of specific unresponsiveness to soya proteins in neonates fed soya, despite the occurrence of an initial vigorous immune response to the fed protein.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Sequence variation in the androgen receptor gene is not a common determinant of male sexual orientation.

To test the hypothesis that DNA sequence variation in the androgen receptor gene plays a causal role in the development of male sexual orientation, we have (1) measured the degree of concordance of androgen receptor alleles in 36 pairs of homosexual brothers, (2) compared the lengths of polyglutamine and polyglycine tracts in the amino-terminal domain of the androgen receptor in a sample of 197 homosexual males and 213 unselected subjects, and (3) screened the the entire androgen receptor coding region for sequence variation by PCR and denaturing gradient-gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and/or single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis in 20 homosexual males with homosexual or bisexual brothers and one homosexual male with no homosexual brothers, and screened the amino-terminal domain of the receptor for sequence variation in an additional 44 homosexual males, 37 of whom had one or more first- or second-degree male relatives who were either homosexual or bisexual. These analyses show that (1) homosexual brothers are as likely to be discordant as concordant for androgen receptor alleles; (2) there are no large-scale differences between the distributions of polyglycine or polyglutamine tract lengths in the homosexual and control groups; and (3) coding region sequence variation is not commonly found within the androgen receptor gene of homosexual men. The DGGE screen identified two rare amino acid substitutions, ser205-to-arg and glu793-to-asp, the biological significance of which is unknown.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

NPC 16377, a potent and selective sigma-ligand. I. Receptor binding, neurochemical and neuroendocrine profile.

6-[6-(4-Hydroxypiperidinyl)hexyloxy]-3-methylflavone HCI (NPC 16377), a structurally novel compound, was found to be a highly potent and selective ligand for sigma-sites. Although 5-fold less potent than haloperidol and 2-fold less potent than ifenprodil to inhibit 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine binding, NPC 16377 (IC50 = 36 nM) was more potent than alpha-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl butanol (BMY 14802), rimcazole and the atypical antipsychotic, clozapine. A similar rank order of potency was observed when [3H](+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperdine was used as the radioligand. Like BMY, rimcazole and clozapine, NPC 16377 (IC50 = 2671 nM) had low affinity for dopamine type 2 receptors. Additionally, the compound was only weakly active in 35 additional receptor binding assays including those for serotonin2 and serotonin1C receptors. In vivo, NPC 16377 potently inhibited the binding of [3H]-(+)-N-allylnormetazocine to sigma sites after both intraperitoneal and oral administration. At doses 30-fold in excess of the ID50 to inhibit [3H](+)N-allylnormetazocine, NPC 16377 failed to displace [3H]raclopride from dopamine type 2 binding sites. Unlike haloperidol, BMY 14802, ifenprodil and clozapine, behaviorally effective doses of NPC 16377 did not increase dopamine turnover in the frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens or corpus striatum of rats. In contrast, each of these agents increased circulating levels of both adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone, but only NPC 16377 decreased circulating plasma levels of prolactin. The results of the current study are consistent with the notion that NPC 16377 is a potent, selective and orally active sigma site ligand. At behaviorally relevant doses the compound produces neuroendocrine effects both similar to, and different from, neuroleptics, other sigma-ligands and atypical antipsychotics, while having no effect on dopamine turnover. Given these data, NPC 16377 should prove to be a useful compound to explore further the physiological and functional significance of sigma-sites in brain.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1992

A monoclonal antibody recognising an epitope associated with pig interleukin-2 receptors.

A monoclonal antibody is described which recognises an epitope associated with a receptor for interleukin-2 (IL-2) on pig lymphocytes. The monoclonal antibody inhibits high affinity binding of radiolabelled recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2) by pig lymphoblasts and also non-competitively inhibits both pig-TCGF and rhIL-2 maintained proliferation. By flow cytometry the antigen is apparently not present on freshly isolated blood lymphocytes but is detectable on small cells between 6 and 12 h after activation and on large cells by 24-h. These findings are comparable with those obtained using monoclonal antibodies recognising the 55 kDa alpha chain of the human and mouse IL-2 receptor (p55, TAC) expressed on activated cells in vivo and in vitro. However, the molecular weight of the porcine antigen is between 65 and 70 kDa.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

PROBIT: weighted probit regression analysis for estimation of biological activity.

PROBIT estimates biologic activity by weighted probit regression analysis and comparison with a known standard. The program is intended to speed up calculation of the concentration of cytokines in large numbers of cell supernatants. Data are input from either sequential or free-form text files created with a spreadsheet or text editor. This allows transfer of data from a beta-counter equipped with a suitable terminal without retyping. Results are displayed and/or printed as relative potency (% of standard) and 50% effective dose (ED50).

Cytokines↗
PubMed1992

Antibody response and antibody affinity maturation in cats with experimental proliferative immune complex glomerulonephritis.

An experimental model of proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) in the cat, which closely resembles human proliferative forms of GN, has been used to study the role of antibody and antibody affinity in the development of immune complex-mediated renal disease. The serum IgG and IgM antibody response to antigen, average antibody affinity (avidity) and affinity heterogeneity of the IgG and IgM populations was assessed at varying times after commencement of chronic immunization with the antigen, human serum albumin (HSA), by enzyme immunoassay. Cats could be classified according to whether they were "low", "intermediate" or "high" IgG responders, by quantification of serum IgG values. Cats with the lowest serum IgG values failed to develop glomerulonephritis. However, there was no relationship between actual IgG values and the severity of the induced disease. In contrast to IgG, there was no division of cats into low or high IgM anti-HSA responders. Again, cats with the lowest IgM values failed to develop GN, but, more interestingly, a late, marked increase in serum IgM anti-HSA occurred only in cats that developed clinical signs of GN (anterior uveitis and nephrotic syndrome). Maturation of average, functional IgG affinity (avidity) for HSA following chronic immunization was clearly demonstrated for all cats. At the end of the experiment, all cats had IgG of high affinity for HSA and the average affinity heterogeneity of the IgG populations was less than in measurements taken earlier. Values of IgG affinity at the end of the experiment were very similar both in cats which developed GN and in those which remained clinically, biochemically and pathologically normal. In contrast to IgG antibody, some cats developed IgM of increased affinity, whilst others produced antibody of reduced affinity, following chronic immunization. There was no correlation between the development of disease and the production of either low or high affinity IgM antibody. Data indicated that an alteration in IgM affinity occurred at a late stage, as serum IgM levels increased, in cats which progressed to develop GN. These findings suggested that an increase in both serum IgG and IgM anti-HSA values, in particular IgM, was associated with the development of a more severe immune complex renal disease in these cats. Although there was no evidence that differences in the average affinity of either the IgG or IgM antibody populations for HSA, were associated with the development of disease, the increase in IgM values was also accompanied by a concomitant alteration in IgM affinity for antigen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Depressed potential for interleukin-2 production following early weaning of piglets.

Spleen cells, but not mesenteric lymph node cells, from 3-week-old piglets abruptly weaned onto a soya-based diet, produced less interleukin-2 (IL-2) following non-specific activation with concanavalin A (Con A) than did cells from age- and litter-matched, unweaned controls. In contrast, the ability to express receptors for IL-2 was only marginally reduced. The effect on IL-2 production was most marked in animals weaned for as little as 24-48 h. Variation within groups increased with time after weaning, indicating differences between individuals in the longer-term effects of weaning. This finding may be due to endogenous production of steroids resulting in generalised impaired immune function or to retention of cells within intestinal sites owing to an active local immune response.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in horses following feeding of a novel dietary antigen, ovalbumin, and rotavirus.

Adult ponies which were fed ovalbumin (OVA) daily for 2 weeks had significantly greater serum anti-OVA IgG (P = 0.001) and antigen specific lymphocyte responses (P = 0.031) after intramuscular injection with OVA given with saponin than control ponies which had not been fed the antigen. This suggests that, despite the lack of evidence of B- or T-cell activation in peripheral blood during the period of OVA feeding, the animals were primed for an active secondary immune response. Adult ponies were challenged with equine rotavirus, strain H-2, but no statistically significant differences were found in serum IgG-associated antibody responses or antigen-specific lymphocyte responses between the rotavirus-challenged group and the control group, either following rotavirus challenge or intramuscular injection of rotavirus antigen given with saponin. Our findings, that feeding the non-replicating protein antigen OVA appeared to prime for an increased immune response rather than inducing oral tolerance, may be of relevance to future studies on the way the equine gastrointestinal tract handles usually harmless antigens.

Animals↗