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S Laine

Publications and source records attributed to S Laine.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Serum C-reactive protein determination in acute pelvic inflammatory disease.

We have studied the role of serum C-reactive protein determination in the diagnosis of acute pelvic inflammatory disease. Acute-phase serum C-reactive protein concentration reflected the extent and the severity of pelvic inflammatory disease more closely than erythrocyte sedimentation rate or white blood cell count determinations. We recommend that both C-reactive protein concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate should be routinely used to augment the clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Blood Sedimentation↗
PubMed1985

Genes and gene products involved in the synthesis of F-pili.

Membrane fractions containing [35-S]methionine labeled proteins synthesized by Flac and Flac tra mutant strains or by lambda tra transducing phages expressed in such strains have been analyzed in order to investigate the pathway for synthesis of the F-pilin subunit and the gene products involved in synthesis of F-pili. Our data indicate that the synthesis of a mature F-pilin subunit requires the expression of at least 2 tra operon genes in addition to the structural gene for F-pilin, traA. In the absence of these activities, traA expression results primarily in the synthesis of a polypeptide, Ap14, with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 14,000. We assume this polypeptide corresponds to the direct product of the traA gene. In the presence of traQ activity, the major detectable product of traA is a polypeptide, Ap7(Q), which migrates with an apparent molecular weight of 7,000, suggesting that traQ product may process or assist in the processing of Ap14. Polypeptide Ap7(Q) is not, however, mature F-pilin, since it reacts poorly with anti-F-pilus-serum. Synthesis of a polypeptide which appears to be antigenically equivalent to F-pilin and which we assume requires a modification of the F-pilin N-terminus, is detected as synthesis of a polypeptide, Ap7*. This protein migrates slightly more slowly than Ap7(Q) on our polyacrylamide gels. Polypeptide Ap7*, can be efficiently precipitated with F-pilus antiserum, and can be detected in both inner membrane and outer membrane fractions under conditions where assembly of F-pili can occur. These data suggest that Ap7* is the mature F-pilin subunit and is assembled from an inner membrane pool. Synthesis of Ap7* appears to require traG activity, but may also be dependent upon additional tra activities.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed1984

Synthesis of F-pilin polypeptide in the absence of F traJ product.

The products of a lambda transducing phage (ED lambda 101) which carries a segment of the F tra operon expressing F traA , traL , and traE activity from the lambda leftward promoter were examined using a uv-irradiated host system. After infection of an F- host, products of traE (19,500 Da) and traA (14,000 Da) were detectable among the lambda early proteins synthesized. Infection of an Flac host altered the pattern of polypeptides synthesized by the phage in that the 14,000-Da traA product became barely detectable and was replaced by a polypeptide which migrated at 7000 Da. A derivative of ED lambda 101 carrying the traA1 amber mutation was unable to synthesize either the 14,000-Da polypeptide in F- cells or the 7000-Da polypeptide in Flac cells. The 7000-Da polypeptide derived from ED lambda 101 was synthesized in the absence of traJ product in F- cells coinfected with a second transducing phage which carried a tra operon segment including traQ . It was also a product of ED lambda 134 which expresses genes traA through traH . The 7000-Da polypeptide, like F-pilin, associated primarily with the inner membrane, and could be immunoprecipitated with antiserum prepared against purified F-pili. Analysis of membranes from F- cells infected with ED lambda 101 indicated that the 14,000-Da traA product synthesized under these conditions accumulated in the inner membrane. These results show that both the 14,000-Da traA product might be processed to F-pilin in a traQ -dependent reaction which occurs in or on the inner membrane of the Escherichia coli host. However, the possibility that traQ encodes a regulatory product which affects expression of the traA sequence has not been excluded.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1979

Antigens and allergens in birch pollen extract.

More than 70% of the total allergenic activity of a birch pollen (BP) extract was detected within the first 30 min of extraction. Fractionation of the BP extract by gel filtration and analysis of the eluted antigens by a fused rocket immunoelectrophoresis revealed at least three antigens with molecular weights of about 29 000, and 17 000-10 000, corresponding to antigens Nos. 7-8 and No. 2, respectively, in crossed-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and in crossed-radioimmuno-electrophoresis (CRIE). Gel isoelectrofocusing of the pooled allergenic fractions revealed two major protein bands with pI's around 5.6 and 5.7, probably corresponding to antigens Nos.7-8 and No. 2, respectively. Antigens Nos. 7-8 were thermoresistant, while antigen No. 2 was thermolabile. The allergenic activity was determined by prick skin testing and by the RAST inhibition method. More than 90% of the allergenic activity in the fractions was located in the protein peak C (mol. wt. 10 000-17 000) containing antigens 7-8. About 30% of the total allergenic activity of the extract (1:10 w/v) was recovered in the peak C fractions, and only less than 0.5% outside these fractions. Higher allergenic activity was obtained for the peak B fractions (mol. wt. 29 000) by skin prick testing than by the RAST. Peak B contained allergens (antigen 2) distinct from those of peak C by the CRIE and by the RAST. The allergenic material in the low molecular weight fractions of peak D (mol. wt. 2000-5000) was allergenically similar to that of peak C in the RAST. Only weak and even negative skin reactions were observed with the peak D fractions in allergic subjects.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein and common carotid artery intima-media thickness in a random sample of middle-aged men.

Circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) has been suggested to play an important role in atherosclerosis development. According to previous observations, oxLDL correlates with clinically manifest coronary and carotid artery disease. We investigated the association between the oxLDL concentration measured directly in plasma and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in a population-based, case-control study in middle-aged men from Southern Finland. oxLDL was determined in 214 men by a commercially available sandwich ELISA test (Mercodia). Carotid artery IMT was measured at 12 standardized segments by B-mode ultrasonography (at the near and far wall of the left and right common carotid arteries, bifurcations and internal carotid arteries), and the overall mean maximum IMT (MMaxIMT) was calculated. The MMaxIMT of the carotid arteries was significantly associated with circulating oxLDL (r(s) = 0.16, p = 0.018). In a stepwise multiple regression model with MMaxIMT as dependent variable and systolic blood pressure, smoking, oxLDL, HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B as covariates, systolic blood pressure (beta = 0.22, p < 0.001), oxLDL (beta = 0.15, p = 0.022) and smoking (beta = 0.17, p = 0.014) showed an independent association with IMT (R(2) = 0.10, p < 0.001). Our results show that oxLDL measured directly from plasma is independently associated with subclinical carotid artery atherosclerosis in middle-aged men.

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of nonspecific vaginitis and other cervicovaginal infections during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Nonspecific vaginitis (NSV) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a decreased concentration of normal acidophilic Döderlein flora in the vagina and increased concentration of nonacidophilic microorganisms, such as Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic bacteria, and mycoplasmas. Since several NSV-associated organisms are associated with complications of pregnancy, we studied the prevalence of NSV among 104 consecutive women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Overall, 14 women (14%) had NSV by clinical and/or biochemical criteria, two women had Chlamydia trachomatis isolated from the cervix, and 24 women (23%) had yeast isolated from the vagina. None had Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Trichomonas vaginalis isolated. There was a correlation between an abnormal succinate to lactate ratio (on gas-liquid chromatography) and cytologic atypia detected by cervicovaginal Papanicolaou smears. More extensive studies are needed to correlate NSV with prematurity.

Adult↗