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At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The significance of cerebrovascular amyloid in the aetiology of superficial (lobar) cerebral haemorrhage and its incidence in the elderly population.

Cerebrovascular amyloid deposition (CVAD), caused by deposition of the beta/A4 protein, has been previously identified as a cause of cerebral haemorrhage, yet its prevalence is uncertain. The presence of vascular amyloid was studied in brains of 169 patients by immunohistochemical and Congo red staining. Fifty patients had cerebral haemorrhage (CH), 56 had cerebral infarction (CI), and 63 had neither haemorrhage nor infarction (control group). CVAD was found in 38 per cent of the CH group, 25 per cent of the CI group, and 32 per cent of the control group. The incidence of CVAD increased with age in each group. Immunohistochemical staining with an antibody to beta/A4 protein was more sensitive than Congo red staining the demonstrating the extent of vascular amyloid. Within the CH group, CVAD was present in the vessels at the site of haemorrhage in 6/8 (75 per cent) of pure superficial (lobar) cerebral haemorrhages. While amyloid was detected in vessels in the brain of 10/37 (27 per cent) of pure deep cerebral haemorrhages, none was present in vessels at the site of haemorrhage. CVAD is a common pathological finding in the elderly and has a significant association with pure superficial (lobar) cerebral haemorrhages.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Alpha-to-beta structural transformation of ovalbumin: heat and pH effects.

Ovalbumin is an important member of the serpin superfamily without inhibitory activity. The heat- and pH-induced alpha-to-beta structural transformations of ovalbumin were investigated by means of circular dichroism and binding of ANS and Congo red dyes. The native ovalbumin shows a mixture of alpha-helix and beta-sheet, while both the heat and alkali treatments are able to transform the native protein into a predominance of beta-sheet secondary structure. The free energy changes during transitions to the unfolded state are 5.19 kcal/mol from the native state and 4.00 kcal/mol from the heat-treated one. The binding abilities of the heat-treated and the alkali-treated forms to ANS and Congo red suggest that the altered forms exhibit hydrophobic exposure and intermolecular interaction. The results substantiate that the altered protein forms bearing increased beta-sheet structures are prone to aggregation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of some conformational diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Pharmacodynamic parameters of ofloxacin, tobramycin and ceftriaxone and their effect on the biological properties of salmonellae.

The postantibiotic effect and postantibiotic sub-MIC effect of ofloxacin (CAS 82419-36-1), tobramycin (CAS 32986-56-4) and ceftriaxone (CAS 73384-59-5) on two salmonella serotypes (S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis) were studied. The influence of postantibiotic effect and postantibiotic sub-MIC effect of the antibiotics on prophage induction of the lysogenic S. typhimurium strain and on Congo red binding by both serovars as indicator of their invasive ability was examined. The postantibiotic effect was induced by exposure of the bacteria to the 2x and 4x MIC concentrations of antibiotics studied for 0.5 h. The postantibiotic effects were different; ceftriaxone induced the longest postantibiotic effect against S. enteritidis, and the 4x MIC of tobramycin induced the longest postantibiotic effect against S. typhimurium. The postantibiotic sub-MIC effects lasted longer and in the case of subinhibitory concentrations of tobramycin on S. typhimurium and ceftriaxone on S. enteritidis did not allow any regrowth. The results showed that the postantibiotic effect and postantibiotic sub-MIC effect of ofloxacin induced a prophage of a lysogenic S. typhimurium strain, and the postantibiotic sub-MIC effects of tobramycin influenced Congo red binding by S. enteritidis cells.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Supramolecular ligands: monomer structure and protein ligation capability.

The aim of this work was to define the chemical structure of compounds self-assembling in water solutions, which appear to interact with proteins as single ligands with their supramolecular nature preserved. For this purpose the ligation to proteins of bis azo dyes, represented by Congo red and its derivatives with designed structural alterations, were tested. The three parameters which characterize the reactivity of supramolecular material were determined in the same conditions for all studied dyes. These were: A) stability of the assembly products; B) binding to heat-denatured protein (human IgG); and C) binding to native protein (rabbit antibodies in the immune complex) measured by the enhancement of hemagglutination. The structural differences between the Congo red derivatives concerned the symmetry of the molecule and the structure of its non-polar component, which occupies the central part of the dye molecule and is thought to be crucial for self-assembly. Other dyes were also studied for the same purpose: Evans blue and Trypan blue, bis-ANS and ANS, as well as a group of compounds with a structural design unlike that of bis azo dyes. Compounds with rigid elongated symmetric molecules with a large non-polar middle fragment are expected to form a ribbon-like supramolecular organization in assembling. They appeared to have ligation properties related to their self-assembling tendency. The compounds with different structures, not corresponding to bis azo dyes, did not reveal ligation capability, at least in respect to native protein. The conditions of binding to denatured proteins seem less restrictive than the conditions of binding to native molecules. The molten hydrophobic protein interior becomes a new binding area allowing for complexation of even non-assembled molecules.

Congo Red↗
PubMed1998

Bull sperm motility and membrane integrity in media varying in osmolality.

Studies were designed to evaluate bull sperm motility and membrane integrity following exposure to Tyrode's solution varying in osmolality from 100 to 1537 mOsm. Congo red and bisbenzimide (HOECHST 33258) stains were used to distinguish between sperm with intact versus disrupted plasma membranes. Sperm motility was subjectively evaluated. No significant differences were found between motile and unstained sperm (sperm with intact membranes) in solutions with nearly physiologic osmolalities between 200 and 300 mOsm. However, in 100- and 150-mOsm solutions, the percentage of motile sperm (5 and 19%), respectively) was lower than the percentage of sperm unstained with Congo red (18 and 35%). With HOECHST 33258 stain, the corresponding values were 7 and 14% versus 26 and 31%. The percentage of motile sperm declined greatly in the 500-mOsm medium, but the proportion of unstained sperm was affected little until the osmotic pressure exceeded 732 mOsm. Partial recovery of motility occurred when sperm were returned to the isotonic medium. This study indicated that the sperm plasma membrane was more resistant to osmotic damage than were the mechanisms responsible for sperm motility. Lack of motility in hypertonic media was not an absolute indicator of cell death, and unstained sperm overestimated sperm viability, which are factors to consider when sperm are being evaluated, especially relative to cryopreservation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Sulfated polyanion inhibition of scrapie-associated PrP accumulation in cultured cells.

The accumulation of an abnormal, protease-resistant form of the protein PrP (PrP-res) in hosts with scrapie and related transmissible spongiform encephalopathies appears to be important in disease pathogenesis. To gain insight into the mechanism of PrP-res accumulation and the in vivo antiscrapie activity of certain polyanions, we have studied effects of sulfated glycans on PrP metabolism in scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells. Pentosan polysulfate, like the amyloid-binding dye Congo red, potently inhibited the accumulation of PrP-res in these cells without apparent effects on the metabolism of the normal isoform. The inhibition was due primarily to prevention of new PrP-res accumulation rather than destabilization of preexisting PrP-res. PrP-res accumulation remained depressed in the cultures after removal of the inhibitors. The activities of other sulfated glycans, nonsulfated polyanions, dextran, and DEAE-dextran were compared with those of pentosan polysulfate and Congo red. This comparison provided evidence that the density of sulfation and molecular size are factors influencing anti-PrP-res activity of sulfated glycans. The relative potencies of these compounds corresponded well with their previously determined antiscrapie activities in vivo, suggesting that the prophylactic effects of sulfated polyanions may be due to inhibition of PrP-res accumulation. Since PrP-res amyloid is known to contain sulfated glycosaminoglycans, we reason that these inhibitors may competitively block an interaction between PrP and endogenous glycosaminoglycans that is essential for its accumulation in a protease-resistant, potentially amyloidogenic state.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the Yersinia enterocolitica pathogenicity through some phenotypic and genotypic characters: CRMOX agar positivity and presence of the ail gene].

Sixty-nine strains of Y. enterocolitica isolated from environmental and human matrices (waste water, food and faeces) were studied in order to evidence the presence of ail gene, calcium-dependency and Congo Red absorption for pathogenic strains identification. Out of 24 clinical strains, the ail gene was present in 21 (87%), among which 79% were CRMOX-positive as well. On the contrary, none of the 45 environmental strains showed the ail gene although only one (isolated from cooked vegetables) was CRMOX agar positive. Our results confirmed the importance of molecular methods to evidence the Y. enterocolitica pathogenic strains. However, our study pointed also the utility to consider the approach of classic bacteriology, like the subcoltivation on CRMOX agar to show calcium-dependency and Congo Red absorption. In particular, when dealing with environmental isolates, that medium will be useful as a preliminary screening to identify those isolates which need further research to indicate their pathogenic potential by the use of more complex but also more expensive molecular methods.

Agar↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Simple method for determining cellulolytic activity in fungi].

Wild fungal strains isolated from litter and soil were inoculated in test tubes containing a synthetic medium with 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as sole carbon source. After the incubation time, cylindrical probes were taken from each tube using a borer and stained with Congo red 0.1% to reveal the remaining CMC. The relative cellulase activity was estimated by measuring the deepness of the clearing zone, and the growth by the limit of mycelial penetration in the medium. The ratio: hydrolysis zone/depth of growth, provides additional information to compare strains. A test using culture supernatants of liquid media growing strains was developed for enzyme assay using a modification of the cylinder-plate method. Petri dishes were filled with agar-CMC medium and cups were cut off with a steel punch. Such cups were filled with culture supernatants. After incubation, the plated were stained with Congo red, and the diameter of each cleared zone was recorded. Comparative studies of strains could be performed as well as quantitation of enzyme activity using a standard cellulase solution and computing the area of the cleared zones. This method may be useful when a large number of strains must be tested for cellulolytic activity or when conventional tests fail for assaying enzymatic induction in vitro.

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium↗
PubMed1997

Diagnostic screening of systemic amyloidosis by abdominal fat aspiration: an analysis of 100 cases.

Congo red staining of abdominal fat aspirates was used as a screening procedure for systemic amyloidosis in 100 consecutive patients with symptoms suggestive of systemic amyloidosis. Nine samples were positive for amyloid. To assess the reliability of the method, we reviewed the patients' clinical records and their other biopsy data. All nine patients with positive fat specimens had a clinical course suggestive of amyloidosis. Fat aspirates were positive in nine of 11 patients with documented systemic amyloidosis. The sensitivity of the abdominal fat aspiration-amyloid technique was 82%, its specificity was 100%, and the predictive value of a positive result was 100%. Sixteen patients underwent both cutaneous biopsy and abdominal fat aspiration, and the results of Congo red staining were concordant in all cases. Although this method requires training to avoid sampling difficulties, abdominal fat aspiration is a highly reliable screening procedure for the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis, AA amyloidosis, and familial amyloidotic neuropathy (FAP).

Abdomen↗
PubMed1985

In vitro assessment of virulence in Yersinia enterocolitica and related species.

We have examined 136 isolates of Yersinia species, comprising 112 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica, 12 of Y. frederiksenii, 8 of Y. intermedia, and 5 of Y. kristensenii, for the presence of 40- to 50-megadalton virulence-associated plasmids and expression of the following plasmid-associated characteristics: Congo red pigmentation (CR), calcium dependence, autoagglutination, hydrophobicity, resistance to normal human serum, and pathogenicity in mice. All 136 strains yielded both pigmented (CR+) and nonpigmented (CR-) variants. Only CR+ variants, however, were virulent for iron-overloaded, desferrioxamine B-treated mice (R. M. Robins-Browne and J. K. Prpic, Infect. Immun. 47:744-779, 1985). Although the in vitro virulence-associated characteristics generally occurred together, each one could be expressed independently. Strains of Y. frederiksenii, Y. intermedia, and Y. kristensenii also expressed individual virulence-associated properties. Of 53 Y. enterocolitica strains which were virulent for iron-overloaded, desferrioxamine-treated mice, all but one expressed every virulence-associated characteristic. Several strains which were avirulent for mice, however, demonstrated these characteristics in various combinations. Because many Yersinia strains, particularly environmental isolates, carried plasmids of 40 to 50 megadaltons, detection of plasmids provided little information about bacterial pathogenicity unless virulence-associated properties were also sought. The best in vitro predictor of virulence was autoagglutination, followed by calcium dependence. Because only CR+ variants expressed virulence-associated determinants, Congo red pigmentation is useful for selecting potentially virulent strains.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1991

Preparation and crystallization of human transthyretin (prealbumin) variants.

Naturally occurring variants of human serum transthyretin (prealbumin) have been prepared by recombinant DNA methods and crystallized from ammonium sulfate solutions to give crystals suitable for x-ray crystallographic analysis. Included are variants which are known to be associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. Dyes which have been used as histochemical stains to identify amyloid tissue deposits: Congo Red, Methylene Blue and Bromophenol Blue, have been co-crystallized with the transthyretin variants. Congo Red was found to be very selective while Methylene Blue actually assisted in the formation of crystals. All crystal forms which were examined were isomorphous to the structure of normal transthyretin.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Further characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis transposon mutants deficient in primary attachment or intercellular adhesion.

Biofilm formation is suggested to be the result of primary attachment of Staphylococcus epidermidis cells to a polymer surface followed by accumulation in multilayered cell clusters. Here we describe the further characterization of transposon (Tn917) mutants of Staphylococcus epidermidis O-47 having been biofilm-negative in a polystyrene microtiter plate adhesion assay. Among 5000 Tn917 insertion strains, we isolated four biofilm-negative mutants, each carrying one copy of Tn917. The mutants could be divided into two phenotypic classes: class A (mut1 and mut1a) and class B (mut2 and mut2a). Mutants of phenotype class A lacked four cell surface proteins and were affected in the primary attachment to polystyrene, but remained able to form multilayered cell clusters and to produce PIA. Mutants of phenotype class B were able to attach to polystyrene, but did not form multilayered cell clusters nor produce PIA. The cell surface protein pattern relative to the wild type was unchanged in class B mutants. On Congo red agar, the wild type and class A mutants formed black colonies (positive reaction on Congo red agar) while class B mutant colonies were red (negative reaction). The initial binding of cells to polystyrene and the ability to form multilayered cell clusters were found to be phenotypically and genetically distinct traits.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2006

pH-Responsive dendritic core-shell architectures as amphiphilic nanocarriers for polar drugs.

In this paper a simple general synthetic concept was used to generate dendritic core-shell architectures based on hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) cores and different shells which contain aliphatic chains and poly(ethylene glycol) chains, respectively. Using these dendritic core-shell architectures as nanocarriers we studied the encapsulation and transport of polar drugs, such as congo red. The results showed that the acid labile nanocarriers exhibited much higher transport capacities for congo red than the bare poly(ethylene imine). This gives an opportunity for the controlled release of encapsulated dyes and drugs by a pH-triggered cleavage of the imine bond. In two cases the pH-sensitivity was studied and a relatively high stability of the imine bond was observed at pH 8, while fast cleavage occurred at pH 5-7. This pH difference correspond to the pH-shift in malignant tissues (tumor, infection) compared to normal tissue, which could trigger the release of the encapsulated drugs.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1995

A mutant of Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 impaired in flocculation with a modified colonization pattern and superior nitrogen fixation in association with wheat.

We report here significant phenotypic and genetic differences between Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 and spontaneous mutant Sp7-S and their related properties in association with wheat. In contrast to the wild-type strain of Sp7, colonies of Sp7-S stained weakly with Congo red when grown on agar media containing the dye and did not flocculate in the presence of fructose and nitrate. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs showed clearly that the Sp7-S strain lacked surface materials present as a thick layer on the surface of the wild-type Sp7 strain. Different patterns of colonization on wheat roots between Sp7 and Sp7-S, revealed by in situ studies using nifA-lacZ as a reporter gene, were related to a large increase in nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) with Sp7-S in association with normal and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-treated wheat for assays conducted under conditions in which the nitrogenase activity of free-living Azospirillum organisms was inhibited by an excess of oxygen. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis indicated the close genetic relationship of Sp7-S to several other sources of Sp7, by comparison to other recognized strains of A. brasilense. Genetic complementation of Sp7-S was achieved with a 9.4-kb fragment of DNA cloned from wild-type Sp7, restoring Congo red staining and flocculation.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Vasculopathy and amyloid beta reactivity in brains of patients with acquired immune deficiency (AIDS).

The authors examined multiple brain sections from 15 autopsy cases of AIDS for the vascular changes, presence of amyloid plaques and signs of axonal damage. The mean patients age was 33.8 years (range 24-48 years). Neuropathological findings included: HIV-specific changes (5), opportunistic infections (7), lymphoma (1) and two cases with nonspecific changes. All sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E), selected sections were stained with Masson trichrome, Gomori reticulin, Congo red and thioflavine S method. Two sections from each case were immunostained for the presence of beta-amyloid (4G8). ubiquitin, alpha-smooth muscle actin and CD31. The different forms of vascular changes were found in all cases. The common changes were: lymphocytic perivascular or transmural infiltrations and hyalinization, thickening or fibrosis of the arterial and arteriolar wall. The perivascular space widening up to status lacunaris was a frequent phenomenon in the basal ganglia and deep white matter. Some of the cortical arterioles formed little multiluminal structures. Immunohistochemical examination revealed features of hypertrophy of the vascular muscular layer and signs of the slight endothelial cells proliferation. In three cases 4G8 immunopositive. Congo red and thioflavine S-negative, diffuse beta-amyloid deposits were present in the gray matter, focally their localization was perivascular. Ubiquitin immunoreactivity presented as numerous dot-like structures or focal bundles of positive widened axons in the white matter, spheroids and scattered positive neurons were also found. The authors suggest that some of morphological changes within the brain and consecutive neuropsychological symptoms in AIDS are of the vascular origin. Presence of amyloid plaques and axonal damage are the elements of the complex degenerative and inflammatory process in the brain caused by chronic inflammatory stimulation in HIV infection.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1987

Taenia taeniaeformis: early inflammatory response around developing metacestodes in the liver of resistant and susceptible mice II. Histochemistry and cytochemistry.

Female BALB/cJ (resistant), C3H/HeJ (intermediate resistant), and C3H/HeDub (susceptible) inbred mice, 4-5 wk old, were infected with Taenia taeniaeformis. Liver sections were stained for the enzymes acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, and peroxidase. Eosinophils present around the parasite were identified by the ethanolic Congo red method. Possible gross changes in lipid metabolism in the hepatocytes surrounding the parasite were investigated with the Sudan black B method. The results of observations made by light microscopy were: (1) beta-glucuronidase activity above background levels was observed only in the hepatocytes around the parasite in BALB/cJ mice at 4, 5, and 6 days postinfection (PI); no reaction was observed in the other 2 strains of mice studied; (2) acid phosphatase activity was very strong at 2, 3, and 4 in the 3 strains of mice while this reactivity was weak at 5 and 6 days PI; (3) the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes around the metacestode stained more heavily with Sudan black B than other hepatocytes; and (4) the presence of eosinophils appearing at 3 days PI around the parasite in all 3 strains of mice was demonstrated by staining with Sudan black B, the substrate of peroxidase, and Congo red. Infected C3H/HeJ and BALB/cJ mice had higher numbers of liver eosinophils than infected C3H/HeDub mice throughout the observation time. The present results suggest 2 conclusions: (1) a parasite-liver interaction occurs as is evident by hepatocyte changes in beta-glucuronidase activity and Sudan black B staining, and (2) resistance to the early stages of T. taeniaeformis is associated with the appearance of eosinophils.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2006

Adsorption of Cu(II) on Araucaria angustifolia wastes: determination of the optimal conditions by statistic design of experiments.

Wastes of Araucaria angustifolia (named pinhão) natural (PW) and also loaded with Congo red (CRP) were tested as low-cost adsorbents for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions. In order to reduce the total number of experiments to achieve the best conditions of the batch adsorption procedure, three sets of statistical designs of experiments were carried-out for each adsorbent. Initially, a full 2(4) factorial design for each adsorbent with two central points (18 experiments) were performed, to optimize the following factors: mass of adsorbent (m), pH, time of contact (t) and initial metallic ion concentration (Co). These results indicated that almost all the main factors and its interactions were significant. It was verified for both adsorbents, that a mass of 30.0mg leaded to higher Cu(II) uptake and that the best pH for Cu(II) adsorption was 5.6. In order to continue the batch adsorption optimization of the systems, a central composite surface analysis design with two factors (Co, t) containing 13 experiments, divided in to four cube points, four axial points and five centre points was carried-out for each adsorbent. By performing these two sets of statistical design of experiments, the best conditions for Cu(II) uptake using pinhão wastes (PW) and pinhão wastes loaded with Congo red (CRP) using batch adsorption system, where: m=30.0mg of adsorbent; pH 5.6; t=2.5h. After optimizing the batch adsorption system by statistical design of experiments, isotherms for Cu(II) uptake using PW and CRP were performed. These isotherms fitted to the linear Langmuir and Freundlich models.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1992

Effects of sulfate ions on Alzheimer beta/A4 peptide assemblies: implications for amyloid fibril-proteoglycan interactions.

To model the possible involvement of sulfated proteoglycans in amyloidogenesis, we examined the influence of sulfate ions, heparan, and Congo red on the conformation and morphology of peptides derived from the Alzheimer beta/A4 amyloid protein. The peptides included residues 11-28, 13-28, 15-28, and 11-25 of beta/A4. Negative-stain electron microscopy revealed a sulfate-specific tendency of the preformed peptide fibrillar assemblies of beta(11-28), beta(13-28), and beta(11-25), but not beta(15-28), to undergo extensive lateral aggregation and axial growth into "macrofibers" that were approximately 0.1-0.2 micron wide by approximately 20-30 microns long. Such effects were observed at low sulfate concentrations (e.g., 5-50 mM) and could not be reproduced under comparable conditions with Na2HPO4, Na2SeO4, or NaCl. Macrofibers in NaCl were only observed at 1,000 mM. At physiological ionic strength of NaCl, fibril aggregation was observed only with addition of sulfate ions at 5-50 mM. Selenate ions, by contrast with sulfate ions, induced only axial and not substantial lateral aggregation of fibrils. X-ray diffraction indicated that the original cross-beta peptide conformation remained unchanged; however, sulfate binding did produce an intense approximately 65 A meridional reflection not recorded with control peptides. This new reflection probably arises from the periodic deposition of the electron-dense sulfate along the (long) axis of the fibril. The sulfate binding could provide sites for the binding of additional fibrils that generate the observed lateral and axial aggregation. The binding of heparan to beta(11-28) also produced extensive aggregation, suggesting that in vivo sulfated compounds can promote macrofibers. The amyloid-specific, sulfonated dye Congo red, even in the presence of sulfate ions, produced limited aggregation and reduced axial growth of the fibrils. Therefore, electrostatic interactions are important in the binding of exogenous compounds to amyloid fibrils. Our findings suggest that the sulfate moieties of certain molecules, such as glycosaminoglycans, may affect the aggregation and deposition of amyloid fibrils that are observed as extensive deposits in senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid.

Amyloid↗