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Determination of rat beta 2-microglobulin in urine and in serum. I. Development of an immunoassay based on latex particles agglutination.

Rat beta 2-microglobulin has been isolated from the urine of rats pretreated with sodium chromate. The purified protein was used to raise antisera in two rabbits. Treatment of the antisera with ammonium sulphate followed by gel chromatography led to an immunoglobulin fraction which was used to coat latex particles by physical adsorption. The latex suspension was used in an automated system including an optical particle counter to analyse the protein in serum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Serum contains 5.8 mg of beta 2-microglobulin/l, of which 33% is found as a 55000 dalton complex while 66% is present as the 'free' protein. The daily urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin in females is about 2 micrograms of which 7% is found to be a 65000-dalton complex while 92% is the free protein. From this, it can be calculated that the fractional urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin is about 0.03%. The cerebrospinal fluid contains about 1 mg of beta 2-microglobulin/l. Preliminary tests also suggest that the method can be adapted for non-automated turbidimetric detection. In the automated assay, the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation are less than 10% for the three biological fluids tested. The analytical recovery in the urine is 93%. In urine, beta 2-microglobulin undergoes proteolytic degradation at pH below 6. This does not represent a serious drawback to its use as a sensitive index of tubular function since in most experimental circumstances, rats excrete urine with a pH above this value.

Animals↗

Innovative procedure for the determination of gross-alpha/gross-beta activities in drinking water.

An alternative sample preparation method for the determination of gross-alpha/beta activity concentrations in drinking water is introduced in this paper. After the freeze-drying of tap water samples, determination by liquid scintillation counting can be applied utilizing alpha/beta separation. It has been shown that there is no adsorption or loss of solid radionuclides during the freeze-drying procedure. However, the samples have to be measured quickly after the preparation since the ingrowth of daughter isotopes negatively effects the measurement. The limits of detection for gross-alpha and gross-beta activity are in the range 25-210 mBq/l, respectively, for a measurement time of only 8-9 h.

Alpha Particles↗

Isolation of a novel member of small G protein superfamily and its expression in colon cancer.

AIM: APMCF1 is a novel human gene whose transcripts are up-regulated in apoptotic MCF-7 cells. In order to learn more about this gene's function in other tumors, we cloned its full length cDNA and prepared its polyclonal antibody to investigate its expression in colon cancers with immunohistochemistry. METHODS: With the method of 5' rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) and EST assembled in GenBank, we extended the length of APMCF1 at 5' end. Then the sequence encoding the APMCF1 protein was amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA of apoptotic MCF-7 cells and cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-KG to construct recombinant expression vector pGEX-APMCF1. The GST-APMCF1 fusion protein was expressed in E. coli and used to immunize rabbits to get the rabbit anti-APMCF1 serum. The specificity of polyclonal anti-APMCF1 antibody was determined by Western blot. Then we investigated the expression of Apmcf1 in colon cancers and normal colonic mucosa with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A cDNA fragment with a length of 1 745 bp was obtained. APMCF1 was mapped to chromosome 3q22.2 and spanned at least 14.8 kb of genomic DNA with seven exons and six introns contained. Bioinformatic analysis showed the protein encoded by APMCF1 contained a small GTP-binding protein (G proteins) domain and was homologous to mouse signal recognition particle receptor beta(SRbeta). A coding region covering 816 bp was cloned and polyclonal anti-APMCF1 antibody was prepared successfully. The immunohistochemistry study showed that APMCF1 had a strong expression in colon cancer. CONCLUSION: APMCF1 may be the gene coding human signal recognition particle receptor beta and belongs to the small-G protein superfamily. Its strong expression pattern in colon cancer suggests it may play a role in colon cancer development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gross-alpha and gross-beta activities in airborne particulate samples. Analysis and prediction models.

Measurements of gross-alpha and gross-beta activities were made every week during the years 1992-1997 for airborne particulate samples collected using air filters at a clear site. The data are sufficiently numerous to allow the examination of variations in time and by these measurements to establish several features that should be important in understanding any trends of atmospheric radioactivity. Two models were used to predict the gross-alpha and gross-beta activities. A good agreement between the results of these models and the measurements was highlighted.

Air↗

Intramedullary anchoring strength of titanium rod with mixed beta-tricalcium phosphate and fibrin adhesive.

Histological and biomechanical studies were conducted in Japanese white rabbits to evaluate the effect of mixed beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and fibrin adhesive on bone formation around a titanium rod in femoral bone marrow. The animals received injections of fibrin adhesive with beta-TCP or hydroxyapatite into the femoral bone marrow from the distal end of the femur, where a titanium rod was inserted. Group I received fibrin adhesive only, group II received fibrin adhesive and hydroxyapatite (HA), and group III received fibrin adhesive and beta-TCP. On the examination of nondecalcified specimens, group III showed cross-bridging bone formation between beta-TCP particles at week 8, this being observed earlier than in group II. On mechanical evaluation, group III showed significant differences in maximum pull-out force at week 8, and in modulus of rigidity at week 24, compared with the other groups. On the examination of decalcified specimens, chronic inflammation was clearly identified in group I at week 8, and residual beta-TCP particles were found in group III at week 24. These results suggest that the mixture given to group III filled bone defects around the rod and promoted bone formation at a relatively early stage. Inflammation and delayed absorption of beta-TCP, which appeared to be a reaction of heterologous fibrins, caused delays in bone formation promoted by beta-TCP. Nevertheless, the use of fibrin adhesive appears to be a feasible method for loading powdered beta-TCP.

Analysis of Variance↗

Perphenylcarbamoylated beta-cyclodextrin bonded-silica particles as chiral stationary phase for enantioseparation by pressure-assisted capillary electrochromatography.

Perphenylcarbamoylated beta-cyclodextrin bonded-silica particles (5 microm) were packed into 75-mum fused-silica capillaries, and used for the enantiomer separation of neutral and basic solutes by pressure-assisted capillary electrochromatography. Triethylammonium acetate and phosphate buffer were employed as the BGEs. A cathodic EOF was observed with these two BGEs. Seven chiral analytes were successfully resolved into their enantiomers under optimized conditions, and five of them could be baseline-separated within 12 min due to their high electrophoretic mobility. Better results were achieved with phosphate buffer as the BGE. The effects of organic content and pH on the enantioseparation were also investigated.

Buffers↗

Chromosome aberrations induced in human lymphocytes by U-235 fission neutrons. Part III: Evaluation of the effect of the induced alpha and beta activity on the chromosomal aberration yield.

AIM: Further experiments were performed to explain a difference in chromosomal aberration yield found between samples cultivated immediately after fission neutron irradiation and samples which were cultivated with 96 h delay after irradiation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Human peripheral blood samples were irradiated in mixed fission neutron/gamma field (1800 s) and biological effect assessed in the mean of analysis of unstable chromosome aberrations with a time delay in culturing cells of 12, 24, 48, and 96 h. Additional measurements were performed on irradiated and blank blood samples with the aim to detect any increase in alpha and beta activity after fission neutron irradiation. No difference was found. Results were compared to theoretically calculated values of the alpha and beta activity released from natural radioactive isotopes. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: As a conclusion it is shown that in our experimental conditions the secondary effects resulting from nuclear transformations of natural or induced radioactive isotopes, recoil reactions and accompanying alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are not the reason for the increase observed in chromosomal aberration yield in blood samples cultured with a time delay of at least 24 hours.

Alpha Particles↗

Stimulus-specific effects of pentoxifylline on neutrophil CR3 expression, degranulation, and superoxide production.

The effects of pentoxifylline (Trental) on human neutrophil CR3 up-modulation, degranulation, and superoxide production were studied. We used the chemotactic peptide fMLP and the phorbol ester PMA as soluble stimuli, and beta-glucan particles as a CR3-specific solid phase stimulus of neutrophil superoxide production. Since neutrophils have adenosine A2 receptors, we compared effects of pentoxifylline to effects of adenosine, and we also looked at the effect of cytochalasin B, which breaks up actin filaments. Pentoxifylline inhibited both CR3 up-modulation and degranulation of myeloperoxidase and lysozyme. Pentoxifylline is a more potent inhibitor of fMLP- compared to PMA-induced degranulation, and is especially potent against superoxide production. While pentoxifylline is less potent than adenosine in its inhibition of fMLP-induced superoxide production, it is more potent in its inhibition of PMA- and beta-glucan particle-stimulated superoxide production. Cytochalasin B, which enhances degranulation and fMLP-stimulated superoxide production, was found to inhibit beta-glucan particle-stimulated superoxide production. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that pentoxifylline can affect both the cytoskeletal architecture of unstimulated neutrophils and the activation and responses of neutrophils which involve actin polymerization and receptor-cytoskeletal interactions.

Adenosine↗

Depletion of pre-beta-high density lipoprotein by human chymase impairs ATP-binding cassette transporter A1- but not scavenger receptor class B type I-mediated lipid efflux to high density lipoprotein.

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) mediates the efflux of cellular unesterified cholesterol and phospholipid to lipid-poor apolipoprotein A-I. Chymase, a protease secreted by mast cells, selectively cleaves pre-beta-migrating particles from high density lipoprotein (HDL)(3) and reduces the efflux of cholesterol from macrophages. To evaluate whether this effect is the result of reduction of ABCA1-dependent or -independent pathways of cholesterol efflux, in this study we examined the efflux of cholesterol to preparations of chymase-treated HDL(3) in two types of cell: 1) in J774 murine macrophages endogenously expressing low levels of scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI), and high levels of ABCA1 upon treatment with cAMP; and 2) in Fu5AH rat hepatoma cells endogenously expressing high levels of the SR-BI and low levels of ABCA1. Treatment of HDL(3) with the human chymase resulted in rapid depletion of pre-beta-HDL and a concomitant decrease in the efflux of cholesterol and phospholipid (2-fold and 3-fold, respectively) from the ABCA1-expressing J774 cells. In contrast, efflux of free cholesterol from Fu5AH to chymase-treated and to untreated HDL(3) was similar. Incubation of HDL(3) with phospholipid transfer protein led to an increase in pre-beta-HDL contents as well as in ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux. A decreased cholesterol efflux to untreated HDL(3) but not to chymase-treated HDL(3) was observed in ABCA1-expressing J774 with probucol, an inhibitor of cholesterol efflux to lipid-poor apoA-I. Similar results were obtained using brefeldin and gliburide, two inhibitors of ABCA1-mediated efflux. These results indicate that chymase treatment of HDL(3) specifically impairs the ABCA1-dependent pathway without influencing either aqueous or SR-BI-facilitated diffusion and that this effect is caused by depletion of lipid-poor pre-beta-migrating particles in HDL(3). Our results are compatible with the view that HDL(3) promotes ABCA1-mediated lipid efflux entirely through its lipid-poor fraction with pre-beta mobility.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗

Two apolipoprotein E mimetic peptides, ApoE(130-149) and ApoE(141-155)2, bind to LRP1.

LRP1 is a cell surface receptor responsible for clearing some 30 known ligands. We have previously shown that each of the three complete LDL receptor-homology domains of the LRP1 extracellular domain (sLRPs) binds apoE-enriched beta-VLDL particles. Here we show that two peptides from the N-terminal receptor binding domain of apoE, which are known to elicit a number of different cellular responses, bind to LRP1. Solution binding assays show that the two peptides, apoE(130-149) and apoE(141-155)(2), interact with each of the sLRPs (2, 3, and 4). Each peptide was found to exhibit the same solution binding characteristics as apoE-enriched beta-VLDL particles. Surface plasmon resonance analyses of the sLRP-apoE peptide interaction show that both peptides bind the sLRPs with K(D) values in the 100 nM range, a value similar to the effective concentration required for observation of the cellular responses. Consistent with results from mutagenesis studies of binding of apoE to LDLR, apoE(130-149,Arg142Glu) bound with a K(D) similar to that of the wild-type sequence, while apoE(130-149,Lys143Glu) showed a 10-fold decrease in K(D). Each of the peptides bound heparin, and heparin competed for sLRP binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The evaluation of uncertainty in low-level LSC measurements of water samples.

The uncertainty in measurements of gross alpha and beta activities in water samples by liquid scintillation counting with alpha/beta discrimination has been evaluated considering the problems typical of low-level measurements of environmental samples. The use of a pulse shape analysis device to discriminate alpha and beta events introduces a correlation between some of the input quantities, and it has to be considered. Main contributors to total uncertainty have been assessed by specifically designed experimental tests. Results have been fully examined and discussed.

Alpha Particles↗

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of gross alpha and beta activities in water samples using a low background liquid scintillation counter.

The radiological examination of water requires a rapid screening technique that permits the determination of the gross alpha and beta activities of each sample in order to decide if further radiological analyses are necessary. In this work, the use of a low background liquid scintillation system (Quantulus 1220) is proposed to simultaneously determine the gross activities in water samples. Liquid scintillation is compared to more conventional techniques used in most monitoring laboratories. In order to determine the best counting configuration of the system, pulse shape discrimination was optimized for 6 scintillant/vial combinations. It was concluded that the best counting configuration was obtained with the scintillation cocktail Optiphase Hisafe 3 in Zinsser low diffusion vials. The detection limits achieved were 0.012 Bq L-1 and 0.14 Bq L-1 for gross alpha and beta activity respectively, after a 1:10 concentration process by simple evaporation and for a counting time of only 360 min. The proposed technique is rapid, gives spectral information, and is adequate to determine gross activities according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values.

Alpha Particles↗

Apolipoprotein A-I-containing lipoproteins, with or without apolipoprotein A-II, as progenitors of pre-beta high-density lipoprotein particles.

Apolipoprotein A-I-(apoA-I-) containing lipoproteins isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography can be divided into two general subfractions on the basis of the presence [Lp(AI + AII)] or absence [Lp(AI - AII)] of apoA-II. The Lp(AI - AII) subfraction can be further subfractionated into two subgroups with pre-beta mobility as well as those of alpha mobility. We have characterized the Lp(AI - AII) and Lp(AI + AII) subfractions after the removal of pre-beta high-density lipoproteins (pre-beta-HDL) to compare only the two subfractions with alpha mobility. The Lp(AI - AII) and Lp(AI + AII) of alpha mobility, while both heterogeneous subfractions, share many gross features in common. Both subfractions were predominantly spherical in shape, had similar conformation of apoA-I as investigated by circular dichroism and specific endoproteases, and had similar contents of phospholipids, phospholipid species, triglycerides, and cholesterol ester. However, there was significantly less protein (-10%) and more free cholesterol (+46%) in the Lp(AI - AII) subfraction than in the Lp(AI + AII) subfraction. We investigated the generation of pre-beta-HDL from both the Lp(AI - AII) and Lp(AI + AII) subfractions during incubation with low-density lipoproteins and cholesteryl ester transfer protein. We found that both Lp(AI - AII) and Lp(AI + AII) subfractions were capable of generating pre-beta-HDL-like particles. Our results suggest that the formation of pre-beta-HDL involves dissociation of apoA-I from both Lp(AI - AII) and Lp(AI + AII) subfractions. These results refine a model describing the cycling of apoA-I between pre-beta-HDL and alpha-HDL linked to the movement of cholesteryl esters through HDL.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗

Measurement of beta 2-microglobulin in serum by a particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay.

A particle-enhanced immunoassay of beta 2-microglobulin in serum is described. It is based on the agglutination of complexes formed between the serum beta 2-microglobulin and latex particles coated with F(ab')2 fragments of polyclonal anti-beta 2-microglobulin antibodies. The analytical range of the method is 0.50 to 16 mg/l; it can be extended by appropriate dilution to 0.12 to 80 mg/l with good precision (CV less than 5% over the whole range). The accuracy and the precision are confirmed by a good correlation with radioimmunoassay (n = 123, r = 0.993). No error due to antigen excess was observed, even up to 292 mg/l. The main advantages of the method are its simplicity, its low cost per test and its high sensitivity (final dilution of the sample at 1/1200) with no known interference. The calibration curve is stable for at least 2 weeks.

Humans↗

Current and potential therapeutic uses of lanthanide radioisotopes.

In the last 25 years, diagnostic nuclear medicine has come to depend on the versatile chemistry of a single radioisotope, technetium-99m (Tc-99m). Different chelating molecules can be used to guide Tc-99m through various physiological pathways in the body to gain information about disease states. No single radioisotope similarly dominates therapeutic applications. In the field of radioisotope therapy, much discussion and debate have focused on what radioisotope might be "ideal" for treatment of malignant tumors. The ideal may not be a single radioisotope, but rather the class of very closely related radiolanthanides and lanthanide-like radioisotopes. These radioisotopes possess strikingly similar chemistries and thus all may be conjugated to biomolecules using a single chelate, the DOTA moiety (and its chemical analogs). They also provide a wide range of physical characteristics, such as half-lives and beta energies, that can be chosen to match the biological properties of the conjugated biomolecule and the malignant tumor. Thus, the radiolanthanide-DOTA bioconjugate model provides a set of physically diverse, but chemically very similar, therapeutic radiopharmaceutical agents, the individual members of which can be tailored to treat specific types of cancers.

Alpha Particles↗

Independent regulation of cholesterol incorporation into free apolipoprotein-mediated cellular lipid efflux in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

Cholesterol was poorly available to free apolipoprotein (apo)A-I-mediated cellular lipid efflux from cholesterol-loaded rat vascular smooth muscle cells generating cholesterol-poorer pre-beta-HDL particles than those generated from macrophages by the same reaction (Li, Q., Komaba, A., and Yokoyama, S. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 4597-4603). The factors known to induce transformation of the smooth muscle cells into a macrophage-like stage were used in order to modulate this reaction, such as human platelet-derived growth factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). When the cells were stimulated by PMA following the pretreatment with platelet-derived growth factor plus macrophage colony-stimulating factor, cholesterol efflux mediated by free apoA-I increased 3-fold without changing phospholipid efflux, resulting in generation of pre-beta-HDL particles more rich in cholesterol. This treatment had only a little or no effect on apparent cellular cholesterol efflux to HDL or lipid microemulsion, respectively. Overall cellular free cholesterol pool size was unaffected by the treatment, and probing by extracellular cholesterol oxidase did not detect gross change in the cellular surface cholesterol. This specific enrichment of cholesterol in the apoA-I-mediated cellular lipid efflux was reversed by protein kinase C inhibitors. Measurement of intracellular cholesterol esterification suggested that PMA induced translocation of intracellular cholesterol to a specific pool for apoA-I-mediated efflux, and a protein kinase C inhibitor reversed this effect.

Animals↗

Radioactivity in bottled mineral waters.

Consumption of bottled mineral water is a growing practice and is sometimes a necessity rather than a choice. In this work, a study of the radioactive content of a wide selection of commercial bottled mineral waters for human intake was carried out. The origins of the analyzed waters were very different, coming from various locations in France, Portugal and Spain. Their total alpha and beta activity concentrations were determined and also gamma spectrometry was used to detect some radionuclides. In some cases, the waters presented high values of the total alpha and beta activity concentrations surpassing the reference levels established by the CSN, the Spanish. Regulatory Organization. In these cases, a determination of uranium and 226Ra was also performed by using low-level liquid scintillation counting. The results revealed a strong correlation between radioactive content and dry residue, and lead one to conclude that high radioactive content is mainly related to the mineralization in waters of underground origin.

Alpha Particles↗

Radioactivity in bottled waters sold in Mexico.

Measurements of gross alpha and beta activities were made on 21 domestic and international brands of bottled (purified and mineral) water sold in the Mexican market to assess its radiological quality. Alpha and beta activities were determined using a liquid-scintillation detector with pulse-shape analysis feature. All the purified water had values of beta activity lower than the limit for potable drinking water (1.0 Bq/l), while three brands surpassed the limit of alpha activity (0.1 Bq/l). The limit for alpha radioactivity content was exceed by three mineral waters; the results show a correlation between radioactivity content and mineral salts, which are related with the origin and treatment of the waters.

Alpha Particles↗