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PubMed2005

Effect of leaf extract of Seabuckthorn on lipopolysaccharide induced inflammatory response in murine macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized in large quantities by activated inflammatory cells and has been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Seabuckthorn (SBT) has been used in traditional medicine systems for the treatment of various diseases like cardiovascular, pain relief, oral inflammation and promotion of tissue regeneration. The present study focuses on the effects of SBT leaf extract on NO production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. In addition, cell viability, free radical-scavenging activity and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were also evaluated. Seabuckthorn leaf extract significantly inhibited the enhanced production of NO induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with SBT did not reduce cell viability at any dose used. The extract showed significant scavenging of NO radicals released by the NO donor. Treatment of macrophages with SBT leaf extract also caused a significant inhibition of iNOS activation. These observations suggest that the inhibition of net NO production by SBT leaf extract may be due to its scavenging activity and/or its inhibitory effects on iNOS activation. The study suggests that SBT leaf extract has significant anti-inflammatory activity and has potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A radiographic comparison of prehospital cervical immobilization methods.

Three methods of prehospital cervical immobilization were studied radiographically and compared to the short board technique (SBT). The methods were California Stif-Neck Immobilizing Collar (CSC), Kendrick Extrication Device (KED), and Extrication Plus-One (XP-One). Forty-five volunteers were immobilized in the short board (SB) and one of the test devices studied. Cervical movement in the sagittal and frontal planes was measured radiographically. Movement in the horizontal plane was measured directly. Two-tailed, paired t test analysis was performed comparing test devices to the SBT. The SBT proved to be significantly better (P less than .05) in the following comparisons: the CSC in extension and lateral bending; the KED in lateral bending; and the XP-One in extension. We confirm the SBT as the standard of comparison against which newer prehospital devices can be compared objectively. Of the three devices compared against the SBT, the factory-fabricated short board devices (KED and XP-One) provided the greatest degree of immobilization, in addition to logistical advantages over the SBT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

A practical radiographic comparison of short board technique and Kendrick Extrication Device.

Cervical spine immobilization is necessary during the prehospital care of most trauma patients. Earlier studies performed in controlled, indoor settings suggested short board technique (SBT) was the standard against which other methods of cervical stabilization should be measured. Our study approximated the prehospital setting by comparing the use of tape, SBT, and Philadelphia collar (PC) with tape, the Kendrick Extrication Device (KED), and PC after immobilization in and extrication from a compact car. Seven men were immobilized with KED and SBT in addition to PCs and tape. These subjects were extricated and then taken by ambulance stretcher across a 50-yd length of concrete to the radiology suite. Flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation were measured. KED-PC (16 degrees +/- 8 degrees) was statistically superior to SBT-PC (41 degrees +/- 5 degrees) in limiting rotation (P less than .001). KED-PC and SBT-PC were similar in their abilities to limit extension (8 degrees +/- 4 degrees vs 6 degrees +/- 5 degrees), flexion (4 degrees +/- 2 degrees vs 4 degrees +/- 4 degrees), and lateral bending (13 degrees +/- 5 degrees vs 17 degrees +/- 6 degrees). In an approximation of the prehospital setting, tape, a PC, and either KED or SBT substantially limit extension, flexion, and lateral bending of the normal cervical spine. KED-PC is more beneficial in rotation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The prosegment-subtilisin BPN' complex: crystal structure of a specific 'foldase'.

BACKGROUND: The folding of the bacterial protease subtilisin BPN' (SBT) is dependent on its 77-residue prosegment, which is then autocatalytically removed to give the mature enzyme. Mature subtilisin represents a class of proteins that lacks an efficient folding pathway. Refolding of mature SBT is extremely slow unless catalyzed by the independently expressed prosegment, leading to a bimolecular complex. RESULTS: We report the crystal structure at 2.0 A resolution of the prosegment-SBT complex and consider its implications for prosubtilisin BPN' maturation and folding catalysis. The prosegment forms a compact domain that binds SBT through an extensive interface involving the enzyme's two parallel surface helices (residues 104-116 and 133-144), supplying negatively charged caps to the N termini of these helices. The prosegment C terminus binds in the enzyme active site in a product-like manner, with Tyr77 in the P1 binding pocket. CONCLUSIONS: The structure of the complex supports a unimolecular mechanism for prosubtilisin cleavage, involving a 25 A rearrangement of the SBT N terminus in a late folding step. A mechanism of folding catalysis in which the two helices and their connecting beta strand form a prosegment-stabilized folding nucleus is proposed. While this putative nucleus is stabilized by prosegment binding, the N-terminal and C-terminal subdomains of SBT could fold by propagation.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1995

Catalysis of a protein folding reaction: mechanistic implications of the 2.0 A structure of the subtilisin-prodomain complex.

Biosynthesis of subtilisin is dependent on a 77 amino acid, N-terminal prodomain, which is autocatalytically processed to create the mature form of the enzyme [Ikemura, H., Takagi, H., & Inouye, M. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 7859-7864]. In order to better understand the role of the prodomain in subtilisin folding, we have determined the structure of the processed complex between the prodomain and subtilisin Sbt-70, a mutant engineered for facilitated folding. The prodomain is largely unstructured by itself but folds into a compact structure with a four-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and two three-turn alpha-helices when complexed with subtilisin. The Ka of the complex is 2 x 10(8) M-1 at 25 degrees C. The prodomain binds on subtilisin's two parallel surface alpha-helices and supplies caps to the N-termini of the two helices. The C-terminal strand of the prodomain binds in the subtilisin substrate binding cleft. While Sbt-70 is capable of independent folding, the prodomain accelerates the process by a factor of > 10(7) M-1 of prodomain in 30 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, at 25 degrees C. X-ray structures of the mutant subtilisin folded in vitro either with or without the prodomain are compared and show that the identical folded state is achieved in either case. A model of the folding reaction of Sbt-70 and the prodomain is described as the following equilibria: P + Su<-->Pf--SI<-->Pf--Sf, where Su and P are Sbt-70 and prodomain, respectively, which are largely unstructured at the start of the reaction, Pf--SI is a collision complex of a partially folded Sbt-70 and folded prodomain, and Pf--Sf is the complex of folded Sbt-70 and prodomain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

[EMG analysis of shoulder muscles during preventive and therapeutic exercise in the overhead athlete].

Strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles in functional positions is one of the important demands in the prevention and rehabilitation of overhead athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a new shoulder bar (SBT 1000) on the myoelectric activity of the deltoid muscle. Subjects included 12 healthy overhead athletes (control group) and 9 overhead athletes with subacromial pain syndrome (test group). Both groups performed bilateral internal and external shoulder rotations against resistance from a pulley. The position of 90 degrees abduction and elbow flexion was passively supported with the SBT 1000 and had to be actively hold without the SBT 1000. The electromyographic activity of the three heads of the deltoid was determined using surface electrodes. Rectified mean EMG data were analysed by three factor repeated measures ANOVA (group x bodyside x condition). Significant differences (p < 0,05) occurred between the conditions with and without SBT 1000 in all three heads of the deltoid. The percentage of reduction of muscle activity with the SBT 1000 in the dominant arm was 33 %, 29 % and 17 % for the anterior, middle and posterior head. No significant differences could be shown between control and test group or between the dominant and nondominant arm. With the SBT 1000 rotational shoulder exercise can be performed in a functional position with reduced involvement of the deltoid, which could be beneficial in prevention and rehabilitation of overhead athletes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The serum bactericidal test.

The serum bactericidal test (SBT) has been used for almost 40 years to monitor therapy in patients with bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and other serious infections. The SBT is basically a variation of the broth dilution test adapted to assess the activity of a treated patient's own serum against the infecting microorganism. Only recently, however, have rigorous attempts been made to standardize all the relevant variables that affect results of the SBT. The widely recommended goal of a peak bactericidal titer of 1:8 in the therapy for infective endocarditis may be inadequate for the treatment of some patients. Peak titers of 1:64 or greater in the microdilution SBT should be sought if they can be achieved without toxicity. Titers of less than 1:8 may be acceptable, although they are less often successful, if serious toxicity would result from increased dosage. Peak SBT titers of 1:8 or greater yield high cure rates for acute osteomyelitis in children; data are limited in adults. A defined SBT method is necessary for additional multicenter clinical trials on which firmer recommendations for its future use can be made.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

A multicenter international evaluation of single-tube amplification protocols for sequencing-based typing of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB3,4,5.

We have described previously a novel single-tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification (STAmp) protocol for the efficient sequencing-based typing (SBT) of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1. The PCR amplification mix includes primers to each of seven allele group-sequence motifs. We have applied this principle to the simultaneous SBT of HLA-DRB3, -DRB4, and -DRB5 using locus specific primers. We report here a multicenter international evaluation of the STAmp protocols performed as a component of the 13th International Histocompatibility Workshop. Identical amplification primer mixes, sequencing primers, and DNA were sent to participating laboratories. The primer mixes contained the amplification primers and the PCR buffer. Each laboratory was requested to amplify the DNA with the primer mixes and perform SBT on the resulting PCR protocols, using their own protocols, and return the typing results for analysis. The reported results indicated that the expected sequence could be obtained with a variety of PCR amplification and sequencing platforms and protocols. There were difficulties but these seemed unrelated to STAmp reagents and suggest that optimal SBT results can be obtained if bi-directional sequencing is performed and software is used for sequence verification and editing. This indicates that SBT by STAmp can be applied in many laboratories for high-throughput HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB3,4,5 SBT.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

Sequenase sequence profiles used for HLA-DPB1 sequencing-based typing.

Sequencing-based HLA typing (SBT) is a PCR based high resolution HLA typing method in which polymorphic regions of the gene are sequenced and directly used for typing. Currently, for class II SBT, alleles are identified by comparison of the exon 2 sequence with their corresponding allele sequence library. Routine SBT requires reliable identification of heterozygosity, and automated assignment of the alleles. In sequencing strategies different enzymes can be used for primer extension. The most characteristic difference between sequences obtained by two protocols using Sequenaseregistered, or Taq-cycle sequencing, respectively, is a difference in incorporation of nucleotides in the primer extension leading to different sequence profiles. In Taq-cycling sequencing variable nucleotide incorporation results in irregular, but reproducible peak patterns, whereas Sequenase incorporates nucleotides in nearly equal amounts, resulting in more even peak patterns. In a previously published multi-center study we evaluated HLA-DPB1 SBT using Taq-cycle sequencing, and showed that typing can reliably be performed, considering the specific sequence profiles. In this study the applicability of Sequenase for HLA-DPB1 SBT was tested. A panel of samples were typed by SBT at five test sites which participate in the Sequencing Based Typing component of the 12th International Histocompatibility Workshop. The panel represents the existing polymorphism at all known polymorphic positions of exon 2, both in homozygous and heterozygous combinations. The assignment of homozygosity and heterozygosity was validated by Multi-Sequence Analysis, performing cluster analysis of chromatographic data of all sequences at each position. Sequence characteristics were examined and considered for appropriate assignment. Data reveals that Sequenase sequencing can also reliably be used for HLA-DPB1 typing.

Bacteriophage T7↗
PubMed1993

Effect of antioxidative lactic acid bacteria on rats fed a diet deficient in vitamin E.

Lactic acid bacteria, including Bifidobacterium, with antioxidative activity were selected by in vitro screening. The effect of the antioxidative activity was investigated by in vivo experiments using rats that were deficient in vitamin E. In the first stage of screening, 570 strains were examined; intracellular cell-free extracts of 19 strains (16 lactobacilli, 2 streptococci, and 1 lactococci) had antioxidative activity as determined by an assay using rat liver microsomes and thiobarbituric acid. In the second stage of screening, 7 strains of lactobacilli showed over 70% inhibition of oxidation activity. The highest activity was obtained by heterofermentative Lactobacillus sp. SBT 2028. The effect of two strains, Lactobacillus sp. SBT 2028 and Lactobacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus SBT 2257, was evaluated for improvement of the condition of rats fed a diet deficient in vitamin E. Intracellular cell-free extracts of those two strains were also used for in vivo experiments. Hemolysis of red blood cells was inhibited in rats that were administered the extract of Lactobacillus sp. SBT 2028, which proved that the extract improved the vitamin E deficiency status. Antioxidative activity of an extract from L. casei ssp. rhamnosus SBT 2257 determined by hemolysis was relatively weak compared with the activity of Lactobacillus sp. SBT 2028 extract.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Use of the 13C-sucrose breath test to assess chemotherapy-induced small intestinal mucositis in the rat.

Mucositis is a debilitating side-effect of chemotherapy which affects the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the small intestine. Currently there are no simple, noninvasive methods to detect and monitor small intestinal function and the severity of mucosal damage. Activity of the brush-border enzyme sucrase provides an indicator of small intestinal absorptive function that remains relatively constant throughout life. Measuring 13CO2 levels in expired breath following ingestion of 13C-sucrose is a non-invasive marker of total intestinal sucrase activity. We evaluated the sucrose breath test (SBT) as an indicator of small intestinal injury and dysfunction, utilizing a rat model of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. SBT results reflected the time-course of damage and repair after methotrexate (MTX) treatment, with damage most severe 72 h after chemotherapy, and repair commencing after 96 h. SBT results correlated significantly with jejunal sucrase activity determined biochemically (r2= 0.89; p < 0.005). Moreover, calcium folinate ingested prior to chemotherapy totally prevented damage to the small intestinal mucosa induced by MTX, as assessed by the SBT in concert with structural, and biochemical indices. The SBT provides a simple, non-invasive, integrated measure of small intestinal damage and function. The SBT holds significant potential to monitor small intestinal function in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This technique possesses further applicability to the screening of newly-developed agents for potential gastrointestinal toxicity including the development of new therapies targeted at minimising or preventing the onset of chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Oral ingestion of streptococcus thermophilus diminishes severity of small intestinal mucositis in methotrexate treated rats.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no available effective preventative or adjunctive agents to alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. This is compounded by the absence of a recognized and validated noninvasive biomarker to assess gut function. This study investigated the effects of orally ingested Streptococcus thermophilus (TH-4) on chemotherapy-induced small intestinal damage in rats using the noninvasive (13)C-sucrose breath test (SBT). METHODS: Gastrointestinal damage was induced in 27 female dark agouti rats (148 +/- 1g) with MTX (1.5 mg/kg; i.m.). Rats received MTX or saline at 0 h; with daily treatment of: TH-4 at doses of 10(9) (high), 10(8) (low) cfu/mL, or skim milk (vehicle), 48 h pre and 96 h post-MTX. The noninvasive (13)C-sucrose breath test (SBT) was conducted at -24, 24 and 96 h post-MTX to monitor gut function. At sacrifice, small intestinal tissues were collected for determinations of sucrase activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histological assessment. RESULTS: MTX + vehicle and MTX + low TH-4-treated rats produced significantly lower SBT and sucrase activity results compared to saline controls (p < 0.001). In contrast, MTX + high TH-4 treatment showed no significant differences in the SBT compared to saline controls, and the SBT results were significantly higher compared to MTX + vehicle and MTX + low TH-4 (p < 0.05). MPO levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in MTX + vehicle and MTX + low TH-4, but not following MTX + high TH-4 treatment, compared to saline controls. This was further confirmed by histological analyses. CONCLUSION: Oral ingestion of TH-4 at 10(9) cfu/mL is capable of partially attenuating small bowel damage in rats. The noninvasive SBT is a useful technique to longitudinally assess the efficacy of treatments or interventions for small bowel disease.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

[Transfer of injected sulbactam/cefoperazone into burn blister fluid].

Transfer of sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) into the burn blister fluid was studied in 10 burn patients after one shot intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg SBT/CPZ (CPZ 25 mg/kg, SBT 25 mg/kg). CPZ and SBT concentrations in serum and burn blister fluid were determined using bioassay and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of CPZ in serum reached 109.5 +/- 9.2 micrograms/ml (mean +/- S.E.) at 0.25 hour after injection, and decreased to 6.8 +/- 2.3 micrograms/ml after 8 hours. The concentration of CPZ in burn blister fluid peaked at 4 hours and reached 28.2 +/- 8.0 micrograms/ml. The concentration of SBT in serum reached 75.7 +/- 8.3 micrograms/ml at 0.25 hour after injection, and decreased to 2.3 +/- 0.7 micrograms/ml after 8 hours. The peak concentration of SBT in burn blister fluid was 13.5 +/- 1.8 micrograms/ml at 3 hours. The data obtained were analysed pharmacokinetically. Cmax of CPZ and SBT levels in burn blister fluid were calculated to be 30.4 micrograms/ml and 13.6 micrograms/ml, respectively. The AUC0-8 hrs. (area under the burn blister fluid concentration of drug-time curve between 0 and 8 hours after injection), absorption rate constant (ka) and therapeutic AUC (AUC where drug concentrations were above minimum effective concentration) of CPZ were calculated to be 194.0 micrograms.hr/ml, 1.52 hr-1 and 97.1 micrograms.hr/ml (0.3-11.1 hours), respectively. The AUC0-8 hrs. and ka of SBT were also calculated as 68.3 micrograms.hr/ml and 0.62 hr-1, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blister↗
PubMed1988

[Clinical and pharmacokinetic studies on sultamicillin fine granules in pediatrics].

Sultamicillin (SBTPC) is a mutual prodrug of sulbactam (SBT) and ampicillin (ABPC). A study has been performed to evaluate pharmacokinetic properties and clinical usefulness of SBTPC fine granules in the treatment of pediatric infections. After an oral dose of 5-15 mg/kg of SBTPC fine granules, peak serum concentrations of ABPC and SBT were 1.18-3.26 micrograms/ml and 0.97-3.05 micrograms/ml, respectively at 1 hour. Serum half-lives for elimination (T 1/2 (beta] of ABPC and SBT were 0.83-1.83 hours and 0.94-1.71 hours, respectively. Serum concentrations of ABPC at 1-6 hours after an oral administration of SBTPC fine granules were similar to those of SBT. Serum concentrations of ABPC and SBT were proportional to dose levels of SBTPC fine granules. Following oral administrations of 5-15 mg/kg, 33.9-64.8% of ABPC and 38.1-76.6% of SBT were recovered in urine in 6 hours. SBTPC fine granules were administered in a daily dose of approximately 30 mg/kg divided into 3 doses to 14 pediatric patients with bacterial infections. All 14 were cured with 11 excellent and 3 good clinical response to this drug. Microbiological eradication was obtained in 85.7%. beta-Lactamase-producing ABPC-resistant strains were eradicated. Adverse effects including laboratory test values that may be attributed to the administration of SBTPC fine granules were not observed except a treatment episode of diarrhea in 1 patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Fundamental and clinical studies of sulbactam/cefoperazone in the pediatric field].

To 6 cases of children in 2 groups of 3 each, newly developed sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) was given at 20 and 40 mg/kg by intravenous bolus injection, respectively, and the serum and urinary concentrations and recoveries of SBT and CPZ were determined. To 1 case of purulent meningitis, this drug was given at 40 mg/kg by intravenous bolus injection, and the cerebrospinal fluid and serum concentrations of SBT and CPZ were determined. Susceptibility tests to SBT/CPZ and CPZ of total 289 strains were conducted; Gram-positive cocci tested consisted of 26 S. aureus strains, 20 S. pyogenes strains and 21 S. pneumoniae strains, and Gram-negative bacilli consisted of 24 H. influenzae strains, 22 E. coli strains, 26 K. pneumoniae strains, 24 E. cloacae strains, 21 E. aerogenes strains, 19 Citrobacter sp. strains, 20 S. marcescens strains, 23 P. mirabilis strains, 23 indole-positive Proteus sp. strains and 20 P. aeruginosa strains. SBT/CPZ was given to total 43 cases at a mean daily dosage of 80.4 mg/kg, in 3 or 4 divided doses (6 cases in 3 and 37 cases in 4), 1 case receiving the drug by drip infusion over 30 minutes (in 3 divided doses) and all the other 42 cases by intravenous bolus injection, for 7 days on an average. They consisted of 2 cases of tonsillitis, 1 case of otitis media, 1 case of otitis media associated with mastoiditis, 30 cases of pneumonia, 1 case of suspected septicemia, 1 case of purulent meningitis, 5 cases of urinary tract infection, 1 case of purulent lymphadenitis and 1 case of submaxillaritis. And the clinical and bacteriological effects were evaluated. Also, side reactions and laboratory examinations for abnormal values due to administration of this drug were made on 47 cases including 4 drop-outs. The following results were obtained: After administration of this drug to 2 groups of 3 children each at 20 and 40 mg/kg by intravenous bolus injection, mean serum concentrations of both SBT and CPZ reached the peaks in 5 minutes; SBT levels were 60.9 and 124.7 micrograms/ml for the 2 groups and CPZ levels were 105.0 and 214.1 micrograms/ml, respectively. In either group, CPZ levels were 1.7 times as high as SBT levels, and there was observed a dose-response in both. In the 20 mg/kg group, mean half-lives of SBT and CPZ were 0.96 and 1.24 hours, respectively, and in the 40 mg/kg group, they were 1.01 and 1.32 hours, CPZ values tending to be longer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[In vitro antibacterial activity of cefoperazone-sulbactam].

This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activity of CPZ-SBT in 1,146 clinical isolates and compared with that of CPZ and other antimicrobial agents. CPZ-SBT has much better antibacterial activity than CPZ against B-lactamase producing organisms. Of the 834 gram negative organisms tested, 165 were CPZ resistant, but 94 (57.0%) of them were still susceptible to CPZ-SBT, CPZ-SBT broadens the antibacterial spectrum of CPZ, it has good activity against Acinetobacter spp and B fragilis. Compared with other antimicrobial agents tested, CPZ-SBT is as active as ceftazidime, amikacin and ciprofloxacin against Enterobacteriaceae, P aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp, but slightly less active than imipenem. It is as active as imipenem, timentin and metronidazole against B fragilis and other anaerobes. The results show that CPZ-SBT is a new member of the broad spectrum antimicrobial agents. It may become a promising agent for the treatment of severe infections caused by cefoperazone-resistant Gram negative bacilli including P aeruginosa.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1993

Assessment of passive respiratory compliance in healthy preterm infants: a critical evaluation.

The airway occlusion techniques for assessing passive respiratory mechanics have become well established methods in fullterm neonates and older infants. The single breath technique (SBT) is frequently used for assessing lung function in intubated infants on neonatal intensive care units. However, less is known about the reliability of these quick and noninvasive techniques in healthy preterm infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate these methods in healthy unintubated preterm infants to facilitate both establishment of reference values and more meaningful interpretation of lung function assessments in the neonatal unit. Forty-seven studies were attempted in 31 healthy preterm infants (gestational age 29-36 weeks; body weight 1.88 +/- 0.28 kg; mean +/- SD) during the first 2 weeks of life, using both the multiple occlusion technique (MOT) and the SBT. Whereas technically acceptable respiratory system compliance (Crs) data from either the MOT or the SBT were obtained on 37 occasions in 25 infants, satisfactory results from both techniques were achieved only on 22 occasions. In these infants mean +/- SD Crs was 28.1 +/- 5.2 mL kPa-1 when assessed by MOT and 29.1 +/- 6.0 mL kPa-1 when using the SBT. The mean difference between technically satisfactory paired Crs values obtained with MOT and SBT was less than 5% (range, +28 to -18%). By contrast, in infants in whom data were invalidated as a result of expiratory airflow braking, failure to relax or instability of the end-expiratory level, gross discrepancies occurred between the techniques.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗
PubMed2002

Immunology of the pathogen virulence and phytotoxin production in relation to disease severity: a case study in sheath blight of rice.

Polyclonal antibodies against purified Rhizoctonia solani toxin obtained from infected rice sheath tissues (sheath blight toxin, SBT) and culture filtrates (culture filtrate toxin, CFT) were developed in rabbit and chicken. The IgG was isolated from serum and egg yolk of rabbit and chicken, respectively, and their specificity was investigated by indirect ELISA. Antibodies developed against CFT and SBT in rabbits exhibited relatively higher titer values when compared to chicken antibodies. Positive correlation was observed between the degree of sheath blighting and the levels of antigens induced by each isolate during sheath blight symptom development as detected by rabbit SBT antibody and the isolate RS7 was identified as most virulent. Optimization of incubation period for maximum toxin production in liquid medium and rice sheaths indicated that the production of CFT and SBT is maximum after 15 d and 6 d of pathogen inoculation. Studies of the possible translocation of RS-toxin in rice plants upon inoculation with R. solani showed downward translocation as detected by rabbit/chicken SBT antibodies. Since plant inoculation required a higher concentration of inoculum and maintenance of plants, serological assay by ELISA is more sensitive than whole-plant assays in detecting RS-toxin, with the advantage that ELISA also allows rapid determination of RS-toxin production.

Animals↗