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PubMed2002

Extravascular transport of fluorescently labeled albumins in the rat mesentery.

OBJECTIVE: Fluorescently labeled albumin is used frequently as a tracer when monitoring microvascular permeability. Several fluorescent dyes are available for labeling protein, including fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and Texas Red (TR). Because differences in leakage of dye-labeled proteins have been reported, the objective of the present study was to compare the accumulation of these two tracers in interstitium and lymph after the inflammatory event of ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Anesthetized rats were injected intravenously with FITC-labeled albumin (FITC-alb) and TR-labeled albumin (TR-alb) before 30 minutes of mesenteric ischemia. Because the tracers leaked out of the microcirculation after reperfusion, accumulation in the surrounding buffer-superfused tissue, and in separate experiments, accumulation in lymph vessels, was defined as the ratio of tissue-to-plasma and lymph-to-plasma fluorescence. RESULTS: Reperfusion induced a significant increase in tissue-to-plasma fluorescence of FITC-alb; however, no increase was observed for TR-alb. In contrast, lymph-to-plasma fluorescence of TR-alb tended to be greater than FITC-alb. Reperfusion-induced increases in tissue-to-plasma fluorescence of TR-alb occurred only when the superfusate was replaced with mineral oil, in which case tissue-to-plasma TR-alb fluorescence tended to be greater than FITC-alb. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of fluorescently labeled albumin leakage from mesenteric venules depends on the dye used to label the albumin and requires an assessment of losses from the extravascular measuring region.

Albumins↗
PubMed2000

Possible relationship of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 with diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a specific chemokine to recruit and activate monocytes from the circulation to inflammatory site. In diabetic nephropathy, similar to other glomerulonephropathies, infiltration and activation of monocytes/macrophages in glomerulus have been implicated in the development of glomerular injury. The aim of the present study was to examine a possible relationship of MCP-1 with diabetic nephropathy and to investigate the role of glycated albumin (Gly-Alb) as well as high concentration of glucose (HG) on MCP-1 production by cultured human mesangial cells. METHODS: MCP-1 in serum or urine and urinary albumin (Alb) as well as several clinical parameters such as plasma glucose, serum Gly-Alb, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured after overnight fasting in 16 control subjects and 54 diabetic patients. The relationships between the levels of urinary Alb and urinary or serum MCP-1 and also between the values of respective clinical parameter and urinary MCP-1 levels were analyzed. Next, using cultured human mesangial cells, we investigated the role of Gly-Alb and/or HG on the gene and protein expression of MCP-1. RESULTS: Urinary levels (ng/g creatinine), but not serum levels, of MCP-1 increased in accordance with the extent of albuminuria. In all subjects, there were significant correlations between the urinary levels of Alb and MCP-1 (r = 0.746, P < 0.0001) and between the levels of serum Gly-Alb and urinary MCP-1 (r = 0.475, P < 0.0001). In cultured human mesangial cells, the gene and protein expression of MCP-1 was dose and time dependently up-regulated by Gly-Alb. HG slightly but significantly stimulated MCP-1 expression. The combination of Gly-Alb and HG showed the greatest stimulation in more than an additive manner on MCP-1 production. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that facilitated MCP-1 production by mesangial cells in diabetic milieu contributes to the initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Glucose metabolism in relatives of type 1 diabetic patients with albuminuria.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes is associated with familial aggregation of diabetes. In order to explore the mechanisms behind this association, we assessed glucose metabolism in glucose-intolerant relatives of type 1 diabetic patients with (ALB+) or without (ALB-) elevated urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER). METHODS: Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were assessed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity was measured with the short insulin tolerance test (ITT). RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen parents and siblings of 43 type 1 diabetic patients with ALB+ (UAER > or = 20 microg/min) were identified and 93 parents and siblings of 39 patients with ALB- (UAER < 20 microg/min). From this pool, a further selection was made of those (25 and 13 relatives of patients with ALB+ and ALB-, respectively) with mild abnormalities of glucose metabolism (fasting plasma glucose < 7.8 mmol/L; 2 h plasma glucose > or = 7.8 mmol/L in the OGTT). No difference in insulin sensitivity was discernible between the two groups of relatives (KITT 3.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 3.2 +/- 1.0%/min, p=NS). Although there were no significant differences in the incremental areas under glucose or insulin curves (AUC) between relatives of ALB+ and ALB- in the OGTT, the insulin secretory response to the rise in plasma glucose was impaired in relatives of patients with ALB+ (insulin AUC/glucose AUC: 7.1 [1.1-30.8] vs. 9.8 [3.6-52.2], p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Glucose-intolerant relatives of patients with elevated UAER seem to be characterized by impaired insulin secretion. Genetic or environmental factors related to impaired insulin secretion may be important in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Vulvar malignant melanoma associated with human papillomavirus DNA: report of two cases and review of literature.

Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types such as HPV 16 are known to play a crucial role in the development of anogenital carcinomas. The etiology of anogenital malignant melanoma is unknown. We report two case of vulvar malignant melanoma in which multiple HPV types including HPV 16 and putative novel HPV types (alb-1, alb-2, alb-7, and alb-10) were identified by degenerated nested polymerase chain techniques (polymerase chain reaction) in both the malignant melanoma and surrounding skin. One melanoma was associated with lichen sclerosus, and the other, with melanoma in situ and pigmented vulvar squamous papillomatosis. These melanomas harbored HPV types alb-7, and HPV 16 as well as alb-1, respectively. HPV types 16, 20, 21, 36, alb-2, and AJ001060 were detected in vulvar skin affected by lichen sclerosus. Vulvar squamous papillomatosis harbored HPV types 28 and alb-10. HPV 16 was physically integrated into the host genome in lichen sclerosus skin and possibly in the melanoma associated with pigmented vulvar squamous papillomatosis. Twenty-two percent (4 of 18) of normal control specimens from skin tumor excisions were found to harbor HPV DNA (HPV types 3, 54, and alb-7); none of these control samples harbored multiple HPV DNA. These findings of multiple HPV DNA and integrated HPV 16 in skin associated with vulvar malignant melanoma indicate that HPV may play a role in the development of vulvar malignant melanoma. The role of HPV could be either direct through infection of melanocytes or indirect as a cofactor with free radicals in chronic fibroinflammatory vulvar disorders such as lichen sclerosus.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Serial estimates of serum permeability activity and clinical correlates in patients with native kidney focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

A serum or plasma factor in certain patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has been found to increase glomerular albumin permeability (P(alb)) and causes proteinuria in experimental animals. High P(alb) is associated with recurrence of FSGS after transplantation, but serial studies of P(alb) activity in patients with native kidney FSGS have not been performed, and the relationship between P(alb) and remission of proteinuria is not known. This study was designed to determine P(alb) activity before, during, and after 24 wk of treatment with cyclosporine or placebo given as part of a randomized controlled trial in steroid-resistant FSGS patients with nephrotic range proteinuria. Pretreatment P(alb) averaged 0.36 +/- 0.22 and was not significantly different between treatment groups and was not altered during or after the test medication. There was no association between P(alb) activity and remission or relapse in proteinuria. The average P(alb) activity in native kidney FSGS was lower than in previously reported patients with posttransplant recurrence of the disease, and its level did not vary during the course of the study. The antiproteinuric effect of cyclosporine appeared independent of changes in P(alb). This finding is consistent with a direct effect of cyclosporine on glomerular barrier function and/or that within this group of patients the variations in proteinuria are not reflected in changes in Palb because of its limits in terms of reproducibility and responsiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Time course and vectorial nature of albumin metabolism in isolated perfused rabbit PCT.

The time course and vectorial nature of renal metabolism of albumin (Alb) were studied. The tubular absorption, accumulation, and hydrolysis of Alb and the release of the hydrolysis products were determined in the isolated rabbit proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) perfused with tritiated Alb ([3H3C]Alb) at 36.4 micrograms/ml. The Alb absorption across the apical membrane was constant (99.9 +/- 4.9 x 10(-3) ng.min-1.mm-1). In contrast, the accumulation and hydrolysis of Alb in the cells increased nonlinearly with time. The bulk of the tritium that accumulated in the cells was associated with intact [3H3C]Alb. Only the final hydrolysis products were released from the cells and these first appeared in the peritubular bath 6-7 min after the start of perfusion of the tubule with [3H3C]Alb. The hydrolysis product was not detectable in the tubule lumen. The proteolytic activity correlated linearly with the protein load to the cells, characteristic of first-order kinetics and a high-capacity system. The results suggest that the renal tubular handling of proteins proceeds from the apical to the basolateral aspect of the cell. The transcellular processing of Alb is rapid and can occur in 6-7 min. The accumulation of intact protein in the cell and the first-order kinetics of hydrolysis of the absorbed protein suggest that the rate-limiting step in proximal tubular handling of proteins may include the initial hydrolysis of protein or reside in steps that precede the hydrolysis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Albumin adducts of naphthalene metabolites as biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

We investigated the utility of adducts formed by the reaction of the naphthalene metabolites naphthalene-1,2-oxide, 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NPQ), and 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NPQ) with serum albumin (Alb) as biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cysteinyl serum Alb adducts of 1,2- and 1,4-NPQ (1,2-NPQ-Alb and 1,4-NPQ-Alb, respectively) but not of naphthalene-1,2-oxide were detected in 28 coke oven workers and 22 controls from the steel industry of northern China. The median level of 1,2-NPQ-Alb in coke oven workers (76.6 pmol/g) was significantly higher than that observed in controls (44.9 pmol/g; P = 0.0027). However, the median level of 1,4-NPQ-Alb in exposed subjects was not significantly different from that of controls (48.6 versus 44.2 pmol/g; P = 0.296). Levels of 1,2-NPQ-Alb were significantly correlated with exposure category (controls, side and bottom workers, and top-of-oven workers) as well as with previously measured levels of urinary naphthalene, 1- and 2-naphthol, and 1-pyrenol in these subjects. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 35% of the variation in 1,2-NPQ-Alb could be explained by the work category and age. A negative relationship between 1,2-NPQ-Alb and age was observed, suggesting that cytochrome P450 c metabolism diminished with age at approximately 3%/year of life.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Enhanced S-nitroso-albumin formation from inhaled NO during ischemia/reperfusion.

In the present study, we investigated whether inhaled nitric oxide (NO) was transported by plasma proteins, such as S-nitroso-albumin (SNO-Alb), in the feline circulation and whether this molecule delivers NO to the periphery under conditions of stress, specifically ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). A flow probe was interposed between the femoral and superior mesenteric artery for blood flow measurements, and a branch of the superior mesenteric vein was cannulated for arterial-venous sampling. In animals breathing room air, SNO-Alb was below detection level in arterial or venous blood. NO inhalation resulted in a significant arterial-venous gradient for SNO-Alb. Concomitant with this loss of SNO-Alb across the intestinal vasculature was an increase in nitrite (NO2-). However, this release of NO was not sufficient to alter intestinal blood flow. I/R during NO inhalation caused a very large increase in arterial SNO-Alb that permitted a 5-fold increase in SNO-Alb consumption and significant generation of NO2- within the postischemic intestinal vasculature. The increased SNO-Alb consumption was sufficient to dramatically improve intestinal blood flow. The very large burst of arterial SNO-Alb during I/R was completely blocked by the administration of superoxide dismutase, suggesting that oxidative stress contributed to the increased SNO-Alb formation. Our data suggest that inhaled NO can increase nitrosothiol production and these molecules may be a functional NO delivery system during cardiovascular disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

The use of albumin preparations during surgery.

New guidelines for the clinical use of blood preparations intended to promote more rational use were issued by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare in June 1999. The purpose of this article is to clarify the current situation in the use of albumin (Alb) preparations during surgery and to design a plan to promote the rational use of these products at Yamaguchi University Hospital. Of the patients administered Alb preparations during surgery in our hospital over the 6 month period from January 1 to June 30, 1999, 158 were selected based on prescription records of plasma component preparations. Most of the patients (63%) were 60 years old or over. The total amount of Alb administered to the patients was 6150 g. Those patients, whose postoperative serum Alb concentration was lower than 3, 3 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4, and more than 4 g/dl, numbered 60, 45, 21, and 23, respectively. The total amount of Alb overdosed to the patients, whose postoperative Alb concentration was more than 3 g/dl, was 2282 g (37% of the administered Alb). The overdosed patients mainly belonged to the Cardiovascular Surgery Division and were treated with a pump-oxygenator during surgery. Three bottles (37.5 g) of concentrated Alb had usually been used to prime the perfusate. These results indicate that it is possible to cut back on Alb by reconsidering the criteria for its administration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effect of anthelmintic treatment on sexual maturation in prepubertal beef heifers.

Heifers treated with ivermectin at weaning have been reported to reach puberty at a younger age and lighter weight than untreated heifers. We tested the hypothesis that heifers administered ivermectin would respond with earlier follicular development and a greater LH response to a 1-mg estradiol-17beta challenge (E2C) than untreated heifers. Fall-born Angus heifers (n = 32) were randomly assigned on 284 +/- 9 d of age (215.5 +/- 20.8 kg) to receive ivermectin (IVR) or albendazole (ALB), IVR + ALB, or to remain as untreated controls (CONT). Each group (n = 8) was housed separately in adjacent pens throughout the trial and managed to gain .8 kg/heifer on a ration containing 13.2% CP, 58.8% TDN, and 49.9% DM. The CONT heifers received an additional 2.27 kg/heifer of corn silage and 1.59 kg/heifer of corn daily to maintain ADG at comparable levels. Individual body weight was recorded weekly, and nematode eggs per gram (EPG) of feces were measured every 21 d. Ultrasonography was performed on alternate days starting 2 wk prior to E2C to characterize follicular wave patterns. Follicles were separated into classes (C1 [3 to 5 mm], C2 [6 to 9 mm], and C3 [10 mm]) and sizes (largest [LF], second [SLF], third [TLF], and fourth largest follicles [FLF]). The sizes of the regressing dominant follicle 1 (DF1) and the progressing dominant follicle 2 (DF2) were also determined. Serum concentrations of LH were determined from hourly jugular blood samples collected 8 to 24 h after injection of E2C. The IVR + ALB treatment group had more C3 follicles than ALB and CONT (P < .07). The IVR-treated heifers had larger TLF than ALB and CONT (P < .04). The IVR- and IVR + ALB-treated heifers had larger FLF and DF2 than ALB and CONT (P < .1). Least squares means for DF2 were 9.5 +/- .5, 8.0 +/- .4, 9.5 +/- .3 and 8.3 +/- .3 mm, for IVR, ALB, IVR + ALB and CONT, respectively (P = .02 for treatment effect). The E2C-induced serum LH concentration did not differ with respect to treatment. We conclude that heifers administered IVR display increased follicular development, supporting our earlier investigations regarding reduced age at puberty in heifers treated with IVR near weaning.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A pitfall in determining the globulin/albumin ratio in amaranth grains.

In amaranth grains (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Amaranthus cruentus L.), there were two albumin (Alb) fractions, Alb-1 and Alb-2; Alb-1 was extracted with water or 0.5 M NaCl, and Alb-2 was extracted with water after extracting Alb-1 and globulin. The amount of Alb-2 comprised about 30% of the total albumin and globulin content. Little or no measurable protein corresponding to the amaranth Alb-2 was extracted from seeds of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.), or barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Sekitorisai-1). That the globulin/albumin ratio (G/A) in amaranth grains has been conflicting among investigators probably accounts for the consideration of Alb-2 during extraction. We here report the revised G/A ratio of 0.3-0.4.

Albumins↗
PubMed2001

[Efficacy of albendazole immunoliposome against echinococcosis granulosus in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of albendazole immunoliposome (IL-Alb) against Echinococcus granulosus. METHODS: Mice infected with protoscolices of E. granulosus were divided into five groups. Four groups were treated with albendazole (Alb), albendazole liposome (L-Alb), albendazole sulfoxide liposome (L-Albso), and IL-Alb respectively at a dosage of 100 mg (Alb)/(kg.d) x 5 d for 3 courses. The fifth group was established as control. The major criteria for evaluating the effects included a reduction rate of E. granulosus tissue wet weight, histopathological examination of the cysts by both light microscopy and electron-microscopy, and the content of albendazole-sulfoxide in cysts detected by HPLC. RESULTS: The efficacy of albendazole immunoliposome was significantly higher than that of albendazole liposome, and much higher than that of albendazole. The reduction rates of cyst tissue weight of IL-Alb group, L-Alb group and Alb group were 91.5%, 80.3%, 61.2% respectively as compared to control group; the concentration of Albso in cyst tissue of the above groups were 5.15 micrograms/g, 2.18 micrograms/g, 0.76 microgram/g respectively (P < 0.01). The histopathological damages of cysts were also found most severely in the group of IL-Alb. CONCLUSION: Immunoliposome as a targeting carrier may significantly strengthen the therapeutic effect of albendazole on echinococcosis granulosus.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1992

ras transformation of simian virus 40-immortalized rat hepatocytes: an in vitro model of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Primary rat hepatocytes were transfected with simian virus 40 DNA and cultured in a chemically defined medium. Proliferating colonies developed after 2-3 weeks. Three cell lines were established by cloning albumin-secreting colonies, as identified by an immunooverlay assay. Two of the cell lines, ALB-6 and ALB-8, expressed all five liver-specific mRNAs studied, albumin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and histidase. ALB-6 cells were nontumorigenic in nude mice while ALB-8 cells were weakly tumorigenic with only one of four injected nude mice developing a slowly growing tumor. Further transfection of ALB-6 and ALB-8 cells with an activated c-Ha-ras or N-ras oncogene resulted in strongly tumorigenic cells. The tumors induced by ras-transformed ALB-6 cells were moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. The tumors derived from ras-transformed ALB-8 cells were poorly differentiated, while the slowly growing tumors induced by untransfected or control DNA-transfected ALB-8 cells were well-differentiated trabecular hepatocellular carcinomas, suggesting histological dedifferentiation of cells following ras transformation. However, the synthetic capabilities of the cells were not lost in that the ras-transfected cultures and the tumors induced by ras-transformed cells retained the ability to synthesize the five liver-specific mRNAs. Thus we have developed an in vitro model of carcinogenesis in which, by sequential exposure to SV40 DNA and a ras oncogene, primary rat hepatocytes are transformed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of benzimidazole compounds on mice infected with secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus.

The effects of mebendazole (Meb), albendazole (Alb) and albendazole sulfoxide (AlbSO) on metacestodes of Echinococcus granulosus have been studied. The results show that Meb and Alb exhibit less effect on protoscoleces in vitro, but in vivo the protoscolicidal effect of Meb is higher than that of Alb. Both Meb and Alb are efficacious in the treatment of mice infected with secondary cysts of E. granulosus. In terms of the minimal effective dose required, the occurrence of collapsed and shrunk cysts after treatment, the drug-induced damage on the germinal layer and the relationship between the drug content in the cyst wall and the damage of germinal layer, the effect of Meb on metacestodes of E. granulosus is higher than that of Alb. The results also indicated that lower drug absorption rate and thickening of the adventitia during longer disease course are the two major factors affecting the efficacy of Meb and Alb, hence suggesting that increase of Meb absorption may be expected to raise the therapeutic effect of the drug. Finally, Alb is not only metabolized to AlbSo and AlbSP in vivo, but also metabolized by the cysts exposed to Alb in vitro. Experimental chemotherapy showed that AlbSO is the major effective metabolite of Alb, and its curative dose is only one half of the parent compound.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1993

[Clinical significance of microalbuminuria in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

In order to make an estimate of clinical significance of microalbuminuria (MAU) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we studied MAU in 138 patients with RA without macroalbuminuria. MAU was assayed by double-antibody RIA in the ambulatory urine. Moreover, urinary (U) beta 2-microglobulin (BMG) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were simultaneously measured. The values for MAU/U-creatinine (U-Alb index) in patients with RA, osteoarthropathy (OA) and normal controls were 25.7 +/- 38.2, 11.4 +/- 11.5 and 7.7 +/- 3.5, respectively, and U-Alb indices in patients with RA were significantly higher than U-Alb indices in patients with OA and normal controls. Especially, in patients with RA receiving lovenzarit disodium and gold sodium thiomalate (GST), U-Alb indices were elevated. U-Alb indices were not correlated with clinical findings in RA. Also, U-Alb indices were not correlated with U-BMG indices and U-NAG indices in patients with RA. In serial measurements of U-Alb index, U-BMG index and U-NAG index in a patient with RA who developed massive macroalbuminuria during GST therapy, it was found that U-Alb index was elevated first, followed by U-NAG index and finally U-BMG index was elevated. These results indicate that U-Alb indices are elevated in patients with RA without macroalbuminuria, and serial measurements of MAU in patients with RA, especially receiving disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, are useful for the detection of subclinical glomerular injury.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed2003

Carcinoembryonic antigen and albumin predict survival in patients with advanced colon and rectal cancer.

HYPOTHESIS: Patients with stage IV colon or rectal cancer at initial diagnosis have characteristics that will predict subsequent survival time. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Urban county teaching hospital providing tertiary care. PATIENTS: Patients who came to the study institution with stage IV colon or rectal cancer between 1991-1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival duration (days) after diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred five patients were identified, with a median survival of 225 days (interquartile range, 72-688 days). Univariate analysis identified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and albumin (ALB) as possible predictors for survival. Classification and regression tree analysis, a form of binary recursive partitioning, was used to identify optimal cut points for CEA (275 ng/mL) and ALB (2.7 g/dL) levels. Based on the cut points, patients were stratified into the following groups: (1) low CEA, high ALB; (2) low CEA, low ALB; (3) high CEA, high ALB; and (4) high CEA, low ALB. The median survival times for the first group and the fourth group were 287 days (interquartile range, 150-851 days) and 39 days (interquartile range, 14-168 days), respectively. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed, and a statistically significant difference was identified across all strata (P =.004). Additionally, groups 1 and 4 demonstrated the largest overall survival difference (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage IV colon and rectal cancer with a CEA level greater than or equal to 275 ng/mL and an ALB level less than 2.7 g/dL had a significantly shorter survival time. Conversely, patients with an ALB level greater than or equal to 2.7 g/dL and a CEA level less than 275 ng/mL had a longer survival time.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Development of SCAR markers for the DNA-based detection of the Asian long-horned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky).

DNA markers were identified for the molecular detection of the Asian long-horned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Mot.), based on sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs) derived from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments. A 2,740-bp DNA fragment that was present only in ALB and not in other Cerambycids was identified after screening 230 random primers in a PCR-based assay system. Three pairs of nested 22-mer oligonucleotide primers were designed on the basis of the sequence of this fragment and were used to perform diagnostic PCR. The first pair of primers (SCAR1) amplified a single 745-bp fragment of ALB DNA, but this did not differentiate ALB from other species. The other two pairs of SCAR primers (SCAR2 and SCAR3) amplified bands of 1,237- and 2,720-bp, respectively, that were capable of differentiating ALB from other closely related non-native and native Cerambycids, such as A. chinensis (Forster), A. malasiaca (Thomson), A. nobilis (Ganglbauer), Monochamus scutellatus (Say), Plectrodera scalator (Fab), Saperda tridentata (Olivier), and Graphisurus fasciatus (Degeer). The latter two SCAR markers could be amplified using DNA extracted from body parts of ALB such as the wing, the leg, and the antennae as well as tissues from all the developmental stages including the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. These markers were also capable of identifying ALB using the DNA extracted from frass. Our results demonstrate that the SCAR markers we have identified can be used for unambiguously identifying ALB from other closely related Cerambycids using a simple PCR procedure.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of therapeutic regimen of anticysticercal drugs for parenchymal brain cysticercosis.

The efficacy of different regimens of therapy for parenchymal brain cysticercosis either with praziquantel (PZQ) or with albendazole (ALB) was compared in 114 patients. Four schemes of treatment were used: PZQ 50 mg/kg per day for 15 days, PZQ 50 mg/kg per day for 8 days, ALB 15 mg/kg per day for 30 days, and ALB 15 mg/kg per day for 8 days. Three months after therapy, it was apparent that both PZQ and ALB were effective, as shown by the disappearance of cystic lesions in computed tomographic scans. Thirty-three control patients followed for a mean of 11 months had no spontaneous remission of lesions. When comparing PZQ with ALB, the latter was found to be more effective than the former for both the full and the short course of treatment: 85% vs 60% and 85% vs 48% disappearance of lesions, respectively (P less than 0.001). Comparison of the full vs the short course of PZQ showed that the short course had a further 12% reduction in drug effectiveness. In contrast, the length of ALB therapy could be shortened without lessening its efficacy. Based on these results, an 8-day course of ALB is recommended as treatment for parenchymal brain cysticercosis; a 15-day course of PZQ could be subsequently used in those patients who show only partial response to ALB.

Adolescent↗