The lipocalin protein family is a large group of small extracellular proteins. The family demonstrates great diversity at the sequence level; however, most lipocalins share three characteristic conserved sequence motifs, the kernel lipocalins, while a group of more divergent family members, the outlier lipocalins, share only one. Belying this sequence dissimilarity, lipocalin crystal structures are highly conserved and comprise a single eight-stranded continuously hydrogen-bonded antiparallel beta-barrel, which encloses an internal ligand-binding site. Together with two other families of ligand-binding proteins, the fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABPs) and the avidins, the lipocalins form part of an overall structural superfamily: the calycins. Members of the lipocalin family are characterized by several common molecular-recognition properties: the ability to bind a range of small hydrophobic molecules, binding to specific cell-surface receptors and the formation of complexes with soluble macromolecules. The varied biological functions of the lipocalins are mediated by one or more of these properties. In the past, the lipocalins have been classified as transport proteins; however, it is now clear that the lipocalins exhibit great functional diversity, with roles in retinol transport, invertebrate cryptic coloration, olfaction and pheromone transport, and prostaglandin synthesis. The lipocalins have also been implicated in the regulation of cell homoeostasis and the modulation of the immune response, and, as carrier proteins, to act in the general clearance of endogenous and exogenous compounds.

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The lipocalin protein family: structure and function

by J. Biggs and C. Tang, Maidenhead, England,
Open University Press, 2007, 360 pp., £29.99, ISBN-13: 978-0-335-22126-4

Teaching for quality learning at university

Antibodies are host proteins that comprise one of the principal effectors of the adaptive immune system. Their utility has been harnessed as they have been and continue to be used extensively as a diagnostic and research reagent. They are also becoming an important therapeutic tool in the clinician's armamentarium to treat disease. Antibodies are utilized for analysis, purification, and enrichment, and to mediate or modulate physiological responses. This overview of the structure and function of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies describes features that distinguish one from the other. A limited review of their use as specific research, diagnostic, and therapeutic reagents and a list of printed and electronic resources that can be utilized to garner additional information on these topics are also included.

https://www.cytoluminator.com/cancer-photodynamic-therapy/polyclonal%20vs%20monoclonal%20antibodies.pdf

Monoclonal versus polyclonal antibodies: distinguishing characteristics, applications, and information resources.

Objectives: To assess whether smoking is a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design: Meta-analysis. Method: Data sources were observational studies that examined the association between smoking history and the risk of developing RA identified through Medline and EMBASE (from 1966 to December 2006), relevant books and a reference search. Two authors independently extracted the following: authors’ names, publication year, sample size, participant characteristics, odds ratios (OR) or relative risks, adjustment factors, study design and area where the study was conducted. Data syntheses were based upon random effects model. Summarised syntheses effects were expressed by OR. Results: Sixteen studies were selected from among 433 articles. For men, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 1.89 (95% CI 1.56 to 2.28), 1.87 (1.49 to 2.34) and 1.76 (1.33 to 2.31), respectively. For rheumatoid factor-positive (RF+) RA, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 3.02 (2.35 to 3.88), 3.91 (2.78 to 5.50) and 2.46 (1.74 to 3.47), respectively. Summary OR for 20 or more pack-years of smoking was 2.31 (1.55 to 3.41). For women, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 1.27 (1.12 to 1.44), 1.31 (1.12 to 1.54) and 1.22 (1.06 to 1.40), respectively. For RF+ RA, summary OR for ever, current and past smokers were 1.34 (0.99 to 1.80), 1.29 (0.94 to 1.77) and 1.21 (0.83 to 1.77). Summary OR for 20 or more pack-years of smoking was 1.75 (1.52 to 2.02). Conclusion: Smoking is a risk factor for RA, especially RF+ RA men and heavy smokers.

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Impact of smoking as a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common form of female infertility in the United States. In addition to poor conception rates, pregnancy loss rates are high (30 –50%) during the first trimester. We hypothesized that hyperinsulinemic insulin resistance contributes to early pregnancy loss in the syndrome, and that decreasing hyperinsulinemic insulin resistance with metformin during pregnancy would reduce the rate of early pregnancy loss. We conducted a retrospective study of all women with polycystic ovary syndrome who were seen in an academic endocrinology clinic within the past 4.5 yr and who became pregnant during that time. Sixty-five women received metformin during pregnancy (metformin group) and 31women did not (control group). The early pregnancy loss rate in the metformin group was 8.8% (6 of 68 pregnancies), as compared with 41.9% (13 of 31 pregnancies) in the control group (P < 0.001). In the subset of women in each group with a prior history of miscarriage, the early pregnancy loss rate was 11.1% (4 of 36 pregnancies) in the metformin group, as compared with 58.3% (7 of 12 pregnancies) in the control group (P 0.002). Metformin administration during pregnancy reduces firsttrimester pregnancy loss in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87: 524 –529, 2002)

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Effects of Metformin on Early Pregnancy Loss in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Identification of placental protein 14 as an immunosuppressive factor in human reproduction.

Background: With 360° appraisals integral to professional life, learning how to give constructive feedback is an essential generic skill.Aim: To use a formative objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for skills acquisition and development in giving feedback, whilst facilitating awareness of the importance of communication skills in clinical practice.Methods: Medical and nursing students took part in a formative OSCE. Using actors as simulated patients, a three-station OSCE circuit was repeated three times so that students could rotate through the roles as ‘candidate’, ‘examiner’ and ‘observer’. As ‘candidates’, they received immediate feedback on their consultation from the ‘examiner’/‘observer’. The events were evaluated using a questionnaire and focus groups.Results: Students immensely valued this learning event for considering expectations for a performance (91–100%). Concerns around giving peers feedback were acknowledged, and they were divided on preference for feedback from peers or tutors...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/0142159X.2011.542522

Peer feedback as an aid to learning – What do we want? Feedback. When do we want it? Now!

2Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a classic example of anautoimmune disorder, with chronic inﬂammation of the synovialmembrane, and deterioration of cartilage and bone in theaffected joints. The resultant pain, loss of function andpermanent disability are also associated with increased morbidityand mortality. Although the symmetrical joint deformities area predominant characteristic, the disease has many systemicfeatures. Since the pivotal studies of Waaler [1], serumrheumatoid factor (RF) estimation has been a basic diagnosticaid, varying in popularity with changes in scientiﬁc trends andwith considerable controversy over its signiﬁcance. Yet 60yrlater it is still recommended as a prognostic indicator of diseaseactivity and progression in the adult and juvenile forms ofarthritis [2, 3]. Science moves in paradigms and for severaldecades T-lymphocytes have dominated the literature, but withthe devotion of persistent researchers, such as Jo Edwards, theB-lymphocyte has moved again to centre stage in the aetiologyand progression of RA. Moreover, a recent Delphi panel ofsenior rheumatologists concluded that the ‘highest value ever’ forserum RF levels was still the best laboratory indicator of diseaseseverity [4].

/pdf/rheumatoid-factors-what-s-new-sca4nfcp4a.pdf

Rheumatoid factors: what's new?

Dietary nucleotides, like glutamine, have attracted attention as a key ingredient missing from nutritional formulae for many years. They are the building blocks of tissue RNA and DNA and of ATP and their presence in breast milk has stimulated research in babies which has indicated that supplementation of infant formula milk leads to improved growth and reduced susceptibility to infection. Animal studies have confirmed some of these data. In particular, dietary nucleotides modulate immune function, promote faster intestinal healing and have trophic effects on the intestine of parenterally-fed rats which are similar to those resulting from glutamine supplementation, but at much lower intakes. Nucleotide supplementation has also been shown to improve some aspects of tissue recovery from ischaemia/reperfusion injury or radical resection. There is, however, a fundamental paradox. The intestine and liver possess powerful homeostatic mechanisms which degrade intake of purines and pyrimidines (i.e. salvage) and replace it with de novo synthesised output. It is possible that peripheral tissues receive only small amounts of nucleotides of dietary origin. Previously, nucleotides have been proposed as being conditionally-essential nutrients that provide an adequate supply of purines and pyrimidines for nucleic acid synthesis in neonates or in the stressed patient. This review explores this puzzle in the light of recent data from nutritional studies and from research into purinergic signalling in the intestine, heart and cells of the immune system. We propose that dietary nucleotides should be considered within a pharmacological and metabolic framework.

Nucleotides as immunomodulators in clinical nutrition.

Introduction to epitope mapping Synthetic peptides I pepscan assay to define antigenic determinants for antibodies (B cell Epitopes) Delineation of helper T cell epitopes and MHC Combined T and B cell epitopes Cytotoxic T cell eptitopes Peptide mimic libraries Steric competition mapping Oligosaccharide libraries Phage display libraries Site-directed mutagenesis

Olwyn M. R. Westwood

Papers

Identification of placental protein 14 as an immunosuppressive factor in human reproduction.

Peer feedback as an aid to learning – What do we want? Feedback. When do we want it? Now!

Rheumatoid factors: what's new?

Nucleotides as immunomodulators in clinical nutrition.

Epitope mapping : a practical approach