Showing papers on "Blood serum published in 1982"

Acid-Labile Human Leukocyte Interferon in Homosexual Men with Kaposi's Sarcoma and Lymphadenopathy

Abstract: Some immunologic parameters in homosexual patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) or unexplained lymphadenopathy resemble findings in patients with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Many patients with SLE have an unusual acid-labile form of human leukocyte interferon (HuIFN-alpha) in their serum. Sera from 91 homosexual men were tested for the presence of HuIFN. Of 27 patients with KS, 17 had significant titers of HuIFN in their serum. Ten of 35 patients with lymphadenopathy and three of four patients with other clinical symptoms also had circulating HuIFN. In contrast, only two of 25 apparently healthy subjects had serum HuIFN. All 32 samples of HuIFN had antiviral activity on bovine cells, a characteristic of HuIFN-alpha, and all of 14 representative samples tested were neutralized by antibody to HuIFN-alpha. In addition, the HuIFN-alpha in six of eight representative patients was inactivated at pH 2 and therefore appears to be similar to the HuIFN-alpha found in patients with SLE. These findings suggest that an autoimmune disorder may underly lymphadenopathy and KS in homosexual men.

Absorption Kinetics and Biologic Effects of Subcutaneously Injected Insulin Preparations

Abstract: This paper describes systematic studies on the absorption kinetics of exogenous insulin from its subcutaneous tissue depot in 52 male nonobese volunteers (age 20-30 yr). Five experimental protocols were used: effect of changing injection site, effect of temperature change and local massage, effect of aprotinin and human serum, effect of mixing regular insulin with long-acting insulin preparations, and effect of temperature change, muscular exercise, and local massage on the absorption of long-acting insulin preparations. The fastest absorption of insulin occurred at the abdominal injection. Absorption after arm injection was faster than after thigh injection. A hot bath and local massage dramatically increased serum insulin levels in the first 90 min after injection; in contrast, a cold bath delayed absorption substantially. Both aprotinin and the subjects' own blood serum mixed with insulin caused a marked acceleration of the insulin absorption process. Absorption kinetics of two neutral regular insulins (Actrapid and Leo Regular) were virtually identical. Mixing Actrapid with Monotard caused higher serum insulin levels than the mixture of Leo Regular with NPH. A time lag of 5 min between the mixing of Actrapid and Monotard and the injection caused a delayed rise of serum insulin levels; in contrast, this delay could not be observed when Leo Regular and NPH were mixed. Volunteers performed bicycle exercise, applied a hot water bottle to the injection site, or rubbed the injection site 2 1/2 h after injection of long-acting insulin. Accelerated absorption of insulin was only observed after local massage of the injection site of Monotard, Leo NPH, and Mixtard. Local heat had no effect. Exercise caused only an increased absorption of insulin after the Mixtard injection but not after Monotard or NPH injection. These findings have clinical significance and should not be without potential benefit in the attempt to improve metabolic control in insulin-treated diabetic patients.

Secretory and systemic immunological response in children infected with live attenuated influenza A virus vaccines.

Abstract: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure isotype-specific antibody to purified hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus, using serum and nasal-wash specimens from young children undergoing primary infection with live cold-adapted influenza A/Alaska/77 (H3N2) or A/Hong Kong/77 (H1N1) candidate vaccine virus. The serum antibody response followed the pattern expected for a primary viral infection. Each of 17 vaccinated children had a serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) HA antibody response, 16 had an IgM antibody response, and 13 had an IgA antibody response. Nasal-wash HA antibody was detected in the IgA, IgM, and IgG isotypes. Of the 17 vaccinated children, 14 had an IgA response, 13 had an IgM response, and 9 had an IgG response. Most of the IgA and IgM HA antibody was actively secreted locally, whereas only some of the IgG HA antibody could be shown to be actively secreted into the respiratory tract. There was a good correlation between the level of nasal-wash antibodies measured by the HA-specific IgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by a plaque neutralization assay. These data indicate that intranasal vaccination of susceptible children with live, attenuated, cold-adapted influenza A viruses efficiently stimulates both systemic and local antibody responses.

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) of serum corticosterone in rats.

Abstract: A radioimmunoassay for corticosterone was developed and characterized using corticosterone antiserum (377, Niswende) and a simple ethanol extraction procedure. The antiserum appeared to be highly specific fo corticosterone. Intraassay variability was 3.67 +- 0.75% (mean +- SE) at 50 pg of corticosterone; interassay variability with a mean value of 51.15 pg was 6.98 +- 1.01%. Assay sensitivity was 9.48 +- 0.60 pg. Utilizing this assay, serum obtained from adrenalectomized and adrenalectomized-ovariectomized rats yielded lower corticosterone values than serum from intact or ovariectomized rats. Intact females had lower corticosterone values than intact males. Rats exposed to elevated temperature (32.5/sup 0/) displayed significantly (P < 0.001) elevated plasma corticosterone levels (48.48 +- 4.37 ..mu..g/100 ml) compared to control (24.5/sup 0/) animals (21.31 +- 2.02 ..mu..g/100 ml). The high specificity, sensitivity, precision, recovery level, and ease of this technique make it useful for the study of either serum or plasma corticosterone.

Serum resistance among Escherichia coli strains causing urinary tract infection in relation to O type and the carriage of hemolysin, colicin, and antibiotic resistance determinants.

Abstract: The sensitivity to normal human serum of 91 smooth strains of Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections was determined. Production of hemolysin, which was common and associated primarily with the types O4, O6, O18, and O75, was significantly correlated with high levels of serum resistance, both within the total population and within individual O types. In contrast, serum resistance was not significantly associated with antibiotic resistance (whether transmissible or not), with colicinogeny in general, or with colicin V production in particular. This indicates that the carriage of R and ColV plasmids, shown previously to be capable of conferring increased levels of serum resistance on individual strains of E. coli isolated from other sources, does not play an important part in determining the serum sensitivity of the E. coli population involved in urinary tract infection.

Phylogenetic analysis of platelet-derived growth factor by radio-receptor assay.

Abstract: Competition between 125I-labeled platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and unlabeled PDGF forms the basis of a specific "radio-receptor assay" for quantifying PDGF in clotted blood serum Human clotted blood serum contains 15 ng/ml of PDGF by radio-receptor assay; this corresponds to a PDGF content of approximately 75 x 10(-5) pg per circulating platelet, a figure which is corroborated by purification data Clotted blood sera from mammals, lower vertebrates and marine invertebrates were screened for homologues of human PDGF by radio-receptor assay All tested specimens from phylum Chordata contain a mitogenic agent that competes with human PDGF for receptor binding Sera from tunicates down on the chordate line of evolution and sera from all tested animals on the arthropod line of development were negative The phylogenetic distribution of PDGF homologue does not correlate with platelet distribution since platelets and their precursor cell--the bone marrow megacaryocyte--are unique to the mammalian hematopoietic system One anatomical feature appearing coordinately with PDGF on the vertebrate line of development is a pressurized circulatory system The coincidental appearance of these features may lend support to the hypothesis that PDGF plays a role in maintenance and repair of the vascular lining in vivo

Humoral immune response in human syphilis to polypeptides of Treponema pallidum.

Abstract: A molecular characterization of the polypeptide antigens of Treponema pallidum reactive with sera from patients with different stages of syphilis is described. Polypeptides of motile, virulent T. pallidum, purified from rabbit testes, were separated on SDS polyacrylamide gels and electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose for antigenic analysis ("Western blotting"). Serum IgG from uninfected individuals reacts weakly with three polypeptides of 45,000, 33,000, and 30,000 m.w. In this study patients with primary syphilis have IgM antibody, and all patients with syphilis have IgG antibody to at least four polypeptides of 45,000, 33,000, 30,000, and 15,500 m.w. Antibody to polypeptides of 42,000 and 16,500 m.w. appear to be markers for nonprimary syphilis. These six polypeptides have been termed the major antigenic proteins (MAP) of T. pallidum. Those patients studied with secondary and early latent syphilis acquire antibody to a set of 16 additional polypeptide antigens. Those patients studied with late latent or late syphilis have antibody to a much smaller set of five or four antigens, respectively, in addition to MAP. The results suggest that a correlation exists between acquisition of antibody and the development of "chancre immunity." Additionally, the loss of antibody that characterizes late latent and late syphilis may be associated with the potential development of destructive late syphilis.

Seasonal changes in the levels of 11‐oxotestosterone and testosterone in the serum of male salmon, Salmo salar L., and their relationship to growth and maturation cycle

Abstract: Levels of 11-oxotestosterone (17 β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 11-dione) and testosterone in the blood serum of individually marked adult male Atlantic salmon held in captivity, were measured by radioimmunoassay at approximately monthly intervals for periods of up to 18 months. In addition to peak concentrations of both hormones shown by all the maturing fish at the time to full sexual maturation during October and November, a majority of maturing fish also showed a significant elevation of 11-oxotestosterone during the early months of the year. The possible involvement of this early elevation of 11-oxotestosterone in controlling the mitotic multiplication of spermatogonia is discussed. Weight and length increases expressed as specific values GW and GL and weight to length relationships for the maturing males for each sampling period are presented and compared with those of non-maturing fish.

Successful immunization with a totally synthetic diphtheria vaccine

Abstract: Three peptides corresponding to fragments of diphtheria toxin have been synthesized. They include the previously described tetradecapeptide and two structural analogs, the hexadecapeptide and the octadecapeptide. Conjugates of these peptides to proteins or a synthetic carrier have induced in guinea pig protection against the dermonecrotic activity of diphtheria toxin. All of the conjugates were immunogenic when administered either in complete Freund's adjuvant or with N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine in aqueous medium. Positive immune response toward the octadecapeptide was obtained in mice as well. In this case, the immunogenic combinations were conjugates with bovine serum albumin administered either in Freund's adjuvant or with the muramyl dipeptide and a complete synthetic conjugate comprising both the octadecapeptide and the muramyl dipeptide covalently attached to a synthetic carrier, multichain poly(DLAla). This last immunogen, which induced the most effective immune response, is a completely synthetic immunogen with built-in adjuvanticity and induces protective antitoxic immunity when administered in a physiological medium.

Serum antibodies and immunoglobulins in smokers and nonsmokers.

Abstract: Antibodies to antigens in humidifier water were detected by double immunodiffusion in 30 of 63 (47.6%) persons who were exposed to aerosols from a water humidification unit in a cigar plant, whereas no antibodies could be detected in 49 unexposed blood donors (P less than 0.001). The presence of antibodies could not be related to fever or pulmonary symptoms (cough, expectoration, dyspnoe). Antibodies were found in 14 (93.3%) of 15 nonsmokers and in only 13 (31.7%) of 41 smokers (P less than 0.001), and the titres were highest in nonsmokers. Serum IgG and IgA levels were higher in nonsmokers than in smokers, and the variances within the groups were significantly different (F less than 0.05 and F less than 0.05, respectively). The mean serum IgM values were not significantly different in the two groups. Antibodies to Candida albicans and Escherichia coli 04 and 075 were detected with equal prevalences and titres in smokers and nonsmokers. These findings suggest that tobacco smoking may suppress the humoral immune response to inhaled antigens but not to antigens which are supposed to be absorbed through membranes other than those of the bronchopulmonary system. They may partly explain the reported increased incidence of allergic alveolitis in nonsmokers.

Seasonal changes in growth rate, feed intake, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones in young male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Abstract: The levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and growth hormone (GH) in blood serum from young male reindeer have been measured and compared with changes in body weight and feed intake duri...

Transition Metal Oxide Gels and Colloids

Abstract: Gels and colloids are very widespread in nature. The familiar dessert jelly, the vitreous humor that fills the interior of the eye, marmalade, clays, india ink, milk, and blood serum are gels or colloids. They are also important intermediates in the manufacture of rubber and plastics, and are used in the laboratory for chromatography and electrophoresis. Gels and colloids have been studied for more than a century, and Graham (1861) is usually regarded as the founder of colloid science. Nevertheless, most of the physical chemistry of gels has been developed only during the last 40 years, mainly by Flory at Stanford University (1). These studies deal mostly with organic polymers. There is much less work on inorganic compounds (2) and, to our knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to review transition metal oxide gels and colloids. In that field, most of the work has been done by French groups during the last four years. The uniqueness of this work lies in its considering transition metal oxide gels as new materials having specific physical properties. A gel being a form of matter intermediate between liquid and solid, its electrical, optical, or magnetic properties could lead to new applications in the field of materials SCIence.

Radioimmunoassay for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A.

Abstract: A specific and highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for determination of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in human serum is described. The minimum detection limit for this protein was 2.9 micrograms/L. The within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were 4.0 and 4.5%, respectively. The circulating protein was detected within 32 days of conception in eight normal pregnancies and within 21 days in a twin pregnancy. Circulating concentrations in the mother at term were consistently higher (10-fold) than in matched amniotic fluid; none was detected in the umbilical circulation. This protein was also detected in the circulation of patients with hydatiform mole. This assay will permit investigations into the clinical evaluation of measurements of the protein during early pregnancy and trophoblastic disease.

Effects of temperature on antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria.

Abstract: The effects of variations in temperature within the physiologic range on minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and on the serum bactericidal activity of 17 different antimicrobial agents for 432 strains of bacteria were studied. Comparison of 3,053 experimental MICs performed at 41.5, 40, 38.5, 37, or 35 C with duplicate standard MICs performed at 35 C showed a progressive increase in antimicrobial activity as the temperature was raised within the experimental range. At the highest temperature (41.5 C), 17.1% of MICs were four or more times lower, 7% were eight or more times lower, and 2% were greater than or equal to 16 times lower than the standard MICs performed at 35 C. Binding to proteins in serum neither accentuated nor diminished the augmenting effect of temperature on antimicrobial activity. Comparison of serum bactericidal activity determined at 35 C and 40 C revealed similar hyperthermic augmentation of antimicrobial activity.

An improved ultrafiltration method for determining free testosterone in serum.

Abstract: In this method, we use the Amicon MPS-1 centrifugal ultrafiltration device and the YMB membrane in measuring free testosterone in serum. Two independent assays are combined: total testosterone and the ultrafiltrable fraction of added [3H]testosterone. The unbound fraction is determined in 0.15-0.5 mL ultrafiltrates of 0.6 to 1 mL of variably diluted serum that has been equilibrated with [3H]testosterone at 37 degrees C. The assay is rapid (less than 1 h), practicable (requires 0.6 mL of serum), and reproducible (CV 3.2% within assay, 3.9% between assays). Accuracy was evaluated as the fraction of free testosterone in the ultrafiltrate of dialyzed serum vs that in a prior dialysate; they were the same confirming the validity of the free testosterone measurement. Samples from ostensibly healthy men and women and from hirsute and pregnant women gave results that agreed with those obtained by equilibrium dialysis. Total testosterone concentrations for normal and hirsute women showed considerable overlap, but data on free testosterone concentrations in these populations were better resolved.