CD127 and CD25 expression defines CD4+ T cell subsets that are differentially depleted during HIV infection.

Decreased CD4(+) T cell counts are the best marker of disease progression during HIV infection. However, CD4(+) T cells are heterogeneous in phenotype and function, and it is unknown how preferential depletion of specific CD4(+) T cell subsets influences disease severity. CD4(+) T cells can be classified into three subsets by the expression of receptors for two T cell-tropic cytokines, IL-2 (CD25) and IL-7 (CD127).

Intracavity testing of KTiOPO4 crystals for second-harmonic generation at 532 nm.

We have developed a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 cw laser for testing KTiOPO4 crystals designed for intracavity second-harmonic generation at 532 nm. We demonstrate that this source is extremely sensitive to defects inside the crystal, inducing losses at 1064 nm and an index mismatch between fundamental and harmonic waves.

Two-wavelength carbon dioxide laser application for in-vitro blood glucose measurements.

To develop a fast and easy clinical method for glucose measurements on whole blood samples, changes in glucose spectra are investigated varying temperature, glucose concentration, and solvent using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR- FTIR) measurements. The results show a stability of the spectra at different temperatures and wavelength shifts of the absorption bands when water is replaced by blood. Because the ATR measurements are influenced by sedimentation of the red blood cells, a two-wavelength CO2 laser is used to determine the glucose concentration in whole blood samples.

Use of FLIPR membrane potential dyes for validation of high-throughput screening with the FLIPR and microARCS technologies: identification of ion channel modulators acting on the GABA(A) receptor.

Fluorometric imaging plate reader (FLIPR) membrane potential dyes (FMP-Red-Dye and FMP-Blue-Dye) were evaluated for the detection of compounds acting either as positive allosteric modulators or agonists on the GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R). A stable HEK293 cell line with constitutive expression of the rat GABA(A)R alpha1, beta2, and gamma2 genes was used to establish a functional high-throughput screening (HTS) assay based on measurement of the membrane potential change in living cells. The assay was validated with the FLIPR technology for identification of agonists and positive allosteric modulators using GABA and diazepam as model compounds.

Nestin expression in repopulating mesangial cells promotes their proliferation.

We investigated whether the intermediate filament protein and neural stem cell marker nestin characterizes the glomerular progenitor/reserve cell population immigrating the glomerulus after mesangial cell (MC) injury in the rat (anti-Thy1 nephritis). Nestin expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR during anti-Thy1 nephritis. Migration and proliferation assays were used to characterize the function of nestin in isolated MCs after nestin knockdown by siRNA.

Epidemiological characterization of individuals with newly reported HIV infection: South Carolina, 2004-2005.

Objectives: We used statewide data to assess HIV disease stage at initial diagnosis and laboratory indications for initiating antiretroviral therapy among South Carolina residents with newly diagnosed HIV infection.

Methods: Initial CD4+ counts and viral loads among individuals diagnosed with HIV between May 2004 and April 2005 were categorized according to current staging and treatment guidelines.

Results: Of 759 individuals who had a CD4+ count reported, 34% and 56% had counts of 200 cells/mm(3) or below and 350 cells/mm(3) or below, respectively.

Proving and therapeutic experiments in the HomBRex basic homeopathy research database.

The HomBRex database of basic research experiments on homeopathy indexes studies on biological systems including animal, human, plant, fungi and microbial organisms. Its objective is to index proving and therapeutic experiments on the Similia Principle and the role of dilution and succussion of substances in experimental biologic systems. The database was analyzed when it contained more than 1100 experiments in more than 900 original articles.

Classification of systems and methods used in biological basic research on homeopathy.

The HomBRex database indexes basic research on homeopathy (www.carstens-stiftung.de/hombrex).

Laser damage resistance of RbTiOPO(4): evidence of polarization dependent anisotropy.

Nanosecond-laser induced damage of RbTiOPO(4) crystals (RTP) has been studied at 1064 nm as a function of propagation direction and polarization orientation. A significant difference in the Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) was observed for x-cut and y-cut crystals in Pockels cell configuration, where the light propagation direction is along the x and y axes of the crystal respectively. In Pockels cell configuration the polarization is oriented at 45? with respect to the z-axis of the crystal.

Selective high-affinity ligand antibody mimics for cancer diagnosis and therapy: initial application to lymphoma/leukemia.

Purpose: More than two decades of research and clinical trials have shown radioimmunotherapy to be a promising approach for treating various forms of cancer. Lym-1 antibody, which binds selectively to HLA-DR10 on malignant B-cell lymphocytes, has proved to be effective in delivering radionuclides to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia. Using a new approach to create small synthetic molecules that mimic the targeting properties of the Lym-1 antibody, a prototype, selective high-affinity ligand (SHAL), has been developed to bind to a unique region located within the Lym-1 epitope on HLA-DR10.

Recombinant expression of the beta-subunit of HLA-DR10 for the selection of novel lymphoma targeting molecules.

Selective high-affinity ligands (SHALs) were selected as substitutes for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to deliver radioisotopes to malignant tumors. Because a SHAL (5 KD) is considerably smaller in comparison to an antibody (150 KD), a significant therapeutic index (TI) enhancement for radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is anticipated. The antibody-antigen (Ab-Ag) model system chosen for the development of SHALs consists of Lym-1, a MAb with proven selectivity in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients and its well-characterized Ag, the beta subunit of HLA DR10.

The in vitro evidence for an effect of high homeopathic potencies--a systematic review of the literature.

Objective: Systematic assessment of the in vitro research on high potency effects.

Method: Publications of experiments were collected through databases, experts, previous reviews, citation tracking.

Inclusion Criteria: stepwise agitated dilutions <10(-23); cells or molecules from human or animal.

Development of anti-MUC1 di-scFvs for molecular targeting of epithelial cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers.

Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a promising approach to increase the therapeutic index of RIT for malignant solid tumors. For pretargeted RIT of epithelial cancers, such as breast and prostate, mucin 1 (MUC1), the epithelial mucin, was chosen as a target antigen (Ag). Overexpression, hypoglycosylation and loss of apical distribution on the cellular membrane distinguish the tumor associated MUC1 from normal MUC1.

Impact of patient- and disease-specific factors on SLNB in breast cancer patients. Are current guidelines justified?

Background: The evidence on which to base guidelines for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer is still limited. In order to facilitate the further implementation of renewed guidelines, we evaluated patient- and disease-specific factors for their impact on the results of SLNB.

Materials And Methods: Prospective data acquisition from patients undergoing surgery for primary invasive breast cancer was performed.

Non-compliance in surveillance for patients with previous resection of large (> or = 1 cm) colorectal adenomas.

Aim: To assess the extent and reasons of non-compliance in surveillance for patients undergoing polypectomy of large (> or = 1 cm) colorectal adenomas.

Methods: Between 1995 and 2002, colorectal adenomas > or = 1 cm were diagnosed in 210 patients and subsequently documented at the Erlangen Registry of Colorectal Polyps. One hundred and fifty-eight patients (75.

Sulfonylureas and glinides exhibit peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activity: a combined virtual screening and biological assay approach.

Most drugs currently employed in the treatment of type 2 diabetes either target the sulfonylurea receptor stimulating insulin release (sulfonylureas, glinides), or target the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARgamma) improving insulin resistance (thiazolidinediones). Our work shows that sulfonylureas and glinides additionally bind to PPARgamma and exhibit PPARgamma agonistic activity. This activity was predicted in silico by virtual screening and confirmed in vitro in a binding assay, a transactivation assay, and by measuring the expression of PPARgamma target genes.

Recombinant antibodies: from the laboratory to the clinic.

The development of recombinant antibodies has facilitated the exploitation of the Ab-Ag interaction specificity for targeted therapies. A fully human antibody, with custom integrated designs, can be obtained in one-third the time, compared to development of antibodies by hybridoma technology. Recombinant antibodies can be tailored for specific applications, "armed" with cytotoxic agents in a controllable fashion, and used for extracellular and intracellular targeting.

Mid-term results of Ross procedure: our limited experience.

From February 1995 to February 2005, 30 patients underwent the Ross procedure with the root replacement technique. There were 20 males (66.7%) and 10 females (33.

[Severe colitis due to Histoplasma capsulatum in an AIDS patient].

The case of a thirty-two-year-old female HIV-positive patient from Ghana admitted with a septic illness, diarrhoea, anaemia, and severe weight loss is presented. During an extensive diagnostic work-up Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and typhoid fever were detected. Specific treatment led to marked improvement in the patient's condition.

Characterization of MUC1 glycoprotein on prostate cancer for selection of targeting molecules.

MUC1 glycoprotein that is overexpressed in aberrant forms in epithelial cancers has been used for diagnosis, staging and therapy. As normal prostate and prostate cancer tissues express MUC1, it represents a potential target, but MUC1 epitopes specific to prostate cancer have not been well characterized. In order to assess MUC1 epitopes in prostate cancer, and their correlation with Gleason grades, binding of 7 well-characterized anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (BrE-3, SM3, BC2, EMA, B27.

Variation in Trypanosoma cruzi clonal composition detected in blood patients and xenodiagnosis triatomines: implications in the molecular epidemiology of Chile.

To identify Trypanosoma cruzi clones from chronically infected individuals, they were transferred to triatomines by the xenodiagnosis test (XD) with Triatoma infestans. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization assays were performed to detect minicircle DNA in human blood samples and triatomine feces, using probes to determine the T. cruzi clones present.

Does potentized HgCl2 (Mercurius corrosivus) affect the activity of diastase and alpha-amylase?

Background: Homeopathic drugs even with dilutions beyond 10(23) (high potencies) are frequently used, although their working mechanism is still unknown. Curative information preserved in solvent structure is postulated to exert biologic effects.

Objective: The objective was to test for a stimulating or inhibiting effect of high potencies of the homeopathic remedy HgCl2 (Mercurius corrosivus) on two sugar hydrolases.

Real time 3D (4D) ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy of solid tumours.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of real-time 3D (4D) ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Materials And Methods: Between 2003 and 2005, 53 patients with suspicious lymph nodes or solid tumours underwent 4D ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy using a 4D US-System (Voluson 730, GE/Kretztechnik, Austria). The results were documented prospectively and compared to a matched series of 53 conventional 2D ultrasound-guided core biopsies.