Dynamics of peptide binding to purified antibody-bound H-2Db and H-2Db beta 2m complexes.

Although it is clear that each component of the class I MHC trimolecular complex (heavy chain, beta 2m, and antigenic peptide) contributes to its formation and stability, the specific interaction governing assembly and disassembly remain to be clarified. In an effort to address these issues using purified H-2Db molecules, we used a solid-phase binding assay recently developed in our laboratory to quantify kinetic parameters for class I assembly and disassembly. It was found that the influenza NP peptide Y367-374 associated with preformed empty complexes of 28-14-8S- (i.

Changes in rat mesentery interstitial matrix due to superfusate.

Animal preparations for microscopy often require a superfusate solution to cover surgically exposed tissue. There are few, if any, data concerning the effects of this solution on extravascular protein concentration and hydration. The effect of superfusion on mesenteric tissue in anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats was studied.

Relationships among alterations in renal membrane sodium transport, renin and aminopeptidase M activities in genetic hypertension.

Rats of the Milan Hypertensive Strain (MHS) may be considered a useful model for understanding the genetic molecular mechanism underlying a primary form of hypertension in at least a subgroup of patients. Many differences between MHS and its normotensive control strain (MNS) were found at the organ, cellular and biochemical level. In the present investigation renal cell membrane proteins (BBMV) were analysed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and a difference between MHS and MNS was shown in a polypeptide of 32 kDa, subsequently identified as the C-terminal fragment of aminopeptidase M (APM).

The immunotargeting approach to adjuvant-independent immunization with influenza haemagglutinin.

By conjugating the bromelain fragment of the influenza virus haemagglutinin (BHA) to a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for a species-crossreactive, framework determinant on class II major histocompatibility complex molecules, the adjuvant-independent immunotargeting approach could be compared with more conventional immunizations involving Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) and alum, in different species. Both rabbits and ferrets made significant virus-blocking IgG responses to the immunotargeted BHA in the absence of adjuvant, and no adverse reactions were observed with the conjugate immunizations. As measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, these responses were equal to those observed with alum, and were approximately one-quarter of the level seen with FCA.

Adhesion-mediated enhancement of the adjuvant activity of alum.

Alum, the only adjuvant currently licensed for use in humans, fails to adsorb influenza virus haemagglutinin (BHA) and is a poor adjuvant for this antigen. A specific monoclonal anti-BHA antibody adsorbed to alum promoted adhesion of the antigen to the adjuvant. The 'alum-anti-BHA-BHA' complex was found to be 1500-fold more immunogenic in mice and 5-fold more immunogenic in rabbits than a mixture of alum and BHA lacking the anti-BHA antibody.

The effect of porcelain veneer extension on strength of metal ceramic crowns.

One goal in metal ceramic substructure design is strengthening the restoration. This investigation compared the strength of four metal ceramic crown designs advocated in the dental literature. Metal ceramic crowns were fabricated, luted to a master die, and loaded to failure on a mechanical testing machine.

Bromcresol green assay is nonspecific for rat plasma albumin.

Bromcresol green (BCG) assay has been used in microvascular studies to determine albumin in rat plasma. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that BCG overestimates rat plasma albumin partly because BCG binds to transferrin, a beta-globulin. The light absorbance of a transferrin-BCG reagent solution is shown to increase with time; appreciable binding occurs within a few seconds.

Long-term influence of divorce and single parenting on adolescent family- and work-related values, behaviors, and aspirations.

Following a summary of the relevant divorce research, this article examines possible long-term influences of both divorce and living with a single mother on the development of adolescents' values and plans. We examine how divorce affects children both directly and indirectly through its impact on the mother's resources, attitudes, and socialization goals. Particular focus is placed on those aspects of family interaction that impact on identity formation as it is linked to educational and occupational goals and to gender-role related behaviors associated with marriage, family, and job plans.

Genetic Variation in the Timing of Gonadal Maturation and Spawning of the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin).

The gonadal cycles of four groups of eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), including native stocks collected that year and inbred strains (reared in Delaware Bay for 5-6 generations) from both Long Island Sound and Delaware Bay, were compared in Delaware Bay in 1987. Inbred strains resembled their respective native stocks; both Long Island groups initiated gonadal development and spawning about one month earlier and spawned over a shorter duration than both Delaware Bay groups. Analysis of covariance revealed that the effect of time on gonadal development was statistically different (P ≤ 0.

Peptide binding to class I MHC on living cells and quantitation of complexes required for CTL lysis.

Antigenic peptides are presented to CD8+T lymphocytes by class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Peptides specifically bind to purified class I molecules in vitro, and to class I molecules on cells at nonphysiological temperatures. We report here the kinetic and equilibrium parameters for the binding of radiolabelled influenza nucleoprotein peptides (NP-Y365-380 and shorter homologues) to the murine H-2Db molecule on intact, viable cells at 37 degrees C.

Computing. Guardians or gizmos.

Carefully planned security management strategies are as important as the latest gadgets for ensuring patient details stay confidential, says Barry Barber, while Bill Goodwin examines the case for a risk analysis and management package.

Calpastatin level in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We studied calpastatin activity in erythrocytes of Milan hypertensive and prehypertensive rats, in their normotensive controls, in F1 and F2 hybrids, and in two inbred strains derived from F2, one hypertensive and the other normotensive. Our results show that the decrease in calpastatin activity observed in Milan hypertensive rats was not caused by hypertension, it was transmitted in a recessive way in heterozygous, and it was not correlated to hypertension.

Alcohol use and burn injury.

Charts of 108 consecutive adult patients with flame burns of 20% to 70% total body surface area were reviewed to determine the incidence of acute alcohol intoxication and the likelihood that intoxicated patients were chronic alcohol abusers, to assess morbidity and mortality in the alcoholic patient with burns, and to characterize the intervention used in postdischarge treatment of the alcoholic patient with burns who survives. Twenty-seven percent of patients were acutely intoxicated at the time of injury. Evidence for chronic alcohol abuse was apparent in 90% of intoxicated patients, compared to only 11% of nonintoxicated patients (p = 0.

Adjuvant-independent immunization by immunotargeting antigens to MHC and non-MHC determinants in vivo.

Using avidin as a model protein antigen, and biotinylated monoclonal antibodies as a convenient means of forming stable complexes with avidin, we have investigated the adjuvant-independent immunization of three mouse strains, C57BL/6, C3H and (C57BL/6 x C3H)F1, with immunoconjugates targeted to different class II MHC and non-MHC sites. The results confirm the effectiveness of anti-I-Ak and anti-I-Ab immunoconjugates with respect to priming for secondary IgG responses in (H-2b x H-2k)F1 mice, while indicating a lack of response in strains which are homozygous for the targeted allele. In terms of non-MHC targets in the monocyte-macrophage lineage, neither anti-MAC-1 nor anti-MAC-2 immunoconjugates were effective in any of the three strains.

Hospital comparisons using a Euro Health Data Base for resource management and strategic planning.

A European approach for resource management and strategic planning has been implemented in the HOSCOM project of AIM by defining information standards needed across countries, as well as a methodology to measure resources and costs at the institutional and interinstitutional level. A Euro Health Data Base (EHDB) has been obtained in order to test data availability and comparability as well as to validate models through macrocomparisons using case-mix (DRG's, refined grouping, disease staging) and microcomparisons based on three diseases (cardiac valve replacement, diabetes mellitus and hip fracture). The EHDB's presently based on 274 164 medical record summaries sampled from 7 countries allowed us to build prototypes (using Clipper, Prolog and SQL) in order to export uniform aggregates in the different countries, with standard software tools for statistical comparisons.

Genetic aspects of ion transport systems in hypertension.

Environmental factors, genetic polymorphism and differences in experimental design have been the main impediments to evaluating the evidence for a genetic association between cell membrane cation transport abnormalities and human essential or genetic hypertension. The present paper reviews the results obtained in the Milan hypertensive rat (MHS) and in its corresponding normotensive strain (MNS) in order to illustrate our approach to defining the role of cation transport abnormality in a particular type of genetic hypertension. Kidney cross-transplantation between the strains showed that hypertension is transplanted along with the kidney.

Thermal effects of MR imaging: worst-case studies on sheep.

The objective of this study was to provide a worst-case estimate of thermal effects of MR imaging by subjecting anesthetized unshorn sheep to power deposition at specific absorption rates (SARs) well above approved standards for periods of time in excess of normal clinical imaging protocols. A control period with no RF power was followed by 20-105 min of RF power application. Afterward, there was a 20-min or longer recovery period with no RF power.