Identifying weak signals in the presence of noise: a new method of locating potential ligand contact residues in immunoglobulin-related molecules.

We develop and apply a new method for estimating the locations of hypervariable residues in immunoglobulin-related molecules. The method differs from the standard introduced by Wu and Kabat in two essential ways: (1) we take explicit account of the type of substitution at a given position, rather than just the total number of substitutions, and (2) we use an explicit statistical decision criterion for classifying a site into either the complementarity determining or framework category. Simulations indicate that the method is reliable with relatively little data, approximately 5% of the sites being misclassified when 10 sequences are aligned.

[Drugs and pregnancy].

The need for further information on drug utilization patterns during pregnancy in different countries was assessed by reviewing literature by hand and computer searches. The resulting profile, from 13 identified studies, was that pregnant women used an average of 4.7 drugs.

[Pharmacokinetics of intravenous anesthetics in aged patients].

This paper reviews the pharmacokinetic modifications of anaesthetic intravenous drugs in elderly reported in the literature. With benzodiazepines, the elimination half-life is prolonged and can increase the duration of the sedative effect. With hypnotics, the increase of pharmacological effect (intensity and duration) is due to a decrease of initial volume of distribution and total body clearance.

Structural and chemical characterization of gallstones resistant to dissolution therapy.

X-ray diffraction, i.r. spectroscopic, and chemical analyses have been carried out on radiolucent gallstones resistant to dissolution therapy.

The behaviour of apatite-based ceramics in relation to the critical 1150 degrees-1250 degrees C temperature range.

Characterization of synthetic calcium phosphates is reported and compared with previous studies. Barium hydroxyapatite was also synthesized. Shrinkage on sintering, water absorption, tensile strength, porosity and X-ray diffraction patterns were studied.

A theory of measurement error and its implications for spatial and temporal gradient sensing during chemotaxis. II. The effects of non-equilibrated ligand binding.

Cells generally chemotax along a direction in which their receptor occupancy gradient--whether spatial or temporal--is maximum. Occupancy differentials are, however, often so small as to be masked by thermal noise; i.e.

Predictive value of cord blood IgE levels in 'at-risk' newborn babies and influence of type of feeding.

Cord serum IgE levels were examined in 101 newborn infants of atopic parents, and reviewed at the ages of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months, in order to determine any relation with signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and food allergy. Cord blood IgE levels were 1.06 +/- 1.

Prevention of atopic disease in "at-risk newborns" by prolonged breast-feeding.

The protective effect of breast feeding against atopic disease (AD) has been confirmed in several prospective studies, while some retrospective studies have yielded controversial results. We have evaluated the prophylactic effect of prolonged breast feeding on the development of AD in 101 newborns at hereditary risk for allergic disease. The study design also included a strict dietary avoidance regimen of the nursing mothers.

[Assay of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by competitive protein binding].

A competitive protein binding radioassay for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in human serum has been developed, which is relatively simple and rapid. Acetonitrile is used for sample extraction and protein precipitation. column chromatography is then performed in a Sep-pak cartridge.

[A rapid method for assay of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum].

A simplified assay for 25-hydroxyvitamin D is reported. In this procedure ethanol extraction is used in order to obtain a better protein precipitation and a higher recovery of added tritiated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Extraction is followed by column chromatography on Sep-pak Silica cartridges.

A theory of measurement error and its implications for spatial and temporal gradient sensing during chemotaxis.

In order that cells respond to environmental cues, they must be able to measure ambient ligand concentration. Concentrations fluctuate, however, because of thermal noise, and one can readily show that estimates based on concentration values at a particular moment will be subject to substantial error. Cells are therefore expected to average their estimates over some limited time period.

Harmonic dwarfism, lymphopenia, deficit of IgA and IgE in a 6-year old boy.

A six-year old boy who had suffered from the age of two with chronic diarrhea has been found to be severely retarded in statural growth. Examinations discovered marked lymphopenia with a T lymphocyte defect accompanied by absent IgA and IgE. In contrast with other cases described in literature, in this case the immunodeficiency was not accompanied by bone or cartilage alterations.

[Blocking antibodies after specific hyposensitization therapy in asthmatic children (author's transl)].

The Maunsell-test for the evaluation in vivo of a rise in blocking antibodies after specific hyposensitization therapy was perfomed in 27 children with asthma and/or graminaceous rhinitis. The Authors have found a good correlation between blocking antibodies level and clinical improvement.