Inflammation biomarkers in the intracranial blood are associated with outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background: Performing endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) allows a port of entry for intracranial biological sampling.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that specific immune players are molecular contributors to disease, outcome biomarkers, and potential targets for modifying AIS .

Methods: We examined 75 subjects presenting with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation and undergoing EVT.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Nighttime Hours: Is There a Difference in 90-Day Clinical Outcome for Patients with Ischemic Stroke?

Background And Purpose: Few data are available regarding the influence of the timing of ischemic stroke management, such as daytime and nighttime hours, on the delay of mechanical thrombectomy, the effectiveness of revascularization, and clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate whether admission during nighttime hours could impact the clinical outcome (mRS at 90 days) of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated by mechanical thrombectomy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 169 patients (112 treated during daytime hours and 57 treated during nighttime hours) with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior cerebral circulation.

Favorable revascularization therapy in patients with ASPECTS ≤ 5 on DWI in anterior circulation stroke.

Background: A low baseline Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is strongly associated with low rates of favorable outcome in patients with acute stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of revascularization therapy in patient with ASPECTS ≤5 in anterior circulation infarct.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 108 consecutive patients presenting low ASPECTS on diffusion-weighted imaging.

Submandibular puncture of the facial vein: an original route for endovascular therapy of cavernous sinus dural fistulas.

Introduction: Carotid cavernous sinus fistulas are a potentially severe pathology. Their basic standard treatment is an occlusion of the CCF performed by retrograde venous catheterization via the inferior petrous sinus. When the inferior petrous sinuses are occluded, other alternative venous routes are possible with various subsequent difficulties and risks.

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: catch device.

Background And Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy presents today a promising alternative to traditional stroke therapies. Our aim with this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Catch mechanical thrombectomy device in the treatment of acute stroke and report the angiographic results and clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We performed an analysis of 40 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke treated with the Catch device at our academic center.

Intranasal immunization with recombinant antigens associated with new cationic particles induces strong mucosal as well as systemic antibody and CTL responses.

New cationic nanoparticles (SMBV) were evaluated for use as a nasal vaccine delivery system for two recombinant proteins: HBsAg and beta-galactosidase. Each protein was formulated with SMBV and intranasally administrated to non-anesthetized mice. In each model, the formulated protein induced high levels of specific serum IgG antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses.

Characterization of a synthetic anionic vector for oligonucleotide delivery using in vivo whole body dynamic imaging.

Purpose: To compare the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of an oligonucleotide delivered in a free form or using cationic or anionic synthetic carrier systems.

Methods: Whole body dynamic quantitative imaging and metabolism of a HIV antisense oligonucleotide intravenously administered either free or incorporated into synthetic carriers were compared in baboons. using non invasive positron emission tomography and an enzyme-based competitive hybridization assay, respectively.

Characterization of humoral and cellular immune responses in mice induced by immunization with HIV-1 Nef regulatory protein encapsulated in poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles.

We have characterized the humoral and cellular immune responses of BALB/c mice immunized with HIV-1 Nef regulatory protein encapsulated in poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) PLG particles. Three groups of mice were immunized with Nef PLG, Nef in the presence of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or Nef alone in PBS. When titers were compared 7 months after the last injection, anti-Nef titers in mice immunized with Nef PLG were still close to the maximum, whereas a significant decrease was observed in mice immunized with Nef alone (five times lower) or with Nef in CFA (three times lower).

Specificity of anti-Nef antibodies produced in mice immunized with DNA encoding the HIV-1 nef gene product.

Mice immunized with plasmid DNA encoding Nef regulatory protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 developed high levels of anti-Nef antibodies. After 4 intramuscular injections of 100 microg plasmid DNA, anti-Nef antibodies reached titers up to 2 x 10(4). A significant specific antibody response was maintained for at least 16 months.

Structure/antigenicity relationship of cyclic and linear peptides mimicking the V3 loop of HIV2 envelope glycoprotein.

We report the structure and antigenicity of the third variable region (V3) of the HIV2 envelope glycoprotein by the use of linear and cyclic peptides. To this end, a peptide mimicking this region was synthesized and purified, both as an iodoacetamidated linear peptide and a disulphide-bridged cyclic peptide. The cross-reactivity of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) produced against the envelope glycoprotein gp140 with the linear and cyclic peptides was tested with ELISA.

Characterization of humoral immune responses induced by immunization with plasmid DNA expressing HIV-1 Nef accessory protein.

Mice immunized with plasmid DNA encoding Nef accessory protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 developed high levels of anti-Nef antibodies which were maintained for at least 16 months. These antibodies produced in response to Nef-expressing plasmid DNA did not recognize the linear peptides except the long C-terminal peptide for three of the ten sera. With anti-Nef antibodies produced in mice immunized with the protein Nef without any adjuvant, the same restraint epitope binding was found.

Curcumin and curcumin derivatives inhibit Tat-mediated transactivation of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat.

The transcription of HIV1 provirus is regulated by both cellular and viral factors. Various evidence suggests that Tat protein secreted by HIV1-infected cells may have additional action in the pathogenesis of AIDS because of its ability to also be taken up by non-infected cells. Curcumin [diferuloylmethane or 1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione] is the yellow pigment in turmeric Curcuma longa (Linn).

Human plasmatic apolipoprotein H binds human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 proteins.

Apolipoprotein H (apo H), isolated from human plasma albumin solution, was shown to capture HIV-1-related antigens from antigen-positive sera (HIV-1 AG+) of AIDS patients, by using HIV-1-specific polyclonal antibodies. In an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ligand blot and dot assays, apo H was able to bind recombinant retroviral HIV antigens, especially Gag proteins p18 of HIV-1, p26 of HIV-2, and Env gp160 of HIV-1. Binding was shown to be pH and NaCl dependent, with an optimum at acidic pH and low ionic strength.

Association of Mycoplasma penetrans with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A cross-sectional study was done to determine the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma penetrans in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-seropositive and -seronegative persons recruited in France. The data were analyzed with respect to the sociodemographic, clinical, and biologic status of the patients. M.

Rheumatoid factor associated with a secretory component in rheumatoid arthritis.

The authors' objective was to study the serum secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) concentration and the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) complexed with a secretory component (SC) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sixty-three RA patients were studied. There were 49 healthy subjects in the control group.

Analysis of monoclonal rheumatoid factors obtained from the B-cell repertoire in rheumatoid arthritis.

We have sought to determine whether rheumatoid factors (RF) produced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were different from physiological RF produced in normal, healthy adults. RF-secreting clones were established following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Ten RF-secreting clones were established from seven RA patients and 16 from six healthy controls.

The B cell repertoire in rheumatoid arthritis. III. Preferential homing of rheumatoid factor-producing B cell precursors in the synovial fluid.

Objective: We sought to compare the frequencies of precursors producing IgM rheumatoid factors (IgM-RFs) in synovial fluid and peripheral blood B cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We used limiting-dilution analysis of Epstein-Barr virus-activated B cells from seropositive and seronegative patients. B cell precursors producing IgM against insulin, an irrelevant autoantigen, were also assessed for comparison.

The B cell repertoire in rheumatoid arthritis. II. Analysis of rheumatoid factors bearing the IdRQ cross-reactive idiotype.

With the view of studying whether rheumatoid factors (RFs) produced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were different from those synthesized in physiological situations, we analyzed the usage of a cross-reactive idiotype (IdRQ) previously reported to be specific for RA RFs. Using EBV immortalization of circulating B cells, we prepared monoclonal RFs from patients with RA and matched controls. In both groups between 1/2 and 2/3 of the monoclonal RFs bore IdRQ.

The B cell repertoire in rheumatoid arthritis. I. Frequency of EBV-inducible circulating precursors producing autoantibodies.

The frequency of B cell precursors producing antibodies against various autoantigens (Fc fragment of IgG, F(ab')2 fragment of IgG, type II collagen, cytoskeleton filaments and insulin) was determined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using immortalization of peripheral blood B cells by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and limiting dilution analysis. Equally large numbers of B cell precursors producing IgM-rheumatoid factors (RFs) were present in the peripheral blood of seronegative and seropositive RA patients and of controls. On average, 1 out of 15,000 B cells could be induced by EBV to secrete IgM-RFs, which represents 0.

Anti-F(ab')2 antibody response to the injection of anticlass II HLA alloantibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Placenta eluted gamma globulins (PEGG) contain antibodies against class II HLA antigens and have been used for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In view of the potential use of antibodies to class II HLA for treating autoimmune diseases we looked for the immunobiological effects of PEGG injections in patients. No modulation of class II HLA was seen at the surface of circulating mononuclear cells after one week of daily PEGG injections.

Studies of possible antiidiotypic control mechanisms in Graves' disease.

Serum from 55 patients with active Graves' disease and 55 patients who had received successful treatment (in whom the disease was inactive) were examined for the presence of possible antiidiotypic antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-F(ab')2. Murine IgG monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and human TSH receptors were also used as antigens in parallel ELISA assays. Patients with active and patients with inactive Graves' disease showed elevations of IgG anti-F(ab')2 antibodies when compared with normal controls.

Identification of class II HLA alloantibodies in placenta-eluted gamma globulins used for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Placenta-eluted gamma globulins (PEGG) have been recently and successfully used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. PEGG, eluted at acid pH from large pools of human placentas, contained 99% IgG material. Sephacryl S300 gel filtration revealed a main fraction (76%) of native IgG accompanied by 10% aggregates and 14% digested fragments (as identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis with specific antisera).