Anterolateral ankle dislocation without fracture.

Dislocation of the tibiotalar joint without associated fracture is rare. We have presented a case of open anterolateral ankle dislocation with complete ligamentous disruption. In contrast to reports that internal fixation is not required to maintain reduction of tibiotalar joint dislocation, we found this dislocation to be grossly unstable, requiring both a syndesmotic screw and a calcaneotalotibial transfixing pin for stabilization.

Preclinical and clinical studies on immunogenicity and safety of the HIV-1 p17-based synthetic peptide AIDS vaccine--HGP-30-KLH.

Immunization with a synthetic HIV-1 p17 peptide analog (HGP-30; aa 85-115 of HIV p17), coupled to a carrier protein (KLH, keyhole limpet hemocyanin) given with alum as the adjuvant induces antibodies which cross-react with both HGP-30 and HIV p17 and clones of cytotoxic and helper T-cells which recognize HGP-30 and HIV p17. Proliferation of lymphocytes in response to HGP-30 has been observed in mice, in HIV-infected individuals and in healthy HIV-seronegative volunteers vaccinated with the p17-based synthetic peptide construct. Cytotoxic T-cell responses against EBV transformed, recombinant p17 pulsed targets were observed using antigen-expanded PBLs from HGP-30-KLH immunized individuals.

Effects of PCB (Aroclor 1254) on non-specific immune parameters in rhesus (Macaca mulatta) monkeys.

The effects of low level, chronic polychlorinated biphenyl--Aroclor 1254--(PCB) exposure were investigated on non-specific immune parameters in female rhesus (Macaca mulatta) monkeys. Five groups of monkeys were orally administered with PCB at concentrations of 0, 5, 20, 40 or 80 micrograms/kg bw/day. Immunotoxicity testing was initiated after 55 months of exposure.

Low thymosin alpha-1 concentrations in patients chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus.

Serum concentrations of thymosin alpha-1 (TA-1), an immunoregulatory peptide, were assayed in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection and volunteer blood donor controls. Coded samples were tested using a radioimmunoassay. The TA-1 concentrations in HBsAg-positive patients averaged 1555 pg/ml, whereas in the control group, the mean TA-1 in serum was 2159 pg/ml (P less than 0.

Antibiotic resistance of biomaterial-adherent coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci.

Whether or not bacterial populations are massively enclosed in slime, it appears that antibiotic resistance, when compared to suspension organisms, is related to surface adhesion and to the specific material of the substratum. These findings are of significance in the understanding and treatment of biomaterial-localized infections.

Musculoskeletal infection, microbial adhesion, and antibiotic resistance.

Osteomyelitis and intra-articular infection are septic diseases that present pathogenic features characteristic of molecular mechanisms involving adhesion to substrata. In this review, mechanisms of microbial adhesion to bone and cartilage as substrata are presented and related to host tissue response and to antibiotic treatment.

HGP-30, a synthetic analogue of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p17, is a target for cytotoxic lymphocytes in HIV-infected individuals.

Evaluation of the immune response of individuals exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important component of any plan designed to lead toward the development of an AIDS vaccine. Since the levels of antibodies to HIV p17 and the synthetic p17 peptide HGP-30 correlate with stages of progression to AIDS, studies were initiated to determine whether cytotoxic lymphocytes directed toward target cells pulsed with HGP-30 and radioactive chromium were present in seropositive individuals. The significance of such cells in controlling HIV viral infection has recently been enhanced by reports that HIV p17 is on the surface of infected cells and that an inactivated virus vaccine depleted of viral envelope appears to be effective in controlling expression.

Cellular levels of thymosin immunoreactive peptides are linked to proliferative events: evidence for a nuclear site of action.

Thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1), the N-terminal 28-amino acid fragment of prothymosin alpha (ProT alpha), and ProT alpha, although originally isolated from whole thymus extracts, are also present in nonthymic cells and tissues. We used an ELISA with an antibody raised against T alpha 1 to investigate the relationship between intracellular levels of thymosin immunoreactive peptide(s) (TIP) and cell proliferation in a rat small intestinal IEC-6 cell line. Increasing TIP levels were observed during cell proliferation, which decreased when proliferation was halted by cellular contact inhibition.

Acute and chronic effects of diethylstilbestrol on serum levels of alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone and prolactin in the hamster.

Continuous exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) induces renal tumors in male hamsters. The tumor formation is preceded by an increase in pituitary weight and elevation of the pituitary hormones-alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (aMSH) and prolactin (Pr1). A decline in Pr1 (to normal levels) but not aMSH then accompanies the development of tumors and the enlargement of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary.

Interleukin-2-dependent control of disease development in spontaneously diabetic BB rats.

Long-term treatment with recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) of diabetes-prone BB rats had contrasting effects in two different BB rat sublines. Diabetes development was enhanced in the subline with a low intrinsic diabetes risk and suppressed in the subline with a high diabetes risk. IL-2 treatment started between 35 and 42 days of age and lasted for 3 months.

Changes in circulating levels of neuroendocrine and thymic hormones during aging in rats: a correlation study.

It is well established that during early life the thymus gland and the neuroendocrine system influence each other's maturation. Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that the immune and neuroendocrine systems also function as a bidirectional network during adult life. In order to assess possible changes in the thymic-neuroendocrine network during aging, we undertook to measure and correlate the circulating levels of several neuroendocrine and thymic hormones in young (3 month) and old (26 month) male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Immune response and epitope mapping of a candidate HIV-1 p17 vaccine HGP30.

A thirty amino acid synthetic peptide (HGP30) representing the conserved region of HIV-1 p17 induced high titer antibodies to the native p17 in rabbits. This immune sera neutralized HIV-1 replication in cell culture and one of the high titer antisera also inhibited CD4-dependent cell fusion. Pepscan analysis with overlapping nonapeptides derived from the sequence of HIV-1 p17 identified the sequence (KE) ALDKIEE (EQ) as the major antibody binding site.

Thymosin alpha 1 in milk specimens from Guatemalan women.

Thymosin alpha 1 was determined in milk samples obtained from 67 Guatemalan women 5 days, and 1-3 and 6-18 months postpartum. All the specimens collected 5 days after delivery contained measurable levels (583 +/- 304 pg/ml) of thymosin alpha 1 but only 33% of those obtained 1-3 months postpartum and none collected thereafter did. Since thymosin alpha 1 has been shown to increase T-cell mediated immunity, and to enhance host resistance to infection, it may play an important role in the maturation of mucosal immunity and host resistance in general in the neonate.

Signal transduction pathway for IL-1. Involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein in the activation of adenylate cyclase.

Human Il-1 alpha induces the synthesis of kappa Ig L chains by the pre-B cell line 7OZ/3, IL-2R alpha by the human NK cell line YT, and PGE2 by human rheumatoid synovial cells. Pertussis toxin (PT) markedly inhibited all three IL-1-induced activation events. The inhibition by PT was associated with a decrease in IL-1-mediated cAMP production.

Comparative in vitro antibiotic resistance of surface-colonizing coagulase-negative staphylococci.

The MBCs of nafcillin, vancomycin, gentamicin and daptomycin (LY146032) were determined for three clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci grown in suspension and adherent to biomaterials. Strains studied were the slime-producing strain Staphylococcus epidermidis RP-12 (ATCC 35983), S. hyicus SE-360, and the non-slime-producing strain S.

Further studies on head lice and their control in Tasmania.

This study on the control of head lice infestation in Tasmania confirms the efficacy of malathion preparations compared with lindane preparations.

Diminished thymosin alpha-1 levels in persons exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

There is evidence from animal studies that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) impairs immune responses, with the thymus being a principal target organ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate thymic function, through measurement of thymic hormone levels, in persons exposed to TCDD. We examined thymosin alpha-1 (Thya-1) levels in sera from a group of 94 persons who were presumed to be exposed to TCDD from living, working, or recreating in a contaminated residential area.

Modulation of thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets during experimental rhinovirus colds.

Cellular immune response to localized upper respiratory viral infection was studied in two groups of healthy volunteers infected with an unnumbered rhinovirus serotype (Hanks). In the first group of 18 volunteers, serum levels of thymosin alpha 1 rose on day 5 following rhinovirus challenge. This observation was confirmed in a second group of 20 normal volunteers inoculated with the same rhinovirus strain; there was a slight increase in thymosin alpha 1 levels on day 3 and a significant rise on day 5 (p less than .

A cloned rat thymic epithelial cell line established from serum-free selective culture.

A serum-free system has been developed for selective growth and long-term culture of rat thymic epithelial cells. The growth media is a modification of McKeehan's WAJC 404, plus insulin, cholera toxin, dexamethasone, and epidermal growth factor. Cultures have been continuously passaged and maintained for over 6 mo.

Influences of aging and dietary restriction on serum thymosin alpha 1 levels in mice.

Influences of age (3 wk, 2, 7, 19, or 26 mo), long-term dietary restriction (DR) started at 3 wk of age, and acute fasting state on serum thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in female mice from a long-lived strain. The average T alpha 1 level was highest (approximately 60 ng/ml) at 3 wk and fell sharply such that 2 mo old mice fed either normal (N, approximately 80% of ad libitum intake) or restricted (R, approximately 50% of ad libitum intake) diets averaged approximately 20 ng/ml. Any age-related declines after 2 mo of age were mild and statistically significant only for R mice bled 2-4 h (but not 24-48 h) post-feeding.

Enzyme immunoassay measurement of thymosin beta 4 in human serum.

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for measurement of human serum thymosin beta 4 is described. Antiserum to synthetic thymosin beta 4, raised in rabbits, is incubated with a standard or serum. The unbound antibody in liquid-phase then binds with solid-phase thymosin beta 4.

Micro ELISA for measurement of parathymosin alpha utilizing a monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody to the non-thymosin alpha 1 overlapping sequence of parathymosin alpha was used to develop a micro ELISA to measure parathymosin alpha. Parathymosin alpha levels were measurable in both mouse tissue extracts and in human adult and cord serum. To measure parathymosin alpha, a 40% ammonium sulfate precipitated monoclonal antibody specific for the parathymosin alpha fragment was preincubated with the parathymosin alpha fragment or samples for 4 hours at 4 degrees C, incubated an additional 24 hours in microtiter plates coated with the parathymosin alpha fragment and then assayed by the biotin-avidin-alkaline phosphatase method.