Anti-plasminogen antibodies compromise fibrinolysis and associate with renal histology in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Antibodies recognizing plasminogen, a key component of the fibrinolytic system, associate with venous thrombotic events in PR3-ANCA vasculitis. Here, we investigated the prevalence and function of anti-plasminogen antibodies in independent UK and Dutch cohorts of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). We screened Ig isolated from patients (AAV-IgG) and healthy controls by ELISA.

Mechanisms of ANCA-mediated leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vivo.

Anti-myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO) antibodies have been implicated in the pathogenesis of small-vessel vasculitis, but the molecular mechanisms by which these antibodies contribute to disease are unknown. For determination of how anti-MPO antibodies affect inflammatory cell recruitment in small-vessel vasculitis, intravital microscopy was used to monitor leukocyte behavior in the accessible cremasteric microvessels under various experimental conditions. After local pretreatment of the cremaster muscle with cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, or keratinocyte-derived chemokine), administration of anti-MPO IgG to wild-type mice reduced leukocyte rolling in favor of augmented adhesion to and transmigration across the endothelium.

Recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 directly inhibits leukocyte rolling by all 3 selectins in vivo: complete inhibition of rolling is not required for anti-inflammatory effect.

Selectin-dependent leukocyte rolling is one of the earliest steps of an acute inflammatory response and, as such, contributes to many inflammatory diseases. Although inhibiting leukocyte rolling with selectin antagonists is a strategy that promises far-reaching clinical benefit, the perceived value of this strategy has been limited by studies using inactive, weak, or poorly characterized antagonists. Recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1-immunoglobulin (rPSGL-Ig) is a recombinant form of the best-characterized selectin ligand (PSGL-1) fused to IgG, and is one of the best prospects in the search for effective selectin antagonists.

Light Scattering Study on the Effect of Polymer Composition on the Structural Properties of PEO-PPO-PEO Micelles.

Micelle structural properties were determined for five poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer solutions at 25°C by using light scattering techniques. Size distributions for the Pluronic series P103, P104, P105, F108, and P123 were found from dynamic light scattering. Aggregation numbers from both dynamic light scattering and static light scattering were determined, and the results are interpreted using fundamental hydrodynamic and statistical thermodynamic models.

Urinary Metabolites of Anabolic Steroids.

Anabolic steroids are abused for performance enhancement by athletes, and for appearance alteration by others. Urine drug testing is an effective deterrent in reducing their abuse. We have reviewed the current status of published information on the urinary metabolites (neutral fraction) of 17 anabolic steroids.

Development of a method for the determination of zopiclone in whole blood.

Mass spectrometry in both electron-impact and positive chemical ionisation modes has been used to elucidate the structures of the decomposition products of zopiclone after gas chromatography. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of zopiclone in whole blood. After selective extraction (butyl chloride) the extracts are chromatographed on Spherisorb ODS-5 (5 microns) using dibasic ammonium phosphate-acetonitrile (40:60).

SRN1, a yeast gene involved in RNA processing, is identical to HEX2/REG1, a negative regulator in glucose repression.

The yeast RNA1 gene encodes a cytosolic protein that affects pre-tRNA splicing, pre-rRNA processing, the production of mRNA, and the export of RNA from the nucleus to the cytosol. In an attempt to understand how the RNA1 protein affects such a diverse set of processes, we sought second-site suppressors of a mutation, rna1-1, of the RNA1 locus. Mutations in a single complementation group were obtained.

The M1 Kegworth aircraft disaster: experience in three hospital blood transfusion laboratories and the regional transfusion centre.

Eighty-eight survivors of an aircraft accident on the M1 motorway were taken to three major hospitals, two of which were teaching hospitals, in the immediate vicinity. We describe the effects of this on the three blood transfusion and haematology laboratories concerned and on the regional transfusion centre, describe how the work was processed, and list the lessons learnt.

The illicit preparation of morphine and heroin from pharmaceutical products containing codeine: 'homebake' laboratories in New Zealand.

Since 1983 a large number of small-scale illicit laboratories producing morphine and heroin from commercially available, codeine-based pharmaceutical products have been encountered in New Zealand. The codeine demethylation procedure is based on the use of pyridine hydrochloride. Very simple laboratory equipment and reagents are required and these can be utilised by people with little or no chemical background, following a recipe-like procedure.

High-performance liquid chromatography detection of morphine by fluorescence after post-column derivatisation.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the fluorometric determination of morphine in biological samples has been developed. Column effluent is mixed with alkaline potassium ferricyanide to produce the fluorescent dimer pseudomorphine. The method provides higher chromatographic specificity and sensitivity than conventional high-performance liquid chromatography.