Missense mutations in PIEZO1, which encodes the Piezo1 mechanosensor protein, define Er red blood cell antigens.

Despite the identification of the high-incidence red cell antigen Era nearly 40 years ago, the molecular background of this antigen, together with the other 2 members of the Er blood group collection, has yet to be elucidated. Whole exome and Sanger sequencing of individuals with serologically defined Er alloantibodies identified several missense mutations within the PIEZO1 gene, encoding amino acid substitutions within the extracellular domain of the Piezo1 mechanosensor ion channel. Confirmation of Piezo1 as the carrier molecule for the Er blood group antigens was demonstrated using immunoprecipitation, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout, and expression studies in an erythroblast cell line.

Immunoglobulin isotype compositions of ABO specific antibodies are dependent on the individual patient blood group and blood group specificity: Results from a healthy donor cohort.

Antibodies specific for the blood group ABO system antigens are of clinical significance and immunological interest. Routine clinical methods typically employ direct or indirect haemagglutination methods to measure IgM and IgG, respectively. We have developed a simple, single tube method to quantify IgM, IgG, and IgA specific for A and B antigens in order to improve accuracy and reproducibility, and to investigate the relationships between ABO group antibody type, and antibody level.

Psyllids, It's What's on the Inside That Counts: Community Cross Talk Facilitates Prophage Interactions.

Despite the availability of massive microbial community data sets (e.g., metagenomes), there is still a lack of knowledge on what molecular mechanisms facilitate cross talk between microbes and prophage within a community context.

The evolutionary development of plant-feeding insects and their nutritional endosymbionts.

Herbivorous insects have evolved diverse mechanisms enabling them to feed on plants with suboptimal nutrient availability. Low nutrient availability negatively impacts insect herbivore development and fitness. To overcome this obstacle numerous insect lineages have evolved intimate associations with nutritional endosymbionts.

Efficacy of RNA interference knockdown using aerosolized short interfering RNAs bound to nanoparticles in three diverse aphid species.

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising method for validating gene function; however, its utility in nonmodel insects has proven problematic, with delivery methods being one of the main obstacles. This study investigates a novel method of RNAi delivery in aphids, the aerosolization of short interfering RNA (siRNA)-nanoparticle complexes. By using nanoparticles as a siRNA carrier, the likelihood of cellular uptake is increased, when compared to methods previously used in insects.

Tazobactam-induced haemolytic anaemia, possibly caused by non-immunological adsorption of IgG onto patient's red cells.

A patient with pneumonia was treated with Tazocin (piperacillin/tazobactam). However, the expected haemoglobin (Hb) increment after transfusion was not achieved. Plasma bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase were raised.

Salmeterol, a novel, long-acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist: characterization of pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo.

1. Salmeterol, a novel, long-acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist, has been compared with isoprenaline and salbutamol for activity in vitro on a range of beta-adrenoceptor containing preparations from laboratory animals and man, and in vivo for bronchodilator activity in the conscious guinea-pig. 2.

The development of tolerance to antilipolytic agents by isolated rat adipocytes.

Using an isolated rat epididymal adipocyte system we have studied the development of tolerance to and cross-tolerance between nicotinic acid, 5-methylpyrazole-3-carboxylic acid and pyridyl-3-tetrazole. Preincubating isolated adipocytes with any one of these compounds results in a reduction of the antilipolytic activity of that compound when the cells are exposed to a subsequent challenge dose. Furthermore, preincubation with nicotinic acid, 5-methylpyrazole-3-carboxylic acid or pyridyl-3-tetrazole results in a reduction of the antilipolytic response to challenge with either of the other two compounds.

The development of tolerance to antilipolytic agents in rats.

The development of tolerance to the action of certain antilipolytic agents has been investigated in vivo in rats. Tolerance to oral nicotinic acid developed during twice daily dosing for 4 days at 100 and 250 mg/kg but not at 10, 25 or 50 mg/kg. Tolerance induced by high doses of nicotinic acid was no longer detectable after a further week without treatment.

Characterization of the adenosine receptor responsible for the inhibition of histamine and SRS-A release from human lung fragments.

The inhibitory effects of a range of natural and synthetic derivatives of adenosine on the antigen-induced release of histamine and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from human lung has been studied. The nucleotides ATP, ADP and AMP appear to act by being converted to adenosine. The rank order of inhibitory potency of the synthetic analogues indicates that these compounds act at an extracellular A2/Ra purinoceptor.

Stimulation of flux through hepatic pyruvate dehydrogenase by 3-mercaptopicolinate.

Isolated hepatocytes from 24-h-starved rats were used to assess the possible effect of the hypoglycaemic agent 3-mercaptopicolinate on flux through the hepatic pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Increasing the extracellular pyruvate concentration from 1 mM to 2 mM or 5 mM resulted in an increase in flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase and the tricarboxylic acid cycle as measured by 14CO2 evolution from [1-14C]pyruvate and [3-14C]pyruvate. Gluconeogenesis was inhibited by 3-mercaptopicolinate from both 1 mM and 2 mM pyruvate, but significant increases in malate and citrate concentrations only occurred in cells incubated with 1 mM pyruvate.

The release of histamine from rat mast cells by chymotrypsin.

The release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by alpha-chymotrypsin and that induced by antigen have characteristics in common. The kinetics of histamine release initiated by the two agents are similar. Both alpha-chymotrypsin and antigen release histamine in the absence of extracellular calcium, phosphatidyl serine enhances the release, and disodium cromoglycate inhibits both reactions.

Characterization of the receptor mediating the antianaphylactic effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in human lung tissue in vitro.

1 The rank order of potency of six beta-adrenoceptor agonists as inhibitors of the anaphylactic release of histamine from fragments of passively sensitized human lung in vitro was (--)-isoprenaline greater than (--) -adrenaline greater than (+/-)-salbutamol greater than (--)-noradrenaline greater than R0363 greater than H133/22. 2 The beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, propranolol, atenolol and H35/25, blocked the response to both (--)-isoprenaline and (+/-)-salbutamol competitively. Each antagonist gave similar pA2 values with both agonists.

Histamine-containing cells from bronchial lavage of macaque monkeys. Time course and inhibition of anaphylactic histamine release.

Bronchial lavage of rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys provided leucocyte suspensions with viable histamine-containing cells (HCC) as 1--8% of the white cell population. These HCC released histamine or challenge with antiserum to human IgE. HCC from 2 monkeys with pulmonary and cutaneous hypersensitivity to Ascaris antigen (AA) released histamine on challenge with AA.

A comparison of the anti-anaphylactic activities of salbutamol and disodium cromoglycate in the rat, the rat mast cell and in human lung tissue.

1 Salbutamol and disodium cromoglycate were compared for anti-anaphylactic activity against passive anaphylaxis in rat skin and peritoneum in vivo and in rat mast cells and human lung fragments in vitro.2 Salbutamol administered intravenously to rats inhibited cutaneous anaphylaxis, but also inhibited cutaneous responses to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Salbutamol administered intraperitoneally inhibited the release of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) but not the release of histamine in the peritoneum.

Benzopyrones. 14. Synthesis and antiallergic properties of some N-tetrazolylcarboxamides and related compounds.

A series of chromones containing an acidic group has been synthesized and screened for the ability to inhibit passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and the release of histamine from mast cells of the rat. Many of the chromones contain the N-(5-tetrazolyl)carboxamido group, a novel source of acidity. Others contain a carboxyl, C-(5-tetrazolyl), 5-(4H)-oxotetrazolinyl, or N-(5-tetrazolyl)sulfonamido function.