Cluster analysis of antinuclear autoantibodies in the prognosis of SLE nephropathy: are anti-extractable nuclear antibodies protective?

To investigate the possible role of anti-ENA autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of SLE nephropathy, we performed a cross sectional clustering study of 91 SLE patients using 75 clinical and laboratory variables examining the presence of anti-dsDNA and ENA autoantibodies by ELISA and Western blot. We applied principal component, hierarchical cluster, multiple correspondence and logistical regression analysis. Two polar forms of SLE nephropathy and five clinical groups were identified: group 1 without overt nephropathy (n = 37), group 2 with nephropathy and only proteinuria (n = 19), group 3 nephropathy and only hematuria (n = 11), group 4 with hematuria and proteinuria (n = 14) and group 5 on renal failure (n = 10).

[Use of a simple polymerase chain reaction combined with a heteroduplex mobility assay to characterize the non coding 5' region of hepatitis C virus].

Background: One of the most used methods for the characterization of hepatitis C virus strains is the use of a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Sometimes, RFLP results do not differentiate new strains. There are other more complex methods and only the sequencing of the PCR fragment allows a correct characterization of the strain.

Stereologic estimates of volume-weighted mean nuclear volume in aspiration smears of ductal breast carcinoma. Correlation with cytologic grade, tumor size and lymph node status.

Objective: To estimate cytologic volume-weighted mean nuclear volume and correlate it with other prognostic factors, such as tumor diameter and cytologic grading in relation to nodal infiltration.

Study Design: The relationships between nodal status and nuclear VV, tumor diameter and cytologic grading, according to the modified Black nuclear grading system, were analyzed on fine needle aspirates of 49 cases of breast cancer by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Volume-weighted mean nuclear volume (nuclear VV) estimated on fine needle aspiration smears showed a significant correlation with grade of tumor differentiation.

HuM291, a humanized anti-CD3 antibody, is immunosuppressive to T cells while exhibiting reduced mitogenicity in vitro.

Background: OKT3, a mouse monoclonal antibody (Ab) specific for the human CD3 complex on T cells, is a potent immunosuppressive agent used for the treatment of acute allograft rejection. The utility of the drug has been limited by a neutralizing anti-mouse Ab response and adverse side effects resulting from T cell activation and systemic cytokine release. T cell activation is caused by OKT3-mediated cross-linking of T cells and Fc receptor-bearing cells.

Comparison of the three-dimensional structures of a humanized and a chimeric Fab of an anti-gamma-interferon antibody.

The objective of this work is to compare the three-dimensional structures of "humanized" and mouse-human chimeric forms of a murine monoclonal antibody elicited against human gamma-interferon. It is also to provide structural explanations for the small differences in the affinities and biological interactions of the two molecules for this antigen. Antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) were produced by papain hydrolysis of the antibodies and crystallized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8,000 by nearly identical microseeding procedures.

Properties and pharmacokinetics of two humanized antibodies specific for L-selectin.

Background: The participation of L-selectin in leukocyte recruitment during inflammation has suggested the use of L-selectin inhibitors as potential anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Blocking monoclonal antibodies could serve as such therapeutic agents, particularly if humanized to reduce their immunogenicity and improve their serum half-life.

Objectives: For this purpose, two mouse monoclonal antibodies, DREG-55 and DREG-200, that block human L-selectin were humanized and characterized.

[Incidence and risk factors for diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections in urban communities of Pernambuco, Brazil].

Magnitude and distribution of Diarrhoea and Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in children were studied within a larger broader research that focused on health education. Two household surveys were conducted in a sample of families with at least one child under five years of Recife and Olinda in April-May 1992 and 1994. The total number of children studied was 5,436.

Metoclopramide enhances labetalol-induced antihypertensive effect during handgrip in hypertensive patients.

The effects of metoclopramide, labetalol, and metoclopramide plus labetalol treatments on baseline cardiovascular parameters and isometric handgrip-induced changes were evaluated in 11 hypertensive subjects. Although all treatments were effective in reducing resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, the combination of metoclopramide and labetalol appeared to provide a greater decrease (changes in SBP/DBP: 15/11 mm Hg, P < 0.05; from 149 +/- 4/95 +/- 4 mm Hg to 134 +/- 5/84 +/- 3 mm Hg) than did labetalol alone (changes in SBP/DBP: 10/9 mm Hg, P < 0.

Latinos and violence: mental health implications and strategies for clinicians.

This article seeks to identify mental health issues in regard to violence among Hispanics and Latinos relative to other groups in the United States. A review of the literature provides prevalence and incidence rates, population and demographic information, and unique issues in regard to violence for Latinos and Latinas, including in the areas of battering and wife abuse, child and sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and the complicating effects of racial-ethnic discrimination. Aspects of cultural ideology, including the social construction of gender and its relevance to violence, are discussed, as are theoretical explorations of the impact of violence on familism, a major Hispanic cultural value.

Comparative study of 2 variants of a modified esophageal transection in the Sugiura-Futagawa operation.

Objective: To compare 2 techniques of esophageal transection in our modification of the Sugiura-Futagawa procedure for the treatment of bleeding portal hypertension in low-risk patients who cannot undergo surgery to have shunts placed.

Design: A prospective controlled trial comparing 2 variants of transection (classic, complete section of the anterior muscularis externa and whole mucosa; modified, placement of a circumferential running suture without opening the mucosa).

Setting: Academic university hospital.

[Blastocystosis in preschool children from bolivar city, venezuela].

To evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and its clinical relevance, 169 preschool children from the 'Los Coquitos' nursery school living in Bolivar City, Venezuela, were studied. Stool samples were obtained and examined by direct microscopic examination, and the Faust and Willis concentration techniques. Some 72 of the children had intestinal parasites, of whom 32 (29.

PAGE analysis of the heteroduplexes formed between PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes: estimation of sequence similarity and rDNA complexity.

Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes retrieved directly from different environments has proven to be a powerful tool that has greatly expanded our knowledge of microbial diversity and phylogeny. It is shown here that sequence similarity between 80 and 100% among 16S rDNAs can be estimated by the electrophoretic migration of their heteroduplexes. This was measured by hybridization and electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels of the product obtained after PCR amplification of almost the entire 16S rRNA gene from different bacterial species.

Humanization and pharmacokinetics of a monoclonal antibody with specificity for both E- and P-selectin.

E- and P-selectin (CD62E and CD62P) are cell adhesion molecules that mediate leukocyte-endothelial cell and leukocyte-platelet interactions and are involved in leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. We previously developed a murine mAb, EP-5C7 (or mEP-5C7), that binds and blocks both E- and P-selectin. When used in humans, murine mAbs have short circulating half-lives and generally induce potent human anti-mouse Ab responses.

Measurement of micronucleated erythrocytes and DNA damage during chronic ingestion of phenolphthalein in transgenic female mice heterozygous for the p53 gene.

Phenolphthalein, a common ingredient in nonprescription laxatives and a multisex, multispecies rodent carcinogen, was evaluated under chronic exposure conditions for genotoxicity in transgenic female mice heterozygous for the p53 gene (heterozygous TSG-p53 mice). Phenolphthalein was administered in the diet at 200, 375, 750, 3,000, and 12,000 ppm (corresponding to a time-weighted average of 37, 71, 146, 569, and 2,074 mg/kg/day, respectively) for 6 months (183 days). On days 39, 92, 137, and 183 of treatment, peripheral blood samples were collected and evaluated for the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE and MN-NCE, respectively), the percentage of PCE (%PCE) among total erythrocytes, and the extent of DNA damage (single strand breaks, alkali labile sites, DNA crosslinking) in leukocytes.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of soft tissue: report of a case with ultrastructural observations.

The ultrastructure of an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma arising in the soft tissues of the neck of an 18-year-old female is reported. Comparison with similar tumors in other sites from the authors' electron microscopy files indicates that diffuse nonspecific intermediate filaments, pinocytotic vesicles, intracytoplasmic lumens, and pericytic cells are frequent but variable features of this neoplasm.

Is splenectomy necessary in devascularization procedures for treatment of bleeding portal hypertension?

Objective: To investigate whether splenectomy as a part of devascularization procedures is necessary.

Design: Prospective, controlled, randomized trial.

Setting: University hospital, referral center.

[Adiposity and fat distribution in preschool children from low socioeconomic levels in Caracas].

Epidemiological studies suggest that body fat distribution in adults is associated with chronical nontransmissible diseases, less is known during the growing years. The current study was undertaken to explore the relationship between level of fatness, fat patterning and some socioenvironmental variables in a group of 449 children aged 3 to 6, living in Caracas, who belong to the poorest Venezuelan socio-economic stratum. Data was analyzed taking nutritional status (weight-for-age), an index of socioeconomic conditions (ICSA), sex and age, as control variables.

Chemolithotrophic bacteria in copper ores leached at high sulfuric Acid concentration.

Extensive bacterial growth was observed when copper sulfide ores were leached with 0.6 N sulfuric acid. The bacterial population developed in this condition was examined by characterization of the spacer regions between the 16S and 23S rRNA genetic loci obtained after PCR amplification of the DNA extracted from the leached ore.

Finite-difference solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation: Complete elimination of self-energy.

A new procedure to solve the Poisson-Boltzmann equation is proposed and shown to be efficient. The electrostatic potential due to the reaction field is calculated directly. Self-interactions among the charges are completely eliminated.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study of the immunogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rgp160 vaccine in HIV-infected subjects with > or = 400/mm3 CD4 T lymphocytes (AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 137).

Immune responses provoked by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection ultimately are insufficient to control the disease and do not include strong lymphocyte-proliferative responses to HIV antigens or antibodies to many viral epitopes. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the immunogenicity of recombinant HIV envelope vaccine (rgp160) in HIV-infected subjects with > or = 400/mm3 CD4 T cells. Controls received hepatitis B vaccine.

Modeling side-chain conformation.

Over the past few years, a number of methods for the calculation of side-chain conformations in proteins have been described. More recent studies have considered the effect of combinatorial packing, derivations from idealized rotameric structures and, to a limited extent, backbone flexibility on the quality and efficiency of calculations of protein side-chain conformation. Although further work is needed to address the issue of backbone displacements, the recent progress solves the packing problem to a significant degree.

Humanized anti-Lewis Y antibodies: in vitro properties and pharmacokinetics in rhesus monkeys.

ABL 364 is a murine monoclonal IgG3 antibody directed against the Lewis Y carbohydrate antigen (Le(y)) expressed on the surface of many epithelial cell tumors. The antibody mediates cytotoxicity via activation of human complement or human effector cells, and has been evaluated in several clinical trials including two Phase I/II trials in relapsed small cell lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer. To improve the effector functions of the antibody, increase its half-life in circulation, and avoid the human antimouse antibody response, two chimeric and several humanized antibodies were constructed for evaluation.

Changes in various plasma lipid components, glucose, and insulin in Spermophilus lateralis during hibernation.

This study evaluated fat mobilization as related to gluconeogenesis in two age groups of hibernating golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis). Our experimental group consisted of a total of 16 male and 15 female squirrels. Plasma samples were collected from selected animals being killed weekly from January to March, and the concentration of triglycerides, glycerol (GY), free fatty acids (FFA), total cholesterol, lipase activity, glucose, and insulin, were determined by biochemical assays and radioimmunoassay.