Diet and humoral responsiveness of lines of chickens divergently selected for antibody response to sheep red blood cells

OBJECTIVE: To assess everyday life stress and emotional adjustment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their children. METHODS: We conducted a 6 month study of 14 patients with RA with children aged 4-16 years (25 children) and 24 control families (53 children). Life event stress and functional capacity were assessed at the beginning and end of the study, and minor stressors (hassles), positive events (uplifts), and salivary cortisol were recorded weekly. Emotional adjustment was measured monthly in adults by self-report, and bimonthly in children using the Child Behavior Checklist (completed by parents). Social support and psychological coping responses were also measured. RESULTS: Patients with RA experienced fewer positive events than did controls, and they tended to have smaller support networks. Daily hassle levels correlated with severity of disability, and differences in psychological coping were also observed. Children from RA families reported nearly 50% more hassles per week than did controls, and their social networks were significantly smaller. They were rated as having greater problems of social adjustment than controls. Cortisol concentration was greater among children who experienced more life event stress over the study period, but did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: The patients with RA in this study showed good adaptation, but experienced less pleasure in their daily lives. The children of patients with RA may have heightened vulnerability to stress related problems, with fewer social resources and difficulties in behavioral adjustment.     

Kinetic analysis of T cells and antibody production in chickens infected with Marek's disease virus

In chickens inoculated with a Marek's disease (MD) vaccine and subsequently with virulent MD virus (MDV), CD4+ T cell population was drastically decreased following a transient increase at 21 days after hatching (16 days after MDV infection). To elucidate the immune response after the decrease of CD4+ T cell population, the antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was examined in these chickens. Chickens challenged with a virulent MDV after MD vaccination produced lower titers, of anti-SRBC antibody than untreated control chickens. Antibody production against SRBC was also lowered in vaccinated chickens or chickens challenged with a virulent MDV.     

Development of responsiveness to suprathreshold acoustic stimulation in chickens.

Observed developmental changes in a UCR to acoustic stimulation in young Hubbard?×?Hubbard chickens. Specifically, durations of distress call (peep) suppression were measured after the onsets of tones that differed in intensity and frequency in 384 newly hatched and 4-day-old chicks. Resuppression was also measured after a 6% change in the frequency of these tones, once Ss had habituated to the original tone. Data show that the suppression varied systematically as a function of age, intensity, and frequency: (a) the duration of suppression increased with increasing stimulus intensity; (b) responsiveness to high frequencies grew more rapidly over the 1st 4 days than responsiveness to low frequencies, an effect indicating a developmental gradient across frequencies with age; (c) resuppression to the 6% change in frequency increased in duration with age; and (d) young Ss suppressed vocalizations longer to loud tones in the range of their species' maternal assembly call than to other frequency–intensity combinations. These developmental trends indicate rapid changes in perceived loudness and perceptual sharpening over the first few days of postnatal life. (51 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Circadian rhythm of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in nocturnal asthma

Results of Gamma nail use in treatment for trochanteric fracture of the femur in 25 patients (15 females, 10 males) aged 45-91 years are presented. There were 12 type I, 9 type II, 3 type III and 1 type IV fracture according to Boyd-Griffin classification. Fracture healed 10-12 weeks after surgery in 24 cases; one patient died because of pulmonary embolism.     

Kinetic correlates of methotrexate transport and therapeutic responsiveness in murine tumors

Net accumulation of methotrexate by carrier-mediated transport in different murine tumor cells in vitro exhibits a positive correlation with the relative drug pharmacokinetics and therapeutic responsiveness in these tumors in vivo. The transport of methotrexate by Sarcoma 180, Ehrlich carcinoma, P388, P288, and L1210 leukemia cells is qualitatively similar. Influx of drug exhibits saturation kinetics and is highly temperature dependent (Q10, 6.1 to 9.4). Efflux of exchangeable methotrexate from all of the different tumor cells exhibited first-order kinetics and the same high temperature dependence seen for influx (Q10, 6.1 to 8.0). The major kinetic determinant of responsiveness is the Km for influx. Values vary from 3.1 to 11.2 X 10(-6) M and are highest in cells from a nonresponsive Sarcoma 180 tumor, somewhat lower in the poorly responsive Ehrlich tumor, lower in moderately responsive P388 and P288 leukemias, and lowest in the highly responsive L1210 leukemia. Values for the influx Vmax differ to some extent, but in a manner not correlatable with responsiveness. The level of responsiveness of the P388 leukemia in vivo can also be partially attributed to an efflux rate that is lower than that measured for the other tumor cells. Steady-state levels of drug accumulation in vitro reflected influx and efflux rates and were consistently correlatable with therapeutic responsiveness. There was no significant difference in the extent to which folate and reduced 5-substituted folate derivatives compete with methotrexate for uptake in cells from all five tumors. The average value for Ki measured with folate for each tumor cell type was 50- and 80-fold higher than for 5-formyltetrahydrofolate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.     

Activity of various immunosuppressive drugs on tuberculin hypersensitivity reaction in chickens

Drug induced immunosuppression of chicken immune response was studied in F1 hybrids of the CB and IC inbred lines. In tuberculin reaction complete inhibition of wattle swelling was induced by the administration of methotrexate, colcemid (1 mg/KBW), and 6-mercaptopurine. The cellular infiltration was substantially reduced in these cases. Cyclophosphamide and colcemid (0.1 mg/KBW) reduced partially the wattle swelling but had no apparent effect on the cellular infiltration. Acetinomycin D did not affect in measurable degree the wattle swelling. The histologic picture was in this case the same as in the control animals. The same drug administration schedule had less pronounced effect on anti-HSA antibody production. No anti-HSA antibody was found after the 500 mg/animal doses of 6-mercaptopurine. Significant reduction of anti-HSA titres was found after 50 mg/animal doses of 6-mercaptopurine, colcemid (1 mg/KBW), 25 MG/KBW or cyclophosphamide and after the methotrexate treatment.     

Antibody-mediated basophil accumulations in cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions of guinea pigs

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) was studied in guinea pigs by using simplified histologic techniques. Animals immunized with oxazolone or picryl conjugates of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) emulsified with complete (CFA) or incomplete Freund's adjunvant (IFA) were found to have hapten-specific cutaneous basophil reactions when skin tested at 1 week with oxazolone or picryl chloride contant painting or intradermal injection of oxazolone or picryl-conjugated human serum albumin, respectively. Thus, hapten-specific cutaneous basophil reactions were present in guinea pigs immunized with CFA for classical delayed hypersensitivity, and in animals immunized with IFA for Jones-Mote reactions. Hapten-specific 24-hr cutaneous basophil reactions were passively transferred with immune serum from donors sensitized with conjugates of oxazolone or picryl-KLH in CFA or IFA, and with serum from oxazolone contact-sensitized animals as well. As little as 0.5 ml sera obtained from donors 1 week after immunization could systemically transfer cutaneous basophil reactions. It is likely that hapten-specific cutaneous basophil reactions are mediated by small quantities of serum antibodies. We conclude that antibody-mediated cutaneous basophil reactions may be distinctive hypersensitivity responses that can be distinguished from classical anaphylactic, Arthus, and delayed hypersensitivities. It is suggested that CBH reactions are heterogeneous and that antibody products of B lymphocytes, and factors probably derived from T lymphocytes, play a role in basophil accumulations at cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions.     

Association of the antibody response to hemocyanin with behavior in mice bred for or low antibody responsiveness.

Researchers attempted to find a genetic correlation between the antibody response and some behaviors by comparing the behavioral profile of good antibody-producing mice (Biozzi's H mice) with that of bad antibody producers (Biozzi's L mice). The behavioral tests used were 2 open fields, a light–darkness test, and reaction to capture; the antigen was keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and blood levels of immunoglobulin (Classes IgM and IgG) antibodies to hemocyanin were measured by diffusion-in-gel-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. H and L mice differed in the magnitude of the antibody response (H?>?L), in reaction to capture (L?>?H), and in rearing in 1 of the open fields (L?>?H). Yet the level of IgM or IgG antibodies was uncorrelated with those behaviors in the (H?×?L) F, hybrids and in outbred CDI mice. Thus, the behavioral differences between H and L mice are not due to the antibody response genes but to other genes fixed during selection for antibody responsiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of divergent selection for immune responsiveness and of major histocompatibility complex on resistance to Marek's disease in chickens

Lines of chickens selected for nine generations for high (H) or low (L) antibody response to SRBC, a randombred control (C) line, and an F1 cross between H and L lines were challenged for resistance to Marek's disease (MD). Hens only were challenged at day-old by contact with virulent MD Strain K. Birds were serologically typed for MHC erythrocyte antigens. Chicks from the L and H lines died earlier and later, respectively, than the C chicks, whereas time of death did not differ between F1 birds and the L chicks. Mortality in the L line (70.1%) was higher than in the C line (42.8%), but mortality in the H line (40.9%) was not lower than in the C line or the F1 cross (47.5%). Effects of MHC genotypes and haplotypes on mortality from MD were estimated within lines with a logistic regression model. Effect of MHC was moderate in the H line (P < .10) and highly significant in the C line (P < .005). Effects of MHC genotypes were similar in the H and C line but differed in the L and F1. Heritability of mortality from MD estimated with a threshold model including relationships between individuals was .40 when all lines were grouped together, whereas heritability estimated for each line separately was .45, .51, and .78 in the H, C, and L lines, respectively. Correlations between estimated breeding values for antibody response to SRBC and mortality from MD varied between lines and sexes. Correlations also were affected by whether or not the MHC effect was taken into account.     

Protein and energy metabolism in two lines of chickens selected for growth on high or low protein diets

Genetic adaptation was investigated in broilers selected for seven generations on a normal (A) or a low (B) protein diet. Protein and energy metabolism were studied in males from these selected lines fed on a diet of intermediate protein content. All selected birds retained more nitrogen than those studied 10 years previously. There was no difference in nitrogen retention between groups, although relative growth rate of group B birds was higher. Heat productions relative to gross energy intake were 0.38 (group B) and 0.45 (group A). Energy retentions relative to gross energy intake were 0.39 (group B) and 0.35 (group A); the difference being primarily due to higher fat retention in group B. Using a common maintenance requirement for metabolisable energy, group B utilised metabolisable energy for growth (0.78) better than did group A (0.71). At 53 d of age plasma glucose (10%) and insulin (50%) were higher in group B than in group A.     

An immunohistochemical analysis of anti-amylase antibody reactivity in acinic cell adenocarcinoma

In many salivary acinic cell adenocarcinomas, well-differentiated serous acinar-type cells may be few and inconspicuous. In these cases it may be difficult to distinguish acinic cell adenocarcinoma from other types of salivary gland neoplasms such as cystadenocarcinoma. The usefulness of antisalivary amylase antibody immunohistochemical staining as a diagnostic aid was assessed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 27 typical acinic cell adenocarcinomas. Only 4 of 27 tumors showed reactivity in tumor cells. We conclude that anti-amylase antibody is of limited value in the recognition of acinic cell adenocarcinoma when light morphologic features are insufficient for diagnosis.     

A monoclonal antibody selected for probing the folding of staphylococcal nuclease and its N-terminal fragments

PURPOSE: Nitric oxide (NO) is generated in mammalian tissue by the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline. The reaction is catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NO has been suggested to have a dual role in tumor biology with both antitumor and tumor promoter activity. Furthermore, it has been proposed that NO contributes to interleukin-2-induced antitumor activity. Since interleukin-2 is used in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) it was of interest to study the NOS activity in the human kidney and in RCC and its correlation to tumor grade. Furthermore, the effect of cytokine treatment on NOS activity and the effect of NO donor application was studied in cultured cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of cytokine treatment on NOS activity and the effect of NO donor application on cell proliferation was studied in cultured human proximal tubular cells and in RCC cell lines HN4 and HN51. NOS activity was measured by the L-arginine to L-citrulline conversion assay. RESULTS: Calcium-dependent NOS activity was found in all non-malignant kidney tissues (486+/-63 pmol. min(-1) g(-1) tissue). The activity was significantly lower in RCC (24+/-6 pmol. min(-1) g(-1) tissue) and correlated with tumor grade; thus high grade tumors showed lower activity than low grade tumors. Calcium-independent NOS activity was not detected in non-malignant kidney tissue or in RCC tissue. In cultured proximal tubular cells and RCC cell lines HN4 and HN51, cytokine treatment induced a marked increase in NOS activity and NO exerted cytostatic effects on these cell lines. Conclusions: The NOS activity was higher in non-malignant kidney tissue than in RCC tissue and was inversely correlated with tumor grade. Furthermore, cytokine treatment induced a marked increase in NOS activity and NO exerted cytostatic effects on cultured proximal tubular cells and RCC cell lines.     

IgG antibodies and early intradermal reactions to hydrocortisone in patients with cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone

Seven of 25 patients with cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone had an immediate reaction following the intradermal injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Using an ELISA method, we found that these patients had significantly increased levels of IgG antibodies to hydrocortisone when compared with normal blood donors (P < 0.005) and nickel-allergic patients (P < 0.05). We suggest that these patients are at risk of developing type III and possibly type I reactions following the systemic administration of hydrocortisone and that, if needed, an alternative systemic corticosteroid should be used, for example betamethasone or dexamethasone.     

T cell responsiveness correlates differentially with antibody isotype levels in clinical and asymptomatic filariasis

To establish the relationships among T and B cell responses, active infection, and clinical manifestations in lymphatic filariasis, filarial-specific lymphocyte proliferation, IgG antibody isotypes, and IgE levels were determined in an exposed population: 31 asymptomatic amicrofilaremics, 43 microfilaremics, 12 symptomatic amicrofilaremics, and 52 elephantiasis patients. Lymphocyte proliferation was higher in elephantiasis patients and asymptomatic amicrofilaremics than in microfilaremics (P < .004). A proportion of asymptomatic amicrofilaremics (32%), elephantiasis patients (37%), and symptomatic amicrofilaremics (58%) showed antigen-specific lymphocyte unresponsiveness, and lymphocyte proliferation to filarial antigens correlated negatively with specific IgG4 levels (rho = -0.315, P < .001). As elevated specific IgG4 is an indicator of active infection, it is argued that active infection may result in lymphocyte hyporesponsiveness irrespective of clinical category. Of those with elevated specific IgE levels and high T cell proliferative responses, 70% had elephantiasis, suggesting these factors have a role in pathology. However, the existence of a proportion of elephantiasis patients with low anti-filarial IgE and T cell unresponsiveness to filarial antigens suggests that elephantiasis can be caused by distinct processes.     

Performance characteristics of maze learning in mice selected for high and low brain weight.

A series of 3 experiments with a total of 53 mice of the BWS-H and BWS-L strains used the Lashley Type III maze to test these Ss (selected for high and low brain weight) for differences in rate of learning and type of response pattern and to assess performance differences at 2 ages and with water or saccharin reinforcement. There were no differences in standard learning measures between the brain-weight lines; however, the lines did differ in the nature of their response patterns as a function of age (weanling or adult) and type of reinforcement. Data indicate that brain-weight lines characteristically differ in their response to a reinforcer not clearly dependent on need state (saccharin) and in their performance pattern at different developmental periods. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of inoculation site of combined oil-adjuvanted vaccine on the antibody response in chickens

In this study, we evaluated the relationship between resistance to insulin-mediated glucose disposal and hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hgb) concentrations in 150 normal, healthy volunteers: 100 men and 50 women. Insulin resistance was defined as the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration at the end of a 180-minute infusion of somatostatin, insulin, and glucose. Since the steady-state plasma insulin (SSPI) concentrations are similar in all individuals, the SSPG concentrations provide a direct measure of insulin resistance: the higher the SSPG, the more insulin-resistant the subject. The results indicated that SSPG was significantly (P < .001) related to Hct and Hgb in both men and women, with correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.38 to 0.43. A series of other variables were also related to Hct and Hgb, including blood pressure, plasma glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose, and plasma triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations. When multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate these relationships, the only variables that were consistently found to be associated with Hct and Hgb were insulin resistance and plasma insulin response to oral glucose. Thus, these results suggest that Hct and Hgb concentrations be added to the cluster of variables related to insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia.     

Development and comparison of assays for measuring immunospecific antibody response in serum of chickens and rabbits immunized with human immunoglobulin G

The antibody response development during polyclonal antibody production is a relevant parameter to monitor during the immunization period to be able to optimize the immunization protocol and to determine the optimal antibody harvest time. Although rabbits and other mammals are most often used for polyclonal antibody production, the chicken is a relevant alternative. There are both scientific reasons, economic reasons, and animal welfare reasons to consider when choosing the chicken instead of a mammal for this purpose, because antibodies in generous quantities can be harvested from the egg yolk. This study compared different assays for measuring antibody response in rabbit and chicken serum. An inhibition liquid phase absorption assay (ILPAA), a rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE) assay, and a line immunoelectrophoresis (LIE) assay were compared to ELISAs. The ELISA proved to be the most useful assay for routine use, as it was less time-consuming and because the assay could easily be adapted to both serum antibody types. However, electrophoretic assays were the most useful as combined analytical and quantitative tools and must be considered essential when analyzing specificities of polyclonal antibody preparations.