Identification of two distinct properties of class II major histocompatibility complex-associated peptides

We have examined the interactions of various peptides with the mouse class II major histocompatibility complex molecule I-Ak. The peptides were derived from the model protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEL). The immunodominant peptide of HEL is a 10-mer, residues 52-61. Our previous work established that this sequence contains the key residues for binding and presentation to T cells. Now we show that the binding of this 10-mer sequence resulted in complexes of I-Ak and peptide that, in SDS/PAGE (without boiling the protein), rapidly dissociated from the component alpha and beta chains. The binding interactions were studied in vitro, by incubating purified I-Ak and radiolabeled peptide, or ex vivo, by using antigen-presenting cells incubated with peptides. Peptides with additional residues at either the amino or carboxyl terminus behaved dramatically differently. Complexes of I-Ak with the longer peptides were stable to SDS/PAGE. Very few amino acid additions result in the change from unstable to stable complexes. The important issue here is that when cultured with HEL, antigen-presenting cells selected the HEL peptides containing the 52-61 sequences that favored stability [Nelson, C. A., Roof, R. W., McCourt, D. W. & Unanue, E. R. (1992) Proc. Natl., Acad. Sci. USA 89, 7380-7383]. Also, from other studies, such sequences correlate with a high immunogenicity of the peptide. We conclude that there are structural features of peptides that change the stability of the class II molecule and that are independent of the "core" peptide seen by the T cells.     

Inhibition of HeLa cell messenger RNA translation by 7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate

Translation of HeLa cell RNA containing poly(A) in a wheat germ cell-free system is markedly but incompletely inhibited by 7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate (m7G5'p). We have analyzed the translation products synthesized in the presence of different concentrations of m7G5'p and find that translation of all mRNAs is equally inhibited. To demonstrate the specificity of the inhibitor for RNAs with 5'-terminal m7G5' ppp... we show that specific translation products of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA, which does not have this 5' terminus, are synthesized in the presence of m7G5' p. Protein synthesis programmed by endogenous mRNA in a HeLa cell-free system is inhibited after a 10-min lag by m7G5' p. Other guanosine nucleotides without the 7-methyl group or with the phosphate in a different position are not inhibitor. We show that translation of all mRNAs is inhibited to a similar extent by m7G5'p in the HeLa cell-free system, by synthesizing 35S-labeled proteins in the presence of different inhibitory concentrations of this nucleotide and analyzing the translation products by electrophoresis and autoradiography. Translation of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA added to the HeLa cell-free system is not inhibited by m7"g5p; this viral RNA does not have this nucleotide at the 5' terminus. This indicates that m7G5'p specifically inhibits translation of mRNAs with the 5' terminus m7G5'ppp... and suggests that initiation of translation of picornavirus RNA may proceed via a mechanism different from that of cellular mRNAs.     

Occurrence of gastric ulcer after Nissen fundoplication

Of 160 patients who underwent Nissen fundoplication for treatment of symptomatic peptic reflux esophagitis, five patients (3.1%) developed gastric ulcers. Four of these five patients experienced the "gas-bloat" syndrome. All ulcers were located on the lesser curvature of the stomach. Analyses of our experience with use of various types of hiatal hernia repair suggests that creation of the valvuloplastic mechanism unique to the Nissen procedure may be of etiologic significance in the development of gastric ulcers following this procedure.     

DFNN及其在非线性动态系统中的应用

为了更好地辨识和控制非线性动态系统,在FNN基础上对其进行优化和改进,形成了动态模糊神经网络(DFNN)。给出了基于BP梯度算法的参数迭代学习算法,并应用于某非线性动态系统仿真试验中。仿真试验表明,该网络比单纯的FNN具有更强的辨识和控制能力,应用于非线性动态系统的控制中可以有效解决系统的非线性和不确定性,提高系统的跟踪性能,并且控制系统具有很强的鲁棒性。     

可回收式锥形肝静脉支架的动物实验研究

【摘要】 目的 通过动物实验评估可回收式锥形肝静脉支架的可行性、安全性及稳定性,探讨支架回收最佳时间。方法 健康家猪24头,随机分为4组,每组6头。全身麻醉下经右颈内静脉入路接受肝中静脉可回收式锥形支架置入术,术后3、7、11、15 d分别接受支架回收。采用t检验对比各组支架置入后、回收前所测得的支架内血流压力变化差异。采集支架中段相邻血管组织标本作病理学检查,测量计算新生血管内膜厚度,单因素方差分析对比各组间新生内膜厚度差异。结果 24枚支架均成功置入,技术成功率100%;支架回收技术成功率为50%（12/24）。肝中静脉内压力测量显示,3 d组支架置入后与回收前比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;7 d组、11 d组、15 d组支架置入后与回收前比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。各组间支架中段相邻组织新生内膜平均厚度两两比较,差异均有显著统计学意义（F＝338.29,P＜0.001）。结论 可回收式锥形支架置入家猪肝静脉安全、可行,其最佳安全回收时间为3 d,最长不宜超过7 d。

     

高精度伺服系统基于Pade近似的数字前馈控制器

针对指令超前信息未知的情况,提出一种基于Pade近似原理的数字前馈控制器。以某电机伺服系统为例进行仿真,结果表明了本控制器的有效性。     

流谱心率系统在电动自行车上的应用

介绍了心率监控系统在电动自行车上的应用,在骑行电动自行车过程中,通过车把传感器进行心率实时监控,当骑行人心率体征发生变化时系统可以及时报警,减少因为骑行人体征变化引起的交通事故,从而引领人们健康生活的理念。     

Sympathetic response to stimulation of the pontine A5 region in conscious rabbits

OBJECT: This study is a retrospective analysis of clinical data obtained in 28 patients affected by obstructive hydrocephalus who presented with signs of midbrain dysfunction during episodes of shunt malfunction. METHODS: All patients presented with an upward gaze palsy, sometimes associated with other signs of oculomotor dysfunction. In seven cases the ocular signs remained isolated and resolved rapidly after shunt revision. In 21 cases the ocular signs were variably associated with other clinical manifestations such as pyramidal and extrapyramidal deficits, memory disturbances, mutism, or alterations in consciousness. Resolution of these symptoms after shunt revision was usually slow. In four cases a transient paradoxical aggravation was observed at the time of shunt revision. In 11 cases ventriculocistemostomy allowed resolution of the symptoms and withdrawal of the shunt. Simultaneous supratentorial and infratentorial intracranial pressure recordings performed in seven of the patients showed a pressure gradient between the supratentorial and infratentorial compartments, with a higher supratentorial pressure before shunt revision. Inversion of this pressure gradient was observed after shunt revision and resolution of the gradient was observed in one case after third ventriculostomy. In six recent cases, a focal midbrain hyperintensity was evidenced on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences at the time of shunt malfunction. This rapidly resolved after the patient underwent third ventriculostomy. CONCLUSIONS: It is probable that in obstructive hydrocephalus, at the time of shunt malfunction, the development of a transtentorial pressure gradient could initially induce a functional impairment of the upper midbrain, inducing upward gaze palsy. The persistence of the gradient could lead to a global dysfunction of the upper midbrain. Third ventriculostomy contributes to equalization of cerebrospinal fluid pressure across the tentorium by restoring free communication between the infratentorial and supratentorial compartments, resulting in resolution of the patient's clinical symptoms.     

Laboratory investigation of the mass stability of sampling cassettes from inhalable aerosol samplers

A study was conducted to evaluate the mass stability of the materials used in the construction of samplers with internal cassettes for the gravimetric measurement of inhalable aerosol exposures. The internal cassettes from IOM samplers were studied. Results indicate that the mass stability of filters is uniform, but the mass stability of the cassette material may dramatically affect the results of the measurement. Cassettes constructed from plastic exhibited drastic shifts in mass depending on the environmental conditions of their storage. Under room humidity, the plastic cassettes absorbed 1 to 2 mg of water over several days. When these cassettes were placed in a desiccator, they lost mass consistently but did not approach a stable mass. Studies repeated with cassettes made of stainless steel showed negligible mass variability. Based on this study, the use of stainless steel cassettes is recommended for gravimetric determinations of aerosol exposure, although field blanks may in some cases be used for correction of data from plastic cassettes. This study shows the need to evaluate the mass stability of the cassette material of any sampling device where an internal cassette is weighed together with the filter.