Selectivity of recognition of variable (V) regions of autoantibodies by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)

In the present study, we demonstrate that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is capable of binding to variable (V) regions of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) of healthy donors and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among V regions of AECAs, IVIg selectively recognized certain idiotypes expressed by the autoantibodies of a given individual, in the case of both natural and SLE-associated AECAs. These observations provide new and direct evidence that IVIg interacts idiotypically with V regions of autoantibodies and that the efficacy of such interaction depends on individual autoantibody specificity. Our findings may be relevant for the understanding of the mechanisms that control expression of natural autoantibody activity in serum and for that of the differences in response to IVIg therapy that are seen between patients with autoimmune disease.     

The min K channel underlies the cardiac potassium current IKs and mediates species-specific responses to protein kinase C

A clone encoding the guinea pig (gp) min K potassium channel was isolated and expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The currents, gpIsK, exhibit many of the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties characteristic of gpIKs, the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium conductance in guinea pig cardiac myocytes. Depolarizing commands evoke outward potassium currents that activate slowly, with time constants on the order of seconds. The currents are blocked by the class III antiarrhythmic compound clofilium but not by the sotalol derivative E4031 or low concentrations of lanthanum. Like IKs in guinea pig myocytes, gpIsK is modulated by stimulation of protein kinase A and protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast to rat and mouse IsK, which are decreased upon stimulation of PKC, myocyte IK and gpIsK in oocytes are increased after PKC stimulation. Substitution of an asparagine residue at position 102 by serine (N102S), the residue found in the analogous position of the mouse and rat min K proteins, results in decreased gpIsK in response to PKC stimulation. These results support the hypothesis that the min K protein underlies the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current in ventricular myocytes and account for the species-specific responses to stimulation of PKC.     

Histopathology of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the esophagus in BUF rats ingesting diethylnitrosamine

Carcinomas developed in the mucosa of the esophagus in BUF strain rats ingesting diethylnitrosamine in the diet. The stages of hyperplasia, hyperplastic nodules, small carcinomas, and large, well-developed carcinomas were observed. Carcinomas, which were well differentiated, poorly differentiated, or undifferentiated, invaded the adjacent tissue but did not metastasize.     

The use of linear programming to select an optimal set of prime implicants

This study shows how the selection of an optimal subset of prime implicants from a prime implicant table, as encountered in digital logic design and similar applications, may be formulated as a linear programming problem in zero-one variables.     

A technique for anodally blocking large nerve fibres through chronically implanted electrodes

If a spinal root of a baboon or rhesus monkey is trapped in an initially loose-fitting silicone rubber channel containing two or more platinum electrodes, electrical pulses sent through these electrodes can stimulate nerve fibres close to the cathode and block the resulting impulses close to the anode. We show (1) how anodal break excitation and excitation of fibres outside the silicone rubber channel can be avoided; (2) that an implant 26 months old behaves like a recent one; (3) that in a root containing somatic motor fibres and parasympathetic fibres, all somatic motor fibres can be blocked and most or all parasympathetic fibres excited but not blocked; (4) that provided that the electrodes pass no net direct current, prolonged stimulation with block can be harmless; (5) how block can be achieved in one direction only along a root; (6) that a peripheral nerve can be blocked by the same techniques.     

Vaccine genotype and route of administration affect pseudorabies field virus latency load after challenge

The influence of vaccine genotype and route of administration on the efficacy of pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccines against virulent PRV challenge was evaluated in a controlled experiment using five genotypically distinct modified live vaccines (MLVs) for PRV. Several of these MLVs share deletions in specific genes, however, each has its deletion in a different locus within that gene. Pigs were vaccinated with each vaccine, either via the intramuscular or intranasal route, and subsequently challenged with a highly virulent PRV field strain. During a 2-week period following challenge with virulent PRV, each of the vaccine strains used in this study was evaluated for its effectiveness in the reduction of clinical signs, prevention of growth retardation and virulent virus shedding. One month after challenge, tissues were collected and analyzed for virulent PRV latency load by a recently developed method for the electrochemiluminescent quantitation of latent herpesvirus DNA in animal tissues after PCR amplification. It was determined that all vaccination protocols provided protection against clinical signs resulting from field virus challenge and reduced both field virus shedding and latency load after field virus challenge. Our results indicated that vaccine efficacy was significantly influenced by the modified live vaccine strain and route of administration. Compared to unvaccinated pigs, vaccination reduced field virus latency load in trigeminal ganglia, but significant differences were found between vaccines and routes of administration. We conclude that vaccine genotype plays a role in the effectiveness of PRV MLVs.