Isolation and characterization of a unique glycoprotein from lavage of chicken lungs and lamellar organelles

A major glycoprotein with an estimated molecular weight by sodium dodecylsulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis of 36,000 daltons has been found in lavage material of normal chicken lung. Amino acid and carbohydrate analyses of this glycoprotein indicated the presence of hydroxyproline, a high percentage of glycine, sialic acid, mannose, galactose, fucose, and glucosamine. Threonine is the NH2-terminal residue of the glycoprotein. A similar glycoprotein of the same molecular weight, NH2-terminus, amino acid, and carbohydrate composition has been found in lamellar organelles isolated from normal chicken lung. The data indicate that this unique collagen-like glycoprotein, which is similar to a major alveolar glycoprotein found in mammals, including patients with alveolar proteinosis, is also a major protein of avian airways. Because avian airways contain no Clara, ciliated, or goblet cells but do contain type II cells as the only secretory airway cells with lamellar organelles, it is likely that in birds this glycoprotein may be a product of type II cells.     

Differential effect of materials for surface hemostasis on red blood cell morphology

The design of devices for surface (topical) hemostasis has been based on maximizing activation of platelets and accelerating coagulation pathways. The studies reported herein examine another aspect of blood contact with topical hemostasis materials, i.e., surface binding of red blood cells (RBCs) and related alterations in RBC morphology. Whole blood was allowed to contact poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (pGlcNAc) containing materials: pGlcNAc nanofibers with parallel polymer alignment (beta-pGlcNAc), chitin, and chitosan. The effect on RBC morphology and function via contact with the artificial surfaces on the cell's morphology was examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). beta-pGlcNAc was found to densely bind RBCs and induce a stomatocytic-like morphology. Chitin and chitosan also bound RBCs, but with approximately 10-fold lower levels and with less distinct general morphologies. beta-pGlcNAc is thus unique in the nature of its interaction with RBCs. These studies indicate that the differential ability of various materials to bind and alter the morphology of RBCs at the artificial surface interface with blood is an important consideration in the design of devices for surface hemostasis.     

Treatment response and durability of a double protease inhibitor therapy with saquinavir and ritonavir in an observational cohort of HIV-1-infected individuals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment response, durability and tolerance of a four-drug regimen including saquinavir and ritonavir in combination with either zidovudine/lamivudine or stavudine/lamivudine. DESIGN: Observational cohort of HIV-positive individuals. METHODS: Viral load, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were assessed at intervals of 1-3 months in subjects commencing therapy between July 1996 and November 1996. Adverse events were evaluated as well as risk factors for therapeutic failures. RESULTS: A group of 56 male patients were included and followed for 48 weeks. Of these, 66% had already taken a protease inhibitor. Viral load dropped by a median 1.98 log10 HIV RNA copies/ml from baseline (interquartile range: 1.49-2.46) and became undetectable (< 400 copies/ml) in 68% of patients. Response varied: 9% were non-responders (HIV RNA reduction < 0.5 log10 copies/ml) and 23% were incomplete responders (nadir of HIV RNA > 400 copies/ml). After 48 weeks, viral load remained undetectable in 49%. Median CD4+ T lymphocyte count increased from 191 x 10(6) to 418 x 10(6) cells/l (range, 241-537 x 10(6) cells/l). Although protease inhibitor and nucleoside pretreatment selected for drug-resistant viral mutants, only the protease inhibitor experience was identified as a risk factor for therapeutic failure. Adverse events occurred in 73% of patients and led to a change of therapy in 9%. CONCLUSION: Despite advanced HIV disease and pretreatment with multiple antiretroviral drugs, a strong initial treatment response to this drug regimen was observed. However, virological failure occurred in 51% of patients after 48 weeks and frequent adverse events complicated therapy.     

Determination of serum retinol (vitamin A) by high-speed liquid chromatography

We report a fast and simple high-speed liquid-chromatographic assay for serum retinol. Only 100 mul of serum is required. The lower detection limit is 50 mug/liter; linearity was demonstrated up to 1.50 mg/liter. On analyzing a serum pool eight times, a CV of 2.5% was obtained. Values by this method are compared with results obtained by a flurometric method [Clin. Chem. 16, 766(1970)].     

Psychologic and psychophysiologic response to 105 days of social isolation

The responses of nine subjects to 105 d of social isolation are reported. The study reveals that crew selection plus ongoing support by psychiatric staff permits continued function in an exotic milieu. Prediction of psychophysiologic symptoms was possible using paper and pencil tests. Trait anxiety was altered by the isolation in a psychologically healthy direction. Sudden time shifts of 8 h led to an immediate significant increase in depression, aggression, and hostility, and are accompanied by marked increases in physical symptoms. During the first free-running phase of the experiment, significant shifts were found on four psychological measures. The shifts indicate that subjects became less trusting, more orderly, more routinized, less energetic, and more depressed. A reducer-augmenter scale predicted the number of psychophysiologic complaints reported by individual subjects while isolated. A group interaction effect on circadian rhythms was isolated but needs further examination.     

The surface structure of mouse peritoneal cells--a study with the scanning electron microscope

Normal and stimulated peritoneal cells have been examined with the Stereo-scan scanning electron microscope. Normal lymphocytes were identified by their small size; some had numerous small stubby or pointed processes on their surfaces. Macrophages were larger and had ridge-like processes. Many of the stimulated cells showed no significant deviation from normal. Others, all macrophages, showed a marked deviation from the normal spherical shape. Ridge-like processes were more prominent on their surfaces, and large flange-like processes and a few finger-like processes were seen. This suggests that on stimulation peritoneal cells become more deformable and therefore irregular in shape, and that their surfaces become rougher.     

Glucose intolerance and associated factors in the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan

Prevalence of glucose intolerance and other noncommunicable diseases has been examined in subjects aged 35 years and over in semirural and urban communities in the Fergana Valley in the eastern part of Uzbekistan, Central Asia. Diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were diagnosed according to the recommendations of the latest WHO Study Group on diabetes. Crude prevalence of diabetes was 9% and 5%, respectively, in semirural men and women, 13% and 9% in urban men and women. Crude prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was 6% and 9%, respectively, in semirural men and women, 9% and 8% in urban men and women. After adjustment for non-response, prevalence of diabetes was 5% and 4%, respectively, in semirural men and women and 8% in both urban men and women. Adjusted prevalence of IGT was 4% and 8%, respectively, in semirural men and women, 5% and 6% in urban men and women. The majority of subjects with a prior diagnosis of diabetes were being treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents. Almost one-half of subjects in both communities had body mass index of 25 kg m(-2) or greater. Central obesity (waist-hip ratio 0.95 or greater for men, 0.85 or greater for women) was observed in over one-quarter of subjects in both communities. Clinical hypertension was not frequent by international standards (9% in semirural subjects and 13% in urban subjects) but a number of subjects who were clinically normotensive claimed to be taking antihypertensive medication. It is concluded that glucose intolerance and central obesity are common in this region of Uzbekistan, about which there was previously little information.