Specific IgE-dependent sensitization, atopy, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in apprentices starting exposure to protein-derived agents

Atopy, specific IgE sensitization, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) were examined in a cohort of 769 apprentices starting career programs in animal health or veterinary medicine (Group 1), pastry making (Group 2), and dental hygiene (Group 3). The hypothesis were that: (1) a proportion of subjects can be "sensitized" although no significant specific occupational exposure has occurred; and (2) there is a relationship between baseline specific sensitization to work-related antigens and host characteristics. Skin tests were administered using 11 common inhalants and specific allergens, including six laboratory animal extracts, three cereal antigens, alpha-amylase, and latex. Methacholine challenge tests were performed. The prevalence of atopy was 54.4% in Group 1, 58.1% in Group 2, and 52.5% in Group 3. Skin reactivity to work-specific proteins was as follows: laboratory animal proteins, 13.8% in Group 1, 14.0% in Group 2, and 15.6% in Group 3. No subject was sensitized to alpha-amylase, whereas 1.2% in Group 1, 5% in Group 2, and 4.1% in Group 3 were sensitized to flour. Five subjects reacted to latex. BHR (PC20 < or = 8 mg/ml) was present in 17.6%, 21.2%, and 14.8% of subjects in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Specific sensitization was associated with positive skin reactions to common allergens, work-related symptoms, and BHR. These results suggest that students starting career programs with exposure to high-molecular-weight allergens have a low but substantial frequency of specific sensitization to work-related allergens that is related to atopy and BHR.     

Formation of individual somatotype parameters and features of constitutional organization in 7-12-year-old boys (longitudinal)

Individual somatotype parameters and peculiarities of constitution in 7-12 years boys were evaluated in the present investigation. The age range studied was shown to be divided on 3 stages. Regular growth processes with the prevalence of "infantal" proportions occur at the age of 7-9. Signs of definite constitutional type are expressed yet insufficiently. The age of 10-11 is transitional which shows in delay of muscle growth. At the age of 11-12 prepubescent sets in, during which features of constitution types and appropriate somatotype parameters are distinctly manifested.     

The efficacy of recombinant vaccines against hepatitis B and the results of their use in a schedule for pediatric prophylactic inoculations

The results of field clinical trials of Russian and American yeast vaccines against hepatitis B are presented. The study revealed that both vaccines were faintly reactogenic, safe and exhibited high immunological activity. After the full course of immunization following the schedule 0-1-2 months 92.5% and 97.5% of patients receiving, respectively. Russian vaccine "Combiotech" and American vaccine "H-B-Vax II" were found to have specific antibodies. The maximum effect was registered when the vaccines were introduced according to the schedule 0-1-6 months. Seroconversions were observed in 97.5% and 100% of the vaccinees receiving the Russian and American vaccines respectively, in the latter case the highest antibody level being observed. The use of the vaccines within the prophylactic immunization schedule showed that antibodies to hepatitis B appeared in immunized children in 93-100% of cases. Seroconversion indices and the levels of antibodies to diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles were statistically significant and were the same in children receiving only the vaccines according to the immunization schedule and in children immunized, in addition to these vaccines, against hepatitis B.     

The ultrastructural and functional expression of the hepatocyte genome under conditions of prolonged inhibition of protein biosynthesis by cycloheximide. V]

A review of 76 Southampton children with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura has confirmed that there is no evidence of a streptococcal aetiology in the majority of cases of this disease. Among these patients the frequency of preceding respiratory infection of all kinds was only 7 percent greater than that in controls. Data on month of admission in four areas of England and Scotland show that the incidence of the disease is lowest in the June-August period. Contrary to previous findings there is no marked peak of incidence in any single month.     

In situ bypass and diabetes

From 1986 through to 1990 a total of 483 in situ bypass procedures were performed in 444 patients. Preoperative risk-factors were equally distributed among diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic (NDM) patients, except for smoking habits (DM:48%, NDM:64%, p = 0.002) and cardiac disease (DM:45%, NDM:29%, p = 0.005). Critical limb-ischaemia was more often present in diabetic than non-diabetic patients (DM:57%, NDM:36%, p = 0.0002). Diabetic patients had a significantly lower distal anastomosis than non-diabetic patients (p = 0.00001). There were no differences among diabetic and non-diabetic patients regarding three years primary and secondary patency (58% and 64% respectively), and regarding major amputations. However, the rate of minor amputations was higher in insulin-dependent compared with non-insulin-dependent diabetics, who in turn had a higher rate than non-diabetics (p < 0.00001). A markedly decreased survival rate was found in diabetics (p < 0.00005). We found the in situ bypass technique very useful in the treatment of critical ischaemia of the lower limb in diabetic patients. The overall results in diabetic patients, whether insulin-dependent or not, were equal to those in non-diabetic patients.     

Lymphocytes' cytotoxicity towards cells of human lymphoblastoid lines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

A research study and discussion of antiinterferon immunoglobulin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and its possible value in the treatment of allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases and other diseases where it is presumed there may be an autoimmune genesis.     

局域网中的ARP欺骗及安全防范

本文针对局域网中发生的ARP欺骗基本原理进行介绍,分析了ARP协议所存在的安全漏洞,同时介绍几种常见的ARP欺骗和攻击方式,并且从客户端、网关等多个方面提出关于如何防御ARP攻击的多种方法,以达到全面防御维护局域网络安全的目的。     

Facetted patchy particles through entropy-driven patterning of mixed ligand SAMS

We present a microscopic theory that describes the ordering of two distinct ligands on the surface of a facetted nanoparticle. The theory predicts that when one type of ligand is significantly bulkier than all others, the larger ligands preferentially align themselves along the edges and vertices of the nanoparticle. Monte Carlo simulations confirm these predictions. We show that the intrinsic conformational entropy of the ligands stabilizes this novel edge-aligned phase.     

Materials informatics: Facilitating the integration of data-driven materials research with education

Materials informatics integrated into undergraduate and graduate materials education is a key component and critical issue to address the nation’s shortage of well-trained, future scientists. A.C. Powell is with OpenInnovation     

Role of free Cys121 in stabilization of bovine beta-lactoglobulin B

Mixed disulfide derivatives of bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) were studied by circular dichroism (CD), gel-permeation HPLC and high- sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (HS-DSC). It was shown that modification of Cys121 with mercaptopropionic acid and mercaptoethanol does not affect the secondary structure of BLG, but results instead in tertiary and quaternary structure changes. At neutral pH, the equilibrium dimer<==>monomer of modified beta- lactoglobulin is shifted towards monomeric form. In contrast to native BLG, thermal denaturation of modified beta-lactoglobulin is fully reversible in neutral and acidic pH as demonstrated by CD and HS-DSC measurements. Modification of Cys121 results in a significant decrease of transition temperature (-6 degrees C) and enthalpy (-106 kJ/mol) at pH 2.05 while unfolding heat capacity increment remains unchanged. Thermal unfolding transitions of native and modified beta-lactoglobulin at pH 2.05 are well approximated by a two-state model suggesting that no intermediate states appear after modification. The difference in Gibbs energy of denaturation between native and modified beta- lactoglobulin, 8.5 kJ/mol at 37 degrees C and pH 2.05, does not depend on the nature of the introduced group (charged or neutral). Computer analysis of possible interactions involving Cys121 in a three- dimensional structure of beta-lactoglobulin revealed that the thiol group is too far away from neighboring residues to form side-chain hydrogen bonds. This suggests that the sulfhydryl group of Cys121 may contribute to the maintenance of BLG tertiary structure via water mediated H-bonding.