Long-lived respiratory immune response to filamentous hemagglutinin following Bordetella pertussis infection

Systemic and mucosal B-cell-mediated immune responses to purified filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) in mice were analyzed at different times following a single respiratory infection with Bordetella pertussis. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-FHA and respiratory IgG and IgA anti-FHA antibodies were first detected at 3 weeks postinfection, reached high levels by 8 weeks postinfection, and remained at high levels 12 to 32 weeks postinfection. FHA-specific B lymphocytes isolated from the spleens or lungs of uninfected control mice or mice convalescing from B. pertussis respiratory infection were analyzed in limiting-dilution cultures. Analysis of culture supernatants for the production of antibodies to FHA revealed an increased frequency of FHA-specific B cells of both the IgG- and the IgA-secreting classes in the lungs and tracheas of aerosol-challenged mice; these levels remained high as late as 25 weeks postinfection, compared with those in uninfected controls. No corresponding increase in the frequency of FHA-specific B cells in the spleens of aerosol-infected mice was observed. This long-lasting response observed in cultured cells was radiation resistant, a result suggesting that this response was due to B cells already activated in vivo. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed low but detectable levels of B. pertussis chromosomal DNA in 75% of mice tested at 8 weeks postinfection and 37.5% of mice tested at 26 weeks postinfection, at which times high levels of anti-FHA antibody were detected. One explanation for these data may be that, in this animal model, a major adhesin of B. pertussis can persist and interact with components of the immune system to stimulate the production of specific antibody in the respiratory tract many weeks after a single B. pertussis infection.

Relationship between asthma and allergic antigens in rural houses

Asthma is one of the most frequent and common diseases in China. It seriously threatens the health of the population. It is evident that mites present in rural houses may serve as an allergic antigen. In our survey, we have found several kinds of mites in farmers' houses in the northeastern part of China which have very close relation with asthmatic diseases. Investigations in rural houses further proved that the cause of asthma is certainly related with the allergic antigen of mites. The methods of prevention and control of mites are enumerated.

[Prevention of arrhythmia in rats by puhuang]

I.P. injection (5g crude drug/kg) of water extract of Puhuang (Typha orientalis) to S.D. rats can prevent ventricular fibrillation and sudden death caused by isoproterenol and also arrhythmia induced by the infusion of BaCl2. Water extract of Puhuang can clearly increase the survival rate and also raise the dosage of BaCl2 infusion necessary to cause the death of animals.

Health status and health care use in persons with inflammatory bowel disease. A national sample

We randomly surveyed 997 members of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America with inflammatory bowel disease (320 ulcerative colitis and 671 Crohn's disease) in order to: (1) assess their health status, (2) compare members with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and (3) determine the correlates of health care use. Data collection included variables relating to physical and psychological symptoms, medication use, daily functional status, perceptions of health, and coping styles. The findings indicate that: (1) despite a number of symptoms and complications related to inflammatory bowel disease, the health status of this population is generally good and may be a result of effective coping styles; (2) those with Crohn's disease have more psychosocial difficulties, which appear related to greater symptom severity; (3) both psychosocial and physical health variables are related to number of physician visits, while primarily physical health variables are related to number of hospitalizations and surgeries. Further studies are needed to determine the representativeness of this self-selected sample with others having IBD. In this study, we have provided the basis for developing a more sensitive measure of health status than currently exists, and one which may have implications for future clinical studies.

The rating form of IBD patient concerns: a new measure of health status

Health status assessment for persons with chronic illness includes not only symptoms, but also an appraisal of the psychosocial concomitants of illness. In this national study of persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we standardized a disease-specific 25-item measure of perceived health status: the Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns (RFIPC). Factor analysis yielded four indices: a) impact of disease (e.g., being a burden, loss of energy, loss of bowel control); b) sexual intimacy; c) complications of disease (e.g., developing cancer, having surgery, dying early); and d) body stigma (e.g., feeling dirty or smelly). A higher level of IBD concerns was associated with greater disease severity, female gender, and lower educational status. When controlling for these factors, as well as disease type and age, we found that concerns about: a) impact of disease was positively associated with poorer perception of health and well-being, greater psychological distress (SCL-90), and poorer daily function (Sickness Impact Profile) (p less than 0.0001); b) sexual intimacy was related to poorer psychologic function (p less than 0.01); and c) complications of disease was related to several measures of poorer daily function (p less than 0.0001 to 0.01). This standardized measure of the worries and concerns of persons with IBD may be used in clinical care and research to evaluate the effects of interventions on IBD patient outcomes.

Cloning and sequencing of the structural gene for the porin protein of Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis produces a porin protein which is a prominent outer membrane component found in both virulent and avirulent strains. N-terminal amino acid analysis of purified B. pertussis porin was performed and this amino acid sequence was used to design an oligonucleotide that was then utilized to screen a lambda gt11 library containing randomly sheared fragments of DNA from B. pertussis strain 347. One clone, lambda BpPor, was identified and subcloned into pUC18. A portion of the DNA insert in this subclone, pBpPor1, was sequenced and shown to contain the N-terminal region of the structural porin gene. This truncated gene sequence was used to design an additional oligonucleotide that was used to identify a clone, pBpPor2, which overlapped with pBpPor1 and contained a termination codon. The structural gene deduced from this sequence would encode a 365-amino-acid polypeptide with a predicted mass of 39,103 daltons. The predicted product also contains a signal sequence of 20 residues that is similar to that found in other porin genes. The predicted B. pertussis porin protein sequence contains regions that are homologous to regions found in porins expressed by Neisseria species and Escherichia coli, including the presence of phenylalanine as the carboxy-terminal amino acid. DNA hybridization studies indicated that both virulent and avirulent strains of B. pertussis contain only one copy of this gene and that Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella parapertussis contain a similar gene.

Preparation and performance of cross-linked agar encapsulated activated charcoal (CAAC-III)

A technique is described to encapsulate activated charcoal for hemoperfusion to be used in an artificial liver support. Spherical activated charcoal was coated with agar and shaped in organic solvent, as well as cross-linked by epichlorohydrin (40-50 degrees C). The product withstood autoclaving at 121 degrees C for 0.5 hours, and had a good adsorption ability for compounds with molecular weight ranging from 113-5200. The adsorption kinetic showed pore diffusion limitation to compounds of small molecular weight, and film diffusion limitation to compounds of large molecular weight. Microparticles of charcoal release were greatly reduced, and within the permissible range according to the requirements in the U.S. Pharmacopeia (1985).

Sexual and physical abuse in women with functional or organic gastrointestinal disorders

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of a history of sexual and physical abuse in women seen in a referral-based gastroenterology practice, to determine whether patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders report greater frequencies of abuse than do patients with organic gastrointestinal diseases, and to determine whether a history of abuse is associated with more symptom reporting and health care utilization.

DESIGN

A consecutive sample of women seen in a university-based gastroenterology practice over a 2-month period was asked to complete a brief questionnaire.

MEASUREMENTS

The self-administered questionnaire requested information about demographics, symptoms, health care utilization, and history of abuse. Physicians indicated the primary diagnosis for each patient and whether she had ever discussed having been sexually or physically abused.

RESULTS

Of 206 patients, 89 (44%) reported a history of sexual or physical abuse in childhood or later in life; all but 1 of the physically abused patients had been sexually abused. Almost one third of the abused patients had never discussed their experiences with anyone; only 17% had informed their doctors. Patients with functional disorders were more likely than those with organic disease diagnoses to report a history of forced intercourse (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.03 to 4.21) and frequent physical abuse (odds ratio, 11.39; CI, 2.22 to 58.48), chronic or recurrent abdominal pain (odds ratio, 2.06; CI, 1.03 to 4.12), and more lifetime surgeries (2.7 compared with 2.0 surgeries; P less than 0.03). Abused patients were more likely than nonabused patients to report pelvic pain (odds ratio, 4.05; CI, 1.41 to 11.69), multiple somatic symptoms (7.1 compared with 5.8 symptoms; P less than 0.001), and more lifetime surgeries (2.8 compared with 2.0 surgeries; P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that a history of sexual and physical abuse is a frequent, yet hidden, experience in women seen in referral-based gastroenterology practice and is particularly common in those with functional gastrointestinal disorders. A history of abuse, regardless of diagnosis, is associated with greater risk for symptom reporting and lifetime surgeries.

Abnormal hemoglobins in the Silk Road region of China

A review is presented of the occurrence of 24 abnormal hemoglobins (13 alpha-chain variants and 11 beta-chain variants) in populations in the Silk Road area of Northwestern China. Most frequently occurring were Hb D-Punjab [beta 121(GH4)Glu----Gln] in Uygurs, Kazaks, and Khalkhas, Hb G-Taipei [beta 22(B4)Glu----Gly] in persons of the Han nationality, and Hb G-Coushatta [beta 22 (B4)Glu----Ala] in the Uygurs, Kazaks, Hans, and related nationalities. The data suggest that these variants likely originated in Central Asia, in the Han nationality of China, and in the minorities of northern China, respectively. Other variants occurred at considerably lower frequencies and were imported from other countries or arose as independent mutations. Two variants [Hb Tashikuergan or alpha 19(AB1)Ala----Glu; Hb Tianshui or beta 39(C5) Gln----Arg] were observed for the first time. The data from this study of the many variants support the movements of various populations in this area, as reported in numerous historical documents.

Newly synthesized proteoglycans secreted by sequentially derived populations of cells from new-born rat calvaria: effects of transforming growth factor-beta and matrigenin activity

Three populations (1, 3 and 6) of bone cells, derived from rat calvaria by sequential enzymatic digestion, were cultured with [3H]glucosamine and [35S]sulfate, in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) or bone-derived matrigenin activity. Population 6 synthesized a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (PG) and responded to the addition of the factors by increased rates of synthesis of hyaluronic acid (HA) and PG and an increase in the size of the HA. Comparisons of populations 1, 3 and 6 showed an ordered, spontaneous increase in HA and PG synthesis. However, the addition of matrigenin activity resulted in a much greater stimulation of PG, but not HA, synthesis in population 1 compared to population 6, suggesting a cellular organization in the calvarium whose net effect would be to direct PG synthesis towards the periphery of the tissue.

[Diagnosis of myocarditis with endomyocardial biopsy]

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was performed in 24 cases suspected of having myocarditis and 42 cases with cardiac symptoms and signs of unknown etiology. There was an obvious correlation between the clinical manifestations and the pathological findings in cases suspected of having myocarditis (r = 0.5296, P less than 0.005). The ratio of correspondence was 78.8%. It is shown that EMB is more sensitive than 201TI myocardial imaging in diagnosing myocarditis and serial EMB can follow its clinical process closely. Moreover, EMB can discriminate myocarditis from myocardiopathy.

Plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid in experimental fulminant hepatic failure of rats and its diagnostic value in hepatic encephalopathy

The plasma concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured by radioreceptor assay in galactosamine (GalN)-induced Wistar rat model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The results of sequential observations in 10 FHF rats showed that the plasma GABA concentration doubled 24 hours after GalN injection, while there was no obvious clinical evidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). In overt HE 48 hours after the administration of GalN, the plasma concentration of GABA reached the peak value of 9,744 +/- 1,661 pmol/ml, which was 12 times as high as that before GalN injection. The consciousness, plasma concentration of GABA and SGPT activity became normal 120 hours after GalN injection. It is suggested that determination of plasma concentration of GABA is of value in the diagnosis of HE.

Characterization of the protective capacity and immunogenicity of the 69-kD outer membrane protein of Bordetella pertussis

Immunization with the 69-kD outer membrane protein (OMP) of Bordetella pertussis protected neonatal mice against lethal respiratory challenge with B. pertussis 18323. Active immunization elicited a serum IgG anti-69-kD OMP response at the time of challenge, with IgG anti-69-kD OMP antibodies detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after challenge. Intravenous administration of BPE8, a monoclonal IgG1 anti-69-kD OMP, also protected young mice against B. pertussis challenge. Intravenously injected BPE8 was detected in the lungs of mice at the time of aerosol challenge, suggesting that the presence of specific antibody in the lungs may mediate protection. Thus the 69-kD OMP of B. pertussis is a protective antigen in mice that elicits specific serum antibody that can transude to the lung. The 69-kD OMP was detected in a preparation of a Takeda acellular vaccine by immunoblot analysis and a serum antibody response to the 69-kD OMP was observed in 18-mo-old children boosted with this preparation of Japanese acellular vaccine. Our results demonstrate that the B. pertussis 69-kD OMP is a protective antigen in animals, is immunogenic in humans, and is present in a preparation of acellular pertussis vaccine that is widely used in Japan. These findings indicate that the 69-kD OMP should be seriously considered as a candidate for inclusion in new formulations of antigenically defined acellular pertussis vaccines.

[Basic research on endomyocardial biopsy]

To determine the risk of biopsy in different parts of heart and the artifacts of histomorphology, right heart endomyocardial biopsy in eight dogs were done. The result showed no tamponade occurred even 53 pieces of heart muscles were got from right ventricular free wall. In contrast, biopsies on right atrial free wall had higher risk in causing tamponade. It was confirmed by autopsy and histomorphology that endomyocardial biopsy could cause heart muscle damage. The artifacts caused by biopsy of normal beating heart muscle include: contraction bands (21.8%), widen of intracellular space (100%), interstitial edema (78%) and interstitial bleeding (53%). The results of the patients of right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy may provide practical value in the application of endomyocardial biopsy.

Comparison of type 2 and type 6 fimbriae of Bordetella pertussis by using agglutinating monoclonal antibodies

Two types of fimbriae have been identified on the pathogenic gram-negative organism Bordetella pertussis. Monoclonal antibodies to these fimbriae were produced to better understand the role of fimbriae as serotype-specific agglutinogens and to investigate the antigenic relationship between these fimbriae. Three monoclonal antibodies were identified that specifically agglutinated B. pertussis cells containing the U.S. Reference Factor 2 agglutinogen, and six monoclonal antibodies were produced that agglutinated only those strains containing the U.S. Reference Factor 6 agglutinogen. Indirect immunofluorescence studies and immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated that these monoclonal antibodies bind to an outer membrane component on serotype-specific strains of B. pertussis. All of the monoclonal antibodies reacted with native or partially assembled type-specific fimbriae but not with monomeric fimbrial subunits as indicated by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. The fimbrial agglutinogens recognized by the monoclonal antibodies were also uniquely reactive with either U.S. Reference Factor 2 or 6 antiserum (Eldering agglutinogen 2 or 6 polyclonal antiserum) in an indirect ELISA. No cross-reactivity of the monoclonal antibodies with the unrelated fimbriae was observed in any of the comparative immunological studies. Some of the monoclonal antibodies agglutinated certain strains of B. bronchiseptica, suggesting that this closely related species can contain antigenically similar fimbriae. These monoclonal antibodies should prove useful for further structural and functional analysis of Bordetella fimbriae and for studies on the role that these antigens play in prevention of infection and disease.

Identification of a 69-kilodalton nonfimbrial protein as an agglutinogen of Bordetella pertussis

Cells of Bordetella pertussis BP353, a nonfimbriated Eldering serotype 1.3 strain, were used as an immunogen to produce three monoclonal antibodies, BPE3, BPD8, and BPE8, that agglutinated the immunizing cells, as well as certain other nonfimbriated and fimbriated serotype 3-containing B. pertussis strains. The antibodies did not agglutinate serotype 1 or nontypable B. pertussis cells. These monoclonal antibodies specifically detected a 69-kilodalton (kDa) band on Western blots (immunoblots) containing whole B. pertussis cell lysates of Eldering agglutinogen serotypes 1.3, 1.3.6, 1.2.3.4, and 1.2.3.4.6. This 69-kDa antigen was released from the bacteria by cell incubation for 60 min at 60 degrees C, and it was purified by affinity chromatography with a BPE3-agarose affinity matrix. Purified material was used to produce a polyclonal antiserum that agglutinated all nonfimbriated and fimbriated B. pertussis cells containing serotype 3 agglutinogen. Immunogold electron microscopy and indirect immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that it is an outer membrane constituent but nonfimbrial in appearance. BPE3 did not detect purified fimbriae on Western blots, and antibodies to these fimbriae did not bind to the 69-kDa component. Although B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis cells were not agglutinated by the monoclonal antibodies, antigenically similar proteins were detected in extracts of the bacteria. These results identify the 69-kDa protein as a nonfimbrial agglutinogen present on all virulent strains of B. pertussis. The monoclonal antibodies described here should be useful for further studies on the structure and function of this protein.

Study on the Alkaloids of Melodinus tenuicaudatus

Fourteen alkaloids were isolated from the stem bark of MELODINUS TENUICAUDATUS Tsiang et P. T. Li. Eleven of them were identified as known alkaloids, namely, scandine ( 2), Delta (14)-eburnamine ( 4), vindolinine N(b)-oxide ( 5), 11-methoxytabersonine ( 6), vindolinine ( 7), EPI-vindolinine N(b)-oxide ( 8), hazuntine ( 9), compactinervine ( 10), 11-hydroxytabersonine ( 11), Delta (14)-vincine ( 12), and normacusine B ( 14). Two alkaloids were new: 10-hydroxyscandine ( 1), and the dimer, tenuicausine ( 3); their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. One alkaloid ( 13) occurring in trace amounts, could not be identified.

Use of the 4 x 4 matrix method in the optics of multilayer magnetooptic recording media

The new 4x4 matrix method described by Lin-Chung and Teitler [P. J. Lin-Chung and S. Teitler, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 1, 703 (1984)] is used to study the optics of multilayer magnetooptic recording media. It is demonstrated that the method is capable of handling very complicated optical multilayer structures. For a quodrilayer magnetooptic recording system consisting of an overcoat layer, a magnetic layer, an intermediate dielectric layer, and a reflector, the readout of the system is optimized against the thickness of the overcoat and intermediate layers. As well, cases of oblique angle of incidence, anisotropy in the nonmagnetic part of the dielectric constants, and misalignment of the magnetization are treated.

Agglutinating monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize lipooligosaccharide A of Bordetella pertussis

Monoclonal antibodies that specifically agglutinate strains of Bordetella pertussis having serotype 1 agglutinogen were uniquely reactive with the electrophoretically slow-migrating A form of lipooligosaccharide. These monoclonal antibodies should be useful for the structural analysis of B. pertussis lipooligosaccharide and for the establishment of a better-defined serogroup for Bordetella species.

Thalassemia in the Silk Road region of China

This paper summarizes data obtained during a screening program involving 11,563 persons from the Silk Road region in China. The mean incidence of thalassemia is 1.62% with an increase from east to west. The incidence in the Hui population (3.01%) is higher than in Kazaks (2.92%), and in Uygur (2.22%). The Han population also has a higher incidence (0.98%) than seen for other regions in Northern China. The thalassemias observed are classified into seven groups; beta-thalassemia accounts for 89.48% of the total, and alpha-thalassemia for 10.52%.