Abstract 180: Cd248+cd8+ T Lymphocytes Suppress Pathological Vascular Remodeling in Human Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Aortic aneurysms are characterized by vascular inflammation, neovascularization, and extracellular matrix destruction of the aortic wall. Although experimental studies indicate a potential role of CD248 in microvessel remodeling the functions of CD248 in human vascular pathologies remain unexplored. Here we aimed to study how CD248 interferes with pathological vascular remodeling of human aortic aneurysms. Immunofluorescent staining showed that CD248 expression was mainly localized in the CD8+ T cells infiltrating in the adventitia and media of aortic walls of patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA). qPCR and immunofluorescent staining analyses revealed increased aortic CD248 expression and infiltrating CD248+CD8+ T cells in aortic aneurysms than in nonaneurysmal aortas. Flow cytometry analysis of human peripheral blood further identified a fraction of circulating CD248+ cells which was confined in the CD8+ T-cell compartment. The increased infiltrating of CD248+CD8+ T cells was coincident with reduced circulating CD248+CD8+ T cells in patients with ascending TAA when compared with patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD) and healthy donors. The CD248+CD8+ T cells were characterized by upregulated IL-10 and downregulated IL-1β/INF-γ expression when compared with CD248-CD8+ T cells. Moreover, when co-cultured with human aortic endothelial cells, the CD248+CD8+ T cells not only downregulated endothelial expression of ICAM1/VCAM1 and MMP2/3 but also suppressed endothelial migration. Thus, this study shows that CD248 reduces pathological vascular remodeling via anti-inflammatory CD248+CD8+ T cells, revealing a CD248-mediated cellular mechanism against human aortic aneurysms.

Deltonin inhibits angiogenesis by regulating VEGFR2 and subsequent signaling pathways in endothelial cells

Deltonin is a steroidal saponin which could suppress tumor growth through suppressing angiogenesis, but the mechanisms have not been directly elucidated yet. In the present study, we showed that deltonin inhibited the proliferation of primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro; notably, it could significantly inhibit HUVECs migration, invasion, and tube formation, which are indispensable progresses of angiogenesis. We further demonstrated that deltonin could inhibit VEGF-induced blood vessel formation in vivo. What is more, we found that deltonin blocked VEGF triggered phosphorylation of key intracellular angiogenic molecules, such as VEGFR2, Src family kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), extracellular signal-related kinase (Erk1/2) and AKT kinase, accompanied with the increase of phosphorylated P38MAPK. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that deltonin inhibits angiogenesis through regulating VEGFR2 signaling pathway as well as AKT/MAPK signaling pathways in endothelial cells.

Identification and characterization of CD4(+)AT2(+) T lymphocyte population in human thoracic aortic aneurysm

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is progressive fatal aortic pathological dilation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Evidences suggest that endothelial cells and renin-angiotensin system may participate in the pathogenesis of TAA. This study aimed to investigate whether angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) positive cells are involved in TAA formation. The mRNA level of AT2 is dramatically elevated in TAA compared with in controls. CD4(+)AT2(+) cells increased in both aortic wall and circulation of TAA patients. The levels of IL-1β and IL-17B in CD4(+)AT2(+) cells were lower than those in CD4(+)AT2(-) cells. When compared with endothelial cells (ECs) cultured alone, CD4(+)AT2(+) cells showed an inhibitory effect on proliferation and MMP2 expression in ECs, but CD4(+)AT2(-) cells promoted proliferation and MMP2 expression in ECs. Both CD4(+)AT2(+) and CD4(+)AT2(-) cells suppressed apoptosis of ECs. In conclusion, we have identified a novel population of CD4(+)AT2(+) T lymphocytes that show protective effect in TAA through inhibition of growth, apoptosis, and MMP2 expression in ECs.

Molecular cloning and characterization of cathepsin L from freshwater mussel, Cristaria plicata

Cathepsin L is one of the crucial enzyme superfamilies and involved in the immune responses. The Cathepsin L cDNA and genome of Cristaria plicata（CpCL） was cloned from the hemocytes using degenerate primers by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. The genomic DNA was 9353 bp long and had a total of six introns and seven exons. The full-length cDNA of CpCL was 1144 bp, the cDNA contained a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 34 nucleotides, the 3' UTR of 108 bp with a canonical polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a polyA tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1002 bp, encoding 333 amino acid residues with 37.65 kDa predicted molecular weight. The theoretical isoelectric point was 8.61. The prepro-cathepsin L was consisted of a typical signal peptide (Met1-Gly20), a pro-region peptide (Leu21-Glu116) and a mature peptide (Tyr117-Val333). Many members of the papain family possessed of a proline residue at position 2 in the mature enzymem, this was also observed in CpCL. The preproprotein included an oxyanion hole (Gln 135), the active center formed by Cys141, His280 and Asn 300, the potential N-glycosylation site (Asn38, Asn 113 and Asn 272) and the conserved GCXGG motifs, which was characteristic of cathepsin, the conserved ERWNIN and GNFD motifs, which were characteristic for cathepsin L. Homology analysis revealed that the CpCL shared 49-87% identity to other known cathepsin L sequences. The phylogenetic tree showed that the CpCL clustered with the invertebrate cathepsin L cysteine proteases, and was closely related to the cathepsin L of Hyriopsis cumingii. The expression of CpCL mRNA was detected in hepatopancreas, hemocytes, mantle, gills and adductor muscle, and the higher expression level was in hepatopancreas. After A. hydrophila stimulation, the expression of the CpCL mRNA was up-regulated in hemocytes and hepatopancreas, and the expression level was significantly lower in gill than one after PBS challenge group.

Synthesis and characterization of low-toxicity N-caprinoyl-N-trimethyl chitosan as self-assembled micelles carriers for osthole

Novel amphiphilic chitosan derivatives (N-caprinoyl-N-trimethyl chitosan [CA-TMC]) were synthesized by grafting the hydrophobic moiety caprinoyl (CA) and hydrophilic moiety trimethyl chitosan to prepare carriers with good compatibility for poorly soluble drugs. Based on self-assembly, CA-TMC can form micelles with sizes ranging from 136 nm to 212 nm. The critical aggregation concentration increased from 0.6 mg • L(-1) to 88 mg • L(-1) with decrease in the degree of CA substitution. Osthole (OST) could be easily encapsulated into the CA-TMC micelles. The highest entrapment efficiency and drug loading of OST-loaded CA-TMC micelles(OST/CA-TMC) were 79.1% and 19.1%, respectively. The antitumor efficacy results show that OST/CA-TMC micelles have significant antitumor activity on Hela and MCF-7 cells, with a 50% of cell growth inhibition (IC50) of 35.8 and 46.7 μg. mL(-1), respectively. Cell apoptosis was the main effect on cell death of Hela and MCF-7 cells after OST administration. The blank micelles did not affect apoptosis or cell death of Hela and MCF-7 cells. The fluorescence imaging results indicated that OST/CA-TMC micelles could be easily uptaken by Hela and MCF-7 cells and could localize in the cell nuclei. These findings suggest that CA-TMC micelles are promising carriers for OST delivery in cancer therapy.

Gene identification and recombinant protein of a lysozyme from freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata

Lysozymes are important proteins to bivalve in the innate immune responses against bacterial infections, and provide nutrition as digestion enzymes. A new LYZ1 from the freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and nested PCR method. The full-length cDNA sequence of CpLYZ1 was 763 bp. The cDNA contained a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 21 bp, a 3'- terminal UTR of 259 bp with a 29 bp poly(A) tail, a tailing signal (AATAAA) and the open reading frame of 483 bp. The CpLYZ1 cDNA encoded a polypeptide of 160 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 17.8 kDa, and a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.07. The comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences with LYZs from other species showed that the enzyme belonged to i-type lysozyme. The mRNA transcript of CpLYZ1 could be detected in all the examined tissues with the highest expression level in hepatopancreas. The expression levels of CpLYZ1 in hemocytes, hepatopancreas and gill significantly increased after Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. The expression level of CpLYZ1 in hemocytes sharply decreased from 6 h to 24 h and significantly increased at 48 h, and was the highest level in hepatopancreas at 24 h, and was the maximum level in gill at 48 h. Furthermore, the recombinant CpLYZ1 was induced to be expressed as an inclusion body form by IPTG at 37 °C for 4 h, and then was purified by using the Ni(2+) affinity chromatography. The relative enzyme activity of the recombinant CpLYZ1 was influenced on pH and temperature. The optimal pH and temperature was 5.5 and 50 °C, respectively. Against Escherichia coli, A. hydrophila, Staphyloccocus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis, the recombinant CpLYZ1 had bacteriolytic activity.

[Transvaginal Prosima mesh and high uterosacral ligament suspension in the treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapsey]

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of performing transvaginal Prosima mesh with high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) in treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

METHODS

From July 2010 to February 2011, 70 patients with severe POP underwent transvaginal prosima mesh with HUS in First Affiliated Hospital, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. Clinical parameters of perioperation were collected. After 1 month and 2 - 3 months, perineal two-dimensional ultrasound examination was performed to measure mesh length in midsagittal plane. Validated prolapse quality of life questionnaires, pelvic floor distress inventsry short form 20 (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form 7 (PFIQ-7) were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The mean results of pre-operative PFIQ-7 and PFDI-20 was 54 and 51, respectively.

RESULTS

Median operation time was (195 ± 47) min and median blood loss was (160 ± 64) ml. All the patients were followed for a mean time of 13 months (2 - 19 months). Seven cases were found with mesh exposure with less than 1 cm(2). The objective cure rate was 100%. The mean score of post-operative PFIQ-7 and PFDI-20 were both 19, which were significantly lower than those of pre-operation (P < 0.05). Anterior Prosima mesh was 3.5 cm at 1 month by ultrasound examination, and the second result of ultrasound scans was 2.8 cm at 2 - 3 month, which were both shortened 2.5 cm and 3.2 cm when compared with that of original size.

CONCLUSIONS

Transvaginal Prosima mesh placement with HUS is a safe and efficient surgery with less complication. Although mesh became shorter after 2 - 3 month, it did not affect surgery efficacy.

[Effect of quercetin exposure during the prepubertal period on ovarian development and reproductive endocrinology of mice]

This study is to explore the effects of quercetin (QUE) on the 3 week-old mice ovarian development and relative hormone levels. The 3 week-old mice were exposed to QUE (45, 25, and 5 mg x kg(-1) x hd(-1)) by gavage for 50 days. The estrous cycle during 50 days and the changes of hormone level such as FSH, LH, etc were monitored. Moreover, the ovaries were removed after sacrifice. The organ index was measured, and the ratios of different stages of follicles were analyzed by HE staining. Furthermore, the proportion of PCNA positive cells during all stages was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that QUE could increase body weight of mice and reduce the anogenital distance (AGD) to some extent, and was able to disrupt mice's estrous cycle, but it could not extend or reduce the cycle regularity. It increased ovarian organ index with a dose-dependent manner. The proportion of the primordial follicle and secondary follicles rose obviously, and that of mature follicles', atretic follicles' and corpus luteums' reduced, while primordial follicle had no change. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that QUE could effectively increase the percentage of proliferating cells in all kinds of follicles. Serum hormone assay showed that there were significant changes of FSH and LH levels. In summary, QUE showed an estrogen-like effect on mice's ovarian development. The weight of ovary, the proportion of all kinds of follicles, the development of ovarian cells and the level of plasma hormone in mice were altered obviously by oral administration of QUE.

[The effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid in overweight/obese individuals on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and supine blood pressure: a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplement on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in overweight/obese individuals. An 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled and cross-over trial with a 4-week washout between cross-over periods.

METHODS

Sixty-three males and 40 females aged 22 - 57 years old who met the inclusion criteria as (1) Han ethnicity; (2) 20 - 60 years old; (3) BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) and having at least one of the following risk factors: borderline hypertension (130 mm Hg ≤ SBP < 140 mm Hg and/or 85 mm Hg ≤ supine DBP< 90 mm Hg), dyslipidemia (fasting total cholesterol ≥ 5.2 mmol/L or HDL-C < 1.04 mmol/L), or impaired fasting glucose (6.1 mmol/L ≤ fasting glucose < 7.0 mmol/L); (4) Not on any antioxidant vitamin supplement. They were randomly assigned to Group 1 or Group 2 in a 1:1 ratio balanced for gender. Group 1 received 8 weeks ALA (1200 mg/day) followed by 4-week washout period and followed by another 8 weeks placebo; while Group 2 received 8 weeks placebo (1200 mg/day) followed by 4-week washout period, and followed by ALA treatment for 8 weeks. BaPWV and supine blood pressure were measured at the beginning of 1(st) phase and 2(nd) phase and at the endpoint of the whole trial. Mixed effect linear regression model was performed to compare the change of baPWV and supine blood pressure between ALA group and placebo group.

RESULTS

BaPWV decreased -33.03 cm/s ± 130.70 cm/s for ALA group and increased 5.66 cm/s ± 139.89 cm/s for placebo group, supine systolic blood pressure decreased -4.09 mm Hg ± 9.18 mm Hg for ALA group and -2.32 mm Hg ± 8.16 mm Hg for placebo group. Supine diastolic blood pressure decreased -1.29 mm Hg ± 6.55 mm Hg for ALA group and -0.48 mm Hg ± 6.63 mm Hg for placebo group. These three mix-effect models did not show significant effect of ALA treatment after adjustment on baseline values, sex, age, treatment sequence or period.

CONCLUSION

The current trial did not provide evidence that oral intake of ALA for 8 weeks had significant effects on lowering baPWV, supine systolic blood pressure or supine diastolic blood pressure.

Treatment of benign ureteral stricture by double J stents using high-pressure balloon angioplasty

BACKGROUND

Balloon dilatation angioplasty is a minimally invasive surgery for treating benign ureteral stricture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of placing double J (D-J) stents using high-pressure balloon angioplasty in treating benign ureteral stricture.

METHODS

A total of 42 patients (48 cases) with benign ureteral stricture (42 had benign ureteral stricture) were investigated by inserting dual D-J stents using high-pressure balloon angioplasty. The control group contained 50 patients (57 cases) employing the conventional balloon angioplasty with a single D-J stent inserted for comparison.

RESULTS

The overall effective rate of the treated and control groups was 87.8% (36/41) and 62.7% (32/51), respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This new approach produces a better curative effect than the conventional balloon angioplasty with a single D-J stent insertion in treating benign ureteral stricture.

Turning carbon nanotubes from exceptional heat conductors into insulators

Thermal conductivity (kappa) of isolated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is higher than the kappa of diamond; however, in this Letter we show that the kappa of a packed bed of three-dimensional random networks of single and multiwall CNTs is smaller than that of thermally insulating amorphous polymers. The thermoelectric power (Sigma) of the random network of CNTs was also measured. The Sigma of a single wall nanotube network is very similar to that of isolated nanotubes and, in contrast with kappa, Sigma shows a strong dependence on the tube diameter.

Resonant Raman scattering of the smallest single-walled carbon nanotubes

We report optical properties of the smallest single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with a diameter of only 3 A. These ultrasmall SWNTs are fabricated in the elliptical nanochannels of an AlPO-11 (AEL) single crystal. Polarized and resonant Raman scattering unambiguously revealed that these 0.3 nm SWNTs are of (2,2) armchair symmetry. Interestingly, the (2,2) armchair tube has two metastable ground states corresponding to two slightly different lattice constants in the axial direction: one state is metallic and the other is semiconducting.

[Synthesis and spectroscopy of K7[P2Mo4W13M(H2O)O61] (M= Cr, Fe) and their organic composite materials]

The Dawson heteropoly complexes K7[P2Mo4W13M(H2O)O61] (M= Cr(1), Fe(2)) and their organic composite materials formed by (E)-N-butyl-4-(2-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl)ethenyl)pyridinium cation and compound 1 (or 2) with the stoichiometry of (C19H25N2)(6)K3[P2Mo4W13MO62](M=Cr(3), Fe(4)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, and IR, UV-Vis, solid diffuse reflectance UV-Vis-near IR, X-ray photoelectron and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results of spectra show that compounds 1 and 2 have Dawson structure, inorganic-organic composite materials are formed between the hemicyanine cations and the heteropoly anions, and the charge transfer occurs from the hemicyanine cations to the heteropoly anions in 3 and 4 complexes. The interaction between the hemicyanine cations and the heteropoly anions in the solid powder is stronger than that in the fluid solution. The compounds reported in this paper are interesting as nonlinear optical materials.

[The application of ultrasonography to estimate blood vessel injury of upper limbs sustaining electric burns]

OBJECTIVE

To explore a new method in estimating extent and degree of arterial injury in upper limbs sustaining high tension electric burns.

METHODS

Eighteen patients (twenty-four upper limbs) with high tension electricity injury were admitted from December 1998 to September 2002, The damaged limbs consisted of four parts: wrist wound part, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm parts around wrist wound, where the radial and ulnar arteries were detected using B ultrasound and color WP Doppler examination. The changes of endangium, vessel diameter, thickness of the vessel wall and volume of blood flow were recorded respectively. The parameters of normal radial and ulnar arteries were also determined as normal control.

RESULTS

B ultrasound and color WP Doppler examination showed that the endangium in radial and ulnar arteries become coarse, edema or exfoliation. The vessel wall was thicker than that of the normal control and the thickness was heterogeneity. The vessel wall could be necrosis in severe patient and the vessel cavity was stricture or beaded. Thrombosis or occlusion could occur at the site of severe injury area in vessel. The decrease in volume of blood flow was observed. The condition of the radial and ulnar arteries become well apart from 10 - 15 cm of wrist wound.

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrasonography can be used to detect the changes in endangium, diameter, thickness of the vessel wall, blood flow volume in injury blood vessel caused by electric burn injury. It is helpful in judging the degree and extent of injury vessel and could be a safe, non-invasive diagnostic method and is worth popularizing.

Competing drug-drug interactions among multidrug antiretroviral regimens used in the treatment of HIV- infected subjects: ACTG 884

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the steady state concentrations of saquinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, delavirdine, and adefovir in six different three- and four-drug combination regimens.

DESIGN

Randomized, partially double-blinded, multicenter study in a population of indinavir-experienced subjects with virologic failure. The first seven subjects enrolled in each of the six treatment arms from 10 participating sites were entered into this pharmacokinetic evaluation.

SETTING

Multicenter study of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG).

PATIENTS

HIV-infected subjects.

INTERVENTIONS

A 12-hour pharmacokinetic study was conducted after 2 weeks of drug administration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Area under the concentration-time curve with statistical comparisons to evaluate the effect of the second protease inhibitor and the effect of the non-protease inhibitors.

RESULTS

There was no difference in saquinavir concentrations according to whether the second protease inhibitor was ritonavir or nelfinavir. Saquinavir concentrations in the groups receiving the combination of delavirdine plus adefovir dipivoxil were reduced by approximately 50% compared with those receiving delavirdine. Delavirdine concentrations were reduced by approximately 50%, in the delavirdine plus adefovir dipivoxil arms compared with the delavirdine arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Saquinavir concentrations were significantly lower in the arms containing the combination of delavirdine and adefovir dipivoxil compared with the arms containing delavirdine. Delavirdine concentrations were significantly lower when coadministered with adefovir dipivoxil. These drug-drug interactions were not expected, the mechanism(s) is (are) not clear, and additional studies are warranted. This study illustrates the need to understand more fully the pharmacokinetic characteristics of complex combination antiretroviral regimens prior to use in patient management.

Randomized study of saquinavir with ritonavir or nelfinavir together with delavirdine, adefovir, or both in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults with virologic failure on indinavir: AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study 359

This study compared antiretroviral activity among 6 "salvage" therapy regimens. The study was a prospective, randomized, 2x3 factorial, multicenter study of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group. The study enrolled 277 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients naive to nonnucleoside analogues who had taken indinavir >6 months. The patients had 2000-200,000 HIV RNA copies/mL. Patients received saquinavir with ritonavir or nelfinavir together with delavirdine and/or adefovir and were followed for safety and antiretroviral response between baseline and week 16. At week 16, 30% (77/254) of patients had </=500 HIV RNA copies/mL. Virologic response did not differ significantly between pooled ritonavir and nelfinavir groups (28% vs. 33%; P=.50) or between pooled delavirdine and delavirdine/adefovir groups (40% vs. 33%; P=.42). Pooled delavirdine groups had a greater virologic response rate than did adefovir groups (40% vs. 18%; P=.002). Overall, one-third of patients who experienced virologic failure on an indinavir-containing regimen suppressed virus load levels while they were taking a new salvage regimen.

The abnormality of glucose transporter in the erythrocyte membrane of Chinese type 2 diabetic patients

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by impaired glucose uptake. With a photometric method of recording the erythrocyte suspension absorption during the course of glucose transport across the membranes, we observed that the initial rate of glucose zero-trans entry was decreased significantly in 30 Chinese type 2 diabetic patients as compared to 25 healthy controls. The rate of glucose infinite-cis efflux exhibited no difference between the patients and controls. The measurement of temperature dependence of glucose transport showed that the activation energy for glucose entry was increased in diabetic patients. The inhibitory constant of glucose entry by cytochalasin B (CB) in patients was similar to that of the controls. However, we found that the inhibitory constant was increased significantly in the patient erythrocytes after phloretin treatment. After the erythrocytes were made into stripped white ghosts, the fluorescence quenching experiment was performed. Glucose, CB and phloretin can quench the fluorescence of tryptophan residues in the glucose transporter 1, GLUT1. The abnormality of fluorescence quenching in the erythrocyte membranes of patients was observed. The transfer tendency of tryptophan residues from the hydrophilic environment to the hydrophobic environment was decreased in patient ghosts as binding with glucose, and the opposite tendency appeared as CB and phloretin instead of glucose. We conclude that the decreased in glucose entry in the erythrocyte membranes of diabetic patients was due to the GLUT1 change in structure - mostly the outer domain of the glucose transporter.

Preparation and immunogenicity of serogroup B meningococcal OS-OMPC conjugates

The objective of the present study is to purify oligosaccharides (OSs) from serogroup B meningococci (3407 or 542852) with common lipooligosaccharide (LOS) immunotypes prevalent in China and to successfully conjugate them to their outer membrane protein complexes (OMPCs). Conjugates possessing broad cross-reactivity with different serogroup B meningococci were obtained. Both LOSs from the above two strains were purified on a Sephadex G75 column and hydrolyzed with acetic acid, and then the pure OSs were obtained by using a Sephadex G50 chromatographic column. The pure OSs were conjugated to corresponding OMPCs by carbodiimide mediated condensation. Mice were immunized with the OS-OMPC conjugates to produce antibodies. Immunogenicities of the conjugates were tested by ELISA, bactericidal test and Western-blotting. The titers of antibodies against OS and LOS elicited by the two OS-OMPC conjugates increased respectively by 2.5 and 2 to 10 times as compared with those of antibodies against unconjugated OS and LOS. The sera elicited by the conjugates possessed a stronger bactericidal activity to the strains (3407, 542852, 29021) with the same LOS immunotype than to the strain with different LOS immunotype (86155). The results determined by ELISA indicated that the sera against the conjugates showed strong response to the strains with the same or different LOS immunotypes. It was confirmed by western-blotting analysis that the sera elicited by the two conjugates reacted with 42, 39 and 26 kDa proteins from the OMPC. Among the reactive bands, the 42 kDa proteins were class 1 OMPs. The two serogroup B meningococcal OMPCs were strong immunogens and good carriers coupling with OSs as well. The immunogenicity of the conjugated OS was increased and the OS-OMPC conjugates of the serogroup B meningococci showed a broad antigenic response to the strains tested.

Group sequential analyses for the mean function of a repeated measure process

In many clinical trials, treatment efficacy is based upon response to a biological marker that is measured repeatedly during the course of follow-up. However, in some of these trials it is not clear, a priori, how treatment effects on the marker may manifest themselves or what kinds of effects are clinically meaningful and/or acceptable. It is, therefore, desirable to allow flexibility in design and monitoring process by not prespecifying a stopping rule or even the parameter on which inferences will be based. Using the more general results in Hu and Lagakos, this paper extends the idea of the repeated confidence intervals for a parameter (Jennison and Turnbull) to repeated confidence bands for the mean function of a repeated measure process. We illustrate the approach and some considerations in its application with the results of a recent AIDS clinical trial.