Monoclonal antibodies recognizing epitopes carried on both glycolipids and glycoproteins of the human milk fat globule membrane

The molecules of the human milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) which bind four murine monoclonal antibodies (LICR LON M3, M8, M18 and M24) raised against the human MFGM have been identified. By using 'Western' blotting [Burnette (1981) Anal. Biochem. 112, 195-203] it was shown that each antibody reacted with a different set of proteins. M3 and M24 were similar in their pattern of reaction with the membrane proteins, but were quite distinct from M8 and M18, which also differed from each other. Glycopeptides prepared from the MFGM by exhaustive Pronase digestion were able to inhibit partially the binding of M3 and M24, and prevent totally the binding of M8 and M18, to the MFGM in an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Oligosaccharides obtained by the deproteination of human milk also completely inhibited the binding of M3, M18 and M24 to the MFGM. However, the binding of M8 was not inhibited by these saccharides, and therefore M8 may not be recognizing a simple carbohydrate determinant. By using an enzyme-linked assay, M8 and M18 were shown not to bind to MFGM glycolipid, whereas M3 and M24 did, and this was confirmed by overlaying thin layer chromatograms of MFGM lipids with these antibodies. Both M3 and M24 showed a similar complex pattern of reaction, binding to more than one glycolipid moiety. By these means all four antibodies have been shown to react with antigens which involve carbohydrate side chains carried on different proteins, and two were also shown to react with such determinants on glycolipids.

Can a sponge fractionate isotopes?

The study has unequivocally demonstrated that siliceous sponges Spirastrella cuspidifera and Prostylyssa foetida from the same microecological niche exhibit a high degree of species specificity, while accumulating a host of heavy metal ions (Ni, Cr, Cd, Sn, Ti, Mo, Zr). S. cuspidifera accumulated, in addition, 60Co and 63Ni, showing discrimination against other radionuclides, 137Cs and 131I, present in the ambient waters receiving controlled low level waste discharges from a B.W.R. nuclear power station. P. foetida, on the other hand, accumulated only 131I and showed discrimination against other radionuclides including 60Co, although the stable iodine concentrations in both the sponges were the same. The specific activity of 60Co (in becquerels per gram of 59Co) in S. cuspidifera and 131I (in becquerels per gram of 127I) in P. foetida were at least two orders of magnitude greater than in the ambient sea water. That of 63Ni (in becquerels per gram of 62Ni) in S. cuspidifera, on the other hand, was lower by two orders of magnitude than in either abiotic matrices from the same environment. Thus, not only did both the species show bioaccumulation of a specific element, but also preferential uptake of isotopes of the same element, though they were equally available for intake. Such differential uptake of isotopes can possibly be explained in terms of two quite different mechanisms operating, each applicable in a particular case. One is that the xenobiotic isotope enters the environment in a physicochemical form or as a complex different from that of its natural counterpart. If equilibration with the latter is slow, so that the organism acquires the xenobiotic in an unfamiliar chemical context, it may treat it as a chemically distinct entity so that its concentration factor differs from that of stable isotope, thus changing the specific activity. Alternatively, if the xenobiotic is present in the same chemical form as the stable isotope, the only way in which specific activities can be modified is by fractionation on the basis of mass of isotope. In view of the remarkable concentration factors observed for stable and radioactive isotopes of the same element and the specific activities reached, it is desirable that species of sponges, especially from the coastal and estuarine environments, be monitored to detect levels of pollution due to anthropogenic substances.

Effects of fluorescein on tear breakup time and on tear thinning time

A simple, noninvasive method of in vivo precorneal tear film stability analysis is described. The method involves observing the first catoptric (first Purkinje) image. The effect of fluorescein on the results and the relation with standard tear breakup time (BUT) are presented.

Purification of a human plasma membrane glycoprotein from human red blood cells by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody

Using the monoclonal antibody LICR-LON-Fib75.1 coupled to Sepharose as an affinity chromatography column, a membrane glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 18,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels has been purified from human red blood cells. The purified protein contained 25% carbohydrate by weight, the predominant sugars being galactose, mannose, and glucosamine. Amino acid analysis indicated that the protein was relatively rich in aspartate, glutamate, valine, and leucine and had a low proline and methionine content. The molecule could be removed from intact red blood cells by trypsin and could be labeled with iodine by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed cell surface iodination of red blood cells. The protein could also be labeled using the lipidsoluble photoactivatable reagent 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl) diazirine) and partitioned into the lower phase of the phase-separable detergent Triton X-114. During size-exclusion chromatography in different detergents alterations were observed in the apparent molecular weight of the protein. These results suggest that this Fib75.1-binding protein is an external red blood cell membrane glycoprotein which is capable of binding detergent. Proteins with a similar molecular weight have also been isolated from two human tumor cell lines by immunoprecipitation with this monoclonal antibody.

In vitro stimulation of macrophages by quadrol [N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine]

Mouse peritoneal macrophages, when exposed to Quadrol [N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine] in vitro, show a dose dependent enhanced spreading over a four-hour period. In vitro Quadrol induced phagocytosis of polystyrene beads was found to be time and concentration dependent. The rate and extent of the enhancement of phagocytosis was comparable to that observed for lipopolysaccharide and tuftsin.

Aggressive choroid plexus papilloma

A young woman, who was initially treated for an Arnold-Chiari malformation, was found 7 years later to have a posterior third ventricular tumor. A superior cerebellar approach allowed total resection of the mass, which was an aggressive choroid plexus papilloma. The patient was treated with whole cerebrospinal axis radiation. There is no clinical or computed tomographic evidence of recurrence after 4 years. The literature is reviewed and a discussion of aggressive choroid plexus papilloma (carcinoma) is presented.

Polyclonal orbital and systemic infiltrates

Two unusual cases of benign lymphoproliferative disease associated with orbital and systemic involvement are described. Both have occurred in adults with longstanding histories and clinical manifestations that have mimicked lymphomas. The orbital disease has been both antecedent and subsequent to the systemic lesions. These cases emphasize the spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders and call attention to the possibility of multisystem disease in patients with benign lymphoproliferative lesions.

Variability of peak flow in wheezy children

A study of peak flow variability was carried out among a population sample of 63 wheezy children aged 9-11 years. Recordings were made over 12 days at three times during the day--first thing in the morning, on returning home from school and at bedtime. Eighty nine per cent of the children had symptoms during the diary period. The mean amplitude (difference between the highest and lowest daily peak flow values) was 17% of the mean daily value (range 4-48%). By cosinor analysis the amplitude was 12% of the mean value (range 1-53%). In 65% of the children the lowest point of the daily rhythm as determined by cosinor analysis lay between midnight and 8am; the rhythm was, however, statistically significant in only fourteen individuals (22%). These levels of variability are considerably lower than those previously reported in hospital based studies of adult asthmatics. As a method of demonstrating variable airflow obstruction, which is the defining physiological characteristic of asthma, the use of a peak flow diary alone appears to be of limited value in children.

Dopaminergic neurones in various retinas and the postnatal development of tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the rabbit retina

The localisation of tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactive neurones in retinas of a variety of animals were examined. Immunoreactivity was associated with specific populations of amacrine neurones in all species examined, viz; rabbit, guinea pig, monkey, cow, frog, pigeon and goldfish. Only in the goldfish was immunoreactivity also associated with processes situated in the outer plexiform layer showing that in this species catecholamine interplexiform cells exist. The development of tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactive neurones in the rabbit retina was also analysed. The first immunoreactive positive cells were observed by the third postnatal day. The immunoreactive positive neurones at this stage are weak and lack processes. The intensity of the immunoreactivity increases with development, but processes are lacking, until the 10th postnatal day. The immunoreactive neurones only appear fully developed by the 22nd to 28th postnatal day. Autoradiographical analysis of 3H-dopamine uptake strongly suggests that neurones containing tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the different retinas have the capacity to take up exogenous dopamine. It is therefore concluded that localisation of either 3H-dopamine uptake or tyrosine-hydroxylase provides a means of locating catecholamine neurones.

Red cell phenotyping using hexadimethrine bromide (Polybrene) in a microplate system

To provide rapidly phenotyped units of blood, we adapted the hexadimethrine bromide (Polybrene) technique to microplate technology. Pilot samples from 282 donor units were phenotyped for antigens in the Rh, Kidd, Kell, Duffy, and Ss systems with a standard tube-testing method and a Polybrene-microplate (P-MP) technique. Diluted antisera and a 1 percent red cell suspension were used to give P-MP reactions that were accurate and easy to interpret. One microplate, containing 96 tests, was prepared and read within 15 minutes for P-MP tests yielding direct agglutination (Rh, Jkb, Fya, Fyb), or within 19 minutes for P-MP tests requiring an antiglobulin phase (Jka, K, S, s). No false-positive results were found. No false-negative reactions were found in typing for Rh, K, S, s, or Jka antigens. Phenotyping for Jkb and Duffy antigens gave a false-negative rate of less than 0.015. Considerable savings in reagents were obtained through microplate miniaturization and through the enhancement of apparent antibody avidity in the Polybrene/low ionic medium which permitted dilution of reagent antisera. The P-MP technique affords a rapid, accurate, simple, and inexpensive means of phenotyping large numbers of donor units.

Effects of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation on myocardial blood flow in patients with severe coronary artery disease

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that myocardial blood flow distal to a critical stenosis would increase during intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. Accordingly, 13 patients with severe coronary artery disease were studied at the time of elective preoperative insertion of an intraaortic balloon catheter. Hemodynamic measurements and measurements of myocardial blood flow were made before and during counterpulsation. Myocardial blood flow was measured with a xenon-133 washout technique. Compared with control measurements, the heart rate decreased from 87.8 +/- 18.8 to 82.8 +/- 13.4 beats/min (p = 0.02) and systolic arterial pressure decreased from 112.1 +/- 17.9 to 97.8 +/- 14.8 mm Hg (p = 0.004) during counterpulsation. Diastolic arterial pressure increased from 72.2 +/- 10.1 to 120.2 +/- 21.4 mm Hg (p = 0.00002) during counterpulsation. Myocardial blood flow for the entire group decreased from 48.8 +/- 14.1 to 42.6 +/- 11.0 ml/100 g per min (p = 0.008). Regional flows in the left anterior descending and circumflex distributions also decreased. Left anterior descending artery blood flow decreased insignificantly from 51.5 +/- 14.4 to 47.4 +/- 11.7 ml/100 g per min (p = not significant), while circumflex flow decreased from 50.7 +/- 12.2 to 41.1 +/- 8.9 ml/100 g per min (p = 0.008). When normalized for the rate-pressure product, myocardial blood flow was 53 +/- 16 X 10(-4) at rest and 55 +/- 12 X 10(-4) (p = not significant) during counterpulsation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Postnatal development of serotonin-accumulating neurones in the rabbit retina and an immunohistochemical analysis of the uptake and release of serotonin

The serotonin-accumulating neurones in the rabbit and bovine retina were studied with the use of immunohistochemistry to localize serotonin. It was established that a subpopulation of amacrine cells in both tissues has the ability to take up and store serotonin. The uptake process is very specific; known serotonergic uptake blockers, viz. chlorimipramine and Lilly 110140, abolish transport, while benztropine, a dopamine-uptake blocker, is ineffectual. The serotonin accumulated by the serotonergic neurones can be released by potassium depolarization in a calcium-dependent manner. All these results form a strong case for serotonin being a likely transmitter in the mammalian retina. The subpopulation of serotonin-accumulating neurones in the rabbit retina appears to be determined prenatally, as they can be observed immediately after birth. On the basis of the serotonin content in retinas from animals of different ages, it is suggested that the serotonin-accumulating cells mature around the 24th postnatal day. The same maturation period has been proposed for the rabbit retinal dopamine cells (Lam et al., 1981).

Fine needle aspiration cytology of the adrenal gland

The cytologic appearance of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens emanating from both symptomatic and incidental masses of the adrenal glands in 22 patients who attended a large cancer institution from 1976 to 1981 is described. Eligibility for the study required thorough clinical and radiologic follow-up for at least two years following the initial cytologic diagnosis. Histologic and ultrastructural correlations were performed when possible. Nine patients were found to have benign lesions, including five adrenal cysts, two adenomas, one nodular hyperplasia and one adrenal myelolipoma. Thirteen patients had malignant lesions, of which six were primary adrenal tumors, either neuroblastoma (two) or adrenocortical carcinoma (four). The overall sensitivity of FNA in detecting the presence of malignancy was 85%, while the number of patients correctly classified for all adrenal masses was 90%. The test was 100% specific for malignant lesions. It is concluded that FNA of adrenal masses is a safe and simple procedure with a high degree of accuracy. Its use appears to be especially justified in those patients with primary neoplasms of nonadrenal sites, in whom silent adrenal lesions are detected during radiologic surveys for metastatic disease. Fifteen of the patients fell into this category, yet over half (53%) of them were shown to have benign adrenal lesions, treatable with a conservative approach.

Localisation of histamine-immunoreactivity in specific neurones of the gastropod CNS including a cell which has been identified as histaminergic

Immunohistochemical procedures revealed the occurrence of histamine-like immunoreactivity in specific neurones in the gastropod nervous system. Positive staining was also associated with a characterised neurone known from previous biochemical studies to contain histamine. The proof of the restriction of histamine to specific neurones and the availability of a suitable antiserum to localise the amine makes it possible to examine the role of the compound in different nervous systems.

Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease of the orbit

Hodgkin's disease is a rare occurrence in the orbit and, when present, has been seen in patients as part of the known systemic diasthesis usually in the terminal phase. A case of nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's with a long-standing lesion of the orbit leading to bony excavation in the lacrimal fossa is reported.

Respiratory morbidity and lung function after whooping-cough

360 primary-school children with a history of whooping-cough were shown to have experienced an excess of other chest illnesses compared with 711 controls. This susceptibility may, however, have antedated the whooping-cough. Current respiratory symptoms were also more common in children who had had whooping-cough, though no differences were found on physical examination. No differences were found in lung function between cases and controls. Whooping-cough, as experienced by British children in recent years, is unlikely to cause subsequent respiratory morbidity and does not result in impaired lung function in later childhood.

Tyrosine-rich crystals in pleomorphic adenomas of parotid glands

Histochemical methods for proteins were applied to crystals found in pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid. Positive reactions were obtained with methods for tyrosine, tryptophan, arginine and sulphydryl groups, and indicate a greater complexity of composition than has previously been acknowledged.