Identification and partial purification of pollen allergens from Artemisia princeps

The pollen of Artemisia has been considered as the main late summer-autumn allergen source in this country. To identify its allergenic components, Artemisia princeps pollen extracts were separated by 10% sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane, where IgE binding components were detected by the reaction with sera of twenty Artemisia-allergic patients and 125I-anti-human IgE, sixteen components in the molecular range of 10,000 and 85,000 daltons were detected. Twelve bands bound to IgE from 50% of the sera tested, and two bands (37,000, 23,000 daltons) showed the highest (85%) frequency of IgE-binding in twenty sera tested. When the gel of SDS-PAGE with Artemisia pollen extracts was sliced into 11 allergenic groups (AG) and the protein of each AG was obtained by the gel elution method, the wormwool-RAST inhibition test showed that the AG 10 demonstrated to be the most potent, and the AG 7 was the next. Six AGs showed significant responses (more than 100% of wheal size to histamine, 1 mg/ml) on the skin prick test in more than 50% of the patients tested. It is suggested that electrophoretic transfer analysis with SDS-PAGE may be a valuable method for Artemisia allergen identification, and the possibility of partial purification of allergens by employing gel elution is discussed.

Oral provocation tests with aspirin and food additives in asthmatic patients

Aspirin and food additives are known to induce bronchoconstriction, angioedema or urticaria in susceptible patients. To evaluate the incidence of hypersensitivity to aspirin and food additives, 36 subjects with bronchial asthma, 33 of whom were non-allergic asthmatics and 3 were allergic asthmatics who had a history of aspirin sensitivity, were challenged orally with six compounds: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sodium bisulfite, tartrazine, sodium benzoate, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid, and monosodium L-glutamate. Significant bronchoconstrictions were found in 15 (41.7%) of the 36 subjects tested. Eight of the 15 subjects showed positive asthmatic responses to the aspirin, two showed asthmatic responses to the food additives, and five responded to both aspirin and the food additives. It is suggested that ASA and food additives could be causes of clinically significant bronchoconstriction in moderately severe non-allergic asthmatic patients.

The comparison of allergic responses to Dermatophagoides farinae between bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis

The allergic responses of 52 bronchial asthma patients who exhibited a positive bronchoprovocation test with house dust and 50 allergic rhinitis patients who had positive RAST results to Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) were studied, including the measurement of D. farinae-specific IgE using D. farinae-RAST, total IgE and skin reactivity to D. farinae and house dust. A comparison between the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was more than 4.66 mg/mL and the allergic rhinitis group which presented negative results in the methacholine bronchial challenge test, indicated that there were significant differences in skin test reactivity and the ratio of specific IgE to total IgE (P less than .05). The allergic responses we observed were not different between the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was less than 4.66 mg/mL (asthmatic range of methacholine PC20) and the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was more than 4.66 mg/mL. When comparing the bronchial asthma group which showed positive results in D. farinae-RAST and the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was less than 4.66 mg/mL, significant differences were noted in total IgE level (P less than .05). These findings suggest that the development of bronchial asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis might be predicted by measuring the degree of bronchial hyperreactivity and their allergic responses.

Occupational asthma and IgE antibodies to reactive dyes

Reactive dyes have been widely used in recent years. This paper reports nine cases of immediate type occupational asthma to reactive dyes in one dye industry. All patients had had asthmatic symptoms, four had had rhinitis and they had worked for 6 to 25 months. Skin prick tests with reactive dyes were positive and bronchoprovocation tests also produced immediate or dual types of bronchoconstriction. We used the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) technique with nitrocellulose filter paper as a solid phase to detect specific IgE to four reactive dye-human serum albumin conjugates. High specific IgE binding was found in eight asthmatic workers compared with 13 negative controls. The RAST inhibition test revealed that there was no immunological cross-reactivity between 4 reactive dyes. These results suggested that the mechanism of their asthmatic symptoms was immunological, mostly an IgE-mediate reaction.

Structure of the beta-form of poly d(A).poly d(U)

The crystalline beta-form of the sodium salt of poly d(A).poly d(U) trapped in oriented fibers forms a Watson-Crick base-paired, 10(1) double-helix of pitch 3.2 nm. Two molecules are present in a monoclinic unit cell apparently isomorphous with beta-poly d(A).poly d(T). The two chains in each molecule both carry C2'-endo puckered furanose rings but are conformationally not identical. The orientations of the A:U base-pairs relative to the helix-axis are distinctly different from those in classical B-DNA and the overall morphology of the duplex in which they reside resembles that of the alpha-forms of poly (purine).poly (pyrimidine) DNA duplexes previously reported.

A retrospective study of advancement genioplasty

This study examined the immediate and postsurgical changes in the hard and soft tissues of the chin after advancement genioplasty by means of oblique osteotomy of the mandibular symphysis. Twenty-three patients who had undergone this procedure were evaluated cephalometrically for up to 6 months after surgery. The results indicated that the position of the genial segment is stable after advancement. There was a good correlation between the amount of hard versus soft tissue change with surgery in the horizontal direction but a poor correlation in the vertical plane. There was, however, a great amount of variability from one patient to the next in most of the variables examined. Follow-up results were generally very stable.

A problem-solving approach to social skills training in employment settings with mentally retarded youth

The present study examined two approaches to teaching social behaviors to 3 developmentally disabled youths in work contexts. In one approach, a problem-solving procedure was learned and transferred to different materials. Conversational probes monitored interactions between disabled employees and their co-workers and customers. A multiple baseline design demonstrated that the training produced generalization and maintenance of the targeted social behaviors to the work settings: A second approach based on a role-playing intervention produced no substantial generalization in the work setting. A social validation questionnaire administered to co-workers supported the efficacy of the problem-solving training procedure. The efficacy of social problem-solving training was discussed in terms of sufficient exemplars, common stimuli, and self-mediations.

Bronchial challenge responses in asthmatic patients sensitized to Artemisia spp. pollen

To characterize the patients whose asthma may be caused by Artemisia pollen extracts, we studied the bronchoprovocation test with Korean Artemisia pollen extracts (1:20 w/v), methacholine bronchial challenge test and wormwood-RAST in 32 asthmatic patients sensitized to Artemisia pollen. Twenty-six(81%) developed a 15% or greater decrease in FEVI after the inhalation of Artemisia pollen extracts and 13 patients showed early responses, 8 dual, and 5 late only. Thirteen(50%) out of 26 positive responders complained of seasonal aggravation of their asthmatic symptoms. Seven(53.8%) of the 13 seasonal type patients, 10(76.9%) of the 13 perennial type and 5(100%) of the 5 negative responders showed concurrent positive responses in the house dust bronchoprovocation test. The bronchial responsiveness to allergen(PD15) was more dependent upon the specific IgE level(bound radioactivity on wormwood-RAST) and multiple regression analysis revealed that the specific IgE level and methacholine PC20 may be contributory to allergen PD15. These results suggested that specific IgE to Artemisia pollen appears to be the major contributor to susceptibility to Artemisia bronchial challenges and this pollen may be considered as one of the important allergenic etiologies of atopic asthma in this country.

The significance of specific IgE and IgG to dermatophagoides farinae according to the types of asthmatic reaction in house dust asthmatics

To investigate the role of specific IgE and IgG in the various types of asthmatic reaction, we measured specific IgE and IgG levels to Dermatophagoides farinae (D.farinae) using the D. farinae-radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and Phadebas IgG-RAST in 39 house dust asthmatics (11 early responders, 21 dual responders and 7 isolated late responders) and 12 negative responders on house dust bronchoprovocation. There were significant differences in the D. farinae-specific IgE level and skin reactivity to D. farinae and house dust among the 4 groups (p less than 0.05) and the specific IgE level of dual asthmatic responders was the highest and was significantly higher than that of early responders (p less than 0.05). The specific IgG level showed no differences among the 4 groups. These results suggested that the types of asthmatic reaction in house dust asthmatics were closely related to specific IgE level to D. farinae and the specific IgG level seemed not to be related to an isolated late response.

A virus similar to human hepatitis B virus in Manchurian chipmunks

In searching for a new host of the hepadna virus, we found a virus with many of the unique properties of the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) in sera from Manchurian chipmunks inhabiting Korea.

Of 192 tested animals, 8 chipmunks were found to have weak HBsAg reactivities and particles similar in size and shape to the particles assoicated with HBV infection.

The HBsAg-reactive particles contained DNA of similar size to that of HBV and a DNA polymerase activity which appeared to repair a single-stranded region of the DNA molecule.

Histologic examination of liver tissues from chipmunks containing the viral particles in sera showed no evidence of liver disease.

Experimental infection of chipmunk by inoculation of HBsAg-reactive chipmunks sera led to frequent occurence of acute and chronic hepatitis without antigenemia of HBsAg.

Structure of the alpha-form of poly[d(A)].poly[d(T)] and related polynucleotide duplexes

The alpha-form of poly[d(A)].poly[d(T)], observed in fibers at high (greater than 80%) relative humidity, is a 10-fold double-helical structure of pitch 3.2 nm. This new X-ray analysis shows that the two strands of the double helix are of the same kind conformationally and both B-like in containing C-2'-endo-puckered deoxyribose rings. Nevertheless, the two strands are different enough for the overall morphology of the duplex to resemble that of the heteromerous model for the drier (beta) form of poly[d(A)].poly[d(T)] in which one strand has C-2'-endo rings and the other C-3'-endo. Since the orientations of the bases in poly[d(A)].poly[d(T)] are persistently different from those of classical B-DNA it is likely that there will be local bending (about 10 degrees) at the junctions between general sequence tracts and the oligo[d(A)].oligo[d(T)] tracts that occur in some native DNAs. The conclusions about the structure of alpha-poly[d(A)].poly[d(T)] are reinforced by independent analyses of similar X-ray diffraction patterns from poly[d(A)].poly[d(U)] and poly[d(A-I)].poly[d(C-T)].

Platelet function and factor VIII in uremia

We studied platelet function and plasma factor VIII in 15 healthy individuals and 41 uremic patients to evaluate the effect of dialysis on the hemostatic defect in uremia. Platelet counts and bleeding times were normal in all subjects. Platelet retention on glass beads was significantly reduced in all uremic patients. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen and ADP were significantly reduced in uremic patients on conservative therapy. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was normal but collagen-induced aggregation remained abnormal in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Both ADP- and collagen-induced aggregation were normal in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). FVIII: C was normal in all uremic patients. Both FVIII:vWF and FVIII R:Ag were significantly elevated in all uremic patients. In conclusion, platelet function was significantly defective and FVIII:vWF and FVIII R:Ag significantly elevated in uremia. HD and CAPD did not influence factor VIII levels or function nor did they improve platelet retention. Platelet aggregation improved partially on HD and completely on CAPD.

The effects of diet and exercise in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Diet and exercise could be an essential part of the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The effects of a strict dietary restriction (800–1,200 Kcal/day) with exercise (2-hour walk per day) on glycemic control were evaluatedin NIDDM patients. A short-term study was performed on 147 cases In these cases, the duration of hospitalization was 7–14 days. We achieved glycemic control [fasting blood sugar (FBS) less than 140 mg/dl] in 112 cases (76%). Among them, 78 (53%) were controlled with diet and exercise only and in 34 (23%), control was induced with oral gliquidone treatment for about 5 days A long-term study was done on 76 cases who followed our program for from 1 to 12 months (mean : 3.8 months) after discharge. Glycemic control was maintained in 56 (74%) in spite of the insignificance of the amount of weight reduction. Glycemic control was significantly related to the duration of diabetes, diabetic complications and the peak C-peptide level, but was unrelated to the initial body weight, FBS levels and HbA1c levels. These data indicate that a program of diet and exercise must be an integral part in the treatment of NIDDM. This was true, especially, for patients who have had adequate insulin secretory capacity few diabetic complications, short duration of disease, and no previous history of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin therapy.

DNA-RNA hybrid secondary structures

DNA-RNA and DNA-DNA duplexes are even more polymorphic than observed previously. DNA-RNA hybrids can have secondary structures like A-DNA or A-RNA, but double helices of the synthetic DNA-RNA hybrids poly(dA) X poly(rU) and poly(dI) X poly(rC), respectively, form 11-fold and 10-fold double-helical structures in which the two chains have quite different conformations. Extensive X-ray fiber diffraction analyses show that in both structures the DNA chains have C-2'-endo-puckered furanose rings, while the anti-parallel RNA chains have C-3'-endo-puckered rings. The bidirectional properties of such duplexes may be important in the transfer of biological information from nucleic acids.

Ferrokinetics in patients on CAPD: influence of CAPD on the anemia of uremia

Ferrokinetic studies were performed with 59Fe-citrate to evaluate erythropoietic activity in CAPD patients and to investigate the mechanism(s) by which the hematocrit increases in CAPD patients. Plasma iron disappearance rate (PID), plasma iron turnover rate (PIT), red cell iron utilization (RCIU), red cell iron turnover rate (RCIT) and marrow transit time (MTT) were all “normal” in uremic patients not yet on dialysis (Hct 23.8±3.4%), CAPD patients with persistently low hematocrit (Hct 24.9±1.8%) and CAPD patients with improved hematocrit (Hct 32.4±3.1%). Compared to these uremic patients, patients with iron deficiency anemia and normal renal function (Hct 28.0±5.1 %) had significantly faster PID and MTT and significantly higher RCIU and RCIT. Plasma volume was significantly reduced (to normal level) in CAPD patients with improved hematocrits.

The results of this study suggest that erythropoietic activity is inadequate for the degree of anemia in CAPD patients as well as uremic patients not on dialysis and further suggest that the hematocrit increases in CAPD as a result of decreased plasma volume.

Prevalence of serum and milk antibodies to Giardia lamblia in different populations of lactating women

We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system to compare prevalence and levels of systemic and local antibody to Giardia lamblia in different populations. Serial blood and milk samples were collected simultaneously from lactating women in Texas and Mexico. IgG antibody to G. lamblia was present in 118 (77%) of 153 sera from 27 Mexican mothers but in only 51 (24%) of 214 sera obtained from 28 Texan mothers (P less than .001). Sera positive for IgG antibody to G. lamblia revealed antibody levels that were significantly higher in Mexico than in Texas (0.325 +/- 0.076 vs. 0.219 +/- 0.079 optical density units). Secretory IgA antibody to G. lamblia was found in 121 (79%) of 153 milk samples in the Mexican population, but in only 33 (15%) of 214 samples in the Texan population (P less than .001). The levels of secretory antibody to G. lamblia also were higher in the Mexican population. The study documents a widely different antibody response to G. lamblia in individuals living in different areas. As antibodies to G. lamblia can be acquired by infants transplacentally or through breast-feeding, this difference might be important in the relative protection against giardial infection.

Taste acuity and zinc status in chronic renal disease

The malnutrition often associated with progressive renal failure may be related to a progressive deterioration of taste acuity. To determine the relationships between taste acuity, zinc status, and progressive renal failure, 27 subjects were divided into three groups and classified as having mild, moderate, or severe renal failure, with creatinine clearance of 41 to 75, 15 to 40, and 5 to 14 ml/minute, respectively. The subjects were evaluated for recognition taste thresholds for sour and sweet by the Cornsweet method. Serum, urinary, and salivary levels for zinc were determined by atomic absorption techniques. Food diaries were kept for two days; intakes of protein and zinc were calculated from the diaries. There was a significant (p less than .01) inverse relationship between creatinine clearance and recognition taste thresholds for sour and sweet. Serum zinc levels were significantly lower (p less than .01) for subjects with severe renal failure than for subjects with mild renal failure. The subjects who ingested more protein also ingested more zinc.

Response of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and lactase deficiency using unfermented acidophilus milk

Acidophilus milk has been reported to help patients with irritable bowel syndrome by correcting the "imbalance of flora" and to be tolerated better by lactase-deficient subjects by providing bacterial lactase in the small intestine. In a double-blind randomized study, 61 lactase-sufficient patients with irritable bowel syndrome each ingested 240 ml of milk three times a day for 2 wk and the same amount of acidophilus milk for an additional 2 wk. The degree of symptoms during the two milk-drinking periods was the same as during the control periods. Also, 18 lactase-deficient patients ingested unaltered milk for 1 wk and acidophilus milk for 1 additional wk. There was no difference in the degree of tolerance to the two varieties of milk. In summary, patients with irritable bowel syndrome were not helped by the ingestion of acidophilus milk, and lactase-deficient patients were as intolerant to acidophilus milk as to unaltered milk.

Effects of exogenous and endogenous histamine on the respiratory system

There is a statistically strong correlation between the increase of the histamine concentration in the arterial plasma and the increase of airway resistance. The histamine causes a reflex bronchoconstriction on the sensory receptors. Histamine in low concentration increases the unspecific reaction in the bronchial system. This can also be achieved using low concentrations of allergen aerosols. Patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis show high concentrations of histamine in the sputum. The bronchoconstrictive potency of this histamine was found to be not always active. Higher concentrations of histamine can be liberated by washing the inner surface of the bronchial tree. Histamine injected in similar concentrations as that measured in the sputum causes bronchoconstriction. There should be high concentrations of histamine receptors as well as mast cells near the surface of the mucosa of the bronchial wall. There are many questions remaining open, which will be discussed.

A Comparison of the Mojonnier and Roese-Gottlieb Methods for Determining Milkfat Content of Ice Cream

Twenty-two samples of commercial ice cream were analyzed for milkfat content by the Mojonnier and Roese-Gottlieb methods. These samples were tested in duplicate by two analysts and results were compared. The Roese-Gottlieb method gave consistently lower results on the same sample than did the Mojonnier method. There was a wide variation in test results from the two methods. The Roese-Gottlieb test results ranged from 0.10 to 0.30% less than those of the Mojonnier test on the same samples, the Roese-Gottlieb results averaging 0.16% lower than those of Mojonnier method. These variations are highly significant and are attributable to the different amounts of alcohol used for fat extraction.