Development of an instrument to measure hope

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure hope in adults and to evaluate its psychometric properties. A 40-item Miller Hope Scale (MHS) was developed based on critical elements of hope revealed in a comprehensive review of the literature and on an exploratory study of hope in persons who survived a critical illness. The instrument was critiqued by measurement and content experts, and content validity was established. The MHS was pretested on 75 subjects. The refined instrument was next evaluated using 522 healthy adults. The intent was to establish norms on the instrument before using it on ill subjects. The range of scores on the MHS is 40 to 200, with high scores indicating high hope. Mean hope score for this healthy sample was 164.46 (SD = 16.31). A leptokurtic curve, skewed to the left, was noted in these responses. As expected, the instrument detected high hope in individuals who were screened to have no physical or mental health problems. The internal consistency alpha coefficient was .93 with a 2-week test-retest reliability of .82. Criterion-related construct validity was established by correlating the MHS to the Psychological Well-Being Scale, r = .71, the Existential Well-Being Scale, r = .82, and a 1-item hope self-assessment, r = .69. Divergent validity with the Hopelessness Scale was established, r = -.54. Maximum likelihood factor analysis with oblimin rotation resulted in a three-factor solution: I, Satisfaction with Self, Others, and Life; II, Avoidance of Hope Threats; and III, Anticipation of a Future.

Coaggregation of the T-cell receptor with CD4 and other T-cell surface molecules enhances T-cell activation

The CD4 molecule, expressed by T cells restricted by class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, is believed to play a role in T-cell activation. We have previously suggested that CD4 interacts with the T-cell receptor for antigen (TCR) and with class II MHC and that this dual interaction stabilizes the bond between the TCR and antigen in association with MHC. To investigate the contribution of CD4-TCR interaction, we have used the murine monoclonal anti-TCR V beta 8 antibody F23.1 to activate cloned T cells. Weak activation by soluble biotinylated F23.1 was markedly enhanced by crosslinking with either avidin or with anti-immunoglobulin (anti-Ig). The monoclonal anti-L3T4 antibody GK1.5, which normally inhibits the activation induced by F23.1, did not inhibit when GK1.5 and F23.1 were coaggregated on T cells by anti-Ig, and in many experiments activation was enhanced. Coaggregation of anti-Thy-1.2, anti-H-2Kk, or anti-LFA-1 with F23.1 also enhanced T-cell activation, although, unlike GK1.5, these antibodies in soluble form had no effect on the response to F23.1. These results are consistent with a model for T-cell activation that proposes a primary interaction between L3T4 and the TCR to stabilize TCR complexes and so to enhance T-cell activation. A related but less specific accessory role for other T-cell surface molecules is also suggested. We propose that the cellular interaction that leads to physiological T-cell activation not only achieves TCR ligation but also promotes through their ligation or redistribution the interaction of other T-cell surface molecules, all of which contribute to the overall strength of the activation signal.

Expression of T cell antigen receptor and immunoglobulin genes in lymphoid organs visualized by in situ hybridization

In situ hybridization techniques were used to detect expression within lymphoid tissues of genes encoding T cell receptor (TCR) alpha, beta and gamma chains, as well as immunoglobulin kappa light chain. Transcripts of these genes were specifically detected in frozen sections of thymus, spleen and lymph node but not in non-lymphoid tissues. Differences in the level of beta chain gene transcription were observed within and between the thymus cortex and medulla, with approximately 60% and 34% of cells in these areas labelled, respectively. Expression of the TCR alpha chain genes was more homogeneous, while amongst the cells transcribing the gamma chain gene, there was a subpopulation of 0.2% of heavily labelled cortical thymocytes. Labelling of T cell dependent areas of spleen and lymph nodes was observed with each of the TCR probes, but neither alpha nor beta gene expression was seen in lymphoid tissues of athymic nude mice. The gamma chain gene was, however, expressed in both spleen and lymph nodes of these mice. These results indicate that TCR gene expression is not limited to a small subpopulation of T cell precursors. They are discussed in relation to T cell differentiation within the thymus.

Isolation and characterization of a subunit form of the light-harvesting complex of Rhodospirillum rubrum

A new method is described for the isolation of subunits of the light-harvesting complex from Rhodospirillum rubrum (wild type and the G-9 mutant) in yields that approach 100%. The procedure involved treating membrane vesicles with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-Triton X-100 to remove components other than the light-harvesting complex and reaction center. In the preparation from wild-type cells, a benzene extraction was then employed to remove carotenoid and ubiquinone. The next step involved a careful addition of the detergent n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, which resulted in a quantitative shift of the long-wavelength absorbance maximum from 873 to 820 nm. This latter complex was then separated from reaction centers by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The pigment-protein complex, now absorbing at 820 nm, contained two polypeptides of about 6-kilodalton molecular mass (referred to as alpha and beta) in a 1:1 ratio and two molecules of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) for each alpha beta pair. This complex is much smaller in size than the original complex absorbing at 873 nm but probably is an associated form such as alpha 2 beta 2 X 4BChl or alpha 3 beta 3 X 6BChl. The 820-nm form could be completely shifted back to a form once again having a longer wavelength lambda max near 873 nm by decreasing the octyl glucoside concentration. Thus, the complex absorbing at 820 nm appears to be a subunit form of the original 873-nm complex.

Abelson virus transformation of an interleukin 2-dependent antigen-specific T-cell line

Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) carries the gene v-abl, one of a group of oncogenes with structural and functional (tyrosine kinase) homology to three growth factor receptors. Work in this and other laboratories has shown that A-MuLV infection can render myeloid and lymphoid cells independent of the growth factors interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. We have now shown that v-abl can also relieve interleukin 2 (IL-2) dependence in T cells. We infected a cloned IL-2-dependent antigen-specific cell line. Transformed cells were generated which were factor independent and tumorigenic. The transformants each bore unique v-abl DNA inserts and expressed v-abl mRNA. No elevation of expression of either IL-2 or its receptor could be detected in these cells. Thus, A-MuLV can short-circuit the dependence of hematopoietic cells on IL-2, IL-3, and possibly granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, none of whose receptors are known to be of the tyrosine kinase type.

Endogenous immunoreactive glia maturation factor-like molecule in astrocytes and glioma cells

Using the monoclonal antibody G2-09 raised against bovine glia maturation factor (GMF), we conducted a survey of GMF-like immunoreactivity in various cell types. Of all the normal and neoplastic cells tested, only extracts from astroblasts, gliomas, Schwann cells and schwannomas, but not their conditioned media, possessed endogenous GMF-like immunoreactivity. The presence of immunoreactive GMF correlated well with GMF bioactivity. Using the same monoclonal antibody, the GMF-like factor in astroblasts and C6 glioma cells was characterized by immunofluorescence, immunoadsorption and immunoblotting. Immunofluorescence confirmed the intracellular location of GMF. Immunoadsorption completely eliminated the GMF-like bioactivity from the cell extracts. Immunoblotting identified a protein band having a mol. wt. of 14,000 Da. Thus, the evidence strongly supports the argument that the GMF-like factor in astroblasts and C6 cells is identical with GMF from the bovine brain. In order to explain the fact that astroblasts and C6 cells are both the source and targets of GMF, we propose the hypothesis that GMF functions as an injury signal, being released from the injured glia and serving as a stimulant for gliosis in the neighboring intact glia.

Distribution of immunoreactive glia maturation factor-like molecule in organs and tissues

Using the monoclonal antibody G2-09 raised against bovine glia maturation factor (GMF), we screened various rat organs and tissues for GMF-like immunoreactivity. In the adult animal, with the exception of the heart, GMF was found exclusively in the nervous system, with the cerebellum exhibiting higher specific activity than other brain regions. The nature of the immunoactivity in the heart is presently unclear. None of the body fluids collected from humans, including serum and cerebrospinal fluid, possessed detectable GMF immunoactivity. A phylogenetic comparison revealed the presence of GMF in the brain of al vertebrates studied, from fish to primates. GMF was absent from bacteria and yeast. An ontogenetic study on rats showed the highest GMF level in the fetal brain, with a gradual but steady decrease after birth. However, a substantial amount of GMF persisted even in older animals. GMF was localized in astrocytes and Bergmann glia in the rat brain, using immunostaining at the light microscopic level.

Intensity and energy cost of weighted walking vs. running for men and women

The energy cost and intensity of exercise performed at 0% grade were determined for walking at 2, 3, and 4 mph, running at 5, 6, and 7 mph, and walking at 2, 3, and 4 mph with ankle and/or hand weights. Subjects were young moderately trained males (4) and females (3). The energy cost per kilogram of body weight was similar between sexes, and data were combined for among-treatment comparisons. Intensity of effort and energy cost per minute and per mile were increased when weight was added during walking and were increased more with hand weights compared with ankle weights regardless of speed. The average increase in O2 uptake (ml X kg-1 X min-1 X 100 g-1 of added wt) was 0.8% for ankle, 1.3% for hand, and 0.9% for ankle and hand weights. Gross energy cost per mile during weighted walking (120-158 kcal/mile) was comparable to and in some cases exceeded that of running which was independent of speed (120-130 kcal/mile). During nonweighted walking, the energy cost (kcal/mile) was significantly greater at 4 mph compared with 2 and 3 mph which did not differ. The intensity of walking at 4 mph with ankle and hand weights was comparable to running at 5 mph.

Interaction in vivo between hapten-specific suppressor T cells and an in vitro cultured helper T cell line

The interaction in vivo between hapten-specific suppressor T cells (Ts) and a hapten-specific T helper (Th) cell line was examined. Antigen-specific Ts were induced in CBA mice by i.v. priming with 3 X 10(7) syngeneic spleen cells (SC) that were chemically coupled with the hapten azobenzenearsonate (ABA). Transfer of splenic T cells from these mice by i.v. injection suppressed the induction in syngeneic assay hosts of ABA-reactive helper and cytotoxic T cell (Tc) responses. Although the Th responses and their suppression were ABA specific, in that they were not induced or activated by trinitrophenyl (TNP)-coupled SC, both Tc responses and their suppression were occasionally nonspecific. Induction of Th was assayed by measuring the release from primed lymph node cells of IL 2 and IL 3 in response to haptenated SC in vitro. Both cytotoxic and Th responses could be made dependent on the provision of exogenous Th by reducing the antigen dose. This stratagem allowed the assay in vivo of a long-term cultured ABA-specific Th cell line (E9). Injection of 10(5) E9 cells/mouse (with antigen, in the rear footpad) helped the induction of both Tc and Th in response to a reduced dose of antigen. These responses, which were dependent on the E9 cell line, were also suppressed by i.v. transferred Ts. When normal doses of antigen were used, the injection of 10(5) E9 Th overcame suppression. These results show that Ts act by inhibiting the activation of Th, thereby suppressing Th-dependent responses generally. The fact that the E9 Th cell line could be suppressed also shows that long-term culture of T cells does not affect their capacity to be regulated in vivo.

Interaction in vivo between hapten-specific suppressor T cells and an in vitro cultured helper T cell line

The interaction in vivo between hapten-specific suppressor T cells (Ts) and a hapten-specific T helper (Th) cell line was examined. Antigen-specific Ts were induced in CBA mice by i.v. priming with 3 X 10(7) syngeneic spleen cells (SC) that were chemically coupled with the hapten azobenzenearsonate (ABA). Transfer of splenic T cells from these mice by i.v. injection suppressed the induction in syngeneic assay hosts of ABA-reactive helper and cytotoxic T cell (Tc) responses. Although the Th responses and their suppression were ABA specific, in that they were not induced or activated by trinitrophenyl (TNP)-coupled SC, both Tc responses and their suppression were occasionally nonspecific. Induction of Th was assayed by measuring the release from primed lymph node cells of IL 2 and IL 3 in response to haptenated SC in vitro. Both cytotoxic and Th responses could be made dependent on the provision of exogenous Th by reducing the antigen dose. This stratagem allowed the assay in vivo of a long-term cultured ABA-specific Th cell line (E9). Injection of 10(5) E9 cells/mouse (with antigen, in the rear footpad) helped the induction of both Tc and Th in response to a reduced dose of antigen. These responses, which were dependent on the E9 cell line, were also suppressed by i.v. transferred Ts. When normal doses of antigen were used, the injection of 10(5) E9 Th overcame suppression. These results show that Ts act by inhibiting the activation of Th, thereby suppressing Th-dependent responses generally. The fact that the E9 Th cell line could be suppressed also shows that long-term culture of T cells does not affect their capacity to be regulated in vivo.

Accessory molecules in T lymphocyte activation

The currently accepted hypothesis used to explain the role of Lyt-2 and L3T4 in T cell activation proposes how these molecules interact with class I and II major histocompatibility complex molecules, respectively, on the antigen-presenting or target cell, to increase the avidity of binding of the antigen-specific T cell receptor. This has been tested using two antigen-specific, class II-restricted T cell clones expressing both Lyt- and L3T4. Inhibition of function was observed only with monoclonal antibody against L3T4, not Lyt-2. One interpretation of these results is that L3T4 and the class II-restricted T cell receptor can physically associate during T cell activation to form a multi-molecular complex from which Lyt-2 is excluded.

Induction of cytoskeletal alterations in C6 glioma by glia maturation factor

C6 rat glioma cells respond to glia maturation factor (GMF) with characteristic morphological alterations. Observed under phase-contrast microscopy, the cells changed from a rounded morphology in random formation to a spindle-shaped appearance in parallel arrays. Observed under scanning electron microscopy, GMF led to a decrease in the number of microvilli and cell surface knobs. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the appearance of numerous microtubules aligned with the long axis of the cells after GMF stimulation. The change in cell shape and histotypic pattern was inhibited by vinblastin, further implicating the involvement of microtubules. Immunofluorescence using anti-alpha-tubulin revealed a well-defined cytoskeletal system in GMF-stimulated cells but not in the control cells. Finally, an increase in tubulin was confirmed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on extracts from these cultures. The findings indicate that morphological alterations induced by GMF are associated with changes in the quantity and arrangement of microtubules.

Stable expression of Lyt-2 homodimers on L3T4+ T cell clones

The murine T lymphocyte antigen Lyt-2 is considered to act as an accessory molecule to the class I-restricted T cell receptor during antigen recognition. We have previously described two unusual Lyt-2+L3T4+ class II-restricted T cell clones whose activation by antigen is inhibited by antibodies to L3T4 but not to Lyt-2 (B. Fazekas de St. Groth et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1986. 83: 2594). The Lyt-2 immunoprecipitated from one of these clones was indistinguishable from the molecule found on splenic T cells, as analyzed under reducing conditions on polyacrylamide gels, in two-dimensional charge/size separations and in peptide mapping. The molecule from the second clone showed slightly more extensive glycosylation but was within the range described for functional Lyt-2 on cytotoxic T cell lines. Lyt-2 mRNA from both clones showed no abnormalities on Northern analysis. Lyt-2 is normally expressed on thymocytes and peripheral T cells as a heterodimer disulfide bonded to the Lyt-3 glycopeptide, yet Lyt-3 could not be detected on the cell membranes of our clones; Lyt-2 existed as stable homodimers without Lyt-3. Thus Lyt-3 is not required structurally for the spontaneous expression of Lyt-2 on lymphoid cells.

Purification and characterization of a glycogen phosphorylase analog missing the amino-terminal segment

A glycogen phosphorylase analog missing only the amino-terminal 16 to 18 residues, which include the phosphorylation site, was produced by subtilisin Carlsberg cleavage of phosphorylase b in the presence of caffeine. The analog, named phosphorylase b's, was purified, and its enzymatic properties were compared with those of phosphorylase b. The KM's for glucose 1-phosphate are similar, but phosphorylase b's has a VM 43% higher than that of phosphorylase b. Also, phosphorylase b's is less sensitive to inhibition by glucose 6-phosphate and stimulation by sodium fluoride than is phosphorylase b. The subunit interactions in the two enzyme forms were also compared. The monomer-monomer interactions in phosphorylase b's are weaker than in phosphorylase b, as evidenced by a faster rate of resolution of the coenzyme, pyridoxal phosphate, from phosphorylase b's. The dimer-dimer interactions are also weaker in phosphorylase b's than in phosphorylase b, because phosphorylase b's does not form tetramers or crystals as readily as does phosphorylase b. Because removal of the amino-terminal segment changes the properties of the enzyme, this segment must be interacting with other parts of the protein. This statement conflicts with previous interpretation of X-ray crystallographic data that suggest that the amino-terminal region of phosphorylase b is freely mobile. Possible explanations for this contradiction are discussed.

Suppression of glioma growth in vitro and in vivo by glia maturation factor

Glia maturation factor (GMF), a 14,000 Mr acidic protein of the brain, is capable of promoting differentiation of cultured astroblasts. In this study we report the effect of GMF on two glioma cell lines: the C6 line, of rodent origin, and the HG-1 line, of human origin. When tested in culture, GMF promotes the initial growth of the two cell lines when the cells are sparse but limits proliferation by restoring contact inhibition when the cells are confluent. Cell cycle analysis confirms the arrest of the cells at the G0/G1 phase when the tumor cells are contact inhibited by GMF. When C6 cells are inoculated into the athymic (nude) mice at a s.c. site, a single solid tumor grows out with a 100% take. Intraperitoneal injection of GMF leads to the slowing down of tumor growth. That the in vivo effect of GMF is not due to cytotoxicity is evidenced by the lack of necrosis and by the appearance of more mature astrocytic cells in the tumors. The results lend support to the concept of GMF as a cellular regulator and suggest the therapeutic potential of GMF for brain tumors.

Early conceptual loss in subfertile patients

The incidence of early conceptual loss was studied in 27 subfertile women by measuring their serum and urine hCG levels in the luteal phase. Eleven patients eventually had clinically confirmed pregnancies, nine of whom had had significant hCG elevations in previous menstrual cycles. In the remaining 16 patients, who have so far failed to achieve a clinical pregnancy, only three had had elevated hCG results. Thus 'apparent' early conceptual loss in non-pregnancy cycles was found to be more often associated with the fertile group of patients.

Acquired left ventricular-coronary sinus fistula: demonstrated by pulsed Doppler echocardiography

Communications between the left ventricle and the right atrium are rare. A left ventricle to coronary sinus fistula is an extremely rare form of left ventricular-right atrial shunt. This is the first report of such a shunt following myocardial infarction, and emphasizes the use of two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography in making the diagnosis.

Calculation of aortic valve area by Doppler echocardiography: a direct application of the continuity equation

The continuity equation suggests that a ratio of velocities at two different cardiac valves is inversely proportional to the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the valves. To determine whether a ratio of mitral/aortic valve orifice velocities is useful in determining aortic valve area in patients with aortic stenosis, 10 control subjects and 22 patients with predominant aortic stenosis were examined by Doppler echocardiography. The ratio of (mean diastolic mitral velocity)/(mean systolic aortic velocity), (Vm)/(Va), and the ratio of (mitral diastolic velocity-time integral)/(aortic systolic velocity-time integral), (VTm)/(VTa), were determined from Doppler spectral recordings. Aortic valve area determined at catheterization by the Gorlin equation was the standard of reference. High-quality Doppler recordings were obtained in 30 of 32 subjects (94%). Catheterization documented valve areas of 0.5 to 2.6 (mean 1.1) cm2. There was good correlation between Doppler-determined (Vm)/(Va) and Gorlin valve area (r = .90, SEE = 0.23 cm2); a better correlation was noted between (VTm)/(VTa) and Gorlin valve area (r = .93, SEE = 0.18 cm2). The data demonstrate the usefulness of Doppler alone in the determination of aortic valve area in adults with absent or mild aortic or mitral regurgitation and no mitral stenosis. Although the use of mean velocity and velocity-time integral ratios requires accurate measurement of mitral and aortic velocities, it does not require squaring of these velocities or measurement of the cross-sectional area of flow.

Involvement of Lyt-2 and L3T4 in activation of hapten-specific Lyt-2+ L3T4+ T-cell clones

The murine T-cell surface molecules Lyt-2 and L3T4 play a role in the activation of antigen-specific T cells. The currently accepted model for the function of these molecules proposes that Lyt-2 and L3T4 increase the overall avidity of the interaction between the T-cell antigen receptor and antigen in association with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the antigen-presenting cell. We have used two unusual Lyt-2+ L3T4+ class II MHC-restricted T-cell clones to test whether Lyt-2 can substitute for L3T4 when the T-cell antigen receptor is class II MHC-restricted. Monoclonal antibodies against L3T4 profoundly inhibited antigen-induced lymphokine production by both T-cell clones. Anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody had no effect. These results strongly suggest that L3T4 and the class II-restricted T-cell antigen receptors are physically close during antigen recognition, probably as part of a multimolecular complex from which Lyt-2 is excluded. The ability of L3T4 but not Lyt-2 to participate in such a complex with class II-restricted T-cell antigen receptors may explain the striking correlation between class II restriction and L3T4 expression in the peripheral T-cell pool.

Mutational and in vivo methylation analysis of F-factor PifC protein binding to the pif operator and the region containing the primary origin of mini-F replication

We have used in vivo methods to identify multiple DNA-binding sites for the negatively autoregulated mini-F replication factor PifC. Sequence analysis of pif operator constitutive mutants, isolated as insensitive to repression by PifC, establishes the structure of pifO. This site contains a 17-base-pair (bp) region of dyad symmetry with 7-bp perfect inverted repeats separated by 3 bp. In vivo DNA methylation studies with dimethyl sulfate show that the reactivity of five of six guanine residues in the pifO region is altered in the presence of PifC protein. In addition, there are several sites of PifC-dependent methylation enhancement and protection upstream of pifO within repeated sequences bearing homology to pifO. The significance of the repeated PifC binding sequences and their relationship to the primary origin of mini-F replication (oriV1) are discussed.

Pulsed Doppler study of a case of coarctation of the aorta: demonstration of a continuous Doppler frequency shift

Pulsed Doppler echocardiography was used to assess flow across a severe coarctation of the aorta. The high peak systolic Doppler frequency shift correlated well with the gradient measured at cardiac catheterization. A Doppler frequency shift was present throughout diastole, suggesting pan-diastolic flow across the coarctation. This finding may be a marker of severe coarctation of the aorta.