Extra-Alveolar Bone Screws for Conservative Correction of Severe Malocclusion Without Extractions or Orthognathic Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Evaluate management of challenging malocclusions conservatively (no extractions or orthognathic surgery).

RECENT FINDINGS

Most malocclusions have a predominately environmental etiology. Optimal esthetics and function are restored by aligning the dentition over the apical base of bone at the appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO). Extra-alveolar (E-A) anchorage is achieved at three intraoral sites: mandibular buccal shelf (MBS), infrazygomatic crest (IZC), and anterior ramus. MBS and IZC bone screws effectively anchor the conservative correction of severe dental and skeletal malocclusions. All bone screw sites are effective for anchoring lever arms to recover impacted teeth. Rather than extracting teeth, E-A anchorage corrects crowding by retracting the posterior segments to increase arch length. Skeletal malocclusion is corrected by aligning teeth over the apical base of bone and restoring the VDO by retracting and posteriorly rotating the dental arches as segments. Challenging dental and skeletal malocclusions can be treated routinely via determinate mechanics anchored with E-A bone screws.

Field trial in commercial broilers with a multivalent in ovo vaccine comprising a mixture of live viral vaccines against Marek's disease, infectious bursal disease, Newcastle disease, and fowl pox

A multivalent in ovo vaccine (MIV) was tested for safety and efficacy in a commercial broiler complex. The MIV comprised five replicating live viruses including serotypes 1, 2, and 3 of Marek's disease virus (MDV), an intermediate infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and a recombinant fowl poxvirus (FPV) vector vaccine containing HN and F genes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The performance of MIV-vaccinated broilers was compared with that of hatchmates that received turkey herpesvirus (HVT) alone (routinely used in ovo vaccine in the broiler complex). The chickens that hatched from the MIV-injected and HVT-injected eggs were raised under commercial conditions in six barns. Barn 1 housed 17,853 MIV-vaccinated chickens and each of the barns 2-6 housed 18,472-22,798 HVT-vaccinated chickens. The HVT-vaccinated chickens were given infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and NDV vaccines at hatch and at 2 wk of age. The MIV-vaccinated chickens received IBV vaccine at hatch and IBV + NDV at 2 wk of age. The relative values of hatchability of eggs, livability and weight gain of chickens, and condemnation rates at processing were comparable between the MIV and the HVT groups (P > 0.05). Chickens from the MIV- and the HVT-vaccinated groups were challenged with virulent viruses under laboratory conditions. The resistance of vaccinated chickens against Marek's disease could not be assessed because of high natural resistance of unvaccinated commercial broilers to virulent MDV. The relative resistances of the MIV- and the HVT-vaccinated groups, respectively, against other virulent viruses were as follows: IBDV, 100% for both groups; NDV, 81% vs. 19%; FPV, 86% vs. 0%. The successful use of MIV under field conditions expands the usefulness of the in ovo technology for poultry.

Comparative immunopathogenesis of mild, intermediate, and virulent strains of classic infectious bursal disease virus

Differences in the immunopathogenesis of several strains of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were compared. The strains included a virulent virus (IBDV-IM) and three vaccine viruses that included an intermediate vaccine virus (IBDV-B2) and two mild vaccine viruses (IBDV-Lukert and IBDV-BVM). The most significant differences were found in the systemic effects of these strains. In comparison with other strains, IBDV-IM antigen was detectable for up to 8 days postinfection (PI) in lymphoid tissues that included spleen and cecal tonsils, whereas only a few IBDV-B2- and IBDV-Lukert- and no IBDV-BVM-inoculated birds had detectable IBDV antigen in these tissues. IBDV-IM induced systemic circulating nitrite levels in over 86% of the birds at days 2 and 3 PI. IBDV-IM suppressed most vigorously the splenic mitogenic response on days 3-8 PI. Among the three vaccine strains, IBDV-B2 was the most virulent of the three, inducing a significant suppression of the mitogenic response (P < 0.05) and the most vigorous lesions in the bursa of Fabricius with the highest possible lesion score of 4 at 3 days PI (P < 0.05). IBDV-BVM was the mildest strain, not inducing any detectable lesions in lymphoid tissue at the tested time points. Whereas all IBDV-BVM-inoculated and 67% and 33% of the IBDV-Lukert- and IBDV-B2-inoculated birds, respectively, had detectable IBDV antigen in the bursa at 4 days postchallenge, none of the IBDV-IM-inoculated birds was positive for IBDV by immunohistochemistry. IBDV-IM induced the highest enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody levels detected at days 8-29 PI (P < 0.05) and the best protection against challenge virus replication in comparison with IBDV-B2 and IBDV-Lukert. Only one of five IBDV-BVM-inoculated birds developed anti-IBDV ELISA antibodies at 29 days PI, and none of the birds was protected against IBDV challenge. We speculate that better protection with more virulent strains was due to more systemic antigenic stimulation on the basis of higher replication of IBDV in extrabursal lymphoid tissues. Interestingly, IBDV-IM did not differ from IBDV-B2 and IBDV-Lukert in its ability to induce T cell accumulation in the bursa at 8 days PI and local interferon-gamma induction from days 2 to 5 PI. These results suggested that the local T cell events in the bursa alone may not be indicative of a rapid and protective immune response.

Studies of a novel human thrombomodulin immobilized substrate: surface characterization and anticoagulation activity evaluation

Immobilization of the anticoagulative or antithrombogenic biomolecule has been considered as one of the important methods to improve the blood compatibility of artificial biomaterials. In this study, a novel immobilization reaction scheme was utilized to incorporate the human thrombomodulin, an endothelial cell associated glycoprotein, onto the cover glass surface with an aim to develop an anticoagulative substrate. Trichlorotriazine and amino-terminated silane were employed as the coupling agents, while the polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 1500 was used as the spacer in this reaction scheme. Protein C activation assay indicated the immobilized human thrombomodulin still has this coenzymatic activity but is lower, possibly due to the conformation variation by the coupling agents. In vitro platelet adhesion assay has demonstrated the surface with immobilized human thrombomodulin is much less platelet-activating than others. Therefore, the novel reaction scheme proposed here is very promising for future development of an anticoagulative silicon or cover glass substrate (e.g. implantable sensor or biochip) by the immobilization of antithrombogenic protein, such as the human thrombomodulin in this study.

Role of intrabursal T cells in infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection: T cells promote viral clearance but delay follicular recovery

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) induces an acute, highly contagious immunosuppressive disease in young chickens. We examined the role of T cells in IBDV-induced immunopathogenesis and tissue recovery. T cell-intact chickens and birds compromised in their T cell function by a combination of surgical thymectomy and Cyclosporin A treatment (Tx-CsA) were infected with an intermediate vaccine strain of IBDV (Bursine 2, Fort Dodge). Our data revealed that functional T cells were needed to control the IBDV-antigen load in the acute phase of infection at 5 days post infection. The target organ of IBDV, the bursa of Fabricius, of Tx-CsA-birds had a significantly higher antigen load than the one of T cell-intact birds (P < 0.05). Tx-CsA-treatment abrogated the IBDV-induced inflammatory response and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the incidence of apoptotic bursa cells and the expression of cytokines such as interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in comparison to T cell-intact birds. T cell-released IL-2 and IFN-gamma may have mediated the induction of inflammation and cell death in T cell-intact birds. The IBDV-induced upregulation of tumor necrosis like-factor (TNF) expression was comparable between T cell-intact and Tx-CsA-birds. Tx-CsA-birds showed a significantly faster resolution of IBDV-induced bursa lesions than T cell-intact birds (P < 0.05). This study suggests that T cells modulate IBDV pathogenesis in two ways: a) they limit viral replication in the bursa in the early phase of the disease at 5 days post infection, and b) intrabursal T cells promote bursal tissue damage and delay tissue recovery possibly through the release of cytokines and cytotoxic effects.

Characteristics of bursal T lymphocytes induced by infectious bursal disease virus

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is an avian lymphotropic virus that causes immunosuppression. When specific-pathogen-free chickens were exposed to a pathogenic strain of IBDV (IM), the virus rapidly destroyed B cells in the bursa of Fabricius. Extensive viral replication was accompanied by an infiltration of T cells in the bursa. We studied the characteristics of intrabursal T lymphocytes in IBDV-infected chickens and examined whether T cells were involved in virus clearance. Flow cytometric analysis of single-cell suspensions of the bursal tissue revealed that T cells were first detectable at 4 days postinoculation (p.i.). At 7 days p.i., 65% of bursal cells were T cells and 7% were B cells. After virus infection, the numbers of bursal T cells expressing activation markers Ia and CD25 were significantly increased (P<0.03). In addition, IBDV-induced bursal T cells produced elevated levels of interleukin-6-like factor and nitric oxide-inducing factor in vitro. Spleen and bursal cells of IBDV-infected chickens had upregulated gamma interferon gene expression in comparison with virus-free chickens. In IBDV-infected chickens, bursal T cells proliferated in vitro upon stimulation with purified IBDV in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.02), whereas virus-specific T-cell expansion was not detected in the spleen. Cyclosporin A treatment, which reduced the number of circulating T cells and compromised T-cell mitogenesis, increased viral burden in the bursae of IBDV-infected chickens. The results suggest that intrabursal T cells and T-cell-mediated responses may be important in viral clearance and promoting recovery from infection.

Arsanilic acid-Sepharose chromatography of pyruvate kinase from KB cells

In the present study, arsanical-based affinity chromatography for pyruvate kinase (PK) isolation was explored. p-Arsanilic acid (4-aminophenyl arsonic acid), which contains an arsonic acid moiety structurally similar to inorganic pentavalent arsenate, was conjugated to Sepharose 4B via its para-amino group to form an As(V)-Sepharose matrix. The cellular proteins from KB cells bound to arsonic acid moieties were eluted by 50 mM sodium arsenate in Tris-HCl buffer (50 mM, pH 7.6). A single protein band with a molecular mass of 58 kDa was shown on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. By immunoblotting, amino acid sequencing and enzymatic analysis, the sodium arsenate-eluted 58-kDa protein was demonstrated to be a human PK (type M2). By using this one-step As(V)-Sepharose chromatography, PK from KB cells was purified 35.4-fold with a specific activity of 153.15 U/mg protein in the presence of 6 mM fructose-1,6-biphosphate. Although PK was eluted from an As(V)-Sepharose column with sodium arsenate, PK activity was apparently inhibited by the used eluent system, but not by p-arsanilic acid, indicating a specific interaction of As(V) to PK. In summary, our results indicate that As(V)-Sepharose can serve as a simple and efficient chromatographic support for PK purification from KB cells.

Short-term treatment with interferon-alpha/beta promotes remyelination, whereas long-term treatment aggravates demyelination in a murine model of multiple sclerosis

The mechanisms by which type I interferons (IFN) reduce the rate and severity of exacerbations in multiple sclerosis are unknown. We utilized a model of multiple sclerosis to determine the extent of demyelination and remyelination in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-infected SJL/J mice treated with mouse IFN-alpha/beta for a short (5 weeks) or a long (16 weeks) period. All mice were chronically infected with TMEV to simulate the clinical situation in multiple sclerosis. Short-term IFN-alpha/beta treatment increased the percent of remyelinated spinal cord white matter by threefold when compared with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment (P < 0.02), but it did not affect the extent of demyelination. In contrast, long-term IFN-alpha/beta treatment increased the extent of demyelination by twofold (P < 0.03). Long-term treatment increased the absolute area of remyelination, but the percent remyelination as a function of area of demyelination was not changed because of increased demyelination. An immunomodulatory mechanism may have contributed to the effect of IFN-alpha/beta on white matter pathology because treated mice had higher anti-TMEV IgGs in serum and demonstrated decreased numbers of B and T lymphocytes infiltrating the central nervous system (CNS). There was no correlation between the level of anti- IFN-alpha/beta antibodies and the extent of demyelination or remyelination. These results indicate that the length of type I IFN treatment may have paradoxical effects on demyelination and remyelination.

Infectious bursal disease virus of chickens: pathogenesis and immunosuppression

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is an important immunosuppressive virus of chickens. The virus is ubiquitous and, under natural conditions, chickens acquire infection by the oral route. IgM+ cells serve as targets for the virus. The most extensive virus replication takes place in the bursa of Fabricius. The acute phase of the disease lasts for about 7-10 days. Within this phase, bursal follicles are depleted of B cells and the bursa becomes atrophic. Abundant viral antigen can be detected in the bursal follicles and other peripheral lymphoid organs such as the cecal tonsils and spleen. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells accumulate at and near the site of virus replication. The virus-induced bursal T cells are activated, exhibit upregulation of cytokine genes, proliferate in response to in vitro stimulation with IBDV and have suppressive properties. Chickens may die during the acute phase of the disease although IBDV induced mortality is highly variable and depends, among other factors, upon the virulence of the virus strain. Chickens that survive the acute disease clear the virus and recover from its pathologic effects. Bursal follicles are repopulated with IgM(+) B cells. Clinical and subclinical infection with IBDV may cause immunosuppression. Both humoral and cellular immune responses are compromised. Inhibition of the humoral immunity is attributed to the destruction of immunoglobulin-producing cells by the virus. Other mechanisms such as altered antigen-presenting and helper T cell functions may also be involved. Infection with IBDV causes a transient inhibition of the in vitro proliferative response of T cells to mitogens. This inhibition is mediated by macrophages which are activated in virus-exposed chickens and exhibit a marked enhancement of expression of a number of cytokine genes. We speculate that T cell cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-gamma may stimulate macrophages to produce nitric oxide (NO) and other cytokines with anti-proliferative activity. Additional studies are needed to identify the possible direct immunosuppressive effect of IBDV on T cells and their functions. Studies are also needed to examine effects of the virus on innate immunity. Earlier data indicate that the virus did not affect normal natural killer (NK) cell levels in chickens.

In vitro effects of recombinant chicken interferon-gamma on immune cells

We used the recombinant chicken interferon-gamma (ChIFN-gamma) to determine its in vitro effects on chicken immune cells. We found that ChIFN-gamma induced nitric oxide (NO) production, upregulated Ia expression on the cell surface, and inhibited the replication of Newcastle disease virus in NCSU and HD11 cells (chicken macrophage cell lines). In addition, ChIFN-gamma had an antiproliferative effect on RP9 cells, a chicken B cell line. Finally, ChIFN-gamma inhibited mitogenic proliferation of normal chicken spleen cells and induced the cells to generate NO. Inhibition of viral replication and mitogenic proliferation of normal cells were correlated with NO production. We conclude that recombinant chicken ChIFN-gamma modulates chicken immune cells.

Genetic organization, size, and complete sequence of early region 3 genes of human adenovirus type 41

The complete nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences for open reading frames (ORFs) of the human adenovirus type 41 (Ad41) early region 3 (E3) gene have been determined. The sequence of the Ad41 E3 gene (map units 74 to 83.9) consists of 3,373 nucleotides and has one TATA box and two polyadenylation signals (AATAAA). Analysis of the nucleotide sequence reveals that the E3 gene can encode six ORFs, designated RL1 to RL6. These are all expressed at the mRNA level, as determined by reverse transcription-PCR analysis of AD41-infected cell RNA. When compared with known E3 sequences of most other human adenoviruses deposited in GenBank, the sequences of RL1 to RL3 were found to be unique to subgroup F adenoviruses (Ad40 and Ad41). They encode putative proteins of 173 amino acids (19.4 kDa) and 276 amino acids (31.6 kDa) in one reading frame as well as a 59- amino-acid (6.7 kDa) protein in an overlapping reading frame. RL4 encodes a 90-amino-acid protein (10.1 kDa) with 40% homology to the Ad2 E3 10.4-kDa protein, which induces degradation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and functions together with the Ad2 E3 14.5-kDa protein to protect mouse cell lines against lysis. RL5 encodes a protein of 107 amino acid residues (12.3 kDa) and is analogous to the Ad E3 14.5-kDa protein. RL6 codes for a protein of 122 amino acids (14.7 kDa) that is analogous to the Ad2 14.7-kDa protein, which functions to protect Ad-infected cells from tumor necrosis factor-induced cytolysis. This finding of three unique (RL1 to RL3) E3 gene ORFs may explain why subgroup F adenoviruses differ substantially from other human adenoviruses in their host range; i.e., they replicate predominantly in the host's gastrointestinal rather than respiratory tract. A recent phylogenetic study that compared subgroup F Ad40 DNA sequences with representatives of subgroups B (Ad3), C (Ad2), and E (Ad4) reached a similar conclusion about the uniqueness of RL1 and RL2.

[A liveborn infant with triploidy (69, XXX): report of one case]

Triploidy is not rare and present in about 1% of all recognized human pregnancies, although most of these pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion during the first trimester. Survival of the fetus up to 20 weeks or beyond is rare. Therefore, liveborn infants with triploidy are very rare. Here is a report on a female liveborn infant with triploidy (69,XXX), who was born to a 27-year-old healthy mother. The clinical features are growth retardation, head-to-body disproportion, wide posterior fontanelle, hypertelorism, micrognathia, bilateral pre-auricular polyps, syndactyly of left 3rd and 4th fingers, syndactyly of right 2nd and 3rd fingers and talipes equinovarus. The infant died 4 hours after birth. The autopsy revealed transposition of great vessels, ventricular septal defect, one lobe of left lung and 2 lobes of right lung and duodenal atresia.

Human adenovirus type 41 contains two fibers

DNA sequencing of the subgroup F human adenovirus serotype 41 (TAK, Ad41) fiber gene revealed the presence of two adjacent open reading frames encoding information for proteins with molecular weights of 60.6 kDa and 41.4 kDa (Pieniazek, et al; Nucleic Acids Res. 18: p. 1901, 1990). In this paper, various approaches were used to characterize the two proteins and determine whether both fibers were expressed in infected cells as well as on viral particles. We initially used a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with primers for the short and long fiber genes to amplify mRNA from Ad41 infected HEp-2 cells at 48 h post-infection. Two distinct DNA bands; one slightly larger than 1.1 kbp and the other at about 1.7 kbp were identified. Second, we used polyclonal anti-Ad41 virion and monoclonal anti-Ad5 fiber antibodies to demonstrate that at both 24 and 36 h post-infection, Ad41 expressed two fiber proteins of the expected size. Specifically, by SDS-PAGE, one fiber (short) had a molecular weight of 40 kDa, while the other (long) had a molecular weight of 60 kDa. Third, by electron microscopy, two sizes of fibers were released from CsCl purified virions, both having a characteristic adenovirus morphology, with a knob at one end. The long fiber measured 315A in length and the short fiber was 250A long. These measurements are consistent with the two Ad41 fibers being encoded by the above open reading frames. We also performed a computer search to compare fiber sequences from other human adenovirus serotypes with that of the Ad41 short and long fiber proteins. The primary structure of both Ad41 fibers were found to be similar in that they contained tail, shaft and knob regions. Further, the tail region of both fibers (amino acids 1-42) showed a 74% overall homology to each other and contained the Ad conserved sequence NH2-F-N-P-V-Y-P-Y-COOH. An interesting difference, however, was observed in the shaft region where the long fiber (amino acids 43-389) had twenty-two 16-amino acid repeat motifs, while the short fiber (amino acids 43-233) had only twelve. Finally, we noted that the long fiber knob region was about 15% longer than that of the short fiber, and showed little overall homology. In conclusion, human adenovirus subgroup F (type 41) virions appear to differ from those of all other human adenoviruses (subgenera A-E) in that they contain two fiber genes and correspondingly, two different sized fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A dominant epitope of HIV-1 protease recognized by hamster monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against HIV-1 protease (HIV PR), the essential protease of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), were produced in Armenian hamsters. Studies of direct binding to synthetic peptides and inhibition of binding to intact protease by peptide competition showed that five mAbs recognized an epitope that includes the sequence LPGRWKPK (residues 38-45), which lies near the region of the protease called the flap. All of the mAbs react specifically with HIV PR in Western blots. Because of structural conservation of the epitope in the proteases of many HIV-1 isolates, mAbs to this epitope are likely to be useful for detection of HIV PR in field isolates of HIV-1. Also, mAbs specific for this epitope, which lies close to the flap of HIV PR, may be useful for functional studies of HIV PR and possibly for the design of inhibitors of protease activity that bind outside the enzyme's catalytic site.

Use of o-phthalaldehyde to detect O-phosphorylethanolamine in bacterial lipopolysaccharide

We have developed a method to measure O-phosphorylethanolamine groups in bacterial lipopolysaccharide using a fluorescent reagent, o-phthalaldehyde. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths were 335 nm and 450 nm, respectively. The reaction was pH-dependent with an optimum at pH 10.5. The maximum fluorescence intensity occurred two min after mixing lipopolysaccharide with the reagent at pH 10.5. The assay was linear over a range of 1 microgram to 100 micrograms of lipopolysaccharide. When we compared the amount of primary amine (as O-phosphorylethanolamine) in native and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid-derivatized lipopolysaccharide, we found that 97% of amine groups in native lipopolysaccharide were derivatized by p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide.

Immunological study in three families of juvenile ankylosing spondylitis

Three patients, all exhibiting symptoms before 15 years of age, were diagnosed as juvenile ankylosing spondylitis (JAS) by stigma of JAS. The families of these three patients--a total of fifteen first-degree relatives--had clinical, radiologic and laboratory examinations. All three patients and four family members (26%) had positive HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Five (33%) of these three family members had positive HLA-B27 but were asymptomatic; six members(40%) were HLA-B27 negative and symptom-free. A high positive rate of HLA-B27 was found among the patients (100%) and the family members (60%). The rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, and anti-native DNA antibody were negative for all patients and family members. Significant elevation of IgG, IgA, and C3 were noted in the AS group. The CD3 cell was lower, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 was decreased in the AS group. Lympho-proliferative responses to phytomitogens (Con A, LPS and PHA) were also done in our study. There was no significant difference in Con A and LPS stimulation index among the AS group, symptom-free family members and normal controls.

Characterization of lipopolysaccharide fractions and their interactions with cells and model membranes

The role of the length of the O-antigen polysaccharide side chain of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in biological and model membrane systems was investigated. LPS from Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 was chromatographed on a Sephadex G-200 column in the presence of sodium deoxycholate and separated into three fractions on the basis of molecular size. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot (immunoblot), and chemical analyses indicated that these fractions differed from each other primarily in the number of repeating units in the O-antigen polysaccharide side chain. In a biological system fractions 2 and 3 had the same effects to induce mitogenesis in murine lymphocytes, but fraction 1 was less effective than the other two fractions. In a model membrane system, LPS induced changes in small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) which were measured by changes in the behavior of a fluorescent probe, 1,6-diphenylhexa-1,3,5-triene (DPH), and interaction of increasing amounts of all LPS fractions with SUVs gradually increased DPH anisotropy. Fractions 2 and 3 had similar effects on the SUVs as detected by changes in DPH anisotropy, while fraction 1 had almost twice as much activity as the other two fractions. These results suggest that the polysaccharide side chain of LPS may modulate the ability of biologically active lipid A to interact with cells and model membranes. In addition, factors other than changes in membrane fluidity may play a role in mediating LPS-induced cell activation.

Primary psoas abscess: report of one case

A 6-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with the problems of persistent fever, limping gait, and right hip pain. On physical examination, flexion of the right hip with limitation of the range of motion was noted. Tenderness over the right inguinal area was also elicited. Pyogenic arthritis of the right hip was suspected. Aspiration of the right hip joint was negative. Two days later, a careful examination revealed that the Patrick's test was negative and a local tenderness on the right lower abdomen was found. Laparotomy was performed under the impression of retroperitoneal abscess. The postoperative diagnosis was psoas abscess. After surgical drainage and antibiotics therapy, she was discharged 2 weeks later with good condition.

Human enteric adenovirus type 41 binding to HEp-2 cells is specific

Properties of human enteric adenovirus type 41 (Ad41) binding to its receptor on the surface of HEp-2 cells were investigated. The binding was found to be temperature-dependent, saturable, and specific. Analysis of the binding data showed a single class of 4.3 x 10(4) receptor sites per cell, an equilibrium dissociation constant of 21.0 nM, and no cooperativity among receptor sites. Trypsin-treated HEp-2 cells subsequently grown in the presence of tunicamycin or 2-deoxyglucose recovered full Ad41 binding activity, but could not if subsequently grown in the presence of cycloheximide. These data indicate that a single type of virus receptor, likely protein in nature, is present on the surface of HEp-2 cells to specifically bind Ad41.

In vivo action of alpha-amylase inhibitor from cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in rat small intestine

An alpha-amylase inhibitor prepared from cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) was examined for its in vivo action on pancreatic alpha-amylase in rat small intestine. For this purpose, postprandial changes not only in intraluminal alpha-amylase activity but also in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at various times after administration of 2 g of 10% polyethylene glycol-containing experimental diets with and without the inhibitor. No considerable increase was observed in the levels of intraluminal alpha-amylase activity, blood sugar, and plasma insulin in the animals given the inhibitor at a dose of 10 mg each. These results suggest that the purified preparation from cranberry bean serves in fact as a potent inhibitor of rat pancreatic alpha-amylase.

Activity changes in cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) alpha-amylase inhibitor by chemical modification and enzymatic digestion

An alpha-amylase inhibitor was prepared from cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The alpha-amylase inhibitor was composed of three different subunits not linked by disulfide bridges and only one of them contained carbohydrate. Although the inhibitor was stable at pH 3 to 7, it was heat labile at pH 3 and 5. Chemical modification of the amino groups and the guanido groups in cranberry bean alpha-amylase inhibitor molecule resulted in rapid loss of the inhibitory activity, respectively. Oxidation of the tryptophan residues also led to loss of the activity. On the other hand, reductive methylation of the amino groups scarcely affected the activity. The inhibitor was quite resistant to the proteolytic digestions by pepsin and trypsin, while it was relatively susceptible to the action of chymotrypsin.