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Biomedical subjects

C R Wang

Publications and source records attributed to C R Wang.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Diagnostic value of measuring BCG sonicate antigen and anti-BCG antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with tuberculous meningitis.

Fourteen cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and paired blood samples were obtained from patients with tuberculous meningitis, seven with positive culture and seven clinical/laboratory diagnosis. Another 14 paired specimens served as control, including 7 infectious meningitis and 7 non-inflammatory neurological diseases. Four groups were thus classified, including confirmed and suspected patients, and controls with infectious meningitis and neurological diseases. Measurements of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) sonicate antigen and IgG antibody were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Generally, CSF BCG sonicate antigen level and anti-BCG sonicate antibody of patients with tuberculosis meningitis were higher than in control groups; greater antigen levels were found in confirmed patients than in non-inflammatory subjects (p less than 0.05), and in suspected patients than in infectious and non-inflammatory subjects (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01). For serum anti-BCG sonicate levels, confirmed patients had higher antibody value than non-inflammatory subjects (p less than 0.05). To conclude, detection of high levels of both BCG sonicate antigen and antibody in CSF and blood samples shows great value in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. However, given the limited samples of the current research, more data are needed to elucidate the sensitivity and specificity of such tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Maternally transmitted histocompatibility antigen of mice: a hydrophobic peptide of a mitochondrially encoded protein.

MTF, a murine minor histocompatibility antigen, is maternally inherited and thought to be encoded by a mitochondrial gene. We sequenced the entire mitochondrial genomes from three strains that differ in MTF Mtf beta, Mtf gamma, and Mtf delta) and compared the sequences with the known, Mtf alpha, mitochondrial DNA sequence. We found only one site where all four genomes differed, affecting amino acid residue 6 of ND1, a subunit of NADH dehydrogenase. Incubation of non-Mtf alpha target cells with synthetic peptide ND1 alpha 1-17 (the first 17 amino acid of the ND1 protein of Mtf alpha mice) rendered them susceptible to lysis by MTF alpha-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). Similarly, non-Mtf beta target cells were lysed by MTF beta-specific CTLs after incubation with the allelic form ND1 beta 1-17. Thus, Mtf is attributable to allelic variation at a single residue of the ND1 protein. Cells can therefore display peptides derived from mitochondrially encoded proteins, and such peptides can be histocompatibility antigens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Intrathecal anti-myelin basic protein antibody production in Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis.

Cerebrospinal fluids and paired serums from 23 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied for intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal band and antimyelin basic protein (MBP) antibody. Three parameters for anti-MBP antibody were designed to represent three different pathophysiological meanings, including value, index and ratio of anti-MBP antibody. Oligoclonal band was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis in 23 MS patients, and anti-MBP was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 11 MS patients to investigate these anti-MBP parameters in MS group and non-inflammatory control group. The anti-MBP assay revealed that intrathecal anti-MBP antibody production was increased during active stage of MS. However, anti-MBP antibody production correlated poorly with the IgG index, nor was it conspicuously higher than IgG production. This might imply that, except for MBP, still other protein components are involved in this immune process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of host defense in critically ill patients in medical intensive care unit.

Thirty three patients, 24 male and 9 female, aged from 19 to 90 with an average of 58.8, were admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) from 1988 December to 1989 December. Their host defenses were evaluated. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) included delayed type skin test (MULTITEST CMI), total lymphocyte count and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3, CD4 and CD8) were determined. Investigation of humoral immunity (HI) included use of serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) and complements (C3 and C4). Episodes of nosocomial infection were documented by patients' clinical and laboratory data, including positive culture. The CMI, especially for total lymphocyte count, T lymphocyte count and skin test, was impaired by underlying diabetes mellitus and such associated conditions as malnutrition, steroid administration and surgical procedures. The longer the admission period, the lower was the CMI including total lymphocyte count, CD3 percentage, CD4 percentage and skin test response. The HI was less impaired by underlying conditions and not influenced by admission duration. More infection episodes were found in patients with longer admission duration. In conclusion, the host defense was impaired in patients hospitalized longer in medical ICU, and the combination of compromised immunity and impaired mucocutaneous barriers made them more susceptible to infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

New method to quantitate platelets adhered on biomaterials using monoclonal antibodies to human platelet membrane glycoprotein SZ-21.

This study developed a new technique to quantitate platelets adhered on biomaterials surfaces in vitro, based on a surface phased radioimmunoassay using a monoclonal antibody SZ-21, directed specifically against the membrane glycoprotein complex IIIa of human platelets. In vitro perfusion is performed in system which consists of testing tubes and infusion pump. After 5 minutes perfusion with fresh ACD anticoagulated human whole blood at 2,000s-1 platelets deposition on surface precoated with proteins determined using anti-human platelet antibody (125 I-SZ-21) are 4,173 +/- 932 (Albumin), 59,032 +/- 25,554 (Fibrinogen), and 71,253 +/- 11,484 (Collagen). Meanwhile, platelets adhered on surfaces of four polymers were determined (platelet/mm2): 19,493 +/- 2,050 (Silicone), 48,193 +/- 4,055 (Polytetrafluoroethylene), 50,375 +/- 8,675 (Polyvinyl chloride) and 101,906 +/- 5,916 (Polyethylene). These results were confirmed by SEM. This method is not only applied for evaluating rapidly and reliably blood compatibility of biomaterials in vitro, but will be used at basic study for interaction of blood materials.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

[Cerebrospinal fluid study in Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis].

The demonstration of intrathecally synthesized IgG had been known to be one of the most important aids in diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Three quantitative methods (CSF IgG, IgG index, de novo IgG synthesis rate) and qualitative detection of oligoclonal band (OB) were used in this study. We collected CSF and serum samples from 22 patients, including 14 with clinically definite MS (DMS) and 8 with clinically possible MS (PMS). The 3 quantitative CSF IgG index were significantly increased in DMS group (p less than 0.05) as compared with normal control group, but not in PMS group. There was no difference in the positive rate of OB between DMS and PMS (both are 50%). The relationship between IgG index and various clinical condition in DMS patients are as following: The 3 CSF IgG index were increased only in the patients with younger age onset, shorter duration, higher relapsing rate, spinal form and disease in relapsing stage. The positive rate of OB was increased only in the patients with longer duration and higher relapsing rate. The follow-up study showed the presence of OB was not change while the disease was remissive. It was concluded that CSF IgG, IgG index, de novo IgG synthesis rate had good correlation with clinical diagnosis, and were good reference for clinical course, disease activity, and therapeutic effect in Chinese patients with MS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of humoral immunity on leprosy patients in Taiwan: a preliminary report.

Twenty-four tuberculoid (T)-type and 31 lepromatous (L)-type leprosy patients from Taiwan Provincial Lo-Sheng Leprosarium were enrolled in this study. Twenty-six age- and sex- matched normal subjects were also studied as a control group. The evaluation of their general and specific humoral immunity included B-cell subpopulations, 3 major classes of immunoglobulin (G, A and M) and antibodies in the IgG class against lepromin suspension and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) sonicate. T-type patients showed a larger B-cell percentage than L-type patients (p less than 0.01). In general, patients with leprosy, both T and L types, had higher serum immunoglobulin levels than the control group. T-type patients showed greater antibody levels than the control group (p less than 0.05 for anti-lepromin and p less than 0.0001 for anti-BCG). L-type patients demonstrated a higher anti-BCG IgG level than the control group (p less than 0.0001). The level of anti-BCG IgG was more frequently above the cutoff level than that of anti-lepromin IgG in leprosy patients (p less than 0.01 for T, p less than 0.005 for L). In conclusion, humoral immunity is not impaired in leprosy patients. Discrepancies for T- and L-type patients among B-cell subpopulation, serum immunoglobulin levels and specific antibody levels reflect different aspects of cell-mediated immunity impairment. Though leprosy patients had elevated anti-BCG IgG levels, it is impossible to differentiate L- and T-type patients; specific antigens are needed for serodiagnosis of leprosy patients in Taiwan.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with BCG sonicate antigen for diagnostic potential of mycobacterial infection in Taiwan.

The diagnostic potential of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) sonicate antigen for detection of mycobacterial infections, including pulmonary tuberculosis and leprosy, has been evaluated in Taiwan area. One hundred blood samples were collected from 74 active and 26 inactive pulmonary tuberculosis patients of the Taiwan Provincial Tuberculosis Control Bureau. Another 50 samples were collected from 24 lepromatous, 23 tuberculoid and 3 borderline leprosy patients at the Taiwan Provincial Lo-Sheng Leprosarium. The IgG anti-BCG sonicate levels were compared among patients with tuberculosis, active or inactive, patients with leprosy, and healthy individuals. Patients with tuberculosis, both active and inactive, and those with leprosy had higher BCG sonicate antibody levels and frequencies above cutoff value than healthy subjects (for BCG-sonicate antibody, p less than 0.05 for inactive tuberculosis, p less than 0.0001 for others; for frequency above cutoff, p less than 0.001 for inactive tuberculosis, p less than 0.0001 for others). Among the three groups of patients, significant differences were noted in anti-BCG sonicate antibody level, and there was no difference of frequency above the cutoff value (i.e. inactive tuberculosis had lower level than active tuberculosis and leprosy, p less than 0.005). In conclusion, ELISA with BCG sonicate antigen could serve as a diagnostic aid for mycobacterial infection in Taiwan. However, it was not possible to differentiate disease activity in tuberculosis, or to discriminate infectious species of mycobacteria. Purified mycobacterial antigens should be tried in further research to improve the specificity and sensitivity in serodiagnosis with ELISA.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1988

Biochemical properties of a novel rabbit thymocyte specific class I-like antigen.

Monoclonal antibody 5E2 identifies a new rabbit thymocyte specific cell surface molecule designated R-Ta. SDS-PAGE of molecules immunoprecipitated by 5E2 shows that R-Ta exists as a non-covalently associated hetero-dimer consisting of a light polypeptide chain (mol. wt approximately 12,000) and a bi-molecular species of a heavy chain (mol. wts of 45,000 and 40,000). The difference between the two forms of heavy chain can be attributed to different degrees of glycosylation. Each form of the R-Ta heavy chain has a polypeptide mol. wt of 34,000. At least three N-linked oligosaccharides and no significant O-linked sugars were found associated with R-Ta. Two dimensional electrophoresis of V8 protease peptide maps also indicate that the two forms of the heavy chains are similar, if not identical, in polypeptide primary structure. The light polypeptide was found to be serologically and structurally identical to beta-2-microglobulin. This was demonstrated in a previous study by reaction with goat anti-beta-2-microglobulin antisera. In this investigation the structural identity with beta-2-microglobulin was demonstrated by partial amino terminal sequence analysis. The partial amino acid sequence for 18 steps of the R-Ta heavy chain was also determined. A comparison of the amino acid sequence with other known sequences for the conventional Class I molecules of man, mouse and rabbit did not reveal any homology. Thus R-Ta is a new T-cell surface protein, and like human CD1, carries the unique distinction of thymocyte specificity, is beta-2-microglobulin associated, but is not Class I related.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Waldenstróm's macroglobulinemia with peripheral neuropathy--the role of IgM M-protein in autoimmune mechanism.

A total of 11 cases of Waldenstróm's Macroglobulinemia (WM) have been investigated to study the association of the disease with neuropathy. A 53-year-old female patient (Wu) had a pronounced peripheral neuropathy, in which the role of IgM M-protein could be observed. Sections of Wu's biopsied sural nerve were subjected to light and electron microscopy and direct immunofluorescence (IF). Myelin degeneration with axonal change was found, while fluorescence reaction occurred in epineurium only. Sections of a healthy dog's sciatic nerve were submitted to purified IgM M-proteins from Wu and another WM patient (Kon) without neuropathy, respectively. Indirect IF showed a deposit of fluorescence on the myelin sheath by Wu's, but not by Kon's, M-proteins. It is proposed that an autoimmune mechanism underlies the peripheral neuropathy in the WM patient.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Identification of a rabbit class I-like thymocyte-specific antigen.

The availability of a monoclonal antibody, 5E2, has made it possible to characterize a new class I-like thymocyte-specific antigen in the rabbit. Flow cytometry and cyto-fluorescent microscopy show that approximately 70 to 80% of the cells reacting with 5E2 are located throughout the thymic cortex. Structural studies reveal that the cell surface molecule recognized by 5E2 is a non-covalently associated heterodimer consisting of a 45,000 dalton glycoprotein and a low m.w. beta-2-microglobulin protein. Certain properties of the 5E2 antigen were similar to the murine TL and human T6 antigens. Therefore we have tentatively assigned to the 5E2 antigen the designation R-Ta on the premise that the structural gene(s) encoding this molecule will be associated with the rabbit major histocompatibility complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Diagnostic values of IgG-albumin index and agarose gel electrophoresis in neurologic diseases.

Sixty cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) with paired serum samples from a variety of patients with neurologic diseases were studied using rate nephelometry to measure IgG-albumin index, and also agarose gel electrophoresis (EP) with protein blotting technique to characterize discrete IgG bands. The patients included: A) 16 cases of multiple sclerosis (MS); B) 23 cases of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS); C) 21 cases of other non-inflammatory neurologic disorders. The average IgG-albumin index was 0.65 +/- 0.25 in Group A, 1.10 +/- 0.78 in B, and 0.50 +/- 0.12 in C. If 0.72 is taken as the upper normal limit, an increased index was found in 31%, 43% and 5% of Groups A, B and C, respectively. Discrete IgG bands were detected in 69%, 9% and 5% of Groups A, B and C, respectively. Gamma globulin bands were not always IgG, and true oligoclonal myeloma proteins were not encountered. It is concluded that both IgG-albumin index measurement and agarose gel EP are useful for diagnostic differentiation in neurologic diseases: the former, for inflammatory diseases of CNS; and the latter, for MS.

Brain Diseases↗