Allergenic similarities of 2S albumins.
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Albumins↗
Biomedical subjects
S Amato
Publications and source records attributed to S Amato.
Emission of chiral organochlorine pesticides from agricultural soils in the cornbelt region of the U.S.
Several organochlorine pesticides are chiral molecules manufactured as racemic mixtures. Past research has shown that selective degradation of pesticide enantiomers by microorganisms occurs resulting in nonracemic signatures in soils. In this work, volatilization of chiral pesticides from soil was investigated to determine if enantioselective breakdown in soils could be used as a source signature to track releases of chiral pesticides to the atmosphere. Air samples were taken directly above agricultural soils at several sites, and enantiomeric signatures were found to be nonracemic following patterns found in the soil. A follow up study at one site showed that for most compounds concentration decreased with increasing height above the soil, while enantiomer fractions for chiral pesticides were similar to that found in the soil, signifying the soil as a source to the air. The enantiomer fractions of ambient air samples from rural nonagricultural areas in the region were also found to be nonracemic.
Agriculture↗
Direct measurement of the pion valence-quark momentum distribution, the pion light-cone wave function squared.
We present the first direct measurements of the pion valence-quark momentum distribution which is related to the square of the pion light-cone wave function. The measurements were carried out using data on diffractive dissociation of 500 GeV/c pi(-) into dijets from a platinum target at Fermilab experiment E791. The results show that the /q&q> light-cone asymptotic wave function describes the data well for Q2 approximately 10 (GeV/c)(2) or more. We also measured the transverse momentum distribution of the diffractive dijets.
Journal Article↗
Observation of color-transparency in diffractive dissociation of pions.
We have studied the diffractive dissociation into dijets of 500 GeV/c pions scattering coherently from carbon and platinum targets. Extrapolating to asymptotically high energies (where t(min)-->0), we find that when the per-nucleus cross section for this process is parametrized as sigma = sigma0Aalpha, alpha has values near 1.6, the exact result depending on jet transverse momentum. These values are in agreement with those predicted by theoretical calculations of color-transparency.
Journal Article↗
Search for rare and forbidden Charm Meson decays D0 --> Vl+l- and hhll.
We report results of a search for flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC), lepton flavor, and lepton-number violating decays of the D0 (and its antiparticle) into three and four bodies. Using data from Fermilab charm hadroproduction experiment E791, we examine modes with two leptons (muons or electrons) and a rho(0), K( *0), or straight phi vector meson or a nonresonant pi(pi), Kpi, or KK pair of pseudoscalar mesons. No evidence for any of these decays is found. Therefore, we present branching-fraction upper limits at 90% confidence level for the 27 decay modes examined (18 new).
Journal Article↗
Study of the D(+)(s)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decay and measurement of f(0) masses and widths.
From a sample of 848+/-44 D(+)(s)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decays, we find gamma(D(+)(s)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+))/gamma(D(+)(s)-->straight phipi(+)) = 0.245+/-0.028(+0.019)(-0.012). Using a Dalitz plot analysis of this three body decay, we find significant contributions from the channels rho(0)(770)pi(+), rho(0)(1450)pi(+), f(0)(980)pi(+), f(2)(1270)pi(+), and f(0)(1370)pi(+). We also present the values obtained for masses and widths of the resonances f(0)(980) and f(0)(1370).
Journal Article↗
Experimental evidence for a light and broad scalar resonance in D(+) --> pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decay.
From a sample of 1172 +/- 61 D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decays, we find gamma(D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+))/gamma(D(+)-->K-pi(+)pi(+)) = 0.0311 +/- 0.0018(+0.0016)(-0.0026). Using a coherent amplitude analysis to fit the Dalitz plot of these decays, we find strong evidence that a scalar resonance of mass 478(+24)(-23) +/- 17 MeV/c(2) and width 324(+42)(-40) +/- 21 MeV/c(2) accounts for approximately half of all decays.
Journal Article↗
A case of allergy to beer showing cross-reactivity between lipid transfer proteins.
BACKGROUND: Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are highly conserved proteins present in a broad spectrum of fruits and vegetables that might represent a novel plant panallergen. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that LTP is an important allergen in beer and that beer LTP cross-reacts with LTP from botanically unrelated plant-derived foods. METHODS: Serum from a patient with clinical allergy to both beer and Rosaceae was studied for IgE reactivity to LTP to several vegetable foods by RAST, ELISA, immunoblot, and inhibition studies. RESULTS: Patient's serum showed a strong IgE reactivity to LTP purified from peach peel, carrot, and broccoli, and to a 10 kD protein in both apple and peach immunoblots, whereas no reactivity to birch cross-reactive allergens such as Bet v 1, profilin, or carbohydrates was found. In inhibition studies, preabsorption of serum with apple, walnut, hazelnut, peanut, corn, and rice caused a fall of 97%, 20%, 66%, 91%, 94%, and 93%, respectively, of its reactivity to peach LTP. Beer RAST fell from 1.8 IU/mL to <0.1 IU/mL when a patient's serum was preabsorbed with recombinant carrot LTP. CONCLUSIONS: LTP is a relevant allergen in beer. Beer LTP may cross-react with LTP from several other plant-derived foods.
Adult↗
String bean-induced anaphylaxis.
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Adult↗
A case of onion allergy.
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Cross Reactions↗
Recurrent antiphospholipid-related deep vein thrombosis as presenting manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
UNLABELLED: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are frequently associated with thrombotic disorders in the so-called antiphospholipid syndrome. Together with anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), lupus anticoagulant (LA) is the main diagnostic tool for aPL detection. Since LA determination is based on the finding of prolonged clotting time in vitro, concomitant anticoagulant therapy may significantly interfere with its detection. We report a case of a boy in whom recurrent aPL-related thrombosis heralded for several months the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Abnormally increased in vitro clotting times at the time of the second thrombotic event led to the suspicion of the presence of LA activity. However, this latter finding was difficult to interpret since the patient was already on heparin treatment at the time of our first observation. Thus, LA was assayed using a commercial kit in which a heparin neutralizer is included (Staclot LA). Two consecutive samples from the patient were compared with eight patients on anticoagulant therapy for non-aPL-related thrombotic events and 20 healthy controls. The study showed that, taking into account the concomitant anticoagulant treatment, Staclot LA was positive only in the propositus, raising the suspicion of a possible aPL-related origin of the thrombotic event. This issue was definitively confirmed in a subsequent follow-up. CONCLUSION: The present report shows that aPL-related deep vein thrombosis can be the earliest clinical manifestation of pediatric SLE, and that Staclot LA may have a role in LA detection during the course of anticoagulant treatment.
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid↗
Flow cytometric and functional characterization of AC133+ cells from human umbilical cord blood.
AC133+ cells may represent an alternative source of transplantable haemopoietic progenitor cells to CD34+ cells. Here, we have addressed the characterization of umbilical cord blood (UCB) AC133+ cells and compared their immunophenotypic and functional features with those of UCB CD34+ cells. UCB AC133+ and CD34+ cell fractions were purified by magnetic cell sorting, analysed by flow cytometry, tested for their content in blast cell colony-forming units (CFU-Bl), erythroid and granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units before and after expansion in the presence of various haemopoietic growth factor combinations. Median AC133+ cell yield was 62.3%, and median AC133+ population purity was 97.9%. AC133+ cells were found to contain significantly more CFU-Bl than CD34+ cells; furthermore, the replating efficiency, i.e. the number of CFU-Bl capable of generating secondary colonies, was higher in the former than in the latter cells. Both AC133+ and CD34+ cells displayed an increased ability to give rise to committed progenitors after 7-day expansion in liquid cultures. These data suggest that the AC133+ cell subset is a heterogeneous pool of immature and more differentiated cells that can be maintained and expanded in well-defined culture conditions. In comparison with CD34+ cells, UCB AC133+ cells appear to contain a higher number of early haemopoietic progenitors.
AC133 Antigen↗
Expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) epitopes in human non-neural cells revealed by two anti-MBP IgM monoclonal antibodies.
Two monoclonal antibodies (1H6.2 and 45.30) were raised against MBP purified from human brain under experimental conditions that allowed MBP to retain binding to surrounding myelin lipids (human lipid-bound MBP (hLB-MBP)). 1H6.2 and 45.30 MoAbs were selected on the basis of their different binding properties to: hLB-MBP, human lipid-free-MBP (hLF-MBP) and bovine lipid-free-MBP (bLF-MBP). Although the isotype of both MoAbs was IgM, their specificity, as tested in ELISA assays against chemical haptens and unrelated protein antigens, was restricted to MBP. 1H6.2 and 45.30 MoAbs stained MBP from human brain white matter tissue extracts, as well as bLF-MBP, in Western blot assays. Both MoAbs stained oligodendrocytes and myelin in immunohistochemical analysis of white matter from human brain. Tissue sections from human peripheral nerves were labelled by 1H6.2 only, however, demonstrating that the MoAbs recognize two different epitopes. Epitopes recognized by 1H6.2 and 45.30 MoAbs were also expressed by a wide array of human non-neural cells of either normal or pathological origin, as evidenced by cytofluorimetric assays. In particular, MBP epitopes (MEs) were expressed by lymphoid cells as well as by cells which play a pivotal role in immune homeostasis and in the immune response, such as thymic epithelial cells and professional antigen-presenting cells. Both MoAbs were efficiently internalized by cells from a human B cell line, suggesting trafficking of MEs along the endocytic pathways. These findings support hypotheses regarding the role of MEs expressed by non-neural cells in establishing self-tolerance and/or in triggering the immune response against MBP antigen.
3T3 Cells↗
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with ifosfamide, cisplatin, and vinorelbine in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
A phase II trial was performed to assess the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of ifosfamide (IFX), cisplatin (CDDP), and vinorelbine (VNB) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for untreated advanced cervical carcinoma (ACC). Between October 1995 and February 1998, 40 patients were entered in this study. Their median age was 43 years (range: 23-74 years). International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages were: IIB, 23; IIIB, 13; and IVA, 4. Therapy consisted of: IFX 2,000 mg/m2 1-hour (H) IV infusion days 1 to 3; 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid sodium salt (mesna) 400 mg/m2 IV bolus H 0 and 4, and 800 mg/m2 by mouth H 8, days 1 to 3; VNB 25 mg/m2 20-minute IV infusion days 1 and 8; and CDDP 75 mg/m2 IV day 3. Cycles were repeated every 28 days for a total of three courses. Both staging and response (R) assessment were performed by a multidisciplinary team. An objective response (OR) was observed in 24 of 40 patients (60%; 95% confidence interval, 45-75%). Four patients achieved complete response (CR) (10%); 20 partial response (50%); 12 patients stable disease (30%); and 4 progressive disease (10%). Eight of 24 patients (33%) with OR underwent radical surgery, and histologic CRs were recorded in 2 of them. The remaining patients received definitive radiotherapy after NAC. The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Leukopenia occurred in 32 patients (80%) and was grade III or IV in 14 patients (36%). Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 9 patients (22%), whereas myalgias occurred in 10 (25%). Constipation was observed in 9 patients (23%); emesis occurred in 35 patients (88%). There were no therapy-related deaths. These results indicate that IFX/CDDP/VNB is an active combination for ACC with moderate toxicity. Implementation of this regimen in a multimodal therapy protocol deserves further study.
Adult↗
Microinjection of alpha-MSH followed by UV-irradiation blocks HSP 72 in human keratinocytes.
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Cell Survival↗
Vinorelbine and paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of vinorelbine (VNB) and paclitaxel (PTX) as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 1995 and August 1997, 49 patients with untreated MBC received a regimen that consisted of VNB 30 mg/m2 in a 20-minute intravenous (IV) infusion on days 1 and 8 and PTX 135 mg/m2 in a 3-hour IV infusion (starting 1 hour after VNB) on day 1. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. The median age of the patients was 52 years, and 59% of patients were postmenopausal. Median performance status was 1. Dominant sites of disease were soft tissue in 6%, bone in 29%, and viscera in 65%. RESULTS: Objective responses were recorded in 27 of 45 assessable patients (60%; 95% confidence interval, 46% to 74%). Complete remissions occurred in three patients (7%), and partial remissions occurred in 24 patients (53%). No change was recorded in 12 patients (27%), and progressive disease occurred in six patients (13%). The median time to treatment failure was 7 months, and median survival duration was 17 months. The limiting toxicity was myelosuppression, mainly leukopenia in 49 patients (100%) (grade 1 to grade 2, four patients; grade 3, 30 patients; and grade 4, 15 patients). Neutropenia was observed in 100% of patients (grade 1 to grade 2, three patients; grade 3, 11 patients; grade 4, 35 patients). Two treatment-related deaths due to febrile neutropenia were observed in patients with massive liver involvement. Peripheral neurotoxicity developed in 33 patients (67%) (grade 1, 25 patients; grade 2, eight patients); there were no grade 3 or grade 4 episodes. CONCLUSION: The combination of VNB-PTX showed significant activity as first-line chemotherapy for patients with MBC. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting side effect, whereas neurotoxicity was mild to moderate.
Adult↗
Biomodulation with sequential intravenous IFN-alpha2b and 5-fluorouracil as second-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
A phase II trial was carried out by the Grupo Oncologico Cooperativo del Sur (G.O.C.S.) to assess the efficacy and toxicity of a biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by i.v. pretreatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha2b in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma refractory to previous therapy with 5-FU modulated by methotrexate (MTX) or leucovorin (LV) or both. Between January 1993 and October 1995, 34 patients were entered on the study. The treatment was IFN-alpha2b 5 x 10(6)/m2 IU in a 1-h i.v. infusion, followed immediately by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. bolus injection. Courses were repeated weekly until observation of progressive disease or severe toxicity. One patient could not be assessed for response. Objective regression was observed in 2 of 33 patients (6%, 95% confidence interval, 0%-14%). No patient achieved a complete response. Two patients had partial responses (6%). No change was recorded in 14 patients (41%), and progressive disease occurred in 17 (52%). The median time to treatment failure was 3 months, and the median survival was 5 months. Toxicity was within acceptable limits. The main side effects were mucositis and diarrhea. Four episodes of grade 2 stomatitis were observed, causing dosage modifications. The most frequent toxic effects attributable to IFN-alpha2b were mild fatigue and fever. In conclusion, second-line therapy with i.v. IFN-alpha2b preceding 5-FU has shown an interesting profile of activity in a patient population with clearly unfavorable characteristics. From this perspective, further appropriately designed studies are needed to identify the greatest potential of IFN-alpha2b as a modulator of 5-FU.
Adolescent↗
Double modulation of 5-fluorouracil by methotrexate and high-dose L-leucovorin in advanced colorectal cancer.
A phase II trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a double modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by methotrexate (MTX) and L-leucovorin (L-LV) in patients with advanced recurrent (inoperable) or metastatic colorectal carcinoma (ACC). Between July 1993 and October 1995, 41 patients with ACC received a regimen that consisted of MTX 150 mg/m2 i.v., infused over a 20-minute period at hour 0, followed 19 hours later by L-LV 250 mg/m2 in a 2-hour i.v. infusion. 5-FU, 900 mg/m2, was administered by i.v. push injection at hour 20. Beginning 24 hours after MTX administration, all patients received four doses of L-LV, 15 mg/m2 i.m., every 6 hours. Cycles were repeated every 15 days. Two patients were not assessable for response. Objective regression was observed in 11 of 39 (28%) patients, [95% confidence interval (CI), 14-42%]. One (2%) patient achieved complete response (CR) and 10 (26%) partial response (PR). No change was recorded in 15 (39%) patients and progressive disease was noted in 13 (33%) patients. The median time to treatment failure was 6 months and the median survival time was 10 months. Toxicity was within acceptable limits, but one therapy-related death due to severe leukopenia was observed. The dose-limiting toxicity was mucositis. Eight episodes of grade 3 or 4 stomatitis were observed, and were responsible for dosage modifications of MTX and 5-FU. In conclusion, further in experimental and clinical studies are clearly necessary in order to design the best modulatory strategy of 5-FU.
Adult↗