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Y Beck

Publications and source records attributed to Y Beck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Krüppel-homolog, a stage-specific modulator of the prepupal ecdysone response, is essential for Drosophila metamorphosis.

We have characterised a P-element-induced prepupal mutant of Drosophila melanogaster which after an apparently normal embryonic and larval development fails to complete head eversion, an essential step in metamorphosis. The P-element insertion disrupts an ecdysone-regulated transcript which, although expressed during embryonic and larval stages, appears critical for preparing the late prepupal response to ecdysone. By a combination of molecular and genetic studies, in which we recovered new alleles, we show that the locus is complex, containing at least two distinct promoters. Its transcripts contain a short region described previously by R. Schüh et al. (1986, Cell 47, 1025-1032), who screened for homologues of the Krüppel gene. Our studies on the corresponding gene, named Krüppel-homolog (Kr-h), add to a growing body of evidence that specific isoforms of a number of key genes are implicated in both embryogenesis and metamorphosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cell-mediated graft rejection observed in two lines of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class I transgenic mice.

BACKGROUND: Human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules are essential for graft rejection. However, to determine the specific role of these molecules in clinical situations is difficult. We investigated the applicability of HLA class I transgenic mice (C3H.B35 and C3H.B51) for elucidation of the role of HLA class I molecules. METHODS: Skin or heart grafts were transplanted. Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) of C3H.B51 against C3H.B35 were generated and their cytotoxicity against various transfectant cell lines was determined. RESULTS: C3H.B35 skin and heart grafted to C3H.B51 were rejected within 17 and 28 days, respectively. Cytotoxic T cells generated from C3H.B51 showed cytotoxicity against a HLA-B*3501-transfectant cell line that did not express H-2 molecule, which indicates that these cytotoxic T cells recognize HLA-B35 molecules directly without H-2 restriction. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that C3H.B51 recognize C3H.B35 grafts as allo-MHC class I-incompatible grafts, and these mice are valuable to elucidate the role of HLA class I molecules in transplantation.

Animals↗

A nonspecific colonic ulcer occurring after hepatectomy: report of a case.

We herein report the case of a 53-year-old man with a nonspecific acute colonic ulcer whose liver function deteriorated after he had undergone hepatectomy. He was referred to our hospital for a hepatoma caused by hepatitis B virus and a right hemihepatectomy was performed. His liver function was poor after the operation, and minor complications such as pleural effusion and biliary fistula developed. A large amount of melena was seen 29 days after the hepatectomy and he developed hemorrhagic shock. Superior mesenteric arteriography revealed pooling of blood in both the hepatic flexure of the ascending colon and the cecum. An emergency right hemicolectomy was performed. There was a 5 x 1-mm ulcer 18 cm distal to the ileocecal valve. Numerous erosions were observed to be scattered throughout the colonic mucosa. The patient recovered slowly and was discharged 6 months after the hepatectomy. This is the first report of an acute colonic ulcer that could have been caused by liver dysfunction.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Dual recognition of a human cytotoxic T-cell clone for melanoma antigens.

It is well known that tumor-specific CTLs have a crucial role in the elimination of tumors and that different CTL populations recognize tumor antigens in MHC-restricted and MHC-unrestricted manners. We have established two alpha beta CTL clones that recognize melanoma antigens in both human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted and HLA-unrestricted manners. Flow cytometry analysis showed that these CTL clones carry CD3, CD8, and alpha beta T-cell receptor (TCR) and express low levels of CD56. In contrast, these CTL clones do not express CD16, indicating that they do not contain natural killer cells. TCR analysis of these CTL clones using an anchored PCR method revealed that each clone carries a single alpha beta TCR. Both CTL clones contained the same Valpha and Vbeta gene segments although they carried different Jalpha and Jbeta gene segments. Taken together, these results confirm that CTL clones that carry a single alpha beta TCR recognize melanoma antigens in both HLA-A2-restricted and HLA-unrestricted manners. It is strongly suggested that the dual recognition of these CTL clones for the melanoma antigens is mediated by TCRs. The novel mechanism for antitumor immunity by these CTLs may be important in the effective elimination of tumors in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Titration of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine by combined use of PCR and microplate hybridization in a renal transplant patient with HCMV pneumonitis.

We titrated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine specimens obtained from 14 healthy individuals and a renal transplant patient with HCMV pneumonitis by modifying the method for titration of varicella-zoster virus DNA previously described (1,2). Of 14 HCMV seropositive healthy individuals, 13 had HCMV DNA under the detection limit of 10(2.0) copies/ml, whereas one person had 10(2.0) copies/ml. The viral DNA in urine samples was at a low level in healthy individuals with latent infection. In a case with HCMV pneumonitis after renal transplantation, the amount of HCMV DNA in urine gradually increased from the level under 10(2.0) copies/ml and reached a peak of 10(4.7) copies/ml one month prior to the manifestation of pneumonitis. It, thereafter, decreased with the course of clinical remission, and finally settled at under 10(2.0) copies/ml. Serial titrations of HCMV DNA in urine specimens proved to be useful in identifying recipients at risk of developing active HCMV infection after renal transplantation and as a guide for treatment of patients.

Cytomegalovirus↗