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Transfer of lipophilic markers from PLGA and polystyrene nanoparticles to caco-2 monolayers mimics particle uptake.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate nanoparticle uptake by the Caco-2 monolayer model in vitro. Special emphasis was placed on the localization and the quantification of the uptake of fluorescently labeled polystyrene and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. METHODS: Intracellular fluorescence was localized by fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Particle uptake was quantified either directly, by counting internalized nanoparticles after separation from the Caco-2 monolayers, or indirectly, by extraction of the lipophilic fluorescence marker. In vitro release studies of lipophilic markers from nanoparticles were performed in standard buffer systems and buffer systems supplemented with liposomes. RESULTS: Instead of uptake of polystyrene and PLGA nanoparticles by Caco-2 monolayers an efficient transfer of lipophilic fluorescence markers from nanoparticles into Caco-2 cells with subsequent staining of intracellular lipophilic compartments was observed. Whereas in standard buffer no release of fluorescent marker from polystyrene and PLGA nanoparticles was observed, the release studies using liposome dispersions as receiver revealed an efficient transfer of fluorescent marker into the liposome dispersion. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the deceptive particle uptake is caused by a collision-induced process facilitating the transfer of lipophilic fluorescent marker by formation of a complex between the nanoparticles and the biomembranes. Diffusion of the marker within this complex into lipophilic compartments of the cell strongly affects quantitative evaluation of particle uptake.

Biological Transport↗

The modular adaptor protein ARH is required for low density lipoprotein (LDL) binding and internalization but not for LDL receptor clustering in coated pits.

ARH is an adaptor protein required for efficient endocytosis of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors (LDLRs) in selected tissues. Individuals lacking ARH (ARH-/-) have severe hypercholesterolemia due to impaired hepatic clearance of LDL. Immortalized lymphocytes, but not fibroblasts, from ARH-deficient subjects fail to internalize LDL. To further define the role of ARH in LDLR function, we compared the subcellular distribution of the LDLR in lymphocytes from normal and ARH-/- subjects. In normal lymphocytes LDLRs were predominantly located in intracellular compartments, whereas in ARH-/- cells the receptors were almost exclusively on the plasma membrane. Biochemical assays and quantification of LDLR by electron microscopy indicated that ARH-/- lymphocytes had >20-fold more LDLR on the cell surface and a approximately 27-fold excess of LDLR outside of coated pits. The accumulation of LDLR on the cell surface was not due to failure of receptors to localize in coated pits since the number of LDLRs in coated pits was similar in ARH-/- and normal cells. Despite the dramatic increase in cell surface receptors, LDL binding was only 2-fold higher in the ARH-/- lymphocytes. These findings indicate that ARH is required not only for internalization of the LDL.LDLR complex but also for efficient binding of LDL to the receptor and suggest that ARH stabilizes the associations of the receptor with LDL and with the invaginating portion of the budding pit, thereby increasing the efficiency of LDL internalization.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Immunolocalization of matricial components during the early stages of chick embryonic liver development.

In the chick embryo, the first liver primordium is observed at the end of the second day of incubation. At 3 and 4 days, ultrastructural analysis of the primitive vascular spaces showed that the endothelial limiting plate was constituted by one or several cell layers. At the vascular pole of the hepatoblasts, mesenchymal cells and connective matrix, present as fibrillar and non fibrillar components, were closely associated. At 5 days, some vascular spaces were limited by a simple endothelial layer. The limiting plate was fenestrated and the connective matrix was reduced to rare collagen fibrils and fibers. Collagen types I, III, IV, procollagen type III, fibronectin and laminin were visualized in the perivascular spaces using immunoperoxidase labeling methods. These components were also detected in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatoblastic, endothelial and mesenchymal cells. All these appeared to be involved in connective matrix synthesis. Comparing 4 and 5 days, we demonstrated that the number of cells showing intracellular labelling of matricial components dropped dramatically at 5 days, indicating a possible decrease of connective matrix synthesis. Quantification of parenchymal and vascular surfaces was carried out using a semi-automatic image analyzer on consecutive parasagittal sections chosen in the axial part of the embryonic liver. These measurements were performed in order to quantitate the vascular distribution pattern during early development of the liver. These combined immunomorphological studies and morphometrical analyses suggest that during embryogenesis of the liver the synthesis of connective matrix precedes and possibly initiates the vascular differentiation.

Animals↗

Antiviral activity of Arthrospira-derived spirulan-like substances.

Natural substances offer interesting pharmacological perspectives for antiviral drug development in regard to broad-spectrum antiviral properties and novel modes of action. In this study we analyzed polysaccharide fractions isolated from Arthrospira platensis. Fractions containing intracellular or extracellular spirulan-like molecules showed a pronounced antiviral activity in the absence of cytotoxic effects. Using specific assays for the quantification of viral replication in vitro, these substances exhibited strong inhibition of human cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type 1, human herpesvirus type 6 and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, while only weak or no inhibition was noted for Epstein-Barr virus and influenza A virus. Considering herpesviruses, antiviral effects were most pronounced when the cells were preincubated with the substances prior to the addition of virus, indicating that antiviral action may be primarily targeted to virus entry. However, an inspection of the inhibition of human cytomegalovirus protein synthesis clearly demonstrated that intracellular steps also contributed to the antiviral effect. In the case of human immunodeficiency virus, inhibition occurred at a stage later than viral entry. Thus, spirulan-like substances possess a marked antiherpesviral and anti-HIVactivity based on different modes of action. Further development of these substances might yield novel candidates of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

Antiviral Agents↗

Detection and quantification of free cytosolic inorganic phosphate and other phosphorus metabolites in the beating mouse heart muscle in situ.

The aim of this study was the quantification of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and other phosphorus metabolites by (31)P NMR spectroscopy in the mouse heart muscle in situ, beating at around 600 min(-1). Male adult Quacker-bush mice (mean weight 32 +/- 7 g) were anaesthetized, ventilated and placed in a temperature-controlled animal holder. A purpose-built (31)P NMR surface coil was positioned against the exposed left ventricular myocardium. Partial signal overlap of Pi with 2,3-DPG from chamber blood was minimized using a DEPTH pulse sequence (180 degrees -90 degrees -180 degrees -180 degrees -acq.). Quantification of phosphorus metabolites was performed using an external standard positioned directly above the surface coil. We report for the mouse myocardium in situ an intracellular free [Pi] of <0.4 mM, pH of 7.32 +/- 0.1, free [Mg2+] of 0.41 +/- 0.1 mM, free [ADP] of 13 +/- 1.5 microM, [ATP] of 5 +/- 0.5 mM and [PCr] of 14 +/- 1.5 mM. The phosphorylation ratio (ATP/ADP Pi) was 1005 +/- 200 mM (-1) for a PCr/ATP ratio of 2.7 +/- 0.3. It was concluded that the detection of free [Pi] in the mouse myocardium in situ can be greatly enhanced using a DEPTH pulse sequence. Quantification of compounds using an external standard positioned directly above the surface coil gave comparable results to estimations using internal ATP that was quantified enzymatically. The close agreement between the external and internal methods indicates that ATP is 100% NMR visible in the mouse heart in situ.

Animals↗

Time course of necrotizing hepatopancreatitis (NHP) in experimentally infected Litopenaeus vannamei and quantification of NHP-bacterium using real-time PCR.

Necrotizing hepatopancreatitis (NHP), a severe bacterial disease affecting penaeid shrimp aquaculture, is caused by a gram-negative, pleomorphic, intracellular alpha-proteobacterium referred to as the NHP-bacterium (NHPB). The time course of NHP was investigated in experimentally infected juveniles of Kona stock Litopenaeus vannamei. Susceptible animals were individually isolated in 41 of aerated artificial seawater at salinity 30 +/- 1 ppt and maintained in a water bath at 30 +/- 1 degree C for 60 d. A total of 120 individuals were exposed per os to a 0.05 g piece of NHPB-infected hepatopancreas and 100 controls were exposed to uninfected tissue. At intervals of 3, 6, 9, 16, 23, 30, 37, 44, and 53 d post-exposure, 6 shrimp exposed to NHPB-infected tissue and 4 controls were randomly removed from the experiment; hepatopancreas samples were processed for histological and molecular analysis, and feces were processed for molecular diagnosis of NHPB infection. NHPB was first detected in the hepatopancreas through histology at 6 d post-exposure. All control shrimp were diagnosed as NHPB negative. NHPB infections classified as stage I (scattering of hepatopancreatic tubules with adjacent epithelial cells containing NHPB) and stage II (numerous infected tubules with occasional hemocyte infiltration) were observed from 6 to 37 d post-exposure. All animals that experienced NHPB-induced mortality from 16 to 51 d post-exposure were at stage III (numerous necrotic tubules, dense hemocyte infiltration, and presence of granulomas). NHPB is capable of infecting all hepatopancreatic cell types including embryonic, resorptive, fibrillar and blister-like cells. The percent of hepatopancreatic tubules containing NHPB in epithelial cells increased over time, representing bacteria multiplication and spread. Real-time PCR allowed for quantification of NHPB in hepatopancreas and feces. Over the course of infection, NHPB was present at 10(3) to 10(7) copies mg(-1) of hepatopancreas and 10(1) to 10(5) copies mg(-1) of feces. Lethal infections contained 10(6) to 10(7) copies mg(-1) of hepatopancreas and 10(3) to 10(6) copies mg(-1) of feces.

Alphaproteobacteria↗

Quantification of annexin I in subcellular fractions of human neutrophils reveals an exclusive cytosolic localisation.

Annexin I is an abundant cytosolic protein in human neutrophils. Besides its intracellular location, annexin I is found as an extracellular protein and the pathway for secretion has been of interest since the protein lacks a signal sequence for secretion. It was recently shown that annexin I is stored in the secretory gelatinase granules of human neutrophils, suggesting that the protein might be released through a granule mobilisation and fusion process resembling classical secretion. In this study we have determined the intracellular localisation of annexin I in human neutrophils using subcellular fractionation, protein separation by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, and show that virtually all annexin I is localised in the cell cytosol.

Annexin A1↗

Quantitative three-dimensional analysis of the intracellular trafficking of plasmid DNA transfected by a nonviral gene delivery system using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Since endosomal escape and the nuclear delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) constitute major barriers for transgene expression, a quantitative evaluation of intracellular trafficking of pDNA would be highly desirable in terms of optimizing a nonviral gene delivery system. In the present study, a novel strategy is proposed for the quantification of rhodamine-labeled pDNA in endosomes/lysosomes, cytosol, and nucleus. Endosomes/lysosomes and nucleus were stained with LysoSensor DND-189 and Hoechst 33258, respectively, to distinguish them from the cytosol. The pixel areas of the clusters derived from the rhodamine were used as an index for the amount of pDNA. This approach was applied to the analysis of the intracellular trafficking of pDNA transfected by LipofectAMINE PLUS, stearylated octaarginine (STR-R8), and octaarginine (R8). In the case of R8, most of the pDNA was trapped by endosomes/lysosomes. STR-R8 exhibited endosomal escape followed by nuclear translocation in a time-dependent manner. LipofectAMINE PLUS was the most effective in rapidly delivering pDNA to the nucleus as well as the cytosol. These differences in the intracellular trafficking of pDNA correlated well with the transgene expression. Therefore, this method enables the quantitative analysis of the intracellular pharmacokinetics of pDNA and promises to provide useful information for optimizing nonviral gene delivery systems.

Animals↗

Detection of intracellular interferon-gamma by light microscopy using an immunoperoxidase technique: correlation with the corresponding mRNA and protein product.

Identifying individual cytokine-producing cells may help to acquire insight into immunological processes. This study was designed to adapt a technique for the detection of individual cytokine-producing cells from an immunofluorescence to an immunoperoxidase staining procedure. The production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by anti-CD3-activated cloned human T cells was used as a model system. After the conditions for the staining procedure were optimized, the immunoperoxidase technique was slightly more sensitive than the immunofluorescence technique. The intracellular staining for IFN-gamma was preceded or paralleled by IFN-gamma mRNA production and followed by accumulation of IFN-gamma in the supernatant. It is concluded that intracellular IFN-gamma can easily be detected using an immunoperoxidase procedure. This procedure is highly sensitive and allows quantification of the production of multiple cytokines by counting the percentage of positively staining cells.

Cytokines↗

Transglutaminase activity is involved in polyamine-induced programmed cell death.

Natural polyamines, i.e., putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are ubiquitous molecules essential for cell proliferation and differentiation. In the present study, the effect of polyamines on primary cultures of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs), and a human melanoma cell line was examined. While in the absence of fetal calf serum (FCS) polyamines had no effect on viability, in the presence of FCS spermidine and spermine, at concentrations close to physiologic levels, induced a dose-dependent cell death, whereas putrescine was ineffective. RASMCs were significantly more sensitive than other cells. FACS analysis, oligo-nucleosome ELISA, Hoechst nuclear staining, and Annexin V-FITC quantification showed that cell death was likely due to apoptosis. Cells exposed to spermidine showed a marked increase of intracellular transglutaminase (TGase) activity ( approximately 30-fold over control). Inhibitors of polyamine oxidation or inhibitors of TGase activity prevented polyamine-induced apoptosis. Moreover, tissue TGase overexpression significantly increased cell sensitivity to polyamine, suggesting that this effect is likely related to enhanced intracellular TGase activity. These data indicate that polyamines may modulate cell viability through a novel TGase-dependent process.

Animals↗

Spin-lattice relaxation times for 13C in isotope-enriched glycine accumulated in frog muscle.

Spin-lattice relaxation times (T1's) of 13C-enriched glycine accumulated in frog muscles were determined at 1 degrees C by the inversion-recovery (180 degrees -tau-90 degree pulse sequence) method and compared with the values obtained in free solution. The value of T1 for the alpha-13C nucleus of glycine in the tissue was 50% of that obtained in free solution. The observed value for T1 in the tissue was not concentration-dependent, and no difference in chemical shift was observed between tissue and free solution. Quantification of the area under the glycine peak suggested that the observed signal represents at least 80% of the intracellular glycine. An average nuclear Overhauser enhancement of 2.83 for intracellular glycine indicates that the relaxation mechanism within the cell is predominantly dipolar, as in free solution. The value of T1 for the 13C' nucleus of glycine in the tissue was 67% of that in a solution of similar concentration. A quantitative analysis of the findings suggests that the observed difference in the value of T1 between tissue and free solution results from a difference in viscosity. The data provide no evidence either for special organization of intracellular water or for glycine binding. It is proposed that intracellular diffusion coefficients may be determined from measurements of 13C T1's of 13C-enriched intracellular solutes.

Animals↗

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and 15N metabolic labeling for quantitative metabolic profiling.

Metabolomics, i.e., the global analysis of cellular metabolites, is becoming a powerful tool for gaining insights into biological functions in the postgenomic context. However, absolute quantitation of endogenous metabolites in biological media remains an issue, and available technologies for the analysis of metabolome still lack robustness and accuracy. We describe here a new method based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and (15)N uniform metabolic labeling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for accurate and absolute quantitation of nitrogen-containing cell metabolites in metabolic profiling experiments. As a proof of concept study, eight sulfur metabolites involved in the glutathione biosynthesis pathway (i.e., cysteine, homocysteine, methionine, gamma-glutamylcysteine, cystathionine, reduced and oxidized forms of glutathione, and S-adenosylhomocysteine) were simultaneously quantified. The analytical method has been validated by studies of stability, selectivity, precision, and linearity and by the determination of the limits of detection and quantification. It was then applied to the analysis of extracts from cadmium-treated yeasts. In these conditions, the intracellular concentrations of most of the metabolites involved in the glutathione biosynthesis pathway were increased when compared to control extracts. These data correlate with previous proteomic results and also underline the importance of glutathione in cadmium detoxication.

Cadmium↗

Incubation phase of acute hepatitis B in man: dynamic of cellular immune mechanisms.

After hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, liver injury and viral control have been thought to result from lysis of infected hepatocytes by virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. Patients are usually studied only after developing significant liver injury, and so the viral and immune events during the incubation phase of disease have not been defined. During a single-source outbreak of HBV infection, we identified patients before the onset of symptomatic hepatitis. The dynamics of HBV replication, liver injury, and HBV-specific CD8+ and CD4+ cell responses were investigated from incubation to recovery. Although a rise in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels was present at the time of the initial fall in HBV-DNA levels, maximal reduction in virus level occurred before significant liver injury. Direct ex vivo quantification of HBV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ cells, by using human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I tetramers and intracellular cytokine staining, showed that adaptive immune mechanisms are present during the incubation phase, at least 4 weeks before symptoms. The results suggest that the pattern of reduction in HBV replication is not directly proportional to tissue injury during acute hepatitis B in humans. Furthermore, because virus-specific immune responses and significant reductions in viral replication are seen during the incubation phase, it is likely that the immune events central to viral control occur before symptomatic disease.

Acute Disease↗

O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase: an enigmatic enzyme of plant cysteine biosynthesis revisited in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The synthesis of cysteine is positioned at a decisive stage of assimilatory sulphate reduction, marking the fixation of inorganic sulphide into a carbon skeleton. O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase (OAS-TL) catalyses the reaction of inorganic sulphide with O-acetylserine (OAS). Despite its prominent position in the pathway OAS-TL is generally regarded as a non-limiting enzyme without regulatory function, due to low substrate affinities and semi-constitutive expression patterns. To resolve this apparent contradiction, the kinetic properties of three OAS-TLs from Arabidopsis thaliana, localized in the cytosol (A), plastids (B), and mitochondria (C), were analysed. The recombinant expressed OAS-TLs were purified to apparent homogeneity without any fusion tag to maintain their native forms. The proteins displayed high specific activities of 550-900 micromol min(-1) mg(-1). Using an improved and highly sensitive assay method for cysteine determination, the apparent K(m)(sulphide) was 3-6 microM for OAS-TL A, B, and C and thus 10-100 times lower than previously reported for plant OAS-TLs. K(m)(OAS) was between 310 microM and 690 microM for OAS-TL isoform A, B, and C, whereas the apparent dissociation binding constant for OAS was much lower (K(d)<1 microM OAS). A HPLC method was developed for OAS quantification that revealed fast increases of the cellular OAS concentration in response to sulphate deprivation. The observed fluctuations of intracellular OAS concentrations, combined with the OAS dissociation constant and the catalytic properties of OAS-TL, support the model of a dynamic cysteine synthesis system with regulatory function as can be expected from the position of the reaction in the sulphur assimilation pathway.

Arabidopsis↗

Nucleocytoplasmic transport in human astrocytes: decreased nuclear uptake of the HIV Rev shuttle protein.

Astrocytes are cellular targets for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that limit virus production, owing, at least in part, to the diminished functionality of the viral post-transcriptional stimulatory factor Rev. To understand the trafficking process in astrocytes, we compared nucleocytoplasmic transport of Rev and various proteins with well-characterized nucleocytoplasmic transport features in human astrocytes and control cells (HeLa). Localization and trafficking characteristics of several cellular and viral proteins, as well as nuclear trafficking of classical peptide signals upon microinjection were similar in both cell types, indicating maintenance of general features of nucleocytoplasmic transport in astrocytes. Quantification of fluorescence in living cells expressing Rev fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) indicated a strong shift in intracellular distribution of Rev in astrocytes, with 50-70% of Rev in the cytoplasm, whereas the cytoplasmic proportion of Rev in HeLa cells is around 10%. The dynamics of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of Rev were compared in astrocytes and Rev-permissive cells by monitoring migration of Rev-GFP in cell fusions using highly sensitive time-lapse imaging. Nuclear uptake of Rev was dramatically retarded in homo-polykaryons of astrocytes compared with control cells. Diminished nuclear uptake of Rev was also observed in hetero-polykaryons of Rev-permissive cells and astrocytes. These results indicate that astrocytes contain a cytoplasmic activity that interferes with nuclear uptake of Rev. Our studies suggest a model in which Rev is prevented from functioning efficiently in astrocytes by specific alterations of its nucleocytoplasmic trafficking properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunoreactive prolactin in subcellular fractions from bovine mammary tissue.

Mammary tissue from lactating Holsteins at slaughter was homogenized and fractionated into subcellular compartments. Bovine prolactin was quantified in each subcellular fraction and in preslaughter milk by radioimmunoassay procedures validated for this purpose. Prolactin concentrations were ng prolactin/mg protein for all samples. Immunoreactive prolactin was in rough endoplasmic reticulum (24.8 ng/mg), Golgi apparatus (18.8 ng/mg), and secretory vesicle (10.2 ng/mg). All of these concentrations exceeded that in samples of milk (2.7 ng/mg). Nuclear fractions contained a material that reacted in the prolactin radioimmunoassay, but criteria for valid quantification could not be satisfied. These results confirm prolactin inside bovine mammary cells, and they are consistent with an intracellular pathway for transfer of prolactin from plasma into milk.

Animals↗

[Cytokines in children with immunodeficiencies].

The underlying immunological defect in humoral immunodeficiency with decreased production of immunoglobulin and normal level of circulating B cells (IgA deficiency, transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy, common variable immunodeficiency) remains unknown. There is evidence that B cells maturation and differentiation is regulated by cytokines and hence aberrant cytokine production may be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Among interleukins, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 may each play a role in regulation of B cell growth. Interferons (IFNs) have been described as having both positive and negative effects on B cell growth. The precise role of tumor necrosis factors (TNF alpha and beta) remains obscure. In the present study the in vitro cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from children with different forms of immunodeficiency, in particular with IgA deficiency and transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy, was evaluated. In the first stage of the study the release of IL-1, IL-6, IFN and TNF by PBMC was analysed in following groups of patients: transient hypogammaglobulinemia (n = 30), IgA deficiency (n = 29), Bruton's disease (n = 7), decreased proliferative response to mitogenes (n = 10), CD4+ lymphocytopenia (n = 8), CD8+ lymphocytopenia (n = 10). The concurrent control group consisted 52 sex- and age-matched children, in whom no immunological immunological abnormalities were detected. The release of bioactive IL-1, IL-6, IFNs and TNF was measured in the culture supernatants from PBMC stimulated with mitogens for 48 hours. While the release of bioactive IL-1, IL-6, and IFNs was comparable in all studied groups, the secretion of TNF was significantly increased in children with transient hypogammaglobulinemia and IgA deficiency. The next issue was determination of the type of TNF (alpha or beta) involved. The production of other cytokines important for the regulation of B cell function (IL-4, IL-10) was also assessed. Production of TNF alpha, TNF beta and IL-10 was significantly elevated in transient hypogammaglobulinemia. The data from the ELISPOT assay suggested, that in these patients also the number of cells secreting TNF alpha after PHA stimulation was increased. These results indicate, that elevated TNF alpha production was probably due to both an enhanced release and an increased number of circulating secreting cells. As the methods employed in the quantification of cytokine levels in culture supernatants do not allow identification of the cytokine producing cell, the studies on intracellular expression of cytokines were undertaken. The fluorochrome-labelled monoclonal antibodies against the cell surface markers and a given cytokine were used simultaneously to identify the cellular source of cytokine production. The intracellular IL-4 expression in CD4+ lymphocytes from patients with transient hypogammaglobulinemia was comparable to that of control while the number of CD4+ lymphocytes expressing TNF alpha, TNF beta and IFN gamma was elevated. The number of CD14+ cells (monocytes) producing of TNF alpha was comparable to the control. These results suggest that an excessive Th-1 type response may contribute to pathology of this disease. In patients with isolated IgA deficiency the significantly increased release of TNF alpha but not: IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF beta was observed. The proportion of CD4+ lymphocytes that expressed TNF alpha was significantly increased while the number CD14+ cells staining for TNF alpha was unchanged. No changes in the expression of TNF type I and II receptors on PBMC were observed, which suggested that regulatory effects of TNF alpha and beta are associated rather with an increased production of these cytokines than an abnormal receptor expression. Some patients with transient hypogammaglobulinemia were followed-up and the serum level of IgG and production of TNF alpha, TNF beta, and IL-10 by their PBMCs was determined 6 to 12 months after first

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Phosphorus-31 NMR spectra by the linear prediction z-transform method.

The linear prediction z-transform method (LPZAR) was applied to estimate 31P NMR spectra of perfused rat hearts. The spectra obtained by the LPZAR method showed sharper peaks with less noise for phosphate concentrations than those obtained by conventional fast Fourier transform. The LPZAR method provided a better estimation of intracellular phosphate concentrations in short acquisition time experiments in which condition Fourier transform spectra are not suitable for the quantification due to the poor resolution of FFT spectra. Utilizing the LPZAR method, rapid changes in phosphoric metabolites of the heart can be monitored during ischemia followed by reperfusion.

Animals↗