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B Treatment (b + treatment)
Selected AbstractsRecombinant expression of an insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) precursor and its enzymatic conversion to mature human INSL3FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2009Xiao Luo Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), which is primarily expressed in the Leydig cells of the testes, is a member of the insulin superfamily of peptide hormones. One of its primary functions is to initiate and mediate descent of the testes of the male fetus via interaction with its G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP2. Study of the peptide has relied upon chemical synthesis of the separate A- and B-chains and subsequent chain recombination. To establish an alternative approach to the preparation of human INSL3, we designed and recombinantly expressed a single-chain INSL3 precursor in Escherichia coli cells. The precursor was solubilized from the inclusion body, purified almost to homogeneity by immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography and refolded efficiently in vitro. The refolded precursor was subsequently converted to mature human INSL3 by sequential endoproteinase Lys-C and carboxypeptidase B treatment. CD spectroscopic analysis and peptide mapping showed that the refolded INSL3 possessed an insulin-like fold with the expected disulfide linkages. Recombinant human INSL3 demonstrated full activity in stimulating cAMP activity in RXFP2-expressing cells. Interestingly, the activity of the single-chain precursor was comparable with that of the mature two-chain INSL3, suggesting that the receptor-binding region within the mid- to C-terminal of B-chain is maintained in an active conformation in the precursor. This study not only provides an efficient approach for mature INSL3 preparation, but also resulted in the acquisition of a useful single-chain template for additional structural and functional studies of the peptide. [source] Influence of factor IX on overall plasma coagulability and fibrinolytic potential as measured by global assay: monitoring in haemophilia BHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 1 2008N. A. GOLDENBERG Summary., We sought to determine the influence of factor IX (FIX) deficiency upon overall coagulative and fibrinolytic capacities in plasma using the clot formation and lysis (CloFAL) assay, and to investigate the role of this global assay as an adjunctive monitoring tool in haemophilia B. CloFAL assay parameters were measured in vitro in platelet-poor plasma in relation to FIX activity and antigen (FIX:Ag), and were determined ex vivo among FIX-deficient patients (n = 41) in comparison to healthy individuals (n = 48). Supplementation of FIX-deficient plasma with FIX in vitro demonstrated a non-linear concentration dependence of FIX upon overall plasma coagulability. Ex vivo, coagulability was significantly decreased in FIX-deficient vs. healthy subjects among adults [median coagulation index (CI): 4% vs. 104% respectively; P < 0.001] and children (median CI: 9% vs. 63%; P < 0.001). Fibrinolytic capacity was increased in adult FIX-deficient vs. healthy subjects (median fibrinolytic index: 216% vs. 125%, respectively, P < 0.001), and was supported by a trend in shortened euglobulin lysis time (ELT). Severe haemophilia B patients showed heterogeneity in aberrant CloFAL assay waveforms, influenced partly by FIX:Ag levels. Patients with relatively preserved FIX:Ag (i.e. dysfunctional FIX) exhibited a shorter time to maximal amplitude in clot formation than those with type I deficiency. During patient treatment monitoring, markedly hypocoagulable CloFAL assay waveforms normalized following 100% correction with infused FIX. The CloFAL global assay detects FIX deficiency, demonstrates differences in coagulability between dysfunctional FIX and type I deficiency, and appears useful as an adjunctive test to routine FIX measurement in monitoring haemophilia B treatment. [source] The Rcs phosphorelay system is essential for pathogenicity in Erwinia amylovoraMOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009DONGPING WANG SUMMARY The Rcs phosphorelay system is a modified two-component signal transduction system found exclusively in Enterobacteriaceae. In this study, we characterized the roles of the Rcs system in Erwinia amylovora, a highly virulent and necrogenic enterobacterium causing fire blight disease on rosaceous plants. Our results showed that rcsB, rcsC, rcsD and rcsBD mutants were non-pathogenic on immature pear fruit. The bacterial growth of these mutants was also greatly reduced compared with that of the wild-type strain in immature pear fruit. In an in vitro amylovoran assay, rcsB and rcsD mutants were deficient in amylovoran production, whereas the rcsC mutant exhibited higher amylovoran production than that of the wild-type. Consistent with amylovoran production, expression of the amylovoran biosynthetic gene amsG, using green fluorescent protein as a reporter, was not detectable in rcsB, rcsD and rcsBD mutants both in vitro and in vivo. The expression of amsG in vitro was higher in the rcsC mutant than in the wild-type, whereas its expression in vivo was higher in the wild-type than in the rcsC mutant. In addition, rcs mutants were more susceptible to polymyxin B treatment than the wild-type, suggesting that the Rcs system conferred some level of resistance to polymyxin B. Furthermore, rcs mutants showed irregular and slightly reduced motility on swarming plates. Together, these results indicate that the Rcs system plays a major role in virulence and survival of E. amylovora in immature pear fruit. [source] Rhinocerebral zygomycosis caused by Saksenae vasiformis in a diabetic patientMYCOSES, Issue 6 2008Jesús García-Martínez Summary We report a rare case of invasive rhinocerebral Saksenae vasiformis infection in a 71-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus ketoacidosis. Combined histological and microbiological examination of two biopsy specimens taken at four days' intervals showed broad non-septate hyphae on direct smears of biopsies and necrosis and angioinvasion by hyphae were seen in the tissue. S. vasiformis was cultured from both biopsies. The patient had a fatal outcome even though partial debridement, liposomal amphotericin B treatment and control of diabetes were instituted. Permission for necropsy was denied. Clinical, epidemiological and pathological features of the case and manifestations of S. vasiformis infections are discussed. Most cases involve cutaneous sites and only two cases of rhinocerebral infections (both with fatal outcome) have been described. The present case is the third documented case of involvement of the sinuses and the second case of S. vasiformis infection documented in Europe. [source] Variables in full-body ultraviolet B treatment of skin diseasesPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2010Hans Christian Wulf Ultraviolet B (UVB) treatment is most often performed according to a fixed schedule, not necessarily considering important variables such as UV intensity, type of UVB source and skin pigmentation. These variables can rather easily be taken into consideration by the right choice of dosing unit. The advantage of going from dosing in time to Joule to standard erythema dose or to minimal erythema dose is considered. The size of most variables may be diminished considerably. Following these guidelines, it is possible to increase the efficacy of UVB phototherapy without increasing the risk of unintentional burning. [source] Narrow-band ultraviolet B treatment for vitiligo, pruritus, and inflammatory dermatosesPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 4 2003Sharam Samson Yashar Background: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has been used successfully for the treatment of inflammatory and pigmentary skin disorders including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, polymorphous light eruption, and vitiligo. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the treatment outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses, excluding those with psoriasis and CTCL, who were treated with NB-UVB between 1998 and 2001 at our institution. Results: Approximately 80% of all patients showed improvement in their condition. NB-UVB phototherapy was well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects. In patients with vitiligo, 6.4% had an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level and 6.5% had anemia. Conclusion: NB-UVB may be considered as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses. Long-term adverse effects and cost,benefit analysis of NB-UVB therapy compared to other treatment modalities remain to be determined. [source] Long-term results of 2-mm punch grafting in patients with vitiligo vulgaris and segmental vitiligo: effect of disease activityBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009A. Fongers Summary Background, Punch grafting is a simple and frequently used technique for the treatment of stable vitiligo, resistant to medical therapy. However, studies reporting long-term results are exceptional. Objectives, To evaluate the long-term results of 2-mm punch grafting in patients with vitiligo vulgaris and segmental vitiligo. Methods, We studied a prospective cohort study involving 61 patients (25 male, 36 female) with vitiligo vulgaris and nine patients (all male) with segmental vitiligo who underwent 2-mm punch grafting more than 3 years ago. The main outcome measure was the degree of repigmentation of a single transplanted lesion as measured with a digital image analysis system with a mean follow-up of 5·2 years. Results, In patients with vitiligo vulgaris, 17 lesions (28%) showed excellent, 14 lesions (23%) showed good, 14 lesions (23%) showed fair and 16 lesions (26%) showed poor repigmentation. In patients with segmental vitiligo, seven of nine lesions (78%) showed excellent repigmentation. A cobblestone-like effect was observed in 19 of 70 patients (27%). Disease activity after punch grafting was reported in 94% of patients with poor repigmentation but in only 18% of patients with excellent repigmentation (,2 test, P < 0·0005). Patients who reported disease activity after transplantation had a lower mean repigmentation than those who did not report disease activity (77% vs. 39%, P < 0·05). Conclusions, Two-millimetre punch grafting in vitiligo is an effective surgical procedure with long-lasting effect. To prevent a cobblestone-like effect, we advise the use of smaller grafts (1,1·2 mm). Disease activity after grafting, localization and type of vitiligo, prior ultraviolet B treatment and a Koebnerized donor site influence the long-term outcome of punch grafting and should be taken into account in the selection of patients eligible for this treatment. [source] Abscisic acid is involved in the response of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Malbec leaf tissues to ultraviolet-B radiation by enhancing ultraviolet-absorbing compounds, antioxidant enzymes and membrane sterolsPLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 1 2010FEDERICO J. BERLI ABSTRACT We investigated the interactions of abscisic acid (ABA) in the responses of grape leaf tissues to contrasting ultraviolet (UV)-B treatments. One-year-old field-grown plants of Vitis vinifera L. were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) where solar UV-B was eliminated by using polyester filters, or where PAR was supplemented with UV-B irradiation. Treatments combinations included weekly foliar sprays of ABA or a water control. The levels of UV-B absorbing flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol were significantly decreased by filtering out UV-B, while applied ABA increased their content. Concentration of two hydroxycinnamic acids, caffeic and ferulic acids, were also increased by ABA, but not affected by plus UV-B (+UV-B) treatments. Levels of carotenoids and activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase were elevated by +ABA treatments, but only if +UV-B was given. Cell membrane , -sitosterol was enhanced by ABA independently of +UV-B. Changes in photoprotective compounds, antioxidant enzymatic activities and sterols were correlated with lessened membrane harm by UV-B, as assessed by ion leakage. Oxidative damage expressed as malondialdehyde content was increased under +UV-B treatments. Our results suggest that the defence system of grape leaf tissues against UV-B is activated by UV-B irradiation with ABA acting downstream in the signalling pathway. [source] | |||||||||||||