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Unique Region (unique + region)
Selected AbstractsPersistent parvovirus B19 infection detected by specific CD4+ T-cell responses in a patient with hepatitis and polyarthritisJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009G. Pongratz Abstract. We, here, report the case of a parvovirus B19 infection in an immunocompetent male patient presenting with acute hepatitis and polyarthritis. To follow the course of infection, we used a previously established enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISPOT) technique to detect CD4+ T cells specific for viral proteins. Even though symptoms of arthritis and hepatitis resolved in the immunocompetent individual within a few weeks, viral DNA in serum and CD4+ T cells specific for the viral protein VP1 unique region were still detectable more than 6 month after the onset of symptoms, thus pointing to a persistent state of infection. On the basis of this observation, we hypothesize that the intensity of liver involvement correlates with the likelihood of developing persistent parvovirus B19 infection. The described ELISPOT technique to detect virus-specific CD4+ T cells provides an excellent tool to analyse the state of parvovirus B19 infection for future studies to test this hypothesis. [source] Comparison of the binding pockets of two chemically unrelated allosteric antagonists of the mGlu5 receptor and identification of crucial residues involved in the inverse agonism of MPEPJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2006Pari Malherbe Abstract Fenobam [N- (3-chlorophenyl)- N, -(4,5-dihydro-1-methyl-4-oxo-1H -imidazole-2-yl)urea], a clinically validated non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic, has been shown to be a potent and non-competitive metabotropic glutamate (mGlu)-5 receptor antagonist. In the present study, we have used the site-directed mutagenesis coupled with three-dimensional receptor-based pharmacophore modelling to elucidate the interacting mode of fenobam within the seven-transmembrane domain (7TMD) of mGlu5 receptor and its comparison with that of 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), the prototype antagonist. The common residues involved in the recognition of MPEP and fenobam include Pro6543.36, Tyr6583.40, Thr7806.44, Trp7846.48, Phe7876.51, Tyr7916.55 and Ala8097.47. The differentiating residues between both modulators' interacting modes are Arg6473.29, Ser6573.39 and Leu7435.47. Our data suggest that these chemically unrelated mGlu5 antagonists act similarly, probing a functionally unique region of the 7TMD. Using [3H]inositol phosphates accumulation assay, we have also identified the critical residues involved in the inverse agonist effect of MPEP. The mutation W7846.48A completely blocked the inverse agonist activity of MPEP; two mutations F7876.51A and Y7916.55A, caused a drastic decrease in the MPEP inverse agonism. Furthermore, these three mutations led to an increased efficacy of quisqualate without having any effect on its potency. The fact that the residues Trp7846.48 and Phe7876.51 are essential equally in antagonism and inverse agonism effects emphasizes again the key role of these residues and the involvement of a common transmembrane network in receptor inactivation by MPEP. [source] NEW CALCAREOUS DINOFLAGELLATES (CALCIODINELLOIDEAE) FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA1JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2002K. J. Sebastian Meier Investigations on calcareous dinoflagellates from surface sediments from the Mediterranean Sea revealed 14 species, including one new genus and four previously undescribed species: Calciodinellum levantinum sp. nov., Calciodinellum elongatum nov. comb., Lebessphaera urania gen. nov. et sp. nov., and Scripp- siella triquetracapitata sp. nov. Furthermore, Fuettererella cf. tesserula, so far only known from the fossil record, was found. The cyst,theca relationships of C. levantinum and C. elongatum are given, based on strains established from water samples of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This study gives an insight into the importance of the modern Mediterranean Sea as an unique region concerning calcareous cyst producing dinoflagellates. [source] The Vitamin D Status Among TibetansPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Gelsor Norsang UVB from the sun and intake from food are the only human sources of vitamin D. Tibet is a unique region for comparisons of these sources: (1) it lies at a low latitude and at a high altitude and has very large annual fluences of UVB; (2) the traditional Tibetan food is poor in vitamin D. Blood samples were taken from 63 persons of different age, with different occupations and staying at different places. UVB doses at these places were measured. The samples were analyzed by a standard radioimmune assay for determination of the serum concentration of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). The main finding was that among nomads, there seems to be severe vitamin D deficiency (serum levels of 25(OH)D < 30 nm). We tentatively propose that the low level of 25(OH)D of nomads is related to their clothing and sun exposure habits. For persons of other occupations (students, teachers and farmers) the levels are higher, although a significant fraction of these persons also have lower levels than 75 nm, by many regarded as a limit for insufficiency related to a number of negative health conditions. The annual dose of vitamin D-generating UVB is about five times larger in Lhasa than in Oslo. Despite this, the average vitamin D status seems to be similar, except in the case of nomads. This phenomenon is certainly related to food habits. In conclusion, the 25(OH)D status among nomads in Tibet appears to be alarmingly low. However, for people of other occupations the status is more normal. [source] | ||||||||||