Search

We here describe two new DRB alleles (DRB1*0317 and DRB3*0210) which were detected by polymerase chain reaction using sequence- specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO) and confirmed by direct sequencing. The exon 2 sequence of DRB1*0317 is the result of an intergenic recombination event yielding a hybrid allele between 5¿DRB1 and 3¿ DRB3 sequences with the recombination breakpoint located between codons 39--51. The new DRB3*0210 allele is closest related to DRB3*02021 except for a single nucleotide position at codon 51. Here, the sequence AGG at codon 51 which was a group-specific motif for all DRB3*02 alleles described previously, is replaced by the DRB consensus sequence ACG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute exercise increases red blood cell-nitric oxide synthase (RBC-NOS) activation and RBC deformability but the effect of regular training remains unclear., Objective: To detect the chronic effect of enduring moderate and high intensity training on the RBC-NOS/NO pathway and to detect a relation between RBC deformability and endurance capacity., Methods: 38 healthy male subjects were randomly assigned to one of three training groups: High Volume Training (HVT; 120-140 beats per minute (bpm)), High Intensity Training (HIT; 160-180 bpm) and Moderate Intensity Training (MIT; 140-160 bpm). Blood parameters, maximum oxygen capacity (VO2 max), RBC deformability, RBC nitrite level and RBC-NOS activation were measured after venous blood sampling at rest pre (T0) and after six weeks of training (T1)., Results: RBC-NOS activation, RBC nitrite concentration and RBC deformability were significantly increased at T1 in the HIT group. Parameters were unaltered in MIT and HVT. Maximum oxygen uptake was only significantly increased in the HIT group and regression analysis revealed positive regression between VO2 max and RBC deformability., Conclusions: High intensity training was the only training programme that sustainably affected RBC-NOS dependent NO production and performance capacity. HIT therefore represents a time efficient training program resulting in improved RBC function potentially improving physical condition.

Between 1982 and 1990, 1027 women and 13 men were operated upon for cancer of the breast. Analysis failed to show any difference with sex for age, localization or symptomatology. Distribution by stage, as defined by the U.I.C.C., showed a higher incidence of stage III in the men and of stage II in the women. Treatment consisted of a modified Patey type radical mastectomy in the men, a more limited intervention being applied in 20% of the women. After a mean follow up of 62 months, none of the men had died of their breast cancer. The recurrence rate was 16%. Results in this series and in those reported in the literature emphasize the decisive prognostic value of primary surgical treatment. Complementary hormone therapy with tamoxifen is particularly indicated, since 90% of the patients had positive estrogen hormone receptors.

The recognition of "self determinants" by an H-2Kk-restricted cytotoxic T (Tc) cell clone (K5) has been investigated as follows: (a) differential inhibition of cytotoxicity by several monoclonal antibodies directed to determinants on the H-2Kk molecule of the target cells and (b) recognition and lysis of target cell variants of cell line LDHB, which have lost the majority or all of the serological determinants defined by the inhibiting antibodies while still expressing an H-2Kk molecule. Such variant cells infected with influenza virus were effectively recognized by Tc cell clone K5, whereas a target cell line, which lacks the Kk molecule, was not lysed. The results suggest; (a) that virus-specific Tc cell see "self" in a manner distinct from the recognition of serological determinants by B cell and (b) that antibody inhibition indicates conformational closeness, but not identity, of the class I determinant seen by T cells.

The relationship of serologically defined determinants to determinants recognized by cytotoxic T cells on molecules encoded by the Kk gene of the murine major histocompatibility complex (H-2) has been analyzed. For this purpose we used three somatic variants of a Kk-expressing lymphoma line lacking individual determinants of the Kk molecule, as defined by monoclonal antibodies (mAb), as target cells for Kk-specific alloreactive and Kk-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) cloned by limiting dilution. Neither alloreactive nor fluorescein isothiocyanate, influenza- or Newcastle disease virus-specific Kk-restricted CTL clones were found to distinguish between variants and wild type cells, indicating that the serologically defined determinants lost by the variants were not essential for antigen recognition of CTL with these specificities. On the other hand, two of the variants lacking either one of a pair of serological determinants were discriminated from Kk wild type cells by about 40% of Kk-restricted, trinitrophenol (TNP)-specific CTL clones. The third variant, lacking both of the determinants, however, was lysed by all CTL clones to the same extent as wild type cells. From these results we conclude that the determinants restricting the TNP-specific CTL were also not identical with those defined by mAb. In experiments performed to optimize the conditions for the limiting dilution analysis we found that the specificity of the CTL stimulation was strongly dependent on the concentration of T cell growth factor (interleukin 2) in the cultures during CTL stimulation. High concentrations of IL2 resulted in a drastic increase in the frequency of CTL clones. Part of these clones, however, were found not to be specific for antigens present on the stimulator cells.

We have modified a FACS I by addition of a tunable dye laser and an optical system for fluorescence detection that allows physically independent measurement of green and red immunofluorescence. These modifications are inexpensive and should be applicable to most single-laser systems. By using the modified machine and double-fluorescence activated selection with H-2Kk-specific monoclonal antibodies labelled with FITC or Texas Red, we have isolated from a murine T-cell lymphoma line variant subclones expressing structurally altered histocompatibility class I (H-2Kk) molecules.

We have previously selected structural variants of the Kk antigen from a (C3 X D2)F1 T-cell lymphoma. Those mutants were identified by the loss of certain epitopes defined by monoclonal antibodies. The variant Kk molecule from HK13.S3 cells is no longer recognized by 40% of the trinitrophenyl-specific, Kk-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Here we report on the primary structure of the altered Kk molecules from the cell line HK13.S3. Comparison with the parental Kk reveals a single base pair exchange, GCG to GTG, that results in an alanine to valine exchange in position 40 of the protein. This observation emphasizes that minor structural alterations in class I molecules may have a strong effect on the H-2-restricted T-cell response.

Seven cases of poisoning in horses are reported. This was caused by ingestion of branches of the alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus (mill.) syn. Rhamnus frangula L.), which had been thrown on the pasture. The biological characteristics and the toxic action of the plant are discussed more fully.