Identification of neutrophil subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies

Abstract Two monoclonal antibodies have been produced by the hybridoma technique that recognize subpopulations of human neutrophils. The antibodies, termed 1B5 and 4D1, react with a mean percentage of 57% and 51% of peripheral blood granulocytes, respectively. The antigens recognized appear to be neutrophil specific in that these antibodies do not react with eosinophils, platelets, erythrocytes, monocytes, or nonadherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Although the neutrophil subpopulations recognized by these antibodies are nearly identical (coinclusive), the antigenic determinants recognized appear to be different. These monoclonal antibodies to neutrophil subpopulations may prove useful to studying functional heterogeneity among neutrophils as well as for investigations of normal and abnormal myeloid differentiation.</jats:p

Identification of neutrophil subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies

Two monoclonal antibodies have been produced by the hybridoma technique that recognize subpopulations of human neutrophils. The antibodies, termed 1B5 and 4D1, react with a mean percentage of 57% and 51% of peripheral blood granulocytes, respectively. The antigens recognized appear to be neutrophil specific in that these antibodies do not react with eosinophils, platelets, erythrocytes, monocytes, or nonadherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Although the neutrophil subpopulations recognized by these antibodies are nearly identical (coinclusive), the antigenic determinants recognized appear to be different. These monoclonal antibodies to neutrophil subpopulations may prove useful to studying functional heterogeneity among neutrophils as well as for investigations of normal and abnormal myeloid differentiation.</jats:p

Outcome evaluation measures for wrist and hand – which one to choose?

The aim of this study was to critically analyse the various outcome measures available for assessing wrist and hand function. To this end, an extensive literature search was performed on Medline, PubMed and the Science Citation Index, focusing on terms associated with the method of development of the outcome measures item generation, item reduction, validity, reliability, internal consistency and their strengths and weaknesses. The most commonly used outcome measures described in literature were the DASH score (disability of shoulder, arm and hand questionnaire), the PRWE score (patient-rated wrist evaluation questionnaire), the Brigham and Women's carpal tunnel questionnaire and the Gartland and Werley score. Our study provides very useful evidence to suggest that the PRWE score is the most responsive instrument for evaluating the outcome in patients with distal radius fractures, while the DASH score is the best instrument for evaluating patients with disorders involving multiple joints of the upper limb. The Brigham and Women's score is a disease-specific outcome instrument for carpal tunnel syndrome; it has been validated and demonstrated to show good responsiveness and reliability in evaluating outcome in patients with carpal tunnel release. The Gartland and Werley score, although the most commonly described instrument in the literature for evaluating outcome after wrist surgery, has not been validated so to date

Salts of Tryptophan with p-Toluenesulphonic Acid and Camphorsulphonic Acids

Co-crystallisation of dl-tryptophan with p-toluenesulphonic acid, R-camphor-10-sulphonic acid and S-camphor-10-sulphonic acid resulted in salts. For all the structures, the amino acid is in the cationic form with the proton transferred from the acidic co-former to the amino acid. R-camphor-10-sulphonic acid and S-camphor-10-sulphonic acid were unsuccessful at resolving dl-tryptophan. Dissolution of the respective camphorsulphonic acid and dl-tryptophan in methanol/water gave crystals which contained equimolar amounts of the d- and the l-tryptophan. The following salts were also obtained in aqueous acetonitrile; (2l-TRP+)(2S-CSA−)·(H2O) from a mixture of l-TRP/S-CSA and (d-TRP+)(S-CSA−) from a mixture of d-TRP/S-CSA. The crystal structures and the thermal stability of the salts have been determined. (dl-TRP+)(p-TSA−) solved in P21/c with a = 19.422(2) Å, b = 5.5456(7) Å, c = 16.488(2) Å and β = 102.357(2)°. (d-TRP+)(l-TRP+)(2R-CSA−) solved in P21 with a = 12.780(3) Å, b = 10.411(2) Å, c = 32.574(7) Å and β = 97.60(3)°. (d-TRP+)(l-TRP+)(2S-CSA−) solved in P21 with a = 12.783(3) Å, b = 10.410(2) Å, c = 32.564(7) Å and β = 97.44(3)°. (2l-TRP+)(2S-CSA−)·(H2O) solved in P21 with a = 13.1761(12) Å, b = 10.3092(10) Å, c = 16.6268(16) Å and β = 104.435(2)°. (d-TRP+)(S-CSA−) solved in P212121 with a = 6.4185(13) Å, b = 12.700(3) Å, c = 25.173(5) Å and α = β = γ = 90°

Breeding and scientific advances in the fight against Dutch elm disease: Will they allow the use of elms in forest restoration?

Elms (Ulmus spp.) were once dominant trees in mixed broadleaf forests of many European territories, mainly distributed near rivers and streams or on floodplains. Since ancient times they have provided important services to humans, and several selected genotypes have been massively propagated and planted. Today elm populations are severely degraded due to the negative impact of human-induced changes in riparian ecosystems and the emergence of the highly aggressive Dutch elm disease pathogens. Despite the death of most large elm specimens, there is no evidence of genetic diversity loss in elm populations, probably due to their ability to resprout after disease. The recovery of elm populations from the remaining diversity should build from genomic tools that facilitate achievement of resistant elm clones. Research works to date have discerned the genetic diversity of elms and are well on the way to deciphering the genetic clues of elm resistance and pathogen virulence, key findings for addressing recovery of elm populations. Several tolerant clones suitable for use in urban and landscape planting have been obtained through traditional species hybridization with Asian elms, and various native clones have been selected and used in pilot forest restoration projects. Successful reintroduction of elms should also rely on a deeper understanding of elm ecology, in particular their resilience to abiotic and biotic disturbances. However, all these efforts would be in vain without the final acceptance of elm reintroduction by the social actors involved, making it necessary to evaluate and publicize the ecosystem services elms can provide for today’s society.European CommissionMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (España)Depto. de Genética, Fisiología y MicrobiologíaFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEpu

HIV protease inhibitor resistance

HIV protease is pivotal in the viral replication cycle and directs the formation of mature infectious virus particles. The development of highly specific HIV protease inhibitors (PIs), based on thorough understanding of the structure of HIV protease and its substrate, serves as a prime example of structure-based drug design. The introduction of first-generation PIs marked the start of combination antiretroviral therapy. However, low bioavailability, high pill burden, and toxicity ultimately reduced adherence and limited long-term viral inhibition. Therapy failure was often associated with multiple protease inhibitor resistance mutations, both in the viral protease and its substrate (HIV gag protein), displaying a broad spectrum of resistance mechanisms. Unfortunately, selection of protease inhibitor resistance mutations often resulted in cross-resistance to other PIs. Therefore, second-generation approaches were imperative. Coadministration of a cytochrome P-450 3A4 inhibitor greatly improved the plasma concentration of PIs in the patient. A second advance was the development of PIs that were efficacious against first-generation PI-resistant HIV. Both approaches increased the number of protease mutations required by the virus to develop clinically relevant resistance, thereby raising the genetic barrier towards PI resistance. These improvements greatly contributed to the success of PI-based therapy