Lipoxygenase (LPO) metabolites of arachidonic acid participate in the activation and/or proliferation of a variety of cell types. In this study, we examined the role of LPO metabolites in controlling myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis in vitro. Monocyte depleted cells (MDC) prepared from human whole blood or whole mononuclear cells from human bone marrow were cultured in methylcellulose in the pre...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of barbiturates on batrachotoxin-modified sodium channels from different regions of the human heart. Single sodium channels from human atria were studied and compared with existing data from the human ventricle and from the central nervous system. METHODS Sodium channels from preparations of human atrial muscle were incorporated into planar ...

Chondromodulin-I (ChM-I) is a 20-25 kDa anti-angiogenic glycoprotein in cartilage matrix. In the present study, we identified a novel 14-kDa species of ChM-I by immunoblotting, and purified it by immunoprecipitation with a newly raised monoclonal antibody against ChM-I. The N-terminal amino acid sequencing indicated that it was an N-terminal truncated form of ChM-I generated by the proteolytic ...

the mediterranean flour moth, ephestia kuehniella zeller, is one of the major pests in stored products worldwide. several problems assossiated with the use of conventional insecticides have strongly demonstrated the need for applying alternative safe compounds such as insect growth regulators (igrs). in the present study, growth regulating activity and hematological effects of pyriproxifen and ...

Antimicrobial peptides are effectors of innate immunity, providing their hosts with rapid non-specific defence against parasitic invaders. In this report, the effects are assessed of two well-characterized antimicrobial amphipathic peptides (melittin and cecropin) on human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) replication and gene expression in acutely infected cells at subtoxic concentrations. Prod...

Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing both Syrian hamster (Ha) and mouse (Mo) prion protein (PrP) genes were used to probe the mechanism of scrapie prion replication. Four Tg lines expressing HaPrP exhibited distinct incubation times ranging from 48 to 277 days, which correlated inversely with HaPrP mRNA and HaPrPC. Bioassays of Tg brain extracts showed that the prion inoculum dictates which prions a...

Plant-derived substances have been considered as important sources of drugs, including antineoplasic agents. Babassu mesocarp is popularly used in Brazil as a food additive, and in popular medicine against several conditions, such as inflammations, menstrual pains and leukaemia. From babassu Orbignya speciosa (Mart.) Barb. Rodr. [Arecaceae (Palmae)] epicarp/mesocarp, an ethanol extract was prep...

The study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Genes encoding the P1, 2A, 3C of FMDV O/China99 and bovine IFN-α were cloned into pcDNA3.1 (+) expression vector under CMV promoter and FMDV IRES control, respectively. The recombinant plasmids were administered to guinea pigs by intramuscular injection wi...

Immunotoxins directed against human transferrin receptor have been evaluated in a nude mouse model of human malignant mesothelioma. Immunotoxins were constructed by linking ricin A chain to murine monoclonal antibodies reactive with the human transferrin receptor. A chain was obtained either by isolation from the parent toxin or by recombinant DNA techniques. These immunotoxins acted as potent ...

BACKGROUND Although intravitreal high dose ganciclovir has previously been found to provide excellent control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, little was known about the vitreous concentrations of ganciclovir after a 2 mg intravitreal injection. METHODS Eleven vitreous samples were taken from seven patients with CMV retinitis at 24 and 72 hours after a 2 mg intravitreal injection of gancic...