Neuronal bungarotoxin (NBT) is a highly selective, slowly reversible, competitive antagonist of the alpha3beta2 neuronal nicotinic receptor. Contributions to NBT sensitivity are made by both the alpha3 and beta2 subunits. We used a chimeric alpha subunit to demonstrate that the entire alpha3 contribution lies within sequence segment 84-215. Construction and analysis of a series of mutant alpha3...

The nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) slide test has been applied widely to assist in the diagnosis of bacterial infection. The test involves mixing a small amount of heparinized blood with a solution of NBT and noting the percentage of neutrophils that contain reduced NBT after a fixed period of incubation. Although it has been recognized that anticoagulants can influence the scores obtained, the me...

The biologic basis for the elevated histochemical reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) in neutrophils from patients with acute bacterial infection or polycythemia vera was studied. A precipitin reaction followed mixing NBT with heparin. NBT was reduced after phagocytosis of this complex (H-NBT) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Ingestion required divalent cations and was facilitat...

We have recently shown that the process of non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) takes place in Escherichia coli under physiological conditions and affects both recombinant and endogenous bacterial proteins. In this study, we further demonstrate that E. coli chromosomal DNA is also subjected to glycation under physiological growth conditions. The E. coli DNA accumulates early glycation (Amado...

Nature-based therapy (NBT) has been incorporated into the practice of many medical and mental health professions. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and to a lesser extent, speech-language pathologists have used NBT practices as a complementary means of treating a variety of physical, emotional, and cognitive disorders. This article includes a d...

Nicotinic receptor function has been described in the retinas of a variety of vertebrate species. Neuronal bungarotoxin (NBT, also known as bungarotoxin 3.1, toxin F, or kappa-bungarotoxin) blocks nicotinic receptors in several neuronal preparations, while the neuromuscular antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin (BGT) fails to block most of these receptors. NBT (100 nM), but not BGT (10 microM), substan...

Various cellular responses to skin infections in an experimental animal model were explored. Total leukocyte counts varied after group A streptococcal infections, but a depression was commonly seen after M type 12 impetigo. Staphylococcus aureus infections resulted in moderate leukocytosis. A marked neutrophilia was universal with streptococcal or staphylococcal disease. A positive nitroblue te...

The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test has been evaluated as a means of differentiating episodes of infection and rejection in 10 cadaver kidney transplant recipients. Normal NBT values were observed during all 11 episodes of acute rejection. A significant elevation of the NBT score was encountered in six of eight episodes of infection after transplantation. A positive NBT result is useful additi...

Cancer protection associated with the consumption of olive products is well established, but not for leukemia. The protective effects of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves were investigated by incubating human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells with olive leaf extracts (OLEs) from seven principal Tunisian olive varieties, namely, Chemchali, Chemlali, Chétoui, Gerboui, Sayali, Zalmati and Zarrazi. ...

Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) from patients with invasive amoebiasis, i.e. amoebic liver abscess (ALA) and acute amoebic dysentery, showed marked elevation of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) reduction. This dramatic change was not observed in PMN from patients with non-invasive amoebiasis, i.e. non-suppurative hepatic amoebiasis, or in asymptomatic Entamoeba histolytica cy...