This report describes the specific cytotoxicity of iodoacetic acid (IAA) in selectively destroying the fibroblastoid cells and stimulating the in vitro function of neonatal B cells prepared from rat pancreases. Under culture conditions with a basal medium containing 5.5 mM D-glucose alone, the responses to insulin secretagogues tested were abolished by day 7 of culture. In contrast, the additio...

We report a case of a 17-year old boy, who presented acute bilateral cataract and complete vision loss within six days, three months after the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)under optimal metabolic control (HbA1c 6%).At presentation (HbA1c 10.4%) and after correction of diabetic ketoacidosis (pH 6.917)and the beginning of intensified insulin treatment with insulin glargine once dai...

Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits in response to the administration of purified exo- and endoglucanases extracted from cell walls of maize (Zea mays L. B37 x Mo17) coleoptiles. Since the antibodies formed specific conjugates when challenged with the glucanase antigens in immunoblot assays they were employed to evaluate the participation of glucanases in tissue growth. Indole-3-acetic...

Aiming to study the early stages of type 1 diabetes phenotype, before insulitis appears, we measured insulin autoantibodies (IAA) between 3 and 5 wk of age in the NOD mouse (early-IAA (E-IAA)). We report that IAA are found as early as at 3 wk of age, at weaning, and their expression is a quantal phenotype. Maternal autoantibody status influences this early phenotype, because animals of litters ...

An 11-year-old, prepubertal, Caucasian overweight boy (BMI 22.5 kg/m) with gynecomastia/steatomastia and diabetes was diagnosed on the basis of an oral glucose tolerance test without any typical symptoms (2-h blood glucose 215 mg/dL). Insulin levels were quite high (fasting 17.1 IU/mL, 2-h 114 IU/mL). Since 6 years of age he had been treated for Asperger syndrome, currently with risperidone. Hi...

The clinical applicability of antibodies and plasmonic nanosensors as topically applied, molecule-specific optical diagnostic agents for noninvasive early detection of cancer and precancer is severely limited by our inability to efficiently deliver macromolecules and nanoparticles through mucosal tissues. We have developed an imidazole-functionalized conjugate of the polysaccharide chitosan (ch...

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of tumor. Because malignant melanoma is difficult to treat once it has metastasized, early detection and treatment are essential. The search for reliable biomarkers of early-stage melanoma, therefore, has received much attention. By using a novel method of screening tumor antigens and their auto-antibodies, we identified bullous pemphigoid ...

Autoantibodies against antigens expressed by insulin-producing β cells are circulating in both healthy individuals and patients at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. Recent studies suggest that another set of antibodies (anti-idiotypic antibodies) exists in this antibody/antigen interacting network to regulate auto-reactive responses. Anti-idiotypic antibodies may block the antigen-binding sit...

Formation dynamics of antibodies to rat erythrocytes (REs) and auto-antibodies to mouse erythrocytes were studied in an experimental model of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) in mice. The experimental conditions of AHA were simulated in a mathematical model of an immune network. It was found that maximal production of auto-antibodies and antibodies to REs do not synchronize. Antiserum, obtaine...