Searching for a mechanism underlying autoimmunity in autism, we postulated that gliadin peptides, heat shock protein 60 (HSP-60), and streptokinase (SK) bind to different peptidases resulting in autoantibody production against these components. We assessed this hypothesis in patients with autism and in those with mixed connective tissue diseases. Associated with antigliadin and anti-HSP antibod...

Examination of the extracellular products of nephritis(+) and nephritis(-) group A streptococci revealed the presence of a 46-kD protein secreted by nephritogenic strains that binds to human plasmin. Immunological data revealed that this protein, called nephritis plasmin binding protein (NPBP), is not related to group A streptokinase nor to a recently described streptococcal dehydrogenase prote...

Background: Selective antibody deficiency with normal immunoglobulins (SADNI) may be identified as part of distinct primary or secondary immunodeficiency disorders. The clinical manifestations include recurrent, often severe or prolonged, upper or lower respiratory tract infections. Objectives: To evaluate SADNI in patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections and its relation to IgG subclas...

Bovine plasminogen activator was isolated from a mixture of streptokinase and human plasminogen. The method of preparation was based on the difference in solubility between the activator and its precursors. The activator can be prepared from either crude or highly purified streptokinase and highly purified human plasminogen. The activator complex gave a single component in starch gel electropho...

Background: Human CD34 is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is expressed in human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the small- vessel endothelial cells of a variety of tissues. CD34 plays a critical role as a marker for diagnosis and classification of leukemia. Anti CD34 antibodies are used for isolation and purification of HSCs from bone marrow, peripheral blood and cord blood. Objective: ...

Examination of the extracellular products of nephritis(+) and nephritis(-) group A streptococci revealed the presence of a 46-kD protein secreted by nephritogenic strains that binds to human plasmin. Immunological data revealed that this protein, called nephritis plasmin binding protein (NPBP), is not related to group A streptokinase nor to a recently described streptococcal dehydrogenase prote...

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) was first known as a factor for red blood cell proliferation and differentiation. New studies show the effects of EPO on immune system. Objective: In this study, the effects of pretreatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on the anti-human leukocyte antibody (anti-HLA) titer were determined. Methods: Three groups of rats were sensitized with human...

background : antivenom is still widely used in the treatment of envenomation as there are no vaccines or other effective agents available against animal venoms. recently, neurotoxins named birtoxin family have been described from parabuthus transvaalicus and androctonus crassicauda. the aim of the present study was to test the antibirtoxin antibodies for their ability to neutralize the lethal e...