ABSTRACT
Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) was isolated, purified, and partially characterized from elk and moose placenta. The procedure, which was monitored by bovine PSPB (bPSPB) RIA, included homogenization and extraction in aqueous solution, acidic and ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ion exchange, gel filtration, and affinity chromatographies. The estimated molecular sizes of moose PSPB (mPSPB) were 58 kDa and 31 kDa, and of elk PSPB (ePSPB) were 57 kDa, 45 kDa, and 31 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric points of mPSPB were 4.8, 6.6, and 6.7, and of ePSPB were 4.8, 4.9, 6.1, and 6.2 as determined by isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The carbohydrate contents of mPSPB and ePSPB were approximately 3.15% and 4.98%, respectively. Although ePSPB and mPSPB were recognized by anti-bPSPB in an Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion test, they were found to share identical epitopes and partial identities compared to bPSPB. After treatment at different temperatures (20-60 degrees C) for 1 h, the immunoreactivities of ePSPB and mPSPB in serum were very stable. Only ePSPB in serum treated at 60 degrees C lost some immunoreactivity. After alteration of serum pH (pH 3-11) for 2 h, the immunoreactivities of ePSPB and mPSPB became lower at pH 3 and 4, and remained stable from pH 5 to 11. These data show that moose and elk PSPB have properties similar to those of bovine and ovine PSPB.
Subject(s)
Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/isolation & purification , Deer/metabolism , Glycoproteins/isolation & purification , Placenta/chemistry , Pregnancy Proteins/isolation & purification , Animals , Cattle , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel/veterinary , Female , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Radioimmunoassay/veterinary , TemperatureABSTRACT
In a randomized, double-blind, two-way crossover study in four centers, 124 patients received single doses of 4 or 6 mg of albuterol and placebo on two separate visits. Pulmonary function tests were performed at intervals up to ten hours. Both dosages produced peak bronchodilation responses which occurred at two hours and significant activity was maintained for at least eight hours. Adverse experiences were typical of adrenergic agents.
Subject(s)
Albuterol/administration & dosage , Asthma/drug therapy , Administration, Oral , Adolescent , Adult , Albuterol/adverse effects , Bronchial Spasm/drug therapy , Child , Clinical Trials as Topic , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Double-Blind Method , Female , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A higher incidence of fatal asthma after increased use of combined inhaled beta 2-agonists and theophylline has been attributed to additive cardiac toxicity of these agents. This study had three major objectives: first, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new long-acting beta 2-agonist, bitolterol mesylate, given as metered-dose aerosol in a regular "round-the-clock" asthma medication regimen; second, to compare the efficacy and safety of bitolterol with those of sustained-release theophylline alone and of the combination of bitolterol and theophylline; third, to use 24 hr Holter monitoring to evaluate cardiac toxicity of the three medication regimens. This was a 6 wk double-blind study of regular, daily medication in 36 young non-steroid-dependent and 37 older steroid-dependent stable asthmatic patients. All patients had two 24 hr Holter ECG monitorings during the 2 wk baseline period when all patients received theophylline only and four further 24 hr Holter monitorings during the double-blind period. All Holter recordings from the study groups showed no significant abnormalities in any treatment group. Pulmonary function studies were performed on 4 study days in the 6 wk double-blind period. The largest increase in bronchodilator effect was obtained with combined medication and the smallest with theophylline alone. Mean duration of action was markedly longer in the combined treatment group (greater than 7 hr) than with bitolterol mesylate aerosol or theophylline alone (greater than 5 and greater than 4 hr, respectively) in the non-steroid-dependent patients. Degree of bronchodilation and duration of action was less in the steroid-dependent patients in all treatment groups. There is no evidence from cardiac monitoring that therapeutic doses of bitolterol mesylate or theophylline alone or in combination have cardiotoxic effects.
Subject(s)
Asthma/drug therapy , Electrocardiography , Ethanolamines/administration & dosage , Theophylline/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Aerosols , Aged , Child , Drug Therapy, Combination , Ethanolamines/adverse effects , Female , Heart Function Tests , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Physiologic , Respiratory Function Tests , Theophylline/adverse effects , Theophylline/bloodABSTRACT
The clinical and immunological investigation of three patients with an acute anaphylaxis after ingesting commercial varieties of sunflower seeds is presented. Specific IgE-mediated hypersensitivity has been demonstrated in all three patients to sunflower seed extract by history, direct skin tests, and positive radioallergosorbent test (RAST) titers. RAST inhibition was positive in two patients tested. Similar tests on controls were negative.
