红细胞分布宽度、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值与晚期非小细胞肺癌患者临床病理特征及预后的关系研究

目的:探讨红细胞分布宽度(RDW)、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)与晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法:选择2017年5月至2019年5月我院收治的106例确诊为晚期NSCLC患者(NSCLC组)和门诊接诊的102例体检正常者(对照组)作为研究对象。检测RDW、NLR,分析RDW、NLR与NSCLC患者临床病理特征以及预后的关系。结果:NSCLC组RDW、NLR高于对照组(P<0.05),年龄≥60岁、淋巴结转移NSCLC患者RDW高于年龄<60岁、无淋巴结转移NSCLC患者(P<0.05),TNM分期为Ⅳ期、淋巴结转移NSCLC患者NLR高于TNM分期为Ⅲ期、无淋巴结转移患者(P<0.05)。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析结果显示高RDW组、高NLR组NSCLC患者生存率低于低RDW组、低NLR组(P<0.05)。单因素COX回归分析显示分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移、RDW、NLR与NSCLC预后有关(P<0.05),多因素COX回归分析显示淋巴结转移、RDW、NLR与NSCLC患者预后相关(P<0.05)。结论:晚期NSCLC患者RDW、NLR较高,RDW与年龄、淋巴结转移有关,NLR与TNM分期和淋巴结转移有关,高水平RDW、NLR预示着NSCLC预后不良,可作为预后评估的辅助指标。     

早期非小细胞肺癌患者血清巨噬细胞抑制因子-1、趋化素与临床病理特征及预后的关系

目的:探讨早期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者血清巨噬细胞抑制因子-1(MIC-1)、趋化素(chemerin)水平与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法:选择72例NSCLC患者(NSCLC组)、53例肺良性疾病患者(良性组)、50例体检健康人群(对照组),分别检测血清MIC-1、chemerin水平,分析血清MIC-1、chemerin水平与NSCLC患者临床病理参数的关系。Kaplan-Meier法分析不同血清MIC-1、chemerin水平NSCLC患者生存时间的差异,COX比例风险回归分析血清MIC-1、chemerin水平与NSCLC患者预后的关系。结果:NSCLC组患者血清MIC-1、chemerin水平高于良性组和对照组(P0.05)。血清MIC-1水平与NSCLC患者年龄、目前吸烟、肿瘤直径、TNM分期、分化程度、复发或转移、生存状态有关(P0.05),chemerin水平与NSCLC患者目前吸烟、TNM分期、复发或转移、生存状态有关(P0.05)。高MIC-1水平患者生存率低于低MIC-1水平患者(P0.05),高chemerin水平患者生存率低于低chemerin水平患者(P0.05)。COX比例风险回归分析结果显示:血清MIC-1、chemerin、TNM分期与NSCLC不良预后独立相关。结论:血清MIC-1、chemerin水平与NSCLC患者部分临床病理参数和预后相关,可作为早期NSCLC患者预后预测的潜在指标。     

NLR、PLR、LMR与乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效及预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨化疗前外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、血小板与淋巴细胞比值（PLR）、淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值（LMR）与乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗疗效及预后的关系。方法：选择2016年10月至2018年1月在安徽医科大学附属安庆第一人民医院进行新辅助化疗的乳腺癌患者105例为研究对象,根据新辅助化疗疗效分为病理完全缓解（pCR）组（26例）和非pCR组（79例）。比较pCR组和非pCR组化疗前外周血NLR、PLR、LMR;采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析化疗前外周血NLR、PLR、LMR对乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗病理疗效预测价值。所有患者术后随访5年,根据ROC曲线确定的NLR、PLR、LMR最佳截断值分为高NLR、PLR、LMR组和低NLR、PLR、LMR组,采用K-M生存曲线分析不同NLR、PLR、LMR组5年无病生存期（DFS）;单因素和多因素COX回归分析预后不良的影响因素。结果：pCR组化疗前NLR、PLR均低于非pCR组（P＜0.05）,LMR高于非pCR组（P＜0.05）。化疗前NLR、PLR、LMR三项联合预测新辅助化疗病理疗效的曲线下面积（AUC）均大于各指标单独预测。K-M生存曲线分析显示,化疗前高NLR、PLR组5年DFS分别低于低NLR、PLR组（P＜0.05）,高LMR组5年DFS高于低LMR组（P＜0.05）;多因素COX回归分析显示,NLR、PLR升高是乳腺癌预后的危险因素,LMR升高是保护因素（P<0.05）。结论：pCR组化疗前NLR、PLR更低,LMR更高,高NLR、PLR和低LMR患者5年DFS更低。NLR、PLR、LMR对新辅助化疗病理疗效具有一定的预测价值,三项联合能为乳腺癌的新辅助化疗评估提供重要参考依据。     

右胸入路三野清扫淋巴结治疗中晚期胸中段食管癌的疗效及预后观察

目的:探讨右胸入路三野清扫淋巴结治疗中晚期胸中段食管癌的临床疗效及对预后的影响。方法:回顾性分析我院2012年9月-2013年9月收治的中晚期胸中段食管癌者的临床资料,所有患者均采用右胸入路行Ivor-Lewis术,根据淋巴清扫范围方式分为二野组(n=37)、三野组(n=25)。比较两组淋巴清扫情况、术后并发症、复发转移及预后。结果:与二野组比较,三野组淋巴清扫数显著增加(P0.05),上纵膈淋巴结转移率及总转移率显著升高(P0.05);二野组喉返神经损伤的发生率显著低于三野组(P0.05);二野组和三野组的复发率分别为43.2%、16.0%,二者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);三野组中位DFS为19.7个月(95%CI:15.5~23.8),显著高于二野组中位DFS为16.8个月(95%CI:12.0~20.9)(P0.05)。结论:右胸入路三野淋巴结清扫治疗中晚期胸中段食管癌患者是安全可行的,有助于彻底清除转移淋巴结,降低术后复发,改善预后。     

术前外周血中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值与肾癌临床病理特点及预后关系的研究

目的:分析术前外周血中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)与肾癌临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法:回顾性分析2007年1月~2011年12月在哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院泌尿外科接受根治性手术且病理证实为非转移肾癌患者的临床病例及随访资料。根据ROC曲线确定NLR最佳截点,并以此截点将患者分为高NLR组和低NLR组。分析两组间临床病理特征的差异。应用Kaplan-Meier法、Log-rank法进行单因素生存分析,应用Cox风险回归模型进行多因素生存分析。结果:460例患者中,男性306例,女性154例,中位年龄56岁。NLR平均值为2.34±1.77,中位值为2.45。根据ROC曲线分析,当NLR为2.5时,曲线下面积(AUC=0.628,p0.001)最大。以此截点将患者分为高NLR(≥2.5)组154例,低NLR(2.5)组306例。两组间年龄、Fuhrman分期、T分期上差异具有统计学意义(p0.05)。单因素生存分析显示Fuhrman、T分期、NLR值是肾癌预后因素,Cox多因素回归分析显示T分期、NLR值是肾癌的独立预后因素。结论:术前外周血中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)是肾癌患者预后不良的独立危险因素。     

外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及早期炎症标志物表达对老年非小细胞肺癌化疗预后的影响分析

目的评估外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及早期炎症标志物表达对老年非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)化疗预后的影响。方法入选2015年1月至2018年12月在武汉科技大学附属孝感医院接受化疗的NSCLC患者86例为NSCLC组,另选本院常规体检的健康人群82名作为对照组,分析两组人群外周血T淋巴细胞亚群与炎症细胞的分布差异。采用Kaplan-Meier单因素生存分析不同临床参数及化疗后不同T细胞亚群和炎症细胞水平患者的生存期,采用Cox比例回归风险模型分析影响NSCLC患者预后的独立影响因素。结果与对照组比较,NSCLC组患者CD3^+(71.31±6.02比68.22±7.09)、CD4^+(40.20±5.79比36.61±7.11)、CD4^+/CD8+(1.49±0.37比1.30±0.56),CD8+(28.43±6.37比31.79±9.88)均降低,而PLT(229.73±58.84比211.32±54.18)、淋巴细胞计数(LY)(1.67±0.61比30.01±8.45)及淋巴细胞百分比(LY﹪)(25.65﹪±6.87﹪比30.01﹪±8.45﹪)均升高,差异具有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。Kaplan-Meier单因素生存分析结果显示,是否淋巴转移、远处转移及不同TNM分期的患者生存期相比,差异具有统计学意义(P均<0.05);CD8+T细胞≥31.8﹪、CD4/CD8<1.28、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)<3.16及血小板与淋巴细胞比值(PLR)<197的患者生存期较长,差异具有统计学意义(P均<0.05);Cox多因素生存分析结果显示,伴远处转移(HR=9.310)、TNM分期ⅢB-Ⅳ期(HR=1.059)、CD8+T细胞<31.8﹪(HR=2.697)、NLR≥3.16(HR=1.887)及PLR≥197(HR=2.869)是影响老年NSCLC患者预后的独立影响因素(P均<0.05)。结论外周血CD8+T细胞、CD4/CD8比值、NLR及PLR水平是影响老年NSCLC预后的独立影响因素,可作为评估老年NSCLC患者化疗预后的简易生物标志物。     

术前外周血中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞比值在结直肠癌预后评价中的意义

目的探索术前外周血中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞比值(NLR)在结直肠癌预后评价中的意义。方法回顾性分析2015年1月至2016年12月在南京医科大学附属南京医院接受手术治疗并有完整随访资料的结直肠癌患者228例。根据患者术前外周血NLR分成高NLR(>2.52)组和低NLR(≤2.52)组,分析比较其预后情况。结果术前高NLR组和低NLR组患者在性别、肿瘤形态、TNM分期方面比较,差异无统计学意义(P≥0.05);在肿瘤分化程度,肠周淋巴转移,癌胚抗原(Carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA)水平等差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。回归分析表明,相较于低NLR组,高NLR组肿瘤复发转移率以及死亡率明显升高(P<0.05)。结论 NLR升高提示肿瘤分化差、转移早且与患者肿瘤复发以及生存预后密切相关,NLR>2.52有望成为结直肠癌诊断及预后评估的一项指标。     

中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值在急诊老年社区获得性肺炎中的应用价值

目的:探讨中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil to lymphocyte rate,NLR)在急诊老年社区获得性肺炎(community acquired pneumonia,CAP)患者中的应用价值。方法:选择2018年10月到2019年10月首都医科大学宣武医院急诊观察室收治的130例老年CAP患者,检测其入院后血常规,血清C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)、降钙素原(Procalcitonin,PCT)水平,血气分析,生化全项,胸部X线,并给予痰细菌学检查等辅助检查,进行急性生理及慢性健康状况评分(Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation,APACHEⅡ)。入院72h后,再次给予血常规、PCT等检查,比较2组NLR和PCT的差异。随访28天后,根据老年CAP患者的临床转归分成死亡组和生存组,比较2组白细胞(WBC)、NLR、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分和PCT及NLR、PCT、APACHEⅡ预测老年CAP患者死亡的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)。结果:死亡组CAP患者血清CRP、PCT水平、NLR和APACHEⅡ评分均显著高于生存组(P<0.05),2组患者WBC比较差异无明显统计学意义(P=0.341)。APACHE II评分预测老年CAP患者死亡的AUC为0.741(95%CI:0.647~0.836),PCT预测老年CAP患者死亡的AUC为0.723(95%CI:0.610~0.835),NLR预测老年CAP患者死亡的AUC为0.709 (95%CI:0.602~0.815),NLR预测老年CAP患者死亡的AUC与PCT和APACHE II评分比较无统计学差异(P=0.848,0.662);入院72h死亡组NLR和PCT入院时无明显变化(P>0.05),而生存组NLR和PCT较入院时比较显著降低(P<0.01)。结论:NLR对急诊老年CAP患者的预后预测价值与PCT及APACHE II评分相当,NLR持续高水平状态提示急诊老年CAP患者的预后不良。     

血清ProGRP、SCCAg及HE4与非小细胞肺癌患者病理特征的关系及其诊断价值分析

目的:探讨血清胃泌素释放肽前体(ProGRP)、鳞状上皮细胞癌抗原(SCCAg)、人附睾蛋白4(HE4)水平与非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者病理特征的关系,分析其对NSCLC的临床诊断价值。方法:选择2015年9月至2020年2月我院接诊的110例NSCLC患者(观察组)和100例健康志愿者(对照组)为研究对象,检测血清ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4水平。分析血清ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4水平与NSCLC患者临床病理特征的关系。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4诊断NSCLC的价值。结果:观察组血清ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4水平均高于对照组(P0.05),低中分化、TNMⅢ～Ⅳ期、淋巴结转移患者血清ProGRP、SCCAg水平分别高于高分化、TNMⅠ～Ⅱ期、无淋巴结转移患者(P0.05);TNM分期Ⅲ～Ⅳ期、淋巴结转移患者血清HE4水平分别高于TNMⅠ～Ⅱ期、无淋巴结转移患者(P0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4、ProGRP+SCCAg+HE4诊断NSCLC的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.834(95%CI:0.779～0.888)、0.584(95%CI:0.507～0.662)、0.743(95%CI:0.675～0.811)、0.947(95%CI:0.910～0.984)。结论:NSCLC患者血清ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4水平明显升高,血清ProGRP、SCCAg水平与NSCLC患者分化程度、TNM分期和淋巴结转移有关,血清HE4水平与TNM分期和淋巴结转移有关。联合检测ProGRP、SCCAg、HE4对NSCLC诊断具有较高价值,可提高早期诊断准确性。     

lncRNA DGCR5在非小细胞肺癌组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探究lncRNA DGCR5在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的相关性。方法：选取2020年1月至2021年12月在我院肿瘤科收治的进行手术治疗的NSCLC患者86例,在手术期间从患者获得肿瘤和非肿瘤的肺癌旁组织样本。采用qRT-PCR测定肿瘤组织及癌旁组织中lncRNA DGCR5表达水平。分析lncRNA DGCR5表达水平与NSCLC患者性别、年龄、临床分期、T分期、N分期等临床病理参数的关系,lncRNA DGCR5表达水平与患者预后总生存期（OS）和无进展生存期（PFS）的关系。结果：与癌旁组织相比,lncRNA DGCR5在NSCLC肿瘤组织中的表达水平相对较低,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）。lncRNA DGCR5表达与肿瘤分化程度、TNM分期、肿瘤体积、淋巴转移和远处转移之间存在明显相关性,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。采用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析,研究发现lncRNA DGCR5高表达组中位OS及中位DFS分别显著高于lncRNA DGCR5低表达组（P<0.05）。低分化程度、II+ IIIa临床分期、N1-N3淋巴转移、远处转移、及lncRNA DGCR5 低表达均与NSCLC患者总生存率和无进展生存率相关。结论：LncRNA DGCR5在NSCLC患者肿瘤组织中的表达量降低,NSCLC患者血LncRNA DGCR5表达水平与分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴转移、远处转移及预后具有相关性。LncRNA DGCR5可作为早期诊断和治疗NSCLC的新型生物标志物。     

Alkylation of isolated chromatin with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea

When isolated chromatin is incubated with the carcinogens N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MeNU) and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (EtNU), DNA and chromosomal proteins become alkylated to increasingly greater extents as the carcinogen concentrations increase. With either MeNU or EtNU, the core and linker DNA of chromatin are alkylated to essentially identical extents. Alkylation of chromatin DNA as well as free DNA is drastically reduced at physiological ionic strengths (e.g. 0.15 M NaCl). The presence of 0.15 M NaCl, on the other hand, enhances alkylation of chromosomal proteins. While EtNU is much less reactive to DNA than MeNU, alkylation of chromosomal proteins relative to that of chromatin DNA has been found to be markedly greater with EtNU than with MeNU. Such a difference in their relative reactivities toward DNA and proteins may be related to the known difference of carcinogenic potency between these N-nitroso compounds.     

Association of the eukaryotic V1VO ATPase subunits a with d and d with A

Owing to the complex nature of V₁V_O ATPases, identification of neighboring subunits is essential for mechanistic understanding of this enzyme. Here, we describe the links between the V₁ headpiece and the V_O-domain of the yeast V₁V_O ATPase via subunit A and d as well as the V_O subunits a and d using surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Binding constants of about 60 and 200 nM have been determined for the a-d and d-A assembly, respectively. The data are discussed in light of subunit a and d forming a peripheral stalk, connecting the catalytic A₃B₃ hexamer with V_O.

Structured summary

MINT-7012054: d (uniprotkb:P32366) binds (MI:0407) to A (uniprotkb:P17255) by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (MI:0052)MINT-7012041: d (uniprotkb:P32366) binds (MI:0407) to A (uniprotkb:P17255) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)MINT-7012028: d (uniprotkb:P32366) binds (MI:0407) to a (uniprotkb:P32563) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)     

Association of upregulated Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling with autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. BTBR mouse is currently used as a model for understanding mechanisms that may be responsible for the pathogenesis of autism. Growing evidence suggests that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling plays death-promoting apoptotic roles in neural cells. Recent studies showed a possible association between neural cell death and autism. In addition, two studies reported that a deletion of a locus on chromosome 16, which includes the MAPK3 gene that encodes ERK1, is associated with autism. We thus hypothesized that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling could be abnormally regulated in the brain of BTBR mice that models autism. In this study, we show that expression of Ras protein was significantly elevated in frontal cortex and cerebellum of BTBR mice as compared with B6 mice. The phosphorylations of A-Raf, B-Raf and C-Raf were all significantly increased in frontal cortex of BTBR mice. However, only C-Raf phosphorylation was increased in the cerebellum of BTBR mice. In addition, we further detected that the activities of both MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, which are the downstream kinases of Ras/Raf signaling, were significantly enhanced in the frontal cortex. We also detected that ERK1/2 is significantly over-expressed in frontal cortex of autistic subjects. Our results indicate that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling is upregulated in the frontal cortex of BTBR mice that model autism. These findings, together with the enhanced ERK1/2 expression in autistic frontal cortex, imply that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling activities could be increased in autistic brain and involved in the pathogenesis of autism.     

Infection of Promecotheca papuana with Synnematium jonesii

The fungus Synnematium jonesii was isolated from naturally infected adults of Promecotheca papuana and cultured in vitro. Caged beetles were successfully inoculated using an aqueous suspension of conidia and also a dust prepared from dried sclerotia. The implications of using this fungus for the control of P. papuana outbreaks is discussed.     

Hebeloma species associated with Cistus

The genus Hebeloma has a number of species highly specific to Cistus and others that occur with several host genera. This paper discusses the species of Hebeloma that appear to be ectomycorrhizal with Cistus, judging from their occurrence when Cistus is the only available host. The previously unknown species H. plesiocistum spec. nov. is described. We also provide a key to the known Hebeloma associates of Cistus. Molecular analyses based on ITS sequence data further illustrate the distinctness of the newly described species and difficulties in the species delimitation with view to H. erumpens. Specific associations with Cistus may have evolved more than once within the genus Hebeloma.     

板蓝根颗粒对甲型流感病毒小鼠的作用

目的测定板蓝根颗粒抗流感病毒的药效作用。方法 A/California/7/2009（CA7）病毒滴鼻感染BALB/c小鼠观察14d,观察板蓝根对甲型H1N1流感病毒感染小鼠的保护作用,计算小鼠存活率、存活天数以及延长生命率。感染的小鼠第5天每组小鼠处死一半,取肺组织,观察板蓝根对甲型H1N1流感病毒感染小鼠肺组织的保护作用。结果板蓝根可明显延长甲型H1N1流感病毒感染小鼠的存活天数并提高存活率,病理结果显示板蓝根对甲型H1N1流感病毒感染的小鼠的肺组织有一定程度的保护作用,与模型组比较差异显著（P〈0.05）。结论板蓝根颗粒对甲型H1N1流感病毒感染的小鼠有较好的保护作用。     

Prosthecium species with Stegonsporium anamorphs on Acer

Data from microscopic morphology, single-spore cultures, and DNA analyses of teleomorphs and anamorphs support the recognition of five species of Prosthecium with Stegonsporium anamorphs on Acer: P. acerinum sp. nov., the teleomorph of S. acerinum; P. acerophilum comb. nov., formerly known as Dictyoporthe acerophila; P. galeatum comb. nov., originally described as Massaria galeata; P. opalus sp. nov.; and P. pyriforme sp. nov., the teleomorph of S. pyriforme s. str. The morphology of both type specimens and freshly collected material was investigated. The teleomorphs have brown ellipsoidal ascospores with five distosepta and often a longitudinal distoseptum. The anamorphs of all species described here belong to Stegonsporium; their connection to the Prosthecium teleomorphs was demonstrated by morphology and DNA sequences of single spore cultures derived from both ascospores and conidia. The anamorphs and teleomorphs of all five Prosthecium species are described and illustrated by LM images, and a key to these species is provided. As perceived from this work, S. pyriforme is restricted to Europe and does not occur in North America, whereas S. acerinum is restricted to North America, not found in Europe. The host associations given in the literature are revised and evidence is provided that only A. opalus, A. pseudoplatanus, and A. saccharum are confirmed hosts of Prosthecium with Stegonsporium anamorphs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of tef1, ITS rDNA, and partial nuLSU rDNA sequences confirm that the species with Stegonsporium anamorphs are closely related to P. ellipsosporum, the generic type species. Stilbospora macrosperma is confirmed as the anamorph of P. ellipsosporum by DNA data of single spore isolates obtained from both ascospores and conidia.     

Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with AscarisSuum embryonic tubulin

The ability of mebendazole and fenbendazole to bind to tubulin in cytosolic fractions from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos was determined by inhibition studies with [³H]colchicine. Colchicine binding in the presence of 1·10^?6 M mebendazole was completely inhibited during a 6 h incubation period at 37°C. Inhibition of colchicine binding to A. suum embryonic tubulin by mebendazole and fenbendazole appeared to be noncompetative. The inhibition constants of mebendazole and fenbendazole for A. suum embryonic tubulin were 1.9·10^?8 M and 6.5·10^?8 M, respectively. Mebendazole and fenbendazole appeared to be competitive inhibitors of colchicine binding to bovine brain tubulin. The inhibition constants of mebendazole and fenbendazole for bovine brain tubulin were 7.3·10^?6 M and 1.7·10^?5 M, respectively. These values are 250–400 times greater than the inhibition constants of fenbendazole and mebendazole for A. suum embryonic tubulin. Differential binding affinities between nematode tubulin and mammalian tubulin for benzimidazoles may explain the selective toxicity. The importance of tubulin as a receptor for anthelmintic benzimidazoles in animal parasitic nematodes is discussed.     

Identification of Mr variants of proclatin with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (QB01 and 1200) prepared against human proclatin (hPRL) have helped define a variant form of the hormone. This variant is of apparently higher molecular mass (26kDa) than the predominant form of the hormone (24kDa) and its presence does not appear to be species-restricted. The demonstration of the 26 kDa form of the hPRL in fresh pituitary tissue and amniotic fluid suggests it may retain some specific function.