Carol E. O'Neil

Antiseptal brain antibody in IgG of schizophrenic patients

On the hypothesis that schizophrenia is an immunological disorder in which antibody is produced against a unique antigen sequestered principally or exclusively in the septal region of the brain, we used crossed-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) to evaluate reactivity of a gamma G immunoglobulin (IgG) fraction from serum of schizophrenic patients and nonschizophrenic control subjects with homogenates of tissues of septal region, hippocampus, vermal cerebellum, frontal cortex, and liver of rhesus monkeys. When IgG fractions of unmedicated schizophrenic patients and schizophrenic patients who had received neuroleptic medication for less than 24 hr were tested against septal region homogenate, a precipitin arc was identified, indicating a positive result, with more than 95% of the fractions. In contrast, IgG fractions of schizophrenic patients who had received neuroleptic medication for more than 24 hr were rarely positive. When schizophrenic fractions that tested positive against septal region homogenate were tested against homogenates of the other tissues, they were negative. Fractions of all nonschizophrenic control subjects were negative against all homogenates.

Antigenic/allergenic characterization of American and German cockroach extracts

Cockroach allergens have been implicated as clinically significant sensitizing agents in the induction/exacerbation of urban asthma. In the present study, approximately 50% of atopic, predominantly inner-city residents had immediate wheal-and-flare cutaneous reactivity to a commercial American cockroach whole body extract. Crude whole body extracts were prepared in our laboratory from both American (Periplaneta americana) and German (Blatella germanica) cockroach species. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of American cockroach whole body extract (AWBE) and German cockroach whole body extract (GWBE) detected a total of 50 and 56 precipitin peaks, respectively, when extracts were reacted with hyperimmunized rabbit antisera. Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis identified at least five electrophoretically distinct allergens each in AWBE and GWBE. Cockroach whole body extracts produced two major protein peaks when extracts were fractionated on Sephadex G-75. RAST-inhibition studies demonstrated allergens in both peak 1 and the immediate trailing fractions of the column. Direct RAST and end point prick skin testing confirmed the presence of significant/important allergens in column fraction 2 of AWBE. Skin testing and RAST analysis suggested the occurrence of shared and species-specific allergens between AWBE and GWBE. Collectively, these studies confirm the important sensitizing potential of cockroach allergens, characterize their number and size distribution by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis and column chromatography, support the occurrence of significant allergens in column fraction 2, and suggest the occurrence of both species-specific and shared interspecies allergens.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Behavior Lifestyles of Young Women: Implications From Findings of the Bogalusa Heart Study

The primary purposes of this article are to highlight important issues related to cardiovascular risk factors and behavior life-styles in young women and to examine racial (black-white) differences in risk factors that relate to cardiovascular disease. In childhood, some girls show cardiovascular risk factors of higher blood pressure levels, dyslipidemia, and obesity, all of which continue into young adulthood. Factors that contribute to abnormal risk factors are a high-saturated fat diet, excess energy intake related to inactivity, and cigarette smoking. Trends of obesity are documented; and young white girls are continuing to use tobacco, more so than boys and black girls. Although the onset of clinical cardiovascular disease is delayed in women, the stage is set in childhood for the development of early cardiovascular risk.

In vitro effects of aqueous cotton dust extract on leucocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.

Aqueous cotton dust extracts (ACDE) stimulated production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear leucotytes (MNL). This response was not due to prostaglandin production by monocytes or platelets in the cell preparation nor to stimulation of the beta-adrenergic or H2 receptors; however, desensitization experiments indicated that the response may be receptor mediated. The possible involvement of such receptor desensitization in byssinosis pathogenesis is discussed.

Nutrient Content of Salad Bars Offered to Female High School Students:: “GIMME 5” Program.

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To document the nutrient composition of salad bars as a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) lunch option to determine if these menus need to be modified to meet USDAs dietary goals. Seventeen salad bar menus (as offered) from four all female high schools were analyzed. Mean energy content of the salad bar menus was 915 kcal (range 543–1231 kcal); 16% protein, 45% carbohydrate, 40% fat, and 14% saturated fat. Sodium content of salad bar menus averaged 1733 mg; with all menus exceeding 800 mg of sodium. All 17 menus exceeded current recommendations of 30% energy from total fat; 12 menus exceeded 10% of energy from saturated fat; and only one menu met or exceeded 55% of energy from carbohydrate. Salad bar menus provided up to 36% of the RDA for vitamin A, 109% of the RDA for vitamin C, and over 60% of the RDA for thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. Average salad bar menus contain higher absolute levels of energy, protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat, vitamin C, thiamin, niacin; and lower total fat, vitamin A, and sodium than traditional high school NSLP lunches. In our efforts to promote healthier school meals, guidelines for modifying salad bar menus need to be established.

Racial Differences in Dietary Intakes of Young Adult Females: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To describe dietary intakes of young adult Black and White females. Dietary intake of 293 young adult females (30% Black, 70% White; 19–28 years) was determined by 24-hour recall. Overall, mean energy intake was 1951 kcal ± 886 (SD): 14% protein, 37% fat, 12% saturated fat (SF) , and 50% carbohydrate (CHO). Average intakes of fiber (10 gms ± 6.4), and K (1.9 gms ± 1.10), were low. A high percentage of subjects exceeded current dietary recommendations for total fat (73%), SF (54%), and cholesterol (54%). Blacks had a higher mean intake of vitamin C (113 mg ± 179) than Whites (72 mg ± 96) (p

An Effective Training Program For Child Nutrition Staff: A Summer Training Institute

Abstract Fifty-five child nutrition state personnel, Parish directors, managers, or technicians (51 % black, 98% female) attended one of two identical 3-day summer training sessions. Session I (n=31) was predominantly supervisors/managers (77%); Session II (n=24) consisted of managers (43%) and technicians (46%). Sessions included an optional half-day cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) screening, which included: quantitation of serum lipids and lipoproteins, a multi-clinical laboratory assay, anthropometries, and assessment of lifestyles. Two and one-half days of didactic, hands-on multi-disciplinary presentations aimed at lowering the total fat, saturated fat, and sodium content of school meals followed. Presentations were made by representatives from 9 organizations; they ranged from theoretical material on cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention to practical aspects such as menu planning and food preparation. Presentations were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Program impact was assessed using a 50-item knowledge questionnaire administered before and after training. Of the 42 participants who underwent CVRF screening, 57 % had serum total cholesterol levels ≥200mg/dl. Of these, 79% had a ponderal index ≥17; and 96% had LDL-C levels ≥130mg/dl. Program evaluations ranged from 3.9 (cancer prevention) to 4.8 (food marketing); with an overall program rating of 4.4. A mean 20% increase in knowledge scores was demonstrated by participants in combined sessions (p

Biochemical and immunologic characterization of cotton bract extract and its effect on in vitro cyclic AMP production. I. Field-dried bract.

Field-dried cotton bract, a contaminant of cotton dust, has been implicated in byssinosis pathogenesis. The results from this study demonstrated that a standard bract extract (FDBE) could be prepared. FDBE was antigenic in rabbits; however, precipitating antibodies were not detectable in the serum of cotton textile mill workers. Although exposure of mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) to FDBE did not alter intracellular cyclic AMP levels, it did induce changes in the cyclic AMP response of MNL to isoproterenol and prostaglandin E1. These changes were FDBE dose-dependent. The possible relationship of these findings to pathogenesis of byssinosis is discussed.

70 In vitro effects of aqueous field dried cotton bract extract on leukocyte cyclic AMP levels

70 IN VITRO EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS FIELD DRIED COTTON BRACT EXTRACT ON LEUKOCYTE CYCLIC AMP LEVELS. C.E. ONeil, Ph.D., B.T. Butcher, Ph.D., M.A. Reed, B.S., and J.E. Salvaggio, M.D., New Orleans, Louisiana Bract has been proposed as the agent responsible for acute symptoms of byssinosis, a respiratory disease of cotton workers, The mechanism by which bract may induce disease is undetermined, but may involve changes in cyclic AMP levels. Peripheral mononuclear leukocytes from non-dust exposed volunteers, were exposed to aqueous field dried bract extract (FDBE), or FDBE plus either isoproterenol (ISO) or prostaglandin (PG) El and cyclic AMP levels were determined. FDBE (0.1 to 5.0 mg/ml) did not alter basal cyclic AMP levels; however FDBE (5.0 mg/ml) plus IS0 (1x10-4 to 1x10M) 8 significantly lowered cyclic AMP levels from those obtained by stimulation with IS0 alone. Statistical analyses demonstrated the intercept of FDBE plus IS0 was significantly lower (p ~0.01) than with IS0 alone, while the slopes were equivalent.. This suggests FDBE antagonized the action of ISO, possibly by blocking the beta-adrenergic receptor. When FDBE (1.0 mg/ml) was incubated with PGEl (lx104to 1x10-*M), slopes (p ~0.05) and intercepts (p <O.OOl) were significantly different, suggesting a blocking of the PG receptor. The demonstration that FDBE blocked cyclic AMP stimulation by both IS0 and PGEl, suggests that decreased cyclic AMP response following bract exposure may be an important etiologic mechanism of bronchoconstriction and mediator release typical of byssinosis. MONKEY DANDER ASTHMA, R. Retry, M.D,, M. Voss, M.D., L. Kroutil, B.S., R. Bush, M,D, and W:.,