A central problem in cellular immunology is the elucidation of the nature of the antigen receptor molecules on the surface of thymus-dependent lymphocytes (T cells). Antigen receptors on thymus-independent lymphocytes (B cel|s) are readily detectable and have been identified as being mainly monomeric IgM molecules (1-6). However direct attempts to demonstrate immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules on th...

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, a family of differentially spliced proteins produced by glomerular podocytes, maintains glomerular filtration barrier function. The expression of VEGF molecules is altered in human nephropathy. We aimed to determine the roles of the angiogenic VEGF(164) isoform, and the antiangiogenic VEGF(165)b isoform in mature, adult glomeruli in vivo using condit...

PURPOSE This study investigated the long-term efficacy, safety, and compliance associated with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis sensitized to house dust mites. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 164 patients who were sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae and who received SLIT were enrolled betwe...

PURPOSE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces angiogenesis and vascular permeability and is thought to be operative in several ocular vascular diseases. The VEGF isoforms are highly conserved among species; however, little is known about their differential biological functions in adult tissue. In the current study, the inflammatory potential of two prevalent VEGF isoform splice vari...

BACKGROUND Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is increasingly accepted in clinical settings for diagnostic imaging of focal liver lesions (FLLs). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of CEUS in the characterization of FLLs in comparison with final diagnosis based on gold standard assessment. METHODS The study was approved by the local ethics committee and participating patients provi...

The role of the monocyte cytotoxic factor (CF) in cytolysis of untreated and actinomycin D (Act D)-treated WEHI 164 cells by freshly isolated human adherent mononuclear cells has been investigated in this study. Murine WEHI 164 cells were used as target cells because of their sensitivity to lysis mediated by monocytes and their resistance to natural killer cells. Monocytes as well as monocyte s...

The role of the monocyte cytotoxic factor (CF) in cytolysis of untreated and actinomycin D (Act D)-treated WEHI 164 cells by freshly isolated human adherent mononuclear cells has been investigated in this study. Murine WEHI 164 cells were used as target cells because of their sensitivity to lysis mediated by monocytes and their resistance to natural killer cells. Monocytes as well as monocyte s...

between the two spaces when water diffuses freely across the membrane. The predominant solute of the extracellular space is sodium. Various disease states may alter water balance and lead to abnormally high or low sodium levels that may result in significant disability or death from either the causative disease, the direct effects of the sodium concentration, or the ill effects of inappropriate...

The authors examined 13 skilled and 12 novice tennis performers’ ability to use visual information of an opponent’s movement pattern to anticipate and respond. In Experiment 1, skilled and novice players anticipated the type of stroke and the direction in which the ball was hit in a highly coupled perception–action environment. Both groups of players correctly anticipated at greater than chance...