Pleomorphic Nature of Morgellons - new article

[Sadsack]

Articles of Health: The Pleomorphic Nature of Morgellons Syndrome

The Pleomorphic Nature of Morgellons Syndrome

We report a possible basis of differentiation, based on the biophysical properties of fibers isolated from a Morgellons patient, as well as a future avenue of study for isolating the cause of Morgellons.
II. Discussion
A: Fiber Analysis
Fibers, upon inspection, were found to be fluorescent. The pictures (Figure 1A, 1B) show both a fiber and a hair sample from the same patient observed under white light and a Hofstead filter (with 365 excitiation). The fibers were visualized in scintillation vials with a Innotech detector, showing fluorescence with both a Hofstead filter (460 nm)and a green fluorescent filter (SYBR Green, 557 nm) upon excitation at both 305 and 365 nm. The fluorescence ceased after the illumination was extinquished. A single fiber is shown in Figure 1C.
The fiber shown in 1C was examined via SEM Microscopy at the University of Northern Arizona, with no additional modifications or treatments. SEM analysis demonstrated that the fiber appeared to be a normal hair follicle with scales (Figure 2A) and a typical root terminus (Figure 2B). The absence of a smooth surface denotes that the fiber does not seem to be coated with a protein monolayer.
In order to quantify the nature of the fluorescence, a cluster of fibers placed in nanopure deionized water were observed via a Hitachi Fluorometer. When observing the fibers, a characteristic fluorescent pattern emerged. This fluorescence pattern would account for fluorescence seen in the published pictures at the Morgellons research foundation web site. A fluorescent factor (protein) was isolated as described below, and found to have a similar pattern of fluorescence. The cuvette alone did not fluoresce, but an equivalent protein concentration of BSA (bovine serum albumin) gave a fluorescence which differed distinctly from the fiber fluorescence (potentially eliminating bovine albumin as a protein identity). Figure 3 shows the fluorescence observed.
Figure 1A: Fiber (top) and hair (bottom) viewed with white light

Figure 1B: Fiber top) and hair (bottom ) viewed with Hofstead filter (360 excitation with transilluminator)

Figure

Figure 1C: Single Fiber viewed with Hofstead filter and 360 excitation




Figure 2A: SEM of fiber body




Continued on page 2.....

[Sadsack]

Figure 2B: SEM of fiber root



Figure 3: (click here for the Fluorescence part of the report)

B. Fiber protein composition
Fibers from a patient with Morgellons Syndrome resisted dissolution in 6 M guandidine HCL, 6 M urea, and Trizol (Sigma) reagent. Fibers were ground in a mortar and pestle and resuspended in 2X SDS Buffer, and run on a 4-20% Tris Glycine Gel. Gel was coomassie stained and destained as described in Mantiatis (199. 30 kDa, 60 kDa, protein bands were observed. (Figure 4, Lane 5). The predominant band was identified (from gel excision and in gel digest/nanoHPLC/MS at the University of Arizona Proteonomics Laboratory) as human serum albumin and cytoskeletal keratin II (67 kDa) with significant peptide fragment coverage over both protein sequences.
The fluorescent factor was isolated as a soluble component, and demonstrated to be a molecule of molecular weight greater than 10 kDa (through both dialysis and ultrafiltrations in Amicon Ultra 15 devices). (Isolation was simple: The gel running buffer in which the above protein samples were run in were found to be fluorescent. Incidently, the addition of GHCl to the SDS samples served to precipitate protein into a fibrillar format Buffer was filtered and purified via a C18 column (Waters C18 Sep-Pak)
Both a UV-Vis spectra of the buffer containing the fluorescent factor and a positive Bradford assay result confirmed that the fluorescent factor contained a protein component. Gel analysis of the fluorescent factor protein component demonstrated a protein with a molecular weight of 30 kDa, also found in the analysis of the entire fiber.
Interestingly enough, a similar nano-HPLC/MS analysis of this 30 kDa protein produced no human protein peak comparisons, and only single peptide fragments potentially corresponding to the following proteins (with approximate molecular weights corresponding to 30-40 kDa) were identified (Table 1). It may be noteworthy that the U/Az facility could not purify the protein using conventional methods from the buffer. Reportedly, a black tar-like oil precipitated under their assay conditions. This may denote other molecules that were potentially present in the buffer, originating from the fiber protein mixture.
Table 1: Peptide Fragment Listing for 30 kDa fluorescence associated protein

gi|225632m(casein alpha S1) bovine origin
gi|56477959m(probable iron-sulfur 4Fe-4S ferredoxin protein [Azoarcus sp. EbN1]_gi|56314002|emb|CAI08647.1| probable iron-sulfur 4Fe-4S ferredoxin protein [Azoarcus sp. EbN1])
gi|55420470probable alkene monooxygenase reductase [Nocardioides sp. JS614]
gi|34102607conserved hypothetical protein [Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472]_gi|34496752|ref|NP_900967.1| hypothetical protein CV1297 [Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472]
gi|68351715hypothetical protein TP02_0195 [Theileria parva]
gi|53689178COG0458: Carbamoylphosphate synthase large subunit (split gene in MJ) [Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides ATCC 8293]



___III. Future direction:
The fluorescent factor protein was purified via C18 Sep-Pak chromatography, eluted with methanol/water (50:50) and rotary evaporated to dryness. The resultant powder should be sent to OSU Stillwater’s Proteonomic facility for MALDI-TOF and Edmund sequence analysis. MALDI-TOF will allow the identification of the exact mass of one (or several) proteins in the mixture, whereas Edmund sequence analysis will yield the first fifteen amino acids present in the protein sequence, allowing for either confirmation of the prior nano-HPLC/MS results or bioinformatics searches to obtain the protein identity. As of now, the samples have been sent to Dr. Wymore, due to complications with communicating with the Stillwater facility. Currently, this protein identity is unknown.
The fluorescence (associated with fibers), isolated to a protein composition, may be a unique feature to Morgellons patetients. The establishment of a diagnostic biochemical characteristic to Morgellons would greatly assist clinical practicioners in distinguishing between Morgellons and Delusional Parasitosis. Accordingly, it may be of significant interest to screen a wide variety of fibers from Morgellons patients for fluorescence, in order to establish this as a feature common to many patients. Similarly, it may be of interest to survey textile and cellulose fibers for fluorescence, in order to establish the fluorescent fiber hallmark as a unique, non-commerical, non-man-made entity. Further protein analysis of the fluorescent factor may yield clues to the infectious agent idenitity, as the protein does not, in this single sample, correspond to any potential human gene or protein product.
The techniques described here could also be applied to another physical manifestation of Morgellons: the emergence of black “specks” from the skin. A similar protein biochemical analysis of the specks may prove revealing in identifying the entity responsible for Morgellons.
Regardless, it must be emphasized that this is the sum result of a single patient with Morgellons, and thus not statistically accurate/valid as a potential portrayal of the Morgellons condition. Multiple analyses need to be conducted on multiple fibers from multiple patients, before this information should be scientifically reported.

Posted by Robert O. Young D.Sc., Ph.D., NMD at 6:09 PM

SS

[Sadsack]

Honestly, I don't understand this article except in a very superficial way. I doubt that anyone here could, either, but it is good to know that Dr. Young is another one doing sophisticated research. He turned over the remains to Dr. Wymore to continue working on them.

SS

[Venetia]

That is Robert Smith's work- just without the credit to RS on that link....

That is what I have been discecting for the past months....

I can't see that Dr Young added anything aside from a little verbage and the heading
"Pleomorphic Nature of Morgellons" to Robert Smiths' work.

I know that others have posted about Robert Young on the forums- I'll have to see who/when...



Below- Dr Youngs' links- he sells a variety of products and services:


About Us



"Dr. Young may be on the threshold of a new biology, whose principle—if proven—could revolutionize the biology and medicine worlds." Neil Solomon, M.D., Ph.D. Former Head of Research for John Hopkins University.

Over the past two and a half decades, Robert O. Young has been widely recognized as one of the top research scientists in the world. Throughout his career, his research has been focused at the cellular level. Having a specialty in cellular nutrition, Dr. Young has devoted his life to researching the true causes of "disease," subsequently developing "The New Biology™" to help people balance their life.



pH Miracle Living - Starter Packs

Sells his Miracle Water here- only $48.00- it is on sale for 1/2 price- right now! Usual price- double the $$$
but I don't know how much water you get for the $$$

OR

You can go to his 1 day health and Fitness Retreat- Fountain of Youth as he calls it

IN Westport, CONNECTICUT!!! $400.00 per day-

pH Miracle Living - pH Miracle Retreat - Connecticut 12/06/09


He authors and sells books here

http://www.innerlightinc.com/DrYoung.aspx?ID=2

More stuff:

That is Robert Smith's work- just without the credit to RS on that link....

That is what I have been discecting for the past months....

I can't see that Dr Young added anything aside from a little verbage and the heading
"Pleomorphic Nature of Morgellons" to Robert Smiths' work.

((Pleomorphism is the occurrence of two or more structural forms during a life cycle, especially of certain plants.))

Guess he thinks there is a plant growth/life cycle - as relates to Morgellons?

I know that others have posted about Robert Young on the forums- I'll have to see who/when...



Below- Dr Youngs' links- he sells a variety of products and services:


About Us



"Dr. Young may be on the threshold of a new biology, whose principle—if proven—could revolutionize the biology and medicine worlds." Neil Solomon, M.D., Ph.D. Former Head of Research for John Hopkins University.

Over the past two and a half decades, Robert O. Young has been widely recognized as one of the top research scientists in the world. Throughout his career, his research has been focused at the cellular level. Having a specialty in cellular nutrition, Dr. Young has devoted his life to researching the true causes of "disease," subsequently developing "The New Biology™" to help people balance their life.



pH Miracle Living - Starter Packs

Sells his Miracle Water here- only $48.00- it is on sale for 1/2 price- right now! Usual price- double the $$$
but I don't know how much water you get for the $$$

OR

You can go to his 1 day health and Fitness Retreat- Fountain of Youth as he calls it

IN Westport, CONNECTICUT!!! $400.00 per day-

pH Miracle Living - pH Miracle Retreat - Connecticut 12/06/09


He authors and sells books here

http://www.innerlightinc.com/DrYoung.aspx?ID=2


More stuff:

pH Miracle Living - Alkaline Water and Ionizers

[Sadsack]

You're kidding!!! Without giving attribution to the real scientist? What a turd! Guess I'll be adding some comments to his blog!

SS

[Sadsack]

I thought that part about problems with Stillwater and sending the samples to Wymore was familiar. The title and "re-packaging" threw me.

I don't spend much time reading things that are over my head. Although I understand a bit of these things, it's not nearly enough to do it justice.

Guess I'll be "commenting" on his blog...maybe others should, too.

SS

[Kritters]

I hope we can get to the bottom of this, because I was one who posted about Dr. Young last year or so. He sells Supergreens and the pH balance I used to take. I watched his videos and was impressed with his knowledge and conclusions. He stresses that all disease is from an acidic internal environment. What he said made much sense to me and still does. I had read the ingredients of his pH balancing liquid and saw it was mostly hydrogen peroxide and that's when I began using that instead of purchasing his very expensive solution to take. Then from there I researched and learned about the benefits of taking H2O2 for good health and still put it in my drinking water often. So if he is a charlatan, I'd be very interested to know.

Kritts

[Sadsack]

Kritters -

A lot of people praise him and follow his advice!

I will look more deeply into it, too, before I go off on him. I suppose his defense is that he never said that it was HIS work - but he never said that it wasn't, either. Without attributing it, he is implying that it is his and that is plagiarism!

SS

[Venetia]

I wouldn't go off on Dr Young, SS. What's the point?

It's like when you go to the store to return defective merchandise you purchased- those in Customer Service really could care less- they just want to do whatever it takes to get you to move on.

Now with an business owner- they take a bit more time to pacify because their name/integrity is on the line but it's the same as above. They only want to tell you what you want/need to hear in order to make you 1) go away, 2) shut up and go away. They are business owners- they have to have tough skin. Just the other day I read on the Science Blog- one of the DOCTORS said to a poster- "life is tough- wear a helmet". Touching. What a bedside manner, eh?

- Save your energy for something important.

I didn't read your reference to Dr Young, Kritters- I've only been reading/posting on this link for 6-8 months- prior to that just every once in a while (reading posts).

Think it was LB- where I read about him? Not sure.

In any case, it rots my socks that those helping people- those with credentials that is- charge an arm and a leg for the products/services.

One such person comes to mind- and I would not doubt that he knows exactly what Morgellons is all about- sells books, services, products for big $$$. I have not yet noticed where he made the announcement "Morgellons is this or that" but he claims expertise in all the Lyme and Lyme co-infections as well as mold and even cancer. Very active in the 'community'.

The sad part of that is that those sort of doctors or other 'professionals' read these forums- know the symptoms- know the side effects of drugs/meds used- know what works- what doesn't work - so they have a heads up. I wouldn't doubt if they have paid 'posters' to pose as sufferers to glean more info via PM's or email or even phone calls.

Then they craft a link and sell the info back to us - usually using our posts verbatim as a draw. I've seen it done many times over the past 9 years.

One group that I know of- has a family team- and they are teamed up with yet another group. That is the way of the web- groups. That way they can link their website up more easily and also gain a higher rating on Google much faster. The particular group I'm thinking of sent the daughters (2) through an online school. One is a Master Herbalist and the other earned a 'Doctor' of Naturopathy- and calls herself a doctor on the family link.

And they consider themselves experts in the area of Lyme and Morgellons.

Yup. You couldn't make this stuff up.

[Sadsack]

This is the beginning of Dr. Young's blog (introduction):

Articles of Health

Articles of Health are the writings of Robert O. Young D.Sc., Ph.D.,

I'm sorry - Dr. Young is not "the clerk" or even a "business owner". He is portraying himself as a scientist who conducted this research and wrote it up. He is a fake, and he should be held accountable for it.

Plagiarism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Plagiarism, as defined in the 1995 Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary, is the "use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work."[1] Within academia, plagiarism by students, professors, or researchers is considered academic dishonesty or academic fraud and offenders are subject to academic censure, up to and including expulsion"

I think it is just as important to expose things like this as it is to copy and paste reams of research that no one understands anyway.

SS