Phosphoprotein synthesis and secretion by odontoblasts in rat incisors as revealed by electron microscopic radioautography

The secretory pathway of dentin phosphoproteins in rat incisors was studied by electron microscopic radioautography after the injection of 3H-serine, and the results were compared with those using 3H-proline as a tracer. Five min after injection of 3H-serine, radioactivity was found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. At 10 min, silver grains were observed over the spherical portions of the cisface of the Golgi apparatus. At 20 min after injection, silver grains were seen over the cylindrical portions of the transface of the Golgi apparatus. The secretory granules showed the strongest reaction from 20 min to 1 hr. At 45 min, a significant labeled band appeared at the mineralization front. At 1 hr, the labeling at the mineralization front began to appear in the mineralized dentin, and after 12 hr this labeled band was located within the mineralized dentin. The pathway of 3H-proline was essentially the same as that of 3H-serine, but 3H-proline moved more slowly than 3H-serine, especially in transit from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Secretory granules were heavily labeled from 30 min to 1 hr after injection of 3H-proline; no labeling was found at the mineralization front at 45 min. The labeling seen initially over the predentin was over the mineralized dentin no earlier than 6 hr after injection. The labeling pattern with 3H-serine is closely related to the localization of phosphoproteins, whereas the pattern with 3H-proline reflects the production of collagen rather than of phosphoproteins. The present radioautographic results indicate that dentin phosphoproteins are related to secretory granules and are secreted by odontoblasts at the mineralization front and also that phosphoproteins are involved in the process of mineralization of the circumpulpal dentin.

Serum levels of pancreatic enzymes in lean and obese subjects

Serum amylase and trypsin, but not lipase, were significantly lower in obese subjects than in lean subjects. Serum amylase and trypsin, but not lipase, had significant inverse correlation with body weight. Low serum amylase was associated with low protein, fat and carbohydrate intakes per kg body weight, whereas low serum trypsin was associated with low carbohydrate intake per kg body weight. Low serum pancreatic enzymes readily increased with diet therapy. It is assumed that lowered serum pancreatic enzymes in obese subjects are somehow related to their diet intake. The mechanism through which pancreatic enzymes in the blood reflect the composition of food is unclear.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of trout arterial fibrils as elastic components

The trout arterial wall contains numerous extracellular fibrils that are presumed to be elastic. However, the cytochemical properties of the arterial fibrils have not been studied. Thus, we have ultrastructurally and cytochemically examined these fibrils, utilizing routine uranyl acetate and lead (UA-Pb) double staining, the tannic acid (pH 7.0)-uranyl acetate (TA-UA) method as an electron-dense staining for elastin, and Thiéry's periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method to localize vicinal glycol-containing complex carbohydrates. The arterial fibrils, about 23 nm in thickness, were interwoven at random but frequently showed the circular alignment to the long axis of the aorta. Occasionally they appeared to coalesce side by side, and the coalesced portion tended to lose its affinity for UA-Pb stains. The TA-UA method stained the fibrils moderately to intensely and stained the coalesced parts of the fibrils more intensely. All of those TA-UA positive fibrils were completely removed after elastase en bloc digestion. The PA-TCH-SP method did not stain the arterial fibrils but stained another kind of much thinner interfibrillar filamentous structure. These results suggest that the fibrils in the wall of trout ventral aorta are elastin in nature and do not contain vicinal glycols, although the fibrils usually exist in a fibrillar form, which is unlike mammalian amorphous elastin.

Black thyroid associated with minocycline therapy: histochemical and ultrastructural studies on the brown pigment

The brown pigment found in the black thyroid, associated with minocycline therapy, was studied histochemically and ultrastructurally. The brown pigment was Fontana-Masson silver-positive, and was negative for iron, for autofluorescence under uv illumination, for periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and for acid-fast iodine peroxidase (AFIP) lipofuscin, and was bleached with potassium permanganate. The light and electron microscopic studies suggested that the pigment resembled melanin. Although the mechanism of the pigment deposition is not clear, a possible explanation may be that the pigment is related to direct oxidative degradation products of minocycline.

Ultrastructure of extracellular polysaccharides produced by serotype c Streptococcus mutans

The ultrastructure of extracellular polysaccharides produced in colonies by two clinical isolates and that of a nitrosoguanidine-induced mutant of serotype c Streptococcus mutans with different polysaccharide-synthesizing abilities were compared electron-microscopically. A large amount of polysaccharide was produced from sucrose by colonies of typical serotype c strain MT8148R and a clinical variant MT6801R with an enhanced fructan-synthesizing ability. Transmission electron-microscopy (TEM) revealed that the polysaccharides consisted of three structural components, i.e., globular, single-stranded filamentous, and double-stranded fibrillar structures. These structures were ascribed to production of fructan, water-soluble glucan, and water-insoluble glucan, respectively. On the other hand, two kinds of structures, a globular body and an amorphous substance, were observed by scanning electron-microscopy (SEM). The former was composed of fructan, while the latter contained a mixture of water-soluble and water-insoluble glucans which formed filamentous and double-stranded fibrillar structures under TEM. Very small quantities of polysaccharides were formed in colonies of mutant NG7183, which was derived from S. mutans MT6801R. This strain was found to possess low glucan- and no fructan-synthesizing abilities. The polysaccharides produced in colonies of mutant NG7183 were composed only of filamentous and double-stranded fibrils under TEM. A small amount of amorphous substance was observed by SEM in colonies of NG7183.

Vascularization of the hypothalamo-hypophysial complex in Japanese elasmobranchs: a scanning electron microscope study of blood vascular casts

To study in detail vascularization in the hypothalamo-hypophysial complex in some Japanese elasmobranchs, injection casts of blood vessels were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Materials used were a gummy shark (Mustelus manazo), a cloudy dogfish (Scyliorhinus torazame) and a skate (Raja porosa). The vascular supply to the hypothalamo-hypophysial region of the elasmobranchs is carried out by the inferior hypothalamic arteries and their branches that originate from the internal carotid artery. In the gummy shark, a pair of inferior hypothalamic arteries send several branches to the median eminence running along the anterolateral sides of the distal adenohypophysis. These branches form the capillary plexus, displaying anastomosis and convolution at the ventral surface of the median eminence. The plexus assumes capillary glomeruli at the lateral region of the posterior median eminence. Numerous branches derived from the plexus are directed backward through the pars distalis, join with the capillary net work (which develop in the neuro-intermediate lobe) and are finally gathered together to form a thick hypophysial vein. The ventral lobe receives several arterial branches from the internal carotid arteries and carotid artery to form a unique vascular bed. Therefore, it is assumed that in elasmobranchs the hypothalamic control of the ventral lobe is weaker than that of adenohypophysial components.

The effect of elastase on chickens with endogenous hyperlipidemia

Elastase has been reported to have a multiplicity of activities which may be protective against atherosclerosis. The data reported here support those reports and show a clear antiatherosclerotic effect in hyperlipidemic chickens. We have shown here that a reduction in calcium and lipid accumulation in aortic tissue and possibly a plasma cholesterol lowering effect can be seen in the chicken when treated with elastase. The most important effect in this animal is probably to aid removal of lipid bound to elastin in the intima. This was achieved at a dose of only 600 U elastase while reductions in tissue calcium required 1800 U elastase.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of oxytalan fibres in monkey periodontal ligaments with the high iron diamine method

Monkey periodontal ligaments have been examined at the ultrastructural level to demonstrate the nature of reactive sites in oxytalan fibres. The high iron diamine (HID) and HID-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate methods specific for sulphate groups, with and without prior oxidation with monopersulphate, were used. Oxytalan fibres were composed of bundles of microfibrils with a diameter of 11.5 +/- 1.7 nm (mean +/- S.D., n = 50). In cross section the microfibrils were found to have a denser periphery, giving them a 'tubular' appearance. The oxytalan microfibrils of non-oxidized specimens showed little reactivity with either HID method, except that the extracellular matrix material in close association with collagen fibrils stained weakly; in oxidized specimens, both HID methods strongly stained oxytalan microfibrils and weakly stained the extracellular matrix material. Such reactivity of oxytalan microfibrils was not altered by digestion with testicular hyaluronidase or chondroitinase ABC, performed prior to or after persulphate oxidation. Further, the sequential thiosulphation and HID method for the demonstration of disulphide and sulphhydryl groups stained oxytalan fibres moderately. These results indicate that the oxidative generation of sulphate groups in oxytalan fibres may occur from either disulphide or sulphhydryl groups, or both, rather than the result of unmasking of sulphated glycosaminoglycans.

Effects of disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) on interleukin 1 production by macrophages

The effects of disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) on the in vitro functions of guinea pig macrophages were studied. A high dose (1 mg/ml) of EHDP inhibited interleukin 1 (IL 1) production by oil-induced peritoneal macrophages stimulated with muramyl dipeptide (MDP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol myristic acetate (PMA), heat-aggregated IgG2 or calcium ionophore A23187. On the other hand, low doses (less than 0.125 mg/ml) of EHDP augmented the MDP induced IL 1 production by macrophages. This biphasic effect was also observed when macrophages were exposed to EHDP at 37 C for 24 hr and then stimulated with IL 1 inducers. Superoxide anion generation induced by formyl peptide or PMA was not affected by preincubation of the macrophages with doses of EHDP up to 1 mg/ml. Adherence and spreading of macrophages was inhibited by EHDP in a dose dependent manner without affecting cell viability. These results demonstrated that EHDP acted on macrophages directly and modulated IL 1 production in vitro.

Prophage type of recombinants produced by cell fusion between various combinations of lysogenic or non-lysogenic substrains from two Staphylococcus aureus L-forms

Streptomycin (SM)- or erythromycin (EM)-resistant lysogenic and non-lysogenic substrains were produced from two Staphylococcus aureus L-form strains lysogenic for different prophages, namely, EMT-L (prophage alpha) and 209P (prophage beta). Cells of these L-form substrains were fused in various combinations using polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the frequency of recombinants selected as double resistance to both SM and EM and the prophage types of these recombinants were examined. In all the combinations, the frequency of recombinants was greater when the cells were treated with PEG than when they were not, and the difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) in 13 combinations. Combination between the lysogenic SM-resistant EMT-L substrain [EMT(Smr-alpha)] and lysogenic EM-resistant 209P-L substrain [209P(Emr-beta)] and the reverse combination, between 209P(Smr-beta) and EMT(Emr-alpha), resulted in a majority of recombinants harboring prophage beta. The former combination yielded recombinants that all held both prophage alpha and beta.

Effect of the composition of reversion medium on change of Staphylococcus aureus lysostaphin protoplasts to coccal forms and L-forms

The experimental conditions under which protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus strain MS353 (pCp) are converted to the coccal or L-form were investigated. Protoplasts prepared by treating coccal MS353 (pCp) strain with Lysostaphin formed various types of colonies (coccal form, L-form and mixed types) in about 50% yield when they were plated on reversion (R) medium consisting of 2% brain heart infusion, 0.5M sodium succinate, 0.01% bovine serum albumin, 20 mM MgCl2 and 0.6% agar. The L-form type colonies with a typical fried-egg appearance that developed on the R medium at an early stage gradually reverted to the coccal form through a mixed type stage in which a high density area first appeared in the periphery of the colony and then spread throughout the colony. The use of modified R medium without MgCl2 or R medium in which 0.5M sodium succinate as an osmotic stabilizer was replaced by 7.5% NaCl resulted in marked delay in the appearance of reverted cells. R medium without bovine serum albumin yielded atypical L-form type colonies, which contained masses of coccal cells with very irregular margins. On the other hand, R medium without MgCl2 but with penicillin G supported development of L-form type colonies at high rate (13-15%) from the inoculated protoplasts.

The fate of homologous nasal septal cartilages in tympanoplasty

We have used homologous nasal septal cartilage for tympanoplasty for the last 8 years and obtained satisfactory results. In order to demonstrate the fate of homograft cartilage implanted into the middle ear, mucopolysaccharides have been studied by means of enzyme digestion. The matrix of normal septal cartilage was divided into three regions: 1) pericellular region; chondroitin sulfate B, 2) distal interstitial region; hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfates, 3) peripheral interstitial region; collagen. In preserved cartilage, chondroitin sulfate B was lacked out, but hyaluronic acid and collagen remained intact though the amount of mucopolysaccharides diminished slightly when compared with normal septal cartilage. Homograft cartilages evidenced depletion of mucopolysaccharides. Homograft cartilages should be used for the purposes mentioned, though not as material for columella, nor for reconstruction of large bone defect.

Cell fusion between L-forms and protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus

Mixtures of various combinations of Lysostaphin protoplasts and stable L-forms of Staphylococcus aureus, which have different markers for drug resistance, were treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to examine the development of doubly resistant fusion products (fusants). To recover doubly resistant colonies as L-forms, they were incubated in 4.5% NaCl-brain heart infusion (BHI) broth containing penicillin G (PCG) for enrichment culture and cultured in PCG-4.5% NaCl-BHI agar medium (method 1), while to recover doubly resistant fusants as L-forms and coccal forms, they were grown on reversion medium (R medium) which causes reversion of protoplasts or fusants to parent type cells, and then cultured on assay media, i.e., R medium, BHI agar medium or PCG-4.5% NaCl-BHI agar medium (method 2). Under both experimental conditions, doubly resistant fusants developed as L-form cells by PEG treatment of pairs of protoplasts carrying the chloramphenicol (CP)-resistance plasmid and L-forms having chromosomal resistance to streptomycin (SM). In the reverse combinations, i.e., protoplasts showing chromosomal SM-resistance and L-form cells carrying the CP-resistance plasmid, the first method gave no doubly resistant colonies. By the second method, without enrichment culture on R medium, the latter combination gave doubly resistant fusants as L-form, coccal-type and mixed-type colonial forms, while when the PEG-treated mixture was enriched on R medium, fusants were obtained exclusively as the coccal type on either R medium or BHI agar assay medium. Neither of the methods yielded colonies of doubly resistant fusants on PEG-treatment of pairs of protoplasts and L-forms both of which were chromosomal, but with different drug resistances. These results show that PEG-induced cell fusion between protoplasts and L-forms of S. aureus, unlike the fusion between protoplasts or between L-forms, resulted in transfer of the drug resistance controlled by the plasmid to the fusion products. The fusants obtained were L-forms in method 1, and coccal type in the method 2.

Angiotoxicity in swine of a moderate excess of dietary vitamin D3

The effects of five different dietary levels of vitamin D3 on the coronary arteries of groups of 17-60 2-month old weanling Yorkshire swine were studied. Four groups were fed the following levels of vitamin D3 per ton of ration continuously for 4 months: group I--100,000 IU, group II--300,000 IU, group IV--2,000,000, and group V--4,000,000 IU. Swine in group III were fed the diet containing 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 per ton of ration for the first 2 months of the study after which they were fed a diet supplemented with 4,000,000 IU of vitamin D3 per ton of ration for the remaining 2 months of the study. The highest degree of intimal thickening of the coronary arteries was observed among group V. The thickened areas contained numerous lipid-containing cells and degenerate cells without stainable lipid. Electron microscopic examination revealed a greater frequency of degenerate cells without stainable lipid in the coronary arteries of groups III and IV than in groups I and II. These results suggest a possible link between excessive daily intake of vitamin D3 and the development of human coronary atherosclerosis.

Comparative study of the atherogenecity of dietary trans, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on swine coronary arteries

Three groups of two-month-old swine were fed on basal diets supplemented with either oleic acid-rich safflower oil, lard or hydrogenated soybean oil in order to monitor the atherogenecity of various dietary fatty acids. The level of plasma triglyceride was highest in the safflower oil group and the level of plasma cholesterol was highest in the lard group. The degree of intimal thickening of the coronary arteries was most severe in the safflower oil group and lease severe in the hydrogenated fat group. Both the lard- and safflower oil-supplemented groups displayed lipid-rich coronary arterial lesions. The thickened intima of these two groups contained numerous activated smooth muscle cells, degenerated cells with or without stainable lipid and abundant cell debris. Cellular changes were less conspicuous in the coronary arteries from the hydrogenated fat group than in those from the other two groups.

Coronary arterial lesions in piglets from sows fed moderate excesses of vitamin D

Ultrastructural studies were conducted on the coronary arteries of 6 week-old piglets from sows which received diets containing either 25 micrograms or 3.7 micrograms of vitamin D3 per pound of basal ration. The subendothelial space which was rich in mucopolysaccharide and newly formed tiny elastic fibers, contained numerous macrophages, some of which possessed lipid droplets. Degenerated smooth muscle cells with pyknotic nuclei or vesiculated organelles, and mitotic smooth muscle cells were occasionally seen in the coronary artery. Piglets from sows which were fed high doses of vitamin D had more degenerated smooth muscle cells without stainable lipid and lipid containing cells in their coronary arteries than piglets from sows which were fed low doses of vitamin D. These results suggested that an excess dietary intake of vitamin D by pregnant animals may have potential angiotoxic effects on the coronary arteries of their offsprings.

Ultrastructural visualization of elastic fibres with a tannate--metal salt method

A modification of the tannic acid-metal salt method was applied as an ultrastructural stain for elastin. Thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, embedded rat aorta and rabbit elastic cartilage, with and without osmication, were examined. Raising the pH of the tannic acid solution from 2.7 to 9.0 progressively increased the electron-density of elastic fibres and collagen fibrils in osmicated and unosmicated specimens. The maximum tannic acid staining of elastic fibres was observed in the pH range 7.0-9.0. Collagen staining, although less intense than that of elastic fibres, was also greatest in this pH range. Elastic fibres in osmicated specimens demonstrated the strongest tannic acid staining with a minimal increase in density of collagen and cell nuclei when compared to the unosmicated specimens. Sequential treatments of osmicated specimens with tannic acid pH 7.0-9.0, and uranyl acetate, pH 4.1, enhanced the density of the elastin intensely, increased collagen staining moderately, but hardly increased the density of nuclei and microfibrils. In elastase-digested osmicated specimens, all tannic acid (pH 7.0)-uranyl acetate-reactive elastin was selectively removed. These results demonstrate that all the neutral and alkaline tannic acid-uranyl acetate methods can be used as a postembedment stain for elastin specimens fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of oxytalan fibers in the periodontal ligament and microfibrils in the aorta with the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate method

Fullmer's oxytalan fibers are special connective tissue fibers in periodontal ligaments and some non-dental sites of certain animal species, and, ultrastructurally appear to resemble microfibrils related to elastogenesis. The present study has ultrastructurally examined the applicability of Thiéry's periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method for vicinal glycol-containing complex carbohydrates to the study of oxytalan fibers in rat periodontal ligaments and microfibrils of the tunica adventitia in the rat aorta, where microfibrils are often associated with amorphous elastin and are thought to be oxytalan fibers. In the periodontal ligaments, the PA-TCH-SP method weakly to moderately stained collagen fibrils, moderately stained thin fibrils composing the oxytalan fibers, and intensely stained cytoplasmic granules of fibroblasts. In the aortic adventitia, the PA-TCH-SP method moderately stained collagen fibrils. Heavier staining was observed in microfibrils, whereas the amorphous elastin lacked staining. The most intense staining was seen in cytoplasmic granules and glycogen of mural cells. These studies demonstrate that oxytalan fibers in the periodontal ligament of rats and microfibrils in the aorta of rats contain vicinal glycol-containing glycoproteins and the PA-TCH-SP method is a useful tool in ultrastructural studies of oxytalan fibers and microfibrils of rats.

Prostacyclin-independence in beta-adrenoceptor mediated renin release from dog renal cortical slices

There is some controversy regarding whether stimulation of renin release by the beta-adrenergic system is dependent on prostaglandin (PG) production. We have examined this problem in renal cortical slices of the dog and have obtained the following results: (1) Isoproterenol (4 X 10(-6) M) stimulated renin release, but had no effect on the formation of 6-keto PGF1 alpha, a stable metabolite of PGI2; (2) Indomethacin (2 X 10(-5) M) had no effect on isoproterenol stimulated renin release, but inhibited 6-keto PGF1 alpha formation; (3) Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10(-3) M) stimulated both renin release, and 6-keto PGF1 alpha release. Indomethacin (2 X 10(-5) M) did not inhibit dibutyryl cyclic AMP-stimulated renin release, but did inhibit the production of 6 keto PGF1 alpha. These results indicate that the beta-adrenoceptor mediated renin release does not depend on the formation of PGI2, but renin release is dependent on cyclic AMP formation.

Spontaneous aortic lesions in marine turtles

Marine turtles were found to have gross aortic aneurysmal dilations and multiple, raised grayish-white plaques which resembled both the aortic lesions of Marfan's syndrome in humans and those induced by chemical manipulation in animals. Smooth muscle cells in these aortic lesions displayed considerable functional as well as morphological similarity in their response to environmental injury in both turtles and humans.

Electron microscopic comparison of the tunica media of the thoracic aorta between species

Previous observations indicate that the tunica media of the thoracic aorta of chickens contains two populations of cells (smooth muscle cells and connective tissue cells), whereas that of the mammalian species only contains one cell type (smooth muscle cells). It was considered that this difference in chickens: a) might occur in other avian species; b) might be a common feature in other classes from phylum chordata which are inferior to mammalia; and c) might be a special adaptation for flying animals. In order to test these hypotheses, the cytology of the tunica media of thoracic aorta was studied in five mammals (human, pig, bat, rabbit, and rat), three avian species (chicken, turkey, and pigeon), one reptile (fresh water turtle), and one amphibian (frog). All animals exhibited smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the aorta, but only the avian species demonstrated the second major cell type (interlamellar connective tissue cells). In the avian aorta the tunica media was composed of alternating layers of smooth muscle cells and fibroblast-like connective tissue cells separated by thick elastic lamellae. It is concluded that the presence of connective tissue cells in the tunica media of the aorta may be a distinctive characteristic of birds.

Ultrastructural changes in the comb and aorta of chicks fed excess testosterone

The mode of cellular response to testosterone was monitored in the combs and aortas of chicks with the aid of an electron microscope. A 7-week treatment of 30 mg of testosterone per day had little effect on plasma lipid metabolism. However, this treatment resulted in the activation of fibroblasts in the comb, activation of fibroblast-like and smooth muscle cells in the aorta, and degeneration of smooth muscle cells in the aorta. A treatment of 150 mg of testosterone per day for 7 weeks induced hyperlipidemia and lipid-rich aortic lesions. The abdominal aorta had more activated and degenerated smooth muscle cells, with or without stainable lipid droplets, than the ascending aorta.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of proteoglycans associated with calcification of shark cartilage

Proteoglycans (PGs) as well as sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are closely associated with cartilage calcification. An inner zone of endoskeletal tesserae of sharks is composed of a unique calcified hyaline cartilage. Initial calcification can be seen in the cartilage close to the inner zone. We have ultrastructurally examined shark, Triakis scyllia, noncalcifying, calcifying, and calcified cartilage using the tannic acid-ferric chloride (TA-Fe), the high iron diamine (HID), and the HID-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) methods for localization of sulfated complex carbohydrates. In noncalcifying cartilage, TA-Fe and HID strongly stained matrix granules which were round, ovoid, elongated, or irregularly shaped and presumably represented PG monomers. The size and staining intensity of the reactive matrix granules progressively decreased in calcifying cartilage toward the calcification front of the calcified cartilage. Similarly, a progressive decrease in the size of the HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the matrix granules was observed in the calcifying cartilage close to the calcification front and was interpreted as a decrease in length of sulfate containing GAG chains. In the calcified cartilage, the highly calcified areas were often localized in the calcification front and contained few or no small HID-TCH-SP stain deposits, whereas the weakly calcified regions contained more stain deposits. These results indicate that partial and complete degradation of sulfated GAGs and/or PGs may be a requisite for calcification of shark cartilage.

Intergenus cell fusion between L-form cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli

Intergenus cell fusion of prokaryotic bacteria was demonstrated for the first time; namely, fusion products doubly resistant to streptomycin and tetracycline were produced by polyethylene glycol treatment of a mixture of the streptomycin-resistant L-form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and tetracycline-resistant L-form of Escherichia coli.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of complex carbohydrates in osteoblasts, osteoid, and bone matrix

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and glycoproteins are essential components for osteogenesis. We have examined rat osteoblasts, osteoid, transitional zone, and fully calcified bone matrix, utilizing Spicer's high-iron diaminethiocarbohydrazide-silver protein (HID-TCH-SP) method for sulfated glycoconjugates and Thiéry's periodate-TCH-SP (PA-TCH-SP) method for vicinal glycol-containing glycoconjugates. HID-TCH-SP stained cytoplasmic granules of osteoblasts. Stain deposits in the extracellular matrix were observed in decreasing amounts in osteoid, the transitional zone, and fully calcified bone matrix. Enzyme digestion with testicular hyaluronidase removed most HID-TCH-SP stain deposits. PA-TCH-SP staining was observed with increasing intensity in rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi saccules, and cytoplasmic granules. Collagen fibrils in osteoid were weakly stained with PA-TCH-SP, and their staining appeared even weaker in fully calcified bone matrix. In contrast, collagen fibrils in calcified cartilage stained intensely with the PA-TCH-SP method. Focal circular profiles (0.1-0.5 mumol in diameter), which lacked collagen fibrils but reacted moderately with PA-TCH-SP, were frequently seen in the transitional zone and fully calcified bone matrix, but were only occasionally present in osteoid. The presence of testicular hyaluronidase-resistant GAG and acid phosphatase in these focal areas suggests that they represent sites of GAG degradation. The eventual loss of HID-TCH-SP staining in the bone matrix suggests that removal of sulfated glycoconjugates may be a requisite for expansion of initial calcification sites and/or complete calcification.

Isolation of recombinants doubly and triply drug-resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol by PEG-induced cell fusion of singly resistant staphylococcus aureus L-forms

Various combinations of four substrains of Staphylococcus aureus L-form (strain STA-EMT-1), each of which was resistant to one of the following four drugs, streptomycin (SM), tetracycline (TC), chloramphenicol (CP) and erythromycin (EM), were submitted to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced cell fusion. PEG-induced cell fusion followed by enrichment culture in the liquid basal medium supplemented with penicillin G resulted in development of recombinants that were doubly drug-resistant to SM and TC, SM and CP, and TC and CP, but no recombinant doubly resistant to EM and TC, was obtained by treatment of a EM-resistant and TC-resistant substrains with PEG. No recombinants resistant to SM, CP and TC could be obtained by treatment of substrains resistant to SM, CP and TC, respectively, with PEG. But recombinants triply resistant to these three drugs were produced by two-step cell fusion; that is by fusion of a recombinant doubly resistant to two of the three drugs with a substrain resistant to the third drug.

Arc-fusion splicing of single-mode fibers. 2: A practical splice machine

A new splice machine for single-mode fiber has been developed. Alignment mechanisms are constructed for high-precision alignment of the core axis. Alignment precision of +/-0.1 microm is possible with a movable stroke of +/-10 microm, which enables low-loss splicing even for fibers with relatively large core eccentricity. An average 0.08-dB splice loss and 0.04-dB standard deviation were obtained in a laboratory experiment. A 76% splice loss probability of Delta0.1 dB was achieved. Effect of fiber end face inclination on splice loss was investigated experimentally and theoretically, and it was found that the experimental splice loss is explained by the loss due to end face inclination, core metamorphosis, and core axis misalignment.

Extracellular and intracellular digestion of complex carbohydrates by osteoclasts

The role of osteoclasts or chondroclasts in degradation and synthesis of complex carbohydrates was investigated using the high iron diamine-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate method (HID-TCH-SP) for sulfated glycoconjugates and the periodate-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method for vicinal glycol-containing glycoconjugates. HID-TCH-SP stained the calcified cartilage matrix, the osteoclast ruffled border, vacuoles and heterophagosomes but not the Golgi apparatus and primary lysosomes. The size and number of HID-TCH-SP stain deposits progressively decreased from the calcified cartilage matrix to the ruffled border (p less than 0.001). Enzyme digestion with testicular hyaluronidase removed most HID-TCH-SP stain deposits averaging 13 nm. in diameter in the extracellular matrix, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and heterophagosomes of osteoclasts. Only sparse stain deposits averaging 8 nm. in diameter and presumed to be keratan sulfate remained in these sites after enzyme digestion. Osteoclast heterophagosomes contained the highest concentration of hyaluronidase-resistant material suggesting delayed degradation of keratan sulfate at this site. PA-TCH-SP strongly stained collagen fibrils in the calcified cartilage matrix. Reactive collagen fibrils were also observed in extracellular channels but only rarely were identifiable collagen fibrils observed in cytoplasmic vacuoles. A progressive decrease in the diameter of PA-TCH-SP reactive collagen fibrils was observed between the calcified cartilage matrix and the ruffled border region (p less than 0.001). PA-TCH-SP stained cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi saccules, and primary lysosomes consistent with the synthesis and packaging of glycoprotein enzymes at these sites. These results indicate that the dissolution of sulfated glycoconjugates requires osteoclastic engulfment of degraded material and subsequent intracellular digestion, whereas the dissolution of collagen fibrils appears to be completed extracellularly.

Effect of physical training on exercise-induced sweating in women

The effect of physical training on the time course of sweat rate in women has been examined. Physically untrained and trained young female subjects pedaled a bicycle ergometer at work rates of 483 and 981 kgm.min-1, for 2 h in summer and winter in an ambient environment of 30 degrees C db and 60% rh. The trained women also worked at 1,070 kgm.min-1 and the untrained at 391 kgm.min-1. Rectal temperature was measured, and capsule sweat samples were collected from the back every 5 min. Sweating was initiated more rapidly in the trained group than in the untrained group. The trained group working at a load of 981 kgm.min-1 exhibited a progressive decrease in sweat rate. This was not observed at a work load of 483 kgm.min-1. Hidromeiosis was rarely seen in the untrained group. However, in the untrained women who underwent 60 days of physical training, initiation of sweating occurred more quickly and hidromeiosis was observed. It was concluded that previous physical training improved women's capacity for useful sweating during exercise in a hot environment.