Providencia stuartii genes activated by cell-to-cell signaling and identification of a gene required for production or activity of an extracellular factor

By utilizing reporter transposons, five Providencia stuartii genes that are activated by the accumulation of self-produced extracellular signals have been identified. These genes have been designated cma for conditioned medium activated. The presence of conditioned medium from stationary-phase cultures grown in rich media resulted in the premature activation of each gene in cells at early log phase, with activation values ranging from 6- to 26-fold. Preparation of conditioned medium from an M9 salts medium and fractionation by gel filtration chromatography resulted in fractions within the included volume which activated three of the cma fusions. In addition, depending on the reporter fusion, peak activity was found in different fractions. The partially purified factors activated in a dose-dependent manner. Characterization of the factors activating the cma fusions indicated that they were stable to heat, alkali, and acid. Furthermore, for each cma fusion, factor activity was not reproduced by the addition of homoserine lactone, homocysteine thiolactone, pyruvate, Casamino Acids, or alpha-ketoglutarate. The identities of three cma genes have been determined and revealed physiological roles in amino acid biosynthesis and nutrient import. To begin to address the pathways for production of or response to the extracellular factors, we have identified a locus, aarA, that is required for the activation of four cma fusions. The AarA product was required for factor activity in extracellular supernatants, indicating a possible role in biosynthesis or export.

Melanocortin 1 receptor variants in an Irish population

The identification of an association between variants in the human melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene and red hair and fair skin, as well as the relation between variants of this gene and coat color in animals, suggests that the MC1R is an integral control point in the normal pigmentation phenotype. In order to further define the contribution of MC1R variants to pigmentation in a normal population, we have looked for alterations in this gene in series of individuals from a general Irish population, in whom there is a preponderance of individuals with fair skin type. Seventy-five per cent contained a variant in the MC1R gene, with 30% containing two variants. The Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp, and Asp294His variants were significantly associated with red hair (p = 0.0015, p < 0.001, and p < 0.005, respectively). Importantly, no individuals harboring two of these three variants did not have red hair, although some red-haired individuals only showed one alteration. The same three variants were also over-represented in individuals with light skin type as assessed using a modified Fitzpatrick scale. Despite these associations many subjects with dark hair/darker skin type harbored MC1R variants, but there was no evidence of any particular association of variants with the darker phenotype. The Asp294His variant was similarly associated with red hair in a Dutch population, but was infrequent in red-headed subjects from Sweden. The Asp294His variant was also significantly associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer in a U.K. population. The results show that the Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp, and Asp294His variants are of key significance in determining the pigmentary phenotype and response to ultraviolet radiation, and suggest that in many cases the red-haired component and in some cases fair skin type are inherited as a Mendelian recessive.

The impact of health on retirement behaviour: empirical evidence from West Germany

In this paper, the relative importance of an individual's health status on retirement behaviour is analysed within the framework of a structural, discrete-time hazard rate model which is estimated using a balanced panel of elderly West German men. The results obtained reveal that the presence of chronic complaints or disability have a significant positive impact on the probability of early retirement. Moreover, the relative intensity of the individual preference for leisure appears to be, ceteris paribus, below average among public sector employees. Education, too, is shown to exert considerable influence on retirement behaviour, but the relationship between an individual's educational status and the probability of early retirement appears to be rather complex. A policy-related simulation experiment based on the estimates is carried out in order to assess the effects of changes in the incentive structure of the existing pension scheme.

Long-term survival and complications in patients with malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias: treatment with a nonthoracotomy implantable cardioverter defibrillator with or without a subcutaneous patch

The Endotak lead system and ICD has been used to treat patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of 1,053 patients who underwent implantation of the Endotak lead system with or without a subcutaneous patch. Group A consisted of 567 patients receiving the Endotak lead with a subcutaneous patch; group B consisted of 486 patients receiving the Endotak lead alone. The 2-year survivals from sudden death, cardiac death, and total death in groups A and B were 97.6%/98.2% (P = 0.38), 88.6%/92.7% (P = 0.09), and 84.7%/86.8% (P = 0.06), respectively. Minimum tested effective defibrillation energy at implantation was 17.2 +/- 5.2 J for group A and 15.8 +/- 5.1 J for group B (P < 0.01). The operative mortality was 1.8% in group A and 0.6% in group B (P = 0.09). The incidence of lead dislodgment, malfunction, and infection was 6.7% for group A and 3.5% for group B (P < 0.01). Sudden death survival was excellent in both groups with less lead complications in group B. The Endotak lead alone may be the preferred choice of lead configuration in those patients who have adequate defibrillation thresholds at implant.

The pension incentive to retire: empirical evidence for West Germany

"In this paper, the impact of the West German pension system on the retirement decisions of elderly citizens is analyzed within the framework of a discrete-time hazard rate model deduced from a micro-economic decision rule. The model is estimated using a panel dataset of elderly West German citizens. In order to improve the precision of the estimates obtained, the data from the sample are combined with aggregate-level information on the labour force participation behaviour of the elderly. Policy simulations based on the estimates reveal that the probability of early retirement can be reduced significantly by appropriate changes in the pension system."

Escalating paclitaxel doses combined with carboplatin/etoposide and thoracic radiotherapy as preoperative or definitive treatment for stage III non-small cell lung cancer

We have evaluated escalating doses of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) in combination with carboplatin, cisplatin, etoposide, and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Dose-limiting toxicity was observed at paclitaxel 90 mg/m2. Subsequent modifications resulted in a new regimen, which consists of a 3-hour paclitaxel infusion on day 1 (three dose levels: 80, 100, and 120 mg/m2), etoposide 40 mg/m2 intravenously over 1 hour daily on days 2 to 5, and carboplatin given at an area under the concentration-time curve of 4 mg/mL x min on day 1 after paclitaxel. Treatment courses were repeated every 28 days. Eleven patients considered eligible for surgery received two courses. Nonsurgical patients (five) received three courses. No episodes of grade > or = 3 nausea and vomiting, dermatitis, anorexia, esophagitis, or thrombocytopenia were observed. The dose-limiting toxicity (grade 4 granulocytopenia) occurred in three of five patients at 120 mg/m2 paclitaxel (level 3). Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis was observed in three patients. Nine patients have undergone pulmonary resection: four pneumonectomies, four lobectomies, and one segmental resection. No operative deaths, respiratory insufficiency, or cardiovascular complications were observed. Clinical partial remissions have been observed in 11 of 16 patients overall, and two histologic complete remissions were achieved in nine surgical patients. Our preliminary results show that pulmonary resection is feasible following treatment with radiation and concurrent paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy. Although the maximum tolerated paclitaxel dose in the present study was relatively low, favorable initial responses warrant further study of paclitaxel-containing combination chemotherapy and concurrent radiation. We next plan to delete etoposide from our chemoradiotherapy regimen and escalate the paclitaxel dose.

Identification of a polymorphic nucleotide in oxyR specific for Mycobacterium bovis

Automated sequence analysis of a 410-bp region of the axyR gene in 105 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates identified a polymorphic nucleotide that differentiated Mycobacterium bovis isolates from other complex members. All 29 M. bovis isolates sequenced had an adenine residue at nucleotide 285, whereas all 76 other complex isolates had a guanine residue. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of oxyR with restriction endonuclease AluI in an additional 255 complex isolates from widespread intercontinental sources confirmed and extended the unique association of adenine at position 285 with M. bovis isolates.

Studies on the constituents of the leaves of Nerium oleander on behavior pattern in mice

Fresh, undried and uncrushed leaves of Nerium oleander were subjected to methanol extraction and bioassay directed fractionation. This led to the isolation of two purified fractions namely, B-1 and B-3. Fractions B-1 and B-3 were studied with respect to their actions on the central nervous system and behavior pattern in mice. Both fractions were found to produce reduction in locomotor activity, rota rod performance and potentiation of hexobarbital sleeping time. These fractions also showed analgesic activity. When tested against picrotoxin induced convulsions fraction B-1 showed 40% protection, while fraction B-3 exhibited 60% protection against bicuculline induced convulsions. These findings suggest that both fractions possess a CNS depressant action.

Isolation and characterization of Cajanus cajan lectin

Cajanus cajan lectin was isolated by ammonium sulfate fractionation and affinity chromatography on an IgM-Sepharose 6B column. Gel filtration and SDS-PAGE showed size homogeneity of the lectin. The lectin with M(r) 18,000 on SDS-PAGE had gel filtration behavior which was consistent with a molecular weight of 39 kDa and a Stokes radius of 2.74 nm. The results showed that the lectin is a dimer composed of identical subunits with N- and C-terminal residues of threonine and alanine, respectively. The glycoprotein lectin contained 3% concanavalin A-reactive neutral carbohydrates. Its amino acid composition is characterized by high contents of acidic amino acids. The number of tyrosine and tryptophan residues per mole of the lectin was determined to be 14 and 4, respectively, by spectrophotometry. Results on the effects of large numbers of saccharides on lectin-mediated hemagglutination and lectin-IgM precipitation showed that the C. cajan lectin was specific for mannose and glucose. A comparative study of the properties of C. cajan lectin and concanavalin A is also presented.

WEHI-13VAR: a stable and sensitive variant of WEHI 164 clone 13 fibrosarcoma for tumor necrosis factor bioassay

Bioassaying tumor necrosis factor (TNF) relies not only on a sensitive but also on a stable cell line towards TNF action. A variant of WEHI 164 clone 13, WEHI-13VAR, was characterized by us. This variant demonstrated both stability and high sensitivity towards rTNF-alpha or rTNF-beta when assayed in the presence of actinomycin-D (AcD). Fifteen subclones were generated from WEHI-13VAR (rTNF-alpha; ED50 range: 0.005-0.065 ng/ml). No clones were found more sensitive than the AcD-treated WEHI-13VAR cell line. An important feature of this line is its stable sensitivity. The stability of the cell line sensitivity towards rTNF-beta was demonstrated in the presence of AcD over a period of 16 months with an average ED50 of 0.046 +/- 0.004 ng/ml. In conclusion, unlike other TNF-sensitive cell lines in which the sensitivity is lost or the stability is unknown, WEHI-13VAR provides a sensitive, reliable and stable bioassay system to detect cytotoxin, TNF-alpha, and TNF-beta.

Enhanced interleukin 8 secretion in circulation of patients with Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD) has not yet been determined. Several hypotheses have been postulated and cytokines that control growth proliferation and hematopoiesis of progenitor cells play a role in relation to immune response and inflammatory dysfunction. We investigated whether cytokines play a role in pathogenesis of BD.

METHODS

We employed the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique, in which antibody is already coated on the microtiter plate standard and samples are pipetted into the wells. Antigen present is bound by immobilized antibody. After incubation and washing steps, conjugate, which is enzyme linked polyclonal antibody specific for the antigen is added to the wells. Following a wash to remove any unbound antibody enzyme reagent, a substrate solution is added to the wells, and color develops in proportion to the antigen bound in the initial steps, which can be read in terms of optical density present in the standards and in the samples.

RESULTS

Of a total of 53 samples with BD, 33 (64%) had detectable levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8). Levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon-gamma were not significantly elevated in patients with BD.

CONCLUSION

We found that IL-8 levels are higher in patients with active BD, and since IL-8 has a potent effect on the neutrophil, this cytokine most likely participates in the inflammatory response of this disease.

Fully acetylated carbamate and hypotensive thiocarbamate glycosides from Moringa oleifera

Six new and three synthetically known glycosides have been isolated from the leaves of Moringa oleifera, employing a bioassay-directed isolation method on the ethanolic extract. Most of these compounds, bearing thiocarbamate, carbamate or nitrile groups, are fully acetylated glycosides, which are very rare in nature. Elucidation of the structures was made using chemical and spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques. Thiocarbamates showed hypotensive activity.

Isolation and structure elucidation of new nitrile and mustard oil glycosides from Moringa oleifera and their effect on blood pressure

Bioassay-guided analysis of an EtOH extract of Moringa oleifera leaves showing hypotensive activity led to the isolation of two nitrile glycosides, niazirin [1] and niazirinin [2], and three mustard oil glycosides, 4-[(4'-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate [4], niaziminin A, and niaziminin B. Glycoside 2 is a new compound. Niaziminins A and B have previously been obtained from the left extract as a mixture, while compound 4 is new from this source. Structural determination was accomplished by means of spectroscopic methods including appropriate 2D nmr experiments and chemical reactions. This is the first report of the isolation of nitriles, an isothiocyanate, and thiocarbamates from the same plant species. Isothiocyanate 4 and the thiocarbamate glycosides niaziminin A and B showed hypotensive activity while nitrile glycosides 1 and 2 were found to be inactive in this regard.

In vitro studies of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of oxine and its derivatives

Twenty-one derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine, 8H, CAS 148-24-3) were prepared and characterized by UV, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy. Four of these derivatives, N-butyl, 8-butyloxyquinolinium bromide (HBD), 8-pentyloxyquinoline (HPEM), N-pentyl, 8-pentyloxyquinolinium bromide (HPED) and N-benzyl, 8-benzyloxy quinolinium chloride (HBED) are new and reported for the first time. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds was carried out in vitro against 11 Gram positive and 18 Gram negative bacteria, and 18 fungi including 9 dermatophytes, 7 other filamentous fungi and 2 Candida species. Three compounds namely, HPRD, HPED and HBED were found to possess significant antibacterial activity in order of HPED > HPRD > HBED, whereas 4 were found to possess significant antifungal activity in order of 8H > HT > HPEM > 8B.

Sterol and Fatty Acid compositions of a marine alga bryopsis pennata (bryopsidophyceae, chlorophyta)

The green alga Bryopsis pennata Lamouroux, collected from the coast of Karachi, has been investigated for its sterol and fatty acid compositions. Four sterols and 19 fatty acids have been isolated from methanolic extract of this alga and identified by (1)H-NMR, El- & GC-MS techniques. The sterol having cholesta skeleton was found as major constituent (78.12%), while other three with ergosta skeleton occurred in traces (5-9%). Seven saturated fatty acids were present in greater quantity (72.58%) than 12 unsaturated ones (27.41%). The latter included 7 monoenoic, 2 dicnoic, 2 trienoic and 1 pentaenoic adds. Tricosanoic acid was found in the highest amount (30.24%), cyclopentenyl undecanoic and heneicosapentaenoic acids were the unique and rare fatty acids detected.

Elevated pyrogenic cytokines in heatstroke

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Heatstroke, characterized by hyperthermia and neurologic abnormalities, can cause shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure culminating in death. The mediation of metabolic changes and tissue damage is not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests the involvement of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and we hypothesized that other pyrogenic cytokines may be implicated.

DESIGN

Prospective analysis.

SETTING

Heatstroke Center in Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

We measured plasma IL-1 beta, IL-6, and interferon gamma (INF-gamma) concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 28 heatstroke patients at the time of hospital admission (precooling) and after complete cooling (postcooling), and in 10 normal control subjects. We measured C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of acute phase response and calculated severity of illness using the simplified acute physiology score. Twenty-five male and 3 female subjects had mean (+/- SEM) rectal temperature of 41.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C. IL-6, IL-1 beta, and INF-gamma concentrations were elevated in 100 percent, 39 percent, and 50 percent of patients to (mean +/- SEM) 220 +/- 44 pg/ml, 42 +/- 14 pg/ml, and 1,180 +/- 879 pg/ml, respectively (normal control values: < 3.5 pg/ml, < 4.5 pg/ml, < 20 pg/ml). The CRP value was elevated in 72 percent of patients to 152 +/- 40 mg/L (control value: 0 to 17 mg/L). The IL-6 concentrations correlated with severity of illness (r = 0.516, p = 0.03); two patients with the highest concentrations died. There was no significant correlation between circulating levels of IL-6, IL-1 beta, INF-gamma, and temperature, or between IL-6, IL-1 beta, and CRP. Postcooling, IL-6, and IL-1 beta were still above normal control values; INF-gamma could be detected in one patient only.

CONCLUSION

Our findings of elevated circulating IL-6, IL-1 beta, and INF-gamma in the presence of acute phase response, and correlation with severity of illness, suggest that these cytokines have a role in the pathogenesis of heatstroke, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.

Synthesis of alkyl catechols and evaluation of their antibacterial and cyfotoxic activity

A series of potential biologically active mono-, di- and tetra- alkyl catechols were prepared through Friedel- Crafts alkylation of catechol, and evaluated for their antibacterial and cytotoxic activity. The mono-substituted alkyl derivatives showed maximum antibacterial activity in vitro which increased with the increasing length of the alkyl chains. Primary screening results indicated that all the monoalkyl derivatives except 4- (2-octyl) catechol inhibited the growth of B. bronchoseptica and maximum zones of inhibition were observed in case of monohexyl catechols (both n- and 2-hexyl) and monobenzyl derivative. In case of Gram-negative organisms growth of Kl. pneumoniae and A. calcoaceticus was inhibited by several derivatives. Mono-3-octyl-, monononyl- and monobenzyl catechols markedly inhibited the growth of Kl. pneumoniae. Mono-2-heptyl catechol inhibited the growth of six Gram-negative bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration of six most active compounds of the series was determined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms; it ranged from < 100 mug/ml to l0 mug/ml. The antibacterial activity of catechol was not significant. Cytotoxicity test done by brine shrimp assays showed that the order of cytotoxicity decreases in going from mono- to tetra- alkyl catechols, and among the mono- alkyl products, a decrease in order of cytotoxicity was noted in going from mono-methyl catechol (LD(50) = 59) to monopentyl catechol (LD(50) = 173) after which the order of cytotoxicity gradually increased upto the largest alkyl substituent tested i.e. monononyl catechol (LD(50) = 114). Methyl and ethyl catechol, which were almost inactive in respect of their antibacterial activity possessed prononounced cytotoxicity as compared to higher homologues. Catechol itself did not show significant cytotoxicity (LD(50) = 393.27).

Synthesis of 2β-Hydroxyursolic Acid and Other Ursane Analogs From Ursonic Acid

Synthesis of the natural product 2β-hydroxyursolic acid (6) has been achieved through reaction of ursonic acid (1) with SeO2, and subsequent stereospecific reduction of the 2,3-diketo derivative (3) and its tautomer diosphenol (4), with NaBH4 under mild reaction conditions. Several other analogues (2), (5), (7) and (8) of the ursane series have also been obtained during these reactions.

A sensitive fluorogenic enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of Vipera russelli venom

A highly sensitive fluorogenic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (FELISA) has been adapted for the detection of Vipera russelli venom. The assay sensitivity was observed to be 0.1 pg/ml (1 x 10(-13) g/ml). Venoms from snakes of the Vipera group exhibited a high degree of cross-reactivity when tested with the antibody raised against V. russelli venom. With the exception of venom from Naja naja, all the tested venoms from unrelated families also showed cross-reactivity. This procedure is useful for detecting snake venom or its components in biological samples.

Epidermoid cyst of the testicle in children

Epidermoid cyst of the testicle is rare in children and only four previous cases have been reported. We add two cases and discuss their presentation and management. Both children presented with solid testicular masses, one of which was asymptomatic and the other was painful. Physical examination and ultrasound could not differentiate between a benign and malignant process. One child underwent radical orchiectomy and one child underwent local excision alone. Both are free of disease at follow-up.

Tricyclic Diterpenes from the Stem Bark of Azadirachta indica

Two new diterpenoids, margosone and margosolone, have been isolated from the stem bark of AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. Juss (neem) and their structures established as 12,13-dihydroxy-14-isoporpylpodocarpa-8,11,13-trien-7-one and 13-hydroxy-12-methoxypodocarpa-8,11,13-trien-7-one, respectively, through chemical and spectroscopic studies.

Kanerocin: A New Triterpene from the Leaves of Nerium oleander

From the fresh, undried, and uncrushed leaves of NERIUM OLEANDER a new triterpenoid, kanerocin, has been isolated along with known ursolic and oleanolic acids and its structure established through chemical and spectroscopic methods as 3alpha-hydroxy-urs-18,20-dien-28-oic acid.

Non-terpenoidal constituents from Azadirachta indica

Studies on the acidic fraction of the fresh, uncrushed twigs of AZADIRACHTA INDICA JUSS (Meliaceae) (Neem) have resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of one new and three unreported isocoumarins along with two unreported coumarins. The petroleum ether extract of the fresh leaves yielded a hydrocarbon fraction, the GC-MS of which led to the identification of eight saturated hydrocarbons. Fatty acid compositions of leaves, twigs, and fruits of neem have also been determined.

Oleanderoic Acid and Oleanderen from the Leaves of Nerium oleander

A new labdane diterpene, oleanderoic acid and a new triterpene, oleanderen have been isolated from the fresh, undried and uncrushed leaves of NERIUM OLEANDER. Their structures have been established as 8alpha-methoxylabdan-18-oic acid, and 12-ursene, respectively, through chemical and spectral studies, including 2D-NMR (COSY-45, NOESY and 2D- J resolved) and (13)C-NMR data.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of enterokinase by rat liver. Preliminary characterisation of low-density endosomes

The endocytosis of enterokinase by rat hepatocytes has been studied both in a perfused liver system and in the intact, anaesthetised animal. 10 min after administration of the enzyme, only 70% of the activity was cleared by the perfused liver, whereas clearance was total in the intact animal. In both cases, about 85% of the internalised enzyme co-purified with the smooth microsomes and virtually all (more than 90%) of the catalytic activity was latent and could only be detected in the presence of detergent. After 10 min, 22.5% of the activity remained with the sinusoidal plasma membrane in the case of the perfused liver, while for the intact animal this figure was only 10%, confirming the more efficient clearance of enterokinase in the intact animal. Further subcellular fractionation showed that in the anaesthetised animal 8% of the internalised enzyme was associated with a low-density Golgi-like endosomal compartment (prepared from the mitochondrial pellet), whereas the corresponding value for the perfused liver was only 2.5%. Enterokinase specific activity was also up to 50-times greater in the low-density endosomes prepared from the intact animal. A second low-density Golgi-like compartment (purified from the smooth microsomes) also contained latent enterokinase, which together with the endosomes derived from the mitochondria accounted for 20% of the total enterokinase internalised by the liver 10 min after its administration to the intact animal. The passage of enterokinase through these two low-density compartments was shown not to be synchronous with its passage through the peripheral (sinusoidal membrane) and internal endosomes (smooth microsomes). There were qualitative differences in marker enzymes and polypeptide composition between the mitochondria and microsome-derived low-density endosomes. The sub-fractionation of low-density fractions on shallow sucrose gradients revealed a complex enzyme and polypeptide heterogeneity both between and within fractions. There was an apparent density-dependent separation of enterokinase from galactosyltransferase and the asialoglycoprotein receptor which was coincident with marked changes in the polypeptide composition of the endosomal membranes, particularly in the 30-45 kDa range.

Isolation and Structure of Neriucoumaric and Isoneriucoumaric Acids from the Leaves of Nerium oleander

Two new coumaryloxy triterpenoids, neriucoumaric and isoneriucoumaric acids, have been isolated from fresh, undried and uncrushed leaves of NERIUM OLEANDER and their structures established as 3beta-hydroxy-2alpha-cis- P-coumaryloxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid and 3beta-hydroxy-2alpha- TRANS- P-coumaryloxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid respectively, through chemical and spectroscopic methods.

Selective transcription and DNase I protection of the rat prolactin gene by GH3 pituitary cell-free extracts

Prolactin (PRL) is a member of the growth hormone gene family that is specifically expressed in the lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary. Whole cell extracts have been prepared from cultured GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells to study lactotroph-specific expression of the rat PRL (rPRL) gene in an in vitro transcription assay. The human alpha 1-globin and Rous sarcoma virus promoters efficiently initiate transcription in both HeLa and GH3 cell extracts, whereas the rPRL promoter containing 425 base pairs of 5' flanking DNA is active only in GH3 pituitary cell-free extracts. Transcription of the rPRL gene was reconstituted in HeLa cell extracts by the addition of GH3 cell extracts. DNase I digestion of the rPRL promoter reveals two protected regions centered at positions -55 (I) and -160 (III) that are GH3 cell-specific and rPRL promoter-selective. These "footprints" overlie a highly conserved 8-base-pair motif, CCTGATAATA. By contrast, footprint II at position -125 is common to both HeLa and GH3 cell extracts and overlies a 15-base-pair sequence found in all members of the growth hormone gene family. Thus, GH3 pituitary cell-free extracts selectively transcribe the rPRL gene and contain cell-specific factors that directly interact with the rPRL promoter. These studies provide useful assays to further identify, purify, and characterize pituitary-specific transcription factors and to address the biochemical mechanisms involved in rPRL gene expression.

A New Alkaloid Ajmalimine from the Roots of Rauwolfia serpentina

A new indole alkaloid ajmalimine has been isolated from the roots of RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA collected in Thailand. Its structure, 21-(trimethoxybenzoyl)-ajmaline, was established by spectroscopic and chemical means.

Isolation and Structure of Neriumol and Nerifol from the Leaves of Nerium odorum

From the fresh, undried, uncrushed leaves of NERIUM ODORUM, two hydroxy acid methyl esters, neriumol and nerifol, have been isolated and their structures established as methyl (7 S,16)-dihydroxyhexadeca-8 Z-enoate and methyl (8,16)-dihydroxyhexadecanoate, through chemical and spectroscopic methods.

Cardiac function in alcohol-associated systemic hypertension

The pathogenesis of alcohol cardiomyopathy is obscure. Because systemic hypertension is observed in one-third of alcoholics, the relation of this finding to left ventricular (LV) function was analyzed in 66 alcoholics (26 with a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg or higher) 4 to 5 days after alcohol withdrawal. Hypertensive alcoholics had a more abnormal ratio of preejection period/LV ejection time (PEP/ET) (0.398 +/- 0.01 vs 0.35 +/- 0.01, p less than 0.02) than normotensive alcoholics (matched normal 0.290 +/- 0.01). Hypertensive alcoholics (transitory hypertension) with blood pressures of 120/80 mm Hg or less at time of study also had more abnormal PEP/LVET than matched normotensive alcoholics (0.415 +/- 0.03 vs 0.331 +/- 0.01, p less than 0.05). In both hypertensive (77 +/- 6 dynes/cm2 X 10(3)) and normotensive alcoholics (67 +/- 4 dynes/cm2 X 10(3) LV stress was elevated (normal 46 +/- 3 dynes/cm2 X 10(3), both p less than 0.02). However, LV mass was not increased (hypertensive 96 +/- 4 g/m2; vs normotensive 100 +/- 4 g/m2; (normal 92 +/- 5 g/m2), resulting in a markedly increased stress to mass ratio (hypertensive 0.8 +/- 0.06; Normal 0.05 +/- 0.05, p less than 0.02). Hypertensive alcoholics also had LV "hyperfunction," with an increased stress/LV end-systolic volume ratio (1.7 +/- 0.1 vs 1.3 +/- 0.1 dynes/cm2 X 10(3)/ml, p less than 0.02). Thus, hypertensive alcoholics, even those with transitory hypertension, have more abnormal cardiac function than normotensive alcoholics. Presence of hypertension with hyperdynamic LV features may be a prelude to heart failure.

Studies in the Chemical Constituents of Azadirachta indica Part II: Isolation and Structure of the New Triterpenoid Azadirachtol

A new triterpenoid named azadirachtol ( 1) has been isolated from the fruits of AZADIRACHTA INDICA Juss. (neem) of which the structure is reported on the basis of chemical and spectral data. Azadirachtol appears to be the first apo-tirucallol (apo-euphol) derivative possessing an eight carbons side-chain with an oxygenated ring system isolated from neem. Moreover, it is the first instance of the isolation of an 11-hydroxy triterpenoid from any of the various parts of neem.