Effect of lecithinized-superoxide dismutase on the interstitial pneumonia model induced by bleomycin in mice

Superoxide anion (O2-) acts as an exacerbation factor in interstitial pneumonia. Lecithinized-superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD), which is synthesized with a lecithin derivative bound covalently to recombinant human Cu,Zn-SOD, has a longer half-life in plasma and higher affinity to cell membranes than unmodified SOD. The effect of PC-SOD was evaluated using the bleomycin-induced interstitial pneumonia mouse model. Treatment with PC-SOD at 10 mg/kg significantly reduced the hydroxyproline content and fibrosis score. Namely, PC-SOD suppressed the progression of pulmonary fibrosis on the bleomycin-induced interstitial pneumonia mouse model. PC-SOD may be a potential drug for interstitial pneumonia therapy.

FMRF amide-like-immunoreactive primary sensory neurons in the olfactory system of the terrestrial mollusc, Limax marginatus

The distribution of FMRF amide-like immunoreactivity was investigated in the olfactory organs in the tentacle tip of the terrestrial slug, Limax marginatus. Approximately 0.7% of the neurons in the lobules of the tentacle ganglia demonstrated FMRF amide-like immunoreactivity. Most of the FMRF amide-like-immunoreactive somata lay at superficial positions within the lobules, and dendritic processes extended to the outer surface of the sensory epithelium, whereas the axons traveled toward the cerebral ganglion through the ventral part of the tentacle nerve. From their morphological features, FMRF amide-like-immunoreactive cells were considered to be primary sensory neurons.

Determination of the amount of native structural bacteriorhodopsin in purple membrane Langmuir-Blodgett films by a spectroscopic surface denaturation quantifying technique

Purple membrane (PM) shows denaturation when spread over an air/water interface. We established a technique, which we call the spectroscopic surface denaturation quantifying (SSDQ) technique, that uses infrared linear dichroism to determine the amount of native structural bacteriorhodopsin (BR) in PM Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. Using the SSDQ technique we found that the conformational change after surface denaturation of BR was the same as that caused by ethanol treatment. By extrapolating the data of the amount of non-denatured BR molecules in PM LB films vs. the area of a single BR molecule on an air/water interface, we also found that the surface area of a single non-denatured BR molecule was 11.5 nm2, which is consistent with that determined by high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy and electron diffraction (EMD). These results demonstrate that the SSDQ technique is effective in quantifying the amount of native structural BR in PM LB films. The SSDQ technique is also applicable to other types of protein consisting of alpha-helical conformation.

Effect of lecithinized-superoxide dismutase on the rat colitis model induced by dextran sulfate sodium

Lecithinized-superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD), which is synthesized with a lecithin derivative bound covalently to recombinant human Cu,Zn-SOD, has a longer half-life in blood and higher cell affinity than unmodified SOD. The effects of PC-SOD were evaluated using the rat ulcerative colitis model induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium. Intravenous injection of rats with 0.5 or 1 mg/kg of PC-SOD suppressed the progression of bloody stools, the formation of erosion, and the infiltration of the colon with inflammatory cells. Furthermore, it also reduced the increase of leukocytes in blood. Thus, PC-SOD may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Further classification of dysmotility-like dyspepsia by interdigestive gastroduodenal manometry and plasma motilin level

OBJECTIVE

To investigate interdigestive gastroduodenal motility with an infused catheter and measure plasma motilin levels in eight normal individuals and 18 patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All normal individuals had normal gastroduodenal interdigestive migrating complexes. Patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia were classified into three subgroups on the basis of gastric antral motility: 1) seven patients with normal interdigestive migrating complexes, 2) five patients without interdigestive migrating complexes and with gastric phase II predominant over phase I, and 3) six patients without interdigestive migrating complexes and with phase I predominance. The maximum and mean plasma motilin levels were significantly different in normal individuals from those in subgroup 3 (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dysmotility-like dyspepsia appears to be a heterogeneous condition. Abnormal motilin secretion may cause dysmotility in subgroup 3, but dyspepsia in subgroup 1 and the absence of interdigestive migrating complexes in subgroup 2 could not be explained only on this basis.

Crystallization of eukaryotic E3, lipoamide dehydrogenase, from yeast, for exhibiting X-ray diffraction beyond 2.5 A resolution, and preliminary structure analysis

Lipoamide dehydrogenase, which is a common component of alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes, has been highly purified from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to reveal its structure at higher resolution. New crystals obtained by a desalting method exhibited diffraction beyond 2.5 A resolution. The cell dimensions are a = 97.1, b = 158.7, and c = 67.9 A, and the space group is P2(1)2(1)2(1). There is a dimeric enzyme in the asymmetric unit. The crystal structure was solved by means of the molecular-replacement technique and refined in a preliminary manner.

Chemonucleolytic effects of chondroitinase ABC on normal rabbit intervertebral discs. Course of action up to 10 days postinjection and minimum effective dose

STUDY DESIGN

This study demonstrated the chemonucleolytic effects of chondroitinase ABC and its histologic and biochemical background.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the course of chondroitinase ABC action on normal rabbit discs, and to find its minimum effective dosage.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

No previous study has assessed the chemonucleolytic action of chondroitinase ABC in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This study also investigated the biochemical causes of radiologic and histologic changes in the discs.

METHODS

Rabbits were injected with 4 U of pharmaceutical-grade chondroitinase ABC intradiscally. They were radiologically and histologically observed, and biochemical analyses of the discs were conducted on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 postinjection in the time course study. Different doses of chondroitinase ABC were injected, and radiologic observations and water content of the discs were measured in the dose-finding study.

RESULTS

The time course study revealed that the chondroitin sulfate content of discs significantly decreased from day 1 postinjection until the end of the experimental period. The weight and water content of the nucleus pulposus decreased on day 3, and disc space narrowing was observed from the day after injection. The dose-finding study showed that a dose of 0.0002 U/disc still induced disc space narrowing and a decrease in water content.

CONCLUSIONS

Chondroitinase ABC is estimated to have a chemonucleolytic effect at least by day 3 postinjection at a dose level of 0.0002 U/disc or higher in rabbits.

[Clinical studies on azithromycin in pediatrics]

Fine granules or capsules of azithromycin (AZM) were given to 32 pediatric patients for the treatment of the following diseases: pharyngitis in three cases; tonsillitis in one; bronchitis in six; pneumonia in six; mycoplasmal pneumonia in 14; pertussis and enteritis in one, each. Effectiveness of AZM was evaluated in 30 cases and the drug was rated "excellent" in 18 patients, "good" in 11 and "fair" in one, resulting in a total efficacy rate of 96.7%. Three strains of bacteria were isolated from 3 patients as the causative organisms including: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae, from three different patients, respectively. One patient complained of mild diarrhea, another patient mild urticaria. Abnormal laboratory test results were reported as follows: one patient showed a slight decrease in leukocyte count, three patients showed slight increases in eosinophils, and one patient had slight elevations in GOT and GPT. The above results suggest that AZM is a useful antibiotic drug in the treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from the moderate facultative thermophile Bacillus coagulans

Three crystalline forms of 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from the moderate facultative thermophile Bacillus coagulans were obtained by hanging-drop vapor-diffusion methods. One of them, which had crystallized under slightly milder conditions than the others, was suitable for X-ray analysis. Its asymmetric unit contains one dimeric molecule and the solvent content is higher than in other protein crystals. The crystal structure was solved in a preliminary manner by the molecular-replacement technique.

D-type cyclin expression is decreased and p21 and p27 CDK inhibitor expression is increased when tsBN462 CCG1/TAFII250 mutant cells arrest in G1 at the restrictive temperature

BACKGROUND

The tsBN462 temperature-sensitive mutant hamster cell line exhibits cell cycle arrest and apoptosis at the restrictive temperature of 39.5 degrees C, due to a point mutation in the CCG1/TAFII250 gene, which encodes a component of the general transcription factor TFIID.

RESULTS

We now report that CCG1/TAFII250 persisted as a complex with TBP and associated proteins (TAFs) in tsBN462 cells at the restrictive temperature. FACScan analysis revealed that the tsBN462 mutation resulted in a failure to progress out of G0 into G1. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis we observed a decrease in the synthesis of several proteins, starting in the middle of the G1 phase, becoming very pronounced during late G1. The expression of the immediate early genes c-fos, c-jun and c-myc was normally induced by serum treatment of quiescent cells at the restrictive temperature, whereas expression of cyclins A, D1 and D3 was reduced. Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor proteins p21 and p27 was enhanced. Consistent with the decreased cyclin D and increased p21/p27 expression, we found that phosphorylation of Rb was decreased at 39.5 degrees C. Cyclin A-, E- and Cdk2-associated histone H1 kinase activity was reduced concomitantly with the increase in p21 protein.

CONCLUSION

Decreased cyclin/Cdk kinase activity and decreased Rb phosphorylation are possible causes of G1 cell cycle arrest in tsBN462 cells at the restrictive temperature.

Esophagocardioplasty for achalasia in closure of a complicated esophagobronchial fistula

We report a rare case of benign esophagobronchial fistula associated with achalasia. The fistula healed spontaneously after esophagocardioplasty with a gastric patch, suggesting the utility of this procedure.

Type II citrullinemia associated with neutropenia

A 37-year-old Japanese man was admitted with delirium and hyperammonemia. He was diagnosed as having type II citrullinemia because of an elevated citrulline level on amino acid analysis and very low hepatic argininosuccinate synthetase activity. He also showed a low neutrophil count and a low serum level of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Reduced production of this cytokine and/or impairment of its feedback regulation by the neutrophil count may have played a role in the neutropenia of this patient.