Lack of interference between IgA-binding proteins and IgA proteases of human pathogenic bacteria

Some human bacterial pathogens produce specific immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases that cleave the heavy chain of human IgA1, generating intact Fab and Fc fragments. Other pathogenic bacterial species express surface proteins which bind to the Fc part of human IgA in a non-immune manner. To analyse whether IgA-binding proteins affect the activity of IgA1 proteases, the ability of seven different IgA1 proteases to hydrolyse IgA1 in the presence of either of two different bacterial IgA-binding proteins was tested. Data obtained in two different types of experiment suggest that IgA1 bound to IgA-binding proteins still functions as a substrate for IgA1 proteases. As Fc fragments produced by cleaving IgA1 with IgA1 proteases still bind to IgA-binding proteins, we conclude that these two types of bacterial protein act independently of each other.

[Observation on activity of carbonic anhydrase in the vestibule of guinea pigs]

The localization of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in the inner ear vestibule of guinea pigs were studied by histochemistry and cytochemistry. We found that numerous enzymatic reaction products were localized in the sterecocilia, cuticles of hair cells, no reaction product was seen in their cell bodies; revealed reaction products in the cell membrane, microvilli, lateral infolding and basolateral infolding of the supporting cell, dark cell, transitional cell and wall cell. It is suggeated that the CA is a membrane-associated CA and the membrane-associated CA plays an important role in the homeistasis of the vestibule and otolithic metabolism.

Damage to rat spermatozoal DNA after chronic cyclophosphamide exposure

Treatment of male rats with low dosages of cyclophosphamide causes a dramatic increase in early embryo death among their progeny without significantly affecting the general health of the male. It is hypothesized that cyclophosphamide exerts its effects by targeting specific components of spermatozoal nuclei. The purpose of the present studies was to investigate the effects of chronic cyclophosphamide treatment on spermatozoal DNA. Two approaches were pursued. The first was to determine total DNA damage by using the alkaline elution method. The second was to study spermatozoal DNA template function by using an in vitro DNA synthesis system. Adult male rats were treated with saline or cyclophosphamide (6.1 mg/kg/day) daily for 1 or 6 wk. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were collected and subjected to alkaline elution using DNA-DNA dot hybridization to quantify the fractionated DNA. One week of treatment with cyclophosphamide caused DNA single strand breaks that could be detected only in the presence of proteinase K in the lysis solution; no DNA cross-links were observed in the animals that received 1-wk drug treatment. In contrast, 6 wk of treatment with cyclophosphamide induced a significant increase in both DNA single strand breaks and cross-links in spermatozoal nuclei; the cross-links were attributable primarily to DNA-DNA linkages. The availability of spermatozoal DNA for template function was not affected by 1 wk of treatment with cyclophosphamide but was markedly affected after 6 wk of treatment with this drug. It is proposed that during chromatin transition processes the male genome may be in an open dynamic state with many exposed sites that are vulnerable to alkylating agents. Since there is no DNA repair during spermiogenesis, damage to the genome by alkylation at this stage may be cumulative, resulting in the production of dysfunctional germ cells.

[Cryosurgical resection of pulmonary metastases (experience of twenty years)]

Cryosurgical resection of pulmonary metastases was performed in 112 patients from 1973 to 1993. The cumulative 1, 3, 5, 10 year survival rate was 80.37%, 41.81%, 28.01% and 17.28%. One patient died of respiratory failure after operation. Thirty-day mortality rate was 0.89%. The disease-free interval (DFI) between the control of primary tumor and appearance of metastases was significantly correlated with post-thoracotomy survival. The multiple factor analysis also demonstrated that DFI was the most important prognostic factor for patients after cryosurgical resection of pulmonary metastatic lesions. The overall 5 year survival rate of patients treated with cryosurgery in our report was higher than that of those treated by local resection of pulmonary metastases reported by other authors. Our results indicated that cryosurgical resection of pulmonary metastases was effective and safe, the survival time of most patients could be prolonged and some patients could be cured.

[Influence of PGE2 on the oxidative modification of LDL and the scavenger receptor activities of macrophages]

The influence of oxidized LDL (OX-LDL) on scavenger receptor of macrophages and the protective effects of PGE2 and selenium was studied by means of BA-ELISA technique, immunohistochemical methods and oil red O histochemistry. The results indicated that the scavenger receptor activities of macrophages in two treated groups were much lower than that of OX-LDL group. Oil red O staining showed that the macrophages in OX-LDL group were full of fatty drops and became foam cells while little lipid could be found in the treated groups. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the entry of OX-LDL into the macrophages was by way of scavenger receptors. The results confirmed that both PGE2 and selenium had marked antioxidizing effects and that PGE2 was slightly more effective than selenium.

Temporal and spatial expression of an adult cuticle protein gene from Drosophila suggests that its protein product may impart some specialized cuticle function

An adult cuticle protein gene (Dacp-1) from Drosophila melanogaster has been isolated and characterized. This gene was classified as an adult cuticle protein gene because it maintains the conserved structure of other cuticle protein genes, the sequence of its conceptual translation product contains a repeated motif that is found almost exclusively in a subset of adult cuticle proteins from Locust migratoria, and the gene is expressed in the epidermis underlying the head and thoracic cuticle. The bulk of Dacp-1 expression starts approximately 72 hr after pupariation, peaks approximately 12 hr after eclosion, and decreases thereafter to undetectable levels by 3 days after eclosion. The stage specificity and spatial restriction of Dacp-1 expression as well as the physical properties of its conceptual translation product suggest that it may be involved in some specialized function such as thickening of the adult cuticle.

Experimental study on antiatherosclerotic treatment by PGE2 combined with vitamin E and estradiol

The effects of single dose of PGE2 combined with vitamin E and with estradiol on experimental atherosclerosis were studied by means of morphological, ultrastructural, autoradiographic and several functional techniques. The results showed that two combined treatment groups had more coordinative inhibition on aortic and coronary atherosclerotic lesions, as well as on platelet aggregation, smooth muscle cell proliferation and lipid peroxidation than that of single dose of PGE2. It was revealed that the coordinative mechanism might be closely related to the synergistic inhibitory function of above-mentioned drugs on endothelial permeability, platelet aggregation, smooth muscle cell proliferation and lipid peroxidation.

DNA topoisomerase II isozymes involved in anticancer drug action and resistance

DNA topoisomerase II is a major protein of the nuclear matrix. The enzyme appears to have a central role in both DNA organization and replication. The importance of nuclear matrix topoisomerase II alpha as a target for certain anticancer agents was evaluated in CEM human leukemia cells. Studies were done to determine the extent to which the alpha (170 kDa) and beta (180 kDa) isozymes of topoisomerase II form covalent enzyme-DNA complexes in whole cells and in the nuclear matrix and nonmatrix fractions of CEM cells that are either sensitive or resistant to topoisomerase II-active anticancer agents. Topoisomerase II alpha was detected in both the high salt-soluble (nonmatrix) and matrix fractions of nuclei from parental CEM cells. Most of the matrix topoisomerase II alpha was tightly bound to DNA in cells incubated with VM-26. In contrast, topoisomerase II beta was detected only in the high salt-soluble (nonmatrix) fraction of the nucleus. The subnuclear distribution of the alpha and beta topoisomerase II isozymes in CEM/VM-1 cells resistant to topoisomerase-active drugs was similar to that in drug-sensitive CEM cells. However, the amount and activity of topoisomerase II alpha in nuclear matrices of CEM/VM-1 cells were decreased 3- to 6-fold relative to that of CEM cells. The differences observed in the subnuclear distribution and DNA binding pattern of the topoisomerase II isozymes support the hypotheses that each isozyme has a distinct cellular function. Furthermore, these results provide evidence that topoisomerase II alpha is the nuclear matrix target for VM-26, and that depletion of the nuclear matrix isozyme contributes to cellular resistance to this anticancer agent.

Effects of chronic low-dose cyclophosphamide exposure on the nuclei of rat spermatozoa

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that chronic exposure of the father to low doses of cyclophosphamide results in a significant increase in early embryonic death with little effect on the male reproductive system in rats. Such effects on progeny outcome are hypothesized to be mediated by an action of the drug on the nucleus of spermatozoa. The purpose of the present studies was to investigate the effects of cyclophosphamide treatment for 1 or 6 wk on the pattern of decondensation of sperm nuclei and on the sulfhydryl content of sperm nuclear proteins. Adult male rats were treated with cyclophosphamide (6.1 mg/kg/day) daily for 1 or 6 wk. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were collected, demembranated, and then incubated with dithiothreitol (DTT) and proteinase K. The in vitro decondensation pattern of the nuclei of spermatozoa was divided into two phases: nuclear swelling and nuclear elongation. Spermatozoa from animals treated for 1 wk with cyclophosphamide showed the same decondensation pattern as those treated with vehicle (saline) alone. However, spermatozoa from animals treated for 6 wk with cyclophosphamide showed normal initial nuclear swelling but had a markedly affected nuclear elongation pattern. The changes with time in the decondensation pattern of these spermatozoa were quantitated by morphometric analysis of the head region of the spermatozoa. The nuclear area, curvature, and length of spermatozoa obtained from chronically drug-treated males were all significantly smaller than for those obtained from controls, while cell diameter was not affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Study of natural diamonds by dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The results of a study of two types of natural-diamond crystals by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced high-resolution solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are reported. The home-built DNP magic-angle spinning (MAS) 13C NMR spectrometer operates at 54 GHz for electrons and 20.2 MHz for carbons. The power of the microwave source was about 30 W and the highest DNP enhancement factor came near to 10(3). It was shown that in the MAS spectra the 13C NMR linewidths of the Ib-type diamond were broader than those of IaB3-type diamond. From the hyperfine structure of the DNP enhancement as a function of frequency, four kinds of nitrogen-centred and one kind of carbon-centred free radicals could be identified in the Ib-type diamond. The hyperfine structures of the DNP enhancement curve that originated from the anisotropic hyperfine interaction between electron and nuclei could be partially averaged out by MAS. The 13C polarization time of DNP was rather long, i.e. 1500 s, and the spin-lattice relaxation time (without microwave irradiation) was about 300 s, which was somewhat shorter than anticipated. Discussions on these experimental results have been made in this report.

Subcellular distribution of the alpha and beta topoisomerase II-DNA complexes stabilized by VM-26

Studies were done to determine (a) the subcellular distribution of the alpha (170 kDa) and beta (180 kDa) isozymes of topoisomerase II, and (b) the extent to which each isozyme forms complexes with DNA in tumor cells incubated with and without VM-26. Western blotting revealed that topoisomerase II beta was highly unstable during cell fractionation. However, preincubation of human CEM leukemia cells with 5-100 microM VM-26 for 30 min protected the beta isozyme from degradation by progressively increasing the amount of this isoform bound to DNA. The amount of topoisomerase II beta detected in nuclei of CEM cells incubated for 30 min with 25 microM VM-26 was 7-fold greater than in nuclei from untreated control cells. VM-26 also had a protective effect on topoisomerase II beta in HL-60 leukemia and WiDR colon carcinoma cells. In contrast, the intercalating agents mitoxantrone and m-AMSA did not protect topoisomerase II beta from degradation during cell fractionation. The stabilization of topoisomerase II beta by VM-26 allowed subsequent studies of the subcellular distribution of the topoisomerase II isozymes. Both isozymes were detected in the nonmatrix (high salt-soluble) fraction of nuclei from CEM cells, but only topoisomerase II alpha was present in the nuclear matrix. VM-26 stabilized binding of the alpha and beta topoisomerase II isoenzymes to nonmatrix DNA and topoisomerase II alpha to matrix DNA. The differences observed in the subnuclear distribution and DNA binding pattern of the topoisomerase II isozymes support the hypotheses that each isozyme has a distinct cellular function, and that both the alpha and beta isozymes are potential targets for VM-26 in intact cells. In addition, the results demonstrated that pretreatment of various cell lines with VM-26 is a useful way to stabilize topoisomerase II beta during cell fractionation.

Refinement of Hot Water Treatment for Management of Aphelenchoides fragariae in Strawberry

The effects of hot water treatments on a California population of the foliar nematode, Aphelenchoides fragariae, and on five strawberry cuttivars ('Chandler', 'Douglas', 'Fern', 'Pajaro', and 'Selva') were assessed in laboratory and greenhouse tests. Nematodes extracted from fern leaves were placed in water maintained at 44.4, 46.1,47.7, or 49.4 C for different time periods. Exposure periods of 15, 5, 4, and 2 minutes were required to produce 100% mortality at 44.4, 46.1, 47.7, and 49.4 C, respectively. In a water bath, 4 minutes were required for strawberry crowns initially at 25 C to equilibrate with temperatures ranging from 44.4-54.4 C. The maximum exposure periods that did not significantly reduce subsequent plant growth and flowering were 30, 15, and 10 minutes, at 44.4, 46.1, and 47.7 C, respectively. Survival of Selva was lower (P = 0.05) than for the other cultivars. Treatment at 49.4 C for 5 minutes significantly reduced plant growth and flowering of all cultivars. The minimum-maximum exposure periods that killed A. fragariae without damaging the cultivars tested were 20-30 minutes at 44.4 C, 10-15 at 46.1 C, or 8-10 at 47.7 C.

Evaluation of Hot Water Treatments for Management of Ditylenchus dipsaci and Fungi in Daffodil Bulbs

Treatment of daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) bulbs in a 0.37% formaldehyde water solution at 44 C for 240 minutes is a standard practice in California for management of the stem and bulb nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci. Recent concern over the safety of formaldehyde and growers' requests for a shorter treatment time prompted a reevaluation of the procedure. The time (Y, in minutes) required to raise the temperature at the bulb center from 25 to 44 C was related to bulb circumference (X, in cm) and is described by the linear regression Y = -15 + 3.4X. The time required for 100% mortality of D. dipsaci in vitro without formaldehyde was 150, 60, and 15 minutes at 44, 46, and 48 C, respectively. Hot water treatment (HWT) with 0.37% formaldehyde at 44 C for 150 minutes controlled D. dipsaci and did not have a detrimental effect on plant growth and flower production. Shorter formaldehyde-HWT of 90, 45, and 30 minutes at 46, 48, and 50 C, respectively, controlled D. dipsaci but suppressed plant growth and flower production. Fungal genera commonly isolated from the bulbs in association with D. dipsaci were Penicillium sp., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. narcissi, and Mucor plumbeus, representing 60, 25, and 5%, respectively, of the total fungi isolated. These fungi caused severe necrosis in daffodil bulbs. HWT at 44 C for 240 minutes reduced the number of colonies recovered from bulbs. The effects of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and sodium hypochlorite in reducing the population of fungi within bulbs were variable. Satisfactory control of D. dipsaci within bulbs can be achieved with HWT of bulbs at 44 C for 150 minutes with 0.37% formaldehyde or at 44 C for 240 minutes without chemicals.

[Effects of hyperlipidemic serum on cultured vascular smooth muscle cells pre-incubated with different doses of PGE2]

Based on previous studies in our laboratory, the effects of hyperlipidemic serum on cultured SMCs, pre-incubated with different doses of PGE2, were observed by the determination of intracellular lipid peroxide and radioimmunoassay of 6-0-PGF1 alpha. The results showed that the hyperlipidemic serum accelerated the production of lipid peroxide and inhibited the synthesis of PGI2 in SMCs. PGE2 in small doses promoted the above-mentioned two effects, while large doses of PGE2 displayed an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation and markedly accelerated PGI2 synthesis. This indicates that PGE2 might play an important role in the protection of SMCs from peroxidative injuries and atherogenesis.

[Study and preparation of Vi-PHA reagent and its application for detection of Salmonella typhi carriers]

Purified S. typhi Vi antigen is sensitized with equal volume of tannic acid treated formalational sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) at a final concentration of 1 microgram/ml. The Vi-passive hemagglutination assay (Vi-PHA) diagnostic reagent is developed to detect Vi antibodies to S. typhi for the detection of chronic carriers after typhoid fever and the screening S. typhi healthy carriers from food-handlers, which is characterized with high sensitivity, strong specificity and good stability. This Vi-PHA reagent is able to detect 1.16 micrograms/ml of Vi antibodies and doesn't make any cross reaction with healthy sera. For the sera of other diseases, the cross rate is only 0.84%. Using this reagent, 19 positive sera (6.93%) are detected from 274 convalescent sera from typhoid fever, 14 convalescents of which are stool-culture S. typhi positive, that persists a positive rate of 73.68%; 3 positive sera are detected from 106 foodhandlers, one of which is stool-culture S. typhi positive. Therefore, the reagent is simple, convenient, rapid and easy to be applicated in basic unit.

Growth of Haemophilus influenzae in human milk: synthesis, distribution, and activity of IgA protease as determined by study of iga+ and mutant iga- cells

The nonencapsulated, IgA protease-positive Haemophilus influenzae strain Rd and serogroup b clinical isolates were found to proliferate in human milk. Growth did not require supplemental X and V factors. In milk, strain Rd synthesized IgA protease, but it was completely inhibited by antibody, so secretory IgA in milk cultures remained intact. Inhibition was largely attributable to IgA1 antibodies. Rd cells also aggregated during growth in milk and showed colony size variation, whereas a protease-negative mutant of Rd (Rd225DK) aggregated less and had uniform colony size. Like differences in protease inhibition, these differences in growth pattern were mediated by secretory IgA1. Thus, milk antibody not only inhibited the extracellular protease but also interacted directly with the enzyme precursor or related antigens on growing bacterial cells. This self-protective property of milk secretory IgA may be an important immunologic attribute for the upper respiratory mucosa of the infant.

Adverse effects of cyclophosphamide on progeny outcome can be mediated through post-testicular mechanisms in the rat

Previous studies from our laboratory have suggested that, in addition to an effect on spermatozoa in the testis, cyclophosphamide may have an adverse effect on spermatozoa after they leave the testis, during epididymal transit. To elaborate on this post-testicular effect on germ cells and to determine at which site(s) in the epididymis germ cells are most sensitive to cyclophosphamide treatment, three experiments were undertaken. First, the time course of the effect of treatment of male rats with cyclophosphamide on the outcome of their progeny was determined. Male rats were treated daily by gavage with saline or one of two doses of cyclophosphamide (6.8 mg/kg or 10.0 mg/kg) for 1, 4, or 7 days. At the end of each treatment period, males were mated to assess the effect on pregnancy outcome. No effect was observed on pre-implantation loss at any time among any of the groups, but there was a time-dependent and dose-related increase in post-implantation loss. Post-implantation loss was significantly increased after 4 days of treatment and reached nearly 40% after 7 days of drug exposure (10.0 mg/kg). Second, the effect of treatment with single high doses of cyclophosphamide was studied. Male rats were treated with a single dose of cyclophosphamide (10, 30, or 70 mg/kg) and bred 1 day and 4 days post-treatment. No significant change in pre-implantation loss was observed at either time point; no change in post-implantation loss was found after 1 day post-treatment. However, a significant increase in post-implantation loss was observed in the two high-dose groups 4 days post-treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diurnal starch accumulation and utilization in phosphorus-deficient soybean plants

The effects of phosphorus deficiency on carbohydrate accumulation and utilization in 34-day-old soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) plants were characterized over a diurnal cycle to evaluate the mechanisms by which phosphorus deficiency restricts plant growth. Phosphorus deficiency decreased the net CO(2) exchange rate throughout the light period. The decrease in the CO(2) exhange rate was associated with a decrease in stomatal conductance and an increase in the internal CO(2) concentration. These observations indicate that phosphorus deficiency increased mesophyll resistance. Assimilate export rate from the youngest fully expanded leaves was decreased by phosphorus deficiency, whereas starch concentrations in these leaves were increased. Higher starch concentrations in phosphorus-deficient youngest fully expanded leaves resulted from a longer period of net starch accumulation and a shorter period of net starch degradation relative to those for phosphorus-sufficient controls. Phosphorus deficiency decreased sucrose-P synthase activity by 27% (averaged over the diurnal cycle), and essentially eliminated diurnal variation in sucrose-P-synthase activity. Diurnal variations in nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations in leaves and stems were also less pronounced in phosphorus-deficient plants than in controls. In phosphorus-deficient plants, only 30% of the whole plant starch present at the end of a light phase was utilized during the subsequent 12-hour dark phase as compared with 68% for phosphorus-sufficient controls. Although phosphorus deficiency decreased the CO(2) exchange rate and whole plant leaf area, accumulation of high starch concentrations in leaves and stems and restricted starch utilization in the dark indicate that growth processes (i.e. sink activities) were restricted to a greater extent than photosynthetic capacity. Further experimentation is required to determine whether decreased starch utilization in phosphorus-deficient plants is the cause or the result of restricted growth.

Antioxidant action of certain simple phenolic compounds derived from Chinese herbs

H2O2 and hydroxyl free radical active oxygen generation systems were utilized to define the antioxidant activities of simple phenolic compounds derived from Chinese herbs. Although the antioxidant activities of compounds differed when assessed in the two systems, all compounds tested were found to be effective at preventing red blood cell membrane lipid peroxidation, with the propyl and butyl esters of gallic acid being especially potent. No compound was able to prevent hemoglobin oxidation. All compounds but salicylic acid were found to interact dose-dependently with H2O2 and hydroxyl free radical as determined by a chemiluminescence method.