Bactericidal effect of rat cystatin S on an oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis

We tested antibacterial and antiviral activities of rat cystatin S, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, belonging to the family 2 cystatins against 18 different bacterial species and poliovirus type 1 (Sabin). Rat cystatin S specifically inhibited the growth of a human oral anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis due to a bactericidal effect.

Importance of mechanical damage to urinary red blood cells by the glomerular basement membrane

The reasons for morphological changes of urinary red blood cells (RBC) in patients with glomerulonephritis are still controversial. In order to evaluate the importance of mechanical damage by the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), we examined urinary RBC taken from the patients with two different diseases which have characteristic GBM changes. Urinary RBC taken from 20 patients with Alport syndrome and nine with thin GBM disease were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Nineteen out of the 20 patients (95.0%) with Alport syndrome showed 'glomerular type', while five of the nine patients (55.6%) with thin GBM disease showed 'glomerular type'. These results suggest that more complicated GBM abnormalities cause more severe RBC distortion. Therefore, we conclude that mechanical damage by the GBM may be the major factor in dysmorphism of urinary RBC.

Enzyme immunoassay of sulfamethoxazole in chicken tissues: interlaboratory study

Three laboratories participated in the interlaboratory study of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method for determination of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) using samples of the same muscle, liver and plasma from chickens administered with SMX. Interlaboratory variation in the determined values were similar to those of other studies determined by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. It was suggested that the interlaboratory difference in determined SMX residues from chicken tissues did not become problems of using EIA method, in spite of the differences of equipments and operators.

Characteristics of ice-nucleation activity in Fusarium avenaceum IFO 7158

The extracellular ice nuclei of Fusarium avenacum IFO 7158 (FEIN) were stable at pH levels from 2 to 12 and tolerated temperatures up to 40 degrees C. In an activity of the FEIN, proteins were important, however, saccharide and lipid which were proved to be a part of components of bacterial ice nuclei did not participate.

[Reexamination of BT-PABA test (PFD)--on the substrate specificity for pancreatic chymotrypsin in vivo]

It is widely believed that BT-PABA is a specific substrate for pancreatic chymotrypsin, and based on this concept, BT-PABA test is used to evaluate the exocrine pancreatic function. But this test shows unusual clinical results particularly in patients after total pancreatectomy. In order to reevaluate the specificity of BT-PABA for chymotrypsin, we investigated the intestinal influence on this substrate in in vivo and in vitro studies using mongrel dogs under the conditions of complete absence of pancreatic juice in the alimentary tract. In vivo study showed that serum PABA increased after BT-PABA administration in the models of complete absence of pancreatic chymotrypsin and in vitro study demonstrated BT-PABA splitting activity fo jejunum and ileum mucosal homogenate which increased after total pancreatectomy. Hence, we concluded that BT-PABA is not a specific substrate for pancreatic chymotrypsin in vivo in human and in dog.

Docking analysis of a series of benzylamino acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with a phthalimide, benzoyl, or indanone moiety

The enzyme-binding mode of a series of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors has been analyzed on the basis of the crystal structure of the Torpedo enzyme using docking programs DOCK and directed-DOCK. The inhibitors have a benzyl group connected to tertiary ammonium nitrogen at one end and a phthalimide, benzoyl, or indanone moiety at the other. Our modeling results have indicated that the benzyl group interacts with Trp 84, which is located near the bottom of the binding pocket and is postulated to be the quaternary ammonium binding site for acetylcholine. The other aromatic ring has been found to interact with Trp 279 at the peripheral hydrophobic site. In addition, the hydrogen-bonding interaction between a carbonyl group of the inhibitor and Tyr 121 OH seems to play an important role. Our active-orientation model is, at least qualitatively, consistent with structure-activity data for more than 50 compounds and should be useful for the design of more potent inhibitors.

Residues interacting with serine-174 and alanine-295 in the beta-subunit of Escherichia coli H(+)-ATP synthase: possible ternary structure of the center region of the subunit

The mutation of serine-174 to phenylalanine that causes a defect in the Escherichia coli F1-ATPase beta-subunit is suppressed by further mutations; Gly-149 to Ser, Ala-295 to Thr, Ala-295 to Pro, or Leu-400 to Gln (Miki, J., Fujiwara, K., Tsuda, M., Tsuchiya, T. and Kanazawa, H. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 21567-21572). We analyzed the effects of these second site mutations and of a newly identified Asn-158 to Tyr mutation on the activities of the ATPase without the original Ser-174 to Phe mutation. The beta-subunit with each amino acid replacement was expressed in the mutant strain JP17, which does not have a beta-subunit. Cells transformed with the plasmid carrying Ala-295 to Pro mutation alone did not grow on minimal medium agar supplemented with succinate as the sole carbon source, and showed 3% of the wild-type ATPase activity, suggesting that this mutation caused structural alterations affecting the catalytic function of the enzyme. Conversely transformants with other mutations grew well and had higher ATPase activities, suggesting that these mutations did not cause extensive structural alterations. From the transformants with the plasmid carrying the Ala-295 to Pro mutation, seven revertants capable of cell growth on succinate plates were isolated and reversion mutations were identified at residues 140, 159, 166, 171, 172 and 184 of the beta-subunits. The results suggested that Ser-174 and Ala-295 do not necessarily interact directly, but that the regions including these suppression mutation sites close to Ser-174, and Ala-295 interact with each other for the proper functioning of the ATPase. The ternary structure of the region surrounded by the residues which were identified as the reversion mutation sites for Ser-174 to Phe and Ala-295 to Pro mutations is important for the catalytic function of this enzyme.

Astrovirus as a cause of gastroenteritis in Japan

We used an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to screen for astrovirus in stool specimens from outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis collected between 1982 and 1992 in six prefectural public health institutes in Japan. Three outbreaks of gastroenteritis involving schoolchildren and adults were confirmed to be attributable to astrovirus. Astrovirus was detected in 6 to 10% of the specimens from patients with sporadic gastroenteritis from whom no other bacterial or viral agent had been identified. Among the sporadic cases, astrovirus was most frequently detected in infants less than 1 year of age, and the incidence peaked in March and April. Using specimens from recent outbreaks, we found that the EIA was more sensitive than electron microscopy (EM) for the detection of astrovirus, and many EM-negative specimens were positive by EIA. However, some stool specimens previously found to have astrovirus-like particles by EM were negative by EIA, perhaps because of inadequate storage conditions, such as long-term storage and repeated freezings and thawings. Our results indicate that astrovirus is more commonly associated with childhood gastroenteritis than has been previously appreciated and suggest that further studies to examine the epidemiology and disease burden of this virus are needed.

Central cholinergic agents. 6. Synthesis and evaluation of 3-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepi n-8-yl)-1-propanones and their analogs as central selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

In an attempt to find central selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, 3-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1- benzazepin-8-yl)-1-propanones 9 and their analogs were designed on the basis of our working hypothesis of the enzyme's active site. These compounds were prepared by regioselective Friedel-Crafts acylation of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepines and related nitrogen heterocycles as a key step. Most compounds showed potent inhibitory activities with IC50s in the 10-300 nM range. In order to estimate their central selectivities, we examined their effects on the apomorphine-induced circling behavior in rats with unilateral striatal lesions. Among compounds with potent AChE inhibition, 3-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1- benzazepin-8-yl)-1-propanone fumarate (9a, TAK-147) (IC50 of AChE inhibition = 97.7 nM) inhibited the circling behavior at 3 mg/kg po, in which it had no significant effect on peripheral cholinergic effects. This demonstrates that 9a has favorable central selectivity. Furthermore, 9a significantly ameliorated diazepam-induced passive avoidance deficit at 1 mg/kg po. The benzazepine derivative 9a was selected as a candidate for clinical evaluation.

Effects of antibiotics on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis in vitro

The effects produced in vitro by minocycline (MINO), aminobenzyl penicillin (ABPC) and cefotiam (CTM) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) chemotaxis were investigated in this study using the Boyden chamber technique and polarization assay. The following results were obtained: CTM brought about a significant increase of PMN chemotaxis at the therapeutic dose (10, 100 micrograms/ml), MINO reduced PMN chemotaxis significantly at a concentration as low as 1 microgram/ml and ABPC did not influence PMN chemotaxis at concentrations up to 100 micrograms/ml in both methods. Furthermore, using a checkerboard assay, it was shown that CTM worked as a chemokinetic factor.

Improved oral absorption of enteric coprecipitates of a poorly soluble drug

An anticancer agent, N-[[[4-(5-bromo-2-pyrimidinyloxy)-3-chlorophenyl]amino]carbonyl]-2 - nitrobenzamide (HO-221, 1), shows poor oral absorption and is only slightly soluble in water (0.055 microgram/mL at 37 degrees C). The coprecipitates with polyvinylpyrrolidone or a vinylpyrrolidone and vinylacetate copolymer (copolyvidone) showed a marked increase of the dissolution rate and attainment of temporary supersaturation of 1. The oral bioavailability of these preparations in dogs at a dose of 1 of 5 mg/kg was approximately 60%, which was 3.5 times greater than that of a micronized preparation. Further, the enteric coprecipitate with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate 200731, which showed a dissolution profile similar to that of the copolyvidone preparation at pH 6.5 but no dissolution at pH 1.2, revealed the almost complete oral absorption. Because intraduodenal administration of the copolyvidone coprecipitate showed a higher absorption than that of per oral administration, it was suggested that the partial precipitation of crystallites in the nonenteric coprecipitates occurred before reaching the absorption site, the small intestine.

Membrane-associated interleukin-1 promotes osteoclast-like cell formation in vitro

The effect of paraformaldehyde-fixed murine macrophage P388D1 cells on osteoclast-like cell formation was investigated in mouse marrow cultures. When mouse marrow cells were cocultured for 8 days with paraformaldehyde-fixed P388D1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccaride (LPS), many tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP)-positive multinucleated cells were formed. Non-stimulated, and paraformaldehyde-fixed P388D1 cells did not induce the formation of TRACP-positive multinucleated cells. Salmon calcitonin and indomethacin strongly inhibited the paraformaldehyde-fixed, LPS-stimulated P388D1 cells-induced TRACP-positive multinucleated cell formation. Monospecific anti-mouse recombinant IL-1 alpha serum inhibited TRACP-positive multinucleated cell formation in the presence of paraformaldehyde-fixed P388D1 cells stimulated with LPS. These results suggest that membrane-associated IL-1 on macrophages is responsible for the resorptive effect of paraformaldehyde-fixed P388D1 cells stimulated with LPS.

Cerebellar nitric oxide synthase, cGMP and motor function in two lines of cerebellar mutant mice, Staggerer and Wriggle Mouse Sagami

We investigated the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the cerebellar motor function, by measuring nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities and cGMP in the cerebellum using two lines of mutant mice having motor dysfunction, Staggerer (SG) and Wriggle Mouse Sagami (WMS). In SG, the NOS activity per cerebellum was reduced to 5.8% of that of the controls, while no significant change was observed in WMS. The cerebellar cGMP in SG was reduced to 3.3% of that of the controls and to 43% in WMS. In contrast with these neurochemical markers of NO, the locomotor dysfunction and the number of falls were greater in WMS than in SG. The reductions of the neurochemical markers of NO are consistent with the results of the previous neuropathological studies in SG and WMS whereas the cerebellar motor dysfunction was independent of these neurochemical and neuropathological changes.

[Viral etiology in travellers' diarrhea]

Virological examinations were performed on stools obtained from 1,264 overseas travellers with diarrhea at Nagoya International Airport between 1986 and 1991. Group A rotavirus was detected in 11 samples (0.87%) by latex agglutination method, but other viral agents such as atypical rotaviruses and small round structured viruses were not observed by electron microscopic analysis. Rotaviruses were detected in various age groups, but the positive rate of rotavirus in females (6/398) was higher than that in males (5/866). Seasonal variation in the detection of rotavirus was observed. Entero 71 was isolated from one of 11 rotavirus-positive cases, but the other 10 cases were not associated with enteroviruses. All rotavirus-positive cases were negative for isolation of enteropathogenic bacteria.

Histological studies on the rheumatoid synovial membrane irradiated with a low energy laser

The beneficial effects of low energy laser irradiation on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints have been reported, but the mechanisms of action of low energy lasers in RA are unclear. The synovial membrane in cases of RA was studied histologically to observe the effects of low energy laser irradiation. Fourteen knee joints of RA cases, which had been scheduled for arthroplasty, were irradiated with a gallium-aluminium-arsenide (Ga-Al-As) laser (790 nm in wavelength and 10 mW of output power) prior to the surgical operation, at six points of the external aspect of the knee joint for 80 seconds at each points once a day for 6 days. On the day following the last irradiation, pieces of synovial membrane from the lateral irradiated area and from the median nonirradiated area as a control were resected during the arthroplasty. The histological findings of the irradiated synovial membrane showed flattening of epithelial cells, decreased villous proliferation, narrowed vascular lumen, and less infiltration of inflammatory cells compared with those of nonirradiated synovia. The evaluation of slides was done in a blinded manner, and significant differences was seen by Wilcoxon's t-test (P < 0.01). Histological findings suggested that the low energy laser irradiation induced suppression of inflammation in the synovial membrane of RA.

[Application of PCR for isolation of Chlamydia pneumoniae]

Chlamydia pneumoniae was isolated from the throat swab of a 5-year-old girl with acute bronchitis. The titers of IgM and IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae in the serum were 1:20 and 1:2560, respectively. C. pneumoniae genome was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the throat swab and the infected cells after three passages, while C. pneumoniae was isolated from the throat swab after five passages by cell culture. PCR is considered to be a helpful method to isolate C. pneumoniae efficiently in routine cell-cultures.

Prevalence of newly isolated, cytopathic small round virus (Aichi strain) in Japan

Cytopathic small round virus (Aichi strain), isolated from a patient with oyster-associated gastroenteritis, showed no reaction in the polymerase chain reaction method for enteroviruses or in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the five serotypes of astroviruses. Our ELISA was sensitive in detecting the Aichi strain antigen in stool samples, but there was no reaction in this ELISA with any non-Aichi strains of enteric viruses, with such origins as enterovirus, rotavirus, Norwalk virus, calicivirus, or astrovirus. In the ELISA, 13 of 47 stool samples from adult patients in five of nine oyster-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks were positive, but only 1 of 397 pediatric stool samples in Aichi Prefecture was positive. The prevalence rate for Aichi strain antibody was found to be 7.2% for persons aged 7 months to 4 years. The prevalence rate for antibody to Aichi strain increased with age, to about 80% in persons 35 years old. On the basis of the results of the present study, it was hypothesized that Aichi strain could be a new type of small round virus that mainly produces diarrhea in patients in the 15- to 34-year-old age group, 50 to 76% of whom possess neutralizing antibody.

Effective detection of plantar malignant melanoma

BACKGROUND

As the sole of the foot is the most prevalent site of malignant melanoma in non-Caucasians, early detection of the neoplasm at this anatomical site is very important. In our previous study, we proposed a clinical guideline that acquired melanocytic lesions on the sole larger than 7 mm in maximum diameter should be examined histologically.

METHODS

Eighty-one Japanese patients with the complaint of plantar pigmented lesions were screened at our dermatology clinic during 3 years using the 7-mm criterion.

RESULTS

Of the total 80 melanocytic lesions on the sole, 14 lesions were larger than 7 mm in maximum diameter, excluding congenital lesions. Diagnoses of the 14 "large" lesions were as follows: advanced malignant melanoma, 8 lesions; early malignant melanoma (malignant melanoma in situ), 1 lesion; acquired melanocytic nevus, 4 lesions, and volar melanotic macule, 1 lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study confirmed the validity of the 7-mm criterion for the early effective detection of plantar malignant melanoma.

Continuous column culture system for adherent cells

A new continuous column culture system for adherent cells was developed using beads. The beads were packed in a column and an appropriate medium was continuously passed through. The whole system was kept under closed conditions. L cells and C6 cells were cultured by this new system. The number of cells increased linearly up to 16 days and reached a maximum at around 18 days. As the heat production remained constant for 16 days, it can be concluded that cells grown in this system had identical characteristics. The final concentration of cells reached was 1.0 x 10(8) ml-1. The cells could grow both in the upward and the downward direction. Advantages of this system are: (1) Cells can be recovered in their adherent form on the beads; (2) cells can easily be collected from the column by trypsinization, and (3) cells remaining in the column after trypsinization can grow again.

Effects of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor on chemotaxis and chemokinesis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes: its possible role in regulating polymorphonuclear leukocyte recruitment in human subjects

A variety of biologic products derived from bacteria, inflammatory cells, and active degraded proteins have been identified as having chemotactic activity essential for polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) recruitment to the site of inflammation. Little is known, however, concerning factors responsible for regulating the intensity and duration of PMN recruitment. Evidence is growing that proteinase inhibitors modify the migrating ability of PMNs, although the physiologic implications of this have eluded clarification. In an attempt to hypothesize a role of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-Pi) in PMN recruitment to inflammatory sites, we examined the effects of alpha 1-Pi in different physiologic concentrations on PMN migration with a microchemotaxis chamber technique. Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor had both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on cell migration, depending on its concentration. The inhibitor was active in inducing both directed locomotion (chemotaxis) and nondirected locomotion (chemokinesis) in concentrations of 0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg/ml, with maximum potency in both cases at 0.2 mg/ml (corresponding to the normal alveolar surface fluid level in the lung). Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor impaired chemotactic responsiveness to known chemoattractants at 2 and 10 mg/ml (corresponding to normal and inflammatory blood levels, respectively) in order of potency. These results suggest that alpha 1-Pi may play a role in regulating inflammatory processes, especially in the lung, through its stimulatory and inhibitory effects, depending on its concentration.

Host-specific hemagglutination of influenza A (H1N1) virus

H1N1 strains of influenza A virus isolated during the influenza season of 1991-92 were divided into two groups according to the property of host-specific hemagglutination. Group 1 viruses agglutinated human and chicken red blood cells. Group 2 viruses agglutinated human but not chicken red blood cells. The viruses of both groups, however, showed the same antigenic structure determined with ferret antisera. The virus clones which were plaque-purified twice from a group 2 virus retained the characteristic of host-specific hemagglutination after five successive passages in MDCK cells, indicating that this phenomenon is genetically determined. However, the amino acid sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides deduced from the nucleotide sequences of the HA gene of the two groups did not show any differences between them. This suggests a difference in amino acids in some other polypeptide(s), which affects the host-specific hemagglutination.