A Dynamic Data Correction Method for Enhancing Resolving Power of Integrated Spectra in Spectroscopic Analysis

A dynamic data correction method embedded in the process of data acquisition improves spectral quality. The method minimizes the impact of random errors in spectroscopic measurements by correcting peak positions in every single-scan spectrum. The method is fast enough to facilitate online data correction. The integration of corrected spectra improves resolving power and signal-to-noise ratio. The correction method can apply to most analytical spectra. In mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy, observations show that it improved the average resolving power by roughly 40-150% and revealed unresolved spectral features.

An Efficient Sample Preparation Method to Enhance Carbohydrate Ion Signals in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Sample preparation is a critical process in mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of carbohydrates. Although matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MS is the method of choice in carbohydrate analysis, poor ion signal and data reproducibility of carbohydrate samples continue to be severe problems. For quantitative analysis of carbohydrates, an effective analytical protocol providing superior data quality is necessary. This video demonstrates sample preparation protocols to improve signal intensity and minimize data variation of carbohydrates in MALDI-MS. After drying and crystallization of sample droplets, the crystal morphology is reformed by methanol before mass spectrometric analysis. The enhancement in carbohydrate signal is examined with MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). Experimental results show that crystal reformation adjusts crystalline structures and redistributes carbohydrate analytes. In comparison with the dried droplet preparation method in conventional MALDI-MS, reforming carbohydrate crystal morphologies with methanol shows significantly better signal intensity, ion image distribution, and data stability. Since the protocols demonstrated herein do not involve changes in sample composition, they are generally applicable to various carbohydrates and matrixes.

Enhancing carbohydrate ion yield by controlling crystalline structures in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Carbohydrate analysis is challenging due to lack of sensitive detection and efficient separation methods. Although matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is a sensitive tool, the low ionization efficiency of carbohydrates makes mass analyses inefficient. This work systematically examines the correlation between MALDI-MS sensitivity and carbohydrate sample morphology. Depending on the properties of the matrix used, the morphology changes through sample recrystallization after drying or imposition of hydrodynamic flows during droplet drying. Observation shows that amorphous solids and finer crystals offer higher carbohydrate sensitivity and spatial homogeneity than larger crystals. Clear evidences of an inverse correlation between sensitivity and crystal size are obtained when various kinds of carbohydrates are mixed with different matrixes. Similar experiments on proteins and peptides showed a negative or negligible effect. The result serves as a general guideline for improving efficiency in routine carbohydrate analysis.

PPL2ab neurons restore sexual responses in aged Drosophila males through dopamine

Male sexual desire typically declines with ageing. However, our understanding of the neurobiological basis for this phenomenon is limited by our knowledge of the brain circuitry and neuronal pathways controlling male sexual desire. A number of studies across species suggest that dopamine (DA) affects sexual desire. Here we use genetic tools and behavioural assays to identify a novel subset of DA neurons that regulate age-associated male courtship activity in Drosophila. We find that increasing DA levels in a subset of cells in the PPL2ab neuronal cluster is necessary and sufficient for increased sustained courtship in both young and aged male flies. Our results indicate that preventing the age-related decline in DA levels in PPL2ab neurons alleviates diminished courtship behaviours in male Drosophila. These results may provide the foundation for deciphering the circuitry involved in sexual motivation in the male Drosophila brain.

We currently lack a detailed understanding of the neurobiological basis for the decline of male sexual desire with age. Here the authors demonstrate that restoring impaired dopaminergic signalling in a specific cluster of neurons in the Drosophila brain increases sexual behaviour in ageing male flies.

Dengue virus enhances thrombomodulin and ICAM-1 expression through the macrophage migration inhibitory factor induction of the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways

Dengue virus (DV) infections cause mild dengue fever (DF) or severe life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The mechanisms that cause hemorrhage in DV infections remain poorly understood. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of vascular endothelial cells that plays an important role in the thrombin-mediated activation of protein C. Prior studies have shown that the serum levels of soluble TM (sTM) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are significantly increased in DHF patients compared to levels in DF patients or normal controls. In this study, we investigated how MIF and sTM concentrations are enhanced in the plasma of DHF patients and the potential effect of MIF on coagulation through its influence on two factors: thrombomodulin (TM) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells and monocytes. Recombinant human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (rMIF) was used to treat monocytic THP-1 cells and endothelial HMEC-1 cells or primary HUVEC cells. The subsequent expression of TM and ICAM-1 was assessed by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis. Additionally, the co-incubation of THP-1 cells with various cell signaling pathway inhibitors was used to determine the pathways through which MIF mediated its effect. The data provided evidence that severe DV infections induce MIF expression, which in turn stimulates monocytes or endothelial cells to express TM and ICAM-1 via the Erk, JNK MAPK and the PI3K signaling pathways, supporting the idea that MIF may play an important role as a regulator of coagulation.

A hormone receptor-based transactivator bridges different binary systems to precisely control spatial-temporal gene expression in Drosophila

The GAL4/UAS gene expression system is a precise means of targeted gene expression employed to study biological phenomena in Drosophila. A modified GAL4/UAS system can be conditionally regulated using a temporal and regional gene expression targeting (TARGET) system that responds to heat shock induction. However heat shock-related temperature shifts sometimes cause unexpected physiological responses that confound behavioral analyses. We describe here the construction of a drug-inducible version of this system that takes advantage of tissue-specific GAL4 driver lines to yield either RU486-activated LexA-progesterone receptor chimeras (LexPR) or β-estradiol-activated LexA-estrogen receptor chimeras (XVE). Upon induction, these chimeras bind to a LexA operator (LexAop) and activate transgene expression. Using GFP expression as a marker for induction in fly brain cells, both approaches are capable of tightly and precisely modulating transgene expression in a temporal and dosage-dependent manner. Additionally, tissue-specific GAL4 drivers resulted in target gene expression that was restricted to those specific tissues. Constitutive expression of the active PKA catalytic subunit using these systems altered the sleep pattern of flies, demonstrating that both systems can regulate transgene expression that precisely mimics regulation that was previously engineered using the GeneSwitch/UAS system. Unlike the limited number of GeneSwitch drivers, this approach allows for the usage of the multitudinous, tissue-specific GAL4 lines for studying temporal gene regulation and tissue-specific gene expression. Together, these new inducible systems provide additional, highly valuable tools available to study gene function in Drosophila.

Dehydroepiandrosterone suppresses interleukin 10 synthesis in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (prasterone, DHEA) 200 mg/day on cytokine profiles in adult women with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

In a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study conducted as part of a larger multicentre study, 30 adult women with active SLE received oral DHEA 200 mg/day or placebo for 24 weeks. Baseline prednisone (<10 mg/day) and other concomitant SLE medications were to remain constant. The levels of cytokines including interleukin (IL) 1, IL2, interferon gamma, IL4, and IL10 were determined by ELISA. The mean change from baseline to 24 weeks of therapy was analysed.

RESULTS

The two groups (DHEA n = 15; placebo n = 15) were well balanced for baseline characteristics. Only IL1beta and IL10 could be detected in the serum of lupus patients; however, there was no significant mean (SD) difference in serum IL1beta before and after treatment (9.94 (8.92) v 9.20 (6.49) pg/ml). IL10 demonstrated a greater and significant reduction from baseline (9.21 (9.66) to 1.89 (1.47) pg/ml in the DHEA treatment group).

CONCLUSIONS

In a 24 week study of adult Chinese women with mild to moderate SLE, treatment with DHEA 200 mg once daily resulted in significant reduction of serum levels of IL10. This finding may suggest why DHEA could significantly reduce lupus flares.

Direct evidence of open ray orbits in a square two-dimensional resonator of dye-doped polymers

Lasing has been observed in optically pumped 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-( p-dimethylaminostyrl)-4H-pyran-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) square-shaped micropillars that allow four-bounce closed and open ray orbits with internal incident angle theta(inc) > theta(c) (the critical angle for total internal reflection) and with the associated surface waves that emit at the four corners. We also detect strongly TE-polarized and spatially varying emission from the square sidewalls that is due to leaky open ray orbits with theta(inc) near but less than theta(c) for two of the four bounces. By selectively pumping the square microcavity with a stripe-shaped beam, we excite different four-bounce ray orbits.

Effects of copper sulfate on ion balance and growth in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Newly hatched tilapia larvae were exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cu2+ (0, 30, 50, and 100 microg/L) and lethal concentrations of Cu2+ (200 and 400 microg/L) for 24-96 h. The interaction of the exposure dose and time was related to the Cu2+ accumulation rate, which showed a higher accumulation rate with sublethal concentrations of Cu2+ within 24 h compared to the other treatments. Furthermore, Cu2+ contents in the whole body of larvae significantly increased following Cu2+ exposure times up to 96 h. Cu2+ in the medium produced a dose-response effect on Na+ and K+ contents in larvae after 96 h of exposure time. Changes in Ca2+ contents statistically significantly decreased and were shown to be dose-responsive for larval exposure times exceeding 72 h. Changes of Ca2+ contents were more sensitive than those of Na+ and K+ with Cu2+ treatment of early larvae. Notably Na+ and K+ contents showed significant increases of 17-23% in larvae exposed to low concentrations of Cu2+ (30-50 microg/L) for 24-72 h as compared to control larvae. Cu2+ caused no significant effect on body Cl- content or osmolality except at 100 microg/L Cu2+ for 24 h in tilapia larvae as compared to the control. However, there was a restoration phenomenon in larvae exposed to 100 microg/L Cu2+ for longer than 72 h. The water content of larvae exposed to Cu2+ for 96 h significantly decreased. The yolk absorption rate of tilapia larvae was significantly suppressed when they were exposed to Cu2+ medium containing 30, 50, 100, 200, or 400 Cu2+ microg/L from 72 h post transfer. These results obviously show that larvae are sensitive to Cu2+ during early development.

Ruptured renal microaneurysms complicated with a retroperitoneal abscess for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Renal artery aneurysm is extremely rare among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.(SLE). Herein, we report on a 22-year-old male lupus patient who presented with acute abdominal pain, anemia and subsequent hypertension. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a peri-renal hematoma over the right kidney. A renal angiography revealed bilateral renal microaneurysms. The patient subsequently developed a right-side retroperitoneal abscess 4 weeks after hematoma formation and received an emergent laparotomy with drainage. Subsequent culture ofthe abscess-derived fluid revealed the presence of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. Following appropriate antipyretic and immunosuppressive drugs therapy, the patient recovered successfully. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of SLE associated with a retro-peritoneal abscess probably secondary to a ruptured renal microaneurysm.

Endoscopic comparison of the gastroduodenal safety and the effects on arachidonic acid products between meloxicam and piroxicam in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy, the gastroduodenal safety, and the effects on arachidonic acid products of meloxicam, a new acidic enolic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which preferentially inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-2 over cyclo-oxygenase-1, versus piroxicam in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Meloxicam 7.5 mg or piroxicam 20 mg daily was administered for 4 weeks in this double-blind parallel-groups randomised study. The efficacy for pain relief of the two tested medications was assessed by means of visual analogue scale and other clinical parameters. Pre- and post-treatment endoscopies were performed, and the findings were scored and recorded. The gastric fluid was aspirated at each time and prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4 were determined by ELISA. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the primary efficacy. Changes in endoscopic findings by means of Lanza score showed statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups in favour of meloxicam at all sites--gastric, duodenal and total. Within-group comparisons showed a statistically significant difference (worsening) in gastric and total score with piroxicam, but no significant difference with meloxicam. The frequency of clinically relevant cases (total score >2) also showed a statistically significant worsening in the piroxicam group. The better GI tolerability of meloxicam was also suggested by fewer adverse GI events and no withdrawals due to adverse events compared with piroxicam. The pre-/post-study gastric juice concentration of PGE2, TXB2, and LTB4 in the meloxicam group was 135.2 +/- 85.8/71.2 +/- 32.2, 116.3 +/- 81.7/99.4 +/- 107.5 and 388 +/- 321/223 +/- 98 pg/ml respectively. The pre-/post-study gastric juice concentration of PGE2, TXB2 and LTB4 in the piroxicam group was 105.7 +/- 43.1/68.2 +/- 34.9, 94.0 +/- 50.9/105.9 +/- 121.1 and 625 +/- 1574/828 +/- 1464 pg/ml, respectively. Both meloxicam and piroxicam significantly inhibited gastric PGE2 levels after 4 weeks' treatment; however, there was no difference between these two groups. Neither of these medications had an effect on TXB2. Only meloxicam inhibited LTB4 concentration significantly, and the between-groups difference was significant. Meloxicam 7.5 mg once daily had better gastrointestinal tolerability and an efficacy comparable to that of piroxicam 20 mg over 4 weeks in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Lipophilic antioxidants and iron status in ESRD patients on hemodialysis

Cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. Abnormal oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense may contribute to accelerated atherogenesis associated with uremia. As oxidative modification of lipids appears to be a prerequisite for the development of atherosclerotic lesions, lipophilic antioxidants may be protective. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma levels of lipophilic antioxidants in 82 hemodialysis patients and 30 controls and to investigate the influence of body iron status on the levels of lipophilic antioxidants. The patients were categorized into 3 groups according to their serum ferritin levels. We found that the plasma levels of lycopene, delta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and retinol of hemodialysis patients were lower than those of controls. On the other hand, both absolute and lipid-normalized plasma lycopene levels were significantly reduced in those patients in the groups with higher ferritin levels as compared to those with lower ferritin levels. In addition, our study showed that the lipid-normalized plasma levels of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene of hemodialysis patients with higher ferritin levels were lower than those of the patients with lower levels. These data suggest that the plasma levels of lipophilic antioxidants are altered in end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis and may be considered as markers of oxidative stress in these patients. Most importantly, elevated serum ferritin levels may affect the levels of these lipophilic antioxidants.

Radiation inactivation analysis of H(+)-pyrophosphatase from submitochondrial particles of etiolated mung bean seedlings

Radiation inactivation analysis was employed to determine the functional masses of enzymatic activity and proton translocation of H(+)-pyrophosphatase from submitochondrial particles of etiolated mung bean seedlings. The activities of H(+)-pyrophosphatase decayed as a simple exponential function with respect to radiation dosage. D(37) values of 6.9+/-0.3 and 7.5+/-0.5 Mrad were obtained for pyrophosphate hydrolysis and its associated proton translocation, yielding molecular masses of 170+/-7 and 156+/-11 kDa, respectively. In the presence of valinomycin and 50 mM KCl, the functional size of H(+)-pyrophosphatase of tonoplast was decreased, while that of submitochondrial particles remained the same, indicating that they are two distinct types of proton pump using PP(i) as their energy source.

Evaluation of pre- and postdilutional on-line hemodiafiltration adequacy by partial dialysate quantification and on-line urea monitor

On-line highflux hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a clinically interesting and effective mode of renal replacement therapy, which offers the possibility to obtain an increased removal of both small and large solutes. The fundamental role of urea kinetic monitoring to assess dialysis adequacy in conventional hemodialysis has been widely studied. Both direct measurement of the urea removed by the modified direct dialysate quantitation (mDDQ) based on partial dialysate collection (PDC) and dialysate-based urea kinetic modeling (DUKM) using urea monitor have been advocated. The validity of this assessment tool in the patients with on-line HDF remained unclear. The aims of this investigation were (1) to compare the delivered Kt/V, urea mass removal (UMR), solute removal index (SRI) and normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) between pre- and postdilutional high-flux HDF; (2) to verify and compare the efficiency of pre- and postdilutional HDF using DUKM with on-line dialysate urea sensor, and mDDQ with partial dialysate collection. During both mode of HDF, the paired analysis urea removed and Kt/V showed no significant difference. Using mDDQ, mean values for predilutional mode were as follows: Kt/V 1.53 +/- 0.01 UMR, 16.8 +/- 0.3 g/session; urea clearance 178 +/- 18 ml/min; SRI 75.5 +/- 7.7%; urea distribution volume (V) 28.3 +/- 1.2 liters; nPCR 1.34 +/- 0.18 g/kg/day; on the other hand, mean values for postdilutional mode were Kt/V 1.58 +/- 0.01; UMR 17.10 +/- 0.28 g/session; urea clearance 184 +/- 21 ml/min; SRI 77.2 +/- 3.5%; urea distribution volume, 27.8 +/- 1.5 liters; nPCR 1.34 +/- 0.19 g/kg/day. The mean value of urea generation rate was 5.82 +/- 1.12 mg/min during HDF. Our results showed that dialysis adequacy was achieved with both high-volume predilutional HDF and postdilutional HDF. These two modes of HDF provided similar and adequate small solute clearance. In addition, we found that on-line analysis of urea kinetics is a reliable tool for quantifying and assuring delivery of adequate dialysis.

Localization of a carboxylic residue possibly involved in the inhibition of vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase by N, N'-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide

A vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.1) that catalyses PP(i) hydrolysis and the electrogenic translocation of protons from the cytosol to the vacuole lumen, was purified from etiolated hypocotyls of mung bean seedlings (Vigna radiata L.). Group-specific modification was used to identify a carboxylic residue involved in the inhibition of vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase. Carbodi-imides, such as N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide (DCCD) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodi-imide, and Woodward's reagent K caused a progressive decline in the enzymic activity of vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The stoichiometry of labelling of the vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase by [(14)C]DCCD determined that DCCD modifies one carboxylic residue per subunit of the enzyme. Protection studies suggest that the DCCD-reactive carboxylic residue resides at or near the substrate-binding site. Furthermore, peptide mapping analysis reveals that Asp(283), located in the putative loop V of a tentative topological model of vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase on the cytosolic side, was labelled by radioactive [(14)C]DCCD. Cytosolic loop V contains both DCCD-sensitive Asp(283) and a conserved motif sequence, rendering it a candidate for the catalytic site of vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase. A topological picture of the active domain of vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase is tentatively proposed.

Hormonal profiles and immunological studies of male lupus in Taiwan

The aims of this study were to describe hormonal profiles, cytokine production and Fc-gamma receptor (Fcgamma-R) distribution in male lupus patients in Taiwan, and to look for any differences between our patients and normal individuals. Sixteen newly diagnosed and untreated male lupus patients were studied. Hormonal profiles were determined by radioimmunoassay. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) production from both monocytes and neutrophils was determined by ELISA and murine thymocyte proliferation assay. The FcgammaR distribution on both monocytes and neutrophils was detected by flow cytometer. There were no significant differences in FSH, LH, testosterone, oestradiol, and beta-HCG blood levels in male lupus patients compared with normal individuals; however, the prolactin level in lupus patients was significantly higher than in normal individuals. Furthermore, there was no difference in IL-1 and IL-1ra production from both monocytes and neutrophils among male and female lupus patients, and normal individuals. Male lupus patients have a significantly lower FcgammaRII distribution on both monocytes and neutrophils when compared with female lupus patients and normal individuals. It was concluded that the high prolactin level and low FcgammaR distribution may play a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of male lupus.

Effects of anti-rheumatic herbal medicines on cellular adhesion molecules

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis whether herbal medicines ameliorate inflammatory diseases via the modulation of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs).

METHODS

Human neutrophils, synovial fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were incubated with different concentrations of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook-f (TWH-f) or Tetrandrine in the presence or absence of interleukin 1 (IL1). The amount of soluble E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) secreted by cells were determined by ELISA. The cell surface expression of these three CAMs was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

TWH-f at high concentration (50 ng/ml) has a significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effect on both the secretion and the expression of the cellular adhesion molecules. However, Tetrandrine did not demonstrate the same effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The cellular adhesion molecules of the endothelium and leucocytes may constitute excellent targets for the development of new anti-inflammation medicines. These results indicate that TWH could be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Mechanism of immunosuppression of the antirheumatic herb TWHf in human T cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the immunosuppressive mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook-F (TWHf) in human T cells. TWHf, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb for rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to inhibit the function of immune effector cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and B lymphocytes.

METHODS

T cell survival was evaluated with trypan blue exclusion assay, morphologic changes with Wright's stain, the induction of endonuclease activity with DNA fragmentation assay, and the subdiploid DNA content with flow cytometry. T cell activation was measured with interleukin 2 (IL-2) ELISA and the expression of several surface molecules with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

At high dosages, TWHf caused inhibition of T cell proliferation and this mechanism was mediated through the induction of apoptosis. TWHf, in noncytotoxic dosages, was as potent as cyclosporin A and more potent than prednisolone and cyclophosphamide in inhibiting IL-2 production from activated T cells. TWHf also inhibited both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced IL-2Ralpha expression and ionomycin induced CD40 ligand expression. TWHf did not reverse downregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 by phorbol ester stimulation.

CONCLUSION

This is the first evidence that the immunosuppressive mechanism of TWHf in T cells was mediated through both downregulation of T cell receptor signaling pathway and induction of cellular apoptosis, which is defective in autoimmune diseases.

Cell surface markers and circulating cytokines in graft versus host disease

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains the major obstacle to the widespread application of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) despite improvement in drug prophylaxis. T cells in the donor bone marrow recognize and react against host alloantigens and thereby initiate GVHD, but the precise mechanisms by which host tissues are damaged remain unclear. In the current study, we determined the cytokine secretion, cell population distribution, and cell surface markers expression by ELISA and flow cytometer, to understand further the pathophysiology of GVHD. Our results demonstrated that there was no significant change in the cell ratio of B-and T- lymphocytes, and helper/suppressor cells during GVHD development when compared to the condition before transplantation. Furthermore, the percentage of natural killer cells, the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) or the HLA-DR antigen on both CD4 and CD8 positive cells presented no significant difference between pre-transplantation and during GVHD. The serum cytokine secretion of IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-2, ICAM-1, endothelin, TGF-beta showed no difference before BMT and during GVHD. However, when patients in the developing of GVHD, there was significant difference in the serum levels of soluble IL-2R (slL-2R), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition, with patients who develop GVHD, the mixed lymphocyte reaction also presented a significant difference. This study indicated that some serum cytokines such as sIL-2R, growth factors, and the mixed lymphocyte reaction may be used as parameters for the early detection of the development of GVHD.

The clinical features and prognosis of male lupus in Taiwan

Our objective was to describe the clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and prognosis in male Chinese lupus patients in Taiwan. Seventy-two male lupus patients, diagnosed and followed in Tri-Service General Hospital between 1983 and 1996, were studied and their clinical data analyzed, retrospectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 34+/-16 y (mean+/-s.d., range: 13-82 y). The peak incidence of age at diagnosis was between 13 and 40 years. The three most frequent clinical manifestations were renal disease, 75%; malar rash, 61%; and arthritis, 53%. The three most frequent abnormal laboratory findings were anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), 97%; hypocomplementemia, 76%; and anti-ds DNA, 57%. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 85%, 76%, and 75%, respectively. In summary, a higher frequency of renal disease, malar rash and photosensitivity, but a lower frequency of arthritis and lymphadenopathy were demonstrated in our 72 ethnic Chinese male Taiwanese lupus patients compared to previous reports of Caucasians. The prognosis seems to be similar to that of both Chinese and Caucasian males but seems to be poor when compared to either Chinese or Caucasian female lupus patients.

Subunit interaction of vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase as determined by high hydrostatic pressure

Vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (H+-PPase) from etiolated hypocotyls of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is a homodimer with a molecular mass of 145 kDa. The vacuolar H+-PPase was subjected to high hydrostatic pressure to investigate its structure and function. The inhibition of H+-PPase activity by high hydrostatic pressure has a pressure-, time- and protein-concentration-dependent manner. The Vmax value of vacuolar H+-PPase was dramatically decreased by pressurization from 293.9 to 70.2 micromol of PPi (pyrophosphate) consumed/h per mg of protein, while the Km value decreased from 0.35 to 0.08 mM, implying that the pressure treatment increased the affinity of PPi to vacuolar H+-PPase but decreased its hydrolysis. The physiological substrate and its analogues enhance high pressure inhibition of vacuolar H+-PPase. The HPLC profile reveals high pressure treatment of H+-PPase provokes the subunit dissociation from an active into inactive form. High hydrostatic pressure also induces the conformational change of vacuolar H+-PPase as determined by spectroscopic techniques. Our results indicate the importance of protein-protein interaction for this novel proton-translocating enzyme. Working models are proposed to interpret the pressure inactivation of vacuolar H+-PPase. We also suggest that association of identical subunits of vacuolar H+-PPase is not random but proceeds in a specific manner.

High-pressure effects on vacuolar H+-ATPase from etiolated mung bean seedlings

A high-hydrostatic-pressure technique was employed to study the structure-function relationship of plant vacuolar H+-ATPase from etiolated mung bean seedlings (Vigna radiata L.). When isolated vacuolar H+-ATPase was subjected to hydrostatic pressure, the activity of ATP hydrolysis was markedly inhibited in a time-, protein concentration- and pressure-dependent manner. The pressure treatment decreased both Vmax and Km of solubilized vacuolar H+-ATPase, implying an increase in ATP binding affinity, but a decrease in the ATP hydrolysis activity. Physiological substrate, Mg2+-ATP, augmented the loss of enzymatic activity upon pressure treatment. However, ADP, AMP, and Pi exerted substantial protective effects against pressurization. Steady-state ATP hydrolysis was more sensitive to pressurization than single-site ATPase activity. The inactivation of solubilized vacuolar H+-ATPase by pressure may result from changes in protein-protein interaction. The conformational change of solubilized vacuolar H+-ATPase induced by hydrostatic pressure was further determined by spectroscopic techniques. The inhibition of vacuolar H+-ATPase under pressurization involved at least two steps. Taken together, our work indicates that subunit-subunit interaction is crucial for the integrity and the function of plant vacuolar H+-ATPase. It is also suggested that the assembly of the vacuolar H+-ATPase complex is probably not random, but follows a sequestered pathway.

Purification and characterization of thylakoid membrane-bound inorganic pyrophosphatase from Spinacia oleracia L

An inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) was purified from thylakoid membrane of spinach leaves to electrophoretic purity by methods including detergent solubilization, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and successive chromatographic techniques. Current protocol yielded about 10% recovery of total activity with a 30-fold purification. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was approximately 400 micromol PPi consumed/mg protein x h. This enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of 55 kDa. Several properties, including subunit composition, substrate specificity, ion requirements, inhibitor sensitivities, and amino acid composition, have been studied. Mg2+ is an essential cofactor for the thylakoid PPase. The preferred substrate for the hydrolytic reaction of PPase appears to be dimagnesium pyrophosphate. K+ could not stimulate the enzymatic activity of thylakoid PPase, while F- was a potent inhibitor. Group-specific modification of the thylakoid PPase demonstrates possible involvement of carboxylate residues in the enzymatic activity. Furthermore, antibodies raised against thylakoid PPase in a rabbit could inactivate the PPi hydrolysis of thylakoid and the purified enzyme, but not that of vacuolar H+-PPase, indicating both PPi hydrolases are structurally distinct.

The effects of traditional antirheumatic herbal medicines on immune response cells

OBJECTIVE

Clinically, some traditional Chinese herbal medicines have been thought to be effective in treating rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. To examine the mechanism by which such herbal remedies might be effective, we investigated the ability of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook-f (TWHf) and tetrandrine (TTD) to affect human immune responsiveness in vitro.

METHODS

We measured the ability of these agents to affect cytokine secretion from monocytes or T cells, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion from monocytes, IgG production from B cells, and the phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils.

RESULTS

These studies revealed that both TWHf and TTD significantly inhibited interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, and IL-8 secretion from monocytes, IgG secretion from B cells, and phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils; however, only TWHf inhibited IL-2 and IL-4 production from lymphocytes, and PGE2 secretion from monocytes.

CONCLUSION

TWHf and TTD exert a powerful suppressive effect on human immune responses. This action might account for their therapeutic effectiveness in rheumatic diseases, and might support broader and more rigorous clinical trials.

Subunit structure of vacuolar proton-pyrophosphatase as determined by radiation inactivation

Vacuolar proton-pyrophosphatase (H(+)-PPase) of mung bean seedlings contains a single kind of polypeptide with a molecular mass of approx. 73 kDa. However, in this study, a molecular mass of approx. 140 kDa was obtained for the purified vacuolar H(+)-PPase by size-exclusion gel-filtration chromatography, suggesting that the solubilized form of this enzyme is a dimer. Radiation inactivation analysis of tonoplast vesicles yielded functional masses of 141.5 +/- 10.8 and 158.4 +/- 19.5 kDa for PP1 hydrolysis activity and its supported proton translocation respectively. These results confirmed the in situ dimeric structure of the membrane-bound H(+)-PPase of plant vacuoles. Further target-size analysis showed that the functional unit of purified vacuolar H(+)-PPase was 71.1 +/- 6.7 kDa, indicating that only one subunit of the purified dimeric complex would sufficiently display its enzymic reaction. Moreover, in the presence of valinomycin and KCl, the functional size of membrane-bound H(+)-PPase was decreased to approx. 63.4 +/- 6.3 kDa. A working model was proposed to elucidate the structure of native H(+)-PPase on vacuolar membrane as a functional dimer. Factors that would disturb the membrane, e.g. membrane solubilization and the addition of valinomycin and KCl, may induce an alteration in its enzyme structure, subsequently resulting in a different functional size.

Involvement of tyrosine residue in the inhibition of plant vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase by tetranitromethane

Plant vacuolar vesicles contain a novel H(+)-translocating pyrophosphatase (H(+)-PPase, EC 3.6.1.1). Modification of tonoplast vesicles and purified vacuolar H(+)-PPase from etiolated mung bean seedlings with tetranitromethane (TNM) resulted in a progressive decline in H(+)-translocating pyrophosphatase activity. The half-maximal inhibition was brought about by 0.6, 1.0, and 0.8 mM TNM for purified and membrane-bound H(+)-PPases, and its associated proton translocation, respectively. The maximal inhibition of vacuolar H(+)-PPase by TNM occurred at a pH value above 8. Loss of activity of purified H(+)-pyrophosphatase followed pseudo-first order rate kinetics, yielding a first-order rate constant (k2) of 0.039 s(-1) and a steady-state dissociation constant of inactivation (Ki) of 0.02 mM. Covalent modification of vacuolar H(+)-PPase by TNM increased Km value of the enzyme for its substrate without a significant effect on Vmax. Double logarithmic plots of the pseudo-first order rate constant (kobs) versus TNM concentration exhibited a slope of 0.88, suggesting that at least one tyrosine residue was involved in the inactivation of H(+)-PPase enzymatic activity. Further spectrophotometric measurements of the nitrated H(+)-pyrophosphatase indicated that TNM could modify approximately two tyrosine residues/subunit of the enzyme. However, Tsou's analysis revealed that only one of those modified tyrosine residues directly participated in the inhibition of enzymatic activity of vacuolar H(+)-PPase. The physiological substrate, i.e., dimagnesium pyrophosphate, provided substantial protection against inactivation by TNM. Moreover, NEM pretreatment of the enzyme decreased the number of subsequent nitration of vacuolar H(+)-PPase. Taken together, we suggest that vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase contains a substrate-protectable tyrosine residue conferring to the inhibition of its activity and this tyrosine residue may be located in a domain sensitive to the modification of Cys-634 by NEM.

Cytokines and cell surface markers in prediction of cardiac allograft rejection

Endomyocardial biopsy is generally used to quantify heart allograft rejection and guide immunotherapy. Biopsy, however, is invasive, costly, and risky. Since rejection requires lymphocyte activation, the purpose of this study was to assess alternative methods to evaluate rejection dynamics by investigating serum levels of cytokines and cell surface markers after heart transplantation. Interleukin-2-receptor bearing CD4+T (IL-2R/CD4) cell levels were higher in the peripheral blood of human transplant recipients with rejection grade 2 (p < 0.02). HLA-DR/CD3 levels were somewhat higher in rejection grade 2. There was no correlation between biopsy scores and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), IL-2, or percentage of T cell, NK cell, B cell, CD4+T cell, CD8+T cell, HLA-DR/CD4, HLA-DR/CD8, IL-2R/CD3, IL-2R/CD8. Interleukin-1 (IL-1 beta) was not detectable in all of the samples. The current studies suggest that monitoring lymphocyte IL-2R/CD4 and HLA-DR/CD3 levels is useful in predicting cardiac transplant rejection.

X-linked agammaglobulinemia: a case report

A 20-year-old male was admitted with fever and hemoptysis. Agammaglobulinemia was found, with bronchiectasis and sinusitis. Clinical and laboratory evidence included immunological examinations, bone marrow and small intestinal biopsies. Results suggested a diagnosis of X-linked agammaglobulinemia. After treatment with antibiotics and intravenous human immunoglobuline, the clinical symptoms demonstrated progressive improvement. The case is reported along with a review of the literature.

Lupus in Chinese male: a retrospective study of 61 patients

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has traditionally been considered a disease of women, and is uncommon in men. In recent years, several large clinical series of male lupus patients have been reported. As no known data are available for lupus in males from Taiwan, a retrospective analysis of data from male lupus patients was done to determine whether these patients differed from other series of male or female SLE patients in the literature.

METHODS

Sixty-one male lupus patients, diagnosed and followed in Tri-Service General Hospital, between 1983 and 1993, were studied and their data analyzed, retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age of diagnosis was 30 +/- 17 (mean +/- SD, range: 13-81) years. The peak age of diagnosis was between 13 and 40 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 36 +/- 36 (range: 2-256) months. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 84%, 76% and 75%, respectively. The frequency of clinical manifestations were renal disease, 75%; malar rash, 70%; arthritis, 60%; fever, 56%; photosensitivity, 48%; pleuritis, 39%; pericarditis, 31%; alopecia, 31%; mucosal ulcers, 29%; neuropsychiatric disease, 26%; discoid lupus, 21%; vasculitis, 15%; Raynaud's phenomenon, 10%; and lymphadenopathy, 2%. The frequency of abnormal laboratory findings were antinuclear antibodies (ANA), 95%; hypocomplementemia, 77%; antibodies to double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), 57%; leukopenia, 44%; lupus erythematosus (LE) cells, 39%; anti-Ro, 39%; anti-Smith antibodies (anti-Sm), 19%; thrombocytopenia, 18%; rheumatoid factor, 17%; anti-ribonucleoprotein antibody (anti-RNP), 14%; autoimmune hemolytic anemia, 8%; false-positive venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL), 6% and anti-La, 4%.

CONCLUSIONS

In a review of the 61 ethnic Chinese male lupus patients, a higher frequency of renal disease, malar rash and photosensitivity, but a lower frequency of arthritis and lymphadenopathy, compared to previous reports of Caucasians. There were no significant immunological differences from other series of male lupus, except a lower frequency of anti-dsDNA. In general, poor prognosis was noted for male lupus patients here.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with CNS toxoplasmosis: a case report

Central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis is an important infectious complication of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which appears to result from reactivation of a previously acquired infection and requires prolonged treatment. A 31-year-old male presented in a drowsy mental state and with an unstable gait. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple nodular lesions in the cerebrum and cerebellum; the seropositivity for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and high serum IgG toxoplasma titers were also demonstrated. A presumptive diagnosis of CNS toxoplasmosis was based on neurological signs and neuroradiological findings. This was confirmed by improvement in both clinical and neuroradiological pictures during treatment with pyrimethamine and clindamycin. Four months later, however the patient died of intracranial hemorrhage and massive upper GI bleeding.

Coexisting IgA nephropathy and leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis: a case report

A patient with ankylosing spondylitis and coexisting IgA nephropathy and leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis is described. Renal biopsy demonstrated mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with prominent IgA, C3 and fibrin deposition in the glomeruli. Simultaneously, leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis with prominent IgG, IgA and C3 deposition of dermal vessel wall was also observed in the skin biopsy specimen. Such associations have been previously reported in only four cases. This report once again indicates that antigenic mucosal stimulation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis.

An experimental model of osteoarthritis in rabbit

BACKGROUND

From both a microscopic and a metabolic view, experimental animal models are very important for study of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. A new, different operative procedure was used in rabbit models, and the pathologic findings were evaluated.

METHODS

Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were divided into six groups; eight were used as animal models and four, for drug efficacy study. Transection of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments on the left knee joint, and sham-operation were performed on the right knee joint. Rabbits were sacrificed post surgery from 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. Eight parameters from gross to microscopic findings were used in order to evaluate osteoarthritic changes. Indomethacin and aspirin were chosen for the drug efficacy experiment; the two rabbits of each group were sacrificed at the end of the sixth week post-surgery.

RESULTS

According to pathological findings, this operative procedure can produce osteoarthritic changes, visible both microscopically and macroscopically. There were osteoarthritic changes in the fourth week post-surgery group and, obviously, in the eighth week; these persisted until 12th weeks post-surgery. Neither indomethacin nor aspirin showed any effect in preventing osteoarthritis progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Transection of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament rabbit model can produce osteoarthritic lesions in the knee joint. This model can be used for further biochemical and metabolic studies.

Positive antinuclear antibody in peripheral T cell lymphoma: a case report

The association of malignant lymphoma with positive antinuclear antibody is uncommon, and their relationship is not clear. Here a 35-year-old man is presented who initially had a high titer of antinuclear antibody; later, peripheral T cell lymphoma was found. It is suggested than an unexplained high antinuclear antibody titer may warrant searching for a malignancy.

Prostromelysin and procollagenase genes are differentially up-regulated in chondrocytes from the knees of rabbits with experimental osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative expressions of matrix metalloprotease (MMP) genes pro-MMP1 and pro-MMP3 in the cartilage of rabbits with experimentally induced osteoarthritis (OA), and to assess the role of the chondrocyte in this process.

METHODS

OA was induced in rabbits after partial medial meniscectomy. Rabbits were killed at 4 weeks or 8 weeks, and total cellular RNA was prepared from cartilage and probed by Northern blotting with pro-MMP 32P-labeled complementary DNA. Monolayer chondrocytes were used to assess MMP-inducing activity of chondrocyte factor(s).

RESULTS

Pro-MMP messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were up-regulated in experimental OA cartilage; pro-MMP3 mRNA expression exceeded that of pro-MMP1. Conditioned medium from OA-derived chondrocytes up-regulated pro-MMP mRNAs in normal chondrocytes.

CONCLUSION

Up-regulation of MMP genes in this OA model may contribute to cartilage degradation. Chondrocytes up-regulate MMP genes via an autocrine pathway.

Intermittent intravenous treatment of lupus nephritis with cyclophosphamide: a four-year experience with twenty-four patients

BACKGROUND

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus commonly leads to renal failure and death. We conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of intermittent intravenous treatment with cyclophosphamide of patients with lupus nephritis.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with lupus nephritis were recruited at Tri-Service General Hospital from 1988 to 1992. Cyclophosphamide was administered intravenously monthly for three months, and then every three months. 24-hour urinary protein, creatinine clearance, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, C3 and C4 levels, serum albumin, hemoglobin, and dosage of prednisolone were recorded before each treatment. During treatment, the side effects were monitored.

RESULTS

Two patients progressed to renal failure within one year and one patient after three years. Fifteen patients completed therapy for one year. Among these 15 patients, the levels of hemoglobin, serum albumin, and C3 significantly increased at six months, then became stable; the level of C4 increased at 12 months. In contrast, the dosage of prednisolone decreased significantly at six months. There was no significant difference of creatinine clearance, 24-hour urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen before and after treatment. The most common side effects were nausea and vomiting. No severe side effect necessitated discontinuing therapy with cyclophosphamide.

CONCLUSIONS

Intermittent intravenous therapy in lupus nephritis with cyclophosphamide can significantly increase levels of hemoglobin, serum albumin, C3 and C4, and keep renal function stable. Poor response was found in a subset of patients. The side effects were mild in the present study.

Lupus nephritis: an analysis of 70 cases

BACKGROUND

The influence of renal morphology and clinical factors at biopsy on the development of renal failure in patients with lupus nephritis remain controversial. We investigated the relation between renal histologic finding and clinical manifestations, and evaluated prognostic factors and short-term prognosis among patients with lupus nephritis.

METHODS

Seventy patients with lupus nephritis were enrolled in the study from 1982 to 1992 at the Tri-Service General Hospital. Renal biopsy specimens from these patients were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, activity and chronicity indices, and clinical parameters. Survival was analyzed by using the day of renal biopsy as the starting point. The end point of renal survival was the date when patient started to receive regular hemodialysis.

RESULTS

In pathological finding, one patient was grouped as Class I (1.4%); 14, as Class II (20%); 15, as Class III (21.4%); 29, as Class IV (41.4%); 9, as Class V (12.9%), and 2, as Class VI (2.9%). The scores of activity indices were highest in Class IV. The blood levels of C3 and C4 in Class V were significantly higher than Class IV. The values of BUN and 24-hour urine protein in Class II were significant lower than Class IV. Patients who progressed to renal failure had significantly higher numbers of death, higher serum creatinine and chronicity index, less creatinine clearance, and higher numbers of hypertension at the time of biopsy. Nephrotic syndrome was not associated with renal failure. Patient and renal survivals did not differ among WHO classifications. The patient and renal survivals were 84%, 60% and 85%, 72% at one and five years, respectively. Seventeen patients (24.2%) progressed to end-stage renal disease and 21 patients (30%) died during the study period. The leading causes of death were sepsis and renal failure.

CONCLUSIONS

WHO classification had little correlation with clinical and renal information. At the time of biopsy the elevated serum creatinine and hypertension were good predictors for end-stage renal disease. Poor patient and renal survivals were found in this study.

[Preventive chemotherapy after transurethral prostatectomy: a randomized study]

The usefulness of preventive chemotherapy was studied in transurethrally prostatectomized patients with no prior urinary tract infections. They were divided into two groups (A and B) randomized by the envelope method. A was administered intravenously piperacillin (PIPC) 2 g once after surgery, and twice on the following day. B was similarly administered PIPC intravenously, followed by oral administration of tosufloxacin tosilate (TFLX) 300 mg twice daily from the second to the fifth day. Of the total of 135 cases, 104, 45 in A and 59 in B, conformed to the patient standards established for analysis. Efficacy was assessed by the primary physician and also according to a unified standard in which the onset of a post-surgical infection and a bacteriuria of 10(4) or greater CFU/ml observed ten days after surgery were regarded as ineffective. An intergroup statistically significant difference was not observed in the efficacy rate assessed by the primary physician. However, according to the unified standard assessment, B showed a significantly higher efficacy rate (88.1%) than A (62.2%). The administration of TFLX following PIPC was useful. With an indwelling catheter, B exhibited a significantly greater efficacy rate when the retention period was four days or longer. The efficacy was greater in both groups if lavage was not performed, and this effect was greater in A. Consequently, the administration of TFLX was considered more useful for long-term indwelling catheter cases. Neither serious side effects, nor clinical test abnormalities were observed in this study.

[The influence of Chinese traditional medicine on the production and activity of interleukin 1 (IL-1)]

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a cytokine closely related to the pathogenesis of inflammation and chronic destructive changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Analysis of the effect of antirheumatic drugs on IL-1 production and activity is of great importance in exploring the therapeutic mechanism of RA. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Chinese herbs (10 prescription and 15 single drugs), which was often used in the treatment of RA, on the production and activity of IL-1. The production of IL-1 was tested through human monocytes stimulated with zymosan and measured by ELISA method; the activity of IL-1 was measured by its effect on the proliferation of murine thymocytes. The results showed that Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook, Tripterygil Hyhoglauci Tetrandrine significantly inhibited both of IL-1 production and IL-1 activity; while Aconiti Tuber, Ephedrae Herba, Atractyloidis Rhizoma, Atractyloidis Lanceae Rhizoma, Ledebouiellae Radix slightly inhibited IL-1 activity but not affecting IL-1 production. The ten prescriptions had no inhibitory effect on both of IL-1 production and IL-1 activity.

[A case of advanced seminoma treated effectively with single agent carboplatin therapy]

Cisplatin has played a major role in the treatment of germ cell tumors. However, it causes renal damage, severe nausea and vomiting. It is also neurotoxic and ototoxic. Carboplatin is an analog of cisplatin which, does not cause renal damage at therapeutic doses. It is not neurotoxic or ototoxic and it produces less gastrointestinal toxicity than cisplatin. We used carboplatin alone as an initial chemotherapy in a 36-year-old man with stage IIB seminoma. Following left radical orchiectomy the patient received 4 courses of carboplatin chemotherapy. After the first course of chemotherapy, tumor markers (LDH, beta-HCG) returned to the normal range. After 4 courses, the size of the retroperitoneal metastases was significantly reduced. The toxicity of 4 courses of carboplatin chemotherapy was generally milder than that of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapies such as PVB or VAB-6. There were no episodes of septicemia, thrombocytopenic bleeding or renal deterioration. The patient did not suffer from alopecia, neuropathy, symptomatic hearing loss, severe nausea or vomiting. Nine months after the completion of carboplatin chemotherapy, the patient remains well and free from disease progression. This case strongly suggests that single agent carboplatin therapy could be an effective and less-toxic treatment for advanced seminoma.

Inhibition of tonoplast ATPase by 2',3'-dialdehyde derivative of ATP

The 2',3'-dialdehyde derivative of ATP (dial-ATP) has been shown to be an affinity label for the ATP binding site of the H(+)-ATPase from tonoplast of etiolated mung bean seedlings (Vigna radiata L.). The dial-ATP caused marked inactivation of enzymatic activities of both membrane-bound and soluble ATPase and its associated proton translocation. The inactivation was reversible, but could be stabilized by NaBH(4). The sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern revealed that the dial-ATP binding site was in the large (A) subunit of ATPase. The inhibition could be substantially protected by its physiological substrate ATP, pyrophosphate, and nucleotides in the decreasing order: ATP > pyrophosphate > ADP = AMP > GTP > CTP = UTP. A Lineweaver-Burk plot showed that the mode of inhibition was competitive with respect to ATP. Loss of ATPase activity followed pseudo-first order kinetics with a K(i) of 4.1 millimolar, a minimum inactivation half-time of 20 seconds, and a pseudo-first order rate constant of 0.035 s(-1). The double logarithmic plot of apparent rate constant versus dial-ATP concentration gave a slope of 0.927, indicating that inactivation results from reaction of at least one lysine residue at the catalytic site of the large subunit. Labeling studies with [(3)H]dial-ATP indicate that the incorporation of approximately 1 mole of dial-ATP per mole ATPase is sufficient to completely inhibit the ATPase. A working model of nonequivalent subunits for enzymatic mechanism of vacuolar ATPase is suggested.

Interferon production from peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

A previous study demonstrated that interferon was present in the serum of 30% of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which was significantly higher than the 4.5% found in normal controls. We also recently reported that interferon production was deficient from SLE mononuclear cells, which has been attributed to immunodeficiency of the lymphocytes. In this study, interferon measurement included lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood (PB), synovial fluid (SF) and synovial tissue (ST) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). PB from normal subjects (NS) was used as a control. The results showed with PHA stimulation, that the interferon level in PBL (L = lymphocyte) in NS (70.0 +/- 67.5) was significantly higher when compared with PBL in RA (27.9 +/- 21.6). However, there was no difference between PBL in NS and AS. With ConA stimulation, the interferon level was significantly higher in the PBL of NS (130 +/- 59) and as compared with the PBL in RA (83.6 +/- 53.5). The SFL in RA (67.8 +/- 31.1) and the STL in RA (77.2 +/- 93.2) were also significantly different. It is concluded that interferon production was deficient not only in PBL in RA, but also in SF and STL in RA. The reduced interferon production from PB, SF and ST lymphocytes in RA patients may be due to previous release or immunodeficiency. Lymphocyte interferon production was normal in AS, which suggests that the lymphocyte abnormality between RA and AS may be different.

An essential arginyl residue in the tonoplast pyrophosphatase from etiolated mung bean seedlings

Tonoplast membrane of etiolated mung bean (Vinga radiata. L.) seedlings contained H(+)-translocating pyrophosphatase (PPase). Modification of tonoplast vesicles and partially purified PPase from etiolated mung bean seedlings with arginine-specific reagents, phenylglyoxal (PGO) and 2,3-butanedione (BD), resulted in a marked decline in H(+)-translocating PPase activity. The half-maximal inhibition was brought about by 20 millimolar PGO and 50 millimolar BD for membrane bound and 1.5 millimolar PGO and 5.0 millimolar BD for soluble PPase, respectively. The substrate, Mg(2+)-pyrophosphate, provided partial protection against inactivation by these reagents. Loss of activity of partially purified PPase followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The double logarithm plots of pseudo-first order rate constant versus reagent concentrations gave slopes of 0.88 (PGO) and 0.90 (BD), respectively, suggesting that the inactivation may possibly result from reaction of at least one arginyl residue at the active site of H(+)-translocating PPase.