Association of CD14 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms with inflammatory microRNAs expression levels in ankylosing spondylitis and polyarthralgia

This study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and polyarthralgia (PA) conditions among Indian subjects through genotyping two immune regulatory genes CD14 (-159C>T) and MIF (-173G>C) and find their association with the expression levels of three circulating inflammatory miRNAs. This investigation may provide early genetic cause of these two forms of arthritis and more optimal biological targets to predict early therapeutic outcomes. A total of 140 patients (AS: 70 and PA: 70) and 156 controls were recruited from Indian population. CD14 and MIF genotyping was performed using ARMS-PCR. Expression level of three inflammatory miRNAs (miRNA-146a, miRNA-155 and miRNA-181) was quantified using RT-qPCR. C/T genotype of CD14 gene was found to cause 2.06-fold risk of developing AS (CI 1.06-5.98, p = .04) as compared to others and G/C genotype in MIF also shown significant variation between AS and control subjects. In PA subjects, CD14 genotypes (C/T) was found to be associated with disease susceptibility and G/C genotype of MIF gene polymorphism showed 4.71-fold risk of developing PA (CI 2.58-8.62, p = .0001). The study also revealed significant upregulation of miRNA-155 expression in AS subjects (p = .0001) with more than 1.3-fold difference between AS and PA as compared to the control subjects. miRNA-155 had strong association with AS patients with CD14 genotypes (p < .05) than PA and control subjects. This study provides better understanding of the mechanisms and disease susceptibility for MIF and CD14 genetic variants and inflammatory miRNAs networks involved in AS and PA.

Primary versus secondary immune thrombocytopenia in adults; a comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory attributes in newly diagnosed patients in Southern Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a hemorrhagic diathesis, characterized by platelets destruction alongside impaired production. Patients from Asian regions often exhibit distinctive characteristics in comparison to the western patients. We accomplished this study to evaluate the prevalence of primary versus secondary ITP along with the comparative analysis between them. The secondary objective was to determine the etiological spectrum of secondary ITP.

METHODS

We illustrate the results of a large cohort of newly diagnosed adults ITP from southern Pakistan. The study extended from January 2009-December 2013. Complete blood counts, HbsAg, Anti-HCV, ANA, stool for Helicobacterpylori were done on all. HIV, TSH, anti-dsDNA, RA factor, APLA and direct coombs test were evaluated in cases where indicated.

RESULTS

A total of 417 patients were included with a mean age of 40.95±14.82 years. Primarily disease was observed in the 3rd decade of life. Male to female ratio was 1:1.5. Mean platelets count was 46.21±27.45x109/l. At diagnosis 43.16% (n=180) patients had hemorrhagic manifestations whilst 56.8% (n=237) were asymptomatic. None of the patient presented with visceral, retropharyngeal or intracranial bleed. The prevalence of secondary ITP was substantially higher (64.8%) as compared to primary ITP (35.2%). Secondary ITP was predominantly seen in HCV reactive patients (24.4%) followed by helicobacter-pylori infection (11%). Nevertheless 16.4% patients had underlying autoimmune disorders. Providentially no study subject was found to be HIV reactive.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed predominance of secondary ITP. However bleeding manifestations and degree of thrombocytopenia were high in primary-ITP. Infectious etiology followed by autoimmune disorders is mainly implicated for secondary ITP in our setting.

Alteration of blood glucose and hemoglobin levels in zebrafish exposed to sumithion

Sumithion is extensively used in the agricultural land to control brittle and larval rearing aquaculture ponds to control tiger bug. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sumithion on blood glucose and hemoglobin levels in zebrafish, Danio rerio. At first acute toxicity (96 h LC50 value 7.89 mg/L) of sumithion was determined for sexually matured zebrafish. Then the fish were exposed to four concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L) of sumithion for a period of 7 days. The sexual dimorphic changes in blood glucose levels were observed in the present study. In male, the blood glucose levels were significantly (P<0.05) increased in all concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L) of sumithion compared to control (0 mg/L), while in female the blood glucose levels were significantly (P<0.05) increased only in high concentration (2.0 mg/L). Interestingly, the blood glucose level was higher in females than the males of zebrafish. The recorded hemoglobin values were significantly decreased with the increasing concentration of sumithion in both male and female. The present investigation revealed the toxic potentiality of sumithion on the zebrafish.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 216-221, 2016

Catch assessment of artisanal marine fishing gears in Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf of Bangladesh

Studies were conducted on catch assessment of some artisanal marine fishing gears operated in Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf areas from April 2014 to April 2015. Sixteen types of fishing gears were identified, of which gill net, beach seine net, estuarine set bag net, marine set bag net and trammel net occupy major fishing activities. Although estuarine set bag net (ESBN) is a legally restricted fishing gear recorded the highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) (110 kg/gear/day) in July followed by marine set bag net (MSBN) (105 kg/gear/day) in Cox’s Bazar and the highest CPUE was recorded 100 kg/gear/day by ESBN in June followed by MSBN (90 kg/gear/day) in Teknaf. Out of 52 species of fishes, the major fish species abundantly caught by these gears were Poa (Otolithoides argenteus), Churi (Trichiurus haumela), Loittya (Harpadon nehereus), Ranga choukha (Lutjanus johni), Lal poa (Johnius argentatus), Olua (Coilia dussumieri), Rup chanda (Stromateus chinensis), (Stromateus argenteus) and Ilish (Tenualosa ilisha). Besides these fish species, 10 commercially important shrimp species and 3 important crab species were also recorded during the study period. The peak season of availability of most fish species was June and July while lean season was December and January. This study indicated that Otolithoides argenteus) was the dominant fish species followed by Trichiurus haumela, Harpadon nehereus and Coilia dussumieri.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 228-234, 2016

The validity of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire in women with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES

To examine the validity and reliability of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire in a sample of women with diabetes in Malaysia, with the secondary aim of determining whether MENQOL domain scores were associated with depression and diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 337 postmenopausal women (241 with diabetes, 96 controls) were evaluated. Construct validity was evaluated using principal components analysis (PCA) and comparing scale items against the mental component score of the Short Form-12 (SF-12 MCS), and against the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 10 (CES-D 10). Consistency assessment was conducted using Cronbach's α.

RESULTS

The internal consistencies for the physical (PHS), psychosocial (PS), sexual (VSS) and vasomotor domains were 0.86, 0.79, 0.79 and 0.70, and 0.90 for the full scale of MENQOL. PCA revealed a four-factorial model. Diabetes and non-diabetes subjects experienced their first period (13.25 vs. 13.10 years, p = 0.680) and achieved menopause around the same age (49.35 vs. 48.87 years, p = 0.426). We found significant variations in the MENQOL's PHS and PS domain scores that could be explained by SF-12 PCS (25%) and SF-12 MCS (20%) sub-scales. The validity of the MENQOL domains was demonstrated through significant associations with the equivalent SF-12 MCS and PCS subscales. The PS domain of the MENQOL also predicted the likelihood of symptoms of depression (1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the validity and internal consistency of the MENQOL questionnaire for measuring quality of life in postmenopausal women with diabetes, suggesting that the instrument can be used to screen people for menopausal symptoms.

Abstract P4-14-14: Phyllodes tumour of the breast: A retrospective analysis of 87 cases

Background: Phyllodes tumour is a rare fibroepithelial tumour of the breast that accounts for only 0.5% of all breast neoplasms.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the case notes of all patients with phyllodes tumour treated between 1987–2010. Clinical data was analysed with respect to pathological and treatment outcome data.

Results: Between 1987–2010, 87 patients were treated for tumours, histologically classified as benign (60), borderline (10) and malignant (17). Median age at presentation was 55 years for patients with malignant phyllodes, 45 years for benign phyllodes and 48 years for patients with borderline tumours. Primary surgery for patients with benign or borderline phyllodes in 68 cases was breast conserving with 2 patients undergoing mastectomy. Of those with malignant phyllodes, primary surgery for 6 patients was mastectomy and 11 patients had breast conserving surgery. 2 patients with malignant phyllodes received adjuvant radiotherapy, to the chest wall for recurrence following mastectomy in one patient and following local excision in the other patient. 2 patients with malignant phyllodes proceeded to axillary surgery, with no involvement of lymph nodes. 6 patients (8.6 %) with benign disease and 4 (23.5 %) with malignant phyllodes had a local recurrence. Of those with malignant phyllodes who had a recurrence, 2 had systemic metastases and all had had a local excision at presentation. Median time to development of metastatic disease from initial presentation was 2.5 years. 1 patient received 1 cycle of palliative doxorubicin but progressed through treatment. Relapse free survival to date for patients with benign, borderline and malignant phyllodes was 91.7 %, 90 % and 70.6 % respectively.

Conclusion: Phyllodes tumours form a heterogenous group with a spectrum of behaviour in terms of risk of local recurrence and metastases. From this series, malignant phyllodes have a higher recurrence rate than benign and borderline tumours. Local excision in this group was associated with a 36.4 % local failure rate and 18.2 % risk of systemic metastasis. Treatment for malignant phyllodes should be individually based, but the greater risk of relapse both locally and systemically, should be taken into consideration and the options of mastectomy or oncoplastic techniques considered.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-14.

DOES THE TYPE OF THE PEYRONIE'S CURVATURE EFFECT PENILE VASCULAR PARAMETERS IN NORMOPOTENT MEN?

The aim of this study is to assess whether the type of penile curvature in normopotent men with Peyronie's disease affects the penile vascular doppler ultrasound parameters. Fifty-three normopotent patients within the stabilization phase of Peyronie's disease were evaluated retrospectively by means of color doppler ultrasonography. Bilateral cavernosal artery diameters before and after intracavernous papaverine injections, peak systolic and end diastolic velocities and the amount of leakage in the deep dorsal penile vein were compared in dorsal and ventral curvature groups of Peyronie's disease. 61% of the patients in dorsal and 59% in ventral Peyronie's curvature group have normal ultrasonographic penile vascular system. 35% and 3.3% in dorsal curvature group and 36.4% and 4.5% in ventral curvature group have venoocclusive dysfunction and mixed vascular pathologies, respectively, having no statistical correlation between them (p > 0.05). No arterial pathology was observed in any group. There was no correlation between the type of Peyronie's curvature and the penile doppler ultrasonographic findings in normopotent patients.

Homocysteine level in patients with established transmural myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the levels of serum total homocysteine in patients suffering from established transmural myocardial infarction and normal healthy subjects of local population.

DESIGN

A case control study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The present study was carried out at Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Ilyas (HMI) Institute of Pharmacology and Herbal Sciences in collaboration with National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, from June 2001 to December 2001.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-four persons were included in a case control study. Sixty-three patients were cases suffering from transmural myocardial infarction of anterior wall and 21 normal healthy subjects were controls having no history of IHD ever before. Fasting venous serum was analyzed for total homocysteine using fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) while lipid parameters and plasma glucose were estimated by enzymatic colorimetric method.

RESULTS

Mean serum total homocysteine and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels [19.43+/-2.46 umol/L, 124.97+/-45.31 mg/dl respectively] were found to be significantly higher in cases as compared to controls. The mean serum High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [27.57+/-15.31 mg/dl] was found to be significantly lower as compared to control. Mean serum glucose, total cholesterol and serum triacylglycerol [84.32+/-2.46 mg/dl, 174.35+/-27.08 mg/dl and 148.49+/-43.12 mg/dl respectively] were higher in patients as compared to control but difference was insignificant statistically.

CONCLUSION

Significantly high levels of total homocysteine along with high levels of LDL-C and low levels of HDL-C appear to be the factors responsible for the increase risk of coronary artery disease in our local population.

Mobile in vivo camera robots provide sole visual feedback for abdominal exploration and cholecystectomy

The use of small incisions in laparoscopy reduces patient trauma, but also limits the surgeon's ability to view and touch the surgical environment directly. These limitations generally restrict the application of laparoscopy to procedures less complex than those performed during open surgery. Although current robot-assisted laparoscopy improves the surgeon's ability to manipulate and visualize the target organs, the instruments and cameras remain fundamentally constrained by the entry incisions. This limits tool tip orientation and optimal camera placement. The current work focuses on developing a new miniature mobile in vivo adjustable-focus camera robot to provide sole visual feedback to surgeons during laparoscopic surgery. A miniature mobile camera robot was inserted through a trocar into the insufflated abdominal cavity of an anesthetized pig. The mobile robot allowed the surgeon to explore the abdominal cavity remotely and view trocar and tool insertion and placement without entry incision constraints. The surgeon then performed a cholecystectomy using the robot camera alone for visual feedback. This successful trial has demonstrated that miniature in vivo mobile robots can provide surgeons with sufficient visual feedback to perform common procedures while reducing patient trauma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition by small molecules

Angiogenesis is essential for primary tumours to grow and metastasise, and is driven by the production of positive angiogenic factors. The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family is central to the process of angiogenesis and comprises 5 molecules designated A, B, C, D and E. VEGF is overexpressed in several solid malignancies. The actions of VEGF are mediated through receptors possessing tyrosine kinase activity: VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (Kdr/Flk-1) and VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Anti-VEGF strategies include the use of antibodies to VEGF or its receptors, the use of ribozymes to decrease receptor expression, and the use of inhibitors of tyrosine kinase to reduce receptor activation and downstream signalling. The focus of this review is small molecule inhibitors of VEGF receptors which target their intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. The clinical development of the following agents is discussed: SU5416, SU11248, SU6668, PTK/ZK, ZD6474.

Modified insitu vaginal wall sling in stress incontinence

To assess the efficacy of a modified technique in stress incontinence, that is vaginal wall sling reinforced with two layers of vaginal wall sutured inferiorly. 27 patients with Type II incontinence, 4 with Type III and 14 with mixed type who completed two years follow up were included into the study. Cure, improvement and failure rates were 84.4%, 8.9% and 6.7% respectively. Temporary retention is observed in 30 of the patients, vaginal stenosis and pelvic pain in 1 and suture granuloma in 5 of the patients. Reinforced insitu vaginal wall sling which gives additional support to urethral hammock inferiorly offers a better solution to both types of stress incontinence.

Importance of the C-terminal phenylalanine of gastrin for binding to the human CCK(2) receptor

The importance of the C-terminal Phe of gastrin and structural requirements at position 17 for binding to the human CCK2 receptor were assessed using analogs of [Leu15]G(11-17). The following peptides were synthesized, Ac[Leu15]G(11-17), Ac[Leu15]G(11-16)NH2, [Leu15]G(11-17), [Leu15,Ala17]G(11-17), [Leu15,Abu17]G(11-17), [Leu15,Val17]G(11-17), [Leu15,Leu17]G(11-17), [Leu15,Cha17]G(11-17), [Leu15,Trp17]G(11-17), [Leu15,Tic17]G(11-17), [Leu15, d-Phe17]G(11-17) and [Leu15,p-X-Phe17]G(11-17), where X = F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CH3, NH2 and NO2. Competition binding experiments with [3H]CCK-8 were performed using human CCK2 receptors stably expressed in CHO cells. Phe17 was shown to be important for binding. A hydrophobic side-chain larger than Leu is required at position 17 but aromaticity does not appear to be essential. Constraint of the aromatic side-chain either in the g+ or g- conformation, as in the case of Tic, results in a significant decrease in affinity. In addition, the peptide conformation induced by incorporation of d-Phe decreases binding. The size and electron withdrawing/donating properties of the para substituent are not important for interaction with the receptor. The current study shows that the use of des-Phe analogs of gastrin is not a viable strategy for development of antagonists for the human CCK2 receptor.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners in Karachi District Central about tetanus immunization in adults

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of general practitioners regarding tetanus immunization in adults.

SETTING

The study was conducted in District Central, Karachi.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a Knowledge, Attitude and practices (KAP) survey.

METHODS

From a list of 1050 general practitioners (GPs), 100 were selected through simple random sampling and interviewed through a written questionnaire.

RESULTS

Only 25% general practitioners had adequate knowledge about pre-exposure and 13% both pre- and post-exposure tetanus immunization. All were ready to participate in any program to update their knowledge. Ninety seven percent were practicing only post-exposure immunization. In unimmunized patients with history of road side/street injury, 55% started tetanus immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT) only, 43% with Anti Tetanus Serum/Tetanus Immunoglobin (ATS/TIG) and only 2% with both TT and ATS/TIG. Only 13% GPs advised their patients to complete three doses of tetanus toxoid after initial contact.

CONCLUSION

As majority of GPs had poor knowledge and incorrect practices so interventions like seminars and display of immunization protocols in the clinics are recommended.

The rate of urgency symptoms in women with stress urinary incontinence and nomogram based bladder outlet obstruction

We reviewed the charts of 132 women 30 of whom were chosen as obstructed, 30 equivocal and 72 as unobstructed by automatically given nomograms in the urodynamic evaluation for stress incontinence. The rates of urgency symptoms in nomogram based obstructed, equivocal and unobstructed cases of stress incontinence were found in 30%, 23.3% and 12.5% respectively. More urgency symptoms were observed in women with stress incontinence and nomogram based bladder outlet obstruction than in equivocal and unobstructed cases.

Use of RT-PCR to detect co-expression of neuropeptides and their receptors in lung cancer

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) synthesises a wide range of neuropeptides and their corresponding receptors. Together, these can form autocrine growth loops. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) does not generally share this neuroendocrine phenotype. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that multiple neuropeptides and their receptors are co-expressed in SCLC, constituting potential autocrine loops. Expression of mRNA for arginine vasopressin, gastrin, cholecystokinin, gastrin-releasing peptide, endothelin and neurotensin, together with their cognate receptors, was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a panel of human lung cancer cell lines. We have assessed those neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors that could be used as potential early markers to detect lung cancer cells both as micrometastases in blood and within dysplasia in bronchial biopsies. We establish that although no cell line expressed all neuropeptides, co-expression of neuropeptides and their receptors is common in SCLC but not in NSCLC. We conclude that mRNA for the neuropeptides gastrin-releasing peptide and arginine vasopressin and the cholecystokinin receptor B were most SCLC-specific and RT-PCR for these markers could be used to distinguish between SCLC and NSCLC.

Studies on the expression of endothelin, its receptor subtypes, and converting enzymes in lung cancer and in human bronchial epithelium

Lung cancer, particularly small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is characterized by production of numerous peptides and their resulting clinical syndromes. Such peptides can act as autocrine growth factors for these tumors. In this study, we investigated the role of endothelin (ET)-1 in lung cancer. Using reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunocytochemistry, we screened a panel of lung cancer cell lines for ET-1, its receptors, and endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), which generates the active form of ET-1. ET-1 messenger RNA was expressed in five of seven SCLC, four of four non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. The intracellular isoform of ECE-1, important in processing ET-1 if an autocrine growth loop is to function, was downregulated in the lung cancer cell lines as compared with expression of the extracellular isoform. Endothelin A receptor (ETAR), which mediates the mitogenic effects of ET-1 in prostate and ovarian cancer, was upregulated in HBE cells compared with expression in three of seven SCLC and two of four NSCLC cell lines. Endothelin B receptor (ETBR) was more widespread, being expressed in seven of seven SCLC, four of four NSCLC, and the HBE cells. We used flow cytometry to measure mobilization of intracellular calcium as a functional assay for the ETAR. These data concurred with the RT-PCR results, indicating that the ETAR was downregulated or was involved in an alternative signal transduction pathway in lung cancer, and no evidence of functional receptor mediating an autocrine growth loop was found. From our study, the data do not support the putative functional autocrine growth role of ET-1 in lung cancer. We propose instead that ET-1 may act as a paracrine growth factor for surrounding epithelial and endothelial cells via alternative pathways, promoting angiogenesis and stromal growth.

Deep dorsal vein arterialization in pure cavernoocclusive dysfunction

PURPOSE

We report our 4-year experience with deep dorsal vein arterialization at 3 years' follow-up in young patients with pure cavernoocclusive dysfunction as an alternative to penile prosthesis implantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a modified Furlow-Fisher operation (circumflex collaterals are preserved and the deep dorsal venous valves are not disrupted by a stipper) in 25 patients who did not have risk factors such as general arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and age (over 40 years). Patients with arterial disease diagnosed by Doppler examination were excluded from the study. Also, patients with abnormal penile biothesiometric and electromyographic findings were not included in the study. Beside the subjective and objective evaluation the efficacy of the operation was also assessed retrospectively in 18 patients by telephone according to items 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and 4 (ability to maintain an erection) of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

RESULTS

With a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 4-42) subjective and objective success rates were 80 and 72% at 1 year's 75 and 62.5% at 2 years', and 70 and 60% at 3 years' follow-up. According to items 3 and 4 of the 15 item IIEF questionnaire the mean postoperative scores reached 1.55-3.44 and 1. 33-3.27 for items 3 and 4, respectively (p<0.01). Two patients (8%) showed signs of glans hypervascularization as a major complication and minor complications such as penile skin edema, subdermal hematoma, loss of penile skin sensation and early thrombosis of the anastomosis were found in a total of 8 patients (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

Deep dorsal vein arterialization is a preferable choice in highly selected young patients as an alternative to penile prosthesis.

Effect of some psychoactive drugs on stress induced alteration in plasma corticosterone level

Psychoactive drugs such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, propranolol and diazepam were evaluated for their ability to block stress induced changes in Wistar albino rats. The stress induced changes were monitored as the difference in plasma corticosterone (PCS) levels, before and after the administration of minimum effective doses of psychoactive drugs. Significant results were obtained with diazepam at the dose of 5-10 mg/kg and to a lesser extent with propranolol 20 mg/kg. Other drugs, at their minimum effective doses showed no significant change in plasma corticosterone levels.

Emergence of multi-drug resistance among beta-lactamase producing Salmonella

Multi-drug resistant strains of Salmonella isolated from blood and bone marrow cultures of pyrexial patients received from physicians, hospitals and different clinics were studied from May to November, 1993. Of 2143 samples collected, 424(20%) cases yielded the growth of different organisms. Out of these 266(63%) were positive for Salmonella strains. The strains isolated were Salmonella typhi 239(90%) and Salmonella paratyphi A 27(10%). Two hundred twenty (82%) strains of Salmonella showed increased beta-lactamase activity and an alarming increase in resistance against commonly used antibiotics for enteric fever.

Effects of essential amino acid deficiencies on syngeneic tumor immunity and carcinogenesis in mice

The present study was designed to evaluate in a syngeneic system the longterm effect of dietary reduction of each of three essential amino acids on carcinogenesis with methylcholanthrene (MCA) and immunity to a transplanted MCA tumor. Inbred mice were provided a standard amino acid diet or a diet deficient in isoleucine, leucine, or phenylalanine-tyrosine. In the carcinogenesis experiment, MCA pellets were implanted in each mouse and weekly records were maintained of body weight, tumor incidence, tumor size, and death rate. Mice in the immunity study were inoculated with syngeneic tumor cells; tumors were excised when the largest tumor in the control group reached 12 mm and each animal then received a second challenge of tumor cells. The available data suggest that (1) restriction of the selected amino acids does not inhibit chemical carcinogenesis with MCA, (2) phenylalanine-tyrosine deficiency may actually enhance chemical carcinogenesis with MCA, and (3) selected essential amino acid deficiencies do not enhance immunity to a transplanted MCA tumor.

Recurrent urinary tract infection due to Shigella flexneri--case report

A case of urinary tract infection due to Shigella Flexneri is reported. The case presented suggests that in persistent and recurrent urinary tract infection in topical countries, investigations for organisms such as Shigella Flexneri should be considered. Urinary tract infection due to Shigella Flexneri is unknown and as far as we known has not been reported in the literature. A case report is presented in whom recurrent urinary tract infection was due to Shigella Flexneri and was treated effectively with antibiotics.

Purification and properties of threonine deaminase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Threonine deaminase (L-theonine hydro-lyase (deaminating), E.C. 4.2.1.16) has been purified to homogeneity from extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When purified 1200-fold, the enzyme is homogeneous by the criterion of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The reduced and alkylated protein has a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 daltons, one-fourth the value determined previously for the intact enzyme. The purified enzyme exhibits homotropic effects with the substrate; these effects are descresed in the presence of DL-allothreonine, a competitive inhibitor. Half-maximal velocity is achieved at 34 mM L-threonine in the absence of other effectors. L-isoleucine both stimulates at low (0.01-0.05 mM) concentrations and inhibits at high (0.1-1.0 mM) concentrations. Valine activates the enzyme in the absence of isoleucine ; in the presence of isoleucine it reverses inhibition.

A bifunctional enzyme in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a new pattern in the organization of enzymes concerned with phenylalanine and tyrosine biosynthesis

Two isozymes of chorismate mutase (CA mutase(1) and CA mutase(2)) and two isozymes of prephenate dehydratase (PPA dehydratase(1) and PPA dehydratase(2)) have been found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The activities CA mutase(2)-PPA dehydratase(2) catalyzing phenylalanine biosynthesis have been purified almost 40-fold and were found to be associated as a bifunctional enzyme or an enzyme complex. The enzymes specific for tyrosine biosynthesis did not appear to manifest such physical association. Thus, the organization of enzymes concerned with phenylalanine and tyrosine biosynthesis in P. aeruginosa is unique and is unlike most other organisms. Single site mutants have been isolated which have lost both CA mutase(2)-PPA dehydratase(2) activities resulting in a requirement for phenylalanine for growth. Single site revertants of these mutants regained both these activities simultaneously and were able to grow on minimal medium. A mutant, r(6), was also isolated which had normal CA mutase(2) but lacked PPA dehydratase(2) activity.

Organization of polyaromatic biosynthetic enzymes in a variety of photosynthetic organisms

Sucrose density gradient centrifugation was used to estimate the molecular weights and determine possible physical aggregation of the enzymes catalyzing steps 2 to 6 in pre-chorismic acid polyaromatic biosynthesis in Anabaena variabilis, Chlamydomonas reinhardi, Euglena gracilis, Nicotiana tabacum, and Physcomitrella patens. In A. variabilis, the five enzymes are separable. Similar results were obtained for P. patens, N. tabacum, and C. reinhardi extracts, except that dehydroshikimate reductase and dehydroquinase were not separable by this method. Evidence is presented for an enzyme aggregate containing five activities, with a molecular weight of approximately 120,000 in E. gracilis; dissociation of this aggregate into components corresponding to molecular weight of ca. 60,000 is also observed. Preliminary evidence concerning the enzymatic composition of the 60,000-molecular-weight components is presented and discussed. Similarities between the E. gracilis polyaromatic aggregate and that of Neurospora crassa are discussed.

Organization of enzymes in the common aromatic synthetic pathway: evidence for aggregation in fungi

Centrifugation in sucrose density gradients of partially purified extracts from six species of fungi, i.e., Rhizopus stolonifer, Phycomyces nitens, Absidia glauca (Phycomycetes), Aspergillus nidulans (Ascomycetes), Coprinus lagopus, and Ustilago maydis (Basidiomycetes), indicate that the five enzymes catalyzing steps two to six in the prechorismic acid part of the polyaromatic synthetic pathway sediment together. The sedimentation coefficients for these enzymes are very similar in the six species and are comparable to those previously observed for the multienzyme complexes (arom aggregates) of Neurospora crassa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These results are interpreted as indicating the presence in each of these fungi of arom aggregates, presumably encoded by arom gene clusters similar to those in N. crassa and S. cerevisiae. Evidence has also been obtained for the presence in two species (A. nidulans and U. maydis) and the absence in the other four species of a second dehydroquinase isozyme which is distinguishable from the synthetic activity on the basis of both thermostability tests and S values. This second dehydroquinase, which is apparently involved in the catabolism of quinic acid via a pathway similar to that in N. crassa, is inducible in A. nidulans (as it is in N. crassa), but constitutive in U. maydis. These comparative findings are discussed in relation to the organization, evolution, and possible functional relationships of synthetic and catabolic aromatic pathways in fungi.