Cloning of cellulose synthase genes from Acetobacter xylinum JCM 7664: implication of a novel set of cellulose synthase genes

Three sets of cellulose synthase genes were cloned from a cellulose-producing bacterium Acetobacter xylinum JCM 7664. One set of genes (bcsAI/bcsBI/bcsCI/bcsDI) were highly conserved with the well-established type I genes in other strains of A. xylinum, while the other two (bcsABII-A, bcsABII-B) were homologous to the known type II (acsAII). Unexpectedly, they were immediately followed by a gene cluster of bcsX/bcsY/bcsCII/ORF569, likely forming an operon. Western blotting demonstrated that the BcsY protein accumulated in cells. Since BcsY showed striking similarities to a number of membrane-bound transacylases, it was hypothesized that the type II cellulose synthase produces acylated cellulose, which might be anchored on the cytoplasmic membrane. An insertion sequence of IS1380-type was found just upstream of the one type II gene (bcsABII-B), suggestive of nonfunctioning.

Beneficial effect of salmon roe phosphatidylcholine in chronic liver disease

Phosphatidylcholine (PC), especially dilinoleoyl-PC, has been reported to be effective in preventing hepatic fibrosis in chronically alcohol-fed baboons. Continuous hepatic inflammation predisposes the structure of the liver to fibrosis. Since n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been shown to exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect, we tested the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA PC as a dietary supplement has a beneficial effect on chronic liver disease susceptible to fibrosis. Salmon roe phospholipids, 90% of which are PC, were extracted and encapsulated. Almost a third of the PC fatty acids were docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n3) and 10% were eicosapentanoic acid (20:5 n3). About 1600 mg/day of the phospholipids was administered for six months to six chronic liver disease patients, four with hepatitis B infection (three with cirrhosis, one with chronic hepatitis), one with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis and one with alcoholic cirrhosis. There was no change in the results of blood chemistry studies related to liver function, except in globulin, which decreased from 3.80 g/dl to 3.67 g/dl (p < 0.05). Among the lipid parameters, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein E increased significantly. Although this was a small trial, n-3 PUFA PC may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic liver diseases.

Primary aldosteronism with aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma in a pregnant woman

A 30-year-old pregnant woman complained of muscle weakness at 29 weeks' gestation. She was hypertensive with severe hypokalemia. Lower plasma renin activity and higher aldosterone level than the normal values in pregnancy suggested primary aldosteronism. A cesarean delivery was performed at 31 weeks' gestation because of pulmonary congestion. The neonatal course was uncomplicated. The laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a 2.0-cm right adrenal adenoma resulted in normalizing of her blood pressure and serum potassium level. Although primary aldosteronism is rare, especially during pregnancy, it should be always considered as one of etiologies of hypertension in pregnancy.

A selective inhibitor of intestinal ACAT, EAB309 suppresses both intestinal and hepatic cholesterol output and stimulates chylomicron removal

The effect of a novel inhibitor of acylcoenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.26, ACAT), EAB309 (EAB) on plasma lipid metabolism was studied in cholesterol-fed rats. Orally administered EAB was not detected in the portal vein or the liver but distributed exclusively in the intestine, suggesting that this agent selectively inhibits intestinal ACAT. The rats were fed with either a cholesterol-diet or a cholesterol-diet containing 0.005% EAB (w/w) ad. libium for three weeks. ACAT activity in intestinal microsomes was significantly inhibited in EAB-treated rats. Hepatic ACAT activity was also decreased in EAB-treated rats, however, this was attenuated by the addition of excess cholesterol to the liver microsome, indicating that substrate availability is tightly associated with this enzyme's activity and the inhibition of hepatic ACAT by EAB is not direct. Incorporation of [3H]-cholesterol to cholesteryl ester (CE) in mesenteric lymph were markedly suppressed by EAB treatment. Chylomicrons (CMs) were doubly labeled with [3H]-vitamin A and [14C]-triglyceride (TG) in EAB-treated or non-treated rats and injected into normal chow-fed rats. The CMs from EAB-treated rats were cleared faster from the plasma and taken up more by the liver compared with the CMs from non-treated rats. The content of CE in newly secreted VLDL was remarkably decreased by EAB treatment without affecting TG output. These results demonstrate that EAB, a novel inhibitor of intestinal ACAT, significantly suppresses both intestinal and hepatic CE output and stimulates CM removal. This suggests that the inhibition of intestinal ACAT can subsequently suppress hepatic ACAT by decreased CE delivery from the intestine to the liver.

[Immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis associated with infective endocarditis with aortic valve vegetation]

A 61-year-old male was referred to our hospital for rapidly progressive azotemia. He was also found to have huge vegetation at the aortic valve causing regurgitation. Biochemical examinations revealed the presence of an immunocomplex associated with decreased circulating complements. In biopsy samples from the kidney, we found the presence of fibrillar crescents, proliferation of mesangial cells, increase in extracellular matrix proteins, atrophy of tubules, infiltration of mononuclear cells in the interstitial regions, high density deposits in the mesangial area and mesangial interposition. Since the patient strongly rejected operative treatment by valvular replacement, we continued non-invasive treatment such as hemodialysis and treatment with penicillin G. This transiently improved the condition of the patient, including biochemical data and cardiac function, but there was no reduction in the size of vegetation at the aortic valve and the bacteria responsible for infective endocarditis were not identified. About three months after admission, overt signs of congestive heart failure emerged and the patients was subjected to intensive care with a respirator and hemodynamic monitoring. Although the cardiac function was improved, concomitant severe pneumonia occurred and the patient died of septic shock. Thus, we report a rare case in whom immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis was associated with infective endocarditis with aortic valve vegetation.

cDNA cloning, characterization, and chromosome mapping of UBE2E2 encoding a human ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzyme

A cDNA encoding a human ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) with N-terminal extension (UBE2E2/UbcH8) was isolated. Amino acid sequence within the UBC domain of UBE2E2 shares over 90% identity with human UbcH6, mouse UbcM2, and Drosophila UbcD2, whereas the N-terminal region shows little amino acid sequence similarity with known proteins. The UBE2E2 gene is transcribed in various tissues as a 1.9-kb transcript. The UBE2E2 protein formed a thioester bond with ubiquitin in an E1-dependent manner, indicating that the gene product is a functional E2 enzyme. The UBE2E2 gene was assigned to human chromosome 3p24.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

[Liver metastases from breast cancer 14 years after radical mastectomy; successful treatment with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and systemic endocrine therapy--a case report]

The patient was a 73-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital for epigastric discomfort and body weight loss. She had undergone radical right mastectomy in March 1982. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed multiple tumors in the liver. Three of the tumor markers (CA-125, CA 19-9, and CA 15-3) were positive. US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the liver tumor showed small atypical cells with solid cell nests. Immunohistochemical tests revealed estrogen receptor was positive. We diagnosed the patient as recurrent breast cancer metastatic to liver, 14 years postoperatively. The liver tumors were successfully controlled with the combination of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and mitomycin C) along with systemic endocrine therapy (medroxyprogesterone acetate and fadrozole hydrochloride hydrate).

Loss of cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reactions in nevus anemicus. Evidence for close concordance of cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity and endothelial E-selectin expression

BACKGROUND

The relationship of adhesion molecules in the dermis to immunologically mediated cutaneous inflammation can be understood by focusing on a serendipitous phenomenon: a lack of dermatitis within the margins of a nevus anemicus (NA) in generalized contact dermatitis. The expression and induction of endothelial and epithelial adhesion molecules with intradermally injected cytokines were investigated.

OBSERVATIONS

Nevus anemicus without dermatitis lacked histopathological changes consistent with inflammatory cellular infiltration. The surrounding skin of the dermatitic lesion expressed HLA-DR, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and E-selectin on endothelial cells, and HLA-DR and ICAM-1 in the epidermis. However, the skin of the NA lacked endothelial E-selectin and epidermal HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression. Interferon gamma, injected intradermally, induced endothelial and epidermal HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression in the NA and surrounding normal skin. While interferon gamma strongly induced E-selectin expression on endothelial cells in normal skin, it failed to induce endothelial E-selectin expression in the NA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that vessels in the NA do not respond normally to proinflammatory cytokines, at least at the level of E-selectin expression. The absence of keratinocyte ICAM-1 and HLA-DR expression in the NA lesion in contact dermatitis is likely caused by the absence of infiltrating lymphocytes, rather than by the intrinsic unresponsiveness of keratinocytes to interferon gamma. Among the endothelial cell adhesion molecules in delayed hypersensitivity, E-selectin appears to be indispensable in recruiting circulating T lymphocytes to the skin.

Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage in acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia: analysis of CT and autopsy findings

We studied the CT and autopsy findings in patients with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL). From 1982 to 1994, 38 (20%) of 194 patients with ANLL were diagnosed as having ICH, by CT in 17 patients, by autopsy in 11 and by both examinations in 10. Intracerebral haemorrhage occurred in 30 patients. Twenty-four patients with subcortical haemorrhage were classified into three types: a single haematoma (7), clustered multifocal haematomas (11), and separated multifocal haematomas (6). Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) occurred in 22 patients; 15 with subcortical haemorrhage, 1 with subdural haemorrhage (SDH) and 6 without any other ICH. SDH was also found in 4 patients with parenchymal haemorrhage or SAH or both. Concurrent, multiple haemorrhages consisting of various combinations of intracerebral haemorrhage, SAH and SDH are characteristic of ICH in ANLL. Multiple or confluent haematomas occur preferentially in subcortical brain.

Malignant melanoma of the kidney presenting as a primary tumor

We report a case of malignant melanoma of the kidney presenting as a primary tumor. This tumor was found incidentally in a 74-year-old woman. The patient underwent a right radical nephrectomy, and has been living tumor free for 2 years and 3 months. This is the first reported case of primary renal malignant melanoma. We discuss the probability that this tumor is renal in origin and directly linked to the origin of malignant melanoma.

Clinical significance of LEA-1 expression in adult acute myeloid leukemia

In this study, we examined expressions of several adhesion molecules (AdMs), i.e. leukocyte function antigen-1 (LFA-1: CD11a/CD18), Hermes homing receptor (CD44) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1: CD54), on leukemia cells from 51 adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) to elucidate clinical significance of these AdM expressions. Those expressions in lymphoid malignancies have been correlated with tumor evolutions, but CD44 was detected in all the AML cases examined and CD54 expression did not associate with their clinical characteristics or outcomes. However, we found that LFA-1 expressions significantly correlated with splenomegaly, resistance to induction chemotherapies and short survival periods in AML patients.

Acute myelocytic leukemia relapse with intramedullary spinal cord tumor involvement during hematological remission

A 64-year-old man who had been diagnosed as having acute myelocytic leukemia (M2 in the FAB classification) developed central nervous system involvement of intramedullary spinal cord during hematological remission. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a low signal intensity mass on T1-weighted images and a high signal intensity mass on T2-weighted images. The mass was slightly enhanced by gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. His neurological symptoms were slightly improved by intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy combined with external irradiation, although the size of the mass did not change.

Kinetics and uptake in vivo of oxidatively modified lymph chylomicrons

The metabolism of oxidized chylomicrons (ox-CMs) was investigated in vivo. CMs from rats fed corn, linseed, or fish oil were oxidized by incubation with 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH) or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Oxidized CMs had a rapid phase of clearance, followed by a slow phase. Clearance of ox-CMs was decreased for corn oil but increased for linseed and fish oil particles. Differences in rats of uptake between CM types or treatment were independent of the rate of remnant formation, but were instead a consequence of decreased clearance. A greater triglyceride-to-cholesteryl ester ratio in liver suggested that there was less lipolysis of ox-CM triglyceride prior to uptake. Hepatic uptake of ox-CMs was decreased, whereas there was increased uptake in spleen. However, the uptake by Kupffer cells of ox-CMs was 43% of total liver uptake after AAPH treatment and 59% after NaOCl treatment, compared with 21% for control CMs. Collectively, our data show that oxidation can have differential effects on the rate of clearance of CMs and that ox-CMs are preferentially cleared by the reticuloendothelial system.

[A case of retrovesical hemangiopericytoma]

A case of retrovesical hemangiopericytoma is reported. The patient was a 44-year-old woman with right lumbago. Cystoscopy showed extra-vesical compression in the area from the trigone to right wall of bladder. The histological examination of the specimen obtained with ultrasound-guided transvaginal biopsy revealed hemangiopericytoma. Because of the invasion to the bladder mucosae, total cystectomy and ileal conduit were performed. The patient received postoperative irradiation of 3,060 rad for pelvis. Eight months after operation, computerized tomography showed no evidence of local recurrence of the tumor.

[Pure red cell aplasia induced by erythromycin and furosemide effects on in vitro erythroid colony forming unit (CFU-E)]

A 84-year-old man was treated with antibiotics including erythromycin and a diuretic (furosemide) because of acute heart failure and pneumonia. During the treatment, he developed moderate anemia (Hb 8.7g/dl). His anemia improved after the treatment. He again developed marked anemia (Hb 6.3g/dl) during the second treatment with erythromycin and furosemide and received blood transfusions. Bone marrow aspiration study revealed severe erythroid hypoplasia (0.2%). He was referred to our hospital, but he was not treated because his hemoglobin levels and reticulocyte count increased (80%) and his bone marrow showed increased erythroblasts (41.5%). His anemia gradually improved without any treatment. We diagnosed the case as drug-induced pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). We cultured bone marrow cells obtained from the present case and four normal healthy volunteers by a plasma clot method to determine the effects of two drugs on the number of erythroid colony forming unit (CFU-E). Furosemide strongly inhibited the CFU-E colony formation in the patient, but the inhibition effect of erythromycin was moderate. Furthermore, CFU-E was markedly suppressed by a combination of erythromycin and furosemide in both patient and control materials. These results indicate that both furosemide and erythromycin were related to the occurrence of PRCA in this patient.

[Effects of cytarabine ocfosfate on colony-stimulating factor in myelodysplastic syndrome with monosomy 7]

A 42-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of pancytopenia in April 1992. A diagnosis of refractory anemia was made. The karyotype was normal male type on the initial study. Subcutaneous administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) initially increased the peripheral neutrophil count, bat in January 1993, although blast cells did not increase, neutrophils had decreased in spite of the continuation of G-CSF administration. Chromosome analysis showed 46XY, +Y, -7 at this point. By adding 50 mg of cytarabine ocfosfate (SPAC) daily, the peripheral neutrophil count again rose dramatically. However, anemia, thrombocytopenia and the chromosomal abnormality were unchanged. These results indicate that SPAC may upregulate the effect of G-CSF on granulopoiesis in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

[Changes of bone marrow MRI pattern in aplastic anemia before and after bone marrow transplantation]

In order to evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in estimating bone marrow cellularity, we performed T1-weighted MRI of the lumbar vertebral marrow in two patients with severe aplastic anemia, before and after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). High signal intensity was detected in the bone marrow before BMT, but the bone marrow pattern of MRI became normal after BMT. MRI seems to be effective for evaluating bone marrow cellularity and recovery, and for monitoring therapeutic effects in patients with aplastic anemia before and after treatment with BMT.

Isolation, structures, and antifungal activities of new aureobasidins

Aureobasidins are a group of cyclic depsipeptides with antifungal activity and are produced by Aureobasidium pullulans. Aureobasidins are composed of eight amino acids and one hydroxy acid such as 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid (Hmp), and highly lipophilic. Five new aureobasidins, S1, S2a, S2b, S3 and S4, which have higher hydrophilicity in reversed phase HPLC than the known aureobasidins A-R, were discovered in a fermentation broth of A. pullulans R106 by means of on-line liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. We identified the structures of the compounds and studied their antifungal activities. Three of the new aureobasidins, S2b, S3 and S4, which have hydroxylated Hmp as the hydroxy acid, were highly active against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Effect of probucol on plasma clearance and organ uptake of chylomicrons and VLDLs in normal and diabetic rats

Probucol was given to rats made diabetic by streptozotocin. Compared with diabetic rats not receiving probucol or with nondiabetic rats, probucol lowered the plasma concentrations of triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B. The concentrations of serum chylomicrons and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were also reduced. In control and diabetic rats, probucol enhanced the clearance of endogenously radiolabeled VLDL from the plasma. Clearances from the plasma of rat lymph chylomicrons or chylomicron-like lipid emulsions were slow in diabetic rats. Probucol normalized chylomicron clearance in diabetic rats primarily by restoring hepatic uptake of remnants, which was decreased in diabetes. In diabetic rats, uptake of chylomicron remnants was increased in a number of extrahepatic tissues, including the heart and kidney. Probucol significantly decreased uptake in some extrahepatic tissues. Increased plasma clearance of VLDL and chylomicrons was associated with an increase in the apolipoprotein CII/CIII and apolipoprotein E/C ratios. Orally administered probucol was specifically incorporated into lymph chylomicrons, and clearance of probucol from the plasma exactly paralleled the clearance of chylomicron remnants, as traced with radiolabeled cholesteryl esters. Chylomicron-like emulsions incorporating probucol were exclusively cleared from the plasma by the liver in normal rats. We conclude that in streptozotocin diabetic rats, probucol is an effective hypolipidemic agent because it promotes the clearance of the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Effects of anaesthesia on the removal from plasma of intravenously injected chylomicron-like lipid emulsions in rats and mice

1. In order to find an anaesthesia with minimum perturbation to the metabolism of chylomicrons, the effects of seven different anaesthetic agents on clearance from plasma of chylomicron-like emulsions were compared. 2. Avertin, urethane, fentanyl, and a ketamine/xylazine mixture all slowed the removal from plasma of emulsion triolein and cholesteryl oleate. The steroid anaesthetic althesin slowed the clearance of emulsion cholesteryl oleate without affecting the removal from plasma of emulsion triolein. Nembutal when injected intravenously at a hypnotic dose did not affect the clearance of emulsion triolein or cholesteryl oleate, whereas at the anaesthetic dose, nembutal slowed the clearance rate of both labelled lipids. 3. Except for althesin, which did not affect the plasma clearance of triolein, fractional clearance rates of emulsion triolein and cholesteryl oleate calculated from blood samples taken during 12 min after injection were significantly slower in the anaesthetized groups compared with controls. However, with avertin, althesin, nembutal and ketamine/xylazine, amounts of radiolabelled triolein and cholesteryl oleate remaining in plasma 25 and 30 min after injection were comparable with the control. Radioactive lipids in plasma remained much higher in rats treated with urethane and fentanyl-fluanisonium even 30 min after injection. 4. Avertin was simple to administer and produced a suitable depth of anaesthesia for minor surgery, tail vein injections and blood sampling, whereas althesin and the ketamine/xylazine mixture required supplementary doses to maintain anaesthesia towards the end of the experiment. We concluded that anaesthesia is best avoided for studies of chylomicron clearance. Avertin is the preferred agent if anaesthesia must be used, for example in newborn rats or in mice.

Analysis of oligosaccharides by on-line high-performance liquid chromatography and ion-spray mass spectrometry

Oligosaccharides were analyzed by a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). First, oligosaccharides labeled with 2-aminopyridine were studied to see if they could be analyzed by MS under the conditions used for separation by HPLC. Pyridylamino (PA)-oligosaccharides could be analyzed under these conditions, although the mass spectra were affected. Then, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze a PA-oligosaccharide mixture derived from human immunoglobulin G. The PA-oligosaccharides were separated on a reversed-phase column and mass-analyzed directly. The observed molecular weights were close to or identical to those expected from the structures, which were estimated from the elution position on HPLC. This method is rapid and simple, as the mass spectrometer can give the accurate molecular weight of each PA-oligosaccharide in one chromatography run, even if the HPLC separation is incomplete. This method can be used to extend the so-called two-dimensional mapping of PA-oligosaccharides. The structure can be studied in greater detail by tandem MS.