Purification, characterization, primary structure, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic study of a serine proteinase from Streptomyces fradiae ATCC 14544

A proteinase having wide substrate specificity was isolated from Streptomyces fradiae ATCC 14544. This proteinase, which we propose to call SFase-2, was purified from the culture filtrate by S-Sepharose chromatography. The purified enzyme showed an apparent molecular mass of 19 kDa on SDS/PAGE. When synthetic peptides were used as substrates, SFase-2 showed broad substrate specificity. It also hydrolyzed keratin, elastin and collagen as proteinaceous substrates. It was completely inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate and chymostatin, but not by tosylphenylalaninechloromethane, tosyllysinechloromethane or EDTA, indicating that it can be classified as a serine proteinase. The matured protein sequence of SFase-2 was determined by a combination of amino acid sequencing and the DNA sequencing of the gene. SFase-2, consisting of 191 amino acids, is a novel proteinase. It showed 76% similarity in the amino acid sequence with Streptomyces griseus proteinase A [Johnson P. and Smillie L. B. (1974) FEBS Lett. 47, 1-6]. For insight into the three-dimensional structure of SFase-2, we obtained single crystals by the vapor diffusion method using sodium phosphate as a precipitant. These crystals belonged to the orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with cell dimensions a = 6.92 nm, b = 7.28 nm, c = 2.99 nm; one molecule was present in the asymmetric unit.

Correlation between clotting and collagen metabolism markers in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused essentially by an immune-mediated mechanism. However, abnormalities of the clotting system have also been incriminated as having an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. This study aims at assessing the clotting system and collagen metabolism alterations and the relationship between perturbances of the hemostatic pathway and the destructive and fibroproliferative processes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The coagulation system was evaluated by measuring thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and antithrombin III (AT-III). The fibrinolysis system was assessed by measuring fibrin degradation products (FDP), fibrinogen (FBG), alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2-PI), D-dimer (DD) and plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin complex (PAP). As markers of collagen metabolism, the type III procollagen peptide (PIIIP) and the 7S domain of type IV collagen (7S-collagen) were determined. Blood concentrations of DD, PAP, TAT, PIIIP, and 7S-collagen were significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to controls. Serum levels of PIIIP were significantly correlated with PT, APTT, AT-III, FDP, and DD. 7S-collagen levels were inversely related to AT-III and FBG values. This study demonstrated the occurrence of a subclinical intravascular coagulation in rheumatoid arthritis and suggested the important role of blood coagulation in the alteration of the extracellular matrix metabolism in this disease.

Purification and some properties of alanine aminotransferase from Candida maltosa

Alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT; EC 2.6.1.2) was purified to homogeneity from Candida maltosa that was grown on L-alanine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The enzyme has a molecular mass of 99kDa and consists of two subunits of equal molecular mass (52 kDa). Each subunit binds one mole of PLP. The enzyme has an isoelectric point of 5.3 and an optimum pH of 6.0-7.5. The spectroscopic profile and an inhibition experiment showed that both PLP and free-SH groups are directly involved in the enzymatic catalysis. In the N-terminal region of the enzyme, the consensus sequence (five amino acids) that commonly appears in mammalian and higher plant enzymes is present. Compared with mammalian enzyme, the Candida AlaAT is heat-sensitive and a little looser in substrate specificity, and its affinity towards L-alanine is high.

Prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury in correlation with magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 18 patients with a cervical spinal cord injury were analysed for prognostic signs of paralysis. Serial MR images were obtained within 48 hours (acute stage), then 2 weeks (subacute stage) and an average of 12 months (range 6-24 months) after injury. The patterns of signal intensity in the acute stage were divided into two types, slightly-low/low (SL/L) type and slightly-low/high (SL/H) type on T1-weighted images (T1WI) and T2-weighted images (T2WI). The patterns in the subacute stage were divided into two types, high/high (H/H) type and normal/high (N/H) type on T1WI and T2WI. Six patients showed SL/L type in the acute stage and H/H type in the subacute stage. Five of the patients had a paralysis of grade A and one of grade B at admission which remained unchanged after treatment. One patient showed SL/H type in the acute stage and H/H type in the subacute stage. The patient had a paralysis of grade A that improved to no more than grade B. The remaining 11 patients showed SL/H type in the acute stage and N/H type in the subacute stage. Their paralysis was from grade B to D at admission and grade D or E at the follow up. The signal intensity of SL/L type in the acute stage and H/H type in the subacute stage are bad prognostic signs.

[Effect of a new anticancer drug, docetaxel (RP56976), on human leukemia cell lines]

The antitumor effect of a new derivative of taxol, docetaxel (RP56976), was examined in K562 human tumor system in vitro. K562 cells presenting a multidrug resistant phenotype showed cross resistance to docetaxel. However, the resistance levels of docetaxel in these cell lines were much lower than for adriamycin and vincristine. Flow cytometric analysis showed the accumulation of cells into G2/M phase after 18hrs. Wright-Giemsa staining showed a marked increase of metaphase population. Docetaxel was shown to promote the assembly of microtubule protein without GTP in vitro, but no inhibitory effect on DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. Moreover, topoisomerase activities were not affected by docetaxel. These results indicate that docetaxel acts as a strong mitotic inhibitor in cancer chemotherapy.

MR imaging of middle cerebral artery stenosis and occlusion: value of MR angiography

PURPOSE

To investigate the effectiveness of MR angiography in conjunction with spin-echo imaging for evaluating vascular patency in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis or occlusion.

METHODS

Seven patients with MCA stenosis or occlusion, verified with contrast angiography in five and correlated with transcranial Doppler sonography in two, were examined using two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiographic techniques as well as conventional spin-echo imaging.

RESULTS

Of the seven patients, six demonstrated basal ganglionic and/or cortical infarct in the MCA territory. Except one case with minimal stenosis immediately distal to the MCA origin, all six cases with either severe stenosis or occlusion of the main trunk of the MCA showed the absence of normal flow voids using spin-echo imaging in the sylvian fissure on the affected side. However, it was not possible to discriminate between stenosis and occlusion. Although different mechanisms (ie, flow-induced spin dephasing for the 2-D technique and progressive spin saturation for the 3-D technique) were predominantly responsible for the loss of signal through the area of stenosis, both the 2-D and 3-D MR angiograms clearly depicted the compromised flow of the MCA: a focal discontinuity with decreased vessel caliber corresponded to stenosis, and nonvisualization of distal MCA branches represented occlusion.

CONCLUSION

Either 2-D or 3-D time-of-flight MR angiography is a useful adjunct to conventional parenchymal spin-echo imaging for evaluating vascular patency in patients with MCA stenosis or occlusion, although it is important to recognize that each technique has a different basis for the loss of signal through the area of stenosis.

Detection of alcohol-tolerant hiochi bacteria by PCR

We report a sensitive and rapid method for detection of hiochi bacteria by PCR. This method involves the electrophoresis of amplified DNA. Nucleotide sequences of the spacer region between 16S and 23S rRNA genes of 11 Lactobacillus strains were identified by analysis of PCR products. Five primers were designed by analysis of similarities among these sequences. A single cell of Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei could be detected when purified genomic DNA was used as the template. When various cell concentrations of L. casei subsp. casei were added to 50 ml of pasteurized sake and the cells were recovered, the detection limit was about one cell. No discrete band was observed in electrophoresis after PCR when human, Escherichia coli, mycoplasma, Acholeplasma, yeast, or mold DNA was used as the template.

Acute effect of hydralazine administration on pulmonary artery hemodynamics in dogs with chronic heartworm disease

In an effort to better understand the role of vasodilators in the management of pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic heartworm disease (HWD), pulmonary hemodynamic measurements were obtained from 7 experimentally infected, anesthetized dogs before and after hydralazine administration (mean dose, 1.96 mg/kg of body weight). Five dogs were maintained on room air, while 2 were maintained on 100% oxygen during the hydralazine study. The hemodynamic effect of hydralazine in dogs with HWD was evaluated, using heart rate, cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure, mean arterial pressure, total pulmonary resistance, total systemic resistance, total systemic resistance/total pulmonary resistance, left ventricular dP/dtmax, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and left and right ventricular double products ([mean arterial pressure x heart rate] and [mean pulmonary artery pressure x heart rate], respectively). Responders were defined as those in which total pulmonary resistance decreased > or = 20% without an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and in which heart rate increase was < or = 10%. Comparison was also made between maximal hemodynamic effect of hydralazine with that after 100% oxygen administration for 15 minutes to previously normoxemic dogs (n = 5). Significance was determined if P < 0.05, using the paired t-test. Hydralazine induced significant reductions in mean pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and total pulmonary resistance, with no significant change in heart rate, cardiac index, total systemic resistance, left ventricular dP/dtmax, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, or right and left ventricular double products. Four (57%) of the 7 dogs studied were considered responders. Pretreatment cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and total pulmonary resistance did not allow differentiation of responders from nonresponders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The relationship between serum levels of interleukin-6 and thyroid hormone in children with acute respiratory infection

To determine whether monocyte-derived humoral factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and IL-6 modulate serum thyroid hormone levels in infectious disorders, we measured serum levels of these monocyte-derived products, T3, T4, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in 59 out-patients with acute respiratory infection, aged 5 months to 15 yr (mean +/- SD, 5.7 +/- 4.2 yr). To minimize individual variation in their clinical and nutritional conditions, we selected out-patients with fever lasting for at least 3 days who had no severe disturbance of food intake. Serum T3 concentrations tended to be low in these subjects; 3 (5.1%) had levels below 1.2 nmol/L, L, and 13 (22.0%) had levels below 1.5 nmol/L. Serum T3 levels in 22 patients with elevated IL-6 (> 15 pg/mL) were significantly lower than those in 19 patients with normal IL-6 (< or = 5 pg/mL; T3, 1.7 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.6 nmol/L; P < 0.05). The serum IL-6 concentration was correlated inversely with the serum T3 level (r = -0.324; P = 0.012) as well as the T3/T4 ratio (r = -0.279; P = 0.032). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between CRP (induced mainly by IL-6) and T3 (r = -0.408; P = 0.001) or the T3/T4 ratio (r = 0.302; P = 0.020). On the other hand, TNF alpha was measurable in only 9 of 59 patients, and there was no correlation between TNF alpha and levels of thyroid hormone, CRP, or IL-6. Serum IL-1 beta was weakly detected in only 1 patient. On follow-up study of 10 of these patients, the serum T3 and T3/T4 ratio increased significantly with a reciprocal decrease in IL-6 and CRP during convalescence. No remarkable change in the serum T4 level was observed in our study. Our data suggest that the euthyroid sick syndrome is relatively common in children with acute respiratory infection, and IL-6 appears to mediate this syndrome in infectious disorders.

Expression of the Bacillus subtilis spoIVCA gene, which encodes a site-specific recombinase, depends on the spoIIGB product

The Bacillus subtilis spoIVCA gene encodes a site-specific recombinase which creates a sigK gene by DNA rearrangement. We have determined the transcription initiation point of the spoIVCA gene and found that (i) the spoIVCA promoter contains sequences which are similar to -10 and -35 regions of promoters recognized by sigma E and (ii) mutation of spoIIGB, which encodes pro-sigma E, blocked the expression of spoIVCA.

The motility of lung lymphocytes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis

Lymphocytes obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) are believed to be derived from interstitial inflammatory lesions of the lung in which lymphocytes have migrated from the blood. Because cellular motility is one of the important factors in lymphocyte migration, we investigated the motility of BAL lymphocytes from 12 patients with HP and 12 with PS, as well as their responsiveness to chemoattractants in vitro by modified Boyden chamber method. Motility was evaluated by the number of migrated cells and the migration distance. The numbers of migrated BAL lymphocytes from patients with HP and PS in albumin-containing medium were 318.3 +/- 93.0 (mean +/- SD) and 207.6 +/- 35.5, respectively, and were greater than those of BAL lymphocytes from normal control subjects (133.3 +/- 40.9) and blood lymphocytes, and comparable with those of mitogen-activated blood lymphocytes. The motility of BAL lymphocytes in these diseases compared with blood lymphocytes was also increased in protein-free medium. In addition, the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages (AM) enhanced the motility of BAL, mitogen-activated, and blood lymphocytes. These results suggest that BAL lymphocytes in these diseases are functionally motile, and their enhanced motility, as well as mediators from AM, may facilitate the accumulation of lymphocytes at the epithelial surface.

[Rearing related stress and depressive severity]

Mothers' difficulties concerning child-rearing were conceptualized as a rearing-related stress (RRS). Eight hundred and seventeen mothers who had six month-olds infants were asked to rate 28 RRS items and 20 items on the depressive severity scale (Zung, 1956). The main results were summarized as follows: (1) Twenty-two items of RRS were analyzed by Hayashi's quantification (type-III) method, and two hypothesized dimensions were extracted. These are named children-related rearing stress (CRRS) and mothers-related rearing stress (MRRS). (2) RRS was related to mothers depressive severity. (3) Linear relationships of "CRRS-MRRS-depression severity" was examined by partial correlation analysis. (4) Primiparae experienced more RRS than multiparae. These results suggested that RRS could be considered as a process, i.e., CRRS influences MRRS and then MRRS influences depressive severity. The RRS model is an accord with the psychological stress model of Lazarus and Folkman (1986). Lastly, possible preventive strategies for mothers' RRS were discussed in the light of RRS model.

Plasma cortisol response in dairy cows to vaginoscopy, genital palpation per rectum and artificial insemination

Response of plasma cortisol concentrations after vaginoscopic examination, palpation of the genital organs per rectum and artificial insemination were investigated in six Holstein-Friesian cows weighing between 510 to 620 kg. Blood samples were collected by indwelling jugular catheter. The experiment was begun at 09:00 hours on the day when cows came into estrus. Blood samples were collected from 30 minutes before to 60 minutes after each treatment at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes. Cows were initially blood-sampled for 90 minutes at the same intervals without giving any treatment and then were subjected to vaginoscopy for 1.5 minutes, palpation of the uterus and ovaries per rectum for 4 minutes and artificial insemination by the recto-vaginal method for 5 minutes. No significant increase in plasma cortisol was shown in cows in estrus following vaginoscopy. Palpation per rectum as well as artificial insemination caused a significant increase in plasma cortisol (P < 0.01) 5 to 10 minutes after the initiation of treatments in cows in estrus. There was a tendency for cows in the luteal phase to show higher plasma cortisol levels after the vaginoscopy than cows in estrus. Adrenal response to palpation per rectum in cows in the luteal phase was similar to that in cows in estrus. Thus, in cows in estrus, palpation per rectum as well as artificial insemination may be potential stressors for cows, causing an increase in plasma cortisol levels. However, the pathophysiological importance of the rise in plasma cortisol levels is not known.

[Prognosis of interstitial pneumonitis (IP) in polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM)]

IP, the major complication of PM/DM, is closely related to the life of these patients. In this study the course and prognosis of IP associated with PM/DM were investigated. Thirty IP patients with PM/DM were divided into 4 groups according to the course of IP. Clinical manifestations, laboratory data, chest radiographs and treatment were examined retrospectively. Eleven cases improved (Group I), 11 cases were exacerbated (Group E), 3 cases were unchanged (Group U), 2 cases died due to rapid progression of IP (Group D) and 3 cases dropped out. Both Group D patients were middle aged female DM patients without CPK elevation. All cases were treated with corticosteroids. The clinical manifestations, laboratory data, chest radiographs and initial dose of corticosteroid were not markedly different between Group I and E. The total dose of corticosteroids during the first 3 months tended to be higher in Group I than in Group E. Unlike idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis, the decrease in lung volume on chest radiographs improved after the treatment in 5 cases. We conclude that IP associated with PM/DM should be treated initially with high doses of corticosteroids.

[Levels of soluble CD4 and soluble CD8 in patients with sarcoidosis]

Levels of soluble CD4 (sCD4) and soluble CD8 (sCD8) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined in 36 patients with sarcoidosis and 20 healthy controls by an ELISA method. In addition, the possible sources of sCD4 and sCD8 were examined in detail. The sCD4 levels in serum did not differ significantly between sarcoidosis patients and controls. The sCD8 levels in the sera of sarcoidosis patients with a high serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level were significantly higher than those of patients with a normal serum ACE level (413 +/- 148 U/ml vs. 297 +/- 76 U/ml, p < 0.01). The high ACE group also had significantly increased serum sCD8 levels as compared to controls (323 +/- 111 U/ml, p < 0.05). In the sarcoidosis patients, the mean serum sCD8 level was 308 +/- 46 U/ml in stage 0, 339 +/- 107 U/ml in stage I, 557 +/- 141 U/ml in stage II, and 474 +/- 211 U/ml in stage III. The stage II group had a significantly higher sCD8 level than either the stage 0 or I groups (p < 0.05). In the sarcoidosis patients, the sCD8 level correlated significantly with the level of either ACE or soluble Interleukin-2 receptor in serum (p < 0.05). The sCD4 level in BALF was significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients than in controls (4.10 +/- 1.90 U/ml vs. 2.39 +/- 0.12 U/ml, p < 0.01), while the sCD8 level in BALF tended to be higher in sarcoidosis patients than in controls (4.31 +/- 4.39 U/ml vs. 2.02 +/- 1.52 U/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of a cation conductance by acetic acid in taste cells isolated from the bullfrog

The ionic mechanism of the conductance activated by acetic acid was analyzed in isolated bullfrog taste cells under whole-cell voltage-clamp. Bath-application of acetic acid (pH 3.9-4.7) induced an inward current in about 80% of the taste cells. The current occurred in external 80 mmol l-1 Ba2+ and internal 100 mmol l-1 Cs+, which completely blocked the delayed outward K+ current. The concentration-response relationship for the acid-activated current was consistent with that of the gustatory neural response. Prolonged adaptation of the surface of the tongue to HCl prior to taste cell isolation decreased the acid-induced current to about 20% of the control value without decreasing NaCl-induced neural responses and voltage-activated Na+ currents. The results suggest that the transduction mechanism of the acid response might be different from that of the response to salt. The I-V relationship of the acid-induced response was nearly linear at membrane potentials between -80 and 80 mV. The acid-induced conductance was permeable to alkali metal and alkali earth metal ions. The permeability ratios were PCa:PBa:PSr:PNa:PCs = 1.87:1.17:0.73:0.99:1.00. The present study suggests that the acid-induced receptor current in bullfrog taste cells is generated by an increase in a cation conductance in the apical taste membrane.

Contribution of phospholipases A2 and D to arachidonic acid liberation and prostaglandin D2 formation with increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rat peritoneal mast cells

The contribution of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) and D (PLD) activation to arachidonic acid liberation and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) formation was studied in stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. Stimulation of the cells with ionomycin induced time-dependent and Ca(2+)-concentration-dependent increase in arachidonic acid liberation and PGD2 formation, and the Ca(2+)-dependent increase was especially remarkable at extracellular Ca2+ concentration higher than 200 microM. Staurosporine did not induce any effect on the arachidonic acid liberation, indicating that protein kinase C is not involved in the liberation. Addition of ethanol to the cells decreased the ionomycin-stimulated arachidonic acid liberation to 40% of the control, while it decreased the PGD2 formation almost completely, with the increase in phosphatidylethanol formation. Propranolol, a phosphatidate phosphohydrolase inhibitor, caused similar effects. p-Bromophenacyl bromide, a PLA2 inhibitor, inhibited partially the arachidonic acid liberation. The inhibition of the liberation by combination of p-bromophenacyl bromide and ethanol was additive and reached approximately 90%. Under the conditions used p-bromophenacyl bromide did not influence significantly the PLD activity assessed by the phosphatidylethanol formation. Histamine release was decreased by ethanol treatment to 35% of the control. These results suggest that more than half of the total arachidonic acid liberation is mediated by the sequential pathway of PLD/phosphatidate phosphohydrolase/diacylglycerol lipase and more than half of histamine release is also dependent on PLD activation, while the PGD2 formation is fully mediated by the pathway. PLA2 also contributes to arachidonic acid liberation but to a lower extent.

Molecular cloning of a possible cysteine proteinase predominantly expressed in osteoclasts

Osteoclasts are multinucleate giant cells playing key roles in bone resorption. These cells solubilize mineralized bone matrix by means of acid and protease action; however, the precise mechanism of this process is not well known. Recently, we succeeded in the isolation of pure osteoclasts from rabbit bones and constructed a cDNA library. Using a differential screening procedure, two genes expressed predominantly in osteoclasts compared with spleen cells were isolated (Tezuka, K., Sato, T., Kamioka, H., Nijweide, P. J., Tanaka, K., Matsuo, T., Ohta, M., Kurihara, N., Hakeda, Y., and Kumegawa, M. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 186, 911-917). One of them, OC-2, was found to encode a possible cysteine proteinase structurally related to cathepsins L and S. By in situ hybridization, OC-2 was confirmed to be expressed in osteoclasts in vivo. By Northern blot analysis, OC-2 was highly and preferentially expressed in osteoclasts compared with other tissues such as kidney, liver, spleen, and lung. The predominant expression of OC-2 in osteoclasts may suggest that OC-2 encodes a protein, possibly a cysteine proteinase, that plays an important role in osteoclastic bone resorption.

[Clinical study of the hypogastric plexus preserving operation for Y-prosthesis replacement for abdominal aneurysm--operative technique for avoiding postoperative sexual disorders]

We studied the effect of the hypogastric plexus preserving operation for Y-prosthesis replacement in abdominal aneurysm. The hypogastric plexus preserving operation was performed for avoiding postoperative sexual disorders such as the impotence and the abnormalities of ejaculation. With wide abrasion of retroperitoneum as usually, postoperative abnormalities of ejaculation occurred in 70% and postoperative impotence occurred in 50% of cases undergoing Y-prosthesis replacement. More reliable nerve preserving operation was the minimum abrasion of retroperitoneum and the aorta had not to he abrased at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery, bifurcation of the aorta and the common iliac artery. Then with this nerve preserving operation, abnormalities of ejaculation occurred in 30% (p < 0.05) of cases and impotence occurred in 20% of cases. The results indicate that sexual dysfunction may he prevented to minimize by the nerve preserving operation.