Altered imino diacid synthesis and transcription in crown gall tumors with transposon Tn5 insertions in the 3' end of the octopine synthase gene

Octopine synthase encoded by the T-DNA (transferred DNA) locus ocs synthesizes N2-(D-1-carboxyethyl)-L-amino acids in octopine-type crown gall tumors. So far, derivatives of only basic amino acids have been isolated. We have detected a glutamine derivative and called it heliopine. Tumors induced by several Ti plasmids with transposon Tn5 insertions in the 3' end of ocs still synthesized small quantities of N2-(1-carboxyethyl)-arginine and N2-(1-carboxyethyl)-glutamine. In addition, N2-(1,3-dicarboxypropyl)-asparagine, which is absent in wild-type octopine tumors, was detected in these tumors. These three imino diacids (octopine, heliopine, and asparaginopine, respectively, or their isomers) were undetectable in tumors induced by Ti plasmids harboring deletions of the ocs gene. Poly(A)+ RNAs which hybridize to the ocs sequence can also be detected in the ocs::Tn5 tumors; these RNAs, however, were heterogeneous in size and shorter in length than the normal ocs mRNA. These results indicate that mutant ocs products synthesize imino diacids in these ocs::Tn5 tumors.

Intracranial hemorrhage in the hemophiliacs

Five of 34 hemophiliac children suffered from nine episodes of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) from hemophilia A, and another 3 were B hemophiliacs. Diagnoses were confirmed by computed tomographic scan in all nine episodes. The ages of the patients with ICH ranged from 3 months to 4 1/2 years. The most frequent presenting symptoms were headache and vomiting, followed by focal neurological deficits. Eight of 9 episodes had bleeding in multiple regions. All the patients received immediate replacement therapy had recovered without surgical intervention. The duration of treatment was 10 +/- 2 days. All the patients survived and only one of them had neurological sequela as left hand paresis. From this observation we suggest that the treatment of suspected ICH in hemophiliacs should include prompt replacement therapy for either trauma or neurological symptoms in the absence of trauma history, documentation of ICH by computed tomographic scan, and prolonged replacement therapy and control of increased intracranial pressure in hemophiliacs with documented ICH.

Novel metabolism of several beta zero-thalassemic beta-globin mRNAs in the erythroid tissues of transgenic mice

Mice that are transgenic for human beta zero-thalassemic beta-globin alleles were generated in order to study how beta zero-thalassemic mutations affect beta-globin RNA metabolism in erythroid tissues. Three thalassemic alleles were studied, each of which harbors either a frameshift or a nonsense mutation. These mutations result in the premature termination of beta-globin mRNA translation and an abnormally low level of beta-globin mRNA in the peripheral blood of thalassemic patients. Comparative studies of mice that express any of the beta zero-thalassemic transgenes with mice that express a normal human beta-globin transgene demonstrated that all three thalassemic mRNAs are metabolized in erythroid tissues abnormally. RNA blotting and S1 nuclease transcript mapping revealed for each thalassemic transgene that (i) the full-length mRNA is abnormally short-lived and (ii) in addition to full-length mRNA, three more stable yet smaller RNAs are present. These smaller RNAs are polyadenylated and lack the mRNA 5' end.

Intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin in the treatment of pediatric infections

A total of 82 patients involving 83 episodes of proven or presumed bacterial infection were treated with sulbactam/ampicillin. These included 36 cases of soft tissue infection or abscess, four cases of joint or bone infection, 20 cases of respiratory tract infection (17 cases of pneumonia, two of otitis media, and one of tonsillitis), 15 urinary tract infections, three cases of enterocolitis, one case of infective endocarditis, two cases of septicemia, and two of peritonitis. The causative pathogen was isolated in 48 cases (49 infections). These pathogens included Staphylococcus aureus 13 cases, Staphylococcus epidermidis one, Streptococcus pyogenes two, Streptococcus pneumoniae two, Viridans group streptococcus two, peptostreptococcus one, Haemophilus influenzae one, Escherichia coli 12, Enterobacter cloacae three, Proteus mirabilis one, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus one, Salmonella spp. two, Shigella sonnei one, Bacteroides fragilis one, and polymicrobial infections of various combinations in five cases. No bacterial pathogens were isolated in 34 infections, 14 cases of pneumonia and 15 soft tissue infections. Sulbactam/ampicillin was given by intravenous bolus in a dosage range of 75-450 mg/kg/day in four divided doses for variable periods of time depending on the type and severity of the infection. Of a total of 83 episodes of infections, 80 (96.4%) cases were either cured or improved. Bacteriologic eradication also occurred in 46 (93.9%) of 49 infections. Side effects were diarrhea in two patients, acute hemolytic anemia in one patient, and transient elevations in SGOT and leukopenia in one patient. Side effects disappeared upon completion of treatment. Sulbactam/ampicillin is a safe and effective antibiotic for the treatment of common pediatric infections.

A new compound, withangulatin A, promotes type II DNA topoisomerase-mediated DNA damage

Withangulatin A, a new compound with a known chemical structure and from the antitumor Chinese herb Physalis angulata L, was found to act on topoisomerase II to induce topoisomerase II-mediated DNA damage in vitro. It has two effective dosage ranges of approximate 0.5 and 20 microM, with about one-third the activity of 20 microM VM-26.

Decreased resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in mice following vanadate exposure: effects upon the function of macrophages

We have previously demonstrated that ammonium metavanadate has a broad immunomodulating effect in mice after subchronic exposure. Because host resistance to pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes and in vitro phagocytic activity of harvested peritoneal macrophages (PEM) were strongly affected by vanadate treatment, we investigated the effect of vanadate on the functional role of resident PEM in active listeriosis in the mouse. Vanadium treatment results in altered patterns of clearance of the organism from the peritoneal cavity, liver and spleen. The total in vitro phagocytic uptake of Listeria by PEM was consistently decreased as a function of infection period. Similarly, intracellular killing of Listeria was decreased although the PEM from the vanadate-treated and control mice were more bacteriostatic than bactericidal. Population distributions of Listeria within infected PEM were not affected by host pretreatment with vanadate. Vanadate exposure interferes with both the uptake and ultimate intraphagolysosomal killing of Listeria. These results were expected in light of our previous studies of the effects of vanadate on PEM superoxide production, and hexose monophosphate shunt and glutathione redox cycle activity. The results provide additional information for the development of a mechanism to explain why workers exposed to vanadium-containing dusts have increased susceptibility to bacterial respiratory diseases.

Rapid identification of monoclonal antibodies to differential antigens by dot immunobinding assay

A simple and highly sensitive method, dot immunobinding assay, has been developed to select of monoclonal antibodies recognizing differential antigens. Antigen as low as picogram level can be detected by monoclonal antibody at concentrations even lower than 0.1 microgram/ml. This technique has successfully identified six differential antigens which are either increased (three) or decreased (three) during T cell activation. The differential properties were further confirmed by direct visualization of the resting and activated T cells with immunofluorescent staining or by indirect evidence when resting and activated T cell extracts were prepared and analysed with immunoblot assay. CC-98 (105 KD) was found in the nuclei, principally associated with the nucleoli. Activated T cells expressed a highly intense immunofluorescent pattern at their nucleolar localization compared to that of resting T cells. SH-1 antigen with a diffuse molecular weight range of 90-145 KD was expressed mainly in resting T cells and rapidly decreased, especially the high molecular weight species (120-145 KD), to a very low level in the activated T cells. SH-1 was identified as an intracellular molecule. NY-16 and CC-262 are identical with characteristics ascribed to those of the major histocompatibility class I antigen. Cell surface molecules CC-80 (135 KD) and CC-86 (135 KD) were decreased, while CC-196 was increased during T cell activation. These six molecules, with their differentiating properties, may have very important functions related to cell activation.

Biomechanical analysis of stability and fixation strength of total shoulder prostheses

The Neer I (polyethylene glenoid), Neer II (plastic glenoid surface with metal backing), Cofield, and Gristina monospherical total shoulder prostheses were tested for joint subluxation resistance and glenoid component fixation strength. Synthetic glenoid models with consistent structural properties and standard under-cutting geometry were used for glenoid component fixation with bone cement. It was found that joint subluxation resistance varied linearly with axial compressive force applied. Higher subluxation strength was associated with the amount of curvature of the glenoid articulating surface. Consequently, joint stability was consistently higher for the Gristina design, and all had lower resistance in the anteroposterior direction. After complete joint dislocation under high axial compressive force, the polyethylene material at the site of subluxation experienced gross plastic deformation. The fixation strength of the glenoid component was lowest for the Neer I design and highest for the Cofield design. Fatigue loading at the joint did not seem to affect the glenoid component fixation strength. In general, all glenoid components appeared to have sufficient fixation strength against normal shoulder joint forces except the Neer I design. Loosening and fracture of the plastic glenoid component may occur under excessive loads.

In vitro induction of differentiation in HL-60 leukemic cell line by clerodendron fragrans

The promyelocytic cell line HL-60 could be induced to differentiate into morphologically and functionally mature monocytoid cells (up to 20%) following exposure to the Chinese herb Clerodendron Fragrans (1 mg/ml). This effect was time dependent and appeared to work synergistically with interferon-r in this promotion of differentiation. Our study suggests that Clerodendron Fragrans has potential therapeutic value for the treatment of certain acute myelocytic leukemia putatively caused by a block in the myeloid differentiation process.

[Respiratory function and pulmonary thromboxane release after total thoracic esophagectomy]

In experimental studies using mongrel dogs, 60 minutes after total thoracic esophagectomy the dog lung transiently released into the systemic circulation up to about 6000 micrograms/ml of thromboxane A2(TXA2) measured by radioimmunoassay as its metabolite thromboxane B2(TXB2). To determine whether lung TX release had effects on pulmonary function, we measured the changes in extravascular lung water (EVLW), lung resistance (RL) before, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after total thoracic esophagectomy in 14 anesthetized dogs. In seven untreated dogs, EVLW and RL increased and CL decreased approximately twofold at 60 minutes after the surgery, which corresponded well with a large transpulmonary plasma concentration gradient of TXB2. In remaining 7 dogs pretreated with intravenous OKY-046 which was TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, increase in EVLW and RL and decrease in CL were minimal and plasma concentration of TXB2 remained low value of a preoperative level. In clinical studies, 20 patients with esophageal carcinoma were evaluated. All of these patients underwent total thoracic esophagectomy with extended lymph node dissection of a similar extent. In 5 control patients, significant increase in EVLW and pulmonary vascular resistance were noted at 60 minutes after surgery. On the other hand, while the patients who had intravenous OKY-046 administration during operation at a dose of 1 microgram/kg/min or 5 micrograms/kg/min showed significant decrease in EVLW and pulmonary vascular resistance at 60 minutes after surgery. Based on these results, it is concluded that TXA2 appears to be one of the most important factors to cause the postoperative pulmonary complication after total thoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Analysis of the expression of H-2K, D and L locus mRNAs by use of an oligonucleotide primer

By employing an oligonucleotide-dependent cDNA synthesis/HaeIII digestion procedure followed by gel electrophoretic separation of HaeIII digested cDNAs, we have developed a method for analyzing the expression of H-2 mRNAs encoding the K, D and L locus histocompatibility antigens. This method provides unambiguous data as the individual K, D or L specific cDNA bands can be isolated from the gel and partially sequenced. The method is readily applicable to analyzing the relative expression of K, D and L locus mRNAs in normal mouse tissues and their tumors.

Nucleotide sequence of the structural genes for an anion pump. The plasmid-encoded arsenical resistance operon

The structural genes for the arsenical pump of the conjugative R-factor R773 contained on a HindIII fragment of 4.3 kilobase pairs were cloned into bacteriophage M13. A series of ordered deletions was created using Bal31 digestion, and the nucleotide sequence of the operon determined. Three open reading frames for genes arsA, arsB, and arsC were found. The arsA gene encodes a hydrophilic protein of 63,169 Da with two potential adenylate-binding sites. The arsB gene encodes a potentially membrane protein of 45,577 Da. The arsC gene encodes a 15,811-Da hydrophilic protein. The arsA and arsC gene products correspond to cytosolic proteins previously identified from minicell experiments. Isolated ArsA protein was shown to bind to dye-agarose columns which act as affinity resins for nucleotide-binding proteins. A model is proposed in which these gene products form an anion translocating ATPase for extrusion of arsenite and arsenate from resistant cells.

Confirmation of human cytomegalovirus by reverse passive hemagglutination with monoclonal antibodies reactive to the major glycosylated peptide (GP-66)

Sheep erythrocytes coated with three monoclonal antibodies, each reactive to a different epitope of the 66-kilodalton cytomegalovirus (CMV) matrix protein, were used in a reverse passive hemagglutination test with CMV-infected cell lysate to identify and confirm the CMV. The test is specific only for CMV, since 5 laboratory strains of CMV (AD169, Davis, Espilat, C-87, and Towne) and 10 clinical isolates reacted well, but uninfected MRC-5 cell lysate, lysates of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and adenoviruses did not react. The reactive CMV lysate was confirmed by the pretreatment of CMV lysate with the three monoclonal antibodies followed by the addition of antibody-coated erythrocytes. The reverse passive hemagglutination test and the confirmatory blocking test are performed at the same time, requiring 2 h to complete. Since V-bottom microtiter 96-well plates and a 25-microliter pipette can be used to perform the test, it is ideal for CMV confirmation, especially when the equipment to read the fluorescent-antibody test or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is not available.

Degradation kinetics and mechanism of N6-[(dimethylamino)methylene]mitomycin C in aqueous solutions

The degradation of N6-[(dimethylamino)methylene]mitomycin C, a semisynthetic analogue of mitomycin C, was studied in aqueous solution. The compound degraded rapidly and followed pseudo-first-order kinetics in both acidic (pH less than 5) and basic pH greater than or equal to 9) media. In the near-neutral pH region, however, biphasic kinetics were observed. At the pH of maximum stability (6.5), 10% activity was lost after approximately 6 h at 22 degrees C. Citrate and phosphate species were catalytic at pH 6.5. Spectrophotometric and HPLC methods were used to elucidate the degradation mechanism at pH 7-9. Under these conditions, equilibrium addition of one water molecule into the amidine side chain occurred, followed by parallel formation of mitomycin C and N6-(formyl)mitomycin C. The latter compound subsequently hydrolyzed to mitomycin C.

Percutaneous transsplenic balloon dilatation for stenotic distal splenorenal shunt

A 27 year old cirrhotic male underwent stenosis of the distal splenorenal shunt to treat bleeding of esophageal varices. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed first by catheterization of the right femoral vein, but without success. Therefore, a direct puncture of the splenic vein through the spleen was made, under sonographic guidance, followed by balloon dilatation of the stenotic anastomosis. The pressure of the splenic vein before and after PTA was 35 and 29 cm H2O, respectively. Both the follow-up barium esophagogram and esophagoscopy showed marked regression of the esophageal varices.

Localization of cytokinin biosynthetic sites in pea plants and carrot roots

The biosynthesis of cytokinins was examined in pea (Pisum sativum L.) plant organs and carrot (Daucus carota L.) root tissues. When pea roots, stems, and leaves were grown separately for three weeks on a culture medium containing [8-(14)C]adenine without an exogenous supply of cytokinin and auxin, radioactive cytokinins were synthesized by each of these organs. Incubation of carrot root cambium and noncambium tissues for three days in a liquid culture medium containing [8-(14)C]adenine without cytokinin demonstrates that radioactive cytokinins were synthesized in the cambium but not in the noncambium tissue preparation. The radioactive cytokinins extracted from each of these tissues were analyzed by Sephadex LH-20 columns, reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography, paper chromatography in various solvent systems, and paper electrophoresis. The main species of cytokinins detectable by these methods are N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentyl_adenine-5'-monophosphate, 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl-amino)-9-beta-ribofuranosylpurine-5'- monophosphate, N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentenyl)adenosine, 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-ribofuranosylpurine, N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentenyl)adenine, and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine. On the basis of the amounts of cytokinin synthesized per gram fresh tissues, these results indicate that the root is the major site, but not the only site, of cytokinin biosynthesis. Furthermore, cambium and possibly all actively dividing tissues are responsible for the synthesis of this group of plant hormones.

Separate resistances to arsenate and arsenite (antimonate) encoded by the arsenical resistance operon of R factor R773

The arsenical resistance operon of R factor R773 was analyzed by subcloning and insertional inactivation. The operon was found to have two functional regions, the promoter-proximal region encoding resistance to arsenite and antimonate and the promoter-distal region encoding arsenate resistance. A unique 1.6-kilobase fragment was shown to be sufficient to encode arsenate resistance and produce arsenate extrusion from intact cells.

Cytokinin-modulated gene expression in excised pumpkin cotyledons

Comparison of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic maps of proteins isolated from benzyladenine-treated and untreated pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. cv Halloween) cotyledons showed that the expression of certain proteins is enhanced, induced, or suppressed by the cytokinin treatment. The amount of poly(A)(+) mRNA isolated from cotyledons incubated with 10(-4) molar benzyladenine for five days was about four-fold over the water-incubated control. The activity of hydroxypyruvate reductase prepared from purified cotyledonous microbodies and analyzed by native gel electrophoresis is proportionally enhanced by sequentially higher concentrations (10(-9) to 10(-4) molar) of benzyladenine. Ethidium bromide (1 microgram per milliliter) did not inhibit hydroxypyruvate reductase activity; thus, the enzyme synthesis does not appear to be controlled by organelle genes. Hydroxypyruvate reductase synthesis is inhibited by cycloheximide, cordycepin, and to a certain degree by actinomycin D. These data support the view of a close association between cytokinin action and gene expression.