Collagen types in normal and prematurely ruptured amniotic membranes

Collagen content in preterm amnions with premature rupture of the membranes was significantly lower than that of preterm amnions without premature rupture of the membranes. Collagen types were studied through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in human amnions from pregnant women with or without premature rupture of the membranes. Collagen types I, III, and V were recognized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in all samples. In samples taken from preterm patients with premature rupture of the membranes, the ratios of III/I, III/V, and III/total collagen were significantly lower than those from ones without premature rupture of the membranes. The ratios of I/V, I/total collagen, and V/total collagen showed no change in gestations with and without premature rupture of the membranes, respectively. In term samples there was no significant difference in the ratios of all collagen types between those with and those without premature rupture of the membranes. Elastins were not demonstrable in amnion with and without premature rupture of the membranes. These studies suggest that the reduction of type III collagen content in amnion is related to the cause of premature rupture of the membranes, particularly in preterm samples.

First report of case of congenital afibrinogenemia with successful delivery

We report a case in which pregnancy was sustained in a woman with congenital afibrinogenemia with delivery by cesarean section. From this case it appears that a plasma fibrinogen level greater than 60 mg/dl would maintain implantation of the placenta and fetus even in the event of complications occurring during pregnancy.

In vitro formation of codeinone from codeine by rat or guinea pig liver homogenate and its acute toxicity in mice

In vitro metabolism of codeine was investigated by using a 9000 g supernatant fraction of rat or guinea pig liver homogenate. When a mixture of [N-14CH3] and [C-6-3H]codeine was incubated with the rat liver 9000 g supernatant fraction in the presence of NAD, formation of codeinone, morphine and norcodeine was detected. Replacement of NAD with NADP abolished only the formation of codeinone. On the other hand, when the guinea pig liver homogenate was used in the presence of NAD, codeinone was the main metabolite of codeine. NADP was also ineffective in forming codeinone with the guinea pig liver homogenate. The acute toxicity of codeinone was thirty times higher than that of codeine. The roles of codeinone as a metabolic intermediate and in the acute toxicity of codeine are discussed.

Purification and characterization of placental plasminogen activator (PPA)

The plasminogen activator exists in the human placenta (PPA) as a reversible complex with its inhibitor (UKI). Plasminogen activating activity appeared resulting from the separation of UKI from PPA-UKI complex through UK-Sepharose or UK-Affi Gel 10 affinity chromatography. This crude PPA was purified through gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 and DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography. The purified PPA was obtained at a rate of 25 micrograms from one placenta, the specific PA activity of which was 21, 071 IU/mg-protein. The molecular weight of PPA was estimated at about 65,000 (unreduced) by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PPA did not react to the anti-UK serum and UK did not react to the anti-PPA serum. It is revealed that PPA has a smaller influence on fibrinogenolysis than UK does. PPA is a new plasminogen activator in the human placenta, which has different properties from UK biologically and immunologically. It is speculated that in the near future PPA will be one of the tissue activators in thrombolytic therapy for thrombotic diseases including toxemia. We note that the measurement of the plasma PPA level is useful as one of the marker proteins of placental function and malignant tumors.

Mercuric and cadmium ions stimulate phosphorylation of band 4.2 protein on human erythrocyte membranes

In this study, we found that Hg2+ and Cd2+ enhanced the phosphorylation of human erythrocyte membranous proteins, especially band 4.2 protein, which was hardly phosphorylated in the absence of the metal ions. p-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate and p-chloromercuribenzoate had effects similar to those of Hg2+ and Cd2+ on band 4.2 protein phosphorylation, while other metal ions and sulfhydryl agents, such as N-ethylmaleimide, 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), or iodoacetate, did not. The Hg2+-stimulated phosphorylation of band 4.2 protein required a millimolar concentration of Mg2+, and it was inhibited by Ca2+ dose-dependently. Phosphoserine was identified from a hydrolysate of the phosphorylated band 4.2 protein by high-voltage electrophoresis. A specific protein inhibitor against cAMP-dependent protein kinase decreased the Hg2+-stimulated phosphorylation of band 4.2 protein. This protein had more binding sites for 203Hg2+ than any other membrane proteins. A spectrin complex from the Hg2+-treated membranes contained the band 4.2 protein, which was not detected in the complex from untreated membranes. Furthermore, protein kinase, which could phosphorylate the band 4.2 protein, was also contained in the cytoskeletal fraction from the Hg2+-treated membranes. These results suggest that Hg2+ may bind certain sulfhydryl groups of band 4.2 and other proteins to make band 4.2 protein susceptible to the endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Effects of various cytochalasins on the IgE-mediated serotonin release from rat basophilic leukemia cells

The effects of cytochalasins on the antigen-induced serotonin release from rat basophilic leukemia cells were investigated. These drugs could be divided into four groups based on their effect on the release: (1) drugs which enhance the release, (2) drugs which enhance the release at a low dose (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) and inhibit it at a high dose (10(-5) and 10(-4) M), (3) drugs which show only inhibition, and (4) drugs which are inert or slightly stimulate the reaction. Cytochalasins B and D were included in group 1 and chaetoglobosins A, D and J were placed in group 2. Group 3 contained aspochalasins B, D and cytochalasin A, and group 4 included chaetoglobosins E and F. The structure and activity relationships of these drugs are also discussed.

Ca2+-dependent and phorbol ester activating phosphorylation of a 36K-dalton protein of rat basophilic leukemia cell membranes and immunoprecipitation of the phosphorylated protein with IgE-anti IgE system

Endogeneous phosphorylation of rat basophilic leukemia cell membranes was investigated. EGTA specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of a protein having an approximate molecular weight of 36,000 dalton (36K-Da protein). Phosphorylation of this protein was enhanced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate in the presence of phosphatidylserine. The phosphorylated 36K-Da protein was specifically immunoprecipitated with IgE and anti IgE antibody. These results suggest that the phosphorylated 36K-Da protein is the beta-chain of the receptor for IgE and that protein kinase C is involved in the phosphorylation mechanism.

Myofibrils and transverse tubules in glycerol-treated frog skeletal muscle

Effects of glycerol (400 mM) on the structure of frog skeletal muscle were reported based on measurements of the diameters of myofibrils and transverse tubules (T-tubules). The diameter of the myofibrils decreased to about 0.58 micron from the normal size of 0.79 micron during glycerol treatment, but the spacing between the myofibrils became wider. The size did not recover to the initial value even after return of the muscle to the Ringer solution. T-tubule diameters increased to 35-55 nm from the normal size of about 30 nm in glycerol-treated muscle, and the size was maintained after return of the muscle to the Ringer solution.

Changes in the plasma concentration of immunoreactive arginine vasotocin during oviposition in the domestic fowl

The plasma concentrations of immunoreactive arginine vasotocin (AVT) were measured during oviposition and shortly before ovulation of the first egg (Cl) of a clutch. Immunoreactive AVT was determined on bentonite extracts of 0.5 ml plasma samples using the method of Rosenbloom and Fisher (1974). The R-70 antiserum used to measure AVT cross reacted with arginine vasopressin (AVP), however the fowl pituitary does not synthesise AVP. Over a period of 10 to 90 min before oviposition the plasma AVT concentration was about 20 pg/ml; during oviposition it increased four-fold. Measurements made at frequent intervals showed that plasma AVT concentration increased 5 to 6 min before oviposition, reached a peak during oviposition itself and decreased rapidly in the following 5 to 6 min. The surge in plasma AVT occurred on average 48 min before Cl ovulation.

Neurological control of fetal heart rate in 20 cases of anencephalic fetuses

Fetal heart rate (FHR) is influenced by the central nervous system, cardiac automatism, biochemical factors, etc. Changes in FHR were correlated with the anatomic defect in autopsy material from 20 anencephalic infants, and, on this basis, the following hypotheses were formed, subject to later experimental proof. (1) The FHR baseline level is controlled by the medulla oblongata and vagus nerve. (2) The biphasic sleep-awake pattern is controlled by the cerebral cortex. (3) The midbrain is involved in the occurrence of acceleration. (4) A relative high level of short-term variability is shown when small lesions of the lesser central nervous system are present, but we cannot conclude that the cortex is critical for short-term variability. On the other hand, long-term variability seems to be correlated to the presence of the medulla oblongata and midbrain, and might be amplified by the cerebral cortex. (5) U-shaped decelerations are connected with the medulla oblongata, but V-shaped decelerations depend on intracardiac reflexes and myocardial stretch.

[Effect of vitamin K2 syrup in neonatal hypoprothrombinemia]

To clarify whether vitamin-K prophylaxis in newborns is effective, a double-blind study with oral vitamin-K2 syrup was performed. There were no side-effects. Various dosages of vitamin K2 or placebo syrup were tried in 148 newborns with thrombotest results below 20%. The efficiency decreased as follows: vit-K2 6 mg greater than vit-K2 2 mg greater than vit-K1 2 mg greater than placebo. The effect of all vitamin K preparations on the coagulation system was significantly different from the placebo effect. With regard to our own results and the literature, general vitamin-K prophylaxis for newborns is not recommended. However, vitamin K 1 X 6 mg orally is helpful in newborns with thrombotest results below 20%, in infants at risk, and in all premature, dystrophic or otherwise underweight infants.

Studies on the mechanism of covalent binding of morphine metabolites to proteins in mouse

The disposition of N--14CH3-labeled and C-6--3H-labeled morphines in mouse tissue was determined over 48 hr after sc injection. 3H radioactivity in tissues decreased more rapidly than 14C radioactivity, and 14C activity at 48 hr after injection was 2 to 3 times greater than 3H activity in brain, blood and liver. Only 14C radioactivity in the brain and other tissues accumulated significantly by repeated co-administrations of N--14CH3- and C-6--3H-morphines. However, 3H radioactivity did not show much accumulation in brain. The ratio of 14C radioactivity irreversibly bound to macromolecules (insoluble in HCl-methanol) to the total radioactivity increased with time in the liver. [14C]Morphinone-cysteine conjugate was detected in proteolytic digests of mouse liver protein dosed with radiolabeled morphine. Morphinone-glutathione conjugate was also detected in an incubation mixture of morphine and cytosol fraction of mouse liver. These results seem to indicate that morphine is metabolized to morphinone, which then binds covalently to the thiol group of cysteine residues in protein.

In vivo and in vitro metabolism of 2-methylnaphthalene in the guinea pig

The metabolism of 2-methylnaphthalene (2-MN) in guinea pigs (in vivo and in vitro) was investigated. Excretion of 2-MN from guinea pigs took place rapidly. In the first 24 hr, nearly 80% of the orally administered 2-[3H]-MN was excreted in the urine in the form of several metabolites, and about 10% of it was recovered in the feces. The major metabolites in the urine were oxidative products of the methyl group of 2-MN (naphthoic acid and its glycine and glucuronic acid conjugates) and accounted for 76% of the total urinary radioactivity in the first 24 hr. S-(7-Methyl-1-naphthyl)cysteine and glucuronic acid and sulfate conjugates of 7-methyl-1-naphthol were also identified as minor metabolites (18% of the total urinary radioactivity). As an in vitro metabolite, the formation of S-(7-methyl-1-naphthyl)glutathione was indicated using the 9,000g supernatant of the homogenate of guinea pig liver. The oral administration of 2-MN (500 mg/kg) to guinea pigs significantly lowered the trichloroacetic acid-soluble sulfhydryl content in the liver.