Trypsin-like arginine amidases including plasminogen and plasmin in human seminal plasma by affinity adsorption and elution

An enzyme preparation with affinity to a lysine column was detected from a DEAE-cellulose-adsorbed preparation of human seminal plasma containing plasminogen and plasmin. Two kinds of trypsin-like acidic arginine amidase activity with different affinity to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin affinity column were detected from the DEAE-cellulose-adsorbed preparation after treatment of the lysine column. Two kinds of trypsin-like basic arginine amidase activity were also separated by the above-mentioned affinity adsorptions from a CM-cellulose-adsorbed preparation of human seminal plasma. The effect of calcium chloride on these two enzymes was different from human acrosin.

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of transformation-sensitive polypeptides during chemically, spontaneously, and oncogene-induced transformation of rat liver epithelial cells

Recently, we described the establishment of a computerized database of rat liver epithelial (RLE) cellular polypeptides (Wirth et al., Electrophoresis, 1991, 12, 931-954). This database has now been expanded to include the analysis of cellular polypeptide alterations during chemically (aflatoxin B1; AFB), spontaneously, and oncogene (v-Ha-ras, v-raf, and v-myc/v-raf)-induced transformation of RLE cells. Two-dimensional mapping of [35S]methionine-labeled whole cell lysate, cell-free in vitro translation products and [32P]orthophosphate-labeled polypeptides revealed subsets of polypeptides specific for each transformation modality. A search of the RLE protein database indicated the specific subcellular location for the majority of these transformation-sensitive proteins. Significant alterations in the expression of the extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, as well as tropomyosin- and intermediate filament-related polypeptides (vimentin, beta-tubulin, the cytokeratins, and actin) were observed among the various transformant cell lines. Immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblot analysis of tropomyosin expression in four individual AFB-, as well as four spontaneously induced, and each of the oncogene-transformed cell lines indicated that five major tropomyosin (Tm 1-5) isoforms were variably expressed in the various cell lines, including one polypeptide tentatively identified as Tm6. Whereas alterations in tropomyosin expression appeared to be transformation-specific, alterations in the individual intermediate filament polypeptides were related more to the differentiation state of the individual cell lines rather than to the transformation phenotype. These studies extend our earlier efforts toward the establishment of a comprehensive computerized database of RLE cellular proteins and demonstrates how such a database may serve as a useful source for studies concerning the regulation of growth and differentiation as well as transformation of RLE cells.

Inhibition of prostaglandin delta 13 reductase activity in rabbit kidney cortex by glutathione disulfide

t-Butyl hydroperoxide and H2O2-Fe(2+)-EDTA-glutathione system which produces hydroxyl radicals did not affect the 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in rabbit kidney cortex. On the other hand, H2O2-Fe(2+)-EDTA-glutathione system inhibited the prostaglandin delta 13 reductase activity. Mannitol, a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, had no effect on the inhibitory action of this system, indicating that the effect of H2O2-Fe(2+)-EDTA-glutathione system on the prostaglandin delta 13 reductase may not be due to produced hydroxyl radicals. As a result of further investigation, it was shown that glutathione disulfide, which is synthesized concomitantly with hydroxyl radicals from H2O2-Fe(2+)-EDTA-glutathione, inhibited the prostaglandin delta 13 reductase activity. These results suggest that hydroperoxides and hydroxyl radicals may not be likely candidates for the modulator of the catabolism of prostaglandins in the kidney cortex, and that glutathione disulfide has the potential to modulate the prostaglandin catabolism by affecting the prostaglandin delta 13 reductase activity.

The superior cervical ganglion: origin of sympathetic fibers in the facial and hypoglossal nerves in the cat

Location of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, sending axons into the facial and hypoglossal nerves, was investigated in the cat by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After wheat germ agglutinin conjugated HRP (WGA-HRP) was injected into these nerves, many retrogradely labeled neurons were found widely in the ipsilateral SCG, particularly around the caudal half of the SCG. These neurons were round or oval in shape and 70-80% of these were medium in size. In fluorescent experiments, fast blue (FB) was used in combination with diamidino yellow (DY). After injections of FB into the facial nerve and DY into the hypoglossal nerve, a few FB-DY double-labeled neurons occurred in the SCG ipsilaterally.

Calcitonin release from medullary thyroid carcinoma by thyrotropin-releasing hormone: comparison with calcium injection

The effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on the release of calcitonin were investigated in 15 normal subjects and 12 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. The present study also compared the effect of TRH stimulation with calcium infusion test on calcitonin release in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. In normal subjects, calcitonin increased from a basal value of 7.5 +/- 2.5 pmol/l to a peak value of 9.4 +/- 3.0 pmol/l (p less than 0.01) after iv injection of synthetic TRH (500 micrograms). Basal calcitonin values in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma were high (1216 +/- 2230 pmol/l, p less than 0.05), and TRH induced a further increase in calcitonin to 1842 +/- 3149 pmol/l in all the patients (p less than 0.05). They had a peak value of 7891 +/- 13,528 pmol/l after the calcium infusion, which was significantly higher than the basal value of 1463 +/- 2630 pmol/l (p less than 0.05). All medullary thyroid carcinoma patients displayed a marked calcitonin increase after TRH and calcium stimulation. Although the increase in serum calcitonin after TRH injection was lower than that after calcium injection (1.6-fold vs 5.4-fold, p less than 0.05), there was no significant difference in mean peak calcitonin value following TRH and calcium injection in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. These results indicated that TRH could stimulate calcitonin release from the thyroid C-cells in both normal subjects and patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Estimation of structural changes in the cataractous rat lens using Raman spectroscopy

For quantitative evaluation of cataract-related changes in lens proteins and lens water, the relative contents of water and SH residues and changes in the microenvironments of aromatic amino acid residues were quantitatively examined in cataract of the rat lens which had been induced by sodium selenite. Using Raman spectroscopy, results were compared with those of age-matched control lenses. The relative contents of water and SH residues decreased with increasing age in normal lenses from 3 to 8 weeks of age. In the cataractous lens, the relative water content increased constantly as compared with that of age-matched controls. The relative SH residue content continued to decline in the cataractous lenses of animals at every age. The microenvironments of tyrosine residues in cataractous lenses also changed progressively.

Highly conserved hexamer, octamer and nonamer motifs are positive cis-regulatory elements of the wheat histone H3 gene

Base substitution mutations were introduced into the promoter region of the wheat histone H3 gene, and promoter activity was assayed in stably transformed sunflower calli or in wheat protoplasts transfected transiently. At least four positive regulatory elements, a hexamer motif (ACGTCA), two octamer(-like) motifs of a direct (CcCGGATC) and a reverse (aATCCGCG) form, and a nonamer motif (CATCCAACG) were identified within the -185 region of the H3 promoter. Analyses of the type I element (CCACGTCACCaATCCGCG) consisting of the hexamer and reverse-oriented octamer motifs, and which is conserved in other plant histone genes as well, predicted the presence of an octamer-binding protein(s).

Low frequency of p53 gene mutation in tumors induced by aflatoxin B1 in nonhuman primates

Aflatoxin B1 has been suggested as a causative agent for a G to T mutation at codon 249 in the p53 gene in human hepatocellular carcinomas from southern Africa and Qidong in China. To test this hypothesis, nine tumors induced by aflatoxin B1 in nonhuman primates were analyzed for mutations in the p53 gene. These included four hepatocellular carcinomas, two cholangiocarcinomas, a spindle cell carcinoma of the bile duct, a hemangioendothelial sarcoma of the liver, and an osteogenic sarcoma of the tibia. None of the tumors showed changes at the third position of codon 249 by cleavage analysis of the HaeIII enzyme site at codon 249. A point mutation was identified in one hepatocellular carcinoma at the second position of codon 175 (G to T transversion) by sequencing analysis of the four conserved domains (II to V) in the p53 gene. These data suggest that mutations in the p53 gene are not necessary in aflatoxin B1 induced hepatocarcinogenesis in nonhuman primates. The occurrence of mutation in codon 249 of the p53 gene in selective samples of human hepatocellular cancers may indicate involvement of environmental carcinogens other than aflatoxin B1 or that hepatitis B virus-related hepatitis is a prerequisite for aflatoxin B1 induction of G to T transversion in codon 249.

Bilateral adrenocortical adenomas causing Cushing's syndrome. Report of two cases with enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural studies and a review of the literature

Patient 1 (a 50-year-old woman) with bilateral adrenocortical adenomas causing Cushing's syndrome underwent right-sided adrenalectomy. After an interval of 4 years 5 months, she underwent left-sided tumorectomy. Patient 2 (a 46-year-old woman) underwent bilateral tumorectomy after a frozen-section diagnosis. Each adrenal contained a single macronodule that consisted of compact cells, clear cells, and oxyphilic cells, which had characteristic enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural features. In addition, the adrenals had a so-called pigmented nodule and extracapsular small focus of compact and clear cell proliferation in case 2. The nonnodular part of the cortex was atrophic in both cases. Fourteen patients (mean +/- SD age, 42.5 +/- 5.55 years) with bilateral adrenocortical adenomas associated with Cushing's syndrome have been described in the literature. Thirteen (93%) of the patients were female. Three patients had unilateral or bilateral multiple adenomas. While the earlier described patients underwent bilateral total adrenalectomy, those in recent reports had part of the adrenal resected unilaterally or bilaterally (ie, tumorectomy). The above features are useful in differentiating bilateral adrenocortical adenoma from other types of bilateral adrenocortical lesions.

Serum intact parathyroid hormone concentration measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay in normal subjects and patients with various parathyroid disorders

Serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration was measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) in normal subjects and patients with various parathyroid disorders. Serum intact PTH levels were all within the detection limit of the IRMA in normal subjects, and there was a significant negative correlation between serum calcium (Ca) and intact PTH levels. Although 3 out of 26 patients (11.5%) with primary hyperparathyroidism had a normal serum intact PTH concentration, these patients could be readily discriminated from normal subjects by plotting serum intact PTH against the serum Ca concentration. In contrast, serum intact PTH was undetectable in 16 out of 17 patients (94.1%) with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type I, mostly under treatment with active vitamin D, exhibited wide distribution of serum intact PTH concentration, and appeared to belong to two distinct subgroups. One group of patients demonstrated a similar relationship between serum intact PTH and Ca levels to normal subjects. The other exhibited much higher serum intact PTH levels despite a normal serum Ca concentration, and no obvious relationship could be observed between the two parameters. These results demonstrate that an inverse relationship between serum Ca and intact PTH can be demonstrated in normal subjects with normocalcemia, that most of the parathyroid disorders can be diagnosed by measuring serum Ca and the intact PTH concentrations simultaneously, and that patients with PHP can be divided into two subgroups: one with a normal relationship between serum Ca and intact PTH, and the other with a high serum PTH level in the face of normocalcemia.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: experience by a single surgical team in Japan

Nineteen patients were surgically treated for hyperparathyroidism associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome. Fourteen patients (74%) had removal of three or more parathyroid glands at the first operation, and five (26%) by removal of 2 1/2 or fewer glands. Two patients had recurrent hypercalcemia during the mean follow-up period of 65 months. One had a recurrence 10 years after subtotal parathyroidectomy. Reexploration in this patient revealed enlargement of the remaining tissue in the neck and an enlarged supernumerary gland in the aorticopulmonary window. The other patient had persistent hypercalcemia after removal of two hyperplastic parathyroid glands until after another 1 1/2 more glands were removed. After reoperation the patient was normocalcemic for 10 years before hypercalcemia was again noticed. The patient subsequently died from renal carcinoma metastases, which might have been the cause of the hypercalcemia before death.

Purification and characterization of new arginine esteropeptidase from the soluble fraction of human submaxillary glands

An arginine esteropeptidase was completely purified from the soluble fraction of human submaxillary glands. The molecular weight was calculated to be 12,000, having 2 species of subunits. The study of the effect of inhibitors confirmed the enzyme's serine protease-like characteristics. The best ester and amide substrates were Tos-Arg-OMe and D-Ile-Pro-Arg-pNA, respectively.

Experimental study on adrenal autografts in rats to preserve normal adrenocortical function after bilateral adrenalectomy

In order to establish a technique for successful adrenal tissue autotransplantation, we conducted an experimental study with rats, in which we investigated the effects of the total amount of grafted tissue and the size of each graft piece. Three 'amount' factor levels (1/4 of a gland and 1 and 2 glands) and two 'size' factor levels (1-mm3 fragments and a paste-like mince) were studied. The total amount of grafted adrenal tissue affected the amount of steroid secreted. Autografting of 1/4 of a gland resulted in corticosterone secretion at the normal basal level, but grafting of more than 1 gland enabled the rats to withstand stress better. The take of the grafts with the two different size levels did not differ.

Detection and separation of some arginine amidases including tissue kallikrein from human seminal plasma

A plasminogen/plasmin like substance (AHSAA-1), with affinity to lysine column was separated from DEAE-cellulose adsorbed human seminal plasma. Two forms of acidic arginine amidase with different affinities to LBTI (AHSAA-2) and aprotinin columns (AHSAA-3) were separated from the DEAE-cellulose adsorbed preparation and AHSAA-3 was identified as tissue kallikrein. Two basic arginine amidase preparations having affinity to LBTI (BHSAA-1) and aprotinin column were also separated from the CM-cellulose adsorbed human seminal plasma. Three basic arginine amidases with different molecular mass (BHSAA-2 to 4) were separated by Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration from aprotinin adsorbed material and some of their properties were examined.

A silicone prosthesis for covering a large tracheal defect in patients who underwent surgery for locally recurrent aggressive thyroid cancer

Following the usual sleeve or window resection of the trachea, reconstruction of the trachea can be carried out without difficulty in patients with aggressive thyroid cancer. When the cancer recurs locally in those patients, reoperation often yields a large tracheal defect, for which a commercially available tracheostomy cannula or a silicone-tube does not fit. By using a technique in the maxillofacial prosthetic field, it has become possible to make a new type of prosthesis which is more comfortable and acceptable to the patients with a large tracheal defect. A new type of silicone rubber prosthesis is made individually from the mold of each patient. Several appointments are required for adjustments by the chair side. It must tightly obstruct the tracheostomy stoma so that the patient can easily breathe, speak and take oral fluids. Patients can easily remove and replace this device by themselves and care of the prosthesis is easy. The practical use of this type of prosthesis in three patients is reported herein.

Clinical study on coupling interval of ventricular premature contraction in patients with organic heart disease

The characteristics of the coupling interval (CI) of ventricular premature contraction (VPC) were studied in 100 patients with frequent VPCs using 24 h ambulatory ECG recording. All R-R intervals were registered on computer to determine the mean value of CIs (Mean CI) and the standard deviation of CIs (SD-CI). We compared the Mean CI and the SD-CI between idiopathic VPCs and VPCs with organic heart disease (OHD). In addition, we evaluated the efficacy of disopyramide (DP) and mexiletine (MX) and we examined the relationship between the efficacy of these drugs and the characteristics of CI. The Mean CI of VPCs with OHD was longer than that of idiopathic VPCs (530 vs. 494 msec, p less than 0.05). The SD-CI of VPCs with OHD was larger than that of idiopathic VPCs (54.1 vs. 39.3 msec, p less than 0.01). In all treated cases, the drug efficacy was not different between DP (11/18, 61%) and MX (9/19, 47%). However when we isolated cases of OHD, we found a tendency that DP (9/12, 75%) was more effective than MX (7/16, 44%). In cases where DP was administered, the Mean CI of VPCs was not different between effective and ineffective cases, while in cases where MX was administered, the Mean CI of ineffective cases had a tendency to be longer than that of effective cases (552 vs. 506 msec, p less than 0.1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Basic arginine esterase from human seminal plasma: purification and some properties

Basic arginine esterase (amidase) with a specific activity of 3.2 mumol N-alpha-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (Tos-Arg-Me) esterolysis per A280 was purified about 230-fold from a CM-cellulose absorbed preparation of human seminal plasma. The purified enzyme was a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 3.4-4.1 x 10(4). The amidolytic activity of this enzyme was suppressed by aprotinin, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), leupeptin, and antipain, while alpha 1-antitrypsin, ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor (OTI), EDTA, and chymostatin had no or weak effect. This enzyme hydrolyzed synthetic basic amino acid derivatives and N-alpha-tosyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Tos-Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA) and N-alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-leucyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilid e (Boc-Leu-Pro-Arg-pNA) were the best substrates. The enzymatic characteristics of present enzyme were clearly different from tissue kallikrein, acrosin, and seminin in human semen.

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with parathyroid carcinoma: an update and review

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. However, to our best knowledge, at least 163 cases of functioning parathyroid carcinoma appeared in the English literature from 1981 to 1989. We summarize the available information obtained from the reports of those patients and compare it with previous descriptions of the disease. The etiology of parathyroid carcinoma is usually obscure, but the possibility of a radiation-induced malignant change in the parathyroid gland became evident in a few patients. Clinical manifestations, including age, sex, symptoms, and biochemical findings in this review were comparable to those in previous reviews. Noninvasive localization studies such as ultrasonography may offer a diagnostic clue to parathyroid carcinoma. Measurement of DNA content is a useful adjunct for making the histologic diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma and prediction of the clinical outcome. Since the initial operation offers the best chance for cure, pre-operative suspicion and intra-operative recognition of the parathyroid cancer are essential. The initial operation should be en bloc resection of the tumor, avoiding rupture of the tumor capsule and spillage of tumor cells. As parathyroid carcinoma is a slow-growing but tenacious malignancy, repeated resection of local recurrent tumors or even distant metastases is effective for palliation of recurrent hypercalcemia and occasional cure. When hypercalcemia is refractory to surgical therapy or no recurrent tumor can be identified, other modalities of therapy must be considered. New drugs to control hypercalcemia by inhibiting bone resorption may hold promise in patients with recurrent parathyroid carcinoma.

Treatment of torsade de pointes with intravenous magnesium in idiopathic long QT syndrome

A middle aged woman with idiopathic long QT syndrome was found to have repetitive ventricular tachycardia of the "torsade de pointes" type. The arrhythmia was resistant to mexiletine and lidocaine, but was controlled by intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The recurrent attacks were abolished by a bolus of 2.0 g MgSO4, and extremely prolonged QTU interval was reduced by intravenous infusion of 5 mg/min MgSO4 for 36 h. This case shows the effectiveness of intravenous magnesium in controlling the attack of torsade de pointes in patients with idiopathic long QT syndrome.

The rat liver epithelial (RLE) cell protein database

Computer databases of rat liver epithelial (RLE) cellular polypeptides have been established using high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and computer-assisted analysis. Databases have been constructed utilizing both [35S]methionine- and [32P]orthophosphate-labeled as well as silver-stained polypeptides from normal RLE cells. The RLE database, which contains both qualitative and quantitative annotations, includes experiments with normal, chemically and oncogene transformed as well as spontaneously transformed cell lines. A total of 2537 [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides from whole cell lysates (1920 acidic and 617 basic, separated in the first dimension using isoelectric focusing and nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis, respectively) were analyzed and databases constructed using the Elsie 5 gel analysis system. To increase the "viewing window" and hence the usefulness of the RLE database, subcellular fractionation of whole cell preparations was performed and high resolution two-dimensional maps of the individual subcellular components were constructed. Databases representing 1229 cytosolic, 1539 acidic and 674 basic nuclear, 1746 membrane-associated, 415 mitochondrial, 773 in vitro translated and 350 phosphoproteins were established from these maps. The RLE databases contain the Elsie 5 identification number, protein name (if known), molecular weight and pI information, quantitative and spot shape data, and specific information regarding transformation-sensitive, growth-related (exponentially proliferating versus confluent) cell populations as well as those polypeptides modulated by specific growth factors. The RLE databases represent initial efforts toward the establishment of comprehensive databases of rat liver proteins and serve as a vital resource for on-going as well as future studies regarding the regulation of growth and differentiation as well as transformation of RLE cells.

C cell hyperplasia and carcinoma developing in sheep with experimentally-induced lymphosarcoma

Two cases of C cell hyperplasia and one case of C cell carcinoma of the thyroid glands were bilaterally recognized in 11 sheep with experimentally-induced lymphosarcoma. The serum calcium concentration in the C cell carcinoma case was slightly increased above the normal concentration of around 9 mg per dl. Bilateral C cell hyperplasia also developed in the thyroid lobes of the C cell carcinoma case. Immunohistochemically, hyperplastic C cells and tumour cells were positive for calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, chromogranin A and neurone-specific enolase. No amyloid deposition nor multiple endocrine neoplasia was demonstrated in any of the cases. Ultrastructurally, many secretory granules were observed in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells constituting the C cell carcinoma and in the hyperplastic C cells.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent bilateral adrenocortical macronodular hyperplasia as a distinct subtype of Cushing's syndrome. Enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural study of four cases with a review of the literature

Four patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent bilateral adrenocortical macronodular hyperplasia (AIMAH) were examined. All of them were men whose ages ranged from 37 to 52 years. Plasma cortisol levels were high, with a loss of diurnal rhythmicity, and plasma ACTH was undetectable. Adrenal cortisol secretion was not suppressed by dexamethasone, but it was ACTH responsive. Test results for corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) also were negative. Image analyses revealed a normal sella turcica and significantly enlarged adrenal glands, which showed enhanced uptake of isotope. Both adrenal glands in all cases were between 72 and 176 g in combined weight and were composed of, and distorted by, yellow nodules. Histologically, small cortical cells with or without lipid, occasional clear cells, and rare compact cells of the usual size were increased in number in the glandular cords. Enzyme histochemically, cortical cells showed weaker activity for 3 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and other enzymes than did usual cortisol-producing adenomas. Ultrastructurally, they had moderately to poorly developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Nonnodular areas of the cortex consisting of nonproliferating cells were atrophic and contained no compact cell zone. This is similar to the adrenal cortices attached to cortisol-producing adenomas. These features are unique to AIMAH and suggest the presence of a distinct subtype of Cushing's syndrome.

Detection of arginine esterase activity in human follicular fluid

One major fraction hydrolysing arginine ester and amido derivative (major preparation) was detected and separated from human follicular fluid by Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration. The best ester and amide substrates for this preparation were acetyl-glycyl-lysine methyl ester (Ac-Gly-Lys-Me) and D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Val-Leu-Arg-pNA), respectively. The preparation contained plasmin and plasminogen; lysine-Cellulofine adsorption and elution changed the substrate specificity of its esterolytic activity. After treatment by lysine-Cellulofine adsorption and elution, the basic and acidic arginine esterase activities of the major preparation were separated by CM- and DEAE-cellulose adsorption and elution, respectively. The substrate specificity of these two esterolytic enzyme activities differed before and after adsorption of the major preparation to the lysine affinity column.