Ordered cloned DNA map of the genome of Vibrio cholerae 569B and localization of genetic markers

By using a low-resolution macrorestriction map as the foundation (R. Majumder et al., J. Bacteriol. 176:1105-1112, 1996), an ordered cloned DNA map of the 3.2-Mb chromosome of the hypertoxinogenic strain 569B of Vibrio cholerae has been constructed. A cosmid library the size of about 4,000 clones containing more than 120 Mb of V. cholerae genomic DNA (40-genome equivalent) was generated. By combining landmark analysis and chromosome walking, the cosmid clones were assembled into 13 contigs covering about 90% of the V. cholerae genome. A total of 92 cosmid clones were assigned to the genome and to regions defined by NotI, SfiI, and CeuI macrorestriction maps. Twenty-seven cloned genes, 9 rrn operons, and 10 copies of a repetitive DNA sequence (IS1004) have been positioned on the ordered cloned DNA map.

Complex dynamics of mass-closed coupled autocatalytic systems in response to minute asymmetric perturbations

The role of kinetic coupling in catering to a remote-control mechanism for the onset and regulation of self-organization phenomena in a multicompartmental biochemical system has been examined. Using two cyclic autocatalytic reaction networks operating in two chambers separated by a membrane and coupled through a common cofactor, it has been demonstrated that (i) in response to asymmetric perturbations, the coupled reaction networks exhibit a variety of temporal self-organization phenomena such as bistability, multiple periodicity, hard excitation and coexistence of aperiodic oscillation with limit cycle even in mass-closed conditions; (ii) without disturbing a network directly, its dynamic behaviour can be regulated by perturbing some other network kinetically coupled to it and (iii) the dynamics of two coupled networks can be made to flip-flop between oscillatory and steady-states simply by modulating the time of application of external perturbations. The extreme sensitivity of this model to minute asymmetric fluctuations in the environment can predict how the impact of local changes in physico-chemical conditions can be transmitted from one compartment to another through coupled biochemical pathways in a living cell.

Chaos game representation of proteins

The present report proposes a new method for the chaos game representation (CGR) of different families of proteins. Using concatenated amino acid sequences of proteins belonging to a particular family and a 12-sided regular polygon, each vertex of which represents a group of amino acid residues leading to conservative substitutions, the method can generate the CGR of the family and allows pictorial representation of the pattern characterizing the family. An estimation of the percentages of points plotted in different segments of the CGR (grid points) allows quantification of the nonrandomness of the CGR patterns generated. The CGRs of different protein families exhibited distinct visually identifiable patterns. This implies that different functional classes of proteins follow specific statistical biases in the distribution of different mono-, di-, tri-, or higher order peptides along their primary sequences. The potential of grid counts as the discriminative and diagnostic signature of a family of proteins is discussed.

The secY gene of V. cholerae: identification, cloning and characterization

The secY gene of Vibrio cholerae has been cloned and the complete nt sequence determined. It codes for a protein of 438 aa residues which functions as a translocator through which proteins cross the inner membrane. It can substitute for the Escherichia coli SecY protein and can suppress the phenotypic traits associated with E. coli secY mutants. The V. cholerae secY gene has about 71 and 83% similarity at the nt and aa levels respectively with the E. coli secY gene. Vibrio cholerae secY, similarly to the E. coli secY, is flanked by the genes encoding the ribosomal large subunit proteins L15 and L36. When expressed from the lac promoter, V. cholerae secY partially complements E. coli secY mutation even in absence of IPTG, while the E. coli secY gene complements only when IPTG is present. Presence of multiple SD sequences and a putative downstream (DS) box imply that the V. cholerae secY gene might have high translational efficiency. A V. cholerae mutant unable to translocate CTB through the inner membrane has been isolated. The secretion deficient phenotype of the mutant can be reversed by introducing the cloned V. cholerae secY gene.

Studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera

The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome as well as of betulinic acid, a steroidal triterpenoid isolated from it, were evaluated on carrageenin and serotonin induced rat paw edema. Methanol extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg and betulinic acid at doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg p.o., showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in both the models of inflammation in rats. The effects produced were comparable to that of phenylbutazone and dexamethasone, two prototype anti-inflammatory drugs.

Rearrangements in the genomes of Vibrio cholerae strains belonging to different serovars and biovars

The intron-encoded enzyme I-CeuI provides an excellent tool for rapidly examining the organization of genomes of related species of bacteria. Vibrio cholerae strains belonging to serovars O1 and O139 have 9 I-ceuI sites in their genomes, and V. cholerae strains belonging to serovars non-O1 and non-O139 have 10 I-ceuI sites in their genomes. This information can be used as a criterion to differentiate O1 strains from non-O1 and non-O139 strains. To our knowledge, intraspecies variation in the number of rrn operons has not been reported in any other organism. Our data revealed extensive restriction fragment length polymorphism based on a comparison of the I-ceuI digestion profiles of strains belonging to different serovars and biovars. From the analysis of partial digestion products, I-CeuI macrorestriction maps of several classical, El Tor, and O139 strains were constructed. While the linkage maps are conserved within biovars, linkage maps vary substantially between biovars.

The rpoH gene encoding sigma 32 homolog of Vibrio cholerae

The Vibrio cholerae rpoH gene coding for the heat-shock sigma factor, sigma 32, has been cloned and shown to functionally complement Escherichia coli rpoH mutants. The nt sequence of the gene has been determined and the deduced aa sequence is more than 80% homologous to the E. coli rpoH gene product. Downstream of the V. cholerae rpoH gene, an unidentified dehydrogenase gene (udhA) is present on the opposite strand facing rpoH. The predicted secondary structure of the 5'-proximal region of V. cholerae rpoH mRNA is apparently different from the conserved secondary structures of the rpoH mRNA reported for several bacterial species. The 'RpoH box', a stretch of 9 aa (QRKLFFNLR) unique to sigma 32 factors, and the 'downstream box' sequence complementary to a part of the 16S rRNA, have been detected.

Four year follow-up of first episode manic patients

51 patients who were admitted for their first manic episode were followed up for 4 years after discharge from the hospital. 32 (62.7%) patients came for regular follow-ups whereas 19 (37.3%) patients did not come for any follow up. 19 (59.4%) patients out of the 32 patients had subsequent recurrences. 8 (25.0%) patients had a single recurrence only, whereas 11 (34.4%) patients had multiple recurrences. In total, 31 (74.19%) recurrences occurred in 4 years, out of which 23 (25.81%) recurrences were for mania and only 8 for depression. 46.88% patients had relapsed at the end of the first year and by the third year all 19 (59.4%) patients had relapsed. The chances of having a depressive episode was highest in the first six months after recovery from manic episode. Patients with a family history of bipolar illness had a more deleterious course. Poor drug compliance was a factor associated with greater relapse rates. Amongst the patients receiving regular medication, the patients who were on lithium had the best outcome. 48.8% patients had subsequent admissions in the four year follow up. Patients with late age of onset and substance abuse had required greater number of admissions.

Biofilm susceptibility to antimicrobials

Microbial biofilms, where organisms are intimately associated with each other and a solid substratum through binding and inclusion within an exopolymer matrix, are widely distributed in nature and disease. In the mouth, multispecies biofilms are associated not only with dental plaque and tooth decay but also with soft tissues of the buccal cavity and with most forms of periodontal disease. Organization of micro-organisms within biofilms confers, on the component species, properties which are not evident with the individual species grown independently or as planktonic populations in liquid media. While many of these properties relate to the establishment of functional, mixed-species consortia within the exopolymeric matrices, others relate to the establishment of physico-chemical gradients, within the biofilm, that modify the metabolism of the component cells. A consequence of biofilm growth that has profound implications for their control in the environment and in medicine is a markedly enhanced resistance to chemical antimicrobial agents and antibiotics. Mechanisms associated with such resistance in biofilms will form the substance of the present review. While some aspects of biofilm resistance are yet only poorly understood, the dominant mechanisms are thought to be related to: (i) modified nutrient environments and suppression of growth rate within the biofilm; (ii) direct interactions between the exopolymer matrices, and their constituents, and antimicrobials, affecting diffusion and availability; and (iii) the development of biofilm/attachment-specific phenotypes.

Wound healing activity of Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees

Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees (Labiatae), commonly known as Halkusha, is a well-known plant in Indian traditional medicine. On the basis of its traditional use and literature references, this plant was selected for evaluation of its wound healing potential. A methanol extract of L. lavandulaefolia was examined for its wound healing activity both in the form of an ointment as well as an injection in two types of wound model in rats: (i) the excision wound model and (ii) the incision wound model. Both the injection and the ointment of the methanol extract of the plant material produced a significant response in both of the wound types tested. The results were also comparable to those of a standard drug, nitrofurazone, in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure time, tensile strength and regeneration of tissues at the wound site.

Lupus erythematosus panniculitis

Lupus erythematosus panniculitis is a quite rare clinical entity characterised by one or several firm, asymptomatic, often fairly large subcutaneous nodules, as a manifestation of SLE or DLE. Two cases of lupus panniculitis, both female, are described here. Both of them had absence of typical lesions of SLE or DLE elsewhere in the body. Systemic symptoms were not present, antinuclear factor was positive in one case. Both showed typical lobular panniculitis on biospy and responded favourably to systemic chloroquine therapy.

Pustular psoriasis: treatment with antibiotics

A 17 years old boy presented clinically with typical lesions of pustular posriasis. Although his pus culture from the pocket of pus did not reveal any organism, his blood culture reports showed growth of Diplococci pneumoniae, which was sensitive to gentamycin. The patient was completely cured of the lesion after gentamycin therapy.

Antipyretic activity of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome extract

Antipyretic activity of methanolic extract of rhizome of N. nucifera was studied on normal body temperature and yeast induced pyrexia in rats. Yeast suspension (10 ml/kg, s.c.) increased rectal temperature after 19 hr of administration. The extract, in doses of 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg (po) produced significant dose dependent lowering of normal body temperature and yeast provoked elevation of body temperature in rats. The effect produced was comparable with the standard antipyretic drug, paracetamol (150 mg/kg, i.p.).

Physical map of the genome of Vibrio cholerae 569B and localization of genetic markers

A combined physical and genetic map of the genome of the classical O1 hypertoxinogenic strain 569B of Vibrio cholerae has been constructed. The enzymes NotI, SfiI and CeuI generated DNA fragments of suitable size distribution that could be resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The digests produced 37, 22, and 7 fragments, respectively. The CeuI maps of the genomes of strains 569B and O395, constructed by partial restriction digestion, were identical, and the data are consistent with the concept of circular chromosomes. The genome size of each of the strains was estimated to be about 3.2 Mb. The NotI and SfiI digestion profiles of the genomic DNAs of strains 569B and O395 exhibited distinct restriction fragment length polymorphism. The linkages between the 37 NotI fragments of the genome of strain 569B were determined by combining three approaches: isolation of linking clones, analysis of partial digestion fragments, and identification of NotI fragments in isolated CeuI and SfiI fragments. To align linked fragments precisely, NotI-digested genomic DNA was end labeled and separated in the same gel with the NotI-digested DNA to be probed with linking clones. This also allowed the identification of smaller restriction fragments that are not visible in ethidium bromide-stained gels. The presence of repetitive DNA sequences in the V. cholerae 569B genome has been demonstrated. Twenty cloned homologous and heterologous genes and seven rrn operons have been positioned on the physical map. The two copies of the Ctx genetic element in the genome of strain 569B are located about 1,000 kb apart.

Crystallographic determination of the structures of human alpha-thrombin complexed with BMS-186282 and BMS-189090

The crystallographic structures of the ternary complexes of human alpha-thrombin with hirugen (a sulfated hirudin fragment) and the small-molecule active site thrombin inhibitors BMS-186282 and BMS-189090 have been determined at 2.6 and 2.8 A. In both cases, the inhibitors, which adopt very similar bound conformations, bind in an antiparallel beta-strand arrangement relative to the thrombin main chain in a manner like that reported for PPACK, D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl. They do, however, exhibit differences in the binding of the alkyl guanidine moiety in the specificity pocket. Numerous hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions serve to stabilize the inhibitors in the binding pocket. Although PPACK forms covalent bonds to both serine and the histidine of the catalytic triad of thrombin, neither BMS-186282 nor BMS-189090 bind covalently and only BMS-186282 forms a hydrogen bond to the serine of the catalytic triad. Both inhibitors bind with high affinity (Ki = 79 nM and 3.6 nM, respectively) and are highly selective for thrombin over trypsin and other serine proteases.

Porins of Vibrio cholerae: purification and characterization of OmpU

Three outer membrane proteins with molecular masses of 40, 38, and 27 kDa of the hypertoxinogenic strain 569B of Vibrio cholerae have been purified to homogeneity. The synthesis of all the three proteins is regulated by the osmolarity of the growth medium. The pore-forming ability of the 40-kDa protein, OmpT, and the 38-kDa protein, OmpU, has been demonstrated by using liposomes, in which these proteins were embedded. The 27-kDa protein, OmpX, though osmoregulated, is not a porin. OmpU constitutes 30% of the total outer membrane protein when grown in the presence of 1.0% NaCl in the growth medium and 60% in the absence of NaCl. OmpU is an acidic protein and is a homotrimer of 38-kDa monomeric units. Its secondary structure contains predominantly a beta-sheet, and three to four Ca2+ ions are associated with each monomeric unit. Removal of Ca2+ irreversibly disrupts the structure and pore-forming ability of the protein. The pore size of OmpU is 1.6 nm, and the specific activity of the OmpU channel is two- to threefold higher than that of Escherichia coli porin OmpF, synthesis of which resembles that of OmpU with respect to the osmolarity of the growth medium. The pore size of OmpT, which is analogous to OmpC of E. coli, is smaller than that of OmpU. Southern blot hybridization of V. cholerae genomic DNA digested with several restriction endonucleases with nick-translated E. coli ompF as the probe revealed no nucleotide sequence homology between the ompU and ompF genes. OmpU is also not antigenically related to OmpF. Anti-OmpF antiserum, however, cross-reacted with the 45-kDa V. cholerae outer membrane protein, OmpS, the synthesis of which is regulated by the presence of maltose in the growth medium. OmpU hemagglutinated with rabbit and human blood. This toxR-regulated protein is one of the possible virulence determinants in V. cholerae (V. L. Miller and J. J. Mekalanos, J. Bacteriol. 170:2575-2583, 1988).

Thrombin active site inhibitors

Development of small molecule thrombin active site inhibitors has been an area of intense research. A brief review on recent progress and challenges is outlined.

A 25-kDa beta-lactam-induced outer membrane protein of Vibrio cholerae. Purification and characterization

A 25-kDa outer membrane protein, induced following treatment of Vibrio cholerae cells with beta-lactam antibiotics and constituting about 8-10% of the total outer membrane proteins of beta-lactam-resistant mutants, has been purified to homogeneity. It is a basic (pI 8.5) protein rich in beta-sheet structure and is a homodimer, the monomers being held together by hydrophobic interactions. The effective hydrophobicity of the protein is low, and a large part of the protein is exposed on the surface of the outer membrane. The protein does not have beta-lactamase or autolytic activity and is not a penicillin-binding protein. The Stoke's radius of the 25-kDa protein (26 A) is comparable to the pore size of the V. cholerae OmpF-like porin. Proteoliposome swelling assay showed that the 25-kDa protein might block the pores of OmpF through which beta-lactam antibiotics normally enter the cells. Twenty-two amino acid residues from the N-terminal end of the 25-kDa protein have been sequenced, and a 32-mer oligonucleotide probe was synthesized using the amino acid residues 2-12. This probe was used to identify the gene encoding the 25-kDa protein. The beta-lactam-resistant cells are insensitive to changes in the osmolarity of the growth medium in contrast to the wild type cells which exhibit osmoregulation of OmpF and OmpC synthesis. All beta-lactam-resistant mutants examined are resistant to novobiocin.

Cholera vaccine: developmental strategies and problems

Over a hundred years have elapsed since Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent for the disease cholera, was discovered by Robert Koch. Ever since then serious efforts have been made to develop prophylactic measures to combat the disease without much success. Seven pandemics have so far been reported and cholera still remains a public health problem in developing countries. Several strategies have been adopted to develop vaccines against the disease and many of these vaccines have undergone field trials. During the last two decades, an enormous amount of information has accumulated regarding the organism V. cholerae, its virulence factors, including cholera toxin, and the molecular basis of its pathogenicity. In recent years, with the advent of recombinant DNA technology and major breakthroughs in molecular biology and immunology, a new dimension has been given to the design of vaccine strains. The second generation live oral vaccines will perhaps soon replace the long-used first generation parenterally administered killed whole cell vaccines which offered protection for not more than three months. All the recombinant vaccines tested so far produced adverse reactions in volunteers, although they provided varying degrees of protection upto about one year of surveillance. Parallel to the trials of live oral vaccines, combination vaccines comprising killed whole cells and purified B subunit of cholera toxin was also tried. These vaccines had minimal side-effects but the efficacy was not upto expectations. From the failure of each vaccine strain, new information had emerged and improved strategies were adopted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heat shock response and heat shock protein antigens of Vibrio cholerae

Sixteen heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been identified in the hypertoxinogenic strain 569B of Vibrio cholerae which are synthesized in response to small and large elevations of temperature. The induction of the Hsps is necessary for the cells to survive the deleterious effects of heat. There is no difference in the pattern of induction of the Hsps in V. cholerae strains varying in levels of toxinogenicity. One of the major low-molecular-mass Hsps, a 16-kDa protein, is preferentially degraded following shift down of temperature. This protein is induced at a much lower level at high temperatures in cells maintained in the laboratory for a prolonged period. The only Hsp located in the outer membrane of V. cholerae cells is a 23-kDa protein. Western immunoblot analysis with human immune sera collected from convalescent cholera patients revealed that this protein is markedly immunogenic. The human immune serum also reacted with the 69- and 16-kDa major Hsps and the 88-, 66-, and 46-kDa Hsps but not with the 61-kDa major Hsp identified as the groEL gene product. All major Hsps reacted with rabbit anti-V. cholerae sera. Ethanol stress leads to the induction of four of the major Hsps and three additional proteins.

Codeine containing cough syrup addiction in assam and nagaland

The drug abuse monitoring study of Regional Medical Research Center, Dibrugarh, reported 181 and 395 addicts from the states of Assam and Nagaland respectively in one year. Of these, 48 (26.5%) and 49(12.4%) cases were contributed by the primary abuse of codeine containing cough syrups. A11 addicts were males in their early twenties. Most of the addicts were unmarried and educated up to matriculation. The majority of addicts in Assam were Hindus (85.4%) and in Nagaland Christians (81.63%). Unemployment was predominant in both the groups. The mean age for the first use of codeine cough syrup was 17.44 years (Assam) and 15.77 years (Nagaland). Nagaland had more chronic abusers. Addicts were used the oral route several times a day and friends were the main source of introduction. Mild forms of physical and psychiatric disorders were reported Easy over-the-counter availability, lesser expenditure, milder withdrawals and ease of consumption without secrecy were some of the reasons for the emergence of this new form of addiction in Assam and Nagaland.

The DNA adenine methyltransferase-encoding gene (dam) of Vibrio cholerae

The DNA adenine methyltransferase (MTase)-encoding gene (dam) of Vibrio cholerae, an organism belonging to the family Vibrionaceae, has been cloned and the complete nucleotide (nt) sequence determined. V. cholerae dam encodes a 21.5-kDa protein and is directly involved in methyl-directed DNA mismatch repair. It can substitute for the Escherichia coli enzyme and can suppress the phenotypic traits associated with E. coli dam mutants. Overproduction of V. cholerae Dam MTase does not result in hypermutability in either V. cholerae or E. coli cells. Overproduction of V. cholerae Dam in a pUC plasmid, however, fails to suppress the 2-aminopurine (2-AP)-sensitive phenotype of E. coli dam mutants. Homology between the nt and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of the E. coli and V. cholerae dam genes is only 30-35%.

Recombinant derivative of a naturally occurring non-toxinogenic Vibrio cholerae 01 expressing the B subunit of cholera toxin: a potential oral vaccine strain

A clinical isolate of Vibrio cholerae 01 was identified which did not possess the heat-labile (CT), the heat-stable (ST) or the zonula occludens (Zot) toxin genes. Rabbit ileal loop assays showed that no other CT-like toxin was produced by this strain. The partly deleted cholera toxin gene which carries the intact gene for the B subunit was cloned and the recombinant plasmid, pURD110, was introduced into this non-toxinogenic natural human isolate. The transformed cells (strain URD2) secreted the B subunit gene product which competed with the holotoxin secreted by the hypertoxinogenic strain 569B of V. cholerae for the GM1 ganglioside binding sites in vivo. This strain can colonize the rabbit intestine as detected by the removable intestinal tie adult rabbit diarrhoea (RITARD) model. This construct has an advantage over other live oral attenuated V. cholerae strains used as vaccines in that the latter strains were made non-toxinogenic by only deleting part of the gene coding for the A subunit of cholera toxin while the strain described here is naturally non-toxinogenic.

Orbital lesions. Diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology

Over seven years (1983-1989), 30 orbital lesions were subjected to fine needle aspiration (FNA). The age of the patients ranged from 1.5 to 65 years. The male:female ratio was 16:14. The presenting features were proptosis (15 cases), swelling of eyelids (6), swelling of medial or lateral canthus (6), swelling of infraorbital margin (2) and recurrent orbital mass in a surgically treated case of retinoblastoma (1). FNA was performed on intraocular sites in 2 cases, orbital cavity in 11 and adnexal swellings in 17. The cytodiagnoses were various inflammatory lesions (5 cases), benign cystic lesions (4), meibomian gland carcinoma (3), retinoblastoma (3), meningioma (2) and pleomorphic adenoma (2). Basal cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, optic nerve glioma, acute myeloid leukemia, leiomyosarcoma and neurofibroma accounted for 1 case each. In 4 cases the cytologic specimens were inadequate.

Genome size and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of Vibrio cholerae strains belonging to different serovars and biotypes

The genome size of Vibrio cholerae has been determined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis following digestion of chromosomal DNA with endonucleases. The genome size of all the classical strains examined was about 3000 kb and that of El Tor biotype was 2500 kb. The NotI and SfiI digestion patterns of the genomes of several V. cholerae strains belonging to different serovars and biotypes showed distinct restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RFLP analysis together with the genome size can be used to differentiate strains of different serovars and biotypes of V. cholerae.

1-Benzazepin-2-one calcium channel blockers--VI. Receptor-binding model and possible relationship to desmethoxyverapamil

We have prepared a series of potent antihypertensive 1-benzazepin-2-one calcium channel blockers (CCBs) 1 that are structurally related to diltiazem 2. Structural studies and the preparation of conformationally constrained analogs of 1-benzazepin-2-ones have led us to postulate a receptor-bound conformation for both 1 and 2. We believe that these compounds bind to the calcium channel protein in an MI ("inboard") binding conformation in which the amine of the side chain is placed over the heptagonal benzazepione ring and in close proximity to the phenyl methyl ether pharmacophore. This receptor-bound conformation places the side chain amine and methyl ether pharmacophores in the same spatial relationship as 3-methoxyphenylethalamine. Combined with our SAR, this binding model rationalizes literature findings that desmethoxyverapamil can demonstrate pharmacology typical of both phenylalkylamine (PA) and benzothiazepinone (DTZ) calcium channel blockers. Simple experiments are proposed to test the hypothesis that desmethoxyverapamil can bind at the benzothiazepinone site on the calcium channel.

Depressed patients' parental representations: stability across changes in depressed mood and specificity across diagnoses

Parental representations of a Dutch sample of psychiatric patients with diagnoses of dysthymia and unipolar depression were compared with those of a matched sample of non-depressed patients and a matched sample of healthy controls. No differences in recalled parental rearing styles were found between depressives with a diagnosis of dysthymia and those with a diagnosis of unipolar depression. Depressive did not differ from the mixed (but non-depressed) sample of psychiatric patients, whereas both the depressed and the mixed group of patients reported more adverse parenting than the healthy controls. Analysis of repeated measurements of parental representations showed that memories of parental behavior were highly stable across clinically significant changes in depressed mood, so that it seems unlikely that patients' relatively negative recollections of their parents' behavior were due to mood state dependent recall. Results are discussed within the framework of depression theories and with regard to the validity and utility of self-report instruments for parental rearing styles.

Phage psi 92: a new choleraphage infecting Vibrio cholerae cells belonging to serovars 01 and non-01

A new choleraphage, psi 92, with an icosahedral head and no tail structure has been described. This phage has a wide host range. It infects and lyses strains belonging to different serovars and biotypes of Vibrio cholerae. The phage utilises host DNA degradation products for its own DNA synthesis. psi 92 contains a linear double-stranded DNA of 56 kbp. A physical map of the phage genome has been constructed using the restriction enzyme KpnI. Intracellular development of phage psi 92 following infection was examined by thin-section electron microscopy.

Mathematical characterization of Chaos Game Representation. New algorithms for nucleotide sequence analysis

Chaos Game Representation (CGR) can recognize patterns in the nucleotide sequences, obtained from databases, of a class of genes using the techniques of fractal structures and by considering DNA sequences as strings composed of four units, G, A, T and C. Such recognition of patterns relies only on visual identification and no mathematical characterization of CGR is known. The present report describes two algorithms that can predict the presence or absence of a stretch of nucleotides in any gene family. The first algorithm can be used to generate DNA sequences represented by any point in the CGR. The second algorithm can simulate known CGR patterns for different gene families by setting the probabilities of occurrence of different di- or trinucleotides by a trial and error process using some guidelines and approximate rules-of-thumb. The validity of the second algorithm has been tested by simulating sequences that can mimic the CGRs of vertebrate non-oncogenes, proto-oncogenes and oncogenes. These algorithms can provide a mathematical basis of the CGR patterns obtained using nucleotide sequences from databases.

Cell surface characteristics of environmental and clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae non-O1

The cell surfaces of several toxigenic and nontoxigenic environmental and clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 have been examined. The environmental strains, irrespective of toxigenicity, are significantly more resistant to antibiotics and detergents than are V. cholerae O1 strains. The clinical isolates of non-O1 vibrios are as sensitive to a wide variety of chemicals as the O1 vibrios. The environmental non-O1 strains are also less susceptible to lysis when treated with protein denaturants or neutral and anionic detergents than are O1 vibrios and the clinical non-O1 strains. In contrast to O1 vibrios, the environmental non-O1 vibrios do not have exposed phospholipids in their outer membranes. These features of the cell surfaces of environmental non-O1 vibrios might have a role in the better survival of these organisms under environmental fluctuations.

Leiomyosarcoma of the orbit: diagnosis of its recurrence by fine-needle aspiration cytology

An 8 1/2-yr-old boy with proptosis was diagnosed to have low-grade leiomyosarcoma of the orbit following lateral orbitotomy and histology of an incompletely excised intraconal mass. He received chemotherapy but had recurrence of proptosis at the age of 12 yr. Ultrasonography revealed a solid mass and its fine-needle aspiration cytology features were consistent with recurrence of leiomyosarcoma. A year later, the cytodiagnosis was confirmed by histology of the excised tumor from a second lateral orbitotomy. Masson's trichrome stain confirmed the smooth muscle nature of the neoplasm and ultrastructural features were in favor of leiomyosarcoma. The patient received intermittent chemotherapy, and is clinically free from disease at the age of 17 yr.

A 14-kilodalton inner membrane protein of Vibrio cholerae biotype e1 tor confers resistance to group IV choleraphage infection to classical vibrios

Choleraphage phi 149 differentiates the two biotypes, classical and el tor, of Vibrio cholerae. This phage cannot replicate in V. cholerae biotype el tor cells because the concatemeric DNA intermediates produced are unstable and cannot be chased to mature phage DNA. A V. cholerae biotype el tor gene coding for a 14,000-Da inner membrane protein which destabilizes the concatemeric DNA intermediates by hindering their binding to the cell membrane has been identified. Presumably, a 22,000-Da V. cholerae biotype el tor protein might also have a role in conferring phage phi 149 resistance to cells belonging to the biotype el tor. A nucleotide sequence homologous to the 1.2-kb V. cholerae biotype el tor DNA coding for both the 14,000- and 22,000-Da proteins is present in all strains of classical vibrios but is not transcribed. The nucleotide sequence of the gene coding for the 14,000-Da protein has been determined.

Benzazepinone calcium channel blockers. 5. Effects on antihypertensive activity associated with N1 and aromatic substituents

We have shown that the pyrrolidinylmethyl substituent on the lactam nitrogen (N1) of benzazepinone and benzothiazepinone calcium channel blocking agents is resistant to metabolic deamination and generally increases the duration and potency of antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) relative to (N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl analogs. Additionally, compounds possessing a substituent on the fused aromatic ring are more resistant to metabolic deacylation of the C3 hydroxy function, which may explain why aromatic substituents also frequently increase the potency and/or duration of antihypertensive activity. Our data also indicate the increased antihypertensive activity associated with these structural modifications is independent of any effects of potency in vitro. Overall, we interpret these results to indicate that these structural modifications improve antihypertensive activity as a result of increased metabolic stability and, consequently, oral bioavailability.

Presence of exposed phospholipids in the outer membrane of Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae 569B was found to be highly sensitive to a wide range of chemicals, particularly hydrophobic compounds and neutral and anionic detergents. The phospholipid profile of the outer membrane was similar to that reported for other Gram-negative bacteria. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contained O-antigenic sugars and exhibited heterogeneity. In addition, the LPS moiety was characterized by a relatively low negative charge. Analysis by topological probes revealed the presence of a significant amount of exposed phospholipids in the outer membrane. The reduced negative charge of LPS molecules and the exposed phospholipids present in the outer membrane could be important in the increased permeation of exogenous compounds in V. cholerae.

Interaction of Vibrio cholerae cells with beta-lactam antibiotics: emergence of resistant cells at a high frequency

Unlike other gram-negative enteric bacteria, Vibrio cholerae cells were equally susceptible to penicillin and ampicillin and in general more susceptible than Escherichia coli to most of the beta-lactam antibiotics. The turbidity of penicillin-treated cultures contained to increase exponentially for about 3 h, although the cell viability declined rapidly within 30 min of penicillin addition. Prolonged treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics produced cells resistant to these antibiotics. A fluctuation test indicated that this resistance might be due to adaptive mutation. Cells resistant to a beta-lactam exhibited broad cross-resistance to other beta-lactam antibiotics. A new 12,000-Da outer membrane protein was detected both in beta-lactam-resistant cells and in wild-type cells growing in medium containing beta-lactam antibiotics. While the penicillin-resistant cells had all of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) present in the parental cells, significant differences in the relative proportion of low-molecular-weight PBPs were seen. The low-molecular-weight PBPs from resistant cells seemed to form more stable complexes with penicillin than those from the parental strain.