A possible animal model for critical colonisation

OBJECTIVE

To develop a critical colonisation model in rats that will facilitate investigation of its pathophysiology and the development of new and effective diagnosis and treatment protocols.

METHOD

Three groups of rats were given full-thickness dorsal wounds: a control group received phosphate-buffered saline; an experimental group was inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; an infection group with streptozotocin-induced diabetes was also inoculated with P. aeruginosa. All groups were assessed on a number of parameters at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 following wounding. Parameters included gross observations, histopathological observations, quantification of redness and swelling, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement and tissue bacterial counts.

RESULTS

Healing was delayed in the experimental group when compared with the control group, with no signs of inflammation. Although the numbers of bacteria were similar in the experimental and infection groups, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration was localised to granulation tissue in the experimental group, whereas it extended to muscular tissue in the experimental group. CRP levels remained low in the experimental group.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the inoculation of bacteria provides a possible model of critical colonisation in rats. We believe this will contribute to a better understanding of critical colonisation.

High-efficiency genetic transformation of maize by a mixture of pollen and exogenous DNA

High-efficiency genetic transformation was induced in a genetic stock of maize, Zea mays Linnaeus, by self-pollination of the recipient plants along with DNA of the donor. The highest frequency of transformed endosperm per ear was 9.29%. DNA was applied onto silks in a pollen/DNA pasty mixture. The exogenous DNA transferred into endosperm expressed itself in endosperm formation. It is not known, however, whether the exogenous DNA segment in endosperm had been incorporated or whether it was present in the nucleus additionally, fragmentally, or in some other state. It was revealed that all of four possible cases had occurred as follows: exogenous DNA was transferred into (i) both embryo and endosperm of the same kernel, (ii) embryo only, (iii) endosperm only, and (iv) neither embryo nor endosperm. It was also revealed that exogenous DNA that had entered into the embryo had been maintained through embryo formation, germination, vegetative growth and differentiation, and reproductive growth, and finally was manifested in embryo and/or endosperm of the following generation and acted in endosperm formation. The frequency of transformed endosperm in this generation, however, was rather low. It may be that exogenous DNA taken into the embryo was unstable.

Development of a method to control the water evaporation of hatching eggs during incubation

Three experiments were conducted to develop methods to control the amount of water loss and to evaluate the metabolic effects of water condition in the White Leghorn breeder eggs during incubation. One hundred twenty, 54, and 90 Julia strain White Leghorn breeder eggs were incubated at 37.8 degrees C, 60% RH in experiments 1, 2, and 3. In experiment 1, eggs were drilled with various bore diameters of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mm on the blunt end of the eggshell. In experiment 2, 4 x 4 mm(2) windows were cut into the eggs or the eggs were drilled with 5 holes of bore diameter 2 mm on the blunt end of eggshell. In experiment 3, eggs were drilled with 1, 3, 5, and 7 holes of diameter 2 mm on the blunt end of eggshell. Eggs were treated on d 3 of each experiment and the amount of water loss was recorded on d 19 of incubation. Embryo growth was evaluated in experiments 2 and 3. In addition, the livers of embryos were collected in the 0-, 1-, 3-, and 5-hole treatment groups after weighing eggs to determine 3-hydroxy acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase activity. In experiment 1, although higher water loss was observed in all windowed eggs than in control, there were no differences in amount of water loss among all bore diameters. Accordingly, that was not successful to control amount of water loss. In experiment 2, higher water loss was observed in drilled eggs at the same levels in windowed eggs as in control. Drilling holes was a more useful treatment to control amount of water loss on incubated eggs than windowing. In experiment 3, amount of water loss increased linearly with increasing number of holes on the blunt end of eggshell. Hepatic 3-hydroxy acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase activity increased with increasing the number of drilled holes.

Repeated recurrence of gastric mucosal lesions in rats after a single treatment with compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulator

We examined the recurrence of gastric mucosal lesions in rats after a single treatment with compound 48/80 (C48/80), a mast cell degranulator. During the period of 0.5 h to 24 h after treatment with C 48/80 (0.75 mg/kg, i.p.), an apparent recurrence of gastric mucosal lesions was found 18 and 24 h after the lesion formation, progression, and recovery occurred during the period of 12 h. Gastric mucosal blood flow showed the maximum reduction at 0.5, 16, and 22 h after treatment followed by the maximum recovery of the decrease at 12, 20, and 24 h, respectively. Gastric mucosal myeloperoxide and xanthine oxidase activities and lipid peroxide content showed the maximum increase at 3, 18, and 24 h after treatment. Gastric mucosal superoxide dismutase activity unchanged after treatment and gastric mucosal catalase activity decreased only at 24 h. Gastric mucosal Se-glutathione peroxidase activity and vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and hexosamine contents showed their maximum decrease at 3, 18, and 24 h after treatment. Gastric mucosal non-protein SH content showed the maximum decrease at 0.5, 16, and 22 h after treatment. Serum histamine and serotonin concentrations increased rapidly after treatment but the increases in serum histamine and serotonin concentrations diminished completely until 12 and 14 h, respectively. These results indicate that lesions recur repeatedly accompanied with an ischemia-reperfusion-like change in blood flow, inflammation, and disruption of antioxidant defense systems in the gastric mucosa of rats in no relation to released histamine and serotonin after a single C48/80 treatment.

Potential contributions of heat shock proteins to temperature-dependent sex determination in the American alligator

Sex determination in the American alligator depends on the incubation temperature experienced during a thermo-sensitive period (TSP), although sex determination can be 'reversed' by embryonic exposure to an estrogenic compound. Thus, temperature and estrogenic signals play essential roles during temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). The genetic basis for TSD is poorly understood, although previous studies observed that many of the genes associated with genetic sex determination (GSD) are expressed in species with TSD. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), good candidates because of their temperature-sensitive expression, have not been examined in regard to TSD but HSPs have the ability to modify steroid receptor function. A number of HSP cDNAs (HSP27, DNAJ, HSP40, HSP47, HSP60, HSP70A, HSP70B, HSP70C, HSP75, HSP90alpha, HSP90beta, and HSP108) as well as cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRBP) and HSP-binding protein (HSPBP) were cloned, and expression of their mRNA in the gonadal-adrenal-mesonephros complex (GAM) was investigated. Embryonic and neonatal GAMs exhibited mRNA for all of the HSPs examined during and after the TSP. One-month-old GAMs were separated into 3 portions (gonad, adrenal gland, and mesonephros), and sexual dimorphism in the mRNA expression of gonadal HSP27 (male > female), gonadal HSP70A (male < female), and adrenal HSP90 alpha (male > female) was observed. These findings provide new insights on TSD and suggest that further studies examining the role of HSPs during gonadal development are needed.

Increased insulin demand promotes while pioglitazone prevents pancreatic beta cell apoptosis in Wfs1 knockout mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The WFS1 gene encodes an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-embedded protein called Wolfram syndrome 1 protein, homozygous mutations of which cause selective beta cell loss in humans. The function(s) of this protein and the mechanism by which the mutations of this gene cause beta cell death are still not fully understood. We hypothesised that increased insulin demand as a result of obesity/insulin resistance causes ER stress in pancreatic beta cells, thereby promoting beta cell death.

METHODS

We studied the effect of breeding Wfs1 ( -/- ) mice on a C57BL/6J background with mild obesity and insulin resistance, by introducing the agouti lethal yellow mutation (A ( y ) /a). We also treated the mice with pioglitazone.

RESULTS

Wfs1 ( -/- ) mice bred on a C57BL/6J background rarely develop overt diabetes by 24 weeks of age, showing only mild beta cell loss. However, Wfs1 ( -/- ) A ( y ) /a mice developed selective beta cell loss and severe insulin-deficient diabetes as early as 8 weeks. This beta cell loss was due to apoptosis. In Wfs1 ( +/+ ) A ( y ) /a islets, levels of ER chaperone immunoglobulin-binding protein (BiP)/78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2, subunit alpha (eIF2alpha) apparently increased. Levels of both were further increased in Wfs1 ( -/- ) A ( y ) /a murine islets. Electron micrography revealed markedly dilated ERs in Wfs1 (-/-) A ( y ) /a murine beta cells. Interestingly, pioglitazone treatment protected beta cells from apoptosis and almost completely prevented diabetes development.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Wfs1-deficient beta cells are susceptible to ER stress. Increased insulin demand prompts apoptosis in such cells in vivo. Pioglitazone, remarkably, suppresses this process and prevents diabetes. As common WFS1 gene variants have recently been shown to confer a risk of type 2 diabetes, our findings may be relevant to the gradual but progressive loss of beta cells in type 2 diabetes.

HER2 and HER3 cooperatively regulate tumor cell growth and determine sensitivity to the HER kinase inhibitor TAK-285

Abstract #3155

Background: The HER (ErbB) receptor family plays a major role in the proliferation of tumor cells. Overexpression of these receptors occurs in breast and a variety of cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. We have identified TAK-285, a potent, selective and orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of HER kinases. TAK-285, which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors, inhibits EGFR (also known as ErbB1 or HER1) and HER2 (also known as ErbB2) and exerts clear anti-proliferative activity in in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Here, we elucidated the determinants of TAK-285 anti-tumor activity in vitro in a panel of human cancer cell lines.&#x2028; Methods: Cell growth inhibition assay was performed using sulforodamine B staining method or CellTiter-GloTM assay (Promega). Candidate gene expressions were measured by quantitative PCR. Associations between the IC50 values and the candidate gene expressions were statistically analysed.&#x2028; Results: TAK-285 exerted anti-proliferative effects in all of cell lines tested in a dose dependent manner but the effects ranged widely (IC50: 0.011-over 10 µmol/L). Statistical analysis showed an inverse correlation between sensitivity to TAK-285 (IC50 values) and HER2 or HER3 (also known as ErbB3) gene expression. PTEN or IGF-1R gene expression, reported to be involved in trastuzumab resistance, was not correlated with TAK-285 sensitivity. Immunoblot analysis revealed that HER2 and HER3 are coexpressed in most TAK-285 sensitive cells and TAK-285 inhibited phosphorylation of HER3. Because HER3 does not possess kinase activity, this suggests that HER3 is trans-phosphorylated by HER2. Knockdown of HER3 using siRNA inhibited tumor cell growth in TAK-285 sensitive cells but not in TAK-285 insensitive cells.&#x2028; Conclusion: These results suggest that HER2 and HER3 mainly regulate tumor cell growth in TAK-285 sensitive cells and could be used as a molecular marker to select patients who are likely to respond to TAK-285.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3155.

A novel HER2 inhibitor TAK-285 overcomes trastuzumab resistance of HER2-over-expressing breast cancer

Abstract #3143

Background: The anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab has been proven highly effective in the treatment of HER2-expressing breast cancers clinically. However, the continuous administration often leads to drug resistance, the mechanism of which is not well understood. Here we present a new mechanism for trastuzumab-resistance. We also show TAK-285, a novel small molecule HER2/EGFR kinase inhibitor under clinical evaluation, overcomes the resistance to trastuzumab.&#x2028; Methods: A trastuzumab-resistant sub-clone (BT-474TR) of the HER2-positive human breast cancer line, BT-474, was established in house by serial passage in the presence of 5 μg/mL trastuzumab for over 5 months. Gene expression profiles of the clones were assessed using Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 human gene arrays and confirmed by real-time PCR. Target genes were depleted by siRNA-mediated knockdown and confirmed by real time-PCR and immunoblot. Effects on cell growth were assessed by the CellTiter-Glo luminescent cell viability assay (Promega).&#x2028; Results: BT-474TR cells exhibited modified expression of several genes including cofilin, compared to the parental BT-474 cells. Although immunoblotting using anti-cofilin antibody revealed no clear change in protein level, BT-474TR displayed significant increase in phosphorylation of cofilin. Gene-specific knockdown of cofilin-1 led to re-sensitization of BT-474TR to trastuzumab, though the cofilin-2 knockdown did not. Likewise, knockdown of either LIMK1 or PAK1, known to regulate cofilin-phosphorylation, resulted in similar re-sensitization of BT-474TR to trastuzumab. BT-474TR also exhibited increase in phosphorylation of both LIMK1 and PAK1. TAK-285 showed almost equivalent inhibitory activity against both BT-474 and BT-474TR proliferation in cell culture and in xenograft study, while trastuzumab did not affect the proliferation of BT-474TR in either condition&#x2028; Conclusions: These data suggest that activation of cofilin signaling pathway is a probable mechanism of trastuzumab resistance. PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin-1 inhibitors might therefore be useful in preventing or reversing trastuzumab resistance. The phosphorylation status of PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin might also serve as a biomarker of Trastuzumab-sensitivity. Moreover a novel HER2 inhibitor, TAK-285, might show benefit in the treatment of trastuzumab-resistant HER2-expressing breast cancers.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3143.

A two-degree-of-freedom motor-powered gait orthosis for spinal cord injury patients

A number of orthoses have been developed to restore stance and walking in paraplegic subjects. Compliance, however, has been limited, mainly owing to walking effort. Use of the forces produced by actuators is an effective way to solve the problem of the considerable effort required for orthotic gait, namely high muscular effort and high energy expenditure. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of assistance by external actuators on the orthotic gait of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Two kinds of linear actuator were developed by using direct current (d.c.) motors for assisting the knee and hip joint of a gait orthosis. They were mounted on the knee and hip joint of a commercial advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO), and a new two-degree-of-freedom externally powered gait orthosis was thus developed. The orthosis was assessed through inter-subject experiments on five male adult complete SCI patients. Owing to the short training period available for the assisted gait, simultaneous operation of both joint actuators was not conducted: either the knee actuation or the hip actuation was executed only. Thus, the knee actuator and the hip actuator were assessed with a T12 subject and with subjects for T5, T8, T11, and T12 respectively. The motions of the gaits, assisted by the linear actuators, were measured by a Vicon 370 system, and the general gait parameters and compensatory motions were evaluated. Results demonstrated that (a) all subjects could walk without falling, assisted either by the knee or the hip actuator; (b) both the knee and hip joint actuator increased the gait speed and the step length; (c) the knee flexion produced by the orthosis improved the dynamic cosmesis of walking; and (d) lateral compensatory motions as well as vertical ones tended to decrease when the hip joint was assisted, which could contribute to a reduction in walking effort.

Predicting recurrence following curative surgery in stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients using an angiogenesis-associated factor

There are still difficulties in determining the risk of recurrence to decide whether to perform selective adjuvant treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer. This study reviewed 122 stage I patients who underwent curative surgery to assess the usefulness of an angiogenesis-associated factor as a predictor of recurrence. By immunohistochemical examination, we collected information about tumor-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and -C expression at the primary site. During the median follow-up period of 120 months, the overall 10-year survival rate was 53.5%. The 10-year survival rates according to VEGF-A/C expression were as follows: VEGF-A high/VEGF-C high group, 26.0%; VEGF-A high/VEGF-C low group, 42.7%; VEGF-A low/VEGF-C high group, 73.1%; VEGF-A low/VEGF-C low group, 65.1%. The VEGF-A high/VEGF-C high group showed the worst outcome. The diagnostic values of the marker combination for predicting recurrence were as follows: sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 63.8%; and accuracy, 65.6%. When stratified by T factor, preferable high values for both negative predictive value and specificity were obtained in patients with stage IA disease. In order to select the patients eligible for selective adjuvant therapy at early stages, especially in stage IA disease, simultaneous assessment of tumor-induced VEGF-A/C warrants further study.

In vivo experimental model of human gingival mucosa using immunodeficient mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To establish an in vivo experimental model for examining human periodontal tissue, the present study examined several transplant techniques that maintain the structure and characteristics of human gingival mucosa.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Human oral mucosal tissue samples were collected from the gingiva (n = 11), palate (n = 1), and tongue (n = 3). These mucosal grafts were transplanted onto BALB/c nu/scid mice with double-mutant immunodeficiency. Murine skin, twice the size of the graft, was cut open in an ' square superset'-shape. Next, the connective tissue side of the graft was placed onto the murine connective tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed, using polyclonal rabbit antibody to involucrin, monoclonal antibody to vimentin, monoclonal antibody to CD34, and monoclonal antibody to Ki-67, to determine whether the characteristics of human oral mucosa were maintained.

RESULTS

When the connective tissue side of the graft was placed on the murine fascial membrane, the histological structure of the graft was maintained for 60 d. These grafts were examined for human characteristics using human-specific antibodies. Immunohistochemically, the expression patterns of involucrin, vimentin, and Ki-67 indicated that transplanted mucosa revealed normal human characteristics, including differentiation and proliferation up to 80 d. CD34 was not detected in the graft endothelial cells.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that the novel technique of transplantation of human gingival mucosa in nu/scid mice may serve as an in vivo experimental model of periodontal disease.

Ascorbic acid deficiency aggravates stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions in genetically scorbutic ODS rats

We examined whether ascorbic acid (AA) deficiency aggravates water immersion restraint stress (WIRS)-induced gastric mucosal lesions in genetically scorbutic ODS rats. ODS rats received scorbutic diet with either distilled water containing AA (1 g/l) or distilled water for 2 weeks. AA-deficient rats had 12% of gastric mucosal AA content in AA-sufficient rats. AA-deficient rats showed more severe gastric mucosal lesions than AA-sufficient rats at 1, 3 or 6 h after the onset of WIRS, although AA-deficient rats had a slight decrease in gastric mucosal AA content, while AA-sufficient rats had a large decrease in that content. AA-deficient rats had more decreased gastric mucosal nonprotein SH and vitamin E contents and increased gastric mucosal lipid peroxide content than AA-sufficient rats at 1, 3 or 6 h of WIRS. These results indicate that AA deficiency aggravates WIRS-induced gastric mucosal lesions in ODS rats by enhancing oxidative damage in the gastric mucosa.

Long-term treatment with TGFbeta1 impairs mechanotransduction in bovine aortic endothelial cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Vascular endothelial cells play a role in the physiological response to mechanical stress. Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) induces morphological changes in endothelial cells, and this may alter their mechanosensitive responses. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of TGFbeta1 on hypotonic stress (HTS)-induced responses in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cultured BAECs were treated with 3 ng ml(-1) TGFbeta1 for 24 h (24h-TGFbeta1) or 7 days (7d-TGFbeta1). Cytosolic actin fibres were stained with rhodamine-phalloidin. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured using fura2. Tyrosine phosphorylation and RhoA expression were assessed by Western blotting. Expression of RhoA mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR.

KEY RESULTS

BAECs developed pseudopod-like processes within 24 h and showed a fibroblast-like appearance after 7 days. HTS induced Ca2+ transients via endogenous ATP release in both control and 24h-TGFbeta1 BAECs but not in 7d-TGFbeta1 BAECs. We have previously shown that HTS-induced ATP release is mediated by sequential activation of RhoA and tyrosine kinases. The basal amount of membrane-bound RhoA was significantly lower in 7d-TGFbeta1 than in 24h-TGFbeta1 or control BAECs. HTS increased the membrane-bound RhoA to the same fractional level in 24h-TGFbeta1 and control BAECs, but its net maximal amount was significantly lower in 7d-TGFbeta1. HTS-induced downstream signals of RhoA activation, i.e. the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin, were markedly suppressed in 7d-TGFbeta1 BAECs.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results indicate that long-term treatment with TGFbeta1 does not impair mechanoreception in BAECs but impairs mechanotransduction by affecting RhoA membrane translocation.

Hyperproduction and application of alpha-agarase to enzymatic enhancement of antioxidant activity of porphyran

The nucleotide sequence of the gene for the alpha-agarase, AgaA33, from Thalassomonas sp. strain JAMB-A33 was determined. The open reading frame for AgaA33 was revealed to encode 1463 amino acid residues. We succeeded in extracellular production of recombinant -agarase (AgaA33) efficiently using Bacillus subtilis as a host. This is the first report of recombinant production of -agarase. Furthermore, we demonstrated that hydrolysis of alpha-1,3 linkages in porphyran, a sulfated polysaccharide from marine red algae, by alpha-agarase is an important step for improvement of its antioxidant activity with regard to free-radical-scavenging capacity and superoxide radical anion scavenging activity, whereas the hydrolysis of beta-1,4 linkages in porphyran by beta-agarase did not increase on the antioxidant activity markedly.

Thoracoscopic robot-assisted bronchoplasty

BACKGROUND

In robotic surgery, the ideal position of the system, as well as the optimal working angles and the proper positioning of the thoraco ports position is very important. No robot-assisted bronchoplasty has been reported. Our study describes use of the da VinciTM surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) for robotic sleeve upper lobectomy in a human fresh cadaver.

METHODS

A male cadaver was placed in the left lateral decubitus position. After thoracoscopic upper lobectomy was performed through the working port and the two ports, the robotic system was then set up behind the cadaver. The working port allowed introduction of the optical scope and the robotic surgical arms were inserted into the thoraco ports. The right bronchus was dissected and wedge was cut out with the robotic scissors. After standard lymph node dissection, end-to-end bronchial anastomosis was performed with robotic instruments. Once the anastomosis was complete, air leakage was checked with saline solution placed in the pleural cavity.

RESULTS

Thoracoscopic robot-assisted bronchoplasty was performed successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

In evaluating various positions of the system we demonstrated that our technique is sufficient approaches to robotic bronchoplasty. This procedure offers specific advantages over conventional bronchoplasty with accuracy and safety.

Sustained contraction and loss of NO production in TGFbeta1-treated endothelial cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) is generated in atherosclerotic and injured vessel walls. We examined whether the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transdifferentiation induced by TGFbeta1 affects endothelial functions.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were treated with 3 ng ml(-1) TGFbeta1 for 7 days. Contraction of TGFbeta1-treated BAECs was assessed by collagen gel contraction assay. Protein expression and phosphorylation were assessed by Western blotting. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration and NO production were measured using fura2 and DAF-2, respectively.

KEY RESULTS

TGFbeta1-treated BAECs showed dense actin fibers and expressed smooth muscle marker proteins; they also changed into smooth muscle-like, spindle-shaped cells in collagen gel cultures. ATP (10 microM) induced a gradual contraction of collagen gels containing TGFbeta1-treated BAECs but not of gels containing control BAECs. ATP-induced contraction of TGFbeta1-treated BAECs was not reversed by the removal of ATP but was partially suppressed by a high concentration of sodium nitroprusside (1 microM). TGFbeta1-treated BAECs showed sustained phosphorylation of myosin light chain in response to ATP and low levels of basal MYPT1 expression. ATP-induced Ca2+ transients as well as eNOS protein expression were not affected by TGFbeta1 in BAECs. However, ATP-induced NO production was significantly reduced in TGFbeta1-treated BAECs. Anti-TGFbeta1 antibody abolished all of these TGFbeta1-induced changes in BAECs.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Mesenchymal transdifferentiation induced by TGFbeta1 leads to sustained contraction and reduced NO production in endothelial cells. Such effects, therefore, would not be beneficial for vascular integrity.

A novel enzyme, lambda-carrageenase, isolated from a deep-sea bacterium

A lambda-carrageenan-degrading Pseudoalteromonas bacterium, strain CL19, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample. A lambda-carrageenase from the isolate was purified to homogeneity from cultures containing lambda-carrageenan as a carbon source. This is the first report of the isolation of lambda-carrageenase together with the gene sequence for the enzyme. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was approximately 100 kDa on both SDS-PAGE and gel-filtration chromatography, suggesting that the enzyme is a monomer. The optimal pH and temperature for activity were about 7 and 35 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme had specific activity of 253 U/mg protein. The enzyme required monovalent salts for the activity. Carbohydrates, such as sorbitol, sucrose, trehalose, improved the enzyme stability. The pattern of lambda-carrageenan hydrolysis showed that the enzyme is an endo-type lambda-carrageenase, and the final main product was a tetrasaccharide of the lambda-carrageenan ideal structure with galactose 2,6-disulfate at the reducing end, indicating the enzyme cleaves the beta-1,4 linkages of its backbone structure. Furthermore, the gene (cglA) encoding the enzyme was sequenced. It encoded a mature protein of 103 kDa (917 amino acids). Remarkably, the deduced amino acid sequence showed no similarity to any reported proteins.

Ovarian Burkitt's lymphoma diagnosed by a combination of clinical features, morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular findings and successfully managed with surgery and chemotherapy

Ovarian involvement as an initial manifestation of lymphoma, without detectable extraovarian disease, is a rare occurrence. The diagnosis of ovarian lymphoma is almost invariably unsuspected until the tumor has been examined histologically. A 25-year-old null gravid woman presented with abdominal distension. Presence of abnormal lymphoid cells in pleural effusion led to presurgical assumption that the pelvic mass noted on computerized tomography examination might be an ovarian lymphoma. We performed left salpingo-oophorectomy. Clinical, histologic, and molecular examination revealed Burkitt's lymphoma of the ovary with c-myc gene rearrangement and mRNA expression of multiple cytokines. She received dose-intensified combination chemotherapy. She is alive and free of disease 30 months after the diagnosis. Immunophenotype and molecular findings allowed reliable discrimination of Burkitt's lymphoma from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other lymphomas. If an ovarian tumor is solid and suspected to be of lymphoid origin, we suggest that it is necessary to obtain samples for genetic examination at surgery. This strategy often provides important information to establish therapeutic regimen and predict patient prognosis.

Evaluation of carcinomatous pleuritis on initial relapse in patients with lung cancer who underwent complete resection

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and results of lung cancer patients with carcinomatous pleuritis on initial relapse. Over the past decade, seven patients out of 595 surgically treated lung cancer patients developed carcinomatous pleuritis as the initial sign of relapse. All patients had undergone complete resection of the primary peripheral type adenocarcinoma. Only 3 cases showed obvious visceral pleural invasion, while venous or lymphatic invasion were frequently found in the histological sections. The mean disease-free interval after surgery was 30.9 months. The median survival after the development of carcinomatous pleuritis was 14 months. The results showed the possible association of blood/lymphatic routes with the development of this type of recurrence. In some lung cancer patients with carcinomatous pleuritis on initial relapse, long-term survival can be expected by aggressive interventions consisting of intrathoracic and/or systemic chemotherapies.

Isolation and characterization of a novel Burkholderia cepacia with strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani

Strain CF-66 with strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani was isolated from compost samples. It is clearly demonstrated that strain CF-66 is belonging to Burkholderia cepacia complex by the morphological and biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence. The B. cepacia complex consists of a group of bacteria currently organized into nine genomovars, among them genomovar II and genomovar III, contain the highly epidemic strains. However, it was known that strain CF-66 is not a member of genomovar II or III of the B. cepacia complex by species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. In this study, the antifungal compound CF66I produced by strain CF-66 was purified and characterized. Based on the nuclear magnetic resonance, GC-MS spectral and infrared spectral data, CF66I was confirmed to have amide bonds, alpha-methyl fatty acid, bromine, and some structural units such as CH(2)CH(2)O. CF66I is stable to high temperature, proteolytic enzymes, and organic solvents. CF66I inhibit the growth of a variety of plant pathogenic fungi and pathogenic yeast, whereas bacterial cells are unaffected. CF66I mainly reduced hyphal extension rates in a dose-dependent manner and induced severe change in cell morphology that resulted in swelled and formed very short hyphae with multiple branches.

Management of malignant pleural effusion by multimodality treatment including the use of paclitaxel administered by 24-hour intrathoracic infusion for patients with carcinomatous pleuritis

For successful intrapleural chemotherapy, intrapleural drug activity should be maintained for as long as possible. This interim report presents the results of treatment with paclitaxel administered by 24-hour intrathoracic infusion as an adjunct to selective surgical management and/or systemic chemotherapy for controlling malignant pleural effusion. Thirteen patients with carcinomatous pleuritis were enrolled in the study between October 2001 and September 2004. The sites of primary disease were the lung in 12 patients and the breast in one patient. Paclitaxel (120 mg/m2) was administered by 24-hour intrathoracic infusion. Seven patients underwent elective surgical treatment and 11 patients received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Mild toxicity occurred in 7 cases, and chest pain and neutropenia were dominant. During a median follow-up period of 9 months (range, 2-33 months), malignant effusion was controlled successfully in 11 patients (84.6%). The multimodality treatment, including the use of paclitaxel, in this manner merits further investigation for possible intervention for malignant pleural effusion originating in lung and breast neoplasms.

Ovarian Burkitt's lymphoma diagnosed by a combination of clinical features, morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular findings and successfully managed with surgery and chemotherapy

Ovarian involvement as an initial manifestation of lymphoma, without detectable extraovarian disease, is a rare occurrence. The diagnosis of ovarian lymphoma is almost invariably unsuspected until the tumor has been examined histologically. A 25-year-old null gravid woman presented with abdominal distension. Presence of abnormal lymphoid cells in pleural effusion led to presurgical assumption that the pelvic mass noted on computerized tomography examination might be an ovarian lymphoma. We performed left salpingo-oophorectomy. Clinical, histologic, and molecular examination revealed Burkitt's lymphoma of the ovary with c-myc gene rearrangement and mRNA expression of multiple cytokines. She received dose-intensified combination chemotherapy. She is alive and free of disease 30 months after the diagnosis. Immunophenotype and molecular findings allowed reliable discrimination of Burkitt's lymphoma from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other lymphomas. If an ovarian tumor is solid and suspected to be of lymphoid origin, we suggest that it is necessary to obtain samples for genetic examination at surgery. This strategy often provides important information to establish therapeutic regimen and predict patient prognosis.

Production of phytase in a low phosphate medium by a novel yeast Candida krusei

A yeast strain producing high levels of phytase was isolated from soil and identified as Candida krusei. The phytase was located on the yeast cell wall and was a glucanase-extractable protein. The phytase production was controlled by the phosphate concentration in the medium used. The maximum production of phytase occurred in a medium containing 0.5 mg of phosphorus per 100 ml, and most of the cells were ellipsoid-shaped and did not exhibit budding. Increasing the concentration of phosphorus in the medium to more than 5 mg of phosphorus per 100 ml caused inhibition of phytase production and 90% of the cells exhibited budding. On the other hand, transferring cells grown in the high-phosphate medium into a phosphate-free one derepressed the phytase production. For example, transferring cells grown in 2 mg of phosphorus per 100 ml into the phosphate-free medium, enhanced the total phytase activity up to 5.5-fold that in the medium containing 0.5 mg of phosphorus per 100 ml. The phytase showed two optimum pHs of 2.5 and 5.5, an optimum temperature of 40 degrees C and the K(m) value for Na-phytate was 0.03 mM. Using in vitro experiments that simulated the conditions of the digestive tract, 50-80% phosphorus was liberated from different plant samples (wheat bran, rice bran and feeds) by the strain.

Purification and characterization of dibenzothiophene sulfone monooxygenase and FMN-dependent NADH oxidoreductase from the thermophilic bacterium Paenibacillus sp. strain A11-2

A dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone monooxygenase (TdsA), which catalyses the oxidative CS bond cleavage of DBT sulfone to produce 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfinate (HPBS) was purified from the thermophilic DBT desulfurizing bacterium Paenibacillus sp. strain A11-2 by multistep chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was determined to be 120 kDa by gel filtration and the subunit molecular mass was calculated to be 48 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicating a dimeric structure. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified TdsA was determined to be MRQMHLAGFFAAGNTHH, which revealed no significant similarity to any other known amino acid sequences. The purified TdsA absolutely required an oxidoreductase for its activity. This oxidoreductase (TdsD) was also purified to homogeneity, and its molecular size was calculated to be 50 kDa and 25 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively. TdsD was completely FMN-dependent, and FAD could not act as a cofactor. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified TdsD was determined to be TSQTAEQSIAPIVAQYRHPEQPISALFVNR, which showed significant similarity to kinesin-like protein (44% identity). The optimal temperatures for the activity of TdsA and TdsD were 45 degrees C and 55 degrees C, respectively. Both enzymes showed optimal activity at pH 5.5. TdsA was slightly inhibited by sulfate, but not by 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP), which is another end product of DBT. TdsA showed higher activity toward bulkier substrates than its mesophilic counterpart, DszA. These properties suggest the applicability of biodesulfurization to the processing of actual petroleum fractions.

Mapping of cDNA clones on contig of Chlorella chromosome I

Complementary DNA (cDNA) clones specific to the smallest chromosome (chromosome I) of Chlorella vulgaris C-169 were selected from cDNA libraries with probes of chromosome I DNA fragments amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction (DOP-PCR). A total of 15 clones was obtained, which included gene homologs for alpha-tubulin, inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase, beta-1,4-mannase, a TTG-binding protein, a heat shock protein, thioredoxin/protein disulfide isomerase, transcription factor NF-E2, an oxidoreductase, and UDP-n-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyltransferase. These clones were definitely localized at specific sites on the chromosome I physical map constructed on the basis of overlapping cosmid clones (the contig). They were predominantly distributed within the left two-thirds of the chromosome. This contrasts with the distribution of repetitive elements such as short interspersed elements (SINEs), which are rather abundant in the right two-thirds of chromosome I. The comparative simplicity of the gene arrangement of Chlorella chromosome I suggests that it may be able to serve as a prototypic system for deciphering the complexity of huge plant chromosomes.