Identity between TRAP and SMCC complexes indicates novel pathways for the function of nuclear receptors and diverse mammalian activators

The human thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein (TRAP) complex, an earlier described coactivator for nuclear receptors, and an SRB- and MED-containing cofactor complex (SMCC) that mediates activation by Gal4-p53 are shown to be virtually the same with respect to specific polypeptide subunits, coactivator functions, and mechanisms of action (activator interactions). In parallel with ligand-dependent interactions of nuclear receptors with the TRAP220 subunit, p53 and VP16 activation domains interact directly with a newly cloned TRAP80 subunit. These results indicate novel pathways for the function of nuclear receptors and other activators (p53 and VP16) through a common coactivator complex that is likely to target RNA polymerase II. Identification of the TRAP230 subunit as a previously predicted gene product also suggests a coactivator-related transcription defect in certain disease states.

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma mimicking traumatic hematoma

We describe the clinical course of a 16-year-old baseball player with a history of recurrent hematoma of the thigh. The lesion was aspirated percutaneously several times and curetted under the diagnosis of traumatic hematoma. Microscopical examination revealed massive hemorrhage, necrosis, and a small number of Ewing's sarcoma cells. He died of multiple metastases. With recurrent hematoma in the soft tissue, neoplastic lesions should be ruled out.

Clinical results of nonsurgical treatment for spinal metastases

PURPOSE

In contrast with many analyses of surgical treatment for spinal metastases, there have been only a few recent well-documented publications assessing nonsurgical treatment. This paper is a study of the outcome of nonsurgical therapy for metastatic tumors of the spine.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

One hundred and one patients with spinal metastases were treated with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy without surgical intervention between 1990 and 1995, in prospective analysis, and had follow-up for more than 24 months. This study included 59 men and 42 women with a mean age of 61 years (range: 14 to 81). Mean follow-up periods were 11 months for patients dying of the disease and 53 months for the survivors. Neurological status, pain relief, functional improvement, and cumulative survival rate were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the total treated, 67 patients (66%) were evaluated as being neurologically stable or improved after treatment. Pain relief was achieved in 67%, and 64% showed functional improvement. Primary lesion responsiveness to nonsurgical therapy influenced the survival, neurological recovery, pain control, and function. Neurological findings before therapy were useful in predicting ambulatory status after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Nonsurgical treatment was often successful when primary tumors had responsiveness to radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. We found this to be evident even when neurological deficits were found, particularly in lumbar spines. Spinal metastases of tumors with less responsiveness, unless patients were neurologically intact, responded poorly to therapy. Most of the patients who were successfully treated enjoyed relief lasting nearly until death. Their functional ability was limited by general debility, rather than by local tumor regeneration.

Lepidimoide Promotes Light-Induced Chlorophyll Accumulation in Cotyledons of Sunflower Seedlings

The effect of disaccharide lepidimoide on light-induced chlorophyll accumulation was studied in cotyledons of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings and detached cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons. From studies on the structure-activity relationships of lepidimoide, its analogs, and sucrose with respect to light-induced chlorophyll accumulation in the cotyledons of sunflower seedlings, both lepidimoide and the free carboxylic acid of lepidimoide (lepidimoic acid) showed the highest promoting activity, whereas the hydrogenated lepidimoide, which lacks a double bond in the C4, 5 position in uronic acid, showed lower activity than lepidimoide; however, sucrose exhibited very weak activity. These results suggest that lepidimoide acts as a new type of plant growth regulator, not simply as a carbon source providing energy. Lepidimoide promoted not only light-induced chlorophyll accumulation in sunflower cotyledons but also light-induced 5-aminolevulinic acid content, which is considered to be a rate-limiting step in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Lepidimoide with cytokinin stimulated the accumulation of chlorophyll and 5-aminolevulinic acid additively. In detached cucumber cotyledons, lepidimoide also promoted light-induced chlorophyll accumulation. These results indicate that lepidimoide, in cooperation with cytokinin, causes light-induced chlorophyll accumulation in the cotyledons of several dicot plant species by affecting the level of 5-aminolevulinic acid. Key Words. 5-Aminolevulinic acid accumulation-Chlorophyll accumulation-Cucumis sativus-Cytokinin-Helianthus annuus-Lepidimoic acid-Lepidimoide-Structure-activity relationship

New medicinal treatment for severe gingivostomatitis

We formulated de novo a poraprezinc-sodium alginate suspension (P-AG) as a specific treatment for severe gingivostomatitis and administered it to 15 patients who had developed such inflammation while on chemotherapy. Very high utility of P-AG was demonstrated and the response was classified as excellent in 10 patients and good in 5 patients. The mechanism of the beneficial effect of P-AG in treatment of severe gingivostomatitis accompanied by hemorrhagic erosion and ulcers is considered to involve the mucosal protective effect, free radical scavenging activity and tissue repair promoting action of poraprezinc together with the hemostatic action of sodium alginate.

Characterization of amorphous ursodeoxycholic acid prepared by spray-drying

The objectives of this study were to characterize the amorphous state of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) samples prepared by spray-drying, and to demonstrate the applicability of thermal and water-vapour-adsorption techniques for studying the material. Amorphous UDCA was prepared by spray-drying a solution of the compound in a mixture of ethanol and dichloromethane. The amorphous material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, isothermal microcalorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and water-vapour adsorption. When the inlet-air temperature of the spray drier was increased beyond 140 degrees C, the intensity of X-ray diffraction peaks from crystalline UDCA decreased and the IR bands in the hydroxyl-stretching and carboxyl-stretching regions changed. Dissolution of intact and spray-dried samples of UDCA prepared at 60 and 100 degrees C was an endothermic process but the dissolution became exothermic with increasing inlet-air temperature. UDCA samples differing in crystallinity were obtained, depending on the inlet-air temperature. A good correlation was obtained between the heat of solution and the heat of crystallization determined from DSC peak area. A good correlation was also obtained between the heat of solution and the crystallinity determined by Ruland's method from X-ray diffraction patterns. The amount of water vapour adsorbed on UDCA samples increased with increasing inlet-air temperature, indicating hydrogen bonding between water molecules and the hydroxyl groups or the carboxyl groups of amorphous UDCA. These results indicate that measurement of adsorption of water vapour and thermal analysis can both be used to evaluate the crystallinity of solid substances.

Prediction of plasma levels of aminoglycoside antibiotic in patients with severe illness by means of an artificial neural network simulator

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to predict plasma peak and trough levels of an aminoglycoside antibiotic in patients with severe illness in an intensive care unit by a novel approach. Plasma levels were predicted based on the values of 15 physiological measurements using an artificial neural network (ANN) simulator.

METHOD

A data set of 15 physiological measurements for 30 patients was used to develop the model. The ANN structure consisted of three layers: an input layer comprised of 15 processing elements, a hidden layer comprised of 10 processing elements with a sigmoid function as an activation function, and an output layer of two processing elements (peak and trough levels). The weight between neurons was trained according to the delta rule back-propagation of errors algorithm. Predicted values were obtained by "leave-one-out" experiments by both ANN and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA).

RESULTS

The correlation coefficients between observed and predicted values obtained by ANN prediction using standardized data sets were r=0.825 and r=0.854 for peak and trough levels, respectively. The correlation coefficients obtained by MLRA were r=0. 037 and r=0.276 for peak and trough levels, respectively. These results indicate that ANN shows better performance in prediction of aminoglycoside plasma levels from patients' physiological measurements than MLRA.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediction of plasma levels of antibiotic in patients with severe illness by ANN was superior to the standard statistical method. Standardization of input data was found to be important for better prediction. ANN has some advantages over standard statistical methods, as it can recognize complex relationships in the data.

Mass propagation of ornamental gentian in liquid medium

An efficient system for clonal mass propagation in liquid culture was established for the propagation of ornamental gentian. In a test of the requirements for three cytokinins [6-benzylaminopurine, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea and N-phenyl-N'-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl urea (TDZ)] in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), we found that effective propagation of shoots occurred with 0.01 mg l^-1 TDZ in a 300 ml conical flask that contained 100 ml of medium. The propagation of shoots was also affected by the concentrations of macronutrients (KNO₃, NH₄NO₃ and CaCl₂) and sucrose in Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium, and it was influenced to some extent by the speed of agitation on an orbital shaker. The most efficient propagation of shoots was achieved in full-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.01 mg l^-1 TDZ and 20 g l^-1 sucrose with agitation at 150 rpm. The propagation of shoots was maximal after 6 weeks of culture (140 shoots from five nodal segments in one flask). Large-scale propagation in a 5-l fermenter was attempted using 3 l of MS medium that contained 0.01 mg l^-1 TDZ and 20 g l^-1 sucrose. More than 2,000 shoots were obtained in the fermenter in 5 weeks following the initial cultivation of five nodal segments for 6 weeks in one 300-ml flask. The shoots that had propagated in the fermenter were transferred directly to soil without prior rooting in vitro and were easily acclimatized within 1 month.

Signal transduction through glyco(sphingo)lipids. Introduction and recent studies on glyco(sphingo)lipid-enriched microdomains

The presence of microdomains enriched in clustered glycosphingolipids (GSLs) at the surface of plasma membranes and liposome membranes, and their functional role in signal transduction, have been suggested by a series of observations, as follows: (1) GSL clusters (patches) are observed by electron microscopy; (2) microvesicles enriched in GSLs and other sphingolipids can be isolated as detergent-insoluble particles by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation: (3) such vesicles isolated from B16 melanoma cells contain > 90% of cellular GM3, > 90% of c-Src and Ras, approximately 50% of Rho, and approximately 20 percent of Fak, despite the fact that this vesicle fraction contains only 0.5% of total cellular protein (this fraction is termed "detergent-insoluble GSL-enriched microdomain" (DIGEM)); (4) GM3 in DIGEM can be coimmunoprecipitated with c-Src and Rho, indicating a close association of GM3 with these transducer molecules; (5) stimulation of GM3 in B16 melanoma cells by anti-GM3 antibody or by Gg3 results in change of signal transduction. Thus, GSLs, together with various transducer molecules present at DIGEM, may directly induce signal transduction rather than modulate or modify signal transduction created through receptors of growth factors or hormones as previously observed.

Synthesis of nucleosides having unusual branched sugars as potential antiviral agents

Enantiomerically pure novel nucleosides having unusual branched sugars were synthesized in a stereospecific manner from a common chiral pool of (S, S)-1,4-bis(benzyloxy)-2,3-epoxybutane and evaluated for antiviral activity.

Synthesis of [(2'S, 3'S)-bis(hydroxylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl] purine and pyrimidine nucleosides as potential antiviral agents

The enantiomerically pure synthesis of [(2'S, 3'S)-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl] thymine 17 and -adenine 20 was achieved via construction of the base on the 1-amino-pyrrolidine 15, and their anti-HSV-1 and -2, and anti-HIV-1 activities were evaluated.

GM3-enriched microdomain involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction through carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction in mouse melanoma B16 cells

Mouse melanoma B16 cells are characterized by the predominant presence of ganglioside GM3 and adhere to lactosylceramide- or Gg3-coated plates through interaction of GM3 with lactosylceramide or Gg3, whereby not only adhesion but also spreading and enhancement of cell motility occur (Kojima, N., Hakomori, S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 17552-17558). We now report that the adhesion process is based essentially on a glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomain (GEM) at the B16 cell surface, since >90% of GM3 present in the original cells is found in GEM, and GEM is also enriched in several signal transducer molecules, e.g. c-Src, Ras, Rho, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). GEM was isolated as a low density membranous fraction by homogenization of B16 cells in lysis buffer under two different conditions (i.e. buffer containing 1% Triton X-100, or hypertonic sodium carbonate without detergent), followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. A close association of GM3 with c-Src, Rho, and FAK was indicated by co-immunoprecipitation of GM3 present in GEM by anti-GM3 monoclonal antibody DH2, followed by Western blotting with antibodies directed to these transducer molecules. The following data indicate that GEM is a structural and functional unit for initiation of GM3-dependent cell adhesion coupled with signal transduction. 1) Tyrosine phosphorylation in FAK was greatly enhanced in B16 cells adhered to Gg3-coated plates but was minimal in cells adhered to GM3-coated, GlcCer-coated, or noncoated plates. 2) GTP loading on Ras and Rho increased significantly when cells were adhered to Gg3-coated plates, compared with GM3-coated, GlcCer-coated, or noncoated plates. Since Ras and Rho are closely associated with GM3 in GEM, cell adhesion/stimulation through GM3 in GEM may induce activation of Ras and Rho through enhanced GTP binding.

Stable transformation of Eustoma grandiflorum by particle bombardment

Explants (7.5±2.5 mm) cut from stems and roots of 3-week-old Eustoma grandiflorum Grise, (lisianthus) cv. Glory White seedlings were bombarded with plasmid pBI221, which harbors the uidA gene encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. More than 800 blue spots of GUS-expressing cells were observed per 90 explants. Explants bombarded with pARK22 harboring the bar gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyltransferase driven by the CaMV 35S promoter were selected for bialaphos resistance. Putative transgenic plants were obtained about 3 months after bombardment. Southern blot analysis of putative transgenic plants revealed the presence of the bar gene in their genome.

Enhancing screw stability in osteosynthesis with hydroxyapatite granules

We employed hydroxyapatite (HA) granules to enhance screw fixation in revision surgery of failed osteosynthesis with a compression hip screw system in an 83-year-old woman. After reduction of the fracture, the fracture site with a large bone defect was filled with HA granules, and osteosynthesis was accomplished with a double cannulated lag screw and plate system. We feel that this HA granule augmentation method may also be suitable for osteosynthesis in other osteoporotic fractures.

Nucleotide sequence of oat (Avena sativa L.) cDNA encoding an auxin-binding protein (ABP1)

We isolated and determined a nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone encoding a protein homologous to maize major auxin-binding protein (ABP1) from a cDNA library of oat coleoptiles. The deduced amino acid sequence of this clone contained an N-linked glycosylation signal and an ER-retention signal. Furthermore, two domains that were important to interact with auxins, were conserved in this clone at amino acid level.

Effects of thiopental on contractile and electrophysiological properties of single canine left ventricular cells

The effects of thiopental on contraction, membrane potential and membrane ionic currents were studied in single canine left ventricular cells. Thiopental 10(-5) and 10(-4) mol/l reduced the cell-shortening from 7.02 +/- 0.64 microns to 5.66 +/- 1.39 and 3.48 +/- 0.64 microns respectively (mean +/- S.D., N = 10, 0.5 Hz). This effect was enhanced in higher (> 1.0 Hz) electrical stimulation frequencies. Also, thiopental decreased the plateau phase and shortened the duration of action potential. On the other hand, voltage clamp experiment revealed that thiopental 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) mol/l reduced peak Ca2+ current from 520 +/- 48 pA to 387 +/- 60 pA, 261 +/- 84 pA, and 84 +/- 36 pA respectively (mean +/- S.D., N = 8), and showed a use-dependent block of Ca2+ current. However, only a high dose of thiopental (10(-4) mol/l) inhibited the Na+ current. We conclude that the negative inotropic effect of thiopental on the heart is mediated mainly via inhibition of the Ca2+ current.

Increase of CD57+ T cells in knee joints and adjacent bone marrow of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients: implication for an anti-inflammatory role

The distribution of CD57+ T and CD56+ T cells in patients with RA was examined. In control osteoarthritis patients, these cells exist as a minor population in the peripheral blood. Our data show that in patients with RA, CD57+ T cell levels are elevated in peripheral blood, knee joint fluid, knee synovial membrane and bone marrow (BM), compared with peripheral blood of controls. CD57+ T cells are especially high in knee joint fluid and joint-adjacent BM, while CD56+ T cells show no such increase. CD57+ T cells contain a major population of CD8+ cells and higher proportions of CD4-8- cells and gammadelta T cells than do CD57- T cells. CD57+ T cells in peripheral blood and joint fluid increase with the duration of disease. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is inversely correlated with the proportion of CD57+ T cells in the joint fluid. Although RA frequently occurs in patients with CD3+57+ cell leukaemia, and some CD57+ T cells are likely to be involved in the onset of RA, we suggest that CD57+ T cells may rather suppress inflammation of RA, and other cellular components (e.g. granulocytes) may govern the severity of the inflammation of RA. These CD57+ T cells are probably generated extrathymically in the adjacent BM or joint space.

Oleanane saponins from Polyscias fruticosa

From the leaves and roots of Polyscias fruticosa, eight new oleanolic acid saponins named polysciosides A to H were isolated together with three known saponins. The structures of the saponins were established by means of spectral data, particularly NMR, which included COSY, HSQC, HMBC, HOHAHA and ROESY techniques.

Smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation are mediated by distinct phases of activation of the intracellular messenger mitogen-activated protein kinase

PURPOSE

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a ubiquitous signaling protein that has been associated with cellular proliferation; however, its role in cellular migration has not been established. In this study, we investigate the role of MAPK in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced migration and proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs).

METHODS

SMC migration was measured using a microchemotaxis assay (4 hours), and proliferation was assessed using 3H-thymidine uptake and cell counts. PD098059 was used as a specific noncompetitive inhibitor of MAPK activation.

RESULTS

Coincubation of SMCs with PD098059 resulted in significant inhibition of PDGF-BB (5 ng/ml)-induced SMC chemotaxis and proliferation. The IC50 for both processes was approximately 10 mumol/L with complete inhibition at 50 mumol/L. Stimulation of SMCs with PDGF produced an early peak in MAPK activity followed by a plateau of activity that persisted for 24 hours. We hypothesized that variations in the temporal activation of MAPK might explain the action of this enzyme on these two disparate cellular events. By adding PD098059 at intervals after stimulation of SMCs with PDGF, we demonstrated an association between MAPK activity within the first 15 minutes and SMC migration, whereas MAPK activity between 1 and 4 hours was associated with SMC proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

MAPK activity is essential for both SMC migration and proliferation, and distinct phases of enzyme activation are required to stimulate these two discrete cellular events. Inhibition of this signaling protein may prove to be a useful method for preventing intimal hyperplasia.

Change of the microstructure of microcrystalline cellulose with grinding and compression

The microstructure of microcrystalline cellulose was investigated by use of a radial distribution function (RDF) based on the intensity of X-ray scattering data. Changes in the microstructure of the cellulose as a result of grinding and compression were detected by use of the RDF. The RDF of intact microcrystalline cellulose had peak maxima corresponding to distances of approximately 1.5, 2.6, 5.0, 8.2, 13.3 and 17.0 A. The first two corresponded to the intramolecular atomic distances; other peaks were attributable to the intermolecular (inter-fibre) atomic distance. Changes in the RDF as a result of grinding indicated that the regular intermolecular atomic arrangement was gradually lost. Compression resulted in formation of long-range (> 20 A) ordering of the intermolecular (inter-fibre) atomic arrangement. These results show that RDF analysis is suitable for monitoring changes in the structure of microcrystalline cellulose which occur as a result of grinding and compression.

Acceleration of impairment of endothelium-dependent responses under poor runoff conditions in canine autogenous vein grafts

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of changes in shear stress on endothelium-dependent responses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Autologous vein grafts were implanted in poor or normal distal runoff limbs of 10 mongrel dogs. Six weeks after grafting the vein grafts were removed, cut into rings, and suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording.

RESULTS

The average value of intimal thickening was 110.7 +/- 45.2 microns in poor runoff limbs and 65.5 +/- 27.9 microns in control limbs, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups. Acetylcholine caused comparable endothelium-independent contractions in both groups. In the control group, adenosine diphosphate, thrombin and A23187 caused endothelium-dependent relaxations. In the poor runoff group, the endothelium-dependent relaxations caused by adenosine diphosphate and thrombin were impaired, while A23187 caused comparable endothelium-dependent relaxations. Direct relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This dysfunction of the endothelium under conditions of abnormal flow may accelerate intimal thickening of the vein graft and result in late graft failure.