Production and Purification of d -Aminoacylase from Alcaligenes denitrificans and Taxonomic Study of the Strain

A d -aminoacylase-producing microorganism, strain DA181, isolated from soil was identified as Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. denitrificans . This strain produced about 29,300 units (micromoles of product formed per hour) of d -aminoacylase and 2,300 units of l -aminoacylase per gram of cells (wet weight) when cultivated in a medium containing 1% N -acetyl- dl -leucine as the carbon source. The d -aminoacylase was purified 345-fold. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 108,600 units per mg of protein when N -acetyl- d -methionine was used as a substrate. The apparent molecular weight was 58,000, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N -Acetyl- d -methionine was the favored substrate, followed by N -acetyl- d -phenylalanine. This enzyme had a high stereospecificity, and its hydrolysis of N -acetyl- l -amino acids was almost negligible.

Comparative measurement of ovarian carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen in the serum of ovarian cancer

Serum ovarian carcinoma antigen (CA 125) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured in 36 patients with ovarian cancer, to compare their effects and assess clinical applications. The positive rate of CA 125 was significantly higher than CEA, ie, 72.2% v.s. 33.3% in all types of ovarian cancer, 81.3% v.s. 31.3% in the 32 epithelial cancers, and even more of 100% v.s. 25% in the 16 serous cystadenocarcinoma. The positive rate of CA 125 was also higher than CEA in borderline malignancy and stage-I cancers, a possible indication of its greater usefulness in early diagnosis. CA 125 was also a better marker in monitoring of epithelial ovarian cancer than CEA. Combining use of these two markers achieved an even higher positive rate. Therefore it seems useful to utilize them concomitantly in the diagnosis of ovarian cancers.

Absence of significant cellulase activity in microbial flora of the female genital tract

It has been postulated that toxic shock syndrome may be mediated by the hydrolysis of certain tampon fibers by bacteria of the female genital tract, leading to the release of glucose that would in turn serve as a substrate for the multiplication of staphylococci producing the toxic shock marker protein (TSST-1). We sought cellulolytic organisms among microorganisms isolated from the female genital tract throughout the menstrual cycle. A total of 288 aerobic and facultative vaginal isolates from 13 healthy female volunteers, aged 18 to 25, and 57 anaerobes from the same sources were screened for cellulase activity. No evidence of production of glucose or degradation of cellulose was found; hence, none of the strains could be described as cellulolytic. A total of 44 organisms (12.7%) showed weak endoglucanase activity as evidenced by minimal changes in the viscosity of the cellulose substrate, but this activity was not reproducible in all of the strains and was inconstantly observed on repeated examination. Five strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cases of toxic shock syndrome also showed no cellulase activity. Cellulase activity does not appear to be a frequent or regular feature of the microflora of the human female genital tract.

The application of turn-over flaps to burn wounds

Satisfactory coverage of some deep burn wounds is very difficult. During the past year, 20 de-epithelialized turn-over flaps have been used to cover deep burn wounds in 17 patients. Most of the wounds resulted from electrical injuries which caused exposure of tendons, nerves, bone or joint space. A turn-over flap is a convenient local flap for covering deep burn wounds and reducing morbidity. They adhere well, cause less contracture, and make a good bed for the overlying graft. One disadvantage is that healthy tissue around the wound is not always available; another is questionable tendon gliding. Complications consisted of partial flap necrosis, osteomyelitis and an epithelial cyst. Overall results for the reconstruction of difficult burn wounds were considered exceptionally good.

Electrical burn with visceral injury

A 37-year-old female patient suffered high voltage electrical injury with resultant exit wound on the left quadrant of the abdomen measuring 15 X 10 cm2 involving full thickness of the abdominal wall including the peritoneum. Early debridement and exploratory laparotomy was performed on the fifth post-burn day although the patient had no abdominal symptoms. All visceral organs were grossly normal. The peritoneum was closed and the wound covered with split thickness skin graft. On the twelfth post-burn day the anterior wall of the stomach sloughed and resulted in a 10 X 10 cm2 gastrocutaneous fistula. After 1 month of duodenostomy feeding via the fistula using a Foley catheter, the fistula was closed and was covered with greater omental flap and split thickness skin. Seventeen days later the patient was discharged following an uneventful recovery.

Systematic characterization of human prostatic fluid proteins with two-dimensional electrophoresis

We present a systematic analysis of human prostatic fluid with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (the ISO-DALT system) and a characterization of normal and disease-related protein patterns. A reference map for prostatic fluid proteins was established by analysis of pooled prostatic fluids from 80 men (age less than or equal to 50 years) without prostatic lesions. Proteins in prostatic fluid that share immunogenicity with serum proteins were identified by use of antibody to whole human-serum protein in an affinity-column fractionation of a reference pool and differential analysis of the absorbed (serum components) and unabsorbed (non-serum components) fractions. Individual prostatic fluids from 30 patients (eight with prostatic cancer, 10 with prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, six with benign prostatic hyperplasia alone, and six with asymptomatic chronic prostatitis) were scored qualitatively with respect to the presence or absence of 57 major prostatic fluid proteins. Statistically significant, disease-correlated alterations were observed for at least eight of the proteins so scored.

Ten-digit replantation

A case is presented of replantation of 10 digits at the proximal phalangeal level. Seven digits survived. Osteotomies and flexor tenolysis were done on the right thumb, long, and ring fingers and left index and long fingers 11 months later. A toe-to-hand transfer was done to reconstruct the failed left thumb replantation. Functional and sensory recovery is satisfactory.

Systematic characterization of human prostatic fluid proteins with two-dimensional electrophoresis

We present a systematic analysis of human prostatic fluid with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (the ISO-DALT system) and a characterization of normal and disease-related protein patterns. A reference map for prostatic fluid proteins was established by analysis of pooled prostatic fluids from 80 men (age less than or equal to 50 years) without prostatic lesions. Proteins in prostatic fluid that share immunogenicity with serum proteins were identified by use of antibody to whole human-serum protein in an affinity-column fractionation of a reference pool and differential analysis of the absorbed (serum components) and unabsorbed (non-serum components) fractions. Individual prostatic fluids from 30 patients (eight with prostatic cancer, 10 with prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, six with benign prostatic hyperplasia alone, and six with asymptomatic chronic prostatitis) were scored qualitatively with respect to the presence or absence of 57 major prostatic fluid proteins. Statistically significant, disease-correlated alterations were observed for at least eight of the proteins so scored.

Substrate specificity of a new alkaline elastase from an alkalophilic bacillus

The substrate specificity of alkaline elastase from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. Ya-B was studied by using a number of synthetic substrates. From the relative hydrolysis rate for p-nitrophenyl esters and t-butoxycarbonyl-L-Phe-L-Arg(NO2)-X-L-Phe-p-nitroanilide (X = L-Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, and Gly), the subsite S1 and S2 were concluded to be specific for L-alanine and glycine. The alkaline elastase rapidly hydrolyzed elastase specific substrate succinyl-L-Ala3-p-nitroanilide and succinyl-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Ala-p-nitroanilide. These results prompted us to characterize our enzyme as a microbial elastase. Inhibition study with carbobenzoxy-L-Phe-chloromethyl ketone (ZPCK), Z-L-Ala-L-Phe-CK (ZAPCK), Z-L-Ala-Gly-L-Phe-CK (ZAGPCK), and kinetic study with succimyl-L-Ala2(3)-p-nitroanilide revealed that the enzyme has at least four subsites.

A new alkaline elastase of an alkalophilic bacillus

A new alkaline elastase was purified from the culture broth of an alkalophilic Bacillus sp. Ya-B. This was a serine proteinase. Molecular weight was 25,000. The optimum pH for elastin and casein was 11.75. The enzyme had very high specific activity, 12,400 units/mg protein for casein, and 2,440 units/mg protein for elastin at the optimum pH. It showed marked preference for elastin. The relative activity of elastin/casein of this enzyme was 17 and 6 times higher than those of subtilisin BPN' and subtilisin Carlsberg, respectively. This enzyme also had higher keratin and collagen hydrolyzing activity in comparison with subtilisin.