Genetic recombination at different points in the Npro-coding region of bovine viral diarrhea viruses and the potentials to change their antigenicities and pathogenicities

Cytopathogenic (cp) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain KS86-1 cp was isolated from a cow persistently infected with non-cytopathogenic (ncp) BVDV strain KS86-ncp after development of mucosal disease by superinfection with cp BVDV strain Nose. cp BVDV strains 799cp and 839cp were also isolated from independent cattle that developed mucosal disease by superinfection with cp BVDV KS86-1cp. In the present study, genetic analysis revealed that the genes of cp BVDV strains 799cp and 839cp were chimeras between the genes of the persisting ncp BVDVs and that of superinfecting KS86-1cp. The genetic recombination that generates 799cp occurred between the identical points in the N(pro) gene region, whereas genetic recombination that generates 839cp occurred between different points in the N(pro) gene region. Both 799cp and 839cp were inherited Jiv gene of KS86-1cp strain and envelope protein genes of the persisting viruses. In addition, neutralization test disclosed that antigenicities of 799cp, 839cp, and KS86-1cp were also similar to each persisting virus. These findings indicate that exogenous cp BVDV containing insertion of Jiv gene in the 5 terminal region can induce genetic recombination with the original ncp BVDV at different points in the N(pro) gene region, and those viruses have high potential to change those antigenicities and pathogenicities by RNA recombination.

Enhancement of apoptosis via an extrinsic factor, TNF-alpha, in cells infected with cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus

Isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are divided into cytopathic (cp) and noncytopathic (ncp) biotypes according to their effect on cultured cells. Calves persistently infected with ncp BVDV are known to develop lethal mucosal disease (MD) after superinfection by cp BVDV. Although the UV-irradiated supernatant of cp BVDV-infected cells has been reported to have no capacity to induce cell death, we found that it could enhance cell death through apoptosis. Up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNAs was detected specifically in cp BVDV-infected primary cell cultures. Suppression of TNF-alpha via antisense oligonucleotide transfection or incubation with a polyclonal antibody against TNF-alpha resulted in attenuation of apoptosis induced by cp BVDV, suggesting that TNF-alpha participates in apoptosis execution. Although TNF-alpha is one of the iNOS-inducible factors, the iNOS up-regulation was not regulated by TNF-alpha. And iNOS was revealed to serve as anti-apoptotic factor, contrary to our expectation. In addition, the expression level of both TNF-alpha and iNOS mRNAs in the ncp BVDV-infected cells was kept lower than that in the mock-infected cells, suggesting that ncp BVDV reduced or interfered with the factor triggering the expression of both mRNAs. These characteristic mRNA transcriptions would help to explain why BVDV acts differently in cells as well as in vivo, depending on its biotype. To elucidate viral factors inducing TNF-alpha and iNOS may be critical to understand the mechanism of MD development, which closely correlates with cp BVDV-induced apoptosis.

Identification of somatic and germline mosaicism for a keratin 5 mutation in epidermolysis bullosa simplex in a family of which the proband was previously regarded as a sporadic case

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is an autosomal-dominant inherited blistering skin disease characterized by intraepidermal blistering due to mechanical stress-induced degeneration of basal keratinocytes. EBS is caused by mutations in either keratin 5 or keratin 14, the major keratins expressed in the basal layer of the epidermis. We experienced a unique EBS-affected family. The proband had a heterozygous 1649delG mutation in the keratin 5 gene and had been reported as a case of de novo mutation, because the mutations were not detected in the parents' DNA from blood samples. However, the proband's younger sister was revealed to have the same disease at birth and we found the same mutation in her. We reinvestigated the familial segregation of the 1649delG mutation and it was shown that the mother's DNA from hair bulb and buccal cell samples had the 1649delG mutation heterozygously, but her DNA from blood samples did not. A careful check on the mother's history disclosed that she had migratory circinate pigmentation in her skin in childhood, which means maternal somatic and germline mosaicism. The demonstration of somatic and gonadal mosaicism in the keratin 5 gene is important for accurate genetic counselling of families with sporadic cases of EBS.

Very early expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in brain oedema tissue associated with brain contusion

BACKGROUND

Brain oedema associated with cerebral contusion can be life-threatening. Mechanisms of the development of brain oedema are still unclear.

METHOD

We investigated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1) in the contusional brain tissue obtained during neurosurgery from 5 patients.

FINDINGS

VEGF is expressed in some but not all the astrocytes, and KDR/Flk-1 is expressed in vascular endothelial cells in the con-tusional tissue as early as 3 hours after onset.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that the VEGF is induced in the contusional tissue in the very early period after onset, and that it increases capillary permeability via KDR/Flk-1 resulting in vasogenic type brain oedema.

Comparative whole-body 201Tl and bone scintigraphies for the detection of bone marrow involvement in multiple myeloma

The objectives of this study were to investigate the role of whole-body 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy in comparison with bone scintigraphy in the detection of bone marrow involvement in patients with multiple myeloma and to assess the follow-up evaluation using 201Tl-chloride. Twenty-one patients with untreated multiple myeloma were evaluated. 201Tl-chloride images were acquired 10 min (early) and 2 h (delayed) after the injection of 111 MBq 201Tl-chloride. Bone images were acquired 3 h after the intravenous injection of 740 MBq 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP). The 201Tl-chloride scan patterns were classified as normal, diffuse (presence of bone marrow), focal (localized areas of uptake) and diffuse+focal. The bone scan patterns were classified as normal and abnormal. Eight of the 21 patients also underwent 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy after chemotherapy for the evaluation of the therapeutic response. On the early 201Tl-chloride image, two patients showed a normal, 13 a diffuse, two a focal and four a diffuse + focal pattern. On the delayed 201Tl-chloride image, nine patients showed a normal, six a diffuse, four a focal and two a diffuse + focal pattern. Bone scintigraphy showed an abnormal accumulation in only five of the 21 patients. Of the eight patients who underwent follow-up 201Tl-chloride studies, the abnormal diffuse pattern was changed to a normal pattern on post-treatment scintigraphy in three, and the degree of abnormal 201Tl-chloride accumulation decreased in comparison with the pre-treatment scan in three. These six patients were considered to be in clinical remission. In the two remaining patients, the degree of abnormal 201Tl-chloride accumulation increased in comparison with the pre-treatment scan, and they were considered to be in clinical progression. 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy is a non-invasive tool, which may be more useful than bone scintigraphy for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, and may be helpful in the follow-up of multiple myeloma.

Performance of titanium dioxide microcapsules as a photo-oxidation catalyst for decolourization of methylene blue

The performance of anatase type titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) encapsulated with styrenic copolymers via the solvent evaporation or suspension polymerization process was investigated as a photocatalyst for the decolourization of methylene blue (MB, 3,4-bis(dimethylamino)-phenothiazine-5-thionium chloride) in the aqueous phase. The TiO(2) microcapsules, loaded with 4-8 wt% TiO(2), were dispersed in a MB aqueous solution containing an adequate amount of hydroperoxide as an oxygen source, and the mixture was exposed to 365 nm UV light. The decolourization of MB proceeded according to the first order of the MB concentration. The apparent rate constant, defined based on the unit weight of loaded TiO(2), depended on the initial concentration of MB. The capsule walls, composed of cross-linked and/or uncross-linked poly(styrene-co-2-ethylhexyl acrylate), favoured the adsorption of MB on the capsule surface and promoted the decomposition. The observations of the cross-section of microcapsules by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed similar morphology of microcapsules regardless of preparation method; a thin layer of hydrophilic TiO(2) particles being localized near the particle surface. The sustainability of the microcapsules was also proved by doing experiments successively for 7 days. Smaller size microcapsules were favoured for the decomposition of MB, and the rate constant increased with the surface area of microcapsules in unit volume of the reaction mixture. Although large size microcapsules with uncross-linked polymer wall had a disadvantage of breaking under high shear agitation, those prepared with cross-linked polymer wall by suspension polymerization still remained effective after the sustainability test for 7 days.

Preparation of uniform titanium dioxide (TiO2) polystyrene-based composite particles using the glass membrane emulsification process with a subsequent suspension polymerization

Uniform titanium dioxide (TiO(2))-polystyrene-based composite particles were prepared using the glass membrane emulsification process followed by a subsequent suspension polymerization. The oil phase, consisting of anatase TiO(2) fine powder, monomers, methyl laurate as the hydrophobic additive, Disperbyk-180 and the poly(styrene-co-2-ethyl hexylacrylate) were emulsified through the membrane pores into the aqueous phase containing stabilizers to form a (solid-in-oil)-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion of monomer droplets. The suspension polymerization was carried out at 343 K for 24 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. An SPG membrane with a pore size of 5.25 microm was employed and 20-25 microm TiO(2)-polystyrene based composite particles were obtained depending on the composition of polymerizing oil phase. The effects of the co-monomer, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and the cross-linking agent, divinyl benzene on the dispersion stability of TiO(2) in the oil phase, the surface feature of the particle and the encapsulation loading were investigated in this study. The membrane emulsification process was capable of preparing the composite particles with approximately 5 wt% of TiO(2) encapsulated, which accounts for with at least 85 wt% of TiO(2) in the oil phase.

Expression of p33(ING1) in hepatocellular carcinoma: relationships to tumour differentiation and cyclin E kinase activity

BACKGROUND

Inhibitor of growth-1 (ING1) is a new candidate for the tumour suppressor gene that encodes a 33k Da protein (p33(ING1)). While reduction of p33(ING1) is an important event in some human cancers, the expression of p33(ING1) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be examined. We evaluated p33(ING1) expression in various liver diseases including HCC.

METHODS

Expression of p33(ING1) was evaluated immunohistochemically not only in the normal liver (n = 5), but also in specimens of chronic hepatitis (n = 39) and HCC (n = 86). We also analysed the relationship between p33(ING1) expression and cyclin E kinase activity detected by autoradiography in 29 HCCs.

RESULTS

Expression of p33(ING1) was reduced in HCC, especially in moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs, and those at advanced stages. Furthermore, expression of p33(ING1) correlated inversely with cyclin E kinase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that reduction of p33(ING1) may contribute to the process of malignant transformation, progression and dedifferentiation of HCC via an increase of cyclin E kinase activity.

Purification and characterization of an extracellular laccase from the edible mushroom Lentinula edodes, and decolorization of chemically different dyes

A laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) was isolated from the culture filtrate of Lentinula edodes. The enzyme was purified to a homogeneous preparation using hydrophobic, anion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatographies. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the purified laccase, Lcc 1, to be a monomeric protein of 72.2 kDa. The enzyme had an isoelectric point of around pH 3.0. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was around 4.0, and it was most active at 40 degrees C and stable up to 35 degrees C. The enzyme contained 23.8% carbohydrate and some copper atoms. The enzyme oxidized 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, p-phenylendiamine, pyrogallol, guaiacol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, catechol, and ferulic acid, but not veratryl alcohol, tyrosine, and beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Lcc 1 showed close homology to the N-terminal sequences determined for laccases from Phlebia radiata, Trametes villosa, and Trametes versicolor, but only low similarity was observed to a previously reported laccase from L. edodes. Lcc 1 was effective in the decolorization of chemically different dyes - Remazole Brilliant Blue R, Bromophenol Blue, methyl red, and Naphtol Blue Black - without any mediators, but the decolorization of two dyes - red poly(vinylamine)sulfonate-anthrapyridone dye and Reactive Orange 16 - did require some redox mediators.

[Coronary sinus atrial septal defect diagnosed by cyanosis after operation of ventricular septal defect]

We have experienced a case of coronary sinus atrial septal defect (ASD) with ventricular septal defect (VSD). Cardiac catheterization revealed a step-up of oxygen saturation in right ventricle, L-R shunt 70.3%, R-L shunt 6.9% and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Since diagnosis of coronary sinus ASD was difficult, the operation was performed under diagnosis of VSD. Although the operation was success, cyanosis appeared after the operation. Contrast echocardiography using subcostal 4 chamber view showed coronary sinus ASD with a large Thebesian valve and the right-to-left shunt of the ASD. The Thebesian valve seemed to lead the venous return flow to the left atrium. Coronary sinus ASD was closed using a Xenomedica patch.

Trait anxiety affects the pupillary light reflex in college students

This study was designed to examine whether anxious personality, i.e. trait anxiety, influences the autonomic nervous functions in humans without manipulation of experimental stressors. The degrees of state and trait anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, pupillary light reflex (PLR), and body temperature were measured at the same hour on four different days in 14 healthy college students. A multiple regression analysis showed that trait anxiety predominantly influenced state anxiety and the PLR parameters. A single regression analysis showed that trait anxiety positively correlated to the initial pupillary diameter and the constricted diameter of PLR and negatively to the amplitude of PLR. It was concluded that trait anxiety predicts state anxiety and a smaller amplitude of PLR in humans at rest.

Uniform titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) microcapsules prepared by glass membrane emulsification with subsequent solvent evaporation

Anatase-type titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) was encapsulated using an Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification technique and followed by solvent evaporation. The oil phase, consisting of fine#10; powder of anatase TiO(2), Disperbyk-180, the hydrophobic oil phase additive, and polymer wall solution, was pushed through the membrane pores into the aqueous phase of poly(vinyl alcohol) and sodium dodecyl sulfate to form the solid-in-oil-in water, (S/O)/W, emulsion droplets. Three types of styrene-based copolymer poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (PS-AA), poly(styrene-co-2-ethyl hexyl acrylate) (PS-2EHA) and poly(styrene-co-dimethyl aminoethylmethacrylate) (PS-DMAEMA) were used as an encapsulating shell. Uniform droplets were successfully obtained by modifying the oil phase using methyl laurate or hexadecanol as the oil phase additive, together with carefully monitoring the emulsification flow rate during the emulsification. The (S/O)/W emulsion was gently stirred in a sealed reactor, and evacuation of solvent started under moderate heating with increasing a vacuum intensity. Those uniform-sized TiO(2) microcapsules revealed fine porous morphologies on their surfaces as a result of a mild phase separation induced from the addition of the oil phase additive. The encapsulation efficiency was influenced by the stability of TiO(2) in the oil phase, the polymer wall employed, and the operational control of the glass membrane emulsification process. The membrane emulsification process could prepare the TiO(2) microcapsules with about approximately 6-8.5 wt% of encapsulation loadings. PS-AA and PS-2EHA copolymers provided better encapsulation efficiency compared to PS-DMAEMA. SPG membranes with 1.42, 2.8, 5.25, 7.0, or 9.5 microm were employed and 2-20 microm microcapsules were subsequently obtained.

Dietary restriction initiated late in life can reduce mitochondrial protein carbonyls in rat livers: western blot studies

Life long dietary restriction has a variety of beneficial effects such as retarding the age-related decline of physiological functions as well as the onset of diseases, thus prolonging the life span of experimental animals. In the present work we investigated the effect of DR initiated late in life on rats regarding oxidative modifications of liver mitochondrial proteins in terms of generation of carbonyl moieties by western blot using antibodies against dinitrophenylhydrazones after the reaction of the proteins with dinitrophenylhydrazine. Protein carbonyls in mitochondria of 30-month-old animals increased by about 55% as compared with their 10-month-old counterparts. Every-other-day feeding initiated at the age of 26.5 months and continued for 3.5 months resulted in the decrease of the carbonyls to the level of the ad libitum fed young animals. Our findings suggest that DR initiated late in life can have a beneficial effect by reducing the accumulated oxidative damage in mitochondrial proteins.

Identification of tyrosine residues involved in ligand recognition by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase Src homology 3 domain: circular dichroism and UV resonance Raman studies

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains are small noncatalytic protein modules capable of mediating protein-protein interactions. We previously demonstrated that the association of a ligand peptide RLP1 (RKLPPRPSK) causes environmental and structural changes of Trp55 and some of seven Tyr residues in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) SH3 domain by circular dichroism (CD) and 235-nm excited UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopies [Okishio, N., et al. (2000) Biopolymers 57, 208-217]. In this work, the affected Tyr residues were identified as Tyr12, Tyr14, and Tyr73 by the CD analysis of a series of mutants, in which every single Tyr residue was replaced by a Phe residue. Among these three residues, Tyr14 was found to be a main contributor to the UVRR spectral change upon the RLP1 binding. Interestingly, CD and UVRR analyses revealed that RLP1 associates with the Y14F and Y14H mutants in different ways. These results suggest that Tyr14 plays a crucial role in the ligand recognition, and the amino acid substitution at Tyr14 affects the mode of PI3K SH3-ligand interaction. Our findings give an insight into how SH3 domains can produce diversity and specificity to transduce signaling within cells.