Purification and characterization of acharan sulfate lyases, two novel heparinases, from Bacteroides stercoris HJ-15

Two novel acharan sulfate lyases (ASL1 and ASL2: no EC number) have been purified from Bacteroides stercoris HJ-15 which was isolated from human intestinal bacteria with glycosaminoglycan (GAG) degrading enzymes. These enzymes were purified to apparent homogeneity by a combination of QAE-cellulose, DEAE-cellulose, carboxymethyl-Sephadex C-50, hydroxyapatite and HiTrap SP Sephadex C-25 column chromatography with the final specific activity of 50.5 and 76.7 micromol.min-1.mg-1, respectively. Both acharan sulfate lyases are single subunits of 83 kDa by SDS/PAGE and gel filtration. ASL1 showed optimal activity at pH 7.2 and 45 degrees C. ASL1 activity was inhibited by Cu2+, Ni2+ and Co2+, but ASL2 activity was inhibited by Cu2+, Ni2+and Pb2. Both enzymes were slightly inhibited by some agents that modify histidine and cysteine residues, but activated by reducing agents such as DL-dithiothreitol and 2-mercaptoethanol. Both purified bacteroidal acharan sulfate lyases acted to the greatest extent on acharan sulfate, and to a lesser extents on heparan sulfate and heparin. They did not act on de-O-sulfated acharan sulfate. These findings suggest that the biochemical properties of these purified acharan sulfate lyases are different from those of the previously purified heparin lyases, but these enzymes belong to heparinase II.

Corneal hydration affects ablation during laser in situ keratomileusis surgery

BACKGROUND

Studies in animal eyes indicate that the level of corneal hydration affects the ablation rate of laser surgery; the greater the hydration is, the less the ablation for a given laser pulse. Our study is an assessment in human eyes comparing the effects on ablation by blotting the corneal stromal surface under a corneal flap created for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedures between sets of excimer laser pulses, with ablation depth in eyes not blotted between sets of laser pulses.

METHODS

We modified the surgical technique for LASIK procedures to assess the effects of the level of hydration on excimer laser ablation depth per pulse. In group 1, 40 eyes underwent LASIK surgery without any modification. Group 2 was composed of 36 eyes having LASIK procedures, but the corneal surfaces were kept relatively dry by blotting of the stromal surface between sets of laser pulses.

RESULTS

Six months after surgery, the mean spherical equivalent refractive change was from -8.38 diopters (D) to -1.44 D in group 1 and from -7.93 D to -0.09 D in group 2. For predictability, the deviation from the target refraction after surgery was assessed. Thirty-three percent (13 of 40) in group 1 and 25% (9 of 36) in group 2 were within +/-0.5 D. Forty-eight percent (19 of 40) in group 1 and 50% (18 of 36) in group 2 were within +/-1 D. Six months after surgery, 80% or more in both groups were within +/-2 D. There was myopic regression in all patients. Three months after surgery, regression averaged -0.71 D in group 1 and -1.15 D in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal hydration levels affect the efficiency of laser ablation in LASIK procedures. With less hydrated corneas, ablation effects were greater than for corneas not blotted during the procedure, but these patients appear to undergo greater myopic regression.

Interleukin 12 gene therapy of cancer by peritumoral injection of transduced autologous fibroblasts: outcome of a phase I study

A phase I dose-escalation clinical trial of peritumoral injections of interleukin 12 (IL-12)-transduced autologous fibroblasts was performed in patients with disseminated cancer for whom effective treatment does not exist. The goals of this study were to assess the safety and toxicities as well as the efficacy, and ancillarily the immunomodulatory effects, of peritumoral IL-12 gene transfer. Primary dermal fibroblasts cultured from the patients were transduced with retroviral vector carrying human IL-12 genes (p35 and p40) as well as the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (TFG-hIL-12-Neo). Patients received four injections at intervals of 7 days. Nine patients were enrolled in this dose-escalation study, with secreted IL-12 doses ranging from 300 ng/24 hr for the first three patients to 1000, 3000, and 5000 ng/24 hr for two patients in each subsequent dosage level. Although a definite statement cannot be made, there appears to be perturbation of systemic immunity. Also, the locoregional effects mediated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and CD8+ T cells were observed with tumor regression. Treatment-related adverse events were limited to mild to moderate pain at the injection site; clinically significant toxicities were not encountered. Transient but clear reductions of tumor sizes were observed at the injected sites in four of nine cases, and at noninjected distant sites in one melanoma patient. Hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors was observed in two melanoma patients. These data indicate that gene therapy by peritumoral injection of IL-12-producing autologous fibroblasts is feasible, and promising in patients with advanced cancer.

Complex bronchopulmonary foregut malformation: extralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with a duplication cyst of mixed bronchogenic and oesophageal type

We report a 13-year-old girl with an unusual, complex bronchopulmonary foregut malformation. The malformation included extralobar pulmonary sequestration and a duplication cyst of mixed bronchogenic and oesophageal type. Preoperative CT and MRI demonstrated the cystic and solid portions of the mass and indicated an aberrant vascular supply, suggesting the possibility of bronchopulmonary foregut malformation and several other differential diagnoses. A direct communication between the cyst and the bronchus of the sequestrated lung was found on pathological examination. This unusual combination of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration and a foregut cyst points to a common embryological pathogenesis.

Size analysis of automobile soot particles using field-flow fractionation

Soot particles emitted from various automobile engines are analyzed for size distributions using field-flow fractionation (FFF). Soot samples are prepared for FFF analysis using a three-step procedure, where a layer of soot particles is focused between the layers of n-hexane and water, followed by dispersing of particles in water containing 0.05% Triton X-100. The mean diameters determined by FFF show similar trends with those obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data from FFF are also compared with those from an on-line scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). SMPS size distributions extend further to larger size than those of FFF distributions, which indicates the three-step sample preparation procedure effectively disaggregates the agglomerated particles. Although the amount of particulate matter (PM) emitted from a heavy-duty diesel engine is much higher than that from a light-duty diesel engine, the size distributions of soot particles show no significant difference between heavy- and light-duty diesel engines. The engine-operating mode (engine speed and load rate) does not seem to affect significantly the size distribution of soot particles. It was found that the PM from a turbocharged diesel engine contains a higher percentage of particles smaller than 100 nm than an engine with a naturally aspirated (NA) air-inhalation system. As for gasoline engines, the PM collected after the catalytic converter has a narrower size distribution than those collected before and has a higher percentage of particles smaller than 100 nm.

CHOP followed by involved field radiation: is it optimal for localized nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma?

The present study aimed to analyse the treatment outcome of four cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide-vincristine-doxorubicin-prednisolone) followed by involved field radiation therapy (IF RT) for the treatment of stage I-II nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma. From March 1995 to December 1999, 17 patients (median age 41 years; range 30-66) with localized nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma were enrolled. B symptoms were noted in five patients (31%). Sixteen of seventeen patients (94%) were of low risk when classified according to the International Prognostic Index (IPI). The treatment plan consisted of four cycles of CHOP chemotherapy followed by IF RT of 45 Gy. Two patients received radiation during the first or second cycle of CHOP because of bleeding from the primary tumour site. Both patients achieved complete responses (CRs). In the remaining 15 patients, after 4 cycles of CHOP, 6 CRs and 3 partial responses (PRs) were achieved (53% of response rate). IF RT was given to six patients (four in CR, one in PR and one in PD), and all six patients achieved CR. Overall, CR was achieved in 10 of 17 patients (58%). The planned sequential chemoradiotherapy was completed in only 6 of 17 patients (35%) because of the progression during chemotherapy. None of the patients who achieved CR experienced relapse of lymphoma during follow-up. The estimated overall three-year survival rate was 59%. In univariate analysis, B symptoms and stage were significant prognostic factors for response and overall survival (P < 0.05). The present study suggests that four cycles of CHOP followed by IF RT is not satisfactory for treating patients with localized nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and that further exploration for improved therapy is needed.

MR diagnosis of cerebellar infarction due to vertebral artery dissection in children

Posterior circulation infarction is uncommon in children. We describe the clinical presentation and radiological findings in two children with cerebellar infarction resulting from dissection of the vertebral artery. We emphasize that vertebral artery injury should be considered in a child with acute symptoms and signs of ischaemia in the posterior circulation. MRI and MRA may be helpful in the diagnosis of cerebellar infarction and vertebral artery abnormality.

Partial characterization of polyfermenticin SCD, a newly identified bacteriocin of Bacillus polyfermenticus

AIMS

To characterize polyfermenticin SCD, a newly identified bacteriocin of Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD was identified as a bacteriocin producer with a bactericidal activity against Bacillus subtilis IFO 12113. Polyfermenticin SCD, named tentatively as the bacteriocin produced by B. polyfermenticus SCD, showed a narrow spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, a yeast and moulds. Production of polyfermenticin SCD in a 5 l jar fermenter followed typical kinetics of primary metabolite synthesis. The antibacterial activity of polyfermenticin SCD on sensitive indicator cells disappeared completely by treatment with proteinase K, which indicates its proteinaceous nature. Polyfermenticin SCD seemed to be very stable throughout the pH range of 2.0 to 9.0, and it was relatively heat labile compared with other bacteriocins. Direct detection of polyfermenticin SCD activity on SDS-PAGE suggested that it had an apparent molecular mass of about 14.3 kDa.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD produced relatively heat-labile polyfermenticin SCD with a narrow spectrum of activity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD is a commercial probiotic which has been used for the treatment of long-term intestinal disorders. New findings on polyfermenticin SCD will be valuable in the evaluation of commercial probiotics. Polyfermenticin SCD can be used to control Bacillus spoilage organisms as a biological control agent.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 induces endothelin-1 in a bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell line and rat lungs via cAMP

We investigated the mechanism of Endothelin-1 regulation by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) and in isolated perfused rat lungs. Our data show that TGF-beta1 induces ET-1 gene expression and ET-1 peptide synthesis in BPAECs. The induction of preproET-1 mRNA level was due to de novo transcription, as well as mRNA stabilization, and new protein synthesis was not required for this induction. To investigate the role of cAMP-protein kinase A pathway in TGF-beta1-stimulated-ET-1 induction, we exposed BPAECs to various compounds which modulate this pathway. Dibutyryl-cAMP led to an increase in preproET-1 mRNA and Rp-cAMP abolished the induction of preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide by TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 increased cAMP in BPAECs. Dexamethasone up-regulated preproET-1 mRNA expression and ET-1 peptide synthesis under basal and TGF-beta1-stimulated conditions. In isolated perfused rat lungs, TGF-beta1 increased preproET-1 mRNA abundance whereas Rp-cAMP inhibited the TGF-beta1-induced ET-1 gene activation. Thus our data suggest that TGF-beta1 stimulates ET-1 gene expression in BPAECs and in rat lungs via a cAMP dependent mechanism.

Cloning of a cDNA encoding cathepsin D from salamander, Hynobius leechii, and its expression in the limb regenerates

Cathepsin D is a major lysosomal aspartic proteinase participating in the degradation or modification of intra- and extracellular matrix molecules, and its activity is known to increase in the process of tissue reorganization during the early phase of salamander limb regeneration. Here, we report the cloning of a salamander cathepsin D cDNA from Hynobius leechii and its expression profile in normal and retinoic acid (RA) treated limb regenerates. The gene expression of cathepsin D increased notably during the dedifferentiation stage and decreased gradually thereafter. Furthermore, RA that enhances dedifferentiation of regenerating salamander limb caused the elevation of cathepsin D expression both in terms of level and duration. These results suggest that cathepsin D plays important role(s) in the dedifferentiation process, and enhancement of cathepsin D expression might be closely related to RA-evoked pattern duplication.

A novel pH-sensitive membrane from chitosan--TEOS IPN; preparation and its drug permeation characteristics

A novel organic-inorganic composite membrane was prepared, using tetra ethyl ortho silicate (TEOS) as an inorganic material and chitosan as an organic compound. Equilibrium and oscillatory swelling studies were conducted to investigate swelling behaviors of the membrane according to the pH of the swelling medium. Drug permeation experiments were also performed in phosphate buffer solution of the pH of 2.5 and 7.5, respectively. Lidocaine HCl, sodium salicylate and 4-acetamidophenol were selected as model drugs to examine the effect of ionic property of drug on the permeation behavior. The effects of membrane composition and the external pH on the swelling and the drug permeation behavior of IPN membrane could be summarized as follows; chitosan incorporated into TEOS IPN swelled at pH 2.5 while shrunk at pH 7.5. This swelling behavior was completely reversible and the membrane responded rapidly to the change in environmental pH condition. According to swelling behavior, an increase in pH from 2.5 to 7.5 yielded an increase in the rate of drug permeation because of the shrinking of the incorporated chitosan in TEOS IPN, while decrease in pH resulted in low permeation rate. The optimal TEOS-chitosan ratio for maximum pH-sensitivity existed and drug permeation was influenced not only with the external pH but also with the ionic interactions between the drug and membrane.

Treatment of highly polluted groundwater by novel iron removal process

The removal of ferrous iron (Fe(II)) in groundwater has been generally achieved by simple aeration, or the addition of an oxidizing agent. Aeration has been shown to be very efficient in insolubilization ferrous iron at a pH level greater than 6.5. In this study, pH was maintained over 6.5 using limestone granules under constant aeration to oxidize ferrous iron in groundwater in a limestone packed column. A sedimentation unit coupled with a membrane filtration was also developed to precipitate and filtrate the oxidized ferric compound simultaneously. Several bench-scale studies, including the effects of the limestone granule sizes, amounts and hydraulic retention time on iron removal in the limestone packed column were investigated. It was found that 550 g/L of the 7-8 mesh size limestone granules, and 20 min of hydraulic retention time in the limestone packed column, were necessary for the sufficient oxidation of 40 mg/L of iron(II) in groundwater. Long-term operation was successfully achieved in contaminated waters by removing the iron deposits on the surface of the limestone granule by continuous aeration from the bottom of the column. Periodic reverse flow helped to remove caking and fouling of membrane surface caused by the continuous filtration. Recycling of the treated water from the membrane right after reverse flow operation made possible an admissible limit of iron concentration of the treated water for drinking. The pilot-scale process was constructed and has been tested in the rural area of Korea.

Oxygen transfer characteristics in a pilot scale surface aeration vessel with Simcar aerator

The volumetric mass transfer coefficient, KLa, was determined by dynamic method in a surface aerated pilot scale squared vessel up to 0.531 m3 equipped with Simcar type impeller. Through surface aeration, the oxygen transfer characteristics were investigated with the variations of operating variables such as stirring speed, impeller diameter, liquid height and power input per liquid volume (P0/V). It was seen from the results of different oxygen concentration absorption that the dynamic method might lead to errors in KLa when air was used for absorption. To provide reliable KLa values measured by dynamic, the KLa data using pure oxygen were used and confirmed with feeding steady-state method (FSM). As expected, KLa depends on P0/V, impeller size and liquid height. However, for Simcar type impeller, the KLa shows linear dependency on P0/V in contrast to majority of correlations reported in the literature which shows KLa variation of (P0/V)0.65 for disk type impeller. Moreover, it was interesting to find that the bubble behaviors inside the vessel computed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) could explain qualitatively the KLa changes with operating variables. For the purpose of scale-up procedures, the empirical correlations for predicting KLa were developed within +/- 2% accuracy.

Expression patterns of Fgf-8 during development and limb regeneration of the axolotl

Fgf-8 is one of the key signaling molecules implicated in the initiation, outgrowth, and patterning of vertebrate limbs. However, it is not clear whether FGF-8 plays similar role in development and regeneration of urodele limbs. We isolated a Fgf-8 cDNA from the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) through the screening of an embryo cDNA library. The cloned 1.26-kb cDNA contained an open reading frame encoding 212 amino acid residues with 84%, 86%, and 80% amino acid identities to those of Xenopus, chick, and mouse, respectively. By using the above clone as a probe, we examined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of Fgf-8 in developing embryos and in regenerating larval limbs. In developing embryos, Fgf-8 was expressed in the neural fold, midbrain-hindbrain junction, tail and limb buds, pharyngeal clefts, and primordia of maxilla and mandible. In the developing axolotl limb, Fgf-8 began to be expressed in the prospective forelimb region at pre-limb-bud and limb bud stages. Interestingly, strong expression was detected in the mesenchymal tissue of the limb bud before digit forming stages. In the regenerating limb, Fgf-8 expression was noted in the basal layer of the apical epithelial cap (AEC) and the underlying thin layer of mesenchymal tissue during blastema formation stages. These data suggest that Fgf-8 is involved in the organogenesis of various craniofacial structures, the initiation and outgrowth of limb development, and the blastema formation and outgrowth of regenerating limbs. In the developing limb of axolotl, unlike in Xenopus or in amniotes such as chick and mouse, the Fgf-8 expression domain was localized mainly in the mesenchyme rather than epidermis. The unique expression pattern of Fgf-8 in axolotl suggests that the regulatory mechanism of Fgf-8 expression is different between urodeles and other higher species. The expression of Fgf-8 in the deep layer of the AEC and the thin layer of underlying mesenchymal tissue in the regenerating limbs support the previous notion that the amphibian AEC is a functional equivalent of the AER in amniotes.

Nitric oxide and molsidomine in the management of pulmonary hypertension in Takayasu's arteritis

We present three patients with pulmonary hypertension in Takayasu's arteritis who showed long-term favorable response, clinically and hemodynamically, to nitric oxide donor molsidomine. In these patients, nitric oxide inhalation was effective in reducing pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Molsidomine (single dose of 4 mg p.o.) was also effective in reducing PAP and PVR, but nifedipine was not. With molsidomine, 4 mg tid, dyspnea, exercise capacity, and hemodynamic parameters were improved. These favorable responses have lasted during the 3-month follow-up period in all patients.

Expression and characterization of fibroblast growth factor 8 from Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) has been known to regulate the proliferation and differentiation of a variety of cell types via interaction with a specific FGF receptor on the cell surface. In the present study, Fgf8 cDNA of Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, was expressed in Escherichia coli as an MBP-FGF8 fusion protein. The cell proliferation activity of the recombinant FGF8 (rFGF8) was measured by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. The addition of rFGF8 to the culture medium enhanced proliferation of BALB/c 3T3 and BHK21 cells about 1.4-1.5 fold. To analyze the binding activity of rFGF8 to the cell surface, cell surface enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was developed. Comparison of the structure of basic FGF with the computer-simulated structure of FGF8 suggested that Tyr-58, Glu-132, Tyr-139, and Leu-179 might be the potential receptor binding sites. Amino acid substitution muteins of FGF8 were constructed by PCR-derived directed mutagenesis and the muteins were overexpressed in E. coli. The rFGF8 muteins were purified and their binding activities were analyzed. Substitution of Tyr-58 or Glu-132 or Leu-179 of the FGF8 with alanine reduced the binding affinity, while substitution of Tyr-139 with alanine did not alter the binding affinity. These results imply that Tyr-58, Glu-132, and Leu-179 of FGF8 might be involved in its binding to the cell surface.

A phase II study of VP-16-fosfamide-cisplatin combination chemotherapy plus early concurrent thoracic irradiation for previously untreated limited small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

At present the addition of thoracic irradiation to combination chemotherapy is a standard treatment for limited staged small cell lung cancer. However, there is still controversy about the optimum timing of chest irradiation. We conducted a phase II study of etoposide (VP-16)-ifosfamide-cisplatin (VIP) combination chemotherapy plus early concurrent thoracic irradiation for the patients with previously untreated limited small cell lung cancer in order to assess if the treatment modality could improve the response rate and the toxicity.

METHODS

Forty-four patients with limited small cell lung cancer were treated with etoposide-ifosfamide-cisplatin and concurrent thoracic irradiation. Combination chemotherapy consisted of etoposide 100 mg/m2 (on days 1-3), ifosfamide 1000 mg/m2 (on days 1 and 2) and cisplatin 100 mg/m2 (on day 1). Concurrent thoracic irradiation consisted of a total of 4000 cGy over 4 weeks starting on the first day of the first chemotherapy. All patients who showed a complete response were given prophylactic cranial irradiation for 2.5 weeks.

RESULTS

Forty-four of the 49 patients who entered the study from May 1994 to August 1998 were evaluable. The median age was 59 years and 40 patients had a performance status of 0 or 1. The median survival time was 22.5 months. Twenty-eight patients (62%) showed a complete response and 16 (38%) a partial response. Twenty-four patients (54%) developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia; there was a 9% RTOG score 3 or 4 esophagitis.

CONCLUSION

VIP combination chemotherapy and early concurrent thoracic irradiation for patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer revealed excellent antitumor response with tolerable toxicity.

MR imaging of changes of the growth plate after partial physeal removal and fat graft interposition in rabbits

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The most important complication of skeletal injuries involving the growth plate is growth disturbance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate MR features of growth plate modification after fat graft interposition in growth plate injury and to correlate these findings with pathological findings.

METHODS

A growth plate injury model was used in 12 skeletally immature rabbits. A longitudinal drill hole 5 mm in diameter was created in the central part of the growth plate in the distal femur, bilaterally. One side was filled with autologous fat, and the contralateral defect was left empty as a control. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, and routine histological study was performed. The authors evaluated sequential changes in MR images and the histological basis of MR findings.

RESULTS

In grafted femur, the signal intensity of the grafted area was lower than that of the surrounding bone on T2-weighted images at 1 month. The growth plate defect at 3 to 6 months was modified and had a proximally tapering appearance. The ratio of the growth plate defect was smaller in the grafted femur than in the control femur after surgery. Histologically, the fat-grafted area was replaced by fibrous connective tissue. In the control femur, a bony bridge was rectangular in the longitudinal direction and showed isosignal intensity with a rim of low signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging. Histologically, the defect was filled with mature fatty marrow with new bone formation in the control femur.

CONCLUSIONS

The proximally pointing appearance and the low signal intensity of the grafted area on MR suggested fibrous degeneration of grafted fat that prevented solid bony bridge formation in experimentally induced growth plate injury.

Clinicopathologic and genotypic study of extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma and natural killer precursor lymphoma among Koreans

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to define genotypic profile and to describe the clinicopathologic features of nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma of nasal and extranasal origin and NK precursor lymphoma.

METHODS

NK/T-cell lymphomas from the upper aerodigestive tract (n = 45), skin (n = 2), gastrointestinal tract (n = 3), and soft tissue (n = 2) and NK precursor neoplasms (n = 3) were studied. Immunophenotype was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. In situ hybridization with EBER 1/2 RNA probes was performed. T-Cell Receptor (TCR)-gamma gene rearrangement was analyzed by seminested polymerase chain reaction with heteroduplex analysis. Overall survival rate was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters and compared by Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS

Clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangement was detected in 3 of 31 upper aerodigestive and 1 of 2 skin tumors. When immunostained using paraffin embedded tissue, 6 upper aerodigestive lymphomas were negative for CD56 in which 4 cases lacked clonal TCR gene rearrangement. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mRNA was detected in 33 upper aerodigestive tumors including 26 of 29 nasal tumors (90%), and 7 of 10 extranasal tumors (70%). There was no histologic, immunophenotypic, or genotypic differences according to the lineage and EBV association in upper aerodigestive lymphomas. Among the patients with upper aerodigestive tumors, overall 1-year survival rate was 41%, and correlated well with the stage (P < 0.05) but not with the size of tumor cells, EBV status, and lineage (P > 0.05). Median survival rate of lymphomas from other sites excluding upper aerodigestive tract was not significantly different from that of upper aerodigestive lymphomas with same stage (P > 0.05). Unlike nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphomas, NK precursor lymphoma involved the bone marrow and lymph nodes at initial presentation or in the course of disease. Tumor cells were positive for TdT in all and myeloid markers in two. TCR gene rearrangement was germ line.

CONCLUSIONS

Most upper aerodigestive nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphomas among Koreans are genotypically of NK derivation and few belong to T lineage. Presence or absence of EBV has no significant correlation with the histologic changes and the lineage of these lymphomas.

US identification of the anal sphincter complex and levator ani muscle in neonates: infracoccygeal approach

PURPOSE

To identify the anal sphincter complex and levator ani muscle at transperineal ultrasonography (US) with the infracoccygeal approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Infracoccygeal US was performed with a 7-MHz linear-array transducer in 40 healthy neonates. The babies were placed in the supine position, and both legs were drawn up to the chest. The buttocks were accordingly lifted up. The approach site was just inferior to the coccyx and posterior to the anus. Scanning was performed to obtain transverse images of the anorectal area. The thickness of the anal sphincter complex and the puborectalis muscle were measured.

RESULTS

Infracoccygeal US revealed the internal anal sphincter (IAS), the external anal sphincter (EAS), and the puborectalis muscle in all babies. The IAS and EAS were depicted as inner and outer hypoechoic ringlike structures, respectively. A round, hyperechoic space (intersphincteral space) was present between the hypoechoic IAS and EAS. The puborectalis muscle was identified as a U-shaped hypoechoic structure. The bulbocavernosus and ischiocavernous muscles were also identified. Mean thicknesses were as follows: IAS, 1.3 mm +/- 0.3 (SD) (range, 0.8-1.9 mm); EAS, 1.6 mm +/- 0.3 (range, 1.2-2.3 mm); and puborectalis muscle, 1.1 mm +/- 0.3 (range, 0.6-1.9 mm).

CONCLUSION

Infracoccygeal transperineal US is an excellent diagnostic modality for demonstrating the anal sphincter complex and levator ani muscle in neonates.

Characterization of a Viral EPS-Depolymerase, a Potential Tool for Control of Fire Blight

ABSTRACT A 3.3-kb fragment of genomic DNA from bacteriophage Phi-Ea1h encoding an amylovoran-directed depolymerase lyase was sequenced, and three open reading frames (ORFs) were detected. The first ORF could encode a lysozyme and the second a holin that may form a pore supporting cell lysis by the lysozyme. The third ORF encodes a protein of 657 amino acids and deletion mutation in this DNA fragment abolished extracellular polysaccharide (EPS)-degrading activity. A putative promoter and a ribosome binding sequence were located in front of the gene. A polymerase chain reaction product spanning the gene was inserted into multi copy plasmids including fusions with a Histidine-tagged sequence to facilitate its purification on a nickel nitrilotriacetic acid column. Maximal activity of the purified protein was observed between pH 4 and 5 at 52 degrees C. Visualized by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectin from Abrus precatorious, the enzyme degraded the EPS-capsules of Erwina amylovora. In virulence assays, no symptoms were detected for a low inoculum of an E. amylovora strain when pear slices were soaked in a solution of depolymerase in contrast to control slices without addition of the enzyme. Furthermore, gfp- or lux-labeled E. amylovora cells were not propagated, when their amylovoran capsules were removed by the depolymerase. The enzyme could be a tool for biological control of fire blight.

The value of interleukin-12 as an activity marker of pulmonary sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is characterized by hyperactivity of T-helper lymphocytes and recent studies showed that they were mainly Th1 cells. IL-12 is a major cytokine inducing Th1 differentiation of naive T cells. This study was performed to test whether IL-12 can be a marker for disease activity and possibly a prognosis in sarcoidosis.

METHODS

IL-12 levels of BALF (BALF-IL-12) and conditioned medium of alveolar macrophages (AM) were measured by ELISA in 36 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (14 males and 22 females, mean age: 39.6 +/- 11.0 years) and eleven normal controls. Clinically, 16 patients had active sarcoidosis and 20 had an inactive disease.

RESULTS

BALF-IL-12 of sarcoidosis patients (41.3 +/- 43.9 pg/ml) was significantly higher than that of normal controls (2.5 +/- 0.4 pg/ml) (p < 0.001). The patients with active disease (71.3 +/- 54.3 pg/ml) had a higher BAL-IL-12 level than those with inactive disease (17.3 +/- 13.8 pg/ml) (p = 0.0001). It had a significant correlation with the number of T4 cells (p = 0.0001), total cell number, number and percentage of lymphocytes (p = 0.0001) and AM (p = 0.001) in BALF. It was also significantly correlated with soluble ICAM-1 levels in serum (p = 0.0001) and BALF (p = 0.002), and ICAM-1 expression of AM (p = 0.001). Furthermore the patients whose condition worsened without therapy had a significantly higher initial BALF-IL-12 level than the patients whose condition improved spontaneously. The AM of sarcoidosis secreted significantly more IL-12 (133 +/- 177 pg/ml) than AM of controls (68.3 +/- 43.7 pg/ml) (p = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the BALF-IL-12 level can be used as a marker of the activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis and possibly prognosis.

Methionine interference in rapamycin production involves repression of demethylrapamycin methyltransferase and S-adenosylmethionine synthetase

In a chemically defined medium, L-methionine decreased production of rapamycin and increased that of demethylrapamycin. Growth with L-methionine yielded cells with a lower ability to convert demethylrapamycin to rapamycin and decreased the level of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase and S-adenosylmethionine. Thus, methionine represses at least one methyltransferase of rapamycin biosynthesis and S-adenosylmethionine synthetase.

Molecular characterization of a gene region involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Bradyrhizobium japonicum: cloning, sequencing and expression of rfaf gene

A 3.0-kb region involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Bradyrhizobium japonicum was sequenced. One complete open reading frame was identified which encodes a polypeptide of 354 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 38 209 Da. Expression of the protein using a T7 gene expression system revealed a band of similar molecular mass after sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A database search against known gene sequences revealed a significant sequence similarity to the rfaF gene cloned from several Gram-negative bacteria. The rfaF gene is known to encode heptosyltransferase II that transfers a second heptose to the inner core of lipopolysaccharide. The cloned B. japonicum open reading frame was able to functionally complement a rfaF mutant of Salmonella typhimurium SL3789. Transformation of this mutant with the B. japonicum gene restored production of an intact lipopolysaccharide and resistance to the hydrophobic antibiotic, novobiocin. An additional open reading frame having a significant sequence similarity to the rfaD gene was found to be divergently oriented to the rfaF gene.

Applicability of carcinoembryonic antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies to radioimmunoguided surgery for human colorectal carcinoma

Two carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), PR1A3 and T84.66, were tested to determine whether they could accurately localize colorectal carcinoma and therefore be applicable in radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS). Twenty-one tumors by three human colorectal carcinoma cell lines with various levels of CEA expression (KM-12c, C75, and Clone A) were successfully implanted in the intra-abdominal organs of 15 nude mice. The tumors was localized using a portable radioisotope detector (Neoprobe 1000) 48 h after injection of radiolabeled MAbs (10 mCi/mouse) when the precordial counts were <20 per 2 s. Histopathological identification of radiolabeled MAbs were also performed using immunohistochemistry and microautoradiography. Radioactivity counted on a portable radioisotope detector correlated well with that on a gamma counter. The distribution in the blood was significantly greater than in other organs (P < 0.001). Localization indices of the tumor in various organs was from 1.1 to 8.5 in the PR1A3-pretreated mice and 3.0 to 8.6 in the T84.66-pretreated mice. Silver grains and immune staining were distributed in the tumor cells of the PR1A3-pretreated mice, whereas they were in the necrotic debris as well as the tumor cells of the T84.66-pretreated mice. There were significantly more silver grains in the liver in the T84.66-pretreated mice than in the PR1A3-pretreated mice (P = 0.004). The sensitivity and specificity of tumor localization by RIGS were 71.4 and 91.4% in the PR1A3-pretreated mice, whereas they were 60 and 76% in the T84.66-pretreated mice. A study using specific anti-CEA MAbs suggested PR1A3 as an efficient immune probe for RIGS in colorectal carcinoma with a low rate of false-positive detection.