Nitrosovibrio spp., the Dominant Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in Building Sandstone

In five historical buildings in the Federal Republic of Germany, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria of the genera Nitrosovibrio, Nitrosospira, and Nitrosomonas were detected in high cell numbers. In building stones, Nitrosovibrio was the most abundant ammonia-oxidizing organism. In the soil at the foot of each building, Nitrosomonas spp. were the most common ammonia oxidizers, whereas Nitrosovibrio spp. were not detected.

Equilibrium binding analysis of neural cell adhesion molecule binding to heparin

The kinetics of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) binding to heparin were studied in a heparin-Sepharose-based solid-phase binding assay. The observed binding is time dependent and saturable. A binding constant of 5.2 +/- 1.4 X 10(-8) M is observed for binding of newborn rat NCAM to heparin. This is approximately 25 times lower than the binding constant determined for newborn rat NCAM homophilic binding. Both Scatchard and Hill plot analyses suggest the presence of only one binding site. Fab' fragments of antibodies to rat NCAM significantly inhibit binding, a result indicating that a specific site on NCAM is involved in binding to heparin. The binding is inhibited by heparin (IC50, approximately 5 micrograms/ml), whereas chondroitin sulfate is a less potent inhibitor (IC50, approximately 15 micrograms/ml).

[Calcifications of the prostate: a transrectal echographic study]

Prostatic lithiasis is a well know phenomenon. It has little clinical significance and is not easily shown by conventional radiography, which has poor sensitivity and specificity. The authors have studied 612 patients with both suprapubic and transrectal US in order to 1) assess US sensitivity and specificity and 2) report the frequency, spatial distribution, number and features of prostatic calcifications with special emphasis on differential diagnosis between prostatic neoplasms and chronic prostatitis. The authors have also studied the relationship between morphology and symptoms and the results agree with those reported in the scanty literature. The authors conclude that the parameters studied are directly related to age, except for a younger group with clear evidence of genital inflammation. The authors emphasize the impossibility to correlate morphology of prostatic calcifications with pathologic conditions: there are no specific symptoms clearly connected with calcification even though the inflammation is often associated with calcifications.

Differential expression of cell adhesion molecules in variants of K1735 melanoma cells differing in metastatic capacity

We have investigated the expression of 2 neural-cell adhesion molecules, NCAM and LI, in K1735-C116 and -MI melanoma cells which differ qualitatively in their metastatic potential, i.e., MI cells are metastatic whereas C116 cells are not. We have found that NCAM in C116 cells are expressed as 2 quantitatively major glycosylated polypeptides with Mr of 145,000 and 120,000 and a minor 190,000 Mr polypeptide, whereas MI cells expressed NCAM as 3 glycosylated polypeptides with MR of 200,000, 140,000 and 120,000. The amount of NCAM in MI cells constituted only 60% of the amount observed in C116 cells. In C116 cells, the 145,000 and 120,000 Mr NCAM polypeptides were sulphated whereas NCAM did not appear to be sulphated in MI cells. No phosphorylation of NCAM in the 2 cell lines was observed. LI was expressed as a phosphorylated glycoprotein with Mr of 210,000 in MI cells whereas no LI expression was observed in C116 cells. LI was not sulphated in MI cells.

Effect of human proinsulin on blood glucose control and metabolic instability in type 1 diabetes mellitus

The effect of human biosynthetic proinsulin (PRO) on blood glucose (BG) control and glucose excursions was studied in a nonrandomized design in eight patients with unstable type 1 diabetes mellitus and compared with that of human NPH insulin. Both preparations were injected subcutaneously twice daily for three days each in combination with small doses of regular insulin. All patients were kept in metabolic control during PRO treatment. Mean BG (mean of three days, 18 samples per day) was lower during PRO (mean +/- SE: 14.4 +/- 4.0 versus 11.4 +/- 3.0 mmol/l, p = 0.079). Inspection of individual data showed that four patients had similar BG profiles and mean daily BG concentrations with both preparations (12.3 +/- 1.1 vs 12.1 +/- 1.0 mmol/l), while the other four had significantly lower values during PRO (16.5 +/- 1.0 vs 10.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/l, p = 0.003). Metabolic instability (MAGE values) was similar during NPH and PRO (7.5 +/- 0.5 versus 7.0 +/- 0.5 mmol/l, H = 0.011, p = 0.88) when calculated for the entire group of patients. However, all patients with similar BG profiles during NPH and PRO treatment had smaller daily BG excursions on PRO (8.1 +/- 0.8 versus 6.6 +/- 0.6 mmol/l, p = 0.104, Wilcoxon test). The counterregulatory hormones, growth hormone and cortisol were not different between the two treatment periods or between the two groups. Plasma PRO concentrations (as determined through crossreaction in a C-peptide assay) did not correlate with the PRO dose (rxy = 0.508, p = 0.20), but correlated negatively with BG (rxy = 0.841, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Patients with type 1 mellitus can be kept in metabolic control during treatment with human PRO. (2) The dose of PRO considered equipotent to NPH insulin must be determined for each patient individually in order to avoid hypoglycemic attacks. (3) Although there was a tendency towards improved metabolic stability during PRO in some patients, this requires further investigations.

Degenerative cartilage lesions of the hip--magnetic resonance evaluation

The capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize early degenerative arthritis of the hip was investigated. The study was performed on 8 healthy students and 45 elderly volunteers. Images were obtained by using an electronically variable Helmholtz coil (switched-array coil, SAC). In order to diagnose degenerative lesions of the joint cartilage, FISP sequences with a flip angle of 70 degrees were found preferable to compared sequences. MRI-detectable signs of degenerative arthritis of the hip were narrowed joint space due to partially thinned cartilage layers, focal areas of either increased or decreased signal intensity in the hyaline cartilage, complete loss of cartilage, and signal variation in the bone marrow. MRI of the hip may be appropriate to detect early degenerative changes in the hips of young high-risk patients to facilitate therapy planning.

NCAM and Thy-1 in special sense organs of the developing mouse

The distribution of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and Thy-1 in the olfactory mucosa and olfactory bulb, the eye and the inner ear was examined with immunocytochemistry in mouse embryos from embryonic day 12 (E 12) to embryonic day 19 (E 19). In general, neurons are completely outlined with NCAM, whereas Thy-1 outlines only dendrites and axons. A variable cytoplasmic staining for Thy-1 is present in the perikarya. Neurons directly associated with special sense organs express NCAM and Thy-1 already from the earliest stage and throughout the period investigated, apart from the olfactory neurons in which Thy-1 disappears at E 19. The mitral cells in the olfactory bulb show Thy-1 but no NCAM reactivity. In the eye, lens fibers express Thy-1 and the pigmented layer expresses NCAM; neither of the two molecules can be detected at E 19. In the inner ear, hair cells express NCAM at E 19. Based on the distribution during the developmental period studied and on the cellular localisation of reaction products, it is suggested that the NCAM adhesion function could be of a more general nature by keeping appropriate cell membranes in close contact and thereby allowing more specific molecular interactions to take place. Thy-1, which is located on dendrites and axons, could be such a specific factor and function as recognition molecule in the developing nervous system.

Cell adhesion molecules in neural development

Adhesive mechanisms have been implicated in several morphogenetic processes during development. In the last decade several molecules mediating specific adhesion between cells and between cells and their environment have been characterized. Possible roles in morphogenesis have been established for some of these molecules. In the brain, four cell-cell adhesion molecules have been characterized: NCAM, L1, the myelin-associated glycoprotein and N-cadherin. Furthermore, a cell-substrate adhesion molecule, cytotactin, and its proteoglycan ligand have been described. We here review the data on structure, localization, developmental regulation and function of these molecules in brain.

Soluble neural cell adhesion molecule in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma in the developing rat

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a glycoprotein found in neurons, glial cells and muscle cells. In this report we describe the polypeptide composition and amount of soluble NCAM in brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in rats of various ages. One-two percent of total NCAM in rat brain was shown to be buffer-soluble. Soluble NCAM in brain, extracted at pH 7.2, constituted an increasing relative proportion of total NCAM during development, whereas the concentration of soluble NCAM in both CSF and plasma decreased in the same period. By radioiodination of brain extracts, CSF, and plasma, soluble NCAM was found to be composed of up to five polypeptides with molecular weights (Mr) of 200,000, 170,000, 150,000, 115,000 and 80,000. The relative composition did not vary significantly with age. The major forms in brain were the polypeptides with Mr of 200,000 and 115,000, whereas in CSF all forms seemed to appear in equal amounts. In plasma the 200,000 and the 170,000 Mr polypeptides were not observed and here the major forms were the 150,000 and 115,000 Mr polypeptides.

Demonstration of immunochemical identity between the synaptic vesicle proteins synaptin and synaptophysin/p38

The synaptic vesicle proteins synaptin and synaptophysin/p38 were shown to be immunochemically identical. Western immunoblot analysis of Triton X-100 extracts from rat brain showed that polyclonal polyspecific anti-synaptin antibodies and monoclonal antibody SY38 against synaptophysin both reacted with a band of 38 kDa. In two-dimensional immunoblots of chromaffin granule membranes from bovine adrenal medulla anti-synaptin and anti-synaptophysin antibodies also recognized the same component. Finally, in a Western immunoblotting experiment SY38 reacted with an immuno-isolated synaptin antigen.

Characterization of the kinetics of neural cell adhesion molecule homophilic binding

A solid-phase assay has been developed for the investigation of the kinetics of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) binding. Using this assay we can show that NCAM binds to itself in a time-dependent and saturable manner. Binding constants (KB values) of 6.9 x 10(-8) M and 1.23 x 10(-6) M, respectively, were obtained for adult and newborn rat NCAM homophilic binding. Binding is specifically inhibited by Fab' fragments of polyclonal anti-NCAM antibodies but is unaffected by heparin or chondroitin sulphate. This indicates that the NCAM homophilic binding site is separate from and independent of the heparin-binding site and that a developmental modification, probably polysialation, gives rise to marked differences in the adhesive properties of NCAM.

[Peyronie's disease. Ultrasonic evaluation]

Peyronie disease, or Induratio Penis Plastica, is characterized by the presence of one or more fibrous plaques at the albuginea penis, on the cavernous bodies or on the intercavernous septum. First of all, Induratio Penis Plastica etiology is described, and its clinics and therapy. Past imaging methods are then considered (i.e. conventional radiology, xerography), and current ones (i.e. conventional radiology, cavernosography, CT and US). The authors report on their 4-year (1983-1987) experience with US in 62 males. Various different probes were employed, especially small-part 7.5 MHz probes. The results are similar to those reported in international literature. The use of high frequency probes allows the evaluation of focal hypoechoic lesions even in the early phase of the disease, thus helping make therapy more effective.

Biological effects of magnetic fields: chronic exposure of the nematode Panagrellus redivivus

The Panagrellus redivivus bioassay, an established monitor of adverse toxic effects of different environments, has been used to study the biological effects of exposure to static and time-varying uniform and gradient magnetic fields, and to time-varying magnetic field gradients superimposed on a static uniform magnetic field of 2.35 Tesla. Temporally stationary magnetic fields have no effect on the fitness of the test animals. Time-varying magnetic fields cause some inhibition of growth and maturation in the test populations. The combination of pulsed magnetic field gradients in a static uniform magnetic field also has a small detrimental effect on the fitness of the test animals.

1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of plasma from patients with primary intracranial neoplasms

Plasma from patients with malignant and benign primary intracranial neoplasms and from healthy control subjects has been examined using proton (1H) and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Some features in the spectra of plasma from patients with malignant tumors differ significantly (p less than 0.01) from the corresponding features in the spectra of plasma from control subjects and from patients with benign tumors. The NMR spectral parameters vary consistently with the Kernohan grade of astrocytoma, which may suggest that they give a measure of tumor growth kinetics. The observed spectral differences are shown to be due to elevated levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid residues in the plasma of cancer patients. It is proposed that these lipid residues arise from cell membranes shed from cells in growing tumors. The ability to follow tumor growth kinetics directly may be of considerable importance in elucidating the effects of primary intracranial neoplasm therapy.

Developmental study of the cell adhesion molecule L1

Cell adhesion molecules are involved in several morphogenetic events during development. A spatiotemporal regulation of the expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM has previously been demonstrated. In this study, we describe developmental changes in the rat brain in the expression of another neural cell adhesion molecule, L1. The amount of L1 varies with age showing a peak value in early post-natal life. L1 is synthesized as a polypeptide with a relative molecular weight (Mr) of 200,000 in explant cultures of rat forebrain from embryonic day 17 to post-natal day 15, but L1 synthesis decreases relative to total protein synthesis during the same period. L1 sulphation does not appear to change developmentally whereas the degree of phosphorylation seems to decrease. At the plasma membrane L1 is present as three polypeptides with Mr 200,000, 140,000 and 80,000. The latter is phosphorylated like the 200,000 Mr polypeptide. Furthermore, L1 exists in a soluble form which consists of 170,000, 140,000 and 80,000 Mr polypeptides. During development a slight decrease in Mr of the 200,000 and 140,000 Mr polypeptides is observed, possibly due to changes in glycosylation. To conclude, L1 expression is temporally regulated and its function may thus, like NCAM, be developmentally modified by some of these changes.

Characterization of soluble forms of NCAM

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been described as a family of membrane glycoproteins. However, soluble NCAM immunoreactivity has long been recognized. We here show that soluble NCAM is composed of two quantitatively major polypeptides of Mr 180,000 and 115,000 and two minor components of Mr 160,000 and 145,000. Soluble NCAM was immunochemically identical to membrane NCAM, was polysialylated and carried the HNK-1 epitope. It only constituted 0.8% of total NCAM in newborn rat brain. Soluble NCAM appeared in neuronal cell culture medium 15-30 min after the start of synthesis preceding accumulation of membrane-associated NCAM on the cell surface. This indicates that soluble NCAM contains a secreted component.

N-CAM in cerebrospinal fluid: a marker of synaptic remodelling after acute phases of multiple sclerosis?

We made a longitudinal study of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) content of 20 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in an acute phase, and 10 in a non-acute phase. Both groups were compared with a control group of 23 subjects without neurological diseases. All MS patients were subjected to two or three lumbar punctures for collection of CSF samples, once a week. N-CAM analysis was performed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Comparison of N-CAM concentrations of the first CSF samples from each MS group with the control group values showed statistically different (lower) levels in the non-acute phase MS patients. Furthermore, a statistically significant increase of CSF N-CAM emerged from a comparison of the values of the first, second, and third samples of the acute phase MS patients group. This increase paralleled the patients' clinical improvement.