Immunochemical properties of glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans

Antiserum against purified mutansynthetase (EC 2.4.1.?) of Streptococcus mutans 6715 (serotype g), which is responsible for the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan (ISG) in the presence of both sucrose and water-soluble glucan, was prepared. The specificity of the antiserum was tested by using crude enzyme preparations (CEPs) of S. mutans strains of various serotypes. On immunodiffusion, the antiserum cross-reacted with CEPs from strains of serotypes a (HS-6 and AHT), d (OMZ176), and g (OMZ65 and KIR), but not with those from strains of serotypes b (BHT and FA-1) and c (GS-5 and Ingbritt). The antiserum inhibited the synthesis of ISG by crude or purified mutansynthetase of S. mutans 6715. The activities of ISG synthesis by CEPs from the strains antigenically related in the foregoing immunodiffusion were inhibited by the antiserum against strain 6715 mutansynthetase. The antiserum, however, also inhibited the enzyme activity of the strains of serotype b. The finding that the antiserum against purified dextransucrase of S. mutans HS-6 inhibited ISG synthesis by a CEP of strain HS-6 and also by CEPs of antigenically related strains suggested that dextransucrase activity is involved in ISG synthesis.

Effect of Yersinia enterocolitica ST on cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels in mouse intestines and cultured cells

We determined the effect of heat-stable enterotoxin produced by Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. enterocolitica ST) on cyclic nucleotide levels in the intestines of 6-day-old mice and in cultured cell line cells. The concentration of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in homogenates of the intestines increased four- to fivefold by 3 min after intragastric administration of 10 units of purified Y. enterocolitica ST. This increase continued for 60 min, and then the concentration of cyclic GMP fell toward the levels of the controls. On the other hand, fluid accumulation in the intestines was not evident until 60 min after administration of the toxin. Thus, the increase in intestinal cyclic GMP concentration preceded measurable fluid accumulation. The effect on both cyclic GMP levels and fluid accumulation was abolished by treatment of the ST with either alkali solution (pH 10.7) or 2-mercaptoethanol. Likewise, cyclic GMP levels in cultured cells (CCL-6, HeLa, L, and Mm-1 cells) increased dose-dependently by 10 min after incubation of the cells with the ST. Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels in both intestines and cultured cells were not affected by the toxin.

[Primary intracranial germ cell tumor in the right basal ganglia and its vicinity area--a report of the case with germinoma and choriocarcinoma histologically]

A case of intracranial germ cell tumor in the right basal ganglia and it's vicinity area was presented and previous reported cases were reviewed. The patient was a 11-year-old boy with precocious puberty. His illness started with left hemiparesis and mental disturbance, i.e. behavioral and emotional change one year prior to admission. Enhanced CT demonstrated a round lesion of high density, with relatively low density in the center portion. The tumor developed from the right putamen to thalamus, and involved toward hypothalamic region on coronary CT. Hormonal studies revealed abnormal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human chronic gonadotropin (HCG), and testosterone. In addition to excessively high levels of HCG in the urine, serum and CSF, high elevation of plasma LH and low of plasma FSH were revealed. On 3 June 1980, right temporal craniotomy was performed and a piece of the tumor was removed. Tumor's tissue was diagnosed as germinoma by pathohistological examination. As the effect of postoperative Co-60 radiation, high density area on CT disappeared and remained as well margined low density area. On repeated CTs and HCG-measurements on further, recurrent sign was not noted up to now. However, as a result of pathohistological studies in details, syncytiotrophoblast generally seen in the choriocarcinoma seem to be presented in it's tissue. Therefore, by means of peroxidase labeled antibody method, the authors proved HCG in syncytial cells of the tumor's tissue. There are very little reports on quantification of HCG in primary intracranial germ cell tumor with precocious puberty. Serial measurements of HCG are useful for following the diagnosis and therapy of primary intracranial germ cell tumors. In this report, the authors provide evidence that the syncytial cell mixed in intracranial germinoma secrets HCG.

Purification and properties of glucosyltransferase responsible for water-insoluble glucan synthesis from Streptococcus mutans

A glucosyltransferase responsible for water-insoluble glucan synthesis was purified from the culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans 6715-15 strain by column chromatography on Toyopearl HW-60 and subsequently on hydroxyapatite. The enzyme preparation gave a single band on analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pH dependency of the activity showed two optimal peaks at 5.8 and 7.3 and the Km values for sucrose were 1.4 and 3.3 mM at the respective optimal pHs. The molecular weight determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis was 180,000. Although the enzyme scarcely synthesized water-insoluble and water-soluble glucans from sucrose, water-insoluble glucan formed from sucrose in the presence of dextran T10 consisted of over 93% alpha-1, 3-glucosidic linkage. Analysis of the structure of water-insoluble glucan indicated that the enzyme catalyzed the formation of branch points in alpha-1,6-glucan (dextran) and transferred the glucosyl moiety of sucrose to the C-3 position of the branching glucose residue of dextran. Since this enzyme has not yet been registered, we named it mutansynthetase (EC 2.4.1.?).

Von Recklinghausen's disease complicated by a brain tumor identified as pinealoma: case report

We report a case of von Recklinghausen's disease complicated by a pineal region tumor suspected, from the findings of various examinations and clinical observations, to be pinealoma. The patient is an 18-year-old boy with general café au lait spots, whose father also suffers from von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis.

Complement proteins and macrophages. III. The production of factor B by particle-ingesting macrophages

A kinetic study of factor B secretion by particle-ingesting macrophages showed that the ingestion of zymosan but not latex lead to an early suppression of factor B secretion followed by a significant enhancement. This dual response was proportional to the number of ingested zymosans. After a suppressive period of 24-48 hr, the ingested zymosan stimulated the synthesis of factor B. The response of acid phosphatase synthesis to ingested zymosan was the same as that of factor B, while the synthesis of lactic dehydrogenase proceeded without an early suppression. These results suggest that factor B should be considered an enzyme released into the lysosomes of macrophages.

Location of Streptococcus mutans in the dentinal tubules of open infected root canals

Seventy-six teeth from open canals were extracted to prepare serial longitudinal sections. The sections were made from apical portions of the teeth and stained. Ninety similar teeth were extracted to prepare dentinal splinters with files from the enlarged infected canal. The splinters were spread on a selected medium to grow S. mutans. S. mutans was detected in 48.7% of the 76 teeth examined. The distance of invasion of S. mutans in the dentinal tubules revealed by immunofluorescence averaged 509 micrometer from the canal wall and reached 1150 micrometer, depending on the serogroups of S. mutans. Unidentified germs in the sections which were demonstrated by Gram's stain invaded further than S. mutans. The frequency of appearance of the serogroups of S. mutans was 32.6% (d), 27.9% (c), 24.4% (a), and 15.5% (b).

[A role of glycerol in contrast enhancement (author's transl)]

In some cases of glioma, it may be relatively difficult to demonstrate by computed tomography (CT), or even by contrast enhancement technique (CE). Studying a series of delayed CT scans, it seems that one of the main factors of delayed CE effect is due to extravascular components of iodine. So for getting better CE effect in these gliomas, we tried to increase the extravascular iodine concentration with utilizing the returning water of intravenously administrated Glycerol. By this method of drip injection of contrast material following the Glycerol, we could get an increase of CE effect of 40 or 70% comparing to the usual drip injected CE scans in two benign gliomas, but we couldn't find the difference in one malignant glioma and in the high vascular area of the benign gliomas. Though the mechanism was not completely explained in this article, we thought that CE effect in malignant gliomas or high vascular tumors was mainly by intravascular component of iodine. This malignant glioma a big cyst, and with the use of intravenous contrast material and delayed CT scanning, we had been able to know that contrast media entered cystic collections, which progressively increased in density and were maximally enhanced on delayed, 180 minutes after injection of contrast material.

[A case of "cri-du-chat" syndrome with meningomyelocele (author's transl)]

This patients is a 48-day-old girl, born as the third child from a 29-year-old healthy mother. The pregnancy was uneventful, and the delivery was normal. Right after birth, she had episode of asphyxia for several minutes. Her weight of birth was 2,600 g, and the head circumference was 30.4 cm. Dyspnea and cyanosis after feeding were noted on the second day. At the time of admission to our service, she showed typical symptoms of "cri-du-chat" syndrome, namely, characteristic cry, mental retardation (DQ was 48), microcephaly (head circumference was 34.5 cm), rounded face, hypertelorism, oblique palpebral fissures, epicanthus, low-set ears, micrognathia, short neck, simian crease. Other abnormalities such as umbilical hernia, prolapsus ani, dislocation of the hip joint, and lumbosacral meningomyelocele. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated no pathological findings. Pneumoencephalogram showed accumulation of air at the cranial base. Operation was performed for repair of meningomyelocele at the age of 50 days. Postoperative course was smooth.

[A study of regional cerebral blood flow by intravenous injection method of Xenon-133 (author's transl)]

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was determined in man by Xenon-133 intravenous bolus injection technique. This method is of value especially for patients with stroke. The measuring system constituted of a 16 channel cerebrograph (rCBF 1656, Meditronic, Denmark) and a minicomputer (AI Electronics, Japan). Then, for an estimation of rCBF, two compartment analysis was applied in which a special computer program was used for this purpose. Amount of Xenon-133 in expired air was used for calculation, since we confirmed that Xenon-133 clearance in expired air was similar to that in arterial blood except for those patients with obstructive lung disease and so on. In normal adults, rCBF of the gray matter was 67 +/- 13 ml/100 g brain/min. (95% confidence limits). Patients who had been TIA or RIND, revealed a decrease of rCBF of 33--49 ml/100 g brain/min. bilaterally, although they did not show any clinical signs at the time of measurement. Contrariwise, two cases of Moya-moya disease showed a normal value of rCBF at their silent periods.

[Silicone pellet embolization of spinal cord arteriovenous malformation--case report (author's transl)]

This is a report of case with the spinal cord arteriovenous malformation in which silicone pellet embolizations of the feeding arteries were carried out through a percutaneous catheter. The technical details are presented. (Case report) A 35-year-old paraplegic patient. Her radiograms are shown Figs. 1 to 5. An attempt to direct removal of the AVM was limited to the laminectomy (Th1--4) because of extensive haemorrhage in the extradural space. Small silicon pellets with barium sulfate were used to occlude the feeder in this case. The large AVM at the high thoracic level was supplied by feeders coming from the branches of thyreocervical trunk in both side. In the right, six pellets of a proper size were used. Angiogram taken immediately after injection of emboli, demonstrated a decrease of volume of the AVM to about a half (Fig. 2-b), and six months later, the spinal feeders had been embolized almost completely (Fig. 5-a). In the left side, two pellets were injected through the left thyreocervical trunk but the malformation was depicted at the follow-up angiogram taken about six months later. She went to the rehabilitation clinic after surgery and her palaplegia improved remarkably. At present, she can walk on crutches. Disturbances to evacuation and urination have also disappeared.

[A surgical case with traumatic false aneurysm, arteriovenous fistula of the middle meningeal artery, ipsilateral chronic subdural hematoma and contralateral subdural hydroma and nontraumatic vertebrooccipital anastomosis (author's transl)]

A 48-year-old man with traumatic false aneurysm, arteriovenous fistula of the middle meningeal artery, ipsilateral chronic subdural hematoma, contralateral subdural hydroma, and nontraumatic vertebrooccipital anastomosis was reported with a review of the literature. Traumatic false aneurysm of the middle meningeal artery of 32 cases was already reported in the world, and traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the middle meningeal artery was found in 47 cases, but combination of the both is very rare and only 6 including ours have been found in the literature. In a case that a fracture line crosses over the middle meningeal artery, meningeal false aneurysm or arteriovenous fistula as well as epidural or subdural hematoma is supposed. Therefore common carotid angiography or selective carotid external angiography should be examined thinking of these above mentioned lesions. Comment was made from the anatomic, angiographic, and therapeutic point of view. In our case, the false aneurysms were removed while necessary ipsilateral craniotomy was performed for the chronic subdural hematoma. And operative and histological findings suggest the false aneurysms were on the way to spontaneous disappearance.

[Interesting radiological and pathological findings of the internal carotid artery observed in a case of cavernous sinusitis (author's transl)]

A 47-year-old man was admitted to the neurosurgical department of Nagasaki University Hospital with complaints of high fever, deteriorated conciousness and nonpulsating exophthalmus on the left side. The first carotid angiography which had been done 2 days prior to admission, showed only an irregular narrowing in the cavernous portion of the left carotid artery. The right carotid angiogram did not show any recognizable abnormality. The second angiography which was performed 4 days after the admission, revealed an cylindrical aneurysmal opacification about 0.8 cm in diameter in the left intracavernous portion. The right angiography could not be done at that time. On the 47th hospital day, the third angiogram was performed. There noted again, the aneurysmal opacification in the left carotid artery and furthermore, the right carotid artery was occluded completely at its entrance into the cavernous sinus. On post-mortem examination, the cavernous sinus was filled with coagulated blood which drived from the ruptured left internal carotid artery. Microscopic examination revealed marked invasion of leucocytes to the wall of the internal carotid artery at the cavernous portion in both sides. These findings suggested that a mycotic aneurysm which resulted from the cavernous sinusitis ruptured into the left cavernous sinus and spelled blood compressed the opposite (right) carotid artery within the carvernous sinus which resulted in occlusion of the artery.

[Percutaneous revision of shunt with obstructed ventricular catheter (author's transl)]

Shunt dysfunction due to an obstructed ventricular catheter can be avoided, at least in part, by placing the of the catheter anteriorly to the Foramen of Monro. However, once the catheter is obstructed, surgical removal under general anesthesia is almost inevitable. Irrigation method for an obstructed ventricular catheter enables us to gain scarcely anything and accumulation of instilled fluid in the ventricle often causes the dangerously increased intracranial pressure. 1) Technique for placement of the ventricular catheter. The skin incision is a semicircular. After the skin flap is reflected, "8-shaped" burr hole is placed (Fig. 1 in the text). At first, two openings, large and small, are made in the skull. At 1/4 inch drill is used for making a small hole and a regular perforator for an adjacent large one, then, with a small Schlessinger roungeur, a thin wall dividing these two holes is removed. Two to 3 cm lateral from the midline and also posterior to the frontal hair line is usually chosen for placement of burr holes. A straight ventricular catheter with multiple small perforations at its tip is connected to the Rickham reservoir and inserted in the ventricle anteriorly to the Foramen Monro, through the small hole of the "8-shaped" burr hole. Rest of surgical procedure is performed according to a routine manner. 2) Technique for release of ventricular catheter obstruction by percutaneous management through the "8-shaped" burr hole. A 20-gaze modified spinal needle is inserted through the Rickham reservoir under fluoroscopic control and gradually progressed to the tip of the obstructed catheter. Simple aspiration through the needle may occasionally open the catheter by removing small obstruents, but in many instances, insertion of an another ventricular needle through the large hole and combined irrigation are indispensable. 3) Results. Ten of 72 patients who had placement of the ventricular catheter by this technique developed obstructions of the catheter. Percutaneous technique was successful in releasing the obstructions in 12 times of these 8 patients and remaining 2 patients were subsequently operated upon for the following reasons. One patient, because of dislodging of the reservoir cap after successful release of obstruction and the other, due to extraventricular location of the tip of the catheter prior to the percutaneous management. No serious complications has been encountered and the technique was proved to be safe and simple ensuring good functional return of the shunt in long-term follow-up.

Production of homocytotropic antibody against acid extracts isolated from group A streptococcal cell walls in intact and adrenalectomized rats

Intact and adrenalectomized rats of male Sprague-Dawley were injected with acid-extracted materials isolated from group A streptococcal cell walls using aluminum gel as an adjuvant. We have clearly demonstrated the production of homocytotropic antibodies against this antigens in rats. However, the homocytotropic antibody titers in adrenalectomized rats were much higher than those in intact rats.

Exertional hemoglobinuria

A 16 years old boy had a typical exertional hemoglobinuria after walking with his new leather shoes on. The attacks of hemoglobinuria were associated with the appearance of an unstable hemoglobin in red cells. A slightly decreased fragility curve by 24 hr incubated red cells, the increase of autohemolysis and the appearance of heat labile hemoglobin were observed after exertion. These findings support that exertional hemoglobinuria may be regarded as a transitory erythropathia.

Purification and properties of dextransucrase and invertase from Streptococcus mutans

Invertase (beta-d-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) and dextransucrase (alpha-1, 6-glucan: d-fructose 2-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.5) were purified from the culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans by chromatography on Sepharose 6B and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose followed by treatment with hydroxyapatite. Each of the enzyme preparations gave a single band when analyzed by either polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or immunodiffusion. The antigenic determinant of invertase was different from that of dextransucrase on immunodiffusion. The pH optima were 5.25 for invertase and 5.75 for dextransucrase, and the K(m) values were 20 mM for invertase and 2.0 mM for dextransucrase. The molecular weights determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis were 160,000 for invertase and 170,000 for dextransucrase. The data obtained suggest that the dextransucrase had dextran-synthesizing activity and invertase-like activity.

Acceleration of dextransucrase activity of Streptococcus mutans by secretory immunoglobulin A

The effect of immunoglobulins on the activity of dextransucrase purified from Streptococcus mutans strain HS-6 is described. When human salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) or colostral IgA, either natured or denatured, was incubated with dextransucrase, the rate of the dextran synthesis was markedly accelerated, whereas human serum IgA or IgG neither accelerated nor inhibited the enzyme activity. The results suggest that a portion unique for secretory IgA, the secretory component, might be related to the enzyme acceleration. On the other hand, specific rabbit antiserum against the dextransucrase inhibited completely dextran synthesis by the enzyme.

Source of neuraminidase in human whole saliva

Whole saliva specimens from eight healthy human adults were examined for neuraminidase. The presence of two types of neuraminidase in four samples out of eight was demonstrated by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. One type is soluble and the other an insoluble, perhaps particle-bound, enzyme. The pH optima were 5.8 for the former and 5.0 to 5.3 for the latter. However, the soluble enzyme could not be detected in the other four saliva specimens which showed low activity. A comparative study of the salivary and other neuraminidases was carried out. It was found that both salivary neuraminidases were closely similar to the enzymes in submandibular-sublingual secretions and in human liver, but not to the oral streptococcal enzymes. The results suggest that the salivary neuraminidases might originate from cells such as epithelial cells or polymorphonuclear leukocytes, or both, in the oral cavity.

Inhibition of enzymes by human salivary immunoglobulin A

Human whole saliva inhibited bacterial neuraminidases and the inhibition was found to reside in the salivary IgA fraction. Further, salivary immunoglobulin (Ig)A inhibited various bacterial enzymes and toxins: neuraminidases from Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguis, and Clostridium perfringens, hyaluronidase and chondroitin sulfatase from oral bacteria, diphtheria toxin, and streptolysin O. The inhibitory activity of salivary IgA did not correlate with that of serum on the basis of minimum inhibitory dose. A small amount of salivary IgA was required to inhibit oral bacterial neuraminidases, whereas a large amount was required to inhibit other bacterial neuraminidase. Therefore, it is concluded that the absence of neuraminidase activity of oral bacteria in whole saliva may be due to specific inhibition by salivary IgA.