[Change of calibration method for enzyme assay in clinical biochemistry using automatic analyzer--comparison of calibration methods using K factor and human standard serum]

Enzyme activities in serum from experimental animals had been assayed by HITACHI 7150 Automatic Analyzer using K factors for calibration. Because K factor is derived from a molar extinction coefficient and, reagent and sample volumes for each assay system, it is a constant value in usual assay. As an alternative calibration method, a human standard serum, which is commercially available and well-controlled, is presently used in the same assay system because of some difficulties in supply. Four serum enzymes of human, rat, dog and monkey sera were determined by the above two methods. All values calibrated by human standard serum were approx. 10% higher than that using K factors. These small differences are allowable because data calibrated by human standard serum can be compared with previous data given by K factors.

[The use of biotechnological recombinant-mice in biological safety research]

Number of transgenic and knock-out mice increased rapidly during the last decade. This review article describes a potential usefulness of transgenic and knock-out mice for biological safety research with respect to each toxicological category for safety evaluations, such as studies for carcinogenicity, general toxicology, genotoxicologic testing, and immuno-toxicological evaluations. In the carcinogenicity, a possible model required for a short-term study in carcinogenicity was discussed. Further, a couple of future subjects were focused specifically on the biotechnology-derived pharmaceuticals and the biotechnical recombinant-mice as a second generation, i.e. experimental mice with double or multiple gene-recombination. Those usefulnesses were also introduced briefly. Establishing the biotechnical recombinant-mice for each safety testing contributes not only to simplify and qualify the on-going evaluation system, but also to the traditional animal studies to be re-evaluated, so that the solutions may lead them to a future in vitro-alternative system much smoothly. For general references, historical reviews on the biotechnical recombination in experimental animals were also briefly introduced to elucidate a new broad area in developmental biology.

2-Arylmethyl-1,4-benzoquinones. I. Novel inhibitors of platelet aggregation: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation

A new series of 2-arylmethyl-1,4-benzoquinones (2) was synthesized for evaluation of their pharmacological activities. These compounds showed significant inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and some of them possessed a protective effect against endothelial cell injury caused by hydrogen peroxide.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors reduce conditioned fear stress-induced freezing behavior in rats

Conditioned fear stress (CFS)-induced freezing behavior has been proposed as an animal model of anxiety. In the present study, freezing was used to determine the anxiolytic activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are reported to be clinically effective in anxiety disorders. The duration of freezing behavior was reduced by acute treatment with the SSRIs citalopram (1-10 mg/kg) and fluvoxamine (3-30 mg/kg). Acute treatment with the serotonin (5-HT)/noradrenaline (NA) mixed reuptake inhibitor milnacipran (3-30 mg/kg) also attenuated CFS-induced freezing, while acute treatment with the NA reuptake inhibitors maprotiline and ORG4428, and the dopamine (DA) reuptake inhibitor GBR12909 failed to alter CFS-induced freezing. These results indicate that facilitation of 5-HT availability in the brain produced by 5-HT reuptake inhibition reduces CFS-induced freezing behavior. CFS may be a useful model for detecting the anxiolytic potential of 5-HT reuptake inhibitors.

Epiduroscopic changes in patients undergoing single and repeated epidural injections

Using a superfine fiberscope with an outer diameter of 0.75 mm, the effect of repeated injections through a single epidural catheter on the epidural space was examined in 18 patients. The subjects were divided into a control group of 10 patients who had not previously received epidural anesthesia (EA) and an EA group of 8 patients who had received repeated EA with 4-6 mL 0.25% bupivacaine through an epidural catheter, two to three times per day for 7-14 days. The epidural space was observed through a fiberscope passed through a 17-gauge Tuohy needle. The epidural space was occupied by large masses of fat, and the blood vessels and connective tissue were confirmed. Adverse reactions in the epidural tissue, such as hemorrhage or congestion with engorgement, were observed in four patients in the EA group. Five patients in the EA group experienced pain when the fiberscope was inserted into the epidural space. These investigations show that continuous EA might be followed by a high incidence of nonspecific epidural changes. Superfine fiberscope may be useful in the detection or diagnosis of local epidural reaction.

A malignant granular cell tumor of the stomach: report of a case

We report herein what to our knowledge is the first documented case of a malignant granular cell tumor of the stomach. A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for investigation of gastric submucosal tumor. Endoscopy disclosed a large hemispherical mass located on the lesser curvature at the gastric antrum with a normal mucosal surface, and computed tomography (CT) revealed a solid tumor about 7 cm in diameter with clear margins. A laparotomy was carried out under the preoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the stomach. A tumor was found in the gastric antrum, with extragastric extension to the hepatic hilum, and a distal partial gastrectomy was performed. However, a follow-up CT scan performed 21 months postoperatively revealed a solid tumor of about 10 cm in diameter with clear margins, situated between the liver and the transverse colon. This was subsequently diagnosed as local recurrence and a resection was carried out. Microscopic examination of both the first and second specimens showed that the tumor cells were large and polygonal, with medullary proliferation and finely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures were also present. Thus, the lesion was diagnosed as a malignant granular cell tumor of the stomach from the clinical and pathological findings.

Cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease localized to the field of total lymphoid irradiation

A 20-year-old woman with aplastic anemia underwent bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling after total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and cyclophosphamide (CY). The post-transplant course was uneventful. CYA was discontinued on day 221. Three weeks later, the patient developed cutaneous GVHD precisely localized to the field of TLI. No other organs were involved. Immunohistochemical staining of the affected skin was strongly positive for ICAM-1, PECAM-1 and ELAM-1; normal skin was only weakly positive for ICAM-1. CYA was restarted, and the skin lesions disappeared. TLI may contribute to an unusual presentation of cutaneous GVHD associated with specific expression of adhesion molecules.

A comparison of the structure of radiation oncology in the United States and Japan

PURPOSE

The United States and Japan have very different backgrounds in their medical care systems. In the field of radiation oncology, national surveys on structure have been conducted for both countries and compared to illustrate any similarities and differences present from 1989-1990.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The Patterns of Care Study Facility Survey conducted in 1989 in the United States and the National Survey of Structure in Japan in 1990 were compared to evaluate the equipment pattern, staffing pattern, compliance rate with the "blue book" (3) guideline, and the geographic distribution of institutions.

RESULTS

In the United States, a total of 598,184 (49% of the total of newly diagnosed) patients were treated with radiation therapy. In Japan, 62,829 (approximately 15% of the total of newly diagnosed) patients were treated. The numbers of external megavoltage treatment machines were 2,397 in the United States and 494 in Japan. The numbers of full time equivalent (FTE) radiation oncologists were 2,335 in the United States and 366 in Japan. Only 15% of United States facilities and 11% of Japan facilities complied with the narrow blue book guideline for the patients per FTE radiation oncologist (200-250), while the most common ratio was 151-200 patients/FTE in the United States and 51-100 in Japan. In Japan, more than 60% of institutions were staffed by a part-time radiation oncologist (FTE < 1.0). Between geographic regions, there was variation in the percentage of cancer patients treated with radiation therapy for both the United States (42-56%) and Japan (6-25%).

CONCLUSION

There is a major difference in the usage of radiation therapy for treating cancer between the United States and Japan with 49% of all new cancer patients treated in the United States and approximately 15% treated in Japan. Equipment structure in the United States is more complete than in Japan with important differences in treatment simulators, treatment planning computers, and support personnel. High dose rate intracavitary radiation is commonly available in Japan and there are geographic differences in radiation oncology utilization in both countries.

Route of nutritional supply influences local, systemic, and remote organ responses to intraperitoneal bacterial challenge

OBJECTIVE

The authors' aim was to investigate whether antecedent nutritional routes influence immune responses after surgical insult.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may influence host responses to infection. To the best of the authors' knowledge, however, no study has focused on the mechanisms underlying the influence of nutritional route on local, systemic, and remote organ (lung) responses after surgical insult.

METHODS

Sixty-eight rats were divided into TPN and total enteral nutrition (TEN) groups. The two groups received identical nutrients for 7 days and were then challenged intraperitoneally with 3 x 10(8) Escherichia coli. In the first experiment, the rats were observed for survival. In the second experiment, the rats were killed before (0 hours) challenge or 2 or 6 hours after challenge. Peritoneal exudative cells (PEC) and bronchoalveolar cells (BALC) were harvested and cultured in vitro. Colony-forming units of bacteria in the peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) were determined. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in serum, PLF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and cell culture supernatants were measured.

RESULTS

The 48-hour survival rate was higher in TEN than in TPN rats. Local immunity was depressed in the TPN group. Bacterial colony counts in PLF were significantly higher in the TPN group than in the TEN group after challenge. The number of PECs was significantly lower, and at 2 hours, local cytokine (TNF and IL-1 alpha) responses were diminished in the TPN group compared with the TEN group at 2 hours. The number of PECs showed a significant positive correlation with levels of local cytokines in the TEN group but not in the TPN group. Elevation of local IFN-gamma was significant from 0 to 6 hours in the TEN group but not in the TPN group. In vitro production of TNF by PEC was impaired in the TPN rats before challenge. Remote organ (lung) responses were suppressed in the TPN group. The number of BALCs and the TNF levels in BALF declined significantly between 0 and 2 hours in the TEN group but not in the TPN group. Interferon-gamma levels in BALF were higher in the TEN group than in the TPN group at 2 hours. Systemic cytokine responses were disturbed in the TPN group. Production of systemic TNF was greater, but the IFN-gamma response was diminished in the TPN group compared with the TEN group after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge.

CONCLUSION

Local, systemic, and remote organ (lung) immune responses to intraperitoneal bacterial challenge are suppressed in TPN-treated animals, leading to poor survival after challenge. Enteral nutrition before surgical insult may enhance host immune responses after the insult as compared to parenteral nutrition.

Growth hormone and the immune response to bacterial infection

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), especially the former, have immunoregulatory effects in addition to anabolic effects. The hormones may act to protect the host from lethal bacterial infection by promoting the maturation of myeloid cells, stimulating phagocyte migration, priming phagocytes for the production of superoxide anions and cytokines, and enhancing opsonic activity. GH administration may be beneficial for the prevention, as well as treatment, of severe sepsis in critical illness.

Isolation of plactins A, B, C and D, novel cyclic pentapeptides that stimulate cellular fibrinolytic activity

Four novel cyclic pentapeptides, designated plactins A, B, C and D, were isolated by solvent extraction and reverse-phase HPLC from mycelium of a fungal strain F165 that belongs to the order of Agonomycetales. By a combination of chemical and spectroscopic analyses and chemical synthesis, the structures of plactins A, B, C and D were determined to be cyclo(-D-Val-L-Leu-D-alloIle-L-Try-D-Arg-), cyclo(-D-Val-L-Leu-D-Leu-L-Tyr-D-Arg-), cyclo(-D-Val-L-Leu-D-alloIle-L-Phe-D-Arg-) and cyclo(-D-Val-L-Leu-D-Leu-L-Phe-D-Arg-), respectively. Plactins stimulated U937 cell-mediated degradation of 125I-fibrin plates by 50% at a concentration of 7.5 approximately 32 microM.

Peritoneal metastatic model for human scirrhous gastric carcinoma in nude mice

We established a peritoneal-metastatic model for scirrhous gastric carcinoma. Peritoneal metastasis had developed after intraperitoneal inoculation of OCUM-2MD3 cells in nude mice. This cell line was derived from a peritoneal-metastatic nodule at the mesenterium after orthotopic implantation of OCUM-2M cells which developed no peritoneal metastasis after intraperitoneal inoculation. The histologic findings of orthotopic-implanted tumor in the stomach show scirrhous type while those of subcutaneous-implanted tumor show medullary type. There might be factors, in OCUM-2MD3 cells, which are responsible for peritoneal metastasis. We next investigated the differences in the biological behavior of the original OCUM-2M and the derived variant OCUM-2MD3. Morphology and growth activity of the two cell lines were similar to each other. The specific chromosomes, add(6)(q13), del(7)(q21.2) and inv(11)(p13q21), were found in OCUM-2MD3 cells but not in OCUM-2M cells. While the oncogenes amplification by OCUM-2M cells was found in K-sam and c-myc, that by OCUM-2MD3 cells was found only in c-myc. The expression of E-cadherin by OCUM-2MD3 cells was decreased compared with that of OCUM-2M cells. Expression level of beta 1-integrin of OCUM-2MD3 cells were higher than that of OCUM-2M cells. The binding and invasion activity of OCUM-2MD3 cells were higher than those of OCUM-2M cells, and were decreased by anti-beta 1-integrin antibody. The invasion activity of OCUM-2MD3 cells was increased in the presence of peritoneal fibroblast. In this study, it was suggested that orthotopic implantation of cancer cells might have an effect on the acquisition of metastatic ability. beta 1-integrin and peritoneal fibroblasts might be correlated with peritoneal metastasis. This peritoneal-metastatic model should be useful for analysing the mechanism of peritoneal metastasis of human scirrhous gastric cancer.

Clinical and immunogenetic investigation of a Laotian patient with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's (VKH) disease has been known to be associated with HLA class II antigen, HLA-DR4 and -DR53. Recent recombinant DNA technical advances have allowed us to investigate the genetic polymorphism of HLA antigens at the molecular level. By use of the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique we have found that VKH disease is closely associated with HLA-DRB1*04 (DRB1*0405/ DRB1*0410) and DQB1*04 (DQB1*0401/DQB1*0402) in the Japanese. Here, we will describe a typical case of a Laotian patient with VKH disease and the results of HLA typing: the patient showed a conservation of one of the major haplotypes observed in Japanese VKH patients, DRB1*0405-DQB1*0402.

[Difference of lung deposition rate of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) among three kinds of electric nebulizer]

We examined the lung deposition rate of DSCG with three kinds of electric nebulizer (NE-U03, Pari-Master, Nisshou) on 5 pediatrician skilled with inhalation therapy (31-54 years of age). Excretion of DSCG for 4 hours after inhalation in urine were highest in NE-U03 group, second in Pari-Master group and least in Nisshou group. And then we studied bronchodilating effect of sulbutamol on 18 children (7-17 years of age) with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma with NE-U03 and Pari-Master. Asthmatic symptom score, SaO2 and pulmonary function were examined before and after inhalation. The delta %FVC, delta %FEV1.0, delta %PEF, delta %V50 and delta %V25 using NE-U03 were 10.3%, 19.1%, 25.5%, 32.5%, and 29.3% in NE-U03 group and 10.6%, 15.9%, 24.1%, 25.4% and 21.3% in Pari-Master group. The data of pulmonary obstraction in NE-03 group were better than that in Pari-Master group. From our data it is obvious that 3 kinds of electric nebulizers have different efficacy in regard to the lung deposition dose of inhaled drugs. When we compare the efficacy of drugs. When we compare the efficacy of drugs for nebulizer inhalation therapy, we should use the drug dose attained to lung and not nominal drug dose in principle.

Analysis of urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in patients undergoing long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy

Urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline were analyzed in 23 patients undergoing long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy and compared with those in an age-matched control group, which consisted of 218 healthy premenopausal women. Values of urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase in the patient group were within the control range. Our data demonstrate that bone resorption is accelerated by long-term anticonvulsant drug therapy and there may be an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation in the patient group.

Effects of acute and chronic administration of high-dose corticosterone and dexamethasone on regional brain dopamine and serotonin metabolism in rats

1. The effects of acute and chronic treatment with high-dose corticosterone (50 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (0.7 mg/kg) on monoamines and their metabolites levels in four regions of the rat brain were investigated. 2. Acute corticosterone and dexamethasone treatment decreased serotonin (5-HT) levels, but did not alter dopamine (DA),3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in any of the brain regions. 3. Chronic corticosterone treatment significantly increased the HVA and 5-HIAA levels only in the medial prefrontal cortex, while chronic dexamethasone treatment did not alter. Chronic corticosterone and dexamethasone treatment did not change DA, DOPAC or 5-HT levels in any of the brain regions. 4. These findings suggest that chronic treatment with high-dose corticosterone activates the dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Temporoparietal sandwich technique in acute avulsion injury of the hand

In degloving injuries of the hand, rehabilitation can be delayed due to poor wound healing and partial flap necrosis, if the avulsed tissue is sutured back primarily. By sandwiching a temoroparietal fascial flap between the avulsed flap and the tendons, rehabilitation can be started immediately, even if flap necrosis is present.

The efficacy of gold-198 grain mold therapy for mucosal carcinomas of the oral cavity

Gold-198 grain mold therapy was given to 27 patients with 29 oral cancers and the results were analysed. Single plane mold alone was chosen for treatment when the maximum thickness of the tumor was below 2 mm. For thicker tumors, external irradiation prior to mold therapy was added. The 5-year survival following these principles was 82%. Initial tumor control was obtained in all 27 lesions followed for more than 2 years but recurrence took place in 7 (26%). Of 20 patients whose primary lesion did not recur within 2 years, 6 subsequently required surgery (2 cases) or non-surgical treatment (4 cases) for bone complications. The results obtained by single plane mold therapy are encouraging, particularly with regard to gum cancers showing a minimum bone invasion, and should therefore be advocated for selected patients with oral carcinoma.

Treatment of high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children using the AL851 and ALHR88 protocols: a report from the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Children's Cancer Study Group in Japan

A total of 125 children, who were diagnosed as having high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), were treated with two consecutive protocols designated as AL851 (1985-1988) and ALHR88 (1988-1990). All patients received induction therapy consisting of vincristine (VCR), prednisolone (PSL), daunorubicin (DNR), and I-asparaginase (I-Asp). In the ALHR88 protocol, the patients whose blasts in the bone marrow (BM) were > or = 25% on day 14 of induction therapy and who were classified into T-cell type received additional cytosine arabinoside (AraC). After consolidation with intermediate-dose methotrexate (MTX), reinduction therapy including VCR, dexamethasone, and adriamycin followed by high-dose AraC was done for all patients. Intrathecal MTX and 24Gy of cranial irradiation were used to prevent central nervous system leukemia. A maintenance therapy consisting of 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide, MTX, DNR, VCR, and AraC was administered for 3 years after achieving a complete remission (CR). CR was achieved in 51/55 (92.7%) for AL851 and 68/70 (97.1%) for ALHR88. The 5-year event-free survival rates were 49.1 +/- 6.7% in AL851 and 62.5 +/- 6.1% in ALHR88. The factors related to a poor prognosis were a high initial leukocyte count of greater than 50 x 10(9)/L (P < 0.001), an L2 morphology of leukemic cells by FAB classification (P = 0.009), the chromosomal abnormality (P = 0.004) and high residual leukemic cells in BM (> or = 25%) on day 14 of induction therapy (P < 0.001). Taking these factors into consideration, more intensive protocols were started in 1990 for the patients with high-risk ALL.

Cloning and sequence analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus ompK gene encoding a 26-kDa outer membrane protein, OmpK, that serves as receptor for a broad-host-range vibriophage, KVP40

The ompK gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1010 (RIMD 2210001) encoding an outer membrane protein (OMP), OmpK, which serves as the receptor for a broad-host-range vibriophage, KVP40, was cloned and sequenced. The gene consisted of 789 nucleotides encoding 263 amino acids. Since the first 20 amino acids most likely constitute the signal peptide, mature OmpK would consist of 243 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 27458 Da. Sequence comparisons indicate that OmpK is unique among Vibrio OMPs so far sequenced, but may be distantly related to Tsx of enteric bacteria and is homologous to an Aeromonas hydrophila OMP, protein IV.

Mofarotene (Ro 40-8757) inhibits hematopoiesis in vitro by preventing maturation from primitive progenitor cells

The effect of the arotinoid mofarotene (Ro 40-8757; 4-[2-[p-[(E)- 2(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)- propenyl]phenoxy]ethyl]morpholine) on stromal cell-mediated hematopoiesis was examined in murine long-term bone marrow cultures. Whether added at week 2 to regenerating cultures or at week 4 to plateau-phase cultures, mofarotene strongly inhibited total cell production in a dose-dependent manner. Progenitor cell production was also inhibited, but to a lesser extent. When added at the initiation of culture, 1 mumol/L mofarotene did not affect formation of the adherent layer, but production of total nucleated cells and progenitors was inhibited over the next 10 weeks by 95% and 96%, respectively. However, after mofarotene treatment ceased, progenitor cell levels began increasing immediately, and cell production reached plateau levels comparable with those of control cultures within 4 weeks. Hematopoiesis was maintained for 14 more weeks, indicating that long-term culture-initiating cells survived the treatment. Assays of spleen colony-forming units (CFU-S) in the adherent layers showed an enrichment of day-13 CFU-S relative to the more mature day-9 CFU-S. Mofarotene did not inhibit colony formation by bone marrow cells stimulated by exogenous growth factors and did not decrease production of growth factors by stromal cells in the cultures, as determined by functional assays and by mRNA levels. These results suggest that mofarotene blocks differentiation of very primitive progenitors, inhibiting production of more mature hematopoietic elements.

Direct measurement of crosslinks, pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, and pentosidine, in the hydrolysate of tissues using high-performance liquid chromatography

Pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr) are mature crosslinks which maintain the structure of the collagen fibril. Pentosidine (Pen) is a senescent crosslink and one of the advanced glycation end products. We developed a direct and one-injection method to measure Pyr, Dpyr, and Pen in the hydrolysate of tissues using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Using a linear gradient of acetonitrile and a cleaning step, the objective crosslinks were well separated and continuously and automatically assayed. Recovery rates of Pyr, Dpyr, and Pen were 95-116, 94-110, and 92-120%, respectively (n = 5). The intraassay coefficients of variation for Pyr, Dpyr, and Pen were 5.3, 5.8, and 4.3%, respectively (n = 5), and the interassay coefficients of variation for Pyr, Dpyr, and Pen were 3.5, 4.6, and 5.7%, respectively (n = 5). Linear regression analysis showed the linearity (r = 0.999) of calibration line for each Pyr, Dpyr, and Pen. We measured the content of these crosslinks in the tissues from the young and old subjects. There was no difference in the content of Pyr and Dpyr between the young and the old group. On the other hand, the content of Pen in the old group was extremely higher than that in the young group. We demonstrated the direct method for measuring two kinds of major crosslinks which have different characters and believe that this method will be useful in determining the content of these crosslinks in tissues under various conditions.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the 1,2-alpha-D-mannosidase gene, msdS, from Aspergillus saitoi and expression of the gene in yeast cells

A full-length cDNA encoding 1,2-alpha-D-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.113) from Aspergillus saitoi was cloned. Analysis of the 1718 bp nucleotide sequence of the cDNA revealed a single open reading frame with 1539 nucleotides of 1,2-alpha-D-mannosidase gene, msdS. The predicted amino-acid sequence of 1,2-alpha-D-mannosidase consists of 513 residues with a molecular mass of 55,767 and is 70%, 26% and 35% identity with those of Penicillium citrinum 1,2-alpha-D-mannosidase, yeast alpha-mannosidase, and mouse alpha-mannosidase. The cDNA of the msdS gene has been cloned and expressed in yeast cells. To identify the activity of expression product methyl-2-O-alpha-mannopyranosyl-alpha-mannopyranoside (Man alpha 1-->2Man-OMe) was used as a substrate at pH 5.0.

Identification of the location of antigenic sites of swine vesicular disease virus with neutralization-resistant mutants

Neutralization sites on swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) have been identified by sequence analysis of neutralization-resistant mutants. Eight neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced and neutralization-resistant mutants were selected with the MAbs. Resistance of the mutants to neutralization was shown using the stab-neutralization method, and the results indicated the presence of five neutralization sites on the virus. The location of each site was identified from amino acid changes resulting from nucleotide substitutions in the mutants, and designated site 1 (residues 87 and 88 of VP1), 2a (residue 163 of VP2), 2b (residue 154 of VP2), 3a (residue 272 and 275 of VP1, 60 of VP3) and 3b (residues 70 and 233 of VP2, 73 and 76 of VP3). The locations of the amino acids substitutions at each site formed a cluster on a computer-simulated three-dimensional model of SVDV and were exposed to the surface of the virion.