Protection by lazaroids of the erythrocyte (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase against iron-induced inhibition

The calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase (calmodulin-ATPase) of the erythrocyte membrane is susceptible to oxidative stress induced by heme and non-heme iron. There is a time-and concentration-dependent inhibition of the calmodulin-ATPase activity when the erythrocyte membranes are treated with either iron or hemin. In the present study, the calmodulin-ATPase has been used as a model system to evaluate the protective effects of a vitamin E analog (U83836E) and two 21-aminosteroids (U74500A and U74389G) against calmodulin-ATPase inhibition induced by iron and hemin. The drugs, lazaroids from Upjohn, can significantly protect the enzyme against iron-induced inhibition and also causes a decrease in the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, with an IC50 of 0.4 microM for the drug U83836E and 4 microM for the drug U74500A. The 21-aminosteroid U74389G does not restore iron-inhibited calmodulin-ATPase activity under similar conditions. At higher concentrations (> 100 microM) all three drugs inhibit the calmodulin-ATPase activity. None of the drugs tested can restore hemin-inhibited calmodulin-ATPase activity.

Sexual behavior, sexually transmitted diseases, and risk of cervical cancer

To explore sexually transmitted diseases and sexual behavior as risk factors for cervical cancer, we analyzed data from a population-based case-control study of breast and cervical cancer in Costa Rica. Data from 415 cases of cervical carcinoma in situ, 149 cases of invasive cervical cancer, and 764 controls were included in the analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that lifetime number of sex partners, first intercourse before age 15 years, number of livebirths, herpes simplex virus type 2 seropositivity, and serologic evidence of previous chlamydial infection were predictors of carcinoma in situ. Serologic evidence of previous syphilis was not associated with carcinoma in situ. Predictors for invasive cervical cancer included lifetime number of sex partners, first intercourse before age 15 years, number of livebirths, serologic evidence of previous syphilis, herpes simplex type 2 infection, and chlamydial infection. Cigarette smoking, socioeconomic status, self-reported history of sexually transmitted diseases, and douching were not associated with either carcinoma in situ or invasive cervical cancer.

Heme as an optical probe for studying the interactions between calmodulin and the Ca(2+)-ATPase of the human erythrocyte membrane

The heme group was used as an optical probe to study the interactions between calmodulin and its targets: the peptide melittin and the enzyme Ca(2+)-ATPase. As already reported, melittin when present in Tris buffer binds hemin-CN which quenches the tryptophan fluorescence. Addition of calmodulin restores the fluorescence significantly accompanied by a blue shift. We show here that the recovery of fluorescence is very slow and takes about 120 min to become constant. In a hydrophobic buffer, the fluorescence spectrum of melittin is already shifted with a peak at 335 nm and intensity almost 2-fold relative to a similar concentration of melittin in Tris buffer. The quenching of tryptophan fluorescence is lesser in this buffer and further addition of calmodulin fails to restore the fluorescence. This indicates the absence of binding of calmodulin to melittin in hydrophobic conditions. Under similar conditions of hydrophobicity, hemin-CN quenches about 35% of the tryptophan fluorescence of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. The subsequent addition of calmodulin restores about half of the quenched fluorescence. The interaction of calmodulin with the Ca(2+)-ATPase even under hydrophobic conditions suggests its high specificity for the enzyme which may be expected for a physiological target.

Quantitative studies on the effect of prostacyclin on freshly isolated rat osteoclasts in culture

Prostaglandins exert marked but transient inhibitory effects on bone resorption. The present study examines the effects of prostacyclin (0.15 to 25 microM) on the morphology of freshly disaggregated rat osteoclasts. An area descriptor, rho, represented changes in total cell spread area, and a motility descriptor, mu, represented overall changes in cell motility. The application of prostacyclin intercepted the trend of an increasing cell spread area with time and produced a transient reduction of rho, an R effect. Its magnitude depended upon concentration and was marked at 25 microM prostacyclin. The subsequent recovery (+0.8/min) of rho at this concentration resembled the persistent spreading seen in the absence of the agonist. There was also a sustained decrease in mu to approximately 60% of its pretreatment value (a Q effect) following the application of 25 microM prostacyclin. The extracellular application of 20 mM [Ca2+] produced a similarly transient cell retraction preceded by a rise of cytosolic [Ca2+], but without a corresponding decrease in mu. In contrast, prostacyclin did not elevate cytosolic [Ca2+], suggesting the triggering of an alternative transduction pathway. A fully reversible retraction together with incomplete quiescence may explain the transience characteristic of the antiresorptive action of prostacyclin.

Modulation of the osteoclast Ca2+ receptor by extracellular protons: possible linkage between Ca2+ sensing and extracellular acidification

We report a sensitivity of the osteoclast cell surface Ca2+ receptor to extracellular protons. Freshly isolated rat osteoclasts were exposed to the known agonists of the Ca2+ receptor, Ca2+ and Ni2+, in extracellular solutions set at different pH values. Decreasing the extracellular pH from 7.8 to 4.0 units markedly potentiated the cytosolic Ca2+ signals elicited in response to Ca2+ receptor activation by either Ni2+ (50 microM, 500 microM or 5 mM) or Ca2+ (5 mM). Each response consisted of a rapid and usually transient elevation of cytosolic [Ca2+]. Maximal cytosolic [Ca2+] responses were obtained at pH values of 6.6 (for 5 mM-[Ni2+]) and 4.0 units (for 5 mM-[Ca2+]). Finally, the effects of extracellular pH persisted in Ca(2+)-free, EGTA-containing solutions, suggesting a modulation of intracellular Ca2+ release.

Ca(2+)-induced alterations in the activity of membrane (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase of human and rat erythrocytes

Effect of intraerythrocyte Ca2+ elevation on human and rat erythrocyte membrane (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase along with that of incubation of the erythrocyte ghosts in their own hemolysates enriched with Ca2+ has been studied. While the membrane (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase levels of Ca(2+)-loaded human erythrocytes showed an initial increase and subsequent decline, membranes incubated in their own hemolysate showed a consistent decrease in the enzyme activity. Calmodulin sensitivity was retained by the preparations in contrast to the earlier observations made with washed erythrocyte membranes. Similar changes in (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase activity but of greater magnitude were observed in response to Ca2+ in the calpain-rich rat erythrocytes. Considerable crosslinking and proteolysis was observed in case of human and rat erythrocytes exposed to high Ca2+ concentrations. The Ca(2+)-activable transglutaminase, however, did not play any role in the activation of the (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase.

Seroepidemiological characterization of a syphilis epidemic in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, formerly a yaws endemic area

The annual numbers of reported cases of syphilis in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) increased from none in 1983 to more than 600 in 1989, suggesting a large outbreak of syphilis. Much of the increase resulted from expanded serological screening. The apparent outbreak of syphilis, therefore, may have been partly the result of increased surveillance or, since the RMI was formerly a yaws endemic area, possibly due to a resurgence of yaws. To address this problem and better characterize the epidemic, we analysed results from a 1989/90 Ministry of Health Services mass serological screening on Majuro Atoll, the main population centre. Serum specimens from 9160 people (86% of residents aged 15-44 years) on Majuro were screened with the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) card test; we repeated the RPR and performed a confirmatory microhaemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum-specific antibodies (MHA-TP) on a sample of serum specimens. To estimate the seroprevalence of syphilis, we also tested a sample of RPR nonreactive specimens by MHA-TP. Among people less than 45 years of age, total (11.5%) and high-titre (5.2%) seropositivity rates were highest in the 20-24 year age group, as was MHA-TP seroprevalence (15.9%). These results suggested that a large outbreak of syphilis was responsible for the observed seroreactivity. Cumulative incidence modelling and comparisons with the results of a previous serosurvey conducted in 1985 suggested that the duration of the syphilis epidemic was approximately 10 years and that incidence had not increased appreciably since 1985.

Goat erythrocyte calmodulin is not abnormal

Calmodulin was purified from goat erythrocyte hemolysate using heat treatment and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight and Stokes, radius of the purified calmodulin was determined. The goat erythrocyte calmodulin stimulated (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase but not (Mg2+)-ATPase and (Na(+)-K(+)-Mg2+)-ATPase. The (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase of the erythrocyte membrane derived from human, rat, rabbit and pig were significantly stimulated.

Time series analysis of injuries

We used time series models in the exploratory and confirmatory analysis of selected fatal injuries in the United States from 1972 to 1983. We built autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models for monthly, weekly, and daily series of deaths and used these models to generate hypotheses. These deaths resulted from six causes of injuries: motor vehicles, suicides, homicides, falls, drownings, and residential fires. For each cause of injury, we estimated calendar effects on the monthly death counts. We confirmed the significant effect of vehicle miles travelled on motor vehicle fatalities with a transfer function model. Finally, we applied intervention analysis to deaths due to motor vehicles.

A time series analysis of gonorrhea surveillance data

Gonorrhea is the most frequently reported communicable disease in the United States. In response to rapidly rising rates in the late 1960s, the Public Health Service instituted a gonorrhea control programme. An important component of the programme is the screening of women for gonococcal infections. We use a time series intervention model to estimate the initial increase in reporting of cases in women associated with the control programme. From the middle 1970s to the middle 1980s, a regular seasonal pattern in the data is conspicuous. We use a second time series model to quantify the seasonal variation during this period and to construct forecasts.

Inhibition of testicular and somatic development after treatment of the postnatal rat with the Leydig cell cytotoxic ethylene dimethanesulphonate

The Leydig cell cytotoxic ethylene dimethanesulphonate (EDS) was administered s.c. daily (50 mg/kg) to male rats aged 5-16 days. Apart from loss of weight and that the eyelids unfused earlier, no gross toxicity was observed during treatment. On day 17 testis weights, serum testosterone concentrations, testicular serum testosterone content and 125I-labelled human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) binding to testicular homogenates were reduced. Serum LH and FSH concentrations were elevated. The testes did not recover from EDS treatment and at 63 and 120 days were minute (less than 2% of control), and the prostate and seminal vesicles were small although not completely atrophied. In addition, body weights were substantially reduced. Serum and testicular testosterone and 125I-labelled hCG binding to testicular homogenates were reduced but not absent. Serum LH and FSH concentrations were increased. Light microscopy of the adult testes showed that EDS treatment inhibited the development of the seminiferous tubules. Most of the tubules were devoid of germ cells and Sertoli cells were rare. Occasionally tubules also contained spermatogonia and spermatocytes but no signs of spermiogenesis. The testes were composed mainly of closely packed interstitial tissue with no lymphatic space. The interstitial cells resembled Leydig cells and stained for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Histochemically identified Leydig cells were absent during treatment but reappeared when treatment was withdrawn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abnormal development of the testis after administration of the Leydig cell cytotoxic ethylene-1,2-dimethanesulphonate to the immature rat

Male rats were injected with 50 mg ethylene-1,2-dimethanesulphonate/kg from Day 5 to Day 16 after birth and control rats received injections of the same volume of vehicle. Testes were studied at various times from Day 6 to Day 108 using histochemistry, light and electron microscopy. Fine structural degenerative changes were observed in the Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules of EDS-treated animals as early as Day 6. By Day 11 no Leydig cells could be detected and the interstitia of EDS-treated testes contained large numbers of fibroblast-like cells which formed peritubular collars 3-5 cells thick; the tubules contained Sertoli cells with heterogeneous inclusions and large numbers of lipid droplets. A small number of Leydig cells was found at Day 14 and their numbers increased so that, in animals of 28 days and older, large clusters of Leydig cells were present between severely atrophic tubules. These tubules contained Sertoli cells with few organelles; germinal cells were not observed after 28 days in EDS-treated animals. These results show that EDS destroys the fetal population of Leydig cells postnatally and this mimics the well documented effect of EDS on adult Leydig cells. The seminiferous tubules were permanently damaged by EDS in the present experiments. Tubular damage could have been due to a direct cytotoxic effect of multiple injections of EDS on the tubule before the blood-testis barrier develops or due to withdrawal of androgen support secondary to Leydig cell destruction.

Balloon rupture during coronary angioplasty

Out of a total of 1,500 percutaneous coronary angioplasties (PTCA), 55 (3.6%) were associated with balloon rupture. Lesion calcification was noticed in 7 of these 55 patients (12.7%). Balloon rupture occurred at a mean pressure of 10.7 atmospheres. All balloons were retrieved without difficulty. Intimal tears were noted in 18 (32.7%) cases. Three patients required bypass surgery. In 29 patients restudied angiographically, the restenosis rate was 38%. Balloon rupture during PTCA does not seem to be associated with detrimental consequences.

Serological response to syphilis treatment. A new analysis of old data

One important aspect of the posttreatment evaluation of patients with early syphilis is assessment of serological test results. Using information previously collected from 818 patients in the Early Syphilis Study, we evaluated the seroresponse of people treated for primary or secondary syphilis. We generated curves describing the VDRL titer declines with time. The VDRL titer declined approximately fourfold at three months and eightfold at six months. These observations will allow clinicians to identify treatment failures or reinfections at the earliest possible time during their follow-up.

Cefoxitin vs. penicillin in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea

Four hundred six men and women with gonorrhea were randomly assigned to receive either 2 g of cefoxitin or 4.8 X 10(6) units of aqueous procaine penicillin G intramuscularly. All patients also received 1 g of probenecid orally. There was no statistically significant difference in the failure rate between patients treated with penicillin (4.3%) and those treated with cefoxitin (5.1%). Twelve (92%) of 13 homosexual men with gonococcal proctitis who received penicillin and 19 (95%) of 20 who received cefoxitin were cured. Adverse reactions were infrequent and mild in the cefoxitin-treated group. Three patients who received penicillin developed reactions consistent with procaine toxicity. It is concluded that cefoxitin is a safe and effective alternative to penicillin for treating uncomplicated anogenital gonorrhea in men and women.

Improved radioassay for human antithyroglobulin

Human antithyroglobulin (anti-HTg) in serum and tissue cultures can be assayed by coprecipitation with 125I-labelled human thyroglobulin (HTg). Co-precipitation of the antibody from different sera gives roughly parallel curves, so that a standard serum can be used for quantitiation of other sera. By assessing the binding of 125I-labelled HTg in antigen excess we estimate the antibody content of the standard serum to be 0.14 ng anti-HTg per ml. Shortened incubation minimizes non-specific binding of HTg to serum globulins and obviates pre-assay absorption of HTg. Radioassay for thyroglobulin antibodies in serum correlated with values obtained by solid-phase competitive-binding assay (SPCB). One unit in our assay corresponds to 0.014 unit by the latter assay and to 0.12 units of MRC. Research Standard A. We confirm that serum thyroglobulin seriously interferes with SPCB assay, giving what appears to be positive results for anti-HTg where none is detected with our assay. Values for anti-HTg are depressed by serum HTg but only in the presence of very high concentrations in serum.

Hepatitis B in homosexual men: prevalence of infection and factors related to transmission

Of 3,816 homosexual men examined in five sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States, 6.1% had hepatitis B surface antigen, 52.4% had antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen, and 3.0% of the men who had no other indicator of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) had antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. The rate of seropositivity for HBV indicated by the presence of one or more of these serologic markers was 61.5%; seropositivity was significantly related to the duration of regular homosexual activity and to the number of nonsteady male sexual contacts in the four months before the patients were interviewed. Anal-genital intercourse, oral-anal intercourse, and rectal douching were significantly related to evidence of HBV infection, but oral-oral contact and oral-genital contact were not. Trauma to the rectal mucosa is a feature common to the practices that were significantly related to seropositivity for HBV.

Urethritis in women attending an STD clinic

Of an unselected group of 159 women attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic 20% (32) had symptoms of urethritis. A positive correlation existed between the finding of more than 10 polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) per high-power field in the Gram-stained urethral smear and the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. Conversely, these organisms were rarely isolated if no PMNL were present. Fewer cultures gave positive results for these organisms if micturition had occurred less than four hours before examination. C trachomatis was recovered from the urethra or endocervix in 29/150 (19 . 3%) and from the urethra alone in six women. In contrast, N gonorrhoea was never recovered from the urethra in the absence of endocervical infection. Of the 159 women 10% had bacteriuria due to non-sexually transmissible agents; 50% had asymptomatic bacteriuria. All, however, had other urethral pathogens isolated as well. Thus, sexually transmitted disease agents are highly prevalent in women attending an STD clinic who have signs and symptoms of urethritis. As in non-gonococcal urethritis in men, C trachomatis may be an important cause of urethritis in women.

Sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests for genital infection with herpesvirus hominis

Three smear techniques for diagnosis of Herpesvirus hominis infection were evaluated by study of 168 unselected patients with genital lesions attending a venereal disease clinic. A tissue culture and results of three smear techniques were obtained for each patient in random order. H. hominis was recovered from 101 patients (60%). All three smear tests (immunofluorescence, Papanicolaou, and crystal violet) were highly specific, but the sensitivity of each was smaller than or equal to 40% among patients who had ulcerative lesions. Because H. hominis is a common cause of genital lesions and the clinical manifestations of disease are highly variable, future research must identify accurate diagnostic aids that are suitable for clinic use.