Rapid identification of elaiophylin and geldanamycin in Streptomyces fermentation broths using CPC coupled with a photodiode array detector and LC-MS methodologies

During the course of screening microbial broth extracts in various high through-put bioassays (eg receptor binding or enzyme inhibition), several actinomycete cultures were discovered to produce active metabolites. The natural products elaiophylin and/or geldanamycin are produced by several Streptomyces violaceusniger strains, and the bioactivity of the extracts from these cultures was frequently associated with the fractions containing these metabolites. CPC coupled to a photodiode array detector and LC-MS techniques were applied to these broth extracts to ascertain rapidly when these natural products were present. These methodologies allowed us to identify the metabolites quickly in the crude extract, and the application demonstrated further the utility of CPC-photodiode array detection and LC-MS as powerful, initial analytical tools in analyses of the complex metabolite profiles produced by microorganisms.

2-Phenyl-4-(aminomethyl)imidazoles as potential antipsychotic agents. Synthesis and dopamine D2 receptor binding

A series of 2-phenyl-4-(aminomethyl)imidazoles were designed as conformationally restricted analogs of the dopamine D2 selective benzamide antipsychotics. The title compounds were synthesized and tested for blockade of [3H]YM-09151 binding in cloned African green monkey dopamine D2 receptor preparations. The binding affinity data thus obtained were compared against that of the benzamides and a previously described series of 2-phenyl-5-(aminomethyl)-pyrroles.

The haem b558 component of the cytochrome bd quinol oxidase complex from Escherichia coli has histidine-methionine axial ligation

The cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli is induced when the bacteria are cultured under microaerophilic or low-aeration conditions. This membrane-bound respiratory oxidase catalyses the two-electron oxidation of ubiquinol and the four-electron reduction of dioxygen to water. The oxidase contains three haem prosthetic groups: haem b558, haem b595 and haem d. Haem d is the oxygen binding site, and it is likely that haem d and b595 form a bimetallic site in the enzyme. Haem b558 has been previously characterized spectroscopically as being low spin and has been shown to be located within subunit I (CydA) of this two-subunit enzyme. It is likely that haem b558 is associated with the quinol oxidation site, which has also been shown to be within subunit I. In a previous effort to locate the specific amino acids axially ligated to haem b558, all six histidines within subunit I were altered by site-directed mutagenesis. Only one, histidine-186, was identified as a likely ligand to haem b558. Hence it was suggested that haem b558 could not have bis(histidine) ligation. In the current work, a combination of low-temperature near-infrared magnetic circular dichroism (NIR-MCD) and EPR spectroscopies have been employed to identify the nature of the haem b558 axial ligands. The NIR-MCD spectrum at cryogenic temperatures is dominated by the low-spin haem b558 component of the complex, and the low-energy band near 1800 nm is strong evidence for histidine-methionine ligation. It is concluded that haem b558 is ligated to histidine-186 plus one of the methionines located within subunit I of the oxidase.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in non-human primates: diffusion imaging of acute and chronic brain lesions

Diffusion imaging and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were performed on 16 monkeys with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of the human demyelinating disease MS. The purpose of this study was to determine whether local changes in diffusion image intensity could be correlated with the formation of acute and chronic demyelinating lesions. Diffusion image analysis was restricted to the internal capsule of the brain because of its anatomic orientation of fiber pathways. Acute inflammatory EAE lesions were large and monophasic, as visualized by T2-weighted MRI, and were accompanied by a decrease in the diffusion MR image signal with the diffusion-sensitizing gradient in all three orthogonal directions (n = 27 brain regions, P < 0.005). Chronic demyelinating lesions were preceded by multiple inflammatory attacks, as visualized by MRI, and by a decrease in diffusion MR image signal with the diffusion-sensitizing gradient in the two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the fibers of the internal capsule (n = 18 brain regions, P < 0.005). However, for the chronic group, there was no significant change in the diffusion MR image signal with diffusion-sensitizing gradient parallel to the fibers of the internal capsule at the terminal scan, suggesting little change in the water diffusion within the nerve fibers. These results suggest that diffusion imaging holds promise for measuring subtle changes in water diffusion due to different types of brain damage.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in non-human primates: MRI and MRS may predict the type of brain damage

Volume-localized proton spectroscopy and T2-weighted MRI were performed on 23 monkeys with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between temporal changes in lesion activity (measured on T2-weighted MRI), MRS [N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (CR), choline (CHO)], and the histologic definition of disease determined post-mortem. Animals were scanned in the same areas of the brain once a week before and after sensitization to myelin basic protein (BP). Histologic lesion types were predicted by a combination of preceding MRI and MRS measurements. Acutely fatal EAE lesions were large and monophasic as visualized by MRI, and increased CHO (p < 0.02, n = 16) and CHO/CR ratio (p < 0.001, n = 16) were detected by MRS at disease onset. Chronic EAE lesions were preceded by multiple inflammatory attacks as visualized by MRI and consistently low levels of NAA (p < 0.02, n = 13) and NAA/CR (p < 0.01, n = 13) which occurred after the initial attack. MRI negative brain regions (from animals that were sensitized to BP) were associated with low CHO/CR (p < 0.1, n = 5). The temporal correlation of MRI lesion activity and absolute MRS proton metabolites shows promise for predicting the subsequent duration and histologic type of lesions in EAE in non-human primates.

Drugs and aggression: correlations, crime and human manipulative studies and some proposed mechanisms

Violence and drugs seem to mix readily. In this paper, relevant correlational studies are briefly reviewed and methodological issues are discussed. With a focus on alcohol, facts pointing to some type of causal relationship are presented both from crime and laboratory manipulative studies. Dose and rate-dependent anxiolytic, psychomotor stimulant and alteration in inhibitory and problem-solving cognitive functions are each in turn seen as precipatory to aggression. Drugs other than alcohol which interact with these systems are also discussed.

Measurement of the spin concentration of metalloprotein samples from saturation-magnetization data with particular reference to cytochrome c oxidase

A protocol for obtaining high-quality saturation-magnetization data from metalloprotein samples, employing a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, has previously been reported [E. P. Day, T. A. Kent, P. A. Lindahl, E. Münck, W. H. Orme-Johnson, H. Roder and A. Roy (1987) Biophys. J. 52, 837-853 and E. P. Day (1993) Methods Enzymol. 227, 437-463]. Following studies of several dozen different metalloprotein derivatives, the methodology has been further refined, particularly in the area of sample preparation. The details of the sample-handling procedures now in use are described, and moreover, the critical issue of verifying that contamination by paramagnetic impurities remains insignificant is considered. Importantly, it is shown that an independent determination of the quantity of paramagnetic sample present in the magnetometer is undesirable. Much more reliable parameters concerning the ground-state magnetic properties of the system under study are obtained if enough saturation-magnetization data are collected to enable the spin concentration to be determined during the subsequent fitting procedure. As proof of the validity of this method, the results of magnetization studies on ferricytochrome c, ferrocytochrome c and the benzohydroxamic acid adduct of horseradish peroxidase are presented. The ability of saturation-magnetization measurements to routinely determine spin concentration to within +/- 4% of accepted values is firmly established. In addition, a saturation-magnetization study has been performed on resting and fully reduced derivatives of cytochrome c oxidase. These results provide an illustration of the usefulness of the technique in probing some systems which have proved difficult to study by other methods. The increased difficulties inherent in obtaining meaningful data from these cytochrome c oxidase and other integer spin systems are delineated.

The use of near-infrared charge-transfer transitions of low-spin ferric chlorins in axial ligand assignment

The near-infrared magnetic circular dichroism spectra of some low-spin derivatives of ferric-octaethylchlorin substituted myoglobin have been recorded at cryogenic temperatures. The spectra, which include some of the lowest energy charge-transfer transitions ever observed for hemes, are clearly dependent upon the nature of the axial ligands present. While the results indicate that such spectra may have some practical utility in axial ligand assignment, as is now quite common practice for iron-porphyrin systems, there are some severe practical limitations to this protocol documented in the case of iron-chlorins.

Long-term prognosis after peri-operative cardiac complications

The objective was to document the 5 year prognosis of patients who had cardiac complications after non-cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

5-year follow-up of 218 patients originally enrolled in a prospective study to identify risks factors for peri-operative complications.

SETTING

an academic medical center. Participants were hypertensives and diabetics who underwent elective surgery between 1982 and 1985. In the original study, patients were evaluated pre-operatively, monitored intra-operatively by an independent observer, and followed daily for 7 days post-operatively according to a standard surveillance protocol. Outcomes were judged by assessors blinded to the pre-operative status and intra-operative course. Patients were interviewed at 3 and 5 years post-operatively. Patients with post-operative cardiac complications had significantly higher rates of overall mortality, mortality attributable to cardiac causes (MI, CHF, arrest), and mortality attributable to other cardiovascular causes (stroke, renal failure) than patients without cardiac complications. For example, at 5 years 11% of those patients without post-operative cardiac complications had cardiac deaths, in contrast to 45% of those patients with post-operative cardiac complications. Proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that post-operative cardiac complications remained a significant predictor of cardiac (p < 0.001) and cardiovascular (p < 0.0001) mortality controlling for pre-operative cardiac disease, other non-cardiovascular comorbid diseases, age, sex, diabetes, and pre-operative renal insufficiency or stroke. Similarly, patients with post-operative non-fatal cardiac complications had higher rates of cardiac or cardiovascular events during the 5 year follow-up period. We conclude that post-operative cardiac complications have a significant adverse long-term prognostic impact comparable to the prognostic impact of myocardial infarction, ischemia or congestive failure in the non-operative setting. Understanding these events could be an important factor in identifying patients at high risk for subsequent peri-operative complications.

Interactions between the bud emergence proteins Bem1p and Bem2p and Rho-type GTPases in yeast

The SH3 domain-containing protein Bem1p is needed for normal bud emergence and mating projection formation, two processes that require asymmetric reorganizations of the cortical cytoskeleton in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To identify proteins that functionally and/or physically interact with Bem1p, we screened for mutations that display synthetic lethality with a mutant allele of the BEM1 gene and for genes whose products display two-hybrid interactions with the Bem1 protein. CDC24, which is required for bud emergence and encodes a GEF (guanine-nucleotide exchange factor) for the essential Rho-type GTPase Cdc42p, was identified during both screens. The COOH-terminal 75 amino acids of Cdc24p, outside of the GEF domain, can interact with a portion of Bem1p that lacks both SH3 domains. Bacterially expressed Cdc24p and Bem1p bind to each other in vitro, indicating that no other yeast proteins are required for this interaction. The most frequently identified gene that arose from the bem1 synthetic-lethal screen was the bud-emergence gene BEM2 (Bender and Pringle. 1991. Mol. Cell Biol. 11:1295-1395), which is allelic with IPL2 (increase in ploidy; Chan and Botstein, 1993. Genetics. 135:677-691). Here we show that Bem2p contains a GAP (GTPase-activating protein) domain for Rho-type GTPases, and that this portion of Bem2p can stimulate in vitro the GTPase activity of Rho1p, a second essential yeast Rho-type GTPase. Cells deleted for BEM2 become large and multinucleate. These and other genetic, two-hybrid, biochemical, and phenotypic data suggest that multiple Rho-type GTPases control the reorganization of the cortical cytoskeleton in yeast and that the functions of these GTPases are tightly coupled. Also, these findings raise the possibility that Bem1p may regulate or be a target of action of one or more of these GTPases.

Identification of the axial heme ligands of cytochrome b556 in succinate: ubiquinone oxidoreductase from Escherichia coli

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and near-infrared magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) have been used to identify the ligands to the cytochrome b556 component of succinate: ubiquinone oxidoreductase (succinate dehydrogenase) from Escherichia coli. The 'highly axial low spin' (HALS) EPR spectrum suggests bis(histidine) ligation of the heme with the histidines in a staggered configuration. The near-infrared MCD spectrum exhibits a low energy maximum at 1600 nm which is also clearly indicative of bis(histidine) ligation of the heme iron. The data unambiguously demonstrate that the heme b556 is ligated to E. coli succinate dehydrogenase via two histidines.

Age-sensitive T cell phenotypes covary in genetically heterogeneous mice and predict early death from lymphoma

We have assessed several age-sensitive indicators of immune status in young (i.e., 6 to 11-month-old) mice of a genetically heterogeneous population to see if these varied in parallel and to determine if one or more of the status indices predicted life span or cancer incidence. We report that the number of memory (i.e., CD44hi) T cells within the CD8 subset is correlated with number of memory cells in the CD4 population, and inversely correlated with the number of naive (i.e., CD45RBhi) CD4 cells at both 6 and 11 months of age, suggesting that the conversion of naive to memory cells may occur at similar rates in both T cell subsets. Mice that ranked high in the proportion of memory T cells (within the CD4 and CD8 pools) at 6 months of age tended to retain their ranking at 11 months, suggesting that the pace or extent of memory cell formation may be a consistent trait that distinguishes mice at least within a genetically heterogeneous population. Mice that at 6 months of age exhibited high levels of CD4 or CD8 memory T cells, low levels of naive CD4 cells, or low levels of T cells able to proliferate in response to Con A and IL-2 were found to be significantly more likely than their littermates to die within the first 18 months of life. Cases of follicular cell lymphoma, lymphocytic and lymphoblastic lymphoma, and hepatic hemangiosarcoma were seen within the group of mice dying at early ages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Validation of a combined comorbidity index

The basic objective of this paper is to evaluate an age-comorbidity index in a cohort of patients who were originally enrolled in a prospective study to identify risk factors for peri-operative complications. Two-hundred and twenty-six patients were enrolled in the study. The participants were patients with hypertension or diabetes who underwent elective surgery between 1982 and 1985 and who survived to discharge. Two-hundred and eighteen patients survived until discharge. These patients were followed for at least five years post-operatively. The estimated relative risk of death for each comorbidity rank was 1.4 and for each decade of age was 1.4. When age and comorbidity were modelled as a combined age-comorbidity score, the estimated relative risk for each combined age-comorbidity unit was 1.45. Thus, the estimated relative risk of death from an increase of one in the comorbidity score proved approximately equal to that from an additional decade of age. The combined age-comorbidity score may be useful in some longitudinal studies to estimate relative risk of death from prognostic clinical covariates.

HIV and tuberculosis infection in San Francisco's homeless adults. Prevalence and risk factors in a representative sample

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) infection and investigate the relationship between these two infections in homeless adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Inner-city shelters and free meal programs.

PARTICIPANTS

A representative sample of 1226 adults (> or = 18 years) were enrolled from community sites.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Serum HIV-1 antibody status and tuberculin skin test reactivity.

RESULTS

Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence was 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.0% to 10.1%) and the prevalence of TB infection was 32% (95% CI, 30% to 37%). Nineteen percent of the HIV-seropositive subjects had positive tuberculin skin tests. Independent risk factors for HIV infection included younger age, black race, male homosexual contact, injection drug use, use of injection drugs in shooting galleries, and selling sex. Tuberculosis infection was associated with the duration of homelessness and living in crowded shelters or single-room-occupancy hotels. Injection drug use, a risk factor for HIV, was also a risk factor for TB, with a particularly strong association in women. No evidence of an association between TB and HIV infection was found, even after accounting for anergy.

CONCLUSIONS

The homeless population in the United States should be considered a group at high risk for HIV infection and TB. Given the constellation of risk factors present, the high prevalence of infection, and lack of access to medical services, we anticipate that these communicable diseases in this population will represent a growing public health problem.

Transgenic hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat

Although transgenic hepatocarcinogenesis has been accomplished in the mouse with a number of genetic constructs targeting the oncogene to expression primarily in the liver, no example of this process has yet been developed in the rat. Because our understanding of the multistage nature of hepatocarcinogenesis is most advanced in the rat, we have developed a strain of transgenic rats carrying the promoter-enhancer sequences of the mouse albumin gene linked 5' to the simian virus-40 T antigen gene. A line of transgenic rats bearing this transgene has been developed from a single founder female. Five to six copies of the transgene, possibly in tandem, occur within the genome of the transgenic animals, which are maintained by heterozygous matings. Livers of transgenic animals are histologically normal after weaning; at 2 months of age, small foci of vacuolated cells appear in this organ. By 4 months of age, all animals exhibit focal lesions and nodules consisting primarily of small basophilic cells, many of which exhibit considerable cytoplasmic vacuolization. Mating of animals each bearing the transgene results in rats with a demyelinating condition that develops acutely in pregnant females and more chronically in males. Ultrastructural studies of these cells indicate that the vacuoles contain substantial amounts of glycogen, with the cells resembling hepatoblasts. Malignant neoplasms with both a glandular and a hepatoblastoma/hepatocellular carcinoma pattern arise from the nodules. Enzyme and immunohistochemical studies of all lesions reveal many similarities in gene expression to comparable lesions in rats subjected to chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis, with certain exceptions. The placental form of glutathione-S-transferase is absent from all lesions in the transgenic animal, as is the expression of connexin 32. A significant number of lesions express serum albumin, and many, but not all, exhibit the T antigen. Lesions expressing the T antigen also contain stainable amounts of the p53 gene product; by contrast, normal hepatocytes express only very low levels of the T antigen within their nuclei and no demonstrable p53. All of the animals develop hepatic lesions, and approximately one-third also develop adenomas and carcinomas derived from the islet cells of the pancreas. Although there are differences in the morphology, biology, and genetic expression in early and late hepatic lesions in this strain of transgenic rat, many similarities also occur, making this a potential model system with which to study the interactions of environmental factors with a genetic program for hepatocarcinogenesis.

The "hustle": socioeconomic deprivation, urban drug trafficking, and low-income, African-American male gender identity

OBJECTIVE

Drug trafficking seems to be both prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality among inner-city African-American males. Survey data has indicated the possible importance of economic need in the rapid emergence of drug trafficking in this population. In the present study, an historical-cultural approach is used to examine this economic relationship further and to explore the role that drug trafficking plays in a society that has permitted its successful and rapid growth.

METHODOLOGY

Data were obtained from interviews of approximately 600 African-Americans residing in inner-city neighborhoods in Washington, DC and Baltimore during nine drug- and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related studies conducted over 4 years.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

From the perspective of the study participants, the need to provide economic support for one's family as well as to achieve some sense of status, respect, and reputation among one's peers are two core constructs of masculine identity in the United States. The historical and worsening inequities in access to economic resources and power by African-American males are viewed as significantly reducing the opportunity for economic success through more social or legal enterprises. Pursuit of nonmainstream activities (such as drug trafficking) is perceived as offering an opportunity for economic advancement and for establishing a power base for individuals who have been denied access to mainstream opportunities.

Native oligomeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein elicits diverse monoclonal antibody reactivities

We synthesized and purified a recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) glycoprotein, lacking the gp120/gp41 cleavage site as well as the transmembrane domain, that is secreted principally as a stable oligomer. Mice were immunized with separated monomeric and oligomeric HIV-1 Env glycoproteins to analyze the repertoire of antibody responses to the tertiary and quaternary structure of the protein. Hybridomas were generated and assayed for reactivity by immunoprecipitation of nondenatured Env protein. A total of 138 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated and cloned, 123 of which were derived from seven animals immunized with oligomeric Env. Within this group, a significant response was obtained against the gp41 ectodomain; 49 MAbs recognized epitopes in gp41, 82% of which were conformational. The influence of conformation on gp120 antigenicity was less pronounced, with 40% of the anti-gp120 MAbs binding to conformational epitopes, many of which blocked CD4 binding. Surprisingly, less than 7% of the MAbs derived from mice immunized with oligomeric Env recognized the V3 loop. In addition, MAbs to linear epitopes in the C-terminal domain of gp120 were not obtained, suggesting that this region of the protein may be partially masked in the oligomeric molecule. A total of 15 MAbs were obtained from two mice immunized with monomeric Env. Nearly half of these recognized the V3 loop, suggesting that this region may be a less predominant epitope in the context of oligomeric Env than in monomeric protein. Thus, immunization with oligomeric Env generates a large proportion of antibodies to conformational epitopes in both gp120 and gp41, many of which may be absent from monomeric Env.

Identification of axial ligands of cytochrome c552 from Nitrosomonas europaea

Cytochrome c552 from Nitrosomonas europaea was analyzed by visible, EPR and MCD spectroscopies. The visible and MCD data show that histidine and methionine are the axial ligands to the heme iron of the ferric protein. The EPR spectrum of the cytochrome shows an atypical highly axial low spin (HALS) type signal with g-values that make it difficult to identify the axial ligands. These results reinforce the value of near-infrared MCD spectroscopy for assigning ligands in ferric heme systems and point out the difficulties in using only EPR spectroscopy for the same purpose. The description of another c-cytochrome exhibiting a HALS-type EPR signal will eventually be helpful in explaining the physical basis for this unusual signal.

Ventricular fibrillation induced by low-energy shocks from programmable implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with coronary artery disease

Many of the newest implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) provide the option of programmable low-energy cardioversion for monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Whereas these devices may provide less myocardial damage and increased comfort in patients receiving frequent shocks for VT, the proarrhythmic effects of low-energy cardioversion from ICDs in patients with structural heart disease are not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine prospectively the per-patient incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) induction after low-energy cardioversion of VT by ICDs in patients with coronary artery disease. The estimated cardioversion energy requirement was determined during the course of routine predischarge ICD testing in 40 patients with newly implanted ICDs. Two groups of patients were identified during determination of the cardioversion energy requirement: (1) a non-VF group consisting of 26 of 40 patients (65%) without VF induced by low-energy shock and, (2) a VF group consisting of 14 of 40 patients (35%) who developed VF during low-energy cardioversion. There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of patient age, sex, concurrent antiarrhythmic drug therapy, VT cycle length, or type of ICD system implanted. Compared with the non-VF group, the VF group was more likely to have both a lower ejection fraction (25 +/- 5% vs 33 +/- 8%; p = 0.005) and a cardioversion energy requirement > 2 J (79 vs 27%; p = 0.005). Our results suggest that low-energy cardioversion is associated with a high per-patient risk of VF induction, and the risk is higher in patients with poorer left ventricular function and, possibly, higher cardioversion energy requirement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Correlates of condom use among black, Hispanic, and white heterosexuals in San Francisco: the AMEN longitudinal survey. AIDS in Multi-Ethnic Neighborhoods survey

We examined correlates of condom use among heterosexual whites, blacks, and Hispanics (ages 20-45 years) with an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk factor in a community-based longitudinal sample (San Francisco; n = 716). Lag models were used to examine hypothesized antecedents of condom use at wave 2. High levels of condom use were associated with labeling one's sexual behavior as risky for HIV infection, high levels of condom enjoyment and commitment to use condoms, good sexual communication practices, gender (trend), and marital status. The results support the need for wide-ranging intervention programs that stimulate people to make personal risk assessments, teach basic sexual skills, and direct those in need of intensive help to appropriate agencies.