Effects of polyanions and polycations on the trehalose phosphate synthetase of Mycobacterium smegmatis

The molecular biology of mycobacterial trehalose in the quest for advanced tuberculosis therapies

Trehalose is a natural glucose disaccharide identified in the 19th century in fungi and insect cocoons, and later across the three domains of life. In members of the genus Mycobacterium, which includes the tuberculosis (TB) pathogen and over 160 species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), many of which are opportunistic pathogens, trehalose has been an important focus of research over the last 60 years. It is a crucial player in the assembly and architecture of the remarkable mycobacterial cell envelope as an element of unique highly antigenic glycolipids, namely trehalose dimycolate ('cord factor'). Free trehalose has been detected in the mycobacterial cytoplasm and occasionally in oligosaccharides with unknown function. TB and NTM infection statistics and death toll, the decline in immune responses in the aging population, human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS or other debilitating conditions, and the proliferation of strains with different levels of resistance to the dated drugs in use, all merge into a serious public-health threat urging more effective vaccines, efficient diagnostic tools and new drugs. This review deals with the latest findings on mycobacterial trehalose biosynthesis, catabolism, processing and recycling, as well with the ongoing quest for novel trehalose-related mechanisms to be targeted by novel TB therapeutics. In this context, the drug-discovery pipeline has recently included new lead compounds directed toward trehalose-related targets highlighting the potential of these pathways to stem the tide of rising drug resistance.

Binding of [3H]heparin to human plasma low density lipoprotein

Computed tomography (CT) has made a profound impact on the diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastomas and ganglioneuromas. The size, location, calcification, composition, and contiguous spread of the tumors has been well demonstrated by CT. CT is essential for their staging, subsequent treatment, and follow-up. Seventy-seven children were reviewed, 67 with neuroblastoma and 10 with ganglioneuroma seen between 1976 and 1980. Fifty-eight had one or more body CT scans, 22 had metrizamide myelography and/or CT metrizamide myelography, and three patients had cranial CT. Intraspinal extension of tumor occurred in 11 instances, several requiring decompressive surgery. A workup plan for optimal use of CT and CT metrizamide myelography was developed from this experience.