Integrated biological system for remediation and valorization of tannery wastewater: Focus on microbial communities responsible for methanogenesis and sulfidogenesis

Microbial communities in hybrid linear flow channel reactors and anaerobic sequencing batch reactors operated in series for remediation and beneficiation of tannery wastewater were assessed. Despite concurrent sulfidogenesis, more intensive pre-treatment in hybrid linear flow channel reactors reduced methanogenic inhibition usually associated with anaerobic digestion of tannery effluent and promoted efficiency (max 321 mLCH4/gCODconsumed, 59% biogas CH4). Nitrification and biological sulfate reduction were key metabolic pathways involved in overall and sulfate reducing bacterial community selection, respectively, during pre-treatment. Taxonomic selection could be explained by the proteinaceous and saline character of tannery effluent, with dominant genera being protein and/or amino acid degrading, halotolerant and/or ammonia tolerant. Complete oxidizers dominated the sulfidogenic populations during pre-treatment, while aceticlastic genera dominated the methanogenic populations during anaerobic digestion. With more intensive pre-treatment, the system shows promise for remediation and recovery of biogas and sulfur from tannery wastewater in support of a bio-circular economy.

Depressive symptom screening and endorsement of psychosis risk-related experiences in a diverse adolescent and young adult outpatient clinic in the US

BACKGROUND

Early identification and intervention is a gold standard for psychotic disorders, for which delays in care can have serious consequences. Screening for psychosis in primary care may circumvent barriers related to stigma and facilitate shorter pathways to care. Yet, there is debate regarding the benefit-risk balance for psychosis screening in general adolescent populations.

METHODS

Primary care patients of an adolescent/young adult medical clinic in the US ages 14-21 self-administered surveys assessing age, sex, receipt of psychotherapy, and occurrence, frequency (1-5), and distress (0-3) for 23 psychosis risk (PR) symptoms, including 6 general/nonspecific items and 17 psychosis-specific items. Participants also completed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); scores of ≥10 suggested clinically significant depressive symptoms. Analyses characterized PR symptoms and examined associations of PR symptom distress with current therapy and depressive symptom severity.

RESULTS

Of 212 patients who completed the survey, 75% endorsed ≥1 PR symptom and 27% rated ≥3 on distress for psychosis-specific items. Those with high PHQ-9 scores reported higher PR distress overall (t = -6.1, df = 52.3, p < 0.001) but not on psychosis-specific items such as hallucinations and suspiciousness. One in 9 participants reported heightened PR distress without being in therapy or having high depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Most adolescents in this primary care sample endorsed symptoms associated with PR. Distress related to these symptoms was less common but occurred even in the absence of depressive symptoms. PR screening only in youth with high depressive symptom screens or in mental health care may miss youth needing further assessment for psychosis.

A Rare Case of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of Larynx

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are highly aggressive tumors and they arise either de novo or from preexisting benign schwannoma or neurofibromatosis. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the larynx is an extremely rare neoplasm, for which accurate diagnosis is difficult and the therapy is usually delayed. Although wide surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment, radiation therapy also plays an important role in the control and treatment of locally recurrent disease and non resectable cases. Here we are reporting a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the larynx without definite evidences of von Recklinghausen's disease or preexisting benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Changes in community providers' screening behaviours, referral practices, and clinical confidence following participation in an early psychosis educational campaign

AIM

Successful delivery of care to individuals with early psychosis depends on the ability of community providers to identify and refer appropriate candidates for services. Although specialty centres commonly rely upon education and outreach campaigns to building bridges with community providers, few studies have examined the effectiveness of these campaigns or the mechanisms by which they may achieve their intended effects.

METHODS

We surveyed community clinicians (N = 39) about their screening behaviours, referral practices, and confidence in managing early psychosis just before and 3-6 months after attending an educational event designed to promote recognition and quality treatment of early psychosis.

RESULTS

Three to six months following attendance, providers reported screening a greater proportion of clients for early psychosis, referring a greater number of clients to specialty services, and feeling more confident in their ability to respond to clients with early psychosis. Increases in confidence following attendance were associated with corresponding increases in screening behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that outreach campaigns designed to enhance community providers' knowledge about early psychosis assessment and resources may be effective in promoting screening, referrals, and confidence in managing psychosis. Gains in provider confidence may contribute to increases in screening. Given the lack of control group and relatively short follow-up period, more research is needed to determine the effects of early psychosis educational events and the mechanisms by which they may promote successful treatment delivery for young people in need.

FUM gene expression and variation in fumonisin production of clonal isolates of Fusarium verticillioides MRC 826

B-series fumonisins (FBs) are a family of carcinogenic mycotoxins that commonly occur in maize. These mycotoxins cause multiple diseases in animals and are epidemiologically associated with several human diseases in populations for which maize is a dietary staple. FBs are produced by multiple genera of the fungi Aspergillus, Fusarium and Tolypocladium, but the plant pathogen Fusarium verticillioides is considered the primary cause of FB contamination in maize. One F. verticillioides strain, MRC 826, is reported to produce high levels of FBs. However, in the current study, 18 isolates derived from strain MRC 826 exhibited highly variable levels of FB, which negatively correlated (r=-0.333; P<0.008) with fungal growth. Microsatellite analysis confirmed that all MRC 826 derived isolates examined were clonal, and 100% DNA sequence identity was observed across the FUM gene clusters of two high FB producing and two low FB producing isolates. At the gene expression level, qRT-PCR at each time point (7, 14, 21 and 28 days of incubation) showed differential upregulation of selected FUM genes in the high compared to the low FB isolates. Variation in FB production appears due to differences in FUM gene expression, most likely caused by sequence differences at unexamined loci not part of the FUM cluster or from epigenetic influences. Clarification of the genetic/epigenetic basis for quantitative differences in fumonisin production among strains and isolates of F. verticillioides has potential to reveal targets for reducing FB contamination in maize.

Intrapulmonary ectopic liver associated with scimitar syndrome

We report a case of intrapulmonary ectopic liver associated with Scimitar syndrome. A two month old male child who presented with features of congestive cardiac failure underwent extensive cardiac and radiological investigations and was diagnosed with Scimitar syndrome. He was also found to have a mass in the lower lobe of the right lung, the possibilities being either a pulmonary sequestration or a diaphragmatic hernia. As his dyspnea progressively worsened, a right lower lobectomy was performed at the age of two years. Intraoperatively, no connecting pedicle or hernia sac was seen. The resected lung specimen showed a light brown mass enclosed by the lung parenchyma and microscopy showed cords of normal hepatocytes with portal tracts. The hepatocytes were positive for Hep Par1, and bile ducts were CK 7 positive. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an intrapulmonary ectopic liver associated with Scimitar syndrome.

X-ray transport and radiation response assessment (XTRRA) experiments at the National Ignition Facility

Our team has developed an experimental platform to evaluate the x-ray-generated stress and impulse in materials. Experimental activities include x-ray source development, design of the sample mounting hardware and sensors interfaced to the National Ignition Facility's diagnostics insertion system, and system integration into the facility. This paper focuses on the X-ray Transport and Radiation Response Assessment (XTRRA) test cassettes built for these experiments. The test cassette is designed to position six samples at three predetermined distances from the source, each known to within ±1% accuracy. Built-in calorimeters give in situ measurements of the x-ray environment along the sample lines of sight. The measured accuracy of sample responses as well as planned modifications to the XTRRA cassette is discussed.

Synergistic antileukemic effects between ABT-869 and chemotherapy involve downregulation of cell cycle-regulated genes and c-Mos-mediated MAPK pathway

Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and represent an attractive therapeutic target. ABT-869 has demonstrated potent effects in AML cells with FLT3-ITDs. Here, we provide further evidence that ABT-869 treatment significantly downregulates cyclins D and E but increases the expression of p21 and p27. ABT-869 induces apoptosis through downregulation of Bcl-xL and upregulation of BAK, BID and BAD. We also evaluate the combinations of ABT-869 and chemotherapy. ABT-869 demonstrates significant sequence-dependent synergism with cytarabine and doxorubicin in cell lines and primary leukemia samples. The optimal combination was validated in MV4-11 xenografts. Low-density array analysis revealed the synergistic interaction involved in downregulation of cell cycle and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway genes. CCND1 and c-Mos were the most significantly inhibited targets on both transcriptional and translational levels. Treatment with short hairpin RNAs targeting either CCND1 or c-Mos further sensitized MV4-11 cells to ABT-869. These findings suggest that specific pathway genes were further targeted by adding chemotherapy and support the rationale of combination therapy. Thus, a clinical trial using sequence-dependent combination therapy with ABT-869 in AML is warranted.

ABT-869, a novel multi-target receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (RTKI), combined with chemotherapy is synergistic in the therapy of acute myeloid leukemia cells with FLT3-ITD mutation (FLT3-AML)

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Background: Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor are identified in 20–25% of adult AML patients associated with poor prognosis. ABT-869 is active in FLT3-AML and is currently under clinical investigaton. We hypothesize that the combination of ABT-869 with chemotherapy can improve the therapeutic index in FLT3-AML. Methods: Using Calcusyn software, the additive, synergistic or antagonistic effect of ABT-869 with concurrent or sequential cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) or doxorubicin (Dox) was measured in MV4–11 and MOLM-14 cells. The synergistic combination sequence was further tested in a MV4–11 xenograft model in four groups (10 mice/group) including control, Ara-C, ABT-869, and combination (Ara-C first for 4 days, then daily ABT-869). Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis and signal pathway assays were performed in vitro and in vivo. Results: ABT-869 induced dose- and time-dependent apoptosis on FLT3-AML cells resulting in down regulation of p-FLT3, p-STAT5, Bcl-XL and up regulation of p53 and BID. ABT-869 caused G1-phase arrest and the removal of cells in the S- and G2/M-phase mediated by reduction of cyclins D and E. We observed significant synergistic effect with Ara-C or Dox first, followed by ABT-869, as well as in concurrent treatment with ABT-869 and Dox. Simultaneous treatment with ABT-869 and Ara-C only achieved additive effect. Conversely, we found an antagonistic effect in the sequence of pretreatment of ABT-869 followed by chemotherapy. In a MV4–11 xenograft model, all mice succumbed to leukemia in the control and Ara-C groups (median survival = 53 and 55.5 days respectively). Combination therapy gave a faster reduction of tumor volume compared to ABT-869 treatment alone (p=0.03) without recurrence of leukemia in either group by day 67. In vivo immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis revealed ABT-869 potently inhibited VEGF and phosphor-ERK. Conclusions: ABT-869 can be given after Ara-C or Dox to act synergistically. Our study suggests that combinations of RTKIs with chemotherapy should be carefully tested prior to clinical protocol development. A clinical trial of such combination therapy in FLT3-AML is warranted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Effect of increased yeast alcohol acetyltransferase activity on flavor profiles of wine and distillates

The distinctive flavor of wine, brandy, and other grape-derived alcoholic beverages is affected by many compounds, including esters produced during alcoholic fermentation. The characteristic fruity odors of the fermentation bouquet are primarily due to a mixture of hexyl acetate, ethyl caproate (apple-like aroma), iso-amyl acetate (banana-like aroma), ethyl caprylate (apple-like aroma), and 2-phenylethyl acetate (fruity, flowery flavor with a honey note). The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of improving the aroma of wine and distillates by overexpressing one of the endogenous yeast genes that controls acetate ester production during fermentation. The synthesis of acetate esters by the wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fermentation is ascribed to at least three acetyltransferase activities, namely, alcohol acetyltransferase (AAT), ethanol acetyltransferase, and iso-amyl AAT. To investigate the effect of increased AAT activity on the sensory quality of Chenin blanc wines and distillates from Colombar base wines, we have overexpressed the alcohol acetyltransferase gene (ATF1) of S. cerevisiae. The ATF1 gene, located on chromosome XV, was cloned from a widely used commercial wine yeast strain of S. cerevisiae, VIN13, and placed under the control of the constitutive yeast phosphoglycerate kinase gene (PGK1) promoter and terminator. Chromoblot analysis confirmed the integration of the modified copy of ATF1 into the genome of three commercial wine yeast strains (VIN7, VIN13, and WE228). Northern blot analysis indicated constitutive expression of ATF1 at high levels in these yeast transformants. The levels of ethyl acetate, iso-amyl acetate, and 2-phenylethyl acetate increased 3- to 10-fold, 3.8- to 12-fold, and 2- to 10-fold, respectively, depending on the fermentation temperature, cultivar, and yeast strain used. The concentrations of ethyl caprate, ethyl caprylate, and hexyl acetate only showed minor changes, whereas the acetic acid concentration decreased by more than half. These changes in the wine and distillate composition had a pronounced effect on the solvent or chemical aroma (associated with ethyl acetate and iso-amyl acetate) and the herbaceous and heads-associated aromas of the final distillate and the solvent or chemical and fruity or flowery characters of the Chenin blanc wines. This study establishes the concept that the overexpression of acetyltransferase genes such as ATF1 could profoundly affect the flavor profiles of wines and distillates deficient in aroma, thereby paving the way for the production of products maintaining a fruitier character for longer periods after bottling.

The PIM-1 serine kinase prolongs survival and inhibits apoptosis-related mitochondrial dysfunction in part through a bcl-2-dependent pathway

We have examined potential mechanisms by which the Pim-1 kinase acts as a hematopoietic cell survival factor. Enforced expression of the wild type 33 kd (FD/hpim33) and 44 kd (FD/mpim44) Pim-1 proteins in murine factor-dependent FDCP1 cells prolonged survival after withdrawal of IL-3, while expression of a dominant negative Pim-1 protein (FD/pimNT81) shortened survival. Following removal of IL-3 FDCP1 cells exhibited loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species, as determined by flow cytometry analysis. The wild type Pim-1 proteins decreased these changes while the dominant negative protein enhanced mitochondrial dysfunction. The antiapoptotic activity of the kinases could not be attributed to modulation of glutathione, catalase, or superoxide dismutase activities. Both the FD/hpim33 and FD/mpim44 cells maintained expression of bcl-2 mRNA following cytokine removal, while a substantial decrease was seen in FD/neo cells. To modulate Bcl-2 protein levels, a bcl-2 antisense RNA construct was coexpressed with the wild type pim-1 cDNAs. FD/hpim33 cells with low cellular Bcl-2 protein levels had shortened cytokine-independent survival compared with FD/hpim33 clones with high Bcl-2 expression. However survival of FD/mpim44 cells after IL-3 withdrawal was substantially independent of cellular Bcl-2 protein levels. The 33 kd protein delayed, and the 44 kd protein completely prevented enhanced cell death associated with enforced expression of human Bax protein however. Our results suggest that the 33 kd Pim-1 kinase may enhance cell survival through cooperation with and regulation of bcl-2. In addition the 44 kd kinase may regulate the expression or activity of other pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the bcl-2 family.

Diphtheria toxin fused to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is toxic to blasts from patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

We have previously demonstrated that human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin (DT388-GM-CSF) is toxic to patient acute myeloid leukemia progenitors bearing the GM-CSF receptor, but not normal marrow progenitors. We now report that exposure of mononuclear cells from five of seven (71%) juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) patients and from 12 of 20 (60%) adult chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) patients to 10(-9) mol/L DT388-GM-CSF for 48 hours in culture reduces the number of cells capable of forming colonies in semisolid medium (colony-forming units-leukemia) 10-fold to 300-fold (1 to 2.5 log decrease). In contrast, normal myeloid progenitors (colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage) from six different donors treated and assayed under identical conditions were consistently insensitive to the same fusion toxin even when treated as highly purified CD34(+) cells. The leukemic progenitors from the two other JMML patients showed intermediate sensitivity to DT388-GM-CSF and the leukemic progenitors from eight of the 20 (40%) CMML patients were not different from normal progenitors. Parallel measurements of the number and affinity of GM-CSF receptors on cells from the same samples showed no consistent differences between JMML, CMML, and normal light density or CD34(+) bone marrow cells. The increased sensitivity of leukemic progenitors from all JMML progenitors and some CMML patients to the fusion toxin is therefore not likely to be explained by an increased density of GM-CSF receptors on these cells. We also examined the DT388-GM-CSF sensitivity of two murine cell lines transfected with cDNAs encoding varying portions of the human GM-CSF receptor and/or beta chains. These studies showed that high-affinity ligand binding was sufficient for DT388-GM-CSF-induced toxicity, as this could occur even in the absence of functional signal transduction and that the background of the host cell had a major influence on the degree to which this decreased the toxicity of DT388-GM-CSF. The selective sensitivity to DT388-GM-CSF of leukemic progenitors from a majority of JMML and CMML patients suggests that this agent could have therapeutic potential for some patients with these diseases.

Enforced expression of the Mr 33,000 Pim-1 kinase enhances factor-independent survival and inhibits apoptosis in murine myeloid cells

Expression of the Mr 33,000 human Pim-1 protein is induced in hematopoietic cells by a variety of growth factors and cytokines. We have introduced the human pim-1 cDNA via retroviral transduction into interleukin (IL)-3-dependent FDC-P1 cells and examined the resulting phenotype. Compared with cells infected with a neo-encoding retrovirus (FD/neo), cells infected with a pim-1-transducing virus (FD/hpim) showed longer survival or autonomous growth in suspension culture in the absence of IL-3, as well as IL-3-independent clonogenic growth in semisolid medium. The unique murine Mr 44,000 Pim-1 protein, as well as human proteins with short C- or N-terminal truncations, also was biologically active. This effect of Pim-1 expression was associated with a decrease in apoptotic cells and an increase in G0/G1-phase cells, and the increase in G0/G1-phase cells caused by enforced expression of Pim-1 was due to a decrease in apoptosis rather than to a decrease in transit of the G1-S-phase checkpoint. The Pim-1 kinase appears to function primarily as a survival factor in factor-dependent FDCP-1 cells subjected to either cytokine withdrawal or exposure to cytotoxic agents.

Concept formation and problem-solving following closed head injury in children

To further investigate the usefulness of 3 purported measures of executive function (EF) in head injured children, we administered the Twenty Questions Test (TQT), Tower of London (TOL), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to 151 children who had sustained a closed head injury (CHI) of varying severity about 3 years earlier. In addition, we tested 89 normal controls. Fifty-seven of the patients were included in a longitudinal study that compared performance at 3 months and 36 months. All of the head injured children underwent magnetic resonance imaging for investigational purposes. Severity of CHI, as defined by the lowest Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, affected performance on all 3 EF measures. Focal lesion volume incremented prediction of performance on TOL and WCST, but not TQT. Moderate intercorrelations of the test variables were obtained. Although all three EF measures depicted changes in performance over 3 years, a ceiling effect detracted from the sensitivity of the TOL to the impact of CHI on development. Implications of the findings for clinical applications are discussed.

Bryostatin 1 acts synergistically with interleukin-1 alpha to induce secretion of G-CSF and other cytokines from marrow stromal cells

The protein kinase C (PKC) activator bryostatin 1 (bryo) has substantial antileukemic and hematopoietic actions. Bryo promotes the in vitro growth of normal hematopoietic progenitors by inducing the release of growth factors from accessory cells. We have examined the effects of bryo on the expression and release of certain myeloid growth factors from fibroblastlike marrow stromal cells (MSC). Substantial release of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). or interleukin-6 (IL-6) following bryo treatment was seen only in MSC cultures contaminated with macrophages. Bryo alone was ineffective in inducing release of the cytokines from MSC cultures containing only fibroblastlike stromal cells. When MSC were treated with IL-1alpha, substantial quantities of the cytokines (G-CSF, GM-CSF,IL-6) were released. Bryo acted synergistically with IL-1 alpha to significantly increase cytokine release to- to nine-fold compared to IL-1alpha alone (p < 0.016). Neither Il-1alpha nor bryo, alone or in combination, induced release of stem cell factor (scf) from MSC. The synergistic interaction between IL-1alpha and bryo was dose- and schedule-dependent, requiring simultaneous application of IL-1alpha and bryo for optimum effect. Bryo alone induced no G-CSF mRNA accumulation but increased the level seen with IL-1alpha treatment by 50%. The synergistic interaction of bryo and IL-1alpha required PKC, since it was antagonized by agents which depleted or inhibited PKC but not by a protein kinase A antagonist. The increase in G-CSF mRNA was associated with a marked increase in mRNA stability. Bryostatin may promote the release of cytokines from several accessory cell populations, including MSC, to accomplish its in vivo hematopoietic effects.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic data withEscherichia colitransketolase

The Escherichia coli enzyme transketolase, a dimeric protein of 2 x 70 kDa (662 amino acids) has been prepared from an overexpression system in E. coli. The purified enzyme has been crystallized from PIPES buffer pH 6.4 and ammonium sulfate. The crystals which grow as large plates diffract to greater than 1.9 A, resolution and are of the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit-cell dimensions of a = 74.6, b = 125.6 and c = 151.0 A, (Z = 8 with one transketolase dimer in the asymmetric unit). The structure has been solved by molecular replacement using the yeast transketolase enzyme structure as a search model. The enzyme is being used for large-scale biotransformations using various aldehydes and hydroxypyruvate as substrates.

Classification of brain compartments and head injury lesions by neural networks applied to MRI

An automatic, neural network-based approach was applied to segment normal brain compartments and lesions on MR images. Two supervised networks, backpropagation (BPN) and counterpropagation, and two unsupervised networks, Kohonen learning vector quantizer and analog adaptive resonance theory, were trained on registered T2-weighted and proton density images. The classes of interest were background, gray matter, white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, macrocystic encephalomalacia, gliosis, and "unknown." A comprehensive feature vector was chosen to discriminate these classes. The BPN combined with feature conditioning, multiple discriminant analysis followed by Hotelling transform, produced the most accurate and consistent classification results. Classification of normal brain compartments were generally in agreement with expert interpretation of the images. Macrocystic encephalomalacia and gliosis were recognized and, except around the periphery, classified in agreement with the clinician's report used to train the neural network.

Inhibition of leukemic cell growth by the protein kinase C activator bryostatin 1 correlates with the dephosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2

Bryostatin 1 is a natural antineoplastic agent that activates protein kinase C. Treatment of U937 human leukemic cells with bryostatin 1 caused a 60% reduction in cell growth, whereas another protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), completely inhibited U937 cell growth. Both bryostatin 1 and PMA induced inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) activity. The first phase of cdk2 inhibition correlated with the transient induction of p21, a known inhibitor of cdk2. In contrast, the second phase of cdk2 inhibition correlated with the dephosphorylation of cdk2 on threonine-160, which must be phosphorylated for cdk2 activity. The level of growth inhibition induced by these two compounds correlated with the degree of cdk2 dephosphorylation as follows: bryostatin 1, 60%; PMA, 100%.

Nontransformed colony-derived stromal cell lines from normal human marrows. I. Growth requirement and myelopoiesis supportive ability

We report a new method for generating nontransformed human stromal cell lines with a replicative potential of 20 to 25 doublings yielding 10(6) to 3 x 10(7) cells after 4 to 6 weeks. Cells from week-3 to -6 adherent layers of human long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) were plated in methylcellulose in the presence of 20 U/mL interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and 200 U/mL tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). After 2 to 3 weeks, we obtained 180 +/- 14 colonies per 10(5) cells seeded. These well-delineated colonies with a dense central core consisted of up to several hundred tightly packed, identical, large refractile cells. Colonies were determined to be clones by sequential examination of the cultures and the linear relationship between the number of colonies counted and cells seeded. Colony-derived cell lines (CDCL) were developed by seeding individual colonies in long-term culture medium (LTCM) supplemented with 20 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The selection of colonies yielding lines with high proliferative capacity was due to the presence of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in the semisolid medium. The most effective concentrations for clonal selection were 200 U/mL TNF-alpha and 20 U/mL IL-1 beta. The growth of CDCL in liquid culture depended on the presence of bFGF, with the most effective concentration at 20 ng/mL. CDCL were able to maintain the output of colony-forming units granulocyte/macrophage and burst-forming unit-erythrocyte (CFU-GM and BFU-E) for several weeks from cocultured CD34+ marrow cells. The weekly CFU-GM and BFU-E output from weeks 2-5 was at least the same as observed when using passaged adherent layers. CDCL represent a progenitor cell population for stromal cells that may prove a suitable model for the study of the relationship between marrow stromal cells and hematopoiesis.

Developmental analysis of the smellblind mutants: evidence for the role of sodium channels in Drosophila development

We have recently found evidence that two smellblind mutants, originally identified as olfactory mutants, define a new class of mutation in the para (paralytic) sodium channel gene (Lilly et al., in press). These two mutants have previously been shown to be heat-sensitive developmental lethals: animals raised at elevated temperatures die as embryos or as young larvae (Lilly and Carlson, 1990, Genetics 124, 293-302). This article shows, surprisingly, that both mutants are not only heat-sensitive lethals, but also cold-sensitive lethals: when raised at reduced temperatures, the mutants develop to the adult stage, but then die prematurely. Moreover, this effect is sexually dimorphic, in that lethality is substantially greater for females than males. The association of cold-sensitivity with mutations of a sodium channel gene has recently been found in the case of a cold-sensitive human muscle disease, paramyotonia congenita, in which sodium channel function is defective (Ptacek et al., 1992, Neuron 8, 891-897). The heat-sensitive and cold-sensitive periods for the two smellblind mutants are determined through a series of reciprocal temperature shift experiments and are found to be different. Most, if not all, of the contribution to the heat-sensitive lethality occurs before metamorphosis, whereas the cold-sensitivity is particularly pronounced after the onset of metamorphosis. These results are discussed in terms of the developmental role of the para sodium channel and the role of electrical activity in Drosophila development.

Evidence that the Drosophila olfactory mutant smellblind defines a novel class of sodium channel mutation

The smellblind (sbl) gene of Drosophila is associated with olfactory defects, and the paralytic (para) gene encodes a voltage-gated sodium channel. sbl and para have similar genetic map positions, many combinations of sbl and para mutations fail to complement, and two sbl mutations contain molecular lesions within the para transcription unit. sbl mutations also behave like para mutations in that they are enhanced by the mutation no action potential temperature-sensitive (mlenapts1). The simplest interpretation of these results is that sbl and para are the same gene. Two sbl mutations produce olfactory defects not characteristic of classic sodium channel mutations and do not show typical heat-sensitive paralysis, suggesting that these sbl mutants define a novel class of sodium channel mutation.

Late MRI after head injury in children: relationship to clinical features and outcome

To characterize the brain pathology in relation to long-term outcome after pediatric head injury, 55 children were studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at least 3 months after sustaining moderate to severe closed head injury (CHI). Thirty-nine of the patients had abnormal signal intensity consistent with residual brain lesions, including 28 children with lesions involving the frontal lobes. The clinical features of children with frontal lesions, extrafrontal lesions, and diffuse injury were compared. The analysis disclosed that children with frontal lobe lesions were more frequently disabled than children who sustained diffuse injury. Our MRI findings indicate that residual brain lesions are more common after moderate to severe CHI in children than previously thought and that the frontal lobes are most frequently involved. Further investigation is indicated to elucidate whether distinctive cognitive and behavioral sequelae are associated with frontal lobe lesions in children.

Sustained expression of the pim-1 kinase is specifically induced in myeloid cells by cytokines whose receptors are structurally related

We have examined the effects of myeloid growth factors on expression of the pim-1 kinase protein in human and murine myeloid cells. pim-1 protein was identified in K562 cells by immunoblotting as a 33 kDa protein. In the human factor-dependent myeloid leukemia cell line M07E, pim-1 protein was induced by interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), with maximum expression by 4 h. Expression continued for the duration of growth factor exposure, but declined rapidly when cytokines were removed. GM-CSF induced pim-1 protein in a dose-dependent manner, with expression being proportional to the proliferative effect of the cytokine. To examine the specificity of pim-1 protein induction, we compared pim-1 protein levels in myeloid cells which demonstrated different GM-CSF response phenotypes. We also examined the effects on pim-1 protein expression of different growth factors which induced similar response phenotypes. GM-CSF induced pim-1 protein in several myeloid cell lines, most of which demonstrated a proliferative response, but did not induce pim-1 protein expression in neutrophils or monocytic cells. In contrast, the murine cell line Mac-11 expressed pim-1 message in response to IL-3 and GM-CSF, but not in response to bryostatin or M-CSF, which were equivalent mitogens. In human U937 myeloid cells sustained expression of pim-1 protein was induced by GM-CSF, G-CSF and IL-6, but not by bryostatin. Expression of the pim-1 kinase protein in response to myeloid cytokines depends on both the nature of the growth factor and the response phenotype. The pim-1 kinase may be an important intermediate in transmembrane signaling or response phenotype induced by IL-3, GM-CSF and other cytokines whose receptors are structurally similar. Its constitutive expression in some myeloid leukemia cell lines suggests activation of signal cascades utilized by myeloid growth factors.

Bryostatin 1: a potential anti-leukemic agent for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Bryostatin 1 is a macrocyclic lactone which activates protein kinase C (PKC), and is able to induce maturation in cells from some cases of acute myelogenous leukemia. This paper reports that bryostatin inhibits the spontaneous in vitro proliferation of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia cells (CMMoL) in semi-solid medium at concentrations between 10(-8) and 10(-10) M. Growth inhibition was equivalent to or greater than that seen with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Bryostatin acted primarily as a cytotoxic agent, rather than as a cytostatic agent. The spontaneous in vitro proliferation of CMMoL cells is due to autocrine or paracrine secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Bryostatin 1 actually increased GM-CSF secretion by CMMoL cells while inhibiting their proliferation. Bryostatin 1 also increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) secretion by CMMoL cells, and in 2/5 cases the cytotoxic effect of bryostatin 1 on fresh CMMoL cells could be substantially reversed by the addition of antibody to TNF alpha to the culture medium. Bryostatin 1 may produce a cytotoxic effect on CMMoL cells in part by increasing the secretion of, or sensitivity to, TNF alpha, and may have therapeutic potential in CMMoL.

Differentiation and growth modulation of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells by bryostatin

We have examined the ability of bryostatin 1 (bryo), an activator of protein kinase C, to induce differentiation of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells obtained from peripheral blood. Bryo induced a prompt and persistent macrophage-like differentiation, as evidenced by functional, morphological, and immunological criteria. Differentiated cells remained viable for at least 21 days with little change in cell number. CML cell cultures treated in semisolid medium with bryo showed diffuse infiltration with single macrophages, as well as discrete macrophage, mixed, and granulocytic colonies. Supernatants of suspension cultures of bryo-treated CML cells contained granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, colony formation could be significantly inhibited by the addition of antibodies to GM-CSF. Prolonged liquid culture of CML cells in bryo reduced colony-forming unit, granulocyte-macrophage content. Bryo-induced differentiation was associated with a decrease in lactoferrin, a marker of granulocyte differentiation, and an increase in both c-fms and interleukin-1 beta RNA, both of which are expressed by monocytes/macrophages. These data demonstrate that bryostatin 1 is capable of inducing macrophage-like differentiation in maturing CML cells. Furthermore, bryostatin induces secretion of GM-CSF by such cells in suspension and semisolid medium and also promotes clonal extinction of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors. Bryostatin may be a possible therapeutic agent for CML.

smellblind: a gene required for Drosophila olfaction

In this article we define and characterize the smellblind gene (sbl). We show that two mutants, sbl and olfDx9, both isolated by virtue of their olfactory phenotypes and analyzed extensively by others with respect to courtship behavior, contain mutations at a single locus. Meiotic recombination, duplication, and deficiency mapping are used to localize this gene, sbl, to cytogenetic position 14F6-15A2-3 on the X chromosome. Mutations of the locus are shown to produce severe defects not only in larval olfactory response to several volatile chemicals, but also in larval contact chemosensory response. Both sbl and olfDx9 give a robust response, however, in a new test of larval phototactic response, which we describe here. Both alleles are shown to be heat-sensitive lethals. Four additional recessive lethal alleles, two EMS-induced, one dysgenic, and one spontaneous, are also described.

An antibody that inhibits in vitro bone marrow proliferation in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and aplastic anemia

A non-complement-dependent antibody that inhibits bone marrow proliferation in vitro was detected in the serum of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and aplastic anemia. The patient recovered from the aplastic anemia following treatment with corticosteroids and plasmapheresis. The antibody could no longer be detected after this recovery. This case demonstrates that a rare, but potentially lethal, complication of systemic lupus erythematosus is aplastic anemia due to an autoantibody. Results of the experiments suggest a mechanism for, and treatment of, similar cases.

Characterization of the larval olfactory response in Drosophila and its genetic basis

Drosophila larvae are attracted to a wide variety of chemical stimuli. The olfactory response to ethyl acetate, a powerful attractant, was found to be surprisingly well conserved across a variety of different wild-type strains. Strain differences are documented, however, both in attraction to ethyl acetate and in another chemosensory behavior: avoidance of an aversive stimulus. As a means of analyzing the extent of genetic heterogeneity within strains, one wild-type population, Canton-S, was screened for variant X chromosomes. An enrichment procedure was characterized and used to make the screening more efficient. Lines homozygous for individual X chromosomes were established, and all were found to exhibit a strong olfactory response, although evidence was found for variation among them. The olfactory response was found to be conserved through an extended period of larval development, including the final period during which larvae leave the culture medium in preparation for metamorphosis. The results are discussed in terms of the genetic basis of the response and the use of single-gene mutations as a means of dissecting olfactory system function.

Characterization of a new glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variant: G6PD Central City

Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency is the most common disease-producing enzyme deficiency in man. This paper describes a new glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase variant discovered during the evaluation of an episode of acute hemolytic anemia in a 62-year-old black male, which was temporally related to the ingestion of Tolbutamide. The hemolysis resolved within 10 days despite continuation of Tolbutamide. The erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased, and its electrophoretic mobility was indistinguishable from wild type enzyme, though faster on starch gel with tris, borate, and phosphate buffers. The enzyme had a biphasic pH optimum reduced Km for G-6-P and NADP, decreased utilization of deamino-NADP, and reduced Ki for NADPH. Because the kinetic properties of this enzyme were unique, we have designated it as G6PD Central City.

Two apparent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants in normal XY males: G6PD Alabama

A six-year-old black boy who had transient hemolysis after a viral infection was found to have mildly decreased red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity (1.25 IU/g hemoglobin). Two G6PD bands, both slightly faster than normal G6PD B, were seen on electrophoresis in both the propositus as well as in his maternal grandfather. This is an unexpected finding, since the G6PD gene is located on the long arm of the X chromosome that is subject to X-chromosome inactivation, and available evidence indicates that it is present as a single functional copy in the human genome. The obvious possibility of duplication of the X chromosome was eliminated by cytogenetic analysis with G-banding. G6PD duplication is unlikely, since peripheral blood granulocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes; cultured skin and bone marrow fibroblasts; and Epstein-Barr virus-stimulated lymphocytes yielded only a single electrophoretic band with mobility identical to the slower band seen in crude red blood cell hemolysate. Study of partially purified red blood cell hemolysate G6PD also yielded a single band with identical mobility. Kinetic studies of the enzyme in the propositus and in three generations of his family identified a unique, previously unpublished G6PD mutant that is herein designated G6PD Alabama. Red blood cells were separated by density gradient into a reticulocyte-enriched, an intermediate, and a dense, older portion. Two distinct enzyme bands were identified on electrophoresis of hemolysate from the reticulocyte-enriched portion, but not from the other two portions. It is postulated that two transcriptional products of the mutant G6PD gene exist; one with a short half-life and detectable only in young red blood cells, and another with a longer half-life present in all cells. The existence of two distinct mutant genes in the genome or a unique post-translational form of the mutant G6PD detected only in reticulocytes cannot be excluded.

Selection of the nuclear gene for the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocator by genetic complementation of the op1 mutation in yeast

Oxidative phosphorylation 1 (OP1), a nuclear gene of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is required for the expression of a functional mitochondria, has been isolated on a recombinant plasmid. The gene was selected from a recombinant plasmid pool which contained wild type yeast genomic DNA by transformation of the yeast nuclear mutant (op1) followed by a two-stage screening procedure. A recombinant plasmid containing a 2.6 kilobase Bam HI fragment of genomic yeast DNA inserted in either orientation into the single Bam HI site of yeast vector YEp 13 could complement the op1 mutation. Analysis of the gene product of this inserted DNA by three independent methods, 1) in vivo expression in Escherichia coli maxicells, 2) cell-free translation of plasmid selected RNA, and 3) expression analysis in yeast, revealed that its gene product is a protein of Mr = 30,000-32,000, which cross-reacts with specific anti-serum to the adenine nucleotide translocator of the mitochondrial inner membrane. The selection procedure is efficient and can be used for the isolation of any defined yeast nuclear gene which participates in mitochondrial development.