Interlaboratory Evaluation of Two Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kits for the Determination of Crustacean Protein in Processed Foods

The labeling of foods containing material derived from crustaceans such as shrimp and crab is to become mandatory in Japan because of increases in the number of allergy patients. To ensure proper labeling, 2 novel sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for the determination of crustacean protein in processed foods, the N kit (Nissui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Ibaraki, Japan) and the M kit (Maruha Nichiro Holdings, Inc., Ibaraki, Japan), have been developed. Five types of model processed foods containing 10 and/or 11.9 g/g crustacean soluble protein were prepared for interlaboratory evaluation of the performance of these kits. The N kit displayed a relatively high level of reproducibility relative standard deviation (interlaboratory precision; 4.08.4 RSDR) and sufficient recovery (6586) for all the model processed foods. The M kit displayed sufficient reproducibility (17.620.5 RSDR) and a reasonably high level of recovery (82103). The repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr) values regarding the detection of crustacean proteins in the 5 model foods were mostly <5.1 RSDr for the N kit and 9.9 RSDr for the M kit. In conclusion, the results of this interlaboratory evaluation suggest that both these ELISA kits would be very useful for detecting crustacean protein in processed foods.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit for the Determination of Soybean Protein in Processed Foods: Interlaboratory Evaluation

The labeling of foods containing ingredients derived from soybean is recommended in Japan because of an increasing number of patients who are allergic to soybeans. To ensure proper labeling, a novel sandwich ELISA kit for the determination of soybean protein in processed foods (FASTKIT Ver. II, Soybean, Nippon Meat Packers, Inc.; soy kit) has been developed. Five types of incurred samples (model processed foods: rice gruel, sausage, sweet adzuki bean soup, sweet potato cake, and tomato sauce) containing 10 g soybean soluble protein/g food were prepared for use in interlaboratory evaluations of the soy kit. The soy kit displayed a sufficient RSDR value (interlaboratory precision: 9.313.4 RSDR) and a high level of recovery (97114) for all the incurred samples. The RSDr value for the incurred samples was mostly <4.8. The results of this interlaboratory evaluation suggest that the soy kit can be used as a precise and reliable tool for the determination of soybean proteins in processed foods.

Salivary microbial levels in relation to periodontal status and caries development

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although an inverse relationship between caries and periodontal disease has been suggested, some studies have reported a positive correlation between periodontal disease and the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMF) index. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between caries and periodontal disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We assessed the clinical parameters and salivary levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans using real-time polymerase chain reaction in 40 subjects with varying degrees of caries and periodontal disease.

RESULTS

The salivary levels of S. mutans were significantly higher in the periodontally healthy group than in the periodontitis group. The salivary levels of P. gingivalis were significantly higher in the caries-free group than in the periodontally healthy group with caries. The salivary levels of S. mutans were significantly increased after the initial periodontal treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that an inverse relationship exists between periodontitis and caries in terms of the clinical and bacteriological findings.

The effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis infection on cytokine levels in type 2 diabetic mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Several studies have shown that diabetes mellitus increases the severity of periodontitis. Conversely, periodontitis has been shown to have an impact on diabetes, although the underlying mechanisms of this are unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory response to Porphyromonas gingivalis infection in normal and diabetic mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Porphyromonas gingivalis were inoculated adjacent to the periosteum, at a point on the midline of the skull located between the ears, in C57BL/6 (normal) and KKAy (diabetic) mice. After induction, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and adiponectin in the mice were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The KKAy mice showed significant increases in blood glucose, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels after inoculation with Porphyromonas gingivalis, and a significant decrease in adiponectin to 35.7%. Similar results were observed at the mRNA level in liver and visceral adipose tissue.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggest that tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and adiponectin are an integral part of the link between diabetes mellitus and Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.

Differential effects of five Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans strains on gingival epithelial cells

INTRODUCTION

We investigated gingival epithelial cell proliferation and expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in response to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotypes a, b, and c.

METHODS

Human gingival cells (Ca9-22) were cultured in bacterial extracts prepared from five strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans: ATCC 43717 (serotype a); ATCC 29524, ATCC 29522, and ATCC 43718 (all serotype b); and ATCC 43719 (serotype c).

RESULTS

In bacterial extracts of ATCC 29522, cell growth was significantly impaired, while the expression of IL-8 and ICAM-1 was significantly increased. The level of induction in response to the other strains was minimal.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the five strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans have distinct effects on the abilities of human gingival epithelial cells to proliferate and to produce proinflammatory factors.

Expression of the Xenopus GTP-binding protein gene Ran during embryogenesis

The Ran gene family encodes small GTP binding proteins that are associated with a variety of nuclear processes. We isolated a Xenopus Ran cDNA and analyzed the pattern of expression of this gene during embryogenesis. Ran is expressed maternally and later in the CNS, neural crest, mesenchyme, eyes, and otic vesicles. However, expression is not detected in the somites or the notochord.

An interferon regulatory factor-related gene (xIRF-6) is expressed in the posterior mesoderm during the early development of Xenopus laevis

Out of a Xenopus neurula cDNA library, we isolated a clone which encodes a 52.4-kDa protein highly similar to the mouse interferon regulatory factor, IRF-6, whose function is unknown. The mRNA of this gene, named xIRF-6, seems to be maternally transmitted, but its amount rapidly decreases after the tailbud stage. Whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that xIRF-6 mRNA is expressed in the presumptive somitic mesoderm in the late gastrula, and then confined to a segment of posterior somite during the neurula through the tailbud stage. The temporally and spatially limited expression of the xIRF-6 gene product may contribute to the transcriptional regulation of specific genes which are necessary for the development of the posterior somites.

Overproduction of Mpd2p suppresses the lethality of protein disulfide isomerase depletion in a CXXC sequence dependent manner

The third multicopy suppressor gene of the PDI1 deletion from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, MPD2, was isolated and characterized. The MPD2 gene encodes a protein with a putative signal sequence, ER retention signal, and a disulfide isomerase active site like sequence. The amino acid sequence around the active site like sequence is similar to the thioredoxin-like domains of PDI and PDI related proteins, although the similarity is comparatively low. A delta-pdi1 strain over-producing Mpd2p showed slow growth and was sensitive to 1 mM dithiothreitol. Mpd2p can be detected in wild type cells and is a glycoprotein. Although the MPD2 gene was not essential for growth, overexpression of the gene partially restored the maturation defect of carboxypeptidase Y caused by the PDI1 deletion. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that Mpd2p can compensate for the loss of PDI with its CXXC sequence.

A novel gene encoding a ferredoxin reductase-like protein expressed in the neuroectoderm in Xenopus neurula

In an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of early neural development in Xenopus laevis, we identified, using a differential display method, several genes that are induced after Concanavalin A treatment in the animal caps prepared from stage 9 blastula. One such gene was found to encode a possible type IIIa membrane protein of 66.2 kDa sharing similarities with several prokaryotic and eukaryotic redox enzymes, hence the putative product was named Nfrl, neurula-specific ferredoxin reductase-like protein. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the expression of the Nfrl gene is up-regulated around the neurula stage, and is much lower in embryos of earlier stages and in adult tissues. The temporally limited expression of this gene implies neurula- and early larva-specific redox reactions of certain substrates, the nature of which remains to be elucidated.

[Phase II study of mitoxantrone for hematologic malignancies]

A phase II study of mitoxantrone (MIT) was performed in 21 patients with hematologic malignancies refractory to combination chemotherapy including anthracyclines. MIT was administered intravenously at doses of 8 to 13 mg/m2 on day 1 for 12 malignant lymphoma patients, and 1 to 3.3 mg/m2 on day 1 through 5 for 7 acute leukemia patients and 2 malignant lymphoma patients. Four malignant lymphoma patients (2 each of Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) achieved partial response lasting 19, 14, 8+, and 4 weeks, respectively. Although no definite response was obtained in acute leukemia patients, a marked cytoreduction was observed in 2 patients. Myelosuppression was a major toxicity, however, life-threatening toxicities were not observed in this study.

Combination chemotherapy of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with adriamycin, vincristine, ifosfamide and prednisolone (AVIP): a preliminary report

Eighteen patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma other than the diffuse histiocytic type were treated with a combination of adriamycin, vincristine, ifosfamide and prednisolone (AVIP). The objective response rate was 83% (15/18); 61% (11/18) achieved complete remission. The median duration of complete remission was 11 months ranging from 2 to 39+ months. Eleven of the 18 patients are still alive during the median follow-up time of 13 months. The median survival was 14+ months for complete responders, and 9.5 months for partial and nonresponders. A myelosuppressive toxicity was well tolerated. AVIP offers some hope as treatment of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Chromosome 14q+ in adult T-cell leukemia

Cytogenetic studies were performed on leukemic cells from two patients with adult T-cell leukemia. A 14q+ marker chromosome was found in the peripheral blood leukocytes from patient No. 1 and in a leukemic T-cell line (MT-1) derived from the peripheral blood of patient No. 2. The 14q+ resulted from a t(12;14) in patient No. 1 and from a t(Y;14) in patient No. 2 with a break point at 14q32 in each case. In addition, the leukemic cells from patient No. 1 showed a t(1;7) and a 9q-, while the MT-1 line had numerous structural abnormalities. Thus, it is clear that a 14q+ translocation is not restricted to B-cell neoplasms but occurs in T-cell neoplasms as well.

8-14 translocation in a Japanese Burkitt's lymphoma

Chromosome analysis was performed on cells obtained from the pleural effusion of a Japanese patient with Burkitt's lymphoma. Two modal chromosomal numbers were found: 45 and 46. Five different karyotypes were present, all having a t (8q-;14q+) translocation. This case illustrates that Burkitt's lymphomas of Japanese are no exception to the frequent association of this chromosomal abnormality with Burkitt's lymphomas.

Chromosome 14q+ in a Japanese patient with Burkitt's lymphoma

Cytogenetic studies were performed on a biopsy specimen of a jaw tumor and on a bone marrow aspirate from a Japanese patient with Epstein-Barr virus-negative Burkitt's lymphoma. A 14q + chromosome was found in cells from either source, although each contained a different clone. Other karyotypic abnormalities present in common included 2dir dup (1q) (q21 leads to q32), 3q+, 6p--, +12, +mar.

Immuno-chemotherapy of malignant lymphoma using OK-432, a streptococcal agent

Clinical trials of immuno-chemotherapy were conducted on malignant lymphoma patients. Patients during the period from 1972 through 1977 were allocated to two groups retrospectively according to the mode of treatment, i.e., chemotherapy alone (historical control group, 35 patients) and chemotherapy with OK-432 (treated group, 15 patients). Comparisons were made of the two groups, which were homogeneous with regard to induction chemotherapy, maintenance chemotherapy, stage and histologic type of disease. The treated group had a higher remission rate, and a longer remission duration and survival than the control groups, especially in patients with Hodgkin's disease but the difference was not statistically significant owing to the limited number of cases.