Glycidyl alkoxysilane reactivities towards simple nucleophiles in organic media for improved molecular structure definition in hybrid materials

We report the first comprehensive study of the reactivity in organic media of (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trialkoxysilanes towards common nucleophiles. Their reactivity have to be emphasized in order to design and to improve new sol–gel hybrid synthesis.

Synthesis of thiaazaheterocycle nucleoside analogues

The syntheses of thiazinone, thiazinedione and thiazolinone base modified nucleoside analogues have been discussed in both the deoxy- and ribosyl series. Both inter- and intramolecular N-glycosylations were evaluated.

A novel synthesis of alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-1-O-(CH2)3-NH2, its linkage to activated matrices and absorption of anti-alphaGal xenoantibodies by affinity columns

Pig organs transplanted into primates are rapidly rejected because of the interaction between Gal alpha(1-->3)Gal epitopes carried by the graft and natural antibodies (anti-alphaGal antibodies) present in the blood of the recipient. This report describes a simplified synthesis of the xenogeneic disaccharide and its linkage to activated gel matrices. The digalactosides alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-alpha,beta-D-Galp-OAll were synthesized by the condensation of the trichloroacetimidoyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside donor with the 3,4-unprotected allyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-alpha- or beta-D-galactopyranoside acceptor precursor. Deallylation and hydrogenolysis led to the free digalactoside, whereas hydrogenolysis alone resulted in the 1-O-propyl digalactoside. Both products were tested by inhibition ELISA of natural anti-Gal alpha(1-->3)Gal antibodies. The alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-OPr was found to be the best inhibitor. Thus, the allyl group of the partially benzylated alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-OAll was engineered, via the hydroxy-, the tosyloxy- and the azidopropyl intermediates, into an aminopropyl group amenable to binding to N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated agarose gel matrices in order to obtain specific immunoabsorption columns. Columns made of gel substituted with 5 micromol of disaccharide per milliliter were found efficient for the immunoabsorption of anti-alphaGal antibodies from human plasma.

Synthesis of 3'-O2-(azaheterocycle)-thymidines

The synthesis of 3'-O2-(azaheterocycle)-thymidines is presented from 1-thia-3-aza- 1,3-butadiene precursors (N-thioacylamidines). A variety of heterocycles is accessible using the dienic, the electrophilic or the nucleophilic reactivity of these thia-azabutadiene systems. 3'-O2-(azaheterocycle)-thymidine analogues are regarded as potential substrates to interfere with the DNA-polymerization process.

Effects of lorazepam on emotional reactivity, performance, and vigilance in subjects with high or low anxiety

This study examined the hypothesis that low doses of lorazepam modify emotional response. In accord with the results of prior studies that suggest a differential effect of benzodiazepines according to the subjects' anxiety level, the authors tested the effect of lorazepam (0.5 mg twice daily) on 2 groups of 32 subjects: those with high anxiety (HA) and those with low anxiety (LA). These groups were formed a priori on the basis of their scores on the Cattell Anxiety Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. The two groups were evaluated for psychomotor function and vigilance (visual analog scales [VAS], digit-symbol substitution test [DSST], and choice reaction time [CRT]), as well as emotional reactivity. Six emotions (fear, anger, disgust, sadness, joy, and neutral state) were induced by the presentation of six movie excerpts, and subjects' emotional responses were measured using the Differential Emotions Scale. The results suggest that at the doses studied, lorazepam led to an increase in negative emotions and a decrease in positive emotions, compared with placebo. This shift of emotional reactivity toward more negative emotions was slightly stronger with the HA than with the LA subjects. However, no reliable differences in the levels of performance and vigilance (CRT, DSST, and VAS) were observed as a function of either treatment or subject group. These findings suggest a possible relationship between benzodiazepine effects and subjects' anxiety level.

Naloxone potentiates the anxiolytic but not the amnestic action of chlordiazepoxide in C57BL/6 mice

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the opiate antagonist naloxone (10 mg/kg) on the action of a subeffective dose of chlordiazepoxide. C57BL/6 mice were tested for either anxiety, using an elevated plus maze, emotional memory in a passive avoidance paradigm or spatial memory in a radial maze. In the elevated plus maze, chlordiazepoxide 2.5 mg/kg was ineffective per se but, when combined with naloxone, it increased the proportion of open-arm entries, as did a higher dose of chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg). Closed-arm entries were increased with chlordiazepoxide (2.5 mg/kg) injected alone but naloxone, alone or combined with chlordiazepoxide, did not modify this measure. In the passive avoidance test, chlordiazepoxide 2.5 mg/kg decreased the latency to enter a compartment associated with an electric foot-shock, while a dose of 1.25 mg/kg, alone or in combination with naloxone, was ineffective. Finally, in the radial arm maze, chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg) induced amnesia. However, a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, alone or with naloxone, had no effect on learning. Naloxone elicited no intrinsic action in any of these behavioural models. It can be concluded that naloxone potentiates the anxiolytic but not the amnestic action of chlordiazepoxide.

Evaluation of protective efficacy of an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 lipopolysaccharide-protein conjugate in mice

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia. The major adhesin of A. pleuropneumoniae has previously been identified as a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and more recently, we demonstrated that high molecular mass LPS were involved in A. pleuropneumoniae adherence to porcine respiratory tract cells. We postulated that immunization with a LPS-based vaccine may confer a protective immunity. The high molecular mass O-polysaccharides obtained after acid hydrolysis and chromatographic separation were conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a protein carrier. Groups of mice were injected twice with the following antigen preparations: whole-cell preparation, outer membrane preparation, O-polysaccharide-BSA conjugate, hydrolyzed LPS and phenol/water extracted LPS. A combination of different adjuvants was also used during these immunization procedures to induce a stronger immunological response to the polysaccharide antigen. Two weeks after the second injection, the mice were challenged intranasally with either homologous A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 strain or a serotype 5 strain. The highest survival rate, up to 80%, compared to the control groups (P < 0.05), was recorded when the mice were injected twice with 15 micrograms of carbohydrates of O-polysaccharide-BSA conjugate mixed with the saponin-derived adjuvant Quil A. Survival rates of between 60 and 70%, twice those observed in the control groups immunized with PBS, were recorded in mice injected with the O-polysaccharide-BSA conjugate mixed with other adjuvant preparations such as alhydrogel, peanut oil and Freund's incomplete adjuvant. However, the protection induced by the conjugate antigen preparation was serotype specific, because mice challenged with a serotype 5 strain were killed. Taken together, these results confirm the important role of A. pleuropneumoniae LPS in pathogenesis.

Examination of surface polysaccharides of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 grown under iron-restricted conditions

We investigated the expression of important Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae surface polysaccharides, namely, capsular polysaccharides (CPS) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), after growth under iron-restricted conditions. Iron restriction did not seem to affect the production of CPS, as determined by labelling with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the serotype 1 K-antigen and flow cytometry analysis, and also as determined by electron microscopy. SDS-PAGE revealed that the LPS profiles of these cells were also unaffected by iron restriction. Using flow cytometry analysis, however, we observed that binding of mAb against serotype 1 O-antigen was altered in cells of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 reference strain (4074) grown under iron-restricted conditions. This strain exhibited two subpopulations with distinct patterns of reactivity with the mAb against the O-antigen. When strain 4074 was grown under iron-restricted conditions, a shift from one cell subpopulation (moderately fluorescent) to another cell subpopulation (highly fluorescent, thus binding more antibodies) was observed. Our results indicate that growth of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 under iron-restricted conditions did not seem to affect CPS production, but might alter, at least for the reference strain, the expression of LPS.

Purification and characterization of a 52-kilodalton immunoglobulin G-binding protein from Streptococcus suis capsular type 2

We previously reported that group D streptococci exhibited immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding activity and that a 52-kDa IgG-binding protein was present in all Streptococcus suis strains examined (B. Serhir, R. Higgins, B. Foiry, and M. Jacques, J. Gen. Microbiol. 139:2953-2958, 1993). The objective of the present study was to purify and characterize this protein. Pig IgG were immobilized through their Fab fragments to ECH-Sepharose 4B, and the protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Electron microscopy observations of the purified material showed filamentous structures with a diameter of approximately 4 nm; these structures were not observed when the material was treated with either urea or ethanolamine. Electrophoretic and Western immunoblot analyses showed that the 52-kDa protein constituted the bulk of the recovered material. This protein was stained with either Coomassie brilliant blue or silver nitrate; it reacted with a large variety of mammalian IgG, human IgG (Fc) fragments, human IgA, and other human plasma proteins. The 52-kDa protein exhibited lower IgG-binding affinities than protein A and protein G. However, it was able to compete with protein A and protein G for binding to human IgG. In addition, it bound chicken IgG with high affinity. This last property differentiated the 52-kDa protein of S. suis from the six IgG-binding proteins described to date. The 52-kDa protein displayed similar affinities for untreated and deglycosylated pig IgG. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (SIITDVYAXEVLDSXGNPTLEV) revealed no homology with any bacterial proteins in the Swiss-Prot database. Its isoelectric point of approximately 4.6 and its amino acid composition, rich in aspartic and glutamic acids, showed that it had some similarities with other IgG-binding proteins. In this report, we have purified and characterized a 52-kDa IgG-binding protein from S. suis capsular type 2. Although this protein shares some similarities with other IgG- and/or IgA-binding proteins, it is unique in reacting with chicken IgG.

High-molecular-mass lipopolysaccharides are involved in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae adherence to porcine respiratory tract cells

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia. The major adhesin of A. pleuropneumoniae has been identified as the lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) (M. Bélanger, D. Dubreuil, J. Harel, C. Girard, and M. Jacques, Infect. Immun. 58:3523-3530, 1990). Using immunoelectron microscopy and flow cytometry, we showed in the present study that LPSs were well exposed at the surface of this encapsulated microorganism. Immunolocalization with porcine lung and tracheal frozen sections showed that extracted LPS bound to the lung mesenchyme and vascular endothelium and to the tracheal epithelium, respectively. Inhibition of adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae with extracted LPS was also performed with lung and tracheal frozen sections. Acid hydrolysis of LPS revealed that the active component of LPS was not lipid A but the polysaccharides. LPSs from A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1 and 2 were separated by chromatography on Sephacryl S-300 SF, in the presence of sodium deoxycholate, according to their molecular masses. The adherence-inhibitory activity was found in the high-molecular-mass fractions. These high-molecular-mass fractions contained 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid and neutral sugars, and they were recognized by a monoclonal antibody directed against A. pleuropneumoniae O antigen but not recognized by a monoclonal antibody against capsular antigen.

Proteins found within porcine respiratory tract secretions bind lipopolysaccharides of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Affinity for porcine respiratory tract secretions was found in some isolates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and involved lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (M. Bélanger, S. Rioux, B. Foiry, and M. Jacques, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 97:119-126, 1992). In the present study, the affinity for a crude preparation of porcine respiratory tract mucus of isolates of the Pasteurellaceae family, i.e., Actinobacillus, Haemophilus, and Pasteurella spp., and of some unrelated gram-negative bacteria was examined. Affinity for crude porcine respiratory tract mucus was not a property shared by all Pasteurellaceae isolates tested. Furthermore, affinity for the porcine crude mucus preparation was not unique to the Pasteurellaceae group and did not seem to be restricted to bacteria originating from pigs. Different surface properties of A. pleuropneumoniae isolates in relation to their adherence to crude mucus were examined. The capsular layer seemed to mask the adhesin and interfered with adherence to crude mucus. Two poorly capsulated isolates, which had a more hydrophobic surface and bound Congo red, were also heavily labeled by gold particles coated with polymyxin, which is known to interact with the lipid A-core region of LPS, and adhered strongly to respiratory tract secretions. Tetramethylurea, charged polymers, divalent cations, chelators, monosaccharides and amino sugars, or lectins were unable to inhibit adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to the crude mucus preparation. To identify the receptor(s) recognized by the lipopolysaccharidic adhesin of A. pleuropneumoniae, affinity chromatography was used. Two bands, which were proteinaceous in nature, of 10 and 11 kDa were recovered. Our results suggest that two low-molecular-mass proteins present in porcine respiratory tract secretions bind A. pleuropneumoniae LPS.

A species-specific periplasmic flagellar protein of Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae

We have previously reported that a 46-kDa protein present in an outer membrane protein preparation seemed to be a species-specific antigen of Serpulina hyodysenteriae (Z. S. Li, N. S. Jensen, M. Bélanger, M.-C. L'Espérance, and M. Jacques, J. Clin. Microbiol. 30:2941-2947, 1992). The objective of this study was to further characterize this antigen. A Western blot (immunoblot) analysis and immunogold labeling with a monospecific antiserum against this protein confirmed that the protein was present in all S. hyodysenteriae reference strains but not in the nonpathogenic organism Serpulina innocens. The immunogold labeling results also indicated that the protein was associated with the periplasmic flagella of S. hyodysenteriae. N-terminal amino acid sequencing confirmed that the protein was in fact a periplasmic flagellar sheath protein. The molecular mass of this protein, first estimated to be 46 kDa by Western blotting, was determined to be 44 kDa when the protein was evaluated more precisely by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the protein was glycosylated, as determined by glycoprotein staining and also by N-glycosidase F treatment. Five other periplasmic flagellar proteins of S. hyodysenteriae, which may have been the core proteins and had molecular masses of 39, 35, 32, 30, and 29 kDa, were antigenically related and cross-reacted with the periplasmic flagellar proteins of S. innocens. Finally, serum from a pig experimentally infected with S. hyodysenteriae recognized the 44-kDa periplasmic flagellar sheath protein. Our results suggest that the 44-kDa periplasmic flagellar sheath protein of S. hyodysenteriae is a species-specific glycoprotein antigen.

Identification of partial agonists with low intrinsic activity at the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

The interactions of synthetic L-chiro-inositol-2,3,5-trisphosphorothioate [L-ch-Ins(2,3,5)PS3] and D-6-deoxy-myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate [D-6-deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)PS3] with D-myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] receptors have been examined using radioligand binding assays and Ca2+ mobilization from permeabilized SH-SY5Y cells. The ability of these analogues to compete with [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 for specific sites on adrenal cortical membranes indicated that, although weaker than Ins(1,4,5)P3, both ligands competed fully for these sites [L-ch-Ins(2,3,5)PS3,Ki = 0.5 microM; D-6-deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)PS3,Ki = 5.3 microM]. However, in assays examining the amount of Ca2+ mobilized from the stores of permeabilized SH-SY5Y cells, both of these synthetic analogues displayed low intrinsic activity [L-ch-Ins(2,3,5)PS3, 34%; D-6-deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)PS3, 42% of that of Ins(1,4,5)P3]. Moreover, L-ch-Ins(2,3,5)PS3 and D-6-deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)PS3 were able to inhibit the response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 with Ki values (6 microM and 33 microM, respectively) virtually identical to their EC50 values for Ca2+ release. This is consistent with partial agonist behavior, because these compounds exhibit low maximal responses when the extent of Ca2+ release is examined. These compounds represent the first examples of inositol-based analogues with low intrinsic activity and may point the way towards the design of selective antagonists at Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors. It also seems probable that these may represent the first true affinity values of inositol phosphates at the active receptor.

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of Streptococcus suis

A double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection and the identification of Streptococcus suis capsular types 1, 2, 1/2, 3 and 22. The specificity of this test was first evaluated using reference strains of S. suis capsular types 1 to 28 and 1/2 as well as 15 different bacterial species susceptible to be isolated from swine. The ELISA developed was very specific for capsular types 1, 3 and 22 but it could not discriminate between capsular types 2 and 1/2. In a second study, S. suis isolates from 328, 493, 368 and 76 diseased pigs were used to detect capsular types 1, 2 or 1/2, 3 and 22 respectively. The relative specificity and sensitivity varied between 98% and 100%. The ELISA results were in excellent agreement with the standard techniques (biochemical tests, coagglutination and capsular reaction tests) in detecting both positive and negative strains. Kappa values were 0.80, 0.99, 0.97 and 1.00 for detecting S. suis capsular types 1, 2 or 1/2, 3, and 22 respectively. To evaluate the relative-sensitivity of the test, primary cultures from 73 diseased pigs and tissue samples from 67 diseased pigs were used directly for detecting these capsular types. With primary cultures, the relative specificity and sensitivity (95.9% and 91.6% respectively) remained high and the test was very suitable (Kappa = 0.87). The ELISA using tissue samples gave a good specificity (97.6%), a moderate sensitivity (62.5%) and a low agreement with standard tests (Kappa = 0.64).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular cloning of a determinant coding for fimbrial antigen F1651, a Prs-like fimbrial antigen from porcine septicaemic Escherichia coli

The genetic determinant coding for F165(1) fimbriae was cloned from the chromosome of the porcine Escherichia coli wild-type strain 4787 (O115:K-:H51:F165). The fimbrial determinant was further subcloned into the BamHI site of pACYC184 and a restriction map was established. On Southern hybridization, identity between the chromosomally encoded prs-like determinant of strain 4787 and its cloned counterparts was demonstrated. The cloned F165(1) fimbriae and those of the wild-type strain possessed a major protein subunit of molecular mass 18.5 kDa. Strains expressing F165(1) fimbriae were detected using an F165-specific polyclonal antiserum and caused mannose-resistant haemagglutination and agglutination of Forssman latex beads. Antiserum against the cloned F165(1) fimbriae recognized a 18.5 kDa band in the parent strain 4787.

Production and characterization of two Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 mutants

Two avirulent mutants of Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 (M2 and M42) were produced from a highly virulent strain. Mutant M2, obtained after serial subcultures of the parent strain in the presence of rabbit anti-capsular type 2 serum, no longer possessed the type-specific capsular antigen, as demonstrated by serotyping methods and immunoelectron microscopy. The Lancefield group D antigen could not be detected on the cell surface of this mutant using the immunogold labelling technique. SDS-PAGE of lysozyme treated cells demonstrated that a 44 kDa protein which was present in the parent strain, was absent in mutant M2. Immunoblotting using rabbit whole cell homologous anti-serum revealed that the protein was strongly immunogenic. Mutant M2 was totally avirulent in mice, and the homologous antiserum completely failed to protect mice against challenge with the parent strain. However, mutant M42, obtained after passages of the parent strain at 42 degrees C, remained capsulated but lacked the same 44 kDa protein as mutant M2. The quantity of sialic acid present in the capsule was similar to that of the parent strain. Despite the presence of antibodies against the capsule, antiserum prepared against M42 only partially protected mice against a challenge with the parent strain. The 44 kDa cell wall protein could act as a virulence factor as well as an important immunogen of S. suis capsular type 2.

Detection and characterization of leptospiral antigens using a biotin/avidin double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot

A biotin/avidin double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antigens of Leptospira interrogans serovars in experimentally inoculated bovine urine samples was evaluated. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) from rabbits immunized with L. interrogans serovar hardjo type hardjobovis sonicated, whole cell, and formalinized-heated antigen preparations were purified by a protein A-superose column coupled to fast protein liquid chromatography, and evaluated for species specificity in the ELISA. The ELISA using each specific IgG detected as few as 10(4) leptospires of the homologous serovar hardjo diluted in phosphate-buffered saline solution with Tween 20 (PBSS-Tween 20). On immunoblot analysis of proteinase-K-digested whole cell leptospiral preparations, each IgG revealed the presence of bands specific to serovar hardjo, suggesting the presence of serovar-specific epitopes on the lipopolysaccharide molecules. The minimum number of cells of heterologous serovars pomona, grippotyphosa, bratislava, icterohaemorrhagiae and copenhageni detected by each ELISA was greater, ranging from 10(6) to 10(7). The common antigenic determinants observed on immunoblot analysis were different for each specific IgG, except for a major cross-reacting, possibly flagellar, protein doublet at approximately 36-36.5 kDa. Leptospires were equally well detected by the ELISA in both bovine urine and PBSS-Tween 20.

Comparative studies of D-myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and synthetic 6-deoxy D-myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate: binding and calcium release activity in rat parotid microsomes

In this study, we report our data on the binding of D-myoinositol(1,4,5)P3 and of 6-deoxy D-myoinositol(1,4,5)P3 to a rat parotid microsomal fraction and their effect on Ca2+ release. The binding affinity and the potency of 6-deoxy Ins(1,4,5)P3 to induce Ca2+ release are about 100 times lower than those of Ins(1,4,5)P3. However, maximal concentrations of both inositol trisphosphates induce similar calcium efflux and present comparable displacement of radioligand binding. Experiments were performed to exclude that the microsomal preparations used display rapid metabolism of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or 6-deoxy Ins(1,4,5)P3 during binding and Ca2+ release. We also report that, in permeabilized rat parotid acini preparations, 6-deoxy Ins(1,4,5)P3 is about 100 times less potent than Ins(1,4,5)P3 in inducing Ca2+ release. These data indicate that removal of the hydroxyl group in position 6 of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 molecule severely reduces its binding affinity which seems, in a large part at least, responsible for the reported loss of potency in mobilizing Ca2+. Nevertheless, 6-deoxy Ins(1,4,5)P3 seems to be a full agonist for the release of Ca2+.

Interaction of synthetic D-6-deoxy-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate with the Ca2(+)-releasing D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, and the metabolic enzymes 5-phosphatase and 3-kinase

The ability of D-6-deoxy-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [6-deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)P3], a synthetic analogue of the second messenger D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], to mobilise intracellular Ca2+ stores in permeabilised SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was investigated. 6-Deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)P3 was a full agonist (EC50 = 6.4 microM), but was some 70-fold less potent than Ins (1,4,5)P3 (EC50 = 0.09 microM), indicating that the 6-hydroxyl group of Ins(1,4,5)P3 is important for receptor binding and stimulation of Ca2+ release, but is not an essential structural feature. 6-Deoxy-Ins(1,4,5)P3 was not a substrate for Ins (1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase, but inhibited both the hydrolysis of 5-[32P]+ Ins (1,4,5)P3 (Ki 76 microM) and the phosphorylation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 (apparent Ki 5.7 microM). 6-Deoxy-Ins (1,4,5)P3 mobilized Ca2+ with different kinetics to Ins(1,4,5)P3, indicating that it is probably a substrate for Ins (1,4,5)P3 3-kinase.

Determination of affinity of Pasteurella multocida isolates for porcine respiratory tract mucus, and partial characterization of the receptors

The ability of 25 Pasteurella multocida isolates to adhere in vitro to porcine respiratory tract mucus was examined. Microplate wells were coated with crude mucus preparation, then bacteria were added. After incubation, unbound bacteria were removed by washing, and the number of mucus-bound bacteria was estimated by quantitation of the adherent colony-forming units and by use of an ELISA. Pasteurella multocida had affinity to respiratory tract mucus, although significant differences were not observed in affinity of capsular type-A and type-D isolates. Preliminary characterization, using ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography, electrophoresis, and enzymatic treatments, indicated that the receptors may be a class of protein molecules of low molecular weight (less than 25,000). The origin of these receptors, however, is not known at this time.

Role of lipopolysaccharides in adherence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to porcine tracheal rings

The ability of 17 Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolates, representing serotypes 1, 2, 5, and 7, to adhere to tracheal rings maintained in culture was examined. Porcine tracheal rings were infected, and 8 h after inoculation, adherent bacterial cells were evaluated. A. pleuropneumoniae adhered to tracheal rings, and marked variations were observed between and even within serotypes, suggesting that adherence of this microorganism is not primarily related to the serotype of the isolate. No relationship was found between adherence to porcine tracheal rings and plasmid profiles, virulence in mice, hemagglutination, capsular material thickness, or whole-cell protein profiles. On the other hand, we observed that all isolates of serotypes 1 and 5 had a semirough-type lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas isolates of serotypes 2 and 7 had a smooth-type LPS (75%) or a semirough-type LPS (25%). Results showed that 83% of isolates with a smooth-type LPS adhered in large numbers to tracheal rings, whereas 80% of isolates with a semirough-type LPS adhered poorly (P less than 0.007). Our data indicated that the degree of adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to porcine tracheal rings appeared to be related, at least in part, to LPS profiles. Furthermore, LPS seemed to be the adhesin of A. pleuropneumoniae, since purified LPS blocked adherence of this microorganism to porcine tracheal rings.

Immunoelectron microscopic demonstration that Renibacterium salmoninarum is encapsulated

The cell surfaces of four strains of Renibacterium salmoninarum, including the type strain Lea-7-74T, were examined by transmission electron microscopy after immuno-stabilization and staining with ruthenium red. Cells were covered with a layer of capsular material whose thickness varied between 30 to 60 nm. Our results indicate that R. salmoninarum is encapsulated.

In vitro inhibition of growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Neisseria meningitidis isolated from the pharynx of homosexual men

Despite the high prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhea and of meningococcal carriage among homosexual men, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis are rarely co-isolated from the throat. Forty-seven meningococcal isolates from the pharynx of homosexual men were examined, by a lawn-spotting method, for their ability to inhibit N. gonorrhoeae in vitro. Eight (17%) of the meningococcal isolates were inhibitory when tested against gonococci from the same patient, while 31 (66%) were inhibitory when tested against N. gonorrhoeae strain 650 (T1). The colonial type T1 of a given strain was, in all cases tested, more sensitive to the inhibitory activities than the corresponding T4 type. Since the meningococci co-isolated from the throat with gonococci were at least as inhibitory in vitro as those isolated without gonococci, the natural resistance to gonococcal pharyngitis cannot be explained on the basis of the inhibitory activities produced by the meningococci in vitro. The inhibitory strains of N. meningitidis were identified in decreasing importance as: nonserogroupable, W135, C, B, 29E, and X. The addition of trypsin to the solid medium removed the inhibition produced by the meningococci, an observation suggesting the involvement of protein inhibitors.

In vitro adhesion of Staphylococcus strains to rabbit tissues

Differences in the in vitro adhesion of Staphylococcus strains on rabbit tissues were evaluated by viable unit counts and radio-labeling. Among coagulase-positive strains, two freshly isolated strains and the Cowan I strain adhered much more than the Wood 46 strain especially to peritoneum. In addition, the Smith strain, which is coagulase-positive and encapsulated, showed on rabbit peritoneum a degree of adhesion smaller than that of the Cowan I strain and similar to that of the Wood 46 strain. These quantitative results were corroborated by examination of the bacteria on thin sections of peritoneum or on whole mesentery samples with fluorescence microscopy. With fluorochroming either with acridine orange or fluorescent homologous antibodies, we could detect a preferential localization of the bacteria on the epithelium and also on fibers of the mesentery. Even if the Cowan I strain produces Protein A, this substance does not seem to have been involved in the adhesion of this strain to rabbit tissues, since IgG did not affect the degree of its adhesion. Treatment by Na metaperiodate of the peritoneum had an inhibitory effect of about 50% on the degree of adhesion; several other known inhibitors had no effect. The higher affinity of the Cowan I strain for the peritoneum or the mesentery, when compared with the Wood 46 strain, is an observation which could contribute to the study and understanding of adhesion, presumably an element of the experimental pathogenicity of Staphylococcus.

[The morphologic relation between the temporomandibular joint and other components of the masticatory apparatus in catarrhine simians and humans]

The articular temporo-mandibular structures and their osseous and dental environment were studied in some catarhinians Simians (Cynomorphs and Anthropomorphs) and some representatives of the human lineage. The study of measurable and descriptive characters showed a relative stability of the temporo-mandibular joint compared to the dynamism of the other components of the masticatory system. The functional specificity of the actual human temporo-mandibular joint seemed to be tightly associated to the main processes leading toward human evolution (facial regression, increase of the cranial capacity). On the other hand, this study casts some doubts regarding the utilization of Primates for experiments in this field.

[Acquisition of masticatory structures in mammalian reptiles (preliminary study]

Possession of the masticatory function and apparatus appears as essential for the passage from Reptiles to Mammals. The present study, based on material of the Museum of d'Histoire Naturelle of Paris and on the literature, tries to distinguish the different stages of modification and specialization of feeding device in the cynodont theriodonts, leading to the mammalian stomatognathic system. The relationship between bone components (lateral skull and lower jaw), teeth and muscles are discussed. Induction of these changes comes from the external adductor muscular system in which the transformation from a primitive mass to mammalianlike masticatory muscles, directs this evolution. The conditions of feeding specialization of the Gomphodonts are discussed, as well as their evolutionary failure. Lastly, without taking up the quarrel about the double jaw-joint, it seems for the authors that the jaw-joint transformation appears as the most determinative element for assigning mammalian origins to the Cynodonts.