Systematic characterization of human testis-specific actin capping protein β3 as a possible biomarker for male infertility

STUDY QUESTION

Is actin capping protein (CP) β3 involved in human spermatogenesis and male infertility?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Human CPβ3 (hCPβ3) is expressed in testis, changes its localization dynamically during spermatogenesis, and has some association with male infertility.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

The testis-specific α subunit of CP (CPα3) was previously identified in human, and mutations in the cpα3 gene in mouse were shown to induce malformation of the sperm head and male infertility. However, CPβ3, which is considered to be a heterodimeric counterpart of CPα3, has been neither characterized in human nor reported in association with male infertility.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

To confirm the existence of CPβ3 in human testis, fresh semen samples from proven fertile men were analyzed. To investigate protein expression during spermatogenesis, cryopreserved testis obtained from men with obstructive azoospermia were examined by immunofluorescent analysis. To assess the association of CP with male infertility, we compared protein expression of human CPα3 (hCPα3) and hCPβ3 using immunofluorescent analysis of cryopreserved sperm between men with normozoospermia (volunteers: Normo group, n = 20) and infertile men with oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia (O + A group, n = 21).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The tissue-specific expression of hCPβ3 was investigated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. To investigate whether hCPα3 and hCPβ3 form a heterodimer, a tandem expression vector containing hcpα3 tagged with monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 and hcpβ3 tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein in a single plasmid was constructed and analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. The protein expression profiles of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 during spermatogenesis were examined by immunohistochemical analysis using human spermatogenic cells. The protein expressions of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 in sperm were compared between the Normo and O + A groups by immunohistochemical analysis.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

RT-PCR showed that mRNA of hcpβ3 was expressed exclusively in testis. Western blot analysis detected hCPβ3 with anti-bovine CPβ3 antibody. Co-IP assay with recombinant protein showed that hCPα3 and hCPβ3 form a protein complex. At each step during spermatogenesis, the cellular localization of hCPβ3 changed dynamically. In spermatogonia, hCPβ3 showed a slight signal in cytoplasm. hCPβ3 expression was conspicuous mainly from spermatocytes, and hCPβ3 localization dynamically migrated from cytoplasm to the acrosomal cap and acrosome. In mature spermatozoa, hCPβ3 accumulated in the postacrosomal region and less so at the midpiece of the tail. Double-staining analysis revealed that hCPα3 localization was identical to hCPβ3 at every step in the spermatogenic cells. Most spermatozoa from the Normo group were stained homogenously by both hCPα3 and hCPβ3. In contrast, significantly more spermatozoa in the O + A versus Normo group showed heterogeneous or lack of staining for either hCPα3 or hCPβ3 (abnormal staining) (P < 0.001). The percentage of abnormal staining was higher in the O + A group (52.4 ± 3.0%) than in the Normo group (31.2 ± 2.5%). Even by confining the observations to morphologically normal spermatozoa selected in accordance with David's criteria, the percentage of abnormal staining was still higher in the O + A group (39.9 ± 2.9%) versus the Normo group (22.5 ± 2.1%) (P < 0.001). hCPβ3 in conjunction with hCPα3 seemed to play an important role in spermatogenesis and may be associated with male infertility.

LARGE SCALE DATA

Not applicable.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Owing to the difficulty of collecting fresh samples of human testis, we used cryopreserved samples from testicular sperm extraction. To examine the interaction of spermatogenic cells or localization in seminiferous tubules, fresh testis sample of healthy males are ideal.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The altered expression of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 may not only be a cause of male infertility but also a prognostic factor for the results of ART. They may be useful biomarkers to determine the fertilization ability of human sperm in ART.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP16K20133). The authors declare no competing interests.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling low-temperature germinability in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Low-temperature germination is one of the major determinants for stable stand establishment in the direct seeding method in temperate regions, and at high altitudes of tropical regions. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling low-temperature germinability in rice were identified using 122 backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from a cross between temperate japonica varieties, Italica Livorno and Hayamasari. The germination rate at 15 degrees C was measured to represent low-temperature germination and used for QTL analysis. The germination rate at 15 degrees C for 7 days of Italica Livorno and Hayamasari was 98.7 and 26.8%, respectively, and that of BILs ranged from 0 to 83.3%. Using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we constructed a linkage map which corresponded to about 90% of the rice genome. Three putative QTLs associated with low-temperature germination were detected. The most effective QTL, qLTG-3-1 on chromosome 3, accounted for 35.0% of the total phenotypic variation for low-temperature germinability. Two additional QTLs, qLTG-3-2 on chromosome 3 and qLTG-4 on chromosome 4, were detected and accounted for 17.4 and 5.5% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. The Italica Livorno alleles in all detected QTLs increased the low-temperature germination rate.

[A case of clinically multifocal renal cell carcinoma]

A 61-year-old woman was diagnosed with a renal tumor of the left kidney by ultrasound sonography during a health check-up. Computerized tomography (CT) and colored Doppler ultrasound sonography demonstrated two hypervascular tumors as typical renal cell carcinomas. A radically nephrectomized specimen was step-sectioned. Four tumor nodules were detected macroscopically, and 47 small nodules were detected microscopically, showing the clear cell type and alveolar growth pattern. Then all nodules including the 47 small nodules were diagnosed renal cell carcinoma.

Thrombopoietin modulates platelet activation in vitro through protein-tyrosine phosphorylation

To determine the roles of thrombopoietin (TPO) in platelet function in vitro, we examined the effects of TPO on platelet aggregation. Although several proteins in platelets were tyrosine-phosphorylated by TPO treatment, TPO alone was unable to induce platelet aggregation. However, the secondary wave of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was enhanced by TPO in a dose-dependent manner. TPO in conjunction with ADP augmented tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet proteins, including tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins induced by TPO alone. Genistein inhibited protein-tyrosine phosphorylation in platelets induced by TPO with ADP and suppressed TPO-enhanced platelet aggregation. Moreover, tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP-kinases induced by TPO alone and TPO with ADP was consistent with TPO-enhanced platelet aggregation. These findings in the present study suggest that signal transduction involved in TPO-enhanced platelet aggregation is mediated in part by tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, including MAP-kinases, in platelets through TPO-stimulated c-Mpl, TPO receptor.

Evaluating systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity using molecular markers of hemostasis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the usefulness of measuring sensitive markers of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system (i.e., thrombin-antithrombin III complex [TAT], D dimer fragments [DD], and plasmin-alpha2-plasmin inhibitor complex [PIC]) for evaluating disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

We studied 57 SLE patients. Plasma concentrations of DD were measured by latex agglutination using monoclonal antibodies; TAT and PIC were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Disease activity was determined by using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).

RESULTS

Levels of TAT, DD, and PIC were higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05). Levels of TAT and DD showed good correlations with SLEDAI scores (for TAT r=0.66, P<0.001; for DD r=0.50, P<0.001). Elevated levels of TAT, DD, and PIC were decreased following treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results strongly suggest that measurement of molecular markers of hemostasis is useful for evaluating disease activity in patients with SLE.

Inhibition of analgesic-induced asthma by leukotriene receptor antagonist ONO-1078

We evaluated the effect of ONO-1078, a selective leukotriene-C4, -D4, and -E4-receptor antagonist, on bronchoconstriction intensity during inhalation challenge with dipyrone (a pyrazolone derivative) in six aspirin-sensitive asthmatics. A double-blind, randomized, crossover design was used. After ingestion of 225 mg ONO-1078 or matching placebo, subjects underwent bronchial provocation with dipyrone on two occasions, separated by 4 wk. Aerosol inhalation of dipyrone was performed increasing the concentration stepwise from 0.08 to 10% (wt/vol). FEV1 was measured every 10 min up to 30 min after inhalation of each concentration. Threshold concentrations causing a fall in FEV1 > or = 20% of baseline value were 0.4% in four subjects and 2% in the other two on the placebo day. After pretreatment with ONO-1078, threshold concentration was 10% in two subjects, and no fall in FEV1 was observed in the other four, even after inhalation of 10% dipyrone. Values of PD20 were 21.9 +/- 8.2 units (mean +/- SEM) after placebo and 311.6 +/- 40.3 units after ONO-1078, respectively, and a statistically significant difference occurred (p < 0.001). Provocation of bronchoconstriction was completely inhibited in subjects whose plasma ONO-1078 levels were more than 0.5 microgram/ml. These results support the hypothesis that sulfidopeptide leukotriene-induced bronchoconstriction is one important component in the pathophysiology of aspirin-induced asthma.

Effect of rush immunotherapy in house-dust-mite (HDM)-sensitive adult bronchial asthma: changes in in vivo and in vitro responses to HDM

An open study was conducted to evaluate the changes in in vivo and in vitro responses to house-dust-mite (HDM) after rush immunotherapy (RI). A 7-day RI protocol using an extract containing HDM allergen was administered to 12 subjects with HDM-sensitive asthma, and the effects on bronchial responsiveness and serum antibody levels were evaluated up to 16 or 20 weeks after RI. The levels of HDM-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were significantly elevated from 4 or 8 weeks after RI. Provocative doses causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20) by allergen inhalation were elevated in all subjects at 16 to 20 weeks after RI. There was a high correlation between the increase in log-PD20 and the increase in the ratio of HDM-specific IgG4 to IgG1 (r = 0.68, p < 0.05). The results suggest that RI elicits the improvement of allergen-specific bronchial responsiveness and the increase in serum antibody levels within a relatively short period.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, induced by retinoic acid and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) not only enhanced the growth of HL-60 cells, but also significantly increased NBT-reducing ability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of the cells, which were enhanced by the treatment with retinoic acid (RA). Protein kinase C inhibitors (H-7 and staurosporine) significantly suppressed this induction of ALP. The pretreatment with RA followed by rhG-CSF treatment showed almost the same degree of ALP activity as that induced by the simultaneous treatment with RA and rhG-CSF. This study suggests that RA and rhG-CSF are the potent inducers of ALP activity of HL-60 cells and protein kinase C is supposed to have a role in this induction of ALP.

[Improvement of intractable nocturnal asthma treated by therapeutic awakening]

A 33-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of intractable asthma which had not been improved by intensive treatment at another hospital. Her asthmatic attacks were improved within a week by treatments including systemic corticosteroids and mechanical ventilation. However, in a few weeks nocturnal asthma recurred frequently, and it was resistant to various bronchodilators and steroids. Therapeutic awakening, that is, awakening the patient quietly at 3 a.m. with inhalation of 2.5 mg salbutamol was started. Her symptoms and physical findings rapidly improved thereafter. It was concluded that therapeutic awakening may be effective for the treatment of refractory morning dipping of asthma.

[Jaccoud's type arthritis in a patient with unclassified connective tissue disease complicated with alveolar cell carcinoma]

The association between Jaccoud's type arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is well recognized. Myositis, various arthropathy, and an assortment of miscellaneous connective tissue disorders have been described in association with malignancies. To date however Jaccoud's type arthritis has not been reported in unclassified connective tissue disease (UCTD) complicated with alveolar cell carcinoma (ACC). We describe a UCTD patient who presented LE cells, fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA), developing nonerosive, deforming arthritis and ACC. The case is a 59-year-old female who was admitted to our department in November, 1991 for exacerbated exertional dyspnea. She presented with UCTD of six years duration, characterized during follow-up by no history of rheumatic fever or Sjögren's syndrome, nor SLE. Five years later from onset of UCTD, her fingers developed a marked ulnar deviation, as well as pronounced swan-neck deformities. However, radiology did not show the marginal erosions of rheumatoid arthritis. A chest radiograph revealed a reticulogranular shadow in allover lung field, and a lung scintigram showed perfusion dominant mismatched defect in bilateral lower lung field. A transbronchial lung biopsy of B8a was diagnostic for ACC.

[Hematological study in 27 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)]

The clinical, histologic, and cytogenetic features of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were analyzed in 27 patients consisting of 21 males and 6 females (M: F ratio = 3.5:1) whose median age was 60.9 years. Analysis of the peripheral blood of the patients revealed pancytopenia (8 patients), bicytopenia (12), and cytopenia in one cell lineage (5). The patients had high serum iron value and low UIBC value. More than 20% of all erythroid cells in the bone marrow consisted of ringed sideroblasts in not only RARS patients but also RAEB, CMMoL, and RAEB-T patients. Morphological changes of the bone marrow cells were observed in patients with all types of MDS. Eighty percent and 60% of RAEB and RAEB-T patients, respectively, showed trilineage myelodysplasia. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 52% of MDS patients. The rate of leukemic transformation was high in RAEB, CMMoL, and RAEB-T patients.

The evidence of platelet activation in bronchial asthma

The possible involvement of platelets in bronchial asthma was investigated under three different conditions: (1) chronic asthma, (2) bronchial provocation inhaling house dust mite (HDM), and (3) status asthmaticus. Plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), and in part, platelet-activating factor (PAF) were measured. Approximately one third of the subjects with symptomatic or asymptomatic chronic asthma showed an increased level of beta-TG or PF4. Statistically significant differences occurred in beta-TG and PF4 levels only between healthy controls and symptomatic subjects. Five out of six subjects showed no elevation of beta-TG and PF4 during immediate asthmatic response. In two out of nine subjects with status asthmaticus, beta-TG or PF4 was elevated, and statistically significant correlations occurred between the initial level of PAF and that of beta-TG or PF4. Those results suggest that the platelet activation in the circulation is sometimes provoked in asthma, but plasma level of alpha-granule-derived proteins does not reflect the intensity or severity of asthma, and that PAF is likely to be a mediator responsible for the platelet activation.

[The effects of retinoic acid and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on alkaline phosphatase activity of HL-60 cells]

We examined alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the HL-60 cell induced by retinoic acid (RA) and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). rhG-CSF induced a small but significant increase of NBT-reducing ability and ALP activity of the HL-60 cells. Among various inducers of cell differentiation, 1,25(OH)2D3 and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) caused the increase of the NBT-reducing ability and the suppression of ALP activity induced by rhG-CSF, while RA enhanced both of them. Protein kinase C inhibitors (H-7 and staurosporine) but not a protein kinase A inhibitor (HA1004) significantly suppressed the ALP activity induced by the simultaneous treatment with RA and rhG-CSF.

DNA analyses of XX and XX-hypospadiac males

Fourteen 46,XX "males" were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization with seventeen different Y chromosome-derived DNA probes and by the polymerase chain reaction for an additional two sites on the short arm of Y. Eight 46,XX males possessed various segments of the short arm of the Y chromosome, including the sex determining region. The detected segments ranged from the two most distal loci to nearly the entire length of the short arm, viz., 10 out of 11 loci. None of the eight patients had hypospadia. Five out of the six remaining cases had hypospadia and no Y sequence was detected, suggesting the presence of a causative difference between hypospadiac and non-hypospadiac groups.

[The long-term effect of high-dose beclomethasone dipropionate on the pituitary-adrenal function]

The pituitary-adrenal function was studied in seven asthmatic subjects who had been received daily inhalations of 800 to 1,000 micrograms of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) over a year. None of the subjects had taken oral corticosteroids for at least six months prior to the study. As indices of pituitary-adrenal function, 1) circadian rhythm of plasma ACTH and cortisol, 2) urine 17-OHCS and 17-KS, and 3) the response of cortisol in rapid ACTH test were examined. All subjects showed normal circadian rhythms of plasma ACTH and cortisol levels. Urinary 17-OHCS and 17-KS excretions over a 24-hour period were also within the normal range. Plasma cortisol levels in the rapid ACTH test were significantly increased and judged as normal responses in all subjects. These results indicate that long-term treatment with BDP ranging from 800 to 1,000 micrograms/day induces no suppressive effect on the pituitary-adrenal function.

[Contamination of endoscopes and endoscope washers by atypical mycobacteria]

Contamination of endoscopes and endoscope washers by atypical mycobacteria was studied. Large amounts of atypical mycobacteria were detected with high frequency inside endoscopes and endoscope washers. The species of atypical mycobacteria was Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. abscessus. Antibacterial-effects of glutaraldehyde against isolated atypical mycobacteria were checked. Sufficient antibacterial-effect was not obtained by 2% glutaraldehyde solution for endoscope sterilization. However, after frequent manual washing and brushing of endoscopes, by using 3% glutaraldehyde solution and 70% alcohol, all endoscopic instruments were completely decontaminated. We must pay attention to contamination of endoscopes and endoscope washer at least once a month.

[A case of allergic bronchopulmonary candidiasis treated with amphotericin B inhalation]

A 77-year-old man underwent emergency admission for nocturnal asthmatic attack. Although his asthmatic attack improved within a few days with treatment including systemic corticosteroid, bilateral recurrent infiltrative shadows developed in his chest roentgenogram in association with a further exacerbation of dyspnea. Various antibiotic agents were given; however, the pulmonary infiltration did not improve. He was transferred to our department with the diagnosis of intractable pneumonia. C. albicans was detected in the sputum, and both IgE antibody and precipitating antibody specific for C. albicans were positive. Immediate cutaneous reactivity to C. albicans was positive even with a million-fold dilution of antigen extract C. albicans was also detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary candidiasis was made. Chest roentgenographic findings as well as clinical symptoms improved with inhalation of 50 mg of amphotericin B.

[Bronchial lavage in the treatment of status asthmaticus]

Bronchial lavage was performed in 10 cases with status asthmaticus who were mechanically ventilated. The mean value of PaCO2 was 64.4 +/- 17.4 Torr before bronchial lavage, and it significantly decreased to 51.9 +/- 11.0 Torr after lavage. In 7 out the 10 cases, bronchial lavage was judged to be effective from the clinical point of view. In 5 cases with values of PaCO2 of over 55 Torr before lavage, massive mucus plugs were recovered. Bronchial lavage was judged to be effective in all of them, whereas three out of the another five cases whose values of PaCO2 were less than 55 Torr showed exacerbation of hypercapnia, and the state of asthma worsened and/or continued for a longer period. The ratio of PaO2/FiO2 did not improve even in effective cases. These results indicated that bronchial lavage is a useful tool to improve the hypercapnic state in patient with status asthmaticus being mechanically ventilated, if the value of PaCO2 is over 55 Torr.

Identification and characterization of a plaque forming avian rotavirus isolated from a wild bird in Japan

From fresh faeces of a wild bird (Melanitta fusca), a virus that showed granular cytopathic effects (CPE) on chicken kidney cell (CKC) cultures was isolated. By indirect immunofluorescence analyses (IFA), this isolate reacted with an antiserum against a bovine rotavirus. The isolate produced clear plaques on CKC by conventional techniques, without trypsin. Three virus plaques were selected by plaque size (small, medium, and large) and cloned by three successive plaque cloning. In the SDS-PAGE analyses, dsRNA bands showed a typical profile of avian rotavirus and quite different from that of avian reovirus. With dsRNA patterns, IFA results, CPE, and a morphological property, the clones were identified as avian rotaviruses of group A rotavirus. The clones killed chicken embryos, when they were inoculated to yolk sac.

[The influence of repirinast, an anti-allergic drug, on theophylline pharmacokinetics in patients with bronchial asthma]

In order to clarify whether repirinast, an inhibitor of chemical mediator release, could influence the pharmacokinetics of theophylline, a loading test using intravenous injection of aminophylline was performed in 10 subjects with bronchial asthma before and after treatment with 300 mg/day of repirinast. There was no significant difference in theophylline half-life before treatment (7.25 +/- 2.43 hr) and after treatment (7.82 +/- 3.35 hr). There was no significant difference in theophylline clearance before treatment (0.047 +/- 0.018 L/kg/hr) and after treatment (0.047 +/- 0.020 L/kg/hr). These results demonstrated that repirinast does not modify theophylline pharmacokinetics significantly.

Primary osteogenic sarcoma of pulmonary artery

A 44-year-old woman was hospitalized for nonproductive cough. Chest roentogenogram revealed a calcified nodular mass at the right hilum. The patient was treated as tuberculosis of the hilar lymph node, however, her symptoms exacerbated within a year. A tumor obstructing the right main stem bronchus was demonstrated on bronchofiberscopic examination. Thoracotomy was carried out and tumor was diagnosed as primary osteogenic sarcoma of the pulmonary artery by pathological examination of the resected specimen. There was no clinical finding of osteogenic sarcoma throughout the bones.

[A cured case of adult respiratory distress syndrome caused by septicemia of Staphylococcus aureus]

A 33-year-old woman was admitted as an emergency case because of shock condition after delivery. Physical examination revealed fever, cyanosis and coarse crackles throughout the entire chest. Laboratory data showed leukocytosis and increase of CRP value. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was diagnosed based on progressive severe hypoxemia and bilateral diffuse alveolar shadows on chest X-ray film. The cause of ARDS was considered to be septicemia as staphylococcus aureus was cultured from lochia. The patient was intubated, then artificially ventilated employing PEEP. Chemotherapy using three different kinds of antibiotics was started, combined with the administration of corticosteroid and a protease inhibitor, Urinastatin. The patient finally recovered completely.

[Combination chemotherapy with bronchial arterial infusion (BAI) and systemic chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

Five patients of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with atelectasis and/or poor performance status were treated with combination MVP therapy consisting of bronchial arterial infusion (BAI) using cisplatin (50 mg) and simultaneous systemic MVP therapy. The tumor size reduced more than 50% in three patients, and less than 25% in one patient. In another patient the tumor size was not measurable. Four of five patients showed disappearance of atelectasis, and three of four patients showed improvement of performance status. Average time taken was 13 and 17 days, respectively. We expect that combination MVP therapy has beneficial effects not only for relieving local symptoms and improving performance status within shorter period, but also achieving a better prognosis.

Peplomycin sulfate and pulmonary fibrosis: hydroxyproline, uronic acid, proline hydroxylase and glucosamine 6-phosphate synthetase in lungs of hamsters treated with peplomycin

Effect of peplomycin sulfate (PLM) on pulmonary fibrosis was examined. Hydroxyproline, uronic acid, proline hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.2) and glucosamine 6-phosphate synthetase (EC 2.6.1.16) in lungs of hamsters treated with PLM were studied and compared with those of hamsters treated with bleomycin (BLM). PLM, when administered intraperitoneally, one injection daily for 10 consecutive days, at either a high- (5 mg/kg) or low- (2.8 mg/kg) dosage-level, caused no significant increase of lung hydroxyproline and uronic acid as compared with controls. BLM on the other hand effected a significant increase in lung hydroxyproline on the high-dosage level (5 mg/kg) but not on the low-dosage level (2.8 mg/kg). In contrast, when administering PLM intratracheally, the concentrations of hydroxyproline in lungs increased 20% over the control levels. A transient increase of proline hydroxylase and glucosamine 6-phosphate synthetase also occurred shortly after the instillation. These increases were also observed in the corresponding groups treated with BLM, which confirmed the previous observations by other investigators. However, the magnitude of the increase was relatively lower in those values of PLM as compared with those of BLM. These data suggested that (1) PLM, when administered with multiple dosages intraperitoneally, showed no significant effect on the elevation of lung hydroxyproline; (2) PLM, when administered with a dose intratracheally, induced pulmonary fibrosis similar to that caused by BLM. However, the hydroxyproline accumulation in lungs of PLM-treated hamsters was less than in those of the BLM-treated; (3) The fibrotic effect on the lungs caused by either PLM or BLM was probably attributed to acceleration of the syntheses of collagen and acidic glycosaminoglycans.

[Clinical studies on pivmecillinam in urinary tract infections (author's transl)]

Pivmecillinam (PMPC), semisynthetic penicillin for oral use, was studied clinically and following results were obtained. 1) Twenty-eight patients with acute simple cystitis treated with the drug 200 mg/day for 4 days, clinical results were excellent in 23 cases and moderate in 5 cases. Six patients with chronic simple cystitis treated with the drug 400 mg/day for 7 days, clinical results were excellent in 4 cases, moderate in 1 case and poor in 1 case. Eight patients with complicated urinary tract infections treated with the drug 400 mg/day for 7 days, clinical results were excellent in 2 cases, moderate in 2 cases and poor in 4 cases. Overall effectiveness amounted to 88.1%. 2) Pivmecillinam was clinically effective in patients infected by Gram-negative bacteria except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 3) No side effects were observed in all cases. The effectiveness of PMPC for acute simple cystitis was compared with that of talampicillin (TAPC), ampicillin (ABPC), amoxicillin (AMPC) and pivampicillin (PVPC) reported previously and PMPC was assessed as the most useful agent in these. Then, pivmecillinam should be chosen firstly as a chemotherapeutic agent for acute simple cystitis.

Purification and properties of an alkaline ribonuclease from the hepatic cytosol fraction of bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

In the hepatic cytosol fraction of bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, an alkaline RNase [EC 3.1.4.22] exists in two forms. One is the free form of RNase, which elutes from a carboxymethyl-cellulose column at a concentration of 0.2 M NaC1. The other is a masked or latent form (RNase-RNase inhibitor complex) which is not adsorbed on the carboxymethyl-cellulose column and which can be converted to the free form of RNase by the addition of p-chloromercuribenzoate. Electrophoretically pure RNase was obtained by the following procedure. The unadsorbed fraction of hepatic cytosol on a column of carboxymethyl-cellulose was treated with p-chloromercuribenzoate and then applied to a second carboxymethyl-cellulose column. The molar weight of RNase was determined to be approximately 12,000 by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. From the results of gel filtration, the molecular weight of the RNase-RNase inhibitor complex was 130,000. The RNase hydrolyzed poly C, poly U, and poly I, but not poly A or poly G. When poly C was used as a substrate, 2',3'-cyclic CMP as an intermediate and 3'-CMP as a final product were identified. The results of amino acid analysis indicated the presence of an unusual component. The general properties of the RNase and the RNase-RNase inhibitor complex are also reported.