Association between pulmonary function and cardiac enzymes in sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

There is scarcity of data on association between lung function and cardiac markers in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Meanwhile, SCD affects multi-organs in any one population. There seem to be an association between reduced pulmonary function with cardiac dysfunction. The current study examined the association between pulomanry function with cardiac markers in patients with SCD.

METHODOLOGY

This was a cross-sectional study with cases and controls. The cases (n=117) were made up of patients with SCD. The control subjects (n=58) were voluntary blood donors without SCD. The cellulose acetate electrophoresis was used to determine the genotypes of the study subjects. Blood samples were collected from all the study subjects for full blood count and measurement of cardiac enzymes. The cardiac enzymes measured were lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB). Lung function test, using the vitalograph was done on all the study subjects. The Global Lung Initiative criteria were used to categorize lung disease as obstruction, restriction, mixed obstruction/restriction and normal.

RESULTS

The prevalence of elevated CK-MB and LDH among the SCD patients was 76.92% and 9.40% respectively, higher than the non-SCD controls (51.72% and 0% for elevated CK-MB and LDH respectively). Of all the impaired lung function, lung restriction was prevalent in all the study groups (30.77% and 15.52% for SCD patients and non-SCD controls respectively). In the fully adjusted model, reduced FEV1 was associated with nearly 3.5-fold higher odds of elevated CK-MB (odds ratio 3.35, 95% CI 1.26-8.90, p-value 0.015) in individuals with SCD.

CONCLUSION

Reduced FEV₁ which reflects airflow impairments are associated with CK-MB elevations in patients with SCD, suggesting a possible damage to the cardiomyocytes.

DIBUTYLTIN(IV) ALKYLCYCLOHEXYLDITHIOCARBAMATES: SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURES OF DIBUTYLTIN(IV) N-METHYL AND N-ETHYLCYCLOHEXYLDITHIOCARBAMATE

A new series of dibutyltin(IV) alkylcyclohexyldithiocarbamates of the type (C4H9)2Sn[S2CNR(C6H11)]2 (R = CH3, C2H5, i-C3H7) have been successfully synthesized using in-situ method. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and 13C NMR spectroscopy. A single crystal X-ray analysis of dibutyltin(IV) ethylcyclohexyldithiocarbamate, (C4H9)2Sn[S2CN(C2H5)(C6H11)]2 (compound 2) showed that the system of this crystal is triclinic with space group P-1 while dibutyltin(IV) methylcyclohexyldithiocarbamate, (C4H9)2Sn[S2CN(CH3)(C6H11)]2 (compound 1) has monoclinic system and it’s space group is P21/c. In the crystal structure of compound 2, the dithiocarbamate ligands are bidentically chelated to the tin atom with non-equivalent of the Sn-S distances: Sn(1)-S(1) = 2.9255(11) and Sn(1)-S(2) = 2.5419(10); Sn(1)-S(3) = 2.8922(9) and Sn(1)-S(4) = 2.5293(10) Å while in compound 1, the dithiocarbamate ligands were anisobidentically  chelated to the tin atom.       

Crystal structure of n-butyl-chlorido-bis[benzyl(isopropyl)carbamodithioato- κ2S:S']-tin(IV), C26H37ClN2S4Sn

C26H37ClN2S4Sn, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 29.2206(11) Å, b = 10.6749(4) Å, c = 19.6877(7) Å, β = 104.411(4)°, V = 5947.9 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0235, wRref(F2) = 0.0545, T = 100 K.

Crystal structure of catena-poly[(µ2-chlorido)-bis(N-ethyl,N-hydroxyethylcarbamodithioato-κ2S,S')bismuth(III) monohydrate], C10H22BiClN2O3S4

C10H22BiClN2O3S4, orthorhombic, Pca21 (no. 29), a = 8.1121(4) Å, b = 10.8634(5) Å, c = 20.7900(9) Å, V = 1832.1 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0278, wRref(F2) = 0.0574, T = 100 K.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of organotin(IV) N-butyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate compounds and their cytotoxicity in human leukemia cell lines

Organotin complexes are recognized as the biologically active compounds in inducing cancerous cells death at very low doses. To date, organotin compounds currently appear among the most potent candidates in research related to the new anticancer drugs. In this study, new organotin(IV) N-butyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate compounds have been successfully synthesized between the reaction of N-butylaniline amine with organotin(IV) chloride in 1:2/1:1 molar ratio. All compounds were characterized using the elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal structure was determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. The elemental analysis showed good agreement with the suggested formula (C4H9)2Sn[S2CN(C4H9)(C6H5)]2 (Compound 1 and 2), (C6H5)2Sn[S2CN(C4H9)(C6H5)]2 (Compound 3) and (C6H5)3Sn[S2CN(C4H9)(C6H5)] (Compound 4). The important infrared absorbance peaks, v (C = N) and v(C = S) were detected in range between 1457-1489 cm(-1) and 951-996 cm(-1), respectively. The chemical shift of carbon in NCS2 group obtained from 13C NMR was found in range 198.86-203.53 ppm. The crystal structure of compound 4 showed that the dithiocarbamate ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion. It crystallized in monoclinic P2(1)/n space group with the crystal cell parameter: a = 10.0488(1) angstroms, b = 18.0008(2) angstroms, c = 15.2054(2) angstroms, beta = 102.442(1) degrees and R = 0.044. The cytotoxicity (IC50) of these compounds against Jurkat E6.1 and K-562 leukemia cells were in the range between 0.4-0.8 and 1.8-5.3 microM, respectively as assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazholium bromide (MTT) assay. In conclusion, our study demonstrate that all compounds showed potent cytotoxicity towards both cell lines tested with the triphenyltin(IV) compound displayed the greatest effect.

(Bipyridine-κ(2)N,N')chlorido[N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-isopropyl-dithio-carbamato-κ(2)S,S']zinc(II)

The Zn^II atom in the title compound, [Zn(C₆H₁₂NOS₂)Cl(C₁₀H₈N₂)], is coordinated by a chelating N-2-hy­droxy­ethyl-N-isopropyl­dithio­carbamate ligand, a 2,2′-bipyridine ligand and a Cl atom. The resulting ClN₂S₂ donor set defines a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. Helical supra­molecular chains sustained by O—H⋯S hydrogen bonds and propagating along the b axis feature in the crystal packing. A three-dimensional architecture is stabilized by C—H⋯O, C—H⋯S and C—H⋯Cl inter­actions.

(N-Ethyl-N-phenyl-dithio-carbamato-κS)triphenyl-tin(IV)

The title compound, [Sn(C₆H₅)₃(C₉H₁₀NS₂)], has two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit and each features a tetra­hedrally coordinated Sn^IV atom as the dithio­carbamate ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion. As the non-coordinating thione S atom is proximate to the Sn atom [Sn⋯S(thione) = 3.1477 (6) and 2.9970 (5) Å for the independent mol­ecules], distortions from the ideal geometry are evident [the widest angle being 120.48 (5)°]. The most notable feature of the crystal packing is the formation of C—H⋯π inter­actions that lead to the formation of supra­molecular layers parallel to (2).

Di-n-butyl-bis-(N-ethyl-N-phenyl-dithio-carbamato-κS)tin(IV)

The title compound, [Sn(C(4)H(9))(2)(C(9)H(10)NS(2))(2)], features a tetra-hedrally coordinated Sn(IV) atom; the dithio-carbamate ligands coordinate in a monodentate fashion, accompanied by two n-butyl chains. The non-coordinating thione S atoms are each proximate to the Sn(IV) atom [3.0136 (7) and 2.9865 (8) Å], giving rise to distortions from the ideal geometry as evident in the wide C-Sn-C bond angle of 139.06 (12) °. In the crystal, C-H⋯S inter-actions lead to the formation of a linear supra-molecular chain along the b axis. The chains are aligned into layers by C-H⋯π inter-actions, and the layers stack along [001]. One of the ethyl groups is statistically disordered over two sets of sites.

(E)-2-[1-(1-Benzothio-phen-2-yl)ethyl-idene]-N-phenyl-hydrazinecarboxamide

The title compound, C(17)H(15)N(3)OS, crystallizes with two unique mol-ecules, denoted 1 and 2, in the asymmetric unit. The two mol-ecules are closely similar and overlay with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.053 Å. Both mol-ecules adopt E configurations with respect to the C=N bonds. The dihedral angles between the benzothio-phene groups and N-bound phenyl rings are 36.36 (9)° for mol-ecule 1 and 29.71 (9)° for mol-ecule 2. The C=N-NH-C(O)NH ethyl-idene-hydrazinecarboxamide units are also reasonably planar, with r.m.s. deviations of 0.061 and 0.056 Å, respectively, for the two mol-ecules. The methyl substituents lie 0.338 (3) and 0.396 (3) Å, respectively, from these planes. The C=N-NH-C(O)NH planes are inclined to the phenyl rings at 13.65 (11) and 15.56 (11)°, respectively, in mol-ecules 1 and 2. This conformation is enhanced by weak intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between ortho-H atoms of the two phenyl rings and the carbonyl O atoms, which generate S(6) rings in each mol-ecule. In the crystal, pairs of mol-ecules are linked by pairs of inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into dimers. Alternating dimers are further inter-connected by weak C-H⋯O contacts into zigzag rows along b. The rows are stacked along a by C-H⋯π contacts involving the benzene ring from molecule 2 and the thiophene ring from molecule 1 of adjacent benzothio-phene units.

Bis(N-isopropyl-N-methyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')zinc

The Zn(II) atom in the title compound, [Zn(C(5)H(10)NS(2))(2)(C(12)H(8)N(2))], exists in a distorted cis-octa-hedral N(2)S(4) donor set defined by two chelating dithio-carbamate anions as well as a 1,10-phenanthroline ligand. Each of the ligands coordinates in a symmetric mode. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak C-H⋯S, C-H⋯π(ZnS(2)C) and π-π [ring centroid distance between centrosymmetrically related pyridyl rings = 3.5955 (13) Å] inter-actions.

(2,2'-Bipyridine-κN,N')bis-(N-isopropyl-N-methyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')cadmium

The Cd^II atom in the title compound, [Cd(C₅H₁₀NS₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)], exists in an N₂S₄ donor set defined by two chelating dithio­carbamate anions as well as a 2,2′-bipyridine ligand. The coordination geometry approximates a trigonal prism. The crystal packing features weak C—H⋯S inter­actions, leading to linear supra­molecular chains along the a axis. The primary connections between these are by π–π stacking inter­actions [ring centroid distance between centrosymmetrically related pyridyl rings = 3.7455 (10) Å]. Overall, the crystal structure may be described as comprising double layers of mol­ecules that stack along the b axis.

(N-Butyl-N-phenyl-dithio-carbamato-κS)triphenyl-tin(IV)

The title compound, [Sn(C₆H₅)₃(C₁₁H₁₄NS₂)], features a tetra­hedrally coordinated Sn atom, as the dithio­carbamate ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion. Due to the proximity of the non-coordinating thione S atom, distortions from ideal tetra­hedral geometry about the metal atom are evident with the widest C—Sn—S angle being 117.26 (5)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯S inter­actions, which generate helical supra­molecular chains along the b axis.

3-[(E)-(4-Chloro-benzyl-idene)amino]-1-phenyl-thio-urea

In the title compound, C(14)H(12)ClN(3)S, the dihedral angle between the terminal benzene rings is 56.6 (2)°; the benzene rings lie to the same side of the mol-ecule. The major twist in the mol-ecule occurs around the C(ar)-N bond (ar is aromatic) [C-N-C-C = 49.9 (5)°]. The configuration about the N=C bond [1.271 (4) Å] is E. The amine H atoms lie on opposite sides of the mol-ecule with one forming an intra-molecular N-H⋯N(imine) hydrogen bond and an S(5) ring. In the crystal, centrosymmetric dimers are formed via {⋯HNC=S}(2) synthons.

(N-Benzyl-N-ethyldithiocarbamato)di-tert-butylchloridotin(IV)

The Sn^IV atom in the title diorganotin dithio­carbamate, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂Cl(C₁₀H₁₂NS₂)], is penta­coordinated by an asymmetrically coordinating dithio­carbamate ligand, a Cl and two C atoms of the Sn-bound tert-butyl groups. The resulting C₂ClS₂ donor set defines a coordination geometry inter­mediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal with a slight tendency towards the former. In the crystal structure, C—H⋯π contacts link centrosymmetrically related mol­ecules into dimeric aggregates.

Di-tert-butylchlorido(N,N-dibenzyldithiocarbamato)tin(IV)

The Sn^IV atom in the title diorganotin dithio­carbamate, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₁₅H₁₄NS₂)Cl], is penta­coordinated by an asymmetrically coordinating dithio­carbamate ligand, a Cl atom and two C atoms of the Sn-bound tert-butyl groups. The resulting C₂ClS₂ donor set defines a coordination geometry inter­mediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal with a slight tendency towards the former.

(2,2'-Bipyridyl-κN,N')bis-(N-butyl-N-methyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')cadmium(II)

The Cd^II atom in the title compound, [Cd(C₆H₁₂NS₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)], is hexa­coordinated by two dithio­carbamate ligands and the N atoms from a bidentate 2,2′-bipyridyl mol­ecule. The coordination geometry is based on a distorted trigonal–prismatic arrangement of the N₂S₄ donor set. Supra­molecular chains, aligned along the a-axis direction, are mediated by C—H⋯S inter­actions and these are connected into layers that stack along the c axis via π–π inter­actions [Cg(pyrid­yl)⋯Cg(pyrid­yl) = 3.6587 (13) Å].

Bis(N-sec-butyl-N-n-propyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)zinc(II)

Two independent but very similar mol­ecules comprise the asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Zn(C₈H₁₆NS₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)]. The N₂S₄ donor set about Zn is defined by two symmetrically chelating dithio­carbamate ligands and a 1,10-phenanthroline ligand. Distortions from the ideal octa­hedral coordination geometry arise from the restricted bite angles of the ligands. The main feature of the crystal packing is the formation of tetra­meric supra­molecular aggregates mediated by C—H⋯S inter­actions. Disorder was found in each of the sec-butyl groups. This was resolved over two positions in each case with the major components of the disorder having site occupancies in the range 0.551 (6)–0.725 (5).

(N-sec-Butyl-N-n-propyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)triphenyltin(IV)

The Sn atom in the title compound, [Sn(C₆H₅)₃(C₈H₁₆NS₂)], is penta­coordinated by two S atoms, derived from an asymmetrically coordinating dithio­carbamate ligand, and three ipso-C atoms. The coordination geometry is inter­mediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal, with a leaning towards the latter. The presence of close intra­molecular C—H⋯S contacts preclude the S atoms from forming significant inter­molecular inter­actions. Rather, mol­ecules are consolid­ated in the crystal structure by C—H⋯π inter­actions.

(N-Benzyl-N-isopropyldithiocarbamato)chloridodiphenyltin(IV)

The Sn^IV atom in the title organotin dithio­carbamate, [Sn(C₆H₅)₂(C₁₁H₁₄NS₂)Cl], is penta-coordinated by an asymmetrically coordinating dithio­carbamate ligand, a Cl and two ispo-C atoms of the Sn-bound phenyl groups. The resulting C₂ClS₂ donor set defines a coordination geometry inter­mediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal with a slight tendency towards the latter. The formation of close intra­molecular C–H⋯Cl and C–H⋯S contacts precludes the Cl and S atoms from forming significant inter­molecular contacts. The presence of C–H⋯π contacts leads to the formation of supra­molecular arrays that stack along the b axis.

Di-n-butyl-bis-(N-cyclo-hexyl-N-ethyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')tin(IV)

The Sn^IV atom in the title compound, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₉H₁₆NS₂)₂], is chelated by the two dithio­carbamate ions in a six-coordinate skew-trapezoidal-bipyramidal geometry. The two butyl groups are disordered over two positions in a 1:1 ratio.

Bis(N-ethyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)diphenyltin(IV)

The dithio­carbamate anions in the title compound, [Sn(C₆H₅)₂(C₄H₈NS₂)₂], chelate to the Sn^IV atom, which is six-coordinated in a skew-trapezoidal-bipyramidal geometry. The mol­ecule lies across a twofold rotation axis.

Di-tert-butylbis(N-isopropyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)tin(IV)

The dithio­carbamate anions in the title compound, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₅H₁₀NS₂)₂], chelate to the Sn^IV atom, which is six-coordinated in a skew-trapezoidal-bipyramidal geometry. The mol­ecule lies across a twofold rotation axis. The crystal studied was a non-merohedral twin, the ratio of the twin components being 0.82 (1):0.18 (1).

Bis(N-isopropyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)diphenyltin(IV)

The dithio­carbamate anions in the title compound, [Sn(C₆H₅)₂(C₅H₁₀NS₂)₂], chelate to the Sn^IV atom, which is six-coordinated in a skew-trapezoidal-bipyramidal geometry. The mol­ecule lies across a twofold rotation axis.

Bis(N-butyl-N-ethyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')nickel(II)

The dithio­carbamate anions in the title compound, [Ni(C₇H₁₄NS₂)₂], chelate to the Ni^II atom, which is four-coordinate in a square-planar geometry. The Ni^II atom lies on a center of inversion.

(2,2′-Bipyridine-κ2N,N′)bis(N-ethyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)zinc(II)

The complete mol­ecule of the title compound, [Zn(C₄H₈NS₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)], is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry, with the Zn atom lying on the rotation axis; the axis also bis­ects the central C—C bond of the 2,2′-bipyridine mol­ecule. The metal atom is chelated by two S,S′-bidentate dithio­carbamate anions and the N,N′-bidentate heterocycle, resulting in a distorted cis-ZnN₂S₄ octa­hedral geometry. The methyl and ethyl groups of the anion are statistically disordered.

Bis(N-isobutyl-N-propyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')zinc(II)

In the title compound, [Zn(C₈H₁₆NS₂)₂], the Zn^II atom is chelated by two S,S′-bidentate dithio­carbamate ions in a very distorted tetra­hedral geometry. The alkyl chains of the ligands are equally disordered over two sets of sites.

Tris(N-benzyl-N-methyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')europium(III)

In the title compound, [Eu(C(9)H(10)NS(2))(3)(C(12)H(8)N(2))], the Eu(III) atom exists in a distorted square-anti-prismatic coordination geometry. Both dithio-carbamate and the N-heterocyclic ligands function in a chelating mode.

(2,2'-Bipyridine-κN,N')bis-(N-ethyl-N-phenyl-dithio-carbamato-κS,S')cadmium(II) chloro-form solvate

In the title compound, [Cd(C₉H₁₀NS₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]·CHCl₃, the Cd^II atom exists in an all-cis distorted octa­hedral geometry. Chelation is isobidentate for one dithio­carbamate ligand and anisobidentate for the other. The chloroform solvent mol­ecule is disordered over two positions of equal occupancy.

Di-n-butylbis(N-n-butyl-N-ethyldithiocarbamato-κS)tin(IV)

The Sn atom in the title compound, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₇H₁₄NS₂)₂], exists in a tetra­hedral C₂S₂Sn coordination geometry. The geometry is distorted towards skew-trapezoidal-bipyramidal owing to the proximity of the double-bond S atoms [Sn—S = 2.521 (2) and Sn⋯S = 2.933 (2) Å]. The Sn atom lies on a special position of mm2 site symmetry and the tin-bound n-butyl chain is disordered about a mirror plane. The ethyl and n-butyl groups of the dithio­carbamate unit are disordered about another mirror plane.

Bis(N-benzyl-N-isopropyldithiocarbamato-κS)di-n-butyltin(IV)

The Sn atom in the title compound, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₁₁H₁₄NS₂)₂], exists in a tetra­hedral C₂S₂Sn coordination geometry. The geometry is distorted towards skew-trapezoidal-bipyramidal owing to the proximity of the double-bonded S atoms. The C₂Sn angles range from 129.0 (2) to 136.9 (2)°, the covalent Sn—S lengths from 2.529 (1) to 2.544 (1) Å, and the dative Sn←S lengths from 2.831 (1) to 3.042 (1) Å in the five independent mol­ecules comprising the asymmetric unit. Two of the butyl groups were modelled over two positions of equal occupancy. All butyl groups were refined with distance restraints.

(E)-3,4-Dihydroxy-benzaldehyde 4-ethyl-thio-semicarbazone

The title compound, C(10)H(13)N(3)O(2)S, was prepared by condensation of 3,4-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde with 4-ethyl-3-thio-semicarbazide. The mol-ecule adopts an E configuration with respect to the C=N bond. One of the OH substituents on the dihydroxy-benzene ring is disordered over the two possible 3-positions on either side of the ordered 4-hydr-oxy group. The occupancy of the major disorder component refined to 0.633 (7). The mol-ecule is essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation through all non-H atoms of 0.0862 Å. An intra-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bond forms between the outer amine residue and the imine N atom, generating an S(5) ring motif and contributing to the planarity of the mol-ecule. In the crystal structure, an extensive network of classical O-H⋯O, O-H⋯S and N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds and weak C-H⋯O and S⋯O [3.301 (3) Å] inter-actions link mol-ecules into sheets running approximately parallel to the ab plane.

Morphological changes in the liver after the administration of piroxicam and its complexes with Bio-Ions Cu (II), Co (II), Zn (II) to the rats

In this research we present the results of the liver histopathological examinations after the administration of the Piroxicam (Pirox) and its complex combinations with metal bio-ions Cu (II), Co (II), Zn (II) to rats (White Wistar, 150-180 gr.). The results of the histological investigations are presented separately for each compound revealing the modifications after 24 hours and after 7 days. The hepatic lesions are noted in the case of Zn-Pirox after 24 hours and after 7 days, as well. The complexes Cu-Pirox and Co-Pirox don't produce hepatic modifications either after 24 hours or after 7 days according to our histological investigations.

A comparative study regarding the morphological alteration on the gastric level after the administration of piroxicam and complexes with bio-ions Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II) to rats

The complex combinations of Piroxicam (Pirox) with the metallic bio-ions: Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II) have been obtained and defined in a previous stage by physical-chemical methods (IR, X, SM, CSS-UV, DTA, DTG), an toxicological and biochemical aspect. In this research are presented the results of the histological examinations at the level of stomach, for each compound, at 24 hours and at 7 days after the administration of the Piroxicam and of its complexes to rats. The tissues histo-pathological investigation has pointed out lesions the glandular stomach level (necrosis, ulcers) especially after the administration of the Piroxicam and of the Zn-Pirox complex. Name of these have been present after the administration of Cu-Pirox, Co-Pirox.

Functional proteomics of receptor-Ck in the developmental stages of human atherosclerotic arterial wall

BACKGROUND

The study was undertaken to understand the relationship between the functional proteomics of receptor-Ck and developmental stages of human atherosclerotic aortic wall.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Gene expression study of 25 aortas was undertaken and the results revealed a gradual increase in receptor-Ck gene expression paralleled by the regulatory response of its effector genes coding for sterol response element-binding protein, p27, cyclin D, interleukin-6 and CD40 from a normal to atherosclerotic arterial wall (viz. fatty streak and fibrofatty/fibrous plaque).

CONCLUSIONS

Based upon this and our earlier studies, we propose that cholesterol-specific receptor-Ck-dependent gene regulation may be of crucial importance in atherogenesis.

A novel C1-using denitrifier alcaligenes sp. STC1 and its genes for copper-containing nitrite reductase and azurin

A novel denitrifier Alcaligenes sp. STC1 was identified. The strain efficiently denitrifies under an atmosphere of 10% oxygen (O2) where Paracoccus denitrificans, one of the most studied aerobic denitrifiers, had less denitrifying activity, indicating that the strain has an O2-torelant denitrifying system. It denitrified by using C1-carbon sources such as formate and methanol as well as glucose, glycerol, and succinate. The genes for the copper-containing nitrite reductase and azurin of this C1-using denitrifier were cloned. Their predicted products of them were similar to those of their counterparts and the maximum similarities were 90% and 92%, respectively.

Involvement of deregulated epiregulin expression in tumorigenesis in vivo through activated Ki-Ras signaling pathway in human colon cancer cells

To identify the genes located downstream of the activated Ki-Ras signaling pathways in human colon cancer cells, a PCR-based cDNA subtraction library was constructed between HCT116 cells and HCT116-derived activated Ki-ras-disrupted cells (HKe3). One of the genes in HCT116 that was evidently up-regulated was epiregulin, a member of the epidermal growth factor family that is expressed in many kinds of human cancer cells. HKe3-stable transfectants expressing activated Ki-Ras regained over-expression of epiregulin. To further elucidate the biochemical structure and significance of epiregulin expression in tumorigenesis, HKe3-stable transfectants expressing epiregulin (e3-pSE cells) were established. Epiregulin existed as highly glycosylated membrane-bound forms, and TPA rapidly induced ectodomain shedding of epiregulin. Furthermore, the conditioned medium of e3-pSE cells showed more DNA synthesis for 32D cells expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (DER) cells than that of HKe3. Although anchorage-independent growth in soft agar was not observed for e3-pSE cells, tumorigenicity in nude mice was observed evidently, and their growth rate was correlated with each amount of exogenous epiregulin expression. These results suggested that activated Ki-Ras will be one of the factors contributing to the overexpression of epiregulin in human colon cancer cells, and that epiregulin will play a critical role in human tumorigenesis in vivo.

Bis[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamato]dimethyltin(IV)

The title compound, [Sn(CH(3))(2)(C(5)H(10)NO(2)S(2))(2)], has crystallographic mirror symmetry (C-Sn-C on mirror plane) and the coordination polyhedron around the Sn atom is a tetrahedron [C-Sn-C 139.3 (2) degrees and S-Sn-S 82.3 (1) degrees ] distorted towards a skew-trapezoidal bipyramid owing to an intramolecular Sn.S contact [3.0427 (6) A]. The molecules are linked into a linear chain by intermolecular O-H.O hydrogen bonds [O.O 2.646 (3) A].

Denitrification by actinomycetes and purification of dissimilatory nitrite reductase and azurin from Streptomyces thioluteus

Many actinomycete strains are able to convert nitrate or nitrite to nitrous oxide (N2O). As a representative of actinomycete denitrification systems, the system of Streptomyces thioluteus was investigated in detail. S. thioluteus attained distinct cell growth upon anaerobic incubation with nitrate or nitrite with concomitant and stoichiometric conversion of nitrate or nitrite to N2O, suggesting that the denitrification acts as anaerobic respiration. Furthermore, a copper-containing, dissimilatory nitrite reductase (CuNir) and its physiological electron donor, azurin, were isolated. This is the first report to show that denitrification generally occurs among actinomycetes.

Induction of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in response to various stresses in rat C6 glioma cells

The effect of stress on the production of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) was examined in rat C6 glioma cells. We studied the production of CINC, an interleukin-8 (IL-8) family protein, with bacterial endotoxin, H2O2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Each stress induced CINC mRNA in a concentration-dependent manner. Since stress activates the protein kinases regulating nuclear transcription factors, we examined the effects of protein kinase inhibitors and the over-expression of dominant-negative Ras on CINC mRNA expression. Neither over-expression of dominant-negative Ras nor pretreatment with PD98059 (MEK-1 inhibitor), SB203580 (p38MAPK inhibitor), or GF109203X (protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor) altered stress-induced CINC mRNA expression. This suggests that the Ras-MAPK, p38MAPK, and PKC pathways are not involved in CINC mRNA expression in glial cells. On the other hand, pretreatment with herbimycin A, a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, or Ro31-8220, a non-selective serine/threonine kinase inhibitor, suppressed stress-induced CINC mRNA expression. This indicates that stress-induced CINC mRNA expression is mediated by herbimycin A-, or Ro31-8220-sensitive kinases in glial cells. Since stress activates NF-kappaB and NF-IL6, we examined that the effect of herbimycin A, which suppresses CINC mRNA expression, on NF-kappaB and NF-IL6 activation. Herbimycin A suppressed NF-kappaB but not NF-IL6. These results suggest that in rat glial cells, the factors that induce CINC mRNA expression are mediated by herbimycin A-sensitive NF-kappaB activation, but not through the PKC, Ras-MAPK or p38 MAPK pathways.

Regulatory Effect of Cell Density on the Platelet-aggregating Activity of Human Melanoma Cell Line

Human melanoma cell Line, HMV-I, has been shown to induce platelet aggregation without thrombin generation. The platelet-aggregating activity of HMV-I cells increased with increasing culture periods of the cells. However, data indicate that the platelet-aggregating activity of HMV-I cells is dependent upon the cell density of the culture and does not result from the culture periods- nor cell cycle-dependent regulation. It is suggested that this effect of cell density is referred to as density-induced upregulation of platelet-aggregating activity.

Characterization of platelet aggregation induced by the human melanoma cell line HMV-I: roles of heparin, plasma adhesive proteins, and tumor cell membrane proteins

We investigated the in vitro mechanism of platelet aggregation induced by HMV-I human melanoma cells. HMV-I cells, in the absence of exogenous plasma proteins, induced platelet aggregation, followed by the release reaction. Heparin at an anticoagulant concentration had no effect on the aggregation. Calcium ion was essential for this tumor cell-platelet interaction and could not be replaced by magnesium. Among the adhesive proteins containing RGD sequences that have been reported to enhance experimental metastasis, fibrinogen and thrombospondin significantly enhanced the aggregation induced by HMV-I cells, fibronectin and von Willebrand factor inhibited it, and vitronectin had no effect. To identify the platelet-aggregating factor(s) of the tumor cells, we have developed a monoclonal antibody against HMV-I cells that can inhibit HMV-I cell-induced platelet aggregation. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that this antibody recognized an Mr 71,000 membrane protein. These results suggest that the association between the tumor cells and platelets is mediated by the Mr 71,000 membrane protein recognized by this monoclonal antibody.

[A well differentiated fibrosarcoma arising in left neck region]

The frequency of a fibrosarcoma, based on current criteria, is less than 10% of soft tissue sarcomas. It is most common in the region of extremities and the trunk and relatively rare in the head and neck region. Therefore, of interest is a case of a well differentiated fibrosarcoma arising in left neck region of a 69-year-old woman that is reported. The excised tumor consisted of a firm, partially lobulated mass with a fibrous capsule that measured 8 cm at its greatest diameter. Histologically, the tumor tissue was rather uniform and often had a fasciculated growth pattern consisting of spindle shaped cells and interwoven collagenous fiber in a parallel fashion. To achieve a diagnosis, it was necessary to differentiate this type of fibrosarcoma from aggressive fibromatosis and myogenic tumor (leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma).