[Value of magnetic resonance imaging texture analysis in evaluating renal allograft injury]

Objective: To explore the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) texture analysis in evaluating renal allograft injury. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on sixty-six patients who underwent allograft renal transplantation (42 males, 24 females; age range, 22-63 years; mean age, (40±10) years) between November 2013 and December 2016. All the patients were divided into three groups according to their eGFR on the day of MRI examination: normal renal allograft function (nRAF) group (n=15), mild to moderate renal allograft injury (mRAI) group (n=18), and severe renal allograft injury (sRAI) group (n=33). All the patients underwent conventional T(2) weighted image (T(2)WI), susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), and blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) MRI examination. MRI texture features of renal allograft were extracted. The texture features based on T(2)WI, SWI, and BOLD with absolute correlation coefficient of eGFR greater than or equal to 0.3 (P<0.05)and also with the highest Z value for Boruta algorithmwere selected. The diagnostic performance of the selected texture features in differentiating the three groups was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: T(2)WI_Perc.50%, SWI_Perc.01%, BOLD_S(4,4)Contrast, and BOLD_S(5,5)Correlat with absolute correlation coefficient of eGFR greater than or equal to 0.3 (P<0.05) and also with the highest Z value for Boruta algorithm were selected. The AUC for T(2)WI_Perc.50%, SWI_Perc.01%, and BOLD_S(5,5)Correlat in differentiating the nRAF group with the mRAI group was 0.785, 0.720, and 0.700. The AUC for T(2)WI_Perc.50%, SWI_Perc.01%, BOLD_S(4,4)Contrast, and BOLD_S(5,5)Correlat in differentiating the nRAF group with the sRAI group was 0.687, 0.733, 0.784, and 0.737.The AUC for BOLD_S(4,4) Contrast in differentiating the mRAI group with the sRAI group was 0.667. Conclusion: MRI texture analysis can provide valuable information for evaluating renal allograft injury.

[The value of DCE-MRI in predicting IDH gene mutation of high-grade gliomas]

Objective: To investigate the value of quantitative and semiquantitative parameters of DCE-MRI in predicting IDH gene mutation of high-grade gliomas before the operation. Methods: Twenty-six individuals with surgically and pathologically proved WHO Ⅲ-Ⅳ gliomas collected from April 2016 to June 2019 in First People's Hospital of Changzhou, were divided into two groups, IDH mutation group (7 cases, 27-67 years, 3 males and 4 females,) and IDH gene wild group (19 cases, 42-75 years, 12 males and 7 females) according to the results of molecular pathology. All individuals underwent conventional plain (T(1)WI, T(2)WI), enhanced MR scanning (T(1)WI) and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE). Four quantitative parameters:volume transfer constant (K(trans)), ratio constant of back flux (Kep), extravascular extracellular space fractional volume (Ve), and blood plasma fractional volume (Vp), and four semiquantitative parameters: time to peak (TTP), maximum concentration (MAX Conc), initial area under the gadolinium concentration-time curve (IAUC) and maximum slope of decrease (MAX Slope) were measured. The independent samples t test (normal distribution and homogeneity of variance) or Mann-Whitney rank sum test (abnormal distribution or heterogeneity of variance) were used to compare the differences of quantitative and semiquantitative parameters between IDH gene mutation group and IDH gene wild type group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficiency of quantitative and semiquantitative parameters in predicting IDH gene mutation of high-grade gliomas. Results: The value of K(trans),TTP in IDH mutated group were 0.096 (0.080,0.135)/min and (3.95±0.34) s, respectively. The value of K(trans), TTP in IDH wild type group were 0.168 (0.132, 0.337)/min and (2.58±1.15) s, respectively. The value of K(trans) in IDH mutated group was significantly less than the value of K(trans) in IDH gene wild type group (Z value was -2.168, P value was 0.030). The value of K(trans) in IDH mutated group was significantly greater than the value of K(trans) in IDH gene wild type (Z value was -2.630, P value was 0.007). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of K(trans) and TTP in predicting IDH gene mutation of high-grade gliomas was 0.782 and 0.842, respectively. The specificity of K(trans) was higher (73.7%), The sensitivity of TTP was the higher (100.0%). Combined K(trans)and TTP were the best for predicting IDH gene mutation of high-grade gliomas, AUC was 0.865. Conclusion: Quantitative and semiquantitative parameters of DCE-MRI can help to predict IDH gene mutation of high-grade gliomas before the operation.

[Feasibility study of blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating the response of metastatic lymph nodes of rabbit VX2 tumor to radiotherapy]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating the response of metastatic lymph nodes of rabbit VX2 tumor to radiotherapy. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy New Zealand white rabbits which were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center of Soochow University, male or female, 2 to 3 months, weighing 2 to 3 kg, were used to establish the animal model of VX2 tumor popliteal fossa metastatic lymph node, and then were divided into either the radiotherapy group (n=16) or the control group (n=12). The radiotherapy group received a 20 Gy radiotherapy per rabbit, the control group received sham radiotherapy. All rabbits underwent MRI scan on four time points, including before (0 day), 3rd, 7th and 14th days after radiotherapy. The two parameters of size and R(2*) value (s(-1)) of lymph node were measured. At each time point,two rabbits in each group were sacrificed randomly to resect lymph nodes for pathological examination, and two parameters of microvessel density (MVD, strip/HP) and apoptosis index (AI, %) were analyzed. The parameters among the four time points in each group or between the two groups were compared. The correlation of lymph node size and R(2*) value with MVD or AI was analyzed, respectively. Results: A significant size difference was neither between the two groups or among the each time points in each group (P>0.05). The R(2*) of lymph node in the radiotherapy group was (29.6±1.7),(36.8±2.6),(44.8±5.8) and (57.7±6.2) s(-1) at the time points of 0, 3, 7 and 14 days, respectively, showing a gradual increase trend; MVD was (52.3±2.5),(41.0±3.6),(34.0±3.6) and (22.7±2.5) strip/HP respectively, showing a decreasing trend; AI was 12.8%±0.5%,14.9%±0.6%,20.6%±0.5% and 27.5%±0.7% respectively, showing a gradual increase trend (all P<0.05). In the control group, both R(2*) value and AI among the four time points did not change statistically (all P>0.05), but MVD showed a gradual increase trend,(50.0±3.0),(53.0±1.7),(60.3±2.5) and (70.0±2.0) strip/HP, respectively, P<0.05. There were significant differences in R(2*) and MVD at 3, 7 and 14 days, in AI at 7 and 14 days between the two groups (all P<0.05). There was a linear correlation of R(2*) value, but not of size, with MVD and AI (r=-0.87 and 0.94, respectively). Conclusion: Blood oxygen level-dependent MRI can indirectly reflect the hypoxic status of metastatic lymph nodes after radiotherapy, and has potential value in evaluating the response of metastatic lymph nodes to radiotherapy.

Comparison of outcomes between off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in elderly patients: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to analyze if off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is associated with better treatment outcomes in elderly patients (>70 years of age) than on-pump CABG, using meta-analysis. Medline, PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were searched until September 13, 2016. Sensitivity and quality assessment were performed. Twenty-two studies, three randomized control trials (RCTs) and 20 non-RCTs were included with 24,127 patients. The risk of death associated with on-pump or off-pump CABG in the RCTs were similar (pooled OR=0.945, 95%CI=0.652 to 1.371, P=0.766). However, in the non-RCTs, mortality risk was lower in patients treated with off-pump CABG than on-pump CABG (pooled OR=0.631, 95%CI=0.587 to 0.944, P=0.003). No differences were observed between the two treatment groups in terms of the occurrence of 30-day post-operative stroke or myocardial infarction (P≥0.147). In the non-RCTs, off-pump CABG treatment was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay (pooled standardized difference in means=-0.401, 95%CI=-0.621 to -0.181, P≤0.001). The meta-analysis with pooled data from non-RCTs, but not RCTs, found that mortality was lower with off-pump compared with on-pump CABG, and suggested that there may be some benefit of off-pump CABG compared with on-pump CABG in the risk of mortality and length of hospital stay.

Application of 3D printing technology on the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures (Neer3-part and 4-part) in old people

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and clinical potential of using the 3D printing technology (3DPT) versus typical strategy (thin-layer CT scan) for the treatment of complicated proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) in old people.

METHODS

Sixty-six old patients age ranging from 61 to 76 years with persistent complicated PHFs were randomly assigned to two groups as per the controlled randomization table (34 cases in the test group and 32 cases in the control group). In the test group, 3DPT was applied to build the 3D facture model of a patient, according to the data acquired from the thin-layer CT scan and subsequently processed with Mimics software. This helped to confirm the diagnosis, design the individual operation plan, simulate the surgical procedures and perform the surgery as plan. In the control group, only thin-layer CT scan was applied for the design of the operation plan prior to the surgery. Here, parameters including surgery duration, blood loss volume during surgery, the number of fluoroscopy, time to union were statistically analyzed for two groups after the operation. The screw lengths designed before the surgery and measured during the surgery were compared.

RESULTS

The 3D PHF model generated using 3DPT was able to provide the visual display and omni-directional observation of the direction and severity of the fracture dislocation, which facilitated preoperative diagnosis, operation planning and design, data measurement, preselection of internal fixator and surgical outcome simulation. According to the follow-up ranging from 12∼28 months for the 66 patients, the results showed no significant difference in time to union between the two groups (P>0.05). Apart from that, less surgery duration, less blood loss during surgery, less number of fluoroscopy can be observed compared with the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 3DPT showed great clinical feasibility of the treatment of complicated PHFs. The 3D-print PHF model had the ability to clearly display the fracture and thus was useful to determine the fracture classification and the magnitude of fracture injury. It benefited surgeons to gain a better understanding of complicated PHFs, design a most suitable operation plan prior to surgery and facilitate the doctor-patient communication. This therefore enabled the reduction of intraoperative injury and the optimization of surgical outcomes.

Single-stranded DNA oligoaptamers: molecular recognition and LPS antagonism are length- and secondary structure-dependent

In Gram-negative bacterial infection, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) readily overwhelms the host innate immune system, which could result in inflammation and sepsis in severe cases. Therefore, developing anti-LPS molecules would confer an efficient antibacterial strategy. We used SELEX (Systemic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) to isolate single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers. By immobilizing and exposing different orientations of the LPS molecule on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, two populations of aptamers were captured from a library of 10(14-15) ssDNA oligonucleotides. Progressive SELEX enriched the aptamers towards thymidine residues. The more hydrophobic aptamers with T-rich loops showed strong molecular recognition for the lipid A moiety of LPS, binding at affinity of up to K(D) of 10(-9)M, and eliciting 95% neutralization of endotoxicity. The longer ssDNAs exhibited greater avidity for LPS and conferred more efficacious antagonism against LPS. The nucleotide composition imposes subtle influence on the aptamer folding and affinity for LPS.

Atomic force microscopy study of the antimicrobial action of Sushi peptides on Gram negative bacteria

The antibacterial effect of the endotoxin-binding Sushi peptides against Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) is investigated in this study. Similar characteristics observed for Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of peptide-treated Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggest that the Sushi peptides (S3) evoke comparable mechanism of action against different strains of GNB. The results also indicate that the Sushi peptides appear to act in three stages: damage of the bacterial outer membrane, permeabilization of the inner membrane and disintegration of both membranes. The AFM approach has provided vivid and detailed close-up images of the GNB undergoing various stages of antimicrobial peptide actions at the nanometer scale. The AFM results support our hypothesis that the S3 peptide perturbs the GNB membrane via the "carpet-model" and thus, provide important insights into their antimicrobial mechanisms.

The specificity of Sushi peptides for endotoxin and anionic phospholipids: potential application of POPG as an adjuvant for anti-LPS strategies

Sushi peptides [S1 (Sushi 1 peptide) and S3] are derived from the LPS (lipopolysaccharide; also known as endotoxin)-binding domains of an LPS-sensitive serine protease, Factor C, from the horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda). S1 and S3 interact at high affinity with LPS. The intermolecular disulphide bonding in the S3 dimer is indispensable for its LPS binding, disruption and consequent neutralization. Simultaneously, the specific interaction between the Sushi peptides and bacterial membrane phospholipids further explains the selective propensity of these peptides for the gram-negative bacteria. Our findings yield insights into a complex molecular paradigm in which the juxtaposition of LPS molecules and the anionic phospholipid POPG (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol) on the bacterial outer membrane confers such interfacial properties which create the optimal environment for the interaction between the peptides and bacterial membrane lipids.

Ancient paddy soils from the Neolithic age in China’s Yangtze River Delta

Identifying prehistoric irrigated rice fields and characterizing the beginning of paddy soil development are important for a better understanding of human development and agricultural history. In 2003, paddy soils and irrigated rice fields buried at a depth of 100-130 cm were excavated at Chuo-dun-shan in the Yangtze River Delta, close to Suzhou, China. The fields of sizes between 1.4 and 16 m(2) were surrounded with ridges that were connected to ditches/ponds via outlets to control the water level within the fields. Many carbonized and partly carbonized rice grains with an age of 3,903 B.C. (measured (14)C age 5,129+/-45 a BP) were recovered. The surface layers of these buried paddy fields showed a high content of soil organic matter and a considerable high density of rice opals. The latter were identified to derive from Oryza spp. Solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed aromatic carbon (C) as the predominant organic C form in the fossil surface layer. This is expected, if the major source represents burnt rice and straw. In summary, our data are in agreement with new evidences indicating that in China, paddy soils and irrigated rice cultivation were initiated and developed more than 6,000 years ago.

Spatial and temporal coordination of expression of immune response genes during Pseudomonas infection of horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Knowledge on how genes are turned on/off during infection and immunity is lacking. Here, we report the co-regulation of diverse clusters of functionally related immune response genes in a horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. Expressed sequence tag (EST) clusters for frontline immune defense, cell signalling, apoptosis and stress response genes were expressed or repressed spatio-temporally during the acute phase of Pseudomonas infection. An infection time course monitored by virtual Northern evaluation indicates upregulation of genes in blood cells (amebocytes) at 3-h postinfection, whereas most of the hepatopancreas genes remained down regulated over 72 h of infection. Thus, the two tissues orchestrate a coordinated and timely response to infection. The hepatopancreas probably immuno-modulates the expression of other genes and serves as a reservoir for later response, if/when chronic infection ensues. On the other hand, being the first to encounter pathogens, we reasoned that amebocytes would respond acutely to infection. Besides acute transactivation of the immune genes, the amebocytes maintained morphological integrity, indicating their ability to synthesise and store/secrete the immune proteins and effectors to sustain the frontline innate immune defense, while simultaneously elicit complement-mediated phagocytosis of the invading pathogen. Our results show that the immune response against Pseudomonas infection is spatially and temporally coordinated.

Single-cell protein diet of a novel recombinant vitellogenin yeast enhances growth and survival of first-feeding tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae

Yeast single-cell protein (SCP) is a high-nutrient feed substitute. This study evaluates the dual applications of a novel recombinant Pichia pastoris SMD1168H (SMD) yeast, expressing a tilapia vitellogenin protein (rVtg), as an SCP diet for Artemia and the first-feeding fish larvae. Instar II Artemia fed rVtg, rVtg precultured in 5% fish oil (rVtg-FO), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), or native SMD had greater lipid contents (P < 0.05) than the freshly hatched. Lipid deposition in the Artemia fed rVtg or rVtg-FO was greater (P < 0.05) than in those fed SMD or SC. Diet-induced accumulation of low levels of docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3)] was detected only in Artemia fed the rVtg-based diets. Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were fed solely yeast diets singly or in combination (d 3-22), or a staggered regimen of yeast (d 3-12) followed by unenriched or yeast-enriched Artemia (d 13-22). The larvae fed rVtg for 22 d increased in length and weight (P < 0.05), whereas those fed SC or SMD suffered growth suppression and high mortality. Such adverse consequences were ameliorated when 50% of SC was substituted with rVtg. The larvae prefed rVtg followed by a dietary switch to Artemia preenriched for 48 h with rVtg or rVtg-FO were greatest in length, had the highest weight gain, and lived the longest. Besides delivering rVtg protein, essential fatty acids and amino acids, rVtg may have probiotic effects in enhancing larval survival. This study suggests the feasibility of using the rVtg yeast as an Artemia booster and an SCP first feed for larvae.

De novo design of potent antimicrobial peptides

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), shed by gram-negative bacteria during infection and antimicrobial therapy, may lead to lethal endotoxic shock syndrome. A rational design strategy based on the presumed mechanism of antibacterial effect was adopted to design cationic antimicrobial peptides capable of binding to LPS through tandemly repeated sequences of alternating cationic and nonpolar residues. The peptides were designed to achieve enhanced antimicrobial potency due to initial bacterial membrane binding with a reduced risk of endotoxic shock. The peptides designed displayed binding affinities to LPS and lipid A (LA) in the low micromolar range and by molecular modeling were predicted to form amphipathic beta-hairpin-like structures when they bind to LPS or LA. They also exhibited strong effects against gram-negative bacteria, with MICs in the nanomolar range, and low cytotoxic and hemolytic activities at concentrations significantly exceeding their MICs. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis of peptide sequences and their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and hemolytic activities revealed that site-directed substitutions of residues in the hydrophobic face of the amphipathic peptides with less lipophilic residues selectively decrease the hemolytic effect without significantly affecting the antimicrobial or cytotoxic activity. On the other hand, the antimicrobial effect can be enhanced by substitutions in the polar face with more polar residues, which increase the amphipathicity of the peptide. On the basis of the QSARs, new analogs that have strong antimicrobial effects but that lack hemolytic activity can be proposed. The findings highlight the importance of peptide amphipathicity and allow a rational method that can be used to dissociate the antimicrobial and hemolytic effects of cationic peptides, which have potent antimicrobial properties, to be proposed.

Expression of recombinant vitellogenin in the yeast Pichia pastoris

Vitellogenin (Vtg) plays vital roles as precursor to the yolk proteins and as carrier for lipids, carbohydrates, phosphates, metal ions, vitamins, and hormones into the oocytes during the massive deposition of yolk nutrients for subsequent nourishment of the developing embryos. Reproductive success is highly sensitive to the nutritional quality of the broodstock diet, which greatly affects the egg and larval viability. We present a novel strategy for genetically engineering a Pichia pastoris yeast strain that constitutively produces recombinant Vtg (rVtg), for application as an enriched feed. The tilapia Oreochromis aureus Vtg (OaVtg) cDNA (5.3 kb) was cloned into a nonsecretory pGAPZA vector. Clones containing up to 31 copies of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP)-promoter-driven Vtg expression cassettes were isolated. These clones expressed a membrane-associated intracellular rVtg protein of 194 kDa, constituting up to 1.16% of total protein. To facilitate future purification of rVtg, we explored the possibility of secreting rVtg using the native Vtg secretion signal and the alpha-factor secretion signal of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, neither signal promoted the secretion of rVtg. The clones maximally expressed rVtg at 23 degrees C, reaching a peak at 22 h in shake flasks and 16 h in a fermentor. The clones exhibited a significant increase in essential amino acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are important for its application as a high-quality nutrient feed.

Sequence analysis of a fish vitellogenin cDNA with a large phosvitin domain

Vitellogenins (Vtg) are egg-yolk precursor proteins crucial for reproductive success in oviparous animals. We have cloned the first complete cichlid Vtg cDNA from the tilapia fish, Oreochromis aureus. This cDNA has the largest phosvitin (PV) domain amongst piscine Vtgs, being comparable to those of lamprey, Xenopus, and chicken. Thus, the size of PV is independent of the evolutionary advancement of a species. The closer interspecific relationship between O. aureus Vtg1 and Fundulus VtgII than the intraspecific relationship between Fundulus VtgI and II isoforms suggests that teleost ancestors had at least two Vtg isoforms. Contrary to the results of previous phylogenetic inference using Vtgs which indicate that insect lineage is most diverged and nematodes are closer to vertebrate lineage, our results show that nematodes and hexapods form two monophyletic sister groups. Another arthropod taxon, represented by a malacostracan crustacean, Penaeus japonicus, appears to be more closely related to the vertebrates than the hexapods.

High therapeutic index of factor C Sushi peptides: potent antimicrobials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Factor C protein isolated from the horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, has endotoxin binding capability. Synthetic peptides of 34 amino acids based on the sequence of two regions of factor C (Sushi 1 and Sushi 3) as well as their corresponding mutants exhibited activities against 30 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Collectively, all four peptides demonstrated exceptionally effective bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa with 90% minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC(90)s) in the range of 0.06 to 0.25 microg/ml (16 to 63 nM). Viable bacteria were reduced by 90% after 7 min and were totally eradicated within 40 to 50 min. These peptides are minimally hemolytic against both rabbit and human erythrocytes even at concentrations up to 1,600-fold their MBC(90)s. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that cytotoxic effects are small even at 1,000-fold their MBC(90)s. Furthermore, the Sushi peptides are tolerant of high-salt and adverse pH conditions. These findings demonstrate the promising therapeutic potential of the Sushi peptides.

High-performance affinity capture-removal of bacterial pyrogen from solutions

Synthetic peptide S3delta has high affinity for bacterial endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Under tested conditions of pH 5-9 and 0-0.4 M NaCl, the affinity constant, KD ranged from 2.10(-6) to 2 x 10(-9) M(-1). A novel affinity matrix based on peptide S3delta was developed for removal of LPS from solutions such as: water; buffers with a wide range of ionic strength and pH; medium for cell culture; and protein solutions under optimized conditions. At a starting LPS of approximately 100 EU/ml, a post-purification level below 0.005 EU/ml was achieved.

Definition of endotoxin binding sites in horseshoe crab factor C recombinant sushi proteins and neutralization of endotoxin by sushi peptides

Three truncated fragments, harboring different sushi domains, namely, sushi123, sushi1, and sushi3 domains, of Factor C were produced as biologically active secreted recombinant proteins. Sushi1 and 3 each has a high-affinity LPS binding site with K:(d) of 10(-9) to 10(-10) M. Positive cooperativity in sushi123 resulted in a 1000-fold increase in K:(d)2. The core LPS binding region of sushi1 and 3 reside in two 34-mer peptides, S1 and S3. A rigidly held disulfide-bonded structure is not essential but is important for LPS binding, as confirmed by a 100- to 10000-fold decrease in affinity. Both S1 and S3 can inhibit LAL reaction and LPS-induced hTNF-alpha secretion with different potency. LAL assay revealed that at least two molecules of S1 bind cooperatively to one LPS molecule, with Hill's coefficient of 2.42. The LPS binding by S3 is independent and noncooperative. The modified SDelta1 and SDelta3 peptides exhibited increased LPS neutralization potential although its LPS binding affinities indicated only a 10-fold improvement. Hence, the structural difference of the four sushi peptides conferred different efficiencies in LPS neutralization without altering their binding affinity for LPS. Circular dichroism spectrometry revealed that the four peptides underwent conformational change in the presence of lipid A, transitioning from a random coil to either an alpha-helical or beta-sheet structure. Two factors are critical for the sensitivity of Factor C to LPS: 1) the presence of multiple binding sites for LPS on a single Factor C molecule; and 2) high positive cooperativity in LPS binding. The results showed that in the design of an improved LPS binding and neutralizing peptide, charge balance of the peptide is a critical parameter in addition to its structure.

Cloning and expression of an acidic pectin methylesterase from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang)

Pectin methylesterase (PME) is the key enzyme responsible for the gelation of jelly curd in the water extract of jelly fig (Ficus awkeotasang) achenes. The jelly fig PME extracted from achenes was isoelectrofocused at pH 2.5 and subjected to N-terminal amino acid sequencing. A cDNA fragment encoding the mature protein of this acidic PME was obtained by PCR cloning using a poly(T) primer and a degenerate primer designed according to the N-terminal sequence of the purified PME. The complete cDNA sequence of its precursor protein was further obtained by PCR using the same strategy. The PME clone was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and its expressed protein was immunologically recognized as strongly as the original antigen using antibodies against purified PME. Fractionation analysis revealed that the overexpressed PME was predominantly present in the pellet and thus presumably formed insoluble inclusion bodies in E. coli cells.

Molecular dynamics study on lipid A from Escherichia coli: insights into its mechanism of biological action

Structural properties of the Escherichia coli lipid A moiety were analysed by means of molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations and compared to synthetic monophospho and dephospho analogues with different biological activities in the Limulus assay. The conformation of glucosamine disaccharide headgroup, order and packing of fatty acid chains, solvation of phosphate groups, coordination by water molecules, sodium counterions and models of cationic amino acid side chains were described in terms of mean values, mean residence times, radial distribution functions, coordination numbers, solvation and interaction energies. Solvation and polar interactions of the phosphate groups were correlated to known biological activities the lipid A variants. The observed relationship between the biological effect and the number and position of the phosphate groups were explained with the help of simple mechanistic models of lipid A action. The possible mechanism of action involving specific binding of lipid A disaccharide headgroup to cationic residues of a receptor model was compared with an alternative mechanism, which assumes a relationship between the ability to adopt non-lamellar supramolecular structures and the biological activity. Conclusions are drawn about the probable mode of lipid A action. Implications for rational drug design of endotoxin-neutralising agents are discussed.

High-affinity LPS binding domain(s) in recombinant factor C of a horseshoe crab neutralizes LPS-induced lethality

SSCrFCES is a biologically active, recombinant fragment of factor C, which is the endotoxin-sensitive serine protease of the LAL coagulation cascade. The approximately 38 kDa protein represents the LPS binding domain of factor C. A novel secretory signal directs the secretion of SSCrFCES into the culture supernatant of Drosophila cells, and hence it is readily purified. By differential ultrafiltration followed by preparative isoelectric membrane electrophoresis, SSCrFCES was purified as an isoelectrically homogeneous and stable monomeric protein. The ability of SSCrFCES to bind lipid A was analyzed using an ELISA-based assay as well as surface plasmon resonance. SSCrFCES exhibits high positive cooperativity of binding to two or three lipid A molecules, with a Hill's coefficient of 2.2. The 50% endotoxin-neutralizing concentration of SSCrFCES against 200 EU of endotoxin is approximately 0.069 microM, suggesting that SSCrFCES is an effective inhibitor of LAL coagulation cascade. Although partially attenuated by human serum, as little as 1 microM of SSCrFCES inhibits the LPS-induced secretion of hTNF-alpha and hIL-8 by THP-1 and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with greater potency than polymyxin B. SSCrFCES is noncytotoxic, with a clearance rate of 4.7 ml/min. The L.D.(90) of SSCrFCES for LPS lethality is achieved at 2 microM. These results demonstrate the endotoxin-neutralizing capability of SSCrFCES in vitro and in vivo and its potential use for the treatment of endotoxin-induced septic shock.

Interpretation of biological activity data of bacterial endotoxins by simple molecular models of mechanism of action

Lipid A moiety has been identified as the bioactive component of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides). However, the molecular mechanism of biological activity of lipid A is still not fully understood. This paper contributes to understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of bacterial endotoxins by comparing molecular modelling results for two possible mechanisms with the underlying experimental data. Mechanisms of action involving specific binding of lipid A to a protein receptor as well as nonspecific intercalation into phospholipid membrane of a host cell were modelled and analysed. As the cellular receptor for endotoxin has not been identified, a model of a peptidic pseudoreceptor was proposed, based on molecular structure, symmetry of the lipid A moiety and the observed character of endotoxin-binding sites in proteins. We have studied the monomeric form of lipid A from Escherichia coli and its seven synthetic analogues with varying numbers of phosphate groups and correlated them with known biological activities determined by the Limulus assay. Gibbs free energies associated with the interaction of lipid A with the pseudoreceptor model and intercalation into phospholipid membrane calculated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods were used to compare the two possible mechanisms of action. The results suggest that specific binding of lipid A analogues to the peptidic pseudoreceptor carrying an amphipathic cationic binding pattern BHPHB (B, basic; H, hydrophobic; P, polar residue, respectively) is energetically more favourable than intercalation into the phospholipid membrane. In addition, binding affinities of lipid A analogues to the best minimum binding sequence KFSFK of the pseudoreceptor correlated with the experimental Limulus activity parameter. This correlation enabled us to rationalize the observed relationship between the number and position of the phosphate groups in the lipid A moiety and its biological activity in terms of specific ligand-receptor interactions. If lipid A-receptor interaction involves formation of phosphate-ammonium ion-pair(s) with cationic amino-acid residues, the specific mechanism of action was fully consistent with the underlying experimental data. As a consequence, recognition of lipid A variants by an amphipathic binding sequence BHPHB of a host-cell protein receptor might represent the initial and/or rate-determining molecular event of the mechanism of action of lipid A (or endotoxin). The insight into the molecular mechanism of action and the structure of the lipid A-binding pattern have potential implications for rational drug design strategies of endotoxin-neutralizing agents or binding factors.

Temperature dependence of estrogen binding: importance of a subzone in the ligand binding domain of a novel piscine estrogen receptor

The full length estrogen receptor from Oreochromis aureus (OaER) was cloned and expressed in vitro and in vivo as a functional transcription factor. Amino acid residues involved in the thermal stability of the receptor are located at/near subzones beta1 and beta3, which are highly conserved in other non-piscine species but not in OaER. Hormone binding studies, however, indicate that OaER is thermally stable but exhibited a approximately 3-fold reduced affinity for estrogen at elevated temperatures. Transfection of OaER into various cell lines cultured at different temperatures displayed a significant estrogen dose-response shift compared with that of chicken ER (cER). At 37 degrees C, OaER requires approximately 80-fold more estrogen to achieve half-maximal stimulation of CAT. Lowering of the incubation temperature from 37 degrees C to 25 degrees C or 20 degrees C resulted in a 4-fold increase in its affinity for estrogen. The thermally deficient transactivation of OaER at temperatures above 25 degrees C was fully prevented by high levels of estrogen. Thus, compared to cER, the OaER exhibits reduced affinity for estrogen at elevated temperature as reflected in its deficient transactivation capability. Amino acid replacements of OaER beta3 subzones with corresponding amino acids from cER could partially rescue this temperature sensitivity. The three-dimensional structure of the OaER ligand binding domain (LBD) was modelled based on conformational similarity and sequence homology with human RXRalpha apo, RARgamma holo and ERalpha LBDs. Unliganded and 17beta-estradiol-liganded OaER LBD retained the overall folding pattern of the nuclear receptor LBDs. The residues at/near the subzone beta3 of the LBD constitute the central core of OaER structure. Thus, amino acid alteration at this region potentially alters the structure and consequently its temperature-dependent ligand binding properties.

Synergistic effects of nuclear factors--GATA, VBP and ER in potentiating vitellogenin gene transcription

The Oreochromis aureus vitellogenin (OaVtg) gene contains three imperfect oestrogen response elements (EREs) and GATA and VBP (vitellogenin binding protein) binding sites. An analysis of the promoter indicates that the 5'-flanking region up to position -625 is sufficient to mediate E(2) control. Furthermore, transfection of deletion and mutagenised promoters indicates that both GATA and VBP synergise with ER, and thus contribute to the regulation of the endogenous OaVtg gene. These findings support the notion that the interplay of promoter elements mediates proper hormone-dependent and tissue-specific expression of the OaVtg gene, regardless of non-consensus sequence context of EREs and VBP.

Novel Bioactivities from a Coral, Galaxea fascicularis: DNase-like Activity and Apoptotic Activity Against a Multiple-Drug-Resistant Leukemia Cell Line

: From the coral Galaxea fascicularis, a crude mucus-like extract (MS) and subsequently its purified component (P6) appear to contain a DNase-like activity that indiscriminately digested lambdaDNA, as well as naked genomic DNAs isolated from a multiple-drug-resistant murine leukemia cell line, P388/VCR, and a nontransformed liver cell line, BL8L. However, MS and P6 specifically induced in situ DNA digestion in cultured P388/VCR cells from 30 minutes onward. After 3 days of incubation with MS or P6, DNA degradation coincided with complete killing of P388/VCR. In situ fluorescent labeling of fragmented DNA revealed that P6 induced apoptosis of P388/VCR cells, occurring as early at 1.5 hours. By day 3, all the P6-treated leukemia cells were apoptotic. In contrast, P6 caused neither in situ DNA digestion, nor apoptosis in the untransformed BL8L cells. Whether the DNase-like action of P6 is independent of or responsible for triggering the intrinsic endonuclease activity in the leukemia cell, thus leading to apoptosis, remains an object for further research. Nevertheless, the specificity of the apoptotic action of P6 on P388/VCR cells indicates its potential role in the development of an anticancer agent.

A novel piscine vitellogenin gene: structural and functional analyses of estrogen-inducible promoter

The Oreochromis aureus vitellogenin, OaVtg, gene spans 9 kb and contains 34 exons. Its transcription start site is located 15 bp upstream of the translational start codon. Although the OaVtg promoter has a nonconsensus TATA, transient transfection assay showed that this promoter is capable of driving basal transcription. Two imperfect estrogen response elements: EREp (proximal) and EREd (distal) are located in the promoter at - 532 and - 1352, respectively. In competition gel mobility-shift assays, only EREp exhibited specific binding of the recombinant estrogen receptor protein, GST-C/D OaER. Another imperfect ERE (EREexon2) was detected within exon 2 of the OaVtg gene. This is a novel finding for a vitellogenin (Vtg) gene. EREexon2 similarly showed specific recognition of GST-C/D OaER. Both EREp and EREexon2 showed comparable binding affinities as consensus ERE. In transient transfections, the OaVtg promoter, EREp and EREd elicited significant increase in estrogen-dependent synthesis of CAT protein. Hence, we propose that the non-consensus OaVtg EREs contribute to the estrogen-dependent regulation of the OaVtg gene in vivo.

A novel antitumour compound from the mucus of a coral, Galaxea fascicularis, inhibits topoisomerase I and II

S2 isolated from the mucus of G. fascicularis contains anti-topoisomerase activity, causing cytotoxicity to a multiple-drug resistant leukaemia cell line, P388/VCR. It inhibits DNA relaxation catalysed by topoisomerase I and II. S2 stabilised the topoisomerase I-DNA cleavable complex, thereby inhibiting the DNA replication machinery, leading to cell death. The active centre of S2 probably contains a Gal beta(1-4)GlcNAc dissacharide linkage. S2 has potentials of being developed into a new anticancer therapeutic.

Transcription regulatory signals in the 5' and 3' regions of Oreochromis aureus ER gene

The Oreochromis aureus estrogen receptor (OaER) 5' region is 62.2% AT-rich and does not display well-positioned consensus TATA and CAAT boxes. A functional imperfect 13 bp ERE, TGTTAtggTGACC, deviating at 2 bases is located in the leader exon. Transient transfection assays indicate that this ERE confers a 5-fold increase in SEAP reporter gene activity at 20 h post E2-induction. The continued elevation of transcription after the initial peak could be responsible for the "memory' effect of E2-induced vitellogenesis. The 4.4 kb OaER 3' region is AT-rich and has a high representation of 1/2 EREs and GREs. There are 10 copies of the destabilizing pentamer ATTTA which, in transient transfection experiments strongly suppressed SEAP activity. The 3' EREs are functional, and on their own, induce a bimodal increase in SEAP activity of 9-fold at 6 h and 11-fold at 18 h post-E2 induction. A recombinant construct of SEAP gene flanked by the 5' upstream and 3' flanking regions of the OaER gene allowed these regulatory signals to "cross-talk' to achieve a 5- and 25-fold increase for the first and second peaks, respectively. This bimodal response to E2-induction is attributed to both transcriptional and translational controls over the SEAP gene. This work represents a novel illustration of a synergistic interaction between the 5' and 3' regulatory elements of a steroid receptor in autoregulation.

Neuroblastoma cell culture assay shows that Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda haemolymph neutralizes tetrodotoxin

Veratridine facilitates the influx of Na+ into Neuro-2A cells and this process is exacerbated by the presence of a Na+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain, leading to a reduction in cell viability. However, tetrodotoxin neutralizes the cytotoxic effects of veratridine, hence sustaining the viability of Neuro-2A cells. This neutralizing ability was negated when TTX was first reacted with cell-free haemolymph of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, resulting in reduced cell viability. These results therefore indicate a bona fide effect of the cell-free haemolymph against tetrodotoxin as demonstrated by in vitro cell culture technique.

The first contiguous estrogen receptor gene from a fish, Oreochromis aureus: evidence for multiple transcripts

The O. aureus estrogen receptor (OaER) gene of 40.4 kb containing ten exons is the first complete piscine gene to be cloned. There are two extra introns: intron I that divides the 5' UTR into two exons, and intron V that intersperses D and E1 exons. Except for I and V, other introns have identical positions to those of human ER gene. All the donor and acceptor splice sites exhibit consensus sequences. The promoter lacks consensus TATA and CAAT boxes. This region exhibits several putative regulatory elements. A functional imperfect ERE deviating at two bases is located in the leader exon, thus suggesting that this gene is autoregulated. The OaER gene lacks an A region whereas its C and E domains are highly conserved. Within the ER subfamily, OaER exhibits the longest F domain of 77 amino acids. OaER has a long 3'UTR constituting >1/2 of its transcript. Using RT-PCR and SI nuclease mapping, we report for the first time the usage of both alternative transcriptional start sites and polyadenylation signals during estrogen-induced OaER expression. Thus, O. aureus may have four species of ER transcripts differing structurally in their transcriptional start sites and lengths of their 3' UTR.

Expression of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda factor C cDNA

The cDNA encoding Factor C (FC) from the Singaporean horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda has been studied for in vitro coupled transcription-translation (TnT) under the T7 promoter. Two species of full length cDNA, CrFC26 and CrFC21 which differ in length and nucleotide sequence at their 5' untranslated regions (UTR) were used in this study. Wild type CrFC26 with a long 5' UTR containing multiple "false" ATGs failed to generate a translated product. With a more accessible ATG codon in CrFC21, the recombinant construct gave a high yield of FC when transcribed and translated in vitro. CrFC26 deletion mutants which lack the entire 5' UTR and portions of the putative leader peptide were translatable, albeit at lower efficiency as compared to CrFC21. In vitro and in vivo expression of truncated portions of the CrFC21-T7 gene 10 fusions have been compared. In vitro reactions yielded single gene products from each of the expression constructs whereas E. coli produced three major immunoreactive bands of FC.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of factor C cDNA from the Singapore horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Two forms of Factor C cDNAs: CrFC21 (3448 bp) and CrFC26 (4182 bp) have been cloned into lambda gt22. CrFC26 includes 568 nucleotides of 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) containing seven ATGs before the real initiation site, an open reading frame (ORF) of 3249 nucleotides, a stop codon, and 365 nucleotides of 3' untranslated sequence. There are four polyadenylation signals and six potential glycosylation sites. The ORF codes for a signal peptide of 24 amino acids and a Factor C zymogen of 1059 residues. The CrFC21 lacks most of the 5' UTR, and has some base changes in its ORF. The predicted secondary mRNA structures of the 5' end of CrFC26 showed numerous stem-and-loop structures, thus obscuring its real start codon. In contrast, CrFC21 has a well-exposed AUG start site, and expresses Factor C in transcription-translation reactions in vitro. There is a typical serine protease catalytic triad of Asp-His-Ser, which is structurally like prothrombin, but catalytically more similar to trypsin. Although an overall homology of 97.7% was observed in comparison with the Tachypleus tridentatus Factor C (TtFC) cDNA, there were notable differences in the restriction sites and subtle base substitutions in the CrFC cDNA. The high degree of homology between Factor C from T. tridentatus and C. rotundicauda substantiates, at the molecular level, the proximity of these two species in the course of evolution. This finding contravenes the apparent disparities with respect to their morphology, ecological habitat, and taxonomical classification.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of the hormone-binding domain of Oreochromis aureus estrogen receptor gene

The nucleotide sequence of the estrogen receptor gene of Oreochromis aureus (OaER) indicates that the hormone-binding E domain is composed of 4 exons interspersed by short introns of only 0.18-1.3 kb each. All 4 E exons exhibit consensus sequences flanking the donor and acceptor splice sites. Analysis of introns revealed (i) numerous palindromic and half-palindromic steroid responsive elements including ERE, TRE and GRE, (ii) six alternative polyadenylation signals and (iii) putative control regions identified by the clustering of transcription factor binding sites. Of particular interest is the presence of a TATA and CAAT box in intron IV. The hydropathicity profile shows that the E exons are relatively hydrophobic. Two receptor dimerization regions have been observed: a conserved heptad repeat of hydrophobic residues (R168-M193) and a perfect leucine zipper (L36-L57). The presence of multiple sites for kinase activity in these regions suggests the importance of phosphorylation in the regulation of receptor functions and ligand-affinity.

The hormone-binding domain of Oreochromis aureus estrogen receptor gene: homology comparison with other steroid binding receptors

Although the estrogen receptor gene of Oreochromis aureus (OaER) shows 85% homology to rainbow trout ER (rtER), the molecular organization of its exons and introns in the hormone-binding E domain is more closely related to the human ER gene. Comparison with other vertebrates yielded reduced homologies of 64-67%, probably due to evolutionary speciation. The E1 and E2 exons of OaER are interspersed by a short intron of 1.3 kb which is flanked by consensus splice sites. This is in sharp contrast to the 11 kb intron separating E1 and E2 exons of rtER which also displayed a rare GC donor junction. Three conserved cys at 83, 112 and 195, which are important for formation of 3-D ligand-binding pocket were found in OaER. However, the 4th conserved cys is replaced by a ser. This substitution which is the result of a single base mutation probably suggests different affinity for estrogen or transactivation of the OaER gene. Two overlapping steroid binding and receptor dimerization domains have been observed. The E domain of OaER and rtER has diversified significantly from that of other non-piscine vertebrates, such that they form a separate subgroup in the UPGMA tree of steroid receptors.

Cortisol-induced hepatic vitellogenin mRNA in Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner)

Cortisol triggers rapid but transient transcription of the silent vitellogenin (Vg) gene in male Oreochromis aureus, producing short-lived Vg mRNA. Implantation of cocoa butter containing cortisol at 0.8, 8, 20, and 40 micrograms/g fish body wt induced hepatic Vg mRNA within 1 or 2 hr. Implantation of cortisol at the lowest of these dosages (0.8 micrograms/g body wt) produced a transient surge in serum cortisol within 1 hr. This is equivalent to a 30-fold increase over that of the resting male fish in which the endogenous cortisol levels measured 10.5 +/- 2.39 and 11.4 +/- 3.1 ng/ml, respectively, for fish kept communally or singly. Although sham implantation with cocoa butter also resulted in the elevation of serum cortisol, the rise was much more gradual, only reaching a peak after 6 hr. Thus, parameters like the treatment regime, sampling time intervals after implantation, and the interaction between these two factors can significantly affect the serum cortisol concentrations (P = 0.001). Although implantation of cocoa butter with or without cortisol increased serum cortisol, albeit unsynchronized, Vg mRNA was detected only in the hormone-treated group. The profile of Vg mRNA accumulation appeared to coincide with that of serum cortisol, further suggesting the activating effect of exogenous cortisol on Vg gene. Compared with an earlier study on estradiol-induced Vg gene expression, the action of cortisol was more rapid, but transient. This is reflected in the rapid clearance of the cortisol-induced Vg mRNA and, hence, the lack of plasma Vg protein during cortisol treatment.

Two major groups of vitellogenin cDNA clones from Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner)

cDNA libraries were constructed using livers of male and female Oreochromis aureus that were stimulated with estradiol. Restriction map analyses of vitellogenin (Vg) cDNA clones indicated 4 subgroups with related restriction patterns, represented by pOAVg2 (from female) and pOAVg50, 71 & 87 (from male) fish. With the exception of pOAVg2, all other clones obtained from female fish resembled pOAVg50. There are no internal repeats within these cDNA clones. Southern blot cross-hybridisations distinguished pOAVg87 (group A) from pOAVg2, 50 and 71 (group B). The existence of these 2 major groups of Vg cDNAs was further confirmed by dot blot hybridisations and hybrid melting assays under varying stringencies. The difference of melting temperature, Tm between the 2 groups suggests a 7% intraspecific divergence in the Vg gene family.

A tetrodotoxin neutralizing system in the haemolymph of the horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

The horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, when injected intracardially with tetrodotoxin (TTX) at a dosage of 10 x LD50 of mice showed no mortality. The resulting haemolymph extracted 24 hr later from these crabs caused no fatalities when injected into mice. TLC analysis revealed that cell free haemolymph (CFH) had converted a single yellow fluorescent spot of TTX into two blue fluorescent components when the reaction was carried out at 25 degrees C. However, no fluorescence was observed when TTX was reacted with CFH at 37 degrees C. There was also an increase in the intensity of protein bands on SDS-PAGE gel corresponding to 26,000 and 28,000 mol. wts. This may be the result of the TTX-neutralization reaction in CFH. The pretreatment of TTX with CFH reduced the toxicity of TTX in mice by two-fold. The anti-TTX activity is temperature and time dependent as well as heat stable. Protein denaturation of the haemolymph suggests that proteinaceous factor(s) may also play a role in TTX-neutralizing activity of CFH. It is therefore possible that the detoxification system is attributed to concerted actions of both proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous factors in the haemolymph.

Two forms of factor C from the amoebocytes of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda: purification and characterisation

The two apparent form of the endotoxin-sensitive Factor C which were found to exist in the amoebocytes of horseshoe crabs have been separately purified to homogeneity from the lysate of the South-East Asian species, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. Both forms are serine proteinase zymogens having an apparent molecular mass of 132 kDa. By reducing SDS-PAGE, one was shown to consist of a single polypeptide while the other has a heavy chain (80 kDa) and a light chain (52 kDa) bridged by disulfide linkage(s). Both zymogen forms have endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) receptors to which endotoxin binds to activate their catalytic sites. However, single-chain Factor C appears to have higher-affinity endotoxin-binding sites which are competitively but reversibly occupied by DMSO when the latter was added during its purification. Another salient difference between the two forms of Factor C is exhibited in their manner of activation by endotoxin. While double-chain Factor C appears similar to that of Tachypleus tridentatus, single-chain Factor C did not undergo any proteolytic cleavage upon activation. This conformational transition of zymogen activation suggests an alternative reversible pathway of endotoxin activation for the single-chain Factor C.

Electrophoretic analysis of endotoxin-activated gelation reaction of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda amoebocyte lysate

Electrophoretic analysis of a 60 min reaction between E. coli endotoxin and the amoebocyte lysate showed that the coagulation reaction was complete by 15 min, with the conversion of coagulogen (21 kDa) to coagulin (17 kDa). Coincident with this observation was the maximal activities at 15 min, of Factor C and proclotting enzyme. On agitation of the coagulin gel clots, bioactive endotoxin was recovered. Densitometric scan of the electrophoretically-resolved proteins showed that the sum of coagulogen and coagulin remained almost constant at various time intervals of the coagulation reaction. Electrophoresis serves as a convincing and visually discernible method of studying the kinetics of coagulation, and defining the onset and completion of gelation. Furthermore, it is a useful means of examining the integrity of fresh lysate preparations based on the presence or absence of the 17 kDa coagulin band.

Estradiol-induced vitellogenin gene expression in a teleost fish, Oreochromis aureus

Vitellogenesis presents a versatile model for the study of hormone-induced gene expression. We report here the effects of estradiol-17 beta-propionate on vitellogenin gene expression in male Oreochromis aureus, a teleost fish. Vitellogenin mRNA of 6500 nucleotides has been elucidated from the livers of female and estradiol-treated male O. aureus. By hybridization with a specific O. aureus cDNA probe, the vitellogenin mRNA transcript was detected as early as 1 hr following primary and secondary estradiol-stimulations, although for the latter, the rate of accumulation of vitellogenin-specific mRNA was 20-fold higher. The vitellogenin mRNA peaked at 72 and 48 hr, respectively, for primary and secondary stimulations. At the translational level, the increase in plasma vitellogenin was further enhanced during the secondary stimulation. There was a distinct shift in the peak of plasma vitellogenin from Day 14 in the primary induction to Day 3 in the secondary stimulation. The plasma vitellogenin presented in two forms, 300 and 500 kDa, both of which were immunologically confirmed by Western blot analysis to be vitellogenin proteins.

Inactivation of factor C by dimethyl sulfoxide inhibits coagulation of the Carcinoscorpius amoebocyte lysate

The inhibition by dimethyl sulfoxide of the coagulation of the Carcinoscorpius Amoebocyte Lysate was found to be due to the inactivation of Factor C enzyme in the coagulation cascade and not due to the inactivation of proclotting enzyme as earlier reported in studies done on Limulus. Kinetic studies on both purified enzymes revealed that dimethyl sulfoxide completely but reversibly inhibited the activation of Factor C by endotoxins in a non-competitive manner whereas, it did not inhibit, albeit retard the activity of proclotting enzyme. This result also explains why clotting enzyme was shown to be largely unaffected by dimethyl sulfoxide.

Differential susceptibility of a fish, tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Teleostei, Cichlidae) to hepatocarcinogenesis by diethylnitrosamine and methylazoxymethanol acetate

Oreochromis mossambicus, commonly known as tilapia, is a freshwater teleost with a wide tolerance to environmental conditions. Multiple focal lesions in the liver were observed 2 months after cessation of a one-month long treatment with 100 p.p.m. diethylnitrosamine. Cells were small and compact and arranged in sheets. Ultrastructurally, these cells have abundant endoplasmic reticulum, round mitochondria, less conspicuous golgi apparatus and fat droplets. Other organs like the intestines, spleen, kidneys, ovaries and pituitary appeared normal. Two liver inducible enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transferase and tyrosine aminotransferase were elevated by 5- and 3-fold respectively. Aggressive migration of hepatocytes was observed in tumorigenic liver explants. Vitellogenesis and early embryological development appeared unaffected as the female fish spawned during hepatocarcinogenesis. However, their fry were stunted and short-lived. To compare the susceptibility of tilapia to another hepatocarcinogen, the fish were also treated with methylazoxymethanol acetate at 10 p.p.m. for 0.5-1 h. However, methylazoxymethanol acetate was too toxic and 75% of the fish succumbed 1 day after treatment. Moreover, after 2 months post-treatment, neither tumors nor change in enzyme activities were observed in any organ. These results suggest that tilapia could be a useful model for screening and differentiating carcinogens since they could develop liver tumors within only 2 months after treatment with diethylnitrosamine.

Enhancement of specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx in intact human lymphocytes by a dialysable factor in human and fetal calf serum

We have measured specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx in intact human lymphocytes incubated for up to 7 days in media containing different concentrations of fetal calf serum and human serum. Incubation for periods of up to 7 days with fetal calf serum and human serum produced increases in both specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx that were dependent on concentration and time. Neither specific [3H]ouabain binding nor ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx was altered when dialysed serum was used, suggesting that both fetal calf serum and human serum contain a dialysable factor or factors which stimulate specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx in intact human lymphocytes. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these changes we also measured the activity of two other enzymes of the lymphocyte plasma membrane, 5'-nucleotidase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, the uptake of [3H]thymidine by the intact cells, and the effects of cycloheximide, puromycin, and anisomycin, inhibitors of protein synthesis. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase was increased after incubation of the lymphocytes in fetal calf serum for 72 h, but the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase was not changed, suggesting some selectivity of the stimulatory effect. Measurements of [3H]thymidine uptake by the lymphocytes showed that the major part of the observed changes in specific [3H]ouabain binding and ouabain sensitive 86rubidium influx was not attributable to transformation of the lymphocytes to lymphoblasts. All three inhibitors of protein synthesis prevented the increase in specific [3H]ouabain binding due to fetal calf serum.

Hepatitis B infection in households of acute cases

Seroepidemiological studies conducted in 369 household contacts of 80 acute cases of hepatitis B in Singapore showed that asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) are the main source of acute hepatitis B infection. The HBs Ag prevalence rate in asymptomatic household members was 20% compared with a 6% prevalence for the general population. The majority of the household carriers (60%) were highly infectious with positive hepatitis e antigen (HBe Ag). The overall prevalence of HBV infection (with at least one HBV marker) of the household contacts was 40.7%. Spouses and parents of acute cases had a significantly higher prevalence of HBV infection than other members of the families. HBV prevalence rate showed no association with the household size. Factors associated with the risk of transmission of HBV infection included sharing of various personal and household articles, such as toothbrush, towel, handkerchief, clothing, razor, comb, bed and bedding. Sleeping in the same bedroom, eating together at meals, and sharing of eating and drinking utensils were not associated with an increased risk of transmission of infection. Follow-up studies six months later showed that 30% of the acute cases became chronic HBs Ag carriers (with 46% HBe Ag positive), thus providing an additional source of infection in the families, while 8% of the susceptible household members acquired asymptomatic HBV infection. Health education on the prevention of HBV transmission in the homes of acute cases should be based on sound epidemiological information. Household contacts of acute cases of hepatitis B should be routinely screened and the susceptible vaccinated against the disease as soon as possible.

An epidemic of cockles-associated hepatitis A in Singapore

An epidemic of serologically confirmed hepatitis A occurred between May and September 1983 in Singapore. The vehicle of transmission was traced to raw and partially cooked cockles, Anadara granosa, which had been imported from places with no sanitary control on the production. Strict controls on imported cockles are warranted.

In situ determination of the molecular weight of hepatic gamma-glutamyl transferase and gamma-glutamyl hydrolase activities

The molecular weight of gamma-glutamyl transferase from normal rat liver and hepatoma tissue was determined by radiation-inactivation and found to be approx 100000 in each case. The molecular weight previously reported for the subunit containing the gamma-glutamyl binding site (22000) is considerably less than that of the holoenzyme, suggesting that in situ the large subunit is implicated in both transferase and hydrolase activities.