Active targeting of cancer cells by CD44 binding peptide-functionalized oil core-based nanocapsules

Selectivity in tumor targeting is one of the major issues in cancer treatment. Therefore, surface functionalization of drug delivery systems with active moieties, able to selectively target tumors, has become a worldwide-recognized strategy. The CD44 receptor is largely used as a biomarker, being overexpressed in several tumors, and consequently as a target thanks to the identification of the CD44 binding peptide. Here we implemented the CD44 binding peptide logic onto an oil core–polymer multilayer shell, taking into account and optimizing all relevant features of drug delivery systems, such as small size (down to 100 nm), narrow size distribution, drug loading capability, antifouling and biodegradability. Besides promoting active targeting, the oil core-based system enables the delivery of natural and synthetic therapeutic compounds. Biological tests, using curcumin as a bioactive compound and fluorescent tag, demonstrated that CD44 binding peptide-functionalized nanocapsules selectively accumulate and internalize in cancer cells, compared to the control, thanks to ligand–receptor binding.

CD44 binding peptide was implemented onto an oil core–polymer multilayer shell of 100 nm size and completely biodegradable. Biological tests, demonstrated that the proposed nanocarrier selectively accumulates and internalizes in cancer cells.

Production of human pro-relaxin H2 in the yeast Pichia pastoris

Background

Initially known as the reproductive hormone, relaxin was shown to possess other therapeutically useful properties that include extracellular matrix remodeling, anti-inflammatory, anti-ischemic and angiogenic effects. All these findings make relaxin a potential drug for diverse medical applications. Its precursor, pro-relaxin, is an 18 kDa protein, that shows activity in in vitro assays. Since extraction of relaxin from animal tissues raises several issues, prokaryotes and eukaryotes were both used as expression systems for recombinant relaxin production. Most productive results were obtained when using Escherichia coli as a host for human relaxin expression. However, in such host, relaxin precipitated in the form of inclusion bodies and, therefore, required several expensive recovery steps as cell lysis, refolding and reduction.

Results

To overcome the issues related to prokaryotic expression here we report the production and purification of secreted human pro-relaxin H2 by using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris as expression host. The methanol inducible promoter AOX1 was used to drive expression of the native and histidine tagged forms of pro-relaxin H2 in dual phase fed-batch experiments on the 22 L scale. Both protein forms presented the correct structure, as determined by mass spectrometry and western blotting analyses, and demonstrated to be biologically active in immune enzymatic assays. The presence of the tag allowed to simplify pro-relaxin purification obtaining higher purity.

Conclusions

This work presents a strategy for microbial production of recombinant human pro-relaxin H2 in Pichia pastoris that allowed the obtainment of biologically active pro-hormone, with a final concentration in the fermentation broth ranging between 10 and 14 mg/L of product, as determined by densitometric analyses.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-016-0319-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Designing Covalently Linked Heterodimeric Four-Helix Bundles

De novo design has proven a powerful methodology for understanding protein folding and function, and for mimicking or even bettering the properties of natural proteins. Extensive progress has been made in the design of helical bundles, simple structural motifs that can be nowadays designed with a high degree of precision. Among helical bundles, the four-helix bundle is widespread in nature, and is involved in numerous and fundamental processes. Representative examples are the carboxylate bridged diiron proteins, which perform a variety of different functions, ranging from reversible dioxygen binding to catalysis of dioxygen-dependent reactions, including epoxidation, desaturation, monohydroxylation, and radical formation. The "Due Ferri" (two-irons; DF) family of proteins is the result of a de novo design approach, aimed to reproduce in minimal four-helix bundle models the properties of the more complex natural diiron proteins, and to address how the amino acid sequence modulates their functions. The results so far obtained point out that asymmetric metal environments are essential to reprogram functions, and to achieve the specificity and selectivity of the natural enzymes. Here, we describe a design method that allows constructing asymmetric four-helix bundles through the covalent heterodimerization of two different α-helical harpins. In particular, starting from the homodimeric DF3 structure, we developed a protocol for covalently linking the two α2 monomers by using the Cu(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The protocol was then generalized, in order to include the construction of several linkers, in different protein positions. Our method is fast, low cost, and in principle can be applied to any couple of peptides/proteins we desire to link.

A 13-week oral dose subchronic toxicity study of gardenia yellow containing geniposide in rats

Gardenia yellow powders A, B and C, containing geniposide at 0.284%, 0.938% and 2.783%, respectively, were administered orally to male and female SD rats as 3% feed admixtures for 13-weeks to evaluate any potential toxicity. Mean geniposide intake values were 5.72, 18.9 and 56.3mg/kg/day in groups receiving these feed admixtures, respectively. All animals survived the duration of the study. The following findings were evident in the gardenia yellow C group: chromatouria, slightly increased plasma total bilirubin, blackish brown discoloration of the kidneys and liver, brown pigments in the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidneys. Slightly increased plasma total bilirubin was considered to be due to interference of metabolite of geniposide with the system of measurement and not to be a toxic effect since there were no related changes in histopathology of the liver or in any blood chemistry parameters. Other findings were limited to pigmentations or discolorations attributable to metabolites of geniposide. No treatment-related effects were evident on body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology, hematology or organ weights in any group. Therefore, it was concluded that 3-month ingestion of the gardenia yellow powder containing geniposide at 2.783% (approximately 60 mg/kg/day as geniposide intake) does not cause any severe toxic effects.

Structural determination of subsidiary colors in commercial Food Green No. 3 (fast green FCF, FD & C Green No. 3)

HPLC analysis revealed that eight subsidiary colors existed in commercial Food Green No. 3 (fast green FCF, FD & C Green No. 3). Among them, four subsidiary colors C, F, G, and H were isolated by using preparative HPLC and their structures were determined by MS and NMR. They were the disodium salt of 2-[[4-[N-ethyl-N-(3- sulfophenylmethyl)amino]phenyl][4-[N-ethyl-N-(4- sulfophenylmethyl)amino]phenyl]methylio]-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid (abbreviated as m,p-G-3), the sodium salt of 2-[[(4-N-ethylamino)phenyl][4-[N-ethyl-N-(3- sulfophenylmethyl)amino]-phenyl]methylio]-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid [abbreviated as HSBA-(EA) (m-EBASA)], the sodium salt of 2-[[(4-N-diethylamino)phenyl][4-[N-ethyl-N-(3- sulfophenylmethyl)amino]phenyl]-methylio]-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid [abbreviated as HSBA-(di-EA) (m-EBASA)], and the sodium salt of 2-[[4-[N-ethyl-N-(phenylmethyl)amino]phenyl][4-[N-ethyl-N-(3- sulfophenylmethyl)-amino]phenyl]methylio]-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid [abbreviated as HSBA-(EBA)(m-EBASA)], respectively. HSBA-(di-EA) (m-EBASA) was a subsidiary color newly found in commercial Food Green No. 3.

Characterization of anti-myocardial autoantibodies in Japanese patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Few previous reports have comprehensively screened all the anti-myocardial autoantibodies (AMCA) in relation to other clinical profiles in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), so the present study used both immunohistochemistry (FITC) and immunoblotting (IB) for screening patients with IDC in order to characterize the clinical significance of AMCA. Sera were collected from 100 patients with IDC and age-matched 100 healthy control subjects (CTL). For FITC, an unfixed frozen section of human myocardium was used for the standard indirect immunofluorescence; for IB, total cardiac homogenates of the same myocardium were blotted to serum at 2 sets of dilution (1:200 and 1:10,000). The positive rates of AMCA detection for each method were as follows (IDC vs CTL); 39% vs 6% for FITC, 38% vs 4% for IB (1:200), and 10% vs 0% for IB (1:10,000). Fifty-nine patients with IDC and 8 CTL were positive for AMCA by either method, and 18 patients with IDC and 2 CTL were positive for AMCA by both methods. IB-positivity at 1:200 was an independent predictor by multiple logistic regression analysis of non-sustained ventricular tachycardias as well as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and plasma norepinephrine concentration.

Increased transglycosylation activity of Rhodotorula glutinis endo-beta-glucanase in media containing organic solvent

The transglycosylation of p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellotrioside to cellotetraose catalyzed by endo-1,4-beta-glucanase (cellulase, EC 3.2.1.4) from a psychrotrophic yeast, Rhodotorula glutinis KUJ 2731, was increased by addition of a miscible organic solvent in the reaction mixture. Among various organic solvents tested, acetone was most effective. The transglycosylation activity increased with an increase in acetone concentrations, while hydrolysis activity was suppressed. The transglycosylation preferably occurred at acidic pH with the optimum pH at 2 in 10 mM Gly-HCl buffer. The optimum temperature of transglycosylation was found to be 50 degrees C in the presence of 40% acetone.

Child maltreatment in American Indian and Alaska Native communities: integrating culture, history, and public health for intervention and prevention

This article addresses child maltreatment intervention and prevention among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The authors argue that history and culture must be included as context and variables for developing and implementing prevention programs in Indian Country. They propose that the public health violence prevention model would benefit from incorporating tenets of the history and culture(s) of diverse groups, in this instance American Indians and Alaska Natives. The authors offer an approach that focuses on population- and individual-level risk and protective factors for child maltreatment intervention and prevention in American Indian/Alaska Native communities. They include suggestions and examples for doing the work in Indian Country.

[Cost analysis of procedural fee for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty at six Japanese hospitals]

BACKGROUND

Disease-specific cost analysis is rarely performed in Japan, but is essential for reform of the healthcare reimbursement system and assessment of procedural fees.

METHODS

The actual cost associated with the procedural fee of the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedure was estimated by dividing into four categories: labor, disposable materials, expenses, and equipment costs. The special cost associated with PTCA devices such as angioplasty balloon and stent was responsible for the majority of PTCA-related hospitalization costs, but was not included in our survey. The six institutions that participated in the survey belong to the national, Red Cross, and Saiseikai organizations. Time study for labor was omitted, and procedural time was predetermined at 3 hours.

RESULTS

The labor cost amounted to yen 65,000 to yen 98,000/procedure. To calculate the cost of disposable materials across all six hospitals, a universal amount of yen 60,000 from a model hospital was used. The expenses ranged from yen 1,000 to yen 39,000, and the expenditure plus capital cost from yen 95,000 to yen 224,000, showing significant differences between the hospitals. The total mean cost was yen 294,000 +/- 55,000, which indicated that every hospital was in deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to Medicare in the United States of America, the procedural fee for Japanese physicians is extremely low, in contrast to the bloated special cost for devices, which causes significant pricing gaps between Japan and USA. The differences in total cost among the hospitals were mainly derived from the cost for angiographic equipment. Our survey did not include any private hospitals, but the PTCA-related procedural fee is less than the actual cost under the current health insurance reimbursement scheme at all hospitals.

Convulsant action of systemically administered glutamate and bicuculline methiodide in immature rats

Developmental changes of transport of drugs into the brain play an important role in ontogenetic neuropharmacology. Two convulsant drugs with different mechanisms of action (glutamate and bicuculline methiodide) were chosen to demonstrate these changes in developing rats. High dose of glutamate (4 g/kg i.p.) induced both minimal (predominantly clonic) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in rat pups 7, 12, and 18 days old. In contrast, seizures were only exceptionally observed in 25 and 90 days old animals. Bicuculline methiodide was administered in a dose of 2 or 20 mg/kg i.p. The first sign of bicuculline methiodide action in all age groups was represented by automatisms, a symptomatology never seen after bicuculline hydrochloride administration. Minimal seizures were induced in 12-day-old and in a few 18-day-old and adult rats. Generalized seizures were common after the higher dose of bicuculline methiodide in 7- and 12-day-old rat pups, seldom in 18-day-old ones and never seen in 25-day-old and adult animals. Both glutamate and bicuculline methiodide enter the brain in immature rats but the mechanisms are probably different - glutamate is transported actively through the blood-brain barrier whereas no similar system is known for bicuculline methiodide.

Convulsant action of systemically administered glutamate and bicuculline methiodide in immature rats

Developmental changes of transport of drugs into the brain play an important role in ontogenetic neuropharmacology. Two convulsant drugs with different mechanisms of action (glutamate and bicuculline methiodide) were chosen to demonstrate these changes in developing rats. High dose of glutamate (4 g/kg i.p.) induced both minimal (predominantly clonic) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in rat pups 7, 12, and 18 days old. In contrast, seizures were only exceptionally observed in 25 and 90 days old animals. Bicuculline methiodide was administered in a dose of 2 or 20 mg/kg i.p. The first sign of bicuculline methiodide action in all age groups was represented by automatisms, a symptomatology never seen after bicuculline hydrochloride administration. Minimal seizures were induced in 12-day-old and in a few 18-day-old and adult rats. Generalized seizures were common after the higher dose of bicuculline methiodide in 7- and 12-day-old rat pups, seldom in 18-day-old ones and never seen in 25-day-old and adult animals. Both glutamate and bicuculline methiodide enter the brain in immature rats but the mechanisms are probably different - glutamate is transported actively through the blood-brain barrier whereas no similar system is known for bicuculline methiodide.

Distribution and characterization of enzymes causing starch degradation in rice (Oryza sativa cv. koshihikari)

The thermal dependency and stability of enzymes producing reducing sugar (RS) were examined in bran, the exterior 13% part (outer endosperm), and the remaining inner endosperm of rice grains. RS-producing enzymes in the inner endosperm showed a higher optimum temperature than those in other parts of the rice grain. Diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel chromatography of crude extracts revealed two peaks of RS-producing activity with different optimum temperatures (60 and 37 degrees C) in all three parts. alpha-Glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) and alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) isoform G were thought to be major components of the RS-producing activities with high and low optimum temperatures, respectively. The peak with a high optimum temperature was a more abundant component in the inner endosperm, compared with other parts of the rice grain. Thus, different parts of rice were found to have distinct enzyme sets having different thermal dependency and to be involved in starch degradation to various sugars.

Cultivation of rat hepatocytes in a medium based on commercially available infusate solutions

The possibility of using commercially available infusate solutions as a culture medium for hepatocytes was investigated in primary monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes. The addition of Ca2+ to the infusate medium was necessary for hepatocytes to express their albumin secreting ability. The infusate medium supplemented with hormones (10(-7) M insulin and 10(-7) M dexamethasone) and Ca2+ (72.5 mg/l) allowed hepatocytes to produce albumin of an amount comparable to that produced in Williams' E medium. The activity of released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was kept at a low level throughout the cultivation in the infusate medium.

Isolation, identification and determination of a magenta subsidiary colour in food blue no. 1 (brilliant blue FCF)

A magenta subsidiary colour was isolated from commercial Food Blue No. 1 (B-1; Brilliant Blue FCF). The absorption maximum for this subsidiary colour at 580 nm is outside of the range of 614-628 nm found for other subsidiary colours and m,m-B-1. On the basis of MS and NMR analyses, the structure of the subsidiary colour was elucidated as the disodium salt of 2-[[4-[N-ethyl-N-(3-sulphophenylmethyl)amino]phenyl][4-oxo- 2,5-cyclohexadienylidene]methyl]benzenesulphonic acid. HPLC analyses revealed that 24 batches of commercial Food Blue No. 1 (three manufacturers) contain 0.1-0.8% (average: 0.5%) of the magenta subsidiary colour.

Role of O-acetyl-l-serine in the coordinated regulation of the expression of a soybean seed storage-protein gene by sulfur and nitrogen nutrition

The composition of seed storage proteins is regulated by sulfur and nitrogen supplies. Under conditions of a low sulfur-to-nitrogen ratio, accumulation of the beta-subunit of beta-conglycinin, a sulfur-poor seed storage protein of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), is elevated, whereas that of glycinin, a sulfur-rich storage protein, is reduced. Using transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana [L.] Heynh., it was found that the promoter from the gene encoding the beta-subunit of beta-conglycinin up-regulates gene expression under sulfur deficiency and down-regulates gene expression under nitrogen deficiency. To obtain an insight into the metabolic control of this regulation, the concentrations of metabolites related to the sulfur assimilation pathway were determined. Among the metabolites, O-acetyl-l-serine (OAS), one of the precursors of cysteine biosynthesis, accumulated to higher levels under low-sulfur and high-nitrogen conditions in siliques of transgenic A. thaliana. The pattern of OAS accumulation in response to various levels of sulfur and nitrogen was similar to that of gene expression driven by the beta-subunit promoter. Elevated levels of OAS accumulation were also observed in soybean cotyledons cultured under sulfur deficiency. Moreover, OAS applied to in-vitro cultures of immature soybean cotyledons under normal sulfate conditions resulted in a high accumulation of the beta-subunit mRNA and protein, whereas the accumulation of glycinin was reduced. These changes were very similar to the responses observed under conditions of sulfur deficiency. Our results suggest that the level of free OAS mediates sulfur- and nitrogen-regulation of soybean seed storage-protein composition.

Trousseau's syndrome with brachiocephalic vein thrombosis in a patient with uterine carcinosarcoma. A case report

The authors treated a patient with the previously unreported occurrence of brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava thrombosis in association with a distantly located cancer. A 71-year-old woman presented with swelling over the right side of the neck and abdominal distension. Physical examination revealed a huge mass, and computed tomography demonstrated thrombosis of the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava accompanied by jugular vein dilatation. No coagulation disorder was demonstrable. After anticoagulation and thrombolysis, hysterectomy was performed; microscopic examination of the specimen revealed uterine carcinosarcoma. Even though local tumor obstruction is a much more common cause of neck vein thrombosis, a distant occult cancer can present as this form of Trousseau's syndrome. In patients with otherwise unexplained neck vein thrombosis, examination not only of the head and neck but also of the abdomen and pelvis should be pursued.

The role of community review in evaluating the risks of human genetic variation research

The practicality and moral value of community review of human genetic research has become a focus of debate. Examples from two Native American communities are used to address four aspects of that debate: (1) the value of community review in larger, geographically dispersed populations; (2) the identification of culturally specific risks; (3) the potential conflict between individual and group assessments of research-related risks; and (4) the confusion of social categories with biological categories. Our experiences working with these two communities suggest that: (1) successful community review may require the involvement of private social units (e.g., families); (2) culturally specific implications of genetic research may be identifiable only by community members and are of valid concern in their moral universes; (3) community concerns can be incorporated into existing review mechanisms without necessarily giving communities the power to veto research proposals; and (4) the conflation of social and biological categories presents recruitment problems for genetic studies. These conclusions argue for the use of community review to identify and minimize research-related risks posed by genetic studies. Community review also can assist in facilitating participant recruitment and retention, as well as in developing partnerships between researchers and communities.

Diperamycin, a new antimicrobial antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseoaurantiacus MK393-AF2. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities

Antibacterial antibiotics, diperamycin (1) was produced in the culture broth of Streptomyces griseoaurantiacus MK393-AF2. Various spectroscopic analyses of 1 suggested that 1 belonged to a member of cyclic hexadepsipeptide antibiotic. Antibiotic 1 had potent inhibitory activity against various Gram-positive bacteria including Enterococcus seriolicida and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

[Differences in in-hospital charge for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with and without the use of coronary stent]

The cost of in-hospital percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has risen since the introduction of the coronary stent. Increased attention is now being given to the PTCA charges in Japan and a multicenter study is necessary with regard to in-hospital charges. To clarify the differences in in-hospital charges for PTCA with and without coronary stent [Stent Group and plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) Group, respectively], we studied the PTCA charges of 352 patients in 6 hospitals. Age, male gender and extent of coronary artery disease were not different. The ratio of acute myocardial infarction ranged from 16% to 64% and that of coronary stenting ranged from 24% to 65% (p < 0.001). In-hospital charge ranged from 1.4 +/- 0.8 to 2.2 +/- 1.0 million yen (p < 0.0001). The procedural charge accounted for 53% to 75% of the in-hospital charge (p < 0.01). The in-hospital charge ranged from 1.6 +/- 0.7 to 3.3 +/- 1.6 million yen in the Stent Group, higher than the charge of 1.1 +/- 0.8 to 1.9 +/- 0.7 million yen in the POBA Group (p < 0.0001). There was a statistical difference in the number of balloon catheters used (1.1 +/- 0.4 to 2.1 +/- 0.9, p < 0.005) but not in the mean number of stents used (1.1 +/- 0.3 to 1.4 +/- 0.7). The procedural charge of the institutes with higher stenting rate (> 45%) seemed to be lower than that of the institutes with lower stenting rate (p < 0.02). In conclusion, there are large variation between institutions in PTCA charges, and in-hospital charges increased with the use of stents on introduction of the Diagnosis Related Group used in the United States. We should charge separately for coronary stenting and POBA. Despite any initial increase in the in-hospital charge for coronary stenting compared to POBA, successful stent implantation will result in a superior saving in procedural charges.

[Small cell lung cancer associated with subacute sensori-motor neuropathy in a patient whose symptoms subsided during chemotherapy]

A 71-year-old man was referred to us with diplopia, left peripheral facial nerve dysfunction, ataxic gait and dysesthesia of the extremities. Neurological examination revealed mild reduction of sensation to pinprick and light touch in the left dominant lower leg. His standing position was wide based, and he showed Romberg's sign. The patient also presented signs of left peripheral facial, bilateral abducent, and left oculomotor nerve dysfunction. Serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, and proGRP were high. 67Gallium scintigraphy showed an accumulation of radioactivity at the hilum of the right lung, and the findings of bronchofiberscopy were compatible with the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer. Because the symptoms gradually worsened to the point that the patient could not move by himself, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were initiated 3 months after the onset of symptoms. While under chemotherapy, symptoms of neuropathy subsided and the patient was able to walk with the aid of a walking stick. Although all symptoms were indicative of carcinomatous neuropathy, no antineuronal antibodies were detected in the patient's serum by immunohistochemical techniques. However, because the lung cancer deteriorated gradually despite therapy, the patient died of respiratory failure. At autopsy, tumor metastases were found in the pericardium, left lung, both adrenal glands, right hilum lymph nodes, and mediasternal lymph nodes. No microscopic signs of metastases were found in the frontal, parietal, temporal, or occipital lobes, or in the basal ganglia, thalamus, midbrain, pons, cerebellar vermis and hemispheres, or upper medulla. Histopathologically, there was no degeneration of neuronal cell bodies in cerebellar or cervical dorsal root ganglia; however, almost total loss of myelinated fibers or variegated demyelination of myelinated fibers was observed in the anterior, lateral and posterior funiculus at both cervical segments of the spinal cord. The number of myelinated fibers was smaller in the 5th and 6th cervical left ventral roots. The reason why the patient's symptoms subsided during chemotherapy was probably a suppression of antineuronal antigen by chemotherapy and the repair of myelinated fibers.

Detection of several mRNA species in rice phloem sap

Evidence is reported for the presence of the mRNAs of thioredoxin h, oryzacystatin-I, and actin in the rice phloem sap collected by the insect laser method. As the sieve element, the core component of the phloem, is enucleated, these macromolecules are probably transported from the companion cells.

Detection of several mRNA species in rice phloem sap

Evidence is reported for the presence of the mRNAs of thioredoxin h, oryzacystatin-I, and actin in the rice phloem sap collected by the insect laser method. As the sieve element, the core component of the phloem, is enucleated, these macromolecules are probably transported from the companion cells.

Effect of a novel antibiotic, heliquinomycin, on DNA helicase and cell growth

Heliquinomycin, a novel microbial product, was found to inhibit a human DNA helicase enzyme isolated from HeLa S3 cells at concentrations of 5 to 10 micrograms/ml. In contrast, adriamycin, etoposide and cisplatin did not inhibit this enzyme at the concentrations tested. Furthermore, the replication and repair of SV40 chromosome were not affected at heliquinomycin concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. The topoisomerase II and I enzymes were inhibited at 30 micrograms/ml and 100 micrograms/ml of heliquinomycin, respectively. Heliquinomycin inhibited the growth of HeLa S3, KB, LS180, K562 and HL60 human tumor cell lines at IC50 values of 0.96 to 2.8 micrograms/ml. In addition, the growth of adriamycin and cisplatin resistant P388 cell lines were inhibited at similar concentrations. Heliquinomycin inhibited both DNA and RNA synthesis in cell culture but did not inhibit protein synthesis. HeLa S3 cells were arrested at the G2/M phase by heliquinomycin. These studies suggest that heliquinomycin is a selective inhibitor of a cellular DNA helicase and in turn, inhibits growth of tumor cell lines.

Tigloylcholine: a new choline ester toxin from the hypobranchial gland of two species of muricid gastropods (Thais clavigera and Thais bronni)

Crude extracts from hypobranchial glands of two species of muricid gastropods, Thais clavigera and Thais bronni, were highly lethal to mice. Regardless of species, a new choline ester was isolated as the major toxic principle and elucidated to be tigloylcholine, a structural isomer of senecioylcholine widely found in gastropod hypobranchial glands, by 1H- and 13C-NMR as well as FAB-MS. The i.v. LD50 (mouse) of tigloylcholine was estimated to be 0.92 mg/kg.

Rice phloem thioredoxin h has the capacity to mediate its own cell-to-cell transport through plasmodesmata

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) phloem sieve tubes contain RPP13-1, a thioredoxin h protein that moves around the plant via the translocation stream. Such phloem-mobile proteins are thought to be synthesized in the companion cells prior to being transferred, through plasmodesmata, to the enucleate sieve-tube members. In this study, in-situ hybridization experiments confirmed that expression of RPP13-1 is restricted to companion cells within the mature phloem. To test the hypothesis that RPP13-1 enters the sieve tube, via plasmodesmata, recombinant RPP13-1 was expressed in Escherichia coli, extracted, purified and fluorescently labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for use in microinjection experiments into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) mesophyll cells. The FITC-RPP13-1 moved from the injected cell into surrounding cells, whereas the E. coli thioredoxin, an evolutionary homolog of RPP13-1, when similarly labeled and injected, failed to move in this same experimental system. In addition, co-injection of RPP13-1 and FITC-dextrans established that RPP13-1 can induce an increase in plasmodesmal size exclusion limit to a value greater than 9.4 but less than 20 kDa. Nine mutant forms of RPP13-1 were constructed and tested for their capacity to move from cell to cell; two such mutants were found to be incapable of movement. Crystal-structure prediction studies were performed on wild-type and mutant RPP13-1 to identify the location of structural motifs required for protein trafficking through plasmodesmata. These studies are discussed with respect to plasmodesmal-mediated transport of macromolecules within the companion cell-sieve tube complex.

bor1-1, an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that requires a high level of boron

bor1-1 (high boron requiring), an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that requires a high level of B, was isolated. When the B concentration in the medium was reduced to 3 microM, the expansion of rosette leaves was severely affected in bor1-1 but not in wild-type plants. In a medium containing 30 microM B the mutant grew normally but showed female sterility, whereas the wild type was able to set seeds. These defects of the bor1-1 mutant were not detected with supplementation of 100 microM B. In vivo concentrations of B in bor1-1 mutants were lower than those of the wild type, especially in the inflorescence stems. Tracer experiments using 10B suggested that the mutant has defects in uptake and/or translocation of B. The mutation was mapped on the lower arm of chromosome 2.

Heliquinomycin, a new inhibitor of DNA helicase, produced by Streptomyces sp. MJ929-SF2 II. Structure determination of heliquinomycin

The structure of heliquinomycin which was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. MJ929-SF2 was studied by NMR spectroscopies, X-ray crystallographic analysis and degradation experiments. Heliquinomycin is the first member of glycosylated rubromycins and griseorhodins group antibiotics.

Raw-starch-digesting and thermostable alpha-amylase from the yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2: purification, characterization, cloning and sequencing

A starch-degrading enzyme produced by the yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2 was purified in only one step by using an alpha-cyclodextrin-Sepharose 6B column, and was characterized as an alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). The molecular mass and isoelectric point of purified alpha-amylase (AMY-CS2) were estimated to be 66 kDa and 4.2 respectively. AMY-CS2 has raw-starch-digesting and raw-starch-absorbing activities. Furthermore it was shown to be thermostable. An open reading frame of the cDNA specified 611 amino acids, including a putative signal peptide of 20 amino acids. The N-terminal region of AMY-CS2 (from the N-terminus to position 496) had 49.7% similarity with the whole region of alpha-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae (Taka-amylase), whereas the C-terminal region had a sequence that was similar to the C-terminal region of glucoamylase G1 from A. niger. In addition, putative raw-starch-binding motifs exist in some amylolytic enzymes. A mutant AMY-CS2 that lacks the C-terminal domain lost not only its ability to bind or digest raw starch, but also its thermostability. Consequently it is possible that the putative raw-starch-binding domain of AMY-CS2 plays a role not only in the molecule's raw-starch-digesting ability but also in its thermostability.

Acid xylanase from yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2: purification, characterization, cloning, and sequencing

A xylan-degrading enzyme produced by yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2 was isolated and purified, and characterized as an endoxylanase (1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase [EC 3.2.1.8]). We estimated the molecular weight and isoelectric point of purified xylanase (xyn-CS2) to be 22,000 and 7.4, respectively. This low-molecular-weight xylanase had an unusual pH optimum of 2.0, and showed 75% of maximal activity even at pH 1.0. An open reading frame of the cDNA specified 209 amino acids, including a putative signal peptide of 25 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of xyn-CS2 shared significant similarities with the family-G xylanases of B. pumilus, C. acetobutylicum, T. reesei, and A. kawachii. Xyn-CS2 included two unique cysteine residues in a putative catalytic region, raising the possibility that these residues are at least partially responsible for its acidophilic nature.

Heliquinomycin, a new inhibitor of DNA helicase, produced by Streptomyces sp. MJ929-SF2 I. Taxonomy, production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities

Heliquinomycin was isolated as a part of a program designed to find inhibitors of DNA helicase from microbial sources. It was purified from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. MJ929-SF2 by solvent extraction and serial chromatographies of centrifugal partition chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and Capcell Pak C18 (HPLC). The isolated red powder was analyzed to have the molecular formula of C33H30O17. It inhibited partially purified DNA helicase from HeLa cell in a non-competitive manner with the inhibition constant (Ki) of 6.8 mM. Heliquinomycin exhibited biological activity against microorganisms including MRSA, and cultured cell lines.

Development of an atmospheric 222Rn concentration model using a hydrodynamic meteorological model: II. Three-dimensional research-purpose model

This paper describes a new type of three-dimensional numerical model for 222Rn transport in an atmospheric boundary layer. The model is a combination of a prognostic hydrodynamic meteorological model including a turbulence closure model and an atmospheric diffusion model for 222Rn. The first part provides the second part with the meteorological conditions needed for calculations of the 222Rn transport and diffusion. The model is capable of giving consideration to horizontal source distribution, complex terrain, and non-uniform and non-steady atmosphere. The model's results were compared with 222Rn field measurements in a mountain-valley area and represented qualitatively a typical diurnal variation of the 222Rn concentration in nocturnal drainage flows. The model was also applied to the transport of 222Rn in a seacoast area. These results indicated that the model could be effective as a research tool for numerical analysis of 222Rn behavior under various atmospheric conditions.

Development of an atmospheric 222Rn concentration model using a hydrodynamic meteorological model: I. One-dimensional practical model

A one-dimensional numerical model for 222Rn transport in an atmospheric boundary layer was developed. The model consists of two parts: a prognostic hydrodynamic model including a turbulence closure model and an atmospheric diffusion model for 222Rn. The first part predicts meteorological conditions to provide the second part with vertical turbulence conditions which affects the vertical motion of 222Rn near the Earth's surface. Calculations with the model are compared with 222Rn concentrations measured during a variety of meteorological conditions, from clear days with high radiation and low winds to cloudy days of low radiation with high winds. The model's results represent well the typical diurnal variations of the 222Rn concentrations.

Systemic lupus erythematosus with pulmonary hypertension

A 50-year-old Japanese female with a long history of Raynaud's phenomenon presented with progressive dyspnea due to pulmonary hypertension. The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was confirmed by proteinuria, lymphocytopenia, bilateral pleurisy, and a seizure of convulsion which was consistent with neurological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus, whereas the antinuclear antibody showed a low titer. Despite improvement in the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus, steroid treatment did not alter the progression of pulmonary hypertension, which increased in severity, eventually resulting in her death. We believe pulmonary hypertension to be an unusual but critical complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Effects of sulfate concentrations on the expression of a soybean seed storage protein gene and its reversibility in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

Transgenic expression of genes encoding the alpha' and beta subunits of beta-conglycinin, one of the major seed storage proteins of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), was analyzed in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. under conditions of sulfate deficiency. Temporal patterns of expression of both the intact beta subunit gene and the beta subunit gene promoter fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene are similar in soil-less cultures using rockwool, suggesting that the response to sulfate deficiency is regulated mainly at the level of transcription. In hydroponic cultures with various concentrations of sulfate, expression of both the intact beta subunit gene and the beta subunit gene promoter-GUS fusion gene were negatively correlated to increased sulfate concentrations in the culture medium. Transfer of transgenic A. thaliana plants carrying the beta subunit gene promoter-GUS fusion from sulfate-deficient to sulfate-sufficient control medium caused GUS activity in developing siliques to be repressed within two days. A reverse shift, where the plants were transferred from the control to sulfate-deficient medium, caused GUS activity to become higher than that in seeds of the control plants within two days. These results indicate that the expression of the beta subunit gene promoter responds rapidly to changes of sulfate availability.

[A case of successful surgical retrieval of the intracoronary interlocked Palmaz-Schatz stent]

We presented a case of a 48-year-old male with failed delivery of the Palmaz-Schatz stent, who subsequently required CABG with successful retrieval of the stent. The patient had presented recurrent angina, approximately one and a half year since the last PTCA to the LAD. Re-PTCA was performed, but resulted in a severe local dissection. The stent implantation was tried, but was inadvertently dropped in the vessel. Since the patient was hemodynamically stable, we tried to remove the stent with Retriever endovascular snare, which ended up with interlocking the stent in the more proximal segment of the LAD and the snare itself was not removed. We, therefore, resort to the emergent operation, with successful retrieval of the snare device and the stent and carried on to the the bypass operation to the distal LAD without any complications. To our best knowledge, this is the first report in Japan for surgical retrieval of the Palmaz-Schatz stent, which was failed in delivery and interlocked in the vessel with retriever device.

Thioredoxin h is one of the major proteins in rice phloem sap

Sieve tubes play important roles in the transfer of nutrients as well as signals. Hundreds of proteins were found in pure phloem sap collected from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Kantou) plants through the cut ends of insect stylets. These proteins may be involved in nutrient transfer and signal transduction. To characterize the nature of these proteins, the partial amino-acid sequence of a 13-kDa protein, named RPP13-1, that was abundant in the pure phleom sap was determined. A cDNA clone of 687 bp, containing an open reading frame of 122 amino acids, was isolated using corresponding oligonucleotides as a probe. The deduced amino-acid sequence was very similar to that of the ubiquitous thiol redox protein, thioredoxin. The consensus sequences of thioredoxins are highly conserved. No putative signal peptide was identified. Antiserum against wheat thioredoxin h cross-reacted with RPP13-1 in the phloem sap of rice plants. RPP13-1 produced in Escherichia coli was reactive to antiserum against wheat thioredoxin h. Both E. coli-produced RPP13-1 and the phloem sap proteins catalyzed the reduction of the disulfide bonds of insulin in the presence of dithiothreitol. These results indicate that an active thioredoxin is a major protein translocating in rice sieve tubes.

A dioxygenase gene (Ids2) expressed under iron deficiency conditions in the roots of Hordeum vulgare

A lambda zapII cDNA library was constructed from mRNA isolated from Fe-deficient barley roots and screened with cDNA probes made from mRNA of Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient (control) barley roots. Seven clones were selected. Among them a clone having the putative full-length mRNA of dioxygenase as judged by northern hybridization was selected and named Ids2 (iron deficiency-specific clone 2). Using a cDNA fragment as probe, two clones from the genomic library (lambda EMBL-III) were isolated and one was sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence of Ids2 resembled that of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase. Ids2 is expressed in the Fe-deficient barley roots but is not in the leaves. The expression is repressed by the availability of Fe. Ids2 was also strongly expressed under Mn deficiency and weakly under Zn deficiency or excess NaCl (0.5%). The upstream 5'-flanking region of Ids2 has a root-specific cis element of the CaMV 35S promoter and a nodule-specific element of leghemoglobin, a metal regulatory element (MRE) and several Cu regulatory elements (UAS) of yeast metallothionein (CUP1).

Isolation of an Arabidopsis thaliana Mutant, mto1, That Overaccumulates Soluble Methionine (Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Soluble Methionine Accumulation)

We isolated Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that are resistant to ethionine, a toxic analog of methionine (Met). One of the mutants was analyzed further, and it accumulated 10- to 40-fold more soluble Met than the wild type in the aerial parts during the vegetative growth period. When the mutant plants started to flower, however, the soluble Met content in the rosette region decreased to the wild-type level, whereas that in the inflorescence apex region and in immature fruits was 5- to 8-fold higher than the wild type. These results indicate that the concentration of soluble Met is temporally and spatially regulated and suggest that soluble Met is translocated to sink organs after the onset of reproductive growth. The causal mutation, designated mto1, was a single, nuclear, semidominant mutation and mapped to chromosome 3. Accumulation profiles of soluble amino acids suggested that the mutation affects a later step(s) in the Met biosynthesis pathway. Ethylene production of the mutants was only 40% higher than the wild-type plants, indicating that ethylene production is tightly regulated at a step after Met synthesis. This mutant will be useful in studying the translocation of amino acids, as well as regulation of Met biosynthesis and other metabolic pathways related to Met.

[A case of ruptured left ventricular aneurysm due to syphilitic myocarditis]

This case involved a 20-year-old male who on May, 14, 1992, lost consciousness while working and went into a state of shock. He was taken to a hospital, where cardiac tamponade was diagnosed. He was later transferred to this hospital. Based on the results of echocardiography, coronary arteriography and left ventriculography, a ruptured ventricular aneurysm was diagnosed. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Serologic tests for syphilis performed at admission were definitely positive. Histopathological examination of the wall of the ventricular aneurysm disclosed fibrous myocarditis and peripheral coronary endarteritis accompanied by infiltration of plasma cells and lymphocytes. Immunohistological study revealed treponeme in the histiocytes of the aneurysmal wall. The diagnosis was a ruptured ventricular aneurysm caused by syphilitic myocarditis. Since the advent of penicillin therapy, cardiovascular syphilis, particularly syphilitic myocarditis, has become a rare disease. The chief interest of this case is that treponeme was detected in the lesion of myocarditis.

Expression of a Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) Seed Storage Protein Gene in Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Its Response to Nutritional Stress and to Abscisic Acid Mutations

Among the three subunits of [beta]-conglycinin, the 7S seed storage protein of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), expression of the [beta] subunit gene is unique. Accumulation of the [beta] subunit is enhanced in sulfate-deficient soybean plants, and its mRNA levels increase when abscisic acid (ABA) is added to the in vitro cotyledon culture medium. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines carrying a gene encoding the [beta] subunit was constructed and grown under sulfate deficiency. Accumulation of both [beta] subunit mRNA and protein were enhanced in developing A. thaliana seeds. Accumulation of one of the A. thaliana seed storage protein mRNAs was also enhanced by sulfate deficiency, although the response was weaker than that observed for the soybean [beta] subunit mRNA. When the aba1-1 or abi3-1 mutations were crossed into the transgenic A. thaliana line, accumulation of the [beta] subunit was significantly reduced, whereas accumulation of the A. thaliana seed storage protein was not greatly affected. These results indicate that soybean and A. thaliana share a common mechanism for response to sulfate deficiency and to ABA, although the sensitivity is different between the species. The transgenic A. thaliana carrying the [beta] subunit gene of [beta]-conglycinin will be a good system to analyze these responses.

Expression of a gene specific for iron deficiency (Ids3) in the roots of Hordeum vulgare

To clone genes required for the synthesis of mugineic acid (MA) or for the transport of Fe(III)-MA, a lambda ZAPII cDNA library was constructed from poly(A)(+)-RNA isolated from Fe-deficient barley roots. The cDNA library was then used for differential screening of barley roots that had been grown in the presence and absence of iron. Seven clones that hybridized specifically to the probe for Fe deficiency were selected. One clone, presumably encoding a full-length mRNA, as deduced from Northern hybridization, was sequenced. The clone consisting of 1685 nucleotides encoded a putative protein of 169 amino acids and an M(r) of 18704. The gene was specifically expressed in the roots of iron-deficient barley. A search for homologies in a protein database (NBRF) revealed that the predicted protein product has a functional peptide domain that resembles that of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases.

Indirect utilization of the phytosiderophore mugineic acid as an iron source to rhizosphere fluorescent Pseudomonas

The phytosiderophore mugineic acid (MA) was studied as a source of iron for rhizosphere fluorescent pseudomonads. 55Fe supplied as Fe-MA was taken up by Pseudomonas putida WCS358, B10 and St3 grown under iron deficient conditions. The uptake decreased when the bacteria were grown in the presence of iron. However, no differences in uptake were observed when a siderophore deficient mutant was tested. Since ligand exchange between pseudobactin and MA was shown to occur rapidly with a half-life of 2 h, MA mediated iron uptake probably proceeds through this indirect mechanism. The ecological implications of these findings are discussed.

Improvement in long-term prognosis by coronary bypass surgery in patients with 3-vessel coronary disease--a matched case control study

We compared survival patterns in 61 medically treated and 78 surgically treated patients at a Japanese community hospital. The 2 groups were matched for presence of significant 3 vessel disease, resting ejection fraction of more than 40%, a bypassable left anterior descending artery, sex, and age. All surgical patients received saphenous vein grafts. The patients treated surgically had better 5 and 9 years survival rates than the medically treated patients (93% and 85% vs 74% and 55%, respectively; p < 0.01 by Cox-Mantel analysis). Five and 9 years rates of absence of ischemic events (non-fatal myocardial infarction and primary cardiac death) were also better in the surgical group than the medical group (92% and 87% vs 66% and 52%, respectively; p < 0.001). Of the surgically treated patients, 5 died perioperatively, 3 had late cardiac deaths and 2 had a nonfatal infarction. Among the medically treated patients, 16 had cardiac deaths, and 6 had non-fatal infarctions. Although our study was non-randomized, we have shown an advantage for surgical treatment of patients with 3-vessel coronary disease.