PKA activation in concert with ARIS and asterosap induces the acrosome reaction in starfish.

The acrosome reaction (AR) is a fundamental event for fertilization, which is induced in concert with acrosome reaction-inducing substance (ARIS) and asterosap, both of which are components of starfish egg jelly (EJ). During the AR, a spermatozoon undergoes a series of physiological changes, such as in intracellular cGMP concentration ([cGMP]i), pHi and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Affinity purification of cGMP-binding protein resulted in the isolation of a regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), suggesting the involvement of a cAMP-dependent pathway in the AR. By using a cAMP enzyme immunoassay, [cAMP]i was found to increase in starfish spermatozoa when stimulated with ARIS and asterosap. ARIS could also increase the [cAMP]i in the presence of high pH seawater. Pretreatment of spermatozoa with two specific and cell-permeable PKA inhibitors, H89 and KT5720, prevented the induction of the AR in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that PKA activity participates in the induction of the AR with ARIS and asterosap. To investigate this, we have cloned a gene that encodes a regulatory subunit of PKA that had been identified in starfish spermatozoa.

Activation of defense-related gene expression and systemic acquired resistance in cucumber mosaic virus-infected tobacco plants expressing the mammalian 2'5'oligoadenylate system.

Tobacco plants expressing the mammalian 2'5'oligoadenylate system (2-5A system) exhibit resistance to cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Here, to characterize the molecular aspect of the resistance to CMV in 2-5A system-expressing tobaccos, the activation of defense-related genes and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) as the markers for the hypersensitive resistance (HR), were elucidated. Northern hybridization analysis indicated that the expression of four pathogenesis-related (PR) protein genes and five HR-related genes were induced in CMV-infected tobaccos expressing 2-5A system. Furthermore, the induction of SAR against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci as second challenge, was observed on CMV-inoculated tobaccos expressing 2-5A system. These results suggested that the resistance to CMV in tobacco expressing 2-5A system is associated with the establishment of an HR-like response.

Protection by aspirin of indomethacin-induced small intestinal damage in rats: mediation by salicylic acid.

Most of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) except aspirin (ASA) produce intestinal damage in rats. In the present study, we re-examined the intestinal toxic effect of ASA in rats, in comparison with various NSAIDs, and investigated why ASA does not cause damage in the small intestine, in relation to its metabolite salicylic acid (SA). Various NSAIDs (indomethacin; 10 mg/kg; flurbiprofen; 20 mg/kg; naproxen; 40 mg/kg; dicrofenac; 40 mg/kg; ASA; 20-200 mg/kg) were administered s.c., and the small intestinal mucosa was examined macroscopically 24 h later. All NSAIDs tested, except ASA, caused hemorrhagic lesions in the small intestine, with a decrease of mucosal PGE(2) contents. ASA did not provoke any damage, despite inhibiting (prostaglandin) PG production, and prevented the occurrence of intestinal lesions induced by indomethacin, in a dose-related manner. This protective action of ASA was mimicked by the equimolar doses of SA (17.8-178 mg/kg). Indomethacin caused intestinal hypermotility, in preceding to the occurrence of lesion, and this event was followed by increases of enterobacterial translocation in the mucosa. Both ASA and SA prevented both the intestinal hypermotility and the bacterial translocation seen after indomethacin treatment. In addition, the protective effect of SA was not significantly influenced by either the adenosine deaminase or the adenosine receptor antagonists. Following administration of ASA, the blood SA levels reached a peak within 30 min and remained elevated for more than 7 h. These results suggest that SA has a cytoprotective action against indomethacin-induced small intestinal lesions, and this action may be associated with inhibition of the intestinal hypermotility and the bacterial translocation, but not mediated by endogenous adenosine. Failure of ASA to induce intestinal damage may be explained, at least partly, by a protective action of SA, the metabolite of ASA.

A fibronectin-binding protein from rice bran with cell adhesion activity for animal tumor cells.

A rice bran 57-kDa protein was isolated by affinity chromatography with fibronectin immobilized on agarose. This fibronectin-binding protein designated as RB-57 had an amino-terminal amino acid sequence identical with that of a putative mature form of rice hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein. A distinct feature of the amino acid composition of RB-57 was the high contents of hydroxyproline and proline representing about 45% of the total amino acids. The sugar analysis indicated that arabinose represented 46.8% of the total carbohydrates. RB-57 showed cell adhesion activity for murine Lewis lung carcinoma cells. The result suggests that RB-57 may play a role in plant cell adhesion, although cell adhesion-promoting activity for plant cells remains to be tested.

Intravenous chlorhexidine gluconate causing acute respiratory distress syndrome.

CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old man undergoing a colectomy for colon cancer was unintentionally administered 0.8 mg of chlorhexidine gluconate intravenously and subsequently developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. The operation was discontinued immediately. Respiratory failure progressed despite three cycles of plasma exchange beginning on day 1. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 72 h beginning on day 3 was associated with dramatic improvement. The patient showed complete recovery of intellectual function and subsequently underwent a colectomy with lymph node dissection for colon cancer. CONCLUSION: For acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to chlorhexidine gluconate intoxication, consideration should be given to the treatment of initial respiratory distress and subsequent pneumonia. The benefit of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and plasma exchange may merit further investigation.

Isolation and characterization of an N-linked oligosaccharide that is significantly increased in sera from patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The structures of N-linked oligosaccharides present in human sera from 12 healthy volunteers and from 14 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed by our recently developed partially automated systematic method. Thirty different structures of oligosaccharides were deduced, and these accounted for 84.1% of the total N-linked oligosaccharides present in human sera. All of the quantified oligosaccharide levels in healthy human sera were within twice the standard deviation. The amount of a triantennary trigalactosylated structure with one outer arm fucosylation (A3G3Fo) was found to be markedly increased in NSCLC patients in comparison to that in healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). No significant positive correlation with other clinical data was found. Serum A3G3Fo levels can thus be a novel marker for the diagnosis of NSCLC.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA for a novel ethylene receptor, NT-ERS1, of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.).

The cDNA encoding a novel member (NT-ERS1) of ethylene receptor family of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was obtained by a combination of RT-PCR and 5'-/3'-RACE cloning. The cDNA was 2,092 nucleotides long and had an open reading frame of 1,911 bp encoding 637 amino acids. The deduced polypeptide lacked a response regulator domain, indicating that the ethylene receptor belongs to an ERS-group. The amino acid sequence was similar to respective members of the tobacco ethylene receptor family: 67.8% to NT-ETR1, 39.1% to NTHK1 and 31.1% to NTHK2. Comparison of amino acid sequence suggested that NT-ERS1 is the counterpart of Nr in the ethylene receptor family of tomato, which belongs to Solanaceae as does tobacco. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA of NT-ERS1 was present in leaf, shoot and root tissues, and accumulated in leaves treated with exogenous ethylene. A mutated NT-ERS1 cDNA transgene, obtained by introducing one nucleotide substitution into NT-ETR1 cDNA, conferred ethylene insensitivity in tobacco plants, indicating that the translation product of the cDNA actually functioned in the plants.

Micrococcus luteus teichuronic acids activate human and murine monocytic cells in a CD14- and toll-like receptor 4-dependent manner.

Teichuronic acid (TUA), a component of the cell walls of the gram-positive organism Micrococcus luteus (formerly Micrococcus lysodeikticus), induced inflammatory cytokines in C3H/HeN mice but not in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-resistant C3H/HeJ mice that have a defect in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene, both in vivo and in vitro, similarly to LPS (T. Monodane, Y. Kawabata, S. Yang, S. Hase, and H. Takada, J. Med. Microbiol. 50:4-12, 2001). In this study, we found that purified TUA (p-TUA) induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in murine monocytic J774.1 cells but not in mutant LR-9 cells expressing membrane CD14 at a lower level than the parent J774.1 cells. The TNF-alpha-inducing activity of p-TUA in J774.1 cells was completely inhibited by anti-mouse CD14 monoclonal antibody (MAb). p-TUA also induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human monocytic THP-1 cells differentiated to macrophage-like cells expressing CD14. Anti-human CD14 MAb, anti-human TLR4 MAb, and synthetic lipid A precursor IV(A), an LPS antagonist, almost completely inhibited the IL-8-inducing ability of p-TUA, as well as LPS, in the differentiated THP-1 cells. Reduced p-TUA did not exhibit any activities in J774.1 or THP-1 cells. These findings strongly suggested that M. luteus TUA activates murine and human monocytic cells in a CD14- and TLR4-dependent manner, similar to LPS.

Induction of necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in mice in vivo and in murine peritoneal macrophages and human whole blood cells in vitro by Micrococcus luteus teichuronic acids.

Earlier studies showed that Micrococcus luteus cells and cell walls induced anaphylactoid reactions leading to death, in some instances within 1 h, in C3H/HeN mice primed with muramyl dipeptide (MDP). They also induced serum cytokines in the surviving mice. The present study investigated the structural components responsible for these activities. Teichuronic acids, a component of M. luteus cell walls, induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in MDP-primed C3H/HeN mice. Peptidoglycans had little effect on the cytokine-inducing activities. Reducing teichuronic acids, i.e., teichuronic acids whose carboxyl groups had been reduced, lost their cytokine-inducing activities. Neither peptidoglycans nor teichuronic acids induced anaphylactoid reactions in the MDP-primed mice. Purified teichuronic acids also induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production in C3H/HeN murine peritoneal macrophages and human whole-blood cells in the culture, but reduced teichuronic acids did not. The purified teichuronic acids induced no TNF-alpha and only low levels of IL-6 in MDP-primed C3H/HeJ mice, and neither cytokine in peritoneal macrophage cultures from C3H/HeJ mice with a single point of mutation in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene. These findings suggest that induction of cytokines by teichuronic acids is mainly TLR4-dependent.

Health beliefs and perceptions of women presenting or not presenting for mammographic screening in a rural health setting.

Breast cancer continues to be a major health concern among Australian women. Recently, free mammography screening has been offered as a joint State and Commonwealth initiative to enable early detection. This program has particular significance in rural areas where access to health-care facilities, particularly those of a specialist nature, is limited. Attendance for screening is critical to the success of this type of program. Several lines of evidence suggest that health beliefs play a major role in compliance with recommended health behaviour. The present study investigated the role of five health beliefs: response efficacy, seriousness, concern, susceptibility and barriers to the likelihood of attending the North Coast Breast Screening Program in northern NSW. A questionnaire that measured these health beliefs was completed by 127 women who attended breast screening and 185 women who knew about the service but had not attended. Compared with those who had not undergone mammography, those presenting for screening were more health conscious, more likely to have had a mammography previously, more aware that mammography reduced the risk of developing severe breast cancer and less concerned about having a mammogram. A number of barriers to having a mammogram were also identified. The present study raises a number of concerns regarding the level of knowledge about breast self-examination and mammography as important preventive health measures among women in a rural setting.

Analysis of the domain structure of elongation factor-2 kinase by mutagenesis.

A number of elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2K) mutants were constructed to investigate features of this kinase that may be important in its activity. Typical protein kinases possess a highly conserved lysine residue in subdomain II which follows the GXGXXG motif of subdomain I. Mutation of two lysine residues, K340 and K346, which follow the GXGXXG motif in eEF-2K had no effect on activity, showing that such a lysine residue is not important in eEF-2K activity. Mutation of a conserved pair of cysteine residues C-terminal to the GXGXXG sequence, however, completely inactivated eEF-2K. The eEF-2K CaM binding domain was localised to residues 77-99 which reside N-terminal to the catalytic domain. Tryptophan 84 is an important residue within this domain as mutation of this residue completely abolishes CaM binding and eEF-2K activity. Removal of approximately 130 residues from the C-terminus of eEF-2K completely abolished autokinase activity; however, removal of only 19 residues inhibited eEF-2 kinase activity but not autokinase activity, suggesting that a short region at the C-terminal end may be important in interacting with eEF-2. Likewise, removal of between 75 and 100 residues from the N-terminal end completely abolished eEF-2K activity.

Systematic analysis of N-linked sugar chains from whole tissue employing partial automation.

A partially automated technique for the isolation and characterization of N-linked sugar chains from glycoproteins of crude tissue samples is established. The N-linked sugar chains from the acetone-extracted tissues are made free by a process of hydrazinolysis and subsequently N-acetylated by GlycoPrep 1000 (Oxford Glycosystems). These free sugar chains are further converted to pyridylamino derivatives by GlycoTag (Takara). Characterization of these sugar chains is achieved by a combination of HPLC columns using a highly sensitive fluorescence detector at femtomole levels. Tissue sample can be successfully pyridylaminated and analyzed to give highly reproducible results with consistent yield, requiring fewer purification steps, minimum skills, and less time. Moreover, fixed tissues can also be analyzed employing this technique, giving a similar sugar chain pattern compared to normal tissue samples. Using this method we show that the pattern of N-linked sugar chains present in human sera or in one small region of brain is strikingly similar among the different individuals. However, the absence of a highlighted peak in one of the samples suggests this method can be extrapolated to identify changes, if any, associated with disorders such as inflammation or cancer. Furthermore, this two-dimensional display of sugar chains would discover the function-specific molecules as we see in proteins.

Three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasonography of gastrointestinal lesions using an ultrasound probe.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to ascertain the clinical usefulness and problems of three-dimensional (3D) images obtained with the ultrasound probe. METHODS: Eighteen resected specimens and 21 patients were examined. After the images were recorded on video, 3D displays were produced using a workstation. RESULTS: In the in vitro study the surface images were quite consistent with the macroscopic findings in 17 cases. In 2 esophageal cancers, 7 of 10 gastric cancers, and 2 colonic cancers the depth of tumor invasion was assessed accurately from the reconstructed images. In the in vivo study although 3 D display had some limitations, it was useful in esophageal and rectal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This new diagnostic method could visualize the 3D extent of gastrointestinal lesions and appears to have a useful clinical application.

Prediction of incontinence following low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to predict incontinence following low anterior resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: Preoperatively, 21 patients were evaluated via patient history and a physical examination that included anal manometric studies. Six months postoperatively, repeat manometric studies and clinical evaluations were performed to assess the level of continence. Degree of continence was graded based on severity of the dysfunction and grade of the continence score. RESULTS: The formula used for predicted postoperative resting pressure is as follows: predicted postoperative resting pressure = 0.42 x preoperative resting pressure +1.56 x length of remaining rectum +12.37 (R2 = 0.58; P < 0.001). It was demonstrated that patients with low predicted postoperative resting pressures (< 30 mmHg) had incontinence, and those with high predicted postoperative resting pressures (> 35 mmHg) were continent. There were significant correlations between length of the remaining rectum and ratio of the decrease in maximum resting pressure (postoperative/preoperative maximum resting pressure; r = 0.63; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Continence following low anterior resection may be influenced by maximum resting pressure function of the internal anal sphincter; if it is injured during surgery, incontinence will occur. We may be able to foretell incontinence by using the predicted postoperative resting pressure formula, which is calculated by using preoperative resting pressure measurements and then determining the length of the remaining rectum.

Presence of UDP-D-xylose: beta-D-glucoside alpha-1,3-D-xylosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of the Xyl alpha 1-3Glc beta-Ser structure of glycoproteins in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.

HepG2 cells were examined for the presence of UDP-D-xylose: beta-D-glucoside alpha-1,3-xylosyltransferase activity by using 2-[(2-pyridyl)amino]ethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (Glc beta-R) as a fluorogenic acceptor. UDP-D-xylose and the acceptor were incubated with the HepG2 microsomal fraction, and the enzymatic reaction mixture was analyzed by HPLC. Structural analysis of the fluorogenic product by alpha-D-xylosidase digestion, FAB-MS, and Smith degradation revealed that it was Xyl alpha 1-3Glc beta-R, thus demonstrating the existence of beta-D-glucoside alpha-1,3-xylosyltransferase. A solubilization study of the enzyme from the microsomal fraction indicated that it differed from UDP-D-xylose: alpha-D-xylodie alpha-1,3-xylosyltransferase of the HepG2 microsomal fraction producing Xyl alpha 1-3Xyl alpha 1-3Glc-R' [R', (2-pyridyl)amino-] from UDP-D-xylose and Xyl alpha 1-3Glc-R' [Minamida, S., Aoki, K., Natsuka, S., Omichi, K., Fukase, K., Kusumoto, S. & Hase, S. (1996) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 120, 1002-1006]. The newly detected enzyme appears to be involved in the biosynthesis of the Xyl alpha 1-3Glc beta-Ser structure of glycoproteins such as human blood coagulation factors VII and IX.

Relationship between local immune response to Helicobacter pylori and the diversity of disease: investigation of H. pylori-specific IgA in gastric juice.

In order to evaluate the relationship between local immune response to Helicobacter pylori and the diversity of disease, 77 asymptomatic subjects who underwent a health examination were studied. Helicobacter pylori-specific IgG in serum and H. pylori-specific IgA in gastric juice were measured by ELISA, and the measured IgA titre was classified into two grades, low or high. Histological classification of gastritis was performed according to the Sydney system. Cytokines in gastric juice were also measured, and the cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) status of H. pylori was tested by PCR. Of the 65 subjects who were positive for H. pylori-specific IgG in serum, 38 (58.5%) were classified as H. pylori-specific IgA low titre in gastric juice and 27 (41.5%) had high titres. In the IgG-positive, IgA-low group, the rate of peptic ulcers (especially duodenal ulcers) in endoscopic findings was higher (P < 0.05); the score of activity and the density of H. pylori were higher (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively); the score of metaplasia was lower (P < 0.05); and the level of interleukin-1 beta was lower (P < 0.05) than in the IgG-positive, IgA-high group. The positive rate of the cagA gene was 84.4% and there was no significant difference between the two groups. There were differences in endoscopic and histological findings between the IgG-positive, IgA-low and the IgG-positive, IgA-high groups. It is suggested that persons infected with H. pylori can be divided into two different states of disease according to local immune response.

Purification and characterization of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from hen oviduct.

Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from hen oviduct (Endo-HO) was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation and then by column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel, hydroxyapatite, Octyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Co2+-chelating Sepharose FF, and YMC-Pack Diol-200G. Partial purification of the enzyme was reported previously [Tarentino, A.L. and Maley, F. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 6537-6543]. The molecular weight was 54,000 by gel filtration and 52,000 by SDS-PAGE in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol, indicating that Endo-HO is composed of a single polypeptide chain. The optimum pH was 6.5, and the Km value was 25 microM when pyridylaminated Man6GlcNAc2 was used as a substrate. EDTA and metal cations tested, except Hg2+, had no effects on Endo-HO activity. Substrate specificity results using pyridylaminated N-linked sugar chains revealed that Endo-HO hydrolyzed oligomannose-type sugar chains faster than complex- and hybrid-type chains, and that sugar chains containing the Manalpha1-2Manalpha1-3Manbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-GlcN Ac structure were good substrates for the enzyme. These findings suggest that in cytosol the enzyme contributes to the production of a free oligosaccharide with one reducing end N-acetylglucosamine residue in cooperation with neutral alpha-mannosidase, an enzyme that specifically hydrolyzes oligosaccharides to Manalpha1-2Manalpha1-2Manalpha1-3(Manalpha1-6)++ +Manbeta1-4GlcNAc.

Detection of UDP-D-xylose: alpha-D-xyloside alpha 1-->3xylosyltransferase activity in human hepatoma cell line HepG2.

We previously reported the detection of novel O-linked sugar chains classified as being of the glucosyl-O-serine type [Hase et al. (1988) J. Biochem. 104, 867-868]. The sugar chains are a disaccharide (Xyl alpha 1-3Glc) and a trisaccharide (Xyl alpha 1-3Xyl alpha 1-3 Glc) linked to serine residues in epidermal growth factor-like domains of human and bovine blood coagulation factors. The structures of these sugar chains suggested the presence of an alpha 1-->3xylosyltransferase for their biosynthesis. We report here on the detection of alpha 1-->3xylosyltransferase activity which catalyzes the transfer of xylose to Xyl alpha 1-3Glc in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. We employed pyridylaminated Xyl alpha 1-3Glc as a fluorescent acceptor and UDP-D-Xyl as a donor. The reaction product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC, and the structure of the transfer product isolated was confirmed to be pyridylaminated Xyl alpha 1-3Xyl alpha 1-3Glc by Smith degradation, mass spectrometry, and alpha- and beta-xylosidase digestions. The apparent K(m) value for pyridylaminated Xyl alpha 1-3Glc was 52 mM and for UDP-D-Xyl 0.28 mM. Optimum pH was 7.2. The enzyme was inactivated by addition of EDTA, and its activity was restored by addition of Mn2+ and Mg2+. These results indicate the presence of a novel enzyme which is able to transfer xylose to Xyl alpha 1-3Glc, forming Xyl alpha 1-3Xyl alpha 1-3Glc in human cells.

Preoperative staging of superficial esophageal carcinoma: comparison of an ultrasound probe and standard endoscopic ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: In diagnosing superficial esophageal carcinoma, it is necessary to differentiate mucosal carcinoma from submucosal carcinoma because mucosal carcinoma has a good prognosis and local treatment is likely to be successful. We evaluated an ultrasound probe and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the staging of superficial esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: From October 1992 to September 1994, 22 patients with 25 lesions (7 mucosal carcinomas, 18 submucosal carcinomas) were examined preoperatively with both the probe and EUS. The ultrasound findings were compared with histologic findings in all cases. RESULTS: The accuracy rates of the depth of invasion by the ultrasound probe were 86% (6 to 7) for mucosal carcinoma and 94% (17 to 18) for submucosal carcinoma, total 92% (23 to 25); by EUS 71% (5 to 7) for mucosal carcinoma and 78% (14 to 18) for submucosal carcinoma, total 76% (19 to 25). In the evaluation of lymph node metastasis, the overall accuracy was 56% by the ultrasound probe (sensitivity 25% and specificity 80%) and 67% by EUS (sensitivity 50% and specificity 80%). CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound probe was more convenient to use and more accurate than EUS in the evaluation of the depth of invasion of superficial esophageal carcinoma.

Classification of sugar chains of glycoproteins by analyzing reducing end oligosaccharides obtained by partial acid hydrolysis.

Sugar chain types were classified on the basis of reducing end di- and trisaccharide structures. Sugar chains liberated from glycoproteins by the hydrazinolysis-N-acetylation method were pyridylaminated, and pyridylamino (PA-) sugar chains were purified by HPLC. The PA-sugar chains thus purified were partially hydrolyzed with 1 M trifluoroacetic acid. The acid hydrolysis conditions were investigated with the object of obtaining PA-di- and trisaccharides with high yields for different types of PA-sugar chains. The acid hydrolysates were separated by size-fractionation HPLC into PA-mono-, PA-di-, and PA-trisaccharides, and each fraction was analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC. The structures were then identified by comparing the HPLC elution positions with those of authentic PA-oligosaccharides derived from N-linked sugar chains and 12 types of O-linked sugar chains.