Prothrombotic and inflammatory effects of intravenous administration of human immunoglobulin G in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous administration of human immunoglobulin G (hIVIgG) has been suggested to potentiate thromboembolism in dogs, but supportive scientific reports are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To determine if hIVIgG therapy promotes hypercoagulability and inflammation in dogs. ANIMALS: Twelve healthy Beagle dogs. METHODS: Prospective, experimental trial. An hIVIgG/saline solution was infused IV at 1 g/kg BW over 8 hours to 6 dogs, and physiological saline was infused to the other 6 dogs. Blood samples were drawn before, during, and after infusion for serial measurement of indicators of coagulation and inflammation. Data were analyzed by 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Dogs administered hIVIgG developed mildly decreased blood platelet concentrations without thrombocytopenia (median, 200 x 10(3)/microL; range, 150-302 x 10(3)/microL; P < .01), leukopenia (median, 3.5 x 10(3)/microL; range, 20-62 x 10(3)/microL; P < .001), and mildly increased plasma total protein concentrations (median, 6.3 g/dL; range, 5.6-6.7 g/dL; P < .001). Administration of hIVIgG was also associated with increases in fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products in all dogs (either 5 microg/mL or 10 microg/dL), thrombin-antithrombin III complexes (median, 7.2 ng/mL; range, 4.9-14.2 ng/mL; P < .001), and C-reactive protein concentrations (median, 2.5 mg/dL; range, 0.5-4.3 mg/dL; P < .01). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Administration of hIVIgG to dogs promotes hypercoagulability and an inflammatory state. This should be further evaluated and considered when using hIVIgG in dogs with IMHA or other prothrombotic conditions.

Direct observation of imploded core heating via fast electrons with super-penetration scheme.

Fast ignition (FI) is a promising approach for high-energy-gain inertial confinement fusion in the laboratory. To achieve ignition, the energy of a short-pulse laser is required to be delivered efficiently to the pre-compressed fuel core via a high-energy electron beam. Therefore, understanding the transport and energy deposition of this electron beam inside the pre-compressed core is the key for FI. Here we report on the direct observation of the electron beam transport and deposition in a compressed core through the stimulated Cu Kα emission in the super-penetration scheme. Simulations reproducing the experimental measurements indicate that, at the time of peak compression, about 1% of the short-pulse energy is coupled to a relatively low-density core with a radius of 70 µm. Analysis with the support of 2D particle-in-cell simulations uncovers the key factors improving this coupling efficiency. Our findings are of critical importance for optimizing FI experiments in a super-penetration scheme.

Dynamics of Z-form DNA.

The torsional and bending rigidities of Z-form DNA have been studied by nanosecond fluorescence anisotropy measurements of intercalated ethidium. The results suggested that Z-form DNA was considerably more flexible than B-form DNA. We have investigated the temperature dependence of the rigidity of B- and Z-form DNA and found that the temperature dependence of the torsional rigidity of Z-form DNA was remarkably lower than that of B-form DNA.

Degree of dissociation of apohemoglobin studied by nano-second fluorescence-polarization technique.

A fluorescent dye 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate was complexed with human apohemoglobin and sperm whale apomyoglobin. Nanosecond fluorescence-polarization kinetics were measured for each of these complexes in KC1 solutions to obtain their fluorescence lifetimes and rotational correlation times. The rotational correlation time of apohemoglobin-dye complex was found to be 21 ns, which was about twice that of apomyoglobin-dye complex, 11 ns. These values were constant over an ionic strength range from 0 to 1.7. Circular dichroism spectra (215-300 nm) and fluorescence lifetimes of the complexes were also found to be independent of the ionic strength, indicating that no gross conformational change occurs with the change in the salt concentration, These results suggest that apohemoglobin remains dimeric over the ionic-strength range examined.

Changes of the DNA packaging mode during boar sperm maturation.

Changes in the mode of DNA packaging in nuclei during spermatogenesis were studied by measuring of the fluorescence anisotropy decay of an ethidium dye intercalated in the DNA in whole nuclei. The nuclei were isolated from boar spermatid or sperm cells at three distinct stages of spermatogenesis: just before the completion of a maturation process in the testis (late spermatid), immediately after a subsequent transformation into spermatozoa (caput spermatozoon), and after full maturation (cauda spermatozoon). Although these three kinds of nucleus were morphologically indistinguishable from each other, the anisotropy decay detected a clear difference. In the late spermatid nuclei, in which the replacement of histones by protamine was still in progress, the anisotropy decayed extensively. The decay suggested that the DNA in the spermatid nuclei contained very flexible regions, in which the interaction of the DNA and proteins may be weak. The rapid and extensive anisotropy decay was absent in the caput and cauda nuclei. The flexible portions must have turned into very rigid structure during transformation from the late spermatid into the caput spermatozoon.

The dynamics of lipid motion in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes determined by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements on 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and related molecules.

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements were made on 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) and 1-acyl-2-(DPH)-phosphatidylcholine (DPH-PC) incorporated into sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. The results were analysed in terms of the 'wobbling-in-cone' model. Considerable differences in the fluorescence parameters were found. In particular TMA-DPH and DPH-PC showed a smaller cone angle, relating to the range of acyl chain motion, compared to DPH, taken to be a reflection of a difference in probe locations. The influence of the protein component was also found to restrict DPH motion more than TMA-DPH and DPH-PC. Effectiveness in assessment of perturbation of the membrane by the non-esterified fatty acid, oleic acid again revealed differences. The steady-state anisotropy decreased on addition of oleic acid; a recovery to control values was observed with DPH but not with the other probes. Time-resolved parameters followed the same pattern. The results of this work demonstrated the effectiveness of these three probes in revealing differences in membrane properties, such as protein and fatty acid perturbation of membrane lipid structure and dynamics.

Rotational dynamics of immunoglobulins with fluorescent haptens on a membrane surface.

The rotational dynamics of rabbit immunoglobulin G with fluorescent lipid haptens on a membrane surface has been studied by nanosecond fluorescence emission anisotropic spectroscopy. It has been found that the rotational angles of the antibody are very restricted on the membrane, but that the rotation rate itself is not appreciably lower than that in solution, and is independent of the membrane fluidity.

Nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence investigations of temperature-induced conformational changes in cytochrome oxidase in phosphatidylcholine vesicles and solubilized systems.

Intrinsic and lipid phase transition-induced conformational changes in cytochrome oxidase in phosphatidylcholine vesicle and solubilized systems were examined by the fluorescence lifetime of N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)-maleimide conjugated with the enzyme. The time-dependent fluorescence intensity of N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)-maleimide attached to cytochrome oxidase was described as a triple exponential decay. Both the intrinsic and lipid phase transition-induced conformational changes were detectable in plots of the average lifetime against temperature. In most cases a peak occurred at the temperature of the conformational change. The time-dependent emission anisotropy showed that N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)-maleimide embedded in cytochrome oxidase in phosphatidylcholine vesicles underwent a rapid restricted wobbling within a cone. The half-angle of the cone was around 30 degrees for cytochrome oxidase in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles.

The effect of cytochrome oxidase on lipid chain dynamics. A nanosecond fluorescence depolarization study.

Molecular motions in membranes composed of purified cytochrome oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) and synthetic lipid (L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine or L-alpha-dioleoylphosphatidylcholine) at various ratios were investigated with a lipophilic fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Nanosecond fluorescence depolarization kinetics of the probe showed that the rod-shaped probe molecules perform a fast wobbling motion (restricted rotation) in all membranes studied, presumably reflecting the motion of lipid acyl chains. At temperatures where the pure lipid was in the liquid-crystalline phase, presence of cytochrome oxidase reduced the angular range of the wobbling motion, whereas its rate, the wobbling diffusion constant, was unaffected. On the other hand, incorporation of the protein into lipid in the gel phase resulted in the increase in the wobbling diffusion constant while the range of the wobbling motion remained the same. A time-dependent view of lipid dynamics that accounts for the above findings, as well as the results of recent electron spin resonance and nuclear spin resonance studies of protein-lipid interactions, is proposed.

Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding RNA polymerase sigma factor sigma(54) of deep-sea piezophilic Shewanella violacea.

We have recently reported that a sigma(54)-like factor recognizes a DNA element, designated as region A, upstream of a pressure-regulated operon in piezophilic Shewanella violacea strain DSS12 (Nakasone et al., FEMS Microbiology Lett. 176 (1999) 351-356). In this study, we isolated and characterized the rpoN gene of this piezophilic bacterium. The rpoN gene was found to encode a putative protein consisting of 492 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 55359 Da. Significant homology was evident comparing the rpoN sequence of S. violacea with that of Escherichia coli (62.8% identity), Vibrio anguillarum (61.7% identity) and Pseudomonas putida (57.0% identity). The DNA-binding domain at the C-terminus of sigma(54) is well conserved in the case of the S. violacea rpoN gene product and the helix-turn-helix motif and the RpoN box are also present. In addition, the conserved glutamine-rich domain is present at the N-terminus. sigma(54) in S. violacea was expressed at a relatively constant level under various growth conditions as determined by both primer extension and Western blotting analyses. By means of a recombinant plasmid, a hexahistidine-tagged derivative of the sigma(54) from strain DSS12 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near homogeneity. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that the purified sigma(54) protein specifically recognizes region A in the above-mentioned pressure-regulated operon.

Fluorescence energy transfer studies of transmembrane location of retinal in purple membrane.

A diffusion-enhanced energy transfer technique was employed for the determination of transmembrane location of the retinal chromophore in the purple membrane. Theoretical considerations showed that the rate of energy transfer from an energy donor embedded within a membrane to acceptors dissolved in solvent could be described by an analytical function of the distance a of closest approach between the donor and acceptor, if the "rapid-diffusion limit" was attained. The criterion for this limit was given by the relation: (RO)6 much less than 20D tau Da4, where RO is the characteristic distance of energy transfer, D is the diffusion coefficient of the acceptor and tau D is the fluorescence lifetime of the donor in the absence of acceptor. By photo-reduction of the purple membrane with sodium borohydride, the retinal chromophore was converted to a highly fluorescent derivative, which showed a broad emission band in the visible region. From analysis of the fluorescence decay curves of the photo-reduced purple membrane in the presence of various concentrations of cobalt-ethylenediamine tetraacetate (Co-EDTA: energy acceptor), the depth of the chromophore from the membrane surface was estimated to be 8 (+/-3) A. This result was supported by investigations of energy transfer processes in a system where the native purple membranes and the photo-reduced membranes were stacked in parallel: the energy acceptor in this system was the native retinal chromophore.

Small-angle X-ray scattering study of adenosine triphosphatase from thermophilic bacterium PS3.

Adenosine triphosphatase from the thermophilic bacterium PS3(TF1) has been studied by solution X-ray scattering. A structural change in TF1 caused by the binding of ADP was observed by examining the difference between the radii of gyration of the unligated and ligated forms. The radius of gyration of the unligated TF1 was found to be 49.5 +/- 0.3 A, and it decreased by approximately 3% after ligation with ADP. The positions and the amplitudes of a subsidiary maximum and a shoulder in the scattering profile showed subtle change on nucleotide binding. The lower limit of the maximum length of TF1 was determined to be 165 A for the unligated form and 150 A for the ligated form. The shape analysis of TF1 was performed by model calculations for simple triaxial bodies or their complexes. Among the various models tested, the one that gave the best fit with the experimental data consisted of seven ellipsoids of revolution; six identical ellipsoids with semi-axes: a = b = 18.5 A and c = 74 A. arranged hexagonally, and the other with a = b = 28 A and c = 45 A, located below the other six on the 6-fold axis. On the basis of this model it was suggested that there is a structural change on ligation with nucleotides, consisting of a shrinkage of the six long ellipsoids by 6% along their major axes.

Torsional motion of eosin-labeled F-actin as detected in the time-resolved anisotropy decay of the probe in the sub-millisecond time range.

The internal motion of F-actin in the time range from 10(-6) to 10(-3) second has been explored by measuring the transient absorption anisotropy of eosin-labeled F-actin using laser flash photolysis. The transient absorption anisotropy of eosin-F-actin at 20 degrees C has a component that decays in the submicrosecond time scale to an anisotropy of about 0.3. This anisotropy then decays with a relaxation time of about 450 microseconds to a residual anisotropy of about 0.1 after 2 ms. When the concentration of eosin-F-actin was varied in the range from 7 to 28 microM, the transient absorption anisotropy curves obtained were almost indistinguishable from each other. These results show that the anisotropy decay arises from internal motion of eosin-F-actin. Analysis of the transient absorption anisotropy curves indicates that the internal motion detected by the decay in anisotropy is primarily a twisting of actin protomers in the F-actin helix; bending of the actin filament makes a minor contribution only to the measured decay. The torsional rigidity calculated from the transient absorption anisotropy is 0.2 X 10(-17) dyn cm2 at 20 degrees C, which is about an order of magnitude smaller than the flexural rigidity determined from previous studies. Thus, we conclude that F-actin is more flexible in twisting than in bending. The calculated root-mean-square fluctuation of the torsional angle between adjacent actin protomers in the actin helix is about 4 degrees at 20 degrees C. We also found that the torsional rigidity is approximately constant in the temperature range from 5 to approximately 35 degrees C, and that the binding of phalloidin does not appreciably affect the torsional motion of F-actin.

Immunohistochemical detection and northern blot analysis of estrogen receptor in osteoblastic cells.

Expression of estrogen receptor (ER) was studied in MC3T3-E1 cells (mouse osteoblastic cell line), HOS TE85 cells (human osteosarcoma cell line), and primary osteoblastic cells derived from mouse calvaria with immunohistochemical techniques. The staining of ER was readily detectable in MC3T3-E1 cells, HOS TE85 cells, and primary osteoblastic cells by using a monoclonal anti-ER antibody that recognizes the DNA binding domain of ER. The immunoreactivity was distributed in the cytoplasm as well as in the nuclei. 17 beta-Estradiol (10(-8) M) did not alter this staining pattern. The expression of ER was confirmed by Northern blot analysis using rat ER cDNA probe, which revealed a 6.5 kb band in MC3T3-E1 cells and a 6.2 kb band in HOS TE85 cells. The mRNA level of ER was not altered by 17 beta-estradiol (10(-8) M). The immunohistochemical studies showed that ER was not detectable in all cells but in a small population of each cell type. This study is the first report to demonstrate the presence of ER immunohistochemically, and our results suggest the heterogeneity of ER expression among osteoblastic cells.

Cell cycle-dependent expression of estrogen receptor and effect of estrogen on proliferation of synchronized human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells.

Dual fluoroimmunohistochemical staining of estrogen receptor (ER) and bromodeoxyuridine was performed in a human osteoblastic osteosarcoma cell line, HOS TE85 cells. ER immunoreactivity was observed preferentially in the nuclei of the cells that were bromodeoxyuridine positive. ER expression at various phases of the cell cycle was investigated in HOS TE85 cells, which were synchronized at the G1/S phase boundary by intermittent exposure to thymidine and hydroxyurea. ER immunoreactivity became detectable in the S phase, decreased in the G2/M and G1 phases, and then reappeared in the S phase of the next cell cycle. Western blot analysis also showed that ER protein exists in these cells and increases in the S phase. Moreover, Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of ER messenger RNA increases in the early S phase, gradually decreases during the progress of the cell cycle, and increases again in the S phase of the subsequent cell cycle. Interestingly, 17 beta-estradiol (10(-8) M) increased cell number and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in the synchronized HOS TE85 cells, whereas this effect was not observed in the nonsynchronized HOS TE85 cells. The present studies suggest that the cell cycle-dependent regulation may contribute to the heterogeneity of ER expression in osteoblastic cells.

Effects of tibolone (Org OD14) treatment for 3 months on ovariectomy-induced osteopenia in 8-month-old rats on a low-calcium diet: preventive testing for 3 months.

Tibolone (Org OD14), (7alpha, 17alpha)-17-hydroxy-7-methyl-19-norpregn-5(10)-en-20-yn++ +-3-one, is a synthetic steroid with weak estrogenic, progestational, and androgenic properties. We investigated the prophylactic effects of tibolone on bone loss, bone strength, and plasma and urinary parameters in 8-month-old ovariectomized rats on a low-Ca diet. Oral administration of tibolone (0.03-3 mg/kg/day) was started immediately after ovariectomy (ovx) and continued for 3 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Oral administration of tibolone (1 or 3 mg/kg/day) significantly prevented a decrease in BMD and bone ash density (bone ash weight/volume) of the global femur, and BMDs in the femoral distal and proximal regions. Also in the lumbar vertebrae, the ovx-induced reduction in BMD was prevented by tibolone (1 and 3 mg/kg/ day) treatment, resulting in a significantly higher lumbar vertebral (L-2) bone compression strength compared to the ovx control group. Neither ovx alone nor supplemented with tibolone affected the BMD or bending strength of the femoral mid-diaphysial region. Tibolone (0.03-3 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced the ovx-induced increases in serum osteocalcin level. Furthermore, tibolone inhibited an increase in the urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine, pyridinoline/creatinine, and deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratios induced by ovx. Tibolone also reduced body weight gain and serum cholesterol level, as has been reported for estrogen. These findings indicate that tibolone prevents reduction in bone mass associated with osteopenia by reducing increased trabecular bone resorption induced by a combination of ovx and a low-Ca diet.

Cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum are activated by the self-administration of cocaine.

The nucleus accumbens, a major component of the ventral striatum, and the dorsal striatum are primary targets of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, which is a pathway that plays a critical role in reward and addiction. The shell compartment of the nucleus accumbens and the ventromedial striatum, in particular, receive extensive afferent projections from the ventral tegmental area, which is the major afferent source of the mesolimbic pathway [Prog Brain Res 99 (1993) 209; J Neurosci 7 (1987) 3915]. The present study focused on striatal cholinergic interneurons as potential key neurons involved in the neural basis of drug reinforcement. The main finding of this study is that cholinergic interneurons located in the shell compartment of the nucleus accumbens and the ventromedial striatum were activated, as measured by Fos labeling, following a 1 h session of the self-administration of cocaine in rats. A direct correlation existed between the percent of cholinergic interneurons that were activated and the amount of cocaine that was self-administered. The greatest amount of administered cocaine (approximately 10 mg/kg) resulted in the activation of approximately 80% of the cholinergic neurons. No such correlation existed in the group of animals that self-administered saline. In addition, activation was not found in the core compartment of the nucleus accumbens or the dorsolateral striatum, which receive extensive innervation from the substantia nigra and thus are more closely tied to the motor effects of the drug. In conclusion, cocaine-driven neuronal activation was specific to the shell compartment of the nucleus accumbens (R(2)=0.9365) and the ventromedial striatum (R(2)=0.9059). These findings demonstrate that cholinergic interneurons are involved in the initial stage of cocaine intake and that these neurons are located in areas of the nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum that are more closely tied to the rewarding and hedonic effects rather than the motor effects of cocaine intake.

Conditioned increases in behavioral activity and accumbens dopamine levels produced by intravenous cocaine.

In vivo microdialysis, behavioral activity assessments, and a conditioned place preference (CPP) test were used to investigate dopaminergic correlates of cocaine-conditioned behaviors. Over 12 days, rats were given either intravenous cocaine (4.2 mg/kg) or saline (6 cocaine and 6 saline infusions) daily in distinctively different environments. The following day, rats were tested in the cocaine- and saline-paired environments; 48 hr later, CPP was determined. The cocaine-associated environment elicited greater nucleus accumbens dopamine (NAcc DA) levels, hyperactivity, and place preference, though the emergence of DA increases was not in synchrony with peak behavioral activation. Although conditioned behavioral effects after repeated cocaine are well documented, direct evidence of increased NAcc DA in response to a cocaine-paired environment has not been previously reported. Discrepancies with previous work are attributed to a number of methodological differences.

Effects of temperature on cytochrome oxidase activity in solubilized form and in lipid vesicle systems.

Isolated mammalian cytochrome oxidase gave an Arrhenius plot with a break (Tb) at about 20 degrees C when assayed in a medium containing Emasol. The activation energies above and below 20 degrees C were 9.3 (EH) and 18.9 kcal/mol (EL), respectively. Isolated cytochrome oxidase was also incorporated into vesicles of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC, phase transition temperature Tt = 40 degrees C), dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC, Tt = 23 degrees C) and dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC, Tt = -22 degrees C). The DPPC system showed a nearly linear Arrhenius plot between 9 and 36 degrees C with E = 22.8 kcal/mol. When cytochrome oxidase was resolubilized from the DPPC vesicles and assayed in solution a biphasic plot was obtained again. Cytochrome oxidase-DOPC was more active than the solubilized enzyme and exhibited a biphasic Arrhenius plot with Tb = 23 degrees C. EH and EL were 6.6 and 15.8 kcal/mol, respectively. The plot for the oxidase-DMPC also showed a break (Tb = 26 degrees C) with EH = 6.6 and EL = 26.6 kcal/mol. These results indicate that the break in the Arrhenius plot reflects primarily a structural transition in the cytochrome oxidase molecule between the "hot" and "cold" conformations, as proposed previously. This transition, as well as the molecular state of cytochrome oxidase, is affected by the physical state of the membrane lipids as reflected by changes in the kinetic properties.

Nanosecond fluorometric investigation of hydrodynamic properties of adenosine triphosphatase from thermophilic bacterium PS3.

The soluble portion (TF1) of proton-translocating ATPase from thermophilic bacterium PS3 was labeled with a fluorescent dye N-(1-pyrene)maleimide. The decay of fluorescence anisotropy of the adduct showed that TF1 in aqueous solution was characterized by a volume of equivalent sphere of 1,120 nm3. This value is 2.4 times the volume calculated from the molecular weight and partial specific volume, indicating a non-spherical shape and/or extensive hydration. A prolate ellipsoid with an axial ratio of 2 to 3 is suggested as a first approximation of the shape of hydrated TF1. The presence or absence of ATP, ADP, or Mg2+ did not alter the volume of the equivalent sphere appreciably; the probable conformational change of TF1 induced by these ligands does not lead to a gross alteration of its hydrodynamic properties.