Involvement of TNF-α mRNA downregulation in tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-α Pentoxifylline enhances sensitivity of a human ovarian cancer cell line (OVC-8) to TNF-α

The OVC-8 human ovarian cancer cell line constitutively expresses tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) mRNA and protein and is resistant to TNF-α. When OVC-8 cells are treated with pentoxifylline (PTX), the level of mRNA for TNF-α is markedly reduced. Combination treatment of OVC-8 cells with PTX and TNF-α overcomes the resistance. PTX-treatment has no effect on the expression of TNF-α mRNA in C30 cells, which do not constitutively express TNF-α mRNA. The combination of PTX and TNF-α do not overcome the resistance of C30 cells to TNF-α. PTX or anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody has no effect on the growth of OVC-8 cells, suggesting that the growth of OVC-8 cells does not depend upon an autocrine action of TNF-α. The synergistic cytotoxic effect obtained with ovarian cancer cells suggests that the combination of PTX and TNF-α could be applied clinically in the therapy of TNF-α-producing ovarian cancer.     

Antibacterial activity of phellodendron bark against Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is a major cause of tooth decay due to its promotion of biofilm formation and acid production. Several plant extracts have been reported to have multiple biological activities such as anti-inflammation and antibacterial effects. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of three plant extracts, phellodendron bark (PB), yucca, and black ginger, and found that PB had a stronger effect than the other extracts. Then, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PB against 100 S. mutans strains was investigated. The MIC range of PB was 9.8–312.5 µg/mL. PB suppressed the growth kinetics of S. mutans in a dose-dependent manner, even at sub-MICs of PB. Then, we investigated the effect of PB on S. mutans virulence. The PB suppressed biofilm formation at high concentrations, although PB did not affect the expression of glucosyltransferase genes. Additionally, PB suppressed the decrease in pH from adding an excess of glucose. The expression of genes responsible for acid production was increased by the addition of excess glucose without PB, whereas their expression levels were not increased in the presence of 1× and 2× MIC of PB. Although PB showed a bacteriostatic effect on planktonic S. mutans cells, it was found that more than 2× MIC of PB showed a partial bactericidal effect on biofilm cells. In conclusion, PB not only showed antibacterial activity against S. mutans but also decreased the cariogenic activity in S. mutans.     

Induction of apoptosis in human leukemia (HL-60) cells by skimmed milk digested with a proteolytic enzyme purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Apoptosis-inducing materials were produced by digesting bovine skimmed milk with cell-free extract of Saccharomyces cereviiae at pH 4.8. An enzyme involved in production of the materials was purified from the cell-free extract by successive column chromatography. The purified enzyme was homogeneous and identified as protease B by analyzing N-terminal amino acid sequence. Characteristics features of apoptosis were observed within 5 h of digested skimmed milk treatment as documented by DNA fragmentation, expression of phosphatidylserine. The inducing factors were recovered in the soluble fraction of 92% ethanol, suggesting that the factors were hydrophilic low molecular weight substances.     

Therapeutic experience of deep vein thrombosis prevention system for restless legs syndrome

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - The present paper reports a case of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in which the Flowtron DVT (Huntleigh Technologies, Luton, UK) was used as a deep vein thrombosis...     

Purification and Characterization of an NAD-Malic Enzyme from Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017

An NAD-malic enzyme was purified to homogeneity from Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017, and its molecular characteristics were surveyed. The enzyme exhibited native and subunit molecular masses of 388 and 85 kDa, respectively, suggesting that it exists as a homotetramer, and was activated by metabolic intermediates in glycolysis. The role of the enzyme in bacteroids’ carbon metabolism is discussed.     

Obstructive Role of the Dimorphic Sperm in a Non-copulatory Marine Sculpin, Hemilepidotus gilberti, to Prevent Other Males' Eusperm from Fertilization

In many species of animals, males normally produce parasperm (dimorphic sperm) along with eusperm (normal sperm) during spermatogenesis. In the present study, to clarify the role of parasperm of the non-copulatory sculpin Hemilepidotus gilberti, whose reproduction is characterized by polyandrous oviposition involving sneaking by neighboring territorial males, we observed the movements of parasperm. Parasperm could not move by themselves, but they were transported in solutions by passive movement due to collisions with actively swimming eusperm. In the viscous ovarian fluid (OF), which isolates eggs from seawater by covering them during spawning, parasperm did not exhibit any movement. However, they could be transported by eusperm movement in solutions with dissolved OF, partly because the viscosity of the fluid become lower. And then, in some solutions parasperm formed lumps. Lump formation of parasperm was also observed at the boundary surface of an egg mass where OF contacted seawater. Eusperm added experimentally to a solution in which parasperm were forming lumps were engulfed in the lumps and never escaped. Thus, lump formation of parasperm would be obstacles for the later arriving eusperm. Although lumps formed against both kin and non-kin eusperm, parasperm are thought to be available to overcome sperm competition which would occur during spawning that involves sneaking being almost concurrent with lump formation. The territorial male eusperm reach the eggs while his parasperm hinder other males' eusperm from reaching the eggs. Thus, we concluded that parasperm of H. gilberti play a role on protection of paternity by blocking rival eusperm physically from approaching eggs.