Effects of hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy on BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneous tumors

The therapeutic effects of photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia on mice bearing subcutaneous tumors were investigated. Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (1 x 10(7)) were implanted subcutaneously into the femoral area of BALB/c mice. A total of 134 tumor-bearing mice were treated with photodynamic therapy, i.e., administration of laser irradiation (514.5 nm, 112.5 mW/cm2 for 11.12 min with a total energy 75 J/cm2) after injection (i.p.) of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg body weight) and/or hyperthermia (by electric heating needles to 44 and 45 degrees C for 30 min) once a day for three successive days. The results revealed that the therapeutic effects of the combination of photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia were improved when compared with photodynamic therapy or hyperthermia alone. A combination of photodynamic therapy (10.0 mg HPD/kg body weight and 75 J/cm2 of total laser irradiation energy) and hyperthermia (44 degrees C for 30 min) had the best therapeutic effect, indicating that the mortality rate within 120 days (MR120) was 12.5% and the mean survival time (MST120) was 113.8 days.     

Nitrile hydratase from a thermophilic Bacillus smithii

A novel thermophilic Bacillus smithii strain SC-J05-1, isolated from a hot spring, had the ability of hydrating nitrile to form amide. The nitrile hydratase was purified to homogeneity from the microbial cells of SC-J05-1 and was characterized. The enzyme was a 130-kDa protein composed of two different subunits (25.3 kDa and 26.8 kDa) and contained cobalt ions. This enzyme had the optimal temperature of 40°C and was stable up to 50°C. The optimal pH was in the alkaline region higher than pH 10. Received 02 September 1997/ Accepted in revised form 06 February 1998     

Corrigendum of Zhao et al. (2020): a revised infrageneric classification of Lepisorus (Polypodiaceae)

Here, we publish Lepisorus sect. Paragramma (Blume) C.F. Zhao, R. Wei & X.C. Zhang as a combinatio nova to replace the section name in Zhao et al. (2020), which was published as a status nova and turned out to be an invalid name, because we cited an incorrect basionym. A revised infrageneric classification of Lepisorus also is proposed.     

SOCS2 Balances Metabolic and Restorative Requirements during Liver Regeneration

After significant injury, the liver must maintain homeostasis during the regenerative process. We hypothesized the existence of mechanisms to limit hepatocyte proliferation after injury to maintain metabolic and synthetic function. A screen for candidates revealed suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2), an inhibitor of growth hormone (GH) signaling, was strongly induced after partial hepatectomy. Using genetic deletion and administration of various factors we investigated the role of SOCS2 during liver regeneration. SOCS2 preserves liver function by restraining the first round of hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy by preventing increases in growth hormone receptor (GHR) via ubiquitination, suppressing GH pathway activity. At later times, SOCS2 enhances hepatocyte proliferation by modulating a decrease in serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) that allows GH release from the pituitary. SOCS2, therefore, plays a dual role in modulating the rate of hepatocyte proliferation. In particular, this is the first demonstration of an endogenous mechanism to limit hepatocyte proliferation after injury.     

Thermodynamics of hydrolysis of oligosaccharides

Microcalorimetry has been used to determine enthalpy changes for the hydrolysis of a series of oligosaccharides. High-pressure liquid chromatography was used to determine the extents of reaction and to check for any possible side reactions. The enzyme glucan 1,4-alpha-glucosidase was used to bring about the following hydrolysis reactions: (A) maltose(aq) + H2O(liq) = 2D-glucose(aq); (B) maltotriose(aq) + 2H2O(liq) = 3D-glucose(aq); (C) maltotetraose(aq) + 3H2O(liq) = 4D-glucose(aq); (D) maltopentaose(aq) + 4H2O(liq) = 5D-glucose(aq); (E) maltohexaose(aq) + 5H2O(liq) = 6D-glucose(aq); (F) maltoheptaose(aq) + 6H2O(liq) = 7D-glucose(aq); (G) amylose(aq) + nH2O(liq) = (n + 1) D-glucose(aq); and (H) panose(aq) + 2H2O(liq) = 3D-glucose(aq); (J) isomaltotriose(aq) + 2H2O(liq) = 3D-glucose(aq). The enzyme beta-fructofuranosidase was used for the reactions: (K) raffinose(aq) + H2O(liq) = alpha-D-melibiose(aq) + D-fructose(aq); and (L) stachyose(aq) + H2O(liq) = o-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----6)- alpha-o-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----6)-alpha-D-glucopyranose + D-fructose(aq). The results of the calorimetric measurements (298.15 K, 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.44-6.00) are: delta H0A = -4.55 +/- 0.10, delta H0B = -9.03 +/- 0.10, delta H0C = -13.79 +/- 0.15, delta H0D = -18.12 +/- 0.10, delta H0E = -22.40 +/- 0.15, delta H0F = -26.81 +/- 0.20, delta H0H = 1.46 +/- 0.40, delta H0J = 11.4 +/- 2.0, delta H0K = -15.25 +/- 0.20, and delta H0L = -14.93 +/- 0.20 kJ mol-1. The enthalpies of hydrolysis of two different samples of amylose were 1062 +/- 20 and 2719 +/- 100 kJ mol-1, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Regional localization of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene to human chromosome 7 band q21.1.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a polypeptide involved in liver regeneration. Its amino acid sequence and gene structure are similar to those of coagulation-related serine proteases. We have used a cDNA clone of HGF and flow-sorted human chromosomes to assign this gene to chromosome 7. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of the HGF genomic clones to human metaphase chromosome spreads showed the localization of this gene to 7q21. Estimation of fluorescent signals relative to arbitrary reference points (ARPs) allowed further localization to 7q21.1.     

Localization of blood coagulation factors and fibrinolysis factors within lymphoid germinal centers in human lymph nodes.

The presence of nineteen blood coagulation factors and fibrinolysis factors was immunohistochemically evaluated in human lymph node germinal centers (GCs). Twelve of these factors were detected within lymphoid GCs. The predominant pattern was dendritic with occasional crescent-shaped, ring-shaped or 'moth-eaten' appearance. Immunostains of factor VIII-related antigen, factor I, protein C, tetranectin, antithrombin III, type 2-plasminogen activator inhibitor, and alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor were almost entirely absent from GCs, although they reacted in vascular wall and lumen, respectively. The immunostaining to high molecular weight kininogen, kallikrein, factors XII, X, V, II, XIIIa, XIIIs, plasminogen, tissue-plasminogen activator, and type 1-plasminogen activator inhibitor more frequently revealed a positive dendritic pattern. Immuno-electron microscopy demonstrated factor X and factor XIIIa attached to the cell surfaces of lymphocytes, macrophages, and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs); and in the intercellular space within GCs, especially attached to the labyrinthine-like structure of FDCs. No reaction products were observed in the perinuclear cisternae and rough endoplasmic reticulum in either lymphocytes or FDCs. Our data demonstrate that human lymphoid GCs really contain some of the proteins related to the blood coagulation and fibrinolysis cascades.