Hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis with disposable chemical pocket warmers

A case of chromomycosis in which hyperthermia proved effective is reported. The patient was a 56-year-old male bean curd maker who, without any previous history of minor trauma, developed on the extensor side of the left upper arm an eczematous lesion that underwent gradual radial expansion. The lesion showed a well-defined, 7×10 cm infiltrated erythematous plaque with the central area healed and, at the upper and lower borders, adherent scales and crusts on the surface. Histological examination revealed granulomatous changes in the dermis, as well as sclerotic cells within giant cells and microabscesses. On culturing,Fonsecaea pedrosoi was isolated. The patient was treated with disposable chemical pocket warmers, which were secured over the lesion with a rather tight elastic bandage, so that they kept the affected area warm for 24 hours a day. After a month of such hyperthermic treatment, the erythema and infiltration had decreased considerably, and microscopic examination and culture of the crusts both yielded negative results. Examination of biopsy specimens of the lesion after the third month showed that it had cicatrized. The treatment was stopped after 4 months, and no relapse occurred. We also summarize the published results of local hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis in Japan.     

Identification of HLA-B44 subtypes associated with extended MHC haplotypes

The HLA class I antigen B44 is found in each of two different extended major histocompatibility haplotypes (allele combinations of HLA-B, HLA-DR, and complement genes BF, C2, C4A, and C4B in linkage disequilibrium). Using isoelectric focusing, two variants of HLA-B44 were identified. The basic variant was found in all cell lines with the extended haplotype HLA-B44, DR7, FC31, and the acidic variant in all cell lines with the extended haplotype HLA-B44, DR4, SC30. The occurrence of each antigen variant with a unique extended haplotype explains previous observations concerning the nonrandom association of B44 variants with DR antigens.     

Physiological effects of temperature and growth regulators on foliar chlorophyll,soluble protein,and cold hardiness in citrus

Leaf chlorophyll (Chl, A, B) and total soluble protein were assayed in greenhouse-grown 1.5-year-old trees of 2 citrus types, trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) and sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) exposed to 12 h (day/night) photoperiods in growth chambers under high (30°/21°C, day/night; noncold-hardening) and low (16°/5°C; cold-hardening) temperature regimes. Trees were sprayed 2 × per week for 5 weeks with one of the following solutions at 100 M: napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), paclobutrazol (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol) (PPP333), benzyl-adenine (BA), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA₃), minerals only (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) and BA (+) minerals. NAA, PP333, ABA and GA₃ decreased Chl A, B and soluble protein in both citrus types under cold-hardening conditions in contrast to increases with the use of BA and BA (+) minerals especially in trifoliate orange. Both BA and GA₃ increased Chl A, B and protein synthesis under high temperature in both citrus types. Under noncold-hardening temperatures, GA₃ enhanced Chl A, B but sharply reduced foliar protein concentration. Dieback of both cultivars following exposure to temperatures down to –6.7°C was decreased 7% by NAA sprays during noncold-hardening temperatures. Cold tolerance of noncoldhardened trifoliate orange trees was also improved with ABA and PP333. Foliar sprays of NAA (sour orange) and PP333 and BA (+) minerals (trifoliate) increased cold tolerance of cold-hardened trees by 8%. Results indicate that spray applications of growth regulators influence physiological factors associated with foliar functioning and cold tolerance in citrus during different temperature regimes.Summary Growth promoters (BA) and inhibitors (NAA) have the potential to promote cold hardines through either a strong stimulatory effect on foliar physiology or a marked inhibition of growth in general. This suggests that each growth regulator may possess an independent role in the cold-hardiness phenomenon and may also interact with physiological processes other than soluble protein and chlorophyll metabolism. The relationship between soluble protein levels in citrus foliage and the degree of cold hardiness remains uncertain and is essentially unresolved pending more specific qualitative research.University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Series No. 7446.This paper reports the results of research only. Mention of a trademark of a proprietary product does not constitute a recommendation for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.     

Rapid quantitative analysis of a gibberellin-sterol inhibitor using high-performance liquid chromatographic cartridge columns

A rapid, sensitive, and economical chemical analysis of the triazole, gibberellin-inhibitor, paclobutrazol (PP333, [(2RS,3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4 triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol]) was sought, featuring high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the final quantitation step. Three C₁₈-reverse phase columns (conventional, 250×4.6 mm; cartridge type, 125×4.6 mm; and minicolumn, 33×4.6 mm) were evaluated for their performance in HPLC separation and quantitation of PP333 applied to soil and plant foliage. The 125-mm Whatman Partisil 5 ODS-3 cartridge column was superior to the standard 250-mm DuPont Zorbax ODS unit, and provided enhanced resolution and reduced solvent consumption, analysis time, and cost. A Perkin-Elmer Pecosphere 3×3C-C₁₈ cartridge system was also superior to the 125-mm column with respect to these parameters. Although this minicolumn necessitated an additional purification step prior to HPLC analysis, its exceptionally fast analysis time and recovery period coupled with a high degree of sensitivity rendered it the most superior unit. This HPLC technology provided an efficient means of assaying for PP333 in large-scale experiments dealing with the chemical's absorption, translocation, and physiological response.     

Pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in immunized mice

Paracoccidioidomycosis was induced in immunized (IM) and non-immunized (NI) mice. The histopathology, the number of fungi in the lungs, the cellular (footpad test — FPT and macrophage inhibition factor assay — MIF) and humoral (immunodiffusion test) immune response were investigated serially postinfection. In the IM mice, at days 1 and 3, there was intense and predominant macrophagic-lymphocytic alveolitis with loose granulomatous reaction; at day 30, inflammation was mild. In the NI group, up to day 3, the lesions were focal; later there was formation of extensive epithelioid granuloma. The number of fungi in IM mice were always smaller than those of NI group. Immunization alone induced positive FPT and MIF indices with low titer of antibody. After infection, there was a significant decrease of the FPT indices in the IM group, which we interpreted as desensitization due to trapping of sensitized lymphocytes in the lungs. In conclusion, (1) The lesional pattern of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in IM mice was similar to that of a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This reaction was probably effective in reducing the extension of the infection and decrease the number of fungi. (2) In this model, pulmonary resistance against P. brasiliensis seems to be related to local and systemic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.     

Comparative effects of a recombinant and a mutein type of granulocyte colony stimulating factor on the growth of Meth-A fibrosarcoma with 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of a recombinant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF) and a mutein G-CSF(KW-2228) on leucopenia and tumor growth in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In normal mice, the number of leucocytes (white blood cell, WBC) reached the peak 12 hours after a single injection of either type of G-CSF and decreased to the normal level after 24 hours. Daily administration induced a continuous increase in the WBC count, however, administrations at intervals did not. Meth-A fibrosarcoma was subcutaneously inoculated into the backs of syngeneic BALB/c mice. The mice were treated with 5-FU alone or with G-CSFs. Chemotherapy with 5-FU alone resulted in leucopenia and an insignificant inhibition of tumor growth. The conjunctive administration of G-CSFs with 5-FU resulted in a significantly augmented inhibition of tumor growth, and leukopenia was not seen. This augmenting effect was more prominent with KW-2228.These results suggest that in 5-FU chemotherapy G-CSFs may be beneficial in restoring the number of leucocytes from leucopenic state and in augmenting the tumor inhibitory effect. Furthermore, KW-2228 may be more beneficial than the natural type rhG-CSF.     

Kinetics of flavin semiquinone reduction of the components of the cytochrome c-cytochrome b5 complex

The kinetics of flavin semiquinone reduction of the components of the 1:1 complex formed by cytochrome c with either cytochrome b5 or a derivative of cytochrome b5 in which the heme propionates are esterified (DME-cytochrome b5) have been studied. The rate constant for the reduction of horse heart cytochrome c by the electrostatically neutral lumiflavin semiquinone (LfH) is unaffected by complexation with native cytochrome b5 at pH 7. However, complex formation with DME-cytochrome b5 (pH 7) decreases by 35% the rate constant for cytochrome c reduction by LfH. At pH 8, complex formation with native cytochrome b5 decreases the rate constant for cytochrome c reduction by LfH markedly, whereas the rate constant for cytochrome c reduction, either unbound or in the complex formed with DME-cytochrome b5, is increased 2-fold relative to pH 7. These results indicate that the accessibility of the cytochrome c heme is not the same in the complexes formed with the two cytochrome b5 derivatives and that the docking geometry of the complex formed by the two native cytochromes is pH dependent. Binding of horse heart and tuna cytochromes c to native and DME-cytochromes b5 decreases the rate constants for reduction of cytochrome c by the negatively charged flavin mononucleotide semiquinone (FMNH) by approximately 30% and approximately 40%, respectively. This finding is attributed to substantial neutralization of the positive electrostatic potential surface of cytochrome c that occurs when it binds to either form of cytochrome b5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Morphological studies of polycystic mouse ovaries induced by dehydroepiandrosterone

Summary Morphological alterations induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) were studied in polycystic mouse ovaries (PCO). Treated mice showed ovulatory failure and cystic changes; cysts and follicles in various stages of growth and atresia were present although corpora lutea were absent. The levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 3- and 3-androstanediol, estrone and androstenedione increased, whereas estradiol was not detectable.The ultrastructure of granulosa cells in healthy and atretic follicles was similar to that of control animals, although the membrana granulosa in cysts was reduced to a monolayer of flattened cells. The theca interna of healthy and atretic follicles and ovarian cysts showed ultrastructural signs of abnormal steroidogenic stimulation.No significant differences (0.7<P<0.8) were found between the extensive surface area of gap junctions of healthy follicles of control and DHA-treated animals. On the P-face of granulosa cells of large healthy follicles, meandering strands of tight junctional particles were observed; their average length was significantly longer than those in healthy follicles of control animals (P<0.001). This increase was probably related to the large amounts of androgens present in the treated animals.Theca interna cells possessed small gap junctions; no significant differences (P>0.9) in gap-junction surface area were observed between DHA-treated and control animals. These results suggest that the size of gap junctions is probably unrelated to the steroidogenic activities of theca cells.The following trivial names have been used: Dihydrotestosterone: 5-androstan 17 ol-13 one; 3-androstanediol: 5-androstan 3,17 diol; 3-androstanediol: 5-androstan 3,17 diol     

Sulfmyoglobin. Resonance Raman spectroscopic evidence for an iron-chlorin prosthetic group

The green heme protein sulfmyoglobin (SMb) has been suggested to contain a sulfur-modified iron chlorin prosthetic group. To evaluate this hypothesis, we have obtained high-frequency (greater than 1000 cm-1) resonance Raman spectra of both oxidized and reduced SMb with 457.9-, 488.0-, 514.5-, 568.2-, and 647.1-nm excitation. The SMb spectra are compared to those of native met- and deoxymyoglobin (Mb). Vibrational frequencies for SMb are generally similar to those of Mb, suggesting a high-spin state for both the Fe(III) and Fe(II) SMb species, as is typical of native Mb. However, major differences between SMb and Mb occur both for patterns of relative spectral intensities and for depolarization ratios. In particular, all B1g-depolarized porphyrin modes in the Mb spectra have become polarized, totally symmetric vibrational modes in the SMb spectra. These contrasts reflect a dramatic lowering of the effective symmetry for the SMb prosthetic group. Several new bands are observed in SMb spectra that are not present in spectra of either native Mb or iron protoporphyrin IX complexes. The observation of additional polarized bands flanking the oxidation state marker, V4, is of particular interest. In a parallel study, we compared the resonance Raman spectral properties of iron protoporphyrin IX-derived chlorins and metallo-octaethylchlorins with those of the analogous porphyrins: the chlorin spectra exhibited altered intensity patterns, an increased number of totally symmetric (polarized) vibrational bands, and several new vibrational bands, including one or two in the region of the oxidation state marker, V4. Thus, the resonance Raman spectral characteristics of SMb and metallo-chlorins are complementary and strongly support a chlorin prosthetic group for SMb. Furthermore, they establish testable criteria for investigating the prosthetic group structures of other green heme proteins by resonance Raman spectroscopy.