Aroma-Forming Substances from a Culture of the Mold Fungus Penicillium roquefortiGrown on Curd

Production of aroma-forming substances by Penicillium roquefortistrains No. 31 and No. 541-A grown on curd was studied. The data showed that strain No. 541-A is the most promising producer of cheese flavor. The flavor acquired a soily scent after more than 5 days cultivation, which may hamper the use of these cultures (particularly, No. 31) in the food industry.     

A new epitope peptide derived from hepatitis C virus 1b possessing the capacity to induce cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in HCV1b-infected patients with HLA-A11, -A31, and -A33

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently causes chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma after long-term persistent infection. Among various genotypes of HCV, HCV1b is resistant to standard interferon therapy, and thus the development of new treatment modality is needed. Results To provide a scientific basis for specific immunotherapy for HCV1b, we investigated HCV1b-derived epitope peptides recognized by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A11, -A31, or -A33-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), and report here three novel vaccine candidate peptides selected by both antibody screening and CTL-inducing capacity from among 46 peptides of conserved regions of HCV1b sequences with binding motifs to HLA-A11, -A31, and -A33. Significant levels of IgG reactive to each of the three peptides were detected in the plasma of more than 50% of the HCV1b⁺ patients. One peptide at positions 30–39 of the core protein induced peptide-specific CTLs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HLA-A11⁺, -A31⁺, and -A33⁺ patients. The other two peptides at positions 35–43 of the core protein and at positions 918–926 of the non-structural protein 2 also induced peptide-specific CTLs from the PBMCs of HLA-A11⁺ and -A33⁺ patients. Conclusion Therefore, the peptide at positions 30–39 of the core protein could be an appropriate target molecule of specific immunotherapy for all HLA-A11⁺, -A31⁺, and -A33⁺ patients with HCV1b-related diseases.     

Intercellular contacts and the organization of actin filaments in cultured epithelial FL cells are altered by growth on type I collagen and treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate through the modulation of interactions between cells and the substratum

We have investigated the effects of various types of collagen and a tumor-promoting phorbol ester on intercellular contacts and the organization of actin in human amnion epithelial FL cells and mouse fibroblast 3T3-A31 cells. Our purpose was to investigate how modulation of interactions between cells and the substratum leads to alterations in intercellular contacts and organization of actin filaments. When cells were cultured on dishes coated with a solution containing type I collagen, but not type IV, changes were induced in the morphology of FL cells and their intercellular contacts. Type I collagen also caused changes in the organization of their actin filaments, although no such effects were observed with 3T3-A31 cells. In contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) caused morphological changes, dissociation of groups of cells, and reorganization of actin filaments in cultures of FL and 3T3-A31 cells. It also disrupted the sites of adhesion of FL cells to the substratum. Both type I collagen and TPA rapidly induced spreading of FL cells in the absence of serum. However, cis-hydroxyproline, known to inhibit secretion of collagen, did not suppress the TPA-induced dissociation of groups of FL cells. These results suggest that the interactions with type I collagen of epithelial FL cells, but not of fibroblastic 3T3-A31 cells, tend to disorganize cellular morphology, intercellular contacts, and actin filaments in ways similar to, but not directly related to, the effects of TPA.     

Epitope Mapping of Antibodies Suggests the Novel Membrane Topology of B-Cell Receptor Associated Protein 31 on the Cell Surface of Embryonic Stem Cells: The Novel Membrane Topology of BAP31

When located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, B-cell receptor associated protein 31 (BAP31) is involved in the export of secreted proteins from the ER to the plasma membrane. In a previous study, we generated two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 297-D4 and 144-A8, that bound to surface molecules on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), but not to surface molecules on mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Subsequent studies revealed that the mAbs recognized BAP31 on the surface of hESCs. To investigate the membrane topology of BAP31 on the cell surface, we first examined the epitope specificity of 297-D4 and 144-A8, as well as a polyclonal anti-BAP31 antibody (α-BAP31). We generated a series of GST-fused BAP31 mutant proteins in which BAP31 was serially deleted at the C- terminus. GST-fused BAP31 mutant proteins were then screened to identify the epitopes targeted by the antibodies. Both 297-D4 and 144-A8 recognized C-terminal residues 208–217, while α-BAP31 recognized C-terminal residues 165–246, of BAP31 on hESCs, suggesting that the C-terminal domain of BAP31 is exposed on the cell surface. The polyclonal antibody α-BAP31 bound to mESCs, which confirmed that the C-terminal domain of BAP31 is also exposed on the surface of these cells. Our results show for the first time the novel membrane topology of cell surface-expressed BAP31 as the extracellular exposure of the BAP31 C-terminal domain was not predicted from previous studies.     

髓内钉InterTan 治疗股骨近端骨折的早期疗效分析

目的:分析应用新一代股骨近端髓内钉( InterTan)治疗股骨近端骨折的早期临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析2009年9月至201 1年8月我科共收治股骨近端骨折患者共107例,均采用InterTan髓内钉系统进行治疗,其中男45例,女62例;年龄34-93岁,平均73.05岁.受伤肢体左侧63例,右侧44例.按AO分型,31-A1型32例,31 -A2型59例,31-A3型16例.记录患者手术持续时间、并发症、死亡率、骨折愈合时间、末次复查Harris评分,并对比患者健侧及患侧术前、术中及术后1周的颈干角变化.所有数据采用SPSS 13.0进行统计分析.结果:平均手术持续时间为66.69分钟.颈干角:术前健侧:140.66±9.08度,术前患侧:118.00± 15.49度,术中患侧:135.16± 7.08度,术后1周患侧:137.51±15.21度.术前患侧颈干角与其他三组相比均有显著性差异(P＜0.05),术前健侧、术中复位后患侧、术后1周患侧颈干角之间相比均无显著性差异.3例患者于随访过程中死亡,6例患者失访.98例患者获得随访,随访时间3 -22个月,平均8.6个月.2例患者发生头钉切出,3例患者术后练习后出现股骨疼痛症状,未发生股骨干骨折.96例患者均获得骨性愈合,骨折愈合时间12～18周.临床疗效按Harris评分标准:41-92分,平均78.5分,优良率80.6％.结论:髓内钉InterTan是治疗股骨近端骨折的良好选择.     

Construction of amylolytic industrial brewing yeast strain with high glutathione content for manufacturing beer with improved anti-staling capability and flavor

Glutathione in beer works as the main antioxidant compounds which correlates with beer flavor stability. High residual sugars in beer contribute to major non-volatile components which correlate to high caloric content. In this work, Saccharomyces cerevisiae GSH1 gene encoding glutamylcysteine synthetase and Scharomycopsis fibuligera ALP1 gene encoding alpha-amylase were co-expressed in industrial brewing yeast strain Y31 targeting at alpha-acetolactate synthase (AHAS) gene (ILV2) and alcohol dehydrogenase gene (ADH2), and new recombinant strain TY3 was constructed. The glutathione content from the fermentation broth of TY3 increased to 43.83 mg/l compared to 33.34 mg/l from Y31. The recombinant strain showed high alpha-amylase activity and utilized more than 46% of starch after 5 days growing on starch as sole carbon source. European Brewery Convention tube fermentation tests comparing the fermentation broth of TY3 and Y31 showed that the flavor stability index increased to 1.3 fold and residual sugar concentration were reduced by 76.8%, respectively. Due to the interruption of ILV2 gene and ADH2 gene, the amounts of off-flavor compounds diacetyl and acetaldehyde were reduced by 56.93% and 31.25%, comparing with the amounts of these from Y31 fermentation broth. In addition, as no drug-resistance genes were introduced to new recombinant strain, consequently, it should be more suitable for use in beer industry because of its better flavor stability and other beneficial characteristics.     

Discovery and identification of anti-U1-A snRNP antibody in lung cancer

Autoantibodies are frequently observed in sera of patients with malignancies and generally have been thought to be nonspecific and a reflection of can cer-related general immune system dysfunction. In the previous study, it was reported that autoimmune responses to cell cycle-regulatory proteins and nuclear proteins were present in cancer patients. For example, the antibody against human p53 protein was found in 20%―40% of esophageal carcinoma and oral squa- mous cell carcinoma[1], autoantibo…     

An HLA-A3-binding prostate acid phosphatase-derived peptide can induce CTLs restricted to HLA-A2 and -A24 alleles

We previously reported peptide vaccine candidates for HLA-A3 supertype (-A3, -A11, -A31, -A33)-positive cancer patients. In the present study, we examined whether those peptides can also induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity restricted to HLA-A2, HLA-A24, and HLA-A26 alleles. Fourteen peptides were screened for their binding activity to HLA-A*0201, -A*0206, -A*0207, -A*2402, and -A*2601 molecules and then tested for their ability to induce CTL activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from prostate cancer patients. Among these peptides, one from the prostate acid phosphatase protein exhibited binding activity to HLA-A*0201, -A*0206, and -A*2402 molecules. In addition, PBMCs stimulated with this peptide showed that HLA-A2 or HLA-A24 restricted CTL activity. Their cytotoxicity toward cancer cells was ascribed to peptide-specific and CD8⁺ T cells. These results suggest that this peptide could be widely applicable as a peptide vaccine for HLA-A3 supertype-, HLA-A2-, and -A24-positive cancer patients.     

Is a gene for microcephaly located on chromosome 1?

Summary A 3-month-old boy with true microcephaly showed the same balanced reciprocal translocation 1q4p as his carrier mother. This reciprocal translocation had been transmitted for at least four generations. Different banding techniques allowed one to describe the rearrangement as: rcp t(1;4)(1pter 1q31::4p161 4pter; 4qter 4p153::1q321 1qter). On the other hand, the proband's father seemed to be a border-line mentally retarded and one of his relatives suffered from mental retardation of unknown origin. Taking into account all these results together with the current literature, it was concluded that the microcephaly appearing in our case could be due to the following two facts: (a) the father was an heterozygote for the gene for microcephaly, and (b) damage or a minute deletion on chromosome 1 between 1q31 and 1q321 bands could occur in the mother's family resulting in a mutation for microcephaly. If this was so, the gene for microcephaly should be located on chromosome 1 at the level of the 1q31–1q321 junction.     

Molecular and genetic analysis of influenza A viruses isolated in Russia, based on the neuraminidase and M2 protein gene sequence

The results of molecular analysis of 15 influenza A(H3N2) and 17-A(H1N1) epidemic strains isolated in the Russian Federation in 1995-2007 are described. The analysis on the M2 and neuraminidase influenza A virus genes was performed. The M2 sequences analysis among the remantadin resistant viruses demonstrated the S31N substitution in all strains. Besides S31N substitution, additional mutations were detected in both proteins. Mutations associated with S31N substitution were detected in each virus subtype, which may be considered as new markers for the identification of remantadin-resistant strains. The sequencing of the NA segments from all viruses showed no amino acid substitutions known to cause resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors, which indicates susceptibility to NA inhibitors among the strains.     

A possible feedback of dehydroepiandrosterone upon the pineal in mice

To test the hypothesis that chronic dehydroepiandrosterone (5-A) treatment diminishes adrenal weight by activating the pineal, mice were maintained on light: dark schedules of 24:0 hours or 4:20 hours and injected with vehicle (V) or vehicle plus 100 μg of 5-A for 6 weeks. 5-A had no significant effect on adrenal weight in the dark maintained animals (V = 11.98 mg% vs. 5-A ? 12.32 mg%) whereas the increase in adrenal weight due to prolonged light exposure (V = 15.58 mg%) was negated by 5-A injection (5-A = 10.74 mg%). These data support the concept that 5-A may decrease adrenal weight by activating the pineal. These data indicate that further studies of a possible feedback of 5-A on the pineal are warranted.     

Effects of variation in glutathione peroxidase activity on DNA damage and cell survival in human cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide.

The selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activities of two human cell lines, the colon carcinoma HT29 and the mesothelioma P31, cultured in medium containing 2% serum, increased from 195 to 541 and from 94 to 361 units/mg of protein respectively after supplementation with 100 nM-selenite. The catalase activity remained unchanged by this treatment. The effects of the obtained variation in glutathione peroxidase activities were investigated by exposing cells to H2O2 and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Selenite supplementation resulted in a decrease in H2O2-induced DNA single-strand breaks in both HT29 and P31 cells. A small, but significant, decrease in the number of DNA single-strand breaks for low doses (10-50 microM) of t-butyl hydroperoxide was found only in P31 cells and not in HT29 cells. We could detect neither induction of double-strand breaks (detection limit approx. 1000 breaks per cell) nor DNA-protein cross-links after exposing the cells to the two peroxides. In spite of the apparent protective effect of increased glutathione peroxidase activity on DNA single-strand break formation, there were no differences between selenite-supplemented and non-supplemented cells in cell survival after exposure to peroxide.     

参照CLSIM38-A方案测定皮肤癣菌临床株对4种抗真菌药物的敏感性

目的测定并比较临床分离的皮肤癣菌对4种常用抗真菌药物的敏感性,探讨CLSIM38-A方案用于皮肤癣菌药敏试验的可行性。方法实验菌株为31株临床近期分离的皮肤癣菌。其中红色毛癣菌14株,须癣毛癣菌14株,犬小孢子菌1株,铁锈色小孢子菌1株,絮状表皮癣菌1株。4种抗真菌药物为益康唑、伊曲康唑、特比萘芬、伏立康唑。采用M38-A方案微量稀释法,并适当调整试验参数进行体外抗真菌药物敏感性试验。结果红色毛癣菌和须癣毛癣菌对以上4种药物的敏感性无明显差异。犬小孢子菌、铁锈色小孢子菌、絮状表皮癣菌对所有4种抗真菌药物的敏感性都低于红色毛癣菌和须癣毛癣菌。结论M38-A方案经过调整适用于皮肤癣菌药敏试验。     

Spent Culture Medium from Virulent Borrelia burgdorferi Increases Permeability of Individually Perfused Microvessels of Rat Mesentery

Background

Lyme disease is a common vector-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), which manifests as systemic and targeted tissue inflammation. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Bb-induced inflammation is primarily host-mediated, via cytokine or chemokine production that promotes leukocyte adhesion/migration. Whether Bb produces mediators that can directly alter the vascular permeability in vivo has not been investigated. The objective of the present study was to investigate if Bb produces a mediator(s) that can directly activate endothelial cells resulting in increases in permeability in intact microvessels in the absence of blood cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The effects of cell-free, spent culture medium from virulent (B31-A3) and avirulent (B31-A) B. burgdorferi on microvessel permeability and endothelial calcium concentration, [Ca²⁺]_i, were examined in individually perfused rat mesenteric venules. Microvessel permeability was determined by measuring hydraulic conductivity (Lp). Endothelial [Ca²⁺]_i, a necessary signal initiating hyperpermeability, was measured in Fura-2 loaded microvessels. B31-A3 spent medium caused a rapid and transient increase in Lp and endothelial [Ca²⁺]_i. Within 2–5 min, the mean peak Lp increased to 5.6±0.9 times the control, and endothelial [Ca²⁺]_i increased from 113±11 nM to a mean peak value of 324±35 nM. In contrast, neither endothelial [Ca²⁺]_i nor Lp was altered by B31-A spent medium.

Conclusions/Significance

A mediator(s) produced by virulent Bb under culture conditions directly activates endothelial cells, resulting in increases in microvessel permeability. Most importantly, the production of this mediator is associated with Bb virulence and is likely produced by one or more of the 8 plasmid(s) missing from strain B31-A.     

Long-term specific immune responses induced in humans by a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 lipopeptide vaccine: characterization of CD8+-T-cell epitopes recognized

We studied the effect of booster injections and the long-term immune response after injections of an anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) lipopeptide vaccine. This vaccine was injected alone or with QS21 adjuvant to 28 HIV-uninfected volunteers. One month later, after a fourth injection of the vaccine, B- and T-cell anti-HIV responses were detected in >85% of the vaccinated volunteers. One year after this injection, a long-term immune response was observed in >50% of the volunteers. At this point, a positive QS21 effect was observed only in the sustained B-cell and CD4(+)-T-cell responses. To better characterize the CD8(+)-T-cell response, we used a gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot method and a bank of 59 HIV-1 epitopes. For the six most common HLA molecules (HLA-A2, -A3, -A11, -A24, -B7 superfamily, and -B8), an average of 10 (range, 3 to 15) HIV-1 epitopes were tested. CD8(+)-T-cell responses were evaluated according to the HLA class I molecules of the volunteers. Each assessment was based on 18 HIV-1 epitopes in average. We showed that 31 HIV-1 epitopes elicited specific CD8(+)-T-cell responses after vaccination. The most frequently recognized peptides were Nef 68-76 (-B7), Nef 71-79 (-B7), Nef 84-92 (-A11), Nef 135-143 (-B7), Nef 136-145 (-A2), Nef 137-145 (-A2), Gag 259-267 (-B8), Gag 260-268 (-A2), Gag 267-274 (-A2), Gag 267-277 (-B7), and Gag 276-283 (A24). We found that CD8(+)-T-cell epitopes were induced at a higher number after a fourth injection (P < 0.05 compared to three injections), which indicates an increase in the breadth of HIV CD8(+)-T-cell epitope recognition after the boost.     

Kinetic Characterization of Inhibition of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Uptake into Cultured Neurons and Astrocytes by 4,4-Diphenyl-3-Butenyl Derivatives of Nipecotic Acid and Guvacine

The effects of N-(4,4-diphenyl-3-butenyl) derivatives of nipecotic acid (SKF-89976-A and SKF-100844-A) and guvacine (SKF-100330-A) on neuronal and astroglial gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake were investigated. In addition, the uptake of SKF-89976-A was studied using the tritiated compound. All of the compounds were found to be competitive inhibitors of GABA uptake irrespective of the cell type, with Ki values similar to or lower than those of the parent amino acids. Moreover, none of the compounds exhibited selectivity with regard to inhibition of neuronal and glial GABA uptake. In spite of the competitive nature of SKF-89976-A, the compound was not transported by the GABA carriers in the two cell types, because no saturable uptake could be demonstrated.     

Study of the distribution pattern of Schistosoma haematobium egg antigens recognised by six different monoclonal antibodies in the parasite and the host

Recently a new panel of monoclonal antibodies was developed against soluble egg antigens in the hatching fluid of Schistosoma mansoni. These antibodies have been used to develop an improved ELISA for the detection of circulating soluble egg antigens in serum and urine that would have a higher sensitivity in the immunodiagnosis of S. mansoni infections. Although these antibodies showed no improvement in the immunodiagnosis of S. mansoni infections compared with egg antigen-based ELISAs already described (Nourel Din et al., 1994a), they may have a potential role in the identification of S. haematobium infections. This study has looked into the immunolocalisation of S. haematobium egg antigens in both the parasite and the host as recognised by four newly developed monoclonal antibodies (290-2D9-A, 290-2E6-A, 290-2H12-A and 290-4A8-A) and two already described antibodies (114-5B1-A and 114-4D12-A). The antibodies 114-5B1-A and 114-4D12-A appeared to have in S. haematobium eggs a similar staining pattern when compared to S. mansoni eggs. The antibodies prepared against the hatching fluid showed a characteristic signal, especially 290-2E6-A. These antibodies recognised a component originating from the lateral glands of the miracidium. In the host a similar immunohistochemical tissue localisation pattern (mainly phagocytising reticulo-endothelial cells) was seen as previously described for S. mansoni infected hamsters.     

`Single addition' and `transnucleotidation' reactions catalyzed by polynucleotide phosphorylase. Effect of enzymatic removal of inorganic phosphate during reaction

The reaction of the tetranucleotide, pA-A(2)-A, with 2'(3')-0-(alpha-methoxyethyl)uridine 5'-diphosphate, Mg(2+) ions, and M. luteus polynucleotide phosphorylase followed by mild acid treatment to remove the blocking groups results in a 49% yield of the desired single addition product, pA-A(3)-U, together with smaller amounts of pA-A-U, pA-A-A, pA-A(2)-U, pA-A(2)-A, pA-A(3)-A, pA-A(4)-U, and pA-A(4)-A. The side products are thought to arise from the phosphorolysis of the acceptor molecule by the inorganic phosphate formed in the reaction mixture and from subsequent additions to the various oligonucleotide species by the resulting adenosine 5'-diphosphate. A system developed for the removal of inorganic phosphate as it is formed in the synthesis involves the addition to the reaction mixture of calf spleen nucleoside phosphorylase and nicotinamide riboside and, under these conditions, pA-A(3)-U can be prepared in 90% yield with essentially no side products. Under similar conditions, pA-A(3)-A, pA-A(3)-G, and pA-A(3)-C may be prepared from pA-A(2)-A and the appropriate blocked nucleoside diphosphate in yields of 85-94%. The incubation of pA-A(2)-A alone with polynucleotide phosphorylase exhibits the phenomenon of "transnucleotidation" in that the molecule is partially converted to oligonucleotides of smaller and larger chain lengths. In the presence of the phosphate removal system, however, the tetranucleotide is not attacked by the enzyme, and thus, "transnucleotidation" appears to be simply a combination of phosphorolytic and addition reactions catalyzed by trace amounts of inorganic phosphate contaminating the enzyme and/or the substrate.     

The irreversible binding of benzo[a]pyrene to rat liver macromolecules in vivo and in vitro: effects of agents that influence benzo[a]pyrene metabolism

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of agents that influence benzo[a]pyrene (BP) metabolism in vitro on the irreversible binding of BP to rat hepatic macromolecules in vivo. The irreversible binding of [3H]BP was found to be both dose and time dependent after its intraperitoneal administration to male Wistar rats. The SKF 525-A, at doses of 50 and 75 mg/kg, ip 3 h before BP, decreased the level of binding from control by 31 and 34%, respectively. At 35 mg/kg, SKF-525-A had no effect. Diethyl maleate (0.6 mL/kg, ip) and cysteine (150 mg/kg, ip), 30 and 5 min before BP, respectively, did not alter the binding of BP from control. Oral methadone treatment, previously shown to increase selectively epoxide hydrase activity in male Wistar rats, also failed to alter the amount of BP bound to hepatic macromolecules. 3-Methylcholanthrene (20 mg/kg per day, ip, for 2 days) administered 24 h before BP, decreased the level of binding from control by 30%. Parallel in vitro studies were carried out with the various agents used in vivo.