Protein Synthesis during Neural and Epidermal Differentiation in Cynops Embryo

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to analyze protein synthesis in relation to neural and epidermal differentiation in Cynops pyrrhogaster embryo. Various regions of embryos at different developmental stages, from late morula to early neurula stages, were excised, radiolabelled with ³⁵S-methionine, and the pattern of protein synthesis were compared. The following four types of protein spots were observed: (1) six proteins synthesized characteristically in the epidermal region of the embryo after gastrulation, (2) two proteins synthesized in both epidermal and endodermal regions, but not in other regions, after gastrulation, (3) a protein first detected at early blastula stage, of which expression was nearly constant in presumptive epidermis region but declined in the other regions, (4) the candidate for neural plate specific protein synthesized at a very high level in ectoderm explants treated with concanavalin A, a substance which evokes neural induction.     

Retroperitoneal hematoma with bone resorption around the acetabular component after total hip arthroplasty: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Vascular complications related to cup-fixating screws penetrating the medial acetabular wall during total hip arthroplasty are not uncommon but rarely are associated with serious adverse events in the late post-operative period. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 77-year-old Japanese woman who developed progressive extensive bone resorption and large hematoma in the acetabulum 13 years after total hip arthroplasty. On admission to our hospital, she was on oral warfarin (1.5mg/day) for atrial fibrillation. About 5 months after the initiation of anticoagulant therapy, she suffered a major fall followed by massive subcutaneous and pelvic girdle bleeding, predominantly on the medial side of the right thigh, but a fracture or damage of total hip arthroplasty was not evident on an emergency orthopedic evaluation. One year after the accident, a routine follow-up examination showed an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion in the acetabulum on the right pelvis, and 2 years later our patient noticed progressive pain in her right hip during walking. A large osteolytic lesion was noted in the right acetabulum on a plain radiograph. On high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, a huge granulomatous lesion in the acetabulum was suggestive of chronic hematoma in intrapelvic and extrapelvic gluteal regions. A closer computed tomography examination showed that one of the screws used for fixation of the acetabular component in the total hip arthroplasty had penetrated the acetabular bone and had reached the pelvic cavity. Surgery was performed in a single session by means of two approaches: anterior midline transperitoneal address to resect the low-density mass lesion followed by posterolateral acetabular implant re-settlement. CONCLUSIONS: Though rare, total hip arthroplasty-related late vascular complications could be serious and potentially affect the limb and quality of life.     

Potential use of the astaxanthin-producing microalga, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monoraphidium</Emphasis> sp. GK12, as a functional aquafeed for prawns

We determined the nutritional profile of Monoraphidium sp. GK12, a newly isolated astaxanthin (AXA)-producing microalga, and investigated its potential use as a functional aquafeed by evaluating its effect on prawn pigmentation. GK12 contained high levels of pantothenic acid. The β-carotene content of GK12 was higher than that of Haematococcus, a well-studied AXA producer, and was similar to that of Spirulina. GK12 also had a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, of which linolenic acid (C18:3 n−3) was the most plentiful. A GK12-containing feed resulted in significant pigmentation of the prawns, comparable to that of prawns fed on synthetic AXA or Haematococcus. A GK12-containing feed also increased the survival rate of the prawns. Therefore, in addition to improving cultivation methods for Haematococcus, further research is needed into the use of GK12 as an alternative AXA source and as an ingredient of functional aquafeed for farmed fish.     

An Improved Method for Identifying 8-O-Acetyl-N-Acetylneuraminic Acid

The periodic acid/thionin-Schiff/potassium hydroxide/periodic acid/fuchsin-Schiff sequence developed by Culling et al. frequently causes damage to sections and gives inconsistent results because of insufficient primary oxidation and difficulties in making the thionin-Schiff reagent. These disadvantages have been largely eliminated by more thorough primary oxidation and by replacing the original thionin-Schiff with a new cold thionin-Schiff. The effect of alkaline hydrolysis on thionin-aldehyde complexes was also studied and the reduction of color caused by this treatment was restored by a second thionin-Schiff reaction. The new sequence gives consistent results and imparts greater color to the thionin-Schiff reaction.     

Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of cellular ions in the eccrine secretory coil cells during methacholine stimulation

Summary Intracellular concentrations of Na, K, Cl ([Na], [K] and [Cl], respectively) and other elements were determined in isolated monkey eccrine sweat secretory coil cells using quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis of freeze dried cryosections. The validity of the methodology was partially supported by qualitative agreement of the X-ray microanalysis data with those obtained by micro-titration with a helium glow spectrophotometer. [Na], [K] and [Cl] of the cytoplasm were the same as those in the nucleus in both clear and dark cells. [Na], [K], and [Cl] of the clear cells were also the same as those of the dark cells at rest and after stimulation with methacholine (MCh), suggesting that these two cell types behave like a functional syncytium. MCh stimulation induced a pharmacologically specific, dose-dependent decrease in [K] and [Cl] (as much as 65%), and a 3.7-fold increase in [Na]. In myoepithelial cells, a similar change in [Na] and [K] was noted after MCh stimulation although the decrease in [Cl] was only 20%. The MCh-induced change in [Na], [K] and [Cl] was almost completely inhibited by removal of Ca²⁺ from the medium. 10^–4 m bumetanide inhibited the MCh-induced increase in [Na], reduced the decrease in [K] by about 50%, but slightly augmented the MCh-induced decrease in [Cl]. 10^–4 m ouabain increased [Na] and decreased [K] as did MCh; however, unlike MCh, ouabain increased [Cl] by 56% after 30 min of incubation. Thus the data may be best interpreted to indicate that Ca-dependent K efflux and (perhaps also Ca-dependent) Cl efflux are the predominat initial ionic movement in muscarinic cholinergic stimulation of the eccrine sweat secretory coils and that the ouabain-sensitive Na pump plays an important role in maintenance of intracellular ions and sweat secretion.     

Nucleotide Sequence of cDNA for Concanavalin A from Canavalia gladiata Seeds

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of Con A cDNA forconcanavalin A (Con A) from Canavalia gladiata using a plasmid(pCONAl) that was isolated previously [Eur. J. Bio-chem. (1988)170: 515-520]. This sequence contains a 870-bp open readingframe, a 63-bp 5'-un-translated region and a 99-bp 3'-untranslatedregion. DNA blot analysis suggested that Con A is encoded bya small gene family. In contrast to the case of canavalin, thenucleotide sequence and the genomic organization of Con A geneare highly conserved between C. gladiata and C. ensifor-mis. (Received August 4, 1988; Accepted November 21, 1988)     

Differential Expression of Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis and Perception of Ethylene during Ripening of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims)

An increase in the enzyme activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylicacid (ACC) synthase and ACC oxidase induces the evolution ofethylene during the ripening of passion fruit. A much higherlevel of ethylene is produced in arils than in seeds or peelsduring ripening. The pattern of expression of two ACC synthasegenes (PE-ACS1 and PE-ACS2), one ACC oxidase gene (PE-ACO1),and two ethylene receptor genes (PE-ETR1 and PE-ERS1) revealedthat the expression of these genes is differentially regulated.Expression of PE-ACS1 and PE-ACO1 was enhanced during ripeningand after ethylene treatment. However, prominent expressionof PE-ACS1 was delayed compared to that of PE-ACO1. Much largerquantities of PE-ACS1 mRNA and PE-ACO1 mRNA were seen in arilsthan in seeds; this corresponds well with an increase in theamount of ethylene produced by the plant tissue itself. Thelevel of PE-ACS2 mRNA was detectable in arils of the preclimactericfruit, although it decreased during ripening. These resultssuggest that expression of PE-ACS1 and PE-ACO1 is required toincrease the activity of ethylene biosynthetic enzymes duringripening. The level of expression of PE-ETR1 and PE-ERS1 didnot significantly change over the course of ripening; however,the mRNA levels of PE-ETR1 and PE-ERS1 were much higher in arilsthan in seeds. ⁴Present address: Center forMolecular Genetics Research, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, 422-8529 Japan.