Expiratory flow limitation in dogs with regional changes in lung mechanical properties

We examined maximum expiratory flow (Vmax) in two canine preparations in which regional changes in lung mechanical properties were produced. In one experiment serial bronchial obstructions were made to determine whether flow-limiting sites (choke points, CP) would occur in series. With the right lung tied off, constrictions were placed at the left lower lobar bronchus (LLL) and left main-stem bronchus. On deflation from total lung capacity, the obstructed LLL and nonobstructed left upper lobe (LUL) emptied into the obstructed left main-stem bronchus. Although a CP common to both lobes was identified at the main-stem obstruction, which limited total Vmax, we questioned whether there was also a CP at the lobar obstruction that fixed LLL flow. In that case the rate of LLL emptying would not be dependent on the presence of the common (i.e., central) CP and thus the flow contribution of the LUL. We found that when the LUL was removed, the LLL increased its rate of emptying. Thus a lobar CP did not fix LLL flow and CP did not occur in series. In a second experiment emphysema was produced in the left lung to reduce lung recoil, whereas the right lung was normal. CP were identified at approximately lobar bronchi of each lung, and the lungs were emptied at different rates. A CP common to both lungs was not identified. Our results indicate that in localized lung disease, if flows from the different regions are high enough, then wave speed is reached in proximal airways, and a CP occurs centrally rather than peripherally. On the other hand, if flows are low, then wave speed is reached peripherally and a CP common to all lung regions does not occur.     

Long-term nutrient starvation of continuously cultured (glucose-limited) Selenomonas ruminantium.

Selenomonas ruminantium, a strictly anaerobic ruminal bacterium, was grown at various dilution rates (D = 0.05, 0.25, and 0.35 h-1) under glucose-limited continuous culture conditions. Suspensions of washed cells prepared anaerobically in mineral buffer were subjected to nutrient starvation (24 to 36 h; 39 degrees C; N2 atmosphere). Regardless of growth rate, viability declined logarithmically, and within about 2.5 h, about 50% of the populations were nonviable. After 24 h of starvation, the numbers of viable cells appeared to be inversely related to growth rate, the highest levels occurring with the slowest grown population. Cell dry weight, carbohydrate, protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid declined logarithmically during starvation, and the decline rates of each were generally greater with cells grown at higher D values. Both cellular carbohydrate and RNA declined substantially during the first 12 h of starvation. Most of the cellular RNA that disappeared was found in the suspending buffer as low-molecular-weight, orcinol-positive materials. During growth, S. ruminantium made a variety of fermentation acids from glucose, but during starvation, acetate was the only acid made from catabolism of cellular material. Addition of glucose or vitamins to starving cell suspensions did not decrease loss of viability, whereas a starvation in the spent culture medium resulted in a slight decrease in the rate of viability loss. Overall, the data indicate that S. ruminantium strain D has very little survival capacity under the conditions tested compared with other bacterial species that have been studied.     

Hematologic responses in captive white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica), induced by various radiotransmitter attachments

White blood cell counts, heterophil-lymphocyte ratios, and leukocyte differentials of captive white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica) from Texas equipped with different radiotransmitter attachment packages were monitored. Doves were segregated by gender and age by males, females, and hatching year; individuals housed in 30 large outdoor pens in groups of seven. Treatments consisted of controls, glue-on transmitters, body loop harnesses, surgically implanted intracoelomic transmitters, surgically implanted subcutaneous transmitters, intracoelomic surgery without implants, and subcutaneous surgery without implants. We used multivariate analysis of variance with pen as a blocking variable and gender nested and repeated measures analysis of variance to identify differences among any of the transmitter attachment techniques and the control for dependent variables. We found no difference in blood parameters between transmitter attachment technique versus a control.     

DNA-based immunization with chimeric vectors for the induction of immune responses against the hepatitis C virus nucleocapsid.

Vectors expressing the first 58 amino acids of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleocapsid alone or as a fusion protein with the middle (pre-S2 and S) or major (S) surface antigens of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were constructed. Intramuscular immunization of BALB/c mice with the chimeric constructs in the form of naked DNA elicited humoral responses to antigens from both viruses within 2 to 6 weeks postinjection. No anti-HCV responses were obtained in mice immunized with the vector expressing the HCV sequence in the nonfusion context. Sera from chimera-injected mice specifically recognized both HCV capsid and HBV surface antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot testing. Anti-HCV serum titers formed plateaus of approximately 1:3,000; these remained stable until the end of the study (18 weeks postinfection). Anti-HBV immune responses were found to be lower in the chimera-injected animals (< 200 mIU/ml) than in those immunized with the native HBV vector (> 2,000 mIU/ml). This is the first report of the use of DNA-based immunization for the generation of immune responses to an HCV protein. In addition, these findings show that it is possible to elicit responses to viral epitopes from two distinct viruses via DNA immunization with chimeric vectors.     

Directed evolution of an industrial biocatalyst: 2-deoxy-D-ribose 5-phosphate aldolase

Aldolases are emerging as powerful and cost efficient tools for the industrial synthesis of chiral molecules. They catalyze enantioselective carbon-carbon bond formations, generating up to two chiral centers under mild reaction conditions. Despite their versatility, narrow substrate ranges and enzyme inactivation under synthesis conditions represented major obstacles for large-scale applications of aldolases. In this study we applied directed evolution to optimize Escherichia coli 2-deoxy-D-ribose 5-phosphate aldolase (DERA) as biocatalyst for the industrial synthesis of (3R,5S)-6-chloro-2,4,6-trideoxyhexapyranoside. This versatile chiral precursor for vastatin drugs like Lipitor (atorvastatin) is synthesized by DERA in a tandem-aldol reaction from chloroacetaldehyde and two acetaldehyde equivalents. However, E. coli DERA shows low affinity to chloroacetaldehyde and is rapidly inactivated at aldehyde concentrations useful for biocatalysis. Using high-throughput screenings for chloroacetaldehyde resistance and for higher productivity, several improved variants have been identified. By combination of the most beneficial mutations we obtained a tenfold improved variant compared to wild-type DERA with regard to (3R,5S)-6-chloro-2,4,6-trideoxyhexapyranoside synthesis, under industrially relevant conditions.     

Interdependence of flow between lobes reduces maximal emptying postresection in dogs.

The effect of pulmonary resection on the maximal emptying of the remaining lobes was examined in an open-chest preparation in normal canine lungs and in a unilobar papain emphysema model. The objectives were to determine whether, compared with when both lungs were deflated (BL), maximal emptying of the normal lower lobes or the emphysematous right lower lobe would be altered 1) when acute pneumonectomy of the contralateral lung was performed (OL) and 2) when the lower lobe deflated alone (LA). The alveolar capsule technique was used to measure alveolar pressures (Palv) at 75, 50, and 30% lobar vital capacity (VC). During forced deflation, the maximal rates of deflation (dPalv/dt) and flows (lobarV(max)) of the lower lobes were determined under the three different conditions. The Pitot-static tube technique was used to measure intrabronchial pressures and to estimate bronchial area and compliance in which values were obtained at the same central airway during the conditions studied. The results showed that, compared with BL and OL, dPalv/dt and lobar V(max) decreased during LA (P < 0.05). These findings were due to a reduction in bronchial area during LA that limited flow at a lower maximal value compared with BL. This decrease in area appeared to be due to a change in bronchial pressure area behavior that resulted in a smaller bronchial area during LA for similar transmural pressures between conditions. There were no differences in findings between normal and emphysematous lobes. This study suggested that removal of lobes may alter the pressure area behavior of central airways. Possible mechanisms considered were differences in axial tension between conditions, negative effort dependence, or parenchymal-bronchial interdependence that may be relevant to understanding the dynamic collapsibility of central as well as intraparenchymal airways.     

BAG-1 family of cochaperones in the modulation of nuclear receptor action

BAG-1 is a family of cochaperones consisting of at least four polypeptides BAG-1L, BAG-1M/RAP46, BAG-1 and p29. These proteins are translated from the same mRNA at alternative translation initiation sites. They possess conserved carboxy-terminal sequences which enable them to bind and inhibit the action of the molecular chaperone Hsp70/Hsc70. BAG-1 was the first member in the family of the BAG-1 proteins to be isolated. It was identified as an anti-apoptotic protein because of its ability to bind and augment the activity of the anti-death protein, Bcl-2. Since then other BAG-1 proteins have been identified and shown to interact with several cellular factors including nuclear receptors. Recent findings show that the effect of the BAG-1 proteins on nuclear receptors ranges from inhibition to enhancement of the transactivation functions of the receptors. Available data on the negative regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) action by the BAG-1 proteins identify two modes of action: inhibition of the hormone binding activity of the GR and a more direct nuclear action at the level of regulation of the transactivation function of the receptor. In the latter case, the BAG-1 proteins repress DNA binding by the GR in a process that requires prior binding of Hsp70/Hsc70 to the receptor. Positive regulatory action of the BAG-1 proteins on nuclear receptors has also been reported which may involve yet other mechanisms. This review puts together recent findings on the action the BAG-1 proteins and presents them as a novel group of regulators of action of nuclear receptor.