Relationship between Flower Induction by Benzoic Acid and its Metabolism in Lemna paucicostata 151

The flower-inducing activities in Lemna paucicostata 151 offour major metabolites of benzoic acid (N-benzoyl aspartate,benzyl 6-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside,O-benzoyl isocitrate and O-benzoyl malate) were measured, andthe effects on the uptake and metabolism of benzoic acid dueto change in the level of the benzoic acid concentration orto the addition of plant hormones were investigated. N-Benzoylaspartate had weak activity, and O-benzoyl isocitrate and malatehad fairly strong activities, while benzyl 6-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-ß-D-glucopyranosideshowed no activity. As the concentration of benzoic acid rose,the ratio of N-benzoyl aspartate increased and that of benzyl6-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-O-ß-D-glucopyranosidedecreased. GA₃ and IAA, inhibitors of flower induction by benzoicacid, seemed to promote conversion to N-benzoyl aspartate insteadof to benzyl 6-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside.The conversion to N-benzoyl aspartate was considered to be adetoxification process and that to benzyl 6-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-ß-D-glucopyranosidemay be directly related to flower induction in Lemna. (Received November 2, 1987; Accepted January 23, 1988)     

Development of the hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-containing neuron system in the rat: In vivo and in transplantation studies

The development of the hypothalamic LHRH-containing neuron system was immunohistochemically investigated in vivo and in tissue transplantation using rat embryos aged from 12.5 to 17.5 days of gestation. The sera used were generated against rat gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone-associated peptide (28–56) (rGAP) and LHRH. Immunoreaction for rGAP was first found in cells migrated from and in the vomeronasal organ on Days 13.5 and 14.5 of gestation. Immunoreactive cells seem to ascend along the terminal nerves, reaching the medial surface of the forebrain vesicles. Subsequently the cells occurred in the septum and further into their final position in the septopreoptic-diagonal band area on Days 16.5–17.5 of gestation; during this traverse the cells become secretory neurons after changes in morphology and in behavior. Intraventricular transplantation revealed that nasal epithelia of Day 12.5 embryos raised only a few cells immunoreactive both for LHRH and rGAP, but a great number of immunoreactive cells and fibers in the presence of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). The fibers formed a median eminence-like structure together with dense capillary plexus that had grown in the cografted MBH. The same phenomenon was apparently observed in the grafts obtained from older embryos of gestation, but not in the combined grafts of the anterior septum and the nasal epithelium or the MBH. We conclude that hypothalamic LHRH neurons originate from the nasal placode and acquire secretory behavior in the presence of the MBH.     

An unusual spirocyclic isopimarane diterpenoid and other isopimarane diterpenoids from fruiting bodies of Xylaria polymorpha

Two new isopimarane-type diterpenes, spiropolin A (1) and myrocin E (3), were isolated from Xylaria polymorpha together with the known compound, myrocin D (2), in the course of a screening of the fruiting bodies of X. polymorpha. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, chemical conversion and X-ray analysis. Spiropolin A (1) restored the growth inhibition caused by the hyperactivated Ca²⁺-signaling in mutant yeast.     

Aromatic C–H bond hydroxylation by P450 peroxygenases: a facile colorimetric assay for monooxygenation activities of enzymes based on Russig’s blue formation

Aromatic C–H bond hydroxylation of 1-methoxynaphthalene was efficiently catalyzed by the substrate misrecognition system of the hydrogen peroxide dependent cytochrome P450_BSβ (CYP152A1), which usually catalyzes hydroxylation of long-alkyl-chain fatty acids. Very importantly, the hydroxylation of 1-methoxynaphthalene can be monitored by a color change since the formation of 4-methoxy-1-naphthol was immediately followed by its further oxidation to yield Russig’s blue. Russig’s blue formation allows us to estimate the peroxygenation activity of enzymes without the use of high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements.     

Biological Conversion of Benzoic Acid in Lemna paucicostata 151 and its Relation to Flower Induction

Benzoic acid, known to induce flowering in Lemnaceae, was shownto be converted to four major compunds in Lemna paucicostata151. These compounds were isolated and determined to be N-benzoylaspartate, benzyl 6-O-ßdD-apiofuranosyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside,O-benzoyl isocitrate and O-benzoyl malate. (Received November 2, 1987; Accepted January 23, 1988)     

Continuous Isolation and Characterization of Chlamydia pneumoniae from a Patient with Diffuse Panbronchiolitis

We succeeded in isolating Chlamydia pneumoniae organisms continuously from a 70-year-old man who had received chemotherapeutic treatment with low dosages of erythromycin for five years to improve diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). He had two episodes of acute exacerbation of DPB and a total of six strains of C. pneumoniae were isolated at different stages during the past 13 months. The morphological properties and protein profiles of the elementary bodies of all the C. pneumoniae isolates were similar to each other. Interestingly, his serological response against C. pneumoniae in immunoblotting tests was differed between two episodes. The sera collected during the first episode reacted weakly to the major outer membrane protein (MOMP), whereas those collected during the second episode reacted strongly to the 60-kDa protein and weakly to MOMP. These facts suggest that the two different episodes occurred as a result of different mechanisms. Additionally, in spite of the low antibody titer by micro-immunofluorescence test in the second episode as compared with that of the first episode, the immune response against 60-kDa immunodominant protein increased markedly in the second episode, and we suspect that the second episode was due to an allergic reaction caused by this 60-kDa protein. These findings suggest that repeated or prolonged exposure to C. pneumoniae may be associated with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and that the patient should be noted as a possible source of C. pneumoniae infection.     

Observation of unfreezable water in aqueous solution of globule protein by microwave dielectric measurement

A freezing process analyzed by the dielectric method on aqueous solution of albumin has revealed water structure around protein molecule. A relaxation peak due to bound water attached on the protein surface around 100 MHz at room temperature was found. It could be seen commonly in globule proteins. Another peak due to a different kind of unfreezable water was found around 1 GHz at ?6°C. The amount of this water is estimated as 0.36 g water/g protein and in good agreement with that obtained by differential scanning calorimetry and nmr measurements. The water molecules form a shell layer around the protein molecule. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Luminescence catalyst immunoassay of β2-microglobulin with haemin as a chemically amplifiable label

Luminescence catalyst immunoassay, a nonradioactive and nonenzymatic immunoassay, has been applied to the determination of β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG). The method is characterized by high sensitivity and simple handling, since the analytical method employs a catalytically amplifiable label and solid-phase sandwich technique, respectively. In the first stage, an antibody-immobilized plate is reacted with the analyte (β₂-MG). In the second stage, the bound β₂-MG undergoes successive binding with haemin-labelled antibody. In the last stage, the plate is placed in the luminol-H₂O₂ system to generate luminescence. A calibration curve with a β₂-MG concentration at the midpoint of 100 ng ml^?1 was obtained. The 10 and 90% response levels in the curve are 10 and 1000 ng ml^?1.     

Relationship between postural stability and fall risk in elderly people with lumbar spondylosis during local vibratory stimulation for proprioception: a retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose: Reduced proprioception affects fall risks in elderly people with lumbar spondylosis. The decrease in proprioception in the trunk or lower legs may contribute to a decline in postural stability. We aimed to investigate the association between proprioceptive postural stability and fall risks in elderly individuals with lumbar spondylosis.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, the centre-of-pressure displacement was determined in elderly individuals with lumbar spondylosis during upright stance while standing on a Wii Balance Board with their eyes closed (fall-risk group, n?=?55; non-fall-risk group, n?=?60). Vibratory stimulations at 30?Hz were applied to the lumbar multifidus and gastrocnemius to evaluate the relative contributions of proprioceptive signals used in postural control (relative proprioceptive weighting ratio).

Results: Compared with the non-fall-risk group, the fall-risk group displayed a high relative proprioceptive weighting ratio (p?=?0.024). Relative proprioceptive weighting ratio (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.004–1.109) was independently associated with fall risks after adjusting for confounding factors. Among variables related to fall risk, the relative proprioceptive weighting ratio was a significant factor (p?<?0.035).

Conclusion: The fall-risk group of elderly individuals with lumbar spondylosis was dependent on the ankle strategy. The fall risk in elderly people with lumbar spondylosis could be due to over-dependence on the input from muscle spindles in the gastrocnemius.