Effect of papain on experimental amyloidosis

Experimental amyloidosis was induced in mice by repeated injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) reinforced with a bacterial vaccine. Papain was administered i.p. at various time intervals during the treatment with CFA. Amyloidosis was found only in the spleen and the liver. No statistically significant differences were found between the papain-treated and the control groups. It is assumed that, although papain releaseed the polysaccharide moiety from the polysaccharide protein complex, the released polysaccharides were most probably bound by electrostatic forces to the amyloid fibres, and did not interfere with amyloidogenesis.     

Effect of papain on experimental amyloidosis

Summary Experimental amyloidosis was induced in mice by repeated injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) reinforced with a bacterial vaccine. Papain was administered i.p. at various time intervals during the treatment with CFA. Amyloidosis was found only in the spleen and the liver. No statistically significant differences were found between the papain-treated and the control groups. It is assumed that, although papain released the polysaccharide moiety from the polysaccharide protein complex, the released polysaccharides were most probably bound by electrostatic forces to the amyloid fibres, and did not interfere with amyloidogenesis.     

Die Wirkung der Lipoid- und Polysaccharid-Komponente endotoxischer Lipopolysaccharide gram-negativer Bakterien auf die Leukozytenkultur

Summary Highly purified lipopolysaccharides derived from gramnegative bacteria (endotoxins) stimulate the migration of leucocytes from cultures of chick leucocytes. This effect, as well as many endotoxic manifestations of the preparationsin vivo (pyrogenicity, toxicity, etc.), is induced by their lipid fraction (lipid A), while the respective species-specific polysaccharide functions as lyophilizing carrier which, fundamentally, can be substituted by other inert carriers (e.g. protein).     

Bactericidal activity againstPseudomonas aeruginosa is acquired by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages after uptake of myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme located within polymorphonuclear neutrophils capable of producting cytotoxic oxidant species that are particularly active against bacteria with polysaccharide capsules.Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10⁶ bacteria per 1 ml) are killed within 1 h in vitro by a MPO/H₂O₂/Cl^– system (48 mU=132 ng of MPO). The question arose as to whether human macrophages would acquire cytotoxic activity when loaded with this enzyme. Monocytes were therefore isolated from human blood and cultured for up to ten days to induce maturation to macrophages. These cells lost endogenous MPO within five days while H₂O₂ production in response to stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (10^–6M) decreased to 23% within ten days. On the other hand, their capacity to take up exogenous MPO increased fourfold from day three to day ten. Human macrophages cultured from eight days (when both H₂O₂ production and MPO uptake were sufficient) were therefore used to study the effects of MPO uptake on cytocidal activity againstPseudomonas aeruginosa. After a 1 h MPO loading period, macrophages (5×10⁵ cells per ml) were incubated in the presence of bacteria (0.5 to 2×10⁶ bacteria per ml) for 2 h at 37°C. At a bacteria/macrophage ratio of 1, only 34.8±7.0% of bacteria survived (compared to killing by non-loaded macrophages), while 74.4±9.3% survived at a ratio of 4. From these results, we conclude that loading macrophages with exogenous MPO could enhance their microbicidal activity, suggesting a potentially useful therapeutic application.     

Antikörperproduktion mit isolierter Bakterienzellwand und mit Protoplasten

Summary The cell wall of an aerobic bacillus isolated with trypsin treatment produces in rabbits a polysaccharide antibody which is responsible for the majority of the serological reactions of the cell surface.After digestion of the cell wall polysaccharide with lysozym, intact, naked protoplasts can be obtained in isotonic saccharose solution. This produces in rabbits an antiserum which contains no polysaccharide antibody and which reacts not only with the protoplasts but also with a thermolabile protein of the bacterial surface.     

Increased formation of arginine deiminase by Clostridium perfringens FD-1 growing in the presence of caffeine

Caffeine slowed growth and markedly increased the formation of arginine deiminase in growing C. perfringens FD-1 when dextrin, but not maltose or maltotriose, served as the energy source. It is postulated that the ability of caffeine to induce arginine deiminase is related to an inhibition of polysaccharide utilization, resulting in a shift-down condition known to induce arginine deiminase and other enzymes in bacteria.     

Increased formation of arginine deiminase byClostridium perfringens FD-1 growing in the presence of caffeine

Summary Caffeine slowed growth and markedly increased the formation of arginine deiminase in growingC. perfringens FD-1 when dextrin, but not maltose or maltotriose, served as the energy source. It is postulated that the ability of caffeine to induce arginine deiminase is related to an inhibition of polysaccharide utilization, resulting in a shift-down condition known to induce arginine deiminase and other enzymes in bacteria.     

Detection of human ADCC activity using automated flow cytometry

Summary Using automated flow cytometry techniques we have developed a rapid assay to measure human antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). By staining cell cultures for DNA content, chick red blood cell targets can be readily distinguished from human effector cells and ADCC can be measured by changes in their relative proportions. The sensitivity and rapidity of the assay is shown by the finding that at an effector to target ratio of only 2:1, 42% killing can be detected after 1 h incubation.     

The effect of acidic polysaccharides and prostaglandin-like substances isolated from Propionibacterium acnes on granulocyte chemotaxis.

Three acidic polysaccharide (AP) fractions and the prostaglandin-like substances (PLS) isolated from P. acnes were investigated regarding their chemotactic activities on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Both AP's and PLS induced a significant chemotatic response, which suggests their involvement in inflammatory acne vulgaris.     

Preliminary studies of the metabolism of 2-guanidinomethyl-1:4-benzodioxan sulphate (guanoxan)

Resumen El sulfato de 2-guanidinometil-1:4-benzo-dioxano (guanidino¹⁴C) se sintetizó a partir del 2-aminometil-1: 4-benzodioxano y el sulfato de S-metiltiouronio (uronio¹⁴C). Un 52–53% de la dosis radioactiva administrada a los perros se recuperó en la orina en la forma de los siguientes compuestos radioactives:arginina, creatina, acido guanidino acético, creatinina, urea, 2-guanidinometil-1: 4-benzodioxano y un derivado hidroxilado (fenólico) del anterior. Se sintetizó tambien el sulfato de 2-guanidinometil-7-hidroxi-1:4-benzodioxano.     

The solubility properties of granulopoiesis inhibiting factor.

The solubility of granulopoiesis inhibiting factor (GIF) in various aqueous and organic solvents was investigated. GIF is soluble in water, 10% acetic acid, and 10% pyridine. It is not extractable by 1-butanol at low and high pH. A high solubility was found in polar organic solvents (ethanol-acetone 9:1, and chloroform-methanol 1:1), whereas GIF seems to be insoluble in pure chloroform.     

Der Einfluss von Giften auf die zur Meiose führenden Stoffwechselvorgänge beiSabellaria spinulosa

Summary The metabolic processes leading to meiosis inSabellaria spinulosa were investigated with cytochemical methods (PAS-reaction for polysaccharides, and basic dyes in combination with ribonuclease applied for the detection of ribonucleic acid) and the use of specific inhibitors. Before the beginning of meiotic prophase, polysaccharides and later ribonucleic acid appear in the nuclear sap and become incorporated into the spindle. 2,4-dinitrophenol and NaN₃, which inhibit the formation of energy-rich phosphates, prevent the accumulation of polysaccharides and RNA in the nucleus and the formation of the meiotic spindle. KCN and mono-iodoacetic acid are without influence on polysaccharide and RNA metabolism of the nucleus. The first and second meiotic division are normal, but cleavage is completely suppressed. From these results the following conclusions may be drawn: (1) the division of the nucleus is dependant on the presence of energy-rich phosphate, (2) the division occurs without respiration, and (3) respiration is important for cell division only in so far as it provides the synthesis of energy-rich phosphates.     

The effect of acidic polysaccharides and prostaglandin-like substances isolated fromPropionibacterium acnes on granulocyte chemotaxis

Summary Three acidic polysaccharide (AP) fractions and the prostaglandin-like substances (PLS) isolated fromP. acnes were investigated regarding their chemotactic activities on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Both AP's and PLS induced a significant chemotactic response, which suggests their involvement in inflammatory acne vulgaris.     

Hugo de Vries and the rediscovery of Mendel's laws

Hugo de Vries claimed that he had discovered Mendel's laws before he found Mendel's paper. De Vries's first ratios, published in 1897, for the second generation of hybrids (F₂) were 2/3:1/3 and 80%:20%. By 1900, both of these ratios had become 3:1. These changing ratios suggest that as late as 1897 de Vries had not discovered the laws, although he asserted, from 1900 on, that he had found the laws in 1896. An Appendix details de Vries's Mendelian experiments as described in the original edition (1903) of volume two of Die Mutationstheorie, but omitted entirely from the English translation (1910).     

Comparison of counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), latex agglutination (LA) and staphylococcal coagglutination (COAG) in pneumococcal antigen detection in vitro

CIE was compared to agglutination assays employing commercial kits (Directigen, Phadebact), as well as our own LA and COAG reagents, in detection of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PCP) antigens in vitro. Directigen provided the most sensitive assay. CIE was of comparable sensitivity except for PCP antigen types 7 and 14.     

Additional lectin receptors in galactans from the albumin gland of theAchatina fulica snail

Summary The lectin receptor-site specificity of a purified galactan from snail (Achatina fulica) albumin glands has been studied by precipitin reactions in agar-gel double diffusion experiments with different lectins. Most lectins were found to be specific for terminal -D-galactose structures. Some findings suggest, that the structure DGal13DGal may be one of the receptor sites on the polysaccharide.     

Comparison of counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), latex agglutination (LA) and staphylococcal coagglutination (COAG) in pneumococcal antigen detection in vitro

Summary CIE was compared to agglutination assays employing commercial kits (Directigen, Phadebact), as well as our own LA and COAG reagents, in detection of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PCP) antigens in vitro. Directigen provided the most sensitive assay. CIE was of comparable sensitivity except for PCP antigen types 7 and 14.     

Long-term production and culture of clones of human T-lymphocytes

Culture of blood T lymphocytes collected from normal individuals and cancer patients were carried out in presence of T cell growth factor (TCGF); these cultures presented cytotoxic activity directed against different targets (lectin activated cells, autologous cancer cells, antibody coated cells and K 562). In order to study separately the different effector subpopulations, isolation of single cultured cells were performed with the help of a micropipette under microscope and monoclonal cultures were carried out in presence of TCGF. In the preliminary cytotoxic assays performed in the clones: (1) a marked activity directed against lectin targets was observed in many clones and (2) an important N K activity was exhibited by the clone 45 B9 (65% of the tested cells lysed human lymphoma K 562 cells).     

Glioma cell activation by Alzheimer's peptide Abeta1-42, alpha1-antichymotrypsin,and their mixture

We compared the effects ofAlzheimer's peptide (Abeta1-42), a,-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and an ACT/Abeta1-42 mixture on human glioma DK-MG cells. The solution of Abeta (5 microM) formed by 2-h incubation at room temperature induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels by 55 and 45%, respectively, and increased gelatinase B activity by 67%, while exposure of cells to the ACT/Abeta1-42 mixture (1:10 molar ratio ACT: Abeta1-42) under the same experimental conditions showed no effect on IL-6 levels or gelatinase B activity, but strongly induced TNF-alpha (by 190%), compared to the controls. Stimulation of the cells with Abeta1-42 alone, but not with ACT, increased by about 20% low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake and mRNA levels for LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase, while the ACT/Abeta1-42 mixture significantly increased LDL uptake (by 50%), up-regulated mRNA levels for LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase by 48 and 63%, respectively, and increased lipid accumulation by about 20-fold. These data suggest a possible new role for Abeta in Alzheimer's disease through its interaction with the inflammatory reactant, ACT.     

Chemical and field studies on the sex pheromones of the cone and seed moths Barbara colfaxiana and Laspeyresia youngana

Summary Field studies have shown that mixtures of trans-7-dodecen-1-ol and up to 10% of the cis isomer are effective attractants for male Laspeyresia youngana. Similarly male Barbara colfaxiana have been shown to be attracted to traps containing cis-9-dodecen-1-ol, and preliminary analyses indicate that the natural pheromone of this species contains a dodecen-1-ol.Barbara colfaxiana (Kft.) and Laspeyresia youngana (Kft.) (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae).Contribution No., I. P. R. I. 327.