Molecular characterization of a heme-binding protein of Bacteroides fragilis BE1

An iron-repressible 44-kDa outer membrane protein plays a crucial role in the acquisition of heme by the anaerobic bacterium Bacteroides fragilis. The DNA sequence of the gene encoding the 44-kDa protein (hupA) was determined. The hupA gene encodes a protein of 431 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 48,189 Da. The hupA gene is preceded by an open reading frame of 480 bp that probably encodes a protein with a calculated molecular mass of 18,073 Da. hupA and this open reading frame are likely organized in an operon, and a sequence homologous to the Escherichia coli consensus Fur box was present in the putative promoter region of the operon. Heme-binding studies showed that HupA binds heme. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed signature heme-binding consensus motifs, characteristic of heme lyases. Subcellular localization studies in E. coli revealed that HupA was mainly found in the cytoplasmic membrane but not in the outer membrane of E. coli. This suggested that B. fragilis uses another strategy for the translocation of this outer membrane protein across its cell envelope than E. coli does. HupA did not have significant homology with other putative bacterial heme receptors.     

Cloning and expression of a novel, tissue specifically expressed member of the UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase family

We report the cloning and expression of the fifth member of the mammalian UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (ppGaNTase) family. Degenerate polymerase chain reaction amplification and hybridization screening of a rat sublingual gland (RSLG) cDNA library were used to identify a novel isoform termed ppGaNTase-T5. Conceptual translation of the cDNA reveals a uniquely long stem region not observed for other members of this enzyme family. Recombinant proteins expressed transiently in COS7 cells displayed transferase activity in vitro. Relative activity and substrate preferences of ppGaNTase-T5 were compared with previously identified isoforms (ppGaNTase-T1, -T3, and -T4); ppGaNTase-T5 and -T4 glycosylated a restricted subset of peptides whereas ppGaNTase-T1 and -T3 glycosylated a broader range of substrates. Northern blot analysis revealed that ppGaNTase-T5 is expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner; abundant expression was seen in the RSLG, with lesser amounts of message in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Therefore, the pattern of expression of ppGaNTase-T5 is the most restricted of all isoforms examined thus far. The identification of this novel isoform underscores the diversity and complexity of the family of genes controlling O-linked glycosylation.     

Relationship between age and clinical characteristics of patients with gastric cancer

The relationship between the prognosis and age of patients with gastric cancer is controversial. To evaluate whether there is a biological characteristic specific to the age of patients, we examined the clinical characteristics of patients with gastric cancer with special reference to their age. Based on a prospective database, a retrospective study of 419 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for cure in the past 6 years was conducted. Clinical characteristics including gender, gross appearance of the tumour (Borrmann's classification, tumour location), histopathology (depth of tumour invasion, lymph node status, Lauren's classification and degree of tumour cell differentiation) and TNM tumour stage were analysed in six different age groups (< 39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, > 80 years). The mean age of the 419 patients was 64.6 years (range from 26-91) and the peak age incidence of gastric cancer (46.3%) was in the 60-69 year old age group. The male: female ratio was 4.6:1 on the whole and male gender predominated at ages > 60. The proportion of diffuse type tumours (68.4%) by Lauren's criteria in the young age group (< 39 yrs) decreased with age (25% in the > 80 years group; P < 0.001). Similarly, the proportion of poorly-differentiated tumours (89.5%) in the young age group (< 39 yrs) decreased with advancing age (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that both diffuse type and poorly-differentiated tumours predominate in younger patients and, without considering the factor of delay in diagnosis, may explain the poorer prognosis demonstrated in younger patients.     

Untoward effects of blood transfusion: common problems and simple safeguards

Potential transfusion reactions include hemolysis, disease transmission (particularly hepatitis), allergic and febrile reactions, and symptoms of circulatory overload. Limiting the number of transfusions given to patients for whom the procedure will achieve some clearly defined clinical goal is one way of reducing the number of adverse reactions. When transfusion is to be carried out, great care should be taken in correctly identifying both patient and blood to avoid ABO mix-ups, and thorough pretransfusion laboratory testing should be done. During and after transfusion the patient should be closely observed for complications.     

Age and sex as factors influencing remission duration in African Burkitt's lymphoma

The frequency of Burkitt's lymphoma peaks in children six to nine years of age and is twice as high in males as in females. To determine if age or sex had any relationship to outcome of therapy, the authors examined the experience of 387 patients treated for Burkitt's lymphoma at the Burkitt Tumor Project, Accra, Ghana, between 1966 and 1978. No age or sex relationship could be demonstrated with overall survival. However, among children without central nervous system disease who achieved an initial remission, the relapse rates were higher for those diagnosed initially in the age interval 6-9 years than for those diagnosed at younger or older ages. This pattern was seen for each stage of the disease as well as overall. Sex did not influence relapse rate. The relationship of these findings to the Epstein-Barr virus and malaria, both suspected factors in the etiology of this disease, is discussed, but neither appears to explain our results.     

Conservative therapy of angina pectoris using nifedipine (Adalat)

35 patients with angina pectoris or previous myocardial infarction were treated for the period of 6 weeks with a new calcium-antagonist (4-2'-Nitrophenyl-2,6-Dimethyl 1,4-dihydro-pyridin-3,5-dicarbon acid dimethylester) Adalat. The attacks of angina pectoris decreased by 75 percent, the need for nitroglycerin decreased by 84 percent. Examination at rest and under exercise before and during the treatment with Adalat showed when registered by electrocardiogram and by the mean pulmonary-capillary pressure a better tolerance under exercise during treatment as well as a decrease of the PCPm in rest and under exercise after 6 week-therapy with Adalat. No improvement during the period of treatment was seen in 2 patients, who suffered from a severe diffuse type of coronary artery disease.     

Gabapentin treatment of mood disorders: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: To determine if gabapentin is effective either as adjunctive treatment or as monotherapy for major affective disorders in a naturalistic setting. METHOD: All charts of patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder or unipolar major depressive disorder treated with gabapentin in a private psychiatric practice were reviewed and clinical response was assessed retrospectively using the Clinical Global Impressions scale for Improvement (CGI-I). RESULTS: Gabapentin was moderately to markedly effective in 30% (15/50) of patients, with statistically nonsignificant differences between patients with bipolar disorder type I, bipolar disorder type II and NOS, and unipolar major depressive disorder. 70% reported side effects, mainly sedation, with 16% of the total sample discontinuing treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin appears to be somewhat effective as add-on treatment in a subgroup of patients with mood disorders in a naturalistic setting. Prospective, controlled studies are required to clarify these pilot data.