Two genetically selected strains of rats exhibit hypersensitivity or resistance to cocaine-induced fatal arrhythmias

We identified for the first time two genetically selected strains of rats that differ markedly in sensitivity to cocaine-induced life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and arrest. The two strains of rats, designated as Fast and Slow, were bred for sensitivity (Fast) or resistance (Slow) to electrically kindled seizures. Studies were performed on halothane-anesthetized, mechanically ventilated rats. Animals were given cocaine (3 or 4 mg/kg/min i.v.) until they died. Arrhythmias (atrioventricular conduction block) developed at much lower cumulative cocaine doses in Slow-kindling rats than in Fast-kindling rats (15 +/- 1 versus 42 +/- 3 mg/kg, p <.01). The lethal cocaine dose (the dose that caused cardiac arrest) was also markedly lower in Slow than in Fast strains (32 +/- 2 versus 62 +/- 6 mg/kg, p <.01). These differences between the two strains were not significantly altered by pretreatment of animals with either ganglionic blockers, hexamethonium (20 mg/kg i.v.) or chlorisondamine (5 mg/kg i.v.), or a nonselective beta adrenergic receptor blocker, propranolol (1 mg/kg i.v.). A nonselective alpha adrenergic receptor blocker, phentolamine (10 mg/kg i.v.), however, abolished the differences between the Fast and Slow strains in the doses of cocaine required to produced atrioventricular conduction block and cardiac arrest. The results provide the first evidence of genetically determined susceptibility or resistance to cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity. There appears to be a genetically determined difference in the alpha adrenergic receptor system between the two strains that is responsible for the differential sensitivity to cocaine-induced arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.     

Mycoplasma pneumoniae protein P30 is required for cytadherence and associated with proper cell development

The attachment organelle of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a polar, tapered cell extension containing an intracytoplasmic, electron-dense core. This terminal structure is the leading end in gliding motility, and its duplication is thought to precede cell division, raising the possibility that mutations affecting cytadherence also confer a defect in motility or cell development. Mycoplasma surface protein P30 is associated with the attachment organelle, and P30 mutants II-3 and II-7 do not cytadhere. In this study, the recombinant wild-type but not the mutant II-3 p30 allele restored cytadherence when transformed into P30 mutants by recombinant transposon delivery. The mutations associated with loss of P30 in mutant II-3 and reacquisition of P30 in cytadhering revertants thereof were identified by nucleotide sequencing of the p30 gene. Morphological abnormalities that included ovoid or multilobed cells having a poorly defined tip structure were associated with loss of P30. Digital image analysis confirmed quantitatively the morphological differences noted visually. Transformation of the P30 mutants with the wild-type p30 allele restored a normal morphology, as determined both visually and by digital image analysis, suggesting that P30 plays a role in mycoplasma cell development. Finally, the P30 mutants localized the adhesin protein P1 to the terminal organelle, indicating that P30 is not involved in P1 trafficking but may be required for its receptor-binding function.     

Poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol) is sufficient for template switching in vitro

We have performed a systematic, quantitative analysis of the kinetics of nucleotide incorporation catalyzed by poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, 3Dpol. Homopolymeric primer/templates of defined length were used to evaluate the contribution of primer and template length and sequence to the efficiency of nucleotide incorporation without the complication of RNA structure. Interestingly, thermodynamic stability of the duplex region of these primer/templates was more important for efficient nucleotide incorporation than either primer or template length. Surprisingly, products greater than unit length formed in all reactions regardless of length or sequence. Neither a distributive nor a processive slippage mechanism could be used to explain completely the formation of long products. Rather, the data were consistent with a template-switching mechanism. All of the nucleotide could be polymerized during the course of the reaction. However, very few primers could be extended, suggesting an inverse correlation between the efficiency of primer utilization and that of nucleotide incorporation. Therefore, the greatest fraction of incorporated nucleotide derives from a small fraction of enzyme when radioactive nucleotide and homopolymeric primer/template substrates are employed. The impact of these results on mechanistic studies of 3Dpol-catalyzed nucleotide incorporation and RNA recombination are discussed.     

Non-surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Percutaneous placement of an endovascular stent, with and without coils, in the treatment of large AAA in animal models is feasible, safe and effective. The covered stent sealed off AAA immediately after stent placement, however, it interrupted blood flow into arteries in the area covered by the stent. The uncovered stent prevented further expansion of the aneurysm and also significantly decreased the incidence of rupture. The long-term patency of branch arteries by the uncovered stent supported the possibility of safely using this approach in humans. Furthermore, either covered stent or uncovered stent with additional coils have the potential for treatment of acute aneurysm rupture or leaking. Most importantly, the aneurysm lumen in our model was gradually replaced by collagen after stent placement which further reduces the risk of aneurysm rupture: and this healing process was enhanced by the addition of coils. If proven safe and effective for humans as well, this technique has the potential for substantially reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with AAA.     

Flow cytometric analysis of basophil numbers in chronic urticaria: basopenia is related to serum histamine releasing activity

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood basophils are reduced in some chronic urticaria patients when counted with granule stains. Approximately 30% of patients with severe chronic urticaria have functional autoantibodies which release histamine from healthy donor basophils in vitro but the relationship between basophil numbers in vivo and serum histamine releasing activity has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between basophil numbers and serum basophil histamine releasing activity and to assess whether basophils are present, but undetectable, in peripheral blood with granule stains by using a new flow cytometric method based on surface immunophenotype. METHODS: Basophils were counted manually by a chamber method using a granule stain and by flow cytometry using dual staining with anti-IgE and anti-Fc epsilonRI in 25 chronic idiopathic urticaria patients and 25 healthy controls. Serum histamine releasing activity was assessed on healthy donor basophils in vitro and by the weal response to autologous serum skin testing in vivo (patients only). RESULTS: Basophils were significantly reduced in chronic urticaria by manual counting and flow cytometry. A subgroup of seven patients with in vitro histamine releasing activity showed a marked reduction or absence of basophils by both methods. There were no obvious distinguishing clinical characteristics between these patients and the others; six of them showed positive autologous serum skin-test responses. On comparing the two methods, the manual basophil counts were generally lower than flow cytometric counts. Agreement over the full range of values was not strong and therefore counts obtained by the two methods are not directly interchangeable. CONCLUSION: Basopenia in chronic idiopathic urticaria is associated with serum basophil histamine releasing activity in a subgroup of patients. The lack of granule and surface immunophenotype staining suggests a reduction in numbers rather than an inability to detect circulating degranulated cells by conventional counting methods.     

Fluorometric determination of acid phosphatase in cooked, boneless, nonbreaded broiler breast and thigh meat

This method is applicable for determining activity of acid phosphatase (ACP), a heat-labile enzyme, in cooked, boneless, nonbreaded broiler marinated (83.65% meat) and nonmarinated (100% meat) breast and thigh and in a 50:50 blend of breast and thigh meat. The assay uses a self-indicating substrate that, when acted upon by ACP, loses a phosphate radical and becomes a highly fluorescent compound. Cooked meat is added to deionized distilled water in a 1:3 ratio, blended with a hand-held homogenizer, and then centrifuged at 2500 relative centrifugal force for 5 min. ACP activity in the filtrate is measured after shaking on a Vortex mixer 75 microL of the extract with a pH 5.00 acetate buffer containing a nonfluorescent aromatic monophosphoric ester substrate. The rate of fluorophore formation is monitored during a 3 min incubation period (38 degrees C) in a fluorometer, and ACP enzyme activity (mU/kg sample) is calculated. Three laboratories analyzed 6 cooked poultry products (marinated and nonmarinated breast, thigh, and 50:50 breast/thigh blend). Five cooking temperatures were used to generate different ACP activity levels, which were replicated twice with duplicate samples and duplicate sample tests representing 720 data points. Log10 ACP activity (mU/kg sample) performance repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations (sr and sR) and relative standard deviations (RSDr and RSDR) over 5 cooking treatments for 6 products were as follows: marinated breast: sr = 0.02, sR = 0.08, RSDr = 0.60%, RSDR = 2.12%; nonmarinated breast: sr = 0.02, sR = 0.04, RSDr = 0.66%, RSDR = 1.29%; marinated thigh: sr = 0.01, = 0.01, RSDr = 0.37%, RSDR = 0.37%; nonmarinated thigh: sr = 0.02, sR = 0.05, RSDr = 0.53%, RSDR = 1.43%; marinated 50:50 breast/thigh blend: sr = 0.01, sR = 0.05, RSDr = 0.36%, RSDR = 1.31%; nonmarinated 50:50 breast/thigh blend: sr = 0.01, sR = 0.04, RSDr = 0.32%, RSDR = 1.12%.     

Urolithiasis in dogs. II: Breed prevalence, and interrelations of breed, sex, age, and mineral composition

OBJECTIVE: To analyze selected breed-related data for canine urinary calculi. SAMPLE POPULATION: 11,000 specimens: 5,781 from female dogs, 5,215 from males, and 4 from dogs of unrecorded sex. PROCEDURE: Information was compiled for all canine urinary calculi submitted between July 1981 and January 1994. Results for a mixed-breed group and 26 of the most common breeds of stone-forming dogs were analyzed. Interrelations of breed, sex, and age of affected dogs and mineral composition of the specimens were determined. RESULTS: Prevalence of 5 specific mineral types was significantly correlated between the sexes of 27 common breed groups: struvite, calcium phosphate (apatite), calcium oxalate, brushite, and urate. Struvite-containing calculi were seen in high proportions in both sexes of 7 breeds, and in low proportions in both sexes of 7 other breeds. Male and female Lhasa Apsos, Cairn Terriers, and 5 other breeds had high proportions of oxalate-containing calculi; values in males were substantially higher. Low numbers of oxalate-containing calculi were seen in both sexes of 7 breeds; Dalmatians had the lowest numbers. Males and females of 6 breeds had high numbers of urate-containing calculi, Dalmatians and English Bulldogs had the highest numbers. Low amounts of urate were found in calculi from males and females of 6 breeds, Samoyeds had the lowest numbers. Highest proportions of cystine-containing calculi were seen in male Dachshunds, English Bulldogs, and Chihuahuas. Males of 8 breeds had no specimens that contained cystine; only 2 such specimens were obtained from females. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of uroliths differs among breed, age, and sex of affected dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Breed, sex, and age of dogs; mineral types of calculi in males versus females; and their anatomic location within the tract are important considerations for clinicians when evaluating risk in dogs with urolithiasis and in identifying areas that need further in-depth applied or clinical investigation, or both.     

Comparison of acceleration subjects to other populations: spinal anomaly distribution

Prior studies demonstrate an inconsistent relationship between occupational inorganic lead exposure and simple reaction time (SRT) performance. In this study, we administered a computerized SRT test to 78 currently employed lead smelter workers and then investigated the relationship between different measures of blood lead and components of SRT performance. The measures of blood lead included current blood lead (PbB) and mathematically derived blood lead fractions from the environment (PbB-env) and from bone (PbB-bn). Measures of SRT performance, obtained from 44 trials with interstimulus intervals (ISIs) ranging from 1 to 10 seconds, included median SRT (SRT-md), mean SRT for ISIs between 1 and 5 seconds (SRT-1-5), and mean SRT for ISIs between 6 and 10 seconds (SRT-6-10). Multiple regression analysis after adjustment for age and education revealed a curvilinear relationship between PbB and SRT-md. As PbB increased from 0 to 30 micrograms dl-1, SRT-md decreased, and only with PbB levels above 30 micrograms dl-1 did SRT-md increase. PbB terms accounted for 13.7% of the variance in this SRT measure (P < 0.01). The longer ISI variable, SRT-6-10, was found to be more strongly related to PbB, to have lesser variability across ISIs, and to be unrelated to age. Additional multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between components of SRT and the PbB fractions, PbB-env and PbB-bn, showed only PbB-env to account for significant variance in SRT-md, (14.4%, P < 0.01), SRT-1-5 (9.7%, P < 0.03), and SRT-1-6 (15%, P < 0.01). We conclude that the relationship between PbB and SRT is U-shaped, that the SRT measure SRT-6-10 has properties that make it the preferred measure of SRT performance in future studies, and finally that only PbB-env, and not PbB-bn, is related to components of SRT.     

Purification of the lysosomal sialic acid transporter. Functional characteristics of a monocarboxylate transporter

Sialic acid and glucuronic acid are monocarboxylated monosaccharides, which are normally present in sugar side chains of glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycosaminoglycans. After degradation of these compounds in lysosomes, the free monosaccharides are released from the lysosome by a specific membrane transport system. This transport system is deficient in the human hereditary lysosomal sialic acid storage diseases (Salla disease and infantile sialic acid storage disease, OMIM 269920). The lysosomal sialic acid transporter from rat liver has now been purified to apparent homogeneity in a reconstitutively active form by a combination of hydroxyapatite, lectin, and ion exchange chromatography. A 57-kDa protein correlated with transport activity. The transporter recognized structurally different types of acidic monosaccharides, like sialic acid, glucuronic acid, and iduronic acid. Transport of glucuronic acid was inhibited by a number of aliphatic monocarboxylates (i.e. lactate, pyruvate, and valproate), substituted monocarboxylates, and several dicarboxylates. cis-Inhibition, trans-stimulation, and competitive inhibition experiments with radiolabeled glucuronic acid as well as radiolabeled L-lactate demonstrated that L-lactate is transported by the lysosomal sialic acid transporter. L-Lactate transport was proton gradient-dependent, saturable with a Km of 0.4 mM, and mediated by a single mechanism. These data show striking biochemical and structural similarities of the lysosomal sialic acid transporter with the known monocarboxylate transporters of the plasma membrane (MCT1, MCT2, MCT3, and Mev).     

Muscle contraction as a Markov process. I: Energetics of the process

Force generation during muscle contraction can be understood in terms of cyclical length changes in segments of actin thin filaments moving through the three-dimensional lattice of myosin thick filaments. Recent anomalies discovered in connection with analysis of myosin step sizes in in vitro motility assays and with skinned fibres can be rationalized by assuming that ATP hydrolysis on actin accompanies these length changes. The paradoxically rapid regeneration of tension in quick release experiments, as well as classical energetic relationships, such as Hill's force-velocity curve, the Fenn effect, and the unexplained enthalpy of shortening, can be given mutually self-consistent explanations with this model. When muscle is viewed as a Markov process, the vectorial process of chemomechanical transduction can be understood in terms of lattice dependent transitions, wherein the phosphate release steps of the myosin and actin ATPases depend only on occurrence of allosteric changes in neighbouring molecules. Tropomyosin has a central role in coordinating the steady progression of these cooperative transitions along actin filaments and in gearing up the system in response to higher imposed loads.