Mutational analysis of the A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)-binding site on RII. Classification Of side chain determinants for anchoring and isoform selective association with AKAPs

Compartmentalization of the type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase is conferred by interaction of the regulatory subunit (RII) with A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs). The AKAP-binding site involves amino-terminal residues on each RII protomer and is formed through dimerization. A site-directed mutagenesis strategy was utilized to assess the contribution of individual residues in either RII isoform, RIIalpha or RIIbeta, for interaction with various anchoring proteins. Substitution of long-chain or bulky hydrophobic groups (leucines or phenylalanines) for isoleucines at positions 3 and 5 in RIIalpha decreased AKAP-binding up to 24 +/- 3 (n = 8)-fold, whereas introduction of valines had minimal effects. Replacement with hydrophilic residues (serine or asparigine) at both positions abolished AKAP binding. Mutation of proline 6 in RIIalpha reduced binding for four AKAPs (Ht31, MAP2, AKAP79, and AKAP95) from 2.3 to 20-fold (n = 4) whereas introduction of an additional proline at position 6 in RIIbeta increased or conferred binding toward these anchoring proteins. Therefore, we conclude that beta-branched side chains at positions 3 and 5 are favored determinants for AKAP-binding and prolines at positions 6 and 7 increase or stabilize RIIalpha interaction with selected anchoring proteins.     

The treatment of peptic ulcer patients during exacerbation at the day hospital of an industrial enterprise polyclinic

Results are submitted of treatment of 659 patients with exacerbated peptic ulcer at an in-plant day in-patient facility. The basic therapy was hyperbaric oxygenation and ultraviolet irradiation of blood. The relapse rate over the year was 16%. A surgical operation was performed in 1.5% of those cases having completed the course treatment at the day in-patient facility, with 33.3% of patients having been operated on urgently, and 11.28% at a twenty-four-hour department; of these, in 85.62% cases operations were performed in situations of emergency needing prompt action. Duration of temporary disability in patients cared for at the day hospital was 21.3 days, while in those treated at a twenty-four-hour facility-27.8 days. Indications for hospitalization were of social character. Comparison of results of treatment, relapse rates and complications of ulcer disease in hospitalized patients versus those having been treated at a day-care facility gave arguments in favour of reorientation of treatment of major part of those patients experiencing exacerbation of ulcer disease at well equipped day-care in-patient facilities.     

Calcium antagonists and mortality risk in men and women with hypertension in the Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have suggested that calcium antagonist drugs, which are widely used for the treatment of hypertension, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These studies have cast doubts on the long-term safety of calcium antagonists. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of calcium antagonist use with mortality in subjects with hypertension followed up in the Framingham Heart Study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We stratified 3539 subjects (mean+/-SD age, 64+/-13 years) from the Framingham Heart Study who had hypertension at routine clinic examinations, according to the use of calcium antagonists and presence of coronary heart disease at the baseline examination. At each follow-up examination (every 2-4 years), subjects were reclassified with regard to the use of calcium antagonists. The end point of the study was all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with the use of calcium antagonists were obtained using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: There were 970 deaths during follow-up. Hazard ratios for mortality associated with the use of calcium antagonists were 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.21; P=.59) for subjects with hypertension without coronary heart disease, and 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.69-1.24; P=.58) for those with coronary heart disease at baseline. All models were adjusted for age, sex, current smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, use of beta-blockers, and use of other antihypertensive medications. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of 3539 subjects with hypertension there were no differences in mortality among subjects with hypertension using a calcium antagonist compared with those who were not. Results were similar among subjects with hypertension with and without coronary heart disease. The results of ongoing long-term, randomized clinical trials will provide more definitive data on the safety of calcium antagonists.     

Ultralow concentrations of proenkephalin and [met5]-enkephalin differentially affect IgM and IgG production by B cells

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer is a promising method for studies of vascular biology and potentially for gene therapy. Intravascular approaches for gene transfer to blood vessels in vivo generally require interruption of blood flow and have several limitations. We have used two alternative approaches for gene transfer to blood vessels in vivo using perivascular application of vectors. First, replication-deficient adenovirus expressing nuclear-targeted bacterial beta-galactosidase was injected into cerebrospinal fluid via the cisterna magna of rats. Leptomeningeal cells over the major arteries were efficiently transfected, and adventitial cells of large vessels and smooth muscle cells of small vessels were occasionally stained. When viral suspension was injected with the rat in a lateral position, the reporter gene was expressed extensively on the ipsilateral surface of the brain. Thus, adenovirus injected into cerebrospinal fluid provides gene transfer in vivo to cerebral blood vessels and, with greater efficiency, to perivascular tissue. Furthermore, positioning of the head may 'target' specific regions of the brain. Second, vascular gene delivery was accomplished by perivascular injection of virus in peripheral vessels. Injection of the adenoviral vector within the periarterial sheath of monkeys resulted in gene transfer to the vessel wall that was substantial in magnitude although limited to cells in the adventitia. Approximately 20% of adventitial cells expressed the transgene, with no gene transfer to cells in the intima or media. These approaches may provide alternative approaches for gene transfer to blood vessels, and may be useful for studies of vascular biology and perhaps vascular gene therapy.     

Disseminated islands of gastric mucosa in jejunum and ileum detected by technetium-99m-pertechnetate scintigraphy

Disseminated islands of gastric mucosa are very rare in the small intestine. The secretion of hydrochloric acid can lead to ulceration which results in gastrointestinal bleeding. It is often difficult to localize the focus in case of gastrointestinal blood loss especially in the small bowel. Technetium-99m-pertechnetate scintigraphy may be a helpful tool in detecting ectopic gastric mucosa. We report a case of a 21-mo-old boy with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. By using pertechnetate scintigraphy, extensive tracer accumulation in the jejunum and proximal ileum was detected. Histologically, multiple islands of ectopic gastric mucosa were found in about 50 excited mucosal and transmural biopsies. The unusual finding of disseminated accumulation of 99mTc-pertechnetate in the small intestine was the diagnostic clue for such a rare disease.