A low rate of reinfection following effective therapy against Helicobacter pylori in a developing nation (China)

Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) is a hydrogen peroxide-scavenging peroxidase which uses ascorbate (AsA) as the specific electron donor. APX has not been isolated in mammals. Ocular tissue contains AsA at high concentrations, and we detected APX activity in bovine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid. We purified APX from bovine RPE and choroid by four chromatographic steps. The purified APX was a monomeric hemoprotein with a molecular mass of 43 kDa. The amino acid sequence of the amino-terminal region of the purified APX showed a high degree of homology to that of plants. The primary product of the APX reaction was identified as the monodehydroascorbate radical. The APX showed high specificity for AsA as an electron donor. This is the first isolation and characterization of APX from mammals, and its role in the protection against active species of oxygen in ocular tissue is discussed.     

Application of capillary electrophoresis in clinical chemistry--developments from preliminary trials to routine analysis

Since instruments performing capillary electrophoresis (CE) became commercially available in the late 1980s, information on this relatively new analytical technique has been increasing almost exponentially. At the beginning of the last decade, fundamental discoveries in the field were made mainly in the laboratories of analytical chemists; but now, this separation science is giving increasing impact to the laboratories of clinical chemists. This paper briefly reviews the history, instrumentation, different modes and theory of CE, and the prominent fields of its applications in clinical chemistry.     

The motor unit potential distribution over the skin surface and its use in estimating the motor unit location

Dextransucrase (DSRS) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F is a glucosyltransferase that catalyzes the synthesis of soluble dextran from sucrose or oligosaccharides when acceptor molecules, like maltose, are present. The L. mesenteroides NRRL B-512F dextransucrase-encoding gene (dsrS) was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and cloned in an overexpression plasmid. The characteristics of DSRS were found to be similar to the characteristics of the extracellular dextransucrase produced by L. mesenteroides NRRL B-512F. The enzyme also exhibited a high homology with other glucosyltransferases. In order to identify critical amino acid residues, the DSRS sequence was aligned with glucosyltransferase sequences and four amino acid residues were selected for site-directed mutagenesis experiments: aspartic acid 511, aspartic acid 513, aspartic acid 551 and histidine 661. Asp-511, Asp-513 and Asp-551 were independently replaced with asparagine and His-661 with arginine. Mutation at Asp-511 and Asp-551 completely suppressed dextran and oligosaccharide synthesis activities, showing that at least two carboxyl groups (Asp-511 and Asp-551) are essential for the catalysis process. However, glucan-binding properties were retained, showing that DSRS has a two-domain structure like other glucosyltransferases. Mutations at Asp-513 and His-661 resulted in greatly reduced dextransucrase activity. According to amino acid sequence alignments of glucosyltransferases, alpha-amylases or cyclodextrin glucanotransferases, His-661 may have a hydrogen-bonding function.     

Transplantation of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium into rabbit subretina

Transplantation of normal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) into a diseased eye holds promise for treatment of several blinding disorders. Previous studies have involved immunosuppression and implantation of freshly isolated cells. We report here the successful transplantation of cultured human RPE cells into rabbits that were not immunosuppressed. A modified pars plana transvitreal technique was used for RPE transplantation. The cultured RPE cells, loaded with carbon as a marker, were transplanted into the denuded Bruch's membrane of albino rabbits. The animals were followed for from 1 week to 3 months. On histologic examination at 2 months, no infiltrating lymphocytes were found in the vitreous cavity or choroid, even though Bruch's membrane was damaged. At about 3 months there were some macrophages in the subretina of transplanted eyes, indicating that an immunoreaction does occur eventually. Electron microscopy of the transplanted RPE showed apical-basal polarity and gap junctions. Restored function was attested to by the presence of phagosomes and phagocytosed outer segments in the transplanted cells. Our findings suggest that there is a weak, delayed immunoreaction to human RPE cells transplanted beneath the retina of the rabbit; however, functional recovery of the transplanted cells occurs before this immune response develops.     

Iron staining of the acquired enamel pellicle after exposure to tannic acid or chlorhexidine: preliminary report

Extrinsic discoloration of teeth following a large consumption of tannin-containing beverages or a prolonged use of chlorhexidine mouthrinses is a well known observation. Tannins as well as chlorhexidine are denaturing agents. Based on preliminary studies revealing the presence of iron in chlorhexidine discolored pellicle material, the ability of iron to stain the integument after pretreatment with the two denaturants was studied in a human model. The denaturing effect of an acidic environment was also included. Enamel slabs fixed to acrylic appliances were carried in the oral cavity and alternately exposed to the test solutions in different sequences in vitro. Pretreatment with chlorhexidine or tannic acid led to marked discoloration upon iron application during 5-d tests, whereas the compounds individually had no such effect. A large content of the metal was found in the stained material. Stannous fluoride appeared to reduce the formation of the pigments, and strong oxidation completely bleached the established color. Possible mechanisms underlying the phenomena observed are discussed.