Src homology 2 protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHPTP2)/Src homology 2 phosphatase 2 (SHP2) tyrosine phosphatase is a positive regulator of the interleukin 5 receptor signal transduction pathways leading to the prolongation of eosinophil survival

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) regulates the growth and function of eosinophils. It induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Lyn and Jak2 tyrosine kinases. The role of tyrosine phosphatases in IL-5 signal transduction has not been investigated. In this study, we provide first evidence that SH2 protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHPTP2) phosphotyrosine phosphatase plays a key role in prevention of eosinophil death by IL-5. We found that IL-5 produced a rapid activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPTP2 within 1 min. The tyrosine phosphorylated SHPTP2 was complexed with the adapter protein Grb2 in IL-5-stimulated eosinophils. Furthermore, SHPTP2 appeared to physically associate with beta common (betac) chain of the IL-5 receptor (IL-5betacR). The association of SHPTP2 with IL-5betacR was reconstituted using a synthetic phosphotyrosine-containing peptide, betac 605-624, encompassing tyrosine (Y)612. The binding to the phosphotyrosine-containing peptide increased the phosphatase activity of SHPTP2, whereas the same peptide with the phosphorylated Y612--> F mutation did not activate SHPTP2. Only SHPTP2 antisense oligonucleotides, but not sense SHPTP2, could inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein kinase, and reverse the eosinophil survival advantage provided by IL-5. Therefore, we conclude that the physical association of SHPTP2 with the phosphorylated betac receptor and Grb2 and its early activation are required for the coupling of the receptor to the Ras signaling pathway and for prevention of eosinophil death by IL-5.     

Expression studies of delta-globin gene alleles associated with reduced hemoglobin A2 levels in Greek Cypriots

We previously identified five delta-globin gene alleles associated with reduced hemoglobin (Hb) A2 (Trifillis, P., Ioannou, P., Schwartz, E., and Surrey, S. (1991) Blood 78, 3298-3305). We have now evaluated functional consequences of the changes after expression in COS-1 cells to monitor effects on RNA splicing. In addition, variant Hb A2 tetramers were expressed in yeast to assess effects of amino acid changes on oxygen binding and stability to heat and mechanical agitation. The G --> T change at codon 27 and the A --> G change in IVS-2 both affect RNA splicing, whereas the C --> T change at codon 97 and the AT deletion in IVS-2 have no effect. Oxygen equilibrium curves of the Hb A2 variants expressed in yeast were similar to that of wild type Hb A2. None of the three variant Hb A2 tetramers (Thr --> Ile at codon 4 (Hb deltaT4I), Ala --> Ser at codon 27 (Hb deltaA27S), and Arg --> Cys at codon 116 (Hb deltaR116C)) showed decreased heat stability compared with Hb A2, whereas the Hb deltaT4I variant showed highest instability to mechanical agitation. Co-expression in yeast of alpha-globin chain and the delta-chain variant containing a Leu --> Pro change at codon 141 yielded no identifiable tetramers, suggesting lack of assembly or severe tetramer instability. These studies show the probable cause for decreased Hb A2 for two alleles is due to defective splicing, whereas decreased protein stability, increased tetramer association with red cell membranes, increased interdisulfide bond formation of delta-chains, which inhibits assembly with alpha-chains, and/or reduced assembly is suggested for the other three alleles.     

Functioning survival rate of fixtures and superstructures of osseointegrated implants: ten years of progress in Tokyo Dental College Hospital (second report)

Endoglucanase production was measured in culture filtrates of four species of Saccobolus growing in media containing glucose or crystalline cellulose as the only carbon sources. Enzyme activity was four to seven times higher in the presence of cellulose than glucose. S. saccoboloides showed maximal growth and enzyme production. The extracellular proteins secreted during growth on cellulose were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and stained for proteins. A zymogram technique was used to visualize bands with endoglucanase activity. The four species showed different protein and isoenzyme patterns.     

Annual changes in serum vitellogenin concentrations in viviparous eelpout, Zoarces elongatus

Vitellogenin of matrotrophic viviparous eelpout (Zoarces elongatus) was purified from estradiol-17 beta (E2) treated immature male sera by gel chromatography and anion exchange chromatography. Isolated vitellogenin has a molecular weight of 540 kDa estimated by gel chromatography. Serum levels of vitellogenin in females were measured during oocyte development and gestation by single radial immunodiffusion. Serum vitellogenin level was low (less than 0.2 mg/ml) during the early vitellogenic period, increased in the late vitellogenic period to a peak level (6.4 +/- 2.1 mg/ml) at the beginning of gestation. After that it rapidly decreased to a low level (0.1 +/- 0.1 mg/ml) during the early gestation period. Levels of vitellogenin remained low throughout the gestation period. Serum E2 levels in females showed increased from 1.3 to 3.0 ng/ml during the late vitellogenic period, and declined to 0.4 ng/ml during the early gestation period. Serum levels of E2 showed good correlation with serum vitellogenin levels, suggesting that the vitellogenin synthesis is controlled by E2 in this species. These results combined with the matrotrophic growth of embryo during gestation suggest that there is a shift in the synthesis of maternal nutritional products for embryos from the yolk to other nutrients.     

Pressureless sintering and characterization of cordierite/ZrO2 composites

Cordierite/ZrO₂ composites with 5 to 25 wt% ZrO₂ were fabricated by conventional powder mixing and pressureless sintering method. Their densification behavior, microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties were studied. By dispersing 25 wt% (9.57 vol%) ZrO₂, densified cordierite/ZrO₂ composite with a relative density of 98.5% was obtained at an optimum sintering condition of 1440 °C and 2 h. ZrO₂ particles were homogenously dispersed within matrix grains and at the grain boundaries. The intragranular particles were finer than 100 nm and the intergranular particles were coarser. Both fracture strength and toughness could be enhanced more than two times higher, compare to those of monolithic cordierite, by dispersing 25 wt% ZrO₂ into the cordierite matrix. The toughening mechanism in the present composites was mainly attributed to martensitic transformation due to ZrO₂ dispersion. Electronic Publication     

A case report: multiple liver metastasis of gastric cancer responding to intraarterial infusion of MTX and 5-FU

In a 63-year-old male patient with gastric cancer having multiple liver metastases, the metastatic lesions responded well to postoperative staggered intraarterial infusion therapy with MTX and 5-FU. The intraarterial infusion therapy was administered once a week. A total of 5 courses of this therapy produced marked regression of liver metastases and remarkable necrosis. The effect was thus rated as PR. The patient is healthy and has been successfully rehabilitated. His dose is oral 5-FU (200 mg x 2).     

Operation of HTS Toggle-Flip-Flop Circuit With Improved Layout Design

Toggle-flip-flop (T-FF) is one of the most important high-T_c superconducting single-flux quantum (HTS SFQ) circuit components and has been designed and fabricated by using YBa₂Cu₃ O_7-delta ramp-edge junction technology. The circuit layout of the T-FF was improved to suppress the junction critical current (I_c) spread in the circuit. Test circuits, which include a T-FF with a single output for evaluating the logic operation and measuring the operating frequency, were fabricated and their operation characteristics were investigated. The T-FF circuit with a single output was successfully operated and finite direct current (dc) supply current margins were obtained at temperatures from 27 to 34 K. Moreover, the maximum operating frequency of the T-FF was estimated to be 360 GHz at 4.2 K and 114 GHz at 41 K. In addition, reduction of dc supply current margins due to thermal noise was also investigated. According to the numerical simulation in which parasitic inductances were taken into account, the narrowest margin in the T-FF circuit wider than plusmn10% was maintained with a bit-error rate (BER) of 10^-6 up to 40 K     

Strength and fracture toughness of nano and micron-silica particles bidispersed epoxy composites: evaluated by fragility parameter

In this study, we discuss the composition effect of 240 nm and 1.56 μm-silica particles on strength and fracture toughness by examining two parameters, fragility and glass transition temperature, that were derived from the thermo-viscoelasticity measurements. Experimental results showed that the composites had a lower fragility with higher strength and fracture toughness as the content of nanoparticles was increased regardless of glass transition temperature. The improvement in mechanical properties from adding nanoparticles was definitely explained by the fragility represented the heterogeneity in polymer matrix, and this was related to the interaction between particles and matrix. The fragility was found to be an effective parameter for evaluating strength and fracture toughness of epoxy composite containing a bidispersion of nano and micron-silica particles.     

Micro-computerized tomographic observation of the spinning apparatus in Bombyx mori silkworms

Silkworms and spiders have evolved complex spinning apparatus thought to use highly controlled conditions to optimize protein folding and crystallization to provide a tough fiber. Accordingly, the structure and function of the natural spinning apparatus has been studied with great attention as an interesting piece of biological engineering with potential for mimicry in an industrial process. However it is still not well understood. Here we used Micro-Computerized Tomographic equipment (mCT) to visualize the three-dimensional structure of the spinning apparatus in Bombyx mori silkworms. Multidirectional tomograms obtained by X-ray radioscopy provided valuable information on the detailed arrangement of each muscle of the silk press. It is suggested that the duct in the silk press part plays a part as an extrusion die whose cross-sectional area can be controlled by muscles to optimize applied stresses in the partially gelled silk within its lumen.