Polychelates derived from 4,4′-(4,4′-biphenylylenebisazo)di(salicylaldehyde oxime)

Polychelates of Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) were synthesized from bis 4,4′-(4,4′-biphenylenebisazo)di(salicylaldehyde oxime) and metal chlorides. All the chelates are dark in colour and insoluble in common organic solvents. Their most probable structures were determined by visible reflectance spectroscopy and magnetic measurements in conjunction with thermogravimetric and IR measurements. Elemental analyses indicate a ligand: metal ratio of 1:1 and the association of water molecules with the central metal. The decomposition temperatures of the polychelates decrease in the following order: Zn(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II) > Mn(II) > Cu(II).     

The clinical efficacy of GOCA scoring system in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

To explore the following hypotheses: 1) Gas exchange, Organ failure, Cause, Associated disease (GOCA) score, which reflects both general health and the severity of lung injury, would be a better mortality predictor of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) than acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) or simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II), which are not specific to lung injury, and lung injury score (LIS) that focuses on the lung injury; 2) the performance of APACHE II and SAPS II will be improved when reinforced by LIS, we retrospectively analyzed ARDS patients (N=158) admitted to a medical intensive care unit for five years. The overall mortality of the ARDS patients was 53.2%. Calibrations for all models were good. The area under the curve of (AUC) of LIS (0.622) was significantly less than those of APACHE II (0.743) and SAPS II (0.753). The AUC of GOCA (0.703) was not better than those of APACHE II and SAPS II. The AUCs of APACHE II and SAPS II tended to further increase when reinforced by LIS. In conclusion, GOCA was not superior to APACHE II or SAPS II. The performance of the APACHE II or SAPS II tended to improve when combining a general scoring system with a scoring system that focused on the severity of lung injury.     

Analysis of the VP6 gene of human and porcine group A rotavirus strains with unusual subgroup specificities

Full‐length VP6 amino acid sequences of human and porcine rotaviruses with subgroup (SG) (I + II) and SG non‐(I + II) were analyzed in comparison with those of SG I and SG II. In human rotaviruses, the strains in the same SG shared a very high degree of amino acid identity, ranging from 97.4% to 99.4% for SG I, 95.9% to 100% for SG II, and 99.4% to100% for SG non‐(I + II), while viruses in different SGs shared somewhat lower sequence identity at 90.4–93.1%. Conserved amino acids that distinguished the strains of SG I from SG II were observed at 21 positions. The viruses with SG non‐(I + II) shared sequence identity with SG II as high as 97.2–99.7%, suggesting that they belonged to genogroup II. Similarly, porcine rotaviruses in the same SG shared 96.4–99.7% for SG I, 98.2–100% for SG II, 97.4–100% for SG (I + II), and 96.2–99.7% for SG non‐(I + II), while strains in different SGs shared sequence identity ranging from 91.9% to 94.4%. Interestingly, the strains with SG (I + II) and SG non‐(I + II) shared a high degree of sequence identity with SG I, at 96.4–100% and 94.7–99.7% respectively, suggesting that they are related to porcine SG I strains. The conserved amino acids which distinguished SG I from SG II were observed at 13 positions. The strains with SG I, SG (I + II), and SG non‐(I + II) showed identical amino acid residues at these positions. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the findings of the sequence analysis. J. Med. Virol. 81:183–191, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis of metal ion-histidine complex functionalized mesoporous silica nanocatalysts for enhanced light-free tooth bleaching

Several metal ion-histidine complex functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were synthesized and utilized as efficient catalysts for enhanced and light-free tooth bleaching. Fe(II), Mn(II), and Cu(II) ions were successfully immobilized in histidine-functionalized MSN and their catalytic abilities against discoloration of a dye (Orange II) in both test tubes and extracted tooth models were compared and discussed. Through direct observation of test tubes and calculation of mean color changes of extracted teeth we concluded that Fe(II)-his-MSN exhibited better catalytic competence than Mn(II)-his-MSN and Cu(II)-his-MSN because of its intrinsic redox ability. In test tubes Orange II was completely degraded within 6 h when Fe(II)-his-MSN was used as the catalyst. For the extracted tooth model the presence of Fe(II)- or Mn(II)-his-MSN significantly enhanced the efficacy of tooth bleaching for three regions, the enamel, outer dentin, and inner dentin, of stained teeth compared with H(2)O(2) alone. Furthermore, unlike current tooth bleaching techniques that need an LED or laser to catalyze H(2)O(2) bleaching, we demonstrated a light-free tooth bleaching system using Fe(II)-his-MSN as an efficient and reliable catalyst.     

PKC-beta II expression has prognostic impact in nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Recent studies of gene expression and immunohistochemistry have shown that protein kinase C-beta II (PKC-beta II) might have prognostic significance in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We sought to determine the prognostic significance of the expression of PKC-beta II in patients with nodal DLBCL. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were stained with a monoclonal antibody to PKC-beta II protein. A total of 125 patients were studied; 83 patients (66%) were in the low-risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) group. Forty-eight patients (38%) were positive for PKC-beta II. Complete remission was obtained in 70%, and was not influenced by the PKC-beta II status (67 vs 71%). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was worse in high-risk patients (14 vs 58%, P<0.001) and in those with PKC-beta II positivity (36 vs 49%, P=0.054). In low-risk IPI patients, PKC-beta II expression was related to a worse 5-year overall survival (OS) (60 vs 76%, P=0.033) and a worse 5-year EFS (48 vs 66%, P=0.014). In a Cox regression analysis for EFS, both PKC-beta II expression (hazard ratio=1.68, P=0.037) and the IPI (HR=3.07, P<0.001) were independent poor prognostic factors. PKC-beta II (HR=1.72, P=0.046) and the IPI (HR=5.16, P<0.001) were also independent poor prognostic factors for the OS. PKC-beta II expression, along with the IPI, were associated with a worse EFS and OS in patients with nodal DLBCL specially in low-risk IPI patients.     

Carbonic anhydrase II: a novel biomarker for pseudomyxoma peritonei

Altered expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA) II is associated with human carcinogenesis. We analysed CA II protein expression in 89 patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) and correlated its association against survival. We determined the expression of CA II by immunohistochemistry and then scored the staining results. The correlations of CA II expression with Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and tumour grade were examined. The effect of CA II and tumour grade on survival was investigated. Positive CA II expression was found in 58 patients (65%) and absent in 31 patients (35%). High‐grade (HG) morphology was associated with a loss of CA II expression (p = 0.048). The mean CA II immunostaining intensity score was 1.00 ± 1.1 (median 1, range 0–3) for HG morphology and 1.54 ± 1.1 (median 2, range 0–3) for low‐grade (LG) morphology. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for those patients with CA II expression was 80% and 59% for those without (p < 0.001). The 5‐year OS rates for those patients with HG morphology and positive CA II expression was 72% and 31% for those with negative CA II expression (p = 0.044). This study suggests that the expression of CA II acts as independent prognostic biomarker for survival in PMP.     

Anti-topoisomerase II alpha autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis-association with pulmonary hypertension and HLA-B35

We have previously detected autoantibodies against topoisomerase II alpha (anti-topo II alpha) in sera from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To determine whether anti-topo II alpha is also present in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with pulmonary involvement, we screened sera from 92 patients and 34 healthy controls. Presence of anti-topo II alpha was investigated with respect to clinical and serological features, including the frequencies of HLA class I and II alleles. Anti-topo II alpha was detected in 20/92 (21.7%) patients. No association was found with either anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70 or anti-topo I) or anti-centromere antibodies. However, anti-topo II alpha was associated with the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (as opposed to pulmonary fibrosis), and with a decrease of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity. Anti-topo II alpha was strongly associated with the presence of the class I antigen HLA-B35. No significant association was found with HLA class II antigens. HLA-B35 also turned out to be associated with the presence of PHT. These results indicate that in SSc patients, the presence of anti-topo II alpha is associated with PHT, and that the simultaneous presence of HLA-B35 seems to add to the risk of developing PHT.     

Chelation properties of polymer complexes of poly(acrylic acid) with poly(acrylamide), and poly(acrylic acid) with poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)

The metal-complexing properties of intermolecular complexes of poly(acrylic acid) with poly(acrylamide), and poly(acrylic acid) with poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) were studied by means of the liquid-phase polymer based retention (LPR) technique. The metal ion retention ability at pH 5 for 400 μg of Cu(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) was investigated due to their environmental and analytical interest in the presence of 1.1 M of carboxylic acid units and variable amounts of amide groups. The retention profiles of the intermolecular complexes were compared with those of the correspondent homopolymers and copolymers. The retention capacity of poly(acrylic acid) is 100% for all metal ions except for Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) whose values were about 90%, while poly(acrylamide) does not retain any of the metal ion studied. The presence of poly(acrylamide) decreases the retention capacity down to 60% for Co(II) and Ni(II) and to 70% for Zn(II). The decrease on the retention values is dependent on the polymer ratio. A smaller effect is observed by the addition of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) which also decreases the retention capacity down to 80% for Co(II) and Ni(II) for a ratio poly(acrylic acid)/poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) = 1/2. The metal ion binding behavior of the interpolymer complexes is very close to that of the copolymers.     

Chromosome painting in acute monocytic leukemia

An Alu polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probe specific for chromosome II prepared from the somatic cell hybrid JI was used to analyze karyotypes of eight patients with acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5). Chromosome painting confirmed the t(9;II) in one patient and a der(I)t(I;6)t(6;II) in another and allowed the identification of a complex rearrangement involving chromosomes 9, 11, and 17, previously classified as del(II)(q23), in a third patient. An analysis of five patients with AML-M5 and a normal karyotype did not detect abnormalities of chromosome II. The usefulness of chromosome painting combined with in situ hybridization with probes previously located on particular chromosomes is emphasized. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The immunochemical effects of metal substitution in the prosthetic group of hemoglobin

We have used immunodiffusion, quantitative precipitin analyses and radioimmunoassay measurements to investigate the immunochemistry of various metallo- and non-metallohemoglobin A₀ derivatives. Hemoglobin A₀ reconstituted with iron(III), manganese(III), cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and protoporphyrin IX along with apohemoglobin were studied to determine the effects of these substitutions on the antigenic properties of the protein. Immunodiffusion studies showed that reconstituted iron(III), manganese(III), cobalt(II), copper(II) and apohemoglobin reacted with complete identity to hemoglobin A₀ with antibodies raised against hemoglobin A₀, while nickel(II), zinc(II) and protoporphyrin IX reacted with partial identity. Quantitative precipitin analyses showed that reconstituted iron(III), cobalt(II) and copper(II) hemoglobins are identical to the native protein, whereas manganese(III) and protoporphyrin IX differed only slightly. However, large differences were seen with the nickel(II), zinc(II) and apohemoglobin derivatives. Radioimmunoassay of the various hemoglobin derivatives showed that the reconstituted iron(III), manganese(III) and cobalt(II) derivatives completely displaced all of the labelled hemoglobin A₀ from its antibody. Protoporphyrin IX and apohemoglobin were found to have displacement curves similar to each other but different from hemoglobin A₀. Copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) hemoglobins showed significant differences in their displacement curves, indicating some structural reorganization which affects antigenic binding sites. These results indicate that electronic changes in the center of the porphyrin ring can be detected by quantitative immunochemical procedures as structural changes on the surface of the hemoglobin molecule.     

Functional monomers and polymers, 56. Effects of ionic strength on the structure of Cu(II)· poly(vinylimidazole) and Cu(II)· imidazole complexes in aqueous solution

The effect of ionic strength on the structure of Cu(II) complexes of imidazole and poly(4(5)-vinylimidazole) in aqueous solution was studied by viscometric, spectrophotometric, and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques. Frequency of the center of the absorption band in visible region (λ_max) and ESR spectra of the polymeric Cu(II) complex were different from those of the low-molecular-weight Cu(II) complex. The spectra of polymeric Cu(II) complex were different in the presence of sodium perchlorate, but it was not the case for the low-molecular-weight Cu(II) complex. The reduced viscosity of the polymeric Cu(II) complex and the polymeric ligand decreased with a rise of the concentration of sodium perchlorate. It was proposed that the conformational change in the polymeric ligand resulted in a structural change of the Cu(II). poly(4(5)-vinylimidazole) complex.     

Expression of annexin II in conventional renal cell carcinoma is correlated with Fuhrman grade and clinical outcome

Conventional renal cell carcinomas (CRCCs) were investigated for the expression of annexin II (ANX II) to determine out whether this calcium-binding protein could serve as a useful prognostic marker. CRCCs and adjacent nonneoplastic tissue from 33 patients were investigated for ANX II by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and western blot analysis. ANX II expression was correlated with tumor differentiation (Fuhrman grade) and to clinical outcome. Tumors were composed of ANX II positive and negative cells. In grade I tumors only a weak membranous staining was seen in immunopositive cells. In grade II and III tumors, however, ANX II was seen in the cytoplasm and at the cell membranes of tumor cells. On serial sections membranous and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for ANX II occurred predominantly in eosinophilic cells whereas clear cells were mostly immunonegative. The ANX II expression in CRCCs was correlated with clinical outcome and Fuhrman grade. Since ANX II expression is correlated with Fuhrman grade and clinical outcome it may be a useful marker for prognosis in CRCC.     

血管紧张素II通过细胞外信号调节激酶1/2通路调控过氧化氢酶的表达及促进成纤维细胞表型转化*

 目的： 探讨细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)在高血压大鼠模型动脉外膜血管重塑中的作用。方法: 利用血管紧张素II (Ang II)微泵灌注制备高血压大鼠模型,随机分为未处理组、生理盐水灌注组和Ang II灌注组。分别检测各组大鼠尾动脉收缩压及血管形态学改变;Western blotting技术检测外膜成纤维细胞过氧化氢酶(CAT)蛋白在未处理组、单纯Ang II、ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059和Ang II+PD98059培养下的表达。结果: 大鼠颈动脉HE染色和收缩压结果显示,与未处理组及生理盐水灌注组相比,Ang II组大鼠颈动脉中膜厚度和收缩压明显增加(P<0.01),动脉形态结构有明显改变,并且有显著的病理性血管重塑发生。Western blotting检测结果显示,PD98059作用下CAT比单纯Ang II明显增高(P<0.05),表明ERK1/2信号通路能够恢复Ang II诱导的CAT表达下调。结论: Ang II可能通过ERK1/2信号通路下调血管外膜CAT的表达,进而促进血管细胞表型转化,导致血管病理性重塑发生。     

Studies of the antigenic structure of Coxiella burnetii

The antigenic structure of Coxiella burnetii (C.b.) was studied by absorption of human and animal immune sera with C.b. organisms in the natural phase II (NPh II) or with artificial phase II (ArPh II) organisms prepared by their treatment with KIO4. It was found that immune sera absorbed with one type of phase II organisms still reacted with the antigen of another type of phase II organisms as demonstrated in both microagglutination (MA) and complement-fixation (CF) tests.     

Effect of differences in antibody and complement requirements on phagocytic uptake and intracellular killing of "c" protein-positive and -negative strains of type II group B streptococci

The influence of antibody and complement on the polymorphonuclear leukocytic uptake and killing of type II group B streptococci (GBS) was examined with 11 adult sera and three type II strains possessing the trypsin-resistant and trypsin-sensitive components (II/TR+TS) of the "c" (formerly Ibc) protein or two type II strains lacking both components (II/no c) of the c protein. All tested sera mediated a greater than 1 log10 reduction in colony-forming units (CFUR) of a type II/no c strain, even in the absence of measurable type-specific antibody (less than 1.08 micrograms/ml), but only 5 of 11 mediated a greater than 1 log10 CFUR of any type II/TR/TS strain, even in the presence of moderate levels of type-specific antibody. The classical pathway of complement activation appeared to be more important than the alternative pathway, and even absorbed or immunoglobulin G (IgG)-depleted serum (IgG, 10 mg/dl) mediated a greater than 1 log10 CFUR without magnesium ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (magnesium EGTA) chelation. Chelation with magnesium EGTA reduced the CFUR in 4 of 11 test sera and greatly reduced the CFUR in absorbed or IgG-depleted sera for type II/no c strains. Despite variation in the phagocytic killing of two representative strains of type II GBS, both strains were well phagocytized, as measured by radiolabeled bacterial uptake or electron microscopy. This study suggested that poorly killed type II/TR+TS GBS were easily phagocytized but apparently resisted intracellular killing.     

Novel chain polymers by condensation of metal(II) coordinated salicylaldehyde with diamines

Coordination polymers, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm \rlap{--} (MtL\rlap{--} )}_{\rm n} $\end{document} were synthesized by condensation of bis(salicylaldehydo)-metal(II) (metal = Co, Ni, and Cu) with diamines (1, 4-diaminobenzene and 4,4′-diaminobiphenyl). Their composition, structure, thermal stability, and physical properties were investigated by analytical, magnetic, spectral (IR and DRS), the thermogravimetric studies. It was found that in the bis(salicylaldehydo)metal(II)-chelates, two salicylaldehyde molecules are linked to each metal ion through the oxygen atoms of the phenolic and aldehydic groups and in the polymeric complexes the nitrogen atoms of the amino groups replace the aldehyde oxygens. The diamine molecule is thus acting as a bridging unit between two salicylaldehydometal(II) units, forming structures 1 and 2 . The polymers obtained from 4,4′-diaminobiphenyl ( 2a?c ) are thermally more stable than those from 1, 4-diaminobenzene ( 1a?c ), the order of thermal stability in both cases being Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II). Co(II) and Cu(II)-complexes are paramagnetic, whereas Ni(II)-complexes are diamagnetic. The reflectance spectra along with the magnetic data suggest a square planar structure for Cu(II) and Ni(II)-complexes, and a tetrahedral one for the Co(II)-complexes.     

The oxidative coupling polymerization of 2.6-dimethylphenol with basic copper(II) chloride-pyridine complex

The results of the investigation on the oxidative coupling polymerization reaction of 2.6-dimethylphenol in the presence of copper(II) chloride-pyridine-KOH complex (basic copper(II) complex) are reported. The yield of poly(2.6-dimethyl-4.4′-phenylene oxide) which is the C? O coupling product closely depends upon the copper(II) chloride concentration, the ratio of pyridine/copper(II) chloride, and the ratio of KOH/copper(II) chloride. However, the yield of 3.3′.5.5′-tetramethyl-4.4′-diphenoquinone, the C? C coupling product, scarcely changes with these reaction conditions. The rate of polymerization of 2.6-dimethylphenol under oxygen was much larger than that determined in an air atmosphere. The basic copper(II) chloride complex catalyst showed the unusual property that the electron spin resonance-detectable copper(II) ion in the basic copper(II) chloride complex was only 35 ± 5% using pure copper(II) chloride-pyridine complex not containing KOH as a standard. It has been found by means of ESR measurements that the basic copper(II) complex had the function of an one-electron transfer reagent.     

Depletion of serum holotranscobalamin II. An early sign of negative vitamin B12 balance

Preferential depletion of corrinoids on transcobalamin II (i.e., sharply reduced holo transcobalamin II (TC II)) occurs early in vitamin B12 deficiency. We measured corrinoids (Cor) and cobalamins (Cbl) on transcobalamins I and III (TC I + III) and on TC II. We also measured the unsaturated B12 binding capacities of transcobalamin I and III and TC II in serum from patients with B12 deficiency (N = 5) (with or without concurrent folate deficiency), with pernicious anemia in remission (N = 7) (1 month after therapy), and in several control groups including healthy volunteers (N = 6), hematologically normal elderly hospitalized patients (N = 5), and non-B12 nonfolate deficient anemic elderly hospitalized volunteers (N = 5). In B12 deficient patients, Cor = 177 +/- 92 pg/ml, Cbl = 56 +/- 20 pg/ml, TC II Cor = 1.0 +/- 2.2 pg/ml, and TC II Cbl = 4.4 +/- 4.9 pg/ml in contrast to pooled controls with Cor = 730 +/- 229, Cbl = 523 +/- 198, TC II Cor = 100 +/- 84, and TC II Cbl = 88 +/- 70 (all values expressed in picograms/milliliters). In pernicious anemia in remission, Cor = 505 +/- 138, Cbl = 294 +/- 77, TC II Cor = 80 +/- 31 and TC II Cbl = 37 +/- 36. TC II unsaturated B12 binding capacity was significantly higher in B12 deficient patients than in pooled controls. These data support that: (a) holo TC II is sharply depleted in untreated B12 deficiency; (b) normally, the only Cor on TC II are cobalamins; (c) in treated pernicious anemia, TC II appears to also bind non-cobalamin corrinoids; (d) continued malabsorption of vitamin B12 may result in reduced B12 on TC II within a month after the last parenteral therapy with 1000 micrograms of cyanocobalamin, and (e) TC II UBBC rises as B12 deficiency is developing. Further investigation is required for definitive delineation of whether sharply reduced Cor on TC II in untreated B12 deficiency can diagnose "true" B12 deficiency, in view of false positive or false negative results which occur in all serum B12 assays.     

Angiotensin II increases human monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-1 through the AT2 receptor and prostaglandin E2: implications for atherosclerotic plaque rupture

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated hypertension increases the risk for acute coronary syndrome, a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, which may be caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here, we show that human primary monocytes stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) release Ang II, which is an integral component of the signal transduction pathway that leads to MMP-1 production. An Ang II-mediated increase in MMP-1 synthesis occurred only in conjunction with cytokine stimulation. Moreover, Ang II mediated its effect through the Ang II type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, as demonstrated by enhancement of MMP-1 production by an AT(2) agonist, CGP-42112A, and inhibition of MMP-1 production by PD1233319, an AT(2) antagonist. Additionally, exogenous Ang II caused a significant enhancement in MMP-1 production by cytokine-stimulated monocytes, and the most effective enhancement occurrred when Ang II was added 6 h after stimulation. Furthermore, Ang II and the AT(2) agonist increased prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), which in turn mediated the increase in MMP-1, as shown by the inhibition of MMP-1 by indomethacin or aspirin. In contrast, the AT(2) antagonist inhibited the PGE(2) production induced by TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. Ang II, through its interaction with the AT(2) receptor, has a central role in mediating the PGE(2)-dependent production of MMP-1 by monocytes stimulated with TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. These observations provide insight into the association between hypertension and acute coronary syndrome and a possible mechanism by which Ang-converting enzyme inhibitor and aspirin may reduce the risk for heart attacks.