Purification, characterization and crystallization of Jararacussin-I, a fibrinogen-clotting enzyme isolated from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu.

A fibrinogen-clotting enzyme, Jararacussin-I, was purified from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu by a combination of ion exchange chromatography using Resource 15S resin and affinity chromatography using Benzamidine Sepharose 6B resin. Jararacussin-I displays a molecular mass of 28 kDa as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-PAGE and possesses an isoelectric point of 5.0. The coagulant specific activity of the enzyme was determined to be 45.8 NIHU/mg using bovine fibrinogen as the substrate and the esterase specific activity was determined to be 258.7 U/mg. The protease inhibitors, benzamidine and DTT inhibited the esterase specific activity by 72.4 and 69.7%, respectively. The optimal temperature and pH for the degradation of both chains of fibrinogen and esterase specific activity were determined to be 37 degrees C and 7.4-8.0, respectively. The enzyme was inactivated at both 4 and 75 degrees C. Single crystals of Jararacussin-I were obtained and complete three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data was collected at the Brazilian National Synchrotron Source (LNLS) to a resolution of 2.4A.     

Regulatory mechanisms for the expression of a functional beta chain of interleukin 2 receptor on T4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

Monoclonal antibodies, each recognizing interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha, or beta, were used to see the regulatory mechanisms of the expressions on leukemic cells from a patient with T4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T4-CLL). Cells from this patient expressed only IL-2R beta, and the expression was enhanced by medium cultivation. IL-1 enhanced the expression of not only IL-2R beta but also IL-2R alpha on the cells. Binding studies using 125I-IL-2 showed the presence of an intermediate receptor (734 sites/cell, Kd = 1.2 nM) and a few high-affinity receptor (172 sites/cell, Kd = 132 pM) on cells cultured with IL-1. IL-2 and IL-1 synergistically promoted the proliferation of the cells, suggesting that the induced IL-2R was functional. In addition, anti-IL-1 antibodies inhibited IL-2R beta expression by cultured cells, suggesting that it was dependent on IL-1 produced by the leukemic cells. These findings suggested that IL-1 might enhance the expression of IL-2R beta in a subset of human T cells, and implied a role of IL-1 in the proliferation of the leukemic T cells.     

Papillomavirus infection of the vulva

The role of Papillomavirus (PV) in the development of external genital neoplasias has recently been documented. Fifty cases of condyloma acuminata, dystrophy, Bowenoid papulosis, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma of the vulva were examined for the presence of PV structural antigens with an immunoperoxidase method on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technique on vulvar tissue obtained from biopsy and vulvectomy specimens, PV structural antigens were identified in association with condyloma acuminata in 5 of 6 cases (83.3%), with hyperplastic dystrophy in 1 of 11 cases (9.1%), with atypia in 9 of 14 cases (64.3%), with Bowenoid papulosis in 2 of 2 cases (100%), with carcinoma in situ in 4 of 7 cases (57.1%) and with invasive carcinoma in three of 3 cases (100%), but in none of the examples of 7 lichen sclerosus cases. A PV-inducing morphologic change in koilocytosis was present in 30 instances of all the vulvar lesions. The results of this study, therefore, provide immunohistochemical evidence demonstrating the close relationship of papillomavirus to vulvar disease ranging from condyloma acuminata and moderate atypia to carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma.     

Effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide on tumor‐to‐liver contrast at T2*‐weighted gradient‐echo MRI: Comparison between 3.0T and 1.5T MR systems

Purpose

To compare 3.0T and 1.5T MR systems in terms of the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) on tumor‐to‐liver contrast in T2*‐weighted gradient‐echo MRI.

Materials and Methods

SPIO‐enhanced gradient‐echo MR images of the liver with four different TEs (3, 5.3, 6.5, and 8.5 msec) were obtained by means of 1.5T and 3.0T systems. Quantitative analyses of relative signal intensities (SIs) and relative tumor contrast and qualitative analyses of image quality and lesion conspicuity of the liver were performed in 22 patients, 16 of whom had malignant liver tumors.

Results

With both 1.5T and 3.0T, at TE = 8.4 msec, the relative SI of liver and relative tumor contrast were significantly (P < 0.01) lower and higher, respectively, than that for any of the other TEs. There were no significant differences in the relative SI of the liver, relative tumor contrast, image quality, and tumor conspicuity for the same TE between the 1.5T and 3.0T systems.

Conclusion

Our results showed that the effect of SPIO on tumor‐to‐liver contrast at T2*‐weighted gradient‐echo imaging was similar for the 1.5T and 3.0T systems, and that the 8.4‐msec TE was optimal of the four TEs used in this study at 3.0T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:595–600. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Sinus thrombosis in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome causing fatal cerebral haemorrhage.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a leukoproliferative disorder that is characterized by sustained overproduction of eosinophils and a trend towards damage to specific organs, usually the cardiovascular system. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who was affected by idiopathic HES, which had an unusual and rapidly fatal course. Sinus thrombosis in the transverse and sigmoid sinuses was evident on cranial CT and CT angiography. In our review of the English-language literature we were unable to find any previously published direct images of sinus thrombosis in idiopathic HES.     

Bilateral sleeve lobectomy for metachronous multiple primary lung cancer

In a patient with metachronous multiple primary lung cancer, bilateral lobectomy was performed, using bronchoplastic procedures. This case may be one of very few such cases reported in the literature. A 56-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma was surgically treated for lung cancer. At the first operation, right upper lobectomy with wedge resection of the right main bronchus was performed, as the tumor occupied the orifice of the right main bronchus. Six months later, re-operation for stricture at the anastomotic line was done because of granulation. By means of sleeve resection of the strictured right main bronchus, the airway was reconstructed. The patient remained well for five years, then a similar cancer at the orifice of the left lower lobe and bulging into the left main bronchus became evident. Left lower sleeve lobectomy was done for the second primary cancer. The postoperative course was uneventful and he is well with no signs of recurrence 6 years and 10 months after the first operation and 19 months after the second sleeve lobectomy