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T Larsson

Publications and source records attributed to T Larsson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Thermodynamic stability and crystal structures for polymorphs and solvates of formoterol fumarate.

Polymorph screening of formoterol fumarate was performed in 12 solvents, followed by evaluations of thermodynamic stability. Three anhydrates, a dihydrate, a diethanolate, a diisopropanolate, and a dibensylalcoholate were found. The crystal structure of three solvated modifications and of the most stable anhydrate was investigated. This indicated that solvation is needed to get a stable and well packed crystal structure. Thermodynamic testing suggests that five crystal modifications are thermodynamically stable, at different conditions, since they are all reversibly related to each other.

2-Propanol↗

Expression and functional analysis of fibulin-1 (Fbln1) during normal and abnormal placental development of the mouse.

The extracellular matrix protein fibulin-1 (FBLN1) is an important component of blood vessel walls, as shown by the lethality of mice with homozygous targeted deletion of the Fbln1 gene. Here, we show that a murine placental overgrowth phenotype is associated with elevated Fbln1 transcript levels, suggesting that the gene and its product have a functional role in placentation. Fbln1 exhibits a specific expression pattern in the mouse placenta. Transcripts could not be detected prior to day 12. In subsequent stages, Fbln1 was expressed strongly in the spongiotrophoblast. Other sites of expression were endothelia of large fetal blood vessels, a tissue type reported to not express this gene. In addition, a subset of giant cells expressed the gene. This giant cell specific expression was strongly increased in hyperplastic placentas. Analysis of the placentation in fibulin null mice did not show any abnormality. Attempts to rescue the placental phenotypes of a congenic model of interspecies hybrid placental dysplasia (IHPD) by normalizing expression of Fbln1 proved that Fbln1 alone is not the key cause of phenotypes in these models of placental hyperplasia.

Animals↗

Exacerbations of COPD: quantifying the patient's perspective using discrete choice modelling.

Patient-centred care is the current vogue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it is only recently that robust techniques have become available to determine patients' values and preferences. In this international cross-sectional study, patients' concerns and expectations regarding COPD exacerbations were explored using discrete choice modelling. A fractional factorial design was used to develop scenarios comprising a combination of levels for nine different attributes. In face-to-face interviews, patients were presented with paired scenarios and asked to choose the least preferable. Multinomial logit (with hierarchical Bayes) methods were used to estimate utilities. A total of 125 patients (82 males; mean age 66 yrs; 4.6 mean exacerbations.yr-1) were recruited. The attributes of exacerbations considered most important were impact on everyday life (20%), need for medical care (16%), number of future attacks (12%) and breathlessness (11%). The next most important attributes were speed of recovery, productive cough and social impact (all 9%), followed by sleep disturbance and impact on mood (both 7%). Importantly, analysis of utility shifts showed that patients most feared being hospitalised, housebound or bedridden. These issues were more important than symptom improvement. Strategies for the clinical management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should clearly address patients' concerns and focus on preventing and treating exacerbations to avoid these feared outcomes.

Aged↗

Species-specific isotope dilution with permeation tubes for determination of gaseous mercury species.

Instrumentation and methodology for determination of the gaseous mercury species Hg0, (CH3)2Hg, and CH3Hg+ has been developed. The method is based on continuous addition of gaseous isotopically enriched Hg species (tracers) at the point of sample acquisition, in combination with reduced pressure sampling on Carbotrap adsorbent tubes. Permeation tubes are used for generation of the tracers. Collected species are thermally desorbed and purged through an aqueous sodium tetraethylborate solution for derivatization of CH3Hg+. The purged gas is dried with a Nafion membrane, and the Hg species are subsequently collected on a smaller Tenax TA adsorbent tube. Species are then thermally desorbed from the Tenax TA and introduced into a gas chromatograph connected to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for separation and detection. To be able to add tracers during field sampling, we developed a portable device, supplying the permeation tubes with a thermostated and mass flow-controlled air stream of 5.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 50.0 mL min(-1), respectively. Typical permeation rates obtained during a period of more than 6 weeks were 12.93 +/- 0.56, 0.42 +/- 0.01, and 0.49 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- standard deviation) pg of Hg min(-1) for a set of 199Hg0, (CH3)2 198Hg, and CH3 200Hg+ tubes, respectively. Methodological detection limits (3sigma) were determined to 700 pg of Hg m(-3) for Hg0 and 50 pg of Hg m(-3) for (CH3)2Hg and CH3Hg+. The collection efficiencies for sampled volumes of 400 L of synthetic air on the Carbotrap tubes used in this study were 13 +/- 2, 102 +/- 2, and 99 +/- 4% for Hg0, (CH3)2Hg, and CH3Hg+, respectively. Desorption efficiencies for the above species and tubes were 98 +/- 2, 98 +/- 1, and 90 +/- 4%, respectively. Fractions (20-40%) of the added (CH3)2 198Hg and CH3 200Hg+ tracers were found to be transformed during the analytical processing of collected air samples. Determined concentrations in the research laboratory air, corrected for species transformations, were 3-53, 8-11, and 1-2 ng of Hg m(-3) for Hg0, (CH3)2Hg, and CH3Hg+, respectively. Concentrations in the ambient air were determined to be 2.1-2.6 ng m(-3) for Hg0 and below the detection limit for (CH3)2Hg and CH3Hg+.

Journal Article↗

Prevalence of stress incontinence in nulliparous elite trampolinists.

During trampoline jumping the pelvic floor is exposed to high forces. There has been a general belief that physically fit women have a strong pelvic floor as a result of their regular training, thus preventing urinary incontinence. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in female elite trampolinists. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was assessed by a questionnaire, sent to all 35 elite trampolinists (mean age 15, range 12-22 years) in Sweden. Eighty percent of the trampolinists reported involuntary urinary leakage, but only during trampoline training. The leakage started after 2.5 (range 1-4) years of training. Age (P < 0.001), duration of training (P = 0.04), and training frequency (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with leakage. All women above 15 years of age (n = 23) reported urinary leakage (P < 0.001). Eighteen incontinent women continued the study and their leakage was verified by a pad test. The leakage averaged 28 g during a jump session. The muscle strength was measured with perineometry in 10 women and showed good strength in the pelvic floor muscles.

Adolescent↗

The glucuronyl C5-epimerase activity is the limiting factor in the dermatan sulfate biosynthesis.

An early step in the biosynthesis of dermatan sulfate is polymerization to chondroitin, which then is modified by the D-glucuronyl C5-epimerase and mainly 4-O-sulfotransferase. The final structure of the dermatan sulfate side chains varies and our aim was to identify, which of the two enzymes that are crucial to generate dermatan sulfate copolymeric structures in tissues. Dermatan sulfate side chains of biglycan and decorin were prepared from fibroblasts and nasal and articular chondrocytes and characterized regarding detailed structure. Microsomes were prepared from these cells and the activities of D-glucuronyl C5-epimerase and 4-O-sulfotransferase were determined. Chondrocytes from nasal cartilage synthesized biglycan and decorin containing 10%, articular chondrocytes 20--30%, and fibroblast 80% of the uronosyl residues in the l-iduronyl configuration. All three tissues contained high amount of 4-O-sulfotransferase activity. The activity of d-glucuronyl C5-epimerase showed different relationships. Fibroblasts contained a high level of the epimerase activity, articular chondrocytes intermediary activity, and in nasal cartilage it was barely detectable. The data indicate that the activity of the d-glucuronyl C5-epimerase is the main factor for formation of dermatan sulfate in tissues.

Animals↗

Identification of proteins from Escherichia coli using two-dimensional semi-preparative electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Escherichia coli is a gram-negative bacterium that causes sepsis and infections of the nervous system, and the digestive and urinary tracts. The availability of the complete nucleotide sequence encoding the E. coli K-12 genome has made this organism an excellent model for proteomic studies. Semi-preparative two-dimensional electrophoresis, including liquid phase isoelectric focusing (IEF), one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and gel elution, have for the first time been used in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS), electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and database searching for rapid separation of proteins from a uropathogenic strain of E. coli. The identity of 30 proteins, including the membrane protein nmpC, was obtained using this approach.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Spectroelectrochemical study of cellobiose dehydrogenase and diaphorase in a thiol-modified gold capillary in the absence of mediators.

A spectroelectrochemical cell was constructed from a gold capillary with 200 microm inner diameter as a working electrode. This allowed spectroelectrochemical study of liquid samples with available volumes less than 5 microl. The optical measurements were accomplished with an optical fibre spectrometer. The optical path of the cell was about 1 cm. To facilitate electrochemistry of biomolecules, the surface of the gold capillary was modified with thiols. The formal potential, E degrees', of the heme in cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium was determined by spectroelectrochemistry in the absence of redox mediators. The number of electrons per redox conversion of heme in CDH was found to be equal to 0.98 + 0.04 corresponding well to a theoretical value representing the redox reaction Fe3+ + e-= Fe2+. Similar spectroelectrochemical experiments with diaphorase from Bacillus stearothermophilus showed the redox conversion of the flavin mononucleotide in diaphorase in the absence of external redox mediators.

Carbohydrate Dehydrogenases↗

Helicobacter pylori-binding gangliosides of human gastric adenocarcinoma.

Acidic and neutral glycosphingolipids were isolated from a human gastric adenocarcinoma, and binding of Helicobacter pylori to the isolated glycosphingolipids was assessed using the chromatogram binding assay. The isolated glycosphingolipids were characterized using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and by binding of antibodies and lectins. The predominating neutral glycosphingolipids were found to migrate in the di- to tetraglycosylceramide regions as revealed by anisaldehyde staining and detection with lectins. No binding of H. pylori to these compounds was obtained. The most abundant acidic glycosphingolipids, migrating as the GM3 ganglioside and sialyl-neolactotetraosylceramide, were not recognized by the bacteria. Instead, H. pylori selectively interacted with slow-migrating, low abundant gangliosides not detected by anisaldehyde staining. Binding-active gangliosides were isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and lectin binding as sialyl-neolactohexaosylceramide (NeuAcalpha3Galbeta4GlcNAcbeta3Galbeta4GlcNAcbeta3Galbeta4Glcbeta1Cer) and sialyl-neolactooctaosylceramide (NeuAcalpha3Galbeta4GlcNAcbeta3Galbeta4GlcNAcbeta3Galbeta4GlcNAcbeta3Galbeta4Glcbeta1Cer).

Adenocarcinoma↗

Adhesion of type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli to abiotic surfaces leads to altered composition of outer membrane proteins.

Phenotypic differences between planktonic bacteria and those attached to abiotic surfaces exist, but the mechanisms involved in the adhesion response of bacteria are not well understood. By the use of two-dimensional (2D) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we have demonstrated that attachment of Escherichia coli to abiotic surfaces leads to alteration in the composition of outer membrane proteins. A major decrease in the abundance of resolved proteins was observed during adhesion of type 1-fimbriated E. coli strains, which was at least partly caused by proteolysis. Moreover, a study of fimbriated and nonfimbriated mutants revealed that these changes were due mainly to type 1 fimbria-mediated surface contact and that only a few changes occurred in the outer membranes of nonfimbriated mutant strains. Protein synthesis and proteolytic degradation were involved to different extents in adhesion of fimbriated and nonfimbriated cells. While protein synthesis appeared to affect adhesion of only the nonfimbriated strain, proteolytic activity mostly seemed to contribute to adhesion of the fimbriated strain. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, six of the proteins resolved by 2D analysis were identified as BtuB, EF-Tu, OmpA, OmpX, Slp, and TolC. While the first two proteins were unaffected by adhesion, the levels of the last four were moderately to strongly reduced. Based on the present results, it may be suggested that physical interactions between type 1 fimbriae and the surface are part of a surface-sensing mechanism in which protein turnover may contribute to the observed change in composition of outer membrane proteins. This change alters the surface characteristics of the cell envelope and may thus influence adhesion.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Diagnosis of a patient with oncogenic osteomalacia using a phosphate uptake bioassay of serum and magnetic resonance imaging.

A previously healthy man with no family history of fractures presented with muscle pain, back pain and height loss. Investigations revealed hypophosphataemia, phosphaturia, undetectable serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and severe osteomalacia on bone biopsy, suggestive of a diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia. Thorough physical examination did not locate a tumour. Support for the diagnosis was obtained by detection of phosphate uptake inhibitory activity in a blinded sample of the patient's serum using a renal cell bioassay. On the basis of detection of this bioactivity, a total body magnetic resonance (MR) examination was performed. A small tumour was located in the right leg. Removal of the tumour resulted in the rapid reversal of symptoms and the abnormal biochemistry typical of oncogenic osteomalacia. Inhibitory activity was also demonstrated using the bioassay in serum from two other patients with confirmed or presumptive oncogenic osteomalacia, but not in serum from two patients with hypophosphataemia of other origin. This is the first case to be reported in which the diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia was assisted by demonstration of inhibitory activity of the patient's serum in a renal cell phosphate bioassay that provided an impetus for total body MR imaging.

Adult↗

Salivary agglutinin, which binds Streptococcus mutans and Helicobacter pylori, is the lung scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein gp-340.

Salivary agglutinin is a high molecular mass component of human saliva that binds Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacterium implicated in dental caries. To study its protein sequence, we isolated the agglutinin from human parotid saliva. After trypsin digestion, a portion was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which gave the molecular mass of 14 unique peptides. The remainder of the digest was subjected to high performance liquid chromatography, and the separated peptides were analyzed by MALDI-TOF/post-source decay; the spectra gave the sequences of five peptides. The molecular mass and peptide sequence information showed that salivary agglutinin peptides were identical to sequences in lung (lavage) gp-340, a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein family. Immunoblotting with antibodies that specifically recognized either lung gp-340 or the agglutinin confirmed that the salivary agglutinin was gp-340. Immunoblotting with an antibody specific to the sialyl Le(x) carbohydrate epitope detected expression on the salivary but not the lung glycoprotein, possible evidence of different glycoforms. The salivary agglutinin also interacted with Helicobacter pylori, implicated in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, Streptococcus agalactiae, implicated in neonatal meningitis, and several oral commensal streptococci. These results identify the salivary agglutinin as gp-340 and suggest it binds bacteria that are important determinants of either the oral ecology or systemic diseases.

Agglutinins↗

Identification of protein vaccine candidates from Helicobacter pylori using a preparative two-dimensional electrophoretic procedure and mass spectrometry.

Helicobacter pylori is an important human gastric pathogen for which the entire genome sequence is known. This microorganism displays a uniquely complex pattern of binding to complex carbohydrates presented on host mucosal surfaces and other tissues, through adhesion molecules (adhesins) on the microbial cell surface. Adhesins and other membrane-associated proteins are important targets for vaccine development. The identification and characterization of cell-surface proteins expressed by H. pylori is a prerequisite for the development of vaccines designed to interfere with bacterial colonization of host tissues. However, identification of membrane proteins is difficult using a traditional proteomics approach employing 2D-PAGE. We have used a novel approach in the identification of microbial proteins that employs a rapid preparative two-dimensional electrophoretic separation followed by mass spectrometry and database searches. No pre-enrichment of bacterial membranes was required. The entire process, from sample preparation to protein identification, can be completed in less than 18 hours, and the presence of proteins can be monitored after both the first- and second-dimensional separations using mass spectrometry. We were able to identify 40 proteins from a detergent-solubilized H. pylori preparation; over one-third of these were membrane or membrane-associated proteins. A functionally characterized low-abundance membrane protein, the Leb-binding adhesin, was found in this group. The use of this rapid 2D electrophoretic separation in proteomic studies of H. pylori is expected to speed up the identification of expressed virulence proteins and vaccine targets in this and other microbial pathogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-48-containing very low density lipoproteins in McA-RH7777 cells.

We have used an extraction procedure, which released membrane-bound apoB-100, to study the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). This procedure released apoB-48, but not integral membrane proteins, from microsomes of McA-RH7777 cells. Upon gradient ultracentrifugation, the extracted apoB-48 migrated in the same position as the dense apoB-48-containing lipoprotein (apoB-48 HDL (high density lipoprotein)) secreted into the medium. Labeling studies with [(3)H]glycerol demonstrated that the HDL-like particle extracted from the microsomes contains both triglycerides and phosphatidylcholine. The estimated molar ratio between triglyceride and phosphatidylcholine was 0.70 +/- 0.09, supporting the possibility that the particle has a neutral lipid core. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that microsomal apoB-48 HDL can either be secreted as apoB-48 HDL or converted to apoB-48 VLDL. These results support the two-step model of VLDL assembly. To determine the size of apoB required to assemble HDL and VLDL, we produced apoB polypeptides of various lengths and followed their ability to assemble VLDL. Small amounts of apoB-40 were associated with VLDL, but most of the nascent chains associated with VLDL ranged from apoB-48 to apoB-100. Thus, efficient VLDL assembly requires apoB chains of at least apoB-48 size. Nascent polypeptides as small as apoB-20 were associated with particles in the HDL density range. Thus, the structural requirements of apoB to form HDL-like first-step particles differ from those to form second-step VLDL. Analysis of proteins in the d < 1.006 g/ml fraction after ultracentrifugation of the luminal content of the cells identified five chaperone proteins: binding protein, protein disulfide isomerase, calcium-binding protein 2, calreticulin, and glucose regulatory protein 94. Thus, intracellular VLDL is associated with a network of chaperones involved in protein folding. Pulse-chase and subcellular fractionation studies showed that apoB-48 VLDL did not accumulate in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. This finding indicates either that the two steps of apoB lipoprotein assembly occur in different compartment or that the assembled VLDL is transferred rapidly out of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗

Use of an affinity proteomics approach for the identification of low-abundant bacterial adhesins as applied on the Lewis(b)-binding adhesin of Helicobacter pylori.

Microbial attachment to host cell surfaces is considered to be the first essential step for colonization and infection. In most known cases, attachment is mediated by a specific protein-carbohydrate interaction. We have used a carbohydrate-containing crosslinking probe to select bacterial surface adhesins for trypsin digestion, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and identification against genome sequence. The present paper describes this functional proteomics approach for identification of the recently cloned low-abundant Lewis(b)-binding adhesin of Helicobacter pylori. Protein identification was obtained through the enrichment of approximately 300 fmol of adhesin from solubilized cells.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Purification and characterization of RNA polymerase II holoenzyme from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

We have purified the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme from Schizosaccharomyces pombe to near homogeneity. The Mediator complex is considerably smaller than its counterpart in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, containing only nine polypeptides larger than 19 kDa. Five of these Mediator subunits have been identified as the S. pombe homologs to Rgr1, Srb4, Med7, and Nut2 found in S. cerevisiae and the gene product of a previously uncharacterized open reading frame, PMC2, with no clear homologies to any described protein. The presence of Mediator in a S. pombe RNA polymerase II holoenzyme stimulated phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain by TFIIH purified from S. pombe. This stimulation was species-specific, because S. pombe Mediator could not stimulate TFIIH purified from S. cerevisiae. We suggest that the overall structure and mechanism of the Mediator is evolutionary conserved. The subunit composition, however, has evolved to respond properly to physiological signals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A strain of human influenza A virus binds to extended but not short gangliosides as assayed by thin-layer chromatography overlay.

A human strain of influenza virus (A, H1N1) was shown to bind in an unexpected way to leukocyte and other gangliosides when compared with avian virus (A, H4N6) as assayed on TLC plates. The human strain bound only to species with about 10 or more sugars, while the avian strain bound to a wide range of gangliosides including the 5-sugar gangliosides. By use of specific lectins, antibodies, and FAB and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry an attempt was done to preliminary identify the sequences of leukocyte gangliosides recognized by the human strain. The virus binding pattern did not follow binding by VIM-2 monoclonal antibody and was not identical with binding by anti-sialyl Lewis x antibody. There was no binding by the virus of linear NeuAcalpha3- or NeuAcalpha6-containing gangliosides with up to seven monosaccharides per mol of ceramide. Active species were minor NeuAcalpha6-containing molecules with probably repeated HexHexNAc units and fucose branches. This investigation demonstrates marked distinctions in the recognition of gangliosides between avian and human influenza viruses. Our data emphasize the importance of structural factors associated with more distant parts of the binding epitope and the complexity of carbohydrate recognition by human influenza viruses.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Polyglycosylceramides recognized by Helicobacter pylori: analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry after degradation with endo-beta-galactosidase and by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of permethylated undegraded material.

Human erythrocyte polyglycosylceramides (PGCs) are recognized by the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori and are based on a successively extended and highly branched N-acetyllactosamine core linked to ceramide and substituted by fucose and sialic acid. As a step in the identification of the binding epitope we earlier characterized intact PGCs by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS (Karlsson,H., Johansson,L., Miller-Podraza,H., and Karlsson,K-A. [1999] Glycobiology, 9, 765-778). In the present work, PGCs from human blood group O erythrocytes were digested with endo-ss-galactosidase (Bacterioides fragilis), an enzyme which cleaves the bond 3Galss1-4GlcNAc in linear but not branched poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains. The enzymatic digestion resulted in a mixture of neutral and sialic acid-containing glycolipids together with terminal and internal sequences of mainly neutral oligosaccharides. The products were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS in both positive and negative ion mode which gave spectra where the ions could be assigned to structures of the neutral and acidic components, respectively. Among glycolipids found were [structure in text] where R could be H, Fuc or NeuAc. Also observed were structures as [structure in text] which indicated linear extension along both branches. Observed at higher masses were fully branched structures obtained by stepwise extension with [structure in text] where R could be H, Fuc or NeuAc. Most probably further branching may occur along both the (1-->3)- and the (1-->6)-linked branches to give a partly dendritic structure. Structures with more than one sialic acid substituted could not be observed in the MALDI spectrum. Complementary information of the terminal sequences was obtained by FAB-MS analysis of permethylated undegraded PGCs. High-temperature gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of reduced and permethylated products from enzyme hydrolysis documented that Fuc was present in a blood group O sequence, Fuc-Hex-HexN-. Fucose may be placed on short (monolactosamine) or longer branches, while sialic acid seems to be restricted to monolactosamine branches. The conclusion is that human erythrocyte PGCs display microheterogeneity within terminal and internal parts of the poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains. The first branch from the ceramide end may be located at the second or third Gal and possibly also on the first Gal. Other branches may occur on every N-acetyllactosamine unit in fully branched domains, or there may be linear extensions between branches resulting in incompletely branched structures. The extended linear sequences may be present in both 3- and 6-linked antennae. Terminal structures are based on one, two or maybe higher number of N-acetyllactosamine units.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗