A type IV collagen-binding protein of 23 kDa was isolated from the mushroom, Hypsizigus marmoreus. This protein, HM 23, bound to type IV and type I collagens and gelatin, and to much lesser extent to fibronectin, but not to laminin or bovine serum albumin. The adhesion of Lewis lung carcinoma cells was inhibited when the type IV collagen substratum was pretreated with HM 23. A computer search of the determined partial amino acid sequence indicated no homologous proteins reported. These results indicate that HM 23 is a hitherto undescribed fungus protein that can interact with animal extracellular matrix proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Carbohydrate-based measurements on alpha-fetoprotein in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a useful marker for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although this protein also increases moderately in benign liver diseases. The serum concentration of AFP in HCC at the time of initial diagnosis is now lower than before because of advancements in techniques for imaging the liver. The AFP concentration alone cannot distinguish between HCC and benign liver diseases, especially when it is less than 1000 ng ml-1. These circumstances lead to the need to discriminate between these diseases. This has been achieved by determining the carbohydrate structures of AFP by its reactivity with Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA). The percentage of LCA-reactive species of AFP is significantly higher in HCC than in benign liver diseases. The fucosylation of the sugar chain at the innermost N-acetylglucosamine is the molecular basis of this variation. Therefore, the term 'fucosylation index' has been introduced to express the percentage of LCA-reactive species of AFP. This index is useful for the diagnosis of HCC even if the carcinoma is at an early stage. Furthermore, it can predict the development of HCC in the follow-up of chronic liver diseases. Thus, the qualitative and quantitative measurements of carbohydrate in AFP provide us with very valuable information for the differential diagnosis of various liver diseases.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Effects of 6 versus 12 days of heat acclimation on heat tolerance in lightly exercising men wearing protective clothing.

This study investigated the influence of 6 versus 12 days of heat acclimation on the tolerance of low-intensity exercise in the heat while wearing protective clothing. Sixteen young men were acclimated by treadmill walking (50% of each subject's maximal aerobic power for 60 min.day-1) in a climatic chamber [40 degrees C dry bulb (db), 30% relative humidity] for either 6 consecutive days or two 6-day periods, separated by a 1-day rest. Before and after heat acclimation, the subjects performed a heat-exercise test (1.34 m.s-1, 0% grade; 40 degrees C db, 30% relative humidity), either under control conditions [wearing normal light combat clothing (continuous exercise; n = 5)] or when wearing protective clothing resistant against nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) agents (repeated bouts of 15-min walk + 15-min rest; n = 8). Criteria for halting the test exercise were a rectal temperature (Tre) of 39.3 degrees C, a heart rate (fc) > or = 95% of the subject's observed maximum, unwillingness of the subject to continue, or the elapse of 150 min. Heat acclimation decreased overall test values of Tre, fc, and mean skin temperature for both control and protective clothing conditions. When wearing normal combat clothing, acclimation responses were about twice as large after 12 than after 6 days, but the response was not increased by longer acclimation when wearing NBC protective clothing. Both 6 and 12 days of acclimation increased tolerance times in NBC protective clothing by about 15 min [from 97 (4) to 112 (6) min and from 108 (10) to 120 (10) min for 6 and 12 days, respectively]. We conclude that the physiological strain and limitation of heat-exercise tolerance imposed by wearing NBC protective clothing are not reduced if heat acclimation is prolonged from 6 to 12 days.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1995

Determination of body heat storage in clothing: calorimetry versus thermometry.

Two methods of estimating body heat storage were compared under differing conditions of clothing, training, and acclimation to heat. Six male subjects underwent 8 weeks of physical training [60-80% of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) for 30-45 min.day-1, 3-4 days.week-1 at < 25 degrees C dry bulb (db)] followed by 6 consecutive days of heat acclimation (45-55% VO2max for 60 min.day-1 at 40 degrees C db, 30% relative humidity)]. Nine other male subjects underwent corresponding periods of control observation followed by heat acclimation. Before and after each treatment, subjects walked continuously on a treadmill (1.34 m.s-1, 2% grade) in a climatic chamber (40 degrees C db, 30% relative humidity) for an average of 118 min (range 92-120 min) when wearing normal light combat clothing and for an average of 50 min (range 32-68 min) when wearing protective clothing resistant to nuclear, biological, and chemical agents. The heat storage was determined calorimetrically (by the balance of heat gains and losses) and thermometrically [by the conventional equations, using one or two set(s) of relative weightings for the rectal temperature (Tre) to mean skin temperature (Tsk) of 4:1 and 4:1, 2:1 and 4:1, or 2:1 and 9:1 in thermoneutral and hot environments, respectively]. Tsk was calculated from 12-site measurements, weighted according to the regional distribution of body surface area and the first eigenvectors of principal component analysis. There were only minor differences (< 5%) between the heat storage values calculated by given weighting factors for Tre and Tsk, whether the individual coefficients were derived from estimates of regional surface area or principal component methodologies. When wearing normal clothing, no significant differences were found between the two estimates of heat storage (calorimetry vs thermometry with an invariant relative weighting of 4:1) in any experimental condition, with one specific exception: when wearing protective clothing, thermometry underestimated the heat storage by 24-31%. This under-estimation was attenuated by using two sets of relative weightings of 2:1 and 4:1 or 2:1 and 9:1. The results suggest that when subjects wearing protective clothing are transferred from thermoneutral to hot environments, the accuracy of thermometric estimates of heat storage can be improved by using two sets of weighting factors for Tre and Tsk.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Superovulation of Holstein heifers by a single subcutaneous injection of FSH dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone.

This study was undertaken to determine whether a single injection of porcine FSH (pFSH) would induce a superovulatory response in cattle. Holstein heifers were given a single injection of pFSH (30 mg, s.c.) dissolved in saline (Group 1, n = 5); 50% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP; Group 2, n = 5); or 25% PVP (Group 3, n = 4). Group-4 heifers (n = 5) were given multiple intramuscular injections of pFSH every 12 h for 3 d at decreasing doses, for a total of 30 mg. All animals received a single injection of 750 microg PGF2 alpha 48 h after the initiation of pFSH treatment. Animals exhibiting estrus were artificially inseminated twice throughout estrus. Ova and embryos were recovered nonsurgically. Ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasonography or by palpation per rectum on Day 7 or 8 of estrus. Plasma concentrations of pFSH, bovine FSH progesterone, estradiol-17 beta and inhibin were determined by specific radioimmunoassays. The number of corpora lutea (CL) and the numbers of total and transferable embryos which were detected and recovered in Groups 2 and 3 were equivalent to the numbers detected and recovered in Group 4. In Group 1, however, only 1 of 5 animals ovulated even a single oocyte. The present study demonstrated that only a single injection of pFSH dissolved in PVP was capable of inducing a superovulatory response by maintaining a high plasma FSH concentration to allow for the recovery of a sufficient number of embryos for transplantation.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

p53 immunoreactive stain and early colorectal adenocarcinomas.

565 cases of early colorectal adenocarcinomas were used in this study to examine mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Specimens were paraffin embedded and histological sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and p53. Macroscopically, early colorectal adenocarcinomas could be classified into two types: protruding and depressed. The former were composed of branching glands, while the latter were composed of straight glands which opened to the surface. The p53 positive ratio was similar for protruding tumours but was higher in depressed submucosal invasive adenocarcinomas than in depressed intramucosal adenocarcinomas. These results raise the possibility of at least two pathways for colorectal carcinogenesis, adenoma-carcinoma lesions and de novo carcinoma lesions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995