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Summary: This study examined the interaction of interleukin 1 (IL-1) with forskolin and isobutyl-methylxanthine (3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine) (IBMX) in stimulating bone resorption in 5-day fetal rat long bone organ culture. Forskolin and IBMX are pharmocologic agents that elevate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels in many cell types, including osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The interaction of IL-1 with forskolin and IBMX are synergistic when submaximal resorptive concentrations of agonists were examined. Stimulated resorption was 2 to 5 times that expected for an additive response. When maximally resorptive concentrations of agonists were examined, the interaction between IL-1 and the other agents was, at most, additive. We have previously reported that parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E, agents that also activate the cyclic AMP pathway in bone cells, interact synergistically with IL-1 in stimulating bone resorption. The results of this study, together with our previous studies, suggest that activation of the cyclic AMP pathway is a sufficient signal for an agent to interact synergistically with IL-1 in stimulating bone resorption.

Essential oils from fruit peel and leaves of colombian lemon (Citrus volkameriana), mandarin (C. reticulata) and orange (C. sinensis) were obtained by steam distillation and/or cold pressing. The extracts were analysed by high-resolution gas chromatography using either a flame ionization detector or a mass selective detector (electron impact ionization, 70 eV). The oil constituents were identified according to their mass spectra and Kova'ts retention indices determined on both polar and non-polar stationary phase capillary columns. The concentration of volatile secondary metabolites was maximum when the citrus fruits were at an intermediate maturation stage characterized by a greenish yellow coloration (45-75% green). While citrus peel oils contained from 94.01 to 98.66% of monoterpenes (C"1"0H"1"6), limonene as a major component and from 0.82 to 5.84% of oxygenated compounds, the extracts from citrus leaves contained only 65.26, 31.23 and 79.43% of monoterpenes (C"1"0H"1"6) in lemon, mandarin and orange, respectively. Oxygenated compounds in these oils represented 33.08, 68.47 and 16.38%, respectively.

The fructose-1,6-diphosphate-dependent lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus mutans JH1000 was purified by a modification of published methods. The sequence of 27 amino-terminal amino acids was determined, which allowed us to construct a 17-base DNA probe that had 32-fold degeneracy. The probe was used to screen a genomic library in pBR322. Of 18 reactive clones, 1 was found that expressed lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity identical to that of S. mutans with regard to dependence on fructose-1,6-diphosphate, thermal inactivation profile, and inhibition by sodium oxamate. Extracts of this clone possessed a protein band that comigrated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with purified LDH from JH1000. Compared with controls, the clone was shown to produce elevated amounts of L-(+)-lactic acid during growth in the presence of glucose, thereby indicating that the activity was expressed in vivo. This result was substantiated by demonstrating that the activity could complement a mutation in the fermentative D-(-)-LDH of Escherichia coli. Subcloning showed that the S. mutans LDH subunit is encoded by a 1.2-kilobase gene. Our ability to clone this gene is expected to have great practical significance in the construction of an effector strain for use in the replacement therapy of dental caries.

Mononuclear cell preparations isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation from human peripheral blood were found to vary considerably in the number of monocytes they contained (mean, 20.3%; range, 13 to 33%). The regulatory role of monocytes in T cell proliferative responses to sonic extracts of a panel of oral microorganisms was therefore investigated. T cells were fractionated by anti-immunoglobulin chromatography and depleted of monocytes by treatment with a monoclonal anti-human Ia-like (DR locus antigen) antibody and complement. Purified populations of monocytes were obtained by extensive adherence procedures. The resultant cell populations were greater than 95% pure, as judged by indirect immunofluorescence on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Monocyte-depleted T cells failed to respond by proliferation to the nonoral antigen tetanus toxoid, as well as to any oral microorganism, but retained responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin. Readdition of monocytes in final concentrations of from 5 to 15% resulted in the restoration of maximal T cell proliferation. Monocytes in greater numbers suppressed T cell responses to all sonic extracts tested.

N-Aryl(aralkyl)-N-(4-piperidinyl)benzylamines have been prepared from γ-N-(arylamino) piperidines using the Wallach reaction. Carbonyl-containing compounds have been detected as impurities in these products using mass spectrometry. A possible mechanism is discussed for the Wallach reaction, based on the structures of the secondary amine starting materials used in this study.

The fragmentation pathways of 2-keto(thio)-6-methyl-5-carbethoxy(acetyl)-4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidines were established using high resolution mass spectra and DADI spectra. An unusual rearrangement was observed, which involves cyclization of the aryl substituent in the 4 position with the oxygen of an ester group and elimination of a C2H5 radical.

The fate of two recently described human B lymphocyte-specific antigens (B1 and B2) was studied after B-cell activation in vivo and in vitro. Whereas both B1 and B2 were present on virtually all B cells from normal lymph nodes, B2 was absent from approximately 50% of B cells from hyperplastic lymph nodes. When B cells from spleen, tonsil, or peripheral blood were stimulated in vitro with pokeweed mitogen, activated cells were found to lose B2 (days 4-5) and subsequently B1 (days 6-7). Temporally, B2 loss was accompanied by loss of surface IgD, expression of T10, and the development of intracytoplasmic IgM; B1 loss was correlated with the acquisition of surface IgG and the appearance of intracytoplasmic IgG. Peripheral blood B cells, on which B2 is normally only weakly expressed (B1++++B2+) in contrast to B cells from secondary lymphoid organs (B1++++B2++), exhibited a transitory increase in B2 expression to the B1++++B2++ phenotype prior to B2 disappearance during activation. Taken together with other findings, this observation suggests that peripheral blood may contain a relatively immature subpopulation of B cells.

A gene encoding a possible novel human cathepsin, a cysteine proteinase that is distinct from previously characterized enzymes, has been identified by differential screening of a human osteoclastoma cDNA library. This molecule, termed cathepsin X, appears to represent the human homolog of the osteoclast‐expressed rabbit cathepsin OC‐2. Cathepsin X (GenBank accession number U20280) is 93.9% identical to OC‐2 at the amino acid level, and is 92% identical at the nucleotide level within the coding region. Cathepsin X is 52.2 and 46.9% identical to cathepsins S and L, respectively, and is therefore clearly distinct from these enzymes. Cathepsin X mRNA was localized to multinucleated giant cells within the osteoclastoma tumor by in situ hybridization. These data strongly support the hypothesis that cathepsin X represents a novel cysteine proteinase which is expressed at high levels in osteoclasts.

The digestion of type I collagen is an essential step in bone resorption. It is well established that osteoclasts solubilize the mineral phase of bone during the resorptive process, but the mechanism by which they degrade type I collagen, the major proteinaceous component of bone, is controversial. Differential screening of a human osteoclastoma cDNA library was performed to characterize genes specifically expressed in osteoclasts. A large number of cDNA clones obtained by this procedure were found to represent 92 kD type IV collagenase (gelatinase B; MMP‐9, EC 3.4.24.35), as well as tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase. In situhybridization localized mRNA for gelatinase B to multinucleated giant cells in human osteoclastomas. Gelatinase B immunoreactivity was demonstrated in giant cells from eight of eight osteoclastomas, osteoclasts in normal bone, and osteoclasts of Paget's disease by use of a polyclonal antiserum raised against a synthetic gelatinase B peptide. In contrast, no immunoreactivity for 72 kD type IV collagenase (gelatinase A; MMP‐2, EC 3.4.24.24), which is the product of a separate gene, was detected in osteoclastomas or normal osteoclasts. We propose that the 92 kD type IV collagenase/gelatinase B plays an important role in the resorption of collagen during bone remodeling.

Mononuclear cells were recovered from the gingival tissues of normal individuals and from patients with periodontal disease. Lymphocyte phenotypic markers were identified by immunofluorescence after reaction with monoclonal antibodies to T-cell subset markers. The normal tissues exhibited T4/T8 ratios almost identical to those in the peripheral blood. The diseased tissue cell ratios were significantly reduced, in both the adult periodontitis and the juvenile periodontitis groups (P<0.01 andP<0.02, respectively), indicating alterations in the T-cell subset distribution in these tissues. Each diseased patient showed a much decreased T4/T8 ratio in the gingival lymphocytes when these were compared with the peripheral blood ratio from the same patient. The T4/T8 ratios of the more severe sites were significantly lower than those of the less severe sites in the same disease category. The decreases in subset ratios could be attributed to statistically significant reductions in T4+-lymphocyte recoveries relative to peripheral blood and also to slight relative increases in T8+ lymphocytes. A highly significant (P<0.001) correlation between the average probeable periodontal pocket depth and the T4/T8 ratio of each disease category was demonstrated. The relative recoveries of B cells from the various tissues did not differ between diseased and normal tissues. It is suggested that T-cell regulatory expression in gingival tissues is distinct from peripheral blood regulatory expression and that there is a local immunoregulatory imbalance in periodontal disease.

The interaction of interleukin 1 (IL‐1), a locally produced factor, and parathyroid hormone (PTH), a systemic factor, in stimulating bone resorption was examined using fetal rat long bone organ culture. Concentrations of IL‐1 and PTH, which stimulated little bone resorption when present singly, produced marked resorption when present simultaneously. This synergistic interaction of IL‐1 and PTH was not affected by the presence of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin. Both interleukin 1α and interleukin 1β were capable of producing synergy. Synergy was not produced by sequential exposure of bone to IL‐1 and PTH, but required the simultaneous presence of both mediators. The leftward shift in the dose response curve of PTH produced by IL‐1 may be an important mechanism controlling localized bone resorption. A role for IL‐1 in stimulating bone resorption in pathologic conditions, such as arthritis and periodontal disease, is strengthened by the finding that even low concentrations of IL‐1 can produce resorptive effects by synergistic interaction with PTH.

A novel stereoselective synthesis of CIS-2-aryl-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1-benzazepines from N-allylanilines utilizing aromatic amino-Claisen rearrangement and intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodologies is described. This sequence involves N-allylation of corresponding N-benzylanilines followed by amino-Claisen rearrangement, subsequent oxidation with in situ 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition affording isoxazolidines, and finally reductive cleavage of the isoxazolidinic N-O bond.

Synthesis of new octahydrodibenz[b,f]azepin-10-one derivatives by a two-step synthetic route based on 2-carbethoxymethyl cyclohexanone reactivity is reported.

The straightforward synthesis of new carboxylic acids with hexahydro-oxaisoindolo[2,1- a]quinoline core from the 2,4-disustituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines bearing a furan fragment via the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction has been proposed. It was demonstrated that synthesis of key precursors can be realized with excellent level of diastereoselectivity either by imino-Diels-Alder reaction or multicomponent condensation approach.

The Ia antigens of the mouse are the basis for the genetic control of the immune response. The HLA-D/DR locus is considered to be the human counterpart of the Ia subregion of the murine major histocompatibility complex1–4. The HLA-D/DR antigens are polymorphic, and eight well defined alleles have been identified using alloantisera5. More recently, ‘supertypic’ antigens (MB and MT) have been defined which identify clusters of HLA-D/DR specificities6–9. Little is known about the molecular basis for the cellular and serological polymorphism of the HLA-D/DR antigens, as alloantisera are usually of very low titre and heteroantisera frequently lack monospecificity. We present here the preparation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody which defines a new polymorphic system of the HLA-D/DR region. This and similar antisera should now begin to provide the reagents with which to correlate molecular structure with the functional repertoire of the human Ia-like antigens.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent and most commonly studied oral cancer. However, there is a void regarding the role that the oral microbiome may play in OSCC. Although the relationship between microbial community composition and OSCC has been thoroughly investigated, microbial profiles of the human microbiome in cancer are understudied. Here we performed a small pilot study of community-wide metatranscriptome analysis to profile mRNA expression in the entire oral microbiome in OSCC to reveal molecular functions associated with this disease. Fusobacteriashowed a statistically significantly higher number of transcripts at tumour sites and tumour-adjacent sites of cancer patients compared to the healthy controls analysed. Regardless of the community composition, specific metabolic signatures were consistently found in disease. Activities such as iron ion transport, tryptophanase activity, peptidase activities and superoxide dismutase were over-represented in tumour and tumour-adjacent samples when compared to the healthy controls. The expression of putative virulence factors in the oral communities associated with OSCC showed that activities related to capsule biosynthesis, flagellum synthesis and assembly, chemotaxis, iron transport, haemolysins and adhesins were upregulated at tumour sites. Moreover, activities associated with protection against reactive nitrogen intermediates, chemotaxis, flagellar and capsule biosynthesis were also upregulated in non-tumour sites of cancer patients. Although they are preliminary, our results further suggest that Fusobacteriamay be the leading phylogenetic group responsible for the increase in expression of virulence factors in the oral microbiome of OSCC patients.

The work determines the influence of microwave radiation on the processes of active deformation and relaxation of mechanical stresses in loaded samples of stainless steel under the effect of current pulses and longitudinal and transverse orientation of the electric-field vector E of the microwave radiation to the axis of the deformated sample. With the longitudinal orientation of the vector E of the microwave radiation and under the action of the current the effect of metal softening increased from 22% to 30%. The analysis of the microstructure of the samples showed a significant influence of external energy impacts on the deformation of steel grains.

The article presents the recent research in electrodynamic processes for metal samples exposed to current pulses. The pinch effect and the skin effect cause the vibration of the metal rods. The results of these studies show how current and magnetic field interact with material samples of gold, silver and copper. The analysis allowed establishing the dependences of peak acceleration on current density and conductor diameter. The dependencies can be used in metal workings and for nondestructive testing.

The article discusses a court case where the New York Court of Appeals held that a copyright renewal signed by American musician and composer Duke Ellington in 1961 did not unfairly deprive his heirs a portion of foreign royalties on his works like "Mood Indigo" and "Sophisticated Lady." Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam writing for the majority stated the contract showed that Ellington or his heirs are entitled to 50% of net revenues received from his works from foreign subpublishers.

Focuses on the budget approved for the State University of New York for year 2001. Distribution of the fund; Increase of financing for faculty members, community colleges and educational missions.

The aim of this study was to compare the antiviral activities in vitroof citral, limonene and essential oils (EOs) from Lippia citriodoraand L. albaon the replication of yellow fever virus (YFV). Citral and EOs were active before and after virus adsorption on cells; IC50 values were between 4.3 and 25 μg/mL and SI ranged from 1.1 to 10.8. Results indicate that citral could contribute to the antiviral activity of the L. citriodoraEO. Limonene was not active and seemed to play an insignificant role in the antiviral activity of the examined EOs.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most ancient epidemic disease in the world and a serious opportunistic disease in HIV/AIDS patients. The increase in multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MDR-TB, XDR-TB) demands the search for novel antimycobacterial drugs. Essential oils (EOs) have been widely used in medicine and some EOs and their major components have been shown to be active against M. tuberculosis.The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimycobacterial and cell toxicity activities of three EOs derived from Salvia aratocensis, Turnera diffusaand Lippia americana, aromatics plants collected in Colombia. The EOs were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS techniques. The EOs were tested against 15 Mycobacteriumspp using a colorimetric macrodilution method and against mammalian Vero and THP-1 cells by MTT. The activity was expressed as minimal concentration in μg/mL that inhibits growth, and the concentration that is cytotoxic for 50 or 90% of the cells (CC50and CC90). The major components were epi-α-cadinol (20.1%) and 1,10-di-epi-cubenol (14.2%) for Salvia aratocensis;drima-7,9(11)-diene (22.9%) and viridiflorene (6.6%) for Turnera diffusa;and germacrene D (15.4%) and trans-β- caryophyllene (11.3%) for Lippia americana.The most active EO was obtained from S. aratocensis, with MIC values below 125 μg mL−1for M. tuberculosisBeijing genotype strains, and 200 to 500 μg mL−1for nontuberculous mycobacterial strains. The EOs were either partially or non toxic to Vero and THP-1 mammalian cells with CC50values from 30 to >100 μg mL−1, and a CC90>100 μg mL−1. The EOs obtained from the three aromatic Colombian plants are an important source of potential compounds against TB. Future studies using the major EO components are recommended.

The article discusses the court case Basillotta v. Warshavsky allowing singer Toni Basil to pursue her malpractice suit against lawyer Oren J. Warshavsky and law firm Gibbons Del Deo Dolan Griffinger & Vecchione. Judge Paul Wooten rules the validity of the plaintiff's claim that limitations statute was tolled due to the willful concealment of the defendant of its wrongdoing based on the involuntary dissolution of Radialchoice.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation, simultaneous distillation-solvent extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, were used to isolate secondary metabolites from two Lippia origanoideschemotypes growing wild in Colombia. Compound identification was based on chromatographic and spectroscopic criteria. The main components identified in the essential oil of one chemotype were carvacrol (44.4 – 51.8%) and p-cymene (8.8 – 10.1%). Those of the other chemotype were p-cymene (11.3 – 15.7%) and 1,8-cineole (6.8 – 10.9%). The last one constitutes a new chemotype, characterized by its low thymol and carvacrol contents and very low antioxidant activity. The radical scavenging activity of the essential oil of the first chemotype was higher than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and similar to that of α-tocopherol.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

The article reports that Patrick Foye and Daniel Gundersen, two leaders of Empire State Development Corp. have stated that projects with the potential to create the most number of jobs will be prioritized for state funds. They said that economic development projects must have consistent standards to get state benefits. Both Foye and Gundersen are responsible for the rejuvenation of upstate New York.

The article focuses on a deal announced by New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, legislators, business and labor leaders for a legislation to reform the workers' compensation system. The cost of operation in manufacturing and construction will be reduced. The incentive will attract more employers to set up business in New York.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.