Arthritis & RheumatismVolume 38, Issue 10 p. 1529-1530 LetterFree to Read Possible role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in articular chondrocytes in the pathogenesis of arthritic swelling Johan Ahlqvist MD, Johan Ahlqvist MD Sibbvik, Västanfjärd, FinlandSearch for more papers by this authorKaj Österlund PhD, Kaj Österlund PhD University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandSearch for more papers by this author Johan Ahlqvist MD, Johan Ahlqvist MD Sibbvik, Västanfjärd, FinlandSearch for more papers by this authorKaj Österlund PhD, Kaj Österlund PhD University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandSearch for more papers by this author First published: October 1995 https://doi.org/10.1002/art.1780381026Citations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. References 1 Stefanovic-Racic M, Stadler J, Evans CH: Nitric oxide and arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 36: 1036– 1044, 1993 2 Farrell AJ, Blake DR, Palmer RMJ, Moncada S: Increased concentrations of nitrite in synovial fluid and serum samples suggest increased nitric oxide synthesis in rheumatic diseases. Ann Rheum Dis 51: 1219– 1222, 1992 3 Blake DR, Unsworth J, Outhwaite JM, Morris CJ, Merry P, Kidd BL, Ballard R, Gray L, Lunec J: Hypoxic-reperfusion injury in the inflamed human joint. Lancet 1: 289– 293, 1989 4 Levick JR: Blood flow and mass transport in synovial joints. In, Handbook of Physiology, Volume IV: Cardiovascular System. Microcirculation (part 2). Edited by EM Renkin, CC Michel. Bethesda, MD, American Physiological Society, 1984 5 Stevens CR, Blake DR, Merry P, Revell PA, Levick JR: A comparative study by morphometry of the microvasculature in normal and rheumatoid synovium. Arthritis Rheum 34: 1508– 1513, 1991 6 Ahlqvist J, Harilainen A, Österlund K: Does joint cartilage require energy? (letter). Ann Rheum Dis 48: 878, 1989 7 Levick JR: Microvascular architecture and exchange in synovial joints (abstract). Int J Microcirc Clin Exp 14: 241, 1994 8 Dunham J, Dodds RA, Nahir AM, Frost GTB, Catterall A, Bitensky L, Chayen J: Aerobic glycolysis of bone and cartilage: the possible involvement of fatty acid oxidation. Cell Biochem Func 1: 168– 172, 1983 9 Otte P: Basic cell metabolism of articular cartilage: manometric studies. Z Rheumatol 50: 304– 312, 1991 10 Naughton DP, Haywood R, Blake DR, Edmonds S, Hawkes GE, Grootveld M: A comparative evaluation of metabolic profiles of normal and inflammatory knee-joint synovial fluids by high resolution proton NMR spectroscopy. FEBS Lett 332: 221– 225, 1993 11 Ahlqvist J, Harilainen A, Aalto K, Sarna S, Lalla M, Österlund K: High hydrostatic pressures in traumatic joints require elevated synovial capillary pressure probably associated with arteriolar vasodilatation. Clin Physiol 14: 671– 679, 1994 12 Renkin EM: Control of microcirculation and blood-tissue exchange. In, Handbook of Physiology, Volume IV: Cardiovascular System. Microcirculation (part 2). Edited by EM Renkin, CC Michel. Bethesda, MD, American Physiological Society, 1984 13 Popper KR: The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Tenth impression. London, Hutchinson, 1980 Citing Literature Volume38, Issue10October 1995Pages 1529-1530 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Three out of the four Starling pressures were determined at arthroscopy of traumatic effusions of the knee. The range of the joint fluid hydrostatic pressure Pjoint was 5-83 cmH2O (0.5-8.1 kPa, 4-61 mmHg), that of the colloid osmotic pressure difference COPplasma-COPjoint 0-21.7 cmH2O. In 11 of 15 cases the sum Pjoint+COP difference exceeded 32.6 cmH2O (3.19 kPa, 24 mmHg), a high estimate of average capillary pressure at the level of the heart. The number of 'exceeding' cases was 8/15 if only 80% of the COP difference was considered effective. Pjoint and the COP difference oppose filtration of fluid from plasma into joints, indicating that mean capillary pressure, the only Starling pressure not determined, was elevated unless the effusions were being resorbed back into the blood. The findings can be explained by tamponade compensated by arteriolar vasodilatation, suspected to be metabolically mediated.

A new protein of Salmonella typhimurium was identified and characterized. The gene (tlpA) encoding this protein (TlpA) was isolated from the large virulence-associated plasmid of S. typhimurium and sequenced in order to predict the primary structure of TlpA. tlpA encodes a 371-amino acid soluble protein with a calculated M(r) of 41600 and pI of 4.63. Secondary structure predictions and sequence statistics of TlpA indicated a predominant alpha-helical configuration and presence of heptapeptide repeat motifs characteristic of coiled coil proteins. Purified TlpA was shown to have biochemical properties similar to those of coiled coil proteins, including adoption of an alpha-helical configuration and a tendency to form homodimers. Furthermore, TlpA possessed heat resistance, evidence for a chain register and altered mobility in urea/sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels which are characteristics of tropomyosins. TlpA shows 32% overall sequence similarity with rat cardiac myosin and 36% similarity with horse platelet beta-tropomyosin over 226 residues, whereas selected regions possessed significant sequence identities with myosins, tropomyosins, and alpha-helical surface proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes. Our results indicate that TlpA represents a new member of prokaryotic coiled coil proteins.

6 Dyck P J. Hypoxic neuropathy: Does hypoxia play a role in diabetic neuropathy ?-The 1988 Robert Wartenburg lecture. Neurology 1989; 39: 111-8. 7 Evans D J, Cashman S J, Walport M. Progressive systemic sclerosis: autoimmune arteriopathy. Lancet 1987; i: 480-2. 8 McLeod J G, Tuck R R. Disorders of the autonomic nervous system: Part I. Pathophysiology and clinical features. Ann Neurol 1987; 21: 419-30. 9 Gledhill R F, Dessein P H M C. Autonomic neuropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1988; 51: 1238-40.

The structure of human plasma fibronectin in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.4, containing varying concentrations of NaCl, has been investigated using the small-angle X-ray method.

The leukocyte adhesion 90‐kDa glycoprotein GP90 (antigen CD18) is non‐covalently associated separately with cell‐surface glycoproteins GP160 (antigens CD11 a, TA‐1, LFA‐1), GP155 (antigens CD11 b, OKM1, M01) or GP130 (antigens CD 11c, Leu‐M5). Large amounts of these protein complexes were purified to homogeneity from blood mononuclear leukocytes by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody. GP90 was further isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Rabbit antiserum towards the complex inhibited phorbol‐ester‐induced adhesion of leukocytes. The antiserum towards purified GP90 reacted more strongly with the denatured GP90 protein, but showed reactivity also with GP160 protein, indicating structural homologies between GP90 and GP160. The amino acid composition of GP90 was determined. Its N‐terminus was found to be blocked. Treatment of GP90 with endo‐β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase F, but not with endo‐β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase H, reduced the apparent molecular mass to 75 kDa, indicating the presence of five or six N‐linked complex‐type oligosaccharides/molecule.

J. E. Eriksson, J. A. O. Meriluoto, H. P. Kujari, K. Österlund K. Fagerlund and L. Hällbom. Preliminary characterization of a toxin isolated from the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena. Toxicon26, 161 – 166, 1988. — A peptide toxin was isolated from the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The i.p. ld50 of the toxin was 50 μg/kg mouse with death within 1 – 3 hr. The major effects of the toxin were seen in the liver in the form of extensive haemorrhages. Amino acid analysis showed the presence of equimolar amounts of glutamic acid, β-methyl-aspartic acid, and arginine. The toxicological and some of the chemical properties of the isolated toxin were similar to those reported for hepatotoxins isolated from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.

Medical and neurodevelopmental data were/are being collected prospectively in South Bavaria (62000 deliverles/ year) and in Uusimaa/SF(15000/y)of all newborn infantsover 1 year (1985/86) who needed special care(group I) In 19/6 units and of randomly selected not-transferred controls (group II). Total numbers: Group I: 6288/1409 (hospital deaths 232/50; after discharge 16/0) group II: 742/623 (0/0,-3/1). The frequency distribution (%) of individuals with none (-), minor (s/n) or major (S/N) somatic disorders and/ or neurologic abnormality after birth and at 5 months of age is shown in tne table. Regional differences in group I- spectra are mainly due to different prevalence of prematurity and malformations. There was aclose relationship between non-optimal obstetric and neonatal conditions, and both contribute to unfavourable outcome. Funded by BMFT - PKE 24

Human plasma fibronectin has been investigated at physiological pH and ionic strength, by using small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. The results indicate that the molecule is disc shaped with an axial ratio of about 1:10. In fact, an ellipsoid of revolution with semiaxes a = 1.44 nm and b = c = 13.8 nm is in agreement with the experimental scattering data, and can also fully explain the rather extreme hydrodynamic parameters reported for fibronectin. The X-ray data gave a radius of gyration of 8.9 nm and a molecular weight of 510,000, whereas the neutron data gave slightly larger values, 9.5 nm and 530,000, respectively. From the volume of the best fitting ellipsoid we obtain a degree of hydration of 0.61 g H2O/g protein (dry weight). Neutron data, recorded at different D2O concentrations in the solvent, gave a match point of 43% D2O, which indicates that approximately 80% of the hydrogens bound to oxygen and nitrogen are exchangeable.

The quantitative analysis of circular dichroic spectra of native human plasma fibronectin according to the method of Provencher and Glöckner [Provencher, S. W., & Glöckner, J. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 33-37] indicated the presence of beta-sheet (79%), beta-turn (21%), but no alpha-helix or random coil in the secondary structure. The calf alveolar heparan sulfates induced a change in the conformation of fibronectin: the magnitude of the change depended on the molecular properties of the particular heparan sulfate preparations.

Thirty-four hypothyroid women on thyroid hormone substitution were followed through 37 pregnancies, and 16 women having previous surgery for thyroid carcinoma and thereafter placed on suppressive thyroxine treatment were followed through 19 pregnancies. The thyroxine treatment needed readjustment in 13 pregnancies (23%) to maintain euthyroidism. At delivery, the maternal free thyroxine index was 126 nmol/L in the group of patients treated for hypothyroidism and 146 nmol/L in the patients with treated thyroid carcinoma. The amniotic fluid thyroxine level in normal pregnancies was 6.7 nmol/L, in hypothyroid patients 6.7 nmol/L, and in patients with thyroid carcinoma 5.6 nmol/L. The amniotic fluid reverse triiodothyronine level in normal pregnancies was 0.51 nmol/L, in hypothyroid patients 0.66 nmol/L, and in patients with thyroid carcinoma 0.70 nmol/L. All infants were euthyroid.

Eleven pregnant women were treated for hyperthyroidism with carbimazole (CZ) and one with propylthiouracil (PTU). Based upon a previous study it was decided that lactation should be permitted if the dose required after delivery did not exceed 15 mg of CZ or 150 mg of PTU. In the patients studied here the daily dose of CZ varied from 5 to 15 mg and that of PTU was 125 mg. TSH was measured in cord blood and in the blood of the newborn infants usually after 2 and 3 weeks of lactation. Serum T4 was measured serially in the infants' blood from day 4 up to 21 day of age, at least. In all instances the TSH concentration in cord blood remained below 45 mU/l the level used in screening for neonatal hypothyroidism. Serum TSH and T4 were all within the appropriate reference limits during the 3 weeks of study with only one exception. In the infant whose mother was treated with PTU the serum T4 measured 5 d after birth was slightly below the lower limit but later returned to normal. Since serum TSH and T4 did not deviate from the reference range in newborn infants during lactation, we conclude that breast-feeding can be permitted if the daily dose of CZ does not exceed 15 mg (or 150 mg of PTU) and if facilities are available for measuring neonatal serum TSH and T4.

ABSTRACT. A study is presented of 1020 consecutive autopsies on newborn infants who died during the first 28 days of life at the Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, during 1969–1978. The infants were grouped into four categories according to their weight at birth and into early (0–7 days) and late (8–28 days) neonatal groups according to their age at death. 77.5 % of the cases fell into the early neonatal group. The most common causes of death were hyaline membrane disease (HMD) and cerebral haemorrhage (CH), which together accounted for 41.9% of all the deaths. Congenital anomaly was the second most common group of causes, comprising 35.3 % of the cases. A gradual fall in the total number of deaths was conspicuous during the ten‐year period. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of deaths from HMD and CH in the weight categories 1001–1500 g and 1501–2500 g. The fall is considered to reflect improvement in both obstetrics and neonatal medicine.

The effect of chemical modification of arginine and lysine residues of fibronectin on its antigenic and gelatin-binding activity was studied by enzyme immunoassay techniques. Both modifications strongly reduced the gelatin-binding activity. Using conformation-specific antibodies it was shown that modification of lysines caused extensive conformational changes in the molecule. No such changes could be detected in arginine-modified fibronectin. The results suggest that arginine residues are directly involved in the binding of fibronectin to gelatin. Lysine residues seem to be important for maintaining a native conformation necessary for gelatin-binding.