Diffusivity of oxygen in microvascular beds as determined from PO2 distribution maps

Dynamic changes in the distribution of PO2 in the rat mesentery were measured to determine the O2 diffusion coefficient (DO2) and consumption rate (VO2). The distribution of PO2 was obtained in two-dimensional maps by microscopic fluorometry on the basis of oxygen quenching. The corresponding vasculature was also recorded on a video recorder to analyze the PO2 distribution consistent with the arrangement of the microvessels. Anesthetized rats breathing room air were subjected to 100% O2 ventilation to induce dynamic changes in PO2 distribution. We assumed a homogenous and constant VO2 in the tissue, and a one-dimensional diffusion equation was applied to simulate oxygen transport. The PO2 data corresponded very well to the theoretical curves, and calculated DO2 was 1.04 +/- 0.78 X 10(-5) cm2/s (mean +/- SD, n = 38) and VO2 was 8.2 +/- 3.9 x 10(-6) cm3 O2.cm-3 tissue.s-1 (n = 27) at 37 degrees C. However, PO2 values at points remote from the arterioles remained higher than the theoretical prediction.

Ginsenoside-Ia: a novel minor saponin from the leaves of Panax ginseng

A new saponin, named ginsenoside-I (a), was isolated from leaves of Panax Ginseng, together with nine known saponins, and its structure was elucidated as 3beta,6alpha,12beta,20(S)-tetrahydroxyldammar-24(25)-ene (20- O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of chemical and 2D-NMR methods.

Enhancing effects of agelasphin-11 on natural killer cell activities of normal and tumor-bearing mice

Agelasphin-11 (AGL-11), a novel alpha-galactosylceramide isolated from an extract of a marine sponge, Agelas mauritianus, markedly prolonged the life span of mice intraperitoneally inoculated with B16 cells. Since AGL-11 did not show any direct cytotoxic activity against B16 cells, this compound is considered to be a biological response modifier (BRM). We focused on the enhancing effect of this compound on in vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity because several BRMs have already been determined to enhance the in vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity. When we evaluated the enhancing activity of AGL-11 using normal mice, AGL-11 enhanced in vivo NK cell activity more potently than Poly I:C, which is a positive control. In addition, we examined the effect of this compound on the NK cell activity of tumor-bearing mice, and found that AGL-11 recovers the reduced NK cell activity in a tumor-bearing condition to a higher level than that of normal mice. These results suggest that AGL-11 shows antitumor activity by the activation of antitumor effector cells such as NK cells.

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA for murine galactocerebrosidase and mutation analysis of the twitcher mouse, a model of Krabbe's disease

The cDNA for a murine galactocerebrosidase was isolated from a murine testis cDNA library on the basis of its homology with the cDNA for human galactocerebrosidase and a PCR method was used to clone the 5' end. It has a 2,278-nucleotide sequence including a 2,004-nucleotide open reading frame, which encodes 668 amino acid residues. The identity between the human and murine amino acid sequences was very high, being calculated to be 84%. Sequencing of cDNA from liver of the twitcher mouse revealed a nonsense mutation at codon 339 (TGG-->TGA). The most abundant mRNA of the murine galactocerebrosidase gave a 3.6-kb band, which was not detected in twitcher mice. This suggests that the cDNA (2,278 bp) we characterized represents a minor species generated by an alternate poly(A) signal and that most of the mRNA has a much longer 3'-untranslated region. Genome analysis revealed that this mutation was homozygous in the twitcher and heterozygous in the carrier but was not present in normal mice. The normal mouse cDNA but not the mutant cDNA of the galactocerebrosidase transfected into COS1 cells gave rise to an increase in enzymatic activity. We concluded that this mutation results in the deficiency of galactocerebrosidase in the twitcher mouse.

Prevotella intermedia fimbriae mediate hemagglutination

Our earlier studies demonstrated that clinical strains of Prevotella intermedia, isolated from human periodontal pockets, possess various types of fimbria (surface appendages) as determined ultrastructurally. These bacteria have the ability to agglutinate selected mammalian erythrocytes. Hemagglutinating activity exhibited by these cells may be attributable to these surface structures. Strain 17, which possess fimbriae of 8 nm in diameter and readily agglutinates human, monkey, sheep, rabbit, and mouse erythrocytes was selected to determine whether these fimbriae possessed the hemagglutinating activity. Fimbriae were mechanically sheared, concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, solubilized in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer containing 0.5% deoxycholate and partly purified by ultracentrifugation in a 10-50% linear sucrose gradient. Isolated fimbriae banded at a density of 1.20-1.15 g/ml, appeared fairly uniform ultrastructurally, and possessed hemagglutinating activity. The hemagglutinating activity of P. intermedia whole cells and isolated fimbriae was reduced by treatment with proteases and eliminated by treatment with heat at 80 degrees C for 10 min. The optimal pH for the hemagglutination was 7.0. In the process of hemagglutination, P. intermedia whole cells and isolated fimbriae bound to rabbit erythrocytes as observed by: (a) decrease in the hemagglutinating activity of bacterial whole cells and isolated fimbriae after incubation with rabbit erythrocytes, (b) increase in hemagglutinating activity of the red cells used for absorption, and (c) the presence of P. intermedia whole cells and fimbriae on red cells after absorption as revealed by immunoelectron microscopy. Both the immune immunoglobulin G of the rabbit polyclonal anti-fimbriae antibody and the immune immunoglobulin G and its Fab fragments of the murine monoclonal anti-fimbriae antibody were effective inhibitors of hemagglutination mediated by isolated fimbriae. Immunogold labeling showed that the monoclonal antibody bound specifically to P. intermedia fimbriae. These results collectively suggest that the hemagglutination exhibited by P. intermedia may be attributable to the fimbriae or the fimbrial-associated components.

Allele distribution of a VNTR polymorphism at D4S43 locus in the Japanese population

Allele frequencies for the VNTR locus D4S43 were determined in a Japanese population sample by the polymerase chain reaction. Nine different alleles containing 1-15 repeats of the basic 14 bp unit were observed in 156 unrelated Japanese. The most common allele was one repeat unit (62.82%), and the next common alleles were those with 11 (14.42%) and 7 repeat units (12.50%). We estimated that D4S43 locus has a heterozygosity index of 0.56, a mean exclusion chance of 0.32, a discrimination rate of 0.76, and a polymorphic information content of 0.52. No evidence of significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equillibrium was found in the Japanese population data.

Chinese Han population study of the D1S80 (pMCT118) locus polymorphisms

The Chinese Han population was studied for the D1S80 (pMCT118) locus. Bloodstain samples of 216 unrelated individuals were tested through Chelex extraction and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After amplification, the genotypes were separated by polyacrylamide gel (PAG) electrophoresis and stained with ethidium bromide. A total of 70 genotypes and 25 alleles were distinguished. Alleles 18, 24 and 30 were the most common alleles in Chinese population. The distribution of the observed genotypes conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the D1S80 (pMCT118) system. The chance of exclusion, the discriminating power (DP), and the heterozygosity for this system were 0.71, 0.90, and 0.85, respectively, in Chinese population.

Automated DNA typing of ACTBP2: a comparison of allelic ladder with GS 2500 as internal marker

A comparison was made between the size values of the alleles measured by the internal size marker of Genescan (GS 2500) and the size values measured by an allelic ladder constructed by our laboratory in the application of Genescan software for the typing of the ACTBP2 system. The measurement by GS 2500 showed a greater than 2 bp divergence (SD = 0.893) while the measurement by the allelic ladder showed only 0.1 bp divergence (SD = 0.008). Thus in genotyping of ACTBP2 by Genescan software, the method presented here of using the allelic ladder as the size marker instead of GS 2500 is easier and more reliable.

Enhancing effects of (2S,3S,4R)-1-O-(alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-2-(N-hexacosanoylamino) -1,3,4-octadecanetriol (KRN7000) on antigen-presenting function of antigen-presenting cells and antimetastatic activity of KRN7000-pretreated antigen-presenting cells

(2S,3S,4R)-1-O-(alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-2-(N-hexacosanoylamino)- 1,3, 4-octadecanetriol (KRN7000), with an alpha-galactosylceramide structure, is an immunomodulator showing potent antimetastatic activities. In an in vitro study, KRN7000 potently stimulated proliferation and enhanced natural killer activity in spleen cells from BALB/c euthymic mice, but not BALB/c athymic (nu/nu) mice, suggesting that T cells play an important role in these activities. To study the detailed immunostimulatory mechanisms of KRN7000, syngeneic mixed leukocyte reactions were then performed using dendritic cell-enriched fractions (DCEFs) from spleens of BALB/c euthymic and athymic mice. In these studies, KRN7000 enhanced the antigen-presenting cell activities of the DCEFs. In addition, marked production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma in BALB/c euthymic mice was observed following treatment with KRN7000 in vitro and in vivo. Because of these strong immunostimulating effects of KRN7000, its antimetastatic effects were also evaluated. Adoptively transferred KRN7000-treated DCEF markedly prolonged the survival time of mice bearing B16 pulmonary metastases. These results demonstrate that KRN7000 may be useful for cancer therapy not only as an antitumor agent but also as an activator of antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells, which can be used for adoptive cellular therapy.

Case report of granulomatous peritonitis due to foreign body (talc)

A 40-year-old female came to our clinic to have an examination of a mass in the left lower abdomen. Histology of the removed tumor revealed granuloma caused by talc. This is a very rare case in Japan.

Geographical heterogeneity between Far East and Europe in prevalence of ypm gene encoding the novel superantigen among Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is known to produce a novel superantigen designated Y. pseudotuberculosis-derived mitogen. In the present study, we demonstrated that there was a distinct geographical heterogeneity between the Far East (higher prevalence) and Europe (lower prevalence) in the prevalence of the ypm gene encoding the superantigen among Y. pseudotuberculosis strains.

Immunostimulatory and antitumor activities of monoglycosylceramides having various sugar moieties

Ten kinds of monoglycosylceramides (MonoCers), having the same ceramide portion and different sugar moieties, were synthesized and their immunostimulatory and antitumor activities were examined. The manner of combination between sugar and ceramide has been demonstrated to affect the manifestation of immunostimulatory and resultant antitumor activities of MonoCers, and in the case of D-MonoCers having the D-sugar, alpha-D-MonoCers (sugar combined to ceramide in an alpha-configuration) show stronger activities than beta-D-MonoCers. Furthermore, the form of sugar, not the furanose-form but the pyranose-form, and the 2"- and 4"-hydroxyl groups of the pyranose-form of sugar, seemed to play an important role in the manifestation of the activities of alpha-D-MonoCers.

Molecular defects in Krabbe disease

Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems due to an enzymatic defect of the galactocerebrosidase. In this study, molecular defects in Krabbe disease were investigated in 11 patients (seven Japanese and four non-Japanese) using cultured skin fibroblasts. A Japanese late infantile patient had a missense mutation of Pro at codon 302 to Ala and a non-Japanese patient had a missense mutation of Val at codon 550 to Gly. The reduced enzymatic activities expressed from the cDNAs with these missense mutations and from the previously reported nonsense mutation (E369X, Glu at codon 369 to stop codon) were confirmed. Genomic DNA analyses revealed that the P302A and E369X mutations were heterozygous and the V550G mutation was homozygous in these patients. A 12 base deletion with a 3 base insertion was found in three unrelated Japanese infantile patients, but not in 30 controls. The mutation was homozygous in two patients and heterozygous in one patient. We could not find any confirmed mutation in the coding region in the other six patients. These findings suggest that mutations in infantile and late infantile patients are relatively heterogeneous.

Restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections in Shimane Prefecture, Japan

The epidemiology of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections in a limited area of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, was examined by serotyping and restriction endonuclease analysis of virulence plasmid DNA of Y. pseudotuberculosis strains isolated from humans, wildlife animals and river water. Almost all isolates from three sources belonged to serotype 1b REAP pattern D and serotype 4b REAP patterns B, G and L. The identity of the distribution of serotype and REAP patterns among isolates from humans, wildlife animals and river water shows that Y. pseudotuberculosis is transmitted to humans through environmental substances contaminated by wildlife animals infected with this species.

[A case of giant bronchogenic cyst complicated with postoperative esophageal perforation]

A 42-year-old man with giant bronchogenic cyst occupied from the middle and posterior mediastinum was treated surgically. The tumor was stoutly adhered to anterior aspect of the esophagus and membranous portion of the right bronchus. In dissecting the tumor, muscular coat of the esophagus was partly severed, which was repaired interruptedly with absorbable suture material. However, esophageal perforation was detected by barium swallow on the 3rd postoperative day. Conservative therapy included intrathoracic drainage and antibiotics was successfully undertaken. It is imperative to dissect the tumor very carefully if the giant bronchogenic cyst adheres to the esophagus or other surrounding organs.

Structure-activity relationship of alpha-galactosylceramides against B16-bearing mice

Agelasphin-9b, (2S,3S,4R)-1-O-(alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-16-methyl-2- [N-((R)-2- hydroxytetracosanoyl)-amino]- 1,3,4-heptadecanetriol, is a potent antitumor agent isolated from the marine sponge Agelas mauritianus. Various analogues of agelasphin-9b (a lead compound) were synthesized, and the relationship between their structures and biological activities was examined using several assay systems. From the results, KRN7000, (2S,3S,4R)-1-O-(alpha-D- galactopyranosyl)-2-(N-hexacosanoylamino)-1,3,4-octadecanetriol , was selected as a candidate for clinical application.

Functional liver imaging with asialoglycoprotein receptors and serum hyaluronate in a patient with amyloidosis

A 47-year-old man with primary amyloidosis was admitted with abdominal pain. A new radionuclide liver imaging technique using Technetium-99m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin, was performed and the serum hyaluronate concentration was measured. Although ordinary laboratory tests revealed only slight abnormalities, the uptake of the radiolabelled ligand for hepatocyte asialo-glycoprotein receptors was decreased, and marked hepatomegaly was revealed. Furthermore, the serum hyaluronate level was elevated. Histological examination of a hepatic needle biopsy specimen revealed a marked deposition of amyloid in the hepatic perisinusoidal spaces. These results indicate that this new radionuclide liver imaging technique (using Technetium-99m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin) and the measurement of serum hyaluronate may be useful supplementary tools for identifying amyloid deposition in the hepatic perisinusoidal spaces in patients with amyloidosis.

Immunocytochemical localization of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER & PgR) in breast cancer

The localization of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) in human breast cancer was examined light and electron microscopically by using specific monoclonal antibodies. Among the breast cancer patients, ER-positive (ER[+]) cases were shown by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to account for 58.9% (63/107), and 63.5% of these cases were women in the postmenopausal state. The PgR-positive (PgR[+]) rate was 50.5% (54/107), with 44.4% of these positive cases being postmenopausal women. The rates of ER(+) and PgR(+), ER negative (ER[-]) and PgR negative (PgR[-]), and ER(+) and PgR(-) cases were 43.9% (47/107), 34.6% (37/107) and 15.0% (16/107), respectively. Although ER(-) and PgR(+) cases were in few number, they were found (6.5%, 7/107). These results correlated well with those obtained by the immunocytochemical method. In either case, i.e anti-ER or anti-PgR reaction, positive nuclei and negative nuclei were found intermingled with each other in a given visual field. In electron microscopy, both anti-ER and anti-PgR antibodies bound to sites in the euchromatin area of the nucleus.

A simple construction of dual-slit red cell velocimeter

A simple method of building a dual-slit red cell velocimeter is introduced. The basis of this technique is to utilize the body of a 35-mm photomicrography camera as the photometric device, exactly centering a pair of highly sensitive photodiodes on the film plane of the camera. By this arrangement, the microvascular image can be accurately focused on the sensing windows of the photodiodes. Because this velocimeter is not based on videophotometry, it was possible to measure red cell velocity up to 30 mm/s in the benchmark test. The maximum red cell velocity actually measured in the rat mesenteric microvessels (6.0 to 48 microns in diam) was 9 mm/s.

Isolation of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis from river waters in Japan and Germany using direct KOH and HeLa cell treatments

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was recovered from precipitates directly treated with KOH and/or HeLa cell in 25.7% of 680 river water samples collected in Japan. Recovery was nil in similar samples from Germany. Treatment of precipitates by KOH and infection of HeLa cells, respectively, is an expedient and selective means for isolation of Y. pseudotuberculosis from such samples.

Transcriptional activities of a winged bean Kunitz chymotrypsin inhibitor gene promoter in stable and transient expression systems

Sequential deletions of the promoter region of the WCI-3b gene, which encodes the major chymotrypsin inhibitor of winged bean, were constructed and their expression was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants and in bombarded winged bean seeds. In transgenic tobacco plants, a critical promoter region which is important for high levels of expression in seeds was identified, but deletion of this region had essentially no effect when bombarded into winged bean seeds.