Survival of Vi-capsulated and Vi-deleted Salmonella typhi strains in cultured macrophage expressing different levels of CD14 antigen

We examined the intracellular survival of Vi-capsulated (lipopolysaccharide; (LPS)-masked) and Vi-deleted (LPS-exposed) Salmonella typhi strains inside macrophage cell lines. Growth of LPS-exposed S. typhi was inhibited in both mouse and human macrophage cell lines. However, the LPS-exposed strain survived in a CD14-deficient mouse macrophage cell lines. Wild-type S. typhi strain, which expressed the Vi antigen and masked LPS, survived in the resting human macrophage cell line. When the Vi-capsulated S. typhi entered the cells, the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was suppressed. In contrast, S. typhimurium and LPS-exposed S. typhi stimulated the macrophages to produce a high level of TNF-alpha.

The contribution of endogenous mono-ADP-ribosylation to kindling-induced epileptogenesis

We examined the alteration of endogenous mono ADP-ribosylation in the hippocampus of amygdaloid kindled rats to clarify the neurochemical basis of epilepsy. A significant increase of the ADP-ribosylation on the 38 kDa protein was observed in the hippocampal membrane of the kindled rat. Several antiepileptics (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, sodium valproate) significantly decreased the ADP-ribosylation on the 38 kDa protein and effaced the increase in the kindled group. The ADP-ribosylation was largely increased by sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide generating compound, in both the kindled and control groups. Carbamazepine could not affect the ADP-ribosylation in the presence of sodium nitroprusside. Twenty amino acids from the N-terminus of the ADP-ribosylated 38 kDa protein were determined by sequential analysis. The sequence was completely identical to that of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. These results indicate that the endogenous mono-ADP-ribosylation which increased in the kindled group and decreased by the antiepileptics might be a specific reaction associated with the mechanisms of epileptogenesis.

Genetic identification of members of the genus Corynebacterium at genus and species levels with 16S rDNA-targeted probes

16S rRNA gene-targeted probes were designed for the identification of corynebacteria at the genus and species levels. The genus-specific probe hybridized all clinically important members of the genus Corynebacterium and could distinguish them from other coryneform bacteria and phylogenetically related high G+C% gram-positive bacteria, including Actinomyces, Rhodococcus, Gordona, Nocardia, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium and Mycobacterium. The species-specific probes for C. jeikeium and C. diphtheriae could differentiated these two species from other members of this genus. The probes were used to select corynebacteria among gram-positive clinical isolates which had been tentatively identified as corynebacteria by biochemical tests. We screened 59 strains with the genus-specific probe; 51 strains hybridized to the genus-specific probe, 8 did not. Of the 51 strains that hybridized to the genus-specific probe, 1 hybridized to the C. diphtheriae species probe and 13 hybridized to the C. jeikeium species probe. The 8 strains that did not hybridize to the genus probe were further characterized by analyzing cell wall diaminopimelic acid and partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The results indicated that these strains were distributed in the genera Arthrobacter and Brevibacterium.

Age-related changes in vertebral height ratios and vertebral fracture

Because no gold standard for the definition of vertebral fracture exists, there has been controversy about whether mild vertebral deformities are truly fractures or simply normal variation in vertebral size and shape. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of mild variations of vertebral height ratios to definite vertebral fractures. In 479 Japanese women (aged 53.9 +/- 9.1 years) who visited our institute for a medical checkup, we performed lateral lumbar radiographs and morphometric parameters were derived by measuring the anterior (Ha), middle (Hm) and posterior (Hp) height of each vertebral body from T12 to L4. Vertebral height ratios, Ha/Hp, Hm/Hp or Hp/Hp' of adjacent vertebrae that were more than 3 SD different from vertebra-specific means of normative data were considered to indicate fractures. Forty-five women were diagnosed with at least one fracture. After excluding the subjects with vertebral fracture, we examined the associations of the variations in vertebral height ratios with age, anthropometric parameters and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Vertebral height ratios, especially Hm/Hp in postmenopausal women, tended to decrease with age and were positively associated with BMD. No significant correlation was observed between anthropometric parameters and vertebral height ratios. Aged-related decrease in vertebral height ratios (Ha/Hp and Hm/Hp, each averaged from T12 to L4) was significant even after the correction for BMD. Mean values of height ratios of non-fractured vertebrae adjusted for age and BMD were significantly lower in postmenopausal women with vertebral fracture than in those without vertebral fracture. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMD and height ratios of non-fractured vertebrae were independent predictors of vertebral fracture risk. The results suggest that older women, and women with at least one obvious (3 SD) fracture, tend to have mild deformities which do not qualify using the 3 SD definition. These mild deformities may represent real consequences of osteoporosis, because they are more pronounced among women with obvious fracture.

Overview of clinical studies of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia for more than ten years by the Japanese Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group

Since 1981, the Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG) has developed a series of protocols for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in childhood. In the first randomized controlled study of the 811 protocol (1981-1983) a comparison of conventional daily 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate with a pulsed regimen of the two drugs was performed. The superiority of the pulsed regimen was shown. In the next 841 protocol (1984-1987) a comparison of two drugs and three drugs during induction therapy was conducted. The three-drug regimen resulted in a significantly higher event-free survival (EFS) rate. In the 874 protocol (1987-1990) two regimens with or without cranial irradiation were randomly compared, and there was no significant difference between the two regimens for the standard-risk group. To further improve the EFS rate a risk group-directed protocol 911 was conducted starting in January 1991. Life-table analysis of serial CCLSG protocols revealed that the outcome of overall ALL has gradually improved with an increase of the EFS rate; 41.4% +/- 3.6% at 14 years for the 811 protocol, 51.3% +/- 3.5% at 11 years for the 841 protocol, 56.7% +/- 3.1% at 8 years for the 874 protocol, and 78.2% +/- 3.1% at 4 years for the more recent 911 protocol.

Linkage-disequilibrium mapping narrows the Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) candidate region to <100 kb

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), the second most common form of muscular dystrophy in Japan, is an autosomal recessive severe muscular dystrophy associated with brain anomalies. After our initial mapping of the FCMD locus to chromosome 9q31-33, we have further defined the locus within a approximately 5-cM region between D9S127 and D9S2111 and have found linkage disequilibrium between FCMD and D9S306 in this candidate region on 9q31. The high prevalence of FCMD among the Japanese, who are a relatively isolated population, provides an opportunity to utilize linkage-disequilibrium mapping. We developed three new microsatellites, near D9S306, from the FCMD YAC contig, determined their positions on YACs, and performed linkage-disequilibrium mapping with these markers and other newly published loci. The maximum value of p(excess), which represents the strength of linkage disequilibrium, was obtained at D9S2107; and this value showed a relatively steady rise and fall across the region that is likely to contain FCMD. Distances between FCMD and each marker were presumed to be approximately 1 Mb, approximately 350 kb, approximately 140 kb, approximately 20 kb, approximately 280 kb, approximately 450 kb, and approximately 740 kb for D9S306, A107XF9, D9S2105, D9S2107, D9S172, D9S299, and D9S2109, respectively. Haplotype analysis using the three closest markers D9S2105, D9S2107, and D9S172 indicated that most FCMD-bearing chromosomes are derived from a single ancestral founder and suggested that these markers can be used for the diagnosis of sporadic FCMD. Thus, the FCMD gene is most likely to lie within a region of <100 kb containing D9S2107.

Long-term alcohol intake enhances ADP-ribosylation of the multifunctional enzyme, phosphoglucomutase, in rat liver

Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation is a posttranslational protein modification that, in turn, alters several regulatory proteins in mammalian cells. We demonstrated that long-term alcohol intake enhanced the ADP-ribosylation of a 58-kd protein in rat liver plasma membranes. To assess the biological significance of this phenomenon, we partially purified the 58-kd acceptor protein from solubilized rat liver homogenates by two sequential preparative high-pressure liquid chromatographies. Microsequencing revealed that it was phosphoglucomutase (PGM) (EC 5,4,2,2). This enzyme underwent negligible auto ADP-ribosylation, but the ADP-ribosylation was remarkably increased by adding rat liver plasma membranes. The extent of the increase was greater in alcohol-fed rats than in pair-fed controls, suggesting enhanced enzyme activities toward ADP-ribosylation of PGM after chronic alcohol consumption. Several important enzymes are ADP-ribosylated, after which their activities are modified. The results of this study showed that PGM is a novel substrate for ADP-ribosylation in the liver and that the ADP-ribosylation is increased after chronic alcohol consumption. In view of the variety of roles of PGM in the liver (carbohydrate metabolism and Ca2+ homeostasis), specific roles of this modification in terms of the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes may deserve further investigation.

Development of porcine blastocysts from in vitro- matured and activated haploid and diploid oocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental capacity of electro-activated porcine oocytes. Follicular oocytes collected from gilts at local slaughterhouses were matured for 48 h and were then subjected to a single square pulse of direct current for 100 rhojusec at 1,500 V/cm for activation. To obtain activated diploid oocytes, some were treated with 5.0 micro/ml cytochalasin B for 4 h immediately after electro-activation. The frequency of activation ranged from 96 to 100%. While 91% of activated oocytes that had not been treated with cytochalasin B had 2 polar bodies and a nucleus (haploids), 92% of the oocytes treated with cytochalasin B had only the first polar body and 2 nuclei (diploids). Haploids and diploids were further cultured in TCM-199 medium that contained 10% (v/v) heat- treated fetal calf serum (FCS) and 0.1 mg/ml sodium pyruvate (mTCM) or in Whittenk medium plus 0.4% (w/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA). The frequency of abnormal oocytes was significantly higher in mTCM (83%) than in Whitten's medium (65%) 96 h after the electro-activation (P < 0.01), suggesting that Whitten's medium supported the development of activated oocytes beyond the morula stage. In all cases, several oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage 144 h after electro- activation (1 to 12%). The frequency was significantly higher in the case of diploids cultured in Whitten's medium (12%) (P < 0.01) than in the case of haploids cultured in Whitten's medium (4%), or in the case of haploids cultured in mTCM (1%). The mean number of nuclei per blastocyst was significantly lower in mTCM (haploids, 15; diploids, 16.1) than in Whitten's medium (haploids, 35.7; diploids, 40.1; P < 0.01), suggesting that the number of nuclei in blastocysts was affected by the culture medium.

Sex and age patterns of quantitative ultrasound densitometry of the calcaneus in normal Japanese subjects

: The speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and the stiffness index (stiffness), which was derived from SOS and BUA, were measured on the calcaneus using the Achilles ultrasound densitometer (Lunar) in normal Japanese woman (n = 473) and men (n = 218). Sex differences and age-related changes in these variables were investigated. In addition, the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (QDR-2000, Hologic) was compared with SOS, BUA, and stiffness. There were some decreases of ultrasound variables in both young adult men and women. BMD values were similar in young adults of both sexes. BMD was relatively stable in women from 20 to 49 years, then decreased at about 1.5%/year. Ultrasound variables were higher in males than females at all ages, and they decreased from age 20 onward in both sexes with an annual loss of about 0.6%. Age-related changes in SOS, BUA, and stiffness were different from those in BMD in normal Japanese subjects. The correlations between BMD and SOS and BUA and stiffness were higher in women (r = 0.51-0.64) than in men (r = 0. 43-0.49).

Distribution and morphology of valves in the human external jugular vein: indications for utilization in microvascular anastomosis

PURPOSE

This study examined the valves in the external jugular vein (EJV) that could affect microvascular anastomosis and increase the risk of thrombogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The EJVs of 57 sides from 36 cadavers aged 40 to 95 years (20 males and 16 females) were dissected. After opening the veins, the distribution and morphology of the valves were investigated using a stereoscopic microscope. The length of the valves and inner diameter of the vessels were measured and related to the location of the valves.

RESULTS

Forty-nine (86%) of 57 EJVs were confluent with the subclavian vein. The EJV possessed bicuspid valves, and in 46 (93.9%) of the 49 specimens there were valves at the junction with the subclavian vein, whereas 44 (89.8%) contained valves in the middle portion of the specimen. The length of the valves was less than twice the inner diameter, and some were occasionally only rudimentary.

CONCLUSION

Numerous valves exist in the middle portion of the EJV where microvascular anastomoses are performed. When valves are observed in the site of anastomosis, they can be avoided by resecting a length equal to approximately twice the inner diameter.

[Development of simple on-line [oxygen-15]water infuser]

A [15O]water production and infusion system was newly developed for blood flow study with positron emission tomography. The system utilizes a electrostatic cooling unit to liquify [15O]vapor in a coiled plastic tube. Labeled [15O]water is collected into an infusion syringe by a wash of the trapping tube with saline. The system is simple and efficient; the recovery rate of [15O]water is over 90% at 10 degrees C of cooling temperature.

Increased expression of cyclin D1 and the Rb tumor suppressor gene in c-K-ras transformed rat enterocytes

Activating mutations in the c-K-ras gene occur in about 40% of human colorectal carcinomas, yet the role of this oncogene in tumorigenesis is not known. We have developed a model cell culture system to study this problem, utilizing the immortalized but non-tumorigenic epithelial cell line IEC18, originally derived from normal rat intestine epithelium. These cells were cotransfected with the drug resistance selectable marker tk-neo and the plasmid pMIKcys, which encodes a mini human c-K-ras gene (15 kb) containing a cysteine mutation at codon 12. Drug resistant clones were isolated. Clones which also expressed the activated c-K-ras gene displayed a transformed morphology, decreased doubling time, increased level of diacylglycerol, anchorage independent growth in soft agar and an aneuploid karyotype and they were also tumorigenic when injected into nude mice. These clones also displayed increased expression, at both the mRNA and protein levels, of cyclin D1 and Rb. These findings may be of clinical relevance since human colorectal tumors also frequently display increased expression of both cyclin D1 and Rb. This model system may be useful for understanding the role and interrelationship between activation of the c-K-ras oncogene and increased expression of cyclin D1 and Rb in colorectal tumorigenesis.

Correlation of KAI1/CD82 gene expression with good prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

As part of our evaluation of members of the transmembrane 4 super-family as possible prognostic predictors, we performed a retrospective study on the expression of the recently identified KAI1 gene by tumors of the lung. This gene, which is identical to CD82, suppresses tumor metastasis of prostate cancer, and its decreased expression may be involved in malignant progression. We used reverse transcription-PCR to analyze tumor tissues from 151 lung cancer patients; 74 tumors were stage I, 17 were stage II, and 60 were stage III. Our results indicate that while 35 patients had tumors in which the KAI1/CD82 gene was conserved (positive), 116 patients had tumors with reduced gene expression (negative). The overall survival rate of patients with KAI1/CD82-positive tumors was significantly higher than that of patients with KAI1/CD82-negative tumors (77.4% versus 38.5%; P=0.002). Furthermore, the overall survival rate of patients with KAI1/CD82-positive adenocarcinoma was also much higher than that of individuals whose adenocarcinoma had reduced KAI1/CD82 expression (73.4% versus 27.1%;P=0.009). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model indicated that KAII/CD82 positivity correlated best with the overall survival rate, except for lymph node status. Our data suggest that high KAII/CD82 gene expression by tumors of the lung may be associated with a good prognosis. These findings complement our earlier studies on MRP-1/CD9, another member of the transmembrane 4 superfamily, whose reduced expression in non-small cell lung cancer appears to be a factor of poor prognosis. This set of observations suggests that assessment of the expression status of KAI1/CD82 and MRP-1/CD9 by tumors may provide prognostic information on the clinical behavior of lung cancer.

Motility-related protein-1 (MRP-1/CD9) reduction as a factor of poor prognosis in breast cancer

The application of reliable markers is of major importance for predicting the prognosis of and instituting the appropriate postsurgical treatment of patients with breast cancer. Previously we showed that motility-related protein-1 (MRP-1), which is identical to CD9, regulates cell motility, and that cultured tumor cells transfected with MRP-1/CD9 cDNA have low motility and low metastatic potential. In addition, MRP-1/CD9 immunoblotting and immunohistochemical study with breast cancer revealed that MRP-1/CD9 expression diminished as the clinical stage of a given breast cancer advanced and that the MRP-1/CD9 gene and protein expression in the metastatic lymph nodes was strikingly lower than in the primary breast cancers. In this study, we also investigated the expression of MRP-1/CD9 by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis in 143 freshly resected invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast: 52 tumors were stage I, 61 were stage II, and 30 were stage III. Tumors were classified as MRP-1/CD9 positive when a band intensity of >30% compared with positive control cells, ZR-75-30 were evaluated with the antibody M31-15, and those with intensities <30% as negative. Moreover, these results were ascertained by immunostaining. Tumor specimens classified as MRP-1/CD9 positive using Western blotting had >50% of the cancer cells immunostained with M31-15, and those classified as MRP-1/CD9 reduced had <50% of the cancer cells immunostained with M31-15. There were 97 patients with MRP-1/CD9 positive tumors and 46 patients whose tumors had reduced MRP-1/CD9 levels. The disease-free rate of the former group of patients was strikingly higher than that of the latter (84.7% versus 51.4%, P<0.001). Similarly, the overall survival rate was also significantly different between the two groups (93.6% versus 69.6%, P=0.004). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model indicated that MRP-1/CD9 positively correlated better with disease-free survival (P<0.001) than estrogen receptor, tumor, and lymph node status. Our data suggest that low MRP-1/CD9 expression by tumors of the breast may be associated with poor prognosis. It is conceivable that testing for MRP-1/CD9 may identify node-negative breast cancer patients who are at high risk for early disease recurrence.

Unfarnesylated transforming Ras mutant inhibits the Ras-signaling pathway by forming a stable Ras.Raf complex in the cytosol

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors cause the growth arrest of ras-transformed cells, but not that of normal cells. To elucidate the mechanism of this differential effect, we examined the effect of accumulation of unfarnesylated Ras in the cytosol by using RasG12V,C186S and RasC186S, which mimic unfarnesylated form of the oncogenic and the normal Ras, respectively. We found that RasG12,C186S inhibited activation and membrane translocation of Raf by forming a stable complex with Raf in the cytosol. In contrast, RasC186S showed inhibitory effect on neither Raf activation nor Raf translocation. These results indicate that unfarnesylated oncogenic Ras interacts with Raf in the cytosol and inhibits its membrane translocation, a crucial step for the Raf activation, while unfarnesylated normal Ras does not.

Morphological study of the human maxillofacial venous vasculature: examination of venous valves using the corrosion resin cast technique

BACKGROUND

The venous drainage in the human head and neck, structures located superior to the heart, generally does not counter the force of gravity. Accordingly, venous valves in the human head have been reported to be few or nonexistent, and therefore the direction of venous drainage is variable and obscure.

METHODS

We investigated whether venous valves were present in 13 heads of human adult cadavers using scanning electron microscopic observation of corrosive resin casts in the human maxillofacial region. This technique afforded the observation of the venous valves.

RESULTS

Venous valves were found throughout the facial region. In particular, there were many valves distributed in the lingual, upper and lower labial, facial and pharyngeal veins. The venous valves were particularly well formed at motile parts of the maxillofacial region.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that these valves may aid the venous blood return and permit the blood drainage in one direction.

Fructose stimulates shedding of cytoplasmic droplets from epididymal boar spermatozoa

The aim of the present study was to establish the presence of an inducer(s) for the shedding of cytoplasmic droplets from boar spermatozoa after ejaculation. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were incubated with seminal plasma, seminal vesicular fluid (SVF) or chemical agents at 39 degrees C for 30 min. After fixation and staining, percentages of spermatozoa without a droplet were determined. In the samples incubated with seminal plasma, SVF and a filtrate of SVF obtained after passage through an ultrafilter (molecular weight cut-off, 10,000), 43%, 60-69% and 43% of the spermatozoa were without a droplet respectively. The percentage of spermatozoa without a droplet after incubation with D-fructose (1.0 mM), which was one of the energy substrates included in SVF, was 76%. Furthermore, percentages increased to 93% and 90% with the addition of caffeine (2.0 mM) and N6, 2'-O-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (1.0 mM), respectively, but decreased to 48% with the addition of imidazole (2.0 mM). Based on these results, it is suggested that the shedding of cytoplasmic droplets from boar spermatozoa is induced by fructose originating from SVF. It also appears that this event is mediated by increasing the concentration of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.