[Nephropathy in patients with primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome]

Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is characterized by abortion, thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and/or valvular disease and it is liable to complicate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We carried out a study to investigate the clinical and renal pathological findings in five patients with APS, but not SLE. In the clinical findings, the patients had negative tests for proteinuria and hematuria, and their renal function and tubular function were within normal limits. In the light microscopic findings, three patients exhibited mild mesangial hypercellularity, and two had minor glomerular abnormalities. In immunofluorescent study, there were IgM and/or C3 depositions in the mesangial area in some cases, and in electron microscopic study, there were no special findings other than mesangial hypercellularity. In conclusion, nephropathy is a rare complication in patients with APS, unlike systemic lupus erythematosus.

Comparison of prediction methodology for binary traits through Monte-Carlo simulation

SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate simple alternatives to threshold models within the framework of a mixed-model procedure. Four models-linear model, threshold model, normit-transformation and pseudo-linear model-were compared by Monte-Carlo computer simulation. The normit-transformation model was based on simple normit transformation within a subclass while taking into account binomial error. The simulation experiments were carried out with combinations of five subclass sizes (5, 15, 25, 35, 45), five heritabilities (0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45) and 100 replications for each experiment. The loss of accuracy in the prediction models based on binary response was greater than that in the linear model based on continuous records. The accuracy of the threshold model was superior to that of the normit-transformation model and the pseudo-linear model in all the experiments. But the difference in accuracy between the threshold model and the pseudo-linear model was small when the heritability was low and the subclass size was small, while the difference in accuracy between the threshold and the normit transformation was small when the subclass size was large. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Vergleich von Michmodell-Voraussagen mittels Monte-Carlo Simulation Die Absicht dieser Untersuchung war die Bewertung einfacher Alternativen für Schwellenwert-Modelle im Rahmen von Mischmodell Methoden. Folgende vier Modelle wurden untersucht: Lineares, Schwellenwert, Normittransformation und pseudo-lineares Modell wurden mittels Monte-Carlo Computersimulation verglichen. Das Normittransformationsmodell beruhte auf einfachen Normittransformation innerhalb einer Unterklasse unter Berücksichtigung des binomialen Fehlers. Die Simulationsexperimente wurden mit fünf Unterklassen-Größen (5, 15, 25, 35, 45), fünf Heritabilitäten (0,05, 0,15, 0,25, 0,35, 0,45) und 100 Wiederholungen für jeden Versuch durchgeführt. Der Genauigkeitsverlust in den Modellen für binäre Ergebnisse war größer als in linearen Modellen mit kontinuierlichen Daten. Die Genauigkeit des Schwellenwert-Modells war der Normittransformation und dem pseudo-linearen Modell in alien Untersuchungen überlegen. Bei geringem h(2) und kleinen Unterklassen war die Genauigkeitsdifferenz zwischen Schwellenwert- und pseudolinearem Modell klein, ebenso wie die zwischen ersterem und Normittransformation bei großen Unterklassen.

[Influence of S-1108 on intestinal bacterial flora]

The effect of S-1108, a new oral cephem antibiotic, on intestinal bacterial flora was studied in tetra-contaminated mice and pediatric patients. S-1108 in a fine granular form was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg once a day for 5 consecutive days to mice infected with Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides fragilis and Bifidobacterium breve. The viable fecal bacterial cell count of each of these 4 species of bacteria was slightly reduced in 5 days after the start of the drug administration. Five boys (weighing 12.0 to 42.0 kg) with bacterial infections were entered into this pediatric study. Their ages ranged from 2 years 4 months to 9 years 3 months. S-1108 (fine granules) was administered at a dose of 2.3 to 6.0 mg/kg, 3 times a day for 5 to 11 days. Cell counts of primary aerobes, anaerobes and total anaerobic cells decreased markedly in three patients, but in the remaining two patients the total number of aerobic and anaerobic cells did not change appreciably. Glucose-nonfermentating Gram-negative rods did not become predominant during the period of S-1108 administration. Candida became predominant in the three patients in whom the other bacteria had markedly decreased. Counts of predominant aerobic and anaerobic bacteria decreased markedly during the regimen in 3 out of 5 cases. S-1006 was detected in stools of the 3 cases at concentrations ranging from 235 to 516 micrograms/g during the administration of S-1108. Intestinal bacteria that produce beta-lactamase were not present in the feces of any of the patients. Based on these results, S-1108 (fine granules) appears to have relatively little effect on intestinal bacterial flora similarly to other new oral cephems. Because of individual differences, however, the drug may be excreted in the feces at high concentrations, and this would result in changes in intestinal bacterial flora. Therefore, attention must be given to fecal drug concentrations.

Extinction of expression of the PU.1/Sfpi-1 putative oncogene encoding a B-cell- and macrophage-specific transcription factor in somatic cell hybrids

Several examples of extinction of cell type-specific gene expression have been observed following fusion of different cell types. Possible mechanisms of the extinction include loss of transcriptional activators and acquisition of repressor factors responsible for cell type-specific gene expression. In this study, we demonstrated the extinction of expression of the PU.1/Sfpi-1 putative oncogene encoding a B-cell- and macrophage-specific transcription factor when plasmacytoma cells are fused with embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. The hybrid cells retained most chromosome complements from both parental lines including chromosome 2 on which the PU.1 gene is located. Therefore, extinction of PU.1 gene expression in the hybrids is not likely the result of chromosome segregation but rather due to a transacting negative factor(s) present in EC cells. On the contrary, expression of the PU.1 mRNA in plasmacytoma cells was not extinguished upon cell fusion with T-lymphoma cells, although the parental T-lymphoma cells did not express PU.1 transcripts. Hence, T-lymphoma cells seemed to be permissive to PU.1 gene expression, while EC cells were repressive. These results suggest that PU.1 gene expression which positively regulates some B cell- and macrophage-specific gene expression is a target of negative regulatory mechanisms during cell differentiation, and the regulatory mechanisms repressing PU.1 gene expression is different between EC cells and T-cells.

Three novel synthetic retinoids, Re 80, Am 580 and Am 80, all exhibit anti-angiogenic activity in vivo

In a previous study, we demonstrated that retinoic acid or a synthetic retinoid, Ch 55 ((E)-4-[3-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-oxo-1-propenyl]benzoic acid), significantly affects in vivo angiogenesis, on the basis of our working hypothesis that a cell differentiation modulator could also exhibit anti-angiogenic activity. In the present study, three novel synthetic retinoids, Re 80 (4-[1-hydroxy-3-oxo-3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl- 2- naphthalenyl)-1-propenyl]benzoic acid), Am 580 (4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- 5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carboxamido]benzoic acid) and Am 80 (4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl] benzoic acid), whose cell differentiation-modulating effects are roughly comparable to or more potent than that of Ch 55, which was the most effective angiostatic retinoid identified previously, were examined. Their anti-angiogenic effects were tested in an in vivo assay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryos. They were all found to exert dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effects in the picomolar range. Their rank order for inhibitory potency was Re 80 > Am 580 > Am 80, the ID50 values being 6.3, 23 and 28 pmol/egg, respectively. These results indicate that treatment involving these three novel synthetic retinoids might have potential therapeutic efficacy in various angiogenesis-dependent disorders, including solid tumors, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic retinopathy.

The effect of enalapril on proteinuria in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and renal insufficiency

We evaluated the effect of enalapril on proteinuria in 20 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and renal insufficiency. Patients were accepted into the study according to the following criteria: 1) a serum creatinine (s-Cr) level over 1.5 mg/dl or a creatinine clearance (Ccr) under 70 ml/min; and 2) urinary protein (UP) over 1.0 g/day, expect for the cases with uncontrollable hypertension. We measured total protein (TP), albumin, s-Cr, Ccr, UP, and Ht during the elanapril therapy. After enalapril therapy, UP slowly decreased, and TP and albumin levels increased. The levels of s-Cr and Ccr did not vary. None of the patients required discontinuation of enalapril therapy caused by side effects, such as anemia or hyperkalemia. In conclusion, enalapril has the effect of decreasing in proteinuria and increasing TP and albumin in patients with CGN and renal insufficiency irrespective of the original diseases.

[Prophylactic use of concentrated antithrombin III preparation in children with nephrotic syndrome]

Decreased plasma level of antithrombin III was assumed to be one of the major factors underlying hypercoagulable state in nephrotic syndrome. Concentrated antithrombin III preparation was given to 8 children with nephrotic syndrome with a plasma antithrombin III activity of less than 70%, to evaluate the effect on hypercoagulable state. Plasma antithrombin III activity was elevated to more than 70% in 7 of 8 children after treatment, while plasma levels of plasmin-alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex and FDP-D dimer were not significantly decreased. One patient developed brain infarction after the treatment, suggesting that prophylactic administration of concentrated antithrombin III preparation is not fully protective against thrombotic complications in nephrotic syndrome.

Radicicol, a microbial cell differentiation modulator, inhibits in vivo angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in various pathological states, including the progressive growth of solid tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and diabetic retinopathy, in addition to its crucial role in embryonic development. Recent studies have revealed that an angiogenesis inhibitor is efficacious for these so-called angiogenic diseases. In the previous studies, we found that retinoids and vitamin D3 analogs, which are known to exhibit cell differentiation-modulating activity, effectively inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, thus forming the basis of our working hypothesis that a modulator of cell differentiation is capable of affecting angiogenesis. In this study, to verify this hypothesis further, radicicol (syn. monorden; 5-chloro-6-(7,8-epoxy-10-hydoxy-2-oxo-3,5-undecadienyl)-beta -resorcylic acid mu-lactone), a microbial cell differentiation modulator from a fungus, a strain of Neocosmospora tenuicristata, was examined for its anti-angiogenic activity in a bioassay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryos. The microbial cell differentiation modulator dose dependently inhibited embryonic angiogenesis, the ID50 value being 200 ng/egg. Radicicol also inhibited both the proliferation of and plasminogen activator production by vascular endothelial cells in the nM concentration range in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting the possible involvement of these inhibitory effects in the anti-angiogenic action of the microbial product. These results indicate that radicicol might be a potential drug for treating different angiogenesis-dependent diseases, such as solid tumors, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic retinopathy.

Stimulation of plasmin activity in cultured human fibroblast cells by Porphyromonas endodontalis

1. Plasmin activity in the conditioned medium of Gin-1 cells, a human gingival fibroblast cell line, was stimulated by Porphyromonas endodontalis, a putative pathogen of oral submucous abscesses, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. 2. P. endodontalis stimulated the activity of plasminogen activator in both the conditioned medium and the cell lysate. The plasminogen activator in Gin-1 cells was approx. 50 kDa by zymography. 3. The conditioned medium of Gin-1 cells exposed to P. endodontalis stimulated the conversion of human serum prekallikrein to kallikrein. 4. These results suggested that P. endodontalis stimulates the plasminogen activator-plasmin system in Gin-1 cells, and that activated plasmin plays a role in the progress of periodontal tissue inflammation.

[Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus)]

Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) was examined in an insectivore, house musk shrew (Suncus murinus), from a viewpoint of comparative anatomy. The VNO was a pair of tubular structure, about 6mm in length, and situated at the base of the nasal septum. The medial wall of the lumen of the VNO was lined with the sensory epithelium (SE) consisting of sensory, supporting and basal cells, while the respiratory epithelium (RE) lining the lateral wall was pseudostratified and covered with microvilli. Jacobson's glands were distributed on the dorsolateral to ventrolateral side of the VNO and opened to the lumen in the transitional region from the RE to the SE. Their secretion was PAS-positive bu talcian blue-negative. Ultrastructurally, sensory cells of the SE were bipolar neurons and covered on their free surface with conspicuously long microvilli. The other ultrastructural features in sensory, supporting and basal cells were similar to those in previously reported species. The ultrastructural features of the RE were also similar to those in previous reports except that the free surface was covered with microvilli instead of cilia. In addition, a few kinds of migrating cells were often observed in both the SE and the RE. Acinar cells of Jacobson's glands possessed a round to elliptical nucleus and many large secretory granules, about 1,000 nm in diameter. Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were well developed in their cytoplasm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of angiogenesis by erbstatin, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase

Here we describe the inhibitory effect of erbstatin, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on in vivo angiogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis was determined in a bioassay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryos. Erbstatin produced a dose-dependent inhibitory action on embryonic angiogenesis. This inhibition occurred at as small a dose as 10 ng/egg and the ID50 value was 80 ng/egg. To analyze this inhibition, in vitro experiments involving vascular endothelial cells were also performed. Erbstatin affected the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, one of angiogenic components. This inhibition was dose-dependent, the IC50 value being 3.6 microM. These data indicate that erbstatin-sensitive tyrosine kinase(s) is involved in angiogenic endothelial cell proliferation, and that experiments involving erbstatin will provide an important due to understand a mechanism of angiogenesis.

Neurological manifestations of hemorrhagic colitis in the outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection in Japan

An outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 occurred in a kindergarten in Saitama, Japan from September to November, 1990. Seven patients admitted to our hospital showed neurological manifestations: generalized seizures, impaired consciousness, urinary incontinence, gaze nystagmus, phrenic nerve palsy, action tremor and vertigo. Two patients died. On the basis of the clinical courses and laboratory findings of the seven patients and postmortem findings of one case, these neurological symptoms were suspected to be induced by the verotoxin elaborated by Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Extinction of T cell receptor alpha-chain gene expression accompanied by loss of the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) in murine somatic cell hybrids

To investigate the presence of a negative regulatory factor(s) suppressing T-cell receptor alpha-chain (TCR alpha) gene expression in non-T cells, 10 independent cell hybrid clones were generated between mouse T-cell lymphoma EL4 cells (TCR alpha+/beta+) and mouse fibroblast B82 cells. These cell hybrids showed a typical fibroblastic morphology and retained an approximate sum of chromosome numbers derived from both parental cells. No transcripts of the TCR alpha gene were detected in the cell hybrids, although the presence of the rearranged TCR alpha allele from EL4 cells was confirmed. The possibility of involvement of nuclear proteins responsible for the activity of the TCR alpha gene enhancer in the extinction of TCR alpha gene expression in the cell hybrids was examined. Nuclear proteins which bind to the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) binding motif present in EL4 cells disappeared in the hybrid clones, whereas no significant change was observed in DNA-binding activity of nuclear proteins to a consensus cyclic AMP response element (CRE) and the Ets-1 binding motif between the parental cells and the cell hybrids. No transcripts of the LEF-1 gene were detected in the cell hybrids, despite the retention of the LEF-1 gene and murine chromosomes 3, on which the LEF-1 allele is located, from both parental cells. These results suggest that a trans-acting negative regulatory factor(s) present in fibroblasts suppresses LEF-1 gene expression and that suppression of LEF-1 may lead to the extinction of TCR alpha gene expression in the cell hybrids.

Effects of estradiol and progesterone on the cytodifferentiation of epithelial cells in the oviduct of the newborn golden hamster

The effects of estradiol and progesterone on the cytodifferentiation of epithelial cells in the oviduct of the newborn golden hamster were investigated by electron microscopy. Consecutive daily injections of estradiol-17 beta (E2) induced various ultrastructural changes in undifferentiated epithelial cells of the neonatal oviduct. Ciliogenesis, formation of some ciliary buds, and ciliation were frequently observed in the oviductal epithelial cells on days 1-4 of consecutive treatments with E2. On days 2 and 3, the remaining cells contained well-developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Thereafter, a few secretory granules were observed in the cytoplasm of these cells, indicative of differentiation into secretory cells. Occasionally, secretory cells undergoing ciliogenesis or mitosis were found in the epithelium. On day 9, many fully mature ciliated and secretory cells were observed. Quantitative studies clearly showed that E2 induced the differentiation of both ciliated and secretory cells. By contrast, consecutive daily injections of progesterone significantly stimulated the appearance of ciliogenic and ciliated cells but not that of secretory cells. These results indicate that the induction of differentiation of secretory cells is a specific effect of estrogen, whereas the differentiation of ciliated cells may be closely related to effect of progesterone as well as of estrogen. It is suggested that hormonal effects on differentiation differ between ciliated and secretory cells in the oviductal epithelium of the newborn golden hamster.

Observations by scanning electron microscopy of oviductal epithelial cells from cows at follicular and luteal phases

The luminal surfaces of epithelial cells in various regions of the bovine oviduct from cows, at the follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle, were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Marked cyclic changes were observed on the surface of the epithelium in the fimbriae and ampulla, but few changes were found in the isthmus and uterotubal junction. The epithelium of the fimbriae and ampulla of oviducts in the follicular phase were densely ciliated, and the cilia concealed the apical processes of the nonciliated cells. In the luteal phase, the nonciliated cells predominated in the epithelium and most of the ciliated cells were hidden by the bulbous processes of the nonciliated cells. The epithelium of the ampullar-isthmic junction showed similar changes, but to a lesser extent. In the isthmus and at the utero-tubal junction, the apical surfaces of the nonciliated cells were flat or gently rounded during the estrous cycle. Quantitative examinations by light microscopy showed that the mean percentage of ciliated cells significantly decreased in the fimbriae and ampulla at the luteal phase, but not in the other regions. The height of ciliated cells decreased dramatically in the fimbriae, ampulla, and ampullar-isthmic junction at the luteal phase. By contrast, the height of nonciliated cells decreased significantly in the ampullar-isthmic junction, isthmus, and utero-tubal junction at the luteal phase, but not in the fimbriae and ampullae. The results demonstrate that there are regional variations and cellular differences in the cyclic changes associated with the oviductal epithelial cells in the cow.

Synthesis and characterization of the selenium analog of glutathione disulfide

We synthesized the selenium analog of glutathione disulfide by a liquid phase method and named it glutaselenone (i.e., gamma-L-glutamyl-L-selenocysteinylglycine) diselenide. The selenol of selenocysteine was protected by the p-methoxybenzyl group, which was removed by acidolysis with trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of thioanisol. The overall yield of the final product, glutaselenone diselenide, was about 9% based on the starting compound, Se-(p-methoxybenzyl)-L-selenocysteine. Glutaselenone diselenide showed a broad absorption band between 270 and 400 nm and circular dichroism bands around 270 nm (positive) and 330 nm (negative), which were attributable to diselenide bond.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for bovine oviductal glycoproteins

Four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced in rat cells against materials obtained from the bovine oviduct. The MAbs (1H10, 2A4, 2C5, and 1B12) reacted strongly with the oviductal epithelium of cows in the follicular phase. An immunohistochemical study demonstrated that each of the MAbs bound strongly to the supranuclear cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the oviduct, but not of the stromal cells. Antigens that reacted with the MAbs were characterized by immunoblotting analysis of proteins after fractionation by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions of oviductal flushings obtained from cows at estrus. All MAbs strongly stained a band of protein with a molecular weight (MW) of 85-97 kD. MAb 1H10 also reacted with the minor band of a 55-kD protein. Similar antigens were not detected in uterine flushings, follicular fluid, and serum. No specific immunohistochemical reactivity with the MAbs was observed with other tissues from the reproductive tract and with nonreproductive tissues. The immunohistochemical reactions were completely eliminated by pretreatment of tissues with trypsin, but not with periodic acid, results that suggest that the antigenic determinants that react with the MAbs were proteinaceous rather than carbohydrate. We have thus established clones that produce 4 MAbs that are specific for oviduct-specific glycoproteins of the cow.

[The influence of cefprozil on intestinal bacterial flora]

Cefprozil (CFPZ, BMY-28100), a new oral cephalosporin antibiotic, was studied for its effect on the intestinal bacterial flora in pediatric patients. The subjects were children admitted for infections (2 males and 2 females, 9 months to 6 years 3 months old, weighed 4.3 to 19.0 kg). CFPZ granule was orally administered at a dose between 10.0 to 11.6 mg/kg, 3 doses daily, over 4 to 14 days. The feces from these children were collected before, during and after administration, and bacteria were identified and counted. CFPZ concentration, beta-lactamase activity were also assayed. Bacterial flora in feces during CFPZ administration showed some variance, but no significant change was observed in main aerobes and anaerobes. And in no case, glucose nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli or fungi were found dominant. beta-Lactamase activity was positive in the feces in all cases. CFPZ concentrations were not detectable in feces before, during and after administration. The above results suggest that CFPZ is a drug with little influence on the intestinal bacterial flora in children.

[Effect of meropenem on fecal flora in children]

Meropenem (MEPM, SM-7338), a novel parenteral carbapenem antibiotic, was examined for its effect on intestinal flora in children. Seven children with infectious diseases (3 male and 4 female children of age's ranging from 4 months to 8 years and 9 months weighing from 7.3 to 23.0 kg) were treated with MEPM at doses ranging 10.3 to 40.5 mg/kg 3 or 4 times a day for 6 to 12 days. Before, during and after the treatment, identities and numbers of various bacteria contained in 1 g of feces were determined and fecal beta-lactamase activity and Clostridium difficile D-1 antigen were also assayed. Changes in fecal flora during MEPM treatment was somewhat different depending on cases. Regarding Enterobacteriaceae among aerobes, all of 7 cases exhibited moderate or pronounced reductions in Escherichia coli. Some of the cases exhibited the tendency to increase in Klebsiella oxytoca. Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii. E. coli which was reduced during the treatment increased rapidly after the treatment in 5 out of 7 cases, and the initial bacterial counts were restored. Diverse strains were observed within the genus Enterococcus, while the overall bacterial counts of this genus exhibited the tendency to increase during the treatment. As a result, no significant change in total aerobe count was observed in any case except 1 case where Enterococcus count was somewhat reduced. Among anaerobes, major bacteria such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium and Peptococcaceae exhibited tendencies to decrease in some cases during the antibiotic treatment. Two infants and 1 child exhibited significant decreases in total anaerobe counts. In most of the cases, such changes in major anaerobes were transient and bacterial counts recovered to their initial values rapidly after completion of the treatment. In no cases, glucose non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli or fungus became predominant. Although C. difficile D-1 antigen was observed in 4 cases, its changes had no relationship with characteristics of feces. C. difficile was not detected in any of the cases. MEPM was detected in feces in 4 cases being treatment, in concentrations ranging from 0.35 to 66.0 micrograms/g. Fecal MEPM levels were very low except in 1 case in which beta-lactamase was negative. From these results, effects of MEPM on intestinal flora in children were relatively minor compared to other new beta-lactam drugs. However, a care should be taken to minimize diarrhea and bacterial turnover when a prolonged use of the antibiotic, was practiced because of potential significant effects on intestinal flora.

Familial juvenile nephronophthisis and renal transplantation in two siblings

Familial juvenile nephronophthisis (FJN) is a hereditary renal disease, characterized by a juvenile onset and the development of medullary cysts and progressive renal damage. The pathogenesis of FJN remains unknown, and at present, no rational therapy other than renal transplantation is available. We describe two cases in siblings in whom there were no extrarenal complications, such as retinopathy or central nervous system involvement. Both patients display juvenile onset of the disease and end-stage renal failure. The brother received a kidney from his father, and the sister received a kidney from her mother. Recurrence of the underlying disease has not so far been found in the transplanted kidney.

Cloning and expression of the Erwinia herbicola tyrosine phenol-lyase gene in Escherichia coli

The tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) gene of Erwinia herbicola was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene determined. The TPL gene comprises 1368 bp, encoding 456 amino acids which have 90% amino acid identity with TPL from Citrobacter freundii. After replacing the 5'-flanking region of the TPL gene with the E. coli lac promoter, TPL protein could be hyperproduced constitutively in E. coli without induction by L-tyrosine.

Inhibition of angiogenesis by staurosporine, a potent protein kinase inhibitor

The effect of staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinases, on embryonic angiogenesis was studied in an in vivo assay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryo. Staurosporine inhibited embryonic angiogenesis in a dose-related manner, the ID50 value being 71 pmol/egg. Staurosporine dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, an important event involved in the angiogenesis process. The IC50 value was 0.88 nM. In contrast, staurosporine did not affect the migration of vascular endothelial cells. These results suggest that staurosporine affected embryonic angiogenesis probably by inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation. In addition, these results might support the notion that certain protein kinase(s) could be implicated in induction of angiogenesis and also that staurosporine would be a useful compound for studying a mode of action of angiogenesis occurring in various diseases, including tumor development.

Examination by scanning electron microscopy of oviductal epithelium of the prolific Chinese Meishan pig at follicular and luteal phases

The luminal surfaces of epithelial cells in the fimbriae, ampulla, isthmus, and utero-tubal junction of the oviducts of the prolific Chinese Meishan pig at follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Marked cyclic changes were observed on the surfaces of cells in the fimbriae and ampulla, but little change was found in the isthmus and at the utero-tubal junction. The cells of the fimbrial epithelium in the follicular phase were densely ciliated, and the cilia partially concealed the bulbous processes of the secretory cells. In the luteal phase, the secretory cells predominated in the epithelium, and most of the ciliated cells were hidden by the processes of the secretory cells. The ampullar epithelium showed similar changes, but to a lesser extent. In the isthmus and at the utero-tubal junction, the secretory cells had many microvilli on their bulbous processes at the follicular phase, but they were flat and the microvilli were fewer in number and shorter in length during the luteal phase. Conspicuous solitary cilia protruded from the surfaces of secretory cells in the fimbriae and ampulla during the luteal phase. These results demonstrate that there are regional variations in the cyclic changes associated with the oviductal epithelial cells of the Chinese Meishan pig.

Differential expression of subspecies of polyomavirus and murine leukemia virus enhancer core binding protein, PEBP2, in various hematopoietic cells

The core sequence of the enhancer of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) long terminal repeat is highly conserved in a large number of MuLV strains and appears to play an essential role when SL3-3 or Moloney strains induce T cell lymphoma in mice. We found by using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay that a polyomavirus enhancer core-binding protein, PEBP2, bound to this core motif of MuLV. We also noted that PEBP2 in several hematopoietic cell lines derived from B lymphocyte, macrophage and myelocyte lineages migrated significantly faster than the authentic PEBP2 detected in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Interestingly, PEBP2 detected in the cell lines of T lymphocyte lineage appeared to contain both types, which were indistinguishable in electrophoretic mobility from those of NIH3T3 and of B lymphocyte, macrophage and myelocyte lineages. The treatment of the nuclear extract containing PEBP2 with phosphatase generated PEBP3, which is a subcomponent of PEBP2 and retained the same DNA-binding specificity as PEBP2. The altered mobility of hematopoietic cell-derived or T lymphocyte-derived PEBP2 was found to be due to the alteration of the mobility of PEBP3. Based on the distinct mobility of PEBP2/3 of T lymphocytes from those of other hematopoietic cells, we discuss the implication of PEBP2 in MuLV-induced T cell leukemia and T cell-specific gene expression.