Effects of subchronic treatments with SM-9018, a novel 5-HT2 and D2 antagonist, on dopamine and 5-HT receptors in rats

1. Receptor binding and behavioral studies were performed to compare the effects of subchronic treatments with SM-9018, a novel 5-HT2 and D2 antagonist, and with haloperidol (HAL) on dopamine and 5-HT receptors in rats. 2. SM-9018 treatment (10 mg/kg/day p.o.) for 2 weeks did not significantly change the density (Bmax) of striatal D2 receptors or the incidence of stereotyped behavior induced by apomorphine (APO). By contrast, HAL treatment (3 mg/kg/day p.o., for 2 weeks) significantly increased the D2 receptor density by about 55% and markedly enhanced the behavioral response to APO. 3. The density of 5-HT2 receptors in the cerebral cortex was significantly reduced (about 20%) by SM-9018 treatment without being affected by HAL. However, the hyperthermic response of rats to p-chloroamphetamine (p-CAMP, a putative 5-HT releaser) was unaltered by either treatment. 4. Neither SM-9018 nor HAL treatment changed the density of 5-HT1A receptors in the hippocampus. 5. These findings suggest that SM-9018 is weaker than HAL in inducing up-regulation and supersensitivity of the striatal D2 receptors after the subchronic treatment.

Temporally distinctive changes of alternative splicing patterns during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells

It is well known that skeletal muscle differentiation is accompanied by the appearance of many muscle-specific components and that some of these components are generated through muscle-specific alternative splicing. It is not clear, however, in what manner, including timing, the system that regulates the muscle-specific splicing reactions is constructed during the process of myogenic differentiation. We simultaneously examined the changes in several splicing patterns for the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), beta-tropomyosin, and M-type pyruvate kinase genes during myogenic differentiation of cultured myoblasts using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. The NCAM glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor form increased in preference to the transmembrane form immediately after the induction of differentiation, while the selection of NCAM MSD1 (muscle-specific domain 1) exons started and abruptly increased at about the time when cell-fusion appeared. M2-type pyruvate kinase was gradually substituted for the M1-type molecule. Skeletal muscle-type beta-tropomyosin was predominantly selected even in myoblasts in the growth medium. As a result, each transcript of these genes independently showed a temporally distinctive pattern of change in isoform selecting during the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. These observations suggest that some independent regulation of alternative splicing reactions should occur during myogenic differentiation.

Effects of selective phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitor, rolipram, on signal transducing phospholipases in neutrophil: inhibition of phospholipases A2, D but not C

The effects of a selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) type IV inhibitor, rolipram, on activation of neutrophil phospholipases in response to the chemotactic peptide formyl-methiony-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) were investigated. fMLP caused liberation of arachidonic acid, a precursor of eicosanoids and in the presence of 0.3% butanol, production of phosphatidylbutanol, an indicator of phospholipase D activation. Rolipram inhibited arachidonic acid release and phosphatidylbutanol formation. The inhibition was considered to be mediated through a cAMP-dependent mechanism, probably protein kinase A, because selective inhibitors for protein kinase A, H-8 or H-89 overcame the action of rolipram. The concentration-dependent inhibitory profile for phospholipase D activation was similar to that for lysosomal enzyme release, providing additional evidence for the functional link of these two events. In contrast, rolipram was without effect on fMLP-induced inositol trisphosphate production. These results indicate that this selective PDE IV inhibitor had no effect on phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activation but effectively prevented activation of phospholipases A2 and D coupled to arachidonic acid liberation and lysosomal enzyme release, respectively.

[Adenosine deaminase isoenzymes in patients with Graves' disease]

CD26, the T cell activation antigen, is identical to the ADA binding protein and is considered to interact with ADA to activate the T cells on the surface. Therefore, we examined the activity of serum ADA isoenzymes in patients with Graves' disease in whom CD26 presented T cells were increased. The activities of total ADA and ADA2 were significantly higher in Graves' disease than normals. We also observed that the levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and neopterin, markers of T cell activation, were significantly higher in Graves' disease. The correlation coefficients among ADA2, neopterin, and sIL-2R were significantly high (p < 0.001). Among these parameters, only sIL-2R was correlated with the thyroid hormones. ADA2 activity was considered to reflect the activated state of T cells and to be, independent of the thyroid hormone levels.

[Clinical features of acute pulmonary embolism in the elderly]

The clinical features of acute pulmonary embolism were evaluated and compared between Group A with 38 cases > 65 years old and Group B with 73 cases < 65 years old. The mortality rate was 58% (22/38) in Group A and 23% (17/73) in Group B (p < 0.01). However the size of the obstructive pulmonary vascular bed showed no significant difference in both groups. In group A dyspnea was the most common symptom in 27 of 31 (87%), in comparison with group B [45 of 66 (68%), p < 0.05]. In group B, dyspnea and other symptoms appeared abruptly in 44 of 57 (77%), compared with 19 of 36 (53%) in group A (p < 0.02). ECG abnormalities including tachycardia, right bundle branch block and clockwise rotation as well as hypoxemia were present more predominantly in group A. The presentation of pulmonary embolism is variable in the elderly, as in any age group. Many autopsy studies showed a significant rise in incidence of pulmonary embolism in higher age groups. We must keep in mind the characteristics of clinical features in pulmonary embolism in the elderly.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for acoustic schwannoma: early effects and preservation of hearing

The effects of relatively low dose gamma knife irradiation on acoustic schwannoma were evaluated. The signal intensity change and tumor shrinkage on magnetic resonance (MR) images, change in hearing, and complications in 28 patients (mean age 47.0 +/- 13.6 yrs) were studied. Three patients had bilateral tumors. Six were already deaf when treated. The maximum tumor diameter was 35 mm. The mean dose delivered to the tumor was 12.1 +/- 1.6 Gy at the periphery, and 25.2 +/- 4.3 Gy at the center. The mean follow-up time was 16 months and the longest 24 months. Lowering of the MR signal intensity in the tumor center appeared after 3 months at earliest but generally after 6 months. Signs of tumor shrinkage appeared within 12 months on average. Cyst in the tumor enlarged rapidly after treatment in two patients. The percentage of hearing preservation was 85% (17/20) at 3 months, 80% (16/20) at 6 months, 72% (13/18) at 9 months, 75% (12/16) at 12 months, 67% (8/12) at 15 months, 60% (6/10) at 18 months, and 50% (2/4) at 24 months. Subtle changes in hearing were detected by speech tone audiometry. Temporary facial numbness and weakness was seen in one patient each. No patient had lower cranial nerve paresis. Relatively low dose gamma knife radiosurgery is effective in suppressing growth of acoustic schwannoma with preservation of hearing.

Hemostatic abnormalities in patients with pulmonary embolism compared with that in deep vein thrombosis

We investigated hemostatic abnormalities in 37 patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (PE patients) and in 40 patients with DVT without PE (DVT patients). Plasma fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex, fibrin-D-dimer, activated protein C (APC)-protein C inhibitor (PCI) complex, von Willebrand factor (vWf), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), PA inhibitor-I (PAI-1), and thrombomodulin levels in both PE and DVT patients were significantly increased compared with normal volunteers. Plasma APC-PCI complex, PAI-1, and vWf levels in PE patients were significantly higher than those in DVT patients without PE. These findings indicate that PE patients are more hypercoagulable and hypofibrinolytic than DVT patients. Plasma TAT, APC-PCI complex, PAI-1, and vWf levels were the most sensitive indicators for PE. In these patients, increases in TAT and APC-PCI complex suggest DVT and increased PAI-1 and vWf suggest the risk of onset of PE.

Interaction between activin A and cAMP in the induction of FSH receptor in cultured rat granulosa cells

The acquisition of FSH receptor during preantral folliculogenesis is believed to be a key step in the subsequent development of follicles. We examined the interaction between activin and cAMP in FSH receptor induction in rat granulosa cells by measuring 125I-FSH binding and FSH receptor mRNA. In the 125I-FSH binding study, 0.2 mM 8-Br-cAMP and 1 microM forskolin were maximally effective in FSH receptor induction (169 and 220% respectively of control), while higher concentrations gave attenuated responses. It appears that cAMP has ambivalent effects on FSH receptor induction depending on the concentration and length of exposure. Activin alone dramatically increased the number of FSH receptors (314% of control). Moreover, synergistic effects of activin and 8-Br-cAMP or forskolin were observed on FSH receptor induction: a combination of activin (80 ng/ml) and low doses of 8-Br-cAMP (0.2 mM) or forskolin (1 microM) was most effective (160 or 140% of that induced by activin alone) and receptor levels reached a maximum at 24 h. These levels than markedly decreased after 72 h of incubation. Northern blot analysis revealed that the combination of activin (80 ng/ml) and 8-Br-cAMP (0.2 mM) or forskolin (1 microM) increased FSH receptor mRNA to about 140% of that induced by activin alone. These results indicate that activin and cAMP induced FSH receptor synergistically. However, activin did not enhance the production of cAMP induced by forskolin. In addition, a protein kinase A inhibitor (H89) (2 microM), which inhibited the effects of forskolin, had no effect on the action of activin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intratracheal infection of chickens with Salmonella enteritidis and the effect of feed and water deprivation

The tissue distribution of Salmonella enteritidis in intratracheally inoculated chickens and the effect of deprivation of food and water on tissue distributions of the bacteria have been investigated. Seven-week-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were inoculated intratracheally with 10(2), 10(5), or 10(8) cells and orally with 10(5) cells. The intratracheally inoculated organisms entered the blood stream immediately after inoculation and produced generalized infection. Infection by the intratracheal route resulted in colonization of S. enteritidis in the cecum that was similar to infection by the oral route. The tissue distribution of S. enteritidis was markedly affected when chickens were deprived of food and water for a short time, demonstrating an increased susceptibility of chickens to S. enteritidis infection. This suggests that stresses such as food and water deprivation are one of of the causes of the rapid dissemination of S. enteritidis among chickens in poultry houses.

Induction of TCR-gamma delta+ cells from thymocytes stimulated by a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone

We have previously reported that a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone, FHC-4D2, can support hematopoiesis in vitro. Here, we show that fetal thymocytes (FT) or adult thymocytes (AT) proliferate on the monolayer of FHC-4D2 cells in the presence of rIL-2. Fresh thymocytes contained few TCR-gamma delta+ cells (&lt; 4% for FT and &lt; 1% for AT); significant numbers of TCR-gamma delta+ cells were detected (2-11% for FT and 15-33% for AT) after the coculture with FHC-4D2 and rIL-2. Although FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells predominantly used the V gamma 5 chain, the major population in AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells used V gamma 1, V gamma 4, or V gamma 7 chains. Both FT- and AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells killed FcR-bearing target cells when incubated with anti-TCR-gamma delta Ab. Half of FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells were CD4-CD8 alpha+8 beta-; the rest were CD4-CD8 alpha-8 beta-. AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells expressed neither CD4 nor CD8 molecules. Separation of thymocytes from FHC-4D2 cells with a membrane filter reduced the proliferative response by two- to threefold. Taken together, these results demonstrate that a fetal hepatocyte clone supports thymocytes to develop preferentially into TCR-gamma delta+ cells in cooperation with rIL-2 through cell-cell contact, that the repertoire and the phenotype of induced TCR-gamma delta+ cells are determined by the age of the mice, and that hepatocytes might thus play an active role in T lymphopoiesis in the fetal liver.

Induction of TCR-gamma delta+ cells from thymocytes stimulated by a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone

We have previously reported that a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone, FHC-4D2, can support hematopoiesis in vitro. Here, we show that fetal thymocytes (FT) or adult thymocytes (AT) proliferate on the monolayer of FHC-4D2 cells in the presence of rIL-2. Fresh thymocytes contained few TCR-gamma delta+ cells (< 4% for FT and < 1% for AT); significant numbers of TCR-gamma delta+ cells were detected (2-11% for FT and 15-33% for AT) after the coculture with FHC-4D2 and rIL-2. Although FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells predominantly used the V gamma 5 chain, the major population in AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells used V gamma 1, V gamma 4, or V gamma 7 chains. Both FT- and AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells killed FcR-bearing target cells when incubated with anti-TCR-gamma delta Ab. Half of FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells were CD4-CD8 alpha+8 beta-; the rest were CD4-CD8 alpha-8 beta-. AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells expressed neither CD4 nor CD8 molecules. Separation of thymocytes from FHC-4D2 cells with a membrane filter reduced the proliferative response by two- to threefold. Taken together, these results demonstrate that a fetal hepatocyte clone supports thymocytes to develop preferentially into TCR-gamma delta+ cells in cooperation with rIL-2 through cell-cell contact, that the repertoire and the phenotype of induced TCR-gamma delta+ cells are determined by the age of the mice, and that hepatocytes might thus play an active role in T lymphopoiesis in the fetal liver.

A novel point mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ser(UCN)) gene detected in a family with MERRF/MELAS overlap syndrome

We found a new point mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ser(UCN)) gene in a family with MERRF/MELAS overlap syndrome by screening for heteroplasmy by means of chemical cleavage of mismatch (CCM). Our strategy was based on the previous observations that most pathogenic mtDNA mutations in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are heteroplasmic, whereas almost all neutral mitochondrial polymorphisms are homoplasmic. CCM followed by nucleotide sequencing of the corresponding region of the mitochondrial genome revealed a heteroplasmic mutation at nt 7512 in the tRNA(Ser(UCN)) gene. The 7512 (T to C) mutation disrupts a highly conserved base pair in the acceptor stem, and this mutation was not found in any of 120 normal controls, or in 43 patients with mitochondrial diseases. The proportion of the mutant mtDNA was 93% in muscle, 76 and 87% in the blood of the patients. A family member without apparent neuromuscular symptoms carried less mutant mtDNA. These findings support the view that this mutation is pathogenic in this family. Detection of heteroplasmy by CCM is an efficient means of screening pathogenic mtDNA point mutations.

Soluble c-kit molecule in serum from healthy individuals and patients with haemopoietic disorders

The proto-oncogene, c-kit, encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor (KIT) and plays an important role in haemopoiesis. We have identified a 95 kD soluble form of KIT (S-KIT) in culture supernatant of human megakaryoblastic cell line, CMK. To study the physiological significance of S-KIT, we have established a sensitive sandwich ELISA system. Serum samples from healthy individuals contained detectable amounts of S-KIT. Next, we determined a total of 220 samples from 134 patients with haemopoietic disorders. A considerable number of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), especially those with more immature phenotypes (M0, M1 or M2) had elevated levels of serum S-KIT. Those levels decreased to the normal range after effective chemotherapy. In chronic myeloid leukaemia, patients with myeloid blastic crisis showed markedly elevated levels of serum S-KIT. In contrast, S-KIT levels decreased in cases with either acute or chronic lymphoid leukaemia. There was a tendency for patients with severe aplastic anaemia to show decreased levels, but it was not significant. In myelodysplastic syndrome, S-KIT levels appeared to vary by subsets, with higher concentration in more advanced forms of the disease. Although the functional role of S-KIT is not yet elucidated, these results suggest that the serum S-KIT levels may reflect the pathological states of various haematological disorders.

Pharmacokinetics of habutobin in rabbits

Following the administration of habutobin, the fibrinogen level in the circulating blood of the rabbits decreased. These results showed that the activity of habutobin was retained in vivo. The plasma level of habutobin was determined by a ELISA-double sandwich method. The pharmacokinetics of habutobin from Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom was studied in rabbits following i.v. administration of 50 micrograms kg-1 of habutobin. The time course of the plasma concentration of habutobin fitted a two-compartment open model. The half-life of the distribution phase was 4.43 +/- 1.28 min and that of the elimination phase was 50.42 +/- 7.89 min. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was 38.69 +/- 6.68 micrograms min ml-1. The total body clearance was 3.82 +/- 1.08 ml min-1. When the steady state was reached, the concentration ratio of habutobin in the tissue (Ct) to that in the plasma (Cc), Ct:Cc was 0.47:1. These findings suggest that relatively little habutobin tended to remain in the tissue.

Posttraumatic inferior vena caval thrombosis: case report and review of the literature

This report describes an autopsied case of inferior vena caval thrombosis that occurred secondary to blunt trauma in a 21-year-old man. Fourteen days after the injury, he died of massive thromboembolism of the main pulmonary artery. Implications of this case and a review of the literature are presented.

Insect lysozyme from house fly (Musca domestica) larvae: possible digestive function based on sequence and enzymatic properties

Lysozyme was purified from the homogenate of the whole body of house fly (Musca domestica) larvae by standard chromatographic techniques. The purified lysozyme was sequenced and its enzymatic properties were examined. This lysozyme was a chicken-type lysozyme composed of 122 amino acids, showing about 75% identity with fruit fly lysozymes and 38% with human lysozyme. This enzyme was inactive towards Micrococcus luteus and under the physiological conditions of PH 7.0 and ionic strength 0.1, but was as active toward glycol chitin as was hen lysozyme. The pH-dependent profile of lytic activity towards M. luteus showed that house fly lysozyme has an acidic pH optimum and shows no enzymatic activity above Ph 7. These features are analogous with those of ruminant stomach lysozymes which have evolved for the digestive function, suggesting that this lysozyme does not function as a self-defense protein, like hen and human lysozyme, but as a digestive enzyme, probably in the gut of the insect body. Although a similar functional conversion to digestive enzyme was reported in fruit fly, phylogenetic tree analysis indicates that the evolutionary change of lysozyme to a digestive enzyme occurred similarly in fruit fly and house fly, but the events are not related and occurred independently in each strain. This observation is in contrast with the case of ruminant stomach lysozymes, which were recruited before the divergence of each species of ruminants.

Construction of a morphological filter for detecting an event-related potential P300 in single sweep EEG record in children

A morphological filter for single sweep records of event-related potential (ERP) obtained in an auditory oddball paradigm, especially P300 waveform, was constructed. By combining four basic operations; erosion, dilation, opening and closing, we could derive a desired filter whose properties fit the current objectives. The morphological filter for the single sweep records of ERP was constructed by taking into account the features of the signal and noise components. The morphological filter had superior properties for distinguishing the signal from the noise even when both were within the same frequency band, as in case of children. The constructed morphological filter was evaluated by using the simulation data of ERP and then applied to the actual ERP data obtained from nine normal children. The constructed morphological filter was proved to be an appropriate tool for single sweep analysis of ERP.

Design of noncovalent trypsin inhibitor based on the X-ray crystal structure of the complex

The inhibitory mechanism of trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarbonyl-L-phenyl-alanine-4-carbo xymethylanilide (1), a noncovalent serine protease inhibitor synthesized based on previous structure-activity studies, was clarified based on the X-ray crystal structure of the complex (2.2 A resolution, R = 0.175), where the amino group of the aminomethylcyclohexane moiety was bifurcately hydrogen-bonded to the carboxyl oxygens of Asp 189 side group (specificity pocket), and the hydrogen bonds of the cyclohexanecarbonyl oxygen to NHs of Gly 193 and Ser 195 residues (oxyanion hole) and of Phe NH to Ser 195 O gamma atom (catalytic triad) were observed. In contrast, the Phe benzene moiety and terminal carboxymethylanilide of 1 were not well located on the electron density map, suggesting the conformational freedom of these P1' and P2' sites at the binding pocket. Based on these insights, trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarbonyl-4-nitro-L-phenylalanine-4-+ ++benzoylanilide (2) was designed, in which the P1' and P2' sites were modified so as to effectively interact with the amino acid residues of trypsin binding pocket via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions, respectively. Consequently, 2 showed 40 times higher inhibitory activity against trypsin than 1.

Non-peptide bombesin receptor antagonists, kuwanon G and H, isolated from mulberry

Kuwanon G and H, isolated from the methanol extract of Morus bombycis, inhibited specific binding of [125I]gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to GRP-preferring receptors in murine Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts with Ki values of 470 and 290 nM, respectively. Kuwanon H was one order of magnitude less potent for inhibiting [125I]bombesin binding to neuromedin B (NMB)-preferring receptors in rat esophagus membranes. This compound antagonized bombesin-induced increases in the cytosolic free calcium concentration and GRP-induced DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells. Thus, kuwanon H, and possibly kuwanon G also, are specific antagonists for the GRP-preferring receptor and can be useful for studying the physiological and pathological role of GRP.

Menstrual cycle dependent expression of CD44 in normal human endometrium

CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein known to be a hyaluronate receptor, which functions in lymphocyte homing and cancer metastasis. We have previously shown that CD44 molecules are expressed in normal endometrial tissue. In this study we immunohistochemically examined expression of CD44 glycoproteins in normal human endometrial tissue to gain insight into roles of CD44 molecules. No expression of the CD44 standard form was observed with 11 endometria in the proliferative phase. On the contrary, 13 of 19 secretory phase endometria were stained intensely by anti-CD44 standard form anti-body; all CD44-positive cases were in the mid and late secretory phases. Among the 13 CD44-positive endometria, four also were positive for the CD44 variant with exon v6. CD44 molecules were present at all but the luminal cell surfaces. These results indicate that expression of CD44 depends on menstrual cycle, suggesting that CD44 molecules might be involved in implantation of fertilized ovum in endometrium.

[Two-color flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute myocardial infarction and post-myocardial infarction syndrome]

Serial changes in lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in 37 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in 2 patients with postmyocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS), and in healthy subjects (control group) using two-color flow cytometry to investigate cellular immunity after AMI and PMIS. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were measured on admission and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 16 after the onset of AMI. The white blood cell count was significantly higher on admission and at week 2 in the AMI group compared with the control group. The percentage of CD4-positive helper T cells was significantly higher on admission and at weeks 2 and 4 in the AMI group compared with the control group, and the percentage of CD8-positive suppressor T cells was significantly lower in the AMI group at week 2 than in the control group. The ratio of helper-to-suppressor T cells peaked 2 weeks after the AMI and then decreased gradually. There were no significant changes in the CD4/CD8 ratio, the percentage of cytotoxic T cells, or the percentage of inducer T cells, throughout the observation period. There were no significant differences in the percentage of T cells, B cells, CD4-positive T cells, CD8-positive T cells, and natural killer cells between AMI patients and control subjects. The percentage of activated CD4- and CD8-positive cells was higher in the AMI group at weeks 4 and 8 than in the control group. There was no significant correlation between changes in lymphocyte subsets and infarct size. The percentage of activated CD8-positive cells was consistently higher in the PMIS group compared with the control and AMI groups. The percentage of cytotoxic T cells in one of the PMIS patients was significantly higher than in the AMI group. There were no significant differences in the proportions of other subsets between PMIS and AMI patients. The changes in lymphocyte subsets observed in patients with AMI suggested that immunological competence was enhanced in these patients. Abnormalities in humoral immunity, such as the appearance of anticardiac antibody, have been observed in patients with PMIS. Our results suggest that PMIS is also associated with changes in cellular immunity.