The effects of pH on N-methacryloyl glycine primer on bond strength to acid-etched dentin

To develop a more effective adhesive primer, it is imperative to understand the adhesion mechanisms of the resin to the demineralized dentin through a dentin primer. When the bonding agent was directly applied to the dentin etched by 40 wt % phosphoric acid without a primer pretreatment, the bond strength of the resin to the dentin was 5 MPa. Conversely, when the demineralized dentin was pretreated with the N-methacryloyl glycine (NM alpha A) primer solution with a pH value of 1.5, the bond strength increased considerably to 15 MPa. However, the bond strength dropped dramatically from 15 to 3 MPa when the sodium salt of NM alpha A was added, thereby increasing the pH value of the NM alpha A primer solution from 3.2 to 5.0. When the pH value was increased above 3.5 (pKa value), the number of ionized NM alpha A species increased in the solution. As a result, the bond strength of the resin fell to approximately 3 MPa. This result was obtained despite the 5-micron-thick hybrid layer that was created in the subsurface of the intertubular dentin. The number of unionized NM alpha A species increased by lowering the pH value below 3.5. As a result, the NM alpha A primer provided a higher bond strength of the resin to the demineralized dentin. In contrast, when 10 wt % citric acid containing 3 wt % ferric chloride was applied to the dentin, maximum bond strength was obtained when the pH value of the NM alpha A primer solution was 3.5. The pH dependency of the bond strength obtained following 10 wt % citric acid containing 3 wt % ferric chloride etching is different from the results obtained from 40 wt % phosphoric acid etching. This can be attributed to the difference in the characteristics of the demineralized collageous layer.

Increased striatal glutamate transporter by repeated intermittent administration of methamphetamine

We have examined the immunoreactivities of a glutamate (Glu) transporter, GLT-1, in rat brains treated with a single or repeated intermittent administration of methamphetamine (MAP). In the stratum of behaviorally sensitized rate induced by repeated intermittent MAP treatment, GLT-1 immunoreactivities were increased by 51%. There was no difference in the GLT-1 immunoreactivities in all regions examined between rate treated with a single administration of MAP and the control rats. These results suggest that hyperglutamatergic activity in the striatum is involved in the induction of behavioral sensitization caused by MAP.

A case of West syndrome with atypical massive gray matter heterotopia that is well controlled by ACTH therapy

A 4 month old female infant with atypical asymmetrical massive gray matter heterotopia diagnosed as West syndrome is described. Her seizure initially appeared as afebrile general tonic and clonic convulsion and progressed to typical West syndrome consisting of clusters of myoclonic spasms of the extremities, mainly on the left side, accompanied by head and eye deviation to the right side. Electroencephalogram (EEG) presented typical hypsarrhythmia and cranial computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed massive heterotopic gray matter in the right hemisphere with the same density or intensity as cortical gray matter. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), using N-isopropyl-p-123I-iodoamphetamine (123 I-IMP), demonstrated decreased blood flow in the ectopic lesion. Although clinical response to several anti-epileptic drugs was poor, her seizures were well controlled by relatively low dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy of 0.015 mg/kg per day followed by a combination of valproic acid and clonazepam.

[Effect of timing of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor administration on leukopenia induced by systemic chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer--multi-center randomized crossover study]

Sixty-six chemotherapy-naive patients with non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung were given two courses of systemic chemotherapy consisting of mitomycin C, vindesine, and cisplatin. The effect of the timing of administration of grannulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the incidence of neutropenic fever, the nadir leukocyte count, the duration of neutropenia ( < or = 1000/mm3), and the time needed for recovery from neutropenia was studied. Patients were assigned at random to begin receiving G-CSF (50 microns/m2, subcutaneously) either when the leukocyte count was less than or equal to 1000/mm3 (group I) or when it was between 1000/mm3 and 2000/mm3 (group II), in a crossover fashion. The nadir leukocyte count was lower in group I than in group II (859/mm3 and 1215/mm3, respectively). The duration of leukopenia (defined as a leukocyte count less than or equal to 1000/mm3) was greater in group I than in group II (1.5 days and 0.8 day, respectively), as was the time needed for recovery to a leukocyte count of 2000/mm3 (1.9 days and 1.6 days, respectively) (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the incidence of neutropenic fever (group I: 44%, group Ii: 45%), in the duration of fever (group I: 2.3 days, group II: 2.8 days), or in the duration of G-CSF use (group I: 6.3 days, group II: 6.8 days). There were no treatment-related deaths in either group. We conclude that when this type of combination chemotherapy is given for non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung, administration of G-CSF can be postponed without clinical problems until the leukocyte count is less than of equal to 1000/mm3.

Comparison of proliferative activities and metastases between two subtypes classified at the deeply infiltrating sites of colorectal moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas

Twenty-eight moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas invading beyond the muscularis propria of the colorectum were subclassified as 13 moderate- and 15 poor-subtype tumors based on the histology at the deeply infiltrating sites. Moderately differentiated cancer cells were correlated with liver metastasis and p53 immunoreactivity. Poorly differentiated cancer cells were correlated with lymph node metastases but not to p53 immunoreactivity. The proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index (LI), Ki-67 LI and agyrophilic nuclear organizer regions (AgNOR) values determined for the poorly differentiated cancer cells in the poor-subtype tumors were significantly lower than those of moderately differentiated cancer cells in the moderate-subtype tumors. In cells from tumors classified as poor-subtype, poor differentiation was associated with decreased PCNA LI levels, but with unchanged Ki-67 LI and AgNOR values. These results indicate that colorectal adenocarcinoma cells that are histologically subclassified as moderately differentiated have different proliferative and metastatic activities from cancer cells that are poorly differentiated. Moderately differentiated cancer cells are associated with hematogenous metastasis to liver and high proliferative activity, and loss of tubular formation of cancer cells may be fundamentally related to lymph node metastasis and infiltrative growth.

ClpX protein of Escherichia coli activates bacteriophage Mu transposase in the strand transfer complex for initiation of Mu DNA synthesis

During transposition bacteriophage Mu transposase (MuA) catalyzes the transfer of a DNA strand at each Mu end to target DNA and then remains tightly bound to the Mu ends. Initiation of Mu DNA replication on the resulting strand transfer complex (STC1) requires specific host replication proteins and host factors from two partially purified enzyme fractions designated Mu replication factors alpha and beta (MRFalpha and beta). Escherichia coli ClpX protein, a molecular chaperone, is a component required for MRFalpha activity, which removes MuA from DNA for the establishment of a Mu replication fork. ClpX protein alters the conformation of DNA-bound MuA and converts STC1 to a less stable form (STC2). One or more additional components of MRFalpha (MRFalpha2) displace MuA from STC2 to form a nucleoprotein complex (STC3), that requires the specific replication proteins and MRFbeta for Mu DNA synthesis. MuA present in STC2 is essential for its conversion to STC3. If MuA is removed from STC2, Mu DNA synthesis no longer requires MRFalpha2, MRFbeta and the specific replication proteins. These results indicate that ClpX protein activates MuA in STC1 so that it can recruit crucial host factors needed to initiate Mu DNA synthesis by specific replication enzymes.

[Clinical characteristics and genetic background of secondary amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Japanese]

In order to examine the clinical characteristics and genetic background of secondary amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis, we analyzed clinical features and HLA typing of 85 patients in a multicenter study. Eighty-five patients with secondary amyloidosis associated RA were studied. The diagnosis of secondary amyloidosis were made on histological findings by biopsy or autopsy. The most common biopsy site was gastrointestinal tract (79.5%). Clinical symptom and the frequency at the time of diagnosis were; diarrhea (35 cases), abdominal pain (22 cases) and vomiting and nausea (16 cases). Abnormalities and the frequency in a laboratory test included proteinuria (49 cases), increased serum creatinine (32 cases), anemia (30 cases) and hematuria (15 cases). Twenty-eight patients were dead and 57 patients were alive at the time of the study. The average duration between diagnosis of amyloidosis and death was 19.4 +/- 18.5 (SD) months among the dead patients. The average duration after diagnosis of amyloidosis was 24.2 +/- 19.5 (SD) months in surviving patients. The causes of death were renal failure complicated with heart failure (6 patients), heart failure alone (3 patients) and renal failure alone (2 patients). Fifty-nine patients in the control group who were negative to amyloid deposition on biopsies at more than one site in the gastrointestinal tract, were clinically compared with patients in the amyloidosis group. No difference were noted in the age of RA occurrence and the stage between the two groups. As to the class, however, the number of patients with severe functional disorder (class 3 or severe) was larger in the amyloidosis group. There were no significant difference between the two groups in Lansbury's activity index. On hematology, biochemistry and urinalysis, the incidences of increased white blood cell count, anemia, increased platelet count, increased serum creatinine, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, increased IgA, and increased urine and blood BMG were statistically significantly higher in the amyloidosis group than in the control group. HLA-A, -B, -C, and DR-locus antigens were compared in the 53 patients in the amyloidosis group and in the 59 subjects in the control group. There were no significant differences in frequency of HLA-A, and -B antigens between two groups. Frequency of CW7 antigen was significantly decreased in the amyloidosis group (13.2%) than in the control group (39.0%). Frequency of DR1 antigen was decreased in the amyloidosis group (3.8%) than in the control group (22.0%), although the difference was not significant. These findings suggest the possible involvement of genetic factors in the occurrence of amyloidosis. It is suggested that the occurrence of amyloidosis is suppressed by some genes which are linked with CW7 antigen.

[Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the middle meningeal artery: a case report]

An epidural hematoma associated with posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the middle meningeal artery is a very rare clinical entity. Only 31 such cases have been reported in the literature. A 54-year-old man was admitted with lethargy and right hemiparesis. A skull X-ray film revealed a linear fracture in the left parietal and temporal bone, extending to the base of the skull. A brain CT scan disclosed an acute epidural hematoma over the left cerebral hemisphere, contusional hematoma in the right frontal lobe and thalamus, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in the left Sylvian fissure. During an emergency craniotomy a large epidural hematoma was evacuated and external decompression was performed. Angiography, which was performed about one month after the head injury, revealed an aneurysm of the middle meningeal artery. The aneurysm was removed to avoid delayed rupture at the time of cranioplasty. Histological diagnosis was pseudoaneurysm. We discussed the pathogenesis of a pseudoaneurysm of the meningeal artery and the necessity to pay attention to the presence of a pseudoaneurysm when an active bleeding point is not observed during surgery of the epidural hematoma.

Inhibition of Df-protease--induced kinin release by synthetic inhibitors

A protease (Df-protease) from house dust mite (D. farinae) is closely associated with mite-induced allergy: Df-protease has a similar substrate specificity to blood coagulation factor XIIa and catalyzes the activation of kallikrein-kinin system in human plasma. With the purpose of prevention of kinin-formation in plasma by Df-protease, inhibition of Df-protease with synthetic inhibitors was tested in vivo and in vitro. Among the inhibitors, including amidine and guanidine derivatives, N-allyl-N-[4-(4-amidinophenoxycarbonyl)-alpha-methylcinnamoyl++ +]glycine ethyl ester mesylate was the most effective to inhibit Df-protease with Ki = 9 x 10(-9) M and also to prevent kinin-release from Df-protease in human plasma. Enhancement of vascular permeability in guinea pigs caused by kinin-release was stoichiometrically suppressed by the inhibitor.

Enantiomeric separation of denopamine by capillary electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography using cyclodextrins

Direct separation of enantiomers of denopamine was investigated by two separation methods. One is capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using cyclodextrins (CDs) (CD-CZE) and the other is high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using CD immobilized chiral stationary phases (CD-CSPs). Enantiomers of denopamine were successfully resolved by employing heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD) and acetyl-beta-cyclodextrin (AC-beta-CD), and partially resolved with heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (TM-beta-CD), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and beta-CD polymer under acidic conditions. Separation of enantiomers of denopamine by HPLC was also successful with one of the CD-CSPs, where perphenylated beta-CD (Ph beta-CD) was immobilized. In CD-CZE, some polymeric additives, such as hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA), and a coated capillary were used to improve the enantioseparation of denopamine. Method validations such as linearity, recovery and repeatability, etc., were investigated for HPLC, and the method was applied to the optical purity testing of the drug substances and in tablet form.

Common inhibitory effects of human anti-C2 domain inhibitor alloantibodies on factor VIII binding to von Willebrand factor

Factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor alloantibodies obtained from seven severe haemophilia A patients were examined for their binding regions and their effects on FVIII binding to von Willebrand factor (vWF). Immunoblotting analysis with a panel of recombinant fragments demonstrated that the binding regions of antibodies in cases 1-5 were contained in the C2 domain of the light chain. Antibodies from cases 1 and 2, which recognized an epitope within residues 2248-2312, completely inhibited FVIII/vWF binding in an ELISA (IC50: 5.0 and 9.0 micrograms/ml, respectively). Antibodies from case 3 recognizing 2170-2312 and case 5 recognizing 2170-2327 also inhibited FVIII/vWF binding (IC50: 110 and 400 micrograms/ml, respectively). Case 4 antibodies recognizing 2218-2307 showed barely detectable inhibition and cases 6 and 7 antibodies recognizing the 44 kD heavy chain, did not inhibit. Our results demonstrate that all anti-C2 alloantibodies with epitopes that extend to the residue 2312 inhibit vWF binding and that an overlap of the inhibitor epitope with residues 2308-2312 is critical for maximal inhibition of vWF binding. Prevention of FVIII/vWF binding appears to be a common property of anti-C2 domain inhibitor alloantibodies.

New orally active serine protease inhibitors: structural requirements for their good oral activity

Synthesis and structural requirements for good oral activity of a series of para-substituted benzoyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzamidine serine protease inhibitors are described. The structure required for good oral activity was found to be general formula II whose corresponding ester has to be hydrolyzed in the intestine before absorption through the mucous membranes or in plasma after absorption. Biological evaluation of oral absorption using plasma anti-trypsin activity was useful for rapid evaluation. By measuring their actual plasma concentrations after oral administration, compounds 14 and 16b were confirmed to show good area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC). Their plasma concentrations corresponded to their plasma anti-trypsin activity. Structure-oral activity relationships are discussed.

Unique binding of a novel synthetic inhibitor, N-[3-[4-[4-(amidinophenoxy)carbonyl]phenyl]-2-methyl-2-propenoyl]- N-allylglycine methanesulfonate, to bovine trypsin, revealed by the crystal structure of the complex

Trypsin and N-[3-[4-[4-(amidinophenoxy)carbonyl]phenyl]-2-methyl-2-propenoyl]- N-allylglycine methanesulfonate (1), a newly designed and orally active synthetic trypsin inhibitor, were cocrystallized. The space group of the crystal is P2(1)2(1)2(1) with cell constants a = 63.74 A, b = 63.08 A, and c = 69.38 A, which is nearly identical to that of the orthorhombic crystal of guanidinobenzoyltrypsin. The structure was refined to a crystallographic residual R = 0.176. The refined model of the 1-trypsin complex provides the structural basis for the reaction mechanism of 1. On the basis of the present X-ray results, it is proposed that the potent inhibitory activity of 1 is mainly due to the formation of an acylated trypsin through an "inverse substrate mechanism" and its low rate of deacylation.

Delayed changes in neural visinin-like calcium-binding protein gene expression caused by acute phencyclidine administration

Phencyclidine (PCP) induces a psychotomimetic state that closely resembles schizophrenia, and PCP-treated animals can serve as a model for schizophrenia. The effects of PCP on the gene expression of NVP-1, a novel Ca(2+)-binding protein, were studied in rats. After 24 hours, the NVP-1 mRNA level in the nucleus accumbens showed a significant decrease of 42%. This result suggests that alterations in Ca(2+)-binding protein may be involved in the pathology of PCP-induced psychosis and, presumably, schizophrenia.

Chromosome 17 abnormalities and inactivation of the p53 gene in chronic myeloid leukemia and their prognostic significance

We have reviewed all the relevant studies on the loss of the short arm of chromosome 17 (17p) and inactivation of the p53 gene in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in an attempt to clarify their roles in the progression of CML. Loss of a 17p (hemizygous 17p) and p53 inactivation emerged as the disease progressed and were closely associated with each other. About half of the cases with loss of a 17p, however, did not show p53 inactivation. In these cases loss of a 17p preceded p53 inactivation, which suggested that either reduction of the p53 gene dosage or inactivation of another tumor-suppressor gene on 17p might contribute to the disease progression. Both loss of a 17p and p53 inactivation may serve as poor prognostic factors but the prognostic significance of the former only emerged when metaphase cells with loss of a 17p were dominant amongst the total cell population analyzed.

Growth, development and nutritional status in Japanese children under 2 years on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We examined the growth, development and nutritional status over a period of 10 years of 15 young children (< 2 years old) on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). There were 6 males and 9 females with a mean age of 12.5 months, mean weight of 6.3 kg, mean height of 66.2 cm at the start of CAPD and a mean duration of therapy of 2.6 years. Height, weight, head circumference, development quotient (DQ), blood chemistry and dietary intake were assessed over a period of 10 years. The patients' mean height standard deviation score (SDS) did not change significantly (from -2.51 to -2.74) during CAPD therapy. The mean growth velocity index (GVI) during CAPD was 76.5% and correlated positively with energy intake but not with protein intake. The mean DQ was low (67.0%) at the start of CAPD and 69.3% at the end of CAPD. DQ did not correlate with energy intake, GVI, head circumference SDS or with the weight/height ratio; however, 2 patients with low DQ (< 60%) had a low energy intakes. Although most patients had a low DQ, the IQ at 5-6 years of age was normal in all patients except 1 without cerebral disease. Our study showed minimal growth (delta SDS) and mental developmental (IQ) delays during CAPD therapy, but an adequate nutritional intake must be assured to obtain the above results.

Some factor VIII inhibitor antibodies recognize a common epitope corresponding to C2 domain amino acids 2248 through 2312, which overlap a phospholipid-binding site

The finding that human factor VIII (fVIII) inhibitor antibodies with C2 domain epitopes interfere with the binding of fVIII to phosphatidylserine (PS) suggested that this is the mechanism by which they inactivate fVIII. We constructed a recombinant C2 domain polypeptide and demonstrated that it bound to all six human inhibitors with fVIII light chain specificity. Thus, some antibodies within the polyclonal anti-light chain population require only amino acids within C2 for binding. Recombinant C2 also partially or completely neutralized the inhibitor titer of these plasmas, demonstrating that anti-C2 antibodies inhibit fVIII activity. Immunoblotting of a series of C2 deletion polypeptides, expressed in Escherichia coli, with inhibitor plasmas showed that the epitopes for human inhibitors consist of a common core of amino acid residues 2248 through 2312 with differing extensions for individual inhibitors. The epitope of inhibitory monoclonal antibody (MoAb) ESH8 was localized to residues 2248 through 2285. Three human antibodies and anti-C2 MoAb NMC-VIII/5 bound to a synthetic peptide consisting of amino acids 2303 through 2332, a PS-binding site, but MoAb ESH8 did not. These antibodies also inhibited the binding of fVIII to synthetic phospholipid membranes of PS and phosphatidylcholine, confirming that the blocked epitopes contribute to membrane binding as well as binding to PS. In contrast, MoAb ESH8 did not inhibit binding. As the maximal function of activated fVIII in the intrinsic factor Xase complex requires its binding to a phospholipid membrane, we propose that fVIII inhibition by anti-C2 antibodies is related to the overlap of their epitopes with the PS-binding site. MoAb ESH8 did not inhibit fVIII binding to PS-containing membranes, suggesting the existence of a second mechanism of fVIII inhibition by anti-C2 antibodies.

Disassembly of the bacteriophage Mu transposase for the initiation of Mu DNA replication

Upon catalyzing strand transfer, the Mu transposase (MuA) remains tightly bound to the resulting transposition intermediate, the strand transfer complex (STC), and poses an impediment to host replication proteins. Additional host factors, which can be resolved into two fractions (Mu Replication Factor alpha and beta; MRF alpha and MRF beta), are required to disassemble the MuA complex and initiate DNA synthesis. MRF alpha modifies the protein content of the STC, removing MuA from the DNA in the process. The MRF beta promotes initiation of the Mu DNA synthesis on the STC altered by the MRF alpha. These host factors cannot promote initiation of Mu DNA synthesis if the STC is damaged by partial proteolysis. Moreover, the mutant protein MuA211 cannot be removed from the STC by MRF alpha, blocking initiation of DNA synthesis. These results indicate that MuA in the STC plays a critical function in beginning a sequence of events leading to the establishment of a Mu replication fork.

Comparison of the kinetic disposition and metabolism of E3810, a new proton pump inhibitor, and omeprazole in relation to S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation status

We studied the kinetic disposition and metabolism of E3810 [(+/-)-sodium 2-[[4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridin-2-yl]methylsulfinyl ]-1H- benzimidazole], a new proton pump inhibitor, and omeprazole in 15 Japanese male volunteers, six of whom were poor metabolizers and nine of whom were extensive metabolizers of S-mephenytoin. All received once-daily 20 mg doses of E3810 or omeprazole for 7 days in a randomized crossover manner, with a 3-week washout period between the two trial phases. The parent drugs and their principal metabolites in plasma and urine were measured on days 1 and 7 after drug administration. The mean values for area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of omeprazole were 6.3- and 4.4-fold greater, whereas those of E3810 were 1.8- and 1.9-fold greater in poor metabolizers than in extensive metabolizers after the first and final doses, respectively. Although the mean AUC values for both drugs were significantly (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) greater in poor metabolizers than in extensive metabolizers, the difference in the AUC between the two groups was smaller after E3810 than after omeprazole administration. The AUC of omeprazole tended to increase with the repeated doses in extensive metabolizers, whereas no such change was observed for E3810. The urinary excretions of the principal metabolite(s) of two proton pump inhibitors also reflected the data derived from plasma samples in relation to S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation status. We conclude that the metabolism of two proton pump inhibitors is under coregulatory control of S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase (CYP2C19), but that the magnitude of CYP2C19-mediated metabolism appears to differ between the two drugs. In contrast to omeprazole, the metabolism of E3810 is less saturable in extensive metabolizers during the repetitive dosings.

Enantiomeric separation of drugs by mucopolysaccharide-mediated electrokinetic chromatography

Chondroitin sulfate C (sodium salt) and heparin (sodium salt), which are both mucopolysaccharides and natural components, have been employed as chiral selectors in electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) for the separation of enantiomers of drugs. These additives are charged, linear, sulfated polysaccharides having large mass. Ionic and hydrophobic interactions are probably the bases for the separation. Among tested drugs that are electrically neutral or basic, trimetoquinol, diltiazem, and their related compounds were successfully enantioseparated by EKC with mucopolysaccharides, especially with chondroitin sulfate C. The choices of pH and the concentration of mucopolysaccharides were found to be important for improvement of enantioselectivity. The acidic buffer solutions were effective for enantioseparation of the solutes in the chondroitin sulfate C system, although no migration of the basic drugs was observed in the heparin system. The results were compared with the enantiomeric separation by EKC with dextran sulfate (sodium salt). The method using chondroitin sulfate C was successfully applied to the optical purity testing of the drug substances.