[Clinical evaluation of SD-8828 (antibody coated bacteria assay kit) in urinary tract infection]

Clinical usefulness of a newly developed assay kit for ACB (SD-8828) which detects urinary bacteria coating IgG was evaluated and compared to the enzyme antibody plate method. A total of 48 patients including 20 patients with acute simple cystitis and 28 patients with acute or chronic pyelonephritis, who were shown to have pyuria of at least 5 cells/HPF, bacteriuria of at least 10(4) CFU/ml were enrolled in this study. By enzyme antibody method. ABC was positive in 92.9% of patients with upper urinary tract infection and negative in 100% of patients with lower UTI, this difference being statistically significant (p < 0.02). By SD-8828, 85% of positive coincidence rate and 100% of negative coincidence rate, compared to the enzyme antibody technique, was obtained. The overall coincidence rate was high (91.7%). This SD-8828, a new simple assay for ACB, which detects IgG alternating the plate method, may be used as a convenient method in clinical practice.

Molecular genotyping of N-acetylation polymorphism to predict phenotype

N-acetylation polymorphism is one of the representative pharmacogenetic traits that underlie interindividual and interethnic differences in response to xenobiotics. To develop a practical genotyping method to predict acetylator phenotype, we studied the conditions for accurate phenotyping, and identified the phenotype in 51 Japanese. Then we performed Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from these subjects using 32P-labeled cDNA for polymorphic N-acetyltransferase in the liver, and found that four N-acetyltransferase alleles generated six genotypes. The present genotyping method predicted the rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylators correctly in 48 of 51 overall subjects (96%) and in all of 4 slow acetylators.

[Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in first-voided urine sediments from male urethritis patients by polymerase chain reaction]

Neisseria gonorrhoeae was detected from first-voided urine sediments of male patients with urethritis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Urine and urinary sediment were treated with proteinase K, and DNA was further purified by phenol extraction. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within a ribosomal RNA gene from N. gonorrhoeae were used as primers for the PCR. A DNA fragment of 206 bp specific for N. gonorrhoeae was amplified by PCR and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. In 19 specimens of urine sediments collected from 21 patients in whom N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from urethral swab by culture, 206 bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR. In all specimens of urine sediments from 24 patients in whom cultures for N. gonorrhoeae were negative, no DNA was amplified by the PCR. The overall coincidence rate between the PCR for detecting N. gonorrhoeae in first-voided urine sediments and culture in urethral swab was 95.6% (43/45). PCR procedure for detection of pathogens from first-voided urine sediments would be noninvasive and would be applied for the diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis and chlamydial urethritis.

Odontoclastic resorption at the pulpal surface of coronal dentin prior to the shedding of human deciduous teeth

Histological and histochemical observations of more than 150 extracted human deciduous teeth revealed that, prior to shedding, odontoclastic resorption as a rule takes place at the pulpal surface of coronal dentin. We also found that this phenomenon occurs in all kinds of deciduous teeth. The process of this internal resorption of coronal dentin of deciduous teeth clearly showed time-related histological changes. During the time the roots were actively being resorbed, the pulpal tissue retained its normal structure. However, when root resorption neared completion, inflammatory cells started to gradually infiltrate into the pulp, and odontoblasts began to degenerate. After that, multinucleate odontoclasts appeared, and resorption proceeded from the predentin to the dentin. The odontoclastic activity was initially detected only on the pulpal surface at the bottom areas of the crown. It gradually spread towards the pulpal horn regions along the wall of the pulp chamber. However, this internal resorption of coronal dentin did not continue until the teeth were finally shed. After the elimination of resorption, the resorbed dentin surface was repaired by a cementum-like deposition or covered with fibrous connective tissue.

[Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in first-voided urine sediments from male urethritis by polymerase chain reaction]

Chlamydia trachomatis was detected from first-voided urine sediments of 97 male patients with urethritis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Since urine and urinary sediments only treated with proteinase K inhibited DNA amplification by PCR, DNA was further purified by phenol extraction and concentrated. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within the major outer membrane gene from C. trachomatis serovar L2 were used as primers. A DNA fragment of 242 bp specific for C. trachomatis was amplified by PCR and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragment was amplified by PCR in all specimens of urine sediments from 50 patients with Chlamydiazyme-positive urethral swab. In 38 specimens of urine sediments from 47 patients with Chlamydiazyme-negative urethral swab, PCR was negative. The overall coincidence rate between the PCR for detecting C. trachomatis in first-voided urine sediments and Clamydiazyme in urethral swab was 90.7% (88/97). Detection of C. trachomatis from first-voided urine sediments by PCR was considered to be noninvasive and useful for the diagnosis of male urethritis due to C. trachomatis.

[Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from male patients with urethritis by polymerase chain reaction]

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was developed for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within a 16S ribosomal RNA gene from N. gonorrhoeae were used as extension primers for the PCR. A single DNA fragment of 206 bp was amplified, when N. gonorrhoeae DNA was template for the PCR. No amplified product was detected in Chlamydia trachomatis DNA, Ureaplasma urealyticum DNA or other bacterial DNAs. The DNA fragment of 206 bp was detected on agarose gel electrophoresis, when DNA of greater than or equal to 6.5 N. gonorrhoeae per PCR was used as template DNA for the PCR. The culture and the PCR were carried out for detection of N. gonorrhoeae in 67 urethral swabs obtained from male patients with urethritis. In 27 of 28 specimens in which N. gonorrhoeae was isolated and identified by the culture, 206 bp DNA fragment was amplified by the PCR, but in one specimen no DNA fragment was detected. In 2 of 39 culture-negative specimens, 206 pb DNA fragment was detected and in the remaining specimens, PCR was negative for N. gonorrhoeae. The overall detection coincidence rate between the culture and the PCR was 95.5% (64/67). Thus, the PCR procedure developed in this study was sensitive and specific for detection of N. gonorrhoeae and could be applied for diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis.

[Molecular pharmacology of polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase involved in the metabolism of arylamine drugs]

Polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase in the liver determines the N-acetylation rate of arylamines, which has been implicated in the effects and toxicity of amine- and hydrazine-containing drugs. Recently we have demonstrated that there are four types of gene for polymorphic N-acetyltransferase and that gene 1 gives rise to high N-acetyltransferase activity, while gene 2, 3, and 4 correspond to low N-acetyltransferase activity. Analysis of four genes revealed that the point mutations in genes 2, 3, and 4 result in a loss of a restriction site: a BamHI site for gene 2, a TaqI site for gene 3, and a KpnI site for gene 4. Therefore all four genes can be discriminated by genomic Southern blot analysis and also by PCR amplification of the respective site followed by digestion with an appropriate endonuclease.

[The intraocular pressure lowering effects of UF-021, a novel prostaglandin related compound, in animals]

The ophthalmic solution of UF-021, a novel prostaglandin (PG) related compound, was investigated for its intraocular pressure (IOP) reducing activity and local ocular side effects in different species of animals. UF-021 ophthalmic solution (0.03 to 0.24%), when topically applied to the eyes of rabbits, caused dose-dependent IOP reduction (2.8 to 5.2 mmHg), without transient IOP rise. Both in cats and monkeys, UF-021 ophthalmic solution (0.12%) elicited rapid, significant IOP reduction (ca. 9 mmHg and 2 mmHg, respectively), without any controversial, local ocular side effects being revealed. On the other hand, PGE2, PGF2 alpha-isopropyl ester all brought about marked increases in IOP prior to development of their IOP reducing activities. In addition, these primary PGs showed intense local ocular irritation, which presented a striking contrast with UF-021. Enhancement of IOP reducing activity, coupled with freedom from any significant ocular side effects, as described above, suggests that UF-021 ophthalmic solution could be promising as a new anti-glaucoma agent.

A novel class of enkephalinase inhibitors containing a C-terminal sulfo group

A new series of sulfonic acids were synthesized and tested for their enkephalinase inhibitory activity. Among them, the most potent was N-(2-benzyl-3-mercaptopropionyl)metanilic acid 10i with an IC50 value of 0.27 nM. Several other analogues (10a,b,j,n,o,gg,hh) showed the inhibitory activity comparable to or greater than thiorphan (IC50 = 2.6 nM), a C-terminal carboxyl-containing inhibitor of enkephalinase. Thus compounds containing a C-terminal sulfo group, instead of the C-terminal carboxyl group, were found to show a remarkably high level of inhibition of enkephalinase. The analgesic activity of 10b, (S)-10b, and (R)-10b was also evaluated by the phenylbenzoquinone writhing test.

Primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder: an immunohistochemical study of a case

We report a case of primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder causing renal failure. Immunohistochemically, amyloid fibril protein originated from the lambda type light chain of immunoglobulin.

[Comparison of polymerase chain reaction and enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme) in detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from male urethritis]

A method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared to an enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme) for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by testing a reference strain and clinical specimens. Two oligonucleotides based on sequences within the major outer membrane protein gene from C. trachomatis serovar L2 were used as primers for the PCR. A DNA fragment of 242 bp specific for C. trachomatis was amplified by the PCR, when DNA of greater than or equal to 10(2) C. trachomatis was used as template for the PCR. A chlamydial antigen was detected by Chlamydiazyme, when greater than or equal to 2.6 x 10(3) C. trachomatis were applied for the enzyme immunoassay. The PCR method was 26 times more sensitive than Chlamydiazyme in detection of C. trachomatis. The PCR method and Chlamydiazyme were carried out to examine 74 urethral swabs obtained from male patients with urethritis for detection of C. trachomatis. In 45 of 74 specimens, the DNA fragment of C. trachomatis was amplified by the PCR, and in 41 of 74, the chlamydial antigen was detected by Chlamydiazyme. The detection rate of the PCR method (60.8%) was higher than that of Chlamydiazyme (55.4%). The positive coincidence rate of the PCR method to Chlamydiazyme was 100% (41/41) and negative coincidence rate was 87.9% (29/33). The overall coincidence rate between the two methods was high (94.6%). Thus, the PCR method was more sensitive than Chlamydiazyme for detection of C. trachomatis and specific for diagnosis of chlamydial urethritis.

[A case of Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal black adenoma]

Functional black adenoma of the adrenal gland is rare, and there are few reports. We report a case of functional black adenoma of the adrenal gland associated with Cushing's syndrome. The case was in a 59-year-old female, whose chief complaints were weight gain and general fatigue for 7 years. Clinical and laboratory findings were characteristic to those of Cushing's syndrome. With computed tomography and ultrasonography, a round tumor about 18 x 12 mm was detected at the left suprarenal region. Left adrenalectomy was done and a black tumor, 5.0 g in weight, was obtained. Most of the adenoma cells contained numerous pigmented granules which were considered as lipofuscin. The patient is alive without any symptoms of Cushing's syndrome 8 months after the operation. The Japanese literature of the functional black adenoma was also reviewed.

Nucleolar organizer regions in prostate cancer

A silver colloid technique for the staining of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) was applied to paraffin sections of 52 clinical prostate cancers, 5 incidental carcinomas of the prostate, 12 benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) specimens and 7 normal prostates. The mean numbers of silver-stained NORs (AgNORs) in these lesions were 3.12 +/- 0.52 in clinical cancer, 2.65 +/- 0.64 in incidental cancer, 1.66 +/- 0.16 in BPH, and 1.76 +/- 0.22 in normal prostate. There was a statistically significant difference in agNORs numbers between cancer and benign prostatic tissues (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in AgNORs numbers between incidental and clinical carcinoma of the prostate. In clinical cancer, only poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma showed a statistically larger number of AgNORs than the well or moderately differentiated group (p < 0.02). Correlation between AgNORs numbers and clinical stage was not obvious. There was no relationship between the number of AgNORs and serum values of tumor markers such as PAP, PSA and gamma-Sm. Moreover, the AgNORs numbers did not show a relation to decreasing rates of serum marker levels during successful anti-androgen therapy. If the patients with prostate cancer were divided into two groups by 2.9 of AgNORs number, the group with the smaller number of AgNORs (n = 14) was found to have a tendency towards a longer disease-stabilizing period than the larger group (n = 17).

The effect of color temperature of lighting sources on mental activity level

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of color temperature of lighting sources on a contingent negative variation (CNV). Eleven male students (mean age, 23.2) volunteered as subjects. The CNV was recorded under three different color temperature conditions (3000 degrees K, 5000 degrees K and 7500 degrees K). The illuminance level was kept at 1000lx. The lighting condition caused no effect on the reaction time of the performance included in the CNV paradigm. On the other hand, the CNV was suggested to be influenced by the lighting condition. Especially, the CNV between 1025 msec to 1125 msec after the warning stimulus (S1) under 7500 degrees K was obviously larger than that under 3000 degrees K. This tendency was observed within the range between 800 msec and 1300 msec. Judging from no correlation between the light condition and reaction time, the concept of readiness potentials has little possibility for explaining the difference in CNV between the lighting conditions. Therefore, the difference in CNV between 3000 degrees K and 7500 degrees K was concluded to be originated from some differences in orienting response. The color temperature of 7500 degrees K was considered to be more activating than the color temperature of 3000 degrees K from the viewpoint of reticular activating system in CNV mechanism.

Immunological study of childhood acute ITP at onset

We attempted to search for any specific change in the immune system during the onset of childhood acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in order to clarify the pathophysiology of acute ITP by examining the lymphocyte subset, lymphocyte blastogenic response, serum complements, and immunoglobulins in 18 patients with childhood acute ITP and 18 controls (control values after normalization). At the onset of acute ITP, the levels of serum complements and IgG and IgA were found to be within the normal ranges, but serum IgM levels were greater than 200 mg/dL in six cases among 18 patients. Lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA) was depressed in patients relative to controls (PHA: p less than 0.05, ConA: p less than 0.01). Lymphocyte blastogenic response to pokewood mitogen (PWM) was lower than that of the control, but no statistical significance was observed. There was no difference in the proportion of CD3, CD4, CD8, SmIg, SmIgG, SmIgM, SmIgA, and SmIgD. The CD4/CD8 ratio was not different from that of controls. The proportion of CD38 was higher than that of control, but no significant difference from the control was observed. Increase in the serum IgM level and proportion of CD38 and depressed lymphocyte blastogenic response may be the influence of preceding infection. It has been reported that the CD4/CD8 ratio is depressed due to an increase in the CD8 level in acute and convalescent phases of viral infection. However, the proportion of CD8 was not necessarily increased in our patient in whom preceding infection was obvious. The immunological status of the patients with acute ITP at onset differs from that after infection.

[Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from urethral swab in male urethritis by polymerase chain reaction]

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Chlamydia trachomatis-specific primers was applied for detection of C. trachomatis from urethral swab in male urethritis. The results were compared with those of culture method for detection of C. trachomatis. Of 18 clinical specimens tested in this study, inclusion bodies of C. trachomatis were detected in 11 specimens by the culture method. For PCR, sample DNA was prepared from transport medium in which urethral smear was suspended and two oligonucleotides based on sequences within the major outer membrane protein gene from C. trachomatis serovar L2 were used as extension primers. In 12 of the 18 specimens, 242bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR and demonstrated to be the DNA fragment of C. trachomatis by Southern blot hybridization. No DNA of 242bp was amplified by PCR from five specimens in which any inclusion bodies of C. trachomatis were observed or from a specimen in which one inclusion body per cover slip was detected by culture method. C. trachomatis DNA of 242bp was amplified from all specimens in which 14 and more inclusion bodies per cover slip were detected by culture method. In two specimens concluded s negative by culture method, amplified C. trachomatis DNA were detected by PCR. Thus, the PCR would be a more simple and sensitive method for detection of C. trachomatis, compared with the culture method.

Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with aggressive natural killer cell leukemia

We describe a patient who had aggressive natural killer cell leukemia with profound hemophagocytosis. This combination must be underscored as one of several hemophagocytic syndromes. Activated phagocytes in the bone marrow appeared morphologically normal and could possibly be proliferating in response to some cytokine(s) such as interferon-gamma produced by leukemic cells, whose serum level was found to be extremely elevated in this case.

Postbinding insulin resistance around parturition in the isolated rat epitrochlearis muscle

To determine whether insulin resistance exists in maternal skeletal muscle during pregnancy and how it returns to normal during the postpartum period, 3-O-methyl[14C]-D-glucose transport and [125I]insulin-binding activities were measured in isolated rat epitrochlearis muscle. Maximally insulin-stimulated methylglucose transport activity was decreased on day 20 of pregnancy and on days 1 and 4 post partum; it returned to the nonpregnant level by day 9. The insulin-binding activity did not change significantly throughout pregnancy, increased on days 1 and 4 post partum, and returned to the nonpregnant level by day 9. There was no significant difference in insulin binding or insulin-stimulated methylglucose transport activity between lactating and nonlactating animals. These results suggest that insulin resistance caused by postbinding changes in epitrochlearis muscle develops during late pregnancy and continues at least until day 4 post partum. Lactation does not appear to have a significant effect on insulin resistance.

Production of an antiserum using a fusion protein produced by a cDNA for rat choline acetyltransferase

A fusion protein produced by a cDNA for rat choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) inserted into a translation vector was used for immunization of rabbits. An antiserum was obtained that could recognize a single protein band in immunoblot analysis of a partially purified enzyme preparation of the rat brain. The antiserum revealed ChAT immunoreactivity in the motoneurons and terminal-like structures in the neuropil of the ventral horn in cryostat sections of the cervical spinal cord of the rat. This antiserum may be of particular use to study the development of the cholinergic neuron.

[Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction]

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was developed for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Two oligonucleotide primers based on sequences within the major outer membrane protein gene from C. trachomatis serovar L2 were used. A single DNA fragment was amplified, when C. trachomatis DNA was template for the PCR. No amplified product was detected in Chlamydia psittaci DNA, Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA or other bacterial DNAs. The amplified DNA fragment was detected, when DNA of greater than or equal to 10(2) C. trachomatis per reaction was used as template for the PCR. Thus, the PCR was shown to be specific for C. trachomatis and more sensitive than the enzyme immunoassays for detection of chlamydial antigen and the chlamydial rRNA:DNA probe hybridization method.

Skeletal, dental, and functional effects of headgear-activator therapy on Class II malocclusion in Japanese: a clinical case report

Ten orthodontic patients in whom a headgear-activator appliance was used in the first phase of treatment for Class II malocclusion were clinically evaluated. All patients had abnormal perioral muscle function at the initial examination. Myofunctional methods were used before and during active treatment. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric tracings were evaluated to examine the effect of the appliance on dental, skeletal, and soft tissue structures. Five of the 10 cases illustrated distal movement of the lower first molar, a phenomenon not mentioned previously in the literature. Growth stimulation of the mandible was also observed in this patient sample, with some subjects demonstrating above-average mandibular growth when compared with a control group of normal subjects. Abnormal oral function was eliminated, and all patients had clinically acceptable results at the end of the treatment period. The headgear-activator appliance can be considered an effective tool for the control of vertical growth problems in growing mixed-dentition patients.

A case report of hepatocellular carcinoma within adenomatous hyperplasia: is adenomatous hyperplasia a precancerous lesion or not?

It is controversial whether adenomatous hyperplasia (AH) of the liver progresses to hepatocellular carcinoma. We experienced two hepatic lesions in a patient (73-yr-old male) with cirrhotic liver. One was diagnosed as HCC and the other was AH including a small HCC histologically. To investigate cell kinetics and the ploidy pattern of these lesions, Feulgen DNA-cytofluorometry analysis was performed. The result of this analysis suggested that AH developed into extremely well-differentiated HCC composed of mononuclear diploid cells at first and then was further transformed into clear cell type HCC composed of mononuclear tetraploid cells. The development of human HCC, at least in cirrhotic liver, may therefore be a multi-step process.

Molecular and genetic analyses of arylamine N-acetyltransferase polymorphism of rabbit liver

A cDNA clone encoding the full coding region of polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase was isolated from rabbit liver and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The expressed enzyme acetylated 2-aminofluorene, procainamide, sulfamethazine, and p-aminobenzoic acid at equivalent rates. N-Acetyltransferase activity was measured in 17 rabbits from an inbred colony which were classified into rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylators. The livers of the rapid and intermediate acetylators efficiently acetylated all four substrates, while the liver from the slow acetylator showed a low but significant activity with p-aminobenzoic acid. Immunoblot and Northern blot analyses of rabbit livers indicated that the differences in N-acetyltransferase activity were due to differences in N-acetyltransferase protein and mRNA content. Genomic clones of N-acetyltransferase were isolated from the rapid and slow acetylator rabbits. The nucleotide sequence of the gene from rapid acetylator rabbit was identical to that of the cDNA, while the sequence of the gene from slow acetylator rabbit was homologous, but not identical, to the cDNA sequence. Genomic Southern blot and polymerase chain reaction analyses of the genomic DNAs and cDNAs from the three types of acetylator indicated that the gene for polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase is totally deleted in the slow acetylator rabbit, while the gene from slow acetylator rabbit is expressed in all rabbits and might encode another N-acetyltransferase. Thus the genetic mechanism of N-acetyltransferase polymorphism in rabbit liver is essentially different from that of human liver as demonstrated in this laboratory (Ohsako, S., and Deguchi, T. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 4630-4634; Deguchi, T., Mashimo, M., and Suzuki, T. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 12757-12760).