One step sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human type IV collagen using monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were used in one step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (one step sandwich EIA) for human serum immunoreactive type IV collagen. The one step sandwich EIA using either polystyrene ball or microplate was characterized by carrying out two immunoreactions simultaneously, type IV collagen reacting with both a monoclonal antibody as a solid phase and a horseradish peroxidase-labeled monoclonal antibody (Fab') against human type IV collagen as a conjugate. Sensitivity of one step sandwich EIA system by using either polystyrene ball or microplate was 0.22 ng per tube or 0.04 ng per well for type IV collagen, and linearity was obtained between 0.22-40 ng/tube or 0.04-20 ng per well, respectively. Both methods gave reproducible quantitative analysis of immunoreactive type IV collagen levels in the sera of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and patients with liver cirrhosis, which were apparently higher than the levels in the sera of healthy subjects. Protein immunoblotting shows that the immunoreactive type IV collagen trapped in our present one step sandwich EIA system was not the 7-S and NC1 domains of type IV collagen.

A new membrane antigen revealed by monoclonal antibodies is associated with motoneuron axonal pathways

Chick embryonic motoneurons selectively grow out from the spinal cord as the first step of their selective axonal growth. In order to detect the molecules responsible for motoneuron outgrowth from the cord, we produced and immunohistochemically screened many monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against cord and somite. We found that two of them, called M7412 and M7902, selectively bound to the cell surface of the anterior half of the sclerotome, where motoneurons selectively extend their axons. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblot results were identical for these antibodies and the antigen was called M7412 antigen. Although neural crest cells also migrate into the anterior half of the sclerotome, the expression of M7412 antigen by sclerotome cells was independent of the neural crest, because neural crest removal did not affect the appearance of the antigen. Furthermore, MAb M7412 bound to the mesenchymal cells along presumptive major nerve trunks in the limb and to the structures surrounding myotubes in muscles during the formation of intramuscular nerve branches. These results suggest that M7412 antigen might be a substrate for general, but not specific, growth of motoneuron axons. If this is the case, we must also infer that some molecule inhibitory for motoneuron growth is localized in the posterior half of sclerotome, because at upper cervical levels the M7412 antigen was also expressed intensely in the posterior sclerotome, whereas motoneurons still grew only into the anterior half. The M7412 antigen was transiently expressed in such various tissues as somite; muscles; blood vessels; spinal cord cells, especially motoneurons innervating the limb; and dorsal root and other peripheral ganglion cells. The M7412 antigenic molecule was extractable with NP40 from a membrane fraction of whole chick embryos and its molecular weight was estimated to be 70 kDa from immunoblot analysis. Thus, our monoclonal antibodies have revealed a new membrane-associated molecule which is likely to play a role in cell-cell interactions during development of motoneurons.

[Treatment of gonococcal urethritis with norfloxacin]

Fifty six males with gonococcal urethritis were administered 600 mg of norfloxacin (NFLX) daily for 7 days, before the effects were examined. The pharmaceutical effects were studied on the third and the seventh day after administration. Pronounced effectiveness of 77.8%, effectiveness of 19.4% and ineffectiveness of 2.8% were found on the third day after administration, and pronounced effectiveness of 94.4%, effectiveness of 5.6% and ineffectiveness of 0% were found on the seventh day after administration. Effectiveness of 100% was obtained up to the seventh day. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NFLX and ampicillin (AMPC) were determined for 14 strains. The peak of MIC of NFLX was found at 0.05 micrograms/ml and all strains were 0.78 micrograms/ml or lower. The peak of MIC of AMPC was 0.1 microgram/ml. MICs of both drugs were 0.78 micrograms/ml or lower, and resistant bacteria were not found. In view of the analyses of age distribution of patients and source of infection, the peak was found in the twenties and the source of infection in 64.7% were, so-called, professional women.

Histopathological study of corpora amylacea pulmonum

In this paper, we present a rare disorder which is known as corpora amylacea pulmonum. X-ray CT scanning showed an abnormal focus of the lung as a solitary mass with high density and spicular features around the surface. The resected lung tissue was characterized by the appearance of round, concentrically laminated acellular bodies about 40-80 microns in diameter. The bodies were usually found lying free in the alveolar space and surrounded by the exudate alveolar macrophages or multinuclear giant cells. Some of these macrophages were in a state of progressive degeneration. The bodies showed an affinity for Congo red and exhibited partial birefringence. Moreover, all the bodies had a strong positivity for the PAS reaction and anti lysozyme antibodies. The exudate alveolar macrophages and multinuclear giant cells also displayed reactivity for PAS and lysozyme in a similar manner to that of the bodies. Electron microscopically the bodies were fundamentally composed of fibrillar elements, which bore some resemblance to amyloid fibrils and probably accounted for the partial affinity of the bodies for Congo red. These amyloid-like fibrils were also found in the cytoplasm of the macrophages. This suggested that the concentrically laminated bodies in corpora amylacea pulmonum might be formed by sequential aggregation, fusion, coalescence and compaction of degenerated alveolar macrophages.

[Cefotiam concentration in the peritoneum in infants during surgery]

1. Supposing the hernia sac to be peritoneum, intraperitoneal transition of cefotiam (CTM) was examined on 57 cases of infantile inguinal hernia subdivided into 7 groups. 2. After one shot intravenous injection, CTM showed rapid transition into the blood and the peritoneal tissue and even at a dose of 40 mg/kg and 120 minutes later. CTM exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity considering of MIC80 against clinically isolated bacterial strains. 3. Healing by first intention of operative wounds was obtained in all of the cases given CTM without any case suggestive of postoperative infection. No clinical side effect was observed in any one of the cases.

[Mathematical analysis of equilibrium on 2-site immunoradiometric assay using anti-human TSH monoclonal antibody]

A mathematical analysis of equilibrium was adapted on a practical 2-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) using 10 murine monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to human TSH. The affinity constant of 10 Mabs was from 2.5 x 10(8) to 3.3 x 10(10) M-1. The dose-response curves using appropriate combinations of Mab-coated bead and 125I-labeled Mab were compared with the theoretical curves calculated from mathematical analysis of equilibrium. Theoretical curves were directly affected by the affinity constants in which antibodies with higher affinity constants showed higher binding activity of tracer. However, the curves which antibodies have more than 1 x 10(9) M-1 and 1 x 10(10) M-1 for capture antibody and tracer antibody did not show remarkable change, but were similar with the curve obtained from unlimited affinity constant. From these curve, the maximum and minimum detectable dose were approx. 2 x 10(-10) M and 4 x 10(-14) M, respectively. Seven out of 10 experimental curves for TSH showed good consistency with the corresponding theoretical curves which indicated that a mathematical analysis of equilibrium was useful to presume experimental results using monoclonal antibody.

Increased secretion of atrial natriuretic polypeptide from the left ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

To examine whether atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) is released from the left ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) we measured plasma ANP level in the aortic root (Ao), the anterior interventricular vein (AIV), the great cardiac vein (GCV), and the coronary sinus (CS) in 11 patients with DCM and 18 control subjects. Plasma ANP levels in Ao, AIV, GCV, and CS were 454 +/- 360, 915 +/- 584, 1,308 +/- 926, and 1,884 +/- 1,194 pg/ml, respectively, in the patients with DCM and 108 +/- 42, 127 +/- 55, 461 +/- 224, and 682 +/- 341 pg/ml, respectively, in the control subjects. There was no significant difference in the plasma ANP levels between Ao and AIV in the control subjects. On the contrary, there was a significant (P less than 0.001) step-up in plasma ANP levels between Ao and AIV in patients with DCM. Thus, the difference in ANP levels between Ao and AIV was significantly increased in patients with DCM as compared with the control subjects (461 +/- 248 vs. 19 +/- 59 pg/ml, P less than 0.001). The difference in ANP levels between Ao and CS was also significantly increased in patients with DCM as compared with the control subjects (1,429 +/- 890 vs. 577 +/- 318 pg/ml, P less than 0.001). We conclude that ANP is released in increased amounts into the circulation from the left ventricle as well as from the heart as a whole in patients with DCM.

Augmented expression of atrial natriuretic polypeptide gene in ventricle of human failing heart

To elucidate the expression of the atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) gene in the ventricle of the human failing heart, we have measured ANP and ANP messenger RNA (ANPmRNA) levels in left ventricular aneurysm obtained at operation, biopsy specimens of left ventricles from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and autopsy samples of old myocardial infarction (OMI) and DCM hearts, and compared the levels with those in the normal ventricle. The ANP level (mean +/- SE) was 17.5 +/- 6.9 ng/g in the normal ventricle, and increased to 660.3 +/- 122.2 ng/g in the left ventricular aneurysm tissues and to 3,138.6 +/- 1,642.1 ng/g in the biopsy specimens of the DCM ventricle. These levels were approximately 40 and 200 times higher than in the normal ventricle. The increase of ANP levels was observed in both infarcted and noninfarcted regions of the OMI heart, and in the entire ventricle of the DCM heart. A significant positive correlation was found between the ANP level in aneurysm tissues and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = 0.85). The ANPmRNA level in the left ventricular aneurysm showed about a 10-fold increase compared with that in the normal heart and reached 23% of that in the atrium of the same heart. A similar increase in the ANPmRNA level was observed in the entire ventricle of DCM. These data clearly indicate that the expression of the ANP gene in the ventricle is augmented in the failing heart in accordance with the severity of heart failure. In the atrium of the failing heart, ANP and ANPmRNA levels were only two times higher than those in the normal atrium. Thus, the augmentation in the expression of the ANP gene was more prominent in the ventricle than in the atrium. Taking tissue weight into account, the total content of ANPmRNA in the ventricle of the failing heart is much the same as that in the normal atrium. The ratio of the ANP level to the ANPmRNA level in the ventricle is much smaller than that in the atrium. These results suggest more rapid secretion of ANP after synthesis in the ventricle. These findings demonstrate that the expression of the ANP gene is augmented in the human ventricle of the failing heart and suggest that the ventricle becomes a substantial source of circulating ANP in congestive heart failure.

Developmental changes of C-series polysialogangliosides in chick brains revealed by mouse monoclonal antibodies M6704 and M7103 with different epitope specificities

We have established many mouse monoclonal antibodies detecting developmentally regulated antigens in chicken embryonic neural tissues of the otic vesicles and neural tube by immunizing mice with the membrane fraction of the neural tube and somite prepared from 3-d chick embryos. Among them, three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) M6703, M6704, and M7103 were shown to react with the gangliosides isolated from chicken embryonic brains. The precise specificity of the antibodies was determined mainly by enzyme-immunostaining on thin layer plates. MAbs M6703 and M6704 bound to C-series polysialogangliosides including GT3, GT2, GT1c, GQ1c, and GP1c isolated from cod fish brains, but never to A-series, B-series, or X-series gangliosides. On the other hand, MAb M7103 antibody has a rather narrow specificity, reacting with GT1c, GQ1c, and GP1c, but not with ganglioside GT3. This indicates that the epitopes defined by these two MAbs are not with ganglioside GT3. This indicates that the epitopes defined by these two MAbs are different from each other. MAbs M6703 and M6704 recognize a trisialosyl residue, NeuAc alpha 2-8NeuAc alpha 2-8NeuAc alpha 2-3, while M7103 requires both a trisialosyl residue and the gangliotetraosy backbone structure for binding. As compared to similar MAbs which have been reported in the literature. M6703 and M6704 are unique in that they react equally with all of the C-series gangliosides and belong to the IgG3 subclass.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular differentiation of the otic vesicle and neural tube in the chick embryo demonstrated by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against membrane fractions of the chick neural tube and somite. These MAbs selectively stained the neural tube and neural crest cells; the antigens for some of these MAbs were identified as cell adhesion molecules or glycolipids. Histochemistry of the otic vesicle and its progeny in the chick embryo was performed with these MAbs and other MAbs obtained previously in our laboratory. It was demonstrated that differentiation of the otic placode and vesicle from the ectoderm, and development of the acoustic ganglion from the otic vesicle were accompanied by the appearance and disappearance of various molecules.

Nucleotide sequences of two embryonic drebrins, developmentally regulated brain proteins, and developmental change in their mRNAs

Drebrins are developmentally regulated proteins found in chicken brain and are classified into two forms of the embryonic type (E1 and E2) and one form of the adult type (A). Although the time courses of their appearance are different from each other, the structures of the 3 forms are closely related. Two kinds of drebrin cDNA, designated gDcw6 and gDcw17, were isolated from the cDNA library of the chicken embryo and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Their sequences were entirely identical except for a deletion of an internal 129-nucleotide sequence, and the gDcw17 insert contained an open reading frame capable of encoding 607 amino acids. These cDNAs seemed to correspond to two embryonic forms of drebrin mRNAs. The predicted drebrin molecules are highly hydrophilic and have proline-rich sequences and long stretches of glutamate in the carboxyl-terminal region. RNA dot-blot analysis using the drebrin cDNA as a probe demonstrated that the amounts of drebrin mRNAs were also developmentally regulated as those of drebrins. Southern blot analysis showed that the chicken genome has a single copy of the drebrin gene per haploid complement. These findings suggest that the multiple forms of drebrins result from alternative splicing of the single drebrin gene during neural development.

Intestinal pseudoobstruction in a neonate caused by idiopathic muscular hypertrophy of the entire small intestine

We report a case of intestinal obstruction in a neonate caused by massive muscular hypertrophy of the entire small intestine. Furthermore, the muscularis propria consisted of three layers, in most part. The pathogenesis of this apparently unique lesion is obscure.

A new method for electron microscopic observation of isolated synaptic vesicles labelled with monoclonal antibody

The immunoreaction of a monoclonal antibody (Mab) and an isolated synaptic vesicle (SV) was processed on a grid mesh and the result could be easily observed with electron microscopy. The SV suspension was obtained and dispersed on the grid mesh where immunoreaction procedures were performed. The resulting immunoreaction was visualized by labelling with ferritin particle (FAD) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the electron microscopic observation. The SV specimen was observed by electron microscopy after faint negative staining with 1% uranyl acetate. With this method, the positive immunoreaction of Mab 171B5 and the isolated SV could be easily identified by the formation of a halo of FAD or a cobweb of HRP surrounding the SV. In the control experiment, the SV specimen was incubated with normal mouse serum instead of the Mab while the other procedures were performed in the same way. The SV was not outlined by FAD in the control experiment. Thus, the positive immunoreaction of the Mab and SV was thought to be an immunologically specific one. It was also determined that the Mab reacted specifically with the SV but not with the small membrane fragments and other unknown material. The present method seems to be useful for observing the immunoreaction of subcellular structures and their antibodies under electron microscopy.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA for the developmentally regulated brain protein, drebrin

A lambda gt11 cDNA library from 10-day-old chicken embryo was screened immunologically using an antiserum against drebrins E1, E2 and A, proteins previously designated S5, S6 and S54, respectively. A cDNA clone for a common domain of drebrin was isolated. Northern blot analysis of chicken brain indicated that drebrin mRNAs are about 2.7 kilobases in molecular size and that expression of these proteins is developmentally regulated.

Improved method for large-scale purification of brain gangliosides by Q-sepharose column chromatography. Immunochemical detection of C-series polysialogangliosides in adult bovine brains

A new chromatographic method for separation of bovine brain gangliosides has been developed using Q-Sepharose. Gangliosides were separated based not only on their sialic acid numbers but also on the sialic acid molecular species and chain lengths of the skeletal oligosaccharide portions. The following results indicate that this column chromatography has practical advantages in separating mixtures of gangliosides, especially positional isomers and molecular species with N-acetyl- or N-glycolylneuraminic acid. (1) the loading capacity of Q-Sepharose for gangliosides was very high; (2) most major gangliosides such as GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b and GQ1b were isolated in a single step; (3) these major gangliosides were clearly separated from gangliosides containing, N-glycolylneuraminic acid when examined using Hanganutziu-Deicher antibody; (4) polysialogangliosides that have four or more sialic acid residues were isolated efficiently. It was shown by the combination of Q-Sepharose column chromatography with thin-layer chromatography/enzyme immunostaining that adult bovine brains possess C-series polysialogangliosides as minor components which are known as embryonic molecules in avian and mammalian brains.

[Cholecystolithiasis causing Mirizzi's syndrome with a rare anomaly of the extrahepatic bile duct in a child. Report of a case]

A 14 year-old girl, who was admitted to our hospital due to increasing jaundice, intermittent right upper quadrant pain and fever, underwent operation based on the diagnosis of the Mirizzi's syndrome. Calculi filled the cystic duct and compressed the right hepatic duct. The right and left hepatic ducts lay closer to the duodenum than usual. The operation was limited to cholecystectomy alone. The calculi showed laminar cut surfaces and were composed of bilirubin lime. In addition to reporting our case, the literature dealing with this particular entity is reviewed.

Properties of the raw-starch digesting amylase of Aspergillus sp. K-27: a synergistic action of glucoamylase and alpha-amylase

Glucoamylase and alpha-amylase have been purified from a crude enzyme preparation of Aspergillus sp. K-27. The former was thermostable and seemed to have a "starch-binding site", judging from the results of a kinetic study, and the latter synergistically enhanced the degradation of starch granules with glucoamylase.

Case report of biliary atresia associated with preduodenal portal vein, ventricular septal defect and bilobed spleen

A case report of biliary atresia associated with preduodenal portal vein is presented with a review of 27 similar cases previously reported. The occurrence of associated anomalies in these 28 cases has a much higher frequency (82%) than coincidental association. They were associated with cardiovascular anomalies in 71%, polysplenia in 68%, malrotation of the intestine in 61%, situs inversus in 22% and duodenal atresia in 9%. Developmental anomaly is considered to participate strongly in the aetiology of biliary atresia combined with preduodenal portal vein.

Expression of the insulinoma gene rig during liver regeneration and in primary cultured hepatocytes

We have isolated a novel gene, rig (rat insulinoma gene) from rat insulinomas. In the present study, rig was found to be expressed in rat regenerating liver and in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The level of rig mRNA was increased at the proliferative phase of liver regeneration. In synchronously cultured hepatocytes, the rig mRNA level was elevated at the G1 phase of the cell cycle and the rig-protein was accumulated in the nuclei during the S phase. These results indicated that rig could be involved in a more general way in growth or cell replication.

Atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) in human ventricle. Increased gene expression of ANP in dilated cardiomyopathy

Tissue levels of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) messenger RNA (ANPmRNA) and ANP in the human atrium and ventricle were measured simultaneously by the blot hybridization technique and the specific radioimmunoassay for ANP. Hearts were obtained from two patients without cardiac complications and from a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) at autopsy. Total RNA extracted from ventricles contained a hybridizing RNA band of the same size as atrial ANPmRNA in both control and DCM hearts. The ANPmRNA level in the control ventricle was 0.2% of that in the atrium. The ANPmRNA level in the DCM ventricle increased to about 7% of that in the corresponding atrium and was approximately 40 times higher than that in the control ventricle, although the ANPmRNA level in the DCM atrium was comparable to that in the control atrium. The total content of ANPmRNA in the DCM ventricle reached about 30% of that in the corresponding atrium and was much the same as that in the control atrium. The ANP level in the DCM ventricle was approximately 1.0 microgram/g and much higher than that in the control ventricle (0.02 microgram/g).

Monoclonal antibodies to bovine collagenase inhibitor

Hybridoma antibodies against bovine collagenase inhibitor were produced by fusion of myeloma cells NS-1 (P3-NS1-1) with spleen cells from mice hyperimmunized with collagenase inhibitor purified from the explant medium of bovine dental pulps. Hybridomas positive by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for bovine collagenase inhibitor were cloned by the dilution method. Seventeen hybridomas producing antibodies were isolated, four of which also recognized purified human collagenase inhibitor in the ELISA. Using a monoclonal antibody-Sepharose affinity column, we easily purified both bovine and human collagenase inhibitors to homogeneity. They showed the same mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, corresponding to a molecular mass of 32,000 daltons.

Comparative analysis of short-term and long-term prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer. Prospective, randomized, controlled studies of the Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group

The Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group has conducted three randomized clinical studies on intravesical chemoprophylaxis of superficial bladder cancers. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the first and second of these. The protocol used in the first study was a so-called short-term schedule in which drugs (for group A, ADM 30 mg/30 ml; group B, ADM 20 mg/40 ml; group C, MMC 20 mg/40 ml; and group D, control) were administered twice a week for 4 weeks after transurethral resection (TUR), and in the second study a long-term schedule was used, in which drugs (for group E, ADM 30 mg/30 ml; group F, ADM 20 mg/40 ml; group G, MMC 20 mg/40 ml; and group H, control) were administered twice a week for 1 week, every 2 weeks for 7 weeks, monthly for 8 months, and finally once every 3 months for 1 year. In the first study 575 patients were evaluated and followed up for 5 years. The second study started 28 months later, and 607 patients were evaluated. A generally good prophylactic effect was obtained in the second study when the patients' backgrounds were adjusted in combination with the history and number of the tumors. The second study did not reveal any promoting or inhibitory effect on the progression of the recurrent tumors. There were no significant side effects in either study. The indications and the schedule for prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy should be more carefully studied.

Phase III trial of the Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group for Adriamycin: cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and cisplatinum versus cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

A non-randomized clinical study on systemic combination chemotherapy was conducted by the Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group for Adriamycin to compare the effectiveness of CAP (cyclophosphamide 200-500 mg/m2, adriamycin 30-50 mg/m2 and cisplatin 30-50 mg/m2) and CAF (cyclophosphamide 200-500 mg/m2, adriamycin 30-50 mg/m2 and 5-fluorouracil 250 mg/m2) in 123 patients (104 evaluable) with advanced and/or metastatic cancer of the urinary bladder. Among 96 patients who were non-randomly selected to receive CAP, 4 achieved complete remission, 12 achieved partial remission, 7 achieved minor response, 30 had stable disease, and 43 had disease progression. The response in the 8 patients who received CAF were: partial remission in 1 and progressive disease in 7. The overall response rate to CAP therapy was 17%, as against 13% for CAF therapy. The median duration of survival with CAP was 29 weeks and with CAF, 22 weeks. The differences between the two groups in duration of survival and response rate were not statistically significant. Complete and/or partial remissions were observed in the lymph nodes, lung and liver in 32%, 24%, and 57% of cases, respectively. There was no objective response in bone metastasis. The main side effects of CAP were anorexia (88%), nausea and/or vomiting (81%), alopecia (65%), leukopenia (72%), anemia (48%), and renal dysfunction (17%). No patients died as a result of toxicity of these combination chemotherapy modalities.