Atmospheric chemistry of HFE-7500 [n-C3F7CF(OC2H5)CF(CF3)2]: reaction with OH radicals and Cl atoms and atmospheric fate of n-C3F7CF(OCHO*)CF(CF3)2 and n-C3F7CF(OCH2CH2O*)CF(CF3)2 radicals

Relative rate techniques were used to measure k(OH + HFE-7500) = (2.6+/-0.6) x 10(-14), k(Cl + HFE-7500) = (2.3+/-0.7) x 10(-12), k[Cl + n-C3F7CF(OC(O)H)CF(CF3)2] = (9.7+/-1.4) x 10(-15), and k[Cl + n-C3F7CF(OC(O)CH3)CF(CF3)2] < 6 x 10(-17) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) at 295 K [HFE-7500 = n-C3F7-CF(OC2H5)CF(CF3)2]. From the value of k(OH + HFE-7500) an estimate of 2.2 years for the atmospheric lifetime of HFE-7500 is obtained. Two competing loss mechanisms for n-C3F7-CF(OCHO.CH3)CF(CF3)2 radicals were identified in 700 Torr of N2/O2 diluent at 295 K; reaction with O2 and decomposition via C-C bond scission with kO2/k(decomp) = 0.013+/-0.006 Torr(-1). The Cl atom initiated oxidation of HFE-7500 in N2/O2 diluent gives n-C3F7CF(OC(O)CH3)CF(CF3)2 as the major product and n-C3F7CF(OC(O)H)CF(CF3)2 as a minor product. The atmospheric oxidation of HFE-7500 gives n-C3F7-CF(OC(O)CH3)CF(CF3)2 and n-C3F7CF(OC(O)H)CF(CF3)2 as oxidation products. The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry and environmental impact of HFE-7500.

[Early and long-term outcome for surgical treatment of aortic arch aneurysm]

This study was undertaken to determine the factors that influence the final outcome after the operation of aortic arch aneurysm. Sixty-six patients, the median age was 72 years (range 44 to 90), were operated at our hospital during the 16-year period between 1985 and 2001. Preoperative complications included cardiac in 6 and vascular in 21, ruptured in 13, myocardial ischemia in 21 and stroke in 14. The distal hemiarch (11) and total arch replacement with or without ascending aorta and descending aorta (46) and proximal hemiarch with or without valve operations (7) and other procedures were performed mainly using cardio-pulmonary bypass with moderate deep hypothermia and selective cerebral perfusion. The in-hospital mortality were 6 (9%) and 14 (23%) late deaths occurred. One out of 14 was aneurysm related death. The survival rates were 81% at 1 year and 59% at 5 years. The multivariably determined risk factors for early death and postoperative neurological dysfunction were as follows (p < 0.05) cardiac anoxic arrest time, intubation time and gender.

Distribution of soluble N-ethylmaleimide fusion protein attachment proteins (SNAPs) in the rat nervous system

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) plays an essential role in vesicular transport and the release of neurotransmitters and hormones through associations with NSF and SNAP receptors (SNAREs). Three isoforms (alpha, beta and gamma) of SNAP are expressed in mammals. We have generated isoform-specific antibodies and studied the expression and distribution of these SNAP isoforms in the rat nervous system. Each antibody specifically recognized alpha-, beta- or gamma-SNAP in an isoform-specific manner in immunoblots of brain homogenate. Alpha- and gamma-SNAP were ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, whereas beta-SNAP was expressed only in brain. After subcellular fractionation of brain homogenates, all three isoforms were recovered in both soluble and particulate fractions. Immunohistochemistry revealed that alpha- and beta-SNAP were generally differentially distributed both in synaptic and non-synaptic regions, including brain white matter. The presynaptic location of both alpha- and beta-SNAP was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. At the neuromuscular junction, immunoreactive alpha-SNAP was identified in synaptic vesicles, while in the cerebellum, beta-SNAP was present in the presynaptic membranes of basket neuron and mossy fiber terminals. From these results we suggest that both alpha- and beta-SNAP may play an important role in neurotransmitter release as well as in constitutive vesicular transport.

KL-6, surfactant protein A and D in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

KL-6, and surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) derived from alveolar type II cells and/or bronchiolar epithelial cells have been reported to be useful markers for interstitial lung diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to measure the levels of these molecules in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis to investigate their relationship with other markers of inflammatory activity.

METHODS

We measured KL-6, SP-A and SP-D levels in BALF from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis using an ELISA.

RESULTS

KL-6 and SP-D, but not SP-A levels were significantly increased in pulmonary sarcoidosis compared with controls. KL-6, SP-A and SP-D levels were significantly correlated with each other. KL-6 and SP-D levels were relatively and significantly correlated with the percentage of lymphocytes in BALF. KL-6, SP-D, but not SP-A levels were significantly correlated with the concentration of albumin in BALF. There was no significant correlation between KL-6, SP-A, or SP-D levels and chest X-ray findings, angiotensin-converting enzyme levels, or CD4/CD8 ratio in BALF.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that KL-6 and SP-D levels in BALF were increased in pulmonary sarcoidosis. Since these markers are specifically derived from epithelial cells, it is considered that KL-6 and SP-D levels are reflecting damage or release of these markers from epithelial cells due to the inflammatory response.

UNC-16, a JNK-signaling scaffold protein, regulates vesicle transport in C. elegans

Transport of synaptic components is a regulated process. Loss-of-function mutations in the C. elegans unc-16 gene result in the mislocalization of synaptic vesicle and glutamate receptor markers. unc-16 encodes a homolog of mouse JSAP1/JIP3 and Drosophila Sunday Driver. Like JSAP1/JIP3, UNC-16 physically interacts with JNK and JNK kinases. Deletion mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans JNK and JNK kinases result in similar mislocalization of synaptic vesicle markers and enhance weak unc-16 mutant phenotypes. unc-116 kinesin heavy chain mutants also mislocalize synaptic vesicle markers, as well as a functional UNC-16::GFP. Intriguingly, unc-16 mutations partially suppress the vesicle retention defect in unc-104 KIF1A kinesin mutants. Our results suggest that UNC-16 may regulate the localization of vesicular cargo by integrating JNK signaling and kinesin-1 transport.

[A case of sarcoidosis involving multiple organs that showed significant improvement as the serum KL-6 level fell after steroid therapy]

Pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy in a 27-year old man admitted to our hospital in September 1996. In October 1999, bilateral parenchymal findings on chest radiography and the results of pulmonary function tests had significantly deteriorated compared with those of three years before. Since skin, heart, liver, and spleen lesions were also detected, this patient was treated with corticosteroids. The lung parenchymal lesions and the pulmonary function as well as the abnormal findings in other organs showed significantly improvement along with a decrease of the KL-6 level after steroid therapy.

Observation of a (6)(LambdaLambda)He double hypernucleus

A double-hyperfragment event has been found in a hybrid-emulsion experiment. It is identified uniquely as the sequential decay of ( 6)(LambdaLambda)He emitted from a Xi(-) hyperon nuclear capture at rest. The mass of ( 6)(LambdaLambda)He and the Lambda-Lambda interaction energy DeltaB(LambdaLambda) have been measured for the first time devoid of the ambiguities due to the possibilities of excited states. The value of DeltaB(LambdaLambda) is 1.01+/-0.20(+0.18)(-0.11) MeV. This demonstrates that the Lambda-Lambda interaction is weakly attractive.

Large third-order optical nonlinearity of Cu-O chains investigated by third-harmonic generation spectroscopy

Spectra of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility chi((3)) have been investigated for one-dimensional Mott insulators, Sr(2)CuO(3) and Ca(2)CuO(3), by applying the third-harmonic generation (THG) spectroscopy on their single-crystalline thin films. The three-photon resonance to the lowest charge-transfer (CT) state with odd parity strongly enhances chi((3)), which is of the order of 10(-9) esu. The two-photon resonant structure unravels the even-CT state, located close to the odd-CT state. Two types of chi((3)) spectra obtained from THG and the electroreflectance measurements are explained based on the concept of spin-charge separation.

Synthesis of a muscarinic receptor antagonist via a diastereoselective Michael reaction, selective deoxyfluorination and aromatic metal-halogen exchange reaction

An efficient synthesis of a structurally unique, novel M(3) antagonist 1 is described. Compound 1 is conveniently disconnected retrosynthetically at the amide bond to reveal the acid portion 2 and the amine fragment 3. The synthesis of key intermediate 2 is highlighted by a ZnCl(2)-MAEP complex 19 catalyzed diastereoselective Michael reaction of dioxolane 7 with 2-cyclopenten-1-one (5) to establish the contiguous quaternary-tertiary chiral centers and a subsequent geminal difluorination of ketone 17 using Deoxofluor in the presence of catalytic BF(3).OEt(2). The synthesis of the amine moiety 3 is highlighted by the discovery of a novel n-Bu(3)MgLi magnesium-halogen exchange reaction for selective functionalization of 2,6-dibromopyridine. This new and practical metalation protocol obviated cryogenic conditions and upon quenching with DMF gave 6-bromo-2-formylpyridine (26) in excellent yield. Further transformations afforded the amine fragment 3 via reductive amination with 35, Pd-catalyzed aromatic amination, and deprotection. Finally, the highly convergent synthesis of 1 was accomplished by coupling of the two fragments. This synthesis has been used to prepare multi-kilogram quantities of the bulk drug.

Electrochemical oxidation of bisphenol A. Application to the removal of bisphenol A using a carbon fiber electrode

The electrochemical behavior of bisphenol A was investigated by voltammetric techniques. The electrochemical oxidation of bisphenol A led to the inactivation of the glassy carbon electrode as the result of the deposition of the electropolymerized films. Although phenolate is oxidized more easily than the neutral phenol, an electropolymerized film of bisphenol A was formed in neutral media rather than in alkaline media. The fouling of the electrode surface by the electropolymerized film was evaluated by monitoring the electrode response of ferrocyanide ion as the redox marker. The electrochemical removal of bisphenol A based on the formation of the electropolymerized film on an anode surface was also attempted using a carbon fiber electrode with a very large surface area. The high removal efficiency for bisphenol A was obtained in a dilute solution of bisphenol A. The maximum surface coverage (gamma) of electropolymerized bisphenol A on the carbon fiber was about 2 x 10(-9) mol/cm2.

Cutaneous electrical oscillation in a weakly electric fish, Gymnarchus niloticus

An African electric fish, Gymnarchus niloticus. ceases its electric organ discharge for a prolonged time in response to external electrical signals. During the cessation of electric organ discharges from the electric organ, a weak sinusoidal signal (approximately 0.1 mV cm(-1)) near the fish's previous discharge frequency was recorded near the body. The oscillatory potentials at all points on the body surface were synchronized and had a complex spatial distribution. The source of the potential was determined to be within the dermal tissue. Electroreceptive central neurons that responded to a moving target near the fish with normal electric organ discharges also responded to the same target when the electric organ discharge was interrupted and the potential from the skin existed. This result suggests that the fish may be able to electrolocate objects without the discharge from the electric organ.

Molecular epidemiology of Arthroderma benhamiae, an emerging pathogen of dermatophytoses in Japan, by polymorphisms of the non-transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA

In Japan, several isolates of Arthroderma benhamiae, a teleomorphic member of Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, which were not found by earlier mating studies, have recently been recovered from human and animal dermatophytoses. In the present study, intraspecies polymorphism of A. benhamiae isolated in Japan was investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of the non-transcribed spacer (NTS) region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA), a method introduced to detect intraspecies polymorphisms of other dermatophyte species, such as T. rubrum. Based on their restriction profiles, there were five DNA types out of eight strains of A. benhamiae isolated in Japan. None of the five DNA types were found among the registered tester strains of A. benhamiae. Therefore, several different strains of A. benhamiae may have been brought into Japan separately.

[Advances in molecular biology of dermatophytes]

During the 44th meeting of The Japanese Society for Medical Mycology in Nagasaki, 2000, a forum was held entitled Advances in Molecular Biology of Dermatophytes. Based on the subject, target molecules and kind of approach, we selected seven presentations from over 100 of the poster abstracts. Six of them concerned identification and one concerned viability. Summaries of the 7 presentations are given in this article. Of presentations on the identification methods, 5 demonstrated their usefulness: 1) A sequence analysis of ITS 1 region in ribosomal DNA of several Microsporum species showed ITS 1 genospecies Arthroderma otae to be composed of A. otae, M. canis, M. equinum and M. audouinii. 2) RAPD may be useful for identifying isolates which are not clearly identifiable by conventional biological techniques. 3) Sequence analysis of CHS 1 was shown to be a rapid tool for species level identification of M. gypseum. 4) PCR-SSCP analysis was also useful for discrimination of dermatophytes with high reproducibility and sensitivity. 5) Strain identification of A. benhamiae isolates may be possible using RFLP analysis of NTS regions in ribosomal DNA. The other presentation concerning identification pointed out some important problems: RFLP of mitochondrial DNA and ITS sequencing of A. benhamiae showed that the results are sometimes in conflict with those obtained from biological techniques, or in some cases, between other molecular techniques. This implies that our concept of fungal species needs to be re-examined and perhaps amended. The presentation on viability introduced quantitative analysis of mRNA of ACT gene, a new application of a molecular technique. Since the mRNA expresses only in living cells, the method is highly useful as an indicator of fungal viability.

Noninvasive quantitative tissue characterization and two-dimensional color-coded map of human atherosclerotic lesions using ultrasound integrated backscatter: comparison between histology and integrated backscatter images

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the present study was to define clinicopathologically whether integrated backscatter (IB) combined with conventional two-dimensional echo (2DE) can differentiate the tissue characteristics of calcification (CL), fibrosis (FI), lipid pool (LP) with fibrous cap, intimal hyperplasia (IH) and thrombus (TH) and can construct two-dimensional tissue plaque structure in vivo.

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to characterize the components of plaque using conventional 2DE techniques.

METHODS

Integrated backscatter values of plaques were measured in the right common carotid and femoral arteries (total 24 segments) both during life and after autopsy in 12 patients (age 68 to 84 years, 10 men and two women). Integrated backscatter values were determined using a 5-12 MHz multifrequency transducer, setting the region of interests (ROIs) (11 x 11 pixels) on the echo tomography of the entire arterial wall (55 +/- 10 ROI/segment) and comparing it with histologic features in the autopsied arterial specimens.

RESULTS

Corrected IB values obtained before death and at autopsy were significantly correlated (r = 0.93, p < 0.01). Corresponding to the histologic features, corrected IB values on the rectangle ROIs obtained during life were divided into five categories: category 1 (TH) 4 < IB < or = 6; category 2 (media and IH or LP in the intima) 7 < IB < or = 13; category 3 (FI) 13 < IB < or = 18, category 4 (mixed lesion) 18 < IB < or = 27 and category 5 (CL) 28 < IB < or = 33. In category 2, media and intima were differentiated using conventional 2DE. Under the above procedures, color-coded maps constructed with IB-2DE obtained during life precisely reflected the histologic features of media and intima.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated backscatter with 2DE represents a useful noninvasive tool for evaluating the tissue structure of human plaque.

Molecular diversity in zebrafish NCAM family: three members with different VASE usage and distinct localization

NCAM in vertebrates and its related molecules, apCAM in Aplysia, fasciclin II in Drosophila, and OCAM in mammals, play key roles in various aspects of brain development and functions. In this study, we have identified and characterized three members of the NCAM gene family in zebrafish, designated as zNCAM, zOCAM, and zPCAM. Three molecules exhibit similar domain organization: an amino-terminal signal peptide, five immunoglobulin-like domains, two fibronectin type III-like domains, a transmembrane segment, and a carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic region. A novel molecule zPCAM is most closely related to zNCAM with 66% amino acid identity. Diversity in the extracellular region of zPCAM is generated by insertion of two different types of variable alternatively spliced exons. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that three molecules were specifically expressed by the central and peripheral nervous systems from early developmental stages in region-specific and cell-type-specific manners. For example, zPCAM showed a neuromere-specific segmental expression pattern, while zOCAM first appeared in specific clusters of secondary neurons in the forebrain. These results suggest that each member of the NCAM gene family plays distinct roles in the formation and maintenance of functional neuronal networks in the zebrafish nervous system.

Conventional versus molecular diagnostic tests

In this session, emphasis was placed on the diagnosis of various mycoses through the identification of antibodies and antigens in sera, as well as on new techniques to properly identify medically important fungi through molecular biological procedures. The use of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) on fungal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has enabled the identification of different strains of Sporothrix schenkii, several dermatophytes, Candida spp. and black fungi according to their species-specific mtDNA-RFLP patterns. In some species, distinct specific types where found in relation to the geographic origin of the patients. These particular molecular diagnostic tests are useful in the identification of strains and in epidemiological studies. An account of the applications of serological methods in the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis was presented. Serology has been used in the identification of paracoccidioidomycosis using a specific, sensitive and rapid antibody-based immunodiagnosis method. Using the gp43 antigen, the diagnostic coverage of inmunodifussion has been improved from the 93-95% achieved with crude antigens, to 100% in an enzyme-linked immunodiffusion assay capture test. Cross-reactions were eliminated by treatment of the antigen with sodium metaperiodate. Antibody detection is useful, especially in paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis.

Cerebellar cortical stimulation increases spinal visceral nociceptive responses

The role of the cerebellum in modulating nociceptive phenomena is unclear. In this study, we focus on the effects of cerebellar cortical stimulation on the responses of midline neurons of the lumbosacral spinal cord to graded nonnoxious and noxious visceral (colorectal distension) as well as somatic (brush, pressure, pinch) stimuli. Extracellular recording was used for the isolation and recording of spinal nociceptive neurons, while electrical current pulses and chemical injection of D, L-homocysteic acid were used to stimulate the cortex of the posterior cerebellar vermis. Cerebellar cortical stimulation increased the responses of all isolated cells to colorectal distension, whereas the effect on the responses to somatic stimuli was variable. These findings indicate that the posterior cerebellar vermis may exert a pro-nociceptive effect on spinal visceroceptive neurons.

Attenuation of bleomycin-induced pneumopathy in mice by monoclonal antibody to interleukin-12

We previously demonstrated essential roles of the Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) pathway in bleomycin-induced pneumopathy in mice. T lymphocytes and natural killer cells express FasL on activation and use it as a cytotoxic effector molecule. Because interleukin (IL)-12 is known to play a critical role in cell-mediated immunity, we investigated whether anti-IL-12 antibody treatment suppresses the development of this model. The anti-IL-12 antibody treatment decreased the number of apoptotic cells and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in lung tissue. The results of RT-PCR showed that IL-12p40, IL-12 receptor (R) β2, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and FasL mRNAs were upregulated after bleomycin instillation. The upregulation of FasL, IL-12Rβ2, and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression in lung tissue was suppressed by anti-IL-12 antibody treatment. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the levels of IL-12p40, but not of IL-12p70, were increased in lung tissue after bleomycin instillation. Although the increase in IL-12Rβ2 mRNA levels suggests that the T helper type 1 cell response may participate in lung injury, the increase in IL-12p40 supports T helper type 2 cell predominance in the fibrotic process of this model. The administration of anti-IL-12 antibody could be a novel therapy against lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis.

High-angle annular dark-field STEM observation of Xe nanocrystals embedded in Al

High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF-STEM) observation of Xe precipitates embedded in crystalline membranes has been made using electron probes of atomic dimensions and HAADF-STEM images of Xe precipitates qualitatively different from conventional TEM observation results have been obtained. Multislice-based HAADF-STEM simulation has been made and it has been revealed that the intensity of images of Xe atoms at positions displaced from Al matrix columns decreases rapidly as the thickness increases. Even in a thin specimen, the off-site Xe atoms of the precipitate at deep locations, were not observable. Therefore, different images are expected for specimens of different thicknesses or depths of these precipitates. These results indicate that the observation of precipitates in crystalline membranes requires some care.