A novel cell surface antigen, immature thymocyte antigen-1, is involved in the differentiation of murine thymocytes

A mAb, 1-23, which recognizes a novel cell surface Ag on immature murine thymocytes (designated as IMT-1 for immature thymocyte antigen-1) was prepared. IMT-1 was found to be expressed on 40 to 50% of CD4-8- double negative (DN), 5 to 10% of CD4-8+, and 5 to 20% of CD4+8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes in adult mice, but not expressed on CD4+8- thymocytes or peripheral T lymphocytes. It was not expressed on either nonlymphoid cell lines or thymic stromal cells. In subsets of DN thymocytes, IMT-1 was detected on 40 to 50% of the heat-stable Ag+, 15% of CD44+25+, 70% of CD44-25+, and 70% of CD44-25- populations, whereas it was not detected on heat-stable Ag- and CD44+25- populations. IMT-1+ thymocytes expressed low levels of or no CD3 molecules. In fetal thymuses, IMT-1 was expressed on a minor population of thymocytes at day 14.5 and 15.5 of gestation. However, at day 16.5 of gestation, a majority of DN as well as DP thymocytes became IMT-1-positive. Addition of the 1-23 Ab to the fetal thymus organ culture relatively increased CD8+ SP thymocytes. These results show that IMT-1 is expressed during the late DN stage as well as the early DP stage of thymocyte maturation and suggest the possible involvement of IMT-1 in thymocyte differentiation.

Isolation and characterization of a peptide isomerase from funnel web spider venom

A novel peptide isomerase was purified from the venom of funnel web spider, Agelenopsis aperta. The complete primary structure of the isomerase has been established by sequence analyses of polypeptide chains, assignments of disulfide bridges, carbohydrate analyses, and mass spectrometry of sugar chains. The isomerase was found to be a 29-kDa polypeptide that consists of an 18-residue light chain and a 243-residue heavy chain connected by a single disulfide bridge. The heavy chain contains three intramolecular disulfide bridges and one N-linked oligosaccharide chain with a simple trimannosyl core structure. A sequence homology search showed a significant similarity of the enzyme with serine proteases, particularly around a putative catalytic triad of the isomerase. The isomerase specifically interconverts the configuration of Ser46 of a 48-amino-acid peptide, omega-agatoxin-TK, and the conversion rate from L-Ser to D-Ser was approximately two times faster than the reverse reaction.

Ontogenetic development of histamine receptor subtypes in rat brain demonstrated by quantitative autoradiography

The postnatal ontogenetic development of the histamine receptor subtypes was studied in rat brain by quantitative receptor autoradiography with highly sensitive imaging plates. H1 receptor binding sites labeled with [3H]pyrilamine were detected on postnatal day 2 (P2) and increased very slowly until P9, and then rapidly reaching the adult levels in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala by P16. The densities of H1 receptor binding sites in the cortex, striatum, thalamus, and substantia nigra were relatively low during development. H3 receptor binding sites labeled with [3H](R) alpha-methylhistamine were not detectable until P9. On P9, their density was higher in the substantia nigra than in other regions. Subsequently, H3 receptor binding increased, reaching the adult levels in the substantia nigra on P16 and in the other regions on P23. The histamine concentration was initially very high, but decreased to the adult level by P16. On the contrary, the activity of L-histidine decarboxylase of whole brain tissue was low on P5, and increased markedly from P16 to P23, to the adult level on P30. Administration of (S) alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH), a specific inhibitor of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC), significantly decreased both the HDC activity and histamine concentration during postnatal development. FMH treatment did not change H1 receptor binding in any brain region, but significantly increased H3 receptors in the substantia nigra and striatum on P23. Unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the striatum on P2 resulted in up-regulation of H3 receptor binding sites in the dorsomedial (11%) and dorsolateral (18%) regions of the striatum and substantia nigra (31%) on P23, but no change in the H3 receptor density in the nucleus accumbens or frontal cortex on P11 and P23. These results demonstrate that the developmental patterns of H1 and H3 receptors are heterogeneous and independent of each other. There are marked mismatches of presynaptic and postsynaptic markers of the histaminergic neuron system as in other aminergic systems.

Effects of fluvastatin on human biliary lipids

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have rapidly become widespread in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and are known to be variable in efficacy. To investigate the effect on biliary lipids, a 3-month study using fluvastatin was devised. A total of 19 patients were enrolled in this study: all had hypercholesterolemia (7 men, 12 women; 13 with type IIa, 6 with type IIb). After an observation period of 4-6 weeks with placebo, fluvastatin at a daily dose of 30 mg was administered for 3 months. Fasting blood samples were taken early in the morning, before, and once a month during 3 months of fluvastatin treatment, for measurement of serum lipids. Cerulein-stimulated bile in the gallbladder was sampled using a duodenal tube, and the changes in biliary lipids were assessed. There was a marked decrease in serum total cholesterol after 12 weeks of treatment (21%; p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the bile cholesterol saturation index (CSI): values before and after 3 months of drug administration were 0.93 and 0.99, respectively (Admirand-Small method). There were no significant changes in either the fatty acid composition of biliary lecithin or in the bile acid composition of bile. In conclusion, on the basis of these results, short-term (3 months) administration of fluvastatin does not appear to affect CSI.

Laser vaporization of the ovarian surface in polycystic ovary disease results in reduced ovarian hyperstimulation and improved pregnancy rates

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to examine the efficacy of laser vaporization of the ovarian surface in polycystic ovary disease to reduce repeated ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and thereby improve pregnancy outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty-six infertile patients with polycystic ovary disease who previously had ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin and who failed to conceive were studied. All patients were treated by potassium titanyl phosphate and neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and evaluated. Patients not ovulating spontaneously after vaporization were treated with either clomiphene citrate or human menopausal gonadotropin.

RESULTS

After vaporization spontaneous ovulation was confirmed in six patients. For ovulation induction three patients received clomiphene citrate and 17 received human menopausal gonadotropin. Of the patients treated with human menopausal gonadotropin, mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was found in three patients, and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome decreased significantly. Pregnancy was confirmed in 19 of 26 patients.

CONCLUSION

Laser vaporization is promising for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and improving pregnancy outcome in patients with polycystic ovary disease who have previously had ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Upper-extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Keyboard Operators in Brazil: A Cross-sectional Study

This study sought to determine the prevalence of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) among keyboard operators in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and to compare this prevalence with that among other office workers. One hundred and thirty keyboard operators (mean age 33 years, 60 male/70 female) and 138 office workers (mean age 35 years, 82 male/56 female) from two computing centers were interviewed by a research assistant using a standardized questionnaire. Symptomatic subjects, defined as those who reported upper extremity pain or lost work time due to pain in the preceding 12 months, were examined by a rheumatologist. Mean (SD) lengths of employment were 9 (6) years for keyboard operators and 8 (6) years for office workers. Upper-extremity pain during the preceding seven days was reported by 66 keyboard operators (51%) and by 18 office workers (13%) (p < 0.0001); during the preceding 12 months, by 90 keyboard operators (69%) and by 26 office workers (19%) (p < 0.0001). UEMSDs were diagnosed following physical examination in 50 keyboard operators and in 12 office workers (9%) (p < 0.0001). Tenosynovitis was the most common disorder diagnosed among the keyboard operators (n = 23). Among the keyboard operators the prevalence of UEMSDs was significantly lower for males (p = 0.017, OR = 0.38, 95%CI = 0.17-0.86). The presence of a diagnosed UEMSD was significantly associated with duration of employment (p = 0.005) and lack of or insufficient rest breaks (p = 0.012). Keyboard operators had significantly more UEMSDs than did office workers. Strategies aimed at the reduction of repetitive strain injuries among keyboard operators, such as the provision of adequate work breaks, should be evaluated.

Characterization of a chemically reactive propranolol metabolite that binds to microsomal proteins of rat liver

We have characterized a chemically reactive propranolol (PL) metabolite which binds to proteins in rat liver microsomes. During incubation with rat liver microsomes (1 mg of protein) fortified with an NADPH-generating system, 4-hydroxypropranolol (4-OH-PL) quickly disappeared from the reaction medium, but none of the possible metabolite peaks was detected under the high-performance liquid chromatographic conditions used. The consumption of 4-OH-PL depended on microsomes and NADPH. The reaction was not affected by inhibitors of cytochrome P450 or FAD monooxygenase, but was markedly diminished in the presence of cytosol and ascorbic acid. The effect of cytosol was inhibited by potassium cyanide but not by sodium benzoate or dimethyl sulfoxide, and was also not affected by heating at 60 degrees C for 30 min, suggesting that superoxide (SO) ion was involved in the reaction and that it was blocked by superoxide dismutase (SOD) present in the cytosol. Cu,Zn-SOD, purified from cytosol, effectively mimicked the suppressive effect of cytosol. Incubation of 4-OH-PL in an SO-generating system of xanthine and xanthine oxidase generated 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ), which was identified by TLC, HPLC, and GC/MS. 1,4-NQ was also formed in microsomal incubates containing NADPH and small amounts of microsomes (below 0.1 mg of protein). These results indicate that 4-OH-PL is converted by SO, or some reactive oxygen species derived from it, to 1,4-NQ which binds to proteins and is one of the reactive metabolites of PL.

Herbimycin A inhibits phorbol ester-induced morphologic changes, adhesion, and megakaryocytic differentiation of the leukemia cell line, MEG-01

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) induces rapid changes in the morphology of the human megakaryoblastic leukemia cell line, MEG-01, as well as changes in adhesion and megakaryocytic differentiation. To investigate the signal transduction pathway of these three phenomena, we studied the effect of herbimycin A, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase (TK) and the effects of calphostin C, a specific inhibitor protein kinase C (PKC) on TPA treated MEG-01 cells. Both herbimycin A and calphostin C inhibited all three TPA-induced phenomena, suggesting that both pathways are required for these phenomena. Herbimycin A but not calphostin C blocked the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Immunohistochemical staining of PKC using an anti-PKC monoclonal antibody showed that herbimycin A did not interfere with the translocation and subsequent down regulation of PKC induced by TPA, suggesting that the TPA-induced effect on PKC (translocation and probably its activation) is not dependent on TK. Induction of c-fos and c-jun expression by TPA was inhibited by both herbimycin A and calphostin C, suggesting that both PKC and TK pathways are necessary for the induction of the TPA-induced transcription factor AP1, which is a known TPA-inducible early immediate gene product. Taken together, our results show that the tyrosine kinase signal transduction system as well as the PKC pathway is indispensable for the TPA-induced phenomena of morphologic change, cell attachment, early immediate gene expression, and lineage-specific phenotypic expression in the MEG-01 cell line.

Entire scalp replantation: case report and review of the literature

A case of successful replantation of a totally avulsed scalp in a 40-year-old woman is presented. During a 19-hr surgical procedure, bilateral superficial temporal arteries and veins were anastomosed. The postoperative course was uneventful, except for partial necrosis of the distal end of the avulsed flap, i.e., the occipital region. Since the first successful scalp replantation using microsurgical technique was reported in 1976, the authors have found at least 32 subsequently reported cases. Of these, there were 22 cases of entire scalp avulsion (more than 80 percent of the scalp), including 15 females and seven males. A summary of these cases is included. From analysis of the reported cases of entire scalp avulsion, the keys to success in scalp replantation are considered to be the adequate selection of vessels for repair and the use of vein grafts, if necessary.

Characterization of nontoxic-nonhemagglutinin component of the two types of progenitor toxin (M and L) produced by Clostridium botulinum type D CB-16

A 9.8-kbp DNA fragment which contained a neurotoxin gene and its upstream region was cloned from Clostridium botulinum type D strain CB-16. Nucleotide sequencing of the fragment revealed that genes encoding for hemagglutinin (HA) subcomponents and one for a nontoxic-nonhemagglutinin (NTNH) component were located upstream of the neurotoxin gene. This strain produced two toxins of different molecular size (approximately 300 kDa and 500 kDa) which were designated as progenitor toxins (M and L toxins). The molecular size of the NTNH component of L toxin was approximately 130 kDa on SDS-PAGE and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was M-D-I-N-D-D-L-N-I-N-S-P-V-D-N-K-N-V-V-I which agreed with that deduced from the nucleotide sequence. In contrast, the M toxin had a 115-kDa NTNH component whose N-terminal sequence was S-T-I-P-F-P-F-G-G-Y-R-E-T-N-Y-I-E, corresponding to the sequence from Ser141 of the deduced sequence. A 15-kDa fragment, which was found to be associated with an M toxin preparation, possessed the same N-terminal amino acid sequence as that of the 130-kDa NTNH component. Furthermore, five major fragments generated by limited proteolysis with V8 protease were shown to have N-terminal amino acid sequences identical to those deduced from the nucleotide sequence of 130-kDa NTNH. These results indicate that the 130-kDa NTNH of the L toxin is cleaved at a unique site, between Thr and Ser, leading to the 115-kDa NTNH of the M toxin.

[Combined hormone and chemotherapy for the patients with advanced prostate cancer]

From November 1984 to December 1993, 72 patients with newly diagnosed, stage C or D prostate cancer were treated with chemohormonal therapy consisting of CDDP, CPM, diethylstilbestrol diphosphate and orchiectomy. Forty-four of 72 patients (61%) had partial response 3 months after the initiation of the treatment. A good response rate was observed in prostate gland and tumor markers (63% and 81%), but the response rate was poor in bone and other soft tissure metastasis (17% and 18%). Subjective symptoms improved in 82% of the pain, 70% of the infravesical obstruction, 65% of the performance status, and 5% of the body weight. The 5-year survival rate was 66%. The prognosis of the patients with poorly differentiated carcinoma or high Gleason score tumor was poor. Survival rate was no different between stage C and D. Relapse occurred in 16 patients (22%) and tended to occur in the patients with poorly differentiated carcinoma, high Gleason score tumor, stage D2 or stable disease. The survival rate was better, and the relapse rate lower than in the 35 patients with hormonal treatment alone during the same period, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups.

The detection of coronary ostial lesions by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography: report of a case

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a valuable diagnostic tool for providing clear images of the proximal coronary arteries. We describe herein the case of an elderly man in whom dissection and an atherosclerotic plaque in the proximal coronary arteries were demonstrated by TEE during combined coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement. Thus, retrograde cardioplegia was employed, whereby trauma to the coronary ostia was avoided.

Two cases of pheochromocytoma diagnosed histopathologically as mixed neuroendocrine-neural tumor

We treated two rare cases of pheochromocytoma which were histopathologically diagnosed as mixed neuroendocrine-neural tumor (MNNT): a 35-year-old male patient associated with ganglioneuroblastoma and cutaneous neurofibromatosis and a 42-year-old male patient with ganglioneuroma. Both patients showed typical clinical manifestations of pheochromocytoma without any familial traits. Although each of the diseases has its own entity and clinical features, these tumors are all derived from the neural crest tissues. The tumorigenesis of MNNT is still unknown. Here, a brief review of the recent literature on this subject is discussed.

Urinary alpha1-microglobulin, beta2-microglobulin, and retinol-binding protein levels in general populations in Japan with references to cadmium in urine, blood, and 24-hour food duplicates

Possible cadmium (Cd) exposure-associated changes in urinary levels of low-molecular-weight proteins were studied in nonsmoking and non-drinking female members of the general Japanese population (378 subjects with no known occupational heavy metal exposure) who lived at 19 study sites (all without any known environmental heavy metal pollution) in 13 prefectures throughout Japan. The external Cd dose was evaluated in terms of daily Cd intake via food (Cd-F), whereas Cd levels in blood (Cd-B) and urine (Cd-U) were taken as internal dose indicators. When the subjects were classified according to Cd-F into three groups with "low" (20.4 micrograms/day as a geometric mean of 97 women), "middle" (35.0 micrograms/day, 120 women) and "high" (67.0 micrograms/day, 66 women) exposure, both Cd-B and Cd-U increased in parallel with the changes in Cd-F. However, there were no dose-dependent changes in beta2-microglobulin or retinol-binding protein levels in urine, alpha1-microglobulin levels appeared to increase, but the distribution of the cases above the two cutoff levels of 9.6 and 15.8 micrograms/mg creatinine among the three Cd-F groups did not show any bias. Overall, it was concluded that there was no apparent Cd exposure-associated elevation in urinary low-molecular-weight protein levels in the study population.

Metachronous ovarian dysgerminoma after a suprasellar germ-cell tumor treated by radiation therapy. Case report

A case of suprasellar germ-cell tumor in a 9-year-old girl who later developed ovarian dysgerminoma is reported. The clinical course of the case is described and a double-primary tumor, rather than metastasis from either tumor to the other, is suggested by the authors to explain the oncogenesis in this patient. The authors strongly encourage that patients with intracranial germinoma be examined for associated extraneural lesions before, as well as after, the completion of the initial therapy.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of a novel cDNA encoding human vacuolar ATPase (14-kDa subunit)

A cDNA encoding the 14-kDa subunit of vacuolar ATPase was cloned from human fetal brain. The sequence was composed of 680 nucleotides containing an open reading frame of 357 nucleotides. The deduced peptide sequence consisted of 119 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 13,369 Da and a pI of 5.19. Overall, this amino-acid sequence was respectively 69% and 70% identical to those of Manduca sexta and Drosophila melanogaster 14-kDa subunits, although the two representatives of Class Insecta were remarkably similar to one another (91% identity). Three regions in particular (the N-terminal, amino acids 5-36; the middle, residues 58-68; and the C-terminal, residues 88-118) were highly conserved. Hence, we think that the 14-kDa subunits have evolved from the same ancestral gene, and that the three conserved regions are important for the structure and function of vacuolar ATPase. A single 0.8-kb band was detected in various human tissues by Northern blot analysis. Since the human 14-kDa subunit is expressed ubiquitously, it might be a housekeeping protein. A separate transcript found in the cDNA library lacked a 6-bp segment in the 5' non-coding region (nucleotides -40 to -35) and also carried a 23C to T (8Thr to Ile) point mutation in the coding region; these minor differences likely reflected normal polymorphism.

Unclassified poxvirus: characterization and physical mapping of Cotia virus DNA and location of a sequence capable of encoding a thymidine kinase

DNA from Cotia virus, an unclassified poxvirus, was mapped by overlapping fragment analysis using the restriction endonucleases HindIII, PstI, BamHI, XhoI, SalI, and SmaI. The linear genome was 177 kbp in length and possessed inverted terminal repeats and cross-links. A Cotia virus thymidine kinase (TK) gene was detected and mapped to about 74 kbp from the left end of the genome using degenerate oligonucleotide probes. Nucleotide sequencing of the TK gene revealed an open reading frame (ORF) that encoded a peptide of 178 amino acids. An A/T-rich sequence, TAA AAA TGA ATA AATA, and a transcription termination signal, TTTTTGT, were revealed upstream and just downstream of the ORF, respectively, consistent with the characteristic features of an early poxvirus gene. Cotia virus resembles swinepox virus based on the restriction profiles generated by endonucleases and shares amino acid sequence similarity with orthopox, leporipox, Yaba, and fowlpox viruses.

Deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of EF-hand domain of phospholipase C-delta 1: effects on its activity

In order to elucidate a role of a putative EF-hand motif (144-172) in phospholipase C-delta 1 (PLC-delta 1), deletion and point mutation of the enzyme were performed and the mutated cDNAs were expressed in CHO cells and E. coli AD202 strain. Deletion of amino acid residues of 141-236 or 173-236 resulted in abolition of PLC activity. However, the decreased PLC activity to 15-20% by deletion of the EF-hand motif (144-172) was still Ca(2+)-dependent. Furthermore, mutants, in which conserved Asp153, Asp157, Glu164 or all these acidic amino acids in the EF-hand motif were replaced with alanine residues, showed nearly the same PLC activity and Ca(2+)-dependency as those of wild-type. These results suggest that the region containing the EF-hand motif may not play a role in regulation of Ca(2+)-sensitivity of PLC-delta 1, but is important for its activity.

Zinc deficiency delays gastric ulcer healing in rats

Zinc is an important element in wound healing. Zinc compounds hasten the healing of gastric ulcers, by an unknown mechanism(s). We studied the effect of the induction of zinc deficiency on gastric ulcer healing. Rats were given a control or zinc-deficient diet for six weeks and then subjected to the induction of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers. Four days later, zinc-deficient rats were divided into two groups. In the first group, the zinc-deficient diet was continued. In the second group, the diet was changed to the control diet. Zinc-deficient rats had a mean serum zinc concentration approximately 70% of that in controls. Zinc deficiency did not affect the formation of gastric ulcers; however, it reduced cell proliferation by day 4 and delayed ulcer healing. Zinc supplementation brought zinc to control levels within a week, but failed to reverse the delay in ulcer healing. We conclude that zinc is crucial for healing of gastric ulcers, especially at the early stage.

Production of complete heart block and utero cardiac pacing in fetal lambs

We produced a complete heart block in 5 fetal lambs at 120 to 135 days of gestation by injecting 10% formaldehyde into the His bundle. We obtained acute experimental data in 5 fetuses and chronic experimental data in 2 fetuses. Immediately after production of the complete heart block, cardiac output was acutely reduced to 43 +/- 9% when compared with the cardiac output at sinus rhythm. It was possible to restore the cardiac output to 80 +/- 7% of the preoperative levels by atrioventricular pacing at the same rate as had been present before the heart block was produced. When the heart rate decreased below 100 beats per minute, further increase of stroke volume did not occur, and output was markedly diminished. This model allows us to study the pathophysiological response of a complete heart block, and offers basic information useful for understanding fetal cardiac functioning.

Plasma free dopamine: physiological variability and pathophysiological significance

Dopamine (DA) is the most abundant catecholamines in human plasma and exists mostly in the sulfo-conjugated form (DA sulfate), a biologically inactive metabolite. The paucity of unconjugated DA (PDA) in plasma throws doubt on its physiological significance. However, PDA, when measured with a highly sensitive radioenzymatic method, showed quite different features from norepinephrine and epinephrine in some types of clinical hypertension, lower in essential hypertension and higher in primary aldosteronism and pheochromocytoma. There was a weak but significant correlation between the values of PDA and DA sulfate measured in the same specimens, but DA sulfate was more susceptible to impaired renal function. Upright posture, high salt diets and an intravenous injection of metoclopramide (MCP, 10 mg), a DA receptor antagonist, induced a slight but significant increase in PDA in normal and hypertensive subjects. An intravenous dexamethasone (2 mg) caused a gradual increase in PDA over 150 min after medication, which was completely blocked by concomitant administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor. The responses of PDA to both high salt diets and MCP were blunted in salt-sensitive patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. The results suggest that DA is not only a precursor of norepinephrine biosynthesis but also plays an inherent role as an active neurotransmitter in the peripheral sympathoadrenal system, and that PDA is a sensitive marker of peripheral dopaminergic activity, which may operate to modulate the cardiovascular and endocrine functions and participate in the pathogenesis of some types of hypertension.

Involvement of P-type calcium channels in high potassium-elicited release of neurotransmitters from rat brain slices

Several types of voltage-dependent calcium channels appear to occur in neurons, although coupling of the particular subtype of calcium channels to the release of neurotransmitter has not been clearly understood. We have examined the effects of subtype-specific inhibitors of the calcium channels on depolarization-induced release of endogenous neurotransmitters from brain slices. High potassium-induced release of glutamate and aspartate from hippocampal and striatal slices was almost completely inhibited by a P-type channel blocker, omega-agatoxin IVA. omega-Agatoxin IVA also completely inhibited the release of serotonin from the hippocampal slices with almost the same potency as in the case of glutamate, whereas the potency in blocking the release of serotonin and dopamine from striatal slices was lower than that from the hippocampal slices. Another calcium channel blocker, omega-agatoxin TK, that was recently found to block P-type channels with very similar selectivity and potency to omega-agatoxin IVA, also inhibited the release of amino acid transmitters and monoamines, though its potency was lower than that of omega-agatoxin IVA. An N-type channel blocker, omega-conotoxin GVIA, partially inhibited the neurotransmitter release, but an L-type channel blocker, nifedipine was ineffective. We propose that the activation of P-type calcium channels makes a major contribution to depolarization-elicited neurotransmitter release in the CNS and that multiple P-type channels sensitive to omega-agatoxin IVA and omega-agatoxin TK modulate the neurotransmitter release.

Glucanases and chitinases of Bacillus circulans WL-12

Lysis of cell walls of various yeast species by beta-1.3- and beta-1,6-glucanases of Bacillus circulans WL-12 was investigated. Selective enzymolysis of cell walls of Pyricularia oryzae by single and combined actions of beta-1,3-,beta-1,6-glucanases and chitinase was followed. Chemical structure of the cell wall glucan of P. oryzae was determined by chemical and enzymatic methods. Multiple component nature of glucanases of B. circulans WL-12, their induction and lytic actions on cell walls of various yeasts were studied. Genes specifying glucanases and chitinases of B. circulans WL-12 were cloned in E. coli, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Fibronectin type III modules were found in the chitinases. Functions of the domains of the deduced structures of the glucanases and the chitinases were studied by various methods including molecular genetic techniques.

[Pulse-dose cyclophosphamide therapy for steroid-refractory autoimmune neurological diseases]

Eight patients with neuroimmunological disorders refractory to conventional immunotherapies were given totally 17 courses of pulse-dose cyclophosphamide. The regimen consisted of 600 mg/m2 of intravenous cyclophosphamide at days 1,2,4,6 and 8 and infusion of 2,500-3,000 ml of fluids in order to avoid hemorrhagic cystitis. Some cases were followed by a monthly intravenous dose of cyclophosphamide as a booster treatment. As a result, all but one case of neuro-Behçet disease have shown neurological improvements. In particular, a complete remission was obtained in two cases of vasculitic neuropathy and a case of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The side effects, notably, granulocytopenia, alopecia, hemorrhagic cystitis and anorexia, are major problems. Granulocytopenia started 10 days after the first dose and the number of leucocytes was the lowest at day 15. However, the number steadily recovered thereafter without the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor. There was no serious infections during the course. For neuroimmunological disorders, the pulse-dose cyclophosphamide therapy would serve a useful alternative when the conventional therapies are not efficacious or difficult to continue because of the adverse side effects.