Isolation and characterization of the heat-responsive genes in Escherichia coli

The ompC gene expression is induced by increasing temperature as well as osmotic pressure. In this study, a mutant (TD2) defective in this thermoresponse was isolated with transposon Tn10; the mutation was complemented by pMAN55 or pMAN56 containing micF and mapped at 48 min on Escherichia coli K-12. Furthermore, a new gene (hrsA) that suppressed the mutation was cloned. Its nucleotide sequence was analyzed and it was located close to the suc operon at 16.7 min corresponding to #18F11 (Kohara bank) on E. coli genome. In TD2 containing the hrsA on a multicopy plasmid, the ompC expression was induced and dependent on OmpR with increased temperature. The HrsA was found to have Enzyme IIA, IIB, and IIC domains that are homologous to Enzyme II, involved in the fructose-specific PTS (phosphotransferase system). The putative phosphorylation sites (His87 and Cys192) were also conserved in HrsA.

Changes of unmyelinated nerve fibers in sural nerve in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy

Quantitative changes in unmyelinated nerve fibers (UMNFs) of sural nerves in patients of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) were evaluated using autopsy materials whose pathological diagnosis had been confirmed by careful postmortem examinations. Ordinary ALS cases demonstrated no involvement in cutaneous UMNFs; however, the patients with long survival due to the application of ventilatory support showed bimodality in UMNF diameter histograms, and a patient with involvement of systems other than motor pathways showed an abnormal value in two indices: a low percentage of subunits containing axon(s) and a high mean number of Schwann cell profiles per axon. A significant reduction of the mean value of UMNF density (21%) was found in PD patients. Because the density of myelinated nerve fibers did not show any significant decrease as compared with age-matched controls, the change of nerve fibers in peripheral nervous system was considered to be confined to UMNFs in PD. Elderly PD cases showed enhanced changes in the ageing process, as expressed by the two indices described above. In MSA, the mean value of UMNF density was significantly decreased (23%), and this decrease almost paralleled that of myelinated nerve fiber density. Abnormal values for the two indices described above were found and two out of four cases demonstrated bimodality in the diameter histogram of UMNFs. Unlike MSA, ALS and PD have not been included in the disorders with cutaneous UMNF involvement. Our results supply the first evidence of morphological changes in cutaneous UMNFs in PD cases. In ordinary ALS cases, the emergence of such morphological changes is suggested in cases with long survival.

Molecular anatomy of human chromosome 9: comparative mapping of the immunoglobulin processed pseudogene C epsilon 3 (IGHEP2) in primates

Karyotypic homology in relation to human chromosome 9 (HSA 9) was studied through comparative mapping of the immunoglobulin-processed pseudogene C epsilon 3 (IGHEP2) in primates. IGHEP2, which has been mapped to 9p24.2 --> p24.1 in the human genome, was assigned to PTR 11q34 (common chimpanzee), PPA 11q34 (pygmy chimpanzee), PPY 13q16 (orangutan), HLA 8qter (white-handed gibbon), HAG 8qter (agile gibbon), and MFU 14q22 (Japanese macaque) by fluorescence in situ hybridization. To verify the breakpoints of presumed pericentric inversions on the ancestral great ape chromosomes, three DNA markers on HSA 9, cCI9-37 (9q22.1 --> q22.2), cCI9-135 (9q22.32 --> q22.33), and cCI9-208 (9p13.3 --> p13.2), were also assigned to PTR/PPA 11p11 (cCI9-37 and 135), PTR/PPA 11q22 (cCI9-208), PPY 13q22 (cCI9-37 and 135), and PPY 13q12 (cCI9-208). These data more clearly define the position of the breakpoints of pericentric inversions that occurred in the human-chimp ancestral and chimpanzee ancestral chromosomes and support the hypothesis of HSA 9 genesis previously derived from banding analyses of HSA 9 and its homologs.

Inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculitis in a patient with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

A patient with severe acute disseminated encephalomyelitis died 12 days after the first symptom. Necropsy showed widespread severe demyelination in the CNS and some foci of demyelination in the spinal roots. The lesions in the peripheral nervous system were characterised by myelin stripping and the presence of macrophages, being severest in the spinal nerve roots. Some axons were completely demyelinated, whereas the axons themselves were preserved. Pathologically established ongoing demyelination in both CNS and peripheral nervous systems raises the possibility of a shared pathological epitope.

[Assessment for intelligence on patients with Pick's disease]

In contrast to Alzheimer's disease, it is unclear whether the MMS (Mini-Mental State) or the RCPM (Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices) is clinically useful as a mental test battery in patients with Pick's disease, and it has not been fully evaluated whether intelligence of these patients really deteriorate along with the staging of dementia. The present study aimed to make these problems clear. We administered the MMS and the RCPM to 17 cases of Pick's disease, including 7 cases with predominantly frontal lobe atrophy and 10 cases with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy, which were all classified into 3 groups according to the staging of dementia by using the NM scale (New Clinical Scale for Rating of Mental States). We also investigated whether these patients had "Denkfaulheit" (laziness of thinking) and/or "gogi" aphasia (word meaning aphasia), which may affect performances on the mental test batteries. Two cases with predominantly frontal lobe atrophy and 5 cases with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy were assessed by the same examinations several years later. In cases with predominantly frontal lobe atrophy, all the patients presented with "Denkfaulheit". However, the mean RCPM score was normal in the mildly damaged patients, suggesting that their intelligence were relatively preserved. In the moderately and severely damaged groups, their intelligence could not be assessed owing to their severe "Denkfaulheit". In cases with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy, all the patients had "gogi" aphasia and 3 cases of the severely damaged groups presented with "Denkfaulheit".(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization with a mouse gamma satellite DNA probe of isolated micronuclei induced in mice by two clastogens and two spindle poisons

The presence of centromeric DNA was studied in micronuclei isolated from the blood of male ddY mice after five weekly intraperitoneal injections of mitomycin C (MMC), 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C), colchicine (COL) or vinblastine sulfate (VBL). In agreement with our earlier findings, about half of the micronuclei isolated from vehicle control mice showed centromere signals as analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a mouse major (gamma) satellite DNA probe. In an earlier experiment with mice acutely exposed to the same chemicals, the clastogens MMC and Ara-C did not reduce the proportion of micronuclei with centromere signals. In the present study, however, MMC and Ara-C decreased the proportion of micronuclei with centromeres. In contrast, the spindle poisons COL and VBL increased the proportion of micronuclei that contained centromeres.

[Comparison between anomia with word comprehension difficulty and Gogi aphasia due to lobar atrophy]

We used naming and pointing tests and a proverb completion task to compare two cases of aphasia that exhibited a selective disturbance of word processing. One patient had anomia with word comprehension difficulty due to partial ablation of the left temporal lobe and the other patient had Gogi aphasia due to lobar atrophy with left temporal predominance. We presented 90 pictures of common objects divided into 9 categories in the naming and pointing tests, and used 10 well-known Japanese proverbs as stimuli in the proverb completion task. Performance of the naming and pointing tests was severely impaired in both patients. In the patient with anomia, words the patient could not name or point to varied from session to session and phonemic cue effects were frequently observed. The proverb completion phenomenon was positive. These findings indicate that the patient had an obstruction of the access route to the intact word store or a partial rarefaction of the word store itself. In the patient with Gogi aphasia, the words the patient could not name or point to were consistent from one occasion to another, and no phonemic cue effects or signs of familiarity were observed at all. The proverb completion phenomenon was totally negative. These findings indicate that the patient has lost the word store itself. MR images in the case of anomia revealed a lesion extending from the anterior to the central portion of the inferior part of the left temporal lobe. In the case of Gogi aphasia, the MR images displayed knife-edged focal atrophy in the anterior aspect of both temporal lobes, more prominently on the left.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Decrease of medullary catecholaminergic neurons in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease and their preservation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We investigated the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons in the C1 and A2 regions of the medulla, the sites of the baroreflex arc, in 7 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 8 with Parkinson's disease (PD), 9 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and 12 age-matched normal subjects to analyze the relationship between cardiovascular dysfunction and medullary catecholaminergic neurons. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) was marked in all the MSA patients and moderate in three PD patients. Three of the five ALS patients who had been on respirators showed lability of blood pressure; paroxysmal hypertension and nocturnal hypotension without compensatory tachycardia. All the MSA patients showed extremely marked decrease of TH-immunoreactive neurons in both the C1 and A2 regions. In the patients with Parkinson's disease, numerous TH-immunoreactive neurons contained Lewy bodies that were immunostained by antibody to TH. TH-immunoreactive neurons were decreased very markedly in the A2 regions of two patients with OH, and three patients without OH showed fairly marked decreases in the C1 or A2 region. In contrast, the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons in ALS was the same as in normal subjects. In MSA and some PD patients, orthostatic hypotension may partly be due to the involvement of the medullary catecholaminergic neurons. The lability of blood pressure in ALS probably is not related to the medullary catecholaminergic neurons.

Ex vivo anti-platelet effects of isocarbacyclin methyl ester incorporated in lipid microspheres in rabbits

Effect of TTC-909, a chemically stable isocarbacyclin methyl ester (CAS 88931-51-5, TEI-9090) incorporated in lipid microspheres, on platelet aggregation was tested in conscious rabbits. TTC-909 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP at early times after bolus i.v. injection from the dose of 0.3 micrograms/kg in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, TTC-909 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP during the venous infusion from the dose of 100 ng/kg/min, also in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-platelet effect of TTC-909 was observed at a dose lower than that inducing hypotensive effect when given as both bolus i.v. and venous infusion. On the other hand, prostaglandin (PG) E1 (LM)--PGE1 incorporated in lipid microspheres--reduced blood pressure without having an anti-platelet effect. These results indicate that TTC-909 may be a potent anti-thrombotic drug.

Vasorelaxant effect of isocarbacyclin methyl ester incorporated into lipid microspheres on isolated canine arteries

TTC-909 is a preparation of isocarbacyclin methyl ester (CAS 88931-51-5, TEI-9090) incorporated into lipid microspheres. The characteristics of vasorelaxation induced by TTC-909 were investigated in isolated canine arteries. TTC-909 produced concentration-dependent relaxation of prostaglandin F2a(PGF2a)-induced and U-46619 (TXA2 receptor agonist)-induced contraction in basilar, coronary, renal, mesenteric, and femoral arteries. The vasorelaxant potency of TTC-909 was compared with the potencies of TEI-9090, TEI-7165 (CAS 88911-35-7, free acid of TEI-9090), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on PGF2a-induced contraction in basilar and femoral arteries. The relaxing potency of TTC-909 was similar to the values for TEI-9090, TEI-7165, and PGI2, and more potent than that of PGE1 in both of these arteries. An esterase inhibitor, diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), reduced the vasorelaxant effect of TEI-9090, but not that of TEI-7165, on PGF2a-induced contraction in femoral arteries. These results suggest that TTC-909 has vasorelaxant potency similar to that of PGI2 and greater than that of PGE1. Further, it appears that TEI-9090 was converted to TEI-7165 by esterase and then produced its vasorelaxing effect.

Effect of isocarbacyclin methyl ester incorporated in lipid microspheres on experimental models of peripheral obstructive disease

The effect of TTC-909 (isocarbacyclin methyl ester (CAS 88931-51-5, TEI-9090) incorporated into lipid microspheres) on obstruction of the peripheral artery was studied in two different animal models. The first was a peripheral occlusion model induced by intra-arterial injection of sodium laurate in rats. The second was a tail gangrene model induced by subcutaneous injection of both ergotamine and epinephrine in rats. Intravenous bolus-administered TTC-909 at 1.0 microgram/kg resulted in the inhibition of both progression of lesions induced by sodium laurate and the extension of tail gangrene by ergotamine and epinephrine. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of TTC-909 was more potent than that of PGE1 (LM) (prostaglandin E1 incorporated into lipid microspheres). These findings suggested that TTC-909 may be clinically useful for the therapy of peripheral vascular disorders such as thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) and atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

Binding affinities of isocarbacyclin methyl ester and its free acid to prostanoid receptors

The binding affinities of isocarbacyclin methyl ester (CAS 88931-51-5, TEI-9090) and its free acid (CAS 88911-35-7, TEI-7165) to prostaglandin (PG) I2 receptors (IP receptors), PGE2 receptors (EP receptors) and thromboxane A2 receptors (TP receptors) were investigated. TEI-9090 exhibited low affinity for IP and EP receptors in mastocytoma P-815 cell membranes and no affinity for TP receptors in washed guinea-pig platelets. The IC50 values of TEI-9090 against [3H]iloprost (for IP receptors), [3H]PGE2 (for EP receptors) and [3H]SQ29,548 (for TP receptors) binding were 2803 +/- 327 nmol/l, 2509 +/- 1317 nmol/l and > 10000 nmol/l (n = 3), respectively. In contrast, TEI-7165 had high affinity for IP receptors (IC50 = 65.4 +/- 28.5 nmol/l, n = 3) but had moderate to low affinity for EP and TP receptors. The affinity of TEI-9090 for IP receptors was remarkably enhanced by pretreatment with rat serum as an esterase source. These findings suggest that TEI-9090 is converted to TEI-7165 by esterase, and that TEI-7165 exerts pharmacological effects through binding to IP receptors.

Effect of isocarbacyclin methyl ester incorporated into lipid microspheres on cutaneous blood flow in rat

A new stable prostacyclin analogue, isocarbacyclin methyl ester (CAS 88931-51-5, TEI-9090), incorporated into lipid microspheres (TTC-909), was examined for its effects on cutaneous blood flow and mean blood pressure in rats in comparison with PGE1 (LM) (prostaglandin E1 in lipid microspheres). TTC-909 at 0.3 micrograms/kg i.v. significantly increased the sole cutaneous blood flow without changing blood pressure. A significant decrease in mean blood pressure was observed with TTC-909 above 1 microgram/kg i.v. PGE1 (LM) also showed a decrease in the blood pressure from 1 microgram/kg i.v., whereas the sole cutaneous blood flow was not affected even at 10 micrograms/kg i.v. These results suggest that TTC-909 dilates the skin vessels preferentially to other blood vessels in the rat and that effect is more potent than that of PGE1 (LM). TTC-909 may thus prove to be an effective agent for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Isolation and characterization of the IS3-like element from Thermus aquaticus

We have cloned and characterized a genetic element (1187 bp) that is responsible for the induction of thermotolerance as well as ompC expression in E. coli. This element (ISLtaq1) was isolated from Thermus aquaticus. DNA and protein data bases were searched with this element (ISLtaq1), which suggested it to be very similar to IS150 belonging to the IS3 family. ORF1, found on ISLtaq1, which encodes 100 amino acids (aa), had a DNA-binding motif: a helix-turn-helix and a leucine zipper. In fact, when the ORF1 protein was overproduced in E. coli, thermotolerance as well as ompC expression was induced.

Linkage and haplotype analysis of familial early-onset Alzheimer disease in Japanese population

Linkage and haplotype analysis of eleven early-onset Alzheimer disease (AD) families was performed in relation to D21S210 and microsatellite DNA polymorphisms localized on chromosome 14q24.3. Linkage analysis of eight informative families out of eleven early-onset AD families disclosed the highest LOD score of 3.45 (theta = 0.00) at D14S77, while the locus of beta/A4 amyloid protein precursor gene was formally excluded within 10 cM from D21S210, given the evidence of recombinations in five families. Transmission disequilibrium study between the patients and controls without dementia indicated significant differences at D14S43 (p = 0.0001) and D14S71 (p = 0.02). Association study between genotypes linked or related to onset of AD and those of control also revealed a significant difference at D14S43 (p < 0.05), suggesting the existence of linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, the haplotypes at D14S43 linked with the onset of AD indicated a significant relationship with the mean age at onset. These results support that the major locus of early-onset familial AD is located on 14q24.3, and its close linkage to D14S43 and the existence of allelic heterogeneity were suggested.

Significance of ST segment elevation in electrocardiograms in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms

Twenty-three patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), who showed an ST segment elevation in their electrocardiograms (ECG), were examined. There were 12 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 61 years. The clinical condition on admission was Hunt and Kosnik grade II in four, III in seven, IV in one, and V in 11 patients. Computerized tomography (CT) also revealed many cases of diffuse, thick SAH or intracerebral or intraventricular haematoma. Laboratory examinations including serum electrolyte, pH, and PaO2 revealed no abnormalities that might have influenced the ECG. Elevation in the levels of myocardial enzymes in serum was observed in two of the nine patients examined, although the elevation was only slight in one of them. Echocardiography, which was performed on several occasions on all patients, and cardiac catheterization, which was performed on eight patients, revealed a reduction in the motion of the left ventricular apex that was synchronous with ST segment elevation. This is the first report about these phenomena. No abnormalities were observed in the coronary artery. The elevated ST segment was normalized within one week in all patients, accompanied by normalization of the apical wall motion recorded on echocardiograms. In four patients, however, T wave inversion accompanied the improvement of the ST segment and was normalized within three months after the onset. These results suggest that ST segment elevation in the acute stage of SAH reflects transient cardiac dysfunction rather than myocardial injury. In some patients, however, the elevated serum levels of myocardial enzymes or T wave inversion suggested the presence of myocardial injury. Close follow-up seems to be necessary in such cases.

Potent inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase. Structure-activity relationships of novel N-(4-oxochroman-8-yl)amides

Novel N-(4-oxochroman-8-yl)amide derivatives 1 were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit rabbit small intestinal ACAT (acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase) in vitro and to lower serum total cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats in vivo. Among the synthesized compounds, N-(7-alkoxy-4-oxochroman-8-yl)amide derivatives showed potent ACAT inhibitory activity both in vitro and in vivo. The structure-activity relationships of these N-(4-oxochroman-8-yl)amides and related compounds are discussed on the basis of these two assays. The carbonyl group at position 4 of the 4-chromanone was essential for potent ACAT inhibitory activity. N-(Chromon-8-yl) derivatives were less potent than N-(4-oxochroman-8-yl) derivatives. An alkoxy group at position 7 of the 4-chromanone moiety was important for potent ACAT inhibitory activity. In the N-(7-alkoxy-4-oxochroman-8-yl)amide derivatives, another necessary factor to elicit the potent ACAT inhibitory activity was lipophilicity of the molecules. The highly lipophilic acid amides N-(7-methoxy-4-oxochroman-8-yl)-2,2-dimethyldodecanamide (35) and 4-[[6-(4-chlorophenoxy)hexyl]oxy]-N-(7-methoxy-4-oxochroman-8- yl)benzamide (63) showed potent activity. Introduction of a highly lipophilic alkoxy group at position 7 of the 4-chromanone moiety instead of methoxy group also resulted in potent activity. In this case, highest inhibitory activity was obtained by N-[7-(decyloxy)-4-oxochroman-8-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamid e (65). The most potent compound, N-(7-methoxy-4-oxochroman-8-yl)-2,2-dimethyldodecanamide (35, TEI-6522), showed significant ACAT inhibitory activity (rabbit small intestine IC50 = 13 nM, rabbit liver IC50 = 16 nM), foam cell formation inhibitory activity (rat peritoneal macrophage IC50 = 160 nM), and extremely potent serum cholesterol-lowering activity in cholesterol-fed rats (61% at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day po).

Mutational analysis of the fic promoter recognized by RpoS (sigma 38) in Escherichia coli

fic gene expression at the stationary phase is dependent on RpoS (sigma 38). For this paper, the fic promoter (P fic) mutants were isolated; C at the position -34 was changed into T. They did not show the stationary phase-specific expression dependent on RpoS in vivo. Furthermore, it was confirmed that they were recognized by E sigma 70 as efficiently as E sigma 38 in vitro.

[Clinical analysis of the complex repetitive discharge following M wave]

In the nerve conduction study (NCS), the complex repetitive discharge (CRD) which follows M wave is occasionally observed. To understand the origin of CRD, we clinically analyzed the cases with CRD. Among the 1,580 cases examined by NCS, 13 (0.82%) cases including 6 of myotonic dystrophies (MyD), 2 of carpal tunnel syndrome and a case of multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, compression fracture of a lumbar vertebra, myasthenia gravis (MG) or Isaacs' syndrome had CRD. CRD was divided into forms; one consisted of an attenuating train of the complex of muscle potentials (muscular form) and the other one formed a simple repetition of single motor unit action potential (neural form). MyD, MG, and Isaacs' syndrome showed muscular form, and the others neural form. The pathophysiology of CRD was considered from the sites of lesions of nerve terminals, neuromuscular junctions, or muscle fibers and that the neural form might result from the axonal regeneration of peripheral motor nerve fibers.

Traumatic basilar impression: case report

A very rare case of traumatic basilar impression is reported. The patient, a 57-year-old man, was hit on the head vertically in the parietal region. X ray of the cervical spine and computed tomography (CT) scans showed intracranial indentation of the atlas and the odontoid process with a depressed fracture around the foramen magnum. There are no previous reports about this type of fracture.

Dangerous angles and depths for middle ear and middle cranial fossa injury during arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint

PURPOSE

Several reports have suggested a risk of injury to the middle cranial fossa and middle ear during arthroscopic procedures in the superior joint space of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). However, there has been no anatomic study of directions and distances of the TMJ from the posterior portal in relation to the risk of mandibular fossa injury. In this study, the angles and depths at which the risk is greatest for injury to the deepest point of the mandibular fossa (DP) and to the middle ear during arthroscopy were analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three-dimensional measurements of 96 mandibular fossae in 48 dry skulls were made.

RESULTS

It was found that the distance from the lateral rim of the fossa to DP and Hugier's canal was 9.50 +/- 2.07 mm and 17.04 +/- 3.09 mm, respectively. The most dangerous angle for DP injury in the Frankfort horizontal plane (FH plane) was an inclination of the instrument base of -8 degrees dorsad and 17 and 19 degrees caudad in the frontal plane. The most dangerous angle for Hugier's canal injury was a tilting of the instrument base of 15 degrees ventrad in the FH plane and -2 degrees craniad in the frontal plane. However, these values showed a wide range.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that great care must be exercised in manipulation of instruments near the DP and Hugier's canal to avoid injury to the middle ear or penetration into the middle cranial fossa.

[Intracellular signal transduction of endocrine organs and expanded DNA fragment size in myotonic dystrophy]

The Ellsworth-Howard (EH) test was performed in 16 patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM), who were divided into two groups according to serum calcium level; Group I showing normal serum calcium (8 patients) and Group II with hypocalcemia (8 patients). Patients in Group II were recognized as having pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type II and those in Group I as normal. Therefore, it was suggested that an abnormality of A kinase might be present in Group II patients. We additionally performed the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) tolerance test in the same patients and 7 normal controls to examine an abnormality of C kinase. delta TSH (delta TSH: peak minus pre TSH) values in DM patients were significantly lower than those in normal controls. Moreover, delta TSH values in Group II were significantly lower than those in Group I. It was suggested that the abnormality of C kinase might be present in Group II patients. Taken together, our results indicated that some patients with DM might possess abnormalities of signal transduction of both A and C kinases. We compared the degree of endocrine involvement determined by both the EH test and the TRH tolerance test with expanded DNA fragment (EF) size determined by standard Southern blot analysis using an appropriate cDNA probe (cDNA25 probe). There was significant negative correlation between EF size and the results of the EH test and negative correlation between the EF size and the results of the TRH tolerance test. These findings suggested that EF size might be correlated with disease severity in affected endocrine organs.