Expression of the Bacillus subtilis spoIVCA gene, which encodes a site-specific recombinase, depends on the spoIIGB product

The Bacillus subtilis spoIVCA gene encodes a site-specific recombinase which creates a sigK gene by DNA rearrangement. We have determined the transcription initiation point of the spoIVCA gene and found that (i) the spoIVCA promoter contains sequences which are similar to -10 and -35 regions of promoters recognized by sigma E and (ii) mutation of spoIIGB, which encodes pro-sigma E, blocked the expression of spoIVCA.

The motility of lung lymphocytes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis

Lymphocytes obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) are believed to be derived from interstitial inflammatory lesions of the lung in which lymphocytes have migrated from the blood. Because cellular motility is one of the important factors in lymphocyte migration, we investigated the motility of BAL lymphocytes from 12 patients with HP and 12 with PS, as well as their responsiveness to chemoattractants in vitro by modified Boyden chamber method. Motility was evaluated by the number of migrated cells and the migration distance. The numbers of migrated BAL lymphocytes from patients with HP and PS in albumin-containing medium were 318.3 +/- 93.0 (mean +/- SD) and 207.6 +/- 35.5, respectively, and were greater than those of BAL lymphocytes from normal control subjects (133.3 +/- 40.9) and blood lymphocytes, and comparable with those of mitogen-activated blood lymphocytes. The motility of BAL lymphocytes in these diseases compared with blood lymphocytes was also increased in protein-free medium. In addition, the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages (AM) enhanced the motility of BAL, mitogen-activated, and blood lymphocytes. These results suggest that BAL lymphocytes in these diseases are functionally motile, and their enhanced motility, as well as mediators from AM, may facilitate the accumulation of lymphocytes at the epithelial surface.

[Rearing related stress and depressive severity]

Mothers' difficulties concerning child-rearing were conceptualized as a rearing-related stress (RRS). Eight hundred and seventeen mothers who had six month-olds infants were asked to rate 28 RRS items and 20 items on the depressive severity scale (Zung, 1956). The main results were summarized as follows: (1) Twenty-two items of RRS were analyzed by Hayashi's quantification (type-III) method, and two hypothesized dimensions were extracted. These are named children-related rearing stress (CRRS) and mothers-related rearing stress (MRRS). (2) RRS was related to mothers depressive severity. (3) Linear relationships of "CRRS-MRRS-depression severity" was examined by partial correlation analysis. (4) Primiparae experienced more RRS than multiparae. These results suggested that RRS could be considered as a process, i.e., CRRS influences MRRS and then MRRS influences depressive severity. The RRS model is an accord with the psychological stress model of Lazarus and Folkman (1986). Lastly, possible preventive strategies for mothers' RRS were discussed in the light of RRS model.

Plasma cortisol response in dairy cows to vaginoscopy, genital palpation per rectum and artificial insemination

Response of plasma cortisol concentrations after vaginoscopic examination, palpation of the genital organs per rectum and artificial insemination were investigated in six Holstein-Friesian cows weighing between 510 to 620 kg. Blood samples were collected by indwelling jugular catheter. The experiment was begun at 09:00 hours on the day when cows came into estrus. Blood samples were collected from 30 minutes before to 60 minutes after each treatment at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes. Cows were initially blood-sampled for 90 minutes at the same intervals without giving any treatment and then were subjected to vaginoscopy for 1.5 minutes, palpation of the uterus and ovaries per rectum for 4 minutes and artificial insemination by the recto-vaginal method for 5 minutes. No significant increase in plasma cortisol was shown in cows in estrus following vaginoscopy. Palpation per rectum as well as artificial insemination caused a significant increase in plasma cortisol (P < 0.01) 5 to 10 minutes after the initiation of treatments in cows in estrus. There was a tendency for cows in the luteal phase to show higher plasma cortisol levels after the vaginoscopy than cows in estrus. Adrenal response to palpation per rectum in cows in the luteal phase was similar to that in cows in estrus. Thus, in cows in estrus, palpation per rectum as well as artificial insemination may be potential stressors for cows, causing an increase in plasma cortisol levels. However, the pathophysiological importance of the rise in plasma cortisol levels is not known.

[Prognosis of interstitial pneumonitis (IP) in polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM)]

IP, the major complication of PM/DM, is closely related to the life of these patients. In this study the course and prognosis of IP associated with PM/DM were investigated. Thirty IP patients with PM/DM were divided into 4 groups according to the course of IP. Clinical manifestations, laboratory data, chest radiographs and treatment were examined retrospectively. Eleven cases improved (Group I), 11 cases were exacerbated (Group E), 3 cases were unchanged (Group U), 2 cases died due to rapid progression of IP (Group D) and 3 cases dropped out. Both Group D patients were middle aged female DM patients without CPK elevation. All cases were treated with corticosteroids. The clinical manifestations, laboratory data, chest radiographs and initial dose of corticosteroid were not markedly different between Group I and E. The total dose of corticosteroids during the first 3 months tended to be higher in Group I than in Group E. Unlike idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis, the decrease in lung volume on chest radiographs improved after the treatment in 5 cases. We conclude that IP associated with PM/DM should be treated initially with high doses of corticosteroids.

[Levels of soluble CD4 and soluble CD8 in patients with sarcoidosis]

Levels of soluble CD4 (sCD4) and soluble CD8 (sCD8) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined in 36 patients with sarcoidosis and 20 healthy controls by an ELISA method. In addition, the possible sources of sCD4 and sCD8 were examined in detail. The sCD4 levels in serum did not differ significantly between sarcoidosis patients and controls. The sCD8 levels in the sera of sarcoidosis patients with a high serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level were significantly higher than those of patients with a normal serum ACE level (413 +/- 148 U/ml vs. 297 +/- 76 U/ml, p < 0.01). The high ACE group also had significantly increased serum sCD8 levels as compared to controls (323 +/- 111 U/ml, p < 0.05). In the sarcoidosis patients, the mean serum sCD8 level was 308 +/- 46 U/ml in stage 0, 339 +/- 107 U/ml in stage I, 557 +/- 141 U/ml in stage II, and 474 +/- 211 U/ml in stage III. The stage II group had a significantly higher sCD8 level than either the stage 0 or I groups (p < 0.05). In the sarcoidosis patients, the sCD8 level correlated significantly with the level of either ACE or soluble Interleukin-2 receptor in serum (p < 0.05). The sCD4 level in BALF was significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients than in controls (4.10 +/- 1.90 U/ml vs. 2.39 +/- 0.12 U/ml, p < 0.01), while the sCD8 level in BALF tended to be higher in sarcoidosis patients than in controls (4.31 +/- 4.39 U/ml vs. 2.02 +/- 1.52 U/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of a cation conductance by acetic acid in taste cells isolated from the bullfrog

The ionic mechanism of the conductance activated by acetic acid was analyzed in isolated bullfrog taste cells under whole-cell voltage-clamp. Bath-application of acetic acid (pH 3.9-4.7) induced an inward current in about 80% of the taste cells. The current occurred in external 80 mmol l-1 Ba2+ and internal 100 mmol l-1 Cs+, which completely blocked the delayed outward K+ current. The concentration-response relationship for the acid-activated current was consistent with that of the gustatory neural response. Prolonged adaptation of the surface of the tongue to HCl prior to taste cell isolation decreased the acid-induced current to about 20% of the control value without decreasing NaCl-induced neural responses and voltage-activated Na+ currents. The results suggest that the transduction mechanism of the acid response might be different from that of the response to salt. The I-V relationship of the acid-induced response was nearly linear at membrane potentials between -80 and 80 mV. The acid-induced conductance was permeable to alkali metal and alkali earth metal ions. The permeability ratios were PCa:PBa:PSr:PNa:PCs = 1.87:1.17:0.73:0.99:1.00. The present study suggests that the acid-induced receptor current in bullfrog taste cells is generated by an increase in a cation conductance in the apical taste membrane.

Contribution of phospholipases A2 and D to arachidonic acid liberation and prostaglandin D2 formation with increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rat peritoneal mast cells

The contribution of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) and D (PLD) activation to arachidonic acid liberation and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) formation was studied in stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. Stimulation of the cells with ionomycin induced time-dependent and Ca(2+)-concentration-dependent increase in arachidonic acid liberation and PGD2 formation, and the Ca(2+)-dependent increase was especially remarkable at extracellular Ca2+ concentration higher than 200 microM. Staurosporine did not induce any effect on the arachidonic acid liberation, indicating that protein kinase C is not involved in the liberation. Addition of ethanol to the cells decreased the ionomycin-stimulated arachidonic acid liberation to 40% of the control, while it decreased the PGD2 formation almost completely, with the increase in phosphatidylethanol formation. Propranolol, a phosphatidate phosphohydrolase inhibitor, caused similar effects. p-Bromophenacyl bromide, a PLA2 inhibitor, inhibited partially the arachidonic acid liberation. The inhibition of the liberation by combination of p-bromophenacyl bromide and ethanol was additive and reached approximately 90%. Under the conditions used p-bromophenacyl bromide did not influence significantly the PLD activity assessed by the phosphatidylethanol formation. Histamine release was decreased by ethanol treatment to 35% of the control. These results suggest that more than half of the total arachidonic acid liberation is mediated by the sequential pathway of PLD/phosphatidate phosphohydrolase/diacylglycerol lipase and more than half of histamine release is also dependent on PLD activation, while the PGD2 formation is fully mediated by the pathway. PLA2 also contributes to arachidonic acid liberation but to a lower extent.

Molecular cloning of a possible cysteine proteinase predominantly expressed in osteoclasts

Osteoclasts are multinucleate giant cells playing key roles in bone resorption. These cells solubilize mineralized bone matrix by means of acid and protease action; however, the precise mechanism of this process is not well known. Recently, we succeeded in the isolation of pure osteoclasts from rabbit bones and constructed a cDNA library. Using a differential screening procedure, two genes expressed predominantly in osteoclasts compared with spleen cells were isolated (Tezuka, K., Sato, T., Kamioka, H., Nijweide, P. J., Tanaka, K., Matsuo, T., Ohta, M., Kurihara, N., Hakeda, Y., and Kumegawa, M. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 186, 911-917). One of them, OC-2, was found to encode a possible cysteine proteinase structurally related to cathepsins L and S. By in situ hybridization, OC-2 was confirmed to be expressed in osteoclasts in vivo. By Northern blot analysis, OC-2 was highly and preferentially expressed in osteoclasts compared with other tissues such as kidney, liver, spleen, and lung. The predominant expression of OC-2 in osteoclasts may suggest that OC-2 encodes a protein, possibly a cysteine proteinase, that plays an important role in osteoclastic bone resorption.

[Clinical study of the hypogastric plexus preserving operation for Y-prosthesis replacement for abdominal aneurysm--operative technique for avoiding postoperative sexual disorders]

We studied the effect of the hypogastric plexus preserving operation for Y-prosthesis replacement in abdominal aneurysm. The hypogastric plexus preserving operation was performed for avoiding postoperative sexual disorders such as the impotence and the abnormalities of ejaculation. With wide abrasion of retroperitoneum as usually, postoperative abnormalities of ejaculation occurred in 70% and postoperative impotence occurred in 50% of cases undergoing Y-prosthesis replacement. More reliable nerve preserving operation was the minimum abrasion of retroperitoneum and the aorta had not to he abrased at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery, bifurcation of the aorta and the common iliac artery. Then with this nerve preserving operation, abnormalities of ejaculation occurred in 30% (p < 0.05) of cases and impotence occurred in 20% of cases. The results indicate that sexual dysfunction may he prevented to minimize by the nerve preserving operation.

Morphology and analysis of the development of the human temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscle

The calcification levels of the mandible and the temporal bone of human fetuses, which ranged from 12 to 32 weeks of gestation, were systematically investigated with a soft X-ray analyzer linked to an image analyzer. The profile of the condylar process (head) revealed high levels of calcification, in contrast to that in the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone. The basal portion of the condylar process and the mandibular notch exhibited moderate calcification from 12 weeks of gestation. The weight and the cross-sectional areas of the muscle and the muscle fibers in masticatory muscles (masseter, temporal, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles) are all increased gradually during development from 12 to 32 weeks of gestation. These changes in calcification and in cross-sectional area of muscle suggest that muscle development may be related to bone calcification during formation of the mandible.

Production of two novel monoclonal antibodies against human renal glomeruli and their application to the immunohistochemical investigation of crescentic glomerulonephritis

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against human renal glomeruli, HEP1 and HBM1, were produced using isolated human glomeruli as an antigen. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic analyses revealed that the recognition site of HEP1 is the cell surface of the visceral glomerular epithelial cells. HEP1 showed no reaction in the renal interstitium or in other tissues. HBM1 recognized an antigen present in the basal lamina of the renal glomeruli, Bowman's capsule, and partly in the basement membrane of renal tubules, but it was not reactive with the mesangial matrix or renal interstitium. The isotype of both MAbs was IgG1, k. The molecular weights of their corresponding antigens were 127-177 and 220 kD, respectively. Besides human tissues, HEP1 also showed cross-reactions with antigens in the visceral glomerular epithelial cells of various animals other than mice. HBM1 recognized human antigen only. Using both MAbs, eight cases of crescentic glomerulonephritis were examined immunohistochemically. As a result, it was demonstrated that the crescents may not be formed by visceral glomerular epithelial cells. From this study, these two MAbs appear to be useful markers for the evaluation of renal glomerular disorders.

Effect of lifetime cigarette consumption on time domain spirogram indices

A cross-sectional analysis on the dose-related change in time domain spirogram indices induced by lifetime cigarette consumption was conducted to examine the ability of those indices to detect early changes in the lung periphery in comparison with conventional spirometric indices. The subjects were asymptomatic healthy male workers from three occupational cohorts including asbestos workers and welders. They were asked to perform the forced expiration maneuver at least three times to obtain reliable results. A total of 893 subjects were enrolled in the study, and 484 of them who were aged 30 years or more and were free from chronic respiratory symptoms and abnormalities in chest radiography and spirometry, were analyzed. Although conventional indices, such as forced expiratory volume in one second and maximal midexpiratory flow, were not significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers, the standard deviation of transit times and of time constant distribution in smokers were significantly elevated compared with nonsmokers. Furthermore a dose-related change according to lifetime cigarette consumption was observed in those indices. We conclude that time domain spirogram indices, especially the standard deviation of time constant distribution, would be more useful than conventional indices in detecting early changes in the lung periphery.

Timing for administration of an antihypertensive drug in the treatment of essential hypertension

To find the best timing for administration of long-acting antihypertensive drugs, we gave nitrendipine, a calcium antagonist of the dihydropyridine group, once a day to six hospitalized and drug-free patients with essential hypertension, changing the time of administration and studying the effects on the circadian rhythm of blood pressure. After control values of 24-hour blood pressure variations were taken with patients on placebo, a 10-mg tablet of nitrendipine was given for 3 days on three occasions--at 6 AM on awakening, at 8:30 AM after breakfast, and at 6 PM after supper; 24-hour blood pressure values for each period were recorded on the third day. The 24-hour blood pressure values during the control period showed a biphasic circadian rhythm, with higher values during wakefulness and lower values during sleep. The control period was also characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure on awakening, the so-called morning surge of blood pressure, and a gradual decline during sleep at night. Although the morning surge was not completely suppressed by nitrendipine given after breakfast, it was diminished by the drug given on awakening or after supper; the latter brought a deeper decline in blood pressure during sleep compared with other times. The average of 24-hour blood pressure values obtained by nitrendipine given on awakening was the lowest among the three occasions. Thus, administration of long-acting calcium antagonists with a rapid onset of action on awakening in the early morning seems to be a more rational and beneficial alternative than the conventional administration after breakfast.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Contents of lecithin and choline in crude drugs

The determination of lecithin and choline in crude drugs was established by a combination of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detector (ECD) and enzyme reaction. Lecithin in crude drugs extracted with a mixture of chloroform-methanol (2:1) at room temperature was hydrolyzed by phospholipase D. The hydrolyzate was injected to HPLC, and choline was separated from impurities by reverse phase column. The choline was converted to betaine and hydrogen peroxide by passing through column packed with immobilized choline oxidase. This hydrogen peroxide was detected by ECD. The peak area of hydrogen peroxide derived from lecithin was proportional to the concentration of lecithin from 0.10 to 1.52 microgram/ml. Choline in crude drugs was extracted with ethanol under reflux and determined under the same HPLC conditions as lecithin. The peak area of hydrogen peroxide derived from choline was proportional to the concentration of choline from 0.01 to 0.45 microgram/ml. The contents of lecithin and choline in 31 kinds of crude drugs were determined by these established methods. The results showed that Cervi Parvum Cornu, Kokurozin, Foenigraeci Semen and Psoraleae Semen contained more lecithin than other crude drugs, while Angelicae Radix, Foenigraeci Semen, Psoraleae Semen, and especially Hippocampus were found to contain more choline than other crude drugs.

[Clinical study of anti-phospholipid antibody in patients with sarcoidosis]

Serum antibodies against five types of phospholipids were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 55 patients with sarcoidosis. In 21 cases (38%), either IgG antibodies or IgM antibodies were detected. These antibodies were thought to mainly be infective type. This positive rate was significantly higher than that (7%) of the control group (70 cases) (p < 0.01). As to the immunoglobulin classes, 5 cases had IgG antibodies only, 11 cases had IgM antibodies only, and 5 cases had both IgG and IgM antibodies. No correlation was observed between the occurrence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (APL-Ab) and disease activity of sarcoidosis. Significant correlations were found between the occurrence of APL-Ab and skin lesions, many extrathoracic organ lesions and the persistence of abnormal chest X-ray findings for over 2 years and 5 years. From these data, it is suggested that the presence of APL-Ab is associated with prolonged disease activity of sarcoidosis.

Therapeutic effect of a CDDP-epirubicin-Lipiodol emulsion on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Prior injection of an anticancer agent and Lipiodol mixture is a key point for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We therefore prepared a new, improved emulsion of Lipiodol containing a high dose of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) and epirubicin by replacing the ionic contrast medium (Urografin 67) with a nonionic contrast medium (Iopamidol; Iopamiron 300) and adding phosphatidyl choline. This CDDP-epirubicin-Lipiodol emulsion (CELE) was examined pharmacologically and chemically with the following results. The size of these particles is less than 10 microns (diameter) for up to 24 h; the release of 28%-34% of the CDDP and 80%-90% of the epirubicin was estimated in the dissolution test, and 85% of the CDDP and 35% of the epirubicin was retained in the organs in the moment calculation. CELE was injected into 58 HCC patients via a celiac angiographic catheter. In 36 of these patients, the CELE injection was followed by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy. Following the administration of CELE as one-shot injection therapy for stage IV HCC, the 1-year survival rate was 59% and the 2-year survival rate was 27%. Moreover, in patients (stage II, 12; stage III, 8; stage IV, 16) who received CELE and subsequently underwent TAE therapy, the 1-year survival rate was 90% and the 2-year survival rate was 67%. The nonionic contrast medium with Lipiodol forms finer emulsified particles, and these particles are more capable of penetrating into the tumor. In addition, the greater pharmacological stability of these particles provides a slow-release effect and prolonged stability of their shape. Finally, theoretically, the use of two major anticancer agents such as CDDP and epirubicin showed a greater clinical effect in the treatment of HCC than either our earlier suspension or a single anticancer agent.

Mathematical model of cardiovascular mechanics for diagnostic analysis and treatment of heart failure: Part 1. Model description and theoretical analysis

The planning of drug therapy for heart failure should involve both the diagnostic analysis of the patient's defective state and a prediction of the drug effects on the identified state. We have devised a mathematical model of cardiovascular system mechanics, on which both quantitative diagnosis and evaluation of drug effects can be made. The model was composed of systemic and pulmonary circulatory networks including the dynamics of the left and right ventricles. The model of the ventricles can represent both systolic and diastolic problems in heart failure through the parameters of ventricular contractility and diastolic stiffness. Each vascular network was composed of arterial and venous resistances and total vascular capacitance. Patient's ventricular and vascular parameters were estimated simultaneously from the clinically measurable haemodynamic variables based on the model. Despite the simplicity of the model, the results showed good agreement with clinical and experimental data. The clinically significant haemodynamic classification of heart failure by Forrester et al. (Forrester et al., 1977) was simulated well by the model. This model provides a useful basis for analysing pathophysiological states in heart failure and evaluating drug effects on the disease.

Comparison of indirect haemagglutination test, gel-diffusion precipitin test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of serum antibodies to Pasteurella multocida in naturally and experimentally infected rabbits

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gel-diffusion precipitin test (GDPT), and indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT) were evaluated for the detection of antibodies to Pasteurella multocida in both naturally and experimentally infected rabbits. A total of 285 rabbit serum samples from 7 rabbit colonies were tested by ELISA, GDPT, and IHAT, and nasal cultures were taken coincidentally to use as the standard in the serological tests. There was better correlation (98.0%) between the results of ELISA and positive nasal culture than between the GDPT (86.3%) or IHAT (23.5%) and positive nasal culture. In addition, ELISA and GDPT were positive in 26 (11.1%) and 21 (9.0%) of 234 serum samples from nasal culture negative rabbits, respectively. In experimentally infected rabbits, antibodies detected by the ELISA and GDPT began to rise one to 3 weeks post-inoculation. IHAT did not detect antibodies. These results are discussed in terms of value to serodiagnosis of rabbit pasteurellosis.

Clinical evaluation of serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with liver diseases

We developed a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) protein, and examined serum OCT concentrations in patients with various liver diseases. OCT concentrations were markedly elevated in cases of hepatic encephalopathy, 'acute on chronic', and those with the acute phase of acute hepatitis, moderately in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, primary biliary cirrhosis, and slightly in those with a fatty liver. High percentages (92-98%) of patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma had higher than normal concentrations of serum OCT protein. There was a close correlation with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and moderate correlations with those of mitochondrial AST, glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. The OCT/ALT ratio was higher in patients with liver cirrhosis than in those with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.001), and was still higher in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (p < 0.05). In 2 patients with 'acute on chronic' disease, OCT concentrations decreased similarly with or more rapidly than AST or ALT activities after admission. In 2 patients with hepatic encephalopathy, the OCT concentrations changed similarly with AST and ALT activities. This OCT ELISA system will aid in diagnosing various liver diseases and in the follow-up of the patients, and the OCT/ALT ratio may serve for a differential diagnosis of liver diseases.