Determination of amounts of polyamines excreted in urine: demonstration of N1,N8-diacetylspermidine and N1,N12-diacetylspermine as components commonly occurring in normal human urine

An analytical system developed for fractionating free and monoacetylated polyamines [Hiramatsu, K. et al. (1994) J. Biochem. 115, 584-589] was proved useful also in detecting diacetylpolyamines, namely N1,N8-diacetylspermidine (diAcSpd) and N1,N12-diacetylspermine (diAcSpm). Detection limits were 0.9 and 0.6 pmol (S/N = 5) for diAcSpd and diAcSpm, respectively. Analytical recovery and within-run variation were also satisfactory. Human urine samples were found to contain diAcSpd and diAcSpm. These polyamines were identified on the basis of the following observations: (i) their retention times were coincident with those of authentic samples; (ii) they were deacetylated to N8-acetylspermidine and monoacetyl- and free spermine, respectively, by acetylpolyamine amidohydrolase; and (iii) they were practically inert to direct oxidation by bacterial polyamine oxidase as were authentic samples. The amounts of eleven polyamine species including diAcSpd and diAcSpm in urine samples from 52 healthy persons were determined. Mean values for the major polyamine components were consistent with those reported by others. Although the amounts of diAcSpd and diAcSpm were very small, comprising only 1.4 and 0.46% of total polyamines, respectively, these two compounds were found to be always present in healthy human urine as regular constituents. Moreover, variation in their content among individuals was small, suggesting that excretion of these components in urine is strictly regulated.

A small-volume constant-flow air sampling device for thermal desorption GC analysis

A glass syringe with disposable membrane filters was tested as a constant-flow air sampling device. The principle of this sampling device is straightforward: when the syringe is inverted vertically, the syringe plunger falls at a constant speed if an appropriate flow restrictor is connected at the syringe inlet. In case of a 100 ml syringe with two Teflon membrane filters of 0.50 microns in pore size and 3 mm in diameter, the flow rate was 3 ml/min. The flow rate was constant for a 15-minute sampling period when two to eight filters were used as a flow restrictor. A sample volume of less than 50 ml is sufficient for the determination of organic solvent vapor at the ppm level, when gas chromatography with thermal desorption method is employed. Therefore, this sampling device is useful for determining the time-weighted average concentrations of organic solvent vapor in a working environment.

Chemotactic heterogeneity of eosinophils in idiopathic pulmonary eosinophilia

Heterogeneity in the chemotactic response of eosinophils to 5 T cell line eosinophilic chemotactic factors (ECFs) was assessed in 5 patients with idiopathic pulmonary eosinophilia. Eosinophils from 2 patients responded to all 5 ECFs (group 1), whereas eosinophils from the other 3 patients responded to ECF-PI 5, PI 6, PI 7 and PI 8 but failed to respond to ECF-PI 9 (group 2). It was further found that group 1 showed an elevated level of lactate dehydrogenase and a positive tuberculin reaction, whereas group 2 showed neither. The effects of steroid therapy on the chemotactic responses of eosinophils were also examined. In group 1, the chemotactic response of eosinophils to ECF-PI 9 was significantly diminished after therapy; in contrast it was elevated in group 2. This change was accompanied by resolution of both clinical symptoms and pulmonary infiltration of eosinophils. These findings suggest that pulmonary eosinophilia can be divided into two types on the basis of eosinophil chemotactic response and laboratory findings. The heterogeneous responses of eosinophils to ECFs may provide a useful marker for classification of pulmonary eosinophilia and evaluation of therapy.

The effects of intraoperative radiotherapy on bone-healing ability in relation to different doses and postradiotherapy intervals

PURPOSE

Alterations in bone-healing ability after intraoperative radiotherapy were investigated in relation to different doses and postradiotherapy intervals in an experimental model.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Bilateral osteotomy of the fibulae of 56 rabbits was carried out either immediately, 13 weeks or 39 weeks after unilateral intraoperative radiotherapy with 10-MV X ray using one of three doses, 25, 50, or 100 Gy. The healing of the fibulae was evaluated radiographically and histologically 13 weeks after the osteotomy.

RESULTS

Bone-healing ability was irreversibly reduced in all irradiated fibulae and these damages occurred in a dose-dependent manner. The severity of the damage also tended to increase with the time interval between irradiation and osteotomy. This interval-related aggravation was characterized by augmented bone loss at the osteotomy ends and atrophy of the neighboring areas.

CONCLUSION

These results serve as useful information concerning the surgical intervention of irradiated bone during and after intraoperative radiotherapy, and also after conventional radiotherapy.

The genes COL4A5 and COL4A6, coding for basement membrane collagen chains alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV), are located head-to-head in close proximity on human chromosome Xq22 and COL4A6 is transcribed from two alternative promoters

The genes for the alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) chains of human basement membrane collagen type IV have been found together on chromosome X at segment q22 and have been reported to be arranged in a head-to-head fashion. Here we report the 5' flanking sequences of COL4A5 and COL4A6 and that COL4A6 is transcribed from two alternative promoters in a tissue-specific fashion. Analysis of the sequence immediately upstream of the transcription start sites revealed some features of housekeeping genes--i.e., the lack of a TATA motif and the presence of CCAAT and CTC boxes. Further analysis revealed that COL4A6 contains two alternative promoters that control the generation of two different transcripts. One transcription start site (from exon 1') is 442 bp away from the transcription start site of COL4A5, while an alternative transcription start site (from exon 1) is located 1050 bp from the first one and drives the expression of a second transcript that encodes an alpha 6(IV) chain with a different signal peptide. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments revealed that the transcript from exon 1' is abundant in placenta, whereas the transcript from exon 1 is more frequently found in kidney and lung. These results provide additional clues to answering the general question of what mechanisms are used to generate unique basement membrane structures in different tissues.

Total synthesis of a modified ganglioside, de-N-acetyl GM2

Regio- and stereo-selective glycosylation of a sialyl donor 6 that carries a N-phthaloyl protecting group at C-5 with a lactosyl acceptor 7 armed with a pivaloyl group at O-2a was performed to give the expected glycotrioside 5. Subsequent glycosylation of 5 with 2-azido galactosyl donor 4 gave glycotetraosyl derivatives 18 and 19. After conversion of 18 into imidates 25 and 26, coupling with (2S,3R,4E)-3-O-benzoyl-2-N-tetracosanoylsphingenine (2) was executed to afford completely protected ganglioside analogues 27 and 28. Selective cleavage of the methyl ester and N,O-deprotection gave the target de-N-acetyl GM2 (1).

[Cervical spinal epidural abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)]

Epidural abscess is an uncommon infectious disease. The cervical spine is the least frequent site of spinal epidural abscess. It has been reported that early diagnosis and surgical treatment prevent neurological deficit, but it is difficult to diagnose this disease clinically. We presented a rare case of cervical epidural abscess caused by MRSA. A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of acute renal failure and hepatitis. He was treated with hemodialysis via the femoral route. His renal function recovered but high fever continued. MRSA was identified from the AV shunt catheter. He noted pain and dysesthesia on his left shoulder one month after admission. He was transferred to our department with suspect of spinal tumor. Neurological examination demonstrated left hemiparesis with superficial sensory disturbance between C8 and Th2. Cervical CT scan showed osteomyelitis at the left C7 lamina and facet. MR imaging disclosed that an epidural mass at C7 had low signal intensity on T1 weighted and high signal intensity on T2 weighted and ring-like enhancement with gadolinium. He was treated conservatively for a month. Sequential MR imaging showed the mass had homogeneous enhancement at C7 epidural space extending to the left intervertebral foramen. Laboratory examination showed normal. The patient was diagnosed as having cervical epidural abscess. A C6 through Th2 laminectomy and C8 foraminotomy were performed and an encapsulated abscess including yellowish pus was totally removed. The pathological diagnosis was non-specific abscess in the subacute stage. MRSA was identified by the intraoperative pus culture. After the surgery, antibiotics were administered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Giant symptomatic myelolipoma of the adrenal gland

A case of giant symptomatic myelolipoma is described in which clinical differentiation was difficult. It was considered to be an extremely rare case of giant myelolipoma arising in the adrenal gland. Histologically the present case contained more lipomatous elements than others reported to data. This is a case of giant adrenal myelolipoma with a few foci of myeloid elements and it is suggested that this case has a true neoplastic nature rather than a hyperplastic or metaplastic one.

Role of cell-mediated immunity in bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in ruminants: its implication for the vaccination strategy against retroviruses

Recent studies in the immunopathogenesis of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in ruminants, reviewed herein, provide an insight into the vaccination strategy against retrovirus infection. It was shown that vaccination of naive sheep with a recombinant vaccinia virus (RVV) expressing BLV envelope glycoprotein protected the animals against BLV infection. The involvement of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in this phenomenon was strongly suggested. The postinfection vaccination, that is, the vaccination of BLV-infected animals with RVV, also significantly suppressed BLV replication in the carrier animals. These findings support the idea that vaccination against retroviruses should put its emphasis on the induction of CMI and that such vaccine could be used not only for prophylactic but also for therapeutic purposes.

A morphometric study of spermatogenesis in the testes of mice of a senescence accelerated strain

The morphometric parameters of spermatogenic cells in a mouse strain prone to accelerated senescence (SAM-P), a novel murine model of spontaneously promoted aging, were compared with those of a SAM resistant strain (SAM-R) after birth until 40 weeks (mean life span of SAM-P). A mixture of gonocytes and spermatogonia were present in the testis in 1-week-old mice, and no gonocytes were observed in 2-week-old mice. At 6 weeks of age, the absolute number of spermatogonia in SAM-P was 27% greater than that in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in 40-week-old SAM-P was 17% less than in SAM-R. Primary spermatocytes were first observed in 3-week-old animals, and the cell numbers in SAM-P at 3, 5 and 6 weeks were 78%, 31% and 25%, respectively, greater than in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in SAM-P at 40 weeks was 30% less than SAM-R. Round spermatids were first observed in all SAM-P at 4 weeks old, but 20% of SAM-R had no spermatids and the rest had only a few. At 5 and 6 weeks old, the absolute numbers of round spermatids in SAM-P were 38% and 41%, respectively, greater than in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in 40-week-old SAM-P was about 34% less than SAM-R. These results indicate that testicular maturation begins at an earlier age in SAM-P than SAM-R. Furthermore, at the age of 40 weeks signs of testicular deterioration are evident in SAM-P mice only.

Structural elements influencing von Willebrand factor (vWF) binding affinity for platelet glycoprotein Ib within a dispase-digested vWF fragment

We investigated the structural elements in human von Willebrand factor (vWF) that influence binding affinity for platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib using a dispase-digested vWF fragment as a prototype (residues Leu480/Val481-Gly718 of the vWF subunit; Andrews et al, Biochemistry 28:8326, 1989). The major structural features of this fragment are a large A1-loop formed by an intrachain disulfide bond between Cys509 and Cys695 and six O-linked sugar chains. The fragment was chemically modified by (1) reduction and S-carboxyamido-methylation (R/A), (2) desialylation (DS), or (3) a combination of both (R/A-DS). The GPIb binding affinity of these fragments was basically evaluated by competitive binding assay with anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody (LJ-Ib1), a receptor blocker for vWF (Sugimoto et al, Biochemistry 30:5202, 1991). Both the prototype and the R/A fragments were also assessed for their function in shear-induced platelet aggregation. Results unambiguously demonstrated that the presence of a disulfide bridge (Cys509-Cys695) within this domain downregulates the affinity of vWF to GPIb. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the terminal sialic acids attached to six o-linked sugar chains within this domain contribute to optimal functional modulation by the antibiotic ristocetin, but not by snake venom botrocetin.

[Arterial infusion of combination therapy using dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and mitomycin C for nodular type of hepatocellular carcinoma non-occluding the main portal vein--in comparison with transcatheter arterial embolization]

Seventy five patients with nodular type of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) non-occluding the main portal vein were divided into the following groups and were compared for the prognosis: (I) administered intraarterial infusion therapy combining dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (DBcAMP) and mitomycin C (MMC) (n = 13); (II) treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) (n = 62). No marked difference was observed between two groups before treatment concerning the tumor size and the underlying clinical state confirmed by Child's method. Fifty % survival disclosed to be 21 months in both groups, whereas viewed from the tumor type of being single or multi-nodular, the median survival was as follows: 14 months (n = 6) and 21 months (n = 7) in group I, and 30 months (n = 25) and 20 months (n = 37) in group II, respectively. However, combination therapy exerted a reduced frequency of patients succumbing within one year after treatment: 1 (7.7%) as compared to 16 (25.8%) in group II. It is concluded that combination therapy with DBcAMP and MMC has an almost same salutary effect as TAE on HCC non-occluding the main portal vein.

Characteristics of an attenuated vaccinia virus strain, LC16m0, and its recombinant virus vaccines

This article reviews studies concerning the characteristics of a vaccinia virus strain, LC16m0, and its recombinant virus vaccines. The LC16m0 strain is one of several temperature-sensitive and further attenuated variants derived from the Lister (Elstree) strain of vaccinia virus, which has a proven safety record in human populations. Several types of recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing a foreign antigen gene from a pathogenic virus have been constructed using the LC16m0 strain as a vector, and their immunological and virological characteristics have been investigated extensively. These studies indicate that the LC16m0 strain has potential as a vector in a live recombinant vaccine. The advantages, disadvantages and future prospects of vector are discussed.

Basement membrane and carcinogenesis: ultrastructural observations in the basement membrane of the bladder epithelium in rats treated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN)

This study investigated the structural alterations in the basement membrane (BM) of the bladder epithelium in rats treated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) using transmission electron microscopy. Following administration of BBN, thickening of the BM of the bladder epithelium was observed and remained almost constant from 4 to 20 weeks, although the pathological changes in the rat bladder epithelium induced by BBN altered over the same period of 20 weeks. The reason for this phenomenon can be explained by the increased interfacial area between the basal epithelial cells and the BM of the rat bladder epithelium due to an increase in the number and size of the microvilli on the basal cell surfaces adjacent to the BM. Our results also showed that the frequency of hemidesmosomes increased progressively during the period of carcinogenesis, especially in the lesions of noninvasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in the rat bladder. It is suggested that the neosynthesis of BM components can be carried out both by benign hyperplastic cells and by noninvasive TCC cells of rat bladder. The alterations in the BM thickness may be affected by the changes in the number and size of the microvilli occurring on the basal cell surfaces adjacent to the BM. Both an increased frequency of hemidesmosomes and the neosynthesis of BM are closely related to cell proliferation during carcinogenesis.

Long-term changes in the haversian systems following high-dose irradiation. An ultrastructural and quantitative histomorphological study

The effects of high-dose irradiation on the morphology of haversian bone were studied, over a fifty-two-week period, in seventy-seven adult rabbits, after the administration of a single dose of radiation (therapeutic x-ray; twenty-five, fifty, or 100 gray) to one knee joint. The specimens of bone were examined with microangiography, light and transmission electron microscopy, and histomorphometry. Analysis was performed on the haversian bone in the subchondral bone plate of weight-bearing portions of the femoral condyles. Microangiography demonstrated dilatation of the microvasculature four weeks after irradiation. Beginning at twelve weeks, there was a marked decrease in vascularity; no obvious recovery of the subchondral bone had occurred by fifty-two weeks. At four weeks, morphological analysis revealed two changes in the haversian canals: simple occlusion of the haversian vessels with loss of cells in the canal, and dilatation of the capillaries with abnormal resorption of the perivascular bone matrix by osteoclasts. The abnormal bone resorption was not coupled with subsequent new-bone formation, resulting in increased porosity. Beginning at four weeks, a progressive decrease in the number of haversian vessels and in cellularity became prominent. The decrease in cellularity involved all types of cells, including endothelial cells, pericytes, perivascular mesenchymal cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts. The loss of perivascular cells was often but not always associated with occlusion of the haversian vessels. Histomorphometry revealed both time-dependent and dose-dependent decreases in capillary density (the number of intraosseous capillaries per unit area) and in the number of osteocytes in the subchondral bone plate. The porosity of the same areas showed a significant increase by four weeks (p < 0.001 after administration of twenty-five gray and p < 0.01 after administration of both fifty and 100 gray), but between twelve and fifty-two weeks, there was only a slight additional increase. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between capillary density and osteocyte survival (p < 0.001) and between capillary density and porosity (p < 0.001). The portion of the subchondral bone plate that was located farthest from the non-irradiated normal bone showed progressive damage and no sign of recovery at fifty-two weeks.

Laser high performance liquid chromatography determination of prostaglandins in nasal lavage fluid in allergic rhinitis

This study was designed to analyse prostaglandins (PGs) in human nasal lavage fluid using the combination of microcolumn high performance liquid chromatography and a He/Cd laser induced fluorescence detection system. Forty-seven patients with allergic rhinitis and 12 healthy volunteers were investigated. Four species of PG, i.e. PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were detected in the nasal lavage fluid. Concentrations of PGD2 (1.33 +/- 0.17 nmol/ml) and PGE2 (0.87 +/- 0.11 nmol/ml) in nasal lavage fluid from patients with allergic rhinitis (the allergy group) were significantly increased compared with those of volunteers (the control group, 0.23 +/- 0.16 nmol/ml, 0.29 +/- 0.19 nmol/ml, respectively). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in concentrations of either PGF2 alpha or 6-keto-PGF1 alpha between the control group and the allergy group. Histamine concentration in nasal lavage fluid was significantly increased in the allergy group (53 +/- 7.6 nmol/l) compared with the control group (3.4 +/- 1.0 nmol/l). No significant correlation was observed between PGD2 and histamine concentration (r = 0.24), or between PGE2 and histamine concentration (r = 0.08) in nasal lavage fluid from patients with allergic rhinitis. Treatment with oxatomide, an anti-histamine and anti-allergic drug, significantly improved symptom scores, but did not alleviate them completely. Concentrations of each PG detected in nasal lavage fluid did not change significantly after oxatomide treatment. It is concluded that, not only histamine but also PGs, particularly PGD2 and PGE2, might be involved in the genesis of allergic rhinitis.

Distribution of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (bile acid binder) in rat small intestine: comparison with glutathione S-transferase subunits

We identified and quantitated the Y' bile acid binder, i.e., 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD), in rat small intestinal mucosa, and compared its longitudinal distribution with that of glutathione S-transferases (GST). The enzyme activity of 3 alpha-HSD in intestinal mucosa was approximately one-third of that in liver, and it had similar activity in the proximal, middle, and distal portions of the intestine. Immunoreactive protein corresponding to hepatic bile acid binder was detected in all segments of rat small intestine mucosal cytosol by Western blot analysis. There was no significant difference in the concentration of bile acid binder, assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), between the proximal and the distal intestine, this being 2.93 +/- 0.03 and 3.29 +/- 0.95 nmol/g tissue, respectively (mean +/- SD of four animals). On the other hand, the concentration of GST 1-1 showed sharp longitudinal decline and that of GST 3-4 was negligible in the small intestine, as we previously reported, indicating that bile acid binder was a prominent cytosol binding protein in the distal intestine. These results suggested the possible role of bile acid binder in the intracellular transport of bile acids in the ileum.

Identification of a new collagen IV chain, alpha 6(IV), by cDNA isolation and assignment of the gene to chromosome Xq22, which is the same locus for COL4A5

To date, five distinct alpha chains have been identified in basement membrane collagen IV. We have cloned a gene encoding a new alpha chain belonging to basement membrane collagen IV by cDNA isolation under low stringency conditions. Isolation of overlapping clones and the technique of 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends enabled us to derive the primary structure of the entire polypeptide. The deduced collagen polypeptide contained 1678 amino acid residues, including a 21-residue signal peptide, a 24-residue amino-terminal NC domain, a central 1405-residue collagenous (COL1) domain, and a 228-residue carboxyl-terminal NC1 domain. We have designated this newly found alpha chain as the alpha 6(IV) chain. The gene was mapped to chromosome Xq22 by in situ hybridization of metaphase lymphocytes. This is the same region of chromosome X where the gene coding for the alpha 5(IV) collagen chain (COL4A5) resides. Mutations in COL4A5 have been characterized in more than 50 patients with Alport syndrome. However, some of the X-linked cases of Alport syndrome are not apparently caused by COL4A5 mutations. The gene we describe in this paper therefore seems to be a candidate for mutations in this group of Alport syndrome patients.

[Corticosteroid therapy in collagen disease]

Corticosteroids are used commonly in the management of collagen disease and related condition. The degree of disease activity and clonicity should be clearly evaluated as therapeutic strategies of corticosteroids. High dose corticosteroids including pulse-therapy is useful for SLE with CNS-lupus, lupus nephritis and hemolytic anemia. Dermatomyositis also require high dose corticosteroids and it should keep for long time. PN is effective combination therapy of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. PMR and Temporal Arthritis well response dramatically to corticosteroids. RA should not be administrate over 7.5 m/day of CS. Intra-auticular therapy and alternate-day therapy are recommended in in-active RA.

Adult Chédiak-Higashi syndrome presenting as parkinsonism and dementia

Chédiak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) in children can be a fatal disease. We describe the oldest known CHS patient first seen with a neurologic disorder in early adult life. From the age of 22, this 39-year-old woman developed mental deterioration, parkinsonism including resting tremor at the tongue, mandible, and hands, oculogyric crisis, muscular atrophy of limbs, and loss of tendon reflexes. MRI showed marked temporal dominant brain atrophy and diffuse spinal cord atrophy. Partial albinism, pan-leukocytic giant granules, and profoundly decreased NK-cell activity were compatible with childhood CHS, but apparently normal neutrophil function prolonged her survival. Stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes was less than 40% that of normal controls.

An improved method of determining free and acetylated polyamines by HPLC involving an enzyme reactor and an electrochemical detector

We developed an improved system for the simultaneous measurement of free and acetylated polyamines, which comprised a HPLC pump, a separation column, an enzyme reactor, and an electrochemical detector, connected in series. Polyamines were separated with an isocratic elution system, and the separated polyamines were introduced into the enzyme reactor, in which they were deacetylated and oxidized to generate hydrogen peroxide. The amount of hydrogen peroxide generated was then determined with the electrochemical detector. Analysis of a mixture of nine standard polyamines including both free forms and acetylated derivatives with this method revealed that the analytical variables were satisfactory. For the analysis of polyamines in urine, pretreatment of samples with a weakly acidic ion exchange resin was necessary to reduce the interfering substances present in the urine. On successive determinations of polyamines in a urine sample, the coefficients of variation obtained were below 5.4%, except that for spermine (27.6%), and the analytical recovery rates were above 90%, except that for acetylputrescine (78.5%). The correlation coefficient between the total polyamine content in urine estimated by our method and that obtained by means of a commercially available enzymatic assay system was calculated to be 0.98, and the regression equation was expressed as y = 0.81 x + 0.89.