Successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and achalasia: a case report

A successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and a past medical history of achalasia is described. Surprisingly, she was free from orthostatic hypotension during the last trimester, though the evaluation of adrenergic function by measurements of changes in plasma norepinephrine on standing and by the response of blood pressure to infused norepinephrine revealed no difference between function before pregnancy and that during the last trimester. Orthostatic hypotension started again just after delivery.

Immature B cells can pass through a VHDJH/germ line state in the Ig H chain gene rearrangements

SPL2-1-2, an Ig- murine immature B cell line, was established by the infection of immature B cells with tsOS-59, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Abelson murine leukemia virus. Southern blot and DNA cloning and sequencing analysis showed that SPL2-1-2 had a nonproductive VHQ52.DSP2.JH3 and a germ line (G) allele (VHDJH-/G), and that D to JH joinings followed by VH to DJH joinings progressed on the G allele during culture. These results indicated the existence of novel pathway of IgH gene rearrangements: G/G----DJH/G----VHDJH/G----VHDJH/DJH----VHDJH /VHDJH. This also implied that whether DJH/G state progressed to DJH/DJH or VHDJH/G state was stochastically determined, but not strictly controlled in an ordered fashion, although DJH/G state progressed more preferentially to DJH/DJH state than to VHDJH/G state.

Elevated transcription of heat shock protein gene in scleroderma fibroblasts

Scleroderma is a systemic disorder characterized by fibrosis, which affects skin, lung, kidney and other organs. Heat shock protein (hsp) (70 kD) has been implicated as an essential element of cell function in cell growth and differentiation. To study the molecular basis of intracellular events in scleroderma fibroblasts, we compared the expression of hsp 70 gene in scleroderma and normal control fibroblasts by nuclear run on transcription assay and Northern blot assay. We show that scleroderma fibroblasts express more than eight times higher level of hsp 70 transcription in normal control fibroblasts at quiescent conditions in the absence of serum. After stimulation with serum, the transcription level of the hsp 70 gene is similar in scleroderma and normal control fibroblasts. Therefore, our results indicate an alteration/activation of intracellular events in scleroderma fibroblasts.

Effects of estrogen on cell proliferation and leukotriene formation in transformed mouse Leydig cells cultured under serum-free conditions

B-1 F cells from mouse Leydig cell tumor (T 124958-R) were maintained in serum-free culture. Estrogen enhanced the growth of the cells, and this growth was suppressed by antiestrogens such as 4-hydroxytamoxifen or TAT, a newly developed antiestrogen. Since the growth of B-1 F cells was recently found to be inhibited by the metabolites of arachidonic acid, we examined the relationship between this metabolism and the enhancement of cell growth by estrogen. Among the modulators affecting the metabolism of arachidonic acid, 2-(12-hydroxydodeca-5,10-diynyl)-3,5,6-trimethyl-1,4-benzoqu inone, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, reproducibly stimulated the growth of the cells, whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin had only the marginal growth-stimulatory effects. Phorbol ester had no growth-modulating effect. 17 beta-Estradiol and 2-(12-hydroxydodeca-5,10-diynyl)-3,5,6-trimethyl-1,4-benzoqu inone had some additive effects especially in terms of restoration of antiestrogen-induced inhibition. Moreover, the inhibition of DNA synthesis elicited by the addition of arachidonic acid in concentrations of 0.05 to 0.5 micrograms/ml was partly blocked by estrogen. Analyses of extracts of media and cells by high-pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay showed that 17 beta-estradiol inhibited the synthesis of leukotrienes B4, C4, D4, and E4 and this inhibition could be restored by antiestrogen. These results suggest that the enhancement of B-1 F cell growth by estrogen is at least partly mediated through its ability to inhibit leukotriene synthesis.

Spontaneous activation of heat shock protein gene transcription in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of individuals with active systemic lupus erythematosus

In the present study, we show the spontaneous elevation of the transcription of heat shock protein (hsp 70) gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of individuals with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by nuclear run-on transcription assay. For quantification analysis of hsp 70 gene transcription, we first found more than ten times of the enhanced transcription of hsp 70 gene in PBMC of individuals with active SLE, as compared to normal healthy subjects or patients with bronchial asthma as controls. Our observation suggests that heat shock proteins may be produced during an active immune response in individuals with active systemic lupus erythematosus and is involved in lupus-related change of possible essential function in PBMC.

Estimation of D segment usage in initial D to JH joinings in a murine immature B cell line. Preferential usage of DFL16.1, the most 5' D segment and DQ52, the most JH-proximal D segment

We established SPL2-1-2, a murine immature B cell line transformed by tsOS-59, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Abelson murine leukemia virus. SPL2-1-2 has a VHDJH-/G (germ-line) configuration, and can continuously generate D to JH joinings from the germ-line allele during culture. The D to JH joinings are strongly promoted by the shift of the culture temperature from permissive (35 degrees C) to non-permissive temperature (39 degrees C). Using this H chain gene rearrangement system, we succeeded in the estimation of the frequencies of D segment usage in initial D to JH joinings by deletion-mapping analysis. The results demonstrated the preferential utilization of DFL16.1, the most 5' D segment and DQ52, the most JH-proximal D segment in initial D to JH joinings.

Estimation of D segment usage in initial D to JH joinings in a murine immature B cell line. Preferential usage of DFL16.1, the most 5' D segment and DQ52, the most JH-proximal D segment

We established SPL2-1-2, a murine immature B cell line transformed by tsOS-59, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Abelson murine leukemia virus. SPL2-1-2 has a VHDJH-/G (germ-line) configuration, and can continuously generate D to JH joinings from the germ-line allele during culture. The D to JH joinings are strongly promoted by the shift of the culture temperature from permissive (35 degrees C) to non-permissive temperature (39 degrees C). Using this H chain gene rearrangement system, we succeeded in the estimation of the frequencies of D segment usage in initial D to JH joinings by deletion-mapping analysis. The results demonstrated the preferential utilization of DFL16.1, the most 5' D segment and DQ52, the most JH-proximal D segment in initial D to JH joinings.

Antidromically evoked facial nerve responses in guinea pigs: a basis for clinical applications in patients with facial palsy

We investigated the differences in wave form in antidromically evoked facial nerve responses in guinea pigs with and without facial nerve dysfunction. The antidromic facial nerve responses were evoked with alternative stimulation of positive and negative square-wave pulses of 0.1 ms duration and recorded at the bony fallopian canal near the geniculate ganglion. One hundred responses were summed by a signal processor. The application of alternative stimulations made it possible to eliminate stimulus artifacts and to analyze precisely the waves with latencies shorter than 0.5 ms in the test animals. Normal antidromic facial nerve responses showed a triphasic wave form with two positive and one negative peaks. A blockade of the nerve between the recording and stimulating sites resulted in transformation of the wave into a monophasic one. A proximal blockade to the recording site changed the wave form to a biphasic shape. These findings suggest that the site of an intratemporal facial nerve lesion can be predicted from the wave forms evoked by antidromic facial nerve responses.

Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellular complex-induced suppression of T-cell proliferation in vitro by regulation of monocyte accessory cell activity

Heat-killed whole Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare complex (MAC) and its lipid component impaired the capacity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to proliferate in vitro in response to concanavalin A (ConA), purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), and to a lesser degree, phytohemagglutinin stimulation. Inhibition by MAC was not contingent upon prior exposure of the donor to MAC or other mycobacteria and occurred with lymphocytes from tuberculin-negative as well as -positive subjects. The suppression was not due to the toxicity of MAC. The suppression by MAC was not blocked by indomethacin. Adherent cell depletion and cell mixing experiments with T cells indicated that monocytes and not T cells were a major contributor to the immunosuppression observed. However, neither interleukin-1 production nor the expression of HLA-DR (Ia antigen) by monocytes was suppressed by MAC treatment. On the other hand, treatment of monocytes with MAC or MAC-derived lipid resulted in significant decreases in CD11b, a member of the leukocyte function-associated molecule-1 and LeuM3 (CD14) molecule. Anti-CD18 (beta-chain of the leukocyte function-associated molecule-1 family) monoclonal antibody had suppressive effects on ConA- and PPD- but not phytohemagglutinin-induced in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis. We suggest that MAC and MAC-derived lipid suppress the ConA- and PPD-induced T-cell proliferations by blocking the expression of accessory molecules on the surfaces of monocytes which might be involved in nonspecific monocyte-T-cell interactions and not by inhibiting either monocyte Ia antigen expression or interleukin-1 production by monocytes.

Affinity chromatography of human plasma gelsolin with polyphosphate compounds on immobilized Cibacron Blue F3GA

Human plasma gelsolin was specifically eluted from a Cibacron Blue F3GA column with 1 mM adenosine, guanosine, cytidine and uridine di- and triphosphates, except for cytidine 5'-diphosphate. Inorganic polyphosphates also eluted gelsolin, but neither nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide nor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate did so. The results suggest that a terminal pyrophosphate structure might be essential for the specific elution. After elution with 1 mM adenosine 5'-triphosphate, additional gelsolin was eluted by washing the column with a high salt concentration. This indicates that human plasma gelsolin may bind to Cibacron Blue F3GA in at least two different ways.

Enhancement of c-sis proto-oncogene transcription in bronchoalveolar mononuclear cells from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis

The expression of c-sis proto-oncogene in bronchoalveolar mononuclear cells was studied in seven patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. By means of nuclear run on transcription assay, the transcriptional level of c-sis proto-oncogene in bronchoalveolar mononuclear cells was investigated. Expression of c-sis proto-oncogene in bronchoalveolar mononuclear cells was enhanced. Enhancement of c-sis transcription may be involved in the process of activation of bronchoalveolar mononuclear cells in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Identification of unoccupied but transformed nuclear estrogen receptor in cultured mouse Leydig cell

The molecular forms of estrogen receptor (ER) in estrogen-responsive mouse Leydig cell line (B-1) have been examined in relation to their biological activity. ER was predominantly recovered in the nuclear fraction upon homogenization even after cells were precultured in the absence of E2 and Phenol Red. This unoccupied nuclear ER (ERn) whose hormone binding ability was extremely thermostable could be extracted with 0.4 M KCl. This stability enabled us to determine hydrodynamic parameters in the ligand-free condition. The Stokes radius and sedimentation constant of this ERn in high salt condition were 5.5 nm and 6.0S, respectively, resulting in its molecular weight of 140,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ER labeled with [3H]tamoxifen aziridine gave a single band of 65,000 Da, indicating that this ERn had a oligomer structure similar to that of transformed nuclear ER complexed with estrogen in the putative target cells. Therefore, we further examined the possibility that this ERn in B-1 cells can activate estrogen-responsive genes without any aid from estrogen. Estrogen responsive element-thymidine kinase promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene (ERE-tk-CAT) was transfected into B-1 cells. CAT activity was enhanced only in cells stimulated with estrogen. It may be concluded from these results that transformed ERn can be formed in the absence of estrogen but that binding to estrogen may be required in order to exert its biological activity.

Elevated expression of heat-shock protein gene in the fibroblasts of patients with scleroderma

1. Scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by fibrosis affecting the skin, lung, kidney and other organs. The 70 kDa heat-shock protein has been implicated as essential for cell function during cell growth and differentiation. To study the molecular basis of intracellular events in sclerotic fibroblasts, we compared the expression of the hsp 70 gene in sclerotic and normal control fibroblasts by a run on nuclear transcription assay and a Northern blot assay. 2. In the run on nuclear transcription assay, sclerotic fibroblasts expressed an approximately eightfold higher level of hsp 70 transcription than normal fibroblasts in the quiescent condition after serum starvation. After stimulation with serum, the transcription level of the hsp 70 gene was almost similar in sclerotic and normal control fibroblasts. 3. In the Northern blot assay, the hsp 70 gene transcript, which was present in increased amounts in sclerotic fibroblasts, exhibited normal size.

Taurine modulates ion influx through cardiac Ca2+ channels

The effects of taurine on the inward Ca2+ current (ICa) were investigated by means of the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique in isolated single guinea pig ventricular myocytes. ICa were elicited by 200-ms test pulses from a conditioning holding potential of -45 mV to various test potentials at a rate of 0.5 Hz. Taurine (10-20 mM) had different effects on ICa, depending on the extracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca]o). A small stimulatory effect of taurine was found in low [Ca]o (0.8 mM), and a small inhibitory effect was found in high [Ca]o (3.6 mM). Taurine had no significant effect on ICa in normal [Ca]o (1.8 mM). Such dual effects on ICa may explain the various effects reported for taurine especially its dual inotropic actions on cardiac muscle depending upon [Ca]o. Thus, taurine acts in a manner to keep ICa relatively constant. Taurine increased the resting potential irrespective of [Ca]o, suggesting that, in addition, taurine increased K+ conductance and/or ion exchange systems such as the Na/Ca and Na/K exchange.

Regulatory role of arachidonic acid-derived metabolites for proliferation of transformed murine Leydig cell in serum-free culture condition

The growth-regulatory ability of eicosanoids from arachidonic acid is poorly understood. To investigate their role in cell growth, we cultured transformed murine Leydig cells (B-1 or B-1 F) in serum-free medium supplemented with various compounds modulating arachidonic acid metabolism. The addition of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors (AA 861, NDGA and quercetin) showed a growth-stimulative effect. On the other hand, their growth was remarkably inhibited by arachidonic acid added into the culture medium. This growth-inhibiting ability of arachidonic acid was almost completely reversed by a simultaneous exposure of B-1 cells to lipoxygenase inhibitor. Exogenously added 5-HETE inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed products from arachidonic acid have the ability to suppress the proliferation of some transformed cells.

Identification of a recombinational signal sequence-specific DNA-binding protein(s) of Mr 115,000 in the nuclear extracts from immature lymphoid cell lines

Rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes are mediated by highly conserved heptamer and nonamer recombinational signal sequence. Using a protein-blotting procedure, a heptamer and nonamer recombinational signal sequence-specific DNA-binding protein(s) was examined in the nuclear extracts from lymphoid and nonlymphoid cell lines. Nuclear extracts were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred by electroblotting to nitrocellulose filters. Then the filters were hybridized to 32P-labelled synthetic double-stranded heptamer-23bp-nonamer or nonamer-12bp-heptamer recombinational signal sequence probes. A relatively large amount of a DNA-binding protein(s) of Mr 115,000 for both probes was detected in the nuclear extracts from immature B and immature T cell lines. No DNA-binding proteins were detected in a myeloma cell line. Interestingly, this DNA-binding protein(s) might be able to recognize both heptamer and nonamer. Recombinational signal sequence-specific DNA-binding activity of the protein(s) and the presence of the protein(s) in a stage-specific manner strongly suggest that the protein(s) of Mr 115,000 detected here may play an important role in the recombination of Ig and TCR genes.

Human pulmonary infection with Corynebacterium equi

A 28 year old man with no underlying disease developed a cavity and multiple nodules in the lung from which Corynebacterium equi was isolated. He experimented with organic solvents and microorganisms including Corynebacterium species for several years. Computed tomography of his pulmonary lesions revealed that these nodules were related to the bronchial tree. Histologically, the lesions were compatible with nonspecific inflammatory changes. The clinician must suspect the pulmonary infections with Corynebacterium species even if the patient has no underlying disease.

Human pulmonary infection with Corynebacterium equi

A 28 year old man with no underlying disease developed a cavity and multiple nodules in the lung from which Corynebacterium equi was isolated. He experimented with organic solvents and microorganisms including Corynebacterium species for several years. Computed tomography of his pulmonary lesions revealed that these nodules were related to the bronchial tree. Histologically, the lesions were compatible with nonspecific inflammatory changes. The clinician must suspect the pulmonary infections with Corynebacterium species even if the patient has no underlying disease.

Application of the immunohistochemical method as a predictive assay in radiotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx and hypopharynx

We analyzed various subsets of lymphocytes infiltrated into cancer tissues from 15 patients (10 cases of oropharyngeal cancer and 5 of hypopharyngeal cancer) before treatment and after irradiation with approximately 10 Gy (1,000 rad) and 30 Gy by the method of biotin-avidin-horseradish peroxidase using mouse monoclonal antibodies. The infiltration was graded (marked) to - (none). In 3 cases, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were remarkably increased at the delivery of a small dose of irradiation (approx. 10 Gy): 2 of them showed remarkable radiosensitivity, and the lymphocyte subpopulation of the cancer tissue was mainly composed of Leu-3a + 3b-positive and Leu-8-negative lymphocytes (helper inducer T lymphocytes or delayed-type hypersensitivity cells). On the other hand, the third one proved to be rather radioresistant, and the lymphocyte subpopulation was mainly composed of Leu-14-positive lymphocytes (B lymphocytes). These findings indicate that the analysis of the lymphocyte subpopulation infiltrating into cancer tissues at the delivery of small doses of irradiation is applicable as a predictive assay in radiotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and hypopharynx.

Coronary angiographic features within 48 hours from onset of non-Q wave myocardial infarction with R wave regression and no ST segment depression

The clinical features of acute non-Q wave myocardial infarction (NQMI) with R wave regression and no ST segment depression are distinct from those of acute Q wave myocardial infarction (QMI). NQMI patients showed ST segment elevation at admission, and significantly earlier regression of the ST segment elevation and appearance of coronary T waves were observed compared to QMI patients. In addition to the significantly lower level of mean peak serum creatine kinase activity and the significantly lower incidence of pump failure during the acute phase, the incidences of in-hospital mortality and multivessel disease were significantly lower in the NQMI patients. With respect to acute-phase coronary angiographic features within 48 h after the onset, the rate of spontaneous opening of infarct-related vessels was significantly higher in the NQMI patients. Thirteen of the 19 NQMI patients responded to urokinase infusion. These facts suggest that transient, intermittent or incomplete obstruction may favor this type of NQMI over QMI, and that thrombus might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of this type of NQMI.

Pharmacokinetics of flomoxef in mucosal tissue of the middle ear and mastoid following intravenous administration in humans

The pharmacokinetics of flomoxef in serum and in the mucosal tissue of the middle ear and mastoid were studied in 9 patients undergoing tympanoplasties. All patients received 1 g of flomoxef intravenously. Flomoxef levels in serum and in mucosal tissue were determined by a bioassay method. The peak value of mean concentrations of flomoxef in the mucosal tissue was 30.3 +/- 11.7 micrograms/ml at 10 min after the administrations. Pharmacokinetic analyses showed that the concentration of flomoxef in the mucosal tissue was over 1.56 micrograms/ml (which is the MIC90 for the common pathogens of otitis media) for more than 2 h and decreased parallel with serum concentration with a half-life of about 40 min.

Further study of mucosal repair by sofalcone in experimental gastritis

The effect of sofalcone on the glandular structure and cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa of rats with gastritis induced by the administration of sodium taurocholate (TCA) for 6 months was examined by histoquantitative analysis and [3H]thymidine autoradiography. Morphometric observation revealed that, with TCA treatment, mucosal thickness, parietal cell mass, and the ratios of the length of the glandular portion/total length of the gastric gland were decreased in both the fundic and pyloric glands. Inflammatory cell infiltration and collagenous fiber proliferation were present in the gastric mucosa following TCA and indicated the presence of atrophic gastritis. These atrophic changes and inflammatory cell infiltration were reversed by a 3 week administration of sofalcone. Cellular proliferative activity assessed by the labeling indices of the gastric mucosa increased in TCA-induced gastritis in rats. The administration of sofalcone to rats with TCA-induced gastritis significantly increased labeling indices, particularly in the pyloric glands. From these results, it appears that sofalcone stimulates the compensatory increase in proliferative activity of generative cells, which then may become available to heal the gastritis.

Enhanced transcription of c-myc proto-oncogene in spleen lymphocytes from lupus-prone mice during the growing process

The expression of c-myc proto-oncogene in spleen lymphocytes has been studied in lupus-prone mice (MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr), an animal model for the human autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus, during the growing process, in comparison to control mice (MRL/Mp-+/+). By Northern blot assay and nuclear run on transcription assay, we demonstrated the enhancement of c-myc proto-oncogene expression in spleen lymphocytes from lupus-prone mice in comparison to control mice and the level of expression of c-myc proto-oncogene increased during the growing process and deterioration of lupus symptoms, such as production of autoantibodies and lymphoproliferation, in this study.