Urinary excretion of D-serine in human: comparison of different ages and species

The urinary excretion of D-serine (D-Ser) in human, rat and dog of various ages was studied. Great amounts of D-Ser were consistently excreted in human urine throughout life. No age-dependent changes were observed in urinary D-Ser/total-Ser ratios from the newborn to the aged. D-Ser/creatinine ratios in adult human urine were found to be relatively constant in individuals. The constant excretion of D-Ser in human urine was confirmed by analyzing the consecutive 24 h urine of three volunteers. High concentrations of D-Ser and D-alanine (D-Ala) were found in adult dog urine. The urinary D-Ser concentration was high in young rats at unweaned and weaned periods, and then declined with increasing age. In contrast, the urinary D-Ala concentration was very low in suckling rats, and increased rapidly after the weaned state and then declined with increasing age. The species- and age-related excretion of D-Ser in mammalian urine is considered to be due to the differences in the renal handing of D-Ser, because plasma D-Ser concentrations among the groups were not so different. Although free D-Ser has been detected in animal foods and human colostrum, the amount is insufficient to explain the concentration of D-Ser found in urine. These results indicate that urinary D-Ser in mammals may be mainly of endogenous origin.

Characterization of the mouse aldose reductase gene and promoter in a lens epithelial cell line

PURPOSE

To clone and characterize the mouse aldose reductase (AR) gene and evaluate the functional promoter under basal and hypertonic conditions in mouse lens epithelial cells.

METHODS

The mouse AR gene structure was determined by DNA sequencing, and its chromosomal localization was determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization. A luciferase reporter gene was utilized to assess promoter activities of mouse, rat, and human AR deletion constructs as well as mouse site-directed mutants containing specific deletions of an aldose reductase enhancer element (AEE) or a tonicity response element (TonE). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to evaluate binding of trans-acting factors to mouse AEE and TonE.

RESULTS

The mouse AR gene (14.2 Kb) is located on chromosome 6. The basal AR promoter activity was greatest for the rat followed by mouse and human. All 3 species demonstrated increased promoter activity under hypertonic conditions. Deletion of TonE decreased mouse AR basal activity 2.5-fold and substantially reduced the osmotic response. Deletion of AEE had only a slight effect on AR promoter activity. Nevertheless, AEE strongly bound multiple trans-acting factors under nonstressed and stressed conditions, while weaker binding was evident for TonE.

CONCLUSIONS

Species-specific differences in AR promoter activities suggest the presence of unique regulatory cis-acting elements. The effects of AEE or TonE on AR transcription appear to involve complex transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.

Deficient expression of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in monocytes from X-linked agammaglobulinemia as evaluated by a flow cytometric analysis and its clinical application to carrier detection

The B-cell defect in X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is caused by mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). Using the anti-BTK monoclonal antibody (48-2H), a flow cytometric analysis of intracytoplasmic BTK protein expressed in monocytes was successfully performed. To examine the possible identification of XLA patients and female carriers by this assay, we studied 41 unrelated XLA families with (35) or without (6) known BTK mutations. A flow cytometric assay showed deficient expression of the BTK protein in 40 of 41 patients, complete BTK deficiency in 35, and partial BTK deficiency in 5. One patient exhibited a normal level of BTK expression. All 6 patients with partial BTK deficiency or normal BTK expression had missense BTK mutations. The cellular mosaicism of BTK expression in monocytes from obligate carriers was clearly shown in 35 of 41 families. The results suggested that most BTK mutations in XLA might result in deficient expression of the BTK protein. We conclude that deficient expression of BTK protein can be evaluated by a flow cytometric assay, and the clinical usefulness and limitations in diagnosis of XLA patients and carriers are discussed.

Enhancing effect of thoraco-laparotomy on liver metastasis and the role played by active oxygens in its mechanism

The enhancing effect on liver metastasis produced by the excessive surgical stress of thoraco-laparotomy (TL), and its regulation with a radical scavenger, were studied in 10-week-old Donryu rats. The rats were divided into three groups: those given thoraco-laparotomy for 1 h (the TL group); those given laparotomy alone for 1 h (the L group); those given a short laparotomy (the C group). The effects of treatment with 5 mg/kg of EPC-K1 was assessed in the TL group. A rat hepatocellular carcinoma cell line AH 60C (5 x 10(5) cells) was administered into the portal vein under general anesthesia. The number of metastatic liver nodules was counted 3 weeks later, and the lipid peroxide (LPO) levels of the liver and serum were measured by the TBA method on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 3. The number of metastatic liver nodules was 40.6 +/- 29.7, 15.0 +/- 15.8, and 13.7 +/- 9.4 in the TL, L, and C groups, respectively. When EPC-K1 was administered to the TL group, the LPO level on POD 1 decreased from 49.8 +/- 25.8 to 18.9 +/- 7.9 nM/g, and the number of metastatic liver nodules decreased from 27.2 +/- 30.0 to 8.9 +/- 12.7 in parallel. The findings of this study suggested that the excessive surgical stress produced by thoraco-laparotomy enhanced liver metastasis in parallel with an increase in LPO levels; however, the radical scavenger EPC-K1 could aid in reversing this effect.

Identification of a novel cis-element required for the constitutive activity and osmotic response of the rat aldose reductase promoter

A new and essential cis-element AEE (aldose reductase enhancer element), necessary for the constitutive activity and the osmotic stress response of rat aldose reductase transcription in a rat liver cell line, has been identified. In transient transfection assays, an increase in promoter activity, up to 3.8-fold, was observed with osmotic stress (600 mosm/kg H2O) using a luciferase reporter gene construct containing aldose reductase promoter sequence from -1,094 base pair (bp) to +23 bp. A deletion between -1,071 and -895 bp reduced the constitutive activity and abolished the osmotic response of the promoter. Exonuclease III mediated in vivo DNA footprinting and dimethyl sulfate in vivo footprinting revealed DNA protection of a 32-bp region and two guanosines (G) within this region protected from methylation, respectively. Electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays using whole liver cell extracts showed protein binding, under both normal and stressed conditions. Deletion of the sequence between the two guanosines protected by in vivo dimethyl sulfate DNA footprinting (GAAGAGTG) in a luciferase construct (-1,094 bp to +23 bp) abolished the constitutive promoter activity. One copy of AEE fused to the thymidine kinase promoter gave a maximum constitutive activity of 7.7-fold and a maximum osmotic response activity of 6. 7-fold.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of the polyhydroxybutyrate depolymerase of Comamonas acidovorans YM1609, isolated from freshwater

Comamonas acidovorans YM1609 secreted a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerase into the culture supernatant when it was cultivated on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] or poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] as the sole carbon source. The PHB depolymerase was purified from culture supernatant of C. acidovorans by two chromatographic methods, and its molecular mass was determined as 45,000 Da by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme was stable at temperatures below 37 degrees C and at pH values of 6 to 10, and its activity was inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphonate. The liquid chromatography analysis of water-soluble products revealed that the primary product of enzymatic hydrolysis of P(3HB) was a dimer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of P(3HB) film were studied. In addition, a gene encoding the PHB depolymerase was cloned from the C. acidovorans genomic library. The nucleotide sequence of this gene was found to encode a protein of 494 amino acids (M(r), 51,018 Da). Furthermore, by analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme, the molecular mass of the mature enzyme was calculated to be 48,628 Da. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence suggested a domain structure of the protein containing a catalytic domain, fibronectin type III module as linker, and a putative substrate-binding domain. Electron microscopic visualization of the mixture of P(3HB) single crystals and a fusion protein of putative substrate-binding domain with glutathione S-transferase demonstrated that the fusion protein adsorbed strongly and homogeneously to the surfaces of P(3HB) single crystals.

Staged transsphenoidal surgery for fibrous nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension

Staged transsphenoidal surgery was performed in seven patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension. Remnant adenomas were present in a supersellar position after complete removal of the intrasellar tumor, and did not descend into the sella because of the fibrous nature in five patients or fibrous nature and dumbbell shape in two. Magnetic resonance images were obtained every 2 weeks following initial surgery. The suprasellar residual adenomas descended into the sella within 2 months in six patients and 1.5 months in one patient. A second transsphenoidal operation was performed 2 months following the initial procedure in four patients, 3 months in one, and 5 months in two. In six of the seven patients, extensive tumor removal was achieved safely and easily by the staged approach. Patients were followed up over 6 to 58 months (mean +/- SD 24.7 +/- 18.9 months). There were no major surgical complications or recurrence of tumor on follow-up images. Our postoperative imaging studies and surgical results demonstrated that staged transsphenoidal surgery is an effective and safe treatment for fibrous nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension.

Proposal for aberration-corrected imaging spectrograph

We propose a novel flat-field imaging spectrograph that consists of two plane gratings, four spherical mirrors, and two plane mirrors. The imaging spectrograph is designed in such a manner that the primary and the secondary principal points of the whole optical system for the horizontal direction coincide with those for the vertical direction. In a paraxial approximation, it is essentially aberration free because an entrance slit and an imaging detector are placed on the primary and the secondary principal planes, respectively. Spot diagrams obtained from ray-tracing procedures have indicated that the proposed spectrograph is superior to the conventional Czerny-Turner mounting.

Interleukin-4 production in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines from peripheral mononuclear cells of patients with atopic dermatitis

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is known as an immunomodulatory cytokine secreted by relatively few cell types, for example, activated T lymphocytes, basophils, and mast cells, but not by B cells. It plays an important role in promoting the production of the IgE antibody. We established Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive B cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and tested the production of several cytokines in the cell lines. We found that IL-4 was produced in a cell line, OB, by an IL-4-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-4 mRNA was detected in OB and two other AD-derived cell lines by IL-4-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. IgE was also produced by the OB cells. The production of IL-4 and IgE was enhanced in the cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate. This is the first evidence that IL-4 is produced by an EBV-transformed B cell line.

Cloning of the gene for poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) depolymerase of Comamonas testosteroni and functional analysis of its substrate-binding domain

A poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) depolymerase gene of Comamonas testosteroni YM1004 was cloned on Sau3AI fragment from genomic DNA into Escherichia coli DH5. Nucleotide sequence analysis dedicated a 1539 bp open reading frame encoding a protein 513 amino acid with a putative 25 residue signal peptide for secretion. The deduced amino acid sequence was very similar to that of PHB depolymerase of Comamonas sp. In order to understand the characteristics of substrate-binding domain of the depolymerase, we constructed its glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein and investigated the ability of adsorption on PHB single crystals by using gold-conjugated antibody and transmission electron microscopy. The fusion protein adsorbed on PHB single crystals tightly and homogeneously, suggesting that binding domain contributes to the adsorption of enzyme on solid PHB without site specificity.

Direct determination of estriol 3- and 16-glucuronides in pregnancy urine by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

An HPLC method for the direct and simultaneous determination of estriol 3- and 16-glucuronides in pregnancy urine is described. The method is based on direct derivatization of the glucuronic acid moiety in estriol glucuronides in urine with 6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinoxalinone-3-propionylcarboxylic acid hydrazide. The derivatization reaction proceeds in aqueous solution (or urine sample) in the presence of pyridine and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide at 37 degrees C. The resulting fluorescent derivatives were separated by column-switching chromatography using a first column (YMC-Pack C4) for clean-up of the derivatives and a second column (YMC Pack Ph) for the complete separation of the derivatives. The derivatives were detected spectrofluorimetrically at 445 nm with excitation at 367 nm. The detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio=3) for estriol 3- and 16-glucuronides were 150 and 180 fmol in a 5 microl of urine (14 and 17 ng ml(-1) urine), respectively. The present method is highly sensitive and simple without any clean-up such as conventional solid-phase extraction.

[Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid in patients with bronchial asthma]

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is composed of 20 unsaturated fatty acids and is similar to arachidonic acid. Epadel, the drug made from EPA, is reported not only to reduce levels of serum lipids, but also to have antiinflammatory and antiallergic effects. EPA may exert these effects via control of the production of prostanoids and leukotrienes. We studied the effects of EPA in patients with bronchial asthma who had hyperlipidemia. The patents were given EPA at 1800 mg/day and they recorded signs and symptoms in an asthma diary during a 2-week observation period and the 8 weeks during which they took the drug. Peak flow, leukotriene B4 concentration in urine, Leukotriene E4 concentration in urine, IgE level, total cholesterol level, and triglyceride level were measured before and after the 8 weeks of medication. Administration of EPA was associated with improvements in symptom score, therapeutic score, asthma score, and peak flow. EPA may be useful in patients with asthma complicated by hyperlipidemia.

Dietary safflower phospholipid reduces liver lipids in laying hens

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary safflower phospholipids (crude safflower phospholipid and purified safflower phospholipid) on performance and lipid metabolism of laying hens. Sixty-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens were divided into four groups of seven birds each, and were given one of four experimental diets containing 5% beef tallow (served as a control, tallow), a mixture of safflower oil and palm oil (SP-oil), crude safflower phospholipid (Saf-PLcrude), or purified safflower phospholipid (Saf-PL) for 7 wk. Egg production ratio and daily egg mass were significantly higher in hens fed Saf-PLcrude diets than in hens of the other diet groups. There were no significant differences in egg weight among groups. Liver cholesterol and triglyceride contents were significantly decreased in all treated groups as compared with the control. The activity of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase was the highest in hens fed the Saf-PLcrude diet. Serum esterified cholesterol concentration was decreased by feeding of SP-oil, Saf-PLcrude, or Saf-PL diets. Serum lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity was highest in hens fed the tallow diet. Excreta neutral steroid excretion was significantly increased in the Saf-PLcrude or Saf-PL diet groups, although acidic steroid excretion was not affected by dietary treatments. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid contents in egg yolks were not different for any dietary treatments. The fatty acid compositions of egg yolks from hens fed Saf-PLcrude diets were not different with those fed the SP-oil diet, although eggs of hens fed the Saf-PL diet showed lower total polyunsaturated fatty acids. These results suggest that dietary safflower phospholipids may be a valuable ingredient to layers for reducing liver triglycerides and serum cholesterol without any adverse effects.

Hepatic embolization through extrahepatic collateral pathways after hepatic arterial embolization for the hepatocellular carcinoma

Extrahepatic collateral pathways developing after repeated transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) make therapeutic arterial embolization for recurrent lesions extremely difficult. TAE was performed through the collateral pathways using a sophisticated micro-catheter with good trackability and pushability and a coaxial system. Twenty-three TAEs were undertaken through the collateral pathways in 13 patients with recurrent HCC who had extrahepatic collateral pathways after the previous hepatic arterial TAE. There were 69 extrahepatic collateral pathways, with partially obstructed hepatic arteries. On the average, three feeding arteries were seen in the liver. The main extrahepatic collateral pathways were the inferior phrenic artery and epicholedocal artery, 18 vessels and 29 vessels, respectively, accounting for about 80% of the total collateral pathways. TAEs were successful in all cases and the number of embolized vessels was 2.1 on average. The average time of the first collateral TAE after the initial conventional hepatic arterial TAE was 2.3 years. Excellent prognosis was observed with a one-year survival rate of 77% and 3-year survival rate of 38% after the collateral TAE. We consider that collateral TAE for recurrent HCC with obstruction of the hepatic artery is the procedure of choice, is technically feasible, and provides better prognosis for the patients.

[Usefulness of "Biotrack Theophylline kit" for measuring serum theophylline concentration in patients with chronic asthma]

Patients with chronic asthma are often treated with sustained-release theophylline preparations. Clearance of theophylline is variable between individuals and grossly dependent on the age of the patient. It is important to measure the theophylline concentration in serum before giving a bolus shot of intravenous aminophylline for the patients taking oral theophylline. "Biotrack Theophylline kit" is a device to detect serum theophylline levels, applying whole blood and using the method of latex agglutination inhibition. It is as accurate as HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), which is the standard method for measuring serum theophylline levels. Good correlation between the two methods was achieved (r = 0.973, in N = 108). We measured serum theophylline levels using this kit in ten patients who were on round-the-clock treatment but developed acute asthma attacks. The usefulness of this device was shown because of its accuracy and the rapid and easy maneuver.

[Repair of the gastric tube-right main bronchus fistula after operation for esophageal cancer--treatment by transposition of pedicled pectoralis major muscle flap]

We have experienced a case who showed the gastric tube-right main bronchus fistula. A 51-year-old male complained cough and vomiting suddenly. He underwent esophagectomy and radio-chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer 19 months ago. Chest X-ray showed severe pneumonia, and gastroscopy, bronchoscopy and CT scan showed the fistula between the whole stomach esophageal substitute and right main bronchus. After recovery from the pneumonia with the treatment by continuous suction through the naso-gastric tube, operation was performed. The fistula was repaired with transposition of a pedicled pectralis major muscle successfully. After the operation, respiration was performed independently with two ventilators for right and left lung to avoid increasing air way pressure. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he discharged on the 66th postoperative day. The cause of the fistula was considered to be a peptic ulcer due to residual secretion of gastric acid.

Effect of alacepril on 24-hour blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients

The effect of administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, alacepril, on 24-hour blood pressure in the elderly hypertensive patients was investigated. Thirteen elderly hypertensive patients (mean age 71 +/- 5; 6 male and 7 female) participated in the present study. After 2 weeks of control period alacepril was administered 25-50 mg/day for 8 weeks. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with cuff-oscillometric method was performed at the end of both control and treatment periods. Alacepril administration for 8 weeks significantly decreased 24-hour blood pressure while it had little effect on heart rate. Daytime blood pressure was significantly decreased from 154 +/- 10/91 +/- 5 mmHg to 145 +/- 8/85 +/- 5 mmHg, while the change in nocturnal blood pressure was not significant: from 137 +/- 17/79 +/- 7 mmHg to 130 +/- 15/75 +/- 9 mmHg. Hyperbaric area of systolic blood pressure was also significantly decreased (from 295 +/- 185 mmHg x hour/day to 172 +/- 111 mmHg x hour/day), indicating that pressure load to the heart was effectively reduced. Administration of alacepril did not cause tachycardia in response to the decrease in blood pressure. Acrophase of both blood pressure and heart rate was changed to 11:00 a.m. These findings indicate that blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in the elderly hypertensive patients decreased blood pressure effectively without causing tachycardia or deterioration of diurnal variations of blood pressure. These hemodynamic changes produced by alacepril administration are favorable for the treatment of the elderly patients with cardiovascular disease.

Identification of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene mutations and characterization of the derived proteins in 35 X-linked agammaglobulinemia families: a nationwide study of Btk deficiency in Japan

Deficiencies of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). The distinctive phenotype observed in B-cell deficiency indicates the crucial role of Btk in B-cell development. This report describes a nationwide study of Btk deficiency in Japan, covering 51 XLA patients (35 independent families). Along with the identification of mutations, the resulting protein products were characterized by an in vitro kinase assay and a Western blot analysis. Thirty-one of the families were found to have mutations in the coding region of Btk. Although mutations were not found in the cDNA of 4 families, the Btk transcripts of these patients were greatly reduced. The identification of several novel missense mutations, in combination with the result of other studies, clarified the presence of two (missense) mutation hot spots, one in the SH1 and the other in the PH domain. The absence of kinase activity seen in 32 of the families underscored the importance of Btk protein analysis as a diagnostic indicator of XLA. The protein analysis also clarified the different effects of missense mutations on kinase activity and protein stability.

Immunosuppression by anti-ICAM-1 and anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies of free and vascularized skin allograft rejection

Immunosuppression by anti-adhesion molecule antibody of free or vascularized skin allograft rejection was investigated in rats. Lewis (LEW, RT11) rats were used as donors and Fisher (F344, RT11v1) rats as the recipients. When F344 rats were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mAb (1A29) (3 mg/kg/day) and anti-leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) mAb (WT.1) (3 mg/kg/day) one day prior to grafting and daily after grafting for nine days, free skin graft survival was prolonged only slightly compared with that in control rats which were injected i.p. with a daily dose of 6 mg/kg of anti-TNP mAbs (H1-6-2) one day prior to grafting and daily after grafting for nine days. (Mean survival time [MST] of the free skin graft was 11.2 +/- 0.6 days in the control group and 13.4 +/- 0.3 days in the 1A29 + WT-1 treated group [p < 0.01], respectively.) On the other hand, the vascularized graft survival was prolonged significantly in anti-ICAM-1/LFA-1 mAbs-treated F344 rats as compared with that in control rats. (The mean vascularized graft survival time was 14.2 +/- 0.7 days in the control group and 21.5 +/- 1.9 days in 1A29 + WT-1 treated group [p < 0.002]). Our results suggest that interaction with ICAM-1 and LFA-1 is more important in the rejection of vascularized skin allografts than that of free skin allografts.

Clinoidal meningioma arising from falciforme process of optic canal: case report and review

A 56-year-old female with an initial symptom of unilateral progressive visual disturbance presented with a clinoidal meningioma arising from a falciforme process of the optic canal. Magnetic resonance images with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid demonstrated marked enhancement of a small mass, approximately 1 cm in diameter, roofing the right optic nerve at the intracranial opening of the optic canal. The clinoidal meningioma is rarely reported and the precise originating location of the neoplasm has not been clarified. This is the first case of clinoidal meningioma, which is confirmed by the operative observation as the origin of the neoplasm is a falciforme process of the optic canal. Magnetic resonance images with enhancement are useful for the diagnosis of such a small neoplastic lesion adjacent to bone structure and total removal without a deterioration of visual function is achieved by careful microsurgical procedure.