Efficient gene transfer into various mammalian cells, including non-hepatic cells, by baculovirus vectors

A baculovirus (Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus) vector containing a strong promoter, the CAG promoter, was developed to introduce foreign genes into mammalian cells. Recombinant baculoviruses carrying a reporter gene under the control of the CAG promoter were inoculated into various mammalian cell lines. High-level expression was observed not only in hepatocytes but also in other non-hepatic cell lines tested. Expression of the reporter gene was detected even 14 days after infection. The infectious titre of the recovered baculoviruses decreased significantly after infection, indicating that the baculoviruses did not replicate in mammalian cells. We then compared the efficiencies of gene expression by the baculovirus vector with that of a replication-defective adenovirus vector by using the same expression unit. The same level of expression was observed in HepG2, HeLa and COS7 cells by both vectors. Efficient expression and proper processing were observed in mammalian cells infected with baculoviruses carrying genes coding for structural regions of hepatitis C virus. These results suggest that the baculovirus vector is a good tool for gene delivery into various mammalian cells in order to study the function of foreign genes.

Complete rescue of lethal albino c14CoS mice by null mutation of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase and induction of apoptosis of hepatocytes in these mice by in vivo retrieval of the tyrosine catabolic pathway

Hereditary tyrosinemia 1 (HT1) is characterized by progressive liver damage, from infancy, and by a high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. HT1 is due to mutations in the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase gene Fah, encoding the last enzyme in the tyrosine catabolic pathway. Lethal albino deletion c14CoS mice and mice with target-disrupted Fah are models for HT1, but they die in the perinatal period, albeit with a different phenotype from that seen in HT1 in humans. We first asked whether homozygous null mutation of the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase gene Hpd could rescue the homozygous c14CoS mice (c14CoS/c14CoS or Fah-/-). The double mutant Fah-/- Hpd-/- mice appeared normal, at least until age 18 months, and there was no evidence of liver disease, findings that facilitated examination of the effect of Fah-/- on mature and unmodified hepatocytes in vivo. The hepatocytes of Fah-/- undergo rapid apoptosis, and acute death follows. Essentially the same phenomena were observed when Fah-/- Hpd-/- mice were administered homogentisate intraperitoneally. These changes in liver pathology in Fah-/- Hpd-/- mice after the administration of homogentisate were associated with massive urinary excretion of succinylacetone. These results suggest that accumulation of fumarylacetoacetate, maleylacetoacetate, or succinylacetone seems to trigger the endogenous process of apoptosis in hepatocytes that lack fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase activity. This apoptosis may be related to the development of hepatocellular carcinomas seen in HT1 patients and pharmaceutically treated fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase-deficient mice.

High incidence of autoimmune dacryoadenitis in male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice depending on sex steroid

The NOD mouse develops spontaneous autoimmune lesions in the lacrimal and salivary glands, besides a well characterized T cell-mediated autoimmune pancreatic beta cell lesion. We report unique pathological findings developed in the lacrimal glands as an autoimmune dacryoadenitis of NOD mice in contrast to those found in the salivary glands and pancreas. A high incidence of autoimmune lesions in the lacrimal glands was observed exclusively in male NOD mice at any age. Histology of autoimmune dacryoadenitis in male NOD mice showed severe destructive changes compared with those observed previously as an autoimmune lesion in the lacrimal glands. Castration in male NOD mice significantly decreased the incidence of autoimmune dacryoadenitis, and testosterone treatment with castration also increased the incidence of autoimmune lesions. Oestrogen treatment with castration did not increase the incidence, but tamoxifen treatment without castration significantly increased the incidence of autoimmune dacryoadenitis in NOD mice. In addition, we detected up-regulation of local cytokine genes (IL-1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 p40) during the course of autoimmune dacryoadenitis. These data suggest that in spontaneous autoimmune dacryoadenitis of male NOD mice there may be an intimate relationship with sex steroids, particularly testosterone, in the development and progression of autoimmune lesions, and autoreactive Th1 cells secrete up-regulated cytokine genes, including IL-10 and IL-12.

In-vitro antimicrobial activity of HSR-903, a new fluoroquinolone, against clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with quinolone resistance-associated alterations in GyrA and ParC

The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of HSR-903, a new fluoroquinolone, was tested against 51 clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in comparison with ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and sparfloxacin. The MICs of HSR-903 for 11 isolates with alterations in both GyrA and ParC, for 19 isolates with alterations only in GyrA and for 21 isolates without alterations in either GyrA or ParC ranged from 0.03 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L (MIC90 = 0.25 mg/L), from 0.03 mg/L to 0.5 mg/L (MIC90 = 0.125 mg/L) and from < or = 0.001 mg/L to 0.008 mg/L (MIC90 = 0.004 mg/L), respectively. Levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were the least active of the four quinolones tested, particularly against the mutant strains. Sparfloxacin was more active, but HSR-903 exhibited the most potent in-vitro activity against the clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates, including those harbouring quinolone-resistance-associated alterations in GyrA and ParC.

Augmented expression of CD44 splice variants in lymphoproliferative disorder of the lacrimal gland in Sjögren's syndrome

We explored the involvement of CD44 isoforms in lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) of the lacrimal gland of a Sjögren's syndrome patient with unilateral LPD. The CD44 variant with the v6 exon was selectively detected from infiltrating lymphocytes in the gland with LPD, but not from infiltrating lymphocytes in the normal lacrimal gland, suggesting that the CD44 v6 variant exon may be closely associated with the development of LPD in Sjögren's syndrome.

Interactions of deglycosylated cobalt(III)-pepleomycin (green form) with DNA based on NMR structural studies,

Pepleomycin (PEP)1 is a metalloglycopeptide antitumor antibiotic that has improved pharmacological properties than does bleomycin (BLM). Both PEP and BLM bind to and degrade DNA in a sequence-selective manner. The binding interactions of HO2--Co(III)-CodPEP (CodPEP) with CGTACG have been studied by 2D NMR and molecular modeling. Inspection of the 2D-NMR data revealed 60 notable intermolecular NOEs between CodPEP and CGTACG which place the drug's metal binding domain and peptide linker in the minor groove of the DNA close to G8 and T9. On the basis of the NOEs, the drug's DNA binding domain is located close to the T9.A4 and A10.T3 base pairs. Intercalation of the bithiazole tail between these base pairs is indicated by the loss of DNA symmetry upon complexation with CodPEP, by a break in the sequential connectivity at the TpA steps, and by the upfield shift of the bithiazole H-H5 and H-H5' proton resonances. Intercalation of the bithiazole moiety unfolds the CodPEP molecule and exposes its hydroperoxide group to the DNA. The hydroperoxide group in the refined model of CodPEP-CGTACG is close to the C4' proton of T9, consistent with cleavage at this position. The NOE pattern between the pyrimidine ring of CodPEP and G8 of DNA suggests a specific pairing recognition via hydrogen bonds between these groups, thus establishing a 5'-GT-3' sequence preference. The structural elucidation of the free CodPEP and CoPEP [Caceres-Cortes et al. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 244, 818-828], and of the complex of CodPEP-CGTACG afford a plausible mechanism for the recognition and its subsequent cleaving of DNA by the drug. The process involves the unfolding of the compact CodPEP, recognition of a guanine base using the metal binding domain, threading of the bithiazole tail between base pairs, and finally positioning of the HO2- group close to the T or C found 3' to the specific G site.

[Large, long-term, randomized trials and meta-analysis of therapy of patients with hypertension]

Over the past few decades, numerous randomized controlled studies of the treatment of hypertension have been conducted in Western countries to determine whether blood pressure reduction reduces the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Diuretics and beta blockers, because they have been shown in clinical trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, are the preferred drugs of first choice. No direct evidence yet supports the theoretical advantages of calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors over diuretics and beta blockers. Because East Asian nations differ culturally from Western countries, it is very difficult to conduct a randomized trials, thus, there were no reports of large, long-term, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials of hypertension.

Comparison of in vitro antimicrobial activity of AM-1155 with those of tosufloxacin and fleroxacin against clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae harboring quinolone resistance alterations in GyrA and ParC

The in vitro antimicrobial activities of AM-1155, a new fluoroquinolone, tosufloxacin and fleroxacin were tested against 55 clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the agar dilution method. In our previous study, all the strains had been examined for mutations in the region corresponding to the quinolone-resistance determining region of the Escherichia coli gyrA gene and the analogous region of the parC gene, and tested for susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. In this study, the 55 isolates of N. gonorrhoeae were assigned to one of three categories based on the presence or absence of alterations in GyrA and ParC. In each category, the antimicrobial activity of AM-1155 against the isolates was compared with those of tosufloxacin and fleroxacin. The MICs of AM-1155 for 11 highly fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates with alterations in both GyrA and ParC ranged from 0.06 to 1.0 microgram/ml. The MICs inhibiting 50% (MIC50) and 90% (MIC90) of these isolates were 0.125 and 1.0 microgram/ml, respectively. The MICs of AM-1155 for 20 moderately fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates with alterations only in GyrA ranged from 0.03 to 0.25 microgram/ml (MIC50, 0.06 microgram/ml; MIC90m, 0.125 microgram/ml). The MICs of AM-1155 for 24 of the quinolone-susceptible isolates without alterations in either GyrA or ParC ranged from 0.004 to 0.03 microgram/ml (MIC50, 0.008 microgram/ml. MIC90, 0.015 microgram/ml). There were significant differences between the MIC distribution of AM-1155 and each corresponding MIC distribution of tosufloxacin and fleroxacin in these three categories to which the 55 isolates were assigned (p < 0.05). Based on the MIC90S of the tested fluoroquinolones, AM-1155 was two- and eightfold more active against the highly fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates than tosufloxacin and fleroxacin, respectively. Against the moderately fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates, AM-1155 was four- and sixteenfold more active than tosufloxacin and fleroxacin, respectively. Against the quinolone-susceptible strains, AM-1155 was also two- to fourfold more active than the other fluoroquinolones. Overall, AM-1155 exhibited more potent in vitro activity against both quinolone-resistant and quinolone-susceptible isolates of N. gonorrhoeae than tosufloxacin and fleroxacin. In ciprofloxacin treatment failures of gonorrhea at single doses of 500 mg. MICs for the causative organisms have ranged from 1.0 to 16.0 micrograms/ml. The MICs of AM-1155 for the isolates harboring quinolone resistance-associated genetic alterations, including strains exhibiting ciprofloxacin MICs of 2.0 and 8.0 micrograms/ml, still ranged from 0.03 to 1.0 microgram/mL A single-dose study in humans has demonstrated higher peak serum concentrations and longer half-lives of AM-1155, resulting in the AUC0-00 values of AM-1155, which are threefold greater than those of ciprofloxacin at the single doses of 400 and 600 mg. Because of its potent in vitro antimicrobial activity and advantageous pharmacokinetic behavior, AM-1155 may be a clinically useful agent for treating gonorrhea including that caused by quinolone-resistant strains.

Spatiotemporal expression of C-CAM in the rat placenta

We investigated the expression of the immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion molecule, C-CAM, in developing and mature rat placenta. By immunohistochemical staining at the light microscopic level, no C-CAM-expression was seen before Day 9 of gestation, when it appeared in the trophoblasts of ectoplacental cones. On Day 10.5, spongiotrophoblasts and invasive trophoblasts around the maternal vessels of the decidua basalis were stained positively. On Day 12.5, C-CAM was detected in the spongiotrophoblasts of the junctional layer, but labyrinth trophoblasts and secondary giant trophoblasts were not stained. On Day 17.5, C-CAM was found only in the labyrinth and lacunae of the junctional layer. At this stage, both the labyrinth cytotrophoblasts of the maternal blood vessels and the endothelial cells of the embryonic capillaries were strongly stained. Placental tissues from gestational Days 12.5 and 17.5 were analyzed by immunoelectron microscopy to determine the location of C-CAM at the subcellular level. On Day 12.5, positive staining of the spongiotrophoblasts was observed, mainly on surface membranes and microvilli between loosely associated cells. On Day 17.5, staining was found primarily on the microvilli of the maternal luminal surfaces of the labyrinth cytotrophoblasts, and both on the luminal surface and in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of the embryonic vessels. RT-PCR analysis and Southern blotting of the PCR products revealed expression of mRNA species for both of the major isoforms, C-CAM1 and C-CAM2. Immunoblotting analysis of C-CAM isolated from 12.5-day and 14.5-day placentae showed that it appeared as a broad band with an apparent molecular mass of 110-170 kD. In summary, C-CAM was strongly expressed in a specific spatiotemporal pattern in trophoblasts actively involved in formation of the placental tissue, suggesting an important role in placental development. In the mature placenta, C-CAM expression was confined to the trophoblastic and endothelial cells lining the maternal and embryonic vessels, respectively, suggesting important functions in placental physiology.

Vacuolar H+-ATPase in ocular ciliary epithelium

The mechanisms controlling the production of aqueous humor and the regulation of intraocular pressure are poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence that a vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the ocular ciliary epithelium is a key component of this process. In intracellular pH (pHi) measurements of isolated ciliary epithelium performed with 2',7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), the selective V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 slowed the recovery of pHi in response to acute intracellular acidification, demonstrating the presence of V-ATPase in the plasma membrane. In isolated rabbit ciliary body preparations examined under voltage-clamped conditions, bafilomycin A1 produced a concentration-dependent decrease in short-circuit current, and topical application of bafilomycin A1 reduced intraocular pressure in rabbits, indicating an essential role of the V-ATPase in ciliary epithelial ion transport. Immunocytochemistry utilizing antibodies specific for the B1 isoform of the V-ATPase 56-kDa subunit revealed localization of V-ATPase in both the plasma membrane and cytoplasm of the native ciliary epithelium in both rabbit and rat eye. The regional and subcellular distribution of V-ATPase in specific regions of the ciliary process was altered profoundly by isoproterenol and phorbol esters, suggesting that change in the intracellular distribution of the enzyme is a mechanism by which drugs, hormones, and neurotransmitters modify aqueous humor production.

Expression of TrkB-like immunoreactivity in non-neural cells of rat periodontal ligament

The Trk family, a group of high-affinity neurotrophin receptors, is divided into three subtypes, TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. These were originally found in neural elements, and are involved in neural development, maintenance and survival. Recent studies have shown that non-neural cells in vitro also express mRNA encoding some neurotrophin receptors. In our preliminary study, TrkB-like immunoreactivity (LI) was found in the various non-neural cells in the rat periodontal ligament. The present study was undertaken to clarify which cell types express Trk-LI, in particular two types of TrkB-LI, in the periodontal ligament of mature rats, using an immunocytochemical technique with polyclonal antibodies. Intense full-length TrkB-LI was clearly recognized in non-neural cells such as fibroblasts, osteoclasts, odontoclasts and cementoblasts as well as in neural elements. Relatively large cells with many cytoplasmic processes were also frequently immunopositive for full-length TrkB. Immunocytochemistry for TrkB[TK-], a truncated type, also demonstrated a similar immunostaining pattern to that of full-length TrkB in non-neural periodontal cells, and intense positive reactions in endothelial cells. Some non-neural cells were positive for TrkA and TrkC. These findings suggest that neurotrophic factors, the ligands of the Trk family, have certain effects on the proliferation and/or differentiation of non-neural cells, as well as on their neurotrophic functions.

Characterization of cytokine mRNA transcripts in conjunctival cells in patients with allergic conjunctivitis

PURPOSE

The host response to allergens appears to be regulated by specific patterns of local cytokine production. More than 20,000 conjunctival superficial cells were collected with a special brush, a smaller version of the Cytobrush used in cervical cytology, from the upper palpebral conjuntiva.

METHODS

Samples were obtained by cytology brush from seven patients with allergic conjunctivitis and from seven healthy volunteers. Giemsa staining, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometric analysis were performed. Cytokine gene expression was assayed by the reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction method.

RESULTS

Giemsa staining of cytocentrifuged preparations from patients with allergic conjunctivitis showed conjunctival epithelial cells with lymphocytes, mast cells, and eosinophils. In an immunohistochemical study, a few CD3- and CD4-bearing cells, but not CD20- and CD14-bearing cells, were seen in patients. In 82.6 +/- 17% of the samples obtained from allergic patients, HLA-DR was present, but it was present in only 34.2 +/- 17.8% of samples from control subjects (P = 0.0001) using flow cytometric analysis. Steady state transcripts of mRNA for cytokines were analyzed with RT-PCR in conjunctival cell samples, and results showed that samples from allergic conjunctivitis expressed increased transcripts of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 but virtually no interleukin 2 or interferon-gamma; six samples from seven healthy subjects expressed no interleukin 2, interleukin 4, interleukin 13, or interferon-gamma transcripts.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the clinical features of allergic conjunctivitis in humans are associated with a specific local pattern of proinflammatory cytokine expression.

[Potential role of Epstein-Barr virus in Sjögren's syndrome]

In this review, I discuss recent progress in our understanding of the role of Epstein-Barr virus on pathological conditions in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). In order to clarify the association of EBV in SS pathogenesis and further analyze the precise transcriptional mechanism of EBV reactivation, we assayed transcription of ZEBRA which is the fast transcribed EBV-encoded immediate early gene product and was an indispensable role in EBV reactivation. The ZEBRA expression was observed in the ductal epithelial cells and infiltrating B cells, and SS peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). On the other hand, to identify the inducer of EBV reactivation, we have used in vitro EBV reactivation model cell line. Screening of cDNA by mRNA differential display subtraction method, one clone, named "AK-1", was highly expressed in SS PBL. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that AK-1 was complete match with p300/CBP-associated factor (P/CAF). Furthermore, as another approach, we have partially cloned cDNA with a novel sequence containing a region homologous to the basic leucin zipper domain of CREB/ATF family by degenerate PCR. Our results together with recent reports, suggest the possibility that CREB family protein-p300-P/CAF ternary complex on ZEBRA promoter might be involved in ZEBRA transcriptional activation.

A novel approach to assessing family history in the prevention of coronary heart disease

Family history serves as the most important risk factor in prevention of coronary heart disease from youth. Prevalent methods of assessing family history, however, have serious drawbacks: a sudden rise of risk when a family member develops the disease; insufficient control for age among family members. We propose a simple quantitative method overcoming such drawbacks. Data on family history were obtained by questionnaires sent to 2,393 male high school students and their cholesterol levels were measured. Family risk from each family member was calculated by (30/Risk age)4, where the risk age was age at onset expressed by decade; if absent, it was replaced by present age or age at death. A mean score in a family served as the family risk. A total of 1,584 students and 17,127 family members were analyzed. The proposed method yielded a statistically significant association (Odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-2.25) between the family risk (above or below the median) and the student's atherogenic index (above or below the 90th percentile) calculated from cholesterols. This association was stronger than those by conventional methods. The proposed method may be useful in prevention activities and its efficiency needs to be confirmed in other studies.

Fluoroquinolone treatment failure in gonorrhea. Emergence of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain with enhanced resistance to fluoroquinolones

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Although emergence of clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with decreased susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones and treatment failures in gonorrhea have been reported, there have been no clinical reports that fluoroquinolone treatments actually select quinolone-resistant strains, nor have isolates that exhibited clinically significant resistance been analyzed for resistance mechanisms.

GOALS

To report a case of fluoroquinolone treatment failure in gonorrhea and emergence of a posttreatment isolate with enhanced resistance to fluoroquinolones; and to study mechanisms of quinolone resistance in the isolates from this patient.

STUDY DESIGN

A patient with gonococcal urethritis treated with ofloxacin, 200 mg, three times daily for 5 days is described. Pretreatment and posttreatment isolates were tested for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents and analyzed for alterations in DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. They were also examined for ofloxacin uptake.

RESULTS

Treatment failure with multiple doses of ofloxacin was observed in this case of gonorrhea. The pretreatment isolate showed decreased susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones (MIC of ofloxacin, 1.0 mg/l; MIC of ciprofloxacin, 0.25 mg/l), and had amino acid changes of Ser-91-->Phe in GyrA and Ser-87-->Ile in ParC. The posttreatment isolate exhibited an increase in resistance to fluoroquinolones (MIC of ofloxacin, 8.0 mg/l; MIC of ciprofloxacin, 1.0 mg/l). This isolate had identical alterations in GyrA and ParC, but exhibited significantly reduced uptake of ofloxacin. This isolate also showed a small decrease in susceptibilities to cephalosporins.

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations in DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV confer clinically significant resistance to fluoroquinolones in N. gonorrhoeae strains. Treatment with multiple doses of fluoroquinolones is likely to bring about selection of more fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae and to influence susceptibilities to cephalosporins.

New indices of ischemic heart disease and aging: studies on the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in patients with hypercholesterolemia and ischemic heart disease

It is known that the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on the surface of vascular endothelial cells is closely related to the formation of early atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, serum soluble ICAM-1(sICAM-1) and soluble VCAM-1(sVCAM-1) were determined by sandwich ELISA both in normal healthy individuals (n = 114) and in patients with hypercholesterolemia (HC, n = 112) or ischemic heart disease (IHD, n = 38) to clarify the significance of the soluble forms of the adhesion molecules in the development of atherosclerotic diseases. IHD patients, not HC patients, showed significant elevation of sICAM-1, but not of sVCAM-1, compared with controls in age and sex-matched subjects. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis showed that sICAM-1 was correlated only to the presence of IHD but not to age and lipids. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that sICAM-1 was the most powerful independent predictor of the presence of IHD. On the other hand, sVCAM-1, not sICAM-1, was positively correlated to age. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age was the most powerful independent predictor of the level of sVCAM-1. These data suggest that sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 are useful as indices of clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis and aging, respectively.

Identification of alpha-fodrin as a candidate autoantigen in primary Sjögren's syndrome

It is unclear whether organ-specific autoantigens are critical for the development of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A 120-kilodalton organ-specific autoantigen was purified from salivary gland tissues of an NFS/sld mouse model of human SS. The amino-terminal residues were identical to those of the human cytoskeletal protein alpha-fodrin. The purified antigen induced proliferative T cell responses and production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma in vitro. Neonatal immunization with the 120-kilodalton antigen prevented the disease in mice. Sera from patients with SS reacted positively with purified antigen and recombinant human alpha-fodrin protein, whereas those from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis did not. Thus, the immune response to 120-kilodalton alpha-fodrin could be important in the initial development of primary SS.

Elevated levels of substance P in tears of patients with allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have suggested that the nervous system may participate in inflammatory processes. Substance P (SP) acts as a chemical mediator as well as a neurotransmitter.

OBJECTIVE

In order to clarify the pathogenesis of ocular allergic diseases, we assessed the concentration of SP in tears.

METHODS

Using a highly sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA), we determined the SP concentration in tears of 10 patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, 10 with atopic dermatitis without keratoconjunctivitis (AD), 13 with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and 65 normal controls. Giemsa's staining for brush cytology samples and histocytological study by immunocytochemical staining of giant papillary conjunctival cells from VKC and normal controls was conducted.

RESULTS

The mean SP level was low in the normal controls and AD, whereas patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and VKC showed significant elevation of SP (P < 0.01). Brush cytology samples showed conjunctival epithelial cells with lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils that were not seen in normal subjects. Histocytological examination demonstrated SP positive cells in the conjunctiva of patients with VKC, but not in normal controls.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the increased level of SP in tears may contribute to the pathogenesis and severity of ocular allergic diseases.

Rapid screening of point mutations of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae parC gene associated with resistance to quinolones

To detect quinolone resistance-associated mutations within the Asp-86, Ser-87, Ser-88, and Glu-91 codons of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae parC gene, we developed a rapid and simple assay based on amplification of the regions of the parC gene containing the mutations sites by PCR and digestion of the PCR products with restriction enzymes. By using the method of primer-specified restriction site modification, artificial SalI, PstI, EcoRI, and HinfI restriction sites were created in the regions containing the Asp-86, Ser-87, Ser-88, and Glu-91 codons, respectively. The mutations generating alterations at Asp-86, Ser-87, Ser-88, and Glu-91 were detected as failures of SalI, PstI, EcoRI, and HinfI to digest the respective PCR products. Fifty-five clinical strains of N. gonorrhoeae were examined for mutations in the parC gene by this assay. Appropriate mutations at either the Asp-86, Ser-87, Ser-88, or Glu-91 codon were detected in each of 11 strains in which a mutation had previously been observed by DNA sequencing. This rapid and simple assay could be a useful device for screening genetic alterations in the parC gene associated with resistance to quinolones in N. gonorrhoeae.

Heart disease deaths on death certificates re-evaluated by clinical records in a Japanese city

In order to estimate the number of deaths from ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a Japanese city, we reevaluated heart disease deaths among residents aged 25-74 years by examining their clinical records. During the 2-year period from 1987 to 1988, 271 deaths among this population were attributed to heart disease. The recorded underlying cause of death was IHD in 96 cases, heart failure in 123 cases, and other heart disease in 52 cases. Re-evaluation of the cause of death yielded 57 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 85 cases of sudden death, 37 cases of heart disease other than IHD, and 63 cases of non-heart disease. In the remaining cases, there was insufficient information for evaluation. According to some autopsy studies, about 50% of sudden deaths are due to IHD. Thus, 50% of the number of sudden death cases may be added to the total number of IHD deaths. Accordingly, the total number of IHD deaths may have been 100, ie, 57 cases of AMI plus 43 cases of sudden death. The difference between the number of IHD deaths after re-evaluation and the number for which IHD was recorded as the underlying cause was small, with the former only 4% higher than the latter. The number of false-positives was equal to the number of false-negatives, and hence the number of IHD deaths recorded in this area seems to be close to the actual figure. We speculate that more accurate death certification will result in a decrease in the total number of deaths attributable to heart disease, as in 23% of deaths attributed to heart disease the underlying cause of death was not in fact heart disease.