Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the ascending colon in a patient with becker muscular dystrophy: report of a case

We herein present the findings of a 10-year-old boy with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the ascending colon which caused intussusception and intestinal bleeding. He had a history of Becker muscular dystrophy. However, he had neither hypertrophic calves nor cardiomyopathy, and his serum creatine kinase (CK) level always exceeded 2000 IU/l. Preoperatively, a laboratory examination revealed high serum levels of CK (2038IU/l), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the blood hemoglobin level was 7.0g/dl. A barium enema examination revealed an intussusception in his ascending colon, which was found to be a highly vascular tumor on Doppler ultrasound scans. A right hemicolectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the 5 x 6 x 8-cm solid tumor of the ascending colon resembled a submucosal tumor and had two ulcerous lesions at the tip. The tumor was histologically diagnosed to be a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the ascending colon. General examinations revealed no involvement of lymphoma postoperatively. At 13 months after surgery, the CK (37861U/l), AST (110lU/l), ALT (1381U/ l), and LDH (420lU/l) levels are still high, and the patient is doing well without any signs of recurrence.

A comparison of the INVOS 4100 and the NIRO 300 near-infrared spectrophotometers

We determined whether two different devices for measuring near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)---the INVOS 4100 and the NIRO 300---produce similar cerebral oxygenation data during the CO(2) challenge test. Nineteen patients anesthetized with sevoflurane, 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen, and fentanyl were studied. A series of measurements of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)), measured by the INVOS 4100, and tissue oxygen index (TOI), measured by the NIRO 300, were performed in the following conditions: 1) normocapnia (PaCO(2), 35--45 mm Hg); 2) hypocapnia (PaCO(2), 25--35 mm Hg); 3) normocapnia; and 4) hypercapnia (PaCO(2), 45--55 mm Hg). Hemodynamic variables, including arterial blood gases and cerebral blood flow velocity, were measured at the same time with transcranial Doppler. The values and percentage changes of rSO(2) and TOI were compared by using regression analysis and Bland and Altman analysis. The rSO(2) showed a significant positive correlation with TOI (r = 0.58, P < 0.01). The percentage change of rSO(2) also showed a significant positive correlation with the percentage change of TOI during the CO(2) challenge (r = 0.85, P < 0.01). Bland and Altman analysis revealed a bias of -0.5% with 2 SD of 15.6% when comparing the rSO(2) value with the TOI value, and it showed a bias of -3.4% with 2 SD of 15.2% when comparing the percentage change of rSO(2) with the percentage change of TOI, indicating unacceptable disagreement of these data. These results indicate that cerebral oxygen saturation and its relative change during the CO(2) challenge may vary depending on the type of NIRS used. Because the measurement technique and algorithm were different in each device, we should carefully consider the clinical application of the values produced by NIRS.

IMPLICATIONS

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proposed as a noninvasive clinical method for assessing cerebral oxygenation. The acceptable reliability and validity of NIRS values have not been established despite their widespread use. The INVOS 4100 and the NIRO 300 can display cerebral oxygen saturation as regional cerebral oxygen saturation and tissue oxygenation index, but they produce differing results.

[Sevoflurane can induce rhabdomyolysis in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy]

Rhabdomyolysis is one of the perioperative complications in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). It has been suggested that sevoflurane can be used safely for anesthesia in patients with DMD. In this report, we describe a case with DMD who received anesthesia with sevoflurane, in which rhabdomyolysis developed postoperatively. A 6-year-old boy diagnosed as DMD was scheduled for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. Preoperative laboratory examination revealed a high level of creatine kinase (CK) (16,000-32,000 IU.l-1). An abnormality of the dystrophin gene was detected by DNA analysis. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane without muscle relaxant, and maintained with sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen under controlled ventilation. The course of anesthesia was uneventful and the patient recovered smoothly. Three hours postoperatively, dark red urine with a high concentration of myoglobin (1,390,000 ng.ml-1) was recognized with a high level of CK (63,500 IU.l-1). Body temperature was 37.6 degrees C, and electrocardiogram and serum potassium were within normal ranges. After the diuresis with mannitol and furosemide, the urine became clear. On the 4th postoperative day, he was discharged without any complication. This case suggested that rhabdomyolysis can develop after sevoflurane anesthesia in patients with DMD.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy for patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium who wish to preserve the uterus-usefulness and limitations

BACKGROUND

To determine the effectiveness of medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy for women with endometrial adenocarcinoma who wish to preserve their uterus.

STUDY DESIGN

Fifteen patients with endometrial carcinoma (12 with grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma. 2 with grade 2 adenocarcinoma and 1 with adenoacanthoma) were treated with high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate alone as primary therapy and their clinical responses evaluated.

RESULTS

Seven of the 12 cases (58%) with grade I adenocarcinoma and one of the two (50%) with grade 2 carcinoma responded initially to medroxyprogesterone acetate. The median length of treatment required for regression was 29 weeks. Three patients who initially responded relapsed. Thirteen patients are alive without evidence of disease as of December 1999 (10 to 146 months, median; 4 years and 11 months) and one is continuing medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy as a final follow-up. One patient was lost to follow-up. Two patients have conceived having three healthy infants.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of endometrial carcinoma with high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate could be an alternative to hysterectomy, although the successful rate is limited.

Construction of a genetic linkage map of the model legume Lotus japonicus using an intraspecific F2 population

Among leguminous plants, the model legume Lotus japonicus (Regel) Larsen has many biological and genetic advantages. We have developed a genetic linkage map of L. japonicus based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), simple sequence repeat polymorphism (SSRP) and derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS). The F2 mapping population used was derived from a cross between two L. japonicus accessions Gifu B-129 and Miyakojima MG-20. These parental accessions showed remarkable cytological differences, particularly with respect to size and morphology of chromosomes 1 and 2. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with BAC clones from Gifu B-129 and TAC (Transformation-competent Artificial Chromosome) clones from Miyakojima MG-20, a reciprocal translocation was found to be responsible for the cytological differences between chromosomes 1 and 2. The borders of the translocations were identified by FISH and by alignment toward the L. filicaulis x L. japonicus Gifu B-129 linkage map. The markers from the main translocated region were located on linkage groups 1 and 2 of the two accessions, Gifu B-129 and Miyakojima MG-20, respectively. The framework of the linkage map was constructed based on codominant markers, and then dominant markers were integrated separately in each linkage group of the parents. The resulting linkage groups correspond to the six pairs of chromosomes of L. japonicus and consist of 287 markers with 487.3 cM length in Gifu B-129 and 277 markers with 481.6 cM length in Miyakojima MG-20. The map and marker information is available through the World Wide Web at http://www.kazusa.or.jp/lotus/.

DNA/RNA-dependent ATPase activity is associated with ATBF1, a multiple homeodomain-zinc finger protein

The AT motif-binding factor 1 (ATBF1)-A is a large transcription factor containing four homeodomains and 23 zinc finger motifs. It has a number of motifs involved in transcriptional regulation, and in addition, several motifs found in enzymes, such as ATPases and helicases. In this study, we examined whether ATPase activity is associated with the ATBF1-A molecule. A 263-amino acid segment of the ATBF1-A molecule, termed AHZ, which contains the ATPase A-motif, homeodomain IV and zinc finger 21, was expressed in Escherichia coli in the form of glutathione S-transferase fusion protein and analyzed for ATPase activity. We found that AHZ was able to hydrolyze ATP with K(m) 10.6 microM and K(cat) 0.055 min(-1) at 5 mM Mg(2+) and pH 7.75. AHZ retained bacterial DNA and removal of the DNA resulted in 70% decrease in ATPase activity. The addition of double- or single-stranded DNAs restored 70-75% ATPase activity and that of RNA restored 50-55% activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of the A-motif resulted in 34% reduction of ATPase activity with no significant loss of bound DNA. In contrast, mutation of homeodomain IV and zinc finger 21 resulted in 90 and 80% reduction of ATPase, respectively, with the loss of the ability to bind to DNA and RNA. These results show that ATBF1 has at least one enzyme activity in addition to regulation of DNA transcription. The ATPase activity associated with ATBF1-A is DNA/RNA-dependent and unique in that it requires both homeodomain and zinc finger motifs.

Noninvasive single-beat determination of left ventricular end-systolic elastance in humans

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to develop and validate a method to estimate left ventricular end-systolic elastance (E(es)) in humans from noninvasive single-beat parameters.

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular end-systolic elastance is a major determinant of cardiac systolic function and ventricular-arterial interaction. However, its use in heart failure assessment and management is limited by lack of a simple means to measure it noninvasively. This study presents a new noninvasive method and validates it against invasively measured E(es).

METHODS

Left ventricular end-systolic elastance was calculated by a modified single-beat method employing systolic (P(s)) and diastolic (P(d)) arm-cuff pressures, echo-Doppler stroke volume (SV), echo-derived ejection fraction (EF) and an estimated normalized ventricular elastance at arterial end-diastole (E(Nd)): E(es(sb)) = [P(d) - (E(Nd(est)) x P(s) x 0.9)[/(E(Nd(est)) x SV). The E(Nd) was estimated from a group-averaged value adjusted for individual contractile/loading effects; E(es(sb)) estimates were compared with invasively measured values in 43 patients with varying cardiovascular disorders, with additional data recorded after inotropic stimulation (n = 18, dobutamine 5 to 10 microg/kg per min). Investigators performing noninvasive analysis were blinded to the invasive results.

RESULTS

Combined baseline and dobutamine-stimulated E(es) ranged 0.4 to 8.4 mm Hg/ml and was well predicted by E(es(sb)) over the full range: E(es) = 0.86 x E(es(sb)) + 0.40 (r = 0.91, SEE = 0.64, p < 0.00001, n = 72). Absolute change in E(es(sb)) before and after dobutamine also correlated well with invasive measures: E(es(sb)): DeltaE(es) = 0.86 x DeltaE(es(sb)) + 0.67 (r = 0.88, p < 0.00001). Repeated measures of E(es(sb)) over two months in a separate group of patients (n = 7) yielded a coefficient of variation of 20.3 +/- 6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The E(es) can be reliably estimated from simple noninvasive measurements. This approach should broaden the clinical applicability of this useful parameter for assessing systolic function, therapeutic response and ventricular-arterial interaction.

A novel synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide cyclo(-RGDf==V-) is the potent inhibitor of angiogenesis

Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptide is a ligand for integrin alpha(V)beta3 and acts as an angiogenic inhibitor. A novel cyclic RGD peptide, cyclo(-RGDf==V-) (f==V), was synthesized and its biological activities were characterized and compared with its analogs, cyclo(-RGDfV-) (fV) and cyclo(-RGDf-MeV-) (fMeV). It bound to integrin alpha(V)beta3 with almost the same affinity as the fV and fMeV analogs. All three compounds inhibited the adhesion and growth of HUVEC cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Out of three, fMeV had the strongest effect, f==V was almost as strong as fMeV, and fV had the least effect. However, in vivo, f==V significantly decreased the intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in the DLD-1 (human colon cancer cell) inoculated mice, while fMeV had little effect. These results suggest the potential usefulness of the cyclo(-RGDf==V-) as an antiangiogenic agent for clinical use in the future.

Effect of mild hypothermia on nicorandil-induced vasodilation of pial arterioles in cats

OBJECTIVE

Nicorandil is characterized as hybrid between nitrates and potassium channel activators. Recent evidence suggested that mild hypothermia may alter cerebral vasodilation induced by a nitrate agent and potassium channel opener. However, the effect of mild hypothermia on nicorandil-induced vasodilation is not known. The present study was conducted to investigate whether mild hypothermia could alter nicorandil-induced cerebral vasodilation. In addition, the effects of mild hypothermia on cerebral vasodilation induced by nitroglycerin, a nitrate agent, and cromakalim, a selective adenosine 5'-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, were assessed in the same model.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, experimental study with repeated measures.

SETTING

Investigational animal laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-four cats.

INTERVENTIONS

Animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital. The cranial window technique, combined with microscopic video recording, was used to measure small (50-100 microm) and large (100-200 microm) pial arteriolar diameter in an experiment. Animals were assigned randomly to either a normothermic (37 degrees C) or a hypothermic (33 degrees C) group. Nicorandil, nitroglycerin, or cromakalim at concentrations of 10(-8), 10(-6), or 10(-4) mol/L was applied topically in the cranial window, and the diameter of pial arterioles was measured.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Topical administration of nicorandil, nitroglycerin, and cromakalim significantly dilated both small and large pial arterioles in a dose-dependent manner during normothermia. Nicorandil-induced vasodilation of either large or small pial arterioles was not affected by hypothermia. However, hypothermia significantly attenuated nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in both large and small pial arterioles and enhanced cromakalim-induced vasodilation in both large and small pial arterioles.

CONCLUSIONS

Nicorandil-induced vasodilation of cerebral pial arterioles was not affected by mild hypothermia. By contrast, mild hypothermia significantly attenuated nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation and enhanced cromakalim-induced vasodilation.

Anisotropy effects of Hele-Shaw cells on viscous fingering instability in dilute polymer solutions

We study the effect of anisotropy of the Hele-Shaw cell on the viscous fingering instability in dilute polymer solutions with shear thinning. In isotropic cells, the tip-splitting instability is observed at the same pressure gradient for a fixed polymer concentration, whereas in anisotropic cells the side oscillation instability occurs at higher pressure gradient than the tip-splitting instability. Narrowing of the finger width in the isotropic cell is well correlated with the tip-splitting instability, whereas the finger width in the anisotropic cell is almost independent of the sample. The modified Darcy's law, where the constant viscosity is replaced by the shear thinning viscosity, gives good agreement with the experiments, irrespective of the cell and the fluid.

Percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves for the treatment of hip joint pain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The sensory innervation of the hip joint includes the sensory articular branches of the obturator and femoral nerves. In this report, we retrospectively evaluated 14 cases in which hip joint pain was treated by percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of obturator and/or femoral nerves.

METHODS

Fourteen patients who had hip joint pain and underwent percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of obturator and/or femoral nerves were studied. In all cases, intra-articular hip joint block or articular branch block of obturator nerve with local anesthesia was transiently effective. Radiofrequency lesioning was performed at 75 degrees C to 80 degrees C for 90 seconds using an RFG-3B generator and Sluijter-Mehta cannulae kit (Radionics, Burlington, MA) for the obturator nerve in 9 patients and for both the obturator and femoral nerves in 5 patients. To assess pain intensity, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used.

RESULTS

The VAS scores before and after the radiofrequency lesioning were 6.8 +/- 0.9 and 2.7 +/- 1.3, respectively. Twelve patients (86%) reported at least 50% relief of pain for 1 to 11 months. There were no side effects or motor weakness observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves is an alternative treatment in patients with hip joint pain, especially in those where operation is not applicable.

Expression of METH-1 and METH-2 in pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE

METH-1/hADAMTS-1 and METH-2/hADAMTS-8 are recently identified genes that inhibit angiogenesis, and the murine homologue, ADAMTS-1, shows metalloproteinase function. Because the significance of METH-1 and METH-2 has not been determined in solid tumors, we examined the mRNA expressions of these molecules in pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

METH-1 and METH-2 mRNA expressions were identified in six pancreatic cancer cell lines and were quantified by TaqMan reverse transcription-PCR in 18 paired samples of pancreatic cancer and surrounding noncancerous pancreas, and in 14 samples of pancreatic cancer. METH-1 mRNA expression was also examined in 16 pairs of HCC and cirrhotic liver. Vascularity was estimated by CD34 staining. The correlation between clinicopathological factors and METH-1 expression was additionally analyzed.

RESULTS

Four of six pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed METH-1, and 1/6 expressed METH-2. METH-1 was substantially expressed in both pancreatic cancer and noncancerous pancreas, but METH-2 was not. METH-1 expression in pancreatic cancer tissue was significantly lower than that in noncancerous pancreas (P = 0.002), and a similar result was obtained between HCC and cirrhotic liver (P = 0.003). METH-1 expression did not show a significant correlation with vascularity in pancreatic cancer or in HCC. However, pancreatic cancer with higher expression of METH-1 showed significantly severe lymph node metastasis or retroperitoneal invasion (P = 0.033 and P = 0.018, respectively) and worse prognosis (P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

METH-1, which was initially reported to have a potent antiangiogenic effect, does not seem to be a predominant determinant of tumor vascularity in pancreatic cancer. Rather, METH-1 seems to be involved in progression of pancreatic cancer through local invasion and lymph node metastasis.

Modulation of bronchial epithelial cells by IL-17

BACKGROUND

The induction of epithelial cytokines/chemokines is crucial in the migration of leukocytes, and its regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely defined.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of IL-17, a CD4(+) T cell-derived cytokine, in modulation of primary bronchial epithelial cells, the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and the potential involvement of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in IL-17-mediated signaling were examined.

METHODS

The levels of gene expression and protein production for IL-6 and IL-8 in IL-17-treated cells, in the presence or absence of MAP kinase inhibitors, were analyzed by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively, and activation of MAP kinases was determined by Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

We showed first that IL-17 induced time-dependent expression of IL-6 and IL-8 but not of the chemokines eotaxin and RANTES. In addition, IL-17 induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 but not of p38 or JNK kinases. A selective MAP kinase kinase inhibitor, PD98059, inhibited IL-17-induced IL-6 and IL-8. A combination of IL-17 and each of the cytokines IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-gamma further enhanced IL-8 expression. IL-17 alone did not induce ICAM-1 expression and showed no effect on IL-4- or IL-13-induced ICAM-1 expression. In contrast, a combination of IL-17 and IFN-gamma augmented IL-6 and ICAM-1 expression.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that IL-17, alone or in combination with other cytokines, modulates airway inflammation via-in part-the expression of epithelial IL-6, IL-8, and ICAM-1.

Morphological evidence for lipid peroxidation and protein glycoxidation in spinal cords from sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

For determining whether both the spinal cord motor neurons and glial cells are exposed to increased oxidative stress in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we performed an immunohistochemical investigation of end products of lipid peroxidation and protein glycoxidation in spinal cords from seven sporadic ALS patients and seven age-matched control individuals. In the ALS spinal cords, immunoreactivities for adducts of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-histidine and crotonaldehyde-lysine as markers of lipid peroxidation, N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine as a marker of lipid peroxidation or protein glycoxidation, and pentosidine as a marker of protein glycoxidation were localized in the gray matter neuropil and almost all of the motor neurons, reactive astrocytes and microglia/macrophages, whereas none of the immunoreactivities for N(epsilon)-(carboxyethyl)lysine or argpyrimidine as markers of protein glycoxidation or enzymatic glycolysis, or pyrraline or imidazolone as markers of nonoxidative protein glycation were detectable. The control spinal cords displayed no significant immunoreactivities for any of these examined products. Our results indicate that in sporadic ALS, both lipid peroxidation and protein glycoxidation are enhanced in the spinal cord motor neurons and glial cells, and suggest that the formation of certain products in these abnormal reactions is implicated in motor neuron degeneration.

Identification of a novel cytokine, ML-1, and its expression in subjects with asthma

A novel gene, designated ML-1, was identified from a human genomic DNA clone and human T cell cDNA sequences. The second exon of ML-1 gene shares significant sequence identity with the gene encoding IL-17 (IL-17). ML-1 gene expression was up-regulated in activated PBMCs, CD4(+) T cells, allergen-specific Th0, Th1, and Th2 clones, activated basophils, and mast cells. Increased expression of the ML-1 gene, but not IL-17, was seen following allergen challenge in four asthmatic subjects, suggesting its role in allergic inflammatory responses. ML-1 from transiently transfected COS-7 cells was able to induce gene expression and protein production for IL-6 and IL-8 (at 10 ng/ml of ML-1: for IL-6, 599.6 +/- 19.1 pg/ml; for IL-8, 1724.2 +/- 132.9 pg/ml; and at 100 ng/ml of ML-1: for IL-6, 1005.3 +/- 55.6 pg/ml; for IL-8, 4371.4 +/- 280.5 pg/ml; p < 0.05 for both doses vs baseline) in primary bronchial epithelial (PBE) cells. Furthermore, increased expression of ICAM-1 was found in ML-1-stimulated PBE cells (mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) = 31.42 +/- 4.39 vs baseline, MFI = 12.26 +/- 1.77, p < 0.05), a functional feature distinct from IL-17 (MFI = 11.07 +/- 1.22). This effect was not inhibited by a saturating amount of IL-17. These findings demonstrate that ML-1 is a novel cytokine with a distinct function, and suggest a different receptor for ML-1 on PBE cells.

[Clinical experience of intra-arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of breast cancer patients]

The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the effect of intra-arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of breast cancer patients. Eleven patients treated between August 1991 and July 1997 at Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, were the subjects for this study. The duration of disease-free periods after the operation ranged from 9 to 78 months (median 27 months). The site of the recurrence was the liver alone in 6 cases, and the liver and lung in 1 case, bone in 1 case, lymph nodes in 2 cases, and a local region, in 1 case. The main drugs were adriamycin (ADM) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), administered in a single injection or continuously via an indwelling catheter in the hepatic artery. This method had a 36% response rate, including PR in 4 cases, NC in 3 cases and PD in 4 cases. The survival duration was 1 to 19 months (median 14 months) following this treatment, and 3 to 49 months (median 17 months) after the recognition of the recurrence. The only side effects of Grade 3 or 4 were leucocytopenia or granulocytopenia and nausea. These results suggest that intra-arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of breast cancer patients may be an effective method for the control of liver metastases with minor side effects. However, further study may be necessary to establish methods to manage the indwelling catheter and to control patients with multiple metastases of the other organs, to improve the prognosis for recurrent breast cancer patients.

Lowered susceptibility of muscarinic receptor involved in salivary secretion of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We investigated the responses of salivary secretion and the susceptibility of the muscarinic receptors in the salivary glands of the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (STZ rats). Giving water ad libitum, the amount of whole saliva with no stimulation was similar in the STZ and the control rats. Pilocarpine increased salivary secretion in both groups, although the effect in the STZ rats was two to three fold less than in the control rats. If the animals were restricted from taking water for 6 h, salivary secretion was not slightly changed in the STZ rats in spite of a remarkable increase in the control. An obvious decrease in salivary secretion of the STZ rats was negatively correlated with an increase in urination. Furthermore, salivary secretion from the parotid gland was increased in a dose-dependent manner with pilocarpine in the control rats, but not in the STZ rats. In the [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding studies for muscarinic receptor of the STZ rats, Bmax was decreased in the parotid gland and Kd was increased in the submandibular gland. Competitive inhibition of [3H]QNB binding to both glands showed an increase in IC50 of pilocarpine and carbachol. These results suggest that a decrease in salivary secretion of STZ rats is not only induced by a water loss, but also closely associated with the lowered susceptibility of the muscarinic receptors.

Providing the basis for genomics in Lotus japonicus: the accessions Miyakojima and Gifu are appropriate crossing partners for genetic analyses

Lotus japonicus has attracted attention as a model plant legume for molecular genetic research, and several mutants defective in nodulation and mycorrhizal symbiosis have been developed from the standard accession Gifu B-129. However, as a model system, Gifu has long lacked an appropriate crossing partner for use in various genetic analyses. In a search for an appropriate partner for Gifu, we have collected plants from 15 localities throughout Japan, and analyzed their levels of DNA polymorphism (also in comparison to the African species L. filicaulis) by AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) combined with the use of a high-throughput electrophoretic screening system termed HEGS (High-efficiency genome scanning) developed by us, using 31 primer pairs. Plants of the accession Miyakojima MG-20 showed the highest level of polymorphism relative to Gifu (over 4%). When HEGS is used for screening, this level is sufficient to permit systematic positional cloning of mutant genes. Segregation in the F2 of the Gifu-derived symbiotic mutations Ljsym70, Ljsym72, Ljsym74-1 (alb1-1) and Ljsym78-1 from a cross with Miyakojima was normal, while the ratios seen from a cross with L. filicaulis were distorted. Miyakojima displays several traits that distinguish it from other Japanese accessions: low concentrations of anthocyanin in the stem and petals, few trichomes, a more upright habit, broad leaflets and petals, and large black seeds. The first two traits, which are controlled by single recessive genes, serve as useful markers for following mutant crosses.

Biochemical and genetic characterization of serologically untypable Streptococcus mutans strains isolated from patients with bacteremia

Four out of 522 streptococcal isolates from the peripheral blood of patients with bacteremia exhibited typical properties of Streptococcus mutans in terms of sucrose-dependent adhesion, expression of glucosyltransferases, fermentation profiles of sugars, the presence of surface protein antigen, and DNA-DNA hybridization. Two strains were determined as serotype f and e by immunodiffusion, whereas the other two isolates did not react with the specific antiserum to S. mutans serotype c. e. or f of the eight different serotypes of mutans streptococci. The latter two untypable isolates, however, expressed a new antigenic determinant that was different from serotype c/e/f specificity as revealed by immunodiffusion. Analysis of the cell wall polysaccharides revealed very low contents of glucose in the untypable isolates. Furthermore, Southern blot analysis demonstrated that the untypable strains lacked at least one gene corresponding to a glucose-adding enzyme. These results indicate that the serologically untypable nature is due to the loss of glucosidic residue from the serotype-specific polysaccharide antigens of S. mutans.

Improved arterial compliance by a novel advanced glycation end-product crosslink breaker

BACKGROUND

Arterial stiffening with increased pulse pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the elderly. We tested whether ALT-711, a novel nonenzymatic breaker of advanced glycation end-product crosslinks, selectively improves arterial compliance and lowers pulse pressure in older individuals with vascular stiffening.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nine US centers recruited and randomly assigned subjects with resting arterial pulse pressures >60 mm Hg and systolic pressures >140 mm Hg to once-daily ALT-711 (210 mg; n=62) or placebo (n=31) for 56 days. Preexisting antihypertensive treatment (90% of subjects) was continued during the study. Morning upright blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, total arterial compliance, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and drug tolerability were assessed. ALT-711 netted a greater decline in pulse pressures than placebo (-5.3 versus -0.6 mm Hg at day 56; P=0.034 for treatment effect by repeated-measures ANOVA). Systolic pressure declined in both groups, but diastolic pressure fell less with ALT-711 (P=0.056). Mean pressure declined similarly in both groups (-4 mm Hg; P<0.01 for each group, P=0.34 for treatment effect). Total arterial compliance rose 15% in ALT-711-treated subjects versus no change with placebo (P=0.015 versus ALT-711), an effect that did not depend on reduced mean pressure. Pulse wave velocity declined 8% with ALT-711 (P<0.05 at day 56, P=0.08 for treatment effect). Systemic arterial resistance, cardiac output, and heart rate did not significantly change in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

ALT-711 improves total arterial compliance in aged humans with vascular stiffening, and it may provide a novel therapeutic approach for this abnormality, which occurs with aging, diabetes, and isolated systolic hypertension.

Effect of insulin on nitric oxide synthase-like immunostaining of arteries in various organs in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

OBJECTIVE

Recently we reported that insulin treatment improved hypertension by inducing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. In the present study, we investigated subtypes of NOS induced by insulin in arteries in various organs of ZDF rats using immunohistochemistry.

DESIGN

Following treatment with insulin, localization of two subtypes of NOS in the arterial tissues of various organs was identified.

METHODS

Following 4 weeks of s.c. injection of insulin, the aorta, cerebral cortex, pancreas and kidney were stained with polyclonal anti-endothelial NOS (eNOS) or anti-inducible NOS (iNOS) antibodies.

RESULTS

In the aortic tissue, eNOS-like immunostaining was observed equally in the insulin-treated group and the control group, whereas iNOS-like immunostaining was present more densely in the insulin-treated group. In the cerebral artery, eNOS-like immunostaining was observed in the endothelium and was enhanced in the insulin-treated group. In the control group, iNOS-like immunostaining was absent in the cerebral artery, whereas immunostaining was densely observed in the insulin-treated group. In the interlobular artery of the pancreas, both eNOS-like and iNOS-like immunostaining was present in the control group and was enhanced in the insulin-treated group. In kidney, both eNOS-like and iNOS-like immunostaining was more densely present in the arterial tissue of the insulin-treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results taken together suggest that insulin treatment induced NOS in arteries in various organs and that iNOS was more strongly induced than eNOS by insulin treatment in the ZDF rat.

Measurement of estrogenic activity of chemicals for the development of new dental polymers

The estrogenic activities of 13 Bisphenol-A (BPA)-related chemicals for development of new polymers by three in vitro bioassay have been examined in the presence and absence of a post-mitochondrial metabolizing system (S9 mix). BPA, Bisphenol-B (BPB), Bisphenol-F (BPF), Bisphenol-S (BPS), 4,4-ethylidenebisphenol (BP1), 4,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP2), 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-hexafluoropropane (BP3), 4,4-(1,4-phenylenediisopropylidene) bisphenol (BP4), 4,4-cyclohexylidenebisphenol (BP5), 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl ether (BP6), 4-hydroxydiphenylmethane (BP7), 4-cumylphenol (BP8) and 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide (BP9) were each diluted with dimethyl sulfoxide to final concentrations ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-3) M in both the yeast two-hybrid system and in a fluorescence polarization system. Dilutions of 10(-9) to 10(-4) M were assayed in the E-screen, respectively. Except for BPS and BP4, the chemicals tested showed estrogenic activity in the absence of cut S9 mix preparation and the activity was enhanced with S9 mix. BPS, which was initially negative, was active with S9 mix in the yeast two-hybrid system. BP2 was weakly estrogenic with or without S9 mix. Chemicals other than BP2 were positive in the competition binding assay. All chemicals tested showed estrogenic activity in the E-screen, the concentration level of which was 10(4) times lower than those of the other two assays.

[Intraoperative unilateral changes in myogenic motor evoked potentials in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery]

Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) can be employed for monitoring the functional integrity of the descending motor pathways during thoracic aortic surgery. Since MEPs can be affected by a variety of intraoperative factors, intraoperative MEP changes have to be carefully interpreted. In this report, we describe two patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery, in whom MEPs from the unilateral lower limb disappeared after femoral artery cannulation, and MEPs' recovered by modifying the position or removing the cannula. MEPs in the contralateral side remained unchanged. Neither patients showed postoperative neurologic dysfunction in the lower limbs. These observations suggest that regional ischemia of the lower limbs caused by femoral artery cannulation can affect intraoperative MEP finding.

The endocrine disrupters butyl benzyl phthalate and bisphenol A increase the expression of progesterone receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in the preoptic area of adult ovariectomized rats

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and bisphenol A (BPA), so-called endocrine disrupters, are known to mimic the action of estrogens: they are thus liable to influence reproductive functions. Since little is known about their action on gene expression in the adult hypothalamus, we examined the effects of these chemicals on the expression of estrogen-regulated mRNAs, i.e., progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA, preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA and neurotensin (NT) mRNA, in the hypothalamus and pituitary of adult female rats. Two weeks after ovariectomy, rats were subcutaneously injected with 10 mg BBP, 10 mg BPA, or 10 microg 17 beta-estradiol (E(2)) in sesame oil, or with sesame oil alone as a control. Twenty-four hours after the injection, tissues including the preoptic area (POA), mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and anterior pituitary were collected. Northern blot revealed that injection of E(2) resulted in expected changes, i.e., significant increases in PR mRNA in the POA, MBH and anterior pituitary, and in PPE mRNA in the MBH. We also found that injection of BPA significantly increased PR mRNA in the POA and anterior pituitary, while injection of BBP increased PR mRNA in the POA and anterior pituitary, although the increase in the anterior pituitary was not significant. No significant effect of E(2), BPA, or BBP on NT mRNA in the POA was detected. The present study demonstrates that the two endocrine disrupters BPA and BBP can increase the expression of PR mRNA in the POA of adult ovariectomized rats.