Copper incorporation into ceruloplasmin in rat livers

Ceruloplasmin, a blue copper oxidase found in plasma, is synthesized in hepatocytes as a single polypeptide chain consisting of a 19 amino acid leader peptide plus 1046 amino acids of mature protein (132 kDa). Holoceruloplasmin is secreted into the plasma with 6-7 atoms of copper bound per molecule. In this study we identified apo- and holoceruloplasmin and examined the mechanism of copper incorporation during ceruloplasmin biosynthesis using the Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat which does not incorporate copper into newly synthesized ceruloplasmin. We followed the conversion from ceruloplasmin precursor (with little or no carbohydrate) to the larger product (after carbohydrate addition), which occurred in the secretory compartments of hepatocytes, by native gel electrophoresis. We found that copper accumulates in the hepatocellular Golgi apparatus of LEC rats due to a disorder in the process of copper incorporation. The data indicate that copper is incorporated into ceruloplasmin late in the course of its transport through the secretory compartments.

A high-resolution cytogenetic map of human chromosome 2: localization of 434 cosmid markers by direct R-banding fluorescence in situ hybridization

We have constructed a high-resolution cytogenetic map of human chromosome 2 with 434 newly isolated cosmid markers by means of direct R-banding fluorescence in situ hybridization. Two markers were mapped to the centromeric region, 173 to the short arm, and 259 to the long arm. The clones were evenly distributed along the entire chromosome, although a tendency toward clustering in R-positive bands was observed. The mapped cosmids provide useful landmarks for construction of a contig map and for positional cloning of cancer-associated genes, as well as genes responsible for hereditary diseases.

Defective insulin and glucagon secretion in isolated perfused pancreata of diabetic WBN/Kob rats

To elucidate the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus in male WBN/Kob rats, we performed pancreatic perfusion experiments and histopathological studies. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests showed a diabetic pattern in 12-month-old WBN/Kob rats. In perfused pancreata of WBN/Kob rats, both the first and the second phases of insulin secretion in response to a 16.7 mM glucose challenge were markedly reduced compared with those in age-matched Wistar rats (p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the insulin secretion rate in response to glucopenia (1.4 mM) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the decrement in insulin secretion was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in WBN/Kob rats. The decrement in glucagon secretion with 16.7 mM glucose was significantly blunted (p < 0.001), and the glucagon secretion rate in response to glucopenia was also significantly lower in WBN/Kob rats than in controls (p < 0.01). Although insulin secretion in response to 10 mM arginine was also moderately reduced in WBN/Kob rats (p < 0.05), the glucagon secretion rates in response to 10 mM arginine were similar in the two groups. Histopathological examination revealed widespread disappearance of acinar cells and islets, inflammatory changes, and marked fibrosis in the pancreata of WBN/Kob rats. Immunohistochemical studies showed decreased numbers of B cells in the islets of WBN/Kob rats. These findings suggest that this WBN/Kob rat strain is a useful model for studying not only pathogenesis, but also pathophysiology, i.e., defective hormonal secretion, in some types of human diabetes mellitus.

A report on the perinatal diagnosis of 4 cases of cardiac tumors

Since 1973, we have identified 4 cardiac tumors by ultrasonography in fetal or early postnatal life. Tuberous sclerosis was diagnosed in three infants whose mother was also affected. The first infant died from acute cardiac failure after birth, and the second required cardiac surgery. The third infant had a cardiac tumor and a focal seizure at the age of 8 months. The cardiac tumor disappeared at the age of 2 years. The fourth cardiac rhabdomyoma may be the only sign of tuberous sclerosis.

Suicide and aging in Japan: an examination of treated elderly suicide attempters

Although individuals aged 65 and over accounted for 12% of the total population of Japan in 1990, suicides in this age group consisted of 29% of all suicides. The elderly population of Japan is expected to grow rapidly to 24% of the total population by the year 2020, and suicide prevention for the elderly is an urgent mental health problem. Among a total of 1,216 elderly patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital between April 1980 and March 1990, 50 were hospitalized immediately after suicide attempts in order to study their psychosociomedical problems. Because early diagnosis of depression and initiation of proper treatment are indispensable--even if patients do not show obvious depressive symptoms--those who develop persistent somatization and/or delirium should be considered highly suicidal and given special attention. With the cooperation of mental health professionals, it is necessary to educate general practitioners, the public, and the elderly themselves about characteristics of psychiatric disorders and various problems associated with aging. Further research on other elderly Japanese populations, as well as research that examines suicide completion, is needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

A novel proteinase, glucagon-degrading enzyme, secreted by a human pancreatic cancer cell line, HPC-YO

Sixty-four kinds of cell lines were examined as to their ability to degrade glucagon using conditioned-media obtained from their protein-free cultures. Two human tumor cell lines were shown to produce this activity, and the cell line, HPC-YO, established from a human pancreatic carcinoma was shown to produce the highest level of activity. The glucagon-degrading enzyme (GDE) was purified from HPC-YO conditioned-medium by a combination of ion-exchange, gel filtration, and hydroxylapatite column chromatographies. The purified GDE also degraded vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and secretin, however, it did not cleave EGF, gastrin, insulin, somatostatin, substance P, neurotensin, or growth hormone. The molecular weight of GDE is 83,000, as determined on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GDE was blocked, and the five partial amino acid sequences obtained on lysyl-endopeptidase digestion were determined to be N-L-T-E-E-Y-D-V-S-D-G-E-I-E-L-L-Y-E-K, V-E-T-Y-Y-D-L-L-F-E-K, L-Y-W-F-L-D-E-A-K, S-N-S-T-S-Y-V-K, and Y-Y-A-S-T-S-Y-D-D-T-Y-K. The same or homologous amino acid sequences have not been found in known proteins, demonstrating that GDE is a novel peptidase that degrades the secretin family: glucagon, VIP, and secretin.

Identification and characterization of a sperm peptide antigen recognized by a monoclonal antisperm autoantibody derived from a vasectomized mouse

A monoclonal autoantibody (MAb) to mouse sperm was established from a vasectomized mouse. The MAb, termed 4A11, reacted exclusively to mouse and rat live sperm tail, without any cross-reaction with sperm of other mammalian species or any somatic organ tissues in the mouse. MAb 4A11 significantly inhibited in vitro fertilization of mouse ova. Western blotting showed a single band of 67 kDa as the corresponding antigen protein of MAb 4A11. By screening a mouse testis cDNA library with MAb 4A11, one positive clone (964bp) was obtained. DNA sequence of the clone showed no homology with any previously reported mammalian genes, but showed 54% homology with a bacterial gene of sucrose-specific phosphotransferase enzyme II. The rabbit antisera raised to the recombinant protein of the 4A11 cDNA gene showed reaction to mouse, rat, hamster and guinea-pig sperm.

The effects of patients' sera with sperm-immobilizing antibodies on sperm of the Japanese monkey

In order to study the interspecies cross-reactivity of sperm-immobilizing antibodies found in sera of women who were infertile for unknown reasons, we used the sperm-immobilization test to examine the effects of patients' sera with or without sperm-immobilizing antibodies on the sperm of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata). Fourteen of 17 antibody-positive sera and 7 of 14 antibody-negative sera showed sperm-immobilizing activity with regard to monkey sperm. The sperm-immobilizing antibody that was active against both human and monkey sperm could be absorbed only by sperm from each corresponding species. The periodate treatment of human or monkey sperm markedly diminished their antibody-absorbing capabilities. Human and mouse monoclonal antibodies having sperm-immobilizing activity with regard to human sperm showed no sperm-immobilizing activity with regard to monkey sperm. These results indicate that the sperm-immobilizing activity of the sera of infertile women against human and monkey sperm might be due to antibodies with different specificities, which recognize a unique carbohydrate antigen epitope expressed in the sperm of each species.

[Nephropathy in patients with mixed connective tissue disease]

The first report of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) was described that nephropathy was rare complication of the patients with MCTD. Recently, some authors reported that the nephropathy was 25-50% of patients with MCTD. This report investigated the histopathological findings of patients with MCTD. This study was conducted on 17 patients associated with MCTD. In clinical features, there were six of nephrotic syndrome and two of hematuria and proteinuria. They were normal renal function, expect for one case (case MF). In pathological findings, there were four of membranous nephropathy, two of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, including one of IgA nephropathy, and 11 of minor glomerular abnormality. Three cases translated to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during follow-up period (1 to 5 years). They had hypocomplementemia and membranous nephropathy in common. In conclusion, the nephropathy is not rare complication in patients with MCTD. Sex of the 17 patients (35.3%) with MCTD have nephropathy. MCTD cases with immune-complex glomerulonephritis are likely to transit from MCTD to SLE.

Effects of sevoflurane, isoflurane, enflurane, and halothane on left ventricular diastolic performance in dogs

The effects of volatile anesthetics on active (ventricular relaxation) and passive (chamber stiffness) indices of diastolic function and on left ventricular filling rates in dogs were studied to determine how these agents affect left ventricular diastolic performance. Thirty-five mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to receive sevoflurane, isoflurane, enflurane, or halothane. Left ventricular pressure waveforms, phonocardiograms, and echocardiograms were recorded after administering the anesthetics at concentrations of 0% (control), 1%, 2%, and 3%. Ventricular relaxation was defined as the time constant of the decline in left ventricular pressure. Chamber stiffness was derived from the ventricular pressure-volume relationship during passive filling. Rapid filling rate, slow filling rate, and atrial filling rate were obtained from echocardiograms and phonocardiograms. No change in the time constant or in chamber stiffness was observed at any concentration of sevoflurane or isoflurane. However, the highest studied concentration of enflurane and halothane produced a significant increase in the time constant and in chamber stiffness. Rapid filling rate as well as atrial filling rate decreased significantly with the volatile anesthetics, especially with enflurane and halothane. Sevoflurane and isoflurane did not alter ventricular relaxation or chamber stiffness, but did affect diastolic function as manifested by their alteration of filling rates. In contrast, enflurane and halothane each prolonged ventricular relaxation and increased chamber stiffness. With the administration of the volatile anesthetics, the rapid filling rate decreased with the deterioration of diastolic function; in addition, atrial filling rates decreased and did not compensate for the reduction in early ventricular filling.

An amino acid from Solorina crocea

A new amino acid, named solorinine, isolated from the lichen, Solorina crocea was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. NMR data are also reported.

Fabry-like laminated myelin body associated with IgA nephropathy

We present the first female patient to exhibit Fabry-like myelin bodies in the glomerular epithelial cell in association with IgA nephropathy. This previously healthy 36-year-old woman presented with proteinuria and hematuria without skin lesions. Renal biopsy showed typical IgA nephropathy, with paramesangial deposits, mesangial proliferation and scattered myelin bodies. The leukocytic alpha-galactosidase A activity was abnormally low. She had no family history of Fabry's disease nor the characteristic features, such as skin lesion, neuralgia, or hypohidrosis. Fabry's disease is diagnosed from the renal biopsy findings and the activity of alpha-galactosidase A in leukocytes and/or fibroblasts. We diagnosed the present case with Fabry' disease and IgA nephropathy from these results.

Membranous glomerulonephritis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We investigated the cause of membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The class or stage of RA was diagnosed using the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association, and MGN was diagnosed using renal biopsy. Renal biopsy and laboratory findings, including serologic analysis, were evaluated. Eighteen patients had previously received one of the following antirheumatic agents: bucillamine (n = 13), D-penicillamine (n = 3), or gold (n = 2). The renal lesions of all 24 patients resembled lesions seen with idiopathic MGN on examination by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. We concluded that patients with RA are predisposed to develop MGN, whether or not they receive antirheumatic agents.

[Repeated use of Drug Infusion Balloon Catheter for postoperative pain management]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate repeated use of Drug Infusion Balloon catheter (DIBC) experimentally and clinically. 1. Experimental study: The changes in flow rate by repeated use of DIBC (40 ml.12 h-1 type) were measured under room temperature (21 degrees C). 2. Clinical study: Ten patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery were studied. DIBC (40 ml.12 h-1 type) was filled with midazolam, buprenorphine, and lidocaine. Twelve hours later, the same DIBC was filled with buprenorphine and lidocaine. The mean flow rates were, on first use; 2.91 +/- 0.51, on the second use; 2.88 +/- 0.45, on the third use; 2.75 +/- 0.44, and on the fourth use; 2.69 +/- 0.38 (ml.h-1, mean +/- SD, n = 6, P < 0.05). In the clinical study, pain scores, rates of supplemental analgesic infusion during 0-12 h period were not different from those during 12-24 h period. No complications were observed in this study. Repeated use of DIBC up to four times yielded reproducible results (+/- 8%). Repeated use of DIBC for postoperative pain relief, changing the contents according to the severity of pain, might be a useful and cost saving method.

Renal complications during pregnancy in a patient with diabetes mellitus

We present a 23-year-old woman with a 7-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who became pregnant. At the 23rd week of pregnancy she exhibited the signs and symptoms (hypertension, edema, proteinuria) of both diabetic nephropathy and preeclampsia. A cesarean section was successfully performed. The proteinuria persisted for more than 3 months after delivery. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diabetic glomerulosclerosis together with the renal findings attributable to preeclampsia. The rapid acceleration of diabetic nephropathy in this patient was attributed to preeclampsia. We therefore recommend that patients with DM be followed closely during pregnancy in an attempt to prevent the acceleration of renal damage by preeclampsia.

[A case of successful antisyphilitic treatment for a patient with general paresis]

A 59-year-old male patient with general paresis was hospitalized because of personality changes and memory disturbances without any neurological deficits. His Mini Mental State score was 11, and his total IQ on the WAIS-R was 56. TPHA titers in serum and the CSF were over 40960x and 640x respectively. Both the white blood cell count as well as total protein were found to be increased in the CSF and FTA-ABS in the CSF was positive. The patient was treated with penicillin, one million units per day intramuscularly for 14 days, and four million units per day intravenously for 10 days. The abnormal findings in the CSF, his unstable mood and agitation improved, as well as his scores on the Mini Mental State (17) and total IQ (74), and the patient was able to once again function socially. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of general paresis.

Resection of metastatic thyroid carcinomas to the liver and the kidney: report of a case

Differentiated thyroid cancer is considered to have a quite favorable prognosis. However, some patients die as a result of distant metastasis, which mainly consists of pulmonary, mediastinal, or osteal metastases. The biological features of the tumor, such as a slow growth gradient, indicate the possibility of achieving comparatively satisfactory results in the treatment of such distant metastases. A complete surgical excision of the distant metastases in differentiated thyroid carcinoma has been reported to offer the best chance for prolonged survival. A case of unusual metastasis sites on the caudate lobe of the liver and right kidney occurring in a 72-year-old woman is herein presented. The location of the surgically treated distant metastases of the papillary thyroid carcinoma make this case unique.

Effects of diazoxide on alpha- and beta-cell function in isolated perfused rat pancreas

To elucidate the effects of diazoxide on insulin and glucagon secretion at normal, high and low glucose concentrations and 10 mmol/l arginine, we performed pancreatic perfusion experiments. The insulin secretion rate in response to 16.7 mmol/l glucose was dose-dependently suppressed by concomitant infusion of diazoxide (100 and 300 mumol/l). Both the first and second phases of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were significantly reduced in the presence of diazoxide as compared with controls. Basal glucagon secretion rate at 5.6 mmol/l glucose was significantly reduced by the administration of both 100 and 300 mumol/l diazoxide. Furthermore, the glucagon secretion rate at a high glucose concentration (16.7 mmol/l) was significantly lower with 300 mumol/l diazoxide than in the control. The glucagon secretion rate with glucopenia (1.4 mmol/l) was also significantly lower with 100 and 300 mumol/l diazoxide than in the control. The insulin secretion rate in response to 10 mmol/l arginine was also dose-dependently suppressed by concomitant infusion of diazoxide. The glucagon secretion rate in response to 10 mmol/l arginine was, however, significantly higher with 100 mumol/l diazoxide while not being significantly different with 300 mumol/l diazoxide. These findings suggest that some mechanism(s) which can be inhibited by diazoxide is involved in glucagon, as well as insulin, secretion in isolated perfused rat pancreas.

Enhancing effect of O6-alkylguanine derivatives on chloroethylnitrosourea cytotoxicity toward tumor cells

O6-Alkylguanine derivatives are well known as chemical modulators of the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Depletion of the enzyme by these derivatives leads to increase sensitivity of tumor cells to chloroethylnitrosoureas. We tested the effect of O6-methylguanine, O6-benzylguanine, O6-(p-methylbenzyl)guanine, O6-(p-chlorobenzyl)guanine, O6-(p-methoxybenzyl)guanine, O6-methylhypoxanthine and O6-benzylhypoxanthine on the sensitivity of tumor cell lines to 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3- nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU) using a colorimetric cytotoxicity assay. The sensitivity of MGMT-proficient tumor cells including HeLA S3, C6-1, C6-2/ACNU, U-138 MG and U-373 MG cells was greatly enhanced by 2 hr pretreatment of 10-100 microM O6-benzylguanine, O6-(p-methylbenzyl)guanine and O6-(p-chlorobenzyl)guanine, but not by O6-methylguanine or O6-methylhypoxanthine. O6-(p-methylbenzyl)guanine moderately sensitized the 2 cell lines, HeLa S3 and C6-1, tested in our study to ACNU cytotoxicity. O6-Benzylhypoxanthine at the high concentration (100 microM) sensitized, to some extent, 3 MGMT-proficient cell lines. Lesser degrees of enhancement by the O6-benzylguanine derivatives were noted in MGMT-deficient tumor cells. Biological effects of O6-alkylguanine derivatives on enhancing ACNU cytotoxicity of tumor cells suggest that the exocyclic 2-amino and O6-benzyl groups in O6-benzylguanine skeleton are both essential for the inhibition of MGMT activity.

Antibody-Mediated Bacteriorhodopsin Orientation for Molecular Device Architectures

A rational method for constructing highly oriented films of purple membrane (PM) has been established by using two kinds of bispecific antibodies with different antigen-binding sites, one binding to a specific side of bacteriorhodopsin and the other to a phospholipid hapten. A hapten monolayer deposited on a metal electrode was treated with a bispecific antibody solution and incubated with a PM suspension to produce a highly oriented PM film, as confirmed by electron microscopy in which an immunogold labeling technique was used. This antibody-mediated PM monolayer was then used in the construction of a light-sensing photoelectric device. A comparison of the two incorporated PM monolayers showed that highly efficient photocurrents were produced by the PM monolayer whose unidirectionally oriented cytoplasmic surface faces the electrode.