Failure to detect missense mutations in the S182 gene in a series of late-onset Alzheimer's disease cases

The possibility of an interaction of multiple genes has been speculated in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because we have recently cloned a novel gene S182 bearing five different missense mutations which segregate with early-onset familial AD, we sought the frequency of these mutations in familial and sporadic late-onset AD to clarify the incidence of these mutations in the disease. The current study showed lack of these mutations in 118 independent subjects affected with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

[Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and Multiple sulphatase deficiency (MSD)]

MLD is caused by a deficiency of arylsulfatase A and hence sulfolipids are accumulated in various patient's tissues. Various clinical phenotypes including activator deficiency, pseudodeficiency and MSD. Recently, molecular basis of these disorders have been identified. Clinical phenotype in MLD is well correlated with their genotype. Most common mutation in Caucasian MLD is caused by 609A mutation which produces late infantile MLD. In Japanese, most common mutation is 445A mutation. Essential treatment of MLD is recently carried out by bone marrow transplantation. On the hand, MSD is caused by multiple deficiencies of various sulfatases and hence accumulated various sulfated compounds such as sulfatide and acid mucopolysaccharides. The clinical features have combined characteristics of MLD and mucopolysaccharidosis. The cause of this disorder is recently identified as abnormal modification of various sulfatase.

Influences of season and of temperature, photoperiod, and subcutaneous melatonin infusion on the glomerular filtration rate of ewes

Influences of season and of temperature, photoperiod, and subcutaneous melatonin infusion on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured in ewes. There was a seasonal difference of GFR between summer (June-August) and winter (December-February) in Tokyo (35 degrees, 35' N); GFR was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in summer (4.2 +/- 0.3 ml/min/kg) than in winter (3.0 +/- 0.2 ml/min/kg). GFR was measured after exposure to three types of photoperiod, 24L:0D, 12L:12D, and 0L:24D, for 7 to 8 days. The value for GFR obtained at 20 degrees C was significantly lower (P < 0.05) with 0L:24D than with the other two photoperiodic conditions. GFR obtained during subcutaneous melatonin infusion (20 micrograms/hr for 16 hr/day for 7 days) with 24L:0D conditions was significantly (P < 0.05) lower (2.5 +/- 0.1 ml/min/kg) than without infusion (3.8 +/- 0.3 ml/min/kg) and was about the same as that obtained in animals under 0L:24D conditions. At 30 degrees C, GFR exhibited no difference between the 3 photoperiodic conditions and was always lower than that found at 20 degrees C. Possible influences of melatonin on GFR are discussed.

Detection of c-ras gene mutation and expression of p21 protein in dysplasias and carcinomas complicating ulcerative colitis

Point mutations of c-ras genes and the expression of p21 protein were analyzed in 13 patients with colorectal carcinoma complicating ulcerative colitis; in 12 of the 13, there were dysplastic lesions close to the carcinomas. Point mutations of c-ras genes were studied by polymerase chain reaction and dot blot hybridization with 32p-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Findings indicated mutations of c-Ki-ras at condons 12, 13, and 61 and c-Ha-ras and c-N-ras at condons 12 and 61. The expression of p21 protein was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody. Only 1 of the 13 patients with carcinoma showed a point mutation, this being from G to A transition at the second position of codon 12 of c-Ki-ras. No point mutations of c-Ki-ras, c-Ha-ras, or c-N-ras were found in other carcinomatous lesions and dysplasias. In the dysplastic or carcinomatous lesions of 11 patients, the increased expression of p21 protein was observed. These results suggest that point mutations of c-ras genes are rare in dysplasias and carcinomas complicating ulcerative colitis and that the increased expression of p21 protein is not always correlated with point mutations of c-ras genes.

Market basket and duplicate portion estimation of dietary intakes of cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper, manganese, and zinc by Japanese adults

Daily intakes of selected metals from meals in Shiga Prefecture (Japan) were investigated by the duplicate portion method and market basket method. In 1991 and 1992, daily intakes of metals by women, determined by the duplicate portion method, were, respectively, 37 and 27 micrograms for Cd, 4.3 and 3.5 micrograms for Hg, 260 and 210 micrograms for As, 1200 and 1200 micrograms for Cu, 4700 and 3600 micrograms for Mn, and 8000 and 7200 micrograms for Zn. Those determined by the market basket method were, respectively, 32 and 35 micrograms for Cd, 4.3 and 9.9 micrograms for Hg, 160 and 280 micrograms for As, 1100 and 980 micrograms for Cu, 3600 and 4700 micrograms for Mn, and 8700 and 8500 micrograms for Zn. No wide differences between the 2 methods were found, except for Hg data in 1992. Daily intakes of Cd and Hg in Shiga Prefecture were lower than the provisional tolerable daily intakes of 57-72 micrograms for Cd and 43 micrograms for Hg, proposed by the Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization.

[Effect of physical activity on physical fitness among workers]

We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the effects of physical activity on physical fitness. Physical fitness tests were offered to workers of companies manufacturing automobile parts from December, 1992 to December, 1993. The subjects were 1,217 male and 600 female workers who participated in the physical fitness test. From this group, we analyzed 1,048 male and 522 female workers who answered a physical activity questionnaire. The questionnaire included age, sex, working posture, physical activity during working time and physical activity during leisure time. The physical fitness tests were composed of grip strength, standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and step tests. We classified the subjects into low performance group and high performance group for each test. In addition, we classified the subjects into different groups by age (16-29 years old, 30-49 years old old and 50-69 years old), by working posture (standing and sitting), as well as by activity levels during working time and leisure time physical activities (inactive and active). Thus, we examined potential risk factors for the physical fitness by a multiple logistic regression model. The results were as follows: 1. Standing work was a significant risk factor for grip strength, foot balance with closed eyes and jumping reaction time in male workers, and standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in female workers. 2. Physical activity during working time was not related to physical fitness in male and female workers. 3. Inactivity during leisure time was a significant risk factor for standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in male workers, and grip strength and foot balance with closed eyes in female workers. 4. Young age (16-29 years old) was a significant risk factor for grip strength, standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in male and female workers. Middle age (30-49 years old) was a significant risk factor for foot balance with closed eyes and jumping reaction time in male workers, and standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in female workers.

Characterization of distribution of T lymphocyte subsets and activated T lymphocytes infiltrating into sarcoid lesions

We studied the relationship between various T lymphocyte functions and granuloma formation in 5 lung tissue and 4 lymph node tissue samples from patients with sarcoidosis by immunohistological methods. In the lesion of sarcoidosis, T cells were positive for alpha beta TCR, but gamma delta TCR-positive T cells were rarely observed. The results of analysis of functional subsets showed that T cells in the internal area of granuloma were predominantly helper/inducer subset (CD4+CD45RA-). On the other hand, cytotoxic T cells (CD8+CD45RA-CD11b-) were present in abundance in the outer boundaries of granuloma. In addition, suppressor-inducer T cells (CD4+CD45RA+) were present in the surrounding areas. However, T cells of various subsets were present sporadically outside the granulomas. We also studied the distribution of T cells expressing activation-related antigens. The results showed that T lymphocytes in the internal area of granulomas more frequently had these antigens than did T lymphocytes in the external area. These findings suggested that T cells infiltrating into the sarcoidosis lesion demonstrated a layer-like distribution based on functional subsets. These findings also confirm that activated T cells were more abundantly distributed in the internal area of sarcoid granuloma than in the external area.

Hypoglycemia associated with localized fibrous mesothelioma of the pleura

Hypoglycemia is known to be a rare consequence of non-islet cell tumors. A patient having severe, episodic hypoglycemia was found to have a large mass occupying the right hemithorax. The hypoglycemia resolved immediately after surgical removal of the tumor. Histologic examination of the tumor revealed localized fibrous mesothelioma.

Growth of human gastric carcinomas and expression of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, epidermal growth factor receptor and p185c-erbB-2

We examined the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p185c-erbB-2 immunohistochemically and correlated the expression with growth in 66 cases of human gastric carcinoma. To evaluate growth, we used the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index in 51 cases and the radiographic growth rate in 15 cases. Expression of EGF was detected in 41 cases (62.1%), TGF-alpha in 42 cases (63.6%), EGFR in 34 cases (51.5%), and p185c-erbB-2 in 37 cases (56.1%). The BrdU labeling index ranged from 1.5 to 32.0%. The BrdU labeling index was higher in tumors that coexpressed EGF and EGFR or TGF-alpha and EGFR than in tumors without expression or in tumors that expressed growth factors or the receptors (p < 0.01). The BrdU labeling index was also significantly higher in tumors with the expression of EGFR and/or p185c-erbB-2. Tumors with simultaneous expression of EGF, TGF-alpha, EGFR and p185c-erbB-2 had an association with a high BrdU labeling index. Moreover, all of these growth factors and receptors were expressed simultaneously in gastric carcinomas with rapid growth. These results suggest that the expressions of EGF, TGF-alpha, EGFR and p185c-erbB-2 are closely related and then play an important role in the growth of human gastric carcinomas.

Training in evaluation of expressed emotion using the Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview

To evaluate the effect of training in rating expressed emotion (EE) using the Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI), interrater reliability between a certified rater and a trainee was examined. The material was 65 CFI interviews with the families of 46 schizophrenic patients. The two raters independently rated EE status, critical comments (CC), hostility (H), emotional overinvolvement (EOI), warmth (W) and positive remarks (PR). The interrater reliability was satisfactory with regard to EE status, CC, H, EOI and PR. In the category of W, however, the results were unsatisfactory, as there was no positive development of agreement over time. In fathers, the interrater reliability of W was lower than in other relationships. Use of interview transcripts could contribute to a more satisfactory interrater agreement in EOI, and this is recommended as a useful training tool in EE evaluation.

Familial Alzheimer's disease in kindreds with missense mutations in a gene on chromosome 1 related to the Alzheimer's disease type 3 gene

We report the cloning of a novel gene (E5-1) encoded on chromosome 1 which has substantial nucleotide and amino-acid sequence similarity to the S182 gene on chromosome 14q24.3. Mutations, including three new missense mutations in the S182 gene, are associated with the AD3 subtype of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both the E5-1 and the S182 proteins are predicted to be integral membrane proteins with seven membrane-spanning domains, and a large exposed loop between the sixth and seventh transmembrane domains. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the open reading frame (ORF) of the E5-1 gene led to the discovery of two missense substitutions at conserved amino-acid residues in affected members of pedigrees with a form of familial AD that has a later age of onset than the AD3 subtype (50-70 years versus 30-60 years for AD3). These observations imply that the E5-1 gene on chromosome 1 and the S182 gene on chromosome 14q24.3 are members of a family of genes (presenilins) with related functions, and indicates that mutations in conserved residues of E5-1 could also play a role in the genesis of AD. Our results also indicate that still other AD susceptibility genes exist.

Congenital anophthalmia with caudal vertebral anomalies in Japanese Brown cattle

Anophthalmia and caudal vertebral anomalies such as taillessness or wry tail were morphologically examined in ten Japanese Brown calves obtained in Kumamoto Prefecture. The anomalous calves lacked eyeball bilaterally or unilaterally but had small-sized eyelids and narrow palpebral fissures. A small cystic, solid or spot-like remnant of eyeball (REB) was buried in the mixture of vestigial extraocular muscles, lacrimal gland and adipose tissue of the orbit. The REB was composed of irregularly arranged elements of ocular wall such as sclera, choroid and retina. The retina was often dysplastic and connected to the hypoplastic optic nerve. These morphological changes might represent the defective processes after the formation of the optic vesicle or cup. Therefore, this eye defect may be defined as degenerative anophthalmia. The defects of the vertebral body such as wedge vertebra, hemivertebra, and sagittal cleft vertebra seen in the lumbar, sacral, and coccygial regions and the meandering of the axial line of abnormal vertebrae may suggest the failure of notochord formation in the early fetal period. From the embryological point of view, it seemed possible that the calves were exposed to teratogen at the critical time of optic organogenesis and notochordal formation. The cause of anomalies could not be determined in this study.

Small peripheral lung carcinoma evaluated with incremental dynamic CT: radiologic-pathologic correlation

PURPOSE

To correlate incremental dynamic computed tomographic (CT) and pathologic findings in peripheral lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lung lesions smaller than 3 cm in diameter were evaluated in 18 patients. CT values of the inner area of the nodule at plain CT and at 30 seconds, 2 minutes, and 5 minutes after administration of nonionic contrast material were calculated with incremental dynamic CT. Maximum attenuation was compared with pathologic type of lung carcinoma and with number of vessels and distribution of elastic fibers in the pathologic specimen.

RESULTS

Enhancement of all lesions was statistically significant (P < .0001). Maximum attenuation of lung carcinomas correlated positively with number of small vessels (diameter, 0.02-0.10 mm) (r = .77). Distribution of elastic fibers in the tumoral interstitium correlated with maximum attenuation (P = .04 between grades 1 and 3) and with number of small vessels (P = .01 between grades 1-3; P = .008 between grades 1 and 3).

CONCLUSION

Enhancement characteristics of lung carcinomas reflect the number of small tumoral vessels and the distribution of elastic fibers in the tumoral interstitium.

Manipulation of a single cell with microcapillary tubing based on its electrophoretic mobility

Manipulation of a single cell of spherical shape, approximately 5-10 microns in diameter, was performed with capillary tubing and an electrostatic field. A single cell migrates with its electrophoretic mobility into capillary tubing against the flow of electroosmosis coming out of the capillary. After trapping the cell in the capillary, it is pulled out into the other microreservoir with the application of a reverse electric voltage. When we apply a negative voltage to the microreservoir itself, the cell in it can keep floating for a relatively long period due to electrostatic repulsion. The electrophoretic mobility of a single cell is also estimated.

Correlations of antimyosin accumulation and histological manifestation of myocyte necrosis at different stages of idiopathic cardiomyopathy

Although antimyosin uptake has been demonstrated in idiopathic cardiomyopathy, discrepancies between antimyosin positivity and histological examinations using biopsy speciments have been found. In order to investigate the correlations between antimyosin localization and histopathological alterations, the magnitude and distribution of antimyosin uptake were quantitatively assessed in aged-matched control (F1b) and hereditary idiopathic cardiomyopathy (Bio 14.6) hamsters at three different ages. In these studies, gamma counting and macroautoradiography were compared with histological alterations. Myocardial activities and percent areas of antimyosin uptake were significantly (P<0.05) greater in 10-, 20-, and 30-week old Bio groups than in their respective control groups. Autoradiograms showed that antimyosin antibody was relatively localized, massive, and scattered in 10-week-old, 20-week-old and 30-week-old Bio hamsters, respectively. Histopathology demonstrated antimyosin positivity not only in necrotic myocytes and accompanying calcium deposits but also in tissues showing inflammatory reactions but no histologically identifiable myocyte necrosis. In conclusion, antimyosin uptake seen in tissues with age-related disease processes did not necessarily correspond to histologically verified myocyte necrosis in the cardiomyopathy hearts, suggesting that antimyosin positivity reflects myocytes which show impaired sarcolemmal integrity but have not yet undergone myolysis.

The Ras suppressor RSU-1 localizes to 10p13 and its expression in the U251 glioblastoma cell line correlates with a decrease in growth rate and tumorigenic potential

Rsu-1, which was isolated based on its ability to suppress transformation by v-Ras, is a highly conserved gene which shares homology with yeast adenylyl cyclase in the region required for activation by Ras. Genomic DNA clones of human RSU-1 have been isolated and used as a probe for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to assign RSU-1 to 10p13, confirming the previous results of somatic cell hybrid mapping localizing RSU-1 to chromosome 10. Screening of more than 20 human tumor cell lines for RSU-1 expression revealed that most cell lines contained abundant RSU-1 RNA and protein. However, the p33 RSU-1 protein was undetectable in the U251 glioblastoma cell line and transfection of a rsu-1 expression vector into U251 cells yielded a cell line in which rsu-1 was under the control of a regulatable metallothionein promoter. Addition of Cd2+ to the U251-Rsu-1 transfectant resulted in transcription of rsu-1 RNA and the accumulation of p33 Rsu-1 protein. Appearance of the Rsu-1 protein correlated with a reduction in growth rate of the U251-Rsu-1 transfectant. In addition, reduction in anchorage independent growth and phenotypic alteration in U251-Rsu-1 transfectant agar colonies was observed. Two U251-Rsu-1 transfectant cell lines were non tumorigenic when injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. These results, in conjunction with the frequent deletions observed in chromosome 10 in glioblastomas, suggest that RSU-1 loss of function may play a role in the progression of this disease.

An immunohistochemical investigation of porcine epidemic diarrhoea

A sudden outbreak of epidemic diarrhoea of piglets occurred in Japan, the principal features being watery diarrhoea, dehydration and high mortality in newborn animals. The microscopical lesions were villous atrophy in the small intestine, the villous enterocytes being vacuolated and cuboidal in shape. The villus-crypt ratio was severely reduced, varying from 1:1 to 3:1. Transmission electron microscopy showed numerous coronaviruses within the cytoplasm of enterocytes and among microvilli. Specific antigens of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) virus were detected in the cytoplasm of enterocytes by the streptavidin-biotin (SAB) technique. Infected cells, which were most abundant in the villous epithelia of the jejunum and ileum, were present in small numbers in the large intestine, the crypt epithelia, the lamina propria and Peyer's patches. The study suggests that the SAB technique is useful for the diagnosis of PED.

[Expression of CD44 alternative splicing variants in lung cancer]

Expression of isoforms of the CD44 is generated by alternative splicing of CD44 gene; CD44H: lacks all 10 alternative exons, CD44R: the alternative exons v8 to v10, CD44V: other group of variants which contains the alternative exon v6. In some tumors such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and melanoma, over-expressed CD44 isoform which contains such alternative-spliced variant exons may play a causative role in tumor metastasis. In lung cancer, however, the role of CD44 variants in tumor progression and metastasis is uncertain. In our study and reported literature, no definite correlation was observed between the expression of specific CD44 isoform and tumor progression or metastasis of lung cancer.

Daily intakes of tributyltin and triphenyltin compounds from meals

Daily intakes of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) compounds from meals in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, were investigated by 2 methods. Daily intakes of TBT and TPT by the duplicate portion method were, respectively, 4.7 and 0.7 microgram in 1991 and 2.2 and 0.7 microgram in 1992. Those by the market basket method were, respectively, 6.9 and 5.4 micrograms in 1991 and 6.7 and 1.3 micrograms in 1992. Daily intakes of TBT and TPT by the market basket method were higher than those by the duplicate portion method. These values were considerably lower than acceptable daily intakes of 80 micrograms/50 kg body weight specified by the Welfare Ministry of Japan for bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide and of 25 micrograms/50 kg body weight specified by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization for TPT.

Cloning of a gene bearing missense mutations in early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease

Some cases of Alzheimer's disease are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Genetic linkage studies have mapped a locus (AD3) associated with susceptibility to a very aggressive form of Alzheimer's disease to chromosome 14q24.3. We have defined a minimal cosegregating region containing the AD3 gene, and isolated at least 19 different transcripts encoded within this region. One of these transcripts (S182) corresponds to a novel gene whose product is predicted to contain multiple transmembrane domains and resembles an integral membrane protein. Five different missense mutations have been found that cosegregate with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease. Because these changes occurred in conserved domains of this gene, and are not present in normal controls, they are likely to be causative of AD3.

[Family intervention for schizophrenia based on expressed emotion (EE) research: a review of the technique and evaluation]

The present study reviews eight series of trials on psycho-social family intervention for schizophrenia based on Expressed Emotion (EE). All studies used randomized controlled trials (RCT) except one which was non-randomized controlled trial. The relapse risk ratios (intervention/control) for 9-12 months after discharge were 0 to .73 and for 24 months were .20 to .57. Taking into account the shortcomings of the studies, the authors conclude that psycho-social family intervention based on EE is effective in preventing schizophrenic relapse, and discuss four important issues: 1) For effective family intervention, methods for Japanese patients should be established from a trans-cultural view point; 2) The interaction of two or more therapeutic measures should be evaluated quantitatively; 3) The mechanisms of schizophrenic relapse prevention through family psycho-social intervention should be explored. A psycho-physiological study including skin conductance measurement is promising; 4) The authors point out the ethical aspect of family intervention, and discuss the importance of informed consent and the need to place emphasis on family's needs.

Immunohistochemical study of calpain and its endogenous inhibitor in the skeletal muscle of muscular dystrophy

A calcium-dependent proteinase (calpain) has been suggested to play an important role in muscle degradation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In immunohistochemical studies, calpain and its endogenous inhibitor (calpastatin) were located exclusively in the cytoplasm in normal human muscles. The intensity of the staining was stronger in type 1 than in type 2 fibers. Quantitative immunohistochemical study showed an increase of calpain in biopsied muscles from the patients with DMD and Becker muscular dystrophy. Abnormal increases in calpain and calpastatin were demonstrated mainly in atrophic fibers, whereas necrotic fibers showed moderate or weak immunoreactions for the enzymes. Opaque fibers and hypertrophic fibers were negative. Not all dystrophin-deficient muscle fibers necessarily showed a strong reaction for calpain. We suggest that calpain may play an important role in muscle fiber degradation, especially in the early stage of muscle degradation in muscular dystrophy.

Identification of IL-1 inhibitory activity as IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in vitro and kinetics of IL-1ra and IL-1 beta in experimental rabbit lung granuloma

This study investigated whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitory activity in LPS-stimulated culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages and epithelioid cells obtained from rabbit lung granulomas induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was identical to IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and examined the changes of IL-1ra and IL-1 beta levels in lung tissue during the natural course of granulomatous inflammation. In the thymocyte proliferation assay, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-free culture supernatants from each cell population revealed a bell-shaped IL-1 titration curve with IL-1 activity suppressed at dilutions of 1:1 to 1:2, and gel chromatography of serum-free culture supernatants showed an IL-1 inhibitory peak at 21-25 kD. Suppression of IL-1 activity in the supernatants at lower dilutions and the gel-purified IL-1 inhibitory activity both almost disappeared after IL-1ra depletion with an anti-rabbit IL-1ra immunoaffinity column, indicating that IL-1ra was responsible for this in vitro IL-1 inhibitory activity. Pulmonary tissue levels of IL-1 beta pecked at 24 h (52.0 +/- 9.5 pg/mg) after CFA injection, whereas IL-1ra levels peaked at 4 weeks (23.1 +/- 4.0 ng/mg) when granuloma development was maximal, and the molar excess of IL-1ra to IL-1 beta peaked from 4 weeks onward at over 800-fold. These observations suggest that IL-1ra may be effective for IL-1 regulation, especially in the later stage of granulomatous responses. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the cellular source of IL-1ra within the pulmonary granulomas was mainly epithelioid cells.