Parathyroid hormone-related peptide is a potent tumor angiogenic factor

Rat pituitary malignant tumor cells; mGH3, show hypervascularization in in vivo xenografts and overexpress parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) compared to original GH3 cells. To elucidate whether PTHrP is involved in tumor-derived angiogenesis, we examined the effect of PTHrP on vascular endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. Results of in vivo diffusion chamber assay showed a clear hypervascularization on the outer surface of diffusion chambers containing mGH3 tumor cell implants but not in those containing GH3 cells. Co-incubation with antisense PTHrP oligonucleotide (10 microM), but not sense or mismatched PTHrP oligonucleotide, suppressed hypervascularization in diffusion chambers. To further examine the role of PTHrP on endothelial cell function, PTHrP(1-34) was added at various concentrations to cultured bovine endothelial cells (BAECs) harvested from the aorta. PTHrP(1-34) did not alter the proliferation or migration of endothelial cells, but rather dose-dependently increased capillary formation by endothelial cells on the collagen gel matrix. Furthermore, 0.1 mM of 8-bromo-cAMP caused a similar increase in tube formation, which was dose-dependently inhibited by H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. Our results indicate for the first time that PTHrP is a potential paracrine factor acting via the PKA pathway to enhance angiogenesis through capillary tube formation by endothelial cells in malignant pituitary tumors.

Cocoa powder enhances the level of antioxidative activity in rat plasma

The aims of the present study were to determine the level of (-)-epicatechin (EC) and its metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of cocoa powder and to evaluate the protective effect of cocoa powder in terms of suppressing the oxidation of plasma components. Rats were orally administered 1 g cocoa powder/kg body weight, containing 7.80 mg EC, and their blood was collected before administration and at designated time intervals thereafter. The EC and its metabolites in plasma were treated with beta-glucuronidase and/or sulfatase, then analysed by HPLC and by liquid chromatography-MS. Several EC-related compounds were detected in plasma such as free EC, and glucuronide, sulfate, and glucuronide-sulfate conjugates of non-methylated or methylated EC. All EC metabolites showed a maximum concentration in plasma at 30-60 min post-administration. Glucuronide conjugates of both non-methylated and methylated EC were found in high concentration in plasma. Moreover, administration of cocoa powder significantly reduced the accumulation of lipid peroxides in plasma and significantly reduced the consumption of alpha-tocopherol in plasma oxidized by treatment with 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH (25 mmol/l)) or CuSO(4) (100 micromol/l) compared with that in the case of plasma obtained before administration. The total EC concentration in plasma was negatively correlated with the level of accumulation of lipid peroxides in plasma oxidized by treatment with AAPH (25 mmol/l) and was positively correlated with the level of residual alpha-tocopherol in plasma oxidized by treatment with CuSO(4) (100 micromol/l). These results indicate that EC in cocoa powder was absorbed from the digestive tract, that various conjugated forms of EC were generated in the digestive tract and distributed to the plasma, and that these enhanced the antioxidative activity of plasma.

Bioavailability of (-)-epicatechin upon intake of chocolate and cocoa in human volunteers

We evaluated the levels of (-)-epicatechin (EC) and its metabolites in plasma and urine after intake of chocolate or cocoa by male volunteers. EC metabolites were analyzed by HPLC and LC/MS after glucuronidase and/or sulfatase treatment. The maximum levels of total EC metabolites in plasma were reached 2 hours after either chocolate or cocoa intake. Sulfate, glucuronide, and sulfoglucuronide (mixture of sulfate and glucuronide) conjugates of nonmethylated EC were the main metabolites present in plasma rather than methylated forms. Urinary excretion of total EC metabolites within 24 hours after chocolate or cocoa intake was 29.8+/-5.3%'; and 25.3+/-8.1% of total EC intake. EC in chocolate and cocoa was partly absorbed and was found to be present as a component of various conjugates in plasma, and these were rapidly excreted in urine.

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) long terminal repeats incorporated in the genomes of commercial fowl poxvirus vaccines and pigeon poxviruses without indication of the presence of infectious REV

Because of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) contamination in commercial poultry vaccines, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been described to increase the sensitivity of biological assays used to detect REV in vaccines. The PCR assay designed to amplify the long terminal repeat (LTR) region of REV identified REV LTRs in many of the commercial fowl poxvirus (FPV) vaccines evaluated. These commercial vaccines were not thought to be contaminated with replicating REV because of the lack of REV outbreaks, the lack of in vitro amplification, and lack of a serologic response to REV. As previously described, the FPV S vaccine strain is known to carry infectious integrated proviral REV, whereas FPV M vaccine strain and its derivatives carry integrated LTRs or remnants of REV proviral DNA inserted into the FPV genome. Another PCR assay designed to amplify the envelope gene of REV was used to verify that the envelope proviral gene was not present in REV LTR PCR-positive samples. Southern blot analysis with REV LTR probes hybridized to the 9-kb EcoRI genomic fragment of all FPV and pigeon poxviruses evaluated, whereas the envelope probe did not hybridize to any poxvirus genome. Sequence analysis of the 9-kb EcoRI fragment indicated that an integrated REV LTR exists in the 9-kb EcoRI of some poxvirus genomes. A new PCR assay designed to amplify integrated REV LTRs in the 9-kb EcoRI fragment identified complete and incomplete integrated REV LTRs in all FPV and pigeon poxvirus genomes evaluated.

Flavonol glycosides from Epimedium sagittatum and their neurite outgrowth activity on PC12h cells

The MeOH extract of Epimedium sagittatum was found to show neurite outgrowth activity on cultured PC12h cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract yielded six prenylated flavonol glycosides, ikarisoside A (1), icarisid II (2), epimedoside A (3), icariin (4), epimedin B (5), and epimedokoreanoside-I (6) as the active ingredients.

Identification of carp proopiomelanocortin-related peptides and their effects on phagocytes

We report the immunomodulating effects of proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptides on phagocytic cells in carp. The complete amino acid sequences of two carp POMCs (I and II) were deduced from the nucleotide sequences after cDNA cloning. Both POMCs consist of 194 amino acids (91% sequence identity) including identical alpha-melanotropin (MSH) and beta-endorphin (EP). All hormonal peptides derived from two POMCs were identified by mass spectrometry after separation by high-performance liquid chromatography of an acid-acetone extract from a single pituitary. These peptides were alpha-MSH, N-Des-Ac-alpha-MSH, di-Ac-alpha-MSH, beta-MSH I, beta-MSH-II, N-Ac-beta-EP(1-29), corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide I and II and N-terminal peptide of POMC I and II. The immunomodulating effects of synthetic MSHs and EPs on phagocytic cells from carp head kidney were examined. Di-Ac-alpha-MSH, beta-MSH I, N-Ac-beta-EP(1-29) and beta-EP(1-29) increased the production of superoxide anion at 0.1-100 ng ml-1 for these MSHs and 1-100 ng ml-1 for EPs in RPMI 1640 medium.

Identification of orcokinin gene-related peptides in the brain of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii by the combination of MALDI-TOF and on-line capillary HPLC/Q-Tof mass spectrometries and molecular cloning

We developed a strategy for the exploration of brain peptides in the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, utilizing the combined techniques of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), molecular cloning, and on-line capillary reversed-phase HPLC/quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (Q-Tof)-MS. We initially performed direct MALDI-TOF MS analysis with slices of the brain. The MS spectra from a slice of the olfactory lobe indicated that an orcokinin (NFDEIDRSGFGFN) occurs in this species. Subsequently, its occurrence was confirmed by molecular cloning of the cDNAs encoding the precursor protein of orcokinin. The deduced amino acid sequences indicated that there are two different types of preproorcokinins. Preproorcokinin A (251 residues long) contains not only seven copies of orcokinin but also two copies of NFDEIDRSGFGFV and one copy each of NFDEIDRSGFGFA, NFDEIDRTGFGFH, and FDAFTTGFGHS. The former three peptides were previously isolated from another crayfish, Orconectes limosus, and/or the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, and the latter two were novel. Preproorcokinin B (266) harbors one additional orcokinin. All sequences of the peptides are flanked by dibasic sequences which are the consensus signal for processing. Moreover, brain extract was subjected to Sephadex G-25 and, subsequently, to on-line capillary reversed-phase HPLC/Q-Tof MS analysis. From the LC-MS analysis, the molecular weights of orcokinin, NFDEIDRSGFGFV, NFDEIDRSGFGFA, NFDEIDRTGFGFH, and FDAFTTGFGHS were identified as the doubly charged ions at m/z 759.37, 751.92, 737.86, 777.90, and 593. 78, respectively. In addition, the sequences were assigned by the collision-induced dissociation spectra using the doubly charged ions in the LC-MS/MS analysis. These data suggest that orcokinin and its related peptides are especially abundant in the olfactory lobe and are synthesized and processed from the two types of preproorcokinins in the crayfish brain.

In vitro modulation of fish phagocytic cells by beta-endorphin

The activation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and carp, Cyprinus carpio, phagocytic cells by synthetic chum salmon, O. keta, beta-endorphin was analysed in vitro. Rainbow trout head kidney leukocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 1, 10, 50 or 100 ng ml-1 of chum salmon beta-endorphin and the production of superoxide anion was measured via the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) in vitro. Macrophages incubated with 10 ng ml-1 up to 100 ng ml-1 of beta-endorphin showed an increase in their production of superoxide anion in comparison with control macrophages which were cultured without hormone. beta-endorphin also increased the production of superoxide anion in phagocytic cells prepared from kidney of carp. This stimulation was inhibited by naloxone. Phagocytic cells treated with beta-endorphin also displayed increased phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. These results showed that beta-endorphin in lower vertebrates activates the function of phagocytic cells in vitro.

Kidney leucocytes of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, are activated by intraperitoneal injection of beta-endorphin

The immunomodulatory effects of beta-endorphin were studied by measurements of the production of superoxide anion, phagocytosis and chemotaxis of kidney phagocytic cells in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The production of superoxide anion in phagocytic cells increased significantly in rainbow trout injected with chum salmon beta-endorphin. The responses were dose-dependent. The phagocytosis and chemotaxis also significantly increased in kidney phagocytic cells of rainbow trout injected with alpha-endorphin. These results show that beta-endorphin in rainbow trout activates the function of phagocytic cells in vivo.

Malignant ectomesenchymoma. Case report and review of the literature

Malignant ectomesenchymoma is an uncommon neoplasm composed of neuroectodermal elements and one or more mesenchymal neoplastic elements. It is believed to arise from remnants of migratory neural crest cells (ectomesenchyme). The authors report the clinical and pathological findings of a 3-year-old girl with malignant ectomesenchymoma of the CNS. Embryogenesis of this tumor is discussed, and a review of the literature with 39 other cases is done.

Subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver in a very-low-birth-weight neonate: survival after decompression laparotomy

Subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver in a very-low-birth-weight neonate was successfully treated by decompression laparotomy. This may be the second smallest survivor after surgery in the literature.

Isolation and characterization of insulin in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser guldenstaedti)

Insulin was isolated from the pancreas of Chondrostean fish, the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser guldenstaedti, by acid-ethanol extraction followed by ion-exchange and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographies. The amino acid sequence determined by automated Edman degradation is as follows: A-chain (21-amino-acid peptide), H-Gly-Ile-Val-Glu-Gln-Cys-Cys-His-Ser-Pro-Cys-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Glu-As n-Tyr-Cys-Asn-OH; and B-chain (31-amino-acid peptide), H-Ala-Ala-Asn-Gln-His-Leu-Cys-Gly-Ser-His-Leu-Val-Glu-Ala-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Va l-Cys-Gly-Glu-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Tyr-Thr-Pro-Asn-Lys-Val-OH. The sturgeon insulin appears to be identical with one of two forms of paddlefish insulin and differs from the other form by a single substitution in the A-chain, Asp15: His15. The amino acid sequence of sturgeon insulin is more similar to the amino acid sequence of mammalian insulins than of other fish insulins. Sturgeon insulin showed parallel but weaker displacement than porcine insulin and pink salmon insulin in their respective radioimmunoassays and was less potent than porcine insulin in displacing radiolabeled porcine insulin bound to partially purified rat liver plasma membranes.

A four-disulphide-bridged toxin, with high affinity towards voltage-gated K+ channels, isolated from Heterometrus spinnifer (Scorpionidae) venom

A new toxin, named HsTX1, has been identified in the venom of Heterometrus spinnifer (Scorpionidae), on the basis of its ability to block the rat Kv1.3 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. HsTX1 has been purified and characterized as a 34-residue peptide reticulated by four disulphide bridges. HsTX1 shares 53% and 59% sequence identity with Pandinus imperator toxin1 (Pi1) and maurotoxin, two recently isolated four-disulphide-bridged toxins, whereas it is only 32-47% identical with the other scorpion K+ channel toxins, reticulated by three disulphide bridges. The amidated and carboxylated forms of HsTX1 were synthesized chemically, and identity between the natural and the synthetic amidated peptides was proved by mass spectrometry, co-elution on C18 HPLC and blocking activity on the rat Kv1.3 channels. The disulphide bridge pattern was studied by (1) limited reduction-alkylation at acidic pH and (2) enzymic cleavage on an immobilized trypsin cartridge, both followed by mass and sequence analyses. Three of the disulphide bonds are connected as in the three-disulphide-bridged scorpion toxins, and the two extra half-cystine residues of HsTX1 are cross-linked, as in Pi1. These results, together with those of CD analysis, suggest that HsTX1 probably adopts the same general folding as all scorpion K+ channel toxins. HsTX1 is a potent inhibitor of the rat Kv1.3 channels (IC50 approx. 12 pM). HsTX1 does not compete with 125I-apamin for binding to its receptor site on rat brain synaptosomal membranes, but competes efficiently with 125I-kaliotoxin for binding to the voltage-gated K+ channels on the same preparation (IC50 approx. 1 pM).

A new natriuretic peptide isolated from cardiac atria of trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP, respectively) are two cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs) found in tetrapods from amphibians to mammals, whereas ANP and ventricular NP (VNP) have been identified in eel hearts. Because VNP has also been found in the rainbow trout ventricle, we attempted to isolate NP from trout cardiac atria in order to determine whether ANP and VNP are common cardiac NPs in teleosts. In the present experiments, we isolated VNP and a novel atrial NP consisting of 29 amino acid residues from the atria. This new trout NP exhibited similar sequence identity to mammalian ANP and BNP (50-60%). Its homology to eel ANP was low (52%) compared with high homology of trout and eel VNP (78%). Based on yield, the content of this new NP in trout atria may be even smaller than that of VNP. The new trout atrial NP exhibited low relaxant activity in the chick rectum (only 1/10 of that of trout VNP), and extremely low vasorelaxant activity in the rat aortic strip (only 1/400 of that of human ANP). However, the new trout NP was equipotent with trout VNP and human ANP in relaxing trout epibranchial artery. Based on the sequence similarity with other NPs and on atrial content, the new NP isolated from trout atria cannot yet be assigned to a known member of the NP family.

Generation of neutralizing antibody to the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by immunizing of mice with an infectious vaccinia virus recombinant

Antibodies inhibiting the reverse transcriptase (RT) of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) were found to be generated in the serum of mice repeatedly infected with a vaccinia virus recombinant, WRRT, expressing the enzyme. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), 7C4, which specifically and almost completely inhibits the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity of HIV-1 RT was produced from a mouse repeatedly immunized with WRRT. 7C4 seems to be specific for HIV-1 among retroviruses: 7C4 inhibited RT activity of three strains of HIV-1 (IIIB, Bru, and IMS-1) but not of two strains of HIV-2 (GH-1 and LAV-2) or two strains of SIV (MAC and MND). The immunoglobulin isotype of three out of four mAbs produced from spleen cells of the immunized mouse were IgG2a. This immunization method that avoids protein denaturation may preferentially induce a T helper type-1 immune response and increase the chances of producing the only occasionally obtainable mAb capable of recognizing a conformational epitope and completely inhibiting enzyme activity.

[The effect of volatile anesthetics on EEG, auditory evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials in dogs]

We compared the changes in EEG and evoked potentials among dogs anesthetized with halothane (H), isoflurane (I) or enflurane (E). The mean frequency of EEG with H was higher than that with I and E at 1 and 2 MAC. The amplitude of the 5th wave of auditory brain stem response with H was larger than that with I and E at 2 MAC. In terms of the Pa wave of auditory middle latency response, the amplitude with H was larger than that with E at 1 MAC, and the incidence of the wave with H was higher than that with I and E at 2 MAC. The amplitudes of N2 and N3 waves of somatosensory evoked potentials with H and I tended to decrease with increasing MAC, whereas those with E increased temporarily at 1 MAC. The inhibitory effects on EEG and evoked potentials were different among three volatile anesthetics.

Synaptic vesicle ultrastructural changes in the rat hippocampus induced by a combination of alpha-linolenate deficiency and a learning task

Rats fed either a safflower oil (alpha-linolenate-deficient) or a perilla oil (alpha-linolenate-sufficient) diet through two generations (F1) showed significant differences in the brightness-discrimination learning task. In this task, correct responses were lever-pressing responses, which were reinforced with dietary pellets, and incorrect responses were those with no reinforcement. The inferior learning performance in the safflower oil group was caused mainly by the inferior ability to rectify the incorrect responses through the learning sessions. In the safflower oil group after the learning task, the average densities of synaptic vesicles in the terminals of the hippocampus CA1 region were decreased by nearly 30% as compared with those in the perilla oil group, and it is notable that this difference was not detected without the learning task. These results suggest that dietary oil-induced morphological changes in synapses in the hippocampus of rats are related to the differential learning performance and that the turnover rate of synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus may be an important factor affecting learning performance.

A novel D-amino acid-containing peptide, fulyal, coexists with fulicin gene-related peptides in Achatina atria

Fulicin (Phe-D-Asn-Glu-Phe-Val-NH2) is a neuropeptide from ganglia of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica). Previously, the sequences of nine fulicin gene-related peptides (FGRP-1 to -9) have been predicted from the cDNA encoding the ganglia fulicin precursor and the transcripts have been detectable in the heart. We synthesized twenty peptides related to fulicin and FGRPs containing either an L- or a D-amino acid at position 2 and used them to identify FGRPs in atrial extracts. We identified ten alpha-amidated peptides, including fulicin and confirmed their structures as follows: Tyr-Ala-Glu-Phe-Leu-NH2 (FGRP-9), [D-Ala2]FGRP-9 (fulyal), [L-Asn2]fulicin, fulicin, Ser-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Val-NH2 (FGRP-2), Thr-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Leu-NH2 (FGRP-3), Tyr-Asp-Phe-Ile-NH2 (FGRP-5), Ser-Pro-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Ile-NH2 (FGRP-6), Asn-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Val-NH2 (FGRP-7) and Ser-Pro-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Val-NH2 (FGRP-8). We analyzed the biological activities of synthetic FGRPs using the snail penis retractor muscle. The results revealed that fulyal remarkably potentiated the tetanic contraction at concentrations as low as 10(-12) M. FGRP-9 was about 10,000-fold less potent. Fulyal, like fulicin, seems to undergo preferential maturation to participate in the penis retractor muscle contraction as a neuropeptide containing a D-amino acid.

IQI/Jic mice have thymic B cells

The thymus of IQI/Jic mice aged 3 to 15 months was studied chronologically by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Thymic B cells (Thy B) expressing the surface marker B220+IgM+ were detected in both sexes, but were more prominent in females. Thy B appeared as early as 4 months of age in female mice, and the incidence of Thy B-positive mice and average Thy B ratio in thymocytes increased with age, reaching over 90% and 15%, respectively, after 9 months of age. In males, Thy B-positive animals appeared around 9 months of age and its incidence and average ratio increased gradually to 53% and 5%, respectively, at 15 months. The Thy B-rich thymus was thickened with cortical atrophy and medullary hyperplasia. Small- to medium-sized Thy B crowded and often formed follicle-like structures in the medulla. When mice of various ages were injected with mercuric chloride to induce antinucleolar antibody, many Thy B-rich animals could not develop the antibody, implying that these animals are immunologically impaired. IQI/Jic can be a novel strain to elucidate the relationship between the presence of Thy B and disorders of the immune system.

Occurrence of Borrelia garinii oculo-neuroborreliosis in Japan

We report a 64-year-old Japanese man with oculo-neuroborreliosis. His clinical features consisted of polyarthralgia, keratoconjunctivitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, confusion, and polyradiculitis. Assay of antibodies to Borrelia species detected IgG-antibody to B. garinii in both serum and CSF. Progressive declining of serum IgG antibody titer against Borrelia garinii, in parallel with clinical improvement, was observed after administration of ceftriaxone.

Cytokine profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to 50 Hz EMF

The effect of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on the immune system was assessed by measuring the cytokine production of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (h-PBMCs) of a healthy individual. The h-PBMCs were exposed in vitro to varying magnetic flux densities of 1, 3, 10, and 30 milli Tesla for 3 days. Changes in cytokine production of IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha were studied using the ELISA method. Significant reduction in TNF-alpha production by the EMF-exposed h-PBMCs, in comparison with the non-exposed cells, was detected at all exposure levels (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Significant increase in IL-1 beta production and decrease in IFN-gamma production were also detected at some exposure strength. No significant differences were detected between the control and the EMF-exposed cells in the production of the other cytokines.

Novel fluoroprostacyclin analogs with modified cycloalkylenyl chains. Highly potent and orally active anti-anginal agents

Novel fluoroprostacyclin analogs (1a-f) have been synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. Compounds 1a-c given intravenously or orally showed potent and long-lasting anti-anginal activities in an animal model.

Major antigenic region on the integrase (IN) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 determined by reactivity of human sera and a monoclonal antibody to IN protein

The gene encoding the integrase (IN) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was expressed in vaccinia virus and Escherichia coli, and sera from 55 HIV-1-infected individuals were examined for immunoreactivity to the recombinant IN proteins by Western immunoblot. Approximately 98% (54 of 55) of the HIV-1-infected individuals showed reactivity to both the full-length IN protein of 32 kDa (IN32 protein) and the carboxy-terminal portion of the IN protein (IN17 protein). Serum samples from only 6 of the 54 antibody-positive individuals and a monoclonal antibody against the IN protein, 6F4, reacted with the amino-terminal portion of the IN protein (IN15 protein). The eight AIDS patients tested were seronegative to IN15 protein. The magnitude of reactivity to the recombinant IN proteins decreased slightly in the progression of the course of HIV-1 infection. These results suggest that a B-cell immunodominant epitope(s) on the IN protein is located on the C-terminal IN17 portion and that a minor epitope(s) recognizable by 6F4 and by rare patients is on the N-terminal IN15 portion.

Characterization of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone from the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): multiplicity of molecular forms by stereoinversion and diverse functions

The complete amino acid sequence of two forms of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from the X-organ sinus gland complex of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) has been determined. There are two variants of P. clarkii CHH (Prc-CHH), I and II, which can be separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Each variant was oxidized by performic acid and then cleaved with lysyl endopeptidase. Intact hormone was also digested with trypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N, successively. The resulting fragments were separated by RP-HPLC and subjected to sequence analyses by a gas-phase sequencer and tandem mass spectrometry. Both variants contain 72 amino acid residues with three disulfide linkages, at positions 7-43, 23-39, and 26-52, and differ from each other by the D/L epimerization of phenylalanine at position 3; Prc-CHH-II contains D-amino acid. Injections of Prc-CHH-I and Prc-CHH-II at a dose of 12.5 pmol resulted in significant increase of hemolymph glucose levels in the crayfish. The hormones are also active in repressing ecdysteroid synthesis at concentrations of 250 mM (Prc-CHH-I) and 25 nM (Prc-CHH-II) in Y-organ culture. These results may indicate that the stereoinversion in the CHH molecule leads to an important alternation in hormonal functions during crustacean development.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro nucleosides as potential antiviral agents

The synthesis and antiviral activity of racemic carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro nucleosides are reported. Carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro nucleosides were obtained from the 3-fluoro cyclopentane derivative 4, which was prepared by two methods. The SN2-displacement of the hydroxyl group of (+/-)-(1 beta, 2 alpha, 3 beta, 4 beta)-4-acetamido-2-fluoro-3-hydroxycyclopentylmethyl acetate (1) with Ph3P-I2 followed by tin hydride reduction afforded the 3-fluoroamino alcohol derivative 3. Alternatively, the protected fluoroamino alcohol 3 was prepared by regio- and stereoselective bromo-fluorination of cis-4 beta-acetamidocyclopent-2-enemethyl acetate (5) with hydrogen fluoride-pyridine/N-bromosuccinimide followed by tin hydride reduction to remove the bromine atom. Carbocyclic 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoroguanosine (14) thus obtained was moderately active against herpes simplex virus in vitro.

A new treatment for dialysis-related amyloidosis with beta 2-microglobulin adsorbent column

Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is characterized by the presence of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) in the plasma. In order to eliminate beta 2-m from the circulating blood, the beta 2-m selective adsorbent for direct hemoperfusion (DHP) was developed. A DHP column (BM-01), containing 350 ml of the adsorbent, was subjected to clinical trials. The column was connected with a PAN (AN69) membrane dialyzer in series and used 3 times a week for 1 week (11 patients), 4 weeks (5 patients), 6 months (1 patient) and 12 months (2 patients). The percent reduction (%) of beta 2-m was for 16 patients (for 1 or 4 weeks), more than 65, and for 3 patients (for more than 6 months), 76.5 +/- 4.9, 73.5 +/- 5.7, 72.2 +/- 6.2. At the end of each session, beta 2-m plasma levels were found to be below 10 mg/L, with 3.4 mg/L being the lowest. The total amounts of beta 2-m removed were 172.5 +/- 22.3, 257.0 +/- 75.6, 157.6 +/- 32.2 and 429.8 mg/session at max. Two out of these three patients had a favorable effect on joint symptoms and ocular fundus. It can be concluded that this selective adsorption therapy may delay the progression of DRA, and is worth considering for wide application.

[Spontaneous rotation of programmable pressure valve in the chest wall: report of 3 cases]

Using a Sophy-valve system, complications after V-P shunt have been encountered in 3 cases. Turning over of the valve in a subcutaneous pocket would lead to a false judgement of setting pressure, and to serious iatrogenic complications. The valve seems to turn over only in the condition of subcutaneous placement in the chest. Probable causes are loose chest tissue, difficulty of tight fixation, and round and smooth shape of the valve. It should be kept in mind that the Sophy-valve can spontaneously turn over when it is placed in the chest. Careful examination of the chest X-ray can help to judge whether the valve is in appropriate position or not.

Isolation of Antho-RFamide related peptides from the eyestalks of blue crab

1. Two carboxyl-terminally amidated peptides (CP1 and CP2) were isolated from the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) eyestalks by a method of carboxyl-terminal analysis. 2. The peptides were sequenced as pGlu-Gly-Arg-Phe-amide (CP1) and pGlu-Leu-Gly-Arg-Phe-amide (CP2). 3. Each carboxyl-terminus of the peptides was precisely determined by amino acid analysis utilizing phenylisothiocyanate derivatives. 4. CP1 was identical to the sea anemone neuropeptide, Antho-RFamide.

High-level expression of the Japanese encephalitis virus E protein by recombinant vaccinia virus and enhancement of its extracellular release by the NS3 gene product

Recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the prM and E genes of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were constructed by use of synthetic promoters. While the recombinant virus mOJ6-SL, with an optimized vaccinia late-gene promoter, produced a 20-fold elevated level of E protein, as well as an 86-kDa precursor protein in infected cells, no significant quantitative difference was detected between the extracellular or cell-surface E protein produced by mOJ6-SL and those produced by mOJ6 with the 7.5-kDa promoter. However, when the cells were infected with Dengue 2 virus before infection with mOJ6-SL, the amount of the extracellular E protein increased 16-fold. In addition, enhancement of its extracellular release was observed when cells were co-infected with mOJ6-SL and recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the NS3 gene of JEV.

Selective cooling of brain using profound hemodilution in dogs

A new method of selective cooling of the brain was studied under profound hemodilution in 17 dogs. The carotid and vertebral arteries were bilaterally exposed, and the right vertebral artery was destroyed to provide an infusion route for cold solution for brain cooling. After the other three cerebral arteries were clamped simultaneously in the neck under low-dose heparinization, cold Ringer's lactate solution was immediately perfused into the right vertebral artery. Brain temperatures fell gradually in two dogs, and the experiments were terminated. In 10 dogs, the brain temperature fell to 28 degrees C within 4.4 +/- 1.5 minutes and was maintained at 27.0 +/- 1.0 degrees C for 60 minutes. During this interval, the body temperature was 33.9 +/- 1.6 degrees C, the stump pressure of the vertebral artery was 58 +/- 15 mm Hg, and the hematocrit value of cerebral venous blood was 7.2 +/- 4.2%. Inspection of the brain during infusion revealed paleness of the cortical vessels and no evidence of swelling. All animals survived in good condition until the time of death at 10 weeks. Histological examination of the brain revealed no evidence of ischemic injury. In a control study of five dogs, Ringer's solution at 38 degrees C was infused in the same manner as the cold solution. None of these dogs recovered from anesthesia. It is concluded that selective cooling of the brain under profound hemodilution has a protective effect on cerebral ischemia and provides a relatively bloodless operative field.

Lecithinization of superoxide dismutase potentiates its protective effect against Forssman antiserum-induced elevation in guinea pig airway resistance

We synthesized lecithinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD), in which a lecithin derivative was covalently bound to recombinant human SOD. We selected PC4-SOD (4 molecules of the lecithin derivative bound to each SOD dimer) and PC10-SOD (10 molecules of the derivative to each SOD dimer) for our study. Both of these PC-SOD retained SOD activity in vitro and showed delayed plasma disappearance in vivo in rats. PC-SOD also had 4 to 20 times higher affinity in vitro for several kinds of cells than that of unmodified SOD. Because Forssman antiserum is known to induce bronchial obstruction in guinea pigs via actions of O2-, we studied the effect of PC-SOD on Forssman antiserum-induced respiratory resistance. Unmodified SOD was ineffective at the doses of 1,000 to 30,000 U/kg, whereas PC-SOD showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect over the range of 10 to 1,000 U/kg. The ED50 of PC4-SOD and PC10-SOD were 140 and 240 U/kg, respectively, at 30 min after the challenge with Forssman antiserum. These findings suggest that the pharmacological potency of PC-SOD is over 200 times more than that of unmodified SOD, and that PC-SOD may have the potential for various clinical applications.

Solution conformations and aggregational properties of synthetic amyloid beta-peptides of Alzheimer's disease. Analysis of circular dichroism spectra

The A4 or beta-peptide (39 to 43 amino acid residues) is the principal proteinaceous component of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease. Using circular dichroism (c.d.), we have studied the secondary structures and aggregational properties in solution of 4 synthetic amyloid beta-peptides: beta-(1-28), beta-(1-39), beta-(1-42) and beta-(29-42). The natural components of cerebrovascular deposits and extracellular amyloid plaques are beta-(1-39) and beta-(1-42), while beta-(1-28) and beta-(29-42) are unnatural fragments. The beta-(1-28), beta-(1-39) and beta-(1-42) peptides adopt mixtures of beta-sheet, alpha-helix and random coil structures, with the relative proportions of each secondary structure being strongly dependent upon the solution conditions. In aqueous solution, beta-sheet structure is favored for the beta-(1-39) and beta-(1-42) peptides, while in aqueous solution containing trifluoroethanol (TFE) or hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), alpha-helical structure is favored for all 3 peptides. The alpha-helical structure unfolds with increasing temperature and is favored at pH 1 to 4 and pH 7 to 10; the beta-sheet conformation is temperature insensitive and is favored at pH 4 to 7. Peptide concentration studies showed that the beta-sheet conformation is oligomeric (intermolecular), whereas the alpha-helical conformation is monomeric (intramolecular). The rate of aggregation to the oligomeric beta-sheet structure (alpha-helix----random coil----beta-sheet) is also dependent upon the solution conditions such as the pH and peptide concentration; maximum beta-sheet formation occurs at pH 5.4. These results suggest that beta-peptide is not an intrinsically insoluble peptide. Thus, solution abnormalities, together with localized high peptide concentrations, which may occur in Alzheimer's disease, may contribute to the formation of amyloid plaques. The hydrophobic beta-(29-42) peptide adopts exclusively an intermolecular beta-sheet conformation in aqueous solution despite changes in temperature or pH. Therefore, this segment may be the first region of the beta-peptide to aggregate and may direct the folding of the complete beta-peptide to produce the beta-pleated sheet structure found in amyloid deposits. Differences between the solution conformations of the beta-(1-39) and beta-(1-42) peptides suggests that the last 3 C-terminal amino acids are crucial to amyloid deposition.

[Carotid stenosis complicated by coronary disease; a case report]

A 66-year-old-man with carotid stenosis complicated by coronary disease is reported. He suffered from mild motor weakness on the right side and speech disturbance. Radiological examination revealed 90% stenosis at the cervical portion of the left internal carotid artery, and two-vessel coronary disease. In order to prevent intraoperative cardiac stroke, initial percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA), was performed and the subsequent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was performed successfully. Preoperative symptoms gradually improved and he was discharged as ambulatory. Because atherosclerosis is always systemic, patients with carotid artery disease should be examined for coronary disease. We recommend greater use of coronary angiography and, when a lesion is found, the use of PTCA, which is a safer method in terms of preventing intraoperative cardiac stroke of CEA than any other method.

The complete amino acid sequence of growth hormone from sturgeon (Acipencer guldenstadti)

The complete amino acid sequence of growth hormone (GH) from a chondrostean species, the sturgeon (Acipencer gludenstaditi), has been determined. Two variants of GH, termed GH I and GH II, were isolated from the pituitary by alkaline extraction, gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100 column, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (rpHPLC) on a TSK gel ODS-120T column. The purified proteins were confirmed to be GHs by immunoblotting using bovine and chum salmon GH antisera. For determining of the primary structures, these GHs were digested with lysyl endopeptidase and cleaved with cyanogen bromide. The resulting fragments were separated by rpHPLC and subjected to sequence analysis on an automated gas-phase sequencer employing an Edman method. Both GHs consist of 190 amino acid residues, and contain two disulfide linkages at positions 52-163 and 180-188. The GHs differ from each other at only three positions. Sequence comparison with GHs from other vertebrates revealed that sturgeon GHs have greater sequence homology with tetrapod GHs (63-76%) than with teleost GHs (42-63%).

WHT/Ht mouse contains plasma cells in the thymus

Numerous plasma cells and B cells were present in the thymuses of aged WHT/Ht mice. Plasma cells containing IgG and the follicle-like structure were present in the cortex and medulla, respectively. In these respects, WHT/Ht strain of mice is unique and interesting for studies on lymphocyte development.

Preventative effect of PGE1 for postoperative liver damage

The efficacy of a low dose of PGE(1)-use on the postoperative liver damage was evaluated. PGE(1) was infused in with the mean rate of 0.026 microg.kg(-1).min(-1) during surgical procedure to 93 patients under GO-enflurane anesthesia (the PG). Serum GOT, GPT and total bilirubin (TBIL) values measured before, at the end of (End) and 3 days (3d) after the operation were compared to those obtained from 43 patients without PGE(1) administration (the control). This dose of PGE(1) did not change blood pressure and heart rate, but slightly decreased Pa(O)(2). In patients with preoperative normal values of GOT, GPT and TBIL, increases in GOT, GPT and TBIL observed at End in the PG were significantly lower than those in the control (31.9 vs 72.2 IU, 25.9 vs 61.9 IU, 0.68 vs 0.83 mg.dl(-1), respectively). GOT, GPT and TBIL at 3d significantly increased in both groups, and these levels were identical between the two groups. In patients with preoperative abnormal values, only GOT at End increased in both groups, while no significant difference between the PG and the control group was noted. GOT at 3d and GPT at End and 3d did not significantly changed in either group. These results suggest that the low dose of PGE(1) administered during an operation prevents the development of postoperative liver damage, but does not treat the damaged hepatic cells.

Role of the gag and pol genes of human immunodeficiency virus in the morphogenesis and maturation of retrovirus-like particles expressed by recombinant vaccinia virus: an ultrastructural study

An ultrastructural study was performed on rabbit epithelial RK-13 cells and CD4+ human T lymphocyte lines infected with various recombinant vaccinia viruses (RVVs) expressing genes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): the mature p17 or p24 gag domain alone, the entire or truncated gag gene, the reverse transcriptase domain, or the gag-pol genes with a frameshift mutation. Cells infected with RVVs that produced the gag polyprotein with a predicted Mr of more than 48K showed budding and release of HIV-like particles into the extracellular space. These particles were not observed in cells expressing a truncated gag gene (p17 and p24 regions). Mature HIV-like particles were observed extracellularly when the entire gag gene and the protease region of the pol gene were expressed. In contrast, in cells infected with RVVs that contained the gag-pol gene with a frameshift mutation, neither recognizable budding structures nor extracellular HIV-like particles could be detected. These results suggest that the gag gene, particularly its 3' terminus, is necessary for the assembly of HIV particles. In addition, the protease region of the pol gene seems to be required for morphological maturation of HIV particles, but complete proteolytic cleavage of the gag protein may prevent bud formation.

Tilt and decentration of the implanted posterior chamber intraocular lens

Management of surgically induced astigmatism is an important problem for surgeons implanting intraocular lenses. Besides corneal astigmatism, the fixation status of the intraocular lens (IOL) may contribute to total astigmatism. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of tilt and decentration of the implanted posterior chamber IOL on the total astigmatism. The tilting angle of the IOL was measured by a method using the 3rd and 4th Purkinje images, and the grade of the decentration was obtained photogrammetrically. The average tilt angle was 7.53 +/- 3.03 degrees (SD). The average decentration was 0.68 +/- 0.33 mm (SD) from the corneal center. Based on these data, the astigmatic error induced by the tilt or decentration of the implanted IOL was calculated as within 0.4 diopter. These data suggest that the fixation status of the IOL implanted in the bag does not cause a serious astigmatic error.

The complete amino acid sequence of prolactin from the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

The complete amino acid sequence of prolactin (PRL) from an amphibian species, the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), has been determined and conserved residues and domains were analyzed by sequence comparison of PRLs from 15 species of five major vertebrate classes. The bullfrog PRL consists of 197 amino acid residues with three disulfide linkages formed between residues 4-11, 58-172, and 189-197. The bullfrog PRL shows the highest identity with sea turtle PRL (75%); lower identities with chicken PRL (72%), pig, horse, and fin whale PRLs (68%), human, cattle, sheep, and elephant PRLs (60-58%), and rat and mouse PRLs (50%); and significantly lower identity with teleost PRLs (about 30%). It is apparent that all tetrapod PRLs characterized so far contain three disulfide bonds in homologous positions and differ from teleost PRLs which lack the N-terminal disulfide loop. The tetrapod and teleost PRLs share 34 common residues and these conserved residues are clustered in six domains (PD1 to PD6), suggesting that these common residues, or at least part of them, are responsible for the activities common to all PRLs. On the other hand, PD5 is conserved significantly within tetrapod PRLs, but to a lesser extent in teleost PRLs, suggesting that the PD5 contributes to the activities specific to tetrapod PRLs.

The complete amino acid sequence of growth hormone of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

The primary structure of growth hormone (GH) isolated from the adenohypophysis of the bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) was determined. The hormone was reduced, carboxymethylated and subsequently cleaved with cyanogen bromide. Intact bullfrog GH was also digested with lysyl endopeptidase and trypsin. The resulting fragments were separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and subjected to sequence analysis using an automated gas-liquid sequencer employing the Edman method. Bullfrog GH was found to consist of 190 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence determined is in accord with that deduced from bullfrog GH cDNA by Pan and Chang (1988) except for nine residues at positions 43-48, 73, 80 and 87. Sequence comparisons revealed that bullfrog GH is more similar to tetrapod GHs (e.g., 69% homology with sea turtle GH, 66% with chicken GH and 61% with ovine GH) than to GHs of teleosts (e.g., 35% homology with chum salmon GH and 33% with bonito GH) except for eel (52% identity). Bullfrog GH and prolactin exhibit a sequence homology of 25%.

Increased MR signal intensity due to cervical myelopathy. Analysis of 29 surgical cases

The cases of 29 patients with cervical myelopathy, who had been treated by anterior spine fusion, were reviewed. The relationship between pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images was investigated with special reference to increased signal intensity in the spinal cord on the T2-weighted images and the relevance of this finding to clinical conditions. Preoperatively, there were areas of increased signal intensity in 12 patients whereas there were no areas of increased signal intensity in the other 17. The lesions were not clearly demonstrated on T1-weighted images. The pre- and postoperative clinical condition of the patients whose preoperative MR images showed areas of increased signal intensity in the spinal cord on T2-weighted images was worse than that of the patients who did not have areas of increased signal intensity. Of the 12 patients with regions of increased signal intensity preoperatively, five showed decreased signal intensity postoperatively compared to the preoperative levels and seven had no change. The postoperative recovery of the five patients who showed decreased signal intensity postoperatively was better than that of the seven patients who exhibited no change. The areas of increased MR signal in the spinal cord might be due to edema, cord gliosis, demyelination, or microcavities.

Isolation and characterization of Japanese eel prolactins

A highly purified prolactin (PRL) was isolated from the pituitary of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) by extraction with acid-acetone, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75, and reversed-phase HPLC on TSK-gel ODS 120T and on TSK-gel TMS 250. Eel PRL is comprised of two variants (ePRL I and II), which were separated by HPLC on an ODS column. The two PRLs were also secreted by organ-cultured pituitaries in a defined medium. After being dialyzed against distilled water and lyophilized, the medium was dissolved in 0.01 M ammonium acetate (pH 9.0), and then the insoluble fraction was subjected to HPLC on an ODS column to isolate the secreted PRLs. The ePRL I and II were equipotent in retaining plasma Na in the hypophysectomized killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, transferred from sea-water to fresh water. The putative PRL-producing cells in the rostral pars distalis of the eel pituitary were specifically stained with the antiserum against the mixture of ePRL I and II. Both PRLs had a molecular weight of 22 kDa in SDS-PAGE, an isoelectric point of 10.1 by gel electrofocusing, and an N-terminal residue of valine. Amino acid compositions and the partial amino acid sequences of ePRL I and II show that they are highly homologous with a limited number of substitutions, and that they are more closely related to those of teleostean PRLs than to those of mammalian PRLs.