[Increasing incidence and the mechanism of resistance of nalidixic acid resistant Shigella sonnei]

One hundred and fourteen Shigella sonnei strains obtained in 1991 to 2000 were tested for their susceptibilities to 12 antimicrobial agents. Nalidixic acid (NA) resistance was found in 2 of 15 strains (13.3%) in 1993, 2 of 8 strains (25%) in 1996, one of 5 strains (20%) in 1998, 7 of 21 strains (33.3%) in 1999 and 6 of 12 strains (50%) in 2000. The incidence of resistance to NA in S. sonnei strains increased significantly during this period. Among those 19 NA resistant strains, 11 strains were derived from patients with traveler's diarrhea and 8 strains were derived from patients who had not traveled abroad before the infection, namely domestic patients. PFGE analysis with Xba I revealed that all strains tested differentiated into two major clonal clusters, one cluster consisted of strains derived from patients who had traveled to India after 1993, and another cluster included strains derived from domestic patients. Mechanism of NA resistance was examined by sequencing the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrA gene. Among 19 NA resistant strains tested, 11 strains presented a change at Ser-83 to Leu and 7 strains presented a change at Asp-87 to Try (5 strains) or Asn (2 strains), whereas 3 NA sensitive strains had no change in the region. These findings indicated that this mutation in gyrA plays an important role in acquisition of Nalidixic-acid resistance in clinical isolates of S. sonnei.

Genomic structure and insulin-mediated repression of the aquaporin adipose (AQPap), adipose-specific glycerol channel

Aquaporin adipose (AQPap) is a putative glycerol channel in adipocytes (Kishida, K., Kuriyama, H., Funahashi, T., Shimomura, I., Kihara, S., Ouchi, N., Nishida, M., Nishizawa, H., Matsuda, M., Takahashi, M., Hotta, K., Nakamura, T., Yamashita, S., Tochino, Y., and Matsuzawa, Y. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 20896-20902). In the current study, we examined the genomic structure of the mouse AQPap gene and its regulation by insulin. The mouse AQPap gene spanned 12 kilobase pairs in chromosome 4 and consisted of 8 exons and 7 introns. The first two exons, designated exon 1 and exon 1', are alternatively spliced to common exon 2, and thus the AQPap gene possessed two potential promoters. The exon 1-derived transcript is dominant in both adipose tissues and adipocytes on the basis of RNase protection assay and promoter analysis. The mRNA increased after fasting and decreased with refeeding. Insulin deficiency generated by streptozotocin enhanced the mRNA in adipose tissue. Insulin down-regulated AQPap mRNA in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The AQPap promoter contained heptanucleotide sequences, TGTTTTT at -443/-437, similar to the insulin-response element identified previously in the promoters of insulin-repressed genes. Deletion and single base pair substitution analysis of the promoter revealed that these sequences were required for insulin-mediated repression of AQPap gene transcription. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway was involved in this inhibition. We conclude that insulin represses the transcription of AQPap gene via insulin response element in its promoter. Sustained up-regulation of AQPap mRNA in adipose tissue in the insulin-resistant condition may disturb glucose homeostasis by increasing plasma glycerol.

Galectin-12, an Adipose-expressed Galectin-like Molecule Possessing Apoptosis-inducing Activity

Galectins constitute a family of proteins that bind to beta-galactoside residues and have diverse physiological functions. Here we report on the identification of a galectin-like molecule, galectin-12, in a human adipose tissue cDNA library. The protein contained two potential carbohydrate-recognition domains with the second carbohydrate-recognition domain being less conserved compared with other galectins. In vitro translated galectin-12 bound to a lactosyl-agarose column far less efficiently than galectin-8. Galectin-12 mRNA was predominantly expressed in adipose tissue of human and mouse and in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Caloric restriction and treatment of obese animals with troglitazone increased galectin-12 mRNA levels and decreased the average size of the cells in adipose tissue. The induction of galectin-12 expression by the thiazolidinedione, troglitazone, was paralleled by an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in adipose tissue. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that galectin-12 was localized in the nucleus of adipocytes, and transfection with galectin-12 cDNA induced apoptosis of COS-1 cells. These results suggest that galectin-12, an adipose-expressed galectin-like molecule, may participate in the apoptosis of adipocytes.

PPARgamma ligands increase expression and plasma concentrations of adiponectin, an adipose-derived protein

Insulin resistance and its dreaded consequence, type 2 diabetes, are major causes of atherosclerosis. Adiponectin is an adipose-specific plasma protein that possesses anti-atherogenic properties, such as the suppression of adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelial cells and cytokine production from macrophages. Plasma adiponectin concentrations are decreased in obese and type 2 diabetic subjects with insulin resistance. A regimen that normalizes or increases the plasma adiponectin might prevent atherosclerosis in patients with insulin resistance. In this study, we demonstrate the inducing effects of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are synthetic PPARgamma ligands, on the expression and secretion of adiponectin in humans and rodents in vivo and in vitro. The administration of TZDs significantly increased the plasma adiponectin concentrations in insulin resistant humans and rodents without affecting their body weight. Adiponectin mRNA expression was normalized or increased by TZDs in the adipose tissues of obese mice. In cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, TZD derivatives enhanced the mRNA expression and secretion of adiponectin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, these effects were mediated through the activation of the promoter by the TZDs. On the other hand, TNF-alpha, which is produced more in an insulin-resistant condition, dose-dependently reduced the expression of adiponectin in adipocytes by suppressing its promoter activity. TZDs restored this inhibitory effect by TNF-alpha. TZDs might prevent atherosclerotic vascular disease in insulin-resistant patients by inducing the production of adiponectin through direct effect on its promoter and antagonizing the effect of TNF-alpha on the adiponectin promoter.

The expression of SPARC in adipose tissue and its increased plasma concentration in patients with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Adipocytes secrete various cytokines and matrix proteins. Several of them precipitate in obesity-associated diseases, including atherosclerosis. In the current study, we have examined the expression of secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in adipose tissue and its significance in obesity and coronary artery disease (CAD).

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

The SPARC mRNA expressions both in vivo and in vitro were detected by Northern blot analysis. Plasma SPARC concentrations were measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay. First, we investigated the plasma SPARC levels of 88 unrelated adult Japanese subjects (62 men and 26 women; average age: [+/- SD] 50 +/- 12 years; body mass index [BMI]: 16 to 46 kg/m(2)). Additionally 31 subjects with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography (20 men and 11 women) were also investigated.

RESULTS

Human adipose tissues expressed abundant SPARC mRNA. SPARC expression in adipose tissues was upregulated in obese db/db mice. Markedly enhanced expression of SPARC mRNA was observed in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts during adipocyte differentiation. Consistent with these results, plasma SPARC levels proved a positive correlation with BMI in humans (r = 0.27; p < 0.01). Interestingly, plasma SPARC concentrations were significantly elevated in age- and BMI-matched subjects with CAD (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

SPARC was expressed in adipose tissues and its expression was enhanced in obese mice. In human, plasma SPARC levels were elevated in obesity and CAD patients. This elevated SPARC may be involved in the progression of CAD.

[Evaluation of emergence from total intravenous anesthesia with propofol for long neurosurgery]

In six neurosurgical patients we examined their emergence from more than six hours of total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl. The anesthesia was maintained properly with total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl without nitrous oxide. We calculated the estimated blood concentration of propofol from the anesthesia record using a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The patients were extubated after they had shown good awareness. The average time for extubation was 18 minutes after discontinuation of propofol infusion. The mean estimated concentration of propofol at the extubation was 1.36 micrograms.ml-1 (range: 1.1-1.5 micrograms.ml-1). The estimated emergence times in these cases, also calculated with the pharmacokinetic model, correlated significantly with the time from discontinuation of propofol infusion to the patients' awakening. It was concluded, first, that the estimated concentration of propofol at extubation after long anesthesia was similar to that measured in common cases, and second, that we could reduce the emergence time at the tail end of long-sustained neurosurgery by avoiding the delay in emergence.

Adipocyte-derived plasma protein, adiponectin, suppresses lipid accumulation and class A scavenger receptor expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages

BACKGROUND

Excessive lipid accumulation in macrophages plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Recently, we discovered an adipocyte-specific plasma protein, adiponectin, that is decreased in patients with coronary artery disease. We previously demonstrated that adiponectin acts as a modulator for proinflammatory stimuli and inhibits monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. The present study investigated the effects of adiponectin on lipid accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Human monocytes were differentiated into macrophages by incubation in human type AB serum for 7 days, and the effects of adiponectin were investigated at different time intervals. Treatment with physiological concentrations of adiponectin reduced intracellular cholesteryl ester content, as determined using the enzymatic, fluorometric method. The adiponectin-treated macrophages contained fewer lipid droplets stained by oil red O. Adiponectin suppressed the expression of the class A macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR) at both mRNA and protein levels by Northern and immunoblot analyses, respectively, without affecting the expression of CD36, which was quantified by flow cytometry. Adiponectin reduced the class A MSR promoter activity, as measured by luciferase reporter assay. Adiponectin treatment dose-dependently decreased class A MSR ligand binding and uptake activities. The mRNA level of lipoprotein lipase as a marker of macrophage differentiation was decreased by adiponectin treatment, but that of apolipoprotein E was not altered. Adiponectin was detected around macrophages in the human injured aorta by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

The adipocyte-derived plasma protein adiponectin suppressed macrophage-to-foam cell transformation, suggesting that adiponectin may act as a modulator for macrophage-to-foam cell transformation.

Cysteine conjugate of methazolamide is metabolized by beta-lyase

Bovine kidney and liver homogenates degraded a cysteine conjugate of methazolamide, S-(5-acetylimino-4-methyl-Delta2-1,3,4-thiadiazolin-2-yl)cysteine. We isolated the degradation product following incubation with kidney homogenate by high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed-phase columns. The chemical structure was confirmed by proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR, respectively), and elemental analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry to be N-(3-methyl-5-mercapto-Delta4-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)acetamide, a thiol compound. The reaction is thought to be catalyzed by a pyridoxal-dependent enzyme(s) as indicated by an inhibition study using aminooxyacetic acid. Possible involvement of the thiol compound in the development of an adverse effect is discussed.

Multiple "mirror" aneurysms involving intracavernous carotid arteries and vertebral arteries: case report

BACKGROUND

Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are rare. Moreover, the proportion of vertebrobasilar aneurysms in association with multiple aneurysms is extremely low. We describe a rare case of "mirror" aneurysms on the bilateral intracavernous carotid and bilateral vertebral arteries.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 54-year-old male suffered from ophthalmic pain and oculomotor palsy on the left side. Cerebral angiography disclosed a giant left cavernous aneurysm and large asymptomatic aneurysms on the right intracavernous carotid artery and bilateral vertebral arteries. The cavernous sinus syndrome on the left side was successfully treated by left carotid artery ligation. However, 2 years later, severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) occurred. Computed tomography revealed thick clots densely distributed in the basal cisterns and third and fourth ventricles, indicating that the SAH originated from one of the vertebral artery aneurysms. Consciousness disturbance progressed rapidly, leading to cardiopulmonary arrest.

CONCLUSION

The literature contains no case of mirror intracranial aneurysms involving both intracavernous carotid and vertebral arteries. Multi-staged surgical techniques with optimal combinations of direct clipping, ligation or trapping, and endovascular embolization may be essential for patients with multiple aneurysms to avoid SAH.

Increases in 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels in germinating amaranth seeds and in ripening banana

To examine whether 1,5-anhydroglucitol (AG) is derived from starch degradation in plant tissues, we colorimetrically measured AG contents of germinating amaranth seeds and ripening banana pulp. In both cases, as starch degradation proceeded, AG levels were significantly increased, but were 1,700-5,000 times lower than those of total soluble carbohydrates. alpha-1,4-Glucan lyase activity, which is measured by the 1,5-anhydrofructose (AF) liberated from non-reducing glucose residues of starch or glycogen, was too low to be detected in amaranth or banana by the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method. On the other hand, AF reductase, which reduces AF to AG, was detected in germinating amaranth seeds and banana pulp. Thus, the increases in AG levels are conceived to be derived from starch breakdown, although further investigation is needed to answer whether the starch degradation pathway via alpha-1,4-glucan lyase/AF reductase exists in plant tissues.

Catheter interventional treatment in Kawasaki disease: A report from the Japanese Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Investigation group

OBJECTIVE

To assess the current status of catheter intervention in Kawasaki disease and to evaluate its efficacy and outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

A questionnaire was sent to 55 major institutions in Japan.

RESULTS

A total of 58 procedures in 57 patients were reported. The median age at the time of intervention was 12.1 years. The procedures included percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA; n = 34), percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational ablation (PTCRA; n = 13), directional coronary atherectomy (DCA; n = 4), and stent implantation (n = 7). The immediate success rate was 74% for PTCA, 100% for PTCRA, 100% for DCA, and 86% for stents. The interval from the onset of disease to intervention in successful PTCA (n = 25) was significantly shorter than that in unsuccessful PTCA (n = 9). Restenosis after PTCA was observed in 24%. Development of new coronary aneurysms was reported in 3 patients for PTCA, 2 for PTCRA, 3 for DCA, and 1 for stents. Except for the DCA, all new aneurysms were associated with the use of high-pressure balloon inflation. Two deaths were reported as acute complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Catheter intervention is a promising therapeutic strategy in the management of coronary stenosis caused by Kawasaki disease. Care should be paid to avoid acute coronary arterial complications and the development of new coronary aneurysms.

Aquaporin adipose, a putative glycerol channel in adipocytes

Adipose tissue is a major site of glycerol production in response to energy balance. However, molecular basis of glycerol release from adipocytes has not yet been elucidated. We recently cloned a novel member of the aquaporin family, aquaporin adipose (AQPap), which has glycerol permeability. The current study was designed to examine the hypothesis that AQPap serves as a glycerol channel in adipocytes. Adipose tissue expressed AQPap mRNA in high abundance, but not the mRNAs for the other aquaglyceroporins, AQP3 and AQP9, indicating that AQPap is the only known aquaglyceroporin expressed in adipose tissue. Glycerol release from 3T3-L1 cells was increased during differentiation in parallel with AQPap mRNA levels and suppressed by mercury ion, which inhibits the function of AQPs, supporting AQPap functions as a glycerol channel in adipocytes. Fasting increased and refeeding suppressed adipose AQPap mRNA levels in accordance with plasma glycerol levels and oppositely to plasma insulin levels in mice. Insulin dose-dependently suppressed AQPap mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells. AQPap mRNA levels and adipose glycerol concentrations measured by the microdialysis technique were increased in obese mice with insulin resistance. Accordingly, negative regulation of AQPap expression by insulin was impaired in the insulin-resistant state. Exposure of epinephrine translocated AQPap protein from perinuclear cytoplasm to the plasma membrane in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results strongly suggest that AQPap plays an important role in glycerol release from adipocytes.

Carotid rete mirabile presenting subarachnoid haemorrhage. Report Of two cases

Carotid rete mirabile (CRM) consists of arterial channels between the internal and external carotid arteries in some lower mammals. It is a very rare pathological condition in humans. We report two patients who presented with clinical signs of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Their sudden-onset SAH was thought to have been due to rupture of cerebral aneurysms, however, angiograms revealed an abnormal vascular network around the cavernous sinus. To our knowledge, 2 of 7 reported patients with CRM presented with SAH, however, only one of these patients had a probable cerebral aneurysm. We suggest that in patients with CRM, the rupture of anastomosing vessels be a probable cause of SAH.

[Usefulness of genotypic analysis for investigation of an epidemic of Shigella sonnei infections in Ooami-shirasato Town, Chiba Prefecture]

In March 1996, an epidemic of Shigella sonnei infection occurred in Ooamishira-sato Town, Chiba Prefecture. Colicine typing, antibiotic resistance patterns, plasmid profiles, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and random amplified poly-morphic DNA (RAPD) were used for the investigation of the epidemic. Ninety-four isolates from patients exhibited three different colicine types and five different antibiotic resistance patterns. But the patterns of plasmid profile, PFGE and RAPD were uniform among the isolates with different colicine type and antibiotic resistance pattern. It is possible that these isolates belonged to a single bacterial clone and circulated through human to human.

Coronary risk factors in acute Kawasaki disease: correlation of serum immunoglobulin levels with coronary complications

BACKGROUND

To determine the usefulness of the IgG z-score (age and sex-standardized serum IgG level) before intravenous gamma globulin therapy (IVGG) in predicting the occurrence or severity of coronary complications in Kawasaki disease (KD).

METHODS

A case-control study of clinical and laboratory findings with 88 children in the early stage of acute KD who received IVGG (100 or 200 mg/kg for 2-5 days) therapy. Of these, 20 cases had persistent coronary arterial lesions (small aneurysm, moderate aneurysm or large aneurysm persisting more than 1 month). The controls comprised 68 children with no coronary aneurysms or transient small aneurysm only observed within 1 month after the onset of KD. The association between serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgM, IgA as well as other coronary risk factors previously reported and the occurrence of the coronary arterial lesions was evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age, gender, total IVGG dose before the 9th illness day and other traditional coronary risk factors, the odds ratio for the persistent coronary aneurysm associated with lower serum IgG z-score (< -0.7485 vs > or = -0.7485), was 30.3 (95% confidence interval, 3.8-243.2). Furthermore, the serum IgG z-score was inversely correlated with the severity of the coronary arterial lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

The IgG z-score before IVGG therapy in the early stage of KD provides useful information on the risk factors for persistent coronary aneurysm and is a novel, additional indicator for therapy to prevent the coronary complications in acute KD.

Intracranial intraparenchymal schwannoma: report of three cases

Intracranial intraparenchymal schwannomas are rare. We report three patients with an intracranial intraparenchymal schwannoma and discuss the clinical and neuroradiological aspects of this particular tumour. The patients were a 21-year-old male, a 64-year-old female and a 17-year-old male. The tumours were located in cerebrum in two patients and the cerebellum in one patient. Computerized tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a slightly high density area with homogeneous enhancement by contrast medium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed slightly low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image, high or mixed signal intensity on the T2-weighted image and homogeneous enhancement by gadolinium diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Radiological studies revealed cystic components in 2 of the 3 patients. All tumours were firm, well-demarcated, and completely removed. The diagnosis of schwannoma was derived from histological and immunohistochemical studies in all 3 cases; 2 cases were also examined by electron microscopy.

[The inhibitory effects of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser on attachment of fibroblasts]

Trabeculectomy often fails because of scarring of the filtering bleb, which is caused by the proliferation of fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) oligopeptide, a cell binding domain of fibronection molecules, on the attachment of fibroblasts in vitro and on scarring of filtering bleb after trabeculectomy on rabbits' eyes. The following results were obtained. 1. RGDS inhibited the attachment of rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts significantly (p < 0.01) when it was added to the culture medium at final concentrations of 2 and 5 mg/ml. 2. The administration of 0.2 ml of RGDS solution (5 mg/ml) into the filtering bleb 3 days after surgery caused significant reductions of intra ocular pressure compared with the control maintained the bleb more than 13 days whereas the blebs of the control eyes disappeared within 6 days (p < 0.01). 3. No complications were caused on the eyeballs of the rabbits by the administration of RGDS.

[Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia for laparotomy in a geriatric patient with severe obstructive lung disease]

Asthma and heavy smoking are the risk factors for postoperative respiratory distress, especially after general anesthesia. We experienced a case of sigmoidectomy in a geriatric patient with severe obstructive lung disease accompanied by asthma and a long history of smoking. The patient was a 70 year old man with 1 second volume of less than 0.6 l, because of asthma and long smoking history of 40 pieces of cigarettes a day for 50 years. We considered that general anesthesia with tracheal intubation might worsen the respiratory state after surgery and chose combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. He received sigmoidectomy under spinal anesthesia with 0.3% dibucaine 2.4 ml combined with epidural anesthesia. As the level of analgesia went up to Th4, the patient complained of dyspnea and he discharged a plenty of sputum. Without any special treatment his dyspnea disappeared spontaneously. During and after the surgery, no exacerbation occurred in his respiratory state. It is suggested that spinal anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia is useful for a patient with severe obstructive lung disease.

Some properties of inorganic pyrophosphatase from Bacillus subtilis

Inorganic pyrophosphatase (pyrophosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.1; PPase) from Bacillus subtilis was purified to a homogeneous state electrophoretically when analysed by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme consists of six identical subunits; the molecular weight of the native enzyme estimated by gel filtration was approx. 120,000, and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a single band corresponding to 24,000. The enzyme absolutely required a divalent cation for its activity. Mg2+ was most effective, showing two steps of concentration-dependent activation. Mg2+ could be partially replaced by Mn2+ and Co2+. The enzyme was thermostable in the presence of Mg2+, and no loss of activity was observed on the incubation at 55 degrees C for an hour.

Optical configuration analysis of hydroxy fatty acids in bacterial lipids by chiral column high-performance liquid chromatography

Through the adoption of a chiral stationary phase in high-performance liquid chromatography and a simple derivatization method for hydroxy fatty acids, it became easy to separate and identify the optical isomers of 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids composing several kinds of microbial lipids. The 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids were converted with dinitrophenyl isocyanate to their 3,5-dinitrophenyl urethane derivatives (DU-derivatives), which were analyzable by HPLC using a chiral column. By varying the composition of an eluent, separation of the DU-derivatives of hydroxy fatty acids differing in optical configuration, chain length and position of hydroxyl group was achieved. The general elution orders of these DU-derivatives were determined with authentic 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids. Small amounts (approximately 300 micrograms) of ornithine-containing lipids isolated from the Serratia marcescens strains were examined by this method to identify 3-hydroxy fatty acids of the lipids as D isomers.

Improvement of Tsukiji free fish market in Tokyo ("Kaizen" of work environment)

"TSUKIJI" is one of the biggest and most famous Free Fish Markets in the world, but there are many problems on the working condition because it was built about 60 years ago. Our investigation was held 1991 to 1993 to give some improvements regarding layout of buildings, working time, heat condition at refrigerator, working posture, and so on. We used a questionnaire on daily life and health care of workers, time study with measurement of heartbeats, and checklist (using Checklist for Improvement of Safety-Health and Working Conditions,' made by ILO). The main occupations in TSUKIJI were seller, buyer, delivery worker, and refrigerator maintenance worker. Their starting time was early in the morning, usually between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., but the hardest one was delivery workers starting at 9:00 p.m. They used auto cargo car for carrying to shops from refrigerator or from auction places many times. Sellers had two different types of work. First, the seller set up the auction, numbering the fish (or cases of seafood), arranging them in order, and so on. The rest of the work was transaction of invoices, sometimes using VDU with almost sitting. These works did not look well balanced. Buyer of tuna cut if like lumber by electric saws did not have guard for protection and there were more than 200 machines. Overlooking the market by checklist, some problems were clarified, and suggestions for improvement include restructuring the whole layout of the market or reforming buildings, standardization of the cases, adjustment of health facilities, safety protection on tools and machines, management of working system, working posture, health care, and so on.

Differential effects of fibronectin-derived oligopeptides on the attachment of rabbit lens epithelial cells in vitro

Among the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing sequences that are known to be cell-binding domains of fibronectin, 500 migrograms/ml of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) and Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser showed 100% inhibition of the attachment of cultured lens epithelial cells (TOTL-86 cells), when they were added to culture medium and coincubated with the cells for 24 h whereas RGD at concentrations of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 micrograms/ml had no such activity. After 48 h of cocultivation of 800, 400 or 200 micrograms/ml of RGDS with TOTL-86 cells, the percentage of floating cells was 100, 30.1 or 11.1%, respectively. After 144 h of cocultivation with RGDS, the percentage of floating cells was 1.6, 2.4 or 1.9%, respectively, indicating that RGDS was not cytotoxic to lens epithelial cells. However, replacing the medium with fresh medium containing new RGDS peptide resulted in floating of cells. We also studied the inhibitory effect of two other amino acid sequences that are found in cell-binding sites of the fibronectin molecule: Glu-Ile-Leu-Asp-Val-Pro-Ser-Thr (EILDVPST) and Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV). At 500 and 1,000 micrograms/ml, respectively, neither EILDVPST nor REDV has an inhibitory effect on the attachment of TOTL-86 cells, while RGDS at a concentration of 500 micrograms/ml completely inhibited the attachment of the cells in 24 h of incubation.

Intracranial chondromyxoid fibroma extending into the jugular foramen

A case is reported of an intracranial chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) in a 67 year old man. The tumor originated in the petrous part of the temporal bone and extended into the jugular foramen. Microscopically, the tumor showed a lobular appearance, and was composed of spindle or stellate cells in an abundant myxoid, chondroid stroma. Immunohistochemically, S-100 protein was positive in the tumor cells and myxoid stroma. Intracranial CMF, especially in an elderly person, is exceedingly rare. Clinical and pathological findings are presented with reference to the previously reported articles.