Distribution of (7alpha)-21-[4-[(diethylamino) methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-7-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol-20-[14C]2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate ([14C]TAS-108) and its metabolites after single oral administration to rats bearing 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene-induced mammary tumor

(7Alpha)-21-[4-[(diethylamino)methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-7-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate (TAS-108) is a novel steroidal antiestrogen, modulating the differential recruitment of transcriptional cofactors by liganded estrogen receptors and representing a promising agent for the treatment of breast cancer. To understand better the relationships between the drug exposure and the efficacy or toxicity of TAS-108, we investigated the metabolism and distribution of TAS-108 after oral administration of [14C]TAS-108 to rats bearing a 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma. The metabolites (7alpha)-21-[4-[(ethylamino)methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-7-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol (deEt-TAS-108), (7alpha)-21-[4-[(diethylamino)methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-7-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol-N-oxide (TAS-108-N-oxide), and 3-methoxy-4-[(7alpha)-7-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol-21-yl]oxybenzoic acid (TAS-108-COOH) were identified as the major metabolites in the plasma, and in addition, (7alpha)-21-[4-[(ethylamino)methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-3-methoxy-7-methyl-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-triene (O-Me-deEt-TAS-108) was identified as a novel metabolite in this study. The time-concentration profiles of TAS-108 and its metabolites in the plasma were compared with those in the tumor and uterus of the rats. Radioactivity was found at a high level in various organs including lung, liver, spleen, ovary, and many glands at 12 h and was relatively higher in tumor tissue than in plasma. On the other hand, the levels of radioactivity in the brain and eyeball were very low or not detectable. TAS-108, deEt-TAS-108, and O-Me-deEt-TAS-108 were extensively distributed in the rat tissues and the tumor, with corresponding tissue/plasma ratios for Cmax and area under the curve in the range of 7 to 100. In contrast, TAS-108-COOH and TAS-108-N-oxide were hardly distributed to the tissues and thus may not contribute to the efficacy or toxicity of TAS-108. Thus, TAS-108, deEt-TAS-108, and O-Me-deEt-TAS-108, being distributed highly in tumor tissue, may be more important for the efficacy and toxicity of TAS-108 in vivo than TAS-108-COOH and TAS-108-N-oxide.

Combination of a cholinergic drug and an alpha-blocker is more effective than monotherapy for the treatment of voiding difficulty in patients with underactive detrusor

AIM

The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of a cholinergic drug, an alpha-blocker and combinations of the two for the treatment of underactive detrusor.

METHODS

One hundred and nineteen patients with underactive bladder were assigned to three groups: the cholinergic group, consisting of 40 patients taking bethanechol chloride (60 mg/day) or distigmine bromide (15 mg/day); the alpha-blocker group, consisting of 38 patients taking urapidil (60 mg/day); and the combination group, consisting of 41 patients taking both a cholinergic drug and an alpha-blocker. The effectiveness of each therapy was assessed 4 weeks after initialization of the therapy.

RESULTS

Total urinary symptom scores (International Prostate Symptom Score, IPSS) remained unchanged after the cholinergic therapy, but were significantly lower after the alpha-blocker treatment (P = 0.0001) and the combination therapy (P = 0.0001). With regard to the total IPSS, there were significant differences between the cholinergic and the alpha-blocker groups (P = 0.0008), and also between the cholinergic and combination groups (P = 0.0033), in favor of the latter. The average and maximum flow rates did not increase significantly after monotherapy with either the cholinergic drug or the alpha-blocker, but they significantly increased after combination therapy compared to baseline values (P = 0.0033 and P= 0.0004, respectively). Postvoid residual volume did not decrease significantly after the cholinergic drug therapy, but decreased significantly after the alpha-blocker (P = 0.0043) and the combination therapies (P = 0.0008). The percentage of residual urine decreased significantly after therapy in all groups (P = 0.0005, P= 0.0176 and P= 0.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy with a cholinergic drug and an alpha-blocker appears to be more useful than monotherapy for the treatment of underactive detrusor.

Validation of a simple liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of propiverine hydrochloride and its N-oxide metabolite in human plasma

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed for determination of propiverine hydrochloride and its metabolite, propiverine N-oxide (M-1) in human plasma using stable isotopes, propiverine hydrochloride-d10 and M-1-d10, as internal standards. The analytes were extracted with dichloromethane from 0.2 ml of plasma in neutral condition (pH 7.0) and separated by HPLC on a C18 reversed-phase column using methanol-1% acetic acid (50:50) as a mobile phase, and detected using positive electrospray ionization in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The method was validated over a concentration range of 2-500 ng/ml for propiverine hydrochloride and 4-1000 ng/ml for M-1 using 0.2 ml of human plasma per assay. The method developed was successfully applied to analysis of propiverine hydrochloride and M-1 in clinical studies.

[Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: a case report]

A 67-year-old male presented for examination of a retroperitoneal tumor, incidentally found by abdominal computed tomography (CT). CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a round heterogeneous tumor, 10 cm in diameter, at the left renal hilus and involving the left renal vein. The tumor was low-intensity on T1-weighted MRI imaging, and high-intensity on T2-weight MRI imaging. The tumor was easily resected via a transabdominal approach. The pathological diagnosis was ganglioneuroma.

Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma arising from the male urethra. A case report and review of the literature

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas rarely arise from the lower urinary tract, the urethra being the most uncommon site of origin. Herein, we report the immunohistochemical findings of a case of primary marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) arising from the male urethra. To clarify the clinicopathological findings of primary urethral lymphoma, we reviewed 14 previously reported cases. A 56-year-old man presented with gross hematuria. Cystourethroscopy demonstrated a nodular bulge of the urethral wall. Histologically, a transurethral biopsy specimen showed a dense lymphoplasmacytoid infiltrate in the urethral mucosa. The tumor cells were composed of centrocyte-like cells, plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells. A few plasma cells contained intracytoplasmic pseudoinclusions (Dutcher bodies). Immunohistochemical study revealed monotypic intracytoplasmic kappa-light chain in the plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells. The patient received a total of 50 Gy extrabeam irradiation. Follow-up 21 months later did not disclose any sign of local or other recurrences.

Adenocarcinoma with extensive neuroendocrine differentiation arising in an ileal diverticulum: report of a case

A 62-year-old man presented with right-sided abdominal pain. Radiologic examinations disclosed a solid tumor in the ileocecal mesentery that obstructed the right ureter, thus resulting in urinary extravasation. An en bloc tumor resection with the ascending colon, the terminal ileum, and a portion of the right ureter was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor was adenocarcinoma with extensive neuroendocrine differentiation which had arisen in an ileal diverticulum. The patient developed metastases to the lymph nodes, liver, and brain, and died 18 months after surgery.

The role of beta(3)-adrenoceptors in mediating relaxation of porcine detrusor muscle

1. beta-adrenoceptors mediate relaxation of bladder detrusor smooth muscle. This study investigates the contribution of beta(3)-adrenoceptors to relaxation of the pig urinary bladder. 2. Cell membranes were prepared from detrusor muscle of the pig bladder dome and competition experiments with [(3)H]-dihydroalprenolol (DHA), a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist was used as a specific radioligand to determine the presence of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes. In functional experiments, isolated detrusor muscle strips were used to determine the potency of agonists and the affinity of antagonists. 3. In competition binding experiments, CGP20712A (beta(1)-adrenoceptor selective) displaced [(3)H]-DHA from a single binding site with a low affinity. In contrast, displacement data for ICI 118551 (beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist) and SR59230A (beta(3)-adrenoceptor antagonist) best fitted a two-site model suggesting a predominant (70%) population of beta(3)-adrenoceptors. 4. In functional studies, isoprenaline and salbutamol (beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist) relaxed KCl precontracted muscle strips with high potency (pEC(50) 7.7 and 7.2, respectively), whilst CGP12177 and BRL37344 (beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists) had low potency and were partial agonists. CGP20712A and atenolol (beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists) antagonised responses with a low affinity. ICI118551 antagonized responses to isoprenaline and salbutamol with a high affinity (pK(B)=7.8 and 8.7, respectively), but the Schild slopes were low suggesting that responses were mediated by more than one beta-adrenoceptor. The Schild plot for SR59230A was biphasic, apparent pK(B) values for 3 - 10 nM SR59230A being 8.6 and those for 30 nM - 1 microM being 7.7. 5. These data suggest that beta(3)-adrenoceptors are the predominant beta-adrenoceptor subtype present in the pig bladder and that beta-adrenoceptor mediated responses of this tissue are mediated via both the beta(2)- and beta(3)-adrenoceptor subtypes.

Higher expression of K-ras is associated with parathyroid hormone-related protein-induced hypercalcaemia in renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the K-ras oncogene is associated with parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) production in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and whether the serum value of PTHrP is related to the patients' survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The serum levels of PTHrP and corrected serum calcium levels were analysed in 51 consecutive patients (29 men and 22 women, mean age 63.7 years, range 33-82) with newly diagnosed RCC. Matched pairs were analysed of the mRNA levels of K-ras and PTHrP in tumour and in corresponding non-tumour tissue originating from the same patient, using the polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription.

RESULTS

Seven patients had elevated serum PTHrP values at the diagnosis of RCC. The mRNA expression of K-ras and PTHrP were detected in both tumour and non-tumour tissues, with K-ras mRNA levels being higher in the former than the latter (P < 0.05), and correlated with tumour stage (P < 0.05). There were no differences in PTHrP mRNA levels between the tissues. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of K-ras and PTHrP in seven tumours from patients with high serum values of PTHrP were higher than in tumours from those with normal values (both P < 0.01). The expression of mRNAs of K-ras and PTHrP was positively correlated (r = 0.771, P < 0.001). In seven patients with high serum PTHrP values the mRNA levels of PTHrP correlated with serum values of PTHrP and calcium (r = 0.875, P < 0.01 and r = 0.762, P < 0.05, respectively). Kaplan-Meier plots of survival rate in patients with elevated or normal serum PTHrP showed that high serum PTHrP was associated with a shorter overall survival (P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that serum PTHrP was an independent predictor of overall survival (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that K-ras may be associated with PTHrP-induced hypercalcaemia and that PTHrP levels may reflect the aggressiveness of tumour cells through the K-ras oncogene in RCC.

Rat cardiac contractile dysfunction induced by Ca2+ overload: possible link to the proteolysis of alpha-fodrin

The aim of the present study was to examine the mechanisms of Ca2+ overload-induced contractile dysfunction in rat hearts independent of ischemia and acidosis. Experiments were performed on 30 excised cross-circulated rat heart preparations. After hearts were exposed to high Ca2+, there was a contractile failure associated with a parallel downward shift of the linear relation between myocardial O(2) consumption per beat and systolic pressure-volume area (index of a total mechanical energy per beat) in left ventricles from all seven hearts that underwent the protocol. This result suggested a decrease in O(2) consumption for total Ca2+ handling in excitation-contraction coupling. In the hearts that underwent the high Ca2+ protocol and had contractile failure, we found marked proteolysis of a cytoskeleton protein, alpha-fodrin, whereas other proteins were unaffected. A calpain inhibitor suppressed the contractile failure by high Ca2+, the decrease in O(2) consumption for total Ca2+ handling, and membrane alpha-fodrin degradation. We conclude that the exposure to high Ca2+ may induce contractile dysfunction possibly by suppressing total Ca2+ handling in excitation-contraction coupling and degradation of membrane alpha-fodrin via activation of calpain.

Decreasing of p27(Kip1)and cyclin E protein levels is associated with progression from superficial into invasive bladder cancer

The p27(Kip1)(p27) protein is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor of the transition from G1 to S phase. It has been reported that decreased p27 protein level is a negative prognostic indicator in human tumours including bladder cancer. We studied the relationship between protein levels of p27, cyclin E and Ki-67 and clinicopathological features of 145 consecutive Japanese patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder using immunohistochemical staining. Low protein levels of p27 were associated with low staining of cyclin E (P = 0.0302), high Ki-67 index (P = 0.0306), poorly differentiated grade (P = 0.0006), muscle invasion (P = 0.0019) and lymph node metastsis (P = 0.0002). Low staining of cyclin E and high Ki-67 index correlated with poorly differentiated grade, muscle invasion and lymph node metastsis. Cyclin E protein levels was inversely related with Ki-67 index (P = 0.0002). Kaplan-Meier plots of survival rate in patients with low versus high p27 staining showed that low protein levels of p27 were associated with a shortened disease-free and overall survival (P< 0.0001 and P< 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, low staining of cyclin E and high Ki-67 index correlated with a shortened disease-free and overall survival. On multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model, low protein levels of p27 and high Ki-67 index were independent predictors of shortened disease-free (P< 0.0001, P = 0.0031, respectively), and low protein levels of p27, low staining of cyclin E and high Ki-67 index of overall survival (P = 0.0017, P = 0.0009, P = 0.0003, respectively). In superficial bladder tumours (Ta, T1; 86 patients), significant correlations were observed between low p27 staining and high Ki-67 index and early recurrence (P = 0.0048, P = 0.0178, respectively). Among the recurrenced superficial tumours (35 patients), the tumours which remained at a low stage showed high protein levels of p27 and cyclin E, and the tumours which progressed to invasive disease showed a gradual decrease in p27 and cyclin E protein levels over time. Our findings suggest that decreased protein levels of p27 and cyclin E play a role in the progression of bladder cancer and to evaluate these protein levels may be useful in management of the diseases.

An operon for a putative ATP-binding cassette transport system involved in acetoin utilization of Bacillus subtilis

The ytrABCDEF operon of Bacillus subtilis was deduced to encode a putative ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system. YtrB and YtrE could be the ABC subunits, and YtrC and YtrD are highly hydrophobic and could form a channel through the cell membrane, while YtrF could be a periplasmic lipoprotein for substrate binding. Expression of the operon was examined in cells grown in a minimal medium. The results indicate that the expression was induced only early in the stationary phase. The six ytr genes form a single operon, transcribed from a putative sigma(A)-dependent promoter present upstream of ytrA. YtrA, which possesses a helix-turn-helix motif of the GntR family, acts probably as a repressor and regulates its own transcription. Inactivation of the operon led to a decrease in maximum cell yield and less-efficient sporulation, suggesting its involvement in the growth in stationary phase and sporulation. It is known that B. subtilis produces acetoin as an external carbon storage compound and then reuses it later during stationary phase and sporulation. When either the entire ytr operon or its last gene, ytrF, was inactivated, the production of acetoin was not affected, but the reuse of acetoin became less efficient. We suggest that the Ytr transport system plays a role in acetoin utilization during stationary phase and sporulation.

Prognostic significance of p27Kip1 and Ki-67 expression in carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter

OBJECTIVE

To determine the significance of p27(Kip1) (p27) for tumour behaviour and prognosis of patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis and ureter.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using immunohistochemical staining, the relationship was evaluated between p27 protein level (low < 50%, high > 50%) and the Ki-67 labelling index (low < 30%, high > 30%) and clinicopathological features of 37 consecutive Japanese patients with TCC of the renal pelvis and ureter.

RESULTS

Low levels of p27 correlated with higher tumour stage (P < 0.05) and positive lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between p27 staining and the grade and tumour proliferation as assessed by the Ki-67 index. A high Ki-67 index correlated with higher grade and stage (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier plots of survival rate in patients with low or high p27 staining showed that low levels correlated with a shorter disease-free and overall survival (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Similarly, patients with a high Ki-67 index had lower disease-free and overall survival than those with a low Ki-67 index (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that a low level of p27 was an independent predictor of a shorter disease-free (P < 0.01) and overall survival (P < 0.05) on univariate analysis, but not of overall survival on multivariate analysis. A high Ki-67 index was an independent prognostic marker for shorter disease-free survival on univariate and multivariate analysis (P < 0.01) and for overall survival on multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). In those with a high Ki-67 index, increased p27 staining was associated with a better prognosis than decreased staining for disease-free and overall survival (log-rank test, P < 0. 01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that a low level of p27 is associated with tumour invasion and unfavourable prognosis indicates that p27 may be a useful prognostic marker for survival in upper urinary tract cancer.

Preliminary report of the clinical performance of a new urinary bladder cancer antigen test: comparison to voided urine cytology in the detection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

We compared the ability of a new urinary bladder cancer antigen (UBC) test with conventional cytology for the detection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder using voided urine samples. The UBC was measured and corrected for the creatinine concentration in the urine of 61 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (group 1), 23 patients without recurrent bladder tumors during follow-up (group 2), 28 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (group 3), nine patients with prostate cancer (group 4), and 90 healthy volunteers free of urological diseases (group 5). The UBC concentrations were 408.8+/-578.5, 18.8+/-26.6, 23.9+/-32.7, 17.5+/-18.6 and 4.6+/-6.7 ngmg(-1) creatinine (mean+/-S. D.) for groups 1-5, respectively. The level for group 1 was significantly higher than for any other group. The sensitivity and specificity, which were optimized using receiver-operating characteristic curves for groups 1 and 2 were 82.0% and 82.6%, respectively, at a threshold value of 39 ngmg(-1) creatinine. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology for these same groups were 60.7% and 86.9%, respectively. The sensitivity of the UBC was significantly higher than that of cytology, not only for total bladder tumors (82.0% vs. 60.7%, P<0.02) but also for grade I transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (76.5% vs. 11.8%, P<0. 001). While offering a similarly high specificity, the UBC test might have an advantage over cytology in terms of superior sensitivity, particularly for low-grade tumors.

CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene is enhanced in patients with idiopathic azoospermia

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the number of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor gene is enhanced in patients with idiopathic azoospermia.

METHODS

Using the polymerase chain reaction, the number of CAG repeats was assayed in 41 patients with idiopathic azoospermia and in 48 normozoospermic fertile men.

RESULTS

In the control group, the CAG repeat length ranged from 17 to 30 (mean 23.9 +/- 2.9); in the azoospermic group, the CAG repeat length ranged from 20 to 34 (mean 26.5 +/- 3.5). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.0013). None of the men in the control group had a CAG repeat length greater than 31; four of the azoospermic men had 34 CAG repeats.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that an increase in the number of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor gene to 31 or greater may be associated with the etiology of at least some cases of idiopathic azoospermia.

Interaction of a repressor and its binding sites for regulation of the Bacillus subtilis iol divergon

Transcription of the Bacillus subtilis iol divergon is negatively regulated by a repressor encoded by iolR, which belongs to the DeoR family of bacterial regulators. Gel retardation analysis involving the IolR protein synthesized in Escherichia coli revealed that IolR bound specifically and independently to each of the iol and iolRS promoter regions, with higher affinity to iol. DNase I footprinting revealed that IolR affected DNase I sensitivity either in the iol promoter region between nucleotides -46 and +51 or in iolRS between -79 and -2 (+1 is the transcription initiation nucleotide of both iol and iolRS), indicating its interaction with the extended regions of the iol and iolRS promoters. Deletion analysis indicated that the iol region between -23 and +21 is involved mainly in IolR binding and negative regulation, while the iolRS region between -70 and -44 comprises at least part of the cis-acting sequences for IolR binding and negative regulation. Sequence examination of the extended regions revealed that a tandem direct repeat consisting of two relatively conserved 11-mer sequences, WRAYCAADARD (where D is A, G or T; R is A or G; W is A or T; and Y is C or T), found in each of the iol and iolRS regions might be a determinant sequence for the IolR-DNA interaction. Actual involvement of the direct repeats in the IolR-DNA interaction was shown by the deficiency of IolR-binding and negative regulation that was caused by substitution of the conserved bases within the conserved sequences. These results imply a unique mode of interaction of IolR with the target DNA.

Serial lectin affinity chromatography with concavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin demonstrates altered asparagine-linked sugar-chain structures of prostatic acid phosphatase in human prostate carcinoma

Differences between human prostate carcinoma (PCA, five cases) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, five cases) in asparagine-linked (Asn) sugar-chain structure of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were investigated using lectin affinity chromatography with concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). PAP activities were significantly decreased in PCA-derived PAP, while no significant differences between the two PAP preparations were observed in the enzymatic properties (Michaelis-Menten value, optimal pH, thermal stability, and inhibition study). In these PAP preparations, all activities were found only in the fractions which bound strongly to the Con A column and were undetectable in the Con A unbound fractions and in the fractions which bound weakly to the Con A column. The relative amounts of PAP which bound strongly to the Con A column but passed through the WGA column, were significantly greater in BPH-derived PAP than in PCA-derived PAP. In contrast, the relative amounts of PAP which bound strongly to the Con A column and bound to the WGA column, were significantly greater in PCA-derived PAP than in BPH-derived PAP. The findings suggest that Asn-linked sugar-chain structures are altered during oncogenesis in human prostate and also suggest that studies of qualitative differences of sugar-chain structures of PAP might lead to a useful diagnostic tool for PCA.

Organization and transcription of the myo-inositol operon, iol, of Bacillus subtilis

Previous determination of the nucleotide sequence of the iol region of the Bacillus subtilis genome allowed us to predict the structure of the iol operon for myo-inositol catabolism, consisting of 10 iol genes (iolA to iouJ); iolG corresponds to idh, encoding myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase (Idh). Primer extension analysis suggested that an inositol-inducible promoter for the iol operon (iol promoter) might be a promoter-like sequence in the 5' region of iolA, which is probably recognized by sigmaA. S1 nuclease analysis implied that a rho-independent terminator-like structure in the 3' region of iolJ might be a terminator for iol transcription. Disruption of the iol promoter prevented synthesis of the iol transcript as well as that of Idh, implying that the iol operon is most probably transcribed as an 11.5-kb mRNA containing the 10 iol genes. Immediately upstream of the iol operon, two genes (iolR and iolS) with divergent orientations to the iol operon were found. Disruption of iolR (but not iolS) caused constitutive synthesis of the iol transcript and Idh, indicating that the iolR gene encodes a transcription-negative regulator (presumably a repressor) for the iol operon. Northern and S1 nuclease analyses revealed that the iolRS genes were cotranscribed from another inositol-inducible promoter, which is probably recognized by sigmaA. The promoter assignments of the iol and iolRS operons were confirmed in vivo with a lacZ fusion integrated into the amyE locus.

Study of the structure of struvite stones with scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis

Topographic features of eight struvite calculi were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). Perpendicularly cracked fragments showed concentric laminations composed of compact and loosely packed strata alternately. Magnesium and phosphorus were detected in the compact strata with their characteristic dispersive X-ray spectra. There existed numerous spherular crystals with smooth or porous surfaces and scattered penta- or hexa-hedral coffin-lid shaped crystals in the loosely packed strata. The former crystals showed the dispersive X-ray spectra of calcium and phosphorus, and were estimated to be calcium phosphate (CaP). The latter ones were presumed to be magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) with EDX. The surfaces of the fragments were cracked like eggshells and displayed numerous CaP crystals and scattered MAP crystals in most cases, while in only 1 case some faces of pieces demonstrated wavy MAP phases, sundry areas which were rimmed with aggregated CaP spherulites. The mean molar ratios of Mg/P and Ca/P in each case were 0.88-1.03 and 1.25-1.52, respectively. Though EDX was inadequate to determine the accurate chemical formula of CaP and MAP crystals by detecting their molar ratios of Ca/P and Mg/P with EDX, SEM/EDX is useful to observe these urolith crystals and to surmise them to be CaP or MAP crystals by detecting their atomic elements with EDX.