Demonstration of ignition radiation temperatures in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion hohlraums

We demonstrate the hohlraum radiation temperature and symmetry required for ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions. Cryogenic gas-filled hohlraums with 2.2 mm-diameter capsules are heated with unprecedented laser energies of 1.2 MJ delivered by 192 ultraviolet laser beams on the National Ignition Facility. Laser backscatter measurements show that these hohlraums absorb 87% to 91% of the incident laser power resulting in peak radiation temperatures of T(RAD)=300 eV and a symmetric implosion to a 100 μm diameter hot core.

Excision of a selectable marker in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) using a chemically regulated Cre/loxP system

Removal of a selectable marker gene from genetically modified (GM) crops alleviates the risk of its release into the environment and hastens the public acceptance of GM crops. Here we report the production of marker-free transgenic rice by using a chemically regulated, Cre/loxP-mediated site-specific DNA recombination in a single transformation. Among 86 independent transgenic lines, ten were found to be marker-free in the T0 generation and an additional 17 lines segregated marker-free transgenic plants in the T1 generation. Molecular and genetic analyses indicated that the DNA recombination and excision in transgenic rice were precise and the marker-free recombinant T-DNA was stable and heritable.

High-resolution genetic mapping of Xa27(t), a new bacterial blight resistance gene in rice, Oryza sativa L

Bacterial blight of rice, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae ( Xoo) (Ishyama) Dye, is one of the serious diseases prevalent throughout Asia. In a previous study, a resistance ( R) locus was transferred from the tetraploid wild rice Oryza minuta to the cultivated rice species, Oryza sativa L. Here, we report the fine genetic mapping of the R locus, tentatively designated as Xa27(t). We performed disease evaluation with an Xa27(t) near-isogenic line, IRBB27, testing 35 Xoo strains collected from 11 countries. The Xa27(t) locus conferred a high level of resistance to 27 strains and moderate resistance to three strains. Resistance of the Xa27(t) gene was developmentally regulated in IRBB27 and showed semi-dominant or a dosage effect in the cv. CO39 genetic background. As a prelude to cloning Xa27(t), a molecular mapping strategy was employed with a large mapping population consisting of 3,875 gametes. Three molecular markers, M336, M1081, and M1059, closely linked to Xa27(t), were identified to facilitate the mapping of Xa27(t) to the long arm of chromosome 6. The Xa27(t) locus was confirmed by chromosome landing of M1081 and M1095 markers on the rice genome. Markers derived from the genomic sequence of O. sativa cv. Nipponbare were used to further saturate the Xa27(t) genomic region. Xa27(t) was finally located within a genetic interval of 0.052 cM, flanked by markers M964 and M1197, and co-segregated with markers M631, M1230, and M449.

cDNA - protein fusions: covalent protein - gene conjugates for the in vitro selection of peptides and proteins

We report a method for the synthesis of covalent cDNA-protein fusions for protein display applications. A branched mRNA template was developed which carries a peptidyl acceptor and a reverse transcription primer at the 3'-end. Translation in vitro followed by reverse transcription produced a protein covalently bonded to its encoding cDNA. Both single- and double-stranded cDNA-protein fusions were prepared. cDNA-protein fusions are stable in alkali and resistant to ribonucleases. Their simple preparation and their resistance towards degradation should make cDNA-protein fusions a useful tool for the in vitro selection and evolution of high affinity ligands from large libraries of polypeptides.

The influences of NO and Ach on cGMP levels in two patient populations

Pulmonary hypertension following cardiac surgery is an important factor affecting postoperative mortality, and its mechanism has not been thoroughly clarified. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can destroy pulmonary endothelium and aggravate pulmonary hypertension. This study is designed to investigate the impacts of CPB on vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation, and the relations of CPB to pulmonary hypertension. Forty patients undergoing valve surgery were involved. According to their preoperative pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), these patients were divided into pulmonary hypertension group (H group) and normal group (N group). The concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured at baseline conditions, after acetylcholine (Ach) injection, and during nitric oxide (NO) inhalation. Samples were taken before sternotomy and after weaning from CPB, 4 and 12 hours post-CPB. At baseline, the level of cGMP in the H group was lower than that of the N group by 33.9% before CPB. After initiating the CPB, although the level of cGMP continuously decreased in both groups until weaning from CPB (the N group decreased 33.3%, and the H group decreased 59%). At that point cGMP was higher in N group than in the H group (p < .01). The level of cGMP of both groups tended to recover 4 hours after CPB, but only the N group returned to baseline 12 hours after CPB. After injection of Ach, the level of cGMP of both groups followed the same change as in the baseline, except with different numeric value. The level of cGMP in N group rose ranging from 160.0-197.3%, while it rose ranging from 87.7-168.1% in H group. The levels of cGMP were higher in N group than those in H group at all times following injection of Ach (61.4, 173.3, 202.7, and 188.0%) (p < .01). After inhalation of NO, the level of cGMP of both groups followed the same change as the baseline. The level of cGMP in N group rose ranging from 194.8-320.5%. Although the levels of cGMP were higher in N group than those in H group (6.9, 25.3, 23.3, and 16.6%), significant differences were achieved at the 4 and 12 hour post-CPB periods (p < .05 or p < .01, respectively). It was concluded that the injury of vascular endothelial function caused by CPB was more critical in pulmonary hypertension patients.

Effects of L-arginine cardioplegia on myocardium

Infusion of L-arginine (a precursor of nitric oxide, NO) in cardioplegia was examined to test its effect on metabolism of myocardium after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (IR). Twenty-eight patients undergoing valve replacement were involved and randomly divided into two groups: the control group (crystalloid cardioplegia) and the experimental group (crystalloid cardioplegia + L-arginine). Blood samples were taken both before aortic clamping and after aortic unclamping from right radial artery to measure the concentrations of NO2-/NO3-, lactic acid (LA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and xanthine oxidase (XOD). In the control group, the NO2-/NO3- level decreased at aortic unclamping, and 30 min later, it decreased significantly as compared with that before aortic clamping (p < .05). In the experimental group, it increased at aortic unclamping (p < .05), and 60 min later, increased to the peak. Five, fifteen, and thirty min after aortic unclamping, the concentrations of LA and MDA in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (p < .05). Thirty and sixty min after aortic unclamping, the concentrations of SOD remained higher in the experimental group than those in the control group (p < .05). There was no difference between groups in the concentrations of XOD. The addition of L-arginine to the cardioplegia can protect the myocardium from injury by releasing nitric oxide.

Voltammetric determination of mifepristone at a DNA-modified carbon paste electrode

A new strategy for the preparation of a DNA-modified carbon paste electrode is developed. It is found that the anodic response of mifepristone is greatly enhanced at the dsDNA-modified carbon paste electrode comparing with that obtained at the bare electrode, while the response at a ssDNA-modified electrode is similar to bare electrode. So the dsDNA-modified electrode is employed as a sensitive biosensor for the detection of mifepristone. A linear dependence of the peak currents on the concentration is observed in the range 2.0 x 10(-7) approximately 2.0 x 10(6) mol/L, with a detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-7) mol/L. The relative standard deviation is 4.3% for six successive determinations of 1.0 x 10(6) mol/L mifepristone. The determination of mifepristone tablets is carried out and satisfactory results are obtained.

Psoralen photo-crosslinked mRNA-puromycin conjugates: a novel template for the rapid and facile preparation of mRNA-protein fusions

We describe the synthesis of a novel type of mRNA template and its use in the preparation of mRNA-protein fusions. A light-induced psoralen crosslinking reaction was used to attach a puromycin-containing oligonucleotide to the 3'-end of an mRNA template. The photo-crosslinked template was found to undergo efficient mRNA-protein fusion formation in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Fusion formation was subsequently tested with templates carrying puromycin linkers of different length and chemical composition. Short linkers with multiple triethyleneglycol phosphate building blocks allowed the most efficient fusion formation under a wide range of salt conditions. The present method simplifies the preparation of mRNA-protein fusions and thus significantly accelerates the in vitro protein evolution procedure which involves repetitive cycles of fusion production and selection.

Treatment of inflamed ferret dental pulps with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-7

Recombinant human BMP-7 (bone morphogenetic protein-7, osteogenic protein-1) is osteogenic, dentinogenic and cementogenic when implanted into the appropriate tissue in vivo. However, most studies characterizing the induction of these tissues have implanted BMP-7 into freshly surgerized, clinically healthy tissues. To determine if BMP-7 is dentinogenic in inflamed dental pulps, we applied BMP-7 to inflamed ferret pulps. A single application of 5 microg of a commercial preparation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Salmonella typhimurium directly to the coronal pulp induced a reversible mixed inflammatory exudate of moderate intensity within 3 d. Treatment with a single application of 2.5, 7.5 or 25 microg recombinant human BMP-7/mg collagen (2 mg total mass/tooth) induced reparative dentinogenesis in controls but not LPS treated dental pulps. These data reveal that a single application of up to 50 microg/tooth of exogenous recombinant BMP-7 is insufficient to induce reparative dentinogenesis in ferret teeth with reversible pulpitis. Given that pulp cells in the inflamed tissues likely retain the capacity to respond to exogenous BMP-7, it is possible that insufficient active recombinant protein is available to induce tissue formation in experimentally inflamed dental pulps.

Gene therapy-directed osteogenesis: BMP-7-transduced human fibroblasts form bone in vivo

An ex vivo gene therapy strategy was used to achieve localized skeletal regeneration in vivo. When an adenovirus vector engineered to express bone morphogenetic protein 7 transduced human gingival fibroblasts or rat dermal fibroblasts, these nonosteogenic tissues formed bone and supported the development of hematopoietic tissue when transplanted into immunocompromised mice. Transduced gingival fibroblasts formed marrow-containing ossicles in 100% of transplants after 1-2 weeks in vivo (n = 30). Immunostaining with murine and human-specific antisera raised against osteonectin and in situ hybridization of human-specific Alu genomic sequence demonstrated that the newly formed bone organ was a chimera of both the human donor and the mouse recipient cells. In experiments of greater clinical relevance, AdCMVBMP-7-transduced dermal fibroblasts repaired critical size skeletal defects in rat calvariae (n = 6). The results of this study suggest a bifunctional role of BMP-7-transduced fibroblasts. The transduced, nonosteogenic cells not only secreted biologically active BMP-7 in vitro and in vivo, but also differentiated into bone-forming cells in vivo. This model exploits the use of an easily biopsied, self-regenerating tissue such as gingiva or skin and suggests that local regeneration of tissues by ex vivo gene therapy may not require that autogenous cells be cultured from the tissue that is to be regenerated.

Molecular cloning of a human dentin sialophosphoprotein gene

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin phosphoprotein (DPP; phosphophoryn) are two principal dentin-specific non-collagenous proteins. DPP is extremely acidic and is rich in aspartic acid and serine. By virtue of this structure, DPP may bind large amounts of calcium and may facilitate initial mineralization of dentin matrix collagen as well as regulate the size and shape of the crystals. The function of DSP is not known. DSP and DPP are encoded by a single gene in both rat and mouse, and are uniquely expressed in odontoblasts and transiently in pre-ameloblasts. Because DSP and DPP are isolated from dentin as distinct proteins and appear to be present in different amounts, the nascent dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is likely cleaved to yield DSP and DPP. However, when, where and how the DSPP is cleaved into DSP and DPP is not clear. To further elucidate the structure and function of human DSP and DPP, we have cloned DPP and DSP cDNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) strategies, and then cloned and initiated characterization of a human dentin sialophosphoprotein gene. The genomic organization of human DSPP is very similar to that of mouse, containing five exons and four introns, suggesting it is a homologue of mouse dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). Exons 1-4 encode for DSP, while exon 5 encodes for the C-terminus of DSP and the whole DPP. A 4.6-kb RNA transcript was detected on Northern blot analyses of total RNA extracted from immature (open root apices) human teeth using either a human DPP or DSP probe.

Isolation and expression in Escherichia coli of cslA and cslB, genes coding for the chondroitin sulfate-degrading enzymes chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B, respectively, from Flavobacterium heparinum

In medium supplemented with chondroitin sulfate, Flavobacterium heparinum synthesizes and exports two chondroitinases, chondroitinase AC (chondroitin AC lyase; EC 4.2.2.5) and chondroitinase B (chondroitin B lyase; no EC number), into its periplasmic space. Chondroitinase AC preferentially depolymerizes chondroitin sulfates A and C, whereas chondroitinase B degrades only dermatan sulfate (chondroitin sulfate B). The genes coding for both enzymes were isolated from F. heparinum and designated cslA (chondroitinase AC) and cslB (chondroitinase B). They were found to be separated by 5.5 kb on the chromosome of F. heparinum, transcribed in the same orientation, but not linked to any of the heparinase genes. In addition, the synthesis of both enzymes appeared to be coregulated. The cslA and cslB DNA sequences revealed open reading frames of 2,103 and 1,521 bp coding for peptides of 700 and 506 amino acid residues, respectively. Chondroitinase AC has a signal sequence of 22 residues, while chondroitinase B is composed of 25 residues. The mature forms of chondroitinases AC and B are comprised of 678 and 481 amino acid residues and have calculated molecular masses of 77,169 and 53,563 Da, respectively. Truncated cslA and cslB genes have been used to produce active, mature chondroitinases in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Partially purified recombinant chondroitinases AC and B exhibit specific activities similar to those of chondroitinases AC and B from F. heparinum.

Transplantation of human pulpal and gingival fibroblasts attached to synthetic scaffolds

Autologous tissue grafting for the restoration of oral tissues is limited by several factors, including the availability of sufficient donor tissue. One solution to this problem may be to develop substitute tissue grafts by attaching disaggregated autologous cells propagated in vitro to scaffolds composed of natural or synthetic polymers. We have earlier demonstrated that human dental pulp and gingival fibroblasts (HPF, HGF) adhere to non-woven polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds, proliferate and produce extracellular matrix in vitro. We now report that such HPF and HGF adhered to PGA scaffolds survive when implanted into subcutaneous sites in immuno-compromised mice. The transplanted cells synthesize and secrete type I collagen, cellular fibronectin and may express genes implicated in transducing bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals. Messenger RNA for BMP-2, -4, -7 (OP-1), the BMP type I receptors Act RI, BMPR-1A and 1B, the type II receptor BMPR-II, and type I collagen were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These data revealed that three adult human dental pulp and gingival cell populations, each from individual donors, attached to PGA scaffolds and cultured for 24 h in vitro, survive implantation and express genes indicative of a capacity to produce extracellular matrix. The implanted cells may also express genes associated with responsiveness to BMP-mediated tissue inductive signals.

Diabetes and decline in heart disease mortality in US adults

CONTEXT

Mortality from coronary heart disease has declined substantially in the United States during the past 30 years. However, it is unknown whether patients with diabetes have also experienced a decline in heart disease mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To compare adults with diabetes with those without diabetes for time trends in mortality from all causes, heart disease, and ischemic heart disease.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Representative cohorts of subjects with and without diabetes were derived from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) conducted between 1971 and 1975 (n = 9639) and the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Survey conducted between 1982 and 1984 (n = 8463). The cohorts were followed up prospectively for mortality for an average of 8 to 9 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Changes in mortality rates per 1000 person-years for all causes, heart disease, and ischemic heart disease for the 1982-1984 cohort compared with the 1971-1975 cohort.

RESULTS

For the 2 periods, nondiabetic men experienced a 36.4% decline in age-adjusted heart disease mortality compared with a 13.1% decline for diabetic men. Age-adjusted heart disease mortality declined 27% in nondiabetic women but increased 23% in diabetic women. These patterns were also found for all-cause mortality and ischemic heart disease mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The decline in heart disease mortality in the general US population has been attributed to reduction in cardiovascular risk factors and improvement in treatment of heart disease. The smaller declines in mortality for diabetic subjects in the present study indicate that these changes may have been less effective for people with diabetes, particularly women.

Human dentin phosphophoryn nucleotide and amino acid sequence

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and phosphophoryns (DPP) are major dentin-specific non-collagenous proteins and are synthesized by odontoblasts. DPP are extremely acidic, rich in aspartic acid and serine, possess a high affinity for calcium and collagen, and are believed to function in dentin mineralization. Whereas DSP and DPP are the products of a single gene in mouse and rat, an analogous human gene has not been described. Using RT-PCR based cloning strategies, we have cloned human DPP cDNA from immature molar root total RNA. The open reading frame of this human DPP cDNA comprises 2364 bp encoding 788 amino acids rich in serine (58%), aspartic acid (26%) and asparagine (9%). These are mostly arranged as (DSS)n (n = 1-16), DS and NSS motifs. The N-terminal sequence (DDP) matches that obtained from human DPP extracted from the roots of immature teeth. The core protein of this human DPP was calculated to have a molecular weight of 76,906 Da and a net charge of -206 with an isoelectric point of 2.65. Of the serine residues, 53% can potentially be phosphorylated by casein kinases I and II. Thus, this newly cloned human cDNA, which encodes a protein with characteristics similar to rat and mouse DPP, is identified as a human DPP.

Mortality in adults with and without diabetes in a national cohort of the U.S. population, 1971-1993

OBJECTIVE

To examine 22-year mortality (1971-1993), causes of death, life expectancy, and survival in a national sample of diabetic and nondiabetic adults according to age, sex, and race.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A representative national cohort of 14,374 adults aged 25-74 years was identified in 1971-1975 in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I). Diabetes was ascertained by medical history interview. The cohort was followed for mortality through 1992-1993, with verification of vital status for 96.2% (n = 13,830). Causes of death were determined from death certificates.

RESULTS

Diabetic subjects comprised 5.1% of the cohort and accounted for 10.6% of the deaths. Mortality for diabetic subjects increased from 12.4 per 1,000 person-years for those aged 25-44 years at baseline to 89.7 per 1,000 person-years for those aged 65-74 years. The age-adjusted mortality rate was 57% higher for diabetic men than for diabetic women; the rate was 27% higher for diabetic non-Hispanic blacks than for diabetic non-Hispanic whites. Mortality rates were highest for insulin-treated subjects and for those with > or = 15 years' duration of diabetes. Diabetes was listed on the death certificate as the underlying cause of death for only 7.7% of diabetic men and 13.4% of diabetic women. Considering multiple causes of death, heart disease was listed the most frequently and was present on 69.5% of death certificates of people with diabetes. Death rates were higher for diabetic than for nondiabetic subjects in all age, sex, and race groups. The relative risk of death (diabetic versus nondiabetic subjects) declined with age from a value of 3.6 for those aged 25-44 years at baseline to 1.5 for those aged 65-74 years. The relative risk was elevated in diabetic subjects for all major causes of death except malignant neoplasms. Survival of diabetic subjects was lower than that of nondiabetic subjects in all age, sex, and race groups. Median life expectancy was 8 years lower for diabetic adults aged 55-64 years and 4 years lower for those aged 65-74 years.

CONCLUSIONS

In this representative national sample of adults, mortality rates were higher for diabetic men than for diabetic women and for diabetic blacks than for diabetic whites. The study confirms the substantially higher risk of death, lower survival, and lower life expectancy of diabetic adults compared with nondiabetic adults.

Antigenic components of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide recognized by sera from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis

The dominant antigen of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans recognized by high-titer sera from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis is the serotype antigen located in the O-side chains of lipopolysaccharide. Whether such sera contain antibodies reactive with other epitopes in lipopolysaccharide, as is the case for patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis, remains unknown. We prepared and characterized by gas liquid chromatography lipopolysaccharide, lipid A, core carbohydrate with no or few O-side chains (core) and high-molecular-mass carbohydrate-rich in O-side chains (oligosaccharide) from A. actinomyce-temcomitans ATCC 43718 (serotype b, Y4). Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), sera from 36 patients with localized juvenile periodontitis were surveyed using whole-cell sonicate as plate antigen. The seven highest titer sera were selected for further study. Specific IgG antibody binding was observed to intact lipopolysaccharide and to all the lipopolysaccharide fractions. The mean titers were highest for intact lipopolysaccharide (138.8 ELISA units), and lipid A (122 ELISA units), followed by the core fraction (81 ELISA units) and the oligosaccharide fraction (69.5 ELISA units). ELISA inhibition revealed that the core fraction at a concentration of 10 micrograms/test well inhibited antibody binding to A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide by a mean value of 56.7%. To further characterize antibody binding to the core fraction, ELISA inhibition was performed using as inhibitor the core carbohydrate fraction of the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota, which is known to contain only alpha-keto-3-deoxyoctonate residues and phosphate. This fraction at 10 micrograms/test well inhibited binding of antibodies from 6 of 7 test sera with a mean value of 49.2%. Thus, sera from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis contain antibodies that bind to the O-side chains of lipopolysaccharide, as has been previously reported, but they also contain antibodies that bind to lipid A and to lipopolysaccharide core polysaccharide epitopes, specifically to alpha-keto-3-deoxyoctonate moieties. The humoral immune response to A. actinomycetemcomitans in patients with localized juvenile periodontitis is more complex than previously reported and is very similar to that of patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis.

Analysis of the p16 tumor suppressor gene in early-stage prostate cancer

To identify whether alterations of the p16 tumor suppressor gene are a common event in localized prostate cancer, we examined the frequency of p16 gene mutations in 30 primary tumors. Only two tumors demonstrated altered single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns for exon 2 of p16. In both cases, sequencing revealed a missense at codon 148, a G-->A transition that resulted in the replacement of the alanine by threonine. Polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of matched blood samples revealed the same abnormal band shifts as the tumor samples, suggesting that these base changes are polymorphic. In addition, transcriptional inactivation by means of CpG island methylation has also been reported as a possible means of p16 gene inactivation. To address this point, we determined the pattern of DNA methylation at the Smal site for 21 of 30 samples for which DNA was available. Only one sample had an altered methylation pattern at the Smal site downstream of exon 1 of the p16 gene, which is outside the CpG island and is not normally associated with transcriptional inactivation. However, two samples did have deletions proximal to or within the p16 gene. These results indicate that mutations in p16 may not be a dominant pathway for p16 loss of function or that inactivation of p16 by DNA methylation may not be necessary for the transformation and progression of prostate cancer.

Recognition of antigenic epitopes in lipopolysaccharide and protein from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans by serum antibodies in untreated rapidly progressive periodontitis patients

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been associated with early-onset periodontitis, including the localized juvenile and rapidly progressive forms. The immunodominant antigens of A. actinomycetemcomitans recognized by rapidly progressive periodontitis patients remain unidentified. Sera from 22 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis and 20 periodontally normal subjects were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin G antibodies to whole-cell sonicate, protein, purified lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide fractions of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The median titers of rapidly progressive periodontitis patients and control subjects to whole-cell sonicate were 25.0 and 14.5 ELISA units, respectively (not significantly different). Binding of antibody from patient sera occurred to both the lipopolysaccharide and the protein fractions, with greater binding to lipopolysaccharide than to protein. We show for the first time that patient sera contain antibodies that bind specifically to antigenic epitopes in lipid A and in the core carbohydrate of lipopolysaccharide that were previously considered to be inaccessible and unavailable, as well as to epitopes in the O side chains. Sera manifesting antibody titers 2-fold or greater than the median titer for control sera were judged to be seropositive. More patients were seropositive for lipid A than for any of the other antigen preparations studied, and the median titer for patient sera to lipid A but to none of the other purified lipopolysaccharide fractions was significantly elevated relative to control values. Of 22 patients, 10 were seropositive to whole-cell sonicate, 7 to protein, 8 to lipopolysaccharide, 7 to the high-molecular-weight lipopolysaccharide-polysaccharide fraction rich in O side chains, and 16 to lipid A. The core carbohydrate did not adhere to the test plate surface, and this precluded ELISA measurements. However, when the core carbohydrate was used in the ELISA inhibition assay, it reduced antibody binding to lipopolysaccharide-coated plates by up to 45%, thereby demonstrating antibody binding to core carbohydrate. The core carbohydrate fraction from the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota known to contain no O-side chains also inhibited binding of specific antibody to plates coated with A actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide. Overall, there was extreme variation in responses among patients to the various antigen preparations, with no single pattern dominating. Lipopolysaccharide and its components appear to be the immunodominant epitopes, since most rapidly progressive periodontitis patients are seropositive for lipopolysaccharide and/or its components and they have titers relative to those for proteins.

[A curative report of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus caused mediastinitis after cardiac surgery]

We experienced a curative case, who was a fifty nine-year old man suffered from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused-mediastinitis following cardiac surgery against atrial septal defect (ASD) and tricuspid regurgitation. We successfully treated him with mediastinal irrigations by a large quantities of physiological saline containing 1% Povidone iodine (PI) and MRSA sensitive antibiotics as well as artificial supports such as plasma pheresis and hemodialysis against failure organs. It may be due to the prompt treatment with mediastinal irrigation and well timed dosage of sensitive antibiotics against the origin of sepsis that such a serious patient like this case could be recovered from MODS and DIC. In addition, it may be very effective to irrigate with 1% PI against MRSA-caused-mediastinitis.

[A successful case of infrarenal abdominal aortic replacement against acute abdominal organ failures and ischemia of bilateral lower limbs following the operation of DeBakey IIIb-type dissecting aneurysm]

We experienced a successful surgical case, who was a 52-year-old man suffered from acute abdominal organ failures and ischemia of bilateral lower limbs following aortic arch replacement against DeBakey IIIb-type dissecting aneurysm. We investigated the abdominal blood flow by DSA via true lumen, which seemed to be obstructed by the increase in blood flow to false lumen. Therefore, to increase in blood flow to true lumen, we performed an urgent infra-renal abdominal aortic replacement successfully.

Expression of genes for bone morphogenetic proteins and receptors in human dental pulp

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) have been shown to induce reparative dentine formation experimentally but the cells responsible, which respond to BMPs, have not been identified. The BMP signal is probably mediated by interaction of type I and II BMP receptors (R). Here, the RNA of human adult dental pulp and pulp cells in culture was examined by reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for evidence of mRNA for BMPs. mRNAs for BMP-2, -4, osteogenic protein-1, ActR-1 (activin-like kinase receptor), BMPR-IA, -IB and -II were detected by RT-PCR. The 698-bp PCR fragment for BMPR-IB was used to probe pulp cells for expression of that receptor. Cell expression of BMPR-IB was detected by the hybridization probe. The findings suggest that resident pulp cells may be able to respond to BMPs to initiate tissue formation.

[Long-term survival after treatment of thoracic aneurysms by thromboexclusion operation]

Since 1982, fourteen patients with aortic aneurysms received thromboexclusion operation. This method was performed in 7 patients with dissecting aortic aneurysms, 6 patients with true thoracic aneurysms, and 1 patient with true thoracoabdominal aneurysm. Among them, 12 patients received the operation of ascending aorta-supraceliac abdominal aorta bypass, one patient received descending aorta-descending aorta bypass, and another one received bilateral axillo-iliac artery bypass. Graft sizes in diameter were from 16 mm to 22 mm. 9 patients received permanent paired-clamps at both the proximal and the distal parts of the thoracic aneurysm, and 5 patients received permanent single-clamp only at the proximal part of the thoracic aneurysm. 5 patients (35.7%) died perioperatively because of low output syndrome, cerebral infarction, hepato-renal insufficiency, and aneurysmal rupture, respectively. 4 late deaths (28.6%) occurred after 4 months, 5 months, 26 months, and 5 years of operation, respectively. Among them, three deaths were due to aneurysmal rupture and one due to heart failure. Although paired-clamps at both the proximal and the distal parts of the thoracic aneurysm were performed in 1 to 3 ruptured-cases, thrombo-occlusion of the thoracic aorta did not occur in any of the cases. Long-term survival was 35.7% in 5 patients after 14 years and 4 months of mean follow-up. Although a single-clamp only at the proximal part of the thoracic aneurysm was performed in 2 of these 5 cases, thrombo-occlusion of the thoracic aorta occurred in all cases. For the four survivors of them, we ran a follow-up survey and found left ventricular hypertrophic pattern in ECG, concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in UCG, and hypertension, but those were absent before operation. We conclude that thromboexclusion method for thoracic aneurysm should be limited only to high-risk patients particularly in bad conditions or to cases with severe adhesion to lung which seem to be inaccessible through direct approach.

[Constrictive pericarditis with dissecting aortic aneurysm (DeBakey type II)]

We experienced a case of constrictive pericarditis with dissecting aortic aneurysm (DeBakey type II). The patient complained of orthopnea and leg edema. The cause of constrictive pericarditis was pericardial effusion due to dissecting aortic aneurysm. Ascending aortic replacement with graft and decortication of thickened pericardium were performed. We confirmed the decrease of CVP and PAP intraoperatively. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Isolation and expression in Escherichia coli of hepB and hepC, genes coding for the glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes heparinase II and heparinase III, respectively, from Flavobacterium heparinum

Upon induction with heparin, Flavobacterium heparinum synthesizes and secretes into its periplasmic space heparinase I (EC 4.2.2.7), heparinase II, and heparinase III (heparitinase; EC 4.2.2.8). Heparinase I degrades heparin, and heparinase II degrades both heparin and heparan sulfate, while heparinase III degrades heparan sulfate predominantly. We isolated the genes encoding heparinases II and III (designated hepB and hepC, respectively). These genes are not contiguous with each other or with the heparinase I gene (designated hepA). hepB and hepC were found to contain open reading frames of 2,316 and 1,980 bp, respectively. Enzymatic removal of pyroglutamate groups permitted sequence analysis of the amino termini of both mature proteins. It was determined that the mature forms of heparinases II and III contain 746 and 635 amino acids, respectively, and have calculated molecular weights of 84,545 and 73,135, respectively. The preproteins have signal sequences consisting of 26 and 25 amino acids. Truncated hepB and hepC genes were used to produce active, mature heparinases II and III in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. When these enzymes were expressed at 37 degrees C, most of each recombinant enzyme was insoluble, and most of the heparinase III protein was degraded. When the two enzymes were expressed at 25 degrees C, they were both present predominantly in a soluble, active form.

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by endocardial endothelial cells

We assessed the anti-platelet properties of endocardial endothelial cells (EECs) by measuring platelet aggregation after brief interaction with EECs isolated from the right ventricles of porcine hearts. Platelet aggregation in response to thrombin was significantly inhibited by brief incubation of platelet suspensions over EEC monolayers. Pretreatment of EECs with indomethacin restored platelet reaction but that with L-NAME and hemoglobin (Hb) did not. The PGI2 content of platelet suspensions after interaction with cultured EECs was significantly correlated with the inhibition of platelet aggregation. These results suggest that EECs inhibit platelet aggregation by releasing PGI2.

Cardioprotective effect of nicorandil in histidine-tryptophan-ketoglurate solution during the cold storage of isolated hearts

We compared the efficacy of using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglurate (HTK) solution with that of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for heart preservation in an isolated rat heart preparation. Nicorandil (NCR) exerts its action as an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener at low extracellular potassium concentrations, and HTK solution has a low potassium concentration. Therefore, we also investigated the efficacy of using HTK solution with NCR following 12-hr preservation. Hearts isolated from male Wistar rats were mounted on a Langendorff apparatus to estimate baseline aortic flow (AF), coronary flow (CF), cardiac out-put (CO), heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SP), aortic mean pressure, and the rate-pressure product (RPP). The hearts were divided into four groups: group 1, 8-hr storage in UW solution; groups 2 and 3, 8- or 12-hr storage in HTK solution, respectively; and group 4, 12-hr storage in HTK solution with NCR. They were arrested and stored at 4 degrees C in each preservation solution. Following storage, they were reperfused and postpreservative function was measured to assess cardiac functional recovery. Concentrations of creatine phosphokinase, troponin-T, and lactate in the coronary perfusate were measured. Frozen tissue samples from groups 3 and 4 were analyzed for adenylate content and cGMP. The myocardial water content was also measured. The recovery of AF, CF, CO, SP, and RPP in group 2 was significantly improved compared with that in group 1 (P<0.05). The recovery of AF, CF, CO and HR in group 4 was significantly better than that in group 3 (P<0.05). Creatine phosphokinase leakage in group 2 and troponin-T leakage in group 4 were significantly reduced (P<0.05 vs. groups 1 and 3, respectively). Total adenine nucleotides and the adenylate energy charge in group 4 were well sustained (P<0.05 vs. group 3). These results suggest that HTK solution is more effective than UW solution for cardiac preservation, and that NCR provides still better protection.

Overexpression of her-2/neu in human prostate cancer and benign hyperplasia

Overexpression of the neu oncoprotein has been described in several tumor models including breast and prostate cancer. Overexpression of neu has been reported to have prognostic significance in certain tumors but controversy continues regarding the role and frequency of neu overexpression in prostatic cancer. The objectives of the study were twofold. First, to characterize neu expression in prostate cancer in comparison to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Second, to determine whether neu expression correlates with Gleason grade in prostate cancer. Thirty-nine prostate cancers obtained from radical prostatectomy specimens and 10 benign prostatic hyperplasia specimens were included in the study. Specimens were formalin fixed and paraffin-embodied. neu expression was studied by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal neu specific AB-3 antibody. All 39 specimens (100%) of prostate cancer showed positive immunostaining of variable degree while 2 (20%) benign prostatic hyperplasia specimens showed positive staining. Thus, neu oncogene is overexpressed in localized prostate cancer compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The degree of neu immunostaining did not correlate with Gleason grade and there appeared to be a tendency towards an inverse relationship. The prognostic significance of the varying overexpression is unknown.

[Two operated cases of synchronous double cancer of the lung and digestive tract in patients over 80 years old and genetical diagnosis]

Synchronous double cancer of the lung and gastrointestinal organ was successfully resected by an one-step approach in two aged patients over 80 years. An 81-year-old man was clinically diagnosed as having a right lung cancer (S3) along with a sigmoid colon cancer. The pathological cell types of these cancers were squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma respectively. Right upper lobectomy and sigmoidectomy were performed at the same time because he had no risks for the operation. An-80-year-old woman was diagnosed as having a left lung cancer (S8-9) along with a stomach cancer. The cell types of these cancers were both highly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Left lower lobectomy and subtotal gastrectomy were performed at the same time, too. We limited lymph nodes dissection to shorten the operation time and no postoperative complications occurred in both patients. It is suggested that simultaneous operation for double cancer in aged patients can be safely performed in selected cases. In the latter patient, pathological cell type of the lung cancer was similar to that of stomach cancer. So we applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for making a diagnosis of double cancer postoperatively, and it was proved that the lung and gastric cancers were different from each other in genetical natures. Application of the genetical technique to clinical field which greatly contribute to making a diagnosis of double cancer is expected.

Purification, characterization and specificity of chondroitin lyases and glycuronidase from Flavobacterium heparinum

The chondroitin lyases from Flavobacterium heparinum (Cytophaga heparinia) have been widely used in depolymerization of glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan chondroitin sulphates. Oligosaccharide products derived from chondroitin sulphate can be further degraded by glycuronidases and sulphatases obtained from the same organism. There has been no reported purification of these enzymes to homogeneity nor is there any information on their physical and kinetic characteristics. The absence of pure enzymes has resulted in a lack of understanding of the optimal conditions for their catalytic activity and their substrate specificity. This has limited the use of these enzymes as reagents for preparation of oligosaccharides for structure and activity studies. Reproducible schemes to purify a chondroitin AC lyase, a glycuronidase and chondroitin B lyase from Flavobacterium heparinum to apparent homogeneity are described. Chondroitin AC lyase (chondroitinase AC, EC 4.2.2.5), glycuronidase [chondro-(1-->3)-glycuronidase, no EC number] and chondroitin B lyase (chondroitinase B, no EC number) have M(r) values (assessed by SDS/PAGE) of 74,000, 41,800 and 55,200 respectively, and isoelectric points (determined by isoelectric focusing) of 8.85, 9.28 and 9.05 respectively. Chondroitin lyase AC and B contain pyroglutamic acid at their N-termini precluding their analysis by Edman degradation. Deblocking with pyroglutamate aminopeptidase facilitated the determination of their N-terminal sequences. The kinetic properties of these enzymes have been determined as well as the optimum conditions for their catalytic activity. The specificity of the glycouronidase, determined using 17 different disaccharide substrates, shows that it only acts on unsulphated or 6-O-sulphated 1-->3 linkages. The chondroitin lyases are both endolytic enzymes, and oligosaccharide mapping shows their expected specificity towards the chondroitin and dermatan sulphate polymers.

Ischemic preconditioning improves cardiac functional recovery following preservation with University of Wisconsin solution

Single or multiple brief periods of regional or global ischemia and reperfusion prior to a prolonged ischemic insult showed cardioprotective effects. Although this phenomenon (ischemic preconditioning [IPC]) has been described in ischemic reperfusion models, the effect of IPC on heart preservation has not been previously reported. We, thus, investigated the effect of IPC on heart preservation. Hearts isolated from male Wistar rats (250-350 g) were mounted on a Langendorff apparatus to estimate baseline function (aortic flow, coronary flow, cardiac output, heart rate, systolic pressure, and rate pressure product). All hearts were divided into 5 groups. In groups 1 and 4, the hearts were subjected to 8 and 12 hr of preservation, respectively. The hearts in group 2 were subjected to a single 2.5-minute cycle of normothermic global ischemic episode (IPC) before 8 hr of preservation. In groups 3 and 5, the hearts were subjected to two 2.5-min IPC cycles and stored for 8 or 12 hr. The hearts were arrested with University of Wisconsin solution and stored at 4 degrees C. Following storage, the hearts were reperfused and measured postpreservative function to assess cardiac functional recovery. Lactate and troponin-T leakage in the coronary perfusate was also measured. In group 3, the treatment of two 2.5-min IPC cycles significantly increased cardiac output, but the treatment of single 2.5-min IPC cycle did not affect the result. In the extended preservation group (group 5), the recovery (%) of both coronary flow and cardiac output were significantly increased compared with group 4. Furthermore, lactate leakage was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3. These results suggest that IPC improves cardiac functional recovery following simple cold storage and has cardioprotective effects in rat heart preservation.

[Acute thrombosed aortic dissection--its clinical manifestation and treatment for Stanford A type]

Ten patients (mean age of 63 years old) with acute thrombosed aortic dissection (ATAD) have been evaluated among 31 aortic dissections during past 10 years (from 1985 to 1995). The six cases are Stanford A type and others are Stanford B type. The mean maximal diameter of aorta was 52 +/- 6 mm in Stanford A type and 41 +/- 4 mm in Stanford B type. The ratio of true lumen was 78 +/- 14% to that of whole horizontal section area in thrombosed type and 34 +/- 19% in opacified type dissection. We had chosen conservative treatment for all ATAD. However, five patients with Stanford A type dissection needed to be operated on in short term periods. Three patients were operated upon within three days from onset, and another two patients were operated on 34th and 37th day from onset, respectively. ATAD is firstly treated medically and its prognosis is generally well. However, we proposed here that the conservative treatment for ATAD, especially Stanford A type dissection, must be reconsidered because of our many operations for ATAD in the follow-up periods.

[A case report of left atrial free-floating ball thrombus in a patient without mitral valve disease]

A 77-year-old man who had a left atrial free-floating ball thrombus without mitral valve disease was operated. His electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation. Transesophageal echocardiography showed free-floating mass in dilated left atrium and intact mitral valve. Transesophageal echocardiogram was also useful for intra-operative management. At the operation, the mass proved to be a free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium and the intact mitral valve was confirmed. The thrombus was removed, but we could not wean the patient from extra-corporeal circulation due to intra-operative myocardial infarction. Autopsy showed left ventricular hypertrophy and the focus of acute myocardial infarction in lateral wall and posterior wall of left ventricle. Furthermore, large organized thrombi were found in aorta and right main pulmonary artery. It was suggested that the patient had abnormal coagulative system or fibrolytic system preoperatively.

[A case of lung scar cancer with special pathohistological feature and high CA 19-9 level]

A 58-year-old woman complained of cough and fever. CX-P and chest CT revealed pneumonic shadow and serum CA 19-9 level was high. Since the malignant cells were found in the bronchial lavage fluid, the lower lobectomy of the left lung was done. Both macroscopically and microscopically, adenocarcinoma only existed in 2-3 mm width at the peripheral site of the scar lesion. The postoperative CA 19-9 values continued to be high, suggesting the recurrence of the cancer. After 23 months from the first operation, the upper lobe of the left lung was resected on the base of the similar findings in CX-P and chest CT. The histological finding of the specimen was compatible with the scar cancer described above. After the second operation, the serum CA 19-9 value decreased to normal. We reported a case of the lung scar cancer with special pathohistological feature.

[A successful operation for left atrial myxoma and mitral valve regurgitation with giant LA]

A 78-year-old woman was introduced to our clinic, complaining of orthopnea and severe appetite loss, and her performance status was evaluated as NYHA IV. Computed tomogram revealed a myxoma in left atrium (LA) as a low density area and MRI demonstrated a high intensity shadow. Left ventriculogram and color Doppler echocardiogram showed severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) with giant LA. LA myxoma was completely resected through both LA-tomy and RA-tomy. The LA was plicated according to the method reported by Kawazoe, followed by a mitral valve replacement with SJM 25 mm, and a tricuspid annuloplasty according to the DeVega's method. The postoperative course was uneventful and her performance status improved to NYHA II at discharge. LA myxoma frequently causes secondary MR. In this case, however, the LA myxoma did not affect the function of mitral valve, judging from its size and position. There were a few reports about LA myxoma complicated with primary MR. We also confirmed that a LA plication was very useful for the treatment of giant LA to improve a respiratory failure.

[The diagnosis and treatment of benign esophagotracheo-bronchial fistula: a report of 26 cases]

Twenty six patients with esophagotracheal fistula or esophagobronchial fistula were treated from 1960 to 1991. There were 18 males and 8 females with age ranging from 19 to 69. Trauma and complication of esophageal diverticulum were the main causes of fistula. Among 23 patients surgically treated, 10 underwent direct repair, and 13 either closure of esophageal defect or tracheal or bronchial defect. The concomitant procedures were permanent tracheostomy, tracheal resection and reconstruction, pulmonary resection, thoracoplasty esophagectomy, and esophagogastric anastomosis. All patients resumed normal eating. Complications included paralysis of recurrent nerves, empyema, injury and ligation of subclavian artery, dehiscence of tracheal anastomosis, and contralateral pneumohydrothorax in each patient. Prognosis of 3 nonsurgical treatments of fistulas was poor. Surgical intervention should be done as soon as the diagnosis is established in order to minimize pulmonary complication.

Action pattern of polysaccharide lyases on glycosaminoglycans

The action pattern of polysaccharide lyases on glycosaminoglycan substrates was examined using viscosimetric measurements and gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Heparin lyase I (heparinase, EC 4.2.2.7) and heparin lyase II (no EC number) both acted on heparin in a random endolytic fashion. Heparin lyase II showed an ideal endolytic action pattern on heparan sulphate, while heparin lyase I decreased the molecular weight of heparan sulphate more slowly. Heparin lyase III (heparitinase, EC 4.2.2.8) acted endolytically only on heparan sulphate and did not cleave heparin. Chondroitin ABC lyase (chondroitinase ABC, EC 4.2.2.4) from Proteus vulgaris acted endolytically on chondroitin-6-sulphate (chondroitin sulphate C) and dermatan sulphate at nearly identical initial rates, but acted on chondroitin-4-sulphate (chondroitin sulphate A) at a reduced rate, decreasing its molecular weight much more slowly. Two chondroitin AC lyases (chondroitinase AC, both EC 4.2.2.5) were examined towards chondroitin-4- and -6-sulphates. The exolytic action of chondroitin AC lyase A from Arthrobacter aurescens on both chondroitin-4- and -6-sulphates was demonstrated viscosimetrically and confirmed using both gradient PAGE and gel permeation chromatography. Chondroitin AC lyase F from Flavobacterium heparinum (Cytophagia heparinia) acted endolytically on the same substrates. Chondroitin B lyase (chondroitinase B, no EC number) from F.heparinum acted endolytically on dermatan sulphate giving a nearly identical action pattern as observed for chondroitin ABC lyase acting on dermatan sulphate.

[Screening of anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and antifertility components of Tripterygium wilfordii V. Effects of 7 diterpene lactone epoxide compounds on the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in vitro]

The inhibitory effects and their IC50 values of Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) on T and B lymphocytes were assayed using mice splenocytes induced to proliferate by mitogens ConA and LPS in vitro. The results indicated that 6 compounds (T4,T7,T8,T9,T10,L2) and component T1 had significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to ConA and LPS. The inhibitory potencies of these compounds were in the range of 10(-5)-10(-9) micrograms/ml for both T and B cells, while those of T1 were 3.5 and 4.2 micrograms/ml, respectively. The IC50 values, from low to high, were in the following order: T10,T4,T8,L2,T7,T9 and T1, The dose-effect curves for LPS were to the right of ConA curves, though both were nearly parallel. The relative order of the IC50 values determined from ConA and LPS curves were also coincident. Another compound, T11, showed no suppressive effect on the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes induced by either mitogen, even when its concentration reached 50 micrograms/ml. The results suggest that the suppressive effects of the componends on the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in vitro were direct and non-selective.

[Successful operation for isolated cardiac rhabdomyoma of the right atrium]

A 12-year-old girl has experienced palpitation and dizziness, and presented atrial flutter with maximal heart rate of 220/min. Two-dimensional echocardiogram and chest MRI revealed a mass attached to the inter-atrial septum. Complete excision of the tumor including the atrial septum was performed without damage to tricuspid valve. The interatrial septal defect was closed primarily. Histology of the tumor was compatible with cardiac rhabdomyoma. Sinus rhythm was present and no tachycardia occurred in the postoperative period. On the literature, only one case of isolated cardiac rhabdomyoma developing in the atrium was reported and this is considered as the oldest operative case in Japan.