Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta(1-42) levels in the mild cognitive impairment stage of Alzheimer's disease

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid beta-protein ending at amino acid position 42 (CSF-A beta(1-42)) and CSF-tau levels were quantified by sandwich ELISAs in 19 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who eventually developed Alzheimer's disease (AD) on follow-up as well as in 15 age-matched normal controls and 54 AD patients at diverse stages of the disease. In the present study, the annual conversion rate was approximately 15%. The CSF-A beta(1-42) levels did not differ significantly between the normal control group and the MCI group, however, these values declined significantly once AD became clinically overt. In contrast to CSF-Abeta(1-42), CSF-tau levels were significantly increased in the MCI stage, and these values continued to be elevated thereafter, indicating that increased levels of CSF-tau may help in detecting MCI subjects who are predicted to develop AD. We propose that CSF-tau and CSF-A beta(1-42) must be used as two distinct biomarkers that should be applied appropriately in clinical settings.

Genomic organization and organ-specific expression of a nuclear gene encoding phage-type RNA polymerase in Nicotiana sylvestris

We have isolated and sequenced a nuclear gene and cDNA encoding bacteriophage T7-type single subunit RNA polymerase, NsRpoT-A, from Nicotiana sylvestris. NsRpoT-A consists of 19 exons and 18 introns; the first intron is 17 kb, the longest yet identified in a plant gene. Genomic Southern analysis indicated that N. sylvestris contains a small family of NsRpoT genes. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that steady-state mRNA levels are highest in the leaves and lowest in the cotyledons. Phylogenetic analysis of NsRpoT-A and the RpoT proteins of other plant species suggested that NsRpoT-A is a mitochondrial protein. The TargetP program predicted localization of the NsRpoT-A gene product to the mitochondria. Using a transient expression assay and protoplasts from N. sylvestris mesophyll cells, we clearly demonstrated that the N-terminal sequence of NsRpoT-A targets the protein to the mitochondria. We therefore named this protein NsRpoTm.

[Indications for combined resection and reconstruction of the hepatic artery in biliary tract carcinoma]

More than 10 years have passed since hepatic artery resection was first performed for the treatment of biliary tract cancer. The safety of this procedure has been established with the introduction of the microsurgery technique. However, the benefits of and indications for this treatment have not yet been clarified. Twenty-three patients underwent vascular resection (portal vein in 7, portal vein + hepatic artery in 9, hepatic artery in 7) among 114 resected patients with biliary tract cancer in our institution. The right hepatic artery was reconstructed by end-to-end anastomosis in most cases. The curative resection rate was 88.9% in hilar bile duct cancer. However, it was less than 50% in other carcinomas. Cumulative 5-year survival rates of vascular resection patients with hilar bile duct cancer, lower bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma were 14.8%, 25%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. On the other hand, the rates were 38.9%, 0%, 0%, and 0%, in the stage III + IV patients who did not undergo vascular resection. The longest survival period among patients with hilar bile duct cancer and lower bile duct cancer was 85 months and 65 months, respectively, whereas it was 15 months in gallbladder cancer and 20 months in cholangiocarcinoma patients. No hilar bile duct cancer patient who survived for more than 3 years had lymph node metastasis. The longest surviving cholangiocarcinoma patient has received adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. It is concluded that patients with hilar bile duct cancer are good candidates for vascular resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be administered to gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma patients, because vascular resection alone does not result in prolongation of life in these patients.

Endometrial carcinoma coexisting with pregnancy, presumed to derive from adenomyosis: a case report

Endometrial carcinoma coexisting with pregnancy is rarely observed. We report here the case of a 35-year-old woman with an endometrial carcinoma that was diagnosed 6 months after childbirth. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic mass attached to the uterus, with a papillary projection on the wall of the mass. The patient underwent complete surgical extirpation and five postoperative courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, given that the tumor contents had leaked into the peritoneal cavity when the capsule of the tumor ruptured intraoperatively. Microscopic examination revealed an endometrioid adenocarcinoma in the muscular layer close to the uterine serosa that was presumed to derive from adenomyosis. Further investigation is required to elucidate the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma in association with pregnancy and adenomyosis.

Synthetic studies on glycosphingolipids from Protostomia phyla: synthesis of amphoteric glycolipid analogues containing a phosphocholine residue from the earthworm Pheretima hilgendorfi

Two kinds of amphoteric glycosphingolipid analogues from the earthworm Pheretima hilgendorfi were synthesized as follows: The key reaction is a coupling of a phosphocholine group at the position C-6 of 1 and 6 which was attempted using 2-chloro-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane, followed by reaction of the resulting cyclic phosphate intermediate with anhydrous trimethylamine to give 2 and 7. Subsequent debenzylation afforded target compounds (3, 8). Their ability to inhibit the histamine release in vitro was examined.

Cadmium absorption from smoking cigarettes: Calculation using recent findings from Japan

Consumed substances, including food, drink, and tobacco, produced in the environment are exposure sources of Cd. The object of the present study was to estimate Cd exposure and absorption amount from smoking cigarettes, one exposure source of Cd, using recent findings from Japan. The market share of cigarettes produced in foreign countries has increased in Japan, the proportion of tobacco leaves harvested in foreign countries has increased in cigarettes produced in Japan, and the percentage of smokers in Japan has changed. Therefore, obtaining the absorption value of Cd from smoking cigarettes using recent findings from Japan is significant.We collected information on (1) the concentrations of Cd in tobacco leaves by country of harvest and in cigarettes by country of production, (2) the concentrations of Cd in cigarette smoke, (3) the proportion of tobacco leaves harvested in foreign countries used in cigarettes made and sold in Japan, (4) the absorption rate of Cd in the airways for cigarette smoke, (5) the smoking rate by gender, age, and year in Japan, (6) the number of cigarettes sold in Japan by year and country of production, (7) the number of cigarettes smoked by smokers per day according to gender and age in Japan, and (8) the population size in 1998 by gender and age in Japan. The mean amount of Cd absorbed via the airways by smoking for smokers in Japan was calculated to be 0.89-1.78 μg/day from the above information. The values are not small in comparison with the amount of Cd absorbed from the digestive organs.The concentration of Cd in tobacco leaves harvested in Japan and cigarettes produced in Japan is generally higher than that of leaves harvested and cigarettes produced in foreign countries. The increase in the market share of cigarettes produced in foreign countries and sold in Japan and the increase in the proportion of tobacco leaves harvested in foreign countries used in cigarettes made and sold in Japan have decreased the amount of Cd absorbed by smoking for smokers in Japan.

Amino acid supplementation affects hematological and biochemical parameters in elite rugby players

Individual amino acid supplementation affects various types of athletic performance. However, little information on combinations of amino acids is currently available. This study evaluated an amino acid mixture containing L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-arginine, and L-glutamine to 3.6 g of total amino acids per dose. Twenty-three rugby players were given 3.6 g, twice, daily of the amino acid mixture for 90 days (June-August 1994) and blood samples were collected for analyses in September 1993, March 1994, September 1994, and September 1995. After 90 days of supplementation, almost all of the athletes reported improvement in vigor and earlier recovery from fatigue. Significant increases (P<0.05) were observed in hemoglobin, RBC count, hematocrit, and serum iron by amino acid supplementation. Significant increases (P<0.05) were also noted in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein along with decreased (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase. All values reverted to original levels when measured after one year of continued training without supplementation.

Extraction of human Langerhans cells: a method for isolation of epidermis-resident dendritic cells

Langerhans cells (LCs) are immature dendritic cells in the epidermis that play a central role in T-lymphocyte mediated skin immunity. Upon activation with antigenic stimuli, they differentiate drastically into mature dendritic cells while migrating from the epidermis to regional lymph nodes. Thus, in order to study biological details of immature LCs, it is crucial to isolate epidermis-resident, immature LCs without dermal dendritic cell contamination. Methods for extracting LCs from human skin as well as in vitro derivation of LC-like cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells have been described previously, but the cell preparations can potentially contain a significant number of dendritic cells that are not identical to epidermal LCs. Here, we describe a technique by which purely epidermis-resident LCs are extracted from human skin. Following digestion of human skin with dispase, the epidermis was separated mechanically without any attached dermal component. The trypsinized epidermal cells were then fractionated by centrifugation with a discontinuous density gradient composed of bovine albumin and sodium metrizoate. The LC-enriched preparation thus obtained contained 80% to >90% CD1a+, E-cadherin+ cells that expressed Birbeck granules and the Lag protein. Consistent with their being at an immature stage, the freshly isolated LCs lacked the expression of CD83, a marker for mature dendritic cells. The purified LCs were able to activate allogeneic T cells, indicating that the cells retained T-cell stimulation ability even after extraction. Thus, the present work offers an opportunity for precise in vitro studies of epidermal LCs.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein induction in a mouse model of asthma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known to be present in measurable quantities in the exhalation of asthmatic patients. Corticosteroid treatment resulted in a decrease in exhaled CO levels in asthmatic patients, raising the possibility that an increase in exhaled CO concentration reflects inflammation of the asthmatic airway. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein, also called HSP32, is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of heme to biliverdin, free iron and CO. However, it is unknown whether an expression of HO-1 within the lung tissue is related to allergic airway inflammation. We studied the expression of HO-1 in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage cells in a mouse model of asthma.

METHODS

Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized C57BL/6 mice were challenged with aerosolized OVA. HO-1 positive cells were identified by immunostaining in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after the challenge.

RESULTS

HO-1 positive cell numbers increased in the subepithelium of the bronchi after OVA challenge. In cytospin preparations from BALF after OVA challenge, HO-1 was localized to alveolar macrophages. Inside the macrophages, HO-1 reactivity was expressed in the cytoplasm, and the perinuclear region in particular.

CONCLUSION

The expression of HO-1 is increased within the lung tissue in allergic airway inflammation. Measurement of HO-1 activity may be clinically useful in the management of asthma.

[A case of Mycobacterium intracellulare infection complicated by immotile cilia syndrome]

A 25-year-old woman with a history of immotile cilia syndrome (ICS) was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea. Chest roentgenography revealed dense infiltrates in both lower lung fields in addition to bronchiectasis and small nodular opacities, which had been observed previously. Transbronchial lung biopsy demonstrated evidence of non-caseating epithelioid cell granuloma. Sputum specimens were examined, and isolates were identified as Mycobacterium intracellulare. The patient was given antituberculous therapy and clarithromycin, which induced clinical improvement. It is well known that bronchial mucociliary transport is severely impaired in patients with ICS. However, to our knowledge, cases of M. intracellulare infection complicated by ICS have not been reported in Japan. We must pay close attention to the concurrence of these diseases.

Repeated, short-term ischemia augments bradykinin-mediated opening of the blood-tumor barrier in rats with RG2 glioma

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of repeated, short-term ischemia on bradykinin-mediated permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-tumor barrier (BTB). The mechanism by which bradykinin transiently opens the BTB, involves B2 receptors, Ca2+ flux, nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (cGMP). Since global and focal cerebral ischemia are known to increase levels of brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) we tested the hypothesis that bradykinin may increase the BTB permeability to a greater extent under ischemic rather than nonischemic conditions. The vertebral arteries in female Wistar rats were coagulated immediately after intracerebral implantation of RG2 glioma. Short-term ischemia was produced in some rats by a modification of the four-vessel occlusion procedure for incomplete forebrain ischemia, in which the common carotid arteries were clamped daily for 15 min on days 7, 8 and 9 after tumor implantation, after which reperfusion was allowed. On day 10 after tumor implantation, bradykinin (10 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was infused for 15 min into the right carotid artery of anesthetized, sham-operated (nonischemic controls) and ischemic rats, followed by an intravenous bolus (100 microCi kg(-1)) each of [14C]-iodo-antipyrine (IAP), [14C]-dextran or [14C]-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), blood volume, or unidirectional transfer constant Ki, respectively, by quantitative autoradiography. A single 15-min ischemic episode significantly decreased rCBF in the tumor center (158.9 +/- 17.33 in control vs. 58.78 +/- 24.45 ml 100 g(-1) min(-1) in ischemic group; p < 0.01) and in the tumor periphery (106.82 +/- 7.34 in control vs. 70.55 +/- 26.66 ml 100 g(-1) min(-1) in ischemic group; p < 0.05). Respective mean blood volume in tumors (11.7 +/- 13.3, 12.7 +/- 14.0, and 13.3 +/- 14.5 microl g(-1)) from ischemic-PBS, nonischemic-bradykinin, and ischemic-bradykinin groups, respectively, was not significantly different; mean blood volume in normal brain (3.7, 3.1 and 3.8 microl g(-1)) was not significantly different among these groups either. Intracarotid infusion of bradykinin following repeated ischemia significantly increased mean Ki, as compared to bradykinin infusion in nonischemic controls, in both the tumor center (36.60 +/- 8.4 vs. 22.90 +/- 4.61 microl g(-1) min(-1), p < 0.05) and in tumor periphery (17.70 +/- 5.93 vs. 8.50 +/- 4.42 microl g(-1) min(-1), p < 0.05). Mean Ki values for tumor center and tumor periphery of ischemic rats receiving intracarotid bradykinin were 3-fold greater than those of nonischemic rats infused with PBS. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses showed that repeated, short-term ischemia significantly increased the levels of bNOS in tumor cells and eNOS in tumor capillaries, but neither induced iNOS nor affected B2 receptor levels in tumor cells in vivo, as compared with nonischemic controls. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that repeated, short-term ischemia augments bradykinin-mediated opening of the BTB. We conclude that the elevated intratumoral levels of bNOS and eNOS may 'prime' the NO generating capacity of tumor cells. Consequently, increased de novo synthesis and a correspondingly elevated concentration of NO within the tumor, therefore, may be one mechanistic explanation for the significantly increased, bradykinin-mediated BTB opening under ischemic conditions, reported here.

Amyloid precursor protein associates independently and collaboratively with PTB and PDZ domains of mint on vesicles and at cell membrane

The mint family consists of evolutionarily conserved adapter proteins from Caenorhabditis elegans to mammalian neurons. Three mammalian isoforms, mint1, 2, and 3, are extensively diverted in their N-terminal halves and, in striking contrast, are highly homologous to each other in their C-terminal halves containing phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) and PSD-95/DLG-A/ZO-1 (PDZ) domains that work as protein-protein interaction modules. Biochemical and genetic analyses revealed that mint1 and LIN-10, a homolog in C. elegans, comprise macromolecular complexes in the presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals, thereby bringing synaptic vesicles to the exocytotic transmitter release site and localizing receptors and ion channels in the specific membrane domains. Amyloid precursor protein is one of the targets of the PTB domain of mint and this interaction modulates its proteolytic procedures ending up with amyloid beta peptide production, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. We show by an in situ hybridization technique that mint3, a ubiquitous isoform, is expressed both in polar cells like neurons, and in non-polar cells, such as glia and ependymal cells, in the mouse brain. In addition, a considerable amount of a human homolog mint3 (approximately 70 kDa) was expressed in a human epithelial cell line. Subcellularly, mint3 is specifically enriched in vesicles in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, and Golgi complex as reserves. A series of deletions or site-directed mutations revealed that mint3 double recognizes an amyloid precursor protein-containing macromolecular complex via the PTB and PDZb domains independently and cooperatively, not only in the cytoplasmic transporting vesicles but even after amyloid precursor protein was targeted and/or inserted to the specific cell membrane domains. From these results we suggest that mint3 links amyloid precursor protein to other components, thereby regulating its transport, endocytosis, and metabolism. Abnormal metabolism of amyloid precursor protein causes an early-onset type of Alzheimer's disease but its molecular mechanism is incompletely understood. The present findings give morphological evidence and a molecular framework of how mint interacts with amyloid precursor protein and modifies its processing on the secretory pathway.

Neuronal expression of mint1 and mint2, novel multimodular proteins, in adult murine brain

Mints are multimodular adapter proteins in functioning membrane transport and organization. Mint1 and mint2 are neuron-specific. We localized these isoforms in mouse brain. By in situ hybridization, mRNA encoding mint1 or mint2 was expressed in neurons throughout the brain. Mint1 mRNA expression was greatest in the limbic system including cingulate cortex, hippocampus, anterior thalamic nuclei, medial habenular nucleus, and mammillary body. Mint2 mRNA was rich in cerebral cortex, entorhinal cortex, and hippocampus, but less prominent in other limbic structures. Mint1 mRNA and mint2 mRNA were distributed among hippocampal pyramidal neurons, while mint2 mRNA was especially abundant in CA3. Mint1, but not Mint2 mRNA was abundant in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Immunohistochemistry visualized mint proteins in axon terminals and neuronal somata, generally following mRNA distribution. In the hippocampus, mint1 was rich in the entorhinal projections and mossy fibers of the dentate gyrus, while mint2 was rich in commisural fibers from the contralateral hippocampus and in CA1. Mint1 intensely stained catecholamine-containing neurons such as the substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area, and locus ceruleus. Mint2 protein was ubiquitous in these regions. Mint1 and mint2 distribution also differed elsewhere in the brainstem and in the cerebellum. Central nervous system neurons, then, predominantly express either mint1 or mint2. Mints may be involved in synaptic vesicle transport toward the active zone, also participating in transport of certain membrane proteins toward the postsynaptic density. Mint1 and mint2 may divide roles either regionally or depending on neuronal functional characteristics.

The effects of cytoplasmic transfer of mtDNA in relation to whole-body endurance performance

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between whole-body aerobic capacity and mitochondrial facilities. The mitochondrial enzyme system of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is encoded both by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA. To identify the effect of mtDNA on whole-body aerobic capacity, we fused the platelets of the study subjects that contained mtDNA but that lacked nuclear DNA with rho(0) HeLa cells, which lacked mtDNA, and isolated repopulated cybrids. The mitochondrial respiratory functions of the cybrids, estimated from cell oxygen consumption and cytochrome-c oxidase (CCOX), were compared between endurance athletes and sedentary controls. The oxygen consumption was 18.5 +/- 3.9 and 18.2 +/- 4.1 nmol/min/ml/10(7) cells in athletes and controls, respectively. The CCOX activity was 98.8 +/- 17.5 and 116.7 +/- 9.8%, compared with fibroblasts in athletes and controls, respectively. No significant difference was noted between groups in either cell oxygen consumption or CCOX activity. These results show that the OXPHOS enzymes coded by mtDNA do not strongly influence whole-body aerobic fitness.

Experimental evaluation of the V-point heparin-bonding system applied to a dense-membrane artificial lung during 24-hour extracorporeal circulation in beagles

Heparin was covalently bonded to a hollow-fiber dense-membrane artificial lung and circuit using a silane coupling agent and polyethyleneimine as a spacer. This study investigated whether the novel artificial lung could sustain prolonged extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) by venoarterial bypass in beagles using minimal anticoagulants. We maintained ECLA for 24 h in 3 groups of minimal systemic heparinization, heparinization with the new anticoagulant nafamostat mesilate, and without any systemic anticoagulant. The results were assessed from the functional performance of the artificial lung and by macroscopic and microscopic examination after the experiments. Artificial lung function, hemodynamics, hemogram, and platelet aggregation activity were well maintained in all groups. There was no plasma leakage from the artificial lung. Although several clots were observed in stagnant areas of the artificial lungs and circuits, there was no clot formation inside the artificial lung in any group. This highly biocompatible, heparin-bonded dense-membrane artificial lung performed well and safely during prolonged ECLA with blood clotting times less than 120 s.

MICA engagement by human Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells enhances their antigen-dependent effector function

Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells comprise 2%-5% of human peripheral blood T cells, recognize ubiquitous nonpeptide antigens, and expand up to 50-fold during microbial infection. It is not clear why these Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells expand only after microbial infection. We show here that the stress-inducible molecule, MICA, is induced on the surface of dendritic and epithelial cells by infection with M. tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo. MICA engagement by the activating receptor, NKG2D, present on Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells, resulted in a substantial enhancement of the TCR-dependent Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell response to nonpeptide antigens and protein superantigens alike. Thus, a MICA-NKG2D interaction may be necessary for an effective innate immune response to microbe-associated antigens that also are constitutively present in vivo.

Truncal and limb apraxia in corticobasal degeneration

We report a patient with probable corticobasal degeneration with prominent truncal apraxia, and review the literature.

Mutations of the beta- and gamma-catenin genes are uncommon in human lung, breast, kidney, cervical and ovarian carcinomas

Beta-catenin forms complexes with Tcf and Lef-1 and functions as a transcriptional activator in the Wnt signalling pathway. Although recent investigations have been focused on the role of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)/ beta-catenin/Tcf pathway in human tumorigenesis, there have been very few reports on mutations of the beta-catenin gene in a variety of tumour types. Using PCR and single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis, we examined 93 lung, 9 breast, 6 kidney, 19 cervical and 7 ovarian carcinoma cell lines for mutations in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene. In addition, we tested these same samples for mutations in the NH2-terminal regulatory region of the gamma-catenin gene. Mutational analysis for the entire coding region of beta-catenin cDNA was also undertaken in 20 lung, 9 breast, 5 kidney and 6 cervical carcinoma cell lines. Deletion of most beta-catenin coding exons was confirmed in line NCI-H28 (lung mesothelioma) and a silent mutation at codon 214 in exon 5 was found in HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma). A missense mutation at codon 19 and a silent mutation at codon 28 in the NH2-terminal regulatory region of the gamma-catenin gene were found in H1726 (squamous cell lung carcinoma) and H1048 (small cell lung carcinoma), respectively. Neither deletions nor mutations of these genes were detected in the other cell lines examined. These results suggest that beta- and gamma-catenins are infrequent mutational targets during development of human lung, breast, kidney, cervical and ovarian carcinomas.

Postencephalitic pure anomic aphasia: 2-year follow-up

We report a patient with pure anomic aphasia following encephalitis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral temporal lesions, and subsequent focal atrophy in the left anterior inferior temporal lobe. Over the course of a 2-year follow-up, the patient's naming difficulty persisted without other dysfunction of language or memory. These observations indicate a contribution of the left anterior inferior temporal region to object naming.

Characterization of two genes, Sig1 and Sig2, encoding distinct plastid sigma factors(1) in the moss Physcomitrella patens: phylogenetic relationships to plastid sigma factors in higher plants

We isolated the cDNA for a sigma factor from the moss Physcomitrella patens, which possesses unusually large N-terminal extension and the conserved subdomains 1.2-4.2. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that this novel sigma factor and PpSIG1*(2), a plastid sigma factor previously identified from Physcomitrella, were classified into SigA and SigB groups, two major classes of higher plant plastid sigma factors, respectively. According to the nomenclature recently proposed, we renamed PpSIG1* into PpSIG2, and named the novel sigma factor PpSIG1. A transient expression assay using a green fluorescent protein showed that the N-terminal region of PpSIG1 acts as a chloroplast-targeting signal. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments showed that light induces the expression of the Sig1 and Sig2 genes encoding PpSIG1 and PpSIG2, respectively. Thus, PpSIG1 and PpSIG2 are likely plastid sigma factors regulating plastid gene expression in response to light signals.

Comparison of brain perfusion in corticobasal degeneration and Alzheimer's disease

To compare brain perfusion between corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), we measured regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) semiquantitatively with single-photon emission computed tomography in 10 patients with CBD and 16 with AD. There was no significant difference in age or illness duration between the patients with CBD and AD. Mini-Mental State Examination scores were significantly lower in the AD patients than in the CBD patients. All CBD patients showed asymmetric akinetic-rigid syndrome and limb apraxia. Four CBD patients were demented, and 1 AD patient had parkinsonism. Compared with 12 age-matched control subjects, the average of the left and right rCBF values for the CBD patients was significantly reduced in the prefrontal, anterior cingulate (AC), medial premotor, sensorimotor (SM), posterior parietal (PP) and superior temporal (ST) cortices as well as in the basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus (Th), while the prefrontal, PP and ST cortices were significantly hypoperfused in the AD patients. In the CBD patients, rCBF was significantly less in the AC and SM cortices, and in the Th and BG, and significantly greater in the PP cortex than in the AD patients. Interhemispheric differences of rCBF in the inferior prefrontal and SM cortices were significantly greater in the CBD patients than the AD patients. It is concluded that rCBF comparison may aid in differentiating CBD from AD.

Statistical analysis of factors affecting the outcome of patients with ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms

The clinical factors affecting the outcome of patients with ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysms were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. The medical records were reviewed of 52 patients (57 aneurysms) with ruptured distal ACA aneurysms operated on by the same neurosurgeon over 25 years. The standard policy was early surgery for patients in Hunt and Kosnik grades I to IV. Age, sex, Hunt and Kosnik grade, timing of operation, size of aneurysms, number of aneurysms, association of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), intraventricular haemorrhage, and azygos ACA, use of temporary clipping, occurrence of premature rupture, and presence of psychiatric change were investigated. Univariant analysis disclosed that clinical grade (P = 0.0006), size of aneurysm (P = 0.005), and size of ICH (P = 0.012) affected the outcome of patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that Hunt and Kosnik grade (P = 0.010) and timing of operation (P = 0.033) affected the outcome. There was no significant relationship between long-term outcome and clinical factors, although a close relationship was found with Hunt and Kosnik grade (P = 0.071). Clinical grade and timing of the operation affected the outcome of patients with ruptured distal ACA aneurysms. Patients harboring ICH of over 3 cm diameter in poor grades should also be carefully treated.

Cytokine production and helper T cell subsets in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease

PURPOSE

To investigate helper T (Th) cell subsets and cytokine production in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's (VKH) disease.

METHODS

Nine patients in the acute stage of VKH disease and 9 healthy controls were studied. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 mRNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cytokine levels in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and PBMC culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportions of each cytokine-producing CD4+ or CD8+ cells in PBMC cultured with or without anti-CD3 antibody stimulation were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We observed a significant increase of cytokine mRNA positive cases of VKH patients in comparison with controls only in IFN-gamma mRNA detection from PBMC. ELISA detected IFN-gamma in CSF from only 1 patient and no cytokine in plasma. The levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 were significantly higher in the stimulated cell culture supernatant of the patients than those of controls. The proportions of IFN-gamma- or IL-2-producing CD4+ cells were significantly higher in the patients than in controls in both stimulated and unstimulated conditions. However, no significant difference was found in IL-4-producing CD4+ cells. In CD8+ cells, significant difference was found only in IL-2-producing cells in the stimulated condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Th cells from VKH patients produced predominantly Th1 cytokines, especially after stimulation in vitro. It is therefore suggested that activated Th cells produce predominantly Th1 cytokines, which then produce pathologic changes.

Interleukin-18 enhances the production of interleukin-8 by eosinophils

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a proinflammatory cytokine, leads to IFN-gamma production by NK or T cells, induces Th1 differentiation and suppresses IgE synthesis by B cells when acting on responding cells together with IL-12. IL-18 also exhibits biological activities related to allergic inflammation such as histamine or IL-4 release from basophils and accumulation of eosinophils in localized lesions in allergic model mice. In this study, Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis revealed that IL-18 receptor alpha chain mRNA was expressed in both freshly prepared eosinophils and two eosinophilic cell lines (YY-1 and EoL-1 cells). Flow cytometry and RT-PCR analyses revealed that the treatment of YY-1 cells with n-butyric acid promoted cell maturation and caused an enhancement of IL-18 receptor alpha chain expression. IL-18 had little effect on the survival of peripheral eosinophils, but it dose-dependently augmented IL-8 synthesis by YY-1 cells. In addition, IL-18-mediated up-regulation of IL-8 expression in eosinophils from a patient suffering from hyper-eosinophilic syndrome was confirmed. Our findings using peripheral blood eosinophils and eosinophilic cell line suggest the functional importance of IL-18 in the induction of IL-8 and a potential proinflammatory role in allergy.

Co-administration of furosemide augments tacrolimus-induced impairment in kidney function in rats

Sodium-depletion in rats reproduces functional and morphological tacrolimus nephrotoxicity observed in man. Potent diuretics induce sodium-depletion. Our objective was to determine the effect of a loop diuretic furosemide on tacrolimus-mediated functional and pathological impairment of the kidney in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; group 1, rats received vehicle (saline) only; group 2, rats were treated with tacrolimus (1 mg/kg body weight) and furosemide (5 mg/kg body weight); group 3, rats were treated with tacrolimus alone; and group 4, rats were treated with furosemide (5 mg/kg body weight) alone. On day 28, tail blood pressure was measured and the rats were placed in metabolic cages for urine collection. After 24 hr the rats were sacrificed. Tacrolimus alone tended to cause growth retardation, hypotension, hypomagnesemia and a rise in blood urea nitrogen. Furosemide co-administration enhanced the effects of tacrolimus on hypotension, hypomagnesemia and a rise in blood urea nitrogen. The renal histology characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization of the proximal tubules was not different between the rats treated with both tacrolimus and furosemide and the rats treated with tacrolimus alone. A strong immunostaining for FKBP-12, a tacrolimus-binding protein, was observed in the medulla of the kidneys of rats treated with tacrolimus either with or without furosemide. These results indicate that furosemide further augments tacrolimus induced impairment in kidney function, and that furosemide should be used with discretion in patients on tacrolimus therapy.

Treatment of Vogt-Koyanagi- Harada's disease during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Caution should be exercised in treating patients with autoimmune diseases during pregnancy.

CASES

We successfully treated three cases of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease (VKH disease) during pregnancy.

OBSERVATIONS

In the second trimester (14-27 weeks) of 1 patient, inflammation was mild and could be treated by topical corticosteroid. There is the possibility that her immune response had been modified by pregnancy. Systemic corticosteroid in a high dose was administered to the two cases in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (28-41 weeks). The severity of inflammation in these 2 patients was similar to that in nonpregnant women. Inflammation subsided immediately without recurrence in all cases. No abnormality was found during the deliveries or in the babies.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment for VKH disease during pregnancy should be chosen according to the severity of inflammation, the stage of pregnancy, and the maternal and fetal conditions.

[Memory function in patients with Parkinson's disease: in relation to neuropsychological tests and cerebral blood flow]

We conducted a neuropsychological comparison between Parkinson's disease (PD; n = 24) and healthy control subjects (n = 12) using Rey's auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT) and the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (RCFT) assessing memory function. In addition, to determine the function of cortical and subcortical areas, we measured the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using N-isopropyl-p[123I]-iodoamhetamine (123I-IMP) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and analyzed the relationships between brain regions and memory function. On the RAVLT, significant group differences in recall words were found on all learning trials between patients with PD and control subjects, whereas recognition, learning rate and forgetting rate were basically the same. In addition, the primacy/recency effect was statistically equal for both groups. Results suggest faulty retrieval mechanisms in PD, whereas encoding and retention procesess did not prove to be affected. There were significant correlations between perfusion of the prefrontal and parietal cortices and total number of free recall in five trials. On the RCFT, recalls after 30 sec and 30 min were impaired in patients with PD although no significant difference in accuracy scores obtained in copy was noted. A percent recall score calculated using the formula 100 x [1 - (copy-recall)/copy] was also decreased in patients with PD. There were significant correlations between perfusion of the occipital and parietal cortices and percent recall score. Our data suggest that auditory memory deficits based on the RAVLT in PD may be mainly related to frontal and parietal cortical dysfunction, while visual recall deficits based on the RCFT may be related to the parieto-occipital cortical dysfunction.

Recognition memory in normal aging and Parkinson's disease: behavioral and electrophysiologic measures

To assess effects of normal aging and Parkinson's disease (PD) on recognition memory, we examined the N400 component of event-related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral measures during a recognition memory task in 17 normal young subjects, 17 normal elderly subjects, and 17 patients with PD. To elicit ERPs, some words were repeated immediately after initial presentation (at lag 0), while others were repeated after one intervening word (at lag 1) or at lag 6. Subjects were requested to push a button with the right thumb upon first presentation of a word and with the left thumb upon repeat presentation. Compared to the normal young subjects, normal elderly subjects showed reduced accuracy in recognizing repeated words at lags 1 and 6. Compared to the normal elderly group, PD patients showed decreased accuracy in recognizing lag 6 repetition. N400 amplitude did not differ between the two normal groups, while PD patients showed lower N400 amplitudes than normal elderly subjects. The N400 in the young group showed attenuation for lags 0, 1 and 6 repetitions, while attenuations in the elderly group and the PD group were noted only for lags 0 and 1 repetitions. These data suggest intact immediate but impaired delayed recognition memory in aging and in PD. In addition, recognition memory deficits in PD may result, at least partly from the impairment of context integration process.

Meta-analysis for epidemiologic studies on the relationship between smoking and Parkinson's disease

Many epidemiologic studies on the relationship between smoking and Parkinson's disease (PD) have been conducted. Morens et al. reviewed many articles in the study field and concluded that smoking is inversely associated with the risk of PD. In the present study, the object is to obtain summarized risk estimates of the relationship from the published articles using meta-analysis. Summarized risk estimates on the relationship between smoking and PD were found to be about 0.5 with statistical significance in meta-analysis. Therefore, the result that smoking is inversely associated with the risk of PD is appropriate.

Gramicidin-perforated patch analysis on HCO3- secretion through a forskolin-activated anion channel in rat parotid intralobular duct cells

Forskolin-induced anion currents and depolarization were investigated to clarify the mechanism of HCO3- secretion in the intralobular duct cells of rat parotid glands. Anion currents of the cells were measured at the equilibrium potential of K+, using a gramicidin-perforated patch technique that negligibly affects intracellular anion concentration. The forskolin-induced anion current was sustained and significantly (54%) suppressed by glibenclamide (200 microM), a blocker of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel. The anion current was markedly suppressed by addition of 1 mM methazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and removal of external HCO3-. Forskolin depolarized the cells in the current-clamp mode. Addition of methazolamide and removal of external HCO3- significantly decreased the depolarizing level. These results suggest that activation of anion channels (mainly the CFTR Cl- channel located in luminal membranes) and production of cytosolic HCO3- induce the inward anion current and resulting depolarization. Inhibition of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter and the Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger had no significant effect on the current or depolarization, indicating that the uptake of Cl- via the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter or the Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger is not involved in the responses. Taken together, we conclude that forskolin activates the outward movement (probably secretion) of HCO3- produced intracellularly, but not of Cl- due to lack of active Cl- transport in parotid duct cells, and that the gramicidin-perforated patch method is very useful to analyze anion transport.

Changes in hematological parameters of athletes after receiving daily dose of a mixture of 12 amino acids for one month during the middle- and long-distance running training

Previous studies have shown that a mixture of amino acids, consisting of 9 essential amino acids and 3 non-essential amino acids was effective in facilitating muscle recovery from athletic activities. In this study, the objective was to determine whether this amino acid mixture improved the physical condition and associated blood parameters of athletes in training when administered for a prolonged period. Thirteen college middle- and long-distance runners were placed in a 6-month experiment and received the amino acid mixture at the dose of 2.2 g/day for one month, 4.4 g/day for one month, and 6.6 g/day for one month with washout periods between test periods. The physical condition was scored and blood samples were collected before and after each test period. When the subjects received 2.2 g of the amino acid mixture three times a day, the physical condition was significantly improved along with increases in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, and fasting glucose, and a decrease in creatine phophokinase (p<0.05), suggesting increased hematopoiesis and glycogenesis, and rapid alleviation of muscle inflammation by the amino acid mixture.

Cloning and characterization of the cDNA for a plastid sigma factor from the moss Physcomitrella patens

We isolated a cDNA PpSig1 encoding a plastid sigma factor from the moss Physcomitrella patens. The PpSIG1 protein is composed of the conserved subdomains for recognition of -10 and -35 promoter elements, core complex binding and DNA melting. Southern blot analysis showed that the moss sig1 gene is likely a member of a small gene family. Transient expression assay using green fluorescent protein demonstrated that the N-terminal region of PpSIG1 functions as a chloroplast-targeting signal peptide. These observations suggest that multiple nuclear-encoded sigma factors regulate chloroplast gene expression in P. patens.

Chloroplast ribonucleoproteins function as a stabilizing factor of ribosome-free mRNAs in the stroma

Post-transcriptional RNA processing is an important step in the regulation of chloroplast gene expression, and a number of chloroplast ribonucleoproteins (cpRNPs) are likely to be involved in this process. The major tobacco cpRNPs are composed of five species: cp28, cp29A, cp29B, cp31, and cp33 and these are divided into three groups (I, II, and III). By immunoprecipitation, gel filtration, and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that these cpRNPs are abundant stromal proteins that exist as complexes with ribosome-free mRNAs. Many ribosome-free psbA mRNAs coprecipitate with cpRNPs, indicating that the majority of stromal psbA mRNAs are associated with cpRNPs. In addition, an in vitro mRNA degradation assay indicated that exogenous psbA mRNA is more rapidly degraded in cpRNP-depleted extracts than in nondepleted extracts. When the depleted extract was reconstituted with recombinant cpRNPs, the psbA mRNA in the extract was protected from degradation to a similar extent as the psbA mRNA in the nondepleted extract. Moreover, restoration of the stabilizing activity varied following addition of individual group-specific cpRNPs alone or in combination. When the five cpRNPs were supplemented in the depleted extract, full activity was restored. We propose that these cpRNPs act as stabilizing factors for nonribosome-bound mRNAs in the stroma.

Characterization of a novel triphosphonooctaosylceramide from the eggs of the sea hare, Aplysia kurodai

We have reported the existence of a triphosphonoglycosphingolipid, EGL-I, in the eggs of a sea gastropod, Aplysia kurodai [Yamada, S., Araki, S., Abe, S., Kon, K., Ando, S., and Satake, M. (1995) J. Biochem. 117, 794-799]. We have now isolated a novel glycosphingolipid, named EGL-II, from the eggs of Aplysia. By component analysis, sugar analysis, permethylation studies, fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and proton magnetic resonance spectrometry, its structure was revealed to be as follows: Galalpha1-->3(GlcNAcalpha1-->2)Galalpha1-->3(3-O-MeGalalpha1-->2)Galalpha1-->3[6'-O-(2-aminoethylphosphonyl)Galalpha1-->2](2-aminoethylphosphonyl-->6)Galbeta1-->4(2-aminoethylphosphonyl-->6)Glcbeta1-->1ceramide. The major aliphatic components of the ceramide are palmitic acid, stearic acid, and anteisononadeca-4-sphingenine.

Iris neovascularization after vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

PURPOSE

To analyze the incidence of iris neovascularization after vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a small incision in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied a consecutive series of 46 eyes in which vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation had been performed, and compared the surgical results with a prior series of 40 eyes in which vitrectomy alone had been performed.

RESULTS

Postoperative iris and angle neovascularization was found in 6 eyes (15%) treated by vitrectomy alone, but in only 1 eye (2%) treated by combined vitrectomy (P<0.05). Final visual acuity improved by two or more lines in 23 eyes (57%) in the vitrectomy alone group, and in 35 eyes (76%) in the combined vitrectomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of postoperative rubeosis iridis was significantly lower, and the visual results were satisfactory with vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation for PDR. These findings suggest that combined vitrectomy for PDR is a useful surgical procedure.

T lymphocyte recognition of human group 1 CD1 molecules: implications for innate and acquired immunity

Recent evidence has established that non-MHC-encoded molecules of the CD1 family mediate MHC-independent pathways for antigen presentation and T cell activation. Human group 1 CD1 molecules (CD1a, CD1b, CD1c) are expressed mainly on professional antigen-presenting cells, and mediate presentation of microbial lipid and glycolipid antigens to T cells. These group 1 CD1 molecules differentially sample distinct endocytic compartments that may contain different sets of lipid antigens derived from intracellular microbes, and activate antigen-specific T cells. These T cells lyse infected antigen-presenting cells and secrete Th1 cytokines, such as interferon- gamma, and granulysin, a potent antimicrobial protein, and thus can control microbial infection. Reactivity to CD1a, b, and c molecules in the absence of foreign antigen has also been detected in T cells bearing alphabeta and gammadelta TCRs. These T cells may recognize self-lipid antigens and are considered to be autoreactive. In particular, the main tissue subset of gammadelta T cells (V delta 1(+)subset) show prominent reactivity to CD1c, and produce interferon- gamma and granulysin. These CD1c directly reactive T cells may mediate immunity against microbial infection even before antigen-specific T cells differentiate and expand. Together, human CD1a, b and c molecules elicit T cell-dependent immunity to the universe of foreign and self-lipid antigens in both innate and acquired immunity settings.

Giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) venomous phospholipases. The purification, characterization and inhibitory properties by biscoclaurine alkaloids

Two species of giant hornet phospholipase B (PLB), alpha and beta, were purified from the venom of Vespa mandarinia. The purification procedure was simplified by two steps of column chromatographies, Sephadex G-100 and SP-Sepharose. The molecular sizes of PLB alpha and beta were 29.5 and 26.0 kDa, respectively. The isoelectric point of alpha and beta enzymes were pH 10.6 and 10.7, respectively. The temperature optimum for egg yolk lecithin was a broad peak at 40-60 degrees C for both enzymes. Amino acid compositions of both enzymes were high contents of aspartic acid, glycine, leucine, lysine and other aliphatic amino acids. Cystine was similar amounts to other species of phospholipases (PLs). The K(m) values of alpha and beta enzymes were 8.29 and 7.53 mg/ml for egg yolk lecithin, respectively. In the catalytic specificity for L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine-beta-oleoil-gamma-palmitoil, the K(m) values of alpha enzyme for gamma-palmitoil and beta-oleoil residues were 0.528 and 1.392 mM, respectively. While the K(m) values of beta enzyme for gamma-palmitoil and beta-oleoil residues were 7.91 and 2. 68 mM, respectively. Both alpha and beta enzymes were inhibited strongly by cepharanthine. The lecithin hydrolysis of alpha enzyme was competitively inhibited, but beta enzyme was uncompetitive. Cepharanthine also inhibited noncompetitively PLA(2)s of bovine pancreas, bee venom and Naja mossambica mossambica.

Low expression level but potent antigen presenting function of CD1d on monocyte lineage cells

CD1d is a key antigen-presenting molecule involved in the selection and activation of a highly conserved T cell subset known as NK T cells. In this study, we analyzed the expression, regulation and function of human CD1d by various antigen-presenting cells (APC) of myeloid origin, including circulating monocytes, monocyte-derived dendritic cells and macrophages. CD1d was expressed as a mature glycoprotein by these cells, and unlike the other members of the human CD1 family its expression was constitutive and was not strongly up-regulated by GM-CSF and IL-4 or a range of other cytokines. Despite their remarkably low surface expression of CD1d, all myeloid lineage cells tested were extremely potent APC for responses of NK T cell clones to the synthetic glycolipid antigen, alpha-galactosyl ceramide. Prominent localization of CD1d to the endocytic system of monocyte lineage cells was observed, and functional studies suggested that this was important for achieving efficient antigen loading onto CD1d. Overall, these results support the view that monocyte lineage cells are important stimulators of CD1d-restricted immune responses, while also underscoring the unique regulation of CD1d expression by these cells.

Neuregulin is associated with nerve regeneration in axonal neuropathies

Neuregulins (NRG), the only trophic factors known to support Schwann cell survival, have a potential for use in treatment of patients with chronic neuropathies. Expression of one NRG isoform, NRG-beta1, was increased in axons in the early phase of axonal degeneration in nerve biopsy specimens from patients with neuropathy. Regenerating nerve fibers contained abundant NRG-beta1 in axons, but nerves from patients with chronic axonal neuropathy showed less. NRG-beta1 may act as an axonally derived signal having a trophic effect on denervated Schwann cells, facilitating their supportive role in axonal regeneration.

Validity of cadmium concentration in rice as the "dose" of the dose-response relationship between cadmium intake and renal dysfunction

It is well known that cadmium (Cd) causes renal dysfunction such as increase of beta(2)-microglobulin excretion into urine. Although Cd in rice seems to be one of the largest sources of total Cd intake in Japan, there are very few studies that have epidemiologically clarified the relationship between Cd concentration in rice (Cd-R) and renal dysfunction, because such studies are basically ecological studies, in which confounding factors are difficult to take into consideration. To derive safety levels for foodstuff from Cd-R, it is essential to evaluate the effect of confounding factors. Thus, we investigated the dose-response relationship between renal dysfunction and not only Cd-R but also confounding factors, and we tried to determine whether Cd-R is an adequate indicator of "dose" in the dose-response relationship between Cd intake and renal dysfunction. In 1971, Cd-R data were obtained from rice samples collected by the Environment Agency, Government of Japan in the Fuchu area of Toyama Prefecture, which is known as a place where many itai-itai disease patients were found, and medical data were collected during 1979-1984 by Toyama Prefecture. First, the dose-response relationship between Cd-R and renal dysfunction was analyzed using the data from the Fuchu area. Second, to investigate the effect of confounding factors, analysis using the data from both the Fuchu area and an unpolluted area with environmental factors different from those of the Fuchu area was performed. The results showed that the cause of renal dysfunction could not be explained by Cd-R alone, and confounding factors were not negligible. Although it is difficult to clarify precisely the confounding factors from the available data, it is concluded that deriving a safety level for foodstuffs using only the Cd-R level as a reference is not appropriate.

Changes in mint1, a novel synaptic protein, after transient global ischemia in mouse hippocampus

Mints (munc18-interacting proteins) are novel multimodular adapter proteins in membrane transport and organization. Mint1, a neuronal isoform, is involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Its potential effects on development of ischemic damage to neurons have not yet been evaluated. The authors examined changes in mint1 and other synaptic proteins by immunohistochemistry after transient global ischemia in mouse hippocampus. In sham-ischemic mice, immunoreactivity for mint1 was rich in fibers projecting from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus and in the mossy fibers linking the granule cells of the dentate gyrus to CA3 pyramidal neurons. Munc18-1, a binding partner of mint1, was distributed uniformly throughout the hippocampus, and synaptophysin 2, a synaptic vesicle protein, was localized mainly in mossy fibers. After transient global ischemia, mint1 immunoreactivity in mossy fibers was dramatically decreased at 1 day of reperfusion but actually showed enhancement at 3 days. However, munc18-1 and synaptophysin 2 were substantially expressed in the same region throughout the reperfusion period. These findings suggest that mint1 participates in neuronal transmission along the excitatory pathway linking the entorhinal cortex to CA3 in the hippocampus. Because mint1 was transiently decreased in the mossy fiber projection after ischemia, functional impairment of neuronal transmission in the projection from the dentate gyrus to CA3 pyramidal neurons might be involved in delayed neuronal death.

Intrahepatic inflow areas of the drainage vein of the gallbladder: analysis by angio-CT

BACKGROUND

The drainage veins of the gallbladder (cystic veins) are important hepatic metastatic routes of gallbladder cancer. We studied the cystic vein inflow portions of the intrahepatic vessels by computed tomography during angiography (angio-CT).

METHODS

The subjects were 27 unoperated pancreatic-biliary patients. After superselective catheterization of the cystic artery, angio-CT was performed, and cystic veins and sinusoidal filling were visualized. We identified the cystic vein inflow routes and the vessels they fed.

RESULTS

We found 72 cystic veins in 26 patients. All cystic veins flowed into the intrahepatic portal branches or sinusoids. The cystic veins took either of two routes: one into the liver through the hepatic hilum (17 patients, 21 veins), taken mainly by the portal branch for subsegment 4a (P4a), the anterior portal branch, and the umbilical portion of the portal branch; and the other through the hepatic bed (23 patients, 51 veins), taken mainly by S4a sinusoid, S5 sinusoid, P4a, and P5.

CONCLUSIONS

Angio-CT is useful for detecting the cystic vein inflow portions of the intrahepatic vessels. It makes possible identification of areas where there is a possibility for micrometastasis of the gallbladder cancer.

Effects of EP4 solution and LPD solution vs Euro-Collins solution on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in rat alveolar type II cells and human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 cells

BACKGROUND

Intact alveolar epithelial Na(+)/K(+)- adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) function is important in preventing alveolar fluid accumulation after lung transplantation. We examined whether the type of preservation solution used influences Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in alveolar epithelial cells.

METHODS

Rat alveolar type II cells were preserved with EP4, low-potassium dextran (LPD), or Euro-Collins solution at 7 degrees C for 5 and 20 hours. To assess cell toxicity, we measured cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase release. Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was measured as ouabain-sensitive ATPase hydrolysis. We also examined the effect of terbutaline (10(-3) mol/liter) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) (10(-3) mol/liter) on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in A549 cells preserved for 5 hours.

RESULTS

All solutions caused significant damage of rat alveolar type II cells at 20 hours. However, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was preserved at normal levels with EP4 and LPD over 20 hours. Terbutaline and dbcAMP significantly increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in A549 cells preserved with EP4 and LPD solutions for 5 hours. However, we observed no activation in the cells preserved with Euro-Collins solution. We found no significant difference in intracellular cAMP levels after terbutaline challenge among the types of preservation solution.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that extracellular-type solutions such as EP4 and LPD may be preferable for maintaining not only the basal activity but also the ability to activate Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in response to beta-adrenergic agonists, in alveolar epithelial cells.

Effect of FK 506 in the treatment of autoimmune glomerulonephritis in Brown Norway rats

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) induces a lymphoproliferative disorder and autoimmune glomerulonephritis in Brown Norway (BN) rats. The effects of a new immunosuppressant, FK 506, on this model of glomerulonephritis were studied. BN rats were treated with HgCl2 according to a standard protocol (HgCl2 1 mg/kg s.c. 3 times/week). FK 506 was inoculated subcutaneously daily from day 15 to day 28. Animals were divided into 4 groups: group 1, rats were treated with normal saline alone and sacrificed on day 28; group 2, rats were treated with HgCl2 alone and sacrificed on day 14; group 3, rats were treated with HgCl2 alone and sacrificed on day 28, and group 4, rats were treated with HgCl2 and FK 506 (from day 15 to day 28) and sacrificed on day 28. Rats developed proteinuria by day 7, which reached a plateau level by day 14. On day 14, renal histology showed prominent mesangial cellular proliferation and the expansion of mesangial matrix. Electron microscopic study showed the effacement of visceral epithelial foot processes and the microvillous transformation of the visceral epithelium. Immunofluorescence study showed strong linear staining for IgG and the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 in all glomeruli. Treatment with FK 506 (1 mg/kg s.c. daily) resulted in a remarkable reduction in proteinuria on day 28 (493.5 +/- 48.3 vs. 24.4 +/- 13.5 mg/day) and an improvement in the morphological lesions. These findings suggest that FK 506 could be useful in the treatment of some human glomerulonephritides.

Ultrastructural localization of mint1 at synapses in mouse hippocampus

Mint1 and mint2 were isolated in the course of seeking the protein ligands to munc18-1, a neuronal protein essential for synaptic vesicle exocytosis. The mint family of proteins has been highly conserved in the course of evolution, being retained from C. elegans to mammals. Several lines of biochemical and genetic evidence have suggested that mint1 and LIN-10, its homologue in C. elegans, function at synapses in the brain. Because the precise subcellular location of mint1 is incompletely known, we used immunostaining to examine the distribution of mint1 in the mouse brain including ultrastructural localization in synapses. Strong, finely punctate mint1 immunolabeling was detected throughout the brain, including cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, thalamus, basal ganglia and cerebellum. At the most synapses in the molecular layer, mint1 was particularly abundant at the active zone and to a lesser extent in association with synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic terminals. In contrast, a very few synapses showed mint1 immunoreactivity in the postsynaptic density and there was no synapse double-positive in presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals. Mint1 distribution within presynaptic terminals overlapped that of munc18-1. These localization results are consistent with previously demonstrated biochemical interactions and strongly support functions of mint1 in synaptic vesicle exocytosis and synaptic organization in the central nervous system.

Basal meningoencephalocele, anomaly of optic disc and panhypopituitarism in association with moyamoya disease

Basal meningoencephalocele is frequently associated with midfacial anomaly, optic disc anomaly, brain anomaly, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, chiasma syndrome, and endocrinologic disturbance. The combination of basal meningoencephalocele and moyamoya disease is extremely rare. A 29-year-old man had basal meningoencephalocele (transsphenoidal type), anomaly of the optic disc (morning glory syndrome), panhypopituitarism and moyamoya disease. The patient was treated by hormone replacement, but surgical intervention was not required. Basal meningoencephalocele and moyamoya disease are a possible combination of the diseases.

CD1c molecules broadly survey the endocytic system

The ability of antigen-presenting cells to sample distinct intracellular compartments is crucial for microbe detection. Major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules sample the cytosol or the late endocytic compartment, allowing detection of microbial peptide antigens that arise in distinct intracellular compartments. In contrast, CD1a and CD1b molecules mediate the presentation of lipid and glycolipid antigens and differentially sample early recycling endosomes or late endocytic compartments, respectively, that contain distinct sets of lipid antigens. Here, we show that, unlike the other CD1 isoforms or major histocompatibility complex molecules that each sample restricted only intracellular compartments, CD1c is remarkable in that it distributes broadly throughout the endocytic system and is expressed in both recycling endosomes and late endocytic compartments. Further, in contrast to CD1b, which requires an acidic environment to function, antigen presentation by CD1c was able to overcome dependence on vesicular acidification. Because CD1c is expressed on essential antigen-presenting cells, such as epidermal Langerhans cells (in the absence of CD1b), or on B cells (without CD1a or -b), we suggest that CD1c molecules allow a comprehensive survey for lipid antigens throughout the endocytic system even in the absence of other CD1 isoforms.

[Neuropsychological comparison between corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy]

We conducted a neuropsychological comparison among cases with corticobasal degeneration (CBD; n = 8), those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP; n = 5) and healthy control subjects (n = 12) using an extensive neuropsychological battery assessing memory and executive functions. There were no significant differences among three groups for age, education, scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination and Zung's self-rating depression scale. Both patient groups showed retrieval impairment without recognition difficulties, and a dysexecutive syndrome. Along with those similarities, we observed some differences between CBD and PSP patients. Memory impairments in CBD patients were more marked than PSP patients in Rey's complex figure test, while they were less prominent in Rey's auditory verbal learning test. Perseverative errors of Nelson in Wisconsin card sorting test (Keio version) were more marked in CBD patients than in PSP patients. These two diseases showed memory and executive dysfunctions probably due to subcortico-frontal dysfunction. Some neuropsychological differences may help to distinguish CBD clinically from PSP.