Ultrafast all-optical switching by cross-absorption modulation in silicon wire waveguides

We describe the use of two-photon absorption in submicron silicon wire waveguides for all-optical switching by cross-absorption modulation. Optical pulses of 3.2 ps were successfully converted from high power pump to low power continuous-wave signal with a fast recovery time. High speed operation was based on the induced optical absorption from non-degenerate two-photon absorption inside the waveguides.

Epitope analysis of myeloperoxidase-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (MPO-ANCA) in childhood onset Graves’ disease treated with propylthiouracil

AIM

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between epitope profiles and clinical manifestations of patients with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies-(MPO-ANCA) positive childhood onset Graves' disease treated with propylthiouracil (PTU).

METHODS

Sixteen patients were studied. The patients were grouped into ten without clinical vasculitis and nephritis (non-vasculitis group) and six with biopsy-proven pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (vasculitis group). Epitope analysis was performed on serum samples by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a panel of recombinant deletion mutants of MPO.

RESULTS

The high frequency sites were region upstream of Met341 (Ha region) near the N-terminus of the heavy chain, and regions downstream of Gly598 (Hf and Hg regions) near the C-terminus. Most patients in the non-vasculitis group had polyclonal MPO-ANCA recognizing both the above linear sites and other epitope sites of the heavy chain of MPO. Only one of ten patients in the non-vasculitis group, and four of six patients in the vasculitis group had MPO-ANCA recognizing only the linear sites of the heavy chain of the MPO molecule (Ha, Hf and/or Hg). Of the four patients in the vasculitis group, two had nephritis, like rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and one had alveolar hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that most patients with childhood onset Graves' disease treated with PTU who manifest no vasculitis have polyclonal MPO-ANCA recognizing both the linear and other epitope sites of the heavy chain of MPO. However, some patients who develop nephritis have MPO-ANCA recognizing only the linear sites of the heavy chain of MPO. This clonality of MPO-ANCA may be a risk factor that induces clinical vasculitis and nephritis in patients treated with PTU. Therefore, patients exposed to PTU should be monitored for MPO-ANCA level and epitopes.

Association between endometriosis and genetic polymorphisms of the estradiol-synthesizing enzyme genes HSD17B1 and CYP19

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent disease, is believed to be influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Here, we evaluated whether the risk and severity of endometriosis are associated with polymorphisms in estradiol-synthesizing enzyme genes: the Ser312Gly polymorphism in 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17B1) and the Arg264Cys polymorphism in cytochrome P450, subfamily XIX (CYP19).

METHODS

All participants underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, and the stage of endometriosis was determined according to the Revised American Fertility Society classification. Of the 138 women enrolled, 59 had no endometriosis, 21 had stage I, 10 had stage II, 23 had stage III and 25 had stage IV. SNPs were discriminated by allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization.

RESULTS

Individuals having at least one A-allele (A/G or A/A genotype) of HSD17B1 showed a significantly increased risk of endometriosis (A/G genotype: adjusted OR, 3.06; 95%CI 1.21-7.74; A/A genotype: adjusted OR, 3.02; 95%CI 1.08-8.43). There was a significant trend associating A/G + A/A genotypes with severity of endometriosis (P for trend < 0.01). No statistically significant association was found for the CYP19 polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence for association between the Ser312Gly polymorphism in HSD17B1 and endometriosis was found in a Japanese population. The A-allele of HSD17B1 appears to confer higher risk for endometriosis.

Burnout and work environments of public health nurses involved in mental health care

AIMS

(1) To examine whether prevalence of burnout is higher among community psychiatric nurses working under recently introduced job specific work systems than among public health nurses (PHNs) engaged in other public health services. (2) To identify work environment factors potentially contributing to burnout.

METHODS

Two groups were examined. The psychiatric group comprised 525 PHNs primarily engaged in public mental health services at public health centres (PHCs) that had adopted the job specific work system. The control group comprised 525 PHNs primarily engaged in other health services. Pines' Burnout Scale was used to measure burnout. Respondents were classified by burnout score into three groups: A (mentally stable, no burnout); B (positive signs, risk of burnout); and C (burnout present, action required). Groups B and C were considered representative of "burnout". A questionnaire was also prepared to investigate systems for supporting PHNs working at PHCs and to define emergency mental health service factors contributing to burnout.

RESULTS

Final respondents comprised 785 PHNs. Prevalence of burnout was significantly higher in the psychiatric group (59.2%) than in the control group (51.5%). Responses indicating lack of job control and increased annual frequency of emergency overtime services were significantly correlated with prevalence of burnout in the psychiatric group, but not in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of burnout is significantly higher for community psychiatric nurses than for PHNs engaged in other services. Overwork in emergency services and lack of job control appear to represent work environment factors contributing to burnout.

Hamster D-amino-acid oxidase cDNA: rodents lack the 27th amino acid residue in D-amino-acid oxidase

The nucleotide sequence of cDNA that encodes hamster d-amino-acid oxidase (DAO) was determined. The cDNA consisted of 1,590 nucleotides and a poly(A) tail. It had an open reading frame for a protein consisting of 346 amino acid residues. The number of the amino acid residues is the same as that of the rat DAO. However, the hamster DAO has one residue more than mouse DAO and one residue less than human, pig, rabbit, and guinea pig DAOs. Amino acid sequence of the hamster DAO was highly similar to those of mouse and rat DAOs: 89% and 88% of the amino acid residues were identical between the hamster and mouse DAOs and between the hamster and rat DAOs, respectively. The homology was slightly less between the hamster DAO and the human (81%), pig (78%), rabbit (78%), or guinea pig DAO (82%). It has been proposed that the mouse and rat DAOs lack an amino acid residue corresponding to the 25th residue of the DAOs of other mammals. However, a detailed comparison of the amino acid sequences as well as the underlying nucleotide sequences by inclusion of the hamster ones revealed that the rodent DAOs does not lack the 25th, but the 27th residue.

[Right-sided infective endocarditis with a large size vegetation]

A 2-year-old boy with ventricular septal defect(VSD) had suffered from right-sided infective endocarditis with a vegetation 1.0 cm in size, involving pulmonary valve. Resection of the vegetation and partial resection of the pulmonary valve and patch closure of the VSD was performed after 3 weeks intravenous antibiotic therapy. In right-sided infective endocarditis, it is still unclear, however, which factors may be useful in predicting outcome or determining the need of surgical intervention. We recognize that following factors are the risk for need of surgical intervention. 1. persistent infection, 2. sever right-sided heart failure, 3. multiple embolic episodes, 4. infected by Staphylococcus aureus, 5. infection involving the annulus of the valve, 6. infection of prosthetic valve, 7. vegetation which is floppy and greater than 1.0 cm in size.

Relaxing intraoperative natural sound blunts haemodynamic change at the emergence from propofol general anaesthesia and increases the acceptability of anaesthesia to the patient

BACKGROUND

It is known that auditory input, such as comforting music or sound, blunts the human response to surgical stress in conscious patients under regional anaesthesia. As auditory perception has been demonstrated to remain active under general anaesthesia, playing comforting sounds to patients under general anaesthesia might also modulate the response of these patients to surgical stress.

METHODS

Fifty-nine patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were anaesthetized with propofol general anaesthesia in combination with epidural anaesthesia. Natural sounds, chosen preoperatively by each patient as being comforting, were played to 29 patients using headphones during surgery (S group) and the remainder of the patients (n = 30) were fitted with dummy open-type headphones (N group). We compared the haemodynamic change during anaesthesia and the acceptability of anaesthetic practice between the two groups in a randomized double-blind design.

RESULTS

There were no differences in haemodynamics between the S and N groups during surgery. During the emergence from anaesthesia, the mean blood pressure and heart rate gradually increased; both parameters were significantly higher in the N group than in the S group. Postoperatively, patients in the S group perceived the experience of anaesthesia as significantly more acceptable than did those in the N group.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that allowing patients comforting background sounds during general anaesthesia may blunt haemodynamic changes upon emergence from general anaesthesia and increase the acceptability of the experience of anaesthesia.

Small intestinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma exhibiting rare findings

Small intestinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has only rarely been described. We report two patients who developed small bowel metastases from RCC showing different clinicopathological characteristics. Both patients underwent hemilateral nephrectomy for RCC and developed lung metastases metachronously or simultaneously. One patient developed occlusive ileus caused by multiple polypoid tumours composed of sarcomatoid tissue in the jejunum shortly after nephrectomy. The other patient presented melaena due to bleeding from a Borrmann 2-like tumour in the jejunum six years after nephrectomy. Clinically, his disease was slow-growing. Sarcomatoid histology and Borrmann 2-like tumour in this report are rare findings in metastatic tumour of RCC in the small bowel.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for extrahepatic growing tumor. Surgical strategy based on extrahepatic growing index

BACKGROUND

This article describes the operative procedures, varying difficulties, and required instrumentation for performing laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) on the basis of a lesion's extrahepatic growing (EG) index, as calculated by computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

Laparoscopic partial hepatectomy cases were divided into the following two groups: an EG tumor group (n = 11) and an intrahepatic tumor group (n = 8). The surgical procedures, operative results, and laparoscopic instrumentation for these two groups were compared based on the EG index (/cm2; maximum diameter of tumor pedicle/maximum vertical diameter of tumor/area of the tumor).

RESULTS

The mean operative time was significantly shorter and the mean blood loss was significantly less in the EG tumor group than in the intrahepatic tumor group. In addition, in the EG tumor group, there were significant differences in mean operative time and mean blood loss related to the values associated with the EG index (p <0.05, P <0.01). The selection of laparoscopic instruments was based on the EG index, as follows: (a) lesions with an EG index >5/cm2 underwent resection in combination with a microwave tissue coagulator and an ultrasonic surgical aspirator (13 cases, including intrahepatic tumor cases); (b) lesions with an EG index of 5-15/cm2 underwent resection in combination with a microwave tissue coagulator and laparosonic coagulating shears (four cases); (c) lesions with an EG index <%15/cm2 underwent resection with a laparoscopic linear stapler (two cases).

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary experience leads us to believe that it is useful to calculate the EG index by CT scan before formulating the technical strategy for a subsequent LH procedure.

Induction and mechanism of apoptotic cell death by propofol in HL-60 cells

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) occurs in various physiological and pathological conditions, exhibits a characteristic mechanism of intracellular sequential reaction and may be involved in determining clinical outcome. The antioxidant activity of propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) together with the stimulating effect of protein kinase C suggests that propofol might have the potential to modulate apoptosis. Thus, it is of both clinical interest and biomedical importance to investigate and clarify the effect and mechanism of propofol upon the intracellular reactions underlying apoptotic cell death.

METHODS

The effect of propofol on apoptosis was investigated using cultured human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. This well-characterized cell line is useful for the study of apoptosis because the various biochemical steps occurring during apoptosis have been well documented.

RESULTS

Treatment of HL-60 cells with propofol resulted in growth inhibition with the formation of apoptotic bodies in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation and ladder formation was also observed in a concentration-dependent manner. Propofol treatment resulted in activation of caspase-3, -6, -8 and -9, thereby suggesting that cell surface death receptor activation of the caspase cascade mediates propofol-induced apoptosis with consequent formation of the cleaved product of Bid (a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member protein) and activation of the mitochondrial pathway with cytosolic release of cytochrome c.

CONCLUSION

Propofol may induce apoptosis, which is dependent on the mechanism that activates both the cell surface death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial pathway.

Molecular study of electron transfer flavoprotein alpha-subunit deficiency in two Japanese children with different phenotypes of glutaric acidemia type II

BACKGROUND

Electron transfer flavoprotein is a mitochondrial matrix protein composed of alpha- and beta-subunits (ETF alpha and ETF beta, respectively). This protein transfers electrons between several mitochondrial dehydrogenases and the main respiratory chain via ETF dehydrogenase (ETF-DH). Defects in ETF or ETF-DH cause glutaric acidemias type II (GAII).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the molecular basis of ETF alpha deficiency in two Japanese children with different clinical phenotypes using expression study.

RESULTS

Patient 1 had the severe form of GAII, a compound heterozygote of two mutations: 799G to A (alpha G267R) and nonsense 7C to T (alpha R3X). Patient 2 had the mild form and carried two heterozygous mutations: 764G to T (alpha G255V) and 478delG (frameshift). Both patients had one each of missense mutations in one allele; the others were either nonsense or truncated. Restriction enzyme digestion assay using genomic DNAs from 100 healthy Japanese revealed that these mutations were all novel. No signal for ETF alpha was detected by immunoblotting in cases of missense mutants, while wild-type cDNA resulted in expression of ETF alpha protein. Transfection with wild-type ETF alpha cDNA into cultured cells from both patients elevated incorporation of radioisotope-labelled fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

These four mutations were pathogenic for GAII and missense mutations, alpha G255V and alpha G267R were considered anecdotal for mild and severe forms, respectively.

Metabolic cooperation of ascorbic acid and glutathione in normal and vitamin C-deficient ODS rats

Although the coordination of various antioxidants is important for the protection of organisms from oxidative stress, dynamic aspects of the interaction of endogenous antioxidants in vivo remain to be elucidated. We studied the metabolic coordination of two naturally occurring water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), in liver, kidney and plasma of control and scurvy-prone osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats that hereditarily lack the ability to synthesize AA. When supplemented with AA, its levels in liver and kidney of ODS rats increased to similar levels of those in control rats. Hepato-renal levels of glutathione were similar with the two animal groups except for the slight increase in its hepatic levels in AA-supplemented ODS rats. Administration of L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis, rapidly decreased the hepato-renal levels of glutathione in a biphasic manner, a rapid phase followed by a slower phase. Kinetic analysis revealed that glutathione turnover was enhanced significantly in liver mitochondria and renal cytosol of ODS rats. Administration of BSO significantly increased AA levels in the liver and kidney of control rats but decreased them in AA-supplemented ODS rats. Kinetic analysis revealed that AA is synthesized by control rat liver by some BSO-enhanced mechanism and the de novo synthesized AA is transferred to the kidney. Such a coordination of the metabolism of GSH and AA in liver and kidney is suppressed in AA-deficient ODS rats. These and other results suggest that the metabolism of AA and GSH forms a compensatory network by which oxidative stress can be decreased.

Molecular cloning of the porcine insulin cDNA using a monolayer culture of pancreatic endocrine cells

Porcine pancreatic endocrine cells are an attractive candidate for islet cell transplantation in view of the immunological properties and structural similarities of porcine insulin to human insulin. We recently established a method of isolation and a primary monolayer culture of porcine pancreatic endocrine cells. In this study, cloning of the porcine insulin cDNA was performed to clarify the genetic background of the purified isolated cells. A homology-based PCR cloning method was employed to determine the sequence using mRNA extracted from the monolayer-forming cells, and the candidate products were then determined by a homology search on the human insulin cDNA. According to the newly identified sequence, rapid amplification of cDNA ends was applied to the 5' and 3' ends, and the entire cDNA sequence was determined. Gene and protein expression was confirmed by Northern blotting, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme assay. To examine the transcriptional level, the cultured cells were incubated in a 20 mM D-glucose medium in the presence or absence of 5 microM forskolin. The porcine insulin cDNA exhibited a high homology to the human cDNA and showed 85% matching with the human amino acid sequence. D-Glucose at 20 mM stimulated the insulin secretion and mRNA expression, and further addition of 5 microM forskolin with the glucose was applied as the strongest stimulus in this culture system.

Impaired blood rheology by remnant-like lipoprotein particles: studies in patients with fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) characterised by a high plasma levels of lipoproteins and remnant-like lipoproteins (RLP) is a risk factor for impaired microvascular blood flow, endothelial cell dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Using an immunoseparation technique with a gel mixture containing human monoclonal antibodies to apo A-I and apo B-100, we separated and measured RLP cholesterol (RLP-C) levels which reflect RLP in patients with FLD (n=20). Whole blood transit time (TT) was determined by a microchannel method (MC-FAN) which allows blood flow to be viewed via a microscope connected to an image display unit. RLP-C levels were higher (P<0.01) in FLD, 15.6 +/- 1.0 mg/dl compared with 4.8 +/- 0.5 mg/dl for controls (n=20). Similarly, TT was longer (P<0.01) in FLD, 284.5 +/- 26.1 sec/100 microl compared with 82.8 +/- 1.0 sec/100 microl for controls. Since the liver is a major site for RLP formation and degradation, it is affected to a greater extent in patients with FLD. It is likely that high levels of RLP can impair microvascular perfusion in the liver tissue and contribute to the development and progression of FLD.

Liquid ionization mass spectrometry of some triorganotin carboxylates

and ESI, in which [M + H]+ were not observed or the spectra were complicated. The liquid ionization mass spectra of triorganotin carboxylates varied with solvents and sample concentrations. For instance, the fragment ions [M + (C4H9)3Sn]+ of dimeric ions were observed with chloroform used as a solvent, while the [M + H]+ were observed as the base peak using ethylene dichloride. Spectra useful for the differentiation of isomers [CgH7O3Sn(C4Hg)3] were obtained by the formation of characteristic adduct ions, such as [M + EA + H]+ and [M + 2EA + H]+, with a reagent like 2-aminoethanol. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra observed by ESI and LPI mass spectrometry were similar and provided less information than adduct ions did.

Preparation and clinical application of 2% diflunisal oral ointment for painful lesions of the oral mucosa

We previously reported the development and clinical efficacy of a 2% aspirin oral ointment and 2% ethenzamide oral ointment as hospital preparations for painful lesions of the oral mucosa. This study investigated methods of preparing a more stable oral ointment with a more effective analgesic action, using diflunisal, another salicylic acid derivative, with an analgesic effect stronger than that of aspirin. A two-percent diflunisal oral ointment was prepared similarly to the aspirin ointment using plastibase and CMC-Na as the ointment base. From the results of spreadability measurement, a CMC-Na content of 20% was considered appropriate. The stability of diflunisal in 2% diflunisal oral ointment stored at 5 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C, was determined using HPLC, and a high stability of diflunisal at room temperature for more than 100 days was confirmed. We also investigated its antinociceptive effect using the Randall-Selitto paw pressure test in rats, which showed that 2% diflunisal oral ointment was as effective as 2% aspirin oral ointment. On clinical application of 2% diflunisal oral ointment to 8 patients with painful oral mucous diseases, it was found to be significantly (p = 0.014) more effective than 2% aspirin oral ointment. The results of this study demonstrated that 2% diflunisal oral ointment is a clinically useful analgesic for painful oral lesions.

Arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase on the surface of gizzard smooth muscle cells and the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in maintaining the activity of this transferase

An arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase activity was detected in chicken gizzard smooth muscle, and the specific activity is highest in the membrane fraction. This transferase is released from the membrane fraction by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), suggesting that it is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. When primary cultured gizzard smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were incubated with [adenylate-(32)P]NAD, several proteins were labeled. The labeling was inhibited by preincubation of the cells with PI-PLC, or by the addition of L-arginine to the reaction, and was sensitive to hydroxylamine treatment. The activity of the transferase was maintained in differentiated SMCs cultured with insulin, but was dramatically decreased concomitantly with cell dedifferentiation induced by serum or a specific PI3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002. These results indicate that the GPI-anchored arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase is expressed on the surface of differentiated SMCs and can modify several cell surface proteins. Our results also suggest that PI3-kinase is involved in the regulation of transferase activity during differentiation.

An evolutionarily conserved motif in the TAB1 C-terminal region is necessary for interaction with and activation of TAK1 MAPKKK

TAK1, a member of the MAPKKK family, is involved in the intracellular signaling pathways mediated by transforming growth factor beta, interleukin 1, and Wnt. TAK1 kinase activity is specifically activated by the TAK1-binding protein TAB1. The C-terminal 68-amino acid sequence of TAB1 (TAB1-C68) is sufficient for TAK1 interaction and activation. Analysis of various truncated versions of TAB1-C68 defined a C-terminal 30-amino acid sequence (TAB1-C30) necessary for TAK1 binding and activation. NMR studies revealed that the TAB1-C30 region has a unique alpha-helical structure. We identified a conserved sequence motif, PYVDXA/TXF, in the C-terminal domain of mammalian TAB1, Xenopus TAB1, and its Caenorhabditis elegans homolog TAP-1, suggesting that this motif constitutes a specific TAK1 docking site. Alanine substitution mutagenesis showed that TAB1 Phe-484, located in the conserved motif, is crucial for TAK1 binding and activation. The C. elegans homolog of TAB1, TAP-1, was able to interact with and activate the C. elegans homolog of TAK1, MOM-4. However, the site in TAP-1 corresponding to Phe-484 of TAB1 is an alanine residue (Ala-364), and changing this residue to Phe abrogates the ability of TAP-1 to interact with and activate MOM-4. These results suggest that the Phe or Ala residue within the conserved motif of the TAB1-related proteins is important for interaction with and activation of specific TAK1 MAPKKK family members in vivo.

Characterization of interglobular dentin and Tomes' granular layer in dog dentin using electron probe microanalysis in comparison with predentin

The interglobular dentin (IG) and the Tomes' granular layer (TGL) as well as predentin are hypomineralized regions in dentin. Some previous studies proposed that the IG and the TGL are identical with difference only in size, whereas other suggested that they are distinct structures. In order to characterize their matrix components, the present study was designed to analyze the elements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in the IG and the TGL in comparison with predentin using the Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA). The TGL was highest in the concentration of both Ca and P among the hypomineralized regions followed by the IG and predentin, whereas predentin was the highest in the concentration of S followed by the IG and the TGL. Alcian blue staining suggested that the S elements identified with the EPMA are incorporated into the sulfated glycosaminoglycan chains of proteoglycans. The present study first demonstrated distinct characteristics of matrix components in the IG and the TGL, i.e., the IG is poorer in mineralization but much richer in a proteoglycan content than the TGL. The IG may originate from predentin because of their analogy, whereas the TGL may follow a different ontogeny.

Reassessment of monoethylglycinexylidide as preoperative liver function test in a rat model of liver cirrhosis and man

It is known that lidocaine is rapidly metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P-450 system to form monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), its primary metabolite. We analyzed serum MEGX levels experimentally and clinically by fluorescent polarization immunoassay to reassess preoperative liver microsome functions.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Liver cirrhosis was produced in rats by intra-abdominal injection of thioacetamide. MEGX, indocyanine green test (ICG), and liver biochemical variables were measured periodically. Then, survival rates were assessed after the rats received a 70% hepatectomy.

CLINICAL STUDY

MEGX levels were measured in various human patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis who underwent hepatectomy. Serum MEGX levels significantly dropped and ICG levels significantly rose with macroscopic and histologic progression of liver cirrhosis in rats. The MEGX levels correlated closely with albumin levels and ICG. Preoperative MEGX and ICG levels of the mortal group of rats differed significantly from those of the survival group with 70% hepatectomy. Furthermore, 100% of the rats with MEGX levels above 40 ng/ml and ICG levels below 1.0%. In the clinical study, MEGX levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis than in healthy volunteers and correlated significantly with liver function tests such as albumin, Fischer's ratio, prothrombin time, hepaplastin and ICG. A significant difference was found in MEGX levels between patients receiving lobectomy and those receiving subsegmentectomy or partial hepatectomy. All patients tolerated their operations. Our data indicate that the MEGX test combined with ICG test and Child-Pugh classification is a better predictor of residual liver reserve capacity, and the analysis of hepatic MEGX formation might prove useful for rapid and reliable assessment liver function and choice of surgical treatment.

Propofol versus midazolam regarding their antioxidant activities

Propofol and midazolam are commonly used as sedatives for critically ill patients. These patients usually suffer from the pathologic effects of oxidative stress, predominantly caused by an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant defense system. Therefore, the antioxidant activities of propofol and midazolam may be of clinical importance. We investigated the activities of these two sedatives against hydrophilic or lipophilic peroxyl radicals in a homogeneous solution and in the presence of erythrocyte membranes. A chemical analysis of the homogeneous solution revealed that propofol efficiently scavenged hydrophilic peroxyl radicals (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 1.3 x 10(-4) M), whereas midazolam efficiently scavenged lipophilic radicals (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-5) M). Further, in membrane systems, propofol inhibited the oxidative damage induced by either hydrophilic or lipophilic radicals (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-5) M for hydrophilic radicals and IC50 = 3.0 x 10(-4) M for lipophilic radicals), whereas midazolam did very little. In previous studies, we demonstrated that antioxidant activity is highly affected by the location and properties of the reaction site. The discrepancy in antioxidant activity between a homogeneous condition and in the presence of membranes can be well explained by this concept, and again emphasizes the importance of membranes in determining antioxidant activity. To further understand the biologic significance of these antioxidant properties, the effect of the two agents on endothelium-dependent relaxation was studied. Application of oxidative stress to aortic rings by treating them with peroxyl radicals led to a significant blockade of acetylcholine-induced relaxation after submaximal contraction with phenylephrine. Propofol pretreatment greatly attenuated the impairment in comparison with midazolam, which agrees with the concept of antioxidant activity in the presence of membranes. The results of the present study suggest that propofol has a greater potential to reduce oxidative stress than midazolam.

Suppressive effect of topically applied CX-659S, a novel diaminouracil derivative, on the contact hypersensitivity reaction in various animal models

BACKGROUND

The T-cell-mediated contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of clinical cutaneous disorders including atopic dermatitis. A novel diaminouracil derivative, CX-659S, has been reported to have an inhibitory activity against picryl chloride (PC)-induced CHR when administered either orally or percutaneously. The inhibitory effect of topical CX-659S was assessed in three CHR models in the present study. In addition, to elucidate the mechanism of action of this compound, we examined the effect of CX-659S on the expression of messenger RNAs for proinflammatory cytokines after elicitation in PC models.

METHODS

For the in vivo evaluation of the efficacy of CX-659S, we used PC- or oxazolone-induced CHR in mice and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced CHR in guinea pigs. CX-659S was topically applied immediately after the hapten challenge in each model. To assess the effect on gene expression of cytokines, we used the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a semiquantitative technique with specific primers.

RESULTS

Topical CX-659S dose-dependently inhibited ear swelling at 24 h after the challenge in the two mouse models. This inhibitory effect was histologically confirmed in the PC model. Topically applied CX-659S also inhibited erythema and edema formation 24 h after challenge in the guinea pig model. CX-659S inhibited the expression of mRNA for proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Topically applied CX-659S showed significant inhibitory activities against CHR models both in mice and in guinea pigs. Inhibition profiles of CX-659S toward mRNA expression for proinflammatory cytokines corroborated these findings. CX-659S thus could be a useful therapeutic agent for allergic cutaneous disorders such as allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

Mouse T-cell antigen rt6.1 has thiol-dependent NAD glycohydrolase activity

Mouse Rt6.1 and Rt6.2, homologues of rat T-cell RT6 antigens, catalyze arginine-specific ADP-ribosylation. Without an added ADP-ribose acceptor, Rt6.2 shows NAD glycohydrolase (NADase) activity. However, Rt6.1 has been reported to be primarily an ADP-ribosyltransferase, but not an NADase. In the present study, we obtained evidence that recombinant Rt6.1 catalyzes NAD glycohydrolysis but only in the presence of DTT. The NADase activity of Rt6.1 observed in the presence of DTT was completely inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Native Rt6.1 antigen, immunoprecipitated from BALB/c mouse splenocytes with polyclonal antibodies generated against recombinant RT6.1, also exhibited NADase activity in the presence of DTT. Compared with Rt6.2, Rt6.1 has two extra cysteine residues at positions 80 and 201. When Cys-80 and Cys-201 in Rt6.1 were replaced with the corresponding residues of Rt6.2, serine and phenylalanine, respectively, Rt6.1 catalyzed the NADase reaction even in the absence of DTT. Conversely, replacing Ser-80 and Phe-201 in Rt6.2 with cysteines, as in Rt6.1, converted the thiol-independent Rt6.2 NADase to a thiol-dependent enzyme. Kinetic study of the NADase reaction revealed that the affinity of Rt6.1 for NAD and the rate of catalysis increased in the presence of DTT. Moreover, the NADase activity of Rt6.1 expressed on COS-7 cells was stimulated by culture supernatant from activated mouse macrophages, even in the absence of DTT. From these observations, we conclude that t!he Rt6.1 antigen has thiol-dependent NADase activity, and that Cys-80 and Cys-201 confer thiol sensitivity to Rt6.1 NADase. Our results also suggest that upon the interaction of T-cells expressing Rt6.1 with activated macrophages, the NADase activity of the antigen will be stimulated.

Interrelation between oxygen tension and nitric oxide in the respiratory system

To understand the relationship between oxygen tension and nitric oxide (NO) function, one animal and two human studies were designed. In the animal study, the effect of NO in inducing the relaxation of aortic specimens was significantly lower by 68% under 480 mm Hg of oxygen tension than under 28 mm Hg, indicating that oxygen tension has an important role in determining the biological effects of NO. In a clinical analysis with nonsmokers (n = 23), the alveolar-to-arterial difference for oxygen (A-aDO(2)) was reciprocally correlated with exhaled NO concentrations (r = 0.53). Because NO concentration in the lower respiratory zone depends partly on the amount of inspirable NO originating in the upper airway, a well-ventilated area, requiring much perfusion, could receive greater amounts of NO than a poorly ventilated one. Thus, the reciprocal relation of A-aDO(2) with the concentration of exhaled NO is not necessarily incompatible with the effect of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in ventilation-to-perfusion (V'A/Q') imbalance. In our third experiment, with nonsmokers (n = 21), pure oxygen inhalation during mechanical ventilation significantly decreased the concentration of exhaled NO and enhanced A-aDO(2), indicating a relationship between NO and oxygen similar to that observed in the animal experiment. These findings led us to conclude that a positive relation between exhaled NO and blood oxygenation efficiency exists in the respiratory system, and further, that oxygen might affect this relationship. Thus, the relative balance of NO and oxygen concentrations may be another factor for consideration in respiratory function.

Immunogenetic background of patients with autoimmune fatigue syndrome

We have previously reported that approximately 50% of children with chronic nonspecific complaints were positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and that a novel autoantibody to a 62 kD protein (anti-Sa) was found in 40% of these ANA-positive patients. Therefore, we proposed a distinct disease entity termed autoimmune fatigue syndrome (AIFS). We hypothesized that if autoimmune mechanisms did play an important role in the pathogenesis of AIFS, it is possible that it is immunogenetically regulated as observed in other autoimmune disorders. In order to examine the immunogenetic background of AIFS patients, HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR loci were analyzed serologically in 61 AIFS patients. AIFS was found to be positively associated with the class I antigen HLA-B61 and with the class II antigen HLA-DR9, with odds ratios of 2.77 (p = 0.015, Pcorr = 0.48) and 2.60 (p= 0.012, Pcorr = 0.17), respectively. A negative association was also found between AIFS and HLA-DR2 with odds ratio of 0.25 (p = 0.029, Pcorr = 0.041). When comparing anti-Sa positive AIFS patients with healthy controls, the odds ratios associated with HLA-B61, DR9, and DR2 were 3.42 (p = 0.021, Pcorr = 0.22), 3.96 (p = 0.0011, Pcorr = 0.015), and 0.16 (p = 0.0022, Porr = 0.031), respectively. Thus, the HLA associations observed in this study suggested that immunogenetic background might play a role in AIFS.

Expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in rat granulosa cells

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is a vital mitochondrial protein that is indispensable for the synthesis of steroids. To study the mechanisms of regulation of StAR in rat granulosa cells, we used granulosa cells obtained from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats. Northern blot analysis revealed two major transcripts of about 3.6 kb and 1.6 kb of rat StAR mRNA. Rat StAR mRNA had strongly increased within 2 h due to the treatment of FSH or 8-Br-cAMP in this culture, a parallel increase of transcripts of both sizes was observed. Compared to the control, StAR mRNA levels increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of increasing concentrations of FSH (1-100 ng/ ml) and 8-Br-cAMP (0.25-5 mM). Although co-treatment of rat granulosa cells with FSH and TGF-beta did not change FSH-induced StAR mRNA levels, these levels in granulosa cells were markedly increased by pretreatment with TGF-beta before being acutely (2 h) stimulated with an effective dose of FSH. The stimulatory effect of TGF-beta was time- and concentration-dependent (1-30 ng/ml).

Guinea pig D-amino-acid oxidase cDNA and phylogenetic position

The nucleotide sequence of cDNA that encodes guinea pig D-amino-acid oxidase (DAO) was determined. The cDNA consisted of 1,399 nucleotides and a poly(A) tail. The cDNA encodes 347 amino acid residues. In contrast to the hamster, rat, and mouse DAOs, guinea pig DAO had the 25th amino acid residue. The homology in amino acid sequences between the guinea pig DAO and the rodent DAOs was not high in comparison to the homology in amino acid sequences between the guinea pig DAO and DAOs of humans, pigs and rabbits. The phylogenetic position of the guinea pig varied depending on the source of sequences (amino acids or nucleotides) and the methods of phylogenetic tree construction. These results suggest that the guinea pig is not a simple rodent.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of CX-659S and its related compounds for their inhibitory effects on the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction

In order to find novel nonsteroidal compounds possessing an inhibitory activity against delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, we conducted random screening using a picryl chloride (PC)-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) in mice, and found compound 1 as a lead compound. Then we synthesized and evaluated an extensive series of 5-carboxamidouracil derivatives focused on both the uracil and the antioxidative moieties. Among them, we found that the hindered phenol moiety was necessary to exhibit the activities; especially, compounds 28a-28c having the partial structure of vitamin E were found to exert potent activities against the DTH reaction by both oral and topical administration. And compound 28c showed antioxidative activity against lipid peroxidation with an IC50 of 5.9 microM. Compound 28c (CX-659S) was chosen as a candidate drug for the treatment of cutaneous disorders such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Efficacy of a continuous syringe extraction method for monitoring hemodialysis ultrafiltrate

The evaluation of hemodialysis ultrafiltrate is essential for the assessment of uremic toxins, dialyzer net performance, protein catabolic rate, and safety and environmental protection. Total dialysate collection (TDC), however, is technically far from the daily procedure used. In the present study, use of a continuous syringe extraction method (CSEM) as a substitute for TDC was tested to determine its comparative effectiveness. Measurements of urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphate, beta2-microglobulin, and albumin were simultaneously obtained by both TDC and CSEM in 20 dialysis sessions. CSEM showed an extremely significant correlation with TDC for these values. The correlation coefficients were >0.97 for these indicators and the value of Fisher's r to z were all <0.001. Taken together, these data indicate that CSEM is an effective substitute for TDC. With use of CSEM, the evaluation of spent dialysate could become as a daily procedure.

A histochemical study of inflammatory lesions of the maxillary sinus mucosa using biotinylated lectins

The distribution of glycoconjugates in normal maxillary sinus tissues, in cases of maxillary sinusitis and in postoperative maxillary cysts (POMC), was examined using seven different lectins as probes. The results showed that wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1), Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 (RCA-1), and concanavalin A (ConA) strongly react with the cilia and goblet cells. The binding of WGA, PNA, UEA-1, and RCA-1 was increased in maxillary sinusitis and POMC compared with normal maxillary sinus epithelium, whereas that of ConA was decreased. The decreased binding of ConA suggested that there were fewer mannoside residues in the maxillary sinus epithelium in the inflammatory lesion. The PNA bound to the cilia, goblet cells and mucous glandular cells in maxillary sinusitis and POMC, but not in normal, uninflamed cells, indicating that D-galactose was produced by the inflammatory condition. Similar binding patterns of PNA and RCA-1 were found in the cilia and on the surface of the epithelium and in the goblet cells. It is assumed that the carbohydrate moiety in the sinus mucosa is altered in inflammatory conditions.

Role of nuclear factor-kappaB in the expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha of the human polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (plgR) gene

We analyzed the mechanism of human polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) gene upregulation by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Northern blot analysis showed that the expression of pIgR mRNA was enhanced by TNF-alpha stimulation. This activation was completely inhibited by RNA polymerase or protein synthesis inhibitors, suggesting that the regulation of pIgR gene expression depends on de novo RNA and protein synthesis. Furthermore, the stimulation of pIgR mRNA by TNF-alpha was decreased by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and L-1-4'-tosylamino-phenylethyl-chloromethyl ketone, which are known nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB inhibitors. For further analysis of gene regulation, we cloned and sequenced the 1.5-kb 5'-flanking region of the pIgR gene. In the upstream region, we found two NF-kappaB-binding motifs (named kappaB1 and kappaB2 from the 5' region). An electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that two components of the NF-kappaB/Re1 family, p50 and p65, bound with higher affinity to the KB2 element than to the kappaB1 element. We also analyzed plgR gene expression using reporter plasmids expressing the firefly luciferase gene. Stimulation by TNF-alpha significantly activated the pIgR gene promoter, as a 775-bp upstream region of the pIgR gene increased luciferase gene expression in cells treated with TNF-alpha. The activation of promoter activity by TNF-alpha was abolished when a mutation was inserted into kappaB1 or kappaB2. These data indicated that pIgR gene expression induced by TNF-alpha is transcriptionally regulated via activation of NF-kappaB. In addition, there is a possibility that another factor may act in concert with NF-kappaB.

Confocal microscopy of Tomes' granular layer in dog premolar teeth

Tomes' granular layer is the hypomineralized area of radicular dentin, but knowledge concerning it is limited. The present study was designed to investigate the structural characteristics of Tomes' granular layer in the dog's teeth by confocal microscopy. Permanent premolars of four beagles, two at 7 months and the other two at 14 months of age, were used for observation. During premolar root formation, the 7-month-old dogs were injected with calcein and alizarin red S for vital staining of dentin, and ground sections of the teeth were prepared. Both ground and decalcified-paraffin sections were made from the teeth of the 14-month-old dogs and stained with basic fuchsin or with hematoxylin and eosin. All sections were examined by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. In the ground sections, granules of Tomes' layer and dentinal tubules were stained with basic fuchsin and with calcein. The granules of Tomes' layer stained with calcein were seen only near the labeling lines by calcein. The granules of Tomes' layer appeared as bright spots in cross sections, and as lines in longitudinal sections. When the sections were cut tangentially through the surface of dentin, the granules of Tomes' layer showed a reticular structure. Most of the dentinal tubules were seen to pass between the granules and terminated in the dentin-cementum junction. Looped tubules were not found in this area. In the paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, extracellular matrix of dentin showed fluorescence of various intensities and dentinal tubules appeared dark. At the surface of the radicular dentin, the granules of Tomes' layer appeared as fluorescent fibers running parallel to the surface of dentin in the longitudinal sections. The fibers appeared as bright spots in the cross sections and as a mesh in the tangential sections. In the periodontal ligament, collagen fibers showed intense fluorescence, whereas most cells were negative. From these results we conclude that Tomes' granular layer of dog's teeth may be the collagen fiber bundles that remained uncalcified or hypocalcified within the radicular dentin.

[The anesthetic management for elective or emergent cesarean section in patients with intracranial arteriovenous malformation]

Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to ruptured intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) during pregnancy, although rare, is a grave complication. We experienced 3 patients with AVM for cesarean section. Case 1: A 24-year-old woman suffered sudden vomiting and headache during the 22nd week of her first pregnancy. She was diagnosed as having the intracranial hemorrhage due to AVM. Because the patient was bleeding again at 29th week of pregnancy, emergency operation was performed. Her neurological symptom improved. Cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia at 34th week of pregnancy. Case 2: A 42-year-old woman of her first pregnancy had past history of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to AVM at the ages of 23, 28, 29 and 36. The malformation was not corrected surgically. Her neurological status was normal. Cesarean section was performed under spinal anesthesia. Case 3: A 29-year-old woman suffered sudden hemiplegia, vomiting and headache during the 40th week of her first pregnancy. She was diagnosed as having intracranial hemorrhage. Cesarean section immediately followed by the removal of an intra cranial hematoma under general anesthesia. Better perinatal outcome is expected when AVM rerupture is prevented by first performing cesarean section.

Pharmacokinetics of ezlopitant, a novel non-peptidic neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist in preclinical species and metabolite kinetics of the pharmacologically active metabolites

The pharmacokinetics of ezlopitant were determined in the rat, gerbil, guinea pig, ferret, dog and monkey after intravenous and oral administration. In general, ezlopitant is marked by high clearance values that approach or exceed hepatic blood flow values, moderate to high values for steady-state volume of distribution (3. 9-28 L/kg), and terminal phase half-life values ranging from 0.6 h in the guinea pig to 7.7 h in the rat. Oral bioavailability ranged from <0.2% (guinea pig) to 28% (dog). Data from portal vein cannulated dogs suggested that 37% of an oral dose of ezlopitant enters the portal vein as an unchanged drug in this species. Ezlopitant is metabolized to two pharmacologically active metabolites, an alkene (CJ-12 458) and a benzyl alcohol (CJ-12 764). After administration of the parent compound, CJ-12 764 was found in greater abundance than CJ-12 458 in all species examined. Ezlopitant and CJ-12 458 were highly protein bound in plasma (or serum), whereas the protein binding of CJ-12 764 was somewhat lower. Measurement of the kinetics of ezlopitant, CJ-12 458 and CJ-12 764 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs demonstrated that all three compounds can partition into the CSF, and thereby, be capable of contributing to centrally mediated pharmacological effects. Thus, these data suggest that the pharmacological activity exhibited by ezlopitant in preclinical species in vivo is likely a result of the parent compound plus the active metabolites. Furthermore, the contributions of ezlopitant and the active metabolites to pharmacological activity probably varies with the identity of the model species, as well as the dose and route of ezlopitant administration.

Job search and employment-related issues in athletic training education programs

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the amount of classroom instruction appropriated for employment-related issues and how career service centers were used by students in National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)-approved/Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)-accredited undergraduate athletic training curriculums.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We developed a job placement survey and mailed it to subjects. The study was conducted through the School of Physical Education at West Virginia University.

SUBJECTS

The subjects were all undergraduate athletic training curriculum directors employed in an NATA-approved or CAAHEP-accredited program.

MEASUREMENTS

We developed a survey instrument based on our experiences with instructional and educational issues in athletic training. The survey instrument consisted of items that investigated the amount of classroom time and education devoted to different aspects of preparing athletic training students for the job market.

RESULTS

A total of 74 surveys were returned, for an 88% return rate. Eighty-six percent of the curriculum directors spent an average of 116 minutes (mean = 116 +/- 142.09; range, 5 to 780) instructing students about employment issues. Curriculum directors spent 63 minutes (mean = 63 +/- 47.86; range, 10 to 270) instructing students on how to develop a résumé. Most curriculum directors (74%) spent time with students discussing how to prepare for an interview (mean = 51 +/- 47.07 minutes; range, 1 to 270). Nearly all curriculum directors (97%) responded that students learned about recognizing allied health postgraduate career options other than athletic training. College or university career service centers were available to 96% of students, but only 53% sought instructional assistance from them. Curriculum directors spent an average of 38 +/- 49.31 minutes (range, 15 to 120) discussing programs available at career service centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Athletic training curriculum directors were providing basic employment preparation skills to students. However, a wide variance existed for time allotted to employment- related issues. Additional research is needed to compare employment instructional methods with program success rates for job placement within athletic training.

Enkephalinergic neurons express 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn: single cell RT-PCR analysis

The analgesic effect of activation of 5-HT3 receptors at the spinal cord is attenuated by the opioid antagonist naloxone. Enkephalin-immunoreactive neurons in the spinal cord superficial dorsal horn are innervated by 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers. This prompted us to examine whether enkephalinergic dorsal horn neurons express 5-HT3 receptors. Using the technique of single-cell RT-PCR adapted for small neurons in the superficial dorsal horn, methionine-enkephalin sequence-specific PCR products were observed in about half of the neurons studied. Furthermore, 5-HT3 receptor mRNA was detected in approximately 25% of enkephalinergic neurons. These observations suggest that at least part of the antinociception elicited by activation of 5-HT3 receptors at the spinal cord may involve enkephalinergic dorsal horn neurons.

Isothiazolone derivatives selectively inhibit telomerase from human and rat cancer cells in vitro

The telomere hypothesis postulates stabilization of telomere length and telomerase activation as key events in cellular immortalization and carcinogeneses. Accordingly, telomerase has been suggested as a novel and highly selective target for design of antitumor drugs. Screening of a chemical library including 16 000 synthetic compounds yielded six that strongly inhibited telomerase activity in extracts of cultured human cells, including four isothiazolone derivatives and two unrelated compounds. The most potent inhibitor was 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]isothiazolin-3-one (TMPI), a concentration of 1.0 microM inhibited telomerase activity by 50% according to a telomere repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Analysis using partially purified telomerase from AH7974 rat hepatoma cells demonstrated noncompetitive inhibition with the telomere-repeat primer and mixed inhibition with the dNTPs; the inhibition constant was 2.5 microM. TMPI did not inhibit eukaryotic DNA polymerase alpha, beta, or human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (HIV RT). Thus, inhibition by TMPI was highly selective for telomerase. Inhibition by TMPI was quenched by 1 mM of dithiothreitol or glutathione, suggesting that TMPI inhibits telomerase by acting at a cysteine residue. TMPI inhibition of this enzyme may find application as an antineoplastic agent.

A novel strategy for identifying differential gene expression: An improved method of differential display analysis

We propose a novel alternative approach, an advanced method for recently developed strategies, for identifying differentially expressed genes. Firstly, double-stranded cDNAs were digested using Sau3AI and the 3'-end restriction fragments of the cDNA were ligated to a double-stranded adapter. Next, the restriction fragments were directly amplified using several combinations of adapter-specific primers and FITC-labeled oligo dT primers. The selected cDNA fragments were displayed on a polyacrylamide gel. Neither nested PCR nor purification of 3'-end fragments are necessary. We examined the validity of this approach by evaluating gene expression changes during granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. This method can theoretically detect almost all gene expression changes more rapidly and through simpler manipulations than by any other approach.

High-quality sub-100-fs optical pulse generation by fiber-optic soliton compression of gain-switched distributed-feedback laser-diode pulses in conjunction with nonlinear optical fiber loops

We report our investigations of a new and simpler femtosecond fiber-optic soliton compressor for chirp-compensated gain-switched diode-laser pulses and of pedestal suppression by a compound fiber loop mirror (CFLM) and nonlinear-optical loop mirrors (NOLM's), both of which are designed for sub-100-fs pulse generation of high quality. The soliton compressor, composed of a 21.1-m-long steplike dispersion profiled fiber, exhibited 44-fs pulses and a compression ratio of approximately 60. Pedestals of 100-fs soliton pulses were suppressed successfully (>20 dB) by the CFLM and the NOLM's. In particular, 63-fs pedestal-free sech(2) pulses were obtained by NOLM propagation.

Generation of ultraviolet (335-nm) light by intracavity frequency doubling from active mode-locking action of an external-cavity AlGaInP diode laser

An intracavity frequency-doubling scheme was merged with an actively mode-locked AlGaInP laser diode with an external cavity to provide efficient generation of 335-nm ultraviolet light. Intense pulses of <16ps were successfully generated inside the cavity at subgigahertz repetition frequencies. We applied those pulses to intracavity second-harmonic generation from a 5-mm-long LiIO(3) crystal, which resulted in average ultraviolet power of 70muW for an average fundamental power of 73 mW.

[Autoimmune fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome]

We have encounted two patients with fibromyalgia (FM) initially diagnosed as having autoimmune fatigue syndrome (AIFS). To investigate the relationship between AIFS and FM, the distribution of the tender points in patients with AIFS was assessed according to the ACR criteria for FM. It was revealed that AIFS patients had 5.6 tender points on averages. Patients with headaches, digestive problems, or difficulty going to school had more tender points than patients without. Patients with ANA titers < 1: 160 had more tender points than patients with ANA > or = 1: 160. Anti-Sa negative patients had more tender points than positive patients. These results suggest a relationship between AIFS and FM in terms of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the numerous tender points. In other words, ANA-positive FM patients could be one form of AIFS, as well as ANA-positive chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Thus, autoimmunity could explain the controversial disease entities of FM and/or CFS.

ADP-ribosylation of tubulin by chicken NAD-arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase suppresses microtubule formation

We obtained evidence that tubulin and actin, two major cytoskeletal proteins, are preferentially ADP-ribosylated in the bovine brain cytosol by NAD-arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase purified from chicken polymorphonuclear leukocytes. ADP-ribosylation of tubulin almost completely blocked self-assembly of the protein. The stoichiometry of ADP-ribose incorporation into unassembled and assembled tubulin was 6 and 2 mol/mol of tubulin, respectively. These findings suggest that sites of ADP-ribosylation in the unassembled tubulin molecule are crucial for tubulin assembly, and that covalently attached ADP-ribose moieties interfere with tubulin interaction by steric hindrance or conformational change. Thus, ADP-ribosylation may be involved in cytoskeletal organization in the brain via the modification of tubulin.

Phylogenic analysis of echovirus type 30 isolated from a large epidemic of aseptic meningitis in Japan during 1997-1998

During 1997 to 1998, a nationwide epidemic of aseptic meningitis occurred in Japan. More than 4,500 isolates from patients with aseptic meningitis were identified as echovirus type 30. To investigate the character of these isolates, we examined the nucleotide sequences of thirty-seven geographical representatives and compared them with 50 strains isolated during the past 20 years. The phylogenic analysis used partial sequences from either the VP1 or VP4-VP2 region of the viral capsid. This analysis revealed that the isolates were divided into six genomic groups. All isolates identified during 1997-1998 belonged to only two genomic groups; these two groups are thought to be the causative viral agents involved in the recent epidemic.

Control of the expression of luteinizing hormone receptor by local factors in rat granulosa cells

To identify the mechanisms underlying the hormone-dependent induction and maintenance of luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) in rat granulosa cells, the effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and local factors on the LH-R mRNA levels were studied. LH-R mRNA levels of the cells incubated with FSH decreased rapidly after medium removal, and readdition of FSH with the fresh medium did not restore these levels. On the other hand, 8-bromoadenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate significantly enhanced the expression of LH-R mRNA after medium removal, while the level of LH-R mRNA was lower than that of the cells replaced by original medium including FSH. In addition, the incubation with 8-Br-cAMP produced dose-dependent responses for LH-R mRNAs and enhanced the activity of 1379 bp of the LH-R 5'-flanking region, while the level of LH-R mRNA decreased 3 days after medium removal. Further studies were undertaken to assess the role of factors in maintaining the LH receptor once induced by FSH. Since FSH and cAMP increase follistatin production in granulosa cells, we examined the effect of follistatin on LH-R induction in the presence of activin and FSH. Activin induced LH-R in the presence of FSH significantly, and follistatin antagonized this effect in a dose-dependent manner. However, insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I) induced LH-R mRNA in the presence of FSH even after medium change. IGF-I might be one of the important factors that act in the medium to maintain LH-R levels in granulosa cells.