An explanation of the mineralization mechanism in osteoblasts induced by calcium hydroxide

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)) has been broadly used in endodontics, including apexification to obtain apical closure by mineralization. However, the detailed mechanism of mineralization induced by Ca(OH)(2) is still unclear. This study focuses on the function of calcium and hydroxyl ions which dissociate from Ca(OH)(2) during the mineralization process. Though primary osteoblasts cultured in the medium without or with 0.025mgml(-1) Ca(OH)(2) did not show mineralization, they did exhibit mineralization when they were cultured with a higher concentration of Ca(OH)(2) (0.25mgml(-1)). Mineralization induced in the presence of 0.25mgml(-1) Ca(OH)(2) was greater at pH 7.4 than at pH 8.5. The high mineralization activity observed under neutral conditions was caused by the prolonged activation of p38 and JNK. Hydroxyl ions did not have any effect on the mineralization. The results demonstrate that calcium ions dissociated from Ca(OH)(2) are critical for inducing the mineralization of osteoblasts.

Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis: assessment of clinical, CT, and pathological findings

AIM

To assess the clinical, computed tomography (CT), and pathological findings in patients with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients (four women and 11 men, mean age 71 years) with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis and without the characteristic features of underlying disorders causing benign biliary strictures were retrospectively recruited. Two radiologists evaluated multiphase contrast-enhanced CT images acquired with 0.5 or 1-mm collimation. One pathologist performed all histological examinations, including IgG4 immunostaining.

RESULTS

The intrahepatic biliary ducts showed dilatation in all 15 patients, but only seven presented with jaundice. Although laboratory data were not available in all patients, serum gammaglobulin and IgG levels were elevated in five of six patients and six of eight patients, respectively. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in three of six patients. The involved biliary ducts showed the following CT findings: involvement of the hilar biliary duct (14/15), a mean wall thickness of 4.9 mm, a smooth margin (10/15), a narrow but visible lumen (6/15), hyper-attenuation during the late arterial phase (9/15), homogeneous hyper-attenuation during the delayed phase (11/11), and no vascular invasion (14/15). Abnormal findings in the pancreas and urinary tract were detected in eight of 15 patients. In 13 patients with adequate specimens, moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration associated with dense fibrosis was observed. Infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells was moderate or severe in nine patients and minimal or absent in four patients.

CONCLUSION

Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis exhibits relatively characteristic clinical and CT findings, although they are not sufficiently specific for differentiation from other biliary diseases.

Spectroscopy of 32Ne and the "Island of Inversion"

We report on the first spectroscopic study of the N=22 nucleus 32Ne at the newly completed RIKEN Radioactive Ion Beam Factory. A single gamma-ray line with an energy of 722(9) keV was observed in both inelastic scattering of a 226 MeV/u 32Ne beam on a carbon target and proton removal from 33Na at 245 MeV/u. This transition is assigned to the deexcitation of the first Jpi=2+ state in 32Ne to the 0+ ground state. Interpreted through comparison with state-of-the-art shell-model calculations, the low excitation energy demonstrates that the "island of inversion" extends to at least N=22 for the Ne isotopes.

Production of recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor by knocking into the active immunoglobulin heavy chain gene locus in the hybridoma cell line

The hybridoma cell line KM50 originally produces a monoclonal antibody at a concentration of approximately 40 mg ml(-1) in ascites. To investigate the possibility to apply this expression system to the production of useful proteins, the cDNA encoding human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was inserted by homologous recombination into just downstream of the promoter of the active immunoglobulin heavy chain gene of KM50. Site directed integration of targeting DNAs resulted in the disruption of expression of the immunoglobulin heavy chain proteins with a frequency of 1 in 10 approximately 100 G418-resistance transfectants. One of the monoclonal antibody-deficient transfectants produced25 ng ml(-1) of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the supernatant of its cell culture the number of molecules of which corresponds to that of the monoclonal antibody originally produced by KM50. However, when this transfectant was injected intraperitoneally, it produced only a 9 mug ml(-1) concentration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in ascites, which is approximately 3 orders of magnitude less than the monoclonal antibody. This method may be applicable to production of other recombinant proteins, although further optimization in the conditions of production would be needed in order to reach much higher yields.

Molecular spin resonance in the geometrically frustrated magnet MgCr2O4 by inelastic neutron scattering

We measured two magnetic modes with finite and discrete energies in an antiferromagnetic ordered phase of a geometrically frustrated magnet MgCr2O4 by single-crystal inelastic neutron scattering, and clarified the spatial spin correlations of the two levels: one is an antiferromagnetic hexamer and the other is an antiferromagnetic heptamer. Since these correlation types are emblematic of quasielastic scattering with geometric frustration, our results indicate instantaneous suppression of lattice distortion in an ordered phase by spin-lattice coupling, probably also supported by orbital and charge. The common features in the two levels, intermolecular independence and discreteness of energy, suggest that the spin molecules are interpreted as quasiparticles (elementary excitations with energy quantum) of highly frustrated spins, in analogy with the Fermi liquid approximation.

Treatment of distal radius fractures with a wrist-bridging external fixation: the value of alternating electric current stimulation

The radiological and functional outcomes of two groups of comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal radius that were treated with wrist-bridging external fixation, with or without an alternating electric current stimulation (EF + ES or EF group, respectively), were compared. The radial length, radial inclination and palmar tilt were measured on radiographs taken immediately after removal of wrist external fixator and also after bone union had occurred. Furthermore, active range of motion was compared at the final consultation. Bridging callus was observed earlier postoperatively in the EF + ES group than in the EF group. The radial length and palmar tilt were significantly larger, and the loss of radial length and radial inclination significantly smaller, in the EF + ES group. We believe that callus maturation is enhanced by alternating electric current stimulation, which enables the early removal of external fixator.

Adjuvant radiotherapy to an initial bulky mass in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: lack of survival benefit

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy to the site of the initial bulky mass in lymphoma remains to be determined. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data for 35 consecutive patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who had an initial bulky mass were treated successfully by chemotherapy reaching complete remission or complete remission unconfirmed according to International Workshop Criteria. Median age was 57 years. Median follow-up period for surviving patients after completion of chemotherapy was 45 months. Twenty patients (group A) received adjuvant radiotherapy to the bulky mass, while 15 (group B) did not. Median dose of radiation in group A was 40 Gy (range, 30-60 Gy). In group A, four relapses occurred, all from other sites; group B included three relapses from bulky and one from other sites. Overall survival (P = 0.15) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.48) did not differ significantly between groups. Although adjuvant radiotherapy to the initial bulky site is useful for controlling local disease, no survival benefit was seen.

Focal inflammation in the embryological ventral pancreas: assessment using CT and MRI

AIM

To identify the characteristic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of nonuniform inflammation between the posterior aspect of the head and the remainder of the pancreas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated images of 19 patients in whom the degree of attenuation in the CT images and/or the signal intensity in the MRI images differed between the posterior aspect of the head (ventral primordium) and the remainder of the pancreas (dorsal primordium) due to benign disorders other than uneven fatty replacement. Multiphase, contrast-enhanced CT examinations were performed in 17 patients. In five, T1- and T2-weighted images with and without fat suppression were obtained using a 1.5 T superconducting MRI system.

RESULTS

The lesions were localized in the posterior aspect of the head in 17 patients. In two patients, the lesions occupied the posterior aspect of the head and extended to the neck. The lesions exhibited the following findings: inhomogeneous hypoattenuation (with spotty areas of relatively well-maintained contrast enhancement) during the pancreatic phase (17/17) and no intense peripheral enhancement or central necrotic areas (17/17) in CT images, hypointensity in T1-weighed images (5/5), hyperintensity in T2-weighed images (4/5), no vascular invasion (19/19), failure to depict the entire course of Wirsung's duct (17/19), and calcification (13/19). Santorini's ducts were depicted in all but three patients.

CONCLUSION

Focal inflammation in the embryological ventral pancreas exhibits a unique anatomical distribution and characteristic findings.

Surface structure and apatite-forming ability of polyethylene substrates irradiated by oxygen cluster ion beams

Polyethylene (PE) substrates were irradiated at a dose of 1 x 10(15) ions/cm(2) by the simultaneous use of oxygen (O(2)) cluster and monomer ion beams. The acceleration voltage for the ion beams was varied from 3 to 9 kV. Unirradiated and irradiated PE substrates were soaked for 7 days in a metastable calcium phosphate solution (1.5SBF) that had 1.5 times the ion concentrations of a normal simulated body fluid. The irradiated PE substrates formed apatite on their surfaces, irrespective of the acceleration voltage, whereas unirradiated substrates did not form apatite. This is attributed to the formation of functional groups that are effective for apatite nucleation, such as --COOH groups, on the substrate surface by the simultaneous use of O(2) cluster and monomer ion beams. The apatite-forming ability of the irradiated PE substrates was improved greatly by a subsequent CaCl(2) solution treatment. This suggests that Ca(2+) ions introduced on the substrate surface by the CaCl(2) solution treatment accelerated the apatite nucleation. It is concluded that apatite-forming ability can be induced on the surface of PE by the simultaneous use of O(2) cluster and monomer ion beams.

Psoriasis treated with ursodeoxycholic acid: three case reports

We report three Japanese patients with psoriasis vulgaris associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in which the skin lesions dramatically resolved after treatment of the fatty liver disease with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). According to the literature, arachidonic acid is released from phospholipid by phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and is a precursor of eicosanoids, including prostaglandins, leucotrienes, and thromboxanes, which are potent inflammatory mediators. PLA(2) activity has been reported to be significantly raised in the serum and skin tissue of patients with psoriasis. UDCA has been reported to suppress the increased activity of group IIA PLA(2), a secretory low-molecular-weight PLA(2) (PLA(2)IIA), in HepG2 cells (a human hepatoblastoma-derived cell line) and in gallbladder and gallbladder bile samples from patients with cholesterol stones. Thus, UCDA may improve the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis by suppressing PLA(2)IIA activity.

Development of an Artificial Myocardium using a Covalent Shape-memory Alloy Fiber and its Cardiovascular Diagnostic Response

The authors have been developing a newly-designed totally-implantable artificial myocardium using a covalent shape-memory alloy fibre (Biometal®, Toki Corporation), which is attached onto the ventricular wall and is also capable of supporting the natural ventricular contraction. This mechanical system consists of a contraction assistive device, which is made of Ti-Ni alloy. And the phenomenon of the martensitic transformation of the alloy was employed to achieve the physiologic motion of the device. The diameter of the alloy wire could be selected from 45 to 250μm. In this study, the basic characteristics of the fiber of 150μm was examined to design the sophisticated mechano-electric myocardium. The stress generated by the fiber was 400gf under the pulsatile driving condition (0.4W, 1Hz). Therefore it was indicated that the effective assistance might be achieved by using the Biometal shape-memory alloy fiber.

ED-71, a novel vitamin D analog, promotes bone formation and angiogenesis and inhibits bone resorption after bone marrow ablation

ED-71, a novel analog of 1alpha,25-(OH)2 D3, increases bone mass to a greater extent than alfacalcidol, an 1alpha,25-(OH)2 D3 prodrug. In this study, we used a murine bone marrow ablation model to compare the effect of ED-71 on bone formation and resorption in vivo with that of 1alpha,25-(OH)2 D3. We discovered that bone matrix remodeling occurring within the first week after bone marrow ablation was enhanced by a single injection of ED-71, but not by 1alpha,25-(OH)2 D3. This enhancement was associated with an increase in bone surface. Trabecular bone resorption occurring from 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure was suppressed by a single injection of ED-71, but not 1alpha,25-(OH)2 D3, with treated mice exhibiting a reduction in osteoclast numbers, despite increases in osteoblast surface. As seen with the single injection, daily administration of ED-71 also enhanced bone modeling. Bone marrow osteoblast differentiation was also augmented by ED-71 pretreatment. Furthermore, ED-71 treatment immediately after bone marrow ablation enhanced angiogenesis within the bone marrow cavity via enhancement of VEGF(120) expression. In this paper, we clearly demonstrate that ED-71 is an orally administered small molecular weight compound with an anabolic effect on bone metabolism.

Bromide removal by hydrotalcite-like compounds in a continuous system

Bromide ion removal from a real water matrix by hydrortalcite-like compounds (HTCs) was attempted in a column reactor to control the formation of brominated disinfection by-products in drinking water treatment process. The performance of HTCs was found to be comparable to a commercially available ion exchange resin for relatively low alkalinity water. Also, it was deduced that HTCs are better than ion exchange resins for high sulfate water because of their unique ion selectivity. In addition, the ion exchange reactions by HTCs were faster than a commercially available resin. Thus, HTCs are expected to provide similar performance to organic resins without the concern about secondary contamination (i.e., elution of organic compounds from resins).

ELAC2, a putative prostate cancer susceptibility gene product, potentiates TGF-beta/Smad-induced growth arrest of prostate cells

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) elicits a potent growth inhibitory effect on many normal cells by binding to specific serine/threonine kinase receptors and activating specific Smad proteins, which regulate the expression of cell cycle genes, including the p21 cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor gene. Interestingly, cancer cells are often insensitive to the anti-mitogenic effects of TGF-beta for which the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we found that the candidate prostate cancer susceptibility gene ELAC2 potentiates TGF-beta/Smad-induced transcriptional responses. ELAC2 associates with activated Smad2; the C-terminal MH2 domain of Smad2 interacts with the N-terminal region of ELAC2. Small interfering siRNA-mediated knock-down of ELAC2 in prostate cells suppressed TGF-beta-induced growth arrest. Moreover, ELAC2 was shown to specifically associate with the nuclear Smad2 partner, FAST-1 and to potentiate the interaction of activated Smad2 with transcription factor Sp1. Furthermore, activation of the p21 CDK inhibitor promoter by TGF-beta is potentiated by ELAC2. Taken together our data indicate an important transcriptional scaffold function for ELAC2 in TGF-beta/Smad signaling mediated growth arrest.

Effect of electrical polarization of hydroxyapatite ceramics on new bone formation

Large surface charges can be induced on hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics by proton transport polarization, but this does not affect beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) because of its low polarizability. We wished to examine differences in osteogenic cell activity and new bone growth between positively or negatively surface-charged HAp and HAp/TCP plates using a calvarial bone defect model. In the first group of rats, test pieces were placed with their positively charged surfaces face down on the dura mater. In the second group, test pieces were placed with their negatively charged surfaces face down on the dura mater. A third group received noncharged test pieces. Histological examination, including enzymatic staining for osteoblasts and osteoclasts, was carried out. While no bone formation was observed at the pericranium, direct bone formation on the cranial bone debris and new bone growth expanded from the margins of the sites of injury to bridge across both the positively and negatively charged surfaces of HAp and HAp/TCP plates occurred. Electrical polarization of implanted plates, including positive charge, led to enhanced osteoblast activity, though decreased osteoclast activity was seen on the positively charged plate surface. Thus, polarization of HAp ceramics may modulate new bone formation and resorption.

TCR Valpha14 natural killer T cells function as effector T cells in mice with collagen-induced arthritis

Natural killer (NK) T cells are a unique, recently identified cell population and are suggested to act as regulatory cells in autoimmune disorders. In the present study, designed to investigate the role of NKT cells in arthritis development, we attempted to induce arthritis by immunization of type II collagen (CIA) in Jalpha281 knock out (NKT-KO) and CD1d knock out (CD1d-KO) mice, which are depleted of NKT cells. From the results, the incidence of arthritis (40%) and the arthritis score (1.5 +/- 2.2 and 2.0 +/- 2.7) were reduced in NKT-KO and CD1d-KO mice compared to those in respective wild type mice (90%, 5.4 +/- 3.2 and 2.0 +/- 2.7, P < 0.01). Anti-CII antibody levels in the sera of NKT-KO and CD1d-KO mice were significantly decreased compared to the controls (OD values; 0.32 +/- 0.16 and 0.29 +/- 0.06 versus 0.58 +/- 0.08 and 0.38 +/- 0.08, P < 0.01). These results suggest that NKT cells play a role as effector T cells in CIA. Although the cell proliferative response and cytokine production in NKT-KO mice after the primary immunization were comparable to those in wild type mice, the ratios of both activated T or B cells were lower in NKT-KO mice than wild type mice after secondary immunization (T cells: 9.9 +/- 1.8% versus 16.0 +/- 3.4%, P < 0.01, B cells: 4.1 +/- 0.5% versus 5.1 +/- 0.7%, P < 0.05), suggesting that inv-NKT cells contribute to the pathogenicity in the development phase of arthritis. In addition, IL-4 and IL-1beta mRNA expression levels in the spleen during the arthritis development phase were lower in NKT-KO mice, while the IFN-gamma mRNA expression level was temporarily higher. These results suggest that inv-NKT cells influence cytokine production in arthritis development. In conclusion, inv-NKT cells may promote the generation of arthritis, especially during the development rather than the initiation phase.

Cerebral distribution of cardiac output in newborn infants

Cerebral blood flow and output of the left ventricle were simultaneously investigated in 17 infants using multichannel near infrared spectroscopy and pulse dye densitometry with indocyanine green. Cardiac output and cerebral blood flow were positively related. The control of cardiac output is important in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in infants.

Expression of adrenomedullin and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide in PC12 cells after exposure to nerve growth factor

Adrenomedullin (AM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) are multi-functional peptides derived from the same precursor, proadrenomedullin. We have studied the regulatory mechanism of expression of these peptides during neuronal differentiation of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells by nerve growth factor (NGF). The cellular levels of the peptides increased slightly, and then progressively decreased below the control by NGF. Immunoreactive (ir)-AM in the medium was transiently increased by NGF. Cytochemical staining showed that ir-AM and ir-PAMP were abundantly present in cytoplasm in the undifferentiated cells, and were decreased during culture with NGF. There was no preferential localization of ir-AM or ir-PAMP in neurites in comparison with in cytoplasm in the differentiated cells. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA encoding these peptides, as detected as a band of 1.6 kb, increased more than three-fold at 1 h after the addition of NGF and then progressively decreased to one fifth of the control during 72 h. Degradation rate of the mRNA was slowed by NGF even when mRNA level is decreased after 72 h of NGF treatment. The transcription rate of their gene increased transiently and then decreased by the long-term treatment with NGF. These results demonstrate that expression of AM and PAMP is regulated by NGF along with time-dependent differentiation: AM gene transcription is transiently activated by NGF, whereas it was suppressed during neuronal differentiation of the cells.

Formation of advanced tokamak plasmas without the use of an ohmic-heating solenoid

A new operational scenario of advanced tokamak formation was demonstrated in the JT-60U tokamak. This was accomplished by electron cyclotron and lower hybrid waves, neutral beam injection, and the loop voltage supplied by the vertical field and shaping coils. The Ohmic heating (OH) solenoid was not used but a small inboard coil (part of the shaping coil), providing less than 20% of total poloidal flux, was used. The plasma thus obtained had both internal and edge transport barriers, with an energy confinement time of 1.6 times H-mode scaling, a poloidal beta of 3.6, and a normalized beta of 1.6, and a large bootstrap current fraction (>90%). This result opens up a possibility to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the OH solenoid from a tokamak reactor, which will greatly improve its economic competitiveness.

Contribution of brominated organic disinfection by-products to the mutagenicity of drinking water

The activity inducing chromosomal aberrations of the mixture of brominated disinfection by-products (DBPs) was approximately three times higher than that of the chlorinated counterparts for the same hypohalous acid dose. With the combination of chromosomal aberration test and a new analytical technique to differentiate total organic chlorine (TOCl) and total organic bromine (TOBr), it was found that TOBr was correlated to the mutagenicity of chlorinated waters. It was also implied that for a bromide-to-TOC ratio of 0.1 (mg/mg C), brominated DBPs could account for at least 29% of the total toxicity of DBPs formed during chlorination. On the other hand, bromate ion, a major ozonation DBP, was not a major contributor to the activity inducing chromosomal aberrations of the water treated with an ozone/chlorine sequential process. Therefore, ozonation is one possible option to reduce the health risk caused by DBPs even in the presence of bromide.

Differential binding of disopyramide and warfarin enantiomers to human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein variants

AIMS

The F1S and A genetic variants of alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) change under various physiological and pathological conditions. They also vary in their drug binding abilities. We have studied the stereoselective binding ability of each of the AAG variants using enantiomers of disopyramide (DP) and warfarin (WR).

METHODS

The AAG variants were separated by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Binding of drug enantiomers to the AAG variants was studied by the Hummel-Dreyer method. The characteristics of the binding activities were examined by Scatchard plot analysis. The first five amino-terminal amino acids (residues 112-116) of the cyanogen bromide (CNBr) fragment (residues 112-181) of each of the separated AAG fractions were elucidated by Edman degradation.

RESULTS

Commercial AAG was separated into two main fractions. Residues 112-116 of fraction 2 were identical to the amino acid sequences predicted from the AAG A gene, LAFDV, and encode the F1S variant. In fraction 3, the deduced amino acid sequence of the AAG B gene, FGSYL, was established, and encodes the A variant. The binding affinities of both DP enantiomers in fraction 3 were significantly higher than those in fraction 2. The differences between dissociation constants (Kd) in fractions 2 and 3 were 5.2-fold for (S)-DP (P < 0.05) and 3.7-fold for (R)-DP (P < 0.001). The dissociation constant of (S)-DP (0.39 +/- 0.08 micro m) was lower than that of (R)-DP (0.53 +/- 0.10 micro m) in fraction 3 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.282, - 0.010; P < 0.05], although the binding activities of the DP enantiomers were almost the same in fraction 2. By contrast WR enantiomers had a higher binding affinity in fraction 2 than in fraction 3, the differences in dissociation constants between fractions 2 and 3 being 12.6-fold for (S)-WR (P < 0.001) and 8.3-fold for (R)-WR (P < 0.001). The dissociation constant of (S)-WR (0.28 +/- 0.10 microm) was significantly lower than that of (R)-WR (0.48 +/- 0.08 microm) in fraction 2 (95% CI - 0.369, - 0.028; P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between the binding activities of WR enantiomers in fraction 3.

CONCLUSIONS

DP and WR enantiomers bind preferentially to fraction 3 and fraction 2, respectively. Fractions 2 and 3 are encoded by the AAG A and the AAG B genes, respectively.

Glycine rectifies vascular dysfunction induced by dietary protein imbalance during pregnancy

Protein restriction in rat pregnancy programmes the development of elevated systolic blood pressure and vascular dysfunction in the offspring. A recent study has shown that hypertension is reversed by maternal glycine supplementation. Whether this protective effect is exerted directly on the embryo and fetus, or indirectly via effects on the mother, is unknown although we have previously shown abnormalities in the maternal vasculature. We tested the hypothesis that dietary glycine repletion would reverse endothelial dysfunction in protein-restricted pregnant rat dams using wire myography. Impaired acetylcholine- (P < 0.01) and isoprenaline-induced (P < 0.05) vasodilatation in isolated mesenteric arteries (MA) from protein-restricted pregnant dams was accompanied by reduced vascular nitric oxide (NO) release (P < 0.05). Dietary glycine supplementation reversed vascular dysfunction in MA (P < 0.05) and improved NO release thus potentially protecting the maternal circulation. The impaired NO release in the MA of low protein diet dams was not accompanied by reduced eNOS mRNA expression, suggesting that eNOS activity was altered. Protein restriction did not alter the vascular function of a conduit artery, the thoracic aorta. These results provide evidence that adequate provision of glycine, a conditionally essential amino acid in pregnancy, may play a role in the vascular adaptations to pregnancy, protecting the fetus from abnormal programming of the cardiovascular system.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids induce tight junctions to form in brain capillary endothelial cells

Tight junctions create a rate-limiting barrier to the diffusion of solutes between vertebrate epithelial cells and endothelial cells. They are also controlled within individual cells by a variety of physiologically relevant signals. We investigated the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the formation of tight junctions in brain capillary endothelial cells, monitoring the transepithelial electrical resistance, and analyzed the expression of occludin messenger RNA. Brain-capillary endothelial cells were grown to confluence on filters and exposed to eicosapentaenoic acids, gamma linolenic acid and linoleic acid. Transepithelial electrical resistance was determined with voltage-measuring electrodes. The messenger RNA expression of occludin was quantitated by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The basal resistance across monolayers of porcine brain capillary endothelial cells was 83+/-8.1 Omega cm(2). Cells cultured in eicosapentaenoic acids and gamma linolenic acid, but not linolenic acid, displayed a 2.7-fold increase in transepithelial electrical resistance at 10 microM in brain capillary endothelial cells. The expression level of occludin messenger RNA increased markedly immediately after the exposure to eicosapentaenoic acids or gamma linolenic acid. Following an 8 h exposure to exogenous eicosapentaenoic acids or gamma linolenic acid, occludin messenger RNA levels were significantly increased. In addition, the rise in transepithelial electrical resistance induced by eicosapentaenoic acids and gamma linolenic acid was markedly inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and PP2 and protein kinase C inhibitor, calphostin C. In contrast, the rise in transepithelial electrical resistance induced by eicosapentaenoic acids and gamma linolenic acid was not inhibited by the PI 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002. We conclude that eicosapentaenoic acids and gamma linolenic acid increased the transepithelial electrical resistance and the expression of occludin messenger RNA in brain capillary endothelial cells. This gamma linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid induced assembly of tight junction is likely to be regulated by protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase activity.

Congestive heart failure is associated with the rate of bone loss

AIMS

To characterize relationships between mineral homeostasis, bone turnover, bone mass, and congestive heart failure (CHF), we evaluated 75 women with mild to moderate CHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined the association in annual rate of change in spinal bone mineral density (BMD) with polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Compared with the control group, the CHF group had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF: 68.2 +/- 7.5% vs. 60.2 +/- 12.9%; P = 0.0249), human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) was elevated (hANP: 10.7 +/- 4.7 pmol L-1 vs. 25.8 +/- 24.2 pmol L-1; P = 0.001) and had lower peak VO2 (22.3 +/- 7.5 mL kg-1 min-1 vs. 15.8 +/- 7.4 mL kg-1 min-1; P = 0.0429). The CHF patients with the VDR FF genotype had a significantly high annual rate of decrease in BMD. In the CHF patients with the VDR FF genotype, urinary calcium excretion (FECa) was elevated (1.40 +/- 0.91% vs. 2.39 +/- 1.40%; P = 0.028), and serum bone-type alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP) was reduced (62.6 +/- 13.7 IU L-1 vs. 47.0 +/- 18.6 IU L-1; P = 0.0123). Also, FECa was correlated positively with furosemide dose (R = 0.881; P = 0.0087) and hANP concentrations (R = 0.635; P = 0.0147) and negatively with DeltaBMD (R = 0.72; P = 0.044) in the CHF patients with the VDR FF genotype.

CONCLUSION

The CHF patients with the VDR FF genotype have higher rates of bone loss. These patients may need to increase their calcium intake and BMD may need to be followed more carefully over time.

SARA and Hgs attenuate susceptibility to TGF-beta1-mediated T cell suppression

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a pluripotent cytokine that controls peripheral T cell tolerance mainly in mucosal immunity. It is secreted by regulatory T cells (Tr /Th3) but also by other immununologically active cells. Smad anchor for receptor activation (SARA) and hepatic growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hgs) are involved in TGF-beta1 signaling. Both molecules are known to present Smad2 and Smad3 to the TGF-beta receptor complex. The role of SARA and Hgs in TGF-beta1 susceptibility of human CD4+ T cells is unclear. We demonstrate here that TGF-beta1 up-regulates SARA mRNA expression in CD4+ T cells similar to that of Smad7. However, the increase in SARA expression was lower (6.1+/-0.3-fold vs. 25+/-4.1-fold) compared with Smad7 and delayed, with a maximum at 12 h compared with 2 h. Th1 and Th2 cell subsets expressed the same levels of SARA and Hgs. Compared with resting cells, significantly lower levels of the two molecules were found in antigen/allergen- or anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated cells. Down-regulation of SARA and Hgs mRNA in preactivated CD4+ T cells was accompanied by a twofold increase in a TGF-beta1 responsive reporter gene assay. Overexpression of SARA and Hgs in T cells yielded a dose-dependent decrease in cotransfected reporter gene expression, indicating an inhibitory function of both molecules. Thus, SARA and Hgs are regulators of TGF-beta1 susceptibility in T cells and integrate regulatory signals into the influence of TGF-beta1-mediated suppression of human T cells.

Association of polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system and bradykinin B2 receptor with ACE-inhibitor-related cough

The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to treat hypertension has recently increased. However, their use is associated with a persistent dry cough in a significant percentage of such patients. The present study was designed to assess the contribution of polymorphisms as a genetic marker of ACE-inhibitor-related cough in a Japanese hypertensive population. Genotyping was carried out in 190 patients, 70 with cough and 120 without cough, who had been treated with ACE inhibitors. Polymorphisms of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (1166A/C), type 2 receptor (3123C/A), and bradykinin B2 receptor (-58T/C, exon 1, I/D), were analyzed in these subjects. The TT genotype and T allele of bradykinin B2 receptor (-58T/C) were identified at a significantly higher frequency in the cough (+) patients than in the cough (-) patients. This difference was even more pronounced in women. However, there was no significant relationship between polymorphisms of ACE, angiotensin II receptors, or bradykinin B2 receptor exon 1, and occurrence of ACE-inhibitor-related cough. The transcriptional activity of the bradykinin B2 receptor promoter is involved in the occurrence of cough, and this new marker may provide a valuable tool to detect patients at risk of developing this side effect of ACE inhibitors. In conclusion, Susceptibility to develop cough is associated with a genetic variant of the bradykinin B2 receptor promoter; thus, it may be possible to identify those patients who will develop this adverse reaction to ACE inhibitors in advance.

Clinicopathological significance of pRb2/p130 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

PURPOSE

The aim of the current study was to find out the significance of the immunohistochemical expression of pRb2/p130, which is a member of the retinoblastoma gene family, in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

METHODS

We analyzed immunohistochemically the expression of pRb2/p130 of 107 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the esophagus and the correlation of pRb2/p130 expression with clinicopathological features was investigated.

RESULTS

Expression of pRb2/p130 was observed in 42 SCCs (39.3%). There was a significant correlation of pRb2/p130 expression with the histological type of well-differentiated SCC (P< 0.0001). The survival rate of patients with esophageal SCCs expressing pRb2/p130 was significantly better than that of patients with tumors without pRb2/p130 expression (P= 0.016). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that pRb2/p130 expression (P= 0.026), venous invasion (P= 0.028), and TNM stage (P= 0.044) were independent prognostic indicators in patients with esophageal SCCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Differentiation of esophageal SCC might be partially mediated by the pRb2/p130 gene, and pRb2/p130 expression can additionally be an indicator of the better prognosis of patients with esophageal SCCs.

Induction of graft-versus-host disease and a graft-versus-leukemia effect using ubenimex in a patient with infantile leukemia relapsing after an unrelated cord blood transplant

A 20-month-old boy with infantile leukemia was treated with total body irradiation, etoposide, cyclophosphamide and unrelated cord blood transplantation with a one-antigen mismatch. He relapsed on day 100 and achieved remission after ubenimex administration, and also developed chronic graft-versus-host disease of the skin. He remained in remission for 22 months with repeated courses of ubenimex. Ubenimex may be an alternative to donor lymphocyte transfusion and may be useful for the treatment of a patient who has relapsed after cord blood transplantation.

Perforator flaps in lower extremity reconstruction

Perforator flaps are defined as skin flap without fascia or muscle and they are nourished by one or more perforating vessels perforating the fascia, muscle, or intermuscular septum. As early as 1985 in Japan, we proposed this concept over that of the fasciocutaneous flap, which was believed to be nourished by fascial plexus. The pedicle perforators are classified as septocutaneous, muscular (intermuscular), periosteal, and intertendinous perforators. As useful perforator flaps in the lower extremity, posterior tibial perforator island flaps, saphenous island flaps, peroneal island flaps, malleolar island perforator flaps, deep inferior epigastric perforator free flap (DIEP flap), anterolateral thigh free flap (ALT flap), and latissimus dorsi muscle free perforator flap (thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, T-DAP or TAP flap) were described. These flaps have the advantage of minimal donor-site morbidity, relatively rapid dissection and flap elevation, and reliable skin territory.

Correlations between response properties of periodontal mechanosensitive neurones in the primary somatosensory cortex of the rabbit and cortically induced rhythmical jaw movements

The response properties of incisor- and molar-sensitive periodontal mechanosensitive (PM) neurones in the primary somatosensory (SI) cortex of rabbits were examined and rhythmical jaw movements induced by repetitive electrical stimulation of the recording sites of cortical PM neurones were observed. PM units were recorded from the rostromedial (RM) and rostrolateral (RL) areas of the SI cortex. In the RM area, most PMs (85%) were lower incisor-sensitive. Electrical stimulation of the RM area produced chopping-type rhythmical jaw movements. In the RL area, both incisor- and molar-sensitive PM units were recorded, and molar-sensitive units were located more rostromedially than incisor-sensitive units. More than half (66%) of the incisor-sensitive PM units were upper incisor-sensitive. The incidences of sustained-response type units were 8 and 10% for upper incisor- and lower incisor-sensitive units and 28 and 34% for upper molar- and lower molar-sensitive units, respectively. The optimal stimulus directions for the upper molar-sensitive units were predominantly labial or lingual, whereas those for most of the lower molar-sensitive units were lingual. Electrical stimulation of the PM unit-recording sites in the RL area induced grinding-type rhythmical jaw movements. Based on these findings, the lower incisor-sensitive neurones in the RM area of the SI cortex might mainly contribute to a neural network that controls jaw movements during ingestion. Furthermore, the response properties of molar-sensitive cortical neurones might be useful for discriminating the magnitude and direction of the biting force during grinding. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of upper incisor-sensitive neurones in the RL area in triggering grinding-type rhythmical jaw movements.

[Study on evaluating methods for the quality control of glycoprotein products. (III)--Erythropoietin products. Part 3]

We reported previously that peptide mapping using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) are useful for determination of the glycosylation sites, carbohydrate structure, and site-specific carbohydrate heterogeneity of glycoproteins. Here, with intention to enhance the sensitivity and shorten the time-span of analysis to characterize glycoproteins, especially biotechnological products with carbohydrate moieties, we studied the introduction of HPLC with a microbore column to LC/MS with recombinant erythropoietin (rh-EPO). In addition, we evaluated the ability of LC/MS/MS precursor-ion scanning to make identification of glycopeptides and facilitate the analysis of carbohydrate moieties. We found that the peptide mapping with microbore HPLC is highly sensitive and more rapid than the previous method, and the precursor-ion scanning is helpful for identifying glycopeptides. Our results indicate that these methods are very useful for characterization and quality control of the carbohydrate moieties of biotechnological products.

[Rapid quantitation of follistatin by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassay]

A simple, rapid, and accurate assay using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) apparatus with anti-follistatin antibody (SPR immunoassay) has been developed for the quantitation of recombinant follistatin. This assay can be performed with a direct injection of conditioned medium; results were obtained within 10 min. The quantitation component of this assay was precise and accurate with a limit of quantitation of 62.5 ng/ml in Ham's F12 medium containing 2% fetal bovine serum. These results demonstrate that SPR immunoassay is a powerful technique for several researches, especially for screening of gene transfectant and monitoring of protein production.