Diphyllobothrium latum infection after eating domestic salmon flesh

Diphyllobothrium latum infection in human is not common in Korea and only thirty seven cases have been reported since 1921. We report two cases of fish tapeworm infection after ingestion of raw cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) caught in the domestic river. Among four family members who ate together raw salmon flesh six months ago, just two, mother and daughter, were infected. It is our expectation that the salmon associated tapeworm infections would be enlisted as one of the major parasitic problems with the growing consumption of salmon in Korea.

Cytopathic changes in rat microglial cells induced by pathogenic Acanthamoeba culbertsoni: morphology and cytokine release

To determine whether pathogenic Acanthamoeba culbertsoni trophozoites and lysate can induce cytopathic changes in primary-culture microglial cells, morphological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, the secretion of two kinds of cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), from microglial cells was observed. Trophozoites of pathogenic A. culbertsoni made contact with microglial cells and produced digipodia. TEM revealed that microglial cells cocultured with amoebic trophozoites underwent a necrotic process, accompanied by lysis of the cell membrane. TEM of microglial cells cocultured with amoebic lysate showed that the membranes of the small cytoplasmic vacuoles as well as the cell membrane were lysed. The amounts of TNF-alpha secreted from microglial cells cocultured with A. culbertsoni trophozoites or lysate increased at 6 h of incubation. The amounts of IL-1beta secreted from microglial cells cocultured with A. culbertsoni trophozoites at 6 h of incubation was similar to those secreted from the control group, but the amounts decreased during cultivation with A. culbertsoni lysate. These results suggest that pathogenic A. culbertsoni induces the cytopathic effects in primary-culture rat microglial cells, with the effects characterized by necrosis of microglial cells and changes in levels of secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta from microglial cells.

A novel activation of Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel in Xenopus oocytes by Ginseng saponins: evidence for the involvement of phospholipase C and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization

1. The signal transduction mechanism of ginsenosides, the active ingredients of ginseng, was studied in Xenopus oocytes using two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Ginseng total saponin (GTS), i.e., an unfractionated mixture of ginsenosides produced a large outward current at membrane potentials more positive than -20 mV when it was applied to the exterior of oocytes, but not when injected intracellularly. The effect of GTS was concentration-dependent (EC(50): 4.4 microg ml(-1)) and reversible. 2. Certain fractionated ginsenosides (Rb(1), Rb(2), Rc, Rf, Rg(2) and Ro) also produced an outward current in a concentration-dependent manner with the order of potency of Rf>Ro>Rb(1)=Rb(2)>Rg(2)>Rc. Other ginsenosides (Rd, Re and Rg(1)) had little or no effect. 3. The GTS effect was completely blocked by bath application of the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel blocker niflumic acid and by intracellular injection of the calcium chelator BAPTA or the IP(3) receptor antagonist heparin. Also, the effect was partially blocked by bath-applied U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor and by intracellularly injected GTP gamma S, a non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue. Whereas, it was not altered by pertussin toxin (PTX) pretreatment. 4. These results indicate that: (1) interaction of ginsenosides with membrane component(s) at the extracellular side leads to Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel opening in Xenopus oocyte membrane; and (2) this process involves PLC activation, the release of Ca(2+) from the IP(3)-sensitive intracellular store and PTX-insensitive G protein activation.

Two distinct nuclear receptor-interaction domains and CREB-binding protein-dependent transactivation function of activating signal cointegrator-2

ASC-2 is a recently isolated transcriptional cointegrator molecule, which is amplified in human cancers and stimulates transactivation by nuclear receptors, AP-1, nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB), serum response factor (SRF), and numerous other transcription factors. ASC-2 contained two nuclear receptor-interaction domains, both of which are dependent on the integrity of their core LXXLL sequences. Surprisingly, the C-terminal LXXLL motif specifically interacted with oxysterol receptor LXRss, whereas the N-terminal motif bound a broad range of nuclear receptors. These interactions appeared to be essential because a specific subregion of ASC-2 including the N- or C-terminal LXXLL motif acted as a potent dominant negative mutant with transactivation by appropriate nuclear receptors. In addition, the autonomous transactivation domain (AD) of ASC-2 was found to consist of three separable subregions; i.e. AD1, AD2, and AD3. In particular, AD2 and AD3 were binding sites for CREB binding protein (CBP), and CBP-neutralizing E1A repressed the autonomous transactivation function of ASC-2. Furthermore, the receptor transactivation was not enhanced by ASC-2 in the presence of E1A and significantly impaired by overexpressed AD2. From these results, we concluded that ASC-2 directly binds to nuclear receptors and recruits CBP to mediate the nuclear receptor transactivation in vivo.

Differentiation of hamster liver oval cell following Clonorchis sinensis infection

Oval cells which appear in the liver after hepatic injuries are suspected to be progenitor cells for both hepatocytes and bile duct cells. Oval cell isolated from the livers of the hamsters treated with diethylnitrosamine and 2-acetylaminofluorene and infected with Clonorchis sinensis (CS). cultured for 2 weeks and evaluated for differentiation and plasticity by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. In the CS-uninfected group, glycogen granules and peroxisomes were noted in the cells that were cultured for 2 weeks. Starting at 1 week postculture, immunoreactivity of the cells to cytokeratin 19 markedly decreased but that to albumin and alpha-fetoprotein gradually increased. This means that oval cells isolated from hamsters that were not infected with CS differentiated toward hepatocyte lineage. However, in the CS-infected group, cultured cells contained numerous rough endoplasmic reticulum and showed immunoreactivity that was generally in reverse to that of CS-uninfected group, meaning that cells isolated following CS infection were primed by CS and differentiated toward bile duct cell lineage. The results of this study suggested that oval cells are indeed bipolar progenitor cells for hepatocytes and bile duct cells and can differentiate toward either lineage depending upon the priming factor.

Identification of multiple forms of membrane-associated neutral sphingomyelinase in bovine brain

Many different stimuli such as bioactive agents and environmental stresses are known to cause the activation of sphingomyelinase (SMase), which hydrolyzes sphingomyelin to generate ceramide as a second messenger playing a key role in differentiation and apoptosis in various cell types. Here we identified multiple forms of the membrane-associated neutral SMase (N-mSMase) activity in bovine brain. They could be classified into two groups according to extracting agents: group T-mSMase, extracted with 0.2% Triton X-100, and group S-mSMase, extracted with 0.5 M (NH(4))(2)SO(4). Group T-mSMase: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, which were extensively purified from 40,000-g pellets of bovine brain homogenates by 3,150-, 5,275-, 1,665-, and 2,556-fold over the membrane extracts, respectively, by sequential use of several column chromatographies. On the other hand, S-mSMase was eluted as two active peaks of S-mSMase epsilon and zeta in a phenyl-5PW hydrophobic HPLC column and further purified by 1,119- and 976-fold over 40,000-g pellets of the homogenates, respectively. These highly purified N-mSMase enzyme preparations migrated as several bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and showed many different features in biochemical properties such as pH dependence, Mg(2+) requirements, and effects of detergents. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that mammalian brain N-mSMase may exist as multiple forms different in both its chromatographic profiles and biochemical properties.

Evidence that ginsenosides prevent the development of opioid tolerance at the central nervous system

The analgesic effect of ginsenosides or morphine was first determined following intrathecal (i.t.) administration in rat tail-flick test. The effect of chronic i.t. co-administration of ginsenosides with morphine on the development of opioid tolerance were also examined using rat tail-flick test. Administration of ginsenosides (i.t.) produced a weak antinociception in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of morphine (i.t.) also produced antinociception in a dose-dependent manner. The ED50 was 1.20 microg (1.14-1.29 microg). However, acute i.t. co-administration of ginsenosides with morphine was not additive in antinociception. Repeated i.t. co-administration of 200 microg ginsenosides with 10 microg morphine inhibited the development of tolerance induced by 10 microg morphine in rat tail-flick test, although i.t. co-administration of 50 or 100 microg ginsenosides with morphine was without effect. In conclusion, these results indicate that i.t. administered ginsenosides produce an antinociception in rat tail-flick test and also prevent opioid tolerance caused by chronic treatment with morphine at the spinal sites.

In vitro cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from contact lens containers in Korea by crystal violet staining and LDH release assay

In order to observe the cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp., which were isolated from contact lens containers as ethiological agents for the probable amoebic keratitis in Korea, the crystal violet staining method and LDH release assay were carried out. In the crystal violet staining method, among eight contact lens container isolates, isolate 3 (Acanthamoeba KA/LS5) showed 83.6% and 81.8% of cytotoxicity, and isolate 7 (Acanthamoeba KA/LS37) showed 28.2% and 25.1% of cytotoxicity, in 1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml lysate treatments, respectively. Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and A. healyi showed 84.0% and 82.8% of cytotoxicity. Similar results were observed in A. castellanii and A. hatchetti which showed 83.6% and 75.5% of cytotoxicity. Acanthamoeba royreba and A. polyphaga showed 9.0% and 1.7% of cytotoxicity. In the LDH release assay, isolate 3 (20.4%) showed higher cytotoxicity than other isolates in 1 mg/ml lysate treatment. The results provide that at least isolate 3 has the cytotoxic effect against CHO cells and seems to be the pathogenic strain.

Activating protein-1, nuclear factor-kappaB, and serum response factor as novel target molecules of the cancer-amplified transcription coactivator ASC-2

ASC-2 was recently discovered as a cancer-amplified transcription coactivator molecule of nuclear receptors, which interacts with multifunctional transcription integrators steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) and CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300. Herein, we report the identification of three mitogenic transcription factors as novel target molecules of ASC-2. First, the C-terminal transactivation domain of serum response factor (SRF) was identified among a series of ASC-2-interacting proteins from the yeast two-hybrid screening. Second, ASC-2 specifically interacted with the activating protein-1 (AP-1) components c-Jun and c-Fos as well as the nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) components p50 and p65, as demonstrated by the glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays as well as the yeast two-hybrid tests. In cotransfection of mammalian cells, ASC-2 potentiated transactivations by SRF, AP-1, and NFkappaB in a dose-dependent manner, either alone or in conjunction with SRC-1 and p300. In addition, ASC-2 efficiently relieved the previously described transrepression between nuclear receptors and either AP-1 or NFkappaB. Overall, these results suggest that the nuclear receptor coactivator ASC-2 also mediates transactivations by SRF, AP-1, and NFkappaB, which may contribute to the putative, ASC-2-mediated tumorigenesis.

Anti-promotion effect of chlorophyllin in DMBA-TPA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis

This study aimed to elucidate the inhibitory effects of chlorophyllin (CHL) at different promotion stages in a DMBA-TPA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis model. TPA promotion was undertaken for 6, 18 and 24 weeks, respectively. Proliferating activity was observed immunohistochemically and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA level was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Messenger RNAs for c-fos, c-jun and jun-B were also observed. CHL treatment clearly reduced proliferating activity and the level of ODC mRNA at the 18-week-promotion stage. When promoted for 24 weeks, CHL was not effective in reducing proliferating activity and ODC mRNA expression. These results indicate that the promotion stage of each target tissue should be considered in a chemopreventive program.

Removal of UroLume endoprosthesis: experience of the North American Study Group for detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia application

PURPOSE

We present the experience of the North American UroLume Multicenter Study Group with removal of the UroLume endoprosthesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 160 neurologically impaired patients were enrolled in the North American UroLume Multicenter Study Group for detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia application. Analysis was performed in 2 groups of patients in which the device was removed during insertion and after implantation, respectively.

RESULTS

Device retrieval was required during insertion in 21 patients (13%) mainly due to misplacement or migration in 17. Extraction was done with minimal complications and in all but 2 cases subsequent UroLume implantation was successful. Of 158 men with the device in place 31 (19.6%) required removal. In 34 procedures 44 devices were removed, mainly due to migration. Time from implantation to removal ranged from 4 days to 66 months (mean 22 months). The UroLume was removed en bloc in 20 cases and in parts or wire by wire in 19. The majority of patients had no or minimal complications after extraction. Only 2 patients had serious temporary complications, including bleeding and urethral injury, with no lasting consequences. No malignancy developed as a result of UroLume insertion.

CONCLUSIONS

While there is a potential for urethral injury and bleeding, UroLume endoprosthesis removal is largely a simple procedure with minimal complications and consequences.

Effect of intravesical nitric oxide therapy on cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to examine effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors on bladder hyperactivity induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of CYP (100 mg./kg.), and then their micturition pattern including mean micturition volume and the number of micturitions during 24 hours was recorded in a metabolic cage before and after CYP treatment. Forty-eight hours after CYP injection, bladder function under urethane anesthesia was evaluated by cystometry with continuous saline infusion (0.04 ml. per minute) or under isovolumetric conditions (0.8 ml. bladder volume). NO donors, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP, 2 mM) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1 mM), and an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 20 mM) were administered intravesically. Direct action of SNAP on bladder afferent neurons was also tested in a patch-clamp recording study.

RESULTS

The number of micturitions significantly increased during the first 24 hours after CYP injection (19.0 +/- 0.88 versus 92.1 +/- 16.3 micturitions/24 hours, mean +/- SE, n = 25) (p <0.001). There was no significant difference in total micturition volume before (12.3 +/- 1.0 ml./24 hours) and after CYP treatment (15.6 +/- 1.5 ml./24 hours). During continuous infusion cystometry, intercontraction interval (ICI) was smaller in CYP-injected rats than in control rats. In CYP-injected animals, NO donors increased the ICI, but did not change the amplitude of bladder contractions. Continuous intravesical infusion of the NOS inhibitor did not alter the cystometric parameters. During cystometry under isovolumetric conditions, contraction frequency was decreased after NO donor administration. NO donors did not influence bladder activity in control rats. In patch clamp recordings, when SNAP (500 microM) was directly applied to dissociated afferent neurons innervating the urinary bladder, high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel currents were suppressed by approximately 30%.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravesical NO donors can suppress CYP-induced bladder hyperactivity. We hypothesize that the effect of NO donors is not due to smooth muscle relaxation, but rather due to an inhibitory effect on bladder afferent pathways that was manifested by an increase in intercontraction interval without changes in contraction amplitude. NO donors may be considered as a possible treatment of CYP-induced and other types of bladder inflammation.

Urethral afferent nerve activity affects the micturition reflex; implication for the relationship between stress incontinence and detrusor instability

PURPOSE

A causative relationship between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and detrusor instability has been suspected but never proven. Many women with mixed incontinence have resolution of detrusor instability after surgical correction of SUI. We sought experimental support that stimulation of urethral afferent nerves can induce or change reflex detrusor contractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Urethral perfusion pressure and isovolumetric bladder pressure were measured with catheters inserted through the bladder dome in urethane anesthetized female S.D. rats (250 to 300 grams; n = 12). The catheter assembly was seated securely in the bladder neck to block passage of fluid between the bladder and urethra without affecting the nerve supply to the organs. The external urethra was not catheterized. Responses were examined in the control state at a urethral saline perfusion speed of 0.075 ml. per minute. Intraurethral drugs were administered following blockade of striated sphincter activity with intravenous alpha-bungarotoxin (0.1 mg./kg.).

RESULTS

Stopping the urethral saline infusion caused a significant decrease in micturition frequency in approximately 50% of the animals studied (n = 12). Intraurethral lidocaine (1%) infused at 0.075 ml. per minute caused a slight decrease in urethral perfusion pressure but no change in detrusor contraction amplitude. However, intraurethral lidocaine caused a significant (45%) decrease in the bladder contraction frequency (n = 5). The micturition frequency returned to baseline 30 minutes after stopping lidocaine infusion. Intraurethral infusion of nitric oxide (NO) donors (S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine [SNAP] (2 mM) or nitroprusside (1 mM) immediately decreased urethral perfusion pressure by 30 to 37% (n = 5). A 45 to 75% decrease (n = 5) in bladder contraction frequency was also seen, which was similar to that observed following lidocaine. Neither NO donor changed the amplitude of bladder contractions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that in the anesthetized rat activation of urethral afferents by urethral perfusion can modulate the micturition reflex. Thus in patients with stress urinary incontinence, leakage of urine into the proximal urethra may stimulate urethral afferents and facilitate voiding reflexes. This implies that stress incontinence can induce and/or increase detrusor instability. These findings have significant implications for the treatment of patients with mixed urge and stress incontinence. Correction of stress incontinence by surgery or pelvic floor exercise in patients with mixed incontinence may resolve the detrusor instability.

Long-term followup of the North American multicenter UroLume trial for the treatment of external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia

PURPOSE

We determine the long-term efficacy and safety of the UroLume stent as minimally invasive treatment for external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in spinal cord injured men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 160 spinal cord injured men with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 36.3 +/- 12.1 years (range 16 to 74) were prospectively treated with an endoprosthesis at 15 centers as part of the North American UroLume trial for external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Urodynamic parameters, including voiding pressure, residual urine volume and bladder capacity, were compared before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after treatment.

RESULTS

Mean voiding pressure was 75.1 +/- 28.2 cm. water before treatment in the 160 patients, and 37.4 +/- 23.9 at year 1 in 97, 39.5 +/- 22.2 at year 2 in 84, 42.6 +/- 27.3 at year 3 in 61, 46.3 +/- 33.2 at year 4 in 57 and 44.2 +/- 28.9 cm. at year 5 in 41 after stent insertion (p <0.001). Residual urine volume decreased after stent placement and was maintained throughout the 5-year followup (p <0.001). Mean cystometric capacity remained constant from 269 +/- 155 before insertion to 337 +/- 182 ml. 5 years later (p = 0.17). Hydronephrosis and autonomic dysreflexia improved or stabilized in most patients with functioning stents. Stent explant was necessary in 24 patients (15%), of whom 4 (16.7%) had another stent implanted.

CONCLUSIONS

The UroLume stent demonstrates long-term safety and efficacy for the treatment of external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. The outcome was similar in men with and without previous sphincterotomy.

Serum concentration of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor in vitiligo patients

Serum levels of sIL-2R can be used to monitor in vivo immune activation and its elevation have been shown to be correlated with T cell mediated immune disease such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, lymphoma and systemic sclerosis. Vitiligo is the disease of depigmentation caused by destruction of melanocytes, and there have been extensive studies on the immune pathogenesis. If the pathogenesis of vitiligo is correlated with the activation of T lymphocytes, the change of IL-2R will be detected compared with that of normal control. Therefore we sought the change in sIL-2R to determine whether T lymphocytes from patients with vitiligo show abnormal biological behavior. The quantitation of sIL-2R was done by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from the sera of 79 vitiligo patients and 40 normal controls. The results were summarized as following. The sIL-2R level in vitiligo patients (671.91 +/- 368.59 U/ml) was significantly increased compared with that of controls (370.8 +/- 71.8 U/ml; P < 0.005). According to clinical types, sIL-2R level in focal type of vitiligo patients was significantly higher than those in other types (segmental or generalized; P < 0.05). The sIL-2R level in patients less than 1 year duration was significantly higher than in patients more than 1 year duration (P < 0.05). The sIL-2R levels were not significantly different between active and inactive group. There was no significant differences among sIL-2R levels according to sex or age of onset. Our study showed that sIL-2R level was higher in vitiligo patients compared with that of normal controls, so the activation of T lymphocytes would be an important component in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The higher sIL-2R levels in recent onset group would suggest that sIL-2R level might be an acute immunologic marker in vitiligo patients.

Arginine in the beginning of the 1A rod domain of the keratin 10 gene is the hot spot for the mutation in epidermolytic hyperkeratosis

Keratin intermediate filaments are expressed in specific type I/type II pairs in the stage of differentiation of keratinocytes. The mutations in the keratin genes expressed in the epidermis are etiologically responsible for several epidermal genetic skin diseases, such as epidermolysis bullosa simplex, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK), ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens, palmoplantar keratoderma, pachyonchia congenita and white sponge nevus. The mutations of keratins 1/10 which are expressed in spinous and granular layers are confirmed to cause EHK. There are several trials to correlate between the clinical phenotypes and sites of mutations of the keratin genes. One of these is that EHK is divided into two groups: the palms and soles involvement (PS) group and the non-palms and soles (NPS) group. So far the PS group had the mutations in the keratin 1 and the NPS group in keratin 10. Most of the mutations of the NPS group were reported in the beginning of the 1A rod domain and over 2/3 of the mutations in the 1A rod domain were the base pair substitution of arginine. Here we find two different mutations in two unrelated Korean kindreds classified as NPS group-R156C and R156H-in the 1A rod domain of keratin 10. Our results are compatible with the above classification and suggest that the arginine in the beginning of the 1A rod domain is the hot spot for the mutation of the keratin 10 gene.

Expression of Kv1.5 K+ channels in activated microglia in vivo

We examined the expression of outward rectifier K+ channels in activated microglia in vivo. For this purpose, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 microg) was injected into the cortex near the hippocampal region of rat brains, and K+ channel expression was examined using antibodies against shaker-type K+ channels, Kv1.5 and Kv1.3. OX-42-positive microglia were found around the injection sites from 8 h after the LPS injection and remained there for 3 days. The OX-42-positive microglia expressed Kv1.5 immunoreactivity, and the time course of Kv1.5 expression was closely correlated with that of OX-42. In saline-injected brains, OX-42-positive cells also expressed Kv1.5 immunoreactivity even though far fewer OX-42-positive cells were found. Increase of Kv1.5 expression after LPS injection was also demonstrated by immunoblot analysis. On the other hand, Kv1.3 immunoreactivity was barely detected in OX-42-positive cells over the entire experimental period. The expression of Kv1.5 preceded that of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which is a prominent indication of microglial activation. iNOS was not detectable until 12 h, and thereafter it was maintained for 3 days together with Kv1.5 and OX-42. These results suggest that in vivo as well as in vitro activated microglia expressed outward K+ channels and that some of the channels at least are Kv1.5.

A glutamate to lysine mutation at the end of 2B rod domain of keratin 2e gene in ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens

Ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder whose clinical findings are quite similar to those of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. The differences between those two diseases include absence of erythroderma and different distributions in the skin in ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens. Recent studies have confirmed that ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens is caused by the mutation in the keratin 2e (K2e) gene, which is expressed in the upper spinous and granular layers. We have identified a sporadic case of ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens; based on diagnosis by histopathological findings, the K2e gene of the patient was analysed. Direct sequencing of PCR products revealed a single base change in sequences encoding the highly conserved end of the 2B rod domain segment of the K2e gene. This mutation results in substitution of the codon for glutamic acid by a codon for lysine in position 493 in K2e (E493K). Mutations of the K2e gene involving five different residue positions (Q187P, T485P, L490P, E493D, E493K and E494K) are known to cause ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens. Of these sites, E493, which is conserved in type I and type II keratin genes, is the most frequently altered amino acid in the K2e gene. These data together suggest that this codon constitutes a hot spot for mutations in the K2e gene.

Ice-water test in the urodynamic evaluation of spinal cord injured patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical utility of the ice-water test (IWT) during urodynamic evaluation in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. Thirty-two suprasacral SCI patients with documented detrusor hyperreflexia (DH) underwent urodynamic study and IWT. Fifteen patients had repeated testing 2 weeks later. The IWT was performed with the patient in the supine position; 100 mL of sterile saline water at 4-8 degrees C was injected manually. If cystometric capacity was <200 mL, a volume of about 50% of the individual cystometric bladder capacity was used. The cold fluid was left within the bladder for 3 minutes. The test was considered positive if an involuntary bladder contraction > or =15 cm H2O was registered. All patients with cervical or thoracic level SCI had DH, which had 100% test-retest reproducibility on urodynamics. Seventy-two percent of patients with DH had a positive IWT and 28% had a negative IWT. IWT (same volume, 2 weeks later) in 4 (27%) of the 15 repeated tests gave different responses. Autonomic hyperreflexia, manifested as systolic blood pressure increase > or =50 mm Hg within 3 minutes of ice-water instillation, occurred in 16 (57%) of 28 patients with lesions above T7. In SCI patients, the IWT did not contribute to their management because of the insensitivity and nonspecificity. Autonomic hyperreflexia can occur during evaluation. The IWT did not influence clinical management in this group of SCI patients.

Two patients with isoniazid-induced photosensitive lichenoid eruptions confirmed by photopatch test

Causative agents of drug eruptions are frequently unknown, and skin tests with candidate drugs would be useful before systemic challenge. It remains to be clarified how phostosentive lichenoid drug eruptions are induced, but allergy, including delayed type allergy, has been suggested. Two patients who had taken anti-tuberculous drugs developed a lichenoid drug eruption, primarily on sun-exposed skin. Patch and photopatch tests were performed with each of the ingested drugs (10% in petrolatum). Photopatch tests to isoniazid (INH) were positive. These were confirmed by oral challenge followed by irradiation with UVA. In conclusion, photopatch tests facilitated identification of the causative drug in two patients with photosensitive lichenoid eruptions to INH.

Suppression of inflammatory responses by surfactin, a selective inhibitor of platelet cytosolic phospholipase A2

Surfactin inhibits platelet and spleen cytosolic 100 kDa phospholipase A2 (PLA2). In contrast, this same compound enhances rat platelet group II PLA2 activity by approximately 2-fold and slightly increases group I PLA2 activity from porcine pancreas and Naja naja venom in vitro. Surfactin does not affect a Ca2+ -independent PLA2 partially purified from bovine brain. Thus, this compound inhibits selectively the cytosolic form of PLA2. Based on in vitro studies utilizing preincubation of surfactin with the enzyme, dialysis, and increased concentrations of substrates, the inhibitory effect of surfactin appears to be due to a direct interaction with the enzyme. Linear regression analysis of the linear portion of a concentration-response curve reveals an IC50 of 8.5 microM. To further determine the inhibitory pattern, a Dixon plot was constructed to show that the inhibition by surfactin is competitive, but not uncompetitive, with an inhibition constant of Ki = 4.7 microM in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0, at 37 degrees. Surfactin blocked non-stimulated and calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated release of arachidonic acid from monkey kidney CV-1 cells, which contain a cytosolic 100 kDa PLA2 as the major activity, as shown in an anionic exchange DEAE-5PW high performance liquid chromatography profile and western blotting analysis. Surfactin ameliorated inflammation induced by several chemicals. That is, it exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in several tested inflammatory reactions including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, and acetic acid-induced mouse writhing. These results demonstrate that surfactin is a selective inhibitor for cytosolic PLA2 and a putative anti-inflammatory agent through the inhibitory effect produced by direct interaction with cytosolic PLA2, and that inhibition of cytosolic PLA2 activity may suppress inflammatory responses.

Transcriptional control of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ADH1 gene by autonomously replicating sequence binding factor 1

Autonomously replicating sequence (ARS)-binding factor 1 (ABF1) is a multifunctional protein involved in transcriptional activation and repression, as well as DNA replication, in yeast. The ADH1 gene, encoding alcohol dehydrogenase 1, contains two ABF1 consensus binding sites in the promoter and the coding regions. To examine the effect of ABF1 on expression of the ADH1 gene, we constructed an ADH1-lacZ fusion plasmid. Both ABF1 binding sites appeared to be transcriptional activators because deletions and mutations of these sites decreased transcriptional activity. The ABF1 binding sites also acted in an orientation-independent manner when a synthetic ABF1 binding site was inserted into the yeast CYC1 gene lacking its transcriptional activation region. A gel mobility shift assay showed that ABF1 bound in vitro to both ABF1 binding sites in the promoter and coding regions. In a glycerol medium the degree of activation by ABF1 was higher than in a glucose medium. The expression of ADH1 was activated synergistically by both ABF1 binding sites. These observations suggest that ABF1 transactivates the ADH1 gene through its binding sequences in both the promoter and coding regions.

Low endogenous dopamine function in brain predisposes to high alcohol preference and consumption: reversal by increasing synaptic dopamine

Using inbred strains of mice that differ widely in their innate preference for and consumption of ethanol, we demonstrate, in ethanol-preferring C57BL/6J (C57) mice, decreased dopamine (DA) content and turnover in the terminals of the mesolimbic and mesostriatal dopamine neurons, compared with ethanol-avoiding DBA/2J and BALBc mice. These data suggest that genetically determined hypodopaminergic function in these pathways plays a role in the predisposition to high voluntary intake of ethanol. DA turnover in these areas was selectively increased by ethanol in C57 mice, which suggests that these DA neurons are among the central substrates of ethanol action in brain. In keeping with this hypothesis, augmenting synaptic DA concentrations by enhancing the synthesis by L-3-4-dihydroxyphenylalanine with carbidopa, or by decreasing its degradation by monoamine oxidase-B blockade with selegiline, led to marked decreases in ethanol preference and in the high voluntary consumption of ethanol in C57 mice. The selegiline-mediated decrease in ethanol preference and drinking in C57 mice could be blocked selectively by D1 and D2 DA receptor antagonists, which suggests that DA activity at D1 and D2 receptors plays an important role in this behavior. Indeed, the high preference for ethanol in C57 animals could be attenuated by direct DA receptor activation by either D1 or D2 agonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)