n-Tetradecanoyl is the NH2-terminal blocking group of the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase from bovine cardiac muscle

The unusual NH2-terminal blocking group of the catalytic subunit of bovine cardiac muscle cyclic AMP-dependent protein was found to be amide-linked n-tetradecanoic acid by gas chromatographic-, direct chemical ionization-, and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry. In addition, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry revealed the presence of an additional alanine which had been overlooked when the original sequence was determined. The corrected and completed NH2-terminal sequence of the 350-amino acid catalytic subunit is CH3(CH2)12CONH-Gly-Asn-Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala-Lys.

Serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in nondialyzed patients with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND

In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism are known to be present, and several factors could contribute to the abnormalities.

METHODS

We measured serum levels of three vitamin D metabolites, 1,25(OH)2D, 24, 25(OH)2D and 25(OH)D, and analyzed factors affecting their levels in 76 nondialyzed patients with CRF (serum creatinine> 1.6 and < 9.0 mg/dl), 37 of whom had diabetes mellitus (DM-CRF) and 39 of whom were nondiabetic (nonDM-CRF).

RESULTS

Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were positively correlated with estimated creatinine clearance (CCr; r = 0.429; P < 0.0001), and levels of 24,25(OH)2D were weakly correlated with CCr (r = 0.252, P < 0.05); no correlation was noted for 25(OH)D. Serum levels of all three vitamin D metabolites were significantly and positively correlated with serum albumin. Although there were no significant differences in age, sex, estimated CCr, calcium and phosphate between DM-CRF and nonDM-CRF, all three vitamin D metabolites were significantly lower in DM-CRF than in nonDM-CRF. To analyze factors influencing vitamin D metabolite levels, we performed multiple regression analyses. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly and independently associated with serum albumin, presence of DM and serum phosphate (R2 = 0.599; P < 0.0001). 24,25(OH)2D levels were significantly and strongly associated with 25(OH)D (beta = 0.772; R2 = 0.446; P < 0.0001). Serum 1,25(OH)2D levels were significantly associated only with estimated CCr (R2 = 0. 409; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that hypoalbuminemia and the presence of DM independently affect serum 25(OH)D levels, probably via diabetic nephropathy and poor nutritional status associated with diabetes, and that 25(OH)D is actively catalyzed to 24,25(OH)2D in CRF, probably largely via extrarenal 24-hydroxylase. Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were significantly affected by the degree of renal failure. Thus, this study indicates that patients with CRF, particularly those with DM, should receive supplements containing the active form of vitamin D prior to dialysis.

Amino acid sequence of the catalytic subunit of bovine type II adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate dependent protein kinase

The 350-residue amino acid sequence of the catalytic subunit of bovine cardiac muscle adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate dependent protein kinase is described. The protein has a molecular weight of 40 862, which includes an N-tetradecanoyl (myristyl) group blocking the NH2 terminus and phosphate groups at threonine-197 and serine-338. Seven methionyl bonds in the S-carboxymethylated protein were cleaved with cyanogen bromide to yield eight primary peptides. These fragments, and subpeptides generated by cleavage with trypsin, pepsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, and Myxobacter AL-1 protease II, were purified and analyzed to yield the majority of the sequence. The primary peptides were aligned by analyses of overlapping peptides, particularly of methione-containing tryptic peptides generated after in vitro [14C]methyl exchange labeling of methionyl residues in the intact protein.

Abundant expression and cytoplasmic aggregations of [alpha]1A voltage-dependent calcium channel protein associated with neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is one of the eight neurodegenerative diseases caused by a tri-nucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion coding polyglutamine (CAG repeat/polyglutamine diseases) and is characterized by late onset autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia and predominant loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Although the causative, small and stable CAG repeat expansion for this disease has been identified in the [alpha]1A voltage-dependent calcium channel gene (CACNA1A), the mechanism which leads to predominant Purkinje cell degeneration is totally unknown. In this study, we show that the calcium channel mRNA/protein containing the CAG repeat/polyglutamine tract is most intensely expressed in Purkinje cells of human brains. In SCA6 brains, numerous oval or rod-shaped aggregates were seen exclusively in the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells. These cytoplasmic inclusions were not ubiquitinated, which contrasts with the neuronal intra-nuclear inclusions of other CAG repeat/polyglutamine diseases. In cultured cells, formation of perinuclear aggregates of the channel protein and apoptotic cell death were seen when transfected with full-length CACNA1A coding an expanded polyglutamine tract. The present study indicates that the mechanism of neurodegeneration in SCA6 is associated with cytoplasmic aggregations of the [alpha]1A calcium channel protein caused by a small CAG repeat/polyglutamine expansion in CACNA1A.

Characterization of Ca(2+) signaling pathways in human mesenchymal stem cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSC) have the potential to differentiate into many cell types. The physiological properties of HMSCs including their Ca(2+) signaling pathways, however, are not well understood. We investigated Ca(2+) influx and release functions in HMSCs. In Ca(2+) imaging experiments, spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations were observed in 36 of 50 HMSCs. The Ca(2+) oscillations were completely blocked by the application of 10 micro M cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) or 1 micro M thapsigargin (TG). A brief application of 1 micro M acetylcholine (ACh) induced a transient increase of [Ca(2+)](i) but the application of caffeine (10 mM) did not induce any Ca(2+) transient. When the stores were depleted with Ca(2+)-ATPase blockers (CPA or TG) or muscarinic agonists (ACh), store-operated Ca(2+) (SOC) entry was observed. Using the patch-clamp technique, store-operated Ca(2+) currents (I(SOC)) could be recorded in cells treated with ACh or CPA, but voltage-operated Ca(2+) currents (VOCCs) were not elicited in most of the cells (17/20), but in 15% of cells examined, small dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive Ca(2+) currents were recorded. Using RT-PCR, mRNAs were detected for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) type I, II, and III and DHP receptors alpha1A and alpha1H were detected, but mRNA was not detected for ryanodine receptor (RyR) or N-type Ca(2+) channels. These results suggest that in undifferentiated HMSCs, Ca(2+) release is mediated by InsP(3)Rs and Ca(2+) entry through plasma membrane is mainly mediated by the SOCs channels with a little contribution of VOCCs.

Complete amino acid sequence of the catalytic subunit of bovine cardiac muscle cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

The complete amino acid sequence of the 349-residue catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase from bovine cardiac muscle is presented. The sequence of the subunit (Mr 40,580 including phosphate groups at threonine-196 and serine-337) was derived largely by automated Edman degradation of nine fragments generated from the carboxymethylated protein by cleavage of methionyl bonds with cyanogen bromide. These fragments were aligned along the polypeptide chain by analysis of methionine-containing tryptic peptides isolated from protein radiolabeled in vitro by [14C]methyl exchange at methionyl residues. The molecule contains only two cysteinyl residues, at positions 198 and 342. It is relatively polar, containing clusters of cationic residues toward the amino terminus and anionic residues towards the carboxyl terminus. Predictions of secondary structure suggest the presence of three major domains with approximately half of the residues occurring in alpha-helices and 12% in beta-strands.

Five years experience of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound using the Sonablate device in the treatment of localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive technique used in achieve coagulation necrosis. We evaluated biochemical disease-free survival rates, predictors of clinical outcome and morbidity in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with HIFU.

METHODS

A total of 181 consecutive patients underwent HIFU with the use of Sonablate (Focus Surgery, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Biochemical recurrence was defined according to the criteria recommended by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Consensus Panel. The median age and pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level were 70 years (range 44-88) and 9.76 ng/mL (range 3.39-89.60). A total of 95 patients (52%) were treated with neoadjuvant hormones. The median follow-up period for all patients was 18.0 months (range 4-68).

RESULTS

The biochemical disease-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years in all patients were 84%, 80% and 78%, respectively. The biochemical disease-free survival rates at 3 years for patients with pretreatment PSA less than 10 ng/mL, 10.01-20.0 ng/mL and more than 20.0 ng/mL were 94%, 75% and 35%, respectively (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified pretreatment PSA (P<0.0001) as a independent predictor of relapse.

CONCLUSION

High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy appears to be a safe and efficacious minimally invasive therapy for patients with localized prostate cancer, especially those with a pretreatment PSA level less than 20 ng/mL.

Differential nociceptive responses in mice lacking the alpha(1B) subunit of N-type Ca(2+) channels

The role of N-type Ca(2+) channels in nociceptive transmission was examined in genetically engineered mice lacking the alpha(1B) subunit of N-type channels and in their heterozygote and wild-type littermates. In alpha(1B)-deficient mice, N-type channel activities in dorsal root ganglion neurons and spinal synaptoneurosomes were eliminated without compensation by other types of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels. The alpha(1B)-deficient mice showed a diminution in the phase 2 nociceptive responses more extensively than in the phase 1 nociceptive responses of the formalin test. The alpha(1B)-deficient mice exhibited significantly increased thermal nociceptive thresholds in the hot plate test, but failed to increase mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the tail pinch test. These results suggest a crucial role of N-type channels in nociceptive transmission, especially for persistent pain like phase 2 of the formalin test and for nociception induced by thermal stimuli.

Amyloid beta protein in plasma from patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Fibrillar amyloid beta protein (A beta) deposition is increased in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and is manifested as senile plaques (SPs) and congophilic angiopathy (CA). A beta 40 and A beta 42(43), two chief species of A beta, are documented in SPs and CA, as well as in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cell culture media. A beta 42(43) is the major component of diffuse plaques, the earliest form of SPs. Thus, we hypothesized that determination of the amount of A beta 42(43) in CSF or plasma might provide a diagnostic laboratory test for AD. We measured amounts of different A beta species in plasma from 28 patients with sporadic probable AD, 40 age-matched neurologic patients without dementia and 25 age-matched normal controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Plasma concentrations of A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42(43) did not significantly differ among these groups. These findings suggest the unlikelihood that plasma A beta assays would be useful as a diagnostic tool for AD.

ICE/CED-3 family executes oligodendrocyte apoptosis by tumor necrosis factor

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is thought to be one of the mediators responsible for the damage of oligodendrocytes (OLGs) in multiple sclerosis (MS). We report here the involvement of the interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme (ICE)/Caenorhabditis elegans gene ced-3 (CED-3) family in TNF-mediated cell death of OLGs. The addition of TNF-alpha to primary cultures of OLGs that express ice and cpp32 significantly decreased the number of live OLGs in 72 h. DNA fragmentation was detected in TNF-treated OLGs at 36 h with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-CH2OC(O)-2,6-dichlorobenzene, an inhibitor of the ICE/CED-3 family that shows p35-like inhibitory specificity, protected against the TNF-induced cell death of OLGs. Furthermore, acetyl-YVAD-CHO (a specific inhibitor of ICE-like proteases) as well as acetyl-DEVD-CHO (a specific inhibitor of CPP32-like proteases) enhanced the survival of OLGs treated with TNF-alpha, indicating that ICE- and the CPP32-mediated cell death pathways are activated in TNF-induced OLG cell death. Our results suggest that the inhibition of ICE/CED-3 proteases may be a novel approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as MS.

Efficacy and safety of pregabalin for treating neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a 14 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of pregabalin in treating neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Japanese patients.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre 14 week clinical trial was conducted. Japanese patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (n = 317) were randomized to receive placebo or pregabalin at 300 or 600 mg/day. The primary efficacy measure was a change of mean pain score from baseline to end-point from patients' daily pain diaries.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in pain were observed in patients treated with pregabalin at 300 and 600 mg/day vs. placebo (P < 0.05). Improvements in weekly pain scores were observed as early as week 1 and were sustained throughout the study period (300 and 600 mg/day difference from placebo at study end-point, -0.63 and -0.74, respectively). Pregabalin produced significant improvements in weekly sleep interference scores, the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale, the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey scale, and the Patient and Clinical Global Impression of Change. Patient impressions of numbness, pain and paraesthesia were also significantly improved. Regarding treatment responders, 29.1 and 35.6% of patients treated with 300 and 600 mg/day, respectively, reported ≥ 50% improvement in mean pain scores (vs. 21.5% for placebo). Pregabalin was well tolerated; somnolence (26%), dizziness (24%), peripheral oedema (13%) and weight gain (11%) were the most common adverse events and generally were reported as mild to moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregabalin was effective in reducing pain and improving sleep disturbances due to pain, and was well tolerated in Japanese patients with painful DPN.

Severity of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction is related to airway eosinophilic inflammation in patients with asthma

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is widely prevalent in asthmatic patients. Eosinophilic airway inflammation is considered to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the effects of eosinophilic airway inflammation on EIB have been elucidated insufficiently. To examine the relationship between the severity of EIB and eosinophilic inflammation, sputum induction and exercise challenge were performed in 21 asthmatic patients. Significantly higher percentages of eosinophils and levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were found in induced sputum in EIB-positive asthmatics (median (range), eosinophils: 23.5 (11.0-61.0)%; ECP: 1,475 (74.8-17,701) ng x mL(-1)) than in EIB-negative asthmatics (eosinophils: 6.0 (1.0-41.5)% (p=0.006); ECP: 270.6 (10.8-7,700) ng x mL(-1) (p=0.049)). There was a significant correlation between the severity of EIB and the sputum eosinophil percentage (r=0.59, p=0.009) and the level of ECP (r=0.47, p=0.037). The area under the curve of the forced expiratory volume in one second for 30 min after exercise correlated with the percentage of eosinophils (r=0.60, p=0.008) and the level of ECP (r=0.45, p=0.04). There was no correlation between airway responsiveness to methacholine on the one hand and EIB, sputum eosinophils or ECP on the other. In conclusion, these results provide evidence that the severity of bronchoconstriction evoked by exercise is more closely related to eosinophilic airway inflammation than airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in asthmatic patients.

Amyloid beta protein 42(43) in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease

To investigate the pathomechanism of amyloid beta protein (A beta) deposition in brains with Alzheimer's disease (AD), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of A beta species (CSF-A beta) with different carboxy termini, i.e. A betaX-40 and A betaX-42(43) as well as A beta1-40 and A beta1-42(43), were measured in patients with AD and age-matched controls without dementia (CTR) using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The present study revealed that both CSF-A betaX-42(43) and A beta1-42(43) levels were significantly lower in the AD patients (P<0.005) than in the CTR group, whereas neither CSF-A betaX-40 nor CSF-A beta1-40 levels showed any differences between the two groups. In addition, although there was no difference between the ratios of A betaX-40 to A beta1-40 in the AD and CTR groups, the ratios of A betaX-42(43) to A beta1-42(43) were increased in the AD group compared with those in the CTR group (P<0.05). Therefore, it can be assumed that the ratios of amino terminal truncations and/or modifications of CSF-A beta42(43) with carboxy termini ending at residue 42(43) were more increased in the AD group than in the CTR group. Increased adsorption of A beta42(43) to A beta deposition in AD brains, decreased secretion of A beta42(43) to CSF and/or increased clearance of A beta42(43) from CSF might explain the diminished levels of A beta42(43) in the CSF of AD patients. In addition, CSF-A beta42(43) could reflect increased amino terminal truncations and/or modifications of A beta42(43) in AD brains.

The effect of cortisone on protein breakdown and synthesis in rat skeletal muscle

The effect of cortisone administration on the rates of muscle protein breakdown and synthesis has been studied in the rat extensor digitorum longus muscle. Cortisone acetate (100 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered intraperitoneally for 1--3 days. Muscle wieght and protein content were significantly reduced by cortisone administration. Rates of protein breakdown were measured by tyrosine release from the isolated muscle into the intracellular pool and medium during a 2-h incubation with cycloheximide to block protein synthesis. Rates of protein synthesis were assayed by [14C]tyrosine incorporation into protein of the isolated muscle during a 2-h incubation. Cortisone administration inhibited significantly the rate of protein synthesis after 1--3 days treatment and also reduced significantly the rate of protein breakdown per muscle after 3 days treatment. The synthesis of myofibrillar and soluble proteins was affected to the same extent. These results strongly suggest that the effect of cortisone administration on muscle protein is mainly through its inhibition of protein synthesis rather than through an acceleration of protein breakdown.

Erythromycin suppresses interleukin 6 expression by human bronchial epithelial cells: a potential mechanism of its anti-inflammatory action

We evaluated the effects of several antibiotics on IL-6 expression by human bronchial epithelial cells, potent sources of this proinflammatory cytokine important in airway inflammation. Among those tested, erythromycin (EM) and clarithromycin (CAM) uniquely suppressed mRNA levels as well as the release of IL-6 at the therapeutic and non-cytotoxic concentration (10(-6)M). Our findings suggested that these macrolide antibiotics had suppressive effect on cytokine expression in human cells, and this new mode of action may have relevance to their clinical effectiveness in airway inflammatory diseases.

Japanese families with autosomal dominant pure cerebellar ataxia map to chromosome 19p13.1-p13.2 and are strongly associated with mild CAG expansions in the spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 gene in chromosome 19p13.1

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders. We carried out genomewide linkage analysis in 15 families with autosomal dominant pure cerebellar ataxia (ADPCA). Evidence for linkage to chromosome 19p markers was found in nine families, and combined multipoint analysis refined the candidate region to a 13.3-cM interval in 19p13.1-p13.2. The remaining six families were excluded for this region. Analysis of CAG-repeat expansion in the alpha1A-voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNL1A4) gene lying in 19p13.1, recently identified among 8 small American kindreds with ADPCA (spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 [SCA6]), revealed that 8 of the 15 families studied had similar, very small expansion in this gene: all affected individuals had larger alleles (range of CAG repeats 21-25), compared with alleles observed in neurologically normal Japanese (range 5-20 repeats). Inverse correlation between the CAG-repeat number and the age at onset was found in affected individuals with expansion. The number of CAG repeats in expanded chromosomes was completely stable within each family, which was consistent with the fact that anticipation was not statistically proved in the SCA6 families that we studied. We conclude that more than half of Japanese cases of ADPCA map to 19p13.1-p13.2 and are strongly associated with the mild CAG expansion in the SCA6/CACNL1A4 gene.

Comparison of a polymerase chain reaction assay and a conventional microbiologic method for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The presence or absence of a methicillin resistance gene in 58 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus was examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses. The results were analyzed in relation to those of the MIC assay of methicillin and oxacillin. PCR assay results were identical to those of Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA digested with HindIII (positive, 28 strains; negative, 30 strains). Among the 28 PCR-positive strains, 6 strains showed methicillin susceptibility by the conventional susceptibility test (MICs, less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml). Culturing of the six strains with ceftizoxime led to an increase in the phenotypic level of resistance to methicillin and oxacillin, indicating that these strains should be classified as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The PCR assay was found to be a sensitive and reliable procedure for the rapid diagnosis of MRSA infection, even in cases in which the conventional MIC assay failed to detect MRSA.

Biochemical evidence for the long-tail form (A beta 1-42/43) of amyloid beta protein as a seed molecule in cerebral deposits of Alzheimer's disease

We measured the amounts of total A beta, A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42/43 in brain tissues using a newly developed ELISA assay and found that the amounts of insoluble A beta 1-42/43 and insoluble A beta 1-40 were linearly related to the amount of A beta deposits or total insoluble A beta at their lower and higher concentrations, respectively. In an experiment to characterize the A beta species in brain homogenates with buffered saline, we unexpectedly detected soluble A beta which was derived from the insoluble amyloid deposits in brain tissue, indicating reversible depolymerization of A beta from insoluble amyloid deposits. To confirm this finding, we performed 5 consecutive washes of insoluble precipitates of AD brains with buffered saline. Both species of A beta were found in all 5 supernatant fractions and their amounts were gradually decreased. The ratio of A beta 1-42/43 to A beta 1-40 was increased with the numbers of washes, indicating that A beta 1-40 existed in an exposed manner as compared to A beta 1-42/43. Thus the present finding is the first biochemical evidence that A beta 1-40 was the predominant species involved in the reversible exchanging reaction on seeding A beta 1-42/43 between the soluble and the insoluble forms (amyloid fibrils).

Salvage focal and salvage total cryoablation for locally recurrent prostate cancer after primary radiation therapy

OBJECTIVES

To present the oncological and functional outcomes of salvage focal (SFC) and salvage total (STC) cryoablation for recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) after failed primary radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From March 2003 to August 2010, 50 men with biopsy-proven unilateral (n = 25) or bilateral (n = 25) radio-recurrent PCa underwent SFC or STC, respectively. Patients were assessed after treatment by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, transrectal ultrasonography, biopsy and questionnaires. Biochemical failure (BF) was defined using the Phoenix criteria (PSA nadir + 2 mg/mL). Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

The median pre-cryoablation PSA level and Gleason score were, respectively, 2.8 ng/mL and 7 for SFC, and 3.9 ng/mL and 7 for STC. The median follow-up was 31 and 53 months (P = 0.004) for SFC and STC, respectively. Oncological outcomes were as follows: no patient died; one patient who underwent STC developed bone metastases; eight patients who underwent SFC and three who underwent STC had BF and the 5-year BF-free survival rates were 54 and 86%, respectively. In those patients without BF, the mean PSA decreased by 86% for SFC and 90% for STC within the first year and remained stable. Functional outcomes were as follows: new onset urinary incontinence occurred in three (13%) patients in the STC group, whereas no patient in the SFC group developed incontinence (P = 0.10); Two of seven patients in the SFC group retained postoperative potency, but none of the four potent patients in the STC group recovered potency postoperatively (P = 0.48); one (4%) patient in the STC group developed a recto-urethral fistula, but none occurred in the SFC group (P = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

SFC and STC are feasible and safe with acceptable mid-term oncological outcomes. For carefully selected patients, SFC is an option that could be associated with lower treatment-related morbidity compared with STC. Although longer follow-up and more patient numbers are needed, our initial oncological and functional outcomes of SFC and STC are encouraging.

Clinical, neuropathological, and molecular study in two families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6)

To clarify the clinical, neuropathological, and molecular characteristics of spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), two unrelated Japanese families with SCA6 were studied. A clinical feature of the two families was late onset "pure" cerebellar ataxia. Pathologically, three SCA6 brains consistently showed Purkinje cell dominant cortical cerebellar degeneration. Morphometric analysis showed that loss of the cerebellar granule cells and inferior olivary neurons were very mild compared with the severity of Purkinje cell loss. There was no obvious ubiquitin immunoreactive nuclear inclusions. All affected patients had identical expanded alleles, and the expansion was also homogeneously distributed throughout the brain without mosaicism. The present study showed that SCA6 is characterised by Purkinje cell dominant cortical cerebellar degeneration, highly stable transmission of the CAG repeat expansion, and lack of ubiquitin immunoreactive nuclear inclusions.

Eotaxin is a potent chemotaxin for human basophils

We studied the effect of eotaxin, a novel eosinophil-active CC chemokine with high target cell specificity, on human basophils. Eotaxin induced higher levels of chemotactic response with a lower ED50 compared with RANTES in basophils; half-maximal migration occurred at a concentration of approximately 3 nM. On the other hand, it exerted only a marginal effect on either histamine release or leukotriene C4 generation. In addition, nested PCR amplification experiments revealed the expression of CC CKR3, a putative receptor for eotaxin, on basophils. Since accumulation of both basophils and eosinophils is an important aspect of allergic inflammation, eotaxin potentially plays a pathogenic role in allergic disorders by inducing migration of both of these cell types.

Plasma levels of amyloid beta proteins Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42(43) are elevated in Down's syndrome

To investigate the effect of the overexpression of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) on the production of two major amyloid beta protein (Abeta) species, Abeta40 and Abeta42(43), we measured amounts of Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42(43) in the plasma from 44 patients with Down's syndrome (DS) (age, 19-61 years) and 66 age-matched normal controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Plasma concentrations of both Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42(43) were increased about 3-fold and 2-fold, respectively, in DS patients compared with normal controls. Especially, the increases in plasma Abeta1-40 in DS patients were statistically higher than the 1.5-fold increase one might predict based on the gene dose of APP in DS. These findings showed that both Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42(43) are increased in plasma in DS patients, the former more than the latter, suggesting that overexpression of APP and/or other genes may have different effects on the production of these two Abeta species in DS.