Modified oligodeoxynucleotide primers for reverse-transcription of target RNAs that can discriminate among length variants at the 3'-terminus

To discriminate among miRNA length variants, we synthesized conformationally restricted or unrestricted oligonucleotides containing a cyclohexyl phosphate residue. These oligonucleotides formed duplexes with length-matched complementary miRNAs more tightly than with length variants. The use of one of these modified oligodeoxynucleotides as a reverse transcription primer enabled a novel RT-PCR that can discriminate among miRNA length variants.

Chemical synthesis of U1 snRNA derivatives

U1 snRNA is an interesting biological tool for splicing correction and regulation of gene expression. However, U1 snRNA has never been chemically synthesized. In this study, the first chemical synthesis of U1snRNA and its analogues was carried out. Moreover, it was found that the binding affinity of the modified U1 snRNA with an ethylene glycol linkage to snurportin 1 (nuclear import adaptor) was as high as that of the unmodified RNA.

A MC motif in silkworm Argonaute 1 is indispensible for translation repression

Small RNA-mediated gene silencing is a fundamental gene regulatory mechanism, which is conserved in many organisms. Argonaute (Ago) family proteins in the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) play crucial roles in RNA interference (RNAi) pathways. In the silkworm Bombyx mori, four Ago proteins have been identified, named as Ago1, Ago2, Ago3 and Siwi. Ago2 participates in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-induced RNAi, whereas Ago3 and Siwi are involved in the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway. However, there is no experimental evidence concerning silkworm Ago1 (BmAgo1) in the RNAi mechanism. In the present study, we analysed the function of BmAgo1 in the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNAi pathway using tethering and miRNA sensor reporter assays. These results clearly demonstrate that BmAgo1 plays an indispensable role in translation repression in silkworm. Moreover, coimmunoprecipitation data indicated that BmAgo1 interacts with BmDcp2, an orthologue of mRNA-decapping enzyme 2 (Dcp2) protein in the Drosophila processing-bodies (P-bodies). Substitutions of two conserved phenylalanines (F522 and F557) by valines in the MC motif strongly impaired the function of BmAgo1 in translation repression and its localization in P-bodies, suggesting that these two amino acid residues in the MC motif of BmAgo1 are prerequisites for mRNA translation repression in B. mori.

Fluorescent properties of oligonucleotides doubly modified with an indole-fused cytosine analog and 2-aminopurine

Single- and double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) incorporating both 2-aminopurine (2AP) and an indole-fused cytosine analog (PPI) were prepared and studied for their fluorescence properties. PPI and 2AP can be excited simultaneously by irradiation at 300 nm, with emission observed at 500 nm for PPI and 370 nm for 2AP. We demonstrated the utility of these properties in the dual fluorescence labeling of ODNs giving well-separated emission peaks. In addition, both of the fluorescence signals of a doubly modified ODN changed independently, reflecting the local duplex formation at the regions containing 2AP or PPI. Potential applications of this strategy for the dual fluorescence labeling of oligonucleotides with 2AP and PPI include monitoring local structure alterations of functional nucleic acids and the multiplex detection of biologically important nucleic acids.

Prediction of the stability of modified RNA duplexes based on deformability analysis: oligoribonucleotide derivatives modified with 2'-O-cyanoethyl-5-propynyl-2-thiouridine as a promising component

We describe a method to predict the stability of a modified RNA duplex. Ten unique modified RNA duplexes showed a linear relationship between the calculated and experimentally determined duplex stabilities.

DNA duplexes and triplex-forming oligodeoxynucleotides incorporating modified nucleosides forming stable and selective triplexes

We have previously reported DNA triplexes containing the unnatural base triad G-PPI·C3, in which PPI is an indole-fused cytosine derivative incorporated into DNA duplexes and C3 is an abasic site in triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) introduced by a propylene linker. In this study, we developed a new unnatural base triad A-ψ·C(R1) where ψ and C(R1) are base moieties 2'-deoxypseudouridine and 5-substituted deoxycytidine, respectively. We examined several electron-withdrawing substituents for R1 and found that 5-bromocytosine (C(Br)) could selectively recognize ψ. In addition, we developed a new PPI derivative, PPI(Me), having a methyl group on the indole ring in order to achieve selective triplex formation between DNA duplexes incorporating various Watson-Crick base pairs, such as T-A, C-G, A-ψ, and G-PPI(Me), and TFOs containing T, C, C(Br), and C3. We studied the selective triplex formation between these duplexes and TFOs using UV-melting and gel mobility shift assays.

Short-RNA selective binding of oligonucleotides modified using adenosine and guanosine derivatives that possess cyclohexyl phosphates as substituents

We have developed new artificial oligonucleotides which distinguish short RNA targets from long ones. The modification of the 5' termini of oligonucleotides by using adenosine derivatives that possess a bulky cyclohexyl phosphate moiety at their base moiety and a phosphate group at the position of their 5'-hydroxyl group maximized their short RNA selectivity. The 2'-O-methyl-RNA (5'-XC(m)A(m)A(m)C(m)C(m)U(m)A(m)C(m)U(m)) having these modifications exhibits ca. 10 °C higher T(m) in the duplexes with the complementary short RNA (3'-GUUGGAUGA-5') than with the long RNA (3'-AUUAUAUGUUGGAUGAUGGUUA-5'). The oligodeoxynucleotides having the same modification exhibited similar selectivity. Such short-RNA selective binding of terminally modified oligonucleotides can be employed to distinguish between mature microRNAs and pre-microRNAs.

Biochemical behavior of N-oxidized cytosine and adenine bases in DNA polymerase-mediated primer extension reactions

To clarify the biochemical behavior of 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates and oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) containing cytosine N-oxide (C(o)) and adenine N-oxide (A(o)), we examined their base recognition ability in DNA duplex formation using melting temperature (T(m)) experiments and their substrate specificity in DNA polymerase-mediated replication. As the result, it was found that the T(m) values of modified DNA-DNA duplexes incorporating 2'-deoxyribonucleoside N-oxide derivatives significantly decreased compared with those of the unmodified duplexes. However, single insertion reactions by DNA polymerases of Klenow fragment (KF) (exo(-)) and Vent (exo(-)) suggested that C(o) and A(o) selectively recognized G and T, respectively. Meanwhile, the kinetic study showed that the incorporation efficiencies of the modified bases were lower than those of natural bases. Ab initio calculations suggest that these modified bases can form the stable base pairs with the original complementary bases. These results indicate that the modified bases usually recognize the original bases as partners for base pairing, except for misrecognition of dATP by the action of KF (exo(-)) toward A(o) on the template, and the primers could be extended on the template DNA. When they misrecognized wrong bases, the chain could not be elongated so that the modified base served as the chain terminator.

Synthesis and properties of terminally modified oligonucleotides capable of short-RNA selective hybridization

We have developed 2'-O-methyl-RNAs having phosphorylated cyclohexane at the 5' and/or 3'-terminal adenine. These 2'-O-methyl-RNAs formed less stable duplex with the longer target RNA than that with the short target RNA. We tried to improve the short-RNA selective hybridization property by the synthesis of 2'-O-methyl-RNAs having terminal guanine modifications.

Linear relationship between deformability and thermal stability of 2'-O-modified RNA hetero duplexes

We describe the relationship between the experimentally determined melting temperatures of 2′-O-modified-RNA/RNA duplexes and their deformability estimated from molecular dynamics simulations. To clarify this relationship, we synthesized several fully modified oligoribonucleotides such as 2′-O-cyanoethyl RNAs and 2′-O-methoxyethyl RNAs and compared the actual melting temperatures of the duplexes with their calculated deformabilities. An increase of the melting temperatures by 2′-O-modifications was found to correlate strongly with an increase of the helical elastic constants in U₁₄/A₁₄, (CU)₇/(AG)₇, and (GACU)₃/(AGUC)₃ sequences. Linear regression analyses could be used to estimate the melting temperature with an accuracy of ±2.0 °C in our model case. Although the strong correlation was observed in the same base sequence, the linear regression functions were different from each base sequence. Our results indicated the possibility of predicting the thermal stability of 2′-O-modified duplexes at the computer-aided molecular design stage.

Neuroprotective effects of a combination of dexmedetomidine and hypothermia after incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine and hypothermia are known to reduce neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia. We examined whether a combination of dexmedetomidine and hypothermia reduces brain injury after transient forebrain ischemia in rats to a greater extent than either treatment alone.

METHODS

Thirty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with fentanyl and nitrous oxide in oxygen. Four groups were tested: group C (saline 1 ml/kg, temporal muscle temperature 37.5 degrees C); group H (saline 1 ml/kg, 35.0 degrees C); group D (dexmedetomidine 100 microg/kg, 37.5 degrees C); and group DH (dexmedetomidine 100 microg/kg, 35.0 degrees C). Dexmedetomidine or saline was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia. Cerebral ischemia was produced by right carotid artery ligation with hemorrhagic hypotension (mean arterial pressure 40 mmHg) for 20 min. Neurologic outcome was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after ischemia. Histopathology was evaluated in the caudate and hippocampus at 72 h after ischemia.

RESULTS

Neurologic outcome was significantly better in the group DH than the group C (P<0.05), whereas it was similar between the group DH and the groups D or H. Survival rate of the hippocampal CA1 neurons was significantly greater in groups D, H, and DH than group C (P<0.05). Histopathologic injury in the caudate section was significantly less in groups H and DH than group C (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of dexmedetomidine and hypothermia improved short-term neurologic outcome compared with the control group, whereas the combination therapy provided comparable neuroprotection with either of the two therapies alone.

Synthesis of 6-N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)deoxyadenosine and its exciton-coupled circular dichroism

6-N-(Benzothiazol-2-yl)deoxyadenosine (A(BT)) was synthesized and incorporated into DNAs. Although, the multipoint benzothiazole (BT) modification of oligodeoxynucleotides reduced the stability of duplexes with their complementary strands, it induced the strong exciton coupling between BT moieties. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of this exciton coupling interaction were observed at wavelengths above 300nm and overlapping with the UV absorption bands of nucleotides could be avoided. The shapes of the CD spectra due to this interaction were strongly influenced by the helicity of two BT groups.

The combined neuroprotective effects of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine after transient forebrain ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether coadministration of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine would reduce brain injury following transient forebrain ischemia in rats to a greater extent than either drug alone.

METHODS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with halothane to maintain normocapnia and normoxia. Rats received subcutaneous injection of saline 1 ml/kg, lidocaine 10 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine 3 microg/kg, or lidocaine 10 mg/kg plus dexmedetomidine 3 microg/kg. Thirty minutes after the drug injection, forebrain ischemia was induced by hemorrhagic hypotension and occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries, and was confirmed by isoelectric EEG. At the end of 10-min ischemia, rats were reperfused. The same dose of drugs was administered 3, 24, and 48 h after ischemia. Neurological examination was done at 1, 2, and 7 days after ischemia. Seven days after ischemia, the brain was stained with hematoxylin and eosin. We counted ischemic cells in the CA1 hippocampal region, striatum, and cerebral cortex. We also measured extracellular glutamate and norepinephrine concentration in hippocampal CA1 in the four groups.

RESULTS

As compared with saline-treated rats, rats receiving dexmedetomidine plus lidocaine showed less than neurological deficit scores at 2 and 7 days after ischemia, and had less ischemic cells in the CA1 region. However, administration of dexmedetomidine plus lidocaine did not alter the area under the glutamate concentration curve and norepinephrine concentration during ischemia in the CA1 region, compared with saline-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest coadministration of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine improves the neurological outcome without alteration of glutamate and norepinephrine concentrations during forebrain ischemia in rats.

[Complete resection of an advanced mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor with multiple distant metastases after down-staging by chemotherapy]

A mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor was completely resected after down-staging by chemotherapy despite the presence of multiple distant metastases. A 22-year-old female was admitted for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. Her SVC was obstructed by a large anterior mediastinal tumor; she also exhibited distant metastases on a left rib, in the liver, and multiple in the lung. The blood alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was extremely elevated to 57,530 ng/ml. Four courses of BEP therapy [cisplatin (CDDP), bleomycin (BLM), etoposide (VP-16)] and a high dose chemotherapy followed by a peripheral blood stem cell transplantation made the tumor become smaller and effected its down-staging. Residual mediastinal tumor with an intravascular tumor in SVC was completely resected. The SVC was reconstructed by an artificial vessel graft. A mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor, even though it has multiple distant metastases, can achieve down-staging and complete resection by a chemotherapy based on scientific evidence.

Synthesis of terminally modified oligonucleotides and their hybridization dependence on the size of the target RNAs

We have developed new artificial oligonucleotide probes that show selective recognition for short RNA targets over long RNA targets. Our results suggested that modification of the termini of the oligonucleotide probes by bulky substituents such as cyclohexyl and 4-(3,6,9-trioxaundecylenedioxy)phenyl (Bzcr) groups significantly improved the selectivity of the probes toward the short RNA targets. The selectivity was further improved by the addition of a phosphate group on the cyclohexane ring. Although much improved selectivity toward short RNA targets is desirable in a general sense, it is particularly applicable to the selective detection of matured-miRNA over pre-miRNAs.

Proposal for a new clinical entity, IgG4-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome: analysis of 64 cases of IgG4-related disorders

BACKGROUND

Mikulicz's disease (MD) has been considered as one manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Recently, it has also been considered as an IgG(4)-related disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the differences between IgG(4)-related disorders including MD and SS.

METHODS

A study was undertaken to investigate patients with MD and IgG(4)-related disorders registered in Japan and to set up provisional criteria for the new clinical entity IgG(4)-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome (IgG(4)+MOLPS). The preliminary diagnostic criteria include raised serum levels of IgG(4) (>135 mg/dl) and infiltration of IgG(4)(+) plasma cells in the tissue (IgG(4)+/IgG+ plasma cells >50%) with fibrosis or sclerosis. The clinical features, laboratory data and pathologies of 64 patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS and 31 patients with typical SS were compared.

RESULTS

The incidence of xerostomia, xerophthalmia and arthralgia, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear, antiSS-A/Ro and antiSS-B/La antibodies was significantly lower in patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS than in those with typical SS. Allergic rhinitis and autoimmune pancreatitis were significantly more frequent and total IgG, IgG(2), IgG(4) and IgE levels were significantly increased in IgG(4)+MOLPS. Histological specimens from patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS revealed marked IgG(4)+ plasma cell infiltration. Many patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS had lymphocytic follicle formation, but lymphoepithelial lesions were rare. Few IgG(4)+ cells were seen in the tissue of patients with typical SS. Thirty-eight patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS treated with glucocorticoids showed marked clinical improvement.

CONCLUSION

Despite similarities in the involved organs, there are considerable clinical and pathological differences between IgG(4)+MOLPS and SS. Based on the clinical features and good response to glucocorticoids, we propose a new clinical entity: IgG(4)+MOLPS.

Successful treatment of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia with anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab) in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia is an extremely rare disorder in systemic lupus erythematosus, and its mechanism and treatment are still largely unknown. We describe a 42-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented various clinical manifestations of life-threatening amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (10,000 platelets/mm3 with a marked decrease of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow), proteinuria, psychosis, refractory chylothorax, ascites, and type II diabetes caused by the anti-insulin receptor autoantibody. She was initially treated with prednisolone (25-50 mg/day) and cyclosporine A (200 mg/day) without any improvement in severe thrombocytopenia. However, her clinical symptoms, including platelet counts, dramatically improved, with a concurrent decrease in the anti-c-Mpl antibody, an autoantibody against the thrombopoietin receptor, after a subsequent treatment with rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenously, weekly, for two consecutive weeks). Our case suggested that amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus might be mediated by the anti-c-Mpl antibody and could be treated with rituximab through elimination of pathogenic B cells producing autoimmune antibodies.

Effect of mivazerol, a alpha-agonist, on striatal norepinephrine concentration during transient forebrain ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported that mivazerol, a alpha(2)-agonist, possibly provides neuroprotection against transient forebrain ischemia in rats. This study was designed to investigate the ability of mivazerol to attenuate ischemia-induced increase in striatal norepinephrine concentration after transient forebrain ischemia in rats.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats, anesthetized with halothane, were assigned to one of three groups (n=10 each); control (C, normal saline 1 ml/kg), mivazerol 20 microg/kg (M20), and 40 microg/kg (M40) groups. Monitored variables included temporal muscle temperature (maintained at 37.5+/-0.1 degrees C), electroencephalogram, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases, and blood glucose concentrations. Thirty minutes after subcutaneous drug administration, forebrain ischemia was induced with hemorrhagic hypotension (systolic arterial pressure: 40-50 mmHg) and bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 10 min, and then the brain was reperfused. Norepinephrine concentration in the interstitial fluids in the striatum was analyzed using in vivo microdialysis in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Ischemia resulted in a prompt increase in norepinephrine concentrations in the striatum in all groups. However, there were no significant differences in norepinephrine concentrations in the striatum between the three groups at any period.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that mivazerol did not attenuate ischemia-induced increase in striatal norepinephrine concentration. This suggests that the possible neuroprotective property of mivazerol is not related to inhibition of norepinephrine release in the brain.

Clonality analysis of lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

The aim of this study was to clarify the nature of the clonal lymphocyte infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. We examined B cell clonality in lymphoproliferative tissues from six primary SS patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders or lymphoma by cloning and sequencing of the gene rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (IgVH-CDR3). Three patients with sequential observation showed progressional clonal expansion with the presence of the same subclone in different tissues during the course of disease. Among them, one patient developed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in glandular parotid. The other three SS patients concomitant with malignant B cells lymphomas showed different clonal expansion of B cells between nodal sites and salivary glands. The cloanality analysis indicated that monoclonal B cell population could spread from one glandular site to another site during the course of SS, suggesting that the malignant clone may arise from the general abnormal microenvironment, not restricted to the glandular tissue, in some SS patients.

[Marginal zone lymphoma associated with Sjögren's syndrome and hepatitis C virus infection]

A 64-year-old female was admitted in May 1997, because of salivary gland swelling. Histology of the right parotid gland revealed malignant lymphoma, diffuse medium-sized B-cell type, and she was treated with local radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She was rehospitalized in April 1998, because of recurrence of lymphoma in the stomach and the sigmoid colon. She had splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy (neck and inguinal). Laboratory findings revealed marked elevation of rheumatoid factor and RNA of hepatitis C virus. A diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome was made by dryness and the histological findings of labial biopsy. Marginal zone B-cell lymphoma mainly consisted of centrocyte-like cells and lymphoepithelial lesions, and CD 20 and IgM-kappa were positive with immunohistochemical staining. Lymphoma involved the gut and spleen. We discuss the correlation of malignant lymphoma with Sjogren's syndrome and HCV infection.

Neuroprotective effect of mivazerol, an alpha 2-agonist, after transient forebrain ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND

We examined whether mivazerol, an alpha2-agonist, had neuroprotective effects after transient forebrain ischemia in rats.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats, anesthetized with halothane, were assigned to one of four groups (n=10 each): control (C, normal saline) and mivazerol 10 microg/kg (M10), 20 microg/kg (M20) and 40 microg/kg (M40) groups. Thirty minutes after drug administration, forebrain ischemia was induced with hemorrhagic hypotension and bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 10 min, and then the brain was reperfused. The neurologic outcome was evaluated 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after ischemia, followed by histologic evaluation.

RESULTS

The survival rate during 7 days was significantly lower in group M40 than in groups M10 and M20 (P<0.05). The neurologic outcome was significantly better in groups M10 and M20 than in group M40 7 days after ischemia (P<0.05). The number of intact neurons in hippocampal CA1 was significantly greater in group M20 than in the other groups (P<0.05). Neuronal injury in the neocortex was significantly less in group M20 than in groups C and M40 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that mivazerol, up to 20 microg/kg, provides neuroprotective effects, whereas 40 microg/kg may exaggerate neuronal injury after transient forebrain ischemia in rats.

Quantitative analysis of amoA mRNA expression as a new biomarker of ammonia oxidation activities in a complex microbial community

AIMS

To quantitatively analyse the changes to amoA mRNA (ammonia mono-oxygenase encoding mRNA) profiles in response to a change in ammonia oxidation activity in a complex microbial community.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The amoA mRNA levels in both a batch-mode incubation and a continuously fed nitrification reactor were determined by real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis. The amoA mRNA level changed rapidly in response to the change in environmental conditions which affect ammonia oxidation activity.

CONCLUSION

An increase in amoA mRNA level can be detected within 1-2 h in response to an initiation of cell activity whereas a decrease in amoA mRNA level is detected within 24 h in response to a cessation of activity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

amoA mRNA, which shows sensitive response to ammonia oxidation activity, can be used as a biomarker of ammonia oxidation activity in wastewater treatment processes where many bacterial species exist.

1,6-Asymmetric induction during the conjugate addition of arylcopper reagents to a chiral sulfinyl-substituted pyrrolyl alpha,beta-unsaturated amide

The asymmetric conjugate addition of arylcopper reagents derived from aryl Grignard reagents and copper(I) iodide to a chiral 1-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)]pyrrolyl cinnamide proceeded smoothly to give (3R)-adducts with high diastereoselectivities (> or =92% de) in high yields. Conjugate additions either of the cinnamide with the alkyl Grignard reagent-copper(l) iodide combination or of the crotonamide derivative with aryl Grignard reagent-copper(l) iodide gave moderate to good diastereoselectivities. With these sulfinyl pyrrolyl alpha,beta-unsaturated amides, the chiral auxiliary was efficiently recovered without any loss of optical purity after asymmetric conjugate addition.

[A study on cervical reflex induced by click stimuli in cats]

The effects of click stimuli on the cervical muscle have been wildly studied, but no information is available on what reaction click stimuli elicit from the cervical cord. We studied the effects of click stimuli on the cervical cord in cats.

PURPOSE

To determine the response of the cervical cord to click stimuli in cats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were ten adult cats confirmed to have normal tympanic membranes. Cats were placed on artificial ventilation by tracheal incision. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) of both ears was measured to determine its threshold. Following the cervical incision, the dorsal vertebrae were removed, the cervical cord was exposed at C3 to C6, and bipolar needle electrodes were inserted. The reference electrode was attached to the forehead. Click stimuli were presented using 1-20 Hz clicks.

RESULTS

Responses peaking at 4.89-5.10 ms were induced by click stimuli of 105 dBSPL (1 Hz) at C3. Latencies tended to be prolonged with decreasing sound pressure. No response was confirmed at of C4 to C6. The responses to clicks of 20 Hz or more disappeared when 100 responses were summed. After the experiment, we confirmed that accessory nerves showed a response to electrical stimuli applied by bipolar needle electrodes. The cervical cord was removed to make sure that the electrode had been passed into the spinal nucleus of the accessory nerve.

DISCUSSION

Spinal nuclei of accessory nerves exist at C3 to C5 of the cervical cord, and are associated with the movement of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at C3 in particular. Click stimuli are reported to affect the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The results of our study appear to reflect the response of the spinal nucleus of the accessory nerve to click stimuli. The fact that responses to clicks of 20 Hz or more disappeared when 100 responses were summed suggests that the response was induced via a pathway other than the auditory pathway.

Granulocytic sarcoma of megakaryoblastic differentiation in the lymph nodes terminating as acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in a case of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis persisting for 16 years

A 43-yr-old Japanese woman presented with mild anemia, leukocytosis and splenomegaly in May 1984. Splenomegaly and anemia gradually progressed. Sixteen years later, in October 2000, she developed inguinal lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the lymph node revealed infiltration of blasts, megakaryocytes, fibroblasts and myeloid cells. Large blasts with basophilic cytoplasm with cytoplasmic projections appeared in the peripheral blood. These blasts were negative in peroxidase stain, positive in acid phosphatase and weakly positive in periodic acid-Schiff stain. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies revealed that these blasts were positive with anti-CD41 (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa) and negative with other monoclonal antibodies. So diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma in megakaryoblastic transformation from chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis was made. A cytogenetic study revealed that bone marrow cells were 46,XX del(13)(q?) initially and additional abnormalities including der(5,5,11)(q11;q13)ins(5;?)(q11;?) were found when she developed megakaryoblastic transformation. Granulocytic sarcoma of megakaryoblastic transformation from chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis is a rare event. Immunophenotyping with monoclonal antibody for CD41(glycoprotein IIb/IIIa) confirmed the diagnosis.

Oxidative transformation of arylmethyl bromides and alcohols with a combination of mesoporous silica FSM-16 and alkali iodides under photoirradiation

[reaction: see text]. A mesoporous silica FSM-16 was found to be a selective and recyclable promoter for the oxidative dehalogenation of arylmethyl bromides to provide the corresponding alcohols and for the oxidation of arylmethyl alcohols to provide the corresponding aldehydes with a combination of alkali iodides and solvents under photoirradiation conditions.

Investigation of coronary artery bypass grafting for a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

A 79-year-old male with unstable angina, who had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), was treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MDS causes refractory anemia accompanied by various degrees of granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Pancytopenia caused by MDS may complicate patients with major infections and bleeding during cardiac surgery. There were very few patients with MDS who had undergone open-heart surgery. Three case studies, including this study, had reported successful cases of CABG in patients with MDS and the analogous diseases of MDS. We used granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets transfusions in peri-operative state. We did not need a large amount of transfusion of RBCs and platelets in intra-operative and postoperative states. We had prevented major bleeding and severe wound infections in the acute postoperative state.

Synthesis and photodynamic activity of a cationic zinc monoazaporphyrin bearing a nitrogen atom at the peripheral position

A new cationic monoazaporphyrin, zinc 2-aza-8,12,13,17-tetraethyl-2,3,7,18-tetramethylporphyrinium iodide 3 was synthesized. Photodynamic activity of 3 in degradation of 2',3'-isopropylideneguanosine 4 was compared with 2-aza-8,12,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,18-trimethylporphyrin 1, zinc 2-aza-8,12,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,18-trimethylporphyrin 2, and hematoporphyrin 5. The quarternary ammonium 3 showed a remarkable increase of photodynamic activity compared with 5, although no appreciable difference in the activity was observed between 1 and 5.

T-Cell Type Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Following Cyclosporin A Therapy for Aplastic Anemia

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is used to prevent rejection in transplantation and to treat autoimmune and hematologic diseases such as aplastic anemia. However, the tumor growth-promoting effect of CsA remains controversial. We report the case of a 24-year-old man who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia of precursor-T-cell origin after 75 months of treatment with CsA for aplastic anemia. The surface antigen phenotype of his leukemic cells was CD2+, CD3+, CD5+, CD7+, CD4-, CD8-, CD10-, CD20-, CD34-, CD41-, and CD56-. Southern blot analysis revealed a monoclonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor-Jgamma nongermline fragments in HindIII digestion.

[A case of Sjögren's syndrome with dermatomyositis who died of rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia]

We report a case of 55 year-old woman with six year history of Sjögren's syndrome developed fatal rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia. She had been well until February 1999. She developed swelling and erythematous lesions in the cheek and hands in spring 1999. She was admitted to our hospital for investigations of skin lesions in May 1999. Physical examination on admission revealed small hemorrhagic lesions in the nailfold. Serum CK level was slightly elevated. Electromyogram and MRI suggested mild myositis in the proximal upper extremities. She was suspected to have dermatomyositis along with Sjögren's syndrome. Prednisolone 10 mg/day had been given for her skin problems since March 1999. Suddenly, dyspnea on exertion was appeared on 34th day of admission. Chest X-ray film showed an acute worsening of interstitial pneumonia. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy (1000 mg for 3 days) and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (500 mg for a day) were started, and she was subsequently treated with 60 mg/day of prednisolone and 250 mg/day of Cyclosporin A. However, interstitial pneumonia did not respond to the treatment, and pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax have developed. She died of respiratory failure on 55th day. We consider that most likely explanation for fatal interstitial pneumonia is concomitantly occurred dermatomyositis.

Quantitative evaluation of a directly depolarized area induced by high-output pacing on the cardiac muscle

Quantitative information is needed on the directly depolarized area (DDA) induced by high-output energy during a precise mapping procedure to detect the origin of a tachycardia. In the present study, a DDA caused by high-output energy was quantitatively evaluated in the exposed canine heart. In 8 dogs, the right atrial and ventricular surfaces were exposed through a right thoracotomy and pacing with various outputs was delivered from the epicardial surface. A comb-shaped 16 polar electrode array and/or a 224 polar mat electrode array were used for recording the epicardial electrograms. The local activation time was measured at each electrode site, and the relationship of the distance between the electrode location from the pacing site and the local activation time was plotted and fitted to a primary regression line. The intercept of the regression line on the horizontal axis was defined as the radius of the 'DDA' and this was evaluated at each pacing output. The radius of the DDA was 0.6+/-0.1 mm with a 2 V and 3.8+/-0.2 mm with a 10 V output when it was evaluated in a direction perpendicular to the fiber orientation of the pectinate muscle, 0.8+/-0.1 mm with a 2 V and 4.1+/-0.3 mm with a 10 V output in a direction parallel to the pectinate muscle fiber orientation, and 0.9+/-0.3 mm with a 2 V and 3.6+/-0.5 mm with a 10 V output in the right ventricle. The DDA extended according to the increase in stimulation outputs at all sites, and there was no significant difference in the pacing site or the direction of the stimulation propagation. The DDA caused by high-output energy is a purely physical phenomenon that depends only on stimulation output and tissue resistance. The diameter of the DDA exceeded 4 mm (ie, the size of a standard tip electrode for catheter ablation) when pacing was delivered with an output greater than 6 V.

Frequency of a 30-base pair deletion in the latent membrane protein-1 gene in Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphomas in Japan

The association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with various lymphoid malignancies has been reported. The precise pathogenesis of EBV in malignancies has not yet been elucidated. Latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-2 (EBNA-2) genes are suspected to be tumorigenic genes. Previous studies suggest that a deletion within the LMP-1 gene may increase the oncogenic potential of EBV. In this study, we analyzed the sequence within the carboxy terminal end of the LMP-1 gene in paraffin-embedded specimens from T-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin's disease (HD), and the buffy coat of peripheral blood from healthy individuals in Japan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using primers spanning the carboxy terminal region of the LMP-1 gene, and sequence analysis was performed to show the exact location of the deletion. The PCR product of the Raji cell line was 161 base pairs (bp), and the LMP-1 gene with deletion was 30 bp shorter in a direct sequence of PCR products. The 30-bp deletion was located in position 168285-168256 of the Raji cell. A deletion within the LMP-1 gene was found in 4 of 25 cases (16%) of EBV-positive T-cell lymphomas, 4 of 10 cases (40%) of EBV-positive HD cases, and 2 of 13 specimens (15%) with amplified PCR products from 49 healthy individuals. The incidence of the 30-bp deletion within the LMP-1 gene in HD was comparable to that of subjects in the United States and Brazil, but the deletion was not found in a high proportion of EBV-positive T-cell lymphoid malignancies. No statistical significance was found regarding the clinical outcome between patients with a deletion within the LMP-1 gene and patients with wild-type LMP. This deletion cannot be considered as simply causing the pathogenesis of EBV-associated lymphoid malignancies in Japan.

Cloning and expression of a novel human antibody-antigen pair associated with Felty's syndrome

An increasing number of studies suggest the importance of antibodies in the pathogenesis of most systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases, although there is considerable controversy over the precise role of the autoantibodies involved. In humans, a major obstacle to progress is the identification and cloning of the relevant autoantibodies and autoantigens. Here, an approach based on the sequential use of antibody phage display and antigen expression libraries is developed and applied to a donor suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), splenomegaly, and peripheral destruction of neutrophils leading to neutropenia (Felty's syndrome). An antibody phage display library was constructed from bone marrow from the donor and a high-affinity human mAb, ANA15, selected by panning against fresh neutrophils and independently by panning against a fixed cell line. The antibody showed strong staining of neutrophils and a number of cell lines. Probing of a lambdagt11 expression library from an induced myelomonocytic cell line with the mAb ANA15 identified the eukaryotic elongation factor 1A-1 (eEF1A-1) as a novel autoantigen. The specificity of ANA15 was confirmed by reactivity with both purified and recombinant eEF1A-1. Screening of a large panel of sera revealed that 66% of patients with Felty's syndrome had elevated levels of anti-eEF1A-1 antibodies. The cloning of this antibody-antigen pair should permit rational evaluation of any pathogenicity resulting from the interaction and its significance in neutropenia.

Polymer-Supported dicyanoketene acetal as a pi-acid catalyst: monothioacetalization and carbon-carbon bond formation of acetals

Polymeric dicyanoketene acetals (DCKA) were synthesized by copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene or ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. These novel polymers could be used successfully as recyclable pi-acid catalysts in monothioacetalization or carbon-carbon bond forming reaction of acetals.

S-Methylisothiourea sulfate improves renal, but not hepatic dysfunction in canine endotoxic shock model

OBJECTIVE

Excess production of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of septic shock. This study was designed to see whether S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMT), a selective inhibitor for iNOS, prevents cardiovascular changes and multiple organ damage in the canine endotoxic shock model.

DESIGN

Prospective, comparable, experimental study.

SETTING

Laboratory at a university hospital.

SUBJECTS

Twenty male mongrel dogs were studied under pentobarbital anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS

Dogs were divided into three groups: bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (n = 7) receiving continuous infusion of LPS (2 mg/kg/h for 1 h); LPS plus SMT group (n = 7) receiving LPS and SMT (1 mg/kg, bolus i. v., followed by continuous infusion of 1 mg/kg/h for 1 h); and vehicle plus SMT group (n = 6).

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Hemodynamics, blood gas parameters, and urine output were measured during 6 h observation periods. Serum levels of lactate, transaminases, and bilirubin were measured at baseline, 1 and 6 h. Creatinine and free water clearance, urine sodium excretion and fractional excretion of sodium were calculated. LPS caused a profound hypotension associated with decreases in cardiac output and oxygen delivery, lactic acidosis, renal and liver dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia. SMT prevented the LPS-induced hypotension and renal dysfunction, whereas it did not affect the LPS-induced decreases in cardiac output or oxygen delivery, hyperlactatemia, liver dysfunction, or thrombocytopenia. SMT alone had no appreciable effects on hemodynamics, blood gases, liver or renal functions.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that SMT improves renal, but not hepatic dysfunction, in dogs with endotoxic shock, suggesting that iNOS-derived NO plays differential roles in sepsis-associated multiple organ dysfunction.

[Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease) accompanied by hemophagocytosis and salivary gland swelling in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus]

After 2 years of steroid therapy that had effectively controlled her systemic lupus erythematosus, a 37-year-old woman presented with fever, erythema (face, upper chest), and low CH50. Increased oral steroid (prednisolone from 15 mg to 40 mg) and intravenous methylprednisolone (mPSL) (80 mg for 3 days) alleviated these symptoms except for the fever. Subsequently, the patient's fever worsened and leukocytopenia, abnormal liver function, lymphadenopathy (neck, axilla), and salivary gland swelling developed. Lymph node histology revealed features characteristic of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease (KFD). Laboratory examinations showed WBC 600/microliter, Hb 9.5 g/dl, platelets 90,000/microliter, GOT 766 IU/l, GPT 646 IU/l, LDH 4,228 IU/l, TG 1,622 mg/dl, and ferritin 6,330 ng/ml. Serum interferon gamma was also elevated (673 U/ml). Because a bone marrow smear revealed hemophagocytosis, mPSL pulse therapy (1 g for 3 days) was started for treatment of hemophagocytic syndrome. The fever promptly disappeared, and the patient's clinical symptoms resolved within 2 weeks. The abnormal laboratory data related to KFD and hemophagocytosis returned to normal within 4 weeks after the initiation of mPSL pulse therapy. We speculated that the hemophagocytosis and salivary gland involvement in this patient were also symptoms of KFD. This case indicated that corticosteroid pulse therapy is effective for KFD with serious clinical symptoms.

The effect of intravenous or subarachnoid lidocaine on glutamate accumulation during transient forebrain ischemia in rats

We studied whether IV or subarachnoid (SA) lidocaine would influence the increase in extracellular glutamate concentration in the hippocampal CA1 and the cerebral cortex during transient forebrain ischemia in rats by using the dialysis electrode method. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of six treatment groups: IV lidocaine 5 mg/kg, IV lidocaine 10 mg/kg, IV 0.9% saline 0.5 mL/kg, SA lidocaine 5 mg/kg, SA lidocaine 10 mg/kg, and SA 0.9% saline 0.5 mL/kg (n = 9 in each group). Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by hemorrhagic hypotension and carotid artery occlusion, 15 min after administration of lidocaine or saline. The maximal values of glutamate concentration and the areas under glutamate concentration curves in the CA1 were significantly less in the IV lidocaine 10 mg/kg group than the IV saline group, whereas those in the CA1 and the cortex were significantly less in the SA lidocaine 5 and 10 mg/kg groups than the SA saline group. The accumulation of glutamate in the CA1 or the cortex during transient forebrain ischemia was attenuated by IV or SA lidocaine. We conclude that the neuroprotective effect of lidocaine against transient cerebral ischemia involves the suppression of the increase in extracellular glutamate concentration.

IMPLICATIONS

IV or subarachnoid lidocaine was demonstrated to suppress glutamate accumulation in the hippocampus and the cortex during transient forebrain ischemia in rats by using the dialysis electrode method. Lidocaine can have a neuroprotective effect through the suppression of the increase in extracellular glutamate concentration.