Potential bioavailability of phosphorus in citrus orchard soil to Microcystis aeruginosa

Algal blooms in eutrophic water bodies are controlled by inputs of phosphorus (P) as the growth-limiting nutrient. Runoff particulate P associated with soil from fields often predominates among P fractions. Here, an algal bioassay to investigate the potential bioavailability of particulate P in soil collected from a citrus orchard was conducted. Microcystis aeruginosa was cultured in medium containing soil as the sole source of P. The P in the soil was not notably solubilized after autoclaving. Analyses of chlorophyll-a, suspended solids, particulate organic carbon, and particulate organic nitrogen showed that M. aeruginosa could utilize some of the P present in the soil, perhaps that in particulate form, but this form of P was not sufficient to maintain optimum growth.

Regeneration of articular cartilage defects in the temporomandibular joint of rabbits by fibroblast growth factor-2: a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic usefulness of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in rabbit temporomandibular joints (TMJ) with osteoarthritis. A 10-mm(3) defect was bored in the surface of the mandibular condyle head. The animals were divided into four groups: two test groups in which the defect was filled with lyophilized collagen containing 0.1 or 1.0microg of FGF-2, and two control groups, in which the defects were filled with lyophilized collagen without FGF-2 or left empty. The defective sites were examined under a light microscope 3 weeks after surgery. Initiation of cartilage formation was observed in the defects filled with 0.1microg of FGF-2, but only a small amount of cartilage was found in the defects of the 1.0-mug FGF-2- treated group. In the control groups, soft-tissue repair only or no tissue repair was found. In vivo, a dose of 0.1microg of FGF-2 can stimulate articular cartilage restoration in defects of the TMJ in rabbits, although determining the effective concentration range of FGF-2 may be difficult. The present results suggest that an optimum concentration of FGF-2 could restore defects of TMJ articular cartilage clinically.

Neural Responses to Human Voice and Hemisphere Dominance for Lexical-semantic Processing

Objectives : In our previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we determined that there was distinct left hemispheric dominance for lexical- semantic processing without the influence of human voice perception in right-handed healthy subjects. However, the degree of right-handedness in the right-handed subjects ranged from 52 to 100 according to the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) score. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the correlation between the degree of right-handedness and language dominance in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortices by examining cerebral activation for lexical-semantic processing.

Methods : Twenty-seven normal right-handed healthy subjects were scanned by fMRI while listening to sentences (SEN), reverse sentences (rSEN), and identifiable non-vocal sounds (SND). Fronto-temporo-parietal activation was observed in the left hemisphere under the SEN - rSEN contrast, which included lexical- semantic processing without the influence of human voice perception. Laterality Indexwas calculated as LI = (L - R)/(L + R) X 100, L: left, R: right.

Results : Laterality Index in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortices did not correlate with the degree of right-handedness in EHI score.

Conclusions : The present study indicated that the degree of right-handedness from 52 to 100 in EHI score had no effect on the degree of left hemispheric dominance for lexical-semantic processing in right-handed healthy subjects.

Neural responses to human voice and hemisphere dominance for lexical-semantic processing--an fMRI study

OBJECTIVES

In our previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we determined that there was distinct left hemispheric dominance for lexical-semantic processing without the influence of human voice perception in right-handed healthy subjects. However, the degree of right-handedness in the right-handed subjects ranged from 52 to 100 according to the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) score. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the correlation between the degree of right-handedness and language dominance in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortices by examining cerebral activation for lexical-semantic processing.

METHODS

Twenty-seven normal right-handed healthy subjects were scanned by fMRI while listening to sentences (SEN), reverse sentences (rSEN), and identifiable non-vocal sounds (SND). Fronto-temporo-parietal activation was observed in the left hemisphere under the SEN - rSEN contrast, which included lexical-semantic processing without the influence of human voice perception. Laterality Index was calculated as LI = (L - R)/(L + R) x 100, L: left, R: right.

RESULTS

Laterality Index in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortices did not correlate with the degree of right-handedness in EHI score.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated that the degree of right-handedness from 52 to 100 in EHI score had no effect on the degree of left hemispheric dominance for lexical-semantic processing in right-handed healthy subjects.

A functional MRI study: cerebral laterality for lexical-semantic processing and human voice perception

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Language dominance research using functional neuroimaging has made important contributions to clinical applications. Nevertheless, although recent neuroimaging studies demonstrated right-lateralized activation by human voice perception, the influence of voice perception in terms of language dominance has not been adequately studied. We aimed to accurately clarify language dominance for lexical-semantic processing in the temporal cortices by focusing on human voice perception.

METHODS

Thirty normal right-handed subjects were scanned by functional MR imaging while listening to sentences (SEN), reverse sentences (rSEN), and identifiable nonvocal sounds (SND). We investigated cerebral activation and the distribution of individual Laterality Index under 3 contrasts: rSEN-SND, SEN-SND, and SEN-rSEN.

RESULTS

The rSEN-SND contrast, including human voice perception, revealed right-lateralized activation in the anterior temporal cortices. Both SEN-SND and SEN-rSEN contrasts, including lexical-semantic processing, showed left-lateralized activation in the inferior and middle frontal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus. The SEN-rSEN contrast, without the influence of human voice perception, showed no temporal activation in the right hemisphere. Symmetrical or right-lateralized activation was observed in 22 of 27 subjects (81.4%) under the rSEN-SND contrast in the temporal cortices. Although 9 of 27 subjects (33.3%) showed symmetrical or right-lateralized activation under the SEN-SND contrast in the temporal cortices, all subjects showed left-lateralized activation under the SEN-rSEN contrast.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that right-lateralized activation by human voice perception could mask left-lateralized activation by lexical-semantic processing. This finding suggests that the influence of human voice perception should be adequately taken into account when language dominance is determined.

A new sterility test for cow's milk using alanine racemase gene as the index

Oligonucleotide primers designed from consensus sequences of alanine racemase genes were used for a sterility test of cow's milk by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Commercial cow's milk in two 250 ml packages was separately centrifuged at 5000 x g for 10 min, bacterial cells in each precipitate were cultivated at 30 and 55 degrees C for 5 h in Luria-Bertani medium, and the cells from each culture were mixed and used for the PCR after being treated with 0.1 N NaOH at 60 degrees C for 10 min. When we performed the PCR using DNAs from various bacteria and eukaryotes as the templates, a unique PCR product of about 390 bp was amplified only from the bacteria. The sensitivity of the PCR method was such that an initial inoculum of 1 CFU of Bacillus stearothermophilus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas fluorescens per 250 ml of cow's milk could be detected. When we analyzed 14 types of commercial cow's milk, all samples which were positive by the standard sterility test at 30 or 55 degrees C were also found positive by the PCR method.

Tissue reaction at the implantation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 into the skeletal muscle

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is a unique cytokine that induces bony tissue in soft tissue. Tissue reactions at and around the implantation of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) into the soft tissue of rats and nonhuman primates were investigated. At the osteoinduced site of rats, massive trabeculae-lined osteoblasts and rich marrow were observed. At and around the nonosteoinduced sites of nonhuman primates, large clear nuclei were observed in reaction to rhBMP-2 implantation. The surrounding area was visually classified into zones 1, 2 and 3. Zone 3 was near the center of the implant. The area of nuclei, the major axis, the minor axis and the ratio of minor axis per major axis were image-analyzed in the histological views. In zones 1, 2 and 3, the nuclear areas were 18.0 (3.1) mean (SD); unit micron2, 33.4 (5.61) and 110.1 (23.7), respectively. The major axes of nuclear ellipses were 7.45 (0.22) (unit micron), 7.76 (0.26), and 13.9 (1.88), respectively. The minor axes were 3.07 (0.53), 5.59 (0.95) and 10.1 (1.35), respectively. The ratios of minor axis per major axis of nuclear ellipses were 0.4 (0.57), 0.72 (0.11) and 0.73 (0.11) in zones 1, 2 and 3, respectively. These results showed that in zones 2 and 3 cell and tissue reactions were marked against rhBMP-2 implantation.

Isolation and characterization of a mesenchymal cell line that differentiates into osteoblasts in response to BMP-2 from calvariae of GFP transgenic mice

We established the clonal mesenchymal cell line, GFP-C3 (C3), which differentiates into osteoblasts in response to BMP-2 from calvariae of newborn green fluorescence protein (GFP) transgenic mice. This cell line cultured with control medium expressed low levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osterix mRNA and undetectable ALP and osteocalcin mRNA. Incubation of these cells with rhBMP-2 increased ALP activity dose-dependently and induced substantial levels of ALP, osteocalcin and osterix mRNA expression. C3 cells infected with adenovirus vector encoding BMP-2 (AdBMP-2) or Runx2 (AdRunx2) showed greatly increased ALP mRNA expression in a time-dependent fashion. Transduction with AdRunx2-induced expression of ALP and osteocalcin mRNA, but not osterix mRNA by day 3. Transduction with AdBMP-2 induced apparent expression of ALP and osterix mRNA by day 1 after transduction, but induced only weak expression of osteocalcin mRNA day 3 after transduction. Transplantation of C3 cells transduced with AdBMP-2 into back subfascia in wild-type mice with a complex of poly-d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid/gelatin sponge (PGS) generated ectopic bone formation involving GFP-positive osteoblasts and osteocytes 2 weeks after transplantation. C3 cells transduced with AdRunx2 or AdLacZ failed to induce ectopic bone formation. Transplantation of C3 cells transduced with AdBMP-2 into craniotomy defects in wild-type mice using PGS as a carrier induced bone formation 2 weeks after transplantation, and replaced defects 4 weeks after transplantation. C3 cells transduced with AdRunx2 failed to induce bone repair after transplantation into craniotomy defects. These results indicate that C3 cells retain differentiation potential into osteoblasts in response to BMP-2. They are useful tools for analyzing the process of osteoblast differentiation in vivo after transplantation.

Simple and effective osteoinductive gene therapy by local injection of a bone morphogenetic protein-2-expressing recombinant adenoviral vector and FK506 mixture in rats

We have previously utilized a human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-expressing recombinant adenoviral vector (AxCAOBMP-2) for osteoinductive gene therapy in rats. However, immunosuppression is essential for osteoinduction by AxCAOBMP-2 and this is one of the major impediments to its clinical use. Injection of AxCAOBMP-2 together with the immunosuppressant FK506 made it possible to markedly reduce the dose of the immunosuppressive agent and still induce ectopic bone reliably. We injected AxCAOBMP-2 and FK506 into the right calf muscle of rats, while the same number of plaque forming units of AxCAOBMP-2 and the same dose of FK506 placebo (vehicle) were injected into the left calf muscle. At 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 days after injection, BMP-2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the right calf muscle than in the left calf muscle. At 21 days after injection, significantly more ectopic bone was observed in the right calf muscle than in the left calf muscle. These results indicate that coinjection of FK506 significantly promotes osteoinduction. In addition, local injection of FK506 may also make it possible to prevent a decrease of gene expression with other adenoviral vector.

Flow cytometric detection of cell-associated interleukin-8 in alveolar macrophages in vivo from patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis

In comparison with neutrophil-mediated lung diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, the involvement of IL-8 in lymphocyte-mediated lung diseases has not been fully investigated. Several reports have shown a slight increase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) IL-8 in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and sarcoidosis (SAR), but the source of the IL-8 has not been clarified. In the present study, the in vivo production of IL-8 by alveolar macrophages (AMs) is examined in these patients by analyzing the cell-associated IL-8, using the flow cytometric method adopted previously. The IL-8 levels in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were also assessed. Initially, slight, but significant, increased levels of ELF IL-8 in HP and SAR were confirmed. Using flow cytometric analysis, a significant increase was found in the cell-associated IL-8 of the freshly isolated AMs in HP, but not in SAR, indicating in vivo production of IL-8 by AMs in HP. The cell-associated IL-8 of the AMs cultured with or without lipopolysaccharide was also analyzed. However, in contrast to previous findings in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, no differences were found between SAR and HP patients and control subjects. Based on these findings, it is speculated that ELF IL-8 levels are slightly increased in HP and SAR, and they may contribute to the accumulation of neutrophils and possibly lymphocytes. However, the source of IL-8 may be different and AMs are the candidate source of IL-8 in HP, but not in SAR. The flow cytometric method may be useful in assessing cytokines production by AMs.

A follow-up study on the association of working conditions and lifestyles with the development of (perceived) mental symptoms in workers of a telecommunication enterprise

AIM

This study investigated the association of working conditions and lifestyle with mental health in Japanese workers.

METHODS

A follow-up study was carried out in the Kanto district of Japan of workers in a telecommunications enterprise who received their first annual health check-up between 1992 and 1996 and were between 20 and 54 years old. Workers who reported mental symptoms, had a past history of disease, or current illness at their first check-up were excluded from the analysis. In total, the study included 23 837 workers. The association between working conditions and lifestyle and the development of mental symptoms was investigated by pooled logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Working long hours and part-time work, as opposed to normal daytime hours of work, were factors associated with the development of mental symptoms in males, as were smoking, short sleeping hours, little physical exercise, rarely taking three meals a day, frequently eating within 1 h before sleep, much preference for salty meals and little preference for vegetables. Consumption of alcohol was negatively associated with the development of mental symptoms in males. Overall, the results suggested that the lower the Healthy Work and Lifestyle Score, the higher the risk of developing mental symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Working conditions and lifestyle, especially food preferences, have an apparent influence on the mental health of Japanese workers. Moreover, the Healthy Work and Lifestyle Score indicates that working conditions and lifestyle appear to have a cumulative influence upon the mental health of Japanese workers.

Preclinical study of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2: application of hyperbaric oxygenation during bone formation under unfavourable condition

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on bone formation by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) under unfavourable conditions. The calf muscles of 10 rats with low-blood supply were prepared by ligating and cutting the right femoral artery, and 10 micro of rhBMP-2 was implanted in the calf muscle. Five rats each were randomly assigned to the hyperbaric oxygenation group and the control group (untreated). The rats in the hyperbaric oxygenation group were treated with hyperbaric oxygenation at 2.0 atmospheres absolute for 3 weeks. In the histologic evaluation, the number of osteoblasts in the hyperbaric oxygenation group was greater than that in control group. The area of the trabecular bone induced in the hyperbaric oxygenation group was significantly larger than that in the control group. The values of alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium contents in the hyperbaric oxygenation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The results of the present study suggest that hyperbaric oxygenation increases the partial oxygen pressure in low blood supply tissue and accelerates the activity and rate of osteoinduction by rhBMP-2. Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy may increase the clinical application of rhBMP-2 to unfavourable condition.

Transplantation of skin fibroblasts expressing BMP-2 promotes bone repair more effectively than those expressing Runx2

We investigated the osteogenic potential of skin fibroblasts that overexpressed BMP-2 or Runx2 by using adenoviral vectors. In in vitro experiments, skin fibroblasts infected with adenovirus vector encoding BMP-2 (AdBMP-2) released substantial levels of BMP-2 proteins into culture media, and those infected with adenovirus vector encoding Runx2 (AdRunx2) produced its protein. Transduction of BMP-2 or Runx2, respectively, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and induced expression of mRNAs of ALP, osteocalcin, and osterix in skin fibroblasts. In in vivo experiments, we investigated the bone induction activity by transplantation of a complex composed of carrier [poly-D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid/gelatin sponge (PGS)] and skin fibroblasts (PGS/SF complex). Transplantation of PGS/SF complexes composed of skin fibroblasts transduced with AdBMP-2-induced ectopic bone formation when transplanted into the subfascia of back muscle, unlike those infected with AdRunx2. Transplantation of PGS/SF complexes composed of skin fibroblasts transduced with AdBMP-2 into craniotomy defects induced bone formation from 2 weeks after transplantation, and almost all PGS was replaced by newly synthesized bone at 6 weeks. To investigate the fate of the transplanted cells, we transplanted skin fibroblasts isolated from green fluorescence protein transgenic mice into craniotomy defects. Transplantation of these skin fibroblasts transfected with AdBMP-2 generated green fluorescence protein-positive osteoblasts and osteocytes, indicating that the transplanted skin fibroblasts differentiated into osteoblastic lineage cells during bone repair. In contrast, transplantation of PGS/SF complexes composed of skin fibroblasts transduced with AdRunx2 induced a few ALP-positive cells at 1 week after transplantation, but their number decreased depending on time after transplantation. In addition, transplantation of these complexes was insufficient to induce bone repair. Taken together, our results suggest that skin fibroblasts expressing BMP-2 are more suitable for cell-mediated therapy of bone repair than those expressing Runx2.

Identification of a novel gelsolin truncate in the vertical and metastatic phase malignant melanomas

Examination of 38 human melanoma samples by Western blotting analysis with anti-gelsolin antibodies showed that a new 85 kDa truncated gelsolin (GSNp85), co-expressed with wild-type gelsolin, was frequently expressed in vertical growth phase melanomas (Clark level II-IV) and metastatic growth phase melanomas. The GSNp85 truncate was not expressed in radial growth phase melanomas (Clark level I), acquired naevi, other skin cancers or normal skin tissues. Peptide-sequencing analysis revealed that GSNp85 lacks the C-terminal domain of wild-type gelsolin at the region containing the caspase-8 recognition site IETD. Caspase-8 processing was detected in GSNp85-positive but not GSNp85-negative melanomas. These data suggest that GSNp85 is a cleavage product of caspase-8 and may be useful as a new marker for the vertical or metastatic growth phase of malignant melanoma.

Influence of years engaged in agriculture and number of pregnancies and deliveries on mortality of inhabitants of the Jinzu River basin area, Japan

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of itai-itai disease is thought to be affected by such factors as pregnancy, lactation, hormonal disorders, aging, and calcium deficiency.

AIMS

To study the influence of years engaged in agriculture and number of pregnancies and deliveries on the mortality of inhabitants of the Jinzu River basin area, which has been an endemic region for itai-itai disease.

METHODS

From 6,667 participants (3,181 men, 3,486 women; participation rate 93.4%) in the 1967 health survey, 3,639 subjects (1,591 men, 2,048 women) whose years engaged in agriculture were established, and 2,559 women/2,410 women with a known number of pregnancies/deliveries were selected as the target population. These data were confirmed on the basis of self reported replies confirmed afterwards by interview. The survival survey was conducted for 6,127 days from 1 August 1967 to 10 May 1984. Subjects were divided according to three water systems: the Jinzu River, non-Jinzu River, and mixed water system; the influence on mortality of the years engaged in agriculture and the number of pregnancies/deliveries was analysed using a Cox's proportional hazards model according to the water systems.

RESULTS

The mean years engaged in agriculture and mean number of pregnancies/deliveries were not different among the three water systems. Cox's hazard ratios of these parameters to mortality were not statistically significant in the any of the water systems.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither the years engaged in agriculture nor the number of pregnancies/deliveries influenced mortality in subjects living not only in the non-Jinzu River basin but also in the Jinzu River basin using a Cox's proportional hazards model.

Dramatic efficacy of cyclophosphamide pulsed therapy combined with double-filtration plasmapheresis for treating severe massive pulmonary hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) is a rare but fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a patient with SLE and a massive PH who was treated with double-filtration plasmapheresis synchronized with cyclophosphamide pulsed therapy. The patient showed dramatic improvement immediately and was followed for 3 years without recurrence. Prompt treatment during the acute phase of PH with this short-term intensive combination therapy may offer the best chance of success. There are few reports of long-term followup, especially in Japan.

Regeneration of defects in the articular cartilage in rabbit temporomandibular joints by bone morphogenetic protein-2

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in internally deranged temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Defects (2 mm in diameter) were created in the surface of the condylar head. Lyophilized rhBMP-2 with collagen as the carrier was implanted in the defects in different doses: rhBMP-2 15 microg (n = 5); rhBMP-2 3 microg (n = 5); rhBMP-2 0.6 microg (n = 5). In the two control groups, the defects were either filled with collagen alone (n = 5) or left untreated (n = 5). Three weeks postoperatively the sites of defects were examined under light microscopy. In the 15 micromg and the 3 microg groups, new cartilage had filled the defects; endochondral ossification was also found deep within the defect. In the 0.6 microg group, fibrous tissue was proliferating in most areas of the defect, although cartilage was also found in some parts. In the two control groups, there was either soft tissue repair only or no evidence of tissue repair. These findings suggest that BMP-2 could stimulate the repair of defects in the articular cartilage of the mandibular condyle head during the 3 weeks postoperatively. To observe the progress of endochondral ossification in more detail, it may be necessary to extend the experiment for a longer period of time. However, this study supports the contention that BMP-2 may be useful in the regeneration of cartilage in TMJ disease.

Osteoinduction by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in muscles of non-human primates

Heterotopic osteoinduction in a muscle of a medium-sized, non-human primate (Japanese macaque monkey; Macaca fuscata) was investigated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) mixed with atelopeptide type I collagen as the carrier. Nine monkeys were divided into three groups of three: groups I (1.25 mg rhBMP-2), II (250 micrograms rhBMP-2) and III (50 micrograms rhBMP-2). Four weeks after implanting into the calf muscle pouch, the implant was examined radiographically and histologically. In one specimen of three in group I, marked radio-opaque shadow, massive chondrogenesis and partial osteogenesis were observed. In the other two specimens, only microscopic calcification signs were recognized. In groups II and III, no findings of heterotopic osteoinduction were radiographically observed; however, nuclei from muscle bundles reacted to rhBMP-2 and were large and round, as in muscle bundles near the site of osteogenesis in group I. A positive control study using rats was carried out in parallel. This was a dose-finding study, with the monkeys in group III acting as a sub-effective dose (placebo) control, and rats acting as an active control, or verum, to show that the techniques are sufficiently sensitive. Bone morphogenetic protein appears to osteoinduce less bony material in soft tissue in primates than in rats.

Concurrent left-sided spontaneous pneumothorax in Japanese monogerminal twins

Monogerminal twin brothers aged 17 were admitted because of concurrent left-sided spontaneous pneumothorax. A familial background of this common disease in association with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) has been suggested; however, the actual mode of inheritance in association with HLA typing is still uncertain. HLA analysis in this family revealed the HLA-A24, B61 (40), Cw3, DR4, DR53, and DQ3 haplotype in the twins and their father, who also had a medical history of spontaneous pneumothorax. We report these cases as an extremely rare example of familial occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax.

An association between smoking habits and blood pressure in normotensive Japanese men

We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the dose-effect relationship of smoking habits with blood pressure in Japanese men. The subjects were 2781 normotensive male steelworkers ranging in age from 40 to 54 years. They were classified into five categories according to their smoking habits: non-smokers, ex-smokers, light smokers, moderate smokers and heavy smokers. Age, body mass index, salt intake, physical activity, drinking habits, and levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total serum cholesterol, uric acid, creatinine and plasma glucose were analysed as covariates. The association between smoking habits and blood pressure was evaluated using analysis of covariance. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in the adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressure between non-smokers and ex-smokers. The adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressures in light, moderate and heavy smokers were significantly lower than in non- and ex-smokers. However, among smokers, no significant difference was observed in correlation with smoking amount. In conclusion, blood pressure of smokers was lower than that of non- and ex-smokers. However, there were no significant dose-effect relationships between smoking amount and blood pressure when lifestyle and other confounding factors were considered.

Association analysis of the pituitary adenyl cyclase activating peptide gene (PACAP) on chromosome 18p11 with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders

In neurons, pituitary adenyl cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) stimulates signaling cascades, involving cAMP and calcium. PACAP appears to play a role in up-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase via protein kinase C and/or protein kinase A. Furthermore, the PACAP gene (ADCYAP1) is located in chromosome 18p11, where linkage of bipolar disorders and schizophrenia has been reported. In this study, we scanned the coding region of the PACAP gene for mutations in 24 Japanese patients with schizophrenia and 24 Japanese patients with bipolar disorders. No variant in the coding region was found. One polymorphism, INV3-37A/T, in the third intron was detected. Case-control comparisons revealed no significant association between this polymorphism and schizophrenia or bipolar disorders. This study did not provide evidence for the contribution of the PACAP gene to the etiology of schizophrenia or bipolar disorders in the Japanese population.

Chemotaxis of human CD4+ eosinophils

We reviewed the biological functions of CD4+ eosinophils, which are observed in peripheral blood, sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of various diseases. We have shown that CD4 molecules on human eosinophils are induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulation. Interleukin-16 (IL-16) has been reported to bind a natural soluble ligand for the CD4 molecule. We reported that TNF-alpha-stimulated eosinophils migrate in a time- and dose-dependent manner against IL-16. Theophylline and dexamethasone significantly inhibited CD4 expression. Theophylline inhibited CD4+ eosinophil chemotaxis, but dexamethasone did not. Theophylline may prevent airway inflammation by downregulating the expression of CD4 molecule and CD4+ eosinophil migration. However, dexamethasone may inhibit airway inflammation through the downregulation of CD4 expression.

Dysregulation of IGF-I signaling in uterine leiomyoma

IGF-I expression has been observed in human uterine leiomyomas. To examine whether autocrine IGF-I signaling plays a role in the growth of these tumors, we used an animal model of uterine leiomyoma (the Eker rat) to investigate regulation of IGF-I and the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) expression in tumors and normal myometrium. During the normal estrous cycle, myometrial IGF-I expression peaked on the day of proestrus when the rate of proliferation in this tissue is greatest. In leiomyomas, the expression of IGF-I was increased 7.5-fold compared with the age-matched normal tissue. The level of IGF-IR mRNA in both tumor and non-tumor tissues was found to inversely correlate with that of IGF-I. Changes observed in IGF-I signaling components correlated with the activation state of the signal-transducing protein insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). During diestrus and proestrus when IGF-I levels were increasing, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was increased up to 5.7-fold in the normal myometrium relative to estrus, when IGF-I levels were the lowest. Additionally, IRS-1 phosphorylation was 4-fold greater in leiomyomas relative to age-matched normal myometrium. Autocrine stimulation of the IGF-IR may, therefore, play a role in regulating the normal growth of the myometrium, and dysregulation of IGF-I signaling could contribute to the neoplastic growth of uterine leiomyomas.

The time course study of osteoinduction by bone morphogenetic protein-2 via adenoviral vector

We evaluated the time course of osteoinduction by an adenoviral vector, AxCAOBMP-2, in normal rats (Group I) and 2 immunosuppressed groups (Groups II and III). Immunosuppression was induced by 125 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide injected intraperitoneally the day before vector injection. Groups I and III received a high dose of AxCAOBMP-2 (25 microl; 8.75 x 10(8) pfu) and Group II a low dose (5 microl; 1.75 x 10(8) pfu). Each dose of AxCAOBMP-2 was injected into the right calf muscle of rats. On days 7, 14 and 21 postinjection, the osteoinducive activity in each group was investigated radiologically, histologically, immunohistochemically and biochemically. Osteoinduction was observed only in Groups II and III on days 14 and 21. The activity of osteoinduction in Group III was higher than that in Group II. There was little difference in the expression of LacZ between Groups I and III on day 3. However, there was a marked difference in BMP-2 protein expression between Groups I and III on day 7 postinjection. We speculated that the reason for this was that most of the infected cells were eliminated by the immune system of the host from days 3 to 7. These results suggest that gene therapy with AxCAOBMP-2 under transient immunosuppression may be useful for bone reconstruction.

Gene cloning and characterization of alanine racemases from Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella sonnei

Alanine racemase genes (alr) from Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella sonnei were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli JM109. All genes encoded a polypeptide of 359 amino acids, and showed more than 99% sequence identities with each other. In particular, the S. dysenteriae alr was identical with the S. flexneri alr. Differences in the amino acid sequences between the four Shigella enzymes were only two residues: Gly138 in S. dysenteriae and S. flexneri (Glu138 in the other) and Ile225 in S. sonnei (Thr225 in the other). The S. boydii enzyme was identical with the E. coli K12 alr enzyme. Each Shigella alr enzyme purified to homogeneity has an apparent molecular mass about 43,000 by SDS-gel electrophoresis, and about 46,000 by gel filtration. However, all enzymes showed an apparent molecular mass about 60,000 by gel filtration in the presence of a substrate, 0.1 M l-alanine. These results suggest that the Shigella alr enzymes having an ordinary monomeric structure interact with other monomer in the presence of the substrate. The enzymes were almost identical in the enzymological properties, and showed lower catalytic activities (about 210 units/mg) than those of homodimeric alanine racemases reported.

Interleukin-4 is needed for the infection of monocytes by human cytomegalovirus

OBJECTIVE

We studied the ability of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to infect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) pretreated with or without Th2-cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) in vitro.

METHODS

Adherent cells and nonadherent cells were obtained from PBMC. We inoculated these cells with HCMV at concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 ng/ml of IL-4. Immediate-early antigen-1 (IE-1) and glycoprotein H (gH) mRNAs were detected using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

IE-1 and gH mRNAs could be detected in monocytes pretreated with IL-4. In contrast, no IE-1 mRNA was detected in monocytes pretreated without IL-4. We tested whether higher infectious titers could result in the infection of monocytes whether or not they were pretreated with IL-4. However, no IE-1 mRNA was detected in the monocytes not pretreated with IL-4. To elucidate how HCMV-infected monocytes affect lung tissue, human embryonic lung fibroblasts MRC-5 were cocultured with HCMV-infected monocytes. The cytopathic effects of HCMV were observed microscopically and was confirmed by direct immunoperoxidase staining with a human monoclonal antibody against the HCMV IE-1.

CONCLUSION

Our data strongly suggest that the ability of HCMV to infect monocytes may correlate with the presence of IL-4.

Visualization of IP(3) dynamics reveals a novel AMPA receptor-triggered IP(3) production pathway mediated by voltage-dependent Ca(2+) influx in Purkinje cells

IP(3) signaling in Purkinje cells is involved in the regulation of cell functions including LTD. We have used a GFP-tagged pleckstrin homology domain to visualize IP(3) dynamics in Purkinje cells. Surprisingly, IP(3) production was observed in response not only to mGluR activation, but also to AMPA receptor activation in Purkinje cells in culture. AMPA-induced IP(3) production was mediated by depolarization-induced Ca(2+) influx because it was mimicked by depolarization and was blocked by inhibition of the P-type Ca(2+) channel. Furthermore, trains of complex spikes, elicited by climbing fiber stimulation (1 Hz), induced IP(3) production in Purkinje cells in cerebellar slices. These results revealed a novel IP(3) signaling pathway in Purkinje cells that can be elicited by synaptic inputs from climbing fibers.

Relationship between exploratory eye movements and clinical course in schizophrenic patients

Exploratory eye movements are psychophysiological indicators of schizophrenia as well as smooth pursuit eye movements. To investigate whether these eye movements change in accordance with the clinical course of the condition in schizophrenia, exploratory eye movements (number of eye fixations, mean eye scanning length, responsive search score, evaluation of reproduced Fig. 1 and 2) of 28 schizophrenic patients were evaluated in repeat test design, conducted an average of 8 months apart. Subjects were first-medicated schizophrenics, half were outpatients and the remaining half were inpatients at the Neuropsychiatry ward of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital. Exploratory eye movement patterns did not improve despite an improvement in clinical symptoms of schizophrenia. This result and those of previous studies of the exploratory eye movements of schizophrenic patients' families suggest that exploratory eye movements reflect a schizophrenic vulnerability marker. Furthermore, decreased mean eye scanning length (MESL) values were observed in subjects who showed unimproved symptoms, particularly negative symptoms over an extended period of time. The result suggests that a decrease in the MESL value may be the most sensitive indicator in the development of chronicity in schizophrenia.

[Detection of PSA mRNA in prostate cancer patients' blood]

A sensitive technique using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PSA mRNA has been used to detect circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of prostate cancer patients. We evaluated the clinical utility of this method for staging and monitoring for prostate cancer. The number of patients who were RT-PCR positive was increased in higher clinical stages. This technique may provide useful information for treating patients with prostate cancer, especially candidates for radical prostatectomy. Confirming the value of this modality as a prognostic factor will require further study.

2-Arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide oppositely modulate norepinephrine release from the rat heart sympathetic nerves

Anandamide (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) as well as a synthetic cannabinoid HU210 (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) suppressed the norepinephrine release evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation (PNS) of the rat heart Langendorff's preparation. The effects of HU210 and the lower dose of anandamide were completely blocked by the cannabinoid CB1-receptor antagonist AM251, while that of anandamide at 10(-6) M was partly mediated by arachidonate-derived metabolites. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), at 10(-6) M in the presence of DFP and indomethacin, increased PNS-evoked norepinephrine release, which was completely blocked by AM251. The present results suggest that the two endocannabinoids may oppositely participate in the CB1-receptor-mediated modulation of sympathetic norepinephrine release.

Infrared spectroscopic study on the properties of the anhydrous form II of trehalose. Implications for the functional mechanism of trehalose as a biostabilizer

FTIR spectra were obtained for several different states of trehalose including dihydrate crystal, anhydrous form II (designated by Gil, A. M.; Belton, P. S.; Felix V. Spectrochim. Acta 1996, A52, 1649-1659), anhydrate crystal, dried melt, amorphous solid and aqueous solution. From the observation of the symmetric and antisymmetric stretch vibrations of the glycosidic linkage, it is found that this sugar assumes at least three types of backbone conformations. Among them, the conformation with C(2) symmetry is characterized as 'open state', which means that the sugar easily absorbs water molecules. The conformation of the sugars in anhydrous form II and in freeze-dried trehalose is shown to be in the open state. Next, the hygroscopic properties of the anhydrate, form II and the amorphous solid are compared based on their IR spectra. Interestingly, form II alone is converted to the original dihydrate in a week under mild environmental-like conditions: relative humidity of 40% and room temperature. These results suggest the possibility that form II plays a role in avoiding the devitrification of the sugar glass. Finally, we discuss the role of form II in preserving freeze-dried biomaterials.

Overexpression of homeobox gene HOXD3 induces coordinate expression of metastasis-related genes in human lung cancer cells

Homeobox-containing genes are expressed in spatiotemporal fashion during embryogenesis and act as master transcription-regulating factors which control the expression of a variety of genes involved in morphogenesis. They are also expressed in a tissue-specific manner in normal adult tissues and appear to give cells spatial information in the maintenance of their architectural integrity. We transfected a HOXD3 class I homeobox-containing gene into human lung cancer A549 cells and investigated alterations in gene expressions and phenotypes related to the maintenance of tissue architecture in HOXD3-overexpressing A549 cells. In the HOXD3-overexpressing cell lines, expression of E-cadherin was lost and plakoglobin was strongly repressed, whereas integrin alpha3 and beta3 were up-regulated and N-cadherin and integrin alpha4 were newly expressed. Compared with parental and control transfectant lines, the HOXD3-overexpressing cell lines showed highly motile and invasive activity. Blocking experiments using anti-integrin beta1 and beta3 suggested that the increased haptotaxis of the HOXD3-overexpressing cells to vitronectin resulted from increased expression and activation of integrin alphavbeta3, and that overexpression of the HOXD3 gene converted the integrin beta1-dependent haptotaxis to fibronectin into both integrin beta1- and beta3-dependent one. HOXD3 overexpression increased production of matrix-degrative enzymes including matrix metalloproteinase-2 and urokinase-plasminogen activator. When the tumor cells were intravenously injected into the tail veins of nude mice, HOXD3 transfectants formed a significantly large number of metastatic foci in lungs compared with the control transfectants. These findings suggest that HOXD3 can act as a metastasis-promoting gene in human lung cancer A549 cells.

Contribution of CD54 to human eosinophil and neutrophil superoxide production

We have reported that CD54 on eosinophils is involved in eosinophil degranulation. However, the role of CD54 in eosinophil and neutrophil superoxide production is still uncertain. We assessed the effect of CD54 on eosinophils and neutrophils in recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF)- or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide production through CD18. Anti-CD54 monoclonal antibody attenuated leukocyte aggregation and superoxide production of rGM-CSF- or PMA-stimulated neutrophils and PMA-stimulated eosinophils. Anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody or theophylline attenuated superoxide production of eosinophils and neutrophils stimulated by either stimuli. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated CD54 expression on freshly isolated neutrophils but not on freshly isolated eosinophils. CD54 newly expressed on eosinophils reached its peak expression 30 min after PMA stimulation. The increase in CD18 and CD54 expression on neutrophils caused by rGM-CSF stimulation was partially inhibited by theophylline. These data demonstrated that CD54 and CD18 interaction of eosinophils or neutrophils is involved in superoxide production and that the inhibition of superoxide production by theophylline may be at least partly due to the inhibition of CD54 and CD18.

7Li 2D CSI of human brain on a clinical scanner

Lithium salts have been widely used in the treatment of mood disorders, but the mechanism of action is still not clear. In this work, a methodology for two-dimensional Lithium-7 imaging on clinical systems is presented. The data were acquired using a phosphorus volume head coil that was re-tuned for the Lithium-7 frequency. A spectroscopic sequence was used to acquire the free induction decay (FID) after volume excitation using a hard pulse. The results obtained on the head of patients undergoing lithium treatment (n = 7, 0.6 mEq/l average serum level) demonstrate that images of adequate signal to noise ratio (100:1) can be obtained in acceptable imaging times (55 min) using the proposed methodology. The distribution of 7Li appears uniform in the brains of the patients studied.

Theophylline inhibits TNF-alpha-induced CD4 expression on human eosinophils and CD4+ eosinophil migration

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence regarding asthma suggests that CD4+ cells are preferentially recruited to sites of bronchial inflammation. Interleukin (IL)-16 has been reported as playing an important role in the accumulation of CD4+ cells. We have shown that the CD4 molecule is expressed on normal human eosinophils by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulation.

METHODS

We evaluated the effects of theophylline, KF19514 [a selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) IV inhibitor] and dexamethasone on CD4 expression on eosinophils and eosinophil migration in response to IL-16, a natural soluble ligand of the CD4 molecule.

RESULTS

The maximum eosinophil migration was observed when eosinophils were cultured with TNF-alpha at 10 ng/ml for 18 h and the concentration of IL-16 was 10 pg/ml. CD4+ eosinophil migration in response to IL-16 was mostly, if not fully, chemokinetic and this migration was significantly inhibited by Fab of anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody. Theophylline (10(-4)-10(-3) M), KF19514 (10(-7)-10(-6) M) and dexamethasone (10(-8)- 10(-6) M) significantly inhibited CD4 expression on eosinophils induced by TNF-alpha. Theophylline (10(-3) M) and KF19514 (10(-6) M) inhibited CD4+ eosinophil migratory responses induced by IL-16, but 10(-6) M dexamethasone did not. Theophylline and KF19514 augmented the intracellular adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) concentration in eosinophils, suggesting modulation by cAMP of CD4 expression and eosinophil migration.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that TNF-alpha-induced CD4+ eosinophils may contribute to eosinophil migratory responses induced by IL-16. Theophylline and selective PDE IV inhibitor may prevent airway inflammation by downregulating CD4 expression on eosinophils and inhibiting eosinophil migration through CD4 and IL-16 interaction.

Mechanism of hypergammaglobulinemia by HIV infection: circulating memory B-cell reduction with plasmacytosis

The mechanism of hypergammaglobulinemia in patients infected with HIV has remained unclear in spite of the identification of a reduction of CD4+ T cells. The amounts of CD27+ memory B cells were remarkably reduced in the peripheral blood and immunoglobulin (Ig) production was diminished in HIV-infected patients. Some of the freshly isolated patients' T cells expressed the CD70 (CD27 ligand) on the surface and the CD70 expression on both of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was greatly enhanced by various stimuli. It was also striking that plasmacytosis was observed in patients' bone marrow. Thus, our findings suggest that CD70 expressed spontaneously or by activation on T cells of HIV-infected patients stimulates memory B cells via CD27 and promotes their differentiation into plasma cells, resulting in the elevation of serum Ig levels and the elimination of circulating memory B cells in HIV-infected patients.

Age-related reduction of extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptor measured by PET

Although the aging effect of dopamine D2 receptor in the striatum is well-documented, the effect of age on the extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptor has not been fully examined. Since the density of extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptor is very low, suitable ligands are limited. In this study, we used [11C]FLB 457 to quantify the extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptor in the living human brain. Twenty-seven healthy male subjects aged from 21 to 82 years participated in the positron emission tomography study. Extrastriatal [11C]FLB 457 binding was quantified with a reference tissue model using cerebellum as a reference region. Binding potentials corresponding to Bmax/Kd were used to evaluate age-related change. We found age-related decreases of D2 receptor binding in all measured extrastriatal regions. The decrease of D2 receptor binding was 13.8% per decade in frontal cortex, 12.0% in temporal cortex, 13.4% in parietal cortex, 12.4% in occipital cortex, 12.2% in hippocampus, and 4.8% in thalamus. These findings suggest that the amounts of D2 receptor declines in all brain regions as part of the normal aging process.

[Receptor occupancy and antipsychotic drug action measured by PET and SPECT]

Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies have demonstrated consistent findings of high dopamine D2 receptor occupancy (> 65-70%) in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Further, the risk of extrapyramidal side effects has been shown high in patients with occupancy above 80%. On the basis of these findings, an optimal interval for D2 receptor occupancy between 70% and 80% has been suggested. It has also been shown that several atypical antipsychotics induce marked occupancy of central 5-HT2 and D2 receptors in vivo. However, a low D2 occupancy has been observed in patients with clinical dose of clozapine or quetiapine. The antipsychotic effect of these atypical drugs with a low D2 receptor occupancy has been widely discussed with respect to actions on other receptor systems, limbic selectivity of antipsychotic action and episodic transient occupancy. The recent advances in PET/SPECT and developments of new radioligands have made it possible to evaluate antipsychotic drug actions directly in humans. The empirical data from occupancy measurements will enable us to open future directions of investigation of antipsychotic action and improvement of antipsychotic treatment.