Serum lipoprotein lipid concentration and composition in homozygous and heterozygous patients with cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency

Six homozygous, 10 heterozygous and 8 unaffected subjects in a CETP deficient family confirmed by CETP gene analysis were studied to characterize serum lipoproteins separated by ultracentrifugation, and to examine the relations between CETP levels and lipoprotein lipid concentration and composition. The serum CETP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay using 125I-labeled monoclonal antibodies (TP2). The serum CETP levels in the homozygotes were undetectable and those in the heterozygotes were significantly lower than those in the unaffected subjects (1.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.5 microgram/ml, P less than 0.01). In the HDL fraction, esterified cholesterol (EC) levels in the homozygotes were significantly increased (P less than 0.01), and those in the heterozygotes were slightly increased (n.s.), in comparison with those in the unaffected and the normolipidemic controls. The EC levels in the IDL fractions were lower in the homozygotes than in the normolipidemic controls. The EC/triglyceride (TG) molar ratios in IDL, the fraction obtained from the homo- and heterozygotes, were lower than those from the unaffected subjects (P less than 0.01 and less than 0.01, respectively), and the EC/TG ratios in the HDL fraction obtained from the homo- and heterozygotes were higher than those from the unaffected subjects (P less than 0.01 and n.s., respectively). Linear regression analysis showed that positive correlates of the serum CETP levels in all subjects were: IDL-EC (r = 0.463), HDL-TG (r = 0.603) and VLDL- and IDL-EC/TG ratio (r = 0.698 and 0.843).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Complex partial status epilepticus provoked by ingestion of alcohol: a case report

A 27-year-old man had a 5-year history of a peculiar state characterized by clouded consciousness provoked by ingestion of alcohol. The episode was identified electroclinically as nonconvulsive status epilepticus and was activated by ingestion of alcohol. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) examination during the nonconvulsive status epilepticus showed increased regional cerebral perfusion in the right frontal region. This finding, along with the EEG expressions, supports a cortical origin of the nonconvulsive status epilepticus and a diagnosis of complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a documented case of CPSE during intoxication provoked by alcohol ingestion and also of a SPECT examination during CPSE.

[Auditory brain stem response in patients with consciousness disturbance]

To investigate the prognosis for patients with consciousness disturbance, we recorded auditory brain stem response (ABR) in 35 patients with primary or secondary brain damage. For patients with secondary brain damage, the first ABR recorded after admission could be used not only to differentiate consciousness level but also to predict prognosis. However, for the patients with primary brain damage, the first ABR could not be used for either differentiating consciousness level or predicting prognosis. In addition, in two patients with secondary brain damage, the series of ABR recordings indicated that brain stem damage was reversible.

Effect of linoleic acid hydroperoxide on replication of adenovirus DNA in endothelial cells of bovine aorta

The effect of linoleic acid hydroperoxide on replication of adenovirus type 2 DNA in cultured endothelial cells of bovine aorta was studied to elucidate the deleterious effect of lipid peroxides on replication of DNA in the arterial endothelial cells. When, just after the infection, the cells were incubated with 1 nmol (measured by the thiobarbituric acid reaction and expressed in terms of malondialdehyde) of the hydroperoxide, the replication of adenovirus type 2 DNA was markedly reduced. The level of the messenger RNA for adenovirus type 2 DNA polymerase was also reduced. In accordance with the reduction of the messenger RNA, the synthesis of the polymerase in the cells was reduced. The inhibition of DNA replication in the arterial endothelial cells by lipid peroxides was discussed in relation to atherogenesis.

In vitro reappraisal of the pulmonary artery catheter balloon volume-pressure relationship: comparison of four different catheters

The most serious risk of the use of the flow-directed pulmonary artery (PA) catheter is PA rupture due to high balloon inflation pressure of the catheter. Previously reported measurements of PA catheter intra-balloon pressure and volume during balloon inflation were performed mostly in a static fashion, that is, measurements were performed after a certain volume of air had been injected into the balloon. In this study, simultaneous measurements of pressure and volume, in addition to a static study, were performed in vitro using four PA catheters (Abbott Opticath, Arrow Hands-Off, Baxter Edwards and Spectramed). The peak intra-balloon pressure was recorded immediately before loss of resistance was felt in the inflating syringe. Contrary to previously reported studies, the peak intra-balloon pressure was not the pressure exerted on the pulmonary artery wall unless the tip of the catheter was already in the peripheral pulmonary artery. The loss of resistance volume which was constant for each catheter could be used reliably as an indicator of instantaneous balloon inflation. The slower the rate of injection, the lower were the peak pressure and the injection volume at the peak pressure. The Abbott, Edwards and Spectramed catheters had similar characteristics of inflation volume and intra-balloon pressure. The Arrow catheter had higher balloon opening and plateau pressures, and a smaller balloon volume compared with the other three catheters.

Limited value of delayed radiothallium image in the diagnosis of nodular goiter

To test whether delayed thallium image can improve the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid tumor, we have reviewed 35 patients with cold nodules of proven histopathology. Early and delayed images were taken 10-20 min and 3-4 hr postinjection, respectively. In this study, a thyroid nodule was interpreted as malignant if it had normal or increased uptake on early scan and more residual radioactivity than paranodular tissue on delayed scan. In the eighteen patients who had carcinoma, a disappointing 44% false negative rate was observed. No significant difference was seen between retention-positive and negative cases in tumor size or histological type of cancer. Nor could any demographic bias explain the low sensitivity. Of the six false negatives, macroscopic cystic degeneration was seen in two cases, but tumors in the other four were grossly solid. Considering the histological heterogeneity often seen within a thyroid tumor, the portion with increased retention of radiothallium may be too small to be detected in the false negative cases. Furthermore, 3 false positive readings were obtained in 17 patients with benign conditions. We conclude that the contribution of the delayed thallium image was quite limited in predicting or ruling out malignancy in nodular goiters.

Expression in monkey cells of the missing enzyme in L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis, L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase

L-Gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase (GLO), an enzyme that is missing in scurvy-prone animals, was produced in COS-1 cells by transfection with a minigene constructed from pSVL vector and rat GLO cDNA. A functional GLO protein was expressed, which was indistinguishable from rat GLO in molecular size. The microsomes obtained from the transfected COS-1 cells showed GLO activity comparable to that in rat liver microsomes.

Epilepsy associated with hemiplegia: 1. Seizure manifestations

1. The seizure manifestations of patients with hemiplegia were reminiscent of partial seizures. The motor manifestations were notably asymmetrical and impairment of consciousness was mild. Nevertheless, tonic seizures, identified by electroclinical correlation were found in 49 patients (88%) although they were predominantly unilateral or asymmetrical. 2. Unclassified seizures characterized by ictal automatisms, which mimic complex partial seizures was observed in 5 patients (9%). 3. Late epileptic seizures of the HHE syndrome were regarded as psychomotor seizures by Gastaut et al. In the present study, however, complex partial seizures were found in only 3 at 28 patients with HHE syndrome (11%) whereas tonic seizures in 23 of these patients (82%). One possible reason for this discrepancy is bias in the selected patient population, because those with transient hemiplegia were not included, and infrequently occurring partial seizures might have been missed. Further study is therefore needed to determine whether the HHE syndrome is associated with complex partial seizures or predominantly unilateral tonic seizures.

Structurally different rat liver medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenases directed by complementary DNAs differing in their 5'-region

Different forms of rat liver medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) (EC 1.3.99.3) were produced in Escherichia coli carrying expression plasmids (pRMCADm-1 approximately 9) differing at the 5'-region of the cDNA. The proteins expressed could be readily extracted from the cells. The protein (approximately 44 kDa) directed by pRMCADm-3 showed the highest activity and was readily purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme contained non-covalently bound FAD and was similar to rat liver mitochondrial enzyme in all respects examined. The purified protein (approximately 45 kDa) directed by pRMCADm-1 did not contain FAD and showed no enzymatic activity. Therefore, the leader peptide disturbs the binding of FAD to the apoprotein. The purified protein (approximately 40 kDa) directed by pRMCADm-6 did not contain FAD. Thus, the deletion of the NH2-terminal portion of the apoprotein to some extent results in its inability to combine with FAD.

Monoclonal antibodies toward scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) testis and wheat germ calmodulins

A monoclonal antibody (IM7) toward scallop testis calmodulin and another one (PBE2) toward wheat germ calmodulin were produced. Ca2+ was required for IM7 to react with scallop calmodulin. IM7 reacted with the C-terminal region (Asp78-Lys148) of the calmodulin. As observed on competitive ELISA, IM7 reacted with chicken calmodulin, but not with Euglena gracilis or wheat calmodulin, troponin C, myosin light chains, or parvalbumin. It is assumed that the cluster of Thr143, Thr146, and Ser147 in the C-terminal region acts as the antigenic site. IM7 (and Fab of IM7) inhibited the activities of myosin light chain kinase and cAMP-phosphodiesterase. PBE2 reacted with wheat germ calmodulin irrespective of the presence or absence of Ca2+, the antigenic site being in the N-terminal region (Ala1-Met37). It reacted with wheat and spinach calmodulins, but not with scallop, chicken, or Euglena calmodulin, troponin C, myosin light chains, or parvalbumin. PBE2 had no effect on the activities of myosin light chain kinase and cAMP-phosphodiesterase.

1H NMR study on amide proton exchange of calmodulin-mastoparan complex

Amide proton exchange rates of Ca2(+)-saturated calmodulin and Ca2(+)-saturated calmodulin-mastoparan complex were studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Exchange rates of Gly25, Gly61, Gly98, Gly134, Ile27, Ile100, and Asn137 were determined for Ca2(+)-saturated calmodulin and for Ca2(+)-saturated calmodulin-mastoparan complex, and were found to be less than 10(-4)s-1. All these residues of which the amide proton resonances appear at lower fields were considered to form hydrogen bonds, based on the results of X-ray analysis. Exchange rates of Ile27 and Asn137 became an order of magnitude smaller when mastoparan bound to Ca2(+)-saturated calmodulin, while those of the four glycines and Ile100 did not change appreciably. The reduction in accessibility of Asn137 to water cased by mastoparan binding suggests that a part of the mastoparan binding site is probably located in or near the hydrophobic cluster of the C-terminal-half domain. The reduction in accessibility of Ile27 also suggests that another part of the mastoparan binding site is located in or near the hydrophobic cleft of the N-terminal-half domain.

[Three cases of subacute panencephalitis showing asterexis-like movements]

We reported 3 cases with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) showing recurrent and involuntary motor phenomena. Their electroclinical correlates were analyzed using CCTV-EEG. Clinically, they slanted their trunks and/or heads, and dropped their upper limbs momentarily only when their antigravity muscles were suitably contracting (sitting, standing, or stretching out their arms). Electrographically, the motor phenomena corresponded with the occurrence of periodic synchronous discharges (PSD) (in one-to-one manner). EMG potentials associated with the muscle contraction subsided at the very moment. These motor phenomena observed in patients with SSPE were discussed in relation to asterexis.

A site-directed mutagenesis study of yeast calmodulin

A site-directed mutagenesis study was carried out in order to understand the regulatory mechanism of calmodulin. We started from the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) calmodulin gene since it has many differences in amino acid sequence and inferior functional properties compared with the vertebrate calmodulin. Recombinant yeast calmodulins were generated in Escherichia coli transformed by constructed expression plasmids. Three recombinant calmodulins were obtained. The first two were YCM61G, in which the Ca2(+)-binding site 2 (the four Ca2(+)-binding EF-hand structures in calmodulin were numbered from the N-terminus) was converted to the same as that in vertebrate calmodulin, and YCM delta 132-148, in which the C-terminal half sequence of site 4 was deleted. These two recombinant calmodulins had the same maximum Ca2+ binding (3 mol/mol) as yeast calmodulin, which indicates that site 4 of yeast calmodulin was the one losing Ca2+ binding capacity. YCM delta 132-148 could not activate target enzymes, whereas its Ca2+ binding profile was similar to those of yeast calmodulin and YCM61G. Therefore, the structure in site 4 which cannot bind Ca2+ is indispensable for the regulatory function of yeast calmodulin. The complete regulatory function of vertebrate calmodulin can be attained by the combination of 4 Ca2+ binding structures. The negative charge cluster in the central alpha-helix region is suggested to stabilize the active conformation of calmodulin, since the third yeast calmodulin mutant, YCM83E, which had the negative charge cluster, increased the maximum activation of myosin light chain kinase.

Growth inhibition of glioma cells transfected with the human beta-interferon gene by liposomes coupled with a monoclonal antibody

A human beta-interferon (HuIFN-beta) gene inserted into a eukaryotic expression vector (pSV2IFN-beta) was entrapped in liposomes having positive charges on their surface. Liposome-mediated transfection of the gene into cultured glioma cells (U251-MG) resulted in the secretion of HuIFN-beta into the medium. The HuIFN-beta level in the culture medium of glioma cells reached 24 +/- 8 (mean +/- SD) IU/ml after 96 h of incubation, at which level the growth inhibitory effect on the cells was found to be greater than 40 times as compared with exogenously added HuIFN-beta. When the plasmid-containing liposomes were coupled with a monoclonal antibody (G-22 MCA) against glioma-associated antigen, the level of HuIFN-beta in the medium was 178 +/- 26 IU/ml, resulting in a 7-fold increase, and the growth inhibitory effect was further elevated. Since the addition of a monoclonal antibody against HuIFN-beta to the medium did not cause the cell growth to resume, the growth inhibitory effect on the cells seems to be ascribed to HuIFN-beta produced in the cells transfected with its gene. Accordingly, the specific delivery of the HuIFN-beta gene into glioma cells by the use of such liposomes might become a useful technique for gene therapy of malignant glioma.

Interactions between emotional stress due to fear and hypovolemic stimuli in the control of vasopressin secretion in rats

Interactions between emotional stress due to fear and hypovolemic stimuli on vasopressin secretion were studied in rats. Intraperitoneally injected dextran did not significantly change plasma osmolality and arterial blood pressure but increased blood hemoglobin and plasma vasopressin level. An i.v. infused physiological solution reversed these changes. Emotional stress due to fear acquired by learning suppressed plasma vasopressin level in dextran-injected rats. Emotional stress due to fear produced by low-frequency footshocks also suppressed the increased plasma vasopressin level. These results suggest that emotional stress due to fear interacts with afferent neural signals originating from cardio-vascular volume receptors in the control of vasopressin secretion.

Measurement of blood cyanide with a microdiffusion method and an ion-specific electrode

The use of a cyanide ion-specific electrode in combination with the Conway microdiffusion method was modified for the measurement of cyanide concentration in human red blood cells and plasma. With our modified method, the optimal pH of cyanide isolation from red blood cells and plasma was investigated. Cyanide recovery from red blood cells increased with decreasing pH. The maximal recovery of 96.9 +/- 2.6% was obtained at a pH of less than 1. Cyanide recovery from plasma, however, peaked at a pH between 7 and 8, and further changes in pH reduced the recovery rate. The maximal recovery rate from plasma was 74.1 +/- 1.5%. In previous studies, cyanide isolations from both plasma and red blood cells were carried out at a pH of less than 1. This study shows that cyanide isolation from plasma should be performed at a pH between 7 and 8.

Histone H1 kinase specific to the SPKK motif

A protein kinase phosphorylating sea urchin spermatogenous histones, H1 and H2B, was found in sea urchin egg homogenate and purified. The kinase is activated by cAMP and is composed of two different types of subunits with molecular masses 41 and 46 kDa. The kinase phosphorylates a peptide, Ser-Pro-Arg-Lys-Ser-Pro-Arg-Lys, which is a double repeat of the DNA-binding SPKK motif [Suzuki M., (1989) EMBO J. 8, 797-804]. We name this kinase SPkinase because it exclusively phosphorylates H1 and H2B, the only histones containing SPKK motifs. Phosphorylation of H1 by SPkinase decreases the DNA-binding ability of H1. This paper is the first to report purification of a kinase which affects the DNA-binding ability of a gene regulatory protein.

Differential effects of naloxone on neuroendocrine responses to fear-related emotional stress

The effects of an opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (NAL), were studied on the changes in pituitary hormone secretion induced by emotional stress. Male Wistar rats were trained with tone stimuli paired with electric footshocks and tested with the tone and environmental cue signals for emotional stress of fear acquired by learning as described previously (Onaka et al. 1988). Rats received s.c. injected NAL 30 min before testing at doses of 0, 0.2, 1.0, 5.0 and 25.0 mg/kg b.w. Half the rats were injected with 0.5 M NaCl (20 ml/kg b.w.) together with NAL. In these hypertonic rats plasma vasopressin level was slightly increased after NAL. The increment was statistically significant in control groups but not in experimental groups. However the suppression of vasopressin secretion by emotional stimuli was not changed by NAL. Plasma oxytocin levels were extremely high and not significantly different among experimental, unshocked control and untested control groups. NAL further increased the oxytocin level dose-dependently. NAL did not significantly change plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) levels and hence did not modify the augmentative response in ACTH secretion to emotional stimuli. Plasma prolactin level was significantly elevated after emotional stimuli and NAL depressed the prolactin level in each of experimental and control groups. After NAL, the magnitude of the facilitatory response in prolactin secretion to emotional stimuli was decreased. Motor activity and its suppressive response to emotional stimuli were not influenced by NAL. In another half of rats under a normal osmotic condition the vasopressin response to emotional stimuli was not affected by NAL. NAL further augmented potentiation of oxytocin secretion after emotional stimuli dose-dependently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)