Effects of gelsolin on human platelet cytosolic phosphoinositide-phospholipase C isozymes

The effective resolution of human platelet cytosolic phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PLC) revealed five distinct activity peaks by Q-Sepharose and heparin-Sepharose column chromatographies when assayed using phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). The results of Western blotting analysis with various antibodies against PLC isozymes showed that peak-Ia (PLC-delta type), peak-Ib (PLC-gamma 1 type), and peak-IIc (PLC-beta type) and two unidentified activity peaks (PLC-IIa and PLC-IIb) were present in human platelet cytosol. A protein with guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate-binding activity was coeluted with the PLC-IIa and was purified to homogeneity. It exhibited 86- and 42-kDa polypeptide bands upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which were identified as gelsolin and actin by immunostaining, respectively. Large amounts of gelsolin/actin (1:1) complex "gelsolin complex" were detected in the PLC-delta and PLC-gamma 1 fractions. The PLC-gamma 1 and the gelsolin complex were co-immunoprecipitated by the antibody raised against PLC-gamma 1. Furthermore, the partially purified bovine brain PLC-gamma 1 fraction also was found to be associated with the gelsolin complex and the association was released by the addition of 1% sodium cholate. This finding has prompted us to examine effects of the gelsolin complex and the free gelsolin on activities of the above PLC isoforms from platelet cytosol. The gelsolin complex did not affect the PIP2 hydrolyzing activities of all PLC isoforms. In contrast, the purified gelsolin inhibited distinctly PIP2 hydrolyses by PLC-Ia (delta), PLC-Ib (gamma 1), and PLC-IIa (unidentified), whereas the inhibitory effects for PLC-IIb (unidentified) and PLC-IIc (beta) were moderate. The inhibitory effect of gelsolin on PIP2-hydrolysis by PLC-gamma 1 was diminished by a large amount of PIP2 substrate. These results suggested that the inhibition of PLC by gelsolin is due to sequestration of substrate PIP2 by its competitive binding.

[Nicotine-induced ambulatory stimulant effect and its reverse tolerance]

Nicotine-induced ambulatory stimulant effect and its reverse tolerance produced by daily administration of nicotine in rats were investigated. Nicotine (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, sc) increased the ambulatory activity, which was enhanced by the daily administration of nicotine. Although total ambulatory activity and drinking behavior during 20 h (from 13:00 to 9:00) following daily administration of nicotine (1.0 mg/kg, sc) for 7 successive days decreased, these behaviors returned to the control levels after the nicotine-treatment period. Moreover the periods (tau s) of the ambulatory activity and drinking were not changed by daily injections of nicotine (1.0 mg/kg, sc) for 6 successive days. The enhancement of the ambulatory stimulant effect produced by daily injections of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg) was antagonized by mecamylamine (0.2 mg/kg) and haloperidol (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg), which were subcutaneously administered at 20 min before injections of nicotine. These results suggest that the enhancement of nicotine-induced ambulatory stimulant effect by the daily administration of nicotine is concerned with central dopaminergic stimulation through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the rat brain.

Comparison of in vitro anticancer chemosensitivity between human squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma

The chemosensitivities of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues from the head and neck area were compared to findings of adenocarcinoma, mainly from digestive organs. The sensitivity of each tissue was determined using the in vitro succinate dehydrogenase (SD) inhibition test, which shares a common principle with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Tumor tissues were obtained at surgery or biopsy. Anticancer drugs tested were carboquone, Adriamycin, mitomycin C, cisplatin (CDDP), aclacinomycin A, 5-fluorouracil and 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil with 10 times the peak plasma concentration, respectively. The means +/- standard deviations of SD activities in SCC tissues were significantly lower than those in adenocarcinoma tissues (p less than 0.001), and the sensitivity rates of SD activity in SCC tissues had a higher value than those in adenocarcinoma tissues (p less than 0.05), against each drug. Our study showed that CDDP-based combination regimens might be effective for SCC tissues. The chemosensitivity of each excised tissue should be tested, in order to prescribe sensitive, effective drugs for each patient.

Candida antigen detection by a latex agglutination test in candiduria patients

We evaluated a latex agglutination test commercially available in kit form for the identification of Candida pyelonephritis in candiduria patients. Tests were performed on sera from 11 patients with fever and candiduria plus other positive candidal sites (group A), 12 patients were fever and candiduria alone (group B), 17 afebrile patients with candiduria alone (group C), and 27 afebrile patients without documented candiduria or bacteriuria (group D). Positive antigenemia with a titer of 1:4 or greater was detected in 9 candiduria patients with fever: 7 (63.6%) in group A and 2 (16.7%) in group B. The incidence of group B, in which Candida pyelonephritis was strongly suspected, was significantly less than that of group A and did not significantly differ from that of groups C and D. These results suggest that this test has little value in the diagnosis of Candida pyelonephritis without disseminated candidiasis.

[Chemosensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas using subrenal capsule assay--comparative assay of 5-FU, FT, UFT, and HCFU and immunohistochemical study]

The chemosensitivity of 23 human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (9 pharyngeal, 5 laryngeal, 5 oral cavity, 2 maxillary sinus, 1 salivary gland, 1 cervical esophagus) were examined using subrenal capsule (SRC) assays against 5-FU, FT, UFT and HCFU. Assays adequate for evaluation were obtained in 19 of 23 cases and the averages of tumor size changes on day 6 were, 17.3% for control, -0.8% for 5-FU, 10.3% for FT, -10.4% for UFT and 2.4% for HCFU. Sensitivity rates for each drug were 26.3% for 5-FU, 6.3% for FT, 38.9% for UFT and 11.1% for HCFU. To evaluate the clinical utility of these anticancer drugs, we determined the therapeutic index (TI), the ratio between tumor chemosensitivity and changes in animal body weight as a criterion for toxicity. The mean values of TI were 0.891 for control, 0.989 for 5-FU, 0.944 for FT, 1.054 for UFT and 0.980 for HCFU. UFT showed a greater antineoplastic effect as compared to the other three agents. Immunohistochemical study of the transplanted tumors revealed a specific antigen staining pattern similar to that observed in the original human cancer tissues. Degeneration of tumor tissues in drug-treated animals was also confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Based on the results obtained from subrenal capsule assays, either by examining tumor size changes or evaluating TI, UFT proved to be the most effective of the 5-FU analogues against human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Nicotine-induced sensitization to ambulatory stimulant effect produced by daily administration into the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens in rats

Bilateral injections of nicotine (30 micrograms/side) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NACC) increased the ambulatory activity in rats. Moreover, daily injections of nicotine (10, 20 and 30 micrograms/side) into the VTA and the NACC for 6 successive days produced sensitization to the ambulatory stimulant effect of nicotine. Sensitization produced by daily injections of nicotine (20 micrograms/side) into both the sites was maintained for withdrawal periods of 10 days. Mecamylamine (2 mg/kg, i.p.), SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.) and spiperone (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) antagonized nicotine-induced sensitization to the ambulatory stimulant nicotine-induced sensitization to the ambulatory stimulant effect produced by daily injections into the VTA. These results suggest that nicotine-induced sensitization to the ambulatory stimulant effect involves the stimulation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the VTA and the NACC.

[End-stage chronic renal failure in patients treated by antireflux operation]

We report 3 patients progressed to end-stage chronic renal failure after antireflux surgery. Preoperatively, the 3 patients had proteinuria, probably due to reflux nephropathy. Surgical procedures used were Paquin's method in 1 patient and Politano-Leadbetter's method in 2. Rapid deterioration of renal function was observed from puberty in all patients. In addition, renal hypoplasia was suspected in 2 patients. We concluded that both reflux nephropathy and renal hypoplasia played important roles in the progression of renal insufficiency.

Congenital hydrocolpos combined with unilateral renal agenesis

Herein we report an infantile case of congenital hydrocolpos combined with left renal agenesis which presented with an abnormal mass protruding from the vaginal introitus. The diagnosis was made shortly after birth by ultrasonography and confirmed by other radiologic diagnostic methods. This case highlights the value of ultrasonography in diagnosing hydrocolpos and determining the coexistence of renal anomalies.

Giant hydroureteronephrosis associated with primary obstructed megaureter

The case is presented of a four year old boy with a large left abdominal mass. The patient was diagnosed as having a left giant hydroureteronephrosis due to a primary obstructed megaureter, based on the findings of ultrasonography, micturating cystourethrography, excretion urography, computed tomography and percutaneous antegrade pyeloureterography. Diuretic renography showed that the obstruction was partial. Since a static renal scintigram indicated that renal function on the affected side was moderately well preserved, ureteroplasty is planned.

Survey of immunosuppressive acidic protein and other immunological parameters in head and neck cancer patients

Serum levels of immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and other immunological parameters were examined in 95 head and neck cancer patients and 27 control patients. The mean values of IAP in patients in the advanced stage were significantly higher than in early stage patients. Statistically significant increases in the mean concentration of IAP were also observed in patients with a recurrence, as compared to findings in those in the advanced stages. The mean values of blastogenesis response to PHA and NK cell activity in the cancer patients were lower than in disease free individuals, but with no statistical differences. In the endstage patients, the IAP concentration was considerably elevated and the blastogenesis response showed a statistically significant decrease. Thus, the monitoring of serum IAP, in combination with other immunological parameters, aids in planning and assessing clinical staging in head and neck cancer patients.

Effects of persistent perilymph fistula on the inner ear

To study the effects of a persistent perilymph fistula on the cochlea, a small cannula was inserted into the scala tympani of the basal turn of cochlea in guinea pigs. A month later, cochlear morphology and blood flow were studied using either histological evaluation or the microsphere surface preparation technique. Some animals showed no cochlear morphologic changes or no cochlear blood-flow reduction, even if tubal patency was maintained and perilymph leakage lasted for 1 month. This suggests that a prolonged perilymph fistula, per se, causes no permanent cochlear damage. However, in some animals, hair cell damage and cochlear blood-flow disorders were observed. These observations and the causes of hearing loss in clinical cases of perilymph fistula were studied.

Role of protein kinase C in catecholamine secretion from digitonin-permeabilized bovine adrenal medullary cells

The effects of staurosporine and K-252a, potent inhibitors of protein kinases, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on catecholamine secretion and protein phosphorylation in digitonin-permeabilized bovine adrenal medullary cells were investigated. Staurosporine and K-252a (0.01-10 microM) did not cause large changes in catecholamine secretion evoked by Ca2+ in digitonin-permeabilized cells whereas these compounds strongly prevented TPA-induced enhancement of catecholamine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation of digitonin-permeabilized cells with [gamma-32P]ATP resulted in 32Pi incorporation into a large number of proteins, detected as several major bands and darkened background in autoradiograms. Ca2+ and TPA increased phosphorylation of these proteins. Staurosporine and K-252a markedly inhibited Ca(2+)-induced and TPA-induced increases in protein phosphorylation as well as basal (0 Ca2+) protein phosphorylation in digitonin-permeabilized cells. Long term treatment (24 h) of adrenal medullary cells with 1 microM TPA markedly decreased total cellular protein kinase C activity to about 5.3% of control. Pretreatment of the cells with 1 microM TPA strongly inhibited the TPA-induced enhancement of catecholamine secretion whereas it did not cause large changes in total cellular catecholamine amounts, Ca(2+)-induced catecholamine secretion, and cAMP-induced enhancement of catecholamine secretion from digitonin-permeabilized cells. From these results we conclude that protein kinase C plays a modulatory role in catecholamine secretion rather than being essential for initiating catecholamine secretion.

Induction of cytosolic free calcium elevation in rat vascular smooth-muscle cells by cerebrospinal fluid from patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on cytosolic free calcium in cultured rat vascular smooth-muscle cells using the fluorescent intracellular calcium indicator fura-2/AM. Samples of CSF were collected from 12 patients (seven with and five without vasospasm) on Days 2, 6, 11, and 16 after SAH. Control CSF samples were obtained from five patients 6 to 9 months after they had undergone successful aneurysm surgery following an SAH. All CSF samples in both the non-vasospasm and vasospasm groups, regardless of the day of sampling after the SAH, induced significantly higher transient intracellular calcium elevations when compared to levels induced by control CSF. Furthermore, the addition of 2 mM ethyleneglycol-bis (beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) caused a slight reduction in the peak height in the CSF-induced intracellular calcium rise which declined more rapidly to basal levels than those studied without EGTA. In the non-vasospasm group, the intracellular calcium concentration remained stable after SAH throughout the study period. In contrast, in the vasospasm group, this concentration was highest on Day 2 post-SAH, but sharply decreased on Day 6 and rose again on Day 11. This result correlated with the clinical signs of vasospasm in these patients. These findings indicated that the intracellular calcium elevations induced by CSF obtained after SAH were due to the combination of the influx of extracellular calcium and the mobilization of intracellular calcium from storage sites. The changes in intracellular calcium concentrations in vascular smooth-muscle cells induced by CSF obtained from patients on successive days following SAH suggest that the substances that induce this repeat calcium elevation on Day 11 post-SAH may be the key spasmogens for vasospasm after SAH.

Adverse effect of chronic tonsillitis on clinical course of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis resolves spontaneously in many cases on a long-term basis. However, there are many cases whose resolution is delayed. We have experienced a frequent association of chronic tonsillitis (CTL), and dental caries in those patients of persistent course. We hypothesized that the presence of chronic or recurrent inflammatory foci in the upper airway may adversely affect the natural resolution of sarcoidosis. We analyzed the difference of regression of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy on chest roentgenogram (CXR) in relation to changes in serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) in sarcoidosis patients with and without CTL, and the effect of tonsillectomy (TLT) on the clinical course. In this study, we focused only on the tonsil for the sake of simplicity of analysis. Sarcoidosis resolved spontaneously in 10 of 28 (36%) patients with CTL and in 19 of 25 (76%) without CTL, and after TLT 9 cases became favorable in the course and the rate of unfavorable turned similar to those without CTL. The presence of CTL may be adversely related to the resolution of sarcoidosis.

[Spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula; analysis of 16 cases]

We have encountered 16 cases with spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. According to the classification reported by Barrow, one case was type A; direct shunt between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus (CS), 5 were type B; dural shunt between meningeal branches of the ICA and the CS, 6 were type C; dural shunt between meningeal branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) and the CS, and 4 were type D; dural shunt between meningeal branches of both ICA and ECA and CA. Of all cases, 8 patients with low-flow fistula treated conservatively improved spontaneously. Three patients were treated with irradiation. Consequently, good results were obtained in 2 cases, but no improvement could be obtained in the remaining one with high flow fistula. Another four patients were treated with intravascular embolization via the ECA, and their symptoms improved. But one patient treated with Ivalon embolization died because of complicated pulmonary embolism. As spontaneous CCF had a high rate of spontaneous regression of symptoms, conservative treatment such as Matas maneuver or irradiation should be recommended at first for low flow cases in type B, C, and D. Surgical therapy such as intravascular embolization should be carried out for high-flow cases in type C and D.

Human herpesvirus-6 infection in bone marrow transplantation

Twenty-five pediatric patients who received bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were studied prospectively to determine the relationship between BMT and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection by the virus isolation from peripheral blood and/or bone marrow and by determining neutralizing antibodies to HHV-6 during the 2 months following BMT. All of the 25 donors and the recipients were immune to HHV-6 at the time of BMT and the virus was not isolated from them. HHV-6 was isolated from peripheral blood and/or bone marrow mononuclear cells in ten (40%) of the 25 recipients between day 14 and day 22 of BMT, but not from any other day. Two additional recipients showed a significant increase in the antibody titer. Thus, infection with HHV-6 was confirmed in 12 (48%) of the 25 recipients. Four of the 12 developed skin rashes; three of these four had a febrile episode when the virus was isolated, whereas none of the remaining 13 developed the skin rash. These results suggest a frequent infection with HHV-6 only a few weeks after BMT and a close association between the infection with the virus and the development of skin rashes.

Immunohistopathology of variations of human olfactory mucosa

The characteristics of the human olfactory mucosa were studied immunohistologically. Regular, zonal distribution of the supporting cells, multilayered olfactory receptor cells and basal cells was commonly found in the olfactory mucosa of the human fetus. In contrast, most of the olfactory mucosa in the adult varied to some extent. In the relatively thick, slightly degenerated olfactory mucosa, olfactory marker protein positive receptor cells were arranged irregularly. The most common evidence for variation was the decrease or disappearance of the olfactory receptor cells. Serous-type lactorferrin-containing glandular acini were characteristically found beneath degenerated epithelium. Islands of respiratory epithelium were also seen. The ductules of the Bowman's glands were distended and the openings of these ductules were wide. There was invagination or epithelial cell processes into the glandular lumina. These findings suggest that the epithelial cells of Bowman's glands play an important role in the regeneration of the human olfactory mucosa.

Immune cytokines and regulation of body temperature, food intake and cellular immunity

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interferon alpha (IFN alpha), cytokines originally detected in immunological cells, now have been shown to produce nonimmunological host defense responses of central and peripheral origins. These cytokines are released from glial cells in the brain in pathological states. Local application of IL-1 beta and IFN alpha to thermosensitive neurons in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamus and glucose responsive neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus in vivo and in vitro, altered the activity in appropriate ways to explain the cytokines-induced fever and anorexia, respectively. The responses to IL-1 beta, but not to IFN alpha, were blocked by sodium salicylate, suggesting the involvement of synthesis of prostaglandins. alpha MSH, an endogenous antipyretic and a possible antagonist of IL-1 beta at lymphocytes, specifically depressed the responses to IL-1 beta, but not those to IFN alpha. In contrast, the action of IFN alpha was reversibly blocked by naloxone, suggesting the opioid receptor mediation. Intracerebral injection of IFN alpha and beta-endorphin in the rat and mouse resulted in the suppression of cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in the spleen by activation of brain opioid receptor, which was shown to be mediated predominantly by splenic sympathetic nerves. The results suggest a view that immune cytokines may provide afferent links for the regulatory circuits between the brain and the immune system.

Synthesis and antifungal activities of a series of (1,2-disubstituted vinyl)imidazoles

A series of vinylimidazoles containing a hetero atom such as sulfur or oxygen at a beta-position of the vinyl group was prepared and the antifungal activities were tested. It was found that sulfur-substituted derivatives such as (E)-1-[2-(methylthio)-1-[2-(pentyloxy)phenyl]ethenyl]-1H-imidazole (5a-5) and (E)-1-[1-[2-(hexyloxy)phenyl]-2-(methylthio)ethenyl]-1H-imidazole (5a-6) showed excellent antifungal activities against dermatophytes and yeast cells. The stereochemistry of the hydrochloride salt of 5a-5 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure-activity relationships were discussed.

Evaluation of lumbar bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry

Using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), the lumbar spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in 49 Japanese children with or without metabolic bone disease (MBD) was determined. The following results were obtained: (a) The normal data for healthy Caucasians (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1990; 70: 1330-1333) appear to be applicable to Japanese children; (b) BMD was normal in patients with congenital hydronephrosis with normal renal function; (c) One patient with congenital renal failure and one with Lowe syndrome had low BMD, but the MBD in the former improved markedly with peritoneal dialysis; (d) A reduced BMD was found in patients treated with long-term steroids, probably because of decreased turnover of bone; (e) A reduction in BMD was pronounced in preterm infants during the first few months of life. In conclusion, DEXA is a useful method of bone densitometry in MBD in children.

Tumor necrosis factor-beta specifically inhibits the activity of preoptic warm-sensitive neurons in tissue slices

Effects of human tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta) were studied on the single neural activities of the preoptic thermosensitive and thermally insensitive neurons in tissue slices of rats. Physiological doses (0.7-40 ng/ml) of TNF-beta decreased the firing rate in most of the warm-sensitive neurons, but showed no marked tendency in the response patterns of thermally insensitive neurons. The actions of TNF-beta on warm-sensitive neurons were blocked by concurrent application of sodium salicylate. The results suggest that the intracranial TNF may produce fever through local production of prostaglandins.

Severity of human herpesvirus-6 viremia and clinical findings in infants with exanthem subitum

The degree of viremia with human herpesvirus-6 was evaluated in 176 blood samples from 89 infants with exanthem subitum and viremia, and compared with the severity of clinical features and complications of the disease. Fever persisted for 3 to 4 days in 73% of infants and for more than 5 days in 22%, followed by a rubella- or measles-like rash. The viremia was observed between the first day of fever (day 0) and day 4 of the disease. The number of infected cells per 10 million mononuclear cells was 3.45 +/- 1.00 (log10, mean +/- SD) on days 0 to 2, 3.30 +/- 1.14 on day 3, and 3.09 +/- 2.05 on day 4 of the disease. The number of infected cells on days 3 to 4 in infants with a febrile period longer than 4 days and free virus in plasma was significantly greater than that in infants with a febrile period of less than 3 days and without free virus in plasma. The amount of virus in blood on days 0 to 2 did not relate to the duration of fever, and that on days 0 to 4 did not relate to the presence or absence of diarrhea, bulging fontanelle, or bronchopneumonia. These findings suggest that the magnitude of the virus replication in infants with exanthem subitum is reflected in the severity of the disease.

Bacteremia from transurethral prostatic resection under prophylactic use of antibiotics

We studied the incidence of the postoperative bacteremia developing in 44 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate under prophylactic use of antibiotics. In 15 of the patients, postoperative endotoxinemia was also investigated. Postoperative bacteremia was found in 10 (22.7%) of the patients, in only one of whom septicemia developed. The incidence of bacteremia was not influenced by the kind of antimicrobial agent administered prophylactically, but was significantly higher in the patients with preoperative urinary tract infection or prostatitis on histological examination of resected prostatic tissue (p less than 0.01). Concerning species isolated from the blood, gram-positive cocci were isolated more frequently than gram-negative bacteria, and Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common species. In 7 (70%) of the bacteremia patients an identical species was isolated from preoperative urine cultures. In the patients with bacteremia, significant increases in white blood cell count and maximal body temperature were found within 3 hours after the procedure as compared to before the procedure. To lower the postoperative bacteremic rate, appropriate and adequate antimicrobial agents must be used preoperatively in patients with infection of the genitourinary tract. As to blood endotoxin, the endotoxin levels in the patients with postoperative fever did not significantly differ from those of the patients without this complication.