Structural elucidation of N-liked sugar chains of storage glycoproteins in mature pea (Pisum sativum) seeds by ion-spray tandem mass spectrometry (IS-MS/MS)

The structures of N-linked sugar chains of the storage glycoproteins in mature pea seeds have been estimated. Nine pyridylaminated (PA-) N-linked sugar chains were derived and purified from the hydrazinolysate of the storage glycoproteins by reversed-phase HPLC and size-fractionation HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains purified were first identified by two-dimensional PA-sugar chain mapping, considering the data of sugar composition analysis or sequential exoglycosidase digestions. The deduced structures were further analyzed by IS-MS/MS analysis. Every relevant fragment ion derived from all PA-sugar chains could be assigned on the basis of deduced structures. The estimated nine structures fell into two categories; the first was a typical oligomannose type (Man8-3GlcNAc2; 77.7%) which can be hydrolyzed by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase PS [Y. Kimura et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 60, 228-232 (1996)], the second was a xylose-containing type (Man4-3Xyl1GlcNAc2, Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2; 22.3%). Among these structures, Man8GlcNAc2 (19.7%), Man6GlcNAc2 (24.7%), and Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (18.8%) were the dominant structures.

Structure and expression of two highly related genes encoding SCM-1/human lymphotactin

SCM-1/lymphotactin is a chemokine-like molecule produced selectively, if not exclusively, by activated CD8+ T cells. Here we report that there are two highly homologous SCM-1 genes, which we designate as SCM-1alpha and SCM-1beta. Both genes have three exons and two introns. The 1st intron of SCM-1alpha contains a pseudogene of the ribosomal large subunit L7a. In SCM-1beta, a 1.5-kb region including about a quarter of the L7a pseudogene is deleted from the 1st intron. Otherwise, the two genes are highly homologous including the 5' and 3' flanking regions. Both genes were mapped to human chromosome 1q23. The two genes were similarly induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by mitogenic stimulation. Primer extension and RNase protection revealed several transcription initiation sites. The biological activities of SCM-1alpha and SCM-1beta, which have two amino acid differences at positions 7 and 8 in the mature proteins, remain to be compared.

[Cancer screening with whole-body FDG PET]

We are using whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) for cancer screening. A total of 1,105 healthy subjects have undergone PET studies 1,138 times in fifteen months. Emission scans were performed from the pelvis to the maxilla 45 to 60 minutes after intravenous administration of 260 to 370 MBq 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG). Malignant tumors were detected with PET in nine patients (0.81%): 2 lung cancers, 2 colonic cancers, 1 breast cancer, 1 thyroid cancer, 1 gastric cancer, 1 renal cancer, and 1 lymphoma. Eight of these patients underwent surgery (excepting the lymphoma patient). Lymph node metastasis was not observed in any of the eight cases and surgery was curative. PET scan results were negative in the cases of three prostatic cancers, one bladder cancer, and two colonic mucosal cancers. High FDG accumulations were noticed in benign lesions such as sarcoidosis, chronic thyroiditis, pulmonary tuberculoma, Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland, and chronic sinusitis. In some cases, image artifacts caused by intense myocardial FDG accumulations resulted in incomplete examinations of the lung. Occasionally, high FDG accumulations were observed in the bowel. Our study results suggest the possibility of using whole-body PET for detecting wide varieties of cancers in resectable stages.

Mutagenicity of 24-hour duplicate of Japanese diet

In order to elucidate the genotoxicological characteristics of the Japanese diet, the mutagenicity of 24-h duplicate of the diet samples were investigated. The mutagenicity of blue rayon extract was examined in the Ames Salmonella/microsome assay. Thirty-two (91.4%) of 35 samples revealed mutagenicity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 in the presence of S9 mix. The mutagenic activities showed significant correlations with the consumption rates of broiled fish (r = 0.517, p = 0.0021) and broiled meat (r = 0.494, p = 0.0036). In other test conditions, 6 (17.1%), 5 (14.3%) and 8 (22.9%) samples were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA98 without S9 mix, TA100 with S9 mix and TA100 without S9 mix, respectively. Findings in the present study suggest that high consumption of broiled fish and broiled meat are important as the source of mutagens/carcinogens in the Japanese diet. In the present study, however, biological inference of these findings could not be made in relation to the occurrence of cancers, especially of the gastric cancer, which is the most prevalent form of cancer in Japan.

Identification of plexin family molecules in mice

By screening of E17.5 mouse brain cDNA libraries, we isolated two cDNAs encoding new plexin-like proteins. Sequencing revealed that these two proteins were type 1 membrane proteins which showed over 60% identity at the amino acid level to mouse plexin 1. Moreover, putative extracellular segments of these two proteins had three repeats of a cysteine-rich domain which is a common motif for plexin proteins. Thus, we named these two proteins mouse plexin 2 and mouse plexin 3. We obtained mouse plexin 3 cDNA clones in which a part of protein-coding region was deleted. Also, Northern blot analysis showed molecular heterogeneity in mouse plexin 2 mRNAs. These findings indicate that in the mouse, plexins comprise a molecular family (the plexin family).

Identification of a neuronal cell surface molecule, plexin, in mice

We searched for mouse homologues of the cell adhesion protein plexin which was originally found in Xenopus, and obtained a cDNA encoding a plexin-like protein. We referred to this protein as mouse plexin 1. The overall amino acid identity between mouse plexin 1 and Xenopus plexin was 84%. As in the Xenopus plexin, the extracellular segment of mouse plexin 1 protein possessed three cysteine-rich domains which showed significant homology with the cysteine-rich domain of the c-Met proto-oncogene protein product (c-Met protein) and Met-like receptor protein tyrosine kinases. Northern blot analysis indicated that mouse plexin 1 was predominantly expressed in the brain.

Laparoscopic partial hepatectomy and left lateral segmentectomy: technique and results of a clinical series

BACKGROUND

Technical difficulties have impeded the development of laparoscopic hepatectomy. This article describes a new technique for performing partial hepatectomy and left lateral segmentectomy by means of laparoscopy, and the results in a series of 11 consecutive patients are reported.

METHODS

A microwave tissue coagulator is used in combination with an ultrasonic surgical aspirator to divide hepatic parenchyma without pneumoperitoneum. Branched vessels and ducts are clipped and transected. The largest vessels were suture ligated in some cases. The endoscopic linear stapler was used to transect the left hepatic vein for left lateral segmentectomy. The resected liver was maneuvered into a specimen bag and removed. The argon beam coagulator was used to secure hemostasis of the plane of transection.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent laparoscopic hepatic resection. Indications included isolated metastatic lesion, hepatocellular carcinoma, hemangioma, Wilson's disease, and hemochromatosis. Three patients underwent left lateral segmentectomy, and eight underwent partial hepatectomy. Ten procedures were performed uneventfully; one patient required conversion to open hepatectomy because of excessive bleeding. Notable differences were seen in blood loss compared with open hepatectomy, and no operative complications occurred. Postoperative pain was minimal.

CONCLUSIONS

The laparoscopic hepatectomy, especially partial or left lateral segmentectomy, appears to be a viable surgical alternative in selected cases.

Effect of ginseng radix on GLUT2 protein content in mouse liver in normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice

The oral administration of the water extract of Ginseng Radix (GR) to normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice caused a significant decrease in the blood glucose level 4 h after its administration. The hepatic content of facilitative glucose transporter isoform 2, liver type glucose transporter (GLUT2) protein content from mouse liver significantly increased in the orally GR-treated normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice compared to that in the controls. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic activity of GR is presumably due, at least in part, to the increment of GLUT2 protein content.

Quantitative assessment of the efficacy of amorphous calcium phosphate/methacrylate composites in remineralizing caries-like lesions artificially produced in bovine enamel

Recent studies show that methacrylate-based composites with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) as a filler can release supersaturating levels of calcium and phosphate ions in proportions favorable for apatite formation. These findings suggest that such composites could be effectively used as coatings for remineralizing teeth damaged by tooth decay. To examine this hypothesis, we tested composites in vitro for their efficacy to remineralize artificially formed caries-like lesions in extracted bovine incisors. Single 120-microns-thick sagittal tooth sections were placed in holders that exposed only the carious enamel surface. The exposed surfaces were coated with a 1-mm- to 1.5-mm-thick layer of the composite containing, by mass, 40% apatite, silica, or P2O7(-4)-stabilized ACP and 60% photoactivated resin comprised of Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, HEMA, and ZrM. The photocured composite-coated sections were immersed either in a remineralizing solution for 4 weeks at 37 degrees C (static model) or cyclically immersed in demineralizing (0.5 h) and remineralizing solutions (11.5 h) for 2 weeks (dynamic model). Quantitative digital image analysis of matched 102 microns x 220 microns areas from contact microradiographs taken of the sections before and after immersion showed that lesions coated with ACP-filled composites fractionally recovered 71% +/- 33% of their lost mineral compared with 14% +/- 13% for apatite controls in the static model and 38% +/- 16% compared with -6% +/- 24% in the dynamic model. The results suggest that sealants based on ACP-filled methacrylate composites have the potential to remineralize carious enamel lesions.

Involvement of transforming growth factor beta1 in autocrine enhancement of gelatinase B secretion by murine metastatic colon carcinoma cells

We have reported previously that highly metastatic LuM1 cells derived from colon carcinoma colon 26 secrete larger amounts of gelatinase B than NM11 cells with poor metastatic potential, and that an increase in this gelatinase B secretion can be induced by autocrine factors (Hyup et A, Cancer Res., 54: 3611-3616, 1994). In the present study, a partial characterization was achieved by comparison of the autocrine factor preparation (fraction G) from serum-free medium conditioned with metastatic LuM1 cells with soluble factors known to stimulate gelatinase B secretion. Secretion of gelatinase B by LuM1 cells was augmented by tumor necrosis factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), interleukin 1beta, or epidermal growth factor, and specific neutralizing antibodies abolished the induced increases. Platelet-derived growth factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 had no effect on gelatinase B secretion by LuM1 cells. The enhancement of gelatinase B secretion by fraction G was partially inhibited by the antibody to TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 was detected in both active and latent forms in serum-free medium conditioned with LuM1 or NM11 cells, with the amount of TGF-beta1 higher in the former case. Gelatinase B secretion by LuM1 cells was enhanced by the addition of TGF-beta1 to the culture medium, but that by NM11 cells was not seriously affected, although the latter bound more of the factor. These results indicate the involvement of this growth factor in the autocrine stimulation of gelatinase B secretion by LuM1 cells. However, the autocrine factor effect was not fully explained by TGF-beta1 in the medium, and the involvement of some other unknown factor(s) was thus indicated.

[MR relaxation times in diffuse bone marrow disorders: evaluation of their clinical usefulness in differentiation between leukemia and anemia]

T1 and T2 relaxation time measurements of the femoral marrow were performed in 20 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 9 patients with iron deficiency or other severe anemia who had shown diffuse abnormal signals on MR imaging of the femoral marrow. The ability of T1 and T2 values to differentiate between leukemic infiltration and hyperplastic hematopoietic marrow was evaluated. T1 and T2 ratios (T1 abnormal marrow/T1 normal marrow and T2 abnormal/T2 normal) were calculated, and the ratios of T1 to T2 (T1/T2) and of the T1 ratio to the T2 ratio (T1 ratio/T2 ratio) were also analyzed. Diffuse infiltrative marrows revealed prolonged T1 relaxation times in all patients with AML and other severe anemia, and it was not possible to distinguish the two groups of diseases on the basis of T1 values. The T2 relaxation times varied widely in AML, but the mean T2 value of the AML group was not statistically significantly different from that of the anemia group. There were also no significant differences in the T1 ratio, T2 ratio, T1/T2, and the T1 ratio/T2 ratio between leukemic infiltration and hyperplastic hematopoietic marrow. We concluded that measurement of T1 and T2 relaxation times was of limited clinical importance for the histological characterization of diffuse bone marrow disorders.

Distinctive serial magnetic resonance changes in a young woman with rapidly evolved neurocysticercosis, with positron emission tomography results

A woman aged 21 years noticed numbness of the left hand, dysarthria, and right hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed homogeneously enhanced lesions in the bilateral cerebral white matter; these enlarged within 2 weeks, showing ring-like enhancement, and then spontaneously decreased in size and enhancement. Neurocysticercosis was confirmed by repeated, significantly positive serology results and the dramatic response to praziquantel. Subsequently, positron emission tomography (PET) revealed persisting regions of possibly decreased cerebral uptake of [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose. This is the first documentation of such distinctive serial MRI changes and the results of PET in neurocysticercosis.

Elevation of serum G-CSF level in horses with transportation-induced fever

Levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the blood of horses were measured before and after a long-distance transportation to clarify the pathogenesis of transportation-induced fever. The serum G-CSF level was measured by its ability to stimulate growth in a mouse myeloblastic cell line, NFS-60. Of 26 horses transported for a long distance, 9 had fever more than 39.0 degrees C during or after transportation. After transportation, the serum G-CSF level significantly increased in horses with transportation-induced fever but not in those without fever, and the serum G-CSF level correlated positively with the peak body temperature and with an increase in peripheral white blood cell count. These data indicate that microbial infection, which is closely related to the elevation of the serum G-CSF levels, is the causative factor of transportation-induced fever.

Sp1 family proteins recognize the U5 repressive element of the long terminal repeat of human T cell leukemia virus type I through binding to the CACCC core motif

We have identified several nuclear proteins binding to the U5 repressive element (U5RE) at the U5 region of the human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) long terminal repeat (LTR). In gel mobility shift assays with the U5RE DNA probe, Jurkat T cell nuclear proteins generated five different complexes, named U5RE binding protein complexes (U5RP)-A1, -A2, -A3, -B, and -C. Only U5RP-C was affected by pretreatment with an excess of poly(dI-dC) and was immunodepressed by anti-Ku/p80 antibodies, suggesting that U5RP-C is a nonspecific complex involving Ku antigen. UV cross-linking showed at least six nuclear proteins involved in the other complexes, including U5RP-A1, -A2, -A3, and -B. The sequence of the binding core element of these specific complexes, determined by competition assays and gel mobility shift assays using a series of the U5RE mutants, is CACCC which is identical to that for the Sp1 transcription factor. LTR with a mutant U5RE, which has no ability to bind with the nuclear proteins, showed stronger promoter activity than LTR with the wild U5RE, suggesting that the specific interaction of these U5RE-binding proteins might result in the U5-mediated repression. U5RP-A1 was supershifted by anti-Sp1 antibodies and U5RP-A2 and -B were supershifted by anti-Sp3 antibodies, suggesting that Sp1 or Sp3 is involved in U5RP-A1 or U5RP-A2 and -B, respectively. Although the other nuclear proteins remain to be characterized, these findings suggest that U5RE-binding proteins in U5RP-A1, -A2, -A3, and -B are involved in HTLV-I gene repression.

[A clinical study of radial prostatectomy]

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of radical prostatectomy for patients with organ-confined prostate cancer.

METHODS

From 1990 to 1994, a total of 50 patients with prostate cancer underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were in state A2, 34 in stage B and 5 in stage C according to clinical stage. Extended disease was observed pathologically in 45%, and 59% of patients in clinical stages A2 and B, respectively. Preoperative serum PSA levels were closely correlated with pathological extension of the disease. The disease-free rates for organ-confined disease, extended disease without lymph node metastasis and stage D1 disease were 75% (3 years), 82% (2 years) and 80% (3 years), respectively. Four patients had rectal injuries, and three of these underwent temporary colostomy diversion. Two patients had bladder neck contracture and received internal urethrotomy. Urinary incontinence improved in 60% of patients during the first 6 post-operative and in 90% of patients within 12 post-operative months. Urinary incontinence tended to improve earlier in patients with nerve-sparing than those without it. The erectile capacity in nerve sparing patients recovered good.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that radical prostatectomy is a safe and temporarily satisfactory treatment for the patient with organ-confined prostate cancer.

In vivo induction of apoptosis and immune responses in mice by administration of lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis

In vivo administration of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) to mice induced apoptosis before a specific immune response. Apoptosis was associated with the expression of immunoglobulin and Ia on B cells and of CD5 and several markers on T cells. Apoptosis peaked in the spleen and lymph nodes on day 2, and the second peak occurred in the thymus on day 9. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) could mediate apoptosis, because the serum TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher than those of controls at 1 day before apoptosis and recombinant murine TNF-alpha induced apoptosis. The apoptosis induced by Pg-LPS was similar to that induced by Escherichia coli LPS in its basic manner, but it was unique in the response of thymus T cells. It was suggested that Pg-LPS could induce apoptosis for the elimination of early nonspecific activated lymphocytes.

Alcohol and substance use among Japanese high school students

In the first large-scale survey on the use of alcohol and tobacco and the inhalation of paint thinner by Japanese high school students, a higher percentage of respondents reported past or regular use of these substances than in a 1978 survey. The survey was conducted in 44 high schools. The 14,438 respondents (ages 15-18 years) represented 9 of Japan's 47 geographically distinct urban and rural prefectures. Most (76%) reported that they had consumed alcohol at some time, and 50% reported drinking on a regular basis. Alcohol consumption, drinking partners, and motivation for drinking were compared by student gender, geographic region, and years of education. Fewer students reported smoking cigarettes: 32% had smoked at some time, and 14% smoked regularly. Inhalation of paint thinner was rare: 3% had purposely inhaled it, and 1% had abused it. A significant percentage of the alcohol drinkers also used tobacco and/or thinner, a tendency that was the same despite differences in gender, grade in high school, and urban or rural geographic region. A tendency toward polysubstance use was evident among these high school students.

[Cancer detection with whole-body FDG PET images without attenuation correction]

Whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) has been applied successfully for the detection of cancer. In PET studies, transmission scans for attenuation correction are usually performed. In whole-body PET studies, however, the transmission scans lengthen the acquisition time and are not practical for routine clinical use. Thirty-two patients underwent whole-body PET studies with transmission scans. A total of 106 lesions were true positive on corrected images. At the same time that the corrected images were being reconstructed, uncorrected images were also reconstructed and visually inspected. In a patient with a large breast cancer (11 cm in diameter), the parasternal metastatic lymph node was not identified on the uncorrected image because of image artifacts produced by high FDG accumulation in the breast cancer. In a patient with recurrent colonic cancer, paraaortic metastatic lymph nodes were not well visualized because of attenuation effects. However, 104 out of 106 (98.1%) lesions were recognizable on uncorrected images as well as corrected images. This suggests that uncorrected images can be used for the detection of cancers.

Purification and substrate specificity of an endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from pea (Pisum sativum) seeds

An endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was purified to homogeneity from the seeds of pea (Pisum sativum). The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 41,669 Da by MALDI-TOF MS analysis and its isoelectric point to be 4.3 by isoelectric focusing. The enzyme was stable at pH 4-7 and at 25-50 degrees C, and had the highest activity toward Man6GlcNAc2-PA at pH around 7.0. Oligomannose type sugar chains (Man9-6GlcNAc2-PA) and a hybrid type sugar chain (GlcNAc1Man5GlcNAc2-PA) were most favored substrates followed by Man5GlcNAc2-PA, Man3GlcNAc2-PA, and GlcNAc2Man3GlcNAc2-PA, but xylose-containing sugar chains (Man4-3Xyl1GlcNAc2-PA and Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2-PA) or a biantennary complex type sugar chain (Gal2GlcNAc2Man3GlcNAc2-PA) could not be hydrolyzed by the enzyme. The Km values of the enzyme for Man5GlcNAc2-PA, Man6GlcNAc2-PA, and Man9GlcNAc2-PA were 0.40 mM, 0.25 mM, and 0.32 mM, respectively.