Molecular analysis of T cell receptor V beta chain to detect leukemia cell clonality in patients by adaptor ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction

We have developed a simple and rapid method to analyze the clonality of leukemia cells. After three rounds of amplification by adaptor-ligation polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the cDNA is cut with AluI, HaeIII, RsaI, and Sau3AI, and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The size of the restriction fragments is compared to that of the published restriction fragments size each TCR-beta subfamily V region. The sensitivity of adaptor-ligation PCR restriction enzyme analysis (AL-PCR-REA) was 10(-4) MOLT-4 T-ALL cell population in the normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Application of AL-PCR-REA to PBL and bone marrow (BM) cells from eight clinical leukemia samples indicated that a detection sensitivity was rather low, but revealed the clonality of all eight clinical samples. This AL-PCR-REA method can detect clonality without the need for either radioisotopes or sequencing procedures.

Anti-lipid A monoclonal antibodies and anti-LPS antiserum effects on limulus activity of LPS

Anti-lipid A monoclonal antibodies (A78S1 and A523) and anti-LPS antiserum can decrease the mortality due to endotoxic shock in the newborn rat. However, in vitro LPS detoxification of anti-lipid A monoclonal antibodies is not known. Thus, we studied in vivo effects of A78S1 (IgG), A523 (IgM), and anti-LPS antiserum on Limulus activity. Anti-LPS antiserum decreased Limulus activity of S. enteritidis, E. coli and S. typhosa LPS. However, neither A78S1 nor A523 decreased the Limulus activity of E. coli and S. typhosa LPS. A78S1 or A523 incubation with S. enteritidis LPS at different doses (0.1 to 100 ng/ml) did not alter the Limulus activity. Perchloric acid treatment after LPS incubation with A78S1 or A523 significantly decreased Limulus activity. Therefore, antilipid A monoclonal antibodies (A78S1 and A523) can bind LPS, but do not decrease Limulus activity.

Prediction of postoperative exercise tolerance after aortic valve replacement

Valve size selection for aortic valve replacement is still a controversial matter, particularly in patients with small aortic annuli. To assess optimal valve size, exercise capacity, as measured by peak oxygen consumption levels, was determined in 39 patients (age range, 18 to 77 years; mean, 56 years) who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical valve. This assessment was carried out at a mean of 2.2 years post-operatively using ergometer exercise testing. These levels were evaluated as a measure of the percentage of predicted. At rest, there was no significant correlation between the predicted peak oxygen consumption and the pressure gradients across the prostheses, as measured by Doppler ultrasound. In 18 patients with aortic regurgitation, the preoperative dimensions of the left ventricle in end-diastole and end-systole correlated inversely (p < 0.05) with the percentage of predicted peak oxygen consumption. In 21 patients with aortic stenosis, the linear regression line (p < 0.01) was derived from the correlation between the percentage of predicted peak oxygen consumption and the valve area index (geometric valve orifice area/body surface area). We conclude that the preoperative end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions should be less than 50 mm and 70 mm, respectively, in the setting of aortic regurgitation, and a valve area index, though it proved to be weakly correlated with the percentage of the peak oxygen uptake, should probably be more than 1.5 cm2/m2 in the setting of aortic stenosis to achieve good exercise capacity postoperatively (> 80% of predicted peak oxygen consumption).

Intracellular Ca2+ concentration change of T24 cell under irradiation in the presence of TiO2 ultrafine particles

We reported that malignant cells are inactivated by photo-excited TiO2 particles (Cai, R.-X., et al. (1992) Cancer Res. 52, 2346-2348). In the present study, the process of cell death of a human bladder cell line T24 with the irradiated TiO2 was investigated by monitoring the time course change in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) under UV irradiation using calcium fluorescence indicator, fura-2. In the presence of photo-excited TiO2 particles (100 micrograms/ml), [Ca2+]i showed a rapid two-step increase; while in the absence of TiO2, it exhibited only a slight and monotonous increase or maintained a constant level. The rapid elevation of [Ca2+]i in the presence of photo-excited TiO2 particles was caused by the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through the plasma membrane and cell death occurred only after the second rapid elevation of [Ca2+]i. These results suggested that the cell membrane permeability to Ca2+ was promoted prior to cell death.

[A case of chronic traumatic dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta]

A case of chronic traumatic dissecting aneurysm was reported. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for multiple trauma caused in traffic accident. MRI, performed for evaluation of the spinal injury, revealed dissection of the thoracic descending aorta by chance, seven months after injury. Retrospectively CT, just after admission, showed bleeding around the thoracic descending aorta. Replacement of thoracic aorta was performed after 33 months from the traffic accident, for enlargement of dissecting lumen accompanied with hoarseness. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient returned to his daily life successfully.

[Renal ablation by transcatheter renal arterial embolization in the treatment of benign renal disease]

Renal ablation by transcatheter renal arterial embolization (TAE) was performed in 10 patients with benign renal disease (hydronephrosis n = 6; renovascular hypertension n = 3; nephrotic syndrome n = 1). Each affected kidney had little or no renal function. Six patients with hydronephrosis were treated with TAE using absolute ethanol alone in three patients and the combination of absolute ethanol and gelatin sponge in the other three. Each patient was followed by sclerotherapy of the pelvocalyceal system via nephrostomy using absolute ethanol. In four of the six patients, the embolized kidney had no urine, and there was very little urine in the remaining two. The size of the embolized kidney was markedly decreased on CT. The three patients with renovascular hypertension were pre-studied by selective and renal vein sampling for PRA, and the kidney excreting higher renin was embolized by TAE with absolute ethanol. Blood pressure has become manageable without antihypertensive drug in two patients and with a reduced amount of drug in one. The patient with nephrotic syndrome had end stage renal failure and showed significant protein excretion. To prevent further protein loss, both kidneys were embolized with stainless steel coils. Urine output was significantly decreased, and consequently, hypoalbuminemia improved. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and there were no significant complications. Renal ablation by TAE may be an alternative to surgical treatment in selected patients with benign renal disease, particularly in patients with contraindications to surgery and in the elderly. Absolute ethanol and gelatin sponge seem safe and effective for TAE in patients with hydronephrosis and renovascular hypertension. For hydronephrosis, we recommend combining TAE with sclerotherapy of the pelvocalyceal system via nephrostomy using absolute ethanol. Though we successfully applied steel coil for the patient with nephrotic syndrome, absolute ethanol may be equally effective.

Characterization of a GTP-binding protein implicated in both memory storage and interorganelle vesicle transport

The phosphorylation state of cp20, a low molecular weight GTP-binding protein that is a high-affinity substrate for protein kinase C, was previously shown to change after associative conditioning of molluscs and mammals and to induce many of the biophysical and structural modifications that accompany memory retention. Here, cp20 was purified from squid optic lobes and biochemically characterized. A monoclonal antibody prepared against squid cp20 reacted with Hermissenda cp20 and a 20-kDa protein in rabbit hippocampus, while a polyclonal antibody also cross-reacted with Sar1p and ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF). A partial peptide sequence of squid cp20 was 50% identical (23/46 amino acids) with Sar1p, a yeast GTP-binding protein involved in vesicle transport, indicating that cp20 is probably a new member of the ARF family. This classification is consistent with our recent demonstration that cp20 affects retrograde movement of intraaxonal organelles or particles and suggests a possible role for particle traffic between intraneuronal organelles in memory acquisition.

Effect of ketone bodies on hyperglycemia and lactic acidemia in hemorrhagic stress

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of hyperketonemia on altered glucose metabolism under stress conditions, we infused sodium D-3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) into rats in hemorrhagic hypotension and evaluated the plasma concentration of substrates related to glucose metabolism.

METHODS

Three groups of anesthetized rats (weight, 280 g to 320 g) were bled acutely, and their mean arterial pressures were maintained at 40 mm Hg. From 1 hour before hemorrhage to the end of the experiment, rats in the first group (n = 10) were infused with 3-OHB at a rate of 30 mumol/kg.min (3-OHB group), those in the second group (n = 10) received glucose and sodium bicarbonate (glucose group), and the remaining 10 rats received only sodium bicarbonate and no energy substrates (control group). Sodium bicarbonate was used to control the alkalizing effect of 3-OHB.

RESULTS

Hyperketonemia (1158 +/- 30 mumol/L - 1618 +/- 154 mumol/L) occurred only in the 3-OHB group. Hyperglycemia and lactic acidemia during hemorrhagic shock were suppressed significantly compared with the control group. Plasma concentration of alanine was also lower compared with the control group. In the glucose group, although plasma lactate concentration was lower, plasma glucose concentration was not suppressed, and plasma alanine concentration was higher in comparison with the control group during hemorrhagic shock. There was no significant difference in plasma insulin concentration among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that administered 3-OHB may suppress glycolysis during hemorrhagic shock.

Synthesis of doxorubicin-cyclodextrin conjugates

Doxorubicin-gamma-cyclodextrin conjugates have been synthesized by the coupling of 14-bromodaunomycin with mono half-ester compounds linked to a 6-hydroxyl group of gamma-cyclodextrin. Release of drug from the conjugates in saline phosphate buffer solution and in vitro antitumor activity against L1210 leukemia cells were also investigated.

[Partial resection of superior vena cava using two stage venous return catheter for a new application]

A case of invasive lung cancer was reported, in which operation partial resection and reconstruction of the invaded superior vena cava (SVC) was performed. During procedure in SVC, a two stage venous return catheter, which is ordinary used in cardiac operations, was used as a temporary SVC-right atrial internal bypass. This new application of the catheter was convenient and effective for resection and reconstruction of SVC.

Dysfunction of mouse liver mitochondria induced by 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, a radical initiator, in vitro and in vivo

Mouse liver mitochondria were uncoupled in a time dependent by intraperitoneal injection of a radical initiator, 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) (100 mg/kg). State 3 respiration, ADP/O ratio and respiratory control ratio (RCR) were decreased 30 min after injection but there was no effect on state 4 respiration. Lipid peroxidation was increased and oxidative phosphorylation was uncoupled at one hr after drug injection but gradually recovered to normal levels after 14 hr in vivo. State 3 respiration, RCR and ADP/O ratio but not state 4 respiration of isolated mouse mitochondria were inhibited by short term incubation with AAPH in vitro. This inhibitory action was concentration dependent (ID50 = 5 mM) but was not prevented by alpha-tocopherol. AAPH had no effect on electron transport or the membrane potential of these isolated mitochondria. However, mitochondria were uncoupled via lipid peroxidation and swelling by long term incubation with AAPH. These inhibitory effects of AAPH were reduced by its spontaneous degradation not only in vitro but also in vivo. Thus AAPH induces mitochondrial dysfunction by direct action in the early period of treatment and free radicals produced from AAPH mediate mitochondrial swelling via lipid peroxidation in the late period. From these findings, it is concluded that mitochondrial phosphorylation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver injury induced by AAPH and that radicals generated by AAPH might be a source of liver injury and mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo.

Oxidants induce transcriptional activation of manganese superoxide dismutase in glomerular cells

Cultured rat glomerular mesangial and epithelial cells and bovine glomerular endothelial cells were exposed to various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Mesangial cells treated with 10 to 100 microM H2O2 for 24 hours showed a two- to ninefold increase in Mn-SOD mRNA expression associated with significantly (P < 0.005) increased Mn-SOD activity (22.2 +/- 1.2 and 12.2 +/- 0.7 mu/mg protein for H2O2 100 microM treated and untreated cells, respectively). In contrast, expression of Cu-Zn SOD and beta-actin mRNA was not affected by H2O2. Induction of Mn-SOD mRNA by H2O2 was inhibited by actinomycin-D (4 microM) treatment. Glomerular endothelial cells also showed an increase in Mn-SOD mRNA expression following 100 microM H2O2 treatment, as did glomerular epithelial cells following treatment with 500 and 1000 microM H2O2 but not with 100 microM. Transcriptional activity of the Mn-SOD gene was assessed with a fusion reporter gene consisting of a luciferase gene (pGL2P) and a 1.2 kb fragment from the rat Mn-SOD genomic DNA (-806 to +408 bp of the transcription initiation site, -806:+408). The construct was transfected into rat glomerular mesangial and epithelial cells. Mesangial and epithelial cells transfected with pGL2P (-806:+408) and treated with H2O2 (100 microM and 1 mM for mesangial and epithelial cells, respectively) demonstrated some threefold increase in luciferase activity, whereas cells transfected with pGL2P lacking the Mn-SOD fragment did not show changes in luciferase activity following H2O2 treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A case of toxic megacolon in ulcerative colitis associated with cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which has been shown to complicate the course of ulcerative colitis (UC), has been implicated as a possible etiologic factor in the exacerbation of UC, especially in toxic megacolon. However, CMV infection in patients with UC accompanied by toxic megacolon has rarely been reported. Here we report a case of CMV infection of the colon accompanied by toxic megacolon occurring in UC. A 38-year-old woman had been treated with intravenous hydrocortisone, rectal steroid, and central venous alimentation for 6 weeks under the diagnosis of UC. She was transferred to Akita University Hospital because of increasing bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Toxic megacolon was identified by examinations on admission, and she underwent a total colectomy. Examination of the surgical specimen showed severe inflammation of the colon. Microscopically, cytomegalic inclusions were observed in and around the endothelial cells in the inflamed submucosal layer. It can be assumed that CMV infection was a secondary, opportunistic invader superimposed on UC, and that it played an important role in altering the clinical course of the patient.

Induction of photoresponse by the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides in the Hermissenda type B photoreceptor

Direct evidence that the photoresponse of the Hermissenda type B photoreceptor cell is triggered directly by the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) was obtained. Neomycin and spermine, which inhibit PIP2 breakdown, suppressed light response, while injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), guanosine 5'-(2-O-thio)diphosphate (GDP beta S), cAMP, cGMP did not alter the light-induced Na+ influx underlying the photoresponse. Suppression of the photoresponse was also observed with decrease of total amount of membraneous PIP2 induced by injection of the phosphoinositides (PI) turnover inhibitors, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), LiCl and R 59022.

LPS injected into the pregnant rat late in gestation does not induce fetal endotoxemia

Endotoxin is abortifacient. Abortion may be due to maternal, fetal or combined endotoxemia. The present study was performed to evaluate if fetal rat endotoxemia was induced by maternal endotoxemia in late gestation. An intraperitoneal injection of smooth lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli LPS and Shigella flexneri LPS) or rough LPS (Rc mutant Escherichia coli LPS) induced Limulus activity in maternal plasma, but not fetal plasma. These results suggest that fetal rat endotoxemia is not induced during maternal endotoxemia. Thus, the abortion may not be due to fetal endotoxemia.

Nonsuppurative cholangitis is induced in neonatally thymectomized mice: a possible animal model for primary biliary cirrhosis

Neonatally thymectomized mice are unique in that they are prone to organ-specific autoimmune diseases. We investigated whether autoimmune cholangitis could be induced in these mice when they were immunized with biliary antigens. Neonatally thymectomized A/J mice were immunized with porcine intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (group 1), porcine gallbladder epithelial cells (group 2), porcine splenocytes (group 3) or Freund's adjuvant (group 4). Nonthymectomized mice were immunized with bile duct epithelial cells (group 5) or Freund's adjuvant (group 6). The cell suspensions were injected intraperitoneally with Freund's adjuvant once a week for 8 wk. In group 1 varying amounts of mononuclear cells infiltrated around the bile duct in 14 of 22 mice, whereas little or no accumulation was noted in other groups. Ultrastructural observations revealed that the inflammatory cells consisted of lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. The bile duct showed degenerative changes and some lymphocytes infiltrated between bile duct epithelial cells. An immunohistochemical study showed that the accumulated lymphocytes consisted of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as B cells. Both major histocompatibility complex class I and class II antigens were expressed on bile duct epithelial cells. Antimitochondrial antibody was demonstrated in some mice in groups 1 (9 of 17), 2 (2 of 3) and 5 (4 of 5) by immunofluorescence; the antibody reacted with the 68, 52 and 47 kD polypeptides of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex on Western blotting. These findings suggest that autoimmune cholangitis can be induced in neonatally thymectomized mice stimulated with biliary antigens and that these mice could be a suitable animal model for primary biliary cirrhosis.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of chemically modified albumins by sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells in rat and human liver

Human serum albumin (HSA), formaldehyde-treated HSA (FHSA), and HSA polymerized with glutaraldehyde (pHSA) were conjugated with colloidal gold (15 (15G) or 50 (50G) nm in diameter). The labeled proteins were injected into the portal veins of rats and followed by electron microscopy. Both 15G-FHSA and 15G-pHSA were taken up by sinusoidal endothelial cells (Ec) and Kupffer cells (Kc). Five minutes after injection, gold particles were observed on the surface of Ec and Kc. At 10 min, most gold particles were gathered in the coated pits and vesicles of Ec. In Kc, gold particles were observed in both coated vesicles and macropinocytotic vesicles. At 15 min, the gold particles were localized mainly in the endosomes and some lysosomes of Ec and in the large vacuoles of Kc. At 30 min, the gold particles had been gathered into the secondary lysosomes and condensed. At 60 min, some gold particles were observed in the cytoplasm of Ec. The fate of 15G-pHSA was the same as that of 15G-FHSA. Simultaneous injection of 15G-pHSA and 50G-FHSA revealed that particles of both sizes were taken up together into the coated pits and vesicles of Ec. Preperfusion of livers with unlabeled FHSA, pHSA, or formaldehyde-treated bovine serum albumin (FBSA) inhibited the uptake of 15G-FHSA or 15G-pHSA by Ec. In a human liver biopsy specimen, both 15G-FHSA and 15G-pHSA were taken up by Ec and Kc through coated vesicles, as in the rat liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma endotoxin concentration after an intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin in fed and fasted suckling rats

In the adult host response to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) is dose-related. An intraperitoneal injection is commonly used for LPS administration in small animals. However, plasma endotoxin concentration following an intraperitoneal bolus injection of LPS is not well known. This study was performed to evaluate plasma endotoxin concentration following a bolus intraperitoneal injection of LPS in both fed and 24 h fasted 10 day old rats. Plasma endotoxin concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner after LPS injection (.03 or .1 mg/kg Salmonella enteritidis LPS) in both fed and fasted rats. Plasma endotoxin concentrations were higher (p < .05) in fed than fasted rats. A high dose of LPS (.1 mg/kg) induced 95 and 40% mortality in fed and fasted rats, respectively. A low dose of LPS (.03 mg/kg) induced 26.7% mortality in fed rats but no mortality in fasted rats. The hematocrit was significantly lower in fed than fasted rats. Plasma endotoxin inactivation was similar in fed and fasted rats. Host response appears to be related to plasma endotoxin concentration.

Delayed rupture of the spleen caused by an intrasplenic pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma: case report

The delayed rupture of the spleen in a 12-year-old boy is reported. He was admitted with an isolated blunt splenic injury. Successive echograms revealed an enlarging hypoechogenic region in the spleen. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed that this hypoechogenic region was a splenic pseudoaneurysm. On his 7th hospital day the pseudoaneurysm ruptured. An emergency laparotomy with splenorrhaphy was performed. His subsequent clinical course was uneventful and the pseudoaneurysm was replaced by a hematoma that eventually resolved.

Independence and merger of thalamocortical channels within macaque monkey primary visual cortex: anatomy of interlaminar projections

An important issue in understanding the function of primary visual cortex in the macaque monkey is how the several efferent neuron groups projecting to extrastriate cortex acquire their different response properties. To assist our understanding of this issue, we have compared the anatomical distribution of V1 intrinsic relays that carry information derived from magno- (M) and parvocellular (P) divisions of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus between thalamic recipient neurons and interareal efferent neuron groups within area V1. We used small, iontophoretic injections of biocytin placed in individual cortical laminae of area V1 to trace orthograde and retrograde inter- and intralaminar projections. In either the same or adjacent sections, the tissue was reacted for cytochrome oxidase (CO), which provides important landmarks for different efferent neuron populations located in CO rich blobs and CO poor interblobs in laminae 2/3, as well as defining clear boundaries for the populations of efferent neurons in laminae 4A and 4B. This study shows that the interblobs, but not the blobs, receive direct input from thalamic recipient 4C neurons; the interblobs receive relays from mid 4C neurons (believed to receive convergent M and P inputs), while blobs receive indirect inputs from either M or P (or both) pathways through layers 4B (which receives M relays from layer 4C alpha) and 4A (which receives P relays directly from the thalamus as well as from layer 4C beta). The property of orientation selectivity, most prominent in the interblob regions and in layer 4B, may have a common origin from oriented lateral projections made by mid 4C spiny stellate neurons. While layer 4B efferents may emphasize M characteristics and layer 4A efferents emphasize P characteristics, the dendrites of their constituent pyramidal neurons may provide anatomical access to the other channel since both blob and interblob regions in layers 2/3 have anatomical access to M and P driven relays, despite functional differences in the way these properties may be expressed in the two compartments.

Intrinsic cortical connections in macaque visual area V2: evidence for interaction between different functional streams

Area V2 of macaque visual cortex represents an important but poorly understood stage in visual processing. To provide a better understanding of the region, we studied the organization of its intrinsic cortical connections by making focal (200-300 microns) iontophoretic microinjections of the tracer biocytin. Alternate tissue sections were tested for biocytin, cytochrome oxidase (CO), or Cat-301 immunoreactivity to localize biocytin label relative to the three stripelike compartments that characterize this area. Biocytin-labeled pyramidal neurons of layers 2/3, and, to a lesser extent, layer 5, provided laterally spreading axon projections that terminated in discrete patches (250-300 microns diameter), primarily in layers 1-3. Any injected locus in V2 projected to 10-15 similarly sized patches, up to 4 mm from the injection site, and distributed in an elongated field orthogonal to the stripe compartments. We noted prominent patchy connections within, as well as between, individual compartments, perhaps reflecting functional substructures within stripes. Each stripe compartment projected to all three compartments but with different relative frequencies; CO-rich compartments projected mainly to other CO-rich compartments (75%), whereas CO-poor compartments projected equally to CO-rich and CO-poor compartments. We therefore emphasize the existence of substantial interconnections among all three V2 compartments. As further evidence for crosstalk between visual channels, we also noted an input to the V2 "thick" CO stripes from V1 cells in layer 4A as a distinct population in addition to the neurons of layer 4B. Thus, the CO stripe architecture may not be a marker for strictly segregated parallel visual pathways through V2.

A neurochemically distinct third channel in the macaque dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

The primate visual system is often divided into two channels, designated M and P, whose signals are relayed to the cerebral cortex by neurons in the magnocellular and parvicellular layers of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. We have identified a third population of geniculocortical neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of macaques, which is immunoreactive for the alpha subunit of type II calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. This large third population occupies interlaminar regions (intercalated layers) ventral to each principal layer. Retrograde labeling of kinase-immunoreactive cells from the primary visual cortex shows that they provide the geniculocortical input to cytochrome oxidase-rich puffs in layers II and III.