Geographical distribution of the human polyomavirus JC virus type A and B and isolation of a new type from Ghana

The JC polyomavirus (JCV) is ubiquitous in humans infecting children asymptomatically, then persisting in renal tissue. Since JCV DNA can be readily isolated from urine, it should be a useful tool with which to study the evolution of DNA viruses in humans. We showed that JCV DNA from the urine of Japanese, Taiwanese, Dutch and German patients can be classified into A and B types, based upon restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). This work was extended in the present study. We established multiple JCV DNA clones from the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden, South Korea, People's Republic of China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and Ghana. Using type-specific RFLPs, most clones except the four clones from Ghana were classified as either type A or B. We constructed a molecular phylogenetic tree for the Ghanaian clones and several representative type A and B clones. According to the phylogenetic tree, the Ghanaian clones constituted a major new group, tentatively named type C. From the findings presented here and elsewhere, the following conclusions were drawn: (i) type A is prevalent only in Europe; (ii) type B is found mainly in Asia and Africa; and (iii) type C is localized to part of Africa. Our findings should help to clarify how JCV evolved in humans.

[Urothelial carcinoma of the navicular fossa]

We report a case of transitional cell carcinoma arising in the fossa navicularis. The patient was a 74-year-old man. He had no history of sexually transmitted disease or urethral stricture. Clinically, the tumor was suspected to be a condyloma acuminatum; however, the pathological diagnosis yielded an unexpected result: transitional cell carcinoma. Radiological examinations and cystoscopy showed no other tumor besides the primary cancer in the fossa navicularis. Partial resection of the urethra was performed and the patient has been without evidence of disease for 3 years.

Essential role of the posterior morphogen nanos for germline development in Drosophila

In many animal groups, factors required for germline formation are localized in germ plasm, a region of the egg cytoplasm. In Drosophila embryos, germ plasm is located in the posterior pole region and is inherited in pole cells, the germline progenitors. Transplantation experiments have demonstrated that germ plasm contains factors that can form germline, and germ plasm also directs abdomen formation. Genetic analysis has shown that a common mechanism directs the localization of the abdomen and germline-forming factors to the posterior pole. The critical factor for abdomen formation is the nanos (nos) protein (nanos). Here we show that nos is also essential for germline formation in Drosophila; pole cells lacking nanos activity fail to migrate into the gonads, and so do not become functional germ cells. In such pole cells, gene expression, which normally initiates within the gonad, begins prematurely during pole-cell migration. Premature activation of genes in germline precursors may mean that these cells fail to develop normally. A function for nos protein in Drosophila germline formation is compatible with observations of its association with germ plasm in other animals.

Up-regulation of cystatin C by microglia in the rat facial nucleus following axotomy

Cystatin C, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as many other organs of mammals. However, little is known concerning whether its expression is regulated under pathological conditions of the CNS and what types of cells are responsible for this regulation. We performed differential hybridization screening of cDNA libraries derived from the rat facial nucleus and found a cDNA of rat cystatin C to be up-regulated following facial nerve axotomy. In situ hybridization using an RNA probe for rat cystatin C revealed that cystatin C mRNA in the facial nucleus was markedly increased in amount by day 7 after axotomy and was then decreased to the normal level by day 50. The intense signal for cystatin C mRNA in the damaged facial nucleus was localized in the glial cells which had the morphological characteristics of microglia. Light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry using a rabbit antibody specific for cystatin C confirmed that microglia in the damaged facial nucleus were strongly positive for cystatin C. The immunoreactivity was also found in the extracellular space, consistent with the fact that cells producing cystatin C generally secrete this protein. These results demonstrate that cystatin C is markedly up-regulated by microglia in response to axotomy and is probably secreted by these cells into the extracellular space, suggesting that this proteinase inhibitor has (a) significant function(s) in the processes of neuronal degeneration, regeneration, and/or repair subsequent to axotomy.

Seroepidemiological survey of wild rats for Seoul virus in Indonesia

The prevalence of antibodies against Seoul virus was investigated in 655 wild rats (Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, R. rattus diardii, R. exulans, R. tiomanicus) captured in seven port areas of Indonesia. Twenty-four of 238 R. norvegicus, one of 142 R. rattus and one of 102 R. exulans from two port areas had the antibodies against Seoul virus.

Effects of wortmannin, a novel myosin light-chain kinase inhibitor, on bile canalicular contraction in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

The cytoskeletal system is believed to play an important role in normal bile formation. The effects of wortmannin, a new myosin light-chain kinase inhibitor, on bile canalicular contraction and bile flow have been observed.

METHODS

The bile canalicular contraction of cultured hepatocyte doublets was investigated, using an image analyzer with a phase contrast microscope, and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured, using microscopic fluorometry. We also investigated bile flow by in vivo intraportal infusion of the drug in rats.

RESULTS

Treatment with wortmannin inhibited norepinephrine-induced canalicular contraction and caused a decrease in bile flow without changing systematic and portal blood pressure. Morphologic examination of the electron microscopic study showed that most bile canaliculi were dilated, with loss of microvilli, but no other apparent damage was seen in parenchymal hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the integrity of the phosphorylation system of myosin is essential for normal bile flow.

Platelet-derived growth factor accelerates gastric epithelial restoration in a rabbit cultured cell model

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Growth factors play an important role in gastric wo und repair. The aim of this study was to assess the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in gastric epithelial restoration.

METHODS

PDGF-BB (1-50 ng/mL) was added to confluent cultures of rabbit gastric epithelial cells after wounding. Regrowth of the epithelial cells was monitored for 48 hours. The speed of cell migration was measured, and cell proliferation was detected by using a 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) staining technique. The labeling index was calculated for a 0.05-mm(2) area around the wound.

RESULTS

After wounding, cells at the wound edge formed lamellipodia and showed ruffling movements. The addition of PDGF-BB significantly accelerated cell migration and proliferation as well as gastric restoration. Migration speed was 21 microm/h in control cultures and 32 microm/h and 40 microm/h in cultures containing 10 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL of PDGF-BB, respectively. In control cultures, BrdU-positive cells were rarely detected in the initial 24 hours after wounding, and maximum labeling occurred at 36 hours (labeling index, 3.4%). Cultures containing PDGF-BB showed maximum labeling at 24 hours (labeling index, 6.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

PDGF-BB dose-dependently accelerated the migration rate and proliferation of cultured gastric epithelial cells after wounding. Therefore, PDGF-BB may play a role in gastric epithelial cell restoration during healing of gastric mucosal lesions.

Apophysitis of the acromion

We treated three patients with apophysitis of the acromion. These patients were two male athletes 12 and 14 years of age, respectively, and one female athlete 13 years of age. They reported pain at the top of the shoulder during and after shoulder movement while playing sports but had no rest pain or disturbance of daily activities. Physical examination demonstrated marked local tenderness at the acromion and slight warmth. X-ray films showed sclerosis and irregularity of the secondary ossification center of the acromion. Bone scintigraphy carried out on one patient demonstrated increased uptake in that region. Conservative treatment was used for these patients. Recovery was gradual but satisfactory.

Molecular cloning of p125Nap1, a protein that associates with an SH3 domain of Nck

Binding proteins to the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of Nck were screened by the use of glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. Two proteins of 140 and 125 kDa were detected, both of which associated preferentially with the first SH3 domain of Nck. The 125-kDa protein, designated as Nap1 for Nck-associated protein 1, was purified and the corresponding rat cDNA was isolated. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed that p125Nap1 does not contain any known functional motif but shows sequence homology to Hem family gene. Using specific antibodies, p125Nap1 was shown to associate with Nck both in vitro and in intact cells. Further characterization of p125Nap1 may clarify the protein-protein interaction in the downstream signaling of Nck.

Evaluation of ethanol on gastric epithelial restoration in vitro

Ethanol exerts damaging effects on gastric mucosa and delays ulcer healing. To investigate the effect of ethanol on the wound repairing process, we used a wound repair model using primary cultured gastric mucosal cells. A confluent monolayer gastric mucosal cell sheet consisting mainly of mucous cells was wounded to make a cell-free area of constant size. Cell-free area was restored with time after wounding and monitored every 12 hr using a computer image analyzer to observe epithelial cell restoration quantitatively in the presence and absence of ethanol (2.0%). It was found that, although the control wound was completely repaired in 36 to 48 hr, the group treated with 2.0% ethanol showed a significant delay of repair. In the control, 5-bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells appeared around the wound in 24 to 36 hr. In contrast, the group treated with 2.0% ethanol showed no 5-bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells during the experiment. In conclusion, 2.0% ethanol retarded the repair of gastric mucosal restoration by inhibiting the initial gastric cell migration, followed by inhibition of proliferation of cells.

Applications of retrovirus-mediated expression cloning

We have recently established a novel expression cloning system using retroviral vectors. The system is based on a high-efficiency packaging cell line, BOSC23, and a simplified retroviral vector, pBabeX, carrying no selection marker. cDNA libraries, constructed in the pBabeX vector, are transiently transfected into BOSC23 cells. The supernatant contains more than 3X10(6)/mL, which would cover large complexities of cDNA libraries. The retrovirus stock gave 100% infection efficiency in NIH3T3 cells and 5-40% infection efficiency in various hematopoietic cell lines. In contrast to the conventional expression cloning system, in which it is necessary to transfect cDNA libraries transiently into particular cell types such as COS cells, retrovirus-mediated expression cloning allows us to transduce cDNAs into a wide variety of cell types. This method therefore makes it possible to select cells expressing a cDNA of interest by various functional assays. When combined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-driven random mutagenesis, this system is also useful in searching for mutations of various molecules that will result in alterations of their functions.

Structural and functional features of bile canaliculi in adult rat hepatocyte spheroids

Spheroids of adult rat hepatocytes are spherical cell aggregates which retain three-dimensional architecture and hepatocyte specific functions. In this study, we investigated the detailed structure and function of bile canaliculi in spheroids. Hepatocytes were prepared from adult rat liver and cultured with epidermal growth factor (50 ng/ml). Hepatocytes formed floating spheroids 4 days after inoculation. The morphology of hepatocyte spheroids was investigated after fluorescent staining for actin using confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy. To study the function of bile canaliculi, the transcellular transport of fluorescein diacetate was observed. These experiments were performed in a control group and in a group treated with the actin inhibitor cytochalasin B. In a control group, spheroids contained bile canalicular structures which were surrounded by actin filaments. Added fluorescent dye was secreted and pooled in bile canaliculi. Cytochalasin B caused marked distention of bile canaliculi and prominent accumulation of secreted fluorescent dye in dilated bile canaliculi. This phenomenon was based on the impairment of contractile movement of bile canaliculi. These results demonstrate that hepatocyte spheroids maintain functional and morphological peculiarity, and therefore this model may be useful in investigation of the mechanism of bile formation and intrahepatic cholestasis.

Clinical and psychosocial correlates of antenatal depression: a review

In contrast to the considerable research on postnatal depression, less attention has been paid to that occurring during pregnancy-antenatal depression (AD). However, recent investigations have studied depression among pregnant women not necessarily requiring psychiatric hospitalization but needing psychological support and help. A controlled study showed that the rate of AD was significantly higher than that of depression among non-pregnant women: the reported incidence varies between 4 and 29%. AD was found to be associated with: (1) obstetric factors (first pregnancy, first delivery, and past history of abortion); (2) early experience (loss of father); (3) personality (high neuroticism score); (4) attitudes towards the present pregnancy (perplexity of the husband); (5) accomodation factors (non-detached housing, and expected crowdedness after birth of the child, and (6) social support (low level of intimacy with the husband). Differential effects of these factors in the development of AD are to be studied in future research, particularly in conjunction with investigation of hormonal variables.

Ultrastructural study on the harderian gland of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of the rabbit has been studied. The gland can be divided into two lobes (pink and white) by the naked eye. At the microscopic level, their epithelial cells differ morphologically, the vacuoles in the cells of the pink lobe being large, while those of the white lobe, small. In addition to the pink and white lobes, an intermediate area can be distinguished around the boundary between the two lobes on the basis of epithelial cell compositions. The acini on this area consist of two epithelial cell types, one is similar to that found in the white lobe, the second consists of the same cells as the pink lobe Myoepithelial cells are located between the secretory epithelium and its basal lamina. Mast cells, macrophages and plasma cells are found in the interstitial connective tissue of the Harderian gland.

Porto-hepatic venous shunt via portal vein aneurysm with splenomegaly

A 59-year-old woman presented with consciousness disturbance with flapping tremor. Laboratory examinations revealed normal liver functions, and imaging studies, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography, showed portal vein aneurysm communicating from the portal vein to the hepatic vein, splenomegaly, and splenic artery aneurysm. These examinations confirmed porto-systemic shunt leading to hepatic encephalopathy. Porto-hepatic venous shunt via portal vein aneurysm is extremely rare, and there are few reports that it causes encephalopathy; therefore, little is known about the entity and this association. The literature in English is reviewed and the etiology, clinical features, and prognosis discussed.

[Evaluation of reliability of IPSS by 24-hour uroflowmetry]

BACKGROUND

Although the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) is now often used to assess the symptoms of BPH, whether or not patients answer the questions correctly has not been validated objectively.

METHODS

Reliability of IPSS was evaluated by 24-hour uroflowmetry in 20 hospitalized male patients. Six of them had prostatic hypertrophy or cancer, and the evaluation was performed before and after TURP or hormonal therapy in these six patients. The objective scores for frequency and nocturia were obtained from the time recorded on IC card. The objective score for intermittency was calculated from the uroflow curves.

RESULTS

The answer about frequency was not correct compared with the objective scores for frequency. The answers about nocturia and intermittency were almost the same as the corresponding objective scores. The answer for weak stream correlated with the average of peak flow rate. However, the threshold of peak flow rate for "weak stream" fluctuated markedly before and after the treatment in the same individuals. The answer for hesitancy had no correlation with the hesitation time. Patients seemed to understand the question translated in Japanese as "have you need force to urinate?"

CONCLUSION

Before wider use of IPSS in Japan, the correct translation of the questions and verification of the usefulness of the questions in large number of Japanese patients seem necessary.

Basic fibroblast growth factor accelerates gastric mucosal restoration in vitro by promoting mesenchymal cell migration and proliferation

It has been generally accepted that basic fibroblast growth factor is a potent stimulator of duodenal ulcer healing. However, the detailed mechanism and mode of action of growth factor on gastric ulcer healing is still controversial. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on gastric mucosal repair were studied using an in vitro cultured cell system. Artificial wounds were made in confluent monolayer rabbit gastric fibroblast and epithelial cell sheets by mechanical denudation. Changes in the size of the cell-free area were analysed quantitatively. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU staining. For both cell types, mucosal restoration involved cell migration and proliferation. Although the speed of restoration of epithelial cells was not affected by the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor, it was much faster for epithelial cells than for fibroblasts. Basic fibroblast growth factor accelerated wound repair of fibroblasts but not epithelial cells. Basic fibroblast growth factor accelerated wound repair by stimulating both cell migration and proliferation. Therefore, the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor in peptic ulcer diseases may be mainly due to the stimulation of mesenchymal cells.

Efficient screening of retroviral cDNA expression libraries

Expression cloning of cDNAs was first described a decade ago and was based on transient expression of cDNA libraries in COS cells. In contrast to transient transfection of plasmids, retroviral gene transfer delivers genes stably into a wide range of target cells. We utilize a simple packaging system for production of high-titer retrovirus stock from cDNA libraries to establish a cDNA expression cloning system. In two model experiments, murine interleukin (IL)-3-dependent Ba/F3 cells were infected with libraries of retrovirally expressed cDNA derived from human T-cell mRNA or human IL-3-dependent TF-1 cell line mRNA. These infected Ba/F3 cells were selected for the expression of CD2 by flow cytometry or for the alpha subunit of the human IL-3 receptor (hIL-3R alpha) by factor-dependent growth. CD2 (frequency, 1 in 10(4)) and hIL-3R alpha (frequency, 1 in 1.5 x 10(5)) cDNAs were readily detected in small-scale experiments, indicating this retroviral expression cloning system is efficient enough to clone low-abundance cDNAs by their expression or function.

Hepatocyte growth factor inhibits intercellular communication via gap junctions in rat hepatocytes

We demonstrated that HGF reduces gap junctional intercellular communication of rat hepatocyte doublets and increases cell spreading. Intercellular communication via gap junctions was markedly reduced in hepatocyte doublets with HGF (20 ng/ml) 3-12 hr after inoculation. Immunocytochemistry revealed spotty localization of connexin 32 on the plasma membrane of 3-hr cultured control hepatocyte doublets, whereas HGF-treated doublets showed significantly less connexin 32 staining. Genistein maintained intercellular communication in the presence of HGF, indicating that HGF reduces intercellular communication by down regulation of connexin 32 through the c-met/HGF receptor-tyrosine-kinase-mediated pathway. Furthermore, TGF-beta 1 maintained intercellular communication in the presence of HGF. Regulation of intercellular communication in hepatocytes by HGF and TGF-beta 1 might play an important role during liver regeneration.

Effect of age on the induction of endometrial lesions by a single intra-uterine administration of N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in F344 rats

A total of 54 10-week-old or 49 10-month-old female F344 rats were given a single intrauterine administration of 20 mg/kg N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) dissolved in polyethylene glycol (PEG) via the vagina using a non-laparotomy approach. Control animals (32 10-week-old or 29 10-month-old rats) were given PEG alone in the same manner. The animals were killed at 15 and 18 months of age, respectively. One animal in the young treated group presented an endometrial adenocarcinoma (incidence: 2.1%), although the incidence and degree of endometrial hyperplasias were significantly increased in both groups of treated animals, as compared to corresponding controls. Histologically, many of these lesions were polypous glandular hyperplasias (adenomatous polyps) with stromal proliferation. The incidence and grade of proliferative lesions in the young treated group were slightly higher than those in the old treated group. ENNG administration did not appear to affect the hormonal situation in treated animals. These results indicate that young animals may be more sensitive to ENNG than aged ones for induction of endometrial lesions, although ENNG-treatment alone is not sufficient for early and high induction of carcinomas even in young rats of this strain.

Gene expressions of protein tyrosine phosphatases in regenerating rat liver and rat ascites hepatoma cells

mRNA levels for ten protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), PTP-S, PTPH1, PTP-1, GLEPP1, LRP, PTP1D, PTPG1, PTP gamma, PTP delta, and LAR, were determined during regeneration of rat liver, and mRNA levels for 5 PTPs, PTP-S, PTP-1, PTP gamma, PTP delta, and LRP, were determined in three lines of rat ascites hepatoma cells. In regenerating rat liver, the expression patterns of PTP genes after partial hepatectomy could be classified into four groups. In group 1 (PTP-S and PTPH1), the mRNA levels increased rapidly, reached a maximum 7 h after partial hepatectomy, remained at a plateau for 1-2 days and then decreased gradually. In group 2 (PTP-1, GLEPP1, and LRP), the mRNA levels showed two peaks on days 1 and 5, and then decreased gradually. In group 3 (PTP1D and PTPG1), the mRNA levels increased rapidly, reached a maximum at 7 h, remained high for several days, and then did not decrease but rather increased after day 7. In group 4 (PTP gamma, PTP delta, and LAR), the mRNA levels remained constant for the first 5 days and increased over the control levels after day 7. In rat ascites hepatomas, gene expression of non-receptor-like PTPs (PTP-S and PTP-1) showed various neoplastic alterations, whereas mRNAs of receptor-like PTPs (PTP gamma, PTP delta, and LRP) were lost or drastically decreased.

Accuracy of prostatic volume calculation in transrectal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

Estimation of the prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography is now widely used to evaluate the effect of conservative treatment and to improve the specificity of prostate specific antigen. Accurate measurement of prostatic volume is necessary for the calculation of prostate specific antigen density (PSA/prostatic volume ratio).

METHODS

Three dimensional models of the prostatic contour were constructed from transrectal ultrasonotomograms taken at 5 mm intervals in 20 cases. Using these models, the accuracy of ellipsoid volume calculation and prolate ellipse volume calculation were examined. For prolate ellipse volume calculation, prostatic length was measured in two ways; length (Lv) vertical to the transverse section, and length (Lp) parallel to the prostatic urethra.

RESULTS

Ellipsoid volume calculation showed errors of about 20%. Moreover, ellipsoid volume calculation fluctuated markedly (up to 50%) in accordance with the change of the scanning angle of the transverse section. The error of prolate ellipse volume calculation using Lp for length increased by an average of 25% as the angle moved away from the perpendicular. The prolate ellipse volume calculation using Lv for length was the most reliable method. The degree of error was least dependent on the angle between the plane and the axis.

CONCLUSION

Although prolate ellipse volume calculation was more accurate than ellipsoid volume calculation, it is essential to have the three axes cross at right angles to obtain an accurate value by the prolate ellipse volume calculation.

Integrity of myosin light chain kinase is essential for Ito cell contraction

Hepatic sinusoidal Ito cells (fat storing cells) are believed to play a regulatory role on hepatic sinusoidal blood flow through their contraction. The detailed mechanism of contraction of Ito cells, however, is still unknown. The present study was undertaken to clarify the effect of new myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, on Ito cell contraction. Ito cells prepared from rat liver were cultured for 4 days before the study. The contraction of Ito cells, which was monitored and analysed by time-lapse video tape recording, was triggered by addition of endothelin-1. Wortmannin pretreatment for 1 h inhibited endothelin-induced Ito cell contraction dose-dependently. Therefore, the integrity of the actomyosin system is essential for Ito cell contraction and normal sinusoidal blood flow.

Induction of endometrial adenocarcinomas by a single intra-uterine administration of N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to aged Donryu rats showing spontaneously persistent estrus

Induction of endometrial adenocarcinomas by a single intra-uterine administration of N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) to aged rats was examined. Donryu rats showing spontaneously persistent estrus were given a single intra-uterine administration of ENNG (20 mg/kg) at 10 months (44 weeks) of age. At the termination of the experiment (week 34 after the ENNG-treatment), 22% and 13% incidences of endometrial adenocarcinomas were observed in the experimental and control groups, respectively, the difference being without significance. No variation was found in the endocrine environment between experimental and non carcinogen-treated control animals throughout the experimental period. These results show that ENNG-treatment alone is not sufficient in aged rats for high induction of endometrial carcinomas. Comparison of the data with those from our previous studies, in which ENNG was given at a young age (10 weeks of age), indicates that young rats may be more sensitive than their old counterparts.

Genetic and clinical correlates of season of birth of schizophrenics

The genetic and clinical characteristics of 55 patients with schizophrenia and 138 control patients (with major psychiatric disorders), were studied in relation to the season of birth. The morbid risk (MR) of schizophrenia was significantly higher among relatives of the schizophrenic probands born in Spring than among those of the psychiatric controls born in the same season. The MR of schizophrenia was also significantly higher among relatives of schizophrenic probands born in Winter or Spring (6.9%) than in those of schizophrenic probands born in Summer or Autumn (0%). Among the schizophrenic cases, Winter births were marginally related to the paranoid subtype, whereas other clinical variables showed no clear relationship with the season of birth.