Genetic reassortment of influenza C viruses in man

We reported previously that the antigenicity of the haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) glycoprotein of the human influenza C virus strain C/Nara/1/85 was indistinguishable from that of strain C/Nara/82. However, the ribonuclease T1-oligonucleotide map of total virion RNA of C/Nara/1/85 differed remarkably from the map of C/Nara/82, resembling instead the map of C/Nara/2/85, which has an HE antigenicity dissimilar to C/Nara/82 and C/Nara/1/85. This observation raised the possibility that C/Nara/1/85 might have arisen by reassortment from two viruses closely related to C/Nara/82 and C/Nara/2/85, respectively. Here, we compared the total nucleotide sequence of the HE gene and partial sequences of the other genes of C/Nara/1/85 with those of C/Nara/82 and C/Nara/2/85. The results suggest that C/Nara/1/85 has inherited HE and NP genes from a C/Nara/82-related virus and the PB2, PB1, PA, M and NS genes from a C/Nara/2/85-related virus.

Cephalexin concentrations in radicular granuloma following a single oral administration of 250- or 500-mg cephalexin

1. Cephalexin concentrations in radicular granuloma and serum following a single oral administration of 250- or 500-mg cephalexin were measured by a paper disk method. 2. The highest concentration of cephalexin in radicular granuloma following administration of 250-mg cephalexin to nonfasting patients was observed at 2 hr, and was 1.62 micrograms/g. The mean cephalexin concentration ratio of radicular granuloma/serum at 2 hr was 0.35. 3. The highest concentrations of cephalexin in radicular granuloma following administration of 500-mg cephalexin to nonfasting and fasting patients occurred at 2 and 1.5 hr, and was 3.35 and 3.42 micrograms/g, respectively. Mean cephalexin concentration ratios of radicular granuloma/serum at 2 and 1.5 hr were 0.32 and 0.30, respectively. 4. All mean cephalexin concentrations in radicular granuloma following administration of 500-mg cephalexin to both fasting and nonfasting patients exceeded MIC for 90% (2 micrograms/ml) of clinically isolated strains of alpha-hemolytic streptococci. However, those concentrations obtained by 250-mg cephalexin did not exceed it.

Quantitative mapping of regional cerebral blood flow using iodine-123-IMP and SPECT

A method was developed to calculate functional images of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) from a single scan using SPECT following intravenous 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP) infusion.

METHODS

A two-compartment model that includes two parameters of rCBF and regional distribution volume of IMP (Vd) was employed to correct for clearance of IMP from the brain. Using a given input function and a fixed Vd value (30 ml/ml according to an analysis on dynamic SPECT data), a unique value of rCBF was calculated for each pixel of the SPECT image according to the table-look-up procedure. This technique was applied to 15 human subjects, and the calculated rCBF values were compared with those measured by PET.

RESULTS

A set of simulation studies demonstrated an optimal SPECT midscan time at 30 to 40 min postinjection of IMP, providing the minimal error sensitivity to the individual difference of the input function (rCBF values with an accuracy of +/- 10%). Another set of simulation suggested validity of fixing the Vd values, i.e., errors in calculated rCBF values were around +/- 7% for a change of Vd of +/- 10%. The measured rCBF values obtained from 15 human subjects were independent on the SPECT scan time. The calculated rCBF values also agreed well with those obtained by the nonlinear least-squares fitting analysis that were obtained from the dynamic SPECT scan and the frequent arterial blood sampling and measurement of lipophilic fraction for each sample (0.54 + 0.88x, r = 0.86), suggesting the validity of the simplified procedures in this method.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggested the validity of this method as a clinical tool for quantitative measurement of rCBF.

[Analysis of acute toxicity (LD50-value) or organic chemicals to mammals by solubility parameter (delta) (2). Acute oral toxicity to mice]

Acute oral toxicity (LD50-value) of organic chemicals to mice was analyzed by using solubility parameter (delta c), a thermodynamic parameter, of the chemicals. As it was observed in the previous study with rats, parabolic correlations were established between logarithm of LD50-value (mmol/kg body weight, mice) and delta c of all the collected chemicals (n = 85, R = 0.626), alcohols (n = 10, R = 0.683), ketones (n = 7, R = 0.631) and aromatics (n = 62, R = 0.645). Introducing molar volume (Vc) to the above equations did not improve the correlations. Although statistically significant correlations were not found in alcohols and ketones with mice, we successfully assured the theoretical equation regardless of species difference by establishing significant correlations with all the collected chemicals and aromatics. By analysis, we could determine the solubility parameter of 2.27 x 10(4) (J/m3)1/2 for the biological membrane (absorption site) of mice. As the delta c-values which dip the LD50-values are approximately the same for mice and rats, common deleterious effects and mechanism may be working at common target sites. In addition, no species difference in sensitivity (toxicity) was found for the aromatics. For comparison, log P was used to describe LD50 of all the collected chemicals, but no correlation was established (R = 0.004-0.418).

Magnetization transfer contrast imaging of the cervical spine at 0.3 T

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the efficacy of magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging of the cervical spine in conjunction with a gradient recalled echo (GRE) technique using a 0.3 T permanent magnet imager.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy patients were prospectively investigated. Multislice sagittal and axial images of the cervical spine with and without MTC were obtained using a GRE sequence (TR/TE/flip angle = 750 ms/23 ms/25 degrees). The contrast-to-noise ratios (C/Ns) for CSF versus cord or disk were calculated for quantitative analysis. Qualitative image analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

Both sagittal and axial MTC images had significantly higher C/N values than conventional GRE images. The MTC images showed better differentiation between the CSF and the cord or thecal sac as well as better delineation of the nerve roots. Furthermore, MTC images demonstrated syringomyelia more clearly than conventional images.

CONCLUSION

Magnetization transfer contrast images at 0.3 T are effective for diagnosing diseases of the cervical spine.

Novel angiotensin receptor subtypes in fowl

We reported previously that blood vessels of domestic fowl contain angiotensin (ANG) receptors on 1) endothelium, mediating vasorelaxation via endothelium-derived relaxing factor and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate; 2) vascular smooth muscles, mediating neither relaxation nor contraction; and 3) presumably adrenergic nerve endings, transmitting vasopressor action via a release of norepinephrine. We aimed in the present study to determine fowl vascular ANG receptor subtypes and relate them to function. [Val5]ANG II (native fowl ANG II) increased mean arterial pressure of anesthetized, ganglion-blocker-treated fowl. The dose-pressor response curve for fowl ANG II was not altered by pretreatment (i.v.) with the ANG receptor subtype 1 (AT1) antagonist Dup-753 (losartan, 10 mg/kg) or the subtype 2 (AT2) antagonist PD-123319 (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, cumulative doses (1-20 mg/kg) of losartan or PD-123319 did not selectively inhibit ANG II-induced pressor responses. In reserpine- and prazosin-treated anesthetized fowl, [Val5]ANG II caused dose-dependent vasodepressor actions inhibited by neither losartan (10 mg/kg) nor PD-123319 (10 mg/kg). Likewise, [Val5]ANG II-induced vasorelaxation of fowl aortic rings in vitro was not inhibitable by PD-123319 or losartan (10(-5) M). Specific binding of 125I-labeled ANG II to the aortic endothelium was markedly displaced by ANG II, but not selectively by PD-123319 or losartan. Specific binding of 125I-ANG II ligand to the membrane fraction of aortic smooth muscles was displaced (50% inhibitory concentration) by [Val5]ANG II (3.3 x 10(-8) M) and slightly by PD-123319 (3.7 x 10(-5) M), but not by losartan or EXP-3174, an active metabolite of losartan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Corticosteroid-responsive parkinsonism associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome

A 74-year-old woman with primary Sjögren's syndrome confirmed by salivary gland biopsy presented with parkinsonism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed multiple small high intensity lesions in the deep white matter, basal ganglia and pons on T2-weighted images. Treatment with L-dopa failed to improve the parkinsonian features. After the initiation of prednisolone 30 mg/day, the parkinsonian signs and symptoms significantly improved. Some lesions on MRI were decreased in size after corticosteroid therapy. These findings suggest that parkinsonism associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome is at least in part attributable to small vessel vasculopathy such as focal inflammation or edema.

[Analysis of acute toxicity (LD50-value) of organic chemicals to mammals by solubility parameter (delta) (3). Acute dermal toxicity to rabbits]

Acute dermal toxicity (LD50-value) of organic chemicals to rabbits was analyzed by using solubility parameter (delta c), a thermodynamic parameter, of the chemicals. As it was observed in the previous studies with rats and mice, parabolic correlations were also established between logarithm of LD50-value (mmol/kg body weight, rabbits) and delta c of all the collected chemicals (n = 56, R = 0.498), alcohols (n = 19, R = 0.857), ketones (n = 7, R = 0.711), aldehydes (n = 7, R = 0.633) and aromatics (n = 20, R = 0.613). Introduction of molar volume (Vc) to the above equations did not improve the correlations. In the study, we assumed that chemicals absorbed dermally by the mammals similarly disturb the homeostasis, as in acute oral toxicities of organic chemicals to rats and mice. We successfully confirmed the theoretical equation regardless of species and routes of administration by establishing statistically significant correlations with all the collected chemicals, alcohols and aromatics. By analysis, we could determine the solubility parameter of 2.24 x 10(4) (J/m3)1/2 for the biological membrane (absorption site) of rabbits. As the dermal delta c-values which dip the LD50-values for rabbits are approximately the same as in acute oral toxicities with rats and mice, common deleterious effects and mechanism may be working at the common target sites. The regression curves of LD50-values of rabbits, however, are slightly higher than those of rats and mice, which may reflect the difference in amounts of the chemicals absorbed by the body.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification and characterization of a novel substrate for plasma kallikrein (PK-120) in human plasma

A 120 kDa plasma protein, which is susceptible to plasma kallikrein, was purified from human plasma by polyethylene glycol fractionation followed by ion exchange chromatography using Q-Sepharose, S-Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. The 120 kDa protein, termed PK-120 in this paper, was a single polypeptide chain containing about 20% sugar by weight and its concentration in plasma was estimated to be 80 micrograms/ml by ELISA. At least three fragments, 100, 70, and 35 kDa, were produced from PK-120 by plasma kallikrein. The N-terminal sequence and Western blot demonstrated that PK-120 was first cleaved to yield the 100 and 35 kDa fragments, then the 100 kDa fragment was cleaved into the 70 kDa fragment. N-Terminal sequence analyses of PK-120 and its fragments demonstrated that it is a novel plasma protein, distinct from high molecular weight kininogen, a natural substrate for plasma kallikrein.

In vivo induction of IgG anti-DNA antibody by autoreactive mixed haplotype A beta z/A alpha d MHC class II molecule-specific CD4+ T-cell clones

We characterized autoreactive T-cell clones derived from (NZB x NZW)F1 (B/WF1) mice. These autoreactive T-cell clones are shown to be CD4+ by immunofluorescence staining and to belong to Th2 type by cytokine release assay. Specificity analysis revealed the existence of mixed haplotype A beta z/A alpha d major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule-specific T-cell clones as well as A beta z/A alpha z- or A beta d/A alpha d-specific T-cell clones. Some but not all of the mixed haplotype A beta z/A alpha d-specific autoreactive T-cell clones showed strong activity to induce IgG anti-DNA antibody production upon transfer to young (4-month-old) B/WF1 mice, indicating that T cells with these specificities might be involved in B/WF1 autoimmunity.

Low density lipoprotein receptors in rat adipose cells: subcellular localization and regulation by insulin

The distribution of LDL receptors within subcellular compartments of isolated rat adipose cells and the effects of insulin on their expression have been assessed. By immunoblotting with specific anti-rat LDL receptor antibodies, LDL receptors were 2.3- and 4.5-fold enriched in endoplasmic reticulum-rich high-density microsomes (HDM) and Golgi complex-rich low-density microsomes (LDM), respectively, compared to plasma membranes (PM). This distribution was similar in cultured cells in which total receptors were increased 2.5-fold compared to freshly isolated cells. After correction for enzyme recoveries, LDL receptors were distributed approximately 4% in HDM, approximately 73% in LDM, and approximately 23% in PM. Insulin decreased total LDL receptors in adipose cells approximately 44%, with a 48% and 49% decrease in HDM and LDM, respectively, without any changes in PM. In contrast, insulin caused an increase of glucose transporters in PM while also decreasing glucose transporters in LDM. When adipose cells were depleted of potassium to inhibit receptor-mediated endocytosis, insulin again caused a decrease of LDL receptors in LDM but now increased LDL receptors in PM. Insulin increased the rate of LDL receptor synthesis approximately 24%, but decreased their half life approximately 40%. Thus, in isolated adipose cells the majority of LDL receptors appear to be located in an intracellular compartment that co-sediments with the Golgi complex rather than located in the PM. The LDL receptors localized in intracellular compartments seem to be functionally regulated as insulin acutely diminishes the number of receptors by apparently accelerating their rate of degradation through, as yet, incompletely determined mechanisms.

A case of retroperitoneal malignant mesenchymoma

A rare case is reported of malignant mesenchymoma of a retroperitoneal lesion involving the kidney and composed of leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma. The tumor, measuring 13 x 12 x 11 cm and weighing 1910 g, arising from the soft tissue of the retroperitoneum or renal capsule, was completely removed surgically. Thirteen months after surgical operation, multiple metastasis was observed. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopical examination showed two different mesenchymal elements. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were compatible with the pathological findings. This case appears to be the second in the world literature.

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by apoptotic Jurkat cells

Jurkat T cells die of apoptosis upon exposure to anti-Fas mAb. Here we show that although the alternative complement pathway generally does not attack homologous cells, anti-Fas-induced apoptotic Jurkat T cells were attacked antibody-independently by the alternative pathway of human complement and opsonized with iC3b, which is a ligand of the complement receptor type 3 (CR3) of phagocytes. These results suggest that apoptotic cells become the targets of the homologous alternative complement pathway, which facilitates the clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes.

Rheumatoid-susceptible alleles of HLA-DRB1 are genetically recessive to non-susceptible alleles in the progression of bone destruction in the wrists and fingers of patients with RA

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between HLA-DRB1 genotypes and the progression of bone destruction in Japanese patients with RA.

METHODS

The HLA-DRB1 alleles were determined by polymerase chain reaction and allele specific oligonucleotide probe techniques in 160 Japanese patients with RA. HLA-DR 0101, 0401, 0404, 0405, 1001 and 1402 were regarded as susceptible alleles of RA according to previous reports. Patients were classified into three groups (S/S, S/N and N/N group), based on the possession of two, one or no susceptible factor. The grading of radio-graphic changes in the wrists and fingers were evaluated by Larsen's criteria. The radiographic grades were first compared with the results of genotyping in the 160 cross sectional cases. A retrospective study was then conducted on a subgroup consisting of 57 cases taken from the 160 cases used for the cross sectional study.

RESULTS

In the scatter diagram of the 160 cross sectional cases expressing the relationship between the stage of bone destruction and duration of RA, the regression line and the 95% confidence intervals separated the S/S group from the S/N and N/N groups in the early phase of development of bone destruction. In the retrospective study on the 57 cases the median years taken to development to stage V in the wrists after the onset of symptoms were 13.1 in the patients in the S/S group, 22.7 in the S/N group and 23.0 in the N/N group. The difference observed between the S/S and S/N group, and between the S/S and N/N group were statistically significant (p < 0.01), but that between the S/N and N/N groups was not. Thus the bone destruction in the wrists and fingers progressed more rapidly in the S/S group than in the S/N and N/N groups; and the rheumatoid susceptible alleles of HLA-DRB1 can be considered to be genetically recessive to the non-susceptible alleles in the progression of bone destructions in the wrists and fingers.

CONCLUSION

Genotyping of HLA-DRB1 can be a useful prognostic marker in the early phase of RA.

[Analysis of acute toxicity (LD50-value) of organic chemicals to mammals by solubility parameter (delta). (1) Acute oral toxicity to rats]

Acute oral toxicity (LD50-value) of organic chemicals to rats was analyzed by using solubility parameter (delta c), a thermodynamic parameter, of the chemicals. Certain parabolic correlations were established between logarithm of LD50-value (mmol/kg body weight, rats) and delta c of all the collected chemicals (n = 144, R = 0.578), alcohols (n = 29, R = 0.587), ketones (n = 7, R = 0.962), aldehydes (n = 9, R = 0.621), ethers (n = 5, R = 0.890), acetates (n = 7, R = 0.670) and aromatics (n = 84, R = 0.736). Introducing molar volume (Vc) to the above equations could not improve the correlation. In the study, we assumed that as for acute toxicity, chemicals taken into the mammals through biological membrane first disturb the homeostasis, which causes certain biological reactions (i.e. death) and that amounts of the chemicals intaken are regulated by their solubility in the membrane. Based on the assumption, we drew a theoretical equation, which describes LD50 by a parabolic function of delta c. A regression analysis using the equation gave significant correlations as stated above, which incarnates the assumption. A solubility parameter of 2.30 x 10(4) (J/m3)1/2 was also determined for the biological membrane (absorption site) of rats. For comparison, log P was used to describe LD50 of all the chemicals, but no correlation was established (R = 0.164-0.443).

Staurosporine inhibits phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate- and insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters in rat adipose cells

Staurosporine, a widely used protein kinase C inhibitor, completely inhibited both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- and insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in isolated rat adipocytes. The inhibition was non-competitive and was attributed to a blockade of the PMA- and insulin-induced translocation of both GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters. The PMA-stimulated glucose transport activity was more sensitive to inhibition by staurosporine than was insulin-stimulated transport activity (PMA, IC50 = 1.1 +/- 0.1 microM; insulin, IC50 = 6.4 +/- 0.7 microM; P < 0.05, n = 3). At 1 microM staurosporine the insulin-sensitivity was decreased, i.e. EC50 increased from 0.12 nM to 5.4 nM, but the maximum response to insulin and the time course for stimulation were unaffected. At 6 microM staurosporine the insulin-sensitivity was further decreased, the maximal stimulation was decreased by 25%, and the apparent half-time for stimulation was extended from 2.5 min in control cells to 9.4 min. Staurosporine (30 microM) was able to block insulin's ability to stimulate glucose transport, whether added before or after insulin, by a mechanism that did not alter the rate of GLUT4 internalization. In intact adipose cells, staurosporine (30 microM) induced a slight (30%) decrease in the maximal insulin-induced receptor autophosphorylation and a similar decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp60 and pp160 (insulin-receptor substrate-1: 'IRS-1'), but was without effect on insulin binding to its receptor. Conversely, staurosporine induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated (pp120) protein and of an insulin-stimulated protein pp53 in the cytosol. The locus of staurosporine's action appears to be distal from the initial insulin-receptor signalling, at a step that regulates the specific translocation of the glucose transporters to the plasma membranes.

Control of sodium and chloride transport in the thick ascending limb in the avian nephron

We previously reported that birds may concentrate urine by a countercurrent multiplier mechanism using single-solute (NaCl) recirculation, in which the thick ascending limb of Henle (TAL) of mammalian-type nephrons provides an energy source. The Japanese quail TAL has a higher lumen-to-bath Cl flux (JCl,lb) than that of mammals; the mechanism for maintaining the osmotic gradient along the medullary cone is unknown. We investigated whether salt delivery alters the NaCl reabsorption rate in the TAL dissected from both normal and salt-loaded Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix, 3-7 wk old. When salt loading to the TAL was increased by increasing the perfusion flow rate (PFR), the lumen-to-bath Na and Cl flux coefficients (KNa,lb or KCl,lb, 10(-7) cm2/s) increased, respectively (P < 0.05), from 5.1 +/- 0.9 to 7.6 +/- 0.7 and from 6.8 +/- 0.9 to 8.9 +/- 1.4. Ouabain addition significantly reduced the KNa,lb. A significant correlation existed between PFR and JCl,lb (r = 0.69, P < 0.01) and PFR and JNa,lb. When the TAL was perfused at a low PFR, increasing Cl concentration in the perfusate and bathing medium from 125 to 175 (P < 0.05) or 225 mM (P < 0.01) increased JCl,lb but not KCl,lb, while decreasing Cl concentration decreased JCl,lb but not KCl,lb. Salt loading of intact birds (0.2 M NaCl drinking water) for 7 days increased the plasma Na level and the cloacal fluid-to-plasma osmolality ratio from 0.28 +/- 0.07 to 1.06 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cocirculation of two distinct groups of influenza C virus in Yamagata City, Japan

The antigenic and genetic relationships among 15 strains of influenza C virus isolated between August, 1988, and May, 1990, in Yamagata City, Japan, were investigated. Based on the results of antigenic analysis with monoclonal antibodies to the hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) glycoproteins and oligonucleotide mapping of total vRNA, the isolates were divided into two distinct groups closely related to either C/Yamagata/26/81 or C/Aichi/1/81. Antigenic differences between two groups could be detected clearly with heterogeneous antiviral sera. Comparison of the HE gene sequences between the representative Yamagata isolates and the previous isolates from other countries showed that C/Yamagata/26/81-like and C/Aichi/1/81-like viruses had high degrees of nucleotide sequence homology with C/pig/Beijing/115/81 and C/Johannesburg/1/66, respectively. These observations suggest that two lineages of influenza C virus, markedly different from each other in both antigenic and genetic structures, were simultaneously present in Yamagata City during 1988-1990 and that viruses belonging to each of the two lineages may also be prevalent in other areas of Japan and even in other countries.

Adult T-cell leukaemia with various abnormalities in endocrine and metabolic systems

Adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) is a unique type of T-cell malignancy closely associated with human T-cell leukaemia virus-1 (HTLV-1). Despite frequent descriptions of hypercalcaemia, cases accompanied by diabetes insipidus or syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) in ATL patients have rarely been reported. We present an unusual case of ATL with various abnormalities in his endocrine and metabolic systems involving anterior pituitary function, thyroid function, lipid metabolism and Ca metabolism. Some of these abnormalities were considered to arise from infiltration or leukaemic cells into systemic organs after elimination of the above symptoms. Clinical and haematological data showing improvement following chemotherapy are also presented.