Caspase-3-mediated cleavage of protein kinase C theta in induction of apoptosis

Protein kinase C theta (PKCtheta) is a member of the novel or nPKC family. A functional role for PKCtheta is unknown. The present studies demonstrate that PKCtheta is cleaved in the third variable region (V3) in apoptosis induced by diverse agents. PKCtheta cleavage is blocked in cells that overexpress the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL or the baculovirus p35 protein. PKCtheta is cleaved by Caspase-3 and by apoptotic cell lysates at a DEVD354/K site. We also show that overexpression of the cleaved kinase-active PKCtheta fragment, but not full-length PKCtheta or a kinase-inactive fragment, results in induction of sub-G1 phase DNA, nuclear fragmentation, and lethality. These findings indicate that proteolytic cleavage of PKCtheta by Caspase-3 induces events characteristic of apoptosis.

Temporal Phase Affects Spatial Binding in Depth Perception

The temporal linking of spatial information is essential for coherent space perception. We investigated the effect of the temporal phase of flickering ‘inducers’ in depth perception. Stereo half-images were generated on the left and right halves of a large-screen video monitor and viewed through a mirror stereoscope. The half-images portrayed a solid-black vertically oriented bar seen against a white background. Two brackets immediately flanking this bar could be placed in crossed or uncrossed disparity relative to the bar. A pair of thin white ‘bridging lines’ could appear on the black bar, always at zero disparity. Brackets and bridging lines could be flickered either in-phase or out-of-phase. Observers judged whether the brackets appeared in front of or behind the black bar, with disparity varied over trials according to a method of constant stimuli.

We found that when bridging lines were absent, the depth location of the brackets was predictably dependent on disparity sign, with a small bias for “behind” judgements owing to occlusion. When bridging lines and brackets flashed in temporal phase, depth judgements were markedly biased toward “in front”; when the bridging lines and brackets flashed out of phase, this bias was much reduced. This biasing effect also depended on the spatial offset of lines and brackets. We conclude that depth perception is strongly influenced by the temporal phase of the spatial information.

[Retrograde radical cystectomy. Advantages of our "vesico-rectal tunnel" method]

BACKGROUND

The facilitation of dissecting the vesical pedicles and undisturbed preservation of the membranous urethra were investigated during radical cystectomy using the retrograde technique.

METHODS

First, just as with radical prostatectomy, the prostate and the rectum were separated by blunt digital dissection. After the deep dorsal vein complex and the urethra were cut, the bladder and the rectum were also separated in a retrograde manner towards the Denonvillier's fascia. Then the peritoneum was opened and its lowest part was incised above the cul-de-sac. A tunnel was made beginning at the cut-end of the urethra to the cul-de-sac. Consequently, the bladder was lifted up by hand inserted this "vesico-rectal tunnel" and the bilateral remaining lateral pedicles were ligated and transsected without difficulty.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients underwent radical cystectomy using this technique. Among them, the average operating time and blood loss in 4 patients received retrograde radical cystectomy accompanied with ileal conduit were 5 hours 15 minutes and 1606 ml, respectively. These in 9 patients received retrograde radical cystectomy followed by bowel orthotopic urinary reservoir were 7 hours and 6 minutes and 1086 ml, respectively. Another patient received ureterocutaneoustomy.

CONCLUSION

Creating a "vesico-rectal tunnel" during radical cystectomy primarily by the retrograde extraperitoneal technique can afford to preserve the urethral sphincter and to ligate the pedicles easily. This method is fundamentally familiar to us because retrograde radical prostatectomy is now widely adopted and it may help to reduce the operating time even when there is a shortage of manpower.

Effect of selenium on human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase expression and host cell susceptibility to lipid hydroperoxide-mediated injury

We recently isolated stable transfectants expressing human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) from the cells of guinea pig cell line 104C1 (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 219, 486-491, 1996). Among them, one transfectant, designated 104C1/O4C, expressed high glutathione peroxidase activity toward dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH); and another one, 104C1/O2D, moderate activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of selenium on the PHGPx activity and on the lipid hydroperoxide-mediated cell injury in the transfectants to clarify further the action of PHGPx in preventing oxidative injury of the cells. When transfectant 104C1/O2D cells were cultured in the medium added with 250 nM selenium, glutathione peroxidase activity toward PCOOH increased 8-fold. Western blot analysis also revealed an increase in the amount of protein immunoreactive against anti-rat PHGPx antibody in this transfectant. Lipid hydroperoxide-mediated cell injury to the transfectant 104C1/O2D was significantly suppressed in accordance with the increase in the enzyme activity when the cells were cultured in the medium added with selenium. On the contrary, neither glutathione peroxidase activity toward PCOOH nor susceptibility to the injury was affected by selenium addition to the medium of the parental 104C1 cells, which have no selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase. These results clearly support our previous conclusion that expression of PHGPx is responsible for the protection of host cells from lipid hydroperoxide-mediated injury.

[Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from urine sediment by PCR diagnostic reagent kit]

Chlamydia trachomatis detection by both swab CHLAMYDIAZYME and urine sediment AMPLICOR were performed on 61 males and 54 females who were suspected to have C. trachomatis genital infection (CTGI). Positive agreement between swab CHLAMYDIAZYME and urine sediment AMPLICOR was good, 96.9% in males and 96.6% in females. Negative agreement was 100% in males and 84.0% in females. "Swab CHLAMYDIAZYME positive-Urine sediment AMPLICOR negative specimen" were not obtained. "Swab CHLAMYDIAZYME negative-urine sediment AMPLICOR positive" resulted in four females who were finally diagnosed to have CTGI by repeated specimens on CHLAMYDIAZYME. Positive result by AMPLICOR was obtained on un-spun urine specimen that was in agreement with the laboratory result that the sensitivity of AMPLICOR reaches one thousand fold of CHLAMYDIAZYME. Detection on every separately collected urine specimen of one urination showed AMPLICOR positive all through the last cup specimen in both male and female. Those results seem to certify the reliability of C. trachomatis detection by urine sediment AMPLICOR. False negative by interference substance in urine and false positive by contamination were not experienced. On asymptomatic young male and female, positive rates of urine sediment AMPLICOR were 7.5% in male and 12.1% in female which are far more than the positive rate obtained by CHLAMYDIAZYME. Non invasive C. trachomatis detection method applicable to asymptomatic female is needed for control of CTGI. C. trachomatis detection could be facilitated by non invasive urine sediment AMPLICOR.

Diabetic lipemia with maturity-onset diabetes of the young

A 19-year-old woman with diabetic lipemia and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is reported. Though her insulin secretory activity was preserved, she fell into mild diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and showed type V hyperlipidemia. Post-heparin plasma activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was decreased even 10 days after initiating insulin injection but not deficient. The abnormalities in lipid metabolism were improved by long-term insulin treatment. Though the contribution of the genetic background to the lipid abnormalities is not clear, the characteristics of MODY in this patient including insulin secretory capacity under stress conditions such as DKA might play a role in the development of diabetic lipemia.

Aprotinin inhibits plasmin-induced platelet activation during cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND

In the past few years, aprotinin has been used in cardiac surgery with impressive results of reducing blood loss, but several adverse effects of aprotinin also have been reported. One of the most likely mechanisms is the inhibition of plasmin by aprotinin, although this indirect effect has not been reproduced in all experimental studies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We evaluated the platelet function and fibrinolytic activity during human cardiac surgery, with or without aprotinin. During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in humans without aprotinin (n=16), decrease of platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, increase of alpha-granule secretion of platelet and microparticle formation, and increase of plasmin/alpha2-antiplasmin complex (PIC) were observed. In contrast, low-dose aprotinin (1.0 x 10(6) KIU), which was administered only into the priming fluid of extracorporeal circuits (n=10), maintained platelet aggregation induced by thrombin and reduced alpha-granule secretion and microparticle formation of platelets during CPB. In vitro, plasmin (0.8 CU/mL) released alpha-granules of washed platelets, and this activation was completely inhibited by aprotinin (10 KIU/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Aprotinin has indirect effects to inhibit platelet activation, and this may partly explain the reduction of blood loss during cardiac surgery. To prevent the adverse effects, a single and minimal use of aprotinin is important. The results of in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that platelet preservation was demonstrated by the lower concentration of aprotinin (1.0 x 10(6) KIU per patient or 10 KIU/mL) compared with the concentration that inhibits plasma fibrinolysis.

Cortical processing mechanism for vocalization with auditory verbal feedback

To investigate the relationship between motor and sensory speech center, cortical activity was examined using PET while normal subjects perceived their own voice which sounded different to the articulated one. The results showed significant activation in the superior temporal gyri with absence of activity in the supplementary motor area (SMA). In a previous study we found significant activation in SMA with no activity in the superior temporal gyrus when normal subjects simply vocalized. Thus, two different cortical pathways for vocalization were delineated: programmed pathway in SMA, and pathway with auditory verbal feedback. The former is thought to be the mature system in the adult, and the latter may be related to speech acquisition.

The role of the temporal coding system in the auditory cortex on speech recognition

To elucidate the temporal coding system for speech recognition, we synthesized stimulation sounds which do not contain formant information but do contain temporal information by transforming original sound wave to click sequences. Using this stimulation sound, we performed a recognition test and used PET to examine the cortical activities in normal subjects listening to this sound. The results of the recognition test showed a good perception of the sounds made from sequential speech. The PET study demonstrated significant activation of the superior temporal gyri while listening to the stimulation speech sounds. Our results imply that these stimulation sounds were processed semantically in the auditory cortices. The temporal processing system is thought to make an important contribution to speech recognition.

Use of hydroxyapatite for reconstruction after surgical removal of intraosseous hemangioma in the zygomatic bone

Two rare cases of intraosseous hemangiomas in the zygomatic bone that were repaired after surgical removal of the tumor with hydroxyapatite implants are reported. Case 1 is a 42-year-old woman, and case 2 is a 46-year-old man. They complained of swelling in the right cheek. An intraosseous tumor in the right zygomatic bone was observed in both patients. The tumor was resected, and hydroxyapatite was employed to repair the defect caused by removal. After 4 years since the operation in case 1 and 8 months in case 2, the patients show satisfactory cosmetic appearance. Hydroxyapatite implant was useful for reconstruction of the defect after surgical removal of hemangiomas in the zygomatic bone.

Characterization of a second lysine decarboxylase isolated from Escherichia coli

We report here on the existence of a new gene for lysine decarboxylase in Escherichia coli K-12. The hybridization experiments with a cadA probe at low stringency showed that the homologous region of cadA was located in lambda Kohara phage clone 6F5 at 4.7 min on the E. coli chromosome. We cloned the 5.0-kb HindIII fragment of this phage clone and sequenced the homologous region of cadA. This region contained a 2,139-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a 713-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 80,589. Overexpression of the protein and determination of its N-terminal amino acid sequence defined the translational start site of this gene. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 69.4% identity to that of lysine decarboxylase encoded by cadA at 93.7 min on the E. coli chromosome. In addition, the level of lysine decarboxylase activity increased in strains carrying multiple copies of the gene. Therefore, the gene encoding this lysine decarboxylase was designated Idc. Analysis of the lysine decarboxylase activity of strains containing cadA, ldc, or cadA ldc mutations indicated that ldc was weakly expressed under various conditions but is a functional gene in E. coli.

Vocal fold atrophy: quantitative glottic measurement and vocal function

Videostroboscopic glottic measurements and vocal function were evaluated in 41 vocal fold atrophy patients with bowed vocal folds. The amount of bowing in the resting position and the glottal gap area and vibratory amplitude during phonation were measured from digitized videostroboscopic images. Vibratory amplitude was not decreased on atrophic vocal folds. With the same amount of total bowing, the glottal gap area for bilateral atrophy was smaller than for unilateral atrophy. These results suggest that vocal fold atrophy is not disadvantageous to thyroplasty type I, and that bilateral procedures may produce a better outcome than a unilateral procedure in the treatment of bilateral atrophy. Acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual parameters of vocal function were measured. The acoustic high-frequency power ratio and the H-index correlated with the glottal gap area. The mean flow rate correlated with the amount of bowing. The degree of dysphonia was related to the size of the glottal gap and bowing.

Oxidized lipoproteins found in patients with NIDDM stimulate radical-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA expression in cultured human endothelial cells

Although oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) exists in plasma from diabetic patients, there are few studies on its biological activity. Thus, we investigated the biological potency of LDL plus intermediate density lipoprotein fraction isolated from 12 non-diabetic and 24 non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects of similar age and body mass index, in order to induce monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression in cultured human endothelial cells. MCP-1 mRNA content in the cells exposed to the lipoproteins isolated from the diabetic patients was significantly higher than that from the control subjects (p < 0.001). The increment of MCP-1 mRNA content was positively correlated with not only HbA1c (r = 0.58, p < 0.0001) but also lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) content in the lipoprotein (r = 0.46, p < 0.005) and was negatively correlated with diene formation lag time as a marker of oxidizability of the lipoprotein (r = -0.33, p < 0.05). Treatments of the cells with either 50 mumol/l probucol, 50 mumol/l alpha-tocopherol, or 0.1 mmol/l deferoxamine suppressed the increase in MCP-1 mRNA content induced by diabetic lipoproteins, respectively. Furthermore, the diabetic lipoproteins activated nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B in the cells, which was inhibited by pre-treatment of cells with 50 mumol/l probucol. These data indicate that oxidatively modified lipoproteins found in diabetic plasma stimulate MCP-1 gene expression in endothelial cells. The LPC content which reflects oxidative modification of lipoprotein is at least a possible marker of biological activity to increase an atherogenic cytokine in endothelial cells.

Interstitial pneumonitis related to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration following chemotherapy for elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

We treated three cases of interstitial pneumonitis (IP) in 26 elderly (> or = 65 years old) patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who received the same chemotherapeutic protocol including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration. Fortunately, all three patients recovered from IP spontaneously by discontinuation of G-CSF alone or with administration of corticosteroid. Because the duration and extent of neutrophilia induced by G-CSF administration was not different between the cases complicated by IP and those without IP, underlying pulmonary damage is suggested to be more involved than neutrophil count in the development of IP.

Apoptotic cell death during the estrous cycle in the rat uterus and vagina

BACKGROUND

Rodent uterus and vagina show marked histological changes during the estrous cycle. Apoptotic cell death has been demonstrated in hamster and rat uterine epithelium during the estrous cycle by electron microscopy: numerous epithelial cells undergo apoptosis at estrus. We examined cell death and cell proliferation in rat uterus and vagina during estrous cycle.

METHODS

To examine the rate of proliferation in uterine and vaginal cells at each estrous stage, the numbers of cells at metaphase were counted separately in epithelial and stromal cells. We identified the apoptotic cells in uterus and vagina at each estrous stage by using DNA fragmentation, in situ DNA 3'-end labeling, and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Mitotic rates in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells were low at metestrus and estrus, respectively. Intense fragmentation was found in the uterus at metestrus and in the vagina at proestrus and metestrus. In uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells, apoptotic index showed peaks at metestrus and estrus, respectively. In vaginal epithelial cells, many apoptotic cells were encountered in the superficial layer at proestrus, which may contribute to keratinization. In the middle and basal layer of vaginal epithelial cells, apoptotic index was high at metestrus, when mitotic rate was low. Electron microscopy confirmed the results of the labeling studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Apoptotic cell death was encountered in the uterus and vagina during estrous cycle in rats. There is an inverse correlation between cell death and cell proliferation in rat uterine and vaginal epithelial cells during the estrous cycle.

A comparative freeze-fracture study of plasma membrane of dystrophic skeletal muscles in dy/dy mice with merosin (laminin 2) deficiency and mdx mice with dystrophin deficiency

The intramembranous particle (IMP), orthogonal array (OA) and orthogonal array subunit particle (OASP) densities of skeletal muscle plasma membranes of merosin deficient dy/dy mice and their control mice at 7, 14 and 28 days after birth were analysed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Similar studies were performed on dystrophin-deficient mdx mice with mild muscle weakness at 28 days after birth for the comparison with those of dy/dy mice with severe muscle weakness at the same age. In the pre-clinical stage of dy/dy mice at 14 days after birth, the membranes showed a significantly decreased density of OAs (P<0.01 by Wilcoxon rank-sum test) as compared with control mice, while those in the clinical stage of dy/dy mice at 28 days after birth showed normal IMP density but a marked depletion of OA density (P<0.01). Moreover, at 28 days after birth, the reduction of OAs in the plasma membranes of dy/dy mice was more marked than that of mdx mice (P<0.05 by Wilcoxon rank-sum test). These results provided us with the information that the OA density was affected more severely with merosin deficiency than with dystrophin deficiency, and again supported our previously proposed concept that the clinical severity in muscular dystrophies correlated with the OA density.

Acoustic characteristics of rough voice: subharmonics

This study investigates the relationship between rough voice and the presence of subharmonics, which correspond to smaller yet distinct peaks located between two consecutive harmonic peaks in the power spectrum. Spectrum analysis was undertaken in 389 pathologic voices, of which 20 had subharmonics. Although all 20 voices had roughness perceptually, 8 had normal jitter and/or shimmer. The degree of roughness had a significant inverse relationship with the frequency of subharmonics. By digital signal processing, sound samples with various types of subharmonics were synthesized and perceptually analyzed. Power and frequency of subharmonics in the synthesized sound also had significant relationships with the degree of roughness. Rough voice is acoustically characterized not only by jitter and shimmer but also by the presence of subharmonics in the power spectrum. Subharmonics are important acoustic properties for objective evaluation of rough voices.

[Short-term intensive treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia (excluding M3 subtype) in adults]

Thirty-two adults (median age 48 years) with acute myelogenous leukemia (excluding M3) have been treated with short-term intensive therapy (M90 therapy). After induction therapy with daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside (araC), 6-mercaptopurine, prednisolone, mitoxantrone (MIT) and etoposide (VP16), three regimens of post-induction chemotherapy were conducted as short an intercycle time as possible. The first regimen was with MIT and VP16, the second with behenoyl-araC and aclarubicin and the third with VP16, araC, vincristine and vinblastine. No further therapy was given. Complete remission was achieved in 24 (75%) of 32 patients and 24% of all patients were projected to remain free of disease at 5 years. The median duration of the entire therapy was 120 days with a range of 95 to 157 days. Post-induction regimens resulted in severe myelosuppression and their toxicity included treatment-related death in one patient. The treatment results of this short-term therapy were comparable to a former treatment protocol, M84 therapy with a median duration of the entire treatment therapy of 515 days. To confirm the advantages of such short-term therapy, prospective randomized comparisons with conventional post-induction therapy may be required.

Telomerase activity and telomere length in hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The maintenance of the telomere to a certain length is considered to be vital for cellular immortality. Recently, the presence of telomerase, an enzyme that elongates telomere length, was reported in various malignancies. The aim of this study was to characterize telomerase activity and telomere length in hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver diseases to facilitate better understanding and more accurate diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

In tumorous and nontumorous tissues from 26 hepatocellular carcinomas and from 20 liver tissues without overt hepatocellular carcinoma, telomerase activity was examined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol and telomere length was detected by Southern blot hybridization method.

RESULTS

Telomerase activity was detected in 22 of 26 (85%) hepatocellular carcinoma specimens. In contrast, it was weakly detected in 4 of 46 (9%) nonneoplastic tissues. Telomere length in hepatocellular carcinoma was shorter than that of corresponding nontumorous tissue in 44% and longer in 17%.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of telomerase activity was confirmed in a majority of cases with hepatocellular carcinoma, and alteration of telomere length from nonneoplastic tissue was observed in approximately two thirds of hepatocellular carcinomas. Therefore, these markers might be good indicators for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

beta-Sitosterolemia with generalized eruptive xanthomatosis

The clinical features of the first case of a patient with sitosterolemia and generalized eruptive xanthomatosis are described. A six-year-old girl with generalized eruption was referred to the lipid clinic because of the high plasma cholesterol levels determined by the enzymatic method. Neither clinical signs nor results of laboratory examinations appeared to be abnormal, except for the eruption and the increase in the plasma cholesterol concentration. A family survey revealed high plasma cholesterol concentrations in the mother and one of two other siblings. Histological examination showed the eruption to be a xanthoma. Plasma sterol analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed a noticeable increase in plasma plant sterol as well as cholestanol concentrations in the proband and the hypercholesterolemic sibling. The other family members had slightly high plasma sterol concentrations. This is the first case of a sitosterolemic patient with eruptive xanthomatosis. The case indicates that the clinical features of the xanthoma in sitosterolemia are not only tuberous or tendon but also eruptive, and also suggests that sitosterolemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia in almost every case with tuberous or eruptive xanthoma. The diagnosis is clinically important, since the disease can be treated successfully by diet therapy and bile acid binding resins.

Activation of a CrmA-insensitive, p35-sensitive pathway in ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis

The response of eukaryotic cells to ionizing radiation (IR) includes induction of apoptosis. However, the signals that regulate this response are unknown. The present studies demonstrate that IR treatment of U-937 cells is associated with: (i) internucleosomal DNA fragmentation; (ii) cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; (iii) cleavage of protein kinase C delta; and (iv) induction of an Ac-DEVD-p-nitroanilide cleaving activity. Overexpression of the cowpox protein CrmA blocked tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced apoptosis but had no effect on IR-induced DNA fragmentation or cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and protein kinase C delta. By contrast, overexpression of the baculovirus p35 protein blocked both IR- and TNF-induced apoptosis. The results further demonstrate that the IR-induced proteolytic activity is directly inhibited by the addition of purified recombinant p35, but not by CrmA. We show that the CPP32 protease is sensitive to p35 and not CrmA. We also show that IR induces activation of CPP32 and that this event, like induction of apoptosis, is sensitive to overexpression of p35 and not CrmA. These findings indicate that IR-induced apoptosis involves activation of CPP32 and that this CrmA-insensitive apoptotic pathway is distinct from those induced by TNF and certain other stimuli.