Effect of morphine on aluminium fluoride and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP induced reduction of field potentials in hippocampal slices

Effects of morphine and aluminum fluoride on field potentials evoked in hippocampal pyramidal cells were investigated revealing the physiological significance of adenylate cyclase in morphine action. Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) reduces the amplitude of potentials, while morphine enhances it. Morphine was without effects on db-cAMP induced reduction of potentials. Aluminum fluoride, known to activate GTP binding proteins, also reduced potentials and this was antagonized by morphine. Furthermore, N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide dihydrochloride (H-8), a protein kinase A inhibitor, enhanced potentials. When GABA synthesis was inhibited by 3-mercaptopropinoic acid, both morphine and db-cAMP was without effect. These results suggested the inhibition of adenylate cyclase by morphine which might be related with the reduction of GABA release in hippocampal slices.

Studies on the metabolism of retinol and retinol-binding protein in transthyretin-deficient mice produced by homologous recombination

Tissue needs for retinoids are believed to be satisfied through the delivery in the circulation of retinol by its specific plasma transport protein, retinol-binding protein (RBP), which circulates as a 1-to-1 protein complex with transthyretin (TTR). The binding of RBP to TTR is thought to prevent filtration of retinol-RBP in the kidney and to play a role in secretion of RBP from hepatocytes. Recently a strain of mice (TTR-) that totally lacks immunoreactive TTR was produced by targeted mutagenesis. We have explored the effects of TTR deficiency on retinol and RBP metabolism in this mutant strain. In pooled plasma from the TTR- mice retinol levels averaged 6% of those of wild type animals. Similarly, plasma RBP in the TTR- mice was found to be 5% of wild type levels. Hepatic retinol and retinyl ester levels were similar for mutant and wild type mice, suggesting that the mutation affects neither the uptake nor storage of dietary retinol. Levels of retinol and retinyl esters in testis, kidney, spleen, and eye cups from TTR- mice were normal. Plasma all-trans-retinoic acid levels for the TTR- mice were 2.3-fold higher than those of wild type (425 versus 190 ng/dl). Kidney RBP levels were similar for the mutant and wild type mice and we were unable to detect intact RBP in urine from TTR- mice. Hepatic RBP levels in the TTR- mice were 60% higher than those of wild type mice (39.8 versus 25.0 micrograms of RBP/g of tissue). These data may suggest that there is a partial blockage in RBP secretion from TTR- hepatocytes that leads to lessened plasma levels of retinol-RBP.

Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans by oxidative coupling reaction. IV. Oxidative coupling reaction of methyl (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)propenoate and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects of the produced lignans

The oxidative coupling reaction of the hydroxycinnamate 11 derived from daphnetin has been investigated. The reaction with silver oxide afforded, after acetylation, a dihydrobenzofuran derivative 17 and a benzodioxane derivative 16a as major products accompanied with a small amount of a bis(benzylidene)succinate 18 and a dihydronaphthalene 19, while the oxidation with iron(III) chloride gave the dihydronaphthalene derivative 20 corresponding to 19. The reaction with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) and Na2CO3 produced, after acetylation, 16a and 19 in lower yields. The propensity for product formation in the reaction of 11 is discussed in relation to data for the reactions of hydroxycinnamate derivatives studied so far. The obtained compounds were tested for inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and rat liver microsomes. In the rat brain homogenate the five compounds showed inhibitory activity more potent than that of idebenone. Compounds 17 and 20 were then tested in rat liver microsomes, and found to be more potent than schizotenuin A and much more potent than (+/-)-alpha-tocopherol.

Vibrotactile temporary threshold shifts induced by hand-transmitted vibration during underwater work

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the temporary threshold shifts (TTS) of fingertip vibratory sensation produced by hand-transmitted vibration in an underwater work environment. The hand-transmitted vibration was applied with a pneumatic tool to the right hand of four experienced male SCUBA divers. The threshold of 125 Hz vibratory sensation was measured at the tip of the right forefinger before and after vibration exposure in the atmosphere and underwater. Vibration exposure at a 4 m depth produced greater TTS than in the atmosphere. The recovery time of TTS after vibration exposure in an underwater were affected by the underwater pressure.

Introduction to the Bioelectronic Devices Project in Japan

The Bioelectronic Devices Project was organized in Japan as a 10-year national project and it has been working toward developing fundamental key technologies for designing and assembling innovative information-processing devices by realizing the excellent functions specifically found in molecular assemblies and information processing of living organisms. The project is now in the third year of the second phase (the 8th year of its 10-year duration) and researchers have been trying to elucidate the specific characters of the prototype devices. The outline of this challenging project is given with the latest experimental results.

Two-dimensional domain shape transitions in photosensitive monolayer assemblies

Bubble-stripe shape transitions of gaseous domains are observed in Langmuir monolayers of porphyrin/arachidic acid and porphyrin/spiropyran mixtures using fluorescence microscopy. Characteristics of the transition such as critical bubble size are found to be controllable by subphase pH or UV/visible irradiation. These features are discussed in terms of a balance between dipolar repulsions and line tension in the monolayer.

[Clinical evaluation of chemohormonal therapy as an initial treatment for stage D2 prostatic cancer--effect of UFT administration combined with hormonal therapy]

We evaluated the usefulness of hormonal therapy combined with UFT as initial treatment in comparison with hormonal therapy alone in 92 patients with Stage D2 prostatic cancer treated at the Department of Urology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine between 1974 and 1993. Twenty-six of these patients were treated with diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DESP) and castration (hormonal therapy alone group), and 23 patients were treated with UFT, DESP and castration (UFT combined therapy group). The 5-year survival rates calculated with Kaplan-Meier's method in the hormonal therapy alone group and the UFT combined therapy group were 34.6 % and 38.3%, respectively. However, the 3-year survival rates of pathologically poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in these groups were 30.0% and 50.0%, respectively. Based on these results, it was suggested that UFT administration combined with hormonal therapy is useful for pathologically poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in Stage D2 prostatic cancer.

The growth and recovery of vibrotactile TTs caused by hand-transmitted repetitive shocks of various waveforms

The effect of shock repetition rate on the temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) in vibrotactile perception at the fingers has been studied with shocks having exponential decays and hanning waveforms. The repetition rate of shocks delivered at the hand varied from 2 shocks per second up to 64 shocks per second. Subjects were exposed to vertical hand-transmitted repetitive shock vibration of equal energy contents. The magnitudes of the stimuli were adjusted to 2.8 ms-2 r.m.s. so that they were all equally severe according to current standards for assessing the severity of hand-transmitted vibration (e.g. International Standard 5349, 1986). It was found that the TTS in vibrotactile perception decreased with decreasing shock repetition rate for both waveforms. The relation between the TTS, the logarithm of exposure time, and the logarithm of the ratio between the frequency-weighted r.m.s. acceleration and the peak amplitude was described by the relation TTS = 16.1 + 3.9log10T + 17.9log10 (RMS/PEAK), where TTS is the temporary threshold shift (in decibels), T is the exposure time, and RMS is the frequency-weighted r.m.s. acceleration according to BS 6842 and ISO 5349, and PEAK is the peak amplitude of the frequency-weighted acceleration. This shows that current standards are not appropriate for the prediction of the changes in vibrotactile perception produced by shocks such as those on many hand-held percussive tools.

Optical neural device based on memory-type organic photoconductors

A variable-sensitivity organic-photoconductive device has been developed by using a memory-type organic photoconductor. The device is composed of an input layer and a memory layer acting as a charge generation and a charge transport layer, respectively. A persistent high-sensitivity state, which corresponds to a modulation of synaptic weights in a neuron model, was obtained by blue light illumination. A photochemical reaction of thiomichler's ketone (TMK) in the memory layer was found to be responsible for the memory formation. As a potential application of this memory-type organic photoconductor to an optical neural device, 2-D pattern storage and calculations were performed successfully.

Polymorphism and Distribution of Apo(a)

Several apo(a) isoforms, controlled by a series of alleles Lp(a)F, Lp(a)B, Lp(a)S1, Lp(a)S2, Lp(a)S3, Lp(a)S4 and null, were found in 470 healthy Japanese by 4% SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting techniques. There was a strong inverse relationship between the apparent molecular weight of apo(a) isoforms and plasma concentrations of Lp(a). Lp(a) in d < 1.006 fraction increased 2-4h after oral fat load. Lp(a) exhibited a marked avidity for triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL), and we suggest that the TRL-bound Lp(a) is the intact Lp(a) derived from serum. We demonstrated that the lipid-free apo(a) does not contain apo B-100 in serum, and has a molecular mass of ca 200 kDa. The free apo(a) level in normal subjects was 1.75 mg/dl (as Lp(a)) and was no different from the level in CAD patients.

A 6-kb upstream region of the human transthyretin gene can direct developmental, tissue-specific, and quantitatively normal expression in transgenic mouse

To ascertain whether a 6-kb upstream region of the human transthyretin (TTR) gene contains the cis-element(s) required for proper specificity and level of expression, transgenic mice carrying the human mutant TTR gene containing either 6-kb (6.0-hMet30) or 0.6-kb (0.6-hMet30) of the upstream region were produced and studied. The 6.0-hMet30 gene was expressed in the yolk sac, liver, and choroid plexus, where the mouse endogenous TTR gene is also expressed. In contrast, expression of the 0.6-hMet30 gene was restricted to the yolk sac and liver. The expression levels of the 6.0-hMet30 gene in the liver and serum were similar to those of the mouse TTR gene, and about 10-fold those of the 0.6-hMet30 gene. Before birth, the developmental profiles of the expression of both transgenes in each tissue were similar to those of the mouse TTR gene. However, the expression levels of the 6.0-hMet30 gene in the liver and serum increased after birth to reach adult levels at an age of 4 weeks, while expression of the 0.6-hMet30 gene remained at a low level after birth. These results suggest that the 6-kb upstream sequence contains the cis-elements required for developmental, tissue-specific, and quantitatively normal expression.

Therapeutic effects of lansoprazole on peptic ulcers in elderly patients

We studied the effects of lansoprazole on ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori infection in elderly patients with peptic ulcers. In a group of 24 patients with gastric ulcers, the H. pylori infection rate was 100%. In the course of gastric ulcer healing with famotidine or lansoprazole alone, the H. pylori infection showed no signs of decline. The ulcer healing rates after 8 weeks were similar between the H2-receptor antagonist famotidine (73%), and the proton pump inhibitor lansoprazole (82%). When eradication of H. pylori infection was attempted by concomitant administration of lansoprazole and amoxicillin 500 mg b.i.d. for 2 weeks, the eradication rate was 33% in the group given lansoprazole 30 mg q.d. plus ampicillin 500 mg b.i.d., whereas it was 77% in the group given lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d. plus ampicillin 500 mg b.i.d. Lansoprazole is considered to be a useful agent for the treatment of patients with peptic ulcers and H. pylori infection and its effectiveness in H. pylori eradication is improved by b.i.d. administration along with ampicillin.

Chemical compositions of 300 lower urinary tract calculi and associated disorders in the urinary tract

The stones removed from 273 patients (220 males, 53 females) with bladder stones and 27 patients with urethral stones (males) were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Of these stones 50.0% contained magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP), 39.9% calcium (oxalate and/or phosphate), 9.4% uric acid (urate), and 0.7% cystine. The disorders associated with bladder stones were prostatic hyperplasia and cancer (47.8%), neurogenic bladder (11.8%), urethral stricture (3.6%) and so on in males, and neurogenic bladder (48.1%), after operation of uterus (29.0%), bladder cancer (5.7%) and so on in females. Urinary infections were complications in 59.3% of patients with MAP stones, 41.2% with urate stones and 20.0% with calcium stones. The most often isolated bacteria from the infected urine were of the Proteus species.

Thyroid hormone metabolism in a transthyretin-null mouse strain

Transthyretin (TTR) is the principal carrier of thyroid hormones in rodent plasma and the major protein synthesized by the choroid plexus. Mice lacking TTR generated by targeted disruption (Episkopou, V., Maeda, S., Nishiguchi, S., Shimada, K., Gaitanaris, G. A., Gottesman, M. E., and Robertson, E. J. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 2375-2379) had a 50% decrease in total thyroxine (T4) plasma levels but had normal free hormone levels as compared to wild-type mice. In the mutant serum there was increased T4 binding to thyroxine-binding globulin. Thyroxine-binding globulin mRNA levels were the same in mutant and wild-type animals. Wild-type serum depleted of TTR also presented increased T4 binding to thyroxine-binding globulin, suggesting that TTR competes with thyroxine-binding globulin for T4 binding. Total and free triiodothyronine and thyrotoropin-stimulating hormone levels were not affected by the absence of TTR. Liver deiodinase-I activity, mRNA levels, and brain deiodinase-II activity were normal in the mutant mice, suggesting that the absence of TTR does not affect tissue thyroid hormone content. The low T4 levels found in the mutant mice sera cannot be accounted for by increased glucuronidation because the liver activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase was not affected in the TTR-deficient mice. We concluded that transthyretin-deficient mice are euthyroid in the absence of the major plasma T4 carrier. We ascribed this to the normal free hormone levels in the serum of the mutant mice. Our data, therefore, strongly supported the free hormone hypothesis for thyroxine uptake (Mendel, C. M. (1989) Endocr. Rev. 10, 232-274).

Theophylline attenuates circulating vitamin B6 levels in children with asthma

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of theophylline on circulating vitamin B6 levels in children with asthma. Twenty-six asthmatic children, including 20 patients who were treated with slow-release theophylline and 6 patients not receiving any type of theophylline preparation, were enrolled in this study. Steady state serum theophylline and vitamin B6 [pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxal (PL)] levels were evaluated in these patients. A depression of serum PLP levels existed in asthmatic children treated with theophylline compared to those not receiving theophylline (5.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 9.0 +/- 1.4 ng/ml, mean +/- SEM; p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation between the serum levels of PLP and theophylline was demonstrated in the subjects of this study (rs = -0.609, p < 0.001). Oral administration of 200 mg of theophylline (TheoDur) to 5 children with asthma significantly depressed serum PLP levels 4 h after the drug intake (p < 0.05), whereas theophylline did not affect serum PL levels. From these results, we conclude that theophylline induces a depression of circulating PLP levels in asthmatic children.

Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans by oxidative coupling reaction. III. Synthesis of polyphenolic benzofuran and coumestan derivatives by oxidative coupling reaction of methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)propenoate and their inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation

Three dihydrobenzofuran derivatives 11, 19, 22, a Pummerer's ketone 20 and a dimeric phenylpropanoid 24 were synthesized by oxidative coupling reaction of methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)propenoate 10, which was prepared from umbelliferone. The major product 11 was converted into its acetate 21 and schizotenuin D analogs 27, 28, 29. A new coumestan derivative 13 was synthesized from 29. Ten synthetic compounds thus obtained were tested for inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuropeptide Y- and somatostatin-like immunoreactivities in man

We have measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) in control subjects and in patients with various neurologic disorders. We observed a significant reduction in CSF SLI in control subjects over 60 years of age, compared with the younger controls. CSF SLI was significantly decreased in multiple sclerosis (MS), or Guillain-Barre syndrome, compared with that of age-matched control subjects. A reduced concentration of NPY-LI was found in CSF of patients with MS. We have also examined the molecular heterogeneity of peptide-LI in CSF. Gel chromatography, not high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), suggested two NPY immunoreactive materials in CSF. Gel chromatography and HPLC revealed three SLI components in CSF: somatostatin 14, somatostatin 28 and a higher molecular weight precursor. Our results suggest that 1) there may be more than one form of NPY in human CSF, and 2) somatostatin neurons might be more susceptible to alteration than NPY neurons in various pathological conditions and aging.

Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans of oxidative coupling reaction. I. Preparation and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect of benzofuran lignans related to schizotenuins

The parent benzofuran lignan 4 of schizotenuins 1-3 and related compounds were efficiently prepared by a judicious use of the oxidative coupling reaction, and were tested for their inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and rat liver microsomes. Among twelve compounds tested in rat brain homogenate, compounds 13, 14 and 16 showed prominent inhibitory activity. Compounds 13 and 16 were then tested in rat liver microsomes, and their activity was found to be more potent than schizotenuin A (1) and much more potent than that of (+/-)-alpha-tocopherol.

Cell-colony hybridization on a nitrocellulose filter to identify clones expressing a transfected gene

Cells that are transfected with a growth-inhibitory gene can be isolated by using a dominant selective marker. Such isolated clones, however, do not always express the transfected gene. Therefore, clones in which a transfected gene is integrated and expressed should be selected further. We have developed a simple method of identifying such expression-positive clones. We modified the filter hybridization process so that cultured cells are directly transferred to a nitrocellulose filter, immobilized, and hybridized with radiolabeled DNA probes. This method is sensitive enough to detect the presence or the expression of a single-copy gene, and ideal for identifying clones that stably express a transfected gene.

Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans by oxidative coupling reaction. II. Oxidative coupling reaction of methyl(E)-3-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)propenoate and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects of the produced lignans

The oxidative coupling reaction of methyl (E)-3-4(4,5-dihydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)propenoate (10), obtainable from esculetin, has been studied using silver oxide and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The products were separated, after acetylation, by silica gel column chromatography. 1-Aryl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene derivative 12 was obtained as a major product, accompanied by the benzo[kl]xanthene derivative 13. In the oxidation with silver oxide, a benzodioxane compound 14a was produced additionally in a minor amount. Thus, the course of the reaction differed notably from those of ferulic or caffeic acid derivatives. The compounds 11, 12, 13 and 14a were tested for their inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and rat liver microsomes. They showed activities more effective than that of idebenone in rat brain homogenate, and were found to be more potent than benzofuran lignans 4 and 5, and much more potent than (+/-)-alpha-tocopherol in rat liver microsomes.

A cysteine protease encoded by the baculovirus Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Sequence analysis of the BamHI F fragment of the genome of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) revealed an open reading frame whose deduced amino acid sequence had homology to those of cysteine proteases of the papain superfamily. The putative cysteine protease sequence (BmNPV-CP) was 323 amino acids long and showed 35% identity to a cysteine proteinase precursor from Trypanosoma brucei. Of 36 residues conserved among cathepsins B, H, L, and S and papain, 31 were identical in BmNPV-CP. In order to determine the activity and function of the putative cysteine protease, a BmNPV mutant (BmCysPD) was constructed by homologous recombination of the protease gene with a beta-galactosidase gene cassette. BmCysPD-infected BmN cell extracts were significantly reduced in acid protease activity compared with wild-type virus-infected cell extracts. The cysteine protease inhibitor E-64 [trans-epoxysuccinylleucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane] inhibited wild-type virus-expressed protease activity. Deletion of the cysteine protease gene had no significant effect on viral growth or polyhedron production in BmN cells, indicating that the cysteine protease was not essential for viral replication in vitro. However, B. mori larvae infected with BmCysPD showed symptoms different from those of wild-type BmNPV-infected larvae, e.g., less degradation of the body, including fat body cells, white body surface color due presumably to undegraded epidermal cells, and an increase in the number of polyhedra released into the hemolymph. This is the first report of (i) a virus-encoded protease with activity on general substrates and (ii) evidence that a virus-encoded protease may play a role in degradation of infected larvae to facilitate horizontal transmission of the virus.

A case of histiocytic medullary reticulosis complicated with x-ray-irradiated oral cancer

We report the case of a patient in whom oral squamous cell carcinoma and a fatal reactive form of histiocytosis were simultaneously manifested. Our conclusions indicate that such a hematophagocytic syndrome may occur in the setting of oral squamous cell carcinoma as previously described in other malignancies.

[Anaphylactic reaction to aprotinin following topical use of biological tissue sealant]

Biological tissue sealant is used for facilitation of intra-operative hemostasis. It is composed of cryoprecipitated fibrinogen, bovine-thrombin and bovine-aprotinin. In this report, we describe a 38-yr-old woman in whom severe anaphylactic shock occurred immediately after the topical use of biological tissue sealant on the completion of modified radical mastectomy. The patient's past history and pre-operative laboratory values were unremarkable except for mild nasal allergy. Postoperative prick tests for bovine-serum, bovine-thrombin and bovine-aprotinin were positive. Total IgE level was normal. By the radioallergosolbent tests (RAST), specific IgE antibodies for aprotinin were elevated to the class 2 level. Drug induced lymphocyte stimulation tests (DLST) were negative. These indicated that the case was an aprotinin-induced anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia. The level of CH50, C4, C1q and C5 decreased in the serum sample immediately after the shock, but C3 was unchanged. It was considered to be a direct degradation of the complement by the proteolytic enzymes. Biological tissue sealant should be used cautiously bearing in mind the possibility of anaphylactic complication.

bcl-2 expression in epidermal keratinocytic diseases

BACKGROUND

The bcl-2 protein has been shown to suppress apoptosis, and overexpression of the bcl-2 protein has been reported in several malignant tumors. Skin is one of the largest organs in the body, and the most common human malignancies arise from keratinocytes in the epidermis. In this paper, the authors analyzed immunohistochemically the expression of the bcl-2 protein in several keratinocytic (KC) tumors and inflammatory skin disorders to investigate the role of bcl-2 in the development of benign and malignant skin tumors.

METHODS

Seventy-two frozen tissues from patients with inflammatory KC proliferation (chronic dermatitis [CD] and psoriasis vulgaris [PV]), seborrheic keratosis (SK), carcinoma in situ of KC tumors (actinic keratosis [AK] and Bowen's disease [BD]), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 2 SCC cell lines, and 20 normal skin were immunostained with an anti-bcl-2 monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

Tissue with normal KC, CD, PV, and SK scarcely expressed the bcl-2 protein. Seventy-three percent of tissue with BD, 25% with AK, 67% with BCC, and 100% with SCC showed obvious bcl-2 protein expression. bcl-2 expression of BCC, BD, and SCC was restricted to the involved lesions, and surrounding normal tissue with KCs were bcl-2 negative. Interestingly, tissue with atrophic AK expressed no bcl-2 protein (none of five cases), whereas tissue with hypertrophic AK reacted weakly with the anti-bcl-2 antibody (two of three cases).

CONCLUSIONS

bcl-2 protein expression in patients with KC may be related to tumorigenic proliferation possibly due to enhanced cell survival, but not when inflammatory proliferation of keratinocytes is present.