Spherical bilayer vesicles of fullerene-based surfactants in water: a laser light scattering study

The low solubility of fullerenes in aqueous solution limits their applications in biology. By appropriate substitution, the fullerenes can be transformed into stabilized anions that are water soluble and can form large aggregated structures. A laser light scattering study of the association behavior of the potassium salt of pentaphenyl fullerene (Ph5C60K) in water revealed that the hydrocarbon anions Ph5C60- associate into bilayers, forming stable spherical vesicles with an average hydrodynamic radius and a radius of gyration of about 17 nanometers at a very low critical aggregation concentration of less than 10(-7) moles per liter. The average aggregation number of associated particles in these large spherical vesicles is about 1.2 x 10(4).

Density functional studies on the Pauson--Khand reaction

The Pauson--Khand reaction represents a one-step Co(2)(CO)(8)-catalyzed synthesis of cyclopentenone through [2 + 2 + 1] assembly of one molecule each of alkene, alkyne, and carbon monoxide. Density functional studies (B3LYP/631LAN) on the reaction pathway of the Pauson--Khand (PK) reaction reported here for the first time provides valuable information on the structures and energetics of various intermediates and transition states. The PK reaction consists of olefin insertion, CO insertion, and reductive elimination steps. The olefin insertion step was found to be an irreversible step that determines the stereo- and regiochemistry of the overall reaction. The following steps are low activation energy processes and reversible. The bond-forming events occur only on one of the two metal atoms, while the second metal atom not only acts as an anchor that fixes the metal cluster to the organic substrate but also exerts electronic influences on the reaction at the first atom.

Density functional studies on the Pauson--Khand reaction

The Pauson--Khand reaction represents a one-step Co(2)(CO)(8)-catalyzed synthesis of cyclopentenone through [2 + 2 + 1] assembly of one molecule each of alkene, alkyne, and carbon monoxide. Density functional studies (B3LYP/631LAN) on the reaction pathway of the Pauson--Khand (PK) reaction reported here for the first time provides valuable information on the structures and energetics of various intermediates and transition states. The PK reaction consists of olefin insertion, CO insertion, and reductive elimination steps. The olefin insertion step was found to be an irreversible step that determines the stereo- and regiochemistry of the overall reaction. The following steps are low activation energy processes and reversible. The bond-forming events occur only on one of the two metal atoms, while the second metal atom not only acts as an anchor that fixes the metal cluster to the organic substrate but also exerts electronic influences on the reaction at the first atom.

Syndecan-4 deficiency impairs the fetal vessels in the placental labyrinth

Syndecan-4 is a transmembrane protein bearing heparan sulfate chains, involved in anticoagulation and focal adhesion formation. Here, we revealed that syndecan-4 was expressed in the fetal vessels in the placental labyrinth by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. At 17.5 gestational days, the area of degenerated fetal vessels in the placental labyrinth was more diffuse and larger in Synd4(-/-) embryos than wild-type controls. Calcium and fibrin(ogen) depositions in the degenerated vessels were also more extensive and more severe in the placentas of Synd4(-/-) embryos. These findings suggest that syndecan-4 deficiency impairs the fetal vessels in the placenta, probably due to a deficit in the anticoagulation mechanism. This article is the first report demonstrating that among a large number of core proteins of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a defect of a single core protein caused impaired anticoagulation in a specific site.

Nafamostat mesilate treatment during open heart operation in immune thrombocytopenic purpura

A 58-year old woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura underwent mitral and aortic valve replacements and tricuspid annuloplasty. Preoperative therapeutic interventions including prednisone and immunoglobulin were successful in elevating the platelet count to 93,000/ mm2. Furthermore, we used nafamostat mesilate for coagulopathy prophylaxis during cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative bleeding was average and clinical course was uneventful. The perioperative management for patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura requiring cardiac operation is reviewed.

Wherefore Art Thou Copper? Structures and Reaction Mechanisms of Organocuprate Clusters in Organic Chemistry

Organocopper reagents provide the most general synthetic tools in organic chemistry for nucleophilic delivery of hard carbanions to electrophilic carbon centers. A number of structural and mechanistic studies have been reported and have led to a wide variety of mechanistic proposals, some of which might even be contradictory to others. With the recent advent of physical and theoretical methodologies, the accumulated knowledge on organocopper chemistry is being put together into a few major mechanistic principles. This review will summarize first the general structural features of organocopper compounds and the previous mechanistic arguments, and then describe the most recent mechanistic pictures obtained through high-level quantum mechanical calculations for three typical organocuprate reactions, carbocupration, conjugate addition, and S(N)2 alkylation. The unified view on the nucleophilic reactivities of metal organocuprate clusters thus obtained has indicated that organocuprate chemistry represents an intricate example of molecular recognition and supramolecular chemistry, which chemists have long exploited without knowing it. Reasoning about the uniqueness of the copper atom among neighboring metal elements in the periodic table will be presented.

Sequence-based diagnosis of tyrosinase-related oculocutaneous albinism: successful sequence analysis of the tyrosinase gene from blood spots dried on filter paper

BACKGROUND

A large number of mutations of the tyrosinase gene result in oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). Therefore, at present, sequence analysis of the tyrosinase gene has become necessary to diagnose OCA patients and their relatives.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to facilitate the sequence-based diagnosis of tyrosinase-related OCA by using small amounts of the patient's blood.

METHODS

Blood spots dried on filter papers were used as sources of genomic DNA. The exons and flanking regions of the tyrosinase gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were directly sequenced in both directions.

RESULTS

We successfully amplified all exons of the tyrosinase gene by PCR and were able to characterize compound heterozygous mutations of R278X and + delta C310 in the patient's gene.

CONCLUSION

Recent advances of PCR-related technology allowed us to use fairly limited samples of blood for sequence analysis of the tyrosinase gene.

Immunomodulatory constituents from an ascomycete, Emericella aurantio-brunnea

Fractionation monitored by the immunomodulatory activity of the AcOEt extract of an Ascomycete, Emericella aurantio-brunnea, afforded two known fungal sesterterpenes, variecolin (1) and variecolactone (2), two new variecolin congeners named variecoacetals A (3) and B (4), and a new sesquiterpenetriol diester named emeremophiline (5), as the immunosuppressive constituents of this fungus. The absolute configuration of 1, which was previously not determined, was determined to be (2S,3S,6R,10S,11R,14S,15R,16S) from the NMR spectral data of the (6R,7R)-dimethyl-1,3,5-trioxacycloheptyl derivative of 1 (7). The absolute configurations of the other variecolin congeners, 2-4, and variecolol (6) are also proposed from biosynthetic considerations.

[Epididymal sperm aspiration for obstructive azoospermia]

Epididymal sperm aspiration technique combined with assisted reproductive technology (ART) including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has provided new frontiers for the treatment of unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia, including congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens and failed surgical intervention. Epididymal sperm is obtained by several procedures, including microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), mini-MESA (Modified MESA), macroscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MaESA) and percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA). Since 1991 in our department, epididymal sperm aspiration combined with ART was performed by MESA (26 cases, 41 times) and PESA (3 cases, 4 times). Motile sperm retrieval using MESA and PESA was obtained in 34 out of 36 times (94.4%) and 2 out of 4 times (50%), respectively. MESA-ICSI resulted in a 47.3% 2PN (metaphase II) fertilization rate per eggs and a 28.8% pregnancy rate per transfer. With advancement of ICSI technique in which frozen sperm can be used, elective sperm retrieval can be planned at our convenience. PESA is a convenient, inexpensive and effective outpatient clinic procedure for retrieving sperm assisted with ICSI. In summary, infertile couples need to be given realistic options regarding treatment outcome. The fertility potential and age of the female partner need to be considered when addressing male treatment options.

ATP activates DNA synthesis by acting on P2X receptors in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells

In human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells, extracellular ATP increased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and cell proliferation and synergistically enhanced platelet-derived growth factor- or insulin-like growth factor I-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. ATP-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation was mimicked by the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and adenosine 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate and was inhibited by the P2 purinoceptor antagonist suramin, suggesting involvement of P2 purinoceptors. The P2Y receptor agonist UTP and UDP and a P2Y receptor antagonist reactive blue 2 did not affect [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, whereas the P2X receptor antagonist pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4-disulfonic acid inhibited ATP-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, suggesting that ATP-induced DNA synthesis was mediated by P2X receptors. RT-PCR analysis revealed that MG-63 cells expressed P2X(4), P2X(5), P2X(6), and P2X(7), but not P2X(1), P2X(2), and P2X(3), receptors. In fura 2-loaded cells, not only ATP, but also UTP, increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, and inhibitors for several Ca(2+)-activated protein kinases had no effect on ATP-induced DNA synthesis, suggesting that an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration is not indispensable for ATP-induced DNA synthesis. ATP increased mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in a Ca(2+)-independent manner and synergistically enhanced platelet-derived growth factor- or insulin-like growth factor I-induced kinase activity. Furthermore, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD-98059 totally abolished ATP-induced DNA synthesis. We conclude that ATP increases DNA synthesis and enhances the proliferative effects of growth factors through P2X receptors by activating a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Characterization and functional role of leptin receptor in bovine adrenal medullary cells

We report here the characterization and functional roles of the leptin receptor (ObR) in bovine adrenal medullary cells. The plasma membranes isolated from bovine adrenal medulla showed a single class of specific binding sites of (125)I-leptin with an apparent K(d) of 6.6 nM and B(max) of 62 fmol/mg protein. ObRa but not ObRb mRNA was detected in bovine adrenal medulla by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Incubation of cultured adrenal medullary cells with leptin (3-30 nM) for 20 min resulted in a significant increase in [(14)C]catecholamine synthesis from [(14)C]tyrosine without any change in catecholamine secretion. These findings suggest that leptin stimulates catecholamine synthesis through its receptors in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

Arterial pulse wave velocity and risk factors for peripheral vascular disease

Non-invasive measurement of arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used to diagnose peripheral vascular disease. We examined the relationship between PWV and risk factors related to peripheral vascular disease [body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), atherogenic index (AI) and blood glucose (GLU)] in 45 healthy male volunteers, aged 25-85 years. The correlation coefficient of PWV with age was r = 0.46, and the correlation coefficients of PWV with DBP, AI and GLU were r = 0.71, 0.56, and 0.22, respectively (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 67% of the variance in PWV could be accounted for by these three variables. The relative contributions of DBP, AI and GLU to PWV were 66%, 26% and 8%, respectively. To test the applicability of PWV for clinical use, a multiple regression equation of PWV derived from these three variables was then applied to male patients with hypertension (n = 53), hyperlipidaemia (n = 35) or hyperglycaemia (n = 39). The results suggest that the multiple regression equation of PWV is an indicator that discriminates between these patient categories and healthy men.

Nasal NK/T cell lymphoma presenting as transverse myelopathy

A case of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma with central nervous system (CNS) involvement is reported. A 56-year-old man presented with eyelid edema and transverse myelopathy. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed atypical lymphoid cells with azurophilic granules, which were positive for CD2, CD8, and CD56, and negative for CD3 and CD5 by flow cytometry. Because a tumor mass was found involving the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses, CNS involvement was considered to have resulted from local invasion by the nasal lymphoma. In spite of intensive chemotherapy including intrathecal infusion, the patient died 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Autopsy revealed that lymphoma cells were positive for cytotoxic molecules, granzyme B and TIA-1, and EB virus-encoded RNA-1 (EBER-1), and they showed no rearrangement of TCR-beta, -gamma, or -delta genes, suggesting an NK-cell origin of the lymphoma cells. They showed an angiocentric and angiodestructive pattern in the subarachnoid space, focally extending to the cerebral cortex and cranial and spinal nerve roots. Marked demyelination was found in the lateral and posterior funiculi of the spinal cord. Thus, the pathogenesis of this spinal demyelination might be attributed to ischemia secondary to angiocentric and angiodestructive infiltration by lymphoma cells.

Basement membrane material and tigroid background in a fine needle aspirate of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix. A case report

BACKGROUND

Although cytologic findings of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female genital tract have been reported sporadically, the background on the smear has received little attention.

CASE

A 16-year-old female had a large, necrotic mass in the cervix. As cervical brushing cytology and a punch biopsy of the mass could not make a definitive diagnosis, fine needle aspiration cytology was performed from the mass. The smears revealed loose, three-dimensional clusters and sheet arrangements of atypical cells. Dispersed atypical cells were also seen. The atypical cells were large and had abundant, weakly stained cytoplasm and round or oval nuclei with large nucleoli. There were a few tumor cells with clear cytoplasm and distinct cell borders in Papanicolaou-stained smears. The background in Diff-Quik-stained smears revealed a tigroid background and basement membrane material.

CONCLUSION

The malignant tumor, revealing both a tigroid background and basement membrane material, seems to have been clear cell adenocarcinoma. Both features are diagnostic clues to clear cell adenocarcinoma in the female genital tract. Our case indicates that aspiration cytology is also an effective method of diagnosing a cervical tumor when the tumor is polypoid and the surface is extensively necrotic.

Syndecan-4 deficiency impairs focal adhesion formation only under restricted conditions

Two domains of fibronectin deliver two different but cooperative signals required for focal adhesion formation. The signal from the cell-binding domain is mediated by integrins, whereas the signal from the heparin-binding domain is recognized by heparan sulfate proteoglycans, of which syndecan-4 has been hypothesized to be involved in focal adhesion formation. We generated mice deficient in syndecan-4 to study its role directly. Even in fibroblasts from syndecan-4-deficient mice, focal adhesions were formed, and actin fibers terminated normally at focal adhesions when they were cultured on coverslips coated with fibronectin or with a mixture of its cell-binding and heparin-binding fragments. However, when the cells were cultured on the cell-binding fragment and the heparin-binding fragment was added to the medium, focal adhesion formation was impaired in the syndecan-4 null fibroblasts as compared with that in wild-type cells. Therefore, syndecan-4 is essential for promoting focal adhesion formation only when the signal of the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin is delivered as a soluble form, most probably from the apical surface. When the signal is delivered as a substratum-bound form, other molecule(s) also participate(s) in the signal reception.

Neointima formation in a restenosis model is suppressed in midkine-deficient mice

Neointima formation is a common feature of atherosclerosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. To find a new target to suppress neointima formation, we investigated the possible role of midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor with neurotrophic and chemotactic activities, in neointima formation. MK expression increased during neointima formation caused by intraluminal balloon injury of the rat carotid artery. Neointima formation in a restenosis model was strongly suppressed in MK-deficient mice. Continuous administration of MK protein to MK-deficient mice restored neointima formation. Leukocyte recruitment to the vascular walls after injury was markedly decreased in MK-deficient mice. Soluble MK as well as that bound to the substratum induced migration of macrophages in vitro. These results indicate that MK plays a critical role in neointima formation at least in part owing to its ability to mediate leukocyte recruitment.

Timing of magmatic and metamorphic events in the Jijal complex of the Kohistan arc deduced from Sm-Nd dating of mafic granulites

Mafic to ultramafic granulites in the northeastern part of the Jijal complex include two-pyroxene granulite, garnet-clinopyroxene granulite and garnet hornblendite. Field and textural relations indicate that two-pyroxene granulite is a relict left after formation of the garnet-clinopyroxene granulite and garnet hornblendite was an originally intrusive rock which dissected the protoliths of mafic granulites. Sm-Nd mineral isochron ages of 118 ± 12 Ma, 94.0 ± 4.7 Ma and 83 ± 10 Ma were determined for two-pyroxene granulite, garnet-clinopyroxene granulite and garnet hornblendite respectively. These ages, together with previously reported chronological data, led to the following tectonic implications: (1) crystallization of the granulite protoliths predates, or is coeval with, the tectonic accretion of the Kohistan arc to the Asian continent; (2) crustal thickening related to the accretion was probably responsible for the high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism in the Jijal complex; (3) formation of the garnet hornblendite assemblage was probably after crystallization of garnet-clinopyroxene granulite.

A splicing mutation of the tyrosinase gene causes yellow oculocutaneous albinism in a Japanese patient with a pigmented phenotype

BACKGROUND

Yellow oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) that is caused by tyrosinase gene mutations shows two characteristics: extreme hypopigmentation at birth and the eventual development of yellow or blond hair.

OBJECTIVE

We studied a Japanese girl who had brown hair, a lighter skin color than her unaffected family and brown eyes at 9 months of age.

METHODS

We performed direct sequencing analyses of the tyrosinase gene in her genomic DNA.

RESULTS

The patient was a compound heterozygote for the +DeltaC310 mutation (known to result in absent melanogenic activity) and a second t-->a transition at the 3' end of intron 2.

CONCLUSION

The t-->a transition has previously been reported as a splicing mutation in other Caucasian patients with a typical yellow OCA phenotype. However, this patient showed much more pigmentation than that reported in Caucasians. Therefore, we estimate that the mild phenotype results from her genetic pigment background.

Inhibitory effect of macrophage-derived factors on the recovery of wounds induced in rat gastric epithelial monolayers

The effect of macrophage supernatant on the recovery of wounds induced in rat gastric epithelial RGM1 monolayers was investigated. The repair of wounds induced in the monolayers of RGM1 cells was accelerated time-dependently by 10 ng/mL of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). TGF-alpha also significantly stimulated DNA synthesis in RGM1 cells for 24 hr. Upon treatment of the cells with the macrophage supernatant, spontaneous and TGF-alpha-stimulated restoration was inhibited in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. After 24 hr, TGF-alpha-enhanced restoration was eliminated completely by the supernatant at 10(6) cells/mL. Similarly, the macrophage supernatant suppressed the spontaneous and TGF-alpha-stimulated DNA syntheses in a concentration-dependent manner. The macrophage supernatant at 10(6) cells/mL contained 0.4 ng/mL of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) reversed the inhibition induced by the macrophage supernatant in a concentration-dependent manner. Nonetheless, pretreatment with IL-1RA had no effects on the spontaneous and TGF-alpha-stimulated DNA syntheses. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that RGM1 cells express mRNA for IL-1 receptor type 1, but not for type 2. These results indicate that macrophages can inhibit the spontaneous and TGF-alpha-stimulated recovery of wounds induced in gastric epithelial monolayers. The inhibitory effects of the supernatant are suggested to be partially mediated through a IL-1beta/IL-1 receptor type 1 pathway.

Rare cases of congenital bicuspid aortic valve with an abnormal fibrous band

Pure aortic regurgitation is usually caused by a congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). In this condition, there are a few cases accompanied by an abnormal fibrous band stretched from the center of the conjoined cusp to the aortic wall. This report describes two cases of congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with an abnormal fibrous band. The first case of BAV with an abnormal fibrous band developed aortic regurgitation and the second case exhibited aortic stenosis. These two abnormal fibrous bands were confirmed to be congenital by the microscopic findings. According to the literature, the majority of BAV with an abnormal fibrous band were found in the patients with aortic regurgitation. We report here a case study of an elderly female patient with aortic stenosis of BAV with an abnormal fibrous band. To our knowledge, no other case of BAV with an abnormal fibrous band in association with aortic stenosis has ever been reported.

The bHLH gene Hes1 is essential for expansion of early T cell precursors

Mice mutant for the bHLH gene Hes1, which is known to keep cells in a proliferative state, mostly lack thymus. Transfer of Hes1-null fetal liver cells into RAG2-null host mice normally reconstitutes B cells but fails to generate mature T cells in the thymus. In the reconstituted thymus, T cell differentiation is arrested at the CD4(-)CD8(-) double negative (DN) stage. Both the initial T cell receptor (TCR)-independent and the subsequent TCR-dependent selective expansion during the DN stage are severely affected. Thus, Hes1 is essential for the earliest thymocyte expansion in a cell-autonomous manner.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the spinal cord. Report of a case with scrape cytology

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare spindle cell tumor and has been forced at a variety of sites. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of solitary fibrous tumor arising in the spinal cord have been reported; no cytologic findings were documented.

CASE

A 62-year-old male presented with a spinal cord tumor. A scrape smear of the resected tumor revealed naked, spindle-shaped nuclei. Some nuclei were twisted or had long spindles. In the background, abundant, thin and thick collagen fibers were present. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were positive for CD34 and negative for S-100 protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Histologic diagnosis of the tumor was benign solitary fibrous tumor.

CONCLUSION

Our case indicates that solitary fibrous tumor can occur in the spinal cord and should be differentiated from other benign spindle cell tumors, such as meningioma and schwannoma. The key cytologic features of solitary fibrous tumor may be the presence of abundant thin and thick collagen fibers in scrape specimens.