A novel gene iba1 in the major histocompatibility complex class III region encoding an EF hand protein expressed in a monocytic lineage

We successfully isolated a rat cDNA clone encoding a novel EF hand protein with a molecular weight of about 17 kDa and designated this gene iba1 (ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1). The genomic copy of the iba1 gene was located within a segment of the major histocompatibility complex class III region between the Bat2 and TNF alpha genes. The iba1 gene was shown to be highly expressed in testis and spleen, but weakly expressed in brain, lung, and kidney. Among brain cells, the iba1 gene was specifically expressed in microglia. A screening of hemopoietic cell lines showed that the Iba1 protein was clearly expressed in monoblastic cell lines but only very weakly expressed in myeloid cell lines. Iba1 protein is therefore suggested to act as an adapter molecule, mediating calcium signals that may function in a monocytic lineage including microglia.

Molecular cloning and characterization of annexin V-binding proteins with highly hydrophilic peptide structure

We previously reported that annexin V promoted the survival of cultured rat neocortical neurons. In an effort to elucidate the mechanism underlying this neurotrophic activity of annexin V, we have attempted to identify the target or binding proteins of annexin V in neuronal cells. Herein, we screened an embryonic day 17 rat brain cDNA library by western blot using glutathione S-transferase-annexin V fusion protein as a probe and then isolated four clones showing binding to annexin V in a Ca2+ - and phospholipid-dependent manner. Although these cDNAs encoded different polypeptides, all four polypeptides shared the unique feature of containing highly hydrophilic stretches with high Lys, Glu, and Ser contents. Deduced amino acid sequences of two clones showed high homology with human X-linked Helicase2 (XH2) and DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase (DMTase) sequences, whereas the other two were not related to any known peptide sequence. These results suggest that XH2 and DMTase are candidates for annexin V-binding proteins and thus may mediate the biological activity of annexin V.

[Contingent negative variations associated with vocalization in humans]

We investigated the late negative components of the contingent negative variations (CNVs) in the verbalization task. Six subjects were instructed to perform three different motor tasks, jaw opening, vocalization of a meaningless sound and that of a word, in response to a sound stimulus following a visual warning stimulus with interstimulus interval of 4.0 sec. The electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from the midline-central (Cz), left and right temporal areas (T3 and T4) and frontal areas (F7 and F8). EEGs were averaged 16 times using the visual stimulus pulse as a trigger to obtain the CNVs in each motor task. There was no significant difference between the tasks of the jaw opening and vocalization of the sound in the CNV amplitudes at bilateral electrodes. However, the amplitudes of the CNVs at the left frontal and temporal areas were significantly larger in the case of vocalization of the word than in that of jaw opening (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between these two tasks in the CNV amplitudes at the right frontal and temporal areas. Our results suggested that the CNVs generated over the left hemisphere might reflect the brain activities involved in language production.

The first case of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with prominent spurious hyperglucagonemia due to interference of immunoglobulin G in glucagon radioimmunoassay (OAL-123) system

A 51-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of diabetic ketoacidosis. His symptoms were promptly improved with intensive insulin therapy, but his plasma glucagon immunoreactivity measured by the OAL-123 radioimmunoassay (RIA) system showed persistently high values (3,090-3,210 pg/ml). A computed tomographic scan, abdominal angiography and endoscopic examination of his gastrointestinal tract showed no evidence of glucagonoma. After removing the immunoglobulin fraction from the plasma, his immunoreactive plasma glucagon level returned to normal. Moreover, the immunoglobulin G fraction purified from the patient's plasma inhibited the binding of [125I]glucagon to rabbit antiglucagon antiserum, OAL-123. Dot-blot analysis demonstrated that the immunoglobulin G of this patient cross-reacted against OAL-123. Therefore, it was considered that the prominent hyperglucagonemia in this patient was due to the presence of IgG, which interfered with the measurement of plasma-immunoreactive glucagon.

[A simultaneous determination of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Evodia fruit by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography]

A simple and precise method was established for the simultaneous determination of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Evodia Fruit using high-performance liquid chromatography with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an ion-pair reagent. Evodiamine and rutaecarpine were eluted within 60 min without interference from co-existing components using an ODS column and a mixture of water-methanol-acetonitrile-SDS-phosphoric acid (600:330:70:5:0.01, v/v/v/w/v, pH 5.0) as a mobile phase.

Hantaan virus persistently infects marmoset B-lymphoblastoid cell line

To investigate lymphoid cell Hantavirus (HV) interaction, we examined the replication of the HV strains, Hantaan 76-118 (HTN), SR-11, and B-1 with the B95a, LYM-1, CGM1, JM, Jurkat, MOLT-4, AT(L)5KY, BW5147, L1210, and Vero/E6 cells. HV-growth was determined by immunofluorescence and focus-forming assays. LYM-1 and Vero/E6 supported the growth of all HV strains, and B95a only HTN, while remaining cells did not sustain these strains. This is the first report to indicate the HV-replication in lymphoid cell lines. B95a and LYM-1 cells may be useful for revealing the mechanism of HV-infection in animals.

Receptor-mediated toxicity to pericytes of advanced glycosylation end products: a possible mechanism of pericyte loss in diabetic microangiopathy

The influence of advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) on bovine retinal pericytes was investigated. When pericytes were cultured with AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA), pericyte growth was significantly retarded in a dose-dependent manner. They also exhibited an immediate toxicity to pericytes. However, MRC-5 human fibroblasts were totally resistant to AGE-BSA. Moreover, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to mRNA coding for AGE receptor were found to reverse the AGE-induced decrease in viable pericyte number, although the mRNA level was about one order of magnitude lower in pericytes than in the fibroblasts. These results indicate that pericytes may possess a peculiar sensitivity to AGE, and that AGE ligand-receptor interactions may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pericyte loss, the principal change in diabetic microangiopathies.

New isolates of pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) from Japanese rat colonies and their characterization

Two virus strains were isolated from the lungs of athymic rats and mice used as sentinel animals in 2 colonies of laboratory rats in Japan in which antibodies to the pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) had been detected. The new isolates were identified as PVM by the following characteristics: RNA virus, susceptibility to ether treatment, long filamentous viral structure in the cytoplasm of infected cells, and hemagglutinating activity in various erythrocytes, including those of mice and rats. In addition, cross neutralization with the prototype of PVM (No. 15 strain) was observed. This is the first report of the isolation of PVM from laboratory animals in Japan.

Urinary and biliary metabolites of puerarin in rats

Examination was made of the urinary and biliary excretion of the metabolites of puerarin, the major component of the roots of Pueraria lobata OHWI (Leguminosae) in rats. The urine of rats administered puerarin orally contained puerarin and four major metabolites, daidzein 4',7-di-O-sulfate (M-I), daidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-II), daidzein 4'-O-sulfate (M-III), daidzein (M-IV), as determined from spectroscopic and chemical data. Total cumulative amounts of the puerarin and four metabolites excreted in the urine at 48 h following the oral administration of puerarin were approximately 3.6% the doses administered. The bile of rats administered puerarin orally contained puerarin and two major metabolites, which were identified as puerarin 4'-O-sulfate (PB1) and puerarin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide (PB2) on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data. These experimental data suggest that C-glycoside puerarin is partially hydrolyzed to aglycone in the body, but mainly excreted in the urine as unchanged puerarin.

An adult case of neurohypophyseal ectopy presenting ACTH deficiency and partial GH deficiency

A case of ACTH deficiency and partial GH deficiency associated with neurohypophyseal ectopy is described. A 42-year-old woman of short stature was admitted for hypoglycemic coma. The patient had hypocortisolemia, an increase in urinary 17-OHCS after consecutive injections of ACTH-Z, and a low plasma ACTH level which showed no response to corticotropin-releasing factor. This indicated the presence of ACTH deficiency. The plasma GH level showed a blunted response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, but its response to GRF was preserved. Other hypothalamo-pituitary axes were intact. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated ectopic neurohypophyseal tissue and a tiny anterior pituitary remnant. ACTH deficiency and partial GH deficiency might have developed as a consequence of pituitary stalk injury and inadequate regeneration of the anterior lobe.

Urinary and biliary metabolites of daidzin and daidzein in rats

Examination was made of the urinary and biliary excretion of metabolites of daidzin and daidzein, the major components of roots of Pueraria lobata Ohwi (Leguminosae) in rats. The urine of rats administered daidzin orally contained four major metabolites, daidzein 7,4'-di-O-sulfate (M-1), daidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-2), daidzein 4'-O-sulfate (M-3), daidzein (M-4), as determined from spectroscopic and chemical data. The urine of rats treated with daidzein contained M-2--M-4 in the above metabolites. Total cumulative amounts of the four metabolites excreted in the urine at 48 h following the oral administration of daidzin and daidzein were approximately 4.8% and 4.6% of the doses administered, respectively. The bile of rats administered daidzin orally contained M-1--M-4. Daidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide 4'-O-sulfate (M-5), a major biliary metabolite, was identified by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. At least daidzin appeared to be hydrolyzed to aglycone after absorption in the body, and as a part of metabolites, M-1--M-4 having free hydroxyl, glucuronided or sulfated hydroxyls at the C-7 position, may then be excreted in the urine and bile.

Synthetic peptide corresponding to 30 amino acids of the C-terminal of neuron-specific enolase promotes survival of neocortical neurons in culture

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), one of the glycolytic enzymes, is a gamma gamma-isozyme of enolase that is specifically expressed in neurons. Our previous studies demonstrated that NSE promotes survival of rat embryonic neocortical neurons in culture but that the alpha alpha-isozyme (non-neuronal enolase; NNE) has no effect. In this study, we found that a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal portion of NSE (404-433) also promotes the survival of neocortical neurons. By contrast, a synthetic peptide of the C-terminal portion of NNE (404-433) has no effect on neuronal survival. These findings would be important for further analysis of the neurotrophic mechanism of NSE.

The evidence of carotid body in the carotid rete of the shiba goat

The carotid body was found in/on the cavernous sinus of the carotid rete of the Japanese miniature Shiba goat by light and electron microscopies. The carotid body-like aggregated cell group consisted of two types of cells arranged in the lobule. The first type contained membrane-bound granular vesicles; these cells resembled to the type-I cells in the carotid body. The second type contained no cytoplasmic vesicles, and were located in the periphery, investing the type-I cells. These features appear to be consistent with those of the type-II cells in the carotid body. The nerve ending showed two peculiar features in the intercellular space of type-I cells. The clear vesicle-containing nerve ending showed a structural feature indicative of efferent synapsis. The small granular vesicle-containing nerve ending has been described as a baroreceptor-like ending by VERNA (1979). All of these features are typical characteristics of the carotid body.

Single-frame blind deconvolution by means of frame segmentation

For restoration of an image degraded with a shift-invariant point-spread function (PSF), partial images segmented from the degraded image are blind deconvolved in parallel for estimation of the common PSF in each partial image. An object function is reconstructed by deconvolution of the whole image with the PSF. A technique for calibrating contamination caused by the segmentation is developed. Results for a computer-generated image and an atmospherically degraded solar image are presented.

Neurotrophic effects of annexin V on cultured neurons from embryonic rat brain

Recombinant human annexin V showed survival promoting activity in embryonic rat neocortical and mesencephalic neurons in vitro. The neurotrophic effect was observed from a relatively low dose and in a dose-dependent manner. The neurotrophic activity of annexin V was completely blocked by anti-annexin V antibody. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that annexin V mRNA is expressed in non-neuronal cells in the CNS. These results suggest that annexin V plays certain roles in the CNS as a paracrine-type neurotrophic factor.

Acute adrenal insufficiency after unilateral adrenalectomy in Cushing's syndrome: precipitation by lithium-induced thyrotoxicosis during cortisol replacement

We present a patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical adenoma who developed acute adrenal insufficiency one month after unilateral adrenalectomy. She had received lithium carbonate for five years for manic-depressive psychosis. Drug administration was interrupted for 2 weeks postoperatively and was resumed thereafter. At the adrenal crisis, her serum free T4 and T3 levels were both high and serum TSH was subnormal. The thyrotoxicosis subsided spontaneously within 2 weeks. Serum thyroglobulin was markedly increased during the thyrotoxic state. Tests for antimicrosomal antibodies and antithyroglobulin antibodies remained negative. Examination of an open-biopsy specimen of the thyroid gland showed no evidence of thyroiditis. We considered the transient thyrotoxicosis to be due to lithium-induced thyrotoxicosis. Caution should therefore be exercised in administering lithium carbonate, especially when the patient's adrenal reserve is low, since even a mild degree of thyrotoxicosis can precipitate an acute adrenal crisis.

[Determination of synephrine in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing evodiae fructus by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography]

A simple and precise method was established for the determination of synephrine in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Evodiae Fructus using high-performance liquid chromatography with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an ion-pair reagent. Synephrine was eluted within 25 min without interference from co-existing components using an ODS column and a mixture of water-acetonitrile-SDS-phosphoric acid (70:30:0.5:0.1, v/v/w/v) as a mobile phase.

[A simultaneous determination of daidzin and puerarin and determination of daidzein in Oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing puerariae radix by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography]

A simple and precise method was established for the simultaneous determination of daidzin and puerarin and the determination of daidzein in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Puerariae Radix using high-performance liquid chromatography with tetra-n-heptylammonium bromide (THA) as an ion-pair reagent. Daidzin and puerarin were eluted within 45 min without interference with co-existing components using an ODS column and a mixture of 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.5)-methanol (68:32) containing 5 mM THA as a mobile phase. Daidzein was eluted within 35 min without interference with co-existing components using an ODS column and a mixture of 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.5)-acetonitrile (72:28 or 68:32) containing 5 mM THA as a mobile phase.

Effect of excess phenylacetate diet during pregnancy on fetal brain growth in rats

The effects of phenylacetate (PA) on fetal brain growth were examined in pregnant rats receiving a 20% casein diet with 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5% PA. Control rats were fed the 20% casein diet ad libitum or restricted to daily consumption of 9 and 6 g. In experimental groups of rats total food intake during pregnancy decreased, however the decrease was not so large as we had expected. By plotting the fetal brain weight (Y, mg) against maternal food intake (X, g/21 days) in control groups the following hyperbolic regression equation was obtained: Y = -4243/X + 124.6 (n: 18, r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Similar plots for excess PA rats fell below this line, indicating that prenatal fetal brain growth was impaired by an excess in PA per se specifically, as well as by decreased food intake nonspecifically. Administering the excess PA diets resulted in decreases in total RNA, total protein and RNA/DNA ratio in the fetal brain, whereas total DNA was unchanged, showing the impairment of protein synthesis, not proliferation. No remarkable changes in concentration and pattern of free amino acids in maternal plasma in excess PA groups were observed. Using a relation between total food intake during pregnancy and fetal brain weight, the extent of specific and nonspecific effects of excess PA and phenylalanine on brain growth was compared.

[A simultaneous determination of honokiol and mangolol in Oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing magnolia bark by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography. II]

A simple method using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography was established for the rapid and precise determination of honokiol(3',5-di-2-propenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,4'-diol) and magnolol(5,5'-di-2-propenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol) in eighteen species of oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Magnolia bark. An ODS column and a mixed solvent system of water involving 10 mM tetra-n-amyl-ammonium bromide (TAA) and acetonitrile (4:6) as a mobile phase were used for the separation. Honokiol and magnolol were eluted without interference of other coexisting components within 12 min.

[Determination of synephrine in Oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing aurantii nobilis pericarpium by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography. II]

A simple method using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography was established for the rapid and precise determination of synephrine in thirty three species of oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Aurantii Nobilis Pericarpium. An ODS column and a mixed solvent system of water, acetonitrile, sodium dodecyl sulfate and phosphoric acid as a mobile phase were used for the separation. Synephrine was eluted without interference of other coexisting components within 15 min.

Ability of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, dimethylnitrosamine, and NaCl to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis, stimulate replicative DNA synthesis, and produce DNA single-strand breaks in pyloric mucosa of rat stomach

Male F344 rats were given test chemicals orally, and samples of their pyloric mucosa were incubated in vitro. Induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and stimulation of replicative DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa were then examined by addition of [3H]thymidine and simultaneous determinations of DNA synthesis in the presence and absence of hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis. DNA damage was also examined by the alkaline elution method with DNA single-strand scission as a marker. The results showed four types of abilities of the chemicals to affect UDS and replicative DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa of rat stomach 1-2 h after their administration: (1) induction of UDS and stimulation of replicative DNA synthesis by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a glandular stomach carcinogen, (2) induction of only UDS by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), a glandular stomach carcinogen, (3) stimulation of only replicative DNA synthesis by NaCl, a glandular stomach tumor promoter, and (4) neither induction of UDS nor stimulation of replicative DNA synthesis by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), a liver carcinogen. DNA single-strand scission was induced by MNNG and 4NQO, being maximal 2 h after their administration, but was not induced by NaCl or DMN. Thus it correlated well with the induction of UDS. The present results indicate four types of inductive abilities of chemicals on UDS and replicative DNA synthesis in rat stomach pyloric mucosa and show that this method can detect differences in the action mechanisms and organ specificities of glandular stomach carcinogens.

Joint epidemiological longitudinal dental survey in Nigeria, especially in comparison with that of Japanese

Since 1980 we carried out a longitudinal dental survey in Ile-Ife, as a joint study with the dental school of Ife University, Nigeria, being supported by A Grant under The Monbusho International Scientific Research Program for ten years. One thousand one hundred seventy-one children and adults were examined in the 1991 survey. The data were compared with the data in the previous survey and Japanese survey. Results were as follows: 1) Caries prevalence rate and the average number of DMFT were still very low, especially showing that both the caries prevalence and the average number of DMFT decreased in the rural areas because the attrition proceeded faster than the caries, 2) Nigerian deciduous and permanent dentition were larger than in the Japanese in all items measured, 3) the condylar head was transformed from the round shape to the ultra-flat shape with age, 4) there was a fewer incidence of severe periodontal diseases despite of the marked deposition of calculus, 5) with respect to Nigerian foods, there was no difference between the rainy and dry seasons in both the urban and rural communities, 6) the weaning period of the baby is decided by their mother, taking care of the health of the baby, almost all babies at one year to two years and a few at three years and 7) the menu for the breakfast, lunch and supper of the baby was made considering the nutritional aspect of the baby.

[A simultaneous determination of honokiol and magnolol in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing magnolia bark by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography]

A simple method using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography was established for the rapid and precise simultaneous determination of honokiol (3', 5-di-2-propenyl-1, 1'-biphenyl-2,4'-diol) and magnolol (5,5'-di-2-propenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol) in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Magnolia bark. An ODS column and a mixture of water involving 10 mM tetra-n-amylammonium bromide (TAA) and acetonitrile (4:6) as a mobile phase were used for the separation. Honokiol and magnolol were eluted without interference of other co-existing components within 12 min.