Implementation of multi-vendor DICOM standard image transfer in hospital wide ATM network

At Hamamatsu University Hospital, an ATM + FDDI network was installed in January 1995, when the hospital information system was upgraded. With its unique 'wheel' shape configuration, FDDI automatically backs up in case of an ATM switch failure. The authors implemented a DICOM image database server and DICOM viewer in the Hamamatsu University Hospital ATM + FDDI network. The DICOM standard worked well between different vendor products. In sending 512 x 512, 2 byte CT images, 40% of the transfer time was spent for the network data transfer, which is 70% of the theoretical value of 10 Mb peripheral transfer rate. Meanwhile, ATM load factor increased less than 0.5%. As we have a very fast data transfer network, we must check display speed, hard disc access time, PC bus speed, and display software, in order to enjoy the high speed network transfer fully. The sequence of image transmission within a study is not stated in the DICOM document and is depending on the server. Therefore, there should be an agreement between server and clients, still more than DICOM, in order to make better PACS.

Gene expression in the electrically stimulated differentiation of PC12 cells

Cell differentiation of PC12 cells was electrically induced to grow neurites in the absence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the electrode surface, of which potential was modulated by a rectangular wave of potential. The electric stimulation induced the c-fos expression which is essential for cell differentiation. Non-specific calcium channel blocker, lanthanum ion, inhibited the electrically induced differentiation, while NGF-induced differentiation was not suppressed. An L-type calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, also inhibited the electrically induced calcium influx and c-fos expression. Moreover, a stretch-activated (SA) channel blocker, gadolinium ion, inhibited the electrically stimulated differentiation by blocking the calcium influx, but gave no prominent effects on the potassium ion-induced differentiation. Chelerythrine, a specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, almost inhibited the cell differentiation by the electric stimulation but not by the NGF treatment. These results indicate that the alternative potential may stimulate cell differentiation through a PKC cascade.

Electrically induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells on the electrode surface

Morphological differentiation of PC12 cells cultured on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode has been induced to grow neurites in the absence of nerve growth factor (NGF) by electrical stimulation. Rectangular pulse wave potentials were applied to the electrode at amplitudes of 200 mV and 400 mV with frequencies of 50 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1 kHz. The PC12 cells differentiated most prominently at 200 mV with 100 Hz. No statistically significant differences were observed among the electrically induced neurite lengths. The electrically induced differentiation was completely inhibited by a blockade of calcium influx using LaCl3. This indicates that repeated potential shift in the vicinity of a cellular membrane may stimulate morphological response, probably through calcium ion channels.

Cerebellar hemorrhage associated with moyamoya disease

A 60-year-old female was admitted with complaints of severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography demonstrated a right cerebellar hematoma, which was surgically removed. Bilateral carotid angiography showed occlusions of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries, and abnormal vascular networks. Vertebral angiography showed a well developed posterior pericallosal artery. Left encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis was performed. No cerebral vascular incident has been observed for 32 months.

Use of a quartz crystal microbalance to monitor immunoliposome--antigen interaction

We have used quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based real-time biospecific interaction measurement to analyze the binding of immunoliposomes to antigen and examined the use of liposomes as signal-enhancing reagents in competitive QCM immunoassay. For the preparation of immunoliposomes, various amounts of bacterially produced lipid-tagged single-chain antibody against 2-phenyloxazolone were incorporated in phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The immunoliposomes bound specifically to immobilized hapten, and this binding was inhibited by soluble hapten in a concentration-dependent manner. In this competitive assay, antigen could be measured in the concentration range from 10(-5) to 10(-8) M.

Somatosensory evoked magnetic fields elicited by dorsal penile, posterior tibial and median nerve stimulation

The aim of this study is to localize the primary sensory cortex of urogenital organs in the human brain. Using a newly developed MRI-linked magnetoencephalography system, we measured somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs) for unilateral stimuli on the dorsal penile nerve (DPN), posterior tibial nerve (PTN) and median nerve (MN). In five healthy male subjects, SEFs were clearly observed. Peak latency of the first cortical components were 63.8 +/- 9.2 ms for DPN, 39.8 +/- 3.0 ms for PTN and 20.7 +/- 0.7 ms for MN stimuli. Peak amplitude of the first cortical components were 63.1 +/- 10.8 fT for DPN, 160.2 +/- 50.1 fT for PTN and 335.2 +/- 70.3 fT for MN stimuli. Isofield map for the peak latencies indicated a single dipolar pattern for DPN as well as for PTN and MN stimuli. Using a single current dipole model, all SEF sources were localized on the contralateral central sulcus to the stimuli, indicating the primary sensory cortex. The DPN sources were localized on the interhemispheric surfaces, corresponding to previous speculations by direct cerebral stimulation. This non-invasive SEF technique promises further brain functional mapping for the urogenital organs.

Roles of gamma-aminobutyric acidB (GABA B) and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptors in hippocampal long-term potentiation and pathogenesis of absence seizures

Experiments were performed to examine the roles of gamma-aminobutyric acid(B) (GABA(B)) and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) receptors in long-term potentiation (LTP) of the hippocampal CA1 region in vivo and in the genesis of the spike and wave discharges (SWDs) associated with absence seizures. When tetanic stimulation was delivered to the CA3 region, stable LTP was observed in the CA1 region in saline-treated mice. In mice treated with 5 mg/kg baclofen, the population spike amplitude was significantly potentiated by tetanic stimulation and the degree of potentiation was the same as that induced in saline controls. However, this potentiation decayed to the baseline level about 90 min after stimulation. The decay was reversed by pretreatment with 200 mg/kg P-[3-aminopropyl]-P-diethoxymethylphosphinic acid (CGP 35348), a selective GABA(B) receptor antagonist. In mice treated with 50 mg/kg gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a prodrug of GHB, stable LTP was observed 90 min after tetanic stimulation and was greater than that in saline controls. GBL-induced potentiation of LTP was antagonized by 50 mg/kg NCS 382, a putative GHB receptor antagonist. Administration of baclofen (20 mg/kg) or GBL (70 mg/kg) induced absence-like seizures associated with 3-6 Hz SWDs, and CGP 35348 suppressed both baclofen- and GBL-induced SWDs. NCS 382 also attenuated SWDs induced by GBL and baclofen. These results suggest that baclofen and GHB have different effects on LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in vivo, although they have a common mode of action on the thalamocortical functions related to the pathogenesis of absence seizures.

Pharmacological profiles of generalized absence seizures in lethargic, stargazer and gamma-hydroxybutyrate-treated model mice

We examined the pharmacological profiles of generalized absence seizures in three mouse models: two mutant strains with spontaneous absence seizures, lethargic and stargazer, and ddY mice (GHB model) in which absence seizures were induced by administering gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a prodrug of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). A typical antiabsence drug, ethosuximide (200 mg/kg), attenuated absence seizure behavior, spike and wave and paroxysmal discharges (SWDs and PDs) in each model. P-[3-Aminopropyl]-P-diethoxymethylphosphinic acid (CGP 35348), a selective gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)B antagonist (200 mg/kg), suppressed absence seizure behavior, SWDs and PDs at least as effectively as ethosuximide (200 mg/kg) in lethargic and GHB model mice. P-[3-Aminopropyl]-P-cyclohexylmethylphosphinic acid (CGP 46381) was more effective than CGP 35348 and ethosuximide in these models. Although the antiabsence effect of CGP 46381 was as strong as that of ethosuximide (200 mg/kg) in stargazer mice, CGP 35348 (200-400 mg/kg) was weaker than ethosuximide. (+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,b]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK-801), a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist (0.5 mg/kg), had no effects on SWDs and PDs in lethargic or GHB model mice. Although MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg) suppressed SWDs significantly in stargazer mice, irregular electroencephalographic patterns were observed. These results suggest that GABAB receptors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of generalized absence seizures in these models, although the mechanism involved in stargazer mice differ from that in the other two.

Fiber-optic-based biomonitoring of benzene derivatives by recombinant E. coli bearing luciferase gene-fused TOL-plasmid immobilized on the fiber-optic end

TOL plasmid in Pseudomonas putida mt-2 has a series of genes for the degradation of xylene, toluene, and their derivatives to pyruvate and acetaldehyde (or propionaldehyde). Two operons, i.e., upper operon and meta operon, play indispensable roles for the digestion of xylene derivatives: When XyIR protein recognizes xylene derivatives, another controlling gene, xyIS, is activated, which results in the activation of meta operon. Therefore, we have constructed a fusion gene between TOL plasmid and the firefly luciferase gene under the control of XyIR and the promoter of xyIS gene; i.e., by using fusions of the meta operon with promotorless luciferase expression vector from firefly, we have constructed and tested biomonitors for benzene derivatives. Bioluminescence specified by Escherichia coli (pTSN316), carrying xyIR and xyIS promoters, Ampr and luc, was measured in either a benzene derivative-saturated or o-methylbenzyl alcohol-dissolved medium both in the case of cell suspension and in the case of immobilized cell form. The utility of the biosensing system for monitoring in chemical plant drainage was demonstrated with samples supplemented with benzene derivatives. The xyIR-xyIS promoter-lux fusion carried by pTSN316 responded to a benzene-related chemical in sample solutions. Immobilization of the transformed E. coli, at one end of fiber optic, bearing firefly luciferase gene fused to TOL plasmid, has been demonstrated to fabricate a luminescent remote biomonitoring device for the protection of environmental deterioration. Due to the luminescent detection, the detection limits for benzene-related aromatics that are recognized by a binding protein (XyIR) were parts-per-million. We had already submitted a preliminary report concerning the possibility of environmental monitoring based on the above idea by using the transformed E. coli in a cell-suspended solution. This paper describes mainly a fiber-optic-based biomonitoring device for the protection of environmental deterioration.

Self-assembling of glutathione S-transferase/calmodulin fusion protein on chemically modified gold surface

The fusion protein technique was used to prepare an artificial polyfunctional protein from calmodulin (CaM) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The fusion protein was designed, expressed, and then assembled to the glutathione self-assembled gold surface. The protein assembly was confirmed through enzyme binding assay and enzyme immunoassay. Specific binding of the fusion protein to glutathione self-assembled on the gold surface was assessed via a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The fusion protein was reversibly adsorbed and desorbed by the competitive binding of glutathione present in a solution, thus showing that the binding of the fusion protein was specific and had a highly oriented molecular configuration.

A fluoroimmunoassay based on immunoliposomes containing genetically engineered lipid-tagged antibody

Immunoliposomes were prepared by using biosynthetically lipid-tagged anti-2-phenyloxazolone single-chain antibody. Carboxyfluorescein as a fluorescent marker was encapsulated in the immunoliposomes. Some conditions for fluoroimmunoassay using the immunoliposomes were optimized by binding assays with hapten-coated microtiter wells. A competitive fluoroimmunoassay for the caproic acid conjugate of 2-phenyloxazolone as a model antigen was performed with the immunoliposomes. In the optimized assay conditions, antigen could be determined in the concentration range from 10(-7) to 10(-9) M.

[Contractility of the striated urethral sphincter in dogs--an analysis with pressure-time curve and ATPase stain method]

PURPOSE

A comparative study about the contractility of the external urethral sphincter in the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) and about that of the periurethral striated sphincter (PUS), which is independent of PFM, was made by employing adult male mongrels.

METHODS

This study was done by using the compression-time curve. Moreover, the study about the formation of muscle fibers was carried out by the aid of ATPase staining.

RESULTS

Stimulus to one side of pudendal nerve increased each sphincter M-wave amplitudes and its compressive differences in contraction. Easy repetitions of the experiment made it possible to use the compression-time curve. The compressive differences in the urethral contraction was significantly greater in the urethra of PUS than in that of PFM. Data obtained from the compressive-time curve showed PUS premotor time was significantly longer than PFM in electromyograms, PUS motor time and time to peak force was significantly shorter, and PUS rate of force development was significantly faster. The histochemical study showed that fast muscles account for 70% in PUS, while they account for approximate 50% in PFM, which supported the results of the compression-time curve.

CONCLUSION

The above suggested the contractility of PUS apparently differed from that of PFM; PUS contracts quickly, while PFM contracts slowly. Also, it seemed that forming conjectures with the compression-time curve on the formation of muscle fibers in the striated urethral sphincters were possible to some degree.

Electrically induced NGF production by astroglial cells

A controlled culture system has been developed to induce nerve growth factor (NGF) production in astroglial cells that are cultured on an electrode surface. The electrode potential is alternatively modulated at an amplitude of 300 mV and a frequency of 10 Hz. The electric stimulation triggers NGF production and secretion. The mechanism of the electrically induced NGF production is discussed in association with protein kinase C (PKC) activation.

Differentiation effect of acyclic retinoid on acute promyelocytic leukemia cells

Acyclic retinoid (all-trans-3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethyl-2, 4, 6, 10, 14-hexadecapentaenoic acid) binds cellular retinoic acid-binding protein with an affinity similar to that of all-trans retinoic acid and induces differentiation of human hepatoma cell lines and a human acute myelogenous leukemia cell line (HL-60). We investigated the in vitro efficacy of acyclic retinoid to induce the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells using primary cultured cells obtained from 11 APL patients. Five days' incubation with acyclic retinoid effected a dose-dependent induction of differentiation. Cells from eight patients showed maximum differentiation at 10(-6) M acyclic retinoid. Cells from one patient required 10(-5) M for maximum differentiation, while those from two patients exhibited moderate differentiation at 10(-5) M. Five days' incubation with acyclic retinoid (10(-7) approximately 10(-5) M) did not affect the viability or number of cells from any patient except one, whose cells showed a slight decrease in viability at 10(-5) M. Thus, we conclude that acyclic retinoid induced the differentiation of primary cultured APL cells at concentrations of 10(-6) approximately 10(-5) M, a range at which it is not toxic.

[Urological assessment for tethered cord syndrome of delayed onset following repair of meningomyelocele]

PURPOSE AND MATERIALS: Out of 84 patients with meningomyelocele repaired at birth, 14 (15. 7%) children (6 boys and 8 girls, average 8.8 year-old) who underwent cord untethering for tethered cord syndrome of delayed onset (Delayed TCS) were urologically evaluated.

RESULTS

Eleven (78.5%) children were detected orthopedically by deterioration of lower extermities function and only 3 (21.5%) were detected urologically. Preoperative urodynamic study, however, revealed in 5 children aggravation of urinary tract dysfunction, including accelerated uninhibited contraction in 4, impaired bladder compliance in 3, decreased bladder capacity in 2 and recurrence of VUR in 1. Although there were no particular urinary symptom for detection of Delayed TCS, acceleration of uninhibited contraction seemed to be one of the most important findings. After untethering, deterioration or normalization of urological dysfunction was not seen. Six of 14 children had favorable clinical results, such as improvement of uninhibited contraction, increasing of bladder compliance and capacity, prolongation of dry time and disappearance of VUR. In 3 children Delayed TCS were detected by postoperative improvement of urinary tract function. Consequently, of 14 children who were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively 8 (52. 7%) had urological impairment compatible with Delayed TCS.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not easy to detect the urological deteriorations associated with Delayed TCS behind initial neuro-urological deficits. Careful and regular follow-up examinations are required to early detection of Delayed TCS. The fact that urinary tract dysfunction improved in some cases after untethering encourages aggressive surgical untehtering of Delayed TCS.

Inhibitory effects of green tea polyphenols on growth and cellular adherence of an oral bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis

Effects of polyphenolic compounds isolated from green tea (Camellia sinensis) on the growth and adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis onto human buccal epithelial cells were investigated. Green tea polyphenols, especially (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) which is a dominant component of tea polyphenols, completely inhibited the growth and adherence of P. gingivalis onto the buccal epithelial cells at concentrations of 250-500 micrograms/ml. Among the polyphenolic compounds, (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECg) and (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCg) were effective next to EGCg in these activities. On the other hand, (+)-catechin (C(+)), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (+)-gallocatechin (GC), and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) had very much less activity. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect on the adherence of P. gingivalis onto the buccal epithelial cells is attributed to the presence of the galloyl moiety, which is ester-linked with the 3-OH of the catechin moiety in the polyphenolic compounds.

On-off switching of enzymatic reaction by recombinant calmodulin on a solid-phase matrix

A fusion protein consisting of human calmodulin (CaM) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) was produced by gene fusion. The fusion protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a soluble form and purified with one-step affinity chromatography using glutathione-Sepharose. The protein had the modulating activity of CaM and the binding capability to glutathione of GST. Phosphodiesterase, which is a CaM dependent enzyme, was activated by the fusion protein, with the Ca2+ level equal to the level equivalent to a native CaM. Furthermore, CaM could be immobilized on a solid-phase matrix through the use of GST moiety while its modulating activity was retained. Phosphodiesterase activity was switched on and off by the immobilized CaM with or without Ca2+, and repeated use of CaM was demonstrated.

gamma-Butyrolactone-induced absence-like seizures increase nuclear CRE- and AP-1 DNA-binding activities in mouse brain

We examined the involvement of the GABAB receptor and the coordinated induction of nuclear transcriptional factors in experimental generalized absence seizures induced by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in mice. Although administration of GBL 50 mg/kg did not show any effects on behavior or ECoG pattern, higher doses of GBL (70 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) induced behavioral changes associated with 3-6-Hz spike and wave discharges in the mice. CGP 35348, a GABAB receptor antagonist, suppressed both the GBL-induced absence seizures and the spike and wave discharges. The antiepileptic effects of CGP 35348 (200 mg/kg, i.p.) were stronger than those of ethosuximide (200 mg/kg, i.p.). Sodium valproate (100 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated the early phase but not the late phase of the GBL-induced absence seizures. Gel-mobility assay demonstrated that administration of an effective dose of GBL for eliciting spike and wave discharges dose-dependently increased nuclear cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE)- and activator protein 1 (AP-1) DNA-binding activities in mouse whole brain. The increases in nuclear CRE- and AP-1 DNA-binding were antagonized by CGP 35348 in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, GABAB receptor binding assay revealed that GBL or antiepileptic drugs did not displace [3H]baclofen binding in cerebral cortical membranes. In contrast, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), an active metabolite of GBL, inhibited [3H]baclofen binding in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that GABAB receptor-mediated synaptic responses are involved in GBL-induced generalized absence seizures and that the increases in nuclear CRE- and AP-1 DNA-binding activities are correlated with the GBL-induced generalized absence seizures.

Bioluminescent detection of RNA with sequence-specificity using RNA binding protein-luciferase fusion protein

A novel bifunctional reagent has been synthesized for RNA detection by genetic fusion of a sequence-specific RNA binding protein and firefly luciferase. The RNA binding protein used in this study recognizes the oligoribonucleotide rH4 which contains four (UUAGGG)-repeat sequence, while luciferase works as a bioluminescent marker. The constructed fusion protein exhibited both sequence-specific RNA binding and bioluminescent activities. The rH4 and rECGF, which has an unrelated sequence having the same length as rH4, were immobilized on a nylon membrane. The membrane was pre-treated by 5% bovine serum albumin and soaked into a fusion protein solution. Bioluminescent detection has successfully been performed at more than 50 pmol of rH4, so the detection limit using this protein was 50 pmol. However, no appreciable bioluminescence was induced by rECGF.

The UUAG-specific RNA binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D0. Common modular structure and binding properties of the 2xRBD-Gly family

Human cDNA clones encoding the UUAG-binding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) D0 protein have been isolated and expressed. The protein has two RNA-binding domains (RBDs) in the middle part of the protein and an RGG box, a region rich in glycine and arginine residues, in the C-terminal part ("2xRBD-Gly" structure). The hnRNP A1, A2/B1, and D0 proteins, all possess common features of the 2xRBD-Gly structure and binding specificity toward RNA. Together, they form a subfamily of RBD class RNA binding proteins (the 2xRBD-Gly family). One of the structural characteristics shared by these proteins is the presence of several isoforms presumably resulting from alternative splicing. Filter binding assays, using the recombinant hnRNP D0 proteins that have one of the two RBDs, indicated that one RBD specifically binds to the UUAG sequence. However, two isoforms with or without a 19-amino acid insertion at the N-terminal RBD showed different preference toward mutant RNA substrates. The 19-amino acid insertion is located in the N-terminal end of the first RBD. This result establishes the participation of the N terminus of RBD in determining the sequence specificity of binding. A similar insertion was also reported with the hnRNP A2/B1 proteins. Thus, it might be possible that this type of insertion with the 2xRBD-Gly type RNA binding proteins plays a role in "fine tuning" the specificity of RNA binding. RBD is supposed to bind with RNA in general and sequence-specific manners. These two discernible binding modes are proposed to be performed by different regions of the RBD. A structural model of these two binding sites is presented.

Calcium responsive two-dimensional molecular assembling of lipid-conjugated calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM), a calcium ion sensitive protein, was conjugated with dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and subsequently assembled into a monolayer at the air-water interface using the LB method. The lipid-conjugated calmodulin (LCC) retains its calcium sensitivity, determined from the changes in the area-pressure isotherm of the monolayer obtained at the air-water interface. The functionality of this protein assembly was characterized by the activation of phosphodiesterase (PDE), a CaM responsive enzyme. The enzyme activity of PDE coupled with LCC at the air-water interface was measured by using the enzymatic method. It was found that LCC retained its enzyme activity modulating function of calmodulin, which is triggered by calcium ions. This characteristic plays an important role in fabricating molecular assembly of proteins which have a cooperative interaction at the molecular level.