Trifluoromethyl ketone-based inhibitors of apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons

A variety of aromatic trifluoromethyl ketone derivatives has been studied as inhibitors of apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Among them, alpha-trifluoromethyl diketone (2) and benzyl trifluoromethyl ketone (11) were found to be apoptosis inhibitors which can prevent a neurodegenerative disease. Compounds 2 and 11 showed neuroprotection effect on low K+-induced apoptosis in CGNs. Furthermore, these compounds effectively suppressed DNA fragmentation accompanied with apoptosis. The neuroprotection mode of 2 and 11 was not related to inhibition of caspase-3.

Antioxidative activity of Allium victorialis L. extracts

Allium victorialis L. (Liliaceae, "Hon-Gyoujya Nin-Niku" in Japanese) was successively extracted with hexane, acetone, methanol and 70% methanol and the extracts were further separated into a total of twenty-five fractions by silica gel and ODS column chromatographies. The biological activities of these four extracts and 25 column fractions were compared. The cytotoxic activity of all extracts and fractions against two oral tumor cell lines was significantly higher than that against normal human gingival fibroblasts, suggesting their tumor-specific action. Three methanol column fractions [M2, M3, M6] and a 70% methanol column fraction [70M6] most effectively reversed the multidrug resistance (MDR) against L5178 mouse T cell lymphoma. The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that methanol column fractions and 70% methanol extracts produced the highest amount of radical(s) and most efficiently scavenging O2*-, generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine reaction system, suggesting that the same substances in these fractions display both prooxidant and antioxidant properties. They showed no anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or anti-Helicobacterpylori activity. These data suggest the medicinal efficacy of Allium victorialis extract.

Biological activity of a fruit vegetable, "Anastasia green", a species of sweet pepper

Russian green sweet pepper (Anastasia Green) was successively extracted with hexane, acetone, methanol and 70% methanol and the extracts were further separated into a total of twenty fractions by silica gel or ODS column chromatographies. The biological activities of these extracts and fractions were compared. The extracts and fractions showed higher cytotoxic activity against two human oral tumor cell lines than against normal human gingival fibroblasts, suggesting their tumor-specific action. Several fractions [H3, H4, A4] reversed the multidrug resistant gene (MDR1) against L5178 mouse T-cell lymphoma more effectively than (+/-) verapamil (positive control). All extracts and fractions showed no anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nor anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. These data suggest the medicinal importance of an Anastasia Green extract.

Relationship between cytotoxic activity and radical intensity of isoflavones from Sophora species

Among 11 isoflavones tested, genistein [YS13] produced higher cytotoxic activity against human oral tumor cell lines (HSC-2, HSG) than against normal cells (human gingival fibroblast, HGF), suggesting its tumor-specific action. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that YS13 did not produce radical, nor scavenged O2*- generated by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction system, suggesting that radical-mediated oxidation mechanism is not be involved in the YS13-induced cytotoxicity. Addition of one prenyl group produced YS18 and YS19 with higher anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Addition of two prenyl groups produced YS21 with the highest cytotoxic activity but lower tumor-specificity. Since YS21 produced the highest amount of radical and most efficiently scavenged O2*-, this compound may induce cytotoxicity by radical-mediated oxidation mechanism. All isoflavones failed to induce anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. These data suggest the medicinal efficacy of isoflavones.

In vivo and in vitro analyses of the AmyR binding site of the Aspergillus nidulans agdA promoter; requirement of the CGG direct repeat for induction and high affinity binding of AmyR

The alpha-glucosidase gene (agdA) of Aspergillus nidulans has a single CGGN8CGG type AmyR binding site in its promoter region. The binding site is functional in vivo as a cis-element responsible for induction by starch, and mutational studies indicated that both the CGG triplets are required for high-level induction. A part of AmyR (residues 1-411; AmyR(1-411)), which was produced as a MalE fusion protein in E. coli, bound to the CGGN8CGG site of the agdA promoter. DNA binding profiles to the mutant binding sites that lacked both or either one of the CGG triplets suggested that AmyR(1-411) can bind to a single CGG triplet site with low affinity and that two AmyR molecules cooperatively bind to the CGG direct repeat.

Biological activity of kiwifruit peel extracts

Various bioactive substances in kiwifruit extracts were fractionated by organic solvent extractions, followed by silica gel and ODS chromatographies. Both cytotoxic activity and multi-drug resistance reversal activity were found in the less polar fractions. Cytotoxic activity was not always parallel the radical intensity. Antibacterial activity was distributed into various fractions and all fractions were inactive against Candida albicans and H. pylori. Only 70% methanol extracts showed anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity, and produced a broad ESR signal under alkaline conditions, in a fashion similar to lignin. These fractions also effectively scavenged O(2)(-) produced by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction, suggesting a bimodal (pro-oxidant and antioxidant) action. These data suggest a medicinal efficacy of kiwifruit peel extracts.

Effect of glucocorticoid on expression of rat MUC5AC mRNA in rat gastric mucosa in vivo and in vitro

The gastric mucus is an important factor in the gastric mucosal protection from acid, pepsin and various reagents (alcohol, aspirin, etc.). MUC5AC is the mucin secreted from surface mucous cells, and belongs to the gel-forming mucin. We examined the regulation of rat MUC5AC (rMUC5AC) mRNA by glucocorticoid in vivo and in vitro, comparing it with that of pepsinogen (Pg) mRNA. By adrenal gland resection, rMUC5AC and Pg mRNA levels and Pg content in rats significantly decreased to 70%, 46% and 42% of those in the sham operated controls, respectively. With the treatment of hydrocortisone (1, 5 and 50 mg/kg), Pg mRNA level and Pg content in adrenalectomized rats was restored. On the other hand, the rMUC5AC mRNA level exceeded the control with 1 or 5 mg/kg injections of hydrocortisone, but drastically decreased to 18% of sham operation levels with it (50 mg/kg). Similar results were obtained in normal rats with the treatment of hydrocortisone (50 mg/kg). Mucus and DNA content of cultured rat gastric epithelial cells were not affected by hydrocortisone, but rMUC5AC mRNA level was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. From the in vivo and in vitro results, at least a physiological concentration of glucocorticoid was necessary in the expression of rMUC5AC mRNA. However, high dose of hydrocortisone directly suppressed the expression of rMUC5AC mRNA. These results suggested that hydrocortisone might directly cause the suppression and indirectly the enhancement of the mucin biosynthesis.

The N- and C-terminal regions of RBP-J interact with the ankyrin repeats of Notch1 RAMIC to activate transcription

The evolutionarily-conserved DNA-binding protein RBP-J directly interacts with the RAM domain and the ankyrin (ANK) repeats of the Notch intracellular region (RAMIC), and activates transcription of downstream target genes that regulate cell differentiation. In vitro binding assays demonstrate that the truncated N- and C-terminal regions of RBP-J bind to the ANK repeats but not to the RAM domain. Using an OT11 mouse cell line, in which the RBP-J locus is disrupted, we showed that RBP-J constructs mutated in the N- and C-terminal regions were defective in their transcriptional activation induced by either RAMIC or IC (the Notch intracellular region without the RAM domain) although they had normal levels of binding activity to DNA and the RAM domain. The studies using chimeric molecules between RBP-J and its homolog RBP-L showed that the N- and C-terminal regions of RBP-J conferred the IC- as well as RAMIC-induced transactivation potential on RBP-L, which binds to the same DNA sequence as RBP-J but fails to interact with RAMIC. Taken together, these results indicate that the interactions between the N- and C-terminal regions of RBP-J and the ANK repeats of RAMIC are important for transactivation of RBP-J by RAMIC.

Characterization of the amyR gene encoding a transcriptional activator for the amylase genes in Aspergillus nidulans

The Aspergillus nidulans amyR gene and its cDNA were cloned and sequenced. The genomic gene comprised 2,092 bp, interrupted by two short introns, and encoded a cys-6 zinc transcriptional activator (AMYR) of 662 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 72,862 Da. Disruption of the amyR gene caused defects in the utilization of maltose and starch and abolished expression of the taaG2 gene encoding A. oryzae Taka-amylase A, which is inducibly and abundantly expressed in the wild-type A. nidulans. Expression of the amyR gene was under the control of the carbon catabolite repressor, CREA. The growth defect of the malA1 mutant on maltose was complemented by the amyR gene; and the amyR gene derived from the mutant possessed a single mutation, from A to T, at position 1,483, resulting in a substitution of His478 to Leu. These results indicate that the amyR gene is identical to the genetically defined malA gene. AMYR possessed five domains (Zn and MH1-MH4) homologous to Mal63p, a transcriptional activator for the genes involved in maltose utilization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The His478 to Leu substitution lay within the MH3 domain, corresponding to the negative regulatory domain of Mal63p which relieves the inhibitory effect on the activation function in response to maltose.

Vascular orientation by intra-arterial dye injection during spinal arteriovenous malformation surgery

OBJECTIVE

Rich and complicated vascular structures on the spinal cord often interfere with obliteration of a spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Vascular orientation during spinal AVM surgery is essential. The authors recently performed six consecutive spinal AVM surgeries in five patients (two with perimedullary AVMs, and three with dural arteriovenous fistulae) with the aid of intra-arterial injection of dye (indigo carmine).

METHODS

Two representative cases are described. A microcatheter was placed preoperatively in the artery of interest. Subsequent to the exposure of the vascular complex, a 1-ml injection of indigo carmine (2 mg/ml) clearly demonstrated the feeding arteries and the draining veins around the AVM or dural arteriovenous fistula.

RESULTS

One patient had repeat surgery because of incomplete obliteration of the AVM owing to migration of the catheter. All patients, except one who had temporary postoperative deterioration and persistent neurological deficits, had good surgical outcomes, however. No apparent side effects caused by the dye were reported.

CONCLUSION

The assistance system for spinal AVM surgery is easy and safe and can be applied in other surgical institutions.

Antimicrobial activity of new coumarin derivatives

A preliminary exploration of coumarin analogs as novel antimicrobial agents was carried out to determine the basic features of the structure responsible for the observed biological activity. The substituents ester or carboxylic acid on the coumarin ring were needed to have potent inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The presence of phenolic hydroxyl group and/or carboxylic acid was necessary to possess higher activity against Helicobacter pylori.

Reduction of acetals with samarium diiodide in acetonitrile in the presence of Lewis acids

Transformation of acetals into ethers by partial reduction using a samarium diiodide-Lewis acids-acetonitrile system is described. The reaction with aromatic acetals occurred in good yields in the presence of aluminum chloride (2 eq) whereas the corresponding aliphatic, vinylic, and alkynyl derivatives did not afford ethers under the same conditions. Beta-elimination to give an enol ether becomes predominant when aliphatic acetals that possess a hydrogen at the 2-position are treated with iodotrimethylsilane in the presence of SmI2 or SmI3.

[Isolated abducens nerve palsy caused by the compression of the basilar artery: a case report]

Several pathological etiologies are responsible for abducens nerve palsy, but a neuro-vascular compression of the basilar artery has rarely been recognized as one of the causes. We performed magnetic resonance imaging of the brainstem of 71-year-old female patient with left abducens nerve palsy using constructive interference in the steady state (CISS) method, which allowed high-resolution T 2-weighted imaging and detection of the artery and nerves as high and low intensity area respectively. MRI with CISS revealed the compression of the abducens nerve by the basilar artery at the root exit zone. During the first examination her systolic blood pressure was over 180 mmHg, so we prescribed hypotensive agents until it to normalized. Her symptom of abducens nerve palsy improved after a few days. It is conceivable that compression of the basilar artery may have caused isolated abducens nerve palsy as disclosed by MRI with CISS.

In vitro biological activity of prenylflavanones

The biological activity of ten prenylflavanones purified from Sophora tomentosa L., and Sophora moorcroftiana Benth. ex Baker (Leguminosae) was investigated. The flavanones with prenyl-, lavandulyl- or geranyl groups on A ring, and two bioactive flavonostilbenes on ring B and stilbene (resveratrol) showed tumor-specific cytotoxic activity, antimicrobial activity, and anti-HIV activity, radical generation, and O2- scavenging activity. There was a positive relationship between radical generation and O2- scavenging activity in these prenylflavanones. These data suggest the medicinal significance of prenylflavanones.

Biological activity of feijoa peel extracts

Fractionated extracts of Feijoa peels were studied for cytotoxic activity, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity and antibacterial activity. Two most cytotoxic fractions A3 of acetone extract and M2 of methanol extract had potent inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi tested. Fraction A4 of acetone extract showed multidrug resistance (MDR)-reversal activity comparable with that of verapamil (positive control). These results indicate the therapeutic value of Feijoa peel extracts as potential antimicrobial and MDR-modulating agents.

Smoking increases tissue factor expression in atherosclerotic plaques: implications for plaque thrombogenicity

BACKGROUND

Smoking increases the risk of atherothrombotic events. To determine whether smoking influences plaque thrombogenicity, we examined the effect of cigarette smoking and aspirin use on tissue factor (TF) expression in atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 23 apoE-/- mice were exposed to cigarette smoke with (n=9) or without (n=14) aspirin treatment. Eleven mice who were exposed to filtered room air served as controls. Aortic root plaques of mice exposed to smoke had higher immunoreactivity for TF (14+/-4% versus 6.4+/-3%; P=0.0005), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (15+/-4% versus 5+/-2%; P=0.002), and macrophages (16+/-5% versus 6+/-2%; P=0.002) compared with nonsmoking controls. Aspirin treatment attenuated smoking-induced changes in plaque composition. In human plaques obtained by carotid endarterectomy, TF immunoreactivity (8+/-5% versus 2+/-2%; P=0.0002) and activity (P=0. 03) were higher in the plaques from smokers (n=28) than those from nonsmokers (n=28). Aspirin use was associated with reduced TF expression in smokers (9+/-8% versus 3+/-4%; P=0.0017).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest increased plaque TF expression and thrombogenicity as a novel mechanism for the increased risk of atherothrombotic events in smokers. Treatment with aspirin may reduce TF expression.

Erythromycin improves glycaemic control in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Erythromycin mimics the effect of the gastrointestinal hormone motilin by binding to its receptor and acting as a motilin agonist. We recently found that motilin stimulates insulin secretion at lower doses than doses required to stimulate gastric contractile activity. We studied the effects of erythromycin on insulin secretion and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Inpatients (n = 34) with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to receive either erythromycin (400 mg orally three times a day, n = 19) or a placebo (n = 15) for 1 week (first study). Another 34 outpatients with Type II diabetes were also treated with erythromycin (200 mg orally three times a day, n = 17) or a placebo (n = 17) for 4 weeks (second study). Finally, nine inpatients with Type II diabetes and eight normal control subjects received intravenous erythromycin (10 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) or saline infusion and insulin secretion was examined (third study).

RESULTS

Erythromycin lowered fasting blood glucose and fructosamine concentrations (p < 0.01) and increased basal as well as glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (p <0.05-0.01) (first study). Low doses of erythromycin treatment for 4 weeks also significantly improved glycaemic control in Type II diabetic patients (second study). Erythromycin infusion significantly increased plasma insulin and decreased glucose concentrations in Type II diabetic and control subjects and greatly potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion in the latter (third study).

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

These results indicate that erythromycin given orally has an antidiabetogenic effect and therefore erythromycin derivatives that lack the antibacterial activity could have a therapeutic value in Type II diabetic patients.

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of a truncated form of fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibits growth of glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and high affinity FGF receptor (FGFR) have been detected in the nucleus as well as the cytoplasm of many human gliomas, and are known to stimulate cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in the tumors. To investigate the effects of inactivation of FGFR on the growth of malignant gliomas, we constructed a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus vector encoding a truncated form of chicken FGFR1 (AxCA delta FR). AxCA delta FR-infected cells were confirmed to express truncated FGFR protein by immunoblotting and FGF-2-dependent clonogenicity of NIH3T3 cells was suppressed by infection with this virus vector. Then human malignant glioma cell lines U-251MG and T98G, both of which have been reported to express FGF-2 and FGFR, were infected with AxCA delta FR. These infected cells showed nuclear as well as cytoplasmic expression of a truncated FGFR protein. Proliferation rate and the ability to form colonies in soft agar of the cells infected with this virus vector were significantly suppressed compared with those of uninfected and lacZ-expressing adenovirus-infected cells. Moreover, intratumoral injection of AxCA delta FR significantly suppressed the subcutaneous tumor growth of the glioma cells in nude mice. We concluded that inactivation of the cytoplasmic and nuclear FGFR using this truncated FGFR-expressing adenovirus vector can inhibit the growth of malignant gliomas both in vitro and in vivo.

Some factors which influence intrinsic factor content and its mRNA level in the rat stomach

Factors which regulate Intrinsic Factor (IF) content and IF mRNA level were examined with an abc-ELISA and Northern blot analysis in growing rats, and compared with pepsinogen (Pg) and in terms of the increased need for vitamin B12 (V.B12). Increases in IF content and IF mRNA level gradually occurred from day 13 after birth, whereas those of Pg and Pg mRNA started from day 16. The effects of a few related hormones on the expression of IF mRNA were examined. The injection of hydrocortisone induced IF and Pg mRNA expression in 5-d-old postnatal rats. Furthermore, adrenalectomy-induced decreases in IF content and IF mRNA level in adult male rats were recovered with hydrocortisone administration. IF content and IF mRNA level were measured in the artificially and physiologically created needs for V.B12, the first being regeneration of the liver, the V.B12 storing tissue, following partial hepatectomy, and the second pregnancy or lactation. During regeneration of the liver, increases in IF content and IF mRNA level were marked, followed by reduction toward the original level after accomplishment of regeneration. Increases in IF content and IF mRNA level were also seen in lactating rats, but no increases were obtained in pregnant rats. These results suggest that the IF content and IF mRNA level are regulated not only by corticosteroids but also by the increased need for V.B12.

Structural studies of C-amidated amino acids and peptides: crystal structures of Z-Gly-Phe-NH2, Tyr-Lys-NH2, and Asp-Phe-NH2

As part of the series investigating the structural features of C-terminal amidated amino acids and peptides, three crystal structures of Z-Gly-Phe-NH2, Tyr-Lys-NH2, and Asp-Phe-NH2 were analyzed by the X-ray diffraction method, and their molecular conformations and intermolecular interactions were investigated. Although the respective dipeptides exhibited an energetically allowable torsion angle concerning each backbone or side chain, the observed extended (Z-Gly-Phe-NH2, Asp-Phe-NH2) and folded (Tyr-Lys-NH2) conformations were considerably different from those of the corresponding unamidated peptides, due to the conformational flexibility of the respective dipeptides. The comparison between the crystal packings of the amidated and unamidated dipeptides indicated that the C-terminal amides tend to associate with the same neighboring group through hydrogen bonds, in which both the amide NH and O=C groups participate, while the unamidated peptides prefer a linear molecular connection, where both or either of the two carboxyl oxygens participate in the hydrogen bond formation. The difference in hydrogen bonding ability between the C-terminal amide and carboxyl groups has been considered to be based on the structural data of the related peptides analyzed so far.

A novel nuclear factor, SREB, binds to a cis-acting element, SRE, required for inducible expression of the Aspergillus oryzae Taka-amylase A gene in A. nidulans

The Taka-amylase A gene (taaG2) of Aspergillus oryzae is inducibly expressed in A. nidulans upon exposure to inducing carbon sources, such as starch and maltose. In order to identify nuclear factor(s) possibly involved in the induction of the taaG2 gene, gel mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting analyses were carried out, and revealed a novel nuclear factor in A. nidulans extracts, which specifically bound to two sites in the taaG2 promoter region, -204 to -189 and -182 to -168, which share the common sequence GGAAATT. The nuclear factor was detected in nuclei from both induced and uninduced mycelia. Mutational analysis within and around the binding sequences demonstrated that only the upstream binding sequence, designated SRE (starch responsive element), was required for the inducible expression of the taaG2 gene, and thus we designated the nuclear factor SREB (SRE binding factor). The downstream binding site contained an inverted SRE (ISRE) and played no role in the induction of taaG2 expression. SREB was shown by gel retardation assays to have higher affinity for SRE than for ISRE.

Microstructure and release characteristics of the minipellet, a collagen-based drug delivery system for controlled release of protein drugs

We have developed the minipellet, a matrix-type system for the sustained delivery of protein drugs using collagen as a biodegradable drug carrier. In this study, we analyzed the microstructure and release profile of the minipellet containing human serum albumin (HSA) as a model drug.The findings suggest that the minipellet has a structure in which collagen fibers are strongly oriented in the direction of extrusion from the nozzle in the molding process of the minipellet, and that HSA exists as fine particulate clusters which are homogeneously distributed among the collagen fibers in the minipellet. During release, the HSA clusters dissolve and HSA is retained within the collagen matrix as a solution.The results of release experiments indicate that HSA release from the minipellet is mainly controlled by diffusion in the collagen matrix, and that sustained release is achieved by the dense structure of the collagen matrix which is formed in the manufacture process. In addition, more detailed study suggests that the minipellet has unique directional release behavior caused by its microstructure.

Regulation of gastric mucosal pepsinogen and intrinsic factor contents, and their mRNA levels during starvation and refeeding in rats

Gastric mucosal pepsinogen and intrinsic factor (IF) contents, and their mRNA levels during starvation and refeeding were studied. During starvation for 4 d, gastric mucosal pepsinogen and IF contents significantly decreased, whereas pepsinogen and IF mRNA levels increased by 30-50%. These results suggested that the mRNAs of pepsinogen and IF could be preserved for a long time so as to prepare for refeeding. After ceasing the starvation for 72 h, gastric mucosal pepsinogen and IF contents were significantly decreased at 1 h after refeeding, and their mRNA levels were increased by 20-30% at 30 min after refeeding. We examined whether the refeeding-induced changes in gastric mucosal pepsinogen and IF contents and their mRNA levels could be reproduced by the exogenous administration of secretagogues. They were not found to be affected by the administration of each secretagogue during starvation for 72 h at 30 min. However, by the simultaneous administration of 2 or 3 secretagogues (carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) or secretin), the contents of pepsinogen and IF decreased to 70-80% and 50-80% of the control, respectively. However, their mRNA levels increased to 140-160% and 120-135% of the control, respectively. Therefore, refeeding-induced changes in pepsinogen and IF contents and their mRNA levels were partially reproduced by exogenously administered secretagogues. This showed that food intake influences huge changes in neural, hormonal and physical conditions on the stomach. It was indicated that the secretagogues stimulated not only pepsinogen and IF secretion, but also had a tendency to increase their mRNA.

Purification and characterization of beta-1,3-xylanase from a marine bacterium, Vibrio sp. XY-214

beta-1,3-Xylanase was purified to gel electrophoretic homogeneity and 83-fold from a cell-free culture fluid of Vibrio sp. XY-214 by ammonium sulfate precipitation and successive chromatographies. The enzyme had a pl of 3.6 and a molecular mass of 52 kDa. The enzyme had the highest level of activity at pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by Cu2+, Hg2+, and N-bromosuccinimide. The enzyme hydrolyzed beta-1,3-xylan to produce mainly xylotriose and xylobiose but did not act on xylobiose, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside, beta-1,4-xylan, beta-1,3-glucan, or carboxymethyl cellulose.

Patient information exchange guideline MERIT-9 using medical markup language MML

To realize clinical data exchange between healthcare providers, there must be many standards in many layers. Terms and codes should be standardized, syntax to wrap the data must be mutually parsable, then transfer protocol or exchange media should be agreed. Among many standards for the syntax, HL7 and DICOM are most successful. However, everything could not be handled by HL7 solely. DICOM is good for radiology images, but, other clinical images are already handled by other "lighter" data formats like JPEG, TIFF. So, it is not realistic to use only one standard for every area of clinical information. For description of medical records, especially for narrative information, we created SGML DTD for medical information, called MML (Medical Markup Language). It is already implemented in more than 10 healthcare providers in Japan. As it is a hierarchical description of information, it is easily used as a basis of object request brokering. It is again not realistic to use MML solely for clinical information in various level of detail. Therefore, we proposed a guide-line for use of available medical standards to facilitate clinical information exchange between healthcare providers. It is called MERIT-9 (MEdical Records, Images, Texts,--Information eXchange). A typical use is HL7 files, DICOM files, referred from an MML file in a patient record, as external entities. Both MML and MERIT-9 are research projects of Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the purpose is to facilitate clinical data exchanges. They are becoming to be used in technical specifications for new hospital information systems in Japan.

Hepatoma-specific antitumor activity of an albumin enhancer/promoter regulated herpes simplex virus in vivo

Targeting viral vectors to appropriate cell types so that normal cells are not adversely affected is an important goal for gene therapy. Previously, we described a novel approach to viral gene therapy using a conditional, replication-competent herpes simplex virus (HSV), where replication and associated cytotoxicity are limited to a specific cell-type by the regulated expression of an essential immediate-early viral gene product. In this report we analyze the hepatoma-specific replication, cytotoxicity and anti-tumor effect of recombinant HSV G92A, regulated by the albumin enhancer/promoter. G92A efficiently replicated in vitro in two human hepatoma cell lines expressing albumin, but not in four human non-hepatoma, albumin-non-expressing tumor cell lines, while all cell lines were equally susceptible to a tissue nonspecific HSV recombinant, hrR3. In vivo, G92A replicated well in subcutaneous xenografts of human hepatoma cells (Hep3B) in athymic mice, but not in non-hepatoma subcutaneous tumors (PC3 and HeLa), whereas, hrR3 replicated well in both tumor types. Intratumoral inoculation of G92A inhibited the growth of established subcutaneous hepatoma tumors in nude mice, but not prostate tumors. Replication-competent viral vectors controlled by cell-specific transcriptional regulatory sequences provide a new therapeutic strategy for tumor therapy.

Delta-induced Notch signaling mediated by RBP-J inhibits MyoD expression and myogenesis

Signaling induced by interaction between the receptor Notch and its ligand Delta plays an important role in cell fate determination in vertebrates as well as invertebrates. Vertebrate Notch signaling has been investigated using its constitutively active form, i.e. the truncated intracellular region which is believed to mimic Notch-Delta signaling by interaction with a DNA-binding protein RBP-J. However, the molecular mechanism for Notch signaling triggered by ligand binding, which leads to inhibition of differentiation, is not clear. We have established a myeloma cell line expressing mouse Delta1 on its cell surface which can block muscle differentiation by co-culture with C2C12 muscle progenitor cells. We showed that Delta-induced Notch signaling stimulated transcriptional activation of RBP-J binding motif, containing promoters including the HES1 promoter. Furthermore, ligand-induced Notch signaling up-regulated HES1 mRNA expression within 1 h and subsequently reduced expression of MyoD mRNA. Since cycloheximide treatment did not inhibit induction of HES1 mRNA, the HES1 promoter appears to be a primary target of activated Notch. In addition, a transcriptionally active form of RBP-J, i.e. VP16-RBP-J, inhibited muscle differentiation of C2C12 cells by blocking the expression of MyoD protein. These results suggest that HES1 induction by the Delta1/Notch signaling is mediated by RBP-J and blocks myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells by subsequent inhibition of MyoD expression.

Chromosomal mapping of two RBP-J-related genes: Kyo-T and RBP-L

We have recently isolated two genes encoding proteins which have either homology or affinity to RBP-J, a transcription factor involved in Notch signaling. Kyo-T interacts with RBP-J and possibly regulates the function of RBP-J. RBP-L has a highly homologous region with RBP-J but the function of RBP-L is unknown. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of human metaphase chromosomes localized Kyo-T and RBP-L to Xq26 and 20q12-13.1, respectively.

In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to trifluoromethyl ketones

Heteroaromatic trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMK's) showed strong inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori. The MIC50 observed for 2-trifluoroacetonylbenzoxazole (1) is 20-fold more active than metronidazole and is only twice as high as that of clarithromycin. The inhibitory mode of TFMK's on Hp growth was not related to inhibition of urease.

Characteristics of spontaneous erythema appeared in hairless rats

The hairless rat (WBN/Kob-Ht), a dominant mutant rat derived from the Wistar strain, rarely develops spontaneous erythema of a progressive nature on its skin. Erythema was first observed at 8 weeks of age and the incidence at 20 weeks of age was about 4% in both males and females. Histopathologically, erythema was characterised by dermatitis induced by an immunological reaction. Areas of erythema in the skin were decreased by treatment with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) or ciclosporin (25 or 50 mg/kg). These results suggested that erythema on the hairless rat could be used as an animal model of spontaneous dermatitis.

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.

MERIT-9: a patient information exchange guideline using MML, HL7 and DICOM

To realize clinical data exchange between healthcare providers, there must be many standards in many layers. Terms and codes should be standardized, syntax to wrap the data must be mutually parsable, then transfer protocol or exchange media should be agreed. Among many standards for the syntax, HL7 and DICOM are most successful. However, everything could not be handled by HL7 solely. DICOM is good for radiology images, but, other clinical images are already handled by other 'lighter' data formats like JPEG, TIFF. So, it is not realistic to use only one standard for every area of clinical information. For description of medical records, especially for narrative information, an standard generalized mark-up language, document type definition (SGML DTD) for medical information, called MML (medical markup language) had been created in Japan. It is already implemented in more than ten healthcare providers. However, it is again not realistic to use MML solely for clinical information in various level of detail. Therefore, we proposed a guideline for use of available medical standards to facilitate clinical information exchange between healthcare providers. It is called MERIT-9 (Medical Records, Images, Texts, -Information Exchange). A typical use is HL7 messages, DICOM files, referred from an MML file in a patient record, as external entities. Both MML and MERIT-9 have been research projects of Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare and the purpose is to facilitate clinical data exchanges. They are becoming to be used in technical specifications for new hospital information systems in Japan.

[Visual defect due to chiasmic compression by the A1 portion of the anterior cerebral artery]

Unilateral nasal hemianopia is highly difficult to notice with bilateral vision intact, and only a few cases has been reported. There are several reported cases of quadrantic hemianopsia caused by cerebral lesions, but the defects were found bilaterally in all cases. There is only one reported case of which an aneurysm was believed to be the cause. We confronted 3 cases of unilateral nasal quadrantic hemianopia. In either case no ophthalmologic disorders could be found but magnetic resonance imaging revealed the compression of the optic chiasma by the A1 portion of the anterior cerebral artery. All three cases are presently under conservative therapy and receive routine evaluations. Nerve fibers from the upper and lower areas of the retina are routed complicatedly in the optic nerve in the periphery of the optic chiasma. From the presentation of the quadrantic hemianopia and from the radiological findings, we diagnosed that the visual defect was caused by vascular compression of the optic chiasma.

Fluorescence properties of quinacrine enantiomers complexed with synthetic double-stranded polyribonucleotides

The interaction of quinacrine (QAC) enantiomers with poly(A).poly(U) and poly(I).poly(C) has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence and fluorescence-excitation spectra of QAC enantiomers complexed with the polyribonucleotides showed a marked dependence on the excitation and emission wavelengths. This behavior of the bound QAC enantiomers was almost independent of the chirality of the cationic side chain and was very similar to that of the bound racemic QAC.

Standardizations of clinical laboratory examinations in Japan

In this paper we introduce Japanese activities concerning laboratory examinations by illustrating three major categories. The first is the contribution of JCCLS to ISO/TC212 clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems, with NCCLS and CEN TC140. The second is the establishment and promotion of JLAC Classification and Coding for Clinical Laboratory Tests by The Japan Society of Clinical Pathology. The third is a clinical data exchange format between healthcare facilities using MML/MERIT-9 standard, started as a Ministry research project.

Antitumor agents--CLXVII. Synthesis and structure-activity correlations of the cytotoxic anthraquinone 1,4-bis-(2,3-epoxypropylamino)-9,10-anthracenedione, and of related compounds

1,4-Bis-(2,3-epoxypropylamino)-9,10-anthracenedione (3) was synthesized in this laboratory and was found to be a potent antitumor agent. Derivatives of this compound containing anthraquinone, naphthoquinone, and quinone skeletons were also prepared and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity in several cell lines. These molecules were designed as bifunctional antitumor agents with the potential to act as (1) intercalating agents due to their planar backbones, and (2) alkylating agents due to the presence of alkylating moieties in their side chains. Compounds with an anthraquinone skeleton and propylamino side chains containing epoxides or halohydrins as the alkylating species showed greater activity than similar compounds with naphthoquinone or quinone skeletons. Compounds without these alkylating functionalities (e.g., with alkene or amino groups) were generally inactive. Hydroxy substitution on the planar skeleton in conjunction with alkylating side chains gave compounds with the most potent cytotoxic activity. The position of the hydroxy groups and side chains could be varied without substantially affecting activity. Activity was retained when an epoxypropyloxy side chain was substituted for the epoxypropylamino side chain in the parent compound.

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of basic fibroblast growth factor induces in vitro angiogenesis

To investigate the possibility of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in the treatment of vascular occlusive diseases, we constructed a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus vector coding for human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and examined its effect on the proliferation and differentiation of vascular endothelial cells in vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were successfully infected with high efficiency and expressed 18 kD protein which is immunoreactive to anti-bFGF monoclonal antibody. This protein was accumulated mainly in the nuclei of the cells, but was also detected in the culture medium although the complimentary DNA (cDNA) did not contain the classical secreting signal sequence. The proliferation assay of HUVECs infected with bFGF-expressing adenovirus revealed a significant increase in cell number over control. Infection with this virus also enhanced tubular formation of HUVECs on reconstituted basement membrane. Neovascularization and the formation of collateral vessels play important roles in minimizing tissue damage in ischemic disorders. These results imply that the use of bFGF-expressing recombinant adenovirus may be a suitable in vivo gene therapy for ischemic diseases.

Gastric mucin secretion from cultured rat epithelial cells

In order to establish the measurement of gastric mucin secreted from cultured mucous cells, rat gastric mucin was purified from secreted mucus with Sepharose CL-4B column chromatography. Gastric mucin was measured by dot blot analysis using an enzyme-linked lectin (soybean agglutinin) assay in a good concentration-dependent manner. Surface epithelial cells were dispersed by limited digestion of a rat everted stomach and collected by density gradient centrifugation with Percoll. These cells were inoculated onto gelled collagen dishes, then cultured in a medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum under a 5% CO2 atmosphere in air. Changing the medium after a 2-d culture, the cells were cultured for another 3 d. During the culture, the numbers of cells each day were almost equal, but mucin contents in the cells increased, and then dropped at day 5 after inoculation. At that time, the edge of the cell layer peeled off and the cells adhered to each other. Using 2-d cultured cells, the effects of some secretagogues on mucin secretion were investigated. Carbachol, secretin, CCK-8 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) strongly stimulated mucin secretion, and gastrin I weakly did. However, histamine offered no stimulation.

[Decision support of clinical laboratory test by object-oriented data base]

We have constructed an object-oriented database system, using prescription, lab test result, and disease registry data, transmitted from the order entry system of Hamamatsu University Medical School Hospital. It serves not only numeric data but also semantics of laboratory results. The database system has a feature to categorize each data into structured hierarchies of attributes. By this, the user can retrieve abstract level descriptions such as "prescriptions of anti-inflammation medicines, suppository only", "any kind of gastric ulcer", etc., which is expected to be useful for researchers and students. In transferring order entry data from HIS, HL7-ASTM E1238 standard data formats using the Japan Association of Clinical Pathology lab test item code are utilized, proving this system's transferability to other hospitals. This is the first real use implementation of an object-oriented data base in a clinical setting, and results are promising in terms of providing an intelligent clinical database. Also discussed are future trends of clinical master files, hospital administrative tools, and multi vendor configurations of HIS.