Lipase-catalyzed transformation of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) into cyclic dicaprolactone

The enzymatic degradation and polymerization using an enzyme were carried out with respect to the establishment of a sustainable chemical recycling system for poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) which is a typical biodegradable synthetic plastic. The enzymatic transformation of PCL having an Mn of 110,000 using Candida antarctica lipase (lipase CA) in water-containing toluene at 40 degrees C afforded the corresponding cyclic dicaprolactone (DCL, 1,8-dioxacyclotetradecane-2,9-dione) in a yield of up to 97%. Thus the obtained DCL readily polymerized again using both the fresh and recovered lipase CAs.

Membrane lipid components associated with increased filterability of erythrocytes from long-distance runners

Deformability of red blood cells and the lipid composition of their plasma membranes were studied in ten long-distance runners, in comparison with ten sedentary matched controls. Mean corpuscular volume and corpuscular hemoglobin concentration did not differ between these groups, while the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were lower in the former. Deformability was measured in terms of the erythrocyte suspension filterability through 5 microm microchannels, using an array flow analyzer, and was significantly elevated in athletes. Analysis of the membrane phospholipid composition of red blood cells revealed an increased ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine and a decreased ratio of cholesterol to total phospholipids in athletes. The length and saturation levels of fatty acid acyl chains were unchanged. Multiple regression analysis showed clearly that these alterations of membrane lipids correlate with increased deformability and thus favor circulation in the microvasculature in long-distance runners.

T cell repertoire in primary biliary cirrhosis: a common T cell clone and repertoire change after treatment

T cell repertoire was analyzed in three early-stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformation polymorphism. Multiple expanded clones were demonstrated in livers and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of all three patients. Comparison of the repertoire of different parts of the liver demonstrated the presence of common clones in various Vbeta families. Comparison of the repertoire between the liver and PBL demonstrated that both CD4 and CD8 T cell clones were expanded. Sequence analysis of complementarity determining region 3 of the expanded clones revealed that relatively conserved amino acids were utilized in each patient and that an identical CD4 T cell clone having Vbeta16 was present in all three patients. The number of expanded T cell clones in PBL decreased markedly after the treatment with prednisolone. These results suggest that common T cell clones may play a pathogenic role in PBC.

High frequency of circulating HBcAg-specific CD8 T cells in hepatitis B infection: a flow cytometric analysis

Viral antigen-specific T cells are important for virus elimination. We studied the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cell response using flow cytometry. Three phases of HBV infection were studied: Group A, HBeAg (+) chronic hepatitis; Group B, HBeAb (+) HBV carrier after seroconversion; and Group C, HBsAb (+) phase. Peripheral T cells were incubated with recombinant HB core antigen (HBcAg), and intracytoplasmic cytokines were analysed by flow cytometry. HBcAg-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells were identified in all three groups and the number of IFN-gamma-positive T cells was greater than TNF-alpha-positive T cells. The frequency of IFN-gamma-positive CD4 and CD8 T cells was highest in Group C, compared with Groups A and B. No significant difference in the HBcAg-specific T cell response was observed between Group A and Group B. The HBcAg-specific CD8 T cell response was diminished by CD4 depletion, addition of antibody against human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I, class II or CD40L. Cytokine-positive CD8 T cells without HBcAg stimulation were present at a high frequency (7 of 13 cases) in Group B, but were rare in other groups. HBcAg-specific T cells can be detected at high frequency by a sensitive flow cytometric analysis, and these cells are important for controlling HBV replication.

Influence of thoracic radiotherapy on exhaled nitric oxide levels in patients with lung cancer

BACKGROUND

To determine the physiological role of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

We investigated changes in exhaled NO levels in 29 patients undergoing thoracic radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. The exhaled NO level was assessed using a chemiluminescence analyzer.

RESULTS

The level of exhaled NO was higher in patients with lung cancer before treatment than in controls. With radiotherapy, the exhaled NO level decreased for patients undergoing 40 Gy irradiation and post-radiotherapy. However, five patients showed elevated levels of exhaled NO three times or more than that before radiotherapy. Three of these patients showed signs of radiation pneumonitis. However, none of the other patients showed signs of radiation pneumonitis (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Radiation therapy can lower exhaled levels of NO and the levels of exhaled NO may be a useful index for the early prediction of radiation pneumonitis.

Characterization of the glutamatergic system for induction and maintenance of allodynia

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and has been shown to be involved in spinal nociceptive processing. We previously demonstrated that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of prostaglandin (PG) E(2) and PGF(2 alpha) induced touch-evoked pain (allodynia) through the glutamatergic system by different mechanisms. In the present study, we characterized glutamate receptor subtypes and glutamate transporters involved in induction and maintenance of PGE(2)- and PGF(2 alpha)-evoked allodynia. In addition to PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), but not kainate, induced allodynia. PGE(2)- and NMDA-induced allodynia were observed in NMDA receptor epsilon 4 (NR2D) subunit knockout (GluR epsilon 4(-/-)) mice, but not in epsilon 1 (NR2A) subunit knockout (GluR epsilon 1(-/-)) mice. Conversely, PGF(2 alpha)- and AMPA-induced allodynia were observed in GluR epsilon 1(-/-) mice, but not in GluR epsilon 4(-/-) mice. The induction of allodynia by PGE(2) and NMDA was abolished by the NMDA receptor epsilon 2 (NR2B) antagonist CP-101,606 and neonatal capsaicin treatment. PGF(2 alpha)- and AMPA-induced allodynia were not affected by CP-101,606 and by neonatal capsaicin treatment. On the other hand, the glutamate transporter blocker DL-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate (DL-TBOA) blocked all the allodynia induced by PGE(2), PGF(2 alpha), NMDA, and AMPA. These results demonstrate that there are two pathways for induction of allodynia mediated by the glutamatergic system and suggest that the glutamate transporter is essential for the induction and maintenance of allodynia.

The first total synthesis of concanamycin f (concanolide a)

A highly stereoselective total synthesis of the macrolide antibiotic concanamycin F (1), a specific and potent inhibitor of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, has been achieved by a convergent route involving the synthesis and coupling of its 18-membered tetraenic lactone and beta-hydroxyl hemiacetal side chain subunits. The C1-C19 18-membered lactone aldehyde 4 was synthesized through the intermolecular Stille coupling of the C5-C13 vinyl iodide 24 and the C14-C19 vinyl stannane 25, followed by construction of the C1-C4 diene and macrolactonization. Synthesis of 4 via a second convergent route including the esterification of the C1-C13 vinyl iodide 45 and the C14-C19 vinyl stannane 47 followed by the intramolecular Stille coupling was also realized. The highly stereoselective aldol coupling of 4 and the C20-C28 ethyl ketone 5 followed by desilylation provided 1 which was identical with natural concanamycin F.

Aberrant expression of cytokeratin 7 as a histological marker of progression in primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM

We evaluated the aberrant expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK-7) in hepatocytes as a marker of cholestasis and progression in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of CK-7 was studied by immunohistochemistry in 83 cases of PBC. This expression was compared with biochemical data, the deposition of copper-associated protein, and previous histological classifications.

RESULTS

In normal liver, CK-7 was expressed exclusively in bile duct epithelial cells (BDE). In PBC, the expression was also observed in hepatocytes. The expression pattern was classified as follows: Grade 0, BDE as in normal; Grade 1, proliferated bile ductules; Grade 2, periportal hepatocytes in addition to proliferated bile ductules; Grade 3, intralobular hepatocytes; Grade 4, the majority of hepatocytes. The grades correlated with serum bilirubin levels but not with serum levels of biliary enzymes. A discrepancy between the CK-7 grading and Ludwig's classification was noted in cases with Stage 1 of the CK-7 grading who were considered Stage 2 or 3 in Ludwig's classification, suggesting that cholestasis and inflammatory activity might be independent events.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the aberrant expression of CK-7 in hepatocytes may be a marker of chronic cholestasis and progression in PBC.

A therapeutic approach to roentgenographically occult squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

BACKGROUND

The significance of limited resections, including wedge resection and segmentectomy, remains controversial because of their curability rates. In the current study, the objective was to determine a strategy for the treatment of patients with roentgenographically occult bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma (ROSCC) based on the pathologic findings from 184 patients with ROSCC who underwent resection.

METHODS

In Miyagi Prefecture, 1422 patients with lung carcinoma were diagnosed during a mass screening program between 1982 and 1995. Among them, 236 patients had ROSCC, and 184 patients with ROSCC underwent pulmonary resection followed by systemic lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Pathologically, only 0.9% of the ROSCCs that were within the range of endoscopic visibility were revealed to have lymph node involvement, whereas 13% of patients with extracartilage invasion had lymph node involvement. Early ROSCC, which means ROSCC that is limited within the cartilaginous layer and is without lymph node involvement, comprised 90% of ROSCCs that measured <10 mm in longitudinal extension, comprised 77% of ROSCCs that measured 10-29 mm in longitudinal extension, and comprised 33% of ROSCCs that measured >30 mm in longitudinal extension. Eighty-nine percent of the tumors with lymph node involvement had extracartilaginous invasion. The 3-year survival rate of patients after undergoing photodynamic therapy was 100% when their tumor was regarded as early ROSCC (i.e., within 10 mm in longitudinal extension and within the range of endoscopic visibility). To date, 18 patients with ROSCC underwent segmentectomy, and all of these patients are alive without tumor recurrence. The incidence rate of multiple lung carcinomas, including synchronous and metachronous tumors, in patients with ROSCC was 22%.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded the following: 1) Patients with lesions that are within the range of endoscopic visibility and that measure <10 mm in longitudinal extension are candidates for photodynamic therapy. 2) Patients with lesions that are beyond the range of endoscopic visibility or that measure >10 mm in longitudinal extension are candidates for segmentectomy as long as intraoperative examination shows a tumor free bronchial stump and negative lymph nodes 11-13. 3) Patients with lesions that show bronchial obstruction or extrabronchial invasion should undergo standard resection.

Carbohydrate-modulated DNA photocleavage: design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel glycosyl anthraquinones

Novel and artificial anthraquinone-carbohydrate hybrids were designed and synthesized, and found to effectively cleave DNA under irradiation with a long wavelength UV light and also exhibit cytotoxicity against HeLa S3 cells.

HRTEM image contrast of short range order in Ni4Mo

The high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) imaging of short range order (SRO) in Ni4Mo was investigated by means of multi-slice image simulations. The HRTEM images of Ni4Mo exhibit locally bright dot patterns corresponding to the [001] projections of the N2M2-type (chalcopyrite-like) structure. The multi-slice simulations revealed that the N2M2 patterns are rationalized as the projection patterns of the SRO structure which consists of subunit cell clusters of D1a, D022 and Pt2Mo structures. The N2M2-type image contrast appears when both the fundamental fcc lattice reflections and the 1 1/2 0 diffuse scattering of SRO contribute enough to imaging. This suggests that a good coincidence in intensity distribution between the Fourier power spectra of HRTEM images and the electron diffraction patterns is one of the conditions for the image contrast of SRO to be interpreted in terms of the projection contrast.

An autopsy case of Klinefelter's syndrome suspected and its DNA analysis

We experienced an autopsy case, small testes and tall stature, which suggested Klinefelter's syndrome. DNA analysis was performed to confirm the genetic abnormality.

CASE HISTORY

A 28-year-old man who was single and lived with his parents. He suddenly lost his consciousness in a sitting room and died. Autopsy findings: He was 176 cm in height and 57 kg in weight. The post-mortem hypostasis was red-purple on his back, and rigor mortis was strong in each joint of the whole body. The heart weighted 340 g, in which dark red fluidal blood (300 ml) without coagulation was contained. The testes were smaller than normal adult male (left and right testes with epididymides weighted 8.1 g and 6.0 g, respectively). As a results of pathological examination, clumped Leydig cells, sclerotic and hyalined tubules were observed. Some germ cells with spermatozoid were also present. DNA Analysis: Generally, Klinefelter's syndrome is determined by karyotype analysis and/or the detection of sex chromatin. However, in this case, karyotype analysis and the detection of sex chromatin could not be demonstrated, because the blood which was collected in the autopsy became too old. Therefore, we tried sex determination and STR analysis (HPRT, HUMARA and DXS 1470) using DNA extracted from stored blood materials. Consequently, in the sex determination, no different situation was found in the X- and Y-specific bands from normal male's and as results of STR analyses, we could not corroborate the Klinefelter's syndrome.

Life history and demography of wild moor macaques (Macaca maurus): summary of ten years of observations

Data on the life history and demography of individual species are indispensable when we discuss social behavior from an evolutionary perspective, and when we attempt to make adequate conservation plans. This is the first report on the life history and demography of moor macaques in their natural habitat. Moor macaques (Macaca maurus) in the Karaenta Nature Reserve, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, have been observed since 1981. Individual identification of group members began in 1988. The size of the study group increased continuously, from 20 to 43, over this 10-year period of observation (1988-1998). The average population growth rate was 8.0%, and 45 births were confirmed during this period. They were categorized as moderately seasonal breeders. Mortality rate within one year after birth was 17.1%. Average inter-birth interval following surviving infants was 24.1 months, while that following early infant death was 15.0 months. As is the case in other species of macaques, males moved between groups while females stayed in their natal groups. Females seemed to exhibit their first perineal swelling at 4-6 years of age, and to have their first infant at 6-7 years. Males left their natal group at 7-9 years. Solitary males were seldom observed around the study group. The late dispersal of males from their natal groups and their infrequent movement between groups contrast with patterns in well-known macaque species such as Japanese macaques. Recently, differences in social characteristics among macaque species have attracted the attention of researchers. Our findings would be useful to further understanding of such social differences.

Expression of perforin and Fas ligand mRNA in the liver of viral hepatitis

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. We studied the expression of mRNAs of perforin and Fas ligand (Fas-L) in biopsy specimens from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (15 cases) and hepatitis C (CHC) patients (13 cases). Both perforin and Fas-L mRNAs were detected in all cases of both CHB and CHC. No messages were detected in the control livers from two cases of fatty liver, a case of Gilbert's syndrome, and a case of Dubin-Johnson syndrome. Semiquantitative analysis revealed a positive correlation between the intensity of perforin and Fas-L mRNAs in both CHB and CHC. In CHB, the intensity of both perforin and Fas-L mRNAs showed a positive correlation with the histological activity and serum alanine aminotransferase level, while the correlation was not apparent in CHC. These results suggest that both perforin and Fas/Fas-L systems are involved in the pathogenesis of liver cell injury of CHB and CHC.

Relaxed dominance relations among female moor macaques (Macaca maurus) in their natural habitat, south Sulawesi, Indonesia

Field observations were made of the social behaviour of moor macaques (Macaca maurus), one of several species of macaques that live in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The present study was designed to characterise the expression of their relaxed dominance style among females in their natural habitat and to examine the factors influencing the evolution of the dominance style. The dominance rank order among adult females in the study group was linear, and it was essentially stable during the study period of 4 years. Intense aggression, including biting, was rare. Few interventions in agonistic interactions by a third individual were observed. Social relationships among adult females appeared to be egalitarian but nepotistic. During moving or feeding, encounters within 1 m between adult females were frequently observed and approaches by subordinates were not infrequent. Intragroup spacing patterns during moving or feeding and those during resting were not correlated. In wild groups, differences of dominance styles seemed to be found most apparently in intragroup spacing during feeding. The ecological model of van Schaik does not provide an adequate explanation for the egalitarian relations among female moor macaques.

Construction of alpha-helix peptides with beta-cyclodextrin and dansyl units and their conformational and molecular sensing properties

In order to apply de novo peptide design to molecular sensing, we designed and synthesized a-helical peptides with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CDx) as a binding site and a dansyl unit (Dns) as a fluorescence sensing site. The conformational and molecular sensing properties of the peptides with beta-CDx and Dns in various positions were investigated. Circular dichroism and fluorescence measurements revealed that beta-CDx and Dns form intramolecular complexes which depend on their positions in the peptides. In the 17 residual peptides named EK3 and EK3R, in which beta-CDx and Dns were introduced at the fourth and the eighth positions (EK3) or at the eighth and the fourth positions (EK3R), Dns was deeply included in the CDx cavity and formed a more stable self-inclusion complex with CDx than in the peptides EK6 and EK6R, in which these moieties were at the eighth and the fifteenth positions or at the fifteenth and the eighth positions, respectively. The stability of the self-inclusion complex between beta-CDx and Dns controlled the a-helix structure as well as the binding and sensing abilities for the exogenous guests. These results demonstrate the usefulness of peptide tertiary structure for arranging CDx and other functional units, and suggest that this approach is important in the development of a new type of CDx-based sensory system.

Radiographic findings for solitary plasmacytoma of the bone in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus: A case report

Radiographic findings for a solitary plasmacytoma of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus are reported. The diagnostic evaluation for this disease is discussed through use of plain images, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The treatment selected was radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bone destruction, though this was not apparent on plain images. T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance images showed similar or high signal intensity relative to muscle; T(2)-weighted images showed hyperintensity.

Cytokine profile in the liver of primary biliary cirrhosis

We characterized the cytokine profile in the liver of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Total RNA was extracted from the biopsy specimens of 9 patients with early-stage PBC, 10 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and 4 normal controls. cDNA was prepared and amplified with a polymerase chain reaction using primers for interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2, -4, -5, -6, -10, -12 (p40), and -15. Cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-5, -6, -10, -12, and -15 were expressed in most cases of PBC. Expression rates of IL-5 and IL-6 were higher than in CHC and controls. The higher expression rate of IL-5 in PBC was associated with eosinophil infiltration. IL-2 and IL-4 were rarely detected. Semiquantitative analysis revealed that the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-10 was reversed in PBC and CHC: high IFN-gamma and low IL-10 in PBC and high IL-10 and low IFN-gamma in CHC. These results suggest that cytokine expression is skewed in PBC and both Th1 and Th2 cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis.

Cytokine profile in the liver of primary biliary cirrhosis

We characterized the cytokine profile in the liver of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Total RNA was extracted from the biopsy specimens of 9 patients with early-stage PBC, 10 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and 4 normal controls. cDNA was prepared and amplified with a polymerase chain reaction using primers for interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2, -4, -5, -6, -10, -12 (p40), and -15. Cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-5, -6, -10, -12, and -15 were expressed in most cases of PBC. Expression rates of IL-5 and IL-6 were higher than in CHC and controls. The higher expression rate of IL-5 in PBC was associated with eosinophil infiltration. IL-2 and IL-4 were rarely detected. Semiquantitative analysis revealed that the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-10 was reversed in PBC and CHC: high IFN-gamma and low IL-10 in PBC and high IL-10 and low IFN-gamma in CHC. These results suggest that cytokine expression is skewed in PBC and both Th1 and Th2 cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis.

In vitro activities of fluoroquinolones against antibiotic-resistant blood culture isolates of viridans group streptococci from across Canada

Among 418 blood culture isolates of viridans group streptococci obtained between 1995 and 1997, the in vitro rates of nonsusceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were 28, 29, 24, and 14%, respectively. The most prevalent group (125 strains) was Streptococcus mitis, followed by Streptococcus sanguis (56 strains). For 236 (56%) strains resistant to one or more antibiotics, the ciprofloxacin MIC at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited (MIC(90)) was 4 microg/ml, whereas the MIC(90)s of trovafloxacin, grepafloxacin, and gatifloxacin were 0.25 microg/ml.