Emergent pneumonectomy for hemoptysis in a patient with previous thoracoplasty

Hemoptysis is a life-threatening episode of respiratory disease. By means of every possible treatment, hemostasis should be obtained to secure the airway as well as to prevent blood loss. We describe an emergency pneumonectomy for massive hemoptysis from destroyed lung in a patient with previous thoracoplasty. After the prolonged ventilation support postoperatively, the patient with compromised lung function recovered well.

A case of undifferentiated glioma in a 70-year-old woman

The present case involved a 70-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a right cerebral hemorrhage. Excisional surgery of the hematoma was performed. Grossly, a whitish, solid tumor (1 x 1 x 0.8 cm in size) was recognized in the hematoma. Histologically, the tumor was composed of large, polygonal cells and small undifferentiated cells in a jumbled architectural arrangement with a cartilage component. The large, polygonal cell component was conspicuous and somewhat rhabdoid in appearance and appeared to be an astrocytic tumor showing glial differentiation. The small, undifferentiated cell component resembled tumor cells of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Clinical follow-up of the patient for 2 months after the first operation revealed recurrence with rapid growth. A second operation was performed, but the patient died 8 months after the first operation (2 months after the second). Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells suggesting glial differentiation were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and vimentin. PNET-like components in the primary tumor were positive for NSE, GFAP, and S-100, and weakly positive for vimentin and synaptophysin. Each tumor cell was negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), keratin, desmin, actin, myoglobin, neurofilament (NF), and MIC2 protein. The recurrent tumor revealed predominantly PNET-like components; however, only a few tumor cells were positive for GFAP. This appearance suggested that this brain tumor might originate from a common multipotential stem cell. Considering its histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics, the primary tumor was finally regarded as an undifferentiated glioma with dedifferentiation of the glial component in the recurrent tumor.

Clustering and averaging of images in single-particle analysis

Single particle analysis is a straightforward method for studying the structures of macromolecules that cannot be crystallized. It builds three-dimensional structures of particles by estimating the projection angles of their randomly oriented electron-microscopic images. The existing methods divide the images into clusters, build class averages for the clusters, and estimate the projection angle of each cluster. However, the clustering and the averaged images are highly sensitive to the choice of reference images and mask patterns for each cluster. Thus, the analyses are neither robust nor automatic, and their results depend heavily on the intuition and experience of researchers who set references. We have been developing a software system for single-particle analysis with new clustering and averaging algorithms for building the three-dimensional structures of target molecules. In this paper, we focus on the algorithms for the robust image-processing of the electron microscopic images in our system.

Clinicopathological Investigation of AVMs Embolized with HEMA-MMA. A New Non-Adhesive Liquid Material

SUMMARY

We have recently developed a non-adhesive liquid embolic agent, hydroxyethylmethacrylate methylmethacrylate copolymer (HEMA-MMA), and used it for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the central nervous system. To evaluate the toxicity and usefulness of this agent, we made a clinicopathological study of AVMs that were embolized with it and then excised surgically. This study includes ten cases: nine with pial AVM and one with scalp AVM. In a pathological study, special attention was paid to vascular and perivascular inflammation, angionecrosis, recanalization of the embolized vessels, and foreign body reactions. Inflammation was absent or very mild regardless of the interval between embolization and excision. There was no angionecrosis. Recanalization could be expected to occur in the partially occluded vessel. Foreign body reactions such as infiltration of monocytes or giant cells, and proliferation of fibroblasts or capillaries were also not seen in any case. It was concluded that HEMA-MMA is an excellent embolic material that is easy to handle, less vasotoxic than other agents, and highly histocompatible.

Thioredoxin-mediated reductive activation of a protein kinase for the regulatory phosphorylation of C4-form phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from maize

The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC4.1.1.31) for the C4 photosynthesis is known to be regulated mainly in response to light/dark transitions through reversible phosphorylation by a specific protein kinase (PK). PEPC-PK with an M(r) of 30 kDa was purified about 1.4 million-fold to homogeneity from maize leaves and characterized. The purified PEPC-PK was readily inactivated under mild oxidative conditions, but the activity could be recovered by dithiothreitol (DTT). The recovery by DTT was strongly accelerated by thioredoxin (Trx) from E. coli. Trxs of plant origin such as Trx-m from spinach chloroplast and Trx-h from rice cytoplasm were also effective. These results suggest the possibility of PEPC-PK being redox-regulated via Trx in vivo.

Lipid peroxidation in the rat brain after CO inhalation is temperature dependent

We reported previously that 7-hydroperoxycholesterols, 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol (7 alpha-OOH and 7 beta-OOH), indicated lipid peroxidation. In the present study, we measured not only 7-hydroperoxycholesterols but also oxysterols (7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol, 7 alpha-OH, and 7 beta-OH) and 3 beta-hydroxycholest-5-en-7-one (7-keto) in the brains of rats that underwent either a sham operation (control), hypoxia, or CO inhalation (1005 ppm) at 37 degrees C for 90 min followed by 48 h of recovery. The levels of 7-hydroperoxycholesterols, 7 beta-OH, and 7-keto were low in the hypoxia group, while the levels were unaltered in the CO group compared with the controls. Among the three groups of CO inhalation, these levels were high in the hyperthermia group (39 degrees C), and the 7-hydroperoxycholesterols were low in the hypothermia group (32 degrees C), compared with the control group. The blood O(2) saturation was almost normal in the hypothermia group, while it was similarly low in the hyperthermia and normothermia groups. The temperature-dependent lipid peroxidation in the brain after CO inhalation and recovery can not be explained by hypoxia due to CO-hemoglobin formation, but may contribute to the delayed neuronal death following CO inhalation. Hypothermia may be applicable to treat patients after CO inhalation.

Microbial community in anaerobic hydrogen-producing microflora enriched from sludge compost

Hydrogen production by thermophilic anaerobic microflora enriched from sludge compost was studied by using an artificial medium containing cellulose powder. Hydrogen gas was evolved with the formation of acetate, ethanol, and butyrate by decomposition of the cellulose powder. The hydrogen production yield was 2.0 mol/mol-hexose by either batch or chemostat cultivation. A medium that did not contain peptone demonstrated a lower hydrogen production yield of 1.0 mol/mol-hexose with less formation of butyrate. The microbial community in the microflora was investigated through isolation of the microorganisms by both plating and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the' PCR-amplified V3 region of 16S rDNA. Sixty-eight microorganisms were isolated from the microflora and classified into nine distinct groups by genetic fingerprinting of the PCR-DGGE or by a random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and determination of the partial sequence of 16S rDNA. Most of the isolates belonged to the cluster of the thermophilic Clostridium/Bacillus subphylum of low G+C gram-positive bacteria. Product formation by most of the isolated strains corresponded to that produced by the microflora. Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticium was isolated in the enrichment culture with or without added peptone. and was detected with strong intensity by PCR-DGGE. Two other thermophilic cellulolytic microorganisms, Clostridium thermocellum and Clostridium cellulosi, were also detected by PCR-DGGE, although they could not be isolated. These findings imply that hydrogen production from cellulose by microflora is performed by a consortium of several species of microorganisms.

Three years experience of operating and selling recovered struvite from full-scale plant

The adoption of phosphorus removal at sewage treatment works (STW) creates two main problems. Firstly large amounts of sludge are produced and secondly the quantity of the effluent deteriorates due to the increase in the phosphorus load of the sidestream. Furthermore, these processes do not remove phosphorus in a form that would enable it to be recycled. Therefore in order to control these process difficulties and produce a recyclable phosphorus product a sidestream struvite crystallisation reactor was developed. The struvite was produced in a fluidised bed reactor using dewatered filtrate from anaerobic sludge digestion. Magnesium hydroxide was added in a magnesium to phosphate ratio of 1:1 and the pH was adjusted to between 8.2-8.8 with the addition of sodium hydroxide. A retention time of 10 days alowed the growth of pellets between 0.5-1.0 mm in size. The recovered struvite contained only minute traces of toxic substances and was sold to fertiliser companies for 27,000 yen tonne(-1). It is used to enhance existing fertilisers, which are widely used on paddy rice, vegetables and flowers.

Alcoholic skeletal muscle myopathy: definitions, features, contribution of neuropathy, impact and diagnosis

Alcohol misusers frequently have difficulties in gait, and various muscle symptoms such as cramps, local pain and reduced muscle mass. These symptoms are common in alcoholic patients and have previously been ascribed as neuropathological in origin. However, biochemical lesions and/or the presence of a defined myopathy occur in alcoholics as a direct consequence of alcohol misuse. The myopathy occurs independently of peripheral neuropathy, malnutrition and overt liver disease. Chronic alcoholic myopathy is characterized by selective atrophy of Type II fibres and the entire muscle mass may be reduced by up to 30%. This myopathy is arguably the most prevalent skeletal muscle disorder in the Western Hemisphere and occurs in approximately 50% of alcohol misusers. Alcohol and acetaldehyde are potent inhibitors of muscle protein synthesis, and both contractile and non-contractile proteins are affected by acute and chronic alcohol dosage. Muscle RNA is also reduced by mechanisms involving increased RNase activities. In general, muscle protease activities are either reduced or unaltered, although markers of muscle membrane damage are increased which may be related to injury by reactive oxygen species. This supposition is supported by the observation that in the UK, alpha-tocopherol status is poor in myopathic alcoholics. Reduced alpha-tocopherol may pre-dispose the muscle to metabolic injury. However, experimental alpha-tocopherol supplementation is ineffective in preventing ethanol-induced lesions in muscle as defined by reduced rates of protein synthesis and in Spanish alcoholics with myopathy, there is no evidence of impaired alpha-tocopherol status. In conclusion, by a complex series of mechanisms, alcohol adversely affects skeletal muscle. In addition to the mechanical changes to muscle, there are important metabolic consequences, by virtue of the fact that skeletal muscle is 40% of body mass and an important contributor to whole-body protein turnover.

Heart 7-hydroperoxycholesterol and oxysterols are elevated in chronically ethanol-fed rats

Recently, cholesterol hydroperoxides have been shown to be sensitive pathogenic markers of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated damage though they have never been measured in heart tissue. We hypothesized that cholesterol hydroperoxides and oxysterols, putative cardiotoxic products of cholesterol oxidation, are elevated in the hearts of alcoholics as a consequence of ROS-mediated reactions. To test this, we measured 7alpha- and 7beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3beta-ol (7alpha-OOH and 7beta-OOH) by HPLC with postcolumn chemiluminescence as well as 7alpha- and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol (7alpha-OH and 7beta-OH) and 3beta-hydroxycholest-5-en-7-one (also termed 7-ketocholesterol; 7-keto) by HPLC-UV in cardiac muscle of alcohol-fed rats. Alcohol feeding was carried out using a pair-feeding protocol with 35% of total dietary energy as ethanol; controls were pair-fed isocaloric glucose. After 6-7 wk treatment with alcohol, heart 7alpha-OOH, 7beta-OOH and 7beta-OH were significantly greater than in controls. Levels of heart phospholipid 16:0 and 18:1 were lower than in controls, while 18:0 and 18:2 were greater. This is the first report of the presence of 7alpha-OOH, 7beta-OOH and 7alpha-OH in cardiac tissue. The elevations in 7alpha-OOH and 7beta-OOH as well as 7beta-OH are evidence of increased oxidative stress and possible membrane changes. Alterations in the proportions of 16:0, 18:1, 18:2 and 18:0 in heart phospholipids provide further evidence of an altered membrane domain.

Bile acid feeding increased proliferative activity and apical bile acid transporter expression in both small and large rat cholangiocytes

Bile acids (BA) enter cholangiocytes by the Na(+)-dependent apical BA transporter (ABAT). By this mechanism, taurocholate (TC) and taurolithocholate (TLC) increase cholangiocyte proliferation. No in vivo studies exist regarding the anatomical sites involved in BA-regulation of cholangiocyte growth. Specific cholangiocyte subpopulations participate in BA-regulated proliferation. Proliferation was assessed in liver sections by determining the number of proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cholangiocytes and cytokeratin-19 (CK-19)-positive ducts. We isolated small and large cholangiocytes from rats fed for 1 week TC, TLC, or BA control diet and determined PCNA and ABAT expression and BA transport activity. We evaluated if TC and TLC induction of ABAT expression was dependent on activation of PKC alpha. DNA replication was active only in large normal cholangiocytes. TC and TLC feeding increased proliferation of large cholangiocytes, induced the de novo activation of proliferation of small cholangiocytes, overexpression of ABAT and BA transport activity in large cholangiocytes, and de novo expression of ABAT and BA transport activity in small cholangiocytes. BA-stimulated ABAT expression was dependent on PKC activation in cholangiocytes. TC and TLC stimulate proliferation of small and large cholangiocytes associated with PKC-dependent up-regulation of ABAT.

Crystallographic studies on damaged DNAs IV. N( 4)-methoxycytosine shows a second face for Watson-Crick base-pairing, leading to purine transition mutagenesis

To investigate the mutation mechanism of purine transitions in DNA damaged with methoxyamine, a DNA dodecamer with the sequence d(CGCAAATTmo(4)CGCG), where mo(4)C is 2'-deoxy-N(4)-methoxycytidine, has been synthesized and the crystal structure determined by X-ray analysis. The duplex structure is similar to that of the original undamaged B-form dodecamer, indicating that the methoxylation does not affect the overall DNA conformation. Electron density maps clearly show that the two mo(4)C residues form Watson-Crick-type base pairs with the adenine residues of the opposite strand and that the methoxy groups of mo(4)C adopt the anti conformation to N(3) around the C(4)-N(4) bond. For the pair formation through hydrogen bonds the mo(4)C residues are in the imino tautomeric state. Together with previous work, the present work establishes that the methoxylated cytosine residue can present two alternate faces for Watson-Crick base-pairing, thanks to the amino<-->imino tautomerism allowed by methoxylation. Based on this property, two gene transition routes are proposed.

Sweetness and enzymatic activity of lysozyme

Hen egg lysozyme elicits a sweet taste sensation for human beings. Effects of reduction of disulfide bonds, heat treatment, and chemical modification of hen egg lysozyme on both sweetness and hydrolytic activity were investigated. Both the sweetness and enzymatic activities were lost when the intradisulfide linkage in a lysozyme molecule was reduced and S-3-(trimethylated amino) propylated. The sweetness and enzymatic activity of lysozyme were lost on heating at 95 degrees C for 18 h. These facts suggest that tertiary structures of lysozyme are indispensable for eliciting a sweet taste as well as enzymatic activity. Although the modification of carboxyl residues in a lysozyme by glycine methylester or aminomethansulfonic acid resulted in the loss of enzymatic activity by blocking the catalytic residues, the sweetness was fully retained. These results indicate that the sweetness of lysozyme was independent of its enzymatic activity. The lysozyme purified from goose egg white similarly elicited a sweet taste, although goose (g-type) lysozyme is quite different from hen egg lysozyme (c-type) on the basis of structural, immunological, and enzymatic properties. These findings indicate that a specific protein property of lysozyme is required for sweetness elicitation and that the enzymatic activity and carbohydrates produced by enzymatic reaction are not related to the sweet taste.

Microfluidic device for airborne BTEX detection

We fabricated a microfluidic device for the optical detection of airborne benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX). The device consists of concentration and detection cells formed of 3 cm x 1 cm Pyrex plates. The concentration cell is composed of an adsorbent to concentrate the BTEX gases and a thin-film heater todesorb the concentrated gases from the adsorbent thermally. The collected gases are introduced into the detection cell, which is connected to optical fibers, to measure their absorption spectra. We optimized the device's operating conditions by studying the thermal characteristics of the concentration cell and the time profile of the gas concentration flowing in the detection cell. We used the device under optimized operating conditions to detect toluene gas as a typical example BTEX. The gas concentration amplification rate was approximately 2 orders of magnitude, and we successfully measured parts-per-million levels of toluene gas with this device.

Changes in product formation and bacterial community by dilution rate on carbohydrate fermentation by methanogenic microflora in continuous flow stirred tank reactor

Changes in product formation during carbohydrate fermentation by anaerobic microflora in a continuous flow stirred tank reactor were investigated with respect to the dilution rate in the reactor. In the fermentation by methanogenic microflora, stable methane fermentation, producing methane and carbon dioxide, was observed at relatively low dilution rates (less than 0.33 d(-1) on glucose and 0.20 d(-1) on cellulose). Decomposition of cellulose in the medium was a rate-limiting step in the reaction, because glucose was easily consumed at all applied dilution rates (0.07-4.81 d(-1)). Intermediate metabolites of methane fermentation, such as lactate, ethanol, acetate, butyrate, formate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, were accumulated as dilution rate increased. Maximum yield of hydrogen was obtained at 4.81 d(-1) of dilution rate (0.1 mol/mol glucose on glucose or 0.7 mol/mol hexose on cellulose). Lactate was the major product on glucose (1.2 mol/mol glucose), whereas ethanol was predominant on cellulose (0.7 mol/mol hexose). An analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified bacterial 16S rDNA of the microflora indicated that changes in the microbial community took place at various dilution rates, and these changes appeared to correspond to the changes in product distributions. Sequence analyses of the DGGE fragments revealed the probable major population of the microflora. A band closely related to the microorganisms of thermophilic anaerobic bacteria was detected with strong intensity on both glucose and cellulose. Differences in the production yield of hydrogen could have been caused by different populations of microorganisms in each microflora. In the case of cellulose, increasing the dilution rate brought about an accumulation of microorganisms related to Clostridia species that have cellulolytic activity, this being in accordance with the notion of cellulose decomposition being the rate-limiting reaction.

Atypical alkaline phosphatase isozymes in serum and urine of patients with renal failure

BACKGROUND

Alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) originating from different organs are frequently detected in the serum and urine of patients with renal failure.

METHODS

We investigated the characteristics of ALPs in the serum and urine of 108 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and of 106 healthy control subjects.

RESULTS

In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, three atypical ALP bands in serum of patients were designated as atypical-s1, -s2 and -s3, respectively. In contrast, five atypical bands (u1, u2, u3, u4 and u5) were detected in the urine of patients. The atypical ALPs were electrophoretically isolated and assayed to determine their biochemical properties, i.e., neuraminidase sensitivity, heat stability, reactivity to anti-intestinal or anti-tissue nonspecific ALP antibodies, molecular sizes and sugar chain heterogeneities. From these results, we found that atypical-s1 and -s2 were the intestinal-type ALP, while s3 was the tissue-unspecific type ALP. Atypical-u1, -u2 and -u3 were high-molecular type ALPs, which we suggested as the ones that originated from the intestine. Atypical-u4, a tissue-unspecific type ALP, was detected with considerable frequency in the urine of patients. In patients with CRF, the appearance of these atypical ALPs was accompanied by a deterioration of the creatinine clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

The appearance of atypical ALPs in the serum and urine of patients with CRF may be a useful marker for renal disease.

Total synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose, a stable mimic of Ca2+-mobilizing second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose

The synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose (cADPcR, 4) designed as a stable mimic of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR, 1), a Ca2+-mobilizing second messenger, was achieved using as the key step a condensation reaction with the phenylthiophosphate-type substrate 14 to form an intramolecular pyrophosphate linkage. The N-1-carbocyclic-ribosyladenosine derivative 16 was prepared via the condensation between the imidazole nucleoside derivative 17, prepared from AICA-riboside (19), and the readily available optically active carbocyclic amine 18. Compound 16 was then converted to the corresponding 5' '-phosphoryl-5'-phenylthiophosphate derivatives 14. Treatment of 14 with AgNO3 in the presence of molecular sieves (3 A) in pyridine at room temperature gave the desired cyclization product 32 in 93% yield, and subsequent acidic treatment provided the target cADPcR (4). This represents a general method for synthesizing biologically important cyclic nucleotides of this type. 1H NMR analysis of cADPcR suggested that its conformation in aqueous medium is similar to that of cADPR. cADPcR, unlike cADPR, was stable under neutral and acidic conditions, where under basic conditions, it formed the Dimroth-rearranged N6-cyclized product 34. cADPcR was also stable in rat brain membrane homogenate which has cADPR degradation activity. Furthermore, cADPcR was resistant to the hydrolysis by CD38 cADPR hydrolase, while cADPR was rapidly hydrolyzed under the same conditions. When cADPcR was injected into sea urchin eggs, it caused a significant release of Ca2+ in the cells, an effect considerably stronger than that of cADPR. Thus, cADPcR was identified as a stable mimic of cADPR.

LL-Z1271alpha: an interleukin-1beta production inhibitor

LL-Z1271alpha, a fungal metabolite, dose-dependently inhibited interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human whole blood. Oral administration of LL-Z1271alpha to LPS-challenged mice caused significant lowering in the IL-1beta levels in peritoneal cavity. Data presented suggest that LL-Z1271alpha inhibits IL-1beta production by a novel mechanism as the inhibitory activity was not due to effects on caspase-1 (IL-1beta converting enzyme), the ATP-induced release mechanism or a lysosomotrophic effect.

Evaluation of fumonisin-aflatoxin co-occurrence in Brazilian corn hybrids by ELISA

The natural co-occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins was investigated in freshly harvested corn kernels (150 samples, 62 hybrids), acquired from the Central-Southern (27 samples, 21 hybrids), Central-Western (86 samples, 51 hybrids) and Northern (37 samples, 18 hybrids) regions of the State of Paraná, Brazil using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fumonisins were detected in 147 (98%) samples at a concentration range of 0.096 to 22.6 microg/g, while aflatoxins were detected in 17 (11.3%). All the aflatoxin-positive samples (range 38.0-460.0 ng/g) came from the Central-Western region and were co-contaminated with fumonisins. Fumonisin contamination was higher in corn from the Northern (9.85 microg/g) and Central-Western regions (5.08 microg/g), when compared with the Central-Southern region (1.14 microg/g). The overall evaluation detected 62% samples with fumonisin levels < or = 5.0 microg/g. Regional differences affected fumonisin levels in the same hybrid, regardless of Fusarium count and moisture content, suggesting interference from climatic conditions, in addition to the local predominance of toxigenic strains of the Fusarium biotype.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

This study focuses on a possible role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in interstitial pulmonary diseases. We determined a soluble form of ICAM-1 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using ELISA in patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), bronchiolitis obliterance organizing pneumonia (BOOP), or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). In addition, we investigated the expression of ICAM-1 in the lung tissues of these patients by means of immunohistochemical staining. Serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 were significantly higher in patients with UIP or NSIP than in healthy subjects, and were also high in patients with BOOP. The soluble ICAM-1 in BALF tended to be higher in patients with UIP, BOOP, or NSIP than in normal subjects. A significant correlation was seen between soluble levels of ICAM-1 in serum and BALF. In the immunostaining of ICAM-1 of the lung tissues, ICAM-1 expression was more pronounced in patients with UIP than in those with BOOP or NSIP. The increased expression of ICAM-1 was seen in type II alveolar epithelium and vascular endothelium in patients with interstitial pneumonia. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of ICAM-1 expression in the lung tissues and the BALF levels of soluble ICAM-1. The expression of ICAM-1 in type II alveolar epithelium suggests that ICAM-1 plays a specific role in the fibrotic process of the lung, and that the measurement of soluble ICAM-1 in sera and BALF could be a useful marker for evaluating the progression of fibrosis.

Increased oxysterols associated with iron accumulation in the brains and visceral organs of acaeruloplasminaemia patients

Acaeruloplasminaemia is characterized by excessive neurovisceral iron accumulation due to mutation of the caeruloplasmin gene. Excess iron functions as a potent catalyst of biological oxidation, and increased iron concentration is associated with the products of lipid peroxidation in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. We investigated whether the amount of iron accumulated paralleled lipid peroxidation levels in acaeruloplasminaemia tissues, examining brains and visceral organs of two affected patients at autopsy for iron and copper content, and oxysterols, including 7-hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol, which are directly produced from cholesterol by active oxygen species. The amount of iron accumulated in various tissues was correlated with the levels of the oxysterols. These findings suggest that lipid peroxidation produced by the intracellular accumulation of iron is involved in the pathogenesis of acaeruloplasminaemia.

Nucleosides and nucleotides. 208. Alternate-strand triple-helix formation by the 3'-3'-linked oligodeoxynucleotides with the anthraquinonyl group at the junction point

The synthesis of 3'-3'-linked oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) with the anthraquinonyl group at the junction point is described. The ODNs were synthesized on a DNA synthesizer using a controlled pore glass (CPG) carrying pentaerythritol that has an intercalator at one of the four hydroxymethyl groups. Stability of the triplexes with the target duplexes was studied by thermal denaturation. The 3'-3'-linked ODNs with the anthraquinonyl group enhanced the thermal stability of the triplexes when compared with those without the intercalator and the unmodified nonamer 10. It was found that the ODNs 12 and 13 carrying the anthraquinonyl groups can form thermally stable triplexes by skipping two or three extra base pairs between two binding domains of the target duplexes. The ability of the 3'-3'-linked ODNs to inhibit cleavage of the target DNA 22 by the restriction enzyme Hind III was tested. It was found that the 3'-3'-linked ODN 16 with the anthraquinonyl group at the junction point inhibited the cleavage by the enzyme more effectively than the nonamer 14 and the 3'-3'-linked ODN 15 without the intercalator.

Regression of cholangiocyte proliferation after cessation of ANIT feeding is coupled with increased apoptosis

Cholangiocyte proliferation and loss through apoptosis occur in cholestatic liver diseases. Our aim was to determine the mechanisms of apoptosis in an animal model of ductal hyperplasia. Rats were fed alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) for 2 wk and subsequently fed normal chow for 1, 2, and 4 wk. Proliferation was assessed in sections by morphometry and in small and large cholangiocytes by proliferating cellular nuclear antigen immunoblots and measurement of cAMP levels. Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also assessed. ANIT feeding increased small and large cholangiocyte proliferation and apoptosis. Cessation of ANIT feeding was associated with decreased proliferation and a further increase in apoptosis in small and large cholangiocytes. Cholangiocytes from ANIT-fed rats or exposed to ANIT in vitro showed increased apoptosis and ROS generation. ANIT-induced duct injury results in enhanced proliferation and apoptosis in small and large cholangiocytes. The mechanism of ANIT-induced apoptosis may be due to ROS generation induced directly by ANIT. Our model has implications for understanding the pathophysiology of cholangiopathies (characterized by the coexistence of cholangiocyte apoptosis and proliferation).

Crystallographic studies on damaged DNAs: III. N(4)-methoxycytosine can form both Watson-Crick type and wobbled base pairs in a B-form duplex

To investigate the mutation mechanism of purine transition in DNA damaged with methoxyamine, a DNA dodecamer with the sequence d(CGCGAATTmo(4)CGCG), where mo(4)C is 2'-deoxy-N(4)-methoxycytidine, has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined. Two dodecamers form a B-form duplex. Electron density maps clearly show that one of the two mo(4)C residues forms a pair with a guanine residue of the opposite strand, the geometry being the canonical Watson-Crick type, and that the other mo(4)C residue forms a wobble pair with the opposite guanine residue. These two pairings are ascribed to the tautomerization of the methoxylated cytosine moieties between the amino and imino forms.

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing 5-formyl-2'-deoxycytidine: in vitro DNA polymerase reactions on DNA templates containing 5-formyl-2'-deoxycytidine

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing 5-formyl-2'-deoxycytidine (fC) were synthesized by the phosphoramidite method and subsequent oxidation with sodium periodate. The stabilities of duplexes containing A, G, C or T opposite fC were studied by thermal denaturation. It was found that fC:A, fC:C or fC:T base pairs significantly reduce the thermal stabilities of duplexes. Next, single nucleotide insertion reactions were performed using ODNs containing fC as templates and the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. It was found that: (i) insertion of dGMP opposite fC appears to be less efficient relative to insertion opposite 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (mC); (ii) dAMP is misincorporated more frequently opposite fC than mC, although the frequency of misincorporation seems to be dependent on the sequence; (iii) TMP is misincorporated more frequently opposite fC than mC. These results suggest that fC may induce the transition mutation C.G-->T.A and the transversion mutation C.G-->A.T during DNA synthesis.

[Effects of preserved erythrocytes and activated-preserved erythrocytes with phosphoenolpyruvate on energy metabolism in rat ischemic brain tissue]

The effects of erythrocyte function on cerebral ischemia were studied from the perspective of filtration capability (deformability) and total oxygen delivery. Erythrocytes of Wistar rats were divided into three groups: fresh blood, preserved blood, and activated preserved blood (preserved erythrocytes in which total oxygen delivery was increased with phosphoenolpyruvate). Filtration capability was calculated and evaluated by a filtration technique, while total oxygen delivery was evaluated by calculating the efficiency of oxygen delivery from an oxygen dissociation curve. Exchange transfusion was performed in spontaneously hypertensive rats with each of these groups at the same hemoglobin concentration. Bilateral carotid arteries were then ligated for one hour, and, cerebral blood flow and concentrations of adenine nucleotide and lactic acid in cerebral tissue were measured. The filtration capability of both preserved blood and activated preserved blood decreased to about one-third that of fresh blood. The efficiency of oxygen delivery after blood transfusion decreased to 17% with preserved blood, which was about half that (35%) with fresh blood. In the group of with activated preserved blood, this rate increased to 52%. The adenylate energy charge (E.C.) in brain tissue markedly decreased to 0.27 with preserved blood, which was much lower than the value (0.74) with fresh blood. With activated preserved blood, the E.C. value was 0.39. Thus, the decrease in E.C. was mild. With regard to the lactic acid concentration in brain tissue, the value with fresh blood was 12 mumoles/g tissue, while that with preserved blood was 24 mumoles/g tissue, and that with activated preserved blood was 18 mumoles/g tissue. With respect to cerebral blood flow, the values with preserved blood and activated preserved blood decreased to about one-half that with fresh blood. These results suggest that an increase in total oxygen delivery by erythrocytes contributes to improving energy metabolism in brain tissue during cerebral ischemia, and particularly during poor microcirculation.

New rat model for attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

PURPOSE

In a strain of the Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, we found spontaneously hyperactive animals designated as "wiggling," and established a congenic wiggling (Wig) rat by transferring the gene from the LEC to the Wistar King-Aptekman/Hokkaido (WKAH) strain. We evaluated the feasibility of the Wig rat for an animal model of human attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

METHODS

Mode of inheritance was examined by use of linkage analyses. Motor activity, behavior, and working memory were assessed by use of electric digital counters, open field test, and Y-maze and water-maze tests.

RESULTS

The abnormal behavior, including hyperactivity, was transmitted in autosomal recessive mode. Diurnal and nocturnal motor activity of 12- to 14-week-old Wig rats was markedly higher than that of controls, and this hyperactivity was more prominent during nighttime than daytime. Ambulation in the open-field test was significantly increased in Wig rats, but rearing was decreased in Wig rats, compared with controls. Results of the Y-maze tests indicated that spontaneous alternation behavior was significantly impaired in Wig rats, although there was no difference in the total arm entries. The water-maze test could not be performed because, when exposed to water, Wig rats panicked and almost drowned.

CONCLUSIONS

Wig rats are hyperactive and have impaired working memory and impulsive behavior, as assessed by the motor activity and open-field tests and the Y-maze test, and these abnormalities are transmitted by a single gene with Mendelian pattern. Wig rats represent an excellent animal model of human ADHD.

Excision of an invasive thymoma: a cure for ulcerative colitis?

Thymoma is often associated with other diseases, including autoimmune diseases and endocrine disorders. Ulcerative colitis is a nonspecific inflammatory disease and is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder; however, coincidence of thymoma and ulcerative colitis is rare. We treated a 51-year-old woman with invasive thymoma and ulcerative colitis. After excision of the invasive thymoma with partial resections of pericardium, left lung, brachiocephalic vein, and left phrenic nerve, the ulcerative colitis was cured.

HBe seroconversion and HBs mutation among Japanese hepatitis B virus carriers

It has been reported in Germany that seroconversion to anti-HBe or anti-HBs is frequently associated with genotype changes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from genotype A to genotype D. We previously reported that the HBeAg-negative state in Japan was significantly more common in patients infected with genotype B HBV than those infected with genotype C HBV. To determine whether the high prevalence of genotype B in the HBeAg-negative state is due to a change from genotype C to genotype B, 72 pairs of serum samples before and after HBe seroconversion were examined for nucleotide sequences in the S gene (amino acids 42-164) among Japanese HBV carriers. No one was identified to have undergone genotype change during HBe seroconversion. A total of 71 codon mutations were observed. Sixty-two of these 71 codon mutations (87.3%) were non-synonymous. Genotype B HBV had no mutational hot spots. In genotype C, there was a mutational hot spot at amino acid 126 of the S protein, and it was suggested that Thr126 before HBe seroconversion was more susceptible to becoming an asymptomatic carrier after HBe seroconversion than Ile126. In conclusion, genotype changes during HBe seroconversion were not found to be common in Japan.

The ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana regulates formation of a symmetric lamina, establishment of venation and repression of meristem-related homeobox genes in leaves

The asymmetric leaves2 (as2) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana generated leaf lobes and leaflet-like structures from the petioles of leaves in a bilaterally asymmetric manner. Both the delayed formation of the primary vein and the asymmetric formation of secondary veins were apparent in leaf primordia of as2 plants. A distinct midvein, which is the thickest vein and is located in the longitudinal center of the leaf lamina of wild-type plants, was often rudimentary even in mature as2 leaves. However, several parallel veins of very similar thickness were evident in such leaves. The complexity of venation patterns in all leaf-like organs of as2 plants was reduced. The malformed veins were visible before the development of asymmetry of the leaf lamina and were maintained in mature as2 leaves. In vitro culture on phytohormone-free medium of leaf sections from as2 mutants and from the asymmetric leaves1 (as1) mutant, which has a phenotype similar to that of as2, revealed an elevated potential in both cases for regeneration of shoots from leaf cells. Analysis by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that transcripts of the KNAT1, KNAT2 and KNAT6 (a recently identified member of the class 1 knox family) genes accumulated in the leaves of both as2 and as1 plants but not of wild type. Transcripts of the STM gene also accumulated in as1 leaves. These findings suggest that, in leaves, the AS2 and AS1 genes repress the expression of these homeobox genes, which are thought to maintain the indeterminate cell state in the shoot apical meristem. Taken together, our results suggest that AS2 and AS1 might be involved in establishment of a prominent midvein and of networks of other veins as well as in the formation of the symmetric leaf lamina, which might be related to repression of class 1 knox homeobox genes in leaves.

Mutations induced by 5-formyl-2'-deoxyuridine in Escherichia coli include base substitutions that can arise from mispairs of 5-formyluracil with guanine, cytosine and thymine

5-Formyluracil (5-foU) is a major oxidation product of thymine formed in yields comparable to that of 8-oxoguanine in DNA by ionizing radiation. Whereas the mutagenic effects of 8-oxoguanine are well understood, the investigation of the biological implications of 5-foU has so far been limited. Here we demonstrate that 5-formyl-2'-deoxyuridine (5-fodUrd) supplied to the growth medium of Escherichia coli induces several base substitutions at different frequencies at position 461 in the lacZ gene in the following order: A.T-->G.C>G.C-->A.T>G.C-->T.A>>A.T-->T.A>A.T-->C.G. No induction of G.C-->C.G transversions was observed. It is inferred that 5-fodUrd will be incorporated into the DNA during cell growth, forming mispairs with guanine, cytosine and thymine during replication. It, thus, appears that cell growth in the presence of 5-fodUrd may represent a good model for elucidating the cellular effects of 5-foU residues in DNA.

No evidence of an association between 5HT1B receptor gene polymorphism and suicide victims in a Japanese population

Serotonergic systems have been reported to mediate the control of aggression and/or impulsivity in humans and to be involved in suicidal behavior. Neurochemical studies showing serotonergic dysfunction in suicide appear to support the functional alteration of serotonergic systems due to gene polymorphisms. Knock-out mice of the 5HT1B receptor gene have been reported to result in increased aggression. We hypothesized that the 5HT1B receptor-mediated serotonergic dysfunction was implicated in suicide through disinhibition of aggression and/or impulsivity. To explore this hypothesis, we examined the association between suicide victims who completed suicide and the 5HT1B receptor gene G861C polymorphism. No significant differences in genotype distribution and allele frequencies were found between suicide victims and controls. Though there is the possibility of failing to detect small effects, these results show no evidence of an association between the 5HT1B receptor gene G861C polymorphism and suicide victims in a Japanese population and indicate that it is unlikely that the 5HT1B receptor is implicated in the susceptibility to suicide.

Recent advances in the pathology of alcoholic myopathy

This article represents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2000 ISBRA Meeting in Yokohama, Japan. The chairs were Victor R. Preedy and Junko Adachi. The presentations were (1) Alcoholic myopathy: Past, present and future, by Timothy J. Peters and Victor R. Preedy; (2) Protein adducts in the type I and II fiber-predominant muscles of the ethanol-fed rat, by Simon Worrall, Seppo Parkkila, and Onni Niemela; (3) Hydroperoxides and changes in alcoholic myopathy, by Junko Adachi, Migiwa Asamo, and Yasuhino Ueno; and (4) A close association between testicular atrophy, muscle atrophy, and the increase in protein catabolism after chronic ethanol administration, by Kunihiko Takeda, Masayoshi Yamauchi, Kazuhiko Sakamoto, Masaru Takagi, Hisato Nakajima, and Gotaro Toda.

Primary biliary cirrhosis with antibody against carbonic anhydrase II associates with distinct immunological backgrounds

Objective: a part of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has anti-human carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) autoantibodies, although several contradictional reports followed. Since immunization of mice with CA II results in cholangitis in a susceptible strain, PBC with anti-CA II antibody may have distinct clinical features. Thus, we tested the sera of patients with PBC for anti-CA II antibodies and compared clinical characteristics of PBC patients with and without anti-CA II antibodies in Japanese patients. Methods: anti-CA II antibodies were detected in nine of 50 (18%) PBC patients by immunoblotting. The evaluation of these patients included various clinical parameters, autoantibodies, and immunological backgrounds. Results: the levels of serum liver tests and the prevalence of serum anti-mitochondrial antibody (77.8 vs. 92.7%) were not different between the patients with and without anti-CA II antibody. However, the prevalence of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) was significantly higher in the patients with anti-CA II antibody than that in the patients without anti-CA II antibody (66.7 vs. 25.6%, P=0.044), although their mean titers were not statistically different. Association of Sjøgren's syndrome tended to be more frequent in the patients with anti-CA II antibody than those without it (33.3 vs. 14.6%, P=0.327). Studies of HLA class I allotype revealed that three of five (60.0%) patients with anti-CA II antibodies and one patients from 34 (3.0%) patients without anti-CA II antibodies had HLA B51 allotype; the difference in the prevalence of this allotype was significant (P=0.004, Pc=0.01), and the prevalence of other HLA class I and HLA DR allotypes was similar between the patients with and those without anti-CA II antibody. Administration of ursodeoxycholic acid (600 mg per day) was accompanied by change in liver tests in a similar way between the two patient groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that, although clinical features are not distinctive, PBC patients with anti-CA II antibody may have a genetic background, which may contribute to a susceptibility to immune-mediated cholangitis.

Bidirectional Glenn procedure improves the mechanical efficiency of a total cavopulmonary connection in high-risk fontan candidates

BACKGROUND

A total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is a widely performed surgical procedure for Fontan candidates. High-risk candidates who have undergone the bidirectional Glenn procedure (BDG) before TCPC have shown good results. The exact mechanism of this procedure, however, is still poorly understood. We hypothesized that a volume reduction with BDG improved ventricular contractility, thereby optimizing mechanical efficiency after TCPC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We measured percent normal systemic ventricular end-diastolic volume (%N-EDV), contractility (end-systolic elastance; E(es)), afterload (effective arterial elastance; E(a)), and mechanical efficiency (ventriculoarterial coupling; E(a)/E(es)) on the basis of the cardiac catheterization data before and after TCPC. Eighteen patients who underwent staged TCPC after BDG (staged group) were compared with 29 patients who underwent primary TCPC (primary group). E(es) and E(a) were approximated as follows: E(es)=mean arterial pressure/minimal ventricular volume, and E(a)=maximal ventricular pressure/(maximal ventricular volume-minimal ventricular volume), and E(a)/E(es) was then calculated. The ventricular volume was normalized with the body surface area. A canine experimental model with conductance catheter was used to validate the accuracy of this approximation of E(es) and E(a). %N-EDV decreased after TCPC in both groups. In the staged group, a smaller ventricular volume resulted in better contractility (E(es)). Although afterload (E(a)) increased in both groups, the increment of E(a) was smaller in the staged group. These changes resulted in an improvement of E(a)/E(es) in the staged group, whereas E(a)/E(es) increased in the primary group.

CONCLUSIONS

The volume reduction of BDG preceding TCPC allows for any afterload mismatch to be corrected, thereby improving ventricular energetics after TCPC.

Serotonin 2A receptor gene polymorphism is not associated with completed suicide

Several lines of evidence indicate that a serotonergic dysfunction is involved in the biological susceptibility to suicide. Recently, the A-1438G polymorphism of the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor gene has been suggested to be associated with suicide, but the results are inconsistent. We examined whether the A-1438G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was associated with suicide itself using 151 Japanese completed suicides. No significant difference in genotype distribution or allele frequencies of the polymorphism was found between the completed suicides and the comparison group. We conclude that the A-1438G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene is not likely to have a major effect on the biological susceptibility of suicide.

Lysophosphatidylcholine Induces Early Growth Response Factor-1 Expression and Activates the Core Promoter of PDGF-A Chain in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract —Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a polar phospholipid that is increased in atherogenic lipoproteins and atherosclerotic lesions, has been shown to transcriptionally induce the expression of endothelial genes relevant to atherogenesis. In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), we show that lyso-PC induces the expression of early growth response factor (Egr)-1 and thereby activates the proximal promoter of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A chain located 55 to 71 bp upstream from the transcription start site, which has been shown to be crucial for PDGF-A chain expression induced by fluid shear stress and fibroblast growth factor-1. Northern blot analyses showed that lyso-PC (10 to 20 μmol/L) transiently (30 minutes to 1 hour) induced expression of Egr-1 mRNA. Induced expression of Egr-1 mRNA, which was associated with increased amounts of Egr-1 protein in nuclei, preceded PDGF-A chain mRNA induction in lyso-PC–activated BAECs. Nuclear runoff assay revealed that lyso-PC stimulates transcription of the Egr-1 gene. Transient transfection of the oligonucleotide corresponding to the proximal promoter of the PDGF-A chain (oligo A) linked to the luciferase reporter gene revealed that lyso-PC can activate the core promoter of the PDGF-A chain by 5-fold. Insertion of a guanine at 3 sites in the oligo A abolished the lyso-PC–induced increases in luciferase activities. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay with use of radiolabeled oligo A showed a lyso-PC–inducible shift band, which was suppressed by excess amounts of unlabeled oligo A or an anti–Egr-1 antibody. In addition, lyso-PC–induced Egr-1 expression was inhibited by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 (MEK1), suggesting that lyso–PC-induced expression of Egr-1 depends on the MEK1/extracellular signal–regulated kinase pathway. Taken together, transcriptional activation of Egr-1–dependent genes by this atherogenic lipid may be a key regulator of atherogenesis.

Correlation between p21(waf1) and p16(INK4a) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The cyclin dependent kinase p21(waf1) plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell cycle. The family of p53 proteins has the ability to induce p21(waf1), whereas p16(INK4a) modulates post-transcriptionally the expression of p21(waf1). Methods: Total 36 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and 24 paired adjacent liver tissues were evaluated for the following: (1) expression of p21(waf1) and p16(INK4a); (2) that of p21(waf1), p73 and p63 mRNAs; (3) genomic mutations and the loss of heterozygosity of p73 and p53; and (4) frequency of methylation in the 5'CpG promoter region of p16(INK4a). Results: In HCCs compared with the adjacent non-cancerous liver tissues, the expression of p21(waf1) and p16(INK4a) was reduced. Indeed, p21(waf1) was not detected in 36% (8/22) of HCCs in spite of the presence of p21(waf1) mRNA: among them, mutations of p53 gene were found in 50%, whereas a lack of p16(INK4a) expression in all of them. p21(waf1) and p16(INK4a) were reduced in proportion to the degree of methylation in p16(INK4a) gene. p73 did not mutated, and p63 did not expressed in HCCs. Conclusion: Methylation status of p16(INK4a) gene will play a part for reducing constitutive expression of p16(INK4a) and of p21(waf1) coordinately in HCCs.

Propagation of rat parvovirus in thymic lymphoma cell line C58(NT)d and subsequent appearance of a resistant cell clone after lytic infection

Rat parvovirus (RPV) is nonpathogenic in rats but causes persistent lymphocytotropic infection. We found that RPV was propagated in rat thymic lymphoma cell line C58(NT)D and induced apoptosis. Interestingly, a resistant subclone, C58(NT)D/R, from surviving cells after lytic infection had differentiated phenotypic modifications, such as increased cell adherence, resistance to apoptosis, and suppressed tumorigenicity.

Expression of nuclear factor-kappa B, tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1, and c-Myc in human astrocytomas

Tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1) and c-Myc are important in signal transduction in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cytotoxicity, whereas activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) protects against TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. This study investigated the expression of NF-kappa B, TNFR1, and c-Myc in human astrocytoma tissues by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis. TNFR1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and c-Myc mRNA were frequently expressed in malignant astrocytomas, especially in glioblastomas, compared with low-grade astrocytomas by PCR analysis. TNFR1 and c-Myc mRNAs were barely detectable in normal brain tissues. NF-kappa B p50 and p65 subunit mRNAs were detected in various grades of astrocytomas, with frequent expression in malignant astrocytomas. The presence of activated NF-kappa B was confirmed by nuclear localization in neoplastic astrocytes as determined by immunohistochemistry. Both p50 and p65 subunits were inhomogeneously expressed in neoplastic astrocytes of glioblastoma, but only in a few scattered tumor cells in low-grade astrocytoma, and almost undetectable in normal brain tissues. These results indicate that TNFR1 and c-Myc are overexpressed in malignant astrocytomas, and this may increase the cellular sensitivity to the cytotoxic action of TNF-alpha. NF-kappa B p50 and p65 were simultaneously induced and activated in malignant astrocytomas. Our results suggest that the constitutive activation of NF-kappa B subunits in malignant astrocytoma, especially in glioblastoma, could be associated with the resistance to TNF-alpha immunotherapy, and indicates new therapeutic strategies for malignant astrocytomas.

Synthesis and biological activities of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose and its analogs

An efficient synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose (2), as a stable mimic for cyclic ADP-ribose, was achieved. Treatment of N1-carbocyclic-ribosyladenosine bisphosphate derivative 10 with AgNO3 in the presence of molecular sieves 3A in pyridine gave the desired cyclic product in 93% yield, which was deprotected to give the target cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose (2).

Acute effect of ethanol on 7-hydroperoxycholesterol in muscle and liver

We tested the hypotheses that ethanol sensitivities of muscle and liver can be discerned in the initial periods of ethanol exposure, especially when acetaldehyde levels are markedly raised with cyanamide, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. To test this, we measured cholesterol hydroperoxides in soleus (Type I) and plantaris (Type II) muscle in four groups of rats acutely (i.e., 2.5 h) exposed to: [S] saline (control), [Cy] cyanamide, [EtOH] ethanol, or [Cy + EtOH] cyanamide + ethanol. Comparative reference was also made to the response of the liver. After 2.5 h, ethanol alone significantly increased 7 alpha-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol (7 alpha-OOH) and 7 beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol (7 beta-OOH) levels in plantaris muscle. Identical qualitative effects were seen in rats treated with cyanamide + ethanol, but there was no discernible difference between groups [EtOH] and [Cy + EtOH]. In both the soleus muscle and liver, none of the treatments with either ethanol or cyanamide + ethanol had any effect on any of the measured parameters. This is the first report of a differential response of 7 alpha-OOH and 7 beta-OOH in Type II, compared to Type I predominant muscles, and the first time that muscle has been shown to be more sensitive than the liver in terms of its lipid marker response to oxidative stress. Perturbations in the muscle membrane lipid domain may contribute to impairment of muscle in alcoholism.