[Ultracytochemical study of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in developing rat brain]

We carried out the ultracytochemical study of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity for the developing rat brain at embryonic day 11 (E 11), E 14, E 19 and postnatal day 5(P 5), and for the adult rat cerebrum. Matrix cells at E 11 and neuroblasts at E 14 showed no cytochemical reaction (CR) for Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Glioblasts at E 19 showed very weak CR. Reaction product (RP) was observed on the surfaces of the neuronal and glial cells at P 5 and adult rat cerebrum. Microvessels at E 14 demonstrated no CR, but microvessels at E 19 showed CR, in which RP was, of a fine granular appearance, diffusely observed along the luminal and abluminal surfaces. At P 5, coarsened RP was diffusely observed on the luminal and abluminal surfaces. The CR for capillary Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in the adult rat cerebrum was found to be mild and the RP formed continuous and discontinuous thin layer on the abluminal surface. The results suggest that Ca(2+)-ATPase activity is closely related with development of the cells in the central nervous system.

Clinical evaluation of accuracy in determining serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine in patients with non-thyroidal illness: immunoglobulin effect on T3/TBG ratio and T4/TBG ratio

We examined the effect of endogenous immunoglobulins (G, A and M) and albumin on the measurement of thyroid hormones by different methods, including a new non-isotopic immunoassay of free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3), in a large number of patients with non-thyroidal illness (NTI). Variations in serum protein concentrations can affect the results of radioimmunoassay of human thyroid hormones and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG). Our data revealed that in patients with non-thyroidal illness, when fluctuations in serum gamma-globulin occurred the T3/TBG and T4/TBG ratios altered. Consequently, when patients are suffering from non-thyroidal illness with changing gamma-globulin levels, clinical scientists should take care when they use T3/TBG and T4/TBG ratios as a substitute for FT3 or FT4 estimation. We found FT4 and FT3 (determined with Amerlex-M kits) T3 and the T3/TBG ratio were altered inversely due to the difference in the serum gamma-globulin levels. A recently developed enhanced luminescence enzyme immunoassay for FT3 and FT4 (Amerlite FT3 and FT4 kits) provides more reliable and accurate results, because of its resistance to interference, especially from albumin and gamma-globulin.

Low-level chemiluminescence from Drosophila melanogaster fed with chemical mutagens polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon quinones and a carcinogenic bracken fern

The spontaneous photon emission (chemiluminescence) from Drosophila melanogaster fed chemical mutagens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon quinones, and a carcinogenic bracken fern was studied. The fly chemiluminescence was evidently enhanced by mutagen or carcinogen administration and was increased proportionally to the administered amount of tested compound. Strong chemiluminescence was observed especially at the larval stage. Living larvae emitted stronger chemiluminescence than their homogenate. The chemiluminescence from Drosophila melanogaster fed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon quinones showed a linear relation with the mutation frequency in the Drosophila wing spot test. The chemiluminescence from flies fed a bracken fern decreased by the addition of free radical scavengers and active oxygen quenchers. The phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide concentration in the flies was increased proportionally with the chemiluminescence intensity. It seems that the free radical formation is stimulated as shown by the enhanced chemiluminescence in mutagen- or carcinogen-dosed flies, and as a result, lipid peroxide accumulation accompanies mutation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Hyposensitization to urushiol among Japanese lacquer craftsmen: results of patch tests on students learning the art of lacquerware

8 subjects learning the art of lacquerware were patch tested to urushiol before and after contact with lacquer, in order to document whether hyposensitization to urushiol occurred among Japanese lacquer craftsmen. Simultaneously, we performed patch tests on 2 urushiol-sensitized controls who had no contact with lacquer during the investigation. Lacquer is made from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree and raw lacquer is composed of 60-65% urushiol and its oligomer. 5 of the 8 subjects showed positive reactions to urushiol 1 month after their first contact. They became negative or less positive after prolonged (9 or 10 months) exposure to lacquer. As reactions to urushiol decreased, dermatitis became less severe. Controls showed consistently high reactions. However, 1 subject showed persistently strong reactions to urushiol. Unlike the other 7 subjects, he was previously sensitized to urushiol before the first contact with lacquer. The remaining 2 subjects showed no reaction throughout our investigation. These results strongly suggest that hyposensitization to urushiol does occur among Japanese lacquer craftsmen.

Evaluation of a new chemiluminescence technique for human thyrotropin (BeriLux hTSH): diagnostic value of five immunometric assay methods

A new commercially available human thyrotropin immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA) kit was evaluated. The BeriLux assay (Hoechst Co., Germany) was compared with two other non-radioisotopic methods (AIA-1200 and IMx) and two other immunoradiometric assays (RIA-gnost TSH IRMA and EIKEN IRMA kits) in 32 normal subjects and 104 patients with Graves' disease, divided into seven groups: 1) untreated hyperthyroidism; 2) hyperthyroidism during treatment; 3) euthyroid with negative thyroliberin test (subclinical hyperthyroidism); 4) euthyroid with low thyroliberin test; 5) euthyroid with normal thyroliberin test; 6) euthyroid with high thyrotropin level (subclinical hypothyroidism); and 7) primary hypothyroidism. Patients in groups 2-6 were undergoing treatment with mercazole and propylthiouracil. The new immunoluminometric assay (ILMA) BeriLux kit was shown to have a remarkably improved analytical and clinical sensitivity. The minimal detectable level of thyrotropin in the assay was 0.006 mU/l. The precision was 2.8% and 6.1% at 0.093 +/- 0.003 mU/l and 0.028 +/- 0.002 mU/l, respectively, whereas the precision of the other methods was above 17.2% and 59.4% respectively. Seven patients from the untreated hyperthyroid group were given 500 micrograms thyroliberin i.v. (the thyroliberin test). The thyrotropin pattern before and after thyroliberin administration was always less than 0.006 mU/l with the BeriLux kit, whereas the other methods showed random fluctuations indicating their low accuracy at this concentration. Using the BeriLux kit, 7 of the 16 overt hyperthyroid patients undergoing treatment showed a measurable thyrotropin level below 0.01 mU/l but a negative thyroliberin test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The structure-function relationship of GLP-1 related peptides in the endocrine function of the canine pancreas

In order to clarify the relationship between the structure and function of glucagon-like peptide (GLP) 1 in the endocrine function of the pancreas, the response of insulin and glucagon to various synthetic GLP-1-related peptides was investigated in anesthetized dogs. GLP-1-related peptides were administered in a dosage of 400 pmol within 10 min into the pancreatic artery during glucose or arginine infusion and the changes in plasma insulin and glucagon in the pancreatic vein were studied. GLP-1 (7-36) and (7-37), as well as glucagon enhanced insulin release during glucose infusion, whereas neither GLP-1 (1-37), (7-20), (6-37) nor (8-37) stimulated insulin release. The administration of GLP-1 (1-37), (7-36) and (7-37) reduced glucagon release during glucose infusion. When arginine was infused, GLP-1 (7-20), (7-36), (7-37), and glucagon enhanced insulin release. In contrast, glucagon release was increased by the administration of GLP-1 (7-20), (8-37), and (7-37). The present study indicates that histidine at the 7th position of GLP-1 is important in eliciting biological action and that only truncated GLP-1 (7-36), (7-37), and (7-20) showed an insulinotropic action as strong as glucagon in dogs. Furthermore, it is suggested that the response of insulin and glucagon to GLP-1-related peptides is dependent on a background condition.

Use of fluorescent electronic endoscopy in the evaluation of peptic ulcers

Serial changes in the color tone of the mucosa after fluorescein administration in patients with peptic ulcers were evaluated using an electronic endoscope. In the healing and scar (S1) stage of a peptic ulcer, more intense fluorescence was observed in the lesion than in the surrounding normal mucosa shortly after intravenous injection of fluorescein. On processing of the electronic endoscopic fluorescent images using HSI transformation the difference between the lesion and normal areas could be clearly identified. This difference in the fluorescent image between the lesion and the surrounding normal mucosa may be associated with changes in the mucosal blood flow and cellular functions in the lesion. Fluorescent electronic endoscopy with fluorescein thus seems to be a useful technique for examination of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

The response of osteocytes to a lipid clearing agent in steroid-treated rabbits

We studied the effect of a lipid clearing agent (clinofibrate) on the osteocytes of rabbits treated with corticosteroids. Thirty-one rabbits were divided into four groups: (A) steroid-treated with a normal diet, (B) steroid-treated and one a diet with added clinofibrate, (C) non-steroid-treated, on a diet with clinofibrate; and (D) non-steroid-treated on a normal diet. All the steroid-treated animals demonstrated hyperlipidaemia and fatty degeneration of the liver. Lipid-containing osteocytes were seen in the femoral heads of these animals. However, those which received clinofibrate (group B) had less severe lipidaemia, and less severe degeneration of the liver. In them, only the osteocytes around the haversian canals exhibited lipid inclusions. Clinofibrate appears to modify lipid metabolism, diminishing the steroid induced accumulation of lipids within osteocytes. This effect may protect against steroid-mediated osteonecrosis.

The effects of dopamine infusion during operation on the postoperative liver dysfunction

Dopamine improves renal function and renal blood flow by increasing cardiac output but its effect to ameriolate postoperative liver dysfunction has not yet been defined. Effect of 3-5 microg.kg(-1).min(-1) dopamine was studied in 22 patients who had total gastrectomy (dopamine group), and was compared with 22 patients who underwent the same operation and without dopamine infusion (control group). Liver function was evaluated from serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) values. Although postoperative SGOT and SGPT values in both groups were increased significantly higher than the preoperative values, the increases in SGOT (40 +/- 14 IU) and SGPT (32 +/- 15 IU) values in the dopamine group were significantly less than those in the control group (67 +/- 27 IU, 43 +/- 19 IU) ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01).In conclusion, these results suggested that this observation might be explained by amelioration of the postoperative liver dysfunction by infusion of dopamine. Dopamine infusion at a small dose during upper abdominal surgery is beneficial for liver function.

Ultrastructural visualization of human papillomavirus DNA in verrucous and precancerous squamous lesions

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was ultrastructurally localized by the non-isotopic in situ hybridization technique in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of verruca vulgaris of the skin, condyloma acuminatum of the penis and severe dysplasia of the uterine cervix. Biotinylated DNA probe cocktails were employed for the visualization of HPV-DNA, types 6 and 11 (HPV 6/11) and types 16 and 18 (HPV 16/18). The papillomavirus genus-specific antigen was also visualized by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy using rabbit antiserum. In verruca vulgaris, HPV antigen-positive 50-60 nm-particles of mature viral size were observed in the nuclei of the granular cells and parakeratotic cells with perinuclear haloes, whereas HPV 6/11 and HPV 16/18 DNA were negative. In condyloma acuminatum, the nuclei were positive for the HPV antigen and HPV 6/11 DNA, but were negative for HPV 16/18 DNA. More cells were labeled for the viral DNA than for the viral antigen. The ultrastructural observation indicated the presence of the naked (plasmid) viral DNA as fine particles sized 15-20 nm. In the dysplastic cervical mucosa, dot-like positivity of HPV 16/18 DNA was recognized. The HPV antigen and HPV 6/11 DNA were undetectable. HPV 16/18 DNA was localized in part of the nuclear chromatin. This pattern of localization may suggest integration of the viral DNA into the host cell DNA.

Deletions and rearrangements of the retinoblastoma gene in hepatocellular carcinoma, insulinoma and some neurogenic tumors as found in a study of 121 tumors

The retinoblastoma gene (Rb) is one of the tumor suppressor genes to have already been cloned. Deletions and inactivations of the gene have been widely observed in various types of human tumor. To study the generality of Rb alteration in human tumors, 121 cases of tumor DNAs were examined for abnormalities in the gene structure by blot hybridization. Deletions of both alleles were detected in hepatocellular carcinoma, insulinoma and neuroblastoma. Rearrangements and allelic deletions of the Rb gene were, moreover, observed in some brain tumors and hepatocellular carcinomas, respectively. All were surgically resected tumors. The observations suggest the inactivation of Rb through structural alterations sometimes to correlated with the development or progression of these types of human tumor.

Delta 12-prostaglandin J2 mimics heat shock in inducing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase

Using a human neuroblastoma cell line GOTO, the effects of delta 12-prostaglandin (PG) J2 on the modulation of cell cycle progression and protein synthesis were examined in comparison with those caused by heat shock (HS). delta 12-PGJ2 induced G1 arrest, the peak of which was obtained at 24 h and continued for 72 h. HS was found to induce G1 arrest earlier than delta 12-PGJ2. Furthermore, sequential HS could maintain G1 arrest. delta 12-PGJ2 induced the synthesis of several heat shock proteins (HSPs) in a manner similar to HS. Using immunoblot analysis, HSP72 was detected prior to inducing G1 arrest and accumulated during the subsequent 72h. The content of HSP72 induced by HS also correlated well with the induction, release, and maintenance of G1 arrest. In addition, both delta 12-PGJ2 and HS induced HSP72 mRNA and simultaneously suppressed N-myc mRNA expression. These results suggest that delta 12-PGJ2 and HS regulate cell cycle progression of GOTO cells via similar mechanisms.

[Recent developments of measurements for pituitary-thyroid hormones: evaluation of five immunometric assay methods (RI and non RI methods]

We evaluated five commercially available immunoassay kits for pituitary-thyroid function tests. The possible interference in analysis by immunoglobulin G (IgG) has also been examined. The BeriLux TSH assay kit (Hoechst co. FRG) was compared with two other non-RI methods (AIA-1200 and IMx) and two other immunoradiometric assays (RIA-gnost TSH IRMA and EIKEN IRMA kits) in 32 normal subjects and 92 patients with Graves' disease. The new ICMA BeriLux kit had a marked improved analytical and clinical sensitivity. The minimal detectable level of TSH in the assay was 0.006 mU/l. The precision was 2.8% and 6.1% at 0.093 +/- 0.003 mU/l and 0.028 +/- 0.002 mU/l, respectively, whereas the levels for the other methods were above 17.2% and 59.4% respectively. The TSH pattern was always less than 0.006 mU/l with the BeriLux kit, before and after TRH administration whereas the other methods showed random fluctuations which indicated their low accuracy at this concentration. This new ICMA BeriLux kit appears far more reliable than the ordinary immunometric assay kits.

[Effects of ethanol on acid secretion by isolated parietal cells from guinea pig]

We studied the effects of ethanol (0.1-10%) on acid secretion of parietal cell-rich fractions isolated from guinea pig gastric mucosa. Ethanol (0.1-3%) increased histamine-stimulated cAMP content, while over 1% ethanol decreased histamine-stimulated acid secretion. H+, K(+)-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction also decreased after treatment with 3% ethanol. Thus, ethanol may disturb the signalling process from cAMP to H+, K(+)-ATPase. On the other hand, carbachol-stimulated acid secretion was more sensitive to ethanol than that with histamine, and 0.1% ethanol suppressed the acid secretion. This effect was well correlated with the extent of the ethanol-induced increase of [Ca2+]i and with the attenuation of [Ca2+]i response following carbachol stimulation. The calcium response may be a primary target against ethanol in carbachol-dependent process. In conclusion, low-dose ethanol have multi-effects on these critical intermediary steps in acid secretion.

Use of patients' sera for immunoperoxidase demonstration of infectious agents in paraffin sections

Using patients' sera diluted from 1:10 to 1:1,000 as the primary antibodies in indirect immunoperoxidase staining, the authors visualized a variety of infectious agents in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The target lesions included 1) pyoderma caused by Staphylococcus aureus, 2) cryptococcal infection, 3) dermal sporotrichosis, 4) colon ulcer caused by amebic dysentery, 5) cutaneous leishmaniasis, and 6) chronic liver abscess containing ova of Ascaris lumbricoides. The infectious agents were clearly identified in the respective lesions. Paraffin sections of other kinds of infectious lesions served as controls to clarify the specificity of the immunostaining. While the sera of patients with bacterial and fungal infection showed a wide range of cross-reactivity against bacteria and/or fungi, those with parasitic infection exhibited a relatively good specificity for the pathogen. Almost no immunoreactivity of endogenous human IgG in the paraffin sections was demonstrated under the conditions of this study. This approach can be used in diagnostic pathology, particularly when specific heteroantisera or monoclonal antibodies are unavailable.

Effect of the adrenal inhibitor trilostane on the morphology of the adrenocortical cells of Dahl salt-sensitive and Dahl salt-resistant rats

The effects of trilostane on the adrenal cortex of Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats were investigated morphometrically, histochemically, ultrastructurally and biochemically. The statistical analysis indicated that trilostane induced a significant increase in the adrenal weight and the surface area of cells and nuclei in the zona fasciculata (ZF) of the adrenal cortex of DS and DR rats (P less than O.OI). DS rats treated with trilostane revealed marked accumulation of large amounts of lipid droplets and a decrease in the activity of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) in the ZF. Ultrastructurally, the mitochondria of the ZF in DS rats treated with trilostane revealed swelling of matrix with a loss of cristae and occasional interruption of the membranes of mitochondria. Some of them had a continuity with lipid vacuoles or SER, presenting a characteristic 'feather'-like appearance. Other characteristic findings in DS rats treated with trilostane were a marked villous proliferation of plasma membranes with numerous dense bodies, occasional coated pits, and pinocytic vesicles in the outer portion of the ZF. In DS and DR rats the plasma level of ACTH increased, and corticosterone decreased significantly (P less than O.OI) after treatment with trilostane. These morphological alterations were considered to be an expression of the inhibitory effects of trilostane on the adrenal steroidogenesis in DS and DR rats, more especially in DS rats. Simultaneously there were confirmed morphological alterations in the cells of the ZF, reflecting the feedback stimulation of endogenous ACTH. The cells of the ZF of DS rats were more responsive to suppression by trilostane than those of DR rats.

[Relation between cerebral white matter damage on CT and MRI and clinical data in DRPLA (pseudo-Huntington form)]

We studied the relation between cerebral white matter damage and clinical data in nine patients with dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA). All patients showed pseudo-Huntington form. The study produced five results. (1) The four of the nine patients showed diffuse hypodensity of the cerebral white matter on CT. We studied one of this four patients by MRI. The hypodensity area on CT showed marked high signal intensity by T2-weighted image on MRI. (2) The onset age was later in the patients with cerebral white matter damage as compared with the patients without this damage. (3) All patients showed subcortical dementia, which was more remarkable in the patient with white matter damage. This suggests the relation between cerebral white matter damage and progression rate of subcortical dementia in DRPLA. (4) Gait disturbance progressed more rapidly in the patients with cerebral white matter damage. (5) The homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration in CSF decreased more remarkably in the patients with white matter damage.

Immunological cross-reactivity of hemoglobins in the Diptera family Chironomidae

Polyclonal human IgE antibodies of patients sensitized to one species of the Diptera family Chironomidae as well as polyclonal rabbit anti-Chi t I hyperimmune serum recognize antigenic sites present in nearly all of the 33 species of this insect family. Evolutionary distantly related genera usually show weaker antibody binding. According to the pattern of reactivity of rabbit anti-Chi t I-component III, expression of the epitopes of this molecule varies considerably in the genera Chironomus and Glyptotendipes; it appears to be almost totally absent in all other species. Of five monoclonal antibodies raised against Chi t I-component III, two recognize an epitope which is expressed in nearly all closely related species. Three monoclonal antibodies recognize epitopes which are expressed in only a few species of the same genus. Our results demonstrate the presence of common as well as species-specific epitopes in chironomid hemoglobins which behave as potent inhalant allergens.

Structure-activity relationships of mammalian bombesin-like neuropeptides in the contraction of rat uterus

Various peptide derivatives of the C-terminal decapeptide of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP-10) and neuromedin B (NMB), i.e., carboxyl terminal fragments, amino terminal fragments and substituted analogues, were chemically synthesized and the structure-activity relationships of the peptides were investigated by comparing their contractile activities on the rat uterus. Peptides with chain lengths of 8 and 9 amino acid residues from the C-terminus of GRP-10 and NMB, respectively, had considerable contractile activities. At position 6 of both decapeptides, Val seems to be more favourable than Thr for inducing contraction of the rat uterus. The substitution of His at position 3 and Leu at position 9 of GRP-10 by Leu and Phe, as in NMB leads to a decrease in activity. Moreover, Trp at position 4 and -Met-NH2 at the C-terminus are essential for activity. Furthermore, in order to characterize the bombesin-receptor profile of rat uterus, the inhibitory effect of two peptide antagonists, [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-substance P and [Leu13-phi (CH2NH)-Leu14]-bombesin on the contraction of rat uterus were examined.

Enterococcus seriolicida sp. nov., a fish pathogen

The properties and taxonomic position of bacterial strains isolated from diseased specimens of cultured yellowtail and eels were examined. The isolates were gram-positive, short-chain-forming, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic cocci. Growth at 10 and 45 degrees C in 6.5% NaCl (pH 9.6) with 40% bile and in 0.1% methylene blue-milk were both positive. The isolates could be distinguished from other species of the genus Enterococcus by several biochemical characteristics and by Lancefield's group antigen. Guanine-plus-cytosine content of DNA was 44 mol% as determined by the thermal melting temperature. The value for DNA-DNA hybridization was sufficiently low to warrant distinguishing this species from reported. Enterococcus species. The name Enterococcus seriolicida is proposed. The type strain is YT-3 (=ATCC 49156).