Acetoside, a component of Stachys sieboldii MIQ, may be a promising antinephritic agent: effect of acteoside on crescentic-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats

Effects of acetoside (ACT) on crescentic-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats were investigated. When rats were treated with ACT from the 1st day after i.v. injection of anti-GBM serum, ACT inhibited the elevation of protein excretion into urine. In the ACT-treated rats, cholesterol and creatinine contents and antibody production against rabbit gamma-globulin in the plasmas were lower than those of the nephritic control rats. Histological observation demonstrated that this agent suppressed hypercellularity and the incidence of crescent formation, adhesion of capillary wall to Bowman's capsule and fibrinoid necrosis in the glomeruli. Furthermore, rat-IgG and C3 deposits on the GBM were significantly less in the ACT-treated group than in the control nephritic group. When the treatment was started from the 20th day after i.v. injection of anti-GBM serum, by which the disease had been established, ACT resulted in a similar effect on the nephritic rats as stated above. These results suggest that ACT may be a useful medicine against rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, which is characterized by severe glomerular lesions with diffuse crescents.

Isolation and characterization of two tightly linked catalase genes from castor bean that are differentially regulated

Two catalase genes, cat1 and cat2, have been isolated from the castor bean genome. They were located in the same direction on a chromosome at a distance of 2.4 kb, cat1 being on the downstream side of cat2. The two genes contained introns at the same positions except that one of the 7 introns in cat1 is missing in cat2 and the corresponding introns differed in size and sequence between the two genes. The translated regions of the two genes had the same number of nucleotides and exhibited 81.3% nucleotide sequence identity. In addition to introns, the nucleotide sequences of the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions are highly divergent between the two genes. In etiolated seedlings, cat1 mRNA was present abundantly in endosperms and cotyledons and only in a small amount in roots. The cat1 mRNA could not be detected in hypocotyls. By contrast, cat2 mRNA is most abundant in hypocotyls and roots, while endosperms and cotyledons contained only low levels of cat2 mRNA. Although neither cat1 nor cat2 mRNA could be detected in dry seeds, both mRNAs showed temporal accumulation in the endosperm in response to germination. These results suggest that expression of two tightly linked catalase genes of castor bean, cat1 and cat2, are differentially regulated during development.

[A case of Cabrol's procedure in which selective cerebral perfusion was necessitated]

A 69-year-old man underwent Cabrol's procedure for annuloaortic ectasia and complicated multiple cerebral infarction. Preoperative CT scan showed atherosclerotic changes from the aortic arch to descending aorta. During extracorporeal circulation, arterial cannulation was made through left subclavian artery to prevent cerebral infarction due to detouched atheroma from the descending aorta. Intraoperatively, the ascending aorta was also atheromatous and ulcerative. In this case, cerebral infarction was most likely due to detouched atheroma from the aortic arch in retrograde blood flow during extracorporeal circulation. To prevent this complication, selective cerebral perfusion during extracorporeal circulation should have been selected.

[A study of biological characteristics of large bowel adenocarcinomas showing mucin production; examination of histological differentiation and cell kinetics]

In order to clarify the biological behavior of mucin producing cancers of colon, we analyzed 32 cases showing histological heterogeneity in the tumors, by mucin histochemistry. 28 cases were mucinous adenocarcinoma, forming with tubular structures, and the remaining 4 cases were signet-ring cell carcinomas. HID-AB stain demonstrated that the mucin component was almost similar to that of normal mucosa around the cancer. In the tubular forming portions, in which polyploid or aneuploid cells were often detected, the growth fraction of cancers was significantly higher than in that of the other portions.

Augmentation of calcium influx by stannous chloride at mouse motor nerve terminals

Stannous chloride (SnCl2) facilitates the calcium (Ca) entry into the frog motor nerve terminals. To compare the mode of action of SnCl2 on the Ca channels in the mouse with that in the frog, we investigated the effects of SnCl2 on the inward Ca current at the nerve terminals. SnCl2 (0.1 mM) did not change the second positive component of the action potential (an outward potassium (K) current) at the terminal part of the nerve terminal. SnCl2 (0.1 mM) increased the amplitude of the prolonged negative or positive deflection (an inward Ca current) evoked by treatment with 1 mM tetraethylammonium and 0.1 mM 3,4-diaminopyridine at the terminal or preterminal part of the nerve terminal, respectively. This augmenting effect of SnCl2 was inhibited by cumulative addition of Ca channel blockers, i.e., 0.1 mM CdCl2, 5 mM NiCl2, 5 mM CoCl2, 5 mM MnCl2, or 10 mM MgCl2. From the results obtained, it has been confirmed that SnCl2 facilitates the transmitter release by enhancing the Ca influx at the nerve terminals but not by blocking the K channels and that the mode of action of SnCl2 in the mouse is identical with that in the frog.

The urodynamic status during psychogenic erection in a patient with a conus medullaris injury. Case report

The urodynamic status of a 24 year old male patient with psychogenic erection who sustained a conus medullaris lesion from a burst fracture of the first lumbar vertebra is reported. During the initial measurement the external urinary sphincter pressure began to rise from the base pressure of 35 cm H2O 5 seconds after the beginning of audiovisual sexual stimulation and reached the peak of 110 cm H2O. In parallel, the bladder neck pressure gradually rose from its base pressure of 5 cm H2O to a maximal pressure of 115 cm H2O and then ejaculation occurred. The difference is no more than 5 cm H2O and this small difference in pressure inhibits retrograde ejaculation.

[A case of aortic valve-regurgitation associated with Behçet's disease]

The patient was a 37-year-old female with incomplete form of Behçet's disease combined with aortic valve regurgitation. The patients with Behçet's disease often have perivalvular leakage after valve replacement. Special technique is necessary in order to reinforce suture lines and minimize the occurrence of postoperative perivalvular leakage. The aortic valve replacement was accomplished by bolstering mattress sutures with Teflon felt strips and by inserting of sutures from outside the aorta. The latter technique was utilized around the entire circumference of the aortic annulus by opening the right ventricular outflow tract and right atrium and passing sutures from within these structures to enter the aorta. Satisfactory result was obtained with no findings of perivalvular leakage 2 years after operation. The conductive system was not damaged. The operation was performed when the inflammatory signs and findings subsided with adrenal steroids. The steroid therapy has been continued and adjusted by the values of CRP as well as the cutaneous and mucous manifestations.

Spinocerebellar degenerations in Japan: a nationwide epidemiological and clinical study

A nationwide survey of patients in Japan with spinocerebellar degenerations (SCD), including SDS and SND, was conducted from 1988 to 1989. The survey consisted of two parts. The first revealed that the estimated total number of patients with SCD in Japan was 5,050 (range: 4,100-6,000) with an estimated prevalence of 4.53 per 100,000 in 1987. The second part investigated the neurological and functional status of patients with SCD. The percentages of those belonging to each subtype of SCD were: OPCA; 34.4%, LCCA; 15.2%, MHCA; 12.6%, HHCA; 7.5%, SDS; 7.0%, HSP; 3.9%, DRPLA; 2.5%, FA; 2.4%, MJD; 2.0% and SND; 1.5%. Compared with European epidemiological studies Japan had a higher proportion of non-hereditary types of SCD. Various clinical features of SCD subtypes were compared grouped by pathological lesion and heredity. HHCA and LCCA: cerebellar ataxia predominated in all stages, and neurological signs other than cerebellar ataxia were rare. MHCA, DRPLA and MJD: in the early phase ataxia was the most common symptom in MHCA, the AC form of DRPLA and MJD, but ataxia was less common and chorea or epilepsy were often observed in ME and PH forms of DRPLA. Other frequently observed clinical features were parkinsonian rigidity in MHCA, abnormal movements and posture in DRPLA and MJD, and disturbances of eye movements in MHCA, the AC form of DRPLA and MJD. OPCA, SDS and SND: dominant clinical features were cerebellar ataxia in OPCA, autonomic disturbance in SDS, and parkinsonian rigidity in SND. FA and HSP: both were rare in Japan. Clinical features related to supra-supinal lesions were frequently observed in FA. Functional status of SCD: the severity of illness was significantly associated with the level of independence in each item of ADL. Activities not requiring dynamic balance were performed independently for a longer period than those requiring dynamic balance. Among SCD subtypes, functional prognosis was poorest in non-hereditary, multi-systemic types (OPCA, SDS and SND) followed by hereditary multi-systemic types (MHCA, DRPLA and MJD), and better in spinal types (FA and HSP) and cerebellar types (HHCA and LCCA).

Effects of beta 2-stimulants on contractility and fatigue of canine urethral sphincter

The effects of beta 2-stimulants [clenbuterol (CB) and terbutaline (TB)] on the contractility of the urethral sphincter of female dogs were studied by measuring intraurethral pressure (IUP) during stimulation of bilateral pudendal nerves. In nine dogs 1, 10 and 100 micrograms/kg. of CB were administered, but no changes in IUP were observed. In the other 33 dogs, sphincteric fatigue was experimentally prepared by electrically stimulating the pudendal nerves at 15 V, 20 Hz for 30 to 40 minutes. In fatigued sphincters, CB (n = 17) and TB (n = 7) increased the contracting pressure (pressure difference between stimulation-generated peak level and baseline level of IUP). The inotropic effect of beta 2-stimulant (TB) on the fatigued urethral sphincter was abolished by a beta-blocker, propranolol. From the present study it was concluded that beta 2-stimulants have little effect on the total contractility of the nonfatigued urethral sphincter because it is composed of smooth and striated muscles (fast- and slow-contracting muscles). However, beta 2-stimulants enhanced the contractility of fatigued urethral sphincter. These results suggest that beta 2-stimulants act on fast-contracting fibers in the urethral sphincter because the inotropic effect of sympathomimetic amine is much greater on fatigued, fast-contracting fibers than on nonfatigued ones and its depressive effect on slow-contracting fibers is not potentiated after fatigue.

Improvement of urethral resistance after the administration of an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, urapidil, for neuropathic voiding dysfunction

We assessed the effect of a new alpha-blocking agent, urapidil, on neuropathic voiding dysfunction, by urodynamic studies. The residual urine volume and rate significantly decreased, whereas the average and the maximum flow rate did not increase significantly. The pressure at maximum flow and minimum urethral resistance decreased significantly. These results suggest that improvement of the voiding dysfunction in some cases could be due to the decreased micturition pressure without increasing the flow rate. The urethral resistance calculated from the pressure/flow data seemed to be a valuable index in evaluating the effects of the drug on neuropathic voiding dysfunction.

[Forward masking of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions]

To explore the mechanisms of cochlear regulation systems, two tone phenomena of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs) were measured using a forward masking paradigm in normal human ears. EOAEs were elicited by probe tone (1 kHz, 25 dBnHL, 3 ms duration), with or without a preceding masker tone (841 Hz, 35-85 dBnHL, 10-300 ms duration, 5-160 ms interval). In the intensity study, EOAEs showed decrements in amplitude according to the masker intensity. To evaluate the effects of the stapedial reflex (SR), the forward masking in facial palsy cases without SR was also measured. For the higher intensity masker, SR effects were observed in normal cases. The duration study showed a little but almost constant decrement with lower intensities, below the SR threshold, and a 20 ms or more duration masker. The interval study showed the decrement even with low and middle (35/55 dBnHL) intensity masker when the intervals were short. As the intervals were shortened, the decrement in EOAEs amplitude became greater. These results suggest that not only the olivocochlear bundle but also other mechanisms, e.g. short-term adaptation and/or lateral inhibition, may affect the forward masking of EOAEs.

Adult T-cell leukemia derived from S100 beta positive double-negative (CD4- CD8-) T cells

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a mature T-cell malignancy which is caused by human T lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I). Most of the ATL cells are CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, and T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta+ and also express activated antigens such as HLA-DR and interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R) alpha chain (CD25). Diminished surface expression of the TCR alpha beta/CD3 complex is a specific feature of ATL cells. Since the gene transcript for each chain of this complex has been detected and surface expression of this complex is further decreased, accompanied by the induction of IL2R alpha chain, after stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), the TCR alpha beta/CD3 complex is considered to be down-modulated in vivo. We recently reported four ATL patients whose leukemic cells were CD4-, CD8- (double-negative; DN), TCR alpha beta+. These DN-ATL cells expressed S100 beta protein which was not detected in CD4+ ATL cells. Similar to CD4+ ATL cells, surface expression of the TCR alpha beta/CD3 complex on DN-ATL cells was decreased in vivo despite the lack of CD4 or CD8 as coreceptor. Therefore, the TCR alpha beta+ T-cell with or without CD4 is the sole target of HTLV-I induced leukemia and the down-modulation of the TCR alpha beta/CD3 complex is considered to play a key role in the development of ATL.

[Tumor heterogeneity in DNA ploidy of renal cell carcinomas as revealed by static cytofluorometry and flow cytometry]

DNA ploidy of 49 renal cell carcinomas of 46 patients were examined with static cytofluorometry (SCM) and flow cytometry (FCM). We used several paraffin blocks for each tumor (mean, 2.4), separated each block into several samples based on histological findings, and measured the DNA content of each sample. More samples could be analyzed with SCM than with FCM. With FCM, it was sometimes difficult to detect polyploid cells, or to determine whether diploid cells were tumor cells or stromal cells. DNA heterogeneity might thus be more accurately detected with SCM than with FCM. DNA aneuploidy was demonstrated for 59% of the tumors, and was significantly less common in grade 1 tumors than in higher-grade tumors. The incidence of polyploid cells in diploid tumors tended to increase with grade of tumor. Fifty-five percent of the tumors displayed DNA heterogeneity, the incidence of which tended to increase with grade of tumor. Ninety-four percent of the tumors were found to yield a diploid cell line. The findings of this study indicate that DNA content is associated with the histological grading. Diploid tumors with polyploid cells should be dealt with clinically in a separate fashion from diploid tumors without them. These findings suggest that diploid renal cell carcinomas with polyploid cells may be an intermediate stage between diploidy and aneuploidy.

Differential expression of homeobox-containing genes Msx-1 and Msx-2 and homeoprotein Msx-2 expression during chick craniofacial development

The expression pattern of chick Msx-1 and Msx-2 homeobox genes in craniofacial primordia was examined by in situ hybridization using cRNA probes. Both genes were expressed in the distal region of the facial primordia, where the distribution of Msx-2 expression was restricted distally within the Msx-1 expression domain. On the contrary, Msx-2 expression in the lateral choroid plexus and cranial skull was broader and more intensive than Msx-1 expression. Our findings suggest that these two genes cooperate to play differential roles in craniofacial development. Msx-2 protein was detected immunohistochemically, and its localization essentially corresponded to the mRNA expression pattern, substantiating the involvement of Msx-2 protein as a transcriptional regulator in developing limb and face.

Sequence and functional analyses of the rice gene homologous to the maize Vp1

The homologous gene of the maize Vp1 gene was isolated from rice (Oryza sativa). Sequence analysis revealed that the rice Vp1 gene (Osvp1) encodes a protein of 728 amino acids and is interupted by 5 introns at positions identical to those of the maize gene. Osvp1 transcript was detected in developing embryo as early as 10 days after flowering and decreased toward maturity. Osvp1 transcript was also detected in dry as well as imbided mature embryos. The ability of Osvp1 gene product to activate a target gene was shown by transient expression experiments in rice suspension-cultured cell protoplasts using a reporter gene construct carrying the bacterial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene fused to the promoter of OsEm gene, the rice homologue of the wheat Em gene.

A family of potato genes that encode Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors: structural comparisons and differential expression

Potato tubers contain a complex group of proteins of 20 to 24 kDa that exhibit homology to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors. We isolated three cDNAs and two genomic clones that encode members of the potato Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor (PKPI) family. Comparison of the structures of these and other cloned genes indicated that genes of the PKPI family can be classified into three major homology groups, namely, A, B and C. The PKPI-A and -B genes exhibit higher homology to one another than to the PKPI-C genes. Determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of 18 polypeptides from the complex group of 20- to 24-kDa proteins that had been separated by column chromatography and subsequently gel electrophoresis revealed three different sequences that corresponded to PKPI-A, -B, and -C. PKPI-A genes include those coding for a cathepsin D inhibitor, while PKPI-B and -C genes include those coding for trypsin and/or chymotrypsin inhibitors and a subtilisin inhibitor. Precursors to PKPIs are synthesized with an N-terminal extra peptide that appears to contain, in addition to the signal peptide, a short propeptide with a highly conserved Asn-Pro-Ile-Xxx-Leu-Pro motif that is identical to the potential vacuolar-sorting determinant in the N-terminal propeptide of a precursor to sporamin of sweet potato. Expression of the PKPI-A and -B genes is differentially regulated: PKPI-A mRNA but not PKPI-B mRNA were induced in leaves after wounding or upon treatment with methyl jasmonate. Nuclear genes for PKPI-A and -B do not contain introns, and the homology between the two types of gene extends only 72 bp upstream from the site of initiation of transcription.

Repression of in vitro transcription of the Escherichia coli fnr and nar X genes by FNR protein

In facultative anaerobes, the anaerobic expression of respiratory genes is regulated by a transcriptional activator, FNR. Transcription in vitro of the E. coli fnr gene was repressed by its product, FNR. The transcription of the E. coli narX gene encoding the nitrate sensor protein was likewise repressed. DNA truncation experiments for fnr and narX genes indicated that multiple anaero-boxes in each promoter region are essential for repression by the FNR protein, but they also suggest that factor-independent upstream activation signals are operating with these promoters.

Expression of nerve growth factor family neurotrophins in a mouse osteoblastic cell line

With cultured osteoblastic cells, clone MC3T3-E1 derived from newborn mouse calvaria, the mRNAs encoding three representative neurotrophins, namely, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), were proved in estimation by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The increase and then subsequent decrease of all three mRNAs within the proliferation phase were followed by their gradual increase in the differentiation phase, with a tendency of enhancement by exogenous TGF-beta as was particularly evident in the case of NGF. These findings were further substantiated by identification of NGF-like neutrophils in the conditioned medium of the osteoblastic cells by an immunoblotting and neurite extension assay.

[A case report of cervical aortic arch complicated with succiform aneurysm]

Left-sided cervical aortic arch in 30-year-old woman complicated with succiform arch aneurysm was reported. Aneurysm was successfully removed and arch was reconstructed by end to end anastomosis. Histological examination of aneurysm revealed atherosclerotic change and calcification.

Gestational age assessment in Japanese low birthweight infants

We evaluated the validity of the Ballard scoring system for assessing gestational age in Japanese low birthweight infants. Infants included in this study were 116 neonates who were admitted to seven hospitals in Hokkaido. Gestational ages of all infants were prenatally established by ultrasonographic measurement of the crown-rump length performed between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation (clinical age). Of these, 74 infants were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and the remaining were small for gestational age (SGA). Mean birthweight was 1703 g and 34% (39/116) were < 1500 g. The correlation coefficient for the total population was 0.93 (P < 0.001). Although mean Ballard age tended to overestimate clinical age, mean differences between Ballard age and clinical age did not exceed 0.6 weeks. Agreement within 2 weeks among all infants was 86.2%. Percentages of agreement within 2 weeks did not differ to a statistically significant degree between AGA and SGA. These results indicate that the Ballard method is of value in assessing gestational age in Japanese low birthweight infants.

Expression of HLA-class II antigen in gastric carcinomas. Its relationship to histopathological grade, lymphocyte infiltration and five-year survival rate

To investigate whether the expression of HLA-DR antigen in gastric carcinomas is associated with the survival rate, we studied 70 cases of gastric carcinoma using a monoclonal antibody. Forty-seven cases (67%) stained positively, including 31 differentiated carcinomas, and 16 undifferentiated carcinomas. A close correlation was found between expression of HLA-DR antigen and differentiation of the tumor cells. Marked lymphocyte infiltration was seen in the HLA-DR antigen positive cancers. In advanced gastric cancers, the 5-year survival rate of patients with HLA-DR antigen positive cancers was significantly higher (67.5%) than that of patients with HLA-DR antigen negative cancers (40%). The data suggest that the expression of HLA-DR antigen in gastric carcinomas may reflect the degree of tumor cell differentiation, and influence the host immune response and prognosis.