Detection of feline herpesvirus 1 DNA by the nested polymerase chain reaction

The thymidine kinase region of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV 1) genome in ocular/nasal swabs from cats with clinical manifestations of upper respiratory disease was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR). Two primer pairs were prepared for nested PCR. FHV 1 DNA in ocular/nasal swabs was extracted using instaGene-DNA purification matrix. Nested PCR for the FHV 1 culture supernatants was ten times as sensitive as single PCR. On comparing viral isolation with single PCR and nested PCR for the detection of FHV 1 in ocular/nasal secretions, of 5 samples that yielded infectious virus in cell culture, 3 (60%) were positive in single PCR and 5 (100%) were positive in nested PCR. When 22 ocular/nasal swabs that did not yield FHV 1 were assayed, 3 were negative in both single PCR and nested PCR, 2 were positive in both single and nested PCR and 17 were positive in only nested PCR. Thus, FHV 1 was detected in 19/22 (86.4%) by the nested PCR and in 2/22 (9%) by single PCR. These results show that nested PCR is 4.8 (24 positive samples/5 positive samples) times as sensitive as single PCR.

Ragweed antigen causes interleukin-8 production in sensitized dog trachea

Antigen challenge in allergic subjects and in sensitized animals causes recruitment of neutrophils as well as eosinophils into the airways. In this study, we asked whether interleukin-8 (IL-8) is involved in the recruitment of neutrophils into the airways after antigen challenge. We administered ragweed antigen to an isolated, superfused tracheal segment of ragweed-sensitized dogs. Local tracheal instillation of the antigen caused an increase in IL-8 concentration and increases in both the number of recruited neutrophils and myeloperoxidase activity (one indicator of neutrophil activation in the recruited cells). The increase in IL-8 concentration was observed earlier than both the neutrophil recruitment and the increase in myeloperoxidase activity in the tracheal superfusate. Superfusate removed from the trachea 8 h after antigen challenge showed marked neutrophil chemotactic activity in a microchemotaxis chamber, and this activity was inhibited (mean, 75.6%) by a blocking antibody to dog IL-8. We conclude that ragweed antigen causes neutrophil recruitment into the airways at least in part because of IL-8 production.

[In vitro antibacterial activity of pazufloxacin (PZFX) against clinical isolates from infectious enteritis]

Antibacterial activity of pazufloxacin (PZFX) against 65 strains of Shigella spp., 13 strains of Salmonella spp., 7 strains of Escherichia coli, 4 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 4 strains of V. cholerae O1, 2 strains of Aeromonas spp., 4 strains of Plesionomas shigelloides and 3 strains of V. cholerae non-O1 isolated from patients of infectious enteritis and carriers was compared with that of ofloxacin (OFLX), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), tosufloxacin (TFLX) and nalidixic acid (NA). The MIC90 of PZFX against Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli were 0.025, 0.025 and 0.025 micrograms/ml, respectively. The MIC90 of PZFX against Shigella spp. was comparable to that of CPFX, 2-fold higher than that of TFLX and 4-fold lower than that of OFLX. Against Salmonella spp., MIC90 of PZFX was comparable to TFLX and 2- to 8-fold lower than those of CPFX and OFLX. PZFX showed the highest antibacterial activity between the drugs tested. Against other species, the MIC90 values of PZFX were < or = 0.006-0.1 micrograms/ml. No NA-resistant isolates were observed. The antibacterial activity of PZFX against stocked strains (clinical isolates from Aug 1989 to Feb 1991), containing 51 strains of Shigella spp., 50 strains of Salmonella spp., 19 strains of E. coli, 12 strains of V. cholerae O1 and 13 strains of V. parahaemolyticus, was also investigated. The MIC90 of PZFX of each strains were 0.05 micrograms/ml for Shigella spp., 0.05 micrograms/ml for Salmonella spp., 0.1 micrograms/ml for E. coli, 0.0125 micrograms/ml for V. cholerae O1, 0.2 micrograms/ml for V. parahaemolyticus, respectively. As shown above, PZFX has strong antibacterial activity against isolates from infectious enteritis and this suggests the usefulness of PZFX for the treatment of these patients and carriers.

[A case showing recurrence of myelopathy and optic nerve disturbance accompanied by pusturosis palmaris et plantaris and positive anticardiolipin antibody]

The patient is a 62-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital with chief complaints of paresthesia in the four extremities and the trunk and gait disturbance in February 1993. Habitual abortions and left retrobulbar optic neuritis were present in the past history. She had been suffering from pusturosis palmaris et plantaris for 10 years. On admission, weakness of the distal muscles in the right upper extremity and severe disturbance of the deep sensations in the bilateral lower extremities and the right upper extremity were present. With the progress of the neurological symptoms, pusturosis palmaris et plantaris progressed. After the admission, the neurological symptoms became better by the administration of corticosteroid hormone medicine. After that, myelopathy and left optic nerve disturbance relapsed and IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody in the serum was present. The neurological symptom, pusturosis palmaris et plantaris and positive IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody in the serum may be caused by immunological mechanism. Anti-phospholipid antibodies such as IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody in the serum should be examined in patients with clinical multiple sclerosis like our case.

Lung cancer associated with usual interstitial pneumonia

There were 83 cases of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) in 3712 consecutive autopsy cases during 1972 to 1992 in Toranomon Hospital. Primary lung cancer had arisen in 40 cases of UIP in that period. The prevalence of lung cancer (48.2%) in UIP was significantly higher than that of lung cancers (9.1%) in the age-matched general population without UIP (P < 0.001). The prevalence of association of multiple lung cancer in UIP (20.0%) was also significantly increased. Thus, UIP showed a remarkable potency to develop lung cancers. The lung cancer cases in UIP had obvious smoking habits. Both the rates of smokers and the quantity of smoking were significantly increased in the lung cancer cases in UIP (P < 0.05). There was a distinct anatomical distribution of lung cancer in UIP. Most cancers in UIP (98%) arose in the peripheral area of the lung (P < 0.001, compared to lung cancer cases without UIP) with close relation to the honeycombing lesion. Studies on surgical specimens with small cancers showed that most tumors in UIP arose in the border area between honeycombing and the non-fibrotic area. Thus, the front of the remodeling of the lung is suspected to be a potential field of developing lung cancer. The chronic inflammatory process resulting in the remodeling of the lung may play an important part in the development of lung cancer in UIP under the circumstance of heavy smoking.

Endothelin-1 of keratinocyte origin is a mediator of melanocyte dendricity

Melanocytes synthesize melanin and transfer it to keratinocytes via dendritic processes. Keratinocytes are known to produce constitutively several factors, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), that together affect melanocyte proliferation, migration, melanogenesis, and dendrite formation. After ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, synthesis and secretion of ET-1 are up-regulated in keratinocytes. Because UV irradiation of skin is known to be associated with increased melanocyte dendricity, and because medium conditioned by UV-irradiated keratinocytes (UV-KCM) induces melanocyte dendricity to a greater degree than does baseline keratinocyte-conditioned medium (KCM), we investigated whether ET-1 promotes melanocyte dendricity. ET-1, originally recognized as a vasoconstrictive peptide, has recently been shown to stimulate melanocyte proliferation and tyrosinase activity. We now report that ET-1 supplementation of cultured melanocytes significantly increases the percentage of dendritic melanocytes, as well as dendrite length, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UV-KCM was found to contain over 25-fold more ET-1 than KCM, and ET-1 supplementation of KCM induced melanocyte dendricity comparable to that induced by UV-KCM. Further, melanocyte dendricity induced by UV-KCM was significantly inhibited by the addition of anti-ET-1 monoclonal antibody to the medium, suggesting that the UV-KCM effect on melanocyte dendricity is mediated largely through ET-1. Our findings suggest that in the skin, ET-1 of keratinocyte origin promotes melanocyte dendricity in response to UV irradiation.

Differences in cellular transport of tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine: cell cycle-dependent alteration of tri-iodothyronine uptake

Cellular and nuclear uptake of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) was examined using the cultured cell line derived from rat liver, clone 9, and rat hepatoma, dRLH-84. The saturable cellular uptake of T3 and T4 was demonstrated in these cells. First we examined the cell cycle-dependent alteration of thyroid hormone uptake. Cellular T3 uptake was minimal in the early G1 phase and increased in the late G1 phase, reaching a maximal level in the S phase. Alterations in nuclear T3 uptake were in accordance with the changes in cellular T3 uptake. On the other hand, cellular and nuclear T4 uptake was unchanged throughout the cell cycle, suggesting the T3 specificity of the cell cycle-dependent alteration of cellular hormone transport. Next we examined the effect of sodium butyrate on the cellular transport of thyroid hormones. After treatment with 5 mM sodium butyrate, cellular and nuclear uptake of T3 was increased, reaching a maximal level (four- to sevenfold increase) after 48 h. When cells were incubated for 48 h with various concentrations of sodium butyrate, T3 uptake was enhanced by 1 mM sodium butyrate, reaching a maximal level with 5 mM. Although cellular T4 uptake was also increased after treatment with sodium butyrate, the degree and time-course of the increase were different from those of T3. The maximal increase in cellular T4 uptake (two- to threefold increase) was attained 20 h after treatment. Despite the increase in cellular T4 uptake, nuclear T4 uptake was decreased after treatment with sodium butyrate. For both T3 and T4, the enhanced cellular uptake was due to the increased Vmax without changes in the Michaelis-Menten constant. These data indicate that cellular transport of T4 is different from that of T3 in rat hepatic cells.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I associated myelopathy treated effectively with lymphocytapheresis using a leukocyte removal filter

The patient, a 61-year-old woman, received a blood transfusion at the age of 33 years. Weakness of the lower extremities developed at the age of 42 and the diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy was made. Somatosensory evoked potential examination showed that the latency of P27 evoked by peroneal nerve stimulation was 44 msec. Lymphocytapheresis was performed 3 times with one-week intervals using a leukocyte removal filter. The muscle weakness began to improve on the second day after the second lymphocytapheresis and the sensory impairment began to improve on the third day after the third lymphocytapheresis. The delayed latency of P27 improved after the lymphocytapheresis. The effectiveness of lymphocytapheresis in this case suggests that lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of HTLV-I associated myelopathy.

A long-term receptor stimulation is requisite for angiotensin II-dependent DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Angiotensin II stimulates DNA synthesis in aortic smooth muscle cells prepared from spontaneously hypertensive rats, with maximal levels detected 20 h after stimulation. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists inhibited the angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis. In particular, the noncompetitive antagonist 2-ethoxy-1-[[2'(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-1 H-benzimidazole-7-carboxylic acid (CV11974) was more effective than expected from its affinity for the angiotensin II receptor and its potency for inhibiting angiotensin II-induced increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration 2-n-Butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[(2'-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl) methyl]imidazole, potassium salt (losartan), one of the antagonists, inhibited angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis by 92% and 79%, even when added 2 and 4 h after angiotensin II stimulation, respectively. Angiotensin II also increases the mRNA of platelet-derived growth factor-A chain and basic fibroblast growth factor. The increase was observed within 4 h after angiotensin II stimulation. In this case, the addition of losartan at 4 h after angiotensin II stimulation hardly influenced the time course of the mRNA level of growth factors. Also, conditioned media of cells stimulated with angiotensin II did not influence DNA synthesis in the presence of CV11974. These results suggest that sustained receptor stimulation with angiotensin II is required for DNA synthesis in addition to the early intracellular signaling following phospholipase C activation in a manner independent of the induction of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor-AA and basic fibroblast growth factor.

NMR characterization of guanine DNA site alkylated by kapurimycin A3, an antitumour antibiotic from Streptomyces sp

The kapurimycin A3-guanine adduct was formed by alkylation of the antitumour antibiotic with d(CGCG)2. The site of alkylation of the guanine was confirmed by comparative NMR studies with N-7-methyl-guanine in DMSO-d6.

Choroid plexus papilloma of the III ventricle in an infant

A case of choroid plexus papilloma of the III ventricle associated with hydrocephalus in an 1-month-old boy is reported. The tumor was removed after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt; however, the histologically mainly benign tumor grew very rapidly. The cause of this rapid growth may have been a drop in the intraventricular pressure after the shunting procedure.

Genetic analysis of wild-type 1 poliovirus isolates in China, 1985-1993

We examined the genomic variability of 26 wild-type 1 polioviruses isolated from 12 provinces in China from 1985-1993. The poliovirus genome region that encodes the N-terminal portion of the VP1 protein was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR product of each isolate was analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and by direct sequencing. Several groups of viruses with different PCR-RFLP patterns were found to cause outbreaks in China during this period. Viruses with identical PCR-RFLP profiles were dominantly isolated in 11 provinces from 1991 to 1993 and were considered to be the major epidemic strain in China. On the other hand, in the GuangDong province, a different group was responsible for each year's outbreak, while in the XinJiang autonomous prefecture, a single strain was consistently isolated from 1990 to 1993. Understanding of the nationwide distribution of wild poliovirus is very important for interrupting its transmission during the final stage of the eradication program in China.

[Sisters with early onset hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy of childhood--DNA analysis and clinicopathological findings]

Two sisters were presented, 16 years old and 12 years old, who showed similar clinical courses. They had had mental retardation since early childhood, and then ataxia began. They suffered from astatic and tonic seizures from early school age, which gradually evolved to intractable epilepsies. Spasticity progressed, and they deteriorated both physically and mentally. They revealed photo-sensitivity; convulsions were induced by the flickering of light. They were attacked by myoclonic seizures as well as choreoathetosis, and became bedridden by the latter part of the elementary school age. There were no fruitful results of any kind from the laboratory examinations for metabolic disorders. EEG showed that the epileptic seizure discharges were induced by photic stimulation; there were frequent 3-4 Hz diffuse spike-and-wave short bursts during waking and sleep periods. MRI findings of the elder sister at the age of 16 revealed remarkable diffuse brain atrophy. Gene analysis showed abnormally enlarged DNA fragments localized on the short arm of chromosome 12. This meant expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats. The younger sister died at the age of 12 years. Autopsy findings revealed degeneration of both dentatorubral and pallidoluysian pathways. There were especially remarkable gliosis and neuronal cell loss in the outer segment of globus pallidus, and moderate neuronal cell loss and typical grumose degeneration in the dentate nucleus. The diagnosis of juvenile-type hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy was compatible with the pathologic findings. This diagnosis will be made possible before death through the understanding of the clinical symptoms and molecular genetics.

Role of recruited neutrophils in interleukin-8 production in dog trachea after stimulation with Pseudomonas in vivo

Cell-free supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) recruits neutrophils into the airways indirectly by inducing the production of chemotactic factors, including interleukin-8 (IL-8). PA products stimulate IL-8 expression selectively in surface airway epithelium, gland ducts, serous cells, and recruited neutrophils. To examine the relative contribution of neutrophils in IL-8 release in the airway lumen, we studied the effect of inhibition of neutrophil recruitment on IL-8 concentration in tracheal fluid after introduction of PA supernatant into the dog trachea in vivo. Tracheal superfusion with PA supernatant caused neutrophil recruitment and increased the IL-8 concentration in the tracheal lumen; NPC 15669 inhibited both effects. To study whether migration of neutrophils into the airway lumen per se induces their expression of IL-8, we compared effects of local introduction of IL-8 and of PA supernatant into the trachea on IL-8 expression in neutrophils recruited into the trachea. PA supernatant, but not exogenous IL-8 alone, induced IL-8 mRNA expression in neutrophils recruited into the trachea. To determine what product(s) of PA stimulate IL-8 expression in neutrophils, we examined neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood. PA supernatant induced IL-8 production in neutrophils, an effect reproduced by PA lipopolysaccharide and inhibited by polymyxin B. These results suggest that neutrophils recruited into the airway lumen play a major role in local IL-8 production in airways in response to bacteria such as PA, depending on the presence of stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide.

Intra-abdominal fat in obese children

We investigated the distribution of abdominal fat accumulation in obese children to know whether a clustering of coronary risk factors was demonstrated in visceral fat obesity as reported in adults. The relative indicator of intra-abdominal fat accumulation was obtained from computed tomography scans at the umbilicus level in 36 obese subjects (24 males, 12 females). There was no visceral fat obesity in this study by reported criteria. All metabolic variables except triglyceride did not correlate significantly with intra-abdominal fat accumulation. We conclude that visceral fat obesity is a rare status and has no close relationship to coronary risk factors in childhood.

Silent cortical strokes associated with atrial fibrillation

To clarify whether silent cortical strokes (SCS) could be a predictor of symptomatic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), 72 patients with AF (50 with chronic AF, 22 with paroxysmal AF) were studied. Patients with mitral stenosis, history of myocardial infarction, or dilated cardiomyopathy were excluded from this study. Using cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the patients were divided into those with SCS (23 patients, Group 1) and those without SCS (49 patients, Group 2). The incidence of symptomatic stroke was then compared between the two groups. Three patients (13%) in Group 1 developed symptomatic brain infarction; this is statistically significant (p < 0.05), compared with the patients in Group 2, none of whom experienced symptomatic stroke. We suggest that SCS is a predictor of symptomatic cerebral infarct in patients with AF. Therefore, it is thought to be important to diagnose SCS using cranial MRI or computed tomography and to keep patients with SCS under close surveillance.

[Cerebral blood flow increase and P300 latency prolongation by intravenous injection of acetazolamide--investigation in lacunar cerebral infarction and healthy subjects]

The cerebral blood flow and the P300 were measured before and 20 minutes after intravenous injection of 17 mg/kg acetazolamide in 15 cases of lacunar cerebral infarction and 10 healthy subjects. In cerebral infarction, the study was performed within 2 weeks after the onset. The cerebral blood flow except the infarcted area was increased significantly by the intravenous injection of acetazolamide in the lacunar cerebral infarction group and the healthy subject group. The blood flow decrease around the infarcted area (intracerebral steal phenomenon) by the intravenous injection of acetazolamide was not observed in any case. The N200 latency and the P300 latency were prolonged significantly by the intravenous injection of acetazolamide in the lacunar cerebral infarction group and in the healthy subject group but the N100 latency and the P200 latency did not show any significant changes. Despite the increase in cerebral blood flow, cerebral function may be decreased by intravenous injection of acetazolamide.

Bone metastasis from colorectal cancer in autopsy cases

The incidence of bone metastasis from colorectal cancer is reported to be 10.7% in autopsy cases. However, the characteristics of the primary cancers, as well as the patterns of bone metastasis, remain unclear. We analyzed the clinical and autopsy records of 118 patients with primary colorectal cancer treated either surgically or conservatively and eventually autopsied between 1970 and 1987 at Toranomon Hospital in Tokyo. Bone metastasis was detected in 23.7% (28/118). The average age of patients with bone metastasis was lower than that in patients without bone metastasis (P < 0.02). Cancers to the rectum and cecum were accompanied by bone metastasis more frequently than cancers of other portions of the colon. Signet-ring cell carcinoma showed a high incidence of bone metastasis (P = 0.041). Bone metastasis from colorectal cancer was associated with liver or lung metastases (P < 0.0001). These results indicated that bone metastasis from colorectal cancer is not as infrequent as previously described.

Lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein A-1 and B in schoolchildren whose grandparents had coronary and cerebrovascular events: a preliminary study of 12-13 year old Japanese children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] and apolipoproteins (apo A-1 and apo B) in schoolchildren with a history of coronary and cerebrovascular events in their grandparents. We measured serum concentrations of Lp (a) and apoliproteins immunochemically in 289 schoolchildren aged 12-13 years and questioned parents about coronary and cerebrovascular events in the children's grandparents. In boys and girls, mean +/- s.d. levels of apo A-1, apo B and Lp (a) were 134 +/- 20.3 and 136 +/- 17.4 mg/dL, 61 +/- 16 and 66 +/- 15 mg/dL and 12.5 +/- 15.3 and 12.5 +/- 15.1 mg/dL, respectively. There were no significant sex differences in the levels of apo A-1, apo B, and Lp (a). The Lp (a) levels (mean +/- s.d., 12.5 +/- 15.2 mg/dL; median 7.5 mg/dL, n = 289) were not affected by other variables. The Lp (a) distribution was strongly positively skewed and 75% of schoolchildren had very low levels. In the total 289 schoolchildren, thirty-two grandparents who had had coronary vascular events (21 myocardial infarction, 11 angina pectoris) and twenty-three grandparents who had had cerebrovascular events were recorded. By the boxplot statistical analysis, no difference was found in Lp (a) levels in children whose grandparents had myocardial infarction compared with those whose grandparents had no such history, or compared with those whose grandparents had suffered cerebrovascular events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Local anesthetics reduce the inhibitory neurotransmitter-induced current in dissociated hippocampal neurons of the rat

The effects of local anesthetics on amino acid-induced currents were examined using the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique in dissociated hippocampal pyramidal neurons of the rat. Lidocaine (3 mM) decreased the glycine-induced Cl- current (Gly-ICl) more potently (to 46% of the control value) than the gamma-aminobutyric acid-induced Cl- current (GABA-ICl; to 75%), whereas the agent had little effect on the excitatory glutamate response. The reduction in the Gly-ICl was dose-dependent, with a dissociation constant (KD) of 3 mM and a Hill coefficient of 0.96. A non-competitive inhibition was suggested by a double reciprocal plot of the effects of lidocaine on the concentration-response curve of the Gly-ICl. Benzocaine, a neutral local anesthetic at physiological pH, decreased the Gly-ICl more potently than lidocaine, while QX314, a permanently charged quaternary derivative of lidocaine, produced a much smaller inhibition, thereby indicating that the neutral form of local anesthetics is more effective in reducing the Gly-ICl. The depression of the Gly-ICl and GABA-ICl in central neurons may contribute to local anesthetic-induced convulsions.

Effects of pinealectomy and constant light exposure on day-night changes of melatonin binding sites in the goldfish brain

Effects of pinealectomy and constant light exposure on day-night changes of melatonin binding sites in the goldfish brain were examined. The density and affinity of binding sites were higher at mid-day than at mid-night in sham-pinealectomized goldfish under light-dark cycles. The rhythms disappeared after pinealectomy, or constant light exposure both of which abolish plasma melatonin rhythms. The effects of pinealectomy and constant light exposure were not additive. These results indicate that diel changes of melatonin binding sites in the goldfish brain are regulated by endogenous melatonin of pineal origin.