N-linked sugar chain of 55-kDa royal jelly glycoprotein

An N-linked sugar chain from 55-kDa royal jelly glycoprotein (RJGP), which maintains the high viability of rat liver primary cultured cell and is a different molecular species from 350-kDa RJGP [Kimura et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 59, 507-509 (1995)], has been identified. The sugar chains were released by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation and pyridylamination. The structural analysis of the pyridylaminated sugar chain was done by a combination of sequential exo-mannosidase digestions, MALDI-TOF MS, and 500 MHz 1H-NMR. For the carbohydrate moiety of 55-kDa RJGP, only one N-linked sugar chain has been detected. The structure has been found to be Man alpha 1-->2Man alpha 1-->6(Man alpha 1--> 2Man alpha 1-->3)Man alpha 1-->6(Man alpha 1-->2Man alpha 1-->2Man alpha 1-->3)Man beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc, which is a non-processed high mannose type structure.

[Relationship of atopic dermatitis to residential environment. A study of the comparison between diagnosis by medical examination and assessment by questionnaire]

Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) according to criterion of the Japanese Dermatology Society by medical examination and a questionnaire survey concerning the living environment and presence of allergic diseases were performed on 1725 elementary school children living in Hirosaki-city and its suburbs in Aomiri Prefecture. In addition a scratch test for mite antigen was conducted 523 of the children and a patch test on 240. No difference was found between the rate of children diagnosed as having AD during the medical examination which was 12.9%, and the rate of children who responded as presently having AD in the questionnaire which was 12.8%. However the rate of concordance between those diagnosed to have AD by medical examination and the group that responded as having AD in the questionnaire was about 50%. For AD in children diagnosed by medical examination, a residential environment of the houses that there were moldy and leaking appeared to be a risk factor. Risk factors of children with AD from the questionnaire survey appeared to be houses built within 20 years. Clearly there were differences in conclusions regarding risk factor between the medical examination and the questionnaire. In terms of increasing reliability, a medical examination would be preferred. From the results of allergic tests, the children who lived in houses built within 20 years had a high response to the patch test. These results suggest that houses that are moldy and leaking, or built within 20 years may be considered to be risk factors for outbreak of AD.

The effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation with fluoride on root surface

This study evaluated the effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment on root surface in vitro with or without fluoride. Fifty specimens of human teeth were randomly assigned to five different treatment groups: (1) untreated group; (2) laser-treated only; (3) laser-treated after applying black ink; (4) laser-treated after applying 38% Ag(NH3)2F for 1 min; (5) laser-treated followed by applying 2% NaF for 4 min. Following their respective treatments, all specimens were prepared for evaluation by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and EDX (Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy). Specimens from group 2 to 4 exhibited gross alterations of root surface not observed in controls such as pitting, crater formation, cracking, and porous globules. The specimens of group 5 had rough surfaces with some particles of approximately 1-micron diameter on the root surface. The fluoride uptake into the root measured by EDX was higher in groups 4 and 5. The depth of penetration of fluoride and silver was approximately 20 microns. Under light microscopy, the specimens of group 2, 3, 4, and 5 revealed some melted cementum, with no changes of underlying dentin. The results of this in vitro study suggested that the laser irradiation with or without fluoride, altered the morphology of the root surface and improved the fluoride uptake into the root surface. Whether the laser-induced surface changes with or without fluoride are beneficial to prevention of root surface caries needs to be studied further.

Current status of antihypertensive therapy for elderly patients in Japan

To assess how elderly Japanese hypertensive patients are treated by specialists, we conducted a cross-sectional survey. A total of 1,163 outpatients aged 50 years or older were studied. Hypertension was diagnosed in 939 of these patients, and 827 were receiving drug therapy. The average blood pressure during therapy was 143 +/- 16/81 +/- 10 mmHg. In patients aged 70 years or older, systolic blood pressure during antihypertensive therapy was significantly higher (p < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the corresponding values in those aged 50 to 59 years or 60 to 69 years. The calculated mean blood pressures were similar in the different age groups. The rate of monotherapy in the patients aged 70 years or older was 58.8%, which was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the rates of monotherapy in the other age groups. Calcium channel blockers were prescribed in about 80% of patients, irrespective of age or comorbidity. Of the patients receiving calcium channel blockers, 43.5% were treated with monotherapy. This rate significantly (p < 0.01) increased with advancing age. Diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in patients with stroke and in those with ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia, as compared with patients with no comorbidity. Among patients aged 70 years or older, the difference in systolic blood pressure between those with ischemic heart disease and those with no comorbidity was not significant. Blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients was reduced to a level similar to that in younger patients. The target blood pressure was influenced by the presence of comorbidity. Furthermore, specialists showed a high preference for the use of calcium channel blockers in the management of hypertension.

[Effectiveness of the radioactive strontium (89Sr) chloride agent, SMS.2P for pain palliation in patients with metastatic bone tumor in phase III multicenter clinical trial]

The phase III clinical trial of strontium-89 chloride agent (SMS.2P) was performed in 90 patients with painful bone metastases secondary to prostate (53), breast (18) and other types of cancer (19). Some patients experienced a transient increase in pain or nausea and vomiting. However both symptoms subsided and serious side effects were not observed in any of the patients. As reported, we confirmed some abnormal changes in peripheral blood picture. A decrease in the number of white blood cells and platelets was considered to be partly a result of bone marrow suppression due to 89Sr irradiation. Pain was substantially improved after 89Sr therapy in 58% of the patients and there was some alleviation in 12%. The release from pain was accompanied by an improved quality of life for these patients including sleep patterns and morbidity. Some patients were able to resume their former life styles. Most of the improved patients experienced pain relief from days to one week following 89Sr therapy and in half cases, this remained effective for 2 or 3 months. There were even cases in which the pain relief continued over an observation period of time of clinical study.

Oxidative stress by tumor-derived macrophages suppresses the expression of CD3 zeta chain of T-cell receptor complex and antigen-specific T-cell responses

One of the important mechanisms of immunosuppression in the tumor-bearing status has been attributed to the down-modulation of the CD3 zeta chain and its associated signaling molecules in T cells. Thus, the mechanism of the disappearance of CD3 zeta was investigated in tumor-bearing mice (TBM). The decrease of CD3 zeta was observed both in the cell lysate and intact cells. Direct interaction of T cells with macrophages from TBM (TBM-macrophages) induced the decrease of CD3 zeta, and depletion of macrophages rapidly restored the CD3 zeta expression. We found that treatment of such macrophages with N-acetylcysteine, known as antioxidant compound, prevented the decrease of CD3 zeta. Consistent with this result, the addition of oxidative reagents such as hydrogen peroxide and diamide induced the decrease of CD3 zeta expression in T cells. Consequently, the loss of CD3 zeta resulted in suppression of the antigen-specific T-cell response. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress by macrophages in tumor-bearing status induces abnormality of the T-cell receptor complex by cell interactions with T cells. Therefore, our findings suggest that oxidative stress contributes to the regulation of the expression and function of the T-cell receptor complex.

Two-dimensional crystals of the Kdp-ATPase of Escherichia coli

A variant form of the Kdp-ATPase of Escherichia coli was overproduced to a level approaching 37% of the protein in the inner membrane of this organism. Membranes from overproducing cells were prepared with an inside-out orientation. Incubation of the membranes on ice for 1-2 weeks in the presence of sodium vanadate resulted in the formation of two-dimensional crystals of the Kdp-ATPase. The calculated projection map of the p1 crystal form showed three prominent density peaks at a resolution of 22 A. This technique is a useful and simple method to obtain low-resolution structures of membrane proteins.

Mild mental stress increases insulin sensitivity in healthy young men

We examined if mental stress alters insulin sensitivity and renal sodium handling in 11 normotensive young men. Following a 60-minute period of equilibration, we performed euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp for 150 minutes. The clamp period was divided into three phases; control phase for 90 minutes (I), mental arithmetic phase for 30 minutes (II), and recovery phase for 30 minutes (III). Blood pressure, heart rate and glucose disposal rate (M value) significantly elevated during phase II of the stress study. In a time control study, in which mental arithmetic was not loaded during phase II, blood pressure was kept constant and the changes in M value from phase I to phase II were significantly smaller than those in the stress study. In both studies, fractional excretion of sodium did not significantly change throughout the study period. Thus, insulin sensitivity concerning glucose metabolism increased in response to mild mental stress. However, the effect of insulin on sodium handling was not altered by the stress.

Inactivation of a novel neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor gene in primate species

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) belong to a family of structurally related peptides which have numerous functions in both neural and endocrine signaling. By homology screening, we cloned a novel gene sharing the highest homology with the NPY Y1 receptor gene from humans, rabbits, and several other species. This novel gene of rabbit encodes a functional NPY/PYY receptor, designated Y2b, which prefers NPY13-36 rather than [Leu31,Pro34]NPY despite its higher identity with the Y1 receptor. Although, at low levels, mRNA was detected in the tissues and brain regions, including hypothalamus. Further, sequence data revealed that this gene is the orthologue of the recently cloned mouse novel NPY receptor, Y5. However, our study demonstrates that the receptor function of this gene has been inactivated in primates by a frameshift mutation occurring early in primate evolution. This novel NPY receptor represents the first neurotransmitter receptor identified that has universally lost its receptor function in primate species. Interestingly, despite its inactivation in humans, the transcripts were abundantly detected in the heart and skeletal muscle, suggesting a novel function of the human gene.

[Bayesian forecasting of plasma vancomycin concentration using time-dependent pharmacokinetics]

A new prediction method of vancomycin (VCM) pharmacokinetics has been developed using the modified Bayesian forecasting method involved in time-dependent pharmacokinetics in clearance. We investigated to evaluate the usefulness of this new prediction method compared with that of the ordinary Bayesian forecasting method. Serum samples, obtained from 4 patients at least 3 different days during the period for the VCM treatment were assayed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. VCM pharmacokinetic parameters and predicted serum VCM concentrations were calculated using this new method and the ordinary one according to the one-compartment model. The precision of the predicted serum VCM concentrations by these two methods at the third experimental day were evaluated with the mean prediction error (ME), mean absolute prediction error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE). The most precise and least-bias prediction of serum VCM concentrations were observed using this new prediction method (ME: -0.36 +/- 1.40, MAE: 1.13 +/- 0.82 and RSME: 1.37). The time-dependent decrease of VCM clearance was observed in all patients. Therefore, the fitting of the actual serum VCM concentrations obtained using the ordinary method produced less precise results than that using this new method. These results suggest the usefulness of this new prediction method considering time-dependent changes in VCM clearance.

Structural elucidation of N-liked sugar chains of storage glycoproteins in mature pea (Pisum sativum) seeds by ion-spray tandem mass spectrometry (IS-MS/MS)

The structures of N-linked sugar chains of the storage glycoproteins in mature pea seeds have been estimated. Nine pyridylaminated (PA-) N-linked sugar chains were derived and purified from the hydrazinolysate of the storage glycoproteins by reversed-phase HPLC and size-fractionation HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains purified were first identified by two-dimensional PA-sugar chain mapping, considering the data of sugar composition analysis or sequential exoglycosidase digestions. The deduced structures were further analyzed by IS-MS/MS analysis. Every relevant fragment ion derived from all PA-sugar chains could be assigned on the basis of deduced structures. The estimated nine structures fell into two categories; the first was a typical oligomannose type (Man8-3GlcNAc2; 77.7%) which can be hydrolyzed by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase PS [Y. Kimura et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 60, 228-232 (1996)], the second was a xylose-containing type (Man4-3Xyl1GlcNAc2, Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2; 22.3%). Among these structures, Man8GlcNAc2 (19.7%), Man6GlcNAc2 (24.7%), and Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (18.8%) were the dominant structures.

Fertilization and development of mouse oocytes injected with isolated sperm heads

To determine whether spermatozoa must be structurally intact before microsurgical injection into oocytes for normal fertilization, intact spermatozoa, as well as sperm heads separated from tails by sonication, were individually injected into oocytes. When whole spermatozoa were injected immediately after their immobilization, the majority of the oocytes were fertilized and developed normally. Sonication in the presence or absence of Triton X-100 decapitated more than 95% of spermatozoa. Although all decapitated spermatozoa were diagnosed as "dead" by live/dead sperm staining, separated sperm heads (nuclei) could participate in normal embryo development when injected into the oocytes. The ability of isolated sperm heads (nuclei) to participate in normal embryo development was maintained under cryopreservation conditions that were not suitable for the survival of plasma membrane-intact spermatozoa. These results indicate that 1) spermatozoa do not need to be structurally intact for intracytoplasmic injection, 2) the plasma and acrosomal membranes and all tail components are not essential for normal embryo development, at least in the mouse, and 3) the cryopreservation conditions required for maintenance of the genetic integrity of sperm nuclei are less stringent than those necessary for keeping plasma membrane-intact spermatozoa alive.

Estimation of the malignancy of pleural effusions by electron spin resonance

We conducted an electron spin resonance (ESR) study on human pleural effusions obtained from patients (n = 15) with and without cancer at 77 K. We detected two kinds of signals which are considered to be due to transition metal ions in metalloproteins such as Fe3+ in transferrin and Cu2+ in ceruloplasmin from their g values (g = 4.2 and 2.049) and line shapes. We found a significant difference in the signal intensity ratio, Cu2+/Fe3+, of the pleural effusions between cancer and noncancer patients by the Mann-Whitney U test (P < 0.01). The ESR study of pleural effusion enabled us to estimate its malignancy and may have future applications.

Power spectral analysis for autonomic influences in heart rate and blood pressure variability in fetal lambs

Variability of R-R intervals and arterial blood pressure signals in chronically instrumented fetal lambs was analyzed by power spectral analysis based on an assumption of maximum entropy. There were four consistent components, very low (VL, 0.01-0.025 cycle/beat), low (L, 0.025-0.125 cycle/beat), middle (M, 0.125-0.2 cycle/beat), and high (H, 0.2-0.5 cycle/beat), in the normal heart rate variability and blood pressure spectra. Integrated peaks in the power spectrum were compared before and after the administration of sympathetic and parasympathetic blockades. beta-Sympathetic blockade reduced the spectral power in the VL and L frequency components. alpha-Sympathetic blockade reduced only the M frequency component in the spectrum of R-R interval variability. Parasympathetic blockade reduced the H and L frequency components in the R-R interval variability spectrum but increased these components in the systolic blood pressure variability spectrum. The results clearly demonstrate the association between fetal autonomic activity and change of power spectrum of heart rate and blood pressure variability.

Effects of soluble sodium alginate on cholesterol excretion and glucose tolerance in rats

We studied the effects of a natural sodium alginate (isolated from Laminaria angustata Kjellman var. longissima Miyabe, Phaeophyceae) (average molecular weight: 2700 kDa; AG-270) and three water-soluble low-molecular weight sodium alginates (average molecular weights, 10, 50 and 100 kDa; AG-1, AG 5, and AG-10, respectively) on cholesterol excretion and glucose tolerance in rats. AG-270, AG-5 and AG-10 enhanced cholesterol excretion into faeces. AG-270 and AG-10 inhibited blood glucose and insulin levels from rising 30 min after glucose administration. AG-5 inhibited the blood glucose level from rising 30 and 60 min after glucose administration, without affecting blood insulin levels. AG-1 had no effect on cholesterol excretion or glucose tolerance. These findings suggest that the effects of the natural sodium alginate and AG-5 and AG-10 on cholesterol excretion and glucose tolerance may be due to the inhibition of cholesterol and glucose absorption from the small intestine by the gelling of the free alginic acid converted in the stomach. These experimental results indicate that the low-molecular weight sodium alginates, AG-5 and AG-10, should be useful as dietary fibers for the prevention of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes.

Inhibitory effect of Di- and trihydroxy triterpenes from the flowers of compositae on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation in mice

Ten dihydroxy- and trihydroxy triterpenes, viz., four taraxastanes: faradiol, heliantriol B0, heliantriol C and arnidiol; two lupanes: calenduladiol and heliantriol B2; two oleananes: maniladiol and longispinogenin; and two ursanes: brein and uvaol, isolated from the nonsaponifiable lipids of the flower extracts of Compositae plants were evaluated with respect to their anti-inflammatory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in mice. All the triterpenes were found to possess marked inhibitory activity. The 50% inhibitory dose of these compounds with respect to TPA-inflammation (1 microgram) was 0.03-0.2 mg/ear.

Change in glucose homeostasis in rats by long-term magnesium-deficient diet

It is widely known that hypomagnesemia is one of the symptoms observed in diabetic patients. This study was performed to assess the effect of chronic magnesium (Mg) deficiency on glucose metabolism in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (at the age of four weeks) were given a Mg-deficient diet or a control diet for two to eight weeks. The rats were orally administered sucrose solution (2 g/kg BW) every two weeks, and blood was drawn from a tail vein before and 15 min after sucrose loading to determine the concentrations of blood glucose and plasma insulin. At the same time, other rats in a non-fasted condition were sacrificed by decapitation (rats sacrificed at eight weeks were rats used for sucrose loading). The epididymal fat pads were immediately removed and adipocytes were isolated. The amount of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in the plasma membranes and low-density microsomal membranes prepared from the adipocytes was measured by immunoblotting to estimate the influence of chronic Mg deficiency on glucose metabolism at the cellular level. In addition, plasma biochemical parameters and muscle mineral contents were also evaluated. The glucose concentration in fasted blood was significantly lower in Mg-deficient rats than in control rats throughout the experiment period. The feeding of a Mg-deficient diet also attenuated the response of blood glucose and plasma insulin: the glucose level in blood tended to be lower in Mg-deficient rats at 15 min after oral sucrose administration, and the difference was significant at two and eight weeks. The plasma insulin level in Mg-deficient rats was also lower, reaching a significant difference at two weeks. When animals were sacrificed in a non-fasted condition at 2-week intervals, the plasma glucose level was also significantly decreased in Mg-deficient rats as compared to control rats throughout the experiment period. The plasma insulin level in non-fasted Mg-deficient rats was also significantly decreased at two and six weeks. The Mg-deficient diet increased plasma triglyceride, but the difference was significant only at four weeks, and plasma cholesterol remained unchanged. The plasma Mg level was markedly lower in Mg-deficient rats throughout the experiment period. In Mg-deficient rats, the Mg content in muscle was significantly reduced at two and eight weeks, whereas the calcium and sodium contents were significantly increased throughout the experiment period. In Mg-deficient rats, the degree of translocation of GLUT4 to plasma membranes in the adipocytes stimulated by insulin was reduced only at eight weeks. In conclusion, since fasted and non-fasted blood glucose levels and the response of blood glucose to sucrose loading were decreased in Mg-deficient rats, it is suggested that Mg deficiency induces changes in the glucose metabolism via impaired glucose absorption in the intestine or an altered glucose uptake in the liver and/or peripheral tissues.

The relationship between acridine orange fluorescence of sperm nuclei and the fertilizing ability of human sperm

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the outcome of IVF can be predicted by acridine orange (AO) nuclear fluorescence of sperm.

DESIGN

Based on the fact that AO nuclear fluorescence color after acid treatment reflects maturity (green fluorescence) or immaturity (yellow to red fluorescence) of spermatozoa, the relationships between sperm maturity and the outcome of IVF, subzonal insemination, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were investigated.

SETTING

The IVF program at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fukushima Medical College.

PATIENTS

Sixty-eight patients undergoing 68 IVF treatment cycles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Acridine orange fluorescence of sperm nuclei and successful oocyte fertilization.

RESULTS

conventional semen parameters (sperm concentration and percentages of motile or morphologically normal spermatozoa in semen) did not correlate with the incidence of spermatozoa with green AO fluorescent (mature) nuclei. When > or = 50% of spermatozoa in semen samples exhibited green AO nuclear fluorescence, IVF was always successful. When green AO nuclear fluorescence was < 50%, only 39% of IVF treatment cycles (13/33) were successful. Only green AO fluorescent spermatozoa were able to bind efficiently human zona pellucida. When the incidence of green AO fluorescent spermatozoa was < 50%, no pregnancy resulted even though an average of 26% of the oocytes could be fertilized by ICSI.

CONCLUSIONS

The spermatozoa which fertilized oocytes in vivo and in IVF were limited to those whose nuclei exhibited green AO fluorescence. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be the method of choice when the incidence of green AO nuclear fluorescence is low regardless of the results of semen analysis.

Scintigraphic detection of regional disruption of the adrenergic nervous system in sarcoid heart disease

The presence of defects on resting thallium (201Tl) myocardial scintigraphy has been previously demonstrated in myocardial sarcoidosis. To examine cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, we performed 201Tl and I-123 MIBG (meta-iodobenzylguanidine) myocardial scintigraphy in patients with sarcoidosis. Sixteen patients with sarcoidosis were classified into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of defects on 201Tl scintigraphy. Myocardial images by both 201Tl and I-123 MIBG were then divided into 20 segments and scored using a 6-point scoring system. Defect Score was defined as a the sum of significant scores in each image. The mean Defect Score in I-123 MIBG images was higher in the 201Tl defect group (44.3 +/- 13.3) than in both the normal 201Tl group (25.1 +/- 10.5) and the control group (22.7 +/- 11.4). Moreover, the locations of defects on I-123 MIBG scans were consistent with those on 201Tl scans. This study suggests that cardiac adrenergic function may be impaired in cardiac sarcoidosis, and I-123 MIBG scintigraphy may be more sensitive in detecting cardiac sarcoidosis than 201Tl scintigraphy, although the clinical significance of these findings requires further study.

Predictive factors of a response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C

To determine predictive factors of response to interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients, we administered IFN-alpha, 1 6 million U1 intramuscularly daily for 2 consecutive weeks, then three times a week, to 136 patients judged to have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection according to HCV-RNA positivity. We also investigated the most effective length of IFN-alpha treatment according to efficacy factors, i.e., histological activity index. HCV-RNA genotype, and HCV-RNA levels. patients were classified either into a short-term group (entire treatment period 16 weeks), standard-term group (24 weeks), and long-term group (40 weeks). Patients were assessed as complete responders (CR) if their HCV-RNA became negative and their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased to < or = 39 IU/L after 18 months of treatment or nonresponders in other cases. Results showed that HCV-RNA levels and genotype were statistically significant predictive factors. CR rates in the standard- and long-term groups were significantly higher than in the short-term group (p < 0.05). In patients with low HAI scores, the long-term group showed the highest CR rate. In patients with low virus counts, the CR rate increased to 73% in the 24th week and 100% in the 40th week. CR rates in patients with HCV-RNA genotype 1b and 2a or 2b also increased as the treatment period became longer. For efficacy, a 24-week treatment period was necessary. In patients with mild liver tissue damage or low virus counts, 40 weeks of treatment proved highly useful.

Usefulness of indocyanine green injection during ultrasound-guided liver biopsy for the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma

To diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) functionally and immediately, we examined the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) injection during ultrasound-guided liver biopsy. Liver specimens were obtained after intravenous ICG injection by ultrasound-guided biopsy from 251 space-occupying lesions (SOL) in 136 patients. The tissues were immediately examined for ICG uptake using an infrared Vidicon camera and were also subjected to histopathological examinations. Of the 112 ICG-negative biopsy specimens, 105 were histologically diagnosed as HCC, 6 as dysplastic nodules (DN) and 1 as a regenerative nodule (RN). Of the 139 ICG-positive specimens, 18 were diagnosed as HCC, 1 as DN and 120 as RN. The sensitivity of the absence of ICG uptake (SEAIU), the specificity of the absence of ICG uptake (SPAIU), and the positive predictive value of the absence of ICG uptake (PPAIU) for the diagnosis of HCC were 85.3%, 94.5% and 93.8%, respectively. Of the 251 SOLs, 184 were less than 2 cm. SEAIU, SPAIU and PPAIU for the diagnosis of these small HCC were 85.3%, 94.5% and 91.4%, respectively. These results support the reliability of ICG injection during ultrasound-guided liver biopsy to diagnose even small HCC.

Phospholamban regulates the Ca2+-ATPase through intramembrane interactions

There is clear evidence for direct regulatory protein-protein interactions between phospholamban (PLN) and the Ca2+-ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2a) in cytoplasmic domains, but there is less clear evidence for regulatory interactions in the transmembrane domains of the two proteins. We have now coexpressed SERCA isoforms with the transmembrane sequence of PLN and with epitope-tagged transmembrane sequences of PLN to study intramembrane interactions in the absence of cytoplasmic interactions. Coexpression of the transmembrane sequence of phospholamban (Met-PLN28-52) with SERCA1a, SERCA2a, and SERCA3 inhibited Ca2+ transport by lowering apparent Ca2+ affinity. Addition of the hemagglutinin (HA) epitope to the transmembrane sequence of PLN (HA-PLN28-52) or deletion of PLN residues 21-29 (PLN1-20-PLN30-52) "supershifted" apparent Ca2+ affinity to values lower than those observed with native PLN without uncoupling Ca2+ transport from ATP hydrolysis. Inhibition by PLN1-20-PLN30-52 or by Flag-PLN28-52 was reversed by PLN antibody or by Flag antibody, demonstrating that inhibition by these constructs is reversible and that the inhibitory constructs are properly oriented in the membrane. These results suggest that PLN modulates the apparent Ca2+ affinity of SERCA2a through intramembrane interactions, which are disrupted at long range and in concert with disruption of the well characterized cytoplasmic interactions.

Nitric oxide mediates interleukin-1-induced matrix degradation and basic fibroblast growth factor release in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes: a possible mechanism of pathological neovascularization in arthritis

Prolonged incubation with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) induced the release of large amounts of NO and subsequently inhibited DNA synthesis and the biosynthesis and accumulation of proteoglycans in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes (RAC). IL-1 also inhibited DNA synthesis in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE). On the other hand, DNA synthesis in BAE cocultured with RAC was not inhibited by prolonged incubation with IL-1. Moreover, conditioned media from RAC incubated for a long period with IL-1 stimulated DNA synthesis in BAE alone. This growth stimulatory activity was mainly due to the release of basic fibroblast growth factor, a heparin-binding growth factor, into RAC culture. Gelatin zymography of the RAC culture medium revealed that IL-1 increased the production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthesis, inhibited all of these actions of IL-1. These results indicate that NO from RAC treated with IL-1 stimulates MMPs, which, in turn, degrade the extracellular matrix produced by RAC, resulting in the release of large amounts of basic fibroblast growth factor stored in the matrix, which then stimulates adjacent BAE proliferation. Thus, NO produced from RAC treated with IL-1 may modulate angiogenesis in the synovium of arthritic patients.