Analysis of peripherin/RDS gene for Japanese retinal dystrophies

We studied 133 Japanese patients with retinal dystrophies to detect peripherin/RDS (retinal degeneration slow) gene defects. The patients analyzed included 52 with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, 36 with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa, 3 with simplex retinitis pigmentosa, 12 with cone-rod dystrophy, 5 with rod-cone dystrophy, 3 with vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best's disease), 4 with macular dystrophy, 2 with cone dystrophy, 2 with fundus flavimaculatus, 2 with fundus albipunctatus, and 12 with retinitis pigmentosa with macular degeneration as well as 40 unrelated normal persons. Three exons of the peripherin/RDS gene cut into 150-200 base-pair fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and screened by single-strand conformation polymorphism. The DNA fragments with any suspected variations were directly sequenced. Eight point mutations were detected. Among them, two missense mutations at codons 304 and 338 result in an amino acid substitution of glutamine for glutamic acid and aspartic acid for glycine, respectively. However, they were not cosegregated with the diseases, and these mutations were also commonly found in normal controls. For these controls, the proportion of transversion from G to C at codon 304 (GAG-->CAG) and transition from G to A at codon 338 (GGC-->GAC) were 0.192 +/- 0.045 and 0.173 +/- 0.053, respectively. Our results suggest that a peripherin/RDS gene mutation might be rare in Japanese patients.

White matter changes in the gerbil brain under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

An animal model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was developed with coiled clips applied to both carotid arteries of adult Mongolian gerbils for between 1 week and 2 months. In the brain of this animal model, rarefaction of white matter with dilatation of the ventricles was frequently observed. To better understand the mechanism of white matter alteration under cerebral hypoperfusion, the chronological sequence of molecular changes in the cerebral white matter of the animal model was determined.

METHODS

Specially designed coiled clips were placed around both carotid arteries of Mongolian gerbils to create stenosis without occlusion. Changes in levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) as a marker of myelin, neurofilament H (NFH) as a marker of axonal proteins, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astroglia after 2 months of cerebral hypoperfusion were analyzed with Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Western blotting of the white matter after 2 months of hypoperfusion showed that the levels of MBP and NFH decreased, whereas that of GFAP increased. The time course of MBP and NFH changes determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the change of MBP preceded that of NFH.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study it was shown that the damage to myelin precedes that to the axon in the white matter in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion animal model, suggesting that the change in myelin is the primary pathological event in the cerebral white matter under chronic hypoperfusion. The present study may help in understanding the mechanisms of white matter pathology in leukoaraiosis.

Effects of the antihypertensive drug efonidipine hydrochloride on albuminuria and renal histopathology in young spontaneously hypertensive rats with diabetes

1. We investigated the renal protective effect of efonidipine hydrochloride (efonidipine, NZ-105) in STZ-induced spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, 8 weeks of age). Diabetic SHRs were treated with 15 mg/kg/day of efonidipine for 12 weeks. 2. The dosage of efonidipine was chosen after preliminary studies demonstrated that it showed mild antihypertensive action (within 20% decrease of systemic blood pressure). 3. In the diabetic SHRs, the excretion of urinary albumin was increased (1.78 +/- 0.09 mg/day) at 4 weeks and reached 4.41 +/- 0.12 mg/day at 12 weeks. The levels of urinary albumin in the diabetic SHRs after treatment with efonidipine were significantly less than those in the diabetic SHRs at 8 and 12 weeks (P < 0.01). 4. Levels of creatinine clearance were decreased in the diabetic SHRs after treatment with efonidipine. 5. In light microscopy, the ratio of glomerular tuft to Bowman's areas was significantly decreased compared with those in the diabetic SHRs (P < 0.05). 6. These findings suggest that efonidipine inhibits the development of albuminuria and glomerular enlargement in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic SHRs and may become a useful antihypertensive drug with a renal protective effect.

Domain- and site-specific phosphorylation of bovine NF-L by Rho-associated kinase

Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), the putative target of the small GTP-binding protein Rho, phosphorylated neurofilament protein (NF-L) in vitro with approximately 1 mole phosphate per mole NF-L. Phosphorylated NF-L no longer formed the 10 nm filaments, and NF-L filaments were phosphorylated with a result of nearly complete disassembly. NF-L phosphorylated by Rho-kinase was digested with trypsin, and digested fragments were assigned by MALDI/TOF. Unique phosphorylation sites were found at Ser-26 and Ser-57 in the head domain of NF-L. These results indicate that domain- and site-specific phosphorylation by Rho-kinase may regulate the assembly-disassembly of NF-L filaments.

Establishment of a mouse clonal early proximal tubule cell line and outer medullary collecting duct cells expressing P2 purinoceptors

The purpose of this study was to establish tubule cells expressing P2 purinoceptors. Use of the polymerase chain reaction coupled with reverse transcription showed that mouse clonal early proximal tubule (S1) cell line (NF-5) and outer medullary collecting tubule (OMCT) cells expressed mRNA for P2X4, P2Y1 and P2Y2 purinoceptors. ATP and its analogues induced a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in both NF-5 and OMCT cells. ATP enhanced [3H]-thymidine uptake by both NF-5 and OMCT cells in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, NF-5 and OMCT cells can be used in the further analysis of the function and regulation of activity and expression of P2 purinoceptors in the renal tubule.

Basic and clinical studies on the measurement of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid as a biological marker for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders: multicenter study in Japan

The development of a diagnostic marker for earlier and more accurate clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential to identify AD patients during life unequivocally. The purpose of this study was to investigate the basic performance and clinical significance of tau level measurement in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed by Innogenetics. The ELISA system showed reliable reproducibility and good linearity. For clinical studies, the CSF samples from a variety of patients (n = 332) were examined. They were classified into the four groups: Alzheimer's disease (AD); neurodegenerative disease (ND); cerebrovascular diseases (VD); and a neurological control (NC) group. The CSF-tau levels for AD, ND, VD and NC were 426 +/- 234 pg/ml, 239 +/- 157 pg/ml, 216 +/- 136 pg/ml, and 188 +/- 103 pg/ml, respectively. The CSF-tau level of the AD group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (p < 0.001). The CSF-tau levels increased during follow-up. The measurement of the tau level in CSF is shown to be a useful marker to confirm a clinical diagnosis of AD.

Malignant lymphoma of the gingiva: MR evaluation

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to document the MR imaging findings of malignant lymphoma of the gingiva.

METHODS

Five patients with histologically proved malignant lymphoma of the gingiva were studied by MR imaging. The MR images were analyzed for tumor size, extent, and signal characteristics, bone involvement, and associated cervical lymph node enlargement.

RESULTS

Clinical examination tended to underestimate the size of lymphomatous lesions. The signal intensity of the lesions was isointense to hyperintense relative to muscle on noncontrast T1-weighted images and showed variable contrast enhancement patterns. On T2-weighted images, signal intensity was isointense to hypointense relative to the oral mucosa. In one case, the mass extended to the submandibular space; in the remaining cases, the masses were limited to the gingiva and the adjacent bone. MR imaging revealed that gingival lymphomatous masses were broad-based along the mandible or maxilla and eroded through the cortex into the marrow space, but the cortex was still recognizable. No nodal involvement was noted in any of the patients with malignant lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

The signal characteristics of gingival lymphoma overlap those of other tumors. The cortex separating marrow involvement from the broad-based gingival mass generally appears to be permeated with small erosions but is still recognizable.

Distinct interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme family proteases mediate cisplatin- and staurosporine-induced apoptosis of mouse proximal tubule cells

Interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) family proteases (caspases) are known to be implicated as important effectors of apoptotic pathways. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of ICE family proteases in apoptosis of mouse cells derived from the terminal proximal tubule (S3) treated with cisplatin, an anti-tumor drug, or staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. For this purpose, we measured the activities of ICE family proteases and examined the effects of tetrapeptide and viral ICE family protease inhibitors on the activities of ICE family proteases in and the degree of apoptosis of S3 cells treated with cisplatin and staurosporine. RT-PCR analysis revealed that S3 cells as well as mouse kidney express mRNA for ICE and CPP32, an ICE family protease. Results of enzymatic analysis, determination the degree of DNA fragmentation and cytotoxicity test suggest that CPP32 mediates cisplatin-induced apoptosis of S3 cells, whereas ICE family proteases other than CPP32 mediate staurosporine-induced apoptosis of S3 cells. In conclusion, distinct ICE family proteases mediate apoptosis of mouse proximal tubule cells depending on the stimuli to which the cells are exposed.

Aberrant muscle activation in patients after resection of non-primary motor areas: demonstration by surface electromyography

Two patients presented with a tumor involving mainly the supplementary motor area or the premotor cortex. Shortly after tumor resection, each developed transient impairment of voluntary movements. An electromyogram, with the skin electrodes placed over the muscles of the upper arms and forearms, demonstrated aberrant ipsilateral, contralateral or bilateral muscle activation during unilateral motor tasks in both patients. The bilateral activation was more prominent in the patient who had an intact dominant hemisphere. The present study suggests for the first time the importance of non-primary motor areas of the human brain in activating the proper set of muscles on the proper side of the body.

Learning curve and conversion to open surgery in cases of laparoscopic adrenalectomy and nephrectomy

PURPOSE

We examine how the level of experience acquired by the laparoscopist affects the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy and nephrectomy, and what is necessary to avoid complications in these surgeries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the experience levels of 8 urological laparoscopists between 1991 and 1995. In addition, other cases that were converted to open surgery were collected from the institutes with which the 8 laparoscopists were affiliated.

RESULTS

The rates of conversion to open surgery were 6.4% in 204 cases of adrenalectomy and 14.3% in 63 of nephrectomy. Conversion rates were related to blood loss volume but not operative time. The major causes of conversion were bleeding in 45% of cases and adhesion in 34%. There were no mortalities. Mean operative time decreased significantly, reaching that of open surgery as the number of procedures increased up to 20 adrenalectomies and 10 nephrectomies. The volume of blood lost remained low from the early experience. Blood transfusion rates were 4.4% for adrenalectomy and 11.1% for nephrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative time of these procedures decreased significantly with surgeon experience and reached that of open surgery. Cases in which adhesion is anticipated should be restricted to avoid conversion. These laparoscopic procedures are acceptable as a standard operative techniques for adrenal and renal diseases.

C-Fos-like immunoreactivity in the upper cervical spinal dorsal horn neurons following noxious chemical stimulation of the nasal mucosa in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats

Noxious chemical stimulation of the rat nasal mucosa with mustard oil induces the expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity in trigeminal and other brain stem neurons which contribute to upper airway protective reflexes such as sneezing, coughing and apnea. To examine the role of nociceptive processing in the upper cervical spinal cord, we investigated the Fos-like immunoreactivity of the brainstem and upper cervical spinal cord following the injection of mustard oil (10 microl of 10%) into the nasal mucosa of pentobarbital anesthetized rats. Two hours after the application of mustard oil, numerous Fos-immunoreactive neurons were found in the mediolateral end of the C1 and dorsolateral division of the C2. The mean numbers of the Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the laminae I and II of the ipsilateral first and second spinal segments were significantly greater than in the control (vehicle treated) rats. There were no significant differences in the mean number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the contralateral C1 between the mustard oil and vehicle-treated rats. These results suggest that the C1-C2 dorsal horn neurons process the nociceptive information from nasal mucosa as well as other areas innervated by the trigeminal nerves, and that ethmoidal nerves may contribute to the exclusive conveyance of nociceptive information.

Alzheimer-associated presenilin-1 gene is induced in gerbil hippocampus after transient ischemia

To investigate the biological roles of the presenilin-1 (PS-1) gene after neuronal injury, the changes of PS-1 mRNA expression in the gerbil hippocampus after transient ischemia were examined. From 1 day to 3 day-reperfusion after 5 min-ischemia, PS-1 mRNA was induced in the hippocampus compared with the sham-operated control. The cells which induced the PS-1 genes were neurons of CA3 and dentate gyrus, the region relatively resistant to ischemic stress. These findings suggest that the induction of PS-1 genes may be associated with some responses of neurons damaged by transient ischemia.

Increased tau protein level in postmortem cerebrospinal fluid

Microtubule-associated protein tau has been reported to be significantly increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), which suggests that it is possibly a biological marker for the diagnosis of AD. The underlying mechanism of the increased tau level in CSF, however, is not known. In this study, the tau levels were compared between antemortem and postmortem CSF. The postmortem tau levels in CSF were significantly increased in all groups including AD, neurological control, and nondemented control. A striking elevation of CSF tau was observed during the postmortem change with the nondemented subjects. These findings may offer some insight into the understanding of the mechanism of the increased tau level in CSF with AD and other related disorders.

Involvement of macromolecule synthesis, endonuclease activation and c-fos expression in cisplatin-induced apoptosis of mouse proximal tubule cells

We have previously demonstrated that cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is associated with the induction of apoptosis using mouse renal cells derived from the terminal proximal tubule (S3) which is the major target site of cisplatin-induced injury. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the intracellular mechanisms leading to the cisplatin-induced apoptosis of S3 cells. Actinomycin D (an inhibitor of RNA synthesis), cycloheximide (an inhibitor of protein synthesis) and aurintricarboxylic acid (an endonuclease inhibitor) reduced the extent of DNA fragmentation, a biochemical parameter of apoptosis, in cisplatin-treated S3 cells. Furthermore, cisplatin-induced apoptosis of S3 cells was accompanied by an increase in the level of c-fos mRNA expression, which is inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with actinomycin D, but not with cycloheximide or aurintricarboxylic acid. In contrast, outer medullary collecting duct cells treated with cisplatin exhibited morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis and an increase in the level of c-fos mRNA expression, but no increase in the extent of DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, the synthesis of macromolecules such as RNA and protein, endonuclease activation and c-fos expression appear to be involved in the intracellular pathways leading to the induction of apoptosis in cisplatin-treated S3 cells. In addition, the response to cisplatin may be different in different cells.

Gain-of-function mutations of c-kit in human gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors in the human digestive tract, but their molecular etiology and cellular origin are unknown. Sequencing of c-kit complementary DNA, which encodes a proto-oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT), from five GISTs revealed mutations in the region between the transmembrane and tyrosine kinase domains. All of the corresponding mutant KIT proteins were constitutively activated without the KIT ligand, stem cell factor (SCF). Stable transfection of the mutant c-kit complementary DNAs induced malignant transformation of Ba/F3 murine lymphoid cells, suggesting that the mutations contribute to tumor development. GISTs may originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) because the development of ICCs is dependent on the SCF-KIT interaction and because, like GISTs, these cells express both KIT and CD34.

Effects of NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists on the medullary inspiratory neuronal activity during spontaneous augmented breaths in anesthetized rats

To elucidate whether there is a difference between the effects of iontophoretically applied N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor antagonists on the activity of inspiratory neurons during spontaneous augmented breaths, extracellular single unit recording of inspiratory neurons (I-augmenting, I-decrementing and I-other) was performed in pentobarbital anesthetized rats. The spontaneous augmented breath was divided into two different phases; the first phase (phase I) resembled a normal inspiration, but the second phase (phase II) consisted of a marked increase in diaphragm electromyogram activity. The mean firing frequency of I-aug type neurons was significantly decreased after 50 nA application of both D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5) (NMDA receptor antagonist) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) (non-NMDA receptor antagonist). The mean firing frequency of both I-dec and I-other neurons was significantly decreased by both AP-5 and CNQX applications (70 nA). After AP-5 application, relative changes in the discharge rates during inspiratory phases I and II of spontaneous augmented breaths were significantly suppressed in all types of neurons, but CNQX application had no significant effect on the response changes during phase II. In all cell types of neurons, a significant difference between the iontophoretic AP-5 and CNQX applications in the relative mean firing rate was observed. These results suggested that activation of the NMDA receptor-induced neurotransmission can modify the discharge rate of medullary inspiratory neurons, irrespective of the cell types, during the inspiratory phase II of spontaneous augmented breaths, but that non-NMDA receptor blockade may not significantly influence their discharge rate.

Involvement of H2O2 production in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the involvement of H2O2 production in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The S3 cells were more sensitive than OMCT cells in cell viability and H2O2 production during cisplatin treatment. The cytotoxicity and H2O2 production induced by cisplatin were terminated by treatment with catalase. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of the hydroxy radical in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

Viability and function of human sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation

OBJECTIVE

To assess the viability and function of human sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation.

DESIGN

Prospective comparative study.

SETTING

Andrology laboratory of our hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Ten semen samples obtained from patients attending our infertility clinic.

INTERVENTION(S)

Ejaculated sperm were washed using the electrolyte-free Percoll gradient and were then preserved in 0.33 M glucose solution, 0.16 M NaCl solution, 0.16 M KCl solution at 4 degrees C for 4 weeks. As a control, TEST (TES and Tris) yolk buffer (TYB) was added to the ejaculated semen and preserved at 4 degrees C.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Sperm tail morphology, motility, viability (eosin-Y stain), and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were analyzed.

RESULT(S)

The number of sperm with normal tail form and the motility of sperm preserved in glucose solution (electrolyte-free cold preservation) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher for 4 weeks than those of sperm preserved in the other three media. The sperm viability in glucose solution was 75.5%, 65.4%, and 51.3%, after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, respectively. The ATP concentration after 1, 2, and 4 weeks remained 64.2%, 53.0%, and 4.3% of the prestorage value, respectively, in the sperm stored in glucose solution.

CONCLUSION(S)

The morphology, motility, viability, and ATP concentration of sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation were substantially better than those in NaCl solution, KCl solution, or TYB for 2 weeks.

Enhanced expression in seminoma of human zinc finger genes located on chromosome 19

Six Krüppel-type zinc finger (ZF) genes were cloned from a seminoma cDNA library. One, ZFS-1, showed high sequence homology to the ZNF91 KRAB (Krüppel-associated box) ZF gene family and also the same chromosomal assignment. Interestingly, Northern blot analyses using ZFS-1 and ZNF91 revealed that multiple ZF genes on chromosome 19 were predominantly expressed in seminomas. In addition, the testis and the seminoma showed specific expression of 2.3 kb transcript. Our results suggest that ZF genes on chromosome 19 may be implicated in the development and/or growth of seminomas.

Vaginal stone in a male patient with true hermaphroditism

A 31-year-old male with true hermaphroditism and a 46, XX karyotype who underwent gonadectomy and extirpation of the internal sex organs at the age of 4 had a large stone 4 cm in diameter in the residual male vagina. He complained of pain on micturition, hematuria, and rectal pressure. Urethroscopy and retrograde urethrography disclosed an ostium of the male vagina in the prostatic urethra, and an impacted intravaginal stone. Transurethral electrohydraulic lithotripsy was performed. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and transurethral lithotripsy were performed for the residual stones. All stones and fragments were spontaneously passed. The stone was composed of calcium phosphate and ammonium acid urate.

Dantrolene sodium reverses the increase in cAMP response element and TPA responsive element DNA-binding activity in the rabbit brain following haloperidol administration and heat stress

Using electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (EMSA), we examined DNA-binding activity of cAMP response element (CRE), onto its responsive element CRE, as well as TPA responsive element (TRE) in the medial hypothalamus and striatum of the experimental rabbits administered with haloperidol under heat stress exposure and studied the effects of dantrolene sodium to the transcriptional factor. In EMSA with nuclear extracts from the rabbit brain, the DNA-binding activities of CRE and TRE in medial hypothalamus and striatum increased following haloperidol and heat stress. These increases were maintained by coadministration with atropine. The treatment with dantrolene sodium markedly reversed such increases. The alterations of activities of these transcriptional factors may reflect the therapeutic effect of dantrolene sodium.