Inhibitory effect of beta-glucosyl-phenolic hydroxamic acids against urease in the presence of microfloral beta-glucosidase

Three glucosyl-phenolic hydroxamates, 4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) benzohydroxamic acid, 4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)hippuric hydroxamic acid, and 3-[4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)phenyl]propionohydroxamic acid (Glc-PPHA), were hydrolyzed to their corresponding aglycones by beta-glucosidase of intestinal flora of rat without any major adverse hydrolysis in vitro. Inhibitory potency of these glucosyl-hydroxamates on urease was recovered to the same extent as that of the corresponding aglycone hydroxamates by preincubation for 2h with rat intestinal flora. p-Hydroxyphenylpropionohydroxamic acid inhibited noncompetitively jack-bean urease activity and its glucose-ligated form, Glc-PPHA inhibited it competitively. A single oral dose of Glc-PPHA tended to inhibit urease activity in proximal colon contents of rat at 6 h after administration (p = 0.06). After 14C-urea was orally administered to rat, 14CO2 was collected for to measure the ureolysis in vivo. Expired 14CO2 was limited to 40% by a single oral dose of Glc-PPHA during 6 h, and 75% of intestinal ureolysis was repressed during the first 1 h in the breath test.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the intestine: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical studies of 39 cases

Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features in 39 cases of primary intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Japanese patients were studied. Only resection materials in state IE and IIE-1 were included in this study because of the certainty that the intestine was the primary site of the lymphoma. The updated Kiel classification was used to classify NHL. Histologically, only two cases (5.1%) were follicular lymphomas, and the others were diffuse lymphomas. Twenty-eight patients (71.8%) had high-grade NHL and 11 (28.2%) had low-grade NHL. Twenty (71.4%) of the 28 high-grade NHL were centroblastic lymphomas, and 14 (70.0%) of these 20 cases of centroblastic lymphoma were the polymorphic variant. Ten (90.9%) of the 11 low-grade NHL were low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. Macroscopically, 18 patients had polypoid masses, 17 ulcerative tumors and four had diffusely infiltrating NHL. Seven of the 10 low-grade MALT lymphomas were polypoid masses. Immunohistochemically, 35 lesions (89.7%) were of the B cell phenotype and three (7.7%) were of the T cell phenotype. In the remaining case, the cell lineage could not be determined. No lesions were considered to be of histiocytic origin. The 5 year survival rate for high-grade B cell lymphomas was poorer than for low-grade B cell lymphomas, and the present study indicated that the histological grade of the intestinal B cell lymphomas was a prognostically significant factor.

Activity in the human primary motor cortex related to arm and finger movements

With the purpose of mapping representations of the finger and proximal arm in the human primary motor cortex (MI), we measured regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in eight right-handed normal volunteers during self-paced finger and proximal arm movements. Each movement activated two different fields in MI, one located deep in the anterior lip of the central sulcus and the other relatively close to the surface of the precentral gyrus. Arm fields were located higher than finger fields. A superficial arm field and a deep finger field partially, overlapped. The results indicate that there are two spatially separate motor representations of the finger and proximal arm in the human MI.

Diol-bonded silica gel as a restricted access packing forming a binary-layered phase for direct injection of serum for the determination of drugs

Direct serum injection for drug determinations can be achieved on a diol-bonded silica gel as a restricted access packing. The diol-bonded phase, 3-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)propylsilylsilica, contains two different functions, a hydrophilic function at the tip of the single chemical bond and a hydrophobic function on the inside part of the bond to form a "binary-layered phase" on the support surface. Proteins, as large molecules, contact only the hydrophilic surface of the diol phase, and they are eluted at the solvent front based on size-exclusion chromatography. On the other hand, small molecules such as synthetic drugs are retained on the internal hydrophobic function and separate based on reversed-phase chromatography. Accordingly, the diol-bonded silica gel performs as a restricted access packing for direct serum injection for the determination of relatively hydrophobic drugs.

A high-resolution cytogenetic map of human chromosome 2: localization of 434 cosmid markers by direct R-banding fluorescence in situ hybridization

We have constructed a high-resolution cytogenetic map of human chromosome 2 with 434 newly isolated cosmid markers by means of direct R-banding fluorescence in situ hybridization. Two markers were mapped to the centromeric region, 173 to the short arm, and 259 to the long arm. The clones were evenly distributed along the entire chromosome, although a tendency toward clustering in R-positive bands was observed. The mapped cosmids provide useful landmarks for construction of a contig map and for positional cloning of cancer-associated genes, as well as genes responsible for hereditary diseases.

Inhibition of hepatic regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy by simultaneous resection of the bowel in rats

This study was aimed to evaluate bow simultaneous resection of the bowel influences hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy (HTX). Two hundred and sixty-four rats underwent 70% partial HTX, ileocecal resection (ICR), transverse colon resection (TR), colon amputation and simulatenous resection of the liver and the bowel (HTX+ICR, HTX+TR). Hepatic DNA synthesis was remarkably suppressed by simultaneous resection compared with the 70% HTX group (p < 0.01). In simultaneous resection groups, delayed enhanced hepatic protein synthesis (HPS) was observed after the operation as compared with the 70% HTX group, which showed an early postoperative peak of HPS. Postoperative anastomosis leakage occurred more frequently and survival rates were significantly lower in simultaneous resection groups. Higher plasma endotoxin levels of the portal and the peripheral veins were found in simultaneous resection groups as compared with other groups (p < 0.01-0.001). This study suggested that simultaneous resection of the bowel with partial HTX might inhibit hepatic regeneration and result in the increased risk of anastomosis leakage and high surgical mortality rate by increased plasma endotoxin levels and delayed enhanced HPS.

Relationship between lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and pregnancy-induced hypertension

Lupus anticoagulant (LAC), a serum antiphospholipid autoantibody, is believed to be one of the causes of infertility or fetal loss. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of LAC in the pathogenesis of hypertension during pregnancy. In this study, 20 pregnant women with hypertension were classified into two groups: 14 patients who did not have hypertension before the pregnancy but developed it during the pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension; Group A) and 6 patients who had hypertensive or renal disease before the pregnancy, and developed further hypertension during the pregnancy (pregnancy-aggravated hypertension; Group B). A LAC coagulation assay was performed, and the presence of LAC in each group was compared. All 14 patients in group A were LAC-negative. In contrast, 3 of the 6 patients in group B were LAC-positive, and had clinical autoimmune diseases. The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension was also examined in 15 pregnancies from 9 LAC-positive women who had a history of repeated fetal loss but no systemic autoimmune disease (Group C). None of these 15 pregnancies had hypertensive complications, even when they reached term. In the placentas of LAC-positive women, no characteristic changes other than fibrinoid degeneration and microscopic infarction were observed upon histological examination. These results suggest that LAC does not relate with the onset of hypertension during pregnancy.

Molecular biology and biochemistry of natriuretic peptide family

The natriuretic peptide family consists of three endogenous ligands; atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis. Both ANP and BNP act mainly as cardiac hormones and are produced predominantly by the atrium and ventricle, respectively. Expression of the BNP and ANP genes is greatly augmented in patients with congestive heart failure and animal models of ventricular hypertrophy or cardiomyopathy. In the heart, the BNP gene expression is regulated differently from the ANP gene expression both at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Transgenic technology has provided the direct evidence that BNP as well as ANP is involved in the chronic blood pressure control. Contrasting with ANP and BNP, CNP does not act as a cardiac hormone but as a neuropeptide or an endothelium-derived autocrine/paracrine regulator. Endothelial production of CNP is remarkably augmented by various cytokines and growth factors such as transforming growth factor-beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, suggesting the pathophysiological significance of CNP in the process of various vascular disorders. Chromosomal mapping of natriuretic peptides has revealed that the CNP gene is localized on mouse chromosome 1, while ANP and BNP are tightly linked on mouse chromosome 4, suggesting that CNP, a local regulator, is functionally and evolutionarily distinct from ANP and BNP, both of which are cardiac hormones. Understanding the molecular biology and biochemistry of the natriuretic peptide family will lead to the better understanding of its physiological and pathophysiological implication, and the clinical application in cardiorenal regulation.

Activation of phospholipase D in cultured human amnion cells

The regulation of phospholipase D (PLD) activity in the human amniotic membrane was examined using primary cultures of amnion cells. Cultured amnion cells were labelled with [3H]oleic acid, and PLD activity was determined as the amount of [3H]phosphatidylethanol (PEt) produced during incubation in the presence of 0.1% ethanol. PLD activity in cultured amnion cells was activated by addition of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin. PLD activity was also stimulated by treatment was arachidonic acid, the product of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and phospholipase C (PLC). These results indicate that PLD in amnion cells is activated by substances present in amniotic fluid, and that cross-talk between phospholipases A2, C and D may occur in amnion cells.

Photic stimulation study of changing the arterial partial pressure level of carbon dioxide

To investigate the effect of the level of baseline cerebral blood flow (CBF) on local CBF augmentation by activation, we have used positron emission tomography to measure regional CBF (rCBF) in 12 normal volunteers with and without photic stimulation during hypocapnia, normocapnia, and hypercapnia. The increase in rCBF in the primary visual cortex by photic stimulation was 10.8 +/- 3.1, 18.6 +/- 9.3, and 19.5 +/- 6.1 ml 100 ml-1 min-1 in hypo-, normo-, and hypercapnia, respectively. The increase was significantly smaller in hypocapnia than in normocapnia (p < 0.005). The fractional CBF increase caused by the photic stimulation was the same in all breathing conditions. This result indicates that the magnitude of the CBF increase induced by neuronal activity correlates proportionally with the level of baseline CBF.

Efficacy of lansoprazole and amoxicillin in eradicating Helicobacter pylori: evaluation using 13C-UBT and Monoclonal H. pylori antibody testing

Combination therapy with lansoprazole (LPZ) and amoxicillin (AMPC) was administered to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. Changes in eradication rates were monitored and serum antibody titers, levels of pepsinogens I and II (PI and PII), and gastrin were measured. The 40 subjects were divided into two groups: one group received LPZ 30 mg alone, and the other received LPZ 30 mg and AMPC 1,500 mg concomitantly. AMPC was administered for 2 weeks before completion of LPZ treatment. Maintenance therapy was cimetidine 400 mg. The presence of H. pylori was evaluated using the urea breath test (UBT). The clearance rate was 12.5% and the eradication rate was 0% in the LPZ group, and the corresponding rates in the LPZ with AMPC group were 41.6 and 25.0%, respectively. Serum monoclonal H. pylori antibody titers decreased in patients in whom bacterial eradication had been achieved. Serum PI was significantly reduced in those patients in whom eradication had been achieved. Serum PII and gastrin levels also tended to decrease in patients in whom eradication had been achieved, but no such changes were observed in the other patients. Further research into drug treatment and evaluation methods for bacterial eradication is required.

Endothelin receptors in the human amnion, chorion laeve, decidua vera and placenta

The levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the characteristics of endothelin (ET) receptors were investigated in the amnion, chorion laeve, decidua vera and placenta by using a specific radioimmunoassay for ET-1 and a saturation binding assay for ET. ET receptor gene expression in these tissues was also examined by Northern blot analysis. The levels of ET-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-1-LI) in the human amnion, chorion laeve, decidua vera and placenta obtained at elective Caesarean section before labour onset at term (mean +/- s.e.m.) were 1260 +/- 380 (n = 6), 3740 +/- 980 (n = 4), 4550 +/- 780 (n = 4) and 2450 +/- 470 (n = 4) pg g-1 wet weight, respectively. The levels of ET-1-LI in the tissues obtained after spontaneous vaginal deliveries at term did not differ from these. Gel-permeation chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the ET-1-LI in these tissues was mainly composed of ET-1. Scatchard analysis of the saturation binding assay for [125I]-labelled ET-1 and [125I]-labelled ET-3 indicated that high concentrations of both ET-A and ET-B subtypes of receptor were present in membrane fractions from the chorion laeve, decidua vera and placenta. However, in membrane fractions from the amnion, no ET receptors could be detected. These results were confirmed by Northern blot analysis using human ET-A and ET-B receptor cDNA probes. Taken together, these results suggest that the amnion is not the site of action of amniotic ET, and that ET may be involved in the regulation of functions of the chorion laeve or decidua vera.

Umbilical venous guanosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cGMP) concentration increases in asphyxiated newborns

Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cGMP) is known to be the second messenger of natriuretic peptides and nitric oxide (NO). To investigate the involvement of natriuretic peptides in the regulation of the feto-placental circulation, specific radioimmunoassays were used to measure the concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cGMP in the umbilical venous plasma of normal and asphyxiated newborns. The plasma concentrations of ANP, BNP and cGMP in asphyxiated newborns were 48.3 +/- 12.9 pm, 24.5 +/- 9.4 pm and 4.4 +/- 1.6 nM (mean +/- s.e.m., n = 10), respectively. These values were significantly higher than those in the normal newborns (17.4 +/- 1.9 pm, 4.7 +/- 1.0 pm, and 0.78 +/- 0.14 nM, respectively). Moreover, the expression of both ANP-A and ANP-B receptor, biologically active receptors for natriuretic peptides, was detected in term human placenta by Northern bolt analysis. The expression of natriuretic peptide receptors was further confirmed by binding assay using [125I]-labelled ANP and solubilized crude membrane preparations of placental tissue. These findings suggest that cGMP is produced in the placenta, at least partly, by the action of ANP and BNP secreted from fetal heart, in pathophysiological conditions such as fetal hypoxia.

A 10-year survivor with unresectable hepatic metastases from sigmoid colon carcinoma treated with regional chemotherapy

We treated a man with unresectable hepatic metastases from sigmoid colon carcinoma who has since survived for more than 10 years. A sigmoidectomy with lymph node dissection was performed and a continuous hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with intermittent infusion of mitomycin C (MMC) was administered for about 3 months after this operation. The total doses of 5-FU and MMC were 16 g and 84 mg, respectively. Tegafur also was administered orally at a dose of 600 mg/day for about 8 months. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (which had reached 4,409 ng/ml preoperatively) normalized 4 months after surgery, and still remains normal. Very few patients with unresectable hepatic metastases survive for 5 or more years. However, regional chemotherapy can be effective in some patients.

Muscle activation in the elbow-forearm complex during rapid elbow extension

Normal human subjects performed extensions of the elbow from an initial position to a visually defined target as rapidly and accurately as possible at different angular amplitudes (9 degrees-54 degrees) and at a constant amplitude (36 degrees) under various additional instructions. Joint angle, angular acceleration, and electromyograms (EMGs) from agonist (triceps lateralis), antagonist (biceps), and antebrachial muscles were recorded. EMGs of the antagonistic muscles showed reciprocal activation of the first triceps, and then the biceps, which was followed by the second triceps activation and coactivation of both muscles. Movement amplitude changed the reciprocal activation, whereas the coactivation was unaltered. Additional instructions changed the coactivation in amplitude, initiation, and termination, whereas the reciprocal activation was relatively preserved. Under these conditions, EMGs of antebrachial muscles were always linked with the coactivation in amplitude and timing but not with the reciprocal activation. The linkage suggests that antebrachial muscle activation serves as an indicator of the coactivation. From the indicator, we infer that the coactivation initiates from the beginning of the rapid movements and changes during the dynamic movement phase.

Causative allergens of allergic rhinitis in Japan with special reference to silkworm moth allergen

To determine the importance of silkworm moth allergens, we tested 267 patients with allergic rhinitis with CAP-RAST, a new assay system for detecting specific IgE in sera. We used the following allergen sources: house-dust mite, Candida, Alternaria, cat dander, orchard grass, ragweed, mugwort, Japanese hops, Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, cotton, silk, larval chironomid midge, adult chironomid midge, and silkworm moth. As expected, the highest positive rate of reaction, as determined by CAP-RAST, was 73.8% for Japanese cedar, followed by 53.2% for mite and 50.6% for Japanese cypress. Although the positive rate for silkworm moth was not as high as for cedar pollen, one-third of patients had specific IgE against silkworm moth. The positive rate of reaction to silkworm moth was much higher than that to chironomid. It was interesting to note that the patients reported had not been documented as having frequent contact with silkworm moth allergen. Correlations between silkworm moth and silk, and silkworm moth and chironomid midge were found to be significant (P < 0.001). Silkworm moth allergen showed the third highest reaction rate in patients with severe symptoms. These results suggest that silkworm moth allergen should be considered to be important in patients with allergic rhinitis in Japan.

Sequencing of cDNAs encoding alpha 1-microglobulin/bikunin of Mongolian gerbil and Syrian golden hamster in comparison with man and other species

Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1mG)/bikunin, also known as inter-alpha-inhibitor (I alpha I) light chain, were cloned from liver extracts of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, and the Syrian golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. From the deduced amino-acid sequences of alpha 1mG/bikunin of gerbil and hamster, the basic molecular structure of the proteins seemed to be well-conserved. However, near the proposed sequence of proteinase inhibitory sites of two Kunitz domains in the bikunin part, variable regions composed of three amino acids each were observed between species, including rodents. Since the second half of bikunin is genetically identical with the mast cell proteinase inhibitor, trypstatin, the bikunin of each animal may have distinct inhibitory activity against mast cell proteinases.

Regulation of 60-kDa heat shock protein expression by systemic stress and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat colonic mucosa

Bowel dysfunction such as irritable bowel syndrome caused by stress is well described. Previous reports suggest that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) mediates alteration of bowel motility. In this study, the effects of water-immersion stress and the administration of 5-HT on the expression of a 60-kDa heat shock protein (HSP60) in rat colonic mucosa were investigated. The effect of YM-060, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, on the expression of this protein was also studied. Water-immersion stress and the administration of 5-HT induced synthesis of HSP60 in rat colonic mucosa. The induction of HSP60 and the number of defecations were clearly inhibited by the oral administration of YM-060. Our results suggest that the induction of HSP60 in rat colonic mucosa by water-immersion stress may be associated with gastrointestinal motility mediated by 5-HT, especially via 5-HT3 receptors.

[Asymptomatic pheochromocytoma: a report of three cases]

We present three cases of asymptomatic pheochromocytoma treated at Sumitomo Hospital. They had no hypertensive episode. The tumors of Case 1 and Case 3 were incidentally detected by abdominal ultrasonography at the Health Screening Center of Sumitomo Hospital. The tumor of Case 2 was incidentally detected by abdominal ultrasonography in the health examination of his company. Case 1. A 49-year-old male was hospitalized in Apr. 1992 because of further examination of a right adrenal mass. He underwent right adrenalectomy and its histological examination revealed pheochromocytoma. Case 2. A 45-year-old male was referred to our department for further examination of a left adrenal mass in Aug. 1993. On admission, endocrinological examination was almost normal. He underwent surgical removal of the tumor and its histological examination revealed pheochromocytoma. During the operation, blood pressure and pulse rate were almost unchanged. Case 3. A 51-year-old female was hospitalized in Oct. 1993 because of further examination of a left retroperitoneal mass. She underwent surgical removal of the tumor and its histological examination showed paraganglioma.

Quantitative mapping of regional cerebral blood flow using iodine-123-IMP and SPECT

A method was developed to calculate functional images of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) from a single scan using SPECT following intravenous 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP) infusion.

METHODS

A two-compartment model that includes two parameters of rCBF and regional distribution volume of IMP (Vd) was employed to correct for clearance of IMP from the brain. Using a given input function and a fixed Vd value (30 ml/ml according to an analysis on dynamic SPECT data), a unique value of rCBF was calculated for each pixel of the SPECT image according to the table-look-up procedure. This technique was applied to 15 human subjects, and the calculated rCBF values were compared with those measured by PET.

RESULTS

A set of simulation studies demonstrated an optimal SPECT midscan time at 30 to 40 min postinjection of IMP, providing the minimal error sensitivity to the individual difference of the input function (rCBF values with an accuracy of +/- 10%). Another set of simulation suggested validity of fixing the Vd values, i.e., errors in calculated rCBF values were around +/- 7% for a change of Vd of +/- 10%. The measured rCBF values obtained from 15 human subjects were independent on the SPECT scan time. The calculated rCBF values also agreed well with those obtained by the nonlinear least-squares fitting analysis that were obtained from the dynamic SPECT scan and the frequent arterial blood sampling and measurement of lipophilic fraction for each sample (0.54 + 0.88x, r = 0.86), suggesting the validity of the simplified procedures in this method.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggested the validity of this method as a clinical tool for quantitative measurement of rCBF.

Natriuretic peptide-potentiating actions of neutral endopeptidase inhibition in rats with experimental heart failure

We developed a rat model of heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI) which preserves responsiveness to exogenously administered natriuretic peptide, and investigated the potentiating action of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition on the renal response to endogenous natriuretic peptide in MI rats, comparing with that in the established cardiac-failing model with arterio-venous fistula (AVF). The endogenous plasma concentration of alpha-rat atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-rANP) in the MI rat was 6.4-fold higher than that in the normal rat, and intravenous infusion of phosphoramidon (165 nmol/min/kg), an NEP inhibitor, induced larger increases in circulating alpha-rANP levels and natriuresis in MI rats than in normal controls. The maximal natriuretic effect of phosphoramidon (165 nmol/min/kg) was equal to that of exogenously administered alpha-rANP (100 pmol/min/kg) in MI rats, whereas plasma alpha-rANP concentration under NEP inhibition was much lower than that after administration of alpha-rANP. The endogenous alpha-rANP levels in AVF rats were as high as those in MI rats. However, the natriuretic effect of phosphoramidon was less in AVF rats than in MI rats, which was consistent with the decreased natriuretic activity observed with administration of exogenous to alpha-rANP in the AVF rat. These results indicate that the natriuretic effect of NEP inhibition is dependent on elevated endogenous alpha-rANP levels in cardiac-failing rats, but cannot be accounted for simply in terms of the increase in circulating alpha-rANP levels. Endogenous natriuretic peptide-mediated natriuresis under NEP inhibition also appears to correlate with the responsiveness to the exogenously administered peptide.