Persistent non-familial asymptomatic hyperphosphatasemia: a report on three cases

Three male children, aged 9 days, 2 years and 13 years, were found to have elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (hyperphosphatasemia) in the absence of disease. In these three cases, elevation of ALP activity had persisted for 6-10 years. These patients did not inherit the disease from their parents. Isoenzyme determination revealed a skeletal origin of the elevated ALP in the three patients. They were diagnosed as having persistent non-familial asymptomatic hyperphosphatasemia (PNAH) which differs from transient and persistent asymptomatic familial hyperphosphatasemia. Reviewing the literature, although the term PNAH had not been used, two similar cases have been reported in a 24-year-old female and in a 27-year-old female. PNAH may be another type of benign hyperphosphatasemia.

Successful alpha-interferon therapy in a child with chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report

We treated a sixteen month old male with chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in whom alpha-interferon (IFN) therapy was effective. He developed ITP which did not respond to various treatments. Six months after admission, we began to treat him with IFN. The patient's platelet count rapidly responded to the therapy and rose above normal range. Serum levels of platelet associated immunoglobulin G (PA-IgG) showed a tendency to decrease with the administration of IFN. After stopping the IFN therapy for a duration of 3 months, the platelet count remained normal. No serious adverse side effects, except transient fever, were observed. From the experience of this case we propose that IFN is one of the therapeutic options for treatment of refractory ITP not only in adults but also in children.

Correlation between inflammatory cellular responses and chemotactic activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following intratracheal instillation of nickel sulfate in rats

In a preceding study, we reported that the numbers of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) following the intratracheal instillation of nickel sulfate (NiSO4) in rats. In the present study, BALF chemotactic activities for both macrophages and PMN were measured to investigate if the increases of these inflammatory cells in BALF depend on increases in chemotactic activities in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the lung. Both the number of PMN and the PMN chemotactic activity peaked at 2 days post-instillation and they were significantly correlated. However, the PMN chemotactic activity was inversely correlated with concentration of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a well-known chemotaxin. Although PMN were not observed in control BALF, LTB4 concentration in the control ELF (ca. 5 x 10(-7) M) was estimated to have a potential to attract PMN chemotactically through a membrane in in vitro migration assay. These results suggest that the presence of LTB4 in ELF itself does not trigger transpulmonary PMN infiltration. The rat BALF were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and PMN chemotactic activity of each fraction was measured. The elution profiles of PMN chemotactic activity showed that there were at least two different chemotaxins in BALF obtained from the NiSO4-exposed rats. Macrophage chemotactic activity in BALF also peaked at 2 days post-instillation. However, the number of macrophages was not significantly correlated with the chemotactic activity for macrophage in BALF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclic hexapeptide endothelin receptor antagonists highly potent for both receptor subtypes ETA and ETB

A cyclic hexapeptide, cyclo(-D-Asp-Trp-Asp-D-Leu-Leu-D-Trp-), designed from cyclo(-D-Glu-Ala-D-alloisoleucyl-Leu-D-Trp-), an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, possessed not only affinity similar to that of BQ-123 for ETA but also higher affinity for ETB than BQ-123. Further modification led to the discovery of cyclo(-D-Asp-Asp(Php)-Asp-D-Thg-Leu-D-Trp-) (Asp(Php): 1-beta-aspartyl-4-phenylpiperazine; Thg: 2-(2-thienyl)glycine) that inhibited [125I]ET-1 binding to the ETA and ETB receptors with IC50 values of 0.082 nM and 120 nM, respectively. Although this compound possesses 1470-fold less affinity for ETB than for ETA, it behaves as a non-selective antagonist that equipotently inhibits vasoconstriction mediated by both receptor subtypes ETA and ETB.

Endothelin-1 analogues substituted at both position 18 and 19: highly potent endothelin antagonists with no selectivity for either receptor subtype ETA or ETB

Novel endothelin-1 (ET-1) analogues which are highly potent endothelin antagonists at both receptor subtype ETA and ETB are reported. The replacement of Asp18 with the Thr18 and of Ile19 with a hydrophobic amino acid whose side-chain branches on the gamma-carbon such as Leu, cyclohexylalanine, and gamma-methylleucine (gamma-MeLeu) resulted in loss of or significantly decreased the biological activity of ET-1, while high affinity for the ETA (IC50 = 0.42-0.70 nM) and ETB (IC50 = 0.17-0.43 nM) receptor was retained. These compounds were shown to have high antagonist activities in ET-1-induced vasoconstriction of porcine coronary artery (pA2 7.4-7.7) and in Sarafotoxin S6c-induced vasoconstriction of rabbit pulmonary artery ([Thr18, gamma-MeLeu19]ET-1: pA2 8.4). Among these compounds, [Thr18, gamma-MeLeu19]ET-1 has the desirable characteristic of possessing no agonist activity at either receptor subtype.

Elevated serum fucose levels in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

We measured serum fucose concentrations in 34 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), 23 with chance proteinuria and/or hematuria (CPH), and 20 healthy children as controls. The serum fucose levels in the patients with INS were significantly elevated at onset (14.0 +/- 3.7 mg/dl, n = 4, p < 0.02), in relapses (19.1 +/- 3.7 mg/dl, n = 10, p < 0.001), and in remission (13.9 +/- 7.0 mg/dl, n = 30, p < 0.01) as compared with CPH patients (10.6 +/- 3.2 mg/dl, n = 23) and controls (9.1 +/- 3.1 mg/dl, n = 20). Those in remission were further divided into 2 groups and the mean fucose concentrations were significantly different in the two remission groups: 20.1 +/- 4.6 mg/dl in 14 patients whose blood samples were taken within one week of remission and 9.0 +/- 2.9 mg/dl in the other 16 patients whose samples were taken at 1 to 6 months of remission. The mean value in the latter remission group was significantly lower in comparison with the former group, but not different from the controls. Gel-chromatography of serum samples from patients with INS revealed a single peak of fucose in the high molecular fraction, and this was also found in the same fractions of serum inhibitor of lymphocyte blastogenesis in INS. We concluded that serum fucose concentrations are elevated in INS patients and that, because of the large molecular weight, the fucose is probably in a form bounded to some glycoproteins in the serum. Considering various reports on fucose, serum fucose may be associated with immunodepression in INS patients.

Design and synthesis of ETA receptor antagonists and study of ETA receptor distribution

Many oligopeptides were designed to find ETA receptor antagonists on the hypothesis that an ETA receptor can recognize two hydrophobic parts of ET-1, i.e., Val-Tyr-Phe and Ile-Ile-Trp, over a short distance. They were synthesized from the benzyl ester of the C-terminal amino acid by stepwise chain elongation using the solution method. The binding affinity of the synthetic peptides to the endothelin receptors was examined in porcine cardiac ventricular muscle membrane for ETA receptor and in bovine whole brain membrane for ETB receptor. Hexamethyleneiminocarbonyl-Leu-trp-ala-beta ala-tyr-phe (TTA-386) was selected as an ETA receptor-selective competitive antagonist to ET-1. It competed against ET-1 at ETA receptor sites and showed one-third the binding affinity of ET-1 for ETA receptor and < 1/10,000 the affinity for ETB receptor. It inhibited the ET-1-induced increase of cytosolic free calcium concentration in A-10 cells. The 125I-labeled hexapeptide (125I-TTA-386) was prepared to distinguish the distribution of ETA receptor from ETB receptor. Scatchard plot analysis of saturation binding of 125I-TTA-386 to porcine cardiac membranes showed the same Bmax value as that of 125I-ET-1. Autoradiographic studies showed that ETA receptors are most abundant in the cardiac muscle, intestine, large bowel, spleen, and testis.

Circadian variation in R-THBP-induced enhancement of the ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine on mice

6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (R-THBP), a co-factor for tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase, induces the enhancement of ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine on mice. In this study, we investigated the circadian variation in the interaction between R-THBP and methamphetamine by changing the time-of-day of both methamphetamine administration and pretreatment with R-THBP. The mouse's ambulatory activity was measured by a tilting-type activity cage for 4 hr. In the daytime, but not in the nighttime, the ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine (1 and 2 mg/kg, s.c.) was significantly enhanced by the pretreatment with R-THBP (100 mg/kg, s.c., 2 or 6 hr before). These data indicate the possibility that peripherally administered R-THBP increases the biosynthesis of catecholamine especially in the daytime.

Heat treatment of Japanese lacquerware renders it hypoallergenic

Japanese lacquer is made from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum), a member of the Anacardiacae plant family. Objects painted with this material are described collectively as lacquerware. Both fresh lacquer and lacquerware may evoke allergic contact reactions ascribable to the urushiols contained therein. In this study, we have examined the effects of heating on the ability of lacquerware to elicit an allergic contact reaction. Lacquer films prepared with and without heat treatment were tested on urushiol-sensitive subjects. Patch test reactions were strongest to untreated film and decreased with increasing level of heat treatment. Assays for free urushiol in the lacquer films demonstrated that free urushiol content decreased with increasing heat treatment and that urushiols with saturated and monounsaturated alk(en)yl chains predominated.

Fine structure of the dorsal epithelium of the tongue of the Japanese terrapin, Clemmys japonica (Cheloia, Emydinae)

As reptiles are situated phylogenetically between the amphibians and the mammals, they exhibit considerable variation in the structure of their tongues. The present study, one of a series of studies on reptile tongues, aims to demonstrate the three-dimensional structure of the dorsal lingual surface of a turtle, the Japanese terrapin Clemmys japonica, and to clarify the ultrastructural features of the lingual epithelial cells. In the study lingual papillae were observed by scanning electron microscopy to be widely distributed over the dorsal surface of the tongue. Irregularly shaped (conical, columnar or angular) papillae were located in the anterior and central areas, and ridge-like ones, in the latero-posterior area. Histological examination revealed that the connective tissue penetrated into the core of the papillae, and the epithelium was of a stratified squamous and/or cuboidal type. Under the transmission electron microscope, two types of cells were identified in the intermediate layer of the apical epithelium of the lingual papilla: one type was probably an immature mucous cell, whereas the other was elongated in a baso-apical direction, its cytoplasm containing fine granules. In the surface layer of the apical epithelium, typical mucous cells and cells containing numerous, fine, electron-lucent granules were recognized. Both types of cells possessed microvilli on their free-surfaces. In the lateral epithelium of the lingual papillae, the cytological features from the basal layer to the superficial intermediate layer were essentially the same as in the apical epithelium. However, in the surface layer, mucous cells were significantly larger in number than in the apical epithelium.

Glomerular deposition of alpha 2-macroglobulin in a child with steroid refractory nephrotic syndrome

A four-year-old male with steroid refractory nephrotic syndrome was found to have diffuse deposition of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) in the glomeruli which showed diffuse mesangial proliferation and partial hyalinization by light microscopy. Camostat mesylate, a commercially available synthetic proteinase inhibitor, led to biochemical and clinical improvement. Twenty-two patients with 7 biopsy-proven renal diseases did not have any deposition of alpha 2M in their kidney tissue. Though the pathogenetic mechanism is unknown, this is probably the first report of the deposition of alpha 2M in renal tissue.

Effects of repeated MK-801 on ambulation in mice and in sensitization following methamphetamine

The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801, (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine , increased ambulatory activity in the mouse at doses over 0.1 mg/kg (IP). The effect was enhanced when 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 was repeatedly administered at intervals of 3-4 days. In contrast, a reduction of the effect was induced with repeated doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg. The mice that had repeatedly experienced 1 mg/kg MK-801 exhibited a decrease in the sensitivity to methamphetamine (2 mg/kg SC). In addition, the repeated co-administration of 1 mg/kg MK-801 with methamphetamine induced a decrease in the sensitivity to methamphetamine. No modification of methamphetamine sensitivity was elicited by 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 in both the single and co-administration schedules. On the other hand, established sensitization to methamphetamine was hardly affected by repeated treatment with 0.1-1 mg/kg MK-801. These results indicate that the mechanism of the inhibitory action of MK-801 on the development of methamphetamine sensitization is different from that of dopamine D2 antagonists, which may act to decrease the effective unit dose of methamphetamine and reduce ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine.

Characteristics of the ambulation-increasing effect of the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 in mice: assessment by the coadministration with central-acting drugs

Characteristics of the ambulation-increasing effect of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, were assessed through the coadministration of MK-801 with various central-acting drugs in mice. The MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced ambulation-increment with a slight ataxia was maximum at around 50 min, and ambulation returned to the control level at about 3 hr after the administration. At 1 mg/kg, the mouse's activity transiently increased, followed by a decrease due to a marked ataxia, which was due to neither stereotypy nor convulsion, for 20-50 min, and then increased again; the ambulation-increment continued even at 4 hr after the administration. Coadministration of MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) with either methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.), cocaine (20 mg/kg, s.c.), GBR-12909 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), caffeine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) or morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a significant enhancement of the effect. However, 0.1 mg/kg of MK-801 had no effect on the interaction with these drugs. On the other hand, the ambulation-increasing effect of MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg) was significantly reduced by haloperidol (0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), ceruletide (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), reserpine (0.05 and 2 mg/kg, s.c., pretreatment 4 hr before) and nimodipine (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p.), but it was scarcely modified by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p., pretreatment 24 hr and 4 hr before), imipramine (20 mg/kg, i.p.), 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-biopterin (100 mg/kg, i.p.), pilocarpine (1 and 4 mg/kg, s.c.), N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (0.03 and 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) and naloxone (1 and 5 mg/kg, s.c.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A study of the determination of serum fucose concentrations]

We examined the biochemical properties of reaction products during the procedure for serum fucose determination (Dische & Shettles). The optical density at 396 nm (OD396) of the reaction products increased linearly with the increment of fucose concentrations, and was stable for at least 210-240 min at room temperature. The reaction products were destroyed with the addition of distilled water. Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography of the mixed serum samples revealed a single peak of fucose in the void volume fractions. Of interest was the presence of trace amounts of fucose detected in the low-molecular weight fractions less than 66,000, suggesting the presence of free fucose in the serum. Based on these observations, the method for serum fucose determination was modified so it was possible to use 100 microliters of the serum sample. The mean serum fucose concentration, measured by this modified method, was 561.0 +/- 191.1 mumol/l (9.1 +/- 3.1 mg/dl) in normal healthy children. In patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, the values were significantly higher both at relapse and in remission than those in normal healthy children.

[Characteristics of antagonism between ceruletide and various central-acting drugs: investigation by means of ambulatory activity in mice]

Behavioral characteristics of ceruletide, a cholecystokinin-like decapeptide, were investigated by means of ambulatory activity in mice. Ceruletide at 100 and 300 micrograms/kg, i.p. slightly but significantly decreased the mouse's activity for 20 min. Therefore, 100 micrograms/kg of ceruletide was used in the experiment of combined administration with the central-acting drugs. Ceruletide reduced the increased activity which was produced by methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.), ephedrine (80 mg/kg, i.p.), methylphenidate (4 mg/kg, s.c.), cocaine (20 mg/kg, s.c.), mazindol (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.), apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), bromocriptine (8 mg/kg, i.p.), scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), caffeine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) and morphine (20 mg/kg, s.c.) with different potencies and durations. The mice that had experienced ceruletide at 3 micrograms/kg for 5 times at intervals of 3-4 days demonstrated a significant increase in the sensitivity to methamphetamine, although the same treatment with 10-300 micrograms/kg of ceruletide was without effect. On the other hand, when 3-300 micrograms/kg of ceruletide was combined with 2 mg/kg of methamphetamine, the development of reverse tolerance to the ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine was inhibited dependently on the doses of ceruletide. However, the reverse tolerance to methamphetamine once established was scarcely modified by ceruletide when it was administered afterwards.

Effects of ceruletide, administered singly and in combination with central-acting drugs, on discrete shuttle avoidance response in mice

The single administration of ceruletide at 10-300 micrograms/kg, i.p., slightly but significantly decreased the response rate (frequency of shuttles) under a discrete avoidance task in mice. Over 10 micrograms/kg of ceruletide attenuated the increase in the response rate induced by methamphetamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). However, ceruletide, at 1-300 micrograms/kg, did not significantly enhance the response- and/or avoidance-decreasing effects of chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg, s.c.), haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), pilocarpine (4 mg/kg, s.c.) and N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), but rather tended to reduce the avoidance-decreasing effect of chlorpromazine and pilocarpine at 1-100 micrograms/kg.

Behavioral study on mergocriptine (CBM36-733) by ambulatory activity in mice: repeated administration and interaction with methamphetamine

Effects of repeated administration of mergocriptine (CBM36-733: CBM), a long-acting ergot derivative with an agonistic action on both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, as well as interaction between CBM and methamphetamine (MAP: 2 mg/kg, s.c.), were investigated by ambulatory activity in mice. CBM at 4 mg/kg significantly suppressed the ambulatory activity, but significantly increased it at 16 mg/kg in the drug-naive mice. However, 4 and 8 mg/kg of CBM were effective for increasing the ambulatory activity when these doses were repeatedly administered for 9 times at intervals of 7 days. The same treatment with 16 mg/kg of CBM produced a reverse tolerance to the ambulation-increasing effect. The mice that had received CBM at 1 and 2 mg/kg, but not 4-16 mg/kg, demonstrated a significantly lower sensitivity to MAP than the saline-experienced mice. On the other hand, the repeated MAP administration induced not only a reverse tolerance to itself, but also a cross reverse tolerance to 8 and 16 mg/kg of CBM. Furthermore, the established reverse tolerance to MAP was scarcely attenuated by the repeated treatment with any doses of CBM, but rather enhanced by 8 and 16 mg/kg of CBM. The present results indicate that, although the dose-effect relations are partially different, the behavioral characteristics of CBM were almost identical with those of bromocriptine, another long-acting ergot derivative having antagonistic and agonistic actions on dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, respectively.

Rhizobitoxine inhibition of hydrogenase synthesis in free-living Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Rhizobitoxine produced by Bradyrhizobium species strongly prevented derepression of hydrogenase expression in free-living Bradyrhizobium japonicum, although the toxin had no effect on the activity of cells which had already synthesized hydrogenase protein. Dihydrorhizobitoxine, a structural analog of rhizobitoxine, proved to be a less potent inhibitor of hydrogenase derepression. Rhizobitoxine did not cause cell death at a concentration sufficient to eliminate hydrogenase expression. The large subunit of hydrogenase was not detectable with antibody after derepression in the presence of rhizobitoxine. The general pattern of proteins synthesized from 14C-labeled amino acids during derepression was not significantly different in the presence or absence of rhizobitoxine. These results indicated that rhizobitoxine inhibited hydrogenase synthesis in free-living B. japonicum. Cystathionine and methionine strongly prevented the inhibition of hydrogenase derepression by rhizobitoxine, suggesting that the inhibition involves the level of sulfur-containing amino acids in the cell.

Cross-dependence on ethanol and pentobarbital in rats reinforced on diazepam

Cross-dependence on ethanol and pentobarbital was studied in rats reinforced on diazepam, using an intravenous self-administration method. Five rats were allowed to self-administer diazepam 2.0 mg/kg per injection intravenously by pressing a lever on a continuous reinforcement schedule over a 20 day period. The total daily dose of diazepam delivered reached 50 mg/kg/day. Thereafter, ethanol (50 or 100 mg/kg per injection) and then pentobarbital (6 mg/kg per injection) were substituted for diazepam for 3 and 2 days, respectively. During these substitution periods, responding for self-administration, food intake and body weight were recorded. When ethanol was substituted, self-administration responding increased and then decreased. Food intake and body weight also decreased during this period. These changes during the ethanol substitution session resembled those observed during withdrawal sessions. In contrast, when pentobarbital was substituted, no significant changes in self-administration responses, food intake or body weight were seen. These findings suggest that diazepam produces cross-dependence on pentobarbital, but not on ethanol at the doses used in this experiment.

[Blood glutathione in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood]

We studied blood glutathione in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Plasma glutathione concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.02) lower in INS patients at relapses (0.37 +/- 0.29 microgram/ml, n = 21) than those in controls (0.62 +/- 0.36 microgram/ml, n = 22). As compared with patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (316.4 +/- 128.3, n = 8), the INS patients had lower blood glutathione concentrations (208.3 +/- 46.1 micrograms/ml, n = 6), although the difference was not statistically significant (p less than 0.10). The glutathione, mixed in the solutions containing plasma proteins or bovine serum albumin, showed sequential reductions of the concentration with time. There was no significant difference between the blood glutathione concentrations in the rats given glutathione containing water for 7 days and in those given distilled water. An inverse correlation was noted between blood glutathione and plasma cholesterol levels in the rats. From these results it may be concluded that INS patients have a decreased blood glutathione level, although the cause is unknown.

In vivo antitumor mechanism of natural human tumor necrosis factor involving a T cell-mediated immunological route

We have investigated the in vivo antitumor mechanism of natural human tumor necrosis factor (n-TNF) isolated from a culture of human leukemic B cell line (BALL-1), especially its action as an immunomodulator, and found that the in vivo antitumor effect of n-TNF on Meth A sarcoma implanted in BALB/c mice pretreated with monoclonal antibody against T cell-specific surface antigen (Thy-1) was significantly diminished. Furthermore, when BALB/c mice were treated with T cell subset-specific monoclonal antibodies, anti-L3T4 or anti-Lyt-2.2, the antitumor effect of n-TNF on Meth A sarcoma was significantly reduced. Therefore, it was suggested that the in vivo antitumor mechanism of n-TNF might involve a T cell-mediated immunological route.

[Three-dimensional structure of the connective tissue core of the lingual papillae in the crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis)]

The three-dimensional structure of the connective tissue core (CTC) of the four types of lingual papillae of the crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) was studied by scanning electron microscopy after removal of the epithelial cell layer by long-term treatment with hydrochloric acid at room temperature and compared with the results obtained from light microscopy. 1) Filiform papillae are densely distributed on the dorsal surface of the anterior two thirds of the tongue. Fungiform papillae are scattered among these filiform papillae, and are numerous at the anterior margin of the tongue. The connective tissue core of each filiform papilla looked like a lifting human hand with its palm towards the tongue tip. By using light microscopy, AF-positive elastic fibers were accumurated very densely just beneath the basal region of the anterior column epithelium of each filiform papilla. 2) CTC of fungiform papilla showed coralliform structure whose branches were ramified a few times. On the top of each branch there was a small depression where a taste bud was situated. 3) After removal of the epithelial cell layer of the foliate papilla, longitudinal grooves coinciding with the epithelial slits were observed. Some glandular ducts were seen protruding towards the exfoliated epithelium. 4) After removal of the covering epithelium of the vallate papilla, numerous small rod-shaped secondary CT cores appeared on the large primary CT core.

[Mass-screening for acid mucopolysaccharidosis using urine samples by modified HCl-albumin turbidity method]

To establish a method for screening acid mucopolysaccharidosis (AMPS), the HCl-albumin turbidity method was reexamined and modified for semiquantitative analysis. Mucopolysaccharide samples and HCl-albumin in buffer solution were incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes, and the optical density at 600 nm (OD 600) of the reaction mixtures were measured. When the same amount of the samples were tested, OD 600 of dermatan sulfate and hyaluronic acid were higher than that of keratan sulfate. When the cut-off point of OD 600 was set at 0.100 based on the values obtained from randomly selected subjects, only 3 of 328 urine samples (0.9%) showed value higher than the cut off value. The values in five patients with AMPS were all above 0.800 without overlapping those of the control subjects. These results suggest that mass-screening for AMPS using urine sample is possible by the partially modified HCl-albumin turbidity method with the cut-off point of OD 600 set at 0.100.

[Determination of urinary NAG isozyme by thermal inactivation and the age difference]

We studied isozymes of urinary beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), NAG-A and NAG-B, to develop a method for the determination of them. Urinary NAG-A was demonstrated to be measured most appropriately by the thermal inactivation at 50 degrees C for 4 hours in the buffer solution of pH 4.8. Using this method, 13 subjects were simultaneously measured for the levels of both urinary and serum NAG-A, which revealed no significant relation between them (r = 0.03). A significant increase in the mean value of urinary NAG-A activities (U/ml) was found in the 11-12 year-old subjects compared with those in the 6-7 year-old subjects. Although no significant differences were revealed among the total urinary NAG activities of the subjects, the values of NAG-A/total NAG (percent) tended to increase as the ages of the subjects increasing. In conclusion, when determining urinary NAG levels, a careful consideration must be taken into account for the presence of heterozygous carriers for Tay-Sachs disease who have a 50%-deficiency of NAG-A activity and for the age difference of the values.

[Stereo architecture of the connective tissue papillae of lips and gingiva in newborn dogs]

The surface structure of the connective tissue papillae of lips and gingiva of newborn dogs 1 and 4 weeks after birth were observed by scanning electron microscopy. 1. Long term HCl treatment successfully removed the epithelial cell layer from the connective tissue over a large area of fixed material. 2. Connective tissue papillae of labial skin, labial mucosa and alveolar and gingival mucosa were exposed and it became clear that connective tissue papillae were highly developed at the labial margin and just beneath the gingival margin. 3. In the hair growing area of the labial skin, connective tissue papillae became smaller, and some ridge-like structures were found running vertically. 4. On the lining mucosa such as the labial and alveolar mucosa, the surface of the connective tissue papillae showed only ridge-like structures running vertically. 5. From the results of both light and electron microscopy, we concluded that there was a tendency for the area to have a thick epithelial cell layer which contained highly developed connective tissue papillae. This suggested that the blood vessels in the connective tissue papillae can carry nutrients closer to more epithelial cells penetrating deeply into the epithelium thickness.

Enhancement of ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine by peripherally-administered 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (R-THBP) in mice

Behavioral effects of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (R-THBP), a co-factor for tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase, were investigated by means of ambulatory activity in mice. Single administration of R-THBP (50 and 100 mg/kg, s.c.) showed no significant effect on the mouse's ambulatory activity for 5 hr. The ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) was dramatically enhanced and prolonged by the pretreatment with R-THBP (100 mg/kg, s.c.) 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hr before, but not 18 or 36 hr before, the methamphetamine administration. However, when combined administration of R-THBP (100 mg/kg, s.c., 2 hr before) with methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) was repeated at intervals of 3-4 days, the enhancement by R-THBP of the methamphetamine effect was observed only in the 1st and 2nd administration, but not in the later administration. The pretreatment with R-THBP (100 mg/kg, s.c., 2 hr before) enhanced the ambulation-increasing effect of ephedrine (80 mg/kg, i.p.), but failed to modify those of cocaine (20 mg/kg, s.c.), mazindol (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.), bromocriptine (8 mg/kg, i.p.), morphine (20 mg/kg, s.c.) and scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). It is noteworthy that R-THBP differentially modifies the ambulation-increasing effect of the above-mentioned drugs.

Zinc ion enhances the blocking potency of synthetic analogs of spider toxin (JSTX) on the glutamate receptor

The effect of synthetic spider toxin analogs containing aza-crown in combination with zinc and copper was studied on the lobster neuromuscular synapse. The suppressive action of N4-type spider toxin analog (N4) on excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) was markedly enhanced in the presence of 10(-5)-10(-4) M Zn2+. Cu2+ (10(-4) M) also had a potentiating effect on the suppression of EPSPs by N4 but to a lesser degree than Zn2+. While N6-type spider toxin analog (N6) suppressed EPSPs more effectively than N4, additional suppression was not pronounced in the presence of Zn2+ or Cu2+. The results suggest that chelatable divalent metal ions play an important role in the blocking mechanism of glutamate receptor by the spider toxin.

[Decreased plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor activity in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome]

We measured plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) levels in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), chance proteinuria and/or hematuria, and normal controls to examine the roles of proteinase inhibitors in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. Plasma alpha 1-PI concentrations were significantly decreased in patients with INS at relapses and remissions of INS. The alpha 1-PI activities, anti-trypsin and anti-elastase activities, were also decreased in relapses of INS. However, the values revealed no statistically significant difference in remissions of INS. Significant correlations between the PI activities and alpha 2-macroglobulin levels were revealed, which suggested a possible contribution of alpha 2-macroglobulin to the plasma PI activities in INS. From these results we conclude that the decrease in plasma alpha 1-PI activities may be responsible for the reduction of glomerular negative charge, possibly caused by some unknown proteinase(s), and the resultant development of proteinuria.

Effects of naloxone and picrotoxin on diazepam- or pentobarbital-induced hyperphagia in nondeprived rats

Diazepam and pentobarbital administered intravenously increased food intake in a dose-dependent manner in nondeprived rats. Low doses of naloxone inhibited diazepam-induced feeding, but did not inhibit pentobarbital-induced feeding. On the other hand, picrotoxin inhibited feeding induced by both drugs. These findings suggest that diazepam-induced hyperphagia is related to endogenous opioid mechanisms, but pentobarbital-induced hyperphagia is not. Hyperphagia induced by both drugs may be related to GABAergic neurons.

Responses of anterior hypothalamic-preoptic thermosensitive neurons to thyrotropin releasing hormone and cyclo(His-Pro)

Effects of local application of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and its metabolite, histidyl-proline diketopiperazine [cyclo (His-Pro)], on the activity of thermosensitive and thermally-insensitive neurons of the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Microelectrophoretic application of TRH changed the activity of 126 of 206 neurons tested. Thyrotropin releasing hormone predominantly decreased the activity of warm-sensitive neurons and increased the activity of cold-sensitive neurons. Since it has been generally assumed that warm-sensitive and cold-sensitive neurons in the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area mediate heat and cold defence responses, respectively, the present results are consistent with previous findings showing hyperthermia after injection of TRH into the hypothalamus in the rat. Cyclo (His-Pro) affected the activity of 59 of 153 neurons tested. In addition, cyclo (His-Pro) did not preferentially affect warm- or cold-sensitive neurons. These results indicate that the previously-determined hypothermic effect of cyclo (His-Pro) cannot be explained by its effects on thermosensitive neurons in the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area.

Convergence of thermal signals on the reticulospinal neurons in the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata

A total of 670 reticulospinal (RfS) and non-RfS neurons in the mesencephalic, pontile and medullary reticular formation (mRf, pRf and mdRf) were studied for the responsiveness to changes in temperatures of local brain sites, preoptic and anterior hypothalamus (PO/AH) and skin in the urethane anesthetized rat. Local thermoresponsiveness was found in 49.6% of 139 mRf neurons, 61.9% of 160 pRf neurons and 75.4% of 126 mdRf neurons. While the ventromedial region of pRf and mdRf contained predominantly warm-responsive neurons (54.8% and 62.5%), cold-responsive neurons were much more frequently found in the mRf (33.8%) and the dorsolateral region of pRf (41.9%) and mdRf (50.0%). Responsiveness to hypothalamic temperature and/or skin temperature was observed in about 40-74% of Rf neurons. Higher incidence of responsiveness to remote temperatures was found among locally thermoresponsive neurons than among locally thermounresponsive neurons in all three areas. Particularly, there was a high degree of convergence of 'cold' signals from local and remote sites on the RfS neurons in the mRf and the dorsolateral pRf and mdRf. Microinjections of procaine and glutamate into these regions decreased and increased the cold-induced increase in EMG activity and shivering without any correlated changes in cardiovascular and respiratory parameters and pilomotor activity. The results suggest that RfS and non-RfS neurons in the mRf and the dorsolateral pRf and mdRf are involved in the control of thermoregulatory muscle tone and shivering.

Thermally-induced activities of the mesencephalic reticulospinal and rubrospinal neurons in the rat

Unit activities of 226 midbrain reticulospinal (mRfS) and non-mRfS neurons and 238 rubrospinal (RbS) and non-RbS neurons were investigated during changes in temperatures of midbrain (Tmb), preoptic and anterior hypothalamus (Thyp) and skin (Ts) in the urethane-anesthetized rat. Responsiveness to Tmb, Thyp and Ts were found in 43.5%, 41.6% and 51.5% of neurons of midbrain reticular formation (mRf), and in 35.2%, 32.7% and 17.6% of neurons of red nucleus (Rb). Higher incidence of responsiveness to remote temperatures was found among Tmb responsive neurons than Tmb unresponsive neurons in both mRf and Rb. The mRf contains significantly greater numbers of neurons having such multiple thermal responsiveness and also of neurons which were activated by falls in temperatures (cold-responsive neurons) than the Rb. These characteristics were more conspicuously seen among mRfS neurons, showing a high degree of convergence of cold signals from different sites of body. On the other hand, RbS neurons did not differ from non-RbS neurons regarding thermal characteristics and showed no particular combinations of responsiveness to temperatures of different sites. Microinjection of procaine and glutamate into the mRf just dorsolateral to the Rb, but not into the Rb, decreased and increased cold-induced increase in EMG activity and shivering without changes in cardiovascular and respiratory parameters and pilomotor activity. The results suggest that mRfS neurons are involved in the control of thermoregulatory muscle tone and shivering.

Responses of anterior hypothalamic-preoptic thermosensitive neurons to substance P and capsaicin

The effects of capsaicin and substance P, applied locally, on the activity of thermosensitive and thermally-insensitive neurons in the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area were studied with the use of multibarrelled microelectrodes in the urethane-anesthetized rat. In a total of 34 thermosensitive neurons (21 warm-units and 13 cold-units) in the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area, only 7 units responded to substance P and 27 units (79.4%) were not affected. In contrast, 23 of 57 (40.4%) thermally-insensitive neurons responded to substance P. Of 74 thermosensitive and thermally-insensitive neurons tested with both substance P and capsaicin, only 7 units (9.5%) showed the same direction of change in activity in response to the application of both drugs. The majority of the neurons responded to only one of the drugs (32 units, 43.2%) or responded to substance P and capsaicin in opposite directions (9 units, 12.2%). A substance P antagonist, (D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9)-substance P, blocked the substance P-induced excitatory responses in 5 of 6 neurons tested in the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area, but not the capsaicin-induced excitatory or inhibitory responses (n = 5). It is unlikely that substance P in the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area participates in the hypothermic effects of capsaicin, observed after local injection.

Effects of interleukin-1 and arachidonate on the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic neurons

Effects of microelectrophoretic application of ultrapure human interleukin-1 (IL-1), an endogenous pyrogen, on the activity of 80 neurons in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamus (PO/AH) were investigated in the urethane anesthetized rat. IL-1 predominantly decreased the activity of warm-sensitive neurons (15 of 19) and increased the activity of cold-sensitive neurons (10 of 12), but had no effect on 37 of 49 thermally insensitive neurons. The neuronal responses to IL-1 were blocked or attenuated by concurrent application of mepacrine (a phospholipase inhibitor) or sodium salicylate (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor). Local application of sodium arachidonate decreased the activity in 17 of 28 warm-units and excited 12 of 16 cold-units, and the effects of arachidonate were blocked by sodium salicylate. The results are compatible with the view that one or more cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid are involved in the IL-1 induced fever.

Intravenous self-administration of diazepam in rats

Diazepam 0.5-2.0 mg/kg per injection was self-administered intravenously by rats on a continuous reinforcement schedule in a dose-dependent manner over a 30 day period. The rates of diazepam self-administration were relatively stable after responding was established, in comparison with rats self-administering morphine 0.5 mg/kg per injection whose rates continued to increase. At a fixed ratio 4 or 8 schedule, higher maximum rates of responding were seen with diazepam than with morphine. During withdrawal, reductions in body weight tended to occur in a manner dependent on the preceding rates of diazepam self-administration and were possibly caused by physical dependence. These findings suggest that diazepam acts as an intravenous reinforcer in rats and that the procedure we describe is of use to predict the dependence liability of drugs considered to have only a weak potential for abuse.

Elevation of cerebrospinal fluid sialic acid concentration in children with central nervous system leukemia

We studied sialic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 52 children with leukemia and 51 children with non-leukemic diseases. The CSF sialic acid concentration in the children with central nervous system (CNS) leukemia was significantly higher than that in the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia without CNS involvement, acute non-lymphocytic leukemia without CNS involvement, non-hemopoietic diseases, non-suppurative meningitis, epilepsy, and other neurologic diseases. Serial determinations revealed a rapid decline in the CSF sialic acid concentrations in the patients with CNS leukemia who responded well to the therapy and who were free from relapse of CNS leukemia. The simultaneously determined CSF beta 2 microglobulin concentration did not show any significant changes. These results suggest that the CSF sialic acid may be a good indicator of CNS leukemia.

The inhibition of neoplastic cell proliferation with human natural tumor necrosis factor

Purified human natural tumor necrosis factor (n-TNF) was prepared by stimulating human leukemic B cell line (BALL-1) with Sendai virus. The colony formations of all of 18 human cancer-derived abnormal cell lines were suppressed by 10(1)-10(6) U/ml of n-TNF, while n-TNF was nontoxic to all human normal fibroblast cells. This in vitro inhibition of cell growth was reversible. In breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells treated with n-TNF a specific decrease of DNA synthesis was observed, and DNA histograms showed a block at G1 in the cell cycle. In vivo studies revealed that n-TNF suppressed the tumor growth of murine Meth A sarcoma, human renal adenocarcinoma (ACHN), malignant melanoma (SK-MEL-28) and glioblastoma (U-373 MG). Isobologram analysis showed that n-TNF synergistically inhibited cell growth in combination with human natural interferon (IFN)-a. In vivo synergism of n-TNF and IFN-a was also found in the U-373 MG tumor model implanted into nude mice.

Mechanical efficiency in rowing

Five university oarsmen participated in a determination of mechanical efficiency when rowing in a tank. In the tank, water was circulated at 3 m X s-1 by a motor driven pump. The subjects rowed with the stepwise incremental loading, in which the intensity increased by 10% of the maximum force of rowing (maxFc) every 2 min. Power (WO) was calculated from the force applied to the oarlock pin (FC) and its angular displacement (theta H). Oxygen uptake and heart rate were measured every 30 s during rowing. Anaerobic threshold (AT) was determined from expired gas variables by Wasserman's method. AT of oarsmen was 74.6 +/- 6.01% as a percentage of VO2max. As the displacement of the handgrip in the stroke was independent of WO, the increment of WO was caused by the increase of both FC and stroke frequency. Gross efficiency without base-line correction (GE) increased with FC with low intensities of rowing. In the region of 124-182 W of WO GE was almost constant at 17.5%. Efficiency was 19.8 +/- 1.4%, with resting metabolism as base-line correction (net efficiency), and 27.5 +/- 2.9% when using the unloaded rowing as the base-line correction (work efficiency), and 22.8 +/- 2.2% when calculating the work rate as the base-line correction (delta efficiency).

[Effects of repeated administration of bromocriptine on ambulatory activity in mice, and changes in methamphetamine sensitivity in bromocriptine-experienced mice]

Effects of repeated administration of bromocriptine, a long-acting dopamine agonist, as well as interaction between bromocriptine and methamphetamine were investigated by mean of ambulatory activity in mice. The ambulatory activity of each mouse was measured by a tilting-type activity cage for 6 and 3 hr after administration of bromocriptine and methamphetamine, respectively. The repeated 5 times administration of bromocriptine and of methamphetamine was at intervals of 7 days and of 3-4 days, respectively. Bromocriptine tended to suppress the activity at low doses (1 and 2mg/kg, ip), but increased the activity at high doses (8 and 16 mg/kg, ip), showing biphasic effects depending on the doses administered. Both the ambulation-suppressing and -increasing effects of bromocriptine were enhanced when the drug was repeatedly administered. The mice that experienced the repeated administration of low doses and high doses of bromocriptine exhibited a decrease and an increase, respectively, in the sensitivity to the ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, sc). Repeated administration of methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, sc) elicited an increase in sensitivity not only to methamphetamine itself, showing reverse tolerance, but also to high doses of bromocriptine, showing cross reverse tolerance. However, the reverse tolerance to methamphetamine, once produced, was not affected by the repeated administration of low doses of bromocriptine.

[Rapid establishment of nicotine intravenous self-administration behavior in rats]

The reinforcing effect of nicotine was investigated using the intravenous self-administration method in rats. After forced iv injection of nicotine (3, 10 and 30 micrograms/kg/inj) at 1-hr intervals for 3 days in 3 dose-level groups, self-administration sessions under the continuous reinforcement schedule were carried out for 15 days. Rats initiated self-administration of nicotine rapidly in 10 and 30 micrograms/kg/inj groups. Daily self-administration responses by nicotine (30 micrograms/kg/inj) were 3-10 times the control levels. Total self-administration responses for 15 days increased in a dose dependent manner. When the fixed ratio was increased from 1 to 4 and 8 after the 15 days self-administration session in the nicotine (10 and 30 micrograms/kg/inj) groups, lever press responses increased only about 2 times, and self-administration responses decreased in the both groups. These findings suggest that nicotine becomes a reinforcer rapidly, but the magnitude of reinforcing effect is relatively week after the acquisition of nicotine for a short period.

[Basic study on interferon-beta: Part IV. Antitumor effect on nude mouse-transplanted human tumors]

The effects of human interferon-beta (IFN-beta, MR-21) on the growth of xenografted human tumors in nude mice were examined. IFN-beta was administered to mice with malignant melanoma (SK-MEL-28 and Sk-14) intratumorally at a dose of 1 X 10(5)-3 X 10(5) IU/mouse, with acute leukemia (CCRF-HSB-2) intratumorally at a dose of 3 X 10(5) IU/mouse, with glioblastoma (U-373 MG) intravenously or intratumorally at a dose of 1 X 10(5)-6 X 10(5) IU/mouse, or with uterine cervical tumor (HeLa S3) intravenously at a dose of 0.3 X 10(5)-1 X 10(5) IU/mouse. IFN-beta inhibited the growth of all of these tumors in a dose-dependent manner.

[Basic study on human interferon-beta: Part III. The mechanisms of its antitumor effect]

The mechanisms of the direct and indirect antitumor effects of human interferon-beta (IFN-beta, MR-21) were examined. IFN-beta suppressed DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in cells derived from human tumor. The expression of cellular oncogenes (c-Ha-ras and c-myc) in tumor-originated cells was also suppressed by IFN-beta. These results suggest that such suppression is one possible mechanism of the direct anticellular effect induced by IFN-beta. IFN-beta augmented NK cell activity and the ADCC activity of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. It is also suggested that these are two of the immune system-mediated mechanisms responsible for the indirect antitumor effect of IFN-beta in vivo.

[Correlation between the inhibition of renin-angiotensin system and antihypertensive effect of MK-421 and captopril in 2-kidney, 1-clip renal hypertensive rats after single and repeated oral administration of MK-421 or captopril]

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in tissues and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured in 2-kidney, 1-clip renal hypertensive rats (2K-RHR) and normotensive rats after a single and 3-weeks oral administrations of ACE inhibitors such as MK-421 and captopril. In the single dose study, MK-421 (1 and 3 mg/kg) and captopril (3 and 10 mg/kg) inhibited the ACE activities in kidney, aorta and plasma in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition of ACE activity in kidney or aorta was observed for a longer time than that in plasma. PRA took a time course reversal to that of plasma ACE activity. In the 3-weeks repeated dose study, the ACE activity in kidney and aorta was strongly inhibited after the administration of each ACE inhibitor, while there was no significant change in lung ACE activity at any time point examined. The plasma ACE activity markedly elevated after the administration of each agent. PRA significantly increased after the administration of either agent, while the plasma angiotensin II level was significantly inhibited. These results indicate that the inhibition of the ACE activity in blood vessel or kidney correlate well with the antihypertensive activity in 2K-RHR after a single and repeated administration of both ACE inhibitors, but not well with the inhibition of plasma ACE activity.