Diurnal changes in urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin depend on diurnal changes in systemic blood pressure in normotensive, normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients

Previous studies of diabetic patients indicate that increased urinary excretion of certain plasma proteins (molecular radii <55 A), such as IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin, precede the development of microalbuminuria. Moreover, increases in these urinary proteins predict future development of microalbuminuria. To clarify whether blood pressure changes influence urinary excretion of these proteins, we examined relationships between diurnal blood pressure changes measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, alpha2-macroglobulin (88 A) and albumin (36 A) measured separately during the day and night in 20 healthy controls and 26 normotensive, normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. Diurnal change in systolic blood pressure was not correlated to urinary excretion of either albumin or alpha2-macroglobulin in either diabetic patients or controls. However, statistically significant correlations between diurnal changes in systolic blood pressure and those of urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin and ceruloplasmin were found in diabetic patients but not in controls. The present findings suggest that urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin are more easily affected than albuminuria by systemic blood pressure changes in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. This is supported by our previous finding that urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin and ceruloplasmin increased while albuminuria did not following enhanced glomerular filtration rate after acute protein loading, which causes increased glomerular capillary pressure due to afferent arterioles dilation, mimicking diabetic intra-renal hemodynamics. Taken together, these findings suggest that urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin may be more sensitive indicators of glomerular capillary pressure change than albuminuria in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients.

Pion transfer processes of pionic atoms in the gas mixtures containing hydrogen at various pressures

The pion capture process in gas mixtures containing hydrogen was studied by measuring pionic X rays and π0 decays. A little difference in pion transfer process was found between the H2+D2 and H2O+D2O systems. Pressure-dependence of the transfer rates was also revealed in the CH4+Ar system by the measurements at several gas pressures. The mechanism of the pion transfer process was discussed based on a comparison between transfer parameters in the gas and liquid phases.

A human anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody, 4D11, for kidney transplantation in cynomolgus monkeys: induction and maintenance therapy

Blockade of CD40-CD154 signaling pathway is an attractive strategy to induce potent immunosuppression and tolerance in organ transplantation. Due to its strong immunosuppressive effect shown in nonhuman primate experiments, anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been tried in clinical settings, but it was interrupted by unexpected thromboembolic complications. Thus, inhibition of the counter molecule, CD40, has remained an alternative approach. In the previous preliminary study, we have shown that 4D11, a novel fully human anti-CD40 mAb, has a fairly potent immunosuppressive effect on kidney allograft in nonhuman primates. In this study, we aimed to confirm the efficacy and untoward events of the 2-week induction and 180-day maintenance 4D11 treatments. In both, 4D11 significantly suppressed T-cell-mediated alloimmune responses and prolonged allograft survival. Addition of weekly 4D11 administration after the induction treatment further enhanced graft survival. Complete inhibition of both donor-specific Ab and anti-4D11 Ab productions was obtained only with higher-dose maintenance therapy. No serious side effect including thromboembolic complications was noted except for a transient reduction of hematocrit in one animal, and decrease of peripheral B-cell counts in all. These results indicate that the 4D11 appears to be a promising candidate for immunosuppression in clinical organ transplantation.

Detection of tulobuterol crystal in transdermal patches using terahertz pulsed spectroscopy and imaging

Applicability of a Terahertz Pulsed Spectroscopy (TPS) and a Terahertz Pulsed Imaging (TPI) for detection of tulobuterol (TBR) crystals in transdermal patches was investigated. Because TBR has high permeability in dermis, crystalline TBR in patch matrices contributes to controlling the release rate of TBR from a matrix. Therefore, crystalline TBR is one of the important factors for quality control of TBR transdermal tapes. A model tape that includes 5 w/w%, 10 w/w%, 20 w/w% or 30 w/w% of TBR was measured by TPS/TPI. TBR crystals in the matrices were successfully detected by TPI. Identification of TBR in an image of a crystal-like mass was done by comparison between the spectra of tapes and a TBR standard substance. These results indicate that TPS and TPI are applicable to identifying crystalline lumps of an active drug in tapes for quality control.

Distribution of ethenzamide and other ingredients on granule surfaces studied by Raman microspectroscopy and mapping

Distributions of API and medical additives in granules were analyzed using Raman microspectroscopy and mapping. In order to clearly detect ingredients present at low levels, the characteristic peak for each ingredient was used for identification. Two granulation processes, tumbling granulation and high-shear granulation were selected to examine the feasibility of Raman microspectroscopy for investigating granules. Ethenzamide, lactose monohydrate, cornstarch and methylcellulose were used to make model granules. Methylcellulose was distributed homogeneously from the early stage in both granulation methods. Cornstarch and lactose showed similar distribution properties in high-shear granulation. It was presumed from this observation that similar chemical structures with high-hydrophilic groups in the two compounds determined their similar distribution properties. These results suggest that Raman microspectroscopy using the unique absorption peak of each ingredient can detect each ingredient in the individual pixel size (2 x 2 microm). This analytical method can contribute to evaluation of granular conditions and granulation processes.

Chemical mapping of tulobuterol in transdermal tapes using microscopic laser Raman spectroscopy

Microscopic Laser Raman Spectroscopy and Mapping (MLRSM) technique was used to investigate the distribution of tulobuterol (TBR) crystals in transdermal tapes. TBR is one of suitable compounds for the transdermal pharmaceuticals because it has high permeability into skin. In case of TBR transdermal tapes, some commercial products also contain TBR crystals in order to control a release rate from a matrix. Therefore, the presence of TBR crystals in the matrix is a critical factor for quality assurance of this type of TDDS tapes. The model tapes prepared here employed two kinds of matrices, i.e., rubber or acrylic, which are generally used for transdermal pharmaceuticals. TBR crystals in the matrix were observed by MLRSM. Accurate observation of the distribution of TBR in the tapes was achieved by creating a Raman chemical map based on detecting unique TBR peak in each pixel. Moreover, differences in the growth of TBR crystals in the two kinds of matrices were detected by microscopic observation. MLRSM also enabled the detection of TBR crystals in commercial products. The present findings suggest that Raman micro-spectroscopic analysis would be very useful for verifying and/or assessing the quality of transdermal pharmaceuticals in development, as well as for manufacturing process control.

[Surgical intervention for active infective endocarditis; review]

In active infective endocarditis, the right time for surgical treatment must not be missed. Enlargement of the focus and cerebral embolism aggravate the condition, and markedly impair the patients' activities of daily living (ADL). Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention contribute to improvement in the therapeutic outcome.

Effect of corosolic acid on the hydrolysis of disaccharides

The banaba leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) has been used in traditional Oriental medicine to treat diabetes in the Philippines. It contains corosolic acid (CA), a compound which has a hypoglycemic effect. We examined the effect of CA on blood glucose levels and the hydrolysis of disaccharides in the small intestine in mice. CA (10 mg/kg body weight) improved hyperglycemia after an oral administration of sucrose, and significantly reduced the hydrolysis of sucrose in the small intestine. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic activity of CA is derived, at least in part, due to the inhibition of the hydrolysis of sucrose.

Performance of an interferon-gamma release assay for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection in children

Newly developed interferon-gamma release assays have become commercially available to detect tuberculosis (TB) infection in adults. However, little is known about their performance in children. We compared test results between the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in young children living with pulmonary TB patients in Cambodia. Of 195 children tested with both QFT and TST, the TST-positive rate of 24% was significantly higher than the QFT-positive rate of 17%. The agreement between the test results was considerable (kappa-coefficient 0.63). Positive rates increased from 6% to 32% for QFT and from 15% to 43% for TST, according to the sputum smear grades of the index cases. The presence of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scars did not significantly affect the results of TST or QFT in a logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, QFT can be a substitute for TST in detecting latent TB infection in childhood contacts aged Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings

• Cambodia
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Interferon-gamma/blood
• Male
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Tuberculin Test
• Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis

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Localization of sense and antisense transcripts of Prdx2 gene in mouse tissues

Recently, it has been reported that antisense RNAs are transcribed from a large number of genes in various species including human and mouse. The Prdx2 gene, which is indicated to be involved in signal transduction related to platelet-derived growth factor as well as to protection from oxidizing agents, has been shown to produce sense and antisense transcripts. To obtain clues for possible roles of Prdx2 antisense transcripts, we have performed Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization on tissues of 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice. The Northern blot analysis revealed that major parts of sense and antisense transcripts were poly(A-)-RNA. The analysis of the fractionated RNA of fibroblasts indicated that the poly(A-)-RNA would be localized in the cytoplasm of cells. The in situ hybridization demonstrated that the sense and antisense transcripts were localized in almost the same limited areas of brain, testis, and spleen. It also revealed that the sense and antisense transcripts coexisted in Purkinje cells. In thymus and stomach, the antisense transcripts were detected, but sense transcripts were not. When tissues of BALB/c mice were examined by in situ hybridization, the observations were essentially the same as those of C57BL/6J except that it appeared that the amounts of sense and antisense transcripts in testis of BALB/c were greater than those in C57BL/6J, and that the amounts of antisense transcripts in stomach of BALB/c were much smaller than those in C57BL/6J.

Dietary corosolic acid ameliorates obesity and hepatic steatosis in KK-Ay mice

Corosolic acid (CRA), a constituent of Banaba leaves, has been reported to exert anti-hypertension, anti-hyperinsulinemia, anti-hyperglycemia, and anti-hyperlipidemia effects as well as to induce anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of CRA on the development of obesity and hepatic steatosis in KK-Ay mice, a genetically obese mouse model. Six-week-old KK-Ay mice were fed a high fat diet for 9 weeks with or without 0.023% CRA. Nine-week CRA treatment resulted in 10% lower body weight and 15% lower total fat (visceral plus subcutaneous fat) mass than in control mice. CRA treatment reduced fasting plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and triglyceride by 23%, 41%, and 22%, respectively. The improved insulin sensitivity in CRA-treated mice may be due on part to the increased plasma adiponectin and white adipose tissue (WAT) AdipoR1 levels. In addition, CRA treatment increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha in liver and PPAR gamma in WAT. This is the first study to show that CRA treatment can contribute to reduced body weight and amelioration of hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet, due in part to increased expression of PPAR alpha in liver and PPAR gamma in WAT.

National HIV prevalence surveillance among TB patients through periodic surveys: experience in Cambodia

SETTING

The National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) in Cambodia, one of the countries most affected by tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Asia.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct national HIV prevalence surveillance among TB patients, to estimate HIV prevalence among TB patients and to determine the potential of the NTP as a source for antiretroviral treatment (ART) scale-up.

DESIGN

Anonymous unlinked cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys including all TB patients registered by the NTP in January 2003 and January 2005.

RESULTS

HIV prevalence among all TB patients fell from 11.8% in 2003 to 9.9% in 2005 (P < 0.05). In 2003 and 2005, respectively 265 and 261 TB patients were identified as HIV-positive in a given month. Among new smear-positive pulmonary TB patients, the prevalence dropped from 8.2% to 5.2% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The two periodic surveys demonstrated a high prevalence of HIV among TB patients in Cambodia. However, the declining incidence of HIV from the late 1990s might now be reflected in the HIV prevalence among new smear-positive TB patients. The NTP is a potential source of ART if HIV counselling and testing are made more widely available to TB patients.

The onset of spermatogenesis in fish

Under cultivation conditions, male Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) have immature testes containing only spermatogonia together with inactive testicular somatic cells, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. Using a recently developed organ culture system for eel testes, we have shown that hormonal induction of spermatogenesis in eel testes involves gonadotropin stimulation of Leydig cells to produce 11-ketotestosterone, a potent androgen in fish. In turn, 11-ketotestosterone activates Sertoli cells to stimulate premitotic spermatogonia to complete spermatogenesis. Our current research focuses on the isolation and characterization of genes that show altered expression in eel testes during gonadotropin-induced spermatogenesis. One up-regulated and three down-regulated genes have been isolated. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization reveal that mRNA for activin B is absent in testes before gonadotropin injection and is abundant in Sertoli cells in testes injected with gonadotropin for one to six days after injection. This stimulation of activin B mRNA is accompanied by spermatogonial proliferation. Gonadotropin treatment also causes a rapid rise in the testicular concentrations of mRNA for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme for gonadotropin-induced 11-ketotestosterone production. We have also obtained three down-regulated cDNAs which are abundant in testes before gonadotropin treatment and disappear almost completely in testes one day after gonadotropin injection.

Effects of K. lysolecithin on blood levels of monoamines in mice

In this research, Lysolecithin - a substance made with 100% natural ingredients - was given to ICR mice as medication to measure its periodic effect on the noradrenalin (NA), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) levels of the brain. Both ICR and SAM mice were separated into two groups - control group and Lysolecithin (K. Lysolecithin: hydrolytic lysolecithin) medicated group, and given 1-week preparation period. The K. Lysolecithin group was given 500 mg/kg of K. Lysolecithin at 0.2 mL per dosage for 4 weeks, and the control group was given the same amount of dosage of water during the same period. NA, DA and 5-HT concentrations were measured from the blood before medication and 8 weeks/12 weeks/16 weeks after the first medication. For the SAM mice, 8 weeks after they were medicated with K .Lysolecithin, Morris Water Maze Test was conducted for 7 consecutive days and then the concentrations were measured by drawing blood from the heart. The K. Lysolecithin medicated group showed a tendency to have a statistically significant higher concentrations of 5-HT and NA in the blood. Also, periodic examination showed that the monoamine levels were highest in the 12th week and declined thereafter.

Divergence times in the termite genus Macrotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae)

The evolution of fungus-growing termites is supposed to have started in the African rain forests with multiple invasions of semi-arid habitats as well as multiple invasions of the Oriental region. We used sequences of the mitochondrial COII gene and Bayesian dating to investigate the time frame of the evolution of Macrotermes, an important genus of fungus-growing termites. We found that the genus Macrotermes consists of at least 6 distantly related clades. Furthermore, the COII sequences suggested some cryptic diversity within the analysed African Macrotermes species. The dates calculated with the COII data using a fossilized termite mound to calibrate the clock were in good agreement with dates calculated with COI sequences using the split between Locusta and Chortippus as calibration point which supports the consistency of the calibration points. The clades from the Oriental region dated back to the early Tertiary. These estimates of divergence times suggested that Macrotermes invaded Asia during periods with humid climates. For Africa, many speciation events predated the Pleistocene and fall in range of 6-23 million years ago. These estimates suggest that savannah-adapted African clades radiated with the spread of the semi-arid ecosystems during the Miocene. Apparently, events during the Pleistocene were of little importance for speciation within the genus Macrotermes. However, further investigations are necessary to increase the number of taxa for phylogenetic analysis.

Evaluating tactile sensitivity adaptation by measuring the differential threshold of archers

This study investigated the relationship between the force applied to a finger and the differential threshold of the force. Further, it presented an improvement function for tactile perception in archers by adapting to circumstances in which enhanced tactile perception and finger dexterity are required to practice archery on a daily basis. For this purpose, a tactile display using an air jet was developed. The air was aimed at the center of the fingertip of the index finger. The inner diameter of the nozzle was set to 3 mm. In this study, a psychophysical experiment was conducted to obtain the differential threshold from two subject groups-an archery athlete group and a control group. A total of six levels of standard stimuli ranging from 2.0 gf to 7.0 gf was obtained. As a result, the differential threshold of the archery group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The Weber ratio of the archery group remained around 0.13 and that of control group was 0.10. The experiment also revealed that the differential threshold for archers exhibited less fluctuation between the trials and between the days, which implied that the tactile perception of archery athletes may be more stable than that of non-experienced subjects. This may be a plasticity property of tactile perception.

Identification and characterization of Birt-Hogg-Dubé associated renal carcinoma

The Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) gene is responsible for BHD syndrome, a rare autosomal dominant disease, characterized by benign hair follicle tumours, spontaneous pneumothorax and renal neoplasms with diverse histology. To elucidate its involvement in the development of renal neoplasms, we examined a total of 100 sporadic renal tumours with various histological subtypes for BHD mutation by SSCP-sequencing analyses. We found one germline insertion mutation in the C8 hotspot of exon 11 (c.1733insC), which is known to have a strong association with renal tumour occurrence. The germline-mutated patient suffered from solitary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but did not have any other BHD manifestations or family history. The tumour revealed heterogeneous cytomorphology, mainly a mixture of eosinophilic and focally clear cells with tubulopapillary architecture. In this tumour, both BHD alleles were inactivated by germline mutation concomitant with loss of heterozygosity, and the amount of BHD mRNA detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) was very low. Renal tumour subtype/nephron segment-specific gene expression detected by RQ-PCR demonstrated that the tumour expressed relatively high amounts of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and the KIT oncogene, but relatively low amounts of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), aquaporin 1 (AQP1), claudin 7 (CLDN7), parvalbumin (PVALB), chloride channel Kb (CLCNKB) and 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD11B2), suggesting diverse mRNA signatures. Further clustering analysis of 88 renal tumours based on expression of these eight genes sub-classified the tumour as close to oncocytomas and chromophobe RCCs, which are considered distal nephron-associated tumours. These data suggest that somatic mutation of BHD is relatively rare in Japanese patients. The BHD-mutated RCC identified in this study, which exhibits heterogeneous biological features in both morphology and gene expression signatures, seems to deviate from our current understanding of renal tumour classification.

TAK1 represses transcription of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene

In human cells, telomerase activity is tightly regulated by the expression of its catalytic subunit, namely, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of hTERT expression have not been completely clarified. We have previously reported that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) represses the expression of the hTERT gene. In the present study, we demonstrated that TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), originally identified as a mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase, represses the hTERT core promoter activity in an E-box-independent manner, and it also represses the transcription of the hTERT gene in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549 cells. This TAK1-induced repression was found to be caused by the recruitment of histone deacetylase to Sp1 at the hTERT promoter and a consequent reduction in the amount of acetylated histone H4 at the hTERT promoter. Finally, we demonstrated that TAK1 induces cellular senescence programs in normal human diploid cells. Thus, we assume that TAK1 triggers the repression mechanisms of the hTERT gene as a result of evoking cellular senescence programs. Considered together, TAK1 is thought to play a causative role in the determination of a finite replicative lifespan of normal and cancer cells.

[Bronchial lipoma treated by surgical resection; report of a case]

We report a case of bronchial lipoma, which relapsed after endoscopic treatment, and was treated by surgical resection. An abnormal shadow on chest X-ray was noted at the annual medical checkup of a 44-year-old man. Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a tumor in the right basal bronchus and linear opacity on the peripheral side of that tumor. Bronchoscopic examination demonstrated a smooth polipoid tumor occluding the right basal lobe bronchus. Bronchoscopic biopsy specimens were not sufficient for histological diagnosis. We performed endobronchial resection of the tumor using electrosurgical snare, but 2 months after endoscopic treatment, the tumor relapsed. We therefore performed right S(9+10) segmentectomy. The tumor was 11 x 9mm in size and the histological diagnosis was an endobronchial lipoma. More than 4 years after resection, the patient is alive without recurrence.

Transfer of spermatogenesis-related cDNAs into eel testis germ-somatic cell coculture pellets by electroporation: Methods for analysis of gene function

Genes encoding spermatogenesis-related substance (eSRSs) show unique expression patterns during spermatogenesis. To analyze their function, we developed a new assay system using gene transfer techniques combined with coculture of the eel germ-somatic cells. First, we investigated the efficacy of in vitro electroporation transfer of gene into germ-somatic cell pellets using green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. Second, in order to define the function of the eSRSs, we electrophoretically transferred eel spermatogonial stem cell renewal factor (eSRS34) and eel spermatogenesis-preventing substance (eSRS21) genes into germ-somatic cell pellets. Presence of the transferred cDNA was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, proliferating cells were detected histologically, after labeling with BrdU. Transfer of the eSRS34 gene induced spermatogonial stem cell renewal in the pellets. Moreover, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) treatment stimulated the proliferation of spermatogonia, which resulted in the appearance of late type B spermatogonia in the pellets. The proliferation of spermatogonia by 11-KT stimulation was suppressed by transfer of the eSRS21 gene. These results indicate that the transferred eSRS34 and 21genes were functional in the pellets. Thus, an efficient in vitro gene transfer technique for coculture system of germ and somatic cell of Japanese eel was established.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH/AMH) in the European sea bass: its gene structure, regulatory elements, and the expression of alternatively-spliced isoforms

In mammals, a multitude of studies have shown that anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH/AMH), apart from inducing Müllerian duct regression during male sexual differentiation, exerts inhibitory effects on male and female gonadal steroidogenesis and differentiation. However, in lower vertebrates like teleost fish, the function of AMH/AMH has been far less explored. As a first step to unravel its potential role in reproduction in teleost fish, we isolated and characterised the AMH gene in the European sea bass (sb), Dicentrachus labrax, determined putative regulatory elements of its 5'-flanking region, and analysed its gene expression and those of alternatively-spliced transcripts. The characterisation of sb-AMH revealed distinct features that distinguishes it from mammalian and bird AMH, suggesting a high rate of diversification of AMH during vertebrate evolution. It contained 7 exons that were divided by 6 introns, of which the last intron (intron vi) was localised only a few nucleotides upstream of the putative peptide cleavage site. The guanine and cytosine content of the open reading frame (ORF) was 52.7% and thus notably lower than that of bird and mammalian AMH. Sb-AMH cDNA was 2045 base pairs (bp) long, containing an ORF of 1599 bp encoding 533 amino acids. Deduced amino acid similarities of the conserved, carboxyterminal domain were highest with AMH in Japanese flounder (84.2%) and lowest with chicken AMH (45.5%). In the proximal promoter sequence of sb-AMH, a steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) binding site was present; however other regulatory sequences essential for transcriptional activation of AMH in mammals were absent. Likewise, there was no sequence homology to an SF3A2 sequence within the first 3200 bp upstream of the sb-AMH translation start site. Gene expression of sb-AMH and of alternatively-spliced sb-AMH transcripts were analysed in male and female juvenile and adult gonads as well as in somatic tissues of juvenile males. sb-AMH expression was highest in juvenile testis, but still remarkably high in juvenile ovaries and adult testis, as well as in brain, pituitary, and heart of juvenile male sea bass. Apart from adult ovary, levels of alternatively-spliced sb-AMHexonII/-99 were marginal in comparison with sb-AMH. In contrast, the transcript variant sb-AMHexonVII/+5 was expressed to a similar extent as sb-AMH in all tissues examined. The results of this work have provided the basis for future studies concerning the regulation and function of AMH/AMH in this species.

Antiparasitic effect of calcium and magnesium ion-free buffer treatments against a common monogenean Neobenedenia girellae

This study investigated a new effective method for controlling the capsalid monogenean Neobenedenia girellae. We examined in vitro and in vivo the effect on the percentage survival of N. girellae in buffers containing different metallic ions. Decreased survival was observed in buffer solutions lacking two ions. In particular, the percentage survival of N. girellae was significantly decreased after 10 min exposure to buffer containing neither Ca(2+) nor Mg(2+). Transmission electron microscopic observations showed that treatment with this buffer disrupted intercellular junctions. This significant effect on percentage survival of N. girellae using Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-free buffer was confirmed in an in vivo assay. Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-free buffer had no effect on the condition of the host, spotted halibut Verasper variegates (Pleuronectidae). These results suggest that treatment with Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-free buffer is a new effective control method, which could replace existing control methods.

Effect of corosolic acid on postchallenge plasma glucose levels

Corosolic acid (CRA) is a substance extracted from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. and has been reported to have biological activities in in vitro and experimental animal studies. In this study, 31 subjects were orally administered 10mg CRA or a placebo, on different occasions, in a capsule 5min before the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in a double-blind and cross-over design. Nineteen subjects had diabetes, seven had impaired glucose tolerance, one had impaired fasting glucose, and four had normal glucose tolerance according to the 1998 WHO criteria. There were no significant differences in plasma glucose levels before and 30min after the administration. CRA treatment subjects showed lower glucose levels from 60min until 120min and reached statistical significance at 90min. In this study, we have shown for the first time that CRA has a lowering effect on postchallenge plasma glucose levels in vivo in humans.

Caste-specific cytochrome P450 in the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti (Isoptera, Termopsidae)

Termites are eusocial insects with a well-defined caste system, which is an example of polyphenism. This polyphenism is based on hormonally controlled differential gene expression. In the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti, we induced differentiation into the soldier caste by using juvenile hormone analogue treatment. We then investigated specific gene expression, which appeared during the hormonal response and triggered caste differentiation, using fluorescent differential display. A candidate cDNA sequence with similarity to cytochromes P450, CYP6AM1, was characterized and its transcript shown to be repressed between 1 and 3 days after hormone treatment. CYP6AM1 was specifically expressed in the fat body of pseudergates and soldiers. The putative function of this P450 is discussed with respect to the caste differentiation system.

Regulation by orexin of feeding behaviour and locomotor activity in the goldfish

Orexin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that is implicated in the regulation of feeding behaviour and the sleep-wakefulness cycle in mammals. However, in spite of a growing body of knowledge concerning orexin in mammals, the orexin system and its function have not been well studied in lower vertebrates. In the present study, we first examined the effect of feeding status on the orexin-like immunoreactivity (orexin-LI) and the expression of orexin mRNA in the goldfish brain. The number of cells showing orexin-LI in the hypothalamus of goldfish brain showed a significant increase in fasted fish and a significant decrease in glucose-injected fish. The expression level of orexin mRNA in the brains of fasted fish increased compared to that of fed fish. We also examined the effect of an i.c.v. injection of orexin or an anti-orexin serum on food intake and locomotor activity in the goldfish. Administration of orexin by i.c.v. injection induced a significant increase of food intake and locomotor activity, whereas i.p. injection of glucose or i.c.v. injection of anti-orexin serum decreased food consumption. These results indicate that the orexin functions as an orexigenic factor in the goldfish brain.

Analysis of evolutionary conservation in CD1d molecules among primates

The hereditary conservation in the genetically encoded CD1D sequences of various primates was analyzed. Genomic CD1D sequences of 17 rhesus macaques with distinct origins, eight Indian and nine Chinese, were examined and differences of only one or two nucleotides were detected and the consensus sequence of rhesus CD1D was determined. CD1D consensus sequences of three African green monkeys (AGMs) and the rhesus monkeys were then compared to study the evolutionary differences among interspecies. The CD1D consensus sequence determined from AGMs apparently differed by seven nucleotides from the rhesus consensus sequence, and nucleotide difference induced only three amino acid changes within Exon3, corresponding to the alpha2 domain of CD1d having a hydrophobic ligand-binding pocket. Such changes in the alpha2 domain may alter the characteristics of the SIV-derived glycolipid/lipid antigens presented by each CD1d molecule to innate natural killer T cells. In addition, the CD1D genomic sequences of three chimpanzees (chimps) were determined. To our surprise, although Exon2 and Exon3 reflecting antigen-binding alpha1 and alpha2 domains in chimps' CD1D were identical to that in humans except one amino acid, three amino acids within Exon4, reflecting alpha3 domain, were distinct from humans, and one of them was identical to those in rhesus and AGM CD1D. On the basis of the findings, the evolutionary relationship of the CD1d molecules among the various primates and their HIV-1/SIV susceptibility will be discussed.

Antidiabetic Effects of Corosolic Acid in KK-Ay Diabetic Mice

The antidiabetic effects of corosolic acid (CA) were investigated in KK-Ay mice, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. CA (2 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood glucose levels of KK-Ay mice 4 h after a single oral dose. CA (2 mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose levels in KK-Ay mice 2 weeks after a single oral dose and also significantly lowered plasma insulin levels were in KK-Ay mice under similar conditions. CA-treated KK-Ay mouse blood glucose significantly decreased in an insulin tolerance test. These results support the hypothesis that CA improves glucose metabolism by reducing insulin resistance. Therefore CA may be useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Antidiabetic effect of Nitobegiku, the herb Tithonia diversifolia, in KK-Ay diabetic mice

Nitobegiku (the herb of Tithonia diversifolia (HEMSL) A. GRAY) has been used as a medicinal plant for diabetes. The antidiabetic effect of an 80% ethanol extract of Nitobegiku (Td) was investigated in KK-Ay-mice, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Td (500 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood glucose of KK-Ay mice 7 h after a single oral dose. No change in blood glucose in Td-treated normal mice (ddY) was seen. Td (500 mg/kg) reduced blood glucose in KK-Ay mice 3 weeks after a single oral dose and also significantly lowered plasma insulin in KK-Ay mice under similar conditions. Td-treated KK-Ay mouse blood glucose was significantly decreased in an insulin tolerance test. These results support the hypothesis that Td improves glucose metabolism by reducing insulin resistance. Therefore, Nitobegiku may be useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

[Thoracolithiasis detected during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax: report of a case]

A 32-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for treatment of right recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Chest X-ray showed right pneumothorax but chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations did not demonstrate intrathoracic abnormal mass shadow or abnormal calcifications. We performed video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax. At surgery, an egg-shaped milky white free mass was found in the thoracic cavity, and easily removed. This substance was hard and smooth on the surface and measured 12 x 9 mm. Histologically this mass was composed of fatty necrosis surrounded by hyalinized connective tissue. These findings led to a diagnosis of thoracolithiasis. Thoracolithiasis without any history of chest trauma or intervention is pathologically rare, with only 15 cases including our case in Japan, having been reported in the literature to date.