Observation of the color-suppressed decay B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0)

We report the first observation of color-suppressed B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0), D(*0)pi(0), D0eta, and D0omega decays, and evidence for B( 0)-->D(*0)eta and D(*0)omega. The branching fractions are B(B( 0)-->D0pi(0)) = (3.1 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.5)x10(-4), B(B( 0) -->D(*0)pi(0)) = (2.7(+0.8+0.5)(-0.7-0.6))x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0eta) = (1.4(+0.5)(-0.4) +/- 0.3)x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0omega) = (1.8 +/- 0.5(+0.4)(-0.3))x10(-4), and we set 90% confidence level upper limits of B(B( 0) --> D(*0)eta)<4.6 x 10(-4) and B(B( 0)-->D(*0)omega)<7.9 x 10(-4). The analysis is based on a data sample of 21.3 fb(-1) collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Observation of the decay B --> Kl+l-

We report a search for the flavor-changing neutral current decay B-->K(*)l+l- using a 29.1 fb(-1) data sample accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- storage ring. We observe the decay process B-->Kl+l-(l = e, mu), for the first time, with a branching fraction of B(B-->Kl+l-) = (0.75(+0.25)(-0.21)+/-0.09)x10(-6).

Effect of cholesteryl side chain and complexing with cholic acid on gene transfection by cationic poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives

A new class of poly(ethylene glycol) derivative, Chol-PEG-A, having both cholesteryl- and amino-pendant groups (2.89 and 5.39 groups per polymer molecule, respectively) was synthesized. This amphiphilic PEG derivative forms a cationic polymer assembly in water. Chol-PEG-A expressed high transfection efficiency in the serum-free medium at relatively low amine/phosphate (N/P) ratios (1.3-1.5), whereas PEG-A, having only amino pendants without the cholesteryl side chain could transfect the cells only at a very high N/P ratio (83). The efficiency remarkably decreased by addition of fetal bovine serum (FBS) to the medium. Mixing of cholic acid to Chol-PEG-A gave a neutralized polyion complex, and the interaction with serum proteins was evidently suppressed. This Chol-PEG-A-cholic acid system showed higher gene expression even in the FBS-containing medium and as high a transfection efficiency as a Superfect.

Arterial blood gas management in retrograde cerebral perfusion: the importance of carbon dioxide

OBJECTIVES

Many interventional physiological assessments for retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) have been explored. However, the appropriate arterial gas management of carbon dioxide (CO2) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to determine whether alpha-stat or pH-stat could be used for effective brain protection under RCP in terms of cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2), and distribution of regional cerebral blood flow.

METHODS

Fifteen anesthetized dogs (25.1+/-1.1 kg) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were cooled to 18 degrees C under alpha-stat management and had RCP for 90 min under: (1), alpha-stat; (2), pH-stat; or (3), deep hypothermic (18 degrees C) antegrade CPB (antegrade). RCP flow was regulated for a sagittal sinus pressure of around 25 mmHg. CBF was monitored by a laser tissue flowmeter. Serial analyses of blood gas were made. The regional cerebral blood flow was measured with colored microspheres before discontinuation of RCP. CBF and CMRO2 were evaluated as the percentage of the baseline level (%CBF, %CMRO2).

RESULTS

The oxygen content of arterial inflow and oxygen extraction was not significantly different between the RCP groups. The %CBF and %CMRO2 were significantly higher for pH-stat RCP than for alpha-stat RCP. The regional cerebral blood flow, measured with colored microspheres, tended to be higher for pH-stat RCP than for alpha-stat RCP, at every site in the brain. Irrespective of CO2 management, regional differences were not significant among any site in the brain.

CONCLUSIONS

CO2 management is crucial for brain protection under deep hypothermic RCP. This study revealed that pH-stat was considered to be better than alpha-stat in terms of CBF and oxygen metabolism in the brain. The regional blood flow distribution was considered to be unchanged irrespective of CO2 management.

Quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia as plant growth inhibitors

Seven quassinoids including a new 12-epi-11-dehydroklaineanone were isolated from the leaves of Eurycoma longifolia (Simaroubaceae) as plant growth inhibitors or related compounds. The strongest activity was found in 14,15beta-dihydroxyklaineanone.

Observation of B --> J/psi K(1)(1270)

We report the first observation of the exclusive decay process B-->J/psi K(1)(1270) using a sample of 11.2M BB macro meson pairs collected in the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e(+)e(-) collider. We measure branching fractions of B[B(0)-->J/psi K(0)(1)(1270)] = (1.30+/-0.34+/-0.32) x 10(-3) and B[B(+)-->J/psi K(+)(1)(1270)] = (1.80+/-0.34+/-0.39) x 10(-3), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. These modes constitute approximately 15% of the total number of B-->J/psi X decays. No evidence is seen for B-->J/psi K(1)(1400) and we set an upper limit for this branching fraction.

CD26-mediated signaling for T cell activation occurs in lipid rafts through its association with CD45RO

CD26 is a T cell activation antigen that contains dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity and is known to bind adenosine deaminase. The mechanism by which CD26 costimulation potentiates T cell receptor-mediated T cell activation, leading to subsequent exertion of T cell effector function, is still not clearly defined. In this article, we demonstrate that CD26 localizes into lipid rafts, and targeting of CD26 to rafts is necessary for signaling events through CD26. Importantly, aggregation of CD26 by anti-CD26 mAb crosslinking also causes coaggregation of CD45 into rafts. Moreover, we show that CD26 directly binds to the cytoplasmic domain of CD45. Our results therefore indicate a mechanism whereby CD26 engagement promotes aggregation of lipid rafts and facilitates colocalization of CD45 to T cell receptor signaling molecules p56(Lck), ZAP-70, and TCRzeta, thereby enhancing protein tyrosine phosphorylation of various signaling molecules and subsequent interleukin-2 production.

Electrophoretic characterization of heat-stable squamous cell carcinoma antigen

The aim of this study was to investigate the heat stability of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, a tumor-associated serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin), in tumor tissue extract by electrophoretic methods. After heat treatment at 70 degrees C for 2 h, the tumor tissue extract showed a single main protein band of 45 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) which reacted with a monoclonal antibody specific for SCC antigen. The heat-stable SCC antigen was separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) into four spots with pI 6.4-5.9 and Mr 44500-45 000 of SCC antigen-1. Furthermore, the SCC antigen-1 still showed its inhibitory activity against a cysteine proteinase, papain, by gelatin zymography. These results suggest that heat treatment of protein sample at 70 degrees C for 2 h may be a useful method for a partial purification of SCC antigen-1 which can inhibit lysosomal cysteine proteinases such as cathepsin L, S, and K.

Cluster analysis of human and animal pathogenic Microsporum species and their teleomorphic states, Arthroderma species, based on the DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1

We performed a cluster analysis of human and animal pathogenic Microsporum species and their teleomorphic states, Arthroderma species, including A. otae-related species (M. canis, M. audouinii, M. distortum, M. equinum, M. langeronii, and M. ferrugineum) and M. gypseum complex (A. fulvum, A. gypseum, and A. incurvatum) using DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The dendrogram showed the members of A. otae-related species to be monophyletic and to construct an extremely closely related cluster with a long horizontal branch. This ITS1-homologous group of A. otae was organized in 6 unique genotypes, while sequences of the members of the ITS1-homologous group of M. gypseum complex are more diverse. This ITS1-based database of Microsporum species and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable species identification system: it is time-saving (takes two to three days), accurate and applicable even to strains with atypical morphological features or in a non-culturable state.

Observation of Cabibbo suppressed B --> D(*)K- decays at Belle

We report observations of the Cabibbo suppressed decays B-->D((*))K- using a 10.4 fb(-1) data sample accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) storage ring. We find that the ratios of Cabibbo suppressed to Cabibbo favored branching fractions are B(B--->D0K-)/B(B--->D0pi(-)) = 0.079+/-0.009+/-0.006, B(B(0)-->D+K-)/B(B(0)-->D+pi(-)) = 0.068+/-0.015+/-0.007, B(B--->D(*0)K-)/B(B--->D(*0)pi(-)) = 0.078+/-0.019+/-0.009, and B(B(0)-->D(*+)K-)/B(B(0)-->D(*+)pi(-)) = 0.074+/-0.015+/-0.006. These are the first observations of the B-->D+K-, D(*0)K-, and D(*+)K- decay processes.

Chemoprevention of azoxymethane-induced rat aberrant crypt foci by dietary zerumbone isolated from Zingiber zerumbet

The modifying effects of dietary feeding of zerumbone isolated from Zingiber zerumbet on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats. Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in colonic mucosa exposed to AOM and/or zerumbone was also assayed. In addition, we assessed the effects of zerumbone on cell proliferation activity of crypts by counting silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions protein (AgNORs) in colonic cryptal cell nuclei. To induce ACF rats were given three weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body weight). They were also fed the experimental diet containing 0.01% or 0.05% zerumbone for 5 weeks, starting one week before the first dosing of AOM. AOM exposure produced 84+/-13 ACF/rat at the end of the study (week 5). Dietary administration of zerumbone caused reduction in the frequency of ACF: 72+/-17 (14% reduction) at a dose of 0.01% and 45+/-18 (46% reduction, p<0.001) at a dose of 0.05%. Feeding of zerumbone significantly reduced expression of COX-2 and prostaglandins in colonic mucosa. Zerumbone feeding significantly lowered the number of AgNORs in colonic crypt cell nuclei. These findings might suggest possible chemopreventive ability of zerumbone, through suppression of COX-2 expression, cell proliferating activity of colonic mucosa, and induction of phase II detoxification enzymes in the development of carcinogen-induced ACF.

Observation of large CP violation in the neutral B meson system

We present a measurement of the standard model CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) based on a 29.1 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is fully reconstructed as a J/psi K(S), psi(2S)K(S), chi(c1)K(S), eta(c)K(S), J/psi K(L), or J/psi K(*0) decay and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its decay products. From the asymmetry in the distribution of the time intervals between the two B meson decay points, we determine sin2 phi(1) = 0.99+/-0.14(stat)+/-0.06(syst). We conclude that we have observed CP violation in the neutral B meson system.

Systematic search for single nucleotide polymorphisms in the insulin gene: evidence for a high frequency of -23T-->A in Japanese subjects

It has recently been shown that the A/A genotype at g.-23 of the insulin gene correlates with impaired insulin secretion in response to body weight gain in subjects of European descent. To examine whether there are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the insulin gene associated with type 2 diabetes, all exons with their flanking sequences for 113 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients and 99 nondiabetic control subjects were analyzed using PCR direct sequencing. We have only found g.-23T --> A, 806G --> C, 1128T --> C, and 1141A --> C, which have previously been reported in alpha (A-C-C-C) and beta (T-G-T-A) alleles. The allele frequency of -23T --> A in control Japanese subjects was 97.4%, whereas that in Europeans is about 30%. The A/A genotype was found in 94 of 99 Japanese subjects (94.9%) and the allele frequencies of 806G --> C, 1128T --> C, and 1141A --> C were all 96.5%. The estimated haplotype frequencies were (A-C-C-C) (96.0%), (T-G-T-A) (2.0%), (A-G-T-A) (1.5%), and (T-C-C-C) (0.5%). No association of these SNPs or haplotypes with type 2 diabetes was evident. Thus, the A/A genotype at the g.-23 of insulin gene was generally high in Japanese subjects, which could account for the fact that they typically secrete lower levels of insulin.

SOX6 binds CtBP2 to repress transcription from the Fgf-3 promoter

Fgf-3 is expressed in a complex pattern during mouse development. Previously, an essential regulatory element PS4A was identified in the promoter region, and shown to bind at least three factors. To identify the transcription factor(s), we used a yeast one-hybrid screen and obtained a novel Sox6 cDNA (SOX6D). When introduced into cells it strongly repressed activity from both an Fgf-3 reporter gene as well as an artificial promoter containing three PS4A elements. In situ hybridisation analysis showed that Sox6 and Fgf-3 are co-expressed in the otic vesicle of E9.5 mouse embryos in a mutually exclusive pattern, consistent with a repression of Fgf-3 transcription by SOX6. To characterise additional factor(s) involved in Fgf-3 gene repression, a yeast two-hybrid screen was used with the N-terminal portion of SOX6D. Mouse CtBP2 cDNA clones were isolated and shown to bind SOX6 in yeast and mammalian cells. Furthermore, mutational analysis of SOX6 showed that binding to CtBP2, and its responsiveness to this co-repressor, were dependent on a short amino acid sequence motif PLNLSS. Co-expression studies in NIH3T3 cells showed that SOX6 and CtBP2 co-operate to repress activity from the Fgf-3 promoter through the enhancer element PS4A. These results show that SOX6 can recruit CtBP2 to repress transcription from the Fgf-3 promoter.

Hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy in Holstein-Friesian cattle in Japan: association with hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles

This report deals with the pathology and genetic basis of dilated cardiomyopathy in 10 Holstein-Friesian cows aged 3-6 years, a disease similar to that reported in Simmental-Red Holstein and Holstein-Friesian cattle in several other countries. The main clinical signs were associated with systemic circulatory failure, and at necropsy the animals showed cardiomegaly, severe congestion and fibrosis of the liver, and systemic cardiac oedema. Histologically, hypertrophy and vacuolation of the cardiac muscle fibres and severe fibrosis were noted. Electron microscopically, the sarcoplasm of the hypertrophic fibres was seen to be filled with fine structures of low electron-density, together with thin filamentous material, suggesting myofibrillar lysis. The mitochondria showed increased size, an abnormal cristae pattern and vacuolation due to partial loss of cristae. Pedigree analysis of the affected cattle indicated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The family line of this cardiomyopathy overlapped with that of hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles in Holstein-Friesian cattle, the pathological aspects and inheritance mode of which were reported previously. The available evidence suggested a genetic association between these two pathologically distinct diseases.

[A case of fundus albipunctatus with a retinol dehydrogenase 5 gene mutation in a child]

BACKGROUND

We examined a family with fundus albipunctatus in which mutation of the retinol dehydrogenase 5(RDH 5) gene was suspected to be the cause of this disease.

CASE

An 8-year-old girl had diffuse multiple white dots in her fundus except for the macula. She had good central vision. The amplitude of her electroretinogram wave was low, but it recovered after three hours of dark adaptation. Dark adaptometry showed an elevated threshold for rod adaptation. No visual field loss was observed. A homozygous missense mutation was found in exon 5 of the RDH 5 gene that substituted histidine for arginine at codon 280(Arg 280 His). Her mother had a normal fundus but was heterozygous for the same mutation.

CONCLUSION

A missense mutation of RDH 5(Arg 280 His) was found in a Japanese family with fundus albipunctatus.

Dietary administration of citrus nobiletin inhibits azoxymethane-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci in rats

The modifying effects of dietary feeding of a polymethoxyflavonoid nobiletin isolated from Citrus unshiu on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats. We also assessed the effects of nobiletin on cell proliferation activity of ACF using a monoclonal antibody MIB-5. Rats were given subcutaneous injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 3 weeks to induce ACF. They also received the experimental diet containing 0.01% or 0.05% nobiletin for 5 weeks, starting one week before the first dosing of AOM. AOM exposure produced 139 +/- 35 ACF/rat at the end of the study (week 5). Dietary administration of nobiletin caused significant reduction in the frequency of ACF: 70 +/- 15 (50% reduction, p<0.001) at a dose of 0.01% and 63 +/- 10 (55% reduction, p<0.001) at a dose of 0.05%. Nobiletin feeding significantly lowered MIB-5-index in ACF. Also, dietary administration of nobiletin significantly reduced prostaglandin E2 content in the colonic mucosa. These findings might suggest possible chemopreventive ability of nobiletin, through suppression of cell proliferating activity of ACF, in the development of ACF.

Chaos synchronization based on a continuous chaos control method in semiconductor lasers with optical feedback

Chaos synchronization using a continuous chaos control method was studied in two identical chaotic laser systems consisting of semiconductor lasers and optical feedback from an external mirror. Numerical calculations for rate equations indicate that the stability of chaos synchronization depends significantly on the external mirror position. We performed a linear stability analysis for the rate equations. Our results show that the stability of the synchronization is much influenced by the mode interaction between the relaxation oscillation frequency of the semiconductor laser and the external cavity frequency. Due to this interaction, an intensive mode competition between the two frequencies destroys the synchronization, but stable synchronization can be achieved when the mode competition is very weak.

Novel forms of squamous cell carcinoma antigen transcripts produced by alternative splicing

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a member of the ovalbumin serine protease inhibitor family, and the serum level of SCCA is a tumor marker of squamous cell carcinoma. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR of the squamous cell carcinoma cell line showed the existence of a 156 base shorter transcript compared with that of SCCA1 cDNA. By inverse PCR, we cloned the full length cDNA of this SCCA (SCCA1b). Sequence analysis of the complete 1541 bp SCCA1b cDNA showed that it coded for 338 amino acids and had no typical signal sequence in the NH(2) terminus. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli and the product was detected using Western blotting with antibodies against SCCA. Furthermore, RT-PCR of the full coding region of SCCA2 cDNA from cancer tissue showed the existence of a 63 base short transcript (SCCA2b). A comparison of SCCA1b and SCCA2b cDNA with the SCCA1 and SCCA2 genes showed that these messages were derived from each gene by an alternative splicing mechanism.

Right heart bypass for left circumflex coronary artery bypass grafting

Displacement of the heart to expose the left circumflex artery (LCX) causes hemodynamic disturbance during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We applied right heart bypass (RHB) using a heparin-coated centrifugal pump without an oxygenator in an attempt to stabilize the hemodynamics. Five mongrel dogs (15.5-20 kg) were used. Hemodynamic parameters were continuously monitored at a fixed rate of 80 beats/min. The LCX was exposed with the use of an Octopus Tissue Stabilizer. After baseline data were obtained, each dog was placed in the Trendelenburg position. Finally, RHB was established with different pump flows. LCX exposure caused a significant decrease in aortic flow (to 33.1% +/- 13.1% of the baseline value) and arterial mean pressure (to 68.3% +/- 8.5%) (P < 0.001). Trendelenburg positioning caused these values to recover to 57.1% +/- 6.7% and 72.5% +/- 7.7%, respectively. RHB with 50% flow significantly improved the hemodynamic values, although 100% flow significantly increased LAP by 134.8% +/- 19.7% (P < 0.01). Tilting of the canine heart to expose the LCX caused significant deterioration of the hemodynamic values. Trendelenburg positioning was moderately effective, and RHB very effective, in improving the hemodynamics. In a limited number of cases, an appropriate flow of RHB may provide safe hemodynamic assistance during off-pump CABG of the LCX.