Guide catheter damage during rotational coronary atherectomy of aorto-ostial lesions

We report two cases in which the tips of guide catheters were damaged by rotational burrs during rotational coronary atherectomy of aorto-ostial lesions. There were no signs of embolization caused by the material of the guide catheters during and after the interventions.

[Actual conditions of occupational health administration of small-scale enterprises in Japan: (II). Occupational health controls for hazardous and musculo-skeletally stressful working factors]

In order to clarify the actual condition of occupational health management for hazardous and musculo-skeletally stressful work factors in small-scale enterprises (SSEs) in Japan, a questionnaire survey was conducted in an area near Osaka city. The hazardous work factors examined were dust, organic solvents, lead, specified chemical substances, anoxia, noise, hand-arm vibration, ionizing radiation, high and low temperatures, and high air pressure. The musculo-skeletally stressful work factors examined were VDT work, prolonged standing, unnatural postures, handling of heavy weights, and stress on neck, shoulders and arms. The number of SSEs that replied to the questionnaire was 765 (recovery rate: 69.3%). Enterprises with noise, dust, hand-arm vibration and organic solvents numbered 14.0%, 10.7%, 6.9% and 6.4%, respectively, and those with other hazardous factors numbered less than 3%. Special medical examinations and working environment measurements for hazardous factors were conducted in 0.0% to 26.7% and 0.0% to 13.3%, respectively, of the enterprises. Working environment controls were conducted in 0.0% to 40.2%. Enterprises with prolonged standing and VDT work, were 42.0% and 35.8%, whereas those with other stressful factors were approximately 30%. Special medical examinations for musculo-skeletally stressful factors were conducted in 3.0% to 5.1% of the enterprises, and work controls were conducted in 20.4% to 25.3%. Non execution of the special medical examinations and working environment measurements were mainly due to "lack of knowledge of the law (19.7% and 30.2%)" and "lack of time to perform (16.0% and 23.3%)". Non execution of the controls for the hazardous work factors was due to "lack of knowledge as to how to control (9.0%)", "high costs (7.4%)", "lack of time to perform (6.4%)" and "absence of a suitable adviser (5.9%)". Non execution of the controls for stressful work factors was due to "lack of knowledge as to how to control (15.6%)" and "lack of time to perform (10.2%)". Consequently, as a result of the survey, it was suggested that it is necessary to enlighten the employers of SEEs as to the importance of occupational health controls. It is also necessary to propose low-cost, feasible control methods.

Acetylation of GATA-3 affects T-cell survival and homing to secondary lymphoid organs

Acetylation of a transcription factor has recently been shown to play a significant role in gene regulation. Here we show that GATA-3 is acetylated in T cells and that a mutation introduced into amino acids 305-307 (KRR-GATA3) creates local hypoacetylation in GATA-3. Remarkably, KRR-GATA3 possesses the most potent suppressive effect when compared with other mutants that are disrupted in putative acetylation targets. Expressing this mutant in peripheral T cells results in defective T-cell homing to systemic lymphnodes, and prolonged T-cell survival after activation. These findings have significant implications in that the acetylation state of GATA-3 affects its physiological function in the immune system and, more importantly, provides evidence for the novel role of GATA-3 in T-cell survival and homing to secondary lymphoid organs.

Hydrops of placental stem villi complicated with fetal congenital adrenal hyperplasia

The authors present a case report of hydrops of placental stem villi. Numerous small aechoic spaces were demonstrated by prenatal ultrasonography. The patient spontaneously delivered a female newborn at 26 weeks' gestation. The infant showed hypertrophied clitoris and urogenital sius, and had a normal 46, XX karyotype. Endocrinological examination revealed that 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency caused the anomaly. To our knowledge, this is the first report that congenital genital malformation complicated the placental mesenchymal dysplasia.

Mechanism of glia-neuron cell-fate switch in the Drosophila thoracic neuroblast 6–4 lineage

During development of the Drosophila central nervous system, neuroblast 6–4 in the thoracic segment (NB6-4T) divides asymmetrically into a medially located glial precursor cell and a laterally located neuronal precursor cell. In this study, to understand the molecular basis for this glia-neuron cell-fate decision, we examined the effects of some known mutations on the NB6-4T lineage. First, we found that prospero (pros) mutations led to a loss of expression of Glial cells missing, which is essential to trigger glial differentiation, in the NB6-4T lineage. In wild-type embryos, Pros protein was localized at the medial cell cortex of dividing NB6-4T and segregated to the nucleus of the glial precursor cell. miranda and inscuteable mutations altered the behavior of Pros, resulting in failure to correctly switch the glial and neuronal fates. Our results suggested that NB6-4T used the same molecular machinery in the asymmetric cell division as other neuroblasts in cell divisions producing ganglion mother cells. Furthermore, we showed that outside the NB6-4T lineage most glial cells appeared independently of Pros.

Genetic identification of bilateral primary or metastatic nonpapillary renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the clonality of bilateral tumours by genetic analysis of bilateral renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) using the VHL gene, which is inactivated in approximately 60% of RCCs and which plays a causal role in the development of most cases of nonpapillary RCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 20 patients; seven had von Hippel-Lindau disease, three had papillary RCC and 10 had nonpapillary RCC. Paraffin-embedded blocks of tumour tissue were obtained from two of the three patients with papillary RCC and from nine of 10 with nonpapillary disease; all three exons of VHL were examined by direct sequencing.

RESULTS

As reported previously, no VHL mutations were found in papillary tumours. However, in five of the nine nonpapillary cases, VHL mutations were identified in tumours on one or both sides. Three of the tumours had the same mutation on both sides, confirming a common origin. In the remaining two patients, the mutation status differed between the sides, confirming a bilateral primary origin. The former cases were characterized by a relatively large tumour on one side and multiple tumours on the other.

CONCLUSIONS

In nonpapillary RCC multiplicity may suggest a metastatic origin. Such genetic information will be useful in treating and following patients with bilateral renal tumours.

Distinct mechanisms triggering glial differentiation in Drosophila thoracic and abdominal neuroblasts 6-4

Neurons and glia are produced in stereotyped patterns after neuroblast cell division during development of the Drosophila central nervous system. The first cell division of thoracic neuroblast 6-4 (NB6-4T) is asymmetric, giving rise to a glial precursor cell and a neuronal precursor cell. In contrast, abdominal NB6-4 (NB6-4A) divides symmetrically to produce two glial cells. To understand the relationship between cell division and glia-neuron cell fate determination, we examined and compared the effects of known cell division mutations on the NB6-4T and NB6-4A lineages. Based on observation of expression of glial fate determination and early glial differentiation genes, the onset of glial differentiation occurred in NB6-4A but not in NB6-4T when both cell cycle progression and cytokinesis were genetically arrested. On the other hand, glial differentiation started in both lineages when cytokinesis was blocked with intact cell cycle progression. These results showed that NB6-4T, but not NB6-4A, requires cell cycle progression for acquisition of glial fate, suggesting that distinct mechanisms trigger glial differentiation in the different lineages.

[p53 transgenic and knockout mice]

Li-Fraumeni syndrome(LFS) and its relation to the p53 gene and p53 gene transgenic and targeting mice are reviewed. LFS is a hereditary cancer-prone syndrome mainly with germ line mutation of p53 gene. p53 deficient mice, especially heterozygous mice, may serve as a model for human LFS, although there are several discrepancies between them. Carcinogenesis experiment using p53 deficient mice may be important to clarify the role of p53 in tumorigenesis in vivo.

Comparative study of the asparagine-linked sugar chains of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase purified from urine and amniotic fluid, and recombinantly expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is a highly glycosylated member of the lipocalin gene family and is secreted into various human body fluids. We comparatively analyzed the structures of asparagine-linked sugar chains of human L-PGDS produced by recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells and naturally occurring human urine and amniotic fluid. After the sugar chains were liberated by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation, they were derivatized with 2-aminobenzamide. All of the sugar chains of three L-PGDSs occur as biantennary complex-type sugar chains. Most of the sugar chains of three samples were fucosylated on the inner most N-acetylglucosamine residue. Although the sugar chains of the recombinant L-PGDS do not contain any bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues, 58% and 34% of the fucosylated-sugar chains of amniotic fluid and urine L-PGDSs, respectively, contain bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues. The sialic acid residues occur solely as Siaalpha2-->3Gal groups of the recombinant L-PGDS; the sialic acid residues of other L-PGDS occur as both Siaalpha2-->3Gal and Siaalpha2-->6Gal groups. Variations in L-PGDS glycosylation may prove useful as markers to further elucidate the role of L-PGDS glycoforms in different tissues.

Mice deficient in the nucleotide excision repair gene XPA have elevated sensitivity to benzo[a]pyrene induction of lung tumors

This study is focused on chemical induction of lung tumors in xeroderma pigmentosum group A gene (XPA)-deficient mice to clarify the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in internal organs. Six-week-old female XPA-/-, XPA(+/-) and XPA(+/+) mice were instilled intratracheally with benzo[a] pyrene (B[a]P). A total of 68 surviving XPA mice treated with B[a]P were examined at month 16. The pulmonary adenoma incidence in XPA(-/-) mice was significantly higher than that in XPA(+/+) mice (71 versus 35%). Similarly, tumor multiplicity was elevated and, in addition, only XPA(-/-) mice had lung carcinomas. These results provide the first evidence that a deficiency in the NER gene XPA leads to enhanced tumorigenesis in the lung after exposure to B[a]P.

Predictors of survival in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients: the importance of left ventricular hypertrophy and diabetic nephropathy

We retrospectively evaluated the factors that are prognostic in long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). From 1986 to 1997, 91 CAPD patients (59 male, 32 female, mean age 48 years) entered the study. Their primary renal diseases were chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN, n = 80), diabetic nephropathy (DN, n = 10), and polycystic kidney disease (PKD, n = 1). The roles of primary renal disease, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac sympathetic activity, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and plasma concentration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on patient prognosis were analyzed. Among the 91 CAPD patients, 26 died during the observation period. Of these deaths, 17 resulted from cardiovascular diseases including cerebrovascular events (n = 7), myocardial infarction (n = 2), sudden death (n = 7), and aortic aneurysmal rupture (n = 1). Nine patients died of non cardiovascular events. Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis and others, mainly cachexia, accounted for 2 and 7 of these deaths, respectively. The 5-year survival rate was 74%; the 10-year rate was 49%. The cumulative 5- and 10-year success rates of CAPD were 69% and 39%, respectively. DN, hypertension, severe LVH (more than 200 g/m2), and hypoalbuminemia were contributors to poor prognosis. Among these, DN and severe LVH were the two main predictors by Cox proportional hazards model. We conclude that CAPD patients with DN or severe LVH, or both, have a greater chance of drop-out from cardiovascular events.

Structure of the mouse NDRF gene and its regulation during neuronal differentiation of P19 cells

We have isolated and characterized the mouse gene for NDRF (neuroD-related factor), a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor implicated in neural development and function. The gene consists of two exons and the entire protein-coding sequence is encoded by a single downstream exon. RNA blot hybridization analysis revealed that NDRF mRNA was detectable at day 4 and increased to a maximal level at day 6 during neuronal differentiation of P19 cells. To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the NDRF gene expression during this process, a construct containing the genomic DNA fragment of about 3 kbp upstream of the NDRF coding region fused to a luciferase reporter gene was transfected into P19 cells, and stable transformants were pooled for assay of luciferase activities. When the stable transformants were treated with RA and aggregated to induce neuronal differentiation, the luciferase activities were induced in a temporal expression pattern similar to that of the endogenous NDRF mRNA. Further experiments using a series of deletion and mutation constructs indicated that the 376-bp sequence in the 5'-flanking region of the NDRF gene is important, and that one of the E boxes in the sequence plays a critical role in the regulated expression. Transient transfection experiments also showed that the same E box is required for the transactivation of the NDRF promoter activity by neurogenin 1. These results suggest that the NDRF gene expression is regulated by an E box-binding factor during neuronal differentiation of P19 cells.

Adenomyomatous polyp mimicking hydatidiform mole on ultrasonography

The authors present a case report of a 62-year-old woman who experienced irregular genital bleeding. Although the serum hCG level was extremely low, transvaginal ultrasonography revealed vesicle pattern in the uterine cavity, suggesting trophoblastic disease. Hysterectomy was performed and histological diagnosis was adenomyomatous polyp. To our knowledge, this is the first report that the adnomyomatous polyp can demonstrate the vesicle pattern on ultrasonography.

Dietary taurine alters ascorbic acid metabolism in rats fed diets containing polychlorinated biphenyls

The effect of dietary taurine on ascorbic acid metabolism and hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes was investigated in rats fed diets containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) to determine whether taurine has an adaptive and protective function in xenobiotic-treated animals. Young male Wistar rats (60 g) were fed diets containing 0 or 0.2 g/kg diet PCB with or without 30 g/kg diet of taurine for 14 d. The rats fed the PCB-containing diets had greater liver weight, higher ascorbic acid concentrations in the liver and spleen and greater hepatic cytochrome P-450 contents than control rats that were not treated with PCB (P < 0.01). In PCB-fed rats, urinary ascorbic acid excretion was enhanced, and serum cholesterol concentration (especially HDL-cholesterol) was significantly elevated compared with those in control rats. Dietary taurine significantly potentiated the increases in the urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and the rise in the levels of cytochrome P-450 which were caused by PCB treatment. On the other hand, the supplementation of taurine to control diet did not alter these variables. Taurine may enhance the hepatic drug-metabolizing systems, leading to the stimulation of the ascorbic acid metabolism in rats fed diets containing PCB.

Exercise induced atrioventricular block with gap phenomenon in atrioventricular conduction

A 54-year-old man with normal atrioventricular (AV) conduction at rest gave a 4-year history of presyncope during exercise. Treadmill testing showed exercise induced AV block. Electrophysiological study demonstrated rate dependent infranodal AV block and abnormal refractory period of the His-Purkinje system. The gap phenomenon in AV conduction occurred during the programmed stimulation. Supernormal conduction could be considered as the mechanism of the gap phenomenon in this patient.

In vivo detection of ultraviolet photoproducts and their repair in purkinje cells

We previously developed a highly sensitive method to assess in situ repair kinetics of ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA photoproducts in epidermal cells using monoclonal antibodies specific for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts (64PPs) by immunohistochemistry. In order to determine whether nucleotide excision repair capacity is operative in postmitotic mature neurons, brain surfaces of adult mice were exposed to UVB, and induction and removal of CPDs and 64PPs in Purkinje cell DNA were assessed immunohistochemically. UVB penetrated brain tissue to a depth sufficient to allow quantitative study. CPDs but not 64PPs were clearly detectable in the nuclei of Purkinje cells at doses >500 J/m2, in a dose-dependent manner. A time course experiment showed a statistically significant decrease of CPDs with time after irradiation. Although there was no apparent removal on Day 1, about half of CPDs were removed within 5 days, and the repair was essentially completed by Day 10. We conclude that non-dividing cerebellar neuronal cells can indeed repair UV-induced DNA damage, but with relatively low efficiency as compared with dividing epidermal cells.

Eel WT1 sequence and expression in spontaneous nephroblastomas in Japanese eel

Nephroblastomas spontaneously developing in Japanese eel reared at farms for 5 to 9months after collection from the wild [Masahito et al., Cancer Res., 52 (1992) 2575-2579] were investigated to cast light on the role of Wilms' tumor 1 gene (WT1) in eel kidney tumorigenesis. Cloning of the WT1 counterpart, EWT1, revealed that conservation of an alternative splice II site, located between the third and fourth zinc fingers, was conserved. The zinc finger domain was highly conserved. The transregulator region, sequences corresponding to exons 4 and 5 in WT1, were lacking in EWT1 cDNA. EWT1 was found to be expressed in kidney, testis and spleen and in situ hybridization revealed dark-stained immature cells in elver kidney to be positive. Although no EWT1 gene mutations were found in 38 eel nephroblastomas, 26 polymorphic nucleic acid changes were observed. Aberrant WT1 expression was noted in epithelial (12 out of 27; 44%) and nephroblastic cell histological types (three out of five; 60%) of eel nephroblastomas. On in situ hybridization the EWT1 expressive cells resembled human blastema cells, similar to those in human Wilms' tumor. These data demonstrated strong signals that the EWT1 protein may function in the development of eel kidney and play a role in genesis of nephroblastomas as in mammals.

Identification of human MutY homolog (hMYH) as a repair enzyme for 2-hydroxyadenine in DNA and detection of multiple forms of hMYH located in nuclei and mitochondria

An enzyme activity introducing an alkali-labile site at 2-hydroxyadenine (2-OH-A) in double-stranded oligonucleotides was detected in nuclear extracts of Jurkat cells. This activity co-eluted with activities toward adenine paired with guanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) as a single peak corresponding to a 55 kDa molecular mass on gel filtration chromatography. Further co-purification was then done. Western blotting revealed that these activities also co-purified with a 52 kDa polypeptide which reacted with antibodies against human MYH (anti-hMYH). Recombinant hMYH has essentially similar activities to the partially purified enzyme. Thus, hMYH is likely to possess both adenine and 2-OH-A DNA glycosylase activities. In nuclear extracts from Jurkat cells, a 52 kDa polypeptide was detected with a small amount of 53 kDa polypeptide, while in mitochondrial extracts a 57 kDa polypeptide was detected using anti-hMYH. With amplification of the 5'-regions of the hMYH cDNA, 10 forms of hMYH transcripts were identified and subgrouped into three types, each with a unique 5' sequence. These hMYH transcripts are likely to encode multiple authentic hMYH polypeptides including the 52, 53 and 57 kDa polypeptides detected in Jurkat cells.

Anatomic basis for selective nervi-spinales infiltration in the treatment of articular back pain

The purpose of this paper is to describe the radiologic anatomy for selective medial branch block for low back pain resulting from facet joints. A groove between the mammillary process and the accessory process (M-A groove) was chosen as the target point for this nerve block. The position of M-A groove was constant on X-rays at each level of the lumbar spine. Confirming this position under the fluoroscope. the medial branch nerves can be blocked selectively. This method clarifies the features of low back pain related to the medial branch.

Adhesion formation can be reduced by the suppression of transforming growth factor-beta1 activity

Surgery or trauma often results in restrictive adhesions around joints or tendons that cause severe functional impairment. The formation of adhesion is essentially a fibrogenetic process; therefore, peptide growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-beta, are assumed to play central roles in its development. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that suppression of transforming growth factor-beta1 activity reduces adhesion formation. Sixty rabbits were prepared and randomly divided into six groups of 10. Intraarticular adhesions were created in the right knee joints by cortical bone shaving and subsequent cast immobilization for 4 weeks. In animals in three of the six groups, transforming growth factor-beta1 activity was suppressed by continuous administration of the neutralizing antibody in three graded doses; animals in the other three groups were used as controls. Four weeks after the surgery, the casts were removed and the adhesions were assessed macroscopically, histologically, biomechanically, and biochemically. Gross observation showed that the neutralizing antibody had suppressed adhesion formation in a dose-dependent manner. This is consistent with biomechanical measurement results demonstrating that the antibody reduced the flexion contractures. Histologically, the adhesion in our model was fibrous tissue and the adhesions in the animals in the antibody groups were thin and loose in comparison with the controls. Biochemical analyses further supported these results, demonstrating that administration of the antibody reduced collagen content in the adhesions with a predominance of type-I collagen. Thus, this study showed that suppression of the actions of transforming growth factor-beta1 reduced adhesion formation. Considering the various possible measures to control the activity of the growth factor, suppression of transforming growth factor-beta may be a novel, potent approach to preventing adhesions.

Is heavy alcohol consumption an attributable risk factor for cancer-related deaths among Japanese men?

BACKGROUND

Over the past four decades, per capita alcohol consumption in Japan has increased 4-fold. Age-adjusted cirrhosis mortality rates for men have also increased, whereas the rates for women have declined gradually. This widening difference in mortality could be due to a decreasing prevalence of viral hepatitis infection for both sexes and to differences in alcohol consumption between the sexes. Difficulties in estimating the impact of increased alcohol consumption on mortality rates in Japan also arise from changes in the prevalence of non-alcohol-related risk factors.

METHODS

To measure the relative contribution of alcohol to death from cirrhosis, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, and head and neck cancer among Japanese men, we used the mortality rate for Japanese women as the standard because alcohol consumption for women has been low. We used published vital statistics data from 1992 to 1996 to calculate the attributable risk percent (ARP) in 5-year cohorts of Japanese men age 20 and older.

RESULTS

Among Japanese men, heavy alcohol consumption accounted for 70.7% of deaths due to cirrhosis, 76.8% of liver cancer deaths, 88.5% of esophageal cancer deaths, and 87.4% of head and neck cancer deaths. When we examined ARPs by age group, ARPs for these four diseases were approximately 80% in the middle age groups. However, for older groups, the ARPs for cirrhosis and liver cancer were much lower than those for esophageal cancer and head and neck cancer. The prevalence of previous hepatitis C virus infection, considered to be the major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, increased with age.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support previous epidemiologic studies conducted in Japan. Heavy alcohol consumption is a major public health problem among younger Japanese men, accounting for approximately 80% of the deaths for the four diseases examined.

Acquired loss of p53 induces blastic transformation in p210(bcr/abl)-expressing hematopoietic cells: a transgenic study for blast crisis of human CML

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) begins with an indolent chronic phase but inevitably progresses to a fatal blast crisis. Although the Philadelphia chromosome, which generates p210(bcr/abl), is a unique chromosomal abnormality in the chronic phase, additional chromosomal abnormalities are frequently detected in the blast crisis, suggesting that superimposed genetic events are responsible for disease progression. To investigate whether loss of p53 plays a role in the evolution of CML, we crossmated p210(bcr/abl)-transgenic (BCR/ABL(tg/-)) mice with p53-heterozygous (p53(+/-)) mice and generated p210(bcr/abl)-transgenic, p53-heterozygous (BCR/ABL(tg/-)p53(+/-)) mice, in which a somatic alteration in the residual normal p53 allele directly abrogates p53 function. The BCR/ABL(tg/-)p53(+/-) mice died in a short period compared with their wild-type (BCR/ABL(-/-)p53(+/+)), p53 heterozygous (BCR/ABL(-/-)p53(+/-)), and p210(bcr/abl) transgenic (BCR/ABL(tg/-)p53(+/+)) litter mates. They had rapid proliferation of blast cells, which was preceded by subclinical or clinical signs of a myeloproliferative disorder resembling human CML. The blast cells were clonal in origin and expressed p210(bcr/abl) with an increased kinase activity. Interestingly, the residual normal p53 allele was frequently and preferentially lost in the tumor tissues, implying that a certain mechanism facilitating the loss of p53 allele exists in p210(bcr/abl)-expressing hematopoietic cells. Our study presents in vivo evidence that acquired loss of p53 contributes to the blastic transformation of p210(bcr/abl)-expressing hematopoietic cells and provides insights into the molecular mechanism for blast crisis of human CML. (Blood. 2000;95:1144-1150)

Involvement of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand/osteoclast differentiation factor in osteoclastogenesis from synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the mechanism by which osteoclasts are formed in culture of rheumatoid synoviocytes by exploring the involvement of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF).

METHODS

Osteoclast formation was evaluated in cocultures of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of macrophage colony stimulating factor and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) utilizing separating membrane filters. RANKL/ODF expression was examined by Northern blotting in synovial tissues from 5 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and tissues from patients with giant cell tumor (GCT), osteosarcoma (OS), and osteoarthritis (OA). RANKL/ODF expression and the ability of synovial fibroblasts to support osteoclastogenesis were investigated in coculture with PBMC in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)2D3, and soluble RANKL/ODF and osteoprotegerin (OPG)/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of OPG/OCIF on the osteoclastogenesis in the primary culture of rheumatoid synoviocytes and the coculture system were determined.

RESULTS

Synovial fibroblasts did not induce osteoclastogenesis when separately cocultured with PBMC. Northern blotting revealed that RANKL/ODF was highly expressed in all tissues from RA and GCT patients, but not from OA or OS patients. Cultured rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts efficiently induced osteoclastogenesis in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3, which was accompanied by up-regulated expression of RANKL/ODF and decreased production of OPG/OCIF. Osteoclastogenesis from synoviocytes was dose-dependently inhibited by OPG/OCIF.

CONCLUSION

RANKL/ODF expressed on synovial fibroblasts is involved in rheumatoid bone destruction by inducing osteoclastogenesis and would therefore be a good therapeutic target.

Amplifying effect of dietary taurine on the induction of cytochrome P-450 and on the urinary excretion of ascorbic acid in rats fed on phenobarbital-containing diets

Dietary taurine amplified the induction of cytochrome P-450 and the urinary excretion of ascorbic acid in rats fed on phenobarbital (PB)-containing diets. These facts suggest that taurine could influence the hepatic metabolism of xenobiotics via the induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DME) and the ascorbic acid metabolism. Taurine might improve the function of DME exposed by some xenobiotics.

Lipid-lowering therapy and coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) often have abnormalities of lipid metabolism or coagulation and fibrinolysis, these patients may thus be more susceptible to atherosclerosis than those on hemodialysis. It has been reported that hypercoagulability and hyperfibrinolysis are correlated with abnormalities of lipid metabolism. Therefore, we investigated the effect of a decrease in lipids on the coagulation and fibrinolysis system in CAPD patients with hyperlipidemia who received lipid-lowering therapy. The patients included 5 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 52.5 years. Pravastatin sodium (10 mg/day) and ethyl icosapentate (1800 mg/day) were administered concomitantly for 8 weeks. Lipid levels and coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters were measured before and after therapy. The patients were divided into two groups depending on their response to therapy: responders showed a decrease in total cholesterol or triglycerides by at least 20% and non-responders showed less improvement. In the responders, the levels of protein C, tissue plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor-I complex, factor XIII, alpha2-plasmin inhibitor, and D-dimer were significantly lower after therapy than before therapy. Protein C, factor XIII, and alpha2-plasmin inhibitor were also significantly decreased after therapy in non-responders, but the extent of the decrease was smaller. The plasminogen level was significantly increased after therapy in non-responders. These findings suggest that a decrease in lipid levels and/or some other action by lipid-lowering agents may correct abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolysis in CAPD patients.

In vitro and in vivo suppression of osteoclast function by adenovirus vector-induced csk gene

The proto-oncogene c-src, which encodes a non-receptor-type tyrosine kinase c-Src, has been shown to be essential for osteoclastic bone resorption by the finding that the targeted disruption of the c-src gene induced osteopetrosis in mice. The csk (C-terminal Src family kinase) gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase that specifically phosphorylates the negative regulatory site of c-Src (Tyr-527), thereby inhibiting its kinase activity. To regulate osteoclast function by modulating the kinase activity of c-Src, we constructed an adenovirus vector that carries this gene. The recombinant adenovirus vector carrying csk cDNA induced Csk expression in mouse osteoclast-like cells formed in vitro and clearly reduced c-Src kinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of Csk caused cytoskeletal disorganization of osteoclast-like cells and strongly suppressed pit-forming activity of the cells in vitro. In addition, the viral vector carrying csk gene dramatically suppressed interleukin-1 alpha-induced bone resorption in vivo. Conversely, kinase-inactive Csk caused an increase in c-Src kinase activity and bone resorbing activity of the cells both in vitro and in vivo, acting as a dominant negative molecule against intrinsic Csk. These findings indicate that the inhibition of c-Src activity by adenovirus vector-mediated csk expression offers an efficient means for inhibiting pathological bone resorption by suppressing osteoclast function.

Interaction of PKN with a neuron-specific basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, NDRF/NeuroD2

By the yeast two-hybrid screening of a human brain cDNA library with the amino-terminal regulatory region of PKN as a bait, a clone encoding a neuron-specific basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factor, NDRF/NeuroD2 was isolated. NDRF/NeuroD2 was co-precipitated with PKN from the lysate of COS-7 cells transfected with both expression constructs for NDRF/NeuroD2 and PKN. In vitro binding studies using the deletion mutants of NDRF/NeuroD2 synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate indicated that the internal region containing the bHLH domain of NDRF/NeuroD2 was necessary and sufficient for the interaction with PKN. In addition, recombinant NDRF/NeuroD2 purified from Escherichia coli could bind PKN, suggesting the direct interaction between NDRF/NeuroD2 and PKN. Transient transfection assays using P19 cells revealed that expression of NDRF/NeuroD2 increased the transactivation of the rat insulin promoter element 3 (RIPE3) enhancer up to approximately 12-fold and that co-expression of catalytically active form of PKN, but not kinase-deficient derivative, resulted in a further threefold increase of NDRF/NeuroD2-mediated transcription. These findings suggest that PKN may contribute to transcriptional responses through the post-translational modification of the NDRF/NeuroD2-dependent transcriptional machinery.

Live Bartonella henselae enhances endothelial cell proliferation without direct contact

The proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cocultivated with live B. henselae was enhanced in a bacterial dose-dependent manner, and the stimulatory effect was specific to vascular endothelial cells. The inactivation of B. henselae by UV or heat treatment abolished its stimulatory activity, suggesting that live bacteria is necessary for the growth stimulation effect. To investigate the role of direct contact, live B. henselae were separated from HUVECs by a filter membrane (Millicell-CM insert). Even under this condition, an enhanced proliferation of HUVECs was observed. However, no morphological changes in the HUVECs were apparent compared to the B. henselae -infected cells. Furthermore, we isolated a nonpiliated strain of B. henselae that is unable to attach to and enter into endothelial cells. The nonpiliated strain possessed the ability to stimulate the proliferation of cocultivated HUVECs the same as the piliated strain. Moreover, the culture supernatants of B. henselae were also able to induce HUVEC proliferation. Our results indicate that the stimulation of HUVEC proliferation by B. henselae is mediated by soluble factor(s) secreted from the bacteria.

Nonchordate classic cadherins have a structurally and functionally unique domain that is absent from chordate classic cadherins

Classic cadherins, which are adhesion molecules in cell-cell adherens junctions, have a large contribution to the construction of the animal body. Their molecular structures show clear differences between chordate and nonchordate metazoans. Although nonchordate classic cadherins have cadherin superfamily-specific extracellular repeats (CRs) and a highly conserved cytoplasmic domain (CP), these cadherins have a unique extracellular domain that is absent from vertebrate and ascidian classic cadherins. We called this the primitive classic cadherin domain (PCCD). To understand the roles of the PCCD, we constructed and characterized a series of mutant forms of the Drosophila classic cadherin DE-cadherin. Biochemical analyses indicated that the last two CRs and PCCD form a special structure with proteolytic cleavage. Mutations in the PCCD did not eliminate the cell-cell-binding function of DE-cadherin in cultured cells, but prevented the cadherin from efficiently translocating to the plasma membrane in epithelial cells of the developing embryo. In addition, genetic rescue assays suggested that although CP-mediated control plays a central role in tracheal fusion, the role of the PCCD in efficient recruitment of DE-cadherin to apical areas of the plasma membranes is also important for dynamic epithelial morphogenesis. We propose that there is a fundamental difference in the mode of classic cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion between chordate and nonchordate metazoans.

Ubiquitin-mediated degradation of active Src tyrosine kinase

Src family tyrosine kinases are involved in modulating various signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of DNA synthesis and cytoskeletal reorganization in response to cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesion. The critical role of these kinases in regulating cellular signaling pathways requires that their activity be tightly controlled. Src family proteins are regulated through reversible phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events that alter the conformation of the kinase. We have found evidence that Src also is regulated by ubiquitination. Activated forms of Src are less stable than either wild-type or kinase-inactive Src mutants and can be stabilized by proteasome inhibitors. In addition, poly-ubiquitinated forms of active Src have been detected in vivo. Taken together, our results establish ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis as a previously unidentified mechanism for irreversibly attenuating the effects of active Src kinase.

Multi-forms of human MTH1 polypeptides produced by alternative translation initiation and single nucleotide polymorphism

The human MTH1 gene for 8-oxo-7,8-dihydrodeoxyguanosine triphosphatase, produces seven types (types 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B) of mRNAs. The B-type mRNAs with exon 2b-2c segments have three additional in-frame AUGs in their 5' regions. We report here that these transcripts produce three forms of MTH1 polypeptides (p22, p21 and p18) in in vitro translation reactions. Three polypeptides were also detected in extracts of human cells, using western blotting. B-type mRNAs with a polymorphic alteration (GU-->GC) at the beginning of exon 2c that converts an in-frame UGA to CGA yielding another in-frame AUG further upstream, produced an additional polypeptide (p26) in vitro. Substitution of each AUG abolished the production of each corresponding polypeptide. Cell lines from individuals with the GC allele contain more B-type mRNAs than do those of GT homozygotes, and the former produce all of four polypeptides but the latter lack p26. Amounts of each polypeptide reflected copy number of the GC allele in each cell line. There is an apparent linkage dis-equilibrium between the two polymorphic sites, GT/GC at exon 2c and Val83/Met83 at codon 83 for p18.

Improving effect of dietary taurine on marked hypercholesterolemia induced by a high-cholesterol diet in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effect of dietary taurine on hypercholesterolemia induced by a high-cholesterol diet in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated. The concentrations of serum and liver cholesterol were markedly elevated in STZ-diabetic rats fed on the cholesterol-containing diet, and dietary taurine significantly reduced this elevated level of cholesterol in the serum and liver. The gene expression of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), which is the rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol degradation, was induced by the supplementation of taurine to the high-cholesterol diet. It is suggested that one of the reasons for this hypocholesterolemic action by taurine might have been the enhancement of cholesterol degradation.

[Actual conditions of occupational health activities in small-scale enterprises in Japan: system for occupational health, health management and demands by small-scale enterprises]

In order to clarify the real conditions of occupational health services (OHS) in small-scale enterprises (SSEs) in Japan, we analyzed questionnaires recovered from 765 SSEs in the area of a city neighboring Osaka City (recovery rate, 69.3%). The SSEs included 358 SSEs with 1 to 4 workers (46.8% of total SSEs), 203 with 5 to 9 (26.5%), 163 with 10 to 29 (21.3%) and 41 with 30 to 49 (5.4%). The main types of businesses were manufacturing (374, 48.9% of total SSEs), wholesale/retail trade/restaurants (153, 20.0%), community, social and personal services (132, 17.3%) and construction (72, 9.4%). Health examinations were performed in 47.7% of SSEs. The reason for the lack of examinations were "shortage of time" (33.3% of SSEs lacking health examination) and "employees do not want to be examined" (28.1%). Some health promotion measures were conducted in 29.2% of SSEs. Health examination (59.0% of SSEs), health promotion (36.5%), measure of mental health (25.9%) and information service for employers and employees (25.5%) were demanded by SSEs as OHS. Financial subsidies and economical incentives were demanded by 46.4% and 28.8% of SSEs, respectively. Regional occupational health center in this area was poorly known among SSEs (8.2%), but health examination (48.4%), information service (37.5%), assessment of work method and advice to improve (19.8%) and environment measurement (12.4%) are demanded of the center by SSEs.

Glucocorticoid-dependent induction of HMG-CoA reductase and malic enzyme gene expression by polychlorinated biphenyls in rat hepatocytes

Administration of xenobiotics to rats results in hypercholesterolemia and in the induction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and malic enzyme. To investigate the mechanism of the induction of the enzymes by xenobiotics, the effects of xenobiotics on gene expressions for HMG-CoA reductase, malic enzyme, and cytochrome P-450 in rat liver and in cultured hepatocyte were investigated. The treatment of rats with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) as a xenobiotic induced mRNAs for HMG-CoA reductase and malic enzyme as well as CYP2B1/2 (cytochrome P-450b/e). Other xenobiotics, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), and chloretone, also increased HMG-CoA reductase mRNA. In an investigation of diurnal rhythm of mRNA for HMG-CoA reductase, the induction by PCB was observed in a dark period. Induced expressions of HMG-CoA reductase gene and malic enzyme gene by PCB were observed in primary cultured rat hepatocytes and showed that the action of PCB on the gene expression relating to lipid metabolism was directed on hepatocytes. The induction was observed only in hepatocytes cultured on Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma basement membrane gel (EHS-gel), not on type I collagen, which is usually used for monolayer culture of hepatocytes. The induction of CYP2B1/2 gene expression also was observed only in the cells cultured on EHS-gel. The induction of HMG-CoA reductase and malic enzyme by PCB required dexamethasone. However, the addition of dexamethasone per se to medium containing insulin did not show an inductive effect on levels of mRNA for HMG-CoA reductase and malic enzyme. From the data of diurnal variation and hepatocyte culture experiment, HMG-CoA reductase and malic enzyme are considered to be induced by PCB through the so-called "permissive effect" of glucocorticoid.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND/AIM

To clarify the role of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) phenotype in IgA nephropathy, we investigated its relationship with histological damage and clinical factors.

METHODS

The subjects were 104 consecutive patients (41 men and 63 women) with IgA nephropathy. The Apo E phenotype was identified by plasma isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting, and the frequencies of Apo E alleles were calculated.

RESULTS

The frequencies of the phenotypes and the alleles were as follows: 2/2 = 0, 2/3 = 0.086, 3/3 = 0.654, 2/4 = 0. 010, 4/3 = 0.211, 4/4 = 0.010, 3/5 = 0.029, epsilon2 = 0.048, epsilon3 = 0.817, epsilon4 = 0.120, and others = 0.015. There were no significant differences between the IgA nephropathy patients and healthy individuals in the frequencies of Apo E phenotypes and the alleles. However, the Apo E2 phenotype was significantly more common among patients with severe histological damage than in those with mild damage. The serum triglyceride levels were significantly elevated, and the Apo E2 phenotype was significantly more prevalent in patients with severe histological damage as compared with those with mild damage.

CONCLUSION

The Apo E2 phenotype appears to be associated with the severity of histological damage in IgA nephropathy.

Phosphorylation/Dephosphorylation steps are crucial for the induction of CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 gene expression by phenobarbital

The effects of several protein kinase activators and protein phosphatase inhibitors on the phenobarbital (PB)-induced gene expression of CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 (CYP2B1/2B2) in adult rat hepatocytes were investigated. Insulin, epidermal growth factor, interleukin 6, cAMP, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, tumor necrosis factor alpha, vanadate, and okadaic acid were found to suppress the induction of CYP2B1/2B2 at mRNA and protein levels in hepatocytes. cAMP and vanadate completely suppressed the induction of CYP2B1/2B2 gene expression in both rat hepatocytes and liver. The addition of genistein to vanadate-treated hepatocytes partially recovered the induction of CYP2B1/2B1 gene expression by PB. These results of the present study demonstrate that phosphorylation/dephosphorylation steps are crucial for the induction of CYP2B1/2B2 gene expression by PB.

Effects of adjunctive balloon angioplasty after intravascular ultrasound-guided optimal directional coronary atherectomy: the result of Adjunctive Balloon Angioplasty After Coronary Atherectomy Study (ABACAS)

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to evaluate: 1) the effect of adjunctive percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) compared with stand-alone DCA, and 2) the outcome of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided aggressive DCA.

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that optimal angiographic results after coronary interventions are associated with a lower incidence ofrestenosis. Adjunctive PTCA after DCA improves the acute angiographic outcome; however, long-term benefits of adjunctive PTCA have not been established.

METHODS

Out of 225 patients who underwent IVUS-guided DCA, angiographically optimal debulking was achieved in 214 patients, then theywere randomized to either no further treatment or to added PTCA.

RESULTS

Postprocedural quantitative angiographic analysis demonstrated an improved minimum luminal diameter (2.88 +/- 0.48 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.51 mm; p = 0.006) and a less residual stenosis (10.8% vs.15%; p = 0.009) in the adjunctive PTCA group. Quantitative ultrasound analysis showed a larger minimum luminal diameter (3.26 +/- 0.48 vs. 3.04 +/- 0.5 mm; p < 0.001) and lower residual plaque mass in the adjunctive PTCA group (42.6% vs. 45.6%; p < 0.001). Despite the improved acute findings in the adjunctive PTCA group, six-month angiographic and clinical results were not different. The restenosis rate (adjunctive PTCA 23.6%, DCA alone 19.6%; p = ns) and target lesion revascularization rate (20.6% vs. 15.2%; p = ns) did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

With IVUS guidance, aggressive DCA can safely achieve optimal angiographic results with low residual plaque mass, and this was associated with a low restenosis rate. Although adjunctive PTCA after optimal DCA improved the acute quantitative coronary angiography and quantitative coronary ultrasonography outcomes, its benefit was not maintained at six months.

Induced production of nitric oxide and sensitivity of alveolar macrophages derived from mice with different sensitivity to Coxiella burnetii

We compared in vitro sensitivities to Coxiella burnetii of alveolar macrophages, derived from mice sensitive and resistant to C. burnetii, respectively, and examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the C. burnetii infection. Alveolar macrophages of sensitive A/J mice showed a larger population of C. burnetii antigen-positive cells than those of resistant C57BL/6 mice. C. burnetii induced NO production in alveolar macrophages, but N-methyl-L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), NO inhibitor and donor, respectively, did not inhibit the infection. Thus the NO induction seems to be independent of the cell defense mechanism against the C. burnetii infection.

Dietary taurine enhances cholesterol degradation and reduces serum and liver cholesterol concentrations in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

The effect of taurine on hypercholesterolemia induced by feeding a high-cholesterol (HC) diet (10g/kg) to rats was examined. When various amounts of taurine (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 g/kg diet) were supplemented to HC for 2 wk, serum total cholesterol gradually and significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner and normalized at the dose of 10 g taurine/kg, compared with the control (cholesterol free) diet group. By contrast, serum HDL-cholesterol was elevated by taurine supplementation. The HC diet caused a significant decrease in the concentration of taurine in serum, liver and heart compared to that in the control group, and the effective dose of supplemental taurine to improve its reduction was 2.5 g/kg diet. In the hypercholesterolemic rats fed the HC diet, the excretion of fecal bile acids and hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) activity and its mRNA level increased significantly, and the supplementation of taurine further enhanced these indexes, indicating an increase in cholesterol degradation. The abundance of mRNA for Apo A-I, one of the main components of HDL, was reduced by HC and recovered by taurine supplementation. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that, in hypercholesterolemic rats fed the HC diet, the serum level of the heavier VLDL increased significantly, but taurine repressed this increase and normalized this pattern. Significant correlations were observed between the time- and dose-dependent increases of CYP7A1 gene expression and the decrease of blood cholesterol concentration in rats fed the HC diet supplemented with taurine (time, r = -0.538, P < 0.01, n = 32; dose, r = -0.738, P < 0.001, n = 20). These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effects of taurine observed in the hypocholesterolemic rats fed the HC diet were mainly due to the enhancement of cholesterol degradation and the excretion of bile acid.

Evaluation of the PD Adequest Program in Japanese Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

To perform adequate peritoneal dialysis, it is necessary to individualize the dialysis regimen. PD Adequest is a software program based on the three-pore model that can be used to predict solute clearance and ultrafiltration volume during peritoneal dialysis. We evaluated the ability of this program to predict the solute clearance and ultrafiltration volume in Japanese patients on peritoneal dialysis. The weekly creatinine clearance and weekly urea Kt/V were determined in 45 patients. The PD Adequest was used to simulate their current dialysis regimens and the predicted values of these parameters were calculated. Strong positive correlations were obtained between the actual and predicted weekly creatinine clearance (r=0.993) and weekly urea Kt/V (r=0.991). In conclusion, this program is potentially useful for designing peritoneal dialysis regimens in Japanese patients, even though they have a smaller body mass than Canadians and Americans for whom it was designed.

Evaluation of the PD adequest program in Japanese patients on peritoneal dialysis

To perform adequate peritoneal dialysis, it is necessary to individualize the dialysis regimen. PD Adequest is a software program based on the three-pore model that can be used to predict solute clearance and ultrafiltration volume during peritoneal dialysis. We evaluated the ability of this program to predict the solute clearance and ultrafiltration volume in Japanese patients on peritoneal dialysis. The weekly creatinine clearance and weekly urea Kt/V were determined in 45 patients. The PD Adequest was used to simulate their current dialysis regimens and the predicted values of these parameters were calculated. Strong positive correlations were obtained between the actual and predicted weekly creatinine clearance (r = 0.993) and weekly urea Kt/V (r = 0.991). In conclusion, this program is potentially useful for designing peritoneal dialysis regimens in Japanese patients, even though they have a smaller body mass than Canadians and Americans for whom it was designed.

Regulation of the Src family tyrosine kinase Blk through E6AP-mediated ubiquitination

The Src family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are important regulators of a variety of cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization, cell-cell contact, and cell-matrix adhesion. Activation of Src family kinases also can induce DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation; therefore, tight regulation of their kinase activities is important for the cell to maintain proliferative control. Posttranslational phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are recognized as the principle modifications by which the activities of the Src family of tyrosine kinases are regulated. We have discovered that this family of kinases also is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Studies aimed at the identification of cellular targets for E6AP, an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase involved in ubquitin-mediated degradation, led us to the identification of members of the Src family kinases as potential substrates for E6AP. We have found that E6AP can bind to several of the Src family tyrosine kinases. Here we show that activated Blk is preferentially degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and that its ubiquitination is mediated by E6AP. Identification of members of the Src tyrosine kinase family as substrates of the E6AP ubiquitin-protein ligase implicates a role for the ubiquitin pathway in regulating the activities of individual members of this important family of signaling molecules.

Cloning, expression profile, and genomic organization of the mouse STAP/A170 gene

The preferential screening of cDNA libraries derived from the mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 has yielded a cDNA clone encoding a 442-amino-acid protein designated STAP (signal transduction and adaptor protein), which contains several motifs shared among transcription factors and adaptors such as a Zn-finger like motif, a proline-rich domain, and a PEST sequence. The amino acid sequence homology search also reveals that STAP is identical to a mouse oxidative stress protein, A170, and has 90% homology with a human p62 protein that binds to the tyrosine kinase p56(lck) SH2 domain. Northern blot analysis indicated a broad expression profile of STAP mRNA in various tissues and cell lines. In MC3T3-E1 cells, STAP mRNA was induced by treatment with TGF-beta, but not with BMP-2 or GDF-5. Analysis of the mouse STAP gene isolated from the genomic library revealed that the STAP gene spans a region of over 11 kb and comprises eight exons. The transcription start site was identified by primer extension analysis to be located 35 bp upstream from the translation initiation site. Sequencing analysis of the 5' flanking region of the STAP gene revealed multiple consensus motifs/sequences for several DNA binding transcription factors. The STAP gene had a TATA box, but no CCAAT box. Potential Sp1, AP-1, NF-E2, MyoD, and NF-kappaB binding sites were found in the 5' flanking region (1.4 kb) of the STAP gene.

Spontaneous subcapital femoral neck fracture complicating a healed intertrochanteric fracture

A spontaneous subcapital femoral neck fracture is an uncommon complication of a healed intertrochanteric hip fracture. To determine the etiology of this complication, 274 patients who had been treated for intertrochanteric hip fractures were followed up over an 8-year period from June 1988 to June 1996. We found 7 fractures of the subcapital femoral neck without a history of a trauma. The remaining 267 patients were defined as the control group. All seven patients with fractures of the subcapital femoral neck were women, and their average age at the time of compression hip screw (CHS) fixation was 83 years (range 74-92 years). The subcapital fractures occurred between 4 and 36 months after CHS fixation. The difference in the Singh index between the patient and control groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). However, with regard to the position of the screw, spinal score, age, ambulatory ability, height, weight, and intertrochanteric fracture type (Jensen type), the differences between the patient and control groups were not statistically significant. Based on our findings, we conclude that a high grade of osteoporosis is the most important predisposing factor in the spontaneous development of a subcapital femoral neck fracture after a healed intertrochanteric hip fracture.

Acute and transient increase of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (beta-trace) level in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

We measured the concentration of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (PGDS) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in patients 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14 and 17 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured cerebral aneurysms. The PGDS level in lumbar CSF increased about two-fold at day 3 (20.85 +/- 2.71 microg/ml, mean +/- SE) and at day 5 (25.24 +/- 3.76), as compared with the level at day 1 (11.25 +/- 1.07). The CSF level gradually decreased and returned to the day 1 level at day 17. The serum PGDS level was much lower than the CSF level (0.39 +/- 0.06 at day 1) and almost unchanged until day 17. The neuron-specific enolase level in CSF, as an index of brain damage, was maximum at day 1 (29.83 +/- 7.32 ng/ml) and decreased at day 3 and at day 5 (18.28 +/- 2.65 and 11.95 +/- 1.82, respectively). These results suggest that the transient and delayed increase in the PGDS level in CSF is due to its induction of PGDS in the arachnoid membrane after SAH.