Japanese encephalitis vaccine (inactivated, BIKEN) in U.S. soldiers: immunogenicity and safety of vaccine administered in two dosing regimens

The safety and immunogenicity of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (Nakayama strain, monovalent / BIKEN) was studied in 538 U.S. soldiers in 1990. Three doses of vaccine from three consecutively manufactured lots were given on days 0, 7, and either 14 or 30. Serum for antibody determination was drawn at months 0, 2, and 6. Japanese encephalitis plaque reduction neutralization tests were performed by three laboratories on each specimen. Five hundred twenty-eight (98%) participants completed the immunization series. All recipients without antibody before immunization developed neutralizing antibody against JE virus. There were no differences in geometric mean titer among the three test lots at months 2 and 6. Soldiers who received the third dose on day 30 had higher titers at both time points. Antibody to yellow fever had no significant effect on immune response to vaccine. Conclusions drawn from analysis of serologic data from the three labs were nearly identical. Symptoms were generally limited to mild local effects and were reduced in frequency with each subsequent does in the series (21% to 11%; P < 0.0001). Generalized symptoms were rare (e.g., fever = 5%) with no reported cases of anaphylaxis.

Synthesis and anti-influenza virus activity of novel pyrimidine derivatives

Efficient synthetic routes of 2-amino-4-(omega-hydroxyalkylamino)pyrimidine derivatives were investigated in relation to the anti-influenza virus activity of these compounds. The derivatives in which cyclobutyl and cyclopentyl groups were introduced to the beta-position of the aminoalkyl group (especially the cyclobutyl group substituted by a phenylalkyl group at the 3'-position) resulted in improved antiviral potency: i.e. an average 50% effective concentration for inhibition of plaque formation (EC50, microM) of 0.1-0.01 microM for both types A and B influenza virus. The antiviral efficacies were in the order of amino group > hydroxyiminomethyl group > halogen substitution at the 5-position, and chlorine or methoxy group > hydrogen at the 6-position of the pyrimidine ring. The antiviral indices of these compounds were 2-6 with respect to the 50% inhibitory concentration for cell proliferation (IC50, microM) for growing cells, but > 500 to > 10(4) with respect to the IC50 for stationary cells, indicating that these compounds may be efficacious for the topical treatment of influenza virus infection.

An IKLLI-containing peptide derived from the laminin alpha1 chain mediating heparin-binding, cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth and proliferation, represents a binding site for integrin alpha3beta1 and heparan sulphate proteoglycan

We synthesized and characterized several peptides containing the IKLLI sequence in the alpha1 chain of laminin-1. The IKLLI-containing peptides, such as LA4 (CSRNLSEIKLLISRARK), LA5 (EIKLLIS) and LA5L (SEIKLLIS), were found to mediate heparin binding and cell adhesion, while also promoting neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Furthermore, peptides LA4 and LA5 also mediated proliferation. However, a scrambled peptide, LA5S (ILEKSLI), did not show any of these activities. Anti-LA4 antibodies inhibited laminin- and LA5-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, and anti-(integrin alpha3) and anti-(integrin beta1) antibodies inhibited LA5-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Heparin and heparan sulphate inhibited LA5-mediated heparin binding and PC12 cell adhesion in a dose- dependent manner. The IC50 for inhibition of heparin binding and cell adhesion was observed with 9 microM and 8 microM heparin/heparan sulphate respectively. Furthermore, heparan sulphate proteoglycan also inhibited LA5-mediated PC12 cell adhesion with an IC50 of 100 micrograms/ml. However, chondroitin sulphate (dermatan sulphate) did not inhibit cell adhesion. These data suggest that an IKLLI-containing peptide derived from the laminin alpha1 chain may be an active site of laminin and that its cell adhesion may thus interact with both integrin alpha3beta1 and cell- surface heparan sulphate proteoglycan.

Laminin inhibits both Abeta40 and Abeta42 fibril formation but does not affect Abeta40 or Abeta42-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Laminin has recently been reported to inhibit both Abeta40 and Abeta42 fibril formation in vitro. Laminin was thus suggested to be an effective therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. However, some recent reports have shown that Abeta fibril formation may not necessarily be linked to the development of Abeta neurotoxicity. In the present study, we thus investigated whether or not laminin affects Abeta40 and Abeta42-induced neurotoxicity. The findings of the present study by using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye reduction test showed laminin not to have an inhibitory effect on Abeta40 or Abeta42-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells while Abeta fibril formation was inhibited under the conditions used in the present study. The findings of the present study therefore do not support the hypothesis that Abeta fibril formation is absolutely required for the development of Abeta cytotoxicity.

Thoracoscopic resection of intrathoracic vagus neurofibroma

A thoracoscopic resection of mediastinal neurofibroma originating from the intrathoracic vagus nerve was successfully performed in an 18-year-old female. This report reviews the clinical and morphological features of intrathoracic vagus neurofibroma. Often neurofibroma has multiple lesions and/or multinodular shape. Thoracoscopic resection is a useful treatment for patients with intrathoracic neurofibroma, although careful observation is necessary when performing a radical resection.

Identification of a heparin binding site and the biological activities of the laminin alpha1 chain carboxy-terminal globular domain

The carboxy-terminal globular domain (G-domain) of the laminin alpha1 chain has been shown to promote heparin binding, cell adhesion, and neurite outgrowth. In this study, we defined the potential sequences originating from the G-domain of laminin alpha1 chain which possess these functional activities. A series of peptides were synthesized from the G-domain, termed LG peptides (LG-1 to LG-6) and were tested for their various biological activities. In the direct [3H] heparin binding assays, LG-6 (residues 2,335-2,348: KDFLSIELVRGRVK) mediated high levels of [3H]heparin binding, and this peptide also directly promoted cell adhesion and spreading, including B16F10, M2, HT1080, and PC12 cells. The peptide LG-6 also promoted the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells, mouse granule cells, and chick telencephalic cells. An anti-peptide LG-6 antibody inhibited laminin-1 and peptide LG-6-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, an anti-integrin alpha2 antibody also inhibited the cell adhesion activity. These results suggest that peptide LG-6 plays a functional role as a heparin binding site in the G-domain of the laminin alpha1 chain, and this sequence was thus concluded to play a crucial role in regulating cell adhesion and spreading and neurite out-growth which is related to integrin alpha2.

Effect of CpG methylation on expression of the mouse imprinted gene Mest

We previously reported isolation of the mouse gene, Mest (mesoderm-specific transcripts), which is mapped to the proximal part of chromosome 6 and predominantly expressed in the mesoderm and its derivatives during development. Peg1, a paternally expressed gene isolated by a systematic screening of imprinted genes, was recently demonstrated to be identical to Mest. We and others have shown that the human homolog (MEST) of Mest is also imprinted so as to be expressed from the paternal copy and maps to 7q32. To study transcriptional regulation of Mest/Peg1, we examined the effect of DNA methylation on its expression. In the embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line, MC12, from which Mest was originally isolated, the 5'-region harboring presumptive promoter of the gene was undermethylated. On the other hand, C4XX, a subclone of MC12 which had lost expression of Mest, was characterized by extremely high levels of methylation in the 5'-region, demethylation of which resulted in activation of Mest. Furthermore, a methylated reporter construct with the luciferase gene under the control of the putative promoter region of Mest was not competent to produce luciferase activity in MC12 cells. These results suggest a suppressive role for DNA methylation in Mest expression. However, neither methylated nor unmethylated reporter constructs showed luciferase activity in a primary culture from the adult kidney, in which Mest is down-regulated despite apparent unmethylation of the paternal allele. Taken together, the data suggest that there are probably two modes of regulation for the Mest gene; one being a methylation-dependent mechanism that regulates imprinted expression of Mest during development, and the other being a methylation-independent mechanism that is involved in down-regulation of Mest in adult tissues.

Photoinduction of arginine decarboxylase activity in leaves of Pharbitis nil

The activity of arginine decarboxylase (ADC) in leaves of Pharbitis nil was induced by light. The ADC activity increased to a maximum 1 h after illumination, followed by a gradual decrease. This suggested light either induced synthesis of ADC protein de novo or was involved in its activation. Cycloheximide inhibited the photoinduction of ADC activity, and the half life of ADC in leaves was 30-40 min. The temperature and relative humidity in darkness before illumination had no effect on the photoinduction of ADC activity, contrary to the photoresponse of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activity where the conditions of darkness before lights-on have a marked effect. The light response of the polyamine (PA)-biosynthetic enzyme activity produced transient accumulation of PA. The level of spermidine increased in leaves in which activities of both SAMDC and ADC increased after illumination, while the level of putrescine increased in leaves in which the activity of ADC increased but that of SAMDC did not.

Noncancerous pulmonary lesions in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell cancer

By thoracoscopic surgery, we confirmed pulmonary noncancerous lesions in two patients with metastatic nonseminomatous testicular germ cell cancer. The purpose of thoracoscopic surgery was complete resection of postchemotherapeutic residual tumour in one patient or a biopsy for new lesions during chemotherapy. Histological findings were normal lymph node and pulmonary fibrosis. We demonstrated CT findings of these lesions and made some discussion on management of disseminated testicular cancer.

A novel member of the bombyxin gene family: structure and expression of bombyxin G1 gene, an insulin-related peptide gene of the silkmoth Bombyx mori

Bombyxin G1 gene, a novel insulin-related peptide gene of the silkmoth Bombyx mori, has been identified. The G1 gene encodes a precursor peptide which shows 41-56% and 28% sequence identities with preprobombyxins previously characterized and human preproinsulin, respectively. The G1 gene forms a pair with bombyxin C2 gene with opposite transcriptional orientation in a bombyxin gene cluster. The bombyxin G1 mRNA in Bombyx brain was shown to locate in four pairs of medial neurosecretory cells.

The inhibitory effect of laminin 1 and synthetic peptides deduced from the sequence in the laminin alpha1 chain on Abeta40 fibril formation in vitro

We investigated whether or not laminin 1 and the two different synthetic peptides deduced from the sequence in the laminin alphal chain, both of which mediate cell attachment and neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, have an effect on Abeta40 fibril formation in vitro. A thioflavine-T fluorometric assay showed a synthetic peptide containing the YFQRYLI sequence from the laminin alpha1 chain to inhibit Abeta40 fibril formation while the inhibitory effect of this peptide was found to be somewhat less than that of intact laminin 1. These results were confirmed by electron microscopic observations using negative staining. The findings of the present study suggested that the synthetic peptide derived from the laminin alpha1 chain may thus be an effective therapeutic agent for either preventing or slowing down the progression of amyloidogenesis in Alzheimer's disease.

[Open distal anastomosis or aortic balloon occlusion technique during complete aortic arch replacement]

The technique of open distal anastomosis or application of aortic balloon occlusion catheter designed to occlude the descending thoracic aorta have been used in 33 and 19 patients, respectively, to control bleeding during the procedure of distal anastomosis for complete aortic arch replacement with a prosthetic graft. These two techniques allowed us a simple approach to the lesion and the avoidance of clamp injury to the fragile aortic tissue. Open distal anastomosis was applied for 91% patients of operated aortic dissection and all emergent cases, it's duration ranged from 10 to 110 minutes with an average of 58 minutes under 18.2 degrees C of lowest esophageal temperature. On the other hand, aortic occlusion balloon was inserted for mainly true aortic aneurysm patients without an emergency, and helped to maintain the perfusion pressure on a lower part of body around 50 mmHg by the 1550 ml/min in an average of perfusion flow femoral artery under 21.2 degrees C of temperature. The difference of postoperative renal and liver function evaluated by serum enzyme levels of total bilirubin, GOT, GPT, LDH, creatinine and BUN did not reach to statistical significance between the patients using open distal anastomosis and balloon occlusion, however, the incidence of postoperative complication including either renal, liver dysfunction, abdominal problem or paraplegia was significantly higher in the patient group with open distal technique. Either open distal anastomosis or aortic balloon occlusion technique would be appropriately selected according to the patient's characteristics or the condition of aortic disease to be operated.

Laminin inhibits A beta 40 fibril formation promoted by apolipoprotein E4 in vitro

The aggregation of soluble A beta into insoluble amyloid fibrils is believed to be an important step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the prevention of this process therefore seems to be a promising strategy for the treatment of AD. Both apolipoprotein E(apoE) and laminin are known to play important roles in the regeneration of the central nervous system and both are known to accumulate in the senile plaques of the AD brains. In the present study, we therefore investigated whether or not laminin has any effect on A beta 40 fibril formation promoted by apoE4 in vitro. A thioflavine-T fluorometric assay and electron microscopic observations using negative staining together demonstrated that laminin inhibits A beta 40 fibril formation in vitro while it also inhibits A beta 40 fibril formation promoted by apoE4. These results suggested that either laminin or its derivatives may thus be effective as therapeutic agents for AD.

Growing mediastinal metastatic tumour in a patient with burned out testicular cancer

A 27-year-old man was referred to us for resection of a post-chemotherapy growing mass in the mediastinum. He had been treated with 4 courses of combination chemotherapy for his testicular cancer. The primary lesion was burned out and the anterior mediastinal metastatic tumour contained immature teratoma. After normalization of tumour marker levels, the mediastinal mass was resected completely and the resected specimen showed teratoma with rhabdomyosarcoma. Two rare clinical conditions have been seen in this case.

[Bacteriological and virological studies on the cause of sporadic acute gastroenteritis in Tama, Tokyo (1991-1996)]

Between May 1991 and December 1996, bacteriological and virological investigations on the fecal samples from patient of infantile diarrhea (155 cases), or infectious gastroenteritis (1,409 cases) diagnosed with 9 medical institutions in Tama of Tokyo were carried out. Of 1,564 samples, 722 (46.2%) were enteropathogen positive cases, and mixed infection was also observed in about 15% of the positive cases. Among 13 different kinds of enteropathogens identified, the most prevalent one was pathogenic E. coli (20.7%), followed by Campylobacter spp. (10.0%), Rotavirus (8.8%), Salmonella spp. (3.9%), Adenovirus (1.9%), ECHO virus (0.9%), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (0.8%), Poliovirus (0.7%), Aeromonas spp. and Coxsackie B virus (both 0.6%). Furthermore, SRSV was confirmed in 82 out of 619 patients (13.2%) for 2 years (1995 and 1996). In addition, Shigella sonnei (3 cases), S. Paratyphi-A (1 case) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157: H7 (2 cases) were also detected. A higher detection ratio was recorded in February, August and November, reflecting respectively by month a highly frequency of Rotavirus, enteric bacteria causing food poisoning and SRSV. With reference to the isolates, the most of pathogenic E. coli belonged to enteropathogenic serotype E. coli (EPEC), and S. Enteritidis was most prevalent serotype.