Ovarian fibroma of high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR image

It has been reported that ovarian fibromas display low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. We report an ovarian fibroma exhibiting low signal intensity on a T1-weighted image and high signal intensity on a T2-weighted image. Microscopically pronounced myxomatous changes were shown in the fibroma. The signal intensity of ovarian fibromas differs with the degree of myxomatous change.

Assay of trypsin activity by capillary isoelectric focusing with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Capillary isoelectric focusing is a highly effective method for the separation of proteins due to focusing as a function of their pI values in the separation process. This technique is also effective for certain types of peptides that focus well. Fluorescence labeling and subsequent detection by laser-induced fluorescence farther enhance the sensitivity of this technique. This paper demonstrates the utility of this technique in an enzyme assay. A synthetic nona peptide, H-Gly-Cys-His-Glu-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Glu-OH, was labeled with an iodoacetyl derivative of Lissamine rhodamine B at the thiol group of the cysteine residue as a substrate for trypsin. Trypsin catalyzed the cleavage of the Arg-Ala bond of the labeled substrate, which focused at pH 4.8, and liberated a shortened, labeled product, H-Gly-*Cys-His-Glu-Ala-Arg-OH that focused at pH 6.9 (* indicates the label). The product peptide at 3-300 pM was determined with a relative standard deviation of 5.5% (n = 5) by fluorescence detection at 590 nm with excitation by a green line of He-Ne laser. Incubation of trypsin with the substrate for 10 min at 37 degrees C allowed the determination of 50-250 pg of trypsin, with a relative standard deviation of 5.3% (n = 5).

Mouse alloantigen Ly10 is identical to murine fusion regulatory protein-1 (mFRP-1)/4F2/CD98: aberrant expression of mFRP-1/Ly10 allotypes in cells derived from CDF1 mice due to the gene deletion

Murine FRP-1 (mFRP-1) and Ly10 antigens are alloantigens. Anti-Ly10.1, monoclonal antibody (mAb) reacts to HeLa cells stably expressing mFRP-1.1 (HeLa cells/mFRP-1.1), but does not react to HeLa cells/ mFRP-1.2. On the other hand, anti-Ly10.2 mAb reacts to HeLa/mFRP-1.2 cells, but does not react to HeLa cells/mFRP-1.1. These findings indicate that Ly10.1 and Ly10.2 antigens are identical to the heavy chains of mFRP-1.1 and mFRP-1.2 molecules, respectively. Thymocytes and fibroblast cells obtained from CDF1 and BDF1 mice showed reactivity to both anti-Ly10.1 and anti-Ly10.2/FRP-2 antibodies, indicating that mFRP-1/Ly10 alloantigens are codominantly expressed in the F1 mice. Intriguingly, IMC carcinoma cells, derived from CDF1 mice, express mFRP-1.2, but do not express mFRP-1.1. Surprisingly, DBT cells, derived from CDF1 mice, consist of two different cell populations: one expresses both mFRP-1.1 and mFRP-1.2 antigens and the other expresses only mFRP-1.1 antigen. Consequently, we tried to isolate cloned DBT cell lines by limiting dilution. Finally, six cloned DBT cell lines were obtained, and three clones of these cloned DBT cells expressed both mFRP-1.1 and mFRP-1.2, and another three clones of these cloned DBT cells expressed both mFRP-1.1 and mFRP-1.2, and another three clones including clone 5 cells expressed only mFRP-1.1 antigen. No induction of mFRP-1.2/Ly10.2 by 5-azacytidine and sodium n-butyrate could be detected in DBT clone 5 cells. Neither mFRP-1.2 mRNA nor the genomic cDNA clone encoding mFRP-1.2 could be detected in DBT clone 5 cells, nor could the genomic cDNA encoding mFRP-1.1 be detected in IMC cells, indicating that aberrant expression of mFRP-1/Ly10 allotypes in CDF1 mice-derived cells is due to the gene deletion.

Capillary affinophoresis of pea lectin with polyliganded affinophores: a model study of divalent-polyvalent interactions

Affinophoresis is a type of affinity electrophoresis using an affinophore, a soluble ionic carrier bearing affinity ligand(s). It was reported previously that an affinophore, prepared by coupling multiple p-aminophenyl alpha-D-mannoside ligands to a part of the carboxyl groups of succinylated polylysine, specifically changed the mobility of pea lectin in agarose gel. The affinophoresis of this divalent lectin with the polyliganded affinophore was investigated by using capillary electrophoresis. Analysis of the mobility change of the lectin in the presence of differently modified affinophores showed that the affinity was larger for affinophores having higher ligand density. Analysis of the inhibition of the mobility change by a neutral ligand, with a known affinity constant for the lectin, allowed estimation of the contributions of monovalent and divalent interactions to the binding in the lectin-affinophore complex. The proportion of divalent complexes was greater for affinophores having higher ligand density. This approach to estimate the contribution of divalency in complex formation should be generally applicable to the analysis of divalent interactions with different techniques other than electrophoresis.

Sarcocystis suihominis detected for the first time from pigs in Japan

Sarcoystis suihominis was detected for the first time in Japan from the heart and diaphragm of 5 out 600 older culled breeding pigs slaughtered in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Fresh cysts were 1,080-2,040 x 106-170 microns in size. Bradysoites measured 15 x 4 microns on average. The cyst wall was usually observed thick, 4-6 microns, and striated, but occasionally thin and smooth according to the difference in sectioning angle and in portion of cysts. Scanning electron microscopy showed that many palisade-like villar protrusions, 6-6 x 0.3-0.5 microns in size, were closely folded onto the surface of cyst. A small number of microtubules were seen in the core of protrusion. No dogs nor domestic cats fed with 20 fresh cysts each excreted oocysts or sporocysts in the feces throughout the experimental period of 30 days.

Capillary affinophoresis as a versatile tool for the study of biomolecular interactions: a mini-review

Combination of capillary electrophoresis and bioaffinity interaction gave rise to powerful research tools for analyzing molecular recognition. They take advantages of the electrophoretic behavior of the complex formed between a target biomolecule and a specially designed mobile ligand molecule (affinophore or affinity probe), and enable detection of complex formation, determination of the equilibrium constants and stoichiometry, etc.

Detection of endogenous retrovirus antigens in NOD mouse pancreatic beta-cells

We characterized C-type retroviruses expressed in the pancreatic beta-cells of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice by immunohistochemical techniques and by inhibiting the production of viral particles using antisense oligonucleotides. Some cells in the pancreatic islets from both NOD and diabetes-resistant NOD-related mice (NON) reacted with a monoclonal antibody directed against the envelope protein(s) of polytropic viruses. On the other hand, NOD islet cells also showed strong immunoreactivity with an anti-gag protein monoclonal antibody and another anti-envelope protein(s) monoclonal antibody that is specific for xenotropic viruses. In antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibition assays, a xenotropic virus-specific phosphorothionate-particles antisense oligodeoxynucleotide significantly inhibited the occurrence of C-type virus particles in NOD mouse islet beta-cells. Therefore, C-type retrovirus-like particles expressed in NOD mouse pancreatic beta-cells were considered to be endogenous xenotropic virus. The expression of the xenotropic viral genome may be involved in the pathogenesis of the diabetic syndrome in NOD mice.

[A case of IAHS (infection associated hemophagocytic syndrome) successfully treated with etoposide]

This report details a case of infection associated hemophagocytic syndrome (IAHS). A 20-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with persistent high fever in July, 1994. Physical examination revealed high body temperature (40 degrees C), marked hepatosplenomegaly and no superficial lymph node swelling. Laboratory examination revealed leukopenia and abnormal liver function on admission. Serum ferritin levels were surprisingly elevated. The coagulation tests showed high FDP and D-dimer. Specific viral antibody titers were not elevated such as Epstein-Barr virus or Cytomegalovirus. Bone marrow examination revealed histiocytic hyperplasia with hemophagocytosis, and the histiocytes were well matured. We diagnosed IAHS. Corticosteroids were administered on the 3rd hospital day (methylprednisolone 1 g/day, 3 days), but persistent high fever and laboratory findings did not improve. So we tried etoposide (etoposide 200 mg/day, 5 days) therapy on the 13th hospital day. After administration of etoposide, she failed to recover from severe leukopenia and suffered from meningitis. We administered G-CSF, gamma-globulin and antibiotics for intensive supportive therapy. As the leukocyte count increased, her symptoms and laboratory data improved. There was no hemophagocytosis in her bone marrow before discharge. Recently, etoposide is said to be effective for reactive monocytic proliferation. Administration of etoposide was very effective for IAHS, although corticosteroids, were ineffective.

Discrimination of eight chicken Eimeria species using the two-step polymerase chain reaction

A method was developed for the discrimination of 8 Eimeria species of chickens, i.e., E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. mitis, E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. praecox, E. tenella, and E. hagani using the 2-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the first PCR, the small subunit ribosomal RNA (srRNA) gene was amplified from the parasite genome using conserved sequences for the Apicomplexa srRNA gene as the primers. The srRNA gene amplified from the parasite genome was discriminated in the second step by random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR using 10 arbitrary primers. Each arbitrary primer produced species-specific RAPD patterns that provided a simple method for species identification from the srRNA genes of the 8 Eimeria species. This method should be useful for discrimination of the parasite species for diagnosis or epidemiological surveys of chicken coccidiosis.

Unsharp masking technique using multiresolution analysis for computed radiography image enhancement

An unsharp masking technique (USM) is one of the image processing methods used in the computed radiography (CR) system. To further promote the performance of the USM, we developed the NEW-USM processing that can control the frequency enhancement characteristics flexibly and accommodate an extensive range of diagnostic targets. The NEW-USM and USM were performed on femur images acquired by computed radiography (model FCR9000; Fuji Medical Systems USA Inc, Stamford, CT), and the resulting images were compared. In the NEW-USM image, bone structures are enhanced as sharply as in the USM image, whereas the surrounding soft tissue structures, such as muscle are enhanced more strongly than in the USM image. Furthermore, the absence of the bone structure that may suggest pathological change is more obvious in the NEW-USM image. The newly developed NEW-USM can appropriately enhance diagnostic information over the whole range of image frequencies, thereby expanding utility of the USM.

In vitro isolation and characterisation of a bovine Neospora species in Japan

Eleven aborted bovine fetuses and five calves suspected as having neosporosis were necropsied and tissues from these animals were inoculated into bovine cardiopulmonary aortic endothelial cells and monkey kidney cells and maintained at 37 degrees C with 5 per cent CO2. Neospora tachyzoites were observed in one cell 49 days after inoculation. The isolated parasite (JPA1) was morphologically identical to the previously reported bovine Neospora species (BPA1) and confirmed by its strong antigenic reactivity with bovine control antisera to Neospora species and its lack of reactivity with Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis cruzi antisera. This is the first bovine Neospora species isolate in Asia and further studies with this isolate are now expected.

Antitumor effects of a new polysaccharide-protein complex (ATOM) prepared from Agaricus blazei (Iwade strain 101) "Himematsutake" and its mechanisms in tumor-bearing mice

The antitumor activity of the i.p. or p.o. administration of polysaccharide-protein complex, ATOM (antitumor organic substance Mie) prepared from cultured mycelia of Agaricus blazei (Iwade strain 101) "Himematsutake" examined against four kinds of established mouse tumors. ATOM was highly effective at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day x 10 on subcutaneously implanted Sarcoma 180 in mice, and was also active against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, Shionogi carcinoma 42 and Meth A fibrosarcoma at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day x 10. ATOM has no direct cytotoxic action on tumor cells in vitro. Thus the tumor growth-inhibitory effect of ATOM is apparently due to immunological host-mediated mechanisms. The number of peritoneal macrophages, the phagocytosis of polystyrene latex beads and the proportion of the third component of complement (C3)-positive fluorescent cells were increased in the mice treated with ATOM. These results suggest that the macrophage activa-tion and alterations of the C3 are necessary for the induction of an antitumor effect of ATOM.

Determination of the affinity constants of pea lectin for neutral sugars by capillary affinophoresis with a monoligand affinophore

Affinophoresis is a type of affinity electrophoresis in which an affinophore, a conjugate of an affinity ligand and a multiply charged soluble matrix, causes a change in migration velocity of proteins which have a specific affinity for the ligand. A monoligand affinophore bearing a mannoside was prepared by coupling iodoacetylated p-aminophenyl alpha-D-mannoside to the free thiol group of N-succinylated glutathione, and used for the affinophoresis of pea lectin in a capillary. The electrophoretic mobility of pea lectin towards the anode increased in the presence of the affinophore as a function of its concentration in a manner that is described by the equation for affinity electrophoresis. Analysis of the suppression of the affinophoresis on the addition of neutral sugars to the system allowed the determination of the dissociation constants of the lectin for these neutral sugars. The dissociation constants obtained on affinophoresis agreed well with the values in the literature. The preparation of a monoligand affinophore for ligands bearing an amino group should facilitate the application of this type of microscale analysis (0.14 ng of protein for each run) to protein ligand interactions.

An increase in cortical excitability with no change in spinal excitability during motor imagery

During motor imagery, to estimate changes in excitability of flexor carpi radialis muscle motoneurons of the spinal and cortical levels, electrical stimuli for recording H-reflex and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for recording motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used. In the absence of movement or detectable EMG activity during motor imagery, there was an increase in cortical excitability with no change in spinal excitability.

Toxicity and properties of the extract from Sarcocystis cruzi cysts

The extract from Sarcocystis cruzi cysts in bovine muscle was subcutaneously injected to mice, guinea pigs, chickens, and rabbits to detect its toxicity. Only rabbits showed reactions after administration of the extract at a dose of 25 micrograms. The main clinical signs of the rabbits were depression, reduction in body temperature and intermittent diarrhea and the hematological findings observed were elevation in WBC, RBC, PCV, TP, BUN, AST, AUT and creatinine values and reduction in glucose, K+ and pH of blood. The extract, crude toxin, was a water soluble, acid-alkali stable and thermolabile protein and estimated to be a molecular mass of 15-16 kd.

Male fertility in rats treated with etretinate for 4 weeks

The toxicity of Etretinate, a retinoid compound, on the male reproductive system was studied in male rats. The drug was administered for four weeks at the dose levels of 0 (control: Vehicle, Peanut oil), 5 and 25 mg/kg/day. The animals were then allowed to mate, and their male reproductive functions and organs were examined in detail. No significant changes due to toxicity were observed in male reproductive functions and organs in the 5 mg/kg/day group after the 4-week treatment. In contrast, males in the 25 mg/kg/day group showed drug-related changes in their reproductive performance (decrease of mating ability and fertility rate), testosterone blood level, sperm head counts, sperm viability and number in the caudal epididymis, organ weight and in the histopathology of their reproductive organs (atrophy of seminiferous tubules, necrosis of spermatocytes and spermatids, vacuolation of nuclei of spermatocytes and spermatids). Even though Etretinate belong to the retinoid group of compounds, the changes seen in the 25 mg/kg/day group were almost the same as those observed in Vitamin A-deficient animals. In conclusion, there is a correlation between changes due to toxicity observed for parameters of male fertility and for histopathological evaluation of the testis of rats that receiving high dose, treatment with Etretinate for 4 weeks.

Fluorescence-labeled peptides as isoelectric point (pI) markers in capillary isoelectric focusing with fluorescence detection

Commercially available peptides, mostly angiotensin derivatives, were labeled at their N-terminal amino group with 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester, to obtain fluorescent pI markers for capillary isoelectric focusing with fluorescence detection. The labeled peptides were purified by reversed-phase chromatography. They were well separated on isoelectric focusing in a polyacrylamide gel slab and their pIs were determined by comigration with protein-pI markers. The fluorescent markers could be detected as sharp peaks in capillary isoelectric focusing with laser-induced fluorescence detection (He-Ne laser, 1 mW, 543.5 nm). The detection limit was found to be around 3 x 10(-12) M (0.8 amol). Tetramethylrhodamine-labeled pea lectin (3 pg) was subjected to capillary isoelectric focusing and the pIs of the fluorescent derivatives of the lectin were determined by using the fluorescence-labeled peptides as pI markers.