Measurements of LET distribution and dose equivalent onboard the Space Shuttle IML-2 (STS-65) and S/MM#4 (STS-79)

Space radiation dosimetry measurements have been made onboard the Space Shuttle STS-65 in the Second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2: 28.5 degrees x 300 km: 14.68 days) and the STS-79 in the 4th Shuttle MIR mission (S/MM#4: 51.6 degrees x 300-400km: 10.2 days). In these measurements, three kinds of detectors were used; one is a newly developed active detector telescope called "Real-time Radiation Monitoring Device (RRMD-I for IML-2 and RRMD-II with improved triggering system for S/MM#4)" utilizing silicon semi-conductor detectors and the other detectors are conventional passive detectors of thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) and CR-39 plastic track detectors. The main contribution to dose equivalent for particles with LET > 5.0 keV/micrometer (IML-2) and LET > 3.5 keV/micrometer (S/MM#4) is seen to be due to galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and the contribution of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is less than 5% (IML-2: 28.5 degrees x 300 km) and 15% (S/MM#4: 51.6 degrees x 400 km) in the above RRMD LET detection conditions. For the whole LET range (> 0.2 kev/micrometer) obtained by TLDs and CR-39 in these two typical orbits (a small inclination x low altitude and a large inclination x high altitude), absorbed dose rates range from 94 to 114 microGy/day, dose equivalent rates from 186 to 207 microSv/day and average quality factors from 1.82 to 2.00 depending on the locations and directions of detectors inside the Spacelab at the highly protected IML-2 orbit (28.5 degrees x 300 km), and also, absorbed dose rates range from 290 to 367 microGy/day, dose equivalent rates from 582 to 651 microSv/day and average quality factors from 1.78 to 2.01 depending on the dosimeter packages around the RRMD-II "Detector Unit" at the S/MM#4 orbit (5l.6 degrees x 400km). In general, it is seen that absorbed doses depend on the orbit altitude (SAA trapped particles contribution dominant) and dose equivalents on the orbit inclination (GCR contribution dominant). The LET distributions obtained by two different types of active and passive detectors, RRMDs and CR-39, are in good agreement for LET of 15 - 200 kev/micrometer and difference of these distributions in the regions of LET < 15 kev/micrometer and LET > 200 kev/micrometer can be explained by considering characteristics of CR-39 etched track formation especially for the low LET tracks and chemical etching conditions.

Motivation-related neuronal activity in the object discrimination task in monkey septal nuclei

Septal nuclei are suggested to work as an interface between the hippocampal formation, involved in higher cognitive functions, and the hypothalamus, involved in motivational behaviors such as feeding, drinking, and intracranial self-stimulation. In the present study, to elucidate a role of the septal nuclei in motivational behaviors, single neuron activity was recorded from water- and food-deprived monkeys during discrimination of objects associated with juice, and during ingestion of juice. Of 349 neurons recorded from two monkeys, 67 responded in the ingestion phase of the object discrimination task. Of these 67 neurons, 31 were further tested with the noncontingent liquid (juice or water) test in which liquid was provided until the animals became satiated. These 31 septal neurons were classified into two groups: type I neurons (n = 10) responded to juice ingestion with inhibition, and type II neurons (n = 21) responded with excitation. The spontaneous firing rates of the type I neurons were higher in the deprived condition and decreased as the animal became satiated by intake of liquid. Nine type II neurons responded to the sight of a white object associated with juice as well as ingestion of juice. The response magnitudes of the type II neurons to both the sight of the white object and ingestion of juice also decreased by satiation. However, spontaneous firing rates of the type II neurons did not change. These activity changes of both type I and II neurons were well correlated with changes in motivational state of the monkey estimated by the behavioral test. The results suggest that the activity of type I neurons reflects thirst or hunger drive levels, and that responses of type II neurons are related to reward perception. These type I and II neurons were located mainly in the anterior part of the septal nuclei. Results of the present study suggest, along with previous lesion and anatomical studies, that the septal nuclei exert a powerful influence on the motivational/drive systems through the projection to the hypothalamus.

Septal neuronal responses related to spatial representation in monkeys

Neuronal activity in the monkey septal nuclei was recorded during performance of a place-dependent go/no-go task in which reward contingencies of the objects were variable with reference to the spatial location of a monkey's cab in one of four places in an experimental room. Of 430 septal neurons recorded, 58 responded differentially to views outside the cab at the four locations of the monkey (place-differential neurons). To investigate the possibility that an ensemble of place-differential neurons represents a space by encoding different scenes (views), responses of the 58 place-differential neurons were analyzed by multidimensional scaling (MDS). The MDS transformed relationships among the four places, expressed as correlation coefficients between all possible pairs of two places based on the 58 place-differential responses, into geometrical relationships in a two-dimensional virtual space. The four places distributed at relative positions in a two-dimensional virtual space derived from the MDS were similar to those in the real experimental room. Furthermore, these correlation coefficients derived from 58 place-differential responses significantly and negatively correlated to behavioral performance in the discrimination of the four places. The results suggest that the ensemble of place-differential responses in the septal nuclei may predict behavioral performance to discriminate places and may represent a space based on the scenes viewed from different locations.

Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation: the role of serum soluble cell surface markers

We describe a 31-year-old Japanese female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), fever, erythema on the hands, and aphthous stomatitis despite the absence of circulating anticoagulant. Since no other cause for DIC besides SLE could be demonstrated, she was treated with prednisolone and anticoagulants, which rapidly corrected the DIC as well as the other manifestations of SLE. During the episode of DIC, elevated serum anti-DNA antibody titers and decreased serum complement concentrations were not observed. In contrast, the serum concentration of soluble CD8 (sCD8) paralleled SLE disease activity. In addition, the concentration of plasma thrombomodulin was also increased. These observations suggest that the serum concentration of sCD8 is related to the clinical aspects of SLE, and that vasculitis might contribute to the development of SLE-associated DIC.

Contribution of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 alpha on the production of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 in response to respiratory syncytial virus infection in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7

The production of several inflammatory cytokines, such as murine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL)-1, was investigated in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7, with special reference to mutual relation of their productions. The kinetics of MIP-2 production showed a trend for a biphasic pattern, that is, MIP-2 levels became detectable from 2 h postinfection (p.i.) and increased markedly until 8 h p.i. Thereafter, this level fell to the same level until 16 h p.i. and then increased again. TNF alpha was also detectable at 2 h p.i. and then increased sharply until 8 h p.i., when the peak level attained. Compared with the levels of MIP-2 and TNF alpha, that of IL-1 alpha/beta, especially IL-1 beta, was lower (ng versus pg/ml order). The presence of anti-TNF alpha or anti-IL-1 alpha antibody did not influence the early phase of MIP-2 production but significantly inhibited the late phase, suggesting that MIP-2 is induced by the combined effects of RSV infection via direct induction and indirectly after initial induction of TNF alpha and IL-1 alpha productions. Although RSV-infected RAW264.7 cells had no alteration in viability compared with mock-infected control, these data demonstrate that RSV is a potent inducer of inflammatory cytokines by direct induction and indirectly via the initial production of other cytokines.

Effects of short-term treatment with CaCl2 or EDTA on the parathyroid glands in pregnant golden hamsters, with special reference to large vacuolar bodies

The large vacuolar bodies in the parathyroid glands of pregnant golden hamsters after administration of CaCl2 or EDTA were investigated. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of CaCl2, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly high when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15, 30 and 60 min after administration of EDTA, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly low when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of CaCl2, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly increased when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of EDTA, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly decreased when compared to that of the control animals.

[A randomized cross-over comparative study of granisetron alone and combination of granisetron, methylprednisolone and droperidol as antiemetic prophilaxis in CDDP-based chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer]

A cross-over clinical trial was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of granisetron alone (40 micrograms/kg) as a "single" group, with that of granisetron, methylprednisolone (250 mg/ body) and droperidol (0.5 ml/body) as a "cocktail" group for control of emesis and vomiting induced by CDDP-based chemotherapy in 68 courses of 34 patients with gynecologic malignancies. At the first course, "single" or "cocktail" drugs were administered at day 1, 2, and 3 of chemotherapy, and at the second course, "cocktail" or "single" drugs in as cross-over fashion. We examined the degree of nausea and frequency of vomiting during the first 7 days of chemotherapy. As for the severity of nausea, the "single" group showed prominent nausea immediately after CDDP and the most severe level at the 3rd or 4th day. The "cocktail" group showed mild symptoms from the next day and it lasted for several days. Vomiting started 12 hours later in the "single" group and the most frequent peak was the 2nd day, whereas the "cocktail" group showed less than one vomiting at the 2nd or 3rd day throughout the treatment. Clinical response (extremely good, good) in the current series of 68 courses of chemotherapy was also evaluated to be 45% and 35% in the "single" group, respectively, against 75% and 20% in the "cocktail" group, respectively. There was no clinical toxicity or side effects in either treatment group. We conclude that the cocktail treatment is very useful for not only acute, but also late emesis in CDDP-based chemotherapy in gynecologic malignancies.

Inhibitory effect of ferulic acid on macrophage inflammatory protein-2 production in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7

We investigated time-related productions of certain cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) levels became detectable after 2 h and markedly increased over the first 8 h. Thereafter, this level remained at the same level between 10 and 16 h, and then increased again until 24 h, showing a tendency of biphasic pattern. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was detectable at 2 h and then increased sharply until 6 h at which it attained its peak. A low but recognizable level of interleukin (IL)-1alpha/beta was also detectable. When the inhibitory effect of ferulic acid (FA), an active component of the Rhizoma of Cimicifuga sp. used frequently as anti-inflammatory drug in Japanese Oriental medicines, was compared with that of dexamethasone (DX) on MIP-2 and TNF-alpha productions in response to LPS, both FA and DX could reduce the production of these cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Concerning TNF-alpha, however, the inhibitory effect of FA was very weak compared with that of DX. In addition, FA as well as DX reduced MIP-2 production induced by TNF-alpha. These data suggest that MIP-2 might be induced by a direct effect of LPS and in part indirect one via initial induction of other cytokines such as TNF-alpha, leading a tendency of biphasic pattern. Comparing DX, FA is considered to be a novel and unique drug inhibiting MIP-2 production more selectively.

The responses of skin blood flow, mean arterial pressure and R-R interval induced by cold stimulation with cold wind and ice water

This study was designed to evaluate the peripheral circulation response to cold wind stimulation. Skin blood flow (SBF), ECG R-R intervals (RRs) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured in ten healthy men under strictly controlled conditions. Cold wind flow and ice water bath were prepared as cold stimulations. The subjects were exposed to each cold stimulation and the values of the responses were simultaneously recorded. The cold wind stimulation reduced SBF (maximally 40.4 +/- 3.2%) and increased MAP (maximally 106.9 +/- 1.3%), but did not affect RRs. On the other hand, all parameters were affected by the ice water stimulation, which reduced SBF to 16.4 +/- 1.2% and RRs to 85.1 +/- 3.0%, and increased MAP to 130.6 +/- 2.4% compared with the control state. All subjects suffered from intense pain during the ice water but not the cold wind stimulation, and two of them were eliminated from this study because of vagotonia. After phentolamine iontophoresis was used to block the receptor of peripheral alpha-adrenergic nerve terminals, the cold wind stimulation did not affect SBF. These results suggest that cold wind stimulation is a useful test for evaluating peripheral alpha-adrenergic nerve function in relation to cold sensation, without increase of RRs and noxious pain.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of extract prepared from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora on isolated rat aorta

Paeoniae Radix (the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas) is a crude drug that is used in Asia and Europe to improve blood flow. We studied its vasodilator effect and mechanisms of action in vitro. The extract from Paeoniae Radix (PRE) relaxed prostaglandin F2a-precontracted aortic ring preparations of isolated rat aorta that contained endothelium. Relaxation by PRE did not occur in specimens without endothelium, and was inhibited by pretreatment with 10(-4) M NG-nitro-1-arginine methyl ester. Paeoniflorin and paeonol, the main active components of Paeoniae Radix, lacked a vasodilator effect. The effect of the component gallotannin was examined after treating PRE with tannase, but the product lacked a vasodilator effect. Pentagalloylglucose, hexagalloylglucose, heptagalloylglucose, and octagalloylglucose were extracted from PRE; they relaxed aortic rings with endothelium, but failed to relax aortic rings without endothelium. We conclude that PRE exhibits an endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect on isolated rat aorta. The active component is gallotannin.

Comparison of muscle force, muscle endurance, and electromyogram activity during an expedition at high altitude

Handgrip force (HF), maximal pinch force (MF), muscle endurance (ME), and the median power frequency (MdPF) of the activity shown in the electromyogram (EMG) were studied at various altitudes in eight normal healthy subjects. MF and ME were measured between the index finger and thumb, and all measurements were obtained at altitudes ranging from 610 to 4860 m during an expedition in the Qinghai Plateau in China. With the change in altitude HF, ME, and MF showed no significant change. Compared to the MdPF at 2260 m on ascent, the MdPF at other altitudes showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01). Thus, we conclude that muscle performance (HF, MF, and ME) was not affected by the environment at high altitude. However, MdPF was affected and the mean MdPF at 610 m after the expedition did not recover to initial values of MdPF. We suggest these results may have been affected by fatigue and chronic exposure to the hypobaric hypoxic environment, since the members of the expedition party expressed feelings of sluggishness and fatigue after the expedition.

BCX-34: a novel T-cell selective immunosuppressant: purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) inhibitor

We evaluated the efficacy of a new purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitor, BCX-34, as an immunosuppressive agent. BCX-34 showed a complete inhibitory effect on the proliferation of T-cells in an in vitro system, whereas no influence was observed in B-cell lines. In addition, it was revealed that this inhibitory effect was not due to the suppression of interleukin-2 production. Therefore, BCX-34 might be a potentially useful drug that can be used in combination, not competition, with cyclosporine A and FK506.

Ultrastructural changes in water-clear cells of the golden hamster parathyroid gland after streptozotocin treatment

The effects of streptozotocin treatment on parathyroid water-clear cells in golden hamsters were investigated. In the cytoplasm of the water-clear cells, lipid droplets were increased as compared to that of the control animals. This finding suggests that treatment of streptozotocin affects functional activity in the parathyroid water-clear cells of the golden hamsters.

Expression of Tn and sialyl-Tn antigens in the neoplastic transformation of uterine cervical epithelial cells

The expression of simple mucin-type carbohydrate antigens, Tn and sialyl-Tn antigens, was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies in normal squamous epithelium, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The expression of the Tn antigen detected by HB-Tn1 and B1.1 was found in 17 (20%) and 19 (23%) of the 83 invasive carcinomas, respectively, but was not found in the 36 normal squamous epithelia, 22 severe dysplasias, or 24 carcinomas in situ. The sialyl-Tn antigen was detected by HB-STn1 and TKH-2 in 14 (64%) and 11 (50%) of the 22 severe dysplasias, 13 (54%) and 10 (42%) of the 24 carcinomas in situ and 48 (58%) and 42 (51%) of the 83 invasive carcinomas, respectively, but was completely absent in 36 normal squamous epithelia. Coexpression of the sialyl-Tn antigen was observed in 89% of the cases expressing the Tn antigen. No significant difference was observed between the immunoreactivities of the antigens in the metastatic lymph nodes and primary tumors. No correlation was found between the expression of each antigen and clinical state, histologic type, depth of invasion, parametrial spread, lymphatic and vessel permeation, lymph node metastasis, or 5-year survival rate. The expression of Tn and sialyl-Tn demonstrates a specific change in the neoplastic progression from carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma and from normal to dysplasia, respectively, in squamous cell neoplastic lesions of the cervix. Tn and sialyl-Tn antigens may be useful markers for biologic investigation of neoplastic transformation in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Effects of water ingestion on gastric electrical activity and heart-rate variability in healthy human subjects

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a method to record electrical activity of the stomach using cutaneous electrodes. Power ratio (PR) is one of the parameters and means the relative change of EGG power of gastric activity from before to after certain stimulations (e.g., meals, water or drugs). Autonomic nervous function is an important modulator of gastric activity, but its relation with the EGG parameters has not been well clarified. We recorded EGG and the R-R interval simultaneously both before and after drinking 150 ml water for 400 s, and spectrally analyzed them using the maximum entropy method in 12 healthy volunteers. We calculated PR from before to after water ingestion, and the power of the high-frequency component of R-R interval variability before (pre-HF) and after water ingestion (post-HF), and their ratio (rHF = post-HF/pre-HF). PR was positively correlated with rHR (r = 0.727; P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with pre-HF (r = 0.706; P < 0.05), and rHF was negatively correlated with pre-HF (r = 0.776; P < 0.05). These results suggest that simultaneous recording of EGG and ECG for frequency domain analysis is necessary to estimate the vagal nervous activity.

Sound stimulation-induced vasomotor reflex in the central artery of the rabbit ear

Effects of sound stimulation on the central artery of the rabbit ear were studied as a somato-autonomic reflex. Vasoconstriction and dilatation, caused by metronome sound stimulation, were estimated from the temperature fluctuations in the central artery of the ear, measured by a thermistor. To enhance the detection of temperature rises, moderately high background levels of arterial tone were established by exposing the tips of the ears to water at a temperature of 10 degrees C or 5 degrees C, prior to sound stimulation. A fall in arterial temperature due to vasoconstriction was observed immediately after the start of the 1-min sound stimulation, with a subsequent temperature rise which overshot the original basal level due to vasodilatation. A positive correlation between the ear temperature before sound stimulation and the temperature fall (p < 0.01), and a negative correlation between the ear temperature and the temperature rise (p < 0.05) were obtained. The temperature fall was blocked by phenoxybenzamine (9 mg/kg, i.p., p < 0.01). The subsequent rise was not influenced by atropine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or phenoxybenzamine, however, it was attenuated by hexamethonium (6 mg/kg, i.p., p < 0.05). The temperature fall at the beginning of sound stimulation was related to alpha-adrenergic mechanism. The subsequent temperature rise was thought to be related to parasympathetic mechanism, excluding cholinergic mechanism.

An interleukin-1 binding region oligopeptide from the human type I IL-1 receptor reduces acute inflammation, delayed hypersensitivity reaction, and lethal endotoxemia in animals

The effect of an interleukin-1 binding region oligopeptide from the interleukin-1 receptor on various inflammatory responses was investigated in animal models. A synthetic peptide (KICIRIQIS) corresponding to 86-93 of the extracellular domain of the human type I interleukin-1 receptor was used. Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, a model of acute inflammation, was dose dependently suppressed by intraperitoneal administration of the peptide. The delayed hypersensitivity reaction to sheep red cells was diminished by pretreatment of mice with the peptide at a relatively high dose. In a murine lethal endotoxemia model, animals treated with the interleukin-1 receptor peptide (10 mg/kg x 4) showed significantly better survival than vehicle-treated animals when the peptide was administered from 20 minutes after lipopolysaccharide injection. Improved survival was accompanied by suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced production of colony-stimulating factor, although the peptide did not improve hypoglycemia. These findings suggest that the interleukin-1 receptor peptide may be a potential treatment for various inflammatory processes.

Effects of progesterone on the ultrastructure of the golden hamster parathyroid gland

The ultrastructure of the parathyroid glands in golden hamsters after administration of progesterone was investigated. In the parathyroid glands of the female hamsters after administration of progesterone, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly higher when compared to that of the control hamsters. In the male experimental hamsters, the percentage area occupied by Golgi complexes and lipid droplets was significantly increased when compared to that of the control hamsters, respectively. In the female hamsters after administration of progesterone, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly decreased when compared to that of the control hamsters. In the male and female experimental hamsters, the mean number of secretory granules per 100 microns2 of cytoplasm showed a significant increase compared with that of the male and female control hamsters, respectively. These findings suggest that the secretory activity of the parathyroid glands may be stimulated in response to hypocalcemia induced by progesterone.

Inhibitory effect of bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar-type proton pump, on the growth of influenza A and B viruses in MDCK cells

We studied the effect of bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1), a novel and highly specific inhibitor for vacuolar-type proton (V-H+) pump, on the growth of influenza A and B viruses in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Vital fluorescence microscopic study showed that Baf-A1 induced the complete disappearance of acidified compartments such as endosomes and lysosomes both in infected and uninfected cells by the treatment with 0.1 microM inhibitor for 1 h at 37 degrees C. In addition, virus growth was inhibited when Baf-A1 was present from 1 h before infection to the end of incubation, or added within as early as 5-10 min after infection. Conversely, the virus growth was recovered in correlation with the reappearance of acidified compartments after removal of Baf-A1. These data suggest that Baf-A1-sensitive V-H+ pumps are solely responsible for the acidification of endosomes and lysosomes, and thus Baf-A1 inhibits the growth of influenza A and B viruses by affecting the acidified compartments in which low pH is essential for the uncoating process of influenza virus growth at an early stage of infection.

Relationship of the ipsilateral rotation in night period and striatal dopamine content reduction in unilateral nigrostriatal 6-OHDA lesioned rats

In order to discriminate well-lesioned rats after unilateral microinjection of 6-OHDA into the nigrostriatal dopamine system, we measured the spontaneous rotation in the night period and calculated the rate of ipsilateral rotation movement. The rate of ipsilateral rotation movement increased along with the total rotation movement. The rats with over 95% of ipsilateral rotation kept the rate relatively constant for 4 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion and showed a significant increase of contralateral rotation (253.2 +/- 37.9) as compared with the rat that had lower than 95% ipsilateral rotation (3.6 +/- 1.4) after the injection of apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg, s.c.). The reduction percentages of striatal DA contents in animals with unilateral rotation over 95% and under 95% to the lesioned side were 97.8 +/- 0.6% and 59.6 +/- 5.8% (P < 0.001), respectively. The rats with over 90% reduction of striatal DA levels corresponded nicely to rats with 95% ipsilateral rotation among rats injected with apomorphine. These results suggested that the evaluation of ipsilateral rotation, taken the level of 95% rotation to the lesioned side as a standard, was able to discriminate well-lesioned rats without apomorphine treatment after unilateral nigrostriatal 6-OHDA application.

Inhibitory effect of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid on murine interleukin-8 production in response to influenza virus infections in vitro and in vivo

We investigated the effect of ferulic acid (FA) and isoferulic acid (IFA), which are active components of the rhizoma of Cimicifuga species used frequently as anti-inflammatory drugs in Japanese Oriental medicines, on murine interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in response to influenza virus infections in vitro and in vivo by antibody-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the in vitro study, the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was infected with influenza virus at a dose of 10 plaque forming units (PFU)/cell and cultured in the presence or absence of drugs. Both FA and IFA reduced the IL-8 levels in the 20-h conditioned medium in comparison with control in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of IFA was greater than that of FA: IL-8 levels were reduced to 43% and 56% of the control in the presence of 100 micrograms/ml of IFA and FA, respectively. In the in vivo study, mice were infected with 1,000 PFU of virus and received daily oral administrations of Cimicifuga heracleifolia extract (5 mg/mouse/day), FA (0.5 mg/mouse/day), IFA (0.125 mg/mouse/day), or phosphate buffered saline. The three drugs showed a tendency to reduce IL-8 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) obtained 2 days after infection. Moreover, both FA and IFA also significantly reduced the number of exuded neutrophils into BAL. However, the drug administrations did not affect the virus yields in BAL. These data suggest that FA and IFA are novel and potent inhibitors of murine IL-8 production and might act as one of the main components of anti-inflammatory rhizoma of Cimicifuga species.

Efficacy of kakkon-to, a traditional herb medicine, in herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in mice

Kakkon-to is one of the representative traditional herb medicines (Kampo formulae) and has been used historically for the treatment of infectious diseases in China and Japan. The efficacy of this preparation was characterised using a cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in mice as a model for human viral infection. Kakkon-to at a dose corresponding to human use reduced significantly the mortality of HSV-1-infected mice and localised skin lesions. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to HSV-1 antigen was significantly stronger in treated mice than in untreated mice. However, no histopathological difference was noted in the skin lesions between treated and untreated mice except for the size of the lesions. Kakkon-to did not inhibit the growth of HSV-1 in vitro. Natural killer cell activity, natural cytotoxic killer cell activity, and the population of T-cell subsets in spleen cells of infected mice were not affected by the drug. Kakkon-to did not augment interferon induction and anti-HSV-1 antibody production, nor increased cytokine levels such as interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in sera of infected mice. Thus, Kakkon-to induced strong DTH to HSV-1 in infected mice, which may have caused localisation of skin lesions and reduction in the mortality of treated mice.

Place and contingency differential responses of monkey septal neurons during conditional place-object discrimination

To elucidate spatial and cognitive function of the septal nuclei, neural activity was recorded from alert monkeys during performance of a place-dependent go/no-go (PGN) task. Response/reinforcement contingencies of given objects were conditional upon the location of a motorized, movable device (cab) containing a monkey in one of four places. The task was initiated by presentation of the outside view (place phase) followed by presentation of an object (object phase) selected from a total of four. A lever press was reinforced only if the correct object was seen in its corresponding place, and the same object was never reinforced in any of the other three places. Of 430 septal neurons recorded, the responses during the place phase in the four places were significantly different in 58 neurons. Responses of eight of these neurons were also place-differential during the object phase as well as the place phase. Furthermore, when the outside view was not presented before the object phase, differential responses in the object phase disappeared. Responses of 91 neurons in the object phase were differential in terms of go/no-go responses and reward availability. Of these 91 neurons, 72 were further tested on a place-independent asymmetrical go/no-go (AGN) task, which required no conditional discrimination. Forty-three neurons responded differentially only in the PGN task. It is thus concluded that this PGN-specific activity reflected conditional place-object relations. Of the remaining 29 neurons that responded differentially in both tasks, 21 were further tested by a place-independent symmetrical go/no-go task (no-go responses were also rewarded). Responses of 19 of these 21 neurons were related to the reward/nonreward contingency but not to the response contingency. The results suggest that septal nuclei are involved in integrating spatial information, conditional place-object relations, and reward/nonreward contingency.

Cardiopulmonary function in bicycle racing over mountainous terrain at moderate altitude

To examine cardiopulmonary function during exercise in a mountainous region at moderate altitude, we measured cardiac frequency, oxygen consumption (VO2), and percentage arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (%SaO2) before and after a bicycle race with a starting point at 638 m and finishing point at 1980 m. The time required to ascend an elevation of 10 m was prolonged with increasing altitude, and heart rate also increased with altitude. The %SaO2 at the starting point and at the finishing point differed significantly (P < 0.01). Faster cyclists exhibited higher %SaO2 and lower VO2, while slower cyclists exhibited a reduction in %SaO2 and an increase in VO2 immediately after the race. The %SaO2 recovery time was significantly correlated with the racing time (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). Therefore, the faster cyclists' oxygen debt upon completion of the race may be small and recovery of cardiopulmonary function may be fast, while the slower cyclists' oxygen debt may be large and recovery of cardiopulmonary function may be slow.